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DWTS Results

Spoiler alert!  

Arrivederci, Elisabetta!  Yes!  Ciao and thank goodness!

DWTS 13 - Week 2

I have to say right at the beginning that I just love Carson Kressley and have ever since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was on, so I'm pulling for him to stick around as long as possible.  I also like his professional teacher/partner Anna Trebunskaya.

The dances tonight are the Quick Step and the Jive.  Both are fast and difficult to do well.  I got the team names from the DWTS website. 

Hope and Maks are first and dance the jive.  It was fun and had a soccer theme.  The judges said she needed to spend more time working on her dancing.  Hope said soccer and dance kicks are two entirely different things.  Her body is amazing.  I said last week that she has 0% body fat with extremely toned muscles!  What she wore this week was revealing and showed her abs and back, so no one could help notice.  Score for Team MakSolo was 19.  Maks might be solo before we're ready for it.  No!! 

Kristin and Mark's quick step had a Marilyn Monroe vibe as they danced to "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend."  Team KristinBalls was lively and entertaining with praise from the judges except for Len who still gave them a "well done."  Their score was 22. 

David and Kym did a sparkly gold jive that was stronger on enthusiasm than technique.  Courtney Cox and their daughter CoCo were at the table with David's sister Rosanna and someone I didn't recognize.  I hope he gets to stay a while longer because he is sweet and entertaining.  Score for Team GoodTimes was 18.

Elisabetta and Val had issues during rehearsal.  Val sounds just like Maks when he's teaching her the dances.  I keep trying to figure out what George Clooney saw in her for two years other than her looks.  She's definitely high-maintenance and doesn't dance that well which leads to some of my theories about dancing and sex.  I'll just say she's a dead dance.  Not too much longer for DWTS Team Valisabetta's score was surprisingly 21.

Rob and Cheryl danced a surfer jive.  Rob smiles enthusiastically and does pretty well.  His mother and frozen-faced from botox and surgery step-father Bruce Jenner cheered him on.  Carrie Ann said it's official that he dances better than Kim.  Remember when she was on there for a couple of weeks?  Me either.  Score for Team CherBert is also 21.

Carson and Anna did the quick step.  Last week they were so popular and entertaining that they did the encore dance!  This quick step was colorful with bright crayon hues in their costumes.  I believe we're going to hear "better on enthusiasm than skill" again.  This was a bit awkward for the quick step which is supposed to be lively and controlled.  Len said the worst dancers this season are the most entertaining.  Team CarsonAnna had scores that reflected his lack of technique and totaled 18.  That's about what I thought.

Ricki and Derek danced the jive with a 20's theme.  Ricki had trouble with endurance and stamina and asked how Kirstie Alley managed to do it.  Team DRickilous did a lot of bump and grind with enthusiasm and energy.  Bruno said Ricki's kicks and flicks were the only ones done right all evening and Carrie Ann said best jive of the night.  Ricki said she's lost weight and 12 inches so far.  Their score was 23. 

Chaz and Lacey danced the quick step.  Chaz said he was afraid his knees would blow or that he'd literally pass out.  Chaz lumbered through the pain with determination and charm.  Bruno said it was like watching a little Ewok dance with Princess Leia which was cute and lovely but that the quick step had to be lively and this was too slow.  Team Schwaz shouldn't be on too much longer but might because of the fan base he and Cher have.  Score was 17. 

Chynna and Tony danced a jive. She did well but seems sort of restrained in a way.  The judges said it was "polite" and not enthusiastic enough.  Team ChynnaDove had a score of 21. 

Nancy and Tristan danced a quick step.  She shut down during rehearsal and quit speaking for a while.  They talked it out and got past it.  Her technique was awkward but had good footwork.  Len said this dance followed the rules and was a proper quick step.  She had a Janet Jackson type of wardrobe malfunction, but Tom Bergeron stepped in front of her and the camera panned away while she adjusted herself.  He said that would be fine on the European version.  Team MacGrace had a score of 21.  Len gave them an 8! 

J. R. and Karina did a lively and entertaining jive that was really good.  J.R.'s foot work was great, his stage presence engaging, and his musicality right on!  The judges praised them.  Carrie Ann, the lift police, had to point that out, and Len said it was a Lindy Hop instead of a jive.  Standing O from the audience!  Score for Team Martinoff was 22. 

Now let the voting begin!  It's hard to tell this early who will stay and who won't.  Voters as we know are a fickle lot. 

Heed Bob Barker's Advice

Steve Currie's Photos

Please spay or neuter your pets! This is a tragic example of an in-bread cat.

DWTS Results

First to go - Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace  (whatever)

I wasn't sure that's how it would happen since ballplayers usually stick around a little while or get first or second place.  This is fine with me.  

DWTS Season 13 Week 1

I've watched every episode of every season, and here I am again!  Not sure if I'll recap DWTS but will write about it every week.  New tri-level ballroom.  Brooke Burke got married and hyphenated.  This is the first week, so it will take a while for them to really dance.  The dwarf stars are nervous. Here goes ...

Ron Artest dances with a new pro this season Peta Murgatroyd who is from Australia (so is Kym Johnson).  Their cha-cha was lively and fun but sort of awkward.  The huge height difference was OK during this dance but could be a problem later on.  Ron Artest is a basketball player whose hair is a work of "art" in the way Dennis Rodman's was at times.  It's blonde with writing on the sides.  Not really a good look. 

Scores:  5 + 4 + 5 = 14

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke had the Viennese Waltz for their first dance.  Awkward.  Lumbering.  Yet arrogant.  If anyone can get him to improve, it's Cheryl.  The judges thought he might make it a few more weeks if he loosens up and dances to the music.

Scores:  6 + 5 + 5 = 16

 Kristin Cavallari is or was the bad girl on The Hills, which I've never seen and have no idea who she is.  She said she was engaged but it was broken and that she hopes this will help get her mind off of it.  OK.  Her partner Mark Ballas told her she has natural dance talent.  They are doing the cha-cha pretty well.  Very good beginning!  Bruno was smarmy and Len was nice to the pretty blonde.

Scores:  7 + 6 + 6 = 19

Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovalani danced a Viennese Waltz, and she was graceful and lovely.  I mentioned before that I keep forgetting that she's married to Billy Baldwin.  It's one of those things I block.  The judges praised her.  Hope she gets votes and sticks around.  Tony finally got a good partner for a change!  He was so thrilled with what the judges said and the scores that what I suspected might be true that he has PTSD from having to be around Kate Gosselin season before last. 

Scores:   8 + 7  + 7 +  = 22

Nancy Grace is paired with Tristan MacManus (new this season but has been in the dance troupe - and quite sexy I might add - Irish accent and all).  They danced the cha-cha.  Well, mostly.  She walked through parts of it.  She did seem to have fun but was busy concentrating on the moves.  I can understand that.  First week.  Then the judges argued.

Scores:   5 + 5 + 6 +  = 16

David Arquette has Kym Johnson for his partner, and they danced the Viennese Waltz.  Kym is a taskmaster (taskmistress?) and David is sweet, funny, and wants to do well.  He was a little stiff but did well overall.  I hope he and Courtney get back together.  She and their daughter were in the audience cheering him on, which made me a little teary.  The judges said he has potential and did well but didn't get out of his head. 

Score:  6 + 6 + 6+ = 18

Elisabetta Canalis has Maksim's younger brother Val Chmerkovskiy for her partner.  Yes, there was a photo of her with George Clooney since that's her claim to fame in the US.  In Italy she's a model.  She and Val had a communication problem since she doesn't speak English fluently, and he speaks it well but is Ukrainian.  That was interesting.  The judges said she danced pretty well when she was with Val but not on her own.  From what they said, she might not be on too long.  Models don't often last more than a few weeks if that long.

Score:  5 + 5 + 5 +  = 15

Hope Solo dances with Maksim Chmerkovskiy.  It's going to be another battle of wits between them!  Maks said the Viennese Waltz doesn't suit her at all, but she managed it pretty well and was graceful for someone who is all muscle.  I don't think she has any body fat at all.  Being the athlete she is, her discipline, focus, and competitive spirit will will get her there.  She might win it.

Score:   7 + 7 + 7 +  = 21

Carson Kressley and Anna Trebunskaya should be a good team.  I just love him, and she's fun and a good teacher. Cha-cha for them which was lots of fun which it would have to be.  He worked it and gave a performance!  The audience loved it!  Carson pranced.  The judges loved the performance and sparkle!  I knew he'd be fun and entertaining!

Score:   6 + 5 + 6 +  = 17

J. R. Martinez dances with Karina Smirnoff. He survived a land mine and sustained burns and 33 surgeries.  He's a veteran and an actor.  They danced the Viennese Waltz, and he was graceful and focused but seemed relaxed and confident.  After all he endured, how would this make him nervous?  He has a wonderful attitude and great smile.  The judges praised his dancing. 

Score:   8 + 7 + 7 +  = 22

Ricki Lake has Derek Hough for a partner.  He and Mark Ballas trained together and are both fearless competitors. They danced the Viennese Waltz.  Ricki said Kristie Alley inspired her to go on DWTS and that she wants to lose weight and win a mirror ball.  Smooth, graceful performance. 

Score:   7 + 6 + 7 +  = 20

Chaz Bono is dancing with Lacey Schwimmer. I knew they'd have Chaz last since that's what they do about dancetestants who are controversial and/or awaited.  Chaz did OK on the cha-cha with good footwork and moves.  He looked like he was having fun.  The judges were supportive and praised their dance. 

Score:   6 + 5 + 6 = 17

Predictions?  Probably the first to go will be Elisabetta, Nancy, and Rob.  Best so far are Hope, Chynna, J. R., and Ricki.  It's really hard to tell because so much of the voting has to do with their fan base and popularity.  The best dancers make it to the finals but don't always win.

Now on to Castle!! 

Chicago

Since I didn't win the HGTV Urban Oasis in NYC, I will just have to win the one in Chicago.  When I win this, I can enjoy an apartment in downtown Chicago and go to plays and do all kinds of things including entertain my friends and spend time with Dan and Luis.  The house swapping idea is even more attractive since there are probably people in the UK who would rather visit Chicago instead of Dickson, and that place would always be prepared for company.  I seriously am considering the house swap when I get my house ready to be inhabited.  But now I want this apartment in Chicago and will find a way to pay taxes and whatever on it so I can keep it.  Wish me luck!!

Link HERE.

Confession

Well, I managed to burn myself out playing Angry Birds on my iPhone.  I played it so much the battery needed to be charged several times a day.  When Brendan was here this weekend, he watched me play a few times and would say, "When you fail the next level, come outside with me."  In a later conversation, he asked if failing levels was good.  I explained that it was losing, so we had a laugh about that.  Anyway, this is a welcome break from it for a while.  I know I'll be back to smashing structures, freeing caged birds, trying for 3 stars, and finding golden eggs soon but now not so much.  I had my own intervention! 

Words Matter

I'll bet many of those people who applauded the execution of prisoners and yelled "YES" about letting patients without insurance die identify themselves as being "pro-life."  Ironic and hypocritical, isn't it?  They can't by definition be pro-life and in favor of the death penalty, of sending soldiers to war to kill "enemies," advocate letting anyone die who can't afford insurance, and/or bomb abortion clinics or kill doctors while they're in church.  What they are is anti-abortion.  Not pro-life. 

Patti Davis on the Republican Debate Last Week

The moment that would have broken my father's heart was the moment when applause broke out at the mention of more than 200 executions ordered by Rick Perry in Texas. It was stunning and brought tears to my eyes. This is what we've come to? That we applaud at executions?
I remember the first time my father ordered an execution when he was Governor. He and a minister went into a room, got down on their knees and prayed. The real shame of our times is that there doesn't seem to be anyone on the political horizon with that compassion in his or her heart.

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2011/09/08/time-taps-patti-davis-insist-reagan-debate-shows-candidates-except-hun#ixzz1XnplNvG0

Teachings of Jesus?

A bit of a startling moment happened near the end of Monday night's CNN debate when a hypothetical question was posed to Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). What do you tell a guy who is sick, goes into a coma and doesn't have health insurance? Who pays for his coverage? "Are you saying society should just let him die?" Wolf Blitzer asked.

"Yeah!" several members of the crowd yelled out.

Paul interjected to offer an explanation for how this was, more-or-less, the root choice of a free society. He added that communities and non-government institutions can fill the void that the public sector is currently playing. "We never turned anybody away form the hospital," he said of his volunteer work for churches and his career as a doctor. "We have given up on this whole concept that we might take care of ourselves, assume responsibility for ourselves ... that's the reason the cost is so high."

The answer may have struck a truly libertarian tone but it was clearly overshadowed by the members of the crowd who enthusiastically cheered the prospect of letting a man die rather than picking up the tab for his coverage.

Mudd Trivia

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd treated the leg of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. His actions produced the expression "his name is Mudd," signifying utter disgrace.

DWTS

I might recap DWTS this season after taking a few years off for good behavior.  Here are photos of the dancetestants.  Still haven't decided about the recap but will at least write posts about this season.  Interesting article HERE that gives the odds and why from TV/Line.  Their prediction for top three are Hope/Maks, Ricki/Derek, and David/Kym.  I believe Hope and Ricki will be in the finals but guess I should see them dance first.  So much depends on fan base.

These are the only photos I found from rehearsals.  More to follow.  Btw, I keep trying to forget that Chynna Phillips is married to William Baldwin.  It makes me shudder.  Stephen is totally creepy.  Alex is funny.  But then there's all that with her sister Mackenzie and their dad of the Mamas and the Papas.  Wilson Phillips reality show to air soon.  Just saying.  Much more drama in that family than all the Kardashians. 

Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer

Ron Artest and Peta Murgatroyd  (Heaven's to ... will be thought how many times?)

Mark Ballas and Kristin Cavallari  (Who is she?)

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough

Elisabetta Canalis and Val Chmerkovskiy  (Maksim's brother)

Not Plagiarized - But Possibly Breaking the Law

(I kept that part at the end to explain the title.) 

The “Dancing with the Stars” celebrity and pro pairs have been revealed — and it appears some old faces won’t be returning this season, while some new faces will be joining the fray

The duos were announced Wednesday morning on “Good Morning America.”

-David Arquette is paired with Kym Johnson, the defending champion (she won with Hines Ward in Season 12) returning for her tenth season.

- Ron Artest joins Peta Murgatroyd, a Troupe member last season making her debut as a pro.

- Chaz Bono will dance with Lacey Schwimmer, who is back for her fifth season.

- Elisabetta Canalis joins Val Chmerkovskiy, Maksim’s brother, who is making his “DWTS” debut.

- Kristin Cavallari is paired with Mark Ballas, a two-time champ returning for his ninth season.

- Nancy Grace teams up with Tristan MacManus, a Troupe member from last season making his debut as a pro.

- Robert Kardashian joins Cheryl Burke, a two-time champ who is back for her twelfth season.

- Carson Kressley will dance with Anna Trebunskaya, who returns for her eighth season.

- Ricki Lake is teamed with three-time champ Derek Hough, who returns for his eighth season, after sitting out last season.

- J.R. Martinez is paired with Karina Smirnoff, who returns for her ninth season.

- Chynna Phillips joins Tony Dovolani, who is back for his twelfth season.

- Hope Solo will dance with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his eleventh season.

Among the pros not competing with celebrity partners this year are Louis Van Amstel, Chelsie Hightower, Dmitry Chaplin.

The new season will premiere on Monday, September 19, in a two-hour show, from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT.

The following night, ABC will air “Dancing with the Stars: Meet the Cast,” which airs at 8 PM, followed at 9 PM by the first “DWTS” results show.

Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hay-soose Trivia

In 1963 Matty, Felipe, and Jesus Alou became the only three brothers in history to start a baseball game in the outfield for the same major league team: the San Francisco Giants.

Wheaties Trivia

American consumers were asked to vote for their favorite Wheaties champion of all time. Wheaties celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1999 by rereleasing the original cereal packages featuring the champions selected; the top ten vote recipients were Michael Jordan, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mary Lou Retton, Tiger Woods, Cal Ripken, Jr., Walter Payton, John Elway, Jackie Robinson, and the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.

Qantas Trivia

Australia’s airline, Qantas, was formed in 1920. Its name came from the initials of Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services, not, as some may have suspected, from a native species of bird or marsupial.

Heeeeere's Johnny!

Johnny Carson delivered 4,531 opening monologues during his 30 years as host of The Tonight Show.

And no one did it better!

Jukebox Trivia

The first jukebox was installed at the Palais Royal Hotel in San Francisco in 1899.

For a nickel apiece a thrilled group tunes in on a screechy jukebox of the 1890s. Photo: Bettmann/Corbis 

1889: The first jukebox is installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco. It becomes an overnight sensation, and its popularity spreads around the world.

That first jukebox was constructed by the Pacific Phonograph Company. Four stethoscope-like tubes were attached to an Edison Class M electric phonograph fitted inside an oak cabinet. The tubes operated individually, each being activated by the insertion of a coin, meaning that four different listeners could be plugged in to the same song simultaneously.

Towels were supplied to patrons so they could wipe off the end of the tube after each listening.

The success of the jukebox eventually spelled the end of the player piano, then the most common way of pounding out popular music to a line of thirsty barflies.

The machine was originally called the “nickel-in-the-slot player” by Louis Glass, the entrepreneur who installed it at the Palais Royale. (A nickel then had the buying power of $1.08 today.) It came to be known as the jukebox only later, although the origin of the word remains a bit vague. It may derive from “juke house,” a slang reference to bawdy house, where music was not unknown.

Trekkie Trivia That Some of You Know Already

In the classic Star Trek series, Doctor McCoy’s nickname was Bones, but his little-used first name was Leonard.

Corn Dogs

I added pictures to that post.  It's a Beavis & Butthead thing!  LOL  

Charlotte Festival

My mother who is 91 was Grand Marshall of the Charlotte Festival.  Here she is in the parade!  My cousin Emily is driving in her classic 1987 Mercedes convertible.  It was lots of fun seeing family and friends.  The weather was around 90 and not as humid as it has been.  Mother made it fine and had fun.  She's amazing!  She still drives and gets around so well.  Her mind is sharp, and she's the best mother ever!!

Campaigning with Mustard

I had to do this!  I was at the Festival.  There were corn dogs.  I have a camera. 

Just in case you missed my point (which I doubt)!  LOL 

Never thought I had anything in common with Mitt, but obviously we chose our photo ops more carefully than the others did.

Irene

Let me hear from all my east coast friends who can get in touch!!  I've been so worried about all of you!  Hope everyone is safe and dry. 

Followers

Something happened to my followers list.  It disappeared!  :-(

Good Cause

One of my former students from the gifted program could use a little of your time by voting online or texting.  He's the choral director at Penn State and this is a way of raising money for three of his groups to go to the world competition.  If you drink Pepsi (I'm a Coke person), you can enter the codes on the yellow caps.  He's on FB - Jason Bishop.  Check out his page and see more about him and his work.  Here's the link to the website - CLICK HERE.  Time is about to run out.  I just tried it and it wasn't a big deal.  Thanks!! 

This is an article about him in our local paper The Dickson Herald:

A Dickson County native who is now choir director at a Pennsylvania college is trying to garner support to earn a Pepsi Refresh Grant to help send his youth choir to the World Choir Games in Cincinnati.

Dr. Jason Bishop grew up in Burns, graduated DCHS in 1994, and now is director of choral activities at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, in Erie, Pa. Bishop founded the multicultural Young People’s Chorus of Erie while at PSE.

The YPCE shares a mission with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, providing opportunities for children ages 7 to 18 to participate in a comprehensive choral program that celebrates diversity, multiculturalism, and equal opportunities for children from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Bishop applied for a $25,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh program. The grants are awarded based on online voting. If the YPCE remains in the Top 15 of vote-getters come Aug. 31, they will receive the $25,000.

“We’re very excited and appreciative of all the support and I’m especially touched that my hometown… would extend its support in this way,” Bishop said.

To vote, log on to www.refresheverything.com/ypcerie and register, or follow the instructions on www.facebook.com/YPCErie.

People can also vote to help YPCErie by texting the number 107988 to the phone number 73774. Also, if you are registered on the website, you can vote additional times by purchasing Pepsi cans with the yellow tops and entering the code.

Bishop’s parents Michael and Linda Bishop currently reside in White Bluff and his sister, Amanda Bishop, still lives in Burns.

Overpopulation Anxiety

For a long time, it's bothered me that there are too many people in the world.  It's getting worse.  It's hard for me to watch the news or see crowds of people in person without feeling upset about it.  This isn't Ochlophobia--Fear of crowds or mobs.  Being in crowds doesn't bother me.  It's just knowing there are too damned many people on earth.  The planet agrees with me and is trying to get rid of us with hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters.  We've screwed up.  There are limited resources many of which people have almost depleted.  Anyway, just wanted to let you know this is making me nuts.  Why can't the Rapture be real and happen soon?  .  

Queen Mother

My mother is going to be Grand Marshal of the Charlotte Festival parade Saturday.  HERE is an article about it.  My hometown where she still lives is very small, as you can tell from this article.  I'll try to post some pictures after the weekend.  Brian and Brendan are coming to it, and Brendan will spend the night with me Saturday night.

Mother said that sounded like a male title, so I told her she was Queen of the Festival.  She's 91 and will ride in a car in the parade.  She didn't know of any other duties expected of her.  She's amazing!  I won't ever make it to 91, and if I do, no way will I be in the shape she's in.  I never have been!  She's always worked circles around me.  Her mind is still sharp and so is her humor.  I'm really fortunate to have such a fab mother!!  

Reunion

My 50th high school reunion is tonight.  Damn, I'm old!  Some of you aren't even 50 years old.  Anyway, where did all this time go so fast?

Where Do They Go?

Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood, we have only 206 in our bodies.

Arlo Guy

Yesterday I was grocery shopping and saw a guy who looked like Arlo Guthrie about a decade ago.  I wanted to take his picture so I could send it to my son and say, "Hey!  Arlo Guthrie is at Kroger!" but restrained myself.  After I put my groceries in the car and returned the cart, I noticed the shopping carts were jammed and spilling into the parking lot in the way of cars, so I started fixing them.  The Arlo Guy came up and joined in.  We discussed the mess and how some people don't even take their carts to the designated places and leave them to run into cars.  Yes, we felt superior.  Oh the fun we had!

Then as we were leaving, I told him I'd wanted to ask if I could take his picture when we were inside and told him why.  He said so many people tell him he looks like Arlo Guthrie.  We mentioned "Alice's Restaurant" and "The Motorcycle Song"  and how some people don't know who Arlo Guthrie is.  Sort of condescending but enjoyable.  Then he told me I could take his picture if I wanted to.  So I whipped out my phone and sent the photo to Brian.  All in all a pleasant experience.  Brian is probably so glad he wasn't with me and in another situation where I embarrassed him.  It helped make him the fine man he is today, I'm sure.  Or at least it prepared him for Brendan. 

I'm sort of torn about posting that guy's picture on here but will do so hoping he doesn't know about it.  Close resemblance, huh?

Here's the real Arlo:

Here's the Arlo Guy:

Woodstock Trivia

When Neil Young arrived at Woodstock with Jimi Hendrix, they found they had to go several miles to reach the stage, so they stole a pickup truck and drove off. Later Young called the incident "one of the high points of my life."

Sent by a Friend

Click to be able to read it.

Good to Know

Contrary to popular misconception, bats do not become entangled in human hair and seldom transmit disease to other animals or humans.

Sedentary, My Dear Watson

If I've ever been in doubt about how sedentary my life is, all I have to do is go to the gym. Comparing my activity level now to what it was 10-20 years ago is bad enough, but when I compare it to my mother's who is 91, it's horrific. I did my time on the elliptical and the treadmill which is by no means impressive but is a start. Then I saw the mother of one of my former students. She is 50 and rode her bicycle 20 miles yesterday and said she usually does 20-30. She was going what I thought was fast on the elliptical (forward and backward pedaling), but she said this was a light day since yesterday was heavy with the bike riding. Light for her was 6 or 7 mph. I do well to go 2.5 mph on it and definitely can't last as long as she did!

There were some other women around my age who walked about the same pace I did on the treadmill. I realize it's not a competition and am glad it isn't. It just drives home to me how inactive I've been physically, and it shows! I feel like crap most of the time unless I exercise and then feel better, dammit!! I used to ride my bike (never more than a few miles, though), took aerobics classes, played tennis, swam, walked a lot, and danced (that requires dating which brings up some other activities I used to participate in, too). Sorry, Neil Young, but I've been rusting instead of wearing out.

OK, so it's a start. I'm walking on the treadmill and pedaling on the elliptical. Next the weight machines and a class called Silver Sneakers for us seniors. After that, I'll see. The dating activities look doubtful. At least I can still hold my own in a trivia game.

This Could Be An Advantage

By the age of 20, the average man or woman has lost up to 20 percent of his or her sense of smell. By the age 60, 60 percent is gone.

I'm Going to Print this to Give to Some People

      An engineering professor is treating her husband, a loan officer, to dinner for finally giving in to her pleas to shave off the scraggly beard he grew on vacation.  His favorite restaurant is a casual place where they both feel comfortable in slacks and cotton/polyester-blend golf shirts.  But, as always, she wears the gold and pearl pendant he gave her the day her divorce decree was final.  They're laughing over their menus because they know he always ends up diving into a giant plate of ribs but she won't be talked into anything more fattening than shrimp.

      Quiz:  How many biblical prohibitions are they violating?  Well, wives are supposed to be 'submissive' to their husbands (I Peter 3:1).  And all women are forbidden to teach men (I Timothy 2:12), wear gold or pearls (I Timothy 2:9) or dress in clothing that 'pertains to a man' (Deuteronomy 22:5).  Shellfish and pork are definitely out (Leviticus 11:7, 10) as are usury (Deuteronomy 23:19), shaving (Leviticus 19:27) and clothes of more than one fabric (Leviticus 19:19).  And since the Bible rarely recognizes divorce, they're committing adultery, which carries the rather harsh penalty of death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22).

      So why are they having such a good time?  Probably because they wouldn't think of worrying about rules that seem absurd, anachronistic or - at best - unrealistic.  Yet this same modern-day couple could easily be among the millions of Americans who never hesitate to lean on the Bible to justify their own anti-gay attitudes.  ~Deb Price, And Say Hi To Joyce

Gerrymandering

For the first time in 40 years there is a Republican majority in the TN state legislature, and they are taking full advantage of it.  They have already pulled a Wisconsin-type attack on teachers.  We had a Democrat for governor for the last two terms.  As you can see, we've mostly had Democratic governors for a long time.  Now we have Bill Haslam, Republican owner of the Pilot oil stations.

 Name           Term                Party         Life  State of Birth Occupation

Frank G. Clement	January 15, 1953 – January 19, 1959	Democratic	1920–1969	TN	Lawyer
Buford Ellington	January 19, 1959 – January 15, 1963	Democratic	1907–1972	MS	Farmer
Frank G. Clement	January 15, 1963 – January 16, 1967	Democratic	1920–1969	TN	Lawyer
Buford Ellington	January 16, 1967 – January 16, 1971	Democratic	1907–1972	MS	Farmer
Winfield Dunn	January 16, 1971 – January 18, 1975	Republican	b. 1927	MS	Dentist
Ray Blanton	January 18, 1975 – January 16, 1979	Democratic	1930–1996	TN	Farmer, businessman
Lamar Alexander	January 16, 1979 – January 17, 1987	Republican	b. 1940	TN	Lawyer, US Senator
Ned McWherter	January 17, 1987 – January 21, 1995	Democratic	1930–2011	TN	Businessman
Don Sundquist	January 21, 1995 – January 18, 2003	Republican	b. 1936	IL	Businessman
Phil Bredesen	January 18, 2003 – January 15, 2011	Democratic	b. 1943	NJ	Businessman
Bill Haslam	January 15, 2011 – Present	Republican	b. 1958	TN	Businessman

 Back in the day, Democrats were all we had for Senators and Congressmen, too.  Alas!  So now the Republicans are gerrymandering the districts, and it looks as if we'll be in the district that has Republican Marsha Blackburn!  Anyone who keeps up with politics has seen her in action.  The horror!!!!  She lives in Williamson County, the richest county in the state.  Here's the article in our local paper.

Provide your own captions!!  These two are variations on a theme.  Beavis and Butthead moment I'm having here or better known as a Maddie and Auntie Flame regular size-queen conversation when we are naughty!  

This photo was published in The Nashville Scene. And Blackburn's reaction? She said, “If only every member could get the Politico to run a picture of them when they were young, blond and 30.”

I'm Praying for the Rapture!

I am so ready for the Rapture to come and take all those crazies away from us so we can have a better life.  If only!!!



Source and informative article

And a First-Class Ticket for Mooselini and Crazy Eyes!

Crazy Eyes

It’s ironic that the Bachmann campaign represents the best chance for getting a gay man into the White House.

Posting

I haven't posted for a while since I either don't have much to say or have way too much!  Know what I mean?

Another Reason to Stay Out of the Amazon

The electric eel has thousands of electric cells, with those organs making up four-fifths of its body. It lives in the Amazon River and its tributaries and is the most shocking animal on Earth; no other animal packs such a big charge. If attacking a large prey, a 9-foot-long eel can discharge about 800 volts. One zap could easily stun a human senseless. The larger the eel, the bigger the charge. The electric eel’s shocking power is so great that it can overtake its victims while 15 feet away.

And they're ugly, too.

Eye Trivia

The only part of the human body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.

Fish Trivia

Goldfish lose their color if they are kept in a dim light or are placed in a body of running water, such as a stream. They remain gold when kept in a pond or in a bowl with adequate illumination.

No, not this kind. Anyone who watched The West Wing remember the goldfish incident between C.J. and Danny?

Yes, these guys!