David Louis Harter's Blog

E.T. Phone Rome, Matters of Life and Death, -and- Prison Break

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:45:00 +0000

E.T. Phone Rome! - Vatican seeks signs of alien life
Matters of Life and Death - judge rejects Planned Parenthood injunction request
Prison Break - inmate uses flip-flop to unlock cell, escape

On this day in history: November 11, 1938 - Armistice Day declared a U.S. national holiday

Born on this day in history: November 11, 1974 - Leonardo DiCaprio (1974 - ) Born in Los Angeles, film actor Leonardo DiCaprio became known for his role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993), and an international star in Titanic (1997) and Catch Me If You Can (2002).

Scripture of the Day: Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. - Romans 14:1

Video of the Day: Veterans Day 2009

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

"Fringe" Laura remarked last evening that we would watch but one episode of "Fringe" after dinner. I told her that I would accept her decision, in this regard. I slow-cooked a pork loin roast, white potatoes, carrots, white onion, and mushrooms in a covered casserole dish in the microwave oven. I seasoned the meat and vegetables with Pappy's seasoning, Red Monkey Habanera Mango rub, granulated garlic, ground black pepper, dried parsley, dried basil, and celery salt. I cooked this on power level 3 for 75 minutes. It was delightful. We then watched an episode of "Fringe." Laura declared it was yet early and said we should watch another episode. I agreed. Following the viewing of the second episode, Laura declared that we should watch "just one more," and I agreed!

Veterans Day Parade The forecasts for today have changed dramatically over the past several days. Currently, it is dry, and forecasts call for only a "slight chance of rain" in the early morning and late afternoon. The parade will begin at 11 AM. Hopefully, it will be dry at that time!

Veterans DayThe first Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, marked the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I, what many proclaimed, with an optimism that turned out to be wildly misplaced, "the war to end all wars." It became a U.S. national holiday in 1938, and in 1954 was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans. There are currently 23.2 million veterans, down from a peak of 28.6 million in 1980.

Technology News
Hackers take over hundreds of Facebook groups
Microsoft upgrades Bing Maps
Will Craigslist drive scalpers out of business?
Create audio messages from song samples
Windows 7 use continues to climb
Microsoft patches critical hole in Windows kernel

Fighting Back, Stupid Criminals, -and- Don't Drink That!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Fighting Back - working mom takes down meth ring
Stupid Criminals - man holds up bank with banana, leaves his wallet behind
Don't Drink That! - beer that survived Hindenburg to sell for $8300

On this day in history: November 10, 1940 - Walt Disney begins serving as a secret informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI, to report back information on Hollywood subversives. He was made a "Full Special Agent in Charge Contact" in 1954. We should note that Disney was an atheist and thus subversive in his own little way.

Born on this day in history: November 10, 1932 - Roy Scheider (1932 - 2008) Born in Orange, New Jersey, Roy Scheider began his career as a boxer and a military man before becoming a stage actor. In 1971, he got his big break in The French Connection, for which he earned an Academy Award nod. But his best-known role came in 1975 with Steven Spielberg's film Jaws.

Scripture of the Day: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

Video of the Day: New Jersey Cop Assaults TV Cameraman - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Veterans Day Parade Hopefully, the unexpected rain storm that visited us last evening was the rain that had been forecast for Wednesday morning. If so, we may have dry weather for tomorrow's Veterans Day parade. Current forecasts indicate that more rain is due Thursday, but the forecast for tomorrow is currently more promising.

"Fringe" We watched two episodes of "Fringe" last evening. It is excellent how Warner Bros. queues the episodes chronologically and plays them automatically. I simply pause play at the end of an episode, leave the site open in a Firefox tab, and resume play when next we are ready to watch another episode (or two). I like that.

Technology News

Apple patches 53 holes in massive Mac OS X update
Nokia recalls 14 million AC adapters
Google will not give Clearwire more financing
Apple TV users warned about disappearing content
Initial Motorola Droid sales look good

Fighting Back, License to Drive, -and- Animal House

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Fighting Back - 9-year-old boy thwarts carjacker
License to Drive - woman finally passes exam on 950th attempt
Animal House - students arrested after food fight

On this day in history: November 9, 1997 - Michael Paul Lookinland, aka "Bobby" from the Brady Bunch, charged with drunk driving in St. George, Utah. With a BAL of 0.258, the 36 year old former child star was very drunk.

Born on this day in history: November 9, 1922 - Dorothy Dandridge (1922 - 1965) Born in Cleveland, Ohio, singer and actress Dorothy Dandridge won the leading role in 1954's Carmen Jones, making her the first African-American to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She also starred in 1959's Porgy and Bess, opposite Sidney Poitier. Owing to racism, she had trouble finding other roles, suffered a nervous breakdown, and died of an apparent suicide.

Scripture of the Day: Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. - Proverbs 3:9

Video of the Day: Chuck Norris Pushing the Earth Down - submitted by Danica

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Worship Service Sunday, I performed with the worship team at Harvest Christian Center for the first time. I was truly wonderful, playing my guitar and worshiping the Lord. I am eager for next Sunday's worship!

"Fringe" I have been telling Laura how much I have been enjoying watching episodes of "Fringe" on Hulu and Warner Bros. Yesterday, I convinced her to watch the pilot. She was hooked! We watched several episodes prior to going abed.

Veterans Day Parade The annual Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 AM. Hopefully, the weather reports that currently indicate rain will change prior to the event! Earlier this morning, the reports showed rain for Wednesday and Thursday. Currently, the forecasts show only Wednesday being wet. Time will tell!

Technology News
Five ways to improve your Motorola Droid's features
Slacker, Photoshop.com join Android apps parade
Rickrolling iPhone worm is never gonna give you up

When Beauty Queens Attack, Jaws of Death, -and- Surf's Up!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:00 +0000

When Beauty Queens Attack - Miss England relinquishes crown after bar fight
Jaws of Death - great whites near shore more often than believed
Surf's Up! - China bans physical punishment for Internet addicts

On this day in history: November 6, 1988 - Beatle/boozehound Ringo Starr checks into an alcohol rehabilitation center. While many consider Ringo the least talented Beatle, he has shown exceptional acting ability in his "Atouk zug zug Lana" role (Caveman, 1981).

Born on this day in history: November 6, 1955 - Maria Shriver (1955 - ) Born in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of diplomat Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy, journalist and California First Lady (2003 - ) Maria Shriver worked in correspondent roles at CBS News from 1978 - 2003. She resigned when husband, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, became 38th Governor of California. Shriver has written several children's books.

Scripture of the Day: So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:6

Video of the Day: McDonald's Commercial - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Let Us Worship! Last evening, I participated in worship rehearsal at Harvest Christian Center. Sunday, I shall perform with the worship team for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed last evening's rehearsal, and I am very enthusiastic about Sunday's worship! It has been many years since I have performed on stage, and I am very excited that my return to public performance will be in the form of worship offered to our Lord! Laura accompanied me last evening and took these photographs with her iPhone:

Technology News
Microsoft: Only six patches next week
Midnight Droid madness in Manhattan
Near-final Thunderbird 3 due next week

Starring Roles, Law of the Land, -and- Stupid Criminals

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Starring Roles - 43 show-stealing cars
Law of the Land - judge says man can sue store he robbed
Stupid Criminals - man stabs himself to keep job at Blockbuster

On this day in history: November 5, 1975 - Logger Travis Walton is abducted by aliens near Snowflake, Arizona and is missing for five days. Aliens performed "various experiments" on the abductee. Needless to say, Walton finds the experience immensely lucrative as his experiences are chronicled in the mediocre book Fire in the Sky and a very bad film by Paramount.

Born on this day in history: November 5, 1913 - Vivien Leigh (1913 - 1967) Born in Darjeeling, India, British actress Vivien Leigh achieved motion picture immortality by playing two of American literature's most celebrated Southern belles: Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois. Her leading lady performances led to two Academy Awards and a lengthy career as a dramatic performer.

Scripture of the Day: If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin... - Romans 6:5-6

Video of the Day: Kenwood Commercial

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Veterans Day Parade There will be a Veterans Day Parade at 11 AM Wednesday, November 11. The parade will begin at City Hall and end at the Veterans Memorial Hall. There will be a hamburger and hot dog lunch after the parade at 11:30 at the hall for $6.00.

The Weather Forecasts made yesterday called for rain today and heavy rain tomorrow. Earlier this morning, these forecasts were amended to a slight chance of light rain this morning and the same for tomorrow. It was sunny and beautiful at 7 AM. Now,less than an hour later, the sky is very overcast, the sun has disappeared behind dense clouds, and what weather we shall encounter today and tomorrow appears very uncertain.

Technology News
Tethering plan coming for the Droid
Buying the right Windows 7 upgrade
Mozilla: Firefox 3.6 won't be late

Stupid Criminals, Merry Christmas!, -and- The Nays Have It!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Stupid Criminals - woman calls 911 to report herself as drunk driver
Merry Christmas! - CA teacher petitions for ballot issue: Christmas carols to be required in public schools
The Nays Have It! - Maine voters reject same-sex marriage

On this day in history: November 4, 1993 - A series of fires rage in Southern California, destroying 300 very expensive homes in Malibu and 700 homes scattered elsewhere. Damage totals $500M to $1B. Half of the large fires were arson.

Born on this day in history: November 4, 1969 - Matthew McConaughey (1969 - ) Born on November 4, 1969, actor Matthew McConaughey grew up in the small Texas town of Uvalde. Known for his good looks and easy-going personality, McConaughey soon achieved leading man status with A Time to Kill (1996). Sometimes compared to Paul Newman, McConaughey has received praise for his on-screen charisma.

Scripture of the Day: We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Video of the Day: BlondeStar - submitted by Amber

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene at a client's while on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Food For dinner last night, we had tacos. I made the meat filling for the tacos by browning 1.5 pounds of ground sirloin, draining, and adding a package of taco seasoning, a cup of water, Gebhardt's chili powder, Pappy's seasoning, ground Cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and Crystal Extra-hot Pure Louisiana Hot Sauce. This simmered for 30 minutes. It made a wonderful base for the tacos. There was a quantity of this remaining following our taco feasting, so this morning I made breakfast burritos: I heated the meat mixture in a small sauté pan and tossed in two eggs. I stirred the meat and eggs until the eggs were fully cooked. I spooned this into flour tortillas, atop pepperjack cheese that I had placed on the tortillas. I folded in the bottoms and rolled the tortillas tightly. Laura's burrito followed her to Chico, and mine followed me to my office. The burritos were indescribably delicious.

Technology News
Head to Head: Google Chrome 4 Beta vs. Firefox 3.6 Beta
Best Buy to deliver streaming movies via CinemaNow
Sony's slick Android phone recognizes your friends
Man charged with running modem-hacking business
Verizon's Droid data plan cheaper than you think
Hacker breaks into jailbroken iPhones, asks for $7

Fatal Attraction, Surf's Down!, -and- Don't Touch That!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Fatal Attraction - man says he's allergic to his wife
Surf's Down! - experts say Web could run out of addresses next year
Don't Touch That! - man accidentally ejects while flying in jet

On this day in history: November 3, 1913 - Income tax law signed.

Born on this day in history: November 3, 1948 - Anna Wintour (1949 - ) Born in London, England, Anna Wintour became an international fashion icon as editor-in-chief of the highly influential "Vogue" magazine. She is known for her oversized dark glasses, sharp bob hairstyle, and icy demeanor. In 2009, the documentary "September Issue," was made about Wintour and the largest issue of the "Vogue" published.

Scripture of the Day: For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:3-4

Video of the Day: Lazy Cat on a Treadmill - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene at a local park while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Technology News
Firefox gains Windows 7 features
Disinfections drop in Microsoft anti-malware report
Hulu adds episode release schedule

Sir Have You Been Drinking?, Just Say No, -and- The Deep

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Sir Have You Been Drinking? - California cops crack down on drunk biking
Just Say No - mayor refuses to judge evil Halloween event
The Deep - Japanese fishing trawler sunk by giant jellyfish

On this day in history: November 2, 1988 - The Internet Worm is released by Cornell grad student Robert Morris. His ingenious program was meant to explore the Internet harmlessly, but due to a bug, it crashed some 6,000 computers. Spaf parlays the incident into a career.

Born on this day in history: November 2, 1755 - Marie Antoinette (1755 - 1793) Born in Vienna, Austria, Queen of France Marie Antoinette married the Dauphin, afterward Louis XVI. At the outbreak of the French Revolution, she helped alienate the monarchy from the people. After the king's execution, she was guillotined.

Scripture of the Day: I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." - Psalm 91:2

Video of the Day: Lolo Jones - Extreme Press-Ups Challenge - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Harvest Festival Saturday evening, Harvest Christian Center sponsored the 15th annual Harvest Festival. The weather was incredibly warm and pleasant, the attendance was great (estimated in excess of 1,600 people!), and the event was a major success. Previous Harvest Festivals have been held on the church campus, but the event has grown so large that this year, it was moved to Northside Park. Several other local churches and organizations joined Harvest Christian Center to make the event a great success. I photographed this event and will soon produce a slide show from these photographs. I shall post a few images here tomorrow as a preview of the slide show.

"Fringe" Over the weekend, I watched 12 episodes of "Fringe." One might easily imagine that this would cause me to sleep fitfully and dream of encounters with bizarre creatures. I slept soundly and enjoyed pleasant dreams, actually.

Firefox 3.6 Beta 1 The first beta of Firefox 3.6 is available for downloading. You can access this download from the link withing the first Technology News article below. I have been using it and find it to be very stable. It has many significant enhancements that are certain to appeal to users. Read the article for details.

Technology News
Mozilla releases first beta of Firefox 3.6
Best Buy, Verizon brace for massive Droid demand
Bing's new mobile site wants to be touched
Miley Cyrus: Twitter should be banned

Stupid Criminals, Order Please, -and- Do You Take...

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Stupid Criminals - bungling burglars use permanent markers to create disguises
Order Please - four teens ticketed after rapping order at McDonald's
Do You Take... - 112-year-old Somali man marries 17-year-old girl

On this day in history: October 30, 1938 - Orson Welles causes a nationwide panic with his broadcast of "War of the Worlds"—a realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion.

Born on this day in history: October 30, 1945 - Henry Winkler (1945 - ) Born in New York City, actor Henry Winkler got his big break as character Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the 1974 TV sitcom "Happy Days." Before long, Winkler was receiving top billing on the show. After its cancellation, he continued a varied film and TV career including roles in Scream (1996) and "Arrested Development" (2003).

Scripture of the Day: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. - Psalm 32:7

Video of the Day: Mama Cat Comes to Rescue Her Kitten - submitted by Cindy

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

"Fringe" I "discovered" another television show last evening. "Fringe" follows the exploits of FBI special agent Olivia Dunham, mad scientist Walter Bishop, and his son, jack of all trades, Peter Bishop as they investigate aspects of fringe science (rare diseases, chimeras, transhumans with psychic abilities, teleportation, and so forth). I found "Fringe" while browsing Hulu. I watched the first four episodes and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Technology News
How much do the Droid and iPhone really cost?
Facebook revamps privacy policy
Scareware tops Microsoft's malware list
Facebook awarded $711 million in spam lawsuit

Cult of Impersonality, I Feel the Earth Move, -and- Sorry Boss!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Cult of Impersonality - Church of Scientology hits rough patch
I Feel the Earth Move - asteroid blast reveals holesin earth's defenses
Sorry Boss! - administrator's filing mistake leads to $1.26 billion judgment against PepsiCo

On this day in history: October 29, 1994 - Armed with a semi-automatic rifle, Colorado upholsterer Francisco Duran fires 27 shots at the White House from the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Ave. Because he opted for Chinese-made SKS rifle, few of Duran's shots come anywhere near the building. Nevertheless, he receives a life sentence for attempting to assassinate President Clinton.

Born on this day in history: October 29, 1971 - Winona Ryder (1971 - ) Born in Winona, Michigan, actress Winona Ryder made her film debut in Lucas (1986), and went on to starring roles in such films as Little Women (1995) and Girl, Interrupted (1999). In 2003, she was convicted of shoplifting in a Beverly Hills department store.

Scripture of the Day: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12

Video of the Day: Google Android Phone for Verizon Wireless

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Google Android Phone I have viewed today's video no less than a dozen times. This phone is awesome. It is everything that my iPhone is not! I am eager for my 2-year contract for the iPhone to end! This is a year away, and my mind reels when considering what the state of smartphone technology will be at that time!

The mail delivery lady brought our new Roku Digital Video Player yesterday. If you have a account, you need one of these devices! If you do not have a , account, you need one of these and a Netflix account!

The Roku connects to the Internet via your LAN—using either a wired or wireless connection. When I set up our Roku, it immediately downloaded new software via the Internet and updated its operating system.

To access movies and television programs, simply browse Netflix with a computer (or iPhone or other smartphone), choose selections and click the Add to Instant Queue option. Once selections are made, they appear within a few seconds in the Netflix Instant Queue on the television via the Roku.

The Roku player is like having your own video library at home with over 50,000 choices – from the best movies, TV shows and sports. The Roku player is the easiest way to watch anything and everything from – Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and MLB.com instantly on your TV. You never have to wait for a DVD in the mail or pay late fees ever again.

Over 17,000 Choices Instantly from Netflix!
Watch as much as you want on Netflix— watching instantly is already included in your Netflix unlimited membership for no additional cost. You still get all your DVDs by mail, but now you'll also get over 17,000 movies & TV shows streamed instantly to your TV with the Roku player. There are no ads or trailers, and you can pause, rewind and fast-forward all you like.

Over 45,000 Choices Instantly from Amazon.com
With Amazon Video On Demand — you can browse and purchase all your favorite movies & TV shows on your TV with the Roku player and watch them instantly. You will enjoy new movies the day they’re released on DVD or watch a TV show you missed the night before. Amazon Video On Demand titles cost between 99 cents and $4.99 to rent, with no subscription fees required.

Watch Live MLB.TV Baseball Games on the Roku Player
MLB.com and Roku have teamed up to bring your favorite team instantly to your TV. Watch Major League Baseball games LIVE, from anywhere in the country. Or catch up on a great game from earlier in the week. With your MLB.TV Premium subscription and your Roku player, live and archived baseball games are now at your fingertips.

But That's Not All...There's More Coming Soon

At Roku, we're off to a great start, but we don't intend to stop now. We plan to offer access to even more great channels from other partners. Without doing anything, your Roku player will automatically receive periodic updates that will add more new "channels" for you to enjoy. Get Roku and watch what you want, on your schedule. It’s the ultimate in instant gratification.

We watched Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed 2008 PG [Hosted by Ben Stein, this controversial documentary examines how pro-intelligent design scholars and scientists are often chastised, fired or denied tenured positions by those who believe in Darwin's theory of evolution. Nathan Frankowski's film explores how scientists who believe in God are oppressed and how the acceptance of Darwinism might have played a role in the formation of the Nazi regime.] I had seen this movie previously, and Laura was watching it on her notebook when I arrived home. I connected the Roku and started the movie from the beginning—displaying it on our 47" Vizio LCD HDTV. This movie is wonderful, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Suspension - 2008 NR [After surviving an auto accident that killed his wife and son, Daniel (Scott Cordes) resolves to restore his son's damaged video camera and soon makes the startling discovery that the camera has the ability to stop time at the touch of a button. At first, Daniel uses this remarkable newfound capability to try to help a woman who lost her husband in the very same accident—but he quickly finds himself falling victim to his own unchecked power.] This is one of the most peculiar movies I have ever seen. I watched it on my 17" widescreen HP notebook, after Laura had gone abed. There is no real character development, and the script wanders seemingly aimlessly, but it is (if little else) interesting. I do not particularly recommend it, but at the same time, I do not discourage anyone from watching it. No doubt watching this movie had a large part in the development of the dream I had last night!

[While I slept] I received a telephone call from a Google design engineer who offered me a Google Android phone to beta test. I eagerly agreed, and the phone arrived the following day. Just as I was unpacking the phone, I received a telephone call from the engineer. He told me to avoid the red button, since he had determined that it had been programmed incorrectly. I used the phone throughout the day and marveled at its power, speed, and abilities. I was in a local park, sitting on a bench, relaxing, and watching people cavort about. The urge to depress the red button was impossible to ignore, and I pressed it! Immediately, people froze. Time stopped. I began posing people while they were frozen in time and soon became famous for these portraits.

Technology News
First Google Android 2.0 phone arrives
Microsoft puts its "signature" on PCs
Twitter users warned about new phishing attack

Stop!, Aliens!, -and- Blimey!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Stop! - police say RI motorist drove with man stuck in
Aliens! - Church of Scientology convicted of fraud in France
Blimey! - giant "sea monster" skull found in England

On this day in history: October 28, 1922 - Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini seizes power in Italy, with the assistance of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XI declared "Mussolini is a man sent by divine providence." In return for this endorsement, the silly dictator signs the Lateran treaty, restoring papal sovereignty over the Vatican.

Born on this day in history: October 28, 1955 - William H. Gates (1955-____) born on Oct 28 US business executive. He co-founded Microsoft Corp., world's largest computer software company, 1975; at age 31 was the youngest person to become a billionaire.

Scripture of the Day: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. - Ephesians 6:11

Video of the Day: Kitten Surprise - How to Break up a Cat Fight - submitted by Cindy

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this individual while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this mooning! Click to enlarge.

Laura Laura's doctor told me yesterday that her surgical procedure went perfectly. She will be resting at home for the balance of the week. She wishes to thank all who prayed for her and wished her well.

"Chuck" I "discovered" a new television show yesterday: "Chuck." While many might chortle when they read that I discovered "Chuck"—since the show is in its third season—it was a discovery to me. I had not previously heard of the show. I stumbled upon the pilot at Hulu. I watched the pilot and was very pleasantly surprised by it and enthusiastically sought later episodes. Hulu led me to Warner Bros., where I was delighted to discover that one may queue all episodes and have them play in order automatically by using this link.

If you are unfamiliar with "Chuck," "Chuck" is easily one of the most entertaining shows on television. The photography is excellent (the special effects rival those of any major movie), the writing is smart and quick, the acting is superb (from the extras to the main characters), the story is dramatic and visionary. "Chuck" has it all: Love and romance, an agent searching for a good fight, and an average guy tossed into the world of espionage.

Technology News
Windows 7 is an all-ages show
Google shows Android 2.0 to developers
Firefox gains 30 million users in eight weeks
Fake Facebook email contains Trojan

Fighting Back, Liar Liar!, -and- Avast!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:43:00 +0000

Fighting Back - muggers try to rob woman with black belt in karate
Liar Liar! - film students fake meteorite crash in Latvia
Avast! - British couple hijacked by Somali pirates

On this day in history: October 27, 1964 - In a private ceremony, Sonny and Cher marry each other by exchanging rings in a Tijuana motel bathroom. Five years later, with a baby on the way, they get married for real.

Born on this day in history: October 27, 1939 - John Cleese (1939 - ) While British comedian John Cleese was still a law student, he landed a comedy-writing job for BBC radio. In 1969, Cleese and several friends created the Monty Python sketch team, which became a TV and stage phenomenon. After the group disbanded, Cleese continued to perform in films such as A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and Shrek 2 (2004).

Scripture of the Day: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. — Ephesians 6:10

Video of the Day: Kittens Riding Vacuum - submitted by Cindy

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this person while passing through Walmart on the way home from my office yesterday afternoon! Click to enlarge.

I shall not be in my office today. I trust this does not impose any undue inconvenience on anyone; and if it does, I apologize.

I shall be taking Laura to Skyway Surgery Center for a surgical procedure this morning. The surgeon has assured Laura that all will go quickly and without issue.

I thank you, Lord, for guiding the surgeon's hands as he performs the surgery and for covering Laura with Your mercy and grace—ensuring that Laura's recovery is speedy and complete. To you, Lord, I give all the glory. Amen.

If you feel so moved, please join me in this prayer! Thank you.

Technology News
Windows 7: The 64-bit question
Time Warner home routers still open to attack, blogger says
Microsoft to open up Outlook data format

Cult-ural Abuse, What?, -and- iDeposit

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Cult-ural Abuse - former Scientologists level charges of violence by leaders
What? - Dallas police ticketed 39 drivers in 3 years for not speaking English
iDeposit - banks starting to take deposits via scanners, iPhones

On this day in history: October 26, 1984 - 19-year-old John D. McCollum kills himself with a .22 caliber handgun after spending the day listening to Ozzy Osbourne records. One year later, McCollum's parents file suit against Ozzy and CBS Records, alleging that the song "Suicide Solution" from the album "Blizzard of Ozz" contributed to their son's death. Except that the song's subject was quite plainly alcohol addiction. The case is eventually thrown out of court.

Born on this day in history: October 26, 1911 - Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) Gospel singer. Born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mahalia Jackson became a leading singer in Gospel music, known for her rich, powerful voice. A devout Baptist, she still found time for secular sounds of such blues artists as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey.

Scripture of the Day: Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16

Video of the Day: Snake in Pool - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Technology News
How to install Windows 7
Netflix to discontinue mailers--streaming videos only
McCain bill would ban FCC Internet regulations
Motorola releases Droid specs, photos online
Universal cell-phone charger specs set

Stop Thief!, Book 'em Dano!, -and- Avast!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Stop Thief! - store clerk ran off with $1 million lottery ticket
Book 'em Dano! - more than 1,100 Feds and LA cops conduct gang sweep
Avast! - U.S. Navy's newest warships fast enough to catch pirates

On this day in history: October 23, 1988 - A concert-goer at a Skinny Puppy show in Cincinnati mistakes a stuffed dog, a prop that undergoes "vivisection" during the performance, for a live dog and calls the cops. Even after the police establish no real animals have been harmed, bandmates Nivek Ogre and Cevin Key, along with their tour manager, are arrested on disorderly conduct charges. They spend the night in jail and are fined $200.

Born on this day in history: October 23, 1959 - Weird Al Yankovic (1959 - ) California musician Alfred "Weird Al" Yankovic began playing the accordion at age seven-a passion that continued in college, where he recorded his first single, a parody of "My Sharona"
called "My Bologna." He has now sold more than 12 million albums and earned three Grammy Awards, four gold records, and six platinum records in the U.S.

Scripture of the Day: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

Video of the Day: Window 7 First Look, Part 3

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this vehicle in the Walmart parking lot while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Burger King Windows 7 Whopper! Things always seem over the top in Japan, from the cartoons to camcorders and cell phones. It's almost no surprise that Microsoft has partnered with Burger King to sell a gigantic hamburger there. The Windows 7 Whopper consist of seven stacked beef patties that measure over 5 inches in height, and the whole thing costs an appropriate ¥777 (or $8.55). It's available for seven days only, completing the run of sevens.

Windows 7 Color Calibration: Windows 7 has introduced many new features that let the average user customize the way he works more easily and efficiently. One of these new—but rarely discussed—features is the Display Color Calibration wizard. If you have used Windows Media Center before, you will be pleased to find it making its way to the Windows Control Panel. It is very similar to the color calibration options in Media Center. The great thing about this new wizard is the ease-of-use and the detailed instructions provided in each step—making sure that you get your display colors just right. While, it is all good news for the average user, photo editors and video editors will be delighted to find built-in gamma and color balance controls in Windows 7. Finally, this feature has made it into Windows itself, and you are no longer dependent on you graphics cards’ control panel. Although you still might have to go there for company specific technologies which Intel, nVidia and ATi provide to further improve colors on your display. It works for multiple-monitor setups as well. You just have to move the calibration wizard to the monitor you want to calibrate. The new color calibration wizard can be accessed from the Windows control panel. You may access it by going to Appearance and Personalization / Display.

Technology News
FCC proposes formal net neutrality rules
McCain bill would ban FCC Internet regulations
Amazon announces Kindle app for Windows 7
Pystar releases Mac clone software

Ann Minch's Debtors' Revolt!

Heat of the Moment, Armed and Dangerous, -and- Garage Sale Art

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Heat of the Moment - scientist says global warming caused by high-energy rays from distant parts of space smashing into atmosphere
Armed and Dangerous - taser maker: Don't shoot at chest
Garage Sale Art - woman buys possible Picasso for $2

On this day in history: October 22, 1934 - Notorious bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd dies of multiple gunshot wounds in the back, after a shootout with the FBI at the Conkle Farm in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Born on this day in history: October 22, 1967 - Carlos Mencia (1967 - ) Born in Honduras, comedian Carlos Mencia became a regular performer at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles before earning his own special on HBO. His straightforward stand-up was a hit with audiences, and landed him his own show, "Mind of Mencia" in 2005. He also continues to tour.

Scripture of the Day: May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. - 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Video of the Day: Window 7 First Look, Part 2

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The Big Day Has Arrived! The eagerly anticipated launch of Microsoft Windows 7 is today! Windows 7 launch parties will take place across the U.S. today!

I have been using Windows 7 on most of my systems (as described in yesterday's blog entry).

This is the most significant OS release since Windows 3.0, in my opinion.

Technology News
Windows 7 is here
A video tour of Windows 7
Businesses love Windows 7 survey says
Live blog: Windows 7 debuts in New York
Microsoft starts selling PCs online
Microsoft fixing Bing bug that aided spammers

Ann Minch's Debtors' Revolt!

Armed and Dangerous, No Haunting, -and- Don't Make Me Laugh!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Armed and Dangerous - cops raid wrong house, force woman from shower
No Haunting - code violation shuts down haunted house
Don't Make Me Laugh! - world's stupidest inventions

On this day in history: October 21, 1997 - The Government of Singapore announces in a widely publicized "toilet alert" that the drive for toilet cleanliness is a great success. Five toilets were selected by citizens as toilet role models.

Born on this day in history: October 21, 1917 - Dizzy Gillespie (1917 - 1993 ) Jazz trumpeter, composer. Born John Birks Gillespie in Cheraw, South Carolina. He worked in prominent swing bands (1937-44), including those of Benny Carter and Charlie Barnet.

Scripture of the Day: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves
have received from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3

Video of the Day: Windows 7 First Look, Part 1

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this vehicle in the Walmart parking lot while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Tomorrow Is the BIG DAY! Tomorrow, Windows 7 will be publicly released. As a Microsoft Partner, I was given early access to Windows 7. I have been using various versions of the OS on several of my systems. My main system (an HP workstation) is running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. My HP notebook is running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Two of my desktop systems are running Windows 7 Professional 32-bit. I installed Window 7 on my HP workstation and HP notebook as fresh installs—necessitating re-installation of all programs and peripherals. I installed Windows 7 as an upgrade on the two desktop systems. All systems are operating flawlessly—much faster than they did under Vista. I encountered only two issues: 1) HP has not released drivers for my HP Scanjet G4050. The scanner works perfectly, however, with the Windows 7 drivers. HP says their drivers will be released tomorrow. Since the scanner works fine with the Windows 7 drivers, this is of no great concern. 2) Nvidia had not released drivers for the HP notebook's Nvidia GeForce 9400M video display adapter. The Windows 7 drivers allowed the use of only one display. Several evenings past, a notice appeared in the tray that drivers were waiting at Nvidia. This alert included a link that took me directly to the drivers on the Nvidia support site! Following the installation of the drivers and a restart of the system, the notebook's display was mirrored on my Vizio 47" LCD HDTV. I watched an episode of "T.J. Hooker" via Hulu to celebrate.

If you currently use Windows XP or Windows Vista, I highly recommend that you consider moving to Windows 7. Be certain that your hardware will be compatible by running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

Technology News
Windows 7 outperforms Vista in PC Labs tests
Windows 7: An upgrade story
Microsoft posts Sidekick recovery tool
Windows 7's Aero in pictures
Which Windows 7 is right for you?

Ann Minch's Debtors' Revolt! (Click image to visit!)

Eight Is Enough, Keep Your Hands on the Wheel, -and- Let's Go Surfin'!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Eight Is Enough - Octomom's fertility doctor expelled by medical society
Keep Your Hands on the Wheel - man fined for using two cell phones while driving
Let's Go Surfin'! - UCLA study: The Internet is altering our brains

On this day in history: October 20, 1977 - En route to a gig at Louisiana State University, Lynyrd Skynyrd band members Ronnie Van Zandt and Steve Gaines are killed when their private plane runs out of fuel and crashes into a swamp in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Their record company MCA withdraws the flame-filled cover art for their ironically-named Street Survivors album.

Born on this day in history: October 20, 1882 - Bela Lugosi (1882 - 1956 ) Hungarian-born film actor Bela Lugosi became famous for his sinister portrayal of vampire Count Dracula in several Dracula films. After the success of his portrayal, Lugosi went on to star in horror films such as Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Raven, and Son of Frankenstein. At his death, Lugosi was buried wearing his Dracula stage costume.

Scripture of the Day: The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. — Psalm 34:22

Video of the Day: - Sheriff Joe Arpaio Holds His Own Against CNN's Rick Sanchez

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning. Click to enlarge.

Laura took these photographs of our cats with her iPhone last evening:

Here is Zeus in his normal, agreeable yet controlled state—meaning he is ready to pounce at any moment, if need be!

However, here is Zeus in quite probably the frame of mind directly before he swatted The Little Guy, as Zeus weighed his options. Note the change in his visage from the previous picture!

Thor: A picture is worth a thousand kitty therapy sessions!

Ann Minch's Debtors' Revolt!

Technology News
Windows 7 security in pictures
Symantec warns of fake security software
Free Wi-Fi for the holidays on Virgin America

Got Beer?, Boo!, -and- Hop In!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Got Beer? - bear enters grocery, climbs into cooler
Boo! - dead man on balcony mistaken for Halloween decor
Hop In! - prospective car buyer takes 1,000-mile test drive

On this day in history: October 19, 1982 - Maverick carmaker John DeLorean is arrested in Los Angeles with $24M worth of cocaine in his suitcase. The case is later thrown out of court when a judge rules that the FBI sting operation constituted entrapment.

Born on this day in history: October 19, 1962 - Evander Holyfield (1962 - ) Born in Atmore, Alabama, American boxer Evander Holyfield won the National Golden Gloves Championship in 1984 as an amateur, and made the Olympic Boxing Team the same year. He then became the only professional fighter to win the heavyweight championship four separate times. In 1990, he became Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Scripture of the Day: Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. - Psalm 34:21

Video of the Day: I Don't - submitted by Amber

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

[While I slept:] Friday night, I dreamed that I was at Harvest Christian Center and was approached by a lady who asked whether I could provide accommodations for a Nepali exchange student. I said that Laura and I would be pleased to make our spare bedroom available for this purpose. Several days later, this lady appeared with the Nepali exchange student. I nicknamed him, "The Little Guy." He appeared to like this appellation, so from that point forward, he answered to "The Little Guy."

The cats—Zeus and Thor—displayed immediate dislike of The Little Guy, disregarding the effort shown by The Little Guy to curry favor with them by wearing a shirt that was emblazoned with a black cat! Thor—generally mild mannered and aloof—challenged The Little Guy immediately, disallowing him occupation of Laura's computer chair by nudging him from it. The Little Guy was intent upon sending an email to the exchange coordinator to complain about his mistreatment at the paws of the cats, but Thor kept him from accessing Laura's computer. When Later, while The Little Guy was eating, Zeus swatted the food from his plate onto the dining room table and proceeded to sniff at it and push it about with his front paws. He did not eat it. He has never shown an interest in food other than the dry cat food which has been the sole component of his diet since he and his brother came to live with us as kittens.

Life for The Little Guy continued in this fashion. He was relentlessly thwarted in his attempts to send email. Zeus had lost interest in batting The Little Guy's food about, however, and The Little Guy was eating well.

At one point, The Little Guy assumed the position on the love seat that Zeus chooses to occupy routinely. Zeus nudged The Little Guy in an attempt to dislodge him gently. The Little Guy made the mistake of pulling Zeus' tail! Zeus reached out with his sinewy right fore paw and smacked The Little Guy with such ferocity that The Little Guy sailed through the air and splatted against the wall on the other side of the living room!

It was bath time for The Little Guy. Laura drew his bath and called him when it was ready. She closed the bathroom door following The Little Guy's entrance. A few minutes later, I was passing by the bathroom and heard unusual sounds coming from within. Fearing The Little Guy was drowning, I opened the door and peered inside. The Little Guy was swimming laps in the tub!

At this point, Zeus awakened me. I queried Zeus concerning The Little Guy. Zeus looked puzzled, and I then realized it was but a dream.

Technology News
Best Buy loads up for Windows 7 launch
Ad group calls on FCC to rescind blogger rules
Mozilla blocking Microsoft plug-ins
Google Street View goes off-roading

iPhone News
Beginning today, I am discontinuing iPhone News. The popularity of this feature has fallen significantly, and there is no longer sufficient interest to warrant the time and energy requisite to maintain it.

As time passes, I find myself drawing up a mental balance sheet--with all the positives balanced against all the negatives. There is no balance. The negatives far outweigh the positives. I find that what was once guarded favor turned to disdain, and with each passing day this disdain comes nearer to abhorrence. I hope I can manage to last through the commitment period--at which time I shall most certainly replace our iPhones. I know not what the replacements will be, but I can say with certainty that they will not be Apple products. New phones are appearing that use Windows Mobile 6.5, and version 7.0 is soon to arrive. By the end of our commitment, there will be an exciting array of models from which to choose!

I Feel the Earth Move, Short People, -and- Let's Make a Deal

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

I Feel the Earth Move - California staging massive earthquake drill
Short People - 10-pound, 22-inch Nepali teen bids for crown of world's smallest man ever
Let's Make a Deal - Louisiana couple trade cocatoo for two children

On this day in history: October 16, 1996 - 84 are killed and more than 180 injured in Guatemala City when 47,000 soccer fans attempt to squeeze into 36,000 seats at Mateo Flores Stadium.

Born on this day in history: October 16, 1854 - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900 ) Irish-born Oscar Wilde came to fame with his book The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891). His comic plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) reflect Wilde's involvement in the 19th-century Aesthetic movement, which advocated art for art's sake. He was also the object of criminal suits involving homosexuality, resulting in his imprisonment.

Scripture of the Day: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

Video of the Day: Cannibal Scorpions vs. Shrew - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this vehicle in the Walmart parking lot while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The Weather: If the weatherpeople be correct, we shall enjoy a sunny, warm day today, with the temperature reaching 85°. If their predictions continue to prove accurate, tomorrow shall be sunny and nearly as warm.

Technology News
Scareware turning to ransomware
Windows 7 improvements to help audio recording
90-foot drop can't stop robot cockroach

iPhone News
Augmented reality to the max with Layars for iPhone 3GS
Pepsi releases silly, tasteless iPhone app then apologizes--sort of

Fighting Back, Attention Shoppers!, -and- Stars and Stripes Forever

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Fighting Back - Christian-bookstore employee stands up to armed robber
Attention Shoppers! - lottery hoax Causess riot at Ohio coat store
Stars and Stripes Forever - U.S. flag ban at Oregon apartment complex reversed after outcry

On this day in history: October 15, 1917 - Dutch spy H21, also known as Mata Hari, is executed in Paris by a 12-man firing squad. The dancer, born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, had slept with a number of high-ranking military officers from around the world and passed secrets along to the German high command.

Born on this day in history: October 15, 1945 - Penny Marshall (1945 - ) Born into a showbiz family in The Bronx, actress and film director Penny Marshall played Jack Klugman's secretary on her brother Garry's first hit series, "The Odd Couple" (1970-75). She became a TV star in 1976 as Laverne DeFazio on "Laverne & Shirley" (1977-1983), and then one of Hollywood’s most bankable directors after directing Big (1988) and A League Of Their Own (1991).

Scripture of the Day: The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. — Psalm 34:16

Video of the Day: Uji Green Tea Processing - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving past Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The Current Weather: According to Google, it is currently "61° and 16% chance of rain." Perhaps the meteorologists supplying this information should adjust their equipment: Currently, it is 61° (they got that right!) and 100% chance of rain. It is RAINING!

When I was preparing to leave the house this morning, I based my footwear selection upon Google's weather forecast. I shod myself with sandals. When I exited the house, I realized that my choice did not suit the current weather conditions. Oh, well, I parked 2 feet from the back door of my office. It is not a considerable distance to travel through falling rain.

Technology News
T-Mobile: "We've found 'most' Sidekick data"
AVG Free 9 offers speed, lacks etiquette
Acer overtakes Dell in PC shipments

iPhone News
Bear ambushes hiker, attacks her iPhone instead
Leonard Maltin Movie Guide packs 24,000 films in your iPhone

The Long Arm of the Law, That's a Wrap!, -and- Don't Tread on Me!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:59:00 +0000

The Long Arm of the Law - JFK hijacker arrested 41 years after the crime
That's a Wrap! - Polanski finishing latest film from prison cell
Don't Tread on Me! - nearly 2,000 jellyfish wash ashore on Oahu

On this day in history: October 14, 1943 - An estimated 200 inmates of Sobibor escape the Polish extermination camp after killing 11 SS guards in an uprising. 52 of the fugitives manage to survive. The Nazis close the facility shortly thereafter. The events are later portrayed in a 1987 made-for-TV movie.

Born on this day in history: October 14, 1978 - Usher (1978 - ) Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, singer-songwriter Usher began singing gospel at six years old. He released his eponymous debut album while still in high school, and it became an instant success. By the time he released his third album, Usher was one of the most recognizable faces in R&B.

Scripture of the Day: The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry... - Psalm 34:15

Video of the Day: Scary Movie Matrix Fight - submitted by Danica

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this vehicle in the Walmart parking lot while journeying to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Sunday Grill
Sunday, I grilled beef and vegetable kabobs. I cubed, cut, and marinated beef bottom round, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zebra squash, and white onions in extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Almaden Merlot, Pappy's seasoning, granulated garlic, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and ground cumin. Laura skewered these items, following a 4-hour marinade, and I grilled them until the meat and vegetables were slightly charred. We enjoyed this meal with an especially nice Clos du Bois Cabernet Savignon. It was a delightful meal.

HDR Images

Here are some HDR images I created from photographs taken at the HCC Fellowship Barbecue and Softball and Corning Homecoming. These images were created from Nikon NEF raw files using Photomatix 3.2.6. Because of my work as photographer and webmaster for Harvest Christian Center, I was issued a free license for Photomatix. This is an excellent product, and I highly recommend it. You can try this product free by downloading a no-time-limit (a watermark is placed on saved images) copy of Photomatix by going to the Photomatix Web site. Click images to enlarge.

Technology News
Microsoft details massive patch batch
Adobe Acrobat, Reader patches fix 29 bugs
Twitter enlists users to help fight spam

iPhone News
AT&T remains elusive on official date for iPhone tethering

Never Too Young, Smile for the Camera!, -and- Unnecessary Roughness

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Never Too Young - 15-year-old burglar arrested 14 times, suspected in 24 other burglaries
Smile for the Camera! - Schwarzenegger signs tougher anti-paparazzi law
Unnecessary Roughness - 7-year-old Ohio boy tackled by deer while playing football

On this day in history: October 13, 54 - Roman Emperor Claudius I consumes a favorite mushroom dish prepared by his fourth wife, Agrippina. What he does not know is that the meal is laced with the toxin of the Amanita phalloides mushroom. Feeling ill the next morning, Claudius summons his personal physician. Unfortunately, the doctor happens to be a co-conspirator in the scheme, administering a colocynth enema which kills Claudius instantly.

Born on this day in history: October 13, 1941 - Paul Simon (1941 - ) Born in Newark, New Jersey, singer, composer and lyricist Paul Simon met Art Garfunkel in the sixth grade, and the two cut their first album in 1964. Hits followed, including "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." They split in 1970. Simon continued solo, winning awards for albums such as "Graceland" (1986). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Scripture of the Day: Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:14

Video of the Day: Coachella 2009 Time-Lapse - submitted by Amber

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Movie Reviews
I have created a file containing all the movie reviews I have done here. It is available in the Links section on the right. I shall add new reviews to this file. Several readers expressed that they find these reviews useful, so I decided to make them more readily available. Enjoy!

RAIN! As you may easily see from the CAT Cam image, it is raining here this morning! The weather forecasters call this "light rain." If this truly be light rain, I sincerely hope never to experience heavy rain, since it is really wet out there and becoming wetter with each passing moment! YIKES!

Technology News
Firefox 3.6 to detect computer orientation
T-Mobile says Sidekick data may yet return
Apple acknowledges Snow Leopard data loss issue

iPhone News
Perccia repairs iPhone and solves murder
Viper's new iPhone app replaces your keychain
iPhone wallpaper makes your DNA imprint mobile

Fighting Back, Jurrasic Farce, -and- Superdog

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Fighting Back - man who helped catch rapist gives reward money to victim
Jurassic Farce - 1/3 of dinosaur species never existed
Superdog - North Dakota woman's 7-foot-long dog could be record-holder

On this day in history: October 12, 1969 - Police capture Charles Manson at Barker Ranch, inside Death Valley National Park. Charlie is arrested for arson, after burning a maintenance vehicle blocking his favorite dune buggy route. One of his followers, Susan Atkins, is arrested the following day and spills the beans about the Tate/LaBianca murderers. Manson has not left prison since.

Born on this day in history: October 12, 1968 - Hugh Jackman (1968 - ) Australian actor Hugh Jackman got his first taste of professional acting on the Melbourne stage. He soon entered the international film scene, and is perhaps best known for playing Wolverine in X-Men (2000), which spawned a film franchise. In 2008, he entered the ranks of A-list heartthrobs when he was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by "People" magazine.

Scripture of the Day: Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - Psalm 34:12-13

Video of the Day: What Cats Are Really Thinking - submitted by Chris

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Movies I Watched Over the Weekend

The Betrayed - 2008 - NR [After surviving a terrible car crash, a young wife and mother regains consciousness only to discover that her real nightmare has just begun: She is now the prisoner of a deranged masked man who accuses her husband of stealing money from the mob. Can she get away from her captor -- and is there any truth to his story? This psychological thriller from director Amanda Gusack stars Melissa George, Donald Adams and Christian Campbell.] If you enjoy psychological thrillers, you will definitely enjoy this movie. The entire movie takes place in one room of an old warehouse. The plot twists and continual surprises kept me enthralled, however, and I found it impossible to predict the final resolution--right up to the ending. The acting and directing are good, the suspense is captivating, and the story is fresh and unusual. I recommend this movie.

Planted Evidence - 2008 - NR [In the wake of their weekly card game, six co-workers stumble upon the body of one of their associates. To avoid suspicion, they secretly dispose of the corpse. But a stranger was watching everything -- and he caught it all on tape. Thanks to threats from their ruthless blackmailer, the friends begin turning on one another until only one of them remains. But is the last man standing the one who actually started it all?] The storyline sounded interesting, but the acting was so abysmal and the dialogue so insipid that I managed to watch only five minutes of the movie!

Hit and Run - 2008 - Rated R [A wild spring break night goes badly awry when coed Mary (Laura Breckenridge) hits a pedestrian while driving home and instead of seeking help for the critically injured man, she batters the bloody body until he finally dies. The terrified girl buries the corpse in the woods to hide the evidence of her horrible crime but soon learns that her victim is, in fact, still alive -- and out for revenge.] I was enjoying this movie. It was a decent thriller and had above-average acting and a good storyline. Then, it turned from thriller to horror flick and became gratuitously bloody and predictable. I have nothing against horror flicks, in general, but I do dislike genre-switching mid-movie. It was an above-average thriller but became a third-rate horror flick at the 2/3 point. I do not recommend this movie.

Danika 2006 - Rated R [Loving mother of three, Danika Merrick (Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei) worries constantly about her children, fearing for their safety in a world filled with danger and peril. When her darkest premonitions start coming true, Danika wonders whether she's seeing the future or simply losing her mind. Directed by Ariel Vromen, this psychological thriller taps into the anxieties and fears experienced by many in a modern world.] This movie really had me on the edge of my seat a good deal of the time. It is a psychological thriller that really takes the viewer inside the world of Danika--played very well by Marisa Tomei. The lines between fantasy and reality are thoroughly blurred at times, and the viewer is left to judge for himself what is real and what is not. This can be unnerving, but it is definitely a well-produced movie that should captivate anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Hero Wanted 2008 - Rated R [In order to impress a lovely bank teller, small-town trash collector Liam Case (Cuba Gooding Jr.) stages a robbery so he can emerge as the hero. But the simple plan yields deadly consequences, and Case must seek vengeance against the cohorts who betrayed him. Unfortunately, Detective Terry Subcott suspects Case as the perpetrator of a string of murders in this twisty action drama, co-starring Norman Reedus as Case's conflicted pal and co-worker.] This is an interesting movie. It is violent--but not overly so, and the violence is generally muted by dim lighting. There is a good deal of foul language--albeit for the most part by lowlife villains. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays his part very well and is fully believable as an accidental hero, initially, and a fabricated hero, ultimately. Ray Liotta plays the police detective well. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys dark crime drama. I do caution viewers that the language is at times very foul.

Technology News
T-Mobile warns Sidekick data may be gone forever
Hacked Web mail accounts used to send spam
Adobe exploit puts backdoor on computers

iPhone News
Adobe Photoshop Mobile released for iPhone
iPhone's Google Maps now shows ads
Mapquest launches turn-by-turn driving app into App Store

To Protect and Serve, Super-size Me!, -and- Catch Me If You Can

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:42:00 +0000

To Protect and Serve - mystery "police" force has small Montana town on edge
Super-size Me! - angry couple accused of assaulting McDonald's workers over wrong-size fries
Catch Me If You Can island-hopping U.S. teen burglar eludes police

On this day in history: October 9, 1989 - Three aliens and their UFO visit Voronezh, USSR, according to the TASS news agency.

Born on this day in history: October 9, 1940 - John Lennon (1940 - 1980 ) Born in Liverpool, England, musician John Lennon was the Beatles rhythm guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist, and, with Paul McCartney, songwriter. Lennon was shot and killed by a deranged fan.

Scripture of the Day: Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. - Psalm 34:9

Video of the Day: Lamp Post Fail - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this vehicle in the parking lot at Walmart while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

My Morning Miracle: Each evening, I place in a small glass bowl the various medications and vitamins I take each morning. I have done this for many, many years. I arise in the morning and take my medications and vitamins by the light on the refrigerator door. This procedure has worked flawlessly, and I have never varied from it—until this morning! I was led by what could only be a voice from God to turn on the kitchen ceiling light. When I looked at the bowl of medications and vitamins, I quickly realized that I had neglected to place into the bowl a very important medication. Had I not been directed to turn on the kitchen light, I would not nave known of this error! Praise God!

Free Anti-virus/Anti-malware from Microsoft:Microsoft offers free anti-virus/anti-malware software. I am using it, and it is quick and effective. I recommend it! Click the following link to go directly to the download site. Microsoft Security Essentials

Technology News
Microsoft prepping "starter" edition of Office 2010
Microsoft to release 13 patches next Tuesday
Microsoft finalizes Exchange 2010

iPhone News
Apple releases OS 3.1.2
The future of iPhone games
USA Today releases iPhone travel app
Rock Band coming to the iPhone
TomTom car kit now available through The Apple Store

Fighting Back, Bigfoot!, -and- Let's Do Lunch!

noreply@blogger.com (David Louis Harter) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Fighting Back - British punk bullies the wrong man - martial artist's response becomes Internet sensation
Bigfoot! - world's largest footprints found
Let's Do Lunch! - teacher accused of stealing students' lunch money

On this day in history: October 8, 1966 - Lysergic Acid (LSD) is enrolled on the list of controlled substances.

Born on this day in history: October 8, 1970 - Matt Damon (1970 - ) Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, actor Matt Damon was studying English at Harvard, but left early to pursue a career in acting. He went on to star in Good Will Hunting (1997), a film he wrote in partnership with co-star Ben Affleck. Later films include Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), and The Bourne Identity (2002).

Scripture of the Day: Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. — Psalm 34:8

Video of the Day: The Original Scary Mary Poppins Recut Trailer- submitted by Chris

Imagine my surprise when I encountered these fashion statements while wandering through Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

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