Tuesday, January 20, 2004

The Bagle/Beagle Virus

Here’s a good rule of thumb about your email - unless you specifically requested a .exe file to be sent to you by someone you know, don’t click on the attachment in the email message. If you don’t recognize the file extension (.doc, .jpg, etc.), don’t click on the attachment in the email message. It’s just common sense. Any file that ends in .vbs is a virus - don’t open it. Ever. If you receive a message from a friend with a file attached - email them back to verify that they intended to send it to you. Believe it or not, they may have been dumb enough to open a virus file.

There are any number of websites that list virus alerts and hoaxes. Google search the suspected virus or filename before you open it if you’re compelled to open it.

And don’t panic if you opened the email - most viruses are in attached files, not the email itself. Just delete the message.

I’m amazed at the idiots still out there who can’t resist the temptation to open every single email and attachment. Just say NO, people. Just say NO. Delete is your friend.

Posted by at 10:38 PM
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The Merits of Hair

Because I’m blocked from commenting to my sister’s rant about certain family members reacting negatively to her announcement that she was cutting her hair, I will respond here.

I admit to being a little ticked about your post, but I’ll get over it. All I said was not to cut it super short and that I like it longer. You managed to extrapolate quite a lot from that.

I’m sorry I offended you.

Posted by at 10:29 PM
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The Presidential Quiz

In honor of the State of the Union speech tonight, I present to you a quiz from BBC Online. The questions are somewhat obscure, but if you had a good American History class along the way, you should do fine.

I scored 8 out of 10 right. I’m gratified to know that the two questions I answered incorrectly were the two questions that I waffled between the correct answer and the answer I selected. Let me know how you did in the comments.

[via Bryan]

Posted by at 10:12 PM
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No Endorsement from Pope?

Via Fox News:

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II’s (search) longtime secretary denied Tuesday that the pontiff ever offered his endorsement of Mel Gibson’s (search) controversial biblical epic “The Passion of the Christ,” (search) disputing reports attributed to the producers.

John Paul was said to have given his approval after a screening in his apartment in early December by saying, “It is as it was.” The quote received widespread publication around the world.

Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, secretary to John Paul throughout his 25-year papacy, confirmed the pope had seen the film.

“But I told the producers the Holy Father did not make any judgment, because he does not make judgments of that kind,” Dziwisz told The Associated Press. “He said nothing of the kind.”

Really, who cares? I would think that if the Pontiff hated the movie, he would have spoken out to make sure Gibson and people knew about his objections. Right?

So does the fact that his secretary is insisting that the Pope never endorsed it matter?

Posted by at 07:03 PM
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“I Could Use a Little More Cowbell”

I hear that line every time “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult plays on my computer.

That has to be one of the funniest SNL skits ever.*

*Christopher Walken - host. Skit - Behind the Music: Blue Oyster Cult. Hilarity provided by Will Farrell.

Posted by at 06:34 PM
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Search is Back

I just read (and double checked) that the Blogrolling search feature is back up and running.

Thanks for the tip, Chris.

Posted by at 05:07 PM
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Black Beans and Rice

Lunch yesterday and today was the highly nutritious black beans and rice. I cooked up a pot of ride yesterday. Heated a can of black bean soup. Blended the two to make a nice meal. Leftovers were brought in for today’s lunch.

Tonight I’ll take the leftover rice and make chicken fried rice with some leftover chicken I had in the freezer and frozen peas-carrots. That will be lunch for tomorrow.

I’m trying to cut back on the money spent at lunch. And to eat healthier. We’ll see how long this lasts.

Posted by at 04:44 PM
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“Fixing” the New Computers

I’ve been tweaking some things on the new computers. Yes, I have two new ones. The desktop at my current cubicle will be for the new admin whenever I get promoted and we hire a replacement for me in that role. The other is the laptop in LW’s office (soon to be my office). Yes, a laptop! Woo-hoo! There’s still question about the old (useless) desktops being released for home use as well.

I couldn’t figure out why some blogs’ comments windows weren’t opening, then I had that “ah ha” moment and I realized that the security probably had pop-ups suppressed - it was so.

I also took the time to move some files from our server to my hard drive in the laptop since that will be my permanent computer. I’ve got Winamp up and running with the great tunage that Mrs. Cootiehog has provided for my entertainment. The wallpaper is a current picture of CootieGirl. The screensaver is the LOTR Dark Rider that I downloaded from the LOTR.net site.

I downloaded Netscape 7.0. Because although we have IE on the new computers, I like the tabbed window function in NS here at work - it’s easier to minimize one window rather than five when I have to step away from my desk.

It’s starting to feel like “home.”

Posted by at 04:14 PM
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“I Am Not Ivan!”

American Idol last night did not disappoint and was very funny. With each passing season I think that surely people will be more discerning about whether or not they actually have talent. With each passing year, I’m proved wrong. Wow, people, you need to be a little more self-critical.

I enjoyed the Bulgarian who sounded like a man (the title is one of her quotes). I enjoyed skat-girl - when they showed a clip for her on a commercial out, I named her skat-girl in my head. So when they came back and called her that I cracked up.

What was the best for me was watching the confusion on the judges faces for a few of the auditioners. Priceless. And I loved how they just couldn’t hold back the laughter for a few of the folks. While I’m sure it was painful for the auditioner to be laughed at, they were funny.

I’m looking forward to more tonight.

Posted by at 01:41 PM
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Monday, January 19, 2004

Recommended Reading for Singles

I spent a little more time working on the closed post from yesterday. I decided that while that particular post will remain closed, I’m going to talk about my single life a little bit more here at the blog. Mostly because I know there are others in the blogosphere who struggle with being single and lonely. And because I know that maybe I can help to encourage someone who’s in a place that I’ve perservered through in my journey to contentment. So here’s the first post in the new category “All By Myself.”

In the closed post I made reference to two books I’ve read in the past couple of years about Christian singleness. Sadly, most books on the shelves in Christian (as in secular) bookstores are how-to manuals - how to date, how not to date, how to find your mate, how to help your mate find you, how to whatever....The following are not handbooks on how not to be single. Rather, they are excellent encouragements written by singles who are living full, contented, faithful lives without a spouse.

Single and Content: Experiencing Singleness in a Paired-Off World by Dana Anders, Nathan Clement, Chris Conti, and Lana Trent is a compilation of essays by several singles with funny polls and random quotes from prominent Christian singles. A snippet from the chapter called Not Yet Promoted to the Grown-Up Table:

Chris - ...Often I’d be talking to Mom on the phone and I’d hear Dad joking, say, “Ask her if she’s married yet.” When I was in college, he’d say it so often that one time, when I was frustrated, I told him that I wouldn’t visit anymore if he kept bothering me. He stopped for a while....

They just want me to be happy. But why does the world see marriage as “happy” when more than 50 percent end in a devastating divorce? Though we don’t have an abundance of divorces in my family tree, we don’t exactly have the happily-ever-after stories either.

...I never, ever share regrets about not having anyone in my life...nothing to give them the impression that I’m not happy with my life. I am happy with my life. So why do I need to be fixed?

When well-meaning friends ask me about my love life (I got asked quite a bit when at the Young Life conference), this sentiment runs in my head. Fortunately, my family rarely asks.

Living Whole Without a Better Half by Wendy Widder - is an excellent reminder that singles are whole in Christ, despite what the couples-centric world may lead us to believe. A snippet:

Content. The root of the word means “contained.” Dr. Warren Wiersbe says it describes a “man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes without.” It’s the portrait of a person who withstands the blows of life by drawing upon what’s inside. New Agers would applaud such a statement, but the truth is that only God supplies such internal resources. God in us provides more than an adequate supply of spiritual strength.

[...]

The secret of contentment begins with acknowledging that God is sovereign and that God is sufficient.

The emphasis on that last sentence in mine. And that final statement is why the post I wrote yesterday will remain closed. On a lonely afternoon God was faithful to provide comfort and the reminder that He is all I need. Thanks, Lord.

UPDATE (7:20pm): I’ve added a bit to the beginning of this post. Just wanted it to be known that the post isn’t what it originally was.

Posted by at 09:57 PM
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Long Weekends

I like the idea of the long weekend, but usually by about noon on the Monday holiday I’m bored out of my mind. Today is no different, and I’ve been busy cleaning the apartment and finally getting to my vacation laundry.

Sean Astin was on Ellen this morning - she’s hilarious although I don’t think she’s that great an interviewer. Rosie was a better interviewer, imho. But Ellen’s opening schtick is pretty funny. I’ve always thought Ellen was the better comedian too.

I know I’ve said this before, but daytime TV sucks. Especially if you’re not into soaps, which I no longer am. And as much as I enjoy decorating shows, I’m maxed out on HGTV.

It’s now 3:30 and I’m going to do all I can to resist the Oprah temptation. LP was telling me yesterday at church that I should change my hair to my natural color. “Be who you are, that’s what Oprah says,” she said, or something like it. My response? “If Oprah says to do it, it’s the last thing I’m going to do.” I refuse to join the Cult of Oprah™. But, LP your hair looks fabulous, as always. I just like being blond still.

I’ve just realized that this whole post is about TV. It’s so sad. And I was going to add a comment about my excitement for the new season of American Idol that starts tonight. Woo!

Posted by at 06:24 PM
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Dean News Flash

In an exclusive on Fox & Friends, Howard Dean revealed that he does not have cable TV at home.

Simply shocking!

Democrats, can you vote for a man who doesn’t have cable? Or does that make him more attractive as a Presidential candidate?

Posted by at 10:42 AM
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Sunday, January 18, 2004

The Closed Post

I just spent a considerable amount of time writing a post that’s a little more vulnerable about the subject of my singleness than I’m ready to share with the world wide web just yet. But it was stuff that I needed to say, that’s been percolating in my head for the long time. So I wrote it, it’s posted, but it’s closed. Maybe I’ll open it someday, although it still needs some polishing, refining. We’ll see.

Posted by at 11:46 PM
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Which is Better: Of the Tom/Meg Love Movies

Along with Liar, Liar, I have an addiction to You’ve Got Mail. Bored with football, I began to roam the channels and happened upon You’ve Got Mail running on TNT. ARGH! I’m hooked. Sadly, I tuned in too late for my favorite scene (when they “meet” at the coffee shop, but she doesn’t know that they’ve met - and if you haven’t seen the movie and have no clue what I’m talking about, I’m sorry - go rent the DVD).

So...it makes me wonder what people think about the two Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan love movies: Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. I thought I’d just ask ya’ll, although I think I’ll mostly get responses from chicks since these are chick flicks. But don’t be shy fellas - chime in if you’ve seen the movies.

Which is Better? Sleepless in Seattle or You’ve Got Mail?

Posted by at 10:38 PM
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The First Half of the Bowl

Let’s go Pats!

Now I’m praying that Carolina will beat the Eagles. I have an intense dislike for the Eagles.

UPDATE (Mon 7:13am): I’m very happy this morning. Now I have to decide which team to root for on the big game day. I’m a sucker for underdogs…

Posted by at 09:17 PM
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