Archive for July, 2008

But How Can We End the War on Terror?

According to Boing Boing, a new report from the RAND Corporation (military & political think-tank, amongst other things) has identified that the best way to defeat Al Qaeda is to stop the military force activities that are inciting them to their own attacks of terrorism.  Better solutions involve political settlements and local policing/intelligence activities that don't cause the terrorist group to stray further from a desire to compromise or otherwise settle their disputes.

While some folks have been preaching this for years, it's nice to see that there's a reputable group out there backing up this opinion.  Not that this by itself changes anything in our current situation, but there's always the chance some political advisers might have a change of heart and focus on something besides the "War on Terror", just like they moved away from the "War on Drugs" a while back.

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Just Gorgeous

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION by Carlos Lascano.  Some people are just too talented….

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Binge

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Mass Romantic
Frank Black
Golden Delicious

Every week, Coolest-Gadgets.com holds a "coolest gadget of the week" contest.  All you have to do to enter is vote for one of the featured gadgets, and leave a comment on their contest post.  In each week's contest, a randomly selected individual wins a $50 Amazon gift certificate.  I only found out about it last Friday, so last week was my first entry into the contest drawings.  Imagine my surprise when I found out Monday that I had won the contest!

Today Al from Coolest-Gadgets sent me my Amazon certificate, and I debated what I would spend it on.  Even though I could have been practical and bought something useful (in my house, we always need diapers, etc), I figured I'd treat myself to a little something special and decided to pick up some Amazon Mp3 albums that I've had my eye on for a while.  I'm only halfway through my certificate and have already picked up some awesome albums

  • Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
  • The New Pornographers – Mass Romantic
  • Frank Black – Frank Black
  • Mike Doughty – Golden Delicious

I think I'm going to have to take a break from the buying before my ears explode from pure aural joy.

Oh, and in case you're interested, this week's contest is on.  Go try your hand at winning your own gift certificate!

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Trivia Results – Episode 2

?

As promised, here's the answers (in red) to yesterday's trivia questions. Categories highlighted in blue are the ones my team answered correctly.

Oh, and Cranky and Grrrace?  Anytime you want to come join us for trivia, feel free.  As you can see, we really could have used your help on this one!

Round 1
1. Category: History.  The Ancon was the first ship to travel through something, in 1914.  What did it travel through? Panama Canal
2. Category: Football.  Which NFL team was the first to win the Vince Lombardi trophy five times? The 49ers
3. Category: Hobbies.  What hobby do enthusiasts spend more money on than any other hobby?  (No sports, so golf, auto racing, etc are not right) Gardening
4. Category: Space.  Name the 7th planet from our sun. Uranus
5. Category: Advertising. Name the full name of the sauce marketed as "The Burger Booster" (generic answers like "ketchup" are not right, it needs to be like "Heinz Ketchup" (although that's not the answer)). Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

Round 2
6. Category: Music.  Kenny Alphin and John Rich are a duo better known by what name? Big and Rich
7. Category: Technology.  President Jimmy Carter was the first president to have these installed on the roof of the White House.  What did he have installed? solar panels
8. Category: Beatles.  Provide Paul McCartney's FULL name. Sir James Paul McCartney
9. Category: Beer.  This beer manufacturer makes "Triple Boch", the world's most potent beer, coming in at 17% alcohol by volume.  Name the manufacturer. Samuel Adams
10. Category: US Geography.  Name the U.S. state that is bordered by 8 (eight) other states.  For 8 bonus points, name all 8 surrounding states. Tennessee

Halftime Bonus Question
B1. Scooby Doo, Where Are You (the original cartoon) premiered on television in what year?

  • A. 1968
  • B. 1969
  • C. 1970
  • D. 1971

B. 1969

Round 3
11. Category: Politics.  This organization elects the 15 judges of the World Court.  Name the organization. The United Nations
12. Category: Religion.  This Pope was named an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1990.  Name the full name of the pope. Pope John Paul II
13. Category: Celebrity Deaths.  Ben Affleck starred as this individual in the movie about his mysterious death, Hollywoodland. For 2 bonus points, name the role that made this mystery actor famous. George Reeves, Superman
14. Category: Male Solo Artists.  This artist has released albums such as "Dare to Be Stupid", "Running with Scissors", and "Straight out of Lynwood". Name the artist. Weird Al Yankovic
15. Category: Weddings. This actress divorced Tommy Lee of Motley Crue fame to marry the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi. Name the actress. Heather Locklear

Round 4
16. Category: Measurements.  What is the more common name for a cubic decimeter? A liter
17. Category: US History.  On March 4th, 1789, this replaced the Articles of Confederation.  Name the replacement document. The Constitution
18. Category: Television.  Name the popular hang-out spot (on the show) for the characters  the show Beverly Hills, 90210. The Peach Pit
19. Category: Comedians.  Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Eric Idle are three of the six comedians that originally made up which comedy group? Monty Python's Flying Circus
20. Category: Game Shows.  Which game show has a possible 61 answers? Jeopardy

Final Bonus Question
B2. Which of the following was the first to provide a credit card in 1950?

  • A. Sears and Roebuck
  • B. Avon
  • C. Pan Am
  • D. Diners Club

D. Diners Club

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Trivia Thursday – Episode 2

?

Last night was another trivia night out with some of my family – we didn't do so hot the first couple of rounds but ended up coming back (although not quite enough to be in contention.)  Still, a good time was had by all, and plenty of libations were consumed in the process.  On to the trivia!

Again, I'll post the answers tomorrow.

Oh, and if you feel like trying to answer these yourself, just be aware that some people may try to answer in the comments, so don't read ahead unless you want some of the answers spoiled for you.

Round 1
1. Category: History.  The Ancon was the first ship to travel through something, in 1914.  What did it travel through?
2. Category: Football.  Which NFL team was the first to win the Vince Lombardi trophy five times?
3. Category: Hobbies.  What hobby do enthusiasts spend more money on than any other hobby?  (No sports, so golf, auto racing, etc are not right)
4. Category: Space.  Name the 7th planet from our sun.
5. Category: Advertising. Name the full name of the sauce marketed as "The Burger Booster" (generic answers like "ketchup" are not right, it needs to be like "Heinz Ketchup" (although that's not the answer)).

Round 2
6. Category: Music.  Kenny Alphin and John Rich are a duo better known by what name?
7. Category: Technology.  President Jimmy Carter was the first president to have these installed on the roof of the White House.  What did he have installed?
8. Category: Beatles.  Provide Paul McCartney's FULL name.
9. Category: Beer.  This beer manufacturer makes "Triple Boch", the world's most potent beer, coming in at 17% alcohol by volume.  Name the manufacturer.
10. Category: US Geography.  Name the U.S. state that is bordered by 8 (eight) other states.  For 8 bonus points, name all 8 surrounding states.

Halftime Bonus Question
B1. Scooby Doo, Where Are You (the original cartoon) premiered on television in what year?

  • A. 1968
  • B. 1969
  • C. 1970
  • D. 1971

Round 3
11. Category: Politics.  This organization elects the 15 judges of the World Court.  Name the organization.
12. Category: Religion.  This Pope was named an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1990.  Name the full name of the pope.
13. Category: Celebrity Deaths.  Ben Affleck starred as this individual in the movie about his mysterious death, Hollywoodland. For 2 bonus points, name the role that made this mystery actor famous.
14. Category: Male Solo Artists.  This artist has released albums such as "Dare to Be Stupid", "Running with Scissors", and "Straight out of Lynwood". Name the artist.
15. Category: Weddings. This actress divorced Tommy Lee of Motley Crue fame to marry the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi. Name the actress.

Round 4
16. Category: Measurements.  What is the more common name for a cubic decimeter?
17. Category: US History.  On March 4th, 1789, this replaced the Articles of Confederation.  Name the replacement document.
18. Category: Television.  Name the popular hang-out spot (on the show) for the characters  the show Beverly Hills, 90210.
19. Category: Comedians.  Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Eric Idle are three of the six comedians that originally made up which comedy group?
20. Category: Game Shows.  Which game show has a possible 61 answers?

Final Bonus Question
B2. Which of the following was the first to provide a credit card in 1950?

  • A. Sears and Roebuck
  • B. Avon
  • C. Pan Am
  • D. Diners Club

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Psycho Killer :: Heropsychodreamer

Thank you Calliope No. 8, for letting me share this song!

I always thought Live's album Secret Samadhi got a bit of a bum rap.  After Mental Jewelery and the radio play of chart-toppers from Throwing Copper, I know a lot of folks that felt very let-down by Samadhi (although not as much as by Bush's Razorblade Suitcase after their hit Sixteen Stone).  But if you give it a chance, there are actually some really interesting/catchy songs on the album.  Here's one of my favorites…

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