Video: Real Life Simpsons Intro

This is cool:
Real Life Simpsons Intro

Obviously British though. Can anyone figure out why?

Tags: Simpsons, TV, Parody

Politics: Super Dangerous - Christianity Official Religion of Missouri

This made me cringe reading it. Of course, I would believe this is totally unconstitutional. But, see for yourself:

KMOV.com | St. Louis, MO | Top Stories: "The resolution would recognize 'a Christian god,' and it would not protect minority religions, but 'protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs.

The resolution also recognizes that, 'a greater power exists,' and only Christianity receives what the resolution calls, 'justified recognition.'

State representative David Sater of Cassville in southwestern Missouri, sponsored the resolution, but he has refused to talk about it on camera or over the phone."

Dangerous. Unlawful. It's this simple:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

First Amendment Folks. Let's protect it, not destroy it.

Technorati Tags: Religion, Constitution, Missouri, First Amendment

Sports: Latin America ready for World Baseball Classic

According to Jason Stark at ESPN.com:
40% of minor league baseball players are foreign born. 80% of those foreign born players are from Latin America. He says those Latino countries are pumped for the World Baseball Classic. ESPN.com - MLB/LATINOSRISE - Stark: Latin America ready for a Classic

The real invasion, however, is coming when we least expect it. And it's an invasion that will involve bats and balls, not guns and generals.

What is actually being invaded here is America and its hold on its theoretical national pastime.

We're not sure exactly when this happened -- possibly while you were busy watching a Yankees-Red Sox game -- but this isn't just America's sport anymore.

It is Latin America's sport.

Latinos don't own it or dominate it -- yet. They don't outnumber big-league players from the U.S. of A. -- yet.

But they love it more than we love it. Their kids play it more than our kids play it. And they could be on the verge of making a dramatic announcement.

That announcement won't arrive in any press release, either. It could be coming to a World Baseball Classic ball field near you.

Very interesting. From the sheer number of American players that have walked away from the WBC, I could see a Latino country winning the thing! I certainly hope not. I will be rooting for the red-white- and blue. Oh yeah, that's the USA red-white-blue, not the country of:
Australia, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Netherlands, Cuba, Chinese Taipei or Korea.

Holy crap... can't these countries come up with their own colors. I might just root for Venezuela because they have different colored uniforms!

Nah, go Rocket Roger Clemens. I would love to see him do well... and then return to my Astros in May!
Technorati Tags: World Baseball Classic, WBC, Baseball, MLB

Politics: Mangos for Nukes

This is a story that is just not getting enough publicity. But, with all of Bush's screwups this past month, errr year, errrrr 6 years... it is hard for some things to caputre the American imagination.

Here's the story...

Bush was in India. He negociated a deal with India to give them our nuclear technology secrets, allow them to build more nuclear plants without signing the Non-Proliferation Agreement, and not have their sites searched by U.N. inspectors.

What do we get out of the deal?

MANGOS.

Yep, you heard it right folks. Here is NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA ELIZABETH MILLARD:

There were a couple -- there was a spontaneous applause in the audience when the President talked about removing barriers, for instance, to Indian mangos, which now will be able to be enjoyed by Americans. And he actually saw mangos at the agricultural site, and that was pretty exciting, as well. I want to remind those of you who don't know, but there are about 60 varieties of mangos here in India. They ripen at different times, and they are really delicious.

The President seems pretty excited about them mangos too:

And, oh, by the way, Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is looking forward to eating Indian mangos.

So it's Mangos for Nukes. Is he losing his mind?



Technorati Tags: Mangos, India, US, Nuclear Weapons, Nukes, Bush

Other blogs about Mangos/Bush/India/Nukes: Nuclear Technology for Mangos @ F'd Up Country; You're Gonna Be a Genius Anyway @ Slack LaLane; Illegal Aliens & Mangos @ The Florida Cracker; Bush: Best Reason to Visit India @ SwiftSpeech

Blogging: Creating a Favicon in Address Bar

I have wanted to do this for a while. Finally found a moment of creative energy tonight. Usually that happens when I am beat tired and should be sleeping. And it did again tonight.

Here is how I did it...

1) Grab an image that you want to use. I chose this one:

Of course, that is my logo that I have had on this site since day one. So I thought it a fitting favicon.

2) I opened the picture above in photoshop and increased the view on it to about 500%. Then I airbrushed out the Fordee and .blogspot.com. Then I colored in the #40 to give that a little highlight in yellow. Next I shaded in the body in red.

3) Then you go to this site address to create the favicon: FavIcon from Pics. Once there you upload the picture and then it will auto create the image for you. Then download it and read the directions.

4) Next you must upload this file to a web server. Many free web servers will not host this type of file, but Tripod is one that will. Create an account and upload your file.

Then edit your HTML, by adding a tag like this:
LINK REL="SHORTCUT ICON" HREF="http://yourusername.tripod.com/favicon.ico" between the HEAD TAGS in your blogger template.

5) I stuck the code for the favicon I created in my blogger template and "voila!" I have myself a new favicon in my blog. Cool.

How does it look? Can I do something to make it look better? My other ideas were just putting the #40 in there... but I thought this was a little more graphical. And I have been using this image for my user pic and the logo on this site. So I thought it was a good representation.

Technorati Tags: creating favicons, favicons, blogging, blogs

Aidan: Cool Trains

Aidan was very intensely playing with his trains tonight that his Aunt Katie bought him. He climbed the steps with these two little trains that attach via magnets. He thinks the magnets are so COOL.

So I grabbed the camera and started snapping. Boy, I got a lot of good shots of him. Figured I'd post them tonight. He is a mess from a long day of playing and a messy dinner. But, he was soooo happy tonight. It really brings peace to us to see him happy and playing. There is nothing like it.

Tags: snapshot, family pictures, baby

My Life: AHS

Tomorrow afternoon is our 'interview meet and greet' for Atascocita High School. It should be interesting. This is the new school that they are finishing and will open in fall of this year. Currently both my wife and I teach at the only high school on that side of the district. Next year AHS opens and they will split our school's kids. Half will go to the new high school.

We have applied and are hopeful we'll work there. It is a little closer to home, but the school is going to be beautiful and a new facility.

But, truthfully, I don't think I would mind staying at our current location. They will be remodeling it over the next two years. Although that process and transition is going to be painful, the end result will be nice.

When I left the corporate world I never thought I would be doing a resume and interviewing and stressing about a new job so soon (if ever again!). So this is a bit more than I had bargained for. But, it could really be worth it. My students ask me everyday, "Mr. D are you coming to AHS with us?" Most of the students I have in my honors classes will go there. Probably 70 to 80 percent. So it would be nice to follow them over there, if just to see them for another two years around school.

Regardless, we both enjoy driving in to work together. And it would really suck to be working at two separate schools. So, you say... why don't we just stay where we are at? There is actually no guarrantee that they would keep us. For example, there are 10 World History teachers in my department. Only a few have asked to go to the new school. Since they are splitting the school there may not be room for everyone to teach World History at my current school anyway. And I really want to teach sophomores and World History. It is my favorite.

Tomorrow should be interesting. We may not know the verdict for another month or so though. It is making for a stressful situation at work for all involved. The sooner we know the better.

Must Read Blogs: Hamel's House

I must say, blogging is a lot of work. Reading through people's posts each day can be mind numbing sometimes. Then you come acrossed one that says to you, "This is why I spend the time searching for something good."

Hamel's blog is like that. I have just recently begun to visit his "house of blog" and the guy is a really interesting read. First, he's a teacher... which is always ok in my book. But, today he has a post that I think everyone should read.

I am going to be 36 this year, so we are kind of in the same boat. Both of us are at the 1/2 way point in life. With recent events in my life I have definitely thought about the inevitable departure from this sphere of life. So has Hamel:

Hamel's House of Blog: Musings on a half-life: "At 38 years and a few months, I’ve reached the halfway mark for the current life expectancy of 77.6 years in the US. And truth be told, I’m not sure how to react to the hard science that I’ve drawn 50% of my breaths.

I don’t feel old. I can still run and jump and play. I’ve got energy, darn it, and sometimes energy to spare."

He goes on to list 11 "must read" lessons of his life so far. Really good stuff. Check it out.

My Life: A tough night

Ups and downs are a big part of the mourning process. One day you will feel fine, going about your business, being busy. Then something hits you and it is "on"... the very down and somber feelings hit you and drag you into this deep dark place. It is not a healthy feeling. Probably a reason that most people that are in mourning also feel physically ill.

Dealing with the death of someone close to you is never easy. That feeling of mourning you feel for one person is intense. When you couple that with the feelings of loss for others, it can be compounded. And it can be a feeling that you begin to believe can not be overcome.

I have reached that point with this. I am at a point in my life - 35 (almost freaking 36 years-old) where I realize that we don't all stay here forever. A feeling of the innocence of youth has left me. It is a sad reality.

Yet at the same time I am surrounded by the most comforting and strong youthful bond a person could have. I have a son that is giving me joy, if not daily... by the hour and minute. The things he does, the little sounds he makes. The joy Aidan feels when he presses the button in the garage and the door lifts like magic. It is completely wonderful and joyous. Yet down inside of myself it can be hollow.



I know that one day Aidan will be 35 (almost freaking 36). He will certainly go through the same kind of pain. Maybe with me or (high power forbid) his mother. It hurts me to even imagine that kind of pain for him. Life is so painful. So beautiful in one breath, so sorrowful in the next.

When you take a minute to examine what is really happening on this 3rd rock from the sun... this rotating, revolving mass of amazing science and art... your head really begins rotating and revolving itself. How is it that us humans can feel, sense, and endure such beauty and such sadness everyday?

I guess we cope by leaning on each other and on the memories. But, that's all it is - coping. I don't know if I will ever truly heal from the passing of friends, family, my dearest mother-in-law, my father.



Tonight I got an email with a picture of my Dad's urn. It is a beautiful box. I was immediately filled with grief. But, after the tears faded I realized how beautiful it is. A few thoughts hit me as I responded to the email:

I guess it is almost like going to someone's gravesite in a way. I have not had the chance to spend time with the thought that his remains are in that box.

It is beautiful though. It really is. The birds are just fantastic. He would really love it. And I am sure his soul does.

To be honest, when Norma and I looked up info on cremation we realized that all that is really left in that box is the fragments of bone. Everything else is really gone when they are finished with the process. But, it makes me feel better - even so. Just knowing that a part of him is in there and he is there for you and the family to see and remember... it makes me feel a little better.

Having a gravesite off on a hill somewhere where people will eventually forget you seems mundane in the end. This seems much more important to me. He can go with family. His memory can be passed down through generations. I hope that my words about him on my blog will be as well. For Aidan and for his children and their children.

I miss him so much.

Sports: Legendary Roger Clemens... gives son chin music

Is there any doubt that this guy is a 'sick' competitor? Spring Training, he's not even on the roster, and he is throwing to minor leaguers. He still pitches like it's the 7th game of the World Series.

ESPN.com - MLB - Rocket gives up homer to son in simulated game: "KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Roger Clemens' son took dad deep on the Rocket's first pitch of spring training, crushing a trademark fastball over the left-field fence Monday.

'That was probably one of the harder fastballs I cut loose,' Roger Clemens said after throwing to Koby and other Houston Astros minor-leaguers. 'He got my attention.'

Then the Rocket got Koby's. The next time his oldest son came to the plate, Roger buzzed him high and tight with another fastball. The younger Clemens dodged the pitch and then smiled at his father.

'He was like, 'Sorry about that pitch inside. I was trying to change the view of the ball for you a little bit,'' said Koby, a third baseman who was drafted by Houston last summer. 'I said, 'I knew what you were doing.''"

My Dad would have loved that story. He is laughing somewhere I am sure.


Is there any doubt the Rocket will re-sign with the Astros come May? C'mon, the handwriting is on the wall there folks. Just don't blow your arm out at the silly World Baseball Classic Roger. We need you!

Technorati Tags: Houston, Houston Astros, Roger Clemens, World Baseball Classic, Spring Training, MLB

TV: 24 Builds to a 2 hour double episode

Next week one of my favorite shows 24 will be on for 2 hours in a double episode. This season has been classic 24. Good 'on the edge of your seat' stuff. Tonight was no exception.

Can the President of the United States be any more of a spineless dumbass? (oh yeah, art imitates life, doesn't it?) He is so stupid. It really hit me tonight that he looks a hell of a lot like Nixon.

Jack Bauer getting out of that 'explosive' situation in the server room was classic Jack. Hiding under the floor in the wiring was awesome. And using the bomb to actually open the door for him was genius. I kept saying to Norma, "I don't trust that guy!" You could just tell he was slimy from the minute he tazered Jack.

(catblogging right now... Harley is on my chest as I sit in bed typing... yea for the claws in my arm!)

Anyway, next week Kim comes back. Cue Mountain Lion! We always sigh when she comes on screen. Like, "What in the heck is that dumb blonde going to do next?" And "When are they going to get back to the action?" Maybe they are bringing her back to kill her off? The only bad thing would be that it would hurt Jack. And that would bug me. Nah, no it won't. She's awful. The season has been great because she hasn't been on it. Now this. Oh no!

The two hour episode should be awesome anyway. Of course, I'll never be able to sit and watch it all in one sitting with the baby. So Tivo to the rescue. But, I am looking forward to it.

Video: If Micro$oft Packaged the iPod

Classic parody right here:
YouTube: Microsfot iPod Packaging Parody

Tags: Microsoft, iPod, Apple, Parody, Video