This might be a bit a little late because I forgot to post an entry about it earlier, but I thought I would share the news with everybody who might be interested. They are giving away free registration codes in conjunction with the Opera 10-year online anniversary party. The registration codes will make your copy of the Opera browser ad-free! Get the codes now before it’s too late and download a copy of the browser! Free registration codes are only available until midnight (CET (I think that’s a European time zone) of Wednesday, August 31st.
Monthly Archive for August, 2005
On my way home from work this afternoon I had to filled the car up with some “go juice.” And for the first time in my life, I found myself price shopping for gas. I drove by a SuperAmerica ($3.31), a Speedway ($3.31), a Thorntons ($3.35!!!), a BP ($3.09), and two Mobil gas stations ($2.98 & $2.99), until I broke down and paid the $2.95 at the Jewel Express. Lets do the math… 13.6 gallons at $2.95 a gallon equals $40.25. That is the most I’ve ever paid at one time for a fill up.
True, I’ve done my fair share of mumbling and grumbling about gas prices, but for the most part I feel I have never really complained about it. I usually just go with the flow and pay what ever the current price is. After all, it’s not like I’m going to stop driving my car. Well, that might have all changed today! I finally have found my breaking point. There is no reason gas should jump over $.40 in a single afternoon. Hurricane Katrina or not this is price gouging!
It could be worse, according to this articel in the Chicago Sun-Times, experts belive the price of a gallon of gas could hit $5 in 2006. It’s time to start looking into hybrid vehicles.
I recently installed Google’s new Google Talk instant messenger. It provides very basic instant messaging and voice chat. It won’t transfer files or play games. It won’t turn your emoticons into cool little smileys. I won’t even let you change the font size. It’s a chat program… No more, no less. The one current limitation that I can see standing in the way is there’s no one to talk too. That’s because everyone’s family and friends will most likely be using one of the big three, AIM, MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger, all of which run on their own proprietary networks. If Google Talk catches on, that problem might solve itself. It will be interesting to see how many people stick with it.
The good news is that the Google Talk network is compatible with the Jabber protocol. Which means I can chat with all my Google Talk buddies (that I don’t have) using a Jabber capable client such as Trillian Pro.
I guess I installed Google Talk for nothing. At least it wasn’t a huge download.
Hundreds of deaths are feared from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While, I don’t want to seem cold or callus. I do feel sorry for those who lost their lives. But, I do find it hard to feel sorry for the people being plucked from the roof of their house. Why should we rescue the people in New Orleans who were too stupid to save themselves. Over the last three days, all sorts of government officials and agencies have been asking the people of New Orleans to evacuate, telling them point blank that you will most likely DIE if you stay. Does anyone else agree?
All of that aside. I happen to catch a graphic on the news the other day showing a cross-section of the city of New Orleans. Who’s bright idea was it to build a city 10 feet below the water? The bowl-shaped city has to pump water out even during normal times. If it wasn’t for an intricate system of levees, pumping stations and canals keeping the city dry, the entire city would be under water. However, what I find truly Ironic, is that all the pumps, canals, and levees that work so hard to keep New Orleans above water are actually causing the city to sink at a rate of three feet per century. Some scientists predict that by the year 2100, the city will be under water.
Yesterday we had the very fortunate chance to spend a Day Out With Thomas at the Illinois Railway Museum. This was the first time we had taken Matthew to a Day Out With Thomas. And it was so worth it! We were very lucky to have perfect weather for a day outside, although I started to feel pretty toasty sitting in the sun during lunch. Our Day Out With Thomas not only included tickets for a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, but it also allowed us access to all the museum exhibits and unlimited rides on all other trains and streetcars. However, we did miss the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Sir Topham Hatt (the line to meet him was way too long) because we did not want to miss our chance to ride on Thomas. Of course, the ride on Thomas was one of the highlights of Matthew’s day. Seeing his face light up when he saw the life size Thomas pulling into the station was cool. During the entire train ride, he kept waving and smiling at the crowds of people standing along the track.
This was the first time that I had ever heard of the Illinois Railway Museum. The museum has a huge collection of over 400 pieces of rolling stock and is the largest railroad museum in the country. I would really like to go back some time when the crowd and chaos of Day Out With Thomas event was not around.
Overall, it was a fun day. There were lots of activities and we had a great time. I recommend it to everyone who is/knows a Thomas fan! And for those of you who don’t know who Thomas is. You can always check his website, Thomas the Tank Engine.
The Village of Plainfield and Plainfield Park District show movies every other Friday during August and September at Settlers’ Park. So, last night we decided to go to Settlers’ Park and see Shrek. Lucky, the weather held out and it never started to rain, even though the skys looked pretty threatening before the start of the movie. I’d estimate about 100 people were camped out on lawn chairs and blankets in front of the 25-foot-high screen to watch Shrek. The movie crowd had a neighborhood party feel to it. I’m glad we decided to go. Matthew had a fun time. Although, he only made it three quarters of the way through the movie before sleep finally won him over.
Just felt like posting as photo.
Of all the cereals growing up, Fruity Pebbles was my all-time favorite, followed by Honey Nut Cheerios. But it wasn’t until I came across this this SITE that I remembered some of the less popular cereals that I use to enjoy.
This site has great photos of all kinds of different box covers from different eras. In fact, they have an entire page devoted just to “Monster Cereals,” and while I can easly remember Count Chocula and Franken Berry. I never knew Booberry, Fruit Brute and Yummy Mummy were actually part of a five-flavor family.