What is it too soon for? *
It's still too darned soon to expect President Obama to have fixed all that's problematic in the country right now, even as if he could do all that. For gosh sakes, there were people who were impatient for his solutions 30 days into his administration! Messes created by outside forces, the times, and previous administrations have tremendous force and will take time to resolve. I'm heartened to see even small progress at this point, almost half a year in. It's too soon to expect a fix, and it's too soon to give up!
*Question of the Day Submitted by Design Shark.
qotd
All posts tagged qotd
While driving, what's your biggest pet peeve?
Submitted by Alexandra
"I'm more important than you…" that's the attitude. Whilst driving I am most ticked off by those who will speed along in a left-turn only lane or stay in a lane that merges or is otherwise closed ahead in order to pass all others who are already in the correct through-lane. Then, at the last possible moment –or later– the driver crowds his vehicle into the lane where he should have been all along. The attitude seems to be "I'm more important than you." To those who do this: NO! YOU'RE NOT more important than the rest of us! Instead of cursing I try and calm myself by talking at them, as if talking to a baby, saying things like… "Ewwwww, you're such a widdle piggy, aren't you? Such a widdle piggy!" Other times I just cuss but that doesn't help anything and just feeds my pet {peeve} and makes it hungrier.
Have you ever recycled an old computer or laptop? Where did you take it, and what steps did you take to protect your personal information?
The data aspect of this question is really pretty easy. With any PC that I dispose of, so long as the hard drive works, I simply run Darik's Book and Nuke. The hard drive is wiped of the licensed OS, applications, and all data that ever existed on it. If the hard drive doesn't work, I tear it apart and physically destroy it. Then it's tossed. I sleep well knowing my data are safely removed or inaccessable. Then there's the hardware…
The recycling aspect of this question is the worst! Even when you, in good conscience, deliver a computer to a group, company, or agency that is supposed to "recycle" it, there is a really good chance that bad things will happen. The computer hardware may wind up as someone else's environmental problem instead of being properly disassembled, materials recycled, and safely disposed of. The issue of proper disposal of electronics is a real and growing environmental concern for the whole world and needs serious attention — much of this junk winds up in Third World countries. I agonize over this every time I get rid of some old device –computer or not– but just try my best to do the right thing. As of now, about all I can do is turn the thing over to local government and hope they get the job done right.
When driving alone, what do you do? Sing along to the radio? Think about your day? Something else?
Submitted by carapiccoladiva.
My commute is way longer than I'd ever have expected it to be and much longer than I'd like. Ideally I'd be able to walk to work. Circumstances sometimes dictate such things, so I try and make the best of it.
Usually, when driving alone, there's a CD playing and it's usually something with a good beat for driving. One of my favorites is Dirty Vegas by, of course, Dirty Vegas. Another fave for driving and singing with is Fallen by Evanescence — a truly amazing first album. Rusted Root has some excellent driving numbers — listen to "Ecstasy" from When I Woke, some time when you're driving 65 mph (or faster) on the freeway! Those favorites that feature vocals I usually wind up singing along with. I sound pretty good, too, inside my head!
Then there are the podcasts: "The Tech Guy" by Leo Laporte, "Planetary Radio" by The Planetary Society, and "Are We Alone?" by The SETI Institute. Beyond that there are only a few local radio stations I listen to and never during drive time … bleh! Well, except for NPR and their "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" shows.
Other times the audio is off and I'm discussing things or lecturing someone or some group that isn't there. Nope, I'm not crazy (at least that's what the voices tell me). I'm working out interpersonal issues, personal feelings, or practicing a talk I'll be giving.
Once in a while it's quiet in the car and in my head. Oh, that's nice!
After all the recent season and series finales, what are you watching on TV these days?
Scrubs: They're showing it every night (practically) on Comedy Central and it's a big boost for me at the end of a stupid day. Also The Universe on The History Channel –still don't understand cable/satellite packaging– which is a pretty good series and feeds my jones for science content on TV. So far none of my favorite series has been canceled but it will be nice when the next small batch of Monk shows starts airing.
