Shopping for new computers.

Such fun. Such a pain in the posterior. What type? Laptop, tablet, desktop? What brand? Dell? Compaq? HP? Toshiba? The list goes on. How much memory? Hard drive space? Screen size? On this one goes, as well.
Which OS? Windows and which variant? XP, Vista? Apple and, again, which variant?
OS X, Leopard? Linux -and the learning curve that comes along with that one. Which add-ons will we need to buy? Mice, thumb drives, cases, back-packs, batteries.

What ever we do end up getting, and we are pretty much decided on brand/s and OSes and all the stuff that is included on that front, it'll be better than a desktop that was handed down to us by father when he bought a new desktop five years ago.
At that point the handed down comp. was already two or three years old. At least it had XP.

Either way, it means brand new. NO MORE second hand electronics for us.
A few weeks to go and this will all be taken care of. I'll be able to sit in a comfy chair or lounge in bed and post to this blog. Jen'll be able to surf while I chat with friends two time-zones away on AIM. We can go to the local StarBux or other WiFI-enabled local and browse the latest headlines that are of interest. All that and more.

Now for the pain in the posterior part. Making sure that the programs we use the most are either copied to disc for easier movig to the laptop or downloaded to the new computers.
It also means that any shared programs have the appropriate personal files moved to the appropriate computer.

I'll post more on this later. In the mean time, Jen and I get to "shop" via the current POS and get an idea of what's out there, which additional items we'll need to purchase now and which can wait for a bit.

-More to come

Minor annoyances

Seems like the small things annoy me more than the big things.

EXAMPLE
The minor bit about being able to log in, view my
blog and NOT being able to edit
it right from the post.

Minor I know. I like that feature.

Add to this: The feature reappears as soon as I post about it.
Ghost in the Machine I guess


-More to come

Death. Part II

While reading Mr. Nighttime's latest post, I am reminded of how I wish to be burried.
Like him, I don't want my remains to be placed in a coffin. -See my post on Death.
I wish to be cremated. Not in the usual sense, though. I'd like it to be in the tradition -if that is what it truly is- of the Vikings. Place my body on a bier and light the Pyre. Honor my life, have a grand celebration and scatter the ashes off the cliffs of Wasington State. The closer to the ocean and the north-western most part is prefrable. I have always had a thing for the North West portion of the US and would love to visit/move there some day. If it happens it happens.
If it happens after I die, so be it.

My wife doesn't know about the scattering part or having it done in Washingto State.
She'd rather I have my body placed in a coffin and burried. Then, when it is her
time, she wants to be placed next to me. I don't see the need for our bodies to be placed "six feet under" in this manner. That's just me.

-More to come

Government Spying/Control

Since 9/11 our government, in its infinite wisdom, has felt the need to spy (secretly) on our populace. I'm all for LEGAL means of obtaining information but. when it comes to getting this through WARRANTLESS means, I have issues.

If I commit a crime, the police need to obtain a warrant to get any evidance that isn't "in plain sight". Our government, with help, is skirting these rules.

Example
Documents recently obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) have diclosed that
two of the major telecommunicatons companies in the US have tried to block civil suits that they helped the Government spy on it's citizens telephonic communication with out first getting the appropriate warrant(s).

To quote part of an on-line Newsweek article dated April 30, 2008:

"The Bush administration is refusing to disclose internal e-mails, letters and notes showing contacts with major telecommunications companies over how to persuade Congress to back a controversial surveillance bill, according to recently disclosed court documents.

"The existence of these documents surfaced only in recent days as a result of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by a privacy group called the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The foundation (alerted to the issue in part by a NEWSWEEK story last fall) is seeking information about communications among administration officials, Congress and a battery of politically well-connected lawyers and lobbyists hired by such big telecom carriers as AT&T and Verizon. Court papers recently filed by government lawyers in the case confirm for the first time that since last fall unnamed representatives of the telecoms phoned and e-mailed administration officials to talk about ways to block more than 40 civil suits accusing the companies of privacy violations because of their participation in a secret post-9/11 surveillance program ordered by the White House. "

This all frightens me. We are starting to look like a polie state. Our government gaining more control over what and how things are done. Is this the way it needs to begin? I hope not.

I am reminded of "2112" by Rush. Neil Peart, the chief lyracist of the group
was, at the time of the album's writing and release, reading a fair ammount of Ayn Rand's works. This album takes ques from "Anthem".

I. OVERTURE -------------------------------------------------------------
"I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening. My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons. I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found something that changed it all..." Anonymous, 2112

(Lyric)
"And the meek shall inherit the earth."

II. THE TEMPLES OF SYRINX ------------------------------------------------------------- .. "The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests...

(Lyric)
" We've taken care of everything The words you hear the songs you sing The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes. It's one for all and all for one We work together common sons Never need to wonder how or why. We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx Our great computers fill the hallowed halls. We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx All the gifts of life are held within our walls. Look around this world we made Equality our stock in trade Come and join the Brotherhood of Man Oh what a nice contented world Let the banners be unfurled Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand. We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx Our great computers fill the hallowed halls. We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx All the gifts of life are held within our walls.

III. DISCOVERY -------------------------------------------------------------
.. "Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful" ...
... "I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds, and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the priests about it! ...

(Lyric)
" What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it gives forth a sound It's got wires that vibrate and give music What can this thing be that I found? See how it sings like a sad heart And joyously screams out its pain Chords that build high like a mountain Or notes that fall gently like rain. I can't wait to share this new wonder The people will all see its light Let them all make their own music The Priests praise my name on this night.

IV. PRESENTATION -------------------------------------------------------------
.. "In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall." ... ... "Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet...

(Lyric)
" I know it's most unusual To come before you so But I've found an ancient miracle I thought that you should know Listen to my music And hear what it can do There's something here as strong as life I know that it will reach you.
The Priests: Yes, we know it's nothing new It's just a waste of time We have no need for ancient ways The world is doing fine Another toy will help destroy The elder race of man Forget about your silly whim It doesn't fit the plan.

I can't believe you're saying These things just can't be true Our world could use this beauty Just think what we might do. Listen to my music And hear what it can do There's something here as strong as life I know that it will reach you.

The Priests: Don't annoy us further We have our work to do. Just think about the average What use have they for you? Another toy will help destroy The elder race of man Forget about your silly whim It doesn't fit the plan.

V. ORACLE: THE DREAM -------------------------------------------------------------
.. "I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase" ...
... "I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things ...

(Lyric)
" I wandered home though the silent streets And fell into a fitful sleep Escape to realms beyond the night Dream can't you show me the light? I stand atop a spiral stair An oracle confronts me there He leads me on light years away Through astral nights, galactic days I see the works of gifted hands That grace this strange and wondrous land I see the hand of man arise With hungry mind and open eyes They left the planet long ago The elder race still learn and grow Their power grows with purpose strong To claim the home where they belong Home, to tear the Temples down... Home, to change..

VI. SOLILOQUY -------------------------------------------------------------
.. "I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.

(Lyric)
" The sleep is still in my eyes The dream is still in my head I heave a sigh and sadly smile And lie a while in bed I wish that it might come to pass Not fade like all my dreams Just think of what my life might be In a world like I have seen I don't think I can carry on Carry on this cold and empty life Oh...noo. My spirits are low in the depths of despair My lifeblood spills over..

VII. GRAND FINALE -------------------------------------------------------------
(Spoken by the Head Priest)
ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION, ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION, ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION, WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL, WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL

True, the Anonymous author takes his own life. I do not see this happening. What I do see is the control that our government is, in some small way, starting to impose on us.

-More to come