This was an interesting article.

In other news, FAA considers passenger ban.

[Yes, I lifted both links from Daypop.]

Last-minute Halloween costume suggestion:
One of these + one of these.

HTH.

1. I think “thou shalt not kill” means, “thou shalt not kill anyone or anything.” Even evil dictators, plutocrats, decadent Westerners, minorities, random people, and illiterate brown people in other countries.

2. This does not hamper my enjoyment of a good steak.
3. I really do like gin tonics (and beer and whiskey, although I’m actually not a big drinker. I’ll drink wine, and like good wine, but I’m not a big connoisseur.)
4. I think even an agnostic can strive to attain a state of grace.
5. I really love to smoke cigarettes, which makes quitting (which I am currently doing) difficult.
6. I’m too lazy to make a good pervert.
7. I am obviously an idiot, because although I entered (and finished) that 3-day novel writing contest years ago, I’m doing the nanowrimo thing this year.
8. I don’t have a physical “type” of person I am attracted to, although I always find intelligence + slight goofiness irresistable.
9. The marriage counselor told a story last night about a friend who, when he was single, used to go up to women at parties and ask, “Do you fuck?” and either got slapped or fucked. And I thought, why the hell didn’t I think of that when I was single? Kids – try it out and tell me if it works.
10. Although I’m terribly afraid of heights, I’ve gone parasailing with Beta (who loves dangerous activities) and will also, sometimes relatively soon, go skydiving with her.

Heh.

After conducting an informal, unscientific survey, I conclude that when you tell an American that you were squaredancing they look at you as if you were crazy (or, with sympathy) and say, “OMG! We were forced to squaredance in the 2nd/3rd grade! I hated it! You had to touch boys/girls and they had cooties!”, because all Americans share this trauma, whereas if you tell an Austrian you were squaredancing they say, “coooolll!”, turn to their husband and say, “honey, we have to sign up for that dance class!!” to which he replies, “ok,” somewhat less enthusiastically. This means if you really want someone to hate something, force them to do it in the 3rd grade. I’m writing a letter to my congressman right now urging a program to require 9-year olds to smoke.

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Raising Hell’s panel of Nobel Prize-winning judges have selected a photo caption contest winner. And don’t forget to answer the Question of the Week: What is the strangest thing you ever got in your/your child’s trick-or-treat bag?

I almost hit a swan on the freeway. He was flying across a bridge, about 9 feet above traffic, slow as can be, just cruising along. Since my Dobl