The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:

Life is like a card game -- and unfortunately, sometimes you're dealt a lousy hand. 

And today it's important to know when to fold 'em. 

Your luck isn't totally absent, though. 

So focus on the good cards you receive, and discard the bad cards as soon as possible -- you will definitely have some winning hands! 

Be active early in the day. 

The morning is a good time to resolve a recent misunderstanding.

Some of our readers today have been in: 

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
London, England, United Kingdom
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Selayang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Espoo, Southern Finland, Finland
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Bitburg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

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 Anchorage, Key West, Montpelier, Hana  and more.

Today is:

Today is Sunday, September 18, the 261st day of 2011.

There are 104 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day.

  

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Non Sequitur

Subtle Sunday

R.I.P. Electron Boy

 

Erik Martin, better known as Electron Boy, the super hero who saved Seattle, succumbed to liver cancer on Friday.
In addition to his Seattle exploits, Electron Boy will also be remembered for the boost he gave to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The story of his big wish went viral on the Internet. The foundation was swamped by people pledging money and offering to help other children with life-threatening illnesses see their dreams come true.
“Erik’s wish just cast this net and brought them into the mission” of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, said spokeswoman Jeannette Tarcha. “People just wanted to be part of it.”
A group of independent comic-book creators inked and published a real comic book of his exploits. And the “Fans of Electron Boy” page, still active on Facebook, drew thousands of members — today, its fans number nearly 12,000.
Erik’s superhero deeds were recognized on the floor of the U.S. House by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn. The boy, who is a foster child, became a hero to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to cancer patients and foster families alike.

Martin was 14 years old.

Full Story

AIr Show Crash

Air show turns deadly in Reno

Dozens are injured and the 74-year-old pilot is among the dead after a vintage P-51 fighter plane crashes.

Details 

Also: 

• Pilot a well-known racer
• Photos from the scene
• Prominent show accidents

Chaotic scene after deadly air show crash

Witnesses describe the horror of seeing a vintage plane plunge near the grandstand in Reno.  

 ‘Like a war zone’ 

Also: 

• Smoking debris strewn
• Eyewitness accounts
• Pilot a skilled airman

Investigators probe cause of Reno crash

Experts scour pictures and amateur video clips to determine why the aircraft spiraled out of control.  

Death toll rises 

Also: 

• Race raised alarm in past
• Pilot was skilled airman
• Another air show crash

How to buy a mattress

How to buy the right mattress for you

Walk into a mattress store and you'll be bombarded with options like plush vs. firm and foam vs. latex.

  6 guidelines 

Also: 

• What is sleep apnea?
• High cost of insomnia
• Teens' sleep troubles

Ten Ways to Self Improvement

Ways to become happier and more fulfilled

Instead of worrying about what you look like, start making improvements from within for results. 

Be a better friend 

Also: 

• Present ideas
• How to build self-esteem
• Happiness gene identified

Best places to retire in America

Best places to retire in America

Low taxes, great health care, and affordable homes make these spots winners.  

Unexpected picks 

Also: 

• Retirees living cheaply
• Timing Social Security
• World's most livable city

Take-charge careers

Best careers for take-charge types

If you enjoy managing people and projects, one of these positions could be a great fit.  

 Business, health, education 

Also: 

• Quick career switches
• Popular online degrees
• Worst resumé bloopers

1. Take-charge careers
2. Celeb moms on parenting
3. Best restaurants for health
4. Most hated jobs in America

Nine tips for freelancers

How to master the freelance economy

A faltering job market has many people opting to work for themselves.

  More security as a contractor? 

Also: 

• Well-paid contract jobs
• Limiting work distractions
• Ways to earn extra cash

Preparing for next recession

How people are bracing for recession

Some are tightening their belts, but one woman says her family is still spending.  

 'I have a plan, and I'm sticking to it' 

Also: 

• Buying secondhand
• Saving through exercise
• Empty nester splurges

Something's amiss here ...

... we spend more on the military then the next 14 big spenders combined, what gives?

The Sage speaks ...

Yoda explains the repugicans, ahem, the Sith.

Are you aware ...

... there is a media blackout on thousands occupying wall street.

Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the venerable counterculture magazine Adbusters, has taken to twitter and other websites to help organize a campaign encouraging tens of thousands of Americans to hold a nonviolent sit-in on Saturday in lower Manhattan, the heart of the u.s. financial district -- a protest monikered, hashtag and all, as #occupywallstreet. - cnn

And they're doing just that.

The truth be told

'Buffett' tax for millionaires

From the "About Bloody Time!" Department:

Obama to propose 'Buffett' tax for rich

The president will seek a minimum rate for people making more than $1 million per year.  

Story behind the tax name 

Also: 

• Hard push for jobs plan
• Debt panel's hands tied?
• Boehner's new challenger

Texas unemployment highest in 24 yrs

... twice the rate it was when Perry took office

Well isn't that a bit inconvenient:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's efforts to tout his record on jobs and the economy as a centerpiece of his presidential campaign took a hit today with new figures from one of his own state agencies: They show the Texas unemployment rate increased to 8.5% in August -- the highest level in more than 24 years and more than twice the rate when Perry took office in December 2000.

So how exactly is Perry going to fix the national economy if he can't fix his own?

Memos and Clues

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker doesn't know if he should be worried about the FBI raid on his top staffer's office.
(Here's a clue for you  ... Worry!)

Memo to wingnut anti-EPA job-killers: sick and dead people aren’t very productive.

Duh

Armed robber caught after returning to shop he tried to rob asking for his favorite coat back

A fashion-conscious armed robber bungled a shop raid – then returned to the scene of the crime to ask for his coat back. Gunman Anthony Gorman, 21, fled empty-handed after shopkeeper Michael Singh bravely fought off his robbery attempt.

But a few minutes later he went back to politely ask for his favourite £200 grey jacket, only for Mr Singh, 29, still shaken from having a gun pointed at his neck, to say: “Are you stupid? No, you can’t have it – get out.” Gorman was later arrested and has now been jailed for five and a half years for aggravated burglary and possessing an imitation firearm.

Photo from here.

A court heard he was arrested after the raid on Mr Singh’s shop in Longsight, Manchester, last month. With his hooded coat pulled down over his face he ordered: “Put the f****** money in the bag or I’ll shoot you.”

But Mr Singh grabbed the gun and, during their struggle, tore off Gorman’s coat, Manchester crown court heard. Mr Singh, who was awarded £250 for his bravery, said: “I can’t believe anyone could be so stupid. He should have cut his losses and run. He came back a few minutes later and even said ‘please’ but I said ‘are you stupid?’.”