"Iowa State Doesn't Lose Turnover Bowl"

And that, My Friends, is your final Crab Sports Update of the year. But, with one fianl question:

What are these guys doing?

If you actually want to read about the game, the story is at the Des Moines Register*.

*photo via the Register

Driver's License Renewal

Last night, while sitting in my favorite bar, a few of us were having a discussion about driving with a revoked driver's license and the fact that many people just pay the fine, but continue to drive. For some reason, this led us all to pull out our licenses. This is when I realized my license had expired in September. Everyone laughed heartily, except me.

Well, after thirty days you have to take the written and driving test to get your license renewed*. PJ looked up the Iowa DOT website so I could find where to go to take the tests and such.

So, I ended up taking practice written exams, so I wouldn't have to call PJ to come pick me up after I failed. It's really rather interesting.

Test

* I called to make an appointment to do all of this this morning and learned the law has been changed to one year.

I then called a friend who was having a good laugh at my expense.. As I was leaving last night another gentleman came in and explained that the law had been changed.

He decided not to call me so I could sweat a bit.

Keeping Warm

2009 in Review

A few of my favorite photographs. Most are from 2009, some are not. They are in no particular order, kind of a reflection of how my fifty eight years on this small dot in the universe have been.

Barbed wire in South Dakota

The restroom window where my vehicle gets serviced*.

Snow geese in South Dakota on their way south.

A wonderful old barn in NW Iowa.

The members of the class of 2005 were wimps.

Big sky in South Dakota.

The moon over Iowa.

My favorite bar, bar none. Don't ask for anything fancy.

What stories are hidden in those walls.

The Little Sioux Valley in Iowa.

Waiting for the combine.

Summer in Iowa. I can't wait!

*no, it doesn't get serviced in the restroom!

Christmas Cookie Update

Sorry H



And under our Christmas tree I found this yesterday. Skittles looks excited about Christmas, doesn't she?

Waiting for Gwen

I was going to post about the weather we have been having all week here in Iowa. However, my favorite* sociologist flew home for Christmas and the weather there is much worse than here. As I write this, the temperature is 34 degrees and calm, where Gwen is it's 23 degrees with a 19 mph wind from the northwest!

Gwen's pictures and tales of the blizzard of 2009 will be much more interesting and entertaining than anything I could come up with. So I am going to wait patiently for Gwen.

* Lisa and Jeremy, I hope this doesn't upset either of you.

So while we wait, let's learn about the "smell of fear":

Christmas Cookies

PJ made these cookies for me. What a great present.

It's Time for a Christmas Song!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Piracy Does Have it's Rewards

Walmart: Making Money Any Way We Can

Our good friends at Walmart have decided to lower shipping costs to troops overseas. Aren't they special!

“Effective immediately, we have modified our APO shipping charges,” Walmart spokesman Ravi Jariwala said in the e-mail. “They are now the same as shipping to homes and businesses in the continental U.S. This change is currently reflected on our site as our customers select and purchase their merchandise.”

Apparently they decided that the publicity from an earlier story was making them look, well, opportunistic:

According to Small, when companies ship to APO addresses in Europe, the order is shipped to New York, after which the Department of Defense picks up the tab to get the package to an APO address.

On Walmart.com, the company says shipping costs will be higher to APO addresses due to higher transportation costs.

“There is no higher transportation costs,” said Small. “Companies are abusing the system and making a killing.”

Thanks to Stars and Stripes

Plastic Jesus

I have a plastic duck on my dashboard


because a plastic Jesus costs money. The duck was free and so far has done a good hob of protecting me and the truck.

Socialism Rears it's Ugly Head

by having impressionable school children decorate Christmas decorations. Samantha Bee explains.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Obama's Socialist Christmas Ornament Program
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Diet Cola for Men

To be honest, I love this commercial. It's funny, makes men look tough, and makes fun of them all at same time. However, I have a serious question about a soft drink for men? I thought that was Bud Light!

Just because I was in the military

doesn't mean it was a good experience.

One of the best anti-war songs ever written, Boy Blue by the Electric Light Orchestra.

Hey Boy Blue, can't you hear all the noise, it's for you.
All the town's waiting there, let us go.
There's a show like you ain't seen before.
Weclome home, where you been all these years, look around.
All the crowd is in tears,
It's so good to see you in the streets of your town

CHORUS
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.

I've seen bold knights, dropping down like flies,
I've seen kings, rolling in the mire,
I've seen God, point the finger of doom to our foes.
I have fought in the holiest wars,
I have smashed, some of the holiest jaws.
I've been jailed, been impaled, and been dragged through the world.
One thing, I have learned through these years,
Is that no man, should be stricken with fear.
It should be that he walks with no care in the world.
So my friends, who are gathered today,
Hear this clear, for I'll not further say.
That no man, shall cause me to take up arms again.

Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.
Hey Boy Blue is back.

South Dakota Homes

and a few other things.

If you are a muskrat and live in the Dakotas, you can't beat this for winter comfort.

I fell in love with this old barn and fence. I hope you enjoy it.

Neil Diamond Holiday Songs

“'Tis well”

George Washington's last words, spoken 300 years ago today.

Parliamentary Language and Christmas Music

Un

How to move snow quickly

Today's Weather Photograph

Today's weather photograph is brought you by "The Back Up". Everyone should all have a shotgun ready at all times, because you never know what might happen in the middle of the night. Or when you are taking that afternoon nap. You could be interrupted by a burglar or rapist or maybe just little Johnny your grandson who likes to sneak into your room and scare you. You just never know what could happen.



Be sure to buy one for every bed in your home. You'll be glad you did!
___________________________________________________

Here is today's weather photograph:

Las Vegas Weather

Gwen has been a bit dismayed about the weather in Las Vegas over the past couple of days. She is used to sunshine and nice daytime temperatures (it does chill down a bit at night though).

While I do , from the bottom of my heart, feel bad for her, at least she isn't dealing with this:

or this:

4:20 AM

I fell asleep at 9:30 pm last night. Not my normal bedtime of 11-11:30. So after nearly seven hours I woke up. Not that middle of the night rollover and go back sleep wake up, but AWAKE! As in get out of the bed awake.

One of the first things I do is check ro see what holidays or historical events happened each day. Here is today's list:

Holidays and Events
Dec 8,2009

I wish I would have rolled over and went back to sleep!

AH! I did find the most entertaining read of the day by Andrew Sullivan.

Tequila and You

Something for all of you shy ones who read this stupid blog.

Fun with Blogs

What fun! Translating your blog into other languages.

"Peanuts" Television Christmas Special

If you are a Mayor from a small Tennessee town, I am sure that the stress of governing is unbelievable. After a tough day handling problems, you go home to have a nice family night in front of the television and all of a sudden your whole world is thrown upside down.

There on the tv, instead of "Charlie Brown and Snoopy" is a black man discussing a "ferun country"!

What do you do? Post the following on your Facebook page:

"Ok, so, this is total crap, we sit the kids down to watch 'The Charlie Brown Christmas Special' and our muslim president is there, what a load.....try to convince me that wasn't done on purpose. Ask the man if he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he will give you a 10 minute disertation (sic) about it....w...hen the answer should simply be 'yes'...."

From the Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN

Update:

Check out this poll:

His comments are inappropriate and embarrassing. 47%

Mayor Wiseman speaks for a lot of Americans who are frustrated with the President. 44%

I don’t agree with him, but he can say what he wants on his Facebook page. 7%

The H's Christmas Present

Money for Nothing or "Sarah Likes Cash"

Ms. Sarah, on her tour to collect money from "people who don't have a clue" will be in Sioux City, Iowa this week. There are a few rules attendees must follow:

1. Wristbands will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 6 a.m.

2. You must present your original Barnes & Noble or BarnesandNoble.com receipt for Palin’s book, “Going Rogue: An American Story,” to get a wristband.

3. Maximum of two copies of the book per person will be signed.

4. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

5. No photos.

6. No personalization of books.

7. Customers may only approach signing table with “Going Rogue.” ***

8. No bags will be allowed in the signing line.

9. Cell phones and cameras will have to be turned off and put away before customers approach the signing table.

10. Once wrist banded, customers who leave the line for an extended period will have to rejoin the line at the end.

So, if you have nothing else to Sunday......................

*** Do not take your Bible! Mary wouldn't like that.

Sunset

Captain Crab's Bad Joke of the Day

Ole asks Sven, "Why do scuba divers always fall
backwards off 'der boats?"

To which Sven replies,"Well, you know, if they
fell forwards they'd still be in 'der fuckin' boat!"