Free Comic Book Day - May 3, 2008

It's almost that time of year: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

This event was organized seven years ago as a means of introducing new readers to the wonderful world of comic books.

The comic books are completely free and a wide assortment is being made available, though each location will have its own assortment and guidelines as to how many each attendee may have. Some stores are more generous than others.

In years past, the selection has not always been very interesting, but this year there are many widely read titles being created in special editions just for this year's event. These titles include X-Men, The Simpsons and Futurama (Bongo Comic Book), Jughead (from Archie Comics), Superman, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, and more. A couple of figurines are also being given away.

This year the event is being held around the world in Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada,China, Columbia, Croatia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, Wales, and the West Indies.

At some locations there will be creator signings.

For More Information:

Free Comic Book Day (website)
Comic Listing
Find a Participating Store Near You
Creator Signings
Loads of General Info about the World of Comic Books
Free Comic Book Day Promo Video

Special Delivery: Baby Falls Out of Second Story Window - Caught by Mail Carrier

Time for a beautiful, happy story at the Junk Drawer.

This item from Fox News details the story of a baby falling out of a window and being caught below by a mail carrier. There are some interesting twists to the story that make it all the more beautiful and miraculous.

Read about it HERE.

Enough with the Racism Accusations and Lies -Fed into by the Media

I am sick to death of racist popinjays calling everyone else racist while they make up things and spew their vile, venomous hate in order to stir up anger, mistrust, and create a huge racial divide.

These snakes in charmers clothing shout of the racially-motivated poor treatment they get while they speak nothing but ill of those of other races. The media picks up on this, and our young people see and hear it. Next thing you know, our youth goes around parroting the hate-filled speech of these gasbags while they have no idea what they are saying.

This CNN video is a clear example of how people adopt what is in the media as their beliefs with no experience, knowledge, or proof of their own:

CNN VIDEO: Black Students on Race

I find this alarming and disturbing. They had no examples from real life of their own to cite. At least one of the cases cited as an example of 'racism' was nothing more than an excuse used by the defense and a few others for horribly bad and inexcusable behavior. Shunning responsibility for one's own life, decisions, and future by claiming its a racial issue is not about race at all but about stupidity, laziness, and irresponsibility.

Human beings, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, etc have the capacity to be self-aware, autonomous, and self-governing. Those who are not mentally incapable of such have a responsibility to use those gifts which separate us from the animal kingdom. To do otherwise is due to their own problematic choices - not the imagined problems they concoct of an unfair world that is out to get them personally.

Yes, there are racists in America and around the world. Some of those who scream the loudest about it seem to be its biggest supporters. But, there are far more people in the world and in this country who are tolerant, accepting, loving, and non-racist. I think its time for a real wake up call, and this racist-in-sheep's-clothing garbage ain't it.

And for the record, it doesn't matter what color the person is who is saying it - if its true it is not only true when a person of a certain color says it and racist when anyone else says it. Don't be fooled people - these race baiters are out to stir up hate and contention. They do not want peace and healing. They are bold-faced liars with their own agendas.

America is the land of opportunity and that applies to everyone who is a citizen or otherwise here legally - regardless of race, creed, color, gender, age, religion, income-level, education, etc. We each have the chance and responsibility to make something of our self and our life. If we don't, we have only ourselves to blame.

Commonly Mispronounced Words - On the News and Everywhere

While watching some news clips today, I found several instances of the newscasters mispronouncing words. The words were all among the most commonly mispronounced words in America. These words and phrases also show up in writing.

In the case of some phrases or words, it is easy to understand the mistake. One commonly mispronounced phrase is 'Card Sharks' which is incorrect. The correct phrase is 'Card Sharp', which is a phrase I have never heard. I have always heard this phrase incorrectly used with the word 'shark' instead of 'sharp'. Wordorigins.org has some interesting history on this conflict.

As I reviewed the lists today to check my own speaking and writing, I found one in particular of which I am guilty:

'Chomp at the bit' is WRONG. The phrase in its correct form is 'champ at the bit'. However, with how commonly this phrase is misspoken, the incorrect version is becoming more commonly accepted and does appear in some dictionaries.

One that I hear constantly that is like nails on a chalkboard to me is "Old-timers Disease". There is no such thing. The correct name of the disease is "Alzheimer's Disease".

Want to check yourself? The following links will give you more information regarding proper pronunciation and proper phrases for better speaking and writing, along with the history of my troublesome phrases. Though some of the words make all the lists below, there are some words unique to each list, too.

100 Most Often Mispronounced Words and Phrases in English from YourDictionary.Com

Fun with Words: Commonly Mispronounced Words by Rinkworks (includes pronunciation guide)

Do You Speak American? Beastly Mispronunciations from PBS.ORG website

Commonly Mispronounced Words at Infoplease.com

Card Sharp vs. Card Shark at Wordorigins.org

Champ at the bit vs. Chomp at the bit on The Grammarphobia blog

Want to brush up your skills? Get free email lessons on various aspects of the English language and Grammar:

Englishtown

Though set up as an "English as a Second Language" aid, the esl section of About.com is very helpful to anyone wishing to improve their language and grammar skills. For the emailed lessons, click HERE to choose your choice of lesson area(s).


If you don't want email, there are still resources out there you can use to improve your skills:

30+ Online Resources to Expand Your English Vocabulary from MakeUseOf.com

Shots Fired - Campus Training Video on Viriginia Tech Shootings Anniversary

Photo © Chance Agrella
On the one year anniversary of the trgaic Virginia Tech shootings, campuses across the country are utilizing a training video to help staff and students stay safe.

Titled 'Shots Fired', the video helps viewers to know what to do if they ever end up in the midst of a shooting at work, school, or elsewhere.

Though it comes with a hefty price tag, the video presented by the Center for Personal Protection and Safety does offer special licensing rates for entities such as colleges.

For more information:

Shots Fired Website with Video Trailer

Press Release at Safe Travel Institute Website about Shots Fired Video

Reuters Article about Shots Fired Video

Deseret News Article Focused on Shots Fired Video and Utah Campuses

CNN Article: Utah is Only State to Allow Guns on All Public College Campuses

Virginia Tech Remembers - Virginia Tech Website

France Sings for the USA - Pangea Day Project - May 10, 2008

May 10th has been declared Pangea Day, and the project for this day is to unite the world through film. On YouTube, many tributes are popping up featuring one nation singing the national anthem of another nation.

Thus far, there are clips with:
Kenya singing for India
Japan singing for Turkey
Australia singing for Lebanon
and France singing for the USA (Full-Length version)

There is a shorter version of the French singing video which is just most of the first verse of the anthem. The full-length version features clips of the singers learning the first two verses as well as singing it, which is more than most Americans know. Not only did these French singers learn the first two verses of our anthem, but they learned it in another language - English.

I wept as I watched the video of the French singing to the USA. It is powerful, beautiful, and moving. I have posted the short version here, but recommend that you watch the full-length version, too.

France Sings for the USA



For more information:

Pangea Day Project Page on YouTube
Pangea Day Website
Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics and Info

It will be interesting to see how this turns out, and how much of an impact this effort will have upon the world.

Finding Truth on the Campaign Trail: Which Statements are True and Which are False?

With the latest reports coming out about candidates lying about various issues, its difficult to know what is just political bashing with no basis, and what is verifiable fact.

A few examples may be found in this short video clip from FoxNews with a contributing reporter/researcher to Politifact.Com:



For more information about fact and fiction from and about the candidates, check out Politifact.Com from the St. Petersburg Times/CQ.