Plague of mutant super rats hits posh English town
The South Oxfordshire town of Henley-On-Thames, which is often described with words like "upmarket" and "posh," has a bit of a rat problem, what ho, pip pip, carry on. This picturesque riverside town has been "inundated" with super-rats which are resistant to the most common forms of rat poison.
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi speaks candidly about his daughter's problems
Jon Bon Jovi has somehow managed to avoid controversy during his decades-long career in rock music. He keeps a relatively low profile, especially where his family is concerned. Those of us who've followed Bon Jovi's career closely (and I have) were shocked when, last week, Jon's 19-year-old daughter, Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, apparently overdosed on heroin.
Now, Bon Jovi is speaking out about what happened. In a recent interview, the rocker says his family is getting through this, though it can't be easy.
I adore Jon Bon Jovi, I really do. His generosity knows no bounds, particularly where his home state of New Jersey is concerned. During an interview about a special Hurricane Sandy charity event, a reporter asked Bon Jovi about the situation with his daughter, Stephanie.
On November 14, 2012, Stephanie apparently overdosed on heroin in her dorm room at Hamilton College in Upstate New York. She's recovering, but she was charged with drug possession. Those criminal charges were later dropped, but the incident has no doubt shaken Jon Bon Jovi and his family to the core.
In his first public comments since Stephanie's overdose, Jon Bon Jovi said the situation was a "tragedy," adding that his family will "get through it." Hopefully they're seeking some help for Stephanie, because she obviously needs it. Bon Jovi also thanked everyone for the outpouring of support, adding "We're good."
Stephanie Bongiovi is a lucky girl, and hopefully she knows it. She overdosed on heroin, and she's alive and not in jail. She needs help, and she needs it now, otherwise, if there is a next time, she won't be so lucky.
Reading Pile: 11/21/12
Moro Rogers’ City In The Desert HC- Archaia continues its strong publishing streak with this fun tale of a monster hunter and his assistant in a sort of mythical post-apocalyptic setting. The premise and execution are very enjoyable and Rogers’ artwork is clean and full of character. I’m pretty impressed as this is her very first graphic novel, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter. The price point may seems a bit high at $24.95, but the packaging is beautiful and it’s a solid 141 pages of story. Well worth checking out. A-
Where Is Jake Ellis? #1- If you haven’t picked up the collection for Who Is Jake Ellis, I strongly recommend that you do because it’s a great spy-fi thriller with amazing artwork from Tonci Zonjic. This new series picks up the momentum and just tosses you into the action right off the bat. I also cannot not stress my love of the artwork as it creates the perfect mood and atmosphere that just elevates the script and plot so much more. Do yourself a favor and catch up. A
The Strain TP Vol 1- I haven’t read the original books that this adapts, so I can’t really speak to their accuracy or if they capture the tone. David Lapham and Mike Huddleston are an interesting mix of talents and they put together a fairly dark and impending atmosphere. The concept itself and the main plot points seems fairly cliché to me and kind of easy to predict, but that doesn’t necessarily means it’s a bad story. It fills a little horror niche well, so if you are in the mood for vampire virus story then this should appease. It’s a dense enough read for the $19.99 price tag, so not a bad price for the overall package. B
Mike Norton’s The Curse GN- This is a fun project, especially when you take into account each chapter was created over the course of a day during three separate 24-Hour Comic Day events. They’re pretty nonsensical and have a lot of esoteric humor (if you don’t know what Tom Waits looks like, then a little chunk of the last story has no real purpose). On the flip side of that, it features were-pirates, David Bowie, and a crazy Jeffrey Combs. Plus hey, it stars a pug that’s fairly adorable. It’s sort of throwaway humor and it’s not the kind of thing I’ll feel the need to reread anytime soon, but the $14.95 tag isn’t too bad if you just want some silly fun. B
Shopping with kids
If you shop at a grocery store that has those little shopping carts for kids, you might agree that they are more trouble than good.
The minute a child sees a shopping cart that is the perfect size for them the child will run to it and grab it. This is something that kids are drawn to and they feel very grown up by pushing a cart around the store. The only problem I have ever noticed with this is that those carts do not work very well.
The other problem is that the child tends to fail to pay attention to where he is going. I have had so many small children run into me while pushing these carts when I am shopping. It does not bother me because I have kids and I am used to those kinds of things. It may bother other people though.
When my daughter was younger, she often wanted to push one of those carts. If I was only running into the store for a few items I would let her get one. We would place all of our items in her little cart and she would feel very important. If I need to purchase a whole cart load of groceries, this is not something that I would let her do.
While this is a great feature offered at many stores, it is always a problem for us parents. It can be hard to shop with a little cart, but it can also be hard to explain this to your children.
Buying vs. leases
I have never leased a car before, but I have conducted on research on the differences of buying and leasing. Both options are great and there are benefits of each.
If you buy a car, you will have payments to make for the next 36 to 72 months. You will most likely have a warranty on the car for a period of time, but this usually expires before you are finished paying it off. If you lease a car, you will also have payments to make for the same amount of time. The difference is that the car will be covered under a warranty for the entire time.
One of the big differences in buying and leasing involves the car after the time frame is up. If you purchase a car and pay it off in three years, the car will be yours after the three years is up. You can keep the car, sell it or trade it in and you will be able to advantage of its value. If you lease a car, you will simply turn the car in when the lease is up and you have nothing of value left. This is probably one of the biggest determining factors that cause people to avoid leasing cars.
One of the reasons people do lease cars though is because of the warranty. If something breaks while you are leasing the car, you will not have to pay for the repairs. Almost all repairs are covered under the lease that you have.
Write a Thanksgiving note
With Thanksgiving occurring this week, there is one simple way that you can make your significant other feel really good. This is by writing him or her a letter.
You can be as creative as you would like to be, but the main thing is to be honest when you are doing it. Make this note a special note that tells your spouse how thankful you are for him or her. Let him know all of the things you enjoy about him and that you appreciate about him. Be specific when you do this and you can use humor as well. If there is some type of inside joke you share, include that in the note.
You could also write an acrostic for him. An acrostic uses the person’s name or a word to create a poem or words that represent the person. My husband’s name is Jim, so I could use the three letters in his name to create a special poem to give him. This is only three letters so this might be kind of short. Instead, you could choose a longer word, such as Thanksgiving. Write special things about him and let him know how much you love and appreciate him.
He will appreciate the time you spent on this and this is a great way for him to be reminded of how much he is loved and appreciated. Make this Thanksgiving special by telling everyone in your life how thankful you are that they are a part of your life.
Black Friday is taking over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday that I really enjoy. The problem with this holiday is that it is often overlooked and its importance seems to be diminishing little by little.
This year I have noticed this more than ever. Black Friday seems to be taking over this holiday week to the point where people are going to have to start celebrating it earlier or later than usual. Black Friday is the name that is used to describe the day after Thanksgiving.
This day is known for its great deals and its pure chaotic features. If you go shopping on this day, some people might say that you are crazy. You will encounter thousands of people out looking for great deals.
I have personally shopped on this day for the past five years or so and each year it tends to get worse. People begin forming lines at stores days before this day and people are all fighting to get the things they want. This is all fine and dandy, but it has caused people to look forward to this shopping day more than Thanksgiving Day and this is the problem I have with this American tradition.
This year stores are opening at midnight on Thanksgiving night or even evening hours on Thanksgiving Day. Before you know it, these sales will be starting days before Thanksgiving and people will soon be eliminating Thanksgiving altogether.
Help your children understand the value of giving
With the Thanksgiving holiday occurring this week, now is a great time to emphasize the importance of giving to your children. Children do not naturally feel inclined to give; they would much rather receive. If you don’t believe this, just ask them.
Giving is something that correlates well during the holiday season, but it should be something that we, as parents, emphasize all year long. Most of us are blessed with much more than we need and giving can involve a variety of things. Sometimes people do not have financial resources to give, but they may have other gifts to give. One of these gifts is time. You can look for a place where you and your children can donate your time by helping someone with something.
Talents are another thing you can give. If you or your children have a special talent, encourage them to share this with others. Maybe your daughter enjoys singing or playing the piano. This would be something she could share at a retirement home or community center. Sharing talents is a great way to give and people will enjoy seeing children share talents.
By teaching your kids that giving is fun and rewarding, they may develop a heart that is like a servant. Serving others is very rewarding and even though you might be giving, you will be surprised by how much you get in return. This is something that you can do as a family and you will all have a wonderful time doing it.
Consider adopting an older cat
Are you on the hunt for a new kitty to add to your household? Begin your search at the local shelter. Cats are more likely than dogs to be euthanized, so they are on borrowed time. While you may be tempted by that pint-sized kitten in the first cage, don't write off the senior kitty quietly waiting in the last cage. He would probably make the purr-fect pet.
Shelters quickly become overcrowded, and they must put down those who are least likely to be adopted to make room for the newcomers. Who gets euthanized first? Older cats. Why? Kittens are easily adopted. Most families want a kitten so they can watch it grow up. And let's face it - kittens are pretty darn cute.
Adult cats, however, are just as precious as babies. Many times they are surrendered by their owners due to illness, moving or financial reasons. (I get really pissed off at people who "surrender" their pets to the shelter, but I'll leave that rant for another post.)
These cats are often calmer than kittens. They have been housebroken. They are set in their ways. You pretty much know what you are going to get.
Only one of my furballs was a kitten when I found her. Yes, found her. She was a stray that needed a home. I would never, however, adopt a kitten from the shelter. I would feel better saving the life of an older feline that didn't have much time left. All of my cats learned to live with each other, and they have given me more love than I could ever imagine.
So don't pass up that older cat when you are ready to adopt. You will be passing up a best friend.
College Bowl Picture: SEC
SEC Bowl Tie-ins
- Sugar Bowl
- CapitalOne Bowl
- Outback Bowl
- Cotton Bowl
- Chik-Fil-A Bowl
- Gator Bowl
- Liberty Bowl
- Music City Bowl
- BBVA Compass Bowl
- Independence Bowl
Upper Crust
Alabama (10-1)
Georgia (10-1)
Florida (10-1)
Texas A&M (9-2)
LSU (9-2)
- The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will play in the SEC title game, and, if Alabama wins, then it is likely to go to the national championship. That leaves the Sugar Bowl open, and, since Georgia would have two losses, it would go to Florida. Even though the SEC will have a host of highly ranked teams, Notre Dame will be taking one of the Bowl Championship series at-large spots, and so the only opening in a BCS game is likely to be the other slot in the Sugar Bowl. Even if the Sugar Bowl were willing to take an all-SEC matchup, Florida has already played Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU, so any attractive game would be rematch. As a result, it looks like Clemson or Oklahoma or even Texas could grab that spot. Poor SEC (no one will be shedding tears for them). The remaining schools will be spread among the CapitalOne, Cotton and Outback bowls, which will be getting some very attractive teams.
Middle Class
South Carolina (9-2)
Mississippi State (8-3)
- These teams would be "Upper Crust" in any other conference. It looks like they'll slot into the Chik-Fil-A, Gator or Liberty bowls.
Just Scraping By
Vanderbilt (7-4)
Missouri (5-6)
Ole Miss (5-6)
- The Commodores will presumably be coveted by their home-town Music City Bowl. Missouri needs a win over fellow SEC newcomer Texas A&M to qualify, while Ole Miss needs to knock off in-state rival Mississippi State. If they make it, the lower slots will be there for them. If not, they'll open up for teams from the lesser conferences. Both teams will be underdogs.