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Monday, February 2. 2015

Morning links will be late today due to climate change

It's not the snow (why do they call them snow "storms" when it's just snow and a little blow?), it's not the invigorating cold, but it's the ice that's the challenge this morning. Comment: "Snowy weather, and stores are sold out of eggs, milk, and bread. Does that mean everybody is living on French Toast?"

Catch up on our weekend posts - good stuff. Hey, we predicted the score pretty well, did we not? Good game, unlike most Super Bowls. We went to a happily guacamole-free party. They had veggie dip, chili, cornbread, salad, baked brie, and brownies, two cozy blazing fireplaces, and no giant TV. Perfect.

5 AM today at the Maggie's HQ, waiting for my plow and sand team to show up. I love it all:

Posted by Bird Dog at 06:12 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

Sunday, February 1. 2015

El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) (1541–1614)

We had to catch the last day of the show. Just one room filled with iconic El Grecos. He was barely Greek - raised in Crete (which was Venetian at the time) and never went to Greece. Here's a fine, brief bio

I'll call my photo A View of People Studying A View of Toledo

A few more pics and comments below the fold -

Continue reading "El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) (1541–1614)"

Posted by Bird Dog in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 19:35 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive Over Measles

Measles is not particularly dangerous as infectious diseases go. Like Mumps (crazy names, aren't they?), serious sequelae are rare. Most people past 40 had Measles and/or Mumps or were exposed to them. However, these are those unpleasant things which had been eliminated in the Western world.

Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive Over Measles. Can we term these people superstitious know-nothings? Love this quote:

"It’s good to explore alternatives rather than go with the panic of everyone around you,” she said. “Vaccines don’t feel right for me and my family.”

They don't "feel right"? What?

Not long ago, parents tried to expose their kids to other kids with Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (German Measles) to get it over with during Grade School.

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays at 16:14 | Comments (19) | Trackbacks (0)

It's Warmer, No, It's Colder...No, It's Adjusted for Seasonal Variance.

There are moments in economic reporting when seasonal adjustments make sense. But in reporting temperatures?

My fraternity had a summer paper that we mailed out to members. Its motto was "All the sh*t that fits, we print." This has been the motto of the IPCC for quite a long time.

Posted by Bulldog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 16:12 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

Vintage Aviation

Lots of photos from The Vintage Aviator Ltd's Remembrance Day airshow

Posted by Bird Dog in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 15:09 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

Super Bowl: The name does sound stupid

Super Bowl Sunday. Why not Super Duper Bowl? For you furriners, it's a very big deal in the US, as big as the World Cup is to you. These guys are skilled and very strong gladiators if, like gladiators of old, not always model citizens.

Super Bowl is an American excuse for a winter party, and pretty much everybody in America goes to one regardless of football interest. By tradition, Super Bowl party food ranges from disgusting to just plain fattening. For me, I'd be happy to never see any more guacamole in my life. Beer is the required libation, sometimes supplemented by better stuff. Often, people drink and eat a little too much just to endure the forced fun. Games take hours due to the advertising interruptions.

Most importantly, the Super Bowl is about gambling. Therefore, Go, Pats! I put in a bet, Pats by 6, but I won't watch the game and will socialize instead. Football has become too slow and too boring for my ADD.

By the way, why do taxpayers pay for stadiums?

Posted by The Barrister in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 11:16 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

HoloLens

Wow. This could be great with medical cannabis. How about with porn?

Remember the Holodeck?

h/t Dino

Posted by The News Junkie in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 10:42 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Not for Trailer Trash: Luxury motor homes

Luxury motor homes. Pretty slick, but where do your park it? How is it on snow? And what do you do about poo and pee?

The used one on the right is for sale for $379,000. Specs below:

2009 Country Coach Affinity. This is the top of the line for Country Coach. It has 1 1/2 bath, 4 slide outs, a stacked washer and dryer, 3 tvs, in-motion satellite, king size bed, 650 HP Cummins engine, 3 yrs left on warranty, and more.

Features • Washer & Dryer • Alloy Wheels, Diesel Generator • Awning Patio & Electric Windows • Backup Camera • Basement Storage • Full Body Paint • GPS System • In Motion Satellite dish • Microwave • Side-By-Side Refrigerator • Sound System • Television • A/C Roof

Darn, it doesn't have 4- WD. Do you know what a "slide-out is? More of these here.

Posted by The News Junkie in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 10:07 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

Every Teenager Should Be Required to Work a Grubby Job

Posted by The News Junkie in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 08:57 | Comments (11) | Trackbacks (0)

From today's Lectionary: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Psalm 111

111:1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

111:2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

111:3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

111:4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.

111:5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.

111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

111:7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

111:8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

111:9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.

111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Posted by Bird Dog at 05:10 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Required Reading

Henry Beston's Outermost House is required reading in the Bird Dog household. To be a confirmed member of the tribe, I guess you need to "get" Cape Cod and its history and traditions.

Photo below of Beston's cottage (before it got washed away in a storm caused by global warming) via TDP. I saw it one time, on a beach hike with dogs when I was young.

Posted by Bird Dog in The Song and Dance Man at 05:00 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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