Category Archives: Uncategorized

news, evil, and not so much.

— HOME ALONE?

The United States appears to be going it alone on more issues these days. Many in Congress were surprised when the world went ahead and adopted the Kyoto Accord in Bonn while the U.S. looked on. According to Senator Joe Lieberman: “Bonn surprised people. The feeling was that, if the United States took its football and left the field, the game couldn’t go forward. But the rest of the nations of the world found their own football, and they completed the game. They left the United States on the sidelines.”
{OK, so are we talking about American football or what the rest of the world calls football?}
http://latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-072501dioxide.story

+

A refusal to support a worldwide plan to enforce a ban on germ warfare is the latest issue in which the U.S. has split with many other nations.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/604811.asp

— THE DEVI MADE HER DO IT

The incredible life of India’s “Bandit Queen”, which saw her evolve from outlaw to politician {the opposite of the general U.S. evolution} comes to a violent end as she is shot down by masked gunmen.
http://cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/07/25/india.devi/

— A MOUNTAIN DUE

In the last twenty years, young children in the U.S. have seen the amount of homework required of them triple. {It’s unclear whether that stat includes a penmanship exercise still sitting
in my desk drawer}.
http://cnn.com/2001/fyi/teachers.ednews/07/25/homework.increase.ap/

— ANY PREDICTIONS?

Missouri has filed lawsuits against the psychic Miss Cleo (if you have ever watched television, you know her) charging her with consumer fraud. According to the state’s attorney general: “Miss Cleo should have seen this coming. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to realize that ripping off consumers isn’t without consequences.”
http://boston/dailynews/206/nation/Missouri_s_attorney_general_ac:.shtml

and…

On his way to Beijing, Colin Powell expresses optimism about the release of the U.S. scholars convicted of spying in China.
http://latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-072501scholars.story

Teen birth rate falls to a record low in the U.S.
http://cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/parenting/07/25/teen.births.ap/

Condit will talk to FBI.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/07/24/missing.intern/

Patients’ bill of rights heads back to the waiting room.
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49450-2001Jul25.html

Nato gets parties to re-establish cease-fire in Macedonia.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010725/wl/balkans_macedonia_dc_183.html

Will AOL’s $100 million investment in Amazon lead to an eventual merger?
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010724/aponline202130_000.htm

Opec cuts oil output. Consumers shouldn’t see much difference.
http://nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-World-Oil-OPEC.html

Researchers believe they have solved the mystery of what killed the Iceman more than 5,300 years ago.
{So far, no warrants have been issued in the case.}
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010725/sc/iceman_mystery.html

The bedbugs, more often than ever, are biting.
http://travel.boston.com/world/072501_fl_bedbugs.html

I’m bad.

I have 4 packages to send out.

They’ve been sitting by my front door “so I won’t forget them” since Friday night, to take to the post office last saturdayt morning.

Tonight, when I see them, I’m putting them *IN FRONT* of the door, in order to ship them off. to them that’s expecting mail, it should get to you by the weekend.

Ack. On to good stuff.

I talked to my brother last night, and hopefully we’ll be getting together this Sunday to go to the pier, listen to some music, see a few friends. Listen to a band that I’d like to do a website for. We’ll see.

My morning fog obscures all memory of last night’s dreams. I lay in bed this morning, waking slowly, thinking of being with my sweetie in a park, watching the folks go by, seeing children playing. There was horseback riding and a lot of people there, even though they were spread out quite a bit…Its times like that when I wonder what we’ll be like five years from now… a decade, even 30 years. Her with a head of silver, me with a horseshoe of grey, grown old together…maybe children of ours having children of thier own. What’ll the world look like when my age has doubled? The same, but only with more crap music and cool technology? (Sort of how I view the shift from the 80’s to now…) I like to think we’ll still have books, peace and freedom. I think we’re overdue for a global confilct… I hope we never have another, but is that a realistic hope? I’m getting too old to serve, but will my kids one day have to kill people that threaten our way of living?

I just want to grow old with the woman I love. 🙂 A reasonable request, I think.

GrifterMike: Is that you, Scott?
BigLug23: yeah
GrifterMike: We blew it. They killed Deakins.
BigLug23: read about the suicide?
GrifterMike: I knew Professor Deakins pretty well. Suicide my ass.
BigLug23: why did they kill him? He wanted nothing to do with this.
GrifterMike: That photo you gave me had a packet sniffer attached to it.
BigLug23: They tracked him that way?
GrifterMike: Just listen. They traced the photo back to Deakins. Then they killed him.
BigLug23: Who’s next?
GrifterMike: This is getting completely out of hand.
GrifterMike: I don’t know what to do anymore.
BigLug23: what about shinehed?
GrifterMike: I hope Shintaro gets back soon so we can just get the hell out of here.
BigLug23: Have you heard from him?
GrifterMike: We should have been more cautious.
GrifterMike: I’m sorry.
BigLug23: Is everyone else ok?
GrifterMike: Auto Response: I am currently away from my computer.

exhort ig-ZORT, transitive verb:
To incite by words or advice; to urge strongly; hence, to advise, warn, or caution.

intransitive verb:
To make urgent appeal; to give warning or advice.

Exhort derives from Latin exhortari, “to encourage strongly,” from ex-, intensive prefix + hortari, “to incite, to encourage.”

estivate ES-tuh-vayt verb, also aestivate

To pass the summer in a dormant state.

From Latin aestivatus, past participle of aestivare, to reside during the summer.

(Like a summer version of hibernate.)

mind control chip

From: tporter@electronlabs.com | Block Address | Add to Address Book
To: scott_vonberg@yahoo.com
Subject: photo request

It has come to my attention that you recently requested a copy of photographic series #EL44_12_546.

Your Internet address does not appear on the permissions file for this particular item.

If, however, you can provide the Project Name along with the corresponding Project Number for this series, we will accept this information as an alternate form of verification. We do realize that our clients employ freelance and contract employees and occasionally neglect to pass along their information to us.

Please resubmit your request at our alternate page http://www.electronlabs.com/html/restrictedQs.htm with the appropriate information, and we will verify and process your request as soon as possible.

We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you for using Electron Labs.

Sincerely,

Ted Porter
Operations Manager
Electron Labs, Inc.

Continue reading mind control chip

thesilentprtnr: Looks like you’re on the right trail, Scott.
BigLug23: thanks.
BigLug23: where’s the image?
thesilentprtnr: The fact that that photo sequence at Electron Labs is restricted from public viewing must mean something.
BigLug23: is there a way to find item 2?
thesilentprtnr: As always, be sure to check the Majestic homepage for updates often
thesilentprtnr: I’m sure we’ll chat again. Goodbye.
BigLug23: ok. see you soon
thesilentprtnr: Auto Response: Sorry, I’m currently unavailable to chat.

skepticism Skep”ti*cism, n. [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written also scepticism.] 1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.

2. (Metaph.) The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; Pyrrohonism; universal doubt; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or assertion of certain principles.

warning, spoilers.

oh, man… it’s a murder. http://www.portlandchronicle.com/

Electronic Arts sends a notice. Due to the destruction of the Majestic website server, the game has been suspended. No homepage, no Majestic. The e-mail provides a link to a news website. A news article and video clip detail the explosion at the Anim-X offices where Brian Cale, co-creator of Majestic, has been killed.
Continue reading warning, spoilers.

mj update.

thesilentprtnr: Looks like the shit has officially hit the fan.
BigLug23: what happened?
thesilentprtnr: Have you seen the TV news clip about the fire?
BigLug23: not yet!
thesilentprtnr: The NOTICE in your Alliance window has a link to follow. I suggest you check it out when we’re done here.
BigLug23: I will. Thanks.
BigLug23: What’s the story?
thesilentprtnr: I just wanted to make sure you saw the news clip.
BigLug23: thanks… are you ok?
thesilentprtnr: Can’t tell you that. As for you’re next move, getting to know your allies is your best bet right now.
BigLug23: I don’t have the news clip.’
thesilentprtnr: Good luck, Scott.
BigLug23: thanks.
thesilentprtnr: Auto Response: Sorry, I’m currently unavailable to chat.

I’m *very happy*….

I’ve got some Lj buddies, and my sweetheart to join me in majestic… real time mystery solving, conspiracy breaking, freaky weirdness.

has already signed up, and and are soon to follow. I’m psyched. 🙂 I wonder if I can get more folks to play a creepy game like that.

I’m guessing and are too busy with everquest… anyone else like that sort of thing?

evil news – brief today

Heroin Chic And Heroin Chicks
=================================
“Vogue” it ain’t. But “Mainline Lady”, a new Dutch glossy magazine for female drug addicts, is perhaps the ultimate in heroin chic.
“Getting them to kick the habit is not our first priority.”

Protesting The Blanding Of America
=================================
Nine people were arrested outside the house where MTV’s ”The Real World” is being taped, saying they fear the show will bring more gentrification in the North Side neighborhood.

The $18,000 Pizza
=================================
Lancaster County’s pizza controversy continues to mushroom at the taxpayer’s expense. Lancaster District Court Clerk Kelly Guenzel is now pondering whether she should go to court to force the county to pay the $18,000-plus in legal fees she racked up defending herself against a charge she misused public funds in reimbursing herself for $118.76 worth of pizza.

We’ve Got a 10-282; Fire Truck Sent to Help, Runs Victim Over
=================================
An elderly man wandering in the street was fatally struck by a fire engine dispatched to help him, authorities said. The fire engine and a rescue vehicle were responding to a 911 call Friday for a man who needed medical help.

words of the day – ne plus ultra & anile

ne plus ultra nee-plus-UL-truh; nay-, noun:
1. The highest point, as of excellence or achievement; the acme; the pinnacle; the ultimate.
2. The most profound degree of a quality or condition.

Ne plus ultra is from Latin, literally, “(go) no more beyond”, from ne, “not” + plus, “more” + ultra, “beyond.”

anile (AN-yl, AY-nyl) adjective

Of or like an old woman.

From Latin anilis, from anus old woman. (Yes, really.)

Rhetorical, but feel free to regale me with stories.

Take this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

How did you do?

See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.