Viruses and Telephone Warnings

April 1st has some folks worried about the conficker computer virus. I have 3 computers, 2 of which are PC’s. I’m unplugging them  from the internet today and tomorrow just to be careful. I think my Mac is okay, though. I make sure my computers have updated virus software because our business data and financial information is at stake so I hope that I’m not at risk. It may turn out that the worm won’t cause any problems for you but it may be setting you up by protecting itself and disabling your protection for a future attack where the hackers could use millions and millions of computers to attack the internet.

http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm

Every morning, the call comes in on my cell. I know it’s a computer generated call with the area code “866”. Before I answer any unknown caller, I get online and check out the area code. It’s good advice to follow. My niece works for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Anti-Fraud Call Centre.  She forwarded this information this morning and thought I should pass it on:

'Missed call' scam could put erotic chat charges on your phone bill

Ring, ring. (Silence.) Oops, you missed that call. Maybe you should call back and see if it was important.

Do not fall for this scam, especially if the number is in the 649 area, a U.S. group warns.

The warning is from MyWireless.org, a Washington-based advocacy group with ties to the U.S. telecommunications industry.

"Wireless companies have detected a pattern of calls that ring their customers' number once or twice and then disconnect," the group says in a statement.

"When the number appears on the customer's cellphone as a missed call, it appears to be a typical domestic three-digit phone number starting with the 649 area code."

Customers who return such calls may find themselves connected to an adult entertainment service, it says, "and end up being billed for expensive international call and chat line charges."

"MyWireless.org urges wireless consumers to always check an area code first before returning a call to an unknown caller. Be skeptical about area codes you don't recognize, especially: 649 (Turks and Caicos); 809 (Dominican Republic); 284 (British Virgin Islands); 876 (Jamaica); 758 (St. Lucia); or 664 (Montserrat)."

'If you return the call, you may be unwittingly putting money into the pockets of scam artists.'—U.S. Federal Trade Commission

Fastest Street Legal Car

This video was really cool ~ especially if you're into racing.

This is a 1972 Datsun ~  winning races against Corvettes and any other vehicle that it comes up against.   To me, it sounds like a pimped out Black and Decker drill.  LOL! This gives you a perspective on the power of electric versus gasoline, though. Much love to you and keep safe this weekend. Jen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369h-SEBXd 

Stingrays, Weddings and Avian Flu

In central Thailand an enormous freshwater stingray was captured, tagged and released during a National Geographic expedition.

This is a big ass ray!!! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We just found out that our son and his fiance’ (Kris and Christine) have decided to fly out to Hawaii to get married. How cool is that? 

I barely blundered through my own wedding and, undoubtedly, owe apologies to the entire Catholic Church, the whole town of South River and a multitude of other people.  I wonder if the kids know who they’re trusting...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Avian Flu News

The story below has some interesting and upsetting aspects to it. Apparently, an American company sent out the live Avian/Human Flu Virus to 18 regions in Europe. The fact that both the bird AND human strains were combined leaves people worried that, either it was intentional...OR if it was accidental, all the protocols that the CDC use to protect us are horribly ineffective.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/02/27/8560781.html

Slideshow from March 7th, 2009

Last weekend, Ron and I took a drive up to the North Shore to visit Jerry and his family. They live right across from Leftovers Beach surfing spot. Here are a few pics from last weekend. 

Northeast Bat Die-Off

White fungus growing around the mouths of bats

Unprecedented Northeast Bat Die-off Spreading Rapidly
Insects Expected to Increase

Personal Note: I listened to Linda’s interview online about this and these bats had a ring of fungus around their mouths. Scientists are extremely worried about this die-off as it’s occurring worldwide. They don’t know if it’s the fungus that’s killing them off or whether the fungus is a secondary infection caused by some kind of immune suppressant.

http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1529&category=Environment

Bananas Gone Bad ~ Live Sessions 2008

Welcome to the live sessions we recorded while onboard our sailboat. We are jamming with a dear friend from the North Shore of Oahu. His name is Jerry Merils ~ songwriter, guitar player and primo vocalist.

Ron Tiernay is on drums and vocals and works with me on sound.

I play bass, guitar, keyboards, mediocre vocals and sound

This Will Make the Guys go "EEeeewww"

Jugum Penis, United Kingdom, 1880-1920

Guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes, this device was intended as a treatment for "nocturnal incontinence" and to prevent masturbation. It was designed to deter nighttime emissions by causing enough pain to waken the sleeper if an erection threatened.

Anti-masturbation device, United Kingdom, 1871-1930

Worn beneath the clothes, this device was hooked onto a waistband and covered the penis and testicles.

Bananas Gone Bad ~ MySpace

I've uploaded four tunes onto our new Myspace page. Ron's family's been asking to hear what we've recorded (to date) so I put them up despite the fact they're not finished. They're uncompressed on the lower end so headphones may be a better way to listen instead of computer speakers. Don't want to blow those little buggers on ya...

www.myspace.com/bananasgonebad

If you have a myspace page, please invite me. I'm lonely...only a few friends so far (including Tom) LOL!