Blog archives
2009: Our blog archives for the year 2009
WordPress CMS alternative: SilverStripe open source content management system
November 24, 2009
Until last week, WordPress was the best solution I had seen for small, owner-editable websites.
'Prayer for Obama': Psalms 109:8
November 17, 2009
Psalms 109:8 is a “prayer for Obama,” according to an Internet meme: Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Firefox spell-check: In-browser help for Wisconsin's poor spellers
November 11, 2009
Improve the credibility of your comments by using Firefox’s built-in spell-checking whenever you write online.
How to brine turkey, carve turkey: Thanksgiving recipes from Alton Brown
November 10, 2009
See how to carve a turkey with a electric knife, how to brine a turkey, and other Thanksgiving videos from Alton Brown of Good Eats.
Online analytics: Clicky Web analytics tools
November 8, 2009
What are Web analytics, and what services do realtime, online Web analytics tools like Clicky provide?
Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein: Halloween costumes
October 31, 2009
Season’s greetings to you and yours from Frankenstein’s monster and his lovely bride.
Pomplamoose: Music duo going viral via social media
October 26, 2009
While the music industry is floundering, this music duo appears to be thriving — thanks in no small part to their use of social media.
Halloween songs: Scary music playlist, spooky tunes
October 14, 2009
If you need some Halloween-themed tracks to fill out your iPod’s library, here are a few suggestions.
UK transplant patients given smokers' lungs
October 12, 2009
UK Transplant patients may receive the lungs of smokers, due to a shortage of lung donors.
'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (Woody Allen movie, 2008)
October 11, 2009
I keep waiting for something matching Woody Allen’s previous brilliance, but ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ is not it.
WGN-TV shuts out The Museum of Classic Chicago Television
September 30, 2009
WGN-TV has reportedly forced The Museum of Classic Chicago Television to pull all WGN material from the museum website.
Metal detector finds gold treasure buried in Staffordshire, England
September 24, 2009
Terry Herbert’s metal detector found gold treasure from Anglo-Saxon days in a field in Staffordshire, England.
Heart-shaped potato
September 22, 2009
The heart-shaped potato that dazzled David Letterman and President Obama is not the only one in existence.
Netflix million dollar prize overlooks the obvious
September 21, 2009
Netflix could give much better movie recommendations if they ditched their 5-star rating system for the standard 4-star system.
Time Warner Cable bill payment still questionable
September 11, 2009
I blogged about a significant flaw in Time Warner Cable’s PayXpress bill payment system. Three months later, nothing seems to have been fixed.
Glenn Beck on Fox News + Jon Stewart, Keith Olbermann = Hilarious!
September 5, 2009
Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart’s segments on Glenn Beck’s lunacy have been hysterical. Do not miss these.
LinkedIn book: 'How to REALLY use LinkedIn,' by Jan Vermeiren
August 18, 2009
LinkedIn can be a powerful business connection tool. This book shows you how to use it.
'Mad Men' marathon, Monday on AMC
August 9, 2009
AMC is offering a ‘Mad Men’ marathon tomorrow — all 13 episode of Season 2 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central.
Mac Snow Leopard upgrade: Preorder Mac OS X 10.6 from Amazon.com right now for just $29
August 3, 2009
Apple’s Snow Leopard release date won’t be until September, but you can preorder the upgrade now for just $29.
First moon walk video 'erased': Apollo 11 footage lost by NASA
July 16, 2009
The best Apollo 11 video footage of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon is gone, but there is still video on DVD.
Blogging how-to: 'The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging'
July 13, 2009
Perhaps not the best blogging book if you’re looking to make money blogging, but still an entertaining and inspiring read.
Bird watching: Cedar Waxwing circus at Kenosha's Kemper Center
July 13, 2009
Check out this great little spot for watching these striking birds as they perform summer aerobatics.
Drive-By Truckers: 'Live from Austin, TX' on 'The Righteous Path'
July 11, 2009
The band’s new CD/DVD release was recorded live at ‘Austin City Limits’.
Google Voice vs. (801) 823-2033: Annoying calls after FedEx Office
July 11, 2009
Our Google Voice phone number was getting annoying calls. Whose phone number is this, we wondered.
4th of July video: Racine's Fourth Fest Parade 2009
July 6, 2009
Ten minutes of video to let the world glimpse this outstanding Racine event.
Pet Lions at Summerfest
July 5, 2009
Pet Lions played forty-five minutes of mostly driving, uptempo rock with some good, popular hooks.
Amy Czerniec and the dog that broke her heart
July 1, 2009
Saying goodbye to one workplace, and beginning the search for the next.
Time Warner cable online 'PayXpress' bill payment issue results in $30 bank fee
June 29, 2009
All about my error in paying through Time Warner Cable’s billing system, and how they resolved it.
Rescuing airline miles with the incredible 5-day pizza diet
June 29, 2009
Our frequent flier miles were about to expire, so we made a last-minute dash to Kenosha for pizza.
Heat wave, power cuts, and protests in India
June 28, 2009
While American politicians bicker over whether to pass a clean energy bill, today’s forecast for New Delhi called for a high of 111° F. going up to 114° F. for Monday.
Michael Jackson: Carving an icon
June 26, 2009
If artist achievement is what endures, then ‘Billie Jean’ is what I’ll remember Michael Jackson for.
Regina Spektor on Letterman, NPR with new album 'Far'
June 25, 2009
Listen to an NPR interview that aired this morning, and watch her on Letterman tomorrow night.
Good day for the good old-fashioned fan
June 24, 2009
I’m enjoying summer like ‘The Greatest Generation’ with my World War II replica Vornado fan.
EVP Tour: Pro beach volleyball at Racine's North Beach this Saturday
June 24, 2009
North Beach is an inspiring success story, and the Extreme Volleyball Professionals Tour is its showcase event.
How to make money blogging: 'ProBlogger' book review
June 22, 2009
Not a dense book full of moneymaking secrets, but a halfway-decent overview of what blogging involves.
Positive thinking may actually bum you out
June 22, 2009
Research suggests that perhaps people cannot simply repeat their way into believing what they do not believe.
Justine Henin: Retired from tennis, she's singing, acting, cooking, and more
June 16, 2009
‘Les 12 travaux de Justine Henin’ was a recent Belgian reality show which put the former tennis superstar to a dozen tests.
James Joyce: 'Ulysses' and 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'
June 12, 2009
Joyce’s Ulysses is very readable, according to the author of a new book. Having a guide to Ulysses can help.
'Top Chef Masters' premieres tonight on Bravo
June 10, 2009
It’s ‘Top Chef,’ but with actual star chefs competing for charity — and without Padma Lakshmi.
'Morning Joe' Scarborough brews up Jon Stewart feud over Starbucks
June 10, 2009
Is there any connection between Scarborough picking a fight with the ‘Daily Show’ host and the launch of his campaign for, uh, his book?
Original Culver's restaurant monument: Sauk City, Wisconsin
June 9, 2009
The original building has been replaced, but a stone monument marks the location of the original Culver’s restaurant.
Stephen Colbert reports from Iraq this week
June 8, 2009
‘The Colbert Report’ should be especially good this week, with Stephen Colbert on location in Baghdad, Iraq.
Mute Orlando Magic fan, 4, speaks: Ryan Rodriguez loves this game!
June 5, 2009
Diagnosed with selective mutism, a Florida boy was moved to speech by watching NBA basketball on TV.
Going forward, can we please omit 'going forward'?
June 2, 2009
Yes, Einstein, we all know which way time flows, and you’re wasting ours.
Flip Ultra HD: Our first camcorder
June 1, 2009
After a couple of days of playing around with it, I really like the $200 Flip Ultra HD camcorder.
Amazon.com music: June deals on MP3 downloads
June 1, 2009
Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s own Bon Iver is featured this month as one of Amazon.com’s June ‘50 Albums for $5’ picks.
Drowning in Google Reader, I paddle back to Delicious
May 28, 2009
I was subscribed to way too many feeds. Now I read as I please and share via Delicious bookmarks.
Frogmore Stew recipe (Low Country shrimp boil)
May 26, 2009
Low Country recipe for shrimp boil with sausage, potato, and corn from Frogmore, South Carolina (near Beaufort).
French Open tennis starts today, on TV and live streaming
May 24, 2009
The French Open (Roland Garros) begins today on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel.
Olbermann: Mancow gets waterboarded, calls it torture in 6 seconds
May 23, 2009
Erich ‘Mancow’ Muller had himself waterboarded in Chicago for his radio show. He lasted six seconds before declaring it torture.
GQ magazine shows Bible quotes on Rumsfeld-era Pentagon documents
May 18, 2009
Apart from the issues raised by perverting holy scripture to perfume a rotten war, some horrific graphic design decisions are on display.
Gary Vaynerchuck talks Twitter on CNN's 'Your $$$$$'
May 17, 2009
How social media, like Twitter, give anyone a channel to reach any potential audience.
The Killers perform 'A Dustland Fairytale' on Letterman
May 16, 2009
I was reminded of Electric Light Orchestra at their best, which would be ‘Eldorado.’
Brendan Greeley celeb sighting
May 15, 2009
Edwardo spots Brendan Greeley at Wrigley on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
Free Coldplay, WMYX loses Jane Matenaer, original Twitter, morel mushroom festival
May 15, 2009
Four items spotted this morning on Twitter, including Jane Matenaer’s departure from WMYX.
Epic fail: Twitter mutes @replies, squelches 'social' networking
May 13, 2009
Twitter has made a colossal blunder by muting tweets to the friends of your friend.
'Neil Young: Heart of Gold' (movie, 2006)
May 11, 2009
A simple, functional, and timeless piece of work from Neil Young and Jonathan Demme.
Juniper bushes and jeans: Backyard landscape idea
May 7, 2009
We decided to change our shrubbery, but now there’s a fence — and of course wet clothing.
The new yellow pages: Google advertising shines in NPR segment
May 6, 2009
‘All Things Considered’ looks at how small businesses are using Google Adwords to attract local customers.
Chicken kebabs on the grill: A quick, low-meat dinner
May 5, 2009
When you want to cook in the open air, but you don’t want to pork out.
Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th ... be with you
May 4, 2009
We celebrate with the classic segment from Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.
Kevin Pang eats cheeseburgers and more
May 2, 2009
About ‘The Cheeseburger Show’ and its adventurous host.
FDA warning: Stop using Hydroxycut diet products
May 1, 2009
The FDA has received 23 reports of liver problems, including one death due to liver failure.
Amazon.com music: MP3 download deals
May 1, 2009
‘Middle Cyclone’ by Neko Case and ‘American Beauty’ by the Grateful Dead are each just $5.
Pancake Day / Lakefront Artist Fair in Racine
April 28, 2009
This all-you-can-eat event has been kicking off Racine’s warmer season for 55 years now.
'Air Force One' over New York: Photo session evokes 9/11
April 28, 2009
They wanted to shoot images of the jet against New York’s harbor.
'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' movie review
April 27, 2009
Very worth watching for the empathy it fosters, reminding us of the harsh limits life can impose, and the unlimited potential of humans to exceed them.
Bicycle air pump: Fill bike tires with this JoeBlow Pro bike pump
April 24, 2009
Now and then there’s something you buy which, every time you use it, gives you a little thrill because it’s well-designed and does exactly what you want it to.
Wisconsin has statewide tornado drills today
April 23, 2009
In southeastern Wisconsin, our mock warning runs from 1:20 to 1:25 this afternoon.
'Tweezing': How to pluck yourself big money from Twitter
April 22, 2009
Carve out an exciting a new career in the 140-character economy.
Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood: Wandering down Kinnikinnick Ave.
April 20, 2009
Bay View has an old, working class atmosphere, but it’s really being revitalized lately with color and creativity.
Cudahy, Wisconsin yard displays Cadillac, tractor, Hamburglar, Big Boy
April 19, 2009
Rick Serocki says he is trying to make Cudahy fun again.
YouTube's new 'Shows' tab: Streaming full-length movies, TV
April 17, 2009
The one that caught my eye first was David Attenborough’s outstanding BBC series, ‘The Life of Birds’.
ABC's 'World News Now' (or is it 'America This Morning'?)
April 16, 2009
Whatever it’s called, it’s a pretty good early-morning news show that deserves its own website.
House plants: Will fragrant hoyas fill our home with Froot Loops® perfume?
April 14, 2009
The Hoya obscura is said to be an especially fragrant houseplant. We should find out soon.
Movie review: 'Searching for Debra Winger' (2002)
April 13, 2009
Five breathtaking minutes from Jane Fonda are the treasure in Rosanna Arquette’s documentary.
Bizarre Billy Bob Thornton interview with CBC Radio's Q / Qtv
April 9, 2009
Billy Bob Thornton is one irritated musician. I think it’s odd that you have to smoke, period.
Mars Cheese Castle moving, Tim & Tom's to close, Bobby Nelson's staying put
April 7, 2009
How construction to widen I-94 will affect three famous Kenosha cheese shops.
Will Wisconsin's Time Warner Cable customers soon see Road Runner caps?
April 6, 2009
In some cites, Time Warner Cable is reportedly going to start charging premiums for Internet bandwidth usage. How does $200 per month sound to you?
'King of Kings' theme: My Easter movie earworm
April 5, 2009
The 1961 film starring Jeffrey Hunter has always been my personal cheesy Jesus movie.
Goya pasta pumpkins
April 4, 2009
Amy made a trip to Racine Produce today, and came home with these.
Through today only: Pick 'n Save deal on Eight O'Clock Coffee
April 4, 2009
Our local Pick n’ Save has 36-ounce bags of Eight O’Clock 100% Columbian on sale for just $8.99.
Lorraine Motel in Memphis: Martin Luther King's last days
April 3, 2009
Never-before-published photos at the LIFE website, and a long-remembered NPR interview — both capturing the day Dr. Martin Luther King was killed.
Desktop Twitter alternative to TweetDeck: TweetGrid!
April 1, 2009
An ingenious way to follow all sorts of things on Twitter.
Bruce Springsteen to perform on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' tonight
March 19, 2009
Bruce Springsteen will be doing a solo performance of the title track, “Working on a Dream.”
The power of now: Eckhart Tolle and a Bike Ride on 35W
March 17, 2009
Be here now. In the moment. Possibly on a bicycle.
Rainn Wilson's SoulPancake.com: Fashioning art, spirituality
March 15, 2009
In an interview with Oprah, the comedic actor from ‘The Office’ outlines his new Web project for spiritual social networking through the arts.
Deli Station: Racine's new Jewish-European delicatessen
March 8, 2009
Delicious, authentic, reasonably priced peppered beef and corned beef sandwiches.
Rick Santelli, CNBC in hot water on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'
March 5, 2009
Finally someone on TV takes a closer look at Rick Santelli’s much-hyped bailout rant.
Jeff Dowd, inspiration for The Dude in 'Big Lebowski,' joins Peter Himmelman tonight
March 3, 2009
The live, one-hour show starts at 7:00 Pacific or 8:00 Mountain or 9:00 Central or 10:00 Eastern.
Rachel Maddow ridicules Racine's Rep. Paul Ryan
March 3, 2009
The recession is Rep. Paul Ryan’s chance to become more visible, and he’s taking it.
Red Gold tomatoes and the mysterious emailer
March 2, 2009
A guy offered to send me soem Red Gold tomatoes to blog about. Well, I do like Red Gold tomatoes.
AIG and a little trouble sleeping
March 2, 2009
AIG has succeeded wildly at one thing: Keeping families up at night.
Portuguese Water Dog for the Obamas, as recommended by Janet Dahl
February 25, 2009
The People magazine story comes out on Friday. Janet Dahl wrote about them on January 12.
Word-of-tweet recommendation for local business excellence
February 25, 2009
I was happy with Hoernel Key Shop so I Twittered that, and people responded.
Deep thought: Happy birthday, Jack Handey!
February 25, 2009
Jack Handey is a real person, not a pen name or a character. He is 60 today.
Etymology of 'Lent'
February 25, 2009
It’s related to ‘length’, as in the days getting longer in the spring.
'Engine 2 Diet' fad from Texas, 'Tecktonik' dance craze from France
February 24, 2009
Scouring the globe to bring you the new and the cutting edge, I have found a dance and a diet.
Garry Meier on WIND, Brendan & Pete on iTunes, Steve Dahl on Movable Type
February 23, 2009
Keeping up with the latest doings of former radio colleagues.
The purpose of the Academy Awards: Honoring our healing stories
February 22, 2009
The ‘Rosebud’ episode of ‘Northern Exposure’ illustrates the magic mythological power of movies.
Chandra Levy murder could be pinned on inmate, not Gary Condit
February 21, 2009
News reports say an arrest is near in the 2001 murder of the Washington intern.
New Orleans, Louisiana music: Playlist of Mardi Gras songs
February 19, 2009
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana inspires this music playlist of second line songs, new orleans piano, party music, cajun and zydeco.
'The Darjeeling Limited' (Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson, 2007)
February 19, 2009
Wes Anderson’s movie about three brothers on a trip to India is awkward, but beautifully shot.
NPR: Wisconsin car dealer Russ Darrow believes in auto sales, is hiring
February 18, 2009
The company hopes to hire 55 more employees in sales, maintenance and repair and administration by March 1.
T.D. Mischke show returning March 4 via CityPages.com webcast (updated)
February 18, 2009
Great news: Tommy will be heard again beginning the first week of March.
Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford, Connecticut
February 17, 2009
A 200-pound pet chimp named Travis has been shot and killed by police after a violent attack that has left a woman in critical condition with life threatening and “life-changing” injuries.
The Food Allergy Mama
February 13, 2009
Suburban Chicago mom and new cookbook author Kelly Rudnicki blogs about food allergies and kids.
Trader Joe's commercial: Jobim's 'Waters of March'
February 12, 2009
I don’t know if I buy that it’s an unauthorized commercial, but we certainly buy a lot of wine from Trader Joe’s.
Joaquin Phoenix on 'Late Show with David Letterman'
February 12, 2009
Was Joaquin Phoenix’s disoriented ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ appearance all part of a “hilarious documentary”?
Hummingbird babies webcam
February 6, 2009
Live Ustream webcam showing hummingbird babies in Sunnyvale, California.
1982 Tylenol tampering crisis: Tylenol killer caught?
February 4, 2009
After over 26 years, there suddenly is new activity in the case of the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders.
'Peter Himmelman's Furious World'
February 3, 2009
A streaming musical variety show, Tuesday nights at 9:00 Central: http://tinyurl.com/furiousworld
Drew Peterson's ex-fiancée Christina Raines on the CBS 'Early Show'
February 2, 2009
This morning’s interview capped the latest breathtaking stunt in Drew Peterson’s circus of distraction.
'Animator vs. Animation', delicious cake, and 'Crayon Physics Deluxe'
February 1, 2009
A funny video, an Internet meme, and a clever computer game — all employing crude line drawings.
'No Country for Old Men' review (2007 movie)
January 30, 2009
Not just another masterpiece of an action thriller, but a meditation on futility and death.
How Jerry Taft and TweetDeck found me fresh eggs, dead body
January 25, 2009
During a movie intermission, I try out TweetDeck’s ‘search’ feature and find a dead body and fresh eggs nearby.
If U seek Amy, she's probably eating a Pink Lady or a Piñata
January 22, 2009
Can Piñata apples compare with Amy’s favorite apple, the Pink Lady? Yes they can.
MSNBC: Interactive inauguration, complete text and video
January 20, 2009
MSNBC’s ‘Explore’ feature is a cool new marriage of online video and text.
Breathtaking images
January 20, 2009
We’re watching the inauguration on C-SPAN, and the streaming HD video from CBS.
Oprah, crack cocaine, and L. Randolph Cook
January 17, 2009
The ‘Chicago businessman’ is the subject of the latest National Enquirer exclusive. He says he just seeks closure.
Rachel Maddow: Miracle on the Hudson wrought by jobs well done
January 17, 2009
The happy landing of US Airways Flight 1549 was made possible by lots of work on systems and training.
Keith Olbermann on the Bush legacy: 8 years in 8 minutes
January 17, 2009
Keith Olbermann nails the reign of George W. Bush.
TV tonight: Bush farewell, new 'Office' and '30 Rock'
January 15, 2009
President Bush delivers his farewell address tonight, and there’s a new ‘The Office’ and ‘30 Rock.’
Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Gary Becker arrested for child pornography, solicitation (updated)
January 14, 2009
The Racine Post and the Journal Times are both reporting that Mayor Gary Becker has been arrested on child sex charges.
In other news (1/14/2009)
January 14, 2009
Subzero cold kills Hayward, Wisconsin sleepwalker — “You Light Up My Life” songwriter accused of sex assualts
Newspapers, magazines get small
January 13, 2009
While the world waits for everyone to buy a Kindle, newspapers and magazines get smaller and smaller.
In other news (1/13/2009)
January 13, 2009
Man sells daughter for beer and meat; Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s bikes stolen; Indiana financial adviser suspected of staging plane crash
Grease is golden
January 9, 2009
An economy works thanks to the magic of money changing hands — from you, to the savings and loan, to your neighbor, to the real estate agent — the faster, the better.
Roland Burris, Senate Trail Blazer
January 8, 2009
Warren Zevon’s ‘Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner’ is in my head today, but with Roland Burris lyrics.
Interior Secretary rejects Menominee Nation's Kenosha casino application
January 8, 2009
The federal government has officially denied the application of the Menominee Indian Tribe to acquire land at Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin for its $1 billion casino project.
Barack Obama loves Dixie Kitchen on 'Check, Please!' (updated)
January 7, 2009
A lost episode of ‘Check, Please!’ featuring restaurant reviewer Barack Obama will finally air on Chicago’s WTTW before the inauguration.
TV tonight: 'The Story of India,' Anthony Bourdain season premiere
January 5, 2009
‘The Story of India’ premieres tonight on Channel 10, and a new season of ‘Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations’ begins on The Travel Channel.
Pressure cooker, recipe books for Indian food
January 5, 2009
Oh, yes — there is delicious Indian food in Racine. It’s at our house, thanks to our Kuhn Rikon Duromatic pressure cooker.
It's 'home in,' not 'hone in'
January 2, 2009
The eggcorn ‘hone in on’ is spotted in the wild and shot down. The correct expression is ‘home in on.’
Snuggie, Slanket, Heat Surge: My TV monk life
January 1, 2009
The Great Recession makes me consider becoming a monk — a monk with a Snuggie, a Slanket, and a Heat Surge.
