Itzoe.net

When last we saw our hero, he was mired in unexplained web site errors that kept him from managing Itzoe.net in something resembling a timely and organized manner. Further, his work schedule was sufficiently booked to the point he questions the validity of the current "recession." Will he survive? Will the web site ever be updated again?

When I haven't posted in a while, I usually have some reason or another that in the end boils down to "I've been lazy." For once, that's not the case. As I mentioned before, we've been having issues ever since our host physically moved the server. They've insisted no settings were changed, and none of the fixes they offered have worked. But the coincidence has just been too, well, convenient.

News today (actually, kinda old news) is that the Democrats want to revive the Fairness Doctrine, an old FCC regulation that stipulates broadcast companies must offer opposing views on political material. In particular, liberals are gunning for talk radio, which is dominated by conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Michael Savage. This is a bad idea all around.

Whew, what a relief to be back up and running. Our host moved their server and the site was down longer than expected. We weren't exactly thrilled, but now that things are moving again, the hard feelings aren't so hard.

First off, any disappointments don't have anything to do with the Super Bowl game itself. I'm neither a Steelers nor a Cardinals fan, and I didn't watch but 45 seconds of the game anyway. (However, what I did witness was the 100-yard interception/touchdown right before half-time. Nice one, James.)

Whew, that was a nice vacation. What month is it, anyway? I guess I shouldn't be surprised with myself for not posting in a while, but I still feel something resembling either shame or regret. I always mean to do it, then don't.

I've written before about how much my brother and I enjoy a good Chinese buffet (good being relative, of course). Sometimes we take the kids, and sometimes the eldest tries a little something, um, less-than-American, while the other sticks to lemon wedges and soft-serve ice cream. Meanwhile, the missus wouldn't be caught dead at a Chinese buffet, which is fine, but in the past until my brother moved to town it always meant the only time I'd get Chinese is if going with co-workers at lunch. Myself excluded, the family has never been big on Far East cuisine. So it was with anticipation but some trepidation that the missus (yes, not I, but the missus) decided we were taking the eldest to a Japanese restaurant for his birthday.

When I was in college I had a fraternity brother from Tennessee, nicknamed "Mutt," who proudly claimed to all "the South shall rise again!" When doing government work in south Georgia I remember being in a bookstore whose offerings leaned toward Southern pride. In particular I remember one book whose title was, indeed, "The South Shall Rise Again." I've always had an affinity for American history, and the Civil War in particular, so I admittedly see these kinds of things with a tinge of fascination and amusement, while not intending to belittle them in any way. I'm always for pride and heritage as long as one's pride and heritage don't infringe on the pride and heritage of others. After all, America is called the melting pot for a reason.

Having failed up til now to document our mouse-catching escapades, it's with great, if morbid, pleasure I present photographic evidence of our most recent quarry.

Whoops, looks like I've fallen asleep at the wheel yet again. Must've been all that turkey (claims to the contrary notwithstanding). On the whole Thanksgiving went well, despite the minor gravy disaster, but a few turkey sandwiches later and I find I really didn't care. Actually, the turkey was gone by Monday, and who needed gravy anyway?