Most of you have noticed already but the spammer spawning season is upon us.

PLEASE make sure your anti virus, malware dection and fire wall programs are up to date as I see the creeps are at it again.

John in Wauwatosa

UPDATE: Erin squashed the spammer. GO ERIN!

I love BC.

I enjoy many of the stories here and the commentary.

There is little here that is bad other than the occasional mini-flame war. Fortunately we for the most part don't descend to that here . And Erin and her elves are vigilant the few times we don't mind our manners.

But there is a menace, an insidious evil lurking here.

OLD DOS control characters in titles!

Spring is out in force.

What surprise does Angharad have up her and Bonzi's sleeves for issue 1600 of Bike?

Or six years 18 months.

Scary.

John in Wauwatosa

Today is The Evil BlondeTM's birthday.

BOTH she, my baby sister, and Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus AKA Hanna Montana's dad turned fifty.

As her OLDER brother I, of course, remain the youthful one.

John in Wauwatosa

What looney, weird, crazy things are you doing this weekend? Try and beat this!

Here's an excerpt from a PM I sent Laika a little whie ago. Thought I should share the pain

-- snicker --

My dad gets his other knee replaced today.

The first one was done this January when he was 83. He's 84 plus a few weeks now.

Cross your fingers.

Thanks gang.

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. How are you doing, Karen_J? Back in Texas yet post heart bypasses? Hey, you can always claim the scar line was from a jealous lover's signif other.

Just wondering if anyone had heard yet from Karen or her family about her Friday heart operation?

My dad was rather out of it for a couple days after his heart valve replacement so I understand why she wouldn't have had an opportunity or the energy to post any message after having multiple bypasses.

Here's hoping all went well and for a smooth recovery.

John in Wauwatoa

I was responding to a PM when I got this thought... YES I have them on rare occasions

--GRIN --

>>
Hum, maybe I could do something with the Plaid Lanterns?

You know that idea about aliens only knowing about Earth from our radio and TV signals getting a very twisted view of what we are like? What if a planet only learned of us from ONE broadcast of a Three Stooges film and for some reason they took it to heart as if WE were the superior race. Thus the origin of the Plaid Lanterns and their war cry ...

Why Soitenly, Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!
>>

Bob Elliot, father of Chris -- Get a a Life, writer for Letterman and others -- and grandfather of Amy(?) or whatever her name is -- shes's on Saturday Night Live -- turned 88 today.

One of the masters of quiet comedy, comedy of the absurd. He and Ray have terrific caemo roles in the Norman Lear film Cold Turkey.

And my dad turns 84, Gets his OTHER knee replaced April 14th.

John in Wauwatosa would would not be here without him. So dad is to blame.

My dad who will be 84 on March 25 underwent surgery Monday to have his right knee replaced. If all goes well he gets the other done this summer.

Between the bridgework -- courtesy of a rollover accident before I was conceived -- two artifical eye lenses and a cow valve in his heart there isn't alot left of the *original equipment*.

-- snicker --

Visited him last night with sis, The Evil BlondeTM, and he's doing well.

Not a real religious type but your prayers are welcome.

John in Wauwatosa

I was informed that someone has been spoofing my IP address(s) here to badmouth other members of BC.

THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ! and I do not apologize for shouting,

I may joke, I may kid others here -- ones I know well and who know me -- but I never have and hope I never will attack any one for being themselves or for what they post. I may not like things others might post but it is their post not mine, their opinion/taste not mine and it is not fair for me to criticize others except for when they attack me or someone else unfairly.

Today in 1845 the Republic of Texas was formally admitted to the United States of America as the 28th state.

What the hell were they thinking?

Except for Dr Pepper and that black oily stuff what's Texas good for?

John in Wauwatosa

Actively chatting at Stardust/BC Main chat room now about Day of Remeberance and related stuff and just saying hi as well.

Got to go. See yah maybe?

john in Wauwatosa

Karen_J appears on the mend though the doctors are keeping her for observation.

I quote from a message I received today:

>>
Karen is still in the hospital, the doctor wants to keep her another day ...

She says hi and why the hell did I send the first email out? I passed on everybody's comments and a few select ones from Big Closet, some of which amused her. She will likely be out of touch another day or there abouts.
>>

I hope everyone else here is well.

Come back soon, Karen.

John in Wauwatosa

Our fellow BC commentor, proofer and writer Karen_J collapsed at work and was taken to a hospital.

From what I was told it sounds similar to a problem she had last year. She is stable and appears to be recovering but will be on the mend for a while.

Like many here she has had more than her share of pain and turmoil in her life but has managed to survive and thrive inspite of the odds.

Parts of Australia have had terrible wildfires, over 130 people have died and many folks were burned, some may not make it.

Kristina LS and our other pals from Oz, are you okay, family alright?

One of our BC family, Karen_J has suffered a family health crisis.

Off on vacation today.

No email except via evil blonde's laptop or free computers in motels. Off to the UP of Michigan, Minn, northern WI depending on rain and color. Might go to waterfalls, lots of them.

We have a new robot on Mars, Phoenix.

John in Wauwatosa

So I can't spell, sue me ... better not on secondthought

Late this afternooon, Sunday May 25th, the Pheonix lander will enter the Martian atmosphere and try to soft land on the edge of the North pole.

This is the sister craft to the 2001 Mars Polar Lander that crashed due to either programing errors or physical faults. Sucessfully landing on Mars is at best a fifty-fifty thing so cross your fingers.

Bob Kames, a Milwaukee businessman and minor recording artist died recently. He was in his early 80's and in declining health. You are all going, "Bob WHO?"

Thanks again for you kind thoughts for Danielle. I've not heard anything recently, time will tell. Best wishes to Danielle and family.

On a happier note Bob Arnold is writing new Zapped chapters -- Zapped!-The lost pages. The first test chapter is up now at his Stardust site -- Erin has a link to it.

Danielle_J, who is experiencing another bad reoccurance of cancer asked to pass this message on.

Hi,

Danielle

I am one of those cheapskates still using, GASP!, dial-up.

Recently a number of stories posted with graphics on their title/synopsis page and the load time for BC went gaga. Well chosen graphics can enhance a story and entice the reader but go easy on them, please?

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. Maybe I should upgrade fron that tincan and string phone system?

Thanks for the well wishes you sent Janet; she appreciated them.

Now another on-line friend, Itinerant/Nichole Harrison has had a hard time of it recently. Things finally got back to reasonably close to normal then another RL crissis hits.

Hi,

thought I'd try an entry.

Janet Nolan, a founding member of the Guild of Evil Blonde Proofreaders will be off-line for a few days for medical reasons.