Downright useful downloads

What else can I say?

excerpt from the page:

The downloads available on this page are high quality downloads and they have at least three of the following features: ease of installation, ease of use, good interface design, affordability, outstanding features. One or two are, well..., jokey! We either use all of those products ourselves, or we have installed them at some of our customers. You can find millions of alternatives to these programs out there on the Internet, a lot of them not worth mentioning, some good, others very good. Trying them all is time consuming, some will cause real havoc, some have serious bugs, latest versions of previously trusted products are a nightmare, others are only average, etc... This is why we have provided this page which gives you, the user, a place where you can come and confidently download tried and trusted software of high quality, software that we use ourselves. Enjoy.

Check out the Downright useful downloads

Which Children's Story Book Character Are You?

this quiz was made by colleen

Hmmm...

Get Ready for 4th Indiana Jones Film

"HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- After more than a decade of silence, 'Indiana Jones' will be cracking his famous bullwhip on the big screen once again."

I am a big Harrison Ford fan, and I look forward to seeing this when it comes out.

How about a Compliment?

Here are a few. Remember, I am sincere when I say this:

• The quietness of a manhole cover cannot compare with the wild vapours of nylon I sense in your larynx.
• You mutter such objects of equine delight, while in a basket of hounds and toes, that the mind's ability to sew together slices of mordant ivory becomes tamed with visions of Tamils in Constantinople.
• May your succulent earlobes ever flap about my knees like a thousand wooden pigeons fleeing the local sawmill.

courtesy of The Surrealist Compliment Generator

Dare to Dream

The American Commonwealth Region is excited to announce our first annual ACR Arts, Media, Sports Conference "Dare To Dream".

The conference will be June 21-23 in Cincinnati, Ohio, hosted by the great Cincinnati Church of Christ.   Featured speakers are Kevin and Trae Holland, leaders of the LA International Church of Christ AMS Region... more >>

Parenting Day

Parenting Day June 8, 2002 from 11am-6pm at Dayton's Hara Arena (NW section of Dayton, see map link below)

Keynote speakers are Douglas and Vicki Jacoby. Registration will take place on site.
Costs are: $15/couple or $8 individual.

For those wishing to stay overnight in Dayton, the Best Western at I-75 and Needmore Road (see map link below) is offering rooms for $59 for everyone mentioning that they are with the Cincinnati Church of Christ.

Northwest Dayton Map

courtesy of Mapquest.com

Memories of My Arcade Youth

I need to check out Midway Games. Thanks to deb for the link (found her site by BlogSnob Jumping!)

Bad Day Cure

Jenny from Scotland writes: "...So I came home and made myself the Bad Day Jenny Mocha Type Thing..."read more...

Go Reds!

Go Reds!

Cincinnati's Boone asks for 5-run margin, Reds deliver

It is a great time to be a Cincinnati Reds fan. I must admit that, when they haven't done well, I haven't been much of a fan. Now that they are doing great, I want to be a part of the hoopla.

So call me fair-weather; I won't disagree,
Baseball is only a game to me.

DDN | Cincinnati's Boone talks, players listen

PAST TRIPS INSIDE MY MIND

From one month ago:

How are We [ADDers] Different?
"ADDers are no easier to stereotype than any other group of 10 to 20 million people." read more...

Living with Attention Deficit Disorder
"I really wish they wouldn't call it that -- Attention Deficit Disorder. People tthink that those of us with ADD can't focus on anything. Actually, it couldn't be farther from the truth!" read more...

Star Wars Guerilla Marketing
Some links related to the upcoming release of "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"... read more...

Uncle Sam wants you
"The government has teamed up with a Web site to spread the word about the many government jobs out there." read more...

Changing your oil
"How often should you change the oil in your car?" read more...

Lissom, Today's Word of the Day
"lissom, also lissome \LISS-uhm\, adjective:" read more...

From two months ago:
What Muppet Am I?

Did you remember?

Cartoons You Suggest!

Really... you email sam a title, and he'll draw the cartoon

guimp.com - Not for those with poor eyesight

And my screen resolution of 1152x864 doesn't help either...continued...

U.S. Senators - Ohio

Click on the captions below respective pictures to go to Senator DeWine's and Senator Voinovich's websites:

Senator Mike DeWine and family


Senator George Voinovich

Thrills, Chills, and Spills

Roller Coaster Poll -- Discovery Channel -- Discovery Feature

These are the top 10 roller coasters in America — five wooden and five steel — according to our users. Now we want you to pick the "best of the best."

Click the circle beside your choice for best coaster of 2002, then hit "submit answer" at the page bottom to vote. Not sure? Click "play" for a video glimpse of any ride.more>>

Big Bird and Cookie Monster Getting Married

Don't laugh too hard, it's true.

Religious Merger Creates 900 Million HinJews

Attainment of Nirvana Still Goal, But Not So Important That You Should Miss Cousin Vijay's Bar Mitzvah

New Delhi, India (SatireWire.com) — Hinjew leaders today conceded the merger of Hinduism and Judaism has not worked out as planned, as instead of forming a super-religion to fight off the common Islamic enemy,



they have instead created a race of 900 million people who, no matter how many times they are reincarnated, can never please their mothers. read more>>

Who's Winning the Clones War?

I just heard on the radio that "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" was the number one box office draw over the weekend.

Status.Blogger.Com

Hmm... still no templates. Must... be... patient... Must... find... life... somewhere... else...

(just kidding!!)

Coming soon: Destruction of the Jedi

Next 'Star Wars' to have a dark ending?

Yes, Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker have to produce Luke and Leia, but what else could happen to Portman's character is anyone's guess.


SAN RAFAEL, California (AP) -- Fate has a major role in the "Star Wars" saga. And, at least from outward appearances, "Episode III" appears fated to end bleakly.

... but we'll have to wait a couple more years to find out for sure.

On This Date... in 1935

The Cincinnati Reds played the very first major league night game of baseball (vs. Phillies) at Crosley Field, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

BlogHop, BlogHop, Wherefore Art Thou, BlogHop?

I've noticed that my BlogHop icons weren't displaying, so I decided to go over to see what was going on.

403 Forbidden
You were denied access because:

Access denied by access control list.

... *sigh*... and I thought I was a friend...

Update: It appears that the problem has been fixed.

Task List Programs

"Through our support service we often come across problems caused primarily by programs running in the background, programs which in most cases start at the same time as Windows. Sometimes these programs are useful and need to be there; quite often, however, they are not needed, and in too many cases they cause severe problems."

"The pages below are from our in-house database and provide guidance on the usefulness or not of these programs, and removal procedures when recommended."

Happy Birthday, Frank Oz!

Happy 58th Birthday to Frank Oz, aka Yoda.

He is also the voice/puppeteer for

Grover
Miss Piggy
Cookie Monster
Bert
Fozzie Bear
Sam Eagle

Dayton Daily News: 2002 Editorial Cartoon Contest Winners

These kids may have a future in journalism...

Blogging woes

Alas... Blogger template is not working right now. I just signed up for I Love to Blog, but I can't add the required information until the template stuff is working again. Not only that, but I've gotta increase the width of the post area. Jeez!

Memo to self... check Blogger Status often.

Daily Blah - Star Wars | Attack of the Clones - Review

Chris Taylor, who writes the Daily Blah, posted on yesterday, May 22, 2002, an "Open Letter to Lucas". I have to state the exact date, because, when you go to his website, you will notice that he has not added any permalinks, so that anyone could link to a particular post. (Hey Chris, here's how to set that up.)

While I don't agree with what he says, I nevertheless found his article rather interesting. I'll let you check it out for yourself.

The Winner?

Thanks to my old high school classmate LH for this email.

An old native American Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger toward a friend who had done him an injustice:
"Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they have done. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."

He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his energy for the right fights.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

-- Native American Author Unknown

New Look and Feel

Check out the new look of this weblog. It has a built-in Google Search, in which you can search the entire internet or one of my weblogs.

I've also broken out some of the posts to this weblog into their own categories.

Oh, and by the way, it's not that I like this green color per se; I just think that it goes well with the rest of the layout.

Comments, questions, thoughts? Please click the link below this post, email me, or sign the guestbook. Either way, I'll be sure to get your feedback. Take care!

Search - Follow-up

Re: my earlier post. I may have found what I'm looking for...

Hallelujah!

Permalinks to Blog*Spot posts work!

For those of you who may not understand, every time I refer to a specific post from a weblog hosted by Blog*Spot (one of mine or someone else's), the link would get messed up by being directed to a link with a '?' in it. The result was often that you would get the main archive page that had the post on it, but you would also need to search for the post within that page. Now, apparently, the links work the way they were intended to, by getting you directly to the post you were looking for.

Cheers!

Health | Ending Self-Injury

from the Lysamena Project on Self-Injury

Well, folks, I am in need of some baring of the soul here.

Since I was about seven years old, I have engaged in self-injury practices. Specifically, if I've had a cut or scab of some kind, I struggle with just letting it heal. I have trouble resisting the urge to pick at scabs.

I am currently seeking medical help for this and some other mental stuff that I'm dealing with (namely, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, depression).

I know that what I'm doing to my body isn't normal, and I know that it affects those around me. I get embarrassed by the scabs and scars on my body.

I did a Google Search on self injury and found this web page, about
ending self-injury. It is categorized under Health > Mental Health > Disorders > Impulse Control > Self Injury.

I am glad to be open about this, and I know that I'm not the only one struggling with it. I would love to be free from this habit right now, but I understand that it will take patience, time, and the hand of God. So I urge you to pray for me.

Thanks.

Rant | Junk Mail

I know this post has no literary significance except that it provide me an arena to vent my frustration at spammers. Part of the latest cr*p:

> pjpdo@naseej.com Thu 05/16 4k We Have Mortgage Lenders Ready To Help You!..

Oh, really? Well, what if I'm not READY to get their help???

> etybyh@bigfoot.com Fri 05/17 2k Need $1000 - $5000 Weekly Now? 17885

What a STUPID question to ask? And I suppose that YOU have the answers, Mr./Ms. 'etybyh'??

> Caitlyn Sat 05/18 3k from Vincent

OK... like I'm supposed to care?

> ebooks@yahoo.com Sun 05/19 2k eBay Book#6640

> jkd83965@yahoo.com Sun 05/19 2k Do You Need $1000 - $5000 Weekly? 16343

This individual wants me to know 'the secret', too, I suppose?

> abubaca051190544c13@ chilling.net Wed 05/22 16k 5$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$44

Oh, as if I'm inspired to open THIS message!! After all, the subject is SO (*not*) CLEAR!!!

Thank you.

What's with the links, man?

"Hey, dude! What's with the links, man? Some of them are all lowercase and othes have a 'category' in front of them."

I am striving toward consistency and better organization: a similar look to all the links, and similar posts listed closer together. Of course, this means that I am editing each individual link. You may recall from an earlier post that I'm looking for a free search engine that we all can use to search for stuff on this blog. Having posts categorized may help out with this effort.

Advice | Getting Along with Others

• The six most important words: "I admit that I was wrong."
• The five most important words: "You did a great job."
• The four most important words: "What do you think?"
• The three most important words: "Could you, please?"
• The two most important words: "Thank you."
• The most important word: "We."
• The least important word: "I."

-- Bill Marriott Jr., CEO of Marriott Hotels International

Request | Search Capability

Does anyone know of where I could get the capability to search my blog for free? Let me know.

Star Wars | Critics Reviews

Everyone's a critic, and they are entitled to their own opinions, varied though they may be. I'm glad that the folks at Yahoo! Movies have presented a rather thorough list of opinions.

Interesting story: In 1977 my Dad took me to see Star Wars: A New Hope three times at the movie theater. Later, when he started dating my future step-mother, he took her to the "Drive-In" to see a movie he was sure she'd enjoy. That movie was "Star Wars". Unfortunately, she was not as impressed as he was.

Ananova users get ready for the new Star Wars prequel

Ananova: The new Star Wars movie opens worldwide on May 16. Will you be joining the queues to see it? Do you think it will be the year's biggest movie? Or did the last Star Wars movie mean the force is no longer with you?

Star Wars Episode II: A New Hope or No Hope?

from Ananova

Ananova users give their views on the new Star Wars movie - is Attack Of The Clones "eagerly awaited" or "vastly over-hyped?"

Junk/Bulk Mail Folder Contents

Oh joy! Here's today's collection of garbage mail:

> ekkjiw73072@ yahoo.com Make $1000 PER SALE!-----$3000 OR MORE PER WEEK ! 12349

> wqklujsaeo26033@yahoo.com Finally A Business Which Will Make You Big Money!

> 05112jim1231457b31@chase.com YES THIS IS THE ADD BELIEVE IT!!!! 0662mKEE3-864uowd1205l20

> Mary9kRndYt@yahoo.com Reply-To : David1Dm1n@yahoo.com Home Based Business 9716

---

Also, this is the second time I received one of these kind of messages, in which I supposedly tried to send a certain message and it comes back to me:

From: postmaster
Subject: Returned mail--"the Garden of Eden"
The following mail can't be sent to heather_R_johnson66@hotmail.co:

> From: danimal0416@hotmail.com
> To: heather_R_johnson66@hotmail.co
> Subject: the Garden of Eden
> The file is the original mail

Star Wars: Attack Of The Drones

from Forbes.com | Media
Lisa DiCarlo, 05.15.02, 12:00 PM ET

"Maybe after such astounding success throughout his career, [George] Lucas assumed that theater operators would follow where he wanted them to go and that politics and incompatible standards would miraculously work themselves out. He may very well shoot Episode III in digital format, but that won't make digital cinema any more of a reality."

Peer-to-Peer Review Project - continued

Here are links both to the main P2P Review Project, as well as Jeff Crooke's review of this weblog, which occurred sometime ago, in the BB (Before Blog*Spot) days.

Check out some of his recent thoughts about the project, which also happens to include an excerpt of my email to him about his review.

Thanks, Jeff! You rock!

Star Wars Episode II | Film Review

from Plugged In Family Magazine

... Parents who permitted young children watch the more kid-friendly Phantom Menace should think twice about this installment. There’s a darker tone with more potentially disturbing conflict. And while some families will feel comfortable navigating the dubious spirituality of The Force, others may decide it’s not worth the effort...

Junk Mail/Bulk Mail

As promised, here are some more items that came into my junk mail folders recently:

> Johnyp1wt6yBNIb@ yahoo.com Home Based Business 27687

> Brooke Check This Out!!

> jhiuwejknd78633@yaho... ITS FREE!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!!

> guidocavier@ hotmail.com FW:>Re: Add a little spice to your life! 9873

Never Pay a Locksmith Again!

Open almost anything with this versatile lock pick. If you've lost your keys, or locked them in the car, the Kwick Pick can save the day!



This locksmith-in-a-pocket fits comfortably in your hand, and opens everything from padlocks to file cabinets, from desk drawers to toolboxes, from luggage to gas caps. It even opens some car doors and front door locks.

Weight: 1.5 oz.

Availability: Usually ships the next business day. Not available in Canada.

Kwick Pick SJ-PICKTV Price: $39.95 Our Price: $24.95

Wow! For less than $25 I can learn how to break and enter too! Thanks Kwick Pick!

6/8/2003 Update: I removed the link to this product, since it was no longer valid.

Google Toolbar

Take the power of Google with you anywhere on the web. Install the toolbar now.

Email Virus Hoax - jdbmgr.exe

from work email

"There are e-mails that are bombarding our system today about the alleged jdbgmgr.exe virus.

"THIS IS A HOAX. This is exactly the same type of message for the sulfnbx.exe 'virus' that circulated our systems about a month ago. It tries to persuade you to delete a file they claim is a virus...however, it is a legitimate Windows file from your computer.

"The file that the [current] hoax refers to, Jdbgmgr.exe, is a Java Debugger Manager. It is a Microsoft file that is installed when you install Windows.

"It does have a teddy bear icon as described in the hoax. While this is, in an of itself, NOT a virus, if you delete the file, it has the same effect as a virus... it messes up your system.

"You may want to emphasize to anyone who sends these to you, that when a virus is real and is supposed to do the damage this message implies, there will be major news coverage (e.g. the I Love You virus)....[we] will send warnings and they will get the information from legit sources... not just 'a friend'.

"Also, before they e-mail this type of thing, stongly encourage them check with the Symantec or McAfee web sites. Both of those sites are free and have information on hoaxes and real virus messages that are in the system.

"Hope this helps...."
--- end of message ---

I also recommend this page. In fact, you should bookmark the main page.

Alias | Season 1 Finale

Wow! What a way to end a season! So many unanswered questions, and we have to wait until the fall to begin to know what happens...ABC.com keyword "ALIAS". CIA Net. Episode 22. "Almost Thirty Years"

Medical Mysteries Answered!

courtesy of Encarta.com

You've wondered why we sneeze with out eyes closed and, perhaps, where hiccups come from, and more... Well, dear gentle reader, fret ye not! Consider this

A Vader Is Born

Review by Brad King
2:00 a.m. May 11, 2002 PDT
Little Anakin Skywalker is all grown up, but the Jedi apprentice can't seem to buy a break, and that means bad news for everyone around him. Wired News | Star Wars: A Vader Is Born

Email Recommendation

Do this first thing in the morning. It's better than a happy pill.

Guestbook - Yahoo! GeoCities

I just browsed my guestbook and saw the entry from a dear friend and brother who passed away a couple weeks ago.


Today's Date : December 23, 2001
Your Name : Michael E. Simms
City Where You Live : Forest Park
State/Province Where You Live : Ohio
Country Where You Live : The United States of America
Your Comments : Very attractive Web Page. I look forward to coming back and viewing as it grows. Nice House too. Congratulations.

Another Blogger from Dayton, Ohio

Another Blogger from Dayton, Ohio!

I've been trying to find other bloggers from Dayton, Ohio. I happened to find this one: Trivium

Star Wars - A New Hope - the ASCII Version

You'll need a decent internet connection for this:

See Star Wars - A New Hope, like you've never seen it before!

1. Click the Start menu
2. Select Run
3. Then type telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

via e-mail

April 2005 Update: they've completed it up to the point in which they go to rescue Princess Leia.

My travels - JOKE ALERT!

I left Abingdon heading toward Myrtle Beach, when I decided to stop at a rest stop. The first stall was occupied, so I went into the second one. I was no sooner seated than I heard a voice from the next stall:

"Hi, how are you doing?"

I am not the type to chat with strangers in highway comfort stations, and I really don't know quite what possessed me, but anyway, I answered, a little embarrassed:

"Not bad."

And the stranger said: "And, what are you up to?"

Talk about your dumb questions! I was really beginning to think this was too weird! So I said:

"Well, I guess that just like you I'm driving east."

Then, I heard the stranger, all upset, say, "Look, I'll call you back, there's some idiot in the next stall answering all the questions I am asking you."

forwarded courtesy of my friend Jeff:

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones | Movie Tickets

MovieTickets.com Showcase Cinemas Huber Heights. Movies, showtimes and tickets.

What Beatles' song are you?

This is true! Jennie does love me! Wow! Cool!

Junk/Bulk Mail Folders for 5/9/02

I've decided that, as a way to vent my frustration at this spam I get in my email, to post, within reason, the contents from time to time.

So, as of right now, here goes:

> muuqwkdakk54097@yaho... A $40 BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY WANTS YOU!!!

> Notify_Dept2100p28@ excite.com Your PreApproved $30,000 Biz Credit Line is Ready!!...... 4841SBjp9-879sNGL3093Z...

> Jeniffer Check This Out!!

> joey@ freemortgagequotes.net VIEW WEST MICHIGAN'S LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW & USED CARS! 7926

> anzbg@slo.net WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS REALLY DOING ONLINE

On A Protean Diet?

Dictionary.com | Word of the Day for Thursday May 9, 2002
protean \PRO-tee-un; pro-TEE-un\, adjective:
1. Displaying considerable variety or diversity.
2. Readily assuming different shapes or forms.

The [Broadway] musical was ceaselessly protean in these
years, usually conventional but always developing
convention, twisting it, replacing it.
--Ethan Mordden, [1]Coming Up Roses

Roosevelt's performance in the civil rights meeting
illustrated one of the central operating principles of his
protean executive style, a style that transformed the
presidency, and the nation: a willingness to delay
decisions, change his mind, keep his options open, avoid
commitments, or even deceive people in the relentless
pursuit of noble objectives.
--William Doyle, [2]Inside the Oval Office

He was a protean character who constantly adapted to his
environment.
--David Maraniss, [3]The Clinton Enigma
_________________________________________________________

Protean is derived from Proteus, an ancient Greek god who had
the ability to change his shape at will.

The 50 Coolest Records

The results are in: beatbox mystics, British soul divas, New Yorkers in leather, a sex-obessed Catholic girl and, of course, Chuck Berry.
Source: RollingStone.com | The 50 Coolest Records

Well, after looking through this list, I don't agree. But then again, I have different tastes than these guys. Chacun a son gout.

"Egan's Law"

SatireWire | "Egan's Law" Passed - Police Must Warn Neighbors When Catholic Church Moves Into Area
Controversial "Egan's Law" Expected to Gain Widespread Support

Trenton, N.J. (SatireWire.com) — Under a new law designed to protect minors, local police departments will now be required to inform residents any time a known Roman Catholic church moves into their neighborhood

Source: SatireWire | "Egan's Law" Passed - Police Must Warn Neighbors When Catholic Church Moves Into Area

Mapping the Star Wars Mythology

Creator George Lucas said "Star Wars" fans will learn a little more about what attracted Anakin Skywalker to the dark side in "Episode II:"

In this film, you begin to see that he has a fear of losing things, a fear of losing his mother, and as a result, he wants to begin to control things, he wants to become powerful, and these are not Jedi traits. And part of these are because he was starting to be trained so late in life, that he'd already formed these attachments. And for a Jedi, attachment is forbidden.

Source: CNN.com: Mapping the Star Wars Mythology

The Matrix Reloads

PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS.

Keanu Reeves as Neo in a scene from The Matrix Reloaded


I am SO looking forward to the sequels, yet I am also glad they will be coming out in a different year than :Star Wars: Attack of the Clones".TIME.com: The Matrix Reloads

UGHHH!

I've been struggling with my PC here at work. Between server restarts, unwanted company email (I'm a contractor working onsite), and functionality that behaves one way one day and differently the next - it all can get frustrating.

(blows off steam)

I think I'm just gonna continue listening to my music and get as far as I can...

In the words that my friend and brother MM told me: Keep on rollin', 18-wheeler.

Tunage

I'm currently listening to some CDs I bought last night:

• O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• The Best of 1980-1990

It's been so long since I bought music for myself. I need music to keep the distractions around me down. Thank God for music!

Traffic Bothers

I tend to get upset by people in other cars who don't use turn signals. What often bugs me is when I'm waiting to make a turn, and an oncoming car looks as if it might turn, or maybe it won't. I can't tell until the very last moment. I know I'm impatient, but I could use that extra time to get where I want to go. Another thing that bugs me is when I'm behind someone and they slow down to turn - and don't use their turn signal! Or yet, those folks that are about to turn left and slow down without going into the middle, or "suicide" lane. Here these goofballs are, impeding the flow of traffic by their selfish driving.

If someone's turn signals are out, that's no excuse! That's what hand signals are for! Geez! We need to learn this to take the cotton-pickin' driver's test, so why can't these people put their hand out and make a constructive gesture for once?

Now, I've been guilty of these motoring "sins", so it's not good to cast the first stone if I'm not at fault. Yet I still think it's time... yes, it's time for all of us to change!

Just be sure to signal.

Spider-Man Is For Real

NEW YORK - Many of Hollywood's box office "records" are so replete with hype that they are nearly as fictional as the stories on the screen. But the record $114 million three-day gross earned by Spider-Man this weekend looks like the real deal.

Source: Forbes.com: Spider-Man Is For Real

When I grow up, I want to be Spider-man.

Congress considers arming US pilots

from Jim Borgman

My blog, my self from CNET.com

read Jennifer Balderama's blog

I'll Stand By You

I think this is a title of a Pretenders song, but I may be wrong.

This morning I read about Halleys Comment's last moments with her Dad.

A Dream About to Come True

I recently received this email from ME and KE, who are adopting a baby girl from China.

Family and Friends:

Today we received our referral paperwork from China. This is the paperwork we've waited 13 months to receive! We don't have the exact dates that the four of us will travel to China to pick up Kira.......although we will probably depart around the 2nd week of June. (We'll spend 12 days in China, picking her up on the first day we are there).

She is 11 months old.....weighs 16 pounds and is 25 inches long.....her date of birth is 5/24/01 (Kathy shares her birthday :0).

She is presently living in foster care in the Nanchaang Scoial Welfare Institute located in the Jiangxi Province of China.


Her birth name is Hong Yuan Hui. (We'll use part or all??? of her birthname as her middle name).

Her personality is described as: active, restless, having a ready smile, gets along well with ohers, quick in reaction, energetic, fairly extroberted, obstinate sometimes, and impatient sometimes(We think she'll fit right in!)

Hopefully this answers most of your questions, if you have others, PLEASE feel free to ask!

Also, if you know of someone who may be interested in our news and you do not see them on the recipient list of this e mail, please feel free to pass it along.

Thank you for all your support and prayers! We're so glad to be able to share this exciting time with you!

Unemployment Jumps to 6%

NEW YORK - On Friday morning, the U.S. Department of Labor said the unemployment rate rose to a seasonally adjusted 6%, its highest point since August 1994. Yes, the top line is disappointing, especially for Wall Street economists who expected just 5.8%, but some of the internal numbers show promise for recovery. Both components of the employment data--household and business statistics--had some positives.

Forbes.com: U.S. Unemployment Jumps To 6%

Work for the Crime... Great Story

It seems like something straight out of a Simpsons script, but it really happened.

In Monroe, Washington, yesterday, armed bandits broke into a Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) coffee shop and forced employees to open the safe. The contents apparently weren't enough to buy more than a few cups of Mocha Coconut Frappuccino, however, so the thieves immediately began thinking of ways to increase their loot.

And, thus, for the next 30 minutes, they served coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos to drive-thru customers. After collecting enough cash (and a half-hour was plenty with the price of Starbucks products), the thieves calmly got in their vehicle and drove away... and haven't been heard from since.

We wonder how many customers received correct change.

Published at The Motley Fool Investment Page

Thanks to my friend and brother SDT for this.

Remember Laura Branigan?

(PEOPLE) -- In the 1982 music video for her hit song 'Gloria,' Laura Branigan grooves awkwardly in a studio, a single disco ball spinning above her head. 'I have on black spandex pants and knee-high boots,' says the singer. 'It's hysterical.'

She took my self-, she took my self-, my self-control.

Journey Into Geekdom, Part 7

Tonight (well, actually yesterday evening, since this is early Thursday morning), I made a new all - time high score at Pinball! My new high score is

15,890,500

Now you can rest better with this knowledge.

Apostrophe Protection Society

I know. It sounds so funny, but it is a genuine organization.

The Apostrophe Protection Society was started in 2001 by John Richards, now its Chairman, with the specific aim of preserving the correct use of this currently much abused punctuation mark in all forms of text written in the English language.

Dont you just hate it when folk's grammar is messed-up?

Girls made to show underwear at school dance

"LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Angry parents demanded the resignation of a California high school vice principal Tuesday because she lifted the skirts of teenage girls at a dance in front of men and male classmates to make sure they were wearing "appropriate" underwear."

Ahem. (blushes). I don't remember teachers and principals doing this when I went to high school...

2/15/2005 Update: Some 5th-grade girls at my daughter's school got me with this one recently:

GIRLS: What under there?

DAN: Under where?

GIRLS: You said "UNDERWEAR"!!

Which 80s Hair Band Are You?

this quiz was made by colleen

Find Your Inner "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" Character

this quiz was made by colleen