PDF Reader

When it came time to install a PDF reader on my Vista machine I decided to look for something other than the ever popular Adobe Reader, which is huge (66+ megs installed), slow, always wants to connect to the internet for one reason or another and tries to download other programs I don't want.

I found a great little program called Foxit Reader 2.0. It's small (3.93 megs installed), fast and free. This is now my default PDF reader on all my Windows machines. Did I mention it is fast? I love programs that do what they are supposed to do and just work.

Try it, you'll like it.

I'm Connected!

To the internet, that is. The new PepWave Surf AP came yesterday and it works like a charm. I had some trouble connecting the Apple Powerbook with WEP/WPA encryption (it kept saying the password was wrong - it was not) so I ended up leaving it with no encryption but the way it is set up you can't tell there is a separate access point from the city WiFi - it is just increasing the signal strength. The Windows computers (XP and Vista) both had no trouble with the encryption, as easy as putting in the password.

I thought Apple got along with everyone? Guess it's really not that easy, eh. I am really disappointed in the Apple computer. There's a lot of hype about it and I'm following the adventures of some that recently switched to Apple and are now enamored with it - as I was - but they will come to realize that it's just another operating system with it's own faults and problems and it's far from perfect. It's a tool, it has it's strengths and weaknesses - just like Windows.

Anyway, I'm happy I finally have high speed wireless throughout the house with no monthly charge. Yeah!

By the way, if you live in an area with city-wide WiFi, I highly recommend the PepWave Surf AP. Definitely a worthy investment.

When Lizards Attack

That's funny.

When Fish Attack

Girl's Leg Broken By Jumping 3-Foot Sturgeon

A 6-year-old girl's leg was broken when she was struck by a sturgeon while riding on a boat in the Suwannee River, wildlife officials said.

That's gotta hurt.

Hamlin said the commission is trying to increase awareness of the sturgeon attacks and warning people to go slow while boating on the Suwannee River.

Sturgeon attacks, eh? Premeditated?

Lightning

We get a lot of lightning here in Central Florida but I don't remember hearing about as many homes being struck and catching fire as seems to be happening this year.

Lightning Destroys Central Fla. Home

Passing Nurse Saves Woman From Lightning-Sparked Fire

Lightning Destroys Seminole County Home"

Maybe I just wasn't paying attention though.

I Was Thirsty

A five-acre glacial lake in Chile's southern Andes has disappeared — and scientists want to know why.

Sorry.

What Are They Thinking?

They are not thinking, that has to be it. Why would you wear a shirt or some other item of clothing with a picture of Mao or Che or some other mass-murderer on it. Are they advertising their ignorance or do they really agree with the policies of these thugs. George Bush is a murderer but Mao, Che, Castro and Stalin are cool? Why not just wear a shirt that says "Agree with me or I'll kill you!"

Open minded? Their mind is so open everything fell out.

Cameron's bag raises a few eyebrows

It's getting to where you can't even watch a movie anymore, who wants to support people like this? Not me.

Gates vs. Jobs

"What's up with that music? It's like baby music."

Man vs. Bear

Hot Tuna Sandwich

I made this the other day and it was delicious. I like to use the tuna fillets in olive oil but any canned tuna will do fine. Mix in a little mayo and Mrs. Dash seasoning blend (I like extra spicy). You can put some celery and/or fresh herbs if you like - whatever. Spread on a good rye bread and top with some slices of Cabot's habanero cheddar cheese (or whatever) and put it under the broiler open-faced and cheese up. When the cheese has melted don't take it out yet, let it brown and even get a little crunchy. Yum.

This Doesn't Happen Very Often

Man Survives Bobcat Attack by Choking Animal to Death

WiFi ... Not Just Yet

I received the PepWave Surf Monday but they sent the wrong one. They sent the 200BG but I had ordered and paid more for the 200BG-AP (it acts as a wireless access point for all the computers in your house). I will have to return it. The good news is it works. It picks up the city WiFi and I get a nice, high speed connection - just not wirelessly, yet.

Didn't Anyone Ever Tell You It's Rude To Stare

We were in a Burger King today (because James wanted a Silver Surfer toy and for no other reason) and after we sat down a woman came and sat across from us. She was leaning forward on the table staring at us or me (I don't know) and talking and arguing (on the phone?). I don't know, there was no phone and no headset that we could see. Still, I think she was on the phone.

Anyway, I told Irma I wanted to sit somewhere else. Apparently I was being too sensitive. I don't like people staring at me, she's not even turning away, just a very intense stare. Now I was being insensitive, she could be mentally ill. I really didn't care what the deal was with the woman, I just wanted to get out of her immediate field of vision. I wasn't going to be rude or insult her or anything like that. I moved, Irma didn't. No big deal, at least I got to eat comfortably and in peace.

As we were leaving the woman went outside and began intensely arguing with some guy. Suddenly, Irma was in a hurry to get away from her.

Mark Steyn Has It Right ...

The Immigration bill is a fraud

I wouldn't presume to speak for the millions of Americans who oppose this bill, but it's because I'm an immigrant myself that I object to the most patent absurdity peddled by the pro-amnesty crowd. The bill is fundamentally a fraud. Its ''comprehensive solution'' to illegal immigration is simply to flip all the illegals overnight into the legal category. Voila! Problem solved! There can be no more illegal immigrants because the Senate has simply abolished the category. Ingenious! For their next bipartisan trick, Congress will reduce the murder rate by recategorizing murderers as jaywalkers.

No Modem, No Cry

My modem is not recognized by Vista and my investigations have led me to believe it may not even be possible to get it to work, since it was made by Diamond many moons ago, and I cannot find a matching driver. Tried a few, no go.

What I did do was find the PePWave Surf Wi-Fi modem, which should get me connected to my town's Wi-Fi mesh.

I have high hopes and I'll let you know how it works out.

Long Day, Vista Installed

It was not a long day because of Vista, I'm happy to report.

I had to take Joshua to the dentist Thursday morning because he had cracked his front tooth in the bathroom. This was a follow-up appointment, but he was having some discomfort. They decided he needed a root canal and to cap his tooth, so the 1 hour appointment turned into hours, then a trip to the pharmacy to pick up some medication for him and by the time I got home it was 2pm. He's OK but he didn't like what he had to go through. Can't say as I blame him.

I went to bed after getting home and woke up at 8:30pm - couldn't sleep any more. Around 9pm I decided to mess around installing Vista too see what happens. About 9:20pm, Vista is installed and working - mostly. I need a driver for my video card to get it up to speed. Amazingly easy.

I needed to download the drivers from ATI - well, I've done it now. Not 100% sure what it is though. It's a 69 meg program, the same program that was on the CD that came with the video card, but updated to work in Vista. I'm assuming it contains the drivers because that's what the website said I was getting and there were only two choices - 32 bit or 64 bit. Unfortunately, I had to wait until I got to work to do it, I can't connect to the internet with that computer right now because the external modem connects to the computer with a serial port and I don't presently have a serial port. Kind of upgraded myself out of one. I ordered a serial to USB connector and I'll have it Tuesday.

Why don't I have broadband? My town has free WIFI access and I was getting the signal until recently. Why pay for something I can get free? Besides, I'm not very fond of the cable company or the phone company and I'm not anxious to give them any more of my money, they're already getting an outrageous amount. Might have to bite the bullet though.

Well, that's all I have on Vista right now, I'm glad I did it. I need a bigger monitor. And a comfortable chair.

Gotta Love Computers!

As I said previously, I am rebuilding my desktop computer. The parts all came in and I put it together yesterday, but it didn't work. It's been driving me crazy! It's an AMI bios and when booting up it beeps 3 times, indicating a memory problem. I swapped the ram modules, reseated everything, tried changing bios settings related to memory - nothing would work. I searched the internet for the problem and the problem is out there, but the solution seems only to be either bad memory or a bad motherboard. Not a lot of help. I started considering returning the motherboard for another - the memory is good - but I really didn't want to do that.

If you go to NewEgg.com or a similar site you see all the user reviews and some say the part didn't work, it's a piece of crap, etc. Many times it is because the person really doesn't understand what they are doing. I really didn't want to return this motherboard because of a stupid problem I could have fixed. But what was the problem?

As it turns out the bios gives some error codes in the lower right of the screen while booting. They go fast and are hard to catch but I wrote them down and googled them. Bingo! Here the solution right here - at least for me it was. Thank you qldit.

It is possible that you are using a USB keyboard which will not be operative at that point. If this is the case try a PS-2 keyboard

What does that have to do with memory? I don't know! But I used a PS-2 keyboard and it worked. Sometimes the simplest solution is what works.

Next problem. Windows XP SP1 won't install, it has to be SP2. No problem, you can slipstream SP2 into SP1 and burn a bootable disc. I did that. It asks for the original Windows XP Professional disc - OK, then it asks for the Windows Professional SP2 disc - OK, I have an SP2 disc, but it's not specifically for XP Professional. It says it's good for Home, Professional, etc. I put it in but it will not except it. It's not what it wants, apparently. I could try some things and burn another cd but I ordered Windows Vista and will be receiving it tomorrow so I will not bother.

Let's see how it goes tomorrow.

Two Sides of Love

When I say that He came to reveal God as love I do not mean to say He revealed the fact that God is tender, and pitiful, and gracious, and compassionate at the expense of holiness and righteousness and truth. There is no fiercer fire burning in the universe of God than the fire of God's love; and if you could for one moment persuade me that God was merely a God of pity, then you would persuade me that the whole fabric of the universe is unsafe. He came to show men that God is love, and He revealed the love of God not merely in the tender, sweet, and gentle words that perpetually fell from his lips, but in the fiery, white-hot scorn that He poured forth as a lava flood against some, for you never find Jesus angry but that if you track His anger back to it's source you will find His anger proceeded from His love.

Perhaps the simplest illustration is the best. He was angry - do not forget it, my masters, He was angry when He said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the Kingdom of heaven." We nearly always repeat that word as though it was some soft sweetness falling from His lips. Put the thunder in the next time you repeat it, or you miss something. The disciples were preventing the children. The disciples imagined He could have no time for children, and He was angry when He said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not," and there was thunder in His voice. Why was He angry? Because a little child was to be kept away from him, and the thunder was as much an expression of His love as the sweet winsomeness of the permission given to the children to come. When I see Him with those bairns in his arms, and His dear hands upon their heads, and His face wreathed with laughter as He looked into their eyes, I see His love no more than when He rebuked the disciples for preventing their approach.

Or when He said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" I listen and I hear Him finish His sentence, and I find the reason of the thunder, "Ye shut the Kingdom of heaven against men." At the back of all the anger is love, and He came to reveal God to man as the God of love in all the fullness of the word.

--G.Campbell Morgan

What Nation Was Established On These Principles?

Notice still further how He defended the dignity and rights of men against all forms of tyranny and oppression. Listen to His Woes. He began his ministry with "Blessed." He ended it with "Woe." Over against the eight beatitudes are the eight curses. It is an interesting study. But listen to the Woes. They are all hurled against men who tyrannize and oppress; and the whole teaching of Jesus concerning man is that a man has no right to bind himself beneath tyranny and be content. The teaching of Jesus is that there may be a good deal of incipient blasphemy in the popular idea that a man should stay in the position wherein he was born, and be content. The teaching of Jesus is that every man has inherent rights, and any man who comes between the individual and the throne of God is to be dealt with drastically, and the woe that falls from the lips of incarnate purity is pronounced against him.

-- G. Campbell Morgan

Oh, how far we have fallen.

The More Things Change ...

Wherever He went He said, “Repent,” which meant, Change your mind, your thinking is wrong, your action is wrong, you have departed from the center of things, your measurements are false, your balances are evil, your judgments are perverted! He flung against the materialized age the force of His spiritual conception. He made heaven’s light break upon earth’s darkness. The Voice of God sounded again in the deeps of human nature, and o’re all the region as He passed, men felt the atmosphere of heaven enwrapping them, and they hurried after Him, for never Man spake as He spake. That is the deeper secret in the ministry of Jesus. He was a voice from God, nay, the very Word of God incarnate, speaking in the syllables of human speech, and yet with all the force of infinite truth. What are men to do with that truth? My brethren, then as today, men standing in the presence of Christ have but one alternative. They must do one of two things. They must either crown Him or crucify Him. There is no middle course. And if you ask me why they crucified Christ, I tell you it was because they declined to submit themselves to the spiritual conceptions which He proclaimed, because they would have none of his views of things, because in their deepest heart, notwithstanding all their religiousness, they were godless. And when they silenced that voice, they silenced the voice of the infinite. When they took that Man to the cross, they flung out the One Who had offended them by revealing the fact that all their thinking and all their life were false.

And yet again. The Cross of Jesus viewed from the Divine side was the logical issue of His own teaching. He Who might have summoned the legions of heaven to His side submitted to the Cross, and so by a mystery of healing love transformed the world’s curse into God’s benediction.

The very spear that pierced His side
Drew forth the blood to save.

All this was utterly beyond their comprehension. All this they could not answer, nor did they see the faintest gleam of it’s light. They were scandalized in Him, and crucified Him; and the Cross became the stumbling block, the offense, the scandal of the age.

Men are still enslaved, waste and want abound on every hand. I need not stay with it's description. What I want to say is this, that everything Jesus stood for, and everything that the cross really means as to deep underlying principle, is as unpopular today as when Jesus was crucified. The age is not Christianized. The thinking of the age, the planning of the age, the policy of the age are not Christian, and the scandal of the Cross has not ceased. This living Christ of God, dying on the Cross, is as much crucified in our midst today as He was of old.

--G. Campbell Morgan

Yeah, this was G. Campbell Morgan day. I'm reading through his works now, don't be surprised to see more of it.

And He said to me, Son of man, all My Words which I speak to you, receive into your heart, and hear with your ears. Ezekiel 3:10

Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house. They have eyes to see, but they do not see; they have ears to hear, but they do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. Ezekiel 12:2

The one having ears to hear, let him hear.Matthew 11:15

The 60 Story House

606 people will live there, 600 of them to take care of 6. No wonder it's so big.