news you can use #11: the houston rodeo, "dead" people, ironman, don't marry your first cousin, and sad news

i've got a couple new readers since last week, so let me give you newbies a little introduction of what thursdays look like around these parts.  some of you don't have time to or choose not to keep yourself in the know about important events.  no need to fear, in each edition of news you can use! i supply you with only the very best weekly news.  this news includes - but is not limited to - such important things as: world news, hollywood news, movie news, reality tv news, interesting and weird happenings news, things i happen to find important or freakishly cool news, and my news (aka - what's going on in my life news). i know. all really exciting shit.  so sit back, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of champagne and know you are will be more informed after reading this.

the houston livestock show and rodeo.  that's right, it's that time of year again in houston - rodeo time!  if you don't have a clue what a BIG EFFING DEAL the rodeo is in h-town, do your research.   i even gave you the link.  it's big.  the rodeo cookoff starts TONIGHT and one of the companies i lobby for has a tent, so you know i'll be there in my texas best attire.  i may even bust out the fringe shirt.  and i may even take pictures.  for you.  in the meantime, here's something to get you non-texans excited out there.  i know my canadian, aussie, and new zealand lovers will love this:

{the goal is to ride for 8 seconds.  good luck.  i wouldn't get on in the first place.  black beauty there obviously isn't having any of it.}

{how can you not love taylor??  we always have a pretty decent concert lineup.}

{you have to ride the ferris wheel at least once.}

{one of the rodeo tents.  this is where the crazy shiz goes down.}

'dead' colombian woman moves arm at funeral home.  when i was little i was seriously terrified of being buried alive.  my grandmother used to tell me horror stories growing up of people being buried alive in the 1800s and early 1900s because they were presumed to be dead.  i figured by 2010 we would have gotten this whole "medical death confirmation" thing down.  apparently not.  you can read about it here.

bill clinton is more like ironman than we thought.  per the onion, one of my favorite news sources in the world, former president bill clinton has had a unibeam installed in his chest.  i'm not sure what this mean for hilary.

banning marriage against 1st cousins.  a maryland lawmaker wants to ban marriage among 1st cousins saying people should stop playing "genetic roulette" with their offspring.  my response to this: umm, no shit.  there's not already a law in place for this??!?  oh, and just an fyi - there are 24 states in the united states that prohibit marriage between first cousins.

in other sad, but it-needed-to-happen news... mine and my boss' admin assistant was let go yesterday.  it's a long story and i hope only the best for her, but it was unfortunately one of those things that just really wasn't working out and is definitely for the best for all involved.  that being said, it means lots o' extra work for yours truly and my boss until we can get someone.  my point in telling you all is because i'll now be even busier than ever, which leaves less time for the important things like commenting on your blogs.  i'll do my darndest, though and i promise to cry about how much i miss you.