NewMexiKen has got to quit going to Costco. I can’t afford to save that much money.
I did manage to pass on 80 ounces of Costco (Kirkland) shampoo for $5.69, though. I realized with my follicly challenged scalp that 80 ounces of shampoo would last me beyond forever (unless, of course, Dr. Aubrey de Grey is correct, and I live to 1000).
NewMexiKen had an MRI this morning to see if all of my spinal disks are herniated or just most of them. (Indeed, one of the reasons for my break in blogging last month was to see if less time at the computer would make the lower back and, more recently, leg pain go away. Stopping for more than a week didn’t help. Jacuzzis do though.)
Anyway, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) takes place while you are inserted in a narrow tube. I have enough claustrophobia that this otherwise straightforward procedure freaks me out. I had to been taken out of one a couple of years ago, but decided I would tough it out today. And I did, really without too much anxiety.
Claustrophobia is generally defined as a fear of enclosed places. Actually though it’s a fear of not having an escape route. For anyone who experiences it, the overriding characteristic of claustrophobia is the feeling that you need to be able to get out quickly — and, of course, you can’t.
Phobias are interesting in the way that those who don’t have them fail to grasp what it’s like for those who do. In an effort to be helpful one of the attendants asked if I would like a cloth over my eyes. Well, no, thank you for asking though. Covering my eyes could only make it worse.
‘Tis the season to be cranky, so it’s no doubt just me, but I found it strange today to see an Albuquerque Police patrol car with a large Christmas wreath on the front grill.
Functional Ambivalent has a couple of notable pieces today — I’m About 70% Sure This is Dead Right: Project Blue Christmas is Dead Wrong and Once in a While, I’m Glad to Be Old. The first of these has some need-to-be-said comments about Wal-Mart. The second — well, just been there, done that (both sides of the table).
In addition, I am attempting to flatter Tom so he will restore me to a higher place on his blogroll. Once one achieves glory at “Every Day,” it’s so discouraging to be classified among the “When I’ve Got a Moment.” (Regardless of however deserved my demotion may have been.) In fact, if I don’t get moved up soon I may take another hiatus.
The Week Quiz is back.
NewMexiKen got eight correct out of ten. How about you?
From WTOP Radio:
WASHINGTON — The National Archives goes to great lengths to protect national treasures, such as the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, but a WTOP investigation has found that hundreds of items are not secure.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of irreplaceable artifacts are missing – either stolen or lost.
Handwritten letters written by Ulysses S. Grant, a photo of President Ronald Reagan with Margaret Thatcher and a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt are just some of the historic artifacts that have disappeared.
Dozens of presidential pardons also have disappeared. Archives records obtained by WTOP show the presidential pardons are just a fraction of what one career National Archive employee was able to steal and sell for more than $200,000.
One of the documents found its way on to eBay. The employee involved pleaded guilty and much of what he stole was recovered.
The Office of the Inspector General for the National Archives and Records Administration says a missing painting of FDR could be in a landfill somewhere. It may have been inadvertently thrown away.
The report by the inspector general also says one missing artifact is believed to have been purchased by an unnamed city’s mayor and put on display in city hall.
Eighteen years with the National Archives and NewMexiKen doesn’t even have a Skilcraft ballpoint pen to show for it.
Thanks to Jess for the link.
The bronze Statue of Freedom by Thomas Crawford is the crowning feature of the dome of the United States Capitol. The statue is a classical female figure of Freedom wearing flowing draperies. Her right hand rests upon the hilt of a sheathed sword; her left holds a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with thirteen stripes. Her helmet is encircled by stars and features a crest composed of an eagle’s head, feathers, and talons, a reference to the costume of Native Americans. A brooch inscribed “U.S.” secures her fringed robes. She stands on a cast-iron globe encircled with the national motto, E Pluribus Unum. The lower part of the base is decorated with fasces and wreaths. Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds. Her crest rises 288 feet above the east front plaza.
Source: Architect of the Capitol
[NewMexiKen photo, September 8, 2001]
Dave Brubeck is 84 today.
And it was on this date in 1896 that Ira Gershwin was born. The Writer’s Almanac says:
[B]orn Israel Gershvin on the East Side of New York City. He’s considered one of the great lyricists of the twentieth century, best known for writing the lyrics to songs like “I’ve Got Rhythm” (1930) and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” (1937). But he always felt overshadowed by the talent of his younger brother, the composer George Gershwin. The two brothers worked together on many songs, and Ira once heard a radio announcer say, “Here is a new song by George Gershwin and his lovely wife Ira.”
Ira Gershwin won the Pulitzer Prize for his lyrics for Of Thee I Sing (1932). Among Ira Gershwin lyrics — A Foggy Day, Fascinating Rhythm, Funny Face, I Got Rhythm, The Man I Love, Oh, Lady Be Good, Summertime.
The Official George & Ira Gershwin Web site is nicely done and includes a jukebox.
Steven Wright is 49 today. A few words of Wrightian wisdom:
All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand.
If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.
How do you tell when you’re out of invisible ink?
Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I’m afraid of widths.
A friend of mine once sent me a post card with a picture of the entire planet Earth taken from space. On the back it said, “Wish you were here.”
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