The little one and me, recently.

'Law & Order' Actor Jerry Orbach Dies

This is sad. The article reveals that "last month, Orbach's manager Robert Malcolm announced Orbach had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had been receiving treatment for the disease since the spring."

Being a Fan of Law & Order and impressed with his French accent as Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Lesson here: Don't skip your checkups! Miss ya guy!

MTV.com - Movies - News - 'Law & Order' Actor Jerry Orbach Dies

I'm Abe Lincoln

Thanks to a fellow blogger and co-worker I know who I am most like (those who do know me are probably chuckling):

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Visit Google: Pictures of Googleplex

I lifted this link off the Google blog feed. 6S (a Search optimization company) visited the Googleplex. All can say is "Wow!" Those fortunate to work in this environment and others like it...you are a lucky few. It is no wonder people in world class facilities (generally) are inspired to turn out world class products and services.

And please don't leave me comments about how H & P started HP from that garage in Palo Alto.

I know not all of us work in world class facilities and (still) turn out some amazing products and services.

Not all of us are there at the start of a great company. In later generations of a company you might need something more than a great product or service to maintain morale. An extrodinary investment in employees through your office set-up, benefits and cafeteria show what you mean to the Joe or Jane in the cubefarm.

Visit 6S photo album of the Googleplex.

Columnists : Dave Barry -- on Herald.com (and why the "free" Web site subscription model should die),

I would post a link on my blog to Dave Barry however, his home newspaper the Miami Herald chooses to use a sign up to receive greater access to his column. Additional "benefits" are described as "Offers from our partner Cool Savings".

This is what is wrong with the Internet. I start reading Dave's "Year End In Review" and because I have exceeded some arbitrary number of pages on the Herald's Web site I am repeatedly shown a sign-up form. How utterly annoying! Not only this but, because of this subscription model, Dave's blog is merely a list of links to news items sent by his astute readers. Boring.

Guess, I'll catch Dave's column in the local paper. Thanks anyway!

Happy Holidays

Blogging on a holiday? Loser? Yes to the first question. No to the second.
We have an interesting tradition. On the eve (mostly) adults exchange gifts. Although there were Quatro Lego blocks for the little one. We eat hors d orves and generally chill out (e.g. champagane, drinks, etc.).

In the morning we let the little one discover the gifts from St. Nick, have breakfast, take a nap and clean-up. Right now, we're on break between all that and heading to the in-laws for dinner.

Real nice holiday. Everyone is healthy (or healing) right now and for that I am grateful for the blessings of this holiday season.
Hope you and yours are enjoying as well.

You Need This: SpoofStick

If you're on the Internet at all and you use IE or Firefox you're going to want to get this freebie. Trust me.

As the Internet and E-mail become more and more a cesspool were the average user is preyed upon DAILY this little tool will help let you know where you truly are on the Internet. (At least until someone finds a way to hack this little gem).

I am no longer recommending this add-on too buggy in IE 6.0.
It's too bad... a good idea, incompletely implemented.

Day By Day by Chris Muir, cartoon for: 12/22/2004

Damn, Chris. Thanks for the comment and today's toon! Jan Lovely. Who's the inspiration for your characters? Do tell.

Day By Day by Chris Muir, cartoon for: 12/22/2004

Coca-Cola & Playstation "Unwrap the Experience" Undercap Promo SUCKS

I drink a fair amount of the brown, sugar and caffeine beverage. I'll go so far as to say I like it but, frankly Coke's latest undercap contest sucks.

(2) 2-liters, (2) 12 pack cans, (2) 12 pack 16.9 oz bottles later...nada...zip.zilch! Not even a free drink! Checking the RULES I've got a 1:12 shot at a coupon. Guess the odds aren't in my favor this time around. I bet the Coke execs are "ho, ho, ho" all the way to the bank;moving the syrup like they wanted.

Happy Holidays!

Day By Day is Back!

Fellow blogger tipped me off to the return of Day by Day. Welcome back! Now, I have something to read everyday.

Love the hiphuggers on Jan ;)

Day By Day by Chris Muir, cartoon for: 12/1/2004

Undoing the Industrial Revolution (Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox)

This is one of those topics that I can not contribute anything worthwhile to and will simply pass along the reference to those who visit my blog

Undoing the Industrial Revolution (Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox)

The Daily News, Jacksonville NC: "Tax-code reform can prove costly
December 12,2004
STAFF REPORT
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Guess what they're talking about in Raleigh once again.
If you said 'taxes,' move to the front of the class.
According to The Insider, a state government news service, people from Gov. Mike Easley's and House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan's staffs have gotten together to talk about the North Carolina tax code. Some folks on the state Senate staff are also talking about looking at the tax code.
There's talk of what to do about two 'temporary' taxes that are supposed to come off at the end of next June - the surcharge on the top income tax bracket and the half-cent sales tax that were adopted in 2001. The expiration of those taxes could result in a hit of about $500 million to the state treasury.
But let's remember, that also means that North Carolina taxpayers would have about $500 million more in spending money.
Other talk surrounds a possible increase in the cigarette tax.
Then there is talk of a much broader tax code rewrite. One suggestion would have the state apply the sales tax to services. Under one scenario of expanding the sales tax to services, the overall tax rate would b"

Miss You, Man

It's hard to know the impact that a musician or band has fully on oneself until you find out that somehow they have left this planet.
I like so many other millions of metal fans find myself at a loss for the tradegy that befell Dimebag.

Now, I will admit I have not followed the bandmembers since Vulgar but, there can be no mistaking that the mistreant involved in Dimebag's demise is the lowest form of scum to have been on this Earth. This piece of crap has met the end he deserverd. The perp was shot fatally by the police and this is some comfort to me.
The only more fitting end would be that friends and family could all join the cop in that response.
I can only hope the end of the murderer reduces the pain somehow for those that are even closer to Dimebag than myself.

Dimebag's contribution to the genre is incalculable and the influence he and his Pantera brothers had on my bass playing in the 90's was enormous.

Dimebag Darrell of Damageplan and Pantera Dies