W T F

This has GOT to be fake.

From eKantipur.com

Bizarre baby born in Dolakha

By Rajendra Manandhar


Charikot, Dolakha, March 29 - The birth of a bizarre-looking baby in Charikot, the headquarters of Dolakha district, on Wednesday, drew a huge number of onlookers to witness the astonishing sight.
The neck-less baby with its head almost totally sunk into the upper part of the body and with extraordinarily large eyeballs literally popping out of the eye-sockets, was born to Nir Bahadur Karki and Suntali Karki at the Gaurishnkar Hospital in Charikot.

The Karki couple is a permanent resident of Dolakha’s Bhirkot VDC.

The bizarre baby, however, died after half an hour of its birth, Suntali, the mother, informed. It was taken to the hospital after its death.

The news about such a baby being brought to the hospital spread like wildfire and there were hundreds gathered at the hospital to have a look. The police had to be deployed to control the crowd.

“We wouldn’t have been able to save it, even if it had been brought here alive,” said a nurse attending to the mother at the hospital, “This is an extremely abnormal case.”

The “baby” weighed 2kg at birth and was born after the normal nine-month gestation period.

Suntali, already a mother of two normal daughters, was not suffering from any illness during the pregnancy.

Nir Bahadur, the father, says he does not feel any remorse for the newly-born baby’s death. “I am happy that nothing happened to my wife,” he said.



Ready for the pics?

Word Cloud

This is a cool idea from Lorena. You can go to this site, and they will take random words from your blog and make it into a "word cloud" (see above) and you can buy it on a shirt if you want.
Well..I dont think I am gonna buy it on a shirt..but its a cool idea and you can make some sort of cool art with it.

Spiffy.

Miscellaneous musings

Random thoughts from the last few days include

-Am I a speed-reader, are the training manuals at my job really boring, am I simply already knowledgeable of the material, or am I pretty smart and the material is pretty obvious and self-explanatory? I am going with the last choice for obvious reasons, but I am sure I'll get some sort of smarmy response, most likely from Ragazza or XericX.

-Am I addicted to the net? This partly goes with the first thought above..but I seem obsessed checking various websites for news and sports scores and my email and so forth. Why can't I ever work for more than say..4 or 5 hours..without spending 5 minutes checking something online? Now..working for 4 hours and wasting only 5 minutes online isnt really "bad" in my view..but I wonder why I cant work a full day without "sneaking off to the net"...

-I hate loose ends. I ordered a cd, a dvd and uh..a nose hair trimmer..on Amazon. YESTERDAY. I want them NOW. Not because of a jungle of nose hair thank you..I just hate waiting and wondering for something to be delivered and come to a satisfactory resolution so I can wipe it off my mental "to do" slate. Drives me nuts.

-Why am I a GUY in that, I love my wife more than anything, but everytime a new girl comes in to fill out some sort of application here, and happens to be cute, busty, friendly..etc..I keep peaking over at her? It isnt like I would ever do anything. I hate being a guy sometimes. I feel like its WRONG..but I guess it is encoded in my DNA. Living in Santa Monica, as opposed to Portland was worse..far too many attractive women there shopping, jogging..etc.

-My friend at work let me borrow a couple of his Japanese movies (not anime); "Gozu" and "The Audition". I started watching Gozu. It was far too weird for me (I am NOT into David Lynch type of stuff) and after 20 min I fast forwarded and watched another scene..and then skipped ahead again..etc..needless to say the next day at work, I told him I thought it was really weird and didnt understand it, but it was cool. Why did I sorta lie? Am I just trying to make friends and be liked?

-I love my dog but he is taking up so much energy and time I worry I wont be a good father when the time comes, because I'll lose my patience or be out of energy or something..and that Ill spend so much time with our child, that Ill either perform poorly at work, or neglect my wife or something.

-Coke Zero is pretty good. My friend Eric said Sprite Zero is good..but I have yet to try it.

-I would love for it to be sunny for a couple weeks straight so I can mow the lawn, fix the fence and take care of a few things in our yard. Everything is so mushy.

-I need to win the lottery. Or inherit 4.6 mil from some great aunt living in Transylvania.

-I wish I had the time to just..1. read all the books I have at home that are waiting to be read 2. listen to all the mp3s I have downloaded to decide if I like them enough to keep and burn 3. go out and see a whole bunch of movies and see a bunch from my netflix queueueue 4. sleep 5. travel to China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Czech Republic, Russia, Israel..since I've not been to them before..and then to visit Italy, Germany and Austria again. Might as well add visit my friends in NYC and LA.

@%&*!

I got UCLA to beat Memphis. I lucked out unbelievably when George Mason beat UConn. All I needed was Villanova to beat Florida and I would have won ~$750.

@%&*!

Now I just gotta pray that George Mason beats Florida...which I would have done anyways. If so, I think theres a chance I might get 2nd place...which would be about $250 bucks.

ARGH

Cheddar

Pray for Villanova to win, and hopefully U Conn to lose..if so, I am looking pretty darn good to win about 750 bucks in a March Madness pool.

Prediction: They both win and itll come down to next week's game.

Ive been tagged again; I am "it"

Agnes tagged me..so I have to come up with 6 random habits or something about myself.

So uh..ok.

1. I am obsessive compulsive about certain things: I like to have backups of products..usually thats personal care stuff, like extra deodorant, toothpaste, razors..etc..but sometimes it rears its head into cereal, canned goods..etc

2. More OCD/anal issues: my wife always uses the shampoo and other products in the shower and never closes the tops of the bottles. I always close them..I have no idea why. I think it looks cleaner, perhaps it keeps some water out, and no evaporation of the moisturizer or shampoo..whatever.

3. I really do not like valet parking and will park a few blocks away in order to save $5 or whatever. This was more prevalent in LA, than Oregon. But the best example was they have a valet at Chevy's Mexican restaurant. CHEVY'S. For about 3 or 4 bucks. Sorry, but for one, I can park my own car, especially when its only 5 feet away from the entrance. For 2..sorry, this isnt the Bel Air Hotel..its CHEVY'S.

4. I am your movie life line. That is, if you are ever on some game show, and a topic about a movie, actor, etc comes up, and you dont know the answer..call me. You stand a good chance of me being able to answer it for you.

5. Dont even attempt to beat me at either of these games: Trivial Pursuit (I am so full of random useless facts its well..annoying) and the old Sega Genesis game console's NHL Hockey from 2001, 2002 or 2003. There is some stat in the game that records the audience's cheering decibel level. I broke the record set by the publishers. I scored over 30 goals in one period. I am so cool.

6. I will usually try to leave a tip that is one cent more than you if I am splitting a bill with you at a restaurant. Its just a joke thing, but its become a funny habit with a couple friends.

People I am tagging:

-my wife (wont even read this for about 6 weeks)
-Ash
-Ragazza
-Natasha
-Xericx

I dont know if I have any other consistent readers anymore..and Big Dubb doesnt even blog anymore.

yeah yeah..

Well..ok..so I have been lax on this thing. I started a new job (I have been given this nice executive office, window, 26th floor..snazzy. I better prove I deserve it!) so thats been keeping me busy, plus March Madness is on..my favorite time of year for sports, plus Ash tried to fix (but only partially fixed) my template..and I dont like errors or unfinished things, plus my dog has been keeping me ultra-busy, plus my parents were up here for about a week, plus I have been doing yard work with my wife..yanking out bushes and stuff..etc..so umm..yeah..I exist :)

not much else to report..no new books or movies to review, glad Sopranos is back on, we have had mostly nice weather, glad to be out of my old job, and went to Cirque Du Soleil on sunday evening asn a surprise for my wife..it was amazing as usual (I have been to about 5 or 6 performances..this is her 2nd).

I'll get back to blogging more soon!

ps - I am NOT trying to call you out Ash! :) And yes, Agnes, we will have to meet up for lunch..and no, Natasha, msn messenger isnt on my machine..dunno if I can get installed..and they apparently frown upon personal email here. $@#%!

The last day...phew

Well, today was my final day at my job. I decided to pack it in, and move on to another job. I had known for nearly a year, that this was not the right place for me, but I decided to at least give it a full year to see if the situation improved.

It had not.

A friend of mine from the company left nearly a year ago and tried to recruit me to his firm, but that did not present itself as the best solution for me. I had resigned myself to sticking with the job until the new year..and soon thereafter I made a strong push to find a new job. Well, after 5 interviews and a trip to seattle over President's Day to meet withthe Senior VP, the one I most wanted was offered to me about 8-10 days ago, with a more than decent jump in pay, and offering much more support, training and credibility..so I took it.

There are always a few drawbacks; I now to have actually commute to downtown instead of a quick jaunt. Also, after about 12-18 months on the job, my pay gets chopped nearly in half, with the expectation my commissions will more than amply make up the difference and more. and of course..I have to dress a tad nicer..though I personally believe that you work harder and act more professional if you dress the professionally..artists and other professions are exempt from this rule of course.

Of course, my current (former) employer did not take too kindly to my 2 week notice, and I was cut early (ie..this Friday instead of next week). It is odd, but I could have certainly performed my duties with no conflict, but no worries. They were friendly about it otherwise and everyone wished me well. I certainly bear no ill will to them..they simply do not offer the growth I am looking for, as well as the financial opportunities that I need in life.

I now have next week off to finally tackle my exponentially growing tower of paperwork, as well as watch March Madness in peace...as long as Maximus acts like a good little gentleman and not the hol(e)y terror that he has in him. I did not typo that..he simply has managed to chew so many bits of clothes and items around the house..that well..he has put holes in things, to putn it mildly. Obedience training cannot come soon enough..as well as..oh..maybe some sort of age/maturity pill.
But..he is great, fun, makes us laugh and overall, is a fantastic addition to the family.

I dont know how to end this entry..so uh..

"fin"

Not so fearless Oscar Predictions

Best Picture:
will win - Brokeback Mountain
should win - Crash

Best Director:
will win and should win - Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain

Best Actor:
will win and should win - Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Capote

Best Actress:
will win and should win - Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line

Best Supporting Actor:
will win - Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man (possibly not deserving for this picture, but definitely for American Splendor and maybe Sideways...so, a make-up award)
should win - maybe Jake Gylenhall - Brokeback Mountain..or Clooney for Syriana

Best Supporting Actress:
will win - Rachel Weisz - Constant Gardner
should win - Amy Adams - Junebug

Best Original Screenplay:
will win - Crash
should win - Crash

Best Adapted Screenplay:
will win and should win - Brokeback Mountain

Dissing your dog

Some puppy humor, care of Will Ferrell

The last few days..

Well, last week, my wife and I were supposed to go skiing during the weekend, but we have heard that its been pretty icy lately, so we postponed that. Due to lots of stress at work and some other issues, Audra wanted just to get the heck out of town for a day or two, so I quickly booked a bed n breakfast just south of Cannon Beach for Saturday night.
We went to the gym in the morning and then drove out there around noon. Instead of listening to music, I had brought along a cd of "Dane Cook" which my wife had not heard. He is a hilarious comedian, and it was a nice change of pace. Once there, we walked around the beach and town, not buying anything, and then down to the house..which was spectacular.
There was a wine and social hour from 5 to 6, and we met several other couples staying there, most of which were near our age. 2 couples we ended up "making friends with" and exchanging phone numbers, both of which live in Portland. They are both younger than us (makes me feel old), but were very cool and it might be fun to all meet for sushi or beers.
We went to a great dinner at the Wayfarer Inn and then back to the b n b.
Sunday we went down to Manzanita, but it was a cloudy day, and we just drove through it and then down the coast to Tillamook, and went to the cheese factory. We had some cheese samples and bought fresh ice cream too. I started feeling kinda sick, but made it through...and it wasnt sick fromd airy or anything. On our way back, we listened to Lewis Black, another comedian, and stopped in hillsboro at the World's Largest Costco.
We got home and relaxed and thats when I found the ad for the puggle on craigslist, and sent an email inquiry. The man answered and we exchanged a few emails and picked the little guy up on Monday afternoon when I went home sick.
I stayed home sick yesterday, and though I was truly sick, I probably could have made it into work. but I wanted to get healthy, and wanted Maximus to get to know me and his surroundings a bit too.
He does NOT listen to me or my authoritative voice (or my wife) when we want him to do certain things..but he is mostly a real little gentleman and is great when he is in his crate.
I did have to take him downstairs this morning at 2am to go eat..and again at 4 to empty the processed food..but he is adjusting to a new home and master and so forth..and hopefully will get more on a schedule soon.
This morning I went to work late and stopped by Petco first to buy him a water bottle thing that attaches to the crate. I ran home and attached it, showed him how to use it and he drank a bit from it..and then let him go outside to do his business and then I really had to get to work...and got in about 10am.
I have to admit, I am seriously hoping the little guy will be ok..drinking, eating from his little cup of food, and obviously mostly just snoozing. I know he will be insane when I get home and let him out..but thats ok. I just hope he survives the day ok, as both my wife and I had to work basic 8-5 types of shifts today.

:(