Thursday, March 29, 2012

friday fragments and freebird

As you fly into Friday, don’t flap your yap.

Wishin or bitchin, 
it don’t matter  
post it as Friday Fragments, 
you'll have comment flatter. 

Now after this post get over to Mrs. 4444’s place to check out the fragment chatter. Do you get extra points for rhyming in your FF post?


Mommy's Idea

Now this is unusual for me. In addition to using the word dystopia, I saw a blockbuster movie on its opening weekend. I avoid crowds so I don’t mind waiting a week or two. I was the only one in our group seeing this dystopian thriller, “The Hunger Games” who had not read the book (they couldn’t wait). I enjoyed the movie but consider its level of violence too much for very young viewers. The violence is a main element of the plot so you should expect it.


Having seen the movie and knowing the Katniss character, today’s Chicago Tribune article about the “Katniss factor” made even more sense to me. Introductory archery classes have been packed recently and mostly by young women. I had not thought of the archery connection. Anyone know a good bow company? 

Movies and merchandising of course go together like Katniss’s arrow and squirrel. No surprise then that Mattel is releasing a new Barbie doll based on Katniss. I bet it could kick Ken’s ass.


Wondering about the freebird in the title? Ok, go back take a quick look. Now are you wondering about the “freebird” in the title? 

While down in the basement man cave, I hear my wife calling (note work on soundproofing) to alert me about something the neighbor had discovered in our downspout. What? I step out into the back yard to hear the bird-stuck-in-your-drain tale. As I’m being told the story, I restrain myself from asking why the neighbor is listening to our downspout. “What are you a weirdo downspout listener?” I want to ask but don’t. 

At first I figured it must be a chipmunk but in fact it was a bird. I tried a few different ideas to evacuate him but my bird negotiation knowledge is severely lacking. The sun would set in 30 minutes and the area was very muddy so after those failed attempts I did what I do best - procrastinate and think about it. 

Our daughter had an outside-of-the-box-thinking idea. Her suggestion which I tried was to place a light in the downspout to scare the bird to go out the other end. Sure it was an outside-of-the-box idea but it wasn’t an out of the drain one. I think the bird enjoyed a night light. 

The next morning I disconnected the downspout and drain pipe. I even stepped back and waited. Nothing but a little scratching around. I got a long stick and thought maybe I could push him out. No, but I was able to clean some debris from the pipe. I could see him and he was larger than I expected. I held the pipe down level and just waited. About a minute or so he jumped out. One jump and he was in the air. I don't think he even touched the ground first. Flew to a nearby tree and was gone. Freebird!

thanks Mrs. 4444's mom -  tossing money is fun

My last post offered a puzzle to solve. Here’s the explanation for those of you wanting to know: 

It's not a solution to an algebra type problem. Really it's just accounting confusion. Think politicians running a budget. The 3 guys did pay $9 each for a total of $27 but the store didn't get the whole $27. If you divide the people into two groups - 3 customers make one group (#1) and let the store and waiter make the other group (#2) you'll be able to account for all the money. Just locate the $30 after the money has been distributed - group #1 has $3 and group #2 has $27 - this totals $30. No missing money. 

(proofreading provided by C. F. Eyecare)


44 comments:

oceangirl said...

I am more confused now.  Fuzzy maths.  And I hear poetry in your words!

OneStonedCrow said...

Jeepers Bill - you had me confused (not only about the accounting problem) - when I saw the title of the post I thought that you're losing it, It's Wednesday today ... then I checked and saw it is indeed Friday - I've lost 2 days this week ...

where did the missing 2 days go? how do you account for that?

ps thanks for the solution to the money problem ... I still don't understand ...

Heather - Acting Balanced Mom said...

Knew there was a reason I gave up on math and fuzzy logic... if you want a great political math story you should come and check out the Governer of SC  and her ability to "show" an increase in a budget that actually has a multi-million dollar reduction... now that's accounting magic!

Lilly said...

Seems you have a very attentive neighbor like I do. Glad the bird got it's freedom. And thanks for the Pink Floyd video. Love them!

Shrinky said...

Don't you just love these "helpful" neighbours?  Glad it escaped unscathed.  I have a habit of leaving the double glass doors of our conservatory open (it leads on to the dog's poo-patch!), and birds often fly in there and get trapped - UK houses don't have screen doors.  Most times I try to coax them out, they die of fright, and then the youngest refuses to talk to me for the rest of the day.

Bearmancartoons said...

And I used to be so good at math

Frau said...

I want to read the books before seeing the movie...but I've heard great things! Speaking of money...did you buy your lottery ticket? It's a half a billion! Happy weekend! 

Thisstopwilloughby said...

Interesting problem with the bird.  I'm glad you were able to get him (or her) out without harm.

I've seen that brain teaser before and it always leaves me scratching my head!

Totally unrelated, but your Pink Floyd video made me think of this.  Have you ever heard of the Wizard of Oz/Pink Floyd connection?  In short, there is a theory that Dark Side Of The Moon was written and produced to coincide with the action in The Wizard of Oz.  You can watch videos of the movie with the Pink Floyd soundtrack added on Youtube.  I think it's nothing more than an urban legend, but I still wanted to check it out.  I didn't find many scenes where the music made much reference to what was happening on screen.

Tami Miller said...

Pink Floyd is one of my favorite bands.  Showing my age, eh?
I read the Hunger Games.  My son had a bookreport and I wrote (helped) his with it.

Laurie Matherne said...

I totally skipped reading the word problem. I taught math for middle schoolers way too long. My brain refuses any more of that stuff. Glad about the bird, though. Not that you had to do so much work, but glad that the bird is free. 

Wayne Smith said...

Any Barbie can kick Ken's butt, he has no balls...

lisleman said...

 good point and actually a good thing that he doesn't since he is a toy.
thanks

lisleman said...

 When I connected it back together I did it in a way that should be easier to take apart for the next time a bird flies my downspout.
thanks

lisleman said...

 Helped vs. writing your son's homework - there's a difference.  Pink Floyd is one of those super bands that can span multiple generations.  There are good Pink Floyd cover bands now so there is a new crop of fans.  Showing age is not that bad of a thing.  You can't be arrested for it.
thanks

lisleman said...

 Yes I have heard of the Oz - Floyd connection but I never tried it.  Now I did spin a Beatles album on my turntable backwards to listen to the special "Paul is dead" messages.  Crazy what people will do.
thanks.

lisleman said...

No I did not buy a ticket but it is tempting.  The higher the amount and increased tickets would mean there is more chance of splitting the prize.  So maybe it's better to play games with less players.
thanks

lisleman said...

 Your answer back on the last post added up OK.  It just seem like an odd way to do it.  thanks

lisleman said...

 "My mum is a bird killer"  -  I don't hear "our conservatory" often so you started my "Clue" game thinking.  Mrs. Peacock killed him in the conservatory!
thanks for playing Clue - even though you didn't have a clue

lisleman said...

 Glad you enjoyed it.  thanks

lisleman said...

 SC got a new governer?  The last one was left on the Appalachian Trail I guess.  Often it's just a big shell game.  thanks

lisleman said...

 Confusing comment can be fun on my side of the comment.  Your missing 2 days?  I would suspect aliens from space, they have been known to do that to earthlings.  thanks

lisleman said...

 The beginning of this post might be a rare form of poetry but just rhymes do not create poetry.  "I see London, I see France, I can see your underpants."  That rhymes but I don't know if anyone calls it poetry.  Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so stop holding that stick in my eye.  Whatever my mind is still fragmenting - thanks

American in Norway said...

I don't like math.. at. all....
“What are you a weirdo downspout listener?”    made me laugh.. have a great weekend. :-)

lisleman said...

 Sorry to hear the math dislike, the numbers don't care they will stay there waiting for your return.  Glad to know I was able to share a laugh.  have a great weekend too - thanks

unknownmami said...

I'm glad you didn't give the bird "the bird" to try and get him out, that would just be rude. 

Keetha Broyles said...

Hehehe - weirdo downspout listener.

Was your downspout bird a Starling?

tracismixedbag said...

I read the book HG and even I winced at some of the scenes.

Gosh, things are THAT dull in your neighborhood that the town meddler has to listen to a downspout for drama. Alert the media. And that bird was probably wondering, why are they trying to get me out, I'm just resting.

Karen and Gerard said...

Good job setting the bird free!

As you know, we loved HUNGER GAMES and thought the violence was handled very well for the movie--it didn't actually show wounds being inflicted (except for when the bee hive fell on the District 1 kids and Peeta). I loved that part, by the way!

lisleman said...

 I could have gone into more detail.  If my neighbor reads this they will figure out I'm writing about them.  The bird did appear to want out but only tried the going up direction.  I also believe the our neighbor's 20-something son's concern was strongly influenced by his girlfriend who was there.
thanks

lisleman said...

 I don't know my birds that well but I was surprised by his size.  Almost the size of a robin.  thanks

lisleman said...

 Had you suggested this I would have tried it.  Do you know bird signs?  thanks

Joanna Jenkins said...

I haven't seen the movie yet but I probably will.  I was surprised that Godson's 9th grade english class read the book and even more surprised that all the homework sheets were provided by the book's publisher....  
jj

Mrs4444 said...

When I saw Mom's photo, for a second I thought she might have one the big lottery this week. I'm thinking if that were true, though, she would have probably called me...

Thanks very much for not ruining the ending of The Hunger Games. I've been having a hard time finding time to read it, so I bought the audio version and am listening to it in my car. It's a very compelling read, and it's easy to see why so many are obsessed.

I was distracted by your bird story. You're going to laugh, but I was just so impressed  (as a teacher) by your stellar use of hyphens in "outside-of-the-box". Well-done, my friend! :)

lisleman said...

 I almost did write about the ending.  Not to ruin it but just a comparison to another famous story.  Yes I did laugh about you noticing the "stellar" hyphen usage.  I thought the rhyming at the start of the post was the most impressive part.  thanks

lisleman said...

Book publisher providing the lesson material is interesting.  I didn't know they were that proactive with it in schools.
thanks

Barbara said...

I'm so glad you were able to get the little bird to fly! 
I haven't read the Hunger Games yet and so haven't been in a rush to see the movie. It does sound intense for young readers, that's for sure!

tracismixedbag said...

 Oops, I didn't know neighbor was a reader, you can delete my comment if you'd like.

oceangirl said...

Howdy Lisleman, I've started my A-Z Challenge without you :(

Secret Agent Woman said...

Thanks for the heads up about the Hunger Games.  I can't watch violent movies.

Good job and liberating the bird.

lisleman said...

Yes you don't want to be surprised in a bad way.  thanks

lisleman said...

 thanks

CaliforniaGirl500 said...

had to look up "dystopian"
the bird story is happy because you saved its widdle wife

I was on the right road with the $3  

lisleman said...

 I bet if it was your money you would have accounted for all of it.

The opposite of utopia which is used more.  That's a good sign I believe.

lisleman said...

 Your answer back on the last post added up OK.  It just seem like an odd way to do it.  thanks

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