Toys for Christmas have changed over the years, but some of the older toys are every bit as attractive today as they were years ago when they were the latest thing.

This spread of ray guns simply buzzes with awesomeness. Just observe how much fun these are just sitting there, let alone when used to blast your little brother, while making who knows what cool sounds of instant laser beam annihilation. Set my ray gun to "deep fat fry!"

What kid, even today, wouldn't be absolutely delighted to find this under the tree?

The Beatnik Bandit! When I was 8, Hot Wheels were the rage, and my Bandit was lime green. My cousin and I really enjoyed watching its plastic dome slowly melt and collapse one time when we burned it in his parents fireplace. I guess the adults really shouldn't have left us alone in the house with matches while they went who knows where. Good times.

What a cool toy. How many modern kids could even explain what a "jalopy" is nowadays?

This would be good for weeks of fun, until all the little parts were lost or chewed up by the dog.

Festivus is back!

Don't piss off a teenagers father. Hey, the dad here tried to do things legally, but the wimp cops wouldn't help.

On August 1st, scientists observed an enormous eruption on the surface of the sun. They saw billion tons clouds of gas and plasma ejected into space. It was something unprecedented, at least in the short time humanity has been aware of what happens on the sun.

By God that's enough.

In antidote to the massive midwestern blizzard which is even now collapsing stadium roofs, and putting so many to work shoveling the white stuff, here is a bit of late afternoon spring color from California.

Oh God this is funny.

The Pawnee Indians of the American plains were one of the most famous of the tribes. Here are images taken of tribal members during the 1800s.

Below, warrior Taka Uhsah.

Eagle Chief
Brave Chief.
Army Pawnee scouts, ready for anything.

The Bahai religion is an offshoot of Islam, but unlike it's parent, it believes in non violence, and the oneness and brotherhood of humanity. Incredibly, or perhaps not so incredibly, their spiritual center is located in Haifa, Israel, where the Bahai enjoy a very cordial relationship with the Israelis.

Here is a great article by Michael Totten explaining the whole thing, and below is a view of the beautiful Bahai gardens on Mount Carmel, Israel.

Would it not be wonderful if all conventional Muslims could be so enlightened?

Saturday porch pictures.

Apparently Bill Clinton is now back as "stunt" president, while the other president goes out to party. Who looked and acted more presidential, who had more "gravitas" in this presser? It's crazy times we live in.

Just about puts it all in perspective.