tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615866495239572922024-02-18T18:23:41.195-08:00Desultory Thought<p><b>des·ul·to·ry</b>
<i>[des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]</i>
–adjective<br>
1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful<br>
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; <b><u> <br>random</u></b></p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-18755109129480531802011-08-18T04:02:00.001-07:002011-08-18T04:02:43.868-07:00DT Has Moved to WordPressI'm testing out WordPress.com.<br />
<br />
You can now find Desultory Thought at <a href="http://desultorythought.wordpress.com/">http://desultorythought.wordpress.com</a>.<br />
<br />
Sorry for the inconvenience, but I look forward to seeing you there!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-24412780120922858202011-08-11T05:20:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:06:40.046-07:00Don't Ever Call Yourself a Nice Guy<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0446673862?tag=ayekantspeylgud&camp=213761&creative=393545&linkCode=bpl&creativeASIN=0446673862&adid=0YFADS7FKXXMB65K9D5X&" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="135px" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IiIa2rcJL._SL110_.jpg" width="120px" /></a> <br />
<i>Would you say you're a "nice guy"?</i><br />
<br />
<i>Do you ever wonder why "nice guys finish last"?</i><br />
<br />
<i>Does it feel like people just take advantage of you because you're "too nice"? </i><br />
<br />
<i>Do you ponder if women really </i><i>are attracted only to jerks?</i><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>"Nice Guys" are a total turn off. It's not because women are attracted only to jerks. It's not because every woman sets out to crush a guy's spirit with reckless abandon. It's because <i>"nice guys" aren't really nice at all.</i><br />
<br />
I'd like to think that the term "nice guy" is so overused that it's been forgotten about completely. Sadly, I know that's not the truth. There are still plenty of guys who want to call themselves "nice" and want to think the stereotypical thoughts.<br />
<br />
A guy can think he is <i>nice</i>, that's fine. It's OK when it's part of a whole picture. If a guy takes the next step and <i>calls</i> himself a "nice guy", trouble's a-brewin'! Why? Because it says something about how the guy sees himself.<br />
<br />
If he just thinks he's "nice", and happens to be "a guy", it's just like any other personality description. He could say he's kind, caring, funny, whatever. No big deal.<br />
<br />
When a guy says, "I'm a nice guy," it usually seems to be followed with, "but for some reason..."<br />
<br />
"But for some reason..."<br />
<ul><li><i>"...Girls don't like me."</i></li>
<li><i>"...I can't seem to find anyone good."</i></li>
<li><i>"...Everyone just wants to use me."</i></li>
<li><i>"...No one is interested in me."</i></li>
<li><i>"...Girls only seem to be interested in jerks."</i><i> </i><i> </i></li>
</ul><br />
But why should a guy never call himself a "nice guy" again?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Genuinely nice guys don't go around calling themselves that.</b></span><br />
<br />
If a guy is genuinely nice, he need not mention it. Does a jerk have to tell people that he's a jerk? People figure it out on their own, and usually pretty quickly.<br />
<br />
By telling someone, the "nice guy" instantly gives off an air of desperation. When someone tells me they are a "nice guy", a bunch of different thoughts run through my head and instantly, my guard goes up.<br />
<br />
If a guy has to <i>tell me</i> he's nice, then he's already thought about it. If he's already thought about it, chances are he's already thought about why he can't seem to get anywhere with the women.<br />
<br />
It implies that he's already got a misogynistic viewpoint layered deep under the "nice" outer shell.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. What does "nice" even mean, anyway?</b></span><br />
<br />
"Nice" is almost a stupid word to begin with. Think about it. What does it even mean? What does "nice" have over "pleasant" or "kind" or "caring" or "thoughtful" or any other variety of words?<br />
<br />
Look at all the different definitions available for "nice" on Dictionary.com:<br />
<blockquote><div style="color: lime;"><i><u><b>nice</b></u></i></div><br />
<i style="color: yellow;">adjective, nic·er, nic·est.</i><i><br />
1. pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.</i><br />
<i>2. amiably pleasant; kind: They are always nice to strangers.</i><br />
<i>3. characterized by, showing, or requiring great accuracy, precision, skill, tact, care, or delicacy: nice workmanship; a nice shot; a nice handling of a crisis.</i><br />
<i>4. showing or indicating very small differences; minutely accurate, as instruments: a job that requires nice measurements.</i><br />
<i>5. minute, fine, or subtle: a nice distinction. </i></blockquote>Why couldn't a guy just say he is kind? Better yet, why not just <i>be</i> kind and not have to say anything about it?<br />
<br />
"Nice" as an adjective to describe a person has so many implied meanings (kindness, thoughtfulness, pleasantries, mild-mannered, calm, patient, considerate, gentlemanly, nice to look at, etc.) that it's sort of too all-encompassing to have any relevance. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. "Nice" sets the bar too high.</b></span><br />
<br />
Think about all the different meanings of nice, mentioned above. If a guy wants to call himself a "nice guy", that's going to be what's expected.<br />
<br />
A "nice guy" will have to be gentle, romantic, patient, sweet, thoughtful, understanding, so on and so forth - all hours of the day. All days of the week. If a guy basically can't live up to the title he's giving himself. Why bother giving it?<br />
<br />
In the impressionable girl's mind, she'll be thinking of a "nice guy" that she can take home to her parents that will get along great with her dad and help her mom clean up the dishes after dinner. Her parents will love him, her friends will be envious, he's just so <i>nice</i>.<br />
<br />
The "nice guy" is going to eventually snag a girl that doesn't know to avoid so-called "nice guys". She's already gotten the talk, now she'll be eager for the <i>show</i>. It's an unrealistically ideal impression to pursue.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. "Nice Guy" translates to "Desperate Guy"</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If someone has to spell out what they are, they probably really <i>aren't</i>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Broadcasting that a title of "nice guy" hints at something. It hints that the person proclaiming the title probably has trouble convincing people of it. After all, genuinely nice guys would be fairly warm, approachable, friendly. People would likely want to be around them.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If a self-proclaimed "nice guy" is using the title, he probably isn't receiving this sort of attention. He's feeling lonely, somewhat outcast. He wonders why people don't accept him more warmly, since he is a <i>nice guy</i>. He's feeling somewhat desperate.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Only those that are desperate themselves are attracted by desperate individuals. Otherwise, desperation is a complete turn off. And, in a normal person, it's detected rather quickly. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What About Real Nice Guys?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obviously there are real nice guys out there, some may even mistakenly refer to their self as such. If a guy is really a "nice" guy... That's fine. But the phrase should be avoided at all costs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone who is genuinely worth their weight won't need a phrase or title to define him. Others will provide the flattering adjectives, he will have no need to assign them to himself.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But one should not aim for niceness.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone who is kind, compassionate, understanding, responsible, mature, fun, and good-natured would be a far more valuable person over someone who is merely... nice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If a guy drops the "nice guy" attitude, and pursues kindness, compassion, maturity, and understanding instead, they wouldn't have that problem of finishing last.</span></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-4257182393472842082011-08-09T04:15:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:06:55.651-07:00Troubleshoot Internet Connection Issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ITdSpw6OTrFTPQ400n59fPHpxMq9qWWbrHUfPz8N1PUxb1r7JPFZ7STZHGzIo1gwiw5sox2k6WOBQI37kK2DW7nt4y9Bmx5L4I19UgC8N_OXzQ9p9Y3_MW2B8I_PvKKRKvYIcTwPP7w/s1600/network-connection-status-properties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ITdSpw6OTrFTPQ400n59fPHpxMq9qWWbrHUfPz8N1PUxb1r7JPFZ7STZHGzIo1gwiw5sox2k6WOBQI37kK2DW7nt4y9Bmx5L4I19UgC8N_OXzQ9p9Y3_MW2B8I_PvKKRKvYIcTwPP7w/s200/network-connection-status-properties.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>Your network says it's connected, but for some reason it won't allow you to connect to the internet.<br />
<br />
If you're having to read this from someone else's computer because yours won't connect to the internet, I may be able to help.<br />
<br />
There are a variety of potential causes for this issue. If you search Microsoft's Knowledge Base articles, you'll probably not find a solution. They offer limited help.<br />
<br />
If you are searching with Google, you'll probably find a whole array of different answers, for different reasons, and different scenarios. You might wind up trying 10 different "solutions" before you find what is actually wrong for you.<br />
<br />
So if you can't get online from your computer, even though it <i>claims</i> you can, here's what you might want to try:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Start with the Basics:</b></span><br />
<ul><li><i>Is e</i><i>verything plugged in correctly? </i></li>
<li><i>Is your cable/DSL modem on and working fine, with no warning lights (look for orange or yellow lights)? </i></li>
<li><i>Is the cabling from your modem to your computer or your modem to the wall outlet plugged in securely (not damaged or loose)? </i></li>
<li><i>If you're using a wireless connection, is your computer connected to </i><i>your network? Is the signal strength strong enough? </i></li>
<li><i>Are you unable to connect with other browsers, other programs, everything? Or just certain things? (i.e. You are able to connect to MSN Messenger but you can't pull up websites in Internet Explorer.)</i></li>
<li><i>Have you tried "Repairing" your internet connection? (Right-click the connection status in the system tray, click "Repair". In Windows 7, you have to manually "disconnect" then "connect".)</i></li>
</ul>If you're sitting there thinking, "YES! I've checked ALL that, everything's fine but it still doesn't work!" - read on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Internet Explorer Proxy Server Setting</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkFFjFKVJaKOjSp70s2Y9O7U7t1iNR_WTLiOSO5H_JALaoo8D_iF5hdgmiPiOGGDD4GDJzBRSHlPX6KFfCR2or56l41lU-ClICV8CrxGtMkBRjgkJKQLaxrEtth8-tu0wTJCuZK0cdj0I/s1600/internet-options-properties-settings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkFFjFKVJaKOjSp70s2Y9O7U7t1iNR_WTLiOSO5H_JALaoo8D_iF5hdgmiPiOGGDD4GDJzBRSHlPX6KFfCR2or56l41lU-ClICV8CrxGtMkBRjgkJKQLaxrEtth8-tu0wTJCuZK0cdj0I/s200/internet-options-properties-settings.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even if you primarily use Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or some other browser, Internet Explorer's (IE) settings can mysteriously sneak in and cause problems. </span></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This shouldn't affect other browsers (if you have any others installed). Some programs, however, use Internet Explorer's settings. Therefore if IE has the wrong settings, it could prevent other programs from connecting.</span></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have more than one internet browser, try accessing a website with a browser other than IE. Then try connecting in Internet Explorer. </span></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If it doesn't work in IE but it works in the other browser, this will probably fix the problem.</span></span></i><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Go to <i>Start</i> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click "Control Panel"</span></span></li>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7ZLhSlfGrYy6Iy5qpS6BKO9AKN0FooeIu5hOuk18TPf7L6ihjpqZEvDKltwWAcx9fGpps2U1PGik6O4ruNb_LoIdy1fkpTwr9aIhOd9mqpmw4HJJgMaK6XYTaLAdpqf6CQordFRJlZSh/s1600/internet-options-connections-settings-lan-settings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7ZLhSlfGrYy6Iy5qpS6BKO9AKN0FooeIu5hOuk18TPf7L6ihjpqZEvDKltwWAcx9fGpps2U1PGik6O4ruNb_LoIdy1fkpTwr9aIhOd9mqpmw4HJJgMaK6XYTaLAdpqf6CQordFRJlZSh/s200/internet-options-connections-settings-lan-settings.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click "Internet Options" (You may need to click "Network and Internet" then "Internet Options" depending on which browser you're in.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Go to the "Connections" tab.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click "LAN Settings".</span></span></li>
<li>Look for the "Proxy Server" setting. </li>
<li>If this box is checked, <u><b>uncheck</b></u> it.</li>
<li>Click "OK".</li>
<li>Click "OK" on the "Internet Options" window. </li>
<li>Try using the selected program again.</li>
</ol><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wireless Network Isn't Primary</b></span><br />
<br />
<i>I've seen this problem once before, and it really caught me off guard. It actually doesn't fit the other solutions - this one can actually just make it so you aren't connected to the internet at all. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>This one doesn't cause the computer to claim to be connected the network, it just won't show that you are connected but when you try, it won't connect either.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Here's a very weird but easy way to troubleshoot this problem. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://support.hubris.net/configuration/screenshots/network_xp/cap002.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://support.hubris.net/configuration/screenshots/network_xp/cap002.gif" width="200" /></a></div><ol><li>Click "Start"</li>
<li>Click "Control Panel"</li>
<li>Click "Network Connections" (in XP) or "Network and Sharing Center" in Windows 7. (It should be something similar in Vista - you may have to go through other "Network" options first if you have your Control Panel set by Category.)</li>
<li>If you have multiple wireless network settings, disable any but the one you actively want to use.</li>
<li>If you have your "Local Area Connection" enabled, <i>disable</i> it.</li>
<li>Make sure the connection you want to use is <i>enabled</i>.</li>
<li>Try connecting again.</li>
</ol><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wrong IP Address Configuration</b></span><br />
<br />
I've seen this happen so many times, especially while at work in IT.<br />
<br />
Everything seems to be fine until seemingly-at-random, your computer won't connect. It <i>shows</i> it's connected to the internet so it looks like everything should be fine. You can't access any websites.<br />
<br />
This problem is caused from trying to set a static IP address on a network configured for DHCP (dynamic host control protocol). In other words the modem, server, something is trying to issue an IP address but the computer it set to use its own.<br />
<br />
Think of it as a child trying to play a game with her friends. The friends want the rules to be the standard way. The child wants the rules to be <i>her</i> way. Since the other children don't feel like playing by her rules, they leave her out entirely. That's sort of how it goes, with less attitude.<br />
<br />
If you've tried the other steps and can't find the problem, check this:<br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKTLezqJq2x9m7kEdw6weF7N2wXSiHT2wcw_y9UurT9K_QCWlCnGjV1s7ZMTrA5_xBZiXe4mGrOHZhdi94op2WsOi6tfgcW_vjUKx99-yA_aoeE58HZ5_3TycxtyloiuGAswduMIRo0vx/s1600/network-connection-properties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKTLezqJq2x9m7kEdw6weF7N2wXSiHT2wcw_y9UurT9K_QCWlCnGjV1s7ZMTrA5_xBZiXe4mGrOHZhdi94op2WsOi6tfgcW_vjUKx99-yA_aoeE58HZ5_3TycxtyloiuGAswduMIRo0vx/s200/network-connection-properties.jpg" width="178" /></a>
<li>Go back to "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Network Connections" or "Network and Sharing Center". (See above.)</li>
<li>Right-click the wireless or "local area" network connection you're trying to use.</li>
<li>Click "Properties".</li>
<li>You should see a window that looks similar to the image on the right (it may have fewer, more, or different things listed).</li>
<li>Look for TCP/IP (you may or may not have multiple listings).</li>
<li>Click on the "Internet Protocol Version" or "TCP/IP" line (try version 4 first, if you have multiples like I do) and click "Properties".</li>
<li>You should then see a box that says "Internet Protocol Properties" (it may say "Version 4" or may not. Doesn't matter much.</li>
<li>If there is an IP address or a DNS address showing, then this is probably the cause of your problem. </li>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ZBwMLvF7LdCqNlw6NllZnbD7k7Kvb1FjXOD3vdBqPdIPLqxXAnFixTG_aV8nawCKvGJ5FmDlOIiHMiZ4Y5c8XEexOTAiGfYB54JG_-vOcFNcZfSGOVbXVK805KUeuvOc3skQ1xJ6FIr/s1600/internet-protocol-version-tcpip-properties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ZBwMLvF7LdCqNlw6NllZnbD7k7Kvb1FjXOD3vdBqPdIPLqxXAnFixTG_aV8nawCKvGJ5FmDlOIiHMiZ4Y5c8XEexOTAiGfYB54JG_-vOcFNcZfSGOVbXVK805KUeuvOc3skQ1xJ6FIr/s200/internet-protocol-version-tcpip-properties.jpg" width="179" /></a>
<li>Be sure that both "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server automatically" are both marked. </li>
<li>Click "OK" to get out of that window.</li>
<li>Click "OK" again. </li>
<li>Try to connect again.</li>
<li>If you did have multiple TCP/IP settings listed (as I did, as shown above), and changing "Version 4" didn't resolve the issue, try going through the same steps to change "Version 6" (or whatever version you have) also.</li>
<li>Click "OK" until you're out of all the open dialog boxes, then try connecting again.</li>
</ol>The reverse of this problem can also happen, but isn't very likely unless you're in a workplace. The reverse issue is where the computer expects that each computer has a set (static) IP address but you've got your settings configured for DHCP (i.e. "Obtain an IP address automatically").<br />
<br />
<br />
If you experience that issue, you'll need to find an available IP address from a list of IP addresses supported (i.e. you can't just type in "123.456.8.9") and manually type that. Obviously, you'll have to change the settings to exactly the opposite of listed above.<br />
<br />
Those are just a few of the more uncommon connection problems that I've encountered. If I can remember any others, I'll be sure to update this list.<br />
<br />
<i>If you have any tech support questions, "how-to's", "why's", or general tech questions, I'd be happy to try to help! Leave me a suggestion and I'll try to address it in an upcoming post. </i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-66128897562559123412011-08-08T05:16:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:07:26.348-07:00War Bomber Plane Riddle<blockquote><a href="http://www.deroeck.co.uk/plane-pictures-ww2/Boeing-B17-%28173%29-Sally-B-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.deroeck.co.uk/plane-pictures-ww2/Boeing-B17-%28173%29-Sally-B-08.jpg" width="200" /></a></blockquote><blockquote><i>It is the war times...</i><br />
<br />
<i>A bomber plane flies up into the air.</i><br />
<br />
<i>It makes its way to the enemy territory.</i><br />
<br />
<i>As the plane is flying over, the pilot presses a button to open the bay, it works.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The pilot then presses a button to release the clamp that holds the bomb. The bomb doesn't drop.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Why didn't the bomb fall?</i></blockquote><br />
<a name='more'></a>My 7th grade science teacher was the fun type, and he had a book full of riddles that he would frequently read from just before class officially let out.<br />
<br />
We would all take turns guessing. Sometimes the riddles would involve the classic question: "Is it bigger than a bread box?"<br />
<br />
Many of them were very good and had the entire class (keeping in mind that we were <i>only </i>7th graders) stumped. Unfortunately, I can only remember this and one other one:<br />
<blockquote><i>A woman had hung herself.</i><br />
<br />
<i>She was found in a room with a high-ceiling and nothing nearby that she could have stood on.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The only thing around was a puddle of water on the floor.</i><br />
<br />
<i>How did the woman manage to hang herself?</i></blockquote>You have probably heard that one before though, it seems to be much more common.<br />
<br />
These have been posted in forums around the web too, but they're the ones that I recall from my 7th grade teacher's book (can't remember the name of the book even).<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard these before, feel free to guess at the answer. No cheating!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-66152645707686774272011-08-07T05:52:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:08:08.257-07:00Phillips GoGear Vibe MP3 Player Review<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M8SSTG?tag=ayekantspeylgud&camp=213761&creative=393545&linkCode=bpl&creativeASIN=B004M8SSTG&adid=075XWGPEDF0KFNXX91ZR&" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Phillips GoGear Vibe MP3 Player" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gNxjnQ8YL._SL110_.jpg" /></a> <br />
Not to sound like a shill, but I have to commend Phillips. If you want a great little MP3 player, I have to recommend the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Philips-GoGear-Player-SA3VBE04K-37/dp/B004M8SSTG?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Phillips GoGear Vibe</a><br />
<br />
I have the little black 4GB one, which is too small (on storage space) for most people, I know. The Phillips GoGear Vibe is nothing fancy. It's just a small device that could easily get lost in your pocket. <br />
<br />
It isn't the latest and greatest. Far from it. No touchscreen. No fancy anything.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It has a screen, but it's so small you can barely make out what's on it. I kid you not, I watched <i>Enchanted<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0011U52E2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </i>during a plane ride on the itty-bitty screen. It works, but you can just barely make out what you're looking at.<br />
<br />
With all these seemingly negative points to it, you might wonder why I'd bother to recommend it. I'll give you a hint:<br />
<br />
It's not the price tag.<br />
<br />
The Phillips GoGear Vibe comes in at a reasonable price of somewhere around $40. Like anything, it depends where you get it. I have a little older model so it may even be cheaper for the one I have.<br />
<br />
Here's why I would recommend it to anyone, as long as you are looking for a no-frills way to listen to your music.<br />
<br />
I recently did a load of laundry. I washed it, dried it, the usual. Heard something clanking around in the dryer. Had nothing in there that I could think of that would have been making a noise like that. I kept wondering what the heck was clanking around.<br />
<br />
Finally, the clothes were dry and I took them out. Mind you, I don't mean air-dry either. I'm talking about full heat, for probably about 1.5 hrs, and that's <i>after</i> running through the wash.<br />
<br />
Out falls my little MP3 player. I was sad that it was gone, since I really liked it. I was even more sad that the 4GB of music on it was also gone.<br />
<br />
It wouldn't turn on. I kept trying, and trying, and hoping, and trying. Still nothing.<br />
<br />
A couple days ago, I decided, just for the heck of it, to try turning it on again. Still nothing. I thought, maybe just maybe... it's just the battery needing a charge.<br />
<br />
I plugged it in via the USB cable - voila! It turned on! After having been dropped numerous times during normal usage, squished in my pocket, squeezed up against this or that, and then washed <u><b>and</b></u> dried - it turned on!<br />
<br />
Mind you, that is (unfortunately) all it does. It only turns on, and only when plugged in to charge. But it connected to the computer and allowed me to remove all the files off of it. I now at least have my music backed up for when I do purchase a new MP3 player to replace this one.<br />
<br />
So if you are looking for a STURDY, reliable MP3 player for music only with a decent volume limit and great sound, you'll want to check out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Philips-GoGear-Vibe-Player-Silver/dp/B0035JJJR8?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Phillips GoGear Vibe</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0035JJJR8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> MP3 player.<br />
<br />
The fact that it still turned on after going through such abuse inspired me to recommend it.<br />
<br />
<i>That said, I <u>am</u> now in the market for a new MP3 player. Have any that <u>you</u> might recommend that would still be as sturdy? (I'm a klutz)</i> <i>I'll take any suggestions!</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-80010034878103401962011-08-05T04:28:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:08:33.769-07:00Best Backup of Full Blogger Template<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw34ZycDcKWSq6EOs8ufFJkNLGtbAtbnVs52Egn35ifuJ9sjI8HA3xtk1jZkn_Sc4tixFGLMlnHPEbAR9FsST0XCNuBXUBSzfNwQ4pA8o4EodRRzj_2eLPSSR-Vw54vZs0f7YKxZRCc6U6/s1600/save-blogger-template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw34ZycDcKWSq6EOs8ufFJkNLGtbAtbnVs52Egn35ifuJ9sjI8HA3xtk1jZkn_Sc4tixFGLMlnHPEbAR9FsST0XCNuBXUBSzfNwQ4pA8o4EodRRzj_2eLPSSR-Vw54vZs0f7YKxZRCc6U6/s200/save-blogger-template.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anyone that gives instructions for changing your Blogger template will first remind you to click "Download Full Template", before making <i>any</i> changes. Although it's important to do, there is a <i>better</i> way to do it if you have a customized template.<br />
<br />
<br />
If your template is plain-Jane and you have no added widgets, you have no need for this information.<br />
<br />
If you are <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/reinventing-my-blog-new-layoutdesign.html">like me</a> and like to customize the heck out of your Blogger template, you'll want to keep reading.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>There are two basic ways to save (backup) your full Blogger template. There is another method that you can use to specifically keep track of all the widgets you've added.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Save Just Your Template</b></span><br />
<br />
<b> </b>This method will save your template. <i>Just</i> your template. Blogger is forgiving to an extent, and will notify you if a template change will remove widgets. You can choose to keep them or delete them (you can always re-add them later with the proper code). <br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jB195Wg1NTcodrNftzpwWHlPTYgxL2OoZCjaEvhLACwis9NwzNS7JsHUHhYJSL5OJE80Ew5CDuBpCTm2-uKloGCbtMPEjeiEYuogdnMuZbNq5CDZuNftMAuWM99eLvauDnikFBYcZyZ/s1600/download-full-blogger-template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jB195Wg1NTcodrNftzpwWHlPTYgxL2OoZCjaEvhLACwis9NwzNS7JsHUHhYJSL5OJE80Ew5CDuBpCTm2-uKloGCbtMPEjeiEYuogdnMuZbNq5CDZuNftMAuWM99eLvauDnikFBYcZyZ/s400/download-full-blogger-template.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<li><b> </b>Login to your Blogger blog.</li>
<li>Click "Design".</li>
<li>Click "Edit HTML"</li>
<li>Click "Download Full Template".</li>
<li><i>Make sure the downloaded file is somewhere that you can easily find it again! </i>It will be named "template-123456789.xml" ("123456789" represents a string of random numbers).</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Save Your <u>Full</u> Blog Template (with Widgets)</b></span><br />
<br />
If you've customized your blog template with a variety of widgets, especially ones <i>not</i> found in "Page Elements", you'll want to save your blog using this method instead. This will allow you to revert your <i>entire</i> blog template back to how it was prior to making any changes.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU9WZN7UjsNVldCXjrzAsvyAd0DKqgqk1xcRXsmZLDkkVZO7I4fU7mOmUTxxawmTQZ-hFL8dKQpfAeMaDreLPYsgyzhwZbiojO3FSoLvkMcbalhl3Ddo7mUqWEhL2P2d7mjTbvSx1ctxk/s1600/save-full-blogger-template-with-widgets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU9WZN7UjsNVldCXjrzAsvyAd0DKqgqk1xcRXsmZLDkkVZO7I4fU7mOmUTxxawmTQZ-hFL8dKQpfAeMaDreLPYsgyzhwZbiojO3FSoLvkMcbalhl3Ddo7mUqWEhL2P2d7mjTbvSx1ctxk/s320/save-full-blogger-template-with-widgets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWk1JZBtigDAxQTfELZdgcvMoD-MV55s0A558daodmg1Tn1p4_aYhOpdCh8hN_X0PrStiUExlCkTebKitQ2GIHCJiYEPYvij37FavEonPN5gaMt_40uNZ9_852Wn6tQQmTYivmZs5C0td/s1600/save-full-blogger-template-with-widgets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This is particularly useful if you want to test out different blog templates and styles. If you wind up wanting to revert, you'll be able to do it easily.<br />
<ol><li>Login to your Blogger blog.</li>
<li>Click "Design".</li>
<li>Click "Edit HTML".</li>
<li>Check the box to "Expand Widget Templates".</li>
<li>Highlight all the code in the template.</li>
<li>Copy the code and paste it into Notepad. </li>
<li>Save your Notepad file (see below).</li>
</ol>You can use this in one of two ways - as a text file to copy from, or as its own template. <br />
<br />
<b>Use as a Text File:</b><br />
<ol><li>When you initially save your Notepad file, save it as a regular text file. </li>
<li>To restore, open the Notepad file and copy the entire contents.</li>
<li>Paste the contents over the entire current template (to overwrite everything in the template code box).</li>
<li>Click "Save Template". </li>
</ol><b>Use as the Full Template:</b><br />
<ol><li>When you are initially saving the Notepad file, change the file type to "All Files".</li>
<li>Change the file name from "BloggerTemplate.txt" to "BloggerTemplate.xml".</li>
<li>When you need to restore your template, go back to the "Edit HTML" page in Blogger.</li>
<li>Under "Backup/Restore Template", click "Browse..."</li>
<li>Locate your "BloggerTemplate.xml" file and click "Upload".</li>
</ol>When you change your blog template, you will likely receive this message,"Warning: Your new template does not include the following widgets:" <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdIMg1uBlbn2Vc3nLvJEWL_rVRyk9DcUAKFxqZu68RxC5o0w9tHKQTWebyTSpkmLoGRWyLY68Ndv8w36DDT3AiQEuKO29FGm5cLEdOAvC829hg2jYkDNVet_Pua6MJZdaHyGG1t8wqn1T/s1600/warning-your-new-template-does-not-contain-the-following-widgets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdIMg1uBlbn2Vc3nLvJEWL_rVRyk9DcUAKFxqZu68RxC5o0w9tHKQTWebyTSpkmLoGRWyLY68Ndv8w36DDT3AiQEuKO29FGm5cLEdOAvC829hg2jYkDNVet_Pua6MJZdaHyGG1t8wqn1T/s400/warning-your-new-template-does-not-contain-the-following-widgets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If you are switching to a new blog, or trying to revert back to your original, widgets can get in the way. For example - say you've added a "Related Posts" widget to your blog, but then switch to a template that already includes it, you may wind up with two versions.<br />
<br />
Likewise, most templates are set up a very specific way and probably include widgets for their own categories. Say you switch to a new template and opt to keep your original widgets. You look it over, then decide you don't like it and want to revert back. You'll get the same warning, but keeping them this time means you're stuck with all the other template's widgets.<br />
<br />
Some widgets are easy to remove via the Page Elements screen. Others, not so much. If you use the 2nd method to restore your template, you can choose "Delete Widgets". All your <i>original</i> widgets will be there without the extra stuff left over by the other template.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Save Only Your Widgets and Tweaks</b></span><br />
<br />
What if you like your current template, but you've fiddled with it so much that it's getting to be a mess and starting to cause problems? What if some widgets are preventing other widgets from working, but you don't know where the problem originated?<br />
<br />
If you want to get a fresh start, but don't want to lose the tweaks that you really like (such as <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/set-blogger-blog-title-after-post-title.html">changing the appearance of your post title</a>), you can save <i>just</i> your tweaks and widgets. <br />
<ol><li>Login to your Blogger blog.</li>
<li>Click "Design".</li>
<li>Click "Edit HTML".</li>
<li>Check the box to "Expand Widget Templates".</li>
<li>Locate any tweaks you've made, any widgets that are exclusively in the template (i.e. not found in "Page Elements"), even any style code you wish to save.</li>
<li>Copy the code you wish to save and paste it into Notepad. <i>Be sure to make a note where it goes, e.g. "Immediately after <head>" or "Just below <post:data.body/>"</i></li>
<li>Save your Notepad file as a text file.</li>
<li>When you need to restore, just paste the code back into the appropriate section in your template. </li>
</ol>Although you probably won't need to, if you want to do this with Java or HTML widgets found under "Page Elements", just copy the code from them and make a note that they belong in an HTML/Javascript gadget. <br />
<br />
This is a simple way of being able to start over fresh with a clean template but not have to hunt down all your favorite tweaks and widgets again.<br />
<br />
<i>If you know of a method that is easier or better than this, or if this helps you, be sure to let me know in the comments!</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-14208087403038449922011-08-04T19:45:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:09:32.205-07:00Embed a Comment Form in Blogger Posts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVogf9EklHXExjOS3SKxDlUqpkEP8MSlwLxtV6S7YcC5IrD6FONN14rE-_mTGjb-prZ_XXcBPTWUJw8HUvb07IGg9ZZUWn__KE5i0M4TIYKmSaOrn5ITfW4mjWk-I5TCS1YfW8LdP3d36W/s1600/blogger-embedded-comment-form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="1" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVogf9EklHXExjOS3SKxDlUqpkEP8MSlwLxtV6S7YcC5IrD6FONN14rE-_mTGjb-prZ_XXcBPTWUJw8HUvb07IGg9ZZUWn__KE5i0M4TIYKmSaOrn5ITfW4mjWk-I5TCS1YfW8LdP3d36W/s200/blogger-embedded-comment-form.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>There is a<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html"> simple and easy</a> way to embed a basic comment form into all your Blogger blog posts. You don't even need to edit the template.<br />
<br />
Blogger has provided an "embedded comment form" option for you. <br />
<br />
It's not the prettiest, but it gets the job done. If you have comments allowed but don't use an embedded form, all you'll get is a little link inviting readers to "Post a Comment" - very bland. It also requires additional steps for the reader.<br />
<br />
Worst of all, it's <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-worst-blogging-mistakes-to-avoid.html">easy to overlook</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkevLVuVBdUPVgje0m-bZSjj9aDP-3YNsdzLMtdFkjd19ok-KGgDCQJhTpN-5qFRLndEnXaXr9_ESaSwHwplhmDM0NVVjl_z5TrMEdsgYR3btfiErXtMwOcJ6c3soYp_0BJ6o66J0Nc2I/s1600/blogger-settings-comments-embed-comment-form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkevLVuVBdUPVgje0m-bZSjj9aDP-3YNsdzLMtdFkjd19ok-KGgDCQJhTpN-5qFRLndEnXaXr9_ESaSwHwplhmDM0NVVjl_z5TrMEdsgYR3btfiErXtMwOcJ6c3soYp_0BJ6o66J0Nc2I/s320/blogger-settings-comments-embed-comment-form.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Start by logging into your Blogger blog. You should also be able to do this via "Blogger in Draft" (<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/">http://draft.blogger.com</a>) but for some reason I didn't find it there myself.<br />
<ol><li>From your Dashboard, click "Settings".</li>
<li>Click "Comments".</li>
<li>Under "Comment Form Placement" click "Embedded below post" (see image)</li>
<li>Click "Save Settings". </li>
<li>Voila! You know have a nifty comment form after each post. </li>
</ol>Be sure to revise your other comment settings - do you want everyone to be able to comment on your posts? Do you want to allow people to include trackbacks? You can even leave a little message to thank potential commentators.<br />
<br />
This is <i>yet another</i> critical mistake that I made, that you can <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-worst-blogging-mistakes-to-avoid.html">easily avoid</a>. Here's to your blog starting out on the right track!<br />
<br />
<i>PS - I'd love to hear back from you about </i><i><u>your</u> blogscapades.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-54396152917720729562011-08-03T08:08:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:10:37.436-07:00The 3 Worst Blogging Mistakes to Avoid<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gailfay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/newbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gailfay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/newbie.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are three critical mistakes that I made when I first started, as a complete <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">blogging beginner</a>. These blatant oversights cost me in ways I don't even know. They were simple problems that I could have easily avoided, that would have provided me with more traffic, more readers, just...more, and better.<br />
<br />
I originally started it for personal reasons only, and didn't care if anyone was reading it. Then I started thinking, "Why write something <i>online</i> if no one is going to read it?" That's when I started redesigning, editing, changing my blog around and experimenting with different styles.<br />
<br />
But it was already too late.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
When I started my blog I missed 3 critical things. I know <i>why</i> I missed them, and I should have known better. I'm a bit of an idealist though, and thought perhaps everything would fall into place. I know it doesn't work that way in the online world, but thought maybe, just maybe... And it still didn't.<br />
<br />
If you are just starting a blog, or have just started a blog, or maybe you are like me and started one but it's lacking, here are three things to go back and look at. Look at them again and again until you are 100% absolutely sure of your work.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>1. The Title</b></u></span><br />
Your blog title and your post title matter, but you could name your blog pretty much anything and, with good post titles, you'd still get visitors. Yes, your blog title should be relevant be it via a brand name or a topic, but it's not the be-all-end-all. No, what really matters more is each and every post title.<br />
<br />
<b><i>My Mistake:</i> </b><br />
When I first started my blog, I had cutesy, cryptic, weird, and humorous titles for my posts. I enjoyed thinking up titles but sometimes I'd just use whatever popped into my head at the time. Cutesy, cryptic, weird, humorous - do you notice what's missing? <i>Relevant</i>.<br />
<br />
None of my post titles were relevant to the content. <br />
<br />
You don't just want to make your titles relevant though, you want to make them interesting, intriguing even. Make it one of those headlines that readers want to click "just to see what they're talking about".<br />
<br />
I had this idea in mind with some of my titles, but they'd never usually be seen. Why?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>2. Related, Recent, and Popular Posts</b></u></span><br />
People simply won't know your posts even exist if you don't slap them in the face with them. Think about some of the biggest blogs that you've encountered: they all have links to every other post on their site.<br />
<br />
This happens mostly with related posts. However, many blogs also have a little box on the side with recent posts, popular posts, anything and everything to keep catching your eye, to keep you clicking, and to keep you on their site.<br />
<br />
The more you find, the more you get interested in, the better the stats and the more likely you'll subscribe.<br />
<br />
<b><i>My Mistake:</i> </b><br />
I'm sure you've figured it out by now... Yep, all I had was "Blog Archive". I even had it at the top. In my experience, a Blog Archive gets you <i>virtually nowhere</i> unless, at the very least, you have #1 down pat.<br />
<br />
Even with excellent post titles, linking to your other posts solely through a blog archive means one thing - your readers have to find it. This is a very basic, marketing 101 type strategy - make it simple!<br />
<br />
Unless you have <i>already</i> dedicated readers on your blog, few people will take the extra time and effort to go through a blog archive to search for interesting posts. When I really think about it, <i>I </i>don't even want to sift through someone's blog archive to find their best content.<br />
<br />
Why bother when I can go find interesting content on some other guy's blog and easily go from post to post without having to hunt. You could have the best content in the world, and even the best titles - if your posts are buried, who will find them?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>3. The Post URLs</b></u></span><br />
Although your title is usually the front runner, there are times when your title isn't even visible. Those are times when your post URL has to be relevant, descriptive, interesting enough in itself to want someone to click that link.<br />
<br />
If someone else has linked to your blog, they may not have linked you by title. If you have interlinked to one post from another, it's probably not by title. If I link to your blog and with the only anchor text being "here", you don't get the chance to wow someone with your title.<br />
<br />
You've got to make a first impression that goes beyond that.<br />
<br />
<b><i>My Mistake:</i></b><br />
In Blogger, your post URL is comprised of the first 40 characters of your title. You get 40 characters (which includes spaces) to make an impression, to create interest, SEO, and to describe your post. It's really not much.<br />
<br />
In fact, "The 3 Worst Blogging Mistakes to Avoid " is a full 39 characters. Almost every single one of my first posts had URLs that were cut off. If I had changed entered my original title in as "The Three Worst Blogging Mistakes to Avoid" it would have created a URL of "the-three-worst-blogging-mistakes-to", which is still descriptive but having it end in "to" looks very tacky.<br />
<br />
Some of my URLs weren't even legible. I'd have post URLs that were "the.html". <i>Lovely</i>. In Blogger you sometimes have to <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/customize-your-blogger-post-url.html">design <i>two</i> great titles</a> - one to create the URL and one for the actual post. Many of my posts weren't great at either.<br />
<br />
Not having <i>any</i> clue what I was doing, I'd really messed up my blog.<br />
<br />
On almost all my first posts, I had 1) cryptic, irrelevant, silly titles that 2) weren't advertised anywhere and 3) you couldn't tell from the URL what they were even being irrelevant about. If this sounds like you, take heart.<br />
<br />
If you do not have too many posts up, it won't take you terribly long to repair some of the damage. But if you really want to fix things, it <i>will</i> take some time.<br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fix Your Mistakes</span></b></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>To Start:</i></b><br />
<br />
Go back through all your posts. Find the ones that are interesting, intriguing, fun, engaging, you'll want to keep those. Re-read your blog posts. Ask yourself, "Is there anything of value for the reader?"<br />
<br />
If the answer is no, it should go.<br />
<br />
Once you've tossed the trash, find your best posts. See if you can improve them. Are the URLs sensible? Do they describe the post's content well? Do they have some level of intrigue? Are they clean cut?<br />
<br />
If the answer is no, <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/customize-your-blogger-post-url.html">change the URL</a>.<br />
<br />
Once you've come up with your URL-creation title (if you're using Blogger), think about an excellent title for your post. You can change your post title anytime, but keep in mind that search engines and some programs (LinkWithin, for example) may not pick up your updated post titles right away.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Last but not Least, Link!</b></i><br />
<br />
You've spruced up your content, you've made your titles shine, and your URLs all make sense. The last thing to do is to promote! The first place you should do this is <i>within your own blog</i><b>. </b><br />
<br />
Add a "popular posts" widget, add a "related posts" widget, just make sure that your posts are getting attention! Make sure your best is <b>front and center</b>. I have posts that I wrote when I first started<i> years </i>ago that are just now being found, because I've made the steps above.<br />
<br />
They have been there all along, but no one was reading them. <br />
<br />
<i>Are you a <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">beginner blogger</a>? Do these ring a bell with you? Don't make my mistakes. Start your blog the right way and make your content work </i><i>for you. </i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-23106154418356773722011-08-01T02:33:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:10:51.664-07:00Blogger Stats vs Google Analytics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Google Analytics provides a lot of knowledge, all rolled into one page (or, several). It also provides all sorts of terms that you may or may not have any knowledge of.<br />
<br />
Blogger provides stats too, but they are severely limited. However, Blogger's stats are easier to read for the average user.<br />
<br />
Which one is better? That depends on your needs.<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Blogger's Stats</b></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyVkVWwifYBDKdbV1bIJBYxi5kx3JceyK-9GYQ6WIBfhutKlEpJr2GcuXNw2j6EiDSXPmboRQMQI4-aMi7Gttn9JARftbCK9aYwVCRs2xlYSVs44y251t8Jn5T_hO3sUYUs3xuj5MtObq/s1600/blogger-stats-screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyVkVWwifYBDKdbV1bIJBYxi5kx3JceyK-9GYQ6WIBfhutKlEpJr2GcuXNw2j6EiDSXPmboRQMQI4-aMi7Gttn9JARftbCK9aYwVCRs2xlYSVs44y251t8Jn5T_hO3sUYUs3xuj5MtObq/s200/blogger-stats-screen.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Blogger's stats only provide so much. They only provide the <u><b>top 10 </b></u>results (for "now", "day", "week", "month", or "all time"). Blogger also doesn't provide any information on your visits, just your page views. Blogger's stats give you a general idea of where your visitors are coming from, and what posts they are seeing the most.<br />
<br />
Blogger also provides you with a map and some basic stats on where your viewers live. As you can see in the image on the right, most of my viewers are in the US with some in Canada. A few others are in places around Europe and Asia, shaded with a lighter green.<br />
<br />
You can also see what browsers your viewers primarily use, and what operating system is on their computer. However, you can't tell what screen resolution they're using.<br />
<br />
It doesn't specify how a certain post is being found, either. You have to piece it together. Some results are obvious - a Google search for "fried green tomatoes" and you have a post for fried green tomatoes - obviously that's how it was discovered. Some aren't so easy to figure out.<br />
<br />
Blogger's stats provide a limited list of keywords used to find your blog. You can get the top 10 keywords/phrases used to find your blog, but beyond that, you won't know.<br />
<br />
Blogger does have convenience points over Google Analytics. Blogger's stats are automatic - built in without any effort on your part. This means you don't have to worry about <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/google-analytics-doesnt-match-blogger.html">messing them up</a>. And you won't have to open a new tab/window to see them. <br />
<br />
The stats shown on Blogger are easy to read, convenient, and also more current than Google Analytics. Blogger allows you to see what your readers are looking at <i>today</i> and even<i> now</i>.<br />
<br />
If that's all you need, Blogger's definitely king.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Google Analytics</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoKwBX10JAlrvayB0h-8yuUfRn8wzOkGamxKQzKIt3dzrCiUc_VaX2bPtEgpxZZO8fJ41g7U2CQmnehGI4fnz49Kn3MZF1rHWQpLkbTP70LiaF092LBXztMb_jP-Row-6Wj0-1u7uswkE/s1600/google-analytics-statistics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoKwBX10JAlrvayB0h-8yuUfRn8wzOkGamxKQzKIt3dzrCiUc_VaX2bPtEgpxZZO8fJ41g7U2CQmnehGI4fnz49Kn3MZF1rHWQpLkbTP70LiaF092LBXztMb_jP-Row-6Wj0-1u7uswkE/s200/google-analytics-statistics.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Analytics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Google Analytics, on the other hand, can provide pretty much everything that you will want to know, but you'll be a day behind.<br />
<br />
With Google Analytics, you can view your visits, unique visitors, page views, a graph of how much of your traffic comes from direct traffic vs referrals, and see <i>all</i> the keywords and phrases used to locate your blog.<br />
<br />
You can go through a specific month, a span of months or days, etc. However, Google Analytics doesn't let you see <i>current</i> stats. Your most recent stats will always be from the previous day.<br />
<br />
Google Analytics also isn't so simple and straightforward. It provides <i>so many</i> statistics that a <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">beginning user</a> may get a little overwhelmed. <i>What is the difference between a visit and a pageview? Why do I need to know all this? Where to even begin? </i><br />
<br />
The other potential problem is that you the code is not built in. This means it must be installed and maintained. Although leaving a piece of code in your template isn't difficult, it can <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/google-analytics-doesnt-match-blogger.html">pose problems</a> (then again, perhaps that's just me). You have to make sure that the code <i>stays</i> in your template.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Which is Best?</b></span> <br />
<br />
In comparison, Google Analytics is obviously above and beyond Blogger's built-in statistics. However, for a quick peek at how you're doing, to see what your viewers are looking at <i>now</i>, or if you don't care for all the in-depth analysis, Blogger's stats do very nicely.<br />
<br />
<i>Perhaps you have a different analytics program altogether that you prefer? I'm always looking for <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/05/some-of-best-free-image-editing.html">useful software</a> - tell me more in the comments.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-74374168088180996812011-07-31T19:52:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:11:06.195-07:00Set Blogger Blog Title After Post Title<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wordpresscodesnippets.com/files/category_curved_quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://wordpresscodesnippets.com/files/category_curved_quote.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By default, Blogger automatically posts your blog's title <i>before</i> your post title. <br />
Sometimes it's not that big of an issue.<br />
<br />
Other times, it means someone won't visit your blog. <br />
<br />
I noticed it on my own posts, once they appeared in Google's search results. It looks awkward and cuts off the portion of your title that you really want people to see.<br />
<br />
It's definitely something you'll want to change.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>For example, you have a blog title of "Super Happy Fun Time". You write a post about "How to Get and Keep Kids Entertained at a Social Event". Since Google will display your post title after your header, you risk your Blogger post showing up as something like "Super Happy Fun Time: How to Get and Keep Kids..." which sounds like quite the different subject.<br />
<br />
You can correct this by editing your Blogger template. I have to give the same warning as anyone else providing instructions on editing it -<i> <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-backup-of-full-blogger-template.html">save your template first</a></i>. <br />
<br />
Moving along, here are the steps to revise the appearance of the post title for your search results:<br />
<ol><li>Login to your Blogger blog. You should be taken to your Dashboard.</li>
<li>Click "Design".</li>
<li>Click "Edit HTML".</li>
<li> Check the box for "Expand Widget Templates".</li>
<li>Click anywhere inside the template code. Click CTRL+F to bring up the "Find" search box.</li>
<li>Search for the following code: <b><head></b></li>
<li>Somewhere just after that code, paste the following:<br />
<blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><b:include data='blog' name='all-head-content'/></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == &quot;index&quot;'></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><title><data:blog.pageTitle/></title></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><b:else/></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><title><data:blog.pageName/> - <data:blog.title/></title></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-small;"></b:if></span></blockquote></li>
<li>If you'd prefer, you can change the "-" to a "|" or whatever else you might want. </li>
<li> Click "Save Template".</li>
<li>If you run into problems, make sure the apostrophes are <i>not</i> curly braces. In scripts and code, you <u>cannot</u> use curly braces (curled apostrophes or quotation marks). If you run into this with any script or code, copy it into Notepad and replace any curly braces then paste back into your template.</li>
</ol><i>Hope that helps with your blogscapades!</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-56595271406663344272011-07-31T04:12:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:11:48.356-07:00Bizarre Foods - Recipes from Way Back When<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/food/diet/iceberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://www.catesgarage.com/food/diet/iceberg.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/">Yummy!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I read something last night that was rather disturbing. A friend introduced me to <a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/">Cate's Garage</a>.<br />
<br />
This site has some nostalgic and somewhat frightening finds that I guess <i>Cate</i> purchases at garage sales. Many of these are old cook books from back in the day, that contain very interesting recipes such as <a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/food/hotinabun.jpg">Hot in a Bun</a> - which, by the way, serves 48 people.<br />
<br />
What "Hot" is, that you can put it in a bun, I don't think I'll ever know. It sounds very sexy though, like, "Baby, I'll put some 'hot' in <i>your</i> buns!" Then again, it appears to be some sort of sausage mixture so I guess that may just be true.<br />
<br />
If "Hot" serves 48, that's one awfully big orgy. Sounds like a party for the whole neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>However, the best of those that I came across, I think, would be the <a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/food/diet/ultimate.html">Iceberg Ring</a> topped with <a href="http://www.catesgarage.com/food/diet/iceberg.jpg">tuna salad</a>. I don't know what fad dieting was like back in those days, but I'm sure our <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/03/food-pyramid-low-carb-vs-low-fat.html">fad diets</a> will be just as crazy to future generations.<br />
<br />
I'd say "how can someone <i>possibly</i> like that?" but - how can people eat cabbage soup days in a row? I just don't know.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Are there any dieting fads, bizarre foods, or weird recipes that maybe you've tried and </i><i>liked? Do share!</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-19996392931344087972011-07-31T03:57:00.003-07:002011-08-18T05:12:34.518-07:00Be Responsible - Control Your Emotions<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allthingsdepression.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/arguing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://allthingsdepression.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/arguing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allthingsdepression.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/arguing.jpg">All Things Depression</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #ead1dc; line-height: 13pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.”</i><br />
<b> Unknown</b></span></div> <br />
I don't understand why people seem to think that anyone else is to blame for their problems. Granted, I cannot say that I have never been guilty of saying, "You made me do it!"<br />
<br />
I think that too many people confuse<span style="font-style: italic;"> being provoked </span>with <span style="font-style: italic;">being made to</span>.<br />
<br />
You can be provoked to anger. But you can't be made angry unless you have granted a person that level of power over you. However, in the end that is <u>still your choice</u>. <br />
<br />
It's such a popular saying though, "You make me so <u>(fill in the blank)</u>." You CAN influence someone's emotions, their happiness, etc. <b>But only if that person allows you to.</b><br />
<br />
In the same way, someone can influence <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> emotions, but only if you allow that person that level of power over you. In a <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/true-definition-or-meaning-of-love.html">loving</a> relationship, it's natural to want give and to give that power to someone.<br />
<br />
But have you given <u>too much</u>?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Each person has the control over what bothers them, and what doesn't. </b></span><br />
<br />
You may not feel that way, and certain things will almost always warrant a certain response from any individual. However, it's not always the same across the board.<br />
<br />
Every individual will respond differently to any kind of event. Some people will cry in sadness, others will hold their feelings inside. You can cut off 20 people in traffic and they may all have a different response. Some will be furious, some will get intimidated, some will get annoyed, some may not really care much at all.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When you get the urge to say, "You make me so <i>mad</i>!!" step back and think about <i>why</i> that person "makes" you angry or upset.</b></span><br />
<br />
Maybe they just know what buttons to push to get to you. If they frequently and intentionally push your buttons, you probably <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/find-good-loving-relationship-partner.html">shouldn't be with them</a>. If they don't do it all that often, perhaps <i>you</i> need to learn to control your actions and your <i>reactions</i>.<br />
<br />
Once you <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Feelings-Taking-Control-Moods/dp/1572245107?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">take responsibility</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1572245107" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for your <i>own</i> actions that may have contributed to or caused your problem, you will be able to react to other people better. You'll be able to react to your environment better. It's not to say that you should sit around wallowing in your own wrongdoing, but sitting around blaming others won't benefit you either.<br />
<br />
If you are running late for work, it is easy to get angry at all the slow drivers on the road (yes, I'm guilty). However, did you leave the house with enough time to allow for traffic conditions? It's easy to blame your spouse for not helping around the house more. But did you <i>ask </i>him to? What if he doesn't realize you would appreciate his help? Did he help before and not feel appreciated, thus stop? (Men like their actions to be rewarded. This annoys many women, but it is helpful to keep in mind when you want them to do something.)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is there anything you could have done to prevent or lessen a problem you are facing?</b></span><br />
<br />
Even if you have no control whatsoever over your problem, you can still do what you can and then <u>leave the rest</u>.<br />
<br />
Take the traffic situation. When you left, you should've been on schedule to arrive at work early. However, there's been a major accident that happened right after you left and you wound up on the freeway with no exit ramp in sight.<br />
<br />
You can handle that situation by cussing, screaming, weaving between any open lanes. You still get to work late, but your whole day is worse because you just couldn't believe those stupid <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/10-dangerous-and-annoying-bad-habits-of.html">people on the freeway</a> stopping to look at what turned out to be not even an accident. Or, you could calmly call your boss on the way in, explain the situation, and sit patiently in traffic until you can at least get off at an exit.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It really is not only not fair but also generally immature to blame others for your feelings</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Learning to take control of your emotions and take responsibility for your own life and your own situations will make you feel less panicked, less angry, and less stressed out in general.<br />
<br />
You'll be happier overall. Others will appreciate and value you more for being responsible. It can really make a difference.<br />
<br />
<i>Have you experienced it yet?</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-44465634777015162212011-07-30T05:00:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:13:12.304-07:00How Much Sugar Is REALLY In Your Food?<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6K63A?tag=ayekantspeylgud&camp=213761&creative=393545&linkCode=bpl&creativeASIN=B001E6K63A&adid=08PG7993ZJNJG8035EE9&" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517GN05WHTL._SL110_.jpg" /></a> Frosted Mini Wheats, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Raisin Bran, Lucky Charms. Which of these has the most grams of sugar per serving? Which of these has the least? I wouldn't recommend guessing unless you pay close attention to nutrition labels. The answer might surprise you.<br />
<br />
The other day I was at Wal-Mart, kind of hungry and trying to pick up something to eat. Passing by the cereal aisle, my boyfriend suggested, "Why don't you get some cereal?" I had been having a craving for cereal, so I thought "Why not?" and started browsing the aisle.<br />
<br />
Wal-Mart seems to be the only <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rice-Krispies-Treats-Cereal-14-2-Ounce/dp/B001E6K63A?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">physical store</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001E6K63A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> that offers Rice Krispies Treats Cereal these days, and I'd always loved it as a kid. I stared at it for a moment, and then forced myself to walk past it. I have a sweet tooth, but sometimes the extra sugar isn't worth it, right?<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I kept glancing up and down the aisle, eyeballing prices, cereals, brands... Truthfully, against my better judgment I would eat Rice Krispies Treats Cereal almost any day. There's just something about it, and reminiscing about Rice Krispies Treats as a kid is something you can't do with say, Raisin Bran. But I still kept trying to avoid it for the "sugary kids' cereal" reason.<br />
<br />
That's when my boyfriend noticed something...<br />
<br />
"There's actually not a lot of sugar in here, you don't have to feel bad about it," he remarked. <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Not a lot of sugar?! Yeah, right. What's your idea of "not a lot"?</i> I kept thinking.<br />
<br />
So just as I approached the "healthiest" cereals, I walked back to the purple Rice Krispies Treats Cereal box. Sure enough, a quick check of the label confirmed - there's only 9g of sugar per serving (3/4 cup).<br />
<br />
Surely, if a cereal that mimics the sugary treats it was named after has 9g of sugar per serving, other cereals must have a much lower amount of sugar per serving, right?<br />
<br />
Nope. You'd be surprised.<br />
<br />
If you don't religiously pay attention to nutrition labels, you may be overlooking the same thing I did. You may wind up demonizing cereals that are actually healthier (in a sense) than the "healthy" cereals.<br />
<br />
Keep in mind, this doesn't take into account vitamin enrichment, whole grains, fiber, protein, natural food sources versus additives and preservatives, etc, etc, etc.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to make some bogus claim that Rice Krispies Treats Cereal will lower your cholesterol the way Honey Nut Cheerios claims to do. Vitamin enrichment and carbs aside, Rice Krispies Treats Cereal still isn't really anything nutritious. But when it comes to the sugar levels, it is definitely something to take note of.<br />
<br />
Here's how some "sugary" and "healthy" cereals stack up (sugar is listed in grams <i>per serving</i>):<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=103991&MD5=0197f92817343f694e338d4bfa38782c&w=600">Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats Cereal</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 9g</li>
<li><a href="http://www.quitehealthy.com/nutrition-facts/food-labels/label080651.gif">Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal</a> - Serving: 1-1/4 Cup - Sugar: 3g </li>
<li><a href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=30865&MD5=2b7d158e2650c9e9b98dd17d77036eac">Kellogg's Frosted Flakes</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 11g</li>
<li><a href="http://www.kelloggs.com/nutrition/live-healthy/images/nutritionfacts/corn_flakes.gif">Kellogg's Corn Flakes</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 2g</li>
<li><a href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=98529&MD5=aa2f2a9d2e9921a1db6a98b3fba66f6d&w=600">Kellogg's Raisin Bran</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 17g</li>
<li><a href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=99283&MD5=939b5de255a90cc91cf999ecd4f4768b&w=600">Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats (Bite Size)</a> - Serving: 24pcs - Sugar: 12g</li>
<li><a href="http://markvaughan2009.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/specialknutrition.jpg">Kellogg's Special K</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 4g</li>
<li><a href="http://www.quitehealthy.com/nutrition-facts/food-labels/label080491.gif">Quaker Life Cereal</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 6g</li>
<li><a href="http://cerealnutritionfacts.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Wheaties-Cereal-Nutrition-Facts.gif">General Mills Wheaties</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 4g</li>
<li><a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/5a/85/5a8501b42f3b26087ed22c9fc838e3c0.jpg">General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 9g </li>
<li><a href="http://www.quitehealthy.com/nutrition-facts/food-labels/label082721.gif">General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 10g</li>
<li><a href="http://keep3.sjfc.edu/students/clp09217/e-port/MSTI260/Nutrition%20Unit%20of%20Study%20260/lucky%20charms%20cereal%20food%20label.bmp">General Mills Lucky Charms</a> - Serving: 3/4 Cup - Sugar: 11g</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fitnessmantra.info/fitness/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/Nature_Valley__Oats_N_Honey_100_Percent_Cereal__Nutrition_Label__Ingredients.png">General Mills Nature Valley Oats and Honey</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 16g</li>
<li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFR1U1REnOseFHNu-y6VDrxAbActE3-WqoRPj0sy4LKK6h_k-s7eZpLYE0HSpFH4b0IOTYe1n9Qf0nQaK5UXZtAxMZq6rFEGA1XireLvJpHMUusM_E5Z3_0LbffBgbWOvWAdSguGlCxLk/s1600/KashiGoLeanCrunch.jpg">Kashi GoLean Crunch</a> - Serving: 1 Cup - Sugar: 13g</li>
</ul>That is just a small sampling of some popular cereals and how their sugar quantity compares to each other.<br />
<br />
You'd expect the gap in sugar content to be pretty wide between the "healthy" cereals and the "sugary" cereals, yet in some cases it is surprisingly narrow. I really like Kashi GoLean and GoLean Crunch, but I could actually enjoy a bowl of marshmallow-flavored Rice Krispies Treats Cereal for a tad less sugar (taking into account the difference in serving size - it'd be about 9.75g for a 3/4 cup serving).<br />
<br />
Honey Nut Cheerios is the <i>same</i> both in serving size and sugar content, yet Honey Nut Cheerios reminds you of lowering your cholesterol - Rice Krispies Treats Cereal makes you think of splurging on dessert.<br />
<br />
It's an interesting discovery that I'm sure goes unnoticed very frequently. It's the same thing as salad dressing being loaded with sugar. You don't notice it because it doesn't <i>taste</i> sweet, but somewhere in there they've hidden high-fructose corn syrup.<br />
<br />
Salty products have a similar dilemma. Especially with frozen meals, they may not taste the least bit salty, bland even, yet they are brimming with sodium. The sodium content is through the roof but since you can't taste it, you're sprinkling on just a little more.<br />
<br />
So, from now on, I think I'll sit back, relax, and enjoy my marshmallow-y childhood goodness in a bowl with some milk. I can get the fiber in next time.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-33771697592875592082011-07-29T05:26:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:13:23.860-07:00Gymnast's Optical Illusion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moillusions.com/2010/07/gymnasts-optical-illusion.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.moillusions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Gymnasts-Optical-Illusion.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moillusions.com/2010/07/gymnasts-optical-illusion.html">MoIllusions.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can't help it, I love optical illusions, especially when they are made via real life photos. This one kinda took a minute because I kept thinking she was supposed to be in the pool, but I'm a bit sleepy too. Anyway, there are more at that same link - click the photo or the link below.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-1807828418088247422011-07-27T03:55:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:14:07.559-07:00How to Avoid Getting Fired or Arrested for Your Facebook Posts - Is Online Activity Ever "Private?" Part 3This is the 3rd installment of "Is Online Activity Ever 'Private'?" You can read the other parts here:<br />
<b>Part One </b>-<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/06/suspended-fired-arrested.html"> Suspended, Fired, Arrested for Facebook and Twitter Posts</a><br />
<b>Part Two -</b> <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/06/safety-privacy-facebook-security-part.html%20">Facebook Privacy Concerns: Safety for Parents and Children </a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://deenar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/facebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://deenar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/facebook.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You've probably heard many times about people that have been fired from their jobs, suspended from school, or even arrested and put in jail just because of what they've posted online.<br />
<br />
Usually this refers to what they've posted on Facebook. Sometimes it refers to what they've posted on Twitter. Other times it's something else entirely, be it a personal blog post or a YouTube video.<br />
<br />
Maybe they don't even get into trouble of that extreme, but they get some sort of reprimand, regardless. Many times, these people probably don't give it a second thought until that happens.<br />
<br />
The question is, how can you avoid it?<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The web of today is definitely not the same as that of ten years ago. </b> </span><br />
<br />
Ten years ago, you had people hanging out in chat rooms mercilessly insulting others from the anonymity of their computer. Nowadays people post their information, their photos... People share their entire lives online with everyone they know, and often people they don't.<br />
<br />
Even though there is still a perceived anonymity from being at a computer, those websites <b>virtually force you to give that up</b>. <br />
<br />
It may be easy to see how people get fired and arrested for what they do on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Or maybe you are one of those people that don't see it as a big deal and frequently post about everything you're doing.<br />
<br />
Below I've provided some common-sense tips for avoiding trouble - especially being fired or arrested - from what you do online. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Set ALL your available privacy settings.</b><i><b><br />
</b></i></span><br />
This should go without saying, but it's easy to forget or even overlook. Facebook, especially makes it a somewhat layered effort to keep your profile totally private.<br />
<br />
When I first tried to change my privacy settings, I <b>thought</b> I had everything locked up tight so that only people that I had "friended" would see what I put up.<br />
<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
A friend helped me out by signing into a Facebook profile I was not friends with to see what an average user would see. Most of my Facebook profile was hidden, but almost all my image albums were available.<br />
<br />
Not only did I have to go back and separately hide those images, but Facebook also requires you to separately set privacy for different aspects of your profile, different apps, etc.<br />
<br />
It's great that it's so customizable, but what I'm saying is there isn't a one-click option to just hide everything from non-friends. Even though my story applies to Facebook specifically, it's worth noting that most all sites have some sort of privacy settings available.<br />
<br />
Set them according to how comfortable you are with your online material.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Watch who you add as a "friend" (or who you link with).</b></span><br />
<br />
Lots of people shoot for the numbers when it comes to their Facebook "friends". This used to happen all the time with MySpace. Random people would try to add you not because they wanted to know you, but just to boost their "friend" numbers.<br />
<br />
John Tesh did a bit the other day (no, I am not a John Tesh/"Intelligence For Your Life" fanatic) mentioning the irony of people with over a 1,000 Facebook friends. Those people are actually <b>more likely to have fewer GENUINE friends</b> in the real world because they're spending so much time online trying to falsify their numbers.<br />
<br />
Although that is one reason to not add everyone that you see, another is because you don't know who they are.<br />
<br />
If you keep your information limited to your actual friends and family, even REAL online friends (i.e. people you've actually communicated with for awhile), you lessen the risk of people misunderstanding your remarks or seeing something that shouldn't get out.<br />
<br />
Employers sometimes view people's Facebook profile, Twitter page, MySpace account, YouTube channel, whatever sort of information they can get their hands on about a person. If you haven't configured your privacy settings, or you DID but then you add "Joe Blow" from "down the street", that "Joe Blow" could be someone working for your potential employer.<br />
<br />
And depending on what Joe Blow finds on your profile, your hiring potential may disappear. However, no matter who is on your profile or how tight your privacy settings are...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. NEVER post anything illegal online anywhere.</b></span><br />
<br />
This could be #1, or it could be omitted because people should no better. But if people always knew better and never made this mistake, I wouldn't be writing this right now.<br />
<br />
It isn't just a warning to not post any illegal activity online, it's a warning to not post anything that even ALLUDES to illegal activity anywhere online.<br />
<br />
For example, you may think it'd be funny to post a shot of you and your friends doing virgin Jell-O shots, or drinking apple juice out of a whiskey bottle. Obviously, NOT-drinking is completely legal. But who might see it and think otherwise?<br />
<br />
<b>Do you really want to find out? </b><br />
<br />
If you are of age, it might not be so bad since it'd be a legal behavior for you if it were actual alcohol. But do you want your boss to see that image of you?<br />
<br />
And if you're underage, forget it. You may TECHNICALLY not even be doing anything illegal, but if it appears that way, have fun trying to explain it when the wrong person comes across it.<br />
<br />
So what if you only add family and friends and you have Facebook restricted to only allow your "friends" to see what you post? That'd be fine, except...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. You can't control what happens with your posts once they're online, so be mindful every time.</b></span><br />
<br />
This is where people often forget the long-term possibilities of their actions.<br />
<br />
Let's say you are some random 16 year old with a Facebook profile but have very tight privacy settings. You and your friends get together and think it'd be hilarious to fill a Vodka bottle with water and make it look like you're all sitting around getting wasted.<br />
<br />
You grab your camera and have another friend snap a photo of all of you and post it on your Facebook profile. All your friends get that it's a joke and think it's funny. One of them copies the photo and posts it to their own Facebook profile.<br />
<br />
<b>They don't have their privacy settings set up like you do. </b><br />
<br />
Your teacher has a Facebook account and is randomly searching people. She finds the picture on your friend's profile, and you're obviously in it.<br />
<br />
Even if you could somehow explain it and convince others, why bring the trouble on to begin with? Even if it's just a comment that you make, people can and DO make screenshots of hilarious Facebook comments and post them online.<br />
<br />
You don't want to say or show anything that could cause you a lot of headache and even create trouble later on.While we're on the subject of what you say...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. If you are going to say something about a person or a company, be nice, be fair, or at least be cryptic.</b></span><br />
<br />
It is easy to insult people these days, and people get offended at a multitude of things. It is easy to say something that unintentionally, perhaps even unknowingly, offends someone hearing it. That said, this is a lesson that has been around for quite some time.<br />
<br />
The difference is that you now risk <b>millions</b> of people "overhearing" what you say.<br />
<br />
This is a lesson even Bambi was taught years ago - "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Granted, there are many sites dedicated to the complaint or not-nice side of things, but it's still a good life lesson to adhere to.<br />
<br />
People have gotten into pretty big trouble just for <b>talking about something they didn't like</b>.<br />
<br />
A Facebook post about how your boss is a jerk, a Twitter message talking about hating your job, maybe a blog article dedicated to how lousy your landlord is... These are the kinds of things that get people into real trouble when the wrong people read them.<br />
<br />
If you MUST vent online about how seething mad you are over your cubicle neighbor, at least have the decency to make it private and still be cryptic about it. Someone made you really mad and you are actively trying to calm down.<br />
<br />
If someone is curious, they can talk to you over the phone later or face-to-face after work.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. It's not always just about what you say, but also when and how.</b></span><br />
<br />
This is truly a common-sense thing. Don't get on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc from work unless your workplace and boss are OK with it or you have one of those jobs that actually requires it.<br />
<br />
If you call in sick to work, school, etc, don't post more than once or twice and don't make it anything other than "I'm so miserable, can't stop coughing" etc. If you post a photo, it better be of all the used tissues you've gone through.<br />
<br />
The time of a post has gotten people into just as much trouble, even if the actual words or picture was completely safe. If you post a picture of yourself at Six Flags, that's great. If you post a picture of yourself at Six Flags on a day you call in sick, you won't have to worry about returning to that job.<br />
<br />
You could sum it up in the way many people put it - <b>"Don't post anything online that you wouldn't want to be seen on a billboard."</b><br />
<br />
It sounds a tad extreme, but it is the unfortunate truth. Your friends may know when you're joking, but everyone that winds up reading what you've written may not take it the same way.<br />
<br />
The most important thing to remember is to be mindful of what you are doing every time you post. "Do I care who sees this?" If the answer is yes, save it for the telephone.<br />
<br />
<i>Have you ever gotten in trouble, or known someone who has, for something they've posted online? Tell me about it in the comments, I'd love to hear your story.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-52825914045297443022011-07-26T05:09:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:16:27.884-07:00How To Customize Your Blogger Post URL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onlinebusinessjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/blogger.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.onlinebusinessjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/blogger.png" width="200" /></a></div>I've been researching a bunch of different stuff when it comes to customizing Blogger, and Blogger, contrary to popular belief, actually seems to be quite customizable to me.<br />
<br />
The difference comes in <i>how</i> it is customized in Blogger when compared to WordPress. In exchange for Blogger's sleek and easy-to-use interface, you have to settle for making a lot of customizations via edits to the template.<br />
<br />
Most of the customizations I've had to look up, but I managed to figure out how to customize my post URL on my own.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i><b>How to Create a Specific Post URL in Blogger:</b></i><br />
<br />
<ol><li>Design a post title based on keywords. This means you'll probably want to eliminate "is", "of", "and", "or", "it", etc. Keep them in a semi-understandable fashion since some search engines may show your title like this for awhile. (E.g. Instead of "Tailgating BBQ Summer Fun" you could do "Tailgating, BBQ - Summer Fun!") </li>
<li>Write your post. You don't want to press "Publish Post" immediately, just to set the title, because you run the risk of search engines listing your post as blank with just a dull title (see #1). </li>
<li>Publish your post.</li>
<li>Go back and change the post title to whatever you want. Blogger has already set your link as the original keywords you wanted.</li>
</ol><br />
<i>Note: Blogger's post URL length is very, very short. Blogger will only accept about 40 characters total (including spaces, but not punctuation). Try to make the most out of these 40 characters. </i><br />
<br />
I would recommend to write your title as you <i>want </i>to have it, then use a <a href="http://www.javascriptkit.com/script/script2/charcount.shtml">character count tool</a> to determine if it'll work the way you hope it will.<br />
<br />
The last thing you'd want is to write an excellent title and have one of your top keywords get cut off (this has <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-worst-blogging-mistakes-to-avoid.html">happened to me</a>). However, if you need to, you can always copy what you've written, delete your post, and redo it with a corrected title so that you have the URL you want.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-57272343257222906022011-07-26T04:19:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:17:12.035-07:00Google Analytics Doesn't Match Blogger Stats? Don't Make the Same Mistake I Did!I have been keeping track of my blog stats through both Blogger and Google Analytics. Everything was going pretty well, and it was fascinating to see how many visits I had versus the number of pageviews. I also like knowing how I'm being found through searches, and Blogger's stats are helpful but very basic. Google Analytics provides much more information in that regard. So when Blogger said that I'd achieved record numbers of pageviews (for my blog's life, not in comparison to other blogs), I was excited and curious to learn what Google Analytics would say.<br />
<br />
*Drum Roll*... Nothing. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Google Analytics said nothing. In fact, while Blogger was teasing me with these increasing pageviews, Google Analytics was telling me <i>no one</i> visited the site. Not just one day, but multiple days. That either meant that Google Analytics was somehow failing severely or someone (or some algorithm) at Blogger was cruelly trying to give me false hope. What went wrong?<br />
<br />
Somehow I only just managed to figure this out, with a bit of shamefully obvious detective work. If you look at my front page, or at least the archive, you'll see that on July 18th, I did a complete overhaul of my layout. I changed the fonts, I changed the design, I changed the layout... I changed everything except the color scheme. Maybe I changed that too, I can't remember. But I was originally using the standard, comes-with-Blogger "Awesome" template. It's nice, but its design was much different from most other blogs and crunched everything into an itty-bitty portion of the screen. Since Google Analytics reports that no one comes to my site with an 800x600 screen resolution anymore, that size wasn't necessary and, in fact, probably looked as tiny to others as it did to me.<br />
<br />
I couldn't revise the "Awesome" template in Template Designer though, so I <i>changed it</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmapEPWPlV_8rbJ1URqOzOQjINwq_HV52Pv9nxkqetexYEgeFVJIJoDeyXUZMWi2rnkPm1PGvXuuVXI77-gR2eXidTeLXTU96YdRaCpqLpvCAvKwbC_zXmCbkZZkGDt6g5J_6rEbB0ddm/s1600/google-analytics-after-blogger-template-change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmapEPWPlV_8rbJ1URqOzOQjINwq_HV52Pv9nxkqetexYEgeFVJIJoDeyXUZMWi2rnkPm1PGvXuuVXI77-gR2eXidTeLXTU96YdRaCpqLpvCAvKwbC_zXmCbkZZkGDt6g5J_6rEbB0ddm/s1600/google-analytics-after-blogger-template-change.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Yup. Are you with me? It's quite a discredit to myself to write this, but I know other people had trouble with Blogger's stats not measuring up the same with stats from other programs, potentially including Google Analytics. I had researched it the other day, frustrated, while forgetting entirely about the change. <br />
<br />
I had loaded several features into the header and the post body of the Blogger template for "Awesome". Not even thinking twice about it, I changed to the template "Simple" so that I could customize it entirely and really make it my own, not to mention stretch it over the page a little more. It wasn't immediately obvious because some of the tweaks I'd made to my website were very small. For example, I'd changed how my Blogger Title heading appears in the title bar/in search engine results. I noticed (but <i>still</i> didn't think about the Analytics part) that when I tried to submit a page to Digg, it suddenly showed up the default way, showing my blog's title before the post title. I'd first realized then that - duh - revising the entire template changes all the HTML code attached to it. The Google Analytics tracking code had been eliminated from the template, even though (strangely) Google Analytics didn't show a problem in the status of the tracking.<br />
<br />
So if you are thinking about revamping your Blogger blog, and you plan to edit the template (and frankly, even if you don't), be sure to download your current template first, and then you'll have the code snippets. Or, copy and paste your code snippets into a text-only file along with where they belong within the template, so that you have all your desired third party tools ready to pop back in. Or just watch what template you use to begin with if you intend to use Template Designer. I could've tweaked the "Simple" template and created the same setup as the "Awesome" template and I would've never had the tracking lapse when I wanted to change it.<br />
<br />
Whatever you do, don't make the same stupid mistake I did!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-11889625938608832552011-07-25T07:32:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:17:41.029-07:0010 Dangerous and Annoying Bad Habits of Some Drivers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/1007/tailgating-drivers-back-off-demotivational-poster-1280436245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/1007/tailgating-drivers-back-off-demotivational-poster-1280436245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/1007/tailgating-drivers-back-off-demotivational-poster-1280436245.jpg"><br />
</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>On my way home today I got tailgated <i>again</i>. It comes as no surprise as I get tailgated almost daily, even multiple times on some days. I try to keep myself calm. It doesn't always work.<br />
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I have a somewhat competitive nature when I am driving - for some reason - as I think most people do if they are willing to admit it.<br />
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But, whether it calmed me down or just made me even more furious, I started thinking about some of the most frustrating bad habits many driver's possess.<br />
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I'd also recently read an article, <a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/news/top-10-most-annoying-things-other-drivers-do.html"><i>Top 10 Most Annoying Things Other Drivers Do</i></a>, on <i>Yahoo!</i>. I agree with some, but here's what I think...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Tailgating</b></span><br />
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<i>Yahoo!</i>'s article ranks "Talking on a cell phone" the number one most annoying thing. I think tailgating is the number one most annoying thing.<br />
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Tailgating can be <i>caused</i> from someone talking on a cell phone and not paying enough attention. It's dangerous to the car being tailgated, the car doing the tailgating, and probably also the car behind the car behind you, who's tailgating the one who is tailgating you.<br />
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I will admit I've gotten scolded back in earlier driving years for "following too close". But I've been tailgated on the <i>freeway</i> doing 70+MPH!<br />
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<b>If I can't see your headlights, or you can't see where my tires touch the road, you're <u>WAY</u> too close. </b><br />
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That applies even when we're stopped in traffic. Remember safe driving practices and the Three Second Rule: find a fixed object, when the car in front of you passes it count three seconds (one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand).<br />
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If you pass the object before 3 seconds is up, you're too close.<br />
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This varies, but a good explanation can be found on <a href="http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/maintain-a-safe-following-distance-the-3-second-rule.html">SafeMotorist.com</a>. Another method is <a href="http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/content.php?20-Defensive-Driving-Rule-13-Create-Space">judging by car distance</a>, one car length for every 10 MPH.<br />
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The problem with the first method is that it varies depending on the speed you're traveling. The problem with the second is it's difficult to eyeball one car length, let alone 6 or 7. Both vary in less-than-optimal driving conditions.<br />
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No matter what rule you are trying to follow, keeping any amount of safe distance is a million times better than tailgating. Would you believe tailgating isn't even in <i>Yahoo!</i>'s list?! Absurd.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Changing Lanes Without Signaling</b></span><br />
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This one isn't quite as dangerous to both parties as tailgating since presumably the person changing lanes is being cautious of surrounding traffic, but it can still pose a huge hazard.<br />
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I am one of those people that tries to signal before changing lanes even if I'm the only car on the road. It's just a habit.<br />
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It's especially annoying when someone will gladly put on their turn signal while sitting in a <i>designated turning lane</i>, but won't use it when changing lanes on the freeway. It's pretty obvious when you're in a turn lane that you intend to make a turn.<br />
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It's not obvious when I'm cruising along the freeway and plan to get in the other lane when suddenly you come sliding on over without warning. It is good to note however, it doesn't help to leave a signal on when you aren't turning. That causes accidents.<br />
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Done with your lane change but still hear that little ding-ding-ding? Turn it off!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Driving Without Your Headlights on During Bad Driving Conditions</b></span><br />
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News flash - even if your car is painted bright lemon yellow, you may be almost invisible in the hazy morning light or the evening sunset. If you are in the rain, snow, fog, evening, night, or early day, turn on your lights!<br />
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Even if it is just cloudy out, that can be enough to darken the overall sky and thus darken the image of any vehicles out on the road. Parking lights are better than nothing, but it is safest to get in the habit of turning on your headlights when you drive (and back off when you park!).<br />
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Can't tell you the number of times I spotted a car that was almost invisible until it was unsafely close just because they didn't have their headlights on when it was dark or<i> pouring</i> rain.<br />
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It's also more dangerous for the driver not using headlights. Not only is it harder to see them,<i> they </i>will have a harder time seeing the road.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Passing in an No-Passing or Unsafe Area</b></span><br />
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This includes passing on turns, curves, hills, double-yellow-lines, intersections, or using a two-way turn lane or exit-only lane to pass. Any of these options aren't safe and put the offender and others right in harm's way.<br />
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If someone is making an illegitimate pass, you have no choice but to slow down, pull off as much as possible, and pray they make it by you and the other car OK.<br />
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Always wait for a safe and legal opportunity to pass. Even if trying to pass in a legitimate and legal passing area, if it appears that there may not be enough time to complete it safely, slow down and wait for the next opportunity.<br />
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If this sounds like stupidly obvious advice - it is. However, people pull still stunts like this all the time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Not Allowing Cars to Merge onto the Freeway </b></span><br />
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One time, I was heading home and trying to merge onto the freeway from what starts out an entrance to the freeway and immediately becomes an exit-only lane. <br />
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There was roughly one other car on the road and two other lanes available. They were in the lane I needed to get in. They were riding right along side me. I tried speeding up, the other car sped up. I tried slowing down, whether or not it was intentional they slowed down as well.<br />
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I wound up having to get back <i>off</i> the freeway. That isn't a safety hazard as it was, but if it weren't for that option it could've been. Slow down, speed up, or move over if you can.<br />
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Leaving someone to get on the freeway from a stopped position is rude and dangerous.<br />
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<i><b> </b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Running Red Lights</b></span><br />
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I try hard to avoid this at all costs, though I'm not really referring to sitting out in the middle of an intersection waiting to turn on a solid green light and it turns yellow/red while you're out there. <br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light">Yellow</a> means, "prepare to stop if it is safe to do so". It does not mean, "gun it so there will be no way to stop safely before it turns red".<br />
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Some lights are trickier than others, but most people seem pretty capable of estimating whether or not they'll have enough time to make it through before they find themselves running a red. If you're at least in the intersection when it's red, it's not good but it's safer since people are likely to see you before they start going.<br />
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If the light has been solid red for even a second, there is a high risk of collision. There is even a <a href="http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/index.html">National Campaign</a> against running red lights.<br />
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When I see someone go flying through a red light, I often can't help but think, "What if I'd started out already?" On the other hand, it is a good rule of thumb <i>not</i> to gun it when it turns green either (even though I'm guilty of that), for that very reason.<br />
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<i><b> </b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Cutting People Off (Especially if Slowing Down Afterward)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><i><b> </b><b> </b></i><br />
This is not necessarily a safety hazard, but it is definitely annoying. It doesn't even have to be that you are <i>cut off</i> but if someone pulls out from a side street in front of you, going a snail's pace, while you are trying to go a bit faster... Argh!<br />
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Likewise, if someone passes you on the freeway only to get in front of you and slow down by 20MPH, what is even the point? I don't mean when you are doing 60, someone passes you doing 80, and then gets in front of you and slows down to 60.<br />
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If they were going a lot faster in order to pass and then slow down to a normal speed, fine. If they were going a normal speed to pass and slow down to slower than you were originally going... Argh!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Leaving Your High-Beams On</b></span><br />
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Leaving your high beams on ranks #5 on <i>Yahoo!</i>'s list. It's lower for me.<br />
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Yeah, it is difficult to see around someone that has high beams on, shining straight at you, when your pupils have adjusted for pitch-black skies. It's not impossible though, and you can focus down on the right-side line down the road to stay focused on where you are within the lane.<br />
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I consider someone leaving their high-beams on as more of a nuisance, but I'm sure it's something everyone has been guilty of by accident at some point.<br />
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I've done it many times to people while forgetting they were on and wondered what kind of a jerk the person thought I was after we'd passed each other.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Going Under the Speed Limit and Holding Up (Impeding) Traffic</b></span><br />
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Everyone knows that speeding is illegal, but did you know that you can get in trouble for going <i>under</i> the speed limit as well?<br />
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As with speeding, you typically have a buffer of roughly +/-5MPH that most cops won't pull you over for and generally won't get you in any trouble. However, some states (possibly all) have laws regarding minimum speed limits as well, to avoid "impeding traffic".<br />
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Florida drivers were caught last year impeding traffic. <a href="http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2010-05-17/Caught-on-camera-Call-for-Action-catches-slow-drivers-holding-up-traffic">One man</a> wrote of doing 50MPH and coming up on someone doing only 30MPH!<br />
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Some states may have general laws, some states have specific laws such as a maximum MPH you may go under the speed limit, or that if you are holding up a line of so many cars, you must let them pass.<br />
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I've even been pulled over for <i>doing the speed limit</i> in the fast lane! I was driving along with my friend in the passenger seat, and I was in the left lane when I noticed in my mirror that a cop was behind me. Not wanting to get pulled over for speeding, I slowed down to around the speed limit. The cop then put his lights on anyway. I figured he was pulling me over for what I'd already done, or that maybe it was only coincidence.<br />
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Nope, he was warning me about going too slow for the fast lane. I still love telling this story because you never hear about people being pulled over for doing the speed limit. I only got a warning, but it's still fun to mention since most people don't really believe it at first.<br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Slowing Down to See a Car Accident (or Worse, a Simple Traffic Stop)</b></span><br />
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Ever find yourself cruising along the freeway when suddenly the traffic in front of you comes to a screeching halt? You figure, <i>"Must be some big accident up ahead!"</i> or, <i>"I didn't know they were doing construction on this street."</i><br />
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You slowly inch along, panicking over whether or not you'll make it to work on time, or be at the school in time to pick up your kid. You continue creeping along for miles in this huge traffic jam, with no orange signs along the road to indicate any construction.<br />
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<i>"Must be a really big accident, hope everyone's OK,"</i> you think to yourself until finally, you pass a car on the side of the road with a flat tire, or someone receiving a routine traffic ticket. The heavy traffic quickly breaks up and you're soon back up to normal speed.<i> </i><br />
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<i>"That was IT?!" </i>Yes, that was it, because someone up in the front decided to stop and see if they can tell if that cop is going to arrest that guy or not, because it kind of looked like it, but after slowing down, that wasn't the case. They've even shown how traffic jams happen in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suugn-p5C1M&feature=player_embedded">controlled experiment</a>.<br />
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That person's held up traffic for MILES for no reason whatsoever.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Honorable Mention: Stopping to Let People Out in Front of You When There is No Other Traffic</b></span><br />
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While I appreciate people who will stop the line of traffic to let me pull out from a side street during a busy traffic time, I really hate when people stop to let me in front of them when there are <i>no cars</i> on the road.<br />
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If I'd have to wait 15 minutes to get on the road had you not stopped, you are being very courteous and I appreciate it. <b> </b><br />
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<b>If I could've just pulled out right behind you, don't bother stopping</b>.<br />
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This can also pose a hazard - say car A is driving alone Main Street. Car B is trying to pull out of Smith Street and onto Main Street. Main Street has just one lone car driving in the same direction. In the opposite direction, however, there are a few cars.<br />
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Car A stops to let Car B in on Main Street even though it isn't necessary. Car B is watching the traffic going the opposite direction, waiting for a safe opportunity. Car A thinks that Car B isn't going to pull out just as Car B finds a safe opportunity to pull out and...they collide. Courtesy is nice, being overly "courteous" could be dangerous. <br />
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Those are the top ten driving habits I hate most. But I'm sure I'm not alone out there. In fact, I know <a href="http://www.theautoinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/annoying-driving-habits-distractions.jpg">I'm not alone</a>. Still, oddly, writing about some of the driving habits that annoy me most actually made me feel bette<a href="http://www.theautoinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/annoying-driving-habits-distractions.jpg">r</a>. Not sure how, but I'll take it.<br />
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<i>What bad driving habits annoy you the most? Do you have a different bad habit you'd like to nominate as the absolute worst? Share your thoughts (and frustrations!) below.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-5811957234868157242011-07-22T04:20:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:19:13.096-07:00Frustrated With Blogger But Not Even Blogging?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7YSamAGbvA/TjLIz6yaglI/AAAAAAAAGgA/gw7G9OPghic/frustration%25255B3%25255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7YSamAGbvA/TjLIz6yaglI/AAAAAAAAGgA/gw7G9OPghic/frustration%25255B3%25255D.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
Despite the apparent popular opinion, Blogger <i>is</i> very customizable. You can customize your template with widgets, third-party tools, code snippets, and more.<br />
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It may be require a few more manual repairs, but it can be done and it's not as difficult as it originally sounded, for someone who was mostly a <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">beginner</a>.<br />
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However, difficult or not, it's still somewhat daunting. Also time-consuming, and frustrating. Oh, so frustrating at times.<br />
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Nevertheless, I plow through the frustration in search of widgets and tweaks to make my blog a little more like everyone else's. Slowly but surely, it's falling into place.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Albeit it may require lots of template editing (as opposed to just adding widgets here and there - not sure how it's done on WordPress) but customization <i>is</i> possible within Blogger.<br />
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In fact, there are many sites dedicated to doing just that. There are custom Blogger template sites, Blogger widgets, tips and tricks for Blogger, and more. I've looked at many of them. Some of them are extremely helpful, others need a little more refining.<br />
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In addition to the numerous other things that I intend to post about, I will <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">compile some links</a> to some of the best (and easiest) Blogger hacks and widgets available out of everything that I've found.<br />
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I will say one thing though. No matter how good the code is, since Blogger requires you to edit the template for many of the customizations, your template can get pretty messy looking. Most often websites warn you to first <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-backup-of-full-blogger-template.html">download the full template</a> just in case you make a mistake.<br />
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I say, forget making a mistake. That is the easy part to fix (just "preview" and "clear edits" if it didn't work). The hard part is when you're trying to do multiple customizations and you've got tons of code snippets inserted here and there.<br />
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At one point I somehow had copied the code twice. Then it wasn't showing up. Then I couldn't get rid of it. Argh!<br />
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At this very moment I have 4 Blogger windows open, including the one I'm typing in. Why? 3 of them are "Edit Layout". Trying to keep track of what I'm doing, what I'm saving, what I'm not saving, preview windows, and what needs to go.<br />
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I've tried AddThis, ShareThis, OutBrain, LinkedWithin, as third-party widgets and then to top it off I've also tried several custom code that people wrote themselves? Or copied from someone, who copied it from someone, who copied it from someone...<br />
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I am not a "beginning writer" but I would say I'm a "<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">beginning blogger</a>", since you can write all day long but that won't affect your ability to post worthwhile online content.<br />
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Being in the beginner spot I can again proclaim that yes, Blogger is indeed customizable but getting those customizations in there can be a chore. That doesn't mean I'm switching to WordPress though. I have used WordPress (the pay version) before and it is nice but also a little less user-friendly than Blogger.<br />
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I'd rather stumble my way around Blogger a bit longer.<br />
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<i>Are you a <span id="goog_955224598"></span>beginner blogger<span id="goog_955224599"></span> too? Check out "<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/p/blogging-for-beginners.html">Blogging for Beginners</a>" to catch some of the tips and tricks that I've been picking up as I go along. You'll also learn the <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-worst-blogging-mistakes-to-avoid.html">mistakes</a> I've been making and, more importantly, how to avoid them! </i><br />
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<i>Misery loves company! If you are just starting out, or can remember when you were, I'd love to hear your stories. Please share your own musings in the comments.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-12163085892141526792011-07-21T05:03:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:19:23.240-07:00Amazing Mind-Blowing Optical IllusionI found this via Digg, but the actual image is at <a href="http://icanhasinternets.com/">ICanHasInternets.com</a>. It is just a simple image but when you take into account all that you see, it is very interesting. Really take a look at the details on this! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2011/07/if-this-picture-doesnt-blow-your-mind-you-dont-have-one/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mind Blowing Optical Illusion Photo" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.icanhasinternets.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Mind-Blown.jpg" title="Mind Blowing Optical Illusion Photo" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2011/07/if-this-picture-doesnt-blow-your-mind-you-dont-have-one/">Click for Full Size</a></td></tr>
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<i><b>Source:</b></i> <a href="http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2011/07/if-this-picture-doesnt-blow-your-mind-you-dont-have-one/">http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2011/07/if-this-picture-doesnt-blow-your-mind-you-dont-have-one/</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-586876949798614552011-07-18T05:21:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:20:21.058-07:00Reinventing My Blog: New Layout/Design!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yGgiiZJJBJtDLB8Ii6h590Hbpsfz6f1gNDf_qkHRMrqwSlZfzWvLPPGDK4OcVcNVmzvvoWA-UAPFytOzZq_xEPwjlqVBXVSWRjgXbtjwE6hYfHBWA7Zwmre2zjlSqnmzyqiWklXQjb9T/s1600/dtlogomed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yGgiiZJJBJtDLB8Ii6h590Hbpsfz6f1gNDf_qkHRMrqwSlZfzWvLPPGDK4OcVcNVmzvvoWA-UAPFytOzZq_xEPwjlqVBXVSWRjgXbtjwE6hYfHBWA7Zwmre2zjlSqnmzyqiWklXQjb9T/s200/dtlogomed.png" width="200" /></a>I know at least a few people know this blog exists, and I'm ready for a touch of criticism. I can handle it.<br />
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I just revised the entire layout. I've been wanting to do so for some time. The small text spreading across less than half the screen just wasn't appealing to me anymore. It looked very amateurish.<br />
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Now it looks a tad crowded to me, but not overly cluttered. I'm not great at the visuals though, so if you are reading this<i> let me know what you think</i>.<br />
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<i>Too many fonts? Prefer simpler font choices? Don't like the color scheme? Prefer black text on a white background? Anything - </i><i>let me know. I aim to please.</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-17741667294547774402011-07-17T04:57:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:22:08.521-07:00Casey Anthony (Mothers Who Kill Kids)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/news/081222/caylee_anthony.jpg%20%20" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Casey Anthony is going to be released from jail today. She may already be released, who knows. It could've happened just after midnight, as many of the news stories are reporting.<br />
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I just read an article discussing the issues with the evidence presented in the case. It wasn't "proof beyond a reasonable doubt". What is a reasonable doubt anymore? To the jury's credit, they should've <i>only</i> had what was presented to them by the prosecution and by the defense. That might be the only saving grace, depending on what all was presented to them and what all was not. Some of the evidence, such as the hair in the trunk and even the presence of chloroform, was discredited by some. But even then, not completely discredited, just that it "shouldn't have been submitted as evidence".<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Part of the problem that the prosecution had in presenting their case is that the body was so badly decomposed. The body was decomposed and the remains were nothing but skeletal. That left nothing for the medical examiner to use for confirming the way in which Caylee died. The burden of proof was on the prosecutors to prove how she died, what Caylee died from, prove that she was murdered, and what was Casey Anthony's motive?<br />
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With many cases this is all well and good because there is a body to examine. The medical examiner can say, "I found bruise marks on the neck," or, "We found traces of _______ in the body," or any other sort of findings they can report. With no <i>body</i>, only skeletal remains, the same reports inevitably cannot be made. There's just nothing to go by.<br />
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Casey Anthony didn't report her daughter missing for 31 days. She spent those 31 days partying and hanging out with friends. Eventually, yet <i>prior</i> to the police report finally being made, she <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">posted on MySpace</a> that <i>jealousy</i> took Caylee away. I may not have spent any time with her personally, but Casey Anthony's <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">own writing</a> makes it sound rather ludicrous that anyone would think that she was such a great mother.<br />
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It was mentioned many times, including by her friends, that her relationship with her mother, Cindy Anthony, wasn't exactly the greatest. Casey Anthony didn't seem to care much for her mother Cindy and the things that she was quoted saying, as reported by her friends, and even the tone of her own <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">deleted MySpace Post</a>, all imply resentment toward her mother.<br />
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People commit murder all the time. Sometimes the reasons seem plausible, sometimes they seem ridiculous. But even some of those ridiculous reasons garner murder convictions. Somehow, the jury didn't come to terms with the idea of a young, single mother who loved to live it up socially might find her child to be a burden. Couple that with the part about being at odds with Cindy Anthony? <i>Jealousy</i> taking her away? It sounds to me like Casey Anthony resented Cindy Anthony and didn't want Cindy to have Caylee. Why did Casey Anthony resent Cindy? Maybe Casey resented the fact that she was a young, single mother still living with her parents. Maybe Casey Anthony hated that her mother (according to interviews with friends) would still exercise control over Casey's life. Casey Anthony stole from her parents and even admitted it in the <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">deleted MySpace post</a>. Her writing doesn't express remorse, either. The tone sounds as though she's flaunting Caylee's disappearance and the lack of respect toward her mother:<br />
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<blockquote><i>"This mother </i><i>gave chance after chance for her daughter to change, but instead more lies more betrayal. What does the mother get for giving her daughter all of these chances? A broken heart."</i></blockquote>It'd be one thing if the sentence immediately following that were something like, "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt my mother like this." Instead, Casey writes about all the money she stole from Cindy and ends <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">the post</a> with, "<i>Where did she go? Who is now watching out for the little angel?"</i> In the context of the rest of the text, it absolutely does not speak of a loving Casey missing an adorable little Caylee. I rather envision Casey Anthony posting that with a grin on her face, thinking about how she has ultimately gotten back at her mother for...whatever her mother did to piss her off? In all honesty, it actually sounds more like Cindy Anthony didn't discipline Casey enough when Casey was littler and as she grew up, Casey Anthony became a nightmare child and Cindy tried to put her foot down more. Having a basis of little or no discipline combined with a sudden onset of attempted strict discipline can lead to disastrous results.<br />
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Casey Anthony wouldn't be the only mom to kill her child. Lots of moms do it. In some cases they are literally psycho, in other cases the mother is just too overwhelmed with the demands placed on her by the child as well as her other responsibilities. And for others, like <a href="http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/downs/index_1.html">Diane Downs</a>, the child just gets in the way of what the mother would rather do. For people to claim that it is unreasonable to believe that Caylee Anthony getting in the way of Casey's social life is a motive for murder, I say - it isn't the first time! Some young moms get frightened, some young moms get stressed, some just don't want the burden of being a mother - <i>plain and simple</i>. Considering that there are people who will cut you up, kill you over something pointless (dumb arguments, cheap items, etc) and even kill and eat you - why is it so difficult to comprehend that she merely wanted more time to party?<br />
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I guess what Casey Anthony really did was devised an almost perfect murder method. With the victim being toddler Caylee, there are no obligations that people could notice Caylee missing. No one can report Caylee "not at work". Since Casey Anthony didn't actually have a job, she didn't have to come up with some sort of excuse to her employer. Since Casey was already legally an adult at the time and single, she could technically go wherever with little reason to question her whereabouts. And since Casey neglected to report Caylee "missing" until she was just about forced into it, the prosecution wasn't left with anything to allow them to pin it on her (within the confines of the current justice system).<br />
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In the days of fancy DNA evidence and computerized technology, Casey Anthony managed to escape the death sentence by lying and not speaking at her own trial. I guess that's where many of the other moms got it wrong, they 'fessed up eventually. In fact, if it weren't for Casey Anthony still living with her parents using a car that was technically in George Anthony's name, she may have never been caught. If it weren't for Cindy Anthony reporting the car as stolen, it probably wouldn't have come up. Casey Anthony could've just about "disappeared into the sunset".<br />
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I have known of many people who withhold permission to visit their children as some sort of a punishment to the person wanting to see them. From what I've read, it sounds like Casey actively did just that. If Casey Anthony lived alone with Caylee, Cindy Anthony wouldn't necessarily have had any reason to suspect Casey or Caylee were missing. If Cindy Anthony never had reason to suspect Casey or Caylee missing, merely that Casey Anthony wasn't allowing Cindy to see her granddaughter, that would've been a non-issue and limited to discussion within the family. If Casey Anthony owned and drove her own vehicle, Cindy wouldn't have called the police to report her own vehicle stolen. If none of that ever happened, Casey Anthony would probably still be out partying with her friends.<br />
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Again, with a few exceptions, it looks like Casey Anthony literally "got away with murder". She somehow committed the perfect crime.<br />
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<i><b>Mothers Who Kill Their Children:</b></i> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://www.epicparent.tv/parenting-tips-from-casey-anthony/">Casey Anthony</a>:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.epicparent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/casey-anthony1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.epicparent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/casey-anthony1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://www.thegrio.com/slideshow/blame-it-on-black-infamous-racial-crime-hoaxes.php">Susan Smith</a>: </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegrio.com/uploads/Susan-Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thegrio.com/uploads/Susan-Smith.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_326646254"></span><span id="goog_326646255"></span><i><b><a href="http://www.radaronline.com/photos/image/135438/2011/07/most-notorious-murder-trials">Diane Downs</a>:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.radaronline.com/sites/radaronline.com/files/photos/image_20110705/AP8903120163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.radaronline.com/sites/radaronline.com/files/photos/image_20110705/AP8903120163.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://www.popcrunch.com/depressed-135-famous-people-who-struggled-with-depression-101-135/">Andrea Yates</a>:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/yates-andrea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.popcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/yates-andrea.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<i><b>More About Mothers Who Kill Their Kids:</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42634832/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/">Moms Killing Kids Not Nearly as Rare as We Think - MSNBC</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/18/sc.mother.children.psychology/index.html">What Drives a Mom to Kill? - CNN</a><br />
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/2020/infamous-cases-moms-allegedly-murder-kids/story?id=10588541">Infamous Cases of Mothers who Allegedly Murder Kids - ABC News</a><br />
<a href="http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19940606_0048186.NY.htm/qx">People Vs Amy Ellwood (A Mother Convicted of Killing Her Newborn Child) - FindACase</a><br />
<a href="http://crime.about.com/od/murder/a/susan_smith.htm">Susan Smith (Another Mother Convicted of Killing Her Children) - About</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/06/us/life-of-a-mother-accused-of-killing-offers-no-clues.html?src=pm">More About Susan Smith - NYTimes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/downs/index_1.html">Diane Downs: Her Children Got in the Way of Her Love - TruTV</a><br />
<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2010/12/notorious_child_killer_diane_downs_must_wait_10_more_years_before_she_applies_for_parole_again.html">More About Diane Downs, "Notorious Child Killer Must Wait 10 More Years..." - Oregon Live</a><br />
<a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986568,00.html">Prom Nightmare Melissa Drexler, the "Prom Mom" - Time</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=24&ved=0CD8QFjADOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.duke.edu%2Fshell%2Fcite.pl%3F10%2520Duke%2520J.%2520Gender%2520L.%2520%26%2520Pol%2527y%2520149%2Bpdf&ei=17UiTsR34urSAaCDzKoD&usg=AFQjCNHjPH3PkPsNLeeZDul1GKPZdIliUg&sig2=y6i46Qo5cSXc3slEFYlIpw">Case Study on Mothers Who Kill Their Children - Duke Law</a><br />
<a href="http://thegazette.com/2010/06/18/mothers-who-kill-their-children-isn%E2%80%99t-so-uncommon/">Mothers Who Kill Their Children Aren't So Uncommon - The Gazette</a> <br />
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Also See: <a href="http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/photogallery/killed-over-what.html">Killed Over What? The Lamest Motives for Murder - TruTV</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-51821767280785762902011-07-16T04:50:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:22:49.953-07:00Casey Anthony to be Released from Prison Sunday - Should She Go Into Hiding?Casey Anthony is set to be <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/NEWS/307160022/Tight-security-surround-Anthony-s-exit-from-prison">released from prison</a> this Sunday, July 17th. That would make roughly two weeks that she remained in prison since the trial and the "not guilty" verdict was given. As I said in my <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html">previous post</a>, I am not one of these people out for blood. The entire story about Casey Anthony and Caylee Anthony angers me deep down, for reasons that are virtually unknown. I mean, yes it is a horrible tale of jealousy, resentment, greed, and contempt. But technically speaking, it has nothing to do with me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gamutnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0_62_320_101408_otr_Casey_Anthony_A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://gamutnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0_62_320_101408_otr_Casey_Anthony_A.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gamutnews.com/20110617/26725/casey-anthony-defense-calls-first-witness.html">Casey Anthony - Gamut News</a></td></tr>
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The news article linked to above is titled "Tight Security to Surround Casey Anthony's Exit from Prison", a fitting name indeed. It will be amazing to see if Casey Anthony is alive for long after she gets out of prison. I could envision someone plotting to do a "public service" by taking Casey Anthony's life. Although I'm actually for forgiveness, rather than retribution, it would be rather disheartening if someone got flatly convicted of murder for killing Casey Anthony even though Casey Anthony got off with a slap on the wrist. Again, that is not to say that two wrongs make a right, but rather that it would seem asinine if that were to happen. <br />
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Caylee Anthony was barely old enough to consciously be aware of any of her own wrongdoings, like not putting toys away or whatever she might've gotten in trouble for. It's safe to say that Caylee Anthony didn't deserve to die the way she did. Caylee Anthony didn't "deserve" to die at all, but especially in such a horrible fashion. It would've at least been a mere tragedy if she'd been victim of a freak accident as the defense claimed she had been. If she were killed by someone else, at least in a more dignified type manner, it would've been still a tragedy, still horrific, but would not have aroused so much anger as this entire trial has. People would've gotten hurt, angry, sympathetic, and maybe donated money. People would've said "How could something so horrible happen to such a sweet child?" and a month or two later it would've all blown over, long before the trial had begun. Instead, this trial has made headlines for the past few years since Caylee Anthony originally lost her life. <br />
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One blame is obviously the way that news is spread nowadays. Not many years back, people would have caught a glimpse of the story on the 6 o'clock news or read about it in the newspaper. They'd talk about it with their friends, family, coworkers. If they regularly read the paper or watched the news they'd be able to keep up with the details. Rumors would occasionally be spread since all it takes is changing a word or two, or revising one small detail, and suddenly the story has different meaning to the next recipient of the information.<br />
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People do the same thing now, but instead of doing it with a handful of friends and coworkers, they do it with hundreds of people all around the nation, possibly even outside the country. People are sharing tales about Casey Anthony, discussing the Casey Anthony trial verdict, and expressing their outrage through every medium possible. Instead of having two or three channels showing the news (maybe several, if you had cable), you now have those channels plus countless other websites displaying the news. Instead of telling your neighbor down the street, they post on Facebook, and write tweets on Twitter talking about their disgust with Casey Anthony and the whole trial. And people now have written word to go by, but instead of making things clearer, it allows people to throw in whatever tidbits and reference unlisted resources.<br />
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I could say "I heard from one source that Casey Anthony is pregnant." If my blog were popular and trusted enough, even if it was an honest mistake, that phrase could potentially spread like wildfire. Since people don't always have much of a picture to go by, they'd read that one sentence and add twenty more to it. Next thing you know, someone would post in a forum that Casey Anthony was pregnant by her father, George Anthony. Down the line it would go until suddenly the attorneys would have to step in to deny every statement that people were getting heated over. George Anthony's attorney would publicly announce the accusations were false, and then Baez, Casey Anthony's attorney would step out to say the same thing.<br />
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However, one of the sickest things to me about this whole Casey Anthony case, and one of the top reasons I think it's been so big in the news, is that she's attractive. At risk of sounding like a whiny whatever, I honestly believe that people are so into this case because she's young and attractive. If that sounds insane, look it up. Just the other day, I read court documents, letters sent to Casey Anthony in jail, telling her how she was (paraphrasing) hot and the guy wanted to go out with her. Obviously in the midst of that is "I support you" but one letter especially even asked, "When you get out, would you be my girlfriend?"<br />
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The news coverage is obviously why people hate Casey Anthony so much, they all know about her. It's difficult to have a strong opinion about (for or against) someone you don't know exists. But I honestly believe that she's only got this much news coverage and this much public outcry because of her appearance. Reading interviews of Casey Anthony's friends, she sounds very much like a party girl. Pictures portray Casey Anthony as a party girl, as well. She also sounds like a slut. I don't know her personally, but you can read some of the <a href="http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/casey_anthony_full_coverage/files/caylee_anthony_files.html">texts she sent her friends</a>. <br />
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I think that serves to contribute to the reason Casey Anthony's case has gained so much popularity. Seriously. A lot of the letters that Casey's received in jail, besides the assumed insurmountable stack of hate mail, has been about her appearance. Casey's even been proposed to via jail mail. People writing to her have repeatedly called her "hot", "beautiful", and other words describing her appearance. You've got about 70% of people wanting her to hang and the other 30% wanting to sleep with her before anyone does that.<br />
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If you disagree, then ask yourself what would happen if this wasn't about Casey Anthony but was about a man, or an ugly or fat woman, let alone a fat, ugly woman or man. Would that person have <i>any</i> supporters? There'd probably be a scant few that would write to say they were praying for Casey - if Casey were fat and/or ugly and/or male. Otherwise, I bet more people would be wanting that person to burn at the stake, and even more would make jokes about them being too fat to hang, or wanting them burned to a crisp so they didn't have to see their ugly face anymore, etc, etc. There wouldn't be all this random support. A fat/ugly/male Casey would be basically totally shunned. Then again, there probably wouldn't be so many people aware of the case. In fact, people probably wouldn't bother to keep up.<br />
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Again, do you disagree? If so, who is the first person you can think of that was fat, ugly, or even average, and/or male that got years of media coverage over one homicide? Even over one cold, calculated homicide. How many news reports do you see with massive media coverage over an average Joe that commits one homicide in another state (assuming the reader is not in Florida, obviously)? You hear about those people more when they are serial killers. Casey Anthony has overtaken headlines for one.<br />
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When all is said and done, I don't wish her harm. I don't want her having any more children, but killing Casey would only serve to be vengeful, it wouldn't undo anything that's happened already. I don't think she's innocent, and I think the "not guilty doesn't mean innocent" claim is a bunch of bull. And Juror #3... to me... ugh. I don't know if I can formulate an opinion. To see a picture of her smiling while reading a quote that she "Has no idea" and that saying it's more believable that George Anthony orchestrated a cover up than that Casey Anthony killed Caylee... Makes me sick. But I am still not one to wish that someone would do any harm to Casey Anthony. Even though, I'm not sure someone won't. And if that person does, I would imagine a crowd of people rallying on Facebook trying to get that person freed. In short, I suggest she hide as soon as she is released.<br />
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Snippets of jailhouse letters sent to Casey Anthony, including some of the weirdest, can be found here:<br />
<a href="http://harpers.org/archive/2010/10/0083128">Dear Casey (Text from Crazy Letters Sent to Casey Anthony While in Prison) - Harper's Magazine </a> <br />
<a href="http://www.wesh.com/r/24039896/detail.html">Most Bizarre Letters to Casey Anthony - Orlando News</a><br />
<a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/entertainment/casey-anthony-admirers-sending-cash-and-letters-jail">Casey Anthony Admirers Sending Cash and Letters to Jail - Opposing Views</a><br />
<a href="http://ksfm.radio.com/2011/07/15/actual-creepy-letters-to-casey-anthony/">Actual Creepy Letters to Casey Anthony - AOL News</a><br />
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Full (handwritten) copies of the letters sent to Casey Anthony while in Jail can be found here (refer to the roman numeral links):<br />
<a href="http://www.news4jax.com/news/24041956/detail.html">Letters to Casey Anthony Made Public - WJXT Jacksonville</a><br />
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If you can mail it quick enough, you can still send mail to Casey Anthony yourself:<br />
<a href="http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/casey_anthony_money_letters_jail_instructions.php">Casey Anthony's Mailing Address in Jail - Broward/Palm Beach News (The Daily Pulp)</a><br />
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To read stories about letters Casey Anthony has written while in jail:<br />
<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/07/casey-anthony-writes-having-more-children-in-jailhouse-letters/">Casey Anthony Writes About Wanting More Children in Jailhouse Letters - Fox News</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20001908-504083.html">Casey Anthony Jailhouse Letters Released Amid Inmate Claims She Drugged Daughter Caylee - CBS News</a><br />
<a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20508178,00.html">Jailhouse Letters Reveal Casey Anthony Dreams of Having Another Baby - People</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.aolnews.com/2010/04/07/damaging-jailhouse-letters-released-in-casey-anthony-case/">Damaging Jailhouse Letters Released in Casey Anthony Case - AOL News</a><br />
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My original full post, including a full review of various case info and many more links to trial evidence photos and other court documents:<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html"><br />
Casey Anthony's Trial Verdict - A Review of Case Info Including Casey Anthony's Diary, Diary of Days and Deleted MySpace Post</a><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"></h3>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-43849984358608945292011-07-11T16:55:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:23:38.931-07:00Casey Anthony's Trial Verdict - A Review of Case Info Including Casey Anthony's Diary, Diary of Days and Deleted MySpace PostThe Casey Anthony trial over the disappearance and potential murder of Caylee Anthony led up to a "not guilty" verdict. The trial has gone on for the past 3 years. Was that verdict correct? Some say yes, many say no. I decided to read more about it and look at some of the original court documents from the case.<br />
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The trial really makes me sick. Well, not the trial so much as the verdict, and all the "circumstantial evidence" found, as well as Casey Anthony's own apparent character. Let me step back a moment. I'm not one of these that are "out for blood" per se. I am not saying Casey Anthony should be frying in the chair right now. But do I think she got let off pretty dang easy? You bet I do.<br />
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Originally, it was just like any other depressing news and I kind of tried to avoid it. To be honest, I hadn't paid a lot of attention to it throughout the past few years while it's been going on. I knew the name, I knew the general situation, but it wasn't until I caught it on TV last night that it really made me curious. I started reading up about it and found some of the details of the case, some details about Casey Anthony, what Casey Anthony was doing before Caylee Anthony was reported missing, etc, etc. Again, it makes me sick. <br />
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I love kids, especially the little ones. I always have. Caylee Anthony looks like a cute kid, and probably was a fun loving little girl. So when I hear about "bad" parents, it particularly strikes a chord in my heart. The term "bad parents" or "bad parenting" takes all kinds. It can mean anything depending on who's saying it. You can be deemed a "bad parent" if you beat your kid, or you can be deemed a "bad parent" if you don't buy him or her that new playset. It all depends who you ask. But I think anyone would be willing to say that child murderers don't make good parents.<br />
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Once more, I'm NOT "out for blood" nor do I desire to see Casey Anthony fry in the chair, or be put to death by lethal injection, whatever. If I had the opportunity I wouldn't stone her the old fashioned way. However reviewing the points brought up to the jury, that the jury ultimately decided were correct, I just can't fathom it. Honestly, if I had the option, jail time or no I would sit with her and talk to her. Why? Because listening to people get caught up in, and stumble all over, their own lies is fascinating.<br />
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Oh, how the list of questions grows. I know, I know, everyone poses the exact same questions over and over again. And sadly, no, the internet world at large shouldn't be so caught up with Casey Anthony, as everyone is. The only reason I'm posting about it is because I'm so irritated. The only reason I'm irritated by it is because I am aware it happened. The only reason I'm aware of it is because of all the media attention this trial has received. As for why this trial has received so much media attention? I don't know. Probably because Casey Anthony is an attractive, young, single mom. Well, WAS a single mom. The mom part, you know...<br />
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So let's review some of the "facts" surrounding then Casey Anthony trial. Note, I have no legal background and I did not attend the trial. I wasn't a member of the jury, or nor am I of the media. I have no "inside scoop". I'm merely re-hashing what's already been said in one place or another. Anything stated as fact in regards to the case is based on what has been reported by various news organizations at some point. <br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact One:</b></u> <br />
<i>Casey Anthony performed Google searches approximately 3 months prior to Caylee Anthony going missing. These Google searches included very specific words and phrases including "making weapons", "neck breaking", "chloroform", "how to make chloroform", "inhalation", "alcohol", "death", and "head injury". Apparently she also later searched for "Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez", approximately one month after Caylee Anthony would have actually went missing. </i><br />
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Google searching has become more than just an effective resource, but actually a past-time for some. With Google Suggest, you can see many of the sane, and also some of the crazy, things that people like to search for. There are even joke sites that specifically post screenshots of these crazy Google Suggestions. However, searches for "chloroform", "death", and "neck-breaking" aren't typical of your usual bored-surfer activities. Now, there are going to be a select few with a morbid curiosity for such things. Those people may be overly paranoid and trying to be pro-active (i.e. researching for sake of prevention). They may just have an intense fascination with something taboo. After all, Rotten.com gets a lot of visitors. But these searches are also risky. If nothing EVER happens that you can be tied to in any way, fine. But if you have any intent whatsoever of using the information in a criminal manner, you're quite likely to be caught.<br />
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Point being, Casey Anthony conducted online research for a dangerous, potentially lethal-to-a-child, substance that was later found in her trunk (see #9). If it weren't found in her vehicle, it'd just be a really bizarre and suspicious set of Google searches. I don't know how most people that use chloroform ever come by it, or if they make it, or if it's just not actually used nearly as often as movies would like us to believe, but to the best of my knowledge it's not something you can just go down and purchase at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Or Wal-Mart. In other words, to obtain it, there's a good chance you'd have to make it yourself. You know, by researching, online... I guess.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Two:</b></u> <i><br />
Cindy Anthony (Casey Anthony's mother) initially reported a problem and potentially a missing child, it wasn't Casey Anthony making the call herself. Casey Anthony only informed police that Caylee Anthony was missing after Cindy had made the first phone call to 911, then a 2nd. Cindy had made the call and Casey had taken the phone after her mother placed the call. I did not locate anything stating that Casey Anthony directly contacted the police. When she did finally inform police about Caylee's disappearance, it wasn't 'til July 15, 2008.</i><br />
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Everyone gets upset over the fact that she waited "31 days" to tell police that her child was missing. A normal person, upon determining their child had gone missing, would have alerted their closest relative, followed by the police, or the police (followed by their closest relative). And this would happen without minutes of realizing that the child was missing. Many stories exist about parents being told that they can't consider their child "missing" unless they've been missing for more than so many hours, implying of course that many times parents are jumping the gun to report their kid missing the moment they have difficulty finding them. Fears race through the heads of those parents - "Where could the child be? Did the child walk off with some stranger? Was the child kidnapped? Why wasn't I paying more attention? I only turned around for a moment!" Casey Anthony did <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">post a message on MySpace</a>,*** not exactly a heart-felt sounding message, on July 3rd, stating that Caylee was missing. She deleted the post. Even if she'd left it up, that should've been a step down the line, not the first and only. And why would she delete it? If you read through it, it doesn't exactly say "help me find my little girl."<br />
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Apparently Casey Anthony didn't experience those kinds of thoughts or fears? Well, I guess that makes sense if she was with the babysitter all that time. After all, when Casey Anthony did finally tell police that Caylee was missing, she told them that Caylee was with the nanny. The nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez, wouldn't release her. So apparently a kidnapping is a pretty mundane thing to Casey Anthony - nothing to worry about. Again, I think most parents would be frantic and would've contacted the police immediately upon finding out that their babysitter had kidnapped their child. Even if you somehow knew the babysitter at least wouldn't hurt your child, maybe she jealously loved your child, would that give you reason to kind of ignore it? For a month? I guess if the nanny took good care of Caylee, Casey Anthony didn't mind her being kidnapped while she got some partying in. The absurdity would have been lessened ever so slightly if a nanny at least existed (see #6).<br />
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To top that though, I think one thing that is kind of getting overlooked is that it WASN'T Casey Anthony that originally reported her child missing. Even after the 31 days had gone by, while she was off getting tattooed, getting her nails done, clubbing, and participating in a "hot body contest", Casey Anthony didn't suddenly have a change of heart and flip out over Caylee's disappearance. Cindy Anthony called 911. You can almost picture Cindy Anthony, frantically calling 911, and Casey Anthony taking the phone with an eye roll saying "Yeah, my daughter's 'missing', kidnapped by her nanny. The babysitter won't give her back." Sounds like two kids fighting over a toy or something. <br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Three:</b></u> <br />
<i>Casey Anthony had repeatedly claimed that Caylee Anthony had gone missing on June 9, 2008. In reality, Caylee Anthony was last seen alive and well on June 15 or 16, 2008, with her grandparents, possibly last heard on June 24 or 25, 2008. </i><br />
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The lies start way back, but this is another that she held steadfast to that is completely ridiculous. If anything, I think she'd prefer to go with the June 16th date. I mean, at least that would've SOUNDED better over the phone to the dispatcher, right? But heck, we're already weeks in, what's one more? She kept claiming that June 9th was the date Caylee was last seen, thus further incriminating herself for NOT filing a missing child report sooner. At worst, it's incriminating and makes her sound like even worse of a mother. At best it's still a bold-faced and stupid lie repeated to the investigators.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Four:</b></u> <br />
<i>It was discovered via interviews that Casey Anthony never told anyone about Caylee Anthony's disappearance until July 15th. Through interviews, investigators determined that she did not tell friends or family that Caylee was missing. She claimed to have told only two coworkers (see #5, below).</i><br />
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Tying in with #2 and #5, there isn't just suspicion over her not filing a police report earlier than you know, a month. When questioned, she only claimed to have told two people about Caylee's disappearance. Two! If you didn't tell the cops right away, maybe you had this reason, or that reason, whatever. But to tell only two random co-workers? Of course, even this is a hypothetical. If she legitimately told two coworkers, that would be weird enough. But it's kind of difficult to have coworkers when you like, don't work (see #5). I suppose she deserves credit that one of those people actually WAS a co-worker at some point. I mean, if I am telling someone about people that I worked with years ago, I wouldn't refer to them as a coworker in the present-tense. But hey, I guess that's just me. Then again, I wouldn't fabricate a coworker - past or present - either. Casey Anthony doesn't seem to mind making people up though. If only her kid was only a fairytale, she at least wouldn't have been murdered.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Five:</b></u> <br />
<i>From the get-go, Casey Anthony lied to police and detectives about virtually every detail of the case, leading them on wild goose chases while claiming to provide information to help locate her missing child. Her lies consisted of her employer, her co-workers, Caylee's nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez; and a variety of other lies built around the existing fabrications. She claimed to be employed at Universal Studios, but actually was fired in 2006. Casey Anthony also claimed to have discussed Caylee's disappearance with two coworkers. Not only did Casey Anthony not work at Universal Studios when she claimed, neither did her supposed coworkers, Jeff Hopkins and Juliette Lewis. Universal Studios said they had no record of a Juliette Lewis ever working there, and Jeff Hopkins hadn't worked there since 2002. She also claimed to have received a short, blocked-number phone call on June 12 from Caylee Anthony that was promptly disconnected. Call records to her phone did not indicate any such phone call.</i><br />
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I'm not sure if this even bears expanding on. It is extremely important, but very self-explanatory. I will say that I have dealt with a habitual liar before, maybe I should say pathological. Frankly I think the line is too thin to define the difference. It is very fascinating. I do find one thing humorous about habitual/pathological liars, that doesn't have a direct impact. In the documents of the witness interviews, Casey Anthony's friends testified that she talked to them about the nanny, talked about work, even about her dad having a possible mild stroke. And I don't mean once or twice, I don't mean here or there whenever it came up, but according to her friends she talked about these things frequently, especially about work or the nanny. It also ties in with #6, #8, & #13.<br />
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That fits with my own experience dealing with a habitual liar. It was amusing, and I saw through it almost from the get-go, even though it took me a while to call him on it. This person started a story about his ex-girlfriend, a story meant to induce pity. Even mustered up some fake tears to boot! The story went something like this - he bought her a necklace for Valentine's Day, and being the ungrateful b**** that she supposedly was, he brought it to her and found her supposedly on her couch screwing some other guy. He got so mad, he broke it. I was a little suspicious right off the bat because something didn't make sense. I cannot recall the EXACT original telling but it struck me as odd. Either way, the first time I heard it I figured maybe I heard it wrong. Didn't want to prod for details since he was already so visibly upset. Poor thing, blah blah.<br />
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Then he told me the story AGAIN. I didn't know why, and I found it odd. Thought OK, maybe he forgot he already told me. Still sounded odd. Since he wasn't crying that time, I thought more about it. Then he told me AGAIN at a later date. Why would you keep telling the same story over and over? I think he told me the story a total of 3-5 times before I called him on it and really tripped him up. The last time he told me, it somehow got brought up while just walking around the grocery store. He said it was a ring this time. I said, "Wait, I thought it was a necklace?" Naturally, he replied, "Oh yeah, yeah, that's what I meant, a necklace." Really? A story that brought you to tears and you forgot what the supposed gift was? Then the couch part changed, and I remembered thinking that he'd originally referred to the couch as being hers, and then he was referring to it as his family's, or at his family's house (referring to high school years). I said, "I thought you said it was her couch?" His response? "Oh, I mean my family gave it to her." Sure thing, buddy.<br />
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Just as with many of Casey Anthony's friends, I only found out later that the girl in reference was someone he'd talked to online but never actually met. There was no ex-girlfriend at all. Yet, he felt compelled to tell me the story not just once, but multiple times. I suppose habitual liars think that they are being more convincing when they try to repeatedly drive a particular point home. Just like Casey Anthony, the one that I dealt with also refused to back down from certain lies IN SPITE of actual proof, evidence, that he was lying. Like, they just can't bear to let go of this illusion that they have dreamt up. If you shatter the image they've created, they don't know how to react.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Six:</b></u> <br />
<i>There is no Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. Well, there is, but she wasn't a nanny for Casey Anthony, she had never met Casey or Caylee Anthony, and she didn't live at the Sawgrass Apartments, let alone in unit 210. Yet Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez is who Casey Anthony claimed had kidnapped Caylee Anthony. When the phone call to 911 was made and Caylee Anthony was actually reported missing, the dispatcher was obviously shocked that she'd waited so long. But Casey Anthony claimed that she "knew" where she was - with the nanny. She told investigators that Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez lived in the Sawgrass Apartments, in unit 210. She even claimed that Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez had been Caylee's nanny for a couple years. Not only did the apartment complex have no knowledge of a tenant by the name of Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez, but apartment 210 had been empty for a few months. A woman named Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez did visit the apartments at some point, but was not a tenant. When a photo of Casey and Caylee were shown to the real Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez, she did not recognize them. When a photo of the real Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez was shown to Casey Anthony, she did not recognize her.</i><br />
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Another critical focus point. This was the kidnapper! It was all the nanny's fault. Sure, Casey Anthony didn't call the cops right away, but it was still the nanny that kidnapped Caylee, right? This one point bears so much significance. At the most basic level, it's a bold-faced, repeated lie. Friends testified that Casey talked about the nanny, but they never met her. She didn't have to call her to check up on Caylee. From what her friends swore to, the nanny supposedly had Caylee pretty frequently. At least one friend stated that, when the subject of payment was brought up, Casey stated that she paid the nanny well. Being a lie, that leads to the question of where WAS Caylee all the times that Casey Anthony claimed that the nanny, Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, was watching her? <br />
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I guess she paid her with all that Monopoly money she got while not-working for Universal Studios. It's a two-part lie because of the employment lie. If she didn't have a nanny, where was the baby while she was "working", or any of the other times that the nanny supposedly had her? Since Universal Studios confirmed she did not have recent employment there, how would she be paying this supposed nanny? If there was no nanny and she wasn't working, what WAS she doing and where was Caylee all those times? Well, Casey Anthony was off partying, and <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">posted on MySpace</a> to prove it***. But wait, according to her, it's because her boss at Universal Studios requested her to go spy on his daughter. Yep, and apparently she had to participate in a "hot body contest" in the process. Yeah, that makes tons of sense. <br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Seven:</b></u> <br />
<i>In spite of the investigators ability to refute her claims, Casey Anthony still held strong to the part of her story involving the kidnapping by the supposed nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. She did admit to some of her other lies, but would not give up that one.</i><br />
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As I mentioned before, in my experience this is another tell-tale trait of a habitual liar. Can't afford to let go of that illusion. It's easier to sound like a fool while rigidly standing your ground on something you know you made up than to admit you lied. Of course, some of her other lies she didn't admit either, she just backpeddaled and revised the story slightly, or tried to come up with a justifiable excuse that would supposedly make her lie sound more truthful. This obviously speaks to her character. It'd be one thing if she just came up with a few bogus lies on the spot and tried to stick with them. That'd be suspicious still, but more normal behavior. Instead, she held firmly to her fabrications. SO firmly, that she'd been spinning tales long before Caylee's disappearance. According to friends' sworn statements, she frequently used work as an excuse for not showing up at events or not hanging out, etc. Reading through some of the text messages to her friends, there is even one where she talks about how she had to bust out tons of paperwork. Another trait I've seen in a habitual liar - rather than just say "Oh, I'm sorry, I have to work" as a simple and believable lie, the lie is embellished on, unnecessary details are added. Instead of just saying, "My ex-girlfriend cheated on me," which would've been a legitimate-sounding tale, I heard a whole sob story. Poor Casey Anthony, Universal Studios sure made her put in some long hours.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Eight:</b></u> <br />
<i>What initially prompted Cindy Anthony to call the police was that Casey had stole her car, and she also noticed that she hadn't seen Casey or Caylee in some time. The next 911 call was regarding locating her daughter's car and noticing the atrocious, "smells like someone died in there" odor coming from the trunk.</i><br />
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This one obviously ties back to both #1 and #9. It even ties with #2, #3 & #4. It was initially the mother who got worried, and the mother noticed the smell of the car. Although it seems like an insignificantly significant part, it bears more relevance than just the possibility of a dead body in the vehicle. For the smell to be coming from the trunk is wretched. If it truly is found to be the smell of human decomposition (see #9, below) then it obviously meant a body was dumped in the trunk, a deliberate, intended placement. However, based on the interviews of Casey's friends, she told them about it! Obviously she tried to play it off as something else, but she mentioned it. It would've been one thing for her to only mention it when brought up. But there are those lying traits again - she volunteered the information. Unless someone smelled it and questioned, there'd be no reason to bring it up to anyone. That would either signify that there was no body in the trunk and she genuinely didn't know what the smell was, there was a dead body in the trunk but she genuinely didn't know what it was, or she knew what the smell was and voluntarily talked about it. She claimed to think it was pizza boxes (have you ever smelled old pizza boxes that would resemble the scent of rotten flesh?!) or a squirrel smashed up in the front of the car. Stay with me here...<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Nine:</b></u> <br />
<i>Cadaver dogs confirmed that the odor was from a decomposing body, and a hair that DNA showed belonged to Caylee was also found in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car, along with chloroform and a black trash bag like the one found with Caylee Anthony's body. </i><br />
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She first researches "chloroform", "death", "neck-breaking" (see #1). Some reports even say that "chloroform" was searched over 80 times from that computer. The "neck-breaking" and "making weapons" were searched a few days after the initial "making chloroform" search. In regards to #8, this find eliminates the "no dead body in the trunk" part. So hypothetically, maybe she didn't know? Where'd the chloroform come from? Does Wal-Mart sell it after all? Casey Anthony's car was discovered June 27th abandoned at Amscot, and towed June 30th. The forensics experts stated that the body would've been in the trunk for a few days, decomposing, prior to being dumped outside. The only outside member that appeared to be given serious consideration was Roy Kronk. This is interesting in the context of everything else reviewed up to this point. The 3 hypotheses given the most consideration from what I've read are either Casey Anthony murdered her daughter, Caylee Anthony drowned in her grandparents' pool while under George Anthony's care and he wanted to frame Casey and/or make it look like a murder, or that Roy Kronk (a meter man) killed Caylee, hid the body, and then "found it" to get the reward.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Ten:</b></u> <br />
<i>Caylee Anthony's remains were found with duct tape around her mouth and nose, and a heart-shaped sticker was also found along with other items around the remains. The heart-shaped sticker has significance given that similar heart-shaped stickers were found in the Anthony home.</i><br />
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The stickers in themselves sound like a random and insignificant piece of the puzzle. But they could be much more significant. In the context of the murder hypotheses, it helps to narrow it down to only two. If Roy Kronk had killed Caylee, how'd he obtain the stickers? I did not locate any reports of a break-in at the Anthonys' home prior to her disappearance, and if he were going to go through the effort of breaking in with the intent of kidnapping or theft, why would he only grab some items belonging to the baby and a sticker? If you were going to commit a theft/murder, would you randomly hit a house with absolutely no plan and steal your items from the house with the murder suspect? Or would you have certain items used for the murder already available, and just take the child and some valuables?<br />
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Keep in mind too, these items would have most likely been in random areas of the house, not all located in Caylee's room. According to Cindy Anthony's testimony, a laundry bag and Winnie the Pooh blanket were both missing from the house. These items were similar to the items found where Caylee's body was found. It's quite possible that the blanket would have been in one spot in the house, and the laundry bag in another. However, say they were both in the laundry room. OK, what about the stickers? A sheet of heart-shaped stickers, similar to the one found on Caylee's remains, was found in Casey Anthony's bedroom.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Eleven:</b></u> <br />
<i>In the time while Casey Anthony "knew" that Caylee was kidnapped by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez (or missing), she was spending time with her boyfriend (Anthony "Tony" Lazaro, a former police officer), getting a tattoo (something referencing her having a good life), and entering herself into a hot body contest. In other words, she was out partying, shopping, and having fun.</i><br />
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This says a lot about her. A little too much, almost. First option, she didn't realize her daughter was missing? By her own accounts, she said her daughter was missing since June 9th. Her daughter was last seen June 15th or 16th and possibly last heard alive June 24th or 25th when a witness claimed to have heard her in the background of a phone call and heard Casey Anthony tell her daughter to "get off the table". But again, she claimed repeatedly that she last saw her June 9th, thus shooting herself in the foot over the subject.<br />
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Going back to #3, #4... Casey Anthony was seen shopping multiple times throughout June as well as July, a time while Caylee was supposedly missing. Even though Casey neglected to openly let anyone know that her daughter was missing until a couple weeks into July, she was fully and admittedly aware of her disappearance by July 2nd, based on her frighteningly cold-hearted <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">MySpace post</a> that she later deleted*** (<a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">see below</a>). In the post she claims not to know where her daughter disappeared to, but also claims to know why she's gone, that "jealousy" took her away.<br />
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In fact, the image she paints of her mother in the <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">deleted MySpace post***</a> is very generous and caring, and herself very cold and uncaring. If she is cold and uncaring, that would definitely explain how she could be out shopping, getting a tattoo, partying, and having fun with friends while knowing that her daughter is "missing". It would also be characteristic of a pathological liar - doesn't really care who is being hurt by everything.<br />
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While on a phone call to her family from prison, she expressed her lack of caring by repeatedly shunning them. She accused investigators of not listening to her. She accused the news of twisting the story around. While talking with her brother, Lee Anthony, she kept requesting the number of her boyfriend, Anthony "Tony" Lazarro. According to her own words, her boyfriend had nothing to do with Caylee's disappearance. Yet she wanted nothing to do with her family, only wanted to talk to her boyfriend. If you ask me, no one could make her sound worse than she already has made herself out to be.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Twelve:</b></u> <br />
<i>Investigators generally described Casey Anthony's demeanor and tone as being monotone and stone-faced, showing no sadness over the fact that Caylee was "missing". However, in the photos of her at the "hot body" contest, she appears to be smiling and having fun. During the trials, most images portray her as being straight faced. When the "not guilty" verdict was given, she perked up to all smiles again and was described as looking happy and confident. Upon finding out that she'd have to go back to prison for a while longer, images show her with a pouty look.</i><br />
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This ties in directly with #11. Again, Casey Anthony paints herself a pretty sad looking portrait. She was shown smiling and happy while her daughter was "missing", and as soon as she heard the "not guilty" verdict. When investigators had initially talked with her, she gave them no body language cues to say that she was grief-stricken, anxious, worried, etc. <br />
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She was shown emotional a couple times during the trial, and mostly pretty straight-faced, almost angry or annoyed looking. Yes, it is reasonable for her to be serious or upset during the trial and happy once she heard the verdict of the most major charges against her being dismissed. But the most notable part to me is the pouty look she gave in one of the pictures upon finding out that she had to go back to jail a while longer. It is understandable to be disappointed at not being able to get out immediately, but why wasn't she more relieved if she were innocent? It may be a small matter, but it gives the impression that her upset is merely at being in jail, not being an innocent mother accused of murdering her own child. I'd assume that would be pretty horrifying to any loving, innocent mother. <br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Thirteen:</b></u> <br />
<i>Aside from the entire ordeal surrounding Caylee Anthony, Casey had been arrested for forging checks and other theft. </i><br />
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This had nothing specific to do with Caylee Anthony, but speaks mountains about Casey Anthony's character. It ties in completely with #5, #6, #11, and #14. She maintained that she had a job and a nanny. After finding she had no job, how would she have money to pay the supposed nanny? Then she was found to have no nanny. But what about all the partying she did? How did she afford it? Since she didn't have a job, she had to find some way. It's sad, too, because two of the people she had stolen from were her mother and her supposed best friend. If you read some of the text messages sent to Amy Huizenga, Casey Anthony sounds like a bubbly, caring, really great friend. Yet, Amy Huizenga is one of the people that Casey Anthony not only lied to numerous times but stole from. What an awesome friend. When the truth came out, it became obvious that people only knew one face of Casey Anthony, and that one face only showed what she wanted them to see.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Fourteen:</b></u> <br />
<i>Investigators found documents in which Cindy Anthony describes Casey as a mooch and sociopath, and that she wanted to put Caylee up for adoption but Cindy wouldn't allow it.</i><br />
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This ties in with the above and the same ones as above. Read Casey Anthony's <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">deleted MySpace post</a>. The way Casey Anthony describes <i>herself***</i>, she is a total mooch! The way she portrayed herself to investigators is as a sociopath, a pathological liar. Casey's friends described her rocky relationship with her mother. The way her friends described her, she resented her mother. But again, Casey's*** <a href="http://desultorythought.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-trial-verdict-murder.html#myspace">deleted MySpace post</a> describes a girl that is resentful and vengeful. Her brother, Lee Anthony, at one point asked why Casey wouldn't allow the family to see Caylee. Casey's reply? "Because maybe I'm a spiteful bitch." Why would Cindy Anthony want to put Caylee up for adoption if Casey was the loving, caring mother that I'm sure she wants people to think she is? In fact, I can't recall anything that I've read after the trial that would make me think Casey Anthony really misses her little girl. In everything that I've read and seen, Casey Anthony buttered up her friends, resented her family, and hated the burden that Caylee posed on her social life.<br />
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<u><b>News-Reported Casey Anthony Fact Fifteen:</b></u> <br />
<i>Casey Anthony makes a diary entry on June 21st, which investigators assume to be 2008 in spite of the diary having an "'03" written in the corner of the page opposite the entry. That could have been written in '03 prior to Caylee's birth, or it could have been added as an afterthought to try to protect herself in case it was ever found. However, if it were actually written June 21, 2008, it is a very cold-hearted entry, but makes sense in the context of the prosecuting argument: "I completely trust my own judgment and know that I made the right decision.” “I just hope that the end justifies the means … I am finally happy."</i><br />
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This one is a toss. If it was written June 21, 2003 then it means nothing in regards to Caylee Anthony. If it was written June 21, 2008 then it is either unrelated (yet horrifyingly suspicious) or the person that thought they heard Caylee in the background while on the phone with Casey was wrong. If it is the latter, it really says it all, especially when combined with the opposing page "Every Day Is A New Beginning". However, some have argued that it appears that pages were ripped out. And frankly she could have added the '03 <i>after</i> writing the entry, to make it appear as though it were written way back. The '03 is on the opposing page of the entry itself. <br />
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This technically is very far from being all that happened with the Casey Anthony case, but it is some very important incriminating evidence that, when tied all together, paints a much different picture than apparently what the jurors saw. Some of these are directly related to each other, some of these points are significant on their own. But all in all, it seems completely unreasonable to me that the jury would have arrived at the conclusion that they did. Some people are proclaiming that the prosecution didn't do an adequate job of presenting the case against her. But... really?<br />
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<i><b><br />
</b></i>I even find it suspicious that some of the photos portraying a happy little family, a loving mom with a carefree little girl, are mostly from April 2008. She would have been researching chloroform, weapon making, death, and neck-breaking in March. If she was making plans back in March, is it possible that she made sure photos were taken of her looking happy with Caylee prior to the murder taking place? Were those secretly staged? Although I'm sure that she had many other photos, it seems rather convenient that some of them would be within the defined time frame between the Google searches and the actual murder taking place. <br />
<i><b><br />
What About George Anthony?</b></i><br />
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What about the defense's argument, pinning George Anthony as an abusive father whose granddaughter died while under his watch? A father who is a former police officer, thus has more insight on the legal system than most average-Joes do? The defense's argument is that Caylee drown in the pool by accident while in the care of George Anthony (presumably Cindy Anthony wasn't around at the time). George Anthony is kind of evil according to the defense, and so he manipulated his daughter into helping him make it look like she was murdered to avoid the accident. In order to dissect the likelihood of George Anthony's guilt, we must go back to looking at the evidence stacked against Casey Anthony. We'll start with #6.<br />
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#6 becomes more critical when considering the defense's argument that George Anthony was the real guilty party. In the defense's general argument, Casey Anthony lied and created this whole story because she had been through so much trauma at the hands of her father that it was what she was accustomed to. The defense argued that George Anthony had basically manipulated his daughter into thinking that Caylee's "accidental death" was somehow her fault and basically he was "helping her" to hide the body and make it look like a murder. That is virtually unfathomable for a number of reasons, but take note that she was telling her friends about Zenaida, the supposed nanny, PRIOR to Caylee's disappearance. This is documented in the records of messages Casey Anthony sent to friends, as well as the interviews conducted of those people.<br />
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(See #9) If George Anthony had been trying to hide an accident that occurred due to his negligence... Why'd he report the smell? If it was to frame Casey, that still doesn't explain the chloroform. If it was an accident, who was researching chloroform (it wasn't Cindy Anthony, her work records prove she was at work) and why was it found in the trunk? If they were trying to stage a murder to get out of the accident (which would've been stupid for a former policeman but whatever), why would they bother - to whip up a batch of chloroform first? The research tied to the presence of it strongly implies that it was a planned and intended effort on behalf of someone. Depending on what is involved to make chloroform, would they even have the time to do make it and go "hide the body" before Cindy Anthony or a neighbor saw? If Caylee Anthony was already dead at the time she was put in the trunk, the chloroform wouldn't have been necessary. However, there would have been no reason for George Anthony to be researching making chloroform or any of the other suspicious Google searches (conducted months prior) if it was an accident.<br />
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In addition to the unnecessary use of chloroform to stage a murder scene, Caylee's body was found in a white laundry bag (similar to one Cindy Anthony said was missing from the home) that was inside a black trash bag. Another redundantly unnecessary piece of the scene. Black plastic trash bags can suffocate people on their own. And merely disposing of remains would only require a black plastic trash bag. So why would you first put the body in a white laundry bag, let alone one that appears to be removed from the house? If Caylee wasn't alive when she was put in the bag, then the bag should have merely been used as a method of transportation, and adding a white laundry bag to the mix should have served no purpose for creating a murder scene. <br />
<br />
The lack of emotion displayed Casey Anthony displayed over her missing child would imply it wasn't an accident at the hands of George Anthony. If it was at the hands of Roy Kronk, she should be fully emotional. If it was some sort of a manipulated setup at the hands of George Anthony, she should at least be displaying fear, anxiety, or relief that she might be able to tell her story to someone. I mean, she should have been displaying <i>something</i>, <i>anything</i>, any sort of emotion that would be characteristic of a loving mother whose child was no more.<br />
<br />
Even if, theoretically, George Anthony was the one to manipulate her into staging a murder scene and lying, she should have still been mourning the loss of her child. If George Anthony had convinced her that it was somehow her fault, she should have been experiencing tremendous amounts of guilt. If her father was that type <i>and</i> had sexually abused her, she likely already would've had a guilt complex from the initial abuse and she should have felt guilt almost to a point of being unbearable. If someone claims that's why George Anthony wanted to commit suicide, that <i>doesn't</i> explain why Casey Anthony would show no sadness or other emotion. And George Anthony's suicide letter has the tone of a father who feels he's failed as a father and husband, perhaps feeling that if he had been more available as a father and grandfather, Caylee would still be alive.<br />
<br />
There is also the issue of the gas cans. George Anthony reported the gas cans stolen. Casey Anthony's boyfriend, Anthony "Tony" Lazarro, testified that he had helped her break in to the shed where the gas cans were kept. When the gas cans were returned, a piece of duct tape, like found on Caylee's remains, had been removed. George said he used the duct tape on the can to keep the gas smell contained, and that Casey had stolen them before. If this sounds like a staged sort of scheme in an effort by George to frame his daughter, consider that she had at one point mentioned to a friend that she'd ran out of gas "two Fridays in a row". Amy Huizenga told investigators that on June 27th she said she was out of gas, but at that time she was using her boyfriend's car (which of course is because her Pontiac was abandoned at AmScot). <br />
<br />
<i><b>In the End...</b></i><br />
<br />
I am just like everyone else, upset at hearing the Casey Anthony trial verdict. I know posting about it won't change anything. Posting about it definitely won't bring back Caylee. I didn't even know Casey Anthony, or Caylee Anthony for that matter. But as I said in the beginning, she looks like a cute kid. She might've been fun, or stubborn. She was probably like any other toddler and had to be pressed to eat her food and go to bed at night. I'm betting that myself and everyone else out there would probably never know her name if nothing ever happened to her. I'd probably never meet Caylee Anthony in my entire life and never give it a second thought. And this sort of thing happens all the time. This is almost similar to the "Octo-mom" situation where a woman wanted easy fame and fortune and brought kids into the world to do it. Not at their own fault, but for all the wrong reasons. I hate to say it but I whole-heartedly think that she was a young, single mom and frustrated by the fact that she couldn't live the high-life like she wanted. She could've let Cindy take Caylee, she could've put her up for adoption, but she resented her mom for whatever reason. Heck, she could've given Caylee up to the hospital immediately after birth. She could've done a lot of things. But if there's one thing that <i>did</i> come from all of this, one tiny benefit, it's that now the world can see what kind of person Casey Anthony really is, and she certainly isn't someone I'd want to know. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Image Found on Anthony Computer, Titled "Girl" (</b><a href="http://justiceforcaylee.synthasite.com/">http://justiceforcaylee.synthasite.com</a><b>):</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://justiceforcaylee.synthasite.com/resources/17565332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image titled 'Girl' found in forensics search on Anthony computer. Image includes sketch of girl that looks almosts similar to Caylee Anthony and has a haunting statement asking 'why do people kill people who kill people to show that killing people is bad'?" border="0" height="320" src="http://justiceforcaylee.synthasite.com/resources/17565332.jpg" title="Image titled 'Girl' found in forensics search on Anthony computer. Image includes sketch of girl that looks almosts similar to Caylee Anthony and has a haunting statement asking 'why do people kill people who kill people to show that killing people is bad'?" width="317" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>Casey Anthony's Diary - Dated June 21st (</i></b><a href="http://www.wftv.com/_blank/18740990/detail.html"><i>http://www.wftv.com/_blank/18740990/detail.html</i></a><b><i> / </i></b><a href="http://www.wesh.com/r/18738287/detail.html"><i>http://www.wesh.com/r/18738287/detail.html</i></a><b><i>):</i></b><br />
<blockquote><i>-I have no regrets, just a bit worried. I just want for everything to work out okay. I completely trust my own judgement. I know that I made the right decisino. I just hope that the end justifies the means. I just want to know what the future will hold for me. I guess I will soon see. </i><br />
<i>-This is the happiest that I have been in a very long time. I hope that my happiness will continue to grow.</i><br />
<i>-I've made new friends that I really like. I've surrounded myself with good people. </i><br />
<i>-I am finally happy, let's just hope that it doesn't change.</i></blockquote><b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wesh.com/2009/0218/18740385_240X180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Casey Anthony's suspicious diary entry in which she describes how the end justifies the means and that she is happy now. On the alternate page she wrote 'carpe diem' meaning, 'seize the day'." border="0" src="http://www.wesh.com/2009/0218/18740385_240X180.jpg" title="Casey Anthony's suspicious diary entry in which she describes how the end justifies the means and that she is happy now. On the alternate page she wrote 'carpe diem' meaning, 'seize the day'." /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=861586649523957292&postID=4384998435860894529" name="myspace"><b><i>Casey Anthony's Deleted MySpace Post Originally Dated July 2, 2008</i></b></a><b><i>*** (</i></b><i><a href="http://blogs.discovery.com/criminal_report/files/casey_anthony_computer_report.pdf">http://blogs.discovery.com/criminal_report/files/casey_anthony_computer_report.pdf</a><b>):</b></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cayleeanthony.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/cindy-anthony-deleted-myspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cayleeanthony.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/cindy-anthony-deleted-myspace.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cayleeanthony.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/cindy-anthony-deleted-myspace.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><blockquote><i>She came into my life unexspectedly, just as she has left me. This precious little angel from above gave me strength and unconditional love. Now she is gone and I don't know why. All I am guilty of is loving her and providing her a safe home. Jealousy has taken her away. Jealousy from the one person that should be thankful for all of the love and support given to her. A mother's love is deep, however there are limits when one is betrayed by the one she loved and trusted the most. A daughter comes to her mother for support when she is pregnant, the mother says without hesitation it will be ok. And it was. But then the lies and betrayal began. First it seemed harmless, ah, love is blind. A mother will look for the good in her child and give them a chance to change. This mother gave chance after chance for her daughter to change, but instead more lies more betrayal. What does the mother get for giving her daughter all of these chances? A broken heart. The daughter who stole money, lots of money, leaves without warning and does not let her mother now speak to the baby that her mother raised, fed, clothed, sheltered, paid her medical bills, etc. Instead tells her friends that her mother is controlling her life and she needs her space. No money, no future. Where did she go? Who is now watching out for the little angel?</i></blockquote><i><u style="color: magenta;">Edit:</u><span style="color: magenta;"> I recently discovered Casey Anthony's "Diary of Days" in with several other court documents and other evidence posted on Investigation Discovery. The text of Casey Anthony's "Diary of Days" is below. "Diary of Days" was originally posted on Casey Anthony's MySpace account on July 7, 2008 and can be found as part of the evidence against Casey</span> <a href="http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/casey_anthony_full_coverage/files/casey_anthony_documents01.pdf">here</a>.</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<div style="color: magenta;"><i>***<u>Edit 2</u>: In writing this, I had originally been under the understanding that the deleted MySpace Post was written by Casey Anthony. However, it appears as though it was actually written by her mother, Cindy Anthony, and not Casey. The message still paints the same picture of Casey Anthony as mentioned above, and the same picture of Cindy Anthony (also mentioned above) but initially may have been attributed to the wrong perspective.</i></div><i><b></b></i><br />
<i><b></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Casey Anthony's Diary of Days:</b></i> <br />
<blockquote><i>On the worst of worst days,<br />
Remember the words spoken.<b> </b> <br />
</i><i>Trust no one, <br />
Only yourself.<br />
<br />
With great power,<br />
Comes great consequence.<br />
<br />
What is given,<br />
Can be taken away.<br />
<br />
Everyone lies.<br />
<br />
Everyone dies.<br />
<br />
Life will never be easy.<br />
<br />
On the worst of worst days, <br />
Remember the words spoken.<br />
<br />
Hold your head high.<br />
<br />
Smile.<br />
<br />
Laugh.<br />
<br />
Love unconditionally.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is a brand new day.</i></blockquote>This seems to tie in eerily well with the "Carpe Diem - Seize the Day" and "Every Day is a New Beginning" written in Casey Anthony's diary entry. The diary may have missing pages based on the appearance in the photos, and the page opposite the main entry had an "'03" in the above left hand corner, but the entry itself merely had "June 21" as the date. I'd love to assume that she really loved life and tried to live every day to its fullest, but frankly in the context of everything else it sounds more like that was what she wanted to do, but Caylee got in her way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Resources and More...</b></i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/caylee_anthony/9.html">Casey Anthony May Have Gotten Name of Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez From Visitor Card at Sawgrass Apartments - TruTV.com </a><br />
<a href="http://www.wdbo.com/news/news/local/george-anthonys-suicide-letter/nC3Bn/">Transcription of George Anthony's Suicide Letter - WDBO.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wftv.com/pdf/25606323/detail.html">Letters Written by Cindy Anthony - WFTV.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Timeline-in-the-Casey-Anthony-case-1453273.php">Timeline of Events Throughout the Casey Anthony Case - SeattlePI.com </a><br />
<a href="http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28142228/detail.html">Forensic Expert Describes Odor from Casey Anthony's Car as "Shocking" - ClickOrlando.com</a><br />
<a href="http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/casey_anthony_full_coverage/files/caylee_anthony_files.html">Documents in the Casey Anthony Case - Investigation.Discovery.com</a><br />
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/casey-anthony-trial-evidence-photos-13724467">Casey Anthony Trial Evidence Photos - ABCNews.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wftv.com/video/18743749/index.html">(Video) Documents and Photos Released Regarding Casey Anthony Case - WFTV.com</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/caylee_anthony/7.html">Casey Anthony Maintains Lies About Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez and Sawgrass Apartments - TruTV.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.clickorlando.com/news/16993169/detail.html">Transcript of Casey Anthony's Jailhouse Phone Call with Cindy Anthony, Lee Anthony, and "Kristina" - ClickOrlando.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/205418/4/Father-Quizzed-about-Missing-Gas-Cans-in-Casey-Anthony-Trial">George Anthony Questioned About Missing Gas Cans - FirstCoastNews.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wftv.com/news/28091499/detail.html">Witnesses and Recordings Heard in Court Expose Casey's Lies - WFTV.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28130329/detail.html">Forensic Expert Says Hair in Trunk Consistent with Dead Person's Hair - ClickOrlando.com</a><br />
<a href="http://breakingnews.vacau.com/cindy-anthony-mother-of-casey-anthony-offers-compelling-testimony-against-accused-killer.html">Cindy Anthony Compelling Testimony, Items Found With Caylee - BreakingNews.Vacau.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20070179-504083.html">"Chloroform", "Inhalation", "Death", "Alcohol", "Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez" Searched from Anthony Computer - CBSNews.com</a> <br />
<a href="http://foxnewsinsider.com/2011/07/05/does-casey-anthony-still-think-the-end-justifies-the-means/">Casey Anthony Diary Entry: "Hope the end justifies the means" - FoxNewsInsider.com</a><br />
<a href="http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/156323/20110602/casey-anthony-trial-day-7-spiteful-bitch-potent-smell-and-imaginary-people-caylee.htm">Lee Anthony Recounts Casey Anthony's "Spiteful Bitch" Remark - SanFrancisco.IBTimes.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28168396/detail.html">Expert Testimony: Anthony Computer Showed Search for "Chloroform" - ClickOrlando.com</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861586649523957292.post-13422543220605549652011-07-10T05:36:00.000-07:002011-08-18T05:24:09.387-07:00Horrible Bosses - Review? Loved It!<cite class="kv"></cite>Just a quick one (quick? from me? hah!) since I haven't posted in a little too long. My friend of the same name wanted to go see <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Horrible-Bosses-Jason-Bateman/dp/B004EPZ084?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Horrible Bosses</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004EPZ084" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ayekantspeylgud&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004EPZ084&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></i> the other day, a movie I'd never even heard of prior to...well, the other day. Friday, to be specific. Apparently the very day it came out.<br />
<br />
<div id="image"></div>I asked my friend what it was about, because I'm not usually one to shell out the $10-$20 for the typical theater experience. I didn't even realize at the time that it was the very first day of showing, but I knew she wanted to intended for us to see it in the theater, nevertheless.<br />
<br />
<i>Horrible Bosses</i> stars Jason Bateman (Nick) and Jennifer Aniston (Dr. Harris). Frankly it stars a bunch of other people too, but apparently they don't matter enough to the people listing the credits.<br />
<br />
Most notably to me, it stars the cynical guy from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Beauty-Widescreen-Annette-Bening/dp/B00003CWL6?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">American Beauty</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00003CWL6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I love that guy! I guess I mean I love Kevin Spacey (Mr. Harken), but not like that. But in mentioning people not important enough, I shouldn't forget Charlie Day (Dale), Colin Farrell (Bobby Pellitt), Jason Sudeikis (Kurt), and even Jamie Foxx (Mother F**ker Jones).<br />
<br />
I'm not sure which movie I've seen Jason Sudeikis in before but the entire time I kept mistaking him for the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nickelodeon-Slime-Can-in-Yellow/dp/B001CNSCPO?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Nikelodeon Double Dare</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001CNSCPO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> guy that now does <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unwrapped-Vol-1-Marc-Summers/dp/B001EDWAGY?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Unwrapped</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001EDWAGY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Anyway, I think seeing Kevin Spacey playing one of the <i>horrible bosses</i> (hah, hah) was what first intrigued me. I didn't recognize any of the other guys, I shouldn't say that. I recognized Jason Bateman instantly but didn't know his name or where I had seen him before.<br />
<br />
Jennifer Aniston plays another <i>horrible boss</i> (overusing this, I know), but I almost didn't recognize her. If it weren't for her voice, I don't know<i> when</i> I would've actually recognized her! The last <i>horrible boss</i> (ok, I think I'm done) is Colin Farrell.<br />
<br />
Each is "horrible" in his or her own way. They did a pretty decent job of showing a broad spectrum of terrible, I mean <i>horrible</i> traits. They aren't all just jerks, they're jerks for different reasons.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the movie starts out by showcasing why each boss is <i>horrible</i>. You get a little glimpse of the dumb things that they do that would really piss you off. Then they begin plotting murder. Then hilarity ensues.<br />
<br />
There were many parts that were rather predictable. Not necessarily in the "I know ______ is about to happen" but there were some parts like that. Others were just a general feeling of "Ok, something's about to go down" even though the movie is trying to give you the impression that nothing is up. <br />
<br />
Aside from a bit of predictability, the craziness of some of it bugged me just a little. For example, most of the bosses' <i>horrible</i> behavior would be downright illegal.<br />
<br />
In most businesses, if not all, if not every state, you would have grounds for a lawsuit in some way or another with at least some of the actions. If not a lawsuit, then you could report them for other reasons, just not in a way that would directly benefit you.<br />
<br />
So some of it was a tad too absurd to be believed. However, if you try to think outside the box (and they <i>do</i> try to make it sound somewhat reasonable, and are decently successful) you can see how maybe these <i>horrible</i> bosses would manage to pull off some of their behaviors without being arrested or sued.<br />
<br />
Along the lines of absurdity, one or two of the characters (both on the horrible boss side as well as the disgruntled employee side) is a bit too much to be believed. Almost all of them are a bit too much to be believed at one or two points. But overall, it's mostly acceptable.<br />
<br />
I know it's a comedy movie and it doesn't have to be right on target, but in a "realistic" type movie (i.e. this isn't <i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1988203129" target="_blank">Star Wars</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003ZSJ212" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>), you have to have some <i>realism</i> to it. It's not <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Madison-Adam-Sandler/dp/0783229445?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Billy Madison</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0783229445" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>, a movie that's stupid for the sake of being stupid (but is upfront about that).<br />
<br />
The plot is, theoretically, something that could actually happen. There are plenty of people out there who think their boss is horrible. I'm sure there are only a scant portion of that group that would go so far as to even fantasize about literally murdering said boss, but I'll hope I'm right and leave it at that.<br />
<br />
When all is said and done, I really enjoyed watching <i>Horrible Bosses</i> and I'd definitely buy it on DVD. It was much better than I even anticipated. When my friend told me about it, I was mostly expecting a kind of lame knock-off or modernized version of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Office-Space-Special-Flair-Widescreen/dp/B000AP04L0?ie=UTF8&tag=ayekantspeylgud&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Office Space</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ayekantspeylgud&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000AP04L0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. However, <i>Horrible Bosses - </i>I was pleased to discover - is quite different..<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JNNDEW?tag=ayekantspeylgud&camp=213761&creative=393545&linkCode=bpl&creativeASIN=B001JNNDEW&adid=12R84RYG0M9DZ658YDNZ&" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ArmWFh4bL._SL110_.jpg" /></a><br />
In spite of the few hangups, I do recommend <i>Horrible Bosses</i> to pretty much anyone able to handle a little foul language. It is rated R. But if language doesn't bother you and you're looking for a great comedy to kick back with, <i>Horrible Bosses</i> is definitely for you.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Excellent Quotes from <i>Horrible Bosses</i>:</span></b><br />
<blockquote><i><b>Detective:</b> "You wanna explain why you were speeding?"<br />
<b>Nick:</b> "I was drag racing."<br />
<b>Detective:</b> "In a Prius?"<br />
<b>Nick:</b> "I don't win a lot."</i></blockquote><blockquote><i><b>Nick:</b> "You're gonna be our lookout."<br />
<b>Dale:</b> "I'm gonna honk the horn six times."<br />
<b>Kurt:</b> "Something much more subtle..."<br />
<b>Dale:</b> "Four honks?"<br />
<b>Nick</b>: "Can you honk once?"<br />
<b>Dale:</b> "People honk once all the time - you're gonna be running in and out of the house..." </i></blockquote><blockquote><i><b>Bobby: </b>"Oh yeah, we've got to trim some of the fat around here."<br />
<b>Kurt:</b> "What do you mean by trim the fat?"<br />
<b>Bobby:</b> "I want you to fire the fat people."<br />
<b>Kurt:</b> "What?!"<br />
<b>Bobby:</b> "They're lazy and they're slow and they make me sad to look at." </i></blockquote><blockquote><i><b>Kurt:</b> "She makes herself a little snack. A popsicle. A banana. And finally, a hot dog. And eating them in that weird order thats not a proper meal."</i> </blockquote> Find a long list of some of the best <i>Horrible Bosses</i> quotes, along with clips of those parts of the movie, on "<a href="http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/177069/20110709/horrible-bosses-best-quotes-jennifer-aniston-kevin-spacey-colin-farrell.htm">Best 'Horrible Bosses' Quotes - International Business Times</a>".<br />
<br />
If you didn't know anything about <i>Horrible Bosses</i> yet either, check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpUeQV8sdOc">trailer</a> from Warner Bros Pictures on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpUeQV8sdOc">YouTube</a>.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00344164088836171837noreply@blogger.com0