I swear I had nothing to do with it…

I use Thunderbird for all of my email services, and it does a fantastic job of pre-filtering spam from my in-box. I also subscribe to a number of newsletters, including both the Democratic and Republican parties’ official newsletters. Those I get from the Republicans get shuffled into the folder I have set up for that purpose without a hitch… but those from the Democrats? They all get marked as SPAM and moved to my Junk folder in preparation for automatic deletion.

I didn’t set it up that way.

Really.

It’s funny and oh-so-appropriate, though.

(I do move them out of there and read them though… after all, I did subscribe.)

I’ve decided to break down and acquire a new, “real” espresso machine – I’ve been using a steam-driven Krups model for some time, but to be honest, it just makes good, strong coffee…

Now I’m looking around for that ever elusive combination of good quality machine and affordable price. I’ve been scouring the web for reviews, recommendations, opinions, praise, and criticism – and there’s plenty. Too bad very little of it was written in the last year.

So I’m taking a chance that you may have some experience in this area. Do you have an espresso maker? I’m looking for the “pump” variety, semi-automatic, and relatively affordable ($300 being about as much as I can dream of spending…). I don’t want some plastic piece of crap that’ll fall apart after a few months of daily use, and since it seems to be a common option, I’d like one that works with both my grind and the “pods”.

There are a few that meet these basic criteria – but all have mixed reviews, depending on where you look and whom you trust. Here are some of those I have seen, but feel free to recommend another if I missed a good one. I’d love to hear your feedback on any of these you have experience with:

(Note: I’ve looked at several similar models to these by the same manufacturers, these are the ones I tagged most recently)

Krups XP4050
Gaggia 35008 Carezza Espresso Machine
Delonghi BAR32/42

and… I’ll add to this list as I come across them… I notably do not want a Nespresso, or any other machine that requires proprietary, pre-packaged coffee to use.

Currently leaning towards the Gaggia models – “Espresso“, “Espresso Deluxe“, and the “Coffee“. Probably going to buy within the next few days… so if you have advice/experience, speak up, please!

I’ve been an off and on E-bay buyer for years – nothing serious – but more than enough to recognize the potential for fraudulent bidding. The only thing that amazes me about this article is that the author seems to believe this is news; something novel and unique that has only cropped up recently, or that most people might find unexpected and interesting.

Sorry folks, if you’re looking for a large purchase from an honest broker, buying from an anonymous stranger over an anonymous auction service via the anonymous internet is really the wrong approach.

The simple rule for buying things via Ebay? Know what you’re willing to pay, never bid higher. Follow this rule every time, and you’ll never be sorry.

Revealed: how eBay sellers fix auctions

Last week one of the UK’s biggest eBay sellers admitted in a taped conversation with an undercover reporter that he was prepared to use business associates to bid on his goods for him.

Our inquiries found evidence that a number of businesses — ranging from overseas property agencies to car dealerships — have placed bids on their own items using fake identities.

The cases raise questions about whether eBay, the world’s biggest auction site, is doing enough to protect consumers.

Found this page to reference a tradition I’ve taken part of since learning it from my good southern friends, the Slades.


Black Eyed Peas for New Year’s Day

Blackeyed peas have long been a tradition for the New Year’s table. They supposedly bring good luck for the coming year, and eating them shows “humility”. Some Southerners have been rumored to eat one pea for each day of the year to insure good fortune! They are a humble food, therefore, eating them represents humility. The taste of blackeyed peas are unlike other beans, and unless you’ve grown up eating them, as my husband did, you may find the taste a bit “earthy”. In our house, we cook blackeyed peas with ham hocks, or a ham bone, and water. That’s it. No fooling with the recipe is allowed! However, I do have several recipes you can use if you prefer a spicy version. They make a nice side dish served with cornbread, ham and greens, if your family enjoys a Southern style meal. The spicy versions are good served with fajitas, tamales or similar dishes.

I’ve always made mine fairly plain, although I do add a few varieties of fresh pepper, sometimes a bit of salt, and often a finely chopped onion.

Now then… I need to go dish up another bowl before the day is officially over… no sense taking chances with fate!

Happy New Year – Cox and Forkum style!

Just non-stop fun… be sure to check out the evil toys!

Letters from Bad Santa

I may make this a regular posting for these weeks when there isn’t much that makes me want to rant… Here are some things I’ve read/seen that I thought were pretty interesting this week:

Danny Bonaduce vs. the “9-11 Truther”
The original interview (Very entertaining!)

Barrack Hussein Obama? Sure, it’s only a name, but can the American voter seriously consider electing this man president? Call it Nomatophobia or maybe Onomatophobia if you will, but I sure hope not.

Why “the right to wear the veil” is complete and utter bullshit (a real-life example). You can’t walk into a bank wearing a mask; you’ll be stopped and possibly arrested on the spot. Why would anyone be stupid enough to allow people to board planes wearing masks? Religious practice, my ass – it’s just another way for the islamists to pull the wool over our eyes.

This is almost too stupid to believe – Baby put through X-ray machine at LAX.

Found this on BoingBoing

Vintage photo of dead horse raises questions

A vintage Sheboygan photo, taken before the turn of the 20th century, has sparked some conversation in the community since its inclusion in The Sheboygan Press’ 2007 calendar.

The photo, which is inside the calendar’s front cover, shows a scene at Eighth Street and Indiana Avenue, looking north toward the Eighth Street bridge.

In the photo, a dead horse lies in the street, roped off with string tied to stakes in the dirt road. A man in a top hat, bow tie and jacket sits on top of the horse, and people in the background are standing still, looking toward the camera.

I emailed the Sheboygan Press the following:

It’s not really a caption, but I can relate it to a modern day scene we’re all familiar with:
The horse died (broke down) in the road. Being a responsible horse-operator (driver), the rider put out road markers (traffic cones), called for a cart (tow-truck), and sat down to wait. Passersby (rubberneckers) stop to stare, blatantly tying up traffic in either direction. Sadly, he’ll how have to explain to his date why he was late picking her up for the opera.

Just in time for Christmas! Your very own MOHAMMED dress up doll! FREE! HOURS of fun!

Click to play with your very own!

http://www.muhammaddressup.com/

Somehow the post I had thought eaten when my browser went where I hadn’t intended… reappeared after I had rewritten it. I failed to notice, so now there are two versions of basically the same post. The second one is better, and actually complete (and perhaps even worded a tad less harshly), and although one reader took it upon themselves to respond to that one, I’ve closed the mis-posted draft, but left it in place lest anyone thing I’ve gone soft.

I invite folks like Sarah to read the finished post, where I did go a little farther into the fact that I am providing SUPPOSITION to consider, I do not pretend to know the facts.

The Sarah, the cheeky little name-caller:
According to the articles I linked to and posted segments of, there were weapons in the house, and in fact, in Strickland’s room. The dog was a weapon. The young man was a violent offender. I wasn’t there. You weren’t there. You seem to think you know what happened. I have posted my version of what may have happened.

I acknowledge that the police probably could have handled things differently, and his crimes were not capital crimes. I acknowledge that he left behind people who probably think more of him than I do, and yes, I acknowledge that my opinion is based on his brief, violent criminal career.

I watched and listened as everyone leapt to defend what appeared to me to be a thug, while condemning the police officers before knowing the facts. I offered my opinion on how they could be wrong. I stand by my hypothesis and await the facts like everyone else. That’s why new hypotheses and theories are presented — to be disproved.

As always, I welcome comments, discussion, debate, and opinions… I can even deal with the name calling, but don’t expect me to be civil if you lead off your comment with a derogative.

edit: Just saw this, too… I’m still seeing a thug, despite his ability to convince family and friends otherwise.

Shooting links 4 N.C. students

The college boys claimed the only rental house on the street, and neighbors didn’t welcome their late-night parties, said Scott Keenan, who lives across Long Leaf Acres Drive.

More than once, Keenan said, he climbed out of bed in the early morning hours to tell the boys to turn down their rap music. Other nights, neighbors called police. “Everybody was sick of that house,” Keenan said. “The cops would come and break up a party, then we’d have to call them right back.”

Neighbors got quite a scare this fall, Keenan said, when Strickland warned them that a fistfight he’d won might provoke vengeance on their house. “He bragged about beating up some kid, then he told me there might be a shootout at the house,” Keenan recalled.

Strickland got into trouble with police in September after a UNCW student complained that Strickland popped his jaw during a fistfight, according to Wilmington Police reports. The victim, Nathan Harrington, 22, of Lee County, said Sunday that Strickland punched him in the face after he asked Strickland, a friend of a friend, to leave his apartment.

Doctors had to wire his mouth shut for six weeks, Harrington said. Strickland was arrested on a charge of assault inflicting serious injury; the case was still pending.

You may have heard about it by now. A violent animal was shot and killed last Friday while police attempted to serve a warrant for his arrest. His dog was shot too, which is probably the saddest part of this story.

The details of the shooting are not out, but from the pieces that are being broadcast, my fertile imagination has developed a possible scenario:

The violent animal (Strickland) was caught on video perpetrating his crime. He has a history of such actions. He is known to own firearms. He owns a dog of a variety that is very good at performing guard/attack duties (I was raised with German Shepherds; phenomenal animals, and far more intelligent and effective than the stupid Rottweilers that everyone seems to want now).

Police confront said animal (Strickland) at his door. Strickland knows full well what his crimes are, and either sics his dog on the officers, or the dog simply obeys his training to protect his master and attacks on his own. Confronted by a deadly weapon (yes, the Shepherd can easily be considered a weapon, don’t get mad, I don’t write the rules), officers shoot the dog. Strickland tries to retreat into his house (where officers are fully aware he has firearms), and the police are faced with a situation where a three-time violent offender (the August attack, the Playstation theft, and the dog) is about to be armed. Bang, bang, bang.

I bolded portions of the articles below that support my suppositions.

Is that what happened? I don’t know, but it seems reasonable.
Was the shooting justified? If I’m even close, then yes.

Given the known facts, I find it amazingly repulsive to hear “family friends” describe this violent animal as “generous”, “sweet”, and “caring”. They are either in full denial mode, liars, or sorely misinformed on what this “loving child” had reverted to, a bully and a thug.

Let’s hope someone, somewhere, uses this as a lesson: Teach the kids right from wrong – don’t deny your own eyes when your offspring start to go bad – discipline them when they need it – teach them to respect the rule of law.

Durham suspect, 18, killed during search

A teenager from Durham was killed at the house where he lived in Wilmington on Friday night as officers investigating the theft of two PlayStations arrived to search the house, authorities said.

Peyton Strickland, 18, was shot about 9:30 p.m. during a search of the Wilmington house he shared with three others.

UNC-Wilmington Police and New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the house, 533 Long Leaf Acres Drive, with arrest warrants for Strickland and UNCW student Ryan David Mills, 20, on charges of the armed robbery of two PlayStation 3 consoles from a UNCW student on Nov. 17. Before Strickland could be taken into custody, he was shot and killed. His German shepherd, Blaze, was killed, too.

Don Beskind, a lawyer who works with Don Strickland and is a longtime family friend, said they were “devastated” by Peyton Strickland’s death.

“I don’t think they’re thinking about how this happened,” Beskind said Saturday. “I think they’re dealing with the loss. The blame and responsibility, those are all things for another day.”

He said Peyton was “a great kid” and “a really sweet boy.”

Strickland had been scheduled to appear in court last Thursday on a felony charge from August of assault causing serious injury.

Last week, police charged Strickland and Mills with armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and breaking and entering in the parking lot of a UNCW dorm last month.

Student Justin Raines had returned from a nearby Wal-Mart about 12:30 a.m. Nov. 17. He and his twin, Matt, had waited in line for more than 24 hours to buy two Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.

The game consoles, which retail for about $650, are scarce and sell in online auctions for as much as $1,300. Investigators think the twins bought the machines to resell them on eBay for a profit.

Police think Justin Raines was followed by car back to his dorm. One robber attacked him and beat him severely, while the other stole the PlayStations from his truck.

Deputy kills teen while serving warrant

What further shocked Strickland’s friends and family was that a deputy also shot and killed Strickland’s German shepherd named Blaze.

The dog’s blood stained the front porch, and shards of glass from the front-door windows littered the area.

When Raines came home to the on-campus Seahawk Village apartments after midnight with the games he bought for $641 apiece, two white men in a gold Pontiac pulled up to Raines’ car, struck him with a six-inch blunt object and stole his purchases, leaving him with bumps and bruises, UNCW police said.

Three unloaded guns were in the house – a hunting rifle and two shotguns – which were in Strickland’s room, Rhoton said. And when Strickland answered the door, he may have been holding a PlayStation controller in his hand, he said.

This rocks:

Get Your Cyborg Name

Thanks, John!

I was out of town over the holiday to celebrate the annual feast of the bird and give thanks for being who and where we are, sorry for being so neglectful. Maybe a few of you bothered to take the time to watch that video?

Anyway… happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to the newly formed “Conservative YouTubers” group! As of tonight, it’s now in the top 10 and closing in on even YouTube’s own group.

Too bad YouTube’s interface is so screwed up. I joined the group earlier today, but when trying to access it tonight, I get “join to participate”, followed by “you’re already a member” when I try to re-join. I can’t believe Google actually paid for this crap. Idiots.