Ouch!

July 26, 2011

Evolution of a Blog Entry

Version 1: 

Dear KKOO radio in Boise,

Songs by The Eagles are not oldies.

Version 2:

Dear KKOO radio:

OK, maybe they’re getting up there, but please don’t call songs by The Eagles “oldies”. That hurts.

Version 3: 

In 1989 I hated hearing songs from the 60s referred to as “oldies.” When KKOO (The Oldies Station) put the Eagles on their playlist this year, I was indignant. Then I did the math.

Dang, I’m getting old!

Overkill?

July 26, 2011

I see that Peter Jackson is splitting The Hobbit into 2 movies.

Peter, remember that The Hobbit was a light, fun book. Please don’t make it into a heavy-duty Lord of the Rings-type extravaganza. It was fun, Peter. Fun, fun, fun.

Please make it light.

Natural Wonders

July 21, 2011

Scientists have finally come up with something good to say about fire ants.

If you’ve ever been stung by even one fire ant, you probably feel that the only good fire ant is a dead one.

However, scientists have found that a group of fire ants can connect like an interlocking puzzle and trap air bubbles, forming a living raft in water. They use it to save eggs, young ants and provisions during flash floods in Brazil.

Having been bitten by my share of fire ants, I still feel that a world without fire ants would be a swell place.

But the scientists think that this example of fire-ant cooperation could provide a useful model for building robots that can perform complex tasks quickly and cooperatively.

It’s like I always say—even annoying things can be useful. (OK, I used to say it about a co-worker we all hated. My exact words were, “Even bread mold has its uses.”)

We never did figure out a use for the co-worker; but the fire ants may actually redeem themselves.

Boo!!! Great Show Cancelled!

July 21, 2011

I was going to give my seasonal recap of "Men of a Certain Age":

This season was better for me because they brought back the upbeat endings. The only mystery for me was when Joe would finally figure out that Carlos was his most valuable employee—not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but very loyal, and ALWAYS willing to help out.

But I just read that the show's been CANCELLED!!!

Man, that stinks.

Aging

July 14, 2011

Hey, do they make really fine needles with really big eyes? I had a heck of a time getting the needle threaded this morning, but I needed a small one.

Why Not?

July 12, 2011

If we can send people to the moon, why can’t we send water from the flooded Midwest to the drought-stricken South?

If we can teach chimps to communicate in human language, why can’t we stop humans from abusing and killing their own offspring?

Buzz Kill

July 8, 2011

Summer has barely limped into the area, and today's gardening column is about getting ready for your fall plants.

Happy Independence Day!

July 3, 2011

Happy Independence Day!

This year, the Arab Spring makes me even more glad that I live in a country where I don’t have to put my life on the line to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of lifestyle.

(Two holidays I feel strongly about going to church on are Independence Day and Thanksgiving. I figure if God can let me live in a country where my freedoms are protected and I have enough to eat, I can show up and thank Him in person.)

Enjoy the Fourth. Eat, party, and be careful with the fireworks.