Monthly Archives: August 2006

Seattle Port Terminal Evacuated

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Seattle port terminal evacuated, bomb squad called?|?Reuters.com

SEATTLE, Aug 16 (Reuters) – A terminal at the Port of Seattle was evacuated on Wednesday and a bomb squad was investigating a ship container that alarmed bomb-sniffing dogs, a port spokesman said.
Authorities set up a 2,000-foot (610-metre) perimeter around Terminal 18, just south of downtown Seattle, port spokesman David Schaefer said.

The container first raised suspicion when a screening using gamma ray technology about the contents’ density did not match the items listed on the ships’ manifest. Then bomb-sniffing dogs indicated the possible presence of explosives.

“There is a bomb disposal unit looking further into the container to try and figure what exactly is in the contents,” said port spokesman David Schaefer.

All nonessential port personnel have been evacuated, Schaefer said.

Yikes. However, the situation has mostly been resolved:

King5 TV in Seattle reports that the containers have been determined to not be radioactive (yay) and that whatever explosives might have been inside, they done got blown up when the bomb squad used explosives to cut their way in (yay with a side of “yow!”). The contents of the containers are still being examined (whatever is left, that is).

Two containers were reportedly designated for inspection long before they arrived. The fact that they were from Pakistan, however, was part of the reason, according to the agent.

RIP: Bruno Kirby

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Character actor has died.

Best known for his role in City Slickers as Ed Furillo, the hard-partying friend of Billy Crystal. He’s the one who loses his stack, in his distinctively high tenor voice, over this discussion of a modern-day challenge:

Mitch Robbins: It’s nothing to be ashamed of – I had the same problem.
Phil Berquist: Didn’t you feel stupid; I mean, didn’t you feel… inadequate?
Mitch Robbins: Yeah, for a while, but then I overcame it. Can I explain it to you again? I mean now promise me you won’t get upset.
Phil Berquist: O.K.; it’s not gonna to do any good.
Mitch Robbins: O.K., if you want to watch one show but record another show at the same time, the television set does not have to be on channel 3.
Phil Berquist: Yeah it does.
Mitch Robbins: No it doesn’t.
Phil Berquist: It does.
Mitch Robbins: No, if you’re watching what you’re recording, then it has to be on 3.
Phil Berquist: What… the TV or… or the machine?
Mitch Robbins: The TV.
Phil Berquist: You’re saying I can record something I’m not even watching?
Mitch Robbins: Yes, that’s the point. You don’t even need a TV to record.
Phil Berquist: How would I see it?
Mitch Robbins: Well to see it you need a TV.
Ed Furillo: Shut up! Just shut up! He doesn’t get it! He’ll never get it! It’s been 4 hours! The cows can tape something by now! Forget about it please!
Phil Berquist: How do you do the clock?
Ed Furillo: You’re dead. You are dead.

Schroedinger’s Ball: NYT Review

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‘Schroedinger’s Ball’ by Adam Felber – The New York Times – New York Times
I have to admit, I’m a Fanatical Apathist, so I’m looking forward to reading Adam Felber’s new novel. I’m a little puzzled by this review in the Grey Lady, though – did the reviewer like the book, were they charmed enough to imitate the style, or just showing off that they “get” all the romantic metaphors possible with a solid background in quantum physics?
Anyway, it sounds pretty darn good for a WWDTM denizen, so well done Adam.

Take 20th-century physics, add Johann Strauss, the Waltz King, and you have
the first quantum operetta.


Or in this case, “Schrödinger’s Ball.” Adam Felber, a comedian, blogger and
silk-spun satirist (on National
Public Radio and elsewhere), has written a romantic fantasy in three-quarter
time, as brainy as it is airy, and unhinged either way.


It is a jangle of provocative absurdities playing off a pair of lovers so
winning that readers, like the audiences at the old Hollywood romantic comedies,
will all but rent ladders to uncross the stars that guide and misguide their
affairs.


Just as other romances are strung from the vagaries of fortune,
misunderstanding, rift and reconciliation, this one clings precariously by its
fingernails to the Uncertainty Principle. A counterintuitive mainstay of modern
physics, this asserts that in the subatomic realm of waves and particles, to
observe a phenomenon is to alter it. “Schrödinger’s Ball” extends it, impudently
enough, to our own postmodern uncertainties.

Dell Battery Recall

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Dell recalls batteries over fire concerns | Chicago Tribune

Citing fire hazards, Dell Inc. Monday said it would recall 4.1 million notebook computer batteries, the largest electronics recall ever unveiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Dell’s announcement is the latest in a wave of fire-related recalls involving the standard power source for portable electronic devices: lithium-ion batteries.

My life is on my Dell laptop. Currently, the laptop is powered off, because my husband David hasn’t had a chance to check whether its battery is subject to the recall. I have a feeling it probably is… a hot, burning feeling, especially noticeable when I’m wearing shorts and have my laptop undocked and actually on my lap.

Maybe later tonight I’ll figure out if we have to do the recall.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Mark!

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‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ Road Auditions

Chicago
Tuesday 8/15
9am-4pm
Medieval Times
2001 N. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL

My friend Mark is sitting at this moment over at Medieval Times, Schaumburg, waiting to take qualifying tests. I guess they picked it because it’s a large, arena-like area that’s already easily split up into sections by color, but there’s no denying that it’s a faux castle that smells of horsies and roast chicken. It’s kind of… un-glamorous as a location for television auditions.

He thought he’d be in the parking lot all day, but it sounded like he was indoors.

He’s got a book, a chair, and a cell phone, and he’ll be moved around for a while today before finding out whether he gets to go to the next level or not. I’m wishing him luck; he tried out for Jeopardy once and blew the question about Apollo 11: who on that mission DIDN’T walk on the Moon?

As soon as he told me this, I said “Michael Collins.” Because I’m weird like that.

Anyway, good luck, Mark, and have fun storming the castle.

Chicken Paprikash with Yogurt

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Simply Recipes: Chicken Paprikash Recipe

mmm!! Something to do with the leftover yogurt from tonight: substitute it for sour cream in this recipe for Chicken Paprikash!

1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp sour cream