Well, I just got a few more writing opportunities today that you'll see underneath this if you haven't read them already. It's interesting to get these assignments and look at the different websites and create something from all that. Now if only I could get a job like that for a living I'd be happy.
I'm hoping that the current tottering in the world's events, both economic and otherwise, doesn't end up with us tottering into the abyss. But it's been a long time coming, since about 1981 when open season on the middle class was declared. But they couldn't be eliminated, and money to live on, not to mention the occasional "luxury" like going out to eat or a video game, has to come from somewhere. So the credit cards came and were maxed out, and then the sub-prime lending came about because the rich realized they couldn't sustain themselves by themselves. But it's a teetering mess, and the rich are starting to realize that jumping up and down like Daffy Duck screaming "Down down down! Go go go! Mine mine mine!" isn't going to work this time. Either they'll come up with another shell game or pyramid scheme, or it all comes down. And just when we're starting to have something in the savings account. I wonder if I should pull the money outta there and the PayPal account and stuff it in the mattress. Here, read this post that touches on this topic, among other things. And fire up some Blue Oyster Cult today if you get the chance. I'm listening to "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" 's scrappier, now forgotten cousin "Burnin' For You".

One thing on my to do list is to see about getting some insurance. I need to see about life insurance as well as individual health insurance. With InsureLog.com you can look into different types of insurance. Just enter in your information and they'll offer you different companies and rates to help you decide on the coverage that's right for you.

This time of year is pretty much a down time. The holidays are over, the bills are coming in, the new year's resolutions didn't take, and it's cold. What can you do? One thing is to start fixing up your home or apartment. If you're spending most of your time there, you can keep busy with the work and feel good when it's done. Maybe get something new like one of these key holders or any of the great accessories or furniture that Online Discount Mart offers.

I wish I had known about laptop rental before I got this laptop. There's a lot of times when you need a laptop computer but don't want to go through the expense of buying one, let alone having to comparison shop and try to determine the best brands and models that'll suit your needs. Whatever you need a laptop for, whether you need it for personal or business reasons, ICC Rents can help you out.

A few months back when I was visiting friends, I first saw the magazine Mental Floss at their place. There was plenty to do so I didn't have a chance to check it out. When I saw it at the bookstore afterwards, I glossed through it and decided to buy it. But it wasn't until the other day when I went to their website, which is more than an obligatory online prescence that most companies seem to employ. They have a lot of articles, lists, and quizzes that aren't in the magazine. It's a fun and enjoyable way to spend a few hours online.

My wife likes to make floor plans and think about what kind of home she'd like to have. One room I'd like to dream up is a home theatre room to watch and play DVDs, video games, etc. These home theater sconces have all sorts of seats that really make it an enjoyable experience. And it's not just seating, they offer everything you need to make your home theatre room (or at least where you watch TV) a better source of enjoyment.

Companies looking for bpm and cpm software should consider Prophix to achieve their goals in that regard. Prophix delivers budgeting, forecasting, reporting, consolidation, personnel planning and other financial functions in a single solution. Prophix's ease of use and minimal IT involvement provide the benefit of rapid implementation and a lower total cost of ownership.

I first read about the New Hampshire recount over at Miserable Annals of the Earth, which pointed to the updates to the story. Apparently the Kucinich recount stopped at just one town because he ran out of money, and Republican Albert Howard's recount starts tomorrow. Howard has already paid the requested $60000 fee for the recount by check. And David Hoppe wrote a column in our area's alternative paper Nuvo about the recount and the Supreme Court case about voter ID. Here's a wacky idea: how about making the voting machines more secure before worrying about asking for ID at the polls? At least make them as secure as the slot machines they just okayed using in the state. Yeah, fake IDs is the big problem with voter fraud, that's how they're tampering with elections. It isn't a 21st century version of voter exclusion.
And if you get a chance, check out Miserable Annals of the Earth. It's where I first heard of this, peak oil, and how ethanol isn't the solution to our energy problem.

I've been coming across more stuff online in connection with Cloverfield. First is this "news report" clip that was from one of the sites in connection to the film:

And here's the Cloverfield manga translated into english.
And Hasbro is releasing a limited edition toy of the monster that's an online exclusive. Scheduled to come out September 30th. Hmm, some time after the DVD release and the backlash against the film.
Speaking of the DVD, I know there's some talk of sequel already, and a lot of people are questioning whether it can be done. Here's my suggestion that takes advantage of corporate synergy. This assumes that the writers strike is resolved soon, and that the DVD is released in May. May is one of the TV sweeps periods. Cloverfield was released by Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, who also owns TV networks, such as CBS, the CW, MTV, Showtime, Blockbuster Video, etc (courtesy of The Daily Show's "America: The Book" pg. 152) How about a TV side-story, which would be comprised of "breaking news" stories about the Cloverfield monster attack in Manhattan? It would follow along with the events of the film. Perhaps limited commercial interruption, sponsored exclusively by ads for the Cloverfield DVD and/or another retailer (I'll get to that shortly) I would imagine it done in the style of Special Bulletin, a TV movie that dramatized a news report about a hostage situation. Much like that TV movie, there would be disclaimers and scrolls to indicate that this wasn't really going on as well. Can you imagine this being shown on the Sunday night before the DVD release of Cloverfield? And making it a bonus disc included with sales of the Cloverfield DVD as a retail exclusive? I think a lot of people would pay extra to get it at Blockbuster, or get the DVDs at another retail chain.

...I don't want to write "RIP" at the end of the headline, but if the news is true...
I thought Geoffrey was kidding, so I clicked on the link and went to Yahoo to confirm it. And then the other news sources had reports coming in like ComicMix, Newsarama, The Beat, and others.
Lewis Black had a routine about how peoples' first response to the news of 9/11 was "that (messes) up my day, and don't go 'oh'.", no matter who you are, even if you read to the blind. I see some of that here and there, where the response is how it's going to affect The Dark Knight and their enjoyment of it. I'm ashamed to say I had that same thought. But now I'm more worried about the 2 year old daughter he left behind. Kathy was about the same age when her father died, and all she remembers is from pictures and what other relatives have told her.
And at least we'll be able to see the movie.
And the reports are initial, with whose apartment it happened in being corrected already, but I hope it wasn't suicide. There are some that would use this information to their own ends and to further their agendas (being famous and a success wasn't enough for him, so you should _____) but like the news of Owen Wilson last year, I'd like to think there isn't one of us that if he was having problems that we would've talked to him. I don't know if it would've helped, but not because any of us wouldn't have tried. And it wouldn't be to save a movie or anything like that, it'd be because we care.

TV Squad has an article on "channel drift" or what happens when a cable channel drifts from it's stated purpose. Like when Sci Fi Channel runs ECW Wrestling and Who Wants To Be A Superhero? We started watching a Farscape best of season 1 DVD and I was thinking that except for Battlestar Galactica, Farscape looks like Masterpiece Theatre compared to the current lineup.