I’ve just installed POPFile which may begin to eliminate my ridiculous spam load. I’ve been getting a lot, as everyone has. It has seemed to have leaped in frequency since the start of the War, for some reason.

POPFile is an automatic mail classification tool. Once properly set up and trained, it will work in the background of your computer, scanning mail as it arrives and filing it however you wish. You can give it a simple job, like separating out junk e-mail, or a complicated one – like filing mail into a dozen folders. Think of it as a personal assistant for your inbox.

Tags: filter, popfile, spam

Toymakers Study Troops, and Vice Versa “The M-16 rifle is based on something Mattel did,” said Glenn Flood, a spokesman for the Pentagon, which is looking to toys and electronic games for parts, prototypes and ideas that can be developed effectively and inexpensively as battlefield tools. Inspiration has come from model airplanes (reconnaissance drones), “supersoaker” water guns (quick-loading assault weapons), cheap cellular phones for teenagers (video-capable walkie-talkies) and gaming control panels (for unmanned robotic vehicles).

I just found out:

An editor from Top Food Sites has reviewed Foreign Groceries Museum and given it the Top Food Site Award. Your site is now listed on http://www.topfoodsites.com/

Gathering of the Gargoyles 2003

In Gargoyles we had an animated series with a dramatic plot, continuing storyline, ethnically diverse cast, and clean gothic style. It received an unprecedented number of episodes and a devoted fan following. It survived two seasons, a revamp and years on the shelf. It has survived thanks to devoted fans who, since 1997 have gathered together to talk, socialize, and work towards getting the series back on the air, and giving it the recognition it deserves.
In the summer of 2003 we ‘gather’ once again. In past Gatherings we’ve traveled to various locations, making many new and interesting friends along the way. 2003 brings us back to the beginning, the place the Gargoyles call home, the place where the Gathering first started. The 7th Annual Gathering of the Gargoyles – New York City, New York. Time again to take wing and glide; come join us. Have a great time with fellow fans, meet the people responsible for bringing us the show, and join us to help bring Gargoyles back on the air!

Another example of cultural reverse-engineering. I was watching a Family Guy episode where Stewie does a cool-in-the-70s spoken word performance of “Rocket Man” complete with tux and cigarette. I wondered if it might be a Shatner parody. Indeed, it is. I guess on some TV special in 1978 (Science Fiction Film Awards) he did this.

Update: a U.S. solider has been detained as being responsible for this attack.

What makes one person a terrorist and the other a solider? Perhaps there are Geneva Convention issues here, but perhaps it’s just propaganda.

Attack Injures 10 U.S. Troops in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY – A grenade and gunfire attack injured 10 American soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division’s camp in Kuwait early Sunday, U.S. military officials said. Six of the troops were seriously hurt.

“From our reports it appears that a terrorist penetrated Camp Pennsylvania, one or more terrorists threw two hand grenades into a tent,” said George Heath, spokesman at Fort Campbell, Ky., home base of the 101st.

But doesn’t the headline just rule?

Words of wisdom from Ted Turner If you ever have the chance to merge with AOL, stay away.”

Mulletfest 2003
Inspired by a movie, a group of Huntsville residents gathered for the city’s first Mulletfest, celebrating the hairstyle known as business up front, party in the back.

Catherine Shearer, coordinator of the event, said she had the idea for paying homage to the mullet – a hairdo in which wearers keep their bangs short but let their locks grow freely in the back – after watching the movie “Mullet Men” in Montgomery.

The few dozen partygoers wore overalls, flannel shirts and sleeveless undershirts and dined on fried pigskins, Moon Pies and RC Cola. They watched mullet movies, received free mullet haircuts and competed in a mullet haiku contest.

“What entices me is not so much the haircut but the fact that 30,000 people show up at the beach every year to watch grown men throw fish,” Hubbard said. “But where the haircut is concerned, I guess there is a carnival aspect to its attraction.

“Onlookers are taken aback. In its way, it’s beauty I suppose. It’s the Venus de Milo of coiffures.”

Where to start? I just don’t quite see Saddam in his bunker reading the National Post and sighing to himself “Ahhh, at least they love me in Canada…” simply because people criticize the US. What a strange thing to say. I agree that one the die has been cast, it’s not worth debating, but the economic hammer that he US wields is a little too obvious here. And it’s depressing.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien, trying to clamp down on a wave of anti-American comments by his administration, urged Canadians on Thursday not to criticize the United States for attacking Iraq because this could be construed as supporting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
In recent days several members of the ruling Liberal Party — including Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal — have blasted the United States, which is by far Canada’s closest ally and trading partner.
Canadian business executives are increasingly voicing fears that the lucrative trade relationship between the two countries could be hurt if the criticisms do not stop. In particular, they say any clampdown on the border could be crippling.
Chretien, who said on Tuesday that an attack on Iraq would be unjustified, did not criticize Washington on Thursday and said he hoped the war would be short with a minimum of casualties.
“At this point I think there is no use debating the reasons why some people think war is necessary and some people think it is not. We should not say anything that would comfort Saddam Hussein,” he told reporters.

Full story “Americans ought to be prepared for the importance of disarming Saddam Hussein to protect the peace.”

What the hell does that mean?

Filmmakers Showcase ‘Tiny Screen’ Films for Phones

For big screen filmmaker Bonnie Palef, whose credits include such Hollywood hits as “Moonstruck,” “Marvin’s Room” and “Children of a Lesser God,” the challenge of the tiny screen was to make an impression with the audience in just a few minutes.
“It’s still about storytelling,” Palef said. “You have to distill a great amount of material into a soundbite… It forces you to be creative.”
Palef submitted a film called “What Great Thinkers Think,” in which the Dalai Lama’s exploration of the concept of love is illustrated by dogs and roast chicken.

George Fields, Professional Speaker & Entertainer
George is unique in professional entertainment. He is a gifted speaker, insight-giver and motivator. He mystifies with his memory and magic and delights with his music. Audiences love his stories and yarns which are told in a relaxed, down-home voice and manner. George has so much fun that most people ask for the recipe.

Prior to becoming a full-time entertainer, George was a YMCA youth director, a college athlete, a soldier and a church staff worker. He is a husband, father, seminary graduate, good neighbor and good friend to all!

For your next special occasion, we invite you to experience George. He’s a one-of-a-kind catalyst for fellowship. He entertains and inspires with integrity. His soft-touch style carries a hard-punch message.

We just signed up to compete in Stockstock, a film festival consisting of short films made entirely from stock footage. We select a limited amount of stock footage and give it to you�your job is to make it into some kind of short video presentation

Fox Licenses ‘The Simpsons’ to THQ for Wireless

If you’ve ever wanted your cell phone to say “D’oh!” when someone calls, you’ll soon have the chance. Twentieth Century Fox on Monday said it has licensed “The Simpsons (news – Y! TV)” to the wireless division of video game publisher THQ Inc. to be developed into games, ring tones, screensavers and messaging tools around the world.