How to Block Unwanted Ads, Parasites & Hijackers

For quite a while now I've been using a HOSTS file to block ads from all of the major ad servers. When I go to a website that has ads, all I see is "This page cannot be displayed" where the ads would have been. Most popups contain the same message. The only drawback is sometimes when I hit the back button, nothing appears to happen. This is because the HOSTS file is essentially loading the blocked information from your computer (localhost 127.0.0.1), and loads each blocked instance as a page. So when I hit the back button, I have to back through each "page".

There is an excellent explanation as well as an updated HOSTS file with installation instructions at the link below.

If you want a really secure and pop-up free browsing experience, try Firefox, you'll love it!
hosts file + firefox

Why Not To Lick Envelopes

I got this chain email today ...

If you lick your envelopes . . . You won't anymore!

This lady was working in a post office in California, one day she licked the envelopes and postage stamps instead of using a sponge.

That very day the lady cut her tongue on the envelope. A week later, she noticed an abnormal swelling of her tongue. She went to the doctor, and they found nothing wrong. Her tongue was not sore or anything. A couple of days later, her tongue started to swell more, and it began to get really sore, so sore, that she could not eat. She went back to the hospital, and demanded something be done. The doctor, took an x-ray of her tongue, and noticed a lump. He prepared her for minor surgery.

When the doctor cut her tongue open, a live roach crawled out. There were roach eggs on the seal of the envelope. The egg was able to hatch inside of her tongue, because of her saliva. It was warm and moist...

This is a true story . . . Pass it on

This is an urban legend circulating since 2000. No such story exists on CNN and this has been reported as a hoax by several hoax websites. Don't believe everything you read and only half of what you see.

Besides, this is the 21st century! We shouldn't have to lick envelopes anymore! We should be able to write our letters electronically and transmit them through space with the push of a button and be able to view them on a little box at our leisure. And it shouldn't have to cost any money!

Found this funny website called This Is True by Randy Cassingham, you can sign up for his newsletter or read through his Archive.
la cucaracha + this is true

Car Dealers Are Crooks

<rant>
Along with insurance companies, auto repair shops, and lawyers. But I digress.

Yesterday, my wife and I took our newly fixed Ford Explorer (that's another story for later) into the local Lincoln/Mercury dealer for a recalled rear window something-or-other.

We decided to get an oil change while we were there. So the service guy says, "Oh, I see your truck is due for it's 30,000 mile service. This covers air filter, fuel filter, and the fluids which includes the transmission and tranfer case fluids. And let's see ... (he looks at his piece of paper) ... that's only six fifty."

My wife says, "Six hundred and fifty dollars?"

I say, "For fluids?"

"Yup", he says.

"No thanks", we say.

Unless they have to consult with NASA and bring in an expert, this "30K mile service" shouldn't cost more than a few hundred bucks with the fuel filter.

Now this is a Lincoln/Mercury dealer, so most of their customers are older people, who when given the song and dance about wear and tear, blah blah, boo hoo, scare tactics will gladly fork over the $650.

What a scam. They are all thieves and should be put in jail.

Ford has a national advertising campaign trying to get more people to get their cars serviced at Ford dealerships. Give me a break. And what's with calling themselves a "Ford Store"? Is is because "dealer" is now a dirty word?

Now, I don't hold the employees responsible, they are just doing their job. It is the owner of the franchise and the manufacturer that are at fault for being so greedy.
</rant>

I was watching a story about militia type groups in northern South Carolina that call themselves the Patriot Network. I did a search on google for patriot network and came up with some cool links below.
recall notice + google + american patriot network + independent republic of new york

Waiting for a New Book to Arrive

I ordered the "Web Design Business Kit" from a guy on ebay and am awaiting arrival. I've read good reviews about the book and I hope it will help me expand my web design business.

I ordered it on ebay and immediately got a note saying that the item was in California and on it's way back via media mail, which is about as fast as Pony Express (using ponies). Anyway he sent it out Monday the 21st and it's in Maryland now.

Also I watched Ripley's Believe It or Not last night and saw some guy named Greg Valentino with 27" biceps. Cool!
web design business kit + gregg valentino

Found An Interesting Book Online

Charles F. Haanel wrote the 24 part mail order course titled "The Master Key System" in 1912. Supposedly, after reading this out-of-print course while attending Harvard, Bill Gates dropped out of school and started Microsoft. I'll start reading it tonight.

And an old classic I've almost finished is "The Science of Getting Rich" available from Rebecca Fine.

Also, found some google cheats that make searching a hell of a lot easier.

master key system + science of getting rich + google cheats

Welcome

I've finally set up a blog to share my thoughts on life, politics, culture, and the human race. I'll be posting things I find interesting and funny and serious and stupid.

I took German in college and found a website telling you how to swear ... with audio. Wer hat gefurzt?

ditry crap to say in german