We're almost done with our romantic look at classic Hollywood moments, ala Rocket Jones.

Now, certain actors possess an undefinable presence. That unmistakable command of any situation, whether it's dealing with love, life or the bad guys. Even something as simple as giving a little fatherly mentoring was done with style and assurance.

The Duke definitely had presence.

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Posted by: Ted at 09:27 AM | category: Square Pegs
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The teen years are all about fun, right?

Depends on which end of the paddle you're on.

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Posted by: Ted at 07:27 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Oldest daughter is taking French as part of her studies in International Business. I told her that when she's taking a test and doesn't know the answer, just write "I surrender".

Posted by: Ted at 12:10 PM | category: Square Pegs
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It's 30 degrees outside, the wind is howling, and these four poor shmoes are lashed up to the side of the building across the street, washing windows.

Posted by: Ted at 11:50 AM | category: Square Pegs
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There's nothing like a tender glance to let her know that this is going to be as much fun for you as it will be for her.

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Posted by: Ted at 05:27 AM | category: Square Pegs
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California Yankee (again!) posts links to an article about our unmanned Predator aircraft that fly in support of our troops, specifically, some video clips taken by on-board cameras:

Some of the footage was a clip of Marines under sniper assault during an August battle in Najaf. A Predator responds to a call for air support and fires Hellfire missiles at the building housing the sniper. The building crumbles in an explosion.

Unmanned isn't uncontrolled. Predators are in the skies of Iraq 24/7, remote controlled by their pilots from Nellis Air Force Base, 7000 miles away in Nevada.

Posted by: Ted at 04:32 AM | category: Square Pegs
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I come from the land of Lorena Bobbitt, but compared to this lady, Lorena was a dream date!

A British woman was sentenced to two and a half years in jail Thursday for ripping off her ex-lover's testicle with her bare hands during a drunken brawl after he refused her sex.

Amanda Monti, 24, flew into a rage in May last year after Geoffrey Jones, 37, who had ended their long-term relationship, rejected her advances.

She grabbed him by the genitals, tearing off his left testicle, then hid it in her mouth before a friend of Jones handed it back to him saying "that's yours."

Monti, of Birkenhead, near Liverpool, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing.

There's just too much there to comment on, I wouldn't know where to begin.

hid it in her mouth?

"that's yours?"

Posted by: Ted at 12:09 PM | category: Square Pegs
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Lay's has a new flavor of potato chip out - Dill Pickle. They taste exactly like those chips at a picnic that get soggy from the pickle juice running around on your plate. Yum!!! Only problem is, I hope like hell we got a defective bag, because they're so salty you can only eat about 3 chips at a time.

Posted by: Ted at 05:20 AM | category: Square Pegs
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The most innocent beginnings can blossom into a romantic moment.

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Posted by: Ted at 04:37 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Me.

Posted by: Ted at 12:01 PM | category: Square Pegs
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Continuing the series. Can you feel the romance in the air?

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Posted by: Ted at 05:57 AM | category: Square Pegs
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1 That doesn't look like Errol to me--it looks more like Orson Wells! Are you sure they got the names right?

Posted by: Susie at February 09, 2005 01:49 PM (MYr06)

2 Of course not, I'm guessing. I've only seen bits and pieces of Gone With The Wind, I thought that was Eroll Flynn. What else was he in?

Posted by: Ted at February 09, 2005 02:54 PM (blNMI)

3 Oddly enough I'm all atingle. TMI?

Posted by: Kat at February 09, 2005 03:32 PM (PwX2K)

4 That looks like Clark Gable moret than Flynn, but it's hard to tell when they both had the little moustache.

Flynn was in 'Captain Blood', a fine swashbuckler movie, as well as Robin Hood, which has great dialog, but is campy as hell. Using fencing foils in the 12th century and the like.

Posted by: Paul at February 09, 2005 03:34 PM (vbP6L)

5 Kat, tingling is encouraged.

Paul, I should have thought about those two. I love the swashbucklers, but it's been a long time since I've seen those.

Posted by: Ted at February 09, 2005 07:34 PM (ZjSa7)

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I came home from work yesterday, putzed around the house a little, picked Mookie up from her after-school activity, ate some leftovers for dinner and went to bed. Slept straight through until this morning.

I must've needed to catch up. That is sooooo not me.

Posted by: Ted at 06:05 AM | category: Square Pegs
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The second in a series of classic Hollywood pictures, with a Rocket Jones twist.

I'm such a romantic.

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Posted by: Ted at 04:43 AM | category: Square Pegs
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It wasn't exciting, it wasn't thrilling, it wasn't a blowout, it was just a game. How dull. Even the commercials were uninspired.

I've got to give Owens his due, when it's time to play, he brings it.

Someone explain to me again why McNabb is a great quarterback?

Posted by: Ted at 05:56 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Saint Valentine's Day. Cupid, cards, and heart shaped bits of chalk with sweet words on 'em. In honor of the holiday and the ones we have feelings for, Rocket Jones is proud to present a series of classic Hollywood moments.

Spankings, not just for birthdays anymore.

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Posted by: Ted at 04:21 AM | category: Square Pegs
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The Eagles must have had T.O. sign a waiver for the game, absolving them of responsibility and possibly spelling out penalties on T.O. if he reinjures his leg. The other possibility is that the Eagles or Owens took out an insurance policy for this one game. Terrell Owens is too valuable in the long run to risk a longer term injury, even for the Super Bowl. Him playing without being cleared by the doctors is just stupid, and even though he claims to be ready, his judgement over the years has been less than sterling.

Owens claims that God told him to play. What if God is a Patriots fan?

Posted by: Ted at 09:05 AM | category: Square Pegs
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I've seen variations of this floating around in email before, but this is the most comprehensive version I've ever run across. Many thanks to Gordon for forwarding it to me.

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Posted by: Ted at 06:01 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Welcome to democracy.

Posted by: Ted at 07:51 AM | category: Square Pegs
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It occurs to me that if we move the federal government to Dade County, we wouldn't even have to change the stationery.

Posted by: Ted at 11:35 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's opening remarks to State employees:

(Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you. Well, this is a little different welcome than the first time that I came to work at the State Department. Now, that may surprise some of you, but I was, in 1977, an intern in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. (Laughter and applause.) Now, there's a lesson in that: Be good to your interns. (Laughter.)

Complete text of her remarks can be found here.

Also distributed (sorry, couldn't find a link):

Message from the Secretary of State

Colleagues, today is the first of many days ahead that we will work together to help our country build a safer, better world. I am honored to lead the State Department at this critical time—a time of challenge and hope and opportunity. And, like you, I owe a special debt of gratitude to our dear friend Colin Powell, who has served our nation with distinction, and has done so much to strengthen the Department of State.

September 11, 2001, was a defining moment for our nation and the world. Under the vision and leadership of President Bush, our nation has risen to meet the challenges of our time; fighting tyranny and terror, and securing the blessings of freedom and prosperity for a new generation. The work that America and our allies have undertaken, and the sacrifices we have made, have been difficult. And necessary. And right. Now is the time to build on these achievements—to make the world safer, and to make the world more free. We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power in the world that favors freedom. And the time for diplomacy is now.

In these momentous times, American diplomacy has three great tasks. We will unite the community of democracies in building an international system that is based on our shared values and the rule of law. We will strengthen the community of democracies to fight the threats to our common security and alleviate the hopelessness that feeds terror. And we will spread freedom and democracy throughout the world. That is the mission that President Bush has set for you and me, and the great mission of American diplomacy today.

As we begin our work together, President Bush and I will expect great things from each of you in the service of your country and of a great cause. More than ever, you will be active in spreading democracy, fighting terror, reducing poverty, and helping to protect the American homeland.

I want each of you to know that I have no higher priority than the well-being and personal development of the men and women of the Foreign and Civil Services and the Foreign Service Nationals who work beside us. I know from experience how hard you work and the many risks you take. And I am especially aware of the hardships and sacrifices that your families endure as they also serve our nation. I want you to know that I will personally work to help ensure that you have the tools you need to do your jobs—from training to budgets to mentoring to embassy security.

Colleagues, I am honored to be your Secretary during these historic times. Together, we will serve our wonderful country and the cause of freedom for which it stands.

Let's see... first she thanks outgoing Secretary Powell, next is a reminder about 9/11, then diplomacy, building democracy, fighting terror, and looking out for her people.

Yep. As far as I'm concerned, she hit all the right points. In the right order too.

Posted by: Ted at 05:55 AM | category: Square Pegs
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