Ramblings, opinions, and general meanderings from the Deep South

Sunday, August 31, 2003

Cyberspace is full

I've spent the last 2 hours writing, hit the post button and it disappeared into cyberspace. Had a neat link, etc, but this uber-glitching has to happen at least once a week. Will repost sometime today using a HTML based application so I can save before coming here. Some of us learn slowly, if we ever learn at all.

"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila."
-Mitch Ratliffe

Saturday, August 30, 2003

Methinks I craves a homemade Big Mac

Ever wonder what are the ingredients in Wendy's Chili? How does one make Hard Rock Cafe's Tupelo Chicken? Do you like KFC's (Kentucky Friend Chicken) cole slaw? Here's a neat site that tells you about such things. Look under recipes. There's a lot of them.

Top Secret Recipes

Interesting to see actual ingredients that go into "fast" food, etc. This is a good site that navigates easily. Since this is a cookout type weekend my mind turned to food. Wait, I always think about food. Any addys about food are welcome. In the words of that wundergeek, Martin Sargent, "Email me!"

Parrotheads, Pirates, Gypsies and Roadtrippers; be careful out there this weekend. Watch the other dudes n dudettes while on the road. And don't drive drunk!!!


If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973)

Friday, August 29, 2003

Coconut bra n grass skirt

Video Music Awards aired last night on MTV. It was an effort to get thru the 3 minutes I watched. Born in the wrong generation? Many classic tunes that you hear so often today were constructed and performed when I was a lowly musician hacking at a keyboard on stage. As is apparent in most music from the 60s, 70s, 80s people had to be talented to get air play. There was harmony, instruments in tune, good lyrics (thoughtful or silly) and an impact that left lingering melodies in your head. Now all you have to do is wear you pants down below your ass crack with ugly boxer shorts pulled up to your neck or dress like a gutter slut n you can get a contract. It's also required that you mumble a lot , have non-sequitur lyrics and always sing in the key of H. Sorry, rap to me is like listening to Metallica or Moe-donna - a waste of time. K, I wasn't born in the wrong generation. Nice to have Buffett playin in the background. Better a grass skirt n coconut bra than to dress like some skank ho.

Labor day weekend approaches. Everyone please stay safe. If using alcohol do it responsibly. Don't even think about getting behind a steering wheel if drinking.

Parrotheads call a great party a Phlocking. One nice thing I've noticed about parrothead gatherings is that some folks stay 'designated dry' and make sure that others don't leave bombed. Probably an idea to consider. Phlock responsibly.

Now for some humor. Corinth Chris n Tina sent this to me. Being a fan of Jethro Bodine and Milburn Drysdale, I laughed!

Trojan worm, Beverly Hillbillies style

"If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind."
-Seneca

Thursday, August 28, 2003

God Bless Mississippi, Republicans and Democrats

Well, the monument is gone. Sorry about being late and untimely, they had removed it before I posted. Guess I should watch more TV, LOL. Tickles me that the Governor of our great state and one his Republican opponents in the upcoming election have said they'd take the monument and proudly display it. Hey, if you don't like it, don't come here. If you live here and don't like it, leave! Governor Musgrove, a democrat, sums up the general concensus in this article:

Mississippi believes in Ten Commandments

Again, if you don't agree, go away. This is NOT a forum. Frankly, I am tired of all the bashing going on and really tired of the lame limp liberals.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

-William Shakespeare, "Hamlet"



Wednesday, August 27, 2003

liberals want full regression for mankind & they suck in general

If God and the ten commandments have no play in someone's philosophy, why worry? If God fearing men hadn't chartered and formulated structure for this country then all the wimps denying God might not have the right to be athiests, agnostics, yada yada (screw political correctness) and so outspoken about it today. Have you liberal dumbasses thought about this?

Look, I really want duelling to be revived. Think about all the idiots that would off each other and save the taxpayers money. Think about all the loudmouths that would have to acknowledge their 10 cent asses. I think manners might improve in general. Let's go further. Make it mandatory that everyone be armed. 'It's the Law! Wear your weapon. You can't leave home without it!' Why not? Makes about as much sense as trying to abolish Christianity.

Leave the monument alone in Alabama. Our Christian forefathers set forth articles and a constitution therefore the world should remember the forces behind their convictions. The ne'er do wells are trying to take down the very symbols of our ability to rise above the swill and become civil.

So, if you don't believe then why all the hubbbubb? Your little hummingbird ass is irritated? I hope it stays that way; at least until we see the manufacture of duelling pistols wax profitably. Then what will you do? Keep shooting off your loudmouth? Keep showing the world that you are infected with villageidiotitis?

I won't take my religion from any man who never works except with his mouth.
Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)

Absence of laughter renders life impossible

Okay, it's time to take a hint. Somehow someway I am not doing something right. First back trouble then kidney stones and now a summer cold that I can't shake off. Have I been in a whine-fest or what? Came in yesterday with grandiose plans of accomplishing several tasks. Sat down - went to sleep. During the evening I migrated to the bed and arose just a few minutes before I parked my carcass here in front of this 'mosheen'. Growing older and being overweight sure does make one tired and lazy. Let's see?... more prayer and exercise, yeh, that's the ticket!

The resolution of your monitor makes a difference as to where the links and archives end up (don't change any settings, just scroll to the bottom). Several people have also said clicking on the archive link after it's open will bring in all the posts for that month. Since this cable modem is not yet asynchronous my actual upgrading of the template which makes this page work is timing out. When the cable company finally upgrades the modem changes will be easier. K, Ima through whining and must go to work. As my friend Ed Coffin often says "hope you have a better than expected day!" Well, everyone but the RIAA, BSA, the French, etc.

If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old.
Edgar Watson Howe (1853 - 1937)

Monday, August 25, 2003

Concerning Links

Experienced my weekly snafu saving links. I have reposted. Some are new. Please please remember, no one is holding a cyber pistol to yo' cyber melon and forcing you to download anything. At least not in here. So, if you download something and gum up the works don't come here looking for cheese to go with that whine.

Saturday, August 23, 2003

Summertime, n' the chicken is greasy

As Miss Scarlett said, "Ah juz hate it when it's sticky!" It is hot in the Deep South today. Went out to make use of the hammock and never reclined. There seems to be a shadowy steamy texture to the air. Humidity is horribly high. So, after working a bit, I've done some shopping and rented movies. Also will finish reading Doublas Adams and Nichelle Nichols biography (she played Uhura on Star Trek). It's a lazy day.

Wow, it's time to get back to the couch n nod off. Will post later tonight.


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-Arthur C. Clarke

Friday, August 22, 2003

Music for sociopaths

Does it amaze you how some people have no manners? Ever become flabbergasted at the crude ineptitude of dolts that don't deserve the level of incompetence to which they have been promoted? Nothing infuriates me more than all the 'hitler wannabes' I see on a day to day basis. Well, maybe their inability to form the words sorry, I'm wrong, I made a mistake, etc. Techs seem to have a natural affinity to this group, but the business community has its fair share of these pompous, sociopathic, rodent-like jerks. The RIAA, the BSA, hollywoodphytes, SCO, and so forth seem to thrive on making people miserable. Well, check out this link!

  • Mighty Microsoft? Not needed, thank you!


  • This is about a company CEO that flew mad about the BSA hammering him (BSA?=Business Software Alliance). It tickles me when people don't tolerate abuse. This is part of what makes the United States great. Review this article and you will know exactly what strings belong on your guitar!

    Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.
    Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809 - 1894)

    Thursday, August 21, 2003

    Linking again

    Several new links are posted. They may appear at the top right or you may have to scrolldown to the bottom of this page (it's a cybervoodoo thangy). Leoville is Leo Laporte's sight. He's the host on Call for Help and cohost for The Screeensavers on TechTV. Leo is, somewhat, an apple dude. Since Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) owns TechTV, he talks about PCs for the most part while on the show. Very sharp dude that has been in the business for a while. Annoyances.org is about things Windows. Very old site that is a well of information. Computing.net may be one of the best sites on the web period. EFF is the Electronic Frontier Foundation. They have a search engine that'll let you know if the RIAA Gestapo horseasses are hammering yo bad self. Slashdot? My home page at work. Check em out, n let me know your opinions.

    "Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."
    -Samuel Johnson

    Monday, August 18, 2003

    All hail the mighty Laundry Witch!

    The links will return. Being a true novice at blogging, it will take time to put everything back together. Other changes will occur along the way. There is another version of this software that will be utilized which will improve my sad abilities.

    Just like to take a moment n wish the Laundry Witch (Rhonda) a happy birthday! She's somewhere in her early 30s (evil grin!) and is so knowledgeable about things worldly. Through this tremendous, loving, caring, giving human being I discovered the power of Oxyclean and Spray n Wash. Hoochie Mama, u da bomb!

    "We are the people our parents warned us about!"
    Jimmy Buffett

    Sunday, August 17, 2003

    Casual time

    Later this afternoon the grill will be heated and bourbon salmon will be the main dish. My youngest daughter's family will be here renewing a tradition we've celebrated for going on 4 years now: Sunday afternoon at "Big Daddy's" for food, refreshing beverage and movies. It'll be a light meal, a light movie and a bit of yard mowing. Too hot for an outdoor whoop-te-doo, but it'll still be great.

    With all the W32.Blaster stuff, kidney stones, and so forth - it's time to pause for the cause of humor. There's a link posted called Chili Judge in this text. If you don't laugh at this then it's my hope that the family is putting flowers on your grave. Bruce Cameron has been writing this column for several years and a tv show currently playing on ABC is based upon one of his posts. He's insightful, witty and all those other things. I will seek permission to link to his sight permanently, but I don't think he will mind a link to one article for a few days. Please let me know what you think!

    Chili Judge


    "Don't worry, be happy!"
    Bobby McFerrin

    Saturday, August 16, 2003

    Mr. Hawking is so right

    Reviewing Google News, Slashdot, Ars Technica and several other sites, makes one think that the initial hoopla about the Blaster worm/virus/general aggravation seems to be subsiding. Since the cretin that wrote it could not get the Windows Update address right, the potential denial of service possibility has been lessened. We'll see. Come Monday, it may not be all right. Many sales people that are carting around laptops from motel room to God knows where, will check in at the office, plug into the local intranet and re-infect some poor sys admin's newly cleaned network. Yes, it will happen.

    Lack of manners and pompous inconsideration astound me. Qualified system administrators should be armed and given a license to kill. Well, maybe a big hammer. These good people work hard to give others a place to exchange and process information. They rarely ask for anything other than lotsa caffeine, quiet moments with their machines, more RAM, and the newest copy of PC Magazine. People that don't update virus definitions and blatantly plug into networks should be terminated immediately via hammer or pink slip.

    For days now I have ranted about updating virus definitions. If you want your computer infected to the point that it crashes and loses ALL data that's your business. Hey, you can even call me and I'll gladly repair the poor damaged machine to a state of useful bliss. It will cost you. You have to go away and not call while I perform this ritual that I know way too well. And promise not to run over some poor defenseless animal just because it runs into the road on your way home. Nuff said. This rant stops here....for now anyway.


    "I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image."
    -Stephen Hawking

    Friday, August 15, 2003

    Cannot find REALITY.INI...World halted

    After 4 miserable days of morphine and various other drugs, I am back at work. It's hard to believe I used to take stuff for recreation that now makes any type of reasoning null and void. Actually, it was making us null and void then. Ahhh the 'gray days'. I certainly don't long for them. It's nice to be functioning on any level. Certainly wasn't earlier this week! Let me tell you brothers and sisters, kidneystones hurt (this is probably the understatement of the year)! Three days were spent man-crying and whining at the speed o' light. So, I am older and now have no desire to get stoned or kidneystoned

    Beta News has announced that Microsoft will stop production of Outlook Express. Support will continue, but alternatives need to be considered. Billy n the boys in Redmond will push MSN9 and Outlook 2003. This may possibly open the door for mail clients heretofore unused, which is a good thing. Just another way to make money for Microsoft. What's next? Internet Explorer 7 for sale? Marc Andresson, get yo' whine box ready! Mozilla is open source and a nice alternative to IE6. Kmail is way kewl too. Running on the Linux Red-Hat OS also keeps the Kmail client pretty much virus free at this writing anyway. With all the authentication code voodoo, smarmy attitude, etc., Microsoft is opening the door for alternative operating systems. Linux keeps getting better and free BSD is making a loud noise in this arena. If Satan will call Steve Jobs back to hell where he belongs and the Apple people will stop all the high profit margins, their PCs might become more popular since they've crawled outta the cave and updated their hardware technology. And quit making lame claims about the world's fastest computer! Outright lies, I tell ya. It's a beautiful day in the cyber-neighborhood.

    If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done.
    Scott Adams, Dilbert Cartoonist


    Thursday, August 14, 2003

    Symantec FixBlast tool rocks!

    Please download a removal tool from AVG, Symantec, SARC, Trend Micro, etc. and run it to eliminate the W32.Blaster virus/worm from your PC. Then restart. After restarting IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go to Microsoft's site and download the patch. If you let this worm stay on your computer and continue to use your computer - you will lose data!!! Again, if you ignore this and keep using your machine - you will lose data!!! I have seen it happen!! If you cannot do the removal get a professional to do it for you. If you cannot access the internet borrow a friend's PC and download the tool. The Symantec FixBlast tool works fine. A link is posted to George Washington University that will give you step by step instructions (Blaster removal).

    If you have sat on your dead ass and not updated your virus definitions then guess who is at fault? You as in Y-O-U. How many times have I warned up in here about updating virus definitions? Anyone running AVG that has done the updates will not get this latest intrusion on their PC. My network has an uber router, an uber switch, a cable modem and I run ZoneAlarm. Even with this protection, ALL my Windows PCs have AVG and are updated every day. Some may think me harsh, but updating virus definitions is like brushing your teeth! It has to be done. Peace out, the pseudogeek must attend to kidneystones...

    Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest.
    Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)

    Wednesday, August 13, 2003

    W32.Blaster worm/virus

    Still recovering from the gravel pit in my kidneys, I decided to check on different sites concerning the latest virus/worm problem known as W32.Blaster, Pova, LovSan, or Blaster. Fortunately this class 4 problem can be eliminated if you take prompt action and go to the windows update site and download the appropriate security patch immediately. Microsoft's update site is very slow, but still functioning. This is not the time to do ALL the updates. The pipe is being squeezed to the max. Finish your updates late this evening or during the night when traffic will be slower. This will help prevent a bottleneck or dos (denial of service). Also, AVG users might try late at night or early am. Their site, Symantec (Norton's), Trend Micro (P-Cillin) are all slow because of the last minute interest in this problem. If you are running McAfee's, nevermind - you'll never be protected by this lame company. TechTV, Microsoft and various sites have been warning about this bug for a while now. If you are running Windows 2000 (any flavor), Server 2003, XP (any flavor) or NT4 (any flavor) you need to protect your machines. So far the Windows ME, 98SE, 98 and 95 OS's are not subject to infection. Firewalls and routers seem to be preventing infection, but why take chances?

    This is a direct quote from Patrick Norton of the Screensavers site:

    In the first version of Blaster, a countdown clock face pops up and your system gets seriously unstable and restarts (a lot). Some reports say Blaster will launch a denial-of-service attack on the Windows Update website on August 16. Other reports say the attack will happen immediately.

    The obnoxious thing about this worm? It'll load itself onto your system if you don't have the patch and you're not running a firewall. Forget about opening attached files online. This one can get ya if you simply go online.

    The really nasty thing? The worm can run any code it wants to on your system. That could get ugly. Think total data loss.

    The really, really nasty thing? Experts have told our Kevin Rose that the first Blaster worm wasn't written well. New versions of the worm with updated code are already out there. That counts for everybody running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, NT 4.0 Terminal Services Edition, 2000, XP, or Server 2003.



    Patrick is a TechTV personality, show host, etc. This dude really knows his stuff as does Kevin Rose. They speak - I listen. TechTV is well staffed with intelligent people and they are very entertaining. Everyone needs to heed their good advice.

    Alfred Hitchcock was born this day in 1899. Google has honored him in the page title; very clever. Insipid means useless or worthless.

    At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

    Tuesday, August 12, 2003

    New Template!

    Was getting nowhere and decided to change template. Hope everyone likes red n brown. Will post when feeling better

    No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you'd be more productive.

    Dr. Joyce Brothers (1949 - )

    Something is still amiss..

    Now I am getting pieces of information from someone else's site in here. Really don't need this barnyard material on top of kidney stones. Hope this posts. Nothing else seems to make the trip

    Something is amiss..

    Something is really unstable here besides me, or I need to review my capabilities . Funny that I have been here since April with virtually no problems until about 2 weeks ago. Once again I will republish the links, etc. BTW, absolutely don't go to Groovyweb. They are Gator/Gain people and I WILL not recommend anyone using that trash. Sad, some good info there.

    Finally got some sleep last night. Seems like illness is catching up with me. It hurts like hell, you just can't get in a comfortable position. Must go

    Health is not simply the absence of sickness.
    Hannah Green

    Monday, August 11, 2003

    For some strange reason my templates keep disappearing. Don't go to Groovyweb. They are Gator/Gain advocates and will infect your machine with this trash spyware. I am passing kidney stones and feel horrible. Must go and bow to the porcelan thrown.

    Sunday, August 10, 2003

    Dig out those old Young Rascals 8-tracks and vinyl albums. Boy howdy, have I gotta site for you! It's NOT a music site. Just nice to have kewl music playing in the background while surfing the web. Don't know about the Young Rascals? Learn. They had a hit called Groovin' that was really big a long time ago in a galaxy not so far away. 8-tracks? Nevermind.

    Groovyweb. Yep, that's the name. This site is neatly done. Online tutorials abound and they offer information about things not computerese such as Physics, Music, Politics, Philosophy and so forth. The online tutorials are editable and in a constant state of change. Before you email me and rant about the screwed up attitude in the politics section, please realize that we are harvesting free information from here. I think this is just one opinion among many people that contribute to the site. If I get enough negative email the link will be removed. Check it out n let me know. And please note the quote of the day; it's apropo...


    A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.

    Herman Melville (1819 - 1891)

    Saturday, August 09, 2003

    Another Saturday morning. Sun is shining, birds are singing, gentle breeze is blowing, humidity is tolerable and wasps have invaded the veranda! Being so allergic herr doktor won't let me carry a kit for fear I may use it then drop dead. I really have no use for wasps. They are the Hitlers of the insect world. There will be wasp howitzers purchased in quantity and tonight they will feel a wrath like unto Patton's 3rd! Yea tho' they fly thru the veranda, they WILL fear evil for Pseudogeek will be amongst them.

    Dawnload.net is a way way kewl site. Anyone that has ever needed codecs knows what a pain it can be to hunt down these elusive necessitites for audio and video. This site has most of what you need and more. If you are into audio, video, peer to peer, n such this is a great page. Also some networking stuff, cd burning software, etc. Linux, Beos, Amiga, n crapple are also supported. Nice page, moves quickly, easy to navigate, and full of wonderful goodies. Check this out n give me your opinion. Murf, you should go for this page.

    {Please understand that I am trying to provide links that may make computing easier. Yet I have to occasionally make a statement about downloading. Forgive my harshness unless you are the flamer.}

    Once again let me remind you that Pseudogeek has no army patrolling the realm of cyberspace putting guns to your heads and forcing you to do anything. You have absolutely no right to flame me if you download something and screw up your personal confuser. You did it, and probably did it wrong. Whining here is done by ME and everyone knows I take care of that. If you don't like links that I post then go away and hang out with apple users, the RIAA Gestapo or the French. You can flame me for that which I am responsible, but your own stupidity lies in the self realm.

    Pseudogeek out


    The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 - 1940)

    Friday, August 08, 2003

    Had an interesting conversation about spare time and what we do with it. When the concept of spare time, time off, vacation (I keep hearing this word and must look up the meaning in the dictionary), days off without mowing the lawn was explained, I vaguely recalled the 'good old days' when I had such in my life. Every Sunday afternoon was reserved for time with my youngest daughter's family and I really enjoyed cooking out, watching movies, talking and normalcy. Then I inherited a second job or two and my familial socializing flew out the window. Well my good friend Stan is going to help me with one of my jobs Sunday afternoon which means that a lot of work will be accomplished. Maybe a change is blowing in the wind. I long for the days of yore when there was time to clean out the garage, paint the garage, tinker with my leadsled el camino, sweep out the garage, organize the storage shed, finish the patio, organize the garage, do all the laundry...something amiss here?

    Memphis Monk emailed and wants to further recommend the Tinhat site. He's become security conscious and loves Tinhat's straightforward look on matters. He installed Zonealarm and, after a freaky start, is tickled with it's capabilities and the cost, lol! Monk informed me as to the location of a great astronomy program a few days ago, Celestia. Still haven't built my planetary system called the Catfish system. May put that on my "sparetime" list.

    Links are reposted.


    Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
    Jane Howard, "Families"

    Thursday, August 07, 2003

    Thanks everyone for the Linux input. I think ubertech Jim has solved the problem once again. Nice to know people that know Linux.

    Tipton County Marty, you 'keep thema cards n letters a comin!' If Tipton County Jim starts whinin' too loud with those back problems tape another flexiril on him, he'll soon pass out! We have our health problems that seem inherent with age, but they sure beat the alternative.

    Anyone interested in a 1965 Mustang coupe restored to the max with a hot engine n gear box let me know. This pony is priced to sell. Belongs to a friend of mine and he's moving out of the country and can't take it with him. Sweet, I tell ya, sweet.

    One of these days my 4lb shop hammer is going to help me calibrate a dot matrix printer. I will video tape this moment for posterity. Then I may calibrate an apple crapple box and mebbe it's user! I just hope that great Web Site in the Sky is running on Linux and I get to LiLo there. Hmmmmmmm, there's possibly a song title in that last phrase...


    What I look forward to is continued immaturity followed by death.
    Dave Barry


    Wednesday, August 06, 2003

    One of our fellow techs needs some help with Linux Red Hat 9.0. He's trying to install it dual boot n make it see the dsl "modem". The OS is up and running but the DSL won't play nice. Any hints or help will be appreciated.

    It's been a day of driving and frustrating problems with windows 98 and dot matrix printers. It is now on my bench and I shall dive into it later. Sometimes the most simple things become fubar. Hope that everyone is surviving the weather. Talked to Charlie (my son-in-law) earlier and he had 14 inches of water standing in his garage. Luckily it did not get in the house. Rain has been sudden and massive.


    Nature does nothing uselessly.
    Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Politics
    ________________________________________________________________________


    Tuesday, August 05, 2003

    This afternoon I sat with several of my clients and was thoroughly entertained. Trying to repair a very tough email printing problem in the background of this conversation was a hoot! It was mentioned that God had placed me there at that time for a reason. The discussion started out about the removal of a tech device from one fellow's chest and the letter that was developed by the device recipient that initiated said removal. They talked about writing their potential obituaries because the newspapers had a way of messing them up. Then I was shown a piece for Farley the dog (from the comic strip "For Better or Worse") that they had published in the local paper. There was a list of names, including a kewl dog that I now know, honoring the memory of Farley. Now, I realize this might not translate ROFLMAO on this page, but they were cracking me up! I left, then 'googled' for famous obituaries, last words and observations. Some people are just downright funny to the very end. Hope I go with a smile and an astute observation.

    They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist. . . .
    Killed in battle during US Civil War.
    ~~ General John Sedgwick, Union Commander, d. 1864

    I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.
    ~~ Humphrey Bogart, actor, d. January 14, 1957

    That was a great game of golf, fellers.
    ~~ Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby, singer / actor, d. October 14, 1977

    I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring.
    ~~ Richard Feynman, physicist, d. 1988

    Shoot straight you bastards and don't make a mess of it!
    Executed by firing squad.
    ~~ Harry Harbord "Breaker" Morant, Australian poet & national hero, d. 1902

    Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.
    ~~ Oscar Wilde, writer, d. November 30, 1900

    Never knock on Death's door: ring the bell and run away! Death really hates that!
    Matt Frewer, as Dr. Mike Stratford in "Doctor, Doctor"

    Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.
    Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Monday, August 04, 2003

    Another Monday is upon us. Today I shall rally forth and attack this day with the gusto of a hound dog. This will be a prayerful day. Patience and strength will be requested. Patience to tolerate irritablility when confronting the silliness and inconsideration of others and strength to keep from killing them. After this recent round with my back I have come to one conclusion; the drugs are wearin' off. Good people that have never experienced this type of gnawing, gut wrenching malady - it is my hope that you won't - ever! People that smirk and besmirch such things - Doom on you. Stay alive. Your turn is coming...



    That best portion of a good man's life,
    His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

    William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850)
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    Sunday, August 03, 2003

    Recently received an email from New York Jan concerning a worthy, worthy cause. Please read:

    As you may be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new
    "Fund the Cure" stamp to help fund breast cancer research.
    The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland.
    It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects
    so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends.

    Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents.
    The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A
    "normal" book costs $7.40. This one is only $8.00. It takes
    a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much.

    If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for
    this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support.
    What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this
    week. What a statement it would make that we care.


    Next time you order stamps over the internet or stop by the local Post office please remember this entry. Thanks Jan for having a good soul.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Can you say fiasco? My inept blogging while under the influence of prescribed drugs has escalated into a disaster. At this point saving this site is at the top of the list. Trying to change back to the softer format with the blue at the top and the links have been added back several times. Things are looking better and I will keep trying. Walking upright with small discomfort and NOT taking the meds may help me align my ramblings and ravings. Prayers are welcome!


    Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid.John Keats (1795 - 1821)

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    Saturday, August 02, 2003

    Memphis Monk sent me an astronomy site, Celestia. It is simple to use and the site is just about as good as it gets. It's easy to navigate and has a documentation section where you can download the full user's guide. Chris Laurel put this site together and has deep credentials. He worked for Microsoft as a software design engineer. His most notable works are Chrome and DirectX 8. Only one small criticism; the background is black and sometimes the text is hard to read. Perhaps the color scheme is appropriate for an astronomical page though. There are addins and scripts. You can even build your own planetary system. Think I'll call mine the Catfish system. Or perhaps Frogstar...


    Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
    Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001), "Last Chance to See"

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    Friday, August 01, 2003

    After my backache subsides and my life can return to pseudonormal, the links will be reassembled. I had no business operating 'heavy machinery' while taking medication.

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