Fast-Talking Computer Hacker

Fast-Talking Computer Hacker Just Has To Break Through Encryption Shield Before Uploading Nano-Virus - LOS ANGELES — After dashing off an indiscernible code on his laptop keyboard and sharply striking the enter key multiple times with his forefinger, a fast-talking, visibly tense computer hacker said that he just has to break through the encryption shield before he could upload the nano-virus, sources confirmed Tuesday.

The arrogant if socially awkward hacker, a 30-year-old software-programmer-turned-cyberpunk known only as "Cipher," reportedly told his buttoned-up yet eager employers who were hovering over him and watching his every move that breaking into the supercomputer's mainframe would be "child’s play."

"The firewall's a bitch, but I should be able to get around it," Cipher said before swiftly wheeling his computer chair to an adjacent desk, clearing away the pile of empty pizza boxes and Maxim magazines and scanning the numbers and figures scrolling across two mounted flat-screen monitors. "Oh, what have we here? Looks like they updated their security system. Impressive. But not impressive enough."

"And...I’m in," he added as the words "ACCESS GRANTED" appeared on his laptop screen.

To Serve and Protect, No Service, -and- iTunes to My Tunes

To Serve and Protect - calf dies after cops use Taser
No Service - reservist sentenced for wearing medals he did not earn
iTunes to My Tunes - hacker breaks link between iTunes and iPod

On this day in history: February 21, 1931 - The first attempted hijacking of an airplane occurs when revolutionary soldiers in Peru seize a Ford Tri-motor and demand pilots drop propaganda leaflets over the capital, Lima.

Born on this day in history: February 21, 1943 - David Geffen (1943-) Born in New York City, media mogul David Geffen, an energetic music and movie executive, was a millionaire by age of 25, and, by 1998, had a personal worth valued at over $1 billion. With Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Geffen founded Dreamworks, an influential Hollywood film studio.

Scripture of the Day: Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things. - Joel 2:21

Video of the Day: Ticket to Ride - submitted by Cindy

I encountered this patriotic flag sale at Wal-Mart this morning.

It is raining again! The beautiful weather has departed, and in its place is rain. While it is not particularly cold, it is particularly wet. The weather forecast is for rain through the weekend and into next week. There will be no outdoor grilling this weekend, apparently.

UPDATE 8 AM: Mr. Nitro is ill. Laura is taking him to the dealership to have him inspected. I am sad and concerned for his welfare. I am very thankful for Laura and all the assistance she is giving in this matter!

Homeland Insecurity, From the Halls of Montezuma, -and- Ahem!

Homeland Insecurity - US video shows simulated hacker attack
From the Halls of Montezuma - Marines barred from making commercial in SF
Ahem! - motorist arrested for "coughing"

On this day in history: September 27, 1964 - The Warren Commission Report is finally released, definitively proving once and for all that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, without help.

Born on this day in history: September 27, 1722 - Samuel Adams (1722 - 1803) revolutionary, statesman. He was leader of the Massachusetts "radicals," and the force behind the Boston Tea Party, 1773; signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Scripture of the Day: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Video of the Day: Bill Dube wrecks the fastest electric motorcycle - submitted by Phillip

I spotted this squirrel on my front lawn this morning. He was snacking on the wild mushrooms growing there. Click to enlarge.

Zip Code Database: Type in the zip code you are interested in and you will learn more than you ever wanted to know! Zip Code Database

For dinner last night, we had grilled pork loin chops, yellow squash, white mushrooms, and Jalapeños. I made a tasty teriyaki sauce, using bottled teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, molasses, soy sauce, ground Cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Laura grilled the pork and vegetables perfectly. It was a delightful meal.

Bad Taste: Responding to pressure from Christian groups, the Miller Brewing Co. is asking organizers of a "gay" street celebration in San Francisco to remove its logo from a promotional poster portraying Jesus Christ and his disciples as "half-naked homosexual sadomasochists."

In a statement on its Web site, Miller said while it has "supported the Folsom Street Fair for several years, we take exception to the poster the organizing committee developed this year."

It is sadly coincidental that this is Samuel Adams' birthday. I can only imagine how disgusted he would be with the Miller Brewing Co.—a major player in an industry he was instrumental in creating!

iHack, The Unreal Thing, -and- I Saw What You Did

iHack - iPhone security flaw lets hackers take over
The Unreal Thing - is that a fake in your pocket?
I Saw What You Did - man spies on daughter, catches wife cheating

On this day in history: July 23, 1996 - Harry Morgan, Col. Potter on TV's "M*A*S*H," is arraigned on charges of spousal abuse. LAPD officers responding to a 911 call at the couple's Brentwood, California home had discovered his wife Barbara bruised and bleeding from her face.

Born on this day in history: July 23, 1888 - Raymond Chandler (1888 - 1959) short-story writer, novelist He was considered master of "hard-boiled" crime stories, e.g., "The Big Sleep," 1939 and "Playback," 1958.

Today's Video: Dodge Nitro Pepsi Edition

This is indeed a world gone mad: PETA and other ultra-liberal, tree-hugging, self-righteous groups of morons complained so vehemently about a recent Dodge Nitro commercial—in which a Nitro appears to electrocute a dog who urinated on one of its wheels—that Chrysler publicly announced that it would not air the commercial in the United States. The commercial was originally produced for the European market. While it appeared patently obvious to me that the "electrocution" was simulated, the outcry against the commercial was too loud for Chrysler advertising executives to ignore.

While this commercial will apparently never be televised in this country, a Mercury commercial which is currently being shown depicts a zombie-like woman wearing an amulet. She buries the amulet in the ground, and through apparent sorcery, a Mercury Mariner forms from tendrils reaching up from the soil. Apparently, sorcery and demonic invocation are acceptable in television commercials.