tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34842052011-04-21T19:54:25.158-04:00SpudletsRuminations on what my eyes take inMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.comBlogger12521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-41455081499828570952007-05-24T14:38:00.000-04:002007-05-24T14:44:30.769-04:00Idol Chatter 14-2007While it's tempting to say "I told you so", it was not all that surprising for Jordin to claim the top spot based on her vocal talent and good looks. The American Idol producers are breathing a big sigh of relief, as Jordin should be a strong seller like Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson. Blake should also do well in selling albums, but he does not have Jordin's potential (orMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-25995470844991605572007-05-23T15:53:00.000-04:002007-05-23T15:54:31.543-04:00Forgive the stream of consciousness, but I want to get this down now while it's still fresh after the courthouse appearance. I knew the hearing was today to terminate parental rights for the birth mother (BM) of our two foster kids (girl-3, boy-4), and something was said about making an appearance in court. I got the call at 10:30 am that Kristal was heading to court, so I met her there a Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-54323367558361898332007-05-19T14:16:00.001-04:002007-05-19T14:23:26.002-04:00Welcome Redirected Ones!Congrats to the hearty few who have made it back to the old digs. I finally figured out how to do a redirect (it's easy once you have an example in front of you). If you keep the link tuned to www.spudlets.com, then it will take you to wherever I happen to be living on the blogosphere. I'm tempted to open up another blog over at Wordpress, as that was what I had been Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-88577326315705443632007-05-16T15:35:00.000-04:002007-05-16T15:45:07.679-04:00Idol Chatter 13-2007Missed commenting on last week due to blog chaos. Work chaos has taken precedence over the blog thang, so progress on the Spudlets site has been slow. Anywhozitz, I wasn't surprised to see LaKisha go, and neither was she. Big chubby women typically do not win popularity contests. It's unfortunate, but that's how the public works. She hit a low spot a few weeks ago, but seemed Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-42947573909574764762007-04-20T12:41:00.000-04:002007-04-20T12:46:14.482-04:00Is there anybody out there? How many blogs have started like that?! Actually, this blog started 5 years ago, and it looks like I'll be coming back home after a trip at Bravejournal as well as my own domain through Netfirms. For what I do, Blogger will fill my needs OK. For those who do come by and visit, I'll offer a sincerre thanks. Blogging helps to clear the mind of spurious thoughts and Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1174616408561562782007-03-22T23:19:00.000-04:002007-03-22T23:20:08.950-04:00Baby Got Book (WhiteboyDJ.com) Dan "Southpaw" Smith's parody of "Baby Got Back" as seen on VH1's WebJunkwww.whiteboydj.comDis is da shizzle wizzle wang bang badoodle.It's funny too. Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1118096787469224792005-06-06T18:22:00.000-04:002005-06-06T18:27:08.313-04:00Hello, is this thing still on?Things sure have changed from a year ago(well let's hope!).See posts below for the new site - maybe something even more newer will be coming this year.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1084800099456506442004-05-17T09:17:00.000-04:002004-05-17T09:21:39.456-04:00Yes, this site is still alive and accessible. Just wanted to see how new the service looks. If I can get photo posting capabilites I may just sneak back here. For now you still should head to bravejournal site: New and slightly improved Spudlets for posts coming out of the dirt of the TaterBed.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079442510731666802004-03-16T08:08:00.000-05:002004-03-16T08:10:52.763-05:00SPUDLETS HAS MOVED! Well, the link for the latest taters from Spud has been changed. Please direct your link for Spudlets to: http://spudv.bravejournal.com/Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079368705474559742004-03-15T11:38:00.000-05:002004-03-15T11:40:48.810-05:00UPDATE For those of you who thought that they would see a link for a new blog, soon I hope. I reviewed some options and started building a page this weekend, but hit some snags. I have found something where I will be able to post a picture with an entry, as well as comments built in (for free!). There is one thing in the layout that I'm trying to fix. I may just post it "as is", though once Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079368673096569092004-03-15T11:37:00.000-05:002004-03-15T11:40:14.030-05:00Passion II Took my sister and brother-in-law to see TPoTC yesterday, but did a poor job of talking about it afterwards. They are not saved, and if you do not discuss the movie just after seeing it, the effect as well as the opportunity can be lost. It's bad salesmanship when you don't close the deal ... Seeing it the second time was much better for me. As a student of the Bible and a stickler Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079123010305020602004-03-12T15:23:00.000-05:002004-03-12T15:25:49.373-05:00Oh My Achin' Blog Changes may be afoot, and if I'm BRAVE enough, you may see something new next week. Going without comments has been rough. Unlike other more popular sites, I did not get many comments. When I did get them, it was like getting e-mails: you click on it not knowing what to expect, with an air of anticipation as if it was a gift. Comments on posts are like a gift when you don'tMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079122930640405432004-03-12T15:22:00.000-05:002004-03-12T15:24:28.810-05:00I can't believe it's already ACC Tournament and Selection Sunday! Where has the year gone? I don't see any sure bets for someone winning the whole thing, so this may truly be March Madness.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079122819722692352004-03-12T15:20:00.001-05:002004-03-12T15:22:37.903-05:00WOW! The complete first season of Johnny Quest scheduled for release on May 11 for $45. Now we can enjoy uncut Jonny in DVD quality. I'll be curious to see what kind of extras they throw in. The music for the show was great, so hopefully they can have some type of soundtrack CD included. Here is a link for the cover - cool!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079122802338645302004-03-12T15:20:00.000-05:002004-03-12T15:22:20.530-05:00Just As I Thought On Wednesday the airwaves (and web-lines) were abuzz over the report from the CDC on how the nation was doomed because of the rise in obesity. FoxNews has an interesting counterpoint today, on how some social scientists are playing fast and loose with the statistics:The CDC produced its estimates with a statistical ruse called “attributable risk” - the fearmongers’ method of Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079038877345894912004-03-11T16:01:00.000-05:002004-03-11T16:03:34.810-05:00He's Back! [Got this link from NRO's Corner] An article from the New York Observer had an interesting blurb about the TPoTC movie:In Hollywood, the real question of the age isn’t "Why does a movie do $200 million at the box office?", but rather "Why do so few of them do $200 million?" From The Passion of the Christ to My Big Fat Greek Wedding to Something’s Gotta Give, how many audiences—how Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079013323752708562004-03-11T08:55:00.000-05:002004-03-11T08:57:40.200-05:00Morning Headlines Kerry: GOP is Crooked Bunch - Nyah, takes one to know one! 'Cheeseburger Bill' Passes House - that was the bill, not the cheeseburger, although some guy named Cheeseburger Bill could have been visiting. It could also mean that the House decided not to pay for their cheeseburgers and is trying to get someone else to pick up the tab (like the taxpayers?). Actually this Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1079013274066769412004-03-11T08:54:00.000-05:002004-03-11T08:56:50.513-05:00American Idol Wildcards Wrap-Up I picked 2 out of the 4 (George and Leah). I was tempted to include funky-outfit gal, but I really wanted Suzie to make it past her. Of course the big surprise was John Peter, husky-voiced dance master. With the 5 remaining people up there, I thought for sure it would be Matt, but it turned out that John Peter got more votes. Go figure. I'm guessing that Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078929131264568432004-03-10T09:32:00.000-05:002004-03-10T09:34:27.170-05:00American Idol Wildcards I wasn't sure that I was going to post on this. Last night's show started out on a bummer and kept going downhill from there. Lovely redheaded lady Lisa and my other pick (muscular black guy from week 1) to make it to the finals were sent off before even singing a note. The leftovers were all pretty good but each had their own weaknesses. There were no great Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078929094030385392004-03-10T09:31:00.000-05:002004-03-10T09:37:22.466-05:00Too D*** Fat Here comes another push from the socialistic fat police, concerned about the "widening" of Americans. All of this reminds me of the semi-immortal words of former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders: "Well, we're all going to die of something, someday."A poor diet and physical inactivity caused 400,000 deaths in 2000, a 33 percent jump over 1990, said a study released Tuesday by the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078860909529636892004-03-09T14:35:00.000-05:002004-03-09T14:37:24.483-05:00In other late breaking (or broken) news, my supplier of comments service, Squawkbox, has decided that I have been a freeloader long enough, and that it's high time for me to start paying the piper. His tune is 15 pounds sterling (or $27.50 using a helpful currency conversion site). That's a little steep for my blood, so I will cut off the comments for now and re-evaluate this whole blog thing Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078860843120751292004-03-09T14:34:00.000-05:002004-03-09T14:36:18.076-05:00Lotsa Hits Andrew Caraega over at Bloggedy Blog put his music cap on and put forth an effort to not only name his top 100 pop/rock albums, but solicit entries from others. He was kind enough to post my feeble effort at a top 10. I submitted my top 25, but he's posting everyone's top 10 individually, as well as the overall top 100. It has been a long time since I've given any thought to much ofMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078764816740835082004-03-08T11:53:00.000-05:002004-03-08T11:55:51.110-05:00No Man Pan On Saturday Lady Spud was busy with an all-day "wimmens" meeting at church, so the males got a whole day of bonding and adventure. We found ourselves at a mall, and wouldn't you know it, an arcade!?! It's funny that after all the tokens my 5 year old goes through, he still thinks you have lots of money left for more or that you're hiding tokens, so you end up with the pouty lip as heMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078521097638396992004-03-05T16:11:00.000-05:002004-03-05T16:13:48.983-05:00It may be a little later than other reviews, but Tony Woodlief over at Sand in the Gears posts a great one on the movie that has taken the world by storm. Three posts in one week has really spoiled me - I hope he can keep the pace at about 2 a week, if I may greedily ask.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078517208344692142004-03-05T15:06:00.000-05:002004-03-05T15:08:59.716-05:00Congratulations to a really great great-grandma, Indigo (at Indigo Insights). She's so young at heart that it's hard to believe she earned a great in front of her grandma title. I can't imagine how much your heart bursts with joy seeing your baby having babies (or grand-babies), but then to be blessed with seeing great-grandchildren would be awesome.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078517125318252362004-03-05T15:05:00.000-05:002004-03-05T15:07:36.700-05:00Glutton As a tie-in for the SNACKED-KINS diet (see post below), this article carries a little more heft on the subject of gluttonous Christians. That should be an oxymoron, but watch how much the pews bend on Sunday mornings when the congregation sits down! I say this as a guilty pew bender myself. But what to do?As part of a "Body for God" sermon series that he preached, Lisa Young cooked onMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078499435506826092004-03-05T10:10:00.000-05:002004-03-05T10:12:46.606-05:00NEW DIET!! It's been over two months since that New Year's resolution, and look at you now - pants just as tight, those "love" handles getting bigger, and your toes are still out of sight when you stand. Maybe you have tried that new-fangled protein diet, shoving chicken and beef in your mouth yet staying away from the pasta and potatoes. It does get wearisome to see those fast-food restaurantsMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078407778177094242004-03-04T08:42:00.000-05:002004-03-04T08:45:07.780-05:00This has to be one of the more depressing headlines of the week: Kerry, Bush Open 8-Month White House Fight. If they could just put on some boxing gloves and get it over with, then we would not have to endure the media trying to keep things interesting over 3/4 of a year. But then again, who would want someone like Mike Tyson as President? Loodakwis.Kerry, who promised he would be "a fighter" Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078407675600140762004-03-04T08:41:00.000-05:002004-03-04T11:30:49.186-05:00American Idol Week 4 Wrap-up There's one more week before the final 4 of the 12 total contestants are chosen. My prediction of Hawaiian gal was true, but red-headed crooner John being the top vote getter was a surprise. To go further in the competition, he will need to break out of the Rat-Pack image yet go back to it occasionally since that is his strength. To break from it I would suggest a Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078350074712453572004-03-03T16:41:00.000-05:002004-03-03T16:43:23.826-05:00Foster Care GOYL (Grouchy Old Yorkie Lady) responded to a somewhat innocent request on my part to consider foster care. To tell the truth, it's something that I should be reminding myself. Lady Spud just turned down another round of babysitting (actually afterschool watching) for kids that she has watched before. I won't get into the reasons, but we will be missing the few $$ that she has beenMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078323090142474402004-03-03T09:11:00.000-05:002004-03-03T09:13:39.233-05:00Is it just me or does the thought of the catsup queen, Teresa Heinz Kerry, assuming the title of First Lady give you the creeps? She has the potential to be worse than Hillary, if such a thing were possible.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078322985281998552004-03-03T09:09:00.000-05:002004-03-03T09:15:52.763-05:00American Idol Week 4 Not too much to say. I only saw one contestant that was worth voting for, the 17 year old Hawaiian. She definitely wins top prize for cutest family member. That little girl in the audience was adorable. Otherwise, once again none of the males seemed to have a strong enough performance to move on. The first and last females were OK, and I would give the edge to the first.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078239234767544202004-03-02T09:53:00.000-05:002004-03-02T09:56:03.043-05:00Seuss Century That inventor of silly words, colored meat and weird phrases would turn 100 years old today if he was still breathing. He breathes no more, or so I've been told, he's pushing up daisies, through a crust of mold. I was never a big fan and thought he was slightly over-hyped. Li'l Tater is just about out of the Seuss phase, thank God, though the effects on me will still linger for Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078234987881906792004-03-02T08:43:00.000-05:002004-03-02T08:45:15.483-05:00It was a bittersweet ending to "American Idol" last night. The first 45 minutes were fairly entertaining, especially that one guy who auditioned and then both Randy and Simon said nothing, with Randy just raising his hands. That had to hurt. After that they showed a commercial that was funnier than anything shown during the Superbowl. A mom tells her daughter that with the excessive cell Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078233413452076452004-03-02T08:16:00.000-05:002004-03-02T08:19:01.390-05:00Extended Ring Just saw this mentioned over at WorldMag blog, where an extended version of "The Return of the King" will be available at the end of the year (it's not too early to start making those Christmas lists!). As for me and my house, we'll probably wait until they release all three extended-version movies in one package. It may take a second mortgage, but that's the price you pay for Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078153236453430922004-03-01T10:00:00.000-05:002004-03-01T10:02:43.670-05:00Blog Blabber Looks like someone did a survey, and lo and behold, blogging ain't as big as the media makes it out to be (gawrsh)! Does it feel like we are finally getting away from "new and trendy" to an established presence on the 'Net?But it's clearly a minority who are taking advantage of the blog and its potential to steer the online discourse with personal musings about news events and dailyMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1078153116332547772004-03-01T09:58:00.000-05:002004-03-01T10:00:42.763-05:00Well, the Oscars were on and once again I missed it (aw shucks). I did see a list of the winners, and Sean Penn (formerly Mr. Madonna) finally nabbed a statue. I did hear it mentioned on the Fox Sunday morning show with Chris Wallace that Mr. Penn hosted a fundraiser party for the candidate of his choice, Dennis Kucinich. Only Wallace pronounced it Ku-Kucinich. Ha ha ha ha ha. I don't know Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077895276779941712004-02-27T10:21:00.000-05:002004-02-27T10:24:41.343-05:00post passion Saw it. It's not something you go to enjoy or be entertained, just experience. I had hoped that by going with my church group that we could have a corporate worship experience, but the movie does not lend itself to that (I'm not so sure that it is a very good evangelistic tool either). I might as well have been in a theater full of druids, since the movie takes you in and you Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077895198225279222004-02-27T10:19:00.000-05:002004-02-27T10:22:02.263-05:00Got into work an hour late. Eight inches of snow will tend to slow things down. Came in and found out that I'm the only one from my department to make it in (arrrrgh!). The roads were not that bad either, especially once you hit the main ones. It would have been nice to kick back at home, enjoy the scenery, eat raisin bread toast and flip through the cable channels. Guess I'll just keep Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077808745923795062004-02-26T10:19:00.000-05:002004-02-26T10:24:15.920-05:00Did the taxes last night, and thank God for the tax cut President Bush got through! Without the child tax credit, I would have paid about $200 in federal, but instead Uncle Sammy will cut a check for $400. Sweeeeeeeet. At first I missed that "bonus" on my first go around filling out my 1040 (by hand). Closer inspection and a desperate desire to avoid paying yielded this find. I would not haveMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077807308913341022004-02-26T09:55:00.000-05:002004-02-26T10:02:15.450-05:00passion Today is finally the day, tonight is the night that I will, by the grace of God, get to see the movie. As luck would have it, a winter storm warning has been issued for most of central NC starting this afternoon (one forecast predicted 5 inches). If the Lord wants me to see it tonight, He will make a way through the drifts. Otherwise I will wait and praise His name. It will be Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077807133377627192004-02-26T09:52:00.000-05:002004-02-26T09:54:15.890-05:00American Idol Week 3 Wrap-Up Looks like I picked both winners - even better considering that the three "wise" judges had all picked Leah. Poor Leah was let down - boo hoo!. Maybe Charly will get picked as a wildcard, since she seems to have a good personality and sense of humor (and she "sangs" good too!). Jason asked in the comments from yesterday's post where all the good guy performers wereMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077724803593407232004-02-25T11:00:00.000-05:002004-02-25T11:02:05.873-05:00American Idol Week 3 Executives at Fox are probably still high-fiving each other over last night's show, considering how things went last week. All of the contestants did well. The first gal (blonde) and three guys will probably not advance. Of the 4 left, the one at the end (Latoya?) that everybody GUSHED over will probably go on. She sang OK, but I just didn't care for her style or Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077724687919368402004-02-25T10:58:00.000-05:002004-02-25T11:00:10.216-05:00Vice Fund Interesting investment strategy over at OpinionJournal from a book review: investing in companies that produce alchohol, cigarettes, bombs(aerospace/defense) and gambling. It's called the Vice Fund, though I would not lump defense firms in with the others.As to the pious shunning of defense stocks, evidently virtue-investors prefer to enjoy the security of American power without Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077710275476335952004-02-25T06:57:00.000-05:002004-02-25T06:59:57.610-05:00Lifted from the pages of Time magazine. Yes, I thumb through it during my morning "rituals" since we get it for free (frequent flyer mile thingy). The pictures are easy to read at 6 am anyhow. - They showed a picture of Lisa Marie Presley with her 14 year old daughter, and the daughter looks better than her mama. She still has Elvis' features but without the harshness that Lisa Marie has. Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077650544621495562004-02-24T14:22:00.000-05:002004-02-24T14:30:14.500-05:00Fallen Nature Monitor Curt Jester has announced the availability of a "special device", the Fallen Nature Monitor for only $29.95 ($9.95/month fee), for those of us who slip and need some prayer assistance to get back on the good path.This amazing monitor can provide you with emergency prayer support 24/7. Simply by selecting the class of sin and pressing the red button your prayer request will Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077650490012400662004-02-24T14:21:00.000-05:002004-02-24T14:26:10.123-05:00Trade Deficit Check out a good article on fact vs. myth about trade deficits over at NRO. The explanation is in semi-layman terms for you non-econs (like me). Trade deficits are not necessarily a bad thing. What the article did not go into is the long-term potential of trade deficits weakening the dollar, when it takes more dollars to buy the same foreign-made unit. You then can get into the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077556011462103462004-02-23T12:06:00.000-05:002004-02-23T12:08:53.043-05:00Just heard about the "unwise" remarks from Andy Rooney on last night's 60 Minutes. It has been many years since I watched the show, and it turns my stomach just to think about his whiny voice. I did read the transcript. I don't know what "god" he is referring to, since it is not the God of the Holy Bible. That was obvious when Rooney alluded to hearing god tell him that he made a mistake whenMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077550210051088852004-02-23T10:30:00.000-05:002004-02-23T10:35:03.653-05:00Weekend Ramblings - Playing with the extended cable package and DVR this weekend has been interesting, but I find myself still looking for anything worth watching. Sunday night ACC basketball is nice and recording some movies has been a bonus. I have been accustomed to the "edited-for TV" versions, and something like Teen Wolf which seemed "tame" enough for my youngster to watch really was notMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077307614689271752004-02-20T15:06:00.000-05:002004-02-20T15:08:52.060-05:00Keep it Down If you happened to hear a "hallelujah chorus" coming out of North Carolina yesterday afternoon, that'd be me. Since Sunday afternoon we had been caring for three additional children while their parents went on a honeymoon (a boy Li'l Tater's age and two girls around 10 years old). Both the man and woman had lost spouses to cancer, and both came with kids. This brought back some Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077306531964158772004-02-20T14:48:00.000-05:002004-02-20T14:50:48.750-05:00Praise Power One short verse from Matthew is receiving a great deal of attention (25:27), after Pilate said that he wanted to be innocent of Jesus' blood, and the crowd cried out: "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Jesus' blood is on the Jews as well as on the rest of us, but that does not give us any reason to seek revenge for His death. He went willingly and made a way towards Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077306347554226612004-02-20T14:45:00.000-05:002004-02-20T14:47:44.373-05:00If you love to love, check out John Derbyshire's article at NRO. Don't save a loving message for just Valentine's Day to that someone special!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077287012658998432004-02-20T09:23:00.000-05:002004-02-20T09:25:29.560-05:00Ding and Dent Vehicle For those of you who take pride and joy in driving a "well broke-in" vehicle, this article at OpinionJournal is a great read (especially for the guy who might be selling an '82 Ford pickup).This predilection for the preowned was partly owing to financial necessity. But some was doubtless the male affection for machinery, the older the better. You might think that women wouldMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077286922595859462004-02-20T09:22:00.000-05:002004-02-20T09:23:59.513-05:00Hey, that GOYL (Grouchy Old Yorkie Lady) is back from some troubling trials, and is making another go of blogging. Go send some love her way, and tell her Spud sez hey! I have also shuffled the links and added the former-Alaskan and now Rocky Topper Jordana to the list. I can remember when Curmudgeonly first started out and it made the "Blogs of Note" listing on Blogger. At the time I had beenMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077225356095224532004-02-19T16:15:00.000-05:002004-02-19T16:17:52.390-05:002nd Round Idol Wrap-up I've tried to come up with some way to describe how I felt when that ex-jock and 2-bit crooner Matt was chosen over lovely lady Lisa L., and all I could come up with was: gabberflasted. I don't know how he pulled it off, or if the producers decided to stop the girl parade of contestants and bring in a male for some balance, but there is no way that 2-bit beats the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077111948916594422004-02-18T08:45:00.000-05:002004-02-18T08:50:29.340-05:002nd Round Idol As good as the singers were last week, they were that bad last night. The top three girls were pretty good, but the failed five were disappointing. The five were OK singers (except for those Roman twins), but not great. Of the top three, the two to move on should be Camille (from Hawaii) and Lisa L. The dark-haired crouching girl at the end was OK, but she would have finished Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077111848065258272004-02-18T08:44:00.000-05:002004-02-18T08:46:02.936-05:00Jesus Picked You FoxNews continues it's daily leadup to The Passion of The Christ Wednesday (one week - can you believe it). It's more hand-wringing on "secular America's perception of Jesus and faith". It mentions one person's hope that this will be an evangelical tool (amen), but then it starts the slide into tsk-tsking:But some historians are wary of all the God talk, saying lay people may Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077051409162443972004-02-17T15:56:00.000-05:002004-02-17T15:58:42.903-05:00I saw the Mel Gibson interview last night on ABC after being prompted by Lady Spud. I might not have seen it on my own (even knowing that it was on) since those network news "magazines" are typically horrible, run by the same yohos that put out the nightly news. I can understand Gibson's reluctance for interviews. Besides having to put up with the attack mode that the liberal interviewers Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077050867202461042004-02-17T15:47:00.000-05:002004-02-17T15:49:41.060-05:00Cable Avalanche I have mentioned before that the couch potatoes in the TaterBed get basic-basic cable, where for $9/month the networks and a handful of cable channels are beamed in. Yesterday they decided to up the ante on us, and are letting us in on a premium package for a thirty day trial. Besides the usual 150+ cable channels, we will get some extra sports channels, the various music Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1077050795774475272004-02-17T15:46:00.000-05:002004-02-17T16:05:26.436-05:00Tech Tues Got $200 just burning a hole in your pocket, itching to be spent on a toy? Here's two interesting choices mentioned in Wired magazine: - The Meade CaptureView combines 8x binoculars with a 2 MP camera. It also has a 1.5" LCD screen to review the pictures, and 16MB memory (expandable with SD card) can hold up to 40 pictures. It's a great gift for any bird watcher! - If you plan on Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076966168954731002004-02-16T16:16:00.000-05:002004-02-16T16:18:02.250-05:00Congrats to the Wolfpack of NC State (Lady Spud's alma mater) as they downed the Dukies last night. Some notables:The nation's top free throw shooting team made 12 straight from the line over the final 1:10 to help seal the program's first win over a top-ranked team since beating North Carolina in February 1998. Surging NC State has won five straight ACC regular season games for the first time Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076966130380534782004-02-16T16:15:00.000-05:002004-02-16T16:17:23.686-05:00The Curt Jester was kind enough to give a link for the Top Ten Orthodox Catholic Pickup Lines, and he added a few himself that were good for a few chuckles (My Sacred Heart statue started beating faster when I saw you). A little religious humor if you're interested.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076941406629334882004-02-16T09:23:00.000-05:002004-02-16T09:25:19.546-05:00Passionate Pastor About 20 hours ago I first heard how my church is "approaching" the movie The Passion of The Christ, and I'm still overwhelmed. My church has blocked out the local theater for Thursday night, so in 10 days I will be joining my church family and sharing the experience with them first. Lady Spud and I have wrestled with seeing it, due to money being tight and not knowing what toMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076708054904801782004-02-13T16:34:00.000-05:002004-02-13T16:36:04.950-05:00Rough day today - visitors, stuff breaking down (including my ankle), both bosses around - all the makings of a fine Friday 13th. I started the post below early in the morning and am just now getting around to finishing it. I wanted to post more on the Star Trek episode from last night since it was better than I remembered, especially seeing it through the eyes of a father, but no time. Alas, Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076707886600630462004-02-13T16:31:00.000-05:002004-02-13T16:33:16.686-05:00Movie Misconceptions Part of me is weary over this and feeling that it should not even be dignified with a response, but what else am I going to do on subtlety? The "entertainment" correspondent for foxnews.com has decided to slam the Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of Jesus Christ" over the "distribution decisions" made for the movie.If you live on the west side of Manhattan, on most of western Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076602673803619892004-02-12T11:17:00.000-05:002004-02-12T11:19:42.826-05:00Jean Luc Stewart Part 3 of my favorite "Star Trek The Next Generation" trilogy will be on tonight at 7 pm on SpikeTV. This is the trilogy where the Borg come close to wiping out Earth and the Federation, but some last minute heroics defeat the Borg. Parts 1-2 were televised a few weeks ago. Part 3 (Episode 76 - Family) is where Capt. Picard goes back home, physically healed but hurting Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076602545017395892004-02-12T11:15:00.000-05:002004-02-12T11:17:34.060-05:00I've got great news, and it's not about saving a bundle on my car insurance. My old Nigerian buddies have contacted me on a MOST URGENT MATTER again. Yeah, it's the same old banking problems (you'd think that they could get this fixed by now), but they seem to have most everything arranged to "smooth" the way for my assistance:BE INFORMED THAT WE HAVE WORKED OUT ALL MODALITIES FOR THE Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076602475421127912004-02-12T11:14:00.000-05:002004-02-12T11:16:24.483-05:00One of my predictions turned out well for "American Idol", where my homey from High Point, NC, was one of the two selected. My other did not, but the one selected, 16 year old (Dianna?) is an excellent singer and could go far. Out of the six not taken I would be surprised if at least 2 were not chosen as "wild cards" after the first 8 out of 12 are selected.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076514058788779742004-02-11T10:40:00.000-05:002004-02-11T10:42:46.623-05:00Jay Nordlinger over at NRO has this tidbit from that wacky candidate Kucinich:You heard the latest from my boy Dennis Kucinich? "My entourage consists of the solitude of my conscience and the sanctity of my integrity. . . . I'm not out to impress anybody." Oh, but he impresses me, with his extraordinary self-love. He reminds me of an expression I learned from my uncle: He'll die in his own Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076465756363861252004-02-10T21:15:00.000-05:002004-02-11T10:42:04.043-05:00Idol Talk Show #1 for "American Idol" is in the books, and all 8 were very good. I can't imagine the other 24 contestants coming close to them, although the one gal with the short spiked red-tipped hair can keep up with those other singers. The show was partly ruined for me since I spent most of the show trying to figure out how William Hong (She Bang?) could make big $$ on his 5+ minutes of Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076451141727061152004-02-10T17:12:00.000-05:002004-02-10T17:14:37.780-05:00President Senator? For those of you worried (or maybe even hopeful?) about a Kerry run for President, lets first review some history. In recent history, who were the last two contenders to lose the election? Three years ago AlGore, riding and shunning Clinton's coattails (tough to do at the same time), a former Senator from Tennessee and 8 year Vice President came close but lost in the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076361336559185962004-02-09T16:15:00.000-05:002004-02-09T16:17:22.826-05:00This just in from Scott Ott on the "aloofness" of John Kerry:"Just because I was born into wealth, attended an Ivy League school, married two wealthy women and live in a multimillion dollar home in Boston's finest neighborhood, doesn't mean that I can't identify with the common man," said Mr. Kerry. "I can relate to the average Joe Sixpack. He loves to hear about my service in Vietnam and I enjoyMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076361254152877502004-02-09T16:14:00.000-05:002004-02-09T16:16:00.420-05:00Movie Meanderings - We watched Secondhand Lions on Saturday, since the boys seemed to be playing well Friday night. As I suspected, my youngster enjoyed the action scenes but was not interested in the talking scenes. The review at the Focus on the Family site Plugged In had an interesting review on it, including this:It’s that need to cling to noble values apart from their pragmatism that, toMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076099594617110722004-02-06T15:33:00.000-05:002004-02-06T15:34:57.653-05:00Praise Power How can we pay back the Lord for all He has given us? We walk by faith, and our salvation is by grace and not works. The result of our faith needs to be works, our actions when He calls us. As loyal servants, may we be ready to serve as He requests. David in Psalm 116:12-19 puzzled about this as well:How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076082571498676302004-02-06T10:49:00.000-05:002004-02-06T10:51:13.966-05:00My youngster, Li'l Tater, seems to be in the clear sickness-wise and we were blessed with an uninterrupted night of sleep. He has a friend sleeping over tonight. I anticipate a late night of giggling and squirming (kids will be kids). I did buy the Secondhand Lions DVD, so we'll try watching that tonight. There are some parts they will enjoy, but it will be difficult to keep their attention Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076076478945852742004-02-06T09:07:00.000-05:002004-02-06T10:55:12.200-05:00Cheap Lunches I have been meaning to post on this for some time, and PossumPapa once again jogged my memory. He related his gastronomic journey to a place called "Sneaky Pete's", since he had a hankering for lunch but only four singles in his wallet. Decorum prevents me from repeating his choice from Pete's menu, but he made it sound better than it probably tasted. When someone has $4 clenchedMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076015297525987972004-02-05T16:08:00.000-05:002004-02-05T16:09:59.826-05:00Idol Wait I can't seem to shake this "heavy feeling" (and I ain't talkin' about my personal pounds!) for tonight, and it just dawned on me - no American Idol tonight. Boo hoo. The last three nights in a row watching those rascally judges, sitting in their judgment seats, waiting to be impressed (just like us at home) and ready to grade. Watching those young hopefuls having their dreams crushedMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1076000511006639682004-02-05T12:01:00.000-05:002004-02-05T12:03:33.200-05:00My youngster seems to be doing better today, so hopefully it was just one of those minor bugs. He did get up at 1:30 am and walked into our bedroom to let us know that he was feeling better. Lady Spud vetoed his attempt at climbing in bed with us. It might be an early night for Lady Spud, as she has had her beauty rest interrupted for two nights in a row (he also got up at 5:30 to tell us he Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075909184446557632004-02-04T10:39:00.000-05:002004-02-04T10:41:25.060-05:00Just read PossumPapa's good report on his daughter's ear (forgot to copy a link - drat!) and it reminded me of my own youngster. It seems that he threw-up in bed last night (also vomited this morning, but no high temperature so it is hopefully just a minor bug) and Lady Spud got up to take care of the sheets. I felt her get up but did not know what was going on at the time so I went back to Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075906190559177212004-02-04T09:49:00.000-05:002004-02-04T09:51:31.013-05:00Rant on MT Mike at 1-Man IT Dept. linked to this rant on Kuro5hin about MT blogs. It has some things about the code in MT I did not know, as well as a general rant against blogs. Yes, it's more debating about the merits of blogging with a long list of comments, but if you like to see other people's opinions on the "blog thing", check it out. [WARNING: Use of strong language and potty mouths]Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075906112233796782004-02-04T09:48:00.000-05:002004-02-04T09:50:12.733-05:00Halftime Hammer Hits I know the Superbowl halftime show has been beaten nearly to death. Nearly. Michael Novak at NRO makes a few more hammer hits:If the moral morons the NFL hires to produce these shows set out to dramatize the last days of the Roman empire in all its legendary sickness, what would they do differently? Who are these seemingly drugged, indifferent, writhing pagan figures they Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075840940776081482004-02-03T15:42:00.000-05:002004-02-03T15:44:00.733-05:00More Kissin' Cousins From my post on cousin marriages last week, Christie Smith was kind enough to leave some comments. From her last one, after discussing the "ick" factor of cousin couples:Unlike the gay rights movement, we're not here to shove our choice down anyone's throat, or to encourage a trend in dating cousins. Our goal is very simple... to restore our constitutional right to marriage,Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075832999985917802004-02-03T13:29:00.000-05:002004-02-03T13:31:39.856-05:00Movie Meanderings - Only saw one over the weekend on TV. The Disney Channel showed Full-Court Miracle - "Jewish schoolboys convince a former college-basketball player to coach their winless team. Based on a true story." While it may have not been an Emmy or Oscar winner, it was very enjoyable and a good family movie. They portrayed Jews as people with problems like everybody else, yet followMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075760390495699492004-02-02T17:19:00.000-05:002004-02-02T17:21:29.733-05:00More tomorrow, I hope. Too much work busyness. I will say that after reviewing posts by other bloggers, that perhaps one of my top choices for commercials should be taken back (one where dog bites other owner). I suppose I could give the excuse of becoming numb to excess in commercials, but I will be responsible rather than whiny! I probably should not have watched the whole halftime show Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075694960116735962004-02-01T23:09:00.000-05:002004-02-01T23:10:58.670-05:00Stupendous Bowl At least it was an entertaining game, though the Panthers fell a little short. Their main downfall was their defense not being able to stop the Patsies when they should have, but I'll detail three "problem" areas. 1. The announcers harped on the fact that they should not have gone for two point conversion with about 12 minutes left, and while obvious it turned out to be Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075559245788166642004-01-31T09:27:00.000-05:002004-01-31T09:29:02.640-05:00I don't get the chance to hear Rush on the radio much nowadays, but every so often I'll check out what he has on his site. Apparently Bill Clinton was back in Washington for a conference and had a few tidbits for the press afterwards. He gives his side of the story on why we can't find the WMD's in Iraq: Slick Willie took them out with his 4 days of bombing, and we could not get the inspectorsMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075494392773898192004-01-30T15:26:00.000-05:002004-01-30T15:28:08.873-05:00I have tried out the Grokker search program, as I posted on a few days ago, and it is very interesting to use. Most of the results come back as small circles grouped within big circles. When you move your mouse pointer over a small circle, a "synposis" of the web page pops up. There are also some small squares, but I did not have time to figure out the difference between the circles and Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075494004187792292004-01-30T15:20:00.000-05:002004-01-30T15:21:40.340-05:00Friday Five It's been awhile, but here we go again with Friday's five: You have just won one million dollars: 1. Who do you call first? - Wife obviously, probably mom or sister next. 2. What is the first thing you buy for yourself? - DLP bigscreen TV. 3. What is the first thing you buy for someone else? - Maybe a car for my mom, but would have to check with my wife. 4. Do you give any awayMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075493929890171702004-01-30T15:18:00.000-05:002004-01-30T15:30:19.796-05:00Praise Power What were Jesus' last words? It wasn't "buh-bye"! If you said "It is finished" - close but not right. Let's go to the Book of Acts:1:6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075385752441423592004-01-29T09:15:00.000-05:002004-01-29T09:17:27.340-05:00Kissin' Cousins From WorldMag's blog, this link to an article about cousin marriage, with a study showing "that cousin couples were only 1.7 percent to 2.8 percent more likely than a nonrelated couple to have a child with a significant birth defect, such as mental retardation or a genetic disorder." WorldMag makes the point that the Bible does not forbid it: Jacob and Rachel in the Old Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075316756984113162004-01-28T14:05:00.000-05:002004-01-28T14:10:00.843-05:00Movie Meanderings - We rented the animated Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas the other night, and it was a lot better than I had anticipated. There's enough for both the youngsters and oldsters to enjoy, a good story line and some good morals that you can discuss with your children. Yes, Sinbad is a thief and they make light of it, but he may be reformed by the end of the film. It also has noMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075316662306123952004-01-28T14:04:00.000-05:002004-01-28T14:05:56.560-05:00Lady's Vote Saw this over at NRO's Corner from Rich Lowry and it got me to thinkin':If Dean is really making gains among women in the late-going in New Hampshire, his wife Judy has to be at least partly responsible. I find her winning and utterly charming (even if her ambition to continue practicing medicine as First Lady is totally unrealistic and kind of odd).Is it unrealistic? Either her Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075235594735844282004-01-27T15:33:00.000-05:002004-01-27T15:34:48.436-05:00Tech Tues - Saw this in a computer magazine and found it fascinating: a virtual keyboard. The Virtual Laser Keyboard uses an IR sensor to determine what keys are "hit" on a laser-drawn image of a keyboard. The keyboard can be projected on any flat surface. iBiz Technologies is pushing this for people who have PDA's and want something small for an input device, rather than carrying around a Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075219613750185232004-01-27T11:06:00.000-05:002004-01-27T11:08:26.860-05:00Loyalty Jay Nordlinger from NRO is (was?) in Davos, and is reporting on it like he did last year. He already has 4 reports up, with a fifth due tomorrow. If you've missed them you'll have some catching up to do, but there are some good nuggets to be mined, like this one:As you may remember from my commentary on the Forum last year, the American journalists, as a class, are a piece of work. The Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1075216535634657202004-01-27T10:15:00.000-05:002004-01-27T10:17:08.983-05:00Yes, I'm still here. It has taken awhile to break through the 3 inches of snow plus ice-glaze layer, but the TaterBed will be putting out posts shortly. Or short posts. Like this. One.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1074886420926256332004-01-23T14:33:00.000-05:002004-01-23T14:35:09.793-05:00P P No, it's not tinkle-time, but Praise Power, something to help me (and maybe even you) get ready for a weekend of praise. For some strange reason I seem to have more problems spending time in prayer and my Bible on Saturdays. I have the day off, but by the time I remember it's already after supper. By then I give myself the excuse of Sunday morning just being around the corner, a weak one Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1074886217675864552004-01-23T14:30:00.000-05:002004-01-23T14:31:46.590-05:00Straw Man If you're looking for one of the best straw man arguments ever, check out Jay Nordlinger's report from the Davos conference in Switzerland (third bullet point down). Jack Straw, the foreign secretary of the U.K., lays the lumber on why we went into Iraq and the good that has come out of it.When it's time to make his prepared remarks, Straw says, "As an adherent to the British Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1074866242642277272004-01-23T08:57:00.000-05:002004-01-23T08:58:51.780-05:00Area 51 President Bush stopped off in Roswell NM yesterday and announced that he will seek a nearly 10 percent increase in spending on efforts to prevent terrorism within the United States. Secret operatives from the TaterBed have uncovered more that the "big media" failed to report on. President Bush also visited the formerly secret Area 51 site to investigate some of his possible opponents Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1074806880616051642004-01-22T16:28:00.000-05:002004-01-22T16:29:28.670-05:00Who Hates Passwords? They're a fact of life anytime you want to do something "computery", but having to remember a bunch of different ones, especially the strong passwords, can be a chore. For people who use Palm PDA's and other hand-held PC's for business purposes, they can take sensitive and proprietary data that is outside of the office and unprotected. Mike McBride linked to an article Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484205.post-1074721040428533882004-01-21T16:37:00.000-05:002004-01-21T16:38:47.356-05:00What is "Doughnut" in Spanish? It's supposed to be "dona", but I "dunno" if the wavy thing goes over the "n" or not. Anyhow, my doughnut making homies, Krispy Kreme, are opening more shops down in Mexico, with 20 stores expected in the next six years. I don't know how well they will sell, since Mexican pastry typically does not rely on the sticky coating and tends to be crusty (but not all the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05005434882196761438noreply@blogger.com0