I promised but ...

What is it with Microsoft?  I have a Hotmail account, but Microsoft decided it wasn't good enough, so they had to do a web-based Outlook. So my ELEVEN CHARACHTER password got hacked, my Hotmail account closed.

What part of New and Improved do they not understand? How is it improved that my email got hacked?

I promised no more rants, but let me set a topic for discussion: Is all the new technology really "better"? I had a recent conversation with some young folks what it would be like to explain to someone even in the 60's that most people would have a hand-held device that could make phone calls, access the world's brightest minds (and dumbest ones), make and watch movies in high definition, and store all your LP's to listen to, send audible map directions to your car, read your mail ... you get my meaning. We are really way ahead of the science fiction guys. Dick Tracy's watch? pfui .. just a Skype app (remember to turn your camera around). Those little book thingys on Star Trek? Mini disks are old technology. Tricorders? Pretty clunky when you consider the cellphone. At least they got the Bluetooth insignias right. But of course we are a long way from the year 2245 (Star date 1314.5) when the Enterprise will launch. Who knows what improvements we will have by then? Maybe we will have personal tricorder tattoos bio-engineered the diagnose and treat every thing from hemorrhoids to Alzheimer's.

I wonder how slowly we will advance with Microsoft in the vanguard?

Snow

They are forecasting snow for this part of the world. i haven't seen anything about it being a super storm or anything ... BUT I have had warning email from my insurance company and the electric company. I'll probably get one from the town too. I am so glad that our infrastructure is so woebegone that a simple New England snow storm sends us running for the hills. (or in my case, my parents' house ... they have a generator).

Fear is a powerful motivator. My brother has found a news feed from an extreme survivalist who is predicting the fall of the dollar, gold through the roof yadda yadda.

I cannot spend my life running around collecting bags of corn and hoarding assault rifles.There is music and dancing everywhere.

Enjoy it.