Very early Friday morning, my computer received one of those annoying updates from Mr. Gates.
When the computer re-booted, something happened, and I was left with a black monitor and a tower that didn't sound quite right.
The monitor has been losing it's resolution for a while, but, turned out that wasn't the problem.
Spent the afternoon with the tech, and, well, it's dead. Another fried motherboard.
I'm currently using the back-up. Bill Clinton was president when it was new. It's horribly slow, has a very small memory, and saves all artwork as bitmaps.
Of course, all the trivia and TV files are in the dead computer, so I'll try to cobble something together until I see what happens next.
The new motherboard will set me back $547 (plus tax), but I should have my old computer back by Tuesday.
OTOH, I'm starting to think maybe it's a sign to pack it in.
Sigh.
Paul Krugman: Legends of the Fail (New York Times)
This is the way the euro ends - not with a bang but with bunga bunga. Not long ago, European leaders were insisting that Greece could and should stay on the euro while paying its debts in full. Now, with Italy falling off a cliff, it's hard to see how the euro can survive at all.
Henry Rollins: How Music Has Enacted Social Change (LA Weekly)
I also talked about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (bitterly opposed by several states), Abraham Lincoln's clear meditations on the true threat to America's security (Americans), that education is the best defense against any threat from anywhere and that literacy is a true equalizer and emancipator. The public library system of the United States is worth preserving.
Connie Schultz: Keep Talking, Herman Cain (Creators Syndicate)
A few months later, I saw that same supervisor place his hands on the shoulders of a young female intern and whisper in her ear. She looked terrified. To this day, I recall that moment and my face burns. I watched and thought, "I could have prevented this."
Jerry Sadowitz: his dark materials (Guardian)
Think Ricky Gervais and Frankie Boyle are offensive? Then you won't have the stomach for standup Jerry Sadowitz. Their vitriol is fake, he tells James Kettle: his is the real deal.
John Lahr: The Goat Boy Rises (New Yorker)
On October 1st, the comedian Bill Hicks, after doing his twelfth gig on the David Letterman show, became the first comedy act to be censored at CBS's Ed Sullivan Theatre, where Letterman is now in residence, and where Elvis Presley was famously censored in 1956
Roger Ebert's Journal: The Chimes at Midnight
Unless we find an angel, our television program will go off the air at the end of its current season. There. I've said it. Usually in television, people use evasive language. Not me. We'll be gone. I want to be honest about why this is. We can't afford to finance it any longer.
Colin Murdock: 6 Classic Songs That Were Supposed to Be Jokes (Cracked)
We tend to think of successful songs as the carefully crafted result of great artistic vision and hours of grueling, dedicated work. This isn't always the case, though. Every so often a song explodes into the mainstream completely by accident, tearing up the charts to the surprise (and sometimes chagrin) of the musicians responsible. Like ...
David Bruce has 42 Kindle books on Amazon.com with 250 anecdotes in each book. Each book is $1, so for $42 you can buy 10,500 anecdotes. Search for "Funniest People," "Coolest People, "Most Interesting People," "Kindest People," "Religious Anecdotes," "Maximum Cool," and "Resist Psychic Death."
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds and some theropod dinosaurs. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates, and indeed a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty. They are among the characteristics that distinguish the extant Aves from other living groups. Feathers have also been noticed in those Theropoda which have been termed feathered dinosaurs. Although feathers cover most parts of the body of birds, they arise only from certain well-defined tracts on the skin. They aid in flight, thermal insulation, waterproofing and coloration that helps in communication and protection.
Source
Alan J was first, and correct, with:
Feathers
Charlie said:
integumentary /in·teg·u·men·ta·ry/ (in-teg?u-men´t?-re)
1. pertaining to or composed of skin.
2. serving as a covering.
So it's feathers.
BttbB responded:
Feathers...
I write this on Veteran's Day, 2011... Thank you to all who've served...
BadtotheboneBob
Coxswain, USCG (June '80-Dec '90)
Medical Specialist, US Army (March '71-Dec '77)
Adam wrote:
Um, ahh...feathers. I had no idea what that one was.
Jim from CA, retired to ID, replied:
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer
covering, or plumage, on birds and some theropod dinosaurs. They are
considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates
Sally said:
According to the Googles, feathers are among the most complex integumentary appendages found (i.e., they are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates).
Humph, who knew?
PS: When I was a child, many years ago, every town across the country held a parade for the veterans of the preceding wars. The parades went on, and on, and ended with long speeches in praise of the troops, and about the glories of war. I don't know, was that good or bad?
Of course, that was back in the days when war was a mystery, and glamorized in the movies... I remember the soldiers all looked so handsome in their uniforms, even years after the war (WWII) had ended.
Personally, I think the long speeches killed it for the celebration of the men, and the very few women veterans.
PPS: JoeS, lookin' hot with your tall hat... ;)
Marian answered:
eathers
Dale of Diamond Springs responded:
Skin is part of the organ system that protects most vertebrates. The skin is the largest organ on mammals, reptiles and amphibians and birds. But alas, the feather of a bird is the most complex. Remember, what we were taught in school about dinosaurs was different from what science has discovered about flying dinosaurs millions of years. So when someone calls you "Birdbrain" there's an element of truth.
Dale of Diamond Springs
MAM wrote:
Feathers Only birds have this unique and intricate way to waterproof, insulate and protect themselves.
And, Joe S answered:
Feathers. I'll be honest with you, I had no idea what an integumentary structure was. In fact I still don't, but I know what a feather is.
CBS begins the night with another FRESH'Pass The Popcorn Debate', followed by a RERUN'NCIS', then '48 Hours'.
NBC fills the night with LIVE'College Football', then pads the left coast with local crap and maybe an old 'Dateline'.
'SNL' is FRESH, with Emma Stone hosting, music by Coldplay.
ABC fills the night with LIVE'College Football', then pads the left coast with local crap and maybe an old 'Primetime: What Would You Do?'.
The CW offers an old 'Family Guy', followed by another old 'Family Guy', then an old 'Futurama', followed by another old 'Futurama'.
Faux has 'Cops', another 'Cops', and 'Ultimate Fight Night'.
MY has an old 'The Closer', followed by another old 'The Closer'.
A&E has 'Storage Wars', another 'Storage Wars', still another 'Storage Wars', yet another 'Storage Wars', 'American Hoggers', another 'American Hoggers', still another 'American Hoggers', and yet another 'American Hoggers'.
AMC offers the movie 'Open Range', followed by 'Hell On Wheels'.
You have reached the Home page of BartCop Entertainment.
Make yourself home, take your shoes off...
Go ahead, scratch it if it itches.
The idea is to have fun.
Do you have something to say?
Anything that increased your blood pressure, or, even better, amused or entertained?
Do you have a great album no one's heard?
How about a favorite TV show, movie, book, play, cartoon, or legal amusement?
A popular artist that just plain pisses you off?
A box set the whole world should own?
Vile, filthy rumors about Republican hypocrites?
Just plain vile, filthy rumors?
This is your place.
wrote:
answered:
