Thanks to Wil Wheaton, I've been able to donate one of my gmail invites to a serviceman stationed in Iraq or Afganistan via Gmail4Troops.

I feel warm and fuzzy, for all the right reasons.

"Your job is mind-bendingly bad. So incredibly bad. So shooting-spree inducing bad. Why are you in it? Is it deeply rewarding work? Are there a few kindred co-workers whose positive spin make the whole mess bearable? Are you shlepping through two more years of this hell so you can escape into a well-respected, well-salaried position? You had better hope at least one of the above is true, or otherwise your life is on a one-way train to Stinksville. You like that? I made it up myself."

Found Photos: what people share. Also lots of fun is to pick a picture from your digital camera, and image-google its filename i.e., DSCN0683.JPG

The new classics: translating Harry Potter into classical Greek. In the US, "The use of Latin in J K Rowling's books has prompted a surge of interest in the classics among high school students. After decades of decline, the numbers taking Latin for college credits has soared by 80 per cent since the first book was published in the United States six years ago" (Daily Telegraph 2 February 2003).

I am fiercely protective of my friends and loved ones, and unforgiving of any who would hurt them. Speed and foresight are my strengths, at the cost of a little clumsiness. I'm most comfortable with a few friends, but sometimes particularly enjoy spending time in larger groups. What Video Game Character Are You?

You're Jurassic Park!

You combine all the elements of a mad scientist, a brash philosopher, a humble researcher, and a money-hungry attracter of tourists. With all these features, you could build something monumental or get chased around by your own demons. Probably both, in fact. A movie based on your life would make millions, and spawn at least two sequels thatwouldn't be very good. Be very careful around islands.

Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be?
I don't know if I would change it. It's who I am, for better or for worse. I do wish my parents had been a tad more creative, but I also know I could have ended up with something a lot worse. If anything, it might have been neat to have my dad's middle name (Byrne, pronounced "burn") as my first name. Byrne was what his dad went by, and it's unusual, but not weird. I guess I would have had to live my life correcting people from calling me "Byron" or "Brian".

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?)
Named after my father, who was named after his father. I haven't the foggiest idea why they did it, unless it was that my dad was shipping out in 2 days, and they wouldn't let my mom out of the hospital until there was a name on the birth certificate.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why?
I think we did a great job on my first son's name: Chancellor (Chance) David. We thought long and hard, and didn't end up deciding until only about two weeks before he was born. Paxton James isn't quite as good, but it's not bad. At least both the kids have dull, boring middle names they can fall back on.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com / triggur.org / astroexpert accurate? How or how isn't it?
From kabalarians.com:
"The name of John has made you serious-minded, responsible, and stable. You love the security of a home and family, you are fond of children, and, as a parent you would be fair and understanding. Although you have good business judgment, you are not aggressive in your dealings because you do not like to create issues. You would be successful in any position dealing with the public as you have a diplomatic and tactful manner and possess a charming, easy-going nature which puts people at ease. People are drawn to you because they feel that you are patient, kind, understanding, and responsive. You would be effective in a career or in volunteer work where you are handling people and serving in a humanitarian way. While you are honest and responsible, one weakness that is paramount in your life is your lack of self-confidence and initiative, which causes you to put things off and avoid facing issues."

I'd say this is about 50-50, like any "horoscope". I wouldn't say people would term me "charming", and I'm not really that wild about working with people. While I've been a victim of low self-confidence in the past, I wouldn't say that's true anymore, and I wouldn't say that it's any worse than most would feel.

2. Are there any that you like or don't mind doing?
I'm much better (attitude-wise) about cleaning the kitchen than I used to be.

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it's needed?
Defintately "as needed".

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules?
Leave my books alone. Leave my bathroom glass alone. I'll change my towel when I need to.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
Today I cleaned the kitchen, and straightened up the den and my room. Of course, Ginger's bringing the kids home today, so it was kind of a moral imperative so she can't see what a slob I am when she's not there