Around the Water Cooler 11/4/2011

Another crazy news week has come and gone.  Who would have thought that a major snow storm would have been taken over the front page news?  This was really taking the phrase "frost on the pumpkin" to the EXTREME.  (just to be accurate...the original poem said "frost on the punkin"  but close enough)

As always, I prefer to ignore the mainstream news of political scandals, governmental impasses, and all the news related to the economy, in favor of the "far" less important back page news.



Speaking of Halloween..... I noticed a story about a little Trick or Treater, that caught my attention.

I Am Dressed as Future Convict

Aiken, S.C. - South Carolina officials say a 10 year old trick-or-treater pulled a 9mm handgun on a woman who joked with him about stealing his candy.

The Auguste Chronicle reported that a 28 year old woman reported that when she "jokingly" told the boy that she was going to take his candy, he yelled "no, your not!" and then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her.

The boy was taken to the police station and turned over to his parents.  It was also reported that his brother, also a 10 year old, was taken in as well.  He, too, had in his possession a gun and ammunition.

The boys had taken the guns and ammo from their grandfather without his permission.

First of all, it isn't a good idea to tell two ten year olds that you are going to take their candy.  Some jokes aren't funny.   My second thought is that I would be keeping my eye on these two ten year olds and keep the guns under lock and key.

Could You Open This For Me?

Complaining that a 95-year-old neighbor has been harassing him, a 75-year-old Florida man called police Monday to report that the nonagenarian twice pulled a pocket knife on him--but that the older man did not have the strength or dexterity to actually open the weapon.



good thing he doesn't have a
switchblade



Panama City police reported that the dispute between Charles Woolard and Joe Taylor dates back three years, when Taylor accused Woolard of stealing his walking cane. Since then, Woolard told a cop, Taylor has taken swings at him, but he has succeeded in blocking the blows.

Woolard, who denied stealing the cane, said that Taylor, “pulled a closed pocket knife on him twice,” adding that the older man “tries to open the knife but can’t.” Woolard remarked that, while he is not afraid of Taylor, he is “concerned he might have to act if he actually get the knife open.”

Police made no arrests in connection with the pensioners’s dispute.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

H&H Photographers was started by Curt Fried and Harold Gillet after returning from serving in World War II. After decades of celebrated work the two handed the business down to their sons, Dan Fried and Larry Gillet.  According to Dan Fried, after having more than 65 years of happy clients he is upset that he is having to deal with a "less than satisfied" customer.

Todd Remis, an equity research analyst, married Melena Grzibovska on December 28, 2003 at Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown, NY. Remis has filed a lawsuit against H&H Photography as well as its original founders for $4100.00 (the cost of the photographs) and $48,000 to bring back all the original attendees to recreate the wedding so new photos can be taken.

According to Fried, Remis came to the office in January 2004 to pick up his wedding proofs (though in legal papers, Remis denies getting any pictures). "He complained to us right away," says Fried. "And the company made an effort to try to find a common ground with him. We said if we missed something, we would be happy to offer another type of shoot or do touch up on some images and make some changes for the prints for the wedding album. But that was not enough for him."
Remis continued to file complaints but never picked up his wedding album or paid his final balance. After years, H&H sent Remis a bill for the outstanding amount due. "He responded with a threatening letter and then shortly thereafter, he sued," says Fried. That was in 2009, six years after the wedding, a year after the couple separated and a few weeks before the statute of limitations would have expired.
 What Remis failed to disclose in his legal papers is that he got divorced in 2008 -- and he doesn't know the address of his ex-wife, who returned to her native Latvia.


So far, the Frieds and Gillets have spent about $50,000 in legal fees. And it's not over yet. Justice Doris Ling-Cohan of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan dismissed most of Remis' claims, including his claim for infliction of emotional distress, but has allowed the case to continue. At a hearing on Thursday, a court date was set to meet with the judge in December to discuss a settlement. "A settlement is not something that sits well with us, but we have to obey the judge's orders," says Fried.

Are we wondering, why this guy is divorced?  I think maybe I should bring back all the attendees of my wedding for the sake of a "reshoot".  This time I would change the fashions that were popular in 1971.


Last and Certainly the Least important story of the week is Lindsay Lohan's newest "exploits".


Lass With Class or Crude Nude?

If mom, Dina, says nude pics are tasteful, it must be so.  I am sure
we all could trust her perception of what is "in good taste".

Whether you like it or not, Lindsay Lohan really is shedding her clothes for an upcoming issue of Playboy.

Lohan's media-loving mom, Dina, talked to The Insider about her daughter's racy shoot, and clarified that no, she won't be baring all and going fully nude in the pages of Hugh Hefner's magazine.

"It will be tastefully done," Dina says of the shoot, adding that both Lindsay and Hefner will decide if a scandalous photo of her will grace either the magazine's December or January cover.

Lindsay, who appeared in court Wednesday for violating her probation, is facing a 30-day jail sentence -- which could ultimately be bumped up to 300 days -- as well as mandatory community service.

According to E!, Lindsay was given until Nov. 9 to report to jail in order to fulfill her $1 million Playboy contract. The actress completed a photo shoot last week, but apparently Hefner was not pleased with the results. A new photographer has been hired and Lindsay is set to try again this week.


This can't be good. Hef isn't liking the nudy pics?  If he doesn't get the money shot soon,  he might have to do the photo session in her cell.


The Good for the Day.... Some of the very best things I see on Facebook come from 5 or 6 people.  Stan is one of those people.  Thought this was cute.

The Bad for the Day....A California inventor claims to have developed a laser technology to change brown eyes into blue. 

Gregg Homer, founder of Stroma Medical in Laguna Beach, Calif., told the Daily News he’s already tested the irreversible cosmetic treatment on about 12 volunteers in Mexico, safely removing small patches of brown pigment from at least one eye in each subject. He is hoping to get FDA approval and have the procedure available in the US in about three years for around $5000.00

The Weird for the Day- I was reading a list of 10 things to help you if you want to raise a "geeky" kid.

(and why would we want to do this?)  Still here a couple of things to help you to that end if you are so inclined.



web design for babies???? Really???




a geeked-out stroller



Weapon of Mass Instruction

Two Thoughts for Tuesday




Thought #1

I am thinking that the most powerful weapon on the planet...no more than that really....the UNIVERSE is the power of the media.   It seems that within minutes of anything happening the media is all over it.  AND not necessarily in a good way.   News programs have wafted into editorial programs.  What might otherwise just be a report of an event turns into inferences of who is right and who is wrong, who might be responsible and who might be the victim or hero as the case may be.

Recently, I was taking a personality assessment test (related to work) that asked the question "Do you consider that most people can be easily led and tend to follow the pack?"  I customarily would scream out "Hell, yes, no doubt about it.... but that particular answer wasn't among my choices.  I picked a answer in the middle as I am a coward and don't want to come across as a total cynic (even though that should be apparent to anyone that has ever talked to me). Are any of us so naive that we would think that the majority of us are truly independent thinkers? 

Take for example, the media coverage of the missing baby in Kansas City, Lisa Irwin.  Now, I haven't got a clue as to what happened to the little girl  but nor will I understand the bizarre twists that seem to be revealed daily that are linked to this tragic event.  No sooner was the Amber Alert issued, then  quickly removed that stories started coming out about problems between the police and the baby's parents.  Within a day or two of the story breaking, a local man was on the news saying he had volunteered to join in a search group for the little girl but there wasn't one to join.  The reason there weren't search parties was due to the fact that on the  preceding night the local news venues were saying that the parents were being uncooperative.   A day later when the news programs reported that the parents were again talking to the police, the search was back on.  It appears that the public interest/involvement peaks and ebbs according to the positivity or negativity of the reports involving the parents.


My point is that an inaccurate or biased slant on a story can turn the direction on how the public perceives, reacts and judges any and all events.  A news story can quickly turn someone into a villain or a hero. They can be made into someone being idolized or despised. 

.


Thought #2

Aren't I glad that my life isn't subject to constant media reporting.  I would hate to think that every misstep I ever took was broadcasted on the nightly news.   That would be especially true if the story was reported from a biased point of view.  Still, it would be lovely if I was the equivalent of "one of Ophrah's favorite things" or one of Kate Middleton-Windsor's outfits where everyone just wanted to love all that is Cheryl P.


Alas, my life is fairly small...no big media blitzes to hype my products, my style or my philosophies.  I don't have hoards of people trying to emulate my every move nor do I have any really big salacious stories that would make front page news in the gossip rags....my dirty laundry  is really

What are your thoughts?  Is the media setting the tone for the positive outcome or the derailment of any given event?????   If you were the subject of a media blitz, do you think you would come across as the hero or the villain?  Would you be the beloved celebrity or would you come across as the "not to be trusted"?




The Good for the day...That we have access to the news that is important.

The Bad for the Day....the hype and media that makes vapid celebrities famous.

The Weird for the Day....The media circus that creates the interest in million dollar weddings that lead to marriages that last 72 days. That, my blogees, could be a whole other discussion.

Around the Water Cooler 10/28/2011

This week I missed most of the news as I was traveling or sick or sick of traveling...anyway missed a lot of the big news.  Here in KC most of our news currently is the ongoing search for little Lisa Irwin, the missing 11 month old.  Tragic and very confusing story that continues to shift day by day.

As for some the the lesser reported news this week, as usual there are some odd albeit interesting happenings that made some of the back pages of news publications.


Here Comes the Judge


A former Creek County judge convicted of exposing himself and using a male enhancement device while seated at the bench is not eligible to receive judicial retirement benefits, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

Donald D. Thompson, a 23 year employee of the Oklahoma legal system was found to have violated his oath of office by using a penis pump while presiding over trials.  The high court upheld the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees decision to quit paying Thompson the $7,789 a month pension that he would have otherwise been eligible for. The pension stopped when Thompson was sent to prison for 20 months after being found guilty in 2006.

During his trial, Thompson unsuccessfully argued that the criminal actions did not disrupt the proceedings in his courtroom, Tulsa World reported.

Wouldn't you just hate to lose $7,789 a month for some ill advised multi-tasking.   There is a judge that used some really poor judgement.


Can You SEE Me Now

This camouflage might work well in nature, but it really stands out in the police station. Oregon investigators believe Gregory Liascos, 36, was wearing this "ghillie" camouflage when he attempted to break into the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals last week. After setting off alarms, the suspect allegedly fled into a wooded area nearby. Officers only found Liascos when a police dog bit what appeared to be a patch of grass -- which yelped in pain. On Oct. 12, 2011, authorities said Liascos failed to show up for his trial. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Be on the look out for a wayward bush that has a warrant out for his arrest.  

She Didn't Draw the "Get Out of Jail" Card

A New Mexico woman repeatedly stabbed her boyfriend after accusing him of cheating during a Monopoly game early yesterday, according to police.

Laura Chavez, 60, and her boyfriend were playing the popular board game at her Santa Fe apartment when the dispute occurred. Chavez, pictured in the mug shot at right, allegedly admitted stabbing her beau, Clyde "Butch" Smith, with a kitchen knife.

Police reported that both Chavez and the 48-year-old Smith appeared to be intoxicated. The man, who cops found bleeding heavily from wounds on his head and right wrist, was hospitalized yesterday in stable condition. Smith told investigators that Chavez first hit him over the head with a glass bottle and then “grabbed a knife and began cutting him, causing injuries to the top of his head, neck, left eye brow and right wrist area."

When cops arrived at Chavez’s building, she was sitting under the porch “covered with suspected blood.” Asked if the blood was Smith’s, she answered, “Yes, I fu**** him up.”

Chavez went to jail, went directly to jail on a variety of charges, including aggravated battery on a household member with a deadly weapon and battery on a law enforcement officer. She is being held in the Santa Fe county lockup in lieu of $5000 bond (or until she rolls doubles).

Not that this story isn't entertaining enough, but it would have been a bit funnier if she would have used a "butcher" knife on Butch instead of a kitchen knife.  Guess she just wasn't thinking clearly.


There's an app for that.
New App Helps Track Your Straying Spouses...Last week Apple released an app that lets you track the whereabouts of your friends, family members and if need be cheating spouses.  Recently a suspicious husband used the app by a suspicious husband to check up on his wife. Someone by the name of ThomasMetz posted to an online forum MacRumors with the following post.

Divorcing wife. Thanks iPhone 4s and Find My Friends

---

I got my wife a new 4s and loaded up find my friends without her knowing. She told me she was at her friends house in the east village. I've had suspicions about her meeting this guy who live uptown. Lo and behold, Find my Friends has her right there.

I just texted her asking where she was and the dumb b!otch said she was on 10th Street!! Thank you Apple, thank you App Store, thank you all. These beautiful treasure trove of screen shots going to play well when I meet her a$$ at the lawyer's office in a few weeks.
thankfully, she's the rich one.

I guess there is no way of knowing if the comment referenced a factual event but  it does bring up a point, if you are prone to cheating you better make sure your smart phone is where you are supposed to be...even if you aren't.

Passing Notes Can Get You In Trouble

Especially if you are a TSA agent that is leaving the following note in a suitcase.  A US airport security agent who found a vibrator in the baggage of a transatlantic traveler, and then advised her in writing what to do with it, is facing disciplinary action.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Wednesday that a handwritten note that lawyer and blogger Jill Filipovic found in her checked luggage was "highly inappropriate and unprofessional."

Filipovic tweeted a picture of the note, which read: "Get your freak on girl." Under the image, she added: "Just unpacked my suitcase and found this note from TSA. Guess they discovered a 'personal item' in my bag. Wow."

"TSA quickly launched an investigation and identified the employee responsible," the federal agency said on its blog.

"That individual was immediately removed from screening operations and appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated."

Note to TSA agents...You can think it but don't write it down.

Just in Time For Halloween

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Police in Bellingham, Wash., say a man who walked into a medical clinic with his right arm severed has indicated he cut his own limb off with a homemade guillotine.

Officers who checked a wooded area near the urology clinic Thursday found the severed arm and the guillotine. The victim and the arm were taken first to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.

Police spokesman Mark Young says the man was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in hopes the limb could be reattached. Young tells The Bellingham Herald the arm was severed above the elbow.

The victim was not identified and his condition was not immediately known.

Young says police will dismantle the guillotine.

If he was trying to check to see if his guillotine worked...he got his answer, YES.

The Good for the Day...If you are a St. Louis Cardinal fan...you are still in the game.

The Bad for the Day...A truck load of spilled pumpkins spilled onto the Freeway and slowed down the rush hour traffic near Farmington Hills.  Snowplows were brought in to clear the highway.

The Weird for the Day....Medical news!!! Not intended for underage viewers....

Mrs. Pumpkin delivered healthy baby