Hunting for the Finer Things

Just Damn!

…In three minutes…(because your attention span isn’t much more than that.)

Just Damn!

Who is the most isolated man on earth? Well, he lives in the Brazilian Rain Forest, he is thought to be in his forties and he is the last surviving member of his tribe. He is loneliness personified. And sometimes, I can relate.

From Slate:

He’s an Indian, and Brazilian officials have concluded that he’s the last survivor of an uncontacted tribe. They first became aware of his existence nearly 15 years ago and for a decade launched numerous expeditions to track him, to ensure his safety, and to try to establish peaceful contact with him. In 2007, with ranching and logging closing in quickly on all sides, government officials declared a 31-square-mile area around him off-limits to trespassing and development.

It’s meant to be a safe zone. He’s still in there. Alone.

This is one of the most fascinating stories I’ve read all year. Click over for the rest.

Just Damn!

Today was the first day of school for Baby Dax.

They grow up so damned fast!

Just Damn!

Ever heard of FDR’s Executive Order 9250 which established a tax rate of 100% at $25,000. Yes, it really happened?

Here’s a sample:

7. In order to correct gross inequities and to provide for greater equality in contributing to the war effort, the Director is authorized to take the necessary action, and to issue the appropriate regulations, so that, insofar as practicable no salary shall be authorized under Title III, Section 4, to the extent that it exceeds $25,000 after the payment of taxes allocable to the sum in excess of $25,000. Provided, however, that such regulations shall make due allowance for the payment of life insurance premiums on policies heretofore issued, and required payments on fixed obligations heretofore incurred, and shall make provision to prevent undue hardship.

Just Damn!

From the Gallup Poll:

President Obama’s job approval rating averaged 88% among blacks and 38% among whites in July, a 50-percentage-point difference that has been consistent in recent months but is much larger than in the initial months of the Obama presidency. Obama’s job approval ratings among blacks, whites, and Hispanics in July are all at their lowest levels to date, although the overwhelming majority of blacks still approve.

Just Damn!

Parkway Rest Stop Jim posted a look into the past here. Here’s a different look into the past.

Taking old World War II photos, Russian photographer Sergey Larenkov carefully photoshops them over more recent shots to make the past come alive. Not only do we get to experience places like Berlin, Prague, and Vienna in ways we could have never imagined, more importantly, we are able to appreciate our shared history in a whole new and unbelievably meaningful way.

Check out these photos!

Here is an example:

Today the lovely and talented Priscilla completes another trip around the Sun. I won’t give away her age. However, the theme of her party was “Sweet Sixteen…x2.” I know that she didn’t have a sweet sixteen party all those years ago. I wanted to give her a more adult version of the classic sweet sixteen party. She already has a car (minivan), so I got her a laptop and liquored up. Because of the nature of my work schedule, I planned the birthday meal for Saturday night. I made her a homemade lasagna and a double chocolate birthday cake. It took me damned near all afternoon.

The kids had a real good time as we had a long overdue family night. However, I’m afraid that I may have planted a bad seed in my daughter’s head. I could see the tiny wheels start turning in her head at the thought of a “sweet sixteen” party. I may have created a monster.

Just Damn!

Just Damn!