The Number Shall be Ten: The Last Ten Years of Growth on the 'Net


What was that line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "...Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three..." well, right now, maybe for those in Techno World (and our own Blogcritics), the number could be Ten. Besides, those other numbers are a little busy; One is the Loneliest number; Seven is the Perfect number, not going to even touch Triple Six, so how about Ten? It works well in Techno World, a one and a zero, all binary code-ish and cute.

Well on August 3rd, 2005 Blogcritics.org celebrated TEN million site visits. In just three short years. Oh yes, you read right. That's unique visitors. Actually the celebrating started on the 3rd, and I believe there is still some dancing in the streets, if not the Internet, going on. It's amazing what can happen in three years. Or in Ten.

Oh, and speaking of that 'ole Internet, here's the latest thing, Ten years ago this week, Netscape made their IPO, and what a ride it's been ever since. Suddenly, the Internet was more than a tool for scientists; it was a breeding ground for one of the biggest cash "eCows" in history. The Belfast Telegraph has a nice timeline depicting what's changed since then and now.

I know many out there still get kind of get confused with the Internet, the World Wide Web, and so forth. The Web, which made it's first appearance in 1991, was conceived and developed by Tim Berners-Lee while he was working for CERN in Geneva. Sure, it feels like it's been here forever, but remember the early days? There was no online shopping to speak of, and a search engine was almost as unwieldy as it sounded.

Now the Internet on the other hand, has been around for ages:

"A long time ago, somewhere between when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and the emergence of the cell phone, the Internet came into existence. As the 1950's were coming to a close, the United States was becoming quite concerned about the technology possessed by the Soviet Union. The launch of Sputnik and the fear of atomic war sparked the need for the U.S. to be sure they were as technically advanced as the Soviets. Fallout shelters were built, but we needed to be more proactive. In case of some disaster, how would different parts of the country communicate? A Department of Defense organization; the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) set to work on this issue. In the next 10 years or so, with key research being done at MIT, UCLA, and Stanford, something called the ARPANET was developed. Communication technology was moving from circuit to packet switching. Networks sprang from the 1969 original four-host configuration (UCLA, Stanford Research Institute, UC-Santa Barbara, and University of Utah), to a group of 62 hosts in 1974. In another five years that number had jumped to 188, and by 1989 - 80,000 hosts were in place in what had become, the Internet." *

I wrote those words for a publication that might now never see the light of day, and that's another story entirely, but the point is valid. The ideas and even the technology have been around for so long, but the actual revolutionary changes that have only been wrought in just the last ten or so years, are astounding.

For me, a stay-at-home Mom, my use of the Internet, or rather the World Wide Web (which is only one portion of the Internet) is almost non-stop. It's enabled me to pursue a real career in freelance writing, but even if that weren't the case, it's very hard to conceive of life without Moviefone, the RMV online WebMD, Google, and on and on. This kind of dependence on anything is a little nerve-wracking (like foreign oil), because when you suddenly don't have the product, well - it gets ugly.

The Internet is fire, it is the wheel, it is the turbine engine, it is penicillin. But fire burns, wheels run you down, and penicillin can close your throat. We don't take away the tools, just because we might get hurt. We proceed with caution. Again, I'll borrow from the same writings:

"...The accessibility of the Internet is both appealing and appalling. There are a myriad of websites devoted to the silly, the macabre, the spiritual, the mind-boggling, and the just plain scary. The fact that terrorists use the Internet so skillfully is horrifying - yet like anything else we must balance that horror with knowledge that we can stand up to terror by uniting, and the Internet is a great medium for that kind of unity." *




*How to Use the Internet to Your Advantage - Mary K. Williams, 2004

Discovery Lands Safely


At a little after 8:00 AM (Eastern) The Discovery Shuttle landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in the Californian Mojave desert

Thank You God.

Arabic anyone?


Something scary/interesting from the Washington Post, via Blogcritics.org.

A little Saturday Night Magic

I was standing in Romano's Pizza waiting for my sub when I saw this cool thing on the TV. I have to give a "God Bless" to the Minnesota Twins for this bit of sports magic they performed Sat night at Fenway. It was a near double play, and it was so cool! Yes, I know...of course, I'm rooting for Boston, but C'mon...a good play is a good play. I don't know the inning, nor the Twins players' names, but the shortstop dove down, catching the ball, flipped it to his teammate who hurled it to (I forget which base?) Our Sox guy, (I forget that too) was safe, but what a moment.

This news came to my attention thanks to Aaman from Blogcritics.org.

Spammer killed in Russia

Let this be a lesson to all ye spamming whippersnappers out there!

Vacation Yay's and Nay's


Yay to -- Suntan.

Nay to -- Sunburn : (

Nay to -- Packrat tendencies. So much stuff, so little time. (this for my new basement, where to put all the stuff?)

Nay to -- Spiderwebs. Oh, and the spiders too.

Yay to -- The Cape Playhouse's, (in beautiful Dennis, MA) production of No, No, Nannette.

Yay to -- The talented, and very gracious cast of No, No, Nannette, including Mr. Fred Willard (Anchorman, American Wedding, A Mighty Wind, Everyboyd Loves Raymond, Roseanne, Fernwood 2Night) who took the time to talk with my son, and autograph his playbill.

Nay to -- Feeling 'thick'

Nay to -- PS2

Yay to -- the local liquor store that seems to be always having 'tasting' nights.

Yay to -- a cute little black convertible. Which brings us back to the whole, 'being in the sun' thing. Good time to end.

Today I am reminded of our lasting search for the Good. If it's the same search for Humanity, I do not know. We need some good guys. We crave either an idol or a leader, or just a touchstone for good karma.

We might find the Good in Randall Raines, hopefully retired car thief. In Gone in 60 Seconds, Nicholas Cage plays an endearing crook, a baddie, but only on the outside. Inside is the protective older brother, making a deal with the devil to save his little brother Kip's (the excellent Giovanni Ribisi) ass. (Kip's soul is intact, but his brain took a vacay).

Anyway, Randall 'Memphis' Raines decided to quit 'the life'. And live on this side of the law for a change. Lil bro Kip keeps up the family name, and then goes too far by making deals with a super baddie, un uber-baddie, a Sith Lord of car thievery - Raymond Vincent Calitri (Christopher Eccleston). Kip screws something or another up, and Calitri is incensed and well, next thing ya know, Memphis and friends have to come up with 50 special stolen cars by Friday. Yes, this Friday. Yes, real nice fancy cars. Real tough stuff to find. So, rent the movie, and enjoy, but note how Memphis keeps sight of what's important, and even makes nice with the detective (Delroy Lindo) who's been on his tail, for like...forever.

More to come on this Search for the Good.

MS Bike Tours - Something my husband is doing this weekend. Two day ride, 75 miles each day. He has done the Pan-Mass Challenge for the last 3 years, but decided to switch organizations this year. He's now into his second day, and will end the ride in Provincetown, MA. If anyone is interested in sponsoring, let me know

Some news to report. An organization called the Always On Network (AO) has listed Blogcritics.org in it's Open Media 100. This is a pretty big honor in the techy world. Check it out.

And now for something completely different:


What follows is definitely adult content. For whatever reason, I was doing a little research on a particular four letter word, and was amazed at the abundance of information on one little (or not so little) website.
Anyway, take a look and learn something new! And please, if you are inclined to comment, please do not use the 'word' in your text. You may certainly use a polite substitute. I am not opposed to the 'word', I tend to use it quite frequently myself, but over all this Blog should be more PG than R.
Have fun!

My version of Cheers and Jeers - Yay and Nay -


OK


Yay to - The sublime voice of Joni Mitchell, especially her contribution on The Wide World Over, by The Chieftans. (RCA Records) Actually I love just about all the tracks, but Mitchell's - sandwiched between Ricky Scagg's "Cotton-Eyed-Joe" and good drinking melodies on "Live From Matt Molloy's Pub" is the wonderfuly haunted song, "The Magdalene Laundries". This tune, which tells tales of virtual enslavement of young women in Irish Convents, is done soulful justice to by Mitchell. As an FYI - she also delivers a superb performance on the Love Actually Soundtrack (J Records), with a newer arrangement of "Both Sides Now". Lovely.


Nay to - (and this in my Dennis Leary Voice- even ) - CD's that are a bitch to open, and that never stay in one piece. You have this ridiculous piece of plastic wrap over the CD, you finally figure out how to get it off in only 7 or 8 rips and tears, and then you have to contend with the super fancy security tape. And THEN - the bloody case breaks at a harsh look! I thought it was just my kids being rough with CD's or PlayStation 1 games (CD Format- unlike PS2 with a DVD style case a mini 'yay' within a 'nay') but I have broken more than I thought possible. Man!


Nay to - The myth of Spring. What happened to Spring here in New England? Rain, rain rain, now it's like August. (even thought it's only June 10). Its hot. Africa Hot.

I'll have to post more of these!

Six Feet Under


I finally realized the new season started, so on went HBO on Demand.


Episode 1 "A Coat of White Primer"


Could it be any more sad?


Frances Conroy's portrayal of the usually optimistic Widow Fisher is a work in subtlety. While Ruth's frustration with George's psychosis and depression is visceral, Conroy doesn't resort to grimacing with impending headaches. Nor does her pain manifest in acid burned stomach ulcers. Yet you feel it. You feel it in the set of her jaw, and the slight slump in her posture. Her voice is tighter, a little bit more shrill. Her pain so incredibly evident when you look in her eyes. Its all there. Exhaustion, disbelief and sadness. What strength though.

When she is confronted with the Dr.'s idea to release George on a particular evening, Ruth can't believe she's hearing him right. The man had endured ECT - more than once - and was physically and emotionally tattered. The Dr. is discussing waking George from a much needed sleep, and packing him off. Ruth outright refuses this proposal, astounded that the idea was even broached.

Major dopeslap to the Doc.

Start humming now - 525,600 Minutes .

French Toast- It's such a lovely thing, bread fried in egg batter and sprinkled with powdered sugar and then doused with warm maple syrup. It's hard to find a good French Toast. This place has pretty good Ice Cream, and their restaurant has some good French Toast as well.
Another local farm (well - I think it's under an hour's drive from here) has some great things on the menu including including this amazing stuffed French Toast that includes cream cheese, pineapple and ham.
Who's hungry?

Staying on the theme of delicious things was my trip to Kimball's Farm on Memorial Day. Now this will shock some of the locals, but I had never been to Kimball's. Nope! Never! Ever! Of course, I end up going during a pouring rain storm so some of the appeal was missing, but the place is pretty cool. And...drumroll... There's shopping! The ice cream portions are huge, which was of no problem to my 16 year old, but I couldn't finish mine. However it was tasty. There's also a cute store/cafe combo, that serves coffee. Between the ice cream and being wet from the rain, we were freezing. The store was a nice way to warm up and find some additional Father's Day gifts.

Now I'm in the mood for some French Roast Coffee - hmm, I wonder why?

A Righteous Dude!

Yeah, he's the man allright.

Trying to get this image thing down right. But this might work. I still want to add a permanent image in the template. I have the code to do it, but I'm still having probs.
*sigh*
So, I have been experimenting. No, I didn't get my fill of experimentation in college, I'm still at it.
Anyway, Here's Bobby Milk in all his grown up glory.

Later -

No Agenda


Just coming on here to post stream of consciousness stuff today. The Fab Five are going to take on the Boston Red Sox. TV Guide had a shot of Johnny Damon getting his hair cut and other such niceties. Cool.

Our basement is being finished off. We are still waiting for the 'mud' to dry, but the heating is all in place, which should aid that. We finally picked out the rest of the flooring, making more decisions and spending more money. Whew.

A demonstration was held today in front of a local middle school. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas has been sending hate filled pamphlets to our town to protest an essay winner at the middle school. This child wrote an essay on Ellen DeGeneres for a contest about Women in History. Somehow this group in Kansas picked up on this non-news item, and decided a 12 year old student and the teachers and staff of Englesby [School] would all be perfect targets for some nonsense about devils and going to hell. Yeah this is the same lovely group under Fred Phelps that demonstrated at Matthew Shepherd's funeral. I did not attend today's demonstration, I had actually got involved in something else and forgot about it! In a way it's just as well, I don't need to see the hate-mongers up close. An area church had a sign with a wonderful sentiment, which I'll paraphrase, cuz I can't remember the exact quote. Something like..."We encourage the Separation of Church and Hate". Beautiful!

I'm going to make chicken tenders again. I hate the cutting and so forth, but they come out so good. Yum.

Done.

The Rice Man Cometh (Still!)



When I heard (OK - half-listening) on the news the other day that Jerry Rice had signed on with the Denver Broncos - I assumed it meant as coaching staff. "Cool", I thought. I knew he'd been around a while and surely had some good gridiron wisdom to impart to the young-uns. A teeny little part of my brain wondered, "Hmm, special teams or defensive coordinator" while another part registered the fact that Rice was going to play. And like the rest of America I found myself to be an ageist, at least temporarily. "Isn't he like...old.?"

So I become intrigued and start reading up. Yeah, he's old! I read a news blurb that mentioned that Rice was around to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1980. Wait - I was around then too. I see his age - 42 - and realize - I'm older than him! Yes, and I too have been pushing the envelope - physically and mentally.

I started in Martial Arts when I turned 40, have been training fairly steady for the last seven years. It's not a career, but it is a lifestyle change. Luckily the injuries have been fairly minor, but my knees are taking a beating. Should I stop? Hell no. I will modify what I need to, and keep moving.

Rice wants to keep moving too, he just wants to play without some of the pressure of past years. The wide receiver who gave the 49's more than 15 years, and 3 Super Bowls, says he just loves the game, and he can still play. He's not a shoo-in, he still has to try out, and he isn't asking for #80. Sounds good to me.

Speaking of #80, another wide receiver, free agent Troy Brown (and one of my favorite Pats) just signed with New England. Again. It's a one year deal, but this too, sounds good to me too.

Anyway, back to Mr. Rice - I say, good for him, age is just a number. He's had a lot of good numbers in his career, and God willing 2005-2006 will give him a few more.

Speaking of a Fool in the Rain -


Today I bought some flowers for myself - but I digress.

While in the Florist shop - I was looking at the Yankee Candles. As if I need more candles, but then - i'm a fool for candles too.

So - I bought...get this..."A Splash of Rain". (Yes a candle)


If you live in Boston - anywhere within the sound of my voice...(like the old Radio Days). You'll know what I mean about the 'splash of rain'.

-Done

Play List for a Rainy Day -


Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Healing Game - Van Morrison
Dollar to the Pound - Ska - The Album (not sure the artist)
Rascal King - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Around the World - Red Hot Chili Peppers

And one of my Favorite Songs (as if these above weren't?)

Fool in the Rain - Led Zeppelin

Breaking Records -


1. New England Weather - Abnormal Spring in New England? I don't know what the records are, but c'mon, this sucks.

2. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith -- Opening $$. Although it holds the present record for biggest opening day [$50,013,859], what I'm seeing is that it is still second to Spiderman for opening weekend.[$114,844,116(Spiderman) over $108,500,000 (StarWarsIII].

OK numbers are one thing, but I think Yoda could kick Spidy's ass. (Then they'd find out they both were on the same side after all - another feel good movie hidden under the layers)

3. Cleaning - I think I've been cleaning for 2 hours straight. That must be a record indeed. : )~