Well hello to you, It's been a while since I've posted here so I thought I would update a bit. I've been working on creating Logon screens using Stardock's tool Logon Studio. It's a very handy little tool that helps you to change your logon screen from the usual boring Windows skeem to something a little more exciting. In order to use the logon screens you need the tool. You can read about it and download it HERE. to use any of the logons I've created or any other skins for that matter you can go to my John's Wincustomize Gallery. Here's some examples:
We had a visitor today, as I was driving back from picking up my son at school, there in the large tree at the top of our driveway was a Bald Eagle. The bird comes around on occasion and actually had it's thanksgiving meal in the very same tree. Usually when I drive in the bird flies away in a spectacular spread of wings. Today it didn't fly away and I actually was able to get close enough to get a few good shots. I know in some places like Alaska the Bald Eagles are like crows but in an area where they use to be plentifull and are in short supply it's really nice to see one hanging around.
Yet another indication of the decline of the U.S. infrastructure. We just had a 4 day series of snow storms. The first one was a wet heavy one due to the fact that the mass came across the northern end of the Sea of Cortez. It probably dropped about 6 to 15 inches depending on where you were. On Saturday night, later on after the storm moved in, the power flickered a few times and then went out. We were without power until today. Needless to say I being the untrusting soul I am, I immediatly went in to town and bought new water containers, since our pump is on the AC (gotta get that solar/wind backup system put in) and filled them up. When I got home I told Rox to dig out the coolers and put snow in them and empty out the fridge of all perishables. Well at the time I had no idea how long the power would be out since we do have our share of outages here and there but usually they come back on within minutes to a couple of hours. I guess my hunch was right. The series of storms came through and they weren't too bad but most of the county was out for some time, and I believe they are still working on some of it. If there had been tornadoes or gail force winds or floods I could understand it, But we live in the southern rockies and it use (emphasis on use to) to snow 4 or 5 feet sometimes. Why on earth in an area where snow is common, are people so unprepared. We have reached a level of unpreparedness and deterioration within the infrastructure that is inexcusable for the 21st century. Could it be the cost of the war in Iraq:
Well let's see, first the demise of Salvador Allende in 1973 at the hands of a military coup assisted by the CIA was a blow to democracy in the western world. It doesn't matter if he was the leader of a socialist party, he was democraticly elected. The death of Bhutto some years later is another blow to true democracy and now Kenya has had a run in with problems with democracy. It seems that the gerimandering of the CIA and the United States has brought about the demise of true Democracy. There is a joke among my Hopi friends the word Democracy is very similar to Dima-Quasi, in Hopi Dima-Quasi means "white washed penis". I rest my case.
One more night, I'm up late thinking and surfing the web. As time goes by I keep getting more and more pensive with the events of the times. last night I was up till 2:00 a.m. and the night before I went to bed at 3:30 a.m. and before that I nearly pulled an all nighter. Man!! is it just me or are things really getting out of hand. The lies people are told on the tube and the slant the government puts on things seems to be leading us down a rosy path of Totalitarianism . In a world where climate changes are the norm and the fact that the water is becoming more and more poisoned, I see commercials for Cars getting more frequent. It's like the last big push to sell cumbustion engine vehicles before the populace realizes the fact that it's the most outmoded form of transportation there is. How primitive the whole thing really is, dig up and pump every bit of fluid from beneath the surface of the planet so we can create a toxic flammable substance, then put it inside these heavy metal objects with wheels so we can burn it to make a motor run, then in turn make the wheels go round so we can get from here to there to make money to buy more fuel to burn more and so on and so on. Are we just that stupid or have I missed something here? This is the 21st century, right? Hmmmm, liposuction, Britany Speers, Paris Hilton and who can become Americas top ammature star (let's just throw out years of work and effort by artsits all over the world to become recognized and accomplished) are the big important things in our world.
The death of Benazir Bhutto at the hands of Musharraf and the CIA is (oh sure it was terrorists) just too real for us. Once more the dark forces of evil have accomplished the inevitable and the truth is blanketed in propagandic lies and hysteria. Who could actually believe that the Powers that Be would want nuclear weapons in the hands of a Democratic Populist, which Benazir would have been. She, was a shoe in, and they knew that. The sacrificial lamb has been made and now the wolves can move in. Nuclear weapons most certainly belong in the hands of the Military (which Musharraf is) and any one who will be a puppet to the U.S., not a leader of the People. Just imagine, if she had lived and won, as she would have. There she would be, thousands of people with hope and expectation and she looking at them knowing she would have to make the choice. Be like the puppet Musharraf or actually lead her people, hmmmm.
There was Bush standing at the podium, her body not even cold yet, pushing for the election in Pakistan to continue, alligator tears and all. How obvious does the Asshole have to be for people to get it. He has no remorse or sympathy for the true plight of Humanity, only the agenda of the powers that be is his main concern. God help us all!
Trapped like a fly in a spider web. I've been working on my systems tonight. Going to add some new tunes to the radio station playlist Colorado Free Radio Durango. I just posted a new webcast two nights ago. it's been some time since I've done one. That will make number fifteen in a series of shows. This last one was the Christmas/New Years show.
Too bad about Benazir Bhutto, she was a very beautiful Woman and strong at heart,
As far as I'm concerned any one who thinks that Musharraf didn't have anything to do with her death is an idiot. I'm not even going to say anything about the CIA (LOL). Well I'm fading fast so time to go to sleep.
It's 3 degrees fahrenheit as I write this, looks like 0 will be the low before the morning comes.
Well I made it through Christmas without too much turmoil. Aside from feeling like my home was invaded by inlaws, things went pretty well. I guess I like my privacy and solitude. Comming from a huge extended family with too many dark secrets hasn't helped. My kids were lavished with many gifts and Santa was quite on the money for them, Jamaica got her dollhouse and Athan got his Spinosaurus. I on the other hand bought myself a couple of things but nothing too extravagant. Ah the simplicity of childhood, if only we could take it with us into the so called real world of credit cards and mortgages. Life seems easier when I was just a Professional Musician, but this second chance to be the Father I wasn't for my older kids (34 and 20 years old) is one I don't take lightly, some of us go throught life never getting a second chance. Thanks Clarence.
Judging from the blast across the midwest U.S. things are going to be pretty hard this winter. We're very lucky here and haven't had too much snow yet. The mountains are pretty covered but we're at about 6,800 ft so it's not too bad here yet. Here's a few shots from the yard
This is a shot looking to the west down the main driveway.
This is looking to the Northwest through the yard with the LaPlatas peaking through the trees.
The LaPlatas from the top of the driveway looking Northwest.
Somehow it doesn't feel much like CHristmas aside from the snow. I'm trying to get the feeling going but I'm having a hard time.
I took Athan to see the Golden Compass, excellent film, all the propagandic brouhaha from the religious leaders is BS, The movie is not anti God, it's anti organized religion, and that I believe is what's got church leaders up in arms. In the words of the Great Bard "Me thinks the Lady doth protest too much".
Till next time,TTFN.
My Opera
