October really is a fine month to be in New England. It is filled with sunny days and trees turning colors and leaves flowing in the winds. It's our last horrah before winter sets in so in general we are taking the time to adjust and have fun before it becomes gloomy for months on end. As a New Englander born and raised I think we enjoy and adjust to season changes the best we can. We may grumble and even curse at  Mother Nature's fury at times but we also find joy in the better days that do come our way. It's all about not being spoiled perhaps. Endurance as well I suppose.

October for me has for many years meant going back home to Connecticut. Going to the "county fair" people would catagorize it. For years I have gone back for the Apple Harvest. Mostly I go back to share some good old CT season change with family. The Goddaughter's birthday is October and she must be spoiled. It's more about that feeling of homecoming and seasons though really. It's about doing those things that make memories. This year was extra special for me and I hope it has memories for both the munchkins. Now that they are in their 20's there is more of a feeling of family and good times and shared experiences I think. In a way it's sad to see them grow up, in another it is pure joy to see what great kids they have grown to be. I look at Barry and can still picture the little kid with the big smile and the dutchboy haircut of those pure gold locks. Surprised to see no Mohawk and a beard at this point too. I still see Marianne as a tiny little waife of a thing in her OshKosh overalls and her bottle tucked in the front pocket for safe keeping and handiness. Surprised at her independence and beauty in both looks and heart.

The Berlin Fair. I haven't been in 20 years. It was great. It hasn't changed a single bit to my surprise. Marianne and I roamed around looking at the bunnies, the cows, the vendors. We had Fried Dough and Apple Cider. We bought cowboy hats, a Twisted Tea and watched the Truck Pulls. It was great. Bobby was there too and enjoyed it with us as well. He's a great guy and I'm glad they have each other.

The Berlin Turnkpike. I stayed at the Hawthorne at roamed up and down the Turnpike. Haven't done that since I had a Camaro and thought I was bada$$. LOL. It was fun. It has changed some but, not really. I had Breakfast one morning at the Olympia Diner. Also went to Fridays and had a nice dinner and drink with Barry. He also showed me his talents in the parking lot. He did his juggling including juggling knives which just freaked me out. He did magic tricks of which I now have a piece of rope in my coat pocket that everytime I reach my hand in there makes me smile. He did not do his fire eating however he showed me his burns. Jeesh!! Funny stuff. Great to have a nice dinner and drink with him as well as having him drive me around and about on the Turnpike. What a good kid. he talked about girls too. Very cool. Wishing him a great time with his 'date' this weekend . Have fun at Six Flags with the gal anyway it turns out sweetie.

Of course I spent some time photographing and pictures will be following at some point here when I get things settled. I went into downtown New Britain and got Shadow Ads...my gosh, I delivered papers around these as a kid and am now going back to take pics..dodododo. I also had breakfast at Miss Washington Diner. What a hoot that was. Some odd guy babbling about the Elks Hall and putting a red nose on the Elk. Some freaks in the parking lot arguing with each other and one trying to break into a car. All kinds of drama. Not unusual really. LOL. Sad that I was there with Camera and all on two different occassions and that is the only picture of the place I could find. Odd. Silly of me even. Sigh.

Old haunts. I had to go riding around a bit and get some old rides out of my system since I was there and all. Being it Autumn just added to the enjoyment of it. I went to the Res and although I didnt close my eyes I did manage to get up to about 50 around the curves and over 'the bump' to get airborne - if you know the place then you know what I'm talking about. LOL. I also stopped into Rogers Orchards and picked up Apples....yummmy!!! I also went into Pick your own Apples area to get some photos....LOVED smelling the pine and Apple mix of this time of year. Pictures unfortunately can't give you that but, they can remind me of it anyway. I then made my way around about those back roads over to Crescent Lake and took a few shots. Then I went up to Burlington. Thank goodness for my handy co pilot Kevin since I kept taking wrong turns. Jeesh! Why I couldn't get that one right I will never know.  I was also trying to find the Cemetery that Great Granddad is in in Unionville again too, unsuccessfully. But, got up to Burlington and got right to the Falls. Kevin had never been up that way so, it was funny to see someone else say "Hell No would I ever jump off here!". My sentiments exactly but, still fun to visit. Also fun to visit Camp Shade and The Green Lady Graveyard. Both of which Kevin also didn't know about previously. Only two stones left up there so I guess at some point here I should wrangle up the photos I took 20 some odd years ago of the stones that were there then. Still a pretty spot especially in Autumn. Great info on the Graveyard and legends, etc : Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery. I also stopped down at Martha Hart Park. I spent so much time there as a kid it's not even funny. The dang swings still look the same!! There are now fountains in the lake though. A few years ago they dredged it and cleaned it all up because it was turning to swampland. It was the best place to go hunting for tadpoles and the woods had great little windy trails. I lost one of my dress shoes in the muck when I was little. Mom was so mad. I also fell through the ice here and lucky for me it only went up to my waist. This is also one of the fishing derby places of my childhood. Fun stuff though and the fountains I guess are okay.

 

All in all a great and wonderful trip with some great memories and fun times had by all. It's all good!!

 

Pictures are up!!

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/oct-2008/

 

 

 

A day in the life.....ah the joy of vulnerabilities, threats and malware.

Just sharing that Microsoft has put out their Security Bulletin....fun stuff!!

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-oct.mspx

If you havent done your Microsft updates here in the last few days...you really should.

You have been warned.

 

Kaspersky is listed Virus Alert Status as green (virus activity is normal)

I just love their real time Virus Watch Page too:

http://www.kaspersky.com/viruswatchlite?hour_offset=-8

 

McAfee lists Global Threat Condition as Elevated

And I like their Threat Center as it lists Malware, Vunerabilities, PUPs, Latests Spam, Top Phishing as well as a virus map with global view of virus protection.

http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp

 

Norton has ThreatCon level at 2 (Elevated)

I like their Threat Explorer page that lists Threats & Risks and Vulnerabilities:

http://www.symantec.com/norton/security_response/threatexplorer/index.jsp

 

You are all still falling for those dang Anti Virus Pop Ups and the lovely "programs" they have to assist you. I must say however that at least the % of people infected and had actually paid for the item has gone down a great deal....whew!!

All you boys however are still calling in telling me about how you went to one of "those websites" and it was a bad idea....ya think? Oiy. Pay for your porn boys - it's the only way to be safe You women who have men that look at porn on the computer - go buy them some DVD's. I like when you call though and say "Men will be men" and that kind of thing...hope he's footing the bill for the fix then lady.

Okay top issues I have been working on:

PC Protection Center 2008

PC PrivacyCleaner

AntiVirusXP2008/2009

WinDefender

AntiSpyware Pro

Personal Antispy

Virus Protector 2009

PC Virus Remover 2008

PC Security Center

 

Basically anything that you didnt purchase from a known source (from security provider like the ones listed above) and you now have odd things going on with your computer....you should at least do a scan at one of the above to see whats up.

If you have one of the products of the top names in Antivirus as above and you are having issues -- you still need to take notice people....what is it about thinking all is well when it obviously isnt????? Log into the website, take a look around, call support, something. Fix the issue, dont compound the problem - which is what you do by working on a computer that has issues. OK??

When you call me saying my computer has been acting funny for 2 weeks and now I can't get it too boot to windows....did you think I was a miracle worker maybe? Or that because you had a product on the system that product should magically restore all the damage you did while working on that computer with stuff going on??

You people are nuts.

Or maybe just uneducated.

Also, I get that you're pissed - it happens, I get that and you dont so I don't know - maybe I should be furious with you as well? Nope, not me...I am aware. AND I am just as vulnerable as you are....I'm just safer about it and take the time to do the updates, scans, backups, etc that I need to do. You should consider the same dang thing.

Finally I must let you know that a computer is not necessary to life. It is a luxury like a car. It costs money to purchase, to insure and to repair. Get over it. Let's try using the computer like you would a car ok? Don't drive without the safety belt if you actually have it sitting there. If you have insurance keep it up to date because accidents happen and even if it isnt your fault stuff may need to be fixed and that's going to cause you time, money and grief. If it is your fault then well, you are paying for it. Don't go cruising all over the roads you dont know, dont share other peoples parts, dont drive around on a flat and certainly dont pass by your mechanic when you obviously have issues.

Do you get it??

Probably not.

All I can do. Well, other than telling you all this when you call.

Be nice, I'm trying to help you the best I can. Appreciate good customer service. Take the time to let people know about great customer service. Say it on a call, get in contact with customer service about it. Big brother is listening and watching and you just never know......it could be me

 ..........................................

In response to comment to this entry I have supplied Wiki link for those looking to get more information on Malware, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

I just love this in that information and you all should definately understand that this is TRUE:

"Because many malware components are installed as a result of browser exploits or user error, using security software (some of which are anti-malware, though many are not) to "sandbox" browsers (essentially babysit the user and their browser) can also be effective to help restrict any damage done."

 

And just a reminder...while I may not be specific in my babbling here on the exact issue at hand (worm, virus, trojan, malware, etc) I am speaking about the variety of issues that plague us all and will continue to refer to them as "viruses" more so that you all realize it is something icky than to be technically specific and perhaps even confusing to you.

 

**Updated with Gallery pics here:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/sonya-matts-wedding-oct-25-2008/

 

Autumn weddings in New England can be tough. It's always a roll of the dice as far as the weather is concerned. Yesterday in typical New England fashion the weather changed every minute. The reports were for warmth with high winds and pounding rains. Thankfully, that didnt happen until late last night. The dice fell in our favor. When that happens everyone is happy. It was a fabulous warm Autumn day with gusty winds and breaks of sunshine. A perfect day for an outside service. Great - they deserved that.

I've never been down 106 through Kingston and it was really nice. What a wonderful area filled with farms and old New England homes. Really great in Autumn with pumpkins and trees changing colors, and the cranberry bogs have a dark rich red color now. Just the drive alone was very enjoyable. The gaggle of turkeys we had to wait for to cross the road was interesting as well. Always a surprise to have to wait at Turkey Crossings. 

I've never been to a wedding at Indian Pond before. Surprise! LOL. I like going to weddings at places I never photographed at since it's more enjoyable and interesting for me. Not being the photographer is also enjoyable as I can relax and enjoy the day. Of course I brought my camera and took some shots here and there but in no way shape or form was it work. I did have to keep taking everyone's digital from them though. Funny how everyone now takes their own pictures with their digital cameras. That backwards camera with arms stretched out motion really makes me cringe. Let me take it for you- it will be so much better, please. It's hard to find someone willing and able to use my camera to take a picture of me though. Gets harder all the time. Funny still are the comments. "You can still get film?"  "This thing is heavy!" " How does it work?" Sigh. A dying breed. I shall do what I can to keep the love alive anyway.

The service was so very meaningful and heartfelt. It was also short, sweet, and to the point. Very nice! It was held outside on the deck and the view was tremendous. The sun was peaking out from the clouds and there were even blue skies showing through. They will have some great shots of their vows.

The great thing about Autumn weddings other than having good weather, the changing colors of the trees and the general enjoyment of the fall is the ability to bring color and fun into the whole affair. Sonya did a great job with that all the way around. The girls were dressed in a lovely shade of red and the flowers were great reds, yellows, and warm deep Autumnal hues. A couple of things I had not seen before was the table cards and the gift card holder. It made me smile to see both. The gift card holder was not your typical box decorated in the latest fashion of whatever. It was a giant birdcage. What a great idea. And the table cards were leaves hanging from trees. Fabulous stuff! Always the talented and creative girl. Fine job! I was also happy to see bubbles. You just have to love bubbles. They are so much fun no matter what your age. I love bubbles. hahaha.

Blackstones is a pretty nice place. The bar is just lovely and the view is very nice. My first thought as a photographer though walking in there was - oh boy - a wall of windows - good luck with that! Lots of angled shots for that place. Very pretty though. The tables were very nicely set, the food was wonderful, the service was great and what more could you ask for? I just loved the coasters too. I get coasters with leaves for the house and I will use them too.

Mark and I had so much fun. I am so glad we went together. Funny to see him in a suit but, he looked great in it. Catching up was a night of laughing until we cried. Nice to have that. Even nicer to have it be a celebration of two wonderful people.

Sonya and Matt thanks. It was great to see both of you, it's been too long. I wish you the best in everyday of the rest of your lives together. I am sure you will have that because I believe you are meant to be together, you are great together, and you are happy. It's a wonderful thing. I'm blessed by your friendship and honored to have been a part of your wonderful day.

Now go make babies.