blog.vanillacokehead.com

• has this YouTube video especially in honor of today. http://bit.ly/cAjVoT Happy Groundhog Day folks! #
• was just told by kid 1.0 that Thur. is "Hundredth's Day" at her school – wonder if the teachers celebrate by drinking fifths. #fb #
• just read a great piece by @rachbarnhart about how regions and metro areas are affected by urban school districts. http://lin.cr/1m5k #
• remembers the "Power Team" Christian weightlifters – now MMA is the next athletic soulwinning frontier. http://bit.ly/daSyH4 #fb #
• thinks @twitter should automatically let those followed by users with a "protected" tweetstream to see said protected tweets. #
• feels bad not following back those who don't tweet in English – is it unreasonable to want to follow people back with whom one can interact? #
• @brlittle agreed – it isn't the most conventional method of evangelism – but if it reaches people… *shrug* in reply to brlittle #
• has tonight's spelling FAIL – wonder if Aldi cut corners on proofreading this box of ersatz Pop Tarts. http://twitpic.com/113ov2 #fb #
• is happy to announce that he won't be posting any Lost spoilers since he isn't watching the show tonight. That is all. :) #
• @mom2twinsplus1 sadly, most of the stuff I like to watch on TV is 20+ years old. My alltime fave is M*A*S*H from the 70s and early 80s. in reply to mom2twinsplus1 #

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• Fingerprints on beer can lead to robbery suspect
  Seattle police say fingerprints left at the scene of a convenience store robbery and assault have led to the arrest of a suspect who confessed to the crime.
• Official WordPress App for Android is Now Available

  

  Early last month, we mentioned that an official WordPress application for Android might be arriving shortly.  One month later, to the day, we’ve learned that it can be found for free in the Android Market.  According to the WordPress blog, it looks and feels similar to the free wpToGo app that has been around for quite a while.  In fact, that app will no longer be supported as the  Open Source WordPress for Android app will get all the focus.

  Click here to view the embedded video.

  Features include the ability to:

  • Configure and manage multiple blogs
  • Comment moderation including the ability to reply to comments
  • Create and Edit Posts including categories, tags and photos
  • Create and Edit Pages
  • Get notified of new comments in the Android notification bar

  I know personally that I’ve been waiting a while for this app.  I can’t wait to see how it evolves over time as new features are integrated.  I’m sure many of our writers will be excited for this as well!

  Source: AndroidAndMe

  Might We Suggest…

  • OCOSMOS Announces OCS5
    South Korean handset manufacturer OCOSMOS has released a new MIP (Mobile Internet Phone, or Multimedia Internet Phone depending who you talk to), that has the ability to make calls over VoIP when conn…

  

  

• Groundhog Day Dinner Suggestion — Groundhog!
  

  Click on image for someone’s personal account of a visit to Punxsutawney

  Groundhog Day — Recipe for Groundhog. Yum!
  

  This column is reprised from a 2007 post and an old SF Examiner column.

  Today is Groundhog Day. Popularized by the town of Punxsutawney, PA, the self proclaimed “weather capitol” of the world and the home of a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.

  In a nearby locale called Gobblers Knob and at about 7:30 in the morn, Phil pops out of a specially prepared burrow made into groundhog amphitheatre (dubbed the Groundhog Bowl) and says “Scokakaplee” which is some sort of groundhog greeting. He says a few words, in groundhog-ese, to the mayor, checks his shadow and then tries to escape.

  If he sees his shadow, it means another six weeks of winter, otherwise it’s an early spring. After the 3000 reporters and onlookers get their fill of Phil, the Chamber of Commerce unceremoniously grabs Phil and carts the little critter back to the groundhog Zoo where he stays year-round with his cousin Barney.

  Groundhog day was derived from the old German practice of watching the hibernation habits of certain animals to determine how to plan this years crop planting. The practice was brought over to Pennsylvania in the 1800’s and has somehow evolved into an annual event epitomized by Phil. The locals are irked by the imitators around the country.

  Groundhog day may not be without merit. Back in 1987 when I first published this recipe I asked then KPIX weatherman, Joel Bartlett about the celebration. “I’m a big believer in watching animals to determine the weather,” he told me. “Recently we’ve seen seagulls make counterclockwise circles; common loons are observed in high flying flocks; roaches and centipedes are moving into abandoned houses and cows hoofs are breaking off earlier than expected. These are all signs of upcoming nasty weather and an extended winter. I’m betting Phil sees his shadow.”

  That was then, this is now. Since then the whole scene was made all the more popular by the hilarious concept movie, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murry.

  I’ve given this mock holiday some thought and perhaps we should celebrate groundhog day with a cozy meal of braised, roasted or deep-fat fried groundhog. According the cookbook, UNMENTIONABLE CUISINE, (Univ. or Virginia Press, 1979) many Indian tribes made a meal out of groundhog. Any recipe you have for rabbit or squirrel will work for groundhog, according to the book. Here’s my favorite recipe, specially adapted for Punxsutawney Phil. I hope the Chamber of Commerce will freely distribute this commemorative recipe at the celebration next year.

  Punxsutawney Raviolis
  Capture, kill, skin and debone several groundhogs. (Remember, as with any dead rodent, wear gloves when handling and skinning.) Pass the meat through the fine blade of a meat grinder. Saute it in bacon fat and garlic. Never undercook rodent meat. Add a cup of chopped cooked spinach or watercress. Salt and pepper and use the mixture as a filling for raviolis. Makes about 72 raviolis. Serve with your favorite homemade spaghetti sauce.

  This meal is particularly tasty when you have to endure six more weeks of winter.

  related links:
  Official Site
  Groundhog Song (slow load, dreadful tune)
  Lesson plan for home schoolers

  ---
• Burning Question: “Do you have any ‘stalker song’ suggestions?”

  Over in Questionland, Arkham needs your help with a playlist: “I’m making a playlist of songs that are (intentionally or unintentionally) about kind of creepy, stalkerish relationships.”

  Arkham has already thought of a few, including “Every Breath You Take by the Police and “I Will Possess Your Heart” by Death Cab for Cutie, but there are still plenty more out there.

  Here are some of the other tracks that other users have already suggested:

  “Run for Your Life” and “Little Girl” by the Beatles
  “There She Goes Again” by the Velvet Undergound
  “The Prowl” by Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys)
  “Two Steps Behind” by Def Leppard
  “I Can’t See Me Without You” by Conway Twitty
  “I Want You” by Elvis Costello

  What creepy songs do you love? Share your stalker song suggestions in Questionland!

  [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

• Bremerton baby stroller beer man charged
  A man accused of trying to steal beer from a Bremerton grocery by putting it in a baby stroller has been charged with assault for a scuffle with the store manager.
• Meet the Super Bowl’s official Twitter hashtag
  The NFL is encouraging fans tweeting about Sunday’s big game to use the hashtag #SB44, and has launched an aggregator page for tweets.
• Twitter Responds To Phishing Attack

  This morning, Twitter started locking out a subset of users of their accounts, sending them e-mails asking them to change their passwords in order to regain access to the service. The e-mail said those measures were taken due to concerns that their accounts may have been compromised in a phishing attack, and hinted at a third-party service being at fault.

  We asked Twitter for more information about the attack, and this is the response that they just gave us:

  As part of Twitter’s ongoing security efforts, we reset passwords for a small number of accounts that we believe may have been compromised offsite. In one case, a number of accounts posted updates indicative of giving their username and password to untrusted third parties. While we’re still investigating and ensuring that the appropriate parties are notified, we do believe that the steps we’ve taken should ensure user safety.

  Asked how many users were affected, Twitter declined to share details but said the number is ‘very small’. Twitter also said its response is for issues seen from last Wednesday on.

  Update: asked if Nutshellmail has something to do with this, which has been suggested on other blogs, Twitter says it has not. The company instead referred to multiple “get followers fast” schemes causing trouble for some users.

  Twitter promises to continue to provide updates and encourages users to read the help pages on what to do if their account is compromised.

  Note that Twitter has yet to communicate the whole ordeal on its company blog and/or status website, although the account @safety acknowledges the attack and refers to its security measures as a ‘precautionary step’.

  We’ll keep you posted as we try and obtain more information about these attacks.

  

  

• Larry Magid: Internet access at 35,000 feet and other obsessive net behaviors

  I’m writing from Virgin America Flight 7422 between San Francisco and Washington DC. There’s nothing new about using a laptop to work from a plane. I’ve been doing that for more than 20 years but Virgin America now has WiFi Internet access on all its flights. That, plus an AC power outlet at each seat, is why I fly this airline.

  But as I respond to email, chat online and do research for this and other columns, I’m reminded about a TV show – Digital Nation – which airs on PBS Tuesday night and is now available online.

  The 90 minute program – which I previewed over the weekend – explores the impact of digital technology on our lives, including negative impacts such as Internet and gaming addiction. I’m not quite willing to admit to being an Internet addict, but family members have suggested that perhaps I spend too much time online. When I add up the time I spend at my desk, my use of a laptop when I’m away from home and all the times I use my smart phone to check email, send or read a text message or visit a website, I suppose there is some reason for concern. Now, thanks to Virgin America and GoGo Inflight (which provides Internet service for several airlines), I can stay connected even when I’m 35,000 feet above the ground.

  Reachable in the air

  No longer is the air the one respite from being reachable. As I type this column, I see messages popping up on my instant messaging program fighting for my attention. I’ve already answered several emails – all of which could have waited till I touch down. I’m self-employed but if I had a boss, he or she could be pestering me even as I fly.

  The Digital Nation TV show didn’t touch on WiFi in the air but it did feature a segment about South Korea where Internet and gaming addiction have become a serious problem, especially for teenage boys and young men – many of whom frequent 24-hour Internet cafes (called PC Bongs) where it’s not uncommon for people to suffer hunger, thirst, exhaustion and even death after hours of non-stop computer use. There are even “Internet rescue camps” set up by the Korean government to help cure Internet and gaming addicts. Stephen Balkam reviewed the program here on Huffington Post.

  Entertainment immersion

  I’m also reminded of a recent study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation that found that kids, on average, spend 7 hours and 38 minutes consuming “entertainment” on TVs, PCs, gaming consoles, MP3 players and cell phones. As I pointed out in my post about the study, some of that time is being spent communicating on Facebook and MySpace which can have some positive impact on kids but the study results were nevertheless troubling.

  Of course, there are some positive aspects to our increase in net use. Digital Nation visited a middle school in the Bronx which saw a dramatic rise in test scores and a reduction in violence and absenteeism after kids were given laptops to use at school. The school’s principal likened technology use to “oxygen,” correctly pointing out that school makes “more sense to kids when we provide them with an opportunity to use technology.” As my ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier pointed out in her review of Digital Nation, there is an enormous benefit to schools adopting the very technology that kids are already using when away from school. If school’s only response to social media is to ban it, than kids will never get the benefit of using technology in the context of a learning environment under the thoughtful direction of a teacher.

  Still, I have to agree with Digital Nation’s co-host Douglas Rushkoff, that there are times when we ought to disengage from technology. A couple of years ago as we planned a family vacation, my kids conspired to pick out a primitive resort about two hours from Cabo San Lucas that had no Internet or cell phone access. It was the only time in 20 years that I traveled without a laptop and my cell phone was useless. It took me four days to decompress but once I reached that point I realized that it’s a lot easier to relax when you’re not bombarded with media, information, emails and phone calls.

  That was two years ago but here I am – once again – hunched over a laptop when I could be taking the captain’s advice to “sit back and relax.” Dare I say it, “I’m Larry and I’m a webaholic.” Nah, I’m not addicted. I can stop any time and that’s just what I plan to do, as soon as I post this column, read some blogs, catch up on the news, answer my email, make online dinner reservations for tonight and maybe watch a couple of YouTube videos.

  

  

• Invoice Scam Targeted Local Churches
  Akron police have nabbed the man they say sent area churches invoices for work that was never done.
• Groundhog Day 2010 PREDICTIONS: Local Groundhogs Do Not See Shadows, Unlike Punxsutawney Phil

  Most local groundhogs did not see their shadows on Groundhog Day 2010, even though the most famous one of all did.

  Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day 2010 prediction was six more weeks of winter, as he did see his shadow.

  But how about Buckeye Chuck, Staten Island Chuck, Jimmy The Groundhog, and General Lee Groundhog?

  None of them saw their shadows.

  The Marion Star reported on Buckeye Chuck of Ohio not seeing his shadow.

  Mayor Bloomberg declared the same news for Staten Island Chuck in New York.

  Jimmy The Groundhog was treated like a star in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, with a freshly cleared path just for him. But he too did not see his shadow.

  And in Georgia, despite some early technical difficulties, General Lee Groundhog did not see his shadow either.

  What does it all mean? It’s hard to say, but this Groundhog Day history will get you up to speed on what the tradition is all about.

  You can also read up on Punxsutawney Phil, who despite his different prediction has quite a following online.

  

  

• Conan O'Brien Bucks Up for Screwed Crew
  by TMZ Staff

  Conan O’Brien is shelling out his own cash to some ex-staffers who didn’t get jack from that $7.5 million separation deal from NBC.According to sources close to production, Conan’s stagehands from “The Tonight Show” were not covered by the NBC severance plan. But we’re told Conan is stepping up — promising to pay his nearly 50 person crew at least six weeks severance out of his own pocket.Conan’s people had no comment.The union for his former crew — IATSE Local 33 — says all the members who worked with Conan are “very happy” with the way he handled the whole mess.

  
• Evangelicals Embrace Extreme Fighting to Attract Young Men

  Oy:

  “Hard punches!” he shouted from the sidelines of a martial arts event called Cage Assault. “Finish the fight! To the head! To the head!”

  The young man was a member of a fight team at Xtreme Ministries, a small church near Nashville that doubles as a mixed martial arts academy. Mr. Renken, who founded the church and academy, doubles as the team’s coach. The school’s motto is “Where Feet, Fist and Faith Collide.”

  Mr. Renken’s ministry is one of a small but growing number of evangelical churches that have embraced mixed martial arts—a sport with a reputation for violence and blood that combines kickboxing, wrestling and other fighting styles—to reach and convert young men, whose church attendance has been persistently low.

  Why not vibrating pocket pussies and streaming hard-core porn?

  [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

• Pro Bowl Posts Highest Rating in a Decade

  ESPN scored the highest rating for a Pro Bowl in a decade, averaging 12.3 million viewers during its coverage of the 2010 Pro Bowl in Miami. The AFC’s 41-34 victory was the most watched since the 2000 edition of the NFL’s all-star game notched 13.2 million viewers on ABC.

  After moving the game to the week before the Super Bowl rather the week following the big game, the NFL saw a 40% increase from last year’s 8.8 million viewers that watched on NBC. In addition, attendance at the game, which was previously held in Hawaii, was the highest during the Super Bowl era, bringing in 70,697 people.

  This year’s Pro Bowl also marked the most-watched all-star game in cable history, surpassing the 2003 NBA All-Star game, which featured Michael Jordan in his final appearance and was watched by 10.8 million people.

• Ann Curry Trapped In Elevator At New York Times Building (VIDEO)

  NBC’s Ann Curry was trapped in an elevator Monday evening at the New York Times building.

  Curry got stuck along with the Times’ social media editor Jen Preston and other social media experts including Phil Thomas DiGiulio (who shot video while in the elevator), Jeff Pulver, and Alex Howard.

  The group tweeted while stuck in the elevator.

  “Stuck in an elevator in the New York Times building with @JeffPulver,” Curry wrote.

  “Escape! No longer #stuckinelevator with @jeffpulver @anncurry @annblinkhorn @holaphil @NYT_JenPreston @bigasspeacehoop @geogeller. Fun hour,” Howard would tweet later.

  The “Today” show played video of the group Tuesday morning.

  WATCH:

  Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

  More on Today Show

  

  

• Gynecology Saves Journalism [Sexy Time]

  Former New York Post dating columnist Mandy Stadtmiller flew out to Nevada to spend a couple hours with “Markus,” America’s first legal male prostitute, for journalism. What a job! Free travel, free massage, and a free gynecological exam.

  Minutes later, as we’re standing naked in the shower, he’s examining me like a second-rate gynecologist and nodding.

  “Yeah,” he murmurs, cooing that I’m “practically” an 8 or a 9. “Everything looks great down there.”

  [NYP. Mandy Stadtmiller and Justin Rocket Silverman, unstoppable journosex team!]

  

  

• Loud music leads to arrest
  A 36-year-old woman was arrested and charged Monday with playing loud music in her apartment — and then refusing to open the door for police when they arrived to tell her to turn it down.
• New Facebook craze can violate terms of service
  Technically, posting a copyrighted photo of a celeb–as loads of Facebook users are doing per a “Doppelganger Week” fad–violates terms of service. But for once copyright holders don’t seem to care.
• Bed head hair, no makeup and no sleep

  And if I’m not amusing enough with my bed head hair and no makeup, I dedicate this song to my fellow insomniacs.

  Who needs stinkin’ sleep?

  Stylishly yours,
  Miss Attitude

  P.S. Don’t forget to become a fan of Miss Attitude on Facebook!  And as always you can follow me on Twitter @MissAttitude.

  

  
• "No Scan, No Fly" At Heathrow and Manchester
  An anonymous reader writes “It is now compulsory for people selected for a full body scan to take part, or they will not be allowed to fly from Heathrow or Manchester airports. There is no optional pat down. Also, a rule which meant that people under 18 were not allowed to participate in the body scanner trial has been overturned by the government. There is no mention of blurring out the genitals, however reports a few years back said X-ray backscatter devices aren’t effective unless the genitals of people going through them are visible.”

  

  Read more of this story at Slashdot.

  

• evasive mumbling

  Mumbling the answer to a question in hopes that the questioner won’t hear or understand an answer that may get you in trouble.

  
  When mom asks about that broken plate, you better answer with some evasive mumbling.
  

  

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