Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Authorities say they will step up efforts to move hurricane victims out of more than 35,000 trailers now that tests indicate possibly high levels of formaldehyde contamination.

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Some of the thousands of trailers purchased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2005 after hurricanes tore through the Gulf Coast may finally be put to use to help victims of last week’s tornadoes, officials said Tuesday.

The Associated Press

Best picture odds

“No Country for Old Men”: 1-3
“Michael Clayton”: 6-1
“There Will Be Blood”: 7-1
“Juno”: 8-1
“Atonement”: 40-1

The Envelope - LA Times

For educational purposes only.

I am, by the way, putting my money on “Juno.” The other four are very depressing, so I’m figuring it’s one of those years the comedy might win.

Well, I’d hope

“Pastor openly crosses the line and endorses Huckabee from his pulpit (twice). Also encourages his congregation to vote Huckabee. Guess which three-letter government agency wants to have a chat with him?”

FARK.com

“Under federal tax law, church officials may legally discuss politics, but they cannot endorse candidates or parties without putting their tax-exempt status at risk. Most who do so receive only a warning.” AP

Most absurd line of the day, so far

“Some parents wonder whether having children will mean the end of their high-design dream.”

Only if Legos, Thomas and Disney princesses are not considered high design.

See the article Parent Shock: Children Are Not Décor in The New York Times.

When too much is not enough

Click image to enlarge.

H/T to Raymond.

A best picture movie review

From The Young Turks.

Thanks to Raymond for the pointer.

The License Plate Game

“We’ve all played a version of the license plate game. Today we bring the fun indoors. Using your memory and subtle clues (slogans, scenery and state flags), determine which state each plate came from.”

Mental_Floss

Goes which state is first!

Valentine Babies

Hugh Downs is 87.

The Bradys’ mom and stepmom, Florence Henderson, is 74.

Michael Bloomberg is 66.

Carl Bernstein of Woodward and Bernstein is 64.

Pat O’Brien is 60, as is magician-comedian Teller.

Michael Doucet of Beausoleil is 57.

Meg Tilly is 48.

Jack Benny was born as Benjamin Kubelsky on this date in 1894. In The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, the entry for The Jack Benny Program on radio runs for eight pages. And then he was on television. Truly one of the great stars of the mid-20th century. NewMexiKen realizes how corny the jokes and skits would sound now — how corny they undoubtedly were then — but tucked among my fond memories is being at my Great Grandmother’s house in Rensselaer, New York, more than 55 years ago. I was sick, so stayed home with Gram that Sunday evening while the rest of the family socialized. She had to be in her seventies; I no more than five or six. We listened to The Jack Benny Program on radio. And all I can remember is how hard we laughed.

Oregon entered the union as the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.

Arizona entered the union as the 48th state on February 14, 1912.

PLOL

The Public Libary of Law. A new resource to bookmark.

C is for Cookie

And that’s good enough for me.

NPR profiles the Cookie Monster.

The accompanying video is great fun.

The two sexes — a story for Valentine’s Day

1. HER DIARY

Tonight I thought he was acting weird.

We had made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment. Conversation wasn’t flowing so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed but he kept quiet and absent. I asked him what was wrong; he said nothing. I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said it had nothing to do with me and not to worry.

On the way home I told him that I loved him, he simply smiled and kept driving. I can’t explain his behavior. I don’t know why he didn’t say I love you too. When we got home I felt as if I had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched T.V. He seemed distant and absent.

Finally, I decided to go to bed. About 10 minutes later he came to bed, and to my surprise he responded to my caress and we made love, but I still felt that he was distracted and his thoughts were somewhere else.

He fell asleep - I cried. I don’t know what to do. I’m almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster.

2. HIS DIARY

I shot the worst round of golf in my life today, but at least I got laid.

Found at Andrew Tobias - Money and Other Subjects in 2006.

Best word of the day for Valentine’s Day, so far

Nachküssen — German for a kiss “making up for kisses that have been omitted.”

From an article about kissing in The New York Times on Valentine’s Day 2006.

Best photo of the day, every day

Today’s caption is from Jill:

“You have to unbutton his shirt, John, if you want to nurse.”

[Email me your suggested captions for upcoming days.]