There’s snow in the hills today as I try to hold on to the Fall

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Marketing Missteps: 10 toys that likely won't be on holiday wish lists

What kind of moron thought the Harry Potter vibrating broom was a good idea?

The TSA action figures may get up close and personal with travelers (right).

Make sure you talk to it while its mouth is open (below).

 

Just give her the real thing and cut down on housework (right).

“'Tis the season when toys come front-and-center in our consciousness. In the drive to produce thousands of new toys each year, the industry occasionally missteps, producing toys that anger rather than amuse the buying audience.”

As It Stands: A look at the 'Toad in the Moon' and other lunar lore

By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 11/21/2010 01:27:13 AM PST

There will be a full moon tonight. Most Humboldters probably won't be able to see it, but you never know. We can hope for an unusually clear night sky.

We do know that tides will shift strongly, animals and people may act weird and strange things will happen tonight. Anecdotal stories about animals' reactions to the effects of the full moon abound.

According to a July 2007 study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, full moon emergency room visits for pets increase compared to the rest of the month, to 23 percent higher for cats and 28 percent higher for dogs.

Why? No one really knows.

Animals are more sensitive than humans to the natural world. I think we can all agree on that. We shiver at tales of werewolves baying at the full moon. A full moon can be a great setting for a horror movie or a romance.

In China, the dark shadows on the moon are seen as “the toad in the moon,” not the “man in the moon” of Western culture. The toad is considered one of the five poisons of yin. It is believed eclipses occur when the “toad in the moon” tries to swallow the moon itself.

There's loads of evidence that full moons affect humans. Doctors report an increase in epileptic seizures and bleeding ulcers at the time of the full moon. A recent poll showed 86 percent of casualty nurses and 64 percent of doctors believe a full moon affects patient behavior.

Researchers at psychiatric hospitals in New York found a dramatic rise in admissions on the days of full moons. Law enforcement studies nationwide show motiveless crimes trebled around the time of full moons.

Experts tell us Earth is about four times the size of the moon. If you were to fly once around the moon (however unlikely that sounds) it would be the equivalent of a round trip from New York to London. If the moon were placed on the surface of the continental United States, it would extend from San Francisco to Cleveland (2,600 miles).

Here's more perfectly useless trivia about Luna (you don't have to be a Latin student to know that Luna means moon):

* Golfing enthusiasts may find it interesting that astronaut Alan Sheppard once hit a golf ball that went 2,400 feet (nearly one-half mile) while he walked on the moon. What a course, eh?

* With no competition in sight for the foreseeable future, it looks like the Apollo lunar rover will hold the surface speed record on the moon at an exhilarating 10.56 miles per hour.

* The U.S.S.R. captured the first photo of the moon taken from space in 1959, an image of the dark side of the moon. Fourteen years later the rock band Pink Floyd made an album by that name. If there's a connection, let me know.

* The footprints left by the Apollo astronauts will not erode since there is no wind or water on the Moon. Men and women sporting lab coats and degrees in science say the footprints should last at least 10 million years. I wonder how they know that?

* For all you lefties out there, astronaut Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon with his left foot. Take that, you righties!

* Your desktop computer contains five to 10 times more computing power than was used to land a man on the moon. Think about that for a moment. OK, you're cleared for takeoff!

* Everyone knows who the first man on the moon was, but did you know that in 1972 Gene Cernan was the last man to step on the moon?

* NASA claims when the Apollo 12 astronauts landed on the moon, the impact caused the moon's surface to vibrate for 55 minutes. It appears we made quite an impact.

Quick! What was the name of the guy/gal who timed it? Now there's some serious trivia for you.

As It Stands, look out for lunatics and if you see the “Toad in the Moon,” would you please report your encounter to CNN, MSNBC or Fox News?

Perchlorate Poisoning: water emergency declared in Barstow California

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Barstow water supply shown to  be contaminated with perchlorate:

“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Saturday in Barstow after samples of the city's water supply were found to be contaminated with a chemical used in rocket fuel and defense manufacturing.”

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Enhanced ‘pat-downs, full body scanners, and pissed-off travelers

UPDATE BELOW:

The new enhanced safety procedures at airports is being met with a lot of resistance from the flying public.

The problem is some people feel like their being sexually assaulted. But what are the airlines to do? Safety has to come first. Doesn’t it?

Obama: TSA pat-downs frustrating but necessary

“President says enhanced airport security measures necessary to guard against new terrorist techniques”

Fed-up fliers protest airport security measures

“Online campaign urging travelers not to fly Nov. 24, refuse full-body scan”

 

TSA forces cancer survivor to show prosthetic breast

“Some fliers with medical conditions call new airport security procedures 'humiliating'”

Government insists full-body scanners are safe

“Radiation exposure is vastly lower than a single dental X-ray, TSA says”

UPDATE:

TSA pat-down leaves traveler covered in urine

'I was absolutely humiliated,' said bladder cancer survivor

“A retired special education teacher on his way to a wedding in Orlando, Fla., said he was left humiliated, crying and covered with his own urine after an enhanced pat-down by TSA officers recently at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.”

 

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Wall Street Report: U.S. to lift lid on 'pervasive insider trading'

Executive tells clients he declined FBI's 'gracious offer to wear a wire and therefore ensnare you in their devious web'

“U.S. officials are preparing insider trading charges against a host of financial players, including investment bankers and hedge fund managers, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

The charges could surpass any previous investigations on Wall Street, and examine whether certain players garnered tens of millions of dollars in illegal profits, according to the newspaper.

The three-year investigation could expose "a culture of pervasive insider trading in U.S. financial markets", especially in ways private information is transmitted to traders through connected insiders, the newspaper said, citing federal authorities.” More here.

Travel: Cats on a plane? Allergy sufferers can't escape

Some airlines allow 10 cats on a flight; all seats tested had traces of allergen

“Holiday travelers with cat allergies may find the best advice is beware in the air, according to a new study that says it’s nearly impossible to avoid feline fallout at 30,000 feet.

Whether it's residue from cats actually on board, or detritus carried by pet-loving passengers, the most common feline allergen was detected in 100 percent of aircraft seats tested — and in high enough amounts to trigger serious reactions in sensitive people, according to a report by Swiss scientists.”

Liberal Dutch marijuana policy taking another hit?

New proposal would block tourists from buying the drug

“The new conservative Dutch government wants to force the country's marijuana cafes to become "members only" clubs, a move that would effectively block foreigners from buying the drug.

If the idea ever becomes reality — it would be legally complicated and politically divisive — it would be the latest of the country's liberal policies to be scrapped or curtailed as the Dutch rethink the limits of their famed tolerance.” Full story.

Rangel Runs Scared: House of Rats Turn On One Of Their Own

Chief House ethics lawyer: Rangel should be censured

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Science Alert: 3 New Distinctive Frog Species Discovered

Conservation International just reported the discovery of three new amphibian species in Colombia. The three species include: “a mysterious toad with ruby-colored eyes, a diminutive long-nosed beaked toad which hides in dead leaves, and a gorgeous new rocket frog with flashes of red on its legs,” (shown here) according to CI. All three species are new to science. Scientists were actually in Colombia to search for the Mesopotamia beaked toad, which hasn’t been seen in decades, and is listed as critically endangered.

Read more here

Science: MIT researchers create super efficient 'origami' solar panels

Solar panels nowadays are flat, but folding them like origami could dramatically boost the amount of power they produce.

MIT researchers have created an origami-like solar structure that is much more efficient than current flat panels.

Weird News: Cops say fake doc carried out breast exams in bars

Okay. I’ve heard, and read jokes about guys trying to give free breast exams for kicks, but this has to be the first time I’ve heard of a woman doing it!

Apparently Kristina Ross was a man at some point ( Kristoffer Jon Ross) who now dresses up as a woman (her booking papers show “Male to female”),who has trouble getting dates or something.

My question is what woman would be stupid enough to get a breast exam in a bar? Really? Then again, if the women are drunk enough, anything could happen I suppose.

Female reportedly with criminal record as a man is held on $100,000 bond

“A woman posed as a physician and duped at least two other women into undergoing breast exams at her hands in Boise-area nightclubs, according to police.

Kristina Ross, 37, remains in the Ada County Jail on two felony counts of practicing medicine without a license. An Idaho judge set bond at $100,000 on Wednesday.”

Best time to see Leonid meteor shower is ... right now

Those with clear skies may see up to 20 meteors an hour on Nov. 17-18

The Leonard Meteor Shower of 2010 is peaking this week, and the best time to see the sky show is now.

The annual Leonids should be at their best through Thursday, according to skywatching experts. Avid skywatchers graced with clear skies may see between 15 and 20 meteors per hour.

Full+Story]">This sky map shows where to look to see " shooting stars" from the Leonids this week. The best time to try to see the Leonids are in the last two or three hours before sunrise, when the moon has set.

No place like home: amazing imaginations produce unique abodes

 Klima Hotel (Bella Vista) (left), the semi-submerged underground hotel in Bozen, Italy.

Peeking out from underneath bumpy layers of greenery, this Swiss estate looks more like something out of a fairy tale than real life. Designed by Vetsch Architektur, the structure was built using earth house construction, resulting in an insulating blanket that protects it from rain, low temperatures, wind and natural abrasion.
For more amazing underground abodes, view the entire list at Inhabitat.

Modern designs meets cave-dwelling with this eye-popping home (right) nestled inside of a 15,000-square foot sandstone cave in Festus, Missouri.

Built by Curt and Deborah Sleeper, the underground abode features smart examples of energy-efficient architecture like geothermal heating and passive design that keep the interior comfortable while completely eliminating the need for a furnace or air conditioning.

No insects left: another sign of the tough times we all live in

Fred the Frog was spotted on Central Avenue in McKinleyville displaying this sign yesterday. I stopped and asked him what was up and he croaked “All the damn insect sprays around town have wiped out my food supply!

I can’t even find a fly!”

Alarmed at his predicament, I gave him a ride out into the countryside where there were no humans killing off his meals. Hopefully that will solve his problem. He certainly was happy when I dropped him off by a riverbank engulfed in insects. And that’s your “ribbiting” tale for today! 

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Tattoo’s that fly off you for a Tuesday - and thoughts on the subject

Nearly everyone has a tattoo these days. Once the exclusive art of sailors, soldiers, Marines, and Bikers (in America), tattoos went mainstream in the last decade.

My wife has a tattoo of a frog and turtle hugging on her ankle. It’s in color and looks like a Disney rendering.

All three of my sons have tattoos.  Each of them have multiple tats on arms, back, and chest.

I don’t have a tattoo. I had plenty of chances to get one in the military when I was young, but never let the ink get under my skin...so to speak.

I’m not sure why. I have nothing against tattoos. I think they look cool….on someone else. 

Go here to look up 100s of tat’s at tattooFinder.com

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Livermore scientists are busy building a 'miniature star on earth'

It may look like any average building but behind closed doors could lie the answer to safe renewable energy of the future.  

Here at the National Ignition Facility in Livermore California, scientists are aiming to build the world's first sustainable fusion reactor by 'creating a miniature star on Earth'.

Following a series of key experiments over the last few weeks, the $2.2 billion project has inched a little closer to its goal of igniting a workable fusion reaction by 2012.

According to the National Ignition Facility (NIF) team in Livermore, on November 2 they fired up the 192 lasers beams at the center of the reactor and aimed them at a glass target containing tritium and deuterium gas. Read more here

Public Scandal: Did PBS cut Tina Fey's Palin jokes? You betcha

Et tu PBS? I’m shocked and degusted at the same time.

Censoring Fey’s best lines in her acceptance speech speaks of a Conservative conspiracy among the producers. Everyone involved seems to be a bobble-head doll with a recording – “I don’t know what happened.” Or, “It was not a political decision…” Blah blah blah.

Comedian ripped former Alaska governor in humor prize acceptance speech

Scum slapping: Rangel found guilty of violating 11 House rules

A House ethics panel has found Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York guilty on 11 counts of breaking House rules.

This is just another example of how career politicians think they are above the law. Rangel has been getting away with his underhanded dealings for 50 years now…it’s about time someone did something.

The thing that bothers me the most? The worst he’s going to get is a slap on the wrist and then it’s back to business as usual. He’s not going to change his habits after this official mockery of justice. Why should he? If he’s not the poster child for term limits then I’d like to know who else is?

As the suns sets upon another day, it’s glory slowly goes away

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