Obama's new dog

I had seen on TV that the new First Family was in the market for a dog, either a Labradoodle or some other fancy breed. I see now that they settled on a different breed. They've picked Media, the lapdog.

They're definitely old soldiers now

Footnote has worked with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to compile a really neat record of World War II information.  They've helped create an online collection which includes many never-before-seen photos.

Thanks, but don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out

I'd be the first to pat George on the back for his response to Islamo-terrorism after 11 Sep 01. But at the same time I can understand why some want to throw shoes at him.

He certainly screwed it up on the domestic front these last 8 years. I'm not alone with that viewpoint either. That's not the only piece online that doesn't think much of his performance. Congress is certainly not blameless but still George could have used his veto pen to reign in some of the outrageous earmarks and other pork legislation.

He didn't.

BYOB plus a WOTD

No, that's not Bring Your Own Bottle, but Bring Your Own Bag. Particularly if you plan on buying your liquor in the Canadian province of Ontario. It seems the tree-huggers have convinced the authorities there that the plastic bag is destroying the planet.

I'm no hardcore tree-hugger but those bags can be an eyesore. Locally, the newest Wal-Mart in these parts was plunked down on top of large, wooded hill. If we get some high winds then the trees on that hill become decorated with plastic Wal-Mart bags. In fact, there's so many you wonder just where did all of those empty bags come from. Do Wal-Mart customers just dump their purchases in the trunk and throw the bags on the ground? That doesn't seem very convenient for getting your stuff from the car to the house. So, it's a mystery to me.

But however they end up in the trees it can be a sore sight, particularly in winter when most branches are bare. I will give Wal-Mart credit for doing something about it. When it gets particularly bad they hire a crew to fan out on the hillside and clean up the mess.

Which brings another question to my mind. How do they get those bags out of some of the really tall beech and pin oak trees that are scattered about that hillside? Oh, you ask how I know those are beech and pin oaks? That's easy as those two species are marcescent and stick out, especially in winter.

In chess this move is known as "Check!"

Whether he turns it into checkmate or not remains to be seen.  But love him or despise him you have to agree that Blago is one smart politician.

I don't think the Dems have the intestinal fortitude to try and block the guy.

Bankaholic?

If nothing else the title will catch your eye. Bringing you the best in banking, Bankaholic.

It says New Jersey but it works wherever you're driving to

This website uses the exact vehicle you're going to travel in to estimate just what you'll pay for gasoline on that trip. It's the Trip Cost Calculator website.

Things to do at the Indiana State Fair

The fair has come and gone but they certainly seemed to cover it all.  For along with the rides, games, midway and livestock judging you could have taken the giant colon tour.

One injury I don't have to worry about

The few concerts I've attended usually involved a band with a banjo and fiddle somewhere in the group. So I never had to worry about Head-Banging.

Using Sarah Brady logic to lessen deaths

We should ban tobacco, going to the doctor, alcohol products, motor vehicles and all drugs. That is if we use the gun-grabbers moronic logic.

No, you won't find Waldo

I don't know if this is considered strange behavior, but I can entertain myself just looking at maps. Maps have always fascinated me and now with Google maps I'm in cartographic nirvana.

Well, not really. But I do enjoy Google maps and I especially like this website, Place Spotting.

Doing things Microsoft should have done to begin with

Microsoft makes you go through a list of known applications when you click on an unknown file. It's time consuming and an aggravation.  If you know it's some sort of text-based file then a better method is to quickly open it with Notepad. But you don't have that option in Windows Explorer unless you do this Open with Notepad hack.

This will allow you to use Notepad to open a file by simply right clicking on the icon. Also the Notepad will be used to open files by default if no association already exists.

It's magic... sheer, unadulterated magic

Actually, it's magnetism that's doing it, not magic. But still it's looks a pretty handy tool to have if you do any amount of drywall work. The Blade Runner.

Yep, I remember Wilbur and Fanne

I didn't count the pages but I imagine this website is H-U-G-E.  What is it? CongressionalBadBoys.

Wilbur and Fanne? That would be Wilbur Mills and the Argentine Firecracker, Fanne Fox.

I suppose John Doe, 123 Main St, Anytown, USA is a bit obvious

I'm not sure how often someone would need this service.  But if you ever do find yourself in need of a fake name then this site just might be the answer.

Mondial Du VTT Descente de Venosc caméra embarquée

I'm not sure what that sentence means but I'd guess it translates to something along the lines of, 'Crazy young men going way too fast down a honking steep, curvy and rocky trail!' or words to that effect.

I didn't count but it says "600 DIY links"

I have quite a few Do-It-Yourself websites bookmarked for quick reference. In fact, I thought I had just about all them until I ran into The Complete DIY Guide. They may have me beat.

Doing my part to end the confusion

I know that this is true as I was stationed just south of there for a few years in the late 70s.

Just in time for the shopping season

If I can't get it for free then the next best thing is a discount and here's a website that helps in that regard.

4 steps to keep your computer safe

Well, after 14 years or so of shopping on the Internet the b*stards finally managed to steal my Mastercard number. No real damage was done as I caught it early on and alerted the bank. I don't know if I was one of the 40 million but still it was an eye opener as I'm aware of the threat out there and I try to keep my computer and sensitive data safe.

But still I thought it best to do a thorough review of my PC defenses. I found a lot information out there on how to do that with one of the better ones being this overview of 4 steps to keep your computer safe from the folks at Microsoft.

Make it D3 not D2

Some of you may have missed this bit of good news as the MSM didn't seem to report on it all that much.

Why not?

Well, some say because it's NOT in the best interest of the American Cancer Society.

You be the judge.

As good an explanation as any

How we got ourselves into this financial mess from a libertarian viewpoint.

You have to love that first bullet: Government steals its tax revenue from citizens.

The real man's bicycle seat

Call me a wimp but I think I'll pass on the bicycle seat for real men.

Best idea I've seen in awhile

22 Nov 08 - VI Day, as in Victory In Iraq Day.

Thank you George Bush and thank you to the men and women of our Armed Forces, you are the Greatest Generation!

How to do more than the simple Goodle search

I might have done this one before but I'm too lazy to look. So here it is again, maybe... GoogleGuide making searching even easier.

But, who wears one nowadays?

I recall this particular tip from my past and thought it was from my Boy Scout days. But a google of Scout websites doesn't substantiate that. Eh, regardless of where I first learned it here's how to find your way with only your watch.

Popular Mechanics adds another step to that routine.

Actually, the watch thing works only if you wear one. I don't and I've read that today's youth aren't wearing them either. It seems that if you have a cell phone with you 24/7 who needs a watch?

Wino Forever

That's one of Johnny Depp's tattoos. It originally read Winona Forever.

Love can be so fickle, eh?

Anyway, speaking of wine. Does your palate find Thunderbird or MadDog 20/20 somewhat lacking in taste and distinction? Well, maybe it's time to try something new. Below are two sites that list the wineries in the 50 states.

The first reminds me of the early days of the Internet being text based, but it's still an extensive list at All American Wineries.

The second is a bit more visual and also has enough wineries listed to keep you busy sampling their wares, it's the Wineries by State website.

There will always be an England

Whether anyone will want to live there is another matter and that's a shame.

England's a nice country. It's picturesque, lots of tradition, the best stout and pale ales anywhere and some really nice, decent people.  I've a lot of English roots in the family tree. Plus, I was stationed there for four years in the early '70s and really enjoyed that tour.  

In fact, my son was born in England and he's definitely proud of the dual citizenship.  So proud that the only tattoo he has is the Union Jack on his left deltoid.  Although he finds that he occasionally has to explain, "No, that's not a Confederate flag tattoo. It's a Union Jack!" which usually leaves them even more befuddled.

But, I digress.  My point being you have to wonder just how long they have left if they continue to pass idiotic legislation.

Moronic, absolutely moronic.

Lowering the water bill

During the recent drought the 1/8 or so Scots part of me was severely pained whenever I saw the spouse watering her flowers with the outside hose. Still, I know how much she enjoys her annuals and perennials so I wisely kept my mouth shut.

But that made me think about how we could save a little water and change if we get another dry spell. It wasn't long before I thought of a rain barrel. I'd seen them occasionally over the years and thought why not, as it looks almost foolproof.

Google turned up a lot of ideas but also the realization that buying one from the online gardening websites could be pricey. One example of what was being offered is this 60 gallon number for $209!

Then I lucked out and found this DIY rainbarrel from the City of Raleigh, NC. I think that's the one I'm going to do next year. Lowes should have everything I need and under $50 total. I've bookmarked it.

Israeli grunts

Soldiering on in the Israeli Armed Forces.