Apple Notebook Hacked in under Two Minutes!!

Apple has long bragged that their operating system and programs are much more secure than Windows.

Not anymore.

Yes, my Windows XP machines may need security and anti-malware software packages, but at least it takes longer than 120 seconds to access my information.

Things that make you go hmmm.....

There's always Room in the Inn

Another night last night serving our visitors from the Nashville Campus for Human Development.

It's just caring for 14 men for a single night. But there's something very satisfying about giving them a place to sleep where they won't be ripped off, a hot shower, a chance do do some laundry and sharing a hot meal or two with them.

My favorite is cooking a big breakfast for them before they load into the van at 6:00 am to go to work or school that morning. They rarely get a hot breakfast -- mostly just cereal and donuts. My friends and I make eggs, grits (duh), sausage and toast (biscuits are a little too much work at 5 am). Fourteen men make short work of four dozen eggs, four pounds of sausage, a pound of grits and three loaves of Texas toast!

The children help to set up the bedding, set the tables, prepare the showers with clean towels and soap, and serve the men their beverages. They love it!

The ladies generally cook dinner, but if Mark's in the kitchen everybody else just stays out of his way.

An evening well-spent.

The 1924 Nashville City Phone Directory!

You never know what you'll find on the internet!

Click here if you want to take a look at the entire 1924 Nashville phone directory.

There are other cities posted -- click through to see if your town is there!

I like this approach and slogan

I'm not 100% sure that I agree with the AARP on everything that they've rolled into this campaign because I've yet to read all of their ideas, but I definitely love their slogan and the logo that they've created.

Generally, I run conservative, but really I'm a Libertarian at heart. Someone that believes that government should generally shut up and get the heck out of the way. I, for the most part, believe that government should use my/our money to protect our borders, keep the peace and maintain common infrastructure and little more.

All of the partisan bickering and grandstanding is wasting time, effort and funds that we need to apply to the issues at hand -- because they aren't going away without action. And, for the record, Nancy Pelosi's whining and Lindsey Graham's introducing symbolic bills and resolutions to prove points isn't getting anything done.

Both parties have problems. Both sides of the aisle are at fault. Let's find something that works.

That current way isn't working.

Ling Ling Pot Stickers Rock!

This is one of those "Dad's cooking tonight" meals that the kids and I love.

Ling Ling potstickers (with the included dipping sauce), sticky Asian rice and a green veggie on the side, typically steamed broccoli.

They come frozen in a huge package; we eat half the package at an average dinner. The best part -- they are done in ten minutes! My daughter can practically eat her weight in them. My son can eat his weight in just about anything, and these are no exception.

We had them tonight. Mom's got to get some more at Costco on the next trip!!

Even More evidence of media bias

This story about former Governor of New Jersey, Jim McGreevy, as tawdry as it is, doesn't mention his party affiliation.

An acrimonious divorce, kinky sex, lying under oath, homosexuality, creating sham jobs for his homosexual lovers and embezzling state money for pleasure trips is apparently too hot for the journalists. They couldn't possibly mention that he was a DEMOCRAT. Party affiliation isn't mentioned ONCE.

People, Gov. McGreevey ADMITTED these things. Yet he gets a PASS from the press. Larry Craig was ALLEGED to approach someone in an awkward situation for sex ONE TIME and the Republican party affiliation is mentioned in the opening!!! And this is from FOX NEWS, supposedly the most right-leaning network!

Oy. My head hurts.

Win a New Toughbook CF-52!!!

One of my Panasonic Toughbook dealers is running a great promotion on the relatively new Toughbook CF-52 15.4" wide-screen semi-rugged notebook.



I think that the video is a bit risque, but, if you identify the ten references to 52 in the short, you can win a seriously great portable computer.

Of course, you can also win $5200. Not bad for a few minutes of work!

Yawn. This is news?

Really, honestly, I don't care about some politician's tawdry prostitute.

I don't care what she looks like.

I don't care what her name is.

I don't care what she wants to be.

I don't care if she thinks it's all unfair.

Why is this story in the news? Are people that nosy? Is this what selling newspapers has come to?

Very sad. Very sad.

Franktown Rocks Pizza Game!

Our friend Rob is at it again! He's released the preliminary version of the Franktown Rocks pizza making game!

You can get a "job" at Rolf's Pizza Parlor just by clicking here. Once you're making pizzas, you have to keep up with the customer demands or you can get fired! That means no burnt pizzas, no pizzas with the wrong ingredients and certainly no slacking!

By the way, Rob is a Christian, and he's planning to work those themes into his kid's site. Since he will be accepting sponsorships from companies, he's going to be a little limited in what he can put on the site, but all of the activities are based opon living the right way. Since music will play a large role in this imaginary town, he will be selecting Christian artists and uplifting music rather than the typical pop music fare.

Have fun!

More Media Bias

The unfortunate case of New York governor Elliot Spitzer points out another case of media bias.

When a Republican in office is exposed for scandalous behavior, the headlines read "Republican Senator in Trouble" -- a smear on the whole party. However, when a Democrat, like Gov. Spitzer, is embroiled in scandal, he stands alone. The headlines read, as in the referenced article, "Is scandal enough to sink Spitzer for good?".

I might also quible about the wording a little; this headline is simply a question, not a condemnation. Compare that with "Idaho Senator Larry Craig Busted in a Gay Sex Sting". Certainly more inflamatory.

Bias. The media leans left. Always remember that.

Hidden Talents

Jim Knight, a friend of mine from church, has always been a person of hidden talents. He's a recently retired airline pilot, flying mostly DC-10's for FedEx for many years. His chosen vocation has allowed him ample time to pursue a number of interests -- he spent months in the hurricane Katrina relief effort, and he's restored his share of cars and Cushman minibikes. Additionally, our congregation's music leader, a perfectionist of sorts, gives Jim this high praise about his singing abilities: "Jim has a habit of actually reading the music and actually singing it as it is written."

But I had no idea that he was also an author of an authoritative work on American gangsters of the 1930's. Sometimes it takes a newspaper man to bring these things out!

See pics of his car below. Click to enlarge.

The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes. Denmark's answer to our own White Stripes, in a way. At least on the surface since they are a rock-n-roll man/woman duo playing very sparsely arranged music.

I suppose the comparison should end there, since the Raveonettes seem more influenced by shoe gazers My Bloody Valentine and Lush than anything closely resembling the White Stripes. Additionally, it is the female half of the duo providing the vocals here.

I like them.

If you like feedback, distorted guitars and languid, even halting delivery, the Raveonettes are for you. Check out their recent record, Lust Lust Lust -- it's a keeper.

Watching the History Channel - Old Testament Edition

Most of the "extra" (apochryphal) stories that provide some color behind the Old Testament I know a little about. For instance, Bel and the Dragon that illuminates the tradition of Daniel, for example, I've heard different arguments about. In truth, it doesn't contradict the story of Daniel, it simply provides more of the same types of stories about Daniel's resistance of the Sumarian (Babylonian) culture of idol worship. OK, whatever.

However, I'd never heard the Lilith story -- Lilith the first wife of Adam.

Apparently, the story goes that she was made from dust as was Adam -- and becuase of her equality, she and Adam didn't get along. In a rage, she spoke the name of God (the Jewish Yaweh) and was immediately drawn up into heaven. Forever cursed since she refused to return to Adam, Lilith then becomes an evil spiritual being blamed for everything from infant deaths to male infidelity.

Seems a little far-fetched. But, some of the Bible is that way.

Of course, this isn't the Bible.