In rather morbid sports news of the day, Twitter was a-twitter late last night with the news that New York Rangers hockey forward Derek Boogaard, 28, was found dead in his apartment yesterday. No cause of death or reason has been provided at this time.
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I have a three-inch scar on the right side of my head from the top of where my ear meets my skull upwards. This wouldn’t be noticeable except for the fact that I also have pretty standard male pattern baldness and so I sport a fresh clean shaven head. The result is a hand carved seam down the right side of my head. I don’t see it everyday myself as it’s outside of my field of vision. When taking my photograph though I do request you only use my good side. This is in all my contracts – or rather it will be if you’ll just sign on this line here… and then initial here… Great, now here’s the story: Continue reading
AP has an excellent article up detailing the incestuous relationship between Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and the government regulators that were supposed to be keeping a watchful eye on the industry.
With all the stories of rude coworkers, bosses and even friends on Crasstalk, it sounds as though we are surrounded by impolite children.
Across my Facebook page this morning comes an article originally written by parents.com about manners that should be mastered by a nine year old. Aside from the obvious please and thank you, it talks about being respectful, helpful and kind.
You’d think I’d have seen it coming. I mean, there were subtle hints along the way, but I had a good deal going so maybe I just decided to ignore them. Either way, it turned into a fiasco that ended with me moving out of the apartment in the dead of night. Continue reading
There are iPhone ringtones that are designed to help bird watchers identify the calls and songs of birds they hear out in the field. While it may seem like merely good intentions for birdwatchers seeking to lure birds for the perfect photo by playing birdsong on their phones, there’s a twist to the story that is worthy of real concern.
Once upon a time, in April of 2010, author and screenwriter Neil Gaiman was approached by the good folks at Stillwater, Minnesota’s library to come and speak, presumably about writing and the like. While he has been known to speak publicly from time to time, he’d much rather spend his days writing, so his agency asked for a kingly sum.
When I was working as a nurse in obstetrics everyone would comment, “oh how happy your job must be!” And it generally was, until things went badly. And then it was miserable. Nothing prepares you for the death or injury of a newborn and the grief of the parents and staff that follows.
Physicians and nurses may also fear a lawsuit – but hospital staff are rarely criminally prosecuted for their actions or inactions, but not so of home birthing midwives. Slate.com tells the story of Karen Carr, a midwife in Virginia charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case of a newborn who died under her care. She has pled guilty to two felony charges as part of a plea bargain. Continue reading
Rag Rajartnam of Galleon Group was convicted today on 14 counts of fraud and conspiracy related charges. He is expected serve up to 19.5 years in prison. The Times, being the astute reporters they are, have graciously let us know he was wearing a khaki green tie during the announcement.
Mr. Rajartnam, khaki green is for garments, not accessories.
Little birds, while researching today’s article, we came across some shocking news. Barbie™, everyone’s favorite doll, was, at one time, an SS Hauptsturmführer known as The Butcher of Lyon. She tortured men, women, and children (we assume this is why Kelly™ always looks like she’s afraid of something despite living the glamorous life of a plastic doll in Los Angeles) through electroshock and forcing them to have sex with dogs. That’s right. Everyone’s favorite Special Education Teacher/Paratrooper/Pet Stylist is a murderer who was put on trial for her war crimes today in 1987. We assume she was declared innocent (though, clearly, she wasn’t) as she became President of the United States in 2000, stealing Hilary Clinton’s glory after a previous failed attempt in 1992. Perhaps her crimes were still in the memories of our nation’s peoples. Perhaps that’s why she lost to the nation’s First Black President™, Billiam Clinton.