Categories
Misc.

More Bombs in London

Breaking news…

Images from our Company Picnic

Yesterday afternoon we all left the office early for our annual company picnic. Here’re some pics.

Categories
Misc.

Metro Cards: Soon to Go the Way of the Dodo?

Ben P., my climate scientist ex-roommate currently living in Oz and apparently scanning headlines from Taiwan, sends this along:

Newley: I assume you heard about this while in Taiwan – you better start collecting those metro cards quick – could eventually be a thing of the past.

Actually, Ben, I hadn’t seen that news — and I’m all the happier that I’ve already got the Taipei card in my possession! I better start beefing up my collection before less tech-savvy cities start doing the same…

“The best-looking female weather talent in the country”

Harper’s:

Now, here is what’s her name. This is a woman on Fox News Channel. And Fox News actually does a lot with their women just for sheer titillation. And yet she’s wearing a jacket, and it’s a scoop neck. Whoever this woman is, it’s more like what The Weather Channel women typically dress in. See, I mean, it’s a very nice outfit, but it’s pretty bland. You see this difference? Look, and she’s a young woman. I would bet she’s early thirties and she looks late forties. Do you want to look old? That’s what happens when you don’t smile. And have a big nose.

Sausage Carving Tips…

from the Japanese. I like this one the best:

ICE (In Case of Emergency)

I love to see simple, practical ideas gain momentum; here’s one that’s reaching its tipping point:

WaPo:

To its owner, the cell phone is an indispensable lifeline at times of crisis, reuniting loved ones separated by unforeseen events at the touch of a button. But for members of the emergency services making life-and-death decisions, the cell poses a conundrum: Which of the numbers stored in its electronic address book should they call to reach a casualty’s next of kin?

Now a simple initiative, conceived by a paramedic in Britain, has gained momentum on both sides of the Atlantic to try to solve this problem. Cell users are being urged to put the acronym ICE — “in case of emergency” — before the names of the people they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book, creating entries such as “ICE — Dad” or “ICE — Alison.”

Categories
Misc.

“Complaint From Seat 29E”

Sorry about that last entry. Newley Purnell, Generalist reared his ugly head.

Let’s get back to some innanity. Try this one on for size.

Slim Goodbody

AP:

ROCKPORT, Maine – The huge afro disappeared years ago, but the heart, lungs, stomach and liver look the same.

The organs are painted on the tight, colorful body suit worn by the superhero of children’s health, Slim Goodbody, a regular on “Captain Kangaroo” and — at 54 — still going strong.

Inside the suit is John Burstein, who’s creating educational materials and writing books in addition to entertaining kids with stories, songs, dances and skits promoting sound nutrition, regular exercise and healthy living.

Opium Eradication in Laos

BBC:

The opium poppy that has long bloomed across the mountains of northern Laos has almost been wiped out by the government’s drastic eradication campaign.

But what is being hailed as a victory by the international anti-narcotics agencies has also spawned a humanitarian crisis, due to the massive displacement of hill tribes and their loss of economic livelihood.

Categories
Misc.

Cuarenta

Don’t ask me how I find this stuff:

How to play Cuarenta:

Cuarenta is played in Ecuador, mostly by people from the mountains, including the cities of Cuenca and Quito (the capital). Cuarenta means “40” in Spanish; this is the number of cards in the deck as well as the points required to win. The play is supposed to be full of bravado, loud, exciting, even silly.