Happy Birthday, Norman Rockwell

I loved getting the "Saturday Evening Post" and Life magazine at home. Life, because there was always something fascinating in it, and the Post because I loved Rockewell's work. He captured the very best of what it means to be human, finding the most noble traits of people even within the tragedies and difficulties of life.

He truly left the world a better place. May he rest in honored peace.

But The Old Wolf already knew that...

Wolves good for U.S. parks, report says

+1 for the wolves.



Can't sleep, so might as well look up good stuff about wolves, eh wot?

Prayers for Captain Phil

Captain Phil Harris of "Deadliest Catch" has suffered a stroke and is in a medically-induced coma.

"(Newser) – A captain from Discovery Channel's popular "Deadliest Catch" series was flown to a hospital in Anchorage after suffering a stroke. Capt. Phil Harris, 53, underwent a 12-hour emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma. He was unloading the Cornela Marie in Saint Paul Island in Alaska when he collapsed, reports TMZ. The easygoing Harris stars in the reality show that features the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska."

Recover soon, recover completely.

Sarah Palin, will you please shut up?

(Newser) Rahm Emanuel says he's sorry he called liberals "retarded" in August, and he has personally apologized to the CEO of the Special Olympics. "The apology was accepted,” a White House aide tells the Washington Post. The comment has drawn fire since it came to light, and it prompted Sarah Palin to demand that Emanuel be fired.

Emanuel mis-used the word, and apologized, and his apology was accepted. Here is the proper usage for the term.

People with Down Syndrome are developmentally challenged.
Sarah Palin is retarded.

Autistic people have learning disabilities.
Sarah Palin is retarded.

People born with fetal alcohol syndrome have had their neural cortices damaged in utero, and may have educational and social challenges.
Sarah Palin is retarded.

I hope this clears up any misunderstandings.

How to Play "Myst" and "Portal"

When I visited dewhitton in Dubbo last month, his brother, who was on holiday, was spending a lot of time playing Portal. The following day, thefoxaroo was infected.

Then a "Writer's Block" question came up about which game you'd like to spend 24 hours in, and Portal was again mentioned, along with the "Myst" world.

In honor of those, I give you Phil Jackson's quick-and-easy guides:

How to Play "Portal"

and

How to Play "Myst"

Spot on, Phil!

Blessed Mogg, send me one of these

Gear Ring





For those who aren't sure why this is cool: It has gears. They move. It's almost begging to be repaired... or, dare I even suggest it... improved (with a tip of the hat to the Foglios).