Turn a Chicken Bone Into Rubber

Can you think of a reason to do this? I can’t. But I still really like THIS list.

Go check out this cool blog and learn about this and 61 other things you can do with vinegar.

(Photo from panix.com)

National Weight Control Registry

Now THIS SITE is kinda interesting, especially if you’re one of the 9 jzillion people in America interested in losing weight. The Weight Control Registry is an ongoing investigation – you know, like all scientific and stuff – into who loses weight and keeps it off. To be considered for membership, you have to be 18+ years old, and you need to have maintained a weight loss of at least 30 pounds for at least a year. They they do all this cool peer-reviewed research on these folks to determine which behaviors, psychological factors, and diets have lead to long-term weight loss. (It looks like exercise and eating less might have something to do with it.)

MS Junk

Start –> Control Panel –> System
Choose the Advanced tab
Click Error Reporting
Disable error reporting
Click OK

These simple instructions turn off that annoying error message that shows up when a program crashes in Windows. Yeah – as if they’re really going to take my “report” into account to improve our collective Windows experience.

Go to Annoyances.org and learn other ways to stop Windows from doing those annoying things it does, like the Automatic Windows Update, the Flying Paper Animations, plus what to do if you hate the Start Menu. You can also figure out what’s slowing down your system when you boot up, and you can use the troubleshooting link to solve lotsa problems.

That’s right, Bill Gates – we’re sticking it to YOU!

אני טמבל

The last semester of my senior year of undergrad, I needed to take 19 credits to graduate. I needed one more Theology class to meet all the requirements of my degree. Yes, Theology. I went to a university with a halo over it. So, in a moment of pure insanity, what did I register for? Hebrew.

Yes, Hebrew. I’m not Jewish. I don’t read the Old Testiment. I do like Reuben sandwiches and lox, but that’s probably beside the point. The rationale for this decision escapes me now, but apparently I really wanted to learn an entirely new alphabet – right to left – while on the verge of graduating from 17 straight years of school. And did I mention I was taking 19 credits that semester? I’m not sure but I think I had to get special permission to take that many classes in the first place…and then I CHOSE to take HEBREW CLASS.

Oy, the folly of youth.

Anyway, if YOU’VE ever had the burning desire to learn Hebrew, go HERE.

And in writing this post I came accross THIS site – this software will translate “I’m an Idiot” into 17 different languages!

Thabo Mbeki

Yeah, I know. I didn’t know who he was either.

That is, until I discovered WhoYouShouldKnow.com.

So one day I’m on the subway in Chicago and some dude sits next to me – the train was full so, you know, I forgave him for being in my space. But then he broke the cardinal rule of the subway – he talked to me! – a crime just a bit less heinous than making eye contact. So he asked for directions in some accent I couldn’t pinpoint. I decided to be friendly – cuz, you know, I am sometimes – and I asked him where he was from. He named some country that began with an L, I think. The blank look on my face probably gave me away. He said, “Ya, Americans don’t know about anything outside their country.”

Well, I’m sure I sneered at him before I flounced off clutching my $58 Starbucks chai latte, but I have to admit he was right. We are globally illiterate.

So make our country proud. Learn about the leaders of the world! Look smart at cocktail parties! Finish that crossword puzzle! But most of all, never EVER let a tourist make an ass of you again.

Got Cash?

Ok, I’m about to show you what a geek I am. Don’t run away! Planning for retirement can be fun!

Input your info and it’ll tell you how much of your current salary you should be putting aside to make sure you have enough cash in your golden years. To me, using this calculator felt a bit like having a bucket of ice water dumped on my head. Ok, never mind – don’t go there.