Czeltic Girl

Relief for Haiti

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 | You Call This News? | No Comments

In case you’re looking to make a donation to relief efforts in Haiti, but don’t know where to do so, I’d like to suggest a donation to Doctors Without Borders. In addition to being a wonderful group, they already have a presence in Haiti (though, sadly, at the moment many of their people already in the country are unaccounted for) and their skilled services are badly needed right now.

Also, if you donate through Small Dog Electronics, they will match any donation up to $200.

Who wants nog?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 | You Call This News? | No Comments

Ok, now it’s Christmas: the Gävle goat burned early this morning.

I can’t speak for fellow goat-torchin’ watchers Christyl & Matt, but this is one of the things I look forward to during the holidays. (Sorry, goats. And sorry, Gävle residents. I know that thing’s expensive.)

Update: The goatcam, which may now officially be the saddest webcam ever. Poor li’l goat.

Again, for the record

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 2 Comments

I’m not in DC.

I am, however, sorry to hear about Teddy.

For the record

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

I am nowhere near DC today. Sometimes Kennedys just die on their own. I can’t be held responsible for this one. (And yes, I’m ignoring the fact Eunice got very, very sick the last time I was in DC. She recovered, ok. This one’s not on me.)

Break out your tissues

Friday, August 7th, 2009 | Bloggity goodness, You Call This News? | 3 Comments

For those of us who were teens in the ’80s, John Hughes was kind of our voice. It was pretty hard to find anyone who didn’t like at least one of his movies, and pretty much everyone I knew loved many of them. It didn’t matter where we grew up or what we were into, we were all sure at least one of his characters was us. (And I’m sure we all had others we wished were us.) For a grown-up, he completely got what it was like to be a teen.

He hadn’t made any movies in a few years, but that’s ok. The ones he made between 1984 and 1988 were really all we needed. (Yes, I know there were some good ones on either side of that, but those are the rockstar films.) Even now, I can’t resist watching his films when they’re on (much to the detriment of whatever else I’m supposed to be doing at that moment.)

So when he passed away yesterday, I found it made me much sadder than I would have expected. Even though I’d never met the man, it felt kind of like losing a friend.

This woman, however, did know him. She was another teen from the ’80s, but she was lucky enough to talk John into being her pen pal for a number of years, and this blog entry shares some of that with the rest of us: Sincerely, John Hughes.

If you’re even a little bit a fan of John Hughes, you’re going to want a box of tissues nearby.

(Thanks to vidiot for the tip and for making me get all teary-eyed at work. And thanks to John Hughes for helping make the teen years a little bit more bearable.)

Feel-good story of the day

Friday, July 31st, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

(Don’t worry. This one will actually make you feel good.)

Sacramentan buys old vinyl 45s, finds out they were his mom’s

The lick-on label was unmistakable. Paul Campfield was reading his mother’s name and the address of his childhood San Lorenzo home.

And it meant the old records he picked up for $2 at a Sutter Creek antique shop had once belonged to her, although she died in Redding in 1979.

Happy blog day to me…

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 | Bloggity goodness, Life in Czeltistan, You Call This News? | 3 Comments

See? Even Norm’s excited. Though were it not for Mr. m@, I’d never remember that June 24 is officially Czeltic Day. This year is the seventh anniversary. My, how time flies.

Isn’t age seven the “age of reason” for children according to the law? Gosh, I hope I’ve taught it well.

It’s been a long week, and it’s damned hot, so I’m looking to get off the computer (I’m pretty sure it’s using me as a heat sink). I’d write something witty about the last seven years and the changes the internet has gone through, but I’m feeling more melty than witty, and no one needs to hear any more grousing from me about the heat. (Oh, god. It’s only June. *weeps quietly*) So here are a few links I’ve come across in the last few weeks that I found fun or interesting. Hope you find them fun and interesting as well.

1. Morning people vs. Night people I fall strongly into the second camp. I’m a firm believer the day should start no earlier than 10am, but I can’t seem to convince the rest of the world that everyone can get enough work done between 11am and 6pm to make that work. It is nice to know though, that next time a morning person gives me that “damn, you’re lazy” look because I’m not awake early, I can point out that it’s just a difference in how our brains are wired. And, then since night people get stronger as the day goes on, I’ll wait until the morning person is settling in for the night to beat them up. They’ll never see it coming.

2. We want to watch Jurassic Park I love that they included the cat. You know you want to flag this as “best of craigslist.” You should do that.

3. So just what the hell are Grape Nuts? Did you say “flour?” Yeah, they’re pretty much what you think they are, but it’s still a good piece about them. Or maybe I just think that because I have a little place in my heart for Grape Nuts. You have to love anything that improves the taste and texture of your yogurt and makes a tasty meatloaf.

Oh, and before I go, let me take a minute and say thanks to all of you for stopping by. It always kind of amazes me anyone reads this. Hmm. Maybe I should add my Twitter feed so you have something to read more often. Yeah. I think that’s what I’ll give the blog for its birthday. Much better than a silly party hat. (I’m not giving the cat a party hat for her birthday this year, either. It took me hours to get the photo for it last year. Cats are not keen on headgear.)

But I have a crunchberry tree in the back yard

Thursday, June 4th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

We really need to institute a stupidity tax for our legal system, specifically for instances like this.

On May 21, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California dismissed a complaint filed by a woman who said she had purchased “Cap’n Crunch with Crunchberries” because she believed “crunchberries” were real fruit.

We’re number 1! Err…um… #15!

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

Hey, I’m just thrilled we’re listed at all in Prevention Magazine’s 25 Best Walking Cities. Way to go, Milwaukee!

Don’t know if I’d necessarily have named the Riverwalk as a main reason, but it’s a contributing factor. Having incredibly walkable neighborhoods like the East Side and Downtown are a big help, as is the lakefront and our fabulous park system. No shortage of good places to walk in this city, many of them with wonderful views. (And if it weren’t raining right now, I think I’d feel a walk coming on.)

Option 4

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 | You Call This News? | No Comments

Remember Sean Tevis, who ran for state rep in Kansas and used the XKCD-style comic for his campaign?

Well, he’s got a bit of a sequel in the works: Running for Office: Option 4. It’s a bit longer than the first comic, but it’s well worth reading through. (Bonus points for those of you who catch all the nerdy references.) (Double bonus points for those of you who are nerdy enough to read the source code and find the lockbox codes.) (Don’t worry. Digg already outed those. I’m not hurting anything.) (I’ll stop using parentheticals now.)

Want to help Sean with his plan for open government? Pass the link on to others. Spread the word. Want to help a little more? Throw a few dollars Sean’s way. He’ll put them to good use. Want to find a Sean Tevis to run for representative in your state? Good luck. If you find another one, let me know. I’d like one, too.

Hey, someone made a card for me

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

Thanks, someecards!

Somewhat related: Keep calm, m’kay. A whole bunch of us lived through 1976. No reason to think we can’t make it through this again.

Almost as good as new Rebus

Friday, March 27th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 4 Comments

I knew that Ian Rankin was getting up to some other projects now that he finished the John Rebus books (weep. but it was time for Rebus to move on). What I didn’t know was that the first of these new projects was a new John Constantine graphic novel. I made a little “squeeeee!” noise when I found out. Now I just have to be patient and wait for August, which is when it comes out. (WANT NOW. Gimme.)

(Thanks to Mowokeeboy for the tip.)

A Reading from the Book of Armaments

Monday, March 23rd, 2009 | You Call This News? | 7 Comments

Sometimes the newspaper is the best comedy program for the day:

Pub is closed by Monty Python grenade

Related: I want this Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch cake.

(News link via Coudal Partners. Thanks for the link love, guys. I hope this helps throw some back at you.)

Note to self:

Friday, March 13th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 2 Comments

Don’t fly Alitalia.

Wow. Just…wow.

(Thanks to Vidiot for the link.)

Kerfuffle!!

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 7 Comments

About a year ago, I attended a meeting of one of the neighborhood groups for the area where I live. I went partly ‘coz it was at Paddy’s and partly because their guest that month was our neighborhood liaison officer from the local police station. I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet the person who fills that role in the area where I live and own property.

While I was at the meeting, I signed up for the group’s email list. I haven’t attended any meetings since that one, but I still get the emails. Every now and then I think about taking myself off their email list. They’re nice people, but… how shall I put this delicately… they need hobbies. Hobbies other than sitting around talking about what they think of the sign at the local stop-n-rob or cars they’ve seen parked in one place too long. But just about the time I think of unsubscribing, I get one of their emails and it makes me laugh and I decide to remain on the list.

Today I got one of those emails.

One of the local restaurants suffered a fire last year. Once they figured out what they were up against with repairs and such, and in view of the current economy, they decided to close rather than remodel and reopen. A couple of months ago, a new pub & restaurant announced they’d be opening up in that space. The new place will be a British pub, owned by a Brit, and named “The Dog’s Bollocks.”

So today, I get my copy of the local neighborhood group’s email. Item B on this month’s agenda for them is the following: “Discussion of possible actions related to new information about the proposed name for the new British style inn moving into the space formerly occupied by Elliot’s Bistro. Since meeting with the owner about the project, we have learned that the name uses some rather vulgar British slang.”

OH NOES!!! A pub! In an entertainment district! Near a college! Using *gasp!* a cheeky name! Won’t someone think of the children??

I was pretty indifferent to the pub prior to this, but I think I’ve just become a fan. Added potential for neighborhood comedy: It’s just down the block from the Tool Shed, which is a local erotic boutique (and was the last thing that got this neighborhood group’s panties in a bundle) (oh. ha. see what I did there?). God, I hope the two places decide to co-sponsor something — perhaps the dodgeball tournament at this year’s Summer Soulstice on North Ave.

How did I miss that?

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 3 Comments

Am I the last person to find out that Robinson Crusoe was based on a real person? I always thought it was purely fictional until I read this article about the man the story was based on.

Learn something new every day.

(Via The Morning News)

I crawl through the intertubes so you don’t have to

Monday, February 23rd, 2009 | Design-y Bits, You Call This News? | 1 Comment

Plus, finding stuff online is kinda fun.

So here are some goodies that are share-worthy today. I hope you enjoy them.

1) For the type addicts and sign junkies out there (myself included), Villatype: A record of type and lettering found in the public domain.

2) An interesting article from the NY Times about the N.I.H.’s Undiagnosed Diseases Program: What’s Wrong With Summer Stiers? The lede’s not quite how I would have started the article, but then again, no one asked me. I’m just intrigued by the project. It must be an incredibly cool (but probably very frustrating) job.

3) And finally, not exactly a groundbreaking story, but it’s got one part in it that’s good for a chuckle. Check out the second bit of linked text in this Time article (the one at the end of the paragraph that starts “Then there’s a third group…”). Maybe they’re worried their readers would be confused in this economy and think of things like food, rent and insurance instead. (Personally, I’d have titled the link “Stupid things people with more money than brains waste their cash on.” This is probably one of the many, many reasons I’m not a writer for Time Magazine.)

(thanks to The Morning News for the first two links and a tip o’ the hat to friend Augie for the last.)

Happy Groundhog Day!

Monday, February 2nd, 2009 | You Call This News? | 2 Comments

My favorite holiday. Nice and sunny here today. Hope it’s the same in Pennsylvania.

Attention Heinemann’s fans

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 2 Comments

Missing your favorite Heinemann’s dish? The Journal’s got a couple of recipes posted today.

You’ll also notice in the sidebar that the Pfister is doing a survey of people’s favorite Heinemann’s dishes. The top three vote getters will be added to the Cafe at the Pfister’s menu. (Note: As of the writing of this entry, the Pfister didn’t have the survey up on their site. You may need to check back on this one.) (And out of towners: Please note, we’ve heard all the jokes about the Pfister’s name. Trust me.)

In case hearing it once wasn’t enough

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 | You Call This News? | 1 Comment

And it certainly is worth reading again. The text of Obama’s inaugural address.