My Own Worst Enemy = Total Recall + Bourne Identity

My Own Worst Enemy is awesome. Amazing. If the other shows on TV right now weren’t so good, like Terminator, Heroes, and Chuck, My Own Worst Enemy would probably become my favorite show. Well, Heroes doesn’t seem that awesome right now. Claire Bennett has lost some of her appeal, and some of the writing seems kind of stupid. In the most recent episode, [SPOILER ALERT] the Petrelli’s father took Adam, the guy who can heal himself and live forever, by the hand, and absorbed his powers. Adam disintegrated. But I don’t think that just because he could no longer heal meant that he would now succumb to old age. I would think that he would simply become a 30-year-old human, or so, and go on aging from there.

Anyway, My Own Worst Enemy is simply amazing. Christian Slater is great. And the show raises issues that apply directly to each of us. These issues include the ethical and moral dilemma of interrogating a terror suspect, and whether or not to use torture. I for one am against torture, as is Henry, the average-Joe version of Christian Slater in the show. But his secret agent alter ego is quite clear on his stance of using torture to extract information from a reluctant suspect. So Henry has to deal with all the bad stuff his own worst enemy is comfortable doing. It’s really interesting, but at the same time action-packed. And of course it offers a sort of escapist adventure for anyone wishing to one day wake up and find out that they too are one of two people sharing the same body, the other being a successful, wealthy, smooth, charismatic secret agent.

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Economy = Worldwide Yikes

Just a few days ago the stock market plunged 777 points. Today I saw that it went down 555 points. What a coincidence! Not really…

A couple of years ago I had heard that the market was due for a major correction. At that time the cause of the correction was not yet known. Now everybody is aware that the catalyst for our current situation was a mortgage crisis. Who would’ve guessed, in years past, in the face of ever present refinancing ads on television and the Internet, that it was all a sham, and about to explode in our faces?

I can’t believe that the current situation in America is cascading to foreign countries. I read on Yahoo this morning that the situation is really just based on fear, and knowledge that our 700 billion-dollar bailout will take a little while to kick in. Oh well.

I just hope that this situation doesn’t turn into another Great Depression.

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Heroes Is Back

Wow, it feels like it's been forever since that show began, and forever since I last saw a new episode.

I've seen commercials in which Peter Petrelli has a scar on his face. Could this be footage from the future? I mean, are they showing us the future again? That would be neat... But what if it's the present, instead? That would mean that Petrelli, who can heal just like Claire, gets messed up somehow... I don't see how that's possible. Maybe it's a disguise? Or he's pretending to be vulnerable? Or it's not really him?

I'm sure all these questions and more will be answered tonight. Hooray, Heroes!

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Britney's Back!! ?

I heard on the news that Britney Spears won an award for her recent music video. They showed footage of her at the VMA's, and she looked pretty fit and together.

Then today I read on Yahoo that while she did win the award, she also hosted the VMA's, and apparently did a poor job of it. "Worst host ever" was the general idea. Too bad.

But I still think it's neat that she's experiencing success on some level. Especially after she'd risen to major heights and fallen.

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Tracy Morgan's Woodrow SNL Sketch Video Clip

Earlier this year I saw the "Take a doo doo pie" Saturday Night Live sketch on TV (featuring Britney Spears and Tracy Morgan), and I posted the lyrics. Someone commented that they wished the video was available too. A few months later, someone added it to YouTube.

So here it is!

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USA vs. China Basketball 2008

It was awesome! I don't usually watch basketball, but the other day I watched the U.S. Dream Team take on China, and I really enjoyed it. I heard it was supposed to be the most watched basketball game in history. I also heard that the Chinese are intensely passionate about basketball! Cool...

The game started off with the Chinese earning some points. I thought, "Wow, will they win?" Then it seemed even, US vs China, and then the US just took off, earning a 30 point lead! That was really great, especially considering how (I think) back in '92 we'd had huge point leads that had decreased over the years.

Yao Ming played for China. His foot/ankle was hurt, but he gave the game his all. Even after exiting to the bench, he was cheering his team on at every positive event. It was really fun to watch such a friendly game. And with modern technology, the image was pretty crisp. Thanks, Olympics!

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Power Dependent

Lose power much? (Oh wah, wah!) No, seriously.

From time to time, most of us have to deal with the occasional power outage. How does it make you feel?

Limited water pressure, limited land-line phone battery backup...

If you've got a handheld wireless PC / internet device, or a generator at your disposal, I'll bet that's a power trip. "Nothing can stop me!!"

What about all the food in the refrigerator? No generator = no freshness!

Hopefully we've all got some decent public service workers...

Preview of massive worldwide blackouts when the Peak Oil crisis hits?

I don't really think that's possible, at least not for another few decades, since there are untapped oil reserves all over the place.

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Cold Fusion, Where Are You?

I was watching some dated late night PBS programming about cold fusion, thoroughly enjoying both the lack of commercials and the lack of pleas for a donation, and I realized something. Cold fusion seems to have left the group of potential energy solutions.

It makes sense when you read the first paragraph of Wikipedia's page for cold fusion. The basic idea is that no solid results have emerged yet.

I remember watching Val Kilmer in "The Saint," and seeing cold fusion revolutionize Russia. Can you imagine if everybody had access to free, unlimited power? Free energy! That would change everything...

I hope that in the next 50 years, our energy concerns are completely reversed by some revolutionary development, and instead of worrying about where to find energy, we're focused on how to use the overly abundant fuels of the future.

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"This -- IS -- SPARTA" and Other Similar Quotes

A few months ago, we all kept hearing the same type of one-liner again and again in movie trailers:

"This, Is, Sparta!"

"I, Am, Beowulf!"

"This, Is Our, City!"

And then, even in a movie's title: "I Am Legend"

I can almost hear someone shouting it... "I, Am, LEGEND!"

I'll bet most people didn't know or didn't care. You probably noticed, saw the pattern. I thought it was mildly amusing. A bit annoying on some days, though.

Because when you think about it, it represents creative copycatting.

One ad executive is told, "Come up with a new idea, something that works!" And he watches other ads, looking for something that is "proven." Sees that people are lining up to see "300," and boy, isn't that powerful when the guy says, "This Is Sparta!"

Let's copy it!

Stop copying me, little bro, it's getting old.

Then some maternal figure shows up and says, "Can't you see he admires you?"

Be original! Like that SoBe super bowl commercial that ripped off Thriller. Now there was a unique masterpiece... Not!

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CPU Breakthrough A Month Away?

I would LOVE to hear that some extraordinary breakthrough had been achieved, and that CPU speeds in typical home PC's can now exceed 10 GHz.

I read that at some point, we're going to plateau, because speed gains have been achieved simply by shrinking the CPU parts, and CPU's won't work with parts that are too small. So we could make them as small as would work, and that'd be it. Nothing faster could be achieved.

But then, what if some quantum processor were made? Or what if instead of a single square chip, they made a huge rectangular sheet of square ships. Instead of Dual/Quad Core, we've got Core factor 3000!!

Anyway, I just thought it would be cool to have faster computers again.

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I Got My Wish: Wayne's World 3

Wayne's World was on the other day, and I watched some of it. A few weeks ago, the sequel was on. I enjoy both films very much. So I thought, "Why not a Wayne's World 3?"

It seems I sort of got my wish.

Today on Yahoo, I saw a video clip of the MTV Movie Awards, in which Mike Myers and Dana Carvey reprised their respective roles as Wayne and Garth. Awesome! It happened!

Sure, it wasn't feature length, and sure, they probably won't make the movie (who am I to say?). But! The fact that they got back into the World of Wayne after a 14 year break, even if for only a few moments, is totally excellent!

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New Simpsons: Burns Proves He's Super Rich

Last night on "The Simpsons," Bart took up coin collecting, and had collected every last coin for a complete set, except one. So Homer took him to an auction.

At the auction, Mr. Burns had bought all the coins for sale, kind of like how Fry in "Futurama" had bought all the 20th century items at an auction when he got rich.

The last item in the Simpsons auction was the coin Bart needed.

Homer said, "Five dollars."

Mr. Burns countered with, "Five hundred."

Homer said, "Five dollars, cash," and waved his money around.

The auctioneer said that cash didn't matter, the bid was five hundred dollars. Going once, going twice...!"

Bart said, "Dad!"

Homer said, "Five hundred and one dollars!"

Then Mr. Burns casually said, "Ten million."

WOW! Mr. Burns raised the stakes from five to five hundred, and then from five hundred one to ten million. Why?! Sure, he wanted the coin, but there's a lot you can do with ten million dollars.

Maybe the joke was just random craziness, but I think Mr. Burns' character has been sufficiently developed to make this incident more interesting.

He's all about money, right? He wants as much as he can get. I think his character prizes cash over things. He's thrifty - if he can get a good deal, then he'll do his best to see it through. So why blow $10 million on a penny? To win...

I wonder though, about his thought process. He's probably spent lots of money before. And in doing so, he'd be forced to think about whether it was worth it, and what alternatives there could be for that same sum.

If I had $10 million, I would save it.

If I had $10 billion, $10 million would seem like less... but that's still a lot! You could do a lot with $10 million (just call 10-10-2-20). So if Mr. Burns has already exhausted every other possible use for $10 million, then why not get the penny? (Which Homer managed to con back later.)

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American Dad vs. Family Guy

I think American Dad seems more polished as far as the animation goes. But maybe that's because lately I've been watching some of the older Family Guy episodes on TBS. They're so old, they sometimes seem new to me!

I still get the impression, though, that the animation is subtly different with American Dad. Maybe the colors are brighter, and the lines are thicker. It gives it a more "professional" feel, even though both cartoons are run by the same guy.

I heard that the reason American Dad is so similar to Family Guy is that at the time of American Dad's creation, Family Guy was canceled. Then Family Guy got resurrected while American Dad still got launched. But I think the two shows have diverged now.

Every so often I think about that jewel encrusted object that American Dad sometimes focuses on. I'd really like to see where that storyline leads. I'll be at some point they'll just randomly bring the main characters back in on it and end it really quickly. I'd like to see it continue, though.

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Family Guy, American Dad Illogic

Last night I watched a new "Family Guy" and a new "American Dad." It occurred to me that the creator must be pretty busy running two popular shows that both need new episodes.

There was one moment that stood out for me, when Stewie was commenting on Bryan's parenting ability. In the middle of a sentence, he started playing around with the pronunciation of a word, twisting it and slowing it down, and all of a sudden he started making really rapid and unexpected spitting noises. It was so ridiculous that it reminded me of my first impressions of Family Guy, like the times Peter would fall over way faster than normal.

I liked the conversation Stewie had with Matthew McConaughey. I think it was Seth Green who provided McConaughey's voice, and I don't know if he ad-libbed, but it was terrific. I liked McConaughey's portrayed attitude, and how relaxed he was when reacting to such negative comments (from Stewie). I also thought his responses made a lot of sense, and his life sounded pretty terrific (even if his movies don't appeal to everyone).

I also liked the two foreign guys who sounded "not quite normal" when speaking English. That was neat.

I remember Bryan or Peter coming through the screen and telling me to write about them on the internet. Well, actually they didn't come through the screen. One just mentioned off the cuff that if we had a problem with their logic, we should blog about it. What logic? Bryan apparently has a 13 year old son. Bryan is 7 years old. Bryan said, "That's in dog years."

I think the creator of the show did that on purpose for two reasons. First, because bloggers had probably ranted about stuff in the show earlier, and he figured, "This will give them a real reason to complain." And second, maybe it's part of a publicity strategy.

Anyway, I thought I'd look up Dog Years just to see if I was right in my guess as to how Bryan's take on the situation didn't make sense.

Wikipedia says there's a urban legend under which 1 year of human life is equal to 7 dog years.

So for every 365 day year, a dog is supposed to age like a human would over the course of 7 years. So a dog ages 7 times faster than a man, kind of like that movie with Robin Williams, "Jack."

Anyway, if Bryan is 7 human years old, and his supposed son is 13, then Bryan isn't the father (unless sci-fi shenanigans occurred).

Stewie said, "Aren't you 7?" Bryan replied, "That's in dog years."

So if the figure of 7 was in dog years, then Bryan, being 7 "dog years" old, would be 1 human year old.

I think Bryan said the wrong thing on purpose.

What makes more sense is that Bryan is 49, and 49 is in dog years, making Bryan 7 human years old.

Another possibility is that when Bryan said, "That's in dog years," he was really referring to the figure of 13, referring to the age of his supposed son. If that was the case, then the son would be almost 2 human years old, and since Bryan is 7 human years old, all is well.

Except... Bryan probably wasn't referring to the figure of 13, as the most relevant figure he could have referred to had come just before his remark. That was when Stewie said, "Aren't you 7?"

But I've met people who have weird conversations, where A, B, C, and D were all said before, then you say E, they say F, and you say, "how does that follow what I just said?" And they say, "I was referring to C." Infuriating, but not impossible.

Anyway, I noticed two other illogical moments in Family Guy and American Dad together, but I only remember one.

At the end of "American Dad," Francine was upset about how much money the father and son had spent to pay for a model rocket that didn't win a competition. Stan justified his actions by saying, "You've got to spend money to make money." Francine countered with, "But you didn't make any money." Stan replied, "Then by that logic, I didn't spend any. Goodnight, everybody!"

I thought about it, and wondered what the point is of saying things that don't make sense. Maybe it's a humor trend.

Anyway, if the idea that you must spend money to make money is true, then all money that is earned comes after some amount of spending.

So no matter what, if you make money, then at some point you've spent money. "By that logic" works here.

But you can still spend money to no apparent end, and not end up making any. So if you don't make any money, that doesn't mean you've spent it. But of course Stan Smith knew this, he was probably just using fuzzy logic to shut his wife up. But I'll bet she continued the conversation in "American Dad" world during and after the credits.

There... I've fulfilled the prophecy by blogging about what I beheld.

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Super Tough Attire

Every so often I hear about military grade clothing, and it just makes me think, “Wow!” I mean the stuff is usually made to be far more durable than regular clothing. Like with BDU pants, you can get a pair of ripstop khakis that look perfectly normal, but are so tough you could probably play baseball in them, slide to home, and not show any signs of wear and tear. Now that is cool!

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Scotland Oil Strike, U.S. Food Rationing

I just read at Yahoo that Scotland oil workers are striking over pension issues. The refinery that has been shut down because of the strike supplies "almost a third of Britain's North Sea oil."

That's nuts... Hmm... I thought the major oil problems were that we're running out, and that the Middle East has a lot of it. But now there are problems with oil that have nothing to do with the substance at all!

I also heard American store Costco has begun rationing bags of rice. I think each bag weighs 16 pounds. And a customer is only allowed 3 per visit. Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" said it's no big deal, that's still a lot. But the fact that rationing has begun seems scary. Sure, in a place with "plenty" of resources, you'd set initial rations to be huge. But over time they can get smaller and smaller....

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I Have Found Shangri La

I just recently learned about a place called Shangri La… Well, the full name is Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. This place is awesome! It’s totally green, and I don’t mean inexperienced -- I mean in sync with nature. Over 60 years ago a man named Stark established the Center in Orange, Texas with the goal of improving life in the Southeast of that state. Now, for us in the future, Stark’s vision is a reality. Well, it has been for decades!

I once visited some gorgeous gardens that were so perfect, it felt like Heaven. Seriously. Around that time, I had recently found an old book in a basement detailing one concept of Heaven, and what to do in order to get there. The idea was that Heaven was gorgeous. It was clean, and there were luscious and colorful plants everywhere. Man and nature were in harmony. Serenity overflowed, as well as joy. Well it really surprised me that the gardens I visited reflected that idea so thoroughly. Shangri La reminds me a lot of that.

The Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center occupies 252 acres, and there is a ton of great, natural stuff there. You can see over 300 plant species, birds nesting, a laboratory, and outdoor classrooms -- in a swamp! There’s also a garden for children, a theater, some neat greenhouses, and a café. They’ve even got a Garden Store for all your Shangri La shopping needs.

It really is green. So green, in fact, that the U.S. Green Building Council has certified Shangri La as Platinum, the top level, for LEED®-NC, “which verifies the design and construction of Shangri La reached the highest green building and performance measures.” Fantastic.

The Shangri La Gardens have proven themselves eco friendly, and that goal of being environmentally sound stretches back decades. It looks like a great place, where anyone can find out how we can all live in harmony with nature. If you want to relax and renew yourself, while learning a bit, the Gardens are for you. Even the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center web site is relaxing! So the next chance you get, hop on over to Orange, Texas and discover Shangri La!

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Recent New South Park: No Internet

I love it at the end when Randy's talking about showing the internet the RESPECT!!! ...it deserves... and he slams his fist down and shakes the podium to make his point.

I enjoyed the episode, but thought it was lame that the solution to the issue was to unplug the device and plug it back in.

It made me think that either the South Park creators themselves or someone they knew had experienced that same problem, and they decided to make an episode about it.

When we lost the internet here, that solution didn't help. You call up a guy and he walks you through all the stupid little processes for fixing a normal problem. None of it works. You say, "Well, Comcast just installed Digital Voice on our end. Maybe the issue is because of that...?" And he says, "No, you might think so, but no."

That was...wrong.

"Oh, that's a hardware problem."

WRONG!!!!

Comcast unbundled our IP addresses. It happened at their office. Not here. Not our fault. Their fault. We paid for 4 IPs. We had 4. Then they suddenly reduced that number to 1. It was only when we asked to speak with a supervisor that we made any real progress, because the basic level of support had no idea what was really going on.

So the lesson: Customer support can sometimes not know enough to help you, but even when that happens, company protocol forces you to deal with them. And listen to all their "helpful" suggestions. It can be excruciating.

To read more about this issue in detail, check out this post: Limited Or No Connectivity -- Comcast Digital Voice Was Installed, and Our Internet Access Became Handicapped

This happened back in early October of last year, and it still frustrates me.

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Technology To Meet Every Need

I remember a time when an older friend of mine was making a phone call, and he couldn’t hear very well. He kept saying, “What? Speak up. What?” It’s too bad they didn’t make the speakers in the phone powerful enough…

I love it when problems get solved by technology. In the past, people weren’t able to quickly and easily communicate over long distances without the aid of a land line telephone or a computer. Or television or radio if you were a part of the media, but most people weren’t! Then cell phones were invented and refined, and practically anybody anywhere could get in touch with anyone anywhere else.

BUT! There were still problems. Some people found the buttons too small, too difficult to press, too hard to see. The letters and numbers in the display were too tiny to read. And the volume of the call was too low to hear! Plus, the phone was uncomfortable up against your ear.

Well now the cell phone has been even further refined to solve all those problems, and more. There’s a phone called the Jitterbug that is just plain terrific. It’s easy to use, and especially convenient for senior citizens.

It’s got large, backlit buttons. That means you’ll be able to see and press them, even in the dark! It also comes with a padded ear rest, a super-high power speaker for hearing even the faintest of voices, and a system that produces sound designed to be compatible with every conceivable hearing aid.

But the best part is that when you’ve got a Jitterbug phone, you’re never alone! Each phone plan comes with 24 hour a day customer service that can help you make calls. They can even program your phone with new names and numbers, and provide you with detailed directory assistance.

These days, it pays to have specialized technology with a great support staff. And with the Jitterbug, you can, for only $10/month.

There are a ton of service plans to choose from. You can pay monthly, and get as few or as many minutes of Jitterbug use as you want. Or you could pay yearly. And you can always buy more minutes. There’s also the option of getting one plan and sharing it among 2 or more people. You can even get voicemail!

With the Jitterbug, everything’s been taken care of in advance. All you need to do is choose what kind of Jitterbug service you’d like!

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Major World Problems: Nothing New

I recently read in an old book something like, "Now we are facing humanity's greatest challenge..." I think it was from the 1970's, and had to do with economic turmoil.

Let's see-- major problems in U.S. history...

Prior wars
World War 1
Great Depression
Dust Bowl
World War 2
Cold War
Gas crisis

And now...
Global Warming
Nuclear Weapons
Running out of Oil
Housing Market Problems

It's funny to see polar opposite forecasts in the news equally "strong" when being presented. Like, "We most definitely could see a Mars colony in 8-12 years," followed by, "It's over. There will definitely be another Great Depression, and you're all going to lose your homes. The end is at hand!"

Many of the forecasts are mutually exclusive, and yet they're all grouped together. I wonder when speculation took over the news...

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Outsmarting The Devil

So, if you look at the Devil and all his evil abilities, and pretend they're all included in a single gun...

And your soul is encompassed by your wallet...

You meet the Devil on the street.

He says, "Wanna sell your soul?"

You say, "Sure."

He says, "And what do you want in return?"

You say, "The power to defeat the Devil."

He says, "Ok!"

He extends the gun/Devil Powers in his right hand.

You extend your wallet/soul in your right hand.

Each of you retrieves the desired item with your left hand.

Then you use your new Devil Powers to take back your soul! Win win!

**Update: Crucial flaw -- he didn't agree to the deal

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Theoretical Dollars

I was checking my site stats for my blog today, and I saw that traffic jumped up yesterday. It was neat; all the previous traffic was going along more or less in a straight line, and then it suddenly veered upwards at a sharp angle.

I think what happened was a lot of people were searching for the term Theoretical Dollars because the new episode of South Park mentioned it.

Glad to see I contributed to the internet!

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South Park: Canada On Strike!

[Spoiler Alert!]

It took me half the episode before I figured out why the World Canada Bureau was shortened to "WGA." Writers' Guild of America!

Canada went on strike, demanded more money, the South Park kids called Canada up, the guy in charge took them seriously, and demanded internet money. So the kids put a video on YouTube and went somewhere and stood in line to collect their "theoretical" revenue ($10 million theoretical dollars).

I guess you get 1 theoretical dollar every time your video gets a hit? Like, "$1, see the show, only $1." But now everything's "free" on the net, so the original creators who post on YouTube don't get the money.

Anyway, the WGA (Canada) kept striking, and it looked like the Executives (rest of the world) was anticipating the deaths of the strikers. And they didn't care. "Who need 'em?" seemed to be the general consensus.

So the kids stepped in and fixed the problem by calling an end to the strike, with the WGA (Canada) getting really lame compensation.

I thought, "Did that really happen? Was the Writers' Strike a failure in reality, but a success in the news?"

Wikipedia says the writers all got a raise of between 3 and 3.5%. That doesn't seem like a lot... And that pay hike only lasts 3 years.

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Pizza.com For Sale: $2.5 Million

I can't believe it! Wow! The auction is happening right now.

For those of you that don't already know, owning a domain name is like owning a piece of real estate. And there is a fixed amount of this commodity. So if someone is willing to pay $2.5 million for pizza.com now, imagine how much it will bring in 10 years from now?

I once read someone's theory that all internet business could end overnight because of some crazy new invention that superseded the entire web. They didn't really think it would happen, but it seemed possible. I'll bet one of the major concerns when shelling out big bucks for a domain name is whether or not another dot com bubble has formed... and is ready to pop!

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More Snow?!

I heard some areas aren't through with winter yet. They say that a few inches of snow are in store for these areas. And here I thought it was already Spring.

In "Groundhog Day," Bill Murray gets ready for the day and prepares to leave the bed & breakfast. In the hallway he is met by a friendly gentleman who says, "Good morning! Off to see the Groundhog? Do you think it will be an early Spring?"

Murray says, "I'm predicting March 20."

So did I, and look where it got me! I wonder how concentratedly Hellish the summer will be?

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New South Park Tonight

I think it's going to be a good one. I saw a commercial, and it looks like Kenny goes on some kind of wild adventure with some chick who's animated in a completely different style. Maybe the creators used some old footage from some expired film. It looks awesome.

Any time Kenny is involved, the adventure is fantastic. I remember one time he went to Hell...

Another time he went to Heaven and proceeded to lead the vastly outnumbered armies of goodness to victory in a battle at least 10x greater than the biggest battle in epic motion picture fantasy. Too bad we didn't get to watch!

But I'll bet tonight's episode will be pretty neat. Go Kenny!

Just as a side note, I think Kenny vs. Spenny is lame. Kenny of "South Park" is cool. Kenny of "Spenny" is a jerk.

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Fox Tries To Force You To Watch Its New Show

I remember a while back when Fox had "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" on Sundays. The other programming was... irrelevant? Well, I just don't remember it. Then came "Family Guy," and the Cartoon Factor increased from 2 to 3. So now we had a solid 90 minutes of modern cartoon humor most Sunday nights. Then came "American Dad," and after a brief warm-up period, it established itself as a keeper. Cartoon Factor 4. 2 solid hours, 8-10pm most Sundays.

Then Fox said, "Hey, let's try to shove some new live-action pilot down their throats," and started airing shows during the block like "The Winner."

"The Winner" ended up being a loser, and was canceled.

Back to Cartoon Factor 4.

Hey, wasn't there some airline comedy? Yeah, "The Loop" intruded upon Cartoon Sunday as well. I barely remembered that one at first.

Oh yeah, and "The War at Home." I didn't really like that show...

Now we've got "Unhitched." I just watched the first of two episodes they sandwiched in last night, between Cartoon Reruns.

And I thought it was lame. Here are my reasons:

1. It forced us to sit through gross and uncomfortable situations, like when a female lead's aging boss hung out naked at the gym all day.

2. It forced us to endure stupid running gags like some guy carrying his kids around on his back and constantly banging their heads into things. That's not funny, that's just sick.

3. Craig Bierko is way cooler than his character allows him to be. He was in "Cinderella Man" as the deadliest boxer on earth. He didn't fight to win. He fought to induce blinding pain that leads to death. Well last night on "Unhitched" his character was at his first boxing fitness class and some blonde kept giving him lip. He was totally courteous, but she just kept needling him over and over, and then in the final boxing confrontation, it was a spoof of all the major recent boxing movies. What a letdown! I wanted to see him take her out with one punch.

The show is trying to be goofy, but it just feels bad watching it. It's like the kind of thing that'd make you groan uneasily if you were forced to sit through it.

Craig Bierko was cool in "The Long Kiss Goodnight." Another villain role. He's got so much more edge to him than this new character allows for. And did you see him as Tom Ryan in "Scary Movie 4?" Spoof of Tom Cruise. Awesome.

So, Fox, when can we get back to Cartoon Factor 4? Or, maybe you could come up with a really, really good show to watch Sunday nights... like that new reality show, "The Running Man!"

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The Tax Man Cometh

So I heard the government is giving out free money. Free money! But only if you made more than $3000 last year.

So say someone made over $3000, and owes $287 in taxes. Not anymore, thanks to the free money!

Say they owe nothing... I think they get $300... in free money! Or is it more? I'm not sure...

What will we all do with our new allowance? Will we spend it like good children, hopefully stimulating the economy for a short burst that might snowball into an end to the recession? Or will we spend, and as soon as our spending ends, the recession resumes? Or will some of us stuff our newfound riches into the old mattress upstairs?

Hmm...

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Wedding Invitations: Beach Style

Have you ever had to plan a wedding? It can be hectic. There are so many different things to think about -- the reception, seating arrangements, food, decorations, color-coordinating the napkins, tablecloths, and surroundings, and of course, inviting people to the main ceremony! You definitely want to use some classy invites to give people the correct indication about your fine event.

1st-class-wedding-invitations.com has a huge assortment of wedding invites, and a great selection of Beach Wedding Invitations. There are so many to choose from, it’s very easy to get customized.

My favorite of the 1st Class Wedding Invitations is the Pearl Embossed Shell one.

I might personalize the card by using a catchphrase only those invited would know about. And of course, I’d remember to use all the correct personal information, like the names of those getting married (as if that could be left out!). Signing each one could be an option, but that seems unnecessary, especially for really big ceremonies.

I like the shell imprint on the invite. It’s nice. I guess it’s like Prom, where you set up the decorations and stuff to make the event feel like it’s at the beach (if the senior class is so inclined). But the shell invite would be hugely appropriate for anyone wanting to actually get married next to the ocean, too!

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South Park Is Really Deep

I just watched the new "South Park" episode focusing on Britney Spears, and it changed the whole series for me. I used to regard the show as entertaining, with a message on the side. Many of the episodes had some social commentary that was infused into wild and wacky adventures. But the Spears episode seemed more focused on delivering a sharp, pointed "What are you doing?!" to the people of America.

I'd wondered a little bit previously about the effect of paparazzis and the media, and how it seemed psychologically damaging to have people hassle you all the time. People who behave in such a way that communicates how little they care about you and how you feel. But I haven't been thinking that much about it lately, until last night's "South Park." It definitely highlights the issue in a dramatic and intense way. I think there must be some "high road" out there for everyone to take, but so far we've failed to recognize or accept it.

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Eating Oysters Can Be Classy

I think it was on the Simpsons that I saw just how crude oyster eating can be. I’m not sure if it was Homer or Patty and Selma, but one or two of them was just using poor manners and sucking the meat right out of the shell. It left marks or some kind of dirt around their mouths, and they didn’t look as cool as they could be.

But check this out:

Some people look at eating oysters as a fine dining event, and add other parts to their meal and total experience to make the oyster feast as classy as possible. And from that picture, I’d say it’s a pretty nice time.

But oysters can also create a bad time for those at risk. Gulf oysters and other types sometimes carry bacteria that can make you deathly ill if your immune system is for whatever reason weaker than it should be. Be Oyster Aware is a website (at BeOysterAware.com) that has all kinds of information about how to avoid the deadly bacteria, including treatment methods to eliminate the threat from the oysters, as well as ways to treat an infection after eating contaminated food. BeOysterAware.com can also help you figure out if you’re one of those at risk. Raw oysters present the most potential for spreading the bacteria, so if you are at risk, you’d want to avoid uncooked oysters as much as possible.

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Ghostbusters 2 Dirty Scientific Joke

I can't believe it!

Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) goes up to Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) and says, "Hi Egon. How's school? I bet those science chicks really dig that large cranium of yours." And then Egon replies, "I think they're more interested in my epididymus."

You can tell by looking at Venkman's face that he'd like to respond, but he's not quite sure what Egon meant, or was referencing. What is the epididymus?

I thought maybe it was like epidermis... That old joke, "Hey, your epidermis is showing!" (Your skin is showing -- like skin on your arm or neck) But... I had to look it up.

Eww, the epididymus is gross!

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Oysters, Pearls, and Bacteria, Oh My!

The first time I ever encountered oysters, I was fascinated by the idea of finding a pearl. I had previously seen cartoons and other things on television that connected oysters and those valuable little things called pearls, and so I was thrilled by the possibility of finding a pearl and finally owning something of extraordinary value. Unfortunately, any and all pearls were nowhere to be found.

Somewhere deep down, I crave oysters even more now, because I now know that in order to get a pearl, you’ve got to go out into the ocean and do the work yourself. That makes things seem easier, because no one is around to snatch a pearl from you, or to say, “Sorry kid, no pearls here!”

Eating raw oysters that have bacteria can make you sick, but there are three post-harvest processes that can reduce or eliminate that possibility. You either flash freeze the oysters, heat them (or heat and cool them), or pressurize them. That should usually prevent illness, even in someone who eats the oysters raw, but unfortunately these methods are only used for about 10% of U.S. oysters. Still, it can give you comfort knowing that Gulf oysters that have been treated are safer to eat.

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What Happens Next? (Economy)

I feel like the government is playing Jenga with our economy. "Let's see if this will work. Ooh, it's shaking. Better try this... Ok, steady..." It's creepy to think that no one is coming forward with a solid solution. Really, it seems like we're just trying stuff and hoping things turn out all right.

I'm wondering how much the Rate Cuts will pay off. Could we lower the rate too much? What would an economic "overcorrection" look like? Bush said when you overcorrect, you end up in the ditch. I know how that makes sense when you're driving. But if we overstimulate the economy, what would happen? Would that mean that the legitimate means of "fixing things" would be used even less, since the "artificial" stimulation would be producing fake results? And then when that stimulation ends, what happens? Does the real solution come limping back? Or is it gone for good?

I heard our economy is now or will soon be about as bad as it was post-WWII.

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Fantasy Baseball Super Software

Baseball!! Whoo! One of the most popular ways of getting involved with baseball is by playing fantasy baseball, where you manage imaginary baseball teams that perform as well as the players making up those teams would in real life. You do this by keeping track of the real-life players and their statistics. It is a rewarding hobby, but can be challenging because of the research and time involved. But there are ways to make things easier…

Fantasy Sports Prophet’s Fantasy Baseball software could be the top factor in winning fantasy baseball leagues. This software uses Predictive Modeling that was developed by PhD scientists in order to rank players. It features an advanced Draft assistance tool that helps you process every piece of conceivable information that could be used in making a decision regarding a player. The software keeps track of player injuries, statistics, and major updates. Plus, it provides roster management for the entire season, along with additional mid-season updates generated by AI (artificial intelligence). This system is incredible! Too bad it’s 400 Gigs. Just kidding! It’s completely web-based, so you can log on from anywhere in the world! Here’s a screenshot:

The fact that FSP went to the trouble of coming up with this software is mind-blowing. It almost sounds like the CIA had a hand in the program’s development. With so much information at your fingertips, it would be hard not to run a fantastic season. But what would that get you? What would winning in a fantasy league mean? Just that your friends and fellow enthusiasts would admire and respect your dedication to the sport, and thoroughness in the fantasy league. And if you had money riding on the season, you could come away a few bucks richer!

Speaking of bucks, you can save 10 (that’s Ten Dollars) by using the promotional code BMC200. So good luck with your secret weapon, good luck with the game, and have a great season!

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New Simpsons (Martin's Death) Was Great

I remember a few Sundays ago there was a fantastic "Simpsons" episode on Fox. It was great. I mean really, really good! It was brand new, but it felt as cool as one of the early episodes, plus it was full of deeper jokes. I mean it kept you thinking throughout the show, because there was so much humor stuffed in.

I think it was the one where Martin died. Or did he? Nelson took up an investigation. It was a pretty hardcore episode, because it kept the mystery up right until the very end. It was crazy to think that Martin was no longer going to be a part of the show. But that's the way it goes, I guess... (Or is it?)

I thought an earlier episode that said, "The End?" at the end meant the end of the series. The show has been on the air for a long time, and I figured maybe someone somewhere decided it was finally time to stop. But maybe that "The End?" was just a one-episode gag. The fact that they can keep coming up with new stuff is just amazing, and they keep doing the show well! I guess they're trying to make up for the time when critics were writing articles about how the show was past its prime. But that's not the case anymore! They just keep expanding the "Simpsons" reality deeper and deeper... I love it!

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Got Debt? Consolidation Is Just A Click Away

These days, lots of people are having money troubles. You see ads on TV saying “Call us up” or “Come on down and refinance!” But now things are so much simpler. You can consolidate your loans online! SecureLoanConsolidation.com provides visitors with information regarding a bunch of different local financial services. So if you lived in New Jersey, and wanted to consolidate your New Jersey Loans, you just scroll to the bottom of the SecureLoanConsolidation.com home page and click on your state. You could then even get more specific, and look up information by city.

Debt Consolidation is all the rage these days, but not every company is the same. At SecureLoanConsolidation.com, you’ll have access to all kinds of expert information in a directory that organizes lending institutions according to location. To get the best deals, it’s important to shop around, and you can do that right from the comfort of your own home. If you have money problems and are looking into the areas of cash advance loans, credit counseling, credit repair, debt consolidation, mortgage home loans, mortgage refinancing, payday loans, or tax relief, then SecureLoanConsolidation.com probably has some of the answers that you’re looking for.

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Writers Strike Is Over, And I Can Only Imagine...

What shows did we miss out on?

Actually, I'm thinking the Writers Strike did us all a huge favor in one way. It filtered out all the garbage that may have been given the green light had times not been so tough. So we were saved from having to endure ad after ad screaming, "Watch this new lame show! Watch it or you'll never fit in! It's horrible, and a waste of time, and you'll probably be stupider for watching it, but watch it anyway!!"

On the other hand, there is one type of show that has notoriously defied the entire world of writers. That's right -- a reality show. I was afraid and dismayed during the writers strike, thinking that television would be taken over by "real" crudity. "Hey, sex sells." "Hey, violence sells." "Hey, awkward situations sell." Hey, the dumbing down of America and the systematic removal of classy behavior from the public realm of perception should not be a priority! Alas, it seemed it was.

And maybe is.

But now that the writers are back, I get the distinct impression that the few new shows that survived long enough to stay on the air are only going to get better. I hope...

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Oysters - Pearls + Gold = Cha-Ching!

What if oysters didn’t produce pearls anymore? What if instead they started generating money?! What kind of money…? Gold coins!

The market would slowly flood with gold as venture capitalists from all areas gravitate toward the oyster industry. Hundreds of oyster farms would spring up overnight. Suddenly, everybody’s rich. “Here, have some gold!” Pretty soon, the value of gold plummets… Or does it?

The way the economy is going, if America were the only nation with gold-producing oysters, we’d probably be back on top. After all, our dollars stopped being backed by gold when we ran out of the metal, right? I mean, we printed so much money that we could no longer support it with our existing gold supply. But with oyster-gold, we’d be free to print as much money as we needed, and it would never lose value, because we’d have an infinite supply of riches -- thanks to oysters!

It’s too bad oysters can’t produce gold. What’s worse, did you know that they can kill you? That’s right, some oysters have bacteria that can be lethal if you’re sick or have a weak immune system. This is a serious problem, especially for people who love Gulf oysters, because their favorite meal can often end up tainted by deadly bacteria.

To learn more about this threat and how to avoid it, visit BeOysterAware.com.

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Lewis Black: Root of All Evil

I watched the pilot. I was blown away for the first 10 minutes. I thought, "Wow, this show is great! Way better than I expected."

But it was all downhill from there.

There was Lewis Black, who's great. There was one comic talking about Oprah, and he was really good. He seemed to be living up to the "Daily Show" level of excellence.

Then there was that same guy that grossed out the last Lewis Black New Year's party. His humor was crude and sexual. When the audience didn't really enjoy it, he got antsy.

It was weird. It was like he was thinking, "What, you don't like all this sick stuff? Oh no! Hell hath frozen over!"

What did he expect?

But get this, the good comic was playing to the audience. After all, that's what they're there for, right? To enjoy the show.

The other guy, upon seeing that he lost the audience, turned his back to them. He literally turned around to face Lewis Black, and then nervously continued to the show's host. It was weird.

I paid close attention at the end, and I noticed something else.

After the better comic won, he approached the gross guy and extended his hand. The other guy refused to shake hands, and left. Cut to credits...

Oh well. At least the first half was decent. Maybe the guy who lost will realize that in order to win an audience you have to understand how much sick stuff they can tolerate, and alter your act accordingly. But what do I know? I'm just some random audience member who didn't laugh that much at the dirty humor.

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For Students of Engineering: Kettering University

If you’re a fan of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME), you’ll probably enjoy hearing about Michigan’s Kettering University. "U.S. News & World Report" has published its 2008 copy of "America's Best Colleges Guide," and guess what ranking Kettering got for IME? Number One! They’re the best.

Part of the reason Kettering is doing so well and is ranked so highly has to do with its unique program. An education at Kettering entails being placed in a company from the start, as soon as you enter your freshman year. As a student, you would then rotate between the University and your co-op job every 3 months. This allows all students to build a body of practical experience, right from the get-go.

I don’t know about you, but one thing that I’ve come to find is that some educational institutions focus more on learning about the past rather than living in the present. You might go somewhere and learn from a textbook about how they did things 10 years ago, and that doesn’t always cut it when new discoveries and new techniques are constantly being made. It is especially important to stay up-to-date nowadays, what with the huge leaps and bounds information technology continues to make. Our environment has become so enhanced by technology that being even one week out of date can mean disaster in some industries. That’s why hands-on learning is so important. Thankfully, Kettering is all about professional immersion.

The internship program at Kettering is so exclusive and so distinct that there are only 13 others like it in the entire country. So if you’re a fan of industrial engineering, engineering co-op programs, hands-on learning, and gaining immediate, practical experience, then Kettering University should be right up your alley!

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New South Park Tonight! Plus Lewis Black...

I can't wait. I'm a big fan now, ever since I saw "Make Love, Not Warcraft" debut. That episode was awesome. And now there will be another new episode! Great!

Plus, afterwards, Lewis Black's new show airs. But I'm thinking it will be a dismal failure. Why? Let me explain.

After seeing Lewis Black perform on "The Daily Show," I became a fan. He's smart, and hilarious. So I paid attention when his comedy specials would air. When he gets the mic, he's awesome. Two years ago (I think), at the end of the year, he was in a New Year's Comedy special with a couple other comics. It was all right. Last year he did the same thing. He was ok. The other guys didn't nearly match up. One of them was too obscene to be funny. Just gross.

Anyway, that made me realize that Lewis Black is only funny by himself. For whatever reason, he is usually paired with lesser comics, and one of them will inevitably drag the whole show down. It looks like his new show will be exactly that -- Him presiding over lesser comics, who try to measure up. Untested, unproven performers whose faces scream "See? See? I'm funny! Like me!!"

Why, Comedy Central, why? It's like Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Quinn was great by himself too, but when a bunch of jerks are fighting for attention, a show becomes hard to watch. Maybe they're trying to avoid another Frank TV, where the host looks like he doesn't have enough time to fill out the whole show... I don't know. I just expect so much more from Lewis Black based on his solo performances that I find it hard to justify teaming him with comics he could outperform any day of the week.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe his underlings will measure up the way the Daily Show news correspondents do. Those guys are awesome.

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Old Show: That's My Bush

I never watched "That's My Bush" for more than a few minutes at a time, and those times were limited in number to 2 or 3. It didn't seem that entertaining. But it's interesting to reflect on the show for a couple of reasons.

First off, it was made by the "South Park" guys, and I'm a bigger fan of them now than I was then. Second, the show didn't really slam the prez, but rather sitcoms in general. And third, the show was canceled before 9/11.

Post 9/11, the country became ultra-patriotic, and political criticism became uncool.

Post-post 9/11, during the Iraq War Era, political criticism regained its coolness, and "Little Bush" filled the political satire vacuum on Comedy Central.

It's interesting to listen to the theme from "That's My Bush," especially since the very first few notes sound a tiny bit like "If I Only Had A Brain."

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Planning Ahead For Black Friday

Usually if you want to save money on your Holiday shopping, you camp out around store entrances before the stores open on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). There are incredible deals to be had, but only for those who show up first. And since those stores are tending to open their doors earlier and earlier, it might be best to line up now, while it’s still March! But wait, there is a better way to shop -- online!

I just recently came across BlackFriday.info, and I’ve got to say this site has definitely found a worthy niche. It specializes in allowing visitors to buy their Black Friday products online, at any time of the day. That means no more standing in line for 3 days just to get a $50 computer! Plus, you can get email alerts telling when new BF ads are posted.

How does it work? Well, around the time of Black Friday, most big name stores (I like Best Buy) with deals on location will also offer time-sensitive deals online. BlackFriday.info keeps tabs on all these terrific offers, and keeps you in the know!

The site would be useful for planning your shopping next holiday season, since it would save you the time of standing outside in the cold, waiting for stores to open. Plus, you’ll save a ton of cash, what with all the special discounts the site can tell you about. So for the best thanksgiving deals on the net, visit BlackFriday.info!

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New Amsterdam - Highlander For Girls

Just kidding. But let's think about it. In "Highlander," our hero fought, killed, absorbed power, and healed without scarring. He did seek love, but the thing that would make him age was killing all the other immortals.

Now, in "New Amsterdam," our hero doesn't fight. He thinks. And he scars. Chicks love scars! And in order to grow old, he must fall in love. Oh yeah, his heart is faulty.

One thing I've never agreed with regarding immortality is how an immortal should think "Gee, it would be great to be old." There are so many elderly people suffering from debilitating health problems that the line of thinking New Amsterdam uses just seems absurd. "I wish I could get old..." Yeah right!

If someone really did achieve immortality, and they were sick of living, why wouldn't they wish for death? Get to the point, and skip the years of winding down, of having everything you value in a health sense slowly slip away. You usually lose your mobility, your agility, your sight, your hearing, your attractive, bubbly personality and appearance, the taste of great food, the ability to digest meals comfortably, and ultimately, you lose the ability to think and remember with the clarity of youth. So why wouldn't an immortal want to skip that middle step, and just die already if he's in such a hurry? Or better yet, why not bodily ascend to Heaven? After all, with hundreds of years to meditate, an immortal should be able to achieve enlightenment, right?

Just imagine if John Amsterdam was alive for thousands of years. Given what we've seen so far, his scars build up. And over the course of a few millennia, he'd probably scar so much that he ends up looking like a monster. How would his romantic quest play out then? That could even happen next episode if he gets trapped in a burning building.

Really, it doesn't make sense to me that his internal functions are able to continue flawlessly, perpetually (they don't "reform" in a slightly flawed way, so he doesn't scar on the inside) and yet his skin can't seem to heal without leaving behind a deformed memento.

I always thought that immortality was achieved when everything that "breaks" can be replaced perfectly. A damaged heart would have to heal flawlessly, without scar tissue, otherwise it would give out eventually. But maybe that's why he had a heart attack. Plus, he's got a lethal (right?) dose of lead in him. So maybe this guy is a "weak" immortal, where he can be worn down over time with scar tissue and a funky buildup of toxic chemicals. In the year 2246, they'll call him "Toxic Man," relic of old, hero to those in need of radiation. I wonder if he could survive an atomic blast...

I'm thinking the next few episodes will probably explain a few more details about his gift, and these "cracks" in the logic of the story will heal -- without scarring!

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Want A Wii? How About High-Speed Internet For Life?

I just found out about this. Charter Communications is hosting two events simultaneously - an Auction and a Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes is for a Nintendo Wii, with everything you need to play. If you’re the winner, you get the Nintendo Wii Console, the Stand, a Nunchuck Controller, a Sensor Bar, a Remote Controller, an AV Cable, and the AC Adapter. Plus you get 5 Wii games: Baseball, Bowling, Boxing, Golf, and Tennis. So hey, sports fans! Line up! Or I should say, Click Here for a Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™!

What about the Auction? What’s that for? Oh, only Charter High-Speed® Internet …for Life! The winner gets a Gateway Modem, professional installation, and “the highest Charter High-Speed Internet Service in Market for Life.” The starting bid is $10, and the reserve is…non-existent! That’s right, if you’re the only one who bids, you get the total package for just Ten Dollars!

Sounds great, right? But only a select few can bid in the auction. You must reside in a Charter serviceable area. That means that Charter High-Speed® Internet must be available where you live already if you want to participate. And you’ve got to be 18. So, if you’re old enough to vote, and Charter’s services are offered locally… you qualify!

This whole thing reminds me of that new show “New Amsterdam,” where the girl made the guy immortal? Here, Charter could make your High-Speed immortal! But only if you bid…

The Auction begins March 12, so Pre-Register today!

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Derek Reese Teaches Good Hygiene

On Monday, we were awarded two full hours (well, not quite full because of the ads) of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." During one scene, Derek Reese is shown brushing his teeth. Sarah Connor says, "You've been at that for 20 minutes." Derek says nothing.

My theory is that when you're a resistance fighter in the future, you don't often get a chance to brush your teeth and clean the rat meat out of your gums. You get used to walking around with the aftertaste of whatever you ate three days ago in your mouth. So now, finally, Derek's got some time to himself, and access to highly specialized instruments for oral health. Why wouldn't he make up for lost brushing time? It makes me appreciate that I (for the most part) can brush my teeth whenever I want.

I'll bet all the little kids who watch Terminator will start to brush more often!

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Renovating? Need Door Handles?

How many times have you opened a door? A lot, right? Too many times to count. And most of the time, you had to pay some small amount of attention to the door handle, in order to manipulate it properly to make the door open. Maybe it was just a knob, and you turned it. Or maybe it was a handle, and you pushed it down. Maybe it was broken, and you spun it 360 degrees! The point is, your mind was engaged in that moment, focused on the door handle. While most of your focus was on the function of the handle, a small amount was on the form.

There are times when we need to renovate our flats or houses, and part of our project includes getting replacement door handles. Maybe even door knockers. Sure, function is probably the top factor in our decision for which kind of handle to get. But did you know there is a whole rang of forms to choose from? DoorChic.co.uk specializes in fashionable door handles, door knockers, and a whole range of other door hardware. The point in getting a new door handle isn’t just function anymore. You’ve got to get one that stylishly complements the rest of your door. You can accentuate a space with an attractive door handle, to such an extent that people say, “Ooh, how lovely.” After all, first impressions are all about making people appreciate who and what they’re dealing with as soon as possible. What better way than to start right at the front door?

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Trends In Fox's Sunday Night Schedule

A few weeks ago, I was psyched to watch new episodes of "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," and "American Dad," broadcast between 8 and 10pm Sunday night. I was disappointed to find that at 8:05pm, a sporting event was running over its allotted time, and obscuring the promised programming. So I waited.

And waited.

Finally, at 9:30pm, the new episode of "The Simpsons" aired. It was followed directly by Fox News at 10. So the hour and a half of other shows were obliterated. Gee whiz...

So is there a precedent there, a rule that can be counted on for next time? Will Fox News always air at 10 no matter what, even if it must cut off the originally promised programming? Maybe...

Last night, Nascar ran over again. But this time, it wrapped itself up at 8:30pm, at which point "The Simpsons" aired. Then at 9, half an hour late, "King of the Hill" aired. Then at 9:30, half an hour late, "Family Guy" aired. Then at 9:58pm, Fox began broadcasting the pilot episode for a new series, as promised in the advertising, though scheduled for 9:30. I thought, "Wait, won't the News come on at 10?" Fox then displayed an info bar at the bottom of the screen with a textual message saying Fox News would immediately follow the end of the show. The News aired at 10:30, half an hour late.

So a few weeks ago, Fox cut off the extra hour and a half they'd pushed aside. Last night, they extended the programming by 30 minutes.

What's the lesson?

If the delay is only 30 minutes, Fox will push the news from 10 to 10:30 and allow the final promised program to air? But not for a 90-minute delay...

Or...

They'll only push the News back for a pilot episode...?

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Origins of Connor Chronicles' Cameron

Cameron is the name of the girl Terminator on "The Sarah Connor Chronicles." Where did she come from? When did she get created?

I think they showed that she was hanging around in the future in the year 2029, after she'd been reprogrammed to work for humanity against the Machines. Could she have been sent from a future-future, back to the future? Like, did she get built in 2070, and then get sent back by John Connor's son to the year 2029, at which point she fulfilled some mission, and then was sent back to 1999?

Nah. That's too complicated.

But what model is she? T-888? T-950? T-2000? I don't think she's a Terminatrix (liquid metal outside, hyper-alloy combat chassis inside), but you never know...

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Feng Shui To The Max

Are you into Feng Shui? You know, that ancient Chinese system for placing objects (like indoor furniture) in such a way that you achieve harmony with your environment? Well you might be interested in Dragon-Gate.com. It’s the web’s oldest site devoted to Feng Shui. They have everything, from Feng Shui advice and tips for the discerning enthusiast, to Feng Shui reports and products for the motivated consumer. And if you’re seriously into Feng Shui, they’ve even got a brand new member’s only designation -- just for you. It’s called the Dragon Club.

You can pay to join, and you’ll gain access to special promotions that regular customers can’t get, plus preferential treatment as a Dragon Club member.

Also, the Dragon Points reward system will treat you special, in that you’ll get twice as many points as a non-Dragon Club member. And of course, you’ll get discounts on every single purchase. And the best part? If you buy $200 worth of merchandise, the Dragon Club membership is complimentary. That’s right -- it’s absolutely free.

I like getting discounts, and I’m sure you do too. I also like preferential treatment, as most people do. And I definitely like double points! So if you’re a fan of Feng Shui, check out The Dragon Club today!

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Journey Man's Journey Is Over

Have you heard what I've heard? I could be wrong, but I heard that "Journey Man" is done. Finito. Canceled. Gee...I wonder why?

Maybe it's because the wife took an absurdly long amount of time to figure out that her husband could no longer control his location in space-time. "Honey, promise me you'll be there." "I promise." And then she believes him...Lame! And then later, when he rewrites history by dropping his camera in the past, he shows up to see a daughter instead of a son. As soon as he brings up the fact that something is amiss, his wife shuts her brain off and goes into lioness protectoress mode. "Gee, I don't want to think about why he wants to change things, or what I might be missing in this life. All I want to do is prevent any kind of change from happening, even if it's good..."

Looks like she failed in that respect, because the show is over! Thanks, writers... Your strike has saved many of us the frustration of watching a show that could be great, but continually disappoints us....hey waitaminute! It was your fault all along! Yeah! You writers wrote that lameness into the wife's character! How dare you...

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An Ideal Vacation

I think it would be a terrific vacation to go see each of the 7 Wonders of the Natural world. I think everyone should in their lifetime see them all, including the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, the Northern Lights, and the Great Barrier Reef. I’ve actually seen the Great Barrier Reef, and swum over it, but during a time when most of the colorful underwater creatures were in hibernation.

In order to get the best out of any trip, including one to the Great Barrier Reef, you’ve got to time it perfectly. So first find out when the Reef will be in season, in full bloom. Then book a flight to Australia. Then go swimming! Don’t forget your underwater camera…

Even when most of the stuff underwater seemed uniform, there were still a few colorful standouts. I can only imagine how thrilling that swim would have been had the Great Barrier Reef been slightly warmer… I definitely think visiting that and the other Natural World Wonders would make for a fantastic holiday.

But if you just wanted to stay in Australia, there are plenty of sights to see, like the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and SegaWorld! I’ve never been to SegaWorld, but I hear they have an indoor roller coaster. How cool is that? Australia rules!

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Bush Says There Is No Recession

I just saw a similar headline saying that President Bush is telling us all how the economy will be fine. I wonder what that means...?

Does he truly believe that? Or is he lying?

Was he instructed to tell us that to bolster our hopes?

In an economy where success is dependent on buyer confidence, does it make sense to have a President that we all have little confidence in tell us we should be confident?

Maybe he knows this already. Maybe he thinks, "Whatever I say, they won't believe. So I'll say the economy is doing well, and they'll think it's not... Their own doubts will become self-fulfilling, and I can later claim it was their fault all along..."

But I've heard his actions in Africa have been fantastic. So what if he's past "doing wrong," and is in fact correct about the recession being highly improbable?

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Vector Marketing: Make Friends, Make Money

Vector Marketing is a company that hires and trains college students in the areas of business and marketing. Anyone attending a university who and looking for part-time work should consider working for Vector Marketing.

In every area, success depends on being able to sell. You must sell people on ideas in order to gain their cooperation. You must sell yourself to others in order to build friendships and develop rapport. And you must be able to sell your children on the benefits of being good.

That’s where Vector Marketing comes in. You can work part time for them and learn to sell Cutco Cutlery®. The better you are at selling, the more successful you’ll be. Even if you’ve got no experience, Vector Marketing will train you. And learning is what college is all about, right?

One of the best parts about Vector Marketing’s training is that it makes you a more sociable person. Being able to effectively interact and speak with others is another key to success in life. And once you learn to do that, your life is so much more enjoyable! Many people have testified to the benefits of Vector Marketing’s training, and you can see for yourself at their website.

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Terminator Role Reversal

I just realized something. When Derek Reese was shown killing Andy Goode, Sarah Connor narrated the original words spoken by Kyle Reese about the Terminator. She was saying how it can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with, it doesn't feel pity or remorse, or fear, and it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. So I guess the point of that is how Derek Reese crossed the line that John and Sarah were unwilling to cross in T2. When you kill another human, you lower yourself to the killbot level.

Then, last episode, Cameron (the Terminator girl) was doing ballet, and Sarah Connor narrated how if ever the Machines become too much like us, they won't have to kill us because they'll be us.

So -- Derek is becoming like a Terminator, while Cameron is becoming like a human... What does it mean?

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Oysters: Fun and Deadly To Eat

And now, I present to the world a completely original joke about oysters. Yes, I really did make this up.

What did the Certified Dental Assistant oyster say to her oyster patient?

“Let me see those pearly whites.”

Ha ha ha ha ha! But seriously folks, oysters can be very dangerous. Be Oyster Aware is a website that explains all about the dangers of eating raw oysters, especially if you’re at risk. If your immune system is weak, or you’ve got diabetes or liver disease, raw oysters can be very bad for you. The bacteria in uncooked oysters can make you extremely sick, or extremely dead.

Gulf oysters, gathered in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, are especially prone to containing this bacteria, and people die each year from ingesting it. So play it safe, learn the facts at BeOysterAware.com, and stay healthy.

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What Happened To Derek Reese In The Music Room

So a couple of episodes ago on "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," Derek Reese flashbacked to the future, where he and fellow soldiers had been captured by the Machines. He could swear he heard music coming from beneath the floor, which he and the others were chained to. At one point, one of the guys was taken down there. When he was brought back, he was unconscious.

Then Derek Reese was brought down there. When he was brought back, he was a little tired-looking. Did the Machines draw his blood for cloning purposes? What was the music about? Comfort?

Last episode, Cameron (the girl Terminator, named for James Cameron?) was dancing ballet at the end. We of the audience could hear piano music. Was that just for added effect, for our sake only? Or was Cameron listening to music while dancing? Whatever the case, Machine-hating Derek saw her dancing, and it looked like he had tears in his eyes. Or maybe he just got upset. Anyway, why?

While Cameron was dancing, we of the audience heard Sarah Connor narrate, saying how if machines became human-enough, they'd no longer need to destroy us. They'd be us.

So what if the Music Room was where the Prince of Terminators was practicing playing the piano, and he wanted feedback from real humans?

Or what if the Music Room was where "love bots" could perfect their infiltration and seduction techniques?

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The Sedona Method: Changing The World

Recently I visited Sedona.com and read about The Sedona Method. It’s a technique that allows people to change their emotional and thinking patterns. A few of the core ideas are that we are not our thoughts, everybody is connected, and there is no such thing as time (there is only the present moment of “now”). This method has been taught in the U.S. since 1974, and continues to spread itself with the goal of revolutionizing worldwide consciousness in a peaceful way.

Whether you want more money, more success, healthier relationships, or just to be happier, the Sedona Method is built on techniques to help you get where you want to go. One technique that makes encountering hardship easier is to just accept the given situation, as well as all your thoughts and emotions. Most people tend to compare the way things are (bad) to how they might be (good), and end up focusing on the imaginary good scenario too much. The Sedona Method, from what I’ve read, says that you should focus on what is happening in reality, in the present, and accept it. That way, I believe, you’ll be better able to change things. If you’re focusing on an imaginary ideal all day, there’s no way you can come up with the actions necessary to reach it. You need to start with what you’ve got in order to change things, and that seems to be a big part of what the Sedona Method is all about.

When you accept all things, accept yourself, and are fully in the moment of “now,” you can experience presence awareness. I believe this has to do with experiencing a truer form of “I am,” and it entails “letting go” of the ego. I think it’s like how “time flies when you’re having fun,” and how you can enter “the zone” when doing something like watching your favorite show, reading a book, playing a musical instrument or sport, or performing a task at which you are an expert. When the situation has your full attention, you don’t think about yourself. You’re in the zone, and I think the Sedona Method’s presence awareness state must be something like that. It’s like Zen.

I’ve heard that the earth may be moving toward a noosphere, a state in which all humans are telepathically linked, without the aid of technology. The Sedona Method seems to be a step toward that direction. But aside from that, it is a program that is spreading every day, helping people increase the quality of their lives, and their level of personal effectiveness. At Sedona.com, you can order a Free DVD and CD that explains more.

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New Amsterdam Seems Cool

I enjoy the idea of immortality, of building up a vast body of knowledge and experience while retaining the physique and energy required to put all that information to use. So I'm thinking I'll probably watch the first few episodes at least of "New Amsterdam."

One ad I saw said, "Lifetimes of experience have made him a genius." Cool! But wait... Oh great, the lameness of it all. His one goal in life is true love, which will make him mortal, and capable of aging. Ooh, yeah, let's all grow old together... Give me a break! If he wants to die, why not just come out and say it!

Obviously the idea is that he wants to experience all the good things that come with getting old. Enjoying each other's company, sharing new experiences, and watching grandkids grow up. But you can do all that as an immortal!

I mean, as long as there isn't some rule saying all immortals are sterile, and nobody, not even your own progeny will be able to cope with your immortality in such a way as would allow them to keep their mouths shut while you watched them grow up, then things should be fine! Wait, there is a rule like that...? Darn.

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Diamond Engagement Rings For Sale Online

You can't spell class without D-I-A-M-O-N-D. I was watching the Oscars, and I noticed that more than a few famous actresses were adorned with sparkling diamond jewelry. It adds so much. Even on the web.

Recently I visited Diamonds-USA, and I just have to say it's one of the classiest-looking sites I've seen. It's not too crowded, it's clean, well-designed, and the diamonds are gorgeous. Obviously the site (Diamonds-USA.com) is keeping up with the times. Sometimes you see sites with products for sale, and they look like they were designed 10 years ago! Not so here.

Diamonds-USA specializes in the sale of Diamond Engagement Rings. If you're a guy, you're probably going to need to know all about diamonds sooner or later. Some women practically force their men to decide for them what ring they're going to get. "Oh honey, you know my tastes." "You'd like to think so, wouldn't you?" Whatever your situation, it definitely wouldn't hurt to peruse the selection at Diamonds-USA. If anything, it's a pretty relaxing experience to be confronted with such fine items.

And guess what? The site isn't just for guys (of course). They've got rings of all types, for men just as much as for women. You can even design your own ring and add your very own special touch. They also carry various kinds of necklaces, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. Everything you could want in a diamond shop is at Diamonds-USA.com.

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Old Terminator Films, T2-3D, New Trilogy

Lately I've decided to rewatch T1, T2 and T3. I never experienced T2-3D live and in-person, but I was able to get most of it on YouTube. It's funny how there's all this great video of John Connor with the Terminator in the future, and a T-One-Million, and then all of a sudden the live actors pop out and sound just a bit "off." The Arnold-impersonator is decent, and so is the JC-representative, but they're not quite perfect. That makes it an interesting transition back and forth.

Anyway, most recently I've been watching the original "Terminator," and with the new information from the last episode of "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," the movie takes on new meaning. Or rather, it feels more whole. I guess that only works if you assume SCC is really part of the "true" Terminator storyline, and right now I think the show is doing well enough that it belongs.

I heard they're going to make 3 more Terminator films! Can't wait. I hope they do a good job. I think this franchise has enough draw to justify spending gobs of money to get really great actors and writers to back up the really great special effects. Hopefully the new trilogy (if it does come to be) will be a slam-dunk!

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T:SCC Synchs Up With T1

It was so awesome. They showed Kyle Reese and brother Derek in an underground tunnel, which looked very similar to the one in T1. Then Kyle pulls out the picture of Sarah Connor, but different so it looks like the Sarah of "Chronicles." One of the soldiers, maybe Derek, asks Kyle why John Connor gave that to him.

Then the guys go out on a mission, get captured, and Kyle is left behind.

Then you watch T1, and see in a flashback that Kyle showed up in the same tunnel, and suddenly a Terminator starts firing at everyone. The picture gets burned.

Then back to SCC, the soldiers are released, wander back, and find everybody gone, and lots of stuff destroyed. Derek looks in Kyle's "room" and opens a box to find the picture of Sarah Connor, burnt and singed.

It all fits!

Then Derek finds out that Kyle was involved in a secret mission involving John Connor, after which the location was blown up. Just like Kyle Reese said in T1. Derek gets upset, and soon learns what really happened. Not death. Time travel. And soon he'd be taking a trip himself.

It struck me as intense that they sent Kyle back to 1984 and then just days later sent Derek back to 1999(?). I think it was 1999. Anyway it's wild how all these events have been spaced out for us, but in the future it's like, "Go back to the '80's. Ok, you there, you're next, go back to just before the dawn of the new millennium. You, scientist, go back to the '60's and build a time machine."

I love this show!

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Romance And Travel In Boston

One time, long ago, I visited Boston with a group of friends. At one point, one young lady and I were on our own, free to explore the city however we saw fit. It's funny -- you live in a city, and you don't really want to bother with all the sights there are to see. Here we were in a different place, and the hum-drum feeling of home was completely absent. So we took the opportunity to explore, and we saw a few famous areas. It was fun. When we got bored with that, we went shopping.

Later, after lunch, we returned to our meeting place, but our friends hadn't arrive yet. Up to this point, my travel companion and I were just buddy-buddy. But suddenly, looking into her eyes, I felt that there might be something more there. We just sat there, smiling at each other for what seemed like forever. And then suddenly our friends showed up, and we left.

Suffice it to say, that was the crystallization point for a pretty fantastic romance. Thank you Boston!

If you are looking for things to do in Boston, a company called Trusted Tours & Attractions can definitely help you out. They've got tons of vacation ideas for whatever destination you have in mind, Boston or not. Plus, if you sign up for their newsletter, you could win a free digital camera! But the best thing about their company and site is that by buying tickets online, you can save a full 20%. What a deal!

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Tracy Morgan's Woodrow SNL Lyrics

The other day I watched an old episode of "Saturday Night Live" with Britney Spears as the host and musical guest. It's interesting to interpret her in her former glory with the knowledge of how she's perceived now.

In one sketch, she befriended a homeless man who lived in the sewer named Woodrow, played by Tracy Morgan. Woodrow was so enthralled by Spears that he sang her a song.

Thanks to DVR, I find myself rewinding shows much more often, especially when there's a quick flash of something interesting, or a part of the dialogue I don't quite get. Another plus is that captioning is an easily activated option. I was able to see exactly what Woodrow sings.

Little TV sets
Going off inside my ear
Spacemen floating by
Firecracker beer

Chase the Demons lightly
Look inside your eye
Up and down the sidewalk
Take a doo-doo pie
I love you

[Then later:]

Chase the Demons lightly
News, it hits your eye
Up and down the sidewalk
Take a doo-doo pie
I love you

----------------

He did say that he wrote that song at a really crazy time in his life! :)

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T3's John Connor Has Been Erased

What we learned in "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is that in 2005, two years after Judgement Day in T3, John Connor was killed. It's bizarre to think about that, because wasn't the girl terminator in "Chronicles" sent by John from maybe 40 years in the future?

Wait, I think I've got it. T3's John Connor weathers Judgement Day in 2003. In 2005, he survives. Nothing kills him. Then, maybe in 2029 or later, he sends the girl terminator back to 1999. Why?

Because meanwhile in the future after T3, the Machines have sent back more Terminators. So then, in 2005, one of them kills John. Meanwhile, the 2029 post-T3 version still exists, and sends a protector back.

So in 1999, the girl terminator takes John and Sarah to the future, to 2008, skipping the events of T3. Why didn't judgement day happen in 2003 like it did in T3? Because the new Terminators and Resistance Fighters sent back from the post-T3 future collectively delayed the rise of SkyNet.

Meanwhile, in 2008, John Connor is now about 9 years younger than Kate Brewster, and she will no longer function as his second in command.

In fact, if you think about it, the Terminatrix might have killed Brewster and all the other future resistance fighters back in 2003, since Arnold didn't need to go back to save John. But I don't think that happened.

Post-T2 Machines sent the Terminatrix back to 2003. History changes, JC survives, and the Machines then decide not to repeat the pointless time trip. Instead, they send Terminators to different points in time.

So it's very likely that Kate Brewster is still out there, 5 years older than when we saw her last, and probably 9 years older than John.

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Paintball Is A Thrill

Are you a fan of Nerf guns, Super Soakers, and Laser Tag? Then paintball should be right up your alley! It’s pretty much as close as you can come to real combat without putting your life on the line. And we all know how fun and exciting combat simulations can be!

Of course, the sport of paintball requires some pretty specific gear. That’s where Ultimate Paintball comes in. This company sells it all: Smart Parts, Dye, Spyder, Draxxus, and Tippmann equipment, plus tons of other brands. Most people prefer to buy paintball guns like the Tippmann 98 Custom, the Tippmann A-5, Spyder Pilot ACS, and the Smart Parts Ion. Those are the top selling ones, but there’s a huge selection to choose from. Just visit www.pntball.com.

Of course, specialized equipment will always come at a price. But with Ultimate Paintball you know you’re going to get the best prices out there. And the best part? Free shipping! So if you want paintball guns cheap and fast, turn to Ultimate Paintball.

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Terminator On AMC, Renewed Franchise Interest

I saw a commercial for T2 on AMC, and it got me thinking...

Terminator 1 Rules! T2 Rules! T3 was ok, and it Rules! Sarah Connor Chronicles Rules!

Remember Terminator comic books? Maybe we'll see some more!

Remember Terminator vs. Robocop vs. Superman? Maybe we'll see that in theaters!

Terminator vs. Alien vs. Predator!

Terminator vs. Jesus in "PassionChrist 3: War Against The Machines!"

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Derek Reese vs. T-888

Tonight on "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," we learned more amazing things.

Kyle Reese had a brother, Derek Reese. Derek is John Connor's uncle, and is alive and well in 2008, fighting as a member of the bare-bones resistance.

He is being pursued by a Terminator, model T-888, the same machine that killed Derek's 3 brothers in arms.

So as far as we know, there are 4 Terminators hanging around in 2008:
1) the girl, on John Connor's side
2) the T-888, pursuing Derek
3) the FBI impersonator who is hunting the Connors
4) the one locked in a bomb shelter, whose currently failed mission was to safeguard enough heat-tolerant metal alloy to make a battalion of Terminators

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Digiorno Garlic Bread Pizza Is Really Breadsticks

I like pizza. I'm not one of those guys who claims to be a food expert. I wouldn't want to be. Food can be great, but you can't let it eat up your whole life. (Ha ha, get it?) But I did happen to learn something that might be of use to you.

I tried the Digiorno Garlic Bread pizza. It looked neat. Cheese pizza with garlic bread crust. Ooh, tasty. It was in the shape of a square, unlike many other Digiorno pizza's, which are circular. Once cooked, dig in! And find out that the garlic flavoring isn't very strong, but the crust dominates the whole experience. Which makes the pizza seem not like pizza at all, but instead like cheesy breadsticks.

So if you want garlic breadsticks with cheese on top, try the Digiorno Garlic Bread pizza, and slice it up really thin. If you want pizza with garlic, try a regular pizza and add your own garlic topping.

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Sarah Connor Chronicles Takes Terminator Story To New Levels

New stuff we learned on Monday:

There are at least 3 Terminators in 2008: The good girl, the bad guy, and the other bad guy trapped in a bunker.

The freely roaming bad Terminator has proven that after he learns how to mimic someone's speech pattern, he can reproduce the effect without holding their throat. So this suggests that he may be a T-800 model or later, as Arnold in "T-1" was able to also mimic someone's voice without needing to "feel" how.

T-600 Terminators were made of metal that was heat-susceptible, so these models were prone to melting. Subsequent upgrades included a change of core material that would allow a Terminator unit to withstand high temperatures.

When a Terminator completes its mission, it may power down in a standing position, awaiting new orders, or a threat to the completion status of its mission. If someone undoes the Terminator's hard work, or physically disturbs it, it will require 15 seconds to reboot, after which point it will take any and all necessary actions to ensure the completion of its mission, and its own "personal" well-being.

The female "Terminator" has made remarks suggesting that she is, indeed, a cyborg, and not a genetically-engineered super human.

Sarah Connor will use the full name of humanity's savior just like any normal mother would when instructing a stubborn child. "John Connor, eat your vegetables!"

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Microsoft + Yahoo = SkyNet

I thought Google would be SkyNet, but now...

They say in any free society, there are always going to be two or three big names in an industry. Like Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Apparently the split is often 60-30-10 for 3 teams. So in the case of search engines, perhaps Google is 60, Yahoo is 30, MS is 10, and Ask.com is -4. I don't really know. All those numbers are probably wrong.

Anyway, if MS and Yahoo join up, they will become a formidable foe for former search king, Google. What happens then?

I don't know, but competition between corporations is great for the consumer. Hopefully all search results will improve, and the web will become more and more helpful.

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Super Bowl Sunday Preparations

In just two days, Super Bowl Sunday will finally be here. FOOTBALL!! FOOTBALL!!

Let’s see, we got the big screen, check, the chips and dip, check, the drinks, check, the barbeque ribs, check, the stuffed crust pizza, check, the 12-foot sub, check, the hors d'oeuvres, check, a case of chocolate milk shakes, check, buffalo wings, check, bread sticks, check, napkins galore, check, burgers and fries, check, apple pie, check, wedding cake, check, bacon and eggs, check, Halloween candy, check!

It’s going to be a heck of a game.

I hear the Patriots are going to beat the Giants into the ground. I also hear the Giants are going to destroy the Patriots. That’s why I bet on both teams this year.

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FrankTV Is Getting Abused By TBS

So, ton of ads for FrankTV a few months ago. Cool, looks like a decent show. As time goes by, Frank Caliendo seems funnier and funnier. After all, he used to be on MadTV, and seemed to be a standout. His impressions are hilarious, especially of George Bush.

Then the Writers Strike happens. FrankTV disappears! Where did it go? Hey, lookie here, on TBS there’s a Frank Caliendo stand up comedy special! Whoo! Hey, I’ve seen this… I’ve heard these jokes before… Well, at least he’s still funny. Hmm… Could TBS be airing this in an effort to appease all us Frank fans? They said, “Watch the show!” Now there’s no writing for the show! So, “Here, watch this old stuff, it’s almost as good.”

Last night, channel surfing, I saw the final moments of a FrankTV episode. I couldn’t believe it. Finally! The show that’s barely on, and I’ve heard nothing about when to watch. Apparently they’re will be an hour next Tuesday. And in HD. Then who knows what?

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Varying Terminator Models

Terminator 1: I believe Kyle Reese referred to the Terminator as a T-101. When it was blown up, it looked like a metal skeleton.

There was also a terminator that Kyle Reese "flashed forward" to, one that carried that huge laser gun in the bowels of the human refugee camp.

Terminator 2: T-800 (learning Terminator, metal skeleton when blown up) and T-1000 (liquid metal)

Terminator 3: T-850 (upgraded T-800), Terminatrix (liquid metal outside, advanced endoskeleton with hidden weapons on inside)

Sarah Connor Chronicles: Bad Guy - unknown model, maybe pre T-800. Needs to hold a human throat in order to imitate that human's voice, whereas a T-800 could do that from memory. Also, this terminator without skin looks like a T-800, plus metal armor. Is that an advancement or an obsolete design?

Good Girl - unknown model, maybe post Terminatrix? Can imitate voices from memory. It's possible she comes from a further advanced future than the Bad Guy.

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Need To Buy Glasses?

Today I visited ZenniOptical.com. It's a site specializing in the sale of prescription glasses. It looks like they've got a huge selection. One of their products I'd never seen before. It's a set of glasses that has corrective lenses behind darkened outer lenses, the kind you'd find in a pair of sunglasses. So if you needed reading glasses, and liked reading outside, you'd slap on a pair of these and be good to go!

Let's see, I didn't know there were so many types of lenses to choose from! ZenniOptical has photochromic or "sun sensor" lenses (the ones that darken in sunlight), plus tinted, bifocal, progressive, and single vision lenses too. And tons of frames. Plenty to choose from.

You know those commercials where all these people are so pleased about being able to get prescription meds starting from $4 at Wal-Mart? Well this site is kind of like that. It offers prescription glasses at low, low prices. Their slogan is something like Zenni Optical: Sell Rx Glasses $8 with case!

How can they justify such prices? It's easy. They make the frames themselves, and don't involve middlemen. So when you buy from them, you're buying direct. That way, there's no store owner raising prices to justify carrying the merchandise. What's more, ZenniOptical apparently has a super-slim ad budget. So they don't have to make up for a million-dollar Super Bowl ad by charging you $800 for a pair of shades!

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