Now THIS gets the point across!

From The BBC...

A woman sat in a bath of cold milk outside Parliament in protest at the price per litre dairy farmers are paid.

Isla Arendell, 39, a member of the Women's Institute from Tutshill, Gloucestershire, said her demonstration showed milk is now as cheap as water.

"British dairy farmers are paid 18p per litre, whereas 10 years ago they were paid 24.5p per litre," she said.

Click here for the rest of the article.

I gotta admire the intelligence behind this campaign... and the tolerance to cold that Ms. Arendell has. This truly gets her (and the The Women's Institute's) message across... and although it BASHES one over the head with the message, it's not truly aggressive... and yes, the point is taken by anyone who read/saw this campaign!

You gotta admire that!

I wish I could hire her (and whoever thought up the "demonstration" to come up with ideas to get the bus!

...and no, I don't think bathing would be appropriate for the bus.

...but to prove how effective this campaign was, even I now think that dairy farmers in Great Britain are getting a raw deal.

I've already done a "Half-Butt Posting" with a list of "favourites"... click here if you're interested... but allow me to share some LESSER KNOWN favourites of mine... and some other insignificant data.

Matthew's Favourite Roti Restaurant

Bacchus Roti on Queen St. West in Toronto is THE best in my estimation!

Coolest Historic Re-Enactor Uniforms

No offence to my friends at IMUC amongst others, the scarlet tunic is great, but for me, the green rifle jackets of The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles is a hands-down winner.

Coolest War of 1812 Re-Enacting Event That I've Attended

When they do the one at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, it's usually an amazing time... but the evening battle at Fort Erie is a consistent winner.

Matthew's All-Time Favourite Hollywood Actress Based Solely on Aesthetics

There are many... and although a young Grace Kelly astounded me with her beauty, one held me spellbound... Veronica Lake.

Hmmm... come to think about it...

Errgh... tough choice...

*Sigh*... I was born too late.

Matthew's Favourite Wrestling Insect

Hands down... ULTRAMANTIS BLACK!!!! from ChikaraPro!

He won me over in an interview with Dr. Keith Lipinski... Click here to listen to said interview.

Y'know, between my recent (if much belated) discovery of Chikara and Hustle, my faith in grappling is being restored! One of my most hit "posts" is still the stuff about Haado Gei!

Matthew's Favourite Visited City

London... Kinda a no brainer, eh?

If I didn't live in Toronto (or Southern Ontario), where would I want to live?

Southern Kentucky (USA), Wiltshire (England), or Devon (England).

My Dream Job Would Be...

Lint picker in a tuxedo factory or pimento stuffer in an olive factory.

Okay, that's a joke... working for a historic site or a museum... either one.

I would go over Niagara Falls if...

...somebody threw me into the Niagara River just above the falls.

Matthew's Favourite Bond Villain

You'd think it might be Auric Golfinger... or perhaps Ernst Stavro Blofeld... and yeah, I love 'em... but for me, it was two henchmen... two assasins... I LOVED Mister Wint and Mister Kidd from Diamonds are Forever.

That's it for now... I may add more if the mood hits in another post.

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Over the almost year of trying to reach out and have the good ol' dream come true, during the last few weeks, I've REALLY felt like I've been on the ropes with people taking shot after shot...

Let's just say, many of the e-mails I receive about the bus and our goal have been BEYOND negative... and despite the counters both through the blog software and the servers saying well over a thousand visitors per day even when Blogmad, BlogExplosion, and BlogSoldiers were running on fumes, only 14 people have bothered to click on the poll I set up on the ol' side bar. (Granted, ten very positive responses, one "kinda" positive, one "kinda" negative, and one absolutely negative.)

Now, don't get me wrong, it does seem that there are more people willing to publicly express support... but I continually get e-mails, message board postings, and side-comments about me being a "lousy cyber begger" or eluding to this being a "Get Rich Quick" scam. (If you really think this, please see the FAQ...)

To be honest, it CAN be rather disheartening... but I persevere... and the more nasty the comments/mailings, the more it actually spurs me to try harder and improve... because I do believe in what we're trying to do here... and I can think of no better (I hate to use this term, but...) revenge than to be able to change this ol' blog into a blog about our success in getting the bus... and our trials in getting it running again.

Still, it's pretty easy to lose faith when it seems about fifteen people are pulling for you... and dozens are telling you how you'll fail and accusing me of pretty much everything under the sun... and hundreds more are seemingly apathetic.

That said...

Response from my entry to BlogVillage's Blog Carnival (click here to read that) has been REALLY good! People seem to really like what we've done here!

Top that off with a few people through the Carnival giving me ideas, suggestions, and genuine help in getting the word out!

Even cooler is looking at the "Search Engine" key phrases and words that lead people to this blog... Matthew Dream Bus, Didier Family Bus, Progress With Family Dream Bus... it goes on. People from literally ALL OVER THE WORLD are SEARCHING GENUINELY FOR THIS BLOG AND IT'S RELATED SITES!

...and they're reading it too!

Now, this MIGHT make some of the more cynical say, "Big deal, it's not like you've succeeded! People are reading your blog! So what?" Well, that's the point... if they LIKE what they see and they're actually TRYING to find it... then they might tell a friend... who tells a friend... who IS in a position to help!

In other words, yes, I really feel we're making progress in the fact that, indeed, people LIKE (or at least are amused) by what we're doing...

Realistically, over the last five days, (LEGIT stats,) about 200 to 600 people PER DAY are now searching for and FINDING this blog and it's sites!

Now, I know that people love the comedy... loads of people seem to enjoy the commentary... and the dream is something that some folks really seem to be enjoying... in fact, I received THREE e-mails in the last seven days from people saying that "our" dream is something they're looking to as they have their OWN dreams and are considering how to make things happen!

Now, you can ask for a lot of things in life... but to be "inspirational" is about as good as it gets. I know, that sounds terribly egotistical, but it's what these three people told me... and I've had two or three different folks over the year we've been working on this say the same...

...but...

Over the last five days, interest AND positive stuff has really picked up!

Will this translate into success? We will see... but let's just say, my optimism is VERY high right now... and I have you guys to thank for it!

THANK YOU!!!

I'll keep pounding out HOPEFULLY entertaining, amusing, and thought-provoking posts... and I'm sure the folks that REALLY dislike this will continue to bombard me with rotten stuff... but it's pretty obvious, we're doing something okay... and the majority seems to feel this way... so perhaps, indeed, like it says on the top of this blog...

2007 WILL be the Year of the Bus!

Man, will it feel good to tell you guys that the bus is safe and en route to it's new loving home!

Speaking of friends and supporters of the dream, MsDemmie of Life At The Edge has put one of my posts up for her award for best blog post...

Ironically, it's my post ranting about "Blog Awards"...

Hmm... well, no one can say she don't have a sense of humour.

I don't have a chance, however, because my significant other, Sue, has a post up for the award too which blows mine away... click here to read that one.

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Quick Note: As regular readers know, I've been having a "half war" on the PSICAN Message Board with someone who was using my efforts here as a "crutch" to say how rotten my other work is...

Well, I documented this person's attacks here in this post and this post...

Well, as proven, when you can't fight on the facts... it devolved and turned VERY ugly yesterday.

Click here to read what happened... If you're not already signed up, use the username blogusers and the password test.

After this rather tasteless attack, I locked the thread.

I thought you might "enjoy" the train wreck though... because it shows how bad people can and will "devolve" when they can't fight the facts and data.

Okay, MOST of us have heard technical support stories that make us giggle, laugh, or cringe... and many of them have basis in "real life", so to speak... but many are urban legends.

Well, good reader, allow me to introduce myself... I spent a few years "in the trenches" as an Internet Tech Support... er, "Customer Care" representative in the mid-1990's... and here's three of my FAVOURITE personal experiences... only one was "mine"... but the rest I was involved with... if nothing else, monitoring the calls and laughing like a madman.

CUSTOMER PROBLEM REPORTED: Why are you sending me all this porn?

The customer called and asked why our service provider was sending them tonnes of pornography through e-mail and "automatically" through their browser. This poor woman was most confused.

We explained to her that our company did not in fact spam porn to anyone and our homespages did not include "adult content".

She was adamant, however, that we were sending her smut... so we started diagnosing the problem.

She didn't surf adult websites. She didn't use adult newsgroups/NNTP servers. She didn't "purchase" adult anything online...

So, the next question was key...

"Is there anyone else who uses the computer and internet at your home?"

"Well, there's my husband, but he doesn't use the computer at all... and my son..."

...her voice trailed off...

Over the phone, we heard the woman "apparently" call her son to the computer... then, although the technician involved was trying to get her attention, the woman had put down the phone "off the hook"...

There was some intense conversation... followed by arguments... followed by a loud crash... then a young man's voice saying...

"Ahhhh, mom! Not the computer!?!"

The phone was then hung up and we never heard back from the customer.

SOLUTION: We believe the customer is no longer interested in being online... or owning a computer... on moral grounds.

Matthew's Notes: All computer problems can be rectified with the strategic use of a twenty-pound sledgehammer.

CUSTOMER PROBLEM REPORTED: My computer MUST crash.

The customer called to tell us that our CD ROM (with the internet service providers software) was faulty and couldn't be read by his machine.

Now, we had dealt with numerous people that, because this was in a day and age where computer CD ROM Drives were NOT standard on all systems, that people who received our package tried to "play" the CD through an audio system... so that was our first avenue... which wasn't the case.

Next, the technician asked the fellow to look at the "underside" of the actual CD for scratches or marks...

"Hang on..." the customer said... which was followed by a loud bang... and another... then the customer returned to the phone.

"It looks okay to me?" the customer said...

The technician asked what the loud bangs were... and the customer replied...

"Well, my CD ROM door sticks, so I need to drop my computer on the floor to get it to open."

The technician had to ask... how far was this drop?

"About three or four feet."

The technician then asked the customer to try ANY other CD in the drive... and after another series of crashes, they ascertained that the CD ROM drive was "inoperable" for all CDs.

SOLUTION: Customer needed to take his machine to place of origin and get CD ROM fixed.

Matthew's Notes: Folks, if you have ANY piece of electronics equipment that requires a three-foot drop onto a hard floor to "work", it probably isn't working... and it's a given that your warranty is going to be in question at the shop. Just a friendly reminder.

Quick Note About That Last One... Probably some of you read the "solution" and though I was going to the rather tired "joke" about taking it back to the store, getting a refund because the customer was "too stupid to own a computer".

The likelihood of that old joke being AT ALL true is minimal... although people say it DID happen at IBM, Xerox, Apple, and a plethora of other "computer help desks", it sounds more like something a tech support person WISHED they could have said... not what actually happened... because IF someone in any of the companies I worked for did that, they'd be escorted out of the building and their job VERY rapidly.

...moving on... best for last...

CUSTOMER PROBLEM REPORTED: When dialing into the internet, the police, fire department, and ambulance show up at my home.

...actually, I could also add this one... and this WAS how it was logged in fact...

CUSTOMER PROBLEM REPORTED: When dialing into the internet, the customer hears voices yelling at him to hang up from his computer.

Yes, the customer called us to report that they heard "voices".

Now, this MAY sound paranormal in nature... but good technical work proved this not to be so.

First off, the technician assumed that perhaps, the phone extension was "in use" and the callers were yelling and being detected by the modem's internal speaker... the customer said this was NOT the case.

Second was the idea that, perhaps, they were receiving incoming calls and the modem was "answering" the phone to dial out... again, this did not pan out.

Thirdly, the thought was that the modem was dialing the wrong number... so they looked into the "dialing properties"... the number was correct... but...

The customer had pointed out that the "number" was sadly long distance for them as they didn't have a local server to call into...

This led to the final and "problem solving" diagnostic... the dialing properties of the connection.

The customer had altered it for the long distance number... but made some other baffling changes as they felt one should make to make things "better"...

They had checked "DIAL 9 FOR AN OUTSIDE LINE".
Then they had checked "DIAL 1 FOR LONG DISTANCE".
Then they had manually entered the number... 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

Ergo: The modem dialed 911-XXX-XXX-XXXX

(For our British friends, this is the equivalent of the modem dialing 999 before then dialing in the operator's ear the last of the number.)

Yes, the voices were emergency services... screaming that there was obviously a mistake... and probably worse.

It also should be mentioned that the customer tried "redialing" for literally hours over two days.

In essence, it was amazing the police hadn't ACTUALLY showed up to literally throttle this customer... but we got it sorted out.

Too bad, I was hoping the "voices" were more paranormal in nature! Oh well...

SOLUTION: Dialer errors fixed, fires put out, ambulatory patients tended to, police officer calmed situation... 911 operators talked out of strangling customer.

Matthew's Notes: Just because it SEEMS that a "box" on a computer needs to be checked, DON'T unless you really know why.

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

I'm a pro-wrestling fan.

NOW, NON-SQUARED CIRCLE FANS, DON'T GIVE UP ON THIS POST! I promise it's not about grappling, but I needed a "for instance"... so bear with me...

One of the blogs I frequent is that of an announcer whom I greatly admire... a fellow named Jim Ross.

Much as I have a feeling he'd argue this, Jim Ross is arguably the wisest and most knowledgeable man in the realm of wrasslin'. He's currently the BEST announcer in the business on WWE's program RAW. The idea of watching RAW without "Good Ol' JR" calling the match is unfathomable... his voice and his ability to both "tell it like it is" and draw the viewer into a state of excitement is unmatched. J.R. is currently ONLY an announcer... but at one point, he was also head of "Talent Relations" meaning he had a lot of stroke in WWE's biz... but that was then... and now, he's strictly an "on-air personality" and seems to be pretty happy in that role.

That said...

Recently, Good Ol' JR started blogging... and yes, I read it regularly.

Hey, in fact, Sue and I HAVE even tried a couple of his barbecue sauces!

...moving on to my point...

J.R. does answer "readers questions"... and EVERY time, the same damn questions get asked and answered... to the point that you CAN sense his anger at having to address and redress questions again and again...

• Dear So-and-so, if you want to be hired by the WWE, don't write to me, write to human resources.

• Dear So-and-so, yes, Macho Man Randy Savage should be in the hall of fame, but I don't make those decisions.

• Dear So-and-so, yes, 'X' wrestler is very talented and he will do well, but I don't get to say who moves up the ladder.

...ad nauseam.

Well, who knew that I, a lowly mark fan would have something in common with Good Ol' JR...

...and without much adieu, allow me to answer the most often tossed at me things that ARE covered in the "FAQ" of this blog, but perhaps I can make it clearer... I don't own a "Resistol" hat, and I've never called a wrestling match... I have made a good homemade BBQ sauce, but beyond that, this is all I got...

So, here's my "Top Five" most repeated comments and questions I consistently have to answer...

First of all this isn't a weird "cash grab". I'm honestly hoping that either through sales of advertising spaces or the like we can gather the $20,000.00 American needed to rescue/buy the old bus. Sure, we offer a "donate" button and we're not stupid enough to say "no thank you" if someone offered to help us out, but in honesty, I'd prefer to give something back... but, as the saying goes, any port in a storm... and time is of the essence. If this TRULY was a "con" or "cash grab", one would hope I'd aim higher than $20k... and wouldn't pick such a tangible thing as the bus that you would all notice if I didn't make a "play" to own her.

Second of all it's true... if we "achieve" the $20k, we'd stop asking for money. Yup, that's ALL this blog and site are about as is. The blog itself, if we're successful, would still exist, but hopefully as our diary of ownership and sort-of a "road to recovery" for the old bus. If by December 26th, 2007 we haven't succeeded, we're shutting down this blog and the sites (although the ad site WILL be online until 2009) to concentrate on other projects... and the bus' safety will be placed (hopefully) in the hands of a "car club" or museum... who, with any luck, will keep her from being scrapped.

Third of all, and again, this blog has NOTHING to do with my other studies. Period. We have no plans to use the bus for "ghost hunting" or the like and if we don't succeed, it's not like I'm going to stop my paranormal work.
(We also will not be using the bus as a "tour bus", for those wondering.)

Fourth of all is the "Do It Without Help" stuff. Many people wonder why we ARE here... Are we THAT poor? If so, how can we take care of the bus? Well, we ARE that poor... but things have been improving... but sadly, not to the point where we can drop $20k... nor enough to save $20k before the bus will be scrapped or otherwise unable to be preserved. Actually, we have TWO kind souls who've offered us FREE storage and a host of mechanics and experts who've offered assistance getting her going. So, THAT'S why we're here ONLY for the initial $20k to get things going.

Fifth of all, no, we won't sell our puppies for the bus.

So, there you go... the top five... well, except that last one. No one's asked that... but still, I felt it was best to answer it ahead of time...

Now, to be TOTALLY honest, most of the time people ask me these things, it ain't a "pleasant" comment or question... usually, it's laced with much bitterness and even anger.

I cannot say this STRONGLY enough... if this site and our goal/dream ain't for you, amazingly enough, you don't have to read it or pay any attention to it whatsoever! Yup, you can surf away now! The Interweb (that series of tubes that Al Gore invented,) is an amazingly BIG place with LOADS of other things... and you can look at many of 'em without setting pixel-one on this blog!

For those that are enjoying this and do like the idea/goal/dream... or perhaps, those that are only interested in the "other writing" I do here... then I'm glad to be here for ya and do hope (if nothing else,) we're amusing you!

As for the "negative folks", I'd remind you that I'm as tough as a two-dollar steak and will whoop this challenge like a government mule... our efforts will be a real slobberknocker and I'm sure that before "D-Day" (December 26th), you'll be runnin' like a scalded dog because business is about to pick up!

...and it won't be brown bowling shoe ugly!

BOOMER SOONER~!

Addendum: While doing this entry, I found my fave picture of the boys with Sue... at least, the fave so far...

...and a better shot of me "in uniform"...

...well, this one's more flattering...

I do like the one of Sue and the boys though!

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

I am shamed.

Well, actually I'm not.

Not at all, in fact.

...and it has nothing to do with the "boob" stuff from yesterday's post.

I should 'splain...

On the PSICAN Message Board, I posted a bit of comedy. To be honest, it was comedy with an edge... and a lot of truth.

CSICOP (or "The Committee for Scientific Investigations of Claims of The Paranormal") has gone through a name change to "Committee for
Skeptical Inquiry"... and want to be called CSI... yes, just like the VERY popular TV show, Crime Scene Investigations.

Now, I admit... I was "mean"... because one can't help but wonder if this "name change" was for several good reasons... not the least of which is FINALLY removing "Science" from their name. (Science allows for hypothesis... and you can't have that when you're knee-jerk denying.)

The other... well... I'd have to say "Brand Name Recognition". You see, CSICOP (now Crime Scene Investigations) often schills for cash... to the point where they will be happy to send out one of their lawyers to help you "donate posthumously" in your last will and testament!

If you're interested, click here to read my missive(s)... you'll need to be a member, but don't panic... we run the board and DON'T spam or sell to spammers... we make you register (it's free) to avoid abuse of the board.

Anyway, one fellow came runnin' to CSICOP's (now Crime Scene Investigations') defence...

...but his approach was interesting...

...and I quote...

Considering the source, after reading a little more through your website, the integrity of PSICAN I.F. should be questioned, since you, the director, panhandles online in order to buy a double decker bus. I'm sure if you tried that on the street of your home city you would get odd looks.

I responded... and was honest about this... it all seemed vaguely familiar...

...so I went to a Ufologists website and checked...

"If one can't attack the data, attack the people. It is easier."
- Stan Friedman (about CSICOP's method of "argument".)

I brought up this quote in the post... and the response was...

I challenged your "integrity" because it is a public image. Many will share my perspective because, yo you have an online image - arguably public, and you have to understand that all information regarding you is going to be shown. It was not a personal attack it was me stating one of those "inconvenient facts."

My comment was and still is...

WHAT THE HECK HAS ONE GOT TO DO WITH THE OTHER?

"Your information and notes about your study in paranormal phenomena MUST be questioned because your family is trying to raise money to rescue an old, historic double-decker bus."

Gotcha.

Well, maybe he meant...

"I saw you're trying to sell adspace online in order to try and rescue an old bus. How can I trust your notes about your studies in areas of the paranormal?"

Either way, HUNH!?!

...but that was the argument.

Apparently, this blog and the attached website(s) are RUINING MY CREDIBILITY in a study that is COMPLETELY REMOVED from them.

Gotcha!

I guess I'm ruined... it's all over... I only have TWO options...

#1: Give up this blog, the site, and my family's dream to allow this fellow to "like and trust" my work.

#2: Continue and lose this fellow's respect.

Hmmm...

Let me think...

Well, I'll miss this fellow... like I miss my last kidney stone.

Perhaps I should RE-iterate this point that I made a while back...

If someone offered me the FULL amount to purchase the bus PROVIDED that I "hoax" or make a statement about my studies that I know to be incorrect... I'd say no thank you.

I know this to be true because WE did turn down a lucrative media job because they wanted Sue and I to "play act" and "play up" things... and we said no... loudly... and meanly.

Believe it or not... or think us weird... but our efforts, studies, and genuine interest to us is VERY important. Far more important than many other things... including this dream of ours. We believe in what we're doing and it's importance.

I have this site and the blog... and they're honest and real. This is a dream... a "fantasy" that has a chance to come true... that my whole family has adopted... but we can't make it happen without help.

I have my life... it's real... and I've worked VERY long and VERY hard to produce what some think is excellent work. It has nothing to do with the dream above.

...and rarely do the twain meet... I can't say "NEVER" because I do comment on the paranormal here on occasion... and I did do a bit on the Paranormal Blog about phantom double-decker buses... and my personal signature files do contain links to this blog and site.

Otherwise, there's very little if any crossover...

...so you'll forgive me if I have decided to CONTINUE TO DO BOTH.

After all, it is MY integrity to lose, right?

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Forgive the pun.

Many people may (or may not) be aware that in Ontario (my home province,) it is completely legal for a woman to go "topless" wherever they'd like.

The OLD law was challenged by a young woman named Gwen Jacobs who, quite rightly, pointed out that a MAN can go topless in the Summer heat, but a woman can't because, quite honestly, society had "sexualised" the mammary gland.

Now, as a "guy", of course you would assume that I was completely with Ms. Jacob's thoughts... and I was! The law NEEDED amending... to ensure ALL people wore tops in public was my thought.

(Yeah, I was never a subscriber to "Jugs" magazine in my youth.)

Let's face it, it's RARE that the average topless guy wandering the streets was a dead ringer for Adonis... most of the fellows I noted going sans shirt were in desperate need of a "manzier" and a wax treatment for their back!

Still, one had to realise that there was a social inequity and indeed, the law was changed and now, SHOULD they want to, both sexes CAN go topless.

'Nuff said, right?

WRONG!

Although men and women CAN go topless here, there are certain situations, shirts are required... "No Shirt No Service" so to speak.

Now, leave it to the politicians of our fair city and province to ACTUALLY forget something in this vein...

So, KEEPING IN MIND that women and men can go topless in the streets...

...but breastfeeding in public is banned.

Yup! You can sun 'em, just not USE 'em!

Now, there's OBVIOUSLY discussion to loosen this ban... and it recently made the media rounds... again.

On that media driven note, I was listening to some comments on the idea via a local talk radio station that leans to the right shall we say. Said comments were quite amazing... One man called up IN HORROR about this saying that, and I paraphrase...

"If I can't take a leak (urinate) in public and it's a natural function, why should a woman be allowed to breastfeed?"

Man, that comment didn't deserve the DIGNITY of a response! One is "expelling waste" from a body... the other is nourishing an infant.

Oh yeah... that's the same thing, right?

Anyway, with only ONE exception, the men calling in to comment on the radio (all but one woman caller thought the ban was ultra-silly,) really were amazing... I'd say "Straight from the Victorian era", but as a historian, this wouldn't be accurate... the Victorian's were far more accepting of certain things.

Let's face it... not long ago, our lawmakers decide (rightly) that "breasts" aren't really a sexual object... but apparently, they MUST NOT BE what they really are for either... and apparently some people are okay with this.

Sillier yet, how much do you want to bet that these idiots are the FIRST to complain when someone's baby is crying at a mall, bus, or airport?

HEY IDIOTS! Guess WHY the baby is probably crying!?!

"Excuse me, miss, but if you're not going to smear sunblock on those and you're considering letting that child feed, you'll have to put them away."

I love this town and my home... but sometimes, the pundits and politicos really make me think about starting my own country.

Oh, and don't be too outraged by this... it's a given that there will be eventual resolution to this... with the hungry babies winning. The idea of banning feeding a hungry baby regardless of setting -legally- would be about as successful as an attempt to get The Vatican to canonize Britney Spears. The majority, I'm sure, really DON'T have a problem with the idea... and the nay-sayers really are a small, silly, not-even-too-vocal minority...

...who probably look at a lot of internet porn and pray that the "hot neighbour" next door decides to sunbathe nude this year...

...and provided that neighbour doesn't try to feed a baby, they're all for it!

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Sharing Thoughts, Experiences & Fun!!!!

This is the second time that it has been our pleasure to feature Sunflower as our roomie of the week. Welcome back Sunflower!

Sunflower is a fellow Canadian blogger that promotes healthy lifestyle choices through her interests in tennis, cycling, swimming, yoga, gardening, and reading. There is a little something for everyone over at Sunflower's!

I don't know about you, but aside from yoga and walking the dogs I could use a little inspiration through creative writing to get more fit!

So lace up your tennis shoes, and surf on over to Sunflower's and see how many minutes you can get her to exercise. Got to love the bravery of a woman who will exercise for comments. Knowing my friends they would comment enough times just to see if I'd drop from exhaustion! Nasty bit of friends I've got....yeah stop your snickering YOU know who YOU are ....

Cheers!

From The I Better Start Getting Fit Cause I Ate Too Much Decadent Chocolate Birthday Cake On Tuesday Desk Of Sue

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Okay... I'm gonna be taking some blogging time-off... and it's because of January 23rd...

You see, on that day in 1967, the sky was a little weirder... there was something in the air... a sense of importance... and the "big cat" population rose by exactly "one".

...well, "one" important one...

You see, it was THE birthday of my favourite cougar. (She's older than me right now... and until May 31st remains so...)

My partner, my significant other... the person without whom life would not be so complete...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SUE!

...that said, and in order to fete properly, I'm gonna take a day or two off... we'll be back for "Helping Hand Thursday" and my usual rants, raves, thoughts, and all for the rest of the week and thereafter... and I've got a few waiting to be "expressed"...

BUT FOR NOW...

...from me and the boys...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SUE!

...who hits the big four-oh!

...while I'm still but a boy of three-nine!

Je t'aime, mon cher!

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Some have let me know that they feel that the "poll" I have on the blog (see the side-bar... just below the fund-raising thermometer...) was a VERY bad idea because I allow for extremely negative responses.

Basically, you CAN answer to the question, "Do you think that we will be successful in getting the bus?" with the option of "Not a chance, nitwit!"

...and as of writing this, yes, one person has responded with this.

...another has responded with the option "Not likely."

...two have said "Perhaps. It's a good bet."

...and SIX have said "Yes! Think positive!"

...oddly enough, no one has used the "Maybe. I'm not sure." which is ACTUALLY positive!

I'd rather be eliciting SOME reaction than none.

Still, I am not a fan of the idea of ONLY assuming the positive. Realistically, we need to be as realistic as possible... and that means using a neutral but upbeat mindset... the hope of success... the will to succeed... but the knowledge that it MAY not happen.

I also believe... no, strike that... I KNOW there are people out there literally hoping for our failure! For one reason or another (usually involving much cynicism,) they have issues with our goal... and how we're hoping someone might help us achieve it. Heck, I had a newspaper reporter shred me in a national publication once as this being a "place where you can throw away your money"... Personally, I don't FEEL that making a whole family's dream come true and saving a historic vehicle is a "throw-away"... but I recognise that this is in the eye of the beholder.

Truth to tell, the VAST majority of people ARE behind us and at least wishing us well... and a very small vocal minority are not happy with the idea.

To them I say this... you don't have to help, you don't have to support... we AREN'T forcing you to... but you know what? I don't mind hearing from you at all!

You see, I'm (in my hobby,) a scientist... and in order to do proper science and observation, you MUST remain neutral... and you must listen to the critics of what you're attempting. After all, if THEY give you information about what they dislike or don't see working, you can adapt your efforts and produce a better quality of work!

If "X" isn't enough evidence for you, what DO you NEED? What evidence can I produce and with what controls?

If I can and it's reasonable and still allows me to stay within the original criteria of my efforts, I am always willing to evolve my thinking and even my efforts.

Well, in the context of this, if our dream, this blog, and our efforts don't work for you, what would? (...or would nothing?)

Again, within reason, we WOULD evolve here too!

To those that assume this is some kind of quasi-cash grab, I point out something that is in our FAQ... which is if I wanted to do a "con", I hope I'd shoot for more than $20,000.00... and I would NOT use something so tangible that you WILL know if I get the money and don't move with it. (Let's face it... if we got $20k and within a few months there isn't a picture on the ol' blog of us with the bus, you know sumthin' funny's goin' on!)

Ergo: I do hope you know this blog, this site, this dream IS on the level...

The other "I hate you because..." we've seen and gotten is the old "Money For Nothing" complaint. To answer this, the "goal" is time sensitive... eventually the bus will be scrapped or worse... and no, in that time, we WON'T be able to save for it... which is why we're here... and we AREN'T only saying "throw money at us!", we're trying AND WORKING towards the dream as we can. We're just honest... it can't be done without help.

So, with these two important "negative" thoughts hopefully answered, what can those who of you who STILL (and for different reasons) feel that we're gonna be sorely disappointed suggest for us?

Within reason, we're open to almost any suggestions!

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Many people have suggested that I join a "club" or "group" to try and make our dream come true...

Usually suggested are car clubs or the like.

Well, believe it or not, I am a "member" of the Yahoo! newsgroup, British Buses Abroad in North America, which really is the premier "club" of it's type online... and is populated with the best and brightest (in terms of knowledge) on the subject of British buses from both sides of the Atlantic and all points otherwise...

However, it is also populated by a small, but very vocal group of people whom, if they had it their way, no British bus (especially one like our dear RLH 3) would ever touch shore anywhere apart from Britain.

You see, they see "us", the enthusiasts and present/future(?) owners of these vehicles as destroying their heritage and their goal is to "re-patriate" all older buses back to the U.K.

Now, in honesty, I do understand this... to a degree.

In my eyes, there should be AT LEAST two or three of each model kept in preservation so that the people where they originally ran can enjoy them... but all of them? That's silly... the "fleet" of preserved buses would greatly outnumber the actual "functional" public transport fleets!

Granted, I do realise that SOME owners, especially in North America, who buy these old buses don't foresee the expense and difficulty of maintaining such a vehicle do let them go to "pot", so to speak... They buy the bus for tours or for "cheap advertising" and then find out that parts are difficult in the extreme to get a hold of... and that tour buses are not a "million dollar maker" and a large expense... and the buses end up like the ones below...

RLH 2 in New Jersey and RLH 18 in Salt Lake...

...but what about those of us who HAVE done our homework? What about the plethora of buses running in good shape in North America?

Well, to this group of preservationists, they MUST all be sent back... and never to be considered again.

Here is a letter I posted to the group about these folks... allow me to share it with you.

I've built a website and information devoted to my family's (hopeful) ownership and plans for a British bus and have received many e-mails of support... and several bordering on threats and imprecations as we're (apparently) sullying these wonderful vehicles by suggesting using them for something other than a rolling museum piece.

Although I admire the preservationists and really respect their work and efforts, I don't truly see the harm in using the vehicles for work and/or pleasure and NOT as perfectly preserved machines.

Provided the buses are cared for and future preservation could be done, what's the harm? Are these vehicles not supposed to be running? Aren't they supposed to be productive? Shouldn't they give someone other than a pure preservationist joy?

The way some folks behave, I'd liken it to Bedouins suddenly demanding that all Arabian breed horses be returned the their homeland as that is where they originated and the "rest of us" are using them in the wrong fashion.

Sadly, as someone who's a true enthusiast/fan of these vehicles, I do have to sadly note how many of the old buses are in scrap yards across the UK... so one can't really say things are "better" there in my humble opinion... they may be a touch better on their native soil, but to cast dispersions on those of us who simply enjoy the aesthetic of these vehicles and see them for possible personal enjoyment and wish to keep them rolling (wherever on the globe that may be,) seems to be the order of the day with many preservationists. If the "pure preservationists" feel so strongly, why not work with those who wish to use them for personal use to ensure that they WILL be cared for and they WILL be ready for a possible future of being restored to the n'th degree? This might help those that DO end up in the scrap... or in rust-piles in someone's field.

Education and sharing of information might really go a long way to keeping these buses in tip-top shape... and may secure their future in any capacity.

Another thing I'd liken this to... I'm a former War of 1812 re-enactor... they go out in early nineteenth century clothes and fight "mock" battles (with all due safety) at historic sites in and around my home province, the states, and Europe... There are some in THAT hobby that feel that unless a person is 100% accurate, they should not be allowed in the field... meaning I, who sports a neat beard, should NOT be allowed to participate despite my (past) financial, time and genuine study commitment... not to mention my love of brining history to the masses.

We, the re-enactors, often point out that should we go 100% historically accurate, health and safety would take a beating AND about 70% of those who do take the field (and entertain and educate the masses) would have to leave the hobby.

Well, if we limit these vehicles to the use that a small but vocal minority seem to feel is proper, it seems to me most of them would be off the road entirely and no one could enjoy them except for a "favoured few".

Anyway, I'm just saying I'd rather see some in private hands being converted to a lesser degree than rusting away to nothing waiting for those who feel they are bastions of the 'pure' to run to the rescue...

It didn't matter... to these folks, better to be rusting in a scrap yard then working in another country... which I find both weird and sad.

Click here to see a photo-site about buses in scrapyards in the UK.

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

From the CBC...

French priest Abbé Pierre dies at 94

Abbé Pierre, a French priest praised as a living legend for devoting his life to helping the homeless, using prayer and provocation to tackle misery, died Monday, his foundation said. He was 94.

One of France's most beloved public figures, Abbé Pierre died at Val de Grace military hospital in Paris, his foundation said. He had been admitted with a lung infection Jan. 14.

The founder of the international Emmaus Community for the poor, Abbé Pierre served as a spokesman for France's conscience since the 1950s when he persuaded parliament to pass a law — still on the books — forbidding landlords to expel tenants during winter months.

President Jacques Chirac said in a statement, "We have lost a great figure, a conscience, an incarnation of goodness."

A former monk, resistance fighter and parliamentarian, Abbé Pierre long remained spry and determined despite the infirmities of old age. Last year, he spoke to parliament from his wheelchair, urging lawmakers not to reform a law on low-income housing.

Often donning a beret and cape, Abbé Pierre — a code name from his Second World War days — topped polls as France's most beloved public figure almost every year. He had the ear of French leaders for decades.

Born Henry Groues, on Aug. 5, 1912, one of eight children in a well-heeled Lyon family, he exchanged comfort for a monk's cell for six years, before joining the priesthood in 1938.

He entered the resistance in the Second World War, taking the name Abbé Pierre in 1942 as a cover for his work manufacturing fake identity papers and helping Jews cross the border to Switzerland.

Elected to parliament after the war, in 1945, his devotion to the "street sleepers" was awakened. A lawmaker for seven years, until 1951, he occasionally begged alms while organizing rag pickers among the homeless so they could fend for themselves.

With the help of an ex-convict and his lawmaker's salary, the first Emmaus Community house was born in 1949 in Neuilly-Plaisance, northeast of Paris. Emmaus, which helps the disenfranchised to help themselves, is now present in many countries.

In France, he created his own Abbé Pierre Foundation in 1992.

I have to be honest... I'd never REALLY heard about Abbé Pierre (other than he was a "great man" who worked with the poor) until reading the obit above... and wow.

Very sad that he's gone... but at 94, he deserved the rest...

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Consider this an open letter to my friends across the Atlantic...

Dear England,

I know it's been a while since I wrote... and I never call... but I thought I should take a moment to apologise.

You see, way back in the fall of 1995 (the last time I visited,) there was a "storm"... according to the BBC news I watched, it was a "terrible and bad rain storm" with thunder and lightning. It caused many car crashes and some people stayed in their offices for hours to avoid travelling in it.

Now, as a Canucklehead, I watched the news reports with almost wide-eyed amusement...

"If this is a bad storm," I thought to myself, "I'd hate to see what would happen if these people had to go through the woppers we get in Ontario in September and early October! They'd probably keel over and faint dead away!"

This was born out by talking to "ex-pats" once I got home and hearing of their first encounter with a Canadian Fall thunder-banger. Apparently, to some of them, they truly thought the Apolalypse was upon them...

You see, this "storm" in 1995 on the sceptre'd isles would be considered "showers" in Toronto... not even worthy of more mention from the weather folks than, "Take and umbrella with you!"

To be honest, I thought the complaints about "wild weather" were quaint... almost silly...

...then there was this year...

Let's see, a tornado in London... and then, Thursday you had this...

...and I now eat my words.

That was a VERY horrible bit of weather... and I do apologise for thinking that your "bad storms" were Mickey Mouse...

I know that all my friends over there weathered the storm (literally)... but my gosh! That was horrible! Needless to say, we're ALL pulling for ya on this side of the pond!

Weird weather, eh?

Next thing you know, they'll have snow in Malibu!

Oh... nevermind.

Sincerest apologies again... Your pal, Matthew

P.S. - One day, remind me to tell you about being in Williamsburg, Kentucky when I was young and they got a WHOLE 1/2 INCH of snow on the ground that lasted more than an hour... listening to folks there, you'd think the world was coming to an end! I kid you not!

Dry out, oh friends across the big water!

Oh, and if you're wondering what spurred this rather late apology and post... call it a "Blog About Your Blessings" post for a Sunday like MsDemmie does... We're blessed because, as we said, all our friends are safe and sound... just a little rattled by the storm. We are blessed to have gotten to know new friends like MsDemmie and Andy... and are blessed by our long-time friends IRL there as well. (Aidan, amongst others, expect us for a visit in fall 2009 - FIRM! ...and you had better have done something about these storms by then! I mean, that CAN'T happen while WE'RE there!)

The standard last note on the old blog... PLEASE SUPPORT THE DREAM!

This blog is here to help promote a dream that an entire family shares... that dream is to rescue an old London Double-Decker bus.

Please, if you have a few minutes, take some time to find out more about this bus and the kooky dream by clicking here.

This bus is VERY special to myself and the whole family, and any help any person can lend us would be most gratefully accepted.

If you or someone you know might be interested, there's our tiny banner site, HelpCoverTheBus.Com and a PayPal donation button (see the upper-right hand side of the blog) and, of course, a Cafe Press shop for T-Shirts and shtuff!
(...and who doesn't need some shtuff!)

Please help us make this dream a reality and save a piece of history!

We thank you for your support!

Please Note: We are also hoping for help from a public relations/marketing standpoint... If you might be able to assist OR know someone who might be willing to, please click here and read this entry...

Get ready for a shock... brace yourself...

I was reading my usually blogs and came across a blog posting that was a RANT!

I know... shocking.

Imagine someone complaining to the cyber-universe about things in a blog! I mean, the idea!

Well, far be it from me to not jump on a bandwagon of sorts... and despite it not being a very good rant, it did get me to thinking...

What makes me mad?

Realistically, what really gets my goat? What frosts my pumpkin? What burns my britches? What makes my spew quaint clichés a lot?

...and then I realise that only THREE things make me honestly mad.

Intolerance, Incompetence, and Inconsideration.

That's it.

Intolerance in any form... be it racial, spiritual, philosophical, or really anything bothers me to the point of anger. To listen to some braying jackass spew nonsense about how "X" isn't good enough for them or how (general statement) "X" is no good at all really ticks me off. That's an easy one.

Incompetence which is not ignorance. When someone tells me they can't do something because they don't know how, I have few complaints... but when someone makes themselves appear competent and they're not OR when someone SHOULD know something and doesn't appear to be capable of it, yeah, I get grumpy.

Inconsideration sounds like I made it up... I didn't. It's the "act" of being "inconsiderate". I can't tolerate people who don't notice their fellow humans (or whom/whatever) and are so self absorbed that they truly would step on a drowning persons head to avoid getting a shoe wet.

Well, that last one's a bit strong... but allow me to vent the three "things" matched with the above that yes, I'm grumpy about.

Intolerance: There are many more HARSH instances I've been sadly all-too-aware of... but for my purposes here, allow me to re-address the type I've been coming across most often online.

During my BlogMad/BlogSoldiers/BlogExplosion surfing, I come across what I'm sure you all do... usually political blogs that literally slam and defame the "opposite number". I can understand a tiny rivalry and not agreeing with someone, but there are entire blogs devoted to telling us, the reader, how awful, terrible, stupid, rotten, and a few other words not usable on this family-safe blog people that don't agree with THEM are. It's kinda spooky, really... to think that these people have THIS much time and enmity to sit down and write-up such loathsome hatred. Seems like a waste of energy to me... and does NOT convey their message at all and most certainly does NOT convert me to their way of thinking. If anyone is reading this and perhaps recognises themselves in this bit... here's a tip... calling people "scumbags" is not really a sign of someone with a great intellect.

Incompetence: The following is a REAL conversation I had with my internet service's technical support...

As a preface, I knew what the problem was but needed confirmation. For noobs, all internet sites have an I.P. number... all of 'em... for example, this blog is NOT really on DoubleDeckerBuses.Org... it's on 72.29.74.31... but thanks to a "domain name", we get to whack in DoubleDeckerBuses.Org and a magic machine (the Domain Name Server or DNS) says, "AHA! That name belongs to this I.P. address!" and sends you to the right place!

Now, I connected to the dreaded Interweb (y'know, that series of tubes that Al Gore invented,) and COULD use I.P. addresses to get to things (I use I.P. addresses for file transfers and whatnot) but could not "surf" domain names... so typing into the browser 72.29.74.31 worked... but DoubleDeckerBuses.Org didn't. Savy? Pretty cut-and-dry... I just needed to know... was my service provider's DNS (Domain Name Server) down... or was I having a whacky pr