Posts filed under ‘Musings’
Greg Louganis is Engaged — to His Boyfriend!
Remember blow-America’s-socks-off gorgeous Olympic swimmer Greg Louganis?
He’s getting married — to his boyfriend!
(Image via TMZ.com)
Some call him the greatest diver in history, but pretty soon someone will be calling him the greatest husband in history! (We hope.)
Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis, who won five Olympic medals, five World Championship titles and 47 national titles during his career, announced to People that he and his partner, Johnny Chaillot, are getting married.
“I finally met my soul mate – the more I fall in love with Johnny, the more I fall in love with myself. This is what the universe had in store for both of us,” Greg, 53, says of his paralegal beau, 52.
Bravo Greg and Johnny. All the best to you for your love and the guts it took to go public with this.
Lazy Afternoon
My God, it’s a beautiful afternoon here in paradise. Sunny, there’s a slight breeze and the temp’s probably somewhere around 78º. The pups and I are lazing on the deck. (That’s Miss Tillie on the left and Mr. Al — the guy pictured in my masthead — on the right.)
I’m loving this moment.
John Roberts Tells Americans to STFU
Last I knew, the Supreme Court worked for We the People. We pay their salary, their health insurance and their pension. Oh, and we bought, paid for and built the (palatial) building they work in.
(Image via SmithsonianMag.com)
But this is what head honcho Chief Justice John Roberts
(Image via Commons.Wikipedia.org)
said today:
Hint: He’s ticked off at We the People being on the land and in the building we own:
Fresh on the heels of a court decision striking down a ban on protests on Supreme Court grounds, the court issued a new rule Thursday banning demonstrations.
The new regulation, approved by the chief justice and effective as of Thursday, says “no person shall engage in a demonstration within the Supreme Court building and grounds. The term ‘demonstration’ includes demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils or religious services and all other like forms of conduct that involve the communication or expression of views or grievances, engaged in by one or more persons, the conduct of which is reasonably likely to draw a crowd or onlookers. The term does not include casual use by visitors or tourists that is not reasonably likely to attract a crowd or onlookers.”
On Tuesday, a D.C. District Court judge struck down the Supreme Court’s previous ban on protests, saying the law was overbroad and unreasonably restrictive of free speech.
We the People can’t protest or march or hold vigils or assemble on the Supreme Court ground WE OWN?
Excuse me Mr. Roberts. Do you think you’re king?
Yes. He. Does.
I Can Only Imagine What James Clapper Tells His Insurance Agent
Geezus. If I was pulled over by a cop and I lied, I’d be sweating bullets. I just don’t lie. (Well, maybe little white ones to my husband who has dementia.) I don’t think it’s worth the potential ramifications. But James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence lied TO CONGRESS and he’s still on the job. WTF? Do we have any standards around here anymore?
(Image via ThinkProgress.org)
If President Obama really does welcome a debate about the scope of the U.S. surveillance program, a good first step would be to fire Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Back at an open congressional hearing on March 12, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Clapper, “Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?” Clapper replied, “No sir … not wittingly.” As we all now know, he was lying.
We also now know that Clapper knew he was lying. In an interview with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell that aired this past Sunday, Clapper was asked why he answered Wyden the way he did. He replied:
“I thought, though in retrospect, I was asked [a] ‘when are you going to … stop beating your wife’ kind of question, which is … not answerable necessarily by a simple yes or no. So I responded in what I thought was the most truthful, or least untruthful, manner by saying, ‘No.’ ”
Let’s parse this passage. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Wyden had been briefed on the top-secret-plus programs that we now all know about. That is, he knew that he was putting Clapper in a box; He knew that the true answer to his question was “Yes,” but he also knew that Clapper would have a hard time saying so without making headlines.
But the question was straightforward. It could be answered “yes” or “no,” and Clapper had to know this when he sat there in the witness chair.
Obama: Do you care that our kids know lying isn’t acceptable? Yes? Then fire this guy’s ass. If he’s lying to congress he’s been lying for a long time because he knows he can get away with it.
Beyonce As Physical Freak
Check out this suppposed drawing of Beyonce:
Roberto Cavalli Erases Singer’s Famous Curves in Press Release
Beyonce, in real-life: The 31-year-old singer and mother of one looked fantastic in the gown in real-life and entirely different from the photo in the press release.
Fortunately, the press release also included photos from the actual concert, showing the differences between the digitally-altered Beyonce and the real-life star.
While fashion sketches regularly use elongated figures, the image appeared to be a strange Photoshop picture rather than a hand-drawing.
Click on “More…” above to see the real Beyonce in the dress. She’s much more beautiful than in the freakish “drawing.” Too bad Cavalli (apparently) didn’t think her real body was good enough.
I mean, who has legs that freakishly long? Answer: Nobody!
Disgusting.
The Ultimate One Percenter Problem
Geez. You’d think this guy would be too ashamed of the pettiness involved to go ahead with this but, guess not:
(Image via PPIBlog.com)
Insanely Wealthy Saudi Prince Sues Forbes for Undervaluing His Wealth
Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, whose wealth can only be described as “Saudi Prince levels of wealth,” is suing Forbes Magazine for undervaluing his fortune by $9.6 billion.
Forbes’ annual “Rich List” valued him at $20 billion, when IN FACT, the prince believes he is worth $30 billion, and that Forbes is demonstrably biased towards Saudis. Forbes listed him as only the world’s 26th most wealthy billionaire, when he believes he is actually much higher.
Gorgeous Little “Bug Balls”
Here’s some Sunday delight:
(Image via ClaireMoynahan.co.uk)
(Image via ClaireMoynahan.co.uk)
[Textile artist] Claire [Moynahan] lives and works in rural Hertfordshire she graduated in 2008 with a BA Hons in Applied Arts. Her current work is a ‘freestyle’ form of 3D embroidery which can loosely be described as stumpwork. She is unconstrained by formal embroidery techniques which leaves her free to experiment with threads and materials to achieve her aims.
With an appreciation of the natural world and love of drawing Claire has been inspired to study insects and reproduce these as tiny embroideries on felt. She enjoys the humour in producing insects that are realistic and presenting them as traditional entomological collections. Her work is a celebration of insects some of which are ironically described as ‘pests’.
Darling. I want one!
Another World
Sotheby’s is holding an auction of “important carpets” today at its New York studio. This one (first one in the lineup),
is expected to go for $33,000,000+. That would be 33 million dollars. For. A. Rug Carpet.
It is described as: “A Sickle-leaf, vine scroll and palmette ‘Vase’-technique carpet, probably Kirman, Southeast Persia.”
I’m interested but heck, they don’t give the dimensions so it’s hard to know where I’d put it (wink, wink).
Susan G. Komen Foundation Still Suffering After Planned Parenthood Fiasco
Komen foundation will not hold its signature three-day walk next year in Washington and six other cities, officials said.
A statement from the organization cited drops in participation and fundraising, as well as competition from other charities as factors, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
“Many participants have reported that enthusiasm for the series remains very high, but it is more difficult for people to donate at levels they had in the past,” the statement said. “We hope to one day return to a larger number of markets, but believe strongly that this adjustment will allow us to return the greatest amount of dollars to the cause at this time.”
The event will no longer be held in Phoenix, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Fla., or San Francisco after this year, the Post said.
3,000 Year Old Boats Uncovered in the UK
Wow. I can’t wait to hear more about this:
(Image via News168.co.uk)
A fleet of eight prehistoric boats, including one almost nine metres long, has been discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry on the outskirts of Peterborough.
The vessels, all deliberately sunk more than 3,000 years ago, are the largest group of bronze age boats ever found in the same UK site and most are startlingly well preserved. One is covered inside and out with decorative carving described by conservator Ian Panter as looking “as if they’d been playing noughts and crosses all over it”. Another has handles carved from the oak tree trunk for lifting it out of the water. One still floated after 3,000 years and one has traces of fires lit on the wide flat deck on which the catch was evidently cooked.
[...]
he boats were deliberately sunk into the creek, as several still had slots for transoms – boards closing the stern of the boat – which had been removed.
Archaeologists are struggling to understand the significance of the find. Whatever the custom meant to the bronze age fishermen and hunters who lived in the nearby settlement, it continued for centuries. The team from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit is still waiting for the results of carbon 14 dating tests, but believes the oldest boats date from around 1,600 BC and the most recent 600 years later.
They already knew the creek had great significance – probably as a rich source of fish and eels – as in previous seasons at the Much Farm site they had found ritual deposits of metalwork, including spears.
I’m Back
The hubby and I had our wood floors refinished Wednesday and Thursday so we and the puppies have been hiding out at a cabin
(Image via Chautauqua.com)
at the historic Colorado Chautauqua for two days. It was delicious. Well, aside for the time each night when the dogs wanted to go out at about 3:00 a.m. There was a big sign in the office warning of bears and mountain lions. Yikes. Those were hairy times.
And I’ve been offline. Didn’t miss the internets near as much as I thought I would.
We’re moving furniture back into the house now.
After a quick check of my emails and tweets, I see Republicans are as insane as ever, quite possibly committing GOP brand suicide. Oy. They just don’t know when to stop do they?
Anyway, more soon.
Man BASE Jumps Off of Mt. Everest
This looks like so much fun:
A Russian extreme sports star has marked the 60th anniversary of the conquest of Mount Everest by performing a record-breaking BASE jump from the world’s highest peak. (May 29)
Woooh is right!
Okay Yeah, I’ll Click on That Link
People are still sending emails like this? Really? That means people — HELLO! — are still stupidly clicking on the links. (From my inbox this afternoon via someone named “Karen.”)
(Image via TurboSquid.com)
I have decided to will my estate to you for the work of humanity, for more info contact Attorney Raymond Thompson on email: newtonblackwel@admin.xx.th
Wow. Karen from who knows where is going to will me her estate “for the work of humanity.” Yahoo!
Too bad I don’t have a category titled: Blind, mindless greed.
From the Department of Extreme Patience
Look at this incredible watch…carved by hand, out of wood!
At first glance, these delightful timepieces look like they could have been crafted by the very best Swiss manufacturers.
But they have instead been made by a humble carpenter with no watchmaking training whatsoever.
Ukrainian Valerii Danevych makes his functional wrist watches almost entirely out of wood, with the sole exception of a metal spring needed to propel the movement.
(Image Valerii Danevych via DailyMail.co.uk)
Imagine the patience (fed by passion I guess). Beautiful.
More info and images here.
Obama Wants to Close Gitmo? Why is He Asking for $450M to Keep it Open?
The Pentagon is asking Congress for more than $450 million for maintaining and upgrading the Guantanamo Bay prison that President Barack Obama wants to close.
Obama talks the talk but he doesn’t walk the walk.
Zach Sobiech Died Today
Oh no. Heartbreaking news: 18-year-old Zach Sobiech, who I posted about in December, died today. Zach wrote and recorded a beautiful song I’ll never forget:
Godspeed Zach. Go up in the clouds. It’ll be a little nicer.
Empathy
Here’s a very touching video from the Cleveland Clinic.
I’d like to see something like this highlighting people of other countries or people of disparate religions. In the end, we all want the same thing i.e., to live healthy, happy, peaceful lives surrounded by people we love with our basic needs met.
Life With Dementia: Brushing Teeth Edition
I had to remind my hubby to brush his teeth tonight as I did this morning (it’s an everyday occurrence). He was in bed with this door closed. I opened it and asked him to brush his teeth before he fell asleep
He said he would but that my asking was about “more conspiracy theories.”
Again, life with someone with dementia.
(Image via BetterThan50.com)
OMFG. I find myself trying to IGNORE my husband. Who trains themselves to IGNORE their husband? But that’s were I’m at. It’s about not being irritated. Not having my jaw drop when he says stuff like this.
Dementia is Awful for People Who Don’t Have It
Regular readers of this site know my husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in late February.
(Image via SayItAintSoAlready.com)
Man-oh-man, the learning curve has been steep since then.
One of the most frustrating things is that the person with dementia thinks everything’s fine. Case in point: My husband hasn’t taken a shower since May 5th. Yep. May 5th.
I bought a white board a few weekends ago to write reminders on. Showers were one of them but when a person has dementia, again, they think everything’s fine. When I write “Take shower” on the white board my hubby blows it off. He says: What’s the big deal? You’re trying to control my life!
Oy.
So what do it do? Literally push him into the shower?
Of course not. I write “Shower” on the white board the next day and the next. It’s on the white board again for tomorrow. Ten days on.
Living with someone who has dementia can mean “fighting” about taking a shower.
That’s dementia.
Who is this guy?
Don’t get me started about brushing teeth or combing hair.
And to think: This journey has just begun.
Important Factoids to Bear in Mind During IRSgate
There are so many angles to the story about the IRS “targeting” Tea Party organizations like budget cuts, the sequester, Citizens United and the Republican goal to prove that government is so incompetent it should be drown in a bathtub. This is an extremely complicated story but alas, the corporate media probably won’t touch on this stuff:
(Image via CSMonitor.com)
Amid withering accusations the Internal Revenue Service targeted tea party and other conservative groups with enhanced scrutiny, the agency faces another problem: it’s drowning in paperwork.
The IRS’ Exempt Organizations Division, which finds itself at the scandal’s epicenter, processed significantly more tax exemption applications in fiscal year 2012 by so-called 501(c)(4) “social welfare” organizations — 2,774 — than it has since at least the late 1990s, according to an analysis of IRS records by the Center for Public Integrity.
Compare that to 1,777 applications in 2011 and 1,741 in 2010, federal records show. Not since 2002, when officials processed 2,402 applications, have so many been received.
Meanwhile, Exempt Organizations Division staffing slid from 910 employees during fiscal year 2009 to 876 during fiscal year 2012, agency personnel documents indicate.
In 2010, IRS officials projected exempt division staffing at 942 employees. But IRS officials cut the number to 900 after the agency began slashing its budget in response to fiscal woes affecting most corners of the federal government.
Wealthy Parents Figure Out How to Cut in Line at Disney World
This is despicable:
(Image via MeritsHealth.com)
A handful of rich Manhattan mothers are hiring disabled people to pose as family members so their children can jump to the front of the lines at Disney World, The New York Post reports today.
The paper points its finger at Dream Tours, a company that helps organize vacations for people with special needs.
The company — and clients who are willing to pay — allegedly take advantage of a Disney rule that allows guests who need a wheelchair or motorized scooter to bring up to six guests to a “more convenient entrance,” the Post’s Tara Palmeri reports.
The company reportedly provides a disabled “escort,” who accompanies the family around the park and to the front of the line at busy rides.
1%ers.
Would You Name Your Son “Messiah?”
Check this out from the Social Security Administration on the names (for boys) that had the biggest increased in popularity from 2011 to 2012. The name “Messiah” is fourth:
What kind of a person names their son “Messiah?”
Strange.
Again, see the full list here.
Liberals are Wimps
My Tweet of the Day from raging conservative David Frum:
Agreed. 100+ Tea Party groups apply for tax deductible status and that raises flags with the IRS. But what does the Obama administration’s IRS do when that comes to light? They cow like a bunch of chicken shits instead of pointing out that hey, THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON HERE.
Geezus. H. Christo.
What is Water?
David Foster Wallace‘s 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College: This is Water:
Can You Spare a Few Cans of Food?
People who read my blog on a regular basis know I’m passionate about my volunteer work at Boulder’s Emergency Family Assistance and that I’ve volunteered there for more than four years.
That said, please — PLEASE — put a few cans of soup or veggies (or whatever) out on your front stoop tomorrow so the National Association of Letter Carriers can do their good work collecting food for food banks all across the country.
Food banks are running on empty these days.
Folks who visit a food bank aren’t “the other” and they aren’t there because they want to be. (Who would do that?!) They are you and me. They’ve run into hard times because of stupid financial decisions (I can relate) or pressures outside their control. We could be them in an instant.
Again, please help if you can.
From the Founder of Twitter: When Companies Use “Social Media” They Aren’t Necessarily Being Ahem, Social
Really good point here from Ev Williams, the founder of Twitter, on the overused (I am so sick of it) term, “social media.”
Just because it’s on the Internet or created by a single person doesn’t make it social.
Within the last couple years, everything that individuals created on the Internet was reclassified as “social media.” It used to be called user generated content (UGC for short), which was often disparaging. So social isn’t necessarily worse—except that it’s misleading.
[...]
If you don’t know the people, or don’t care, it’s probably not social media. It’s just media. It doesn’t matter if it’s created by an individual or a corporation.
What’s more, when companies use social media…well, they’re not. They may be using platforms that are primarily used for social media (like Facebook) or platforms that are used for social media, among other things (like Twitter), but that doesn’t make the companies—or their media—social.
So let’s not kid ourselves. Just because we (or General Motors) post something on Twitter or Facebook, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re being “social.” Being social is a lot more complicated than that.
Love Timelapse Videos? You’ll Love This
Love timelapse videos? Checkout Time’s new “Timelapse” website.
Lots of cool timelapse stuff there.
How Much Stuff Our Bodies Make in a Year
Hint: 60 gallons of sweat. Yikes.
