Technicalities

Just Wandering Around

Mr. Green has a quiz about starting fires. And here I thought he was on vacation. He's sneaking those posts in again.

Heather has a post which includes beer as health food *G*

Dana has some wonderful questions that she's been puzzling over. I love it - I never would've thought of these!

Are you a rude customer? Then Serenity has something to say to you. (My advice would be - don't mess with her, you'll never win *G*)

Last of all DeDoc has got the 48 Hour Rule that I'm thinking I should try to implement on my own. *G* Something to ponder...

Do You Feel Insecure?

A friend of mine sent me a link to a website where someone is trying to sell The Ultimate Secure Home. I think the pics of the house itself and it's construction are really cool. But the level of paranoia... is just a little scary.

My biggest problem with this would be that internet access would be by dialup only. I don't see any other way. So, I guess I'll have to pass on it and stay in the terribly insecure burbs, surrounded by whackos, subject to the whims of severe weather, open to any chemical or bomb attack...

I really can't give up my DSL. *G*

Trolling for Fun and Profit

Susie gives us some pointers on dealing with Trolls. Much fun may be had when one remembers to gently draw the Troll into a long continuing debate.

Oh - it's especially fun to make use of the vast vocabulary available in the English language. Sadly though, if you go to far with this, the troll will not continue the debate because they are unable to decipher what you mean. *G*

The Cuteness Factor

Donnie has a picture of John Edwards. Click on over and have a look - go on - I'll wait...

I have no opinion on the looks of John Edwards. I've only seen a few pics of him and I don't watch television. But, this brought something else to mind. The politics of personal characteristics and the fact that it annoys me so much.

When Carol Mosley Braun was running for the Senate in Illinois, the fact that she was a woman and she was black, were touted continually as a reason to elect her. I could never quite understand the reasoning behind this - I kept saying, but she doesn't stand for ANYTHING I want in an elected official. The response was always, but she would be the first black woman in the Senate... Um - so what! If she doesn't represent what I want in government, what's the point of me electing her to the office?

I am continually astonished at how much emphasis is placed on looks or gender or race. Generally by the very people who say those things shouldn't matter.

For me - if the elephant with pink pinstripes is the one with the goals most closely aligned with my own, that's the candidate I'm going to vote for. Anything else is a waste of a vote.

Kate is Leaving Us

Venemous Kate, whose blog I have truly enjoyed is being hit so hard by cretins that she's hanging up her fangs.

This is seriously bad news. It means - anyone out there can be hit by so many page requests that their bandwidth usage becomes insupportable. Whether or not you like what a blogger has to say, this is NOT the way to counter them. I don't support what the DU stands for (and no I am NOT going to link to them, you'll have to google up democratic underground yourselves), yet I would find an attack of this nature, against them, just as bad.

True Americans support free speech, even if they don't agree with it. The type of attack that Kate is undergoing is designed to get her voice off the net and keep her from speaking her mind. Personally I am sad she's leaving just as I've arrived. But most of all I'm very angry at the people carrying out this attack as it's an attack against everyone who has something to say. If you are one of the people happy she's being chased off - just wait and soon it will be your turn.

Update: Go see Laughing Wolf, he has many excellent points springing from this story.

MUCH Better Update: Kate has found a new host! WooHoo! There may be possible linkage problems over the weekend, but looks like she's back blogging. In general - my original post stands though.

Chatting it up in the Men's Room

Harvey is annoyed with guys who want to chat with him at inappropriate times (he HATES stupid people *G*)

When I've got Mr. Happy in my hand, the LAST damn thing I want to do is chat about the weather, or work, or anything else for that matter. All I want to do is deflate the pigskin & get the hell out. If I want stimulating conversation, I'll call 1-900-HOT-TALK.

This naturally reminded me of something I read. One of my favorite Winston Churchill stories. It was recounted in one of the William Manchester books "The Last Lion" (if I recall correctly it was in volume 1 "Visions of Glory : 1874-1932). But I found it online over at anecdotage.com.

Winston Churchill entered a men's washroom in the House of Commons one day and, observing Labor leader Clement Attlee standing before the urinal, took up his stance at the opposite end of the room. "Feeling stand-offish today, are we, Winston?" Attlee chirped. "That's right," Churchill replied. "Every time you see something big, you want to nationalize it."

States I've Visited

Here's a map of the states I've visited so far in my life - in red. (I didn't think I should count DC because although I've driven past it numerous times, I've never actually been there).

create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

How many states have you visited?

Thanks for the pointer Pam *G*

Improving Troop Morale

Blackfive has a most excellent idea to improve troop morale. So if you know someone in the military - send 'em on over there. They too can be part of the fun. *G*

Now I know I've really lost it!

Okay - so I was all set to go to my meeting today... Only to realize that it's NEXT week! OMG! I was almost out the door. I might've driven all the way down to the city - and been there on the WRONG day.

Why my brain insisted on thinking it was this week, is a complete mystery. I have a DATE on the email and everything.

I think I need to slow down or drink heavily or something.

The Basic Training List

Last summer my son was in Basic Training in Ft. Benning Georgia. It's the only time he's ever written any type of letter outside of email. I, being the good mom that I am, have saved them. *G* The one he wrote the 3rd week had, among other things, his list of the

10 Things I've Learned so far

10. why they are called "FIRE ANTS"
9. Georgia is NOT the coldest place in the US
8. 70lbs of equipment and weapons gets heavier every mile
7. 3 minutes in the CS gas chamber is the WORST OF YOUR LIFE
6. 45ft is higher than it seems when you're on a rope
5. 3 miles running in cadence is hard
4. sleep is my friend
3. the drill sergeants are not
2. guns are cooler in person
1. next week I get to shoot stuff

It still makes me laugh. You may want to pass this along to those you know who will be entering the Army soon.