mmytacism

Hey, If you can't install the AIM client because you don't have administrative privileges on your work computer, download Trillian. It's free, it supports AIM (and other messaging services), and it doesn't update your registry, so you can use it without admin rights. I use it because it's not as memory-intensive as the AIM client. Don't know if that's your situation, but if it is, I'm always glad to help a fellow bored worker find non-work-related distractions!

Ooh, FreezeFEST!!!!!!11one I'll be there... bearing beer, perhaps? (I still owe some!)

Hey, If any Cross Keys jumpers are still looking to share a ride down to Sebastian, let me know. So far, Jonathan and I will be leaving for Florida on the 26th, but there is room for one or two more people (+gear) in his Jeep. We'd be happy to take anyone else along and split costs! PM me for cell numbers, etc. Jessica

Since I'm bored at work, I'm actually reading the spam in my junk mail folder: "The Ass and the Grasshopper AN ASS having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted; and, desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what sort of food they lived on to give them such beautiful voices. They replied, The dew. The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew, and in a short time died of hunger." [sic] Then it proceeds to list prices for Xanax and Cialis. So, if you're hungry and want to sing like the grasshoppers, don't eat dew. Eat Xanax and Cialis!

If IE downloaded a pop-up blocker you didn't know about, it likely has downloaded a lot of other crap you don't know about. Check for scumware (spyware, adware, viruses) before you do anything else. Then, get Firefox and never look back. (:

Is there a link to the video online? I don't have a TV, but apparently the incident made the local Philadelphia news, since no fewer than 8 friends called/e-mailed/IMed to tell me about it. :P "OMGWTF SEE?? YOU REALLY ARE GOING TO DIE SKYDIVING!!!!1111one"

Okay, definitely sounds like a pop-up blocker to me... Which pop-up blocker do you use (even though you said you disabled it)? Have you checked for spyware recently? Since you're using IE, it's quite possible that you inadvertently downloaded an unwanted toolbar that came with its own pop-up blocker.

Can you be a bit more specific? When you say you "go to click on things," do you mean in your web browser? Do you have a pop-up blocker installed? Some pop-up blockers show a red circle & white hand when they block access to a link.

Sorry, but you won't be able to get it out of your head! It only takes one time to become addicted. (: I only did my first jump a few weeks ago, and since then all I do is talk about skydiving, think about skydiving, and dream about skydiving. And when I'm at work, I spend most of my time surfing DZ.com. (: Great photos, by the way! Where did you jump? And when are you jumping again? :P

Got patriotism?

Sparkle Motion! If you recognize the reference, I'll give you a stale fortune cookie. :P

Even Bill Gates uses Firefox.

Before you repair or reinstall your operating system, try the tips suggested here: http://www.duxcw.com/faq/win/xp/secure.htm

Good points. Interestingly, Apple's maximum altitude for the iPod Nano is also 10,000 feet, even though the Nano uses flash memory--which is built to tolerate extreme atmospheric conditions--instead of a hard disk drive.

mr2mk1g is correct. There is a reason that Apple specifies a maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) for the iPod. Hard drives rely on air pressure to maintain their read/write heads at a proper flying height above the disk. At high altitudes, the air pressure is too low to support the flying height, so the heads may physically hit the disk's surface (called a head crash). This usually = substantial data loss. Of course, if the iPod is turned off, you shouldn't have anything to worry about (from a technological standpoint). You could wait to turn it on until you're under canopy (if that's possible--I'm a new jumper--but even if it is, I'm not necessary advocating it).

Congratulations! I've listened to the samples on your site, and while I'm not usually a jazz enthusiast, I can appreciate your style--your musical acuity really shines through. That's some elegant guitar work. (: Did you produce the vocals as well?

I, too, have some experience designing t-shirts (they make great gifts!). I don't want to steal the opportunity from those who have expressed interest first, but let me know if you have any questions.

I scheduled a court appearance to beg for a points reduction (in Pennsylvania, it's generally the case that the more points you have to your license, the higher your insurance premium will be). The court experience was every bit as scary as I'd imagined. The judge didn't need a 13-foot-tall podium: she was already an Amazon. And, as I'd expected, she did resemble Mr. Yuck--sour-apple-puss and everything. So, the verdict? A one-point reduction and $22 off the original fine. I suppose it could be worse, though I'm sort of regretting not taking the "when-did-you-last-calibrate-your-tuning-fork" route. The best part was bonding with the other hapless souls in the waiting room. One guy, a commercial truck driver, had been ticketed by the same officer for driving in the passing lane without passing anyone. :P

You're right! Perhaps I can plead insanity on account of living in PA?

Okay, so it's not that exciting, but I *did* break the law-- I exceeded the posted speed limit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It's the first time I've ever been pulled over. The reason I post this, dear readers, is that *Judgment Day* has arrived. Yes, in less than 2 hours, I will stand sheepishly before what I imagine as a 13-foot-tall podium that shoots out spikes when the disapproving judge, whose countenance resembles Mr. Yuck, hurls his gavel across the courtroom because he's bored of the earth-shaking slam. The best advice so far? Wear a skirt and a bonnet, carry a small dog, burst into song when possible, and keep mumbling that all I want to do is go home to Kansas. If I do not return for many moons, assume that I've been institutionalized. (: That is all.

Here (: (Sorry, I messed up your arms a bit; they were dark)

A dual-core processor and 2 gigs of RAM? Ooh, that's a sweet system. I'm envious. (: One word of advice, though: the Athlon CPUs overheat really easily. This is more of a problem with the notebook PCs, but the desktops have also been susceptible. Just make sure you monitor the temperature in your BIOS often. Then again, you probably knew that already. (:

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're dealing with Web Nexus... use the link I provided and run the uninstaller. Let me know if that works.

jtval, It looks like you've been "infected" by the Web Nexus malware. Do you have a problem with popups while you're browsing? To manually uninstall Web Nexus, follow the directions here: http://web-nexus.net/uninstall.php. (Yes, you have to visit the company's website to download the uninstaller.) If this doesn't work, download HijackThis (do a Google search; there are many download sites), run a scan, save your logfile, and post it here. I will tell you which entries to remove. Oh, and, most importantly, if you're still using IE as a browser, stop. :) Get Firefox. (IE makes you susceptible to malicious ActiveX controls=more malware on your PC!) Good luck, Jessica

Jack! Thanks again for the video/pictures! You rock. I can't wait for the DVD to arrive (does anyone actually own a VCR anymore?) See you soon!