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August 24, 2007
Weather "Typo"
I think someone at the National Weather Service is asleep at the wheel when it comes to this weekend's forecast. Can you spot it?
Given the high and low I don't think snow is possible! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 5:03 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Rare dead star found near Earth
Astronomers have spotted a space oddity in Earth's neighbourhood - a dead star with some unusual characteristics.The object, known as a neutron star, was studied using space telescopes and ground-based observatories.
But this one, located in the constellation Ursa Minor, seems to lack some key characteristics found in other neutron stars.
Details of the study, by a team of US and Canadian researchers, will appear in the Astrophysical Journal.
If confirmed, it would be only the eighth known "isolated neutron star" - meaning a neutron star that does not have an associated supernova remnant, binary companion, or radio pulsations.
The object has been nicknamed Calvera, after the villain in the 1960s western film The Magnificent Seven.
"Near earth" always amuses me when you're talking about such vast distances, but I guess in the grand scheme of the universe this is right next door. A fascinating find!
Found via the BBC.
Posted by Dianne at 11:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Eddie Murphy Makes Mulan!
Eddie Murphy really makes the movie Mulan!
Oooh! All right, that's it! Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Make a note of this. Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!
That line gets me every time! His personal life may be crap, but he's really funny in this movie! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 11:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What A Message To Send!
So Nicole Richie spends 82 minutes in jail and she's done. The sentence is served.
And Lohan gets 24 hours in jail, of which I doubt she'll serve much more than Richie if any time at all, escapes felony charges and now her mother is making excuses about how it's an attack on her daughter as if Lindsay didn't take the wheel of an automobile while chemically altered.
Look people let's break this down. Drunk driving or driving while under the influence of drugs or both is serious business and these sentences they hand down do NOT stress the severity of the crime. These young "starlets" are getting behind the wheel snockered out of their gourds and could have easily killed someone! It's serious business!
And Lohan's mother, and Paris' mother before her, are not doing their daughter any favors. It's time to stop making excuses for your child and start owning up to the fact that your child has a serious problem, a problem in which you aren't helping by making excuses for her and making her think it's ok. Breaking the law is breaking the law. It's not ok to make excuses and then do whatever you want. It's time to teach responsibility, not excuse making, but then again she's likely too busy partying herself. True, Lohan is an adult now, but you still look to your parents for guidance.
It's overall a very sad commentary on our society.
Posted by Dianne at 10:54 AM | Comments (1)
August 21, 2007
Endeavour lands safely in Florida
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida (CNN) -- The space shuttle Endeavour came home a day early on Tuesday after NASA decided to cut short its mission in case Hurricane Dean shut down Johnson Space Center, which directs the shuttle's re-entry and landing.The shuttle touched down at Kennedy Space Center at 12:32 p.m. ET, 13 days after its departure on a mission to help assemble parts of the international space station.
"Welcome back. You give new meaning to the term 'higher education,' " mission control told the seven-member crew, which includes former teacher Barbara Morgan.
I've been keeping an eye on this mission because I've always liked Barbara Morgan. She finally got her chance to go into space. I just hate that her trip was cut short, but at least it was a good one. Welcome home!
Found via CNN.
Posted by Dianne at 3:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Rain, Rain, Lovely Rain!
We've finally been blessed with some rain the past two days and with it came down right fall like weather! It's currently 64 degrees outside. Sadly this is not expected to last and the temperatures are headed back up starting tomorrow. By Saturday we're supposed to be back up to the high 90's with a heat index of 100+ again. Oh well. I'll just have to enjoy this lovely weather while I can! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 3:05 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
August 13, 2007
Merv Griffin dies at 82
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Merv Griffin, the entertainer turned impresario who parlayed his "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" game shows into a multimillion-dollar empire, has died. He was 82.Griffin died of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his family that was released by Marcia Newberger, spokeswoman for The Griffin Group/Merv Griffin Entertainment.
As a child Merv Griffin was my "imaginary" friend. I kid you not! I even made Mom set a place for him at the dinner table, though she insisted that since he was imaginary he could eat imaginary food! ;o)
My mom watched Merv's show and I adored him, so I brought him out of the television and into my world. When I read that he wasn't doing well a few days ago it made me sad. When I saw this headline yesterday that he had passed away, the sadness grew.
Rest in peace Sir. You were a big part of my childhood and I will always remember.
Found via CNN.
Posted by Dianne at 10:57 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 6, 2007
A Little Celtic Music For A Cloudy Monday
If you're an old movie buff you might recognize this one from the movie The Quiet Man:
I had never heard this one before today, but I LOVE it!:
Posted by Dianne at 1:52 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 3, 2007
Now That's Funny!
Matt Damon does a Matthew McConaughey impression that is spot on! That is just hilarious! Just watch...You know you want to! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 8:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 2, 2007
What Is Your Patronus?
Via Count it all Joy.
Posted by Dianne at 4:27 PM | Comments (1)
Twin Cities Red Cross Responding to Hwy. 35W Bridge Collapse
The Twin Cities Red Cross has set up a site to help let people know that their friends and families are ok. With the high call volume that is going on in the area getting a call to go through is difficult so they've set up a page where you can search for or let others know your status and if you're ok. If you have friends or family in that area check it out:
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the 35W bridge collapse tragedy.The Twin Cities Red Cross is responding to this disaster by providing mass care, mental health counseling and more to those affected.
Register as SAFE and WELL
To register yourself as SAFE and WELL or to search for information on a loved one - please visit www.safeandwell.org. Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered.
Twin Cities Red Cross Responding to Hwy. 35W Bridge Collapse
Posted by Dianne at 2:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Heart Breaking
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- As many as 50 vehicles are trapped in the rubble of an interstate bridge collapse, and officials said Thursday it could take five days or longer to search the wreckage.Minneapolis police Chief Tim Dolan said Thursday bodies were trapped in the rubble.
"We know of several people who were pinned or trapped" that have died, Dolan said.
"There's an individual case where an individual was severely injured and was talking to a medical personnel and was able to say his goodbyes to his family [before] he passed on," Dolan told a news conference.
Oh my god! That just breaks my heart!
The article goes on to say that anywhere from 30-50 cars still remaining in the water and there are bodies trapped. I have a very bad feeling that this death toll is going to rise much higher than the four where it officially stands now.
More prayers and thoughts go out to the people involved.
Found via CNN.
Posted by Dianne at 1:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I Like This Song!
Posted by Dianne at 11:04 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Holy Cornflakes!
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- Searchers in Minneapolis combed the Mississippi River Thursday looking for victims of an interstate bridge collapse. Four people were confirmed dead.Officials said at least 62 people were injured in the Wednesday evening rush-hour disaster. Twenty people to 30 people were missing, Minneapolis police Chief Tim Dolan said Thursday, and 30 to 50 cars remain in the river, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Thursday morning said the confirmed death toll was four, lower than the seven to nine deaths reported earlier. Officials said Thursday they expected the death toll to rise.
Security camera video showed the Interstate 35W bridge's center section collapsing into the river in less than four seconds. The northern end of the span appeared to drop first and the southern end followed.
CNN obtained the video from a source who asked to remain unidentified because they were not authorized to distribute it publicly.
Gary Babineau was driving his truck across the bridge as it fell.
"I could see the whole bridge as it was going down and as I was falling, and it just gave a rumble real quick, and it all just gave way, and it just fell completely all the way to the ground," Babineau said.
Search operations on the river were halted around nightfall for safety reasons.
A bridge collapsing with people on it! It's actually one of my worst nightmares! The video is horrible!! Can you imagine driving along and the road disappearing beneath you? The whole thing is just a terrifying event! How horrific!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people who were on the bridge and those that lost loved ones.
Found via CNN.
Posted by Dianne at 9:08 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack