PSoTD

Like them, hate them, or indifferent?

How can a developed country let this happen?

Since December, Naples and its surrounding areas have been plagued by tons of garbage. Collectors stopped picking up the trash because dumps are full and residents have protested against new ones. Angry residents have also taken to burning rubbish, knocking over refuse bins and dumping bags of refuse in the countryside.

How do you prefer to print your digital photos at photo quality?

Are there any detergents you just can't use due to allergies or reactions?

I'm looking for recommendations. We're looking for a nice hotel that won't eat up all our vacation money that is located within walking distance of some sites in Rome. Yes, Italy.

Which political party will fracture into new, separate parties first: The Republican Party or The Democratic Party?

Some months of the year, I think of in terms of a holiday or event that occurs during that month. For example, December is close to synonymous with Christmas to me, and June still means the end of school, thanks to the old cycle of life.

What about February? Anything notable to you about February?

If you had your choice of anything for breakfast this Sunday morning, what would it be?

Would a significant economic recession increase, or decrease, email spam?

This question is about design, and ease on the eyes and the ability to read:

Which blog do you find easiest to scan and read?

If you're in the International Space Station on New Year's Eve?

I know that just about everywhere you go in the United States, the traffic around Christmas time becomes considerably worse, jam-packed with traffic that is distracted by the errands at hand and the time restrictions they have to do them. We have that here in Central Pennsylvania, but as an "outsider" that has lived here for 16 years, there's another traffic issue here that I don't remember from my life in California - the fearful, irregular older driver. There are a lot of advantages to living in a population where more than 15% are over the age of 65. Average quality of driving doesn't seem to be one of them. I believe that age can, and inactivity behind the wheel does, erode the ability to drive. The driver, if wise to this erosion, can become more and more conservative in their driving - cutting down their driving, driving when there is less traffic, choosing roads lesser taken, and removing all "chance" of their driving ability getting them out of self-created mistakes.

Unfortunately, none of this wisdom helps much at Christmas. Everyone goes to stores, there isn't a time when there isn't heavy traffic near stores in December, and the speed of traffic requires a more aggressive driving approach to get in and out of traffic. What can further frustrate everyone on the road is the driver that is moving 10 miles per hour less than everyone else, that slows to a crawl when making a turn and exiting the right of way, that refuses to keep up with traffic, and forcing 3 or 4 cars that normally might make a traffic light to wait another cycle during what is basically rush hour traffic before continuing on their way.

At this time of year, it seems like it's always older folks in older cars, clearly nervous behind the wheel and intimidated by the traffic, that are behind these occurrences. They, like everyone else, feel they need to get to the stores, do their Christmas shopping, and they take their chances. But I wonder. Sometimes doing things that work against everyone else's impatience is dangerous. Does my impression of the risk of these drivers actually show up as statistically evident? Are drivers over the age of 70 more likely to have an accident in December than any other time of year?

So... what is your favorite Christmas drink?

Another thing about Christmas characters, so many seem to be in need of medical attention. Tiny Tim, Rudolph's Rosacea, the Grinch's heart condition...

If you could pay for medical attention for a Christmas character, which one would you try to cover, and for what?

I've never thought about it much, but when you drive around Pennsylvania at night you notice how many churches have outdoor lights - the big, bathe the church in light type kind - on at all times at night.

Do faiths require their places of worship to do this? It seems to me to be a rather wasteful use of energy, particularly churches that have no one at that location at night. Just wonderin'.

Yeah, I'm on the road to eternal damnation, but so be it...

Here's your question of the day - combining two of America's favorite pasttimes, sex and Christmas. What fictional Christmas character is the sexiest in your opinion? It seems like pretty slim pickings. No main characters - the kind you see most often in advertisements or decorations - come to mind. And it is a male-dominated holiday, as far as characters are concerned, with only Mary and Mrs. Claus really part of the first tier.

So... where are you going to be on Thanksgiving?

The Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association has some interesting statistics from their new study on recent changes in the industry. The HPBA is an international trade organization for barbecue and patio retailers. Based on a representative sample of more than 8,000, the report revealed that over 60 percent of Americans are grilling year-round and nearly half grill during winter months.

I'm one of them. Are you?

We may be going to Cleveland for a long weekend getaway in the next month or so. Any recommendations of things to see or do or go, beyond the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Clearly, I'm on a break from much serious consideration of politics. At least it seems like it, because I see all the stories and yet I really don't want to blog about almost any of them.

And so, instead, a question for your consideration:

How many of your friends do you secretly think are just a little insane?

A few weeks ago I posted a link to the most popular pet names. Here's another article about it.

And here's a listing of the top 30 names.

1. Max 16. Jake 2. Sam 17. Bandit 3. Lady 18. Tiger 4. Bear 19. Samantha 5. Smokey 20. Lucky 6. Shadow 21. Muffin 7. Kitty 22. Princess 8. Molly 23. Maggie 9. Buddy 24. Charlie 10. Brandy 25. Sheba 11. Ginger 26. Rocky 12. Baby 27. Patches 13. Misty 28. Tigger 14. Missy 29. Rusty 15. Pepper 30. Buster One of the things it made me wonder about was how these names became so popular? I'd understand if these names were descriptive, since pets share characteristics, and something like "Speedy" or "Brownie" or "Nosy" could come up a lot. But many of these are names we associate as "people" names. What is making so many people decide to name their pet "Max"? We actually own a dog named Maggie, although we adopted her after her naming, so that's not our doing. I'm not a big believer in naming pets with "people" names. And if I were, it sure wouldn't be something ordinary like just a first name. No, it would be something like President Bush, or Jimmy Swaggart, or Rachael Ray. And mostly that would be for the pure enjoyment of saying things like "We're taking President Bush in to be neutered" or "You better go clean up Rachael Ray's poop" or "Quit licking your butt, Jimmy Swaggart". And that's no small enjoyment. On the other hand, I guess I'm more old school, I like the idea of naming a pet after a perceived characteristic, or a resemblance to something. We humanize our pets more than we should as it is, giving them names traditionally meant and currently used by people seems just a bit too much. I wonder if there has been any study into whether societies have done this historically, if it is a growing trend, and what may be driving it. I find it curious. Posted by PSoTD Posted on Friday October 19, 2007 at 7:58am | Permalink | 2 Comments | Friday October 12, 2007 at 11:04am Not Huey Lewis: I Need A New Couch Not this one, either. I'm looking for one with maximum comfort. The kind where you can be lying down, watching the football game on Sunday and suddenly realize it's almost dinner time. Yes, a nice looking snooze couch. Any suggestions? And no, not your old one. Posted by PSoTD Posted on Friday October 12, 2007 at 11:04am | Permalink | 0 Comments | Wednesday October 10, 2007 at 2:09pm It's October, so... What are your candidates for the worst monster movies of all time? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Wednesday October 10, 2007 at 2:09pm | Permalink | 1 Comments | Monday October 8, 2007 at 9:05am Columbus Day Why do government offices close for Columbus Day? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Monday October 8, 2007 at 9:05am | Permalink | 4 Comments | Tuesday October 2, 2007 at 8:08am It Must Be Me The mass appeal of this entertainer escapes me. I could see why some people think he's funny, I guess, but then again I recognize that some folks are humor-deficient. In a world where probably 2/3rds of all comedians are funnier than him, why is he popular? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Tuesday October 2, 2007 at 8:08am | Permalink | 3 Comments | Tuesday September 18, 2007 at 3:23pm Any Bloggers Going to Italy in 2008? We are, and I'm just curious as to suggestions/ideas/recommendations. Posted by PSoTD Posted on Tuesday September 18, 2007 at 3:23pm | Permalink | 3 Comments | Sunday September 16, 2007 at 8:49am Sectarian Are Republicans a Sectarian group? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Sunday September 16, 2007 at 8:49am | Permalink | 0 Comments | Wednesday June 27, 2007 at 12:31pm QotD: Ann Coulter and Hardball Why do you think it was over a year between the time Ann Coulter was on Hardball last and her appearance on the show yesterday? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Wednesday June 27, 2007 at 12:31pm | Permalink | 1 Comments | Thursday June 21, 2007 at 1:00pm QotD: Credit Cards There's lots of credit card programs out there, with giveaways and other bells and whistles. If you were looking to use just one credit card, what program would you choose? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Thursday June 21, 2007 at 1:00pm | Permalink | 3 Comments | Saturday June 16, 2007 at 8:38am High School Reunions What do you think? High School Reunions Are High School Reunions Disappearing As An American Tradition? Yes No I Don't Know   Current Results Posted by PSoTD Posted on Saturday June 16, 2007 at 8:38am | Permalink | 1 Comments | Friday June 15, 2007 at 4:28pm Fathers Day So - what are you doing Sunday? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Friday June 15, 2007 at 4:28pm | Permalink | 0 Comments | Tuesday June 12, 2007 at 11:28am QotD: Parents Looking Up What person did your mother or father look up to, hold in esteem as a role model or hero? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Tuesday June 12, 2007 at 11:28am | Permalink | 3 Comments | Tuesday June 5, 2007 at 3:34pm QotD: James Carville In your opinion, is having James Carville in the public eye a good thing or a bad thing for the Democratic Party? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Tuesday June 5, 2007 at 3:34pm | Permalink | 0 Comments | Monday June 4, 2007 at 12:18pm Smoking Outside, Alone I passed a fellow a little while ago who was sitting outside on a wall, smoking a cigarette. Never having been one to partake in this activity, I almost always have one thought come to mind when I first see this: That looks sad. I'm sure it's the solitude of the event, a man and his cigarette. It's such a lonely looking moment, at least from my standpoint. I wonder how common that reaction is among nonsmokers? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Monday June 4, 2007 at 12:18pm | Permalink | 2 Comments | Monday May 21, 2007 at 2:26pm QotD: Sentimentality I find myself becoming more sentimental about certain things as I get older, and especially in the past year since my Dad passed away. These coffee mugs are a good example... In 2001, when my Mom was dying, I packed these away in a box and held on to them, and I didn't open the box until last week. I had forgotten I had saved these, and the memories rushed back of drinking chicken noodle soup and hot chocolate and so many other hot drinks out of these mugs. They're very heavy, so hard to tip over, so my parents early on designated them as the "kids mugs". They're probably close to my age or older, made in Japan, and I wish I knew the story of how my parents got them, but they're both gone and there's really nobody to ask now. But they're now my treasures, and I keep them in public sight in the kitchen - they just mean home to me in some way. Very sentimental, I know... and that's the way it is. So... do you think you're sentimental, or not? Posted by PSoTD Posted on Monday May 21, 2007 at 2:26pm | Permalink | 3 Comments |