Greetings.
Worthy cause of the day: ColorOfChange.org.
Today’s weird thing is “Urban Legends Reference Pages: Holidays (Spring Cleaning)”. Enjoy.
Aaron
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
1 Nisan 5766 * 30 March 2006: Jewish New Year (Old System)/National Hot Dog Day
Greetings, and happy new year!
Cool show: The NOVA episode “The Great Robot Race”. The whole thing is on-line for those of you who missed it on Tuesday.
Today’s weird thing is Captain Jonathan Tuttle. What is unusual about Tuttle is that he is a fictional character, yet he has his own page on the Internet Movie Database. Go figure. Enjoy.
Aaron
Cool show: The NOVA episode “The Great Robot Race”. The whole thing is on-line for those of you who missed it on Tuesday.
Today’s weird thing is Captain Jonathan Tuttle. What is unusual about Tuttle is that he is a fictional character, yet he has his own page on the Internet Movie Database. Go figure. Enjoy.
Aaron
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
29 'Adhar 5766 * 29 March 2006: "Accounting for Taste"
Greetings.
Worthy cause of the day: Save Darfur.org. Please fill out the form to send a postcard to Bush to tell him to get off his butt and do something about the genocide occurring in the Sudan.
Worthless cause of the day: Genetically Engineer the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Petition (Submitted by Barry)
Weirdness in my life: In my readings of Nakh (the section of Tanakh/the Hebrew Bible after the Torah), I have reached the description of the War of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel. I have thus been trying to figure out where Magog is, and so (among other things) I tried searching with Google Earth. Apparently Magog is a town in Quebec. Never did I expect Canada to be eschatologically significant. ☺
Today’s (backlog of) news:
Aaron
ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE
submitted by Linda Belfry
The accountant for the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe was retiring after working for the firm for seventeen years. Cheatham was interviewing applicants, and was disappointed, as only three had even bothered to send in a resume.
After looking over the application of the first, an accountant with six years experience at Goldman Sachs, he called the first applicant in, and asked the woman what 2 plus 2 was.
She answered, “Four.”
Cheatham said he would call her if she was selected.
The second candidate was a CPA from Harvard, and at the end of the interview he was asked the same question, “What is two and two?”
The CPA replied, “Four.” Cheatham told him that he would call the young man if he was selected.
The third applicant was a recently-graduated philosophy [major]. Cheatham figured that this wasn't going to go anywhere, but thought, “What the hey? I’ve got nothing to lose.”
He interviewed the young man quickly and asked, “I know you don’t have an accountancy background, but can you tell me what two plus two is?”
To which the philosophy major replied, "Can you tell me what would you want it to be?"
And was hired on the spot.
Worthy cause of the day: Save Darfur.org. Please fill out the form to send a postcard to Bush to tell him to get off his butt and do something about the genocide occurring in the Sudan.
Worthless cause of the day: Genetically Engineer the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Petition (Submitted by Barry)
Weirdness in my life: In my readings of Nakh (the section of Tanakh/the Hebrew Bible after the Torah), I have reached the description of the War of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel. I have thus been trying to figure out where Magog is, and so (among other things) I tried searching with Google Earth. Apparently Magog is a town in Quebec. Never did I expect Canada to be eschatologically significant. ☺
Today’s (backlog of) news:
- “The Collider Calamity”
- “Prime Numbers Get Hitched”
- “As Luck Would Have It -- Are some people really luckier than others, or is it all in their heads? Both”
- “Virtual Virus is First Simulation of an Entire Life Form”
- “Saudi envoy welcomes Osirak attack”
- “Brain Cells Fused with Computer Chip”
- “Why not Hare-Clark?”
- “Pakistani pamphlets link militants to Hindus, Jews”
- “Guatemala zaps fruit flies in nuclear pest war” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Dakota Sioux Language Saved by Scrabble”
- “Arab Nations Urged to Enter Nuclear Club”
Aaron
ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE
submitted by Linda Belfry
The accountant for the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe was retiring after working for the firm for seventeen years. Cheatham was interviewing applicants, and was disappointed, as only three had even bothered to send in a resume.
After looking over the application of the first, an accountant with six years experience at Goldman Sachs, he called the first applicant in, and asked the woman what 2 plus 2 was.
She answered, “Four.”
Cheatham said he would call her if she was selected.
The second candidate was a CPA from Harvard, and at the end of the interview he was asked the same question, “What is two and two?”
The CPA replied, “Four.” Cheatham told him that he would call the young man if he was selected.
The third applicant was a recently-graduated philosophy [major]. Cheatham figured that this wasn't going to go anywhere, but thought, “What the hey? I’ve got nothing to lose.”
He interviewed the young man quickly and asked, “I know you don’t have an accountancy background, but can you tell me what two plus two is?”
To which the philosophy major replied, "Can you tell me what would you want it to be?"
And was hired on the spot.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Oops!
Greetings.
I have just been informed I got the URL wrong. The correct URL to today’s weird thing is http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5067678. Sorry about that.
Aaron
I have just been informed I got the URL wrong. The correct URL to today’s weird thing is http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5067678. Sorry about that.
Aaron
Monday, March 27, 2006
27 'Adhar 5766 * 27 March 2006: Hippopotamus Appreciation Day
Greetings.
In honor of yesterday’s quasi-holiday, I hereby declare today to be Hippopotamus Appreciation Day. Hug a hippopotamus today!
Today’s news:
Aaron
In honor of yesterday’s quasi-holiday, I hereby declare today to be Hippopotamus Appreciation Day. Hug a hippopotamus today!
Today’s news:
- “Who cares for the caregivers?”
- “Here's an Idea: Let Everyone Have Ideas”
- “How we give, mirrors who we are”
- “Case against Christian convert dropped”
- “Afghan convert controversy mirrors cartoons row”
- “Towards a new test of general relativity?”
- “GAO: Sensitive Taxpayer Data At Risk”
Aaron
Sunday, March 26, 2006
26 'Adhar 5766 * 26 March 2006: Make-up your own holiday day
Greetings.
Today’s news:
Aaron
Today’s news:
- “the 2006 Shmendrik Awards”
- “Stalin's half-man, half-ape super-warriors” (Submitted by Barry. I cannot make this up.)
- “Homeland security group to meet away from public eye”
- “Dems Lambast Prescription Drug Benefit”
- “No accounting for a crook's taste”
- “Ethics reform stalling in Congress”
- “Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement” (Translation: Bush is living in a fantasy world.)
- “Drug tally shoots down a racial myth” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Russian Software Developer Beats Pirate in Boxing Ring”
- “Urban Legends Reference Pages: Science (Catapoultry)”
Aaron
Friday, March 24, 2006
24 'Adhar 5766 * 24 March 2006: Black Chandelier Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockraoch Brooch
Greetings.
Disturbing news: “Scientist discovers that evolution is missing from Arkansas classrooms”.
Today’s weird thing is the Black Chandelier Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockraoch Brooch, suggested by Barry. I absolutely could not make anything like this up. Enjoy, and Shabbath shalom.
Aaron
Disturbing news: “Scientist discovers that evolution is missing from Arkansas classrooms”.
Today’s weird thing is the Black Chandelier Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockraoch Brooch, suggested by Barry. I absolutely could not make anything like this up. Enjoy, and Shabbath shalom.
Aaron
Thursday, March 23, 2006
23 'Adhar 5766 * 23 March 2006: "iPod 'squeaks' betray software secrets"
Greetings.
Today’s weird thing is “iPod 'squeaks' betray software secrets”, which is about a pretty strange way to hack the iPod. Enjoy.
Aaron
Today’s weird thing is “iPod 'squeaks' betray software secrets”, which is about a pretty strange way to hack the iPod. Enjoy.
Aaron
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
22 'Adhar 5766 * 22 March 2006: World Water Day
Greetings.
Today’s news:
Aaron
Today’s news:
- “Palestinians flee from killings in Iraq” (Translation: The other Muslims don’t like them either.)
- “Iraq's only way out”
- “Rewriting The Science”
- “IRS plans to allow preparers to sell data”
- “FBI, you've got mail -- NOT!”
Aaron
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
21 'Adhar 5766 * 21 March 2006: Spring Equinox
Greetings.
News:Today’s weird thing is something from Emily’s collection, included below. I happen to be of the 2% of the population. Enjoy.
Aaron
This is strange...can you figure it out?
Are you the 2% or 98% of the population?
Follow the instructions! NO PEEKING AHEAD!
* Do the following exercise, guaranteed to raise an eyebrow.
* There's no trick or surprise.
* Just follow these instructions, and answer the questions one at a time and as quickly as you can!
* Again, as quickly as you can but don't advance until you've done each of them ... really.
* Now, scroll down (but not too fast, you might miss something).
Think of a number from 1 to 10
Multiply that number by 9
If the number is a 2-digit number, add the digits together
Now subtract 5
Determine which letter in the alphabet corresponds to the number you ended up with (example: 1=a, 2=b, 3=c,etc.)
Think of a country that starts with that letter
Remember the last letter of the name of that country
Think of the name of an animal that starts with that letter
Remember the last letter in the name of that animal
Think of the name of a fruit that starts with that letter
Are you thinking of a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?
I told you this was FREAKY!! If not, you're among the 2% of the population whose minds are different enough to think of something else. 98% of people will answer with kangaroos in Denmark when given this exercise.
Freaky, huh?
Keep this message going. This one is actually worth sending on to others. Forward it to people you know so they can find
News:Today’s weird thing is something from Emily’s collection, included below. I happen to be of the 2% of the population. Enjoy.
Aaron
This is strange...can you figure it out?
Are you the 2% or 98% of the population?
Follow the instructions! NO PEEKING AHEAD!
* Do the following exercise, guaranteed to raise an eyebrow.
* There's no trick or surprise.
* Just follow these instructions, and answer the questions one at a time and as quickly as you can!
* Again, as quickly as you can but don't advance until you've done each of them ... really.
* Now, scroll down (but not too fast, you might miss something).
Think of a number from 1 to 10
Multiply that number by 9
If the number is a 2-digit number, add the digits together
Now subtract 5
Determine which letter in the alphabet corresponds to the number you ended up with (example: 1=a, 2=b, 3=c,etc.)
Think of a country that starts with that letter
Remember the last letter of the name of that country
Think of the name of an animal that starts with that letter
Remember the last letter in the name of that animal
Think of the name of a fruit that starts with that letter
Are you thinking of a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?
I told you this was FREAKY!! If not, you're among the 2% of the population whose minds are different enough to think of something else. 98% of people will answer with kangaroos in Denmark when given this exercise.
Freaky, huh?
Keep this message going. This one is actually worth sending on to others. Forward it to people you know so they can find
Monday, March 20, 2006
Worthy cause of the day: Stop the Budget Cuts: Tell Your Story
Greetings.
Today’s worthy causes is the MoveOn.org petition “Stop the Budget Cuts: Tell Your Story”. Please, write your representative and let him/her know that cutting programs that serve the most vulnerable in society is not acceptable, and spread the word to others. Thank you.
Aaron
Today’s worthy causes is the MoveOn.org petition “Stop the Budget Cuts: Tell Your Story”. Please, write your representative and let him/her know that cutting programs that serve the most vulnerable in society is not acceptable, and spread the word to others. Thank you.
Aaron
20 'Adhar 5766 * 20 March 2006: National Quilting Day/Great American Meat Out Day/Extraterrestrial Abductions Day
Greetings.
Late-breaking fake news: The International Procrastination Society has launched a campaign to save the wooly mammoths.
Real news:
Aaron
A movie star and a missionary were returning to the United States on a boat. When the boat docked, there was a red carpet, a limousine, a band and hundreds of adoring fans who had come to welcome the movie star back home.
The missionary watched all this and then quietly, alone, got off the boat. There was no red carpet, no limousine, no band and no one at all to greet and welcome the missionary back home.
The missionary, tired and depressed, prayed to God, “It would be so nice to just once be met with a red carpet, a limousine and band and by people happy to see me.”
God replied, “You forget one thing…you aren’t home yet.”
A man, preparing to settle his affairs, made a deal with God that he could bring one suitcase with his most important possessions with him when he died and came to heaven. After putting all his affairs in order and packing his suitcase, he died, and arrived at the pearly gates.
St. Peter explained to the man that he was not allowed to bring anything into heaven with him.
The man replied that he had a special dispensation to bring one suitcase with him.
St. Peter checked, and sure enough, this man was allowed to bring one suitcase with him. So, St. Peter asked the man to open it so that he check the contents.
The man opened the suitcase to show it completely full of gold bars.
St. Peter looked in the suitcase, unimpressed, and exclaimed, “Paving material!?”
A couple were very much in love and were actively planning their wedding. As they were driving one day they were involved in an accident and were killed. When they got to the pearly gates they were upset that they had missed getting married and asked St. Peter if they could still get married. St. Peter said he didn’t know but would go check. He left.
Time went by and the couple talked, and after a while they began to wonder if maybe getting married wasn’t the best choice to make. After several months, St. Peter returned and said, “Yes. You can get married in heaven.”
The man said, “We’ve given it some thought, and if the marriage doesn’t work out, will we be able to get a divorce?”
St. Peter looked at the couple in disbelief. “I just spent three months finding a minister here in heaven and now you want me to find a lawyer?”
Late-breaking fake news: The International Procrastination Society has launched a campaign to save the wooly mammoths.
Real news:
- “How evolution cooks up life's endless variety / Minute changes in proteins affect genes, theory says”
- “Tajikistan suspends demolition of last shul”
- “US Aid Down the Drain” (Or: How to lie with statistics)
- “Afghan Christian convert could face death”
Aaron
A movie star and a missionary were returning to the United States on a boat. When the boat docked, there was a red carpet, a limousine, a band and hundreds of adoring fans who had come to welcome the movie star back home.
The missionary watched all this and then quietly, alone, got off the boat. There was no red carpet, no limousine, no band and no one at all to greet and welcome the missionary back home.
The missionary, tired and depressed, prayed to God, “It would be so nice to just once be met with a red carpet, a limousine and band and by people happy to see me.”
God replied, “You forget one thing…you aren’t home yet.”
A man, preparing to settle his affairs, made a deal with God that he could bring one suitcase with his most important possessions with him when he died and came to heaven. After putting all his affairs in order and packing his suitcase, he died, and arrived at the pearly gates.
St. Peter explained to the man that he was not allowed to bring anything into heaven with him.
The man replied that he had a special dispensation to bring one suitcase with him.
St. Peter checked, and sure enough, this man was allowed to bring one suitcase with him. So, St. Peter asked the man to open it so that he check the contents.
The man opened the suitcase to show it completely full of gold bars.
St. Peter looked in the suitcase, unimpressed, and exclaimed, “Paving material!?”
A couple were very much in love and were actively planning their wedding. As they were driving one day they were involved in an accident and were killed. When they got to the pearly gates they were upset that they had missed getting married and asked St. Peter if they could still get married. St. Peter said he didn’t know but would go check. He left.
Time went by and the couple talked, and after a while they began to wonder if maybe getting married wasn’t the best choice to make. After several months, St. Peter returned and said, “Yes. You can get married in heaven.”
The man said, “We’ve given it some thought, and if the marriage doesn’t work out, will we be able to get a divorce?”
St. Peter looked at the couple in disbelief. “I just spent three months finding a minister here in heaven and now you want me to find a lawyer?”
Sunday, March 19, 2006
19 'Adhar 5766 * 19 March 5766: Poultry Day
Greetings.
News update: “State board bans junk food in schools”.
Today’s weird thing is something I saw part of on PBS on Friday afternoon: Animusic. I cannot describe this well enough to do it justice. Just go to the site, watch the clips, and if your computer is configured right, you may even be able to watch a full length video. Please, trust me on this. Enjoy.
Aaron
News update: “State board bans junk food in schools”.
Today’s weird thing is something I saw part of on PBS on Friday afternoon: Animusic. I cannot describe this well enough to do it justice. Just go to the site, watch the clips, and if your computer is configured right, you may even be able to watch a full length video. Please, trust me on this. Enjoy.
Aaron
Friday, March 17, 2006
17 'Adhar 5766 * 17 March 2006: St. Patrick's Day
Greetings.
Fake news update: Archaeologists have discovered the mini-van which Saint Patrick used to drive the snakes out of Ireland.
Real news:
Aaron
Fake news update: Archaeologists have discovered the mini-van which Saint Patrick used to drive the snakes out of Ireland.
Real news:
- “Scaly Dino Find Complicates Feather Evolution”
- “DHS Gets Another F in Computer Security”
- “Poll shows abortion ban unpopular”
- “Shallow men and the women who suffer”
- “Lawmaker Campaigns Against NASA Budget Cuts”
- “Pentagon plans cyber-insect army” (I cannot make something like this up.)
- “Pelosi Hints at Democrats' 'Unified' Agenda”
Aaron
Worthy cause of the day: Arctic Refuge Emergency
Greetings.
Tonight’s worthy cause is Maria Cantwell’s petition to the Senate not to accept Bush’s budget, which is trying to sneak in allowing drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Please sign and keep the refuge a refuge. Thank you.
Aaron
Tonight’s worthy cause is Maria Cantwell’s petition to the Senate not to accept Bush’s budget, which is trying to sneak in allowing drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Please sign and keep the refuge a refuge. Thank you.
Aaron
Thursday, March 16, 2006
16 'Adhar 5766 * 16 March 2006: National Artichoke Hearts Day
Greetings.
It is now officially spring since I have seen the first anole.
Today’s news:
Aaron
It is now officially spring since I have seen the first anole.
Today’s news:
- “In Vermont, efforts to impeach Bush fan emotions”
- “Study: Most get mediocre health care”
- “Robo-carp could monitor fishy business”
- “Congressional cmte. gets tough on Iran”
- “Smoking parents boost risk for children”
- “Denmark: Cartoons do not violate law”
- “Editorial: Justice in Jericho”
- “Firm Failed to Protect U.S. Troops' Water” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “U.S. Seeks Reversal of Moussaoui Ruling” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Bizarre events linked to sleeping pills in US” (Submitted by Barry.)
Aaron
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
15 'Adhar 5766 * 15 March 2006: Pure Shushan/Ides of March/Brutus Day
Greetings.
Pure Shushan is the day I get to use to do stuff I did not manage to do due to the Fast of ’Esther or Purim. And the first word of the name is a Hebrew construct-case plural noun, not an English adjective. The name is usually rendered in an order sensible for English grammar, as “Shushan Purim”, but I’m in a Hebraic-purist mood.
Relevant to the Ides of March/Brutus Day: “Julius Cæsar”.
Today’s news:
Aaron
Pure Shushan is the day I get to use to do stuff I did not manage to do due to the Fast of ’Esther or Purim. And the first word of the name is a Hebrew construct-case plural noun, not an English adjective. The name is usually rendered in an order sensible for English grammar, as “Shushan Purim”, but I’m in a Hebraic-purist mood.
Relevant to the Ides of March/Brutus Day: “Julius Cæsar”.
Today’s news:
- “Realizing the Ethiopian aliya's potential”
- “Not-so-patriotic act” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Agencies missing FOIA deadlines, AP finds”
- “Engineers: 1985 Test Predicted Levee Break” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Americans enter Holocaust cartoon contest”
- “Judge to Let Feds Seek Moussaoui's Death” (Submitted by Barry.)
- “Newfound Ice World Alters Perceptions of Planetary Systems”
Aaron
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Worthy cause of the day: President Bush Must be Censured for Breaking the Law
Greetings.
Today’s worthy cause is the MoveOn.org petition “President Bush Must be Censured for Breaking the Law”. Please sign and make it known to your congresspeople that illegal wiretapping without probable cause or oversight is not acceptable behavior. If there is enough of an outcry, maybe the people in Congress will think twice about letting Bush off the hook. Thanks in advance.
Aaron
Today’s worthy cause is the MoveOn.org petition “President Bush Must be Censured for Breaking the Law”. Please sign and make it known to your congresspeople that illegal wiretapping without probable cause or oversight is not acceptable behavior. If there is enough of an outcry, maybe the people in Congress will think twice about letting Bush off the hook. Thanks in advance.
Aaron
14 'Adhar 5766 * 16 March 2006: Purim/Pi Day/National Potato Chip Day
Greetings.
In honor of today’s holiday (Purim, not Pi Day or National Potato Chip Day), I feel like sermonizing, which, since this is my blog and can thus do anything I want, I will.
This is something I came up with in 1998 on the Book of ’Esther:
Why did Haman bother rolling lots to determine when to destroy the Jews? Why bother waiting? One notable thing has occurred to me: God determines the roll of the dice. (He/She did create the laws of physics, which more directly determine the outcome.) Haman may have been trying to push the responsibility of his genocidal plan onto God.
The scenario that I have devised is this: Haman wanted to kill Mordokhay and his people (apparently even wanting to outdo gangsters in not only killing the defier and his/her family, but his/her whole people as well). However, to do so he needed a rationalization. So he used Puritan reasoning and said to himself, “If Mordokhay is right, then his god will create a outright miracle to save him and his people, and I will have not harmed innocent people and will not be guilty of anything. On the other hand, if I am right, Mordokhay and his people must be guilty of some horrendous crime and I am perfectly justified in destroying them, for otherwise my god would not allow me to do so.” However, God does not do outright miracles on a regular basis, certainly not for non-prophets, and never just because a loony assumes He/She will. Therefore God resorted to His/Her usual behind-the-scenes approach. The Jews were saved by an alternative which Haman had not considered, that is, outwardly natural means. Furthermore, Haman had not expected that he would be personally affected no matter which alternative happened, but he had no idea that God had arranged that the Queen just happen to be of the same nation as Mordokhay, a situation which naturally lent itself to blowing up in Haman’s face. Thus were some of the assumptions underpinning Haman’s rationalization shown to be incorrect.
Aaron
In honor of today’s holiday (Purim, not Pi Day or National Potato Chip Day), I feel like sermonizing, which, since this is my blog and can thus do anything I want, I will.
This is something I came up with in 1998 on the Book of ’Esther:
Why did Haman bother rolling lots to determine when to destroy the Jews? Why bother waiting? One notable thing has occurred to me: God determines the roll of the dice. (He/She did create the laws of physics, which more directly determine the outcome.) Haman may have been trying to push the responsibility of his genocidal plan onto God.
The scenario that I have devised is this: Haman wanted to kill Mordokhay and his people (apparently even wanting to outdo gangsters in not only killing the defier and his/her family, but his/her whole people as well). However, to do so he needed a rationalization. So he used Puritan reasoning and said to himself, “If Mordokhay is right, then his god will create a outright miracle to save him and his people, and I will have not harmed innocent people and will not be guilty of anything. On the other hand, if I am right, Mordokhay and his people must be guilty of some horrendous crime and I am perfectly justified in destroying them, for otherwise my god would not allow me to do so.” However, God does not do outright miracles on a regular basis, certainly not for non-prophets, and never just because a loony assumes He/She will. Therefore God resorted to His/Her usual behind-the-scenes approach. The Jews were saved by an alternative which Haman had not considered, that is, outwardly natural means. Furthermore, Haman had not expected that he would be personally affected no matter which alternative happened, but he had no idea that God had arranged that the Queen just happen to be of the same nation as Mordokhay, a situation which naturally lent itself to blowing up in Haman’s face. Thus were some of the assumptions underpinning Haman’s rationalization shown to be incorrect.
Aaron
Monday, March 13, 2006
13 'Adhar 5766 * 13 March 2006: Fast of 'Esther/Genealogy Day/National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
Greetings.
Tomorrow is Purim. You can read all about how that holiday got started in the Book of ’Esther.
Political commentary: “All in the Family”
Today’s weird things are “Cassini Spots Water Geysers on Saturn Moon” and “Rat-Squirrel Not Extinct After All”. Enjoy.
Aaron
Tomorrow is Purim. You can read all about how that holiday got started in the Book of ’Esther.
Political commentary: “All in the Family”
Today’s weird things are “Cassini Spots Water Geysers on Saturn Moon” and “Rat-Squirrel Not Extinct After All”. Enjoy.
Aaron
Sunday, March 12, 2006
12 'Adhar 5766 * 12 March 2006: "Exercising the brain"
Greetings.
Today’s weird thing is something from Emily’s collection, included below. Enjoy.
Aaron
Exercising the brain is as important as exercising the muscles. As we grow older, it's important that we keep mentally alert. The saying "If you don't use it, you will lose it" also applies to the brain. So below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence. So, take the following test and determine if you are losing it or are still "with it."
OK, relax, clear your mind and... begin... Don't peek at the answers...
1. What do you put in a toaster?
The correct answer is "bread." If you said "toast," then give up now and go do something less strenuous. Try not to hurt yourself.
If you said, "bread," go to Question 2.
2. Say "silk" five times.
Now, spell "silk."
What do cows drink?
The correct answer is "water". If you said "milk", please do not attempt the next question. Your brain is obviously overstressed and may even overheat. It may be that you need to content yourself with reading something more appropriate, such as "Goodnight Moon".
If you said "water", then proceed to Question 3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. If a red house is made from red bricks
and a blue house is made from blue bricks
and a pink house is made from pink bricks
what is a greenhouse made from?
The correct answer is "glass". If you said "green bricks," what the devil are you still doing here reading these questions?????
If you said "glass," then go on to Question 4.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. It's 20 years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany.
(At that time, Germany was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, all engines fail and the plane crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors: East Germany, West Germany, or "no-man's land"?
The correct answer is "You don't bury survivors." If you said ANYTHING else, you must NEVER try to rescue anyone from a plane crash. Your efforts would not be appreciated. If you said, "Don't bury the survivors", then proceed to Question 5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. If the hour hand on a clock moves 1/60 of a degree every minute, then how many degrees will the hour hand move in one hour?
The correct answer is "one degree". If you said "360 degrees" or anything other than "one degree," you are to be congratulated on getting this far, but you are obviously out of your league. Turn your pencil in and exit the
room.
Everyone else proceed to the final question.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus. In Reading, 6 people get off the bus and 9 get on. In Swindon, 2 people get off and 4 get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 get on. In Swansea, 3 people get off and 5 get on. In Carmarthen, 6 people get off and 3 get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?
Oh, for crying out loud! Don't you remember? It was you—I said you were driving the bus! :-) Now, pass this on to everyone you know and see if they do better.
Today’s weird thing is something from Emily’s collection, included below. Enjoy.
Aaron
Exercising the brain is as important as exercising the muscles. As we grow older, it's important that we keep mentally alert. The saying "If you don't use it, you will lose it" also applies to the brain. So below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence. So, take the following test and determine if you are losing it or are still "with it."
OK, relax, clear your mind and... begin... Don't peek at the answers...
1. What do you put in a toaster?
The correct answer is "bread." If you said "toast," then give up now and go do something less strenuous. Try not to hurt yourself.
If you said, "bread," go to Question 2.
2. Say "silk" five times.
Now, spell "silk."
What do cows drink?
The correct answer is "water". If you said "milk", please do not attempt the next question. Your brain is obviously overstressed and may even overheat. It may be that you need to content yourself with reading something more appropriate, such as "Goodnight Moon".
If you said "water", then proceed to Question 3.
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3. If a red house is made from red bricks
and a blue house is made from blue bricks
and a pink house is made from pink bricks
what is a greenhouse made from?
The correct answer is "glass". If you said "green bricks," what the devil are you still doing here reading these questions?????
If you said "glass," then go on to Question 4.
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4. It's 20 years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany.
(At that time, Germany was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, all engines fail and the plane crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors: East Germany, West Germany, or "no-man's land"?
The correct answer is "You don't bury survivors." If you said ANYTHING else, you must NEVER try to rescue anyone from a plane crash. Your efforts would not be appreciated. If you said, "Don't bury the survivors", then proceed to Question 5.
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5. If the hour hand on a clock moves 1/60 of a degree every minute, then how many degrees will the hour hand move in one hour?
The correct answer is "one degree". If you said "360 degrees" or anything other than "one degree," you are to be congratulated on getting this far, but you are obviously out of your league. Turn your pencil in and exit the
room.
Everyone else proceed to the final question.
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6. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus. In Reading, 6 people get off the bus and 9 get on. In Swindon, 2 people get off and 4 get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 get on. In Swansea, 3 people get off and 5 get on. In Carmarthen, 6 people get off and 3 get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?
Oh, for crying out loud! Don't you remember? It was you—I said you were driving the bus! :-) Now, pass this on to everyone you know and see if they do better.
Friday, March 10, 2006
10 'Adhar 5766 * 10 March 2006
Greetings.
Worthy cause of the day: A Petition to Allow Sheep and Solar Panels in Suburban Neighborhoods Petition.
Today’s news:
Aaron
Worthy cause of the day: A Petition to Allow Sheep and Solar Panels in Suburban Neighborhoods Petition.
Today’s news:
- “Vermont hills alive with 'The Sound of Music'” (I never knew before the movie was based on a true story.)
- “Dubai Firm to Give Up Stake in U.S. Ports”
- “CDC: No Government Recall Despite Outbreak” (I am disappointed, very disappointed.)
- “US cigarette sales drop to 55-year low” (Yes! Thank God!)
- “China Lashes Back at U.S. on Human Rights” (Good point. Let’s throw politicians who abuse human rights out of office.)
- “Gunshots Help Uncover Man's Tumor” (I cannot make something like this up.)
- “Top hospitals overtreat, study”
Aaron
Thursday, March 9, 2006
9 'Adhar 5766 * 9 March 2006: Unique Names Day
Greetings.
Today I’m cleaning out a lot of the backlog of things for me to post. I would have posted a lot of them yesterday, but I have come down with bronchitis, and that largely screwed up my schedule yesterday.
Aaron
Today I’m cleaning out a lot of the backlog of things for me to post. I would have posted a lot of them yesterday, but I have come down with bronchitis, and that largely screwed up my schedule yesterday.
- “Arafat and the Temple Mount (1975)”
- “Haman, Ahmadi-nejad and us” (Some of the paranoid things people think are worthy of being deemed “weird thing of the day”.)
- “The Darfur genocide continues”
- “Bulldozing Caterpillar” (Very honest theological thinking.)
- “S. Arabia to host Israel boycott event”
- “Don't mention Africa”
- “U.N.: A front for anti-Semitism”
- “The most moral army in history”
- “Guards Fault Homeland Security Protection”
- “Guards Fault Homeland Security Protection”
- “U.S. Criticizes Arab Allies on Rights”
- “A Request To Initiate A Formal Presidential Impeachment Inquiry On George W. Bush Petition”
- “A Petition to Congress requesting an investigation into the Presidential Election of 2004 Petition”
- “Impeach George W. Bush for lying to the american people about iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Petition”
- “Impeachment Of President George Walker Bush Petition”
- “Recall G.W. Bush Petition”
- “Petition Demanding Investigation and Impeachment of the Illegitimately Elected Bush and Cheney for Dereliction of Duties in Woefully Failing to Protect the American Public from the September 11th Terrorist Attacks Petition”
- “Impeach George W. Bush Petition”
- “Impeach President Bush Now! Petition”
- “Remove George Walker Bush Petition”
- “Mr. Bush, Please Resign Petition”
Aaron
9 'Adhar 5766 * 9 March 2006: Unique Names Day
Greetings.
Today I’m cleaning out a lot of the backlog of things for me to post. I would have posted a lot of them yesterday, but I have come down with bronchitis, and that largely screwed up my schedule yesterday.
Aaron
Today I’m cleaning out a lot of the backlog of things for me to post. I would have posted a lot of them yesterday, but I have come down with bronchitis, and that largely screwed up my schedule yesterday.
- “Arafat and the Temple Mount (1975)”
- “Haman, Ahmadi-nejad and us” (Some of the paranoid things people think are worthy of being deemed “weird thing of the day”.)
- “The Darfur genocide continues”
- “Bulldozing Caterpillar” (Very honest theological thinking.)
- “S. Arabia to host Israel boycott event”
- “Don't mention Africa”
- “U.N.: A front for anti-Semitism”
- “The most moral army in history”
- “Guards Fault Homeland Security Protection”
- “Guards Fault Homeland Security Protection”
- “U.S. Criticizes Arab Allies on Rights”
- “A Request To Initiate A Formal Presidential Impeachment Inquiry On George W. Bush Petition”
- “A Petition to Congress requesting an investigation into the Presidential Election of 2004 Petition”
- “Impeach George W. Bush for lying to the american people about iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Petition”
- “Impeachment Of President George Walker Bush Petition”
- “Recall G.W. Bush Petition”
- “Petition Demanding Investigation and Impeachment of the Illegitimately Elected Bush and Cheney for Dereliction of Duties in Woefully Failing to Protect the American Public from the September 11th Terrorist Attacks Petition”
- “Impeach George W. Bush Petition”
- “Impeach President Bush Now! Petition”
- “Remove George Walker Bush Petition”
- “Mr. Bush, Please Resign Petition”
Aaron
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
8 'Adhar 5766 * 8 March 2006: Farmer's Day
Greetings.
Today’s weird thing is the Buy Bush a PlayStation 2 Petition. Please sign and give Bush something better to do than get our soldiers killed pointlessly. Thank you, and enjoy.
Aaron
Today’s weird thing is the Buy Bush a PlayStation 2 Petition. Please sign and give Bush something better to do than get our soldiers killed pointlessly. Thank you, and enjoy.
Aaron
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Other worthy cause of the day: "Veto the Bush budget"
Greetings.
I am pleased to present a second worthy cause of the day (this one submitted by Barry): the petition “Veto the Bush Budget”. Please sign and give Bush the message that kicking the poor when they’re down is not acceptable in this country. Thank you.
Note: I am willing to post multiple worthy causes of the day, so feel free to send me lots of them to post.
Aaron
I am pleased to present a second worthy cause of the day (this one submitted by Barry): the petition “Veto the Bush Budget”. Please sign and give Bush the message that kicking the poor when they’re down is not acceptable in this country. Thank you.
Note: I am willing to post multiple worthy causes of the day, so feel free to send me lots of them to post.
Aaron
Worthy cause of the day: Be a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the Roadless Area Conservation Act
Greetings.
Please be a citizen co-sponsor of the 2006 Roadless Area Conservation Act and help save our forests. Thank you.
Aaron
Please be a citizen co-sponsor of the 2006 Roadless Area Conservation Act and help save our forests. Thank you.
Aaron
7 'Adhar 5766 * 7 March 2006: Anniversary of Mosheh's Death/Namesake Day
Greetings.
Today’s news:
Aaron
Today’s news:
- “TV may not cause kids' attention disorders: study” (I am not sure if this is correct, but this is a good demonstration of the epidemiologic principle that correlation is not same thing as causation. Just because A correlates with B does not mean that A causes B; in fact, B may cause A.)
- “Cutting Sugary Drinks at Home Helped Teens Shed Pounds - CME Teaching Brief”
- “DeLay Will Face Voters' Verdict This Week”
“The Region: Sticks beat carrots” - “Complexity causes 50% of product returns”
Aaron
Monday, March 6, 2006
6 'Adhar 5766 * 6 March 2006: National Frozen Food Day/International Book Day
Greetings.
Relevant to today’s holiday (one of them, anyway): The Online Books Page (for books in general), Mechon Mamre (for a lot of fundamental Jewish literature), and Internet Sacred Text Archive (for various things that may make your brain explode).
Various news:
Enjoy.
Aaron
Relevant to today’s holiday (one of them, anyway): The Online Books Page (for books in general), Mechon Mamre (for a lot of fundamental Jewish literature), and Internet Sacred Text Archive (for various things that may make your brain explode).
Various news:
- “UN about to run out of food for 3.5 million starving Kenyans”
- “House Mulls Bill on Food Label Removal”
- “Ethicists Blast Study Testing Fake Blood”
- “New Drugs Hit the Market, but Promised Trials Go Undone”
- “Newspaper story saved my leg”
- “Most U.S. high school dropouts regretful - study”
- “In Tape, Al-Zawahri Blasts Cartoons”
- “Why We Have Sex: It's Cleansing” (Submitted by Barry)
Enjoy.
Aaron
Sunday, March 5, 2006
5 'Adhar 5766 * 5 March 2006: "McDonald's changes sign to woo kosher diners"
Greetings.
I’m cutting my losses and trashing most of the backlog. Please check the news for the nuttiness going on in American, Israeli, and Stateless Arab politics; there is plenty of dastardly stuff going on to last me for a month. The one item you are getting as today’s weird thing is “McDonald's changes sign to woo kosher diners”. Enjoy.
Aaron
I’m cutting my losses and trashing most of the backlog. Please check the news for the nuttiness going on in American, Israeli, and Stateless Arab politics; there is plenty of dastardly stuff going on to last me for a month. The one item you are getting as today’s weird thing is “McDonald's changes sign to woo kosher diners”. Enjoy.
Aaron
Friday, March 3, 2006
3 'Adhar 5766 * 3 March 2006: What if Cats and Dogs has opposable Thumbs day
Greetings.
I have way too many things accumulated for potential inclusion in the blog, and I really don’t feel like posting them all. Therefore today’s weird thing is the Jedi census phenomenon, which is what I feel like posting. You may get other accumulated stuff on Sunday if I feel like it. Enjoy, and Shabbath shalom.
Aaron
I have way too many things accumulated for potential inclusion in the blog, and I really don’t feel like posting them all. Therefore today’s weird thing is the Jedi census phenomenon, which is what I feel like posting. You may get other accumulated stuff on Sunday if I feel like it. Enjoy, and Shabbath shalom.
Aaron
Thursday, March 2, 2006
2 'Adhar 5766 * 2 Februrary 2006: "Video Shows Bush Warned Before Katrina Hit"
Greetings.
Today’s weird thing is George W. Bush’s reaction to Hurricane Katrina. Bush was caught on tape before the storm hit, being told of the possible disasters; he lied later for his lack of preparedness, claiming he had not been forewarned. You can read all about it in “Video Shows Bush Warned Before Katrina Hit” and “Bush Administration Warned of Katrina Destruction, AP Reports”. None of this should be surprising, considering that this is the same man who decided to invade Iraq and lied about why he wanted to do it. Be scared, and think about writing whoever represents you in Congress about having Bush impeached.
Aaron
Today’s weird thing is George W. Bush’s reaction to Hurricane Katrina. Bush was caught on tape before the storm hit, being told of the possible disasters; he lied later for his lack of preparedness, claiming he had not been forewarned. You can read all about it in “Video Shows Bush Warned Before Katrina Hit” and “Bush Administration Warned of Katrina Destruction, AP Reports”. None of this should be surprising, considering that this is the same man who decided to invade Iraq and lied about why he wanted to do it. Be scared, and think about writing whoever represents you in Congress about having Bush impeached.
Aaron
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
1 Adhar 5766 * 1 March 2006: Ro'sh Hodhesh Adhar/National Pig Day/National Surf and Turf Day/Ash Wednesday
Greetings.
Today you’re getting accumulated news. Someone remind me to stop collecting this stuff, please.
Aaron
Today you’re getting accumulated news. Someone remind me to stop collecting this stuff, please.
- “Croc-wrestling granny wins Australia bravery award” (Submitted by Barry.
- “Youth champion agunot”
- “Next ISS Commander's Spacewalk Golf Shot Raises Concerns”
- “Ports Argument and Iraq Hurt Bush in a New Survey”
- “Egyptian students find peaceful way to protest Muhammad cartoons” (We need more peaceful protests.)
- “NYT sues Pentagon over domestic spying”
- “Evolution flap puts teachers in bind” (You’d think politicians would at least bother to read the Constitution...)
- Exclusive: Dubai ports firm enforces Israel boycott”
- “Senate Panel Backs New Ethics Disclosures”
- “Eternally other”
Aaron
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