Tuesday, December 31, 2013
New Year's Eve
Monday, December 30, 2013
Happy birthday to my niece Theresa
Happy birthday to my cousin Marin
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Happy birthday to my uncle Chris
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
A Christmas Eve Story
There are a few things that are more-or-less given at the holiday season. One is that you will get socks and underwear from your grandparents (if you are lucky enough to still have them around to give you gifts), another is that someone is bound to wax nostalgic for the movie A Christmas Story, and one is that every theater guild in the world, and television station will insist on totting out Dickens in one or more of its incarnations. To that short, but inevitable, list I wish to add the perennial return of The Bergquist Christmas Eve Story. Perhaps one day this will be as loved/reviled (take your pick) as any other holiday "classic."
I have told this story to friends and family for years and even posted it on my blog a few times. Every year, someone asks me to tell the story again, and every year I get emails asking if I am going to post the story again to my blog. The answer to both questions is "yes." So, here it is.
The presentation of the story this year is dedicated to the memory of my recently departed father.
I'll Be Home For Christmas
I'll Be Home for Christmas
by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent & Buck Ram
Dreaming of home at this Christmas time
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Wherever you are today, I wish you a lovely and happy Christmas with your family!
Donald J. Bergquist - December 24, 2013 - Lakewood, Colorado
Happy birthday to my cousin Elizabeth
Happy birthday to my cousin Abigail
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Rebecca
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” –Steve Martin
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
Friday, December 20, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Christine
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Christine
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Bake Cookies Day
Monday, December 16, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Janine
Happy birthday to my cousin Craig
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Becky
Friday, December 13, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Jacqueline
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Chantell
Happy birthday to my cousin Emily
Happy birthday to my nephew Eric
Monday, December 09, 2013
Happy birthday to my step-mother Florence
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Happy birthday to my nephew Zack
Happy birthday to my cousin Victoria
Saturday, December 07, 2013
International Civil Aviation Day
Friday, December 06, 2013
Saint Nicholas Day
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Happy birthday to my aunt Cecelia
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Happy birthday to my sister in-law Helen
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Tim
Monday, December 02, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Linda
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends
Friday, November 29, 2013
1972: Atari announces the release of Pong, the first commercially successful video game
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Red Planet Day
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Hanukkah begins at sundown.
Happy anniversary to Mary & Corey
Monday, November 25, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Doctor Who Day
Friday, November 22, 2013
1858: Denver, Colorado Founded
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Col
Happy birthday to my cousin Christopher
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Name Your Computer Day
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
"Have A Bad Day" Day
Monday, November 18, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Grainne
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Mike
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Happy anniversary to DeeAnn & Michael
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Russ
Happy birthday to my friend Howard
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Michael
Monday, November 11, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend John
Friday, November 08, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Srini
Happy birthday to my friend Doug
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Lisa
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Guy Fawkes Day
Monday, November 04, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Gayla
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Happy anniversary to Gwen & Dale
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Happy birthday to my uncle Richard
Happy birthday to my cousin Michael
Friday, November 01, 2013
Today's Memories Are Drawn On The Dreams Of Yesterday!
Wherever you are today, I hope the memories you're making for tomorrow are excellent ones!
Don Bergquist - November 01, 2013 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Happy birthday to my friend Heather
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Rene
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Mischief Night
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Happy anniversary to Todd & Kristen
Happy birthday to my cousin Gwen
Friday, October 25, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Michelle
Happy birthday to my cousin Jacob
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Happy birthday to my aunt Rita
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Oxymorons
ox·y·mo·ron (äksəˈmôrˌän)
noun
1. a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction
(e.g. Cautiously Exuberant, Cruel Kindness, Deafening Silence, Jumbo Shrimp)
[via New Latin from Greek oxumōron, from oxus sharp + mōros stupid]
noun: oxymoron; adj: oxymoronic; adv: oxymoronically
Happy birthday to my friend David
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Happy birthday to my aunt Frances
Monday, October 21, 2013
108 Days
After a near miss on a plane
You swear you'll never fly again
After the first kiss when you make up
You swear you'll never break up again
And when you've just run a red light
Sit shaking under the street light
You swear to yourself you'll never drink and drive again
“Four Minutes”
by
Roger Waters
Happy birthday to my friend Katie
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Chris
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Sarah
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
1781 – American Revolutionary War: British General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrenders at the Siege of Yorktown.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
1815 – Napoleon I of France begins his exile on Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
1773 – The Whirlpool Galaxy is discovered by Charles Messier.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Annual Korkowski Cousin's Lunch
Bella's on Broadway
523 Broadway St
Alexandria, Minnesota, 56308
United States of America
2012 Cousins' Lunch |
1492 – Christopher Columbus's expedition makes landfall in the Caribbean, specifically in The Bahamas. The explorer believes he has reached India.
Friday, October 11, 2013
1950 – Television: CBS's mechanical color system is the first to be licensed for broadcast by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
1871 – The Great Chicago Fire: Chicago burns after a barn accident. The fire lasts from October 8 to October 10.
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
War of 1812: In a naval engagement on Lake Erie, American forces capture two British ships: HMS Detroit and HMS Caledonia.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Monday, October 07, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Corey
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Mad Hatter Day
Happy birthday to my friend Elaine
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Happy anniversary to Shawn & Nancy
Happy anniversary to Michelle & Michael
Happy birthday to my brother Charles
Friday, October 04, 2013
Taken For A Ride: A Political Fairy Tale
Today's blog post was written by a friend of mine who sent me the following political fairy tale.
Enjoy!
Once upon a time, a school board by a narrow vote approved the purchase of a new bus to get kids to school who previously could not get there. And this approval was signed by the highest authority and then reaffirmed by a panel of judges as being within the purview of the school board to purchase.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Sheila
Monday, September 30, 2013
There has been a recent resurgence of stories about how the UN is trying to ban guns in the US. Apparently, according to the most recent revival of the canard that somehow our participation in the UN Arms Trafficking Treaty will be used to circumvent the Second Amendment and prevent gun owners from legally exercising their right to keep and bear arms. It also goes so far as to suggest that somehow the Executive Branch has no legal right to sign treaties. What!? This newest incarnation is wrong on more levels than ever before.
National Mud Pack Day
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Ask A Stupid Question Day
Friday, September 27, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Polly
Happy birthday to my cousin Charles
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Johhny Appleseed Day
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
National Comic Book day
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
National Cherries Jubilee Day
Monday, September 23, 2013
A Drive In The Mountains
Okay - enough already with the guns and the violence and the like - how about we talk about something lovely instead of something horrid! It is time to talk about something far more serene and tranquil! Autumn in the Rockies!
Cattle Drive Near Grant, Colorado |
Happy birthday to my friend Susan
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Here's A Shocker For You (NOT!)
Wayne LaPierre from the NRA once again went onto the national media to give voice once again that the solution to the gun violence of the past week is to get MORE guns on the streets.
Happy birthday to my friend Shereen
Saturday, September 21, 2013
One-A-Day!?
Yesterday, on my facebook page, I posed the comment I posed here about the proliferation of mass shootings. Last night while catching-up on my back issues of The Daily Show, Jon Steward said something that I had a hard time believing. He claimed that there was - on average - one mass-shooting per day.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Morning News
The first story I heard this morning was about the shooting in the Chicago park. My heart goes out to the victims and families. That was my first reaction. I have to ask though, that my second thought was of a story I saw this week where an NRA spokesperson blamed the DC Naval Yard shootings not on guns but on the fact that the shooter had a security pass to get onto the navy yard.
Happy birthday to my friend Lori
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Charlotte
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Theodore
Happy birthday to my cousin Aimee
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Constitution Day
Monday, September 16, 2013
Talking About The Weather
"Everybody Talks About the Weather, But Nobody Does Anything About It."
~ Often attributed (perhaps erroneously) to Mark Twain
Happy birthday to my friend Hob
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Happy birthday to my step-sister-in-law Suzette
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Happy birthday to my uncle Terre
Happy birthday to my cousin Sylvie
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Frannie
Monday, September 09, 2013
Sunday, September 08, 2013
International Literacy Day
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Corey
Friday, September 06, 2013
National Read A Book Day
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Be Late For Something Day
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Pat
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Monday, September 02, 2013
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Tami
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Sam
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Becky
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
"I Have A Dream"
Happy birthday to my cousin Todd
Happy birthday to my cousin Tim
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Terry
Monday, August 26, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Michael
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Erik
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Salem Witch Trials End In Hanging Of Five Convicted Witches: August 19, 1693
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Barbara
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Dakota War of 1862 Begins: August 17, 1862
Friday, August 16, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Ginger
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Why Is *This* News?
For everyone who cried "foul" when the Washington
Post was sold to Jeff Bezos, worrying that selling a newspaper to the creator
of Amazon.com would mean the end of news as we know it, I have two words to
say: "Too Late."
Today's screed is brought to you courtesy of the local CBS
station who, this morning in the "news" ran a two-minute-long
commercial for a sporting goods store. They, of course, didn't call it a commercial;
not, the treated it as if it was somehow newsworthy. But I was left wondering
why the story was "news."
Being familiar with the industry: having a degree in
Broadcast Production and thirty-years of experience in broadcasting, I can only
say that if they weren't being paid for all the time, then they are idiots!
Even the weather forecast mentioned the name of this sporting goods store and
indicating that the people that had been interviewed in the previous
"news" item were at the right place because of "all that great
camping gear at great prices" that the sporting goods store had.
I have mentioned product placement (thinly veiled
commercials in programming content) before and said that I really dislike it…
It takes time away from the coverage of actual news and it marks a departure of
when broadcasters used to have to actually cover the news in their communities
in order to keep their licenses. But this story made no pretense at news
whatsoever! At 05:30 this morning they interviewed two idiots who had sat
outside the store all night and were waiting to be the first people into the store.
To be clear, I only call these guys idiots because with the
effusion of gushed admiration they spewed for this store, if they weren't being
paid they should have demanded spokesperson fees (and unless the rules have
changed and I missed it – that is still illegal – you have to at least pretend
that your news is news and not commercials). The whole story was about how
great the store was, how much exciting merchandise they have, and what a great
place to shop it is.
It could have been so easy to pretend that the story was newsworthy.
All it would have taken to give this commercial a veneer of newsworthiness
would have been to waste half-a-minute of the commercial – uh, news – time to
mention something newsworthy, say that the opening of the store created jobs;
at least one assumes that the opening of the store. But the entire 05:30 story
was about how great it was to have a new store and what great gear they
carried. C'mon, Channel 4! WHY IS THIS NEWS!?
Wherever you are today I hope all your news is good news.
Don Bergquist – August 15, 2013 – Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Happy birthday to my cousin Nathan
Happy birthday to my brother Denis
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Happy anniversary to Tim & Stephanie
Happy birthday to my friend Eric
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Greg
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Gary
Thursday, August 08, 2013
The Great Train Robbery: 08 August 1963
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Cody
Happy birthday to my friend Bill
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Happy birthday to my cousin Kristin
Happy birthday to my aunt Gina
Friday, August 02, 2013
First US Census is conducted: August 02, 1790
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Happy birthday to my aunt Jennifer
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
National Talk In An Elevator Day
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Hot Enough For Ya Day
Happy birthday to my friend Tena
Monday, July 22, 2013
National Hot Dog Day
Happy birthday to my friend Stacy
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Britany
Monday, July 15, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Phil
Happy birthday to my friend Michael
Happy birthday to my friend David
Happy birthday to my cousin Nick
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Ian
Friday, July 12, 2013
Battle of Boyne Day
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Teddy Bears' Picnic Day
The Teddy Bear's Picnic
by
Henry Hall
If you go down in the woods today you're sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today you'd better go in disguise
For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain
Because today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic
Every Teddy Bear who's been good is sure of a treat today
There's lots of marvelous things to eat and wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees where nobody sees they'll hide and seek as long as they please
That's the way the Teddy Bears have their picnic
Picnic time for Teddy Bears
The little Teddy Bears are having a lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares and see them picnic on their holiday
See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout
They never have any cares
At six o'clock their Mummies and Daddies will take them home to bed
'Cause they're tired little Teddy Bears
If you go down in the woods today you better not go alone
It's lovely down in the woods today but safer to stay at home
For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain
Because today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic
Happy birthday to my friend Jennifer
Happy birthday to my cousin Dirk
Happy birthday to my cousin Becca
Monday, July 08, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Pat
Happy birthday to my friend Cindy
Happy birthday to my friend Cathy
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Happy birthday to my uncle Larry
Happy birthday to my friend Larry
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Congratulations and Best Wishes to my friends Sara + Scott
Happy birthday to my friend Marilyn
Happy birthday to my cousin Ron
Friday, July 05, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Helen
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Chris
Independence Day
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Happy birthday to my friend Tonina
Monday, July 01, 2013
Frost Lake Has Been Updated
Please take a look and let me know your opinion!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Don Bergquist - July 01, 2013 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Sunday, June 30, 2013
You're Not Leaving Without Me AGAIN, Are You!?
There is no way to miss the accusatory looks! She gives me them whenever the suit cases come out and the packing frenzy begins.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Time To Pack!
It's a busy day!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Again With The Birds?
My Uncle Dick tells the story of seeing a bird (a dove?) that followed his tractor as he was plowing the fields the day after my mom's funeral. The bird simple followed along as he drove the fields in the tractor. He had been thinking of my mother, and there it was. After following his progress, staying more-or-less even with him. It was a bit of a gloomy day, and when the clouds started breaking, the bird finally flew off. He described it as a very peaceful feeling.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Denny Bergquist 1934 - 2013
Denis was born on May 26, 1934 in Little Falls,
Minnesota. He grew-up on a farm northeast of Parkers Prairie, attended Parkers
Prairie High School and studied engineering at the University of Minnesota, and
worked on road construction projects as a part of the Civilian Conservation
Corps.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
"...If You Think You Love Him Now..."
Yesterday I had the honor of escorting my stepmother, Flo, as she ran some errands that needed to be done in prep for the funeral. I am surprised that I had never heard this story before, but knowing the person involved, I can believe this entirely!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Again With The Plans!?
Wow!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Happy Father's Day
I was driving through western Douglas County, Minnesota this afternoon when it suddenly struck me. As I passed the turn-off to The Kensington Runestone Park, it occurred to me that the last time I had been in that particular spot, headed that particular direction was just ten days ago.
Dad was alive, we had gone to his church so he could give confession, and go to mass. Then he wanted to stop in the park. We drove up to the top of the hill where we saw this scarlet tanager. We didn't stay long, because Dad tired so quickly in those final days. But he was in complete bliss as he stared out over the park he had helped to preserve and expand. I wonder, now, if he didn't know that this would be the last time he would see it. I am happy that his last drive was with me. I am glad to have had the time so share with my father.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you have not let any opportunities you have to spend time with your father pass you by!
Dad was alive, we had gone to his church so he could give confession, and go to mass. Then he wanted to stop in the park. We drove up to the top of the hill where we saw this scarlet tanager. We didn't stay long, because Dad tired so quickly in those final days. But he was in complete bliss as he stared out over the park he had helped to preserve and expand. I wonder, now, if he didn't know that this would be the last time he would see it. I am happy that his last drive was with me. I am glad to have had the time so share with my father.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you have not let any opportunities you have to spend time with your father pass you by!
Don Bergquist - June 16, 2013 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
Best Laid Plans...
On of the lessons that my dad taught me was that not every thing you plan comes to pass. And just because you don't get what you plan for, it doesn't mean you don't get what you need.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Driving East
By the time this posts today, I will be driving east, about four hours of road behind me, another ten-or so to go. Just me, my music, my podcasts, and my thoughts for the better part of a day-and-a-half to think about all the wonderful memories I had of my Dad.
Friday, June 14, 2013
In Memoriam
My sister called me from my parents' home in Minnesota this
morning. Dad passed away as he slept this morning. At the end, he was where he
wanted to be, at his home in Kensington, Minnesota. I am informed that he
was not in pain.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
what really I R (k) S me...
Good
morning, readers! Please pardon my relative silence over the past few weeks. I
have been far too busy to really irked by anything. Even the things that should
have sent me into fits of righteous indignation have gone uncommented. But this
IRS “Scandal” has me so baffled that I have to ask you, my readers, to explain
something to me.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Second Anniversary Of "The Rapture"
Does everyone else remember the rapture when all the righteous people were lifted bodily into heaven? No? Yeah, they wouldn't take me either!
Does everyone else remember the rapture when all the righteous people were lifted bodily into heaven? No? Yeah, they wouldn't take me either!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Armed Forces Day
Best wishes to all our men and women in uniform! Thanks for the job you do and here's wishing you a safe return to your home and loved ones.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Monday, May 06, 2013
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Friday, May 03, 2013
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Style Is In The Eye Of the Beholder
I have to say that I am surprised at all the sloppy
reporting being done on the change to the AP Style Guide! Their recent change
to the wording regarding "illegal immigrant" has me, quite amused.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Monday, April 08, 2013
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Monday, April 01, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
First Day Of Spring
Congratulations to my readers, Cathy and Dan who (in that order) came in First and Second in the "Spot The Error Contest."
Location:
Holmes City, MN, USA
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Monday, March 04, 2013
What Is The Opposite Of ‘Indian Summer?’
According to Wikipedia, aheat wave that occurs in the autumn. The phrase refers to a period of considerably
above-normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually
after there has been a killing frost. Depending on latitude and elevation, it
can occur in the Northern Hemisphere between late September and mid November.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Friday, March 01, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Politenglish
Not since the Oakland Board Of Education recognized Ebonics
as an official language has a new language designation been bestowed on such a
pervasive and worthy language as is the case today. Due to the snowstorm this
weekend I had an opportunity to watch news to my heart's content this Sunday
and I had an earth-shattering realization. It is not that the talking heads
were lying, they were simply not speaking English as we, the non-political
mouthpieces, do.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Manners
"After you, kind sir!"
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Friday, February 08, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Travelogue: London - More Waiting
Sitting on the plane waiting for
them to open the doors. The flight was good. I finished the book I was reading.
I watched a couple movies, and I have all my ducks in a row to fly through
customs – assuming there is no line.
Travelogue: London - Waiting
For such a lovely airport they
really do not have their act on the ball! I had to go through three lines to
check in for my flight and then another two to clear security. Granted, the
first three were not, strictly speaking, the fault of the airport – no that was
due to two officious tossers who work for British Airways! As I have time to
kill before my flight, I might as well tell you all about it…
Travelogue: London - Departure
My packing was concluded the night
before last. Everything that I need at home was in my suitcases other than what
I wore to work yesterday (which I packed last night), my PJs and toiletries
(this morning), and what I am now wearing. Yes, I can be a bit fastidious, but
as I see it: That is planning for you! I am a planner.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Travelogue: London - Underground Sounds
The hum from some car ahead of me
in the train that is disconcerting in its cheeriness. The repetitive “thump,
thump, rattle, rattle.” The occasional flash-BOOM! And the sound of music
coming from the iPod the woman at the other end of the car is listening to. The
announcement: “We apologize for the inconvenience. This train is holding to
allow for the departure of the train on the platform at Queens Park.”
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Travelogue: London - Poetic Justice
Those of you who know me know that
I am the last to think ill of anyone. (Or to paraphrase Douglas Adams: If I am
not the Very Last, I did so as recently as this morning…)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Travelogue: London - And In Health
Okay, the rant yesterday was
because one of my coworkers had to be coaxed into staying home when they were
sick and not passing it to the rest of us. I was suffering a bit of a frog in
my throat, but that was only because I missed my allergy pill yesterday morning
and, until found I still had some in my briefcase, I was suffering – but at
least I was suffering in a purely non-contagious way.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Travelogue: London - In Sickness
What is so hard about this
concept!? If you are sick stay home!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Travelogue: London - Early II
06:30 GMT
Travelogue: London - Early I
03:30 GMT
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Travelogue: London - Camden Town
One of the many places that
visitors to my home in Surrey wanted to visit when I was living here was Camden
Town. I had heard of Camden Town and the Camden Town Locks, I had even visited
them back in 2004 during my first visit here as a part of the tour of places
that I took based on Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently novels. But the markets never
impressed me.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Travelogue: London – Not Seeing London
Well, It was a lovely day… But
that was the morning. The clouds started to build around lunch time. Then the
rain came; a drizzly, drippy, cold and sloppy mess! On an afternoon like that, there
is nothing for it but to curl-up with a few friends and a roaring fire; a place
to be catered to among friends.
Travelogue: London - Seeing London
It's Saturday and my colleagues have all made their plans. In a limited way, they overlap with mine. The
weather gods have grinned on us and are allowing us the favor of an absolutely beautiful day. The sun is out; the skies are a nearly cloudless blue. It is a great day to get out there and see some of the sights.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Travelogue: London - Turkish Food
With the classes over, and my
entire team collocated for the first time since the team was established, we
decided to celebrate and go out to dinner at a Turkish restaurant. (Another
ethnicity with which I was previously unfamiliar...)
Happy Birthday, Mom
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Travelogue: London - Right As Rain
The forecast was, at least in that
one respect, accurate! They had been saying for a couple days that the snow
would be quitting some time around sunset to be replaced by rain shortly
thereafter. I do not know when, exactly, things switched over, but by the time
I left the office it was, indeed, raining.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Travelogue: London - Snow
I do not remember it EVER being
this bad for this long here! Granted, I only lived here for a few short years,
but still! It has been cold, wet, and miserable here for the past four days! I
do not believe that I have seen the sun since shortly before landing at
Heathrow back on Sunday morning. Add to that the very short days this time of
year and it makes it a lot easier to understand Seasonal Affective Disorder!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Travelogue: London - Dining
The neighborhood we are staying in
(on the border of Kilburn and Maida Vale) has changed a bit since last I was
here. I had to look this up, but it has actually been about a year! The nice
little gastro-pub in the next block is now a night club of some sort; at least,
I assume that it is a night club. I have never actually seen it in use, but
then I do not go out late in the evenings as much as once I did.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Travelogue: London - Snowfall
I've seen worse, but the city is
practically at a stand-still! But, then, this is London and THIS is how they
react to weather. It took us nearly two hours to get to the hotel from the
airport yesterday morning. The trains and busses were running disrupted
schedules, and the car service had to deal with the snarls of traffic that were
the impact of 1/2" of snow that fell throughout the morning hours.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Travelogue: London - Sleep
Well, it seemed like a good idea
at the time. Of course, after years of making this trip, you've have thought
that I might know better. I should have taken the experience of years as fact
and just given-in to the fact that I cannot sleep on planes.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Travelogue: London - Time Dilation
I understand the artificial sense of time dilation that
flying give me... and it's not just the flying through the time zones that I am
talking about... it's the comparison to other forms
of travel that caught my attention. Allow me to explain…
Double-Take Redeaux
Okay, I promised that I would not
do anything more about Gun Control Today’s rant is about illegal immigration.
Here’s a short one for you: What is so wrong about calling an illegal immigrant
an “illegal immigrant?”
Friday, January 18, 2013
Double Speak – Double Standard – Double Take
Okay, this is my last second
amendment column for a while (I PROMISE!!!) but I just heard a news report this
morning that I need to comment on. The cognitive dissonance it set-up in my
mind was interesting because the speaker seemed to be completely oblivious to
the logical false equivalence he was drawing. The double-standard it drew on
was so deliciously dissonant that I had to rewind it to make sure I had not
imagined it!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Mr. Smith Is Rolling In His Grave!
The big news this weekend was the attempt by the majority in the Senate to limit the use of the filibuster. All the stories referenced the movie Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and all of them talked about how the filibuster had been used hundreds of times recently to prevent the senate from doing practically anything.
National Dress Up Your Pet Day
(The kennel I use - Best Friends Pet Care in Wheatridge, Colorado - dresses-up Saga for me...)
(The kennel I use - Best Friends Pet Care in Wheatridge, Colorado - dresses-up Saga for me...)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Photo Book
Click here to view this photo book larger
You'll love Shutterflys award-winning photo books. Try it today.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Monday, January 07, 2013
The USA Under The FSM
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Friday, January 04, 2013
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Resolutions
Wahoo! I will have to do some
research, but I think this may be a personal best! It is nearly noon January
first and I have yet to break any of my New Year's resolutions! Yippee!
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