The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
Several big influences conspire to cause some object in your possession, be it electrical, mechanical or electronic, to shirk its responsibilities.
Your first impulse may be to go after it with a hammer, since vengeance comes first and simple tools can't fail you.
If you avoid that destructive impulse, you should find someone who can actually repair the offending item, or maybe show you the manual.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Paris, Ile-De-France, France

Bremen, Bremen, Germany

Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt

Quebec, Quebec, Canada

Rauma, Western Finland, Finland

London, England, United Kingdom

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Coffs Harbor, New South Wales, Australia

Lyon, Rhone-Alpes, France

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Chambery, Rhone, Alpes, France

Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia

Makati, Manila, Philippines

Foligno, Umbria, Italy

Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

as well as Scotland, Brazil, and the United States in such cities as Midvale, Luling, Apollo, Sparta and more

Today is Wednesday, June 30, the 181th day of 2010.

There are 184 days left in the year.

Today In History June 30

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

There is none.

Gillard won't play religion card

What's this - a politician with Cajones?

'I am what I am': Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she has no intention of pretending to believe in God to attract religiously-inclined voters.

Full Story

Iceland's Prime Minister First World Leader with Same-Sex Spouse

Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir married her female partner Jonina Leosdottir.

Iceland's Prime Minister is now the world's first national leader with a same-sex spouse. On Sunday Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, 68, married her long time partner, writer Jonina Leosdottir.

 Full Story

Science historian cracks "the Plato code"

A science historian at The University of Manchester has cracked “The Plato Code” – the long disputed secret messages hidden in the great philosopher’s writings.

 

Plato was the Einstein of Greece’s Golden Age and his work founded Western culture and science. Dr Jay Kennedy’s findings are set to revolutionize the history of the origins of Western thought.
Dr Kennedy, whose findings are published in the leading US journal Apeiron, reveals that Plato used a regular pattern of symbols, inherited from the ancient followers of Pythagoras, to give his books a musical structure. A century earlier, Pythagoras had declared that the planets and stars made an inaudible music, a ‘harmony of the spheres’. Plato imitated this hidden music in his books.

Full Story

Museum Seeks Ruth Rookie Card Owner

Museum Seeks Ruth Rookie Card Owner

Officials at a Baltimore museum dedicated to Babe Ruth said they are searching for the owner of a $500,000 rookie card loaned to the facility in June 1998

Glamour, intrigue surround accused spies

Glamour, intrigue surround accused spies

Anna Chapman mixed with the NYC elite, while others who were indicted led more mundane lives.

Their jobs

Also:

• Photos: Anna Chapman
• Putin attacks arrests
• Famous spies in history

Signs we really do need

World Cup Soccer

How the World Cup's final eight stack up

The Spaniards are flying high, but they're not the team to beat in South Africa.  

Columnist: Anything can happen now 

Also: 

• Spain's next match
• Photos from the games
• World Cup 2014

Ronaldo's postgame behavior questioned

After losing to Spain, the controversial Portuguese superstar spits in front of a TV camera. 

Looked right at lens 

Also: 

• Photos from the game
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• More World Cup coverage

Player tells a nation he's sorry

Japan's Yuichi Komano earns a place in World Cup lore with a penalty kick that misses by inches.  

Ironic nickname 

Also: 

• Chastain's famous kick
• Brazil prez's big vuvuzela
• Buy World Cup gear

Why World Cup ball won't fly right

The Jabulani's superior aerodynamics are causing an unusual problem for players, scientists say.  

'Too perfect' 

Also: 

• Physics of soccer
• Donovan's ref solution
• Expert on 'pretty play'

The Pigeon and the Macaque

10 Unbelievable, Unlikely Animal Friendships

Brave unto the end

California woman says Chihuahua died saving her kids

A Northern California woman says her Chihuahua died protecting her children from two pit bulls that got into her apartment.

The repugican salute

Larry King to retire

Larry King announces retirement

The talk-show host says he's hanging up his suspenders after 25 years at CNN.

His potential successors 

Also: 

• More on his show
• Larry King biography
• Carell leaving 'The Office'

Planet Earth

Planet Earth

Flying car a step closer to reality

After receiving a key federal exemption, the pricey vehicle is poised to go into production. 

Watch it in action 

Also: 

• Terrafugia Transition
• Miltary drones' new role
• Future concept cars

Broom Hilda

Miracle Spices With Huge Health Benefits

Photo via Flickr

Spice up your life with these herbs, roots, and plants that benefit your health as much as they do your taste buds: From keeping your heart healthy and your arteries clear to reducing pain and warding off cancer, these everyday flavors will add a healthy punch to all your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Article continues: 7 Miracle Spices With Huge Health Benefits (and Big Flavor)

A Couch Potato's Dream

Burn calories while lounging on the couch

Toning exercises can spur your body's ability to burn fat, and the effects will continue even after you stop. 

Details 

Also: 

• Eat right for your type
• 100-calorie snacks
• BMI index calculator

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Fish get beer goggles

Full story

Amorous male fish on the hunt for a mate can suffer from the aquatic version of beer goggles, a new scientific study has revealed.

The toughest fish on Earth… and in space

With a name befitting a beast from Harry Potter, mummichogs can cope with an extraordinary range of environmental extremes.

Neuroscientist Uncovers A Psychopath's Brain ... His Own!

In what sounds like the setup for a bad “psychological thriller” movie, neuroscientist James Fallon discovered that his brain fits the profile of a psychopath’s: low activity in the orbital cortex.

“You see that? I’m 100 percent. I have the pattern, the risky pattern,” he says, then pauses. “In a sense, I’m a born killer.”
Fallon’s being tongue-in-cheek — sort of. He doesn’t believe his fate or anyone else’s is entirely determined by genes. They merely tip you in one direction or another.
And yet: “When I put the two together, it was frankly a little disturbing,” Fallon says with a laugh. “You start to look at yourself and you say, ‘I may be a sociopath.’ I don’t think I am, but this looks exactly like [the brains of] the psychopaths, the sociopaths, that I’ve seen before.”
I asked his wife, Diane, what she thought of the result.
“I wasn’t too concerned,” she says, laughing. “I mean, I’ve known him since I was 12.”
Diane probably does not need to worry, according to scientists who study this area. They believe that brain patterns and genetic makeup are not enough to make anyone a psychopath. You need a third ingredient: abuse or violence in one’s childhood.

A Neuroscientist Uncovers A Dark Secret

A sobering reminder of why “neuroscanning” for criminals/terrorists/whatever in airports or elsewhere is a problematic idea to say the least.

Hydropower Turbines Under The Bridge

photo: Jean-François Gornet via flickr

At the opposite end of the population scale from the remote Alaskan village now powered entirely by a hydrokinetic river turbine, Paris wants in on the hydropower without dams act. As The Guardian reports, the City of Light wants a small number of those lights to be power by the Seine and has opened up bidding for developers to place river turbines (hydroliennes en français) under several bridges, with installation to be completed by next spring.

Article continues: Paris Plans Hydropower Turbines Under Four Seine Bridges

Blue Jeans Hold Secret To Making Better Solar Cells

Photo via lifecreations

Researchers at Cornell University have found a seemingly simple solution to creating more efficient solar cells. It turns out that particular molecules found in blue jeans and some ink dyes can be used in a process for assembling a structure called "covalent organic framework" or COF, which can help create cheaper, flexible solar cells. While organic materials haven't proven very easy to use so far for creating solar cells, the researchers are finding that these molecules found in every-day materials might be just what we needed.

Article continues: Blue Jeans Hold Secret To Making Better Solar Cells

Schoolboy makes Spiderman machine

A Cambridge schoolboy has converted two budget vacuum cleaners into a Spiderman gadget which helps him scale walls.

Hibiki Kono, 13, a big fan of the superhero, made the incredible climbing machine using the suction from two Tesco Value vacuum cleaners. The schoolboy then amazed his friends by using the giant suckerpads to climb the school wall during morning assembly.

"I used to dress up as Spiderman when I was younger and I love all the films so it's great to be able to climb walls like him," said Hibiki.

Hibiki spent five months designing and making the gadget in his design technology lessons at King's College School in Cambridge. He used two 1400 watt vacuum cleaners, bought for just £14.98 each from Tesco and attached square wooden pads to the nozzles.

Design technology teacher Angus Gent said: "I'm hugely proud of him. When he came to me with the idea at the beginning I had my doubts, but once he proved it could be done I encouraged him. He developed it himself which is amazing for someone of his age. He has spent two and a half hours a week creating it over the last five months."

Hibiki added: "My mum thinks it's brilliant but she won't let me us it in my bedroom as she is worried I may pull down the ceiling. I've climbed up the school wall but I'm not allowed too high. It's not scary and I completely trust the machine."

High school tests rife with nearly 100 errors

From the "And you wonder why our students are stupid" Department:

Full story

The school superintendent in Springfield, Mass., has taken responsibility for tests given to the district's 11th- and 12th-graders that were rife with spelling, grammatical and factual errors.

Court Sides With EPA, Upholds Agency's Superfund Authority

photo via flickr

For over ten years, General Electric has sought to strip the EPA of its authority to order corporations to cover the costs of Superfund sites, locations deemed extremely toxic and uninhabitable. But today the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said no way to GE, which has argued that the EPA's authority deprives corporations of due process under the law.

Article continues: Court Sides With EPA, Upholds Agency's Superfund Authority

Wizard of Id

Above Average Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Forecast by NOAA Scientists

File image of Gulf areas affected by hypoxia, NOAA

No, it has nothing directly to do with the BP oil spill, but it won't help things... Scientists supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have just announced that the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone--that's the Gulf Dead Zone to you and me, where there's so little oxygen that it doesn't really support life--is likely to be of above average size this summer, though it won't set a new record (phew).

Article continues: Above Average Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Forecast by NOAA Scientists

It's Only The Environment After All

It's Only The Environment After All

Hurricane shuts down oil skimming in Gulf

It could be much worse. The hurricane could be heading straight into the spill zone.

Dozens of small skiffs, huge shrimp boats and even a swamp tour boat were tied to docks, winds whipping their flags and waves rocking them even in the sheltered marina.

Most days, the fleet would be skimming oil from the Gulf of Mexico and ferrying workers and supplies. But Hurricane Alex churning in the Gulf turned many people fighting the massive 11-week-old spill into spectators on Tuesday. And they will be for days.

"Yesterday we had redcaps instead of white caps," said Jesse Alling, a marine science technician with the Coast Guard.

It's Not Like We Don't Have Another One

Bracing for Alex

Besieged Gulf prepares for Alex

The tropical storm is expected to turn into a hurricane by the time it makes landfall on Wednesday.  

Tracking it 

Also: 

• Skimming operations stop
• Strongest hurricanes
• Gulf's wetlands surviving

Police say 2-year-old killed for crying during World Cup

Police in McAllen, Texas, have arrested a man for allegedly killing his 2-year-old stepdaughter because she kept crying during the U.S.-Ghana World Cup game on Saturday. The details that police allege are horrific.

Police say Hector Castro, 28, called firefighters to his apartment because the girl swallowed a screw. But police say the screw was jammed down the throat of the girl to make the death look like an accident, and that she died because she was beaten and suffocated.

"There are no words for this," McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said. "It makes you want to think about doing lots of things to this guy, but he will face the criminal justice system just like everybody else."

Rodriguez said Castro is an illegal immigrant and that he gave investigators a confession that implicated himself in the girl's death. Several of the girl's ribs were cracked, police said. They haven't released the name of the child. Castro was to be arraigned and is to face a capital murder charge.

Crooks and Robbers

 

Woman Used Toilet Lid As Weapon

Police in Florida said they arrested a woman who allegedly swung a toilet lid at her cousin's head before stealing his wallet at gunpoint.

Donald Duck Charged With Drunken Driving

Police in Ohio say the fifth arrest of a "frequent flier" named Donald Duck on drunken driving charges is nothing to quack at.

 

"Catwoman" Wanted in NYC Robberies

It may sound like something out of a comic book, but it's for real. Police in New York City are hunting for a robber who wears an unusual disguise: a cat mask, CBS News Station WCBS-TV in New York reports .

The Norm

On The Job

On The Job

Great careers that balance work and life

These jobs offer good pay and leave time for yourself and your family.  

Average salary up to $62K a year 

Also: 

• Effects of stress
• Careers that do good
• High-paying creative jobs

*****
*****
*****

It sure does pay to be a health insurance CEO

There aren't many individuals who made over $100 million in 2009 but somehow, the UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley managed.
With that kind of money being thrown around, it's pretty obvious why there was so much of a fight against reform.

It's The Economy Stupid

It's The Economy Stupid

Housing cheapest in 40 years, but...

It may be the best time to buy in decades, but that doesn't mean it's a smart move.  

Expert's warning 

Also: 

• Home prices inching up
• Find mortgage rates now
• Most affordable cities

Who needs college

Rethinking the value of a college degree

New research suggests that the earning power of a degree may be vastly overblown.

Much less than $1.6 million 

Also: 

• Financial aid to get easier
• 2-year degrees that pay
• Tuition-free colleges

How to retire with a million dollars

How to retire with a million dollars

You can bank on a seven-figure nest egg if you plan early and adjust as you go.

Start with $200 a month 

Also: 

• Reasons you overspend
• 4 ways to boost savings
• Frugal billionaires

In Matters Of Health

In Matters Of Health

In most U.S. states, one in four are obese

More than two-thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent.  

Where problem is most severe 

Also: 

• Definition of 'obesity'
• Snacking teens less fat?
• Why doctors overtest

Police admit no five-meter rule existed on security fence law

Toronto residents fearing arrest if they strayed too close to the G20 security perimeter came with a startling revelation Tuesday – it never existed.

‘I was trying to keep the criminals out.’

Full Story 

Related:

• ‘Weapons’ seized in G20 arrests not what they seem
• Civil liberties group wants public probe in G20 police conduct

Death To All Juice

 

Proving it isn't just the wingnut christains that are ignorant bastards.

Red light cameras catch police in Iowa

From the "Ah ha, caught ya" Department:

Full story

Traffic cameras have snapped 26 local patrol cars speeding and running red lights in eastern Iowa.

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe

When dealing with wingnuts ... Remember the rule: 

If they accuse someone of something, then they're already guilty of it.

Liars and Fools

Hate Radio screehcer Jay Severin lies: Obama is "the Manchurian candidate" and a "domestic enemy of the Constitution".
This asshole has seen too many movies and not understood them either.

John Boehner (reptile-Ohio) sees a "rebellion" akin to 1776.
That and he sees little green men with death ray eyes and flying coffee cups, too.

President Obama is a "Marxist, backstabbing anti-American", lies hate monger Michael Savage.
Yelling into the mirror is a sign of mental illness, there, Michael.


Faux's Glenn Beck lies: Russian spy ring is proof our country is about to topple.
This idiot has so gone off his rocker. They were caught moron, which means our country is not near toppling. Now the land of Dementia wherein you reside, well ...

Male vs. Female at the ATM machine

A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:

'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.

Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.

After months of careful research, "MALE & FEMALE" procedures have been developed. Please follow the appropriate steps for your gender.'

*******************************
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.

*******************************

FEMALE PROCEDURE:

1. Drive up to cash machine.

2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.

3. Set parking brake, put the window down.

4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.

5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.

6. Attempt to insert card into machine.

7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.

8. Insert card.

9. Re-insert card the right way.

10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.

11. Enter PIN.

12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.

13. Enter amount of cash required.

14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.

15. Retrieve cash and receipt.

16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.

17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of check book.

18. Re-check makeup.

19. Drive forward 2 feet.

20. Reverse back to cash machine.

21. Retrieve card.

22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!

23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.

24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.

25. Re-dial person on cell phone.

26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.

27. Release Parking Brake.

Odd Insurance ... yeah, we got you covered

Highly unusual insurance policies

A man once spent $1.5 million to protect himself in case of an alien abduction.

What celebrities have insured 

Also: 

• More odd claims
• Insurance you don't need
• Priciest car insurance

Non Sequitur

Woman sees vampire, drives into canal

From the "Yeah, and here's the men in white coats now" Department:

Full story

A Colorado woman crashed her car into a canal and then blamed the accident on a vampire.

Sasquatch Symposium

Full story

This weekend Lane Community College hosts its first-ever Sasquatch Symposium. Oregon is a hot spot for sightings, and whether or not you believe in Bigfoot , the phenomenon may be just as part of our culture as the Douglas-fir trees it hides within

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
Whatever you have planned today is unlikely to turn out quite as you had hoped.
If you spend the free time that opens up planning for your future instead, you should be quite successful.
That's especially true when you consider one of your favorite subjects: money.
Get out the spreadsheet, pull up your budget and start rearranging those numbers.
When you look back on today, you should be quite pleased with all you've accomplished.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Bad Homburg, Hessen, Germany

Milano, Lombardia, Italy

London, England, United Kingdom

Pris, Ile-De-France, France

Sion, Valais, Switzerland

Coffs Harbor, New South Wales, Australia

Hull End, England, United Kingdom

Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Mulhouse, Alsace, France

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Seoul, Kyonggi-Do, Korea

Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt

Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica

Prato, Toscana, Italy

as well as Finland, and the United States in such cities as Waterford, Chesapeake, Las Vegas, Shelbyville and more

Today is Tuesday, June 29, the 180th day of 2010.

There are 185 days left in the year.

Today In History June 29

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

There is none.

Speaking of Mottoes

My Personal Motto is: Nunquam Verto

The Family Motto is: Lieber et Audax

The Clan Motto is: Noblis est Ira Leonis

Translated they all mean: "Don't Fuck with me/us!" 

( In a nice and courteous sorta way).

Seriously, though, you don't want to ...

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

 July 8 - 11, 2010

Details here.

More info here.

Why do bagpipe players walk while they play?

 

To get away from the noise.

Video of the Scots band Albannach at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

The Gael

A view of the Scottish scenery taken from across Scotland.

Accompanied by tune 'The Gael' (better known as the Last of the Mohicans Theme).

Performed by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

World Cup Soccer

World Cup executive's sudden about-face

With global criticism mounting, FIFA's Sepp Blatter changes course on instant replay.

Message to England, Mexico 

Also: 

• Argentinian admits foul
• Refs ready to change
• Buy World Cup gear

Soccer stars 'cursed' by advertisement

One by one, the costars of a high-profile Nike ad are running into bad luck at the World Cup.  

Who could be next 

Also: 

• Sports superstitions
• Uruguay's epic feast
• World Cup photos

FIFA calls stadium replay a mistake

A monitor mistakenly shows World Cup fans a play that officials clearly botched.  

Blog: The proper way to handle it 

Also: 

• How goalie tricked ref
• More World Cup coverage
• Worst calls ever

Wackiest hair at the World Cup

Blond streaks and Mohawks are easy to spot among the offbeat styles of the World Cup. 

Blogger's 11 favorites 

Also: 

• Worst hairdos in sports
• Player nailed by camera
• Thieves hit the English

Why Brazil dislikes its successful coach

Dunga has not lost a game in this World Cup, but many skeptics criticize his coaching style.  

'Affront to our culture' 

Also: 

• Brazil shuts down Chile
• More World Cup coverage
• More on Dunga

Strange twist in locker-room intruder tale

If police are right, a World Cup fan's visit to England's dressing room was an orchestrated hoax. 

The alleged plot 

Also: 

• Pavlos Joseph
• More World Cup coverage
• World Cup HQ robbed

Man swam for 14 hours in shark-infested waters to help friends

When Michael Williams swam for help after a fishing trip turned horribly wrong, he didn't know the swim would become a 14-hour struggle through shark-infested waters. But as the hours dragged on, the belief he could save the lives of his friends John Jarrett and Charlie Picton kept the now 41-year-old afloat.

The courage he showed when their vessel capsized 13km off the Byron Bay coast in February 2008 has seen him nominated for this year's Pride of Australia medal in the outstanding bravery category. "You go through so many stages when you're out there," Mr Williams said yesterday. "At first I was re-thinking the decision, but when I looked back I realised it was too late to stop and I had to keep going. I'd see the ripples and start to hallucinate about fins popping up out of the waves."

"Because I had cuts and was bleeding, I was worried that I was leaving a trail for them. Towards the end, there was a low tide going out. It was like hitting a brick wall and I really started to struggle."

Mr Williams made it to shore near Brunswick Heads but by the next morning when rescuers found the vessel, Mr Picton had drowned. "I still think of Charlie all the time, we'd been friends since school," Mr Williams said. "It was very, very hard on all of us." He has remained close to Mr Jarrett and and the pair are now writing a book.