Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New InterWiinet Game
This post only applies to people who play the Wii.
So, there's a new Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles game coming out. The best part is, we can play it online! Also, it's coming out on the Wii and DS, but it doesn't matter which one you have, everyone can play together. Pretty good idea if you ask me!
It's coming out at the end of March. Who's in?
So, there's a new Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles game coming out. The best part is, we can play it online! Also, it's coming out on the Wii and DS, but it doesn't matter which one you have, everyone can play together. Pretty good idea if you ask me!
It's coming out at the end of March. Who's in?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Bowling for Kids' Sake
Hey everyone! I'm participating in a media competition to raise money for a charity. Local newspapers, TV stations and radio stations are raising money and then bowling against each other on Feb. 7, all for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Since we all know my bowling skills won't get me anywhere, I'm counting on my fundraising skills to help me. My goal is to raise $50. If anyone has even just a couple dollars to spare, I would really appreciate your support! Here's a link to donate: click here. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides role models and financial assistance to needy kids, so you can be assured that your money is going to a great cause. Thanks!!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
De-Kelly Code
I think I found a missing link in the De-Kelly code. It has something to do with the numbers 8 and five. I was looking through some pics of the lake trip this year and I found this odd picture. 
In this picture, taken EIGHT days before Kelly's birthday, and EIGHT days before the picture of Daisy and Abbey was taken, We see Kelly walking on top of two feet of water. That Kelly is walking on top of water is not that important, its what he is pointing at that drew my attention. He is pointing to his nose. This is obviously a clue. Now we all know that Kelly's favorite band is They Might Be Giants, now they don't have an album called Nose, but if you take the depth of the water Kelly is standing on, two, and take that many letters off of the end of the word "nose", you get "NO" as in They Might Be Giants album "NO". Now the fifth song in "NO" is "Where Do They Make Balloons". The song does not answer this question, but I think that the factory where they do make Balloons must be of importance. After listening to the album again I be leave I have found a clue to where that factory maybe. In the song "Violin" of the same album, it talks about George Washington's head. This is our Presidential link that I've been looking for. Obviously the location of the balloon factory is hidden inside George Washington's head. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, and you thought I wouldn't figure it out Kelly. Now Mt. Vernon is only an hour away from Gettysburg, when we go I purpose that we go to Mt. Vernon, sneak in to the grave sight, dig up the first president, take his head off, and see if it says where the balloon factory is. Someone remember to bring some shovels.
Alli is a Treehugger
As most of you know, I have spent the past two years gradually trying to be more "green" - er "environmentally friendly" - and more frugal with money. The more I work on achieving this goal, the more I realize how much of an influence P-Pa had on me - he was more of a treehugger than I ever realized. Dad also taught me a lot about protecting the environment, planting trees, etc...
I've tried some things that are kind of weird and/or haven't worked, but it makes me feel like a better person just by trying to do the small things. I am definately not at the point where I am buying organic clothing - or having a sustainable home where I make my own clothes from the yarn I spin from my herd of sheep (difficult to have in an apartment, and I am frankly too lazy). But, I'm trying to make small changes that are easy even for the busy/lazy/cheap person. I have gotten a lot of inspiration and information from treehugger.com's "How to go green guides."
1. Recycle! This is a pretty obvious one, but I didn't used to do it. We live in an apartment, so we don't have curbside pickup, but Mykl's parent's do and let us bring our sorted recylables to their house (frugal for us!). This takes a bit of effort, but I think it's fun, and I don't have to take my trash out nearly as often (which I love!).
2. Another way to cut on stuff being sent to landfills is to compost. We don't have a yard, so we do "vermicomposting" (worms eat our garbage). This sounds gross, but is embarassingly easy and makes me feel better about not finishing leftovers. I can compost anything that doesn't contain meat, and have to be careful about dairy products, but love doing it!
3. Reduce - Another way to protect the environment (and save a lot of money!) is to reduce the amount that you consume. I'm not talking about food here. I'm talking about "stuff." Most American's are obsessed with having "stuff" (George Carlin has a good speal about "stuff" in his "Brain droppings book if you're interested), and most of the "stuff" that we want, we don't actually need. For example, I really want a new cd player for my car that I can hook my MP3 player to. But, I have a perfectly good CD player in my car. Plus, I don't actually drive that often, and usually listen to NPR anyways. So, even though I had Christmas money burning in my pocket, I decided to NOT buy the cool CD player with the USB port. It would have meant throwing something useful/toxic away, AND buying a new product (think about all of the energy, shipping, ingredients, etc... that went into putting this product on the shelf). I am also trying to cut down on every day consumption - I have stopped wearing makeup (mostly because I am lazy), and am trying to cut down on hair products (which are bad for your indoor air quality anyways). I am generally trying to use and need less. This has been hard, but good for me.
4. Green your cleaning. Cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals that are terrible for your indoor air quality and can breed "super-germs." First, I tried going to Mama Jean's (health food store that I love) and buying "green" dishwasher detergent and all-purpose cleaner. These were kind of expensive, and the detergent left white gritty stuff. I am now using a vinegar-water solution with lemon essential oil (to make it smell better) on everything - it's really, really cheap, and works as good/better than my old all-purpose cleaner. Once it's dry, you can't smell the vinegar. No harsh chemicals, so it's good for your indoor air quality. I use it in the kitchen, and in the bathroom. I am getting ready to try homemade dishwasher and laundry detergent (really really cheap) and hope that it works well (got the recipe for both at treehugger.com).
5. Bring your left-overs for lunch. Buying take-out food, or frozen/canned stuff for your lunch is not only expensive, but also results in more energy-use and packaging. For lunch, I bring left-overs from home in tupperware (sp?). It's healthier for you too! I am lazy and like to sleep in, so I pack my leftovers as I'm cleaning up after dinner, and then it's ready for me in the morning.
6. Cut down on electricity - There are many ways to do this! Turning off the lights when you leave a room is the easiest (and use the compact flourescent bulbs) We turn the thermostat down low during the winter (it's at 66 right now) and just wear sweaters and socks around the house, and use more blankets. This would seem like it could make you sick more often, but on the contrary! Going from a warm-to-cold temperatures is a lot worse for you than going from not so warm - to - cold temperatures. In the summer, we keep the thermastat up high (around 76) and turn it up to 80 when we leave the apartment. We wear shorts and t-shirts and use low-energy fans at night in our bedroom to keep us cool (no use cooling the entire house when we're just going to be in one room). We also have started hanging some of our laundry to dry - I still refuse to hang my towels to dry. This is supposed to cut down on energy (dryers are electricity guzzlers), and extend the life of your clothes (your clothes wear down quickly in the dryer - this is where dryer lint comes from). We don't have a drying rack (again, trying to reduce what I buy), so I hang everything (except sweaters) on hangers in my laundry room. I also haven't used an iron since I moved out and feel perfectly presentable (I am lazy!)
7. Try to eat vegetarian at least once a week. Meat is the most resource-intensive on the table. Producing meat requires huge amounts of water, grain, land, antibiotics, and horomones. I love meat and am not willing to go completely vegetarian at this point, but eating vegetarian once a week is super-easy! I already eat vegetarian for breakfast everyday (cereal, toast, oatmeal, fruit, etc...), but there are many easy things to make that are vegetarian - fetticine alfredo, grilled cheese and tomato soup, pizza (cheese or vegetables), soups (potato, corn chowder, etc...), peanut butter jelly, cheese enchaladas, loaded baked potatoes, etc... My favorite vegetarian meal is Pasta fragol (I have a vegetarian recipe that I love!). I also like making pasta and putting a can of italian-spiced diced tomatos and parm. cheese (very easy if you are capable of boiling water and opening a can).
These are a few things that I am doing, and I am having a lot of fun with it! I am not perfect though - I really like taking a hot shower/bath before I go to bed and use a lot of extra water doing that. Mykl and I love our electronics - computers, Wii's, cell phones, D.S., all use electricity. When I'm good, I entertain myself by reading instead of being on the computer or watching t.v. all the time. Also, we don't use energy-star appliances or front-loader washers (money and being in an apartment stop us there). I use a ton of paper in the classroom (but try to copy on both sides) - and even though we recycle paper at school, we don't buy recycled paper. Also, I have tried using organic personal hygeine products, but with mixed results - shampoo gave me scalp issues, and deodorant gave me a rash - but the soap works just fine. Just have to find what works for you.
The point is - you'll never be completely "green" unless you're living in a jungle, but find a few things that you are willing to try and stick with them. Only do what you think is important and what you think will be easy enough for you to put up with. Every little bit helps!
I've tried some things that are kind of weird and/or haven't worked, but it makes me feel like a better person just by trying to do the small things. I am definately not at the point where I am buying organic clothing - or having a sustainable home where I make my own clothes from the yarn I spin from my herd of sheep (difficult to have in an apartment, and I am frankly too lazy). But, I'm trying to make small changes that are easy even for the busy/lazy/cheap person. I have gotten a lot of inspiration and information from treehugger.com's "How to go green guides."
1. Recycle! This is a pretty obvious one, but I didn't used to do it. We live in an apartment, so we don't have curbside pickup, but Mykl's parent's do and let us bring our sorted recylables to their house (frugal for us!). This takes a bit of effort, but I think it's fun, and I don't have to take my trash out nearly as often (which I love!).
2. Another way to cut on stuff being sent to landfills is to compost. We don't have a yard, so we do "vermicomposting" (worms eat our garbage). This sounds gross, but is embarassingly easy and makes me feel better about not finishing leftovers. I can compost anything that doesn't contain meat, and have to be careful about dairy products, but love doing it!
3. Reduce - Another way to protect the environment (and save a lot of money!) is to reduce the amount that you consume. I'm not talking about food here. I'm talking about "stuff." Most American's are obsessed with having "stuff" (George Carlin has a good speal about "stuff" in his "Brain droppings book if you're interested), and most of the "stuff" that we want, we don't actually need. For example, I really want a new cd player for my car that I can hook my MP3 player to. But, I have a perfectly good CD player in my car. Plus, I don't actually drive that often, and usually listen to NPR anyways. So, even though I had Christmas money burning in my pocket, I decided to NOT buy the cool CD player with the USB port. It would have meant throwing something useful/toxic away, AND buying a new product (think about all of the energy, shipping, ingredients, etc... that went into putting this product on the shelf). I am also trying to cut down on every day consumption - I have stopped wearing makeup (mostly because I am lazy), and am trying to cut down on hair products (which are bad for your indoor air quality anyways). I am generally trying to use and need less. This has been hard, but good for me.
4. Green your cleaning. Cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals that are terrible for your indoor air quality and can breed "super-germs." First, I tried going to Mama Jean's (health food store that I love) and buying "green" dishwasher detergent and all-purpose cleaner. These were kind of expensive, and the detergent left white gritty stuff. I am now using a vinegar-water solution with lemon essential oil (to make it smell better) on everything - it's really, really cheap, and works as good/better than my old all-purpose cleaner. Once it's dry, you can't smell the vinegar. No harsh chemicals, so it's good for your indoor air quality. I use it in the kitchen, and in the bathroom. I am getting ready to try homemade dishwasher and laundry detergent (really really cheap) and hope that it works well (got the recipe for both at treehugger.com).
5. Bring your left-overs for lunch. Buying take-out food, or frozen/canned stuff for your lunch is not only expensive, but also results in more energy-use and packaging. For lunch, I bring left-overs from home in tupperware (sp?). It's healthier for you too! I am lazy and like to sleep in, so I pack my leftovers as I'm cleaning up after dinner, and then it's ready for me in the morning.
6. Cut down on electricity - There are many ways to do this! Turning off the lights when you leave a room is the easiest (and use the compact flourescent bulbs) We turn the thermostat down low during the winter (it's at 66 right now) and just wear sweaters and socks around the house, and use more blankets. This would seem like it could make you sick more often, but on the contrary! Going from a warm-to-cold temperatures is a lot worse for you than going from not so warm - to - cold temperatures. In the summer, we keep the thermastat up high (around 76) and turn it up to 80 when we leave the apartment. We wear shorts and t-shirts and use low-energy fans at night in our bedroom to keep us cool (no use cooling the entire house when we're just going to be in one room). We also have started hanging some of our laundry to dry - I still refuse to hang my towels to dry. This is supposed to cut down on energy (dryers are electricity guzzlers), and extend the life of your clothes (your clothes wear down quickly in the dryer - this is where dryer lint comes from). We don't have a drying rack (again, trying to reduce what I buy), so I hang everything (except sweaters) on hangers in my laundry room. I also haven't used an iron since I moved out and feel perfectly presentable (I am lazy!)
7. Try to eat vegetarian at least once a week. Meat is the most resource-intensive on the table. Producing meat requires huge amounts of water, grain, land, antibiotics, and horomones. I love meat and am not willing to go completely vegetarian at this point, but eating vegetarian once a week is super-easy! I already eat vegetarian for breakfast everyday (cereal, toast, oatmeal, fruit, etc...), but there are many easy things to make that are vegetarian - fetticine alfredo, grilled cheese and tomato soup, pizza (cheese or vegetables), soups (potato, corn chowder, etc...), peanut butter jelly, cheese enchaladas, loaded baked potatoes, etc... My favorite vegetarian meal is Pasta fragol (I have a vegetarian recipe that I love!). I also like making pasta and putting a can of italian-spiced diced tomatos and parm. cheese (very easy if you are capable of boiling water and opening a can).
These are a few things that I am doing, and I am having a lot of fun with it! I am not perfect though - I really like taking a hot shower/bath before I go to bed and use a lot of extra water doing that. Mykl and I love our electronics - computers, Wii's, cell phones, D.S., all use electricity. When I'm good, I entertain myself by reading instead of being on the computer or watching t.v. all the time. Also, we don't use energy-star appliances or front-loader washers (money and being in an apartment stop us there). I use a ton of paper in the classroom (but try to copy on both sides) - and even though we recycle paper at school, we don't buy recycled paper. Also, I have tried using organic personal hygeine products, but with mixed results - shampoo gave me scalp issues, and deodorant gave me a rash - but the soap works just fine. Just have to find what works for you.
The point is - you'll never be completely "green" unless you're living in a jungle, but find a few things that you are willing to try and stick with them. Only do what you think is important and what you think will be easy enough for you to put up with. Every little bit helps!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
1 Bajillion Gazillion Dollars
I don't know about you, but I've had trouble understanding what this latest $800+ billion government bailout is going to be used for exactly... This breaks it down really nicely, and also points out some things that will directly benefit average consumers such as ourselves. Good stuff to know!
How the stimulus affects you
And, whether you're for the bailout or not, it's always interesting to see what people are saying:
MSU professor: Latest bailout is overreaction
Now, all you Springfieldians, are you ready for the Feb. 3 election? It's an important one!
How the stimulus affects you
And, whether you're for the bailout or not, it's always interesting to see what people are saying:
MSU professor: Latest bailout is overreaction
Now, all you Springfieldians, are you ready for the Feb. 3 election? It's an important one!
Blue Bird
I'm working on a book order this morning and just had to share this cover.This is what I call a bird! I wonder how he keeps from falling forward all the time?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dasiy's B-Day
Happy 7th Birthday Daisy. Wow, has it been seven years already. It seems like just seven years ago today she was born. Just think She'll share her birthday with Presidential Inaugurations every four years. I guess there is no point in doing other historic dates then. Just every Inauguration since they moved it from March.
I guess since I did the Victor of Gettysburg's birthday I might as well do the Loser of Gettysburg. His was the 19th of January in 1807. Happy late Birthday Robert E. Lee. I don't really think of Lee as a great man. After all he did fight to keep people in bondage, and some argue that his tactics actually helped the south lose the war.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Your Mission
We're down to about five months before Grand Chahee's wedding, and I have a mission for those of you who are coming up here. As you may our may not be aware 2009 is the 50th anniversary of Paul Herbert. I was hoping you could find, our ask Mrs. Paul Herbert if she had any old photo's of Mr. B and the boat. If she does can you bring them up here to Columbus. I wanna do a 50th anniversary photo with Dad, Myself, and the photo of Paul. It would be cool if I could get Mrs. Paul Herbert up here, but that's asking too much. Then I would like to take a photo of everyone who has ridden Paul Herbert. The wedding is probably the last time so many of us will be together. The main ones are the Jacobs, Willadsen's, Bentz's, Ransom's, and Shepard's. If you want to be in the photo you have to have a dress shirt (collard if your a boy), some sort of dress paints (khaki paints are okay), and basically look nice. Sorry for the dress code, but I can't stand posed photo's, there so unnatural, so if I have to do one we might as well do it up nice, it is an anniversary after all. Just let me know if you can find one, if you want me to I could write her a letter, just give me her address.
It took me a while to find this, but its the old catolog for the 1959 line of Crestliners. This is the one for the Voyager 15.
According to the catolog Pauly, the 1959 Voyager 15, with the 1957 35 horse Johnson and trailer, cost fully stocked with the canvas cover was $890. Boats that size now are over $10,000.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Death to the Tinman
Watch Death to the Tinman in Entertainment Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Not to interrupt the language conversation, but here is short film re-telling of the Tinman's backstory (possibly of the more interesting Oz backstories). It seems to take a couple pages from Wes Anderson, including corny dialogue.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"This 'green' thing needs to be nipped in the bud"
Lake Superior State University has come up with their 2009 Banished word list.
2009 Banished Word List
"Green" was at the top. What's your favorite?
2009 Banished Word List
"Green" was at the top. What's your favorite?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Yet Another Year Has Gone
Happy 30th Birthday to Janice. No Abbey's where harmed during the shooting of this photo.
Other Notable Birthdays and Historic Events for January 11th1757 Alexander Hamilton West Indies, was born, 1st US Secretary of Treasury ($10 face)
1797 Francis Lightfoot Lee US farmer (signer Declaration of Independence), dies at 62
1787 Titania & Oberon, moons of Uranus, discovered by William Herschel
1963 Beatles release "Please Please Me" & "Ask Me Why"
1964 US Surgeon General Luther Terry reports that smoking may be hazardous
1970 Super Bowl IV Kansas City Chiefs beat Minnesota Vikings, 23-7 in New Orleans; Super Bowl MVP Len Dawson, Kansas City, Quarterback
1980 Debut of the Pretenders
Friday, January 9, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bak to Wark
Contrary to many people's master plans (I won't reveal any names, but Riley I'm going to mail your cobra back), I made it back in one piece. The good news is, this is my last semester of classes, and after a summer of thesising, I expect to finally prove my Mastership with a degree. The bad news is I'm tired and out of money. For those interesting, the graduation commencement ceremony (when I wear robes and smile all pretty) is on May 3rd. It's fine to not attend, I'm way out here. I'm going to fly to MO soon afterwards to celebrate as well.
Joey, I'd be glad to go to Gettysburg after Charlie's wedding, or even help out Uncle Mike, but I'm afraid writing a thesis over the summer may only allow me a few days time off. Though, it may interest you to know, if you decide to come to my commencement, my work on the thesis would magically accelerate and I'd be able to get an extra week off. School is weird, isn't it?
Joey, I'd be glad to go to Gettysburg after Charlie's wedding, or even help out Uncle Mike, but I'm afraid writing a thesis over the summer may only allow me a few days time off. Though, it may interest you to know, if you decide to come to my commencement, my work on the thesis would magically accelerate and I'd be able to get an extra week off. School is weird, isn't it?
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