Out With the Old and In With the New (Template)

Some of you might have noticed a change in my template. I have moved from the starscape theme to a primary colors patriotic theme. This may cause a problem with archived posts where I chose colors based on how well they showed up against a black background. They may not show up as well against the blue. Hyperlinks are underlined. The underline disappears on visited links.

I used to change font colors for blockquotes but now I have settled on a standard blockquote color scheme. This is an exapmle of the new scheme. I have had a lot of fun playing with CSS. (That means my template is a holdover from the old Blogger. I haven't had time to play with new Blogger template layouts.)

I have also enabled Blogger comments as well as leaving the Haloscan comments active. This change I may undo. The reason being is I like the comment preview widget in my sidebar. It is a Haloscan widget so my blogger comments do not show. Also Haloscan supports Gravatars. If I find a Blogger equivalent widget I will keep both comment types.

Tell me what you think in one of the comment sections.

Thursday Thirteen #62

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 People Who Passed On in 2007

People tend to reflect at the end of the year on what has happened during the last 365 days. I thought I would mention 13 people who passed away this year.

1. Ike Turner, controversial Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, age 76


2. Anna Nicole Smith, Playmate, Reality TV star, age 39


3. Luciano Pavoratti, legendary Italian tenor, age 71


4. Yvonne De Carlo, actress (Lily on the "Munsters"), age 84


5. Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, former First Lady of the United States 1963-1969, age 94


6. Boris Yeltsin, Former Russian President, age 76


7. Jane Wyman, actress (Angela Channing on "Falcon Crest") and 1st wife of Ronald Reagan, age 90


8. Rex Humbard, TV Evangelist ("Cathedral of Tomorrow") age 88 A local legend as well. He used to broadcast from here in Akron (okay Cuyahoga Falls but how many of you ever heard of that place?)


9. Gen. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, age 92


10. Tom Poston, actor (Cliff Murdock on "The Bob Newhart Show") age 85


11. Kurt Vonnegut, author ("Slaughterhouse-Five") age 84 He also wrote the controversial "Breakfast of Champions". I think my favorites were "Cat's Cradle" and "Dead Eye Dick".


12. Rev. Jerry Falwell, Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University, age 73 A moral voice and pain in liberal sides for decades


13. Robert Goulet, singer/actor (Sir Lancelot in "Camelot") age 73

This list is by no means exhaustive. Others like, Evil Knievel, Ingmar Berman,Dick "Mr. Whipple" Wilson, Joey Bishop, Alice Ghostley, Lois "Miss Moneypenny" Maxwell, and Art Buchwald also left us in 2007. Were any of these people special to you too? Let us know in the comments

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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

If You Really Must Know

I am planning a Thursday Thirteen this week I just haven't finished it. If I get it done before too late on Thursday I will post it. If not, it can wait till next week. I hope veryone had a pleasant Christmas!

Tonight is Christmas Eve

My little countdown widget declares that tonight is Christmas Eve. I was fortunate enough to have today off. Many people had to work. I usually take this time to contact my friends and wish them a Merry Christmas. Tomorrow I will spend the day with family.

I would like to wish all the readers who visit me a Merry Christmas. I know that isn't P.C. But if you have read just a little of my blog you know I am not a P.C. person. So in that spirit I would also like express my wish that everyone know Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. The reason everyone is peaceful and joyful this time of year is because they know that the promised Saviour came to Earth and dwelt among us. Oh and He will return as promised too.

If you would like to know Jesus and be 100% sure you will go to Heaven when you die, read this. And again Merry Christmas!

Thursday Thirteen #61

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Christmas Songs I Love/Hate

I did a "13 Favorite Christmas Songs" list last year. So rather than repost it in it's entirety, I decided to combine it with another list. I got the idea from David Drake who listed 10 Christmas songs he hated and 10 songs he loved. So here is my Love/Hate list. Songs I HATE are in RED
Songs I LOVE are in GOLD

1. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Too Bad Elmo and Patsy didn't get run over.
   O Holy Night Any version. Patti LaBelle's is pretty cool.


2. Frosty The Snowman You know if they didn't say he'd be back on Christmas day I wonder if they would even consider it a Christmas song.
   Carol of the Bells Done with voices or bells it is awesome. AND it lends itself to electronic versions like Manheim Steamroller, very well.


3. Santa Clause is Coming to Town - The Jackson Five version Springsteen's version is a close second. Too much airplay.
   I Wonder As I Wander Truly a lovely song. Not enough airplay.


4. Little Saint Nick - Beach Boys Excuse me while I hurl. This is a shining example of people just playing a song because it is Christmasesque. I know I just made up a word but it fits.
   Beautiful Star of Bethleham
I sang this last week with the Mens Trio in my church

5. Feliz Navidad Annoying in TWO languages.
   Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant Since we are liking the French again why not mention this beautiful Christmas tune.


6. Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles Very depressing for a Christmas song. And not the good bluesy depressing (that they were shooting for) either.
   Hark the Herald Angels Sing It just isn't Christmas without this song. I love belting this one out!


7. Happy Xmas (War is Over) Despising John Lennon's version would be enough for most people. Not the Bramagemeister. Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan and Charlotte Church have conspired collaborated on a new version. Yuck. The video reeks. It looks like everybody recorded it on different days and spliced it together. And I automatically hate all songs that spell Christmas with an "X".
   Sleigh Ride I have the most different versions of this song. I love them all.


8. Jingle Bell Rock It is just overplayed.
   God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The Ladies Trio of my church sang this Sunday. Any version is great!


9. Jingle Bells - The Singing Dogs This song made to the top of many "Worst of" lists.
   Silver Bells The Supremes and Robert Goulet are just a couple to sing this classic.


10. The Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler "So drink your gin and tonicah, And smoke your marijuanikah"??? Okay NOT a Christmas song but I hate it for all the same reasons.
    This Christmas - Any version especially the original by Donny Hathaway They've made a movie with the same title. A great Christmas classic.


11. Any Christmas Song by Barbara Streisand Babs has a set of pipes and no one can deny that. BUT singing Christmas songs, and cutting a Christmas album is all about the money for her. I can't get past that hypocritical taint. Let's face it. Christmas songs about Christ are religious songs. Why would you sing a religious song from another religion?
    Christmas Time is Here Anyone who watches "A Charlie Brown Christmas" knows what I am talking about. Great jazz. Period!


12. Merry Christmas From the Family - The Dixie Chicks with Rosie O'Donnell version Bah Humbug.
    Merry Christmas From the Family - Robert Earl Keen version A great song about family at Christmas. Well, some families.


13. All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey This ubiquitous ditty grates on my nerves more than any song of the season. I am constantly battered with it everywhere I go!
    Christmas Wrappings A guilty pleasure but with a happy Christmas ending!

Apparently I am not alone in my loathing of some songs. Two different media companies put the barking "Jingle Bells" at the top of their lists. Love them? Hate them? Agree or disagree, leave your thoughts in the comments!
I would like to thank the T13 graphic contributors for the holiday logos. They are lovely. OH! I got a little item off of last weeks Christmas list! Check out my laser eyes! Merry Christmas!

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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Newsworthy Notes

I found this to be an interesting bit of news. Lynne Spears Parenting Book Delayed Indefinitely
Why you ask? Because her famous daughter is pregnant with her boyfriend's baby. No; not Brittney, her other famous daughter, 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears. The Nickelodeon star announced that she is 12 weeks along and she's keeping her baby. The father is her "long time boyfriend". LONG TIME BOYFRIEND!!?? She's 16! How long are we talking here?

But buying Lynne's book on parenting would have been like buying Jeffery Dahmer's book of recipes. Not a bright idea. Seeing how baddly Brittney turned out did anyone think Jamie would actually do better?

(Hat tip: The Anti-Itch Meditation)

Fat Tax or Pop Fee; What's the Difference?

I got up this morning and turned on the T.V. Normally I don't but I thought I would check school closings. Well The Daily Buzz was on and they were doing a piece on San Francisco mayor Newsom's plan to assess a fee on soda (or pop as we call it here). The justification was that soft drinks are a major contributor to obesity and therefore the retailers should be penalized for selling it by paying a fee (and NOT a tax although the distinction escapes me). The idea of a "fat tax" has been kicked around for years. The liberal left plans to control your decisions by making what they deem unhealthy more expensive as punishment to manufacturers, retailers, and you the consumer. (The tree hugging enviroweenies use the same concept with things they deem harmful to the earth.)

Newsome says he plans to make soda makers give back. Newsom considers city fee for sellers of sugary soda has this to say about where the money will go.

In San Francisco, Newsom said a recent Health Department survey found that 24 percent of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders were overweight and that high-sugar drinks accounted for 10 percent of the kids' caloric intake.

All in all, he said obesity accounts for tens of millions of dollars of the city's health costs.

Now Newsom wants the soda sellers - primarily big-box retailers and chain drugstores - to chip in for his "Shape Up San Francisco" program and for media campaigns to discourage the soda habit.

So the city want to shape up and offset the cost of tens of millions of dollars by taxing soda pop. Is there a line somewhere that the nanny staters will not cross to interfere with an individual's freedom to choose? I may not have met a can of Coca-cola I didn't like but charging extra for it because it's unhealthy? Too much.

Wishes Do Come True

I did a Thursday Thirteen about Christmas gifts I wanted but was never going to get. Well thanks to the magic of computers I got one of those gifts and early to boot! Hop over to I Blog The Body Electric to see which one it was.

Headlines for Friday 12-14-2007

New York City Pays $29,000 for Arresting Topless Womwen
City is flodded with applicants for arresting job.

South Dakota Town May Rename Hooker St.
Residents look forward to living on Skanky Ho Boulevard

Girl Scout gets coveted award 69 years late
Earns final badge by helping herself across the street



Court orders cartoon characters to witness stand
Warner Brothers announces new legal drama "Fudd for the Defense"

Early care helps frozen shoulder
Treatment should begin in the Cold Shoulder phase

Blaine Fears New Stunt will Leave him Brain Damaged
Little did he suspect his idiotic Headline would leave him Dane Bramaged

Pink Floyd Wishes Led Zeppelin Luck
Says life is scary outside the nursing home

Scott Baio Is ... No Longer Single
I guess somebody else loves Chachi too

Sutherland Starts Prison Sentence
Also shoots new reality show called "48"

Huge Newfound Part of Milky Way Rotates Backward
Mars Inc. says it will use the same technique for Snickers, 3 Musketeers and their other candy bars.



Paris Hilton Is Looking for 'A Nice Boy'
She'll be out of luck if she finds one who wants 'A Nice Girl'.

Thursday Thirteen #60

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Things I Really Want for Christmas but Won't Ever Get

There are some things I want for Christmas but they are out of reach in some form or fashion. Either they are too expensive or the world won't make the necessary changes to bring about my personal desire. How dare they? And some are scientifically impossible (for now). So here is my list:

1. Halle Berry Clone If you are going to wish, wish big I always say.


2. Personal Time Machine I would go back to certain key points of my life and avoid the screw ups. Especially the ones from my college days.


3. Financial Freedom 40 or 50 million dollars would do it. Or maybe just tons of stock in successful companies.


4. PC Free Zone A place where there are no hyphenated Americans. A place where people stop sugar coating everything they think might offend. And most importantly a place where people don't get offended at everything. Yeesh.


5. Congress with Character A congress that supports our nation's troops in word and deed. One that will take National Security and Immigration very seriously. One that actually works would be nice for starters.


6. Piano Lessons I've always wanted to play the piano.


7. 50" Plasma HDTV This is doable but I'd have to sell my house and I don't think the refrigerator box I'd be living in has a wall big enough.


8. Laser Eyes If looks could kill, then I want the eyes to do it with. The world would be better off with some people reduced to ash with a glance.


9. Millions of Babies Yes I want millions of babies. No I don't want to father them, I want them to be born. I want a world without abortion.


10. A Stepford Wife Not a robot or android like the movie, but a conservative sweet spirited woman who adores her husband and loves her role as wife, mother and keeper of the home. you know, a Christian wife. Funny how Hollywood makes those traits seem sinister.


11. Guitar Lessons I've always wanted to play guitar. I guess all the musical talent went to my two time Grammy award-winning cousin.(You can hover over the link.)


12. Psychokinesis This coupled with the lasers eyes would be way cool! I'd be like a black Superman!


13. More Brothers and Sisters Somebody pick my mom up off the floor. I didn't mean she would have to 'get busy'. I mean more brothers and sisters in Christ. I know we add to our family by obeying the Great Commission and witnessing for Christ but I would like for all those who claim to be Christians to act more like brothers and sisters.

So there's my list. Add your own "want but won't get" item in the comments

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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

New Look Part Deux

As you know I am thinking of changing my template. My "Flames of Hell Red" idea was pretty much universally panned. You can check out my latest proposed template change at my other blog I Blog The Body Electric or you can cheat by just hovering over the link and let Snap Shots show you a preview. IF it brings up the RSS feed or you see the "Flames of Hell" cache then you have to follow the link.

This theme is more patriotic in keeping with the more politcal themes of the blog. What do you think?

Here's a Little Gift to You

Well I missed BSG "Razor" on Sci-Fi but I did find this cool game! From those wonderful people that brought you Don't Taze Me Bro:The Game...

Never Forget

Today marks the 66th aniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It drew this country into the conflict that has defined what is called by many "The Greatest Generation." That generation saw evil for what it was and stepped forward to stop it. Many paid the ultimate price. Let us never forget.

Thursday Thirteen #59

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Photos Left in My Digital Camera

I picked up my camera last night and noticed I had not downloaded the 82 pictures in it. These pictures span two gaming conventions and two church events going back to July. So I decided to share 13 of them with you. I wish I had more time to play with my camera. I really want to get better at taking pictures. Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger view in another window.

1. 
   Hotel Room When I go out of town I pack only the essentials


2. 
   War is Swell At least it is on the tabletop front. Terrain was a big feature at Origins 2007.


3. 
   Battlestar Celebrity Richard Hatch was there. He has a Sci-Fi genre game company that is pushing a "game universe". He is the only actor to star in both Battlestar Galactica series.


4. 
   City of Ruin Here they are selling damaged building terrain for use in war miniatures. Don't those tanks notice the spider-like aliens on the other table waiting to swoop in and take over?


5. 
   Expensive Village More terrain. Yes that price tag for one building is $74.95. A building behind it is $90.


6. 
   If you "Gotta Catch 'Em All" This is where the national Pokemon championships are held. This is the lovely yellow spokesmodel.


7. 
   Elevators Exposed The Hyatt in Downtown Indianapolis has these beautiful glass elevators. Kinda scary if your in one going to the top.(you have to look at the full view. This is too dark to see in the thumbnail.)


8. 
   Tin Foil Hats One of the groups of gamers decided that their game called for special headgear.


9. 
   Homage or Mockery? An adjoining table decided that the other table should be made fun of. So they put on paper headgear.


10. 
    Western Sunday The adult Sunday school class files in on Western Sunday at my church.


11. 
    Western Ushers The ushers had out lessons all dressed up for Western Sunday


12. 
    Kid Corbin Here's the orneriest hombre west of Streetsboro


13. 
    Davey the Kid Folks tell of the biggest bus rustling cow poke this side of the Tuscarawas.

Well that'll teach me to keep my camera cleaned out.

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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Last "Who Are You" Quiz ('Till the Next One)

Well I am not a blond but I do get into bleach. Unfortunately I am unable to watch or TiVo it for the next couple weeks. So to combat my withdrawal I thought I would see which of the thirteen squad captains I was most like. Hmmm, 13 captains, tomorrows Thursday... Anyway I scored the same captain twice. The rest of the choices varied wildly after that. So I threw in the Lieutenant quiz too.

Which of the Thirteen Division Captains (from Bleach) are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Yamamoto Genryuusai You're Yamamoto Genryuusai, Captain of the First Division! You're the one in charge, and you make a lot of decisions. People respect you highly and listen when you give advice or direction. You might seem to be a non-agressive type, but watch out when someone drives you to the point of fighting! Yamamoto Genryuusai 83% Soi Fong 83% Aizen Sousuke 75% Unohana Retsu 75% Ukitake Jyuushiro 67% Kuchiki Byakuya 58% Kurotsuchi Mayuri 50% Komamura Sajin 50% Tousen Kaname 42% Hitsugaya Toushirou 42% Ichimaru Gin 42% Zaraki Kenpachi 33% Kyouraku Shunsui 33%

Which Bleach captain are you most like? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni You are Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, the commander of all Gotel 13. Well respected, powerful and knowledgable, but you're a bit strict when it comes to following the rules. Don't let that get in your way of justice. Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni 75% Hitsugaya Toushirou 63% Komamura Saijin 63% Unohana Retsu 58% Kuchiki Byakuya 50% Soi Fong 42% Zaraki Kenpachi 42% Ukitake Jyuushirou 33% Kyouraku Shunsui 33% Tousen Kaname 33% Ichimaru Gin 33% Aizen Sousuke 29% Kurotsuchi Mayuri 8%

Which Bleach Vice-captain are you most like? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Shuuhei Hisagi You are Shuuhei Hisagi. Known for your exceptional talent while still in the academy, you are responsible and quiet. You tend to avoid violence if possible. Shuuhei Hisagi 80% Kira Izuru 80% Oomaeda Marechiyo 75% Ise Nanao 70% Kotetsu Isane 65% Matsumoto Rangiku 55% Sasakibe Choujirou 50% Kusajishi Yachiru 45% Abarai Renji 45% Shiba Kaien 40% Hinamori Momo 35% Iba Tetsuzaemon 20% Kurotsuchi Nemu 10%

Action Hero

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Indiana Jones Indiana Jones is an archaeologist/adventurer with an unquenchable love for danger and excitement. He travels the globe in search of historical relics. He loves travel, excitement, and a good archaeological discovery. He hates Nazis and snakes, perhaps to the same degree. He always brings along his trusty whip and fedora. He's tough, cool, and dedicated. He relies on both brains and brawn to get him out of trouble and into it. Indiana Jones 79% Neo, the "One" 75% Maximus 71% William Wallace 58% The Terminator 58% El Zorro 50% James Bond, Agent 007 50% Batman, the Dark Knight 46% Captain Jack Sparrow 46% Lara Croft 46% The Amazing Spider-Man 46%