Google Whack

Amanda and I were just discussing ordering some Google apparel off of their website and it reminded me of a game that was "going around" my office a couple months ago. It was highly addictive and surprisingly entertaining. It is called Google Whacking. The goal is to find a two word combination that when entered into Google, it only produces a result of ONE hit. It's great fun. Click on the link for some examples. I remember that we did manage to find ONE google whack, but the Internet is constantly changing (and Google with it), that is was no longer a proper "whack" the next day. Bummer.

In the spirit of Google games, Amanda pointed out another addictive google game the other day. Guess-the-google. Try it. But, be warned!! HIGHLY addictive.

Harry Potter & Science

I came across this article today on a homeschooling board about Harry Potter in the classroom. Of course I thought it was a pretty cool idea, tying HP into physics and chemistry.

But the science teacher in the article says something to the effect that Christians shouldn't mind what she's doing (using HP in the classroom) because it's all about science, not "magic" - showing how science can do all the things (or close enough) that magic does in the books. Maybe it's just me, but it seemed like that's actually something Christians shouldn't necessarily be excited about. Science doesn't explain everything; there are supernatural things. Not in the same way as depicted in HP, but we believe that God is a spirit, that there are angels and demons, that evil is real. In some ways, the magical universe of Harry Potter has more in common with a Christian worldview than "science as the answer to everything" does...

I still like the idea of using Quidditch (sp?) as an intro to talking about aerodynamics, though. :)

News of the non-depressing sort...

I just found this HappyNews site that only covers...well, more cheerful news. I think it should be balanced with all the news of war and terror and so on, because that's part of real life and we should care about what's going on...but it's nice to have a break, too!

Unrelated, but fyi, have you seen Google's apparel line? :) Pretty boss.

Andrea uttered...
Thanks for the Happy News, Amanda. I'll have to add it to my morning check-the-news ritual. :)
Oh, and I actually have been contemplating ordering a 'Blogger' t-shirt for awhile now. TOTALLY boss.

Amanda adds...
Hey, if Google charges S&H, wanna place an order together??

Wow...I really sound like a cheapskate.

One of the many reasons why I hate Walmart...

What's up with the light blogging lately? I'm not complaining (because I am also a blog-slacker), just wondering...

Well, I haven't been able to come up with any unique or interesting ideas lately, so I just decided to post these links to a series of stories about the new singles campaign hosted by Walmart. You can go to Walmart during "singles night", tie a big red bow to your cart and start scoping out the potential of other red-bowed shoppers. There are even "flirt points" set up all over the store where you and your soul mate can meet up. It apparently has been working in Germany for awhile and they decided to try it in Arkansas. Well, it has not been working too well and they have decided to pull the plug, much to the dismay of some "single shoppers".

Disheartened single Dale Firebaugh, 63, of Roanoke said he showed up last night hoping to meet an attractive woman only to be told by store employees that corporate higher-ups buckled after several people complained about the program.
"I'm disappointed," Firebaugh said. "Where can someone over 40 who doesn't smoke or drink or go to bars meet someone? I'm really disappointed that they would let a couple of little complaints stop Singles Shopping."
...
Last night, after learning of the program's demise, he bought a red ribbon in the store's fabrics section for 26 cents and stood by the front doors, partly in protest and partly in hopes that single women would recognize the ribbon as an invitation to chat.

See? This is one of the reasons why I hate Walmart. They try to sell ANYTHING and now, they are selling PEOPLE!! I can just picture that little bouncing smiley face coming around with his price-cutting machete slicing the prices on a display of single, desperate Walmart shoppers...

(Hat tip: Every Blog Needs a Title)

Amanda says...
That's a hilarious story, but also pretty sad. Yet another reason to go to Target! :)

While we're talking about weird news, have you all heard about the flip-flop fiasco at the White House? It happened a week or two ago, but I still think it's funny. It made front headlines in Chicago...maybe they were tired of talking about murders, so they decided to pick on girls' footwear. What's the world coming to?

I, of course, see nothing wrong with wearing nice "flip-flops." ;-)

Andrea replies...
YES! I did hear about that! And of course I instantly thought of the Schaner girls and their obsession with flip-flops. I do think that they probably should've wore something a little nicer, but as long as we are picking them apart, I think we should also comment on some of the girls' short short skirts and low low shirts. Why do they pick on their shoes and not pay attention to the other 'inappropriate apparel' that is not suited for a meeting with the PRESIDENT!? It's sad, I tell ya!! (For those of you that may not know what we're talking about, click here to view the infamous picture.)

Melodee says:
Well, the last two Sundays I wore flip-flops to church, for the first time in my life. I did it the first time because I was on a camping trip and didn't have room to pack nice shoes, and I did it the second time because I had nothing else that matched. I don't really plan to do it again. Considering that fact along with the fact that I get very disgruntled at MSU-B graduations when I see everyone in academic robes and flip-flops (what would Harriet say!), you can just imagine what I think about wearing them to the White House. ;-)

Amanda chimes in again...
Way to go, Melodee! ;-) Andrea, I agree with you about the rest of the team's attire being a little more questionable than what was on their feet. Isn't mostly-bare feet more respectful than even partly-bare breasts or thighs? I'm not blaming these girls; everyone else does it too. It's just weird that anyone would nitpick about their shoes. (Thanks for pointing this out!)

Dog lovers

Ok, I know that most of my Kindred Spirits are not dog-lovers to the obsessive level as myself, but I think that you still may find this amusing. I included some highlights that especially apply to my obsession with my beloved hairy, slobbery, huggable monster. It's a little bit scary how fitting these are towards me.

You know you're a dog person when:

• All your non-dog friends know to dress down when visiting your house (or going for walk, Annie and Amanda!).
• Onlookers grimace at the sight of you sharing your sandwich with your four-legged pal, bite for bite.
• Cut your vacations to 3 day weekends only.
• Everyone at the office is eager to know if the dogs are all right because you were late for the meeting.
• It takes an entirely separate garbage can to handle the poop.
• Lintwheels are on your shopping list every week.
• No matter how large your bed is, it is not large enough for you and your dog.
• No one wants to ride in your car because they know they'll get dog hair on their clothes.
• The highlight of your day is spending time with your dog.
• The most exciting times on vacations, no matter where in the world you go, is when you get to pet a dog (a "canine fix").
• The number one priority when buying a new house is the size and landscape of the backyard.
• The thought of changing a baby's diaper makes you swoon, but you can pick up dog poop barehanded, if necessary, without batting an eye.
• The trash basket is more or less permanently installed in the kitchen sink,to keep the dog out of it while you're at work.
• When you need someone to talk to, your dog is your first choice.
• You are the only idiot out walking in the pouring rain (and snow!) , but your dog needs her walk.
• You believe every dog is a lap dog.
• You can't see out the passenger side of the windshield because there are nose-prints all over the inside and you leave them there because cleaning them seems so futile at this point.
• You don't go to happy hour with co-workers any more because you need to go home and see your dog.
• You don't mind it when you find dog hair in the sink, tub, embedded in the carpet or your clothes, or mixed in your food.
• You don't think twice about trading licks of an ice cream cone with your dog.
• You take your dog for rides in the car; and treat him to a drive-thru window burger or taco on special occasions.
• You have a plastic kiddie wading pool in the back yard, but no kids.
• You have hundreds of pictures of your dogs on your desk at work.
• You like people who like your dog. You despise people who don't.
• You send out especially-made holiday cards that feature you and the dog.
• Your "Welcome" sign has a dog on it.
• Your bedspread doesn't have to coordinate with the bedroom, as it's always covered with a sheet for the dogs, anyway. Ditto for the couches.
• Your dog decides he doesn't like someone and you tend to agree.
• Your freezer contains more dog bones than anything else.
• Your friends know which chair not to sit in.
• Your parents give up on grandchildren and start to refer to your dogs as"your kids" or your children."
• Your weekend activities are planned around taking your dog for a hike (both days).
• You're willing to pet sit, but not baby sit for friends.

(Hat tip: Bored.com FYI: I'm not really getting any work done today)

Friday Time Waster

I found a wonderful Friday time waster for you. You can create little icons of yourself to put in messenger (or your blog!). It's really kind of silly and you never really can get a good likeness, but I've had fun wasting my morning...

Where I Am (with my must-have Friday latte)


Where I Wish I Was (complete with iced latte)

--These icons were made by the Abi-Station--

More pictures

Hey, girls - I got a flickr account, so I put up some of my pictures from the roadtrip (35 out of 170 ;) You can view them here. If you view as slideshow you can't see titles or captions. Not that there's anything incredibly interesting in my captions, but just so you know.

Andrea says...
Thanks for posting these Melodee. Good stuff! Also, thanks for posting the highlights. It really was a fun weekend. I'm still trying to recover. I feel like I need another vacation! :)

Roadtrip highlights

Re: Andrea's post and picture: Poor James J. Walker...All those mouths to feed and his rightful means of support taken right out of his hand by his nasty twin copper king brother! What a tragedy! Here's my short list of highlights from the trip:

• Washing my hair in Canyon Ferry lake. Probably illegal, but hopefully I didn't kill too much wildlife. . .
• The spectacular Gates of the Mountains boat tour. The weather was so perfect and the view was incredible.
• Creeping up the darkened back stairs of the capitol building to find our way to the senate chamber.
• Dozing on the Capitol lawn.
• Playing "Guess that tune" with the XM radio.
• Playing Scategories with the Rocchios.
• The BEST s'more EVER. period. Have you ever had a s'more where the chocolate was so melted that it was dripping everywhere? Wow.
• The stage coach ride, play, and infamous photo in Virginia City.
• Saturday night's culinary adventures - ramen cooked on my backpacker's stove in the motel room, pepper jack cheese, goldfish, and Gewurztraminer. Amanda and I topped it off with coffee and pie at the Ennis Cafe before watching the sunset from the shores of Ennis Lake.
• Worshiping at Gallatin Valley Presbyterian Church on Sunday Morning.

One of the best pictures I got was taken by Mr. Front Street Market. . . He was a hoot, and he took a good picture, too:

By the way, Andrea, I really like the way my sap and flowers turned out on your camera!

Things that only happen in movies...

Learn about Stallone's Law and how to make yourself beautiful here!

(Thanks to goodexperience.com for the link.)

Melodee says:
That is SO true! I recognized all of those movie cliches. With the "how to make yourself beautiful," I thought immediately of Fran in Strictly Ballroom. If it had just been her hair, glasses, and clothes in the beginning, then her transformation wouldn't have been that amazing. But tell me, how did she get rid of her acne so fast??

Daughters of James J. Walker

Amanda and I must be on the same wavelength this afternoon. I was just getting ready to post some pictures when I noticed that she already posted! :) And since my batteries are charged and ready, here are a few of my pictures. We learned a lot about Montana History on our trip, especially about the illustrious James J. Walker. Here is a shot of his six daughters. They look alarmingly familiar for some reason...



Here are some of my other pictures from the trip.

Amanda says...
Thanks for posting these pics, Andrea. It's fun to see pictures from the earlier part of the adventure that I missed out on. I can understand why you had troubles with the tent!

J.J. Walker's daughters look awfully serious, but I guess they had a hard life, down in Walkerville!

Montana Roadtrip

Some of us were able to go on a roadtrip this last weekend, complete with a tour of a ghost town (the atmosphere was a little spoiled by all the trucks crusing up and down the street as people set up for Bannack Days), camping, homemade ice cream, watching a great show by the Virginia City Players, and staying at a hotel in Ennis, whose main attraction is for fly-fishermen. Unfortunately, my camera batteries are dead (ALL the batteries for it are dead), so it will be a while before I post pictures. Andrea and Melodee, on the other hand... ;-)

Sarah's Summer School

I think today is Sarah's first day of single-handedly teaching an elementary summer school class. Hopefully she'll be keeping us updated on how it goes! :)

Birthdays and Baseball

Actually, that's not an allusion to what some of us did on my birthday (Go, Mustangs!). I just found out here that yesterday was John Calvin's birthday and today is the 91st anniversary of Babe Ruth's first major league game. And tomorrow is George Washington Carver's birthday. It's a big week!

Maybe we should all have ice cream, to celebrate...

We all could use more time

Check it out! We get an extra second in 2005. Sweet!! I never knew there was such a thing as a leap-second.
This article cracks me up. I didn't realize that jobs like this existed. I wonder how they get their funding (I'm praying that it's not my tax dollars). Maybe I should go to work for The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service or maybe I could apply to be Chief of the Time and Frequency Division at the U.S. National Institution of Standards and Technology. How would you like THAT on you business card? You'd have to use size 2 font...

Amanda says...
I really liked the headline: "Take Your Time..." Now I have an *ahem* good reason not to rush for anything!

Check it out and pass the word!

Hey, check out this rockin' new site!! I've already got dibbs on the "Blue Mirror" piece, so forget about it. But, anyway, check it out. Great original pieces at very affordable prices. You better buy now since she'll be famous soon!

Amanda says...
Wow, that is cool! Thanks for linking to her site, Andrea. I really like the Homestead and the Western Hook ones...maybe I shouldn't wait till I buy my house to get one! Great job, Tara. :)

London

I've had sort of a love/hate idea of London for the past year (it's very fun and even rather thrilling to be there, but it also stresses me out and it sure ain't America), but it was horrible to hear about the terrorist attacks on the public transport system this morning. Matthew and I were in Leicester Square just last month... Anyway, this is making me feel much closer to the Brits. Thank God these attacks weren't worse, but that doesn't really make a bus exploding any better, does it?

Andrea laments...
Yes, thank God that more were not killed. I've been very impressed at the British attitude that I've heard in the few interviews I've listened to. For example, yesterday, there was a man on the radio that was going to go to work on the Underground, but it was too busy, so he opted for the the bus. When he got to the bus stop, the bus was too full, so he waited for the next one. As he was calling his boss to say that he was going to be late, a bomb went off in the bus that he just tried to get on. What was his first reaction to cheating death TWICE?? The first thing he did was run to the hospital to give blood. I hope that would be the first thing to come to my mind - a desire to help those who were hurt, not to run in fear. I love it when the terrorists' efforts of striking fear and pandemonium backfire...

Planning my wedding...

Well, not really...but if I do get married, PLEASE don't let me wear anything like these bridal "fashions"!

Not Much

I've been too "busy" to post or comment lately, although I did post something at the Karamoja blog last night. Anyway, I'm sorry for not contributing any exciting reading material for us - maybe this weekend, which is not so far away now. I love holidays! ;-)

It's all about timing

This afternoon, at a particularily pathetic time of wallowing in self pity, my Christian quote of the day popped up in my inbox. Ah, God and his timing...

When I consider my crosses, tribulations and temptations, I shame myself almost to death thinking of what they are in comparison to the sufferings of my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ.
~Martin Luther

Happy 27th Jen!!

Happy birthday, old gal!! It's hard to believe that you are so old and (cough cough) mature. I hope your day is just swell...

Love,
Your favorite sister