It's Hot In Topeka

The dichotomy of the human mind amazes me.

On one hand, the story of Barbaro and the outpouring of emotion and tributes to the racehorse are heartwarming. Even non-sports people were concerned about the horse and many signs are currently hanging outside the hospital where Barbaro is being treated.

All fine and good.

But as one writer put it, "And if Barbaro hadn't been heavily sedated, I'm sure he would have posted a note of his own after surgery: 'Thanks so much for the kind words. But I'm a [bleeping] horse, so I can't read, you stupid, stupid morons.'"

All from the heart -- none of the head.

I really can't blame anyone, but it is amusing when you look at it from the writer's position.

In another "moron" moment, a new search feature called Google Trends tracks how often people search for topics. An interesting little tool to be sure, but I really can't see the practical use -- yet.

However, in what has to be a quirk in the fabric of the Internet, the most searched for term in Google Tracks is -- Yahoo.

Yes, Yahoo is the most searched for term in the Google search engine. The irony is delicious, and very disturbing.

What manner of web visitor uses one gateway to find another? One that obviously needs a new homepage, more lessons, or their computer taken away from them.

And that started a whole new conversation on who needs things taken away from them because they don't know how to use them -- kids away from deadbeat parents, driver's licenses away from idiots on the roadway, baseball teams away from owners who couldn't put together an office softball team.

You get the idea.

Then again, some people probably think I need my keyboard taken away from me. Come and get it.

And right up my alley -- this clip just gets better every time I watch it. It gets into your brain -- so beware!



Pick my hot toe! Pick it! Topeka's hot. My toe is hot. Pick it.

Nose Knows

"All the leaves are brown/And the skies are grey"

It is official. I am 12 years old.

I have medical verification. My doctor said, "What are you? 12?" And I refuse to put the conversation into context. So there.

Apparently, I am not alone in hanging on to my youth.

Ladies, you'll want to run out and get a new perfume called "Eau de Play-Doh." Believe me, I can't make this up.

Hasbro is celebrating the toy's 50th anniversary by releasing a scent that is designed to smell just like the modeling clay. At $19 a bottle, Hasbro figures smelling the perfume will "transport people back to their childhood."

I didn't really play with Play-Doh much as a kid, but I do remember what it smelled like. I'm not sure if my sweetie was wearing "Eau de Play-Doh" if I would be intrigued -- or wonder if we opened a day care center in our home.

Scent is one of the strongest memory triggers for our brain. I know there are many smells I've encountered in my lifetime that I will NEVER get out of my memory.

And commercials on television show women jumping all over a guy after he gets a hit from a body spray, which I do use. I can honestly say that has never happened to me, but I do get comments about it.

Odors and smells can attract or repel faster than any other of our five senses. Now, if someone would bottle up a bar-b-que perfume for women...

I saw this quote on one of my web comics last week, shared it with some friends and now I share it with you. How you interpret it is up to you.

‘I used to think it was a terrible thing that life was so unfair. Then I thought, 'what if life *were* fair, and all of the terrible things that happen to us came because we really deserved them?' Now I take great comfort in the general unfairness and hostility of the universe.’

Bring it on.

And Here's The Pitch...

In the grand scheme of things, what is important?

Are you responsible for your actions? Do you step up to the plate and own up to what you do and the consequences of such behavior?

So many times it appears that people want to blame someone or something else whenever trouble arises or problems occur. Video games have often been the target when parents themselves have the power to control what their children play.

Recently, there has been much grinding of teeth and anger management class registration over rising gas prices. Some will claim it is greed by the oil companies while others point to the ecomonic law of supply and demand.

A news reporter who I respect greatly and I were talking about gas prices and electricity rate increases when she pointed out (and rightly so) that these are businesses who are supposed to make money. You can argue that they are making too much money, but as any business owner will tell you, you make as much as you can when you can.

Can we lower our gasoline bills? Sure -- drive slower, buy more gas efficient cars, make sure our vehicles are properly tuned.

There have been e-mails floating around about boycotting gas stations. That really doesn't work because people don't stop using gas for that day -- they just go get it from some place else, which raises its rates because of the greater demand on their constant supply.

It is a catch-22. Will we be able to get gas prices down below $2 a gallon? Probably not, because we aren't the only country using oil in the world. It would take a concerted effort by everyone on the planet.

We are a global society with global needs and demands. But we can act individually to control our own destinies. If enough people exercise control, who knows what can happen?

As I often say, you can only control your own actions. You can try to influence others, but ultimately, it is up to them how they are going to act.

The bat is in your hands. Step up to the plate.

"So this is how liberty dies - with thunderous applause."