Actually, at several of the temples I have attended, both male and female infants are brought before the congregation and welcomed by being given their Hebrew names. Which can be fun, when baby James is named something horrific like Shlomo. You just know that is one kid who is never going to use his Hebrew name unless absolutely necessary!

Well, if you aren't careful about how you bite into matzo, it sort of does explode, in little tiny pieces that go absolutely everywhere... So maybe there is some connection after all?

And really, this is why I envy the people I know who actually speak Hebrew. It's like the Catholic clergy who speak Latin. Everyone switches to a language they don't speak quite fluently and they all muddle along more or less together. And somehow it really does cut down on the misunderstandings.

I loved it .

animal

the best use of music on television ever

I think we (as in 5 kids), get that from Dad. He has done so much in his life without the aid of someone leading him around. He has gone up on Lake Superior to smelt fish for a week with just his brother. Has taken the bus home from work, (it let out 2 blocks away from home, and he knew how many steps, and direction to go....somehow, I missed out on that gene! LOL). Taken my brother out driving (remember, my dad is blind, Steve was about 13 or 14 at the time...oh, Steve drove, not Dad. LOL). He and his co-workers would go to a strip club to eat lunch (Dad was upset that he still had to pay a cover charge....okay, I get my wierd and wicked sense of humor from him.)

He bought a computer in his 70's and on occassion will e-mail us (he does use the JAW Program). When Mom was in the hospital, he refused vehnemently (sp?) any help from outsiders to come in and clean, or go shopping. He is active in listening to the news, commentary (loves Rush Limbaugh, O'Riley), and will get in debates about what is going on in the world with anyone, especially if they don't share his opinion. Keeps an eye on the war, and stocks.

The times I do get upset/mad at him, are out-weighed by the number of times I admire his, and Mom's independence and to keep going. I hope I am that resilent when I reach their age!

orbital

Let me say that I have spent easily 12 hours since Friday evening trying to resolve a problem with my desktop computer. The virus software expired and I chose to buy the disks rather than download the software from their website. It took close to two weeks to get here, all the time being warned every day that my computer is unprotected...

Two programs show up, one needs to be installed so I can return my computer to "normal" should anything happen. The other is the Internet Protection 2007 disk. I try to load the software. I'm not an idiot. I've loaded software dozens of times. You put the disk in, you click yes, next, proceed, whatever button and voila. It loads!

No dice. It gets stuck in the middle, goes no where, won't even recognize any longer that there is actually a flipping disk in the CD tray!

The Symantec website is a labyrinth of blind alleys. Good luck finding a live person who will answer an email much less get one on the telephone! H'll will be that woman's voice, every 2 minutes and 10 seconds thanking me for waiting, my call will be answered by the next available person and "remember that we now have live email chats at Symantec.com."

I never shut down my computer. It's not at all necessary. The thing goes to sleep when it's not in use and I move the mouse to wake it up, check my email, print stuff when I need to. Since Friday evening I have rebooted the darned thing more times than I have probably done in the entire time I have owned the thing and it's two years old.

We had to remove and reinstall their software nine times! NINE times. And it still didn't work. I was on hold waiting for the next available person for an hour and a half on Saturday evening. When I was cut off and heard the voice telling me to hang up and try again, the dog heard some thrillingly pronounced words that would startle a navyman!

THEN I find out that they have a problem with the software they sent me and I need to download version 2007.2!!!!!!!

Long story short, the thing is still useless. Turns on just fine. Try to use anything, email, internet, Spider solitaire! ANYthing and it freezes.

They just called to find out how my computer is doing and gave me a direct line to a consultant. I've been on hold for 43 minutes.

If anyone has a suggestion for a virus protection software that is NOT made by Symantec I'm open to suggestions.

Rant over.

Wow, Linda, that is depressing news. I use Norton Internet Security (Firewall and Antivirus combo) AND it needs to renewed soon. You're saying the CD's they send you aren't the most current version, plus it's got a program bug? That you have to download the entire AntiVirus program (not just update virus protection) to get a clean copy? What a pain in the BLEEP!!

Are you talking about the Norton Internet Security package or the Firewall, Antivirus programs separately? I need to reup the whole shebang, not just the Antivirus program. Although, I suppose I can just renew the Antivirus on-line, then do the package program update thingie later.

IMO Norton is the best antivirus, firewall out there. However, customer service sucks big time, as you've discovered. I can recommended two excellent antispam, anti trojan programs that I use. If you're interested shoot me a private note.

I do shut down my computer every nite. I've been told by many computer guru's that Windows needs to be refreshed and the best way to do that is to shut your computer down for a bit. I don't like the idea of the thing sucking juice (sleep mode or not) when it's not being used. So it goes nite, nite when I do.
PeachyBC

There is a system upgrade disk that came free of charge. That's the first one that got stuck. The second one was the Norton Internet Security 2007, which is the antivirus software that isn't working.

The woman who called me today to find out how thrilled I am with their new and improved facockta product gave me a direct line number so I wouldn't have to wait so long for a technician. 53 minutes later I'm speaking to some guy who is telling me that the only thing that could possibly be wrong is that I have picked up a virus. I scan my computer every flipping week. I have never had a virus on that system. We did an ActiveX scan on Friday night as part of this technical dance of death and there was nothing suspicious found in 85,000 files.

Today's guy wants me to shut down the computer. Let it wait about 10 minutes, open it in safe mode for networking and run another ActiveX scan, THEN call back and let them know what happens. I've been tethered to a telephone with this darned thing all weekend, what's another 2 hours?!

At least he said they will be able to remove the thing from the machine and give me a refund. I've got to talk to the IT guys at work tomorrow and find out what they would suggest I get instead. I'm NOT a happy customer.

Today's guy said this is only a glitch that almost never happens. I'm so not totally believing him.

As far as shutting down the computer goes... The network engineer at school says not to worry about keeping it on. The people who do vs. don't run about 50/50, but John (my engineer) says there's no surge of juice going through the machine when it gets turned on and off so don't let anyone hand you that load of manure. It's just that it takes no more or less energy to run it as to not. It's still technically on anyway even when it's off because of battery power to run essentials like the internal clock, etc. so why bother having to wait the extra minute or so for it to turn on if you don't have to.

Oofta! Turns on computer, hits F8 key repeatedly...

SOS.

I will like to more often come to the USA, (New York Boston Washington and to go in Connecticut) but that costs very expensive. In May I will have liked to come 4 days to attend the annual meal of Refugees International, unfortunately that would cost me 1.200.00 euros plus ceremony 300.00$Have an idea to travel not too expensive? perhaps by renting a room at the inhabitant....... All the idea (serious) will be good. Thank you

I'm not making this up, because, while I have an active imagination, the irony is just too unbearable. I am back on the phone, on hold waiting for the next available consultant and listening to Muzac. They are playing "To Dream the Impossible Dream"!

Gotta find me some windmills to tilt against.

<br /><br /><br />

Well, all I can say is ... "Thank you for your patience while holding!" (argh). I love it when a voicemail system says this to me. What makes them think I'm holding "patiently"?! ;-)

My favourite trick to avoid telephone queues (don't know that it will work in the US unless the phone tree is bilingual): press 2 for French. Far fewer French-speaking callers than English-speaking, and all the francophone callers are bilingual. In my job capacity I spend a lot of time on the phone to government offices. So - this is a handy trick. I get to a french caller and then say "aw, shucks, I must have pressed the wrong button. English, please". LOL

That is exactly what I just PMd Linda, Kristina! Although I go with the French person I get. Il est beaucoup deranger moins! Make me happier, and cuts out hours of drama.
Mari

Suren. What a wonderful name and what a wonderfully calming influence he had on my elevated blood pressure. What a load of crap when I got the next guy!

Okay, ran ANOTHER virus scan and found..... a tracking cookie! Suren gave me a phone number that (he promised) would get me a live person within a matter of minutes. (six days can be broken down to minutes too...) He told me the next person would be able to tell me what to do should I find something on my computer and he/she will then send me back to the regular tech after it has been resolved.

Tracking cookie!!!

The next guy I do get quickly after several busy signals. The next guy tells me he will have to charge me $59.95 to remove the virus from my computer. The Norton software already cost me $59.95. If I had gotten the one for $69.95 would it have cost me THAT much?! I told him that he's NOT charging me $59.95. I already paid them that much for software that's stopped my machine from working and they are NOT getting another $59.95 outta me. He needs to speak to his supervisor. I remove the blankety blank cookie myself while waiting. He comes back and tells me he can't help me if I don't want to pay. I tell him to transfer me, which he does and the new software we've NOW downloaded has been doing a live update to find system upgrades for the last 35 minutes.

They're SO not getting a Christmas card from me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL to tracking cookie!!! Makes me shiver in downright fright!

Linda, so what's the deal...how is your computer honked because of this Norton install? What exactly is wrong with your computer now? Inquiring minds want to know.
Peachy

"We don't understand why this is happening to your machine madam. If you would like me to speak to my manager I am not authorized to give you a refund myself. Please, let me to place you on hold for a minute or so and I will be right back." Muzac White Snake, not kidding.

I am sure I have spoken to every single person in that technical support office. There simply can not be that many different people working there. By the way, if you thought that calling them off hours would get you someone quicker, rethink that thunk.

It's been removed from the computer yet again. The darned thing froze after the final software removal that we did and I know I should do a defrag and disk clean up but I just can't look at that screen anymore. Excellent wall paper image that I've LOVED up until this past Friday, Goren from Chinioserie. Such long eyelashes .

So, here's what's the what. There is a conflict between some software that's currently on my computer and the new software I/they/us/we were trying to load. Why there was NO conflict with the previous version of their software that expired two weeks ago and all the same other software that's been resident on my computer is beyond me, them and their manager. I read them the entire list of software that is on my machine, they can't figure out which it could possibly be.

The last guy I spoke to admitted that they have been having a "great number of issues" with this particular package. He says that my credit card will be credited with the return, so now I have to check back in my records to figure out WHICH card I used to buy the danged thing so I can see that I'm actually refunded.

Thank the good people at work who saw fit to giving each of us a wireless capable laptop computer or I would be crawling up the walls!

Thank you for letting me blow off steam.

Rant over, again.

Ah...the age old software conflict problem.


I forgot to add a tidbit that I learned from my hubby, who's a programmer. Odd release numbers of programs (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) invariably have problems. While even number program releases (2, 4, 6, 8...) don't. Interesting, eh what?

The programmers get out release number one; it's full of bugs. Release number 2 fixes bugs in release number one. Release number three everybody gets brave again and adds new stuff -- bug problems again. lol Release number 4 fixes bugs in release number 3...and so and so on.

I would definitely defrag. Your box is probably one giant, scattered mess at the moment.

Rant all you want. There's nothing worse than computer problems -- except losing electrical power, in which case all pooter problems become mute!
Peachy

I've been running AVG/ewido free software since I got sick of Norton last year. Haven't had any problems so far. You can download it free online.

And the bilingual trick doesn't work in the States. The other option here is Spanish, and (depending on who you're calling), the line is usually even longer on that side.

^^Ay caramba! I hadn't thought they even had bi-lingual lines in the US, Cvl! I was wondering, how is it going today, Linda? Or should we not even ask?
Mari
PS I am having my own issues, my satellite died on Sunday, just prior to the beginning of The Sopranos, so I have been playing telephone tag for a few days as well. Sympathy abounds!

I spoke to my network director today about something totally unrelated and brought up the lunatic weekend from h*ll. He laughed and laughed. Thought it was great fun and also suggested either AVG or McAfee. AVG is the smaller program and won't weigh down my computer nearly as badly as the Norton thing did. It's also a ton cheaper than either McAfee or Norton.

Thanks, Cvl!

Anything to feed your online addiction - just call me the Enabler!

So far so good. I removed the final bit of the software last night and the computer is running smoothly. I ran a defrag and a disk clean up this morning before work and will probably go with my IT guy, Manish's suggestion of AVG.

My computer's boot speed slowed down from less than a minute before this fiasco to well over 4 minutes with Norton in place and it ran like it was wearing chest waders in three feet of mud. When I explained to Manish what was happening he said he wasn't surprised and that Norton is NOT the direction to go if your computer doesn't already have it loaded. Their programs don't even "play well" with their own programs.

Peachy, I don't know what to suggest to you about your computer when the program expires in a couple of months. I can tell you the website to go to that will totally remove the entire software program from every little electronic nook and crannie and then you can load with a different program. Your hubby can probably do this just as easily for you, but my suggestion would be to stay away from Symantec in droves.

Interesting, Linda...

I've been running Norton on this box and my other pooter from the get go. I've never had any problems with it, including no upgrading problems. I wonder if my luck is about to run out? I hope not! Hang on to that website removal info though just in case!

As far as hubby helping out, that gets a HUGE chuckle from me! I know this box better than he does and can usually fix it better/faster than he can!
Peachy

Happy the light is at the end of the tunnel, Linda! (Which, in my mind, is a frieght train, however, I am sending happy vibes!) I rely on my very long time BF's little bro, interestingly, also Manish, to help me out...oh synchronicity!

Apropo of nothing, which, I am sure you have all noticed is how my brain works...I was thinking about "Silencer" the other day, and I saw this news story, which is interesting in it's own right, and it lends itself to the discussion we were all having about being Deaf and the issues of surgery, etc. This is about a Deaf dolphin, and in a creature which is a sonic life form, this seems interesting in many levels.
Yahoo news.
Mari

I was sitting under the tree earlier minding my own business. All of a sudden something hit my head from above. Ouch… that was really smarts! When I looked down beside me, the apple was cut in half. My head must have done that. That was pretty strong. After I washed it, I ate it with one gulp. Now, that satisfies my appetite, but I crave for more.

This is certainly OT...this TV NBC news blurb caught my eye.

Tom Selleck In Negotiations To Lead Las Vegas
Posted on April 11th, 2007 at 12:20 pm

Emmy winner Tom Selleck is in discussions to join NBC’s Las Vegas as the fast-paced drama’s new leading man. He would play the smart, powerful, fun-loving new owner of Montecito Resort & Casino, a new character designed to fill the void left by the recent departure of the show’s star James Caan. Vegas, from NBC Universal TV Studio and DreamWorks TV, was picked up for a fifth season in February and is slated to begin production on its order soon. The show also is looking to add a beautiful female concierge in the wake of the departure of co-star Nikki Cox. Josh Duhamel also stars on Vegas, with Molly Sims, James Lesure and Vanessa Marcil rounding out the cast.

This info is from The TV remote.com
Peachy

For the first time, I would tune in to Las Vegas! Er, purely to examine the new direction the series is taking, of course. ( Vis a vis our PM discussion, Peachy, I am stopping here!)
Mari

I'm with you naydi. David Caruso certainly paid his dang dues ten times over for leaving NYPD Blue. And I also saw him in some movies way before being on NYPD. You can tell the earlier CSI:Miami shows and the later ones. Daivid doesn't have as many wrinkles in the older ones. But, personally, I think getting older for him has added a LOT of character to his face. Dang, does he look good in black or what!!

Is the page running slow for anyone else today? I've had a couple of instances with different threads where the page just would not load and I've had to kill the weblink via the task manager (never a dull moment ). It's not on the computer that was having the trouble last week either. It, by the way, is running beautifully.

Just wondering because it's happened on three separate occasions throughout the morning.

I was going to say that it was running fine until it took almost four minutes to get a screen to answer you. The problem must be on their side.

so it is true what they say. saiyajins are strongest and powerful in all galaxy. and their appetite is as big as state of new york, they have to fill their stomachs for more than 10 plates. but tell me, is it true that their hair never changes since the day they were born?

You're talking to a Tom Selleck fan here. Yup, gonna confess a drooly fan reaction to that man, and it has nothing to do with acting. One of the best looking 62 year old male actors around, IMO. Hubba hubba!
Peachy

Well, if this is what's happening, I give up my dream of Thomas Magnum being transferred to the NCIS! Hubba hubba indeed! When Magnum was on, my friend famously commented that the natural wonders to be found in Hawaii were impressive indeed!
Mari

My assistant has a HUGE poster of Tom Selleck hanging where she can see it from her computer. I swear she only voted for them to hire me because when I walked through at the interview I told her I thought he was a perfect office decoration.

(Of course, I have an ever-changing line of photos of various pieces of celebrity eye candy on my computer desktop - so I knew I would fit right in here. )

Yes, it's all true. I'm sure we haven't met, but how did you find out about me? I didn't know I 've become a celebrity. Did you google me under 'Saiyajins'?

why the heck would i want to look for you? nothing special, but i am only curious how you and your saiyajinking got together during three years? care to share that information with me? i am a suspicious punk

We do of course, mean this in an academic appreciation of the various forms of humanity....uh huh. Yep. That's how we mean it.
Mari

Three years.... *Giggles!* Sure I'd love to, but not on this board, silly! You'll never guess what my 'saiyajinking' and i have been doing the entire time, lol! Meet me on the pms!

Clinic

-

New Order

-

Joy Division
(of course)

-

Folk Implosion

-

Radiohead

*sadness*

I've been sick these past few days. It started Monday night with a wittle sore throat that I thought would go away within 24 hrs. But Thursday morning I woke up and realized I lost my voice.

So I've been eatin' soup and cough drops, and drinkin tea, and honey mixed with lemon juice all day. I was hoping to go to NYC this weekend to see an Off Off Broadway play.

I've had the same thing since Thursday last week. Croaky frog throat doesn't even begin to explain the voice. And talk about fun, fun, fun when you're a teacher and have to, ya know, speak!

Buck up lil trooper! Wellness is just around the corner.

Mmmmmmmmm, honey and warm lemon water. It's like a hug from your mom.

Except on occasion, when it becomes much-needed comic relief. As in my current desktop decoration:

Just makes me howl!

Edit: durnit, I keep trying to make that not quite so huge, but... not working. Sigh. Been one of those days...

whew! that was a longest pm i have ever read!

eewww you are so bad... i am relieved the 'saiyajinking' didn't blast you off to the next dimension.

did he really leave after what happened to you both?

Yes on a Christmas Day, he didnt even open his presents I bought for him A family should always be together, I reminded him. Not goofing off somewhere during special occasion. However, I worried too much. He came back the same evening with an immense present just for me!

Okay, that is one of the funniest things I have seen in my entire life! I think I love you!
Mari

Okay Librarian and Mari,
Purely for academic reasons and the deeper meaningfulness of his lesser known works...

Bull dookey.

Have either of you ever seen Alan Rickman in Anthony Minghella's "Truly Madly Deeply"? He plays Juliet Stevenson's cello playing lover, recently deceased, who comes back to her while she is in her flat, to help her move on with her life. That woman can cry. It's at least a quarter box of Puffs Plus in empathy tears alone and he is funny as can be imagined.

STRONGly suggest it for fans of the man. For people who may only know him from Galaxy Quest or Dogma, two very funny pictures to be sure, it's a welcome, quiet little film.

Oh Linda,

This is one of our favorite movies. Hubby and I are both huge Rickman fans and "Truly Madly Deeply" is excellent!
Peachy

Yes Peachy and Linda, I own 'Truly Madly Deeply' on DVD. I love that movie, I think it's one of my all time faves. Er, 'Sense and Sensibility' is right up there too, and it 'aint for Hugh Grant!
MM
In a completely scientific way.

Totally scientific and separated from anything remotely meepy-eyed chick flick and such.