Rebel yell Feb 8, 2006
There's this guy named Howard Dean.  He tried to run for president in 2004.  He's now the head of the Democratic National Committee. 

He's best known for his rebel yell, which can be seen here and heard here.  If you've never seen or heard it, please take the time now.  You won't regret it. #politics
Greeting Feb 8, 2006
Back in the early 1900s (or maybe the 1990s ... whatever) when there were large electronic boxes called "answering machines", the owner used to have to record a greeting that gave pretty specific instructions for the caller.  It usually went something like, "Hi, you have reached ______.  Please leave your name, number, and a short message, and I'll return your call as soon as I can.  Thanks." 

Flip to 2006.  There isn't a person on earth (except maybe those dudes in End of the Spear) that don't know what an answering machine is or how to use it.  In fact, most answering machines have become obsolete and have been replaced by that cyborg lady that lives in a computer and answers millions of phones at once (You know her; she says, "Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system"). 

But people still record their own greetings.  I think this is a problem.  As I'm listening to someone give me instructions for how to leave a voicemail, I'm thinking, "Why is this person wasting my time by telling me what I already know?"  So my advice to all people on earth is this:  Don't record your own greeting.  Use that cyborg lady.  She has one job in life, and she does it well.  And even she thinks her job is stupid.  But there's no way around her.  Unless you're telling me some sort of new and useful information (like when you'll be back or who else I can call), don't record your own greeting. #technology
George W. Bush (1) Feb 8, 2006
It's time once again for me to mention a little something about politics.  And this time I'll focus specifically on that guy who's sort of my boss:  George W. Bush, the president of this fine country. 

In terms of politics, I support our president.  And I'm not just saying that because I may or may not work for him.  I felt this way before I started working.  I may not agree wholeheartedly with everything he does, and I don't stick up for him when he's criticized like a Sean Hannity or a Rush Limbaugh.  But I agree with some of the things he says and does, and I generally supported his ideals. 

In terms of personality, I sit the fence.  I like the whole Texas thing and the idea of not messin' with it.  I like the idea of working 24/7:  24 hours a week, 7 months a year. 

What I don't like is when Bush's people let him speak his mind, unscripted.  I think that's a mistake.  I think the man says some stupid things (called Bushisms), though he means well.  I'd like to think that it's gotten better over the years, but judging from the number of Bushisms is the past several months, I'm "skeptimistic". 

On a positive note, I think the man has some good things to say, and I think he's a pretty good motivator (or at least that's what it looks like during those State of the Onion addresses, where everybody stands up and claps every few sentences).  When he speaks well, people listen, and he's become the worldwide spokesman against terrorism.  Think about it:  Can anyone say the words "war on terror" without thinking of GWB?  I think not. #politics