A cat died and went to Heaven. God met her at the gates and said, ‘You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking.’
The cat thought for a minute and then said, ‘All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on.’
God said, ‘Say no more.’ Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.
A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to Heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat.
The mice said, ‘Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again.’
God answered, ‘It is done.’ All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.
About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, ‘Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?’
The cat replied, ‘Oh, it is WONDERFUL. I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!’

(Gilbert, though officially a RAT, loves cats!)

Thanks Russ for sending this. Kind of unexpected performance from a favorite actor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMz1Q3E000&eurl=http://politicalirony.com/2008/11/30/robin-williams-on-obamas-election/
Enjoy… And never take anything too seriously…

Most people think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control kids when they have one of ‘those moments.’
One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk. It works even better with Beijing taxis.
Some say it’s the vibration from the car, others say it’s the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, iPod, etc.
Either way,  kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too. Sometimes a bit difficult as often Beijing taxis have dirty windshields (I fail to understand how they can drive with that).
I’ve included a photo below of one of our sessions with a kid who tried to dismantle my model airplanes, in case you would like to use the technique. It also works well with the “Small Emperors” over here.

In view of the recession and tougher markets, China is trying to be more creative.
New exports are now out, such as this light switch.

It is said the Pope is not too enthusiastic. I wonder why. Difficult guy.