Possumblog

Do I look like the unnice type? What kind of "*&%^ saloon is this anyway?

As long as you're not trying to sell Ugg boots, Nike Airs, VHS-DVD converters, or V1@gR@, you're perfectly welcome.

As an aside, I've still not figured out the strategy behind the spam attacks I get. First of all, they're able to somehow defeat the auto e-mail notification and deletion widget, and the thing that's supposed to close comments on old posts.

But that's the weird thing--why post spam on old posts that very few people would ever read in the first place, and then even if they did read it, why on earth would the reader decide, "HMMMmmmm--this solicitation for Chinese melamine/human growth hormone cookies sounds like something I should click on!" It's never products that anyone would kick down a door to buy, much less from some stupid site called Possumblog. And yes, the vast majority of these come from China, so maybe it's all some sort of inscrutable plot to take over the Internet.

So, anyway, I have to go through and manually delete these things. For a long time, I didn't ban the IP address because of some dumb thought of mine that maybe it might be a range belonging to someone legit, but the heck with that. After a continual process of banning about 40 IP addresses, the spam posts have tapered off. I guess it's not worth it to keep getting more IP addresses just to have your work deleted.

I would like to tie whoever's doing it to an anthill, though.

Mmmmm, deep-fried melamine. You should win a Nobel for this post.

I already did! Well, not so much won-won it as got it out of the vending machine in the basement, but whatever.

Banning IP addresses can feel like a Sisyphian task. I believe they are "seeding" various websites to help their statistics in "planting" keywords and ads. I still can't figure out why they even bother with poor ol' Spudlets, but I get an occasional one. Go figure.

Oh yeah ... condolences to your poor ol' Tigers. I guess that brief glimpse of top 25 proved to be deadly, as they seemed to have forgotten how to win. To add insult to injury, your favorite Clemson Tiger basketball player, Terry Oglesby, has transferred to Europe. Ready to hop on the Kentucky bandwagon ;) ?

Maybe they just figure that with enough volume, some poor sucker is bound to hit. Sorta like the Nigerian spammers.

AS FOR CONDOLENCES--they're still 5-2, which isn't all that bad. At the end of last year, I figured the most we'd win this year was five, so I've already met my expectations. As for bandwagon-hopping, I guarantee you Kentucky would be far down the list of likely wagons. Remember, I was raised as a rabid Alabama fan, and remained one all the way up until I enrolled at Auburn.

You never told me you were moving to Europe. Paris on the Pinchgut?

Pick me up a coupla Mars bars, please - they're supposed to be kosher certified over there.

Skinny,

Even the deep fried Mars bars? (that's what they do with them in Scotland.)

Sorry--no Paris for me. It's full of Parisites. Germany's full of Germs, too.

AS for your Mars fixation, why not just eat a Milky Way? (He wrote, knowing such a suggestion is sure to start a controversy.) And I thought Steevil was kidding about Scotland, but according to The Foremost Authority on All Things, it appears Scotland is indeed trying to out-redneck us: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-fried_Mars_bar

spam, Spam, SPam, SPAm, SPAM and melamine.

...or lobster thermidor aux crevettes with a Mornay sauce served in a Provençal manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pâté, brandy and with a fried egg on top and Spam.

And melamine.

Ummm, eggplant w/Lobster... I think not. So there, the CHEF has spoken.

now for my spam: Hey y'all, my friend Shane is in the 'Stan. He & his troops are in the middle of nowhere and I'd like to make them a bit more comfy. If you can help by sending & asking others you work & know to help in this it's be great. I know I loved getting ANYTHING from home while I was in Viet Nam (68, 72) and I'm going to pay forward on that. Google has god info on how to pack and ship but I can help there too, 612 703 6573. Thanks much & take care.

Begin forwarded message:

From: sgries5587@aol.com
Date: October 26, 2009 9:09:07 PM CDT
To: vonkrag@gmail.com
Subject: Re: care packages

It just occurred to me that a mailing address might be helpful. ;-)

My address is:

MAJ Shane Gries
201st VTT
Camp Blackhorse
APO AE 09320

Thanks again!

Tony,

After sitting down with some of the boys and discussing "wish lists" I've nailed down a few items that would be in demand around here. Since we have no PX, toiletries are a real pain for us. That being said, the following is a cursory list of things the guys would like:

-soap
-toothpaste
-toothbrushes
-dental floss
-shampoo
-shaving cream
-razors
-foot powder
-deoderant

Some other items the boys would like:

-Christmas decorations (small fake trees, lights, ornaments, etc.)
-Snack foods (cookies are great--but anything would be good)
-books
-magazines
-coffee (the stuff in the chow hall is awful)
-drink mixes (Gatorade, lemonade, etc.)

This is only a very generic list. If there is anything else you can think of I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated. Just don't send items such as alcohol (sadly, we are not allowed to drink) or anything that might be restricted from going on an airplane such as explosives, aerosols, ammo, and other stuff like that.

Again, I thank you for thinking of us and your continued support. It means a great deal to know that the folks back home think about us.

Take care and God bless.

Shane

-----Original Message-----
From: vonkrag
To: SGries5587@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Oct 23, 2009 9:52 am
Subject: care packages

OK I'll help, what can I do? Ghod knows I loved getting stuff in 68 & 72. My mom sent me stuff to make cajun food that I missed.

tony

PS you get yourself kilt or dinged and I'll sic my katz on yah. So be verrrrrrry afraid.

PS: Goux Tigers

PPS: Is there a tougher footyball conference than the SEC?