Nancy Cartwright, best known for being the voice of Bart Simpson in the long running cartoon series The Simpsons, has recently donated $10 million to the Church of Scientology.
$10 million dollars!?!
She ended up getting an award for it, the Patron Laureate, the highest honor (so far) from the Church. With that said, now you know it was money well spent.
PageSix.com Article here.
Remember how I said I was a product of the 80's, not to long ago. [[check it]]
Well, guess what? Reports of an 80's icon reemerging into the spotlight are surfacing all around the music and entertainment industry.
The 80's boy band, New Kids on the Block are planning on a reunion.
I know what you're thinking.
You're thinking, "No Way!"
But I say, "WAY!!"
"Just get on the floor and do the New Kids Dance!"
They predicted the reunion really, in their song "Hangin' Tough", I quote "if you try to keep us down we're gonna come right back!"
Here they are 14 years later and getting some new buzz.
"ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh ohh!"
I'm not a fan, but my friend Olivia loves 'em, still to this day. My sister still has the CD in her old room at my parents' house. Why she left it there and not bring it to New York with her, who knows.
I will admit, however, that I've seen these guys in concert.
Here's an article on their rumored reunion.
Definition of crazy - doing something over and over again and expecting a different outcome.
Definition of Shiitake - name for a Chinese Black Mushroom, Sher's most recent BINGO.
I, personally would spell it with two "T's". Shiittake, which can be anagram for "I take shit." Needless to say, Sherrie is kicking my tail. AGAIN.
Actually, the people who are really getting "Shiitakeed" are the two Indian brothers, Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla, who founded Scrabulous back in 2006. They are currently getting sued by Hasbro for trademark infringement. Sigh...
As a side note, the Agarwalla brothers bring in about $25,000/month in ad revenues alone for the popular application, Scrabulous. I'm sure Hasbro could have made some kind of happy compromise.
Here's an article about it on techdirt.com.
How crazy is this?! A MaryJane Vending Machine.
With biometrics, cameras, access cards, and a security guard, I'm sure it's a cost effective way to distribute a number of different drugs...
On the other hand, I'm just as sure this has a number of criminals and con artists thinking of different ways to exploit this new toy.
It's amazing in this day and age, with all the advancements in technology and science, that we're can still be held at the mercy of Mother Nature and all that she can dish out.
Case in point, China in the past week has been pummeled by an unprecedented snow storm that has stranded or affected millions on people. (Chinese officials are saying as many as 67 million people are being affected) Harsh snow and ice have brought China's transportation system to a halt and major power lines are down; Throw on top of this the amount of damage that is has already done to the country's farmlands and houses, the overall effects of these winter storms are hard to comprehend. And it's not expected to let us soon. There has been an alert put out by the Chinese weather bureau that more storms are expected during the next couple of day.
China's economic losses are expected to break $3 billion dollars. It'll be interesting to see what this will do to our current economic state here in the states.
All this because of precipitation.
I'm sure Al Gore has something to say about this, but let's leave that for some other discussion.
Here's CNN's report on what's going on in China.
Article from UPI.
In lieu of a real post today, I'm just posting a quote.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.
You could thank Carrie for it, it's on her signature.
Today is the 6th Frozen Pea Friday. Every Friday a video is posted online at http://frozenpeafund.com/ and acts as a mile marker for how long the Frozen Pea Fund has been raising money for breast cancer research.
The Frozen Pea fund was inspired by Susan Reynolds who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She tells her story via her blog, Boobs on Ice.
I admire Susan for her courage and her willingness to share her story online. What is just as impressive is the amount of support for her and this very noble cause. Add to the fact that's it's all due to social media. Twitter, blogging, flickr, etc.
Why frozen peas? Susan explains here.
There's also a flickr group for "PEAple" who have pea-vatars.
Which at the time of writing this has 331 members.
I wish Susan the best of luck as well as those who are in similar situations or have a loved one that is.
I love pizza.
Good New York Style Pizza always reminds me of summer walks with my grandfather. This was in Brooklyn, New York, on Knickerbocker Avenue. There was this Italian owned pizzeria on a corner somewhere between home and the playground. You could order a slice right outside via their walk up bar and eat your 'za on the sidewalk. Yum.
The neighborhood has changed, the pizzeria is gone... but the walk is still a familiar one.
My most favorite place to eat pizza in Columbus is The Flying Pizza. At one time, there was only one location in Columbus, on campus. Back in the day, when I was a student, this was obviously a real convenient location.
Now, not so much. But, that's okay. They do have a location on Bethel Road and I tell you what... knowing this makes me feel all giddy inside.
Now, I have a problem. Not a real problem, more like a self-imposed ban. I *was* supposed to get some 'za with an old friend of mine... but, she's gone and left the country. It's my fault really. (Let me clarify... it's my fault we didn't get together.)
Anyway, this gal... she's busy saving the world, which I admire her for. While, I sit here, in the comfort of my office, making it easier for corporations and businesses to make more money, she makes sure that the world and all its beauty will still be around for a little while longer... When Vivian says she wants to be a scientist or work with animals, I think of this person.
So, long story short, I'm boycotting the flying pizza until she gets back, if she gets back. Only when we decide to finally get together to catch up, I will have some of that greasy goodness.
People ask me, where do I find the time to blog about all this nonsense I seem to have lots of time to blog about.
(Yeah, I had to read that first sentence over a couple of times to see if it even made sense.)
Really, when it comes down to it, it doesn't take much time for me, it's easy, plus I cheat.
Here's my totally dumb ass way to how I blog...
I was born in the 70's which means that my personality was really molded by the 80's.
I'm not going to say, I miss the 80's or things were great. Frankly, I don't remember much of it, except the whole playing with my Transformers, GI JOEs and Voltron toys.
But, it definitely wasn't all fun and games. The 80's was still the time during the cold war, there were problems in Africa and the middle east. Peoples mentality towards money and the superficial were blatantly apparent. Basically, do whatever it takes to get it. So if you were take only these influences into consideration, personify them all together, you could get some dung hole kind of person, who's pretty untrusting, suspicious and greedy.
Luckily, that's not me.
I'm truly a result from all things geek. With movies like TRON, Star Trek, and Blade Runner... mix that with TV Shows like the A-Team, Knight Rider, Growing Pains, Facts of Life... throw in the ATARI 2600, Magnavox and the Commodore VIC20 ... those greedy characteristic listed earlier had no chance against the GEEK influences I was exposed to.
... when Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, set up his own little skank whore house and pawns it off as a dating reality show.
The catch... it's his *own* dating reality show, and the show is aptly called "Rock of Love" on VH1.
And when I say "skank", I'm talking low level bottom of the barrel "skank".
There's a pool of 20 women each whoring fighting for Michael's attention (or, affection. However you see it). Michael meets with each of them and at the end of the episode, he keeps those he likes and kicks the left overs to the curb. There's no roses, no rings... what's used is a Backstage Pass like ID Badge. Plus, the line Michael uses to welcome the girls into staying goes like this, "Will you stay in this house and continue to Rock my World?"
Oh Please!
Exhibit 1: Angelique is one of the girls Bret asked to stay.
WHY?!?! I just don't see it. Maybe it's just me. Maybe she gives "orator" when the cameras aren't on.
The close up is even scarier. I know I sound mean, but I can't help it. Are people that desperate for their 15 minutes of fame?
And this is the second season!!?! How were ratings last season good enough to justify *ANOTHER*?!?!
Please end the writer's strike... we need better stuff to watch than bad reality TV.
But, I take it like a man... regardless of how much I get beat, I'll hold out all the way until the end. Case in point, my last Scrabulous game with Sherrie. Sometimes, you can tell right away when things are headed downhill quick.
If you're on facebook, come find me and challenge me to a game. If you're a cute girl, I may let you spank me, too.
We were in Cozumel, for The Fog's and Martini Jeanne's wedding and I think if I had to recap, I should have pushed harder to get Shane into a Cenote Dive.
We kept saying, it shouldn't be that big of a deal to get back... and, overall, I shouldn't be. It's just that it would have been awesome to experience that dive while we were there, regardless.
Steve Simonsen is a photographer that has captured many good pictures of the Cenotes and has given SCUBA Diving magazine an opportunity to provide 'em out to readers for desktop backgrounds, etc.
Riviera Maya Wallpapers on SCUBA Diving Magazine's site.
SCUBA Diving Magazine's article on the Riviera Maya.
Yes, I've been dreaming of going to Mexico soon and seeing these sites again.
Check out this site for some details on deals, trips, hotels, etc.
So Netflix sent us the movie Lucky You. It's a drama about a Las Vegas native Poker Player trying to win a seat into the 2003 World Series of Poker Tournament. The real story is about how he's fighting a difficult battle with his personal problems, specifically his relationship with his father.
All I can say that watching the movie was very much like watching a Texas Hold-em Tournament. Slow and boring. (for me, poker isn't fun, unless I'm playing in it) However, if you're a big poker fan, you'll get a kick out of all the cameos.
The only thing I got out of it was a line said to the main character Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) from his poker sponsor Roy Durucher (Charles Martin Smith)...
You want sympathy? You'll find it between "shit" and "syphilis" in the dictionary.
Back in July of 2006, I blogged about getting a tattoo and have been researching alternatives and artwork for the past year and a half.
I've settled on going to Evolved, on campus.
http://www.evolvedbodyart.com/
And, I've settled on a turtle for my tattoo.
It's the name given to an unknown predatory animal whose actions were first reported in Puerto Rico. Live stock throughout Puerto Rico, mostly goats, were found dead, drained of blood, with a distinguishing puncture would. The media not having any real explanation called it El Chupacabra, which stands for the "goat sucker".
Though it's a relatively new urban legend, it's quickly gained in popularity and now ranks with Big Foot, The Abominable Snowman and Nessie, the Lochness Monster.
Some people speculate it's aliens, others think government genetic experiment gone bad, and many believe it's a vampire like creature from hell. I like the scavenger/insect theory. Really though, I have no opinion either way, what surprises me more in the drive people have to find the truth.
The study of unknown animals is called cryptozoology. Note, you can't get a degree in cryptozoology, but it's amazing how many people are into it. I guess it's a testimonial of our human nature to find the truth.
Wow, when you thought you just about seen anything, I get this on my StumbleUpon Queue.
And yes, we could thank The Fog for this one.
It's a movie called "Teeth"; which could easily be seen as a feminist horror film.
Here's the trailer:
I love this quote, "[Christian Authorities in the Middle Ages] likened women's genitals to the 'yawning' mouth of hell."
Saturday morning, we were able to sleep in to about 8:30am.
[[That alone was worth the trip out of town. Though two cute kids bouncing in your bed promptly at 6:30 screaming "Rise and Shine" can be considered adorable and endearing, it does tire your out quickly and makes for long days.
Oh, forgot to mention in my last post.
Another consequence of selling out... Free Starbucks Coffee]]
The girls got breakfast at the Regatta Club, while the boys shoved off for a one and half hour drive to Mount Storm.
The drive was good and easy. We weren't in an rush and there was not big group that needed coordination; so, overall, the tempo was relaxing. 
The was a point during the between Morgantown and Mount Storm we left West Virginia, went into Maryland, then back into West Virginia in less than 30 seconds. Of course, I documented.
We arrived at the parking lot of Mount Storm at around 11:30. And it was a balmy 36 degrees and dropping. What's interesting about Mount Storm Diving is that the lake was built to cool down a coal burning power plant. So, the water is generally warmer than normal. Additionally, it's an altitude dive at 3,250 feet above sea level.
Dive: Mount Storm
Date: 12 January 2008
Time: 11:45am EST
Air Temp: 36 degrees
Surface/Water Temp: 56 degrees
Exposure Protection:
5mm full suit
7mm boots, mittens, hood
Start/End PSI: 2400psi/1100psi
Weight: 14#
Max Depth: 42'
Dive Time: 45 minutes
Visibility: 8-10' Very Cloudy
Experience: The water seemed warmer than diving Portage Quarry at similar depth in the middle of summer. Lake is full of life, schools of catfish followed around. Visited platform, rocky edge, motorcycle all while generally following underwater lines.
The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. Met back up with the girls, hit the hot tub and pool. Did a warm shower, had dinner at an IHOP and came home back to reality.
If you're interested in seeing some land pictures, point your browser here.
To fulfill one of my 2008 SCUBA Resolutions and check off January from my "dive at least once each month" list, a group of us drove over to Mount Storm West Virginia for a nice mid January Dive.
We broke the trip into two legs, the first leg being a leisurely drive to Morgantown, West Virginia. The thought behind this was to leave the CBUS after work on Friday, drive 3 hours to enjoy the town and night life in Morgantown. Plus, this city is a wonderfully hilly town which was very inviting for a nice relaxing get away. We ended up shacking up at the Water Front Place Hotel, which was definitely a plus compared to the alternative.
Our choice in Hotels...
The alternative...
We were called sell-outs for not going to the Mountaineer. But, if you consider pillow top mattresses, fluffy pillows, indoor pool/hot tub, full service bar and room service selling out. I'm all for it.
Side note, ever seen the movie "Vacancy". Yeah... enough said.
We ended up getting into Morgantown late, but the bar was still open, the conversation was good and the mood was relaxed. What more can you ask for?
On Saturday, the boys would get up drive to Mount Storm, while the girls enjoyed a massage at the Hotel Spa and relax in the hot tub.
imagini has put together this little tool which allows you to describe yourself through pictures, they call your visual DNA.
Basically they ask you a question, have you finish a sentence or do word association with sets of pictures... based on your response they evaluate your personality from four different aspects: Mood, Fun, Habits, and Love.
Here's mine:
Here's my short list of SCUBA goals for 2008.
Very doable, yes? I think so.
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