Headlines: Chimp on your shoulder

This news just in from that wellspring of scholarship Atlanta - Gestures May Come From Chimps

Gesturing is one of the oldest forms of human communication, and now researchers have discovered that apes and chimps use the same motions humans do when asking for things.

The study indicates that hand gestures, much like Democrats, evolved from monkeys.

I know, I was skeptical at first just like you. But then I saw some of the pictures that were published with the study and now I have to admit, they may have something here.

tagged: headline, news, science, evolution, monkey, chimp, finger, the bird, gesture

3A.M. Poll: What is your favorite thing to say to a cop who has pulled you over?

This was ganked from an email I recently received, but still worth considering.

I haven't had a traffic ticket in at least 10 years (we'll not counting parking tickets). I attribute that to my Rico Suavé-esque way of talking my way out of trouble (without offering sexual favors, you cheeky monkey).


tagged: police, cops, ticket, Barney, Andy, poll, vote

Headlines: Void where prohibited

In case you haven't been keeping up with current events in science, astrophysicists have discovered the largest yet totally empty region of space.

Radio astronomers have found the biggest hole ever seen in the universe. The void, which is nearly a billion light years across, is empty of both normal matter and dark matter. The finding challenges theories of large-scale structure formation in the universe.

The void has nothing in it. No thing. You can't believe how utterly empty this thing is. It's like Paris Hilton's resume, or any song by Maroon 5. We're talking devoid of content here.

I read about this the other night and immediately went outside to see it for myself. Sure enough there it was, right there in space where they said it would be.

I took a picture to share with you. My little Nikon digital camera got a pretty good shot.



tagged: space, science, void, Paris Hilton, Larry Moore, Maroon 5, humor

Eewww, someone just schmoozed all over me!

Shea at ACGIK, named me the supreme winner yesterday of the Blogger Schmooze award.

I proudly accept.

I know there are others, like The D, Chimpotle, KCSponge and Erin who have made claims to the Blogger Schmooze award. And to be certain, they are definitely schmooze-worthy in their own right.

But I hereby accept the honor of the supreme Blogger Schmooze award. To illustrate my supreme blogger schmooziness, I am leaving it up to my (two) readers to choose who they think should be nominated next for the Blogger Schmooze award.

So leave your nominations in the comments. It is okay, indeed encouraged, to nominate yourself.

tagged: Kansas, blog, blogging, blogger, schmooze, award, meme

YouTube Tuesday: Underdogs RULE!

It's finally here. The end of summer.

Because with the beginning of college football on Saturday, summer is officially over for me.

Oh sure, there are those smartypants scientific types who will tell you that the "official" last day of summer is later in September. And yes, at least here in KC we'll still have hotter-than-balls days. There will still be leaves on the trees for several more weeks, and the grass will still be green (or in my case, brown).

But with the first kickoff, summer is over for me, replaced by football season. And what better way to begin football season than this choice video about the greatest turnaround in college football.



tagged: movie, YouTube, video, sports, football, KSU, K-State, KU

Random photo IV: Campanile

I started following Shane's travelogue about his recent European vacation at I, Shane, and it's left me feeling nostalgic for my previous two trips to Italy.

Like Shane I loved Paris and Venice. But unlike Shane, I'd have to say that Florence was my favorite European city. The sheer ratio of art per square foot was amazing. I remain envious of the Florentines who live within the history created by Giotto, Brunelleschi, the Medici and other historical figures who are responsible in large part for the way with think today.

Anyway, it's all left me with a serious jones to return to Tuscany for a few more weeks (don't even get me started on the wine). But, the best I can do now is a mind trip through my photo albums.

Here's a detail of the Campanile of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo of Florence. The campanile was designed by Giotto in the 1300s and is part of one of the most recognizable architectural compositions in the west.



tagged: Florence, Italy, Europe, campanile, Santa Maria del Fiore, duomo, Renaissance, Brunelleschi, Giotto, Medici, photo, photography

Friday Blogthing: They call me mellow yellow

I'm posting this today, even though I dream of a day when people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their crayons.

You are Yellow

The clouds part and the smell of daffodils and daisies fill the air when you are around. Your sunny disposition cheers most, and makes others (the jealous and bitter ones) wish you'd never gotten out of bed.

Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?

Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

tagged: Friday, test, color, crayon, Martin Luther King, Jr, meme, blog

Good luck with that

So the Johnson County Republicans have decided to take another stab at unseating Dennis Moore next year. The LJW had the report (hat tip to JD):

State Sen. Nick Jordan, a Republican from Shawnee, has announced his bid to represent the 3rd congressional district, which includes east Lawrence and is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat from Lenexa.

Frankly, I've never heard of Jordan. Anyone who knows anything about his policy stances is encouraged to comment. But good luck to you anyway Nick, I think you'll need it.

Moore doesn't seem to be too concerned. He told the LJW he isn't even going to start thinking about campaigning until next year (kudos for that). And he probably doesn't have much to worry about, given the current political climate.

But one of the quotes I found particularly interesting:

"He can start the campaign now if he wants, but I'm going to continue on being in Congress and serving my constituents, and I think we've done a good job."

A good job? Wow, thanks for clarifying that for me Denny.

I mean, a guy could get the wrong impression, what with the fact that the approval rating for Congress is at its lowest point since Gallup started tracking it 30 years ago.

A new Gallup Poll finds Congress' approval rating the lowest it has been since Gallup first tracked public opinion of Congress with this measure in 1974. Just 18% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, while 76% disapprove, according to the August 13-16, 2007, Gallup Poll.

But Denny, you just keep telling yourself how good a job your doing. It might just make next year's election campaign mildly interesting.

tagged: Dennis Moore, Kansas, Johnson County, politics, Congress, Nick Jordan, election

Oh, I almost forgot...

During the course of conversation at last night's meetup, The D suggested I repost a link to the infamous Big Black Hairy Tongue post from earlier this year.

Fair warning: I suggest you not view the link if you have recently eaten or are about to eat or are eating at the moment.

tagged: medical, oral hygiene, black, hairy, tongue, gross

Blogger meetup redux

Last night was the best blogger meetup we've had so far (at least for me).

Lot's of local bloggers showed up. And with my Supermodel Wife out of town for the week and my daughter staying the week with the grandparents, I was able to hang out with the cool kids until the end of the night.

For everyone who left early, you missed a great time. Thanks to XO's NASA Grab Bag, we found some interesting alternative uses for NASA mission patches. I met Janet Sader and had a great talk about kids and family and vacations. And I was honored to buy the FileGirl her very first Scotch whisky ever. She said she liked it. At least its better than those nasty martinis.

I can't even remember all of the topics of conversation, but I know the highlight was the smooching session between Erin and KC Sponge. If you left too early and missed it, here are some pics (I know they're blurry but you get the gist).

I finally got to have a really good conversation with Eolai from Irish KC, but Cara from ...JustCara left before I made it over to her table. I'll catch you next time.

Rumor is floating around that we'll all meet at Harry's downtown again next month. See you all then.

tagged: Kansas City, blogger, Charlie Hooper's, blog, meetup