The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
You're not exactly famous for indulging yourself -- and that goes for anything in any category.
You're the epitome of self-restraint -- especially when you're on a mission, and your goal is in sight.
Right now, though, anything even remotely resembling a halfway approach just won't work for you.
Don't you dare feel guilty about it.
If anyone has earned the right to pull out all the stops, it's you.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
London, Ontario, Canada
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Vienna, Wien, Austria
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
London, England, United Kingdom
Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

as well as Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Israel, Finland, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia, Bangladesh, Latvia, Greece, Scotland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Wales, Iran, Singapore, Poland, Taiwan, Sweden, Afghanistan, Belgium, Tibet, Croatia, Pakistan, Romania, Paraguay, Sudan, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Qatar, Brazil, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, China, Iraq, Ecuador, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Paupa New Guinea, Moldova, Venezuela, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Norway, Finland and in cities across the United States such as Oil City, Tooele, Wilton, Bat Cave and more.

Today is:

Today is Sunday, March 13, the 72nd day of 2011.

There are 293 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holidays or celebrations are:

Donald Duck Day
Earmuffs Day
and
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day.

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Earthquake moved Japan 8 feet over, shifted earth 4 inches

Initial results out of Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology show that the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rattled Japan Friday shifted the earth's rotation axis by about 25 centimeters.

A closer look revealed it was more like 10 centimeters and the magnitude has been bumped to 9.0 ...

This is amazing.

The powerful earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami Friday appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8 feet (2.4 meters) and shifted the Earth on its axis.

"At this point, we know that one GPS station moved (8 feet), and we have seen a map from GSI (Geospatial Information Authority) in Japan showing the pattern of shift over a large area is consistent with about that much shift of the land mass," said Kenneth Hudnut, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Reports from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy estimated the 8.9-magnitude quake shifted the planet on its axis by nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters).

Japan death toll could top 10,000

Japan's death toll likely over 10,000

Japan's PM says the country faces "worst crisis" since WWII, as millions go without food and water.

Radiation fears 

Also: 

• Man saved floating at sea
• How you can help Japan  
• Images of the disaster

Japan races to avert meltdowns

Japan races to avert multiple meltdowns

Risks remain high at a stricken nuclear plant where a partial meltdown is likely underway.  

170,000 people evacuate 

Also: 

• Nuclear emergencies
• Neighbors monitor winds
• Footage of the blast

Awesome Pictures

True Colors

It's becoming increasingly obvious that the repugican rescission of bargaining rights in Wisconsin was a pyhrric victory for the plutocrats, as it has energized not only labor activists, but folks from all across the political spectrum who are beginning to see the true colors of the repugican party.

As E.D. Kain wrote in Forbes yesterday (yeah, Forbes):

Governors like Scott Walker, Rick Scott, and Jan Brewer are riding on the coattails of the tea tarty, but they’ve become blind to the dangers of their radical policies.

In Wisconsin, Democrats are already promising to step-up recall efforts. But the recalls are only a small part of what is likely going to be a huge anti-repugican backlash across the nation, as working Americans finally realize what that party actually stands for: a playing field heavily tilted toward the rich and powerful, toward corporate power, and against worker rights.

Full Story

The cult run out of town

400 protest against westboro cult

Way to go Kentucky!

Meanwhile ...

West Virginia Legislature passes funeral-picketing bill

West Virginia lawmakers have passed legislation that would establish criminal penalties for protesting at funerals despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding such pickets.

Full Story

At least West Virginia is doing the correct thing despite the egregious error of the court!
Who would have thought it would be West Virginia!

Wingnuts - the real terrorist threat

Five people in the Fairbanks area were arrested Thursday by state and federal law enforcement on charges connected with an alleged plot to kidnap or kill state troopers and a Fairbanks judge, according to the Alaska State Troopers.

Francis "Schaeffer" Cox, Lonnie Vernon, Karen Vernon, Coleman Barney and Michael Anderson are accused of conspiring to commit murder, kidnapping, and arson, as well as weapons misconduct, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence, according to trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters in a written statement late Thursday.

Full Story

Just another "Isolated incident"? Yeah, you believe that horseshit if you want to - it smells to the rest of us.
Cox is the prick in the middle in the photo above by the way ... complete with Nazi/Fascist style outfits.

US Muslims find defending themselves exhausting

Finishing law school is a challenge for Dewnya Bakri-Bazzi, but being an American and a Muslim can be downright exhausting.

Full Story

And I Quote

Best route to early retirement

The best route to an early retirement

Ending workaday life at a younger age isn't for everyone, but it favors those in high-cost areas.  

Comparing cities 

Also: 

• What to do from 35 to 55
• Mistakes you should avoid  
• Bargain retirement spots

'Why I opt for overdraft fees'

Is overdraft protection really worth it?

Signing up for the service can be helpful in some cases, but it can cost you $35 a pop.

One man's not-so-easy decision 

Also: 

• Frugality can cost you
• Saving $500 in 30 days  
• Make $1,000 at yard sales

Swinger Fail

That's gonna leave a mark.

Worst places for car theft

Worst U.S. neighborhoods for car theft

Nearly one in six vehicles are stolen in one surprisingly dicey area.  

City better known for fun than crime 

Also: 

• The worst speed traps
• Save on car maintenance  
• Oil a threat to the economy

Driving Test

The following are a sampling of real answers received on exams given by the California Department of Transportation's driving school. At least that's what they say.

Q: Do you yield when a blind pedestrian is crossing the road?
A: What for? He can't see my license plate.

Q: Who has the right of way when four cars approach a four-way stop at the same time?
A: The pick up truck with the gun rack and the bumper sticker saying, "Guns don't kill people. I do."

Q: When driving through fog, what should you use?
A: Your car.

Q: How can you reduce the possibility of having an accident?
A: Be too drunk to find your keys.

Q: What problems would you face if you were arrested for drunk driving?
A: I'd probably lose my buzz a lot faster.

Q: What changes would occur in your lifestyle if you could no longer drive lawfully?
A: I would be forced to drive unlawfully.

Q: What are some points to remember when passing or being passed?
A: Make eye contact and wave "hello" if she is cute.

Q: What is the difference between a flashing red traffic light and a flashing yellow traffic light?
A: The color.

Q: How do you deal with heavy traffic?
A: Heavy psychedelics.

Q: What can you do to help ease a heavy traffic problem?
A: Carry loaded weapons.

Q: Why would it be difficult to be a police officer?
A: It would be tough to be an idiot all day long.

The Power of Little Habits

Leo Babauta from the Zen Habits blog, who’ve also made a guest post titled How to Simplify Your Email in 4 Steps here at Neatorama, has posted some great tips about little habits and how to form them.

It’s amazing how big a difference a little thing can make. Starting your day mindfully with some tea, for example, can change your entire day. Clearing your desk will make your work day amazing. A smile from a loved one can mean the world.
And when these little things are repeated daily, and formed into habits, their benefits increase not just by multiples but by exponents. The little habits can be life-changing.

Full Story

Sweeping the Streets for Gold

Street sweeping isn’t a glamorous job anywhere, but in India’s ancient walled city of Ahmadabad, which is famous for its jewelry, it’s a golden job of sorts:

Gohel isn’t a street cleaner. She’s a dhul dhoya, a dust washer. And not just any dirt. Although the streets in India aren’t exactly paved with gold, a few in Ahmadabad are at least flecked with it.
Motivating her are the estimated 5,000 gold and silver shops in this western city. As the 40,000 workers from the shops come and go, flecks of gold fall from their hair and clothes, to be scooped up by Gohel and other dhul dhoyas. Some enterprising collectors even follow workers home, raiding their sewer pipes for the muck from their showers. [...]
Once she and her mother separate the gold-specked dirt from the betel nut wrappers, cow manure, stained newspapers and other trash, it’s sold for about $8 per bag.

Full Story

House with a Waterslide Directly from the Bedroom Closet

This is just the right way to start the day! Look at the top of the picture. The bedroom is on the other side of the glass. Roll out of bed, drop into the waterslide, and head into the pool. This luxury home (for sale!) in Bowdon, UK, has everything one could ask for.

Full Story

Landlord visiting house to collect rent finds house has gone

The owner of a two-story wooden house who went to the house in Kampung Bakau, Malaysia, to collect rent from his tenants was shocked to find that his home had mysteriously “disappeared”. Twenty-four concrete pillar holders, pieces of scattered wood and a damaged television set were all that remained of his house.

The wooden walls and pillars of the house were all missing. It is believed the main components of the house had been dismantled or disposed of. Zuria Ali, 30, said he was shocked to see the entire house structure removed. He even lost his furniture, cutlery, cupboards, a dining table and a refrigerator. The house, which he inherited from his parents, is about 60 years old.

“I estimated my losses to be about RM30,000,” Zuria, who now lives in Perak, said. “I had heard that my house had vanished and was curious to find out the truth.” His neighbor, identified only as Ah Kiung, said he saw three men and a trailer arriving at the house last month.

“They dismantled the house in early February,” he said. “I thought the three were carrying out the dismantling work on instructions from the landlord. I did not suspect anything until he (Zuria) asked me about it.” Kangar OCPD Supt Abdul Rahman Mohd Noordin confirmed receiving a report about the “missing” house.

Ziggy

Woman charged with Tasering pregnant motorist for driving at speed limit

A 22-year-old woman is charged with assault after allegedly using a stun gun on a pregnant woman in what police are calling a case of road rage. Police say Carissa Williams was upset because the other driver was traveling at the speed limit.

"She started yelling at her for going 35 in a 35 mile an hour zone, began to thrown bottles and cans at the car,”said Sgt. John Thomas of the Concord, New Hampshire Police Department. Investigators say Williams sped up and passed the victim, but they both ended up getting off at the same exit.

That's when Williams allegedly jumped out her car, jumped into the victim's vehicle and began shocking her. According to investigators, 911 operators heard the victim yelling and screaming at Williams to stop because she was pregnant.

Police said the woman is 10 weeks pregnant, but she and the fetus are fine. Williams was traveling with her own 10 month old in the car. Police said Williams has a lengthy criminal history in four states. She is being held on $100,000 bail.

Video.

Police arrest 'onion torturer' who used vegetable to extract information from drug dealers

Police have charged a member of a Queens-based robbery crew with cooking up a torture technique that had its victims in tears - from onions. Erick Mejia is suspected in numerous heists of drug traffickers along the East Coast in which his crew posed as cops and sometimes stuffed a victim's head inside a bag of the pungent vegetable.

Many of the attacks involved violence, but the most bizarre may be a February 2008 job they pulled near Raleigh, N.C., in 2008, according to an arrest warrant unsealed this week in Brooklyn Federal Court. Mejia and other robbery crew members conducted a police-style car stop of a drug supplier, brandishing fake badges and using a vehicle outfitted with police lights. They kidnapped the man and drove to a trailer home where they tied him up, along with a woman and child.

"The crew placed a bag of onions over the head of one of the male victims to induce him to reveal the location of narcotics," said NYPD Detective Therone Eugene of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Redrum Task Force. "The bag filled with cut-up onions caused the victim to experience a form of asphyxiation," Eugene noted.

The crew returned to Queens with a $35,000 haul, according to the court papers. A second onion-torture heist during a home invasion in Georgia yielded 77 pounds of cocaine and $100,000 in cash. A spokesman for Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said Mejia, who was being held in a Gwinnett County, Ga., jail on a murder charge, will be transported to New York for arraignment in the near future.

Man watering neighbor's lawn fights with police

A Polk County man got into a fight with two officers because he tried to water his neighbor's lawn, investigators said.

Authorities said Joseph Florence was upset with how his neighbor's yard looked, so he decided to water it. His neighbor called police.

Police said when they arrived and tried to arrest Florence for trespassing, there was a struggle and he punched and choked the officers. The officers were not seriously hurt, but Florence ended up with two black eyes.

Florence was arrested and charged with battery to a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, depriving an officer of communication, and resisting an officer without violence. Florence was taken to the Polk County jail.

Sunset

Archaeological News

Archaeologists have unearthed the location of the long-lost "Great Wall of Vietnam" - a 127-km long structure built in the 19th century.

B.C.

Upping the cute factor

A Slimy Snot Otter

You could probably lead a full and satisfying life without ever knowing what a slimy snot otter is. 
But as a Carolina Naturally reader, you probably have enough curiosity to click the link and find out.

Spring breakers arrested for taunting gator

Two college students on spring break have been arrested for taunting and trying to steal the live alligators at a Panama City restaurant's pond.

Full Story

Animal Pictures