This is more the standard blog width. I’ve been using full-screen flexible templates for a while and so it looks a little “skinny” to my eyes, but perhaps it’s easier to read this way. I’d like to figure out how to make it about 200-300 pixels wider, but I’ve run out of time today.

The subtitle of the blog has changed, and I’ve added a few of my favorite virus-related quotations on the right sidebar.

I am fond of the rotating banner at the top. I’ve added fifteen images from my own photo collection so far. I’ll probably delete some and add others for a while as I discover better ways to select just the right bit of the photograph for the dimensions of the graphic.

The “V” background graphic is brought in from the main site for a little more continuity. Of course, VirusHead.net badly needs a complete redesign, but that’s a much larger project.

The post “signature” (it’s not actually a scan of my handwriting) is also a new thing. I saw them on some other blogs and liked it. I suspect that it won’t be permanent.

Let me know if anything wonks out on you.

The main graphic “Heidi of Many Faces” is a result of my playing around in Photoshop (apologies to Joseph Campbell).

I think I’ve fixed all the little bits that needed tweaking, but let me know if something doesn’t look or work right.

I sure would like to see him win the Presidency.

Download The Plan to Build One America (80 pp., pdf) to see some of the reasons why I am supporting John Edwards.

Here is Edwards’ response to the State of the Union Address last night:

The president tonight renewed his call for an economic recovery plan. But the plan he and Congress have offered leaves out tens of millions of Americans who need help the most. This plan would take months to have any impact, and the people I meet everyday on the campaign trail do not have months to wait. These people are hurting now and need this help now. Over the past seven years, typical workers’ paychecks have failed to keep up with inflation, millions of families are facing the loss of their homes to foreclosures, health insurance premiums have doubled, and families are spending $1,000 more a year on gasoline. The State of the Union may be interesting political theater, but until we find bold solutions to the challenges facing the country, we will be stuck with the same old small, Washington answers.

And in the chamber of the House of Representatives where the president speaks, even though this Congress stopped listening to him a while ago, they will still applaud and cheer him. The truth is that Washington is out of touch with what’s happening across the country. Between now and January of 2009, Democrats must stand up to this president, stand up for what’s right, so he does not continue to forget about the middle class in this country.

Read John’s blog to keep up with the latest on issues and doings.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times… You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings. Whether you’re carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you. What Season Are You?

You Are 55% American

Most times you are proud to be an American. Though sometimes the good ole US of A makes you cringe. Still, you know there’s no place better suited to be your home. You love your freedom and no one’s going to take it away from you! How American Are You?

Would You Have Been a Nazi? The Expatriate Achtung! You are 30% brainwashworthy, 22% antitolerant, 28% blindly patriotic

Congratulations! You are not susceptible to brainwashing, your values and cares extend beyond the borders of your own country, and your Blind Patriotism does not reach unhealthy levels. If you had been German in the 30s, you would’ve left the country. One bad scenario — as I hypothetically project you back in time — is that you just wouldn’t have cared one way or the other about Nazism. Maybe politics don’t interest you enough. But the fact that you took this test means they probably do. I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. Did you know that many of the smartest Germans departed prior to the beginning of World War II, because they knew some evil sh*t was brewing? Brain Drain. Many of them were scientists. It is very possible you could have been one of them. Conclusion: Born and raised in Germany in the early 1930’s, you would not have been a Nazi. The Would You Have Been A Nazi? Test written by jason_bateman on OkCupid

You Belong in the UK

Blimey! A little proper, a little saucy. You’re so witty and charming… No one notices your curry breath What English Speaking Country Are You?

Your French Name is:

Odette Aigremont What’s Your French Name?

You Should Wear Moschino

Classic European glamour with a girlish flair What Fun Fashion Designer Should You Wear?

What Classic Dame Are You? Katharine Hepburn You scored 14% grit, 33% wit, 42% flair, and 19% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women. The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid. Find out what kind of classic leading man you’d make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

Ok, just for fun, I took the Classic Leading Man Quiz too!

Cary Grant You scored 7% Tough, 19% Roguish, 33% Friendly, and 42% Charming!

You are the epitome of charm and style, the smooth operator who steals the show with your sophisticated wit, quiet confidence and flirty sense of humor. You are able to catch any woman you want just by flashing that disarming smile, even if you’re flashing it at a kindly aunt or engaging child at the time. When you walk into a room, women are instantly intrigued and even the men are impressed, but you’re too nice a guy to steal anyone else’s girl…unless the guy deserves it. You’re stylish, yes, but you can also be a little bit nutty. However, you’re primarily seen as dashing, suave and romantic. Your co-stars include Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly, stylish women with a sense of fun. Find out what kind of classic dame you’d make by taking the Classic Dames Test. The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid.

Blogflux: Once again, when I tried to update the image you had at BlogFlux for my blog, you deleted my blog altogether. I have been listed at BlogFlux for a couple of years. I only update the information about twice a year, but whenever I do, you delete my blog for reasons unknown and send me a terse email saying that my blog has not been accepted into the directory. Each time I have had to write to ask why, at which point I have to fill out the whole application again, and the blog is eventually reinstated. Until next time.

If you want to reject my blog, would you mind telling me why? I have read your terms, and I can’t see any way in which my site violates them.
If, on the other hand, you want to accept my blog, would you please stop rejecting it? This is very inconvenient.

Every time you delete my blog I lose my subscriptions. The last time it happened, I gave up and started a new subscription service at Feedblitz – not only because of the abovementioned annoyance factor, but also because my WordPress blog seemed to have an occasional feed problem with your site that stopped the subsciptions. Of course, I have had no problems with any other service. I can vouch for Feedblitz.

However, I have still been listed in the BlogFlux web directory, and I have still linked to BlogFlux until now. You’ve had a permanent link on my site for a couple of years now. My request for a response on this issue has gone unanswered, so um, I’m taking down the link.

Incredimail: My understanding was that my purchase of your email program was a one-time thing. I was so surprised when I received your notice today that you have gone ahead and charged me for another year of JunkFilter membership at the price of $39.95. Thanks so much for not checking with me first.

I can tell you really care about your customers and that you are glad to have me continue to be “a part of the Incredimail community.” You say that “as a valued IncrediMail customer” my “IncrediMail experience” is very important to you. What a nice touch that the price for a one-year subscription to the Junk Mail filter is more than your current price ($29.95) for the Incredimail Premium package.

A wee customer satisfaction suggestion: If you did a customer survey of the community, you might find that many of us who like to use email stationary and image enclosures in the body of an email are nonetheless playing our checking accounts rather close to the bone during these difficult times. If you are really very concerned about your community, you might do us the courtesy of asking us about the timing and desirability of such a charge before going ahead with it. I am so very grateful that this particular charge didn’t cause me to bounce any checks, because the fee for doing so is extremely hefty and I have just authorized payment on my bills for mid-month. Thank you too for not responding to my email. I just love a close community.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The thing about the web? Transparency, baby.

(Sarcasm. Kvetch. Boo-hisssss. Yeah, yeah, same old same old.)

But I caught myself. Why bother? Why do I expend all this energy at this level?

I went to a local pool with my son and his friend’s family. I was able just to sit and observe the people around me. I’ve been a bit isolated lately, and I had forgotten how much I love to watch people. I felt my whole perspective shift as I observed the people all around me, all different – each with their own voices and expressions and gestures. I felt reconnected at a fundamental level, and I realized that I’ve been letting my political anger generalize.

I’m considering putting the blog on hiatus for a while. I feel as though I don’t have much to contribute until I recharge and recenter. I would like to spend a little more time doing some other things, including other kinds of writing.

The blog keeps me doing at least one thing every day, but I think a more productive discipline would be more rewarding on a variety of levels.

Thoughts?