Growing Safflower

The safflower is related to the sunflower. It's used for its oil and its food value and as birdseed.

I should be able to grow some of my own (for the birds) just like I have done with sunflowers.

Earth Hour

Did you know about Earth Hour before March 29, 2008? I didn't. Today is when I learned that it "was a remarkable global event" and that it "made a difference." Really? What difference?

Based on the countdown on the Earth Hour Web site, it looks like we're in for another one next year. Mark your calendars now!

Passerines

Passerines are birds that perch. I never even considered this a trait that some birds have and other don't until today. It was a Trivial Pursuit question. I guess if it's trivial that's why I hadn't thought about it before.

The Rondel

I learned how the rondel works in board games. In particular, Hamburgum. I'd read about it before but didn't really comprehend it until I actually had to use it. Pretty neat.

Relay for Life

My niece will be participating in the Relay for Life where she attends college. She, most of her family, and one of my sons have walked and run in similar events for the past several years.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com has 285 pages of board games. I know...I just finished looking at every one of them. I'll be getting a good-sized gift certificate to spend there soon, so I'm trying to figure out what would be good, thrifty games to buy.

Western Antarctica

Some people think there is a section of Antarctica, the area surrounding the south pole, that can be designated as "western Antarctica". Maybe they can describe on a map the section of the continent that they mean -- probably some portion in the western hemisphere -- but the concept of western or eastern (or northern or southern, for that matter) regions of Antarctica makes little...okay, no sense.

Brett Favre - The Tribute

The Sports Illustrated magazine that is a "Tribute" to Brett Favre is more like a 200+ page soft cover glossy book than a magazine. My son brought one home today from the grocery store. I've already read almost half of it and looked through all the pictures. I was a little surprised (but pleased) that not every single picture portrayed Brett. Some showed Reggie White leaping over defenders, Desmond Howard speeding past would-be tacklers, etc.

I should really pull out that tape of Super Bowl XXXI and watch the game again.

Switch Guitars

When there are two open channels on the mixer board, don't use just one for two guitars. This forces the guitarist to unplug the cable from the first guitar and plug it into the second. At that point, no one is sure if the mixer settings are acceptable for the second guitar even if all appeared to be good in rehearsal. Instead, use a second cable for the second guitar so the settings for each can be determined in rehearsal and will not need to be changed during performance. Unexpected things can happen if this two-channel/cable/guitar setup is not used.

Losing a Bit of Tooth

You can lose a bit of a tooth -- even one with a filling sorta holding it together -- while eating supper at a local restaurant and never even notice what happened until your mouth is empty.

Yes, I guess that means I swallowed the bit. Oh well.

No, it doesn't hurt.

Snowstorm

We got (at least) 15 inches of snow today. I shoveled 4 times before church. The rest will get thrown tomorrow.

Grant Writing

It's possible to apply for and obtain a grant that will, in turn, pay a person you then hire to write more grants for you.

I thought perpetual motion was impossible.

Rare Brett Favre Football Card

I won a fairly rare Brett Favre football card on eBay today. It's not extremely expensive, just out of the ordinary. It's not even listed in the major catalogs.

Arthur C. Clarke

Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke died today in Sri Lanka at age 90. He wrote The Sentinel which is what 2001: A Space Odyssey was based upon. Personally I didn't care for the movie that much. I'm not even sure I ever saw the whole thing. I'm fairly certain I never read any of his writings either, but he's right up there with Asimov whose works I read a lot of and so Clarke gets the lime light here today.

Oil Change

If you are a "preferred" customer (and maybe if you only have an account there) at Firestone, an oil change costs $10.00 less than for Joe Driver off the street.

Loyalty pays.

A Visitor

Someone I know visited this blog today.

Too bad she won't learn much by reading this post.

Come again, C-N.

Wisconsin Over Michigan State

Wisconsin (the Badgers in Madison) beat Michigan State by the score of 65-63 in the Big Ten tournament today.

Engaged to Be Married

My daughter is officially engaged to be married! Hurrah! And huzzah! God's richest blessings to both of them. May they have an even better and even longer marriage than her mother and I are having.

September 27, 2008, is the date planned for the wedding.

Mystery of the Abbey

Last week I became the player with the most recorded plays of Mystery of the Abbey at BoardGameGeek.com -- thanks mostly to my son who loves playing it even more than the rest of us.

Smile! You're on My Phone!

I learned how to take a picture with my cell phone and attach it to a number in my address book so that it will be displayed when that person calls me. Simple, techie pleasures.

Too Much FireFox

Trying to Turbo Charge FireFox with FasterFox while adding unnecessary Add-ons and keeping useless downloads in the Download folder can significantly degrade FireFox's performance. So don't do that.

Your Mileage May (Will) Vary

The EPA mileage ratings given to all vehicles -- including hybrids -- is based on emissions calculations, not on actual fuel consumption. This tends to inflate the ratings of hybrids and deflate the satisfaction of owners when they don't get the mpg's they were expecting. To be fair, you do have to drive somewhat differently compared to what you're used to in a gas-only vehicle to make the most of the hybrid system.

Rataouille

Rataouille is a kinda cute, but so-so movie. Four of us watched it at home, but only I stayed awake through the whole showing. To be fair, the other three either really needed a nap or are prone to falling asleep in a darkened room (even a darkened theater with Star Wars playing).

Igel Argern

You can find the rules to Igel Argern and play it online at Game Table Online. You can also then play it using the pieces (with the addition of one die) from Tigris & Euphrates.

Hacienda

I'm not the only one who's discovered you can win at Hacienda by playing the water pieces well. Hm, maybe a new strategy is needed.

Going Wireless

To really make proper use of the wireless capabilities of your computer, you really ought to attach the antenna to it properly. It really works much better with your wireless router that way.

Emily's Fault

It's pretty easy to find this group on the Web these days.

Favre Farewell

Brett Favre says he is hanging up his cleats.

I wouldn't be surprised if he changes his mind, but I hope he doesn't. It would be too hard on everyone the next time he'd quit. And the next time might not be his choice.

I also wouldn't be surprised if he came back for a game or two in time of need, a la Vinny Testaverde. That would be a real hoot!

Shout to the Lord

One of Hollyn's favorite songs is Shout to the Lord, so we will play it for her. Perhaps she will be able to attend the concert in June.

Moving Music

Our little (mostly family) praise band can sometimes move people to tears (in a good way) without even trying. Thank you, God. The praise is yours.

Chivalry

A group of knights is called a chivalry. You know, like gaggle of geese, murder of crows, etc.