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Leslie and I went camping up north, near where I grew up, at McCarthy Beach State Park. She and I have been slowly augmenting our collection of camping equipment for over a year. This was more of a shake-down than anything else; although McCarthy is a nice campground, it is just that: a campground. We got a slightly isolated site, and we didn’t have electricity, we even used backpacking food. I was rather sad to see the large amount of people who think “camping” entails using a huge RV / fifth-wheel tow behind trailer with an unleaded generator. We took a few cool pictures of a little chipmunk who had a tunnel just outside our tent. Also, this was the first time that we brought both bikes somewhere using the Thule car racks. There were quite a few nice trails skirting the campground, but I was saddened to find that the trails threading through “private” land (something really interesting, within the bounds of a Minnesota state park) were ill-kept. I really wanted to peddle my way back to Pickerel Lake and sit on the shoreline. I haven’t been back there since I was 11 or 12 years old. It’s a small, rather deep lake, and the Department of Natural Resources stocks it with rainbow trout. We had dinner at a local favorite: Bimbo’s, a bar/restaurant. If you are ever out near Side Lake, Minnesota, the hot wings there are a must. I will post the photos of the chipmunk at a later date.

So this weekend was relaxing, but it was a false calm for me. I have five papers to coordinate, and I have to study for my Arabic final, as well as arrange for a health advocate presentation for Beta, when I have so many other things to do. Thankfully, things are winding down regardless of the imminent stress ahead with research and paper writing.

So, on to the news:

Palestinian Officer’s Sons Killed in Gaza
“The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, spoke in the West Bank city of Ramallah about the incident, called it “an ugly and inhuman crime perpetrated by a bunch of lowlifes.”” So true. Lowlifes. More people need to see that. Go NYT.

Holocaust Deniers and Skeptics Gather in Iran
Let’s blame Iran for allowing alternative dialog to occur, right? Come on people, relax. Difference of opinion is something everyone is entitled.

Giving Brazil a taste of Arabia
It speaks volumes for Brazil’s diverse blend of cultural influences that one of its biggest home-grown fast-food chains is an Middle East food franchise called Habib’s.

Carter: Israeli apartheid ‘worse’
Former US President Jimmy Carter says some Israeli restrictions imposed on Palestinians in the West Bank are worse than apartheid-era South Africa.

So in other words, Jimmy Carter is the man. I think he needs to get in touch with Jeff Halper and the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition.

Reindeer hot dogs on sale in suburban Chicago
Excellent! I can eat Rudolph for dinner.

‘Children’ will present cross-gender storyline
“All My Children” producers find a new love interest for Bianca – a transgender rock star.

Mom: Talking Doll Called My Daughter ‘a Slut’
‘I Was in Absolute Shock,’ Woman Tells ABC News, ‘Especially After My Daughter Repeated It’

African Adaptation to Digesting Milk Is “Strongest Signal of Selection Ever”
East African cattle herding communities rapidly and independently evolved ability to digest lactose.

Sitcom’s Precarious Premise: Being Muslim Over Here
Intensely interesting article about Muslims and their adaptation to the different positions Western culture places them in. The book reminded me of the Irshad Manji book The Trouble with Islam Today

Shaving with Light“A device that uses light to send hair follicles to sleep, making skin smooth for weeks at a time, without shaving or waxing, is being patented by Philips.
Laser light can be used to kill hair follicles by making them so hot that they literally explode.”

Pastor resigns over homosexuality
I need to write a book called The Trouble with Christianity Since Its Inception but it would take too many pages to talk about the hypocrisy. This case is one example. Christians who judge are Christians. Only God can judge, and a poorly-educated redneck from Utah can’t tell me what to do and how to live my life.

10 rules for building wealth
Fumbling when it comes to investing? Don’t panic. There are easy ways to get your money to work for you.

Christmas 2.0: Subverting the Holidays With Re-dubbing

So, not too many things to talk about so far today. Just a few:

Chile’s Gen Pinochet dies at 91
“The general entered a Santiago hospital a week ago after a heart attack. He was thought to be recovering when his condition suddenly worsened on Sunday.”

Criminologist looks for link in student deaths
About time someone spent time watching for clues. Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin have lots of college student deaths. Funny most deaths occur on the borders of states, near rivers or lakes.

3 family members die in house fire
House fire near Red Lake Reservation is fatal.

Staying on top of 5 new streets a day
Thousands often struggle with urgent need for up-to-date locations in growing Twin Cities.

In hot oil
The heat is on food companies to ditch transfats.

Gibson rules box office with ‘Apocalypto’
When you read this article, notice that the AP (along with most of America) think that it is fine by calling the Maya language “obscure.” I sense a bit of ethnocentrism.

Protesters Jam Beirut to Urge Government’s Ouster

Religion for a Captive Audience, Paid For by Taxes

The Pattern May Change, if …
A look at the pattern of presidential types.

The Man Museums Love to Hate

Study Detects Recent Instance of Human Evolution

Borat’s “O Kazakhstan” is Eligible for an Oscar

The Parts Left Out of Borat

Boy Arrested For Opening Xmas Gift Early