BE GODS vs IN GOD WE TRUST

This could be called "News of the Weird", which is pretty much assumed when we're talking about the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The Indiana BMV has rejected a renewal request for a personalized license plate that reads "BE GODS". The intent was for it to be interpreted "Be God's", but the BMV isn't big on punctuation. The irony of this was that Liz Ferris had this plate previously but was late with her renewal, so the BMV rejected her request. The other irony of this is that the BMV offers (for no additional charge above the generic state license plate) a state plate that reads "IN GOD WE TRUST". After the ensuing lawsuit, the BMV relented and allowed Liz her BE GODS plate. However, all other requests for personalized plates must not be religous. The reasoning is that atheist plate requests would also be allowed, such as GODLESS or GOD CANT. These types of plates would be "offensive to most Hoosiers".
This is Indiana! We can't have freedom of speech or freedom of (or from) religion.

Links to full stories: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881118058
and
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811200481

Birds of Michigan

Birds seen during a recent week-end trip to Michigan. Some of these are considered to be nuisances.

Mute swans at a Grand Traverse County nature preserve


Canada geese, probably NOT migrating to Canada



Ring-billed gull cruising the shore of Lake Huron


Flight from Charlevoix to Beaver Island. How did this photo get in here?

Tagged

I was tagged by Laurie of Chinaera contemplations. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random (or arbitrary) things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. My only problem is that I don't have 6 people to tag. I was thinking about this at 2 this morning. One person deleted their blog, another blog is dormant, and yet another reader does not have their own blog. Other people have only left one commnet on my blog, so does that give me tagging rights? And if I tag Laurie back, will it start a chain reaction that causes the destruction of the Earth? So here is random item #1 about me: I tend to obsess about stuff.

2. I went to a basketball game at Moo U. with my husband last Friday night because someone had given us free tickets. The guy sitting behind us was loudly doing a play-by-play commentary to no one in particular. He was even shouting at the opposing team during their warm-up. At least I try not to disturb others when I'm being obsessive.

3. The high point of my day yesterday was that I found Count Chocula cereal at Meijer and it was even on sale. Sometimes it's the little things in life that make all the difference.

4. I was watching TV the other night and decided maybe I should wear my hair in dredlocks. Or is it "dreadlocks"? I dunno. The person on TV looked great. Then I realized I probably have the wrong genetic background to make that look work for me.

5. November is my least favorite month of the year. Warm-weather activities are over, and there isn't any snow yet for cross-country skiing. Plus, I'm already tired of Christmas songs and decorations in the stores, and we're not even past Thanksgiving yet.

6. I'll try to be better about posting to this blog. I"ll put that on the to-do list along with: organizing my house, garage, and office; losing weight and getting in tip-top shape; reading more so that I become a fascinating conversationalist; finishing all of those incomplete projects at work and home.....

Still alive, continued...

To continue the last post:
Life has gotten in the way of blogging lately. First, as mentioned, I bought a new vehicle. The vehicle itself is fun, although more upscale than I've ever had before. For example, I never knew what satellite radio was all about. It came with the vehicle as a pre-installed option with six months of "free" service included. Now (after less than a month) it seems to be a basic life essential, like water or food. The stressful part was making the final decision to trade in my old, paid-for vehicle and then to endure the actual process of buying a new one. It took an entire afternoon of listening to descriptions about extended warranty plans, financing applications, options for anti-theft system, ect. Sign here, and here, and here. In triplicate.

Then there was the computer virus. My husband opened an email that appeared to be from a company he's done business with, but actually was malicious spam. Despite having up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software, this virus persisted. After great effort and frustration, we THINK the virus is gone, although the computer still does not function at an optimal level. The problem is likely that all of the new protection programs are competing with each other.

Then there's work. I won't elaborate upon the details, but suffice it to say I don't have any break time for blogging there, either.

Oh yes, Laurie, I've been tagged. I"ll respond at some point, but it's way past midnight and time for me to try to sleep.

still alive

to my devoted readers:
I'm still alive although I haven't posted lately. My excuse is that I bought a new vehicle (seen above) and the stress was just too much.