August 31, 2001
What's in McDonald's Fries??
Thanks to Evehead, I think I've lost my appetite.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 29, 2001
More Fan Mail
Chris really does seem to get a lot of "your such a normal guy" type email. I do know a couple of people that have met him and they too have said he seems very down to earth. That can't be easy when you are in that Hollywood culture all the time...
From: "Jenny Olsen"
To: chrisodva@yahoo.com
Subject: Portland, Me
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 09:33:24 -0500
Chris,
I sat next to you on the way home from Portland, Me yesterday and I just wanted to say you are a great father. When your in a movie people have an image of you and it's nice to see a "movie star" who's just a regular nice guy!
Jenny
Permalink | Comments (0)Lottery Simulator
This is cool. Somebody has written a lottery simulator in Java. Enter your "lucky" numbers and it runs a lifetime of lottery drawings in just a few minutes - so you can see just what a scam they really are! This has been up on the web for years...are we getting to the point were we have to "rerun" previous "cool sites."?
I ran a 1000 lottery simulation, assuming I played the lottery once a week, that is 19 years of trying to win big. I got 3/6 eight times, that's it. Lets say 3/6 is worth 5 bucks...which I think is fairly normal. Ignoring the time value of money...I spent $5000 and and won $40 back. Hmm, that -1% return on my 401K YTD isn't looking so bad.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 27, 2001
Is your PC secure?
Are you sure? Well known Internet security guru Steve Gibson has a very cool security check available on his web site, for free. It takes about 2 minutes. If your not sure, get tested today!
Why does that sound like a public service AIDS commercial from the early 90's?
Shields UP! -- Internet Connection Security Analysis
Permalink | Comments (0)August 25, 2001
R.I.P. Hans (1990-2001)
The family dog, in a lot of ways our first child, passed away this morning. We knew it was coming, he was given 2-4 weeks to live about 16 months ago. Our Vet quit trying to explain his persistence in sticking around a while ago - there was no medical explanation for it. He had Cushing Disease, brought on by a tumor on his Pituitary Gland. The medication we gave him to control the tumor growth caused blood clots, so we gave him baby aspirin to thin his blood. That caused high blood pressure, so we gave him medication for that. All that upset his stomach...it was a viscous cycle. He was only supossed to last two to four weeks, the medication was to allow him to to remain comfortable for as long as possible until I would have to deal with a decision of when to put him down. He went 16 months. Yet he never once showed any sign of pain or suffering, he ate healthy and his temperament was fine right up until he died this morning. I would have put him down at the first sign or suffering.
I put him out in the back yard like normal, a a few minutes later he had his front paws up on the patio like normal, waiting for me to come get him and carry him in the house. He had arthritis in the back two legs and for the last few months we've been carrying up and down anything resembling a step. As I got to him there was no sign that anything was abnormal, and when I picked him up, he just went limp. As I came into the house I layed him down and it was obvious he was slipping away. We called the Vet, and quickly got the kids upstairs to say goodbye. He was dead when I got to the Vet 5 minutes later. Most likely it was a blood clot that did it.
One thing is really bothering me though. Either I picked him up at the exact second a clot hit his heart or brain, or it hit him sometime in the 5 odd minutes he was out, and he somehow hung on until I was there to catch him. Normally, I dismiss superhuman behaviours by pets as the illogical ravings of over emotional cat owners, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that it was just coincidence that he more or less died in my arms.
He died happy, and loved by all those around him. That is probably all any of us can ask, human or canine.
Our seven year old is sure Hans will get to live with Grandpa (my father) in heaven. I don't see why not.
08/25/2001 1:12:44 PM
Permalink | Comments (1)August 23, 2001
A Blueprint for Ending Gun Control by L Neil Smith & Aaron Zeilman
A sample quote from the article - "...socialism is nothing more than a cheap attempt, philosophically and politically, to justify rape, robbery, and murder on a scale Attila the Hun never dreamed of."
Permalink | Comments (0)I am the hottest man in the world :)
From: "Kathi Longurst"
To: chrisodva@yahoo.com
Subject: I have a favor to ask
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 06:47:15 -0500
Dear Chris,
My name is Susan and I am one of your #1 fans. I think your the hottest man in the world no in the universe and I have a favor to ask if you would be so kind as to autograph and date a photo or something. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks your fan
Susan Longhurst
If I was really mean I would have posted her address, both email and snail mail.
Permalink | Comments (7)It was Jefferson
and it goes "The cost of freedom is eternal vigilance..." I was close...
Permalink | Comments (0)Homeschooling Story on the cover of Time Magazine
I'd rather it not be there. Publicity, even when it is generally positive, still attracts unwanted attention. I'd prefer that we stay under the radar of Big Brother, a fringe movement that is no threat to the status quo. If they perceive us as a threat, increased attempts at government regulation are sure to follow. The cynic in me wonders if the recent rash of generally positive mainstream media coverage is part of a larger conspiracy to exert government control over homeschoolers. Just as Hitler used to media to paint Jews as enemies of the state and thereby justify his later actions, the education establishment in this county could embark on a effort to use the media to paint homeschoolers as a threat to the very fabric of what holds our communities together. I'm not saying that is happening today, but we must be careful. Eternal vigilance is the cost of freedom. I forget who said that...
Permalink | Comments (3)August 19, 2001
Happy Anniversary Michelle
Today is our 10th Wedding Anniversary. It's hard to believe that it was that long ago that we took off to Hawaii and got married. This very special day consisted of:
- One sick daughter, complete with upset stomach and fever
- One Cub Scout fishing outing, 4 bluegill caught and released.
- Two hours of work catching up on administrative BS I never have time to do at the office
- Take out Stromboli for dinner, how romantic :)
Welcome to Real Life :)
I did get Lego Mindstorms from Michelle though! Her present is coming via Ebay - its not here yet.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 17, 2001
Hire a Mormon
Last weekend I was home alone with the kids while Michelle was out doing something, probably spending money ;) Anyway, thats not the point...
I answered a knock at the door and found two clean cut kids, white shirts, ties, at the door. I knew they were Mormons before the introduced themselves. They asked me if I was familiar with the Church of Latter Day Saints - I said "Yes, I actually lived in Utah for a year." MISTAKE #1
They asked what I knew about the Mormon church. As I was failing to to say anything intelligent about their church, and trying hard to not use the word cult :), one of them bailed me out by noticing the Purdue Baseball tee-shirt I was wearing and asked me if I played ball for Purdue. Actually the shirt is from a recreational alumni league I played in a couple of years ago. However, I was assuming they didn't want to hear the details of the end of the season, drink till you can't stand up, double elimination tournament that I was in with that team! I deflected that by saying something like I'm home alone with the kids ,and he starts asking about my kids! I finally just said "Look guys, I really have to go but good luck..."
The point to this story? The Mormon Church is investing some serious time and dollars in sales training. I'm in sales for a living. I know how to get rid of salespeople. I toy with telemarketers when they call, just for fun. I had a hard time disengaging from these two kids. They were good, very good. They were very well trained. I wouldn't want to be selling against them. I hope the Mormon Church stays out the telecommunications industry!
Permalink | Comments (2)August 16, 2001
Opus Speaks!
Not really, but Burke Breathed, creator of Bloom County gives a very funny interview. If you're too young to know who what Bloom County was...you probably shouldn't be on the Internet alone anyway ;) Burke Breathed Speaks
Permalink | Comments (0)August 15, 2001
Something worthwhile from England
The Oxford Bottled Beer Database
No commentary necessary - the URL says it all.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 14, 2001
Everything you need to know about the stock market
FORTUNE.com: 11.22.99 Mr. Buffett on the Stock Market
I sure wish I had read this about two years ago!
Permalink | Comments (0)August 13, 2001
The Great War by Harry Turtledove
The Great War is an epic 3 volume series (actually 4 counting the prequel) depicting an alternate history of the USA if the South had won The War of Northern Aggression. The Prequel, How Few Remain recounts a second civil war about 20 years later. The trilogy, comprised of the books American Front, Walk in Hell, and Breakthroughs depict World War One as it breaks out on several fronts in the USA & the CSA.
Turtledove doesn't just describe the war, the reader gets to experience the war through the eyes of a handful of intriguing charactors, both soldiers and civilians, CSA. USA and Canadian. He rotates through about 6 different storylines yet keeping the stories straight is not a problem for the reader. I found that I was "into" all the charactors, although there were a couple that I hated and kept hoping would die!
All four books suck the reader into the world Turtledove has created and I found myself thinking about World War One trench warefare quite a bit as I read the books. One thing for sure, I would have been a deserter in a hurry. I can't even imagine what would motivate anybody to put up with the conditions Turtledove describes in at times quite graphic fashion.
If I had to come up with a negetive it would be the length of the books. I read these 4 back to back to back to back over about a 4-6 week period. By the middle of Breakthroughs I was ready for the war to end. It was obvious who was going to win the war (I'm not telling...) the only question was how many of the primary charactors would survive it! And now Turtledove has decided to write a trilogy dealing with the aftermath of the war. The first book just came out - I guess I'll be putting into the reading pile real soon.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 11, 2001
How Worldly are you?
Quiz - How Worldly Are You? I got 7/10 - not too bad I guess.
Permalink | Comments (0)Somebody in the music industy is screwing up big time
combinationLOCK has a new tune up on the web site. Why don't these guys have a recording contract?
Permalink | Comments (0)August 09, 2001
Cool New Mail Program
I've been tired of Outlook Express for a while. The security weakness' scare me. A note on Evehead pointed me to Pocomail, a shareware mail client. I'm only into day 3 of my evaluation - but i have to say this program rocks so far. It is very configurable, does not recognize javascript or ASP, so that eliminates many of the security concerns. Also, it can block http requests so that web bugs get stopped to since it blocks the gifs that the bugs are hiding in. Its $25 to register, and I think I'll paying up soon.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 07, 2001
Drew Brees signs!
The $64,000 question is...how long can Flutie stay healthy? I give him 8 games before Brees starts, or at least sees very significant playing time.
Permalink | Comments (0)The Talking Moose Speaks!
Or rather, rants! This is brilliant. Everthing I've ever wanted to say to the brain dead management at just about every tech compmay I've worked for and worked with.Talking Moose : Brand This! Scroll down about 1/2 way to the CNET layoff discussion - that is where it get really good. This is also a great example of why I blog - you don't find writing this on CNET, ZDNET, or CNN.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 06, 2001
Proof that Colin Powell is cool
Regardless of what you think of his politics, this proves that Powell is the kind of guy I'd like to hang out with. I'll bet he even drinks good beer, like Guinness
Permalink | Comments (0)( blogdex )
This is cool - a blog ranking system under development at MIT. I went to add ODonnellWeb - but it was already in the dB, meaning somebody they index is linking to me.
Permalink | Comments (0)August 05, 2001
The Battle of Bull Run or First Manassas
The South rose again this weekend - about 5 miles from my house. 10,000 Civil War Re-enactors converged in little ole Leesburg VA to re-enact the First Battle of Bull Run. I took my 7 year old son over - he loves Civil War stuff. Read more. These people are hard core too, sleping in ratty ole tents like the Civil war soldiers used and running around in 90+ degree heat in long pant long sleeve reproduction wool uniforms, many of them wearing a jacket too. Were people back in the 1860's too friggin stupid to take off some clothes in heat? Actually, the whole idea of war back then was pretty wacked. Lets run up to within 50 yards of a bunch of guys with guns, take one shot, then kneel done and reload our gun, and pray that they don't shoot us in the process. Sounds like fun to me...
Permalink | Comments (1)August 01, 2001
Fan Mail
You gotta love it :)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 16:57:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Angela Rabatin
Subject: HELLO, CHRIS!
To: chrisodva@yahoo.com
HI Chris!
Hey, my name is Angela, you can call me Angie! I must say that you are one of my most favorite actors:) You're cute and, which really matters, you can act well:) That's something not so many young actors like yourself have. I loved you in "Vertical Limit" but I must say that my favorite movie that you were in will always be "The Three Musketeers" hehe, go on and laugh haha. Of course I love swordfighting movies, so...
I've been a die-hard fan of yours ever since I first saw that one:) Everything that you've acted in since then (and before, especially Scent of a Woman) has been fantastic.
Anyway, a tiny bit of info about me, I like writing (my PASSION), singing, dancing, and figure skating, though I can't skate well (my vision problem oh well). I'm going to be 19 on August 27. I have big time aspirations of becoming a famous writer, and I must say I am well on my way. Wish me luck!
Best wishes for your career, your health, and more importantly for you and your family,
Angie
Permalink | Comments (1)