According to Tom McMahon, Minnesota appears to have a new airline -- Lutran Air. Here's an excerpt from what must be the press release:

If you are travelin soon, consider Lutran Air, da no-frills airline. You're all in da same boat on Lutran Air, where flyin is an upliftin experience.

Der is no first class on any Lutran Air flight. Meals are potluck. Rows 1-6, bring rolls; 7-15, bring a salad; 16-21, a main dish, and 22-30, a dessert. Basses and tenors please sit in da rear of de aircraft. Everyone is responsible for his or her own baggage. All fares are by freewill offering and da plane will not land 'til da budget is met. . . .

In de event of a water landing, I'd say forget it. Start saying da Lord's Prayer and just hope you get to da part about forgive us our sins as we forgive doze who sin against us, which some people say 'trespass against us,' which isn't right, but what can you do? . . .

Oh, yes indeedy. Following on the rollicking success of The Book Game, we now present for your entertainment and intellectual excitement, The Poetry Game. (Hat tip to the Summa Mamas.)

How to play: Copy this list. If you recognize the first line of the poem, leave it alone. If not, substitute something you do recognize in bold. Extra credit if you can identify the poem and/or author. However, since you're only doing this for fun, what difference does it make?

Roz's List
1. Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be
2. Batter my heart, three-person’d God
3. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
4. Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
5. Do not go gentle into that good night
6. There is a place where the sidewalk ends and before the street begins
7. How do I love thee, let me count the ways
8. A stable lamp is lighted whose glow shall wake the sky
9. When called by a panther, don't anther.
10. ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

The Curt Jester's proposal for a non-offensive prayer appropriate to a pluralistic Inauguration ceremony inspired the following adaptation by this author.

We [call upon]/[deny the existence of] [God]/[gods]/[blind chance] to confer upon our country [a blessing]/[more randomness]/[the chaos we deserve]. May [he]/[she]/[it]/[who are we kidding] [look with favor upon]/[giggle about] our humble [submission]/[efforts]/[electoral system]. Look not on our [faults]/[arrogance]/[faults and arrogance]/[Congress] but show us [your mercy]/[your love]/[the money]. There is none but [You]/[me]/[American Idol] worthy of our reverence. [Amen.]/[So be it.]/[Wha. . .?]

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Today President Bush will take the oath of office for his second term. May God give him grace, strength, courage and the wisdom to govern according to what is right and just insofar as God gives him to understand it.

I got this from TSO who got it from Julie. You post a list of books that you got from someone else. The game is to remove authors who you do not have in your library and replace them in bold with ones you do have. Here's the Roz version:

1. Margaret Mitchell
2. Josephine Tey
3. Peter Block
4. Jane Austen
5. C.S. Lewis
6. J.R.R. Tolkien
7. Corrie Ten Boom
8. Rumer Godden
9. Garrison Keillor
10. Dorothy Sayers

Thanks to Powerline.

Study: Family, Friends Reduce Quality Internet Time

2004-12-31) -- A new survey from the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society shows that relationships with family and friends may reduce both the quantity and quality of time spent surfing the internet.

Researchers say the new data show that Americans enjoy the internet less, and use it less frequently when burdened by "outdated relational protocols and so-called family responsibilities."

"We're really talking about a rip in the fabric of society," said one unnamed Stanford researcher. "Internet users who are saddled with too many face-to-face relationships report a decreased level of satisfaction with their virtual relationships."

As news of the study broke, several internet advocacy groups called an impromptu summit to discuss the implications of a world where people actually hear each other laugh out loud, and share smiles without the use of emoticons.

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Lifted in its entirety from Scrappleface.

My daughter, aware that I am job hunting once again, was kind enough to send me this referral. It looks like there will be lots of jobs available, so feel free to apply if you want.