Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/31/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:


It's (the end!) of electioneering season ... and, at this point -- just go vote! Exercise your civic duty! And I'm not going to try to persuade you to choose one candidate over another (although I'm certainly most definite about my choices, it's just that I know folks from across the ideological spectrum) -- but for goodness sake, CHOOSE and VOTE! More than half of our country elects to sit out this whole process -- which should serve as a reminder that your choice is not just for what makes your personal situation better, but for what is best for the greater good! Earn the right to bitch and moan afterwards (I don't want to see any crying from someone who didn't even take the time to visit the booth)!


CENSUS BUREAU REPORT ON 2006 ELECTIONS:
http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p20-557.pdf


YOU CAN EVEN VOTE NAKED IN ILLINOIS:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/your-doubting-thomas/2010/09/vote-naked-illinois.html


CNN's COVERAGE OF THE 2010 ELECTIONS:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/main.results/#val=S

Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/30/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... why is it that no one in my life ever took the time to show me that the optimal way for eating shrimp was to pinch the little tails so that you could get every bit of "meat" out of your bite?

I know for a fact that there were people in my life who loved me and wanted only the best for me (some unexpected and some sought after on my part). Yet it was only last year (thanks (c)!)that I learned I had been wasting quality pieces of shrimp my whole life -- peel and eat, in a scampi, with or without cocktail sauce, frequently fried, butterflied if big enough -- all suboptimal experiences in retrospect! And even in these modern times, where many of us are raised by pop culture, why was it that Forrest Gump couldn't school me on this gem? Someone must pay for this crustacean crime!

Amazing Race Aside -- at least, thanks to pop culture's influence, I will know that if I find myself in Norway for the holidays and I'm faced with the traditional boiled sheep's head, I will pull all of the meat from out of the skull to make it much more palatable!

AND IF YOU EVER WANNA EAT THE SHRIMP HEADS:
http://zarzamora.blogspot.com/2005/04/3-ways-to-eat-shrimps-head.html

INDIANA JONES AND THE SHEEP EYE (and why did I have one in my frig in my frat pad?):
http://www.suite101.com/content/indiana-jones-food-delicacies-fact-or-fiction-a299321

RUN, FORREST, RUN ... TO YOUR NEAREST BUBBA GUMP SHRIMPERY:
http://www.bubbagump.com/

Random Posting for Penn State 10/30/10

A journey of 1116 inches starts with just one carry. Please give Mr. Royster the ball tonight as seeing him travel his final 31 yards will be one of the highlights of this otherwise "building" season! And while I'm at it ... to you, Mr. Levi in the Nittany Lion mascot suit: please beware the Wolverine. With this weekend of costumes and treats and tricks and such, I understand that it has potent anal scent glands used for marking territory, etc. One dressed up in a costume can't be too careful this time of year ...

WE'VE WON THE LAST TWO!:
http://www.suite101.com/content/michigan-wolverines-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-2010-a302088

CURT WARNER's RECORD ABOUT TO GO BYE-BYES!:
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=259504

THE ONLY WOLVERINE LIVING IN THE WILD IN MICHIGAN HAS DIED:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1623925/Michigan.News/Michigan's.Only.Wolverine.Dies.

Random Flashback for Friday 10/29/10

Yet another picture in the Real World: Koln series ... and I don't know what it is about our group of exchange students in Germany 20 years ago, but we sure did like piling up together to pose for a group shot. If I had to guess, I would say this was from a bus trip across the border to Brussels for a tour of NATO's European HQ. (Sorry, what can I say -- it was university sponsored, so they weren't going to send us to Amsterdam!) Other than flying into Heathrow outside of London and an accidental walk on the wrong side of the mountain on the day we visited Trier that landed John B. and I in Luxembourg at a locals bar featuring a giant green glowing golf ball structure in the middle of it all (sounds like we might as well have gone to Amsterdam when it comes to that trip, no?), this was the only other country I got to visit from that time abroad!

Random Thought for Thursday 10/28/10

In honor of my 1/16 native american heritage (thanks Mom!), I turn my post over to this classic Cherokee legend for your consideration ...

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

OR, THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=NIV

THANKS, AJ VALENTINO, FOR THIS INTERNET IMAGE:
http://www.pbase.com/image/73371676

I THINK THESE ARE MY MOTHER's MOTHER's MOTHER's PEOPLE?:
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/delaware/delawarehist.htm

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/27/10

TV-imMA.

Used in a sentence: "There hasn't been an update of the voluntary TV ratings since they launched in 1997, and I was struck last week when I settled in to watch SpikeTV's "Blue Mountain State", that it might be time to promote a new one -- TV-imMA."

If you haven't seen it, know in advance that it is a raunch fest (the recent episode featured a Rashomon style investigation of which football player slipped his digit into another player's rectum while in "the pile") with lots of inappropriate talk and plenty of skin (keep in mind this is the channel advertised for guys).

My point ... when I saw the warning flash across the screen that this was for Mature Audiences, I thought it somewhat of a misnomer. "imMature Audiences" seemed like the more accurate label. Once I got over that point, of course, I watched the whole episode. [Sometimes you need a little inappropriateness in your life.]

PROTECT YOUR CHILD (OR SEEK OUT WHAT YOU YOURSELF REALLY WANT TO SEE):
http://reboot.fcc.gov/parents/tv-and-parental-controls

WARNING: FOR imMATURE AUDIENCES (like me):
http://www.spike.com/show/34560#

WIERD BUG LADY SHOWS ZOO PICS OF BUTTERFLIES COPULATING (why?):
http://weirdbuglady.blogspot.com/2009/03/for-immature-audiences-only.html

Random Tune for Tuesday 10/26/10

This could be the very definition of random (and certainly belongs in the occasional series Country Music has the best ... lyrics ... ever!) -- a song that appears out of nowhere in my head every so often (especially depending on what I did the night before). And, with a little research, it looks like it might all trace back to a country version that was on the charts in 1981 (when I was nine!)? Below is the link to the Rovers singing about how ... "Could've been the whiskey. Might've been the gin. Could've been the three or four six-packs, I don't know, but look at the mess I'm in! My head is like a football. I think I'm going to die! Tell me, me oh, me oh my -- Wasn't that a party!"

THE CAT WAS TALKING BACK, LONG ABOUT THEN, EVERYTHING WENT BLACK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVPu5v_S0Lk

Purposeful Memorial for Monday 10/25/10

Gone but not forgotten: Octobers without sadness for me. It's been one year this month since I lost my "grandmother" JoAnn and nine years this month since I lost my "brother" DJ. With my typical posts, I tend toward the purple prose and the over-convoluted, so today, I'll keep it simple out of respect for them. People who gave of themselves to accept me into their families that are now no longer with us, you are very much missed.

INSCRIPTION, THE WEBSITE FOR MEMORIALIZING LOVED ONES:
http://www.inscription.co.uk/home.htm

DEATH BE NOT PROUD:
http://www.bartleby.com/105/72.html

LOVER OF SADNESS.COM:
http://www.loverofsadness.com/index.php

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/24/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

Electioneering season is in full swing. And we may not riot in the streets like the French do when the retirement age is suggested to be raised, or blindly accept that its meant to be like the British did this week --but that controversial suggestion is featured in one of the most negative local political ads. "Adam -- don't you touch my retirement money!" say a host of elderly folks in Debbie Halvorson's ads, repeating the line "Young man, you don't know what you're doing!", and setting up an old vs. young smack-down. Who doesn't love a good generational jousting this time of year?

DEBBIE, STOP PICKING ON THAT YOUNG KID!:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-political-commentary/2010/10/debbie-halvorson-her-negative-campaign.html

BRITISH REACTION TO 66 BECOMING THE NEW 65:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/6264249/Conservative-retirement-age-expert-reaction.html

FRENCH REACTION TO 62 BECOMING THE NEW 60:
http://worldnews.about.com/b/2010/10/22/despite-riots-french-senate-raises-retirement-age-to-62.htm

Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/23/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... if you're off to Yellowstone, you're going to have to realize that the animals were there first. And certainly no disrespect to the families of those who were mauled, but let it be known that you must pack your bear spray, follow all of the protocols and be ever vigilant. This year -- even more so, thanks to a dearth of pine nuts.

Ecosystem 101 (OR how global warming's actually at fault) -- Cones grown on the pine trees. Hungry squirrels knock them down and take out the pine nuts, burying them underground. Grizzlies come along and steal the pine nuts from the squirrels. And, since the squirrels never get to about 30% of the nuts they buried, new trees grow for the next cycle ... when there will be more cones grown on pine trees.

Except -- there's a new wrinkle in this tale. With a rise in temperature, winters aren't as freezing as they once were and pine-tree eating beetles have decimated the growth of these stands of trees. Which means there's less of everything to go around for everyone. And hungry bears with their cubs needing to pack on extra meat for hibernation are going to turn to the next best thing -- which might be you if you're not careful!

So -- enjoy the beauty of nature (but make sure you understand your place in the food chain this fall)!

WARNING! HUNGRY GRIZZLIES THIS FALL COMING TO A YELLOWSTONE NEAR YOU!:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/22/tech/main6795251.shtml

GRIZZLY BEAR PROTECTION TIPS FROM KIDS IN MONTANA:
http://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/animals/grizzly_bears.htm

PUT THE WHITEBARK PINE ON THE ENDANGERED LIST?:
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/a_casualty_of_global_warming_m.html

Random Posting for Penn State 10/23/10

Thanks -- and sorry about the (probable) concussion. (Teddy Roosevelt, who thought about outlawing football back at the turn of the century because of its brutality, would be pissed.)


Now that we've gotten that winning feeling back, it's time to think about which Saturday in November will host Joe Pa's 400th win. I'd like to suggest that it happen at home on the 6th instead of on the road the week after or the strange trip to Maryland the week after that. That kind of milestone just sounds like a perfect fit for Happy Valley. So let's make that happen!

TEDDY's FOOTBALL CONFERENCE:
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/kidscorner/football.htm

SOMEBODY's HOBBY -- PENN STATE TIX FROM MILESTONE GAMES:
http://www.pennstatefootballticketmuseum.com/milestones/milestone.htm

WHO KNEW? THERE's A CITY NAMED HAPPY VALLEY IN OREGON:
http://www.ci.happy-valley.or.us/

Random Flashback for Friday 10/22/10

And here's part 2 of "what's a boy to do in Berlin (in 1990)" when faced with the famous wall that once split the city? Why -- climb up on it of course. Sadly, this was in the days before the digital camera, so we didn't realize that I was mostly in shadows until the film was developed back home. But if you look closely, you'll see the Adidas sneakers, the black denim jeans jacket and the collar length hair that's been in the other photos from this year. Just climbing the wall wasn't enough, though, so I chopped a piece off to take home with me. That hunk of history now sits on a shelf with my other mementos from that trip -- a (now broken) Fruh Kolsch glass, lots and lots of beer deckels, a CDU election headband and the reflective thingy I pried off the road when we all went out for Thanksgiving. [As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't count as "hoarding" if you can still remember the story attached to every item (and if you haven't lost a pet or family member in the debris).]

Random Thought for Thursday 10/21/10

Thrice this week, I came to conclusions I was saddened to reach. To wit ...

1.) The computer in my office at my workstation is a stoner. Each day, at 4:20, it slows down and then crashes, necessitating a reboot. I'm pretty sure it's a Dell, but now I have to worry that it's in a Gateway situation. [Of course, if it chooses a speedier substance next, I might be OK.]

2.) I think my oldest cat might be bulimic (based on my observations of her binge and purge cycles). In every other way, she seems just fine (feisty, talkative, stubborn) -- but I'm thinking of hanging some pictures of cats who are proud of their curves above the food bowls.

3.) And, my Amazing Race aside for this week: I was hoping that the Glee boys could go much farther and was disappointed that they chose the sledding challenge over the build a lapland tent-house. I was kind of hoping that they would do a better job representing those of us who were much better in phys-ics than phys-ed. [Although, to be honest, I didn't really excel at either of those!] How can it be that the team is still there who got in the cab in Ghana and straight-facedly asked to be driven to the arctic circle?

Here's to hoping next week's revelations are all much happier ones!

MORE ON THE "SECRET" 4:20 PHENOMENON:
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/420/420review.shtml

THIS IS THE ONLY CURVY CATS ITEM THAT IS SFW (warning: do not google curvy cats):
http://jcfloresinc.blogspot.com/2007/10/photo-hunt-78-curvy-cats.html

LOCAL BOY (not me) PROVIDES FULL AMAZING RACE RUNDOWN:
http://www.examiner.com/movie-reviews-in-chicago/the-amazing-race-17-episode-4-recap-we-should-have-brought-gloves-and-butt-pads-video

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/20/10

Herbs (no silent 'h').

Used in a sentence: "I've been lamenting the lameness and overuse of the word 'fake' (thought I was going to say 'lame', didn't you?) as an insult for quite some time, crying out for creativity in this arena -- so I was pleased to learn that I can now refer to certain people as 'herbs'."

[By the way, on this day of purple in remembrance of those driven to suicide by bullies, let me be the first to say that those bullies jump to the front of the line to be insulted this way.]

Of course, if I now know that this is an insult that the kids are using nowadays, it's probably time to retire it. A little bit of internet research the modern way hints that this dig on others is in no way related to marijuana and may have even originated in the Burger King commercials of quite a few years back. It's apparently been embraced by the rap community -- and I first heard it on the Jersey Shore, so there's its pedigree for you to make your own judgement.

So ... in conclusion ... don't be one of the herbs -- stop bullying now!

STOP BULLYING NOW!:
http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/

THE BURGER KING CAMPAIGN:
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4395487233791244575

HERE's HOW ONE GUY EXPLAINS IT:
http://everything2.com/user/Milk/writeups/herb

Random Tune for Tuesday 10/19/10

Well ... that which I was going to post will have to wait until next week.

After all, I can't really link to any tune today other than the theme song from that classic TV show of my youth as a tribute to Tom Bosley now that he's passed. [By the way -- little did I know that he was born in Chicago and is a DePaul alum (which is one of the schools we service at work).]

At least for now - it's all Sad Days and Gloomy Trash Bags.

THESE DAYS ARE OURRRRRS (RIP MR. C.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjJZudJ3xos

Random Memorial for Monday 10/18/10

Gone but not forgotten: when Marilyn Monroe was the only one sexing up Happy Birthday.

Norma Jeane's rendition of the birthday song for JFK is iconic. So I was super-confused when I heard laser-tag-kiddie-pugilist Justin Bieber serenading Obama in the background of a recent commercial. Until I looked more closely and realized that he wasn't singing to any audience -- and that it was actually just an ad for the american cancer society -- and that other performers were featured in later versions.

That brief moment where I thought that Bieber kid was trying to seduce Mr. Obama, you are missed [or, actually, you are not missed -- I really could have done without that image].

THEY SAY 'SOMBER'; I THOUGHT IT WAS MONROE-ESQUE:
http://www.hollywire.com/2010/09/justin-bieber-sings-very-somber-happy-birthday

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF BIRTHDAYS:
http://www.cancer.org/

AFTER ALL, HE DID SING FOR OBAMA THIS PAST CHRISTMAS:
http://www.celebuzz.com/baby-biebs-does-thing-obama-s164651/

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/17/10

What Chicago is talking about this week ...

It's electioneering season, and since we do supposedly live in a post-racial world, you would think it wouldn't be so jarring to see the effect of a typo in the spelling of the last name of the Green party candidate for governor of Illinois. But when somebody left out the 'n' letter in Rich Whitney's last name on the electronic ballot, there was a minor controversy. All's well that ends well, and the name will be fixed in time for November 2 -- and, luckily, no savvy(?) campaign strategist jumped on the "vote for Whitey" bandwagon.

BALLOT WILL BE FIXED BY NOV 2 (although candidate really has no chance currently):
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Snafu-Makes-Whitney-Whitey-on-Ballot--104934659.html

ARKANSAS CAMPAIGN TO VOTE FOR WHITEY THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK:
http://voteforwhitey.com/index.asp

PAT QUINN NEEDS TO MAKE UP GROUND TO DEFEAT BILL BRADY:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/illinois/election_2010_illinois_governor

Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/16/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... why do we all cling to our labels, sometimes with such fervor in our desire to each be the ultimate arbiter of what is "right", and often to the detriment of greater humanity?

[Urgent Notice -- I want Joy and Whoopi to stay seated throughout this post. And, also, no fatwas please for speaking my mind.]

I watched an intriguing documentary on NGeo today called "Inside the Koran". What looked like a well balanced description of how various factions interpret this religious document led me to see certain themes. To those of you who believe, I apologize in advance for what may sound like an oversimplification of an incredibly diverse practicing people, but ...

... the Shiites believe more in saints and in the need for an intercessory to relate to a higher being (sound like the Catholics and the Pope to anyone?) and the Sunnis believe in more of a personal connection with their God (partly the cause for the Protestant revolution?)!

... fundamentalism is fueled by extremists who are funded with petrol dollars (heard a far right leader of his flock press for copious amounts of cash recently?) who have "translated" the Koran as fits their cause as they insert more parentheticals than I have in one of my typical posts (and how many versions of the Bible have there been through the years?) and who have turned the Wahhabi sect (from which many of the modern day terrorists have sprung) into the mouthpiece for radicalism (Fred Phelps, thy middle name is Wahhabi, perhaps?)!

... the Sufis have split off to embrace the mystical side of Islam (red string Kabbalah for anyone?) being certain to work in song and dance to their worship sessions (belt it out at the Baptist church much?)!

So what's my point? Travel as much as you can. Seek out others unlike you to engage in discussion and dialogue with them. Research, with an open mind, about things which you don't understand. And, without a doubt, be ever vigilant for extremism (both from within and on the outside) ... because history is riddled with the deaths of the innocent, those who blindly followed a false cause, and those helplessly caught in the middle.

And just know, that when all is said and done, there is more that binds us together than there is that tears us apart.

ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE "MUST-SEE" DOCUMENTARY:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/reviews/article_1421482.php/Nat_Geo_s_Inside_The_Koran_a_must_see_documentary_Aug_5

THE OFFICIAL SITE:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/inside-the-koran-3466/Photos#tab-Overview

IF THE BLACK STONE OF MECCA IS A METEORITE, COULD IT BE KRYPTONITE?:
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/saudi-arabia/mecca-kaba

Random Posting for Penn State 10/16/10

Any other recent year, I would have said, "Boys, rest up! It's a bye week and you've got to keep yourself as sharp as you've been playing for some upcoming battles". Is it wrong that, this year, I'm saying "Boys, you're lucky to get an extra week to practice. Work extra hard 'cause you have to change your reputation!" Let's use this opportunity to say BYE to our struggles, our challenges and our inability to impress. (I've never been the kind to be an armchair quarterback, but I quickly turned into a posting-couch-coach, eh?)

PENN STATE DID NOT SEE THIS ONE COMING:
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2010/10/11/lions_wrap_up_3.aspx

SOME DBAG WHO IS CERTAIN HE OR SHE CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=armchair%20quarterback

COUCH COACH FANTASY LEAGUES:
http://www.couchcoachsports.com/

Random Flashback for Friday 10/15/10

This week in my ongoing series of Real World:Koln shots -- part 1 of "what's a boy in Berlin to do (twenty years ago during my semester abroad)"? Why -- go see the wall that ceased serving its purpose just one year prior to that visit -- of course. By the way, the graffiti (and that last word is planet, not plan) points to the fact that I was on the western side of Checkpoint Charlie for this photo. As we enter a particularly partisan election season, let's remind ourselves that successes stem from finding common ground. Unity ... can save our planet!

Random Thought for Thursday 10/14/10

Look, I'm usually too stubborn and obstinate to follow along with the FB updates that everyone jumps in on: it's couples week! it's sisters week! it's doppelganger week! And when it comes to stubborn and obstinate, I have to tell you that I truly embrace that character trait. Interestingly enough, it is what will help me survive OR what will aid in my downfall -- all depending on the situation.

But I'm going to break that rule today, and repost what my elementary school friend Chris Blatt did (FB really does connect me with all chapters of my life!), because I like its cheekiness (or breastiness, more accurately stated). Fun with emoticons meets a support-the-cause message:

Fake (+)(+) Perfect (o)(o) Perky (*)(*) Cold (^)(^) and even Grandma's \./\./ and Big ( o )( o ) or small (.)(.) Save them all! [Repost for Breast Cancer Awareness]

Or, here's a slightly "enhanced effect", if you want to see it bolded:

Fake (+)(+) Perfect (o)(o) Perky (*)(*) Cold (^)(^) and even Grandma's \./\./ and Big ( o )( o ) or small (.)(.) Save them all! [Repost for Breast Cancer Awareness]

CHUCKLE (I HOPE) BUT THEN HELP SPREAD THE WORD:
http://www.nbcam.org/

PERTINACIOUSLY ADHERING TO AN OPINION, PURPOSE OR COURSE:
http://www.brainyquote.com/words/ob/obstinate195498.html

FIVE FACEBOOK FADS THAT LAW STUDENTS SHOULD NEVER PARTICIPATE IN:
http://trickumlegis.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/five-facebook-fads-that-law-students-should-never-participate-in-ever/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/13/10

AFR or Vicissitudes or Vertical Integration.

Used in a sentence: I am now fully ensconced in the new fall TV season, and to make myself feel better about my eventual metamorphosis into one of those floating roly-poly-folks from Wall-E ... I am finding value in the fact that I am learning new vocabulary from some of my favorite shows (TV does not necessarily turn your mind to mush!): AFR from Undercover Boss, Vicissitudes from Big Bang Theory and Vertical Integration from 30 Rock.

And, to really test my new found knowledge, here are all three words in one real sentence: Who knew that my professional life would be subject to such vicissitudes as my employer reaches toward its goal of cradle-to-grave vertical integration; at least I'm beyond the shock stage (AFR in my shorts) when I heard the news!

IF ONLY I READ PARADISE LOST, I WOULD'VE LEARNED VICISSITUDES SOONER:
http://www.jstor.org/pss/460140

NBC-KABLETOWN MERGER POKED AT ON 30 MOCK:
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/123325-good-morning-tech

FUN WITH THE ACRONYM AFR:
http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/AFR

Random Tune for Tuesday 10/12/10

Whereas I used to be exposed to culture through cartoons (have you ever looked at the amount of classical music to which we were surreptitiously introduced by Bugs Bunny and his ilk?), I now have to rely on half-hour comedies to make me acquainted with instantly unforgettable tunes like "Istanbul, not Constantinople" (thanks Greg Garcia and your latest glimpse of how things happen in the real [albeit eccentric] world). Raising Hope, on Fox tonight, is growing on me -- as I expected it would based on its lineage (Yes Dear and My Name is Earl). And, for some reason, it's been in my head since last week's episode, except I want to do a mash-up of it with "Puttin' on the Ritz".

Making me extra happy -- the you-tube clip of the song whose link is below as performed by They Might Be Giants is from a modern day Tiny Toons.

AMAZING RACE ASIDE: Speaking of ever-changing names in history, I was more than a little worried when the racers came up on the African children's geography lesson on the most recent episode and when they had to designate Ghana on the map. There's been quite a few changes to the political map of Africa since I learned it over twenty years ago in Mrs. Gardner's 10th grade world studies class! Hello Burkina Faso and Eritrea! Goodbye Zaire!

THAT's NOBODY's BUSINESS BUT THE TURKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-KcF3Rkv8&feature=fvw

PLAY THE WHERE IN AFRICA GAME YOURSELF:
http://www.ilike2learn.com/ilike2learn/africa.html

Random Memorial for Monday 10/11/10

Gone but not forgotten: riding the see saw.

And I'm not going all metaphorical at all -- I mean that I literally miss being on one end of a see saw. An adult can easily slip into a swing and reminisce (although it might conjure up an image just crying out for slow sad music), but you can't quite just jump on a see saw when you walk past one. That is assuming you could find one, since modern play structures seem to have gotten rid of so much of what I remember from my youth anyway (maybe the spinny thing that you got people to push as fast as they possibly could so you would get up and fall down right away was too dangerous ... and the giant slides you would try to run up to get to the top backwards or go down at triple-speed with the aid of wax paper led to more concussions than an NFL game)?

[Quick note, I'm not hanging out at little kids' playgrounds. I don't want any rumors started.]

By the way, the encyclopedia of the people (perfect for rewriting history for those fully enveloped in the disposable generation) implies that there are geographic distinctions for calling these things see-saws or teeter-totters or ridey-horses (I most certainly don't miss being on one of those -- not at my current weight!). Is see-saw really the soda to the teeter-totter's pop?

The exhilaration I got from jumping off the see-saw when I was the one on the ground, causing the other rider to plummet to the earth (am I evil or was I just being a boy?), you are missed.

NO SEE-SAWs (OR TEETER-TOTTERs) IN SIGHT ON THESE DESIGNS:
http://www.thekidsbackyardstore.com/subs/residential.html

NOW EVEN HISTORY IS DISPOSABLE (RIPE FOR THE REWRITING):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seesaw

TEETER-TOTTERs FOR THOSE WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDERS:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/rotating-teeter-totter.html

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/10/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

Even we need a break from electioneering season (especially with the general election just over three weeks away), and what better break than the excitement around the annual Chicago marathon -- and again on a day where temps have exceeded 80 degrees! In that spirit, let's also celebrate the launch of an innovative program that started in Philly, that's based on the concept of a morning run and that's designed to help the homeless and others down on their luck. "Back On My Feet" has officially launched in the Windy City.

Directly from their website: "BOMF is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. We [...] provide a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. Our organization consists of much more than just running: our members participate in a comprehensive program that offers connections to job training, employment and housing. Those benefits are earned by maintaining 90 percent attendance at the morning runs three days a week for our six to nine month program."

MARATHONER'S SENSE OF COMMUNITY LEADS TO INNOVATIVE PROGRAM:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-09-07-homeless07_ST_N.htm

CHICAGO SNEAKER DAY IS FRI NOV 5TH:
http://chicago.backonmyfeet.org/chicagoland-sneaker-day-4871.html

SEARCHABLE DATABASE FOR RUNNERS (with 45000 running, you might know someone):
http://results.public.chicagomarathon.com/2010/?&event=MAR&lang=EN&num_results=25&pid=start&search_sort=name&search_sort_order=ASC&top_results=3

Random Posting for Penn State 10/9/10

Ok. I get it. We're a young team. Next year, we'll be unstoppable. This year, there's still a lot of work to do. As they say, a journey of a thousand miles starts with just a single step. So I have three suggestions to start us off toward success :

1) Please do more than just score field goals. We love you Colin Wagner and we think you're swell, but we're going to need to increase our point total by more than just three at a time.

2) Please throw the ball to our own guys. I'm nowhere near to being a fanatic and yet I can grasp that basic concept.

3) Please give the ball to Evan "do I look fat in these pads?" Royster. If this season is really going to slip away from us, let's at least celebrate his record for passing Curt Warner (that's Curt with a 'c' and not a 'k' for you casual observers -- he who just sold his car dealership in Vancouver) on those stairs they always show.

See you on the other side!

KICKER BUSTED FOR DRINKING, AND MOCKED FOR DRINKING MANGO RUM:
http://deadspin.com/5513450/penn-state-kicker-drinks-like-a-sorority-girl

"EVAN ROYSTER, HE's A LITTLE HEAVY":
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/09/penn_states_evan_royster_adjus.html

CURT WARNER CAR DEALERSHIP NOW BELONGS TO ALAN WEBB (the runner?):
http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/27/vancouver-chevrolet-franchise-sold-warner-scores-d/

Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/9/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... I do hope that this recent trend of suicide prevention messaging lasts beyond just the celebrity endorsement stage so that all of us stay involved.

And let me clearly state that the above sentence does not mean to diminish any of the powerful effect of the "It. Gets. Better." campaign. Bringing the issue of extreme bullying to the fore for youths feeling alone and struggling with acceptance at a key time in their formative years is exactly what is needed to spotlight the unacceptable behavior of individuals whose intolerance leads to intense taunting and teasing that makes other give up hope and see no future.

Now juxtapose that hot topic with the announcement of a report from an independent task force documenting that more than 1100 members of the armed forces killed themselves from '05 to '09, and that the prevention programs they created just didn't work as well as they could have. There's certainly collateral damage when engaging in the business of war, but with 3821 official fatalities during those 4 years in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflagrations, adding in those lost through suicide, we've raised the total irreplaceable human damage by nearly a third!

So when the buzz fades, what's left for each of us? Reach out to others, build community, take the time to ask how someone is doing, support your veterans, pressure your politicians to buttress the support system for the active men and women of the military. Finally, if you're being bullied, recognize that the tag line for the current campaign works because it is powerful in its simplicity -- it does get better. And if you're the one doing the bullying, knock it the f*** off!

IT GETS BETTER PROJECT:
http://itgetsbetter.org/default.aspx

CASUALTY COUNT:
http://icasualties.org/

ONE SUICIDE EVERY 36 HOURS:
http://iava.org/blog/1-suicide-every-36-hours

Random Flashback for Friday 10/8/10

With the exchange program of 20 years ago based in Cologne but being held during the (re)unification of Germany, it was a no-brainer that the group should take a "school sponsored" trip to Berlin. And, to save money, it makes complete sense that we should all stay together in a hostel (the friendly hippier kind, not the ones from modern day horror movies). But at no point was there a mandate that we save even more money by all piling into one Doppelstockbett. That's just what college kids do. [And to continue the Real World:Koln theme, I vote for this to be the picture on the title frame that goes with "seven strangers ... who stop being polite ... and start getting real" (even though I think I can only count six bodies in this pic, and even though there were more like 15 of us on the trip).]

Random Thought for Thursday 10/7/10

Warning: scatological comment ahead. Divert your eyes if you're not ready for that kind of reference today.

So have I never been able to fully digest corn? Or am I just more fascinated by my stool output in my older age?? At this rate, was there really any benefit to adding corn to the chicken tortilla soup last night???

CLASSY SCAT (from Ella Fitzgerald):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU

I RECOMMEND THE SOUP (but you might as well substitute bacon for the corn):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/tortilla-soup-recipe/index.html

AND, ONCE AGAIN, THE UBIQUITOUSNESS OF FB IS PROVEN:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Why-is-there-corn-in-my-poop/305512123672

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/6/10

National Day Golden Week.

Used in a sentence: Happy National Day Golden Week!

Let me preface this by saying I will attempt to rein in any burgeoning xenophobia by remembering how difficult it can be sometimes to explain Groundhog's Day or Daylight Savings Time to those not brought up in our American culture, but when I found out this week that economic transactions between us and China were halted so that one of several Golden Weeks could be celebrated, I was intrigued by the notion of a communist government mandated week off. It turns out these are newer concepts (launched in 1999-2000) and that only two remain on the calendar after one was shut down in '07. A few days off carefully placed around a weekend allow the common folk to travel to see family and to have a "better standard of living".

Feel free to explain your allegiance to Mao and to reference this blogpost if you want to take off the next few days! Heck, go ahead and make it a whole Golden Columbus Week if you'd like!

BETCHA 210 MILLION CHINESE MILLING ABOUT LOOKS FUNNY FROM SPACE:
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20101003-240356.html

WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS -- WHERE EVERY DAY IS GROUNDHOG DAY:
http://www.woodstockgroundhog.org/

CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY WHILE YOU STILL CAN:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125512754947576887.html

Random Tune for Tuesday 10/5/10

I don't know about you, but there are some lyrics that have stayed inside my head to consistently play at odd times (and, I guess snippets of song are better things to hear than, you know, actual voices). And, since I've been posting regularly, I've yet to NOT be able to find the song of my choice on YouTube -- until tonight. I went looking for such a set of lyrics that I recall regularly: "whatever ... floats your boat; whatever ... peels your banana" and although the interwebs gave me the full lyrics and told me the song was from the Statler Brothers in 1982, it could not give me a video/audio link like in weeks past. So, instead, see below another Statler song that sticks in your craw: "countin' flowers on the wall, doesn't bother me at all ... playin' solitaire 'til dawn, with a deck of 51 ... smokin' cigarettes and watchin' captain (kang) kangaroo".

SUBSTITUTE STATLER SONG FOUND HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0LMRxvUuc

LYRICS TO WHAT I WANTED IS HERE:
http://www.top40db.net/Lyrics/?SongID=82534

Random Memorial for Monday 10/4/10

Gone but not forgotten: when popular reality shows left well enough alone.

Pick up any science fiction story about clones and you'll soon discover the theme that clones of clones lead to mutations that can't deliver on the original promise.

I had just gotten used to Celebrity Apprentice as the new way for Trump to have an outlet for his anger that wasn't directed at poor Rosie, and after coming to terms with the fact that "celebrities might actually be real", I now have to adjust to this year's crop of real people, who are mostly asses (or at least they're edited that way). If the expectation was that these folks were kicked around by the economy and need our sympathy, then an hour long opportunity for all of their foibles to be on display is not the path to future employment. So far I've learned that lawyers are aggressively evil and that having five children makes you act like a child (I shall build a nail from a binder clip). Mr. Burnett and whomever is in charge at Kabletown, please bring back the environment where calling someone a "poker player" was the worst insult thrown around.

And don't even get me started on Top Chef Desserts. Deserved of the Emmy the original iteration just won, I can't get my head wrapped around the clowns on display on this version of the show. I went into it with an open mind, seeking as much value as I could (for instance, I appreciate the fact that these contestants come with their own set of tools that I've not seen before and I can get behind the mentor who kind of reminds me of my "brother" DJ who passed away), but I am overwhelmed by the fey fairy dust duster (that's not a euphemism -- I'm being quite literal), the old man who stole all the butter just to be an ass and the mess that is Seth-xter.

Here's an Amazing Race aside -- at least this show returned intact, with Phil Keoghan returning as an old friend on Sunday nights. Although, I am missing the fact that ousted contestants can't visit the Bonnie Hunt show the next day. (Where I'm sure she would have been brought to tears interviewing the daughter/mother-who-gave-her-up-for-adoption team of strangers ... and where she would have undoubtedly commented that these youngsters never worked a set of rabbit ears in their digital lifetime).

Quality reality producers who believed so much in their product that they protected it from bastardizations, you are missed.

BBC AMERICA DOES IT ONE BETTER -- JUNIOR APPRENTICE!:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jun/02/junior-apprentice

TOP CHEF DESSERTS SETH (aka DEXTER):
http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/top_chef_just_desserts/2010_Sep_26_seth_red_hots

BYE BYE BONNIE BYE BYE:
http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2010/06/04/bonnie/

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/3/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

It's electioneering season, and I got a gift in the mail from Jesse White, our Secretary of State, as I prepare for the election in four weeks - a copy of the proposed amendment to add section 7 to article III of the Illinois Constitution. Even if you're not a local, just the first few words below should tell you whom we have to thank for the pamphlet:

(a) The recall of the Governor may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties ...

As keepers of democracy, we're being asked to balance whether citizens should have some other process (other than impeachment) that involves them with the notion that recall elections can be hella expensive and open to manipulation by the political machine.

Since we have millions to spare and only place the most honest of politicians in power, we should have nothing to worry about, right? Vote YES to join 18 other states who provide this right to its public.

THE QUICK FACTS:
http://www.lwvil.org/recall_quickfacts.pdf

ON THE VOTE YES SIDE, BUT MUCH MORE VOCAL:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-political-commentary/2010/09/does-illinois-need-term-limits-total-recall-provisions.html

IN OTHER NEWS, TOTAL RECALL BEING REMADE?
http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2010/07/total-recall-remake-is-official-len-wiseman-directing

Random Posting for Penn State 10/2/10

I just got back from picking up an extra avocado for the guac, and let me tell you - it is a perfectly crisp day in Chicago, reminding me that fall has returned. (As a matter of fact, if you stand still and strain your ears, you can practically hear the leaves goading each other as to whom will be the first to take the plunge. And, by the way, a well polished goader can be tolerated, a bully is abhorrent!) The real question at hand -- does it remind me of a fall day in 2009 (when our season was spoiled in the fourth quarter by a lot) or a fall day in 2008 (when our season was spoiled in the last second of the fourth quarter) or a fall day in 2007 (when the second or third string was playing in the fourth quarter of our rout). Breathe it in - I smell fall 2007!

SOME WOULD SAY THE BEST RIVALRY IN THE BIG 10:
http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/09/27/iowa-vs-penn-state-the-best-rivalry-in-big-ten-college-football-part-1/

THIS THANK YOU IS NOT A REAL THANK YOU AND IS MEAN-SPIRITED:
http://www.offtackleempire.com/2010/1/17/1255319/thank-you-penn-state

ANTI-BULLYING TACTIC FROM AN EDUCATOR: PREVENTION NOT INTERVENTION:
http://www.veanea.org/vea-journal/1010/Oct10-bullyroots.html

Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/2/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... in the business that is the war machine, we need a little more of the "stand up and deliver" from the DoD for those veterans dealing with all of they've seen and survived "over there". I recognize that PTSD is a modern understanding of the side-effects of war (and even that phrasing sounds way too clinical for the horrors involved in these conflicts), but when the expose hit that there was a tendency to discharge those who served for personality disorders over diagnosing them with PTSD because (follow the money trail here) personality disorders were deemed a pre-existing condition and therefore excused the government from providing follow up health care, all of us should have been in an uproar.

Thanks to advances in modern medicine, more and more soldiers are surviving who would have died in previous battles -- which simply increases the amount of after-care we must provide to those permanently changed with TBIs or PTSD symptoms.

Don't take the easy way out of this obligation, DoD, as those with whom you're dealing most certainly didn't! Shame on you and shame on us for not decrying your practices earlier or more loudly!

THE RECENT NEWS STORY:
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/personality-disorder-discharge-problems-persist-1.118432

FROM A VETERAN's GROUP's POV:
http://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/newsDetails?id=226

SUPPORT OPERATION HELMET:
http://www.operation-helmet.org/

Random Flashback for Friday 10/1/10

Twenty years ago this weekend (October 3 to be exact), East Germany and West Germany were united as one Deutschland as the Cold War rushed to a conclusion -- and our group of exchange students had a front row seat to history. Four or us chose to brave the Donnerwetter to go find a spot next to this tree along the banks of the Rhein river in Koln to drink in the fireworks (and celebrate with some Kolsch and Schokolade). Regardless of the controversy over the first holiday being called re-unification inappropriately, it was amazing to be there to witness a people united. On this 20th anniversary of German Unity Day ... Prosit!