Stray thought for a Sunday.

With a title of this blog being Miasmatic Review, it should not surprise me that I keep getting google hits for people searching for reviews of various products. Just yesterday I had hits for reviews of bras, firearms, toys, cars, tools, girls, and brass knuckles.

Posted by: Contagion at 09:32 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Find-a-Creep

The local news did a story about Sex Offenders about a week ago. During the story they mentioned a website, MapSexOffenders.com, where you can enter your address and it will map out any that are in your area.

The only problem I have with sites like this is that it doesn't give you a lot of details into the nature of the crime of the sex offender. I know a guy that is on the registered sex offender list due to a statutory rape charge, he was 18 and she was 15. They both were in High School and the sex was consensual. In fact they are married today. On his record it states victim under <18, thatÂ’s all.

Other then that, I think these lists and services are a useful tool for concerned parents. If you have kids, or are just curious to see if your neighbors are perverts, plug in your address and see who are the people in your neighborhood.

Posted by: Contagion at 09:14 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Comments, denied!

Tonight I have stumbled across quite a conundrum. I’ve tried commenting on various MuNu sites and everything I type is of “questionable” content. Then I tried commenting on this blog, nope! Questionable content! At first I thought it was just me, maybe somehow I was banned from posting. Searching the various site I discovered no recent comments.

I went to Munuviana to see if there was anything out there on this issue. There was a post on the English Language being banned. Being curious I tried to comment in Spanish and German. Nope, they didnÂ’t work either. I donÂ’t know whatÂ’s going on, but IÂ’m sure itÂ’ll be fixed. If itÂ’s just me, and you miss my comments, IÂ’m sorry! I tried!

Update: It appears to be working now. Thanksy Pixie Misa!

Posted by: Contagion at 09:03 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Eye am still here.

All right, I didnÂ’t write anything about my eye yesterday, mainly because I was being lazy, and didnÂ’t feel like posting anything. That means you all get a two for one today!

The pain is still there, it is subsiding some. There is still the sensation that my eye is being gouged out, but at least itÂ’s not as strong today. Well either that or IÂ’m getting accustomed to the sensation. Today I am developing a minor headache on the right side of my head, yes, itÂ’s that generalized. It starts from behind my eye all the way to the side of my head, just about my right ear.

At this point, we have ruled out shingles. There is no noticeable rash, pox of discoloration of the face. If it were shingles, it definitely would have manifested by now. Since weÂ’ve ruled that out, it means itÂ’s one of the more mundane medical afflictions.

I have a follow up appointment with the ophthalmologist on Wednesday. I appreciate all of the advice and concerns about my eye. IÂ’m going to try to answer everyoneÂ’s questions.

IÂ’ve already seen an ophthalmologist on the first day. My GP works in a large office and the have one on site that examined me, that is how we know there is nothing wrong with the eye itself, itÂ’s the surrounding tissue. There are no scratches, foreign substances or chemicals in my eye. Well, other then what the doctors have put there. The actual eyeball itself is perfectly normal. There is a loss of sensation on my eyelids and face around the eye, which however may be due to the already existing pain.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:58 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Jerkin' meat

Ye olÂ’ dehydrator has been loaded with meat products and is drying. ItÂ’s been approximately three hours since I started. IÂ’ve wiped the excess grease off of the meat a couple of times now. The directions say to do so, since IÂ’ve never made my own jerky before, I thought I better just do it unquestioningly.

I’ve checked the dryness of the meat a couple of times now. It’s still pretty pliable and “moist”. Like moister then Slim Jim beef jerky. Which is way too moist for my liking. Looking at it, I figure I have another hour or two left before it’s done. I’m afraid if it goes too long I’ll make roofing shingles.

Now, a friend of mineÂ’s mother makes her own jerky. ItÂ’s some real good stuff. A couple of months ago she over dehydrated it and it was crispy. Yes, crispy. It was like biting into a thick meat potato chip. Now, the taste wasnÂ’t bad, actually it tasted pretty dang good. It was just interesting to eat meat that crunched.

After this batch, IÂ’ve got some pepperoni flavored curing right now. IÂ’ll keep you updated as things progress through out the day.

UPDATE 17:52: Okay, the meat has been drying for almost 6 hours now. It is still way too moist. I will continue drying.

UPDATE 20:08: About 20 minutes ago I pulled off the trays, it is done. It took about 8 hours to get the texture that I like. I'm trying again tomorrow with a second batch. Some things I've learned from this first experiment. When checking the dryness I need to check every tray. Apparently the trays to the bottom dry faster then the ones on top. Drying meat is greasy, I actually did wipe down the excess grease but dang! I have enough rendered fat here to make historically accurate soap! As for the taste, not bad. I think it needs more garlic, either that or diced jalepanos.

Posted by: Contagion at 03:14 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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It's Jerky time!

Okay, I have all this free time for the next four days and I thought what the hell am I going to do with it. Then I remembered; my loving wife gave me a food dehydrator and the stuff to make Jerky. Right about now some of you are probably thinking, or screaming: “Contagion, you have some kind of funky eye infection. Do you really think you should be playing with food?”

My answer to you is; grow up and get a pair! No, you do have a valid point. Since I’ve never made jerky before I have no clue what I’m doing. I figured I would start small. A one-pound batch and take it from there. After “cooking” down, that will only make about 1/3 pound of dried meat snacks. That’s just enough for me. There will be no sharing of the first batch.

I started off washing my face thoroughly. Never have I cooked using my face, but I thought “Hey! The crunchy bits my eye is producing might add flavoring.” Actually, I did that because it needed to be done, then after that I washed my hands. Then I used hand sanitizer, and then I washed my hands again. Sure I might not be sharing it, but lets not be dirty about it.

After a scrubbing that would make Adrian Monk proud, I started mixing the seasoning and curing mix. Okay this is easy enough. Again, this is my first time making jerky so IÂ’m going with the ultra cheap method of using ground beef. I know itÂ’s not the same, but if I screw up, at least IÂ’m only out a couple of bucks, even if it is the ultra-lean variety.

I spent 10 minutes in the kitchen kneading the meat, seasonings, and cure mix together. Of course right in the middle of it, who comes to my door? The damn Com-Ed (electric company) man wanting to read my meter, thatÂ’s who. Washing my hands, I show him to the meter. After he leaves I go back through the scrubbing ritual and start kneading the meat. After I finished, I went back to mixing the meat, seasoning and cure mix together. IÂ’m kiddingÂ… I washed my hands again before I started mixing.

Now I have to let the mix sit and cure for 4 to 24 hours. IÂ’m thinking IÂ’m going to let it cure until tomorrow. Since itÂ’s late in the day, and itÂ’s going to take about 6 hours to dry, I donÂ’t want to be up half the night waiting on it.

Posted by: Contagion at 10:49 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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It's the rules.

I have never had to do this before, but I guess it is time. I do not like deleting comments, unless they are spam. The only time I have altered a comment was when it was so full of vulgarities that it would have made a sailor blush. (I just changed some vowels so that work filters would not stop my site from being too vulgar).

However if you are going to leave an inflammatory or political comments on my blog, you WILL leave a valid e-mail address. You can put spaces in it or add something to it so that it will stop spam filters. IE Contagion_1@NOSPAMyahoo.com. That way I can respond to you both in my comments and by e-mail to let you know.

Why am I stating this now? I just had someone leave a very long, political comment on my Home Rule posts. However, this person made many accusations and asked questions. They did not however leave an e-mail address for which I can respond to them, nor others that may support or oppose our positions. Most of my readers that come for Home Rule information do not leave comments; they use E-mails.

I wish this commenter had left an e-mail address; I really wanted to ask him more questions

Posted by: Contagion at 03:52 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Happy Thoughts.

This is not something I normally do, but IÂ’m going to do it anyway. As many of you may know from my blog Daughter VirtueÂ’s post, we have a pregnant friend that is with child. You may remember her as Chastity.

She was due on the 25th, and last night around 6:30 PM they induced her. I just received word that she still has not delivered the child, and there are complications. If you could find the time just to think some happy thoughts for her, IÂ’d appreciate it. SheÂ’s a good kid and just needs a little help right now.

UPDATE: I just received word from Virtue, Mom and baby are doing fine. Child was taken by C-section, its a girl. 20 inches long, 6 lbs 14 oz. Name: I forgot.

Posted by: Contagion at 01:33 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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She actually wants in?

Susie of Practical Penumbra wants to join the Bad Example Clan. SheÂ’s looking for people to vouch for her character. Yet again, she has over looked me as a regular reader. ThatÂ’s fine, there is a reason IÂ’m known as the unwanted stump.

IÂ’ll vouch for Susie. I like her blog, and sheÂ’s good reading. Her tails from the workplace make me feel better that IÂ’m not the only one that has management issues. However, I think sheÂ’s a lot nicer to her minions employees than I am

UPDATE: Apparently she didn't over look me, I must have over looked the link. If she had linked to me under Bad I probably would have found it.

Posted by: Contagion at 01:15 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Wolf Fest!

Laughing Wolf is putting on Wolf Fest (AKA Howl on the Prowl). Wolf Fest a blogmeet with a tour of the wolf park on February 18. (ie Wolf Fest... get it? Laughing WOLF, WOLF park... Wolf fest?!?! There you go!) All the details are in these three posts.

Ktreva and I where able to get a sitter for the boys, thus we are going to be there. I know I had said I wasn’t going to do any more blogmeets due to how uncomfortable I get around people. However, Ktreva really likes wolves. She thinks they are “pretty and cute”. Since she really wanted to go, and she had done all the nice stuff for me last weekend, I figured I would just push down my shyness one more time and go.

Therefore, if you want to see what IÂ’ve heard is a really nice wolf park, you want to meet the woman that jumped on the grenade for the rest of you ladies, or if demented enough actually to want to meet me this is your chance. Because this is definitely, the last blogmeet IÂ’m doingÂ…

Â… until the next one.

Posted by: Contagion at 12:46 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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I'm a lucky man

Have I mentioned how great my wife is lately? No, well she is. You want to know why? After reading my post about Winchester closing down, do you know what she did? She took me out today and bought me a Winchester model 94 .30-30. How can you not love a woman that trusts you enough to buy you a firearm? She definitely is the greatest!

Since I was out and about and obviously someplace I could buy ammo, I figured I should. Especially since IÂ’m going to go shooting tomorrow.

I got all of that for under $100.00. For those of you trying to count, and I know at least a couple of you are, that is: 250 .357 rounds, 150 .38 special rounds and 150 .22LR rounds. That makes a grand total of 550 rounds. That should last about 2.5 hours at the rate I shoot.

Jealous, arenÂ’t you? (of both the wife and the ammo.)

Posted by: Contagion at 06:23 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Another American Icon dead.

Talk about an end of an era. Winchester has gone Out with a Bang.

The worst part about the whole thing is that I can just see anti-gun fanatics dancing in the streets at the news of this. To me I feel sad. It makes me want to run out to the local gun shops and buy one right away, if I could afford it, just to make sure I could have one.

I love the Winchester model 94 .30-30 lever action. Graumagus of Frizzen Sparks (Deceased) had one that he let me fire. It was a great rifle, easy to shoot and damn accurate. For those of you that arenÂ’t sure what that is, think the stereotypical cowboy rifle.

Thanks to Og of Neanderpundit for the news.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:23 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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There goes the bank account

Well, I finally joined the 90Â’s tonight. I opened an eBay account and actually bid on some items. eBay has been one of those things that I never could get a grasp on; even tonight IÂ’m still having issues. Whenever I try to find something I like, I just donÂ’t seem to be able to find what I am looking for. ItÂ’s not that I have a problem with search engines, itÂ’s just that it throws back way too many items for me to sort through or it returns stuff that doesnÂ’t even remotely match what I was looking for.

While looking for something completely off the wall, I wasnÂ’t even looking to buy anything, I found a couple of items that where a steal at the price they are currently listed. Since, the bids where closing tonight, I thought IÂ’d go for it.

So far IÂ’ve won one of the items I was bidding on.

Hopefully I donÂ’t get taken.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:05 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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Fritz Stop.

Before I start my post, I would like to take this time to that T1G of Drunken Wisdom for not only organizing, but also hosting Fritzfest Â’06. He deserves special recognition for all of his efforts and hard work put into bringing this event together.

Fritzfest, what can I say, IÂ’m still reeling from the fun and camaraderie of a 10 hour long party. We walked into the bar at about 11:30AM, other then T1G, my wife and I where the first bloggers to arrive. As I had promised, I wore a kilt and work boots. (Ladies, commence swooning now!) Instead of wearing a Packer jersey, I wore the Dr. Phat Tony shirt I won. I worked hard to win that; I wanted to show it off. (Ladies, you may stop swooning) After having a seat at the bar, I ordered some Jack Daniels. Hey, I figured just 45 minutes east of us it was already past noon! (Gotta love time zones)

I had met many of the people at least once before. Harvey and TNT where of course the normal blogging power couple that they are. Graumagus kept making excuses for not blogging (Tomorrow heÂ’ll be declared dead). Blackfive was there entertaining all with stories. Tammi was the social butterfly. Talula who was trying to take my place as the shy one and of course there was T1G who was exhausted from all the work he had done. Teresa was her normal regal self; she even made me kiss her ring again upon entering the building to show my fealty.

Now for the Bloggers I had never met before.

Sarah of ThatÂ’s Not Nice. Since she was from Minnesota I figured she would have the same accent as my relatives from up there, nope she was completely accentless. I donÂ’t know what she doesnÂ’t think is nice, but she seemed a very sweet lady that would charm the pants (or kilt) of anyone she spoke with.

Omnibus Driver and Buckaroo Bonsai of LeslieÂ’s Omnibus. Talk about genuinely nice people. It was a pleasure to talk with them. Omnibus Driver is one of those types of people that when you meet them you are pleasantly surprised by how kind hearted they are. I could see myself spending hours talking to her.

Richmond of One For The Road. First off I must say she was a beautiful woman. IÂ’ll admit I had only recently found her, so I wasnÂ’t sure what to expect. What I got was worth it. She was witty, intelligent and liked to point out in wonderment that Ktreva actually married me. Every time I turned around, her and Ktreva seemed to be chatting. No good comes from that.

Laughing Wolf of The Laughing Wolf. This is one of the bloggers that I wanted to meet, and I just didnÂ’t get a chance to talk to him enough. Unfortunately my shyness kept me from being able to start a conversation with him. Either that or he was scared of my kiltÂ… okay me in a kilt. Actually I think it was just a matter of every time I changed groups of people, he coincidently did the same thing. He told us we should all go down to the Wolf Park some time and IÂ’ll probably take him up on that. Especially since Ktreva likes wolves.

Og of Neanderpundit. This guy has stories that will make you laugh so hard that people look at you like your insane(er). HeÂ’s another blogger I just recently discovered, and damn I wish I had found his blog a long time ago. He was talking about having a blogmeet/camping/blow-stuff-up weekend. Grau and I decided weÂ’re going to hold him to that.

Jakejacobsen and Thebaldchick of Freedom Folks. Again another blog I just recently discovered. Jake was a funny guy, lots of stories, good advice and just a generally great guy to talk to. Thebaldchic was quiet, when she spoke she always had something witty or poignant to add to the conversation. The next time I have a business trip into Chicago, IÂ’m definitely looking these two up to go to dinner with.

There was an anonymous benefactor of drinks for the event. I would like to take this time to thank Eric of Straight White Guy for keeping me socially lubricated for the day. It was a shame he couldn't have made it there in person.

Since I knew Tammi was going to be at this event, I decided it was time to receive my ransom. She has been a very busy woman of late, and Ktreva said I was being too harsh with my demands. I decided to settle the ransom demands with her just fulfilling demand number 9. (That and Ktreva threatened to yank out more leg hair) She had to have a picture of her holding a sign that says, “I have an unhealthy addiction to candles”. Here’s part of my payment.

The other part was that she was supposed to have the same picture posted on her site sometime tonight. If she didnÂ’t I was going to e-mail it to all the bloggers that were there and have them put it up on their blogs. I have given her a 24-hour extension, because I didnÂ’t get the picture to her until late tonight. Since I left FritzÂ’s kind of late, and had to work late tonight, I didnÂ’t get the picture to her in enough time to make her post.

See, IÂ’m a nice guy.

Stop laughing.

IÂ’d say I canÂ’t wait until the next blogmeet, but I think this may be my last. IÂ’m way too shy for these things. The pressure was getting to me.

Posted by: Contagion at 09:31 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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Where's the beer?

Why? Why did this have to happen in Ontario? This is something that we need in Illinois. What is it? The Ontario Beer Hunter (Not to be confused with THE Beer Hunter). What is it? You put in the city or region that you want in Ontario Canada, and they show you where all the open stores where you can buy beer, wine and liquor. Only the stores or their liquor departments that are open at the time show up. They even have different flags to show you what kind of alcohol can be bought at each location.

Someone really needs to pick up the ball and do this in Illinois. Sometimes at 8:50 in the morning you just need to know where to go get a beer.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:54 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Wasting time.

It seems like the latest and greatest trendin blogging is to find some online game and link to it. Since I'm just another cog in the machine, I felt it wasn't my place to go against this trend. Thus, here for your amusement is a nice little time waster.

How can you not want to play a game called Robobug Blaster?

Posted by: Contagion at 08:43 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Happy New Year to All!

From all of us here, we wish all of you a Happy New Year! We hope that this past year has been as good for you as it has been for us. To ring your New Year in properly, we leave you with an ancient Scottish New Year blessing.

Happy New Year
To One and All
Long Life Happiness
Peace and Prosperity to You
Lang may yer Lum Lou

(May there always be the warmth of a fire in the home and so employment and prosperity)

Sincerely

Contagion, Ktreva, Boopie and Clone.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:20 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Merry Christmas

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a safe, fun and wonderful Christmas.

Since I didnÂ’t get any of you anything last year, I felt I should make it up to you. I put it in the extended entry since it might be questionable if you open it at work.

See extended entry for your presents.
more...

Posted by: Contagion at 11:24 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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Fritz Fest '06! Lets go people!

Okay People, Fritz fest Â’06 is just over two weeks away. Some of you still have not confirmed your going, IÂ’m not going to single people out *Cough*Spurs*Cough*, but if youÂ’re planning on going you need to go over there and make sure you are on the list. T1G has been working his poor fingers to the bone organizing this thing and you could at least tell him if youÂ’re coming. ItÂ’s just common courtesy people!

If youÂ’re not sure whether you want to come, Leslie, the Omnibus Driver, has a very compelling list of reasons on why you should. Like any of you need a reason besides being able to be in the awe-inspiring presence of yours truly. Throw in the fact that I am going to be wearing a kilt and work bootsÂ… this is a must-not-miss!

So cÂ’mon, the more the merrier!

Posted by: Contagion at 12:40 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The Great Northern Illinois Blogmeet.

T1G was nice enough to through up a mini blog just for the impending blogmeet. Well to be honest he lost everyone's e-mails and is too lazy to go try to find them by searching his comments.

He is trying to drum up as much participation as possible. If you are planning on going, please head over and vote for food. The food has to be ordered in advance and he wants to know what everyone wants. He also has prices listed for each item.

there is also a list of people that have committed to coming.

There are some names on there I don't see that should. I won't single out those individuals, but you know who you are.

Posted by: Contagion at 12:22 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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