October 2015 – World News Center

Happy Historical Halloween!

October 29, 2015

It’s that time of year again. When all the good ghouls and gobblers take to the street, unless they live in a large city – then they take to nearest shelter, to enjoy the camaraderie of others, or not as the case may be, and celebrate the circle of life by acknowledging death. Last year I put together the definitive history of the holiday, as best I could. Since some people get confused by the search results but wanted to share this with their loved ones, I’m reposting it. I’ve…

Circus of Death

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015

When I was a kid the highlight of my fall was to go to the circus. The big one, Barnum and Bailey. There you could see the clowns clowning, the acrobats acrobatting and the elephants elephanting. The lion and tiger tamers would thrill and scare you and the announcer made it all seem larger than life. Plus there was popcorn, cotton candy and all the glorious smells. Circuses were rank with musk and I loved it. As time passed I grew away from the circus and went on to other…

Catching Up on Science

October 22, 2015

It’s been an interesting week. With the Cubs in the playoffs, and a World Series win predicted by Back to the Future II (i.e., what passes for science education in Texas), a large portion of the media spent an incredible amount of time trying to figure out what the movie got right or wrong. Side note, in Norway the word texas (all small letters) is slang for crazy and/or stupid. In line with that comment I should let you know that one right wing blog claimed that the movie proved…

One Man’s Trash

October 16, 2015

WHO TOOK THE TRASH OUT? WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT-WOOT! Would not have been a popular song. Trash is not sexy no matter what you try to say, or sing, about it. Taking out the trash is a phrase that can apply to everything from traditional waste to soon-to-be exes. It is never thought about in a good way. You never hear anyone say “Have you met Bob? He’s got some sexy trash.” And there’s a reason for that. Ignoring your soon-to-be ex for the moment, trash can encourage the growth…

A Healthier You

October 15, 2015October 15, 2015

People who buy unsalted pretzels are evil. I say this to inform you of two things; (1), I am not the paragon of all things good and holy when it comes to health, and; (2), I have stared into the face to pure evil and laughed. I’m tough that way. That said, I should also share something else with you. On February 13, 2013, I began a dietitian approved diet. No fads, no cool paleo, nothing that would make me part of this week’s internet meme. Before I did that…

Joining the Green Gang

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015

When I was a kid my grandmother, a devout Catholic, had an interesting phrase she used to say. “Nature takes its own.” It was her, slightly pagan, take on the whole “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” thing from Genesis. It also served as a reminder of her second favorite phrase, “The bible says the world is without end. It says nothing of man.” While her theology might have been a little skewed it worked for her. One thing she did harp on is that we were supposed to be…

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Stuff You Want to See

October 1, 2015October 17, 2019 Bill McCormick

There are a ton of superhero movies headed your way. They’re also headed my way. Which makes me all tingly. A well made superhero flick is a great way to escape for a couple of hours. And they provide inspiration to our youth. Superman is the Christ-like figure we should all aspire to. Except when he’s not. Yeah, that link will ruin your childhood. Batman doesn’t kill. Except when he does, as he did in his very first story. But, in many ways, it’s those flaws and mishaps that keep…