Thursday, October 27, 2011
Growing Old Goth
Most people grow out of their teenage lifestyles, but for some, growing up goth means growing old goth.Louise Tickle wrote a fascinating article over at The Guardian about how goths teens are more likely to grow up as goth adults, and still be productive members of society:
Continuing with education and getting a decent job while staying involved isn't as hard for goths as it may be for those involved in other youth subcultures, some of which promote disengagement with school to the point that academic failure is all but inevitable.
"It's a relatively middle-class subculture, so despite … all the going out and being into the music, goths have always had a fairly positive view of people who are also achieving academically."
It means goths may have better career options than an outsider might expect. Succeeding in their chosen career had, Hodkinson observes, become increasingly important to those he interviewed as they moved into their late 20s and 30s, and he was surprised by how much participants in his study were willing to adapt their look to fit in at work.
American Dream at risk?
Unemployment and inequality are making many Americans lose faith in the future.
Also: The Rich Gets Richer
The Poor not so much
According to a newly released report on real (inflation-adjusted) average household income in the United States by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the answer is almost three times as rich:
For the 1 percent of the population with the highest income, average real after-tax household income grew by 275 percent between 1979 and 2007 (see Summary Figure 1).The Top One-percenters also have the lionshare of the growth of total market income:
As a result of that uneven growth, the share of total market income received by the top 1 percent of the population more than doubled between 1979 and 2007, growing from about 10 percent to more than 20 percent. Without that growth at the top of the distribution, income inequality still would have increased, but not by nearly as much. The precise reasons for the rapid growth in income at the top are not well understood, though researchers have offered several potential rationales, including technical innovations that have changed the labor market for superstars (such as actors, athletes, and musicians), changes in the governance and structure of executive compensation, increases in firms’ size and complexity, and the increasing scale of financial-sector activities.But is bemoaning the good fortunes of the super-rich the right thing to do? After all, the second part of the proverb "the poor get poorer" is actually incorrect: for the bottom 20% of the population, the average real after-tax household income increased by 18% over the past three decades. It seems like the poor also got a little bit richer.
Perhaps we should change the proverb to "the rich get richer and the poor get a little bit richer"?
Source: Trends in the Distribution of Household Income Between 1979 and 2007 [PDF] by the Congressional Budget Office
Who will get a 2011 pay raise
Workers in these fields are the most likely to see above-average salary increases.
Also: 
US economy grew 2.5% last quarter
We're not out of the bad economy but it's still reasonably good growth all things considered.
US economic growth increased at its fastest in a year in the third quarter as consumers and businesses set aside fears about the recovery and stepped up spending, creating momentum that could carry into the final three months of the year.
At the same time, slightly fewer people sought unemployment benefits last week, though level remains elevated above 400,000.
Though part of the increase came from the reversal of temporary factors that had restrained growth, the expansion was a welcome relief for an economy that looked on the brink of recession just weeks ago.
Year-end moves to cut taxes
Paying some key 2012 expenses by December 31 could slash your 2011 tax bill.
Also: Money mistakes to avoid
Get control of your spending by giving yourself an allowance for the little stuff.
Also: Avoiding car repairs
Buy an inexpensive air filter so you won't owe a mechanic $400 to replace a sensor.
Also: 
Why you might feel tired
Lethargy, weight gain, and irritability can mask a dangerous — and treatable — condition.
Also: 
Yoga's mental benefits doubted
A controversial new study compared the practice with stretching and how each affected back pain.
Also: Man Upset With Lack of Meat in Chalupa, Throws Bomb at Taco Bell
A Taco Bell customer in Georgia was so angry about the quality of his purchase that he tossed a fire bomb at the building.
***
Well, we know one thing for certain ... he has mental problems - he was at Taco Bell to eat in the first place
Serial killer 'victim' alive
Family members find a sibling thought to have been murdered decades ago by John Wayne Gacy.
Also: Best winter beach towns
These warm-weather shoreline retreats may be small, but they're packed with charm.
Also: Ominous storm cloud photos
Shutterbugs from around the world document ominous tempests as they form overhead.
Also: True color of Statue of Liberty
The 125-year-old landmark is getting a $27 million makeover, but she won't get a new coat of paint.
Also: Prince Charles claims Vlad the Impaler as ancestor
The heir to the British throne says he is related to Vlad the Impaler, the cruel 15th-Century Romanian warlord who helped inspire Bram Stoker's 1897 vampire novel "Dracula." He makes the comments on an upcoming TV show to promote his interest in protecting the forests of Romania's Transylvania region.Cornell University releases rare images of extinct woodpecker
A snippet of film shot by an amateur ornithologist in 1956 is providing researchers and bird enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to observe the behavior of the imperial woodpecker, a giant resident of Mexico's Sierra Madre now presumed extinct.
Pirate's cannon recovered
It could take archaeologists up to eight years to crack through a shell covering the pirate's relic.
Also: Legendary 'lost fleet' found?
A historic find off the coast of Japan leads experts back to 13th-century ruler Kublai Khan.
Also: 
Six Bizarre Alien-Looking Life Forms
Life, in all its varied forms, can be described in many ways. 'Astounding', 'beautiful' and 'majestic' are just a few of the words that spring to mind while looking at some of our planet's living things. Yet watch a spider scuttle across a desk and words like 'horrific' and 'terrifying' suddenly feel far more apt. But what about those times when you come across a life form so strange-looking it seems to have come from a different planet altogether?
Here are some of Mother Nature's more bizarre creations.
Rare white wombat nursed back to health in Australia
He was found thirsty, tired and close to death by sheep shearers working on nearby property.
But the rare white wombat was taken in by a wildlife volunteer in south Australia, and nursed back to health. Now the Southern hairy-nosed wombat, who's called Polar, is on the mend.
Wildlife experts say they will now use Polar to help educate people about wombats, and in a couple of years he will be placed him in a breeding programme to produce more animals like him.
Southern hairy-nosed wombats can grow up to 100 cm (40 inches) and when fully developed they can weigh between 18 to 32 kg (40 to 68 pounds).
But the rare white wombat was taken in by a wildlife volunteer in south Australia, and nursed back to health. Now the Southern hairy-nosed wombat, who's called Polar, is on the mend.
Wildlife experts say they will now use Polar to help educate people about wombats, and in a couple of years he will be placed him in a breeding programme to produce more animals like him.
Southern hairy-nosed wombats can grow up to 100 cm (40 inches) and when fully developed they can weigh between 18 to 32 kg (40 to 68 pounds).
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Daily Drift
The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:
If you're feeling distant or detached around a romantic partner or a close friend today, take it as a sure sign that you need to spend some time alone soon.
Your emotions may be telling you that aligning yourself so closely with this person, while wonderful in many ways, could be causing you to lose sight of your own objectives in life.
You don't have to isolate yourself for a week on a deserted island -- simply enjoying a quiet night to yourself may be all you need.
Some of our readers today have been in:
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
London, England, United Kingdom
Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
Medemblik, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Tromso, Troms, Norway
Rio De Janiero, Rio De Janiero, Brazil
Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
London, England, United Kingdom
Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
Medemblik, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Tromso, Troms, Norway
Rio De Janiero, Rio De Janiero, Brazil
Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia
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 Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and more!
and in cities across the United States such as Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and more!
Today is:
Today is Wednesday, October 26, the 299th day of 2011.
There are 66 days left in the year.
Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:
There isn't one.
But it is the Perigean Spring Tides
But it is the Perigean Spring Tides
Don't forget to visit our sister blog!
Best castle hotels
From classic medieval towers to a French-inspired chateau, castles offer a unique hotel alternative.
Also: Bob and Betty
Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe... as it happens, near Transylvania. They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.
Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance.
Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks.
A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?"
"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!" Bob brings his wife in.
An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."
With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.
After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.
The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.
Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight!
Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.
He bursts in and shouts to his master:
"Master, Master! ..... The Hills are alive with the sound of music!"
Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance.
Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks.
A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?"
"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!" Bob brings his wife in.
An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."
With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.
After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.
The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.
Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight!
Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.
He bursts in and shouts to his master:
"Master, Master! ..... The Hills are alive with the sound of music!"
Al-Qaida in Africa
Concern grows about terrorists finding fertile operating ground in key unstable nations.
Also: 
It Has Begun: Suburbs Are Turning Into Slums
Article continues: It Has Begun: Suburbs Are Turning Into Slums
Why European crisis matters
The health of U.S. banks and many employers is deeply tied to debt woes abroad.
Also: The One Question Americans Always Ask Strangers
What do you say to make conversations with strangers?Columnist LZ Granderson writes about the one question that only Americans ask first when they meet someone new (and it's true, whenever I travel abroad, no one ever asks me this question - not at first, anyhow):
There isn't a question that's more quintessentially American than "What do you do for a living?"
It is just safe enough to start a conversation with a stranger, it is universal enough so anyone can answer, and it strikes right to the core of what our culture values most -- money. [...]
Since the end of the 20th century, "What do you do for a living?" has ceased to be an inquiry about how someone spends their time during normal business hours and instead serves as a slightly grating, socially acceptable manner in which we remind each other of the stuff we don't have or will never get.
Secrets of early retirees
People lucky enough to quit working before 65 share these key habits.
Also: The benefits of a mirco-siesta
Forget 20-minute power naps, experts say even a 10-minute sleep can help you stay sharp.
Also: Phrases not to use at work
Relying on these seven terms is a sure sign you're not taking charge of your career, says one writer.
Also: 
Oil boomtowns face crime surge
Arrests, bar fights, and drunken driving are way up in drilling towns with an influx of arrivals.
Also: Selling Fake Vermont Maple Syrup Will Land You in Prison
Ah, pancakes hot off the griddle, the melted butter ... but if that Vermont maple syrup turns out to be fake, you'd be going to jail.That's Democratic Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy's promise to protect the state's iconic yummy food product.
Along with Maine Senator Susan Collins, a Republican - who says the bipartisan spirit is dead in Washington? They've come together to protect breakfast!) - Leahy has introduced a bill to make selling fake Vermont maple syrup a felony with a 5-year maximum penalty:
"Vermont iconic maple syrup -- painstakingly produced, and prized across the nation and beyond -- is one of our state's fine, high-quality, natural products," Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy said in introducing the legislation. A growing number of people are claiming to sell genuine Vermont maple syrup when "they are in fact selling an inferior product that is not maple syrup at all,'' he said, adding that the misrepresentation undermines a key part of Vermont's economy. [...]The best part about the bill? Its name: Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement, AKA MAPLE Act: Full Story
"Too often, those who are willing to endanger our livelihoods in pursuit of their profits see fines as just a cost of doing business," Leahy said in the statement. "We need to make sure that those who intentionally deceive consumers get a trip to jail, not a slap on the wrist."
Nearly 100 lb of Illegal Mexican Bologna Smuggled Inside Tires
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized eight rolls of Mexican bologna this morning.
Culinary DeLites
The smartest way to avoid unhealthy snacks is to have one of these seven treats.
Also: Five scrambled egg mistakes
Take the pan off the burner before you think you need to for perfectly fluffy curds.
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