HUMP DAY BLUES

If it wasn't for the fact that every other one is a payday, I'd have no use for Wednesdays whatsoever. Actually, there is one other good thing about Wednesdays: Human Target is on. This week's episode features guest star Moon Bloodgood. That's what you'd call an added bonus.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 30, 1981

On this date in 1981, a pathetic loser named John Hinckley, Jr. made a play for the attention of actress Jodie Foster by attempting to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. President Reagan and three others were wounded in the attempt. Hinckley, who wound up buried under a mountain of Secret Service agents and cops, was arrested at the scene. He was later found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was confined to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC, where he is still awaiting a visit from Jodie Foster. Keep the faith, Johnny. She'll be stopping by any day now.


Further reading:

The Trial of John Hinckley

Wikipedia - Reagan assassination attempt

BABE OF THE WEEK

This week's babe is actress Grace Park, from BSG. She also appeared in a recent episode of Human Target.

PPV SATURDAY NIGHT

Both the kids spent the night at friends' houses last night. This left the wife and me alone for the evening. Naturally, we had to take advantage of the situation and really cut loose. We started by going out to dinner at Friendly's. I had the Cheesy Turkey 'n Bacon SuperMelt Sandwich (it was damned good, thanks for asking), and finished with a hot fudge sundae with mint chip ice cream.

We followed up this wild and crazy good time with some TV-watching at the old homestead. We caught the tail end of From Dusk Till Dawn (that movie never gets old for me), then watched Zombieland on pay-per-view. Zombieland is a great flick, by the way. If you're a fan of zombie movies and comedies, you'll really enjoy Zombieland. Check out the trailer:

A MUSICAL INTERLUDE, AND MAYBE A FEW SNACK CRACKERS

Here's another lost classic; Southern Culture on the Skids with their smash hit "Camel Walk".

LOGIC, IT ISN'T JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE

I took the quiz "How Logical Are You?" this morning and scored "You Are Incredibly Logical".  Move over, Spock!  There's a new Vulcan in town, baby.

Also, appropriately enough, today is Leonard Nimoy's 79th birthday.  Happy birthday, Mr. Nimoy.

A hat tip to Miss Robbie for the quiz link.  And a tip of the fedora to Mr. Gerald So for the heads up on the birthday.

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"Watch the skies, everywhere! Keep looking. Keep watching the skies!"

-Ned "Scotty" Scott (Douglas Spencer), The Thing from Another World (1951)

MOTHER OF THE YEAR?

We have a winner!

Woman allegedly tosses baby into SUV to block repo

DALLAS -- A woman is accused of throwing her year-old son into her SUV in a failed attempt to stop the vehicle from being repossessed in Dallas. Krystal Gardner of Tool was jailed Wednesday on bail of nearly $3,800 on charges including child endangerment related to abandonment, no driver's license and no insurance. Electronic records at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center did not list an attorney for the 28-year-old mother, who was booked Monday.

Recovery agent Luke Ross told KTVT-TV that he was in the Ford Expedition when he saw Gardner toss the baby through an open window. He said the baby landed on the seat "like a kid bouncing on a bed."

Texas law bans a vehicle from being repossessed if a person is inside.

(emphasis mine)

OK, let me get this straight.  She risked her child's life to hold on to a vehicle she didn't even have a license to drive?  I was going to write something sarcastic, but words fail me.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 24, 1934

On this date in 1934, Harry Pierpont and Charles Makley were sentenced to die in the electric chair for the murder of Allen County, OH Sheriff Jesse Sarber. Sheriff Sarber was shot and killed when the outlaws broke their friend John Dillinger out of the Allen County jail in Lima, OH. Two days after Pierpont and Makley were sentenced, their accomplice Russell Clark was sentenced to life in prison for the murder.

Further reading:

truTV - John Dillinger

Auburn Citizen - Dillinger Gang Member Gets Life

ONE HIT WONDER

Anybody else remember this catchy little tune from one-hit wonder Deadeye Dick?

Dick Dale lyrics

Deadeye Dick New Age Girl Video - Dick Dale Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

RANDOM RANDOMNESS

I'm feeling totally unmotivated today.  Does that make me a bad person?

I'm sick of my job too.  I'm thinking of sending a resume to CTU.  As near as I can tell from watching 24, it's ridiculously easy to get a job there, especially if you're a mole for the terrorists.  Seriously, do they screen any of their employees.

My brown bag lunch was disappointing.  Also, it wasn't really in a brown bag.  It's more like a red cooler/lunchbox thingie.

I'm really primed to see the second episode of Justified tonight.  If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out at 10 PM on FX.  Here are six reasons you should.

That's a picture of CSI's Liz Vassey at the top of this post.  Why is her picture there?  Because this blog needs more Liz Vassey, that's why?

BABE OF THE WEEK

This week's babe is actress Maggie Grace. I saw Maggie in the movie Taken the other night. Great movie, and not just because Maggie Grace is in it. Her presence didn't hurt though, that's for sure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAPTAIN KIRK

Happy 79th birthday to actor, director, author, and recording artist William Shatner.

Update: For your viewing and listening pleasure, I've embedded the video of Shatner's rendition of "Rocket Man".

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 21, 1963

On this date in 1963, the prison they called "The Rock" was closed by the Department of Justice. The federal penitentiary at Alcatraz opened in 1934. At its peak, it held over 200 inmates. Some of its more famous residents include Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert "Birdman" Stroud.

For more info, check out these sites:

National Park Service Alcatraz website

Alcatraz History

Alcatraz Cruises

Ghosts of Alcatraz

A BLOG CORRECTION

As it turns out, I had an extra picture of Irish model Claire Tully on my computer that I neglected to post on St. Patrick's Day. So here it is. Better late than never, I always say.

"GIVE ME A BOTTLE OF ANYTHING AND A GLAZED DONUT... TO GO!

"Son of a biscuit, my ancestors spit on your haircut!"

Here's some 80s rock'n roll goodness from the one and only David Lee Roth. The beginning of this video cracks me up. I'm easily amused.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 20, 1933

On this date in 1933, would be presidential assassin Giuseppe Zangara was executed in the Florida electric chair. Forty-five days prior to his execution, Zangara had tried to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt. He missed Roosevelt, but managed to shoot several other people, including Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak. Cermak later died of his wounds.

The general consensus among historians is that Roosevelt was the intended target, and that Cermak was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But there is another school of thought: Cermak was the real target. As the story goes, Cermak was behind the attemtped assassination of Chicago Outfit boss Frank Nitti. The designated hitters for that job were officers of the Chicago PD, who claimed that they shot Nitti in self defense. Nitti survived the shooting and stood trial for his supposed assault on the officers. The jury didn't buy it, and Nitti was acquitted. The officers, on the other hand, were eventually charged with assault. One flipped on the other, and they were both convicted and fined $100 each.

As payback for the attempt on his life, the Outfit supposedly contracted Sicilian immigrant Giuseppe Zangara to kill Cermak. The hit went down as planned, and Zanagara took the fall as a "crazed gunman." Of course, there's not much proof to support this theory, which is fairly standard for conspiracy theories. But it makes for an interesting story. Maybe Oliver Stone will make a movie about it someday.


Further reading:

Awesome Stories: Frank Nitti - The Enforcer

Chicago Cubs History - Anton Cermak and Franklin Roosevelt

Executed Today - 1933: Giuseppe Zangara, who is not on Sons of Italy posters

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 19, 1943

On this date in 1943, Chicago mob boss Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti committed suicide. Nitti, who rose to prominence as Al Capone's right hand man, was facing a prison sentence for shaking down several Hollywood movie studios. Severe claustrophobia, which had surfaced during a previous eighteen month stint in prison, made the mobster terrified at the thought of being locked up again. On the morning of March 19th, after his wife left for church, Nitti began drinking heavily. Once he had enough liquid courage, Nitti got his gun and went for a walk. He wound up at a rail yard several blocks from his house. He sat down on the ground, put the gun to his head, and pulled the trigger.

Further reading:

My Al Capone Museum - Frank Nitti

Find A Grave - Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti

Wikipedia - Frank Nitti

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"Excuse me, sir! Can you direct us to the naval base in Alameda? It's where they keep the nuclear wessels."

-Commander Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

SMOOTH CRIMINAL

Is it sacrilege to say I like the Alien Ant Farm cover better than the original?


Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
Uploaded by jeanot25. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 18, 1990

On this date in 1990, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA was robbed. It was just after midnight when two men dressed as police officers appeared at the museum's door, claiming they had received a report about a disturbance at the museum. One of the two guards on duty that night let them in. Minutes later the guards were overpowered, bound with duct tape, and stashed in separate parts of the museum's basement. The two bogus cops went to work stealing various items, including works by Rembrandt, Degas, and Manet. The estimated value of their haul: over $300 million. It was the largest art heist in US history. To date, the case remains unsolved, and none of the stolen works of art have been recovered.

Further reading:

FBI - Art Theft program 

Boston.com - Secrets behind the largest art theft in history

A ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPECIAL

I've been getting a bunch of hits today from people searching for "St. Patrick's day Babe". With that in mind, and in the spirit of giving the public what it wants, here's another Irish hottie: Miss Ireland 2009, Diana Donnelly.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

I hope you all have a great St. Patrick's Day. I figured I'd take this opportunity to post a picture of a hot Irish lass to celebrate the day. This sweet young thing is Irish model Claire Tully. Not just a pretty face, Claire has a degree with majors in biochemistry and immunology.



A little Irish music is always a good thing too. Here's a video of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak".

INVASION OF THE POTTY SMASHERS

I think I've found the next Olympic sport:

Woman allegedly hits sister with toilet tank lid

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa City police arrested a woman who allegedly attacked her sister with the lid of a toilet tank. Nitasha Johnson, of Iowa City, was arrested early Sunday and was charged with domestic abuse assault causing injury and interference with official acts. According to police, Johnson removed the lid and hit her sister during a fight. Authorities said the sister suffered an injured foot and finger.

I would totally watch the Olympics if they featured full-contact toilet tank lid boxing.  Admit it, you would too, wouldn't you?  It'd sure beat the hell out of figure skating.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 16, 1934

On this date in 1934, Herbert Youngblood, an accused murderer who escaped from the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, IN with John Dillinger, was killed in a shootout with police in Port Huron, MI. Undersheriff Charles Cavanaugh was also killed in the shootout, which left two lawmen and a civilian injured.

Further reading:

Time - "Bad Man at Large"

Dillinger: The Untold Story, by G. Russell Girardin, William J. Helmer, and Rick Mattix

YOUNGBLOOD IS SLAIN IN BATTLE

BABE OF THE WEEK

This week's babe is actress, former Dallas Cowboy's cheerleader, and Dancing with the Stars competitor Melissa Rycroft.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 15, 44 B.C.

Beware the Ides of March. At least if you're Julius Caeser. Cornered by a bunch of (literally) back-stabbing politicians, Caeser's political career was ended the old-fashioned way: assassination. You can get William Shakespeare's take on it here. Better yet, check out William Shatner's take on Shakespeare's play:

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 14, 1950

On this date in 1950, the FBI debuted its 10 Most Wanted List. As of October 21, 2009, 494 fugitives - including 8 women - have appeared on the list.

Further reading:

FBI - Ten Most Wanted Fugitives

Ten Most Wanted Fugitives - FAQ

WEEK OF BABES: SUNDAY

I'm a little late with today's babe, but she's worth the wait: Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry.

QUESTION FOR COMPUTER GURUS

OK, I know there's got to be somewhere out there who reads this blog who knows a thing or two about computers. Hopefully, one of you will read this and have an answer for me. So here's the deal:

My wife's laptop (a Compaq Presario running Windows XP) died last year. A few months back, a gal she works with offered to bring it home for her husband to look at. He's pretty good at fixing hardware issues and she figured maybe he could repair it. Long story short, he managed to revive it, and it works well now. All except for one thing: it won't connect to the internet using our wireless network.

The computer finds and connects to the network without a problem, but it can't seem to acquire a network address. I've tried plugging the computer directly into the modem, and it connects with no problem. When I unplug it, a little balloon over the icon in the systray says "a network cable is unplugged". All the while, the little icon next to it tells me it is "acquiring network address".

I've tried rebooting. I've tried updating the modem's driver. I've tried repairing the network connection, but it always gets stuck on "renewing your IP address". I've tried disconnecting and reconnecting to the network and retyping the network key to ensure it is correct (it's a secured network). I keep getting the same result.

So if anybody out there has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

WEEK OF BABES: SATURDAY

Today's babe is actress Olivia Munn. Olivia will be appearing in Iron Man 2. So now I have another reason to see it. As if I needed one. In additiion to being an actress, Olivia is also a blogger.

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"Do I ice her? Do I marry her? Which one of these?"

-Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), Prizzi's Honor (1985)

WEEK OF BABES: FRIDAY

Friday's babe is model Victoria Silvstedt. Victoria comes to us from the land of Volvos, Saabs, and little meatballs. That's Sweden, by the way. For more of Victoria, check out her website.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: MARCH 11, 2005

On this date in 2005, Brian Nichols, the defendant in a rape case in Atlanta, overpowered the deputy assigned to guard him and took her gun.  Nichols then went on a shooting spree that left four people dead.  He was arrested after police received a tip from Ashley Smith, a woman Nichols had held hostage for seven hours after escaping from the court house. 

After multiple delays, Nichols was tried on 54 criminal counts in October 2008.  The jury found him guilty on all counts.  He received multiple life sentences, with no possibility for parole.

Further reading:

About.com - Brian Nichols: Atlanta Courthouse Killer

Wikipedia - Brian Nichols

The official web page of Ashley Smith Robinson

WEEK OF BABES: THURSDAY

Thursday's babe is actress, and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Sarah Shahi.

CHUCK NORRIS DOESN'T TURN 70, HE BODYSLAMS IT!

Happy birthday to actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, who turns 70 today.  For more about Chuck, check out his official website.  Also, here's a list of little-known facts about Chuck Norris.

WEEK OF BABES: WEDNESDAY

Today's babe, actress Nazneen Contractor, plays Kayla Hassan in 24.