In his morning briefing, Rumsfeld tells the President that yesterday, in serious fighting outside Fallujah, 3 Brazilian troops were killed.
The blood drains from the President’s face, his head collapses into his hands on his desk and he remains there for several, long breaths.
When he composes himself and comes to an upright seated position, it is clear his eyes are moist. He asks Rumsfeld, “Just exactly how many is a Brazilian?”
Thank you Jay for a good pick-me-up.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Skinny Legs and All
When we go on our morning walk Toshi likes to put his legs on the safety rail. This is my view of Toshi 90% of the time we are on a walk. EDIT: Hiro-chan wanted to point out that the red mark on Toshi's leg is where he drew on himself with a red pen and not an owee.
The camera the camera! GIVE ME THE CAMERA!!
What a happy good looking kid! He just warms my heart...
Except when he is pulling out my precious hair. My new strategy to get him to stop is to hold his hands for 10 seconds. If he does it again, I hold his hands for 11 seconds. Each time he does it I add one second. He usually quites after 13 seconds. He crys and then he is happy. If anyone has other ideas to help him learn to not pull hair, let me know.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Isn't she Beautiful?
There are not nearly enough pictures of Hiro-chan on my blog. She is such a good friend, wife, and mom (to Toshi). She is Japanese and very sweet. Here is a collage of pictures. Poor Hiroko, as soon as she lays down, Toshi jumps on her and wants her attention.
I am so excited. We are going back to Japan for 3 1/2 weeks soon. Hiroko misses the green and her family misses Toshi. They miss each other too! I just want to get away for a bit.
My Birthday
My birthday was a couple days ago. It started off at my mom's house where we opened presents. Before we got started, we talked in the living room. My brother Jim is so good with kids. Toshi loves him. I am actually a little jealous of this picture. 
Toshi chose this ribbon for me. He placed it with the picture he drew that my mom framed. He wanted his precious ribbon back.
We got matching hats and sunglasses for my present. I had a lot of fun wearing matching stuff with Toshi. My mom knows how to pick presents. Hiro-chan also got me a hat. We go for morning and/or evening walks almost everyday, and I get burned easy.
We ate at cracker Barrel. I tried to take a picture of him playing, but all I have to do is pull out the camera and he runs to grab it from me.
Cracker Barrel has a cool puzzle on each table. Toshi just loved it. Even tho we had to wait an hour before we could eat, the puzzle kept Toshi occupied. It was a good thing too, because I was extremely tired. I almost felt like I was going to pass out. I crashed when I got home.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
I am an Artiiiiiiist!!!
Toshi eyes the 3000 page ream of dot matrix printing paper his dad brought home from work. His long delicate fingers on his little hand grab a pen as he races across the living room floor. Toshi is twice as tall as the cardboard box housing the paper, so the ream makes a perfect desk.Leaning down he meticulously scribbles what's on his mind. The intensity of his concentration is expressed by the pictorialized thoughts that give voice to his existential awakening. Suddenly, with all the tumult of a frustrated eccentric artist, he rips the top page off and flings it behind his back, bringing with it a stream of connected paper as his daddy shouts in unison, “Gah! I am in Artiiiiiiist!!!”
Before the white rainbow can settle on the floor, Toshi is furiously creating his next work.
***
Over and over, day after day, Toshi hones his skill. The cycle of intensely creating something and dramatically discarding it finally begins to give form to what is on his mind. At first the face seems too abstract to comfortably identify, but each rendition is clearer. Finally on his dad's birthday he creates his first Master Piece at his grandmother’s home. He signs it with a dot in the right hand corner, his Grandmother frames it for his dad, and we learn that Toshi is a happy boy. He turns 22 months in another week.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Picture Update
I am testing batch conversion with Irfanview. When I am done, I will post more recent pics. Sorry for the delay.
*****
Ok, I did it. I want to plug in Irfanview. Besides having a nice thumbnail viewer and making resizing, cutting, cropping, and adding in text to a pic a breeze, it also has a handy batch rename and/or conversion utility. For those of us with digital cameras, it makes renaming and resizing 100+ pics trivial.
Now I have to see how I can add several thumbs onto this post so you don't have to look at multiple pictures going down in a straight line... Hmmm. I kinda got it figured out. I still want someone to help me put spaces between the pics. I want like 3 thumbs across a row with spaces inbetween the pictures. If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know!! I have flickr and picassa. I am inexperienced in both.
They say a picture is worth a 1000 words; well, since I have been a blog slacker, here are 14,000 words to help catch you up as to what has happened from December of 2005 to March of 2006. I will get to April later. Today is my birthday. After a family dinner tonight, I will update and talk about April and May some.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Wow and Clean a Computer
Wow...No, I am not referring to World of Warcraft. I am sorry, as much as I appreciate a good MMORPG every once in a while, I am not a fan of WoW. It is Guild Wars for me! You can play for 15 minutes and leave for a month and be fine...but I digress.
WOW, it has been almost 5 months since I last posted! Yeah, I am sneaking this post in without notifying family. I got hung up trying to make a slideshow. My bad.
I created a tutorial for a fellow Hatracker on how to clean junk off of his/her computer. I am proud of it and want to post it here for my own reference. Before doing anything intensive or invasive on your computer, be sure to make a back up of critical and personal files.
Here goes my reply (edited for my blog) to his/her post about how s/he thought his/her computer was slow because of spyware--and not thinking it is a virus because s/he stated:
That is your first mistake. I don't know how many computers I have seen become MUCH faster once Norton is removed. I like F-Prot. It uses very few system resources and gets the job done. I would NOT use Norton or McAffee. You are better off using a free program. Here is a good link to see what anti-virus to use.
Here is my list of how to speed up your computer--if you suspect Adware. First off Download CCleaner, Spybot, Adaware, and Hijack This. ** if you end up using Hijack This, be sure to read this tutorial. It is a very powerful and dangerous (but effective) program. Also, if you don't have a good anti-virus program, get one, install it, and make sure it is updated. Be sure to get the WhenURemover and the VX2 Cleaner from the Adaware site.
You can/should also install and/or update any othe security tool that you are comfortable with, like Microsoft's Defender, commercial products, or specific removal tools (like the ones on the Hijack This download page) for particular nasties. A good rule of thumb is to only have ONE anti-virus program on your machine and as many spyware programs as you want installed (at least two).
I usually stick with Adaware, Spybot, CCleaner, F-Prot, Hijack This, and tools like Kazaabegone from the Hijack This page. The programs I stick with usually will clean everything or clean most everything and let me know what I need to manually remove with HijackThis.
I rarely use a commercial product or Defender, and if I do use something like webroot, I still couple it with adaware and spybot. I don't like Microsoft Defender but many people love it. If a computer is REALLY messed up, I will use Defender and/or Bazooka and/or a commercial product. They seem to work good against Trojans.
Install AND update all of your removal programs. Hijack This does not need to be updated as it has no reference files. Both Spybot and Adaware have definition files/includes you can manually download if the update is prevented because of malware.
1: Boot into safe mode (usually F8 during start up).
2: Make sure you can view hidden folders (My Computer - Folder Options - View - Show Hidden Files (these are the steps for my 2000pro. XP may be slightly different; I can't remember).
2.** A critical step belongs here for Windows XP users. Turn off "System Restore" at this stage. System Restore stores save points (including any malware or virus) you can roll back to if you have a major software conflict. When you turn it off, it deletes all of the old save points. You turn it off by alt-clicking My Computer and choosing the "System Restore" tab. Just check the box for turning off System Restore.
3: Go to Add/Remove programs and uninstall any programs you don't recognize and are sure should NOT be there. Usually anything with "Bug," "Tool," "Bar," "Shopping," "Save," "Search," or "Weather" is a bad sign.
4: Go into your program folder and delete any program folders that are bad or that you have uninstalled...like "MYwebSearch" et cetera. Some programs install directly into your C: and not C:--Program Files, so also check your C:.
5: Run CCleaner. CCleaner checks for all of your temp folders and cleans them out. It also scrubs your Internet history, cache, index, blah blah blah. It takes out ALOT of blah. If you are not cleaning house, you can easily have 600MB+ of junk that is fragging your drive or taking up space. I once saw CCleaner clear 1.6G of junk!! A lot of malware tends to reside in temp folders. ~Just be sure you don't install the optional yahoo toolbar. Gah...I hate all tool bars!!!!!!
6: Run Spybot, Adaware, any other spyware remover program or tool you use, and your Antivirus. It is important to run CCleaner first---otherwise it will take forever to check each file because it has to go through your temp folders. That is why I put CCleaner in it’s own step. If you are prompted to reboot, go ahead and reboot back into safemode and continue where you left off.
7: Open CCleaner again. Instead of clicking "Run Cleaner," go to "Issues" and scan for issues. This searches your registry for keys that don't belong there. Most programs leave registry keys after they are uninstalled. Spyware/Malware/Viruses et cetera also have a habit of leaving keys in your registry. Altho I have never seen CCleaner take out a Critical Key, it is good form to save a backup when prompted. As with most registry cleaners, you should run it a couple times until it doesn't detect any old/useless keys.
8: If you know a little bit about ‘Hijack This,’ now is the time to run it. It will scan for all your start up programs and hidden programs. Most of the entries are necessary--if you fix something your computer needs...well....ya better make sure it is backed up and you have all the tools to reformat and reinstall everything. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! Or just don't use it. But you can check for problems and fix stuff that is hidden from startup, msconfig, add/remove programs, et cetera. *If you use Hijack This, you may want to use CCleaner to re-check your registry after you are done.
9: Go to Start-Run and type in "msconfig". If you are using 2000, then you need to download it from here (the link also has instructions where to save it). In msconfig, go to the startup tab. These are all the programs running in the background when you start windows. You can actually uncheck them all and windows will automatically restart the critical ones.
Programs like adobe, word, and anything media like to run in the background. They take up resources and bog your system. Some adaware hides in here. I keep stuff like my antivirus program and Firewall on, but any other program I turn off.
10: Now that you are clean, it is a good time to defrag your drive. I like the free O&O Defrag. It works with XP.
11: Restart your machine. When you first log on it will warn you that you changed system information…or something like that. Just click the box that says, “Don't show this message again” and click ok. The warning comes up anytime you turn anything off with msconfig.
Be sure to turn back on System Restore if you have Windows XP.
You are done and your computer should run smooth.
It is important to clean your computer in Safe Mode because most programs won't delete a file in use. Since Malware is probably running in the background, your programs will either ignore it or not be able to remove it.
It is also important to view hidden folders so that programs like CCleaner can see what needs to be cleaned.
If you have something particularly bad that keeps comming back or won't be deleted, there could be a tool designed specifically to remove it. There are tools like Kazaabegone, whenuremover, cwshredder, and Kill2me. You may need to hunt for specific directions or tools on the internet.
I hope this helps someone.
NOTE: I have not had a virus or spyware problem since I learned to not use IE, to only surf on a limited account (both my administrator and my limited accounts are password protected), and to clean my temp folders regularly.
WOW, it has been almost 5 months since I last posted! Yeah, I am sneaking this post in without notifying family. I got hung up trying to make a slideshow. My bad.
I created a tutorial for a fellow Hatracker on how to clean junk off of his/her computer. I am proud of it and want to post it here for my own reference. Before doing anything intensive or invasive on your computer, be sure to make a back up of critical and personal files.
Here goes my reply (edited for my blog) to his/her post about how s/he thought his/her computer was slow because of spyware--and not thinking it is a virus because s/he stated:
"I have Norton AV software..."
That is your first mistake. I don't know how many computers I have seen become MUCH faster once Norton is removed. I like F-Prot. It uses very few system resources and gets the job done. I would NOT use Norton or McAffee. You are better off using a free program. Here is a good link to see what anti-virus to use.
Here is my list of how to speed up your computer--if you suspect Adware. First off Download CCleaner, Spybot, Adaware, and Hijack This. ** if you end up using Hijack This, be sure to read this tutorial. It is a very powerful and dangerous (but effective) program. Also, if you don't have a good anti-virus program, get one, install it, and make sure it is updated. Be sure to get the WhenURemover and the VX2 Cleaner from the Adaware site.
You can/should also install and/or update any othe security tool that you are comfortable with, like Microsoft's Defender, commercial products, or specific removal tools (like the ones on the Hijack This download page) for particular nasties. A good rule of thumb is to only have ONE anti-virus program on your machine and as many spyware programs as you want installed (at least two).
I usually stick with Adaware, Spybot, CCleaner, F-Prot, Hijack This, and tools like Kazaabegone from the Hijack This page. The programs I stick with usually will clean everything or clean most everything and let me know what I need to manually remove with HijackThis.
I rarely use a commercial product or Defender, and if I do use something like webroot, I still couple it with adaware and spybot. I don't like Microsoft Defender but many people love it. If a computer is REALLY messed up, I will use Defender and/or Bazooka and/or a commercial product. They seem to work good against Trojans.
Install AND update all of your removal programs. Hijack This does not need to be updated as it has no reference files. Both Spybot and Adaware have definition files/includes you can manually download if the update is prevented because of malware.
1: Boot into safe mode (usually F8 during start up).
2: Make sure you can view hidden folders (My Computer - Folder Options - View - Show Hidden Files (these are the steps for my 2000pro. XP may be slightly different; I can't remember).
2.** A critical step belongs here for Windows XP users. Turn off "System Restore" at this stage. System Restore stores save points (including any malware or virus) you can roll back to if you have a major software conflict. When you turn it off, it deletes all of the old save points. You turn it off by alt-clicking My Computer and choosing the "System Restore" tab. Just check the box for turning off System Restore.
3: Go to Add/Remove programs and uninstall any programs you don't recognize and are sure should NOT be there. Usually anything with "Bug," "Tool," "Bar," "Shopping," "Save," "Search," or "Weather" is a bad sign.
4: Go into your program folder and delete any program folders that are bad or that you have uninstalled...like "MYwebSearch" et cetera. Some programs install directly into your C: and not C:--Program Files, so also check your C:.
5: Run CCleaner. CCleaner checks for all of your temp folders and cleans them out. It also scrubs your Internet history, cache, index, blah blah blah. It takes out ALOT of blah. If you are not cleaning house, you can easily have 600MB+ of junk that is fragging your drive or taking up space. I once saw CCleaner clear 1.6G of junk!! A lot of malware tends to reside in temp folders. ~Just be sure you don't install the optional yahoo toolbar. Gah...I hate all tool bars!!!!!!
6: Run Spybot, Adaware, any other spyware remover program or tool you use, and your Antivirus. It is important to run CCleaner first---otherwise it will take forever to check each file because it has to go through your temp folders. That is why I put CCleaner in it’s own step. If you are prompted to reboot, go ahead and reboot back into safemode and continue where you left off.
7: Open CCleaner again. Instead of clicking "Run Cleaner," go to "Issues" and scan for issues. This searches your registry for keys that don't belong there. Most programs leave registry keys after they are uninstalled. Spyware/Malware/Viruses et cetera also have a habit of leaving keys in your registry. Altho I have never seen CCleaner take out a Critical Key, it is good form to save a backup when prompted. As with most registry cleaners, you should run it a couple times until it doesn't detect any old/useless keys.
8: If you know a little bit about ‘Hijack This,’ now is the time to run it. It will scan for all your start up programs and hidden programs. Most of the entries are necessary--if you fix something your computer needs...well....ya better make sure it is backed up and you have all the tools to reformat and reinstall everything. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! Or just don't use it. But you can check for problems and fix stuff that is hidden from startup, msconfig, add/remove programs, et cetera. *If you use Hijack This, you may want to use CCleaner to re-check your registry after you are done.
9: Go to Start-Run and type in "msconfig". If you are using 2000, then you need to download it from here (the link also has instructions where to save it). In msconfig, go to the startup tab. These are all the programs running in the background when you start windows. You can actually uncheck them all and windows will automatically restart the critical ones.
Programs like adobe, word, and anything media like to run in the background. They take up resources and bog your system. Some adaware hides in here. I keep stuff like my antivirus program and Firewall on, but any other program I turn off.
10: Now that you are clean, it is a good time to defrag your drive. I like the free O&O Defrag. It works with XP.
11: Restart your machine. When you first log on it will warn you that you changed system information…or something like that. Just click the box that says, “Don't show this message again” and click ok. The warning comes up anytime you turn anything off with msconfig.
Be sure to turn back on System Restore if you have Windows XP.
You are done and your computer should run smooth.
It is important to clean your computer in Safe Mode because most programs won't delete a file in use. Since Malware is probably running in the background, your programs will either ignore it or not be able to remove it.
It is also important to view hidden folders so that programs like CCleaner can see what needs to be cleaned.
If you have something particularly bad that keeps comming back or won't be deleted, there could be a tool designed specifically to remove it. There are tools like Kazaabegone, whenuremover, cwshredder, and Kill2me. You may need to hunt for specific directions or tools on the internet.
I hope this helps someone.
NOTE: I have not had a virus or spyware problem since I learned to not use IE, to only surf on a limited account (both my administrator and my limited accounts are password protected), and to clean my temp folders regularly.
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