Video: RSS in Plain English

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There are two types of Internet users, those that use RSS and those that don't. This video is for the people who could save time using RSS, but don't know where to start.

Found this via PDALive.com

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If only I had an unlimited "T-shirt" budget

My buddy Joe shared a wonderful t-shirt site with me the other day, when he emailed me a link to the following t-shirt design:

 

Here are some additional design options from ThoseShirts.com:

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Yep, that's my girl!

Several weeks back:  Sarah applied for an academics camp, which only accepts 28 Oklahoma students in the 10th-12th range.  She and her mom found out about it using a Google search for academic camps, only a day or two before the application deadline.  As such, they hand-delivered the application to Oklahoma Baptist University, the site of the camp.

 

Fast forward to last night: Sarah and I attended a concert by Matt Wertz along with presentation by Joe White (speaker to the NFL, major league baseball, and CEO of Kanakuk Kamps).  After we got home, she checked her email and found that she had been accepted to the Summer Academy in Forensics:

 

Short Description: . Instruction in forensic techniques, discussions of case files, and laboratory work will help introduce each student to the use of forensic science in law enforcement. Twenty- eight rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students will be introduced to this exciting field. Fingerprinting, arson accellerant analysis, drug identification, and many other topics will be covered.

Location: Oklahoma Baptist University, OK.

 

Features: (edited list)
Copy of The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation
Hands on laboratory work
Work on a mock criminal investigation

 

Additional note from a proud daddy: "...After we got home, she checked her email"

Like daddy, like daughter  ô¿~

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How ACD's should work

Most Automatic Call Directors (ACD) are currently set to inquire language

    Example: Press 1 for English, etc

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were programmed like the following:

Good morning and welcome to Acme Company Customer Service Center

Press '1' if you speak English

Press '2' to disconnect until you can

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Classroom Desks (cleared thru Snopes)

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.  On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom.

 

The kids came into first period, they walked in, there were no desks.  They obviously looked around and said, "Ms.  Cothren, where's our desk?" And she said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."

 

They thought, "Well, maybe it's our grades."

 

"No," she said.

 

"Maybe it's our behavior."

 

And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."

 

And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom.  Second period, same thing, third period.  By early afternoon television news crews had gathered in Ms.  Cothren's class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom.  The last period of the day, Martha Cothren gathered her class.  They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room.  And she said, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily." She said, "Now I'm going to tell you."

 

Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S.  veterans, wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk.  And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall.  And by the time they had finished placing those desks, those kids for the first time I think perhaps in their lives understood how they earned those desks.

 

Martha said, "You don't have to earn those desks.  These guys did it for you.  They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it."

 

.......................................................................................

"We live in the Land of the Free because of the brave"

 

Remember our Troops...

 

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Veterans Return Desks •••
Teacher imparts lesson in value of freedom by having veterans return students' desks.
 http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp

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How to start each day with a positive outlook

1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it "Hillary Rodham Clinton"
3. Send it to the trash.
4. Empty the trash.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Do you really want to delete rid of 'Hillary Rodham Clinton'?"
6. Firmly Click "Yes."
7. Feel better.
PS: Next week we'll do Nancy Pelosi

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Feel like voting?

Next year is when the Oklahoma quarter will be put into circulation.  The final designs for the quarter have been placed up for public opinion vote at the following site:

http://www.ok.gov/governor/coin.php

 

Here are the options, in no particular order:

     

  

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Three 'funnies' from yesterday

1. The following picture:

Hamster Powered Shredder!

 

2 & 3.  The following statements:

...You mom can't concentrate!

...Burst of friendliness

 

The quotes occurred within conversations that just had to be heard to be believed (and understood)

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Who took all of the hours out of the day?

I have been busier than a one-legged man at a butt-kicking party lately.  Where have all the hours in the day gone lately?

 

For various reasons, activity related to the ErtlReconstruction.com website have increased almost exponentially in the past week or two.  Being that I am now communicating directly with two surgeons and at least one board member, instead of a single contact point (Tony Barr), it makes keeping everything straight somewhat more difficult.

 

While the increase in activity has some to do with Tony's death, the forth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars has had something to do with it as well.  If you spend just a little bit of time Googling about the show's first amputee participant Heather Mills, you will find out that she is an "Ertl Amputee" (near the bottom of this message).  If you aren't following the show, but would like to watch some of the dancing, you can view dance videos here (Heather has been doing an outstanding so far!).

 

In mid-2005 I got an email from Tony telling me that Heather Mills was going to have an Ertl revision (follow-up surgery to repair previous amputation surgery) due to excessive pain, but that I wasn't to tell anyone since it was a secret.  My first thought was "who am I going to tell?".  Later when it was announced, it was kinda cool being that it was old news to me.

 

In early February of this year, I started working with the webteam for Heather (like how I am on first name basis with her now ô¿~ ) so that we can get Barr Foundation & ErtlRecon info on her site, and in turn, get some of Heather's info on our site.  That process is taking longer than I would like since her site is getting a complete overhaul.  While Heather has mentioned the Ertl procedure in some of her various interviews, she has no control over the editing prior to them being aired.  Hopefully she will advance far enough that they time slots for interviews will allow for more details about her level of amputation.

 

There are a few other 'news worthy' items in regards to Dancing with the Stars and Heather Mills, but I will leave those for a future post. 

(note to Joe: don't ruin the surprise in the comments area)

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Introducing: GMail Paper!

Everyone loves Gmail. But not everyone loves email, or the digital era. What ever happened to stamps, filing cabinets, and the mailman? Well, you asked for it, and it’s here. They are bringing it back.

A New Button
Now in Gmail, you can request a physical copy of any message with the click of a button, and we’ll send it to you in the mail.

Simplicity Squared
Google will print all messages instantly and prepare them for delivery. Allow 2-4 business days for a parcel to arrive via post.

Total Control
A stack of Gmail Paper arrives in a box at your doorstep, and it’s yours to keep forever. You can read it, sort it, search it, touch it. Or even move it to the trash—the real trash. (Recycling is encouraged.)

Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe
Google takes privacy very seriously. But once your email is physically in your hands, it’s as secure as you want to make it.

Learn more about Gmail Paper

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I always wondered what they were discussing...

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Another Obituary

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

 

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Buttersworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.

 

The gravesite was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers.

 

He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still, as a crusty old man, was considered a roll model for millions.

 

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough; two children, John Dough and Jane Dough; plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart.

 

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

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What to wear when your wife wants you to do something.

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Happy Pi Day!

Today is March fourteenth.

That makes it 3.14 on the calendar.

3.14 is also known as Pi (3.14159)

So, at 1:59pm, it will be even more Pi Day.

 

Yes, it must be a very slow news day for this to be the only thing to post about!

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I lost two friends this past week

I was in communications with Tony on a weekly, if not daily, basis. He was buried on Wednesday.

 

Yesterday, Jim was buried. I hadn’t spoken with Jim in several years, as we had grown apart from each other for some stupid reason.

 

While I am mourning the loss of both, I believe the mourning for Jim is worse, because I am also mourning the loss of those years we didn’t spent in fellowship.

 

If you and a friend are drifting away from each other (or have already drifted away), think about re-connecting with them, and soon.

 

You will never recover those years lost over silly or stupid differences.

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Jim D. Lolley (1967 - 2007)

Jim D. Lolley, 39, of St. Anne, Illinois, passed from this life and into the next on March 1, 2007. He was traveling on business in Lancaster County, Pa., when he was involved in a fatal auto accident.

 

Jim entered this world on April 26, 1967, in Valdosta, Ga., and began a life of purpose and principle -- he left a legacy which will far outlast his 39 years of life. He attended school in Lowndes County, where he graduated in 1985 from Lowndes High School. While in high school, Jim was on the wrestling team for three years and earned the title of 4A State Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. He also played football his senior year. Upon graduation, Jim was named a Senior Superlative. For the next three years Jim attended the University of Southwest Louisiana on a football scholarship.

 

While in school in Louisiana, he met Michelle Bates and they married in May of 1987. In September of 1988, Jim and Michelle welcomed their first child into their life. They moved to Perkins, Okla., where they lived for the next 11 years. They added two more children to their family while residing there.

 

In 1999, Jim graduated from Bartlesville Wesleyan College with a B.S. degree in human resource management. Jim worked for Armstrong World Industries from 1989 until his death. He received several promotions while with Armstrong and was recently promoted to Human Resources Manager for Resilient Manufacturing & Operations-Armstrong Floor Products.

 

Jim lived to serve others and spent his days fulfilling that purpose. He never met a stranger and never passed someone by that was in need. He cherished his family above all else and loved God and mankind with all his heart.

 

Surviving are his wife, Michelle Lolley of St. Anne; two daughters and one son-in-law, Nikki and Benjamin Chew of Bakersfield, Calif., Chelsea Lolley of St. Anne; one son, Benjamin Lolley of St. Anne; parents, Bob and Leonia Lolley of Valdosta, Ga.; and one brother, Bobby Lolley of Tallahassee, Fla.

 

There will be two memorial celebrations of Jim's life. The first will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kankakee. The second will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at River of Life Church in Perkins, Okla. Jim will be laid to rest at the Perkins Cemetery.

 

Note from Ron:

Jim was a friend from several years back, when he lived in a small town south of Stillwater.  He was a good friend, a guy who was full of life and a fun-loving guy.  He will be greatly missed.

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Anthony Talbot Barr (1947 - 2007)

Anthony Talbot Barr, 59, of Boca Raton died peacefully on March 5, 2007.

 

He was born July 18, 1947, in Chicago, IL. Tony was predeceased by his father, William G. Barr of Joliet, IL; mother, Elinor Talbot Harnett of Ft. Lauderdale; and most recently by his sister, Robin Barr Pellegrino of Boulder City, NV. Surviving Tony are his daughter Lisa (Tim) Russo; granddaughter, Tabitha, grandson, Nick; and great grandson, Timothy all of Troy, NY. He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen (Dave) Barr Kruger, of Lilburn, GA; brother, Michael (Carroll) of Powhatan, VA; and sister, Susan (Jeff) Hellberg of Amarillo, TX. Also surviving Tony are the love of his life and soulmate, Eva Julie Hughes, and his "other mother", Dolores Schneider.

 

Tony graduated from the University of Tampa with a bachelor of science in 1970 and subsequently started T-Barr, Inc. a commercial real estate company. He was a member of the National Association of Realtors and a longstanding member of the US Polo Association. In addition to his involvement in real estate, Tony's dedication was to The Barr Foundation as both a Board Member and its President, traveling to Third World countries to make people "Whole Again" through The Barr Foundation. He was a member of the elite group of skydivers who had logged over five hundred jumps, but his passion was polo and his polo ponies.

 

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Wednesday, March 7 at Babione Funeral Home (East Chapel), where a funeral service will be held at 7:00 pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Barr Foundation, 136 NE Olive Way, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

 

The family and Board of Directors of The Barr Foundation are resolute to continue the work of the Foundation in memory of its founder, William G. Barr, and now its Champion Tony Barr. Babione Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 561-395-8787

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The passing of a good man

At approximately 7:00am this morning (Florida, USA time), Anthony Barr, President of the Barr Foundation, passed away as the result of cardiac damage suffered from a heart attack last week.

 

I initially came into contact with Anthony (Tony) prior to my amputation surgery in December 2003.  He explained how a new website was being put together about the Ertl Procedure, and he asked if I would submit my bio to be included in the site after my surgery.  After the surgery, and considering how happy I was with how my quality of life was improving, I was more than happy to submit my bio for inclusion.

 

Fast forward about a year.  The webmaster of ErtlReconstruction.com was preparing for for a crazy bike ride across Europe, so I offered to take over the website while he was gone.  This led to Tony and I being in contact on an almost daily basis!  While we primarily stayed in contact via email, we telephoned each other about once a month to bounce ideas off each other.

 

In March 2006, Tony had me fly to Chicago to give a short presentation to the Barr Foundation Board of Directors about the website's success.  What was supposed to be a 15 minutes presentation (warm-up for the keynote speaker) turned into a 30 minute presentation, with a 20 minute Q&A afterward since the keynote speaker wasn't able to attend.

 

In short, the Barr Foundation exists to:

1. Assist amputees in the US acquire prosthetic components, when they are financially unable to assist themselves.  This is done via financial donations to the foundation.

2. Assist amputees in third world countries with acquiring prosthetic components. This is done via both financial and component donations to the foundation.

3. Promote the Ertl Procedure to be a standard procedure to be available to all patients in need of an amputation surgery, due to diabetes, injury, etc.

 

Please keep Tony's wife Eva, and the rest of their family in your prayers at this time.

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One for the geeks

If you think "There's no place like 127.0.0.1" is funny,

you should get a kick out of this tattoo:

Note: If you don't understand the humor of this, and want an explanation ... just let me know.

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Cool Person Test

This test is based on how cool you were in high school. What crowd you ran with, etc. It is pretty accurate. You may want to send it to your friends to see if they have changed. If you get to the questions screen - they will surely bring back some memories.

 

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