Lions tigers and bears oh my

Bear - a killer bear (All flesh eating predators kill. Those that happen to try out a human meal are called killers. Why is that?)

I started reading this non-fiction book, “Elastic” (an Amazon book link). In it the story of Timothy Threadwell is given as an example of a person on the far end of the novelty-seeking spectrum or a “sensation-seeker”. Maybe just a sign of me getting old but the younger generation seems to have an abundance of sensation-seekers.

Any chance you heard of Timothy Threadwell? The 2005 documentary “Grizzly Man” was about him. I didn’t see that movie and first heard of him was in this book. So Timmy (I suspect he did NOT go by Timmy) went searching for a new thrilling adventure after years of drug misuse. He found Alaska and an area full of grizzly bears. He spent many summers there living among the grizzlies. He claimed he had discovered the secret to surviving with them. Not long after he announced his talent, he and his girlfriend were attacked and eaten by a bear.

I believe this is an example of extreme overconfidence of one’s abilities.

I can live with stuffed bears

I’m not on the yellow brick road. I’m just on the web. I have been on brick streets and found them not very smooth or long lasting.

While traveling on this web road a podcast was suggested. Not being a big fan of podcasts, I thought the suggested one by Radiolab, called “More Perfect” appeared worthy of a listen. It’s a series about the US Supreme Court. I listened to a very interesting story about RBG’s case that opened up the idea of gender discrimination. I plan to see the movie RBG soon.

What does RBG have to do with a bear? Nothing best I can tell. However, the iconic Supreme Court justice does have a connection to beer (just one letter difference! how does lions, tigers and beer sound?).

Back in the mid 1970’s when RBG was with the ACLU a case came up involving beer and discrimination in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma had an “odd” (stupid, who-the-hell-thought-of-that-idea) law that prohibited males from buying beer until they were 21. However, the same law said females could buy beer after age 18. Many girlfriends were persuaded to buy beer for their boyfriends during that time. One guy decided to challenge the law in court. The case Craig v. Boren went to the Supreme Court. It was the first time the court imposed what is known as "intermediate scrutiny" on laws discriminating based on gender. I take that legal stuff to mean the court started to actually review laws that possibly contained gender discrimination.

Next time I open a cold one I will remind myself that drinking beer was in the chain of events that brought us the #MeToo movement.

Oh, don't waste beer on a grizzly. They might just throw the beer and eat your face. I don't think they discriminate either. 

food music love

food music love - great fun until some corporate lawyer comes along to spoil it.

Someone posted a clip out on youtube
I don’t think I can play it
‘Cause it took so long to fake it
And those lawyers are just rude
Oh no!

Confused? Of course you are.  After all you are reading Lisleman’s blog. Stick around I’ll try my best to explain.

On the bathroom scale of problems this is really nothing but a small annoyance. However, as a honorable blogger I like to keep my links linking and my embedded clips playing.

I’ve enjoyed youtube even before I started blogging. The ability to easily share a digital clip by embedding the code into your blog was the icing on the cake. I’ve shared many a clip (mostly from youtube) on my blog. The irritating part (like a mosquito in your tent) is the copyright legal action. Often I’ve gone back to my older (only months old at times) posts and found the video clip I found as a perfect fit for my post, forced off youtube and therefore my blog too.

Here is a recent example:

Last May I wrote this soul searching revealing post about the reason why I don't bake. You may have enjoyed reading it.  My reason has to do with MacArthur Park (also being lazy is a factor but that's a well known fact that doesn't need to be posted). A clip of MacArthur Park was of course included because hey this is the 21st century internet and you need video.

Just yesterday I'm browsing my memorable posts (what you don't? ) and notice the clip has been removed because apparently a lawyer somewhere decided this person's account violated them or I guess their client.  (if you happen to click over to my post you'll see I replaced the violating clip with another one)

Here's is another attempt at offering this song to refresh your memory or irritate your ears:

There will be another song for me
For I will sing it
There will be another dream for me
Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life
You'll still be the one.

(BTW - there are many covers of this “classic”. Sammy Davis Jr. sang an interesting one)

 

lisleman reads another newspaper

People do you know it's 2013 and newspapers are not dead yet?

I still enjoy (also pay for but enjoy that part less) the Chicago Tribune real-tree-made paper. A newspaper just goes good with my black coffee (you can't catch a spill with my laptop).

Oh what was it that I read?

Yeah now I remember. It was about helicopter parents. The type that fly around without a permit or license.

A 21 year-old college student became so frustrated with her helicopter parents that she went to court. Using an anti-stalking law she got a protection order against her parents in court.

My first reaction was to think how could the situation became so bad that discussing and arguing about it did not resolve it. She is not a law student, but is studying music theater.

It was reported that her parents would travel 600 miles for surprise visits to check up with her at school. They would skype to check that she was in her dorm room. They put monitoring software on her computer and smartphone.

Before I went to court I think I would skyped them from a local bar to show them where I study. The girl is 21. Let her be.

Her parents did drop their tuition support after the court ordered them to drop contact and stay at least 500 feet away from her. She is such a good student that the school offered her a full scholarship for her senior year.

I did read this in the Chicago Tribune but since they decided to start charging for content (link might not go thru) I'm going to offer you a link to the Huffington Post coverage of it.

another circus 

send lawyers, guns and a happymeal

Where are the riveting courtroom drama movies of years past?

"Presumed Innocent" 

"Erin Brockovich"  

"A Few Good Men"

"Kramer vs. Kramer" 

"Runaway Jury"

"Happymeal-gate"

Alright, the last one was never made into a movie. 

 
Years ago during some random clicking and link following I stumbled upon the Happymeal-gate story.

Happymeal-gate - are we ever going to get past the watergate thing?

Short story (a brief?) - Hot shot Chicago lawyer told a judge that she was

"a few French Fries short of a Happy Meal"

and he almost lost his license in that court. He was dropped by the client and probably (I'm guessing) a few fries short on his year-end bonus.

Hmm - wonder if he had used "a few clowns short of a circus" instead perhaps the judge would have let it go?

This could be a new version of that Warren Zevon song.
 

Send lawyers guns and a happymeal,
the Big Mac about to hit the fan.

Santa Compliance

Having just finished undercover work regarding the elf-on-the-shelf conspiracy and hearing the Santa’s coming to town warning, I have a concern about the jolly old elf and his operation.

Don’t know how it works in other countries, but here in the States most of us get these boring mostly ignored privacy policy statements from our banks and insurance companies. 

Have you read Santa’s privacy policy? 

See? 

Me neither. I don’t think he has one. Based on common knowledge, he watches and collects data on our activities year round. I’m no lawyer but I have a few questions. 

What information does he collect? 

Does he protect my information?

Who does he disclose our information with? Easter Bunny? Tooth Fairy? My nosy Aunt Millie? 

I have my suspicions about Aunt Millie. She always seems to know too much about me and I recall her making a trip way up north once.

==--==--==

Of one more thing - while researching that 12 days of Christmas song I found this version.  I like it and can relate to the rigging up the lights.

another circus 

the lottery winner is

Spring River LLC! 

Ah, what? 

Who or what is Spring River LLC? 

Whoever they are, they collected about $30 million and are extremely good at keeping a secret.

This Chicago Tribune story caught my eye over the weekend. There is a couple in the Chicagoland area who I imagine are very disciplined with their money. They won big in the lottery and didn’t tell anyone except for their lawyer. The limited liability company (LLC) keeps their names private. 

But according to the story we are talking very very private. So private that their family including two teenage sons don’t know about the prize. I understand their reasoning, but I could not do it myself. 

I would avoid the spot light but I my strong desire to share the happy news would be too strong for my mouth to stay shut. I would invest it and be careful not to blow it all. 

Friends and family I believe would enjoy a grand party to celebrate the winnings with me. 

Oh if you are thinking, Lisleman lives in Chicagoland and could it be. It’s not. I seldom play the lottery (would rather go to a casino and that’s not often either). 

Anyway I’m working on my second million. I gave up on the first. 

Could you keep a $30 million secret?  

another circus 

how much for that tan

 

Getting sunburned might cost you more than pain.

Don't know if John Boehner has been told yet, but he might indebted to a Spanish woman who declared ownership of the sun.

The Time.com article quotes her as saying:

"There was no snag. I backed my claim legally. I am not stupid. I know the law," she said. "I did it but anyone else could have done it. It simply occurred to me first."

Ok maybe what she said lost something in the translation.  Really, you can just get up one day and decide you own the sun.  What are you some type of sun goddess?

Another example of "a few clowns short of circus", if you ask me.

Oh, just in case anyone starts a trend with this.  I hereby claim ownership of the black hole located at the center of our galaxy and will be sending out invoices for orbiting travel time once I figure out the rate.

I guess Sheryl Crow had the right idea when she told us to soak up the sun while it's still free.  Also people, lighten up already.

trust me I’m NOT a lawyer

Describe a lawyer. 

Did you use the term bloodsucking?

There are all types of lawyers specializing in every area of our lives. Maybe they are not all bloodsucking, but after you visited the New York city legal office of Winston & Strawn you might notice red spots on your skin.

They really do suck blood!

The Winston & Strawn staff received this alert about the new extra staff working 24/7.

“...To all personnel of the NY office: As we informed you yesterday, we have bed bugs in our office space. After a complete inspection of our office space last evening, which confirmed that our infestation is throughout our space, we have decided to implement liberal leave today,...”

Did you notice how their client squirmed during the deposition? 

Now a little closer to home.

(Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune) 

Cute hats - I don't think any of those guys are lawyers.  It would be cool if I had a lawyer wearing a hat like that.

This week in a nearby suburban hotel is hosting the Bedbug Summit.  Registration was $395 so I decided to take a pass.

Is the hotel that desperate to allow a bedbug conference to be booked there?  Do the next renters of that conference room get a break?

The American Bar Association’s meeting planners should contact the Bedbug Summit planners.  There has to be a few common topics for creating great training sessions.

(bedbugs + lawyers ?  How about Happymeals + lawyers - check it out)

Chicago circus to start up again

cartoon by Scott Stantis in the Chicago Tribune

The clown Blago will be bringing his circus to town soon.  Do you know how to pronounce his name - Blagojevich?  If so, you are probably from our fine state of Illinois.  In case you forgot he was our last governor to be thrown out of office and charged in federal court.  

The cartoonist Scott Stantis is right on (oh that would be spot on for any Brits reading this) with this cartoon.  Blago is a media seeking clown.  Reality shows, TV talk shows, radio talk show and even a PR appearance singing Elvis songs has been his gig since he was charged.

Back in Dec. 2008, I took some news clips and music clips and did a remix.  It didn't get many views so I question its comedic value.  But I still like it.


Oh for the regular readers, I found another Einstein story.  Did you know Einstein's brain has a story of its own?  Check out this NPR story.   

Could we learn anything from Blago's brain?  It probably has a large connection to both his mouth and ass.

a few clowns in the news

Do you shake or tilt your head after hearing or reading a story about some dumb thing?

I just think a-few-clowns-short-of-a-circus example.

Here's a few stories that exemplify the meaning of  a-few-clowns-short-of-a-circus.

Lindsay Lohan slaps baby with lawsuit

(that's the way I would write the headline)

Is she being the baby in this or what?

The e-trade commercial which is really going to benefit from this used the phrase "that milkaholic Lindsay".  She claims it refers to her - oh cmon.  The baby is way way cuter than that Lindsay lawsuit Lohan.

Very dumb lawsuit that should be thrown out.  

Lindsay and her law team = a few clowns short

Next -

Puppet cleavage banned from advertising posters

First off - WTF - what's puppet cleavage?

I guess you know it when you see it.  Apparently, a conservative approach is taken in Colorado Springs.  Poster ads for "Avenue Q" off broadway show had too much fuzzy cleavage showing.

This has me wondering - would you use a hand puppet to grope puppet cleavage?

Also, Lindsay lawsuit Lohan could sue the puppet for cleavage resembling her.  

Next -

Laboratory in North Yorkshire invents meat crisps

(for the Brit slang challenged - crisps = chips)

Does the world need bags of meat crisps?

Maybe everyone will be munching their meat crisps while watching puppet cleavage dancing. If these meat crisps become anything like the WOW chip - watch out.  I don't know how to tie Lindsay into this one. IMHO Lindsay is about as useful as a meat crisp.

North South face off or Butt Face goes north south

(I couldn't decide which title was better - maybe neither - let me know if you have an opinion on that)

I was first informed about this by my favorite columnist, Mary Schmich (Chicago Tribune).  Then a friend (thanks Lee) emailed me a link about it.  It's too good of story not to share.

Quick summary - young college kid gets this idea brilliant idea of selling clothes with the name South Butt in response to the popular North Face clothing line.  The big bucks behind the North Face company decide to file a trademark infringement suit against him.

My quick opinion - 
North Face management = A Few Clowns Short of Circus

I went over to check out more on this at the South Butt web site.

What timing - tomorrow Wednesday (January 27th) is the first court hearing.  South Butt (actually the founder Jimmy) is asking for support.

So here's a kid with an idea that is getting all types of media coverage and good press because the clowns at North Face just want to crush his little parody thing.  How stupid, they would have been much better off just ignoring it or better yet making a deal with him on selling his goods.  North Face is going to be a sad face.

Their web site has the following disclaimer (love the humor):

We are not in any fashion related to nor do we want to be confused with The North Face Apparel Corp. or its products sold under "The North Face" brand. If you are unable to discern the difference between a face and a butt, we encourage you to buy North Face products.

So while I was checking this out, I spotted this nice hat.

What do you think ??   I'm asking for it for my birthday.

Here's a few more stories on it.
NPR
Riverfront Times(St. Louis)


BTW - you can buy (best type of support) some of this stuff over  here at their site (I'm NOT receiving any commissions or compensation in any form for this promotion).  Also there's a facebook group gathering support for it.
============
update
I went searching today for news on this case.  Looks like the judge gave those clowns some wise advice -
go work out your differences.
============

you can't take it with you but

YOU CAN STILL BE MAKING IT after you're gone.

Yesterday (and still big coverage continues) the world lost two big celebrities - Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

They are gone but they will still be making money.



The world lost two legends which is sad. Both of them impacted my past and its memories. However, neither of them were much of an influence on me.

During this extensive coverage I picked-up on an unusual Forbes list. The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list.

NOT a list I want to be on. (also if you're on it do you know?? --- that's a discussion for another time)

I was very surprised by who came in number five on the list. Want to guess?
I will put the answer in the comment section.

Did you know (probably not since I don't know of any celebrities reading my blog) there is a 1984 law dubbed The Dead Celebrities Act, that grants posthumous rights for 70 years? So even after you're DEAD you still need a LAWYER!

That Forbes list (2007)

OH - somewhat related thought to yesterdays events -
I heard the MJ news in the late afternoon. Later that night I was checking a favorite blog over in Australia and read a post that started:

"It's kind of sad to wake up today and hear about the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett ...."

That got me thinking about the international date line and events. For example, the tragedy 9/11 was a Tuesday. However, it was Wednesday the 12th in say Sydney.

So if a celebrity from North America dies in the Far East (not much past the date line) which day does history record his death? I would assume the local time but I bet his close friends and family near his home would remember the previous day as the event.

The big conference that established this date line was held in October 1884 so I think we would be used to it by now.

this bud for you cubs fans

Shortly after I posted the item about the bud sign at wrigley, I noticed the Chicago Tribune had breaking news about it on their top page. Looks like the beer lawyers won. Here's an old song about the Cubs.

lawyers ready for Cubs win

Lawyers in love - with money

The Cubs' great season is bringing the greed out in a few.

from the Chicago Sun Times article

"It's available," owner Tom Gramatis said. "It's known as the Budweiser Building, but it's the Whoever-Wants-To-Go-Up-There Building."

Not so fast, says Anheuser-Busch.

The beer giant filed a lawsuit

BTW the house below that roof/sign sold last June for over $8 million!!!

Send Lawyers, Guns, and a Happymeal

My wife while working on her laptop, turns and asked me if I wanted to see the Daily Bankruptcy Review.

"What ?" I laugh, "there's a review of bankruptcies?"

I think of movies, restaurants and that type of stuff when I think of "review". So I need to check this out a little. Turns out there is very expensive newsletter from Dow Jones and Company covering bankruptcy. I guess it's an investment approach.

No surprise that the bankruptcy newsletter is very related to lawyers. This connection lead me to the happymeal. Somehow I missed this news last year.

Happymealgate - are we ever going to get past the watergate thing?

Short story (brief?) - Hot shot Chicago lawyer told a judge that she was

"a few French Fries short of a Happy Meal"

and he almost lost his license in that court. He was dropped by the client and probably (I'm guessing) a few fries short on his year-end bonus.

Hmm - wonder if he used "a few clowns short of a circus" if the judge would have liked that better???

This could be a new version of that Warren Zevon song.
Send lawyers guns and a happymeal,
the ---- about to hit the fan.

lawyers, guns, and money

Oh wait, that's a song by Warren Zevon

I found the clip below referenced in a Business Week story on the debate over a tech worker shortage. I must agree with article's description of today's tech job market. Corporations today prefer contract work over permanent positions. 10 to 15 years ago, I don't remember it being like that at all. Maybe it's a cycle, maybe not.

Now I see this video (it was first in the news last June) and I realize that many of the job listings are FAKE. Corporations place these ads to satisfy the requirements before they hire the desired H-1B visa temporary worker. It's all about money.

Mix the money with the lawyers - and someone might pull a gun.


I must warn you that this clip may stir-up some strong emotional opinions.