|
Thanks to Riri (my bug mommy) I am in this bug's world. I got my first bug hunny too, today. Made two eggs.
Below is a picture of me as a bug...handsome, eh?
I have an egg (invitation) if anyone wants it.
Had some friends over last night for some drinks and cards. Copious amounts of beer was consumed with no ill-effects this morning. On to the dilemma at hand...first a little history/setup.
We usually play euchre, guys versus gals. The guys have been winning, nay, destroying the gals for several weeks in a row of late. Last night was a little different. We finally lost, but that's not really why it was different. The gal went out with one of her girlfriends who is going through a divorce (and not a pretty one) for a couple of drinks. Gal's daughter went along to babysit, she's 15 or 16, and guy was dropped off to begin the night with us, slamming back a few. Anyway, once Mom's night out was done, she came over for the remainder of the night with daughter in tow. That was cool, because all the daughter wanted was to use the computer to do the MSN thing with her friends.
I noticed she had a website of her own. It looked innocent enough.
This morning I hopped onto the comp and fired up IE and headed on over to one of the new addresses daughter had entered into my address bar. I was curious about what she writes about. Well, for the most part it is pretty typical teenager stuff. You know, "My friends are cool. This person is a jerk. I'm going to go hang out at the mall. My parents are sometimes a drag. School sucks most of the time. I'm really sad. I'm really happy."
But here comes my dilemma. There were also entries there about her contemplating suicide and being really messed up over one particular guy who she thought really cared but turns out doesn't. There was mention of some marks on her arm and nobody (parents) noticing. This concerned me. The blog is on a public site and not password protected so it's not like I cracked into it or anything like that. Whereas I think most of the "dark" entries are likely just blowing off steam, I think her mother should at least be aware that this stuff is in her head. I talked it over with BB and she thinks she should call the girl's mother and let her know that there may be something on the website to take a look at.
What do you think?
The Leafs just won their first round playoff series against Ottawa. The difference in the series, without a doubt, goaltending. Toronto had a red-hot Ed Belfour, and Ottawa, well they didn't. Patrick Lalime, the goaltender for Ottawa, saved is very worse game for last, unfortunately. Two very soft goals was the difference as Toronto won the game 4-1 and the series four games to three.
Next up are the Flyers from Philadelphia. They are the team I picked to win it all at the beginning of the season. The worse thing that could have happened to the Leafs was Montreal beating Boston, because that is what set up the next series' matchups. If Boston had beat Montreal, the Leafs would have been playing Tampa Bay, and, in my opinion, an easier matchup for the Leafs. Philly plays a very physical game and the Leafs can too. But the Flyers are at a different level than Toronto in that department and much healthier than the Leafs are right now. Although I'll be rooting for the Leafs in each and every game, I think it could be a short series. Philadelphia in 5. The only thing that can turn that tide is, once again, the goaltending. If Eddie is once again stellar and the Flyer goalie falters, we could have another exciting seven game series on our hands.
GO LEAFS GO!!!
Well, the Leafs are heading into game 7 against the Senators tonight without their Captain, Sundin. Game 6 saw the Leafs score the first goal and try to hang on, but the Senators finally beat Belfour in the third period and went on to win 2-1 with a goal early in the second overtime period. I expect a very similar game tonight, however, with the Leafs winning it. GO LEAFS GO!!!
Hopefully, it will not be a long game with multiple overtime periods, because, for one, I have to work tomorrow, and two, the Philadelphia Flyers are awaiting the winners. The Flyers have had almost a week off and should be well rested. Whichever team comes out on top will likely fall to the Flyers in the next series. I will be cheering for the Leafs, as usual. GO LEAFS GO!!!
I watch my youngest on the computer...She's 3 in a couple of months. She's playing Clifford the Big Red Dog. It's amazing to watch her manipulate the mouse around the screen. They pick up things so quickly. I remember when my son first started on my PC, he was probably a year older, but the same thing. Exposure to new things is the key for them. It's funny how they can do things like this but ask them to do some other "simple" tasks and suddenly they cannot perform.
Further to the computer thing and kids...
You would think 7.5 years of exposure to PC's would make people somewhat aware of the "dangers" that lurk out in the world of the internet. You know, viruses, adware, spyware, and hackers. My son has proven to me, once again, he hasn't a clue when it comes to this stuff, even though he sees my machine with all the "gadgets" on it. I went to his mother's house the other day because, among other things, he was complaining his ping was way too high when playing his favourite online game, Counterstrike. I suspected he had something running in the background. When I got there his computer was turned off, but his cable modem was flashing up a storm. I said, "You've got some serious problems here"
So I downloaded my favourite two adware and spyware detectors/removers, Adaware and Spybot - Search and Destroy. Whatever was on there wouldn't even let me logon to the Adaware site, so I had to go to Download.com to get it. Anyway, he had over 300 adware/spyware components on his machine. His Norton Anti-Virus hasn't been working for a couple of months now and my continual diatribes to him about getting AVG Free Edition fell on deaf ears. Once I ran that and fixed his browser settings the flashing lights on his modem slowed down to an occasional flicker. I still suspect he has a Trojan of some kind but didn't have the time to install AVG and check. Hopefully he has by now. It just goes to show you that even though you may sit in front of and use a PC virtually every day of your life, you probably know diddly of how it really works.
I'm no expert, but I do read a great deal on security issues with home PCs. I know I'm not invulnerable but I know I am more secure than most.
For a laugh
Check this out! Thanks to Jen.
The week off ended in a blur. We had folks down from Sudbury, in-laws in from bear country, and several other friends just for Saturday's Leaf game. The Leafs won, so happy happy day. It was great to end the time off work with such a whirl, because the first few days in spring cleaning mode didn't make it feel too much like a vacation.
I figure the Leafs are in pretty tough but as long as Belfour stays as hot as he is they should advance. I know the Leafs can play better but I doubt Ottawa can.
The Raptors end their season tomorrow. Out of the playoffs, and likely coachless by Thursday. I would have liked to see him another year or even two. This team wasn't ready for the playoffs. Sure, with a few breaks they may have squeaked in, but that would be more due to the ineptness of the Eastern Conference and not any great strength of the Raptors. What they truly need is a big man that can take up space in the middle and move people around in the paint. Without that, this team will continue to live and die by the outside shot. And as we have seen the last two years, they will die more often than not. Is it time to say good-bye to Vince Carter? Maybe. But I wouldn't, not unless I got a bonafide all-star in return. Contrary to many "expert" opinions, look for Vince to stay put.
I found this blog via Weblog Review, I believe. I've been "popping in on it" for quite some time now. It's topic for the past while has been life over in Iraq. It is an amazing photo/personal blog. Blackrat is a professional photo-journalist, and it certainly shows. The pictures and comments accompanying them are well worth the time of the visit. If you want to see some of the current affairs that are transpiring over in Iraq, this site really gives it a personal touch. I highly recommend it.
This story has got me going -- again! Now, I recognize that the roads are crazy out there. I drive the highways of the Toronto area most weekdays, during rush hour, before rush hour and after rush hour. I have seen just about everything imaginable on the roads. Yes, there are many poor drivers. Many take far too many risks, and are in far too much of a rush to get one car length closer to their destination.
Do you really think taking another driver's test will cure them of their uptight, aggressive personality?
Because really, that is what makes people drive the way they do. It's not because they can't be "good" drivers for a short period of time, you know, the time it takes to complete the driver's test. As soon as it is done they will be back to their old habits again.
I have heard that their have been allegations of testers "on the take". Licenses are being bought, not earned. Let's face it, the driving instructors are not making huge money, and if someone is willing to pay a large sum of money so a "relative" can get their license, I suppose it would be difficult to blame them for turning a blind eye to a few minor infractions during a driver's test. I'm not excusing the action, just trying to see the reasoning behind it.
Retesting anyone over the age of say, 55 every 5 years might be a good thing. I know that many older drivers are the better drivers, however, there are quite a few who also have dwindling reflexes, and ailments that make it more and more difficult to check blindspots and practice some of the safe driving habits most of us were taught when we were young. I'm not saying that the older drivers are the ones that are causing the accidents (I doubt seriously that they are), however, I really don't think that retesting the 30-something crowd or over 40 bunch will yield any results. Most know the rules of the road and safe driving habits, they just choose to either ignore them, or feel their driving abilities do not warrant them heeding safe, sound, driving habits.
In my estimation, a retesting program is just another waste of the taxpayers' money. The number of accidents will not reduce, and the insurance companies will continue to find ways and reasons for increasing the premiums. Of course, the insurance companies will continue to yield decent returns to their shareholders because that is the true mandate of corporations in North America. Keep the shareholders happy with higher dividends.
I don't mind painting in the house too much, but the cleanup (especially the oil paints) really is a negative. It takes almost as long to clean up as it does to paint a small room. There has to be a better way (outside of hiring someone) that is inexpensive and not too time consuming.
Lottery Man
The winner of the largest lottery award in Canada finally came forward yesterday to pick up his $30 million award. Why did he wait almost a year to claim his prize? He says he "Didn't want to do anything rash". Now there are reports that he just finalized his divorce from his second wife in January. Hmmm, do you think that had anything to do with his caution?
Do you think it was a good move? I'm not sure of all the details yet, but I would say it was a good move. In Canada, as far as I know, you need to be separated for a year before a divorce can be final. That money was won during their separation period, so should be his to do with what he wants. I don't think this story is over yet.
Sports
I think the Leafs are rounding into form. Tonight they face Buffalo and tomorrow Ottawa. If the win both, they guarantee themselves home ice in the first round. I think they'll do it, especially if Buffalo catches wind that the Islanders, who need one more win to eliminate Buffalo from the playoffs, are currently winning 4-1.
The Raptors are done. Not mathematically eliminated yet, but I would say they are done. This actually could be a good thing - if they can get a true big man in the lottery draft.
The Raptors fired GM Glen Grunwald, and rightly so. He was touted as one of the bright new GM's a couple of years ago, but some of his gambles didn't pan out. That, inevitably was his demise. They had too much payroll not able to play which handcuffed the Raptors going out and picking up any kind of decent depth players. Their second unit is consistently outplayed and outscored night after night. Of course, that likely means the end of coach Kevin O'Neill, which is a shame because I think with better personnel he could really do a great job as head coach. Despite all the recent bad press, I really like him.
I think they should try full free agency in hockey. No more restricted and unrestricted stuff. Think about it, if you have every free agent at the same level, do you think these 32-35 year old players will be able to get the money they are getting today. I'd rather pay a guy 27-30 the same money because I know he isn't likely to hit the "age" wall during the life of the contract. Too many times the aging veteran is making too much money for what they really contribute. Saturate the market with free agents all on equal footing as far as status goes, and I think salaries just may plateau out with less bidding wars because there is another guy on the block that is just as good. Hey, it's worth a shot.
Life
I'm on vacation for a week. No commute! No work! But I'm doing the spring cleaning thing. Painting and getting things ready around here for some visitors we are expecting for the Easter weekend. Not exactly a relaxing week, but that's fine, I just got my tax check back to help me through the week!
On my almost daily blog trip I stumbled upon a very (at least in my opinion) well done blog. It's called "I Hate My Wife" but it really is a misleading title. Other than the fact that the blogger is married and talks about his "W", as he puts it, in many of the entries, I don't get the sense he hates his wife. The in-laws, yes; wife, no. At any rate, it's a good light read that had me chuckling more than once. I hope you can enjoy it too. It will go over in my blogroll as soon as blogroll is back up.
Skin design by may
updates by Mega | |
