Terri Schiavo is dead

Terri Schiavo died at 7:03 am Pacific Time today, thirteen days after a judge ordered the removal of her feeding tube.

I have purposely stayed out of this controversy. I have always felt that Congress had no business getting into the issue of whether Terri should live or die. This was a FAMILY matter and a STATE's matter. Not the political "Hot Button" the Federal Government created.

What I would like to know is Michael's story. He had apparently moved forward. He met another woman and generally moved on with his life without Terri, unless it was in his interest to be involved. It was his desire to let her die. According to him dying was what Terri wanted. But, there was Mom and Dad. They wanted to continue loving and caring for Terri. Why didn't he just turn over guardianship to the parents, get divorced, and continue with his life?

What is it that Michael was so concerned about that he didn't want to turn over guardianship to Terri's parents? There is a Back-Story to Michael Schiavo that is yet to be told. I doubt we will ever hear it, but it is there.

Cauleen and I send our condolences to Terri's parents, family and friends during this trying ordeal. We are truly sorry it ended this way.

God bless you, Terri. Rest in Peace.

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Monument to the Tour de France

Monument to the Tour de France
Originally uploaded by Loua.

This is really a neat photo. The other part to this is that my mother's cousin and her husband, who live in Houston, TX, have a Summer home in Pau.

Registry Backup

I've had my computer crash more than once, and have had to a complete re-install of windows XP Professional. Maybe I should have started with a backup of the Registry after the "clean" install. Here are some very good resources on the Registry via Unofficial Microsoft Office Stuff

Windows

Safe or sorry, your choice. How many times have you seen these words?

"This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs."

The Registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used.

Here's the Microsoft support article to guide you through the process: How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Also:
WindowsXP.MVPS.org
How to backup the Windows XP Registry
WindowsNetworking.com
Windows XP Registry Backup 101

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Circles In The Sand

As opposed to Crop Circles: Cropless Crop Circles.

A group of folks have been working these geometric shapes in the sandy beaches of San Francisco's tide flats at low tide.


(Via J-Walk)

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Earth Dog Tags

This is just what I need. I can put them next to my old Army Dog Tags. Earth Dog Tags.

"In case of alien abduction these dog tags may save your life. The crucial data an alien will need to get you back to Earth is die stamped into these dog tags."

They even have a money back guarantee:

"should you ever be abducted by aliens while wearing Location Earth Dog Tags and not returned safely to Earth you will be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price."

(Via Museum of Hoaxes)

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

The Top 100 Gadgets

For those of us who think Gadgets are really cool, Mobile PC - Features - The Top 100 Gadgets of All Time.

I'm not into making lists, but I do occasionally enjoy reading them. This is one is fun and interesting, giving just enough history to whet your appetite. For example:

Number 79. TASER X26, 2003
Though Jules Verne wrote about a gun that shot electric bullets in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the Taser's name comes from another book, written by Victor Appleton in 1911, called Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle. Our senior acronym cryptologist broke down the name as follows: Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle, or Taser. The original Taser-like device was patented in 1972, but the gadget didn't really take off until the 1990s. Today, the Taser X26 is the nonlethal weapon of choice. Because it doesn't kill the target (usually), cops are pretty much free to use it on any type of perp, from the drug-addled Hell's Angel to the frightened but disruptive 6-year-old. Just remember: Tasers don't tase people, people tase people.

(Via Dvorak Uncensored)

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

What Classic Movie Are You?

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Catholic Church breaks silence over DaVinci Code

I read The DaVinci Code a few months ago. I thought it was fuel for the Conspiracy Theorists. It was well written and looked to be well researched. While I really don't believe in such conpiracies, I know there are many that do.

I am surprised it took so long for the Church to speak out. This book is still high on the lists of books to read, and many questions have risen since its publication.

From BBC News: Church fights Da Vinci Code novel.

The Roman Catholic Church in Italy has spoken out against what it says are
"shameful and unfounded lies" in the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code.

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Starbucks

While surfing the Web, I ran across Dave Pell's site. As I dug deeper into it, I read about 68 Starbucks stores within 5 miles of his house. He indicated that he must live in the boonies.

Well I decided to look into it myself. As for my little Berg of Roy, WA, there are ZERO Starbucks within 5 miles, however, there are FOUR within 10 miles.

So from there I decided to expand the search. From my work, there are SEVEN within five miles. Cauleen has FIVE within 5 miles of here work.

I guess we live more in the boonies than Dave Pell.

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Where have you visited/lived?

Having spent almost 30 years in the Army, I have had ample opportunity to visit many places in our great country and some wonderful locales in Europe and Asia.



This map is a visual representation of the States that Cauleen and I have visited. Understand, each of these states represents at least 1 day in that state. Many of those visited were just driving through to another place, but we have visited many places in each, sometimes more than once. Many states were visited due to Military commitments and we have lived in Missouri, Texas, California, Washington (the State), and Hawaii (by default as this is where Cauleen is from).

You can create your own visited states map by clicking the link.

Below, is a visual representation of those countries we have either visited or lived in due, once again, to my Miltary service. Cauleen was with me for all of the European contries and Mexico. The rest of Central America, Vietnam, and the Phillipines were again due to Military assignments.



You can create your own visited countries map by clicking the link.

Via Ed Bott

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Kitchen Decor

If your looking to accesorise your kitchen, check out this Knife Holder.

Of course, your kitchen needs to be Red.

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.

Vacation Idea

This looks neat. I guess if I ever find myself in Lancaster County, PA, I'll have to look into this place:
There's something about trains that have always fascinated me. I don't know what it is, I've never considered trains as a hobby. I don't have any model trains or train sets, I just think there is a sense of freedom associated with trains.


I grabbed the logo and picture from the web site. This is neat. There are different themes for each caboose. The dining car is Victorian and the menu looks pretty darn good.

A description of the cars:

Caboose Suites
-queen bed with love seat, or
-2 double beds
-including microwave oven and refrigerator

Honeymoon Caboose
-All the features of a suite and a whirlpool bath
-A private deck viewing Amish farmland

Of course, I don't plan to visit PA anytime soon, but I'll try to keep this place in mind if I do.

Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.