Laguna Beach @ MindSay 
tomorrow
Could The Information Superhighway Become A Toll Road?
There's a battle going on for control of the Internet, and if consumers don't watch out they're going to be playing second modem to the captains of industry.
The black hats are worn by a handful of media conglomerates who hope to build a two-tiered Internet, with the fastest tier going at premium prices. Everyone else will surf at reduced speeds, which can be the fast track to Net oblivion.
In the beginning the Internet was truly democratic -- anyone with a computer and a dial-up connection could log on and surf as fast as the equipment allowed. But the system was accessed via old-fashioned copper telephone wires that weren't capable of high-speed transmission.
No worry. In the 1990s phone and cable companies promised to re-wire America with fiber-optic cable, thus keeping pace with some European and Asian providers. All they wanted in return were tax breaks and the rate hikes to cover infrastructure outlays.
The upgrade would be massive. By one estimate the old copper-wire dial-up connection would take 82 years to download the contents of the Library of Congress. The fastest fiber connection can do the job in about 45 seconds. A cable connection is a waste of time. Watch this video.
The promises, however, turned out to be a lot of fast talk, billed as a "telecommunications muckraker.''
According to the group, TeleTruth, telephone companies received $25 billion in tax breaks while their revenues soared 128 percent in the 1990s. But they didn't build the high-speed system.
Should telecom and cable companies be able to influence what Web sites you visit? That’s a key question in the debate surrounding Net neutrality.
It’s an issue being fought over tooth and nail in Washington.
Supporters of Net neutrality say the government needs to step in and ensure that cable and telecom companies who offer Internet service provide their customers equal access to every Web site in cyberspace.
Those against the idea say the government needs to stay out of the Internet business and let the market forces, which have made the Internet a success, play out.
Sen. Ron Wyden is among those pushing for a Net neutrality policy. He says the lack of Net neutrality would turn the information superhighway into a toll road with the best access given to Web sites willing to pay top dollar.
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Response to todays top-blogs:
What are the requirments to be considered a homophobe?
Is just my mildly contrary comment enough to mark me as one? Is it really about the actual marriage?
If I go in for a colonoscopy tomorrow should I make a video of the process to offer as entertainment.
Didn't Al Franken already cover this moronic shtik with his Stuart Smally character?
Will I become # 4 if I re-post # 2?
I vote for 
misterghouliemisterghoulie
misterghoulie
Seriously, enough already!
Pablo
©2006
"Can you take a key that's stuck in the lock out, and, not touch it with your fingers?"
"Yes"
"You sure?"
"Yes. Is the door open or shut?"
"Does it make a difference?"
"No. Just a couple of ways to do it"
"Okay G, I need you out here pronto. Where are you, exactly?"
I was in Laguna Beach just about to listen to the bartender's story . . . he was buying so I was listening. I was having sushi there one night with my "love" and changed the combo on their safe when one of the managers "had personal problems" . . . It took me about 5 minutes and he picked up our sushi tab . . . more than what I would have charged anyway. My "love" could eat a lot of sushi . . . . I asked him to join us . . . He knew "her" and was one of the first to know we were engaged since we'd been regular customers. He brought hot Saki that night to toast our future and baaabies . . . ("Nine months to the day" . . . she said blushingly) He and I had been friends ever since.
I came in tonight to work on my billing and to have a drink or several . . . . He had just told me . . . his girlfriend (gorgeous, tall, l-o-n-g black hair and a smile as sweet as her heart) had gotten a call from her doctor after a smear . . "come back for more tests" . . . He lost his mom to cancer, he's terrified . . . . He was drawing beer and pouring shots . . .
. . . . and then I got the call from LA Sheriff's . . .
"Gotta go G?"
"Yeah, but I'll come back Thursday when it's slow and we can talk."
"Okay G . . . she's going in Thursday and me too . . . Make sure huh?"
"K"
It took a little over an hour to get to the address the Deputy gave me. It was between Eagle Rock and South Pasadena, up in the hills with those tiny narrow roads . . . everyone parking there and you had to be prefectly sober to keep from clipping your mirrors. This is the area where the Hillside Strangler(s) operated and dumped the bodies years ago. That was the only case of serial killers working in tandem. The name "Hillside" came from a favorite ravine (hillside) where they dumped the bodies from the road and they fell down about 150ft into heavy brush. I was going over the very spot now . . . .
******************************
The original house had been "converted" into three tiny apartments and there had been "improvements" made by the tenants over the years . . . the "laundry" was outside on the "patio deck" which was right next to the "new closet" . . . it made sense to put the laundry outside . . . that's where the hot water tank was installed and you could hook the hot water line to the washer up from the nippled drain on the bottom of the hot water tank . . . made sense to me . . . and, why waste venting on a dryer when it was outside? The architechure for the window coolers and The Penhouse (3rd apartment) . . . we'll go into another time . . .
They had paid rent without problems for 29 years and the elderly "owner" had not visited the property in 20. A grandson collected the rent now from OC and never came up but dealt with the tenant over the phone "when he was needed" . . . They had "improved" the property, sharing expenses as they could over the years. From the "patio" you could see the MetroLink train yards down below right next to the 5 Hwy . . . Dodger Stadium was just a little further up . . . Gene Autry Museum just out of sight the other way . . .
I looked around at the markers put along the stairs as I was escorted up by a Deputy . . . so I wouldn't disturb bits of evidence. I saw the front door was not damaged, and the key was in the deadbolt lock. The detective met me and pointed to the key . . .
"That's it. I need it out and we weren't positive on how to get it out. It didn't come out easily so I called you."
"Okay" I had a rolled pouch and took out a tool and a pair of hemostats and took out the key.
"Goddamn G . . . just like that?"
"Sure . . . when you know the trick. That's why I get the big money" He held open a very small manilla envelope and I dropped the key in.
"The bad guy unlocked the door?"
"Yeah, I think so . . . . Attacked her on the stairs. There's blood, that why the Deputy escorted you up. She was brought in here and attacked, here and then the kitchen. That's where the guy from upstairs found her. I need the back door and this re-keyed. Here take one of these . . ."
He handed me a "Venti" coffee and I took a sip and reached for the first lock . . .
"No donuts"
"NO!"
"Just asking, just asking"
"That was sweet how you did that"
"Thanks, and for the coffee too"
"Shit what's in Laguna Beach? I didn't answer . . . "Oh, I need to talk to you about my place. I want you to look at it"
"No problem."
"Uhhh . . . what do you . . . ?
"No tab for cops. Want something like I did for Gary?"
"Yeah . . . Thanks G"
"K . . .What happened here?"
**********************
The stairway-entry off the street was cut out of the hillside rock . . .winding stairs that were poured in concrete (1939 stamped in the one leading from the street) . . . and it made a narrow winding climb to the front door. The front door was on the west, exposed to the hot afternoon sun and had been shaded by a do-it-yourself-patio-latticed-cover with night blooming Jasmine covering it.
You could smell the Jasmine tonight and feel the "mist" units that were still running . . . Angels Trumpets were growing alongside and their fragrance was drifting with the sweet smell of the Jasmine . . .
The lattice work and Jasmine protected against the afternoon sun . . . but it also made for a pitch black narrow walk up from the street to the front door . . . someplace that was easy to get trapped in if someone was waiting for you to come home after dark. That's what happened.
The tenant was a retired RN that worked for "years" in LA's toughest Emergency Rooms and had-seen-it-all. Her friends that I met that night said that she'd lost her fear of gangs, drunks, dopers and loser's years ago . . . She'd been threatened countless times over the years, punched out a few times from patients and family members, when she didn't have the money they demanded or she just said no . . . She never drank, and sometimes had to be drug, kicking and screaming, to Mass . . . .
The apartment above hers was a retired LA City bus driver who wasn't home when the attack occured . . . the other apartment (The Penthouse) belonged to the woman's granddaughter, who was now in custody . . . suspected of knowing who the attacker was and probably was the original intended target of the attack . . . her grandmother just happened to come home first . . . The dealer confronted her for the money the grand daughter owed . . . and probably killed her as a signal to the girl . . .
G.
P.S. This was the first attack since she helped form the Neighborhood Watch from the retired residents several years ago . . . the granddaughter moved in 3 months ago . . .
Her grandmother had been on "Neighborhood Watch" tonight and went home early to fix dinner for her granddaughter . . . The man who lived upstairs continued the watch . . . and didn't walk her home . . . probably saved his life . . .
. . . The lingering question was . . . did her granddaughter witness the attack . . . and not call?
Today was pretty okay. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm so glad I got to go back to school today. The weekend felt never ending, and I would have gone absolutely crazy if I had to stay home and wallow for another day. Not everything about today was great, but it's easier to handle...this...when I'm occupied and having to think and concentrate.
In theater today our class voted on the person who will be directing our class children's play The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I am pleased to announce that the canidate I voted for, none other than Allison shadylady McCormick will be directing! I'm very excited about this, I think she'll do a good job directing. I also auditioned today for the part of the White Witch. I wasn't originally going to audition for this part, but my dad pretty much got me convinced, and it could be fun to be the villian. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting the part, but if I don't I think I'll be okay with that too because there's just so many other things to do for the play. Our theater II class does the whole thing from tech to publicity to set to the actual acting. I can't wait to get started on it.
Then for 4th hour and lunch, I checked out along with Ryan, Jamie, and Roxanne and we got lunch at Golden China. I've been eating sooo much Chinese food lately, and I love it. It was so good today, and it was great to be out with my friends being rebellious. (There's no 'off campus' lunch at my school).
After lunch in history, I did end up getting kind of sad. I don't know why, but that class, or that time of day, or a mixture of the two...or something about that time always seems to get me down. I finished my work pretty quickly, so I had some sitting and thinking time, which isn't what I want or need at all right now. I was okay once I got to algebra though, that class sure as heck forces me to concentrate. We started quadratic equations today...ugh.
Then after school my dad and I went grocery shopping, which was fun. He started whistling "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" from Sesame Street (which I watched religiously as a small child) and then we started singing it together. The vereses go into the different people who live/work in your neighborhood and what they do, i.e. "Oh the policeman is a person in your neighborhood...". So we started making up people to be in the neighboorhood. Like the bag lady, and the graffiti taggers. It was over all a pretty fun shopping trip. Then we went to Pizza Inn for dinner. That's another story in itself, but that's enough from the Adventures of the Lanham Family for one night.
Anyway. I was getting all pumped about going to the premiere of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this Friday, and then today I realized I have a Presby youth retreat to go to this weekend! *huffy breath* Now I'm mad because I of course want to go on this retreat, but I don't want to have to miss Harry Potter. *whines* Oh well, I guess HP will still be in theaters when I get back from the trip. Dad says we can probably go next Monday night. So I'll only be a few days late on seeing it. There is also something else very exciting that's coming up very soon. That's right, you guessed it, the John Mayer Trio album will be in my hands one week from today! Hooray!
I like having things to look forward to, it really keeps me going. Thanksgiving, tonsils out (bleh), and Xmas are also coming up soon. :) Holidays are also quite lovely. <3
It was cold today. It was clear and sunny, but there was this awful bone chilling north wind blowing. It's supposed to freeze tonight, but then be in the 60's or so tomorrow again. Carlsbad weather is freaking insane.
Last night, me & Lys watched the season finale of Laguna and the little part with the interveiw with LC afterwards and OMG...Laguna season 3 and The Hills staring LC?!?!?!!*** Alright that was for fellow Laguna fans only. Everyone else can look at me funny and walk away slowly now.
Alright, that's all.
-Court
Edit:// I said "alright" twice there at the end. You know, in the last couple of sentances. Anyway...I was reminded of something else that I have to look forward to, and that is duh, Eric dyingtolive is coming to C-bad to chill and whatnot 'round about the Holidays! Yay. :D
I went to the Nose, Ear, Throat specialist again (Dr. Overman) to finalize the stuff with my tonsils. They are for sure coming out, as well as my adnoids (which are supposed to recede when you are 12, but mine didn't) on December 15. My Christmas vacation is going to be...so fun. Not.
I got a notice from my school that I've missed first hour 8 times. That means I can only miss 2 more days this semester. I guess I'll just have to tough it out and make sure not to miss. That's okay, there's really only 3 more weeks left in this semester.
I don't understand my algebra, again. I'm starting to get really frusterated with that class.
I feel...very broken. I guess I don't want to talk about it more because I'd just start crying...again...for the 74239th time today. And nobody wants that.
This was the worst weekend ever. I'm glad it's almost over.
-Courtney
I'm bored.
So here's my "I'm bored" entry.
My dad's still at his session meeting. Must've gotten heated tonight.
I finished my algebra assignment! Let the people rejoyce! I'm not sure I did great on it, but I did well enough to put answers down for everything, and that counts for something. My last 3 assignments have been flat out zeros because I couldn't even guess...
I still need to write my Lion + Witch + Wardrobe Production Concept. I had a few people give me shocked reactions when I said I wasn't interested in directing. But I just don't want to. I want to act in it. Still not sure which part I'm trying out for. My dad says I should audition for the White Witch. I'm not sure I want to be the bad guy in a children's play though. We'll see. I know I don't want to be Mrs. Beaver though. LoL, right Lyndsay?
My sister is watching Fight Club. It's such a fucking insane movie/book. I mean, it's awesome, but it's insane. You know, the genius/insanity line.
I'm scared about getting my tonsils out. My mom wants me to get them out Dec. 15 so that I can be there (in Henderson) for Thanksgiving, then she'll come see me for Xmas. The problem with that is, finals are Dec 15 & 16, so I'm going to have to take my finals early. Sucky. And then...I don't know how up for traveling she's going to be 'roud Christmas time, what with the chemo and all. I just...don't know.
Letter to the creator:
Dear God,
why did you make people have tonsils?
<3 Courtney
Anyway.
I love the song "Good Morning Beautiful", which is crazy because uh, I am not exactly what you would call a fan of country music. But it's such a sweet song. And you know, memories and whatnot. Derek used to sing it to me alot. And now, well he does again. And we danced under the stars to it on our Valentine's date. *heart melts*
Oh dang, I was going to try to go this whole entry without mentioning Derek. Just to prove I could. But I guess I just proved I can't. Damnit. I tried...
Oh well, now that I ruined it, I might as well continue.
I wish I was talking to Derek right now. More than that I wish I was with him right now. That would be pretty darn amazing. I can't wait 'till Friday.
Know what I found out today? No you don't, that's why I'm going to tell you.
We don't have school Monday! Isn't that dandy? I'm quite excited about it. No school = life is good.
Season Finale of Laguna Beach is Monday, also. That makes me :( :( :( I hope it comes back for another season...but I dunno who the characters would be. Everyone graduated + is leaving for L.A. I know. The show will follow them to L.A. It will be called LA: The New Laguna Beach. Yes, that's it. Brilliant. I should pitch my idea to MTV. It's really almost sad how much I like that dang show.
But not as much as I like the L word. Speaking of which. Alyssa and I need to rent/watch the last disc. I think we're putting it off 'cause we know that after we watch the last disc, that's it, it's all over until season 3 comes out on DVD. Which could be a lonnnng time. And plus...we don't have any money. That's probably the other reason.
I have a chapter test in Spanish on Thursday. I should do okay. I'm thinking B+.
I'm listening to John Mayer.
I have a big zit on my cheek, the kind that's under the surface and you can't pop. Or you know, that I can't pop. That sucks.
I'm going to use alot of tags. At first, I typed "fags". Hah, oops.
Okay. End of randomness.
-Court
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