Yummy Oatmeal

I was introduced to theoatmeal.com today...it's my new favorite site for a good chuckle. :)

Loved their guide to spelling and grammar.

And their guide to petting a kitty is classic.

Goes nicely with my morning oatmeal breakfast :)

Google Confusion

I have never claimed to be a super political person, in fact if you read my limited postings on Politics you will see that I state this frequently. I often find myself getting fired up about politically motivated issues but not having the cause or place to pour my passion into. Lately my soap box has frequently involved Network Neutrality. Yes, I'm still on this.

Today I had the time to read through Google's Public Policy blog in an attempt to better understand their latest announcement regarding a joint proposal with Verizon. To be honest, I'm still not so thrilled with Google and I am still seriously contemplating a breakup - I've already started researching alternative services and ways to migrate my life away from them.

In their post summarizing the proposal Google frequently references how the proposal would require the FCC to do this, or allow the FCC to do that. There is so much that I don't understand (and I mean, really don't understand - as in, if you can help me to better understand this, please comment or email me because I really do want to understand) so I'm going to try to break it down.

1. Why is the FCC so heavily involved? Network Neutrality is a global, international issue. So much of our current culture as a global community depends on our connection to each other via the Internet. The concept of keeping the Internet an open media requires that ALL governments keep their involvement to a minimum. Now I'm not naive, I understand that the US was the driving force behind the internet. The technological breakthroughs that allowed it to grow so quickly all happened here, many if not most of the main servers and connection points for the internet lie in the US. I also understand that the data that makes up the www travels over pipelines and that ultimately those virtual highways are either owned, maintained or subsidized by the US government. That said, someone from the US Gov't should be involved. However if you research the FCC's history, budget and responsibilities - I'm not so sure that they are the ones to do it....
2. Why are Google and Verizon telling the FCC what to do? Here is an example

   "...both companies have long been proponents of the FCC’s current wireline broadband openness principles... Our proposal would now make those principles fully enforceable at the FCC"

   How is it that two major corporations can tell the government what to do? Shouldn't there be some sort of vote, or process before this happens? How a company go from being such a strong proponent of Open Source and User Controlled to thinking it is their place to dictate legislation confuses me.
3. Why isn't this magical Proposal available to the public? The language in the Proposal summary and Google's response to it are both vague. I've searched and been unable to find the actual Proposal - at this point all we know is what Google is telling us.
4. What can I do to learn more and encourage legislation to move in a direction that I believe in? I've sent the letters, I've joined the support groups and email groups. I still haven't been told of any action I can take, any activity I can participate in to help raise awareness and make my opinion known.

From what I can read - it's complicated. I need more information to decide - expect more to come.

Is Google Evil?

For some time now I've been following and supporting the concept of Net Neutrality, specifically through SavetheInternet.com. Computers and the internet are an integral part of my life. Chris and I both use the internet countless times a day to plan trips, keep in touch with each other, keep in touch with our friends and just generally keep our lives in sync. Knowing this, keeping it open, maintaining the internet as internationally neutral ground without interference or restrictions of our participation is very important to me.

When I say that we use the internet to keep our lives in sync, I am not kidding, but not just the internet specifically Google. In fact I used no less than four Google services to write this post. Here are all of the Google services that we use on an almost daily basis:

• Blogger
• Email
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Docs
• Spreadsheets
• Voice
• Picasa
• Translator
• You Tube
• Maps
• Chrome
• iGoogle
• Images
• Froogle
• Reader

Yeah, it's a long list.

I've been a fan of Google for years, I've enjoyed seeing them set new standards and push the envelope in the technology race. I've also always admired their commitment to open source and the concept that the internet is a living organism that is kept alive by everyone that contributes.

It was based on this theory and history of action that I allowed my life to become so entrenched in Google and their services. I have even tried several times to obtain employment with Google.

So, you can imagine the great confusion and a sense of betrayal I felt when I read this article in MacWorld that Chris forwarded to me. The story was first broken by the NY Times and when it comes down to it every other story is just providing opinions about the original Story. The only new information I can find is at The Guardian and even then it's a tiny little quote that doesn't help.

So, I've been researching, trying to learn more. Honestly, hoping to find a shred of proof that Google is the decent company I thought it was. Because if I can't, if I fail to find anything otherwise, then I will be forced to extract myself and my life from Google and it will not be an easy, pretty break up... :(

Has anyone heard anything? Know of any resources where I can learn more?

Update @ 10:00pm - I found a Google Public Policy Blog that I will look over tomorrow. Hopefully it will hold some answers.

Pen Pal Perversion

When did Pen Pal become a code word for Cyber Sex?

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately so I was following up on old emails and found myself looking at the website for an American run orphanage in China that encourages the kids to have pen pals. This led me to search for other overseas penal opportunities.

After more than 20 minutes of searching and clicking around all I have found are sites that use pen pal as a code word for dating, hooking up etc.

It's a sad state of affairs.... :(

Pilot Bachelor

One of my fellow Pilot Wives Club members, Nicole, put together a very well worded blog post regarding the new season of The Bachelor which features a pilot.

The pilot and the information provided online about him gives such a skewed and unrealisitic view of the industry and the lifestyle. I would get into it further but Nicole really summed it up so you should go read hers :).

TV Ad

Just saw a commercial for this. Had me cracking up. Seriously, who exercises their neck?

Where do people come up with this stuff?

Prius Commercial

Now that we have a DVR I don't really watch many commercials, but one was so intriguing, even when fast forwarding over it, that I actually went back to watch it. I have to say this is one of my all time favorite commercials, it even beats out the baby who talk about trading stocks. The beauty of it is that it's beautiful, has a great message and that the two actually intertwine so much that you remember it.



I was so intrigued that I went on a quest to find out how the commercial was made and I found allaboutprius.com which had a link to this which I think is worth watching:



So, forgive me if I seem like an over-excited tool of a consumer, but I want to go test drive a Prius now :)

Piglet Flu

Thought this was funny considering my view of the whole swine flu craze.

Swine Flu Craziness

By now everyone is hearing all sorts of media-frenzied stuff about the Swine Flu. I have yet to hear the same numbers twice, I hear 2 deaths, than 150, than 6 - know one really knows. Never bother that way more people die from the normal old flu. The worst part is that there is really no way to get the really story because all sources are influenced by the absurd media.

Needless to say I'm not too worried about it, however my husband does work in airports and planes etc so I figured it would be wise for him to bump up his game. We went to multiple pharmacies to pick up some Anti-Swine-Flu Goods, Hand Sanitizer, AirBorne, Zinc and Zycam...they were all out!

I'm shocked.

People need to chill out.

Overeaction/Heros

I am back, with no interesting thoughts to share that don't relate to travel so instead, my favorite post secrets from this week:

I'll come up with something else cool to post soon. :)

Spider Payment

A co-worker sent this to me.

It gets a bit out of control, but it is funny. :)

Kid Crowd Pleaser

How cute is this?

The Mom is saying "How big is Will?" and the kid (Will) raises his hands to demonstrate and the crowd just goes wild.

If I reproduce, my offspring will be this cool.

Heat Images

This will be an anti-climactic post.

I saw a quick news story on a unversity study that found a way to get images of heat waves. They looked like thermal images and there was one of a person coughing but if you had to guess you would think they were blowing fire. Another was of a hand and the heat rising off of it. It was all very cool looking and a series of sorts.

I really wanted to post them but I can't find them anywhere on the internet. Can anyone help?

Thanks Wade:

Movie in the Making

This really excites me!

I thought the book was really well done - especially if listened to.

The idea of a movie is awesome and since I love Abigail Breslin the casting couldn't be better in my mind. I'll have to keep an eye on this one.

RockStar by Nickelback

I know I've been all about videos lately but I don't care.

Chris found the song below awhile ago and I stumbled across it again today. Not only is the tune catchy but I just love the video. All of the random people from different walks of life letting loose - classic.

(Warning - there are some naughty words)



There is a funny spoof here. I could have done without the guy but the words are great.

Secret Valentines

Postsecret is always especially touching around holidays. Valetine's day is no exception.

Postsecret: A Valentine Video


"Valentine's Day is really just Single's Awareness Day" - Khaled Almushare

Geek Show

It seems that Flight of the Conchords did a show on HBO. I'm almost scared to watch it though - I've only heard this one song and I don't want their clever funny aura to wear off if the show sucks.

Chris and I will Flix the show though and report back.

Geek Song

I don't know if I am way behind in discovering this or what. Megan put a song at the tail end of her latest mix for me (the mix was amazing by the way) that had me cracking up!

It's called The Humans are Dead and you can listen to it by clicking here or you can watch the youtube video below.

The binary solo is what gets me every time. Has anyone else seen/heard this song? If so, why has no one else shared it with me?

PS - Thanks Meg :) Some other fun songs from my new mix are Coin Operated Boy, Merry Happy and I'm Sticking with You my absolute favorite is Tire Swing.

Look Up, Smile & Keep Moving

Speaking of Grandmas....while I was fortunate to have many, Chris has known only one. His mother's mother - Honey (everyone calls her Honey, her kids, husband, grandkids, everyone). Honey has enough personality to feel like two Grandmas :)

Chris's family collectively decided to enter her into Prevention Magazine's competition to find a woman for 2008 who represents The Picture of Health. They had to write a 250 word essay about Honey as well as submit a one minute video. They did an excellent job on both pieces - Honey may have a chance at winning! You can view both the video and essay here or watch it below:

My Media Misgivings

I typically avoid the news. The media has become such experts at exploiting negative angles, blowing things out of proportion and promoting their own biases that I just get tense, stressed and enraged when I watch. So for the past 5 years or so I have essentially boy cotted the media taking the approach 'if something important happens, I'll find out' and the stuff that isn't so important won't get through. I've essentially been using my friends, family and co-workers as a media filter.

My only media weakness is Good Morning America - I like Robin and Diane and occasionally will turn the program on. For the past couple of weeks I've been turning on GMA in the hotel room each morning as I get ready for a day at the office. I'm already regretting it.

For the past week they have been obsessing about the 'recession' that is coming upon our country. Today they interviewed a Wall Street specialist and the author of Freakonomics on to help inform us how we can 'recession proof our lives'. The experts were saying 'this isn't that big of a deal' and 'we have a recession every 6 years or so' and GMA kept trying to say, but, but what about this horrible thing and that horrible thing?!? By continually pushing the issue and encouraging people to go into crisis mode, aren't they actually in essence promoting a recession?

This news makes me very sad. I've long since had a crush on Heath Ledger, I even went so far as to purchase A Knight's Tale in support of him. I was shocked this morning to hear that he is gone. Naturally GMA already had a 2 minute montage of his life and career ready to go. It makes me wonder if they already have footage on all public figures ready to go in case of death or emergency...As usual though I find myself getting angry as the media takes any possible negative angle and exploiting the bugepus out of it. The poor guy hasn't been dead for 24 hours and they're already pushing a suicide angle - isn't it possible that it was an accident?

I will say though that I have learned some useful things during my few weeks dabbling in the media. For instance Dr. Jarvik isn't really a doctor even though he says he is in the Lipitor commercials. I personally hate the prescription drug commercials and think they should be banned - maybe this will be an instance that will help eliminate or at least curb those advertisements

I also learned about the Inter Faith Youth Core which is a group of people dedicated to focusing on the commonality of religion and the opinions and experiences that people of various religions have in common vs. the differences in hopes of uniting. I thought that this was a great idea and refreshing break from all of the negativity in the media. However when I went to find the details of the story I had to hunt for 15 minutes to find the details and video clip...

I'm still frustrated with media and will likely still continue to avoid it's exaggerated reporting.