It's Official: The 4-Day Week Works

A year ago, Utah’s governor instituted a 4-day, 10-hour-a-day workweek for some 17,000 state employees—and the results so far show big benefits

Click the picture to read the article.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Ninja Squirrel

Click the picture to see it full size.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Baseball's Most-Ejected Managers

More interesting baseball reading.

Baseball's Most-Ejected Managers Article Here

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Baseball's Angriest Players

I found this article interesting. Click the image above to see more pictures, and click the link below to read the article.Baseball's Angriest Players article

Volcanoes vs. Lightning Pictures

Some pretty incredible pictures of lightning near erupting volcanoes.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Big Picture: Ramadan 2009

In Muslim nations and regions around the globe, this is the first week of the holy month of Ramadan, a time for followers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity during the day, breaking their fast each sunset, with traditional meals and sweets. During this time, Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran, to give freely to those in need, and strengthen their ties to God through prayer. The goal of the fast is to teach humility, patience and sacrifice, and to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future. This year, Ramadan will continue until Saturday, September 19th. (39 photos total)

If only Christians were willing to worship our Savior with the same dedication...

Click the image to see the full set of pictures.

The Best Places In DFW To Feed On Catfish

Texans don’t need much of an excuse to chomp down on catfish.

Residents of the Lone Star State eat more of the whiskered bottom-feeders than anyone else, according to the Catfish Institute. The group was founded by farmers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi — the states where catfish is most commonly grown to satiate the appetites of people in Texas and across the South.

"It’s just a regional taste. I don’t know if I’d call it a delicacy, but people grew up with it and really enjoy it," said Larry Richardson, co-owner of the Flying Fish, a casual eatery with locations in west Fort Worth, Dallas, Little Rock, Ark. and other cities.

August is National Catfish Month, according to the institute, which touts the health and economic benefits of catfish farming. So as far as I’m concerned, now is a great time to search the western side of the Metroplex for the best examples of catfish cuisine.

Click the picture to read the full article.

Do You Have A Christian "Doesn't Count List"

A very intriguing blog post on Stuff Christians Like. Click on the picture to read the post.

I think every Christian has a “Doesn’t Count List” (DCL), a collection of small things we do that might not be completely in God’s will for our life, but they’re so tiny they don’t really matter. If you say you don’t have a DCL, apparently lying is one of the items on yours because that’s just what you did.

I Love Me Some Oreos...

And a big glass of milk...

Oreo Elevator from CL on Vimeo.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Hungry, Hungry Hippo (And Fast Too!)

Did you know that the Hippopotamus is often regarded as the most ferocious animal in Africa? Did you know that his jaws are capable of biting a 10-foot crocodile in two? Did you know that they can outrun a human? Well, the gamekeeper in this picture knew it and was fortunate to get away.


Click the image to read the article and see more pictures.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Redneck Marriage Proposal

William Butler proposed to Natalie Coughlin, his girlfriend of five years, by spray-painting a row of plastic-wrapped haybales

Click the image to see more pictures.
Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Chef Point Cafe On CNN

Our favorite local restaurant is going to be on CNN.

You will see us once again on National television. This time we will be featured on CNN and CNN Headline News.

"A lot of small businesses are struggling right now," Paula says. "And we've definitely had our challenges, but we've learned so much, and been so blessed, we thought others could benefit from hearing our story."

Make sure and set your recorders so you won't miss us.

The times the story will air are:

• CNN Saturday, August 29, 6:00 AM Central time
• CNN Headline News Saturday, August 29, 12:30 PM Central time
• CNN Headline News Sunday, August 30, 9:30 AM Central time

Chef Point Cafe redesigned their web site and created communities for their customers on Facebook and Twitter. Recommendations from regulars helped the restaurant earn a segment on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives."

Click the picture to read the press release.

Big Picture: In Flight

Just over 100 years since the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight, flying machines are now commonplace, used for transport, freight, warfare, rescue and pleasure just for starters. Aerospace technology is still the realm of both big business and entrepreneurs - Moscow recently hosted an airshow in which contracts totaling $10 billion were signed, and Virgin Galactic is still working toward a private spaceliner business. Collected here are recent photographs of various flying machines in action or on display around the world. (40 photos total)

Click the picture to view the full series.

Put Pocketing - From A Reformed Pick Pocket

TalkTalk launches PutPocketing - the art of putting money INTO people's pockets without them realising, using real ex-pickpockets.
Happening now on London streets until the end of August 2009 - then to be rolled out across the UK. Designed to give Britons something back, no strings attached...

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Drumming Granny

Click the picture to go to Jerrie's web page.



Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Visual Effects: 100 Years of Inspiration

Interesting video.

A "5th-grader-friendly" collection of clips and making-of footage from notable visual effects films of the past century.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

We Are Home

Well, we are back. We have spent the last few days in Banff enjoying the cool air of the Canadian Rockies. It was VERY nice to be out of the Texas heat for a few days. I highly recommend the Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper area as a vacation destination.

I will post some pictures later. Until then, click the picture to enjoy "O Canada", the Canadian National Anthem.

Test Pattern

(Click on the picture for the full effect)

This blog will be experiencing fewer than
normal posts over the next few days.

End Of Summer Caricature Sale

A few weeks ago I did a post about a friend that does Custom Caricature Art Greeting Cards (read it here). Well, Ty just announced an end of summer sale for August only.

THE END OF SUMMER SALE! Buy a head get a head free. Now through the end of August, I am offering 50% OFF on all CARICATURES FROM PHOTOS & ALL CARICATURE GIGS that TAKE PLACE IN THIS MONTH. (August 2009)

Click on the picture above to go to Ty's website. His phone and e-mail information can be found there.

Gravity Is Not Your Friend

Paul Lewis, 40, jumped from a plane and plummeted through the air before crashing on to the roof of a hangar at Tilstock Airfield in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

He was rescued by firefighters and treated for head and neck injuries, before being airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, in Stoke-on-Trent.

The accident happened at around 3pm on Friday when Mr Lewis, a freelance cameraman, was filming tandem jumps for the Parachute Centre, a skydiving firm based at the airfield.

Witnesses said that his main parachute failed to open, and then his reserve parachute failed to work properly.

A spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “The man is reported to have fallen approximately 1,000 feet (3,000 metres), spiralling to the ground following a 10,000-foot skydive.”

Colin Fitzmorris, who owns the Parachute Centre, said that Mr Lewis was “very lucky” to escape without more serious injuries, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Click the picture to read the article.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

U.S.'s Most Over-Rated Tourist Attractions

Not sure that I agree, but I did find the list interesting. As usual, click the picture to read the article.

• Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco, CA
• Petrified Forest - Holbrook, AZ
• Wall Street - New York, NY
• Plymouth Rock - Plymouth, MA
• The Alamo - San Antonio, TX
• Hollywood - Los Angeles, CA
• Bourbon Street - New Orleans, LA
• RMS Queen Mary - Long Beach, CA

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Never Too Early To Practice Parallel Parking

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

96 Year Old Goes Parasailing

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

One Year In 40 Seconds

The artist took photopraphs from the same spot every day for a year. He then compiled them into the video below. Click on the picture above to learn about the process or just enjoy the video.

Now THAT Is A Sofa Bed

How often do you get to use the spare bed room, and is it worth spending time and space not to mention money decorating for the occasional guest. This may give you a great option while keeping the space factor to a minimum. The Doc sofa bed has a unique mechanism that transforms the sofa into a bunk bed complete with a hideaway ladder and safety rail resulting in two different beds. Perfect for small spaces as well as dorms

Click the picture to see larger images.

Thanks To unclutter

Lukewarm

I still have not started reading Francis Chan's "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God", but the more I hear about it the more excited I become (I have 2 other books in process that I would like to finish first).

From childhood I remember hearing Revelation 3:16 quoted:

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

What does lukewarm really mean? Along with the temperature related definitions Websters also defines it as "lacking conviction". Well, from the point of understanding this verse that definition does not provide a lot of clarity.

This morning my friend Paul did a post about Lukewarm. He listed 18 things from Crazy Love that define a lukewarm person. Unfortunately, it is extremely convicting. Click on the picture above to read Paul's post...and then go buy "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God".

Thanks To Paul at Simplemann.net

Alleged Robber Wannabe Picks Wrong Bar

Poor guy. Decides he needs money so he chooses to rob a bar. Pulls a bandanna over his face, puts his hand in his pocket like he has a gun, and enters a bar to remember. Unfortunately he did no realize that there had been a statewide police golf tournament in town that day and all of the players were enjoying a cold one when he entered the bar. Poor guy...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Click the picture to read the article.

Giant Waterslide Jump - Revealed

The other day I posted a video of a man going down a giant water slide (see it here). In that post I mentioned that I thought there was some digital manipulation. Well, I was right. Snopes has the details as well as a clip showing the stuntman and his harness. Click the picture to read their information or watch the video below.

If I Had Only Continued Practicing...

Thanks To Awkward Family Photos

The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare

A very interesting perspective.

Thanks To Ronne at "Adventures of a Christ-Stumbler"

Make Your Own Polaroids™

Create Polaroids™ from your own photos or download and print.

Click on the picture above to see examples and to read more.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

For All Of My Teacher Friends...

59 years at one job is inspiring, but 59 years teaching math and science to middle school students is impressive.

Click the picture to read the article.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Investing vs. Gambling

Since I have been teaching Crown I have had a number of students defend gambling with God's money by saying it is the equivalent of investing. Today Chuck Bentley addressed this topic and I thought I would share it here. Here are some tidbits from the article:

The huge difference between gambling and investing is the probability of return. It’s astronomically different. You can check online the Dow Jones average going back to 1920. Look at it over the last 8 years. You’ll find that it has always gone up over time. The graph looks like saw teeth, but it always goes up. The average annual return of investments in the stock market since 1926 are 6.2%. The average annual return when you buy a lottery ticket is zero.

Here’s a word picture to show the probability of winning the lottery: Draw a line between the earth and the moon, about 250,000 miles. You buy a lottery ticket, and you get to purchase 12 inches between here and the moon. That’s your probability of winning, the odds of picking a spot within your 12 inches.

Click on the picture to read the article.

I Just Got This From My Wife...

And it is meant for me, not for you...

Who Is The Cutest?

Somone Shot Video Of Me Riding My Bike

It may not look like me, but trust me...



Thanks To Denney Crane

How Hard Would You Work To Be "Rick Rolled"?

Surf the net AND get fit...



Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Have We Made Jesus In The Image Of Elmo?

An interesting perspective from Vince Antonucci.

Click the picture to read the blog post.

Little Girl Catches Big Fish

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Taylor Swift Pranks Keith Urban

The prank starts at about the 1:00 minute mark.




Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

My Favorite Church Planting Blogger Is Out On Bail

Now this is a funny story. Click the picture to read it...

Rogue Tire Kills Construction Worker

Sunday I posted a video showing a truck tire almost hitting a police officer (see it here). After posting it I was asked how dangerous that would be if it had actually hit someone. Now we know.

Click on the picture to read the story and see the video.

My Dog Is Not This Picky About Who Her Treats Come From

I try not to get political on this blog, and I don't intend to here. I just found this video funny...regardless of who the 'victim' of the prank is. Enjoy.

The Lesson of the 38 Candy Bars

A great lesson on leadership. You and your kids should read it.


Click the picture to read the article.

Good Soil?

A blogger I follow ask the challenging question "Are you sure you're the seed in good soil?". Click the picture to read the blog post.

Too Close For Comfort

Another Scam Targeting Senior Citizens

A local writer just posted this article about a new scam that is targeting seniors. Take heed of the warning and then pass it along (and it is real, I just used a funny picture).

And mom & dad, I promise to call one of my sisters if I need bail money in a foreign country.

Giant Waterslide Jump

Yes, I realize there was some digital manipulation...but it is still a cool video...

Quite Possible The Best Top Ten List From Letterman

"Pixie Dust"

From Michael Yon

I made this photo last night in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This Landing Zone is very dangerous. A few weeks ago, another helicopter was coming into this LZ and was shot down at the last minute, killing all passengers and crew. Two children on the ground also were killed. The sparks coming off the rotors occur when the helicopters land in hot, dusty conditions. The landing itself occurs in a dangerous "brownout." Brownout danger is compounded by the sparks which light up the dust and can confuse pilots who are wearing extremely sensitive nightvision goggles.

Click the picture to see more of Michael Yon's blog posts.

Train Sets Bridge On Fire

Talk About A Bad Day

The Good News: It was a normal day in Sharon Springs, KS when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Salina.

The Bad News: Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating hot sparks.

The Good News: A very alert crew noticed smoke and immediately stopped the train to investigate.

The Bad News: The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses. The photos speak for themselves.

Click on the picture to read the article and see the other pictures.

Thanks To Snopes

50 State Bingo Or The First Step To World Domination?

What do Hawaii, Idaho, Vermont and Wyoming have in common? Anyone...? Anyone...? Bueller...?


Those are the only four states that have not had at least one of their residents read this blog. Once I have readers from those four states I will be able to set my sites on conquering the world, but I have to knock out the US first (click here to hear evil laugh).

If you know someone in one of those states you can help me complete this step towards world domination by sending them a link to this blog. Surely you know someone that would like to see the dancing wedding party. Or, maybe your friends would better appreciate learning what is meant by the phrase Booty, God, Booty. Regardless of their taste you should be able to find something here to please their palate.

Thanks for your support.

High Speed Bullet Photography

Some pretty incredible shots.

It is almost impossible to capture a speeding bullet with your eye and the impact the bullet creates is even faster and happens within a blink of an eye.

It will be very much interesting to see how the objects look while breaking and shape it takes after hitting with a bullet.

Here are 30 excellent high speed photos of bullets passing through various objects, captured using high speed cameras.

As usual, click the picture to see the series.

Thanks To Mary at FrugalInFortWorth

The Secret Inner Workings Of Netflix

Ever wondered how Netflix works? Mental_Floss has the answer. Just click on the image above to read the article.

A Quick, Easy (And Destructive) Car Wash

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Human Pencils

A week or so ago I did a post on an odd urn for the ashes of a cremated loved one (to read it, go here). Well, today I learned of another option, just in case you were interested...

Pencils made from the carbon of human cremains. 240 pencils can be made from an average body of ash – a lifetime supply of pencils for those left behind.

Each pencil is foil stamped with the name of the person. Only one pencil can be removed at a time, it is then sharpened back into the box causing the sharpenings to occupy the space of the used pencils. Over time the pencil box fills with sharpenings – a new ash, transforming it into an urn. The window acts as a timeline, showing you the amount of pencils left as time goes by.

As usual, click the picture to go to the link.

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Bragging On My Friends

I would like to brag about some friends of mine for a moment.

Craig & Susanne are members of our church, they are co-leaders with us in a small group, and the are both heavily involved with Crown Financial Ministries, a program Mary and I help lead at our church. In addition, we have had the pleasure of traveling with them to Vietnam on one of the GVI trips to work with the Birla Children’s Village, a trip they have participated in the last 5 years (this is a picture of Craig & Susanne with one of the former orphanage residents).

In 2008 GVI added a new orphanage to the program, so after spending three days with the kids from Birla the team went and spent time with kids from SS3, another orphanage near Hanoi.

Now, some people wonder if these trips really mean anything. After all, the kids do not speak English, our team does not speak Vietnamese, and we are only together a relatively few hours each year. Does our message of Hope ever really get through to these kids?

This year they received a letter from one of the children that they loved on while working with SS3. I think it makes it clear that Craig & Susanne have indeed made an impact on the life of at least this one girl.

"Thank for your love. Thank you very much. We had great time together. I am not sure to describe for you how much I felt happy.

I was smiling all of time while I was on car to come back. We miss all of you! We had last good memory together of you and GVI. Thank you very much!

I think it is true time I should open my secret that how much I love you, Craig and Susanne and GVI.

You are like my good father and GVI is my big family. When I read your letter I wanna cry because I am so happy.

Sometime I wanna know what a good father is and thank you so much because you showed me amazing love.

You make me remember my parent."

Thanks for letting this child see our Good Father.

To learn more about the work of GVI click on the picture above.

In An Economic Downturn, Psychics Are Thriving

The Houston Chronicle Science Blog had this post this morning. It links to an article that I really enjoyed reading, How Do You Prove Photography To A Blind Man?

America's Top Researcher Is An Evangelical Christian. Problem?

The Houston Chronicle Science blog had this article today (the title is theirs...not mine).

This week the U.S. Senate will likely confirm the nomination of Dr. Francis Collins to direct the National Institutes of Health. In this position Collins will be responsible for distributing $30 billion to the country's biomedical researchers. Although the job has a substantially lower profile than the U.S. Surgeon General, with that kind of budget it wields far more power.

Collins' nomination is notable because he is a scientist who is an evangelical Christian who speaks openly and often about his faith. (See, for example, his book The Language of God).

His nomination has drawn fire from some scientists and atheists who argue with his views that science has made belief in God "intensely plausible." Prominent atheist Sam Harris made this very argument in a New York Times op-ed recently.

So what does the nomination of Collins really mean for scientists, and the broad chasm between American culture and science? I asked Josh Rosenau, a staffer at the National Center for Science Education, which defends the teaching of evolution in public schools.

Click the picture to read the article.

Practicing Attorney Turns 101...And Goes To Work

What’s the secret to living to be 101?

"Not dying," Borden joked.

He paused, then offered a more responsive answer.

"I’m a firm believer that God has his hand in everything that happens," said Borden, who at age 11 was baptized in the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. "He is letting me live, for some reason. I try to do the things that I believe he wants me to."

To underscore his point, Jack Borden nodded toward a sign behind his desk.

"Live your life," the sign reads, "so the preacher won’t have to tell lies at your funeral."

Click on the picture to read the article.