Thursday
Work.
Home.
Relax.

NPR/PRI Stories
All Things Considered: Navajos in Tibet
All Things Considered: Racy ‘Avenue Q’ Draws a Crowd
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspAvenue Q
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspMore behind-the-scenes info
Talk of the Nation: Justice in the Media Glare
Talk of the Nation: Philadelphia Mayor’s Office Bugged
Talk of the Nation: TSA’s Collection of Confiscated Items

Many a traveler has made it to the front of the security line at the airport only to have some small, pointy object taken away by Transportation Safety Agency personnel. What becomes of all those nail clippers, tweezers and pocket knives? The TSA’s Chris Rahatigan joins guest host Korva Coleman to talk about their collection of confiscated goods.

NOTE: Friday on Fresh Air: Crime novelist Denis Lehane (Mystic River)

Stray Toasters

  • I decided to check my blood pressure using one of the machines at ShopKo while picking up a few things there tonight. The results:

    Systolic: 138
    Diastolic: 86
    Pulse: 78

    All in the “normal” ranges.

  • shared this eBay gem with me this afternoon.
  • The face of the new $20 bill.

  • Engrish!
  • Wonderful musical goodness on Usenet…

Rant of the Day
I was shown a person’s post where that person was, and I quote, “throwing a temper tantrum” because he couldn’t go see the opening night Lord of the Rings trilogy viewing due to:

  1. The ticket ordering website wasn’t working
  2. “Only” a half-hour intermission between films, which means that he can’t go get something to eat
  3. No midnight showing on opening night and he would have to be there from 1PM until 2AM which, along with the above reason, is bad because he is diabetic and “and popcorn and candy isn’t going to cut it…”

I count the third item as the only semi-valid argument. I will explain why it’s only “semi-valid” in a moment. My counterpoints are as follows:

  1. The box office is open. Get your ticket the old-fashioned way: Go there and get it. (I think a lack of vehicle was mentioned… but, from what I understand, the city has a very good mass transit system.)
  2. Half-hour intermission. The priority here should be using the restroom. With theatres full of LotR fans, it may take that long. As far as getting something to eat…
  3. No midnight showing? Screws up the “opening night tradition?” Suck it up and go at the time that they are showing it. As far as food goes: Take a backpack and put a lunch bag/cooler in it. Don’t want something to get too warm? Most lunch bags come with reusable ice gel packs. Take all the food/snacks/necessities you need in the backpack. Plan out what to take and what you would need to make sure that your blood sugar levels stay within acceptable limits. AND, taking your own food and snacks would probably wind up costing far less than buying snacks at the concession stands.

I grant that I might have overlooked something, but these arguments/answers were blatantly obvious. (Actually, the first thought that came to mind was: You’re an adult. Act like it and think!!!) Thank you. Move along.

And now, The Dreaming awaits…

Namaste.