Hi all I am Ash Tree person according to Celtic Zodiac. Just like Mike. But I have not seeing something for our exploratory nature. It is really interesting finally. John

John and Mike are very creative and electrically adept gentlemen. How fitting they are the same sign. I find most of this just as fun, but occasionally they get come characteristic or another right on target. That is amazing. I guess we take what we want from each. In that vein I post the following totally irrelevant information: Fishing Guide the Stars by Kramer Wetzel For the Week of 9/5-11/2002 Virgo: You can't really see it, but I'm sure you can feel it. Mars lines up with the Sun during the next few days. This is akin to taking a stock truck, and adding all the things under the hood that matter. Once you get all that extra stuff crammed onto the motor, the truck moves pretty fast. The thing is, you can't see all the modifications. We used to call these street "sleepers" because you never knew it was a highly modified vehicle until you got stuck eating its dust. Likewise, you can't see Mars right next to the Sun, but take my word for it, he's there, and trust me on this one, he's adding a lot of fuel to that Virgo fire engine. You can brag about this, you can take credit, make boastful claims, or, you can do this the right way: let them eat your Virgo dust. It's that simple. Instead of telling us what you can do, just put your foot into it. Show us what you can do. Libra: This is the week I lose popularity with Libra fans. Maybe not all, but most them will have unkind thoughts and words directed towards me. The deal is, there's great stuff stirring for other signs right now. But like most of my "brushes with fame," all this great stuff hits at some time when the focus is directed towards other people. Most of my fine, Libra friends understand how this works. What makes me unpopular is the concept that this means someone else gets the attention. That's a big problem. It's the big time right before your special birthday, and you feel like I'm directing everyone's attention away from you. It's not me, but you get the idea. We're all right around the corner from what should be a really good Libra Birthday blast, and all I can suggest is it's a time to let other people have the spotlight. Matter of fact, you're going to feel like your timing is off, your mouth doesn't quite say what you want it to say, and nothing seems to work quite the way you want it to. As long as nothing is going the way you want it to, why not relax about this issue. You and I both know that your birthday party month is around the corner. Look a little further down the road than just this week, and you can see where it will be good, all good. Let someone else enjoy the limelight now -- your turn is coming. Scorpio: Within the confines of the great state of Texas, it's finally starting to cool off some. Welcome relief, if you ask me. With the somewhat cooler temperatures, there's a little itch that you get under your Scorpio skin. I'm all for scratching that itch. I'm all for you doing just what it is that you want to do. Skip the bad news. Skip listening to "prophet of doom" astrologers. Miss Venus is going to be creeping into your sign -- this is a good thing. Now, Miss Venus is a little self-indulgent at times. Imagine that, a Scorpio who might want to indulge herself [himself, itself, whatever]? Instead of fighting that urge, and instead of me telling you to stick to business, stick to work, stick to important stuff, I'd suggest by this time next week, you should be having yourself a high time. You know, go ahead and have some fun. Don't complain to me if no one around you wants to play. If a certain party doesn't want to be included in your party plans, then move on to the next one. It's really that simple. I call a situation like this a numbers a game, because you might have to make several calls before you find a willing participant or two, but keep calling. I'd estimate your averages are better than anyone else's about now. Just because some folks are a little down, that doesn't mean you should be, too. Sagittarius: Depression is a ticklish subject. Different people deal with depression in different ways. Some folks require loads of medication, therapists, and toys to massage the ego. Other folks, like me, just do a little shopping. Nothing like acquiring some new music, or a new book, to help ease the pain. While spending money is also lots of fun, it might not be the best time for such an activity this coming weekend. The feeling of depression, though, there's a good chance that it occurs. Get over it. Move your body. Change your location. That might not really solve the problem, that might not address the core issue, but it does make you feel a little better at the moment. As soon as next week gets here, you're feeling about 100% better. You have a little edge to you, though, and you can thank Mr. Mars for that. He's in Virgo, and as such, he creates a tension angle to our sign. Activity is good. Anything that gets you on your feet, out the door, and moving along is what works for you. I would suggest that you use a little more caution when moving about. With this Mars tension, I'm usually tempted to try to do too much. While too much of a good thing is always appealing to a Sagittarius, this next few days, too much might not be in our best interest. Capricorn: I'm fortunate because most of the residents of Shady Acres Trailer Park don't really believe in astrology too much. I don't get called upon by my neighbors to do readings. One place I lived, I had a neighbor who would not hesitate to knock on my door at 3 in the morning, "Hey, I thought I saw your light on, can you just look at my chart real quick like? I just met this guy tonight...." Such interruptions aren't always bad, but on that one occasion when I was "entertaining" a particular female, the neighbor's intrusion didn't go over too well. [And people wonder why I now live like a monk!] With an exception of one, untimely, interruption, you've got what is basically a good couple of days coming along. There's one problem, though, and I'm not sure that you're going to be quite prepared for it. It's like that neighbor knocking -- at the most inopportune moment. You're like me, suddenly you have two females, one who gives you money, the other, the one you spend that money on, and one of the two is glaring at the other one. Confused? You should see what it looks like from my very innocent point of view. Usually, you -- and I -- can talk our way out such situations. Usually. Except for this one instantaneous of apparently bad timing, though, things are pretty good. Good luck explaining. Aquarius: There's a unique kind of influence that just hit you. The deal is this coming weekend is great time to put some plans into action, put some ideas into action, get ready to launch some new project. Here's the hot tip: it's not something that you do alone. As soon as I suggest an activity along those lines, though, there's a great host of my fine Aquarius friends who all assume that this means it's a time for "relationship stuff." I was really looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, though, something more along the lines of a career type of project. Sure, there's plenty of time for that romantic stuff, if you so desire. But I'd really like to get your attention more directed towards a career goal. This might -- or might not -- have something to do with your job. Career, in this definition, is what you like to do, what you called to do, and what you do because you want to. Doesn't necessarily mean it's your job. Might be. Or might be some big deal you've been meaning to attack. Try getting up early this coming weekend, and get after this little project. Pisces: It's only happened once or twice, but my mistakes -- which are usually good fodder for self-deprecating jokes -- come to mind under this astrological influence in your chart. I carefully wrote down a time when I was supposed to meet a client. Then, I bumped the time ahead by half an hour so I could get there a little early. Forgetting that I had advanced the time I wrote down, I bounced ahead another half hour, so I was set to exactly one hour early for an appointment. Now, on that fateful day, I took one look at the appointments for the afternoon, and I figured I needed an extra half hour to get there, and an extra half hour to grab a quick bite, so suddenly I was now three hours early. I can't say for all local newspapers, but our local version really doesn't include a whole three hours of material in it. Starting to get the picture? I was way ahead of schedule. I was as close as it gets to being bored. While I enjoy chatting up that one Gemini waitress, seeing as how I was going to be there for more than three hours, I started to wear out my welcome. With Mars in his relative position, you're going want to check your schedules a little closer than I do. And with the Sun over in Virgo, too, you're going to find that folks don't seem to be running on the same timetable that you're on. Plan accordingly. Aries: I was off on one of my rambling jaunts around town the other afternoon. It's too much trouble to gas up the truck, and the walk is restful in an athletic way. Besides, where I set out for, whatever the destination might be, the route can always change where I go. I tend to meander in and around several of the neighborhoods, just trying to work it all in. This sort of synergistic way of dealing with life is not always a good model for Aries. Pick a single direction, unlike me, and follow it. Now, on that one afternoon last week, I slipped my phone into my pocket as I didn't want to be out of touch. Not wearing my normal shorts, but some fancy "dress slacks" shorts instead, I encountered a problem I didn't know about. The way the pockets are cut, the phone rubs my leg, and it dials itself some of the numbers on speed dial setup. So my phone started talking to, in no particular order, a red headed Capricorn, Ma Wetzel, and some girl in El Paso. Not too mention that one Virgo, as well. When I finally corrected the errant phone's behavior, it was too late. I had a voice mail box full of messages from my buddies (and Ma Wetzel.) Check the details. Make sure your phone [or other communication equipment] doesn't start randomly dialing folks up, just so they can hear you walking along. Taurus: Something is hurrying you along. It's like a pressure I get behind my eyes some times. "I know there's fish out there, and I can feel they want to bite me," I sense. Lovely sense. Too bad it's not always the case. I seem to spend a greater portion of the previous month [August], out at the lake, catching little, if anything. This just goes to show that I understand that feeling you've got, it's about the same thing. Now, before you get too upset, let me explain further -- the feeling is that there is something "pending," something is "about to happen," and I'm agreeing with you about this. For a change, I'd also suggest that your sense of this impending action is 100% accurate. Your timing might be a little off, but it's going to start this weekend, then carry itself forward into next week. You'll be surprised, this could be something very big. [That's "very big" in a good way.] Gemini: Topwater action is supposed to be picking up by now. One of the lakes I really like has several creek bottom coves, and there will be a stretch of shallow water, a "shelf", covered with various forms of aquatic weeds. Dragging the right lure right across the top of the weeds has a remarkable effect, Them big, old bass rise right up, then it's a mighty fight to the finish. The real trick in this situation is to find that "right" lure. What's going to work best to get the thing you want [big bass] to take your hook [lure]? The 30 seconds or so or action, while you reel that monster fish in, that's the fun part. It's the getting ready part that is so important. My personal favorite is a type of lure with a few ball bearings in it. These little orbs of metal rattle around and create a sonic disturbance. It's more like altering the fish that a target is passing right over their fish heads. Usually works quite well. Now, with the beginning of a new lunar cycle, you need to make a little noise, a little extra Gemini noise, like those ball bearing, and you can attract a little extra attention to whatever it is that you want to attract attention to. This can be a deal you're working on. This can be a mate you're trying to land. Could be any combination of these elements. A little "kicking topwater action" is all but assured -- provided you make the right noise to attract what you want to attract. Cancer: Two things are happening. One, you're a lot more vocal by now. Two, despite your golden voice, you're less inclined to able to sway us to your point of view. As an addendum to that last thought, even if you're right, you're still having trouble convincing us to see it from where you stand. In fact, it doesn't matter how smooth and silky you deliver that message, and it doesn't matter how right you are, the message itself is not getting through. Content versus medium, an old debate from the last few years, that's for sure. Instead of worrying about the content, why not just concentrate on the delivery mechanism? As long as no one is really listening to what you're saying, just how you're saying it, why not work on the delivery method? Stretch that vocabulary, find some new words. Grab a dictionary or use that built-in thesaurus. You can always follow one of my useful guidelines: never use one word when three or four will do. Makes the editor a little cranky, but the words flow in such a melodic way that the effect is like poetry. Pretty little poesy is your strength, use it. Leo: Put the plastic away. I forget the details, but I think it's something like consumer debt has never been at a higher point than right now. I could be wrong, and I don't trust all the statistics I read on the web. Or in newspapers, for that matter. But don't add to this consumer debt number, not at this point. You've got a good bit luck, a long streak you've been promised, but the way to take advantage of this good luck is by not spending one, thin Leo dime. Unless, of course, it's to get a reading from me. But even then, opt for the cheaper route, not the deluxe edition, not right now. You and I both know that you deserve the deluxe treatment. I'm just suggesting that right now isn't the best time for you to purchase this deluxe treatment for yourself. So whether it's a report or reading from me, or if this is something else, you might want to think twice before you pony up that credit card number. Go a little easy on the spending. Make sure it's something you need instead of something you just want. A little delay in the gratification department goes a long way to saving you from some unwise decisions. (c) 2001, 2002 Kramer Wetzel for astrofish.net -- Kramer Wetzel http://www.astrofish.net

For something completely irrelevant: Chinese Love Zodiac Love horoscopes zodiac signs by TraiStar� presents the following characteristics of each Chinese zodiac love sign. Dragon Dragon, like Aries, are independent, enthusiastic about their lover, and fall in love fast. They are the most domineering of all Chinese zodiac signs, and easily get hot-headed and quick-tempered when angry. They are most compatible with Rat and Monkey. Snake Snake, like Taurus, are physical, sensuous and attracted to beauty. They are also materialistic and seek their comforts, and get very jealous. They are most compatible with Ox and Rooster. Horse Horse, like Gemini, are youthful, intellectual and charming. They are also impatient and reckless at times. They have many love interests and find it difficult to commit to one. They are most compatible with Tiger and Dog. Sheep Sheep, like Cancer, are nurturing, sensitive, shy and dependent on their relationship. When angry, they sometimes sulk rather than confront their partner. They are seeking the security of home and family. In love, they often are the clingy types. They are most compatible with Rabbit and Pig. Monkey Monkey, like Leo, are entertaining, persuasive and creative. They can also be mischievous and promiscuous. As lovers they are very playful and passionate. In a committed relationship, they are loyal and steadfast. They are most compatible with Rat and Dragon. Rooster Rooster, like Virgo, are seekers of perfection in their relationships. They are industrious, protective and can also be blunt, critical and rude if they don't like something or someone. As lovers they are discreet, and do not easily reveal their feelings. They are most compatible with Snake and Ox. Dog Dog, like Libra, are caring, unselfish, and make a terrific companion. They are also fearful of change, do not easily make decisions, and take a long time to heal when hurt. They demand honesty and equality in their relationship. They are willing to stay by their partner through thick and thin. They are most compatible with Horse and Tiger. Pig Pig, like Scorpio, are diligent, unpretentious and can also be pigheaded and gullible. They are the sign of good fortune and are generous in their love. They have strong libidos and demand that their partners satisfy their desires and needs. They are passionate, and can make great partners with the promise of commitment and companionship. They are most compatible with Rabbit and Sheep. Rat Rat, like Sagittarius, are charismatic, charming, popular and seek companionship. They are explorers and like to stay active and are definitely not the homebody type. In love they can be flirtatious, fall in love quickly, but settle down once they find the right partner. They are most compatible with Dragon and Monkey. Ox Ox, like Capricorn, are steadfast, reliable, and sometimes bossy. They are self reliant, narrow minded and stick to what they know. They are not partiers, but can be intimate in private. They fall in love slowly, yet remain loyal partners for those who provide them a steady secure relationship. They are most compatible with Snake and Rooster. Tiger Tiger, like Aquarius, are optimistic. They can also be impatient and unconventional, seeking newer pastures. In love, they are strong and passionate, and can be dominant. They need a partner who can thrive with excitement everyday. They are most compatible with Horse and Dog. Rabbit Rabbit, like Pisces, are thoughtful, wise, compassionate and sometimes cunning. They are quite romantic, emotional, and imaginative. They require close intimate relationships to take them away from the hardness of daily life. They need a partner who is loyal and can share their heart. They are most compatible with Sheep and Pig.

Wolfie, you and I are horses. I think they are wrong about the commitment accessment, but the youthful and charming works! *;)

The following makes a lot of sense to me -p especially since I was singled out in airport screening for thorough checks. I am NOT a threatening sort of person! Subject: Politically Correct Airport Screeners To ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport screeners will not be allowed to profile people. They will continue random searches of 80 year old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, Secret Service Agents, who are members of the President's security detail, 85 year old Congressmen with metal hips and Medal of Honor Winners. Please pause for a moment and take the following test: In 1972, at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by: (a) Olga Kobut (b) Sitting Bull (c) Arnold Schwartzenegger (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by: (a) Lost Norwegians (b) Elvis (c) A tour bus full of 80 year old women (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 During the 1980s, a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebabnon by: (a) Bart Simpson (b) The King of Sweden (c) The Boy Scouts (d) Muslim Males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by (a) A pizza delivery boy (b) Pee Wee Herman (c) Geraldo Rivera (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1985, the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard by: (a) The Smurfs (b) Pamela Lee Anderson (c) The Little Mermaid (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1985, TWA flight 847 was hijacked in Athens, and a US Navy diver was murdered by: (a) Captain Kidd (b) Charles Lindberg (c) Mother Teresa (d) Muslim Males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by: (a) Scooby Doo (b) The Tooth Fairy (c) Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed by: (a) The Backstreet Boys (b) Grandma Moses (c) Dr. Pepper (d) Muslim Males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 1988, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by: (a) Mr. Rodgers (b) The Muppets (c) The World Wrestling Federation (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked and crashed into the World Center, the Pentagon and an open field in Shanksville, PA, wherein thousands of people were killed by: (a) Wile E. Coyote (b) The Supreme Court of Florida (c) Mr. Bean (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 2002, the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against: (a) Enron (b) The Lutheran Church (c) The NFL (d) Muslim males between the ages of 17 & 40 In 2002, reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by: (a) Bonnie and Clyde (b) Captain Kangaroo (c) Billy Graham (d) Muslim Males between the ages of 17 & 40 NOPE, NO PATTERN HERE!!!!!!!! AND, IF YOU THINK YOU FOUND ONE, FORGET IT! IT WOULDN'T BE POLITICALLY CORRECT AND COULD POSSIBLY OFFEND SOMEONE....

For September 11th... it is nice to know we are not alone; MEMORIAL FOR THE 9/11 VICTIMS IN THESSALONIKI A memorial service for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist strike was held today at the US Consul of Thessaloniki. In his short speech after the service, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Paschalidis, noted that Greece shares the pain of the American people and characteized security as a basic human right. The Mayor of Thessaloniki, Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, testified the grief of Thessaloniki citizens and stressed that the souls of the victims send out a message to rebuild a safe global society, while he expressed his opinion that the war against terror has started bearing results. US Consul General in Thessaloniki John Coenig thanked all Greeks for their solidarity to the US, which he assured them America will never forget. Mr. Coenig ended by saying that "together we can make the world a safer place". The ceremony was attended and given a human dimension by Greek American fireman from NY, Peter Critsimilios, who stated that New York firemen will continue to go through the debris until everyone lost is brought home. http://www.goGreece.com/news/headlines/story.html?id=8046

Homeland Security Threat Level has been rasied to HIGH ALERT (Orange) from Yellow. The announcement is official this afternoon Sep 10, 2002 from news conference help by Attorney General John Ashcroft. EXPLANATION of Orange Shown Below Detailed information on the NEW Homeland Security Coded Advisory System codes and explanation can be found at http://www.emergencyemail.org/homeland A printable version is also available for posting. Please forward this information to those you think may benefit and for e-mail and wireless signup. THE EMERGENCY EMAIL NETWORK, INC. http://www.emergencyemail.org/ .................................................................. ORANGE THREAT EXPLANATION High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied: Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies; Taking additional precaution at public events; Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and Restricting access to essential personnel only.

I know people who will not go to work in major metropolitan cities tomorrow! I plan to fly next week. I hope they have it sorted out by then.

This should not beed to be said, but from listening to a lot oc opionions lately, it needs to be reiterated. That airline security file I posted should have read RADICAL Muslim msn. To accuse all Muslims of being radical is unthinkable. Sikander grieves with all peace-loving people and I am concerned for his well-being. He has not checked in lately.

I fly eastward tomorrow. Wish me luck.I'll let you know how my airport ordeal was. I feel like a veteran and it does not bother me to be searched.

Happy Autumnal Equinox! Except for Rob and Anne, to whom I should wish a Happy Vernal Equinox! Has anybody tried to balance an egg on its end today?

is it too late?

(ok, i tried it and mine rolled all over the place)

Hi all, Oh I missed the Autumnal Equinox! We are travelling closer to the Sun with increasing velocity. What is this story about balancing an egg? John

John, the story about the egg is that on two days out of the year, the Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox, an egg can be balanced on it's end and remain that way for some time. The exact reasons for this have to do with the positioning of the Earth on its axis on those two particular days. A TV station in Pittsburgh balanced an egg during the weather segment of the morning news and when I caught the evening news; the egg was still balanced.

Hi Cheryl, Wolfie, and all, Thank you Cheryl for the information about the egg balancing. I had not heard about it before. But I feel that something is not in the correct position. Are you sure that this is possible during equinoxes and not any other time? I am naturally "doubting Thomas". I must always understand and explain the WHY! I have also some knowledge of astronomy as amateur astronomer. I searched the eventuality if it can be true this story. I found that there is no any astronomical reason why you should be able to balance raw eggs on the equinoxes as opposed to any other day. In fact, you can balance a raw egg on end on any day, if you are lucky or enough patient in order to try! You will have success finally. I subscribe it. The story of the balancing eggs must be a myth that came from the past. John

I had never heard of the egg, either. Unhappily I did not have any eggs in the house so I could not try balancing it. John's right about the raw egg. So is the fact that a cooked egg will spin very nicely, but a raw one will just sit there due to the fluid inside which has more drag.

i've heard the egg balancing story before but i can't get it to work. marcia, any idea why we've lost the graphics in here?

Only that Terry has been doing massive restructuring of Spring. You will also note that John has been unable to update his seismic graphs or is doing so from his website research because we cannot FTP either. *sigh*

Hi Marci Still alive but been tied up with work annoyances for the past couple of weeks - anyway, hope to be more frequent. 73 de AA9IL Mike

Darn those annoyances!

*sigh* Yup, annoyances happen on the road to improvement. I think they call it character-building. Annoyances fits better, though. Glad to have you check in from time to time. I'll bet you are having colder weather, too. Now, if only Sikander would check in. I worry about him! Are these little squares yours, too, Terry???

Little squares?

For a while yesterday everything on Geo had little programming squares between each letter of each word of titles and all things except for posted text. Very strange! I should have photograhped it for you with a screen capture.

still can't see any pics though....

Maybe it's a permissions problem, I'll look in to it.

Most items are restored except for the graphics which make up the title on the index page. I am delighted John's graphics are restored to the portal page. I suspect the permission is disabled or generic and can't find Geo's graphics.

I need more details! Email me exact info as soon as you notice it, let me know exactly what you were trying to do, what username/pwd etc. you were using and exactly which directory/file you were updating.

John!!! I need to talk to you. I'm not sure where you have your files but they are in Geo. I'll email you, Terry. I did manage to make an ersatz title while we untangle this graphics difficulty with John's work Test...

Ok, that works! Now what is wrong with the title page of Geo... test...

Aha! http://www.spring.net/geo/JohnVolos/Public is not visible on the internet AND CANNOT BE SEEN TO FUNCTION AS A PART OF GEO!

I'll take a look right away.

terry-please fix topic 34 (space science news) it keeps showing up and there's nothing to see. once i take a look see, the topic still shows up as unread!

ok will fix

Things work well now for both John and for me asregardsGeo. Thank you VERY much, Terry!!! My son sent this to me.... not comforting! Thursday, October 10, 2002 Pentagon admits troops unaware of chemical tests Thousands of Hawaii civilians also did not know they were being sprayed with bacteria -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Matt Kelley Associated Press WASHINGTON: The Pentagon acknowledged yesterday that some soldiers engaged in chemical and biological weapons testing in the 1960s may not have been fully informed about the secret experiments conducted at sea and in five states from Hawaii to Florida. Some tests used the military's deadliest nerve agent, VX. Thousands of civilians in Hawaii and Alaska also probably were unaware they were sprayed with relatively mild bacteria meant to simulate germ weapons such as anthrax, the Defense Department's top health official said. Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant defense secretary for health affairs, said there is no evidence anyone died as a result of the classified tests, which were part of biological and chemical warfare programs the United States abandoned in 1970. Four people at the military's Deseret Testing Center in Utah were infected during biological weapons work, but all recovered, said Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, another Pentagon health official. Records do not show who the people were or what germs infected them, Kilpatrick said. At a news conference, the Pentagon released declassified summaries of 28 of the tests, showing for the first time the scope of open-air testing of chemical and biological agents on American soil. About 5,500 service members participated in the tests. "It's pretty deplorable that the DOD held this info up for so long," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., at a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing. The agency has commissioned a $3 million study to determine if test participants are getting sick because of their exposure. So far, 55 veterans have filed claims with the VA blaming their health problems on their participation in chemical or biological tests. The civilian exposures came during tests in Alaska and Hawaii that involved spraying Bacillis globigii, a bacterial relative of anthrax, from airplanes. At the time, BG was considered to be harmless. Later, researchers discovered it could cause infections in people with weak immune systems. One of the tests, called "Big Tom," involved spraying the bacteria over Oahu in May and June 1965. Winkenwerder said there is evidence that local authorities were told of the tests, though public notification probably did not occur. Two other tests in Hawaii, named "Pine Ridge" and "Tall Timber," used a chemical agent code-named BZ in forest preserves southwest of Hilo. BZ, a compound of benzilic acid, causes stupor, hallucinations and confusion. It was meant to incapacitate enemy soldiers, according to Pentagon summaries of the tests. For example, from April through June 1966, bomblets containing BZ were ignited in the upper Waiakea Forest Preserve. The Pine Ridge and Tall Timber tests were meant to determine how to disseminate BZ "in or below a jungle canopy," the test summaries said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. DoD Deployment Health Support

Hi all lovely news... makes me wonder if the 'flu season' is a bit more than it is... Anyway, still alive in backgroung mode but enjoy reading Geo posts (Hi Marci!) Only a couple more weeks of this grad skool semester and the eventual completion of the rebuilding of the radio room and life might return to some form of normalcy (whatever that is....) 73 de AA9IL Mike r-c-i

Marcia, love the "Coprolite Happens" graphic. Mike, good luck in attaining normality, or nomalcy, or whatever. I hope you have better luck than I have lately.

Hi Cheryl Not sure if I could identify normality if I saw it. Constancy of the current observed reality is probably what Im looking for. de Mike

Big good luck Hugs, Mike! Lesser men than you have survived grad school and lived to tell the tale. Go get 'em! Yeah,My thoughts exactly about flu season. UGH. I thought pollution was bad on the mainland, but at least here you can see what you are breathing. Comforting news yesterday was that the "pollution season" is over. And, I forgot to celebrate!

Hi Mike. Good luck with grad school and of finding "the constancy of current of observed reality." Reality, what a concept! Pollution season is over? I didn't realize that there was a "pollution season". Having seasonal allergies, I am aware that pollen season is over. That makes me very happy.

Hi all I know the mosquito season is over - the temp is now in the 30-40s with talk of rain/snow! The squirrels are all hoarding nuts and the geese are in mass migration so ol' winter is near. 73 de Mike

Your hostess is currently going through a very difficult time in her life. Please bear with me while I try to get my life back together.

Understand! Take your time, we'll miss you but your sanity and health are paramount. I'm hoping things will all fall in to place for you.

Thanks Terry. If it does not fall into place, this will be a missed opportunity of massive proportions. I can use all the good thoughts I can get. At the moment I am merely waiting for life to resume. I may have to make it happen one way or the other.

So you're in Kentucky now and you've wrapped things up in Hilo?

*HUGS*

*sniff* Thanks Wolfie! I need hugs !!

Hi Marci Hugs and hang in there! Crank up the scanner tonight and listen to the Halloween shenanigans for a good laugh. 73 de Mike

Happy Samhein to All! 73 de Mike

Happy Samhein to you, Mike. Still waiting to hear you on Echolink.

Hey Terry Been mucho busy with work foolishness but will try to log into 'link. Also, trip to Austin is in the works so I will be on the radio for sure! 73 de Mike

Sounds great, do you know what dates you'll be in town?

Marcia will be returning to Hilo permanently shortly.

Wow, good to hear from you again Marcia! Hope things are going ok.

*HUGS* marcia, we are all pulling for you. hang in there sweetie!!

that was supposed to be *HUGS*

Hi Marci Glad to hear you again! I always associate seeing your postings with Hawaii! 73 de Mike

Guess what is waiting for me to arrive in Hilo: (I just wonder what kind it is!) Intel Celeron 1.8 GHz 256 MB DDR SDRAN 64 MB Memory 80 GB Ultra DMV Hard Drive DVD / CO-RW Combo Mix Burn & Play 16x8x8 Max Speed Integrated 10 / 100 Base T LAN Interface MX 70 17" Multi-Media Monitor Optimized For Digital Images Quick Connect Internet Keyboard Stereo Speakers Multi-Mouse Pre-installed Software Lexmark X125 All-In -One Color Scan-FAX-Copy-Phone (Hand Held) Stereo Speakers WOW!!!!

Hi Mike! Hugs are always waiting for you! You'll get lots of stuff from Hawaii soon. Meanwhile bounce a few signals off the meteorites and let us know of your success!

That's a great system. The only thing I would add would be a second 80 or120 gb hard drive. Since they're so cheap and your data is so valuable. You can set up a second hard drive to instantly become your main drive with all your data intact if your primary drive crashes. Nice, Marci!

How do I link them? Just as another drive as in all peripheral hardware? What a fantastic idea. Then I can save all of Geo in a very safe place! Thanks for mentioning it, Terry. Don is about to take receipt of a new Gateway of just about the same capability. I am looking into his getting a Minute Man MBK300 for back up. He does so much work writing manuscripts he needs something for back up when power is interrupted.

You just add the second drive to the ide cable that connects to the motherboard and set the jumpers on the drive for 'slave' or 'cable select'. The first drive is jumpered as the master. At Frys (http://www.outpost.com) a 120 gb IBM ide hard drive, 7200 rpm is $159.00 which is not a bad investment for safeguarding your data. You might find a better deal at http://www.pricewatch.com (search for IBM 120 gb drives or high capacity drives in general). Drive crashes can happen. And a second drive is usually the cheapest backup system.

Sounds great. There is a Fry's near my son's house. I can investigate that in a week or so. Thanks!

You must be talking about the one in San Jose? Or is there one up North now?

There is a Fry's just west of Sacramento. I got my Iomega Zip drive there plus a bunch of other goodies a few years ago.

I noticed that in the Austin ad they had a 250 gb hard drive on sale. The 120 gb IBM may still be the best value though.

Many hugs and good wishes to you, Marcia. You're going back to Hilo, to your beautiful garden. The orchids growing in your tree. I hope that all we be well for you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American posters and lurkers at Geo! As for everyone else from all parts of the world, have a great fourth Thursday of November. Unless you're on the other side of the International Date Line from the U.S., in which case I should you a great fifth Friday of November.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too Cheryl!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY GEO FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Geo Thanksgiving Wolfie!

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

Sorry I missed Canada's on November 1st. Thanks for the good wishes, all. Atthe moment I have offers from my sisterin New York, from son and wife in California and home. Sooner or later I am going to have to return and take care of business, as they say. Today I get dinner out with my favorite archaeologist *;)

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all! Back in the snowy Chicago land area. Hard to believe that a week ago I was sitting outside at Shady Grove in Austin enjoying the nice weather and company. 73 de AA9IL Mike r-c-i p.s. also going to have to post a message in radio regarding the cool pirate FM station heard in Austin last weekend.

It's Shady Grove weather today, I didn't catch you on the repeater this time.

Howdy howdy I was able to speak with George and Micky plus heard some ilink activity (one local, the other from DL land). Anyway, have to be a bit more frequent on ilink - especially since skool is finished for the year and I have some free time. Guess I can rant about the pirate... Last saturday night, was cruising around downtown around 10pm - at the suggestion of the YL, I should see what was on the radio rather than run through the CD collections - anyway, went to FM mode and hit scan and heard some really grungy metal - stuff that you would never hear on commercial FM. Listened to the banter between tunes and determined that yes, this was NOT commercial FM. Woohoo! Anyway, while the YL did the shopping thing at the Christmas expo at the Palmer center, I drove to a quiet street and listened to the station for a while. Now, this was tres phun as the selections were all types of Black/Death/Sludge Metal - as I stated before, no commercial station save for college radio would play this kind of stuff. This was followed up by some kewl anarchy punk when the next show started up at 11am - this stuff was going until the wee hours of the morning and I was most happy to hear that free radio was back in Austin. Now, Im not a metal head - I do like early Deep Purple Hawkwind, Uriah Heap, Nirvana, Husker Du type tunes but never got to much into the underground death metal scene but I listened to that show at ear bleeding volumes and it was damn fun. (Right now listening to early Clash on the short wave but thats another story...). Listen around on Saturday nights in the downtown around 96.9 (I think) and see if they pop up again. Fight For Free Radio! de Mike

correction - the times was 11 PM to well past 1 am for the time just to set the record straight.... de M

I heard George and Bob talking about that and they mentioned they heard about it from you.

Here it has been all talk about putting up more and more repeaters. The same with Kentucky Hams. Seems they are extrememly active now that cold weather has come. Happy beautiful snow, Mike. We had 5 inches of it in Louisville and it was beautiful - and VERY cold. I had forgotten how cold!!!

We can't put up many more repeaters, because most of the frequencies are assigned, esp, 2 meters and 450 mhz. There's still a lot of frequencies in 1.2 ghz, 220 and 6 meters. Snow in Louisville, wow, that's a lot. Just rainy here. Heavy lightning strikes nearby last night, so I unplugged all the computers and electronics for the night. Just getting plugged back in.

Hi all Wow, yall had more snow than we did - the snow has been clearing but its been very cold - 13deg F this morning. The ice fishers have been out on the lake setting up huts since it froze over. I have been inside planning on working on radio stuff (great indoor activity). IL is full up on repeaters with the exception of 1.2ghz. 220 is full of repeaters but who is on them??? The snow is nice because you can see all the critter tracks (quite suprising the amount from the night) Heard two hoot owls this morning - must have been out on an all night hoot! 73 de Mike AA9IL r-c-i p.s. Been listening to the latest KGSR compilation that I picked up while in Austin - good music. I miss being in Austin....

Sheesh, Mike. Warmer in your refrigerator !!! Getting the pics resized and FTP'd so you can see Looeyvill in all its pretty snow now long turned to slush. Ugh!

Hi all Just goofing off on the computer for a moment. Nothing dramatic to say except howdy.... 73 de Mike

Howdy is fantastic! Happy you are around. I am decorating Geo for the season :)

Love the holly. Didn't the Romans decorate their homes with holly for the Saturnalia? Marcia would know. Io Saturnalia all you classicists out there! Remember, it is coming up.

This is true. Some hundreds of posts back several of us discussed all of the mid-winter celebrations and lore from our distant past. Seems we were terrified that the sun might never come back!

I just wish we had our original title back so I could put better decorations up. *SIGH*

I am back in Hawaii. Not pleasedwith the situation and the house is a MESS!!! Thank you for holding my hand across the pacific. I hate flying over the sea.

Hi Marci and welcome back. The Winter Solstice is approaching - woo hoo! Funny weather around here - it was in the mid 40's for the past couple of days so HAARP must be transmitting or something. Lots of vapor contrails in the sky. Anyway, saw a flock of migrant white swans in the lake yesterday which was neat and listened to some very bizarre stream of conscience radio broadcasts on shortwave last night - tis the season! 73 de Mike AA9IL

Happy (Almost) Winter Solstice, Mike and everyone else! The flock of swans must have been beautiful. Marcia, it's wonderful to hear that you had a safe trip. I hope that it wasn't too stressful. Or if it was, that you're recovering nicely. Sorry to hear that you found the house a shambles when you arrived.

It is so overcast and rainy here I can hardly tell day from night. Rain forests may be important to the rest of you, but don't try living in one.

Drunk elephants kill six people Drunken elephants have trampled at least six people to death in the northeast Indian state of Assam, local officials say. The herd of wild elephants stumbled across the supplies of homemade rice beer after they destroyed granaries in search of food. The incident happened near Tinsukia, 550 kilometres (344 miles) from the Assam capital, Guwahati. "They smashed huts and plundered granaries and broke open casks to drink rice beer. The herd then went berserk killing six people," a forestry official told AFP news agency. Police said four of those killed were children. According to experts, elephants often emerge from Assam's forests in search of food. But much to the annoyance of the local residents, they destroy rice fields and granaries. Environmental questions Growing elephant numbers and the devastation of the animal's natural habitat are partly to blame for the problem. Officials in Assam say at least 150 people have been killed by elephants in the last two years. The deaths have led villagers to kill up to 200 elephants. "It has been noticed that elephants have developed a taste for rice beer and local liquor and they always look for it when they invade villages," an elephant expert in Guwahati told Reuters news agency. The region is home to more than half of India's elephant population, estimated at 10,000. The Assam Government's protection of elephants over the last 20 years, including a ban on their hunting, has led numbers to increase to about 5,500. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2583891.stm

Christmas Reindeer Loses, Uh, Its Ornaments Reuters A star reindeer in a South African shopping mall's Christmas display lost a little of its seasonal pride and joy after complaints from shoppers. Managers at one of Cape Town's upscale malls, "castrated" the plastic animal after receiving complaints about shiny golden Christmas tree ornaments hanging between its hind legs, officials said Thursday. Hein Conradie, a spokesman for the company which made the display, told the Cape Argus newspaper that the ornaments were "anatomically correct for an animal of that size" and were prominent because of the reindeer's central position in the display. "Generally, we find it wiser to use sexless reindeer," Conradie said. http://radio.weblogs.com/0106101/2002/12/16.html

Time for seasonal felicitations: Merry Christmas Happy Hannukah Joyous Kwanzaa Happy Ramadan & Eid Greetings Happy Winter Solstice (Happy Summer Solstice to Rob and Anne) Io Saturnalia Happy Boxing Day (to those in the UK and Canada) and Happy New Year

You find the most enchanting things to post, Cheryl. Drunken elephants?! Wh Who could have imagined. I am going to pretend the holidays are not here for my own sanity.

CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS Get a calculator first. 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. Try for more than once but less than 10. 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold). 3. Add 5 (for Sunday). 4. Multiply it by 50 - I'll wait while you get the calculator. 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1752. If you haven't, add 1751. 6. Now subtract the four-digit year that you were born. You should have a three-digit number. The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week). The next two numbers are YOUR AGE! (Oh YES it is!!!!!) Happy Holidays from HL

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

well, you guys know I meant to have that a bit bigger!!

We knew, Wolfie! HUGS!!!

Since this has come up before and still needs rebuttals I post it here as well as in Geo 24: * Hoaxers vs. Rocket Scientists: Even NASA Unsure How to Counter Claims of Faked Moon Missions http://www.space.com/news/oberg_hoaxes_021221.html Is that the moon or a studio in the Nevada desert? How can the flag flutter when there's no wind on the moon? Why can't we see stars in the moon-landing pictures?