Hooray for Peter Gabriel!

Peter Gabriel is getting this year's Frankfurt Music prize. Yay! Info in English (it's a Google translation so take it for what it's worth) and German. He grapples with weird and big questions in his music. And he stands up for human rights. I love that.

About WITNESS, a group he helped found:

WITNESS uses the power of video to open the eyes of the world to human rights abuses. By partnering with local organizations around the globe, WITNESS empowers human rights defenders to use video to shine a light on those most affected by human rights violations, and to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools of justice. Over the past decade, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 60 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public -- catalyzing grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change.

More ways to love words

The visual thesaurus is the most fabulous thing! It's just what it says -- a visual way to look at similar words and connections between words. I put in "harridan" and the diagram at left is what came back. If you're visual, or just like pictures, it's a huge help when you're looking for just the right word.

Verbal sandwich poetry

Man of La Mancha's new form of poetry -- the verbal sandwich -- is inspiring me this morning. That and the latest contestant in the "Is is SPAM?" game.

The Douglas fa-mi-ly write me
e-mail
I do not not know these people
but
friends far away could be fun yes
money
comes while she is sick and dying
the
poor dear in the Ivory Coast
trust
yes, here is my other e-mail
and
primary bank account number.

Cake-in-a-box

This cake has been in this box since yesterday. The box is sitting in the hallway of my office building. Yesterday there was a half cake. Today, as you can see, there is a quarter cake, along with a rubber band. I wonder if people walk by and reach in the box and scoop up a handful of cake. Maybe we should set out some forks and plates.

Surfing for compliments

Some days you just need to be flattered. You need a good gush. If you don't feel like asking for compliments check out the Automatic Flatterer. How did they know all those fabulous things about me? [Blush]

Odd

Christopher regularly checks a site called Freecyle. It's a place where you can recycle things rather than throw them out. He passes along some of the weirdest for me to enjoy -- like the crate of assorted jello. Here's another.

Subject: [freecycleTC] Wanted: Unused cat litter
I am in a jamb until the 6th of next month..If you live near or around Merriam Park in Saint Paul and can spair some cat litter..please let me know

Cabinets are driving me crazy

I hate my kitchen cabinets. They are dark and outdated. I thought I would paint. But wait, that's a ton of work and it sounds like a job I'd hate. Plus, the time! do I really want to spend the hours and hours that it will take? No.

So, I start looking into refacing since the cabinets are structurally fine. So far I've had bids for which my reaction ranged from "Are you drunk?" to "That's a bit of money but not completely unreasonable." I just want them done and looking nice and bright. And, I don't want to spend a ton of money or my own free time. Is that too much to ask? Sometimes homeownership is a drag.

For history buffs

This story from The Onion made me snort with laughter.

Franz Ferdinand Frontman Shot By Gavrilo Princip Bassist
March 17, 2006 | Issue 42 12
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Lead singer and guitarist for pop band Franz Ferdinand, Alexander Kapranos, is in critical condition today after being shot by a man identified as the bassist for rock group Gavrilo Princip. "We ask fans to cooperate with Interpol to find the assailant, and call upon British Sea Power, Snow Patrol, and The Postal Service for help," drummer Paul Thompson told music magazine NME Monday.

Egglings

These are just the cutest things! You can grow herbs out of these Egglings. I found them via Daily Candy, a fun trend site. Most of the time it features odd things you would never buy. But once in awhile they hit pay dirt. And I was just thinking that I want to grow basil this summer. Wouldn't a flock of basil eggs be sweet?

I love Mutts

Today's comic:

Billy Bragg

The first I heard of Billy Bragg was "Between the Wars," on BBC1 in 1985. I hated it. It was so whiney and drove me crazy. Since then he's grown on me. Now I wish I had paid better attention when I saw him at Milton Keynes with U2 and R.E.M.

He was recently on Radio 360 in a great interview. He's such a super lefty. Totaling railing against war and uncontrolled capitalism. You hear "Like Soldiers Do" during the interview. He talks about how the music landscape has changed. As an example he mentioned that the leader of Britain's conservative party revealved in an interview that his favorite album was "The Queen is Dead" by the Smiths. I bet Morrissey had to be resuscitated after he heard that!

Foreign film buffs!

I heard an ad for this film today: Das Leben der Anderen. (The life of the other.) It looks very suspenseful. I do hope it comes here. Here's my attempt at an explanation. Not so good at the translation thing.

It takes place in 1984, five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's a time when the merciless Stasi (East German secret police) controls life and surveils anyone they find remotely suspicious. It's dangerous for everyone -- anyone with anything to hide (or not), the people watching others and the people turning others in for real or perceived misdeeds.

Aaaaah, bubbles

While you can't roll over them with your office chair or wring them out like a towel, this online bubble-wrap-popping game is quite delightful. (The "addictive" version is the most fun.)

Monkey mind

I spent most of today looking at and working with data in Microsoft Excel. By the end of the day I felt like I'd taken a sharp blow to the skull.

A couple of hours into the data whirl I remembered an interview with Steve Martin on "Fresh Air." In it he talks about the creative mind and the monkey mind. "The monkey mind is really consciousness. It should do the editing. It's the one that's not original, the one that's imitative... and that's just a term for doing the slave work of writing."

Good use of that camera phone

If you live near Lewisham that is.

Initiated in February 2005, Love Lewisham involves residents in keeping the southeast borough of London clean. After installing special software on their cameraphone, observant townspeople can snap a picture of 'offending graffiti' or overflowing litter bins, enter location details, and send it to the local council.

More info here on the Springwise site. Springwise spots new business trends around the world and reports on them. There's a blog as well as a weekly e-letter. Trendspotters rejoice!

Words, beautiful words

Sometimes I think I should have been a linguist. Today I was listening to the German news and heard that ETA, the Basque separatist group, will declare a cease fire. (More on the story here.) The German word for cease fire is Waffenruhe. Waffen means weapons and Ruhe means quiet. OK, it means the virtually the same thing as cease fire but I find it so much more expressive.

Cozy pup

Sophie usually likes to imitate the Princess and the Pea -- perching herself on top of all the pillows. Lately she's been enjoying making herself into a sandwich filling.

Is it SPAM?

I'd like to start a new game, "Is it SPAM?" I received this intriguing offer today. I'm pretty sure it's SPAM.

v> Hello friend !
You have just received a postcard from someone who cares about you!

This is a part of the message:
"Hy there! It has been a long time since I haven't heared about you!
I've just found out about this service from Claire, a friend of mine who also told me that..."
If you'd like to see the rest of the message click here to receive your animated postcard!

I disabled the "click here." The only Claire I know is six years old.

Small-town signage

My friend Sheri went to Sauk Centre, Minn., this weekend and captured this priceless signage line-up.

Wisdom from the Simpsons

On last night's Simpsons, the family went to the church fundraiser -- a carnival of sorts. Over the the entrance there was a big banner with the following:

Church fundraiser
This does not count as church

Fooling self re: spring

There is a massive snow pile in my front yard. It's higher than a car and is sprinkled with dirt. March can be such an ugly time of year.

Here are a few spring/summer diversions from my trip to Switzerland last summer. I'm going to look at these rather than out the window. This spring I'm going to go flower mad around the house.

Blog happy dance

I was thrilled last week when I got my first blog comment in German. I get great comments from my friends but this was one by someone in another country, in another language! The person referred me to a goofy Dutch site that has a wide array of dog accessories -- clothes, beds, etc. I was so happy to see that this neurosis is a worldwide phenomenon.

I checked out the commenter's blog, and this post made me snort -- Rueckgeld of the Beast (change of the Beast). Check out the Rueckgeld (change) line on the receipt. Snort! The lines under the photo say:

Und die ersten Worte der Kundin hinter mir an der Kasse waren: "Einmal hier den Halloween-Kürbis, bitte!" *muhahahahahah*

I believe this says: And the first words of the customers behind me in line were, 'Once here Halloween pumpkin, please.' muhahahaha I'm not sure what the pumpkin statement means either.

It's now 5:30 p.m., Sunday. I have successfully blown off all of my responsibilities today. Woo hoo!

Mutts and Gustav Klimt

I love the Mutts comic. The main characters are a dog and a cat, Earl and Mooch. It's very cute and funny. Not Family Circus funny. It's actually clever. Mooch is obsessed with a little pink sock. He dances it around, sings to it, naps with it. (The cartoon at right is so Sophie. When we come inside I can barely get her leash off before she's up the stairs and into the sunbeam.)

In the book, Sunday Afternoons, there are several classic art pieces redone done Mutts style. I love their take on my favorite painting, Der Kuss, by Gustav Klimt. In it, Woofie, a golden-retriever-type dog is embracing Mooch the cat. Woofie is trying to hold Mooch tight and Mooch is trying to back away. I saw the real Der Kuss in Vienna at the Oesterreichische Galerie in Vienna. Unlike the picture in the link above, the actual painting is big, something like four or five square. The colors are vibrant and the gold in the picture is gold leaf. It practically shimmers. When I first saw it, it took my breath away.

Some things are funnier on Fridays

FFH, a German radio station I listen to online, has a competition going with a hidden microphone (Das versteckte Mikrofon). If you figure out where it is you win a trip for two to see Robbie Williams in Paris. (I wonder if you can go to Paris and skip the concert?)

It's a hokey contest but this graphic on the home page makes me snort with laughter. Maybe it's Friday. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm easily amused.

Job follies

I have a frenetic job. It's rather varied and I like that. Helps me from getting bored. And believe me, no one wants to see me bored. Crabby, crabby! Here's what I've done so far this morning:

• Reviewed and edited a couple of news releases.
• Chatted with a colleague about the process for setting up her program's Web site as well as a market survey to test the idea.
  
• Reviewed a database we're using for a news release.
• Created an event budget (pretty funny considering my math skills -- thank God for Excel and formulas).
  
• Looked at the dog of the day. It's painful. Why do people dress up their pets?
• And lastly, spilled soda on my desk. (On Fridays I start drinking early. A friend once told me that I'm the only person she knows who is addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper).

Evangelicals, having fun at their expense

We all have fun with them. But how do you know if you're one of them? Take the "How evangelical are you," quiz. It's true snortage! (You think Wal-Mart is... The last time you were in a bar was...)

It's from a new book, A Field Guide to Evangelicals, which I haven't seen. I really do want to see it, primarily to review the master list of who's going to hell. The book is published by LarkNews. It's like The Onion with all religious news, like "Creepy greeter remembers everything"

SPARTANBURG — When the Wilson family attended Meribel Christian Church for a second time, they expected to fly under the radar. But greeter Alice Meisner shocked them when she welcomed them all by name.

"She said, 'Hi Bruce, Amanda, Nick, Samantha, Ryan and baby Jeremy. How was your trip to Worlds of Fun last week?'" Bruce recalls. "We were stunned. It was like being stalked."

OK, one more. "Hoping to speed Second Coming, some Christians invest in 'anti-christ' companies."

MANCHESTER, Mass. — Laney Thompson believes the Rapture of the church is imminent, and she is so eager to get to her heavenly abode that last week she bought 215 shares of a bio-metrics company, Lazer-I.

"The company is pure evil," she says gleefully while perusing her online trading account. Lazer-I makes equipment which scans fingerprints and eyes, which vendors have begun using in place of credit cards.

Stupid criminals

From The Smoking Gun:

We're not sure what he planned to do with them, but an admitted smuggler recently led Secret Service agents to 250 counterfeit $1 billion notes that had been stained to make it appear they were issued in 1934. The phony bills were seized last week by federal investigators who learned of the bad paper from Tekle Zigetta, who pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of failing to declare $37,000 in currency upon his return to Los Angeles in January from South Korea.

I would have liked to see the expression on the convenience-store clerk when Mr. Zigetta tried to use one of these to buy a soda and some snowballs.

Need a diversion?

Check out this Web site for a very funny advertisement that stresses the importance of bilingualism (bilinguality?).

Americans tired of the country

I knew the spirit was bad, but according to The Onion, most Americans are beyond "sick and tired." See story here.

New Poll Finds 86 Percent Of Americans Don't Want To Have A Country Anymore

WASHINGTON, DC—A Gallup/Harris Interactive poll released Monday indicates that nearly nine out of 10 Americans are "tired of having a country."

...Of those who were against maintaining an American nation, 77 percent said they believe that having a country is "counter to the best interests of Americans." Twelve percent said "the time and effort citizens spend on the country could be better spent elsewhere," and 8 percent said they just didn't care.

I love tea, or smell and memory the next chapter

This morning I'm enjoying a lovely cup of tea, made just dark tan with a little cream. It has a lovely aroma that sends me back to the British Isles. I love that in the UK you can go to any grocery and buy the generic tea bags and they're delicious -- better than our fancy tea here. (Don't get me started on Lipton's tea. Uggh.)

A while back I was at a conference in Cape Town. At the breaks we had the most delicious tea with milk. It made the whole gathering area smell lovely. I just now sniffed my tea cup and went back to a particular break in a beautiful, modern foyer flooded with sunlight. I think I'll stay in this happy place all day.

Oh Norm, don't go out on a limb

Norm Coleman really went out on a limb yesterday, calling for President Bush to replace his team. Coleman claims that the president doesn't listen to concerns. No way! From AP via the Pioneer Press:

"All of a sudden we're hearing the phrase 'tin ear,'" Coleman said in a telephone interview. "That's a phrase you shouldn't hear. The fact that you're hearing it says that the kind of political sensitivity, the ear-to-the-ground that you need in the White House, isn't there at the level that it needs to be."

All of a sudden? Since when is this Bush behavior new? It's got to be bad for Bush when his chief lapdog criticizes him.

Excuse me, what Jesus might you be speaking of?

Again I'm reminded that as a Christian, I'm lumped in with a lot of people who don't really demonstrate Christ's teachings (massive understatement). Here's a bumper sticker Christopher recently eyed: "Jesus Loves You. Allah Wants You Dead." Huh?

And from the vitriolic Pat Robertson, (via Yahoo):

NORFOLK, Va. - Television evangelist Pat Robertson said Monday on his live news-and-talk program "The 700 Club" that Islam is not a religion of peace, and that radical Muslims are "satanic."

Is he an Islamic scholar? Has he read the Koran? Why does anyone listen to this uninformed, malicious man?

Note to Mr. Robertson: Are you sure you want the Ten Commandments posted everywhere? The 9th one may prove problematic. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (i.e. don’t lie).

A meme about reading.

From this meme site: Booking Through Thursday

1. Do you finish every book you start, no matter how bad it gets?
No! I distinctly remember what caused me to cast aside my inner "must complete" demon. She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I didn't like, or find interesting, any of the characters. The story was depressing and there was no point. It wasn't as bad Madeline is Sleeping though. I wanted to run over that book with my car.

2. Do you ever sneak-read the ending before you finish the book?
Not usually, especially if it's a novel. I like to be surprised by the ending. It would be like knowing what my Christmas presents are.

Good luck hooligans

I love the word hooligan. I was listening to German radio this morning and they were talking about how they'’re getting ready for the World Cup this summer. Specifically, how the police, etc., are getting ready for the soccer hooligans that will be at the games. More on the story at the BBC.

When I was in England there was no end of trouble with soccer hooligans. The police even brought out a hoolie snoop van (I love saying that). It was basically a van/truck thing that would drive around the perimeter of the field and film the spectators. Oh, and there were people who got in trouble because of hoolie behavior and were banned from attending another soccer match. Ever!

Now I have an earworm -- The Smith's song, Sweet and Tender Hooligan.

Hunting for Jesus

I'm not usually at a loss for words. But I am right now. A co-worker just told me that there's a Christian deer hunters Web site. Really! Click here. I like the tagline at the top:  There will be hunters and hunted, winners and losers. Maybe they know a different Jesus. Like Jesus Nugent.

Schadenfreude is good

Sometimes it's fun to giggle at other's misfortunes (Schadenfreude). Especially when that person is Yanni. The latest Smoking Gun highlights his recent arrest on domestic battery charges. You can also see his mug shot and the incident report.

Who's acting like a Nazi now?

A Colorado teacher was suspended for comparing Bush's state-of-the-union rhetoric to HItler's. Nice to know that students are turning in teachers. Hmm... does that sound Third Reich-ish? From MSNBC:

In Colorado, a high school student decided to teach his teacher a lesson by recording a controvesial portion of the geography teacher's lecture and playing it on a radio station. The teacher says the part of the lecture that gave the lesson context was not played. Still, that teacher has been suspended.

"The victor will never be asked if he told the truth."
"What good fortune for governments that the people do not think."
--Adolf Hitler

An Onion a Day Keeps the Crabbies Away

Have the late-winter blahs? Co-workers driving you nuts? Just plain crabby? Check out the Onion's daily audio news clips here.

• Venom from politicians could provide medical benefits (if the link at the top of the page doesn't work, check out the one farther down the page)
  
• Hitman stumbles on a new way to kill
• Street-smart teen dies in library

Ode to Sophie

Sophie on my lap
Who could be hap, happier
No one more than me

Curled up with a book
And the snoring Soph-i-la
Life is very good

Snaps to EclectChick, who's been inspiring me with her cool haiku and poems.

Courage

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the movie Sophie Scholl here. Who is Sophie Scholl? From Wikipedia:

Sophia Magdalena Scholl (9 May 1921 – 22 February 1943) was a member of the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of treason and executed by guillotine. Her last words were: "Your heads will fall as well."

Sophie was arrested while distributing the White Rose leaflet at the University of Munich. Her brother was also arrested and executed.

I am so intrigued by Sophie and the White Rose. They were all so young and the Nazis were so strong. How did they have the courage to resist? At the time their actions and their deaths must have seemed to be without purpose -- a few more people executed by a fascist state. On this side of history, however, we still remember.

The movie site is very informative -- in addition to the usual (trailer, where to see it) there is also some great background information about the White Rose and Sophie Scholl. Click here to go to the site. Be sure to watch the intro. The first time I saw it the hair stood up on the back of my neck.

To see the actual White Rose leaflets, click here.

Hooray for the sweet, smart movie

I watched the movie "Dear Frankie" twice last week. It's one of my new favorites.

The story is about a single Mom and her son. The son wants more contact with his absentee father so his Mom makes up a story that his Dad is a sailor on a boat called Accra. Frankie writes to his Dad and his Mom, unbeknownst to him, answers the letters. This goes along fine until an actual Accra is due to come into the port where they live. The Mom has either tell Frankie the truth or find someone to pose as his Dad for a day.

This is a Scottish movie so you're not in for the usual ride. There are many surprises along the way. It's sweet and funny and touching. You can watch a trailer here. It's out on DVD but don't read much about the movie before you watch it. It's so much better with the surprises.

Early warning signs

I logged into my Yahoo e-mail this morning and found this ad. I snorted with laughter. I know it's an ad for a TV show but I chose to take it for a anti-psychotic pharmaceutical ad.

I [heart symbol] cookbooks

I'm not sure where to start with this book. Jeannie, one of the classiest people you'd ever meet, gave it to me. First off, the book is just plain gorgeous. It's split into seasons and contains beautiful photographs as well as narratives on fruits and veg. You just want to sit down and, pardon the pun, devour the book.

There are recipes for things I would never think to make -- saute of white asparagus, morels and ramps over polenta. (What on earth is a ramp? Turns out it's a wild leek. Mmm...) But the recipes are easy to follow, and contain manageable numbers of ingredients. It's all so civilized. Some recipes are amazingly un-heart healthy, like the potato-bacon gratin. (Olive oil and cream in addition to the bacon. Not that it wouldn't be tasty!) But others are, including a beautiful yellow tomato gazpacho. There are also some just plain funny things like guinness ice cream and lima bean salad (yech). I feel experiments in the kitchen coming on.

So ashamed...

Just saw this on Reuters. For the love of Pete people! All you have to do is pay a little attention!

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Most Americans have an easier time naming members of the cartoon Simpson family than listing the five freedoms granted by the nation's founders, a survey by a museum released on Wednesday said.

Here's a hint: one of them is not the right to own and raise pets, an error committed by one in five respondents.

I'm no constitutional scholar but I do know that the constitution doesn't give you the right to have a driver's license or own pets. Sheesh! Here are the real rights granted by the first amendment to the constitution:

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of the press (See that Bush! That isn'’t in the constitution however.)
• Right of peaceful assembly
• Right of petition
• Freedom of religion -- right to free exercise of religion and prohibition against establishing a state religion (Again, Mr. Bush, pay attention!)

For a refresher course, see Wikipedia.

Ash Wednesday

I was at church last night for Ash Wednesday (Ascher Mittwoch). As in years past, we got ashes on our foreheads. I've always heard this described as a death to self. I've never been into the 'Jesus suffered so I must too' way of thinking. (It's a bit like how some pushed seeing The Passion of the Christ. 'Why shouldn't you be able to sit through this horribly violent movie? Jesus died for you. It's the least you can do.' I don't get that.) But last night the 'death to self' finally started making sense.

My pastor, an awesome preacher, talked about the danger of Lent. It's a time of introspection but he warned against focusing only on ourselves. Rather, it's a time to reflect on what is at the center of our lives. If it is God, rather than our selves, it restores us to right relationships with ourselves and others. It sends us out to serve in the world God loves, not into our isolated Christian enclaves. This explanation of 'death to self'' makes sense to me. Death to self absorption and placing my self, my needs and my wants above others'.

This reminds reminds me of something from a world religions class. One of the tenets of Hinduism (I think, or Buddhism -- my apologies to Hindus and Buddhists if I get this wrong) is that the closer you get to the divine, the closer you get to other people. That is, the things that separate us from one another seem less important.

It's amazing what you can learn about your own faith by studying another. I know some people who are leery are about learning about other faiths -- as if other religions are spreadable diseases. Just because you don't all believe the same thing, doesn't mean that you can't work together to make the world a better place. For example, true Christianity and Islam are peaceful religions. Not like you'd know it these days. Fundamentalism is so often the loudest, as well as meanest, voice.

A surprise from Saddam Hussein

After weeks of misbehavior in court, Saddam Hussein surprised everyone today by taking responsibility. From the BBC today:

Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has told his trial in Baghdad that he alone should be made to answer for the actions of his regime.At the end of a second straight day of prosecution evidence, he said the court should not be trying anyone else - a reference to his seven co-defendants.

Earlier, he admitted razing the farms of those convicted of trying to kill him in the town of Dujail in 1982Â…

Having listened to the documents and testimonies - many of which implicated his fellow defendants in the killings of 148 Shia Muslims from Dujail - he told the court it should be trying him alone.

But he insisted that he had done nothing wrong, as those who were executed had been found guilty of trying to assassinate him.

He still doesn't fail to surprise. I wonder what brought about this turn of events? I was beginning to think that his trial would never finish up, what with all the grandstading. It's been interesting to watch. I feel for the judge. How do you keep control of the courtroom if the defendants don't acknowledge that you have any power of them?

More than you want to know?

I was googling a restaurant I learned about from a colleague, El Meson. I hear their paella is yum. And who couldn't go for good paella? In addition to the info on Citysearch, I happened on this rating of the restaurants' bathrooms on Restroom Ratings.

Finally, Schnappi! (Endlich Schnappi!)

Finally, FFH played my favorite song from last year's Fasching -- Schnappi. It's the cutest thing in the world. You can see the video here. On the right side of the screen, you'll see two boxes. One has "Sehen" at the top. Click on the picture. The song is about a little crocodile, Schnappi. He's sweet and a bit cheeky. Schnappi is a play on the word schnappen which means to snap.

Here's how it starts. My translation isn't the best but you get the idea.
I am Schnappi, the little crocodile. I come from Egypt, that lies on the Nile. At first I was in an egg, then I snap, snap, snapped myself free.

Ich bin Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil. Komm aus Ägypten, das liegt direkt am Nil. Zuerst lag ich in einem Ei, dann schni-, schna-, schnappte ich mich frei.

Blood on the ice (Schuetze die Seehunde vor!)

Canada is about to begin the seal hunt season next month. How could you club this face? It's cruel and wrong. This isn't just my animal-loving heart being naive in light of overpopulation. That's not why there's a hunt. Read on.

Last year, The Humane Society of the United States documented the carnage firsthand and what they saw was shocking: Most of these baby seals were cut open while they were conscious and still struggling...

By the end of the hunt, it's predicted that more than 300,000 seals will be clubbed or shot to death by Canadian fishermen seeking to pick up a few extra dollars by selling their fur.

Last year, 98.5 of the seals killed were two months old or younger. Sign the petition against the seal hunt and contact the Canadian PM, Stephen Harper, here.

Schuetze die Seehunde vor!

Was ist passiert?

What's happening -- with my hair? I do sound like a EclectChick redux, but I digress. In the morning I fix my hair -- spikey but not too crazy. I don't want to look like someone who hits, or a just plain crazy person. I leave the house and it's fine. By mid morning all of my hair has flattened down except one rooster-like spot in the middle of the top of my skull. It looks like some sort of hair art.

Was ist heute Abend auf der Fahrbahn?

There's a lot going on on the highway this evening. There are:

• Steinwerfer auf einer Bruecke (people throwing stones off a bridge -- are there Americans in town?)
• Personen zum Fuss (not just people, but people walking)
• Eine grosse Plane (a large tarp)
  

I am sure that as Fasching heats up there will be more interesting things auf der Fahrbahn.

Oh to be in Germany now that Fasching is here

Radio FFH has started the party music. Fasching is in full swing!

Oh to be in Germany for Fasching... I've only been once. I went as a Flapper and had a very cool black dress, sleeveless, with beads on it. The Fasching ball I was to was a big city costume party. Then there was the party to bury Fasching on Shrove Tuesday. As a rather studious, serious student it was quite a shock. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Torture's OK you say?

From the BBC today:

A Chinese man jailed over the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests has been released from jail but is severely mentally ill, his family has said.

Yu Dongyue was sentenced to 20 years in jail for throwing paint at a portrait of China's former leader Mao Zedong.

He was freed on Wednesday, after 17 years in prison, but family members said he did not recognise them and spoke unintelligibly.

Human rights groups have alleged Yu was tortured by guards in prison.

Do you think 17 years in a Chinese prison has anything to do with his mental illness? But wait, I'm sure it was in the interest of national security.

There is no excuse for destroying another human being. And that's what torture does. Back in the '80s I wrote letters to people like Augusto Pinochet, P.W. Botha and General Jaruzelski who, in the name of national security, imprisoned, tortured and killed their own citizens. Full of righteous indignation that the U.S., whatever else we did, at least didn't torture. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would, 20 years later, need to write such letters to a U.S. president. It is utterly shameful.

See this week's New Yorker, "The Memo: How an internal effort to ban the abuse and torture of detainees was thwarted."

That's sure to work...

Oh South Dakota, what are you doing? South Dakota is on its way to banning abortion except to save the life of the mother. (Read here.)

Do I think abortion is a great idea? Generally, no. Do I think it should be illegal? Absolutely not. Will making abortion illegal solve the underlying problem -- unwanted pregnancies? No. But, it's so much easier to ban abortions than to address the underlying problem. And you can stand up and look all moral and mighty! And, the other way is so much work.

This is so typical for fundamentalists -- of any stripe. Fundamentalists operate from the position that they are always right. Period. If you don't believe the same things, we'll you're just wrong. Or evil. If that doesn't make your blood boil, how about the way they want to dominate women -- reproductively and otherwise? The far right. Our very own Taliban.

Brain candy

I do not enjoy lying around with a cold. Staying awake for only a couple of hours at a time is highly annoying. One plus, however, to all that loafing is catching up with The New Yorker. Total brain candy! Here are some great reads from the last two editions:

• Malcolm Gladwell's excellent story on profiling and why it's a problem. One of the examples he uses is Pitbulls -- who don't, in fact, make up most of the dog bite incidents in the U.S. Read it here.
• A very spooky story about Bush's speechwriter, Michael Gerson. It's in the Feb. 13-20 edition; unfortunately not online. Contains info like this: "Gerson told me that Bush finds no policy prescriptions in Christianity, but he believes that God's desires helped to shape the ideas at the core of the second Inaugural." Huh? Definitely worth a trip to the library.
  
• The hilarious "Very Bad People," a take on the Bush phone taping. Online, yay!
• Malcolm Gladwell's excellent piece on solving tough homelessness cases, "Million-Dollar Murray."
  
• A wonderful assortment of cartoons including one showing a church with a large sign outside that says, "God's wrath level" and a little placard below that that says, "high."
  

More Savannah

More of beautiful Savannah and Tybee Island.

Home Sweet Home

I am at home and so is Sophie. Yay! I love to travel but coming home is quite nice. I'm glad to have a day to regroup since I now have a terrible cold. Sleep 10 hours, up for two... Thank you fellow passengers, full of disease.

When you schedule your next plane trip, avoid US Airways at all costs. Unless you are extremely short, enjoy kiddie-sized planes and like leaving and arriving late. There is no legroom -- and I'm short! Once my carry-on was under the seat in front of me, there was no way I could fish it out until we reached our destination. On Saturday afternoon we arrived in Charlotte, late, and there wasn't a ramp to go from the plane to the walkway so we had to wait while someone fetched one. On Saturday night, they put too much fuel in the plane so we had to wait while some was taken out. It took forever! I expected to see one guy, a little hose and a cup at the side of the plane. Really, it was like monkeys were running the show. But, with monkeys you'd at least have more fun watching the foibles.

More good stuff from Joel

A new post on the Rather Good Web site. To see the song and video, "My Cat's Got Knees," click here. That Joel, he's a nutter. I wish I lived in his neighborhood. The video takes a bit to load even on DSL but is well worth it. Worth it that is, if you delight in the silly and aren't completely joyless.

Visual blog representation

Christopher sent this graphic to me. It's wordpicture representation about Sophzilla, I think. I really like it.

I'm sitting in Charlotte. There's a piano player in the main store/eating area of the airport. It's kind of nice. Covers up all the prattling. (Sometimes I'm so mean.) He's very, very good! It does sound like he has a metronome going but I'm pretty sure that it's just his foot tapping. He's playing a lot of gospel tunes but in a jazzier, hipper way than I ever heard in church. (Scandinavian Lutherans do tend to suck the life out of things.)

Along the corridor there are a bunch of rocking chairs. So far I haven't snagged an open one. What a lovely way to wait!

Back to the artic

I’m sitting in Savannah waiting for my flight. I’m so tired. I want to put my head down but I’m afraid I’d sleep through the flight announcements.

It’s been a fun few days. Thursday afternoon CloEve and I went to the beach and walked barefoot. The ocean water was really cold but not nearly as cold as the air temperature in Minnesota. Our Webzilla presentation went really well. Our boss was really pleased as were the attendees. It's pretty fun to be leading the Web pack in our little industry. It was also a relief to have that done.

Just had a bit of a panic. I couldn’t find my iPod. No big deal on the short flight to Charlotte but I’d likely lose my mind without it on the way to Minneapolis. I surprisingly remembered that I put it in my jacket pocket when I was getting off a plane a few days ago. Sing to me Eros and Herbert!

I’ve been really spacey since I arrived here. I’m usually so organized, know what happens when and where, etc. It was getting close to the line from the movie “Office Space” – I’m not lazy; I just don’t care. Then my watch battery died. I usually have good navigation as well. But something about all the squares in Savannah had me so confused. “Where are we?” “Which way is the hotel?” “I have no idea.” The trip out to Tybee Island was nuts. It took about 1.5 hours because we kept getting lost. It’s supposed to be a straight shot, about 15-20 minutes. Well, we kept getting dumped off the highway. “How did we get onto a city street again? We didn’t turn.”

Left -- My very pasty, unpedicured foot in new Birkenstocks on the beach.

Below --
A shell with a living thing inside.

Lighthouse on Tybee Island.

Beautiful Savannah

While it doesn't hurt that the temperature is over 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Savannah is truly lovely. I love the architecture, the trees and the spooky Spanish moss. I don't think I could stand the humid summers, nor could Sophzilla (that little, smashy nose does not a happy dog make in heat and humidity). It's a great walking city. And as much as they confused my internal compass, the squares are lovely places to walk through or to sit and ponder in.

These photos are in and around Forsyth Park. I love the grill work and growing things on the house at left. I love the house on the right, dormer windows, topiary by the front door. It looks so cozy. I think the guy in the fountain looks kind of bossy with his hand on his hip.

In transit

I'm in Charlotte waiting for a really good page. I'm hoping that here, south of the Mason Dixon line, I will have the same luck as I did in Memphis where I heard these two pages:

• Would the person who left the bucket of blueberries on the flight from Nashville please return to the airline counter and pick them up?
• Would the person who left a frog hat at the United Airline ticket counter please come and pick it up.

I don't remember the exact details -- which airline, flight, etc., but I swear, I heard those pages.

This morning I saw a stuffed animal atop a bin of things to be scanned at security. It was so cute just laying there. At the gate I made faces at a toddler. He'd pop from behind his Mom's legs, smile and then hide again.

What's in your luggage?

"(AP) Airport baggage screeners found a human head with teeth, hair and skin in the luggage of a woman who said she intended to ward off evil spirits with it, authorities said Friday.

Myrlene Severe, 30, a Haitian-born permanent U.S. resident, was charged Friday with smuggling a human head into the U.S. without proper documentation."

There is proper documentation for bringing a human head into the U.S.? Full story here.

A new blogger

My friend Sheri started a blog: http://mindfulexpress.blogspot.com/ She's a great writer! You'll enjoy her musings about this and that. The only drawback is that she doesn't have a beautiful mascot a la Sophzilla.

My new favorite song

My new favorite song is Dove C'e Musica by Eros Ramazotti (from the album of the same name). I don’t know if it’s the beat, the string-like instruments in the background and or how seems to pour his heart into in the song. The beat does remind me of another favorite, Over My Shoulder by Mike & the Mechanics. I don’t know what he’s singing about. I know no Italian. I put the song title in a couple of free online translators and this is the best I got: Where There and Music. Helpful, no?

Funny. I loved this singer when I lived in Germany. Then I didn’t hear him again until I started listening to German radio on the Web about a year and a half ago. There he was again! I ordered up some CDs and have been re-hooked every since. (Life is so much easier in this Web era!) When I enjoyed his singing back in the ‘80s I had no idea how completely beautiful he is.

If you want to sample Dove C’e Musica, you can check it on Amazon. (Scroll down to the CD track listing.)

Shakespeare and Scrimshaw!

Two of my favorites -- the Scrimshaws and a Shakespeare comedy! The Twelfth Night is especially good. If you're in the Twin Cities on one of these dates, I think it would be worth the trip!

See Joshua Scrimshaw shtick it up as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in...

TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare, Directed by David Mann

1960's Cape Cod is the setting for this production of Shakespeare's dark, witty comedy of romantic confusion. The drunken Toby Belch torments Malvolio while cross-dressing Viola finds herself caught in a love triangle. Twelfth Night's tale of madness, love and mistaken identities makes for a charming evening, rich with Shakespeare's poetry and prose, and featuring some of his finest low comedy.

Weekends beginning Feb. 17 at the Theater in the Round - 245 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis. Info on dates, times and ticket prices here.

Pledge week

Uggh. It's pledge week on my local public radio station. I usually tune out the yapping asking people to join. (I'm already a member.) Unfortunately, they have the most annoying person in the universe as one of the yappers today -- Valerie. Her voice is annoying, she ranges from moderately to extremely bossy, and she's loud. I've seen her on public TV pledge week as well. What is it with this person? Is she some kind of fundraising professional? Does it actually work to have her on the shows? Maybe I'm the only one who yells "AAAaaaaack! Valerie" and lunges toward the radio when she comes on.

A fright & gratitude

Tonight I was coming home from work and about a block from my house there was a police car blocking the street. I asked, stupidly, if I could go through since I live down the street. He said no. He said there was a house fire on, and he named my street. My hand flew to my mouth and my heart stopped. Sophie! She's at home in the house! I asked which house and the house number wasn't mine. I was able to park my car there and walk the block or so to my house. I still didn't quite believe it wasn't my house until I was able to see it with my own eyes. The housefire, then out, was kiddie corner across the street. (I don't think anyone was at home.)

It's quite light and flashy in the nieghborhood tonight. There are three fire trucks, one ladder truck, several other fire vehicles and some police cars lining the street. Two fire department SUVs are in my driveway. Firefighters are up on the big ladder now with big lights inspecting the house. It loooks like they're taking measurements and pulling things off the house. I'm sure there are all sorts of things to do to a burn site to figure out what caused the fire, etc. The Red Cross people are out there too.

As I walked up to my house, past all of the fire trucks, I felt really proud. Both of my brothers are firefighters and EMTs. They do this kind of stuff all the time. I don't like to think about it. I refuse to watch any programs or movies that have any element of firefighting. I make myself forget about how scary and dangerous their jobs are. Thank God for them and the others like them.

Bono rocks!

Read or listen to Bono's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast last week:

USA Today

C-SPAN

I like how he holds our feet to the fire. “If this is who you say you are…” He’s so not preachy and nasty religiousy! Shine a light and get your hands dirty, man!

Spoke in the Wheel

The Bonhoeffer documentary is simply fabulous. Thought provoking, inspiring and heartbreaking. It's on tomorrow night on most PBS stations.

In Krista Tippett's interview with Martin Doblmeier, he does such a nice job of summing up a complex and accomplished person. The interview is fascinating, whether or not you know Bonhoeffer. To hear, click here.

I love how Bonhoeffer approaches Christianity. For him, Christianity is hollow unless it takes into consideration and fights for the oppressed. I've come to find his work even more compelling and provoking in this era when we're dominated by those obsessed with imposing their moral code on the world yet don't flinch when critical programs for the poor are slashed. This is complete cognitive dissonance, completely opposite to the biblical Christ which Bonhoeffer writes about so well.

If you watch the Bonhoeffer documentary, you will be unnerved by the similarities between how the Nazis use Christian rhetoric to justify their policies and how the current administration speaks of God, good and evil. It is simply chilling.

The film honors Bonhoeffer's witness but doesn't paint him as perfect. It also shows how his work continues to impact. For example, Bonhoeffer was a very important model for the churches in South Africa during apartheid.

"The church is the church only when it exists for others ... The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men [sic] of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others." (Letters and Papers from Prison, italics are mine)

"I discovered later, and I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith ... living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God..." (Letters and Papers from Prison)

"Peace is the great adventure. It has to be dared." (Bonhoeffer at Fano)

Cheng Heng -- yum!

I tried a new-to-me place on Friday, Cheng Heng. It's a Cambodian restaurant on University Ave. in St. Paul (near the capitol). It's a family run place with friendly waitstaff and a great menu -- the descriptions are good and there are photographs. This is very helpful if, like me, Cambodian is a new food genre. The food is a bit like Thai. The place was bustling at lunch time. I look forward to returning!

Bring your dog to work--yippee!

In a recent online survey, most people said they'd agree to work or or be paid less if they could bring their dog to work. When will this trend come to the Midwest? Please, oh please! Who wouldn't love this beautiful face in their place of work?

Finland, Finland, Finland...

I'm really liking this band, The Rasmus. Particularly their single, "Sail Away." The song name may sound like a nasty flashback to Christopher Cross but I assure you it's not!

I like their use of what sounds like strings as well as the lead singer's, Lauri Ylonen's, passionate voice. To hear/see the video go here, then click on media at the top of the page, then video towards the bottom of the page. The singer's hair is something to see! They're Finnish but sing in English.

Dog watch

I found this watch in Switzerland. It has little dogs on it so of course I wanted it. It was on the children's rack. I asked the salesperson, in German, if she would open the case so I could try it. She looked at me with a puzzled look and said, "Fuer Sie?" "For you?" I stumbled a little and said that mmm... ya... for my niece. Once I tried it on I knew I would get it and keep it. Selfish? Guilty as charged. Besides, I can order her one online.

Bonhoeffer on PBS -- standing up to evil

"A touching narrative on the nature of faith ... powerful and shocking." -- The New York Times

Bonhoeffer, a documentary by Martin Doblmeier will be on PBS on Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. (CST). If you are intrigued about how ordinary people stand up to evil powers, you will love this film. Whether or not your a Christian, you will be inspired by his witness and courage and mourn his short life.

On Feb. 4, have a big piece of German chocolate cake and toast Dietrich Bonhoeffer on his 100th birthday.

The filmmaker is also featured on Speaking of Faith on NPR.

To read more about Bonhoeffer, check out the Int'l Bonhoeffer Society's Web site.

What's in the Kuehlschrank (fridge)?

A work colleague told me about Virtual Anthropology, an interesting and fun site about trends. Now I can try to stay on top of what's going on in the world outside our cloister. (OK, it's not a cloister but it can be rather sheltered.)

Now on the front page -- what's in your fridge? I thought that was an interesting idea so here's my fridge. As you can see at right, I am the queen of condiments. Note, the Alpo in a can and Iams gravy squeezy jar are Sophzilla's. (When spell check spots Sophzilla, it suggests Sophocles.)

On another note, there is a Fahrradfahrer (bicyclist) on the Fahrbahn today.

Goering revisited

I've been thinking that the current administration's tactics often remind me of the Nazis--in the way that they try to keep people scared and then take liberties with our liberties. Just found this. You can purchase your own here.

Bob Geldof was right

Mondays seem to be the day when I come smack against reality at work -- chronically stretched too thin, exciting projects but scarce resources, keeping my head above water but just barely. That was today in spades. On one hand, there is no end to the exciting possibilities. On the other hand, you get sick of doing a half job on everything. Bob Geldof was right. I don't like Mondays either.

Onion radio news

Reading The Onion is funny. Hearing someone read it in a serious newsman voice is even sillier. You can listen to and download news bits on the Onion site. "Scientists Say Venom Taken From Politicians Could Provide Medical Benefits," is true snortage.

As I write this, Sophzilla is in her little dog bed, snoring away.

Hummus heaven

I'm a big fan of the hummus but this takes the cake. It is so incredibly delicious that you want to sit down with it and a spoon. There must be big vats of this in heaven.

Smell and memory, pt. 2

It smells absolutely lovely outside this morning! Sophie and I were out for a walk and the whole time I kept sniffing. The air is crisp and clean and smells like spring. It reminded me of the Dayton's flower show -- dirt, coolish air and a little touch of something blooming or about to. It also reminded me of Switzerland. Even though we were there in summer, the air always smelled crisp and clean in Kandersteg. Crisp, like it had just come off the snow-capped mountains, which it probably had. And little like dirt and and blooming things. But mostly just crisp. The smell always made me think, 'This is going to be another great day.'

Smell and memory pt. 1, see 12 Jan. 06

Cool sites

MNSpeak and Gather are quite the cool sites. Very salon like. All sorts of info on there from people who apparently spend a lot of time online musing about things. (I should talk.) Anyway, they are fun to explore if you're into the world of ideas and opinions.

Office Space

If you liked the movie Office Space, you're sure to like this game. The movie is a classic. My favorite scene is when they take the fax machine out to the field and destroy it. Especially when they have to pull Michael Bolton away from beating on it. You can buy a special edition of the DVD complete with flair. Movie trivia here.

My, what a lovely bruise you have!

Isn't this lovely? It's a bruise on my arm from where I smashed into the filing cabinet (after tripping over the space heater) on Monday. I'm just so graceful! I didn't notice it before but it kind of looks like South America.

Jesus' vocations

A friend at work has a Jesus action figure. She is bringing in and or designing various things for him to wear. We're all having quite a fun time enjoying his latest outfits. The latest are nurse and fireman. I like the idea of Jesus schlepping off to work like the rest of us.

I love Bono

I just love Bono. Great band but also a real Mensch, a great humanitarian. Trying to make the world a better place, but not naively. Smart and doing good. Great photos here. (Click on the little photo under the
photo of Bono/Chancellor Merkel -- coolest day of her life!) To right, the two coolest humanitarians -- Bono and Groenemeyer.

Today Bono won the German media prize for his humanitarian work. Yay!

Don't ever wake him up

I can't express how much I dislike the song "When September Ends," by Green Day. (But I do like the title of the album, "American Idiot.") Hearing it makes my back tense up and grab for the mouse or dial. Is it Billie Joe's whiny voice? Is it the repetitiveness? I do not know.

Bunny suicides -- deliciously sick

I just learned about this. Ya, I've been under a rock I guess. They are hysterically funny and oh so sick. Check out the bunny suicides. I'd prefer cat suicides but I can't picture cats doing any of these things.

Interesting way to start the day

I'm not sure why, but I enjoy chronicling my foibles. Here's how I started my Monday morning.

• Burned my finger on a pan while making eggs for breakfast.
• Arrived at work to find my area like a cooler. Kept parka on, turned on space heater and moved it closer to my desk.
• Tripped over space heater and, in an effort to avoid smashing the plant, smacked into the filing cabinet.
  

Good thing I carpooled today.