Puzzles.

No responsibility taken for brain explosions.

China pleased after watching U.S. wargames

I'll bet they are. They aren't even pretending as to why they were there.

"The visit helped China obtain a better understanding of U.S. weapons, training, skills and exercise arrangements," said Zhang, a navy vice chief of staff and commandant of China's Naval Submarine Academy.

The honey pot.


Time-lapse video of radar showing FedEx flights dodging thunderstorms

I watched this and all I could think was "buzzbuzzbuzz."

The supermarket - it's existence is cause for celebration. You might not realise it, having never grown up without one, but if you came from Soviet Russia, or 12th Century France, you would consider them a marvel of the modern age. Truly. How long have supermarkets been around? Since the 1930's, that's how long. The aeroplane is an older invention than the supermarket. So, in the scheme of things, hardly a blink of an eye.

They are the embodiment of capitalism, the high church of consumerism. They are also a constant source of befuddlement to me. Go to the toothpaste aisle and see me goggling at the seemingly unlimited variety of mint-scented salt-and-water-in-a-tube, wondering if it's all really necessary. Choice is great, but wouldn't, say, three different types suffice? I know, I know, that's pinko-commie-bastard talk.

Special. Supermarket speak for 'we bought too many of these, so we're trying to shift them by temporarily dropping the price.' No argument with me there. I do have a problem with putting the price down on the one item I an shopping for, and then selling out of the damn things. Double points if there is no alternative 'non-special' for me to buy instead.

12 items or less. Why am I the only person in the universe who abides by this simple rule? Am I the only person who can count to 12? Probably.

There's more to checkout etiquette. You have three items. How do you pay for these three items? With three different methods or payment, of course. A cheque for one, a credit card for another, and a different debit card for the last. You think I'm making that one up.

But yeah. Specials. I have a choice between being able to buy what I want at a normal price, and not being able to buy what I want at a discount. Great. Now that's freedom of choice.

Was I not giving enough away in my previous post?

Jack the cat chases black bear up tree

Also - note to self - do NOT try to escape a bear attack by climbing a tree.

In other news, I completed my seventh and final commercial pilot exam today - nagivation, with a respectable 88%. That is an average of 84.4%, with no fails or resits - which is nothing to crow about, nor be ashamed about. Now I only have to log another 80 or so hours, get a night VFR rating and a retractable gear endorsement and I can start on the practical qualification. In other words, a long way to go yet.

At times like this you have to ask - What would Houston do?

Man charged over Cronulla reprisal attack

Wow. Six months and one arrest. And he turned himself in.

Pat yourselves on the back, NSW Police. You're doing a bang-up job.

Sorry to have so many cat references, but cats seem to flavour of the month on the net right now, so enjoy more feline weirdness.



Why do they behave in such bizarre ways, all the while acting like there's nothing unusual in it?

Oooh-kay.

CATPRIN, a tailor for cats.

Instructions in Engrish.

1. Dress her up. Cheer or yell, do whatever you like to enjoy the moment with your family.

2. After you are enough with your joy, take a photo! Take some poses and leave her some cute photos!

3. Remove her clothes and give her a hub, say "Thank you!"