Upside Down Cats

I was reading News of the Weird and I found this interesting tidbit to share with the class...

Here's what the piece said:

Australian Les Stewart holds what the Web site Oddee.com calls the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records: having typed out the written numbers "one" through "one million," over a period of 16 years from 1983 to 1998, according to an August story in his local newspaper Sunshine Coast Daily. He said he typed for 20 minutes at the beginning of every waking hour during that time because he "wanted something to do." "It just came naturally to me." - [Sunshine Coast Daily (Maroochydore, Australia), 8-22-07]

I am going to remember this man's work ethic the next time I feel that an undertaking is too daunting. He is proof positive that a little consistent effort on an enormous task over the course of time - eventually - pays off.

I wonder...if this endeavor holds the distinction of being the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records, what are the first and second? The mind reels...

We live 2000 miles away from the California wildfires that have been burning seemingly forever. Until this week, hearing about them affected me the way far-off disasters always do...with a lump in the pit of my stomach for the horror I imagine the victims are experiencing. I am fortunate that I have never experienced a tremendous loss like so many in California. I cannot even comprehend all that they are surely going through. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones or possessions...it doesn't seem fair that things like that happen...

Until this week, we never even knew anyone personally who was affected by a disaster to the point of being evacuated. Scott's mom in Florida has sustained some property damage in a couple hurricanes, but fortunately she never had to evacuate and was never in imminent physical danger.

We, safe and sound here in the Midwest, were unexpectedly affected by the wildfires this week...A client of Scott's was evacuated from her home and, at least temporarily, is out of business until life returns to normal out there. As a result, she cannot pay him the next installment for the project on which he is working with her.

It is one of those situations where I am upset, but I feel even more guilty for being upset. Sure, this creates a financial disaster for us, but on the "disaster scale," I think it comes in at a measly 3 or 4 as opposed to the legitimate 8 or 9 of being evacuated from your home, and being subjected to the fear that you have lost everything you own, and your business to boot. It comes right down to one of those (extremely hard for me to accept) situations in life over which we have no control.

There will be no disaster relief coming to help us out of the jam this creates for us...chalk it up to the cost being self-employed. It is difficult to not be freaked out, but I have to find the fortitude to do the righteous thing, which is to count my blessings...for the things that are not falling apart in my world today.

This experience reminds me that - for better or worse - we are all connected...that no matter how far-flung we are from one another, what happens to one affects us all.

I have a confession to make...

I haven't watched news - any news - since May.

I found myself suffering from a case of information overload. The news junkies of the world may consider this the act of a complete philistine...so be it. I am willing to endure your criticism because what I have gained is worth bearing your wrath...a tolerable level of blissful ignorance.

Continue reading "No News Is Good News" »

Last year, just weeks before the fifth anniversary of the horrendous events of September 11, 2001, my Sweetie Scott posed this query on our family website. At that time I responded, and I still wholeheartedly believe what I wrote. In memoriam of this day, I would like to - respectfully - share my thoughts...

Continue reading "In Memoriam..." »

Today I've been pondering an imaginary gathering of people I'd enjoy meeting and/or conversing with over dinner. I call it my Fantasy Dinner Party. Like Fantasy Sports, the participants need not live in the same time or place. I think I originally got this idea from a PBS show I watched with my older brother many moons ago called Meeting of Minds. (Go ahead...mock me for being a nerdy PBS-watching girl...!) Steve Allen hosted this round table discussion which brought historical figures together to discuss their views on a variety of topics. As a kid I was fascinated with this concept of defying the space/time continuum to bring these diverse people face to face. I admit the fascination remains, though my guest list has certainly evolved through the years. Imagine all that could be learned from hearing these eclectic people share their knowledge, experience and insight!

The criteria for getting on the list is that you need to be an interesting person or someone I admire - or both. Click read more for a list of some people who should expect an invitation.

Continue reading "Fantasy Dinner Party - Vol. 1" »

...Money, apparently. It seems there are companies charging hundreds of dollars to parents- to-be for name consultation!!! Parents are unable to even name their own child now! I kid you not (I couldn't make this stuff up)! I read about this on News of the Weird.

If you are not up the the challenge of naming your child, what are the chances that you are going to be able to say, "No!" when he is fingerpainting on your living room wall, or help her decide how to deal with the bully who is picking on her? Parenting is a serious gig for adults who are capable of making decisions, not only for themselves, but for this new person for whom they are now responsible.

Continue reading "What's In A Name?" »

Here's a quote from a story in "News of the Weird" that got my feathers in a bunch...

GapKids recently offered a "white, crocheted string bikini you'd likely see Anna Kournikova wearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue (except that it) was for a 12-month-old." [Arizona Republic, 6-28-07] Read the whole sordid story.

(Here insert my disgusted "sigh" at yet another sign of the downfall of civilization) ...What are manufacturers (and worse yet consumers who purchase this inappropriate crap) thinking? Is it really necessary to inform people that babies and little girls are not sex dolls to be dressed up like miniature women? Would anyone consider making Speedos for baby boys, or little leather chaps? I hope if (when) that happens we will all be as outraged as we should be about age-inappropriate clothing for little girls. I hope consumers would recognize this disgusting practice of sexualizing children. It is not cute...it's as degenerate as dressing little beauty pagent contestants in grownup fashion, complete with makeup and big hair! I feel really sorry for little girls growing up in a culture unwilling to let them ever be just a kid and nothing else. What ever happened to the carefree innocence of childhood? Oh yeah...that's appreciated later by the perverts want the grown women to dress in Mary Janes and pigtails...

...the words just may be absurd! I don't understand. What is up with seeing images of Jesus or Mary in things? It seems to me that God would have better uses of his time than playing some elaborate Where's Waldo game with us...

 

I came across this list of places Jesus has been spotted recently in an online feature called "News of the Weird." You can find the full article here.

There seems to be a neverending supply of weirdness in the world. I was looking for an alternative to the frustration of mainstream news, but this news doesn't make me feel any better about the fate of humankind...