The Gremlins ate the Database

This is a story long and, for me, worthy of a semi rant.

I backed up mysql database and my WordPress Database in preparation of a WordPress Upgrade. As I was in mid process SBC Global DSL line started to degrade. Suddenly, oh no lost connection. When I was able to reestablish my connection mysql database was to say the least, warped, toast, scrambled. I could not access it. Seems I no longer was authorized. OH my.

This is the point where I complain about SBC Global, Geocities, and Yahoo. Goodness, they have a wonderful circle of hell set up. On my site control panel the help files lead to error pages. When you do locate a help file it says they do not support mysql. When you try and contact geocites pro people you end up chatting with an SBC person who tells you to go to the page you just came from…….

So, alone I tackle this corrupt database problem. I finally commit the sin of changing a password that you are not suppose to change and am able to gain access through yroot. Just then the DSL goes down again. As I pick up the phone, start to call, the phone line goes dead! AUGHHHHHHHHHHH……

Here I am now, I have retrieved most of my posts, some of my site setup and am a little angry. To be fair, Geocites did send me an email requesting info I already sent them, and info on how to go to the pages I had already been to.

T-shirts, Civil Rights, and poor taste.

Are Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young guilty of a crime? I think not and apparently, the police finally figured this out. Did they show poor taste in their attire for such a traditional affair? Probably. Were their Civil Rights violated?

Glenn Greenwald on The Unclaimed Territory did a great job explaining the legal stuff for my tired mind here.

My simplified version is:

The section of law that the police used to arrest Sheehan “It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons willfully and knowingly . . . to parade, demonstrate or picket within any Capitol Building.” 140 U.S.C. 193(f)(b)(7) The courts ruling in Bynum vs. U.S Capitol Police Bd, decided this did not include merely wearing T-shirts.

Cook an Egg with Cellphones?

It is not mine to wonder has anybody tried this? I will let you know that it is a joke before someone actually tries it ๐Ÿ™‚

Weekend Eating:
Mobile Cooking

with Suzzanna Decantworthy
additional research: Sean McCleanaugh

Many students, and other young people, have little in the way of cooking skills but can usually get their hands on a couple of mobile phones. So, this week, we show you how to use two mobile phones to cook an egg which will make a change from phoning out for a pizza. Please note that this will not work with cordless phones.

To do this you will need two mobile phones -they do not have to be on the same network but you will need to know the number of one of them. The only other items you will need are:

1. An egg cup, (make sure that the egg cup is made of an insulating material such as China, wood or glass – plastic will do. DO NOT use stainless steel or other metal).
2. A radio, AM or FM – you can also use your hifi.

3. A table or other flat surface on which to place the phones and egg cup. You can place the radio anywhere in the room but you might as well put it on the table.

How To Do It:

1. Take an egg from the fridge and place it in the egg cup in the centre of the table.

2. Switch on the radio or hifi and turn it up to a comfortable volume.

3. Switch on phone A and place it on the table such that the antenna (the pokey thing at the top) is about half an inch from the egg (you may need to experiment to get the relative heights correct – paperbacks are good if you have any – if not you may be able to get some wood off cuts from your local hardware shop).

4. Switch on phone B and ring phone A then place phone B on the table in a similar but complementary position to Phone A.

5. Answer phone A – you should be able to do this without removing it from the table. If not, don’t panic, just return the phone to where you originally placed on the table.

6. Phone A will now be talking to Phone B whilst Phone B will be talking to Phone A.

7. Cooking time: This very much depends on the power output of your mobile phone. For instance, a pair of mobiles each with 2 Watts of transmitter output will take three minutes to boil a large free range egg. Check your user manual and remember that cooking time will be proportional to the inverse square of the output power for a given distance from egg to phone.

8. Cut out these instructions for future reference.

From Wymsey Weekend

High on Believing?

This is well, so strange in so many ways. It has a motorcycle in it making it exceptable blog fodder. I was able to play it here for you but the plug in no longer works since WordPress Update.
For now go watch the video at YouTune