tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94493472024-03-10T03:35:17.971-07:00Swisher's Untitled Blog ProjectThis is therapy with spell check. Instead of seeking answers to actual problems, however, I will be petty and superficial. It's less work. Please enjoy.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.comBlogger713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-216460618183175352011-07-18T10:11:00.000-07:002011-07-18T11:46:42.456-07:00Buh-Bye Bedbugs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRS2eG_F6mJpT3UZPGojB0yAeM-yrH4pGYG5gLhsGQauL8zJKnrS4Fp7cqq3lCuCnOxBOcY-MaXmgFwlcO0KmsUDnhHlRiDoCmjQfb3BEo4xKUJEJj6aO5N9cbu1HHmunbyOC/s1600/BarbieBedbug.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRS2eG_F6mJpT3UZPGojB0yAeM-yrH4pGYG5gLhsGQauL8zJKnrS4Fp7cqq3lCuCnOxBOcY-MaXmgFwlcO0KmsUDnhHlRiDoCmjQfb3BEo4xKUJEJj6aO5N9cbu1HHmunbyOC/s320/BarbieBedbug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630755287458466850" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So a friend of mine in New York just had an exterminator come to his house to check for bed bugs. If you've been following the news, bedbugs are a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/21/bedbugs-invaded-new-york">huge problem</a> in <a href="http://bedbugregistry.com/metro/nyc/recent/">NYC</a>. His apartment is safe...for now. But in talking to him (okay, IM-ing) I realized just how traumatizing the specter of bedbug infestation must be to East Coasters (and anywhere <a href="http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/01/bedbugs_are_here_dont_panic_of.html">else</a> bedbugs are a big problem) so I decided to spend five minutes this morning on trying to come up with a way to eradicate the problem. <br /><br />Here are some <a href="http://www.bedbugcentral.com/bedbugs101/topic.cfm/biology-behavior">facts</a>: <blockquote>Bedbugs are found in beds. <br />Bedbugs feast on human blood. <br />Bedbugs are sneaky and come out at night. <br />Bedbugs are resistant to pesticides.</blockquote><br />So what's the solution? Decoy living rooms and bedrooms. Bedbugs are tiny, between 4-5 millimeter in length. What if they had access to tiny beds? Tiny couches? Tiny people? My guess is they'd eat what's closest to them, rather than make the long, arduous trek to your huge bed or couch. So if you fear your home might be the target of these creatures, run to the nearest store and buy yourself a bunch of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dollhouse-Miniature-7-Pc-Sullivan-Bedroom/dp/B003BQ48SK">doll furniture</a> and place it somewhere in the house as far away from your actual bedroom as possible. If you have dandruff, I'd recommend shaking your dander all over the furniture as bait. In addition, add a blood trough to the bed so they stay on the mini-furniture. When enough bedbugs infest the decoy bedroom, set the decoy bedroom on fire. Then start the process over again.<br /><br />I'm not an entomologist so I haven't field-tested this idea, but I'm 98% sure it will work. If you try this, drop me a note to let me know how successful it was for you.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-85688023297709752782011-07-05T16:02:00.000-07:002011-07-05T17:33:14.242-07:00It's Official: I've Got Brain Damage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvhkLGyFx6lc7QGTfOubbwUe_vGRNjp6GJmtvtCEMoGTJY78Sv0GDoANphiZx3aFx4Gj-IO9TupX2kHEDBbZT3SbYKimuq965M22k04Qepi_wWAzl8VHnhXmiXZFd_tCd7cTZ/s1600/MousePollution.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvhkLGyFx6lc7QGTfOubbwUe_vGRNjp6GJmtvtCEMoGTJY78Sv0GDoANphiZx3aFx4Gj-IO9TupX2kHEDBbZT3SbYKimuq965M22k04Qepi_wWAzl8VHnhXmiXZFd_tCd7cTZ/s320/MousePollution.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626028888707882322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I haven't had a doctor confirm this, but I hardly need to when <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8617258/Pollution-can-lead-to-brain-damage-and-depression-warn-scientists.html">researchers at Ohio State University</a> already have. They exposed mice to air pollution, the kind that's "created by cars, factories and natural dust" and discovered "visible, negative impacts on the brain". In other words, Los Angeles residents like myself are brain damaged. Here's what happened to the mice: <blockquote>After 10 months of exposure behavioural tests were carried out on the rodents including a learning and memory test where after five days of training they were placed on a brightly lit area and given two minutes to find the dark escape hole where they would be more comfortable.<br /><br />The mice who breathed the polluted air took longer to learn where the escape hole was and at later tests they were more likely to forget where it was.<br /><br />In another experiment, mice exposed to the polluted air showed more depressive-like and higher levels of anxiety-like behaviours in one test, but not in another.</blockquote>If you replaced "took longer to learn where the escape hole was" with "took longer to find her car parked at The Grove", the study has basically captured my cognitive decline since moving here. And are there ANY Angelenos who don't exhibit "depressive-like and higher levels of anxiety-like behaviours"? Actually, there are a small handful, but those are the ones who were cast in TV shows soon after moving to LA, and who spend a good portion of the year shooting in Vancouver. <br /><br />How's the pollution in South Dakota? Maybe it's time for a move.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-22714410932277611522011-07-03T18:10:00.000-07:002011-07-03T19:08:18.386-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD542BEC-_BniXlEdgsSaRvxrcGhNmBgc4iv5TvT4IGt9XlUU71q5shdf1JTtFpa2Bzu53jeuFy2M-9-veiK_gXJLz2oKb_D1qzbJ89j2GCSxrJuKD1_SGNz6uRZeJnuDY2QJQ/s1600/GlennBeck.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD542BEC-_BniXlEdgsSaRvxrcGhNmBgc4iv5TvT4IGt9XlUU71q5shdf1JTtFpa2Bzu53jeuFy2M-9-veiK_gXJLz2oKb_D1qzbJ89j2GCSxrJuKD1_SGNz6uRZeJnuDY2QJQ/s320/GlennBeck.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299056777752434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just watched the beginning of "The Making of GBTV" on <a href="http://www.gbtv.com/?gclid=CIyauanB5qkCFUgaQgodRjINYg">GBTV.com</a>. I haven't always been a big fan of Glenn Beck, but I think it's because I didn't appreciate how much of a visionary he is. Then I heard his co-host say this:<br /><br />"I've mentioned before that Glenn will go off on a tangent and say, "All right, we need rocket ships to space," and then we'll go off and start building rocket ships in our backyard. And then he'll come to us a few weeks later and we've got a half-built rocket ship and he'll say, "What are you doin' that for? We're not going to the moon anymore."<br /><br />So now I'm like, "Wait a second! WHERE'S he gonna go? And is he going to take public transportation to get there?". And I'm also wondering, "How much could you get for a half-built rocket ship on Ebay?"<br /><br />Needless to say, I'll be watching GBTV when it launches to find out.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-51821122591834475182010-03-03T10:36:00.000-08:002010-03-03T11:01:42.619-08:00Taste My Wife, Please!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbZ4_sraOEcov7kyq2mvTY6VjRmE8mtTXy6rOYqR3i6MLZ4mu1F0tV6ayih03T730qsF30s95U1e5kZEKVj8-wnJaieKhx6Jr5mW4pOWHDivd82yZB80Tzjo1pFnxuTDkF9-8/s1600-h/SDBoobs.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbZ4_sraOEcov7kyq2mvTY6VjRmE8mtTXy6rOYqR3i6MLZ4mu1F0tV6ayih03T730qsF30s95U1e5kZEKVj8-wnJaieKhx6Jr5mW4pOWHDivd82yZB80Tzjo1pFnxuTDkF9-8/s320/SDBoobs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444484712168948082" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm hopeful "Top Chef" producers will read this entry and decide to make <a href="http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/03/klees_daniel_angerer_invites_y.html">this</a> a quickfire challenge next season. <br /><br />I'm sure the glut of cooking shows makes it really difficult for any individual chef to stand out, so I applaud New York chef Daniel Angerer for finding a away to get recognized. He's making cheese out of his wife's breast milk. Will this revelation scar his child down the line, when said child realizes his dad stole his food? Time will tell.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm going to see if I can order breast milk cheese online. I've got a dinner party coming up and I suspect it would go great with fancy crackers.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-66204376040779735322010-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:002010-02-22T11:32:03.987-08:00Baseball's Most Dangerous Food<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxvPKSKGOJggpIS2lZZQU6ika8_w63BL5hee89VPZEaH5zz4eJyyK2YqrxJ6zR536fz2XUEs-T0p9P9U5M9UufJJeolmBGWfx36f07tgTtd9ZNK8Jjow4mQfwL5RSTxevGqF1/s1600-h/hot+dog+61251000704.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxvPKSKGOJggpIS2lZZQU6ika8_w63BL5hee89VPZEaH5zz4eJyyK2YqrxJ6zR536fz2XUEs-T0p9P9U5M9UufJJeolmBGWfx36f07tgTtd9ZNK8Jjow4mQfwL5RSTxevGqF1/s320/hot+dog+61251000704.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441149530721868466" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100222/hl_hsn/pediatricianswantredesignofhotdogscandytocurbkidschoking">Hot Dogs</a> are perfectly-designed to kill a person, especially a little person. If you have hot dogs, and a little person, you should get rid of one of them. Either put your small child up for adoption, or get rid of your hot dogs. Don't believe me? Read this: <blockquote> "If you were to take the best engineers in the world and try to design the perfect plug for a child's airway, it would be a hot dog," says statement author Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. "I'm a pediatric emergency doctor, and to try to get them out once they're wedged in, it's almost impossible."</blockquote><br />I probably just saved a life with this post. You're welcome.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-27870881547778906122010-02-17T11:06:00.000-08:002010-02-17T11:11:50.926-08:00My Adventure in Sex City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwCtfb0hiVG77bVFHJtK0V5TcThCLYOtC1oexC0ylBOSvacdB9cTE5JsGUn3UMqfXo0bPLUDDvatzaUYXMNZ_-ra67zUPOYo1Xt_KLhwyRyleP67AWnrZelj4hosrnn5KPSMU/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwCtfb0hiVG77bVFHJtK0V5TcThCLYOtC1oexC0ylBOSvacdB9cTE5JsGUn3UMqfXo0bPLUDDvatzaUYXMNZ_-ra67zUPOYo1Xt_KLhwyRyleP67AWnrZelj4hosrnn5KPSMU/s320/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439291249709022866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Canada's using the power of gaming to teach its youth about safe sex. I got o<a href="http://www.healthunit.com/article.aspx?ID=15160">ne question wrong</a>. At least now I've learned you can't get an STD if a dog humps your leg. Good to know.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-27138703752372540742009-12-13T12:57:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:12:48.326-08:00Murder Does Not Belong on a Bucket List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhcA3VKQqfeVyHaGIRd6d1ESQYhSFYNXhGVkO__gjKa81QR4g_w-rXCd9emrlfBdy4rCQsqcTQ-FsZY0X6zhQyFHvgKXpU5LCTxsgRoWNzFYpTAAyJB3NpdxKZhi11WwYUK4M/s1600-h/OldMurder.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhcA3VKQqfeVyHaGIRd6d1ESQYhSFYNXhGVkO__gjKa81QR4g_w-rXCd9emrlfBdy4rCQsqcTQ-FsZY0X6zhQyFHvgKXpU5LCTxsgRoWNzFYpTAAyJB3NpdxKZhi11WwYUK4M/s320/OldMurder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414828753862528754" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/12/woman_98_charge.html">98-year-old woman (allegedly) strangled her 100-year-old roommate</a> at a nursing home in Dartmouth, MA. <br /><br />She skipped the "passive" and went straight for "aggressive" in response to an annoying roommate. I clearly need to step up my game a bit. When my roommate pisses me off I accidently throw away his soy cheese. But mark my words: If I he's still my roommate when I'm 90, all bets are off.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-7568892254032125872009-11-29T18:11:00.000-08:002009-11-29T18:19:48.822-08:00CBS Cares...a Little Too Much<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MkuI4oU250s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MkuI4oU250s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />I saw this PSA on a flight and thought it was funny. Then I realized, "Oh wait. This is an actual PSA." I really want to see what would happen if men took CBS' advice. And if any of my male readers wants to take this challenge, please let me know your lady's reaction. Seriously. I'd really like to know.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-42049667388495700412009-11-26T11:33:00.000-08:002009-11-26T11:36:52.470-08:00Canadian Thanksgiving<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/13s9vzXMbks&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/13s9vzXMbks&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Spending Thanksgiving with friends today. I'm charged with bringing an appetizer for dinner. The host wants deviled eggs. I guess I'll be making deviled eggs.<br /><br />Wishing you all good eats and good company today.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-55377277639835544582009-11-24T13:48:00.000-08:002009-11-24T13:54:26.459-08:00Diamonds Don't Say Christmas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq3F0r8lAHBzfQkl8oiiTi9c19FHK8B5JP728SeysooaQJMyY9w23TRdhsqO4_6XbE_QalKgQO57A40TnH9hnjwf-7XTvSPW1JIqH-muoknIOL1feJ2YXYriZnjMT0Ujv24Ce/s1600/ReindeerPoop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq3F0r8lAHBzfQkl8oiiTi9c19FHK8B5JP728SeysooaQJMyY9w23TRdhsqO4_6XbE_QalKgQO57A40TnH9hnjwf-7XTvSPW1JIqH-muoknIOL1feJ2YXYriZnjMT0Ujv24Ce/s320/ReindeerPoop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407791074839559586" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />as much as reindeer dung does. For that special person in your life this holiday season, let them know you care with a <a href="http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/weird/Zoo-Sells-Reindeer-Dung-Necklaces-for-the-Holidays.html">reindeer dung necklace</a>. They're $15 from the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, IL. Better buy one soon before the zoo runs out of shit.<br /><br />Also, you're welcome.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-84340644049420583992009-11-23T09:38:00.000-08:002009-11-23T09:43:20.067-08:00Genocide Made Adorable!<object id="bbg_player" width="370" height="220" data="http://www.babelgum.com/embed/4012129" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.babelgum.com/embed/4012129" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never" /> </object><br /><br />I don't remember being in this play at school. This video is from <a href="http://landlinetv.com/">Landlinetv.com</a>. I happened to stumble upon their site today, and since I don't have a ton of free time to produce anything original, I might as well point to others who do.<br /><br />Enjoy.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-23391302127024405822009-11-12T14:40:00.000-08:002009-11-12T14:54:05.457-08:00182 Lbs. Today<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/umEK5Q7hqKs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/umEK5Q7hqKs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm super tired. I stepped on my old-fashioned bathroom scale today and it turns out I weigh 182 pounds, give or take a few stones. I always set it higher than what I actually weigh to motivate me. But, man, it is a pain in the ass to have to post this on my blog. I mean, I love to share my weight with others, but it's so time consuming. Fortunately, the <a href="http://www.withings.com">Withings</a> company has <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/withings-wifi-body-scale-integrates-twitter-launches-in-the-us/">come out with a Twitter-enabled WiFi scale</a> that will tweet a user's weight as often as the user deems appropriate. The scale costs almost $200 so I have to find out if they have a payment plan. I'm gonna get it, though. <br /><br />How often should I update my weight? Every time I step on the scale or just every day? <br /><br />I love technology!Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-5158960553797327232009-11-08T17:28:00.000-08:002009-11-08T17:49:33.989-08:00Back from Guantanamo...Just got back from a week at Gitmo where I travelled with the band <a href="http://www.bosband.com/fr_index.cfm">Bridge of Sighs</a> documenting their performances on the military base. In his free time, band leader Tom Neely gave us a fantastic tour of the island and a glimpse into life on the base. <br /><br />Some Gitmo fun facts: a $10,000 fine is issued to anyone who makes the mistake of killing an iguana. Iguanas run rampant on the base and are protected by the military. They also like to take their time crossing the streets.<br /><br />Guantanamo is a great place to be if you like water sports. I was able to go snorkeling and night fishing on the trip. I also went go cart racing, hit at the batting cages and observed soldiers spend their leisure time playing kickball, softball, volleyball, flag football, weightlifting and swimming. <br /><br />Getting to the base from Los Angeles is a commitment. It involves three flights, two bus rides and a ferry. <br /><br />If I have an opportunity to go back, I'll definitely take it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietaa4L-iehGr_Gn9YI9tTJKm1G174bLr5XBOFYJS06Gqx62M83HgALcT2GbaukW6XybksCrfA2eXe7a0zRbcmF7QFXO1oHTkX2VC4hyphenhyphengncRl9VT5u-V2o5uVBzFNjoqGwUzT4/s1600-h/LauraSign.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietaa4L-iehGr_Gn9YI9tTJKm1G174bLr5XBOFYJS06Gqx62M83HgALcT2GbaukW6XybksCrfA2eXe7a0zRbcmF7QFXO1oHTkX2VC4hyphenhyphengncRl9VT5u-V2o5uVBzFNjoqGwUzT4/s320/LauraSign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401910350792721346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl41YKvCrFGxRD8jmmtCWwvSAjxMP2o0t4HFWi2ZM-LIy0lgAilP9uYxNBfytl32h-MtXiH_o9PFPEZOpAJD1LdSxe7elffYBGbVuQElou3Bao_u_gfTB6hUQ_l7L5dUjGBWl6/s1600-h/RadioGitmoFish.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl41YKvCrFGxRD8jmmtCWwvSAjxMP2o0t4HFWi2ZM-LIy0lgAilP9uYxNBfytl32h-MtXiH_o9PFPEZOpAJD1LdSxe7elffYBGbVuQElou3Bao_u_gfTB6hUQ_l7L5dUjGBWl6/s320/RadioGitmoFish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401910936154423026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXC4wSSBJlwe-__NirLOZveACnp12cclNI6aqxjC2AJtlyGblCfm1skU4FYE1iK_Y5IynfRptGgXpAkXsNeEnD-nT8gCYuYkT81f2Au7rdQUn4TnpJ6odiPfq79OySidk5Kji/s1600-h/CubanVessel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXC4wSSBJlwe-__NirLOZveACnp12cclNI6aqxjC2AJtlyGblCfm1skU4FYE1iK_Y5IynfRptGgXpAkXsNeEnD-nT8gCYuYkT81f2Au7rdQUn4TnpJ6odiPfq79OySidk5Kji/s320/CubanVessel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401910526507989330" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ67K5r60oNHmrOfGcsh7-pLB81HkoJ_pxwPfxDY36aG8nF_4gMq-VrJDfebDXeUxT1DuSzmaViPKbcmAFPaTkNWN0zyC-KJXWdXOUYchWzEuNGeevU2bnG8jiPDB0MLYnwe-i/s1600-h/RescuePlaque.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ67K5r60oNHmrOfGcsh7-pLB81HkoJ_pxwPfxDY36aG8nF_4gMq-VrJDfebDXeUxT1DuSzmaViPKbcmAFPaTkNWN0zyC-KJXWdXOUYchWzEuNGeevU2bnG8jiPDB0MLYnwe-i/s320/RescuePlaque.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401910659751620082" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4XmNoTdBvNhCLPT0mWwdVqLlL2ZMVnYE-tSHnPZxc3yW9l-RVcImpDrbmCmqNX_LcXBuUoHzn5Tx6LmBxKf11PcvGb0CbL9kkAEGvKM9c7i3svLtb_HfAEu_DxqjnUHg6NAj/s1600-h/LauraLighthouse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4XmNoTdBvNhCLPT0mWwdVqLlL2ZMVnYE-tSHnPZxc3yW9l-RVcImpDrbmCmqNX_LcXBuUoHzn5Tx6LmBxKf11PcvGb0CbL9kkAEGvKM9c7i3svLtb_HfAEu_DxqjnUHg6NAj/s320/LauraLighthouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401910159064428418" /></a>Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-52933037023383514532009-10-14T14:47:00.000-07:002009-10-14T14:52:43.901-07:00Reminder: Halloween's Just Around the Corner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3QNun7qvvmsi8NpSaH9n685K7emM69updEczDYecsefeaOydGMZnwevWGo9o7t5NolZFuw-YWwZSE-G2vXHs-45NppfVhsPhKNGzbkr7uZhNSi5fHK-JbxdyhGKXh-Q7eb14/s1600-h/Suicide+Bomber.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3QNun7qvvmsi8NpSaH9n685K7emM69updEczDYecsefeaOydGMZnwevWGo9o7t5NolZFuw-YWwZSE-G2vXHs-45NppfVhsPhKNGzbkr7uZhNSi5fHK-JbxdyhGKXh-Q7eb14/s320/Suicide+Bomber.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392575826453484914" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I think this is my favorite costume of HuffPo's "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/14/the-most-inappropriate-ha_n_317731.html?slidenumber=0#slide_image">Most Inappropriate Halloween Costumes</a>".Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-58711487176673808762009-09-30T11:14:00.000-07:002009-09-30T11:18:25.933-07:00Virginity Obsessions Are ScaryBecause they make <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8279276.stm">fake hymen kits</a> necessary in many parts of the world. And if there's outrage over fake condoms, no doubt men will be suspicious of them in the future.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-56430306305779278492009-09-21T10:26:00.000-07:002009-09-21T11:01:27.750-07:00Playboy Makes You Gay<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l8tQwtuzqpc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l8tQwtuzqpc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />This is Michael Schwartz, Senator Tom Coburn's (R-OK) Chief of Staff. In this video he asserts that "all pornography is homosexual pornography". Why? Because "it turns your sexuality inward." I'm not sure exactly what that means, unless Michael's erections are different than the rest of the male population. I don't actually want to know.<br /><br />He also thinks that this is a good message to tell young boys. If they watch porn, they're gay. That'll make 'em think twice.<br /><br />Michael delivered this address at the Values Voter summit. Here's the irony. Those areas where folks are the most religious in this country, also happen to be the areas with the <a href="http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/religions-link-to-teen-pregnancy/">highest teen pregnancy rates</a>. Many of those states are the ones in favor of "Abstinence Only" programs, which do not work. Mississippi promoted religion and abstinence at a <a href="http://www.wapt.com/news/20817145/detail.html">rally featuring Granada High School cheerleaders chanting</a>: "Stop! Don't touch me there! This is my no no square!" Because that's a sure-fire way to get teens to abstain, have them invoke the cool phrase "my no no square." I remember the first time I used the phrase. It was last week. I was on a second date with a guy. We kissed. I then told him, "Listen, I think you're great. I just want you to know that until there's a ring on my finger, you won't be able to touch my no no square." I haven't heard from him again.<br /><br />It's clear he wasn't right for me. I'm now going to come up with other chants I think the kidz will enjoy. Feel free to share any suggestions you may have.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-75188652316772387982009-09-04T15:26:00.000-07:002009-09-04T15:33:05.868-07:00Scary Glenn Beck<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vt8UYKmjNNc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vt8UYKmjNNc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm not sure I can trust anything Glenn Beck says until he's able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did not, in fact, <a href="http://glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com/">rape and murder a young girl in 1990</a>.<br /><br />I don't understand why he hasn't denied this claim on his show or made any attempt to prove his innocence. He must be guilty. That's the ONLY explanation possible. Right?Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-85175982114234990852009-09-02T15:38:00.001-07:002009-09-02T15:38:43.565-07:00Why Obesity Matters<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X0-Sv6YnxEc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X0-Sv6YnxEc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I think I've made my point.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-89298840557131630222009-09-01T10:19:00.000-07:002009-09-01T10:26:14.066-07:00How to Hike During Wildfire Season<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PYFVcAlYRws&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PYFVcAlYRws&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Thanks to the current fires, weekend hiking is no longer an option. This morning a fellow hiker emailed me a solution to our woes. Hiking club is back on!Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-59937046501184556642009-08-31T16:29:00.000-07:002009-08-31T16:32:17.929-07:00Poop Trap!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-IrlhLF1c3k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-IrlhLF1c3k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I almost think this is a good idea. My only concern is: If my dog uses poop trap indoors, what happens when she sits down or rolls on her back? That worries me. <br /><br />But everything else about this product seems wonderful...except for the embarrassment factor of the dog, which would be huge.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-65323156746718310242009-08-14T08:31:00.001-07:002009-08-14T08:40:55.575-07:00Speaking Truth to Power<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5AEnRFWh4rE-D894BPXq3bhTnoBgzJH6ccg3mT_MfCgYkqP8skIwvrt_wCk50f15X2MNV-kFGQ7f70dtQf5NdYY8UrE3LM1udQZ4tpeXucIzFo4W-Qbk18C9_xg0sPLswmsO/s1600-h/arrested+development_74cbe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5AEnRFWh4rE-D894BPXq3bhTnoBgzJH6ccg3mT_MfCgYkqP8skIwvrt_wCk50f15X2MNV-kFGQ7f70dtQf5NdYY8UrE3LM1udQZ4tpeXucIzFo4W-Qbk18C9_xg0sPLswmsO/s320/arrested+development_74cbe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369842671588521314" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That pic was from a <a href="http://bluehampshire.com/diary/8028/a-childs-garden-of-teabaggery">New Hampshire blo</a>g, and it really crystallized what this whole health care debate should be about: Bringing "Arrested Development" back to our televisions. I know the politicians will try and water this down with a "motion picture option", and Republicans will probably try and kill it with a free market "10-minute-interstitial" approach to the show, but progressives need to stand strong. We need to demand a weekly 1/2 hour with at least a 13-episode pick-up. <br /><br />Are you listening, Obama? Who's with me?Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-43657216179273933872009-08-13T16:58:00.000-07:002009-08-13T17:16:52.730-07:00One Armed Woman Strong-Arms Clothing Co.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRzxVzGroxvQm4WVgqfC3nYFu1opV2_ryhk29R-T3sqR54UY1tF2gk-Mk_2CEfTzFe6IiuDZMhXMxWCw-MxfWfa5ZtsU1IX2xYZr2tpWVP4tqJXtVowCS5KKU3e3zXclVEd0g/s1600-h/Riam-Dean-outside-the-emp-001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRzxVzGroxvQm4WVgqfC3nYFu1opV2_ryhk29R-T3sqR54UY1tF2gk-Mk_2CEfTzFe6IiuDZMhXMxWCw-MxfWfa5ZtsU1IX2xYZr2tpWVP4tqJXtVowCS5KKU3e3zXclVEd0g/s320/Riam-Dean-outside-the-emp-001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602899613780322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A one-armed sales assistant <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/jun/24/abercrombie-fitch-tribunal-riam-dean">was fired from Abercrombie & Fitch</a> for refusing to hide her disabililty <br />from customers: <blockquote>Dean claims that when she told A&F about her disability after getting the job, the firm agreed she could wear a white cardigan to cover the link between her prosthesis and her upper arm. But shortly afterwards, she was told she could not work on the shop floor unless she took off the cardigan as she was breaking the firm's "look policy". She told the tribunal that someone in the A&F head office suggested she stay in the stockroom "until the winter uniform arrives".</blockquote> Unacceptable! Why would she refuse to work in the stockroom? When I go to the mall, I shouldn't have to witness other peoples' imperfections. When I get a corn dog from Hot Dog on a Stick, I want to look at beautiful employees. If these kinds of frivolous lawsuits are allowed to proceed, well, I don't even want to think about it. What's next? Breast cancer survivors working at Victoria's Secret? Am I right?!<br /><br />Enough is enough.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-22288296235531009492009-08-12T17:21:00.000-07:002009-08-12T17:27:01.929-07:00Obama = HitlerI wish this weren't true, but the <a href="http://obamaisliterallyhitler.tumblr.com/">evidence</a> is irrefutable.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-22945701546854434712009-08-11T14:38:00.001-07:002009-08-11T14:47:45.925-07:00"Bob Roberts" Was Way Ahead of Its TimeI remember loving the film "Bob Roberts" when it came out. If the soundtrack were for sale, I'd have bought it. Tim Robbins plays a folk-singing right wing politician who ridicules and denounces the poor and celebrates capitalism. Bob Roberts was a brilliant character. The weird thing is, it appears as if there are real life "Bob Roberts" wanna bes. Listen to this cute little folk ditty:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5gCUufJKAKE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5gCUufJKAKE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Now watch this one from the fictional Bob Roberts:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZXFdikh-70&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZXFdikh-70&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I highly recommend this flick if you haven't seen it already. I may need to watch it again. I suspect it won't be as funny the second time around.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449347.post-74443200274595543112009-08-06T16:38:00.000-07:002009-08-06T16:51:34.452-07:00"You Make Somebody a Bridesmaid and They Sh*t All Over You"<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGJfruLLiyk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGJfruLLiyk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />That's one of my favorite lines from "Sixteen Candles", one of the few movies I can actually quote. I think I was the last person in the office to read about the passing of <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2009/08/share-your-thoughts-and-memories-about-john-hughes-and-his-films.html">John Hughes</a>.<br /><br />Very sad news. He's definitely in my pop culture pantheon of people whose work occupied a special place in my heart growing up. "Sixteen Candles", "Breakfast Club", "Weird Science", "National Lampoon's Vacation"...all classics.<br /><br />He'll be missed.Laura Swisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11492368107063291109noreply@blogger.com2