Just got home about an hour ago. My computer had to go to Poul for 'repair'. There is a very good reason that I use a Linux system... besides the sheer beauty of it. That is the unlikelihood of attack from nefarious sources out there in cyberspace.
My Windows2000 is only used for two things: watch TV or work at home using NetSupport to make contact with the office systems at the Aserty offices or the servers downtown. Neither of these functions works on Linux or at least I have yet to find a Linux driver and software for the TV feature of my ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500. And NetSupport does not have a Linux version, let alone one that can interface with a Windows version at the other end. So I am forced to boot Windows for these functions. From now on I'll do so with the modem disconnected from the internet.
It seems I picked up a worm/trojan/spyware which started using Port25 to send spam 'from' my PC. This 'spyware' also corrupted parts of my Windows and made it appear that parts of the hard drive were corrupted. I ran AVG and cleared up most of the offending files but some pretty bizzare behaviour followed by some scary behaviour caused me to seek Poul's help. He ran extensive tests on the hard drive and found it to be perfectly sound. So, as I have no data stored under Windoze I decided the quick and easy solution was to wipe the windoze partition clean and re-install the OS. I will not be leaving that internet cable plugged in when booting to that environment again.
The last 10 days have been hectic and I've been pretty much booked solid. This Saturday I spent the day catching up on chores and errands that had gone unattended to. It took 4 sinkfuls to do the dishes. Don't cringe, I rinse thoroughly before stacking. And the floors... well there was a great opportunity to use my new MrClean 'mop'. I love it too, so easy. For those of you who, like myself, consider these conveniences to be environmentally unfreindly (due to the use-it-once-and-throw-it-away pads) you can put down your placards and stop planning the picketting outside my home. I have already determined that it is quite easy to re-use the pre-moistened pads by simply re-soaking them in the bio-degradeable, phosphate-free, environmentally-freindly cleanser of your choice. It still works like a charm. It is the mechanics of the tool that I like so much and it makes quick, easy work of chores that used to be so time-consuming and cumbersome.
Anyway, what has kept me so busy was mainly Bluesfest volunteering and enjoying. I was at the festival site all but 2 days. This last Sunday I worked a double shift but it was pretty quiet so the word 'work' seems a bit excessive. The Festival was a great success and I really enjoyed working on the Corporate Lounges Area crew. But some of my favourite acts performed not at the main stage but at the Grassroots stage. Now, having said that, I was extremely happy to see War and ZZTop performing again. I was totally enraptured by David Lindley's skill with any stringed instrument put in his hands. The Campbell Brothers and Scott Holt were 2 excellent acts. Allison Krauss, Jason Collett, what I could hear of Dr. John, the tail end of Buckwheat Zydeco, a few minutes each of Colin Linden and John Hammond, and a few others that I was able to catch snippets of were all excellent as well. I was quite surprised that K-Os put on such a great showcase of his varying talents (and had such a great time doing it) and I enjoyed Michael Franti & Spearhead. India.Arie was fabulous as per usual... what a fabulous voice she has and a wonderful stage presence. As for Kid Rock (a perfect example of a megalomaniac), I would have enjoyed the show more if I was not assaulted by a giant American flag throughout and if it weren't for the drunken, violent behaviour of the yahoos that are his main fan base. What a bunch of a**holes they were. Anyway that is my personal review of the 2005 BluesFest.
I met lots of wonderful people and enjoyed connecting with freinds from previous years. Most notably Elizabeth and Peter. I met Elizabeth working the Bluesfest 3 years ago and we became instant freinds. About 4-5 hours after she and I met (we worked a 4 hour shift on Security together) while walking home she met Peter (another volunteer on his way home) whom she married last summer. A true romance... a split second decision on both their parts made the difference between a passing glance and the happily-ever-after that they are living in now. Another woman working the crew as the team leader's right-hand was Anne who I met working on ChamberFest last year. We are both booked to work lots of shifts at ChamberFest this year too. So I'm not the only festival volunteer junky around.
Now I have to find out when the Byward Market's ByTowne Days celebration is taking place. I volunteered for it twice about 4 or 5 years ago. I wanted to work it last year but Girl-Camping weekend took precedence. As it will again this year if there is a conflict of dates.
Must get going. I still have to boot Windoze and re-install the software for my TV card. It is getting late however and I am thinking it will wait until tomorrow evening. Yeah, sleep would be a grand thing right now.
Cheers!