Tuesday, 26 Aug 2003

Did you know that a “�40,000 machine called an Iontrack can detect substances like cannabis, cocaine and heroin from a simple swab from the palm of a hand”? And, that police in England are using it to identify drug users entering businesses? I sure didn’t.

Tuesday, 26 Aug 2003

Did you know that one of the Bali nightclub bombers said that George Bush is a vampire?

Did you also know that a vampire is running for office in England? My favorite part of the story was the response of the councilman who created the opening by stepping down from his position to the news that a vampire from the Monster Loony Party was running for the office. “Mr Gerry welcomed the news saying that anything that encourages interest in local democracy is welcome. He added : If Mr Wood is elected I’m sure he will feel very at home as there are already plenty of monsters and loonies on the town council.”

Monday, 25 Aug 2003

No, I do not want to…
…enter an amateur poetry contest,
…”buy” an acre of land on the moon for $29.95
…meet these “10 cute girls”
…apply for “instant cash”
…learn some stranger’s “wealth building strategies”
…send for a free sample of “Coral Calcium” that will “change my life”
…sign up for a free cellular phone
…order a set of cookbooks just to get a “free” apron
…order windows virus protection software (I use a Macintosh)
…join some organization to get a free “Robosweep”
…Sign up and pay money to view porn over the internet
…buy affordable life insurance for smokers
…buy a tool to help me get out of a car if I am trapped inside (ok, this one was intriguing for only $4.99 but the only way to test it to find out if it works would be to do major damage to my car which I am not going to do and I don’t think I would trust a $5 tool to be able to shatter windshields, cut seat belts and more in the event that I was actually needing the tool)
…increase my breast size (naturally or otherwise)
…get a new credit card
…get an online “degree”
…get a home loan
…keep my windows computer safe from “attacks” (I have a macintosh)
…exchange my email address and other personal information for a *chance* to win 100 DVDs and a DVD player
…enter a degree program in interior decorating
…purchase a National Football League themed gift
…purchase an appliance to clean up pet hair (just shave the pet I say)
…purchase “the most lifelike babydoll ever”
…find out how to get “free money from the government”
…get a sample of “free” diet pills
…purchase inkjet printer cartridges
…change my mortgage loan, or get a new home loan
…purchase a CD that will provide ” Audio-mesmer signals for personal pleasure ” (ok, this sounds interesting, but I would want to hear it first to see if it works as advertised)
…pamper myself with “free bath and body gifts”
…purchase a “lifestyle” magazine aimed at people 20 years younger than I am
…be a part of a new special offers email newsletter
…”vote” online for whether I think Arnold Shwartzeneggar should be governer of CA
…pay money to see photos of singles “in my area”
…purchase additional life insurance
…buy a “coin sized” wireless camera
…join the Players vacation club
…”click away my debt”
…learn how to make money in my boxers at home
…buy Jennifer Lopez’s engagement ring
…receive a free credit report
…pay more for postage to get “free CD software” then the software itself retails for in discount stores
…purchase a diet patch
…remove “unwanted hair pain free” (although that is the way to go I guess when removing hair)
…purchase a product that will “reverse biological aging” (now one that would reduce mental aging, sure)
…add 30-80 yards to my drive “guaranteed” (I don’t golf)
…exchange personal information for a coupon for a free burger or any other food item
…download a political screensaver
…purchase ANY “fat-burning products” or weight loss “formulas” that “melt” away the pounds in my sleep (or my waking)
…enroll in any online educational “degree” programs
…get 3 panties free from Fredericks of Hollywood
…get an instant pay advance
…spend $20+ to get plans (freely available elsewhere online) for converting a regular TV into a 150″ projection screen TV)
…get a new razor (giving away the razor to sell blades was never so transparent unless this is just another email harvesting scheme)
…download and run free “snoop detection” software
…purchase new auto insurance
…apply for an unsecured credit loan
…provide personal medical information to purchase prescription drugs over the internet from someplace I have never heard of
…purchase a share in a time-sharing vacation home
…purchase software to “protect” my files
…fix my windows PC problems (I use a Macintosh)
…purchase a way to get bootleg satellite radio
…pay someone to fix my credit rating
…purchase dieting or sexual performance enhancing products / medications online, whether they are low-cost, confidential or not
…purchase the “perfection cloth” to rollback the effects of aging
…attract the opposite sex immediately (ok, so I would like to do this, but I am skeptical of anyone selling this ability over the internet)
…purchase a windows product to eliminate “pop up” ads (I use a Macintosh)
…purchase a free alcohol breath tester
…defy old age (ok, so I would, but again who can sell this online?)
…refinance my home
…get my customized personal horoscope reading
…play bingo online
…learn how to make millions in real estate
…say goodbye to mosquito bites
…exchange personal information for any of the many “free” offers (DVD, CDs, Food coupon, etc) that flood my inbox
…pursue a career in criminal justice
…learn how to make money on eBay
…buy a leg massager
…never miss another cellular call again
…Enter a “free photo contest
…purchase your special stock market tips
…buy a designer fragrance
…anymore free screen savers
…gamble online
…Become a Microsoft expert!

Monday, 25 Aug 2003

The 2 part season#3 Buffy finale (fun)
Doctor Doolittle (the 1967 version)
Sam Phillips - Martinis and Bikinis
VA Roadtrip sights and sounds
Family
The end of “Saving Silverman”
Simpsons, King of the Hill

Monday, 25 Aug 2003

Back from a mini-vacation camping in VA Beach with extended family. The 2nd annual brother-in-law’s family camping trip was a rousing success. Lots of sun, sand, beach, food, drink, games, dolphins, jellyfish, late nights around the campfire and family dynamics. Great fun all around.

As a lifelong yankee it was strange to see a confederate flag sign welcoming people to the state of Virginia with the caption “Dixie starts here”. Granted it wasn’t an official state sign, but still a reminder of how different regional cultures can be.

It was interesting to see people’s reactions to seeing dolphins swimming a short way off shore. EVERYONE stopped to watch and point, seeing dolphins seemed to evoke some kind of wonder and happy response in everyone who saw them.

At night walking on the beach the crabs were very curious - most of them would freeze when the flashlight was pointed right at them, but as SOON as the flashlight was moved away they would scuttle off at top speed. A flash back on them would freeze them and then a flick of the light away and off they went. A funny kind of marionettish scuttling dance.

The night sky on the beach was just gorgeous, and the most amazing bridge I have ever travelled on was much more enjoyable during the day then during the night when it’s street lights created an almost horizon spanning necklace of lights. It was pretty, but in a very human “we have intruded into nature” sort of way, and I found myself wishing for the darkness of a natural night sky and horizon.

Odd town names we drove through: Nassawadox, Painter, Accomar, Melfa, Onancock, Nandua, Pokemoke, Mappsville, Horsey, Delmar, Smyrna, Voorhees, Repaupo, Thorofare, Delran, Amboy, Rahway.

Odd signage:

One small plaza offered “Tanning, Paintball, Tattoos, Piercings”.

One truck offered:

Hebrew

Quality Insulation

“Historic Roeblins” (entering a town I had never heard of and which returns NO HITS on a google search)