Hooked on the Web?

Hooked on the Web: Help Is on the Way - New York Times: "Hooked on the Web: Help Is on the Way

The waiting room for Hilarie Cash's practice has the look and feel of many a therapist's office, with soothing classical music, paintings of gentle swans and colorful flowers and on the bookshelves stacks of brochures on how to get help.

But along with her patients, Dr. Cash, who runs Internet/Computer Addiction Services here in the city that is home to Microsoft, is a pioneer in a growing niche in mental health care and addiction recovery.

The patients, including Mike, 34, are what Dr. Cash and other mental health professionals call onlineaholics. They even have a diagnosis: Internet addiction disorder."

House Lights Are Up!

The problem is, they are not at my house!

Christmas Tree Is Up!

The first Christmas Tree in the new house.

Pixar Is Creating Another Winner!

Xbox 360 & Best Buy = Trouble

I was going to be in line on Monday, but just didn't have it in me. Now I am glad.

The Chipper Comes To Life!

I was recently bequeathed a chipper/shredder. This fine machine is designed for use on limbs and yard debris. This said device was recently brought home, and planning began on how to get the monster running. The previous owner had not used the chipper since last summer and the gas needed a tad bit of freshening, so I headed to the gas station, and bought "the good stuff." upon arriving home with the gas last night I eagerly filled the empty tank, opened the garage door to fresh air and planting both feed firmly, attempted to spin the engine. I pulled... And instead of the rope feeding out of the machine and the beast roaring to life, the 90 pound anchor just slides across the garage floor! As I was sure I had just pulled my arm out of it's socket, I walked around a bit before attempting the pull start again. This time I really took it by the numbers: Throttle on high - check. Choke on - check. Foot placed up against the tire - check. Firm grip on handle - check. Pull out on rope slowly until you feel the compression - check. YANK! This time the thing stayed put, but my hand flew off of the handle and passed my head on the right! CRAP! "I'm sure I just pulled my elbow out of it's socket!" I head back into the house and spend a little time with the manual, certain I was doing it right, but what the hell, my arm could use the rest.

Two more times I headed out to the garage and flat exhausted myself trying to get the 8 horse power engine to show me some sign of life! I finally shut the door, turn off the garage light and leave in disgust. I decide to name the chipper... Hell Spawn!

This morning: I have not slept well due to the soreness in my body from the battle fought and lost the night before. Today it will happen, I have a new plan. I find the starter fluid on the shelf and apply it as directed. The pulling is no easier, but this time there is the unmistakable sound of a combustion engine... For almost a whole second. This repeats many times. Spray, pull, Blap, Blap, blup, blu, PAAaaaaaaa...... I start to think that maybe the thing will never start! I decide to pull just one more time, because frankly that is all I have left. Spray, pull, Blap, Blap, BlaBlaBlap, and it's running! It's sick and uneven, but it's running! With tears running down my face I slide back the choke as "Hell Spawn" starts getting it together! After much smoke, and a crazy vibration dance that moves the machine several feet across the garage floor, the arm stretcher is finally running smoothly.

Soon I am out behind the house feeding all manner of plant material into the various openings of 'Hell Spawn." All of it is reduced to dust! I am happy and sleepy. I must go now, and ice down my shoulder before I go to bed.

Microwave Water Heater...

Globetechnology: Pulsar announces water heater using microwaves: "Pulsar Advanced Technologies has announced will next week launch its lead product, the Vulcanus MK4, a water heater USING microwave technology to heat water on demand. This technology with super-heating capabilities will drastically cut energy costs and totally eliminate the need to store hot water. The Vulcanus MK4 is making its world premier at Construct Canada in Toronto between Nov. 30 and Dec. 2"

Is This News???

kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington | Local News: "Does a four-year-old child deserve to be kicked out of a play area for being too tall?

Cecilia MeddockA Washington Square mall security officer who did just that apparently thinks so, and the incident is gaining notoriety."

Up at 4:00am...

To start cooking the big bird for Thanksgiving! Seventeen pounds of meat filled with stuffing entered the 335 degree oven at 5:00 this morning. It should be ready by 1:00 this afternoon and provide many Turkey sandwiches for the next week.

The Men's Room

Workplace Safety!

Help prevent accidents in the workplace.

Monster Mushroom Madness!

Check out these bad boys! Less than 8 hours after this photo was taken, the late bloomer mushroom on the far right was as tall as the rest.

We Spared The Mushrooms...

This tree was rotten and leaning, so it had to come down. However, we left some room for another type of fungi.

From The Inside, Out

Flash recording of an artist drawing a fully clothed person, starting with the skeleton.

Don't Mess With Old Ladies!

Impossible not to laugh!

Here Piggy Piggy!

How to get your kids to move out of the house.

Flight Patterns

Flight Patterns

This is an amazing video of FAA flight information for one day, across America. In the lower left corner is a counter showing you the number of airplanes in the air at one time. In the lower right corner is a running timer. Note the sweep of activity starting in the morning, from right to left across the U.S.A. Then watch Hawaii as the planes swarm toward and away from it!