Image title: photo_0014.jpg We went for a short jaunt today to Morton Arboretum – started with lunch, then went over to the west side to see an area we’ve never visited before, the Schulenberg Prairie. First things first, though. Cool off in the visitor’s center, then relax in the cafe. Originally uploaded by GinnyRED57.
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I was bombing along the back lane of the company parking lot, which runs like slot behind the building when I looked up and saw this guy crouched down in the roadway fiddling with his shoe. As I slowed down to a more moderate pace (after all, the posted limit is just 15mph) I waited for him to straighten up and move out of the way. And I slowed up some more, and waited. And waited. Finally, he finished and walked out of the way. He was a nice looking, even drop dead gorgeous black guy with a nice head…
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BBC NEWS | UK | ‘All four’ July 21 suspects held Now that’s what I call a satisfactory outcome, so long as they’ve got the right men. They thought they had a righteous takedown the other day, and we know how sadly that turned out. So I hope they’ve got the July 21 bombers, and I hope they’re getting useful leads to track down any more that might still be lurking about. And… Rome? Zambia? Obviously this investigation could lead absolutely anywhere.
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From what I hear, they are having a lot of problems with it and it may actually not be a rumor that it all gets canned. (I can’t tell you my sources so don’t even ask!haha) Personally, I think it would be a blessing in disguise because TAR is not meant for children! Yes, that’s Hera McLeod of TAR6, commenting on the upcoming “family” season of The Amazing Race… the season that I think is going to suck big sedimentary rocks. As the OC register (subscription required, but try “slashdot/slashdot”) succinctly puts it, “One continent, four countries, 8,000 miles: John,…
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Chicago Tribune | Were treasured maps looted? Check out this guy’s name: E. Forbes Smiley III. He’s a well-known dealer in rare maps – with a name like that, what else could he be? He lives in Martha’s Vineyard (of course). He was wearing a blazer when arrested (no doubt with a monogram or family crest embroidered just over the breast pocket). In another pocket of that blazer was a rare map that he had evidently just cut out of an old atlas at a Yale University library – a sharp-eyed librarian noticed an X-Acto knife blade on the floor…
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Okay, okay, my sister Timmy wanted me to be sure I saw this article. But clever me, I had already stumbled across it elsewhere (names changed to foil “religious extremist” Googlers): The claim that (Mmnsm) is the fastest-growing faith in the world has been repeated so routinely by sociologists, anthropologists, journalists and proud {Latte-less Aints) as to be perceived as unassailable fact. The trouble is, it isn’t true. Today, The (Charch of Latte-less Aints) has more than 12 million members on its rolls, more than doubling its numbers in the past quarter-century. But since 1990, other faiths – Seventh-day Adventists,…
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This ad appeared in the London Metro free commuter newspaper on July 22nd. Uploader megpickard noted that it was “unbelievably crass.” Not only that, but it’s not big enough to hold all the “High rise ‘workers’ special’ smoke hoods” left over from 9/11. Plus, it’s way too small to hold a roll of duct tape, which not only seals windows and doors against smoke, gas, radioactive dust and biotoxins, but doubles as a handy restraint system for “violent extremists” whose plastic food containers full of explosives fail to explode. Darn those former terrorists and their faulty DIY bombs! Meanwhile, the…
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This photo has been making the rounds via email and weblog and Flickr; Annie Mole and others are pretty sure it’s Photoshopped, but agree that if so it’s a great job. Of course, it might have been the work of a humorously disgruntled commuter on their way to a meeting, armed with a blue whiteboard marker. There are a couple of versions of it on Flickr, and one may be removed, so I hope I’ve linked to the one that survives. I suppose there will now be a run on commuter notices with amusing notices, since the fad for Photoshopped…
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BoingBoing noted that this map shows 14 convenient ways to commit suicide in Shanghai. Some are practical, some are a little far-fetched but will do in a pinch if you are suddenly crushed under the weight of the futility of your continued existence. I guess it would be a different map for Beijing, which would include “beg North Korean negotiator for a quick demo of his country’s nuclear program” and “go up against 12-year-old table-tennis champion; sudden-death tiebreaker involves bouncing exploding ping-pong balls off your forehead.” Huichunji pharmacy sells sleeping pills. Suzhou Creek is uncovered. The #57 bus goes directly…
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Somewhere out there, Scotty is smiling, because clearly Discovery’s engines can take it very well. I’m very happy about this morning’s successful launch – I missed seeing it live, but watched a replay via BBC News. Now if we can get on with things and do the science, and make this return to space count for something, that would be a very good thing. I know a lot of people wonder why we spend a lot of money on space; I sometimes wonder why we don’t spend more. You can’t always put a dollar value on scientific exploration, and the…