POKING SOME FUN AT MICHAEL JACKSON AND HARRY POTTER

The world is all a-flutter with environmental (cap-and-trade) debates, celebrity deaths, political sex scandals, gubernatorial resignations, and pool-side racism. Only two of those are really news worthy in my opinion. So why not have some fun?

Top Ten Surprises at Michael Jackson's Funeral
My favorites include:

• Billie Jean sues for custody of the kids.
• Macaulay Culkin flown at half mast.
• A phalanx of zombies rise from the dead and dance.

Top Ten Harry Potter Porn Movie Titles
Again with my favs, but this time I won't quote them. I'll just give you the numbers and let you read them yourself. You know, porn and all, I'll keep it a bit more family friendly this go around. Numbers 9, 8, and 3 really do it for me.

Many thanks to the mayor of Top Ten-a-ville, Jason Rohrblogger, who constantly provides me with high-sterical fodder. What were your favorites?

SHOCKER! BIG 3 CAR MAKERS ONLY ONES ON 'AMERICA'S MOST OVERPRICED VEHICLES' LIST

According to Forbes.com which cars are the most overpriced? It will come as no surprise that the biggest failures come from the Big 3 Detroit automakers. The biggest offenders were:

• Jeep Liberty
• Dodge Ram 2500
• Chevrolet Trailblazer

No foreign brands make the list, as those automakers' cars tend to be priced fairly when considering supply and demand as well as their high rankings on consumer-satisfaction surveys.

COMIC CONVENTION TOMORROW

Springfield is having its Second Annual Comic Book Convention tomorrow (Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is at the Lamplighter Inn North. (Last year I mistakenly went to the Lamplighter Inn South at Glenstone and Sunshine. Don't make the same mistake.)

It's pretty small, but I found a ton of great comics at very reasonable prices. In my experience, the small comic cons have been outstanding places to get great comics (toys, movies, etc.) at great prices. I often make bigger hauls there than the big cons. So don't let the size fool you.

NO BAGS REQUIRED

Today was the first time I went to the grocery store and did not use one single, solitary plastic grocery bag. Go environment! I've had the cloth bags for a long time now (months, actually) and I haven't used them for grocery shopping. I kept forgetting to put them in the van. Pitiful excuse isn't it?

I used my summer vacation to fold up all the cloth bags and put them into another cloth bag. Like it took any time at all. Eureka! Problem solved. It worked wonderfully. Now, if I can remember to put them back in the van before the next trip to the supermarket, I will be on a roll.

It felt good to be more globally aware. And as my good friend, Larry, over at Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind will remind everyone: Environmentalism is not just a liberal thing. Good conservatives care about the environment, too. You may remember that Larry the conservative was recycling before I ever got on board.

Today, this progressive took another step toward conservation and caring by getting rid of the need for petroleum-based grocery bags.

DID RUPERT MURDOCK PURCHASE THE NEWS-LEADER?

I've heard it complained about that the local newspaper is liberal. One defunct blogger lamented the liberalness of the editorial board while he was a member. I read just one more article from an editorial board member and I can't fathom it. I keep wondering when it was that FOX News bought out Gannet?

DOES THE NEWSPAPER NOT CONSULT THEIR AP STYLEBOOK?

RE: Changes in parking places upset some

I stopped counting the number of times the reporter used the word "handicap". It caught my eye because I am certain the AP Stylebook specifically states not to use the word "handicap". I consulted the Internet.

I went first to AP Stylebook Online, but I don't have a membership any longer. That was ages ago. I did find "Beyond the AP Stylebook: Language and Usage for Reporters and Editors".

DISABLED" AND "DISABILITY" TERMS OF CHOICE
Most people involved in disability issues today see "disabled" or "disability" as terms of choice. Many want journalists to write "person with a disability" rather than "disabled person." A number of groups issue pamphlets explaining that the "person should come first." The terms "handicap" and "handicapped" have been used in much legislation concerning disabled people. During the 1960s and early 1970s, it was the word of choice. It fell into disrepute, however, when leaders of the disability rights movement insisted it was a term coined by special education professionals and not a term the movement chose. Today, most disability groups are changing the "handicap" in their titles to "disability."

It was 1987 that the AP Stylebook first had an entry under the heading of "handicapped". The word has been out for 20 years, so I am left wondering why she choose such language when her stylebook clearly states otherwise. What of the editors?

I CAN SEE ALASKA FROM MY RECLINER

Palin forgot her pledge to voters to fight for them and quit her job as governor earlier this week. The libs will see this as someone who cannot even finish what she starts, which is true. Conservatives will frame it as a move by a victimized pitbull with lipstick who is doing something unexpected. That's true too, I guess.

Nothing will change. I doubt it will affect anything. Repugs love her and libs don't. Sure makes for many headlines. Better not speculate as to why she did it. Otherwise it sounds like she might sue your rear end off.

EATING HEALTHY AFTER THE 4TH

I didn't do too bad over the holiday, food wise that is. Yesterday was a bit too carb-filled, and I'm sure I had too many dips (spinach dip, hummus, a touch of cheese dip) but for the most part I ate pretty well.

This evening I jumped right back to my daily regiment with a really refreshing and yummy veggie meal. I stole the idea from Dillon's but made it my own. Sorry, no pictures this time.

BAKED PORTABELLA PIZZAS
2 portabella mushroom caps
3 small Roma tomatoes
1/2 Vidalia onion
3-4 tbls minced garlic
Salt-free Greek seasoning
4 oz feta cheese

Finely chop the tomatoes and onion. Mix in garlic and seasoning. Set aside for 30 minutes. Top mushroom caps with mixture. Add feta cheese on top. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

It was delicious, healthy and nutritious. That's all I had for supper. I had some popcorn as a snack and called it done.

BIKERS STILL HAVE TO WEAR HELMETS

Gov. Nixon vetoed the motorcycle helmet repeal as cited in this News-Leader story. The reason cited was safety, specifically a study of Florida's motorcycle helmet repeal and the significant costs to taxpayers because of the repeal.

The release cited a national study that indicated the repeal of Florida's helmet law in 2002 caused medical costs for motorcycle riders with head injuries to double. The release further suggested that taxpayers wound up shouldering a "significant portion" of these increased costs, and said motorcycle fatalities in Florida "jumped sharply" after the repeal.

I surmise that Nixon chose the larger population's liberty (vast majority of taxpayers) as more important than a select few bikers who don't want to wear helmets because it is uncool.

It was the right move, but we weren't sure what Nixon would do. It's all over for now until the next legislative season when the Freedom of Road Riders try to do pass the legislation again.

GOODNESS, GRATIOUS, GREAT BALLS OF GEEKNESS

I had no idea Springfield was this cool (or nerdy depending on your viewpoint) but we have our very own free celebration of all things nerdy. Really. I'm not kidding. A real celebration of nerdom.

Picnic at the End of the Universe
A Celebration of the Geeky Arts
Sunday, July 19
11 am - 6 pm
Phelps Grove Park

It is an afternoon event for gadgeteers, gamers, geeks and fandom including: science fiction, fantasy, gaming, SCA, Linux gurus, Elmers (whatever that is), Makers (whoever they are), Mythbusters and merry pranksters of all sorts.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. You simply need to bring your own sides, drinks or desserts to share. The pavillion is reserved for the participants of nerdville. (Don't bring alcohol because it is not allowed in the park.)

Brought to the Ozarks by Eclectic Endeavors, a program of the Springfield Regional Arts Council.

HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!

We traveled to Muskogee, OK earlier this Spring for a Renaissance Festival and it was loads of turkey leg eating, wool tight wearing, fun. If you missed out then you have another chance this weekend and the next one.

4th Annual White Hart Renaissance Faire
5651 Highway F, Hartville, MO
July 3-5 & July 11-12
10 am - 6 pm
Adults: $10
Seniors: $8
Children: $6
Ages 5 & Younger: Free
417-741-9518

The RenFest is on rain or shine, so don't worry. You should consider it. It is much more fun than I realized. We enjoyed the day immensely when we went.