"What? I said..."
I was flipping through the channels this afternoon and I ended up watching the end of Nash Bridges. In it, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin played an undercover cop at some bad guy's outdoor wedding. It was kinda neat to watch him foxtrot with some other undercover chick, but it would have been even cooler if he was saying the things he says in the ring, like "What? You make me sick! What?"

Speaking of which, I'm picking Stone Cold to pin RVD to retain the title. This was my guess for a while, but with the return of Vincie Mac seemingly backing RVD, I'm wondering what role that may have in this Sunday's Pay-Per-View.

Also, I'm picking the Rock to defeat Jericho to retain his title. I don't see Jericho pulling off the upset, even though they keep hinting that Jericho may end his "chocking in the big match" streak.

By making these picks, though, I'm saying that the biggest prizes in the game aren't gonna change hands. Seems kinda unlikely in a PPV.

In unrelated news, could this be the future of clubbing? It seems like a neat idea, but... eh... it seems a little too voyeuristic. It's kinda hard to work up the nerves to say hi to some girlie girl when there's a chance someone (her?) has a camera on you while you're adjusting your crotch or something. Heh.

And... that's all I got right now.

"What the deuce? Blast!"
Meow.

I was watching CNN Headline News some time last night, and I heard something about how Internet taxation was going to be a reality some time soon. I did a little soul searching at the CNN site, and I found this article. So now I'm not sure if that means that e-commerce sites like Amazon and Yahoo are gonna have to pay taxes for each internet sale they make, or if that means that there's gonna be an internet sales tax of some sort, probably an amount determined by the state. Or maybe it will be both; the former leading into the latter.

That's what this economic recession needs: more taxes. :p

Here's an interesting article...
About data security on hard drives, and how if you think you erased something, chances are that you can recover it, even if it as been written over. But of course everything costs something, so you might have to pay a little.

And here's some stuff regarding Windows XP, available on thursday the 26th of October:
A contest to win money towards a PC every three years for the rest of your life.
A site dedicated tweaking Windows XP. (And the first thing on the list is how to uninstall Windows Messenger. A must see tip!). Also with any luck, Windows XP Power Toys (TweakUI in previous versions of Windows) will allow even more customizations.

I have been a WinXP tester as part of Microsoft's Release Candidate program. I must say, I have really enjoyed using the two Release Candidate's that I've used, and look forward to the real release, (though I refuse to pay $300 for it, but I've got that worked out ;). I have heard mostly good things about WinXP, aside from the new Windows Product Activation, otherwise I would try to provide you with some links that give a negative perspective. I think savvy, unscrupulous people like me might be able to find a way around WPA anyways. ;-)

Pic backlash and American propaganda
Looks like some people that saw that pic in the post below weren't too happy about it. It's anti-homosexual, after all. Personally, I think the Navy should try and take the same stance with the word "fag" as Eminem does.

Naval Lieutenant: Airman Davis! What are you writting on that bomb you'll be using to blow up the "top secret" stronghold of the cockroach-like Taliban?
Airman Davis: I'm letting know that they are fags, Sir!
Naval Lieutenant: By writting that, you're spitting on all of the American people in such fine organizations like the GLBA and NAMBLA!
Airman Davis: No, Sir! As Eminem has said, the most degrading thing that you can say to a man when you're battling him is call him a faggot and try to take away his manhood. Call him a sissy, call him a punk. "Faggot" doesn't necessarily mean gay people. "Faggot" to me just means taking away your manhood. You're a sissy. You're a coward. Just like you might sit around in your living room and say, "Dude, stop, you're being a fag, dude." This does not necessarily mean you're being a gay person. It just means you're being a fag. You're being an asshole or whatever.
Naval Lieutenant: Oh, ok then. Carry on! I'll be sure to notify the easily-offended gay folks back home.
Airman Davis: Besides, it wasn't me. Slim Shady said to do it again.

I'm telling ya, that's all they have to do. Blame it on those damn children and their music.

Oh, and how about the piece about American propaganda? Yeah. Resistance is futile:

"Our forces are armed with state of the art military equipment. What are you using, obsolete and ineffective weaponry? Our helicopters will rain fire down upon your camps before you detect them on your radar. Our bombs are so accurate we can drop them right through your windows."

Just bring it.

Elect Maria McHugh
For County Legislator.

I got this large post card in the mail today, very high quality advertising, with glossy phots of Maria McHugh, her family, and in the background, an American flag. Here's what it read:

Dear Neighbor,

Several months ago my husband Michael and I began his campaign for County Legislator to represent Eastchester, Tuckahoe and New Rochelle.

Our plans came to a sudden halt the morning of September 11th when Michael didn't come home from his office at the World Trade Center.

Since then I have received overwhelming support from the community. Your united voice has inspired me to stand strong and move forward.

Michael can no longer appear on the ballot for County Legislature on November 6th, but I can. In fact, given that this was an attack on our democracy and way of life, it is essential that we don't allow this act of cowardice to rob you of the right to make a choice on Election Day.

I have lived in this community all my life. I was raised in Eastchester and attended college at Iona in New Rochelle. Until three years ago I worked in the marketing department of Sybase Inc. in New York City. Since then I have been taking care of my children, Michael III, Christian and Connor.

I've been active in the community, whether as a class mother and member of the PTA, or as a charity event coordinator. I hope to bring my experience as a parent and taxpayer to the County Legislature.

Life won't be normal for any of us for a very long time, but we must try. For me that means continuing the plans the Michael and I worked so hard on, as well as learning from our experience.

I want to see that our County Government is doing all it can to protect us against future acts of terrorism. We need assurances that Indian Point, our water supply, our trains, and other potential targets are well protected.

I want every parent to know that their children are safe when they send them to school, and that we have adequate plans for every school building in case the worst should happen.

There's a job to be done, and I want to do it.

Sincerely,
Maria McHugh

I just thought this was somewhat odd. The picture of her on the post card is quite weird, since she has a huge smile. HUGE. And she's smiling even though her husband died like a month ago, and she has to raise three kids by herself with no job. I wish her the best, but I'm not voting for her. Frankly, the county government is such an outdated form of government. Its just more red tape, which is why they abolished counties altogether in Massachusetts. Way to go. Also, it must have cost quite a fortune to send out these post cards, because they are so nice, and she obviously mailed one to everyone in the county district, which is probably half a million people. Even at $.50 a pop including postage, that's still $250,000. So you can see, this is all quite absurd. Its unfortunate that her husband died, but she really shouldn't use that platform to run for county government.

This has to be the most amusing pic...
... related to the war against terrorism that has been released so far.

Check it out.

Nerd stuff, but not MIT nerdy.
I actually found an article that has nothing to do with terrorism or Anthrax! Well, maybe there are some exceptions in the oh-so-subtle links I placed in this sentence and the previous sentence, but that's ok. Because you can use a Playstation controller with your PC.

The Playstation controller is probably the best input device ever created for a gaming console. It makes you wonder what the hell those people at Nintendo were thinkin' when they released their POS Ultra 64. OK, that was a dumb comparison.

Now all I need is a Playstation controller and I'm set for some intense gaming! Yay! Except I have no games that would benefit from using a joystick instead of the keyboard and/or mouse. Blast! Oh well. Some day...

And if you are dying for another terrorism or Anthrax story, you can try and figure out how those two infected guys in Florida expect to sue Bin Laden. I don't see how that would work. Last time I checked, suing the opposing party who also happens to be at war with you is fruitless. I don't see any Taliban people suing the American Air Force for blowing up everything they own. Why not? Because instead of giving them money for reparations, we'd just drop even more bombs on their heads. Heh. Likewise, expecting to get money because of the Anthrax "attacks," attacks we still don't know who is responsible for, will probably just lead to even more white powder being found in first class mail.

I stole a pair of articles from Running Red Lights. Some others came from MeFi.

Old School
Keith: jonathan
Me: keith
Keith: excellent
Me: exquisite
Keith: you are fantastically correct sir
Me: thank you sir
Keith: i wish you the best, and to you, a good day
Me: and I also
Keith: lovely...a true gentleman, you are
Me: likewise my esteemed friend
Keith: tah - tah
Me: cheerio

Dear Angelfire (again),
If you reply to my question, it would be most appreciated if you actually read my question first.

I did not ask about login problems.
I did not ask about lost password problems.
I did not ask about a question about multiple accounts.

All I wish to know is how much bandwidth your typical free Angelfire is allotted each month.
Bonus points may be awarded if you can tell me how much extra bandwidth one could get
for a free Angelfire site and for how much.

If you don't have an answer, a simple "I don't know" would do.

Sorry if I sound like a jerk. I'm just very unimpressed with the response, especially since
it's totally irrelevant.

J.G.

Hello,

Thanks for contacting us.

Angelfire would like to thank you for your suggestion. All suggestions
are gathered by our production department and reviewed for possible
changes to the site. Most changes made to our site originate from a
member's suggestion. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Karen

Product Support Specialist
Lycos Personal Publishing
http://help.lycos.com

Aw, forget it. Stupid orangutan.

How do you know if someone is in the bathroom?
Well, if you lived at Random Hall at MIT, you could check the Random Hall Bathroom Server (bathroom.mit.edu). You'd also be in line for the coveted title 'Nerdiest person in America' because you'd be one of 93 students living in the nerdiest dorm in the nerdiest school in the nation.

Jeez, can't you just knock, you pervert?

You may also want to scope out the laundry server, which is an infinitely better idea.

Thanks be to House

What's the difference between Christmas and Afghanistan?
Give up?

By December, Christmas will be here.

This Just In...
I really hate the Yankees, but this is pretty interesting: Derek Jeter is 27 and already has the career record for postseason hits with 87.

A Special Note From Miss Cleo
I'm so very happy I am able to contact you.
My name is Cleo, and I am a Master Tarot Psychic. I had an exciting dream last night that could affect the rest of your life!

I was so moved by the dream, that I shared this with my psychic associates. With this knowledge our prediction powers have been heightened. I am asking you to call immediately and, if I am not available, you must speak to one of my gifted Tarot readers who will know how to use this knowledge to immediately change your future. It could be that exciting.
Please call right now:

1-800-360-7923. This call is absolutely FREE.

THERE IS NO RISK AND NO OBLIGATION AT ALL.
I can't tell you too much here, but I will say that the experience will amaze you as much as it did me. There may be many wonderful things coming into your life very soon, in fact maybe in the next 10-14 days. You could be one very lucky person.
It's not often that I get overwhelmed, especially through a dream, at the prospects of good fortune for people. So you can see why I am overjoyed about what the future holds for you. Your life may drastically change for the better. Please call 1-800-360-7923 right now so I can share this joy with you.
BECAUSE I WANT THE BEST FOR YOU, I HAVE GONE AHEAD AND SET UP A FREE TRIAL READING WHEN YOU CALL.
Remember, this call is free and so is your free trial reading.

With Love and Hope,

Wow.... I can't believe Miss Cleo (or associate) has a special dream based tarot reading about my future! I can't wait to haer it! And best of all, its free!

RPG Clichés
Console role playing games tend to be pretty fun. Story lines are usually rather creative, and there are several twists and turns from the first minute of the game until you beat the game. However, a lot of fall for the same classic blunders and template:

-- Every character is between the age of 16-18. The older (25+ year old) characters, who one would assume should be more experienced and more powerful than the teen characters, have no problem yeilding to the ways of the younger "main hero" character.
-- The hero character always out-damages everyone else.
-- The hero's archnemesis always turns out to be the hero's father or brother.
-- "All or nothing" spells (like charm, petrification, and instant death) cast by your characters will never work. "All or nothing" spells cast by monsters and bosses will always work.
-- The hero will always use a sword.
-- If the game's setting is a world that has guns, characters using them won't do any more damage (in fact, usually less damage) than a character who uses a melee weapon.
-- If the hero is a male, all of the playable female characters will fall in love with him at some point in the game.
-- Talking to everyone in town will always point you to where you have to go next.

And so on.

If you're bored, you can check out more than a hundred other RPG clichés by clicking on this link.

Dear Angelfire,
Hello.

I was just curious as to what your typical
everyday Angelfire website's allotted monthly [data]
transfer is..

Also, what would the rates be for additional data
transference be?.

Thanks,.

J.G.

I got a response today, five days later:

Hello,

Thanks for contacting us.

If you are having trouble logging in to your Angelfire account, there
are several possible issues. Please read below for further information.

1. If you can not remember your Lycos Member name, try entering your
Angelfire Directory Name in the "Member Name" field on our new Log In
page. In most cases, this will work.

We would also suggest that you verify that you are using your correct
password. If you are having trouble logging in with your directory name,
please use the "Lost Password" on our Log In page to have your password
sent to the e-mail address you registered with.

Please reply to this message if you have tried using your Angelfire
Directory name to log in, and you're still unable to access your account
using the correct password.

You may be asked for some additional information when you log in to your
account. We are updating some of our registration records, so do not be
concerned if you are asked for this additional information. Once you
have completed our secondary form, you will be logged in to your account
as usual.

2. If you continue to get an error message when you try logging in, your
browser may have cached an incorrect cookie.
To clear the cookie, try clicking on this link:

http://www.angelfire.com/auth/logout

Once you have done so, try logging in again. If you continue to receive
an error message, please reply to this message. Remember to include the
error message in your e-mail.

3. If you have multiple accounts, or if you use a shared computer,
please remember to use the "Log Out" button at the end of each editing
session. People who have multiple accounts and people
who use shared computers should avoid selecting the "Save Member Name &
Password" checkbox option on our new Log In page.

If your question is regarding a different issue, please refer to our new
and improved help section to see if we have answered it online. You can
find our new help section at the following
URL:

http://help.angelfire.com

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Karen

Umm... consider me unimpressed with the response. If you read carefully (or carelessly, whatever), you might notice that the answer Karen gave me wasn't even for my question. I know that my original email is very hard to follow and involves big words like "transference," but I also thought that Karen was a paid worker for Angelfire and could answer my question, not an orangutan that got distracted because another monkey threw feces at her.

I wrote back. I'll post that email and my future Angelfire response (if I get one) at a later date.

Sorry, I don't have a witty title.
It's kinda hard to find something good to read on the 'net when the only two topics in current news is about the bombings in Afghanistan and the several Antharax cases and hoaxes going on internally in this fine country of ours. I can't even download a sitcom episode without a Bin Laden reference, either! I spent four hours (four hours!) this afternoon downloading a Family Guy episode I have never seen before (2x13 - The Road to Rhode Island), an episode where Stewie goes to Palm Beach to visit his grandparents and then Brian goes to bring him back home. Of course, crazy shit happens along the way, both with Brian and Stewie and the sub-story between Peter and Lois. But anyways, Brian and Stewie go to the airport to board their plane, and it was time for Stewie's backpack to get X-rayed. He sings part of "The Good Ship Lollipop" in order to distract the X-Ray tenants from his backpack full of handgrenades and machine guns. He succeeds at his task, and he says to himself "God I hope Osama Bin Laden doesn't know Show Tunes." Then it shows Mr. Taliban pulling a similar stunt as Stewie saying some lines from something. Probably Show Tunes, I presume.

At least it isn't a recent episode. But it does seem kinda ironic, even Nostradamus-like. Freaky.

Some good football games were on today. There were no blow-outs. In fact, there was no definite winners until the game was over. Some were even worth watching all the way through, like the Patriots and Chargers one. At least that was the case with the the 1 PM games. I don't know how the 4 PM games turned out.

Crossfire
If you already have the Osama skin to frag infinitely, there's a George W. Bush skin you can use to kill all of the people using the Osama skin. Woo. And how convenient! Both are available on the same page!

Hey, I guess Iraq is behind the Anthrax attacks. Too bad I haven't seen this story behing reported by Tom Brokaw or on CNN Headline News, thereby making me question its validity.

In unrelated news, I was wondering if more than three people could fill out the damn survey. It would make me feel like something I was doing wasn't that much of a wasted effort, y'know?