Random Music Chart Thoughts

In looking at the music charts today in the Dallas Morning News, I noticed:

• Depeche Mode has a new song on the charts called "Precious". I haven't heard it but I'm immediately taken back to a time when the hit "Personal Jesus" made me very uncomfortable.
• Bette Midler is on the charts with an album called "Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook". Midler is in my Top Five chart of most irritating women on the planet.
• Gretchen Wilson is back with "All Jacked Up". I think she might dip snuff.
• Oddest artist on the rap chart: "Three 6 Mafia featuring Young Buck and 8Ball and MJG."

In Cold Blood

I remember watching the end of In Cold Blood on TV late one night when I was a teenager. It was so shocking. I described the movie to my dad the following morning: "two guys with shotguns kill this family". He knew what I was talking about in a second. And the fact that it stars Robert Blake makes it even creepier now. (The true story, upon which the movie and book are based, is described here in Wikipedia).

Abercrombie & Fitch . . .

. . . is in hot water again for these new T-shirts. But this is mild compared to the trouble the company normally gets into.

Haven't Had Much Time To Post Today

. . . but this is not the reason why.

Random Picture Taken While Driving Through Tennessee

I'm A Big Fan

Random Book Thought

I read the Da Vinci Code in the last year (because there was so much hubbub about it). I'm not a big book reader (I'm not patient enough) and I was very underwhelmed by this bestseller.

Bill Maher

You know, I like the liberal comics (Al Franken is at the top of my list), but Bill Maher just irritates me. He seems so angry that there is nothing funny about him.

If This Is True, It's Huge

CNN's Lead Story Tonight: "DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- Days before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Saddam Hussein agreed in principle to accept an offer of exile from the United Arab Emirates, but the deal fell through, a UAE government senior official told CNN."

Paris Hilton At Halloween Party Last Weekend

I'm pretty sure I didn't have a trick or treater dressed up like this.

Financing Love

For $600,000 you can have this lady's house and the lady as your wife. (Dale Hanson, on Channel 8 last night, said "Why don't you just buy the house and give it to her since that's what she'll end up with after the divorce." )

Bio-Something

The head of technology for Wise County showed me what will soon be the employee entrance at the new jail. I was surprised to learn that it is already equipped with a thumb scanning device that prevents unauthorized entry. My thumb was rejected.

Lexington, Kentucky

Is She An Angel?

Halloween Prank

This is weird. The head coach of USC and a backup running back played a joke on the team during practice on Halloween. It sounds a little bizarre. (Keep reading until you at least get to the line that begins "Then a dummy with a No. 21 jersey was thrown . . . . ")

A Follow-Up To The Death Of The Pastor During Baptism

The Star-Telegram has an article echoing my thoughts from a couple of days ago. "WACO — There are times in this old world when life makes no sense at all. Ask a young widow, left to raise a daughter, 5, and twin 3-year-old sons." (Rest of it) And let me disclose this: I posted the previous article on the same day that the tragedy occurred. Within 24 hours I learned that my brother and his entire family were in attendance in the congregation in Waco and witnessed the entire event. I cannot even imagine what it was like.

I've Always Liked This Movie

Talking Money

According to the Dallas Morning News today, here is the following breakdown for household incomes in the United States: At least $295,495? Your family is in the top 1% At least $130,000? Your family is in the top 5% At least $94,891? Your family is in the top 10% At least $57,343? Your family is in the top 25% So 75% of all households earn less than $57,343