I have never used a urinal. Most men, in western societies at least, use urinals all the time. I was unaware until today that there is such a thing as "good urinal manners." However, I played the Urinal Game and got 100% correct.
If I could get one of those attachments for female urination [emiction, miction, micturition, uresis] that allows one to pee standing up, I think I should be able to use the men's room. I do have good urinal manners. No one should mind.
Info on said attachments:
My Sweet Pee
Travel Mate
TM is my personal favorite, though I don't have one and have not tried one. But it comes with accessories--why not accessorize?
Shewee
The Whiz
P-Mate
I have been told that the line-persons for electric companies use a portable device that allows men or women up in the boom carts above the roadways, fixing the wires, to urinate in a comfortable, sanitary, and discreet manner. Why shouldn't we all have such a device available for easing the need to go?
28 August 2006
25 August 2006
Yisrayl?
Not that anyone could possibly believe someone who actually spells his name Y-I-S-R-A-Y-L, much less after he opens his mouth and predicts nuclear war. Yet, here he is, Yaweh's prophet for our time, saying just that. View the prophet.
End of Summer Cruise?
The perfect way to end a lovely summer: a cruise along the coast (or down the mudy Mississippi to New Orleans--before the hurricanes come) in your own 37' diesel cruiser. And not just ANY cruiser but the very boat that took Gilligan and the Skipper, too, on a "three hour tour." "A three hour tour." There are photos at that link of the S.S. Minnow if you are interested, interior and exterior. The cost for the perfect cruiser is $99,000, asking price. She looks seaworthy.
Caution: there are links to other formidable sailboats and the like. If you're prone to impusle buying, don't even go there.
Caution: there are links to other formidable sailboats and the like. If you're prone to impusle buying, don't even go there.
21 August 2006
"A House is Just a Place..."
"A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff." Wise words of a 21st Century philosopher.
The liquid airplane bomb threats reveals that most of us bring our stuff with us. Or at least we try to bring as much stuff with us as possible. The Washington Post examines the modern compulsion to never leave home without "it," concluding that we are a multi-tasking people, unable to be truly free because our attachment to stuff makes us both poor and overburdened.
I notice my own addiction to stuff when I pack the car nearly every time I leave the house: A book bag of books to return to the library, a mini-lunch cooler so my water doesn't boil in the parked car, a bag of medicines to take to my mother to refill her weekly dispenser, another to-do bag with a magazine in case I get stuck someplace, a sketch book and pencils. I like to have a digital camera along, too, but it requires a battery charger, as does my cell phone. If I'm teaching that day, I'll need my Land's End canvas briefcase overflowing with student papers and lecture notes. Invariably I have a meeting that day with a team of people I'm working with on a workshop which necessitates another canvas bag of notebooks and sources. In the back seat is an ever present red Scoth-plaid metal lunch box with wet ones, contact lubricant, nail file, napkins, a straw, a mirror, blush, a headband for "bad hair" afternoons, and anything else I can cram in and still close it.
The Post explains that we are all carrying more stuff, so I guess I'm not alone. The proof is found in the bookbags with wheels now manufactured not just for graduate students with 600 pounds of books, but for the grade school set. Children have actually been injured by their over filled bookbags.
Are we an insecure culture? Do we lack a basic trust in ourselves to make it back home? Home to our stuff?
I've tried this month to cut back on the stuff. I emptied my car, threw all the stuff in a box, and put only the ESSENTIAL stuff in the center console. I'm not even going to say what I think is essential. Trust me, it is. But I still cart those canvas bags for each occassion on the multitasking day ahead.
I have successfully made a habit of tossing out salt and ketchup. Unlike some people (you know who you are) who keep these "food" items lest you starve while your car hangs precipitously over the edge of cliff after you've skidded off the road during an ice storm, not to be found for five days; all because you read a story in the paper about the guy who lived for five days on ketchup and odd fries that were lodged in his seat cushions in an identical situation. I've seen your car parked next to mine, and you, too, could use a little unpacking.
A little advise on what not to carry is here at your finger tips. Good ol' online wiki of information. And other swell links can be found at 43 folders. Let's not stuff ourselves with too many links. Just empty your pockets and your glove compartment. Give it a month. If you need something, take it out of the box and return it to the car or bag. If you don't need it in 30 days, you don't need it. Free at last, free at last.....
The liquid airplane bomb threats reveals that most of us bring our stuff with us. Or at least we try to bring as much stuff with us as possible. The Washington Post examines the modern compulsion to never leave home without "it," concluding that we are a multi-tasking people, unable to be truly free because our attachment to stuff makes us both poor and overburdened.
I notice my own addiction to stuff when I pack the car nearly every time I leave the house: A book bag of books to return to the library, a mini-lunch cooler so my water doesn't boil in the parked car, a bag of medicines to take to my mother to refill her weekly dispenser, another to-do bag with a magazine in case I get stuck someplace, a sketch book and pencils. I like to have a digital camera along, too, but it requires a battery charger, as does my cell phone. If I'm teaching that day, I'll need my Land's End canvas briefcase overflowing with student papers and lecture notes. Invariably I have a meeting that day with a team of people I'm working with on a workshop which necessitates another canvas bag of notebooks and sources. In the back seat is an ever present red Scoth-plaid metal lunch box with wet ones, contact lubricant, nail file, napkins, a straw, a mirror, blush, a headband for "bad hair" afternoons, and anything else I can cram in and still close it.
The Post explains that we are all carrying more stuff, so I guess I'm not alone. The proof is found in the bookbags with wheels now manufactured not just for graduate students with 600 pounds of books, but for the grade school set. Children have actually been injured by their over filled bookbags.
Are we an insecure culture? Do we lack a basic trust in ourselves to make it back home? Home to our stuff?
I've tried this month to cut back on the stuff. I emptied my car, threw all the stuff in a box, and put only the ESSENTIAL stuff in the center console. I'm not even going to say what I think is essential. Trust me, it is. But I still cart those canvas bags for each occassion on the multitasking day ahead.
I have successfully made a habit of tossing out salt and ketchup. Unlike some people (you know who you are) who keep these "food" items lest you starve while your car hangs precipitously over the edge of cliff after you've skidded off the road during an ice storm, not to be found for five days; all because you read a story in the paper about the guy who lived for five days on ketchup and odd fries that were lodged in his seat cushions in an identical situation. I've seen your car parked next to mine, and you, too, could use a little unpacking.
A little advise on what not to carry is here at your finger tips. Good ol' online wiki of information. And other swell links can be found at 43 folders. Let's not stuff ourselves with too many links. Just empty your pockets and your glove compartment. Give it a month. If you need something, take it out of the box and return it to the car or bag. If you don't need it in 30 days, you don't need it. Free at last, free at last.....
Putting it off?
Let's give this a try. Here's an audio file for listening to 10+2*5 Work the Dasy
powered by ODEO
which gives you some of the details for moving through procrastination or just getting your work up and going.
I think I'll suggest it to students who are working on their English essays this semester.
powered by ODEO
which gives you some of the details for moving through procrastination or just getting your work up and going.
I think I'll suggest it to students who are working on their English essays this semester.
17 August 2006
Procrastination is Your Middle Name?
My middle name is Procrastination. I'm the Queen of the Land of Procrastination, in fact. I will put off just about anything, even good things, just because .... I can. My friend Pat C. says, "Never postpone pleasure." I've attempted to follow this advise whenever possible. For an award winning procrastinator, even pleasure is difficult to get started.
Merlin Mann has mastered a few anti-procrastination techniques that should help me. Here is part of what he thinks: "My favorite tonic for procrastination—which I have mentioned in passing previously—is what I call a dash, which is simply a short burst of focused activity during which you force yourself to do nothing but work on the procrastinated item for a very short period of time—perhaps as little as just one minute. By breaking a few tiny pebbles off of your perceived monolith, you end up psyching yourself out of your stupor, as well as making much-needed progress on your overdue project. Neat, huh?"
Mann is the master-mind behind loads of ongoing and completed projects. It is truly difficult to imagine he has ever had trouble with procrastination. But he makes some fine points about moving beyond the obstacle of getting started on dreaded projects, points he can only know via first hand experience. He obviously follows his own advise and has managed to squeeze onto the top one hundred blogs in the world list. No procrastination there.
I have used a similar anti-procrastination process with pretty high success. When I have something on the "to do" list that I want to do but never get 'round to, I make a plan to just do a teeny bit of it., which is often represented by "five." Here's an example: I want to work out and run more everyday. The present level of exercise is ZERO. To go from zip exercise to and hour is not going to happen. But from 0 to 5 mins. is not too difficult. From NO situps to 5 situps is EZ and can be accomplished during one commercial break, if necessary. From 15 pounds to 5 pounds is do-able. To read 5 pages won't take long, or 5 paragraphs. Even planning on starting some project or job in five mins. or five days might work. Pay off could be 5 Hershey's Kisses or five M&M's or five handfulls of popcorn or five hanfulls of M&m's. The take five process usually works for me. After doing five of something I go five more and five more over a period of time.
Like Mann's plan, once the job is started the fear is overcome and continuing on is much less threatening.
Merlin Mann has mastered a few anti-procrastination techniques that should help me. Here is part of what he thinks: "My favorite tonic for procrastination—which I have mentioned in passing previously—is what I call a dash, which is simply a short burst of focused activity during which you force yourself to do nothing but work on the procrastinated item for a very short period of time—perhaps as little as just one minute. By breaking a few tiny pebbles off of your perceived monolith, you end up psyching yourself out of your stupor, as well as making much-needed progress on your overdue project. Neat, huh?"
Mann is the master-mind behind loads of ongoing and completed projects. It is truly difficult to imagine he has ever had trouble with procrastination. But he makes some fine points about moving beyond the obstacle of getting started on dreaded projects, points he can only know via first hand experience. He obviously follows his own advise and has managed to squeeze onto the top one hundred blogs in the world list. No procrastination there.
I have used a similar anti-procrastination process with pretty high success. When I have something on the "to do" list that I want to do but never get 'round to, I make a plan to just do a teeny bit of it., which is often represented by "five." Here's an example: I want to work out and run more everyday. The present level of exercise is ZERO. To go from zip exercise to and hour is not going to happen. But from 0 to 5 mins. is not too difficult. From NO situps to 5 situps is EZ and can be accomplished during one commercial break, if necessary. From 15 pounds to 5 pounds is do-able. To read 5 pages won't take long, or 5 paragraphs. Even planning on starting some project or job in five mins. or five days might work. Pay off could be 5 Hershey's Kisses or five M&M's or five handfulls of popcorn or five hanfulls of M&m's. The take five process usually works for me. After doing five of something I go five more and five more over a period of time.
Like Mann's plan, once the job is started the fear is overcome and continuing on is much less threatening.
Day 3 in Russia
On Day 3 in Russia, B explores St. Petersburg by hydrafoil and wanders into a trendy Russian hookah bar. His journal has been posted.
http://meistertravel.blogspot.com/
http://meistertravel.blogspot.com/
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Last night was my first visit to the new Busch Stadium. Very Norman Rockwellish, actually. If he'd painted pictures of families going to the ballpark, it would be walking by the front entrance of the new stadium. Our tickets were fan-double-tastic, thanks to former Mayor S.'s generosity. We sat in section 250, and my seat was directly behind home plate. This section is in the Red Bird Club, so on the way to our seats we walked thru the club with all the good food, including a bakery....ooo la la the chocolate covered strawberries!
I was soaking in the view of the field and the park from my great seat when the folks in the row in front of us arrived. Naturally, an EXTRA extra large fan sat in front of me and felt the need to lean forward most of the game, so that I could only see his XXL back. He was wearing an ESPN polo shirt which had slogans written all over it. Slogans like: "A soft drink and a bag of chips." "Get on with your bad self." There were many more, but I only had seven innings to read them. They left when the Cardinals were down by 6.
Section 250 is a great place to expect foul balls. One man two seats and one row in front of me caught a ball hit by Cinncinati. I ducked every time a ball even looked like it would sail over the net. Not that I had anything to fear. The XXL fan made a perfect body guard. No ball would get by his girth.
I didn't have any of the delish snacks, though B. had a hot dog and two beers and J. got peanuts. I'd eaten four quarts of popcorn at home before I knew we had tickets that afternoon.
Even after Cinncinati's home runs and single hits put them 7 up, we held out hope that the Cardinals would rally. They tried. But like a bad deja vous, they filled all three bases as Pujols stepped up to the bat and ....struck out. We lost 7 to 1.
A lost game cannot dim the lights on my first ever visit, free tickets, free parking, balmy weather, and good company at St. Louis. But I sure won't be able to sit any place else now that I'm totally spoiled by section 250. Unless I get to sit in the green seats where they bring you food. And those party boxes are nice. Oh, and the game isn't bad either.
I was soaking in the view of the field and the park from my great seat when the folks in the row in front of us arrived. Naturally, an EXTRA extra large fan sat in front of me and felt the need to lean forward most of the game, so that I could only see his XXL back. He was wearing an ESPN polo shirt which had slogans written all over it. Slogans like: "A soft drink and a bag of chips." "Get on with your bad self." There were many more, but I only had seven innings to read them. They left when the Cardinals were down by 6.
Section 250 is a great place to expect foul balls. One man two seats and one row in front of me caught a ball hit by Cinncinati. I ducked every time a ball even looked like it would sail over the net. Not that I had anything to fear. The XXL fan made a perfect body guard. No ball would get by his girth.
I didn't have any of the delish snacks, though B. had a hot dog and two beers and J. got peanuts. I'd eaten four quarts of popcorn at home before I knew we had tickets that afternoon.
Even after Cinncinati's home runs and single hits put them 7 up, we held out hope that the Cardinals would rally. They tried. But like a bad deja vous, they filled all three bases as Pujols stepped up to the bat and ....struck out. We lost 7 to 1.
A lost game cannot dim the lights on my first ever visit, free tickets, free parking, balmy weather, and good company at St. Louis. But I sure won't be able to sit any place else now that I'm totally spoiled by section 250. Unless I get to sit in the green seats where they bring you food. And those party boxes are nice. Oh, and the game isn't bad either.
14 August 2006
From Russia With Love
Bill's been to Russia and back again. Check out Where In The World
The journal entries are now a week old. Day 1 is posted; the rest to come day by day. Find out how he survives pickpockets and the trip home uncer tight airline security and more.
The journal entries are now a week old. Day 1 is posted; the rest to come day by day. Find out how he survives pickpockets and the trip home uncer tight airline security and more.
13 August 2006
What's for Dinner?
Found this site RECIPE MATCHER
They provide a LENGTHY list of groceries and an interactive program to choose which ones you presently have on hand. Click on RECIPES and it pops up with those recipes for which you have ingredients.
It takes about five mins to click on each of the items in your pantry and fridge. I don't know how long it takes for the recipes to appear. I grew weary waiting, so I left the computer. When I returned 24 recipes had appeared. Several look quite good.
The pantry items are saved to your "account" (no cost) and are available for updates before you cook the next meal.
They provide a LENGTHY list of groceries and an interactive program to choose which ones you presently have on hand. Click on RECIPES and it pops up with those recipes for which you have ingredients.
It takes about five mins to click on each of the items in your pantry and fridge. I don't know how long it takes for the recipes to appear. I grew weary waiting, so I left the computer. When I returned 24 recipes had appeared. Several look quite good.
The pantry items are saved to your "account" (no cost) and are available for updates before you cook the next meal.
12 August 2006
Remember This Guy?
I seem to recall, thinking back to 1979, that the Ayatollah Khomeine was the American Arch Enemy. During my college days at UMR, I had been harassed by Iranian students--lusty dark, swarthy young men, and I thought it was probably a no brainer: Ay. Khomeini was not a nice guy. I didn't know that he sought the destruction of the whole world.
"A passage from the Ayatollah Khomeini, quoted in an 11th-grade Iranian schoolbook, is revealing. 'I am decisively announcing to the whole world that if the world-devourers [i.e., the infidel powers] wish to stand against our religion, we will stand against their whole world and will not cease until the annihilation of all them. Either we all become free, or we will go to the greater freedom which is martyrdom. Either we shake one another's hands in joy at the victory of Islam in the world, or all of us will turn to eternal life and martyrdom. In both cases, victory and success are ours.'"
Today, I bet average folks, especially those born in the 70's and after, have no idea who he is. I hope we remember the pseudo-Islamic terrorists of the 21st century in the same way--which is to say, not at all. Although, some are saying that August 22, 2006 may be a memorable day, etching these monsters in the collective memory of the human race or what's left of it on August 23. This is holy of holy days for the faithful. It's the day Saladin entered Jerusalem in retaliation for the Christian "war" on Islam or Crusades. You remember the Crusades, don't you, from your history classes? Some say the blood in the streets after the Christians invaded Islamic cities was knee high. Others say, it was just a flesh wound, no blood [say, like, Thomas Madden, professor of History at SLU and author of the new book on the subject]. No matter what western Church Historians say about the Crusades, the Islamic memory is what counts--on August 22.
People in the know, probably most world leaders at this point, are aware that Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remembers the Crusades and is not happy. "Ahmadinejad is a strong believer in the Shi’ite tradition of a 12th imam, the so-called “hidden” Imam Mahdi who Allah has miraculously kept alive since his disappearance in 874 AD. As the story goes, Imam Mahdi will return at a time of great global chaos, oppression and bloodshed and usher in an era of (Islamic) justice."
On August 22, 2006, just weeks away, Iran will give its answer to the US and the world concerning Iran's nuclear development. They chose that day specifically--picked it out of a taqiya--a very shallow one (read: hat). Maybe he'll just say, "Well, Ok." But if he's anything like the really scary men who attended classes at US colleges in the 70's, now leading Iran with the benefit of an education from US universities, I think he might not be so agreeable. They are probably not going to use liquids on planes to deliver the message. Not now.
"A passage from the Ayatollah Khomeini, quoted in an 11th-grade Iranian schoolbook, is revealing. 'I am decisively announcing to the whole world that if the world-devourers [i.e., the infidel powers] wish to stand against our religion, we will stand against their whole world and will not cease until the annihilation of all them. Either we all become free, or we will go to the greater freedom which is martyrdom. Either we shake one another's hands in joy at the victory of Islam in the world, or all of us will turn to eternal life and martyrdom. In both cases, victory and success are ours.'"
Today, I bet average folks, especially those born in the 70's and after, have no idea who he is. I hope we remember the pseudo-Islamic terrorists of the 21st century in the same way--which is to say, not at all. Although, some are saying that August 22, 2006 may be a memorable day, etching these monsters in the collective memory of the human race or what's left of it on August 23. This is holy of holy days for the faithful. It's the day Saladin entered Jerusalem in retaliation for the Christian "war" on Islam or Crusades. You remember the Crusades, don't you, from your history classes? Some say the blood in the streets after the Christians invaded Islamic cities was knee high. Others say, it was just a flesh wound, no blood [say, like, Thomas Madden, professor of History at SLU and author of the new book on the subject]. No matter what western Church Historians say about the Crusades, the Islamic memory is what counts--on August 22.
People in the know, probably most world leaders at this point, are aware that Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remembers the Crusades and is not happy. "Ahmadinejad is a strong believer in the Shi’ite tradition of a 12th imam, the so-called “hidden” Imam Mahdi who Allah has miraculously kept alive since his disappearance in 874 AD. As the story goes, Imam Mahdi will return at a time of great global chaos, oppression and bloodshed and usher in an era of (Islamic) justice."
On August 22, 2006, just weeks away, Iran will give its answer to the US and the world concerning Iran's nuclear development. They chose that day specifically--picked it out of a taqiya--a very shallow one (read: hat). Maybe he'll just say, "Well, Ok." But if he's anything like the really scary men who attended classes at US colleges in the 70's, now leading Iran with the benefit of an education from US universities, I think he might not be so agreeable. They are probably not going to use liquids on planes to deliver the message. Not now.
Blogged Down?
Technorati Profile:
Everything you ever wanted to know about the blogoshere but are too busy blogging to ask.
Sifry Alerts blog is the techno-wiz who leads the Technorati Profile and keeps track of the fifty million blogs [ and growing].
The MOST favorite blog in the WHOLE world is BoingBoing.
Now, ya know.
http://www.boingboing.net/
Everything you ever wanted to know about the blogoshere but are too busy blogging to ask.
Sifry Alerts blog is the techno-wiz who leads the Technorati Profile and keeps track of the fifty million blogs [ and growing].
The MOST favorite blog in the WHOLE world is BoingBoing.
Now, ya know.
http://www.boingboing.net/
11 August 2006
TOP 100 FILMS
I am not much of movie buff. It's a long time to sit. But curiously enu I have seen many of the top 100 films. FYI: bold type = I've seen the film-----
The American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time:
1. CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2. CASABLANCA (1942)
3. THE GODFATHER (1972)
4. GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
5. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
7. THE GRADUATE (1967)
8. ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
10. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
11. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957)
14. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15. STAR WARS (1977)
16. ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
18. PSYCHO (1960)
19. CHINATOWN (1974)
20. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
21. THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)
22. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
23. THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
24. RAGING BULL (1980)
25. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26. DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
28. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
30. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31. ANNIE HALL (1977)
32. THE GODFATHER PART II (1974)
33. HIGH NOON (1952)
34. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
35. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
37. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)
38. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
39. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
41. WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
42. REAR WINDOW (1954)
43. KING KONG (1933)
44. THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)
45. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951)
46. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)
47. TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48. JAWS (1975)
49. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
52. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53. AMADEUS (1984)
54. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
56. M*A*S*H (1970)
57. THE THIRD MAN (1949)
58. FANTASIA (1940)
59. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61. VERTIGO (1958)
62. TOOTSIE (1982)
63. STAGECOACH (1939)
64. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
65. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)
66. NETWORK (1976)
67. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)
68. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
69. SHANE (1953)
70. THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)
71. FORREST GUMP (1994)
72. BEN-HUR (1959)
73. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74. THE GOLD RUSH (1925)
75. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
76. CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78. ROCKY (1976)
79. THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
80. THE WILD BUNCH (1969)
81. MODERN TIMES (1936)
82. GIANT (1956)
83. PLATOON (1986)
84. FARGO (1996)
85. DUCK SOUP (1933)
86. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87. FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88. EASY RIDER (1969)
89. PATTON (1970)
90. THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)
91. MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951)
93. THE APARTMENT (1960)
94. GOODFELLAS (1990)
95. PULP FICTION (1994)
96. THE SEARCHERS (1956)
97. BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98. UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
08 August 2006
Empire of the Dead
An unusual tourist stop, maybe, but for those with more than their share of interest in the macabre the Empire of the Dead in Paris has to top the "places to go" list. Somehow, I missed this tour when in France. The photos on the visitors site are less than ivniting. Yet, I can't help wondering what it must be like to walk through a narrow passage lined with skulls and bones of those who have died from the Black Plague or smallpox epidemics.
In 1418, the city had to find a burial site for 50,000 corpses that accumulated in just one week. They were buried in mass graves around Paris. Three centuries later the walls of surrounding cellars caved in and the bones spilled out. An unused quarry south of the heart of Paris, near the now bustling Left Bank, opened its cool, dark, emptiness to the remains of hundreds of thousands of skeletal remains. For years, the bones were carted after night fall, stacked, and left unmarked in the cavernous belly under Paris.
The fee to tour the underground grave site is about $5 (30+francs). Not heavily guarded, the catacombs are a popular spot for musicians and street performaners to frequent. On the feast of the patron saint of miners--in France this is Saint Barbe--the School of Mines enters the tomb for one "hell" of a party, with permission from authorities. If the Rolla School Mines (UMR), were do such a thing in Missouri, there'd be hell to pay. But in Paris, "C'est la vie!"
Tourists have been known to take away a souvenir or two. No one keeps a tally of the number of bones, though some belong to some of France's noted artists, writers, composers, etc. Some people send the bones back or leave them in another Parisian locale with a note.
If you are of French decent, your ancestors could be "buried" in this plot. Beats the heck out of visiting any cemetery on Gravois. Good luck finding a list of names to check. The Empire's registration desk is skimpy on the details of its clientele.
If the Asian Bird Flu hits St. Louis, I suggest the old mines under The Hill as a suitable repository for the bones of our dearly beloved. Imagine the possibilities for tours in three hundred years.
In 1418, the city had to find a burial site for 50,000 corpses that accumulated in just one week. They were buried in mass graves around Paris. Three centuries later the walls of surrounding cellars caved in and the bones spilled out. An unused quarry south of the heart of Paris, near the now bustling Left Bank, opened its cool, dark, emptiness to the remains of hundreds of thousands of skeletal remains. For years, the bones were carted after night fall, stacked, and left unmarked in the cavernous belly under Paris.
The fee to tour the underground grave site is about $5 (30+francs). Not heavily guarded, the catacombs are a popular spot for musicians and street performaners to frequent. On the feast of the patron saint of miners--in France this is Saint Barbe--the School of Mines enters the tomb for one "hell" of a party, with permission from authorities. If the Rolla School Mines (UMR), were do such a thing in Missouri, there'd be hell to pay. But in Paris, "C'est la vie!"
Tourists have been known to take away a souvenir or two. No one keeps a tally of the number of bones, though some belong to some of France's noted artists, writers, composers, etc. Some people send the bones back or leave them in another Parisian locale with a note.
If you are of French decent, your ancestors could be "buried" in this plot. Beats the heck out of visiting any cemetery on Gravois. Good luck finding a list of names to check. The Empire's registration desk is skimpy on the details of its clientele.
If the Asian Bird Flu hits St. Louis, I suggest the old mines under The Hill as a suitable repository for the bones of our dearly beloved. Imagine the possibilities for tours in three hundred years.
07 August 2006
How I'd Like To Go Across the Sea to Ireland
I don't really need an excuse to go to Ireland, but if I did I might use this one:
The International Sr. Fidelma Society is hosting an event in Fidelma's honor.
Sr. Fidelma is a young woman, sister to the King of Cashel, and a respected daleigh of the courts of ancient Ireland. Wherever she goes, murder happens, and she is called on to solve the mystery of the crime. She's attractive, sharp witted, brilliant, intuitive, and in love with a Saxon monk, Eadulf. In ancient Ireland, women held the same rights as men and were equal in all things. By law. No need for women sufragettes. And Fidelma's love for Eadulf is not a problem for the Celtic Church, which allowed for men and women in religous life--those who have taken vows--to live a celibate life or to marry. And the religious communities honored the choices of each one.
Now, back to Ireland.... A friend accidentally forwarded an email meant for someone else to my email account. It offered links to various places to go in Ireland. Naturally, I took her mistake to be a sign from God that I should start planning for a trip to Ireland. Who would not want to be immersed in the cozy charm of an ancient castle on the sea.
Well, I would. Doesn't matter who else. I think I was born fourteen centuries too late. Though I am fond of flushing toilets and hot showers. So, to visit and experience another age is even better.
Sure'n there are even more places to go in Ireland than the Aron Islands. So, I think I'll have a look 'round and find them all. Who am I to ignore a sign from God!
The International Sr. Fidelma Society is hosting an event in Fidelma's honor.
Ireland's international best selling fictional detective celebrated in a
weekend convention by her `hometown'
September 8, 9 and 10, 2006
Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Sr. Fidelma is a young woman, sister to the King of Cashel, and a respected daleigh of the courts of ancient Ireland. Wherever she goes, murder happens, and she is called on to solve the mystery of the crime. She's attractive, sharp witted, brilliant, intuitive, and in love with a Saxon monk, Eadulf. In ancient Ireland, women held the same rights as men and were equal in all things. By law. No need for women sufragettes. And Fidelma's love for Eadulf is not a problem for the Celtic Church, which allowed for men and women in religous life--those who have taken vows--to live a celibate life or to marry. And the religious communities honored the choices of each one.
Now, back to Ireland.... A friend accidentally forwarded an email meant for someone else to my email account. It offered links to various places to go in Ireland. Naturally, I took her mistake to be a sign from God that I should start planning for a trip to Ireland. Who would not want to be immersed in the cozy charm of an ancient castle on the sea.
Well, I would. Doesn't matter who else. I think I was born fourteen centuries too late. Though I am fond of flushing toilets and hot showers. So, to visit and experience another age is even better.
Sure'n there are even more places to go in Ireland than the Aron Islands. So, I think I'll have a look 'round and find them all. Who am I to ignore a sign from God!
04 August 2006
New Kid on the Block
Tuned into Donnybrook last night--St. Louis PBS "talk" show for "intelligent debate." I never watch the show, as a rule. It isn't that I don't like Bill, Ray, Wendy, and the other two whose names escape me, but I never get much out of listening to them "debate" a single issue. Mostly, they exchange hot air.
Wasn't I surprised to see Colleen Caroll Campbell sharing a spot at the table with them on this week's show as a guest host. The IQ average doubled. Ray never has anything but his own inflated opinion [of himself] of the issue to add to the discussion. And Bill never really seems sure about anything he says. I always have the most hope for Wendy, who is never afraid to stand up to the loudest voice at the table and shout them down. Not that I have clue what her views actually are, but she asks good questions.
Colleen, author of The New Faithful, is not only smarter than the average bear, she's not even in the same forest. Her articles are always insightful, and she's young enough to be able to remember the statistics, scientific backup, and ethical grounds for everything she wants to argue for or against. She stood her ground and not only remained the voice of reason during the show, but calmly spoke to her table-mates to get them back on track. Even when she raised her voice, the others still seemed to be shouting without good cause.
I hope they invite her back, which would say more about the hosts' collective IQ than any "discussion" they can ever have without her.
Wasn't I surprised to see Colleen Caroll Campbell sharing a spot at the table with them on this week's show as a guest host. The IQ average doubled. Ray never has anything but his own inflated opinion [of himself] of the issue to add to the discussion. And Bill never really seems sure about anything he says. I always have the most hope for Wendy, who is never afraid to stand up to the loudest voice at the table and shout them down. Not that I have clue what her views actually are, but she asks good questions.
Colleen, author of The New Faithful, is not only smarter than the average bear, she's not even in the same forest. Her articles are always insightful, and she's young enough to be able to remember the statistics, scientific backup, and ethical grounds for everything she wants to argue for or against. She stood her ground and not only remained the voice of reason during the show, but calmly spoke to her table-mates to get them back on track. Even when she raised her voice, the others still seemed to be shouting without good cause.
I hope they invite her back, which would say more about the hosts' collective IQ than any "discussion" they can ever have without her.
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