No That’s Not What We Meant

Mayan-CalendarFriday, December 21st, 2012 has come and gone without any apocalyptic event, and perhaps to the chagrin of many hyper-dooms-dayers.  Much of the fears and predictions are fortunately based in the misunderstanding of the Mayan calendars and how they worked within the 250 – 900 BCE civilization.  Attempting to project contemporary ideas of time onto the ancient Mayan methods of time would be like attaching square wheels to your car — it is a show of ignorance.

The Mayans had three circular calendars, each with a different purpose.  The first calendar was their Tzolk’in calendar, or Sacred calendar.  It consisted of 260 days and was used for scheduling religious ceremonies.  When the calendar was exhausted it would simply start over again.

The second circular calendar was their Haab’, or Secular calendar.  This consisted of 365 days but did not account for the extra quarter-day it takes Earth to cycle around our Sun.  Our miscalculated modern Western calendar corrects this by adding a leap year about every four years then removing the extra February day the following three years.

The third circular calendar and the one receiving most of the hoopla is the Long Count calendar.  This calendar consisted of about 5,125.36 years and completes its major cycle every December 21st.  Once exhausted, another 5,125 years will begin again.  What astronomers have since learned in the last several decades is that our Sun indeed aligns with the center of the Milky Way, however, pinpointing the exact date cannot be determined in any particular year.  What forms the “Milky Way center” is still a debate among scientists.  They also gladly report that there is no alignment-phenomena of planets or the Sun that will pull Earth’s crust apart or shift its magnetic poles on a specific date.

Our solar system, our planet, and much of the cosmos are cyclical; things ebb and flow, collapse and morph into new creations over and over.  What most scientists, astronomers, geologists, and the like do agree on is that there are any number of catastrophic possibilities that could change our lives on Earth as we know it.  This is a common fact.  It could happen on any given day, but to prophesy an exact date and time is as likely as you picking winning Lotto numbers.

For a good logical scientific explanation of the Mayan calendars, read the article at Live Science.

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Live Laugh Love

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Chili Cook-Off

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Some of my friends already know this story; not just its humor but also the infamy of Texas chili.  For those of you who do not know this story, enjoy!

Frank, from the northeastern coast of the U.S., recently judged the chili contest at the Terlingua Chili Cook-off in west Texas.  Here is the story as Frank presented it and remembers…

Frank:  “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.  The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking for directions to the Budweiser truck, when the call came in.  I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans of great chili experience) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have FREE beer during the tasting.  That’s all I needed to know!  I accepted.”  Here are the official scorecards from the event:

~~ Chili #1: Mike’s Maniac Mobster Monster Chili ~~

Judge #1 — “A little too heavy on the tomato.  Amusing kick.”

Judge #2 — “Nice smooth tomato flavor.  Very mild.”

Judge #3 — (Frank) “HOLY SHIT!  What the hell is this stuff?  You can remove dried paint from your driveway.  Took me two beers to put the flames out.  I hope that’s the worst one.  These Texans are crazy!

~~ Chili #2: Arthur’s Afterburner Chili ~~

Judge #1 — “Smoky, with a hint of pork.  Slight jalapeno tang.”

Judge #2 — “Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.”

Judge #3 — (Frank) “Keep this out of the reach of children!  I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain.  I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver.  They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.”

~~ Chili #3: Fred’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili ~~

Judge #1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.  Needs more beans.

Judge #2 — A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge #3 — Call the EPA.  I’ve located a uranium spill.  My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano.  Everyone knows the routine by now.  Get me more beer before I ignite.  Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front of my chest.  I’m getting shit-faced from all the beer.

~~ Chili #4: Bubba’s Black Magic ~~

Judge #1– Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge #2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge #3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it.  Is it possible to burn out taste buds?  Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh cold beer refills.  That 400-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT… just like this nuclear waste I’m eating!  Is chili an aphrodisiac?

~~ Chili #5: Linda’s Legal Lip Remover ~~

Judge #1 — Meaty, strong chili.  Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick.  Very impressive.

Judge #2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato.  Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge #3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes.  I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics.  The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage.  Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher.  I wonder if I’m burning my lips off.  It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.  Screw those rednecks!

~~ Chili #6: Vera’s Very Vegetarian Variety ~~

Judge #1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili.  Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge #2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.  Superb.

Judge #3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames.  I shit myself when I farted and I’m worried it will eat through the chair.  No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally.  She must be kinkier than I thought.  Can’t feel my lips anymore.  I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

~~ Chili #7: Susan’s Screaming Sensation Chili ~~

Judge #1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge #2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment.  I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3.  He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge #3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing.  I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water.  My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed over my lips and out of my mouth.  My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my shirt.  At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me.  I’ve decided to stop breathing, its too painful. Screw it, I’m not getting any oxygen anyway.  If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

~~ Chili #8: Toe-Nail Curling Chili ~~

Judge #1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili.  Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge #2 — This final entry is a good, balanced chili.  Neither mild nor hot.  Sorry to see that most of it was lost when the third Judge passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself.  Not sure if he’s going to make it.  Poor guy, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili?

Judge #3 —

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True Love

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Lying on his deathbed, a loving husband was wavering between life and death when he thought he smelled chocolate chip cookies baking.  They were his very favourite, so he dragged himself out of bed, crawled to the kitchen and was just reaching up to take a cookie off the plate when his wife slapped his hand with a spatula.

Don’t touch!” she commanded. “They’re for the funeral.”

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Oh Lord, Forgive Me My Zins

7 Deadly Zins

I am more a cocktail sort of guy, but this red Zinfandel not only grabbed my pocket-book, it enslaved my palette too.  And if you enjoy a good laugh along with good friends, food and wine, then read their back label, written below.  I plan to try as many of their wines as possible and become a zinful wine-O myself (wink).  Oh, and I am also a big fan of anything that mocks or makes a parody of orthodox religions; pick any one of them!

I’m raging with ire, an ocean of fire,
My Wrath is the path to all I desire.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
I’m inflated with pride, near-bursting inside,
A self-centered repenter, Vanity’s bride.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
I’m mired in mud, inert as a slug,
Sloth is the cloth that’s woven my rug.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
I eat day and night, consuming all in my sight,
A Glutton with nothing but a huge appetite.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
My will I ignore, my Envy’s a chore,
Over-zealous and jealous, I want so much more.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
I’m ravenous to feast, an insatiable beast,
I concede to the Greed demanding release.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.
I hunger for trust, my cravings a must,
My sin is the Zin enslaving my Lust.
Oh Lord, forgive me my Zins.

If you are interested in learning more about this fine, reasonably priced wine and their winery, then please visit their website:  http://www.michaeldavidwinery.com/