Jeanna and I had a great time at DCI last night, but my shoulder and arm started hurting really bad amd by the time I went to bed, I could barely move it. I woke up this morning due to some noisy disturbances and was in agony. I was able to get back to sleep, but had to wake up at 10:00 (very early for me on the weekend) to meet a friend at the mall. We shopped until three, I came home, messed around on the computer, and finally fell asleep, exhausted and with aching feet. I just woke up and I feel just out of it. I have a lot of things I want to get done (a few review-type posts here), a possible design/domain thing I've been thinking about, a ton of pictures I want to get into Picture Fish, and other stuff as well. I'm going to try and wake up and take care of some of it, but right now, I just want to go back to sleep.

.: 175 words at 08:00 PM in Daily Ramblings, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. Your son's Fifth Grade teacher is proud to be gay. He espouses gay family values in class. Do you protest to the principal? I suppose it depends on what you mean my espousing family values in class. I wouldn't want my child to have family values of any kind taught to him at school, be it religious, sexual, or anything else at this age - that's my job to do. I would probably not protest, though, unless I felt it was extremely over the line.

2. As a joke, a co-worker sends anonymous love letters to another co-worker who takes them seriously. Everyone is enjoying the prank. Do you expose it? Yes, I would. That's a terrible thing to do to someone and I would feel so guilty if I knew about it and let it continue.

3. Due to a mix-up the tax department fines you $500 for tax evasion. You're completely innocent but it'll cost $5000 to fight in court. Do you fight on principle? I guess it depends on if any repercussions will happen because of this. Does it go on my record and I have to disclose it on any kind of application, for instance. If not, I would probably just pay it.

.: 214 words at 07:54 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Nothing good in my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers. Just expensive tables and cushions for hammocks I don't own.

.: American Woods 1685 Cedar Adirondack Chair with Ottoman Gift Set: another chair. Looks like I am going from cools and cooking utensils to patio stuff. Of course, none of it is very useful to me.

.: Gardenside 1606 Teak Rosevale 48 Round Dining Table: OMG! I just got offered a $500+ table! Who would buy a $500 table from Amazon site unseen?

.: Omni/Swings 'N Things 588 Blue Olefin Hammock Chair Cushion: well, since I don't have a hammock, this is a very good offer for me. Pass.

.: Lentek YC12G YardContro: this is supposed to repel dogs, cats, deer, wild animals out of yards and gardens. Of course, I don't have a yard or garden....

.: Omni/Swings 'N Things 589 Green Olefin Hammock Chair Cushion: this is the same cushin they just offered me. I don't want it in blue or green, thank you very much.

.: 172 words at 11:06 AM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Today is Lizzie Borden's birthday, but even more importantly, it's my friend Trish's birthday as well! Happy birthday, Trish! I know the past year has been interesting, to say the least, so I hope this birthday is the beginning to a turn around in your life. I love you and I'm glad that we're still friends after all this time.

.: 60 words at 10:58 AM in Linky Love, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I have added a Bloglet subscription to Picture Fish so that you can know when new pictures are added.

.: 19 words at 02:40 AM in Picture Fish Update, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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By the way, if you're not a member of S.P.O.R.K. yet, why not?

.: 13 words at 02:38 AM in Participation, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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When I left a little before 9:00 I went outside to see if the kitty was still here and he was sitting out in the neighbor's chair. I called Steven after he got to work to ask him if he remembered to feed the cat and give him fresh water. He said he did, but that the cat wasn't out there. I immediately started worrying that something had happened to him, the neighbors had called animal control and they'd taken him to the pound, etc., but I went with Christine to the PetSmart right by our office anyway and got some dry cat food.

I met Steven for dinner tonight before he went to his poker game and when I came home the cat was no where to be found. I played some poker (winning first place in one of Paradise Poker's tournaments), took some pictures, and went to look for the cat. I was walking around the back calling, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty" just as he was coming towards me. I was very happy to see him and had him follow me back to the front porch so he could get some food. I got the bag, set an empty bowl down, and started pouring him some food. He was so hungry he got his head in the bowl and started eating before I could pour all his food. I took some pictures of him eating, so I might have some photos up so you can see him soon.

I'm worried about all his missing fur, but I really hope now that he's got some food and water he might start looking a little healthier. The next step is to find some kind of little house that can stay on the porch, keep him out of the elements, and not fall apart. Anyone have any suggestions?

.: 308 words at 01:57 AM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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And now, time for today's Friday Five!

1. Where were you born? Houston, Texas at the now defunct Citizen's General Hospital (I-45 and Richey Road).

2. If you still live there, where would you rather move to? If you don't live there, do you want to move back? Why or why not? I still live here in Houston. There isn't really anywhere else I would want to move. I would never move up north because I can't stand the cold (it gets into the sixties down here and I'm freezing) and both mine and Steven's families are here. Plus, I just kind of like Houston. :-)

3. Where in the world do you feel the safest? Actually I feel safe right where I am. The condo complex is gated and (too) well lit, so I don't worry too much.

4. Do you feel you are well-traveled? Kind of since I've been to England, Scotland, and Wales, but Steven and his family grew up in the middle east, he spent his summers in Greece, he's been to Paris, Thailand, Cypress, Kenya, Egypt, and a million other places, so I always feel woefully undertraveled.

5. Where is the most interesting place you've been? I loved London. It was so incredible and the city seemed so alive no matter what time of day. Vegas isn't bad, though.

.: 225 words at 12:06 AM in Friday Five!, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Making my To Do List for the weekend. Not sure how much will be done, though, since Jeanna and I are spending the day together tomorrow and going to Rice village and then to DCI's The ExSightment of Sound and I'm going shopping with Judith on Saturday.

.: 163 words at 09:28 PM in To Do Lists, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Deb's Thursday Threesome!

Onesome. A Clear - In the last few months, what have you muddled over that suddenly became a clear, focused picture or plan of action? Hmmm. Kind of some work situations, but it's still a little up in the air.

Twosome. And Present - what is the coolest present you've ever gotten and/or given? The coolest present I've given lately was probably a witch's rosary that I gave to Trish. It was gorgeous. Best present I've ever gotten is hard, but the thing that's coming to mind is when Steven put me on his credit card out of the blue since I didn't have any (long story). It showed that he trusted me and loved me very much and it made me feel really great.

Threesome. Danger - have you ever been in a dangerous situation? Well, my last long relationship was dangerous in the sense that the guy was really bad for me and it would have been a disaster if we had stayed together. Otherwise, I can't really think of anything.

.: 180 words at 09:18 PM in Thursday Threesome, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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It's time for Dave's Thursday Thumb-Twiddler!

1. One hot summer afternoon, while walking through a parking lot at a large shopping mall, you notice a dog suffering badly from the heat inside a locked car. What would you do? I would try and find mall security and report the person. In a mall, there would be no way otherwise to find the rat bastard that did that to their dog.

2. You are in a restaurant rest room. You notice an employee leaving without washing his/her hands. Do you bring the matter to the attention of the owner or manager? If so, do you do it publicly or privately? I probably wouldn't, but if I did, it would be privately.

3. What is one item you own that you really should throw away ... but probably never will? Probably far more items than I could list, but if I have to pick just one it would be probably some ratty shirts that I love but would hate to part with.

.: 171 words at 09:14 PM in Thursday Threesome, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I checked like six times last night between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. to make sure that the kitty was okay and still out there. He (or she) had been sitting in the neighbor's (we share a little patio in front of our condos) chair all night and was still there when I looked out this morning. I'm going to try and find some kind of basket or little "dog house," for lack of a better term, that we can put on the porch for him. I'd like it to be covered so he can stay out of the elements, but I have no idea what I'm going to be able to find. I really hope he's just skinny and not sick, poor little thing. I'll keep everyone posted on his health.

.: 132 words at 10:13 AM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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So much for getting any more cool toys in my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers. Today there were all patio items, things that, since I have no yard, aren't very useful to me.

.: Gardenside 3516 Teak Summerhill Armchair: nice looking chair, but there is no way I am paying over $300 for it.

.: Oxford Garden Designs Market Umbrella Base: as I've mentioned, I don't have a yard, so this is so useless.

.: Omni-Swings 'N Things 550 Taino Rainbow Hammock: I've always wanted a hammock, but once again, no yard, so kind of difficult to use this.

.: Gardenside 3540 Teak Sausalito Dining Armchair: another nice looking chair, but it's over $200 and I don't really have any where to put this. Pass.

.: Astonica 40101101 Patio Heater, Stainless Steel: once again, no yard, so totally useless.

.: 144 words at 10:05 AM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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By the way, two new self portraits over at Picture Fish.

.: 12 words at 11:18 PM in Picture Fish Update, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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As part of the Homeland Security Act, the White House and some in Congress are proposing to grant broad new secrecy and immunity protections allowing corporations to conceal damaging information from the public and the courts, and avoid accountability for their actions. It would have a devastating effect on law enforcement, the regulatory process, and public safety. Please urge your representatives to reject this secrecy and immunity proposal.

.: 69 words at 11:03 PM in Take Action!, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Who would have thought it would happen, but Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton have split up. Angelina is quoted as saying that Billy Bob " hasn't been as honorable as he could be" when asked about rumors of him being unfaithful.

(Link courtesy of Trish)

.: 48 words at 10:59 PM in Notable News, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Steven and I came home from work and the gym and I pulled up to the garage so he could get my loaner computer monitor out of my car (I had to take my monitor in to Best Buy and the boss let me borrow one from work until I get it back). He comes over says something about a cat in the garage, gets the monitor out, tells me to watch it so it doesn't get in the house, and goes upstairs to get some food to lure it out. I park and go look at the cat.

At first I thought it was one of the ones that lives in our complex and I tried to scare it off. It stood up, meowing, and I noticed how thin it was. The poor thing was as thin as a rail and it looked like some of its fur had started falling out. Steven came out with the tuna fish and I went upstairs with him to get it some water. I was worried about him being down by the garages, so I had Steven carry the water and I took the tuna fish. I called him to me and he followed me to the front porch. He ate a bunch of the tuna fish and drank some water and now he's sitting out there on the front steps.

He's so friendly and trusting that it's obvious someone dumped him. He's not a kitten anymore, but a young cat, so I guess someone had him since he was little and just didn't want him anymore and dumped him. Poor kitty.

Steven is not a cat person, so he won't ever be an indoor kitty, but I hope he (or she) stays around long enough to get healthy. He's a solid black cat, so if he sticks around, maybe I'll call him Lucky for grins. Maybe I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

.: 322 words at 09:53 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Last night Jeanna was telling me the four raccoons that were having a party in her garage earlier this week. I wondered what you call a group of raccoons, so in her honor, today's "It's a Group Thing" is:

A Mask of Raccoons

.: 43 words at 12:06 PM in It's a Group Thing, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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For once, my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers were for things other than cooking utensil or a power tool. I wasn't very interested in the games that it contained today, but maybe we're getting closer to it containing items I'd actually be interested in.

.: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Board Game: I like the show, but would rather play Trivial Pursuit instead.

.: Electronic Spider Stompin' Game: I love board games usually, but this one looks like it's a little young for me unless I just want to stomp some spiders.

.: Harry Potter Talking Portraits Room Alarm: I don't have any kids and even though I love Harry Potter, going to pass on this.

.: Antique Roadshow Board Game: I've never really watched the show, though it seems kind of interesting and fun, but I don't think I'd really enjoy the board game. Give me a game of Trivial Pursuit any day.

.: Marvin's Magic Game: another game that's just a little too young for me.

.: 173 words at 10:13 AM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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It's been really nasty out the last few days and I've been tired, so not a lot of blogging going on.

I had a really bizarre dream last night where Steven and I were going to go to Italy, but he decided to send me on to Beijing first for a few days. I started panicking because I couldn't find my passport, I was going to China alone, and I don't speak Chinese. Then I started to think that Steven wanted me to go alone so I would get kidnapped and end up in a white slavery ring. I woke up anxious and exhausted. Not a good way to start the morning.

I added a few more pictures to Picture Fish and sent a few to my brother to see if he couldn't get them to come out a little cleaner. I also submitted my picture Rearview to The Mirror Project.

My best friend Jeanna had to put her dog to sleep yesterday, so we're going to a movie tonight to see Road To Perdition. I've been hearing both really good reviews and really bad reviews, so we'll see how it is.

I guess that's it for now. Hopefully I'll get some good rest tonight and not feel so tired and out of it tomorrow.

.: 217 words at 02:41 PM in Daily Ramblings, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Time for Christine's This-or-That Tuesday:

• Rented lodgings, or staying with friends/relatives?
I guess this one would depend, but probably rented.
• Lots of activities, or just lying around doing nothing?
A combo, but more activities than laying around.
• Blogging while on vacation...yes or no?
Usually I don't have access to computer while on vacation, but if I did, I would probably do some blogging.
• If you have children and/or pets...bring them along or make other arrangements?
Leave them (can't take fish tanks with you).
• Do you cook while away on vacation, or eat out every day?
Eat out. Of course we mostly do this now.
• Do you pack light and plan to do laundry while away, or overpack and wash everything when you get home?
Overpack and wash when we get home.
• Drive to your vacation spot, or take some kind of public transportation?
Public transportation unless it's close by.
• If you have a cell phone...on or off while away?
Steven leaves his on, but I never take mine (I'd have to pay roaming fees).
• Bring work along or not?
Hell no!
• Returning home with more stuff than you originally took with you...yes or no?
Yes.

.: 196 words at 09:42 AM in This-or-That Tuesday, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Here's PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.28:

1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much?
I've sold a few things online. I sold a video card that I can't remember how I got or how much I sold it for. I sold an America Beanie Baby for about $30 after paying $6 for it. I also sold a copy of Windows XP that I won from a local radio station for about $120.

2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?
I have bought a ton of stuff online. As a matter of fact, I bought a card reader for my camera on Friday (though Steven was sweet enough to pay for it since I bought the camera and the card). In the past I've bought tons of items including Playstation games, computer games, ornaments, Beanie Babies, signed books.

3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn?
I like the sun, but only when at the beach. I used to tan in tanning beds all the time, but I've gotten away from it lately. I have made a resolution to start tanning more. I've had several bad burns, mostly because because of summer band camp. The worst one I ever had was when I fell asleep at the Schlitterbahn for four hours. It hurt to wear a shirt.

4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it?
No, and I don't think I'd consider it. I don't eat a lot of meat, but I do eat some and I wouldn't like to give it up. My brother was a vegetarian for a while and he always seemed to be sick. It seems like it would be harder to stay healthy as one.

5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do)
If I was right outside the door, I might go back in. If I was parked far away and was going back that week anyway, I'd just tell them next time I came in.

6. Sometimes it seems that there is just not enough time to do everything that must be done. Was there anything you wanted to accomplish this weekend that didn't get done?
Actually, I got most of my stuff done this weekend; more than I even expected.

7. What is your favorite game to play with a group and/or an individual? (board game, computer game, athletic, etc.)
Trivial Pursuit, bar none. I love playing Trivial Pursuit in a group! Mexican Train (a domino game) is quickly becoming my new favorite, however.

BONUS: One headline why believe it?
Never believe just one headline. Get verification from others first.

.: 505 words at 05:36 PM in Monday Missions, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Seems like Amazon just loves offering me the same items over and over again for my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers.

.: Panasonic ES8003W Men's Wet/Dry Rechargeable Linear Shaver with 3D: good Lord! Stop offering me shavers! I've passed on like ten of these already!

.: Dirt Devil 091210RC Platinum Force Bagless Upright - Plus Cordless Hand Vac: not in the market for a vacuum.

.: Zelco "itty bitty" Booklight, Volume 2: this is something that I would be interested in. I read a lot after Steven's already in bed and have to leave the bedside lamps on. Not sure if I really want to spend $15, though, since he can sleep with the light on.

.: Sabatier Prosteel 7-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Set with Block: man! No more knives already.

.: Dirt Devil CE7000 Easy Steamer Carpet Extractor: like I just said, we don't need a vacuum.

.: 155 words at 02:04 PM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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It's Monday, so time to start the week out right with Jess's Participation Positives!

• I love Steven so much and have such a wonderful time with him. Last night as we cuddled, I couldn't help but think how lucky I am that we found each other and how happy he makes me.
• I finally figured out where to use the little goldfishy link from my Pepperidge Farm Goldfish skin that Kristine made me. (Hint: check out my Blogrolling list.)
• Friday I'm taking a half-day to spend with Jeanna in Rice village before we go to Drum Corp International, which should be a lot of fun
• Saturday I get to see my friend Judith for the first time in quite a while
• I love my new Sony DSC-P71 Cyber-Shot 3MP Digital Camera
• I got some incredible photos with above camera into Picture Fish yesterday
• I got a ton of things done in my latest To Do List
• I love the Anita Blake, vampire hunter books that I started and can't wait to read the others
• We have a new The Dead Zone episode to watch
• My adjusted salary kicked in
• My neck and back feel great today
• I love and am loved

.: 204 words at 12:06 PM in Participation Positives, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Since I got my new camera on Friday, I spent the weekend taking some pictures and putting them into Picture Fish. So far I love the new camera and think it's going to be an awesome addition to my gadget collection!

.: 42 words at 10:52 PM in Picture Fish Update, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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I was noticing that a few people have statements in their comments that say things to the effect that you're e-mail address is spam-protected when you leave a comment. I was wondering how they did that, so I went and did a search at the MT Support Forums that found this thread. Basically by changing < $MTCommentAuthorLink$ > to < $MTCommentAuthorLink spam_protect="1"$ >, the "@" and "." characters get changed to their ASCII values so that spambots can't harvest them (please note I added the spaces in the <> tags so it would display in my blog). It took me all of a couple of minutes to make the change in both this blog and in Picture Fish, so help stop spam and make this change if you're on MT.

.: 125 words at 06:09 PM in Geeky Things, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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More cooking offers in my Amazon.com Gold Box Offers, but at least two of them made me think about making a purchase.

.: Zojirushi NS-JCC10 Neuro Fuzzy 5-Cup Rice Cooker: another one of these. I still don't need a rice cooker, so I'm still going to pass.

.: Sabatier Profile Stainless Steel 14-Piece Knife Set with Block: nice looking knife set, but we don't need it. Interesting side note, I got a "we're out of this, but order now and you'll get it as soon as it's in stock" as opposed to one of their messages saying they'd just run out.

.: Hamilton Beach 80200 Flat Bread MealMaker Bread Press and Skillet: this looks way cool. You can make flatbreads on it like pitas and tortillas. I doubt we'd use it, but a great offer nonetheless!

.: Black & Decker CBM7B SmartGrind Deluxe Coffee Bean Burr Mill - Black: I don't drink coffee and I won a $160 coffee maker a couple of months ago anyway.

.: WMF Manhattan Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker with Built-In Strainer: this is even cooler looking than the martini shaker I was offered the other day. Finally, an item I might consider buying.

.: 204 words at 05:59 PM in The Gold Box, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Chris's Sunday Op-Ed!

1. Television
What is something that I watch a lot more of now that I have a Tivo? I used to not watch very many shows because I usually get home so late on weeknights that they're all over with. Now with my Tivo I record a ton of shows and watch them when I get home. I love my Tivo!

2. Radio
What is something that I used to listen to a lot both at work and in the car, but never listen to now? I've gotten where all I listen to at work is mp3s and in the car I listen pretty much to my CDs.

3. Newspaper
What is something I used to read all the time from middle school to college (mostly for the entertainment section, I admit), but only read now on very rare occasions? It's funny, though, but with the Internet I am more aware of the news than when I regularly read the paper.

.: 169 words at 05:09 PM in Sunday Op-Ed, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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