Friday Fun Day (Puzzle and List)

Puzzle 1:
(from lostdog)




















Puzzle 2:
(lostdog again)































Puzzle 3:

(from AO)

LIST:

1. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?

2. Where is the farthest place from home you have ever travelled?

3. How much time do you spend commuting each day?

4. Who is the most important person in your life and why?

Ghost of a Town

Lostdog sent me this link to a wonderful site full of photographs of ghost towns around the US. There is something oddly comforting and eerie about ghost towns. I like being reminded that the earth I live on is older than the span of my own life. I like imagining how long it took those boards and windows to fall into such disrepair. I like letting my mind wander through the decrepit mines once the hubs of civilization, now abandoned and unmarked holes in the ground.

It reminded me of a coal pit mine in West Virginia that I played on once as a child. I was 11 or so and our family had traveled that way to visit friends. I and another child (can't remember who at the moment) went for a walk through the land of an old, abandoned coal mine. The entrances to the mine were large, gaping caves, the entrances blocked with iron gates. I remember the surprising coolness of the air gushing from the caves into the hot, humid air. It was like a giant, outdoor air conditioner. We walked down a steep set of stairs (and by steep, I mean, nearly perpendicular to flat ground) flanked by a pair of rails. I tried to imagine how fast a cart would roll down that hill on those rails, but it made me dizzy. The steps were made of large, roughly-cut blocks of wood and stood about a foot high. It was a great workout!

At the bottom of the hill was a processing or refining machine. It was rusted out almost beyond recognition. We took turns walking up the steep ramp which was used as a conveyor belt to move coal up to the top of the three story structure to be piled high and to the side. The belt and conveyor mechanism were so rusted and full of holes that there were places a child might have fallen through. We, however, did not fall through, but climbed to the top and looked out from the mouth of the yawning rusted beast at a desolate, but beautiful mountain landscape. Of course now one would never send a child to play on a rust heap without full body armour and a tetanus shot, but for that day and that moment in time I was playing on the skeleton of a dragon. I still remember it as clearly as I see today and the image of that place will never leave me.

Friday Fun Day (List)

Since you still haven't figured out last week's word puzzle, I'll do something different today. Please answer the following questions as honestly as you can:



1. What is the saddest movie you ever watched and why?
2. What is the one thing your heart most desires at this moment?
3. If love is a rose, and hope is a dove, what is loyalty?
4. Complete the sentence, "I have always wanted to learn how to___."
5. Would you rather be unloved and respected or disrespected but loved?
6. Who was your favorite childhood friend? Why?
7. Why haven't you sent me any word puzzles for this week?

Thomas Broome

A room is worth a thousand words...

Wipe Out!

I've had bad days, but this takes the cake! (From Fox News)

Computer Tech Accidentally Erases Info on Alaska's $38 Billion Oil Fund
Tuesday, March 20, 2007

JUNEAU,
Alaska — Perhaps you know that sinking feeling when a single keystroke accidentally destroy hours of work. Now imagine wiping out a disc drive containing an account worth $38 billion.

A computer technician at the Alaska Department of Revenue deleted applicant information for an oil-funded sales account — one of state residents' biggest perks. While reformatting the disk drive during a routine maintenance check, the technician mistakenly reformatted the backup drive as well and, suddenly, all the data disappeared.

A third line of defense — backup tapes that are updated nightly — were unreadable. "Nobody panicked, but we instantly went into planning for the worst-case scenario," said Permanent Fund Dividend Division Director Amy Skow, about the computer foul-up in July that ended up costing the department more than $200,000.

Nine months worth of information concerning the yearly payout from the Alaska Permanent Fund was gone: some 800,000 electronic images that had been painstakingly scanned into the system months earlier,the 2006 paper applications that people had either mailed in or filed over the counter, and supporting documentation such as birth certificates and proof of residence. The only backup was the paperwork itself — stored in more than 300 cardboard boxes.

"We had to bring that paper back to the scanning room, and send it through again, and quality control it, and then you have to have a way to link that paper to that person's file," said Skow. Staff working overtime and weekends re-entered the lost data into the system by the end of August. Last October and November, they met their obligation to the public and a majority of the estimated 600,000 payments for last year's $1,106.96 individual dividends went out on schedule.

Former Revenue Commissioner Bill Corbus said no one was blamed in the incident. "Everybody felt very bad about it and we all learned a lesson. There was no witch hunt," said Corbus.

According to department staff, they now have a proven and regularly tested backup and restore procedure.

Graffiti

Bedeck the page...

(Or you could demonstrate. That's fun, too!)

And the Winner Is!

Steve DeGroof entered the one and only comic for the Comic Contest. Well done, Steve! Sometimes all you have to do is show up. : )

Here's the winning (and only) entry:

When I've thought up an appropriately worthy prize, Steve, I'll send it along! Thank you for playing

Friday Fun Day (Word Puzzle)

Given up on creating the puzzles yourself, I see? *sigh* I guess a blogger's work is never done. Well, if you do become so inspired in future, send the pics to me in the order you would like them posted and I will continue to boil everyone's brains with 'em on Fridays.

Here's this week's puzzle:

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times...

Nagging doesn't work.

Comic Reminder

Bankety-Bank Bank Idiots!

I'm not a good yeller, I don't like confrontation and I think poorly on my feet. So it should surprise no one that I was loathe to return a phone call from my bank yesterday after it was discovered that my account was overdraft on Monday. This was after I had put in a sufficient sum to bring my total out of the red. Before banking hours this morning I decided to ease my mind as to the pending doom of the call by checking my account. Exactly as I feared a whole host of fees had been assessed after I deposited the amount neccessary to bring my balance into the black again. The rage began to boil. I knew I had to call, I knew I had to be angry, I knew I could not accept no for an answer. I called and was told by a manager that my frustration was unfounded and that if I would only listen she would explain again why I was wrong and the bank was right. I took the name of her manager (out for the day) and hung up. Ridiculous. Now I was seething and hopeless.

I called the customer service line. I stood my ground. I insisted that my bank be forthright in telling me exactly how much I owe, not less, because this looks like they were baiting me to stay overdrafted and continue accruing fees. She politely informed me that they could remove one fee. I politely informed her that this would not suffice. She politely told me that they would remove two of the fees, but that my bank was under no obligation to do so. I told her that my bank should have warned me that they might give me false information before I tried to cover a hidden amount in my account. I then asked her to guarantee there would be no additional fee assessed today (while-you-wait-screwing) and then to tell me what my account total would be after our phone call. She did both and according to her assurances, I should have no fear that I will be hammered once more into the ground because of their negligence. I'll believe it when I see it.

So, I'm thinking of taking on a new bank. Any suggestions?

Happy Pi Day

Pi Day

Feel like celebrating the mystical union between a circle's circumference and its diameter? Then today is the day for you! Have a piece of pi, or something...

(stolen from Andrew on Multiply)

Make A Modern Proverb

We all know that a stitch in time saves nine, not to count our chickens before they hatch, and that it is unwise to put the cart before the horse. We've been working with most of these since Ben Franklin's day or before. Isn't it time to come up with some new proverbs? Help me accrue some new wisdom for the modern age...

Overdraft

You've done it again! You've narrowly avoided being in the black at the end of a fiscal period and dipped a toe in the red stuff. Your bank, with its eagle-eye for floundering patrons, swoops in and pinches off a bit of skin that you don't have. That red mark will be there until you come up with other money to cover the dent you have now made in your already weakened resources. And then you're off, rebounding into the black, newly censured and eager to stay clear of trouble.

Monday Madness (Word Puzzle)

Since Friday's puzzle had everyone stumped - or just sleeping - I'm posting an easier one for a Monday:

Friday Fun Day (Word Puzzle)

Hey all, I'm not sure if I'll make it in tomorrow, so I'm posting this early for your weekend enjoyment:

In Response To Nigerian Spam

DR MRS BENNY OKOH.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT SETTLEMENT,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Hello Dr. Mrs. (which is it?),

ATTENTION BENEFICIARY:THIS IS TO OFFICIALY INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE VERIFIED YOUR CONTRACT /INHERITANCE FILE AND FOUND OUT THAT WHY YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT FUFILLED THE OBLIGATIONS GIVEN TO YOU IN RESPECT OF YOUR CONTRACT / INHERITANCE PAYMENT.

Wow. I didn't even know that why I had an inheritance file! Who did I inherit that from?

SECONDLY WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE NONE OFFICIALS IN THE BANK ALL YOUR ATTEMPT TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THE FUND TO YOU.

I think you mean "Nuns," and yes, I too thought it was fishy that the bank was staffed with Sisters.

WE WISH TO ADVICE YOU THAT SUCH AN ILLEGAL ACT LIKE THIS HAVE TO STOP IF YOU WISHES TO RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT SINCE WE HAVE DECIDED TO BRING A SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM.

I certainly wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of international law, especially considering you guys have already opened an inheritance file on me! Good thing you adviced me about that. Tell me what to do, Dr. Mrs!

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ARRANGED YOUR PAYMENT THROUGH OUR SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER ASIA PACIFIC, THAT IS THE LATEST INSTRUCTION BY THE PRESIDENT CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO (GCFR) FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

So, let me get this straight: the President of your country told you to get me my inheritance through the Swift Card Program located in Center Asia Pacific? Wow. He really is involved with the small stuff, isn't he?

THIS CARD CENTER WILL SEND YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD,

Sweet!

BUT THE MAXIMUM IS ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS PER DAY,

Doh!

SO IF YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE YOUR FUND THIS WAY PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CONTACTING THE CARD PAYMENT CENTER AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

I Loves Me Some Free Money! = )

PERSONAL DATA"S: (love the plural!)
FULLNAME Mundo Belch Shipley
ADDRESS 1 Pencilnek Dr. (P.OBOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
CITY Yellowstone Park
STATE Wyoming
COUNTRY Florida
SEX Not currently
AGE 16
MARITAL STATUS Divorced
OCUPATION Lawn and Garden Care Facilitator
FAX/TELEPHONENUMBER 876-921-3321
NATIONALITY Floridian


CONTACT PERSON: DR.UJU MADU INTEGRATED PAYMENT DEPARTMENT

*writes down* Dr. Mrs. Uju Madu-du

THE ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT $8,300,000.00 AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR 2007.

That is SO much money! I am totally inheriting that!

ALSO FOR YOUR INFORMATION YOU HAVE TO STOP ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ANY OTHER PERSON(S) OR OFFICE(s). THIS IS TO AVOID ANY HITCHES IN FINALIZING YOUR PAYMENT.

Sure don't want those hitches! What rhymes with hitches? You guessed it: Legal Problems!

NOTE: THAT BECAUSE OF IMPOSTORS, WE HEREBY ISSUED YOU OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH IS (811) SO YOU HAVE TO INDICATE THIS CODE WHEN CONTACTING THE CARD CENTER.

Very comforting to know you have Code of Conduct. So many unscrupulous people have none whatsoever. Thank you, Dr. Mrs. Madu-du. I look forward to getting my inheritance ATM card any day!

Love,
Mundo B. S.

Glass of Irony, Anyone?

Nice Merlot Wine: $60
Nice Blush Wine: $55
Set of 6 Glasses That Look Cheap But Aren't: $288
Making an ironic, artistic joke while still being hoity-toity: Priceless

Blanket Battles

Are you and your better half fighting over the sheets? The issue can now be resolved with the use of measured bedclothes. No more can you (or your S.O.) claim you haven't hogged more than your fair share. A ruler with hot to cold indicator numbers (meant to be read from inside the bed) now puts the argument to rest, so to speak. Now if they'd only manufacture the sheet itself in mood indicating fabric you could also evaluate how cold the bed becomes when you prove your loved one is in the wrong.

Parkour

You must have heard of it or seen glimpses of it by now, but perhaps you didn't know that the art form of Parkour is more than young, athletic angst without a skateboard. Apparently, Parkour is more a philosophy of life than an afterschool calorie burner. David Belle, founder of the art form defends it from the critics who would call it "urban acrobatics." For him, Parkour is a way to overcome obstacles in life, not just jumping from building to building. Get a taste of belle at his best with this video. Finally, the French invent something we can all enjoy. = )

(And as an added treat, enjoy the comedic ravings of "parkour experts" Rabbit and Nimrod.)

Amazing Hands

I posted some of these in an earlier post, but recently found more. They are so whimsical and kind of cool that I thought I'd express the whole collection. I would give creds, but I've no idea who's they are. Needless to say, this man has "hand crafted" a whole new menagerie. Very nice.

Yoga Youngster

If you'd like to see a six year old pull off those harder yoga positions then go here and then like me you'll be saying, "Yeah, right, when I was six, I coulda pulled that half-moon, full twist, tree eagle, too!"

Friday Fun Day! (Word Puzzle)

Can you guess the puzzle?







Here's another:









Here's one from Steve DeGroof:

Comic-Creator Contest!

Here's the deal, you battle for prestige and honor on the fields of creative endeavor using only your photo-hashing skills and witty repartee. Assemble the brightest and best YLSN(a)ED inspired cartoon via Comeeko.com and win Fabulous Prizes!

Winners to be announced on St. Patrick's Day, March 17!

'For True' Quote of the Day

Men are not against you; they are merely for themselves.

- Gene Fowler

Have you ever noticed how you always panic more about your secret shames then other people do? You are terrified that others should find out and when they do, they seem underwhelmed and soon forget about it? It's because the rest of us are too selfish to care long about your problems. This is at once a great sorrow and a great joy. That's why we have anonymity, because people don't care. I, for one, think it's a blessing.