Ok, I think I need to set down a few definitions here:

Religion: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
or a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Spirituality: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Philosophy:

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

Of the three, I’m more philosophical with a slight streak of spiritualism.

My beliefs are that Jesus Christ was NOT the son of God. That Christianity would be more palatable as a philosophy than it is as a religion.

The more people I talk to, the more I tend to see this attitude among lots of folks. So there is hope for mankind after all.

I did it. Ordered a new Linksys WAP54G wireless access point. I went this route because I already have dual hardaware firewalls in place.

Right now I’m piggybacking someone elses wireless connection. But then it struck me, I get no benefit from my firewalls. So that’s why I ordered my own.

Of course I do know how to secure wireless. Some hints to those contemplating wireless:

Turn off SSID broadcast. That way when someone scans for networks yours won’t show up. it does mean you’ll have to hard-code the SSID in your wireless devices though.

Use WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol) with a strong key. The newer standard that comes with most 802.11G routers is also very good.

Use MAC filtering. Every network device including wireless network adapters have an OEM assigned MAC. This way only YOUR devices can connect.

So with all three your device:
1) Has to know the wireless access point to connect to
2) Has to know the WEP or equivalent key
3) And has to be known by the wireless access point.

Ok, so yesterday I felt like crap and this morning I woke up feeling worse. Sinuses all fouled up, hacking a bit, etc.

I recall that someone had recommended Airborne. It’s an effervescent tablet comprised of a slew of vitamans, herbs, amino acids, etc. Must be taken every three hours at first sign of problems.

I can report that it seems to work. Here it is 8PM and I’ve taken three doses of the stuff and feel great.

Better living through chemistry.

While I’m not the most religious person, I think I have a strong sense of spirituality.

A week or two ago I was having a discussion with a friend that were I God, the sky would be filled with flaming text proclaiming my glory and not only that but I’d play amongst my creation were it the case.

But this was just me being a curmudgeon. Then a thought occured to me. What if that wonderful display of the engines of the universe (Otherwise known as stars) is that fiery text, but we can’t read it. Plasma universalis.

Charles and Keyron toast in the new year. Notice the Big-Gulp full of champagne in the foreground along with the bottle of Febreeze to freshen up those spots upon which champagne has been spilled.  

A bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Chapagne already tapped. 

Keyron and Tony toast in the new year.  

Emily in anxious anticipation of the leap second that’s about to occur.  

A snowy night in Providence. Those damned high pressure sodium lights just cast an orange glow on everything damn it.  

New Years Eve 2005/2006

It is T-4:06 to the new year. I’ve been thinking about 2005 and it’s actually been a decent year for me.

But 2006 scares me a little bit. I’m hoping that the following happens:

1. That the U.S. Senate flips to the Democrats.
2. And if 1 happens, the impeachment proceedings begin immediately.
3. That it’s a prosperous new year.
4. That it is a safe and peaceful new year. This would be one of my more unrealistic wishes.

That’s All Folks!