AMAZING TIMES!

Yesterday I had my computer hacked by a slick team of Russian computer experts, but quick action by my own computer experts (my son and daughter and grandson) rescued me.   I learned a lot from this experience and may be able to foil such hack attacks in the future.

Just be aware that some computer contacts may not be who they say they are. Vorsicht!

Meanwhile life goes on and I want to mention a few more items from my 1997 scrapbook.

1. A German article:  Kleine Menschen leben 5 Jahre laenger.

Scientific studies show that very short people live up to 5 years longer than tall people.  I have lost 4 inches in height over the years, so this is good news for me.

2.  A caller's statement to a call-in show about the Theory of Evolution.

"... religion has no place in public schools... evolution like creationism, must be accepted by faith.  ... science has to be observed and recorded. No one observed evolution, therefore it is not science but an unproven incorrect religion."   

Huh?

3.  A Sears ad for a new-fangled medical device.

A blood pressure monitor that gets its readings from a little plastic device in which you insert a finger.

I haven't seen such an item advertised lately.  I wonder if it was reliable.

4. A picture of the city of Boston.

This view shows The Esplanade and the hundreds of 3-story brownstone houses that surround the Beacon Hill area.

While I attended Boston University, we lived for a while in a brownstone with lots of mice and rats that thrived in our garbage-strewn backyard. (But that's another story.)

5. A German newspaper article. "Miss Schwergewicht.  Wer ist die schoenste Dicke?"

Yes, who is the most beautiful fatswo?  The Miss Heavyweight! contest was held in Moscow. 

It was won by a young Russian lady with a massive (but shapely) width. Extra points were given for cellulitis.

That reminds me about when I visited Cologne in Germany, I often went to the "Kino" to watch dubbed-in Laurel and Hardy films.  Germans called them Dick und Duenn, ("fat and skinny") and loved them. I spent hours joining in the laughter.

6.  A note about a lawyer's trip to the planet Mercury.

The FTD flower delivery business has sued the San Jose Mercury News for using the name of the Roman god Mercury for something called Mercury Mail or Mall. FTD says it has used the name Mercury for 20 years.

After much expensive preparation, the FTD lawyer realized that he was suing the wrong entity. The newspaper had nothing to do with Mercury Mail or Mall, just the newspaper's name was similar.

7. A recipe for beer biscuits

2 cups Bisquick

1 scant T sugar

5 oz. beer

Mix and bake according to package directions.  Eat while warm, with butter and honey.

Wait a minute!  Is that a good use of beer? I don't think I would waste my Snake-dog brew on biscuits.  But maybe National Bo would be OK.

8.  A list of exotic beers, including:

Snow Goose Ale.. an Eastern Shore of Maryland brew with a chocolate taste.

Pyramid Snow Cap Ale.. licorice-lovers claim they can taste anise.

Affigen Paters Vat.. "the monk's cask" named after the Belgium monk who liked his beer flavored with apples and hops.

Harpoon Winter Warmer, with an all-spice aroma came in second in the contest for best-smelling holiday beer. (I love the New Bedford-sounding name.)

9. A picture of Guard Dogs

A Carroll County, Maryland homeowner painted the picture of two grouchy-looking bulldogs on his garage doors, He said it discourages burglars.

10.  A newspaper notice of an observed UFO.

It mentions a fireball that was seen hovering over Hobart, Tasmania.  Hunters were especially shaken up when the ball of fire turned the dark sky to daylight.

This reminds me of something I mentioned before. My three friends and I were riding in the dark countryside one evening, when the car stalled and the darkness became daylight again.  Just for about 20 seconds, and then it was night again.

The car started again immediately and we traveled on as though nothing had happened. When I mentioned the situation to my friends they all denied that anything had happened.  WAS I THE ONLY NHUMAN ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS PHENOMENON?

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