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Aug. 1st, 2008 @ 09:13 pm Writer's Block: In the Event of a Zombie Emergency
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Are you prepared for a zombie outbreak, or are you just going to wing it?

 


<input ... > View other answers



 
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Road to Damascus
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May. 5th, 2008 @ 07:52 pm Cookies
Current Mood: accomplished
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Has your computer seen a lot of mileage,and behaving like a cranky child? Did someone palm you off with pirated software, or did you knowingly choose to use someone else program, and run into all kinds of trouble because you couldn't download the updates to keep your machine healthy?

Well I can sympathize with you, because that is my dilemma lately. On top of that my Norton protection expired during my sabbatical from the net, and I can't afford to buy anything to resolve the problem until mid June, when I'll get some extra cash for my birthday.

In the meantime, while I research what's on the market to find out what suits my needs, I've taken up the challange to find out which cookies are feeding all those pesky ads onto my desktop while I'm trying to work.

Through some trial and error I'm learning how to take advantage of the tools (those on the bar between Favorites & Help). It never ceases to amaze me how much there is that I don't know about this machine I've taken for granted.

Anyway I was getting messages that my browser was full. Now I've got enough memory to choke a horse and was surprised to discover that most of my last 25% has been gobbled up by cookies, and unwanted links since I got back on the net a month ago. Google is actually blocking spam, but it seems to be geared only to stop it getting into my gmail.

While trouble shooting to discover how to empty my browser, I find out there is an option to delete one's net history, but I'm a bit leary of dumping that just yet, but you can see your list of cookies and it is staggering.

After figuring out how to open each one (double clicking on them, then clicking open)you can see where it came from and what flavor it is; however, at first glance it's just a lot of 'gobble de goop' but if you look at it like this: gobbledegoop, enough of it makes sense to get an idea of whether one needs to keep it to function with one of your servers.

For instance: jLogRandCookie....reviews.cnet. randomads, stands out after playing wordgames to come up with handles for sites, and passwords. Sometimes you'll see a name you recognize, which often helps in making the choice whether to keep it. They incorporate the word ad a lot; such as adjuggler, adcentriconline, adengage, admaniaserver. It also comes up before the company name; as in, ad.outerinfoads...... 21winningbaccaratsystem.

I hate the gambling ads, but they are easy to spot; somewhere near the bottom is a clear word associated with gambling, or the name of the site; such as casino, or something Palace. I usually try to ignore the content of the ads, but it does help to look at the address bar at the top when they get in your face, as you prepare to defeat the cookie monster. Some text files don't make any sense at all; I've decided to leave them alone for awhile.

Whoever loads them into our computers is really sneaky too. The cookies are hooked to the names of the people who have accounts on the computer (when you have Windows Professional), and hide them in innocent sounding files like, Pat & dad. I'm so pleased I managed to get rid of one porn file.

I sat at it for about two hours, and only got about 10% of the way down the scroll bar, so it's going to be an ongoing process. Only time will tell if I'm crushing cookies of those third parties we have to grant the right to put ads on our space to use a service, but what the heck they have no right to steal all our memory and make us run the gauntlet to access our e-mail; or to invade our space when we are trying to compose a blog. I've had so many pile up behind the page that it freezes up. I must say though that there aren't quite as many tonight.

The reason I'm blogging about this, is for the benefit of those who are in the same boat as me, and not sure where to start; and even worrying if there is anything they can do. I'll start a troubleshooting tag, for any interesting updates for those who may be interested. If you are reading this, and can add a little sage advice, please leave a response; it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Beam me up, Lord
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May. 4th, 2008 @ 03:13 pm Writer's Block: Fictional Character
Tags: ,

What fictional character do you relate to most and why?


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I can't think of the names of any characters just now, but I do relate to stories of those who are bent on solving a mystery. I grew up with Robin Hood, The Count of Montecristo, and The Scarlet Pimpernel, so I still enjoy a good tale about the battle between good and evil.
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May. 4th, 2008 @ 02:03 pm Thank God it stopped raining.
Current Mood: content
Tags:
( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. )
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Apr. 21st, 2008 @ 12:23 pm Paranoia of making links
Current Mood: aggravated
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Yesterday I spent hours researching 'spam' ending up with a host of mixed feelings, but determined not to activate any ads; including Microsoft.

It's ironic that all those things we agree not to do, when we accept programs, are all done to us by those making the rules, or the third parties that use their service. It's a quagmire that sucks you in.

Well I'm going to work on the plans for my balcony garden; thank God I have this to distract me from what I can't change.
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Apr. 20th, 2008 @ 08:32 am Frustrating comeback
Current Location: at home
Current Mood: aggravated
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I've been on my computer for two hours, and all I've done is fight with pop-up windows: unwanted ads that have no obvious escape; pop-up messages every five minutes, urging you to buy anti-spy and virus software.

The irony is that all this b.s. is what you promise not to do when you sign up with net servers, and software producers.

It's a long story, but I knew--after the fact--that my Window XP was pirated, but couldn't afford to do anything about it; a downside of getting your computer package through 'a friend' One of my pop- up messages is polite hourly reminders that I need to resolve the problem. Don't you hate reminders of things you can't do anything about?

All of this pop-up stuff interferes with what you are doing. Sometimes the computer freezes up after a battle with some invading attention grabber. It all reminds me of a Sci-Fi story I read, before I had a computer; maybe ten years ago.

The scenareo was the need to constantly buy new invasion protection; the victims of all the crap that comes with connection to cyberspace is always one step ahead of those building programs to fight the new innovations. After this past week I'm beginning to think it's all more trouble than it's worth; it's like raking leaves in the fall, or shovelling snow in a storm; it's a loosing battle.
It takes all the fun out of being on the net.

But thank God, things are relatively normal at the moment. If I were still superstitious I'd touch wood. Just saying that causes a little angst to stir in my heart. I just pray I don't trip on the changes of procedure at LJ as I post this.
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Apr. 12th, 2008 @ 04:40 am I'm Back.
Current Location: in my office
Current Mood: content
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Coming back to a Blog site after sixteen months absence is like not seeing a small child for that long; the development is astounding.

The replies from Sketchydoodles is full of wonderful art. I am eager to comment to all of them. I was in a real funk from such a great isolation; I'd forgotten that Blogging keeps you sane. Life had become so dull I was: reading for distraction: playing computer solitaire; and taking sleeping pills to shut off at will.

I didn't realize it, but my recent lack of ambition was a result of having nothing to plan for. Is that pathetic, or was I just missing the chances to spread around a little encouragement?

Mixed feelings plagued me when I let my son talk me into applying for a package with Primus, to get back on the net. The idea of the extra cost at this time is not something i wanted to deal with; however, just seeing all the entries on my sight gives me something worth planning. It will illiminate my need for distraction; it will be all the distraction i need, until the weather gets nice enough to plant some seeds, and get my seedlings out in balcony pots.

A few days prior to New Years Eve, my son and I, transfered to a bigger apartment with southern exposure on the balcony. So I'm planning to outdo 'The Hanging Garden of Babylon.' I've really missed having the ability to grow some of my own food, and herbs. It's only the slow approach to real spring weather that had dampened my plans; plus the cost of enough potting to fill the huge pots. Fortunately it can be done in stages between now and June, so I'm not going to fret over that.

Anyway, I'm back: I'll have a new e-mail address; I like that messages come to my e-mail when I have a response to a blog entry, and I can respond to it on the spot; hopefully it will be finalized tomorrow--there was some trouble with MSN's system that could be solved the next time I log in. It's now just past 4am--I must be having fun; I haven't been up this late in a long time. I'm so tired I probably don't need a sleeping pill. Don't you just love how quickly things can turn around, especially when it pulls you out of a pit?
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Road to Damascus
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Nov. 2nd, 2006 @ 07:22 am A stormy afternoon.
Current Location: a busy headspace
Current Mood: determined
Tags: ,


A Stormy Afternoon.

Rachmaninoff stirs the savage breast
of my restless soul longing for rest,
poised on a rocky shore I see
the pounding waves caressing me.

The wind plays games with my hair
attempting to soothe away every care.

Oh how I ache to be
strolling beside a wild savage sea,
communing with the passions of nature
which brings soothing sensations of rapture.


I spent the day yesterday scanning a bunch of pictures into the computer. Then I posted a bunch of doodles into sketchydoodles, and plan to update my user pics before the day is over.

If you read my Nov. 1st journal update, you will know I maybe on a forced sabbatical for awhile. It will happen a day sooner than expected, and there will be no buying time; they want payment in full when the service guy shows up at my door at 9am tomorrow. Unless I get that miracles I'm hoping for
then today's effort will not be wasted.

I am going to search the net sometime today, to see if I can find the address of one of those computer coffee shops in my neighborhood. I don't have to be entirely cut off, and it will give me the exercise I need, which I have been neglecting since I became a blogging slave.

I found a site where I can publish my book; a lead from Google when I couldn't get Adsense on my web site. I am going to enter the full first chapter of my book today; if you are interested the URL is:
http://patdysonsblog.blogspot.com

This is really ironic: to be cut off, just when I'm getting the hang of LJ blogging, and have enough very interesting friends to keep me busy; oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. To be sure, I will be back to pick-up where I left off.
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Road to Damascus
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Nov. 1st, 2006 @ 02:55 pm (no subject)
Current Location: on a creative streak
Current Mood: indescribable
Current Music: none
Tags:


This is some quick sketches I copied from someone else work. I was trying to loosen up.




This is our last two cats: Bootes (the black mother), and Dickens, the last of the litter that we kept. They got left on the farm, which we homesteaded, with the new renters; it just didn't seem fair to bring them back to civilization. After that we couldn't bear having anymore pets.




Another quickie animal doodle; done same day as the other animal quickies.




Some efforts to create cartoon characters.




It's an orange.




An early portrait, sketched from an ad, which I haven't used in my gallery-workshop, or included in the archive yet.





Some notes and sketches for an idea I had for one of my Illustrated Manuscripts. If you'd like to see some finished pieces go to: http://pats-cyberspace.tripod.com Look for the gallery/archive pages. There is actually 3 sites: this URL links them all together. If you follow the leads there
is Disney coloring pictures in the kids pages.




I don't think I got this one in there yet.




This Illustrated Manuscript is not in my web sites either yet; this is the first time it has been presented for public display.




This is another one; I'm on a roll here today. I may not be around for awhile after the 3rd, so I'm
making the most of it.




One night, when I lived at my brothers chalet; about 1980, I noticed my reflection in the thermopane window. The overhead light created an image that looked like a Picasso painting. I couldn't resist
sitting with my sketchbook propped on my knee doing this.




This is a little warm up exercise. I like to work with pencil when I haven't painted in awhile.










These last three are prelinaries, in sequence, for an eerie self portrait. The face highlights were done in very soft white, kind of ghostlike; the stars were the focal point. I had had a dream which suggested that the moles on my face and neck, if laid out flat, made up the constallation Gemin. I was into Astrology at the time. The end result was great; it's hanging on my cousins wall in England now.
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Nov. 1st, 2006 @ 12:55 pm For Katrionakeg
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Hey look at this, I just figured out how to post more than one picture. I don't need to tell you which is Rocky, Shebon and Scratch. The rabbit is Bobby; my son saved hom from someones soup pot. He got along famously with Bootes, the female black cat. Got her after Scratch went missing.

Bobby used to run free, and he's go pee in the cat litter; wasn't fastidious about his little pellets, but they were hard so it was no problem Took him off to the zoo when he got mature enough to think Bootes was his mate.

The Shepherd is Yankee. He wasn't sure what to make of Bobby; he was used to chasing rabbits out in the bush, but he never tried to hurt Bobby.

Hope you enjoy these.
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Road to Damascus
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Nov. 1st, 2006 @ 10:51 am Worst fears confirmed.
Current Mood: content
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"Da da da dum, da da da da da dum" (to the tune of The Death March)


I don't think it matters who we are, we all have something we fear: if it's not our health, or the environment, it could be holding on to a relationship. Many of us fear our inadequacies, for me it's always been about not having enough money to meet my needs.

When my son was pushing to get on the net, I didn't see how my budget could support that, but he insisted he'd pay for it; but the bill would have to be in my name. That was not much comfort; working for himself has always been an iffy situation, and if he can't keep it up it's my credit rating that will be blackened (that was back in March, just before my heart attack).

So this morning there is a friendly rat-a-tat-tat on the door--sneaky bugger; it turned out to be someone from Rogers with a final notice, which is weird as it is the only written notice I've received. I guess they consider phone calls notice.

Anyway, back to the situation at hand. We have three days to come up with enough to buy us some time. As usual bad news comes at the worst possible time. I am in need of a miracle. I got a $60 cheque from the government today--their way of helping low income people with their winter heating expense--it was a nice unexpected surprise, but I could have used another zero on that at least; I have a pressing bill of my own that has gone to a collection agency.

The funny thing about these dire situations, for a believer in a God who is the God of the impossible, it prompts one to exercise their faith. I'm not really a name it and claim it Christian, but I do believe that if we petition for help with our problems, that act of faith pleases Him and He makes a way to solve the problem. I also have the encouragement that He has gotten me out of some pretty tight spots before, at least knowing that the situation is in His hands I won't get eaten up by worry.

We don't need unnecessary stress around here. My son's new venture is panning out pretty good; he makes better money in less time by taking down old tv antenna towers, than he did before with all of his other home improvements and repairs; he's even booked up for some jobs in a couple of days. All he really needs is to get responses to the fliers that went out yesterday and are going out today. More calls to do right away, and for the weather to hold.

So I am anticipating my next journal update to be a praise report.
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Oct. 30th, 2006 @ 03:18 pm Extreme
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All of these poems were written in the early 70's.

Extreme.

Would we know that lemons were sour
if nothing that grows was sweet?
Would there be any sense of success
if no-one had suffered defeat?

Would anyone know what peace was
if there had never been a war?
Would anyone know about less
if some of us didn't have more?

For insects that live just 24 hours
is there a sense of tomorrow?
If no-one had come to lend from us
we would not know how to borrow!

If we never bought anything new
then nothing would seem old!
Without feeling the heat of the day
would we know what it is to be cold?

When a blind man only feels the sun
can he possibly feel the moon?
Without there being a November
there could never be a June!

Where would the beautiful valleys be
without the majestic mountains?
And how would we know the comforts
without ever enduring the pains?

Without the depth of deep despair
how could we feel exstatic?
Without a negative and positive force
all of nature would just be static!
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Beam me up, Lord
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Oct. 30th, 2006 @ 02:44 pm Silly me
Current Mood: touched
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The wannabe poet.

I have been reading some really good poetry, by some of the livejournal community. It reminded me that I still had some from my rejected manuscript, tucked away in my old file system.

It occurred to me that there is no age limit in poetry; it's a place in the heart where we reveal our commonality. So I've decided to publish the ones I'm sure will be related to.

Silly Me.

Oh silly me
what can it be
that makes me act
and think this way?
Letting things
and people
get me down,
happy on the outside;
inside wearing a frown.

Then a friend
will come and say
"Live for today!"
Reminding me that
the past is past,
today is now;
the future's still ahead!

But there are times
Oh silly me,
when the past is now,
the future is now,
and today is lost!

Oh silly me,
what can it be,
is it only insecurity?
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early self portrait
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Oct. 26th, 2006 @ 07:44 am Anonymity
Current Mood: contemplative
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There is something rather interesting about the anonymity of blogging. It's like wearing a mask. We get to choose a user name; much like a C.B. operator chooses a handle. The names we choose fit into some aspect of our self-identity; for instance, I chose cyber-pilgrim because I feel like a pilgrim stepping into a strange new world.

Something in the nature of a transformation happens when we put on that mask of anonymity: we might be bolder in speaking our minds, knowing that our true identity is hidden. It's not unlike the effect of having a couple of drinks, which overrides ones inhibitions.

I've noticed something else: the character projected through that mask can be like a role an actor might play. For instance, I've responded to what appears to be a black heart, and discovered a really sweet helpful person.

When our true identities are hidden a shy person can take the risk, and give an opinion without feeling the angst of something akin to stage fright. I suspect there is a lot of role playing going on, and a lot of uncharacteristic boldness. It's easier to speak the truth too, or at least what we perceive to be the truth, when we wont be exposing who we are.
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Road to Damascus
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Oct. 25th, 2006 @ 12:16 am How can I say I'm sorry?
Current Mood: crappy
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Well it seems like I may have stuck my foot in my mouth, for acting too quickly.

That episode where I found two entries on a directory that looked bogus, but listed me as the publisher of something I knew nothing about. Well I managed to find someone connected with LJ, to whom I could report what looked like blog site abuse, because when I followed the lead I got some advertising from two real sites.

Now it seems the trouble stems from my being uncertain about what my URL is for my LJ site, to give out to friends. Somehow I got and address for LJ without the protocol, and I wanted to see what I got. It seems that our software is so smart that it can create something to give to us when we don't follow the correct protocol. It reminded me of a movie that I loved, but cant remember the name. Some nerdy guy buys a bunch of computer equipment; the whole nine yards.

To make a long story short: he falls in love with the new neighbor, who plays the cello, and the computer started to think for itself and ended up becoming monstrous; eventually the nerd killed it, and it went to cyberheaven. Anyway this whole experience is just really creepy.

The unfortunate thing about all this is that I contacted the two people who where linked to the directory address; asking one to stop using my name for his advertising; the other I wasn't really sure, and asked if he was aware of this bogus link. I think they both think I'm a troll: naturally they told me they had no idea what I was talking about. One deleted the comment, so I couldn't reply; the other blocked my re-entry.

They will probably never read this, and I'd rather not make a pest of myself; going in on another comment to another of their entries--they may even block any possible effort; they both have the skill. So how can I appologize for offending them?
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Oct. 21st, 2006 @ 01:35 pm There's always good news, and bad news.
Current Mood: frustrated
Tags: ,


I have been trying very hard not to think about the things I cannot change; working on the computer mostly--doing a lot of blogging.

I managed to get some order in my gallery, but it still needs work. I really need to scan a lot of pictures back into the computer, as I'm running on half empty right now. But after a phonecall from our internet server, concerning our overdue bill, I may not have much time to update stuff anyway.

Things have just gone from bad to worse, since I had my emergency bi-pass, and now the slump in the work season has hit for my son, and the work has dried up. All efforts to generate a cash flow on the net have bellyflopped. My ace in the hole died in April, and no-one has taken over her mantle, so there is no way out of this one. If you're into praying, I sure could use a little prayer support.

So if my presence on LJ is missed in awhile, it will be because I'm cut off; however, there is one of those internet cafes somewhere around here. That option could keep me in touch, and give me the exercise I need; I don't get out hardly at all anymore.
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Road to Damascus
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Oct. 21st, 2006 @ 09:19 am Contact
I'm having to make an entry to get into my account. I'm not really awake, so I'm probably missing the obvious. The point is, I got e-mail answers from the two people I tracked down through that bogus directory link, which I wrote about in my last entry.

They both said they had no idea what I was talking about, and they both deleted or blocked the message so I couldn't respond to their reply. One suggested I contact LiveJournal, which is what I thought I'd do if my inquiries warrented such action. Neither of these people are the slightest concerned about being used; if indeed they are victims.

The problem is: How do I contact LiveJournal's department for registering site abuse?
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Oct. 20th, 2006 @ 11:20 am A change of season
Current Mood: awake
Tags:

I'm kind of getting used to things not working the way you expect; I was surprised to notice the insert tab, and decided to add a seasonal picture. There is script at the top of the page, but nothing showed on the preview; so I'm going ahead with a few thoughts, and whatever will be, will be.

It would be interesting to note how many LJ bloggers have opened with a directory to get to their site, and noticed listings claiming to be published by them. I found SoulCast.com that way. This morning there were two more, and they were done through LJ, and when followed up lead to specific people with accounts.

One was obviously connected to the advertising that this weblog-like page was created to disguise. I asked that he remove the entry from the directory; ending with the sentiment that I wouldn't have minded so much if I had been approached, or offered payment for my alleged recommendation.

When I entered my URL with the proper protocal prefix, this first one was gone, and the second was in first place. This socalled tutorial, was nothing more than a sales pitch too. It was obvious the guy has the smarts to pull off this deception, but I couldn't be certain; the link was vague. I wanted him (I assume it's a him) to be aware of what I discovered. If not involved, to be aware that he is being used also. The curious thing is that my site wasn't listed in that directory; however, it is amazing how many people use the words cyber, and/or pilgrim in their site description; it's surprising my user name isn't taken. Hey, do you think there is another cyber-pilgrim, whose responsible for this. When I looked up my real name for a web site domain name, I was surprised that someone with the same name as me had a porn site; naturally I rethought that one.

As far as I know, this seems to be abuse of blogging. I have listed all the details so that I can follow up on this if the bogus listings are not removed. There was an uproar at SoulCast, on a similar tactic, the day I followed the carrot to that server, but at least it turned out to be a real blog service.

I don't know if it's the chill in the air, or the blatant use of people that irks me; all I know is my radical spirit is resurrecting.
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Road to Damascus
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Oct. 19th, 2006 @ 05:33 pm Blogging Blues
Current Mood: apathetic
Tags:
Today I'm really discouraged. I've been trying for nearly a week to get paypal on my webpage, and the final verification floundered when I couldn't put a credit card into the process. It said I could use a debit card, but it didn't work.

I tried to contact them with a question about why it didn't work and I got one of those Mailer Daemon notices on the link to contact them.

All attempts to jazz up the blog page with add ons has evaded me too, and then I tried again to log into the SoulCast blog site, and they are offline; still--it's been 3-4 days already. The message notices from several people on that site have been cleaned out of my e-mail; not by me! My son doesn't go into my account.

It all just feels very unsavoury to me; and makes me wonder if my son is right about losing my marbles. Now as I try to submit this, I have a nice big red Error logging: My password is invalid. It never rains, but it pours.
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Oct. 13th, 2006 @ 04:37 pm Re: Beam me up Lord: Chapter 1
Current Location: At my desk, in front of the window.
Current Mood: cranky
Tags:
It was a great idea, but I don't think the format will let me blog my book here.  I didn't even get the first page in, and suddenly it kicked into submit; without even a chance to check the spelling.  So much for that.  I didn't even get one whole page in; that not even 25%.

it occurs to me that the SoulCast blog site, which pays for your blogs, may just be worth a try.  I got all excited at the idea of getting some feedback at last.   If you would be interested in reading the rest, let me know, and I'll see what they will let me get away with on the other site.

I wasn't sure I still had this site; at first I thought I'd been cut off for hogging disc space.  When I tried to log in again, my password was rejected, and it
took ages to get a new one and get back in.  Thankfully I was not given the boot, I'm starting to feel quite at home here.

Something has changed here:  I can't scroll the page anymore to edit.  There is also a toolbar I don't recall seeing here.  Maybe I just entered the update from a different tag.  Either way, it's not helping my discomfiture today.
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Beam me up, Lord
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