January 23, 2007
Gizoogle
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I *heart* Gizoogle.
I frequently see how my blog entries are translated, and here is the best sentence from the previous one about Mr. Bethesda:
We rap quite frankly `bout our pimpin` life: why Mr. Pilot doesn't call me (answa: he's a bum) n why Mr Bethesda can't seem ta put tha moves on his "family friend" (answa fo yo bitch ass: he needs ta walk her ta tha front door afta they bustin').
What's not to love?
Posted by madchen at 05:26 PM | Comments (1)January 02, 2007
Fun with Pseudo Personality Tests
What Is Your Personality Defect?
Smartass
You are 100% Rational, 85% Extroverted, 71% Brutal, and 71% Arrogant.
You are the Smartass! You are rational, extroverted, brutal, and arrogant. In fact, you could very well be the anti-Christ, as you are almost the exact opposite of everything Jesus was supposed to be. While Jesus says love your enemy, you say love beating the crap out of your enemy. While Jesus raises the dead, you raise hell. While Jesus walks on water, you tend to sink. You probably consider people who are emotional and gentle to be big pussies who are obviously in lesser stature than you. You have many flaws, despite your seeming intelligence and cool-headedness. For instance, you aren't very nice. In fact, you're probably an asshole. And you are conceited and self-centered. Not only that, but you are very loud and vocal about all this, seeing as how you are extroverted. There is no better way to describe you than as a "smartass", I'm afraid. Perhaps just "ass" would do, too. But that's a little less literary and descriptive. At any rate, your main personality defect is the fact that you are self-centered, mean, uncaring, and brutally logical.
To put it less negatively:
1. You are more RATIONAL than intuitive.
2. You are more EXTROVERTED than introverted.
3. You are more BRUTAL than gentle.
4. You are more ARROGANT than humble.
Compatibility:
Your exact opposite is the Emo Kid. Other personalities you would probably get along with are the Capitalist Pig, the Braggart, and the Sociopath.
Posted by madchen at 09:53 PM | Comments (2)January 01, 2007
Write Again Soon in 2006
This past year has been a fun one for Write Again Soon:
There were 72,158 visits to Write Again Soon. The "average" visitor visited the site 2.53 times over the year. The vast majority of visitors came from the United States, with the European Union and Australia coming in 2nd and 3rd. I had more visits from Kuwait (329) than I did from Norway (279), and even got one visit from Bhutan.
Mr. Bad Apologies was by far my best referring blog (1,158), with Ms. NYC Rouge coming in second (378)--which is strange because I have much more salacious tales coming from Rouge. Of all Write Again Soon's visitors this year, 2,077 people (7.3%) added this blog to their "favorites".
Top search terms for 2006 included:
-- Stari decisis (or some variation)
-- Amos Lee ethnicity (or some variation)
-- skinny dipping
-- 50 things to do before I die (or some variation)
-- I hate my thesis
Let's hope that in 2007, people end up visiting Write Again Soon for things like:
-- How I Made My First Million
-- Single No More
-- Successful Big Ideas
-- Mind-Blowing Sex Techniques
I'll get to work on those immediately. And to all the readers who visited Write Again Soon in 2006, Happy New Year!
Posted by madchen at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)December 08, 2006
Things About Nature I Didn't Need to Know
I am working on the Big Idea from home this afternoon. Since I'm doing some rather routine research, I have the television on in the background. It's a National Geographic show called Whales: The Dark Side and purports to be:
As decisively as wolves stalk the land, killer whales roam the seas. Highly intelligent animals with strong family ties, ingenious hunting methods, and sophisticated communication skills, killer whales are one of the oceans' top predators. Whales: The Dark Side visits the ocean realm of the magnificent killer whale--among the most feared, and until recently, one of the least understood marine mammals.
It really should be called Whale Porn: The Dark Side. I was innocently typing away when I looked up to see an entire pod of young male killer whales--all highly aroused--rolling all over each other in some unexplainable social play. I almost screamed aloud when a particularly aroused killer whale rolled over and showed the camera his, ahem, bulging manhood. It was APPALLING. Poor girl killer whales was all I could think.
It also made me rethink a King of the Hill episode where Hank is molested by an amorous dolphin. While the show was amusing, if dolphin erections are anything like a killer whales', then I can't understand why poor Hank isn't emotionally (and physically) scarred in subseuent episodes (and subsequent seasons, for that matter).
Posted by madchen at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)July 09, 2006
Hah-larious
Check out this site to see Write Again Soon gizoolged. Make sure you scroll down to see my whiny "Hater" entry become something different altogether. "Ho-slappin' tha exotic produce"--priceless.
This site alone might be enough to make me see the silver lining in the cloudy storm, yo.
Posted by madchen at 01:28 AM | Comments (0)April 26, 2006
It's Driving Me Crazy
Is there a word other than "one" that begins with the letter "o" where the pronunciation is "whuh"?
Is there? It's been keeping me up at night.
Posted by madchen at 04:28 PM | Comments (3)April 03, 2006
The Holy Grail of TQM
Via Spoonfighter:
God’s Total Quality Management Questionnaire
God would like to thank you for your belief and patronage. In order to better serve your needs, He asks that you take a few moments to answer the following questions. Please keep in mind that your responses will be kept completely confidential, and that you need not disclose your name or address unless you prefer a direct response to comments or suggestions.
1. How did you find out about God?
Newspaper
Bible
Torah
Book of Mormon
Koran
Other Book
Television
Divine Inspiration
Word of mouth
Dead Sea scrolls
My mama done tol’ me
Near Death Experience
National Public Radio
Tabloid
Burning Shrubbery
Who?
Other (specify):
2. Which model God did you acquire?
Yahweh
Jehovah
Allah
Just plain God
Krishna
Father, Son & Holy Ghost (Trinity Pak)
Zeus and entourage (Olympus Pak)
Odin and entourage (Valhalla Pak)
Gaia/Mother Earth/Mother Nature
None of the above; I was taken in by a false god
3. Did your God come to you undamaged, with all parts in good working order and with no obvious breakage or missing attributes?
Yes/No
If no, please describe the problems you initially encountered here. (Please check all that apply.)
Not eternal
Not omniscient
Not omnipotent
Finite in space/Does not occupy or inhabit the entire universe
Permits sex outside of marriage
Prohibits sex outside of marriage
Makes mistakes (Geraldo Rivera, Jesse Helms)
When beseeched, doesn’t stay beseeched
Requires burnt offerings
Requires virgin sacrifices
Plays dice with the universe
4. What factors were relevant in your decision to acquire a God? (Please check all that apply.)
Indoctrinated by parents
Needed a reason to live
Indoctrinated by society
Needed target for rage
Imaginary friend grew up
Hate to think for self
Wanted to meet girls/boys
Fear of death
To piss off parents
Needed a day away from work
Enjoy organ music
Needed focus on whom to despise
Needed to feel morally superior
Graduated from the tooth fairy
My shrubbery caught fire and told me to do it
5. Are you currently using any other source of inspiration in addition to God? (Please check all that apply.)
Self-help books
Tarot, Astrology
Star Trek re-runs
Fortune cookies
Ann Landers
Psychic Friends Network
Dianetics
Cold fusion
Playboy and/or Playgirl
Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll
Biorhythms
Area 57 (Art Bell)
EST
Television
Mantras
Jimmy Swaggart
Crystals (not including Crystal Gayle)
Human Sacrifice
Wandering around in desert
Burning shrubbery
Other:
6. Have you ever worshiped a false God before? Is so, which false God were you fooled by? (Please check all that apply.)
Odin
Cthulhu
Lottery
Baal
Beelzebub
The Almighty Dollar
The Conservative Right
Mick Jagger
Bill Gates
Art Bell
The Great Pumpkin
Ronald Reagan
A burning cabbage
Mushrooms
Other:
7. God employs a limited degree of Divine Intervention to preserve the balanced level of felt presence and blind faith. Would you prefer (circle one only)
a. More Divine Intervention
b. Less Divine Intervention
c. Current level of Divine Intervention is just right
d. Don’t know - what’s Divine Intervention?
8. God also attempts to maintain a balanced level of disasters and miracles. Please rate on a scale of 1 to 5 God’s handling of the following: (1 unsatisfactory, 5 excellent)
Disasters:
1 2 3 4 5 Flood
1 2 3 4 5 Famine
1 2 3 4 5 Earthquake
1 2 3 4 5 War
1 2 3 4 5 Pestilence
1 2 3 4 5 Plague
1 2 3 4 5 AOL
1 2 3 4 5 Republican Congress
1 2 3 4 5 Dubya
1 2 3 4 5 My present relationship
1 2 3 4 5 My last relationship
Miracles:
1 2 3 4 5 Rescues
1 2 3 4 5 Spontaneous remissions
1 2 3 4 5 Crying statues
1 2 3 4 5 Water changing to wine
1 2 3 4 5 Walking on water
1 2 3 4 5 Stars hovering over towns
1 2 3 4 5 VCRs that set their own clocks
1 2 3 4 5 Clear and competent statements by the President
1 2 3 4 5 My present relationship
1 2 3 4 5 My last relationship
9. Please rate the following on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 unsatisfactory, 5 excellent):
1 2 3 4 5 God’s Courtesy
1 2 3 4 5 Answers to your prayers
1 2 3 4 5 Are your spiritual needs being met?
1 2 3 4 5 How are your shrubs doing?
10. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions for improving the quality of God’s services? (Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary.)
April 02, 2006
Well, duh.
I just took the Beyond Red vs. B lue Political Typology Test from the Pew Center.
The Political Typology is a longstanding effort to sort voters into homogeneous groups based on their values, political beliefs and party affiliation. The current report is based on a two-part survey of 2,000 Americans interviewed in December 2004, most of whom were recontacted to follow up on current political issues in March 2005. The new analysis divides the American public into nine distinct groups, each with their own unique outlook on politics and the issues of the day. This is the fourth Political Typology study, following previous studies in 1987, 1994 and 1999.
Contrary to the widespread impression of a nation only divided into two unified “red” and “blue” camps, our latest survey finds important cleavages on values and basic attitudes within each party. As a result, both parties face internal challenges as well as opportunities to expand their constituencies. While Republicans have made strong and election-determining inroads among independents, divisions over social and domestic issues may make it difficult for them to consolidate and build upon that advantage. Democrats, however, must deal with a more diverse constituency that is sharply divided on social and cultural values.
By answering two dozen questions, it purports to tell you which of the following nine categories you fall into:
Enterprisers
Social Conservatives
Pro-Government Conservatives
Upbeats
Disaffecteds
Conservative Democrats
Disadvantaged Democrats
Liberals
Bystanders
Not surprisingly, I was deemed a Liberal. Here is my profile:
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Liberal typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.
Liberals represent 17 percent of the American public, and 19 percent of registered voters.
Basic Description
This group has nearly doubled in proportion since 1999, Liberals now comprise the largest share of Democrats and is the single largest of the nine Typology groups. They are the most opposed to an assertive foreign policy, the most secular, and take the most liberal views on social issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and censorship. They differ from other Democratic groups in that they are strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration, issues which are more controversial among Conservative and Disadvantaged Democrats.
Defining Values
Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.
Who They Are
Most (62%) identify themselves as liberal. Predominantly white (83%), most highly educated group (49% have a college degree or more), and youngest group after Bystanders. Least religious group in typology: 43% report they seldom or never attend religious services; nearly a quarter (22%) are seculars. More than one-third never married (36%). Largest group residing in urban areas (42%) and in the western half the country (34%). Wealthiest Democratic group (41% earn at least $75,000).
Lifestyle Notes
Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). Least likely to report having a gun at home (23%) or attending bible study or prayer group meetings (13%).
2004 Election
Bush 2%, Kerry 81%
Party ID
59% Democrat; 40% Independent/No Preference, 1% Republican (92% Dem/Lean Dem)
Media Use
Liberals are second only to Enterprisers in following news about government and public affairs most of the time (60%). Liberals’ use of the internet to get news is the highest among all groups (37%).
Now dear reader, go take the test and tell me what kind of typology you have!
Posted by madchen at 09:03 PM | Comments (5)March 22, 2006
Organic Milk By Any Other Name...
I try to buy organic food whenever possible. For one thing, I prefer to put as few chemicals in my body as possible (or at least try to offset the diet soda I consume), and less toxic runoff into watersheds can only be a good thing--no one likes a three-eyed fish (unless it's on the Simpsons).
So I was interested in this report by the Cornucopia Institute's Organic Integrity Project (via Grist):
on the "organic-ness" of 68 dairy name brands and private labels. While cow-conscious consumers might assume that the word "organic" on the label means that their milk mustache comes from a happy cow grazing in non-pesticide-laden pastures, that's not always the case; guidelines for organic certification can be variously interpreted, and the USDA is lax on enforcing regulations. The report finds that while the majority of name-brand organic producers do hold to high legal and ethical standards, 20 percent garnered a "one-cow" substandard rating (out of a possible five).
I found the report truly illuminating. As a suburbanite, I don't have much connection with my food sources, and I have long been curious about the environmental impacts of industrial agriculture. I thought this report gave excellent insight into the trade-offs made by big agricultural companies--particularly in relation to family farms. So if you have the time, you might want to skim over it--I promise you will want to buy local whenever possible.
But just in case you don't want to read the entire 38-page report, I'll just give you the quick and dirty facts.
The best organic dairy labels in the DC area (note that some are milk, yogurt, or cheese only):
Butterworks Farm
Seven Stars
Butternut Farms
Organic Choice
Organic Valley (CROPP)
Cedar Grove Cheese
Amish Country Farms
Nancy's (Springfield Creamery)
Natural by Nature
Humboldt Creamery
Stonyfield (yogurt)
Wallaby Yogurt
Scenic Central Milk Prod. Co-op
Natural Choice
The Cornucopia Institute has also made a nifty tool on its website where you can search by locale or by brand, so if your favorite organic milk label isn't listed above, check it out for more information.
Note that the top companies -- Aurora Organic Dairy and Dean Foods (together controlling ~65% of the organic dairy market), which owns Horizon Organic, Organic Cow of Vermont and Alta Dena -- did not respond to the survey that Cornucopia sent out, for which they received a score of no cows. Personally, I will be avoiding them whenever possible for their lack of stakeholder responsiveness--even if that means giving up my beloved Silk brand soy milk. (Who knew they were owned by evil corporation Dean Foods? This is definitely "greenwashing" taking place.) Also declining to respond: private-label brands (like Safeway and Giant, and even including Whole Foods and Trader Joes), who are notorious for their lack of transparency in sourcing. Avoid them too, if you get the chance.
More on the groups behind the report:
The Cornucopia Institute is dedicated to the fight for economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Through research, advocacy and economic development our goal is to empower farmers both politically and through marketplace initiatives.
The Organic Integrity Project will act as a corporate and governmental watchdog assuring that no compromises to the credibility of organic farming methods and the food it produces are made in the pursuit of profit.We will actively resist regulatory rollbacks and the weakening of organic standards to protect and maintain consumer confidence in the organic food label.Posted by madchen at 10:36 PM | Comments (4)
March 16, 2006
Because I Need Something To Distract Before the NCAA Tournament Starts
Oh. My. Goodness.
My new favorite podcast is Ask A Ninja.
Because if ninjas can be accused of anything, it's loving too much.
Posted by madchen at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)March 14, 2006
Search Terms
Here are some of the search terms by which people have gotten to Write Again Soon this month:
-- wooly sheepdog
-- vomiting and expired hot chocolate
-- hippopotaumus discovery
-- hotwiring a crown vic
-- 1980s hairstyles
-- overly gregarious people
-- samuel alito fun facts
-- nick lachey rummaging through dumpsters for food
And my favorite:
-- how to be less emotionally sensitive
Yes, dear reader, you can learn that here.
Posted by madchen at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)January 12, 2006
What *is* Stari Decisis?
Well, it's happened. Write Again Soon has become the definitive place to learn about stari decisis. Or rather, the place people mistakenly go to learn about this mysterious legal term. It started as a comment by Mr. Bad Apologies, then was revisted in my 2005 review of the website. At that time, I noted that "stari decisis" was one of the top search terms people used to get to my site--and how ironic that was, since I don't really have any specific knowlede of the subject. And yet, I am somehow the #5 option on Google when you search for stari decisis.
I have a feeling that if Mr. Samuel Alito wasn't in confirmation hearings right now, my website stats would be a lot lower. Instead, upon checking them this morning, I found that TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE people clicked on my website in search of information on stari decisis. Poor fools.
I've decided to remedy this immediately. Here is all you need to know about stari decisis. Not being a brilliant legal scholar, I will mostly direct you to other, more reputable sites.
Note: Apparently some of the confusion is coming from the fact that most legal sources refer to it as STARE DECISIS, although stari decisis is also recognized.
First off, I must recommend Wikipedia - a must link website for all things strange and wonderful. Wikipedia notes that stari decisis (or stare decisis) means "to stand by things decided" and in legal terms means that courts must recognize prior court decisions as precedents, according to case law.
Although most civil courts do not recognize stari decisis (because it would inhibit the ability of judges to interpret law and the legislatures to make law), a similar notion of jurisprudence constante exists, which argues that even though judges are independent, they should rule in a predictable and non-chaotic manner.
Again, from Wikipedia:
The principle of The principle of stare decisis can be divided into two components:The first is the rule that a decision made by a higher court is binding precedent which a lower court cannot overturn.The second is the principle that a court should not overturn its own precedents unless there is a strong reason to do so and should be guided by principles from lateral and lower courts. The second principle is an advisory one which courts can and do occasionally ignore.Still need more? Here are some other texts on the issue, although I have to say that culling them from Google was a boring labor of love...
How Stare Decisis Subverts the Law - This essay, penned by Jon Rowland of the Constitution Society (who?) is full of venn diagrams and was too boring for me to read, personally. But skimming it seemed to reveal Rowland's analysis of two types of stari decisis, the binding and the persuasive kind. Rowland appears to argue for a persuasive interpretation of stari decisis, concluding that:
Stare decisis is the way judges seek the safety of the herd. We need to demand they exhibit more courage, and return to fundamental principles, resorting to stare decisis only when the positions lie on the fuzzy boundary of the region of legitimacy.Stare Decisis and Techniques of Legal Reasoning and Legal Argument, by Paul Perell of Weir & Foulds - although originally published in 1967, this article provides a lot of information on the issue in terms that even *I* could understand. Read it (or skim it, whatever you prefer).
Alito Wrote Abortion Isn't a Protected Right, by Ari Shapiro and Robert Siegel - This story helps explain why stari decisis is such a big deal right now. (It's abortion, stupid.) You can't even begin to understand the possibilities of Alito helping to overturn Roe v. Wade without a basic understanding of stari decisis. Or so I'm told.
UPDATE!! The new count (as of 10:36 p.m. is now THREE HUNDRED AND FOURTY SIX people who clicked on my website searching for info on stari decisis...and that doesn't even count today's numbers, which will show up tomorrow.) Whew!
Posted by madchen at 12:22 PM | Comments (83)
January 04, 2006
The Edges of the Bell Curve
Moving forward with the Big Idea makes me feel brilliant, confident, and entrepreneurial. And then, without pause, it makes me feel like an incompetant idiot. Take for example, last night when I handed out my new Big Idea business cards to my book club friends--ahh, a nice moment. Then contrast that with my experiece today at the bank, trying to set up a business checking account.
I initally dropped by to ask what paperwork I would need to open an account (since I'm still in the process of registering with the state of Maryland, I though I'd make sure I had all my ducks in a row), but then got sucked into starting the paperwork right then and there. The idea was to record all my available information, and create a list of things that I still needed to obtain. All fine and good, until the "supervisor" came over after 20 minutes and said very sweetly, "where is your XXXX form?"
I had no idea what she was talking about, and she noted with her oh-so-saccharine voice that "we can't do anything without the XXXX form". I felt like an idiot for not having the form, even though my sole purpose in coming to the bank was to get a list of forms I would need. Somehow, my initiative was turned on its head and I left with my cheeks flushed with shame. Only later did that flush turn to indignation, and then resolve to take my business elsewhere.
So how do I reclaim that bubbly, giddy feeling at being a new business owner? Well, I like to surround myself (even if only virtually) with other brilliant, confident, entrepreneurial people. So I looked to the Edge Foundation.
Every year, the Edge Foundation asks an enormous array of smart people (scientists, philosophers, mathematicians, intellectuals of every stripe) a single question and publishes the results. This year's question: WHAT IS YOUR DANGEROUS IDEA?
The history of science is replete with discoveries that were considered socially, morally, or emotionally dangerous in their time; the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions are the most obvious. What is your dangerous idea? An idea you think about (not necessarily one you originated) that is dangerous not because it is assumed to be false, but because it might be true?My favorite so far:
LEO CHALUPA - Ophthalmologist and Neurobiologist, University of California, Davis - My dangerous idea is that what's needed to attain optimal brain performance — with or without prior brain exercise — is a 24-hour period of absolute solitude. By absolute solitude I mean no verbal interactions of any kind (written or spoken, live or recorded) with another human being. I would venture that a significantly higher proportion of people reading these words have tried skydiving than experienced one day of absolute solitude.What to do to fill the waking hours? That's a question that each person would need to answer for him/herself. Unless you've spent time in a monastery or in solitary confinement it's unlikely that you've had to deal with this issue. The only activity not proscribed is thinking. Imagine if everyone in this country had the opportunity to do nothing but engage in uninterrupted thought for one full day a year!A national day of absolute solitude would do more to improve the brains of all Americans than any other one-day program. (I leave it to the lawmakers to figure out a plan for implementing this proposal.)The danger stems from the fact that a 24 period for uninterrupted thinking could cause irrevocable upheavals in much of what our society currently holds sacred.But whether that would improve our present state of affairs cannot be guaranteed.As the BBC Radio 4 put it: "Fantastically stimulating...It's like the crack cocaine of the thinking world.... Once you start, you can't stop thinking about that question."
But lest you get carried away with brilliance and need a little down-to-earth news, did you know that mooning is legal in Maryland?
Acquitting a Germantown man who exposed his buttocks during an argument with a neighbor, a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge ruled yesterday that mooning, while distasteful, is not illegal in Maryland.[The judge] made clear his disdain for the defendant, calling the alleged act "disgusting" and "demeaning." The outcome could have been different, he suggested, if the man had been on trial for "being a jerk."I wish I'd known this when dealing with the snooty bank lady this afternoon.
Posted by madchen at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
Places to Spend Your Money
Now that I'm officially the President of the Big Idea, I have to face a hard truth: there is no guaranteed income. At this very moment I have $6,000 in my checking account and no expectations for additional deposits. The year of frugal living starts here.
On the other hand, I've been meaning to post information about some of the supercool socially and environmentally friendly products that I saw at the Green Festival back in September and today is the day. Why now, you might ask? Well, as part of my recent spate of productivity, I have cleaned out my physical inbox and, lo and behold, I found a pile of business cards and flyers from the Green Festival. In order to properly dispose of them, I will now transfer all that knowledge to Write Again Soon. Enjoy!
You would never know from the delicious, melt in your mouth, scrumptious sticky buns that this bakery offers a full line of vegan sweets...so irresistable, you can't keep your paws off 'em! Located at the very convenient 1904 18th St., it makes me sad that I don't work downtown. Sticky Fingers Bakery offers walk-in treats, and also does catering.
I must have walked by the Gecko Traders stall at the Green Festival a dozen times. Their handbags, wallets, and accessories kept catching my eye, and I just HAD to have something from them. And when I found out their story, I was even more enthusiastic:
Gecko Traders, Inc., a small Arlington, Virginia business, works with Cambodian women to produce their hand-dyed and hand-woven silk handbags and accessories.What began as a small group of Cambodian seamstresses hired by Gecko in 1999 has grown to over 150 women—many of them polio-afflicted or land-mine victims, and nearly all are their families’ sole breadwinners.Plus, they are located in Arlington, which means a visit to Gecko Traders doesn't have to happen only at next year's Green Festival. While they don't do direct retailing, they have several trunk shows a year--I'll definitely be at the next one! (I mean, after I have an income again.)
I purchased a little notebook from the Nepalese Paper stall, and was amazed to talk to the sellers and learn about the completely sustainable method of paper production this organization uses.
Nepali handmade paper is made from the inner bark of a wild shrub locally known as "Lokta," which is found at altitudes of 7,000 to 9,000 feet. The "Lokta Bush" has characteristics of re-growing again and again after pruning. The long fibrous handmade paper is prized for its attractive texture, its durability, strength and its resistance to insects.NepalesePaper.com was established in 1995 with the main objective of supporting the developing Nepalese traditional craft industry, thereby improving a family's standard of living in the rural and urban areas. All of thehand made paper items are entirely tree free and Fair Trade.
Sustainable Energy in Motion Tour
This bike tour sounds AMAZING...although I'm a little hesitant to commit. (again, I'm broke--plus I'm not exactly an avid biker.) But just reading about it, don't you want to sign up?
Oregon Coast Sustainability
Oregon's world-renowned Coastal Scenic Bike Route follows legendary Route 101's twists and turns along the rustic bluffs of the Oregon Coast. Along the way, we will visit organic farms, a land trust, a visionary community school, and more. (one week tour)Permaculture & Sustainability Tour Ride through the lush Willamette River Valley, home to innumerable wineries, fruit orchards, and beautiful scenery. Many, however, are not aware of the presence of the many progressive organizations with truly international repute, with whom we will be working and learning. (two week tour)Columbia River Gorge Tour The Columbia Gorge is home to hundreds of waterfalls, including the second largest year-round waterfall in the US. This tour will ride through the Gorge along the beautiful scenic route, all the way to eastern Oregon to visit with the very unique Umatilla Indian Reservation. (two week tour)Posted by madchen at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2005
I'm Rich!
My blog is worth $3,387.24.
How much is your blog worth?
Other fun sites:
Kevin's site is worth $18,065.28.
Posted by madchen at 11:04 PM | Comments (4)
Poor Ms. Wish to See's website is worth $0.00.
October 03, 2005
FYI on FBI Files
Did you know? From FBI File:
If you are an adult citizen of the United States, or if, after 1996, you have ever applied for credit, you have an FBI File. At that time the FBI spent millions with ChoicePoint Inc. to buy information on virtually all adults living in the United States with any credit or public record history. ChoicePoint, formerly a part of credit-reporting company Equifax, is a database compiler selling personal information for a profit. Using your Social Security number as the key identifier, ChoicePoint compiles dossiers on citizens from credit reports, and from public records such as court files, property tax documents, business incorporation filings, and professional license applications. ChoicePoint aggregates this up-to-date information and sells it to the FBI. Following below is a list of the other most common areas of collection:* All those ever arrested and booked into custody - a police record
* Suspected organized crime members
* Government employees
* Immigrants who have become U. S. citizens
* All those with Green Cards
* Foreign nationals in the United States
* Every person involved in counter-intelligence
* Members of recognized 'hate groups'
* Politicians
* Professionals fingerprinted for their profession, example: stock brokers; realtors
* Close associates of the above listed categories of people.FBI files contain a wide variety of information. A standard FBI file includes former and current employers, personal references, social acquaintances, and neighbors, as well as reviews of school, credit, arrest, medical and military records. They include memos between FBI agents and offices, which are often only short, casual notes of one or two pages, and longer reports and summaries of the status of an investigation, often prepared at the request of the head of a particular FBI office. In addition to or as a part of these documents, other kinds of information may appear. These include such documents as letters from private citizens to the FBI, newspaper clippings, financial statements, job related inquiries, and correspondence between the FBI and other government agencies such as the State Department.
How Long Does It Take for My FBI File to be Turned Over to Me?You are dealing with the Government. You are asking for something that the FBI has been forced to give up by the congress..... Get the picture? Once an appropriate request is received, the FBI will assign your request a case number within six weeks. At the present rate for return of requested FBI files, you will receive a reply in about four years and eight months if there is an FBI file on you. You will be notified in less than eighteen months if there are no records on file at the FBI office to which you have made your request. You must patient. Start now, or you may never get the records. Having said that, the time to get your FBI file will be getting much shorter due to recent improvements in the system, public and congressional pressure and automation of the process.
Use this form to request your FBI file!
I propose that we all request our files and see who gets them first. A special prize to the person with the biggest (in page tally) file.
Posted by madchen at 02:33 PM | Comments (1)
August 30, 2005
Flying Spaghetti Monster
Ahh, this is one of my favorite stories to come out of the debate currently being heard by the Kansas State Board of Education. The topic is whether Intelligent Design should be taught alongside evolution in the schools.
Check out the Bobby Henderson's website for letters from three Kansas education board members, along with other fun stuff.
Posted by madchen at 03:00 PM | Comments (2)
July 07, 2005
Fun Facts about Pornography at Work
From the San Diego Business Journal, May 16, 2005:
More men check out non-work related sites than women, 62 percent for men vs. 54 percent of women, and--surprise--more men view pornography sites than women. The percentages may be the surprise: 23 percent of men admitting they viewed porn, while 12 percent of women did as well.The only time I've viewed porn at work is when I accidentally mistyped an internet address that opened a pop-corn porn site--new windows opened faster than I could close them. Ironically, one of my co-workers happened to walk by and was goggle-eyed at the sight.
Posted by madchen at 03:13 PM | Comments (1)
