Election day tricks

Since Election Day is only two days after Halloween this year, looks like Democrats will try tricks to keep their seats.
House Democrats are being urged this recess to combine their electoral sales pitch on issues like health care and jobs with warnings about how a Republican Congress would jeopardize the party’s legislative accomplishments.

Compare and contrast

Don Surber looks at the reactions in California and Virginia when state authorities want to get information from colleges.
Academic freedom is not to be extended only to what is popular on campus, but rather for what is most unpopular. That is the test. The silence of the sheepskinners in California will not be forgotten. Believe me.

OBX sunrise

The oldest, about to turn 13, decided he'd like to see the sun shine over the ocean this morning.
I woke him at 5:30 a.m., and we trudged out to the beach. The ocean was basically calm, just a few waves.

The porpoises would emerge briefly and dive back into the water. Pelicans searched for food, and other birds made lots of morning noise. One other person out on the beach at that time of the morning.

The sun peaked through just above the water line, and he got his sunrise pictures. And we returned to our house.

A great parenting moment to share.

"Prepare to be disintermediated"

There's an interesting discussion over at Instapundit about student loans. Basically, don't do it.
The last comment shows a major reason why.
The cost of storing and disseminating information (even educational information) has dropped to zero. The web makes it interactive. Colleges should prepare to be disintermediated just like the newspapers.

Currituck Sound sunset

The sun sets over the Currituck Sound in Duck, N.C. Saturday. We'll see this view again in August.

Just keeping up with SWACgirl.

Titanic trouble in the Gulf

Little Miss Attila looks at the differences between the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. Which is more vulnerable? Which impacts more people?

Fishersville Mike's Jovial Redneck Abuse

Happy Memorial Day weekend. In the spirit of the season, I've headed to the beach. The water may still be cool, but hey, it's the beach.
So it's a short roundup this week. Enjoy the sunshine, since the internet will be there when it's rainy and cold.
It's always hot around the Other McCain.
Camp of the Saints has important swimsuit advice for the ladies.
DaTech Guy has had a big week in Georgia.
Troglopundit takes aim at some important stats.
Wyblog finds time for a quick roundup.
Pundette has all the links.
Carol remembers the reason for the weekend.
Mind Numbed Robot offers the Robo-Love.
Virginia Right's News Hound rarely takes a holiday.
School's out for Pat. Those are dirty words for a stay-at-home dad.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Be a bright light, remember our troops and think about your choices.

Honeysuckle time

Our backyard line is an old fence filled with honeysuckle. I decided to take some pictures, and the boys and some friends followed.

I hadn't realized I had never taught them how to taste the honey from a honeysuckle. It took a little effort, but I think I've got them hooked.

A nice part of spring.

Cool by the pool

The official summer kickoff auto-motivator.

Good morning from the beach

Sunrise at Kitty Hawk was 5:48 a.m. I went out looking for it, but too many clouds this morning.

Maybe better luck Monday before we head home.

Yes, I can see the ocean from where I type.

Time for push back

Mark Steyn pops President Obama's balloon again, citing how the rising rhetoric crashes into reality.
I like his explanation of why BP was drilling so far out and deep in the Gulf.
BP, not to mention its customers, would have been better to push back against government policies that drive energy suppliers into ever more unpredictable terrain in order to protect the Alaskan breeding grounds of the world's largest mosquito herd. Instead, we'll do the opposite.

Traffic wasn't that bad

SWACgirl reports on the Memorial Day outlook.
The trip from Fishersville to Outer Banks took five and a half hours, with just slowdowns around the Hampton Road Beltway.
And I found internet access. For now, at least.

Cool song

George Strait's "Best Day of my Life" provided the inspiration for this video. It's a great song.

Weekend watchdog

It's the official kickoff weekend of summer. Are you going to spend it in traffic, or watching fast traffic?
Sunday is the biggest day in motor racing, with the Indianapolis 500 on ABC and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at night on FOX. That's 1,100 miles of racing from 1 p.m. until near midnight.
Also at Charlotte, the Nationwide race takes the flag Saturday at 2 p.m. on ABC.
The University of Virginia's quest for a national lacrosse championship continues Saturday in Baltimore, as the Cavaliers face Duke. The ACC foes play at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2, following the 4 p.m. start between Cornell and Notre Dame.
The winners battle for the championship Monday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
There's a few more games to decide the champion of the NHL season. The Stanley Cup Finals get underway Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC as Philadelphia visits Chicago. Game 2 is Monday on NBC.
The NBA playoffs will have their final participants set by the end of the weekend. The Celtics try to close out Orlando Friday in Game 6 on ESPN. If they don't, then Game 7 will be Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
The Lakers face the Suns Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Game 6 on TNT. If necessary, Game 7 will be Monday.
The French Open reaches its middle weekend. NBC will show highlights Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon. ESPN2 has Friday coverage from noon to 6:30 p.m.
The Orioles head to Toronto for the weekend on MASN, while the Nationals are in San Diego. On Memorial Day, the Nationals are in Houston for a 2 p.m. game.
The Rangers' visit to the Twins gets coverage on FOX Saturday afternoon and on Sunday Night baseball (on ESPN2 this week). FOX also shows the Cardinals at Cubs and Mariners-Angels. TBS has the Cardinals and Cubs Sunday afternoon.
There's plenty of ACC tournament baseball on Comcast. Friday, games will be shown at noon and 8 p.m. Saturday, the games at noon and 4 p.m. will air. The championship game is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
ESPN has the SEC baseball championship Sunday at 2 p.m.
The PGA tour is in Texas for the Colonial. CBS has the coverage on the weekend, starting at 3 p.m. both days. The Seniors hold their PGA Championship on NBC, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For your MLS action, D.C. United faces Chivas USA Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast. The United States World Cup team plays its final friendly on home turf Saturday, meeting Turkey on ESPN2.
Sunday at 4 p.m., Comcast has Major League Lacrosse as Chesapeake faces Chicago.
NCAA softball has reached the super regional round. There's two games on ESPN2 Friday, four on ESPN Saturday and two on Sunday.

Dog day morning

Sunshine and dogs. The attraction is too powerful.

Get wet this weekend

Brad Paisley has the right idea, releasing this single in time for summer 2010.

Another vote for The Classic Liberal

The Other McCain lauds the blog The Classic Liberal today.
I concur. As a small blog, it's nice to be noticed and linked. Classic Liberal does that early and often.

BP reminds me of...

I haven't seen this movie in years, but the continued trouble with the oil in the gulf reminds me of this movie from 1965, Crack in the World.

Other South Carolina news

While the Other McCain has enjoyed this Will Folks saga, I decided to visit my old newspaper's website.
There are other things in life besides politics and con-slut-ants.

Folks - I know I've heard about him before

Since I spent three years in Georgetown, S.C., I think I may have heard about this Will Folks guy.
When Folks attended the University of South Carolina, there was a housing shortage. A Clemson fan took pity on the homeless Gamecocks, and rented out his outhouse to one.
A few days later, a TV antenna sprouted from the outhouse. Then another by the weekend.
The Clemson fan was confused. He went to the first student and asked what was going on.
The student said the rent was so high, he had to sublet the basement. And introduced him to Will Folks.

Bright light of the blogosphere

Yankee Phil is running for a spot on the board of directors of the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative.
I ought to vote for him. Power in our neighborhood will be quickly restored in any weather emergency, right?
I'll wait to see if Phil can gain the endorsement of Carl at Spark it Up. That man knows power.

Young guns on the move

NRO's Jim Geraghty speaks with some of the GOP's "Young Gun" congressional candidates.
(Indiana's Jackie) Walorski said she knew there had been a titanic shift in the district’s politics while campaigning in recent weeks, when she experienced “senior citizens reach out and grab you, and hold on to you as they’re talking, in Democratic communities.” She said that the health-care bill was particularly worrying seniors in her district, and the economy worried everyone in her district.

Why we join facebook

My collection of Facebook friends leans toward high school people (30 years since I graduated), family and various people I've meet through the years.
Looking through the updates this morning, a guy from my church in Bluefield likes the hot weather. He's thinking about breaking out the man thong.
Ouch. TMI. Kind of like slowing down when you see a traffic accident.
A guy from my high school visited Annapolis last night and found a bird had pooped on his Harley. While cleaning up that mess, another bird pooped on his head.
Before the internet, how would I learned such interesting information? Thanks Facebook people.

Kaus he can

Mickey Kaus debated a box instead of Sen. Barbara Boxer. Observers didn't notice much of a difference.

Idol - and the winner will be?

Dialidol.com predicts Lee wins over Crystal. They were right last year.
Votefortheworst.com decided to support Lee in the finale.
Whoever wins, an era ends tonight with Simon leaving the show. Will they talk more about him than the singers?

On to the Stanley Cup final

The Philadelphia Flyers won their series Monday, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final against Chicago.

Meaning Lauren Hart will be singing on the ice a few more times.

Best picture to illustrate a story

Troglopundit has a story posted on his site. And a picture that has nothing to do with it, but still fits.
Check it out.

Ace needs a new word

Ace of Spades has been using the word "shagging" in his stories about South Carolina political con-slut-ant Will Folks. He needs a new word.
In South Carolina, the shag is the state dance, designated such in 1984 in a bill sponsored by Rep. Bubber Snow.
That year, I moved to South Carolina and my newspaper covered Snow's district. Snow came to our office to talk about Boll Weevils, a word my northern colleague didn't catch through Snow's southern drawl.
Soon, strange stories at the office were "Un-Boll-Weevil-able." Just like Folks' story.

Just plain Folks

<em>Deuce Bigalow, Blogger Gigolo</em>: Latest Developments in the Folks-Haley Saga
The Other McCain and Ace has lots of fun with this South Carolina political consultant (or is it con-slut-ant?)
Please read Ace. You'll never think of fresh-baked cinnamon-raisin bagels the same way again.

Farewell, 24

I didn't catch much of 24 this season, but made sure to see the final scene.
It wasn't what I imagined in March, but it did revolve around Jack, Chloe and President Taylor. I guess it's on to the "24" movie.
Right now, there's a room with 10,000 typewriters awaiting 10,000 monkeys to work on the screenplay.
Next door is the room with dartboards. Each number is a crazy situation. Throw the darts and try to make the story fit.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.

What will happen?

Megan McArdle asks the question - What happens if the Supreme Court strikes down health care reform?
Chaos, probably.
Except in Virginia. We'd lose a lot of lefty bloggers - when their heads explode at the idea Ken Cuccinelli won.
It would be quite a spectacle.

A happy three-year old

Wyblog hit its third anniversary Monday.
Writing this blog is a heckuva lot of fun, and more importantly it keeps me sane, and just may have saved my marriage (here's to my long suffering wife who rarely if ever reads what I write but is eternally grateful that I'm no longer ranting at her every night of the week).
Here's to more coming from Jersey, sure.

"I always do better when you're around"

The boys have a new game for the Wii. The youngest gets frustrated when he struggles during the first time playing the game.
This evening, he called me down to watch him play.
Why?
"I always do better when you're around."
And he's making good progress when I sit and watch.

School night at the pizza place

Staunton has a Cici's Pizza, and every Monday through Thursday a local school has their night to how many of their students show up. This year, the fourth Monday of the month was our school's night.
We began going when the oldest was in first grade, and he's now finishing seventh. The youngest is in the third grade, so two more years and we'll be out of elementary school age. Will that end our Cici's tradition?
When we started going to Cici's night, several of the oldest boy's friends were there. It was a good gathering time. We've kept up the tradition, and now I see parents of first graders and kindergarteners beginning their time at Cici's night. Meeting up with their friends.
Good times together that will be remembered when the kids are grown.

Maybe they've seen the results of his leadership

Blue Virginia has a post up imploring President Obama to show leadership on clean energy/climate change/global warming/don't question us - just do what we say.
President Obama must take charge of clean energy and climate legislation. The only major bills that pass through Congress are the ones with White House support. We are fortunate that President Obama backs climate action, but given this anti-incumbent mood, we need him not just to support it; we need him to lead it.
What would that look like? We saw it in the heath care debate. President Obama went into campaign mode and stumped on that bill every single day. He called in political chits. He got people in the same room to negotiate. He dragged it over the finish line because he went farther than asking for change. He demanded it.
That is what we need him to do for a clean energy and climate bill. Because let's be frank: either we see some leadership or we call it a day.
Can you lead if no one wants to follow? Rasmussen Reports has a new high in respondents wanting to overturn the health care bill.
Maybe we've seen the results of President Obama's leadership - everybody hates what he does. Thus, if President Obama is for this clean energy bill, then lots of people are against it.

All is right in the world

Instapundit is back from vacation.
Get ready for some cool pictures from warm places.
And coming very soon, a post numbered 100,000 when you click the individual post.

It didn't work for Deeds, either

Contentions talks about Sunday's Meet the Press, where Pennsylvania Democrat Joe Sestak was asked if he were an "Obama Democrat."
His answer was long and rambling and no answer at all.
Creigh Deeds stumbled into that trap in September. Democrats have had several months to learn how to answer the question.
Not a good sign that there's no simple answer to that simple question. One that voters will be asking plenty of times between now and November.

Danica applies to job in Obama administration

Troglopundit has the latest on Danica Patrick's lousy qualifying run. And what she said to all fans in attendance.
“I wasn’t flat out the last two laps and I was scared to death flat on the first two. I’ve never been bad here before. I’ve never been outside the top 10 on a finish or qualifying, so, it’s not my fault. The car is not good.”
It's not my fault? Maybe she can replace Robert Gibbs as press secretary.

A title for Chicago?

The Chicago Blackhawks have advanced to the Stanley Cup finals.
Watching the end of the game, when they clung to a one-goal lead, a thought entered my mind.
Where's Steve Bartman?

Djou you think they can pull their act together?

I love conventional wisdom. Especially about our newest Congressman from Hawaii, Charles Djou.
He won with 39 percent of the vote, since two Democrats couldn't agree which one should be the one Democrats supported.
The conventional wisdom is Djou will lose in November to a unified Democratic ticket.
But if the Democrats were divided in May, how do we know they'll be unified in November? Obviously, they thought it didn't matter running two Democrats in a heavily Democratic district. It did. They split the vote just enough to let Djou head to Washington.
For the past month or two, it's been apparent that Djou had a chance to win. Still the Democrats didn't settle their differences, and kept two candidates running into a wall.
Maybe the Democrats have learned their lesson. Putting their support behind one candidate will carry the day in November.
But many Democratic assumptions of November survival include Republicans splitting their votes between tea party and establishment candidates. How come Republicans will divide their votes come November but the Hawaii Democrats will settle their differences?

Proverb of the day

The church I've begun attending - Blue Ridge Church of Christ - featured this verse from Proverbs in last week's bulletin.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Good words to live by.

Fiesta Makes Job Really Attractive

Mexican president in Washington? It's a fiesta.
Read these blogs, then take a siesta.
The Other McCain wasn't impressed by Calderon's comments. Maybe if we put him in a cauldron.
Carol's roundup is a ride in the garden.
Camp of the Saints finds some interesting stuff while cleaning out the cache.
Wyblog finds out what happens when you use the word Mohammed in your FMJRA headline.
In Carol's Closet, there's lots of drawings.
Pat sends her teenager out into the world. Watch out, world!
Pundette whipped up the links and waffle batter.
Naked Villiany liked my post on Justice Scalia.
Mind Numbed Robot brings some love from the Beatles.
The Daley Gator has a picture that makes a big splash.
Dustbury offers an interesting history lesson.
Datech Guy is headed to Atlanta for on the ground reporting.
Troglopundit is thinking about Brett Favre. What else is new?
Obi's Sister has the latest in fashion for the younger set.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Spice up your life with some Thyme, help your friends and sharpen your focus on the future.

Classic and improved

The Shenandoah Valley is lucky to have a drive-in theater nearby, Hull's in Lexington.
I haven't made time to take the family yet, but I like visiting the website during the summer to see what's playing.
They have greatly improved the website for this season.
Volunteers have kept this tradition alive since 2001, and they've been featured on NBC Nightly News.
Look at what's coming soon and make your plans.

Bored at the store, the next generation

After a trip to see Shrek Forever After in Harrisonburg, my wife decided she'd like to visit the Valley Mall to shop a little.
I took the boys off to do some shopping of their own, but pretty soon they were done. And we were in the store where Mom was shopping.
When we were first married, my wife felt she couldn't enjoy shopping with me there, since I was always ready to go home. Now, we have two boys who are ready to go home before she's finished shopping.
We found three chairs to sit in while waiting. And Toby Keith's video popped into my mind.

The killdeer family

The past two weeks, I've been following a pair of killdeer who put their nest in my backyard. There's a rocky patch near the drainage ditch that cuts through the yard, so I guess it's their preferred nesting environment.
When I mowed part of the backyard Thursday, I saw that the eggs had hatched. Four little killdeer are running around.
Saturday morning, I got close enough to catch this picture of mom and dad with two of the little ones.
I wonder how long until I can mow that part of my lawn.

3000th post

Time for another round number. Post 2000 came in December, so it's a 1,000 posts in just over five months.
I put Sitemeter on the blog 18 months ago. It took six months to reach 5,000 visits.
In the past year, that makes just under 49,000 visits.
The pace may slow during the summer months, but I appreciate all the visitors and those who leave nice comments.

Honeysuckle morning

Walking the dog this morning, the aroma of honeysuckle filled the air.
It's spring in SWACgirl's Valley.
SWACgirl's mom approves of this message.

Beaten up by the grumpy old troll?

I didn't know someone had made a poster of Dora the Explorer as an illegal alien, busted for trying to get into Arizona.
I remember the first episodes of Dora in 1999, when my oldest watched mostly Nick Jr.
Dora is always on the lookout for Swiper the Fox. Maybe swiper swiped her papers.
Remember to yell, "Swiper no swiping." That would solve the problem.
In one episode, we met a Grumpy Old Troll who was guarding a bridge. I guess that's supposed to be the border guards.
But she successfully answered the troll's riddle to cross the bridge. She didn't run through the desert to avoid him.
This fight over the Arizona law is going beyond silly. They just want to enforce current law and be safe.
Thanks for throwing all the accusations of racism at supporters of the law. Is that all you got?

Get me rewrite

Mark Steyn rips into President Obama for lazy speechmaking when signing the Daniel Pearl Press Freedom Act.
Now Obama's off the prompter, when his silver-tongued rhetoric invariably turns to sludge. But he's talking about a dead man here, a guy murdered in public for all the world to see. Furthermore, the deceased's family is standing all around him. And, even for a busy president, it's the work of moments to come up with a sentence that would be respectful, moving and true. Indeed, for Obama, it's the work of seconds, because he has a taxpayer-funded staff sitting around all day with nothing to do but provide him with that sentence.
Instead, he delivered the one above, which in its clumsiness and insipidness is most revealing. First of all, note the passivity: "The loss of Daniel Pearl." He wasn't "lost." He was kidnapped and beheaded. He was murdered on a snuff video. He was specifically targeted, seized as a trophy, a high-value scalp. And the circumstances of his "loss" merit some vigor in the prose. Yet Obama can muster none.

Bring on the guests

Instapundit went on vacation Monday and opened up his site to selected guest bloggers.
Riehl World View welcomed guest bloggers to his site Thursday.
When Troglopundit leaves the cave this summer, he'll probably have guest bloggers.
But guest bloggers at Fishersville Mike? That's a job Americans just won't do.

Running the numbers

Troglopundit shares the story of a small businessman.
Zach Hoffman was confident his small business would qualify for a new tax cut in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law.
But when he ran the numbers, Hoffman discovered that his office furniture company wouldn’t get any assistance with the $79,200 it pays annually in premiums for its 24 employees. “It leaves you with this feeling of a bait-and-switch,” he said.
When the administration unveiled the small business tax credit earlier this week, officials touted its “broad eligibility” for companies with fewer than 25 workers and average annual wages under $50,000 that provide health coverage. Hoffman’s workers earn an average of $35,000 a year, which makes it all the more difficult to understand why his company didn’t qualify.

Brownie points

Have you forgotten where Grandma's special brownie recipe is? The Pentagon can help.
Don't get any batter on any of the 26 pages.
h/t Instapundit

What should stay in Mexico

The visit of the Mexican president hasn't gone over well with some conservatives.
They wish he took Toby Keith's advice before speaking in D.C.

Weekend watchdog

The biggest weekend in racing is still a week away. But they are warming up in Indianapolis and Charlotte.
The field of the Indy 500 will be determined Saturday and Sunday in time trials. Versus has the full coverage both days, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Then the 33-car field will be ready for May 30.
Saturday night in Charlotte, NASCAR gets together for it's all-star race on Speed. Only after lettting the rest of the drivers race for a spot in the final field. There's four segments to the race, concluding with a 10-lap shootout. Should be plenty of fun.
Then they have a little rest before the 600-mile run Memorial Day weekend.
The first round of interleague play begins this weekend, so the Orioles and Nationals play on MASN and MASN2 - 7 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Nationally, it means you see the Yankees at Mets Saturday on FOX (7 p.m. this week) and Sunday night on ESPN. FOX has three other games to offer different parts of the country - Red Sox vs. Phillies, Cubs at Rangers and Tigers meeting Dodgers - then TBS shows the Red Sox at Phillies Sunday afternoon.
The NBA playoffs continue into the Conference finals. Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals will be Saturday on ABC, with Orlando visiting Boston at 8:30 p.m.
Out west, the Lakers head to Phoenix Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on TNT.
The NHL, also in the conference finals, has the Blackhawks hosting the Sharks Friday on Versus and Sunday on NBC. Game 4 of the Montreal-Philadelphia series will be Saturday on NBC.
CBS offers the Byron Nelson Classic, starting at 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Comcast has plenty of college baseball scheduled as the regular season winds down. Friday Virginia heads to Miami, then it's a Saturday tripleheader starting with Florida State-Clemson at 1 p.m. Mississippi State goes to LSU at 4 p.m., then it's Sun Belt play between Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky at 7 p.m.
NCAA softball regionals begin Friday, with Auburn meeting Oregon at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and Georgia Tech vs. Jacksonville State at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Three more games are set for Saturday on ESPN, starting at noon, and another pair start Sunday at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 shows Major League Lacrosse on Saturday with Chesapeake visiting Toronto.

J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets

Sports Illustrated decided to post some pictures of cheerleaders from the 1960s.

Here, some New York Jets cheerleaders try to keep spirits high in the rain.

Buy gold, or at least something with golden color

The Other McCain offers investment advice.
I understand the glamour of shiny rocks, but wonder what happens if the economy really collapses. You can use those shiny rocks to smack someone in the head, but who knows what else they'll be good for.
Corona, on the other hand, will help you forget your troubles. If the economy tanks, more people will be getting drunk than exchanging shiny rocks for something important.
And regular rocks will do for letting go of your anger.

Mexican standoff

Carol at No Sheeples Here lets her feelings be known about this week's visit by Mexico's president.

Happy Everybody Draw Mohammad day

I like Don Surber's take, and his roundup.
My drawing skills are so bad, you'd have no idea who it was supposed to be.

Increasingly bold assertions of nonsense

R. Emmett Tyrell looks at the stumbles of the Connecticut Democrat - I served in VietNam (in my dreams) - and connects the dots to John Kerry.
For years he has been fawned over by the Liberal press. Pari passu with the passage of time, he has gone from being a young man who sought five military deferments during the Vietnam War to claiming repeatedly and falsely that he actually served in the war. On the way to making those false claims he did indeed enlist in the Marine Reserve, but he never served in the war.
In 2008, the New York Times reports that he said in a speech, "We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam." At another point in 2008 the Times reports that he informed an audience that "I served during the Vietnam era," concluding that "I remember the taunts, the insults, sometimes even physical abuse." As recently as a few weeks ago he publicly recalled being spit upon when "we returned from Vietnam."

Postmortem

PA-12: The Final Wisdom
Stacy McCain, fresh off little sleep, expounds on the PA-12 special election and what it means.
He forgets my theory from January - he drives and his side loses. He hitches rides and good things happen.

Great mugshot

The story was interesting enough - sword fight in Waynesboro.

The picture makes it so much better.

Da truth about PA-12

I've added DaTech Guy to my blog list.
He takes a look at the numbers in Tuesday's PA-12 special election against Scott Brown's victory on DaTech Guy's home turf.

Time to ban kudzu

The News Leader carries a story today about the ozone production of kudzu, the curse of the south.
"We found that this chemical reaction caused by kudzu leads to about a 50 percent increase in the number of days each year in which ozone levels exceed what the Environmental Protection Agency deems as unhealthy," said study co-author Manuel Lerdau, a University of Virginia professor of environmental sciences and biology. "This increase in ozone completely overcomes the reductions in ozone realized from automobile pollution control legislation."
It's not the cars, it's the kudzu.
We have to drive to the country to dig it up.
Use power tools to pull it from the country. Big plows.
Burn it. Maybe with a flamethrower.
All of that will be better for the environment than kudzu.

Idol - who's the final two?

We'll finally be done with this season of American Idol next Wednesday. You will be standing with Ryan Seacrest at the end of the show?
Votefortheworst.com hopes to keep Casey alive to the end.
Dialidol.com thinks he's gone. They have Lee first and Crystal second.
You'll find out ----- after several important messages.

He's a stud. That's all

Ask a stupid question about the Supreme Court justices, and get a simple answer.
Why does Justice Antonin Scalia, by common consent the leading intellectual force on the Court, have nine children? Is this normal? Or should I say 'normal,' as some people choose to define it? Can he represent the views of ordinary Americans when he practices such a minority lifestyle?
Scalia is a sexy Italian man. It's all you need to know.

Media props

National Review Online's Media Blog describes the scene at the White House Monday - where President Obama signed a press freedom bill and then did not answer any questions from the gathered press corps.
Gee, I get to ask as many questions of President Obama as some of those guys do. And the newspapers pay those guys. No wonder media companies are in trouble.

80-55-80

Dustbury gives the information for women - stay away from European measurements.
It's for your mental health.

Other than that, he's got a good shot

I like Jim Geraghty's takes on today's primaries, especially PA-12. What about the Democrats' chances?
Critz hasn’t been that bad a candidate, but he’s in a district where Obama’s approval is low, Pelosi is disdained, the health care bill is hated, cap-and-trade is seen as a job killer, and unemployment is high. What is he supposed to talk about? What is he supposed to campaign on?

Let's get excited

The Other McCain has been all over the special election race to fill John Murtha's Congressional seat.
Today's Election Day. Can Republican Tim Burns, a smoking-hot young man, make more hearts swoon?
And on the Democratic side, if Arlen Specter loses will anyone cry?
The old guy from the third Indiana Jones movie might appear to talk about his party switch decision.

Trying to get excited

Monday on the Bill Bennett radio show, they tried to get people excited for the work week with music, including Huey Lewis and the News with Working for a Living.
Standing on the speedway should get your blood pumping.

By the time they get to Phoenix

Getting ready to watch the Lakers and Suns in the NBA Western Conference final.
When they get to Phoenix Sunday for Game 3, what's it going to be like? More protests?
Instead of people without tickets trying to get in, why not ticketholders trying to get into the media lounge or press row? Are those people more special than the regular ones?
Just because they have special documentation.
Try to remind the media members that every day they work, they must show credentials to get where they need to go. When you need your credentials, you make sure you have them or face the consequences.

Summer slump time

Last year, I'd read other bloggers talk about the diminishing readership of the summer.
Since it was my first year, my traffic kept gradually creeping up during that time.
Now, it's approaching my second summer and I see what they mean. Especially Saturday afternoons, logically.
I figure Instapundit's vacation must mark the beginning of the summer traffic slump season. The weather's warm and the outside beckons. Put down the computer now and enjoy the world.
Our posts will be archived on the search engines when you get back.

The SOLs are on

Virginia's Standards of Learning tests begin Monday in Augusta County.
For the youngest, it's his first official test.
He wanted pancakes for breakfast. He has been absorbing everything the teachers have said to do.
I told him he'd probably finish first and say "why are you all taking so long." He reminded me that you can't talk until the test is finished.
He could say it in his head, couldn't he? I usually finished my standardized tests first.

Others who won't be "job locked"

The Daily Caller reports on Nancy Pelosi's latest statement -
Nancy Pelosi spoke to musicians and the artistically inclined in Washington DC, and instead of telling those in attendance they should get a job, she brought quite a different message: they needn’t bother working, because the taxpayers of the United States would cover their health care. Perhaps channeling her San Francisco district, Pelosi explained that without a job they would be free to focus on their talents, passions and aspirations because they wouldn’t be “job locked.”
Thanks to Pelosi, a lot of Democratic elected officials will be free to focus on other talents in November. They won't be "job locked" in Washington.

Dustbury has the links

Dustbury brought together a group of interesting tidbits.
Having two boys, the one that caught my eye involved the Nintendo Wii. They have purchased a few older Nintendo games to be played on the Wii. But as of now, those games could not be transferred to a new system.
Games make the system, not the color, right?

New official church of Fishersville Mike

I returned from service at Blue Ridge Church of Christ here in Fishersville. We visited there as a family a few years ago, but our schedule got busy and attendance dwindled. But I think I'm back for the long haul now.
Especially when I sat next to the builder who helped build the facility. It must be a safe place.
This church joins other previous official churches of Fishersville Mike:
Lake Christian of Palmyra, VA
Trinity Presbyterian of Charlottesville
Westminster Presbyterian of Bluefield, WV
Pawleys Island Baptist Church of South Carolina (it's now called Community Church, but during my year on the deacon board obviously Baptist).
Grace Community Church of Columbia, MD
Grace Fellowship Church of Baltimore
Faith Community Church of Hampton, NH (spent the summer of 1982 there)

Free Mulberry Jam Rescues Aviator

It's a beautiful weekend here in Fishersville. Summer is just around the corner.
So are some great blogs and roundups.
Wyblog takes his spot among the blogosphere's best.
Carol musters up a fine roundup.
Pat sees the end of the school year looming.
Adrienne sends the linky love.
Paco finds a bad spot in Bananas.
Shout First brings the roundup after a day at the circus.
Reaganite Republican is smokin'. At least Iceland is.
Naked Villiany has his eyes on the Nationals.
Pundette enjoy Mark Steyn's Saturday column, as usual.
Sundries Shack keeps getting more popular.
Troglopundit finds some history.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Think efficiency, enjoy the season and celebrate success.

Kicking you out of your temporary home

Do the elderly have a duty to die?
Is that a major fear driving opposition to health care reform - the government will need to save money, and late-stage elderly care is where the spending is.
It's cold cash against the final scene of this Carrie Underwood video. He's ready to see God, not a government bureaucrat saying "Your time is up."

Get mugged

The Other McCain and Smitty, joining the great comedy duos like Hope-Crosby, Martin-Lewis and Pelosi-Reid, discuss their newest effort at blogosphere dominance.

Still there

The killdeer family (birds and eggs) maintain their spot in my backyard. I look forward to the eggs hatching.

Poor Elena Kagan

You get nominated for the Supreme Court, and everybody's got an opinion.
Troglopundit thinks she looks like a cross between Mike Myers and Rosie O'Donnell.
Dan Riehl thought it was Bob Costas.
On Friday, Lucianne posted an editorial cartoon. The rendering reminded me of Jon Lovitz.
Yeah, that's the ticket.

In honor of Armed Forces Day

I checked the archives and last year I posted John Michael Montgomery's "Letters from Home" for the day.
You'll have to click the link yourself this year to get there. Unless it can't be shown in your region, like the message I'm getting.
Or you can check this concert footage. It is a bit shaky, though.

If money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it

Don Surber shares this story from West Virginia University - students can rent their books next year.
Now it will cost half as much not to do your work.
Weird Al provides the headline idea.

Because you're headed for the cliff

Blue Virginia quotes President Obama.
I quote reality.

Hammock Coast

Wanna hang out?
I checked my former newspaper, the Georgetown S.C. Times, and their area (south of Myrtle Beach), and Thursday they launched a campaign to call their area the "Hammock Coast."
It's the home of Pawleys Island Hammocks, but unfortunately there's no website up yet.
Maybe they're loafing in a hammock instead of finishing up the site.

Get some new talking points

Crank out the cut-and-paste and you have this letter to the editor of the News Leader.
Tea party is racist.
The deficit is Bush's fault.
Why aren't you against Social Security.
Those talking points aren't working. Can you think of some new ones, please?
Democrats will have plenty of time to think after November 2.

Well written

A great opening line to Michelle Malkin's column Friday -
Wouldn't it be grand if the Obama administration cared more about policing our borders than about policing our refrigerators?
Maybe that's why the Obama administration hedges on focusing on "radical Islam" as important factor in terrorism.
They make bombs, but not bacon.

Weekend watchdog

Going into the Kentucky Derby, all the horses have a chance of winning the Triple Crown.
Saturday in Baltimore, only one still has that chance.
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver leads the field into the Preakness Stakes on NBC. Coverage starts at 4:30 p.m., and a few hours later we'll know if the Belmont Stakes really matters this year.
Also in Baltimore this weekend, the Orioles host Cleveland on MASN. The Nationals are in Colorado on MASN2.
The Phillies' visit to Milwaukee will be seen Saturday afternoon on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. Other FOX choices are Seattle at Tampa Bay and Astros-Giants. Sunday afternoon, TBS will show the Twins' visit to the Yankees.
While the NBA season winds down, the WNBA kicks off its season Saturday afternoon on ESPN2 as Los Angeles meets Phoenix. In the NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics visit Orlando Sunday at 3:30 p.m. to start the Eastern Conference final. LeBron James can start really thinking about where he'd like to play in 2010-11.
The fourth member of the NHL's final four will be decided Friday, when the Flyers head to Boston for Game 7 of their series. The Flyers are trying to win a seven-game series after losing the first three games, and Friday's winner plays Montreal in the Eastern Conference final.
San Jose and Chicago have advanced to the Western Conference final. NBC will cover ice hockey Sunday at 3 p.m.
The NCAA lacrosse tournament starts this weekend, and Saturday at noon ESPN shows Johns Hopkins' visit to Duke.
NASCAR heads to Dover a few weeks earlier than normal. The "Monster Mile" usually gets its visit after the Memorial Day weekend race in Charlotte, but with the holiday coming on May 31 Dover moves up to fill a hole in the schedule. FOX will be there.
The Nationwide Drivers go racing Saturday at 2 p.m. on ABC.
DC United faces the Colorado Rapids Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast.
CBS has the Valero Texas Open Saturday and Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. both days.
Comcast has college baseball Friday as Miami visits Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. Saturday afternoon, North Carolina takes on Virginia. ESPN has Mississippi vs. Alabama Saturday at 4 p.m.
The SEC crowns its softball champions Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

If they sell it, who will buy?

The Iowa farm where Field of Dreams was filmed is up for sale.
Amy Madigan starred in the 1989 as the farm wife whose husband hears voices to build a ballpark.

Nick Joe, it's time to go

West Virginia will have a new Congressman for the northern tier.
How about the southern area? A facebook group would sure like to see it happen.
Nick Joe (Rahall), it's time to go.
Rhymes can go a long way.

Some guys have all the fun

Here in Fishersville, looks like a boring Congressional campaign. No Democrat to run.
Troglopundit will be having more fun with the retirement of David Obey.
We had our fun in Virginia in 2009.
By the way, what's Terry McAuliffe up to?

Will 401K go away?

Megan McArdle looks at the question of encouraging holders of 401K plans to buy annuities.
There's a reason that companies have moved away from those plans (defined benefit option), which is that they tend to catastrophically collapse at the worst possible time for both corporation and retiree

Left turn at Albuquerque

One of my high school mentioned on Facebook that he's in Albuquerque for a few days. My brother and I both channeled Bugs Bunny.
Someone else put the clips together.

Where does Phil come up with this crap?

Yankee Phil posts about the potty parity act.
Why don't they see how long men and women each typically spend in the bathroom, and make the necessary changes. You may need twice as many women's restrooms as men's.
Whenever I'm at a stadium, I'm happy I'm a guy who has two boys.
How about another idea? Guys, there is a tree out there next to the street.

A disturbance in the force

The family went to Texas Steakhouse tonight and we ordered the sampler appetizer.
At the White House, Michelle Obama was walking down a hallway. She stopped and stumbled into a nearby chair.
An aide asked, what's wrong?
"It's a disturbance in the force. Like thousands of calories landed on a table, and were suddenly silenced."

Professor Reynolds' brilliant suggestion

Instapundit reminds you - back up your work.
Your computer will crash someday. It's as certain as the Other McCain seeking the ultimate Google Bomb or a retweet from Alyssa Milano.

Empty pantsuit

How do you combine the meme of Elena Kagan the empty suit - what exactly are her views - with something the Other McCain could exploit for a Google bomb?
Kagan - the Empty Pantsuit
btw, I did search and found a Boston Phoenix story about Hillary Clinton with that line in 2007.

Intern-ment

John Stossel takes apart and rips up the federal government's concern about unpaid internships.
I have an intern at Fox Business News, and I'm getting immediate advantages from her work all the time. I've had interns my whole career and gotten lots of immediate advantage from them.
Occasionally, I've been impeded - but the better interns did the research that made my work possible. I'd asked my TV bosses to pay for research help, but they said, "You think we're made of money?"
So I asked colleges if students wanted internships. Many did, and from then on I got much of my best help from unpaid college students.
I remember my internship in January of 1983. I asked the Baltimore Skipjacks if they needed any help in the front office during the three weeks before spring semester started.
They did, so I got to meet some Baltimore sports icons. I even had dinner with the Famous Chicken (pizza with the rest of the staff).
I got to add stats information to the program fans buy. I found old memorabilia from the Clippers teams of the 1960s and 70s, including a record of the theme song.
I learned from the general manager that sports is not the business to go into. I reminded him of that 10 years later, when he was announcing for a minor league baseball team.
Internships are good. Unless they're with the government. They've got enough people working there, so they don't need the help.

A sentence to remember

Everytime Blue Virginia writes a post touting the "Obama recovery," remember this sentence by Robert Samuelson.
The normal mechanics of the business cycle signal recovery, while deeper economic weaknesses threaten it.

Idol - from 4 to 3

Votefortheworst.com hopes Casey hangs in there.
Dialidol.com sees him at the bottom, with only Crystal safe.

Happy Anniversary, StrictlyVa

It's been a year of blogging for StrictlyVa. 2009 was an exciting year in Virginia politics, and though the election excitement is higher in other States in 2010, there's still plenty going on.
Check it out, and the individual blogs of the team members. We'll make sure you know what's going on.

Another one bites the dust

Northern West Virginia will have a new Congressman in 2011.
Incumbent Alan Mollohan lost in the Democratic primary. He didn't even make it to November.

Eat healthy or else

Thirty years later, I still remember one of the comments from freshman college history class. The professor said "If all you eat is celery, you'll die. Since it takes more calories to eat celery than you get from it."
What that has to do with history, don't ask me.
But Pundette features the current batch of health food crusaders. They want taxes on high calorie foods.
Maybe if celery was tax-free, more people would eat it. Unless my history professor really got around.

Still looking for money

I got a surprised email today - Bill Clinton is helping retire Hillary's campaign debt.
From 2008.
Still.
Will they still be trying to retire her debt in 2012? 2016?
Surely it should be done by now.

It's not the now; it's the coming very soon

Blue Virginia continues the theme that Americans are not overtaxed.
The Tea Party is not just about taxes. It's about piling up debt that means future tax hikes.
How we're taxed right now won't help us down the road.

Speeding along

Big Journalism passes along this stat from Arizona - in one region, there were 64 car chases (fixed). None involved a U.S. Citizen.
h/t Instapundit

Kagan hits a grounder to Grandpa John

The Chicago Sun-Times has a picture of Elena Kagan batting in softball.
Grandpa John has had a long career at shortstop to the north in Janesville.
Hard hit grounder. Is Kagan safe or out?
You make the call.
UPDATE: I sent the post to Troglopundit, and he noticed I accidently put a link to the Other McCain (from the previous post) instead of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Wonder if there's any photos out there of Stacy or Smitty playing softball?

Hire more rude slobs

The Other McCain gives the GOP some advice - hire more people like him.
That would work for me also.
I have a Masters in being a slob. My wife will provide the reference.

Let the fun begin

President Obama has a nominee for the Supreme Court.

The Other McCain has a Google bomb.

Is there a great quote out there, waiting to be exploited? I doubt it will top the Wise Latina, which inspired this.

Cherish what you have

I saw a link to this MomLogic post.
AshleyMadison.com, the dating website for married people, tells momlogic exclusively that Mother's Day is the second-busiest day of the year for female member signups.
On a typical Monday, between 2,500 and 3,000 women join AshleyMadison.com. But on the day after Mother's Day last year, AshleyMadison.com saw close to 24,000 new signups. They anticipate that 30,000 women will join this year on May 10 -- the day after Mother's Day.
This "day after" trend is nothing new to AshleyMadison.com: Their biggest day of the year for female signups is the day after Valentine's Day, and their third-biggest day is the day after New Year's.
Treat your wife well, so these stats don't rise unnecessarily.

Our futures depend on it

Jerry from on high looks at the return from the dead (again) of cap-and-trade.

We decide who suffers, not you

Among the themes of the Tea Party movement is concern of increasing federal debt. This debt has been huge for years, but 2008 and President Obama's election brought two important changes.
The pace of spending has increased.
The plans to control things from Washington have increased.
The Tea Party sees suffering ahead, no matter what we do. The concern is that the political class - both Democrats and Republicans - will rig things so they suffer less than the rest of the people.
The rest of the people don't like it. Those who spent their way into terrible spending shouldn't be able to watch the suffering from above the fray.

Let's give him something to whine about

So President Obama doesn't like the information age.
Or just how it impacts what he wants to do.
Let's give him something to really whine about.
Keep up the good posting.

Which is worse? Waterboarding or taxes

The TaxProf Blog looks at the tax troubles of the Times Square bomber.
Which side of the government will be worse for him?

If you don't like my blog, blame my mom

A Facebook friend sought comments last night - tell what your mom has done for you.
I remembered back in high school, when I had to write in journals for English class. I let my mom read some and she thought I did a good job with words.
Encouraged by that, I moved on to the college newspaper, then sports writing in South Carolina and West Virginia. I did free-lance writing when moving to Virginia, and now I'm into blogging.
Thanks for the encouragement, mom.

Fine Mothers Join Roundup Algorithm

Happy Mothers Day. Time to celebrate our great mothers, along with grandmothers and all the women who have made our lives possible.
What about blog mothers? This blog started with the help of SWACgirl in Augusta County.
Looking for some more bloggers who are mothers? You can't go wrong by visiting the Potluck group blog.
Pat has a Mother's Day roundup and the flowers to prove it.
Pundette offers a great supply of links, and knows crap when she sees it.
Political Junkie Mom is in the midst of a move.
Obi's Sister likes the Lego's Star Wars video.
Fuzzy Logic checks in on the British elections.
Carol's Closet looks at holidays around the world.
Carol at No Sheeples is fixing up the house. And I think ewe will like her roundup.
Ruby Slippers had remorse before the buyers began showing remorse.
Retriever thinks about marriage proposals.
Bread upon the Waters has a classic picture.
Backyard Conservative salutes moms who like tea.
Shout First, Ask Questions Later links to a story about a dam problem.
Nice Deb salutes a nice honor.
Coffee Milk Conservative has a scary picture.
Chocolate on your Brain has good news from the home.
Adrienne has been dealing with a cranky computer.
Moving on to the guy's side, the Other McCain has six kids. That's keeping the mother of his children very busy. So Smitty's got the roundup covered.
Wyblog has the good news from New Jersey.
Grandpa John swings for the fences.
The Camp of the Saints reaches its second birthday.
Troglopundit offers news you can use.
Don Surber surpassed a million visits for 2010.
Dustbury is thinking NASCAR.
Mind Numbed Robot is having a blast.
Carl knows a hot shot when he sees one.
The Classic Liberal would be happy if you talk nerdy.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Think about breakfast and say a prayer.

Boffo Biff

Via Ace of Spades, the answers to your "Back to the Future" questions - in song.



Remember, we're only five years away from those flying cars of Back to the Future II. And the Cubs will win the World Series.

"Menopause was change enough for me"

Michael Graham shares a favorite sign of a tea party mom in the Wall Street Journal.
As part of a recent book project I've been asking women around the country: Why are you angry? What is it about the tea party movement that energizes busy working moms to get even busier organizing protests?
Many women gave the most obvious answer: "If we waited around for you men to do it, it would never get done."
When I asked Christen Varley, the Boston tea party leader, she said it's because moms tend to be "the CEO's of our households. We do the shopping, bill paying, budgeting, etc. We know less money means less freedom. Maybe if the president and Congress did the grocery shopping, they'd know why we're mad."

Fun with OFA

Marathon Pundit goes boldly where few conservatives go - an Organizing for America training event.
Here is what the OFA wants from their volunteers: 10 hours a week, hosting house parties, and perhaps helping out with their phone bank. Hint: Keep a close eye on your caller ID on Mondays between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. And of course, as I mentioned earlier, they want more bodies.
h/t Instapundit

Only four?

Instapundit links a column about the ways Washington messed up the financial situation.
Like Cretdit Default Swaps.
The problems with CDSs and bank capital were not a surprise in 2008; there was ample warning that things were going awry. Senior government policymakers created policies that encouraged excessive risk taking by bankers and adhered to those policies over many years even as they learned about the ramifications of their policies.
There's four main ways the government opened the door for bad decision making.
Give us more time and we'll think of lots more.

Beginning with I- and ending with -slam

Mark Steyn looks at the off-Broadway Times Square bomber.

Happy Mother's Day

No Sheeples Here kicks off the weekend with a good picture and quote.

Rule 5 from 1914

Bravo to Yankee Phil.
Anybody can find pictures of pretty girls from 2010. Some go back a few years.
Not many go back 96 years.
If Phil can find a good picture of Cleopatra, I bet he'd post that.

Close to home

The University of Virginia women's lacrosse team is in Towson, Maryland this weekend. Mourning and saying goodbye to Yeardley Love.
And close to the site of another murder involving a lacrosse player.
In February, 2008, 15-year-old Nicholas Browning fatally shot his father. Then his mother. And two younger brothers. The shootings happened just north of Towson.
The younger Browning played lacrosse, as did his father John - a high school contemporary of mine. The elder Browning and my family rode the same bus to high school.
I never played lacrosse - when a sixth-grade teacher told of being hit in the back with a stick and peeing blood for a week, that took my interest away. Lots of Marylanders do, across all parts of society.
Bad people do bad things. Others make the same sports choices without causing so much harm.

You can teach until you're 80

TaxProf Blog looks at the cuts in pension benefits that loom for college professors in some states.
Illinois and New Jersey looks to be hardest hit.
You've got a good job. You can now enjoy it longer.
h/t Instapundit

Bankruptcy of many nations

Business Insider looks at Greece, Japan and the U.S. The Demographics tell the story, and time is short to change things up.
Politically, this may be an extremely risky endeavor as most politicians tend to play to the mood of the latest opinion polls. Granted, there are no easy answers but something’s go to give if we want to avoid the obvious path towards the bankruptcy of many nations.
h/t Instapundit

Technology passes SOLs by

My youngest is preparing for the math SOLs for third graders. I checked out one of the questions he'll be asked to answer.
It said the person had rolls of film with 27 pictures each. If they have four rolls, how many pictures do they have?
Rolls of film? Now it's pictures on a memory card. And it's a lot more than 27.
Time for a new example.

Weekend watchdog

For the longest time, NASCAR took off Mother's Day weekend. Not anymore.
Saturday is the big night for the Lady in Black instead.
NASCAR travels to Darlington on FOX for its lone visit of the year to the storied track. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m., and the Nationwide crew visits 7 p.m. Friday on ESPN2.
The PGA tour heads to TPC Sawgrass and its famous 17th-hole this weekend for the Players Championship. NBC has the coverage Saturday and Sunday, from 2-7 p.m. each day.
The NBA playoffs continue with a Friday doubleheader on ESPN, with the Cavaliers at Celtics at 7 p.m. and Suns-Spurs at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the Magic visit the Hawks at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
ABC enters the fray with a Saturday 8 p.m. game featuring the Lakers and Jazz, then Sunday afternoon it's the Cavaliers-Celtics. TNT offers Game 4 of the Suns-Spurs Sunday at 8 p.m.
The NHL conference semifinals continue this weekend on Versus. Friday, the Bruins face the Flyers at 7 p.m., then it's Chicago at Vancouver. Saturday will have Game 5 in Pittsburgh early, then San Jose tries to eliminate Detroit at home. Sunday the Canucks and Blackhawks return to Chicago for Game 5.
The Orioles visit the new Target Field in Minnesota this weekend on MASN2, while the Nationals host Florida on MASN. The schedule for both teams is Friday night, then Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
The Red Sox and Yankees meet again this weekend, on FOX Saturday and ESPN Sunday night. The Braves' visit to Philadelphia is the backup game on FOX, and featured game on TBS Sunday afternoon.
Comcast has plenty of college baseball on the schedule this weekend. Friday, it's Florida visiting Alabama. Saturday, Wake Forest heads to North Carolina at 1 p.m. and Sunday Georgia hosts Tennessee at 2 p.m.
ESPN shows SEC softball (LSU vs. Tennessee) Saturday at noon.
Do you like women's soccer? The Washington Freedom start their season Saturday on Comcast against Boston.
ESPN2 will be there Saturday at 7 p.m. when the NCAA crowns its men's volleyball champion.

Civil War soldier spit here

Wal-Mart has been trying to build a store near the Wilderness battlefield for years.
The county government has approved, but lawsuits continue to be filed.
Jerry looks on and wonders.
If the court eventually rules in the plaintiffs' favor, it will have essentially written off development in any part of the commonwealth, since Civil War troops prepared for battle, marched, and died of their injuries throughout - including here on my property in remote Bland County.
You people need to regain your senses. Historical preservation is one thing. Insane laws (and court rulings) restricting growth so as to preserve a bunch of bushes and weeds is another. It's borderline insanity.

Thinking about the census

Census workers are going to houses across the country to make sure they are counted in the 2010 census.
Next time (2020), why not get help from Dominos? The questionnaire is done in 10 minutes or less, or you get a free census next time.
Between Dominos, Papa John's, UPS and Fed Ex, you bet those guys know all the addresses where people live throughout the world.

Dinosaur vs. dinosaur

I visited the Fishersville post office Thursday, and somethings were missing. All of the newspaper boxes.
No more News Leader. No more News Virginian. No more USA Today, Richmond Times Dispatch or Washington Post.
Only one of the free paper boxes were left. That had the note that the boxes needed to be removed by the end of April.
The post office was a convenient place to pick up Charlottesville's free papers - C'Ville and The Hook. I can still pick those up at the grocery stores. (Buy a daily paper? Ha!)
Interesting to see the post office sidewalk cleared of newspaper. Very barren. You'd think the traffic of people looking for papers would boost the post office.

He's a lumberjack and he's okay

With David Obey deciding not to run, the chances of Republican challenger Sean Duffy joining Congress improved.
He's done quite a few things in his 37 years. And lives in the lumberjack capital of the world.
Maybe Monty Python can sing when he arrives in Washington next January.

A second job for Ken Cuccinelli

It's been a fun few months for Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Everytime he breathes, it seems the lefty bloggers have a fit.
How dare he do things he believes in. Sure, it's okay for President Obama to do things he believes in, but that's different. Just because.
I've been wondering what will be the next thing Cuccinelli does that will drive the lefty bloggers crazy.
Then I started thinking about American Idol. Down to its final four contestants. And Simon Cowell will be leaving at the end of the year.
Maybe Ken Cuccinelli could take his place as an American Idol judge.
Now I'll cut the post short. Many people spit out their morning beverage and shorted out the monitor. Time to call the tech support. That's real economic stimulus for you.

Be on the lookout

We've learned lots about the failed Times Square bomber in the past few days.
He lived in Connecticut.
He attended a camp.
We'd better watch this camp. I hear there's lots of long-range bombs all over the place.
Maybe there's another motivator for the bomber that's not being talked about.

All his rowdy friends are coming over

The Other McCain is recruiting the best, the brightest, the fedora-wearing to help Tim Burns win the PA-12 special election.
Visit his page to find out what's going on just north of Morgantown.

No mow zone

Mowing the lawn this afternoon, I noticed a bird just standing there. Not flying away.

I made another pass, and still the bird stood in the area.

Then I saw why. Four eggs on the ground for her to protect. They blend in perfectly, especially with her shadow on them.

(Can you see the eggs? Start by looking between her legs).

Now, let's see how she protects her chicks from the neighborhood animals in the middle of the backyard.

Obey dooby don't

Rep. David Obey says he won't run for election.
Wisconsin bloggers Troglopundit and GrandpaJohn are thinking hard, racing to see who can put up the best post about this.
UPDATE: Troglopundit offers a thorough roundup of what's going on in Wisconsin.