My poor eyes.

The vast majority of Americans don't buy into the imaginative conspiracy theories that circulate around the events that you mention. I think some people gravitate to misinformation that's twisted into a movie plot because they are more interested in being entertained than informed.

It's interesting to note that many ofthe conspiracies involve figures, who are dead because they can't refute the outlandish claims that give rise to fantastic stories and manufactured conspiracies. There is probably more inaccurate accounts of the Kennedys, Elvis, and soon Michael Jackson floating around than there are legitimate facts.

The conspiracies that the 9/11 attacks were done by the US government, the Jews, etc. are essentially ignored by the overwhelming majority. Same thing about the conspiracies alleging that the moon landing was staged.

You would feel right at home with the Pentagon brass. They take their responsibilities very seriously, but they don't take themselves seriously. They are down to earth and funny.

It was funny how each branch of the services would jab the others. A naval commander reminded his Marine counterpart that the marines are merely a department of the navy. But the marine replied, Yes. But we're the men's department."

Good luck, whisper.

Geoff is gonna be back online soon.... we better get this place cleaned up.

Could somebody climb up on the moosehead and take the pair of panties off it? Also, TIS, please pick up all your empty little fancy blue drink glasses? klyd, your six empty kegs gotta go.

Unless Mig is gonna make a new batch of tangleguts it looks like I have to mop up all the barf.

How did my panties, oh, never mind.....

I was TRYING to be gentlemanly and not announce to whom the panties belonged, but since you let the cat out of the bag, yeah, HOW did they end up there???

I have pictures.

How come I always gotta pick up the empties. Beth put them there. I always gotta do everything around here.

Speaking of undergarments, somebody put a pair of boxers on the lampshade in the living room.

TIS

Damn.... those were Geoff's autographed copy of Clemenza's shorts that he wore in Part I. Quick, get 'em off the lampshade and back into the trophy case.

SC,

I'll sell you the pic's & negatives I have of you putting SB's undies on the Moosehead.

Post 'em, Mig.

It's all coming back to me now as I sober up.... SB was wearing them as I put them up on the moosehead. I remember her dancing around up there, but I don't remember her climbing down, or how the panties got left behind.

You don't remember her climbing down because she didn't, at least not right away.. She was too busy swinging from the chandalier in the hallway.I had to get a ladder and help her down. If you look closely, I think you'll see an empty wine glass up there somewhere. That SB, you can dress her up but you can't take her anywhere.


TIS

Even though I'm not in the best of moods today I like you to much SC to much to embarrass you by posting them.

Oh.... thaaaaaat's right ..... it's coming back to me now. SB was hanging down from the moose antler. Her panties were caught on the antler. She jumped over to the chandelier, leaving the panties behind. It was at that time that TIS brought a ladder over, threw SB over her shoulder (fireman style) and climbed down.

olivant was busy yelling, "Hey, see if Adriana LaCerva is up there, too".

I swear, I read that as "That SB, you can look up her dress but you can't take her anywhere."

Either way, I think it just might be true.

Empire State Building lit for China, drawing ire

NEW YORK – Red and yellow lights shone from the top of the Empire State Building at dusk Wednesday, a tribute to communist China's 60th anniversary that protesters labeled "blatant approval" of totalitarianism and criticized as inappropriate for an icon in the land of the free.

The building is routinely lit with different colors to mark holidays and big events, but opponents questioned whether it's right to commemorate a sensitive political issue, particularly when China has such a poor human rights record.

About 20 supporters of Tibet, which China has ruled since shortly after communists took over in 1949, protested outside the building during a ceremonial lighting of a scale model inside the lobby. They chanted "No to China's empire; free Tibet now," and held signs reading, "Empire State Building celebrating 60 years of China's oppression."

Lhadon Tethong, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet, called the lighting "outright, blatant approval for a communist totalitarian system."

"It's a great public relations coup for the Chinese state," Tethong said as tourists gawked at the protesters. "But on the other hand, it's sure to backfire because the American public and the global public will speak against it."

At the lobby ceremony, building manager Joseph Bellina called the lights a high honor and said he was proud of the relationship between "our countries and our people."

Chinese Consul General Peng Keyu, who pulled the switch on the glass-encased model, said he was "honored and delighted."

He said China's reforms of the past 30 years have led to greater openness and "tremendous change."

Keyu and Bellina didn't address critics and declined to answer questions.

Journalist and blogger Marc Masferrer questioned legitimizing a government that continues to repress its citizens' freedoms, including their access to media and the Internet.

"I don't think one of our great landmarks should be turned into a platform to honor a regime and a system responsible for as much tragedy and all the other things that come with a repressive system," he told The Associated Press.

Masferrer pointed out that this year is also the 20th anniversary of the violently crushed student-led movement in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The People's Liberation Army is believed to have killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of protesters.

Politicians united in their disdain.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, said the lights should not be used to pay tribute to what he called "an oppressive regime" with a "shameful history on human rights."

Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, said it was "a sad day for New York."

"I am strongly opposed to it or any commemoration of the Communist Chinese revolution. It's one thing to acknowledge the government; it's totally immoral to honor it."

The lights atop the building, which is owned by W&H Properties, are often are changed. For example, Italian colors — red, white and green — commemorate Columbus Day, while green, white and orange are displayed for the India Day parade.

For the Chinese anniversary, the lights were to remain on through early Thursday.

___

Associated Press writer Deepti Hajela contributed to this report.

Ahoy!
How're things holding around here.....?

This place needs CPR and AED paddles.

Hmmmm I don't know if insurance would cover CPR/AED paddles. This is a "pre-existing" condition. Who'd pay?

Seriously, where the heck is everyone????



TIS

Geoff got his house and left us all.

It seems that way, huh?

So much to do. Go buy stock in Lowes and Home Depot now!

It's been good for me, though. I decided not to ruin this place by smoking inside so I haven't, so I smoke a lot less. Still getting to bed like 2-3 hours earlier than I was since I've been so tired, so therefore I'm "exercising" more and drinking less. Plus I'm getting up at more human hours and can get more done during the day -- and without a hangover! How do normal people do this every day??

A long ways to go, though. But now there's no pressure like there was to get out of the apartment.

Geoff, take your time. You'll be there for a while. Don't feel the rush to get everything done at once.

It sounds like you're really enjoying it, though, and I'm so happy for you. You deserve it.

Yeah, Geoff, don't be in a rush to get everything done at once.

I bought my house 11 years ago and have barely gotten started.

I moved boxes here that I had packed over 8.5 years ago, the last time I moved!

We had to restrain a detoxing and violent patient last night at work. Always fun

I held him in a half nelson lock from the back whilst the doc tried to inject enough stuff into him to sedate him. For my troubles i got several head butts in the face from the back of his head and sore shins from all the kicks. This afternoon i have got up and i am sore and stiff all over my arms and shoulders. Trying to hold these little buggers down is like riding a bucking bronco sometimes!

Makes the night go a bit quicker though

Went to a wake today/yesterday (Saturday) for someone I saw at work for over 40 hours a week in their home.

It was like losing a family member.

LN, you're obviously doing a good job if you feel that personal connection to someone you helped to care for. While this may be the first, I'm sure it won't be the last time you have to go through this. Keep doing what you're doing, though, because you obviously care about those you work with.