Cool Stuff, Information, Just Plain Silly, Videos | TheFourEyes July 16, 2008 | 
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Cool Pics, Cool Stuff, Information, Just Plain Silly, Rants | TheFourEyes July 14, 2008 |
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New Yorker Obama Cover… If I Wasn’t NY Nutty Myself… I’d Be Offended…
I admit that it looks bad… real bad… Like the New Yorker is taking a heck of a swipe at the Obama’s… And I expect there to be some serious backlash on this… But I’m pretty sure it’s just snarky NYC style sarcasm…
But since this one is pushing the envelope even for this artist(Barry Blitt)… I suspect that there’ll be a firestorm anyway… And it’s the magazine’s fault for not adding some snarky text so’s that folks that don’t ordinarily deal with the NYer would get the drift… That’s the trouble with inside jokes… They can backfire real bad if they get outside the “inside.”
Unfortunately… This cover is going to provide the right wingnuts with plenty of ammo just by grabbing and putting the pic into wide circulation… Which will probably get Mr. Blitt’s goat more than all the screaming of every Obamaniac in the country.
Since I like the New Yorker… I’m putting up some other covers that might seem offensive… But they should admit that this one is bad juju and take their lumps.
Click to Hear What Ol’ Foghorn’s Got To Say About This One…
Cool Pics, Cool Stuff, Information, Just Plain Silly | TheFourEyes July 13, 2008 |
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Business Is Booming At Pawn Shops… Big Bargains For Buyers…
I was in the market for a cheap chainsaw the other day and a friend of mine suggested that with the economy in shambles… I might be able to find something nicer than I could get for what I was willing to spend if I looked in a pawn shop.
OK, says I… There’s been quite a few commercials for the big “Super-Pawn Shops” that seem to have sprung up over the past couple of years… Maybe I can find a deal.
So off we go… The first one we hit had no chain saws… But it had one heck of a line of folks paying on their loan tickets… And most of those folks weren’t redeeming tickets for goods either…
But what was really disturbing was that this particular shop was in a pretty new shopping development that is surrounded by lots of new housing developments that contained some fairly high end housing.
Anyway … we browsed for at least a half hour and I saw lots and lots of high end cameras and power tools at prices that blew Home Depot and Best Buy out of the water… My buddy browsed the jewelery section and said that there was lots of really nice bling to be had for a pittance.
And in that half hour… We were the only ones browsing… But the line at the payments counter just got longer.
So we headed for a shop over in mid town and there I struck pay dirt… A nice Homelite saw for $79 and a nice Sanyo DVD/VCR combo machine for $35… But wait! said the nice lady named Ursula… “Our other branch has a big sale going on because they’re overstocked and sales are slow”… “Besides… I’ll hold this stuff for you if you like.”
Cool! says we… And we headed east.
No chainsaws at Pawn Shop #3… But there was lots of other stuff… And they were real busy taking in even more… A motorcycle and a bunch of high end radio controlled cars… Some camping gear… A kayak.
This place even had 3 count ‘em!.. 3 motorized wheelchairs… Nice ones.
And this guy had computers… a whole bunch of late model… high end… fully loaded… RAM stuffed beasts.
Well… Me being a system addict… couldn’t resist. I walked out of there with a very nice current model, loaded, black Macbook that retails for $1800 and a totally tricked out emac that I picked up for a friend’s kid… Total ticket?… $900.
I sold the macbook to #1 son on a 3 month payment plan. He’d been waffling over whether or not to finance a Macbook with Apple, but was balking at the terms… Anyway… He’s been using girlfriend’s Macbook in the meantime and I suspect that that was gonna lead to trouble in paradise eventually.
I didn’t make a profit on the 0% interest deal… But #1 son did pop by on Saturday to cut down a dead tree in the back yard and rotate the tires on the old van.
Oh… and Ursula knocked $25 off of the chainsaw and combo video machine.
Gas Now Cheaper Than Heroin….
With oil prices soaring over $130 a barrel, the average driver now spends more per week on gas than the average drug addict spends on heroin, according to a study published in the latest issue of the scientific journal, The Economics Of Street Drugs.
“This is definitely a first in the history of street drugs,” said study author Mallory Fulbright. “It’s incredible – heroin users are now spending more on gas to drive to their dealers to buy drugs than they are for the actual drugs. And with gas prices constantly climbing, the gap is just going to get wider and wider.
“I hate to say it, but this is the first time in American history that it’s actually made sound economic sense to be a heroin addict,” Fulbright added.
Read More HERE
Sex in Space Is Inevitable…
I suspect it’s not much different than in a pool… But dryer… I’d still like to give it a shot… Unfortunately… Mama swears she’d get spacesick… Damn!
Weddings in space could be right around the corner, and experts figure the inevitable cosmic consummation will be just around the next corner.
The Japanese firm First Advantage and the U.S.-based private spaceflight firm Rocketplane Global, Inc., announced last week they will host weddings in space for about $2.3 million (240 million yen) apiece.
For all we know, sex in space has already taken place. But NASA officials aren’t talking about that much.
Read More HERE
Looks like enough room… But not a lot of privacy…
NASA Cancels Sex In Space Mission!!!
My Ex In-Laws…
In case you’re confused… The one in the middle with the big mace would be the mom-in-law…
Are Ex In-Laws Called Out-Laws?!?
Cool Pics, Cool Stuff, Insults, Just Plain Silly, Rants | TheFourEyes July 12, 2008 |
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Segway S.W.A.T…
I don’t know if this is real or PhotoShopped… Can’t for the life of me figure out how this is practical though…
What A Great Idea For Homes For The Homeless…
I like to put a couple of these in my backyard as guesthouses… Or storage units… or kennels…etc…etc…
These pics are showing the pipes used as hotel rooms in Austria… The Dasparkhotel site is in Austrian (German?)… But go ahead and reserve one… Let me know what you think.
Cool Pics, Just Plain Silly | TheFourEyes July 11, 2008 |
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10 Facts Of Life…
- The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
- When you try to prove to someone that something won’t work, it will.
- The attention span of a computer is only as long as its power cord.
- To spot the expert, pick the one who predicts the job will take the longest and will cost the most.
- If it’s not in the computer, it doesn’t exist.
- There is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.
- For any given software, as soon as you master it, a new version of that software appears.
- The less intelligent the idea, and the person stating it, the more likely it will be funded.
- A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 square foot house 4 inches deep. (Don’t Ask How… Just Take My Word For It!)
- You probably don’t want to know what that smell is.
Be Sure To Check Out The Rest Of Los Cuatro Ojos... If You Liked This… You’ll LOVE The Rest Of The Site… Vote Your Stumbleupon Opinion For The Other Entries!
This Is What I Call Some Serious Makeovers…
I Also Call This Serious Cases Of False Advertisement… Some Poor Schmuck Marries Her And The Kids Look Like The Real Her… He’s Gonna Think Somebody Was Fooling Around Or That They Switched Babies At The Hospital!!
The Real Question Is… Can You Sue For False Advertisement?
One More For The Road!!…
Heard At A Workers Comp Trial…
- My head injuries have created a permanent increase in libido which has led to two affairs and has ruined my marriage.
- I chipped my tooth on a cookie while visiting a customer. I ran down the steps and when I got to the end, my feet wouldn’t stop.
- In performing the job of which I am capable, I didn’t know the machine was on and was showing my new helper what not to do and did.
- I inherited this occupational disease.
- Falling off the truck, I dislocated my pelvis and other male organs.
Cool Pics, Information, Rants | TheFourEyes July 10, 2008 |
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Live Webcams All Over The Place…
These webcams were found automatically through a variety of clever search techniques and update several times a day. Their owners may or may not have intended for them to be public, but they obviously are. Some of them are security cams in companies or semi-public places. If you hover over the web cam picture you’ll see what location information is available. If you click on it, a window will open and you can see a live video feed, plus comments and ratings and other information.
See Them HERE
How to Overcome Everyday Disasters…
Not all setbacks are of epic proportion. Often, all it takes is a casual insult or silly faux pas to knock you off course. Those trip-ups can snowball–a barista snaps at you, leading you to be short with a coworker, which turns into a fight with your partner, and…well, you get the idea.
To help manage life’s minor tragedies and prevent them from wreaking havoc on your world, we asked psychology and etiquette experts to share their own stories of everyday woe–and how they recovered.
You get the brush-off from a waitress
Judith Orloff, MD, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA
“I was at a hot new restaurant–the kind of place where all the waitresses want to be actresses–and my young and beautiful server gave me a look of pure disdain and sighed when I asked her a question about the menu. Then she actually walked away in the middle of my order to wait on a table of ‘more important’ people! I nearly lost my appetite.”
FIX IT FAST
Instead of being rude to your server (that won’t help anyone), discreetly find the manager or maitre d’, and say something like, “My waitress and I just don’t seem to be communicating. Would it be possible to switch?” The manager will appreciate that you didn’t make a spectacle and will likely oblige. After all, he wants a repeat customer.
NEXT TIME
Now, when Orloff notices that the coffee shop/lunch counter/five-star restaurant she’s in is busting-at-the-seams busy, she makes sure to acknowledge it to her server. (“They have you working hard today, huh? I’ll try to make this painless.”) Once you lay on the empathy and camaraderie–and the smiles–the waitress will have a tougher time being so impolite to you, she says.
You flub an introduction
Kevin Fleming, PhD, founder of Effective Executive Coaching
“I once had to introduce a client to the only person I knew at an event–the mayor of the city we were in. As we walked over to the mayor, I completely blanked on my client’s name! I introduced the mayor, and then there was this awkward silence that lasted for what felt like forever. Everyone just looked at me.”
FIX IT FAST
You can always try the “Have you two met?” trick. Usually one or the other will stick out his hand and make his own introduction. If that doesn’t work, humility and honesty is the way to go: “I’m so sorry, but I’ve completely forgotten your name.” What you never want to do is weasel out of the situation by ignoring an introduction, Fleming says. You’ll simply make everyone uncomfortable.
NEXT TIME
If you have a flair for forgetfulness, immediately repeat your new acquaintance’s name aloud. Also helpful: linking people’s names to something visceral, like sights or sounds. (You just met Amy, who’s from Maine. While silently repeating her name, picture her on a boat, sailing through the salty sea.) This way, you engage both the temporal lobe (the area of your brain that handles recall) and the brain’s sensory motor center, says Fleming. With both parts storing the memory, you effectively double your recall powers.
Your child says something wildly inappropriate
Bob Murray, PhD, coauthor of Raising an Optimistic Child
“Some years ago when my daughter, Terri, was 3, she was introduced to my good friend, the late actor Vincent Price. As Vincent bent over to shake her hand, Terri yelped, ran from him, and hid behind her mother. I tried to cajole her into being polite, but she replied, ‘I don’t want to. He’s old! He’s ugly! He’s yuck!’ Vincent looked so startled and hurt–I was horribly embarrassed. I thought I may have lost a friend.”
FIX IT FAST
What comes out of the mouths of babes can be shockingly offensive. If the object of your child’s arrows is a fellow parent, you may be in the clear. But if you see that the person has been wounded, explain that your little one is just too young to fully understand what she’s saying, Murray suggests. Whatever you do, don’t laugh at your child’s hurtful words. Not only will she do it again, but you’ll double the insult to the injured party. Instead, calmly explain to her that people can get upset when she uses certain words and that this makes you very unhappy. The possibility of your sadness is the most powerful deterrent for a child.
NEXT TIME
The best way to help avoid pint-size foot-in-mouth syndrome is to keep your own tongue in check when you’re in front of the kids. They get their best material from you; if you remark, “Uncle Al is getting fat,” you can bet little ears will pick it up and repeat it to everyone who’ll listen.
Someone takes credit for your idea
Maximillian Wachtel, PhD, founder of Cherry Creek Psychology in Denver
“A few years ago, when the organization I was working for was undergoing some changes, I suggested a new procedure that I thought would streamline matters. My boss immediately rejected the idea, saying he didn’t like it. Then 2 weeks later, he casually laid out the exact same plan to the staff, presenting it as his own. It was mind-blowing. I was stunned silent.”
FIX IT FAST
Although you never want to challenge the big cheese in public, you need to get credit for your work. Once you’re calm, privately confront your superior, saying, “What you presented in the meeting is the same idea I mentioned to you the other day. Can we talk about this?” This allows your boss to explain his actions and save face. More important, you’re letting him know you won’t be stepped on.
NEXT TIME
Got a great idea? Create a paper trail. “Putting your suggestions and brainstorms in an e-mail or on paper–and dating them–forms a trackable history that automatically deters anyone from pirating your ideas,” says Mary Mitchell, author of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Etiquette. Also, spelling out your plan this way lets you see any flaws and eventually make an even stronger case.
You’re publicly insulted
Karen Sherman, PhD, author of Marriage Magic! Find it, Keep It, Make It Last!
“Recently, when out to dinner with friends, I turned to my husband and said, ‘I saw a great dining room set that I want to show you.’ He waited a beat, elaborately rolled his eyes, and said with great exaggeration, ‘Yes, dear.’ He was implying that these petty concerns were beneath him. All the other husbands laughed and laughed. It ruined my night.”
FIX IT FAST
Force a smile; it’ll shift your focus away from your emotions and toward your actions, which will help keep you from returning the insult. Smiling shows you weren’t fazed by the comment, thus putting you in control of the conversation. Plus, studies find that people smile back when you grin–and that will lighten the mood.
NEXT TIME
To avoid future jabs, later say something like, “I know it wasn’t intentional, but your comment made me uncomfortable.” Then agree on a signal–like touching a knee under the table–to let the other know when you feel put down. “It’ll make you both more conscious of each other’s feelings,” says Gilda Carle, PhD, author of Don’t Bet on the Prince! How to Have the Man You Want by Betting on Yourself.
You get bullied at work
Arthur H. Bell, PhD, author of You Can’t Talk to Me That Way
“Years ago, out of nowhere, my boss walked up to me and bellowed, ‘What exactly do you think you’re getting paid for?’ Then he kicked a trash can and slammed his door. I wanted to shout back, but I sat shocked and red-faced as my colleagues stared at me.”
FIX IT FAST
Don’t fight anger with anger; that would simply rile an incensed individual more. Instead, vent behind closed doors to a trusted friend to gain perspective. But don’t shy away from confrontation; if you wait too long, a pattern will set in.
NEXT TIME
The next day, meet with your boss and say, “I can see you’re upset. If you let me know what’s wrong, we can find a way to solve the problem.” Bullies find it harder to blow up at someone who reacts rationally.
You burst into tears unexpectedly
Larina Kase, PsyD, president of Performance & Success Coaching
“When I was in graduate school, tears started streaming down my face when I was discussing a patient with my supervisor. The case was upsetting, but I was so embarrassed. I didn’t want to seem unprofessional, and there I was, crying in front of my boss. Thankfully, she was sympathetic. But she did tell me to make sure it never happened in front of my patients.”
FIX IT FAST
To quickly turn off the waterworks, jut your jaw out. Experts say that making this type of a face and shedding tears simply aren’t compatible actions; you can’t do both at the same time. Not into making a goofy face? Poke your fingertip with something mildly sharp, such as a pen cap or the tip of a paper clip. That minor pain helps distract you and activates the part of your brain responsible for impulse control, Kase says.
NEXT TIME
Whenever you’re feeling especially emotional in a setting where you have to contain your feelings, engage in a 100% superficial conversation that’ll divert your attention (“This new coffee machine is the best”). Or go for a walk: Research shows that physical activity is a guaranteed mood booster.
You blow a speech
Linda Sapadin, PhD, author of Master Your Fears: How to Triumph over Your Worries and Get on with Your Life
“I recently gave a lecture to an enormous audience and had three main points I wanted to convey. During the second one, I went off on a tangent and completely lost my train of thought. As I looked out at all the people waiting expectantly for my next statement, I panicked and my heart raced. All I could think was, You’re totally screwing this up!”
FIX IT FAST
When your train of thought derails, take a deep breath and say something reassuring to yourself (I can do this). That Zen-like pause slows the release of heart-pumping adrenaline. And don’t attempt to chat your way out of a brain freeze–listeners will notice. Sapadin suggests quickly admitting you messed up so people can focus on your message, not your mistake: “I’m sorry, I blanked for a moment. Shall we try that again?”
NEXT TIME
Don’t try to memorize your speech. If you’re parroting overrehearsed words, you’ll be lost if you forget your next line (and besides, you’re not focusing on the overriding purpose of your presentation). Instead, put your efforts into understanding your main points, and commit just the first few lines to memory so you’ll feel confident at the start. In studies, public speakers’ stress levels tend to be highest during the first minute of a speech.
You screw up an interview
Diana Pace, PhD, author of The Career Fix-It Book
“I once had a phone interview for a job I really wanted, but when the tough what-would-you-do-if questions started, I realized I wasn’t prepared. I tried to wing it, but my long, awkward pauses gave me away.”
FIX IT FAST
Start interviewing the interviewer. Everyone likes talking about him-or herself. Plus, it gives you time to regroup.
NEXT TIME
Come prepared with a stock answer to curveball queries: “I’m not familiar with that theory, but I’d like to research it and get back to you.” It shows you’re not easily flustered. Then fulfill your promise in your (prompt) thank-you note.
You send an errant e-mail
Traci Vujicich, PhD, author of How to Get Started as a Life Coach
“In college, I had a short-lived but heated romance with my best friend’s brother. Years later, I noticed his address on a mass e-mail from my pal, so I decided to send him a racy note. But I forgot that my friend’s father and brother have the same name. I’d accidentally written a steamy e-mail to my friend’s dad!”
FIX IT FAST
You can actually take back what you wrote with a service called Bigstring; it allows you to recall an e-mail no matter what program you’re using (www.bigstring.com; $30 a year). If you weren’t signed up at the time of the misfire, however, simply apologize in a brief e-mail. If you’re close to the person, calling to straighten things out is better. But be vague; rehashing the contents of your message will put everyone back in that uncomfortable moment and potentially place you on the defensive, negating any apology.
NEXT TIME
Ask the sender for contact info instead of swiping from her CC list. Also, never use the Reply or Reply All buttons. Press Forward and type in the exact addresses to ensure your note is sent to whom it’s intended.
You put your foot in your mouth
Candace M. Coleman, PhD, president of Say It Well!, a firm specializing in presentation skills
“I saw a colleague whom I hadn’t seen in several months at a party and I thought, Oh, my gosh! She’s pregnant. I ran over to her and blurted out: ‘How wonderful that you’re going to have a baby!’ Then, the silent, withering look. ‘I’m not pregnant,’ she said, flatly. If there were a hole in the floor, I would have climbed right in it. All I could do was say ‘I’m so sorry’ and walk away–quickly.”
FIX IT FAST
Yes, it’s uncomfortable–but don’t abandon ship. Instead, offer a sincere apology. Try: “I can’t believe I said that. I sometimes speak before I think. Please forgive me. I wouldn’t want my big mouth to get in the way of our friendship.” Luckily, most people accept apologies that are from the heart. If she doesn’t, don’t even try to justify your behavior. Hear her out and calmly say you’re sorry again–then you can walk away.
NEXT TIME
If you’re feeling stressed or distracted, be especially careful of what comes out of your mouth. A 2005 University of New South Wales study found that you’re more likely to say something you regret under those circumstances. And never make assumptions–particularly about changes in appearance. Simply ask an open-ended question (“I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s new?”) that allows the other person to respond with whatever info she thinks is appropriate. If you’re dying to inquire about your pal’s miraculously tighter jawline or significant weight loss, it’s okay to subtly acknowledge the makeover with a general “You look terrific” and hope she volunteers the name of her plastic surgeon or diet.
Cathy Alter is a Washington, DC, freelancer. Holly C. Corbett is based in New York.
Does Your Keyboard Look Like This?…
Do You Type Like This?…
Here’s Somebody’s Chia Pet Keyboard…
Do Those Look Like Pot Plants?…
Here’s Some Tips On How To Clean The Silly Things…
Cool Pics, Cool Stuff, Information, Just Plain Silly, Rants, Uncategorized | TheFourEyes July 9, 2008 |
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Records or CD’s?… How About MP3′s?… Which Is Better?
Most of my music is in CD’s… But I do prefer the sound of LP’s… Don’t like the work involved though… I can tell the difference with an MP3 though… And I don’t like it… And for a long trip I will play music stored at the higher quality modes… But for everyday driving around… I plug a thumb drive in that’s loaded with MP3′s.
From PopSci.com
Sorry, vinyl aficionados, but CDs most accurately capture the clarity of musical performances. If you look at the grooves of a standard long-play record, or LP, through a microscope, you’ll see that each is filled with what look like rolling hills. These are, in fact, an extremely close replication of the shape of the sound waves from the musician’s instrument. But because the needle that carves the groove is shaped slightly different than the needle that reads it, the LP will never sound exactly like the original performance. (Not to mention that changes in temperature and humidity warp vinyl over time.)
Read More HERE
