The elections are all through. Right now, the Democrats are the party of destiny. Every 20-40 years, the time is simply right for one or another party. In the 1930s, it was time for the Democrats, in the 1970s, it was time for the Republicans. I just hope that I don't become so dogmatic that I lose sight of when to become a Republican again.
A thread on Fark that I didn't get a chance to reply to was very interesting. Apparently, the camp that was featured in the movie Jesus Camp was closed down and will be used for some other purpose. A few of the repliers decided to challenge not only the divinity of Jesus, but the very existence of a Rabbi named Jesus that flourished around 30 AD.
I'd like to think that the existence of Jesus is fairly well-documented. While the Josephus references are attributed as forgeries, we are assured of the existence of a missionary named Paul that in the 50s and 60s wrote several epistles to Christian churches around the Roman Empire. In these letters, he quotes Christ extensively.
By 64 AD, the Christian church had become important enough to warrant the first of several persecutions (although it didn't really get serious until 250 AD, when Decius decided the church was an existential threat to the Roman Empire.)
64 AD is fairly soon after Christ's probable crucifixion (which was between 30 and 35 AD). So soon, in fact, that the Apostles and Christ could easily be remembered by many Christians at that time; in fact, the Apostle John is said to have lived well past 90 AD. Mythical-historical figures (think of Jimmu Tenno) usually become mythical-historical with several centuries of intervening time between their actual existence and their emergence at the beginning of that culture's story.
We must also consider the relatively early existence of the Gospels. Most scholars argue that they were completed by 70-75 AD; again, Christ's ministry was within the memory of a few of the oldest Christians at that time. The Gospels were probably based on earlier oral tradition -- again, this tradtion probably began circulating at some point during the 50s, when the Christian church stopped being of a size where "everyone knew eveyone else" and such storytelling became a necessity.
Then, of course, the obvious question is this -- if not Jesus, who was the founder of the Christian Church? Paul of Tarsus? It seems odd that Paul would not have sanitized his early life, or have otherwise seen to it that his unsavory actions in Acts were not cleaned up. Likewise, Paul bases his own authority on the earlier authority of Jesus.
Now, with this said, why didn't anyone mention Jesus while he was alive? Simply put, he was not important enough to care about in 35 AD. Cults came and went in large numbers -- this is references in the passage in Acts where the Sanhedrin initially agreed to leave the Christians alone. By the time anyone really cared about Christianity, the only witnesses of Christ's life and time were other Christians.
I haven't even gotten into the Dominionist debate. Are they are fringe group or are they a serious aspect of the Christian Right? I'm inclined to think they are the former, although International ANSWER is disproportionately strong within the anti-war left.
Of course, the final question is why am I blogging at 5am?
There was a planned power outage this afternoon. I came in at about 6:15pm yesterday and was hoping to be back at a reasonable hour. We had two servers that just wouldn't come up and a crucial database server that had a disk go bad. We had a bad clock board on another server, a tape drive go bad on our VAX and there was an error of some sort on an external disk array but we couldn't trace what it was. Right now I'm hoping to get a restore kicked off.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Well, I thought my foot was feeling better. But a trip to Starbucks proved me wrong.
I discovered the joy that is French and German hip-hop today. I went on Wikipedia to get some artist name and then typed in those names in Youtube. Result: happiness.
Today's the last day I work the evening shift. Well I go back to normal tomorrow. Then Wednesday I have a dentist appointment, the first one in several years, actually. The podiatrist sees me on the 16th, although I suspect if I just overused my foot, he'll take a look and see nothing wrong. It can't hurt.
I think I'll vote for Mike McMenamin (R) for the County Board. The Board has been dominated by Democrats for too long -- kinda like how Capital Hill has had Republicans for too long. I'll probably vote for Cecelia Espenoza for the School Board, too, on little more than the Washington Post's endorsement. The school bond issue seems to have somewhat of a legitimate opposition -- Wakefield High is in as bad shape as Yorktown is, but Yorktown gets rebuilt and Wakefield might get rebuilt by the time Rebecca and I send our kids there. But even the Arlington County Taxpayers Association didn't have any goods on the other bonds. So I'll vote no on the school bond and yes on the other four.
I discovered the joy that is French and German hip-hop today. I went on Wikipedia to get some artist name and then typed in those names in Youtube. Result: happiness.
Today's the last day I work the evening shift. Well I go back to normal tomorrow. Then Wednesday I have a dentist appointment, the first one in several years, actually. The podiatrist sees me on the 16th, although I suspect if I just overused my foot, he'll take a look and see nothing wrong. It can't hurt.
I think I'll vote for Mike McMenamin (R) for the County Board. The Board has been dominated by Democrats for too long -- kinda like how Capital Hill has had Republicans for too long. I'll probably vote for Cecelia Espenoza for the School Board, too, on little more than the Washington Post's endorsement. The school bond issue seems to have somewhat of a legitimate opposition -- Wakefield High is in as bad shape as Yorktown is, but Yorktown gets rebuilt and Wakefield might get rebuilt by the time Rebecca and I send our kids there. But even the Arlington County Taxpayers Association didn't have any goods on the other bonds. So I'll vote no on the school bond and yes on the other four.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Yesterday was my wife's 28th birthday. We celebrated by going out to her parents' house in the Shenandoah Valley, and going out to a nice Italian restaurant named Venice out here in Winchester.
We also hung out in her parents' hot tub. That was pretty fun. It also motivated me somewhat to clean out our porch. I think there'd be room to build a bigger porch and put our own hot tub there but we'd have to figure out a way to prevent it from being an 'attractive nuisance' as I think my insurance-selling aunt would put it.
My foot's still hurting just a little but I think I might be able to manage going to the grocery store. Rebecca's been getting on me about that for the past few days -- we'll see how my foot is after the drive. I think sitting around with no shoes helps a lot. I 'borrowed' a cane from Rebecca's dad but we'll see if I need to make good use of it.
The major news item is Saddam Hussein being sentenced to death. Since he was the law he acted in an lawful manner (regarding Iraqi law.) On the other hand, would a UN trial have turned into a 'let's bash America' session? Probably so. The US has done quite a bit to be ashamed of over the years, but the person on trial is Saddam Hussein, not the US goverment.
Of course releasing the verdict this close to the election provides the GOP with some warm fuzzy feelings. Of course if we hear about giant riots in the Sunni parts of Iraq, this will erase all those warm fuzzy feelings and give more evidence to the Democrats who believe (as I do) that our continued presence in Iraq is not helping the situation.
I'm still voting for Jim Webb. He promises to be one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate, and more importantly, an independent voice, as opposed to the computer program that George Allen really is.
Jim Moran has done sufficiently well to earn my vote for re-election -- I am also voring for Moran to help bolster the Democrats' chances of retaking the House, which I think acts as a much-needed check on Republican power. I suspect Thelma Drake (2) down in the Virginia Beach area will lose, and after that, Frank Wolf (10) and Tom Davis (11) are in some danger. Either of them losing will be a hit below the waterline for the Republicans.
On the gay marriage amendment, I'm not sure this is an issue where a Christian majority can force their will on non-believers. Anyone that believes the few gays who want to get married are an imminent threat to marriage, in a world full of temptations to heterosexual couples, is kidding themselves. Britney Spears has done more damage to marriage than any gay who wants to get married. In addition, there is evidence that a similar amendment in Ohio has led to some discriminatory things being done to unmarried heterosexual couples -- I'm going to vote no.
The second VA amendment strikes some un-Constitutional (with the US Constitution) language about churches not being able to incorporate. I'll vote for that, it's a no-brainer.
The third VA amendment allows localities to provide exemptions from real estate taxes if they like what the owner is doing with the property. If federalism is a good idea on the national level, it's a good idea on the state level. I'll probably vote for that.
There's five bond referenda: Parks and Rec, Metro and Transport, Community Infrastructure, Utilities (expanding sewer lines) and Schools. I'll have to read the Arlington County Taxpayers' Association website and see if they have an issue with the bonds other than "Waaah! The gubmint is spending money!"
The County Board has an open seat. Chris Zimmerman seems to be a decent guy, but I'd like to see a Republican and/or a Green on the board if only to provide some balance. I'll have to look at Josh Ruebner and Mike McMenamin and see what ideas they have.
The School Board has Ceceilia Espenoza squaring off against Sally Baird. I honestly don't know who to vote for here. I'll have to check their websites.
We also hung out in her parents' hot tub. That was pretty fun. It also motivated me somewhat to clean out our porch. I think there'd be room to build a bigger porch and put our own hot tub there but we'd have to figure out a way to prevent it from being an 'attractive nuisance' as I think my insurance-selling aunt would put it.
My foot's still hurting just a little but I think I might be able to manage going to the grocery store. Rebecca's been getting on me about that for the past few days -- we'll see how my foot is after the drive. I think sitting around with no shoes helps a lot. I 'borrowed' a cane from Rebecca's dad but we'll see if I need to make good use of it.
The major news item is Saddam Hussein being sentenced to death. Since he was the law he acted in an lawful manner (regarding Iraqi law.) On the other hand, would a UN trial have turned into a 'let's bash America' session? Probably so. The US has done quite a bit to be ashamed of over the years, but the person on trial is Saddam Hussein, not the US goverment.
Of course releasing the verdict this close to the election provides the GOP with some warm fuzzy feelings. Of course if we hear about giant riots in the Sunni parts of Iraq, this will erase all those warm fuzzy feelings and give more evidence to the Democrats who believe (as I do) that our continued presence in Iraq is not helping the situation.
I'm still voting for Jim Webb. He promises to be one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate, and more importantly, an independent voice, as opposed to the computer program that George Allen really is.
Jim Moran has done sufficiently well to earn my vote for re-election -- I am also voring for Moran to help bolster the Democrats' chances of retaking the House, which I think acts as a much-needed check on Republican power. I suspect Thelma Drake (2) down in the Virginia Beach area will lose, and after that, Frank Wolf (10) and Tom Davis (11) are in some danger. Either of them losing will be a hit below the waterline for the Republicans.
On the gay marriage amendment, I'm not sure this is an issue where a Christian majority can force their will on non-believers. Anyone that believes the few gays who want to get married are an imminent threat to marriage, in a world full of temptations to heterosexual couples, is kidding themselves. Britney Spears has done more damage to marriage than any gay who wants to get married. In addition, there is evidence that a similar amendment in Ohio has led to some discriminatory things being done to unmarried heterosexual couples -- I'm going to vote no.
The second VA amendment strikes some un-Constitutional (with the US Constitution) language about churches not being able to incorporate. I'll vote for that, it's a no-brainer.
The third VA amendment allows localities to provide exemptions from real estate taxes if they like what the owner is doing with the property. If federalism is a good idea on the national level, it's a good idea on the state level. I'll probably vote for that.
There's five bond referenda: Parks and Rec, Metro and Transport, Community Infrastructure, Utilities (expanding sewer lines) and Schools. I'll have to read the Arlington County Taxpayers' Association website and see if they have an issue with the bonds other than "Waaah! The gubmint is spending money!"
The County Board has an open seat. Chris Zimmerman seems to be a decent guy, but I'd like to see a Republican and/or a Green on the board if only to provide some balance. I'll have to look at Josh Ruebner and Mike McMenamin and see what ideas they have.
The School Board has Ceceilia Espenoza squaring off against Sally Baird. I honestly don't know who to vote for here. I'll have to check their websites.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Category 18-Sep Total
Free stuff 31 585
Male performance 10 411
Cheap stuff 20 423
Loans 20 798
Self-improvement 11 174
Porn 36 1469
Meet women 5 76
Stock tips 30 523
electronic scams 3 28
offline scams 3 61
Casinos 7 67
Political 1 7
Blank 20 127
Spanish 10 164
Japanese 1 31
Chinese 33 1304
Undetermined Asian 16 55
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 0 49
Turkish 0 3
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 197 4749
Free stuff 31 585
Male performance 10 411
Cheap stuff 20 423
Loans 20 798
Self-improvement 11 174
Porn 36 1469
Meet women 5 76
Stock tips 30 523
electronic scams 3 28
offline scams 3 61
Casinos 7 67
Political 1 7
Blank 20 127
Spanish 10 164
Japanese 1 31
Chinese 33 1304
Undetermined Asian 16 55
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 0 49
Turkish 0 3
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 197 4749
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Category 14-Sep Total
Free stuff 45 554
Male performance 25 401
Cheap stuff 33 403
Loans 39 778
Self-improvement 12 163
Porn 91 1433
Meet women 2 71
Stock tips 52 493
electronic scams 1 25
offline scams 4 58
Casinos 8 60
Political 0 6
Blank 28 107
Spanish 18 154
Japanese 1 30
Chinese 74 1271
Undetermined Asian 18 39
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 9 49
Turkish 1 3
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 340 4552
Free stuff 45 554
Male performance 25 401
Cheap stuff 33 403
Loans 39 778
Self-improvement 12 163
Porn 91 1433
Meet women 2 71
Stock tips 52 493
electronic scams 1 25
offline scams 4 58
Casinos 8 60
Political 0 6
Blank 28 107
Spanish 18 154
Japanese 1 30
Chinese 74 1271
Undetermined Asian 18 39
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 9 49
Turkish 1 3
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 340 4552
Friday, September 08, 2006
Well, more fun stuff. Read this article from Salon.com about older, female virgins. My own opinion is that a man will use a woman's virginity as an excuse to ditch her if he isn't all that into her to begin -- women will do the same thing too. Basically, some people think if someone else hasn't been there earlier, well, there must be something wrong. This, of course, is as fallacious as thinking, "once a slut, always a slut."
It's times like this that Phillipians 4:12 rings even more true.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Work to improve your situation when you can -- when it can't be improved, then try and enjoy it.
Right now I'm listening to XM Radio's Special X. Apparently it's not on their satellite lineup, but is available to DirecTV listeners and people who buy XM's online lineup. My wife's been asking to get it, although I'm not 100% sure where we'd listen to it -- we get it at home along with our DirecTV but I'm not sure where we'd get $12.95 a month from listening to it.
I've listened to the French version of Lorne Greene's song Ringo and Leonard Nimoy's hit Bilbo Baggins. Fun stuff.
Spam count
Category 8-Sep Total
Free stuff 21 509
Male performance 11 376
Cheap stuff 12 370
Loans 25 739
Self-improvement 10 151
Porn 70 1342
Meet women 2 69
Stock tips 28 441
electronic scams 0 24
offline scams 1 54
Casinos 3 52
Political 1 6
Blank 9 79
Spanish 7 136
Japanese 5 29
Chinese 64 1197
Undetermined Asian 4 21
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 2 40
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 193 4212
It's times like this that Phillipians 4:12 rings even more true.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Work to improve your situation when you can -- when it can't be improved, then try and enjoy it.
Right now I'm listening to XM Radio's Special X. Apparently it's not on their satellite lineup, but is available to DirecTV listeners and people who buy XM's online lineup. My wife's been asking to get it, although I'm not 100% sure where we'd listen to it -- we get it at home along with our DirecTV but I'm not sure where we'd get $12.95 a month from listening to it.
I've listened to the French version of Lorne Greene's song Ringo and Leonard Nimoy's hit Bilbo Baggins. Fun stuff.
Spam count
Category 8-Sep Total
Free stuff 21 509
Male performance 11 376
Cheap stuff 12 370
Loans 25 739
Self-improvement 10 151
Porn 70 1342
Meet women 2 69
Stock tips 28 441
electronic scams 0 24
offline scams 1 54
Casinos 3 52
Political 1 6
Blank 9 79
Spanish 7 136
Japanese 5 29
Chinese 64 1197
Undetermined Asian 4 21
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 2 40
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 193 4212
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Another quick spam update. One of these days I am going to make this a real blog. But for now ... this is it.
Category 6-Sep Total
Free stuff 53 488
Male performance 40 365
Cheap stuff 29 358
Loans 97 714
Self-improvement 16 141
Porn 172 1272
Meet women 4 67
Stock tips 46 413
electronic scams 2 24
offline scams 3 53
Casinos 9 49
Political 0 5
Blank 5 70
Spanish 15 129
Japanese 1 24
Chinese 158 1133
Undetermined Asian 0 17
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 3 38
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 476 4019
Category 6-Sep Total
Free stuff 53 488
Male performance 40 365
Cheap stuff 29 358
Loans 97 714
Self-improvement 16 141
Porn 172 1272
Meet women 4 67
Stock tips 46 413
electronic scams 2 24
offline scams 3 53
Casinos 9 49
Political 0 5
Blank 5 70
Spanish 15 129
Japanese 1 24
Chinese 158 1133
Undetermined Asian 0 17
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 3 38
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 476 4019
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Category 31-Aug Total
Free stuff 24 435
Male performance 29 325
Cheap stuff 18 329
Loans 55 617
Self-improvement 17 125
Porn 113 1100
Meet women 4 63
Stock tips 21 367
electronic scams 2 22
offline scams 5 50
Casinos 3 40
Political 1 5
Blank 10 65
Spanish 9 114
Japanese 0 23
Chinese 109 975
Undetermined Asian 1 17
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 4 35
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 302 3543
Free stuff 24 435
Male performance 29 325
Cheap stuff 18 329
Loans 55 617
Self-improvement 17 125
Porn 113 1100
Meet women 4 63
Stock tips 21 367
electronic scams 2 22
offline scams 5 50
Casinos 3 40
Political 1 5
Blank 10 65
Spanish 9 114
Japanese 0 23
Chinese 109 975
Undetermined Asian 1 17
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 4 35
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 302 3543
Monday, August 28, 2006
Another spam count
Category 28-Aug Total
Free stuff 36 411
Male performance 26 296
Cheap stuff 12 311
Loans 53 562
Self-improvement 6 108
Porn 79 987
Meet women 7 59
Stock tips 18 346
electronic scams 1 20
offline scams 4 45
Casinos 2 37
Political 0 4
Blank 4 55
Spanish 6 105
Japanese 4 23
Chinese 68 866
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 4 31
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 248 3241
Category 28-Aug Total
Free stuff 36 411
Male performance 26 296
Cheap stuff 12 311
Loans 53 562
Self-improvement 6 108
Porn 79 987
Meet women 7 59
Stock tips 18 346
electronic scams 1 20
offline scams 4 45
Casinos 2 37
Political 0 4
Blank 4 55
Spanish 6 105
Japanese 4 23
Chinese 68 866
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 4 31
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 248 3241
Friday, August 25, 2006
quick spam update for today
Category 25-Aug Total
Free stuff 10 375
Male performance 2 270
Cheap stuff 10 299
Loans 7 509
Self-improvement 2 102
Porn 25 908
Meet women 1 52
Stock tips 2 328
electronic scams 1 19
offline scams 2 41
Casinos 1 35
Political 0 4
Blank 0 51
Spanish 2 99
Japanese 0 19
Chinese 20 798
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 1 27
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 63 2993
Category 25-Aug Total
Free stuff 10 375
Male performance 2 270
Cheap stuff 10 299
Loans 7 509
Self-improvement 2 102
Porn 25 908
Meet women 1 52
Stock tips 2 328
electronic scams 1 19
offline scams 2 41
Casinos 1 35
Political 0 4
Blank 0 51
Spanish 2 99
Japanese 0 19
Chinese 20 798
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 4
French 0 1
Italian 1 27
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 63 2993
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Category 24-Aug Total
Free stuff 15 365
Male performance 9 268
Cheap stuff 9 289
Loans 5 502
Self-improvement 4 100
Porn 34 883
Meet women 2 51
Stock tips 14 326
electronic scams 0 18
offline scams 0 39
Casinos 1 34
Political 0 4
Blank 2 51
Spanish 3 97
Japanese 2 19
Chinese 32 778
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 1 4
French 0 1
Italian 0 26
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 95 2930
Free stuff 15 365
Male performance 9 268
Cheap stuff 9 289
Loans 5 502
Self-improvement 4 100
Porn 34 883
Meet women 2 51
Stock tips 14 326
electronic scams 0 18
offline scams 0 39
Casinos 1 34
Political 0 4
Blank 2 51
Spanish 3 97
Japanese 2 19
Chinese 32 778
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 1 4
French 0 1
Italian 0 26
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 95 2930
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Myspace finally worked the way I wanted it to. I heard from a gal who was a year ahead of me at Warren County -- I need to write her back.
But more importantly, I need to edit the myspace page to reflect my wife and me being a couple. I suppose I could also put a picture of my wife and me up there?
Category 23-Aug Total
Free stuff 8 350
Male performance 9 259
Cheap stuff 6 280
Loans 9 497
Self-improvement 4 96
Porn 27 849
Meet women 1 49
Stock tips 8 312
electronic scams 0 18
offline scams 2 39
Casinos 1 33
Political 0 4
Blank 2 49
Spanish 4 94
Japanese 0 17
Chinese 21 746
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 4 26
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 77 2835
But more importantly, I need to edit the myspace page to reflect my wife and me being a couple. I suppose I could also put a picture of my wife and me up there?
Category 23-Aug Total
Free stuff 8 350
Male performance 9 259
Cheap stuff 6 280
Loans 9 497
Self-improvement 4 96
Porn 27 849
Meet women 1 49
Stock tips 8 312
electronic scams 0 18
offline scams 2 39
Casinos 1 33
Political 0 4
Blank 2 49
Spanish 4 94
Japanese 0 17
Chinese 21 746
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 4 26
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 77 2835
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Quick spam update.
Category 22-Aug Total
Free stuff 17 342
Male performance 11 250
Cheap stuff 4 274
Loans 12 488
Self-improvement 4 92
Porn 40 822
Meet women 1 48
Stock tips 8 304
electronic scams 2 18
offline scams 1 37
Casinos 1 32
Political 0 4
Blank 3 47
Spanish 0 90
Japanese 0 17
Chinese 37 725
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 2 22
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 104 2758
Category 22-Aug Total
Free stuff 17 342
Male performance 11 250
Cheap stuff 4 274
Loans 12 488
Self-improvement 4 92
Porn 40 822
Meet women 1 48
Stock tips 8 304
electronic scams 2 18
offline scams 1 37
Casinos 1 32
Political 0 4
Blank 3 47
Spanish 0 90
Japanese 0 17
Chinese 37 725
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 2 22
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 104 2758
Monday, August 21, 2006
Well, sorry for the lack of updates of late.
Today was spent on work and editing VHSL questions. I'll be doing the latter for much of the week, and then it's a return to writing questions. It'll be busy, but I've got four fairly easy (for me categories) and I might be able to have 24 matches' worth by Labor Day. We'll see.
Saturday, Becca and I went to the Clarke County Fair. It was okay, I suspect we'd have had more fun if we had been feeling better. Sunday, we went to church and then I went over the math questions with Adam and finished the geography questions.
Here's the spam count since Friday morning. I am impressed. The other categories are actually making a comeback vis-a-vis porn.
Category 21-Aug Total
Free stuff 35 325
Male performance 48 239
Cheap stuff 27 270
Loans 77 476
Self-improvement 9 88
Porn 142 782
Meet women 4 47
Stock tips 23 296
electronic scams 1 16
offline scams 6 36
Casinos 5 31
Political 0 4
Blank 3 44
Spanish 7 90
Japanese 3 17
Chinese 129 688
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 4 20
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 380 2654
Today was spent on work and editing VHSL questions. I'll be doing the latter for much of the week, and then it's a return to writing questions. It'll be busy, but I've got four fairly easy (for me categories) and I might be able to have 24 matches' worth by Labor Day. We'll see.
Saturday, Becca and I went to the Clarke County Fair. It was okay, I suspect we'd have had more fun if we had been feeling better. Sunday, we went to church and then I went over the math questions with Adam and finished the geography questions.
Here's the spam count since Friday morning. I am impressed. The other categories are actually making a comeback vis-a-vis porn.
Category 21-Aug Total
Free stuff 35 325
Male performance 48 239
Cheap stuff 27 270
Loans 77 476
Self-improvement 9 88
Porn 142 782
Meet women 4 47
Stock tips 23 296
electronic scams 1 16
offline scams 6 36
Casinos 5 31
Political 0 4
Blank 3 44
Spanish 7 90
Japanese 3 17
Chinese 129 688
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 4 20
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 380 2654
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Just another quick spam count. The Chinese porn spammers sure are persistent.
Category 17-Aug Total
Free stuff 9 290
Male performance 5 191
Cheap stuff 7 243
Loans 6 399
Self-improvement 4 79
Porn 42 640
Meet women 0 43
Stock tips 7 273
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 1 30
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 1 41
Spanish 2 83
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 42 559
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 82 2274
Category 17-Aug Total
Free stuff 9 290
Male performance 5 191
Cheap stuff 7 243
Loans 6 399
Self-improvement 4 79
Porn 42 640
Meet women 0 43
Stock tips 7 273
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 1 30
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 1 41
Spanish 2 83
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 42 559
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 82 2274
Quick spam update
Free stuff 2 281
Male performance 3 186
Cheap stuff 2 236
Loans 7 393
Self-improvement 3 75
Porn 6 598
Meet women 0 43
Stock tips 3 266
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 0 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 0 40
Spanish 1 81
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 5 517
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 26 2192
Free stuff 2 281
Male performance 3 186
Cheap stuff 2 236
Loans 7 393
Self-improvement 3 75
Porn 6 598
Meet women 0 43
Stock tips 3 266
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 0 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 0 40
Spanish 1 81
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 5 517
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 26 2192
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Quick spam count
Category 16-Aug Total
Free stuff 0 279
Male performance 1 183
Cheap stuff 2 234
Loans 1 386
Self-improvement 1 72
Porn 30 592
Meet women 1 43
Stock tips 1 263
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 0 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 0 40
Spanish 0 80
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 30 512
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 37 2166
Category 16-Aug Total
Free stuff 0 279
Male performance 1 183
Cheap stuff 2 234
Loans 1 386
Self-improvement 1 72
Porn 30 592
Meet women 1 43
Stock tips 1 263
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 0 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 0 40
Spanish 0 80
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 30 512
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 37 2166
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Well, another day is through. I wrote some questions and did some work. Not as much Farking today. My wife went to her Lions Club meeting and had a minor crisis when the toilet didn't flush. Turns out there was a used tampon clogging things up, but the snake managed to get hold of it and pull it out. Hopefully, no more toilet clogging.
My MySpace adventure continues. I got two webcam girls (one from Arlington), one Hoodia saleslady and one random woman from Texas. I have no idea how she got my screen name, so I asked her. I may end up taking the darn page down, since I'm not sure what road I'll be going down. Well, here's hoping people from Warren County and Randolph-Macon actually get in touch with me.
Today's Spam:
Free stuff 10 279
Male performance 8 182
Cheap stuff 7 232
Loans 7 385
Self-improvement 1 71
Porn 54 562
Meet women 1 42
Stock tips 3 262
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 1 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 2 40
Spanish 2 80
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 49 482
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 3 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 94 2129
My MySpace adventure continues. I got two webcam girls (one from Arlington), one Hoodia saleslady and one random woman from Texas. I have no idea how she got my screen name, so I asked her. I may end up taking the darn page down, since I'm not sure what road I'll be going down. Well, here's hoping people from Warren County and Randolph-Macon actually get in touch with me.
Today's Spam:
Free stuff 10 279
Male performance 8 182
Cheap stuff 7 232
Loans 7 385
Self-improvement 1 71
Porn 54 562
Meet women 1 42
Stock tips 3 262
electronic scams 0 15
offline scams 1 29
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 2 40
Spanish 2 80
Japanese 0 14
Chinese 49 482
Undetermined Asian 0 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 3 16
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 94 2129
Monday, August 14, 2006
Well, today I played in a thread on Fark, wrote some geography VHSL questions and did some work. Tomorrow I look forward to much of the same.
Here's my quotes from the thread:
"Hopefully every person with a significant other reading this thread will take an extra 30 seconds to hug that person and tell them just how much they mean to you. "
then
to user Captain Fashion: Well, it depends. Do you WANT a significant other? I read a lot of single Farkers who seem to have a neverending parade of pornstars, strippers, alcohol, threesomes, etc., and seem quite happy doing this. (Witness the guy who said, "cheat away you married losers.")
then
Let me see if I can translate Crazy Lee.
Going on a quarter century with smooch pet and we are still a couple of flirt birds. We don't take to the wing as often these days but we preen each other with the same affection as ever.
My wife and I may not have sex as much as we once did but remain affectionate with each other after 25 years.
Regardless of age and hormones I think it's pretty much simpatico and imagination taking advantage of the biology that keeps ya singin', not the other way `round.
Imagination and kindness will go a long way towards keeping natural biological urges active.
A good tactic to use if you're a male trying out this strategy is to murderize da kittens before picking up Miss Hot&Bothered for the first three or four dates (if you've some notion of considering long term parking in that fire). Introducing some cognitive lag time might well lead to the revelation that the train your willy is wheedling you to ride into the distance, on tracks torrid and terminal to your singularity, is actually going to be a trip into the `oven' of Miss Not and bothersome (she'll be hauling your ashes, for sure).
If you are going on a date with a girl, and think this may lead to a relationship, then masturbate before going on the date. In this way, you will not let your smaller head do the thinking or allow the woman to use the prospect of sex to lead you around.
I've gotta agree with those who prefer flowing tresses (the tighter the curl the colder the girl). There's something heroically feminine and alluring (widely shared male cultural prejudice), a `maiden on a mission' effect that pretty much defies age (`some unknown but still sexy thing puts forth the moulding of it's features from behind the mask of seasons').
I like long, flowing hair. I believe a woman who looks good in this can look good for decades.
/all you pudknockers who can make it this far and still get a bit tantric while playing scrabble (win-win when you both lose it) - you'll be happier than you've any right to be.
If you have made it this far and can learn how to make the smallest of experiences, such as playing Scrabble, somehow seuxal, then you will be very happy in your life.
then I posted
Lots of good marital advice here.
to user Captain Fashion
The thing is, you have to avoid falling into some sort of bitterness loop that would turn off someone desirable when you do meet her. At the same time, you can't plan your life around meeting someone who may or may not show up.
to user PinkoLeftist
Divorce Court these days is a lottery. For every story of a woman that made out like a bandit, there is likely a story of a guy making $100k a year that has to pay $50 a month in child support or some similar nonsense.
to user Crazy Lee
Actually I agree with you pretty much entirely. I also hope to be making random allusions as much as you are in 20 or so years.
to user Tree Hugger
Were there any signals early on in the marriage/relationship that made it clear she had some serious problems with sex?
re Stacked Librarian's case
Any friend who dislikes the significant other will, unfortunately, have to take a backburner role. My wife comes before ANY of my friends, and I come before ANY of her friends. Therefore, I have ditched friends who were rude to her, and she has ditched friends who were rude to me.
re the Daniwould v. Quackedtheduck thread
We cannot really control our spouse. We can, however, control our own actions.
re porn
I'm told to avoid Gilligan's Biland. Apparently there's a lot more male/male action than female/male or female/female action.
then
to user I_Make_Jebus_Cry
If someone else is in the right and my wife is in the wrong, then it is my job to mention this to her at a later point. But I shouldn't backstab my wife with people looking on. On the flip side, my wife has distanced herself from some of her more man-hating friends.
to user daniwould
sob ... I've been on FARK for five years and I've never made anyone's profile that I know of. Thanks.
I added myself to MySpace. We'll see who from my past contacts me. I had put some effort into putting down my interests, etc., but then I hit another part of my profile editing and lost it. Oh well, next time.
http://www.myspace.com/shawn_pickrell
Visit me and give me props. Or something.
Spam for today:
Free stuff 8 269
Male performance 7 174
Cheap stuff 15 225
Loans 15 378
Self-improvement 3 70
Porn 69 508
Meet women 0 41
Stock tips 11 259
electronic scams 2 15
offline scams 3 28
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 1 38
Spanish 1 78
Japanese 1 14
Chinese 56 433
Undetermined Asian 1 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 1 13
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 134 2035
Here's my quotes from the thread:
"Hopefully every person with a significant other reading this thread will take an extra 30 seconds to hug that person and tell them just how much they mean to you. "
then
to user Captain Fashion: Well, it depends. Do you WANT a significant other? I read a lot of single Farkers who seem to have a neverending parade of pornstars, strippers, alcohol, threesomes, etc., and seem quite happy doing this. (Witness the guy who said, "cheat away you married losers.")
then
Let me see if I can translate Crazy Lee.
Going on a quarter century with smooch pet and we are still a couple of flirt birds. We don't take to the wing as often these days but we preen each other with the same affection as ever.
My wife and I may not have sex as much as we once did but remain affectionate with each other after 25 years.
Regardless of age and hormones I think it's pretty much simpatico and imagination taking advantage of the biology that keeps ya singin', not the other way `round.
Imagination and kindness will go a long way towards keeping natural biological urges active.
A good tactic to use if you're a male trying out this strategy is to murderize da kittens before picking up Miss Hot&Bothered for the first three or four dates (if you've some notion of considering long term parking in that fire). Introducing some cognitive lag time might well lead to the revelation that the train your willy is wheedling you to ride into the distance, on tracks torrid and terminal to your singularity, is actually going to be a trip into the `oven' of Miss Not and bothersome (she'll be hauling your ashes, for sure).
If you are going on a date with a girl, and think this may lead to a relationship, then masturbate before going on the date. In this way, you will not let your smaller head do the thinking or allow the woman to use the prospect of sex to lead you around.
I've gotta agree with those who prefer flowing tresses (the tighter the curl the colder the girl). There's something heroically feminine and alluring (widely shared male cultural prejudice), a `maiden on a mission' effect that pretty much defies age (`some unknown but still sexy thing puts forth the moulding of it's features from behind the mask of seasons').
I like long, flowing hair. I believe a woman who looks good in this can look good for decades.
/all you pudknockers who can make it this far and still get a bit tantric while playing scrabble (win-win when you both lose it) - you'll be happier than you've any right to be.
If you have made it this far and can learn how to make the smallest of experiences, such as playing Scrabble, somehow seuxal, then you will be very happy in your life.
then I posted
Lots of good marital advice here.
to user Captain Fashion
The thing is, you have to avoid falling into some sort of bitterness loop that would turn off someone desirable when you do meet her. At the same time, you can't plan your life around meeting someone who may or may not show up.
to user PinkoLeftist
Divorce Court these days is a lottery. For every story of a woman that made out like a bandit, there is likely a story of a guy making $100k a year that has to pay $50 a month in child support or some similar nonsense.
to user Crazy Lee
Actually I agree with you pretty much entirely. I also hope to be making random allusions as much as you are in 20 or so years.
to user Tree Hugger
Were there any signals early on in the marriage/relationship that made it clear she had some serious problems with sex?
re Stacked Librarian's case
Any friend who dislikes the significant other will, unfortunately, have to take a backburner role. My wife comes before ANY of my friends, and I come before ANY of her friends. Therefore, I have ditched friends who were rude to her, and she has ditched friends who were rude to me.
re the Daniwould v. Quackedtheduck thread
We cannot really control our spouse. We can, however, control our own actions.
re porn
I'm told to avoid Gilligan's Biland. Apparently there's a lot more male/male action than female/male or female/female action.
then
to user I_Make_Jebus_Cry
If someone else is in the right and my wife is in the wrong, then it is my job to mention this to her at a later point. But I shouldn't backstab my wife with people looking on. On the flip side, my wife has distanced herself from some of her more man-hating friends.
to user daniwould
sob ... I've been on FARK for five years and I've never made anyone's profile that I know of. Thanks.
I added myself to MySpace. We'll see who from my past contacts me. I had put some effort into putting down my interests, etc., but then I hit another part of my profile editing and lost it. Oh well, next time.
http://www.myspace.com/shawn_pickrell
Visit me and give me props. Or something.
Spam for today:
Free stuff 8 269
Male performance 7 174
Cheap stuff 15 225
Loans 15 378
Self-improvement 3 70
Porn 69 508
Meet women 0 41
Stock tips 11 259
electronic scams 2 15
offline scams 3 28
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 1 38
Spanish 1 78
Japanese 1 14
Chinese 56 433
Undetermined Asian 1 16
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 1 13
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 134 2035
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Well, Becca and I just got back from church. Becca is reading right now and I am sitting around waiting for my digestive system to percolate. Then I'll go to the grocery store. I might ask her to wash the bed, it is getting fairly bad. But then again, she doesn't seem to mind it so much.
Yesterday, Becca and I went to P.F. Chang's (it was Chinese food, mind you, good Chinese food, but just Chinese food) and I dropped off for recycling her cousin Karen's computer that has been occupying space in our house for the past three years. Then I went over to the Nortons (our new minister and his wife) and found they didn't need any help in moving in. In fact, Kurt was off ministering to a young man at our church that was just diagnosed with liver cancer. I got the names of everyone in the family (it's one of the Spanish-speaking families, and I'm not 100% up to speed on everyone in all in the families) so I am going to send a card to them tomorrow (the directory and the cards are up there.)
I also got the impression Nancy would rather have just kicked up her feet for that afternoon -- so I went back home. So her friend Sarah came over. I played on the internet and talked to them -- they tried to watch Memoirs of a Geisha but disliked it so much they stopped watching it after about 45 minutes.
Kurt's first sermon was on the necessity to give a warm greeting to all who are in the house of God. I couldn't agree with it more, really. One of these days I might consider reading more about the "mystery worshippers" who'll show up at a church and then write the church about their experience. We must be careful, not only because the person we ignore or otherwise mistreat could embarrass us in the fulness of time, but because it is the right thing to do.
God commands us to love much more than he commands us to follow certain lists of rules.
The Bible study class was on Revelation 19 -- where the Whore of Babylon is overthrown by an army led by Jesus Christ and the Beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. It is a very violent chapter, some churches (of all groups that profess Christianity) ignore it, while others seem to be doing their best to bring on the end times. I am of the opinion that these events will happen in some form, and that through a faith in Christ that manifests itself in the fruits of the Spirit (goodness, love, kindness, generosity, etc.), one can avoid the terrible punishments mentioned here. At the same time, though, those who seek to hasten these events are displaying a terrible hubris. Christ's return will be at a time of HIS choosing, not our own. We cannot ignore the plight of Palestinian and Lebanese Christians to cheer on Israelis, because we think God might return -- do the ends always justify the means?
Well, enough of that. I've got some spams to count and here is the cut and paste job from the Excel spreadsheet.
Best wishes to all.
Free stuff 13 261
Male performance 10 167
Cheap stuff 4 210
Loans 9 363
Self-improvement 2 67
Porn 13 439
Meet women 2 41
Stock tips 8 248
electronic scams 0 13
offline scams 0 25
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 3 37
Spanish 2 77
Japanese 1 13
Chinese 10 377
Undetermined Asian 0 15
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 12
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 64 1901
Yesterday, Becca and I went to P.F. Chang's (it was Chinese food, mind you, good Chinese food, but just Chinese food) and I dropped off for recycling her cousin Karen's computer that has been occupying space in our house for the past three years. Then I went over to the Nortons (our new minister and his wife) and found they didn't need any help in moving in. In fact, Kurt was off ministering to a young man at our church that was just diagnosed with liver cancer. I got the names of everyone in the family (it's one of the Spanish-speaking families, and I'm not 100% up to speed on everyone in all in the families) so I am going to send a card to them tomorrow (the directory and the cards are up there.)
I also got the impression Nancy would rather have just kicked up her feet for that afternoon -- so I went back home. So her friend Sarah came over. I played on the internet and talked to them -- they tried to watch Memoirs of a Geisha but disliked it so much they stopped watching it after about 45 minutes.
Kurt's first sermon was on the necessity to give a warm greeting to all who are in the house of God. I couldn't agree with it more, really. One of these days I might consider reading more about the "mystery worshippers" who'll show up at a church and then write the church about their experience. We must be careful, not only because the person we ignore or otherwise mistreat could embarrass us in the fulness of time, but because it is the right thing to do.
God commands us to love much more than he commands us to follow certain lists of rules.
The Bible study class was on Revelation 19 -- where the Whore of Babylon is overthrown by an army led by Jesus Christ and the Beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. It is a very violent chapter, some churches (of all groups that profess Christianity) ignore it, while others seem to be doing their best to bring on the end times. I am of the opinion that these events will happen in some form, and that through a faith in Christ that manifests itself in the fruits of the Spirit (goodness, love, kindness, generosity, etc.), one can avoid the terrible punishments mentioned here. At the same time, though, those who seek to hasten these events are displaying a terrible hubris. Christ's return will be at a time of HIS choosing, not our own. We cannot ignore the plight of Palestinian and Lebanese Christians to cheer on Israelis, because we think God might return -- do the ends always justify the means?
Well, enough of that. I've got some spams to count and here is the cut and paste job from the Excel spreadsheet.
Best wishes to all.
Free stuff 13 261
Male performance 10 167
Cheap stuff 4 210
Loans 9 363
Self-improvement 2 67
Porn 13 439
Meet women 2 41
Stock tips 8 248
electronic scams 0 13
offline scams 0 25
Casinos 0 26
Political 0 4
Blank 3 37
Spanish 2 77
Japanese 1 13
Chinese 10 377
Undetermined Asian 0 15
Portuguese 0 3
French 0 1
Italian 0 12
Turkish 0 2
Gender-inappropriate 0 0
Total 64 1901
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