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Sunday, February 27, 2005
My Compaq desktop came home from the computer doctor last night and is booting up like a real champ now. The CD Burner was terminal which makes sense because it had been a pain to use lately; after all, I did burn about 300 CDs, mp3-CDs and Photo Data CDs over the course of my large digitizing projects these past few years. I wore it out!
The replacement is a 52x32x52 drive, which will be fast. I haven't given it a test run yet. I should do this on Sunday.
Thursday night I managed to get to Borders to pick up the March selection for the Yahoo Bookworms Reading Group before we got hit with another 7 inches of snow. Another storm is on its way for Monday, and I wouldn't mind it if it caused us to have a rare snowday.
I also purchased the SAMS Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML and XHTML in 21 Days by Laura Lemay, Fourth Edition. I have an earlier edition, but there have been so many changes from HTML 3.2 to today's versions, in particular the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), that this later edition seems to be essential if I want to understand this blog's source code and to play with it.
I'm only beginning to get into tags. [Day/Chapter 4] In my previous attempt at 3.2 I just got through the beginning section on links [Day/Chapter 5] before getting sidetracked onto other, easier, diversions. This time I hope to stick with it.
Here is a little of what I learned tonight...unordered lists with special bullets:
Sunday Activities:
- Attend Mass
- Do Day 4 & 5 HTML studies
- Make Salmon & Red Onion recipe again
My attempt to add a link to one of my icons as special bullets instead of the circles did not work, so I guess I need to work on this some more tomorrow.
ETA: I'm sure some of my visitors are laughing their heads off by the above 'accomplishment', which is sort of Pre-School HTML. I laugh with you.
Posted at 2/27/2005 1:11:57 am by lifeonhold
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Tuesday, February 22, 2005
THE SELF
I think I should change the name of this blog to Minor Ailments to better reflect the Life that is Off Hold. Hopefully Minor is the correct adjective.
So far this year I've had:
- an abcessed tooth requiring a root canal
- and related sinus infection(s)
- requiring three courses of antibiotics
- then, the flu
- then, eye and sinus problems again
I saw an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist on the recommendation of my dentist and next week I'll have a CAT scan of the region. The fact that I'm having vision problems is particularly worrisome.
I also go for part 3 of the root canal/crown procedure on the same fun day.
THE DESKTOP COMPUTER
During these past few weeks my Compaq desktop computer has been giving me the cold shoulder in the form of not wanting to boot up into Windows XP. It just sits there with the big red Compaq logo with a flashing prompt in the right hand corner.
For a time, it would occasionally, randomly, boot up correctly. Sometimes this would be after sitting for an hour at the Compaq logo; sometimes I would CTRL-ALT-DEL it to death until it responded. This past weekend it failed to give me entry at all despite all my little tricks.
During it's rare up time I transferred most of my files to an external hard drive, so that's one good thing. I ran my Spyware and Virus programs and did everything I knew how to do (which isn't much). In my ignorance, I probably deleted some system file along the way.
Sooo, yesterday I disconnected everything....CPU, monitor, keyboard, speaker system, scanner, laser printer, deskjet printer, wireless mouse, modem, and USB hub and prepared it for a trip to the Computer Doctor. I also disconnected and moved around my DVD burner, VCR and TV that I have on my computer desk. I moved the TV another 18 inches back onto a separate table in case being 1 foot in front of a TV screen has something to do with my eye problems. (D'oh)
Now everything is wired for me to use with my laptop by merely plugging in the USB hub. I need to load some software and then I'll be good to scan, print, and transfer photos from my camera. Probably by the time I get this done, the Compaq will be fixed.
ONE MOVIE
I saw Million Dollar Baby on Sunday and aside from the ending, it was a great movie. I thought Hillary Swank did an excellent and seamless job in a great role. I also thought Clint Eastwood was great. The set designer also deserves kudos; the gym was visually interesting.
I'd hoped to see some of the other Oscar nominees this weekend, but inertia and the above maladies kept me home. I did see Ray and enjoyed it too. I might force myself to see The Aviator this Saturday since it seems to be the other top condender for Best Picture. I'm not a fan of Leonardo. I'd rather see Sideways, but it doesn't seem to be getting much attention and I suspect it will do just fine on DVD rental.
Posted at 2/22/2005 1:06:08 pm by lifeonhold
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Thursday, February 17, 2005
I Sing the Praises of Google
Google just saved me.
Somehow this morning all my desktop icons disappeared. I covertly played around during work with settings and everything I could think of to get them back. I ran my Anti-Virus program and deleted an Adware virus and rebooted, but still the icons were missing. It was as if the folder was hidden.
Windows and Dell Online help were useless.
Google, and several computer-minded people out there in cyberspace, to the rescue!!
I googled 'disappearing desktop icons' and sure enough Google gave me direct matches.
I was a victim of an ad-ware virus, but before messing with my Registry, I checked out another procedure given by a different person. The simpler procedure worked, probably because I'd already disabled the harmful virus, and I'm back to my cluttered desktop.
Thank you Google, and computer gods.
As for the nasty ad-ware, or whatever you were, back to you, bad karma.
Posted at 2/17/2005 1:02:20 pm by lifeonhold
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Monday, February 14, 2005
I don't share the unknown author's sentiments by any means,
but had to laugh anyway:
The Second Term Psalm
Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war,
I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism
Shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever
Posted at 2/14/2005 10:07:29 pm by lifeonhold
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I must have a 'death wish' or something.
In a fit of late afternoon hunger I ate an entire 16 ounce tub of Cottage Cheese.
Tonight I'm finishing off the Fetticini Alfredo from yesterday.
Of course I'm latose intolerant.
If you want me for anything I'll be doubled over in the corner in agony.
Posted at 2/14/2005 5:00:14 pm by lifeonhold
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1. What one song or melody can make you smile even when you're having a rotten day? My rotten days are almost entirely work-centered where I can't retreat into mood-changing music. I suppose I'd want music from the early 60s when times seemed innocent and lighter.
2. What are your plans for the day? How much of it do you think you'll actually accomplish? Work - complete inventory, enter A/P, do January report. Home - finish Bush At War (10 pages), read last 3 TIME mags, blog entry (done!), Lent readings, allergy shots, Staples for copies, struggle to fix my sick desktop computer, make dinner, do paperwork filing. I should get to everything except perhaps TIME and Staples. The computer might need Last Rites.
3. What television show do you most enjoy watching when you're all alone and can devote your complete attention to it? Lately it's been Project Runway on Bravo. I prefer watching my favorites while in chat, but I have no companions for this show.
4. What was the last thing you remember arguing with someone about? Well, it wasn't exactly an argument, but the president of company where I work and I had a disagreement about a week ago. He wanted to put up a sign in our little coffee area which gets a lot of non-company traffic that would be essentially be an open invitation for non-company people to frequent our area and supplies. Since I have been getting all the supplies for the area for nearly 7 years now, and already peeved by the slovenly and un-helpful habits of our own people, I was not too pleased. He was a little put off with my disagreement, but in the end he relented.
5. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #45 from Bud: Inspired by this article on cell phone technology, he asks, "What is your most aggravating public experience with a cell-phone user?" A women who works in the building where I work wears a headphone connected to her cell phone and seems to constantly talking to someone on it ... on her way into the building in the morning ... while walking in the hallway ... even in the bathroom. She is loud and has a self-important tone to her discussions that always turns me off. Give it a rest.
6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #46 from Stacy: Did you watch the Super Bowl and if you did, do you like the commercials, the half-time show OR the ceremony following the game the best? This year it was a three-way tie between the game, commercials and halftime show; each element was satisfactory, but maybe a little boring overall. As for the ceremony following the game....what ceremony? Do people really stay around for that?
Posted at 2/14/2005 12:56:02 pm by lifeonhold
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Friday, February 04, 2005
Anyone Got Any Flu-b-gone?
Woman with flu. The color is right, but where are the puffy eyes and puffy, drooping sinuses; dry or sticky, sour mouth; sore-ish throat, cough, chills, upset stomach, body aches and sundry other awful symptoms? Why is this women sitting up?
The flu moved in last evening and by the morning I could barely get up to call in to work. I forced myself up to have a little food and water, which I hope I can keep down. I don't think I have a fever yet, but I have the chills and body aches and the other stuff mentioned above.
I'm going to curl up in my recliner, drink hot tea, and watch Dodgeball.
Posted at 2/4/2005 6:55:22 pm by lifeonhold
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Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Groundhog Day 2005 - CNN
I love the way Phil paid attention to the speaker during his Announcement!
Phil
Punsxutawney Phil, the King of the Groundhogs, employed by Punsxutawney, PA, emerged to see his shadow. We shall have 6 more weeks of winter. The large crowd was not pleased, but Phil is just The Messenger.
I, however, am a little relieved. Six more weeks of winter seems to be the right amount in a cosmic scheme of things. It is better to endure things in their right order than to deal with the chaos of nature out of harmony.
Honey
Speaking of 'out of harmony', my little Honey has been drumming up some inner anxiety the past day. Last night she gave me a little hiss and backed away when I went to pet her on the bed from a standing position. I think she thought I was reaching to pick her up.
Then this morning she hopped up on the foot of the bed while my legs were moving towards the edge, effectively pushing her off. Well, this sent her into a tailspin. She merow-ed forlornly throughout the apartment, hiding in the livingroom, then under the bed. I had to coax her very carefully back into the bedroom and on the bed. She was all clammy cold from anxiety. She took my inadvertent actions as rejection and suddenly her whole world was collapsing around her!
I'm used to this anxiety during specific times - when I run the washing machine, use the Swiffer, and during thunderstorms. Now this! Actually she has been getting better in these other areas.
Posted at 2/2/2005 12:41:25 pm by lifeonhold
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Monday, January 31, 2005
Honey Still Awaits Her Petting
I've posted 15 times with 15 entries in January, the most ever on this, or my archived blogs. I'm very pleased with blogdrive.com and thank chefgracegeorge for paving the way to this blog site, and for sitemeter.com too.
I've tried to add more photos and graphics. I've purchased a blogdrive upgrade and now have a poll and few other features to play with. I've added a texture as an entry background. I've joined Yahoo's Bookworms, a book reading group, reading and discussing The Kite Runner, and have my books listed and linked in the sidebar.
Blog content remains a problem, but I'm aware of it and trying, little by little, to open up and find a blog-voice.
I seem to have lost most of my links from within other blogs since they have not been updated since I moved to Life Off Hold. The inactivity of Message In a Bottle ever since my father's death in July, and my run of depressing entries, seems to have ended traffic.
So, it's a real starting over. Lifeonhold is used to that. I'm happy with this month and have never enjoyed blogging more than now. It's Life Off Hold now.
Posted at 1/31/2005 10:43:59 pm by lifeonhold
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Sunday, January 30, 2005
A Historic, Thrilling Day
Today I am feeling proud, moved and happy for the Iraqi people who stood up for their freedom by voting today. The joy and pride of the voters was infectious and very moving. Of course there is a tremendous amount of work to do in the days, weeks and months ahead, but this has been an encouraging and empowering step.
Posted at 1/30/2005 6:50:25 pm by lifeonhold
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