Note: <888> 07/21/01 Saturday 11:25 A.M.: I finished house cleaning and watering the plants.  I had a couple of hotdogs with buns and relish, ketchup, mustard, and chopped onion along with cantaloupe and ice tea. I checked the mail, and relaxed a bit.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/21/01 Saturday 7:20 A.M.: I just did something strange by mistake.  I was dusting the left hallway bookcase by the bathroom door. On the upper level in front of the Audubon pictures of the Pink Flamingo and the Pelican, I have two copper hurricane lamps with candles and glass shaped shades. I broke the left shade while dusting in front of the Pink Flamingo Audubon picture. Traditionally the Pink Flamingo symbolizes Miami and the Pelican symbolizes Key West.  Thus by second sight, it might mean that by mistakenly breaking the hurricane glass shade in front of the Pink Flamingo picture, that Miami is due for a hurricane. Let’s hope not. I had a Viennese crystal glass shade from the Williamsburg sconces remaining, so I put it on the left copper hurricane lamp in front of the Pink Flamingo Audubon picture. Well the birds were not around here yesterday although it was a very nice day. That can indicate fowl weather coming too.  Well back to apartment cleaning. Also with Mount Etna having increased volcanic activity, that would warm up the Atlantic Ocean waters more, which would mean that it would be more prone towards hurricane activity. CIO

Note: <888> 07/21/01 Saturday 6:25 A.M.: I was up at 2:30 A.M., and I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, and vitamins. I ran Norton AntiVirus on my C: drive. I am in the progress of apartment cleaning.  I still have to dust and clean the kitchen and vacuum, but I probably should not vacuum until after 9 P.M. or later, so as not to bother the neighbor downstairs.  Well it is enjoyable to have a more quiet routine.  I guess if one stays home more, one leads a more quiet life.  Not that I ever really travel much, but occasionally going downtown, so much take its toll off other maintenance items one could be busy with around home.  I have a guest coming out to stay the night tonight about 9:30 P.M., so I will have a long day unless I get a two hour nap without falling asleep until the guest arrives, and then I would be awake all night while the guest is trying to sleep, which might annoy the guest. CIO

Note: <888> 07/20/01 Friday 7:45 P.M.: Well not much happening. I guess I will call it  a day. I made a brief telephone call. CIO

Note: <888> 07/20/01 Friday 6:10 P.M. EDT: I went out this morning.  I stopped by Midas Muffler, and I check out on what was wrong with the small leak in the muffler.  Apparently, the front pipe between the manifold and the catalytic converter need to be replaced for a cost from Stamford Volvo for the pipe of $107. Also Midas needs to make another pipe for $30 and $100 labor plus tax and what ever other muffler clamps cost. Front Disk brakes there would cost $129 if the rotors are all right.  The car is fine now, but it will be part of my next preventive maintenance routine when I have the funds.  I stopped by the Hospital Thrift Shop. I walked lower Greenwich Avenue and viewed some of the sidewalk sales merchandise. I went inside the new Richard’s Department store and it is quite spacious.  It must cost a lot to heat and cool that place, so I guess the clothes are more expensive with all the open air space they have to heat and cool. I next drove down by the waterfront. I returned home around noon. I then relaxed a while. I next made a chicken chefs salad with the chicken breast I cooked yesterday by using Romaine lettuce, half a sliced tomato, a quarter diced onion, a few teaspoons of dill radish, a dozen small chunks of mozzarella cheese, and the chicken breast sliced at an angle lengthwise. I had this with ice tea. Then I relaxed some more. CIO

Note: <888> 07/20/01 Friday 7:10 A.M. EDT:  I relaxed a bit. I took a large potato and microwaved it halfway through about 3 to 4 minutes on high. I then grated it in the Cuisine Art with the grating blade. I then formed it into a potato pancake and fried it on both side in a frying pan with olive oil seasoning it while cooking with ground black pepper, garlic powder, Basil, Italian spices, and oregano. I had the potato omelet with a three egg omelet fried in “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” and olive oil with a few one inch strips of mozzarella cheese and toast and orange juice with vitamins. After doing the dishes, I had a cup of cappuccino.  Well time to clean up and figure out some day time activity. I sent out my weekly email after the last message.  CIO

End of Scott's Notes week 07/20/01:

Note: <888> 07/20/01 Friday 4:00 A.M. EDT:  Well, I am just having a relaxing morning. Not much happening.  I suppose we could have some of the Gators back visiting us again this summer. Thus I suppose when down by the waterfront, one should keep a keen eye out for Gators and other reptiles.   For all we know a Jaws type shark could be enjoying the cleaner waters of Long Island Sound thanks to all this environmental cleanup. If one had a problem with a Jaws type shark or a great white shark, one could flush the sewage plant, but from what I know the Gators like really dirty water.  Thus it is six of one and a half dozen of the other.  I have not bothered swimming in Long Island Sound since about 1964, when I was warned about Jelly Fish out by Island Beach. However, plenty of people in this area go out to the Cape Cod Islands all the time like Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Elizabeth Islands; but I suppose unless one were salt water friendly with more predator type game fish, one would have some trouble with what might be lurking off shore.  For all I know the Loch Ness Monster is paying us a visit.  Well I can’t fall asleep, so I am just trying to relax.  Of course swimming pools are more user friendly, but one has to know what they’re doing around a swimming pool.  I have always been more user friendly to walking, but alas I can’t afford to play golf, and I suppose golf clubs would be hard on my fingers which are important for keyboard and computer operations.  Thus I am just sitting around the apartment relaxing this morning.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/20/01 Friday 12:05 A.M. EDT:  I made my 3 P.M. appointment.  I returned home. I chatted with some neighbors a half dozen miles north of me.  I fell asleep at 6 P.M.. I rested until 10:30 A.M.. I had a telephone call while sleeping from a friend. I had a neighbor knock on my door and ask if my cablevision was working.  I had another friend call and will be coming out to stay the night on Saturday evening.  I chatted with a local night watchman.  I had two hotdogs with buns and condiments and cantaloupe and ice tea.  I believe the sidewalk sales are on.  However, although downtown Greenwich, Connecticut tends to be rather peaceful.  I was once shot with a laser gun when I cut wind downtown when a former head of state was nearby. Also about six weeks ago when graduation exercises were going on in the area, somebody used pepper spray on me while I was out for an exercise walk at night. Yesterday while sitting on the veterans bench downtown, three teenagers pointed toy Remington rifles at me with the red muzzle notches.  Basically when one is downtown at night where I have not been going recently, all the same nature is around as in the daytime. Thus like around the benches downtown, the bees and other insects are still around.  I suppose other night time wildlife is around too.  Since I smoke tobacco, night time wild life tends to avoid me.  However, after all the years of being out in the four seasons and a lot at night time, I am enjoying relaxing at home and avoiding the night time confusion. Everything is fine at home here.  I guess I will be up a bit. CIO

Note: <888> 07/19/01 Thursday 1:25 P.M. EDT:  I have reformatted the page without the tables, and the typomatic rate is back to normal which makes writing this note much smoother typing.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/19/01 Thursday 12:50 P.M. EDT:   I have been doing routine computer maintenance.  I first sifted through my email and daily web links http://mrscott.com/scotwork.htm. I ran Norton Disk Doctor, Image, WinDoctor, Optimization Wizard which also defragmented my hard drive and optimized the Registry and Swap file.  I then backed up the C: drive to the D: drive.  I had a meal about 8 A.M. of baked boneless breast of chicken which  I coasted two breasts with olive oil covering both sides with celery salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, Basil, Oregano, Italian Spices, Ginger, Paprika, and then KC Barbeque sauce and baking them in a Pyrex dish with four onion quarters in the convection oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. I had one breast with the onions along with steamed corn on the cob and green beans and iced coffee.  While I was finishing the third part of the backup, I put a half quart of Pennzoil in the Volvo, and I checked a minor muffler noise.  I have a new guaranteed complete muffler system from Midas Muffler east of me with less than ten thousand miles on the system. The system is sound, but there is a minor separation between two of the system pieces at the front side of the Volvo which causes a low level putt putt noise.  They can easily fix it for free when I have the time by tightening it. I sprayed some WD40 on ignition parts and checked my new alternator belts.  I only have 2400 miles on the Volvo since the first of the year when I last had the oil changed. In another month, I will have it changed.  I had  about a quarter inch piece of my right rear molar tooth fall off where  I had a filling some time ago.  There is no pain.  I left a message at the dentist.  I think I might need another crown to fix it.  I then deleted about a gigabyte of Windows ME and  Windows  XP undo files.  I also ran Norton  Space Wizard.  About half my 15 gigabyte C: drive is free.  I then ran Norton SpeedDisk.  The system is all running fine.  This all took some time.  The typomatic rate when doing this web page seems incredibly slow.  Perhaps, I should reformat the page.  Time to clean up soon for a 3 P.M. appointment.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/19/01 Thursday 2:40 A.M. EDT:  I was up at 12:30 A.M.. I had two hotdogs with buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions along with cantaloupe and a cup of cappuccino.  I have been listening to “http://www.broadcast.com/learning_and_education/science/space/nasa/nasa_television/“. I turned up and adjusted my computer speakers volume.  One has to watch the volume setting, or one gets feedback into the microphone.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/18/01 Wednesday 7:10 P.M. EDT: I had a light meal of cantaloupe and the rest of the Doritos 3D corn chips and ice tea.  Time to start winding down for the day.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/18/01 Wednesday 5:40 P.M. EDT: After lunch, I went by the Greenwich Library. I read the Wall Street Journal, the Greenwich Times, PC World, Time  Magazine, and two computer newsweeklies. I then went down to Grass Island. I found a two foot steel black policeman’s flashlight in the park. I put it on the floor on the front passenger side of the car. It works, but it would be expensive to continually replace the eight or so D batteries it holds. I sat out for about a half hour.  I keep 3 folding blue and white canvas and aluminum beach chairs in the trunk. One has to dislodge the coal shovel to get them out.  I walked the lower Greenwich Avenue area. The fire trucks were at the same building as on Sunday where they had the police investigation.  I returned  home.  I had some ice tea.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/18/01 Wednesday 11:45 A.M. EDT: I had some of the cantaloupe pieces before going out. I stopped by the Hospital Thrift shop, and I bought a 10 pack of CO2 seltzer cartridges for $1.50, a greenish gray 15 inch vase for $2.50, and a Realistic Radio Shack transistor radio with AM, FM, and 2 TV bands for $1.50.  I then went to CVS, and  I bought a CVS alkaline 9 volt battery for $2.99 and two bottle pack of European Mystique shampoo and conditioners for $1.79 plus .29 tax for $5.07 total.  I then drove by the waterfront. I next stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went to the Food Emporium. I bought a half gallon each of Tropicana Ruby Red orange juice and Orange Tangerine for $2 each, two 100 bag boxes of Lipton tea $2 a box, two dozen eggs at .69 a dozen, two ears of corn .40 each, boneless chicken breasts $1.99 a pound for $4.04 for $14.20 total. I next stopped by Smokes for Less, and I bought a carton Seneca Light 100s for $19.  I then returned home.  I put the 9 Volt battery in the transistor radio, and I set it on the second shelf down of the blue kitchen entrance bookcase. It sounds really clear and will be handy if we ever have a power failure. I put the vase on top of the center hallway bookcase with the other one. I sat outside a while.  I had some ice tea.  I will now have the rest about 8 oz. of London Broil broiled, steamed green beans, and corn on the cob with iced coffee.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/18/01 Wednesday 7:10 A.M. EDT: The laundry is done, and I put it away.  I sifted through my email and http://mrscott.com/scotwork.htm .  I will do a little bit more internet work, and then I will clean up and go out this morning.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/18/01 Wednesday 5:25 A.M. EDT: I was up at 4 A.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, and vitamins.  I am doing my laundry now.  I just put clean sheets on the bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/17/01 Tuesday 9:55 P.M. EDT: I had three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, and vitamins after the last message.   I cleaned up. I chatted with my visitor.  I called a relative. I made up a batch of ice tea.  We chatted some more.  I boiled a box of Ronzoni spinach fettuccini. I heated a jar of Ragu Alfredo sauce with a ounce of Mount Gay rum, dashes of garlic powder, ground pepper, celery salt, ground ginger, Basil, oregano, Italian spices, Chinese five spice, and hot curry. Once it was all ready, I mixed it all together, and we had it for dinner with Seltzer water and a bit of lemon juice flavoring.  We then chatted some more until the visitor just left now.  I am tired.  Time for bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/17/01 Tuesday 4:10 P.M. EDT: The new 128 meg. memory chip arrived via UPS at 11:30 A.M.. I installed it in the first memory bank on the main computer along with the existing 64 meg. Memory chip for 192 megs total memory on the primary computer. It is 66 MHz memory, so my Norton Benchmark is about 25 % slower.  However, it all works fine. I put the 32 meg. Memory chip from the main computer in the backup computer with the existing 64 meg. Chip. I removed both CMOS batteries from the motherboards of both computers. They both use Lithium CR2032 batteries.  I went by the Bank  of New York Putnam Trust ATM on Mason Street. I then went by CVS, and I bought two Energizer lithium CR2032 batteries for $2.99 each plus .36 tax for $6.34. I then went by the Arnold Bread store outlet, and I bought two loaves of 12 grain bread and a package of hotdog buns for $2.67 total.  I then returned home. I put the new CMOS batteries in both computers, and  I set up their CMOS settings and closed the cases.  Both systems are running fine.  A friend has stopped by to visit. I have had iced coffee. I need breakfast.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/17/01 Tuesday 7:40 A.M. EDT: Windows Media Player did not work. I possibly had the XP version still on. I could not uninstall it, so I finally deleted it. I had to delete the *.exe file and folder from DOS since it kept rewriting itself and the folder would not delete when I tried in Windows. I then installed Windows Media Player 7.1 and it is all running fine.  I noticed when trying to F8 boot, I think I get a new boot up screen, but I don’t get “Safe Boot” when selected.  Perhaps, I have the Windows XP F8 boot up screen.  I just checked UPS tracking, and my memory arrived at UPS Norwalk at 5:30 A.M. this morning.  Well time for bed until UPS wakes me up.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/17/01 Tuesday 5:25 A.M. EDT: I reinstalled all the Windows ME updates.  Time for bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/17/01 Tuesday 4:30 A.M. EDT: I made my 4 P.M. appointment yesterday afternoon. I then drove down by the waterfront. I next stopped by the Food Emporium, and I bought a dozen eggs for .69.  I then returned home.  I had some iced coffee. I decided to uninstall Windows XP beta RS1. I basically figured that Windows ME with the Ezonics Ezcam USB and the Compaq IJ200 color printer would be the best and most economical setup for me. I first uninstalled Norton AntiVirus 2002 beta. I then removed the second logon from XP. I then freed up space on the C: drive by moving a group of redundant files to the E: drive. While doing this, I had dinner of half the London Broil broiled with steamed green beans and corn on the cob and a smaller version of the salad yesterday along with ice tea. I then uninstalled Windows XP beta RS1 returning the system to Windows ME. I had to restore my desktop icons with the old backup program since some were missing.  I then reinstalled Music Match 6.1, Napster, and Norton System Works and test the desktop programs. I noticed the Compaq color IJ200 printer which I had reconnected was running out of ink. I refilled the ink cartridge with the color ink refiller kit. I cleaned the contacts on the cartridge and the printer and the ink spouts with a cue tip and the cleaning fluid. I ran off a number of test copies and used the cartridge cleaning program, and in a short time it was back to printing as well as ever. I put new paper in both printers. When trying to disable Norton Protect, I noticed that System Information did not work. I first reinstalled Live Updated and the Updates. I then reinstalled Windows ME. Windows ME System Information then worked. I disabled certain startup items, and the system is all back to normal and the camera works fine. I had some Doritos 3D KC barbeque chips while reinstalling Windows ME and watched a bit of TV. I turned off 32 bit access in the CMOS, so Norton Disk Doctor could run properly. I ran it. I then ran WinDoctor. I will run Norton SpeedDisk, once the programs have a chance to become frequent for optimizing.  I started the server, and the system once again was back to normal.   The new memory should come today, as of now by UPS tracking it was off loaded at Bradley airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut about 8 P.M. last evening. No further tracking. I won’t be installing Windows XP beta RS2 since, I have found out what I need to know.  Time to start winding down the day and wait for the memory later on today. When I open up the computer cases to change the memory, I will leave them open and go out for new CMOS batteries before closing them again. Of course I will test the memory first. CIO

Note: <888> 07/16/01 Monday 3:40 P.M. EDT: I had a bag of 3D Doritos before going to bed. I was up at 2 P.M., and for breakfast I had oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, and vitamins. I am ready for my 4 P.M. appointment.  I was thinking that for the cost of Windows XP Professional upgrade of $200, Norton System Works 2002 $50, Intel Pro PC Camera $100, New Color Printer $100; It would cost me $450 to upgrade to Windows XP to have my system where it was with Windows ME plus the $30 I am spending on memory. For that same cost, I could buy  a 1.3 gigahertz AMD Athalon, new motherboard, memory, and case and have a new computer running Windows ME with the existing accessories.  Thus more than likely unless the Windows XP Professional Upgrade is significantly lower in price than the $200 estimate, I will not be upgrading to it. Time for my appointment. CIO

Note: <888> 07/16/01 Monday 5:40 A.M. EDT: Well I did some regular internet work.  I do get a systems crash with Windows XP beta RS1 if I open Outlook Express 6.0 after starting another program after booting up, but not so if I open it as the first program.  This might be caused by Norton Antivirus Beta 2002 since it only started happening after I installed it. I have disabled Norton Antivirus Beta 2002 startup on boot, so perhaps it won’t happen now.   Well time for bed. CIO

Note: <888> 07/16/01 Monday 3:40 A.M. EDT: I restarted the computer. I disabled Norton Antivirus beta 2002 Scanning on startup. I enabled in the CMOS 32 bit access for my hard drives and CDROM drive. I went through my email. On UPS tracking of my memory shipment. It was sent UPS two day air express on Saturday. On Sunday at 8 A.M., it was in Louisville, Kentucky being sorted by UPS. I guess it might arrive today Monday. I have a 4 P.M. appointment, so let’s hope it arrives before that, or I will probably cancel the appointment. In the Windows XP beta Hardware Compatibility list at the bottom of the list ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/services/whql/hcl/WinXPHCLx86.txt , it indicates that only certain Intel cameras work with XP. Perhaps that might change in the final release.  I know my Ezonics Ezcam USB does not have Windows NT or Windows 2000 drivers, so more than likely it won’t work in the finished product.  Staples carries the Intel cameras along with CompUSA. It is probably much the same for the Compaq IJ200 color printer which I have hooked up to the backup computer running Windows ME.  I noticed last week that Staples had a new Lexmark 77 promotion package for $80.  However, it might be better to look for a HP color printer which might be more compatible. I can always print color from the backup computer, and my HP LaserJet Series II works with Windows XP beta RS1.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/16/01 Monday 2:20 A.M. EDT: I listened and viewed “http://www.broadcast.com/learning_and_education/science/space/nasa/nasa_television/” . I made up two quarts of coffee and put it in the refrigerator to cool.  Time for some regular internet work.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/16/01 Monday 1:00 A.M. EDT: Well, I fell back asleep until 8 P.M.. I cleaned up and went out.  I noticed on Greenwich Avenue at the second building north of the senior center on the east side of the street, there was a police crime scene vehicle and a few other police vehicles and policeman with the sidewalk blocked off with yellow tape.  I drove down by the waterfront. I then walked lower Greenwich Avenue. While walking up the Avenue, I inquired of one of the policeman what had happened. They did not tell me anything.  They were removing crime scene evidence. I continued my walked up the Avenue. I sat out a while. I walked back down the Avenue. The crime scene investigation was still going on. I drove over to the Food Emporium, but they were closed. I stopped by the Stop and Shop. I bought green beans at $1.49 a pound $1.55, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter $1.49, Doritos Kansas City Barbeque styles buy one get one free $3.29 both, Kahns Beef franks buy one get one free $3.69 both, London Broil at $1.99 a pound $1.85, 2 pound bag of onions $1.29, S&S Manz olives .99, Romaine lettuce .79, 2 Extra large tomatoes $1.98 a pound .94, two cantaloupes at .88 each $1.76 both for $20.28 total.   I returned home, and I cleaned and diced the two cantaloupes and put the cantaloupe pieces in two rummbermaid containers.  I threw out the cantaloupe remains. I opened the 3 liter tin of Bertolli olive oil, and I filled the empty liter bottle of  olive oil with it. I got out my 8 oz. salad dressing bottle with cap. I put in a eighth of a teaspoon of black pepper, a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder and celery salt, half teaspoon each of basil, oregano, Italian spices, two teaspoons of Tameraire Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, white cider vinegar and shook it all up. I then filled the rest of the container with olive oil and shook it.  I then rinsed four leaves of Romaine lettuce and pulled them apart without the stalk part and put them on a large plate. I added one half sliced tomato, one third medium onion diced, a couple teaspoons  of dill pickle relish, fifteen diced pitted olives, one third of a pound of diced mozzarella cheese and then some of the salad dressing. I had the salad with a dish of cantaloupe slices and iced tea and iced coffee.  After dinner, I checked with the Greenwich Times, and they did not know about any crimes downtown.  Time for the iced coffee.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/15/01 Sunday 6:30 P.M. EDT: I was up at 5 P.M.. I fixed the sound input cable to the computer sound card by cutting off a sliver of the plug, so it fits more comfortably next to the microphone input jack. Thus hopefully, I won’t get static off the microphone input jack anymore, since it will be properly seated.  I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, pineapple blue berry tangerine juice mixture, coffee, and vitamins. I will now clean up and go out.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/15/01 Sunday 5:05 A.M. EDT: I watched a bit of TV. I did some minor computer activity.  Time for bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 07/15/01 Sunday 1:55 A.M. EDT: I watched some cooking shows on TV.  Alas with the extra money I spend on computers each month, I can’t afford better food; but I get by.  I made up a shopping list for the Food Emporium later today when they open.  I took the remaining two cups of pineapple blueberry mixture and put it in the blender with a cup and a half of tangerine juice and pureed it, and put it in a Rubbermaid quart container in the refrigerator.  I took the remaining four dill pickles from the pickle jar and cut off the ends and quartered them lengthwise. I put the 16 slivers in the Cuisine Art and a couple tablespoons of pickle juice, and I ran it a short time to make dill pickle relish.  I put it in a mustard jar in the refrigerator.  I think I will have some goldfish crackers and ice tea.  CIO