Archive for January 2014

Botanists Gone Wild: 70s sci-fi film Silent Running

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While searching for something else, I came across this daisy from the early 70s. Silent Running — not to be confused with the hit song by Mike + The Mechanics — is a 1972 environmentally themed American science fiction film starring Bruce Dern. According to Wikipedia, it was directed by Douglas Trumbull, who had previously... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 31, 2014 at 8:17 am • 

Field of Dreams: My favorite scenes

One of my favorite movies of all times is Field of Dreams.  I’m really not a big baseball fan per se but there is something about that movie that transcends the sport.  Probably because it’s really not really about baseball or building a baseball field in the middle of nowhere.  It’s about so much more.... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm • 

Campy low budget Spaced Out more like Orgy in Space

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When I was about 10 years old, my mom would take me and a friend to $1 movie night at the local movie theater. Usually we’d watch the movie together but once in a while, the movie a couple of 10 year old boys wanted to watch was just too juvenile for an adult, or... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 24, 2014 at 7:24 am • 
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DIY Pipe Shelf Pantry

<strong>Before</strong>: This is what the area looked like, just a small 8" ledge. That thing is a Shelf with baskets that I got from Hobby Lobby. It's good for storing Onions, potatoes and more onions.
Update: if you want a more formal set of instructions, here is a similar project I found. My feelings will not be hurt if you use this instead, or take something from either post. Update2: or you could just buy this one.  It’s a smaller unit for the same price and since you still have... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 19, 2014 at 5:18 pm • 

Alinea story has many facets, but no real solution

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A couple and their baby walk into Alinea, hoping to enjoy an expensive upscale snooty dinner. Maître d: I’m sorry we don’t allow loud whiny crying people. Parents: what are we supposed to do with our 8 month old? Maître d: I was talking to the 8... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 15, 2014 at 1:28 pm • 

Jay Cutler Contract: Stop bitching about it already

By now everyone who cares knows the details for Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s seven-year, $126.7 million contract.  According to a league source, the deal didn’t include a signing bonus and has $54 million in total guaranteed money.  The deal averages $18.1 million per year.  source Note:  I created this graphic based on numbers reported... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 14, 2014 at 9:17 am • 
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Speaking of the Pope, Vatican City Explained

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So every Friday I like to feature a cool video. This one by the geniuses known as CGP Grey explains Vatican City. What to say about the not so New Pope.  On the one hand it sounds like he’s a different breed from the garden variety bishops.  On the other hand, you don’t get to... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 10, 2014 at 9:15 am • 

Polish Museum of America opens new First Floor Gift Shop and PRCUA

If you are Polish or have Polish ancestry and grew up in Chicago, chances are good that your family dragged you to the The Polish Museum of America at some point in your childhood.  Depending on your level of maturity you either appreciated it or felt it was a waste of an afternoon.  The thing... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 7, 2014 at 4:25 pm • 

Facebook up to no good -- Again!

If you liked my Facebook Fan Page, thank you! The latest Facebook algorithm changes might cause you to miss some of my posts and you don’t want Facebook deciding what you can and cannot see do you? here’s a fast and easy way to stay engaged with my page. 1. Go to my Facebook Fan... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 3, 2014 at 9:39 am • 
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What in the world ever happened to Maren Jensen?

Do me a favor? Click my “like” button and join our Facebook community. A bought of insomnia in the wee hours of the morning led me to scanning my Facebook feed and among them I happened across this post. Geeks like me who grew up in the 70s and early 80s were big fans of... Read more »
By Michael Messinger,
January 2, 2014 at 8:45 am •