I thought this was amusing, and clever. It can't be all that comfortable though!
FedEx Box Furniture
There is a couch, table, desk, chairs, and even a bed!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Broke & couchless? Build your own!
I thought this was amusing, and clever. It can't be all that comfortable though!
FedEx Box Furniture
There is a couch, table, desk, chairs, and even a bed!
Free Whoppers
I found this through Digg. Thought you all might like to know too.
All you have to do is get a reciept from a burger king that has a survey box on the back. Instead of calling the number and wasting your time just follow these instructions for free no hassle food.
This is unvarified by myself so far, so I can make no promises to if it really works or not. So if some one tries it, I'd love to hear if it worked!
Here is the blogg it is originally posted to.
All you have to do is get a reciept from a burger king that has a survey box on the back. Instead of calling the number and wasting your time just follow these instructions for free no hassle food.
Here are the instructions:
- Find a reciept with the telephone survey on the back.
- Where it says to write the code and place the two letter code followed by 5 numbers (hint: Numbers do not have to be in any order or value except that there has to be five of them) for which month you are currently in.
- Example: WH 12345 the only thing they will check are the two letters.
- You still have to buy any size fry or drink but you will always get a free sandwich of your choosing.
Month Codes:
Based on which month your are in choose the two letters that coincide with that month.
- Jan = BB
- Feb = LS
- Mar = JH
- April = PL
- May = BK
- June = WH
- July = FF
- Aug = BF
- Sept = CF
- Oct = CK
- Nov = CB
- Dec = VM
This is unvarified by myself so far, so I can make no promises to if it really works or not. So if some one tries it, I'd love to hear if it worked!
Here is the blogg it is originally posted to.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
President Chavez calls Bush the Devil
This morning during the UN general Assembly Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called President Bush the devil risking the survival of all humans. It's about time some one said it!
"The hegemonic pretensions of the American empire are placing at risk the very survival of the human species. We continue to warn you about this danger and we appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our heads.
...
And the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here."
[crosses himself]
"And it smells of sulfur still today.
Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the president of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. Truly. As the owner of the world.
I think we could call a psychiatrist to analyze yesterday's statement made by the president of the United States. As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his nostrums, to try to preserve the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world.
...
They say they want to impose a democratic model. But that's their democratic model. It's the false democracy of elites, and, I would say, a very original democracy that's imposed by weapons and bombs and firing weapons.
What a strange democracy. Aristotle might not recognize it or others who are at the root of democracy.
What type of democracy do you impose with marines and bombs?
The president of the United States, yesterday, said to us, right here, in this room, and I'm quoting, "Anywhere you look, you hear extremists telling you can escape from poverty and recover your dignity through violence, terror and martyrdom.
Wherever he looks, he sees extremists.
...
The imperialists see extremists everywhere. It's not that we are extremists. It's that the world is waking up. It's waking up all over. And people are standing up.
I have the feeling, dear world dictator, that you are going to live the rest of your days as a nightmare because the rest of us are standing up, all those who are rising up against American imperialism, who are shouting for equality, for respect, for the sovereignty of nations."
Read the full transcript at Drudge Report. The transcript is not yet available on the UN's GA 61 site. However, you can watch the webcast in English or Spanish.
This is not the first time Chavez has spoken his mind about the current US administration. In this CCN article from May, 15 2006 he accused Bush of committing genocide and states that he should be tried in an international court and imprisoned. This is just one example of Chavez's very vocal opposition to Bush.
I find it interesting that the administration is dismissing Chavez out of hand.
John Bolton, the U.S. envoy to the United Nations: "We're not going to address that kind of comic strip approach to international affairs."
Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State: "I am not going to dignify a comment by the Venezuelan president to the president of the United States. I think it is not becoming for a head of state."
Imagine, if you will that he is saying essentially the same thing, with the same passion, about fighting terrorism and defeating Al-Qaeda. I'm pretty sure that instead they'd be praising him up and down for his dedication to the cause of freedom and peace for all people. Or at least, President Bush's version of it.
As a couple of side notes:
Here is President Bush's speech to the UN from Tuesday.
Here is the UN GA 61 main page, for those of you who want to keep up with what is going on.
And a clip from The Dec 7, 2005 Colbert Report. The Word is Hell, yes!, and it talks a bit about Chavez discounting oil for poor American families.
"The hegemonic pretensions of the American empire are placing at risk the very survival of the human species. We continue to warn you about this danger and we appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our heads.
...
And the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here."
[crosses himself]
"And it smells of sulfur still today.
Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the president of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. Truly. As the owner of the world.
I think we could call a psychiatrist to analyze yesterday's statement made by the president of the United States. As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his nostrums, to try to preserve the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world.
...
They say they want to impose a democratic model. But that's their democratic model. It's the false democracy of elites, and, I would say, a very original democracy that's imposed by weapons and bombs and firing weapons.
What a strange democracy. Aristotle might not recognize it or others who are at the root of democracy.
What type of democracy do you impose with marines and bombs?
The president of the United States, yesterday, said to us, right here, in this room, and I'm quoting, "Anywhere you look, you hear extremists telling you can escape from poverty and recover your dignity through violence, terror and martyrdom.
Wherever he looks, he sees extremists.
...
The imperialists see extremists everywhere. It's not that we are extremists. It's that the world is waking up. It's waking up all over. And people are standing up.
I have the feeling, dear world dictator, that you are going to live the rest of your days as a nightmare because the rest of us are standing up, all those who are rising up against American imperialism, who are shouting for equality, for respect, for the sovereignty of nations."
Read the full transcript at Drudge Report. The transcript is not yet available on the UN's GA 61 site. However, you can watch the webcast in English or Spanish.
This is not the first time Chavez has spoken his mind about the current US administration. In this CCN article from May, 15 2006 he accused Bush of committing genocide and states that he should be tried in an international court and imprisoned. This is just one example of Chavez's very vocal opposition to Bush.
I find it interesting that the administration is dismissing Chavez out of hand.
John Bolton, the U.S. envoy to the United Nations: "We're not going to address that kind of comic strip approach to international affairs."
Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State: "I am not going to dignify a comment by the Venezuelan president to the president of the United States. I think it is not becoming for a head of state."
Imagine, if you will that he is saying essentially the same thing, with the same passion, about fighting terrorism and defeating Al-Qaeda. I'm pretty sure that instead they'd be praising him up and down for his dedication to the cause of freedom and peace for all people. Or at least, President Bush's version of it.
As a couple of side notes:
Here is President Bush's speech to the UN from Tuesday.
Here is the UN GA 61 main page, for those of you who want to keep up with what is going on.
And a clip from The Dec 7, 2005 Colbert Report. The Word is Hell, yes!, and it talks a bit about Chavez discounting oil for poor American families.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Are you a true Vermonter?
If you are a TRUE VERMONTER:
1.Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on route 7.
2. Vacation means going to Burlington for the weekend.
3. You measure distance in hours.
4. You know several people who have hit moose more than once.
5. You often switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
6. You use a down comforter in the summer.
7. Your grandparents drive at 65 mph through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
8. You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events.
9. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
10. You think of the major food groups as deer meat, beer, fish, and berries.
11. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
12. There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at the K-mart store at any given time!
13. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
14. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
15. You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas.
16. You know all 5 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, mud, and construction.
17. It takes you 3 hours to go to the store for one item even when you're in a rush because you have to stop and talk to everyone in town.
18. You actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends from Vermont
19. Your idea of a graduation party is a keg in the backwoods with some friends.
20. 10 degrees is considered a warm day.
21. The christmas lights are on the house year round.
22. You know the three ways of hunting deer: sitting in a tree stand (boring), stalking the deer (hard as hell), and hitting it with your truck (by far the easiest and most full proof way).
23. You know February vaction was first made for people who sugar.
24. You think the bigger the truck the better
25. You say idear and milt'n
26. You think a winter with only 2 feet of snow at a time is a mild winter.
27. You or your parents don't fully grasp the concept of internet.
28. You know you can buy a bong legally and you know where to get them.
29. You are used to the smell of cow manure.
30. You learned to drive when you could first reach the pedals.
31. You wait up all night just to shoot pesky racoons
32. You or your parents own more then 3 guns.
33. You have to travel for at least 30 minutes to get any good clothes.
34. You think camo clothes, suspenders and flannel are "in style".
35. You get annoyed when people think Vermont is part of Canada, but you yourself think New Mexico is part of Central America and its the updated version of Mexico.
36. You make some of your own furniture.
37. You've at least tipped one cow in your life.
38. You've skinny dipped at least once in lake champlain.
39. You get immense fun out of setting off any kind of firework.
40. You know the few roads into canada no-one appears to know about.
41. You drink water from your own well.
42. Within a mile of where you live you can find a cow.
43. Ain't is part of your common vocabulary.
1.Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on route 7.
2. Vacation means going to Burlington for the weekend.
3. You measure distance in hours.
4. You know several people who have hit moose more than once.
5. You often switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
6. You use a down comforter in the summer.
7. Your grandparents drive at 65 mph through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
8. You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events.
9. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
10. You think of the major food groups as deer meat, beer, fish, and berries.
11. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
12. There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at the K-mart store at any given time!
13. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
14. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
15. You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas.
16. You know all 5 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, mud, and construction.
17. It takes you 3 hours to go to the store for one item even when you're in a rush because you have to stop and talk to everyone in town.
18. You actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends from Vermont
19. Your idea of a graduation party is a keg in the backwoods with some friends.
20. 10 degrees is considered a warm day.
21. The christmas lights are on the house year round.
22. You know the three ways of hunting deer: sitting in a tree stand (boring), stalking the deer (hard as hell), and hitting it with your truck (by far the easiest and most full proof way).
23. You know February vaction was first made for people who sugar.
24. You think the bigger the truck the better
25. You say idear and milt'n
26. You think a winter with only 2 feet of snow at a time is a mild winter.
27. You or your parents don't fully grasp the concept of internet.
28. You know you can buy a bong legally and you know where to get them.
29. You are used to the smell of cow manure.
30. You learned to drive when you could first reach the pedals.
31. You wait up all night just to shoot pesky racoons
32. You or your parents own more then 3 guns.
33. You have to travel for at least 30 minutes to get any good clothes.
34. You think camo clothes, suspenders and flannel are "in style".
35. You get annoyed when people think Vermont is part of Canada, but you yourself think New Mexico is part of Central America and its the updated version of Mexico.
36. You make some of your own furniture.
37. You've at least tipped one cow in your life.
38. You've skinny dipped at least once in lake champlain.
39. You get immense fun out of setting off any kind of firework.
40. You know the few roads into canada no-one appears to know about.
41. You drink water from your own well.
42. Within a mile of where you live you can find a cow.
43. Ain't is part of your common vocabulary.
Free Legel Advice From An Attorney
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.
Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online.
Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-62852.)
2.)Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-37423.)
3.)Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. Nevertheless, if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone you care.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.
Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online.
Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-62852.)
2.)Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-37423.)
3.)Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. Nevertheless, if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone you care.
Bananas
I'll bet that after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!
Bananas: Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey, undertaken by MIND, amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural moodenhancer tryptophan.
Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"You might want to pass this tidbit to those friends you'd like to keep around!!!!You'll have to excuse me now.......I'm off to the store for my banana's.
Things I like today-
Sen. Ted Kennedy speaking out in support for Net Neutrality
These fun and humorous videos -
We all know what the internet is really for. Avenue Q made a song about it, and the nice monsters from World of Warcraft made a video for the song. Listen and be amused. The Internet Is For Porn
Everyone's favorite furniture store is of course The Presidents
These quotes -
"Be curious always, for knowledge will not acquire you; you must acquire it." --Sudie Back
"To be happy, you need something or someone to love, something to keep you busy and something to look forward to." Anon/ Modern proverb
"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination..." - Souza
"The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught." - Marquis de Vauvenargues
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."- Leo Buscaglia
"Mindfulness is not just a word or a discourse by the Buddha, but a meaningful state of mind. It means we have to be here now, in this very moment, and we have to know what is happening internally and externally. It means being alert to our motives and learning to change unwholesome thoughts and emotions into wholesome ones. Mindfulness is a mental activity that in due course eliminates all suffering." - Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." - WH Auden
Strawberry daiquiris (Yeah, I know. It suprised me too.)
Famous Dave's
They have really tasty BBQ.
These fun and humorous videos -
We all know what the internet is really for. Avenue Q made a song about it, and the nice monsters from World of Warcraft made a video for the song. Listen and be amused. The Internet Is For Porn
Everyone's favorite furniture store is of course The Presidents
These quotes -
"Be curious always, for knowledge will not acquire you; you must acquire it." --Sudie Back
"To be happy, you need something or someone to love, something to keep you busy and something to look forward to." Anon/ Modern proverb
"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination..." - Souza
"The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught." - Marquis de Vauvenargues
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."- Leo Buscaglia
"Mindfulness is not just a word or a discourse by the Buddha, but a meaningful state of mind. It means we have to be here now, in this very moment, and we have to know what is happening internally and externally. It means being alert to our motives and learning to change unwholesome thoughts and emotions into wholesome ones. Mindfulness is a mental activity that in due course eliminates all suffering." - Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." - WH Auden
Strawberry daiquiris (Yeah, I know. It suprised me too.)
Famous Dave's
They have really tasty BBQ.
Aeryn's list of open-source software that doesn't suck!
The first thing I would recommend is to do your downloading through C-NET. I haven't had any problems with viruses, spy-ware, or ad-ware with anything I've downloaded through them. Of course use common sense, don't download a stuff all willy-nilly , pay attention to the staff & customer reviews, etc. But you all know that already, I'm sure.
For those of you in Minneapolis I recommend switching to Earthlink if you are currently using Time Warner High Speed. Why? Well, if you have Time Warner, I'm sure you know that they suck! But even above that, the Earthlink anti-virus software that you get is pretty decent. (For the same price you're already paying.) Combined with a couple of other small changes that I'll tell you about in just a minute, I have been blissfully problem free since installing it. If you have an older computer, it may cause it to run a slow when doing a virus scan, or updating it. I haven't had any speed issues otherwise. (Steps down off of my soap box. Sorry about that.)
If you don't have an anti-virus program/ pop up blocker already, or if the one that you have just plan old doesn't work, I love the Google Toolbar. It can be kind of a pain in the ass, doing things like blocking new windows that you want, but you can set it to always allow pop ups from specific sites, or temporarily disable it it you would like to.
If you use any sort of instant messenger you'll like Trillian. If you use more than one IM service, you'll love Trillian. It opens AOL IM, Yahoo IM, MSN IM, and ICQ. With out having to download any of them. All you need is your log in email and password for each program. You can choose an avatar, and it has an extensive list of icons. You can also set it to/ start it in 'invisible' mode, so you can see who is online, but they can't see you.
If you are not using it now, I highly, highly recommend switching your web browser to Firefox. Since many viruses are written specifically for Internet Explorer, it's more secure than IE. It's also more handy, and fun. It uses a tabbed browsing system, so you can open more than one web page in the same window. You can download different skins for it, and a lot of different extentions. Some are handy, some are just fun. I can send out a list of my favorite extentions if any one is interested. Now that I'm used to it, I don't know how I ever lived with out it. There are some programs that won't open in Firefox though. (Like Window's Media player.) You will need to use IE on occasion still, but it's well worth the occasional inconvenience of having to switch browsers.
Another program that I love is Open Office. Like MS Office, but no irritating animated paperclip, and it's free. It has a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, a presentation program, and a couple of others that I haven't checked out yet. (Drawing and math I think.) I was using Word Perfect before I found Open Office, and the difference is astounding.
I love Google's Picassa for basic photo editing. Red Eye removal, light and color adjusting, it's pretty handy with all that basic stuff.
If you are looking for a slightly more advanced editing program, try The GIMP. It's not quite Photoshop. For a price difference of $650 verses free though, it comes pretty damn close. Close enough to make me happy in fact. For those of you who are wondering about the name, GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program.)
A couple of other programs that I've found fun and/or handy -
(Yeah, I'm getting lazy and am gonna just going to put down the web site's descriptions, or else I'll never get this out.)
Google Earth. "Want to know more about a specific location? Dive right in -- Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Fly from space to your neighborhood. Type in an address and zoom right in. Search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions. Tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings. Save and share your searches and favorites. Even add your own annotations." Endless hours of fun. At least for me anyway.
Writely - an on-line word processor. "Share documents instantly & collaborate real-time. Pick exactly who can access your documents. Edit your documents from anywhere. Nothing to download -- your browser is all you need. Store your documents securely online. Offsite storage plus data backup every 10 seconds." You can upload from word and many other file types, save docs in Writely, on your desktop, or publish to the web or on your blog. I've found it more useful than I thought I would.
Well, that's it for now. I hope you find this handy!
For those of you in Minneapolis I recommend switching to Earthlink if you are currently using Time Warner High Speed. Why? Well, if you have Time Warner, I'm sure you know that they suck! But even above that, the Earthlink anti-virus software that you get is pretty decent. (For the same price you're already paying.) Combined with a couple of other small changes that I'll tell you about in just a minute, I have been blissfully problem free since installing it. If you have an older computer, it may cause it to run a slow when doing a virus scan, or updating it. I haven't had any speed issues otherwise. (Steps down off of my soap box. Sorry about that.)
If you don't have an anti-virus program/ pop up blocker already, or if the one that you have just plan old doesn't work, I love the Google Toolbar. It can be kind of a pain in the ass, doing things like blocking new windows that you want, but you can set it to always allow pop ups from specific sites, or temporarily disable it it you would like to.
If you use any sort of instant messenger you'll like Trillian. If you use more than one IM service, you'll love Trillian. It opens AOL IM, Yahoo IM, MSN IM, and ICQ. With out having to download any of them. All you need is your log in email and password for each program. You can choose an avatar, and it has an extensive list of icons. You can also set it to/ start it in 'invisible' mode, so you can see who is online, but they can't see you.
If you are not using it now, I highly, highly recommend switching your web browser to Firefox. Since many viruses are written specifically for Internet Explorer, it's more secure than IE. It's also more handy, and fun. It uses a tabbed browsing system, so you can open more than one web page in the same window. You can download different skins for it, and a lot of different extentions. Some are handy, some are just fun. I can send out a list of my favorite extentions if any one is interested. Now that I'm used to it, I don't know how I ever lived with out it. There are some programs that won't open in Firefox though. (Like Window's Media player.) You will need to use IE on occasion still, but it's well worth the occasional inconvenience of having to switch browsers.
Another program that I love is Open Office. Like MS Office, but no irritating animated paperclip, and it's free. It has a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, a presentation program, and a couple of others that I haven't checked out yet. (Drawing and math I think.) I was using Word Perfect before I found Open Office, and the difference is astounding.
I love Google's Picassa for basic photo editing. Red Eye removal, light and color adjusting, it's pretty handy with all that basic stuff.
If you are looking for a slightly more advanced editing program, try The GIMP. It's not quite Photoshop. For a price difference of $650 verses free though, it comes pretty damn close. Close enough to make me happy in fact. For those of you who are wondering about the name, GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program.)
A couple of other programs that I've found fun and/or handy -
(Yeah, I'm getting lazy and am gonna just going to put down the web site's descriptions, or else I'll never get this out.)
Google Earth. "Want to know more about a specific location? Dive right in -- Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Fly from space to your neighborhood. Type in an address and zoom right in. Search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions. Tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings. Save and share your searches and favorites. Even add your own annotations." Endless hours of fun. At least for me anyway.
Writely - an on-line word processor. "Share documents instantly & collaborate real-time. Pick exactly who can access your documents. Edit your documents from anywhere. Nothing to download -- your browser is all you need. Store your documents securely online. Offsite storage plus data backup every 10 seconds." You can upload from word and many other file types, save docs in Writely, on your desktop, or publish to the web or on your blog. I've found it more useful than I thought I would.
Well, that's it for now. I hope you find this handy!
Case Mod: The Ultimate List
Case Mod: The Ultimate List
Case mods or computer case modifications are the ultimate display of geek chic, creativity and hardware prowess! Many of them are pieces of art, whereas others are just plain weird.
(Here are some of the best/wierdest from the site. Many have links to the mod builders sites, with step by step details of how they did it.)
Yes, there is a hamster in this computer!
I think that someone has to much time on thier hands...
I love new uses for old things!
The Hellraiser Puzzlebox mod.
Here's to hoping all ammo was removed before the mod or at least, they have a really good cooling system!
Yes, it is both a functioning computer, and a functioning coffee maker!
This one really amuses me.
(Here are some of the best/wierdest from the site. Many have links to the mod builders sites, with step by step details of how they did it.)
Yes, there is a hamster in this computer!
I think that someone has to much time on thier hands...
I love new uses for old things!
The Hellraiser Puzzlebox mod.
Here's to hoping all ammo was removed before the mod or at least, they have a really good cooling system!
Yes, it is both a functioning computer, and a functioning coffee maker!This one really amuses me.
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