And now for the rest of the paper…
It’s another lazy Sunday morning. Some of us may have had a bit too much of the hard stuff last night; others stayed on the internet way past their bed time. In any event, you’re all caught up on the heavy news of the day. Now, from the sublime to the silly, this collection is gathered for your entertainment and mental escape. So, settle into that big comfy chair (no WMCB, not *the* comfy chair), kick off those fuzzy bunny slippers and enjoy the inside sections of our virtual newspaper.
As you can see above, we’re serving fresh fruits and sticky buns warm from the oven. Mmmmmm…can’t you just smell that caramel-pecan glaze oozing atop the pastries? Enjoy.
Napkin anyone?
Funny and addictive websites
*Ever wish your pet could talk to you? Check out this interactive site: Talking Pets where you can get your Dr. Doolittle on for free.
*If you’re a TV Trivia geek, you can play TV theme song trivia at this site: Television Tunes. I was shocked to learn how many I knew.
*For those who may be wondering what the love child of Michael Jackson and Marilyn Manson would have looked like, look no further than Morph Thing where you can morph two celebrities, reveal what their offspring would look like, or even upload your own photos to “morph.”
*I don’t usually like to reveal my “secret places” but since we’re all family here, I invite you to the official Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie website. Learn all about how to protect yourself from those aggressive mind controllers.
Arts & Leisure
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Female Artist Profile: Artist Honoré Sharrer (born 1920; died April 17, 2009)
Honoré Sharrer died from complications of dementia April 17, 2009. She was 88 years old. She leaves behind her life’s work – paintings that will forever be a part of American cultural history. One is safeguarded in our national repository at the Smithsonian Museum, and other works are a part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery owns one; the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts owns over 100.
Her recent death, in April of this year, has sparked renewed interest in her works, in a genre sometimes described as “magic realism.”
In an era in which many of her contemporaries had begun to explore Abstract Expressionism, Ms. Sharrer remained committed to figurative art as a powerful vehicle for social criticism. Known for their jewel-like colors and painstaking attention to detail, her paintings were purposely flat, hyperrealistic and strongly narrative in their depiction of everyday life. Her visual style seemed to embrace the old masters and the Ashcan school in equal measure; in later years, it also incorporated a dash of deliberate strangeness that some critics described as magic realism.
Two of her more famous works are Resurrection of the Waitress and Tribute to the American Working People
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*Basil Wolverton’s works are on exhibit at Barbara Gladstone Gallery in Chelsea Manhattan through August 14th. Wolverton was the cartoonist-illustrator that created the “uniquely grotesque” Mad Magazine artwork we all remember so well.
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R.I.P. Heinz Edelmann (1934 – July 21, 2009), art director for the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.
Edelmann was a poster artist who created the psychedelic, surrealistic look of the animated film revolving around Beatles songs. He made the original drawings for the Blue Meanies, Apple Bonkers and other characters, casting them in a flat, two-dimensional style that popped with vivid colors. Ron Campbell did the animation for the film, which was produced by Al Brodax and directed by George Dunning.
Travel
*This week’s unusual spot to visit is The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, located at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN.
Dubbed “The Quackery Hall of Fame” by the Copley Wire Service, the museum is the world’s largest display of what the human mind has devised to cure itself without the benefit of either scientific method or common sense. It comprises the major collections on loan from The American Medical Association, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, The St. Louis Science Center, The Bakken Library, The National Council Against Health Fraud .
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Ever consider taking a trip to the four corners of the United States (or at least the lower 48)? Here are a few unconventional stops along the way:
*We’ll start our journey in the far reaches of the northeast with Eartha, The World’s Largest Revolving and Rotating Globe, in in Yarmouth, Maine.
Eartha is a 3-dimensional scale model of our earth with mountains and landforms in full 3D, that rotates and revolves, simulating the earth’s real movements. Eartha was given the title of “World’s Largest Revolving/Rotating Globe” by the editors of the Guinness Book of World Records in 1999, and still holds that record today. It measures 41.5 ft in diameter. Unveiled July 23, 1998 Eartha took two years to build and represents earth as it is seen from space. It rotates and revolves on a specially designed and built mechanized, cantilever arm.
*Travelling south you’ll find Spook Hill, in Lake Wales FL where cars roll up hill – really!
*Heading west takes us to California where there are several Pyramid Mausoleums, including the Dorn Pyramid in San Luis Obispo. This pyramid was erected by the distraught husband of Cora Russell Dorn. Both Cora and their newborn son passed away within days of the birth.
*And what better way to end your journey to the four corners of the lower 48, than at Gum Wall, in Seattle, WA. This attraction has the dubious distinction of being listed on Trip Advisor’s “Most Unsanitary Attractions,” second only to the Blarney Stone.
The Gum Wall is located in Post Alley at the Pike Place Market. Right outside the Market Theater (map). It’s been around since the mid-1990’s when patrons who had lined up for tickets would stick their gum to the wall. That’s gross! But before you knew it, lots and lots of people were sticking their gum to the wall. Double, triple gross!
Things to Eat
*Short on time this summer and don’t want to hit the fast food joints to fill your tummy? Here are some quick, light, and easy meals to feed the famished: Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less
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*For the asparagus fans out there, Bobby Flay has a healthy Grilled Asparagus Panzanella Salad to please your palate. If you have these ingredients on hand, you’re ready to go:
- 1 1⁄2 pounds fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 6 (1-inch-thick) slices day-old country-style bread
- 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 16 cherry tomatoes, mix of red and yellow, quartered
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1⁄2 cup niçoise olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
Odds n Odder Ends
*File this one under “Ohfercrissakes!” — Just in case you haven’t had your fill of stories about “rogue” cops, this one was accused of pulling a gun while waiting for food at McDonalds
A Denver police officer has been charged with felony menacing for allegedly brandishing his gun at a McDonald’s restaurant after getting tired of waiting for his food. Derrick Curtis, 29, Saunders also face charges of prohibited use of a weapon, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
— REALLY??? Too bad he wasn’t there while this was happening:
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*Just some more proof that nature does screw up now and then: 10 Worst Evolutionary Designs
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*Speaking of questionable evolutionary designs: They found it; but what the heck can they do with it? Found! The longest bird penis ever
Dr McCracken and colleagues speculate that the giant penis may be an example of ‘runaway’ sexual selection, where female preference drives male anatomy to ever-greater extremes, as in the peacock’s tail.
Funny how it’s always OUR fault ladies, no?
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*“Yo quiero Taco Bell” – R.I.P. Gidget: Taco Bell ad star Gidget the Chihuahua dies at 15
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*Did someone beat the pants off this guy, or is he out to beat the pants off of Bloomberg? Naked Cowboy’ runs for NYC mayor: Tosses everything but his hat — and his underwear — into ring. At least his position on campaign financing is intriguing:
As for campaign funds, the frugal candidate said: “I have no expenses. I own 40 pairs of underwear, a car and a suitcase.”
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*Can you control your dreams; or are the dreams in control? I believe I can fly: a discussion of “Lucid Dreaming”
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*Apparently some Austrians are not amused by people stealing their F#$!@ng signs.
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*According to this article, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is, the number of drunk drivers has gone down; the bad news is that stoners have now taken their place: Stoners outnumber drunks on road.
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*Is this what we’ve been reduced to? Lawsuits over whose iPhone “farting” application gets to prevail?: ‘Pull My Finger’ iPhone Fart App Dispute Lingers.” The iFart lawyer explains:
The phrase “pull my finger,” and derivations thereof, are generally known and widely understood in American society to be a joke or prank regarding flatulence. The prank begins when the prankster senses the deep stirrings of flatulence. The prankster then requests that an unsuspecting person pull [his or her] finger. The prankster extends his index finger to the victim. As the victim pulls the prankster’s finger, his flatulence erupts so as to suggest a causal relationship between the pulling of the finger and the subsequent expulsion of gas. In other words, the phrase “pull my finger” is understood to be a description of the act of passing gas.
I just have one question. What could one possibly need a “farting” application for?
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*Talk about a twist on the old “waiter! There’s a fly in my soup” routine – I don’t know about you, but I would flip out if this happened to me: Man claims he found condom in French onion soup.
According to the Examiner:
A lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Zdenek Philip Hodousek, who claims to have found a condom in his French Onion soup at a Claim Jumper restaurant in Mission Viejo, California. On April 12th, Hodousek, age 51, was enjoying an Easter Sunday meal with his family. According to reports he was eating his French Onion soup and bit down on something he thought was tough cheese……
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*With all the depressing news out there, why don’t we all just join these frolicking apes at their monkey pool party?
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*The Stupid Person of the Week Award goes to Viorel Firoiu of Romania for his attempt at a most unconventional cure for constipation:
Viorel Firoiu, 48, turned up at the local general hospital in Orlea, southern Romania, complaining of incredible abdominal pains.
Doctors who carried out an x-ray of the man were amazed to find not one but two hammerheads stuck up his backside.
The final word
And last but not least, I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a video that portrays unabashed joy as well as this one does:
I cried…will you?
This is an Open Thread. What’s happening in your neck of the woods?
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Happy Sunday everyone!
SoD
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Filed under: General
Summer Weather Report for the Northeast:
Rain today, rain tommorow, rain the next day, and the next, and the next, rain, rain, rain, rain…
(sigh)
Isn’t it driving you mad?!! I have never seen a summer like this, and it’s already the end of July. After months of winter darkness, this is just cruel!
The lack of sun makes for cranky people. Ugh!
Summer Weather Report from the Pacific NorthWest:
95-99 all week long with Sun, Sun and more Sun. I signed up for 60s and drizzle. Am I in Seattle or Texas? Yea gods.
Other than that, I just have a ten page report due today and I’ve not written my first page yet. Sigh.
Holy moley…the world really is upside down.
Not for Seattle. Having beautiful summers isn’t such a unique thing….we are just having a longer go at it this year.
I don’t remember 90s for such a long stretch when I was stationed here 95-99 and certainly not near one hundred degrees at all.
I said “we are just having a longer go at it this year.”
What part of the sound are you talking about? It hasn’t been in the 90’s in Seattle. High 80’s, but not 90’s. Once we get over 78, every degree higher is that much more miserable.
Happy Sunday Brunch, SOD.
That fruit plate looks sooooo good…
Monkey pool party is a hoot.
PS The weather really sucks-we wuz robbed of half the summer.
I have to say that this was a pleasure to wake up to!!!
Thanks. I figure we can only take so many downer stories.
Those sticky buns are yummy!!
always talking about buns
I just love Hillary. She refused to jump in the mud and bash Sarah Palin.
Eff you Gregory…she refuses to take your bait.
Hillary is the gold standard. Incredibly detailed, in-depth answers as always (no ambivalent generalizations lacking coherence or commitment), gracious, and genuine. He used his boring MSM gotcha tactics, and she is impervious to it. She doesn’t get entangled or triggered.
Sad to hear her say she will “never” run again…but that’s just politics too
That’s one context in which I will discuss “hope.”
No telepromter; pure clarity of thought and articulation; the ability to convey complex topics to the masses.
we wuz robbed.
on EVERY issue, no hesitation, no rambling, no mealy answers.
It still breaks my heart. I would have been so proud to have been represented by HRC.
She looks wonderful and she is doing a fine job of taking those questions. Go Hillary Go!
Sad to hear her say she will “never” run again
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she said that??
It was more like, “well I say never, not really, I don’t believe…what should I say?” something along those lines.
Very…”never say never” to me. But then again hope is all I have left on that front.
thats a leetle better!
I know. I sensed some wiggle room there, but I am definitely looking for it so it’s hard to tell. Her emphasis is: I am focused on this job now. But anything can happen down the road…
She is not into misogyny mud slinging, I love that about her… she is a Class Act!
Surprised more people aren’t here to discuss Hillary’s appearance on Meet the Press. What did everyone think?
Everytime I see her in action my heart breaks thinking about what could have been. She was a once in a lifetime candidate. Our moment of greatness as a country passed when we had our votes discarded.
I thought of watching her on Meet the Press, but I would have probably cried the whole time thinking, “It should have, it COULD have, been her.”
Yup, that was me.
Well, I guess because it doesn’t have its own post, but there will be more people coming to say their bit. I was impressed by how the ‘media’ is finally accepting that she is the most highly regarded ‘feminist’ leader and advocate of Women and Children’s Rights.
I thought, like others, she did a fantastic job!
Like Stateofdisbelief, I choose to believe that she is leaving the door cracked a bit on the issue of running again for President.
She made the statement about “the right woman” to run. We all know..she was/is The Right Woman!!
Go Hillary!
That exact thought crossed my mind as she spoke those words.
Hillary always bring pride from me in whatever she does and says. Why our country couldn’t see this in an over whelming majority is beyond me.
OMG that wedding video is one of the most JOYFUL things I’ve ever seen.
I was grinning the whole time, and yes, I cried.
It gives me goosebumps when I watch it!
You, know, it really is a reflection of how happiness should be embraced and breathed in. We need to celebrate the good things in life, love is the best one.
here’s a “non-downer” story.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 29% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11. That’s the first time his ratings have reached double digits in negative territory.
Wow. It’s all about the economy. If he doesn’t turn that around, he’s toast.
What is interesting is that almost ALL of his detractors feel very strongly, whereas fewer of his supporters feel strongly.
50% total disapprove, but 40% STRONGLY so.
49% total approve, but only 29% STRONGLY so.
That means that of his approvers, a good chunk of them are at least a little “meh” about it. Not so for his detractors. He’s split almost half-and-half as far as approval, but a BIG gap in how strong those feelings are on either side.
Wow, he’s gone from 16% strong disapproval in January to 40% now.
Great. just great. He’ll pull the whole Democratic party down with him. But we sounded that alarm a year ago.
The “meh” supporters are Democrats who don’t know who else to support. It’s like, we know he sucks but he’s better than a Republican, right? Then there are liberals like Krugman who are still trying to believe in good faith that Obama is trying his best to fix things.
I expect his disapproval numbers to climb when unemployment numbers increase and fewer people believe Obamacare is a good thing for the country. This was also a bad week for Obama because of Gates-gate.
He’s always had a hard core of supporters hovering between the 27-29% mark. It’s something I’ve noticed over time.
Woohoo! WAKE UP, America!
That is such a nice video of the ‘unique’ wedding entrance, and I hope they are still happy as ever today.
Speaking of “pull my finger” — imagine having to continue discussing anything in a serious manner after this happens:
Say, the ‘Ole Fart’ didn’t say ‘Excuse me,
and then farted yet again?!? 
that woman was clearly at a loss for words.
The wedding party got it.
http://www.maniacworld.com/music-and-life.html
Do not forget the important part of life.
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
yep- that’s the video posted above. It’s so joyful and uplifting.
Flip flops are not just for the beach:
Nov. 2008:
July 2009:
Hillary was brilliant on MTP. I didn’t take her “It’s not on my radar” response for a real “I will never run for POTUS again” answer.
Yes…her hesitancy to give a categorical “no” response was telling. At least to me it was.
That asparagus salad sound good. But I just made my Greek cucumber salad last night. It should last me a couple of days. Very cooling.
Cucumber, cored and sliced
grape tomatoes
red pepper
green pepper
red onion
feta cheese, cut in cubes
Greek dressing
that sounds YUMMY! Now if only the sun would come out and give my cucumber plants and opportunity to flourish!
I love cucumbers and I’m definitely making this.
I even have grape tomatoes, & red and green peppers in my garden. But all rain and no sun has stunted the harvest.
Same here. And at this moment, it is pissing sideways rain….again. Oh, and it’s very dark and cold, too.
I’m under the covers with a Corona, pretending to be elsewhere.
The whole of Southern Europe-Spain, Greece and Italy, is at risk of serious forest and brush fires.
My son just got back -he says the heat here is worse than at Fresno.
You tube of Sardinia
Love your sections on female artists SoD-they really make my Sundays!
Thanks Laurie. I try to find the lesser known ones so that their works get the appreciation they deserve.
“That first hammerhead didn’t work, I think I’ll try another”
Some things are just un-effing believable.
How about a look at the poll at Rasmussen?
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
Wow, Stateofdisbelief–thank you for the Sunday roundup! I love your interesting links!! Fun