Beslan Hostages

0

Written on Friday, September 03, 2004 by Jessica

The happenings in Beslan are horrifying. What kind of people are these Chechen rebels who hold children hostage and withhold food, water and sanitary facilities from them? For me, this story eclipses Hurricane Frances as it approaches the west Florida coast; journalists are giving them equal time -- more time to Frances, actually, even though the Beslan massacre is billed as the "top" story.

Holidays, Observances, and Celebrations

0

Written on Saturday, July 31, 2004 by Jessica

This site provides a nice resource for weird holidays and observances. (Did you know that August is National Get Acquainted with Zespri New Zealand Kiwi Fruit Month? Or that January 3rd is Memento Mori "Remember You Die" Day?)

Spamusement

0

Written on Saturday, July 24, 2004 by Jessica

And here's another person who has found a creative use for spam. He uses the subject lines of spam as inspiration for "poorly-drawn [sic] cartoons."

Cigarette

1

Written on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 by Jessica

I really want a cigarette.

Not really. I don't smoke and I never have. But that's my new joke here at work. Susan and I are both on diets, so when I have the urge to go down the vending machine, I have to tell her so she can stop me (and vice versa). However, it's kinda mean for me to say, "I really really want a Snickers candy bar," b/c then she might want a Snickers too. So I just tell her I want a cigarette. And right now, I really really want a cigarette. Sigh.
 
So far I've cheated a little on my diet (b/c I was starving!), but I didn't cheat with sweets. Right now, that's the important thing--to cut out sweets cold turkey as if I were quitting cigarettes. I told Bob (hubby) last week that I wish they made patches for dieters, like nicotine patches. I need a doughnut patch and a chocolate patch and an ice cream patch.

Spidey Wallpaper

0

Written on Friday, July 02, 2004 by Jessica

Downloaded some really cool Spider-Man wallpaper here. I picked the scene where Spidey has swooped in to rescue Mary Jane.

Holy Crap!

0

Written on Monday, June 21, 2004 by Jessica

Someone stole Michael Moore's cap! Undoubtedly, the perpetrator is a member of the vast right-wing conspiracy against him.

Bradbury: "Change 'Fahrenheit' title"

0

Written on Monday, June 21, 2004 by Jessica

Hmmm, Bradbury's pissed. So here we have it. Proof that not all is wrong in the universe.

Moore's not worried, though. Pshaw! Who cares if the title of "Fahrenheit 9/11" might be a form of plagerism? Moore has more important things to worry about, like the vast right-wing conspiracy to malign his docu-op-ed piece and ruin his "good" reputation.

Clinton "snapped" at BBC interviewer...

0

Written on Monday, June 21, 2004 by Jessica

...when asked about Lewinsky affair. Pakistan's Daily Times reports the same thing. But why in the world would that make the former prez so snippity?

BBC Washington correspondent Justin Webb says this indicates the difference between this interview and the bland questions Mr Clinton has faced during recent interviews in the US, where former presidents are treated with a degree of reverence.
As for Clinton's memoir, which is what has prompted his reemergence into the spotlight, the New York Times calls it "sloppy, self-indulgent and often eye-crossingly dull." Therefore, it's guaranteed to sell a million copies.

Baby shower planning and etiquette

0

Written on Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Jessica

In Babycenter.com's article, Baby shower planning and etiquette, they encourage you to ignore the traditional advice about who should throw the baby shower--and the traditional (formal) advice is that "someone who's not a relative must throw the shower to avoid having it look as though the family is asking for presents." This baffles and amazes me. I've always assumed it was the job of a sister, sister-in-law, etc. to throw the shower. I'm throwing my best friend's shower, but I only agreed after I knew for sure her sister couldn't do it. I agree. Ignore Miss Manners.

Jane Roe Changes Her Mind

0

Written on Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Jessica

The Smoking Gun: Archive

Peter's Evil Overlord List

3

Written on Thursday, June 17, 2004 by Jessica

Peter's Evil Overlord List is worth a look. It's the "Top 100 Things I'd Do if I Were an Evil Overlord" (or something like that). One of my favorites: If an advisor says to me, "My liege, he is but one man. What can one man possibly do?" I will reply, "This," and kill the advisor. (Number 46)

Wow.

0

Written on Thursday, June 17, 2004 by Jessica

Valerie Solanas' SCUM Manifesto

Bush was google bombed, too.

0

Written on Thursday, June 17, 2004 by Jessica

BBC NEWS | Americas | 'Miserable failure' links to Bush
Okay, so it's an old story and I'm only hearing about it now. It's still hilarious.

Wired News: Kerry Gets Google-Bombed

0

Written on Monday, June 14, 2004 by Jessica

Wired News: Kerry Gets Google-Bombed
This is hilarious. By linking the word waffles to John Kerry's website, conservative have managed to make the site numero uno if you google the word "waffle."

I'll file this one...

0

Written on Thursday, June 03, 2004 by Jessica

...under, "You gotta be kiddin me." USATODAY.com - Virtual real estate boom draws real dollars

Finite Monkeys

0

Written on Thursday, June 03, 2004 by Jessica

I stumbled across Finite Monkeys via Slashdot. Andrew Yahner, the blogger, creates poetry by cutting and pasting spam. Sigh. I've been thinking like mad, trying to come up with something creative for my blog, but I'm blank. And then there's people like Andrew out there reminding me just how insipid I really am.

The Knitting Curmudgeon

0

Written on Thursday, June 03, 2004 by Jessica

The Knitting Curmudgeon greets you with, "Shut up, I'm counting." Why are all the other bloggers so funny? My friends think I'm funny in person, so why don't I have the wit to write a really good blog?

Make sure you're "out" when they operate on you

0

Written on Friday, May 28, 2004 by Jessica

Really Under During Surgery? Monitor Can Tell
The first time I heard about the possibility of being conscious during surgery, it kept me up nights for a week. At least there's something you can do about it.

Adjusted for inflation, crude oil's high was $78 a barrel in 1980

1

Written on Friday, May 14, 2004 by Jessica

U.S. crude futures reach record high - May. 14, 2004
Sure, right now we're at an absolute high, but when adjusted for inflation, the price of crude is barely more than half what it was in 1980.

Bloggers doubt Berg execution video

0

Written on Thursday, May 13, 2004 by Jessica

Aljazeera.Net - Bloggers doubt Berg execution video
So I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Nick Berg in the video doesn't look like Nick Berg. But again, his family hasn't expressed any doubts.

Mousefinger

0

Written on Thursday, May 13, 2004 by Jessica

Does anyone else get mousefinger? My right index finger gets so sore from clicking that I actually mouse left handed at work. I still mouse right handed at home, though.
Does the word 'mousefinger' sound sorta dirty to anyone else, or is it just me? As if anyone's actually reading this...

Grammar Lessons for Pop Stars

0

Written on Thursday, May 13, 2004 by Jessica

Grammar Lessons for Pop Stars
Although it's a fault I'm trying to fix, I have to admit that I'm a grammar elitist. (The worst kind, too, because I figure that because I know the rules, I'm allowed to break them.) But as I'm not trying too hard to fix my flaw, I eagerly read this article. Unfortunately (egad! dangling modifier!), the author's writing style was unbearable as she referred to "lyrics that read like a diary entry penned by someone who's just returned home, sweaty and tired, from a seventh-grade dance." Sigh.

Three Arab states condemn American's beheading

0

Written on Thursday, May 13, 2004 by Jessica

Three Arab states condemn American's beheading
Is it just me, or does the guy in the video look nothing like Nick Berg? On the other hand, his own family members haven't expressed any doubt.

Nick Berg - Still photos from the video

0

Written on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 by Jessica

Still photographs of Berg's decapitation.
Nothing the US soldiers did in Abu Ghraib prison could be as bad as this.

US hostage 'escapes' from Iraqi captors

0

Written on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 by Jessica

Aljazeera.Net - US hostage 'escapes' from Iraqi captors
Notice how quotation marks around the word 'escapes' can change the apparent meaning. On the other hand, when the story first broke, I thought to myself, 'Oh, come on. Did he really escape? Or did they decide to let him go?'