My Broken Computer Adventure

Ladies and gentlemen, we are back.

And by we, I mean me and my computer.

Seems that somehow (yeah, like I don't download enough stupid carp) I got hold of a nasty rootkit virus known as Alureon.A, which does its darndest to infect every nook and cranny of your computer, making itself look like a virus protector that you've downloaded when you were stupid and not paying attention and then, when you try to erase it or find a good virus remover online to erase it, will redirect you and/or block any attempt to load anything that may plausibly delete it.

Yeah, nasty stuff; it wouldn't even let me upload images on Blogger so I could do any of my typically cutesy posts.

So, how did I get rid of it?

After hours of searching online, I downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials, which seems to be the best virus protection out there now and also updates automatically...AND just happens to be free, so the price is right for a cheapskate like me.  THEN I also got hold of a very nice Microsoft tech in Texas named Jonathan who was able to remotely get into my PC and mouse all over and examine everything (how embarrassing) and update, remove, add on and scan through everything to make sure that every last trace of that nasty Alureon.A was completely gone.

To that I say: good riddance, virus.

So, there is not not enough good I can say about this Microsoft Security Essentials, since it is doing such a goo job for me and keeping me safe.  I may have to be choosier in my Web Browsing locations from now on, but hey; it'll be worth it.

Know then that I am now back, will be able to post more regularly and apologize for my tardiness...I'll practice safe browsing from now on.  Proper spelling and grammar are not promised.

So, how are you and YOUR computer doing?

Dope out.

- TGWD

77!

What's so special about this particular number?

Well, the main thing is that it is now the number of followers I have on the ol' blog-a-roo right now!

Well, yee-haw for me! Nice to see that there are 77 people out there that have the same taste in blogs that I have, at least. ...I think that's a good sign for humanity, anyways.

And so I can think of no better a way to celebrate the fact that I have 77 followers than to do it the best way there is to celebrate such a number...

By posting a clip from "77 Sunset Strip".



Now, what to post if I get 78 followers? Hmmm...

I'll think of something. Dope out.

- TGWD

Until Further Notice, "The Adventures of BGR" Is...

...on hiatus.

It suddenly came to me, in a flash as it were, that it has been a while since I did anything with Big Giant Robot and I think I know why now...

No inspiration with the storyline.

And rather than just keeping on doing installments without any feel for this worthwhile character, I think it is best that I just hold off on him for right now and let him take a rest while I devote more time to projects that I am READY to devote time to.

Don't worry - he'll resurface soon enough, and continue right where he left off, just for right now he's getting a little bit of a rest; so don't get all put-off that BGR doesn't appear at the first of the month for a while. Okay?

That's all for now. Till next month, Dope out.

- TGWD

That's It! I've Had It! Time To OPERATE!

Kids, you're looking at one seriously ticked-off Dope.

I post, I put up interesting content, I go out of my way to make this site pleasing to the eye, mind, ear, nose and throat and I STILL HAVE only 70 followers???!

(actually I have 71, but I'll get to that)

As soon as I woke up this morning, I went in here and started getting rid of all of the blogs THAT DO NOT FOLLOW ME. I have had it following people that don't even take the time and effort it would take to push that little "FOLLOW" button over there and keep up with what it is I have to say. I'm an interesting guy, I have interesting things to say, I watch interesting movies and I even draw things interestingly. Seriously!

Like I said, I have 70 (seventy) followers listed on the blog, which would actually number to 71 (seventy-ONE), save for the fact that one follower insists on employing for his avatar the sight of two men engaging in an act that...well...let's just say it wouldn't be appropriate for this blog even it was a man and woman doing it. Guy; you know who you are - if you want to be shown as a follower, PLEASE do me a favor and change the avatar to something that can be shown on a semi-family-friendly blog like this, okay? Do that for me?

I listed this under "Rant", naturally, because that is what I list things under that I do at the spur of the moment without giving it a second thought. This is a special blog to me and I even go out of my way to follow you if you have a good blog. That makes sense to me, doesn't it to you???

Of course I'm going to be keeping the blogs on here that kindly reciprocate and do me the respect of following me because I follow them. Besides, they're good people. Anyway, those of you who just like collecting followers without even keeping tabs on those who follow you o begin with - what goes around comes around.

Now, I have a lot of un-following to do now, so if you'll excuse me...

Dope out.

- TGWD

The "Got Bored, Tried Some New Stuff On Here" Post

Well, as many of my regular readers will tell you, I am the kind of blogger who will change the look of his site whenever the mood strikes him to, and since it was ages since I had done so, I figured it would be a good idea to do so.

The FIRST thing I did was make this part of the blog wider, so that not only could I write more in a bigger space, any pictures or videos posted here wouldn't get smushed up or cut off or bleed into the sidebar over there.

I've had problems with that before, you know.

Also, the print is a bit smaller; that's something I couldn't help, so my apologies to all of you who preferred the larger print to read. Maybe this is something I can update later on; right now, I'm just glad to have gotten what I did get on here.

And finally, the top banner is about as centered as I have been able to get it for a while. It looks much neater now, and I think it helps keep the look of the place in tune with all the other high-falutin' blogs out there. That makes me happy.

So that's all I have to say. Do YOU like the new layout? Feedback, people - I need feedback!

Now back to your regularly scheduled misspelled ramblings.

Dope out.

- TGWD

Okay, Okay, Okay...FINE. I'll Join Facebook.

Siiiiiiigh....

I know, I said I'd never do it. But I find now that, in order to network and update and let my building fan base know what's going on with the MBZ, it's the only way to go.

As much as I hate to admit it.

Just look up my name on Facebook; I still don't know how to link to my page - I just made the account, fercryinoutloud. This is gonna be a learning experience.

Dope out.

- TGWD

New Additions to the Same Old Blog!

Gang:

Made a few additions to the blog; a few lists off to the right, there; along with a nice new game of Pac-Man of anyone bored with all the reading on the left, here. Oh, and a nice new feature for all of you (all 12 of you) who read here regularly - click there and admit to the world that you read me! Go on! DO IT!!

I'll probably add a couple more things here and there, it depends on how creative how I get. Until then, enjoy the new add-ons!

Dope out.

-TGWD

A Programming Note For All My Regulars...

...yes, all twelve of you.

It's nothing truly serious (no rants or unmotivated anger or like that), but as of this moment, I will no longer post any videos on this site from YouTube.com.

Why, you may ask? A simple click on this link will do the explaining for me. But if after that you still insist, read on: as you can see from that post, the diameters they have for all of their videos now (as befitting HDTV, I s'pose) play helter skelter with my layout.

(Oh yeah, I changed the look of my site again a few posts back. Nice huh? Now, back to my regular post...)

It isn't anything really big, I know, but for any of you who enjoy the videos, never fear: I'll still supply links to the corresponding YouTube page with the video on it, just not the video itself on this site. At least I'm going to keep this policy until they get back on the ball and start showing their videos the way they used to be.

To heck with this HDTV dimension stuff; just put the videos back where they used to be with the black bands at the top and bottom for the widescreen stuff.

That's all.

Oh, and here's a video of a sea captain asking a waitress for a sweet roll, just to show my good intentions.

Glad to.

Dope out.

-TGWD

Bad News: NO PODCAST!

Yes; it's sad but true - due to time constraints, prior responsibilities, work, home and the absolute lack of time I have anymore to do anything but log on, type, click the "PUBLISH POST" button and sift through all the hate mail, there will be NO podcast for the ol' Mecha-Blog-Zilla.

For all the fans out there (all 12 of you) who are disappointed by this fact, I apologize, but what can I do; unless any of you out there know how to clone me so there's enough of me to do all the things I need to do in a piddly 24 hour time constraint, this decision stands. So there you go.

The one person I know who will be disappointed in my decision is Andrew, who was the one who insisted that it would be a good idea to get a podcast started and that he'd even help, contribute, and so on. Well, the fact of the matter is that even with all the help in the world, I just couldn't get the info, material and my frittered-away mind collected together in what time it would take to get this kind of thing created. Sorry, Andrew. Maybe sometime waaaaaay down the road...but for now, nope.

Now, on to brighter and happier things: the weather is nice and sunny here in my hometown and gives me a chance to get out, walk, get some exercise and enjoy the day. I'm also, as part of my local theater group, part of the prop committee and spend what's left of my free time cleaning up and out our prop room - so that's going well, and I may get it all done one of these days. Hey, it keeps me busy and out of trouble, gotta love that.

Well, that's all for now. Back to the grind of life.

Dope out.

-TGWD

Post #300?!!!

Yep. It is.

And before I start on the body of this post, an update from my last post.

I was (and to some point, still am) extremely depressed about the path my life had taken me to. But shortly after making that post, I received a lengthy e-mail from Andrew (his blog is on the side, there...), who basically gave me a pep talk/reality check as to what I need to do in order to make things better. And I believe, more or less, he's right. Andrew, if you happen to be reading this, let me tell you here in front of everybody that you are one of the best friends I've ever had. Thanks for being there for me, man.

NOW, as for my 300th post:

Well, the obvious thing would be to make mention of the movie 300. Thing is, I've never seen the movie nor have I read the comi...uh, graphic novel it was based on.

I have watched "The Simpsons", though, so:



Happy 300 to me!

Dope out.

P.S. - I am feeling better now, more positive. Thanks again.

P.P.S. - And yes: I'm still working on that podcast deal. Stay tuned....

-TGWD

Podcast?

Here's the thing: My good buddy Andrew Jones (his link is next door, and also check out Atlanta Jones, an even-better blog by the same dude) put the bug in my ear to start a podcast about a subject I feel strongly towards. Anything.

Well, seeing as how he's always giving me encouragement about things he seems to believe are within my grasp, maybe that isn't such a bad idea. You know, doing my own 30-minute podcast. Maybe I could start a Dopecast? Maybe....

The thing is, this'd be something cheap to do, Andrew said; all I need is a computer (which I have), a PC microphone (got that, too) and an idea or two.

Well, two out of three ain't bad.

I'd talk about movies, I guess, since that's the thing I know most about anyway. After all, it's not like I have a bunch of Nobel prizes and college doctorates lying around to expound on. But I do have a few copies of The Brain That Wouldn't Die scattered about. Well, not "scattered about" - they're all arranged alphabetically, according to the specific collection they're in on my direct-access DVD shelf located strategically next to my computer desk for quick and easy reference, along with my copies of "VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever" and a few Roger Ebert yearly movie review books dating back to 1985.

So yeah...movies, then.

I guess it'll take me awhile to get stuff figured out, what to talk about, how to make it sound "professional" and get everything recorded and stuff (at least I have a copy of WavePad to use and play with the audio a bit, too). I guess the purpose of this posting then (besides prattling) is that I'm now going to (sometime soon) start my own Dopecast.

And there was much rejoicing. Yay.

Expect that, then. Sometime. Until then, plenty more to post about. And hey: now you'll be able to hear what I sound like. Like that's a bonus. :P

Dope out.

-TGWD

Just A Little Programming Note...

I re-changed the look of the site, added some new links to the "Links" section to your right....

That's about it.

Oh by the way; NEVER get a MySpace account - you'll never be able to get into it to edit it. Never.

Dope out.

-TGWD