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.)

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!

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.

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!

Letters from Bad Santa

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.

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.

Click to play with your very own!

http://www.muhammaddressup.com/

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.