With hesitation, I'm posting this

I initially wasn't going to repost this here, but I figured its a publicly facing story anyway, why not.

A story from Gothamist.com a few weeks ago leaked that a Long Island high school has officially banned  same-sex couples from attending the prom together, my high school. I don't think I really need to make a comment above the letter I posted to them (see below) then their canned response.

full screenshot -> http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/727ae257d6.jpg

-------------
Their response
-------------

full screenshot -> http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/f1e83206dc.jpg

The only final remarks I have are, did you really "review it carefully" if I said "I will never make a donation to the Alumni association and will encourage my many friends and family involved in St. Anthony's to do the same until this is changed" to which you respond with "your continued interest in Saint Anthony's". So he's either lying that he reviewed it carefully or doesn't understand what I thought was pretty clear that I had no continued interest in Saint Anthony's.

Please feel free to comment on this post.

Sources -> http://gothamist.com/2011/05/13/long_island_catholic_school_bans_ga.php

http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/05/12/long-island-high-school-bans-gay-prom-dates/

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/05/13/2011-05-13_st_anthonys_high_school_in_long_island_bars_lesbian_student_from_bringing_female.html

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For the google: St. Anthony's High School Ban same sex couples Prom Long Island Brother Gary Cregan 

fining Aussies for swearing?

that is ludicrous. When a cute bikini'ed Aussie girl, we'll let Natalie Imbruglia stand in here, walks by in the Australian State of Victoria, do NOT say "Sh^t, she's f%$#ing hot" if you don't want a A$240 (US$257) fine. Well, you probably shouldn't say that anyway if you're above a neanderthal, but I needed a specific example and a reason to post some Natalie Imbruglia.

Honestly, the thing people love about Aussies* is how laid-back and cool they are. If that involves the occasional lewd comment or crude language, so be it. I get the point of it, but ideas and action aren't always compatible.

The State's top lawyer says (from the article):

"Occasionally I mutter things under my breath as probably everybody does," he told ABC radio. But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life unpleasant for everybody else."

I'd love to see after a few months of this being in place, what percentage of infractions are "things under [the fined party's] breath", using his own words. This law is ridiculous.

"Damn that's a cool bridge...did I just get fined?"

Source -> http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.7da929b60d93d912325df4a2c96e2701.831&show_article=1

*Aware of the vast over-generalization of an entire country to make my point

Stupid people are here for your entertainment, revisited

Apparently Oprah ended this week?

Over the last 39 years* that Oprah has been on, the Norwegian web-browser company "Opera" have been receiving letters from idiots fans of Oprah, and apparently SCREAMING 419 scammers. Classy.

Here are some of the messages they've received.

My favorite is the fact that they respond in a cheeky fashion. Click the source below for a few more.

Enjoy!

*its possible that figure wasn't fact-checked
----------
Source -> http://my.opera.com/chooseopera/blog/2011/05/25/oprah-winfrey-we-will-miss-you via http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/oprah-fans-accidentally-e-mail-opera-the-web-brow

related links -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/search/label/conan%20Oprah

http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/05/stupid-people-are-here-for-your.html

Which one is Snooki?

You've got to hand it to MTV for knowing how to source people who will effectively make fools of themselves in order to make money for the network. Even if all their executives will likely go to hell. Introducing the UK version of Jersey Shore... Geordie Shore!
(This is for real).

Already there is backlash from local Geordie Newcastle residents, saying that this show is hurting their area's image. Facebook groups have even started with the title(s) RIP Geordie Pride (see below).

One thing worth mentioning though, I do hope that the most vocal critics realize that if there is a violent backlash they'll only prove that they're exactly like the people they claim are hurting their area's image...Is it bad PR for an entire city/population/cultural-group?, of course. Is it entertaining to watch and say "wow, I'm happy I'm not like that"?, yep. I'm not against the critics, but idiots will be idiots no matter where they are from, why not just laugh at them?

Below is the trailer for the show's debut. I've always believed I was pretty good at understanding even the thickest of the many UK accents, but I have no flipping idea what Holly is saying. I guess that's why Cheryl Cole* was fired from the US X-Factor? She's hot enough to justify an accent interpreter (do they have those?) for any person close minded enough to not even try to understand her.

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/--ODnE8yJaw

I can't wait to watch! I love Brit-TV.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT

Source -> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1391036/Geordie-Shore-slammed-angry-Newcastle-locals-embarrassing.html

Watch the first episode here -> http://www.mtv.co.uk/shows/geordie-shore/episode/geordie-shore-101-watch-the-first-episode-in-full#271667

In case you don't know what Geordie means -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geordie

*Hubba Hubba

Earlier links -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/05/jersey-shore-in-italy-summed-up-in-3.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/04/snookie-american-treasure.html http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/01/whoever-thought-this-was-good-idea.html http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/05/what-happens-when-critical-mass-of-snl.html

At least they learned their lesson for drink-driving

Wait, paying somebody to serve your court-ordered community service is somehow different than actually doing it? Are we entirely sure this isn't Hollywood not San Diego and somehow cross-posted?

I really hope the judge sees this, oh wait I forwarded it to San Diego's district court general mailbox, oops.

Whoever said people with a DUI who believe they can just throw money at a problem couldn't keep it classy?

Source -> http://www.someecards.com/2011/05/25/lazy-alcoholic-uses-craigslist-to-help-him-stay-home-and-drink

We named the dog Indiana

Fine, this story is more Raiders and that title is from Last Crusade, sue me*. Fedora and whip-less archeologists have discovered 2 pyramids, 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient Egyptian settlements previous lost to the northeast African desert. Using a satellite-mounted infrared camera orbiting 435 miles above the earth, Dr. Sarah Parcak (who seems to get good reviews from ratemyprofessors, congrats on that too!) from the University of Birmingham, Alabama make this startling discovery with her team recently.


From the article:

Two pyramids, one thousand tombs and 3000 ancient settlements. That's what Parcak—an Egyptologist from the University of Alabama in Birmingham—and her team have discovered without even moving from their armchairs. Using infrared satellite imagery, the team has been looking for archeological rests in Tanis, the legendary city Northeast of the Nile delta, which became the capital of Egypt during the 21st dynasty.

This is so cool.

Click the source links for more.

Source -> http://gizmodo.com/5805387/space-archeologists-discover-a-thousand-egyptian-tombs-in-tanis via http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pwms & http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13522957

http://www.indianajones.com/

*don't sue me

Meatballs, redux

I friggen love meatballs. These I did about the 3" in diameter, a change from the 1" ones I usually make (for pizza).

No idea what I'm using these for yet. But they're part ground chicken part ground PORTERHOUSE (bits of both the filet and strip side). I used fresh chives, oregano, thyme, sweet basil, purple basil and parsley that I grew (!) and chopped garlic, black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozz cheese, olive oil, bread crumbs and an egg... (I'm aware of that sentence being both run-on and having terrible grammar) Phew.

Earlier link -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/04/meatballs.html

EVEN THE DUDES?!

Link -> http://video.teamcoco.com/video/conan.jsp?oid=252822&eref=sharethisUrl

So where is that ACTUALLY from?

I very much hate the (over)use of the word "green". Especially with the amount of lip service many companies/people do regarding environmentalism. Sourcemap is a cool new (?) site that gives the origin of many different consumer items, its manufacture location, where the parts are from, etc. Its not saving the earth if your hybrid's pieces were shipped across the ocean... twice before even final manufacture.

Back on point, this site is pretty cool in that it doesn't just map manufactured goods, but also foods, garments and basically anything else you'd buy. It takes a supply-chain approach 1st, environmental 2nd way of displaying the data as charts/infographics (!).

Source -> http://www.sourcemap.org via http://lifehacker.com/5804948/sourcemap-shows-you-the-origins-of-the-stuff-you-buy

First trailer for the Muppets reboot!

Just get to 0:51

I just hope they do an All Animal spinoff afterwards.



clickable link -> http://youtu.be/6CloKbXtD28

Earlier post -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/05/its-time-to-start-music.html

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

...is absolutely epic (and I'm very against the overuse of the term epic). When we went to Ireland last summer, we were told GFES wasn't available anywhere other than Jamaica, Africa and St. James Gate. Apparently they changed that 10/2010. I guess me hoarding those 6 I brought home was a moot point?

If a very specific branded glass isn't available, I highly recommend Henry Jones Jr. (bought it at Blockbuster, wish I was kidding)

If you don't like anything Guinness makes, you probably haven't actually tried it. (RIGHT WIFEY?!) Write that down.

Guinnesss Stout (regular) -> Guinness Extra Stout -> Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (order of "bite")

Sláinte!

http://www.guinness.com & http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/209/752 & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness & http://www.guinness.com/en-ca/thebeer-fes.html

Smarter Elevators

One of my friends has been asking me to post about the annoyances of elevators (see examples below) for a while now. Now I finally have a reason.

Smartcards can be used to limit the time between getting on and having to push the button. Or Bosses can redirect unsuspecting employees to another floor (how long until the first overly litigious former employee files for kidnapping when that happens?). Really? because that's the problem? What about idiots that just stand in front of the door, dumbfounded as to why it magically opened and coincidentally somebody behind them is trying to move forward. What about people that get on the elevator at 2, then hit the 3 button. Then their friend gets on at 3, but instead of letting the door close, talks for 30 seconds to the first person (in the doorway), then gets on and hits 4. AHHHHHH! I'm just trying to go to 5!*

I propose a system of checks and balances that have other employees as secret elevator bosses for other employees. If a user has too many violations (see above) or overly uses the elevator, (eg you work on 2, next to the stairwell, use the starts to go outside), the option is given for Golden age of Nickelodeon-era punishment or forfeiture of elevator rights. GO!

Caption contest!

Source -> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576331044032063796.html?mod=e2tw via http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/smarter-elevators-sort-riders-stand-ready-to-enforce-social-hie/

http://www.elevatorrules.com/

*All hypothetical of course

But isn't it a closed system?

Screenshot from DC Metro's website, no comment necessary

NYC Subway > DC Metro

Source -> http://www.wmata.com/
Related link -> http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/

51 planes in 2 minutes

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/b5XXol3gTHo

Source -> http://gizmodo.com/5803750/watching-51-airplanes-taking-off-in-just-two-minutes-is-mesmerizing via http://www.youtube.com/user/BostonAirborne

Drink a beer, help a veteran

A friend sent me the source link below. I just want to give them some more publicity, I'm a big fan of their cause.

Now I have to find some around here...

From the article:
Every time they sell a beer, they give half of the profits to groups supporting veterans, active service members, and their families.

So far the women say they have donated more than $6,000 in cash to charity, plus $4,000 in beer donations for fund-raising events. The nonprofits they've supported include the USO, Homes for Our Troops, the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation, the Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund, and America's VetDogs.

"Our priority is really just to say 'thank you' to our troops and veterans for their service," Rogers said. "When my father passed away, I wanted to do something in his honor to say 'thank you' for his life of service. [Haley] said, 'Well, why don't we do a beer.' I said, 'Hmm, beer, all right. That's an interesting thought.'"

Source -> http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/blogs/99bottles/2011/05/drink_a_beer_help_a_veteran.html

Brewery page -> http://www.50back.com/

Another great link -> http://anysoldier.com

Concrete canvas

This is very cool. A British company is making these inflatable concrete structures. Basically you roll out the "building", inflate it, get it wet, wait for the concrete embedded in the fabric to set and its good for 10 years. They claim its impervious to fire, weather, small arms fire and shrapnel. In addition they can be lined on the inside or outside for better thermal performance. I know this sounds like an ad, but I'm not associated with them at all. I just thought I'd share something that interested me.

Just think of how this could change developing areas if it is more widely adopted?



Source -> http://concretecanvas-pedigo.us/

Proper urinal selection

People ask me all the time "how do I know what Urinal to choose?"*
Thankfully TeamCoco provides a clear, concise response.

Source -> http://teamcoco.com/content/team-coco-infographics?photo=7567

*thankfully that is a lie

Will you be raptured?

Seeing that we're inside of 24 hours until the end of the world...
This handy chart will let you know if you'll be raptured or not.
Good luck.

"See you in another life, brother." -Desmond Hume

(i love charts)
Source -> http://peasandcougars.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/will-you-be-raptured-flowchart/

sibling rivalry rules

I remember one time my sister and I convinced my brother that he was going to die before the morning, but it wasn't worth waking up our parents (I think we were ~10). The only way to save him was to rub toothpaste into his face... 1/2 a tube later he was screaming and we were grounded...

How beer saved the world

Discovery Channel documentary about how beer drove everything from the move to an agrarian society (from being hunter/gatherers) to modern records keeping, disease prevention/antibiotics and automation in industry.

Its no secret that I love beer. I'm a big fan of the craft beer movement, trying to rid the cheap/low-class sigma associated with the stuff. While I'll always have a special place (reserved for Beirut, NOT BEER PONG) for Natty Lite, its not even close to my go-to beer. That's reserved (currently) for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  Although I love a good Bavarian Helles too, now if we could only get Augustiner-Bräu Vom Faß on this side of the Atlantic. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go to the source.




Prost!


Part 1

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/yf3YvXM9j5o

Part 2 (girl @ 06:44 is hot, FYI)

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/i4XX_PrDWss

Part 3

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/IkoXGfXkgAk

(no copyright infringement intended)

135 year old scab triggers smallpox scare

I'd like to thank Fox DC for clearing up what a scab was for me, otherwise I would've been totally lost!

Scabs -- pieces of desiccated skin that contain white blood cells, viruses and other material --

The Virginia Historical Society, a Richmond VA institution, put together an exhibit called "Bizarre Bits"  which included Confederate President Jefferson Davis' cigar, a fungus carving of Robert E. Lee on his horse and a preserved smallpox scab (among other things).

From the article: 

The scab got the attention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), home to one of the world's two known caches of live smallpox viruses. Alerted by a government scientist in Maryland who was concerned that the scab might transmit infection, the agency dispatched two CDC representatives to Richmond. They donned disposable surgical gowns and gloves, lifted the scab from a display case, sealed it in bio-bags inside a red cooler and whisked it back to a high-security lab deep within the CDC's Atlanta headquarters.

The scab was irradiated by the CDC, moved to a medium security facility (from level IV, remember Outbreak?) and is planned to be returned the the museum.

oh yeah, almost forgot... GROSS

Source -> http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/05/dc-schools-investigate-security-breaches-2011-tests
better source -> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704681904576319723384755958.html

How a teacher for sued for $20M for trying to do his job

Having just read the article linked I felt like I had to draft an immediate response. This self-feeding system of lip service and unaccountability is an absolute disgrace. These parents are just the 30-years-later versions of the author's most disruptive (former) students. The problem is how infectious this nature is. We're going to eventually have organically moved to dual systems of "just get them to the next grade" and actual education, something that I don't think worked out too well in the 50's and 60's... I'm reminded of the case of Brown vs. the Board of Education where it was determined that "separate is not equal" by definition. But why should the behaving students be punished by the delinquents that happen to live in their same district?

Our society is imploding from the outside-in and education/discipline (or the lack their of) is the catalyst for this change. Its hard enough to be a teacher, why would the constant threat of assault, occasional actual assault and the potential for a frivolous lawsuit sway them to even TRY to help the inner-cities?

----------------------------------

Excerpts:

To gain control, I tried imposing the kinds of consequences that the classroom-management handbooks recommend. None worked. My classroom was too small to give my students “time out.” I tried to take away their recess, but depriving them of their one sanctioned time to blow off steam just increased their penchant to use my classroom as a playground. When I called parents, they were often mistrustful and tended to question or even disbelieve outright what I told them about their children. It was sometimes worse when they believed me, though; the tenth time I heard a mother swear that her child was going to “get a beating for this one,” I almost decided not to call parents. By contrast, I saw immediate behavioral and academic improvement in students whose parents had come to trust me.

One parent who was also a teacher’s aide threatened to “kick my white ass” in front of my class and received no punishment from the principal, beyond being told to stay out of my classroom. The failure of the principal, parents, and teachers to react more decisively to racist disrespect emboldened students to behave worse. Such poisonous bigotry directed at a black teacher at a mostly white school would of course have created a federal case.

D.C. Public Schools grade kids on a highly subjective 1 to 4 scale, 4 being the highest. Most of my students entered fifth grade with grave academic deficiencies, yet their cumulative records revealed fair to excellent grades, making clear that social promotion was standard practice at Emery. I wasn’t playing along. I had given regular tests and quizzes that first semester, and most of my students had earned straight 1s by any rational measure. True to the credo of high expectations, I would give them the grades they earned.

Source -> http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_1_how_i_joined.html

**Update** related story -> CHEATERS: DC Teachers help students beat standardized tests

Patagonia pic of the week

Patagonia sends out emails from time to time with content other than apparel shopping. One of those is the Patagonia Pic of the Week, this week's is pretty cool so I thought I'd share.

From the description:
    The kind of run that will have you wishing for wings; the kind of training that will give them to you – a lone runner gets ready to chip away at “Walter's Wiggles,” a series of steep switchbacks on the nearly 1500' climb up to Angel's Landing. Zion National Park, Utah. KEITH LADZINSKI

Source -> Patagonia.com

Japan's atmosphere heated up before the earthquake

 This is pretty incredible. American and Russian scientists have found that directly above the fault zone, in the days leading up to the earthquake there was an obvious/measurable increase in infrared radiation (picture above). Can this be used to predict earthquakes?

From the Geekosystem summary:
Even if the research team’s preliminary numbers holds up, a big question remains: Will similar data be useful in predicting future earthquakes before they happen, potentially minimizing the loss of human life? The difficulty here is the risk of false positives: There are obvious costs associated with sounding the earthquake alarms and causing people to evacuate an area only to find that there is no quake at all. On this, the answer remains murky: While no major earthquake has ever been successfully predicted using ionospheric activity, at least one proponent of the Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling model, Professor Sergey Pulinets, believes that such prediction is theoretically possible, and could eventually be practical.

Source -> http://www.geekosystem.com/japan-earthquake-atmosphere-heating/ via http://arxiv.org/abs/1105.2841

Earlier posts about the Japanese Earthquake:
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/more-info-from-japan.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/google-posts-high-res-japan-pics.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan-tsunamis-in-pacific.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/no-looting-in-japan.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/04/360-view-of-japanese-quake-damage.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/one-of-craziest-videos-ive-ever-seen.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/simple-video-of-whats-actually.html
http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/03/before-and-after-pics.html

Jersey Shore in italy summed up in 3 pics

Yes I'm basically reposting these pics from the Daily Mail "article"...

Deena further assists European opinions of traveling Americans by climbing over a bridge and almost falling into the river.

 

Why were you climbing over that at all?

Oh wait, its because you're stupid.

Sammi must have the strength of a god.

Below you see The Situation confirming that nothing he says holds any merit.

Having said all that, this show is very entertaining, if they would just stop showing any footage of Sammi and Ronni fighting, nobody cares. They should just show more of JWoWW and Snooki. Possibly pull the younger daughter from Family Matters trick on Sam and Ronni? Would anybody notice?

I can't wait until this airs!

Source -> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1388573/Jersey-Shores-Deena-falls-giant-bridge-Italy--Sammi-saves-her.html

Related Links -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/04/snookie-american-treasure.html & http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/01/whoever-thought-this-was-good-idea.html

Your ridiculously cool vintage Mini wallpaper is here

Well, technically here -> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2011/05/pau_mini_1600.jpg

Source -> http://jalopnik.com/5802825/your-ridiculously-cool-vintage-mini-wallpaper-is-here

MacGyver not MacGruber

This is something I have in common with Patty and Selma, MacGyver rules. Its possible they might not have moral intentions with him though. I still watch it every now and then, and will never forget the series finale . Remember the episode when he hits his head and goes back in time to learn his name is actually Angus McIver (sp?), yes it was weird. Anyway, the show was awesome and everything he did was possible(-ish). The site below has compiled what/ingredients/when...go!

Screenshot source -> http://fathom.info/macrecipes/

From the site:

Have you ever wondered in how many different episodes MacGyver has made an arc welder (answer: 3 times in episodes 6, 52, and 87)? Or perhaps you forgot about your favorite episode (season 1, episode 12) when Mac escapes via a casket that transforms into a jetski. And how many times has Mac made a diversion? In order to placate all of your MacGyver-related curiosities, we offer you MacRecipes.

Source -> http://fathom.info/macrecipes/ via http://www.geekosystem.com/macgyver-recipes/

"I just want it to say Lost"

First I need to apologize as to how long this post is, trust me its worth it. Pasted below in its entirety is an email exchange between 2 employees, one of which is the graphic designer, the other one lost their cat... I could care less if this is a work of fiction (probably is), because its funny as hell. Read from the top to bottom. Yes I know its been around the interwebs for a while, still worth a repost. Enjoy!

--------------------
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.
-----------------------------------------

Source -> http://www.27bslash6.com/missy.html
Related post -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/05/this-guy-really-hates-cats.html

I ate too much plastic candy

(no copyright infringement intended)

Clickable link -> http://youtu.be/sKtwVGeS2sg

fine, call me a sissy

but this is pretty awesome.



Source -> http://youtu.be/pnVAE91E7kM via http://www.thehighdefinite.com/2011/05/making-the-movies-jealous/

He's just trying to do his part.

I know its from a few days ago, but its still funny.

Source -> http://news.yahoo.com/comics/pearls-before-swine#id=/comics/110511/cx_pearls_umedia/20111105

Related(ish) links -> http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2010/11/chevy-volt-gets-myriad-of-different-mpg.html & http://www.dannyfinnegan.com/2011/01/ford-focus-electic-revealed-ffe-volt.html & http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article6294116.ece

Rip Curl Pro 2011

Even if you're not into surfing, you've got to admit this is pretty cool...
The footage was shot with one of these -> http://bit.ly/ld4ESa



Source -> http://youtu.be/S72gB0pWiUc via http://www.thehighdefinite.com/2011/05/rip-curl-pro-bells-beach-2011-finals-day-filmed-by-rc-helicopters/

incredible PHOTOGRAPH

That's right, below isn't a painting or some sort of fancy digital art made on one of them computer-things. Its an actual photograph taken in Namibia in a place called Naukluft Park. (here, google maps link -> http://bit.ly/jGQR18)

From the National Geographic post:
Tinted orange by the morning sun, a soaring dune is the backdrop for the hulks of camel thorn trees in Namib-Naukluft Park.

Source -> http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/camel-thorn-trees-namibia/

Jack Donaghy would destroy Jim Halpert

I'm ok with Alec Baldwin actually becoming Jack Donaghy (who happens to be from Boston... if that happens there my be an issue with the 2 commercials below). The following are new commercials for New Era caps, with John Krasinski fighting a losing battle. Go Yankees!


Clickable link to video -> http://youtu.be/9e57dlq7ZA4


Clickable link to video -> http://youtu.be/hjmvsc22OFw

Why? for spite

Why do people do things like this? Seemingly there is no reason to mess with somebody's sign... then there is spite. Hahahahahaha.
-----
Some of the best passive-aggressive and/or spelling/grammar responses to publicly posted signs...

(reposted from http://www.someecards.com/2011/02/15/worlds-best-flyers-making-fun-of-other-flyers)

http://youtu.be/ki6u2wcqt6A

Cr*ppy cars, STOP BUYING THEM

I do not understand the mindset that people would (blindly) prefer a new car over a used one.

There are specific reasons for a new car, commercial use, fleet use, high turnover, need for a constant warranty, but for a good portion of normal personal use (other than vanity) I just don't see the point. Now I'm not one of those super fiscally responsible people saying "you lose 40% of its value driving it off the lot" because again, blanket rules are (generally) stupid. But there is a point to it. Cars have gone from being part of a person's personality and lifestyle to disposable appliances, this is why they lose value so quickly. The fact that "its the next owners' problem" is the default attitude towards car maintenance has created a mindset that only furthers this problem. I'm not from the generation that each fill-up a team of people came out, checked your oil cleaned your windows then left, but I do think it would be nice.

100,000 miles (other than oil changes which can now safely be pushed if designed for it to ~10,000-15,000 miles) between tuneups has become the norm. Which is great if you have realistic expectations that if something DOES happen before that window, it probably won't be minor. Pushing engine components to their physical maximum amount of stress (need to have the best fuel economy possible) and longevity before any kind of interaction with a service technician will take a toll on overall life of the Engine and car itself.

Yes I'm biased but- one of the best statements about this topic I've ever read was "It is said over 70% of all Land Rovers ever built since 1949 are still going" How's that for eco friendly? Not all environmental impact is in the operation of a vehicle, manufacture and disposal/recycling count too...

----------------------------------------

Source -> http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/05/13/putin_test_drives_europes_cheapest_car_takes_5_attempts_to_start.html

Now to the point of my post. India's Tata Nano is typically the only getting press for cheapest new cars but another piece of cr*p car is coming to market under the vanity of "A new car for only ____". Good news!, it only took 5 attempts for Putin to start the BRAND NEW CAR (down from ∞)! click the source link under the screenshot to watch the video.

This is not meant to be against foreign cars in any way, plenty of cr*ppy cars come from the US of A (I'm looking at you Chrysler Sebring, a name change to "200" and facelift isn't fooling anybody) also  also my beloved Land Rover is under the Tata corporate umbrella. My point is if you don't know anything about cars, don't just lean towards new because somehow that's better. Ask somebody!

For every new car, there are about 2000 perfectly good, much better made, used ones out there too. Lastly, I am in no way trying to stifle the already ailing auto industry. People SHOULD buy new cars for the right reasons. My problem is if people only require the bare minimum, that's all the companies will make.

Full disclosure, we bought my wife's car new, but plan on keeping it for the foreseeable future and have maintained the cr*p out of it**

**technical term

I actually want this

Remember how awesome Metal Blade was? Mega Man (up to Mega Man IV) was such an awesome franchise. I think Mega Man 2 was my favorite though. The best was even though it was a 1 player game, there was a trick if you plugged in a 2nd player controller. My friend and I made a jig from wood to hold the right and B buttons down, which allowed for super jumps and to land in holes without dying. TAKE THAT Dr. Wiley's castle!




Source -> http://www.wallstickershop.com/style/character-wall-stickers/retro-nintendo-cartoon-wall-stickers/mega-man-re-stik-wall-sticker.html

Hello

My car is so awkward sometimes (:04 mark)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3s6TfiA8c8&feature=youtu.be#t=3.5s

Its time to start the music...

Sorry for not posting for a while, blogger was down for a bit.
-------------------------------------

Below is the first official movie poster of Jason Segel's new movie "The Muppets"

To quote the Buzzfeed link: "Words cannot express how excited I am for this"

Animal for President?

Source -> http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/first-official-movie-poster-for-the-muppets

Charlie Day/Kelly the line is being blurred

This guy is funny as hell.
I think my single favorite always sunny episode is the Serpico one. Charlie (Kelley's) grey-area ability to read, extreme nativity, possible* extreme mental issues, scheming and psychotic behavior only make him more entertaining.



Having said all that, he (Day) is in a new movie with Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis**, Jennifer Aniston***, Colin Farrell****, Kevin Spacey called Horrible Bosses... I won't ruin it for you, click the video (or link if you're on a phone) below.



Source -> http://youtu.be/EDUpOXfwQUo

*definite
**ehhh, kind of annoys me but still I get why he exists
***crazy yes, but I truly believe still below the hit/crazy scale line
****I really want to not like, but I feel like he'd be fun to go drinking with...once.

Sitting is actually killing you

As the article/infographic (I love infographics) I'm posting below says, our bodies weren't made to sit. We are built for chasing animals, farming, "breeding" and sleeping... not necessarily in that order.

Unless you're reading this on your phone while walking around, GET UP! Go do a lap around the building and keep moving!

































































































































































































Source -> Medical Billing And Coding

Do you think The Hoff would go back (not the show)?

Some people stand in darkness
Afraid to step into the light.....*

I was a "lifeguard"** for many summers (I took much better to Swim Coaching) but I made about ~$8/hour***. Turns out some lifeguards in Newport Beach make over $100K a year, a few even approaching $200K. I almost think some of the Baywatch staff would come back for that kind of cash. Although I think that the only one who'd pass the test was the ummm athletic(?) yeah we'll say athletic one. I can tell you one former cast member who could care less... he married those, i mean her instead.

SOMEBODY CALL NICOLE EGGERT!

*I'm aware that Baywatch the show and actual Newport beach lifeguards aren't the same thing, but what else could I talk about in this post?
**Beach Lifeguards are actual lifeguards with many daily rescues, must be in great shape, a great deal more training, etc - quite a different thing than being a "lifeguard" at a country club pool
***I don't remember what I actually made, that sounds right though

making fun of "celebrities" is fun - having said that David Charvet, high five.

Source -> http://orangepunch.ocregister.com/2011/05/10/lifeguarding-in-oc-is-totally-lucrative-some-make-over-200k/44783/

Oh god, I get enough generic, not actually for me messages already

Turns out the the new homeland security emergency alerts system won't actually just be for homeland security derived emergency alerts. I'm SHOCKED*.

Check out the current results for the NY Daily News article's poll below (Yes, I'm one of the "No" votes)

As Drudgereport.com puts it "Cellphone warnings to include urgent texts from the president...", how exactly is this different than following (or not following) on Twitter?
Honestly I don't want this at all. Please let there be an opt-out. I get that the point of it is instant-widespread notification of emergencies, then please just leave it for actually that.

Other things that were probably considered but ignored. Old people with cellphones who do not text. If they hear a sound coming from their phone unfamiliar to them (not the ring they're used to), look at it and see "EMERGENCY, EVACUATE YOUR AREA"**, they are going to freak the hell out. All kidding aside, there are going to be many issues with the human-recipient side of this if there is no opting.

I'm stock footage!

*Not at all
**will likely (hopefully) be worded better and/or more specific than that, demonstration purposes only.

Sources -> http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/05/09/2011-05-09_new_yorkers_soon_to_get_emergency_cell_phone_alerts_in_what_bloomberg_calls_quan.html & http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/10/national-emergency-alert-system-set-to-launch-in-nyc/

Stupid people are here for your entertainment

Yes, I'm basically reposting something from someecards.com, get over it.
Which one is your fav? feel free to comment!

Source -> http://www.someecards.com/2011/05/06/the-most-alarmingly-gullible-facebook-responses via http://www.lamebook.com/ & http://failbook.failblog.org/

Brew George Washington's beer?

The Coney Island Brewing company has decided to brew what they're calling "Fortitude's Founding Father Brew" based on George Washington's hand written recipe (posted below) sourced from the NY Public Library.


From the Gothamist article:

Though a bit silly, the Library has a stake in this beer as well, hoping to draw attention to the amazing trove of documents available to the public. That may be so, but unfortunately there are no plans to sell the beer to the public. If you want to get a taste, you’ll have to have tickets to the library’s centennial gala later this month. For those lucky folks in the NYC area, there will be a public tasting on May 18 at Rattle N Hum, at 14 E. 33rd Street in Manhattan.

Recipe:

(Transcribed below)
"To Make Small Beer
Take a large Siffer [Sifter] full of Bran Hops to your Taste. Boil these 3 hours then strain out 30   Gall[ons] into a cooler put in 3 Gall[ons] Molasses while the Beer is Scalding hot or rather draw the Melasses (sic) into the cooler & St[r]ain the Beer on it while boiling Hot. let this stand till it is little more than Blood warm then put in a quart of Yea[s]t if the Weather is very Cold cover it over with a Blank[et] & let it Work in the Cooler 24 hours then put it into the Cask—leave the bung open till it is almost don[e] Working—Bottle it that day Week it was Brewed."

Source -> http://gothamist.com/2011/05/04/george_washingtons_personal_beer_re.php via http://www.geekosystem.com/george-washington-beer/