Tuesdays with Muerte

Introduction I listened to the lyrics to the AJR song,  BANG!  for the first time today and immediately noticed its connection to suicide. Curious why this wasn't obvious to more people, I googled it and discovered that I may be  one of the few people who think this way. I'm not crazy, right? Pexels.com Song Analysis Listen to the chorus: "Everybody come hang (come hang). Let's go out with a bang. Bang! Bang! Bang!" These repeated words brought to my mind a couple of terrifying statistics:  Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college-age youth and youth ages 12-18 ( CDC WISQARS ) The two leading methods of suicide (in high-income countries) are hanging and firearms ( The Parent Resource Program ). As I continued to examine the song lyrics, I realized EVERYTHING about the song supported my interpretation. This radio hit doesn't necessarily glorify suicide. It's more of a social commentary on the frustrating plight of American youngsters. It ...

Image source 10 Arguments for Hand Washing Dishes  Immediately After Use 1. SHOWS CHARACTER The habit of handwashing dishes immediately after using them shows personal responsibility and consideration for others.  In the absence of clear dish-doing duties, washing one's own dishes is evidence of strong personal character and respect for others.  It is a mark of social maturity not to assume that someone else will clean up your mess. ( E.g., Necessitating "Your mother doesn't live here" signs.)  It also frees the sink and counters for others to use communal kitchen spaces. ( E.g., it's tough to rinse lettuce in a sink full of dirty dishes.)  It also allows for the re-use of favorite  dishes throughout the day.  2. PREVENTS CRUSTIES Dishes are often more difficult to clean as food hardens on them over time. (E.g., post-smoothie blender.) Even electric dishwashers can struggle to clean dishes that have sat out for more than a few hours. Exceptions to thi...

Plot summary: Last night I dreamt I was a participant on a reality show run by heavenly angels and produced by atheists. (Weird things happened, and we had no idea what was going on, or why.)  We all lived in shared house, but I had a private bedroom with a connecting bathroom.  Every morning, I woke up to a mystery deuce in my toilet. Analysis: Without giving too much away, this plot is somewhat similar to the plot of  The Good Place  (starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson on Netflix). I have been using that show as a procrastination technique to actively avoid working on my dissertation for the past couple of weeks ago. (I loved it! I felt really connected to Chidi, the moral philosopher.) Also, I've been worrying a lot about where I'm going to end up living this upcoming school year. In fact, the last thing I remember from last night is receiving a rental contract from my property manager. The poop aspect of the dream may...

Here are some GIFs of pranks to get you motivated for April Fools Day. Warning : Most of these are pretty mean. But I think two of them are funny. Classic Dandy-lyn' Prank Headless drivethru. The Return of the Hamburglar. Snip, snip. Prank combo. (R.I.P. glasses) The Long Con. The Reach Around. Trash. "Hey, try to jump over me." "Hey, how strong are you?" "Hey, it's not your turn!" "Hey, hold this." K.O. Hunting initiation hazing. How to make cars stop in the middle of a highway. New school rule: no masks  Could you resist this fun social experiment? "Kick this basketball into my crotch, it'll be hilarious!" The mirror makes it better. When the Banana-Gift prank backfires. I don't control life, but I can control how to react to it. — Macklemore, Musician

Here's a weird thought. (Prepare to enter my dark mind!) I considered asking my pregnant co-worker for a used pregnancy test so I could give it as a gift to another girl friend to scare her fiancé. Then I realized how wildly inappropriate it would be and grounds for a sexual harassment lawsuit. Bad idea.  Still funny though.

There's something I've always wanted to do, but will never actually do, out of fear of being sent straight to Hell.  Because in order to do this, I would be breaking one of the Lord's 10 commandments given to Moses—taking the Lord's name in vain.  I know it's wrong, but at my young age, I also can't help but think it would be a little bit funny too. I hope one day soon, I'll grow out of this urge... So here's my confession: I've always wanted to record the sacramental prayers at church on Sunday. If I recorded each of the sacramental prayers every week for an entire year, that would yield 100 different prayers/year, [±4], adjusting for conferences and inclement weather. Why would I go to so much trouble? Because it would be hilarious. Each prayer, over the bread and water, begins with the phrase, "Oh, God." Some people voice it really slowly, while others say the words like they're about to beg for their lives. Some people u...

Do NOT wear your socks for more than 12 hours. Consequences may be severe!

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much. For your birthday present this year, I feel that it is time that you finally learned the truth. Now that you are becoming much more technologically savvy, it is time for you to be let in on the dark secret that the rest of the family has kept from you over the last 6 year. Upon returning home from my mission, I set up a shared Google Document designed to host copies of all of the Mother's Day, Birthday and Christmas cards that the rest of the family has written for you.  The document is tied to Google Calender so that it is emailed to each of us at those three times a years.  Now, here's the part I'm really ashamed of.  Instead of adding to the genealogical record of all the different reasons why we love you, we have resorted to simply copying one anothers' sentiments from years past. I know.  I know.  I should burn for this one.  But I figured, it would be better to tell you about it now and get it ou...

It’s one of the more bizarre scenes of cruelty that animal safety officers have ever come across . But even this cruel and unusual punishment does not appear to have dampened this cat’s spirits. The female tan and black striped feline was found wandering the streets of Philadelphia wrapped head to foot in duct tape – that most powerful of all tapes. Lucky for her, she was spotted by a woman who promptly called the SPCA yesterday. A humane officer from the SPCA found her wandering the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia and carted her up to safety. The tape was wrapped around her from her neck to her tail. But – armed with a great deal of patience – SPCA officers were able to remove it completely, saying she is now doing well.

As you listen to this clip, I want you to imagine which drug or drugs this woman is on. Leave your guesses in the comments. Remember these hints: -Set in Ontario,Canada. -From the "I'm not being arrogant" comment, it is assumed she has had a confrontation with the law before. -Son, possibly, came home from military service or ROTC. -Knows the word "Cobalt." Bomb in Testicle 911 Call sound bite Quote : Operator: 911. Woman: I’m looking for an Officer Loco please. What’s the name of your troops down there please? I’m not being arrogant I’m calling from Ontario. Operator: What are you trying to find out? Woman: It’s not the RCMT it’s…I have a very important call to make because I just realized that my own son could be carrying a cobalt bomb in his testicles. Operator: Who are you needing to contact ma’am? Woman: Pardon? Operator: Who are you needing to contact ma’am? Woman: Uh, your head office, the head of police. Operator: This is it ma’a...

“What starts out as my brother freaking out over a game [losing his World of Warcraft account] turns into the most hilariously, disturbing thing I have ever seen.” — Wafflepwn Things to look for during the video: Excellent Velociraptor impression He magically disrobes underneath the blanket. I'm not quite sure what role his TV remote plays in the theatrics. This video is perfectly described in Mark 9:18-27 , copied below. He has a giant Lighthouse "Nightlight". Note that it was his brother's voice that, sort of, snapped him out of it. WARNING: This video is seriously disturbing and will result in spiritual desensitization. However, sometimes, these images must be watched for educational purposes... Mark 9:18-27 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallo...

Some of you have expressed curiosity regarding what goes on inside my mind [mein kampf]. Well, hopefully this post will offer a view into that dark recess that is, my conscious mental activity. Generally speaking, I pay attention during my church meetings. Whether I'm closing my eyes or reading scriptures at that moment, I am simultaneously listening to the speaker. When I hear something noteworthy or that evokes a memorable thought of my own, I'll write it down. Today, however, I wrote pretty much everything down. What follows next may appear to be a random collection of thoughts, but in reality it is a chronological list of conscious thoughts from today's Sacrament Meeting: * I feel so blessed to have found another congregation meeting for sacrament meeting with such ease. I was afraid I would have to walk all over campus to find one. [The moment I walked into the BYU Richards Building, I saw two open doors leading into a dance studio that doubles as a sacrament mee...

Random? Or racist human-verification program? How to take a screenshot on a Mac: Apple + Shift + 3

I was listening to Aerosmith's Dude (Looks Like a Lady) and felt inspired to post bit of trivia for you. Three of the four pictures below are of renowned actresses and models, while one . . . is not. Can you spot the dude? (Hint: This was international news less than a week ago.) Subject A Subject B Subject C Subject D Were you right? Y or N

*These photos may offend some due to their carnal nature. For me, everyone's body is sacred; a gift from God. Still, I can't help but give special attention to the unique abnormalities in society. In some cases, it is a celebration of life. In other cases, these abnormalities are just, plain funny. Bottom line, I won't feel bad if you choose to skip this post. 1. Relaxed. 2. Flexed. 3. There's got to be some motivational story behind this guy's life. But I can't see it from looking at this picture. This poor guy is just setting himself up for failure. (I think I need a video. Maybe he stands a chance.)  Regardless. I marvel at how he does he does it everyday? Some may think him foolish. But for me, this picture is truly inspirational. 4. This girl seriously has no bellybutton. Maybe it's just the lighting; I'm honestly not sure. Is this anomaly natural, cosmetic or photoshopped?

I've paused ABC's premiere of Life on Mars 15 minutes into the premiere because I had to record my reaction. So far in the show, I've been following the compelling story about two police officers, a man and woman in love, who were talking about meeting the parents and the hiccups in their relationship, all while in pursuit of a murder suspect. A few minutes later, she is abducted by a serial killer just to get under the skin of the male officer. In a panicked rage, the male officer rushes to the known suspect's house and then...Shock, Dismay, Disgust ensued. (I did my best in telling the story, but it was one of those "you had to be there" kind of reactions. I felt so betrayed that the main character apparently died IN THE FIRST EPISODE while attempting to save his girlfriend that I had to document the moment with the camera sitting on my desk.)

Those of you who are squeamish of stomach, TURN AWAY NOW!!! ...BECAUSE ...YOU ...ARE ...ABOUT ...TO ...WITNESS ...SOME ...PRETTY ...GRAPHIC ...STUFF... EMT training is very hands on... I learned that coronery arteries really do feel like riggatoni noodles... As you can see here, the human lungs have 5 lobes; 3 on the right and 2 on the left. BTW, this is a giant pig, not a human being. (Bisection of the heart) I learned that the left ventricle really is HUGE! Name that movie...Dun du du DUH, du du duh. Come on Piggie! Pull through, now! L-I-V-E DANG IT!!! No...I don't think he's going to make it. ----------------