BellGab.com Archive

For good or ill:



Mellen-Thomas Benedict ~ Sunday July 8th, 2007

I like looking at photography, even when the subject matter isn't exactly to my taste.  The picture below is a "retrospective" of press photos of Dub-Ya - since he'll be leaving office. Most of the photos were very well done - and this one gave me a real grin (caption mine) 

It's likely you all know that one of the lighter-hearted Washington ceremonies performed each year is the "pardon" of a turkey just before Thanksgiving.  the lucky bird is then sent to a farm where they can free-range in peace for the term of their natural lives.  The fact is - Turkeys (at least the domestic type) REALLY like anything shiny.  It seems there was a belt buckle or zipper in view here  . . .

I need to lighten the F#ck UP!   And maybe some of you all could use a grin too.




And - a special version for those of you who have declared your love of the vagina.  (though I admit - I got a major kick out of it myself!)

A friend gave me a book called My Dog Tulip for my birthday.  It's a fun read.  I Googled it, and found this: http://www.tulipthedog.com  Anyone who knows and loves dogs should get a kick out of it, as well as anyone interested in animation.

But anyone here who is into prayer, or anything that resembles it, my brother could use it.  He's facing a tough choice.  Leslie (yep, that's his name, it's been a common male name in our family since long before anyone used it as a female name.  It's also my son's middle name but I'll spare you the rest of the genealogy) is the eldest of my sibs - I'm the youngest and was a VERY late "whoops!" Les was in the air force in Iceland when I was born.  He likes to tease and tell me I was a "PS: By the way . . ." in a letter from our Mom.

I've been so hunkered down with school over the past few months that I've only spoken to him by phone.  His voice did sound funny - but as we are both prone to bronchitis, I didn't think much of it and he brushed of questions. I'm in MA - he's in NJ.   I just found out though one of our sisters that he is in the final stages of a particularly fast moving form of Lou Gehrig's disease. I haven't been able to contact him, his wife, or the son whose house abuts his - so so far I don't know much more.  Only this:  While he and I have discussed death a number of times - and have both said we don't want to linger artificially, THIS is not what either of us had in mind. His mind is sharp as a tack.  He has grandchildren who love him and with whom he is close, as well as two sons and four step-daughters (all adults) - but except for his first son form his first marriage, they are Vietnamese - and in a way that is a bit different than most American families these days they have a kind of closeness that is not just emotional, it's geographical.  Living together, working together, staying connected in a hip-to-hip kind of way is the norm.

He has a huge choice to make:  go home with hospice, be kept as comfortable as possible and let nature take it's course - or stay in a long-term medical center hooked to to whatever is necessary while his body continues to turn to shit. BUT - he will be able to know what's up with "the clan" and possibly find a way to communicate with them for a while.

What I want for him is to be able to make this choice with confidence and peace.  What I want for me is to see him one more time while he can still talk.

This will not be the first time I've watched a brother or sister die.  It will be the third.  But, in the other two cases, the problem was cancer.  When you are in pain, and out of it much of the time due to chemo and other meds, it's much easier to say "I'm sorry gang, I'm done." But - here is the ugly catch with this disease - by the time Les gets to that point, he won't be able to communicate. It sounds like a peculiar kind of purgatory to me, but it's not me, my life, and my children to consider.

All support welcome and thank you for reading.  This was not easy to write so I may just cut and paste it on a couple of other forums where I know people are spiritually hooked-up.  BTW - while he is nominally Christian, most of his family are Buddhist, of a sort - I've never quite understood the distinction, only that it's not as simple as being one of the two main branches we learn about in school.  The point is that no one here on this side of the screen gives a rap how or by what name you connect to the divine.  We'll only be grateful that you do.

I let my subscription to Streamlink lapse --- so a "friend" sent me an MP3 of this show:

Remote Viewing Updates  ~  Friday May 23rd, 2008
Art Bell welcomed foremost remote viewing teacher Major Ed Dames,

I've listened to the damned Dames a number of times before - but this was waaaay over the top.




Now for the good news - Art slipped in a comment that he may have reason to re-open his site soon.

To rehabilitate the image of the poodle (at least the BIG GUYS) take a look at this: 


It's got a video and everything.  Poodles are most closely related to Spanish and Portuguese Water Dogs - and the Irish Water Spaniel. ALL of those dogs are still considered hunters, primarily of water fowl since they have coats more like wool than fur - and can stay warm even in icy water (which, BTW - is where the custom of cutting off only part of the fur came from.  It was to keep the joints warm, yet not leave on so much "wool" that they got water logged and weighed down.  Even the "bow" on the top of the head was originally ribbon or dyed yarn so that hunters who went in groups could tell whose dog was whose by the color of the yarn when only the dog's head showed above water. 

People are starting to use poodles as hunters again.  And it's great to see them.  Since people now have heated cars and shacks when they hunt - the hunting poodles are kept in a short, almost even cut. 

I don't expect to convince our dear Admin, but maybe some others . . .


To keep this GN related -- I expect even Michael would agree that a good poodle is more valuable than George Noory.   




EDITED TO ADD:  this is why people think badly of poodles.  It's the OWNERS who are obnoxious - not the dogs!  http://grooming.petedge.com/Top-Performance-Hair-Dye-Gels-TP6128.pro

I need a serious upgrade.  The PC I have now is adequate, but just.  I need to move to duel or quad core and I need REALLY good ram - 2 or 3 gig worth since I'm doing more and more multi-media work.  I'm also a multi tasker.   Please don't say "get a Mac." I have, and do use Macs, and like them - but I have made some significant investments in the last 6 months in software that is WINDOWS format. Besides, I'm just a PC person - it's a bit like "chocolate, or vanilla?"

I'm planning on building this monster myself.  Done it before, can do it again.  Besides - my son is also quite good at it and so I won't need to do it alone.  (While we've both moved on to aspects of "the writing life" and are wrapping up BA's - my associates degree is in Electronics and Computer Technology - Jared (my son) has his AA in Digital Media Production. 

Still, experienced input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have a special (Free) offer for a limited number of people.  I need to increase my web design and content portfolio. Here is an old, and somewhat outdated, student portfolio: http://people.umass.edu/ebarney/ I have chosen not to do a major update, since I will be transferring a lot of the content to my own domain, and, many of the images here - while "fair use" in an educational context, would be copyright infringement in a professional context. However, it will give you an idea of my style and range of skills. If you'd like some design work done on an existing website, or have a concept you'd like me to run with - here are the rules:

   1.  There will be no charge for the design.

   2. If the you make money from the site in a legal manner - more power to you!  I make no claims on any profit.

   3. I do not provide any hosting service, but reserve the right to place sample pages, and perhaps an entire site if on the small side, along with a link to the actual site (if any) as part of my portfolio.

   4. In some cases I may use screen shots rather than the actual site - but it will be linked to the actual site. However, if the site is then significantly altered, I may say so on the screen shot page.

   5. I will not (Cannot - for my purpose) design something intended for purposes that are legally or morally questionable. ("Morally" applies to violence, porn, hate speech, libel, and some things that are legally "on the edge." example: ads for tobacco smoking paraphernalia that would be perceived as actually intended for the consumption of illegal drugs) - my purpose is not to judge.  I need to maintain a professional presence as a designer. However, in these contexts, PARODY is acceptable - and can be negotiated.)

   6. Please take special note: I will be glad to help edit content - but if the editing of content is major, I may have to either reject the project, or ask a small fee for my time (this clause is primarily to avoid a - sites with content of poor quality, as I am a technical writer by trade and b - to avoid spending inordinate amounts of time editing or creating content that you could have done yourself.)

   7. If the site content is something I feel suits my professional purpose, I will help create content if my contribution is acknowledged - with a link - at the site. (This is something that will require negotiation.)

   8. I will use any copyrighted material from the site user "by permission and with attribution."  IOW, if my portfolio contains material to which you have the rights, I will presume that you have given me the right to use the material for portfolio display purpose only, and I will link to you by personal name or site name (your choice).  There are particular ways of citing material you have the right use to but is not yours.  If that case comes up, we can discuss it.

   9. The user must either own, or have rights to, the copyrighted materials.  I am particularly strict on this.   Taking an image, or other intellectual or creative property, and altering it, is considered "derivative work" and in most cases is copyright infringement. While I do not personally approve of this law, it IS the law. I am not only willing, but delighted, to discuss alternative and legal ways of getting your message across. You may find these alternatives an improvement over your original idea!  It's amazing what is legally available to use if you know how to look.

  10. I reserve the right to reject any site proposal I feel does not represent my work in a professional manner, or when I have already done a site or sites that are similar.  I don't want to pigeonhole my market to, for example, the paranormal or political - though a small percentage of that is great.  I will be glad to negotiate options that are mutually satisfactory whenever possible, including alternatives to misuse of copyrights (see http://people.umass.edu/ebarney/ccindex.html  for more information).

  11. Some of these conditions may change as I learn more about my personal, professional, and otherwise imposed limitations.  However, they will not be imposed after the fact (other than possibly removing the link form my site) and will be negotiated if the issue comes up before the site is complete.

  12. My site (likely) won't be up until sometime in late summer, but the user may upload the site to their own server as soon as it is complete. Once my site is up, I will request a  small, discreet, text-based link to my site.  In no way should this link detract from, or clash with, the over all design of your site.

So there you have it gang!  If you think we can help each other out here, either PM me, or send me an email though the email link here with the subject GNS Website Proposal so that I will know immediately what it is about and where it came from. You may not hear from me right away, other than to acknowledge that I got your message, since I need to see the range of proposal before I begin to choose.  This is not the only place I am making this offer. Please include, in your message:

Website topic & intended audience.

Where you intend to host the site (ad driven hosts such as GeoCities are lest apt to interest me than a site with your own domain, but if your site it ad driven for your own purposes - like this site - that's more than fine.)

A link to the site you have, with comments on changes you'd like to see OR links (three is a good number) to site you like the design of. 

That you for reading this post.  I know it's a lot of information but I want to be sure you are clear what it is I am offering.  I look forward to interesting proposals!

Art dressed one of his cats up as an Arab suicide bomber!  (was a while ago I guess - but I just saw it.)

ADMIN EDIT:  URL removed due to potential security risks associated with the linked site.

Got my final in Shakespeare tomorrow. For anyone who's not a fan - Pyramus and Thisbe  is (sort of) a Roman myth - some say a later romance.  It's also a comedic "play within the play" in Midsummer Night's Dream. A few months ago - I found a link that streams a short video of The Beatles staging this playlet. Even if you're NOT into P&T - or Shakespeare - this is FUNNY.

So, here tiz - Pyramus and Thisbe a la the Fab Four & Friends = http://www.maniacworld.com/Pyramus-and-Thisbe.html

Okay dudes and dudetes, it's the end of the semester for me - and state universities were not designed for 50-somethings. 

So - I'm here to ask a favor - I am an English major with a specialization in professional writing and technical communications http://www.umass.edu/pwtc/. One requirement is a class in internet and law (which has been a lot of fun if a lot of work.)  Part of the course was to create a web blog on web & the law.  It's complete - there is no time or, in fact, need (the submissions have already be accepted) to edit it -but I am always interested in opinions.  And TRAFFIC - even a little traffic - will help. 

If the impact of the internet on law, and law on the internet is of any interest to you - I'd be grateful if you'd take a look at http://elbarney.wordpress.com/  I don't expect you to read the whole thing - a log in and a skim will do.  After all, it is 14 weeks worth of focus - not the stuff of a quick read.

While this has not one thing to do with Snoory - perhaps the notion of free speech applies.  Then again, maybe Ol' Georgy-Boy should be illegal 

PS:  thank you all for helping keep me sane though this.  A summer and a full semester to go!

This poll will be up for 7 days.


 Please go into gory detail! 


You can only see the results if you vote.   


 If you think you have an idea that is not on the list - but others would like - tell me and if these things are editable - I'll do it! 


You may change your vote if you like, but only the last vote counts.

I am posting this in honor of Mr. Vanderven's love of that ultimate canine, POODLES!

http://www.people.umass.edu/ebarney/FredFlash.htm

Sorry -- could not figure out how to embed this. 

So - the on topic question:  Which is more annoying, this (my very first animation featuring my poodle) or George Noory?

IMO - it's more like he just such a disappointment in contrast to Art and Ian. The later two seem honestly engaged in what they are doing, genuine, sincere.  Ol' Georegy-Boy is just such a performer. He also interups with tangential comments that even he doesn't seem interested in. 

Example:  resent show on the Nazi Bell  ---  The guest was making the point that the Germans had been messing with some pretty advanced physics, and that the result had given rise to rumors that they had captured a UFO. The point the GUEST was making, it seemed to me, was that evil as they were the 3rd Reich had some pretty hot shot scientists (he even mentioned some of the TERRESTRIAL theories that their work may have been based on.)  Noorey - in this very artificial sounding voice of - errr - excitement I guess - interrupted with "Ohhh, was it possible they CAPTURED a UFO and were reverse engineering!?"   

His comment was so off the point - and interrupted a guest who was doing fine on his own.

I'm trying not to totally hate GN - since I do enjoy C2C and - well - we seem to be stuck with Georgy-boy given the recent announcements that his new contract was "virtually forever."