Deanna La June Laney would probably be every American man’s ideal wife: pretty, high cheekbones, delicate features, wears clothes well. She’s every bit as cute as her folksy little name.
That Which Is In a Name
I suppose that most people take their names for granted, or assume that if they have one they hate, it’s to be put up with, like chronic acne or seasonal allergies.
Less Safe for Democracy
The DOW slid again yesterday, perilously close to 10,000, as the 9/11 commission prepares for what some consider its “most significant” hearings today on the efforts, or non-efforts, the current Administration has made to defeat al Qaeda.
Friday Five
If you…
1. …owned a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve?
Fat- and carbo-laden breakfast fare. Well, maybe I’d have some healthy stuff, too, whole grains, fruit, real yogurt, sushi, eggless omelets with interesting fillings, like guacamole or olive tapenade.
2. …owned a small store, what kind of merchandise would you sell?
I would sell goods that have no practical value but are absolutely beautiful in their own right, the kind of items that make life gracious and pleasurable, like stained glass, art books, gorgeous flatware. A combination museum store and Mikasa outlet.
3. …wrote a book, what genre would it be?
For lack of imagination, probably a biography or auto-biography.
4. …ran a school, what would you teach?
Something subversive that would undermine a loathesome institution or individuals, like medical doctors.
5. …recorded an album, what kind of music would be on it?
Music to code by: 60’s and fusion jazz, or swing and other 40’s big bands.
Foghorns and Snowplows
We seem to be at the tail end of the annual St. Patrick’s day snowstorm.
From my porch this morning, I can hear foghorns, unmuffled by the usual stream of traffic on the state highway that’s about a quarter mile away. The bumps and grinding of the plows explains the absence of car and truck noises; it’s probably rough going out there, with sunrise still half an hour away and snow predicted to last until 8 this morning.
Friday Five
Friday Five
1. What was the last song you heard?
Brazil by Kenny G
2. What were the last two movies you saw?
The Passion of the Christ and Cold Mountain.
3. What were the last three things you purchased?
a) Carvel cake
b) eHarmony membership
c) Birthday dinner at Cooke’s
4. What four things do you need to do this weekend?
a) Haircut
b) Coding
c) Dump run with Peter
d) Pick up flowers and pastry for Candy’s party
e) Sunday brunch with the girls (okay, five)
5. Who are the last five people you talked to?
a) Peter
b) Candy
c) My customer and work friend of 6+ years, Ron
d) Tim, a fellow web developer
e) Steve, a colleague from the User Group and also a web developer
You Say It’s Your Birthday?
It’s my birthday, too, yeah.
For us adoptees, birthdays are a time of mixed emotions. This day was one of the better ones.
The Way It Should Be
I think every child in America should live in Pennsylvania.
There, they really have got a handle on protecting kids from adults. Considering they are right next door to the child abuse capital of America, New Jersey, it’s particularly remarkable that these folks get it SO RIGHT, so often.
Back in Business
My Dell workstation, which bluescreened last weekend, is back in service.
I’m guessing that an anti-virus program attacked one or more of my system files; as a result, the standard recovery disk and normal restore procedures were ineffective.
Some Victory
One of the jurors in the Martha Stewart trial gloated that her conviction was “a victory for the little guys who lose money in the market”.
Whether or not the government made a valid case for obstruction of justice, etc., I’m completely puzzled by this remark.