I Speak of Dreams

Note to Self: Duct Tape in Carry-On, Check

Evidently Maria Esther Castillo is a mean airborne drunk.  She was subdued with duct tape.

Who Is Jimmy Kimmel and Why Is Ben Affleck Sweet on Him?

I don't watch TV much.  No reason, really, other than I got out of the habit about a year ago.

So I was vaguely aware of Sarah Silverman, the comedian, but I didn't know bupkis about Jimmy Kimmel.   Well, it seems they are a couple, and Silverman and the actor Matt Damon made a  practical-joke video for Kimmel's birthday.

Well, few practical jokes go unreturned.  Jimmy Kimmel got Ben Affleck and a host of other celebrities to participate in a riposte.  I was particularly taken by Harrison Ford's performance.

The Kimmel-Affleck version is laugh-out-loud funny

I read all about it at Gene Expression. 

Eavesdropping

I'm sitting here overhearing a conversation between two other Beachcomber guests.  One guy is a bird photographer and the other (who I think is Irish) is a kite-mounted photographer.

Some kite-mounted photos sites:
Freecloud
A neat site
Kites and photography
Getting Started in ariel photos

How Things Snowball

Robin Wright writes an enlightening account of her journey from hale and hearty to disabled.

[I]t's hard for my colleagues and my friends to understand how debilitating it is, since it is an invisible pain -- without cast or sling or conspicuous impairment.

A seemingly straightforward medical problem can snowball into a crippling long-term condition. When that happens, it's harder to find help than might seem due you. ·

I saw it first chez Shrinkette.

Another Family Murder

Sarah Johnson was recently sentenced (life without parole) after being convicted of killing her parents.  The supposition was that she was in a rage because they were thwarting her desire to live with her boyfriend, Bruno Santos, who was (a) 3 years older; (b) an illegal immigrant.

Now Brian Blackwell has been convicted of killing his parents.  In England.  Even more chilling.

Just Deserts

I Park Like an Idiot But what Silicon Valley really needs is a bumper sticker: "I'm Parking My Gigantic Car Wherever I Want. Get Over It. I'm SPECIAL. My Tax Return Says So."

Welcome to the Republic of Gilead II

A new law is proposed in Virginia, which would make criminals of women who failed to report miscarriages--even very early (less than 20 weeks) miscarriages. More at Democracy for Virginia.

What is next, monthly mandatory pregnancy tests for all females from 14 to menopause?

Welcome to the Republic of Gilead

Was Margaret Atwood prescient?

Dr. James Kennedy delivers sermons at Coral Ridge which are broadcast to 3 million homes. He said he knows of no timetable for God's wrath, but wants results fast. He dismissed the concerns of people who worried about the impact of Christian conservatives on the U.S. government. "Repent," he said with a laugh. "Repent. That's what I'd say."

People who are concerned about the influence of Christianity "have never really surrendered their life to God and submitted themselves to his commandments — and if they did that they wouldn't have so much concern about some court saying again that it's wrong," he said.

Asked about the millions of Americans who are not Christian, or have a different interpretation of Christianity, Kennedy said with another laugh: "I couldn't care less. It's true." "I think that the idea that the worst sin that somebody can commit is to offend somebody is ridiculous," he said. Evangelicals say Kennedy may seem intolerant, but there's no greater love than upholding the will of God.

I'm Holding My Breath

I am waiting for Lynne Cheney to denounce Joe Glover as a bad man.

Parents Establishing Foundations In Memory of Dead Children

At the University of Colorado, all incoming freshmen have to take an alcohol awareness course. Gordie Bailey not only took it, he passed it with a 96% score. Not long after that, he drank himself to death.

At Colorado State University, an alcohol task force was formed in response to Samantha Spady's death. Lt. Governor Jane Norton heads the panel. A few blocks away from where her task force was meeting, a bar was having its weekly promotion: four drinks for the price of one.

Taylor Webster memorial foundation. Taylor died of alcohol poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working to get the message out, telling their stories and providing information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.

Bradley McCue's memorial foundation. On November 5, 1998 Bradley turned 21. turned 21. He celebrated his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died that night of alcohol poisoning.

Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy." The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.

Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation. (1) to educate the public about alcohol poisoning; (2) to identify steps parents and students can take to
prevent such tragedies; (3) eradicate fraternity hazing in any form.

(StopHazing wasn't enough)