OK, to be fair, maybe not everyone in this video was doing CrossFit, but most were.
CrossFit is all the rage in fitness circles, but sometimes, it's better, safer and healthier to curl up on the couch with Cheez-Its and Mountain Dew, rather than do what these people are doing:
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Friday SQUEE! Cute Alert: Bear Cub Wrestling Match
I didn't feel like putting much effort into a blog post first thing this Friday morning so I'll let these bear cubs do all the work. We all need a bit of cuteness and wrestling to end the week:
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Introducing Tonks, The Cute Blonde Who Moved In With Us This Week
For those who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know we adopted another dog, named Tonks the other day.
Tonks joins Jackson the Cocker Spaniel, who has lived with Jeff and me for three years at our St. Albans, Vermont home.
Jackson's a very social little guy, and we thought he'd want a companion for those moments when Jeff and I were too busy to play tug of war with Jackson. The tug of war game with his toys is a 24/7 obsession with him.
About a month ago, we learned of a Vermont couple, Emily and John, who have been the human companions for Tonks for seven years, since she was a puppy.
The couple now has two very young kids. Good kids, but young ones who want to play with the dog but are too young to understand that even gentle, friendly souls like Tonks don't always like to be constantly poked and prodded and groped.
Emily and John reluctantly concluded it would be better for Tonks to live somewhere else.
Jeff and Jackson and me were in the running to adopt Tonks. Jeff was out of town in early May, but Jackson and I agreed to meet one day with Emily and Tonks at a dog park nearby.
I have to say Jackson is a good little salesman. At the meeting, Jackson behaved in his usual way, greeting Tonks with friendliness, while at the same time doing his best not to be overbearing. Tonks and Jackson went to other dogs to say hi, played with each other, went their seperate ways and then played with each other again as Emily and I talked.
Jackson and Tonks acted like old friends, even though they'd just met. A very good sign indeed.
You could tell right away Tonks was well cared for. Beyond a healthy appearance, she seemed at ease with both people and other dogs. You could see both curiosity and confidence in Tonks' big eyes. A very good sign.
A couple weeks later we heard from Emily. Would we like to adopt Tonks?
Tonks had already melted my heart. Jackson seemed to want this to happen too. Jeff was all for it.
It was to be.
Tonks arrived at our house last Sunday. I was at work, so I wasn't there, but Jeff and Jackson greeted her. Jeff and John chatted for awhile about Tonks and the care she'll need and the handoff came.
Jeff was smart enough to let Tonks watch John drive away, so there might be some connnection that he left, and didn't just disappear into thin air. We hoped at some level Tonks understood what was going on, that although things were changing in a confusing way, she'd continue to be loved and protected as she always had been.
It turns out Tonks is a brave, adaptable girl. Don't let those blond curls and her shy, quiet demeanor fool you. She's a tough cookie.
True, Tonks had a lot to get used to. The first day she was here with us, she barked quite a bit. The sounds outside were different than her old home. It was disorienting and scary.
Trucks rumbled by on the road. Birds flitted from tree to tree just outside the door. A motorcycle roared to life at the house across the street. Kids played two houses up the road. The barking was inevitable.
Tonks, though, was immediately affectionate with us. I quickly discovered she likes simultaneous chest and back rubs. She went back and forth between Jeff and me, finding reassurance in our eyes. We kept telling her she's a good girl, and giving her neck rubs. She seemed like she was starting to feel at home.
As I watched TV Sunday evening, I was gratified to find Tonks curled up at my feet, falling comforably to sleep.
I was happy to see Tonks is naturally curious, but not so brave as to wander off completely on her own, which is a good combination. She scoped out the yard on her first day here, stopping from time to time to take refuge from the hot sun under the shade of our willow tree, just as Jackson often does.
Tonks thinks her new brother Jackson is crazy. Tonks is right. Jackson growls and yelps and laughs as we play our usual tug of war game with John Boehner, which is the name of one of his favorite toys. Tonks looks on, bemused.
But the two dogs are already sharing nicely. They sleep in each others' beds, play with each others toys, try to sample each others' food.
Tonks barks less and less as she gets used to the sounds swirling around outside the house. The other day, we had to bring Tonks and Jackson to doggie day care while Jeff and I worked.
That went well, too.
Barb, who runs the place, said she enjoyed watching what happened. Jackson spent the day showing Tonks the ropes at day care, explaining as dogs only can how things work, how to interact with other dogs there, how to follow the rules.
Barb reports Tonks is a quick study, but we knew that already.
Tonks is already settling into our routine. Like Jackson, she's excited when Jeff and I get up in the morning. It takes us humans a little while to wake up. Jackson and Tonks are always raring to go.
If Jeff and I have to deal with alarm clocks, Jackson and Tonks are the perfect type.
Our household is a little bigger now that Tonks lives with us. But she adds even more joy to the place than we already had.
Welcome home, Tonks.
 |
| Tonks explores her new home with Jeff, Jackson and me after she arrived Sunday, while Jackson keeps a protective eye on her in the distance. |
Tonks joins Jackson the Cocker Spaniel, who has lived with Jeff and me for three years at our St. Albans, Vermont home.
Jackson's a very social little guy, and we thought he'd want a companion for those moments when Jeff and I were too busy to play tug of war with Jackson. The tug of war game with his toys is a 24/7 obsession with him.
About a month ago, we learned of a Vermont couple, Emily and John, who have been the human companions for Tonks for seven years, since she was a puppy.
The couple now has two very young kids. Good kids, but young ones who want to play with the dog but are too young to understand that even gentle, friendly souls like Tonks don't always like to be constantly poked and prodded and groped.
Emily and John reluctantly concluded it would be better for Tonks to live somewhere else.
Jeff and Jackson and me were in the running to adopt Tonks. Jeff was out of town in early May, but Jackson and I agreed to meet one day with Emily and Tonks at a dog park nearby.
I have to say Jackson is a good little salesman. At the meeting, Jackson behaved in his usual way, greeting Tonks with friendliness, while at the same time doing his best not to be overbearing. Tonks and Jackson went to other dogs to say hi, played with each other, went their seperate ways and then played with each other again as Emily and I talked.
Jackson and Tonks acted like old friends, even though they'd just met. A very good sign indeed.
You could tell right away Tonks was well cared for. Beyond a healthy appearance, she seemed at ease with both people and other dogs. You could see both curiosity and confidence in Tonks' big eyes. A very good sign.
A couple weeks later we heard from Emily. Would we like to adopt Tonks?
Tonks had already melted my heart. Jackson seemed to want this to happen too. Jeff was all for it.
It was to be.
Tonks arrived at our house last Sunday. I was at work, so I wasn't there, but Jeff and Jackson greeted her. Jeff and John chatted for awhile about Tonks and the care she'll need and the handoff came.
Jeff was smart enough to let Tonks watch John drive away, so there might be some connnection that he left, and didn't just disappear into thin air. We hoped at some level Tonks understood what was going on, that although things were changing in a confusing way, she'd continue to be loved and protected as she always had been.
It turns out Tonks is a brave, adaptable girl. Don't let those blond curls and her shy, quiet demeanor fool you. She's a tough cookie.
True, Tonks had a lot to get used to. The first day she was here with us, she barked quite a bit. The sounds outside were different than her old home. It was disorienting and scary.
Trucks rumbled by on the road. Birds flitted from tree to tree just outside the door. A motorcycle roared to life at the house across the street. Kids played two houses up the road. The barking was inevitable.
Tonks, though, was immediately affectionate with us. I quickly discovered she likes simultaneous chest and back rubs. She went back and forth between Jeff and me, finding reassurance in our eyes. We kept telling her she's a good girl, and giving her neck rubs. She seemed like she was starting to feel at home.
As I watched TV Sunday evening, I was gratified to find Tonks curled up at my feet, falling comforably to sleep.
I was happy to see Tonks is naturally curious, but not so brave as to wander off completely on her own, which is a good combination. She scoped out the yard on her first day here, stopping from time to time to take refuge from the hot sun under the shade of our willow tree, just as Jackson often does.
Tonks thinks her new brother Jackson is crazy. Tonks is right. Jackson growls and yelps and laughs as we play our usual tug of war game with John Boehner, which is the name of one of his favorite toys. Tonks looks on, bemused.
But the two dogs are already sharing nicely. They sleep in each others' beds, play with each others toys, try to sample each others' food.
Tonks barks less and less as she gets used to the sounds swirling around outside the house. The other day, we had to bring Tonks and Jackson to doggie day care while Jeff and I worked.
That went well, too.
Barb, who runs the place, said she enjoyed watching what happened. Jackson spent the day showing Tonks the ropes at day care, explaining as dogs only can how things work, how to interact with other dogs there, how to follow the rules.
Barb reports Tonks is a quick study, but we knew that already.
Tonks is already settling into our routine. Like Jackson, she's excited when Jeff and I get up in the morning. It takes us humans a little while to wake up. Jackson and Tonks are always raring to go.
If Jeff and I have to deal with alarm clocks, Jackson and Tonks are the perfect type.
Our household is a little bigger now that Tonks lives with us. But she adds even more joy to the place than we already had.
Welcome home, Tonks.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Plays Of The Day: Awesome Baby Catch: Not So Awesome First Pitch
Two moments have been in the news this week: One was an amazing catch, one was a not so amazing throw.
I love this video of a guy in China who saw a baby teetering on a second floor window ledge during a torrential thunderstorm. The guy positioned himself, the baby fell, and the guy played amazing outfielder of sorts catching a life and death pop fly.
He caught the kid and everything was OK. Watch:
On the opposite side, we have 50 Cent throwing out first pitch at a New York Mets ball game yesterday.
Not so successful, if you ask me, but hey, 50 Cent never claimed to be much of a ball player.
Watch:
I love this video of a guy in China who saw a baby teetering on a second floor window ledge during a torrential thunderstorm. The guy positioned himself, the baby fell, and the guy played amazing outfielder of sorts catching a life and death pop fly.
He caught the kid and everything was OK. Watch:
On the opposite side, we have 50 Cent throwing out first pitch at a New York Mets ball game yesterday.
Not so successful, if you ask me, but hey, 50 Cent never claimed to be much of a ball player.
Watch:
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Worst Would-Be Politician Ever Calls Calif. Shooting Victims "Cowering Bitches"
Some politicians pride themselves in being outspoken. Sometimes that really is a good thing.
Often, it's not.
There's a guy in South Carolina named Todd Kincannon who apparently has the word "former" in front of all the state Republican jobs he's had.
He's some sort of "activist." But nobody can stand him or his "activism" so he's gone nowhere with any sort of political career.
So he's fulfilling his life long dream of being an Internet troll, I guess.
He's a Tea Party guy, which is OK, I suppose. But he's also a delusional nutcase who is probably the only person in the world who thinks his ideas make sense. And that he shouldn't get criticized for saying the most outlandish, stupid things.
Kincannon set some sort of record this week when he Tweeted a response to that shooting rampage out in California that left seven people dead, including the mentally ill gunman.
Said Kincannon: "No idea how my son will die, but I know it won't be cowering like a bitch at UC Santa Barbara. Any son of mine would have been shooting back."
Yeah, I'm sure the relatives of the dead, who were just out minding their own business, are thrilled to hear their loved ones referred to as "cowering bitches."
Responding to Kincannon (loose cannon?) Republican operative and PR guy Frank Luntz decided he had to Tweet what should have been the obvious. "Pro tip (emphasis on Pro) Don't refer to mass shooting victims as bitches."
True, if you want to appeal to the electorate, you might want to act like you are, you know, sane?
Kincannon doesn't think so. He told Luntz "Pussies like you is why we keep losing elections."
No, whack jobs like Kincannon are why Republicans keep losing elections.
There are a lot of conservative people out there, and Republican ideas appeal to a lot of them. But the weirdos are the ones that get all the attention. Kincannon is the kind of guy that sends people running and screaming away from Republicans.
But he'll never get that. Smug little twerp that he is.
Kincannon thinks he's a comedian, too. When a woman names Gina critcized him on Twitter, he responded. "Gina. Is that short for vagina?"
Yeah, that's a real knee slapper.
Still, I predict a very short and unsuccessful political career for Kincannon. Yes, he has his core of ardent supporters, I'm sure.
But that rustling you hear is the sound of Republicans nationwide understandably putting as much distance between themselves and Kincannon as possible.
 |
| On the bright side, Internet troll Todd Kincannon doesn't appear to have much of a future in Republican political activism. |
Often, it's not.
There's a guy in South Carolina named Todd Kincannon who apparently has the word "former" in front of all the state Republican jobs he's had.
He's some sort of "activist." But nobody can stand him or his "activism" so he's gone nowhere with any sort of political career.
So he's fulfilling his life long dream of being an Internet troll, I guess.
He's a Tea Party guy, which is OK, I suppose. But he's also a delusional nutcase who is probably the only person in the world who thinks his ideas make sense. And that he shouldn't get criticized for saying the most outlandish, stupid things.
Kincannon set some sort of record this week when he Tweeted a response to that shooting rampage out in California that left seven people dead, including the mentally ill gunman.
Said Kincannon: "No idea how my son will die, but I know it won't be cowering like a bitch at UC Santa Barbara. Any son of mine would have been shooting back."
Yeah, I'm sure the relatives of the dead, who were just out minding their own business, are thrilled to hear their loved ones referred to as "cowering bitches."
Responding to Kincannon (loose cannon?) Republican operative and PR guy Frank Luntz decided he had to Tweet what should have been the obvious. "Pro tip (emphasis on Pro) Don't refer to mass shooting victims as bitches."
True, if you want to appeal to the electorate, you might want to act like you are, you know, sane?
Kincannon doesn't think so. He told Luntz "Pussies like you is why we keep losing elections."
No, whack jobs like Kincannon are why Republicans keep losing elections.
There are a lot of conservative people out there, and Republican ideas appeal to a lot of them. But the weirdos are the ones that get all the attention. Kincannon is the kind of guy that sends people running and screaming away from Republicans.
But he'll never get that. Smug little twerp that he is.
Kincannon thinks he's a comedian, too. When a woman names Gina critcized him on Twitter, he responded. "Gina. Is that short for vagina?"
Yeah, that's a real knee slapper.
Still, I predict a very short and unsuccessful political career for Kincannon. Yes, he has his core of ardent supporters, I'm sure.
But that rustling you hear is the sound of Republicans nationwide understandably putting as much distance between themselves and Kincannon as possible.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Totally Awesome Dance Projection Video To Start Your Monday Right
Today's demonstration of people who do things better than you is this dancer, working with projections, to give you a really awesome dance performance interacting with projections
Really awesome:
Really awesome:
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Worst Planning Ever: Huge Electric Transmission Tower In Middle Of Highway
Have you ever rolled your eyes at local planners, who allow, say, a Walmart or an noisy amusement park next to a sleepy residential neighborhood?
That's nothing compared to a place in Henan Province, China where poor planning has been taken to a whole new level. A road developer planned a route right across the path of a major electric transmission line.
As a result, a huge pylon is right in the middle of the road.
It's totally unclear why they didn't just move the road a little bit when the road developer realized the pylon would be there. (The electric line and pylon have been there since 2007, the road is brand new.)
The only cryptic news I could find about this is the electric company and the road developer are in negotiations to resolve the issue. Um, wouldn't it have been better to figure this out while the road was still in design stages? Just a thought.
Traffic now swerves around the pylon, and there's really no protection around it. People could smash right into it if they're not paying attention to their driving.
 |
| Cars make their way around an electric pylon in the middle of a Chinese highway. |
That's nothing compared to a place in Henan Province, China where poor planning has been taken to a whole new level. A road developer planned a route right across the path of a major electric transmission line.
As a result, a huge pylon is right in the middle of the road.
It's totally unclear why they didn't just move the road a little bit when the road developer realized the pylon would be there. (The electric line and pylon have been there since 2007, the road is brand new.)
The only cryptic news I could find about this is the electric company and the road developer are in negotiations to resolve the issue. Um, wouldn't it have been better to figure this out while the road was still in design stages? Just a thought.
Traffic now swerves around the pylon, and there's really no protection around it. People could smash right into it if they're not paying attention to their driving.
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