A day of freebies

Today is RIDE FREE Preview Day in Northern Virginia, to mark the start of “ozone” season.  During the summer when the ozone level is code red, bus rides are free to encourage people out of their cars.  I don’t actually know of anyone for whom this changes their behavior.  The people riding the buses are those who would be riding anyway, but on these days they do it on someone else’s dime.  I can’t find info on this, but I’m curious as to whether this is underwritten by taxpayers or private sponsorship.  Either way, my normal $1.35 hop on the bus to the Metro station was free today.

Then, when I got downtown, I took advantage of Starbuck’s current promotion for a free cup of their Pike Place blend.  I (along with thousands? millions? of other people) received a card a couple weeks ago redeemable for a free cup of coffee each Wednesday through May. 

Get Down With Bob

Some lighthearted campaigning by South Carolina Representative Bob Inglis. 

More lazy blogging…

One more, and then I’ll return to blog posts that I actually write myself.

Your Slogan Should Be

So Easy nigelmoose Can Do It.

The Slogan Generator

Ya think?

An email from my dad.  I would think this might be a hint, if not for the vast quantities of interesting and funny email forwards that I receive from him each day.

What Book Are You?

You’re Catch-22!

by Joseph Heller

Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You could coin a phrase that replaces the word “paradox” for millions of people.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

HT: smariek

Well, I certainly wouldn’t call myself an “ardent pacifist.”  Not sure about the rest of it, though I do love me some irony!

Office drama

This sign appeared on the door of the office refrigerator yesterday:

 
Aside from the spelling and calendar errors, my favorite part is the use of BOLD, ALL CAPS, UNDERLINE, WITH MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!

Pair-A-Month Sock Challenge

Just as I’m rediscovering my enthusiasm for sock knitting, I find the Pair-A-Month sock knitting challenge.  So I joined, and quickly found an “accountability partner” in Christina from Germany.  The deal is that we each need to finish a pair of socks each month.  If one of us fails to do so, we have to send enough sock yarn for a pair to the other person.  Could be a way to score some cool German sock yarn that I couldn’t find around here.  On the other hand, having to give up sock yarn plus pay international postage is a good incentive for me to stay on task with finishing my pairs.  And, in a year’s time, I’ll have 12 more pairs of lovely custom-fitting handknit socks.

For April, I’ll be knitting a pair of Monkey socks designed by Cookie A. I started these yesterday and they are looking great so far!

Ipod Meme

When I saw this on my friend yarnmaniac’s blog, I had to give it a try.  I am amazed at how well many of these fit.  Not that they are necessarily true, but that they could logically answer the question.  And no, I didn’t even cheat! 

Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING.

How does the world see you?
“Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (James Brown)

Will I have a happy life?
“I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry” (Hank Williams Jr. version) Seriously?

What do my friends really think of me?
“Baker Baker” (Tori Amos) I do make a delicious chocolate chip cookie!

What do people secretly think of me?
“Oh Yeah!” (Joe Cuba Sextet) Sweet! (“One two three, you’re looking good to me, four five six, I want to kiss your lips…”)

How can I be happy?
“Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” (Frank Sinatra) Fulfillment through children?

What should I do with my life?
“Between Days” (Red House Painters)  That’s just strange.

Will I ever have children?
“Self-Preservation” (The Lucksmiths)

What is some good advice for me?
“The Girl from Ipanema” (Stan Getz) Have to assume that’s diet-related!

How will I be remembered?
“Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands” (Reba McEntire) Oh, no! (Google the lyrics if you don’t know why)

What is my signature dancing song?
“Iceblink Luck” (Cocteau Twins)

What do I think my current theme song is?
“Manifesto No. 1″ (Shooter Jennings) LOL!

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
“I Don’t Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I’ll Get It Myself)” (James Brown)

What song will play at my funeral?
“Home of the Blues” (Johnny Cash) Hmm…what are the odds?

What type of men/women do you like?
“Road To Kaintuck” (June Carter Cash) Kentuckians?

What is my day going to be like?
“What the World Needs Now Is Love” (Jackie DeShannon) I hope that’s true! 

Cherry Blossom Time

Spring is by far the best time of year in the DC area!

Photo credits: nigelmoose

Are you kidding me?

A local 12 year old fatally stabbed an attacker who was choking his mother, and now there seems to be a possibility that authorities will bring charges against him. 

Cpl. Diane Richardson, a spokeswoman for Prince George’s County police, said Wednesday that authorities hadn’t decided whether the boy would be charged with anything. They were reviewing the case with the state’s attorney’s office.

Reviewing the case?!?  What’s to review?

“I kept saying, ‘Stop! Stop! Stop!’” the boy told The Washington Post, which published his account without giving his name. “But he just ignored me. He didn’t stop. He just kept hurting her.”

This kid should be given a medal for bravery, not prosecuted.  Ultimately, I’d be very surprised if they tried to pursue charges against him, but it shouldn’t even be up for discussion.