Altoid & Other Cuties' Thread

[monkeymd2b]

Hmmm...that's odd. Looked fine on my computer at home. Oh well. I'll figure out something later on...actually have a full schedule today at work. Hooray for illness?!?

[OperaTenor]

If the photos are bigger than 600 pixels wide X 400 high, they won't show up here.

[Shapley]

They're all 640 x 480, according the 'properties' tab.

If I open them manually, they will remain on the screen until I close IE, even if I navigate away from the site. Once I've closed and restarted IE, the red 'x's will return...

[GreatCarouser]

The 'red x' I could understand. I see and get nothing but the word 'Image' and it is definitely not a link of any sort...no address and non-clickable...other links and smilies appear to work just fine...

[dai bread]

I get the same as GC.

[GreatCarouser]

Apparently I can highlight the word 'image' then right click on that word for a 'Firefox properties box'. I can then copy the address of the image, load it into the browser and see it much like Shapley's experience. Seems like a lot of work just to see an image. I also note that Windows tried to download IE8 to my system today...all connected?

[Shapley]

I also note that Windows tried to download IE8 to my system today...all connected?

I haven't been impressed with IE8 thus far. Among the things I've noticed is a time-lag on the keyboard that wasn't there with IE7. The text does not appear as I type it, and sometimes takes a couple of seconds to catch up. It has to be an IE8 thing, since this does not occur when typing with WordPerfect, Word, or any of the other programmes I use.

It's very annoying.

It also keeps popping up reminder windows which I haven't figured out how to turn off yet. This is typical of all Windows application updates, it seems, and it is a chore resetting the parameters to get rid of such things. Apparently Mr. Gates thinks we all need to be constantly reminded how to use his products.

V/R
Shapley

[jamiebk]

Apparently Mr. Gates thinks we all need to be constantly reminded how to use his products.

V/R
Shapley

And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...

[Shapley]

And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...And reminded...

My computer at home updates Windows every time it is turned on. Even after you update it, it will pop up halfway through whatever it is you are doing to let you know it "updates are ready for your computer". We don't use it every day, so they apparently stack up, and the auto-update feature works to death.

This is independent of the Anti-Virus software, the anti-spam software, and the near-constant updates from Apple for their Quicktime and music download services, which I rarely use. I have a satelite-based internet service, with a maximume allowed daily usage, which has sometimes been exceeded just from the updates.

The constant need to update rendered my previous, dial-up service useless, as you could not use the service concurrent with the update downloads, and they could take hours on dial-up.

Build a better computer, and Microsoft will beat a path to your expanded capability, and rob you of the benefits thereof.

[GreatCarouser]

Well since I performed the operation on the images they now appear in the OP.

I find if I don't click 'Express Install' and instead use the other option on the updates then I get a list of the 'presents' Microsoft has for me and I can uncheck some or all. There is also an option to 'not be reminded' of these updates again. If the computer goes kablooey because I missed a crucial update they are all available at the Microsoft website...

[Schmeelkie]

Pumpkin started 1st grade yesterday. He was scared and nervous before, but went to bed last night saying, "I can't wait until tomorrow!" Knew he'd be fine after the first day. Scheduling is a bit difficult this year as we have him in the school in the district where we're going to be living, not where we are now... I also realized that is school day is almost an hour shorter than at the school where he was in kindergarten. I drove him in this morning. Stated arrival time is 9:15, but they don't let the kids into the rooms until 9:25. Going to see if he feels comfortable just dropping him off and he can wait in the lobby with the other kids? Not sure I can even do that... Then I dropped off Bella (day care is maybe 3 min drive away from his school, so at least that's convenient) and didn't leave for work until about 9:40. so getting in by 10 wasn't happening. Next time I drop off, I'll drop off Bella first... At least my husband is on sabbatical this semester, so his time is more flexible. I just want to be sure he has enough time to get work done!

[Serenity]

Baby laughs are therapeutic. I dare you to keep a straight face; please choose your favorite.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6iNxLir ... re=related

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG5rQ3D_ ... re=related

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo3F6ciK ... re=related

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLJ_GoUk ... re=related

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7mOzWQS ... re=related

This non-baby one is just plain weird.....

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU3qT05Q ... re=related

[Schmeelkie]

Happy Birthday to Pumpkin! He didn't seem to mind going to school today. sent along a bag of snack packs of teddy grahams, nilla wafers and animal crackers for the celebration. Still have cake leftover from Saturday's mini-party (would have been bigger but my brother's family didn't show - sick kids, but he didn't bother to call me - I called at ten of six. GRRR! And I had been talking up the visit with their cousins to the kids all week....oh, well. Just wish he'd called!), so can have more tonight! Have to return one of his presents. I went to wrap last night and looked through the snakes book I bought online - seemingly every other page has a drawing of a person getting bit - in the neck, on the hand, on pic of a person lying in a boat with blood spatters around his neck....a bit too much for a 6-year old, I thought. Ah, the disadvantage of buying books online.... oh, well.

And happy first day of Autumn - my favorite season! Already have some leaves changing color here and there... glad I'm not in Colorado though - it's a bit early for snow!!

And happy birthday to Bilbo Baggins - always thought it was funny that he shares his birthday with Pumpkin!

[piqaboo]

Altoid likes k.
She likes her teacher, has friends to play with, loves that there are swings in the playground, enjoys her language class,
thinks PE is interesting (I think its weird - 1 hour once a week), and doesnt even mind the morning madness.
I have to find a way to get her to bed 15 min earlier (the problem is more in my mindfulness than anything else).

When all that wears to 'old hat', we'll try letting her buy lunch once in a while to renew the thrill.

She cried for a couple minutes the first morning, because all her friends were together at a different school,
but calmed quickly to the am routine (clothes, food, sunscreen), and came home happy w a new friend "Precious Stone".

We've a little old chinese lady takes walks on our street. She's been interesting in Altoid for years.
Yesterday Altoid spoke to her (just one word), in Mandarin. The lady was tickled pink.
I think Altoid will like knowing she can talk to people and we wont be able to understand.

[Schmeelkie]

Watching the baseball playoffs the other day, Bella points at the screen and says, "He got Yankee hat just like mine!" Then had to explain that this was actually the team... It also seems that whenever I put it on for a few min before putting her to bed and say to her, "Say, Go Yankees!", and she does, the Yankees win. Note that I didn't put it on until after she was asleep last night...and they lost...need to be more mindful in the future...

I thought he'd be upset, but Pumpkin is actually relieved that they aren't allowed to wear costumes for the 'Fall Harvest Festival' at school tomorrow. Turns out the Anakin Skywalker costume isn't quite right without the lightsaber (which he wasn't allowed to bring last year), so he'd rather not wear it at all than wear it without the lightsaber. [begin rant] I'm just annoyed because apparently we've moved into one of 'those' school districts where they're all PC and anal about holidays. Sheesh. What idiot is offended by Halloween?!? It's the most secular religious pseudo-holidays we have! Most people don't even know what the religious significance is - it's just a fun day for kids to dress up - why ruin it for them. [end rant]

Bella's using her brothers old 'Bob the Builder' costume - she's been talking about being Bob for months - even before I think she even really knew what Halloween was. So cheap Halloween for us - no new costumes. I did promise them to go to a costume store the day after and see what we could find on sale. They like to dress up in the costumes they have, but Pumpkin doesn't fit in anything but Anakin anymore...

[piqaboo]

Altoid's school is having a StoryBook parade in the am w the kids in costume, carrying the appropriate book.
The little bluebird was a bit disconcerted because she couldnt think of a story.
There's a sweet one in a book I got for MY 3rd birthday, so I guess she'll carry that.

Then they have to wear regular clothes the rest of the day. She's planning on a longsleeved black dress w halloween socks,
so that will be an almost-costume all day long. Teaching her young where to find the fine lines...

My department is dressing ala "the 1980's". What's scary/funny/sad is how much I still have in the closet from then.
(such as the shoes I am wearing today, and 4 more pairs just like them).
The admin got a "mullet" wig, and we're looking high and low for a guy brave enough to wear it tomorrow.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Halloween is the very favorite holiday of my senior SIL Garrett - he's got the pirate ship put back up, the sets built, the scenery painted/repainted. Approach will be different this year, as the old driveway is gone and a new one on the other side of the yard is in place.. The junior SIL is the designated murder victim, at least one of Garrett's brothers is the designated Unstable Drunk Pirate, and Garrett's growing a Jack Sparrow beard. Various other friends & family will fill other roles.

The Tenors know where to find the show. It's in Escondido, CA, and the rehearsal is Friday with many repeat performances on Saturday. Should be the usual blast.

And this is so much better than overdecorating the house for Christmas. I wonder if we'll have a real cannon again this year.

[Shapley]

Interestingly, the Catholic schools here all celebrate Hallowe'en, while the public schools have abandoned it in favour of 'Fall Festivals'. I always thought it was the Christians that were supposed to be opposed to it.

We did have a motion at the Parent-Teacher meeting once when my son was in elementary school to abolish the Hallowe'en party, but it died on the floor.

I have my monk's robe (left over from my days in the monastery ) which I usually wear at Hallowe'en, but I sometimes opt for the Charro suit and sombrero. I paid good money for that suit, no sense letting it go to waste. We live in the boonies, so we don't get trick-or-treaters. If we dress up, it's for a party or school function, usually.

We don't dress for Hallowe'en here at work. Back when I worked for the Hammond Organ Company, we did that. We also used to dress for the Rodeo, which was a big deal in Sikeston, MO.

[Schmeelkie]

Some of the admin staff here at the medical center dress up - clinical folks more likely to dress up than us research folks. I didn't even think about it....Haven't dressed up in years....maybe when the kids get older I can throw a kids party in the basement and adult party upstairs...been thinking about something like that for New Years - friends of my parents used to do that. All the kids watching movies and sleeping in our sleeping bags in the play room - adults drinking and eating on the main floor. Everyone could sleep over if necessary, so parents could get a little liquored up if they so chose. Sometimes we went home around 1-2am, sometimes we stayed over.

[piqaboo]

Selma,
that's good news. I hope OT and Altoid can make it for a preview tonight.
tomorrow's otherwise occupied.