This is an interesting read from the NY Times: Britons Weary of Surveillance in Minor Cases.

Individuals in Europe have nowhere near the protections our forefathers wrote into the U.S. Constitution.  If you have ever traveled to Canada, you may discover that you don't have any of the same protections that we take for granted in this country.  Are we slowly, inexorably moving in the direction where all levels of our government(s) may constantly observe our actions?  Do you really want your school board following you around, as described in the NY Times article?

Just some food for thought.

I have been very hit or miss regarding flu vaccines in the past.  Occasionally, I'll get a vaccination for the seasonal flu (three times over the last ten years.)  I am one of the odd fellows that prefers to contract the disease and then get over it.  I prefer to stay away from anti-viral medications like tamiflu as well.

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OK, I've lost it.  I'm living in a a long term motel (Marriott) in San Antonio.

I don't have an oven, but I love roasted garlic.  I decided to try this on my two burner stove in the motel room.

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I've been working out pretty hard on treadmills and eliptical machines while I am living in San Antonio.  I purchased an abdominal wheel yesterday and called my son on the best way to use it.  He uses an ab wheel in his swimming workouts.  Folks, I do crunches and situps twice a day.  However, after 25 reps with the ab wheel, I am an now a disabled person.  My upper stomach (which should be my chest if I weren't sagging so badly from old age) hurts when I move.  My son described the exercises his coach makes the swim team perform and I was able to do about 5% of those exercises.

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After my affair with Windows 7 ended (not by choice), I was able to work through reinstalling Windows XP Media Center 2005 on my laptop.  It wasn't fun, and Acer was of zero use, but Windows XP Media Center is back up and running.  Normally, I would install AT&T McAfee suite, but I was intrigued by a Microsoft Essentials hyperlink shown when I installed Windows 7.  It turns out the Essentials is free for home users.  So I thought, what the heck, I'll try it for a few days.

It works great!  Did I mention it is free for home users?  What do I like about it?  Simplicity.  No special firewalls, no "network setup".  Just a simple virus scanner.

I don't know how long free will last, but I'll take it for as long as it lasts.