Back in 2003 a photographer for the LA Times combined two photos taken moments apart to make it look like a British soldier was yelling at fleeing Iraqis. Now there's a study that says that altering photographs will alter peoples' perceptions of events. I don't know what's more scary, that anyone can do it in this computer Photoshop age or this quote from the article:
"Participants who viewed the doctored photos also said they were less inclined to take part in future protests, according to the study, detailed in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology." Those who control information can control the people, and there's a turn in the computer age where the people have lost some of their power.

With the big Christmas holiday shopping season starting to gear up, the last thing you'd think about buying is office furniture. But rather than have to fight and claw for all the different bargains and deals, why not have a one stop place for office furniture bargains where you can get an everyday low price? And you don't have to worry about fighting the crowds, either.

I finally pulled the trigger and got a new laptop today. It's on sale at Best Buy this week, take a look. After some research, this is the best I could get with what I've got. It's a very nice laptop, I wish the screen was a little bigger, but what the hey. I needed it for my writing and for the sound when I play clips. Hopefully some posts will become available and I can start making some money. I figured it'd be dry around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Speaking of which, after a couple of delays came the Thanksgiving holiday we were invited to: the one at Kathy's sister's house. She was feeling well enough to put it together and it was very good. I usually quibble about the mashed potatoes as I like mine a little thicker than their preference, but it was actually thick and good. Afterwards I was able to convince them to play Apples to Apples and we all had a good time. Only one of our nieces was familiar with the game and although it was easy to explain, it took a little bit for the newbies to get used to it. One thing I noticed was the phenomenon after the first game was over of seeing a green card and thinking of cards they had in a previous deck that would've worked for them here. We tried Cineplexity, but it wasn't as fun, as the players' knowledge of movies acted as a hinderence when they were the judge or director. We all did a lot of "that one movie with that one guy" and went back to Apples to Apples after the game was concluded.
We went home and felt exhausted after all we did today. Kathy turned in early, but you know me, I'm like a kid at Christmas with my new toy.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
One of the things we got when we got our tax refund was a digital camera. It really does open up a whole new world. The thing is for us old fogeys it takes a long time to get in tune with this new fangled way of doing things. A while back, my wife asked about the number of pictures I took and how many I left, sounding like she was still thinking about the old days putting film in the camera. I pointed out that we had over 2000 shots that we could still take. Another change is going from delayed to instant gratification. Before, you didn't know how your photos would turn out until you got them back from where you took them to get developed. Now, not only can you see the picture that you took and how well it turned out, it's just a download onto your computer away and just a few clicks to get your pictures printed. And it isn't a pig in a poke, either. You can choose what size, how you picture looks (you can take out the red eye, and if you're more adept at digital manipulation do that as well, etc) and have more control over your photos. I know it all sounds intimidating (it did for me) but it's all actually a lot easier than you think, literally just a plug in away.
The thing is we're just starting out in this brave new world. There's a whole lot of cameras that do all sort of things, and a lot of camera companies have adopted to the changing times and can offer product to go with it, like these Canon cameras.

Geoffrey Wessel just posted that Verity Lambert, the first female producer hired by the BBC, and Doctor Who being her first job, has passed away. She was even literally referred to as the Doctor's mother in last season's episode "Human Nature". And as noted this news comes on the eve of the 44th anniversary of the show. Condolences to her surviving family and loved ones.

Mark Evanier announced that Crossfire (a comic he did with Dan Spiegle) is coming back, although in 8 page form, but coming back. Hopefully he'll do an essay about Hollywood like he did in the old comic. He actually made text pages in comics good, he was that good. And hey, you get the return of Journey (although didn't William Messner-Loebs do a Journey story for Munden's Bar? I searched the ComicMix site and couldn't find that or any other Munden's Bar stories) and Licensable Bear as well. This is an anthology I can get behind. I'll even gladly pay $3.99 (actually much cheaper with my LCS discount, but if I gotta pay full price, oh well...) for a new Crossfire and Journey comic as well.

I had a stop-loss on the plan to venture out this black Friday. First, it was to get a ticket at 3am guaranteeing I get the deal. Then en route, it was to pull the plug if there was more than 30 people waiting. There were. There were tents, a couple of fires to keep warm, and a line that went 3 stores over. I decided to duck this fit (saying something that rhymed) and went to a 24 hour CVS to stock up on 2 liter Diet Coke on sale and head back home. This entry is for those foolish enough to venture out in these times, and a future reminder to myself the next time I get an idea to take advantage of a Black Friday deal to read this post and lie down until the impulse goes away.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
H&R Business Mall specializes in top quality outdoor sports products. They offer highly competitive prices and superior personal service. Not only do they offer a variety of products from Deer Feeder to Buggys, they offer a reference library and links concerning wildlife, habitat and conservation. So get what you need to enjoy the great outdoors.

I am actually considering doing something that is very stressful and dangerous, and I am not certain of my chances of success. Yes, I'm venturing out tomorrow morning into the craziness of Black Friday. And I assure my fans and sponsors that I do patronize the businesses I talk about here and even consulted the Black Friday website to see if ordering online was a possibility. Alas, it is not. I am in need...no, want is a better word, I have this computer I'm typing on right now. But I would like a new laptop to replace the one that died on me so that I can have more flexibility in my computer activities. And yes, sound would be a good addition to those activities. I don't want to play my hand, but it looks like the best buy for a new laptop tomorrow is this Sony one they're selling for $400. They're offering at least 15 per store.
The only reason I'm even considering this is that at 3am, 2 hours before they open, they will distribute coupons entitling those in line to purchase the doorbuster items advertised in their flyer. I figured that way, I'd know pretty soon if I'd get it or not, and if I didn't, I could bail and head home. But the bargain hunter in me cries out for all of these bargains I see even though I know they're very difficult at best to get. So I am getting ready for battle, I have a collapsible chair I can take, and I'm loading up my PSP with podcasts to listen to in line. And it looks like to pull this off, I'll have to pull an all-nighter. Wish me luck.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
St. Augustine: America's oldest city. I can remember marvelling at the beautiful pictures taken when a couple of friends of mine went down with her daughters to meet his family. When I've went down to Florida, it was to visit the amusement parks, but now that I'm getting older, it doesn't have the allure that the beauty and history of St. Augustine has.
And there's another reason to visit: every month on the first Friday and Saturday they host the St. Augustine Artwalk. It's a chance for the artistic community of St. Augustine to put their best effort out for everybody to view and admire. They have all sorts of art styles from the classical to the modern (you don't have to look at it sideways to appreciate, but sometimes you wonder) Not only that, but the St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolley Tours offer complimentary rides to the guests to travel to several stops along the First Friday Weekend Artwalk. The shuttles start at 6 p.m. from San Sebastian Winery located at 157 King Street. So whether you want to enjoy the warmer climes of Florida, view the art of the St. Augustine art community, or like free train and trolley rides, check them out next time you're in the area.

Hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving day. I watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles last night but to be honest for the first time I bailed out just before the end. It was getting to the sappy John Hughes wrap everything up in a pretty bow and send the audience out ending and just didn't feel like sitting through it again. I didn't even see the last bit after the end credits (the "Monk's Reward" as Ebert's Movie Glossary defines it). And today we had dinner at my parents after Kathy got home from work. My brothers were there, but unfortunately my nephews couldn't make it. I was hoping to get a chance to try out my Apples To Apples and Cineplexity game, but the group pretty much broke up before we had a chance. So we went back home, looked at the paper and ate leftovers. Kathy went to bed early as she was tired, and I put a couple of podcasts on her Ilo mp3 player for her.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
A lot of you out there have heard about AAMCO. And I'll bet a lot of you can quote the commercial: "Double A honk honk M C O". Their current slogan is "'We got a Guy' for all your transmission needs." And they offer all sorts of deals if you're needing any automotive work done. Deals like free towing with any major repair, plus free Transcan(c) and 36 step protect check. They have certified technicians, charge less than dealer prices, and have over 800 locations in the US and Canada.
And they have coupons to help you save even more at their website. Plus, they have a contest going on to tie in the DVD release of Live Free Or Die Hard. Just go and enter your name, e-mail and zip code and you'll not only get a free oil change offer, you're registered to win a four day trip to Hollywood and a day with the Live Free or Die Hard movie stuntman.
A free deal on your oil change that everybody should do for their vehicles and a chance to go out to Sunny California. All this offered by a trusted name in automotive repair and maintenance.