Mourning Dove Photo and Haiku

mourning dove shivers
while waiting to take a turn
at our bird feeder

Beware the Hair - There's Still Time

I picked up my Beware the Hair t-shirt tonight from McCandless resident Sharon Smith. The shirt available in grey or Steelers gold, and you will look just like Troy Polamalu, complete with the famous locks flowing down your back. There's still time for you to get one. Just click here. You'll be glad you did.

Terrorism, circa 1976

The terroristic roots of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed appear to be traceable to 1976, when, as an impressionable 12 (or 11) year old Kuwaiti (or Pakastani), and a devoted watcher of Sesame Street, he encountered the October, 1976 issue of Sesame Street Magazine, depicting Cookie Monster eating the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

Today's Oneword - Lock

Go to the OneWord website and write about today's word.

It seems like a lock that we're going to be throwing billions of dollars into the economy to pull us out of the current severe slump. We hope that it puts people back to work and that it doesn't end up shackling our children.

Pigeons - PittGirl Gets Indexed

We're certainly missing The Burgh Blog during this Super Bowl week. Here's an Indexed posting that also reminded me of PittGirl.

Pittsburgh To Get New Bird Watcher-In-Chief

Linda Dickerson has resigned as chief quill wielder of the National Aviary, according to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, One of America's Great Bird Cage Liners.

Ms Dickerson's letter reportedly squawked, "My decision stems from the realization that the institution's business practices are incompatible with mine."

Man, if I used that criteria, I would have flown the coop ages ago. Sometimes you just have to keep scratching for seed, lay your eggs on time, and accept that you're not getting out of the cage...but wait, Ms. Dickerson was the eagle in charge of the avi-aerie, so if the institution's business practices were incompatible with hers, then she was apparently not effectively ruling the roost.

Ms. Dickerson, who took flight at the aviary in March 2007, attached a list of chicken scratchings recommending better management and fund raising at the North Side institution to her letter of resignation, which was immediately used to line the pigeon cage.

Maybe the first recommendation should be to find a CEO who can ruffle a few feathers and keep the squabs in line.

Today's Oneword - Middle

Go to the OneWord website and write about today's word.

Many American workers are caught in the middle of a vice being tightened by corporate leaders who have transformed their businesses into a state of utter unsustainability.

Today's Oneword - Princess

In America, we have the belief that you can grow up to be most anything. But not King, Queen, Prince, or Princess. That's something you'd have to be born into, and we don't have inherited royalty. What we have, however, is inherited money, and that pretty much leads to the same end.

(Although I didn't write this in my Oneword post, America also has a rich tradition of inherited fame, which is very closely related to inherited money. How else would Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana or Paris Hilton have any significance whatsoever?)

Today's Oneword - Change

Well, President Obama appears to be ready to make good on his promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and to end US torture of prisoners. That's the kind of change I believe in.

Peters Township Sits On The Fence

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, One of America's Great Newspapers, the Peters Township school board has denied a request by students to recognize fencing as an independent sport. This would have allowed the team members to use the school district's name for the purpose of participating in an upcoming regional playoff.

It certainly can't be about safety, as the Peters ice hockey team is recognized as an independent sport.

And now, for a roll call of the fence-sitters: Voting in favor of the request were Cindy Golembiewski, Lynn Erenberg, David Hvizdos and Julie Ann Sullivan. Dissenting were Thomas McMurray, Diane Ritter, Sue Smith and Mark Buzzatto. Board member John Stepusin was absent.

Today's Oneword - Dance

If there's one thing that I don't enjoy it's dancing. I had a friend in college who ended up taking up ballroom dancing when he was engaged, and they had a good time dancing at their wedding reception. But I didn't dance at all!

Today's Oneword - Grapes

Grapes are good for making wine. Which is a homophone of whine. Tomorrow, we hope that the Baltimore Ravens will have sour grapes and maybe some cheese to go with their whine.

Today's Oneword - Veins

His veins bulged. He had always wanted bulging veins as a kid. He started working out in his mid-40s, and his veins started to bulge, but nobody really cared about that anymore, except when he went to donate blood.

Bloomberg Declares War On NYC's Canada Geese

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg declared an open season on Canada Geese after yesterday's crash of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River. "We might not be able to get the geese that attacked that plane," said Bloomberg, "but we can certainly make a pre-emptive strike on their fellow terrorist geese."


Bloomberg's sentiments were echoed by New York Governor David Paterson, who, though legally blind, purchased a Remington Model 870. He was last seen entering a goose blind on the roof of Gracie Mansion, New York's mayor's residence.

Paterson created something of a stir when he prohibited Vice President Dick Cheney from entering Gracie Mansion. "I know he shot down America's privacy laws and wounded the Constitution, but he's not getting a shot at our geese," said Paterson. Cheney swore under his breath, and a nearby reporter believed he'd heard him mutter something about using his Browning double barrel on a blind Democrat.

Accuracy In Weather Forecasting

You've got to hand it to the National Weather Service. First, they completely mess up last weekend's non-snowstorm. Now, well, here's the forecast for tomorrow:

Snow, mainly between 1pm and 3pm. High near 35. South wind 13 to 16 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Isn't that interesting?! A sure thing Winter Storm, with a total forecast accumulation of 4-8 inches, resulted in an inch of snow, yet tomorrow, they not only predict that we'll get 1-3 inches of snow, but that it will mainly occur between 1pm and 3 pm.

As part of the public that needs to know when it's time to hit the Giant Eagle to stock up on water and toilet paper, how am I supposed to take this forecast seriously? I'm sticking to my trusty weather forecast rug.

My Power Element Is Wood

Interesting quiz, but I have no idea what wood has to do with it...

Your Power Element is Wood

Your power colors: green and brown Your energy: generative Your season: spring Like a tree, you are always growing and changing. And while your life is dynamic, you are firmly grounded. You have high morals and great confidence in yourself and others. You have a wide set of interests, and you make for interesting company.

What's Your Power Element?

Another Pittsburgh Winter Storm Fizzle

It has happened again. The sequence was typical:

1. Winter Storm Watch issued.
2. Hand wringing.
3. Bottled water and toilet paper acquired in mass quantities.
4. Winter Storm Watch changed to Winter Storm Warning.
5. Note that Winter Storm Warning is most emailed story at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, One of America's Great Newspapers. Even more emailed than Steelers playoffs articles.
6. Friday Evening and Saturday activities canceled.
7. Get out snowshoes and hope for some rare fun.
8. Wake up Saturday morning to an inch of snow and nothing coming out of the skies.
9. Turn on weather radio to find out Winter Storm Warning canceled.
10. Find someplace to store all that toilet paper.
    

Today's Oneword - Now

Now. It's finally going to snow. It's not going to fizzle again. I'm convinced of it. When I wake up there will be snow. A lot of it. I won't have to go anywhere. There will be enough for me to break out the snowshoes. Overexertion is indicated. Believe!

My Word Is "Why"

Your Word is "Why"

You see life as complicated and intriguing. The only thing you know for sure is that you haven't figured it all out yet. You question everything and believe very little. And whatever you believe is likely to change. You are interested in theories, philosophies, and religions... even if you don't buy into any of them. You are also fascinated by how things work. You'd like to understand as much in the world as possible.

What's Your Word?

Speed On The Basepaths

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, One of America's Great Newspapers, Major League Baseball authorized nearly 8 percent of its players to use drugs for ADHD last season, which allowed them to take otherwise banned stimulants. A total of 106 exemptions for banned drugs were given to major leaguers claiming attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

LeSean McCoy To Turn Pro

University of Pittsburgh star tailback LeSean McCoy is expected to announce Friday he will enter the NFL draft, skipping his final two years of college eligibility.

"I'm a football player, not a student," he told his team captain.

LeSean McCoy To Complete His Education

University of Pittsburgh star tailback LeSean McCoy is expected to announce Friday he will complete his education at the University of Pittsburgh.

"Dammit, Jim," he was heard saying, "all I ever wanted to be was a country doctor."

LeSean McCoy To Complete His Education

University of Pittsburgh star tailback LeSean McCoy is expected to announce Friday he will complete his education at the University of Pittsburgh.

McCoy met the press afer conferring with his mother, who reportedly told her son, "Your football career can be over in an instant, but they can never take away your education." "That kind of made up my mind for me," said McCoy, a sophomore majoring in Undergraduate Studies.

We now return you to the parallel universe, in which Spock DOESN'T have that goatee.

Today's Oneword - Carton

The only things that I can think of that come in cartons are milk and cigarettes - two things that you can get at your local 7-11 if there aren't any stores open. And I don't like either of them.

Today's Oneword - Wealth

I make a decent amount of money but I don't consider myself to have accumulated all that much wealth, at least not in the monetary or possessions department. But there's always Powerball...

Burris - I Bought This Senate Seat Fair and Square

Would be Illinois Senator Roland Burris spoke to reporters yesterday regarding the obstacles to his being seated as Barack Obama's replacement. "When this seat was put on the market, it was clearly stated that it would go to the highest bidder," said Burris. "I won it fair and square, and it's mine."

Today's Oneword - Only

There is only one Oneword site. I hope if doesn't go offline too often.

I Am Copper

You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal. What Metal Are You?

Today's Oneword - Meant

I meant to do a lot of work while I've been on vacation for the last 2.5 weeks. But I probably only did a half day's worth. This means that Monday's gonna be bad - really bad! I'd better not think about it between now and then!

What The State Of My Home Says About Me

Your Home Says That You Feel Unsettled and Free You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously. You have poor hygiene, whether you know it or not. Time to clean up your act! You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You don't feel settled in your life yet. You are scrambling to figure things out. You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help. Your friends see you as accommodating, peaceful, and forgiving.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

I Know Most Of My Candy Bars

I Will Die At Age 82

(I'm not sure I really wanted to live that long...)

You Will Die at Age 82

Congratulations! You take good care of yourself.
You're poised to live a long, healthy life.

What Age Will You Die?

I Remember 80% of 2008

You Remember 80% of 2008

You were paying attention during 2008.
And you remember what happened really well.

You'll be able to talk about 2008 for years to come...
Even when most people have forgotten what went down.

How Much Do You Remember 2008?

Today's Oneword - Bandage

The new year is a time for starting over. Not taking last year's wounds and putting a bandage on them. Start fresh. Think differently. Do differently. Or, rather Do differently first, and the thinking differently will follow.

2009 Ghoul Pool - Look Who's Dyin' In 2009

My 2008 Ghoul Pool had just one successful entry – Sir Edmund Hillary. That's the same result as my 2007 list, and better than 2006, where everyone survived the year. We’ll see how accurate my prognostications are for this year’s pool, “Look Who's Dyin' in 2009.”

1. Geraldine Ferraro – Our first token female vice-presidential candidate, and one with qualifications to boot, she now is fully qualified to pass beyond the veil.
2. Amy Winehouse – When she gets to the ultimate rehab clinic, she’s not gonna be able to say “no, no, no.”
3. Seve Ballesteros – He’s not going to be able to hit his way out of the thick rough of his brain tumor.
4. Ted Kennedy – He has plans to begin lobbying for equal protection for the “life sustainability challenged.”
5. Steve Jobs – An Apple a day is not going to keep the Grim Reaper away.
6. Billy Graham – He couldn’t afford to die in late 2008, but he’ll die in 2009 as economic conditions improve.
7. Karl Malden – Wins the Oscar in “A Casket Named Desire.”
8. Paul Harvey – “Hello, citizens of Heaven, I'm Paul Harvey.”
9. Elizabeth Edwards – At this point it’s the only graceful way to get rid of John.
10. Bob Barker – With the economy in shambles, the price is now finally right to get into Heaven.

And now, this year’s wildcard entry - Lance Armstrong, the cyclist/cancer survivor who doesn’t know when to say when, wins the Tour de Death and discovers that nobody wears those yellow LiveSTRONG bracelets on the other side.