I call this pic 'Red Green'

Sandy and I were having our usual dinner on our back porch. Usually our fine feathered friends are none too pleased due to us interrupting their dinner.

We tell those bunch of free-loaders that we need our dinner too!!

Anyway, during the course of our meal, the birds came and went anyway--some ignoring us whilst munching away on the various bird feeders we have around the back yard--some just staying perched in nearby trees, waiting for us to finish up and go inside.

Sandy grabbed the camera and took some pics of the birds. I'll embiggen the one I really loved--

click on image to get a reeeeallly big picture

This is a spectacular shot! No cropping or photo editing was done to this pic at all--this came right off the camera and posted here.

Yet another reason added to the infinite number of reasons why I love my babe.

So there you are.

And parenthetically related.

Turns out that a student was sueing the school board for 'humiliation', et al. because she was admonished for using the term, 'That's so gay.'

Right here on CNN.com--No damages for student who said 'That's so gay' we find that one Rebekah Rice was tormented after she was disciplined for uttering that statement.

In a fit of judicial common sense, the judge presiding over this matter wasn't going to put up with the lawsuit--

This is my favourite bit--

The judge pointed out that--perhaps--the "miserable situation" that this kid and her family found themselves in was brought on by themselves.

Wow! Who knew?? Painting a bright red target on your back and carrying a sign saying 'Kick Me!' would lead to, well, someone kicking you.

In gambling parlance--you rolls da dice and takes yer chances. In this case, Rebekah (and family)--you lose.

Oh, and the closing bit--

I bet all the money in my pocket against all the money in your pocket that had the judge favoured this frivilous suit against the school board, Rebekah and her family would have been all over the news and on the talk shows, publicly commenting on the issue to their hearts content.

Or, at least until the next shiny object shows up and distracts the purveyors of the media.

Oh, and here's the life lesson from the judge--

Whoda thunk?

Look kids--here's a truth that you will encounter at some point in your life--people can be mean. No, seriously they can. I know it's a surprise, but sometimes people can say or do cruel things to you.

And ya wanna know a bigger truth? Kids can be the worst offenders of all--even without trying to be malicious.

I had a nickname through my grade school tenure--'Dugout'. Hadn't thought it in a while--after all, school was *cough* *mumble* *cough* years ago. Dugout was assigned to me by my peers 'cause my eyes appear to be slightly recessed in my skull. I don't think about it now, but growing up it sure bothered me 'cause of the 'playground tauntings' from my fellow classmates.

As well, I was a Boy Scout, which caused no end of glee for those that liked taunting those that happened to be in Boy Scouts.

I couldn't play sports and was completely unco-ordinated--basically a big clutz. Yeah, they wouldn't ridicule me over that.

And I liked Star Trek. How far do you think that got me with 'the cool dudes' in my class?

Here's the thing--another surprise--it's part of life. It's part of growing up and part of what makes a person who they are. For me, name calling and 'being picked on' in my youth made me better able to deal with difficult people now--it doesn't matter how angry someone is or how upsetting thier words are--I can deal with the issues and the person rationally.

So you can either accept the fundamental human nature in others--understand that some people will sometimes say hurtful things at some point in through lives (especially kids)--or you can become bitter and resentful--allowing that which you disliked in others to become a part of you.

Sticks and stones and all that.

In the end, Rebekah, the only words that you ever really have to concern yourself with are the ones coming out of your mouth.

Here's the entire conversation--I'll add context after the fact.

Now this conversation took place outside, and there was traffic noise so that's why I thought the 'Other Guy' didn't hear me the first time I mentioned that, yes indeed, it is a little nippy.

So that was the context I took the 'Pardon?' in.

However, as was pointed out to me later, the 'Other Guy' was of Japanese heritage and that the word 'Nippy' may have offended him.

Reviewing the entire conversation with this 'Other Guy' in my head--y'know, talking about the weather, how late Spring was, the beautiful flowers around, etc--standard fare for meeting a complete stranger whilst out for a walk--I don't recall any sign of offense after the word 'nippy' entered the conversation (twice, I might add, due to the 'Pardon?').

However, I also know that when, during the course of conversations I've had with complete strangers met on the street, I usually don't show any signs of offense should there be a 'slip of the tongue'--say, when foul language eminates from the other party(s) to designate the either blistering hot temperatures ("it's effing HOT!!", as if adding the 'F' word automatically denotes that the temperature is soooo much hotter than just saying "It's HOT!!") or blistering cold temperatures (same as before--using 4 letter words to show that its soooo much more--whatever).

As an aside, if you have to use '4 letter' words to make your point, you've already lost me--I've ceased to care what your point--true or not--was.

Anyway, so here I am now with this dilemma. I'll never see the 'other guy' again to ask if he was offended or just didn't hear me due to traffic noise. Moreover, why should I even worry about it--I certainly didn't mean to offend, and the word 'nippy' as it stands, has nothing to do with nor is derogatory towards people of Japanese ancestry. I'm not stating this--the dictionary is.

From dictionary.reference.com--

Basically, nippy is a British euphemism, originating circa 1565, for 'Hey, it's a little cool out here!'

So this entire thing started reminding me of that politician's aide a few years back that was admonished by some because he may have 'offended the black community' when he stated that 'the government should be a little more niggardly with its spending'.

Just looking into this now to refresh my mempry about the 'niggardly' situation (ahh, the internet--where nothing can be hidden for long), and as a parenthetical to this issue, I came across this--

So let's walk thru this, shall we?

Aide gives little speech/lecture/press conference/whatever, and uses the word 'niggardly'

Some Other Guy (tm) gets all offended and starts leting everyone know that the aide issued a 'racial slur'

Of course the media, such as it is at this point in our history, jump all over this and calls for the 'aides head' are issued (this is coming from memory--not the article.

An investigation and sober second thought show up and do their work, and it turns out--surprise--that the aide didn't say or do anything remotely racially offensive in this matter.

Aide gets hired back, media goes, 'Oh look--something shiny over there!' and goes on its merry, and everyone lives happily ever after (after what--3-4 weeks of yippage from all sides, if I recall)

Except the 'Some Other Guy' (tm) who started this media feeding frenzy in the first place, has 'No Comment' about it.

Here's an idea, 'Some Other Guy' (tm)--how about *you* have 'No Comment' in the first place. How about *you* do the investigation and the 'sober second thought' before you go running to the press with your knickers in a twist! At the *very* least, an apology to the aide would be nice--you started this mess!

It's like the little boy with the match book in one hand and a gas can in the other and there's a building burning down behind him--"Hey little boy--what have you to say for yourself?" "Who me??? Why you lookin' at me? I didn't do nuttin'!! Nothing to see here--move along!"

Jackass.

(which is not a 4 letter epithet--honest!)

Anywayz, where was I? Oh right, nippy.

Bottom line, for me, is I meant no offense. I used a term for cooler weather that I've been using most of my life--dunno where I picked it up, but I like it (just like I like using the expression 'knickers in a twist/knot' and the word 'abode'--lovely, those) Should I apologize if offense was taken? This is where I'm on the fence. On the one hand, 'nippy' is an english word stating exactly what I wanted it to state in the context of the conversation. However, I should be sympathetic to historical usage of words with regards to ethnicity. Yes, nippy *isn't* the word that was used in a derogatory way for peoples of Japanese ancestry during WW2. But it's close.

I'll say this--the next time I'm talking about the cooler weather with someone, I'll probably hesitate to throw the word 'nippy' around. And I guess that's the bottom line--*think* before you speak.

Or as Captain Mal would say, "Jayne, your mouth's moving--you may want to look into that."

Thank you Amy Sherman-Palladino for giving us a time and place so well written that we really want to visit Stars Hollow.

Thank you Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel for portraying two of the most dynamic roles that we've viewed on the telly.

Thanks to all the actors, especially Scott Patterson for making this fictional town real for us all these years.

I was listening to the radio last night--flipping thru the statins when I came across someone talking about race/class/gender issues, capitalism vs. socialsm, and such related 'high falutin'' political ideas and ideals. I may write more later but what really got me thinking is this idea--

There are no 'true' fence sitters. Sure, we may say, 'I'm against the exploitation of my fellow citizen, but since I can't do anything *pro*active about it, I'll just 'tut-tut' it and do nothing. Or just 'sit on the fence'.

The issue is--if you sit on the fence and/or do nothing, you are, by your inaction, allowing the injustice to continue. Actions (or in this case, *in*actions) have consequenses. No matter how much you say 'I don't wnat to be political!!!'--life is politics. Whoever says it isn't doesn't want to face reality, or doesn't want you to face reality (and with that, along with conversations I've been having with my good buddy, Craig, I'll leave it for a future blog)

So getting off the fence. Whilst listening to the radio--a different station with different people talking about various issues facing us today, I heard this--

I googled the expression 'death rate in Iraq vs. death rate in Washington DC' and found the same passage on this site--Daily KOS, a 'left wing' political blog. They quoted it to debunk the claim that the death rate in Washington is higher than in Iraq.

Here's my take--I was listening to the radio and the 'political pundit' set it up like thus--

And then he put out the above statistics.

And I almost screamed at the radio.

Are you kidding me? The kill ratio of soldiers in Iraq vs the entire poplulation of Washington? And that's a valid comparison? That's suppose to assuage us into thinking 'Hey--Iraq's not *that* bad--I have a better chance of getting shot in the US nation capital'?

First, the numbers are wrong--over 3000 US deaths thus far. But even taking the nmbers as 'right', it's comparing *soldier deaths* in Iraq to *all* gun deaths in DC--civilians/cops/whomever.

How about checking into the stats of 'number of Star Trek geeks shot in Washington'--I think that number would be pretty low. It's still an irrelevant comparison, however. You put Washington DC into a war zone and then tally up the deaths of soldiers over a year and then--well, not even then 'cause not all war has the same impact on loss of life. But then again, war is hell.

Second--Washington is a--well, not a state but bigger than a city, and, well, Iraq is, or at least was, a sovereign *country*.

Those two are right off the top of my head to invalidate the comparisons.

No, the only valid comparison of death rates would be to take the gun death rate of the USA per capita and compare it to the gun death rate of *everyone* in Iraq at this time.

Oh, and three--let's not forget the IED's, the bombings, and all the other ways one can die in a war--didn't see that in the statistic--it was focused on gun related or 'firearm' deaths. Throw in those IED's and other war implements of maiming/killing and I think you'll have a much different set of numbers.

See, when you have to start reading *everything* with some sort of discernment, some sort of 'reading between the lines'--what's the underlying message the pundit's trying to get across to us--then where's that get us? The pundit even lulls the listening audience into a false sense of reasonableness by starting with, 'No matter where you stand', and ending with, 'therefore you *have to* accept my premise--it is, after all, backed up with numbers!'

Sherman T. Potter had something to say about that--"Horsefeathers!!!!"

And I can't believe we even have to get these statistics in the first place to show that 'one side' is better than 'the other side'! People are dead! Soldiers and civilians, politicians and criminals (but I repeat myself)--dead.

You want a comparison--How about the death rate of Iraq *before* the invasion by George W. Bush to the death rate now. Go ahead. Work out those numbers and get back to me.

Speaking of statistics--let's talk about George's facts vs truth stats?

WoMD? No.

9/11 links? No.

AQ links? Nada.

Oil will pay for this? Nope.

'Mission Accomplished? Still waiting.

So far, GWB is batting--what? .000??

Yeah, pro-Iraq wars people--put a sock in it. And don't try to 'massage' the numbers to make your case--you don't have reality on your side and, what's more, you know it--that's why you resort to the lies, the distortions, the willful ignorance of every real fact that has come up since the invasion.

I personally believe in a Just war--Churchill had to step up and stop the bully.

Iraq--not a Just war by any standards.

And if these pundits, who, for the most part work in and around Washington feel it's so much safer in Iraq right now, then I encourage them to make the trip.

Without a flak jacket, if you please, 'cause you're telling us that it's sooooo safe over there.

Jackasses.

For my birthday, amongst all the beautiful and thoughtful gifts I received, a DVD collection was found.

It's one I've been looking forward to for a *very* long time.

And Sandy, knowing my love for one particular half-hour comedy show from my youth, got it for me

So for the past few nights, we've been enjoying the antics of Herb and Les, Bailey and Jennifer, Johnny and Venus, Andy and Mr. 'The Big Guy' Carleson.

Yep, first season of WKRP in Cinninnatti on DVD in our very own home!

Thanks babe.

but it's Sandy's birthday today!

(yeah, a week after mine. I'm pretty lucky--I have no excuse for forgetting her birthday)

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Every day with you is a happy day for me!

Love you.

Goldfinches in April during a brief snow

The Spring didn't really want to start, but now--finally--it has.

So with much further ado, here's some 'Welcome Spring' pics from around our abode.

Little warmer for the finches

And the Blue Jays

Robins

And Cardinals

Wow--A virtual menagerie!!

But wait!! There's more!!

Squirrels

and Chippies!!

And for the flora lovers of the world--

Crocuses

Daffy-Dills

and Tulips

The front garden a few days ago

The front garden now

The 'Back Forty'

Walk along the tracks

And the centerpiece of our endeavours this Spring

Botanical Tulips

From our Wedding favours

See all Spring related pics around our abode here--Spring 2007 Pictures

Happy Birthday, babe.

Love you lots

Say goodbye to 'Gilmore Girls'

I guess I'll get my Tuesday nights back...

LOLTrek

In which we see screen caps from everyone's most favourite 'cute' Star Trek:TOS episode, done with better sub titles!!

'We has Tribbles and also Troubles'

Enjoy!

My good friend, Rob A, sent me this link a while back. I was going to get it up here, but promptly forgot all about it until this very day.

So with much further ado, here's the link--

Hamilton's Waterfalls

I have been to a few of these various locations in and around the Hamilton area--

My pics from Felker's Falls

Red Hill Creek (not really falls, but eh) before the highway construction

Not really in Hamilton, but close--Beamer's Conservation Area

Hamilton and nature--whoda thunk?

Enjoy the great outdoors--it's right in your very own back yard if you wanna look.