Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Weird Stuff

World Beard and Moustache Championships

Hurricane Wilma, brought to you by the number 2

You think your ex is a snake?

First Europe, Now Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has urged families not to mark Halloween, calling it a US custom* alien to the South American nation.

...Mr Chavez said Halloween was part of the US culture of "putting fear into other nations, putting fear into their own people".

I know what he means. I'm already trembling in fear just thinking about the army of little Spidermen, Princess Barbies, Jedi, Power Rangers, ninjas, and pirates that will be coming round this evening. I'm afraid I won't have any of my favorite candy left over and be stuck with raiding the stuff my kids bring home.

*Halloween began as a Celtic custom and was brought to the U.S. in the 1800s by Irish immigrants. It's now a celebration for the candy industry ($2 billion in annual sales for the holiday).

Happy Halloween

Who Needs Cromwell's Help?

Prince Charles adds one more item to the list of things that make one question his place as a (future) monarch.

From Outside the Beltway - Prince Charles is coming to the United States this week to argue that Islam is better than we think.

The Prince, who leaves on Tuesday for an eight-day tour of the US, has voiced private concerns over America's "confrontational" approach to Muslim countries and its failure to appreciate Islam's strengths.

It's so considerate of him to come here and explain things to ignorant Americans. Has it occured to him that our "confrontational" approach to terrorists is not a response to Islam but rather their hijacking of the faith? Instead of explaining to us that there are millions of law-abiding Muslims, explain why these millions are not voicing outrage that terrorists are using their faith as an excuse for murder and oppression.

"I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else" - Oliver Cromwell

Apple Picking

A few weeks ago we went to a U-pick farm to pick apples. (I just finally got around to uploading the pictures.)

Conor picking some Red Delicious apples.

Monarch butterfly that we saw on the way to the orchard.

Blogs and Businesses

Forbes may think that blogs "are the prized platform of an online lynch mob spouting liberty but spewing lies, libel and invective." (password and login = forbesdontbug)

Blogs started a few years ago as a simple way for people to keep online diaries. Suddenly they are the ultimate vehicle for brand-bashing, personal attacks, political extremism and smear campaigns.

The article is big on blaming the medium but with or without blogs there will be some companies who will try to attack or discredit their competitors. There will be people who rant about corporations because they think that all big businesses are bad. Some people probably feel stongly enough about it to dedicate a blog just to trashing a company or product. I don't really know much about them and wouldn't base a buying decision on what a blogger with an obvious bias (for or against) has to say. On the other hand, I have bought at least a couple of things this year (a Nikon D70 and an iPod) where my decision was based in part on posts I had read that expressed satisfaction on similar purchases. These posts weren't on "product-specific blogs", they were on blogs I read regularly and were, to me, no different than a recommendation from a friend, co-worker, or neighbor.

My advice to companies is this: Don't think of bloggers as the enemy, but as potential customers. People who dislike you will do so regardless of what you do. If you provide the rest of us with a good product combined with good customer support we will sing blog your praises.

Miers Withdraws

Miers withdraws Supreme Court nomination

Not really a big surprise considering the reaction to her nomination. So, what shall we all argue about now?

Like Hammering Nails With a Saw

I just finished reading the book we're going to be discussing at our next book club meeting. I enjoyed the story but was annoyed by one thing - the use of the first person reflexive pronoun (myself) instead of the appropriate subjective or objective pronoun (I or me). I've just about given up expecting people to use the correct case in everyday conversation, but if you're an author either learn the difference or find an editor who knows. If you're getting paid for writing then words are your tools. You need to know the correct one to use just as you would expect anyone else to know which tool is best for the job you have hired them to do.

EVDO

I've been trying out Verizon's wireless broadband access for my laptop. It's pretty cool so far but it really uses up the battery very quickly. I need to recharge after about an hour online.

Dressing Up

On Saturday we went to Caufield's to get Halloween costumes for Conor and Emma. Conor is going to be an undead mage (a World of Warcraft character) and Emma is going to be a flapper. She had originally planned on being a cowgirl but the red-fringed dress and feather boa were too attractive to her to pass up. She loves anything frilly and girly (the complete opposite of my tastes), unfortunately one of our cat's also has a fascination with frills, feathers, fringe and all the same things that Emma likes so her costume has to stay hidden away so it doesn't become Zoe's next "victim".

I'm also making a pioneer dress for Emma to wear to school. The class has an assignment to read a book and then dress up as a character for part of their book report. (She's reading "Little House on the Prairie".) They're having a party on the same day and I don't know, but I'm guessing that dressing up as a book character is a way to get around any possible complaints about celebrating Halloween.

My sewing skills aren't the greatest, so wish me luck. If it doesn't turn out completely awful I'll try to post pictures of all the costumes later.

Emma's Little House on the Prairie costume:

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: November 14

With a birthday on the 14th of the month (5 energy) you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas, and you are also very good at organization and systematizing. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel. You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable. Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine, and rebel against it. You have a tendency to shirk responsibility.

The Thing I Use My Driver's License for Least is Proving I May Drive...

A federal judge "blocked Georgia from enforcing a new state law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls."

The requirement "is most likely to prevent Georgia's elderly, poor and African-American voters from voting," Judge Murphy wrote. "For those citizens, the character and magnitude of their injury -- the loss of their right to vote -- is undeniably demoralizing and extreme."

I guess being treated as if you were an incompetent child isn't demoralizing.

You must have a photo ID when you get a job (assuming you and your employer are paying your taxes) so shouldn't the majority of those old enough to vote aready have this type of identification?

The state's governor has offered to provide the cards to those who can't afford them so the cost shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if what's worrying those against this law isn't that some people will be unable to get an ID but rather that too many of them will be unwilling to be bothered to do so.

Monster Name

Your Monster Profile

War Doctor You Feast On: Tofu You Lurk Around In: Flocks of Freshmen You Especially Like to Torment: Crybabies

Bork Bork Bork!

You are like the Swedish chef

You are the type of person who has all of the ingredients but everything you do is tasteless and NO it's not acceptable to do those things that torment your mind, go seek help and fast!

Which sorry excuse of a Muppet are you?

Keeping Track of Things To-Do

Organization has never been one of my strong points. I do fine with the big things like planning for vacations but not with the day-to-day stuff. Now there's a site that helps people keep track of their to-do lists.

Remember the Milk lets you enter work, study, or personal tasks and sends a reminder by email, IM, or by SMS to your cell phone. You can prioritize your tasks and decide how long in advance you want your reminder. You can share tasks with co-workers, a study group, or friends and family by adding them to your contacts (they also need to have you on their contact list).

And it's free.

Actually my problem is probably more one of procrastination than it is one of not remembering what I need to do. Having an email or a message sent to my phone could provide the nagging I need to get things done.

Gvisit

Track visitors to your website using Google Maps.

My map. It's only tracking my index page because I'm using it more as a novelty than as a source of information.

Carnival of the Recipes #60

This week's Carnival is hosted by The Glittering Eye. Continue reading to see a list of the recipes.

Recipe List:

Crockpot BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Mozzarella Meatballs
Slow cooker osso buco
Cheeseburger Pie
Pork Chops and Spaghetti
Green Chile Stew
Grilled Dove Breasts
Gluttony Soup
Cheeseburger Soup
Casey’s Seafood Soup
Apple Crumb Cake
Genesee Valley Apple Crumb Pie
Mama’s Divinity
Melon Sherbet Pudding
Cranberry Bran Muffins
Chatham Artillery Punch
Pumpkin Seed Popcorn Balls
3, 2, 1… bread!
Fettucine Alfredo
Grandma’s Macaroni and Cheese
Aunt Juanita’s Biscuits
Pickled Garlic

Jury Duty Scam

A new (to me) scam has been making the news lately and if the papers reporting the story are any indication, it seems to be a problem in several states across the U.S.

I found more information about it from Snopes:

The scammer calls claiming to work for the local court and claims you've failed to report for jury duty. He tells you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest.

The victim will often rightly claim they never received the jury duty notification. The scammer then asks the victim for confidential information for "verification" purposes.

Specifically, the scammer asks for the victim's Social Security number, birth date, and sometimes even for credit card numbers and other private information — exactly what the scammer needs to commit identity theft.

Most courts only communicate by mail so it is unlikely that court workers will ever call and ask for personal information.

I'm going to assume that most of the people who read my blog would recognize that a phone call like this is a scam but I bet you know someone who isn't quite as savvy so, please, pass along the warning.

What Part of Fall Are You?

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.

Rumors Presented as News

In the Washington Post: News of Pandemonium May Have Slowed Aid

"The television stations were reporting that people were literally stepping over bodies and violence was out of control," said Blanco press secretary Denise Bottcher, who was at the governor's side. "But the National Guardsmen were saying that what we were seeing on CNN was contradictory to what they were seeing. It didn't match up."

If the media couldn't get the news right in New Orleans what makes anyone think that their coverage of Iraq is any more accurate?

Carnival of the Recipes #59

This week's Carnival of the Recipes is up at Like News But Tasty.

Recipe list:

Pear Cashew Nut Salsa
Little Pizzas
Pipérade and Lecsó
Rinktum Ditty
Blue Cosmopolitan
Chocolate and Coffee Milkshake
Frosty Mochas
Ice Cream Parlor Mocha Sodas
Fried Green Tomatoes
Simply Sweet Tzinnis
Souped Up Store Bought Risotto
Pipérade and Lecsó
Zesty Bean & Vegetable Wrap
Simply Sweet Tzinnis
Cornbread Pizza
Easy Squash and Sausage
Greek Pilaf
Home Brisket
Meatloaf
Chicken Apple Curry
Chicken & White Bean Chili
Curry-their-favor ChickenRice
Hickory Smoked Chicken and Rice
No Peek Chicken
Saucy Chicken
Salmon Quesadillas
Orzo Salad
Fall Tomato Salad
Sunken Apple Cake
Cardamom Honey Cookies
[Red Lobster-like] Cheese Biscuits
Cornbread Pizza
Muffins
Poke-O-Nut Cake
Pound Cake
Bat Guano Cookie
Blueberry-Banana Pie
Lemon-Lime Mousse
Plum and Pluot Cobbler
Sunken Apple Cake

Should He Stay or Go?

In 1989 Marcel Cabrera, a French citizen from Algeria, moved to Louisville. Six years ago he was driving drunk and crashed, severely injuring his passenger. He "nursed her back to health and accepted responsibility for his crimes, pleading guilty to DUI, wanton endangerment and assault."

On July 7 he was returning to the U.S. from Canada and was stopped by federal agents who ran his record and took him into custody. "He has been held without bail since Aug. 17 at a maximum-security jail in Ullin, Ill., and the government is trying to deport him under a law that allows immigrants who are not naturalized citizens to be removed for violent offenses."

He has been here legally on a green card but "never found the time." He is fighting the deportation and twenty supporters have written to the immigration board on his behalf, including the woman who was injured in the crash who said "that if she -- the victim of his crime -- doesn't want Cabrera deported, then nobody should." She also said that this was an isolated incident but that's not exactly true. There haven't been other crashes but he has been arrested for other incidents involving alcohol and has been jailed for violating the terms of his probation.

Should DUI be considered a violent crime deserving of deportation? The judge in the original case gave him probation for five years rather than sending him to prison so why should he now be subject to deportation for the same offense?

Weird AND Stupid

A former nursing home worker has filed a $9 million federal lawsuit against an upstate county, claiming she's suffered mental anguish and needs anti-anxiety medication after being forced to prove she was wearing a bra at work.

Karen Tenney claims in the lawsuit against Essex County that a supervisor at the Horace Nye Nursing Home where she worked placed her hand on the back of Tenney's sweater to feel for a bra clasp.

When a clasp wasn't found, Tenney, a dietary aide, pulled up her sweater to show she was wearing a black sports bra. The move triggered other workers inside the dietary unit to show off the bras they were wearing.

The supervisor should have handled this privately but it's still not worth $9 million.

The Three Dimension Luck and Power Test