10 minutes

Yep, it took 10 minutes to put up my cmas decorations, in major part to my already perfectly decorated tree. Stowed year round fully decorated, in my closet. Let's hope Lady doesn't get too interested. That would be a mess.

Bulldog Fans In Korea??

Leigh Ann, this one's for you.

Creature Comforts

So Lauren S. is working on a new show for CBS....
Here is a sampling of it on youtube. Check it out. If you like Wallace and Grommit, this is definitely for you.
And hey, watching it will inevitably help Lauren with her job!

Weird..

PHOENIX, Arizona (Reuters) -- Scientists at a U.S. weapons laboratory say they have trained bees to sniff out explosives in a project they say could have far-reaching applications for U.S. homeland security and the Iraq war.

Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico said they trained honeybees to stick out their proboscis -- the tube they use to feed on nectar -- when they smell explosives in anything from cars and roadside bombs to belts similar to those used by suicide bombers.

Researchers in the program, dubbed the Stealthy Insect Sensor Project, published their findings Monday.

By exposing the insects to the odor of explosives followed by a sugar water reward, researchers said they trained bees to recognize substances ranging from dynamite and C-4 plastic explosives to the Howitzer propellant grains used in improvised explosive devices in Iraq.

"When bees detect the presence of explosives, they simply stick their proboscis out," research scientist Tim Haarmann told Reuters in a telephone interview. "You don't have to be an expert in animal behavior to understand it as there is no ambiguity."

The findings followed 18 months of research at the U.S. Energy Department's Los Alamos facility, the nation's leading nuclear weapons laboratory.

"We are very excited at the success of our research as it could have far-reaching implications for both defense and homeland security," Haarmann said.

While scientists have trained wasps to respond to the trace of explosives, Haarmann said research with bees appeared to show more promise.

Haarmann said the bees could be carried in hand-held detectors the size of a shoe box, and could be used to sniff out explosives in airports, roadside security checks, or even placed in robot bomb disposal equipment.

He said the next step would be to manufacture the bee boxes and train security guards in their use.

"It would be great to start saving some lives with this," he said.

happy turkey day!!

okay, so i'm a day early, but i wanted to wish everyone a very happy thanksgiving wherever you may be celebrating. i don't know about you guys, but i CANNOT WAIT to sit down tomorrow, sit back, and stuff my face. is there anything better? really? and after the last two weeks, i think i deserve a good meal. work has been insane lately. yesterday i was the last one out of the office and today i was the first one in. i felt like i had never left. my chair fits me better than my jeans do. it's so sad. this is a well needed break.

you guys be careful over the holiday weekend. stuff your faces with loads of turkey!!!

charlottesville

Ashley and I spent the weekend visiting his parents up in C-ville. Have I mentioned how much I love this town? I actually just googled Charlottesville images and came up with a fantastic set of photos on Flickr-
http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=charlottesville&w=14431468%40N00&m=pool

Don't get me wrong, I think Atlanta is a very pretty place as well, but there's just something about Charlottesville that is just so lovely. Take, for example, the picture to the left. Need I say more?

David Letterman's suggested sign-offs for Katie Couric

These are hilarious. Forward to Jen. I'm going to start using a few myself.

-- Save us, Superman
-- Suck on that, losers
-- Well, I’m off to the dog track
-- Three of tonight’s stories were fake. Write in if you think you know which ones
-- I’m gonna go get my freak on
-- Good night and get laid
-- Peace out, bitches
-- All you creepy old guys can put your pants back on
-- I’m Katie Couric, I'm gonna go get me some ribs
-- Next stop, Margaritaville
-- Oh, Lordy, I gots the news fever
-- Keep it real, pimps and ho’s
-- Let’s turn this mother out again tomorrow
-- Here, kitty kitty kitty
-- Keep feelin’ the funk
-- Til tomorrow, morons
-- Big up to my peeps in lockdown
-- Return to your sad little lives
-- From me to you, suck it
-- Putting the 'BS’ in CBS

Paperweight

This song makes you want to drift into dreamland. It's been one of those weeks, and I was in search of a lullaby tonight. This will put me to sleep with a smile. Good night.

My Corrupt Workplace

So last week the weakest link in my department resigned...AMEN...well then he rescinded his resignation...I didn't even know you could do that. It was not a great week. Work continues to be a lot of long hours. Friday night I got home at 7PM. My students have calmed down which is good news for everyone.

In the midst of all that drama this great blog was brought to my attention and really if you are up for a good read you might want to run through it. The man who has authored it was canned by GCPS a few months ago as the CFO and now is in Las Vegas with some great job, if I have the story straight. Alas, he took with him some choice documents before he was axed and now our superintendent is caught by the short hairs. Anyhow in case you are interested...

happy halloween (a week late)

I'm a little behind on my happy halloween wishes, but alas, here they are.
Really, I'm posting this now because I finally have my pumpkin carving pictures back and felt the need to share them. Silly? Of course. But now you can see the transformation of a pumpkin into a sad looking excuse for a Jackolantern.

Leaf Trip

Here are a few shots from the leaf trip...
there were a few that I really think are decent. Maybe if I had taken pictures of our food then it would be a different story. ; )

update photos