David Ancell / Wednesday, March 15, 2006 / Comments(0)
I have just finished putting my podcast page on my web site. You can get it here:
The David Ancell Podcast
For those of you who really want to know how it was done, I used Cold Fusion to parse the RSS feed file, and it formats the XML right onto the page. I think it’s pretty cool. My next step is to add some graphics to the site and create some “cover art” for this podcast for display in iTunes. I also want to get the most recent show on my main page. By the way, you can subscribe to my podcast using iTunes by clicking the link below.
Click here to subscribe.
Enjoy!
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David Ancell / Tuesday, March 14, 2006 / Comments(0)
It seems as though McAfee VirusScan accidentally detected the Excel virus. Apparently, an error in the code caused it to perceive Microsoft Excel as a W95/CTX virus. So, if you had been working in Excel and suddenly found that, after a scan, you no longer have it, this might be why.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Monday, March 13, 2006 / Comments(0)
Well, I’ve been really busy, but I did manage to get another podcast posted. I hope to get some more done on getting this to be a part of my web page soon. I just haven’t had a moment to breathe.
Anyway, my Honda Accord is in the shop again getting some work done. Thankfully, I have an extended warranty. Even better is the fact that it covers a rental car. I have gotten some decent rentals, but I think this is the best one yet. I was issued a PT Cruiser. I don’t know if I’d want one as my primary car, but it’s fun to drive for the day.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, March 08, 2006 / Comments(0)
I can’t help but wonder why this “special report” was on the front page of the West Tennessee Catholic a couple of weeks ago. As far as I know, neither Senator Obama nor Congressman Ford are Catholic, and the article made no mention of what any of our priests had to say about it. For some reason, something just doesn’t seem right.
The article says that Senator Obama “raised the bar” in asking the ministers to “look more deeply at issues that needed to be addressed.” What was he referring to? He was stating that he opposed gay marriage but was wanting people to spend more time on other issues. Well, given that marriage is the building block of society, the issue does need to be addressed. Besides, this is a false “comparison morality.” Both issues need time, though for different reasons. Suggesting we can let the problem of people claiming a right to homosexual “marriage” slide while concentrating on social programs isn’t going to work.
However, I’m not surprized by anything that these guys said. What bothers me is that our diocesean newspaper chose to print it in the terms that they did. Given the one of the latest ministry developments in our diocese, which is still only explained to the people in terms that are so vague as to cause scandal, it’s hard for me not to suspect that this is someone’s agenda.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, March 08, 2006 / Comments(0)
According to this article, about half of all products returned because they weren’t working were working just fine. The problem was, as they say, PEBKAC (problem exists between keyboard and chair). However, the problem between keyboard and chair may be in the designer, not the user. The product may work, but people can’t figure out how to use them.
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David Ancell / Monday, March 06, 2006 / Comments(0)
I just found out today that, as a pharmacist, I work in one of the five most unpopular jobs in the country. Well, I guess it’s nice that no one wants my job. Then again, sometimes I think the shortage is artificially created by the number of retail stores opening.
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David Ancell / Sunday, March 05, 2006 / Comments(0)
Although the renovated web site is posted, it is still a work in progress. I plan to add to it as time goes on. In fact, the first addition has just been posted. I’m pleased to announce my new podcast:
Click here to access it.
I’m hoping to make this a weekly podcast, but please don’t hold me to it. Of course, this is a work in progress. I have already submitted to iTunes, and I hope to have it listed soon. I hope to figure out how to get the RSS feed’s XML to appear on a page within this site. I may add some other special features or even post some talks that aren’t technially part of the regular podcast.
This gives me a chance to practice speaking for some upcoming teaching opportunities I hope to have. I must admit that this first show isn’t exactly perfect, but I do hope that it will get better as I get more practice. I think it’s pretty good for a first effort.
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David Ancell / Saturday, March 04, 2006 / Comments(0)
Although the ashes given out on Ash Wednesday are supposed to be a sign of repentance, sometimes, I can’t help but having fun with them. When I used to work later shifts and went to work with the ashes on, there would be several people who would nicely inform me that there was something on my forehead. I loved it.
I didn’t get that chance this year because I went to 7 PM Mass. I did get to go to what I will call the “Fish and Chips Party.” Several of us left Mass to go to a local restaurant and bar. Everyone orders fish and chips. I showed up a little later than the rest, and the hostess pointed to my group and said “They are over there.” I asked her how she knew I was with them, and she said “I know them, and you are marked just like they are.”
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David Ancell / Saturday, March 04, 2006 / Comments(0)
As I prepare my collection envelopes, I see that there is a second collection for the Black and Indian Missions. On Ash Wednesday, there is a collection for the Church in Latin America. They both sound like important causes, but what are they doing with the money?
The second collections seem to pop up with no advance warning other than the envelope in my envelope set. There is little, if any, concrete information as to what is actually done with the money. I want to give as much as I can to help the truly needy. However, I have a problem with giving money to do little more than pay some bureaucrat at a USCCB office.
For example, one second collection that I recall seeing is the Catholic Communications Campaign. It has been rare that I have seen something that was marked as having been sponsored by that campaign. Just what are they communicating, and to whom are they communicating it. I would at least expect to hear something on the radio or see it on television. Another collection, namely the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, has been rumored to give money to pro-abortion causes.
Given that I don’t know how much good these collections are doing people, I won’t take a chance on giving to something that has been rumored to support abortion “rights.” There are plenty of good, pro-life causes (like Birthright) to give money to. I want to give to those who help others, especially those who bring the good news of Christ and His Church to others. In so doing, I want to make sure that I’m putting the money I give where it will do the most possible good. Paying bureaucrats and possibly pro-abortion organizations just won’t cut it.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, March 01, 2006 / Comments(0)
A 12-year-old student did her science fair project on the cleanliness of the ice in the fast food restaurants. Interestingly enough, she compared the bacteria content with that of the toilet water. Which had less bacteria? Well, it was the toilet water. By the way, the ice had more fecal bacteria than the toilet water.
Granted, this is a science fair project done by a 12-year-old. The results can only be taken so far. However, this is still darn scary. Then again, I never liked putting ice in my drinks. The stuff is usually cold without ice, and the restaurants will put ten dollars worth of ice in your cup to save money.
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