Home Size

The average new home built in 2005 had a record 2,412 square feet.

Maybe It's The Name

RadioShack has announced "it would miss 2005 earnings estimates" according to a cover story in today's Morning News. I wonder why they haven't thought of changing the name. Radio? Shack?

"And" vs. "Or"

Remember Harvey Joe Hanson who was sentenced to 75 years out of Wise County for Attempted Capital Murder? Well, the case has been reversed. Here's the reason. This jury instruction: Now if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 9th day of September, 2003, in Wise County, Texas, [appellant], did then and there with specific intent to commit the offense of capital murder of Penney Aslinger, do an act, to-wit: entered the residence of Penney Aslinger without her effective consent, or threatened her or cut her with a deadly weapon, to wit: a knife . . . which amounted to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense intended, then you will find [appellant] guilty of attempted capital murder as charged in the indictment. Should have read: Now if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 9th day of September, 2003, in Wise County, Texas, [appellant], did then and there with specific intent to commit the offense of capital murder of Penney Aslinger, do an act, to-wit: entered the residence of Penney Aslinger without her effective consent, and threatened her or cut her with a deadly weapon, to wit: a knife . . . which amounted to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense intended, then you will find [appellant] guilty of attempted capital murder as charged in the indictment. It's a crazy world. (Court of appeals opinion is here)

Paraskevidekatriaphobia

You could be suffering from it today.

Jack County Burning

It sounds like a bunch of Jack County burned last night. But no injuries. And I keep seeing Traci Weaver on the news. She is a spokesperson for some government agency (the name of which I can't remember), but she's always talking about fire danger. I have this weird recollection that she used to work for the Messenger.

Speaking of Teachers

What is up with all these hot teachers gone wild?

Pay For Grades

"By a 9-0 vote, the Houston school board approved a plan that offers teachers as much as $3,000 in extra pay if their students improve on state and national tests. The program could be expanded to provide as much as $10,000 in merit pay for teachers."

Huh

Odd

How Not To Commit Credit Card Abuse

Clerk: "Uh.....Sir.....How do you pronounce your last name?" Crook: "Uh...ummm......Favvvvvrrra" (Explanation)

I Love This Movie

I Wonder If Emily Post Ever Covered This?

If you separate from your wife and get your new girlfriend pregnant, you should call your estranged wife and let her know that you will be a father.

Anybody Want To Bet It Would Be A Hung Jury

From an email: "Both the Democratic and Republican Parties of Wise County met this evening to draw for the order of appearance on the Party Primary Elections scheduled for March 7, 2006. After the drawing, all of the candidates from both Parties who were present came together for a photo opportunity to show all of these candidates together, offering themselves to the voters of Wise County. It is a symbol of starting off the campaigns with an intent of good, clean issues-oriented campaigning for the voters to choose. County Chairmen of the two Parties are standing on the right, Ms. Brenda Rankin and Mr. D. A. Sharpe." And then they broke out into fight with one side yelling "Baby Killers!" while the other screamed "Iraqi War Was Based On A Lie!!!"

Lake Bridgeport

Is 11 feet low.

Country Music . . .

. . . is something I never listen to, but he names of certain songs on this week's Top Ten list made me laugh:

• Jesus, Take the Wheel
• Honky Tonk Badonkandonk
• Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

A Little Late On This One

Do you see that T. Boone Pickens donated $165 million to the Oklahoma State University athletic department? Yep. The athletic department. The Ticket did a funny bit on the issue, suggesting that the conditions of the donation were that (1) the stadium be renamed "T. Boone Pickens Stadium", (2) his picture replace the logo on the side of the OSU helment's and (3) the best football players be renamed "T. Boone Pickens" as well.

Today's Birthdays

Rush Limbaugh (55) - Please retire. Please retire. Howard Stern (52) - Never hear him anymore. Kirstie Alley (51) - Fat? Not Fat? Hot? Not hot?

Time Waste?

Do not look at the pics of Mariah Carey at the beach. Do not. Get back to work.