On how to write a research paper (for students)

I played Uno online (xbox live) this past week as a very late break from work and kittens before bed. Had lots of foul language voiced my way (playing a "Draw Two" definitely isn't worthy of what I got) and it really turned me off, again, of playing online with people I don't know. My friend at MS, Ben, recommended this site, geezergamers, for a community of 30+ game players. It's really sad to consider myself a "geezer", but nice to have such a community. Mind you, I've had more positive experiences than bad, but the bad ones really stand out.

I won't go into all the details as to why France doesn't deserve all the disdain we have given it since 9/11 (as sometimes it's just fun to make fun of), but this nice story seemed to miss the newsfeeds.

In many ways I understand why it's not good to have a true democracy (ie. the will of the people is rule), but here's an interesting top 10 list of items most Americans want, but aren't getting through our government (and peace and pie aren't on the list, but universal health care is).

On the lighter fair, I'm a big fan of Christian Bale, and here's an article giving him some fun, macho praise (don't click on the first video link if you're faint of heart as American Psycho is very violent though it was his breakout role).

Lastly, a hilarious Japanese game show - human tetris.

During the 2 minutes of escorting friends to their cars on Friday night, the cats attacked again.

Oh, and I still have three so if you want a beautiful, sweet and loving kitten, please take mine!!! I'm getting a bit desperate as I'm no longer able to rest or do work at home while they're up and about and that's impaired me in many ways. Yeah, I'm making an assumption that my life will be better minus 1 or 2 kittehs.

Saw my cousin Erica's performance in Crazy for You (the musical) in an outdoor production near Lincoln. It was a lot of fun and more so as clouds and lightning and wind threatened to end it early. Instead I had the most amazing lightning show straight ahead on the horizon. I've had a lot going on lately (when is that new?), but maybe more so emotionally, and the spectacle reminded me of why I trudge on. That life isn't fair, but it can be beautiful and you never know what will happen next and it's too short and ... and that I won't forget what and who is important to me and that I need not ever forget the good times in the past but will live creating and looking forward to the good times of tomorrow as they will come again in new ways. Yeah, something about an electric storm, fun musical and driving (and being tired) that leads me to this reflective state.

I'm way behind in many ways, but a lot of pictures are coming out soon (including pics from Spain & Cali!).

So I've added a new section to my photo area - just for kittens. But as I've been gone a lot lately and they've grown, so has the amount of messes being made. Yes, they were litter trained from the beginning, but curiosity combined with a hatred of plants (what else would you call it) has left a destructive path.

The carnage here left the entire bathroom full of dirt all over the tiles (and a permanently shut door for kitties). Uncertain if plant will make it (it was Sara's, too! ).


The faux flower display on my dining table was the most recent casualty - lots of small pieces of glass to clean up.


The saddest one was the discovery that my favorite mug (gotten a decade ago at the Renn Faire with Josh, Sarah and friends) was ceramic and destructible after being pushed off of 4 ft heights. At least they're following the scientific method...


Lastly, I'd like to tag some or any of the kitty pics on this site. Maybe something for icanhascheezburger.com fame? I especially like QBert hiding from the Roomba (maybe a Dalek reference here?) or the series of pics of TB attacking the fish on the TV while I was watching the BBC's Planet Earth (wonderful series!).

Got the 3 musketeers vaccinated today and related first check-ups. Over $300!!! Just another reason why I need to get their number down to 2 or 1 (update, cousin Kortney will be new owner of QBert as of Sat and will likely rename her).

But for good reasons!
Friday night had too many things going on at once. Uncle Garry & Aunt Paula and family+ (10 total) came by to see the new home and attend the free local concert and fireworks at the nearby park. Attended work picnic with literally a horde of little kids and babies (apparently all of the residents/fellows at UNMC chose that time to reproduce - breaking records). Had 4 friends come over afterwards and we all joined neighbors for BBQ and walked en masse to the fireworks and a little dancing to the final throws of KC & the Sunshine Band. Fireworks were impressive considering they were right above us and we just walked a few blocks to get there.
Yesterday I played softball for 2+ hours with a new group (mostly made up of swing dancers - the Omaha jitterbugs) and then ultimate frisbee. I haven't done either since jr high (softball) and college (ultimate) and my body is sore! Very nice group - got invited to do movie, D&D, and more for later that night. Instead took the option with least amount of physical activity - played poker with another group for 5 hrs or so. Whew!
Needless to say, the summer has brought out many new friends, activities and renewed my faith in the Omaha area.

So, Blade Runner is coming out in HD this fall for it's 25th anniversary. It's my favorite movie of all time (though LOTR trilogy gives it a good run). Nice article that covers it a bit.

Remember when I got to eat next to Warren Buffett a month ago? Well a guy paid $650K to eat lunch with him on ebay 2 days ago. Here's the news article. I feel like I got a much better deal for my lunch.

Earlier this week when I was sick, Mandi sent me this pic. It was delayed, but laughed my arse off for long time. Good therapy. Though most of you likely won't find it nearly as funny as me (D&D reference).