Gary
2/28/06
Looks like March will be coming in like a lamb -- meaning out like a lion?? Judging by the tropical "winter" we've had so far, I doubt it. (Over 70 yesterday! Up around 67 right now!) But we'll see.

Hey, check out this screenshot from Fox "News." (Which, if you can't get the picture, is a shot of some talking heads with a banner reading "All-Out Civil War in Iraq: Could it Be a Good Thing?") Talk about trying to make lemonade out of lemons! :-) Remember these words of our Fuehrer? "For the sake of our nation's security, this [civil war in Iraq] will not happen on my watch" (June 28, 2005) and "I know some fear the possibility that Iraq could break apart and fall into civil war. I don't believe these fears are justified" (December 12, 2005). The war in Iraq is a total disaster, and even some hardcore Bush supporters are now acknowledging that. But do you know why it is a disaster? That's an easy one, according to these same hardcore Bushbots: It's all the Democrats' fault! Yes, the Democrats (who have been powerless, ignored, and ridiculed for the past six years) are making this war unwinnable with all their whining, protesting, and footdragging. This from a Fox "News" program. As Keith Olbermann said last night (and this joke is funnier if you say it, not just read it), "It's called 'Fox,' not 'facts.'"

Sorry about that, Tristen. It is really hard, I know. Even people who are really good at it miss lots of the questions. Tell you what: Sometime soon after the Oscars are over (next Sunday), I'll make up a new game about movies that will be FUN to play. OK? :-) --Gary

And speaking of movies, thanks for the review, Erika!

Note: The above link wasn't working for me (Saturday morning), but looks like it could be up and running soon. Keep trying it. Way to go, Emily! --Gary

P.S. Gary, great picture of Teghan and Zach! Do you know when mine is?

Glad you like it, Livy! I've got your picture laid out for a week from tomorrow -- March 2. Sorry for the wait, but it will be worth it. You will love it. :-) --Gary

Hey, are you Anna, Brent, Donna, Marsha, Ryan, Samantha, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, or Zachary? Then you have only five days....

Amanda, have a great time in DC. I've never been and would love to see it sometime. I hope you'll have time to write in while you're there and let us know what all you've been doing.

How did Tristen do on her test yesterday?

Ford's Theater (and Petersen's) don't take much time at all. Ford's does have a display downstairs of Lincoln memorabilia, but the main thing about Ford's Theater is just being in the place. That experience will really stay with you. And the Tourmobile is great! I had forgotten about it. Very convenient; it takes you everywhere, and with one ticket you can jump on or off wherever you want. It even takes you across the river to Arlington where you can see the JFK grave and eternal flame -- another very moving spot. (Look up from the flame to the top of the hill a few yards away and you'll see Robert E. Lee's pre-War home.) Also, don't forget the National Archives -- see the original Constitution before Bush shreds it! I know I've said it before, but if you have the least interest in history, Washington is like Disneyland. You're going to have a great time. --Gary

Just a block or two from the Capitol is Union Station, a spectacular building with a huge high ceiling and an enormous open space inside. Lots of shops and a fantastic food court. A really cool place. In the same area are the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, both beautiful buildings. The Library of Congress sits on the spot where, in Lincoln's day, was the boarding house he and his wife lived in when he was a member of the House of Representatives in the 1840s. Back then there was an auction yard just across the street where slaves were sold, and Lincoln would pass it every day.

Also, go to all the museums: There are only about 50 of them, and most of 'em are free. Have fun! :-)

Big "Idol" week this week. Tonight, they narrow it down to 12 girls; tomorrow night, the 12 boys; and Thursday night, the results. Seems to me they could show the results as part of the first two shows -- but, I suppose if they did that, there's 25 minutes worth of commercials we wouldn't see on Thursday. "American Idol: Taking Over Your Life!" :-)

Tristen is at school today, and today is the big TAKS day. It is a HUGE deal! Down to the socks they wear (warm, comfortable ones so that they don't have to wear their shoes today so that they don't disturb anyone taking it). It is a statewide test today too, every school kid grade 3 & up is taking some form of the TAKS today, generally reading I believe. Crazy, crazy... If the 3rd graders don't pass today's test they will be given a make-up sometime in the next month or so. If they don't pass that, they stay in 3rd grade next year. Yikes! Tristen was (unfoundedly) nervous for a long time, but then about a month ago she got a 116% on a reading test, so that boosted her confidence like you would not believe! Last night she had no homework & just chilled out all night. This morning I got up & made her scrambled eggs, peanut butter toast (peanuts=brain food), milk & Naked juice. She said it was a GREAT breakfast. So, she should be good to go today!

I have been checking with all my Lincoln acquaintances this morning, but so far nobody is admitting to holding the ticket. Two people here in the office did call in sick this morning, though....

Feel better, Anna. Have some juice! :-) --Gary

As to the fake photos: I ran Teghan first because she didn't get one before; then Tristen; then I drew the rest of the names out of a hat to put them in random order. And then I re-arranged a few names so all the Metcalf photo-fakes would all be done before Amanda leaves for Washington this week. So apologies for those of you who have to wait. But your picture, Emily, is coming up on Thursday. :-) --Gary

Oh. My. God. I hope it was someone I know... --Gary

I checked the webcams page to get a picture of the snowfall everywhere, and noticed that not only was the Minneapolis cam down (again!) but the Bird Feeder cam was too. It actually doesn't exist any more, I discovered -- they've changed their hardware in such a way that I can't make their pictures fit our format. So I found a different bird feeder cam, this one in Colorado. Oh, and I also found a different MPLS cam. Take a look!

P.S. I am aware that a lot of the other cams on our pages are down too. I'll fix 'em all eventually!

Funny you should ask, Livy! If you go to the bottom of the front page and click on the button that says past fakes, you'll be able to see all the pictures that have come before. Thursday is TRISTEN, and Friday is JOHN & MARSHA. --Gary

May 27. --Gary

Ooops, force of habit. Fixed. --Gary

Weird weather. Hot dry winds coming in from the south for Texas (up near 80 today?), and a big snowstorm is bearing down on Sioux City (8-10 inches possible; tomorrow a snow day??). As usual this winter, here in Lincoln we are getting...nothing!

On another site, someone suggested it was a warning to Scooter Libby about testifying against Cheney: "I've got a gun and I know how to use it!" :-) Oh, one more thing about Republican spin: One person wrote that by the weekend, here is how the story will read:

Vice-president Cheney saved the life of a fellow hunter in Texas Saturday. As the Vice-president was taking a well deserved stroll after hours of intense discussions with foreign diplomats, Cheney noticed a deadly rattlesnake approaching one the dignitaries, fangs bared, ready to strike. With split-second timing, Cheney drew his gun and shot the reptile before it could kill the man, who happened to be a highly decorated war hero. Cheney's quick response saved the man's life, said his wife (and mother of his five children). The man was slightly injured by fragments of stone that struck his torso during the incident. The Vice-president will receive a Medal of Honor for his heroism and bravery.

Gary, what are your sources saying about this accidental shooting? I just watched a few minutes of the press conference and McClellan seemed defensive as usual. He kept saying you'll have to ask Cheney's office. One frustrated reporter said she'd tried but Cheney's office wasn't talking either.

1) How 'bout that New York snowstorm? I know we all complain about never getting a snow-day, but how would you like to be a NYC schoolkid? Yesterday -- biggest one-day snowfall in New York history (27 inches); today -- school as usual. Dang! That's like saying, "You kids are NEVER getting a snow-day, so get used to it!!"

2) How 'bout Dick Cheney shooting a fellow hunter over the weekend? My first thought was: It's a start! :-) If these Bush-supporting jerks want to kill each other off one by one, it's a slow process but better than nothing! My only regret was that Bush himself wasn't in the hunting party....

3) And how 'bout those fake photos I'm doing of everyone? Oh wait, you haven't seen them yet. Well, in a couple of days you will! The second round of Fake Photos starts Wednesday. There is 21 of us, so doing one a day will take us well into March. I know Amanda and Emily both have travel plans during that time, but you won't miss anything: I'll collect all the photos at the end and put them on a separate page. Hope y'all enjoy. First up on Wednesday: Teghan!

I liked some of those movies, but some I have not seen (like King Kong), and that I want to see and so on so forth. But in conclusion, the ones I have seen like March of the Penguins and War of the Worlds were good. But one problem, I think that Flightplan should be on the list too, because it's really good, and well, ya, pretty much that. So think about who you vote for, and so well bye! ;)

Yeah, I was going to say something, too -- like, "be sure you wash it first!" :-) --Gary

Oh, and Girl Scout cookie sales started today, I just haven't had time to put together the order form. Coming soon!

Feel better, Teghan! --Gary

Great question, Tristen! I'll use it next time. :-) --Gary

I hadn't tuned in that Erika was so down. Glad you are feeling better, Erika! Here's a belated one for you, and one for your dad and Emily:

Feel better, you guys! --Gary

My bad. Amanda sent it to me on Sunday, but it kept falling off my radar. I'll get it posted this afternoon. --Gary

Great idea! Suggestions would be excellent. Even a suggestion about yourself. And if you find a photo somewhere that you would like yourself (or someone else) in, please email it to me or tell me where to find it. Let's do it! :-) --Gary

Erika, are you feeling better?

Hey, if anyone is wondering what "Don't Quit Your Day Job Week" is all about, it's from a Photoshop website I go to. The people on this site challenge each other to various kinds of Photoshop trickery -- kind of like what I did with this a couple of years ago. So a bunch of people were faking "celebrities in day jobs" and I'll be using the better ones this week. Hope you like!

I am jealous of the Washington and Houston trips. Washington is like Disneyland for history buffs -- so many amazing things there. And Emily, I would love to be in on your Mars weekend. Sounds like lots of fun! I found this Schedule of Events which I'm sure you've already seen but others may find interesting.

A cruise, wow. I always wanted to go on one, but not so much anymore... Not my cup of tea. Make sure you have passports now for Mexico if you plan to de-boat. It used to be that they said you didn't need them, but it makes it much easier nowadays, and soon it will be required for trips to Mexico & Canada & the Caribbean, etc...

Seriously, way to go on all the cool trips, everybody. (And I actually am going to New Orleans in three or four months.)

Cool! DC is a fantastic place to visit. --Gary

You have to be a lot further "advanced" on the political ladder than Emily is before you're allowed to say one thing and do another! :-) --Gary

Lindsey, have you had any more fires or bomb threats at your school? Did they ever figure out who was responsible?

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Yes! Hy-Vee had 'em, right there next to the produce. Six or eight kinds in stock, though they didn't have Blue Machine which you mentioned, nor did they have Vanilla Chai which I was curious to try. But I bought eight bottles (on special at 2 for $5) of the kinds they had. Interestingly, they also had the Bolthouse line too. So I got their Vanilla Chai (who's copying who??) and had that last night. Not really a juice drink (soy milk, teas, and herbs) but really nice. I had planned to have one of the Naked varieties for lunch today, but as it turns out we're all going to HuHot for lunch. So I'll give it a whirl tonight. More than anyone ever wanted to know about my shopping/juicing activities, no? --Gary

Cool, Emily; well done! (I am referring to the Des Moines trip, not the bomb threat.) And thanks to Karen for the above link -- see paragraphs 7 and 8! --Gary

Ryan & I are going to the annual awards luncheon today at 11. He will get his recognition for the award he won & they will find out who won at the next level. He is pretty excited.