Javabeans!

I think I've posted about how my main home computer keeps freezing.

( details )

All the important files are saved, so I'm going to reformat and reinstall.

Here's my question: Once I reinstall, I'll need to reload my antivirus (always antivirus first! even before connecting to web!) and Office, etc. Will I need to do anything special to convince the program (or the company) that I'm not violating licences? Or just reload everything as if it's the first time?

In the news today:

The Coca-Cola brand was bought by RC Cola, Inc., who will rebrand it as Coca-Cola Royale.

A study has shown that sharing a toothbrush with the family hound will greatly decrease the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth. The natural flora of the canine gums are especially effective against human tooth-decay bacteria.

and finally

Barnes and Noble has announced that they will cease carrying science fiction due to a drop in sales, similar to their removal of the Western section two years ago. They will still carry Fantasy novels, but they will be shelved collectively with Romance.

So blueeowyn and I are carpooling to work today, and I see a licence plate: ZULATR. So I point to it and announce in my deepest voice, "I am Zulatar!" Blueeowyn gave me *that look* and said "zee you later."

I sighed, and said "oh."

However, for the rest of the trip, I periodically reminded her that I was, indeed, Zulatar. I don't know why she keeps giving me *that look* -- maybe it's a nervous condition?

Well, they gone and done it! They got themselves hitched!

Very nice wedding -- nice vowels (and consonants). The vows were nice too. A bit of emotion, a bit of humor. Which reminds me, the ring boy and flower girl were great! I also loved the format of the program, as a play program.

Release the doves! a pair of doves, and then a whole flock, were released at the end of the ceremony. The birds circled once or twice before disappearing over the trees.

Then the reception. Cocktails and hors d' oeuvres (which means "horses and eggs"?) with music and mingling, until the reception proper. Tables named after plays that John and Mary have been in (we were at the "Cricket" table). Lots of ren-fest people, as well as people from the aforementioned plays. Blueeowyn was acquainted with a gentleman at our table from a long-ago production of Godspell. Tasty buffet. I've decided I really like asparagus. The best-man toast was one of the best I've heard -- I'll probably remember parts of it for at least a week.

Lots of fun, lots of talking. We finally made it home around midnight.

Where was the humor? They tried, but blah. And the MCs only appeared about once per half hour?

What was with the announcer of the cinematography award? Not well-coordinated with the camera crew, eh? Give me a close up! Now a medium range shot. Wide view with audience! Blah!

The dancers during the "Best Score" medley were good, but they didn't seem to be dancing to the music I was hearing.

I liked that some award winners used their thank you speeches to give a message, not simply thank 23 people I've never heard of.

The personal messages for the best actor/actress categories didn't impress -- I'd rather have seen more footage of the actors doing their thing.

And the best picture award was given without a recap of which movies were nominated.

Next year I'll just read the list on Monday morning.

EDIT to add: And they left Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur out of the tribute!

I occassionnallyy (I never can spell that word correctly, so I just double all consonants and hope for the best) order coffee from Peet's in California. They roast it the day after you order it, and ship it the day after that. Couldn't be fresher unless you roasted it yourself. Of course, my freshly roasted coffee beans sat on a frozen UPS truck for an extra three days, delaying my longed for delight, but I clung to my hopes that it would arrive soon. I didn't dig the driveway out for our eventual departure, but for the coffee's delivery!

I ground some of the beans this morning and brewed a pot a work. French roast -- very strong, no bitterness at all. Coffeenom....

A collection of 10 weird science stories from the past year.

clicky for the MSN link

I played the simplified flat-graphics version of Portal several months ago. Fun puzzle romp. Finally purchased the Orange Box (an XBox game collection which includes the real version of Portal) a few weeks ago, but didn't open it until last night. Wow. Nearly finished the game in one sitting (I'll complete the last two stages tonight).

( What is Portal? )

GLaDOS has been talking about a reception at the end of the trials, and she says there will be cake.

Wedding at Ctrl-Alt-Del web comic. Today: his vows.

http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20091207