If you faked sick to stay home from school and watch an Apollo mission... this chock-full-of-goodness story is for you! From Cassini to the New Horizons Mission to Pluto, you've got to check this.
read more | digg story
I did that more than once when I was a kid--stay home from school to watch a space launch. One time a teacher, I think I was in 4th or 5th grade, was taking the day's roll call. When she got to my name, she said, " I might as well mark you absent for tomorrow, Martin, since there's a rocket launch I know you won't be in!" She was right....
I didn't have to fake being sick, though, since my Mom would let me stay home anyway because I normally always wanted to go to school.
I even had a space scrapbook with newspaper clippings and photos whenever there was a space launch, from the Mercury missions up to the Apollo moon landings. Don't know whatever happened to that scrapbook; I must have lost it somewhere when moving over the years.
But guess what--I STILL have 2 scrapbooks of pictures I drew or pictures we were given to color from back in Kindergarden ! That would waaay back in 1961....
I also have a special edition of Life magazine from 1969 titled "To The Moon And Back" covering the first moon landing--it cost me $1.50 at the time. Back then that was a pretty high price for a magazine, most cost only about 25 cents, maybe 50 cents at most. I had just a couple of dollars I had saved and debated whether to spend that much on a single magazine. It's still in pretty good shape with just the edges of the cover a bit frayed.
Sad to say, I'm still stuck here on Earth and haven't made it into space....yet.
If I had 'Bill Gate's-type money', I'd have a nuclear-powered spaceship built for myself and blast off into the deep reaches of outer space !!!
Anybody care to come along?
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
World Without Pain Is Hell
Sometimes in life, you think that if you could feel no pain, life would be wonderful. That is...until you read a story like this one that was recently linked on Digg.com (original posted on CNN.com).
This kid is unable to feel any pain, so when he's hurting himself he has no idea he's doing so.
read more | digg story
This kid is unable to feel any pain, so when he's hurting himself he has no idea he's doing so.
read more | digg story
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Video Of The Week
My video of the week was delayed this week because last night Blogger was down for maintenance AND also 'cause my stupid computer is messed up and I don't even have any sound. Which means I chose these videos without actually hearing the audio.
Former "singer/actor/teen idol" Leif Garrett was in the news recently due to an arrest for drug possession, and not for the first time. He's been in drug rehab several times over the years since his former glory days. That's why I chose this 1st video from back when he was a star.
I think it's kind of sad really when these former child stars/teen idols seem to go 'out of control' with drugs & alcohol. It must seem strange to go from being rich, famous and adored by millions to end up in jail or rehab. And poor Leif even lost much of the beautiful hair he was known for, and now wears a bandanna most of the time to cover it up.
Well at least I don't have to worry about losing my good looks, wealth or fame since I've never had any of those things to lose.
The second video is a silly one of some guy acting "nuts", and if you watch carefully you might even see a bit of "nuts" of a different kind.
Former "singer/actor/teen idol" Leif Garrett was in the news recently due to an arrest for drug possession, and not for the first time. He's been in drug rehab several times over the years since his former glory days. That's why I chose this 1st video from back when he was a star.
I think it's kind of sad really when these former child stars/teen idols seem to go 'out of control' with drugs & alcohol. It must seem strange to go from being rich, famous and adored by millions to end up in jail or rehab. And poor Leif even lost much of the beautiful hair he was known for, and now wears a bandanna most of the time to cover it up.
Well at least I don't have to worry about losing my good looks, wealth or fame since I've never had any of those things to lose.
The second video is a silly one of some guy acting "nuts", and if you watch carefully you might even see a bit of "nuts" of a different kind.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Your Tax Dollars At Work
Once again, the Bush administration displays it's true bigoted, homophobic nature, as detailed in the following article from Gay.com. Its' refusal to even allow a hearing as to whether the LGBT groups should be allowed the join the United Nations Economic and Social Council puts them in the same camp as some of the most repressive regimes in the world.
I came across this story through a link on Newsvine (a new site in which indivuals may post links to news stories, similiar to Digg.com & Slashdot). I've posted the entire article from Gay.com below.
This story prompted me to do some research on the United Nations website, where I found a list of other organizations that are members of this particular UN agency. It consists of various women's rights, education, labor, and social justice groups, such as the All India Women's Education Fund Association, Civic Education Project, General Federation of Iraqi Women, General Italian Confederation of Labour, Inter-African Union for Human Rights, Norwegian Federation of Organizations of Disabled People, Pacific Rim Institute for Development and Education, and even a group called the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, as well as many other organizations. These various groups act only in an advisory capacity in the UN, offering their opinions on topics of concern to their organizations.
But the Bush administration doesn't seem to think the opinions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender peoples are worthy of even being heard. The current adminstration likes to brag about how they were able to overthrow the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan, while itself catering to the religious right (the American Taliban?) in this country, which given the chance, would institute the same type of repressive laws and customs as their Muslim counterparts.
Let's just hope that the voters in this country wake up and remove some of these hypocritical, lying, repressive bigots from office this coming election year (2006 Congressional & Senate races) and in 2008 (Presidential election) before they are able to further carry out their plans to make the United States into the religious theocracy they so desire.
U.S. Nixes Gay Inclusion At UN
{Just to clarify, I've started using this color and type style whenever expressing my personal opinion on a topic--so if you see this you'll know it's me ranting !}
I came across this story through a link on Newsvine (a new site in which indivuals may post links to news stories, similiar to Digg.com & Slashdot). I've posted the entire article from Gay.com below.
This story prompted me to do some research on the United Nations website, where I found a list of other organizations that are members of this particular UN agency. It consists of various women's rights, education, labor, and social justice groups, such as the All India Women's Education Fund Association, Civic Education Project, General Federation of Iraqi Women, General Italian Confederation of Labour, Inter-African Union for Human Rights, Norwegian Federation of Organizations of Disabled People, Pacific Rim Institute for Development and Education, and even a group called the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, as well as many other organizations. These various groups act only in an advisory capacity in the UN, offering their opinions on topics of concern to their organizations.
But the Bush administration doesn't seem to think the opinions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender peoples are worthy of even being heard. The current adminstration likes to brag about how they were able to overthrow the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan, while itself catering to the religious right (the American Taliban?) in this country, which given the chance, would institute the same type of repressive laws and customs as their Muslim counterparts.
Let's just hope that the voters in this country wake up and remove some of these hypocritical, lying, repressive bigots from office this coming election year (2006 Congressional & Senate races) and in 2008 (Presidential election) before they are able to further carry out their plans to make the United States into the religious theocracy they so desire.
U.S. Nixes Gay Inclusion At UN
by Doug Windsor, 365Gay.com New York Bureau
Posted: January 24, 2006 - 11:00 am ET
(New York City) The United States joined with four of the world's most repressive regimes to reject an application by two international LGBT groups seeking to join a UN agency that advises the world body on economics and social issues.The application by the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians was dismissed without a hearing.
The groups had sought inclusion on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a think tank made up of non governmental agencies from around the world.
The United States voted with Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon against granting a hearing for the application.
ECOSOC status allows NGOs to attend UN meetings and speak in their own name. The Council already has participation from labor and social rights groups.
The governments of Iran and Zimbabwe are considered to be among the most repressive anti-gay regimes in the world.
President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has long scapegoated and persecuted gay men and lesbians. The recently-elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has overseen an anti-gay campaign in recent months, in which many young people accused of homosexual acts reportedly have been executed.
Egypt also voted against considering the application. That country too has a history of persecuting gay men.
"It is an absolute outrage that the United States has chosen to align itself with tyrants — all in a sickening effort to smother the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around the world," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"Apparently Iran, which President Bush has deemed part of the 'Axis of Evil,' is a suitable partner when it comes to discriminating against gay people," said Foreman.
The ILGA has been trying to get inclusion on the Council for the past four years. Each time it has been met with roadblocks created in part by the US.
Three years ago, the United States abstained from voting on a sexual orientation nondiscrimination resolution offered by Brazil via the U.N. Human Rights Commission.
The Bush-Cheney administration has also opposed women's and children's rights treaties, sex education, contraception and family planning in international forums.
©365Gay.com 2006
And that's my opinion !{Just to clarify, I've started using this color and type style whenever expressing my personal opinion on a topic--so if you see this you'll know it's me ranting !}
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Nascar Of The Future?
Starting in October 2006, the first Rocket Races will take place in New Mexico when 4 X-Racer rocket planes will compete. In 2007, a full group of 10 planes will take part in the competition.
Pilots will follow "virtual racetracks" projected in their heads-up displays, each plane having its own "lane" to avoid collisions.
The February 2006 issue of Popular Science magazine's cover story is devoted to this new type of racing event. Also, here are some links to websites with more information for those interested:
1- Rocket Racing League...lots of images/videos
2- Popular Science...article from october 2005
3- Space.com...article from October 2005
The Rocket Racing League site, of course, is the best source of info. on the upcoming competitions.
The engines will emit bright 20-foot plumes of flame, making them easily visible to spectators watching from the ground a mile below (Image: Rocket Racing League)
The only question I have is...will the pit crew have to wear jet packs to service their plane?
Pilots will follow "virtual racetracks" projected in their heads-up displays, each plane having its own "lane" to avoid collisions.
The February 2006 issue of Popular Science magazine's cover story is devoted to this new type of racing event. Also, here are some links to websites with more information for those interested:
1- Rocket Racing League...lots of images/videos
2- Popular Science...article from october 2005
3- Space.com...article from October 2005
The Rocket Racing League site, of course, is the best source of info. on the upcoming competitions.
The engines will emit bright 20-foot plumes of flame, making them easily visible to spectators watching from the ground a mile below (Image: Rocket Racing League)
The only question I have is...will the pit crew have to wear jet packs to service their plane?
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Longest Page on the Internet
I came across this really cool art project that was posted on Digg.com. Take a look at it!
BlueSfear has announced that it graphics worm is the longest page on the internet. So far its 56.25 ft and growing.
read more | digg story
BlueSfear has announced that it graphics worm is the longest page on the internet. So far its 56.25 ft and growing.
read more | digg story
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Real-life "Brokeback Mountain" Story
This story is another example of the injustice caused by the refusal to allow gay marriage in this country. Because of a small mistake made on a will, one which would no doubt have been overlooked had this been a heterosexual couple, resulted in a man losing the home where he'd lived with his partner for 20 years. A straight couple would have been considered to have had a 'common-law' marriage even if they hadn't obtained a marriage license and the surviving partner would have inherited the property.
In this case, some obviously greedy relatives (cousins) of the deceased were able to come in and stake a claim on everything and they even had the unmitgated gall to file a lawsuit against Sam Beaumont claiming he owed them money for 'back rent' for the years he lived on the ranch.
The following item is from the Indianapolis Star's website. I'm posting a small excerpt here (click the title to link to the full story).
Partner's death ends happy life on ranch
2 decades together mean nothing in Oklahoma law
December 31, 2005
By Jessie Torrisi
Columbia News Service
On the face of it, Sam Beaumont, 61, with his cowboy hat, deep-throated chuckle and Northwestern drawl, is not so different from the ranch hands in Ang Lee's critically acclaimed film "Brokeback Mountain," which opened in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
That pretty much describes the life Beaumont had. He settled down with Earl Meadows and tended 50 head of cattle for a quarter-century on an Oklahoma ranch. "I was raised to be independent. I didn't really care what other people thought," Beaumont said.
In this case, some obviously greedy relatives (cousins) of the deceased were able to come in and stake a claim on everything and they even had the unmitgated gall to file a lawsuit against Sam Beaumont claiming he owed them money for 'back rent' for the years he lived on the ranch.
The following item is from the Indianapolis Star's website. I'm posting a small excerpt here (click the title to link to the full story).
Partner's death ends happy life on ranch
2 decades together mean nothing in Oklahoma law
December 31, 2005
By Jessie Torrisi
Columbia News Service
On the face of it, Sam Beaumont, 61, with his cowboy hat, deep-throated chuckle and Northwestern drawl, is not so different from the ranch hands in Ang Lee's critically acclaimed film "Brokeback Mountain," which opened in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
That pretty much describes the life Beaumont had. He settled down with Earl Meadows and tended 50 head of cattle for a quarter-century on an Oklahoma ranch. "I was raised to be independent. I didn't really care what other people thought," Beaumont said.
That's where the fantasy of a life together on the range collides with reality. After a quarter-century on the ranch he shared with his partner, Beaumont lost it all on a legal technicality in a state that doesn't recognize domestic partnerships.
Meadows' will, which left everything to Beaumont, was fought in court by a cousin of the deceased and was declared invalid by the Oklahoma Court of Appeals in 2003 because it was short one witness signature.
Copyright 2006 IndyStar.com. All rights reserved
Be sure to read the full article at the IndyStar site...I didn't reprint the entire item here due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright 2006 IndyStar.com. All rights reserved
Be sure to read the full article at the IndyStar site...I didn't reprint the entire item here due to copyright restrictions.
Video Of The Week
Found this video and knew immediately it HAD to be my Video of the Week! Two cute boys skateboarding in their boxers, but even that amount of clothing was TOO much for one boy!
Check it out--you won't be disappointed.
Check it out--you won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Lazy & Crazy & Golden
Boy, it's been quite a few days since I wrote anything here. Actually, there are 2 reasons for that:
1-I guess I'm getting lazy.
2-My computer is acting crazy.
Been off work the past 3 weeks (semester break at the college campus where I work) and this is my last week before I have to return to work (Bah!) but I have gotten especially lazy this past week. Just hanging around at home: sleeping, watching TV, playing old Playstation games (such as Quake II) and fooling around with this computer. It's been too cold to go out anyway the past few days...BRRRR!
And this silly computer has been acting crazier than ever; I'm surprised I can even get online. I've got no sound, my instant messenger programs (except for AIM) refuse to work, and now the stupid thing doesn't even recognize the DVD/CD drive. Plus no USB devices are functioning, including my USB mouse & keyboard (Had to go back to using an older standard keyboard & mouse). I removed some programs that weren't working or that I haven't used much to clean up the harddrive. I was going to try to re-install Windows XP to see if that cleared up some of the problems, when I found the system wasn't recognizing the CD-Rom drive. Despite repeated attempts to re-install the drivers for the CD and USB, they still are not working.
And I still really can't figure out what the cause of all these problems is...virus & spyware scans show nothing, but it may the the harddrive failing or some sort of software conflict in the system. I guess I'll just have to keep fiddling around with it until I found the solution.
While I've been sitting here at the computer, I've had the Golden Globes Awards program on. Usually I don't watch awards programs as I find them pretty boring, but there was nothing else on that interested me, so I let it play in the background. And I was a bit curious to see how "Brokeback Mountain" did as it was nominated in 7 categories. So here's the results as the progam just ended:
Golden Globes :Brokeback Mountain
1-Best Screenplay
2-Best Original Song
3-Best Director: Ang Lee
4-Best Motion Picture-Drama
And that's the latest installment in my exciting life--hope no one got over-stimulated reading it.
1-I guess I'm getting lazy.
2-My computer is acting crazy.
Been off work the past 3 weeks (semester break at the college campus where I work) and this is my last week before I have to return to work (Bah!) but I have gotten especially lazy this past week. Just hanging around at home: sleeping, watching TV, playing old Playstation games (such as Quake II) and fooling around with this computer. It's been too cold to go out anyway the past few days...BRRRR!
And this silly computer has been acting crazier than ever; I'm surprised I can even get online. I've got no sound, my instant messenger programs (except for AIM) refuse to work, and now the stupid thing doesn't even recognize the DVD/CD drive. Plus no USB devices are functioning, including my USB mouse & keyboard (Had to go back to using an older standard keyboard & mouse). I removed some programs that weren't working or that I haven't used much to clean up the harddrive. I was going to try to re-install Windows XP to see if that cleared up some of the problems, when I found the system wasn't recognizing the CD-Rom drive. Despite repeated attempts to re-install the drivers for the CD and USB, they still are not working.
And I still really can't figure out what the cause of all these problems is...virus & spyware scans show nothing, but it may the the harddrive failing or some sort of software conflict in the system. I guess I'll just have to keep fiddling around with it until I found the solution.
While I've been sitting here at the computer, I've had the Golden Globes Awards program on. Usually I don't watch awards programs as I find them pretty boring, but there was nothing else on that interested me, so I let it play in the background. And I was a bit curious to see how "Brokeback Mountain" did as it was nominated in 7 categories. So here's the results as the progam just ended:
Golden Globes :Brokeback Mountain
1-Best Screenplay
2-Best Original Song
3-Best Director: Ang Lee
4-Best Motion Picture-Drama
And that's the latest installment in my exciting life--hope no one got over-stimulated reading it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Video Of The Week
OK--No anime this week! I know what you people want...so here it is!
I feel a bit like an 'old perv' putting this up seeing as these guys are so young, but they seem to be proud of their work, so why not?
It does prove that times have changed since I was young 'cause I can't begin to imagine any boys doing something like this back in the Dark Ages when I was their age.
I feel a bit like an 'old perv' putting this up seeing as these guys are so young, but they seem to be proud of their work, so why not?
It does prove that times have changed since I was young 'cause I can't begin to imagine any boys doing something like this back in the Dark Ages when I was their age.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Alternate Universes
I'm standing on a street in front of a two-story house, like many other houses on that same street. Across the street is a parking lot. There then appears in the sky two or three flying vehicles, I guess you could call them "hovercars".
The hovercars are powered by large downward-facing fans and seem to float in the air. They are open on top and are piloted by men in light blue shirts and dark gray pants, wearing caps resembling those worn by Air Force officers. In addition to flying these hovercars, the pilots are remote controlling small saucer-shaped objects that are also flying about nearby. The hovercars sometimes fly above rooftop levels and then dip down low to the ground; one flies low over the parking lot across the street from where I'm watching.
There are a number of other people watching these strange devices when all of a sudden one of the hovercars seems to lose power and crashes into the ground. The pilot manages to either jump out or eject just before it hits the pavement and he seems to be OK. The hovercar smashes into many parts on impact.
A minute later another of the hovercars also seems to go out of control and heads straight towards the 2-story house I'm standing near. It crashes into the side of the building away from me and you can hear the sound of glass breaking and people screaming. Flames can be seen in the upper-story windows. Soon there are people running out of the house, including a few small children. The pilot of the craft also emerges from the building, seemingly unhurt.
A large silver saucer-shaped object then flies by overheard and disappears from sight. Another smaller craft also appears briefly.
******************************
Then I woke up from this dream that I had early this morning. Some people believe dreams have a meaning...anyone care to tell me what this crazy dream means? Or maybe I was in an alternate universe that can be accessed only when asleep in THIS universe. Modern physics discusses the possible existence of parallel universes; perhaps I briefly entered a nearby parallel dimension.
Last week one day I dreamed I was in a locker room getting ready for some sporting event. There were both men & women on the same team although I didn't know exactly what sport we were playing. The sport had ininngs but it was not baseball nor softball--this I just knew in the dream. I have never played sports nor been on a team and don't even watch sports so why this would appear in a dream is a mystery to me. Many times I will dream of people who I don't know in 'real life' and sometimes these same people will re-appear in a dream at a later time.
Evidence of 'alternate universes' or maybe I'm just strange? I'll leave that choice up to you.
******************************
The hovercars are powered by large downward-facing fans and seem to float in the air. They are open on top and are piloted by men in light blue shirts and dark gray pants, wearing caps resembling those worn by Air Force officers. In addition to flying these hovercars, the pilots are remote controlling small saucer-shaped objects that are also flying about nearby. The hovercars sometimes fly above rooftop levels and then dip down low to the ground; one flies low over the parking lot across the street from where I'm watching.
There are a number of other people watching these strange devices when all of a sudden one of the hovercars seems to lose power and crashes into the ground. The pilot manages to either jump out or eject just before it hits the pavement and he seems to be OK. The hovercar smashes into many parts on impact.
A minute later another of the hovercars also seems to go out of control and heads straight towards the 2-story house I'm standing near. It crashes into the side of the building away from me and you can hear the sound of glass breaking and people screaming. Flames can be seen in the upper-story windows. Soon there are people running out of the house, including a few small children. The pilot of the craft also emerges from the building, seemingly unhurt.
A large silver saucer-shaped object then flies by overheard and disappears from sight. Another smaller craft also appears briefly.
******************************
Then I woke up from this dream that I had early this morning. Some people believe dreams have a meaning...anyone care to tell me what this crazy dream means? Or maybe I was in an alternate universe that can be accessed only when asleep in THIS universe. Modern physics discusses the possible existence of parallel universes; perhaps I briefly entered a nearby parallel dimension.
Last week one day I dreamed I was in a locker room getting ready for some sporting event. There were both men & women on the same team although I didn't know exactly what sport we were playing. The sport had ininngs but it was not baseball nor softball--this I just knew in the dream. I have never played sports nor been on a team and don't even watch sports so why this would appear in a dream is a mystery to me. Many times I will dream of people who I don't know in 'real life' and sometimes these same people will re-appear in a dream at a later time.
Evidence of 'alternate universes' or maybe I'm just strange? I'll leave that choice up to you.
******************************
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Resolution Tag
I usually don't make New Year Resolutions, but I was tagged by Elmo for this, so I'll give it a try.
Here are the Rules:
Make three resolutions for yourself, they can be big or small, but they must be something that you can stick to doing. At least one must not be for your physical being.
1. I have to try to eat more fruits & vegetables.
2. I would like to travel a little more outside of where I live.
3. I have to find a way to get enough money together to buy a nice new notebook computer.
Next tag 4 people, and let them know they are tagged.
I tag:
Ryan
Castor
Adam
Sorry, but I couldn't think of anyone else to tag.
Here are the Rules:
Make three resolutions for yourself, they can be big or small, but they must be something that you can stick to doing. At least one must not be for your physical being.
1. I have to try to eat more fruits & vegetables.
2. I would like to travel a little more outside of where I live.
3. I have to find a way to get enough money together to buy a nice new notebook computer.
Next tag 4 people, and let them know they are tagged.
I tag:
Ryan
Castor
Adam
Sorry, but I couldn't think of anyone else to tag.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
English Tests
Based on the results of these tests I took, maybe I should have become an English teacher.
| English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 93% Expert! |
| You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!
|
| |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
| A- (Expert) SCORING BREAKDOWN: 14/14 Easy Questions -- 11/13 Medium Questions -- 9/13 Hard Questions |
| Congratulations! This test was no trouble for you; you've mastered English usage. You're in the elite. Sure, there were a few questions that you missed, but the test was difficult, and, of course, I designed it to be tricky. Overall, you have placed at the very top of the English-speaking world. The pinnacle, right? Thanks again for taking my test; if you liked it, please rate it! PS You can try my new test, too: The Genghis Khan Genetic Fitness Test! |
| |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Commonly Confused Words, To, Test written by gwendolynbooks on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
| Spelling Nazi You scored 100 Spelling smarts! |
| Okay so you've either cheated, or you know all the vocabulary rules by now. "I before E, except after c." bla bla bla. Great job. You know how to spell, and you might be a bit anal retentive about it too. Not a bad thing mind you, but I get picked on for it. An answer key is what you're after? http://quizanswerkey.blogspot.com/ |
 |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Everyday Spelling Test written by charlifeathers on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Video(s) Of The Week
I couldn't decide which of the following 2 videos I liked best so I'm putting them both up. The first is a different sort of movie review of "Brokeback Mountain" since that movie is in theaters now. The second one is another anime video based on "Gravitation" just because...I like anime and thought it was sweet & romantic.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
2005 Review
Wow ! Here it is, already 3 days into the new year and I'm STILL not rich, famous, or handsome...and I really thought this was gonna be MY year ! Oh, well, there's always next year, I guess.
So here's a brief review of my 2005:
1) Finally got online last Jan. thanks to a friend who gave me an old computer he had. This one I'm using now is one I rescued from the curb before a trash pickup. So I guess I can't complain too much about it not always working right (tho' complaining is SO much fun!).
2) Began this blog (March 31st) and I love doing it even if sometimes I can't think of much to write about and other times I can go on and on...
3) In June I went to New York City for a day for the annual Gay Pride Parade (the first time I've been out of Albany in over 20 years-believe it or not !) Also went to a couple of local Pride events.
4) Moved in August to a new apartment after 10 years at my old place--OK, it was only around the corner from where I'd been living, but it was still a big move for me. I had lived at
a previous apt. for 15 years, so I don't move all too often.
5) Between June and the end of the year, saw a total of 16 different movies after a 3-year period of not having gone to a theater AT ALL.
6) And MOST IMPORTANT of all--met (online) some fellow bloggers who I read regularly and who (whether they know it or not) have made me feel a little less alone. I find myself thinking of them often, happy when they are doing well, worried if they are having problems, and thankful they are willing to share their lives so openly, something I have never been very good at.
Now to most people this may not seem like a very exciting year, but for me it was more eventful than most years in my life have been. What 2006 will bring I can't say, but I hope it will be a good one for myself and all my blogger friends.
And I am going to find a way to get a new wireless notebook computer, 'cause I need to feed my web addiction...maybe I could sell my soul on EBay.
So here's a brief review of my 2005:
1) Finally got online last Jan. thanks to a friend who gave me an old computer he had. This one I'm using now is one I rescued from the curb before a trash pickup. So I guess I can't complain too much about it not always working right (tho' complaining is SO much fun!).
2) Began this blog (March 31st) and I love doing it even if sometimes I can't think of much to write about and other times I can go on and on...
3) In June I went to New York City for a day for the annual Gay Pride Parade (the first time I've been out of Albany in over 20 years-believe it or not !) Also went to a couple of local Pride events.
4) Moved in August to a new apartment after 10 years at my old place--OK, it was only around the corner from where I'd been living, but it was still a big move for me. I had lived at
a previous apt. for 15 years, so I don't move all too often.
5) Between June and the end of the year, saw a total of 16 different movies after a 3-year period of not having gone to a theater AT ALL.
6) And MOST IMPORTANT of all--met (online) some fellow bloggers who I read regularly and who (whether they know it or not) have made me feel a little less alone. I find myself thinking of them often, happy when they are doing well, worried if they are having problems, and thankful they are willing to share their lives so openly, something I have never been very good at.
Now to most people this may not seem like a very exciting year, but for me it was more eventful than most years in my life have been. What 2006 will bring I can't say, but I hope it will be a good one for myself and all my blogger friends.
And I am going to find a way to get a new wireless notebook computer, 'cause I need to feed my web addiction...maybe I could sell my soul on EBay.
Bad Computer...Bad !
I had a fairly long item I was about to post a few minutes ago, but sat back to think of the last couple of sentences when this silly computer decided to restart itself. I looked up just in time to see the screen saying "windows shutting down", even though I had not done anything to cause it to reboot. Lately this machine has been acting even more weird than usual anyway. I keep getting error messages ("delayed write errors"), many programs have quit working, and can't download anything without the browser (any browser) shutting down. It may be the harddrive failing or a software conflict of some sort. I'll probably have to do a complete re-install of the operating system (Windows XP) but have been putting it off because it involves so much work. I'd have to save what I can to another drive and re-install a lot of programs. The biggest worry I have is that it might not work at all afterwards. Which means I would be offline until I could buy a new harddrive or new computer--and I have become addicted to the internet and hate to be off for even a day.
Also I just cleaned up this blog a little after having added a few items to the template last week. Unfortunately some of them (like a message board) must have come with pop-up ads, so I removed them so visitors don't have to be annoyed by those stupid ads. THANKS to Ryan for pointing that out in a comment to the previous post. I'm using Firefox and it's pop-up blocker does a good job blocking ads so I hadn't really noticed them.
The post I lost when the computer restarted also had a brief review of 2005 (as it pertained to me) but I'm going to do that in a separate item 'cause I want to make sure this gets on in case this crazy machine acts up again.
Also I just cleaned up this blog a little after having added a few items to the template last week. Unfortunately some of them (like a message board) must have come with pop-up ads, so I removed them so visitors don't have to be annoyed by those stupid ads. THANKS to Ryan for pointing that out in a comment to the previous post. I'm using Firefox and it's pop-up blocker does a good job blocking ads so I hadn't really noticed them.
The post I lost when the computer restarted also had a brief review of 2005 (as it pertained to me) but I'm going to do that in a separate item 'cause I want to make sure this gets on in case this crazy machine acts up again.
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