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I tried Jack’s amputation technique last night (see also Lost and Do No Harm). Fortunately, I still have my thumb but this morning it is sore!

I’ve started listening to Stephen R Covey‘s audio tapes again. I feel that I need the review. Instantly I receive a gold nugget that I’ve longed since misplaced. Stephen advises that once a week we have our children teach us something they have learned in school. That by doing so, the roles are reversed as the parent becomes the student and the child has a greater feeling of self-worth and importance; the child takes a greater interest in the subject matter; and the child’s performance will improve.

This morning I told Tommy I wanted him to teach me something he was learning in school and suggested math. His initial response was to mutter dejectedly, “you probably already know how…” But after I assured him I genuinely wanted him to teach me, he about jumped out of his shorts. He became energized and excited. He said, “I’m learning…well, I don’t know what its called but I’ll find out today.” then he exclaimed, “Yippee! I get to be the teacher!” I was blown away. Now if I can only be a good parent and have the patience and memory to follow thru.

Over came a hurdle on one project today!

In other matters a project of roughly $X was delayed as the client recalculated their schedule and re-estimated the project at $3X.

Having an off day like me? Sugar levels wrong? Ambivalence gotcha? Then you need further distraction! Try the Kitty Cannon! Or an even more fun game brought to us by James! (James’ is better as it has more user control over the distance)

Strangely enough, that first domino fell again…

(and that’s Murph in action! We needed the cell phones desperately yesterday!)

Fend Off Dementia with Sex, Crosswords and a Run

CANBERRA (Reuters) – Sex, cryptic crosswords and a good run could help ward off dementia and other degenerative conditions by stimulating new brain cells, an Australian researcher said Thursday.
…mental and physical exercise helped create and nurture new nerve cells in the brain, keeping it functional and warding off diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

[Turn on your best Monty Python] Through careful and repeated experimentation researchers did find it inadvisable to try all three at the same time. One researcher commented, “We had decent luck with simultaneous crosswords and sex particularly with certain positions such as the ‘doggie’ and, my personal favorite, the ‘woman on top’. Running and simultaneously solving crosswords sometimes worked but often ended with injury. Running and sex just plain looks silly. Doing all three activities at the same time proved to be disastrous!”

prolactin appeared to promote new cells in the brain and could be found in high levels in pregnant women

Perhaps that explains some of the more laughable behaviors of pregnant women. They are simply trying to learn how to use their new brains!

Ever get the impression that the White House just doesn’t have the class that it did in the past?

April 7, 2005 — VIDEOTAPE of Jenna Bush in very high spirits at a bachelorette party is being sold and could end up on national TV by the end of the week. Luckily for Jenna, the cameraman missed “the high point . . . Jenna on all fours doing ‘the butt dance’ — and doing it very well — as guys were ogling her thong.“

–From the New York Post (if the link doesn’t work surf to it from Gossip) (see also: BugMeNot)

You know, if my daddy was president I think I could keep a clean nose and act appropriately for a 4-8 years.

Heading to the ER. The blood stopped so did we. The ER won’t deal with him if its not pouring out but man if we had have showed up the way it was pouring this morning I bet we’d be at the front of the line!

Computer repair in the morning, programming throughout the day, Pack meeting this evening.

At 12:01am yesterday the second domino fell then miraculously I had the sudden ability to right either the first or second domino but not both and before I was faced with that choice, apparently some kind soul righted the first domino and I was able to right the second. I didn’t have time to look into it yet but my thanks goes out to you.

In my post on Making Bird Calls I forgot to mention the grief we went through trying to locate "powdered resin" Today someone found my blog by searching google for "bird caller resin to purchase" so others must be having the same grief.

MATERIALS: 2″ hardwood, eye screw, resin powder

Take a close grained hardwood such a rock maple or mountain ash, about 2″ long.
Drill a hole in one end, slightly smaller than the screw threads of your eye screw. Turn the eye screw into it. Unscrew the eye, put a little resin powder in the hole. As you twist the screw back and forth in the hole, very slowly, you can make a chirp chirp or trill in loud, clear notes.
With practice, this device will produce an astounding variety of bird noises.
Paint or decorate if desired.
Elective 12h in the Bear Handbook

To those searching, the powdered resin that worked for us was simply the resin bag that a baseball player or bowler would use. It’s on sale at Amazon for $2.99. Perhaps climber’s chaulk would work also. We did not tear the bag open rather we placed it on the eye screw and shock the sack a little. When the screw was white with powder the scout put it into the block of wood for a 2nd time and chased birds.

The calls do work and work well. I want to make one for myself now.

I’d much rather take a pill that does to my body what sleep does. An occasional night’s real sleep would be nice like an occasional vacation is nice but for the most part I’d rather be doing than sleep.

On that note, I overslept last night going down about 10pm and waking at 6am. Thank you wife for the wakeup call!

The first domino fell tonight.

Officials Urge Renewal of Patriot Act

The Bush administration’s two top law enforcement officials on Tuesday urged Congress to renew every provision of the anti-terror Patriot Act. FBI Director Robert Mueller also asked lawmakers to expand the bureau’s ability to obtain records without first asking a judge.

FBI Director Robert Mueller of course is the reincarnation of J Edgar Hoover

“What are the dangers to a democracy of a national police organization, like the FBI, which operates secretly and is unresponsive to public criticism?” – The essay question that pissed off Hoover. It was optional question number 7 on UC’s 1959 English aptitude test for high school applicants. See: Reagan, Hoover and the UC Red Scare – a SF Chronicle Special Report "Secret FBI files show how the bureau’s covert campaign to disrupt the Free Speech Movement and topple UC President Clark Kerr helped launch the political career of an actor named Ronald Reagan"

Let’s review these words “asked lawmakers to expand the bureau’s ability to obtain records without first asking a judge.” Incase you don’t get it, they are asking for unbarred permission to outright spy on the American people using “terrorism” as a scare tactic to encourage you to give up your rights. Terrorism has been around for decades. The Patriot Act is not helping.

He said that some of the most controversial provisions of the Patriot Act have proven invaluable in fighting terrorism and aiding other investigations.

I’d like to see some evidence supporting this.

He also asked Congress to expand the FBI’s administrative subpoena powers, which allow the bureau to obtain records without approval or a judge or grand jury.

More requests to open opportunity to the abuse of privileges and the harassment of the American people without checks and bounds.

In one of his concerts, Bruce Springsteen said, “Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed.” Never was a truer word spoken, and it is particularly correct at this time.

Quote from In The Shadow Of The Towers – Jan 28, 2002

Now is not the time for ambivalence. Now is not the time for apathy. Now is not the time for blind faith in your leaders! Now is the time to be political. Stand up for your rights. Contact your congress person today!

“Cooler heads can now see that the Patriot Act went too far, too fast and that it must be brought back in line with the Constitution,” said Gregory Nojeim, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington legislative office.

(AP) Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies on reauthorization of the Patriot Act before the…
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The ACLU is part of an unusual coalition of liberal and conservative groups, including the American Conservative Union, that have come together in a joint effort to lobby Congress to repeal key provisions of the Patriot Act.

Among the controversial provisions is a section permitting secret warrants for “books, records, papers, documents and other items” from businesses, hospitals and other organizations.

…criticism has led five states and 375 communities in 43 states to pass anti-Patriot Act resolutions…

Even some Republicans are concerned.

…the central concern of opponents, which is that it allows the government to seize records of people who are not suspected terrorists or spies.

Gonzales also notes that the law has been used in non-terrorism cases.

Jeb Bush praises Scientologists. I can hear his brother George now saying, “That ain’t my brother. Goss git on down to Florida I think terrorists have body snatched my brother. They know the Republicans can’t win in 2008 without Florida!”

You really should backup your computer so that you don’t become this guy. Warning! Vulgarities in the audio.