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!

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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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! :)

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.

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.

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!"

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

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.

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!"

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.

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.