Eveningstar.co.uk: VISITORS to the banks of the Orwell were today warned about an unexpected danger from global warming - a family of Australian crocodiles has taken up residence in the river.
The creatures are a breed that is native in the rivers and coastal estuaries of Southern Australia, around the coast from Sydney to Perth.
The Australian Cayman (crocodylus aprifolus) is closely related to the better-known salt water crocodile which is found in the northern coastal areas of the country and was featured in the Crocodile Dundee films.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
The King is Dead. So is the New King.
ABC News: Elvis No Longer King of Dead Celebrities: "Oct. 24, 2006 — As much as Elvis Presley made when he was alive, he's earned millions more since passing away.
In a moment of unbridled cynicisim, Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, allegedly said death was a 'good career move' for his client — at least according to Albert Goldman's infamous biography.
This much is true: Elvis has reigned atop Forbes' list of 'Top-Earning Dead Celebrities' every year since its inception in 2001, lording over John Lennon, James Dean, and all the others who are dead as dirt, yet filthy rich and getting richer.
But now, there's a new top star among dead tycoons. Forbes hails Kurt Cobain, who earned a whopping $50 million between October 2005 and 2006, as the New No. 1.
Presley wound up in second place, with $42 million, down $3 million from last year."
In a moment of unbridled cynicisim, Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, allegedly said death was a 'good career move' for his client — at least according to Albert Goldman's infamous biography.
This much is true: Elvis has reigned atop Forbes' list of 'Top-Earning Dead Celebrities' every year since its inception in 2001, lording over John Lennon, James Dean, and all the others who are dead as dirt, yet filthy rich and getting richer.
But now, there's a new top star among dead tycoons. Forbes hails Kurt Cobain, who earned a whopping $50 million between October 2005 and 2006, as the New No. 1.
Presley wound up in second place, with $42 million, down $3 million from last year."
Is It April Fool's Day Already?
R u rdy 4 wrlds fastest txt msg? | Technology | Reuters: "What's billed as the first text messaging competition will take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, pitting scores of players in a race to determine who is the fastest.
The snag is that popular text shorthand will not be allowed.
'Texting has become such a trend and kids are using texting as a form of communication. It's become like, 'Who can text the fastest?' Everyone thinks they are a good texter,' said Amy Jones, spokeswoman for organizers LG Electronics.
Players will compete in groups to see who can text set phrases quickest and without errors, with the winner getting a $10,000 prize and advancement to the finals in New York City on April 21.
Jones said 150 people had signed up and more were expected on the day. She said the contest was the first organized text messaging competition for cash and other prizes."
The snag is that popular text shorthand will not be allowed.
'Texting has become such a trend and kids are using texting as a form of communication. It's become like, 'Who can text the fastest?' Everyone thinks they are a good texter,' said Amy Jones, spokeswoman for organizers LG Electronics.
Players will compete in groups to see who can text set phrases quickest and without errors, with the winner getting a $10,000 prize and advancement to the finals in New York City on April 21.
Jones said 150 people had signed up and more were expected on the day. She said the contest was the first organized text messaging competition for cash and other prizes."
Friday, March 30, 2007
Yikes!
There's been a lot of wild weather around here today, tornado watches and warnings all over. One of the hard-hit spots was the very place where we visited the doctor in Waco yesterday. The Texas Ranger Museum, also in Waco, is threatened by high water, but the spokesman says they'll be able to move stuff to a higher part of the museum if the river gets too high.
We're about 45 miles from Waco, and we missed most of the bad stuff by a few miles. At least so far. There's another round of storms headed this way. I've had all the excitement I need for a while.
We're about 45 miles from Waco, and we missed most of the bad stuff by a few miles. At least so far. There's another round of storms headed this way. I've had all the excitement I need for a while.
To Have, or Have Not?
United Press International - NewsTrack - Hemingway, Dietrich letters aired: "BOSTON, March 29 (UPI) -- U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway and German siren Marlene Dietrich flirted but likely didn't hook up, family members said.
Peter Riva, the late actress' grandson said the two were only 'great pals' and Valerie Hemingway, the author's daughter-in-law, said 'there is absolutely no evidence of there being an actual affair,' ABC News reported Thursday.
Riva and Hemingway discussed 30 letters written from 1949-59 donated to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston by Dietrich's daughter four years ago but won't be made public until next week.
'I think that it was a flirtation and they were both very large personalities,' she said.
'Whenever he was free, she wasn't. When she was free, he wasn't,' Riva said.
Hemingway wrote Dietrich in 1950 that 'I fall in love with you bad and you're always in love with some jerk' and Dietrich told him, 'I want to kiss you forever and a day ... I can't love you more than I do or deeper or longer.'"
Peter Riva, the late actress' grandson said the two were only 'great pals' and Valerie Hemingway, the author's daughter-in-law, said 'there is absolutely no evidence of there being an actual affair,' ABC News reported Thursday.
Riva and Hemingway discussed 30 letters written from 1949-59 donated to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston by Dietrich's daughter four years ago but won't be made public until next week.
'I think that it was a flirtation and they were both very large personalities,' she said.
'Whenever he was free, she wasn't. When she was free, he wasn't,' Riva said.
Hemingway wrote Dietrich in 1950 that 'I fall in love with you bad and you're always in love with some jerk' and Dietrich told him, 'I want to kiss you forever and a day ... I can't love you more than I do or deeper or longer.'"
Chloe on the Cover of Geek Monthly
Geek Talks Tech With 24’s Chloe at GeekMonthly.com: "24’s Mary Lynn Rajskub graces the cover of Geek Monthly Issue 3. Pick up the issue to read Mary’s thoughts on her character as well as future plans outside of 24. As part of our extensive interview with the actress we talked tech and it turns out that Mary is not exactly as technically savvy as Chloe. That excerpt and some web exclusive photos below."
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Bad News for Geezers
Glitterati: Catherine Zeta Jones & Michael Douglas: A Combustible Union?: "Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas's six-year marriage may be going down the tubes - fast:
A 'friend' (and I use that term loosely) has been quoted as telling Woman's Day magazine:
'The cracks have been showing for quite some time now. They used to spend loads of time together. Not any more. Back when they first got together and had really hectic schedules, they always made time for one another. But now, with endless time on their hands, they can barely stand being together. Whenever they're in the same room it usually turns into a blazing row. It's a very combustible situation.'"
A 'friend' (and I use that term loosely) has been quoted as telling Woman's Day magazine:
'The cracks have been showing for quite some time now. They used to spend loads of time together. Not any more. Back when they first got together and had really hectic schedules, they always made time for one another. But now, with endless time on their hands, they can barely stand being together. Whenever they're in the same room it usually turns into a blazing row. It's a very combustible situation.'"
Could Chris Grabenstein be behind This?
KARE11TV: One ride on the carnival midway could earn Minnesota's seal of approval.
State Rep. Patti Fritz, DFL-Faribault, has introduced a bill designating the Tilt-A-Whirl the official amusement ride in Minnesota.
Fritz said she's taking up the cause of 52 kindergarten students from her district who say it deserves special attention because it was invented in their town.
"I represent children too," Fritz said, adding, "Minnesotans like to have fun, and it's a fun thing to do."
State Rep. Patti Fritz, DFL-Faribault, has introduced a bill designating the Tilt-A-Whirl the official amusement ride in Minnesota.
Fritz said she's taking up the cause of 52 kindergarten students from her district who say it deserves special attention because it was invented in their town.
"I represent children too," Fritz said, adding, "Minnesotans like to have fun, and it's a fun thing to do."
Judy's Mom Update
Judy's mother got a good report from the doctor today. In fact, he said she was amazing. Not too many 94-year-olds are in such good shape. She's going to have some tests run, and she'll have a CT scan. We'll take her back for another visit in about a month, but at the worst she might need some oral medication. So all is well.
Gator Update
Nothing says spring like gator season.
KBTV4: t will soon be alligator hunting season in Texas, but not for everyone. The state is initiating a spring season in certain counties.
At one time, alligators were nearly extinct. Now there are so many that the state is beginning the new season, although not in the areas where you`ll find the most alligators. The traditional areas where gators are found (coastal and eastern counties) are not part of the new spring season, which runs April 1 through June 30.
"We want to protect these core counties where we have good, viable populations," says Amos Cooper with the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Cooper says the new season coincides with breeding time.
"Right now is when alligators get most active, and that`s when we get most of our calls," says Cooper. "This is going to give those people an opportunity to take care of these animals, and it`s also going to help us" by reducing nuisance alligator calls.
KBTV4: t will soon be alligator hunting season in Texas, but not for everyone. The state is initiating a spring season in certain counties.
At one time, alligators were nearly extinct. Now there are so many that the state is beginning the new season, although not in the areas where you`ll find the most alligators. The traditional areas where gators are found (coastal and eastern counties) are not part of the new spring season, which runs April 1 through June 30.
"We want to protect these core counties where we have good, viable populations," says Amos Cooper with the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Cooper says the new season coincides with breeding time.
"Right now is when alligators get most active, and that`s when we get most of our calls," says Cooper. "This is going to give those people an opportunity to take care of these animals, and it`s also going to help us" by reducing nuisance alligator calls.
Da Vinci Code Update
Dan Brown cleared of being a Code copier | NEWS.com.au: "HISTORIANS Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh have lost the latest round of an epic legal battle in which they claim that author Dan Brown lifted their ideas for his blockbuster novel The Da Vinci Code.
Three of Britain's senior judges, Lords Justices Mummery, Rix and Lloyd today dismissed their appeal against an earlier High Court ruling rejecting their claims.
The decision leaves them facing estimated legal costs of �2 million ($4.8 million).
In their action against Da Vinci Code publishers, Random House, Baigent and Leigh claim that Brown copied significant parts of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail which they wrote in 1982.
In the appeal, their lawyers argued that the High Court judge, Mr Justice Smith, who controversially wrote a secret code of his own into his 71-page judgment, had misunderstood the law and the basis of their claims."
Three of Britain's senior judges, Lords Justices Mummery, Rix and Lloyd today dismissed their appeal against an earlier High Court ruling rejecting their claims.
The decision leaves them facing estimated legal costs of �2 million ($4.8 million).
In their action against Da Vinci Code publishers, Random House, Baigent and Leigh claim that Brown copied significant parts of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail which they wrote in 1982.
In the appeal, their lawyers argued that the High Court judge, Mr Justice Smith, who controversially wrote a secret code of his own into his 71-page judgment, had misunderstood the law and the basis of their claims."
Love Play in North Dakota
kare11.com :: KARE 11 TV - Woman charged after biting her boyfriend: "
A North Dakota woman has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and criminal trespass after biting her boyfriend while he slept.
Police say the Dickey County resident broke into her boyfriend's house while he slept on March 22. Then, say police, Amanda Rall climbed into bed and bit the man in his private area."
A North Dakota woman has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and criminal trespass after biting her boyfriend while he slept.
Police say the Dickey County resident broke into her boyfriend's house while he slept on March 22. Then, say police, Amanda Rall climbed into bed and bit the man in his private area."
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Harry Potter Update
Covers for the children's edition, UK edition, US edition, and so on. Right here.
No Comment Department
Thanks to Scott Cupp for the link.
3/28/2007 - "Man" Charged In Statutory Rape Turns Out To Be A Woman - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com: "A 42-year-old 'man' charged with the statutory rape of a 15-year-old Hamilton County girl has turned out to be a woman.
Prosecutor Boyd Patterson said after Alexander David Cross was in the Hamilton County Jail for about 10 days in January, it was noticed while she was taking a shower that she was actually a female.
He said Ms. Cross was immediately moved to 'female isolation.'
Ms. Cross entered a guilty plea to felony statutory rape Wednesday morning before Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern.
She approved a plea agreement in which Ms. Cross gets a suspended two-year sentence. She will be on probation for six years."
3/28/2007 - "Man" Charged In Statutory Rape Turns Out To Be A Woman - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com: "A 42-year-old 'man' charged with the statutory rape of a 15-year-old Hamilton County girl has turned out to be a woman.
Prosecutor Boyd Patterson said after Alexander David Cross was in the Hamilton County Jail for about 10 days in January, it was noticed while she was taking a shower that she was actually a female.
He said Ms. Cross was immediately moved to 'female isolation.'
Ms. Cross entered a guilty plea to felony statutory rape Wednesday morning before Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern.
She approved a plea agreement in which Ms. Cross gets a suspended two-year sentence. She will be on probation for six years."
April Issue of Crime and Suspense Now On-Line
From Tony Burton:
The March issue is still available, under "Last Month's Issue."
We have an unusual mix of stories this month, and I bet you'll find more than one to tickle your fancy.
The URL is...
http://www.crimeandsuspense.com/cands_0704_1445.htm
When you click on the link, scroll down the page to see short descriptions of the stories. Click on the title of the story described, you should get a pdf file of the story.
The March issue is still available, under "Last Month's Issue."
We have an unusual mix of stories this month, and I bet you'll find more than one to tickle your fancy.
The URL is...
http://www.crimeandsuspense
When you click on the link, scroll down the page to see short descriptions of the stories. Click on the title of the story described, you should get a pdf file of the story.
On the Road Again
In a little while Judy and I will be leaving for a visit with her mother. This is a medical visit. Years ago, Judy's mom was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). So far it hasn't been a problem, but now her white cell count is elevated. That's not good, but so far there's no evidence of other symptoms associated with the disease. Maybe that's good. At any rate, we'll find out tomorrow, we hope, when we visit the doctor. Until then, we're keeping our fingers crossed.
I'll have limited or no Internet access for a while, but keep checking in. I'll try to do a few posts if I can get on-line at all.
I'll have limited or no Internet access for a while, but keep checking in. I'll try to do a few posts if I can get on-line at all.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Texas signs new self-defense by gun law | Politics | Reuters: "Criminals in Texas beware: if you threaten someone in their car or office, the citizens of this state where guns are ubiquitous have the right to shoot you dead.
Governor Rick Perry's office said on Tuesday that he had signed a new law that expands Texans' existing right to use deadly force to defend themselves 'without retreat' in their homes, cars and workplaces.
'The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but is intuitive to human nature,' Perry said on his Web site.
The new law, which takes affect on September 1, extends an exception to a statute that required a person to retreat in the face of a criminal attack. The exception was in the case of an intruder unlawfully entering a person's home.
The law extends a person's right to stand their ground beyond the home to vehicles and workplaces, allowing the reasonable use of deadly force, the governor's office said."
Governor Rick Perry's office said on Tuesday that he had signed a new law that expands Texans' existing right to use deadly force to defend themselves 'without retreat' in their homes, cars and workplaces.
'The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but is intuitive to human nature,' Perry said on his Web site.
The new law, which takes affect on September 1, extends an exception to a statute that required a person to retreat in the face of a criminal attack. The exception was in the case of an intruder unlawfully entering a person's home.
The law extends a person's right to stand their ground beyond the home to vehicles and workplaces, allowing the reasonable use of deadly force, the governor's office said."
Gator Update
ScienceDaily: Biologist And Physicist Team Up To Study Alligator's 'Death Roll'
Other than on television, few of us have ever seen the spectacular spin (and ghastly consequences) of the crocodilian “death roll.” But, in a basement laboratory in the University’s Schmucker’s Science building, a biologist and physicist have been video taping young alligators spinning with the ferocity of their older, larger cousins in the wild.
In a paper entitled, "Death roll of the alligator: mechanics of twist feeding in water," to be published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, West Chester University biologist Frank Fish and physicist Anthony Nicastro and colleagues Sandra Bostic and John Beneski chronicled the particular spinning movement of juvenile alligators in water after biting into a pliable target. (Credit: Image courtesy of West Chester University Of Pennsylvania)
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In doing so, the researchers created a mathematical model that provides the first explanation as to how these long thin reptiles are able to spin with such force in the water.
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