While working today, my wife calls me and says “You could’ve left me one.” I immediately go on the defensive, thinking “uh, oh, what have I done now…” and sheepishly say “what are you talking about honey?”. She goes on to explain that we have two boys in the house and I could’ve left the girl alone. You see, my wife found our five year old daughter in her brother’s room watching football on ESPN. An insignificant Bowl Game between Navy and Texas Tech to boot. My response to my wife??

“That’s my girl!!!”

There is a new Vulnerability in Internet Explorer that everyone needs to know about it. I read about it in today edition of Windows Fanatics from the Lockergnome. What do you need to know? I’ll let them do the explaining as they do it best:

Ken Colburn of Data Doctors answers Lawrence, who wonders:

Q: What exactly is this new Internet address problem and what do I need to
do?
A: Newly discovered vulnerabilities that are ‘critical’ in nature are
nothing new for the world’s most prolific software maker, Microsoft.
Virtually every program made by the giant in Redmond, Washington is the
target of Microsoft haters, hackers, crackers, security firms looking for
exposure, or script kiddies (hacker wannabes).
The most recent of at least 20 this year, however, is especially
troubling for a couple of reasons.

The first is that, because it involves the Internet Explorer browser, it affects about 90% of the Internet public. The second is that it plays on
the years of advice given to Internet users for determining whether they
are on a trusted Web site, opening the way for massive identity theft and
credit card fraud.
The vulnerability allows malicious coders to create Web sites that look
exactly like legitimate sites, credit card companies, or online
merchants, and ’spoof’ the web addresses. When a user is at one of these sites and looks in the
address section of IE, it will appear as if they are at that company’s
site.

Everything from the https:// to the little yellow padlock at the bottom
of the ’secure’ page can appear complete with the spoofed company’s web
address or URL (Universal Resource Locator) in the proper places.
This means that you can no longer trust what you see in the address bar,
especially if you are clicking on a link from an e-mail message or from
another web site. The possibilities are endless and very dangerous for
the less technical Internet going public.
You can test your browser for this vulnerability by going to
www.secunia.com.
The problem was discovered by someone who goes by the alias ‘Zap the
Dingbat’ that posted the alert on a security mailing list, which did not
give Microsoft an opportunity to create a fix for the problem before it
was made public.
As a courtesy, most security companies will give software vendors some
lead-time with a newly discovered vulnerability so that the company can
come up with a fix before the problem is made public.
As of this writing, Microsoft has yet to fix the problem,
however, an open source project that is located at Openwares.org has posted a patch.

Because of this latest method of tricking users into divulging personal
and financial information, it is important that you do not click on any
links in e-mail that supposedly come from your bank, eBay, PayPal,
Amazon.com or any online merchant or financial institution.
If you receive what you think is a legitimate e-mail message from one of
your financial or merchant Web sites, do not click on any link in the e-
mail, especially if it is asking you to update your information.
Always go to the company’s Web site manually by opening your browser
yourself and typing in the actual address for the company. If the
information sent in the e-mail is legitimate, then you should be able to
access it through the companies Web site when you sign-in or login to your
account.
If you want a more technical approach to detecting spoofed addresses and
links, I have posted Microsoft’s recommendations at
www.datadoctors.com/redir.cfm/spoof.

Not that I needed any further reason to hold our 4th Annual New Year’s Eve Party at my house, but I found this little Public Service Announcement from the state of Texas that assures me we are doing the safe thing. The participants are either from our block (can walk or crawl home) or stay in our house for the night. Take a look here to see why. (Best viewed on an empty stomach)

|Via RWG|

I don’t have much else to say about this. I thought the Elk’s Lodge was a “Family Friendly” Establishment. Obviously, that is not the case at this Chapter. Never before have I seen such blatant advertising or target marketing. What’s next, a morgue with a sign out front saying “Hey, wanna kill someone…Kill ‘em here!!”

My daughter is a very tough little girl to wake up. And on days when she hasn’t had enough sleep, the task proves even tougher and she spends most of the morning in a daze. This morning was one of those mornings.

We were headed up the hills for some sledding fun (pictures to come) but first we stopped by Marcy’s Aunt & Uncle’s house as it is on the way for us. Breanna was so much in a daze that she didn’t want to talk, which is completely opposite of her usual self. She even started to cry because she was so tired, but we chalked it up to normal tiredness, even though she was way more moody than usual.

After we hit the snow, where she finally did wake up, and were travelling back down the hill Breanna drops the bombshell on her old man, which would be me. You see, she had a little bit of a cough this morning, so I wanted to be extra careful. I gave her some cough medicine. What I didn’t realize, but Marcy immediately knew upon Breanna telling her that Daddy gave her cough medicine, was that the medicine I gave her was a “Night Time” medicine.

I do not usually get in the habit of drugging my children before a day trip, and let me tell you, I’ll make sure to never do it again….although, she was nice and quiet in the car on the way there….

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!! Unfortunately My wife and I have the perilous task of going to the mall today to finish shopping. I was watching The Two Towers last night, and I’ve been watching a lot of the Pirates of the Carribean (Marcy’s favorite movie), so I think I am prepared to go into what will surely be pandemonium. If only I had me a sword….

Go ahead, make your cookies this year, but make sure you don’t get sued by printing the following contract out and having Santa sign it.
Christmas Cookie Liability and Indemnification Agreement

Christmas Cookie Liability and Indemnification Agreement

Santa Claus, AKA Kris Kringle, AKA Jolly Old St. Nick (hereinafter referred to as “Santa”) acknowledges receipt of Christmas cookies from ______________________ (hereinafter referred to as “Baker”).

Santa acknowledges and understands that no warranty, either expressed or implied, is made by Baker as to the nutritional content of cookies. This document is offered to duly warn Santa that dangerous conditions, risks, and hazards may result from over-consumption of cookies. Santa is hereby informed that cookies may contain any of the following: calories, carbohydrates, sodium (salt), fat, saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, nuts, sugar, caffeine, and good cheer. Santa acknowledges that eating way too many cookies may incur risks including, but not limited to, satiation, indigestion, heart burn, dizziness, laziness, heart disease, holiday spirit, “food coma,” and “that bloated feeling.”

As consideration for accepting Baker’s cookies, Santa indemnifies Baker from all liability for injury or other harm (including obesity) which may be caused, in whole or in part, by said “too many” cookies. Santa agrees that neither he, nor his heirs or personal representatives will sue Baker for any injury suffered, in whole or in part, as a consequence of binging on cookies. Santa assumes full responsibility and will indemnify Baker for any damages in the event that he transfers cookies to any third party (including, but not limited to, potential claimants Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, Mrs. Claus, and various elves).

This indemnification includes an agreement not to haul Baker into court on the basis of:

Failure to provide nutrition information and a list of ingredients (the “Grandma’s secret recipe” clause);
Failure to caution of the potential for overeating because cookies taste too good and are provided at no cost;
Failure to advise that walking, biking, and jogging will shed pounds, but riding around on a sleigh will not;

Failure to warn that Christmas lights, lawn ornaments (plastic reindeer, snowmen, etc.) and other holiday decorations may constitute manipulative marketing to lure Santa into over-consumption.
Failure to offer “healthier” cookie alternatives (e.g., tofu bars);
Failure to counsel that cookies may be habit-forming and/or irresistible; and
Failure to notify that eating way too many cookies may lead to even greater levels of obesity for St. Nick (the “Sanity Clause”).

SANTA HAS READ THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTANDS IT. SANTA IS SIGNING IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY, AND PROMISES NOT TO APPEAR AS A WITNESS IN SUPPORT OF JOHN “SUE THE BASTARDS” BANZHAF, ESQ., AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE.

SANTA: ___________________________ DATE:__________________

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. In addition, please also accept our best wishes for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2004, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great (not to imply that this country is necessarily greater than any other country or area of choice), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual orientation of the wishers.

This wish is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first. “Holiday” is not intended to, nor shall it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or observances, or to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all. This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. This greeting implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for the wisher her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the implementation or non- implementation of it.

This greeting is void where prohibited by law, or if you consider it to be in bad taste, or in any other way slightly offensive to you, either now or in the future 12 months.

Sincerely (and hopefully, correctly) yours,

Mike

The weeks are flying by as the shopping days dwindle away. It’s already time for more links. Bonus points to anyone, besides Bobby, who can tell me where this weeks title comes from.

I wanted to start this week by showing you what I think may become our next national past time:
Pentrix – Videos

Moving right along, I have a couple of Christmas links for ya:
Santa’s Naughty List | Slingshot Santa

This next movie clip will join all nationalities and religions together this holiday season, to collectively say with one voice…..WTF????
Sheep Boy

My first rule while celebrating during this holiday season will be not to party with the guy from the last clip. Here’s some more rules for ya:
The Onion | Drinking Responsibly During The Holidays

Now that we got Sadam, he has started to point the finger at some of his compadres. I found a copy of the press briefing here:
Terrorist Names

I know, I know…I tricked ya….but don’t fret. Check out some Real American Heroes here:

Real American Heroes…

Yes, I hear ya, your saying…”Where’s the games”. We’ll finish this week with some real time killers. Have fun:
Globulos | .:: Revelate – Gyroball ::.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s links. Have a great week and a great Christmas as well (or any other holiday you may celibrate)!!

If you have a favorite NFL team, you can donate a can of soup to the needy, for free. Cambell’s is donating one can of soup for every one that visits here and clicks on there favorite team. You even get to see how many cans have been donated per team. The Browns currently stand in 10th place, so get voting now.

More links to come…..