ZoneAlarm -- Manual Uninstall + TCP/IP Reset

Today I had to manually uninstall ZoneAlarm after receiving "invalid root certificate" errors. Apparently ZoneLabs updated their certificates, and my expired license did not allow me to update or something like that. I actively stopped using the software a while ago.


So, I found a link to manually uninstall on the zonelabs website: click here.
After the manual uninstall, I couldn't connect to the internet...Couldn't get DHCP to renew...couldn't get an IP address from my router.

I found a link on dslreports.com that showed me some netsh commands.
I executed these in a command window:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset reset.log
netsh firewall reset

Restarted the computer, and then was able to connect to the internet.
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DON'T ASK ME WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I INSTALLED WINXP SP3
ON THAT HP MACHINE WITH AN AMD CHIP!!!
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Clean Music in a Dirty World (114)

I DJ and attempt to purchase clean versions of today's popular music. It's nice to be able to provide "clean in language, if not in content" songs for Grandma and Uncle James to enjoy at the wedding reception.

This download-dizzy world has retailers providing only a 20 to 30 second clip to entice you to purchase the song. I mean, I fully understand this because they don't want to get ripped off. These online retailers also mark some records as "Explicit", I assume to warn parents that someone just might be cussing, or the content may not be G rated. I suppose I have gotten used to the PMRC stickers. I always try to make sure there are two versions of music available, especially if the song features a rapper. I mean, for them, cussing is like breathing. Every. Other. Word. You can't even trust them to restrain themselves on network TV. All those weird silences in the broadcast ruin the home viewers experience! (Black Eyed Peas most recently on the AMAs).

Speaking of the Black Eyed Peas, that song "Boom Boom Pow" is STILL HOT! But I can't play the file I downloaded from iTunes in mixed company, even though it's not labeled explicit. That song file is unedited for cuss words; gosh they love their crap!

Being the overprotective Auntie, I downloaded this song on to my godson's iPod. Mind you, I was relying on Apple to properly label their files. Boy was I wrong. One day I listened to the iTunes version and almost did in my chair what they were singing! I was not a happy camper and fired off a letter to Apple about the unlabeled s-bombs that got dropped. They refunded my money. I checked back and never saw that Apple ever re-labeled the song. Since my refund, my doggone external hard drive failed and I lost my music.

(Karma? not really. Old school, remember? Most of the iTunes stuff was on an iPod. The rest were ripped CDs, and I still have those.)

I haven't gone back to the iTunes store since.

The most recent offender is Amazon. Last week I downloaded "American Boy" by Estelle after looking for a version labeled 'clean' and not seeing one. I listened to it today. I was bopping along at my desk at work when Kanye started rapping. A 2:48 into the song, I had to do a double take. KANYE DROPPED THE F-BOMB. Just once. But that's enough. I can't have it in my clean pile when it isn't. There's nothing worse as a DJ than hearing a cuss word in a song and having heads turn and seeing people whispering, "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?".

I checked the site and fired off an email from their site. Not less than four hours later, I had a return email from them (and I quote)

Hello,

I checked out "American Boy (Feat. Kanye West)" by Estelle and confirmed there's a problem with that file. I've issued a full refund of $0.99 to the payment method used for the original purchase. Refunds are typically completed within 2 to 3 business days.

I've also alerted our technicians of the problem so it can be corrected as soon as possible. If you are still interested in purchasing a working copy of this song, you may wish to visit the Amazon MP3 Store again in a few days and see if a corrected version is available.

I'm sorry for the trouble you had with this file.

We look forward to seeing you again soon at the Amazon MP3 Music Store.

Wow, wee! Another refund, and hopefully, a cleaner download experience for those who rely on the tools available to us to make an informed decision.

Peace

Treat 'Em Right -- Chubb Rock, 114 BPM and CLEAN!

What was the name of that club? Pt 2

I remember now. It was Club D!

I would go home from work and take a nap. Get up and ride down to Buckhead -- Peachtree and West Paces Ferry. Most Tuesday nights, I would walk up to the bar, get a tequila straight up with a Heineken back, down the tequila, chase with a swig of beer, and head to the dance floor.

Ron Pullman was usually the DJ. He was set up at the edge of the dancefloor near the front of the club (Peachtree side). I'm sure that it was on that dance floor, while dancing and watching Ron spin, where I said to myself "I'm going to DJ someday".

What was the name of that club?

I used to club. A lot.
House music was "underground" in Atlanta. And underground was -- wherever.

• There was Nomenclature. How could I forget that place? Where Ron Pullman first let me get on some turntables in '97. He gave me a few pointers and let me use some of his records. The club was empty. But I was spinning. That was at the corner of 12th and Peachtree Walk.
• There was 688 at 688 Spring Street. Early '90's. ( I also saw Ru Paul there with Wee Wee Pole in the late '80's.)
• Second Saturdays at Earwax! (11th & Peachtree location.)
• There was a plethora of other one offs: Lofts downtown on Trinity Avenue. Whitehall Street. Above some commercial spot on Peachtree and Edgewood.
• Tuesday (yes TUESDAY) nights at the Color Box w/DJ Ted Patterson. Virginia Highlands. February 14th 1980-something was the date I chose house as MY music. In that space.
  
• Tuesday nights at, um, that club in Buckhead near Paces Ferry & Peachtree. I want to call it Olivers, but that's not right. The club is gone now, I think they're building a skyscraper there. What was the name of that club?
  

124 - House Music, Anyone?

I used to club. A lot. I remember lots of music and some lyrics, but no song titles. Back in my club days, the clubs/spaces I went to did not play music from the radio. We weren't listening to the same thing we just heard in the car! We listened to more than lyrics or raunch for the sake of it. We felt grooves. And most of the words, if present, could be repeated in front of your mother without modification.

I have been haunted by a past groove lately. It has been asking to become part of my music collection.

So I embarked on an internet journey. I had made this journey before but I most likely lost the bookmark on a failed hard drive. Step 1, navigate to google. Step 2, type in the words you remember. Actually, they are the only words in the song.

Tell him that I want to make love to him tonite.
Tonite.
Tonite.
(repeat)

That first search was fruitless to say the least. No, I don't want to talk about a boyfriend. No, I'm not looking for erotica. Let's see, how about adding +lyrics. Great. Now I have a bunch of fake song lyric links and popups. Grrr. Let's try another tactic. What else do you remember?

Oh yeah! The opening of the song comes from a recording of "for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf" by Ntozake Shange.

you gave it up in a buick?
yeh, and honey, it was wonderful

So I searched for "you gave it up in a buick?". Which lead to this forum thread on discomusic.com, and the answer. That thread also includes a link to YouTube where you can hear the song.

Now, I'm off to find my very own copy!

Michael Jackson 1958 -- 2009: Rest In Peace

Here are my MJ memories. By now the world has shed a tear for the "King of Pop".

I remember falling in love with the Jackson 5 as a child. I'm a "disco baby", and was around back when the group hit. I have a memory of my Aunt taking my sister and I to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NYC. We saw a movie, then the musical acts began.

At that show, the Jackson 5 opened for the Temptations! Can you believe it?!? After that experience, we saw the Jackson 5 once more at Radio City Music Hall and the Jacksons at the Nassau Coliseum. Our folks bought the 45s and albums as fast as they came out!

We watched the Jackson 5 cartoon religiously. We watched the Jacksons variety show.

Then Off the Wall came out. Oh Michael! You put it down on "Rock With You". I bought Thriller at least three times: two wax versions, and the 20th Anniversary "Special Edition" CD.

Faces of MJ? I love the original face up through Thriller. After that I thought it became a bit much, but he obviously had self image issues. Imagine, the best known singer and dancer in the world didn't like the way he looked!

Anyway... I shed a few tears myself Thursday evening. World, we have lost a great entertainer. But flip it 180, and realize that Michael has finally gotten his peace after over 40 years in the business. And 50 years of people beating up on him in some form or fashion.

Salute to Michael Jackson's body of work

Keyshia?, Pt 2

Here is a link to a full pic of the tat on her right arm. And a closeup of the Leno spot.
http://tattooloaders.com/keyshia-cole-tattoos.html
My web search also turned up a pic of her Vibe cover. I guess they shot her from the OTHER side.

WAS THAT KEYSHIA COLE???

I was watching Jay Leno's last show tonight and he showed a montage of the best of his 'Jaywalking' bit.

Blow me down with a feather when I hear this woman that doesn't recognize Colin Powell's picture.

I look up and see this redhead. (pardon the pic, don't have HDTV, blogging from my phone)

Where's Ryan Cameron when you need him?

AJC IDOL .... OOPS!

Last night, for a few minutes, ajc.com erroneously announced Adam Lambert as the winner! I had to get a screen shot as proof!

Shut up and Drive!

This technology should have won first place. I think we would see a greater benefit quicker than the concept that won first place!
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12320477

Does the President Wear a Wave Cap?

I was watching the news today and noticed President Obama's fresh cut!
I think he wears a wave cap at night...

How about you?

Can I Borrow $25?

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his
5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what it is?" replied the man.

SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?", the man said angrily.

SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make $50 an hour."

SON: "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $25?"

The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities." The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

"Are you asleep, son?" he asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man. "It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's th e $25 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness..

This could be a father, mother, sister, brother or friend.

It's just a short reminder to al l of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Thanks.

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.