FriendsNews
The good news is that the research shows that the less junk food you eat, the less you crave it.
via Why Your Brain Craves Junk Food (and What You Can Do About It).
In other words, self-control! What a concept!
Sit up straight
… like my father always said. Apparently, there’s more than just a physical benefit: The Science Behind Posture and How It Affects Your Brain
And don’t miss FlowerGirlPhysicist‘s comment at the bottom about the effect that boobs have on posture. A bit of nerd humor.
Cold day in November
It was cold today in Nashville! The high for the day was only about 45. I guess that’ll feel warm if we get that in January. But still … It’s supposed to get down to the mid-20′s tonight.
I know, I know. You all in Chicago and Moscow are saying pfftt! But that’s why — among other reasons in re the latter — I don’t live in those places! :)
Don’t Fall for the 90# Telephone Scam
I’d never fall for this (I hope) because our only “wired” number is through the Internet, not AT&T or any major provider. Here’s a link to the FCC’s page: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/
I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.
Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE…
The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW. *After checking with Verizon they also said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone.
Mucho Macho Man grooves to his song
[Breeder's Cup Classic winner] Mucho Macho Man grooves to his song
Kids hate broccoli
Elizabeth at the dinner table being forced to eat her broccoli: Ugh, can I throw up?
Her mom: Um, no.
Me: [trying not to laugh out loud]
Mom: You’re not helping!
This is deep
I just had to share this comment someone left here on FriendsNews.com. Read it, absorb it, digest it, lather, rinse and repeat it. Then let me know what the %$^# it means! Here it is:
I comprehend that is genuinely uninteresting and you’re merely skipping to the next comment, nonetheless i basically preferred to toss a sizable several many thanks – a person resolved the main factors individually!
Lessons in the Art of Living
Good guidelines. This snipped below is the most useful part:
In DBT [dialectical behavior therapy], the skill is encapsulated in a mnemonic device known as DearMan: Describe what you want; Express yourself in ways that reflect the importance of your request; Assert yourself effectively but not aggressively; Reinforce a request by explaining what good would come from it; stay Mindful and don’t get caught up in another’s defensiveness or your own intensity; Appear confident; Negotiate, don’t demand.
via Lessons in the Art of Living | Psychology Today.
Sunday ride
Elizabeth dragged me onto another one of her outings this morning. If nothing else, she keeps me in shape. This time, she was on her motorized scooter (the kind you stand on), while I rode my bicycle. No fair making the old man use pedal power while she rides a scooter, giving only her throttle hand a workout.
But first, I had to fix my flat. I had just put a new tire on it last weekend, how did it have a flat already? Oh well. I don’t have a patch kit, so I took a tube from another bike instead. Removing my old tube, I wasn’t thinking straight. I pulled the tube out from under the tire, but forgot to first take the wheel off the bicycle itself. I did it right a minute earlier with the first bike. How did I get it wrong this time? Continue reading
Good start
The NFL got off to a good start today, the first real games of the season. Both of my teams, the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers, won! The Titans were a surprise over the Steelers. The Niners won “as expected” even though they were playing the Packers. Normally, I’d be rooting for the Packers, but not against either of the above teams.
I’m going to assume from all of this — mark my words! — the Titans will play the 49ers in the Super Bowl. :)
Must-see sights around the world
Please help compile a list of must-see sights around the world. I’m looking for less obvious places, such as Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Vermont, or the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, etc. Hopefully fun, interesting, different sorts of touristy things that people might not have thought of.
Make it worldwide! Thanks!
- Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA — Jeannie
- WonderWorks in Gatlinburg, TN – Jayson
- The Jeita Grotto in Lebanon is amazing; The City of the Living and the Dead in Cairo; and, most tourists don’t go but I got a car ride through the amazing Faynan Ecolodge in Jordan – Miriam
- Tilamook Cheese Factory, Oregon — Ken
Leave a Comment below to cast your vote. If it’s not spam, it’ll be approved so everyone can see it.
Feral cats find a new use
In case you’re in the market for a “barn cat,” this is for you: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/31/5696395/feral-cats-get-a-second-life-as.html.
Maybe other cities near you have a similar program.
Movie night
My wife and I have been celebrating our twelfth wedding anniversary this weekend. The actual day was the 22nd (so mark your calendars for next year’s gifts). 
With our daughter on a sleepover at a friend’s house last night, Tara and I went to see the movie The Butler. It has the director’s name in the title, but I’m not going to help him aggrandize himself by mentioning it here.
I could have done without any mention of our current president at the end, but it was inevitable. The director did a good job, but it’s beyond pretentious when they put their name in the title.
We realized on the drive over that this was our “annual movie night.” Literally. We generally rent from home. Sorry, theater owners, but your prices are simply too high. The tickets alone were about $11 each, and that was after she’d gone online for discount tickets. At the window, they’re regularly $11.50 each. After they added tax and their mysterious “how dare you try to get a discount” fees to our online tickets, however, we only saved, what, a dollar total? Continue reading