Damn You Chimpy!

Yesterday it was 60º and sort of misty-raining.
Today we woke up to this:

22º with 40 mph gusts creating lots of wind-blown snow whiteouts.
The weather changed. It’s Bush’s fault.
Where’s that durned puppy…

What I’m Drinking Tonight

Vintage-wise, I’ve lived a pretty charmed life. I graduated HS in 1982, took my University degree in 1986, and I got married in 1989. Those are simply the 3 finest wine years of the past century. Sadly, my parents lacked the knowledge at the time to properly commemorate (oh fine, I split the infinitive: “commemorate properly”. And to boldly go where no man has…) the first two events with a case or two of delightful treats, and I sadly lacked the depth-of-pocket to properly attend to the later event. But I have managed over the years to scrape and scrabble out a few bottles of my favorite chateau. Unfortunately from a wine standpoint, my daughter was born in 1993, which was an awful year everywhere. I don’t think she had anything to do with it.
Anyhow, what started me thinking along these lines was an article in Friday’s Wall Street Journal, where the folks who review the wine talked about coming across the bottle of 1989 Chateau Latour in their cellar and wondering “is it time?” I must confess the exact same thought occured to me over Christmas. I have a few bottles of Latour, and they’ve been with us for many years, from apartment to apartment to rented house to owned house, kept under the best conditions I could manage but conditions far from ideal, and I thought “should I…should I?”…and I didn’t. I haven’t. I couldn’t. It’s a strange love affair that we have with those special bottles. We remember where we bought them, how we’ve cared for them. We guard them like precious children, waiting for that special moment to open and enjoy them. Is this particular moment special enough? Do you know how much this bottle is worth! When will they be ‘perfect’? When is the right time? When it’s opened, it’s gone forever. There’s a finality there that stays the hand. Oh, the torments we put ourselves through! And there have been times when I waited too long, when years of excited expectation are lost in a powdered cork, in a flat, dead wine, in a sour vinagrette.
So the article made me think. By gum, I’m opening one tonight.
It’s close enough to my birthday, so that can be the reason. But the real reason is I love life. I love my wife. And I love wine. What the heck other reason do I need?
So I bought a big honking rib roast. I’m making a nice sage-accented side of new potatos and canelli beans. We’ll have a salad with a bleu-cheese vinagrette dressing.
And we’ll open this

I’ll let you know how it goes.
Update and bump below the fold

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What I Drank Last Night

I love Zins. I adore Zins. So I’m always on the lookout for new Zins to try, especially in the $13 or so-ish price range. Sure, some of us can plunk down 30 clams with out blinking an eye, and I certainly have a few muy caro bottles, but for, say we say, every day drinking that simply ain’t an option. This is why I’m so fond of aussie Shiraz, where you get great big jammy wines for under $20 pretty consistantly.
Anyhow, I’ve been trolling the Zin Bin at the Evil Clown looking to see what jewels I could discover, and I came across this Clos du Bois Zin and I thought I’d give it a try. It was $12.99.
Well, if you are a fan of big Zins, this isn’t for you. It’s frankly one of the most un-Zin like Zins I’ve ever had. It is a soft, thinnish sort of wine that frankly tastes like a merlot, albeit a pretty decent one. With Zins I want/like big gobs of jam, a fair bit of spice and cedar, and by gum darn near 15% alcohol. This falls short on all accounts. Don’t get me wrong, it is a pleasant-drinking enough wine…but it’s not a Zin with a capital “Z”.

Twins?

Stolen, as always, from Ken.

Work And Booze

Continuing today’s theme of shoddy science, look at this little story that Sis saw and immediately thought of me:

Study: Alcohol affects 15 percent of workers
Workers drink on the job, arrive under the influence or work with hangover
NEW YORK – There may be an alcohol problem brewing in American offices, shops and factories.
An estimated 15 percent of the U.S. workforce consumes alcohol on the job, has a drink before going to work or otherwise is under the influence of alcohol, according to a study by the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions.
That equates to some 19.2 million workers impaired during the workday via intoxication, withdrawal or hangover.

I’m reminded of the old Twain bit about statistics. The headline on the article and the extrapolated math in the first few paragraphs pretty strongly implies, it seems to me, that 15% of the US workforce is working under the influence every day. But if you have the temerity to read some more you find out that’s not the case.

Coming into work with a hangover was the most common finding.

Er, ok. This is something requires “clear policies” (and, of course, more government funds for “further studies”).

The institute said that 10.8 percent admitted they either drank at work, before work or turned up with a hangover but that it happened less than once a month, while 2.9 percent said it was a monthly occurrence and 1.65 percent said weekly.

So that’s where they get 15%! Oh sure, 11 of the 15% only do it less than once a month, and most of them are simply hungover. Nothing sexy in that headline. No, no, much better to get creative with the math and say “That equates to some 19.2 million workers impaired during the workday via intoxication, withdrawal or hangover.” Much better copy, no?
Incredible.

30% Of The Methane In The Atmosphere

That evil, nasty gas responsible for so much of the global warming that we all see about us, is potentially caused by:
1) The vast herds of cows that exist solely to keep us supplied with Big Macs
2) SUVs and minivans (but oddly not celebrities’ Gulfstreams)
3) The bean burritos Ken has for breakfast every day
4) Virgin rainforests
I guess some virgins need to be sacrificed.

To their amazement, the scientists found that all the textbooks written on the biochemistry of plants had apparently overlooked the fact that methane is produced by a range of plants even when there is plenty of oxygen.
The amount of the gas produced increased when the air was warmer, and when there was more sunlight. The paper estimates that this unexplained phenomenon could account for between 10 and 30 per cent of the world’s methane emissions.
The possible implications are set out in Nature by David Lowe of New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, who writes, “We now have the spectre that new forests might increase greenhouse warming through methane emissions rather than decrease it by sequestering carbon dioxide.”

Defend Gaia.
Cut down a tree.
Update: Near the end of the article is this gem:

Michael Keller of the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, who carried out the study, said the new process discovered by the German scientists provided a plausible solution to the puzzle.
But he warned against making any assumptions at this stage about what it meant for the climate impact of forests until much more was known about the way this new phenomenon operates in different conditions and among different species.
Dr Keller said: “We know that when deforestation takes place we liberate large quantities of carbon dioxide, and indeed methane, into the atmosphere. We may be replacing that forest with vegetation which produces more methane.
“Until we know how this process works it is really unwise to come to any conclusions.”

Ain’t it amazing that whenever data appears that goes against their cherished beliefs we’re sternly cautioned against “rushing to conclusions; it’s not good science, old chum” whereas they conveniently forget that this whole global warming hullaballoo has been one yuge stampede by themselves, leftist groups and the MSM.

Damn You Chimpy!

If Sean Penn gets cancer, it’s your fault!

Welcomed with a standing ovation, Cindy Sheehan and co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace gave a rousing talk. She stressed the need to impeach this administration as war criminals who continue to lie to the American public about pre-war Iraq intelligence. She also contends that Pres. Bush’s assertions about pulling the U.S. troops out of Iraq would lead to chaos are a part of a calculated strategy to mislead the American public. Cindy reminded the audience that we all need to take responsibility for Iraq—as we elected the officials who ultimately allowed the invasion and occupation. We have the power to remove them from office. Cindy emphasized we must exit Iraq now to save precious lives. After expressing her support for a Dept. of Peace, Cindy concluded that she’d like to create a U.S. Dept. of History, with herself as the first secretary.
Actor Sean Penn added to the enthusiasm of the day by stressing that all of the nation’s anti-war activism was taking hold and was starting to work—while admitting that the stress of living under the current administration was making it tough for him to quit smoking. Stating that he “was not a pacifist on the inside”, he was moved to be one on the outside for the sake of his children and grandchildren’s future. He said we have to fight for everything we have.

Update: Dave E in comments:

“Guess I picked the wrong Presidency to quit sniffing glue.”

Lileks Defines “oil”

Oil is God’s way of saying “your house should be warm in winter and fresh green produce should be available in February, and never mind the birds. Oh look! I just made another billion birds! Like that! Because I can! So shut up and go drive somewhere. Floor it! I command you!”

Works for me!

Fire Awareness In Japan

How do you say “Ooops!” in japanese?

Firemen in a small Japanese town were left red-faced after a party to mark the end of a fire awareness promotional event ended in a blaze that badly damaged their station.

And they weren’t able to quickly put it out.
At the fire station.
Ho-boy.

What A Mess For The Catholic Church

Now you’ve got a Bishop saying he was abused 60 years ago:

Gumbleton, 75, told The Washington Post in an interview published in Wednesday’s editions that he was “inappropriately touched” by a priest in 1945 when he was a ninth grader at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
…He was appearing in support of a bill pending in the Ohio House that would open a one-year window for sex abuse victims to sue the church for incidents that occurred years ago. The state senate has already passed the bill.
…He told the Post that opening the window to additional law suits in Ohio and elsewhere “could cost the church some money, but it also could bring a great deal of healing to a lot of victims.”

Certainly the Church brought a lot of this onto themselves by covering up, ignoring reports and shifting scumbags to different parishes, and for this they have rightly paid and continue to pay, both financially and morally as they should. But for a legislature to effectively write a blank check to anyone who has an axe to grind is just wrong. They will be no standard of proof in these cases; it’s a mugging, plain and simple, sanctioned by the state. If someone was abused by an Ohio State Legislator 60 years ago would the Legislature give them another year to file a suit, so long after any reasonable semblence of a statute of limitations had expired? Hell, so long after many of the supposed perps had expired? I don’t think so. All those who so zealously scream, and many times rightly so, about the separation of church and state, will they now speak out when the church is singled out unfairly?
Don’t hold your breath.

The Mouse That Flambeed…

Evidently didn’t:

A small -town rumor that sparked world -wide interest about a mouse burning down a house has been found to be untrue.

The story always sounded a little cheesey to me…

Where Is PETA On This Issue?

Iran sharply criticized for removing nuke seals. Thank goodness they didn’t club them like the Canadians do; imagine the damage to the environment from that.

How Brave Are You To “Suspend” Something…

That you’ve never used?

New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to suspend executions while a task force studies the fairness and costs of imposing the death penalty…
…There are 10 prisoners on New Jersey’s death row. While capital punishment was reinstated in the state in 1982, the last execution took place in 1963.

Whatever your views on the death penalty, it is ridiculous how expensive and drawn-out the process has become. But since no one has been executed by the State in 43 years, I would hazard a guess that the death penalty has been ‘suspended’ already.

“Is Your Mummy Home?”

“She’s upstairs, actually…”

The mummified body of a woman who didn’t want to be buried was found in a chair in front of her television set 2 1/2 years after her death, authorities said…Authorities did not identify the caregiver, a women in her 40s who apparently lived in the home with Pope, Pope’s daughter and her 3-year-old granddaughter.

There’s just some odd, odd folks about.

Meanwhile, On The Home Front

Our friend Gunslinger passes along this gem of Solomonaic Wisdom from a Missouri Legislator:

A state senator wants to force Missouri stores to sell warm beer. Under a bill by Sen. Bill Alter, grocery and convenience stores would risk losing their liquor licenses if they sold beer colder than 60 degrees. The intent is to cut down on drunken driving by making it less tempting to pop open a beer after leaving the store.

As someone who has admittedly driven in the past under the influence far more times than I ever should have I feel I can speak to this with some degree of expertise: what horseshit. 99.999999999999% of drunk drivers are drunk long before they get in the car. No one buys beer while sober and then drives around drinking it and getting drunk, you moron (well, almost no one: I had a friend in HS who worked for the township road department, and when there were strong thunderstorms they would hop into the big dump trucks, pick up a few six packs, and then go “look for downed trees”. But I digress.) People get drunk, they hop in their cars, and yes some continue drinking while driving, but they are drunk already, and if they are continuing to drink while driving it is more than likely that they’ll be drinking hard alcohol as opposed to beer, for criminy’s sake.

Some Scary Saturday Thoughts

Over at Chester’s, where there is a lively discussion on Iran. I can’t say I agree with the folks who say that Bush’ hands are tied by political weakness; heck, they are freed bby the fact that he can not run for re-election. And if he feels that the Iranians are a threat he’ll take action. I think he’s shown that enough times already that people would finally start to realize it. Chester’s point is that the Iran situation is very much like 1914, and he may be right in that. But he fails to follow the thread through, as 1914 really solved nothing but rather only served to set things up for 1939. With the turmoil in Israel, the next few months could be very ugly.

Newsflash: Pat Still Thinks With His A$$

The Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s massive stroke could be God’s punishment for giving up Israeli territory.
What a buffoon. But of course he’s a “major religious leader” here in the States.
Update: Boy, it’s a catfight to spit on his grave first:

TEHRAN, Iran –
Iran’s president said Thursday he hoped for the death of Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, the latest anti-Israeli comment by a leader who has already provoked international criticism for suggesting that
Israel be “wiped off the map.”

Now, I was listening to WCBS-AM on the drive home tonight, and both of these fellows were mentioned. However, one of them was only quoted at 5:27 as sort of an aside before the traffic report and not mentioned at all in the 5:30 national news feed, and the other was mentioned both at the 5:27 quickie and figured prominently in the main 5:30 national news feed. Can our saavy readers deduce whom the MSM deems to be the most important commentator on this event?
Well, duh.

The Only “Urge” Microsoft Inspires…

Is vomitorial in nature:

Bill Gates aims to take over your living room and late Wednesday he unveiled a new music service and new software to do it.
Using an appearance with Justin Timberlake, the Microsoft chairman debuted a new music service, Urge, to directly compete with the iTunes music store and interface. Urge launches with over 2 million tracks for purchase or as part of an all-you-can eat subscription, an option the iTunes music store doesn’t have. The offering will include exclusive material from MTV, though it will not be compatible with iPods, which are currently the most popular MP3 player.

I mean, what an unappealing name. This is what happens when corporate duffi try to get hip.

Ze-ta! Ze-ta!

“…ZETA STILL HANGING AROUND AND REGAINS TROPICAL STATUS…
“

It’s A Rather Long Read…

But man oh man do you need to spend the time with Steyn:

Most people reading this have strong stomachs, so let me lay it out as baldly as I can: Much of what we loosely call the Western world will not survive this century, and much of it will effectively disappear within our lifetimes, including many if not most Western European countries.

And that’s just the opening sentence.

Wife Murders Marine…

Because he wouldn’t let her get a boob job:

Prosecutors are seeking the extradition of a woman in Florida accused of poisoning her husband — a Marine sergeant — and then using his life insurance to pay for breast enhancement and a libertine lifestyle.
Sommer’s neighbor on the Miramar base told the investigators that after Todd Sommer’s death, his wife threw a series of loud parties and showed the results of her breast augmentation, which had cost $5,400.

How horrible for him…arsenic ain’t pretty.

Zeta Update

How sad is my life now? I’m starting to read the National Hurricane Center forecasts just for their little asides:

ZETA AS
A WEAKENING CYCLONE SHOULD THEN MOVE BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST AND
NORTH-NORTHWEST UNTIL DISSIPATION. AS YOU CAN SEE…I RAN OUT
THINGS TO SAY.
FORECASTER AVILA

These guys are a hoot.

Carnival of NJ Bloggers #33

Happy New Year! This week, I’m honored to host the Carnival, and it has the unique distinction of being both the last of 2005 and the first 0f 2006. It also is the 33rd Carnival, that number of mystery (why is that number on bottles of Rolling Rock?), adventure (I have many stories about driving on Rt. 33 from Hightstown to Freehold at 3am in my single days, dodging deer and State troopers) and romance (see Rolling Rock)!
And the planets have alligned, because the mystical ’33’ is also the number of entries we have this week…

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That Rabbit’s A Killer!

“Drop the Chalupa!”

A pack of angry Chihuahuas attacked a police officer who was escorting a teenager home following a traffic stop, authorities said. The officer suffered minor injuries including bites to his ankle on Thursday when the five Chihuahuas escaped the 17-year-old boy’s home and rushed the officer in the doorway, said Fremont detective Bill Veteran.

I wonder if the officer called for back-up to handle these viscious beasts?

Damn You Chimpy!

Say hello to sexy Zeta:

SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
1100 AM EST FRI DEC 30 2005
SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATES THAT AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE
EASTERN ATLANTIC HAS DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL STORM ABOUT 1000
MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES. A SPECIAL ADVISORY ON
TROPICAL STORM ZETA IS IN PREPARATION AND WILL BE ISSUED IN AN HOUR
OR SO.
FORECASTER FRANKLIN

Bring it on, baby!