Cool Illusion

 

Designed by Jackpot Joy the illusion happens when you stare into the middle of this spiral.

As you do so it will begin to blur and spin – even though the image itself is completely static.

Your eyes will begin to see movement, but it's staying totally still!

Staring at this spiral pattern produces a hypnotic effect known as ‘spiral motion aftereffect’.  

Once your eyes adapt to the spiral’s motion, the static image then seems to either shrink or grow in the opposite direction.

It’s been said that staring at this type of spiral image can even impact your ability to read words for a short while afterwards too, as they can temporarily jump around in front of your eyes.  

Why not give it a go and see if it moves for you!

The Wizard uses Ubuntu MATE - A "Free" alternative to Windows and MAC

Ubuntu MATE (ooboontoo mah-tay) is:  "...an implementation of the desktop metaphor made of a bundle of programs running on top of a computer operating system, which share a common graphical user interface (GUI). Desktop GUIs help the user to easily access and edit files."

Built on Ubuntu, a very stable and one of the most popular Linux distributions available, Ubuntu MATE is updated constantly, so security issues are fixed much more quickly than the operating system your computer came with. Great peace of mind! I recommend the Long Term Support (LTS) version of Ubuntu MATE that is 100% supported for 3 years (currently version 22.04. After which time you can upgrade to 24.04 LTS for free. LTS versions are produced every 2 years.). The number 22.04 refers to 2022 April, the year and month that the software is made available. 

Of course donations are welcome if you use and like Ubuntu MATE. I am a Patreon supporter of $3.50 per month. Just a little thanks I give for using this free and awesome software! It helps cover the costs of development of the software.

If you want to try Ubuntu MATE, and you can fully boot it live from a USB thumb drive, just to run it without changing your current Windows or MAC installation, click here to download the live USB and explore or install from the same USB.

Embrace your inner penguin! (Tux the penguin is the Linux mascot)

You can customize just about everything as far as the look and feel of the desktop. The Wizard loves using a dock - easily chosen in the settings. The Wizard likes having a HUD (Heads-up Display)  - available with the "Super Key" and start typing the name of the app to launch. Much faster using the keyboard than point and click (though of course that is still available!). 

Make it look and act like a Windows desktop. Make it look and act like a MAC OS. Make it look like a combination of both or neither! Make it look like Linux! The choice is yours! Linux is not just for nerds anymore! Works right out of the box, don't have to change a thing if you don't want to. Free to explore all that Linux entails, all at your fingertips. You truly have to experience and play with the Live USB, customize to your heart's content. If you decide to install Ubuntu MATE, the button is right there on the desktop. If you decide it's not for you, simply log off your live session and remove the USB stick. Nothing has changed on your current system.

Literally thousands of free applications are available from various sources, but if you install them using MATE Boutique, all applications are guaranteed to work with Ubuntu MATE. Free of charge of course!

At No Cost!

You have nothing to lose! You will also pocket all those hard-earned dollars that you currently pay to Microsoft and Apple! Think what you could do with all that extra money!

Currently use Microsoft Office? Ubuntu MATE comes with Libre Office installing a word processor, spreadsheets, a slide making program for presentations, even a database program -- all compatible with the expensive MS Office suite at no cost!

For help, if required there is the Ubuntu MATE Community forums. Lots of help available there. Click here to visit the forums.

*By "Free" - I mean that the software is free to use, free to change and free to distribute as long as you agree any changes made are reflected in the license included in your version acknowledging what you modified, so not Free as in "free beer". That said, it costs absolutely nothing to use this Linux operating system. 

 

Ubuntu + MATE Desktop + Love = Ubuntu MATE

The First Rule of the Internet

There is just one rule that is imperative that you understand when it comes to privacy on the internet: 

If someone is offering something to you and you don't have to pay for it, then most likely, YOU ARE THE PRODUCT.

What I mean by this is that no one does anything for free when it comes to offering free software or service on the internet. If you sign up for a service, or install free software (Open source software like Linux and other open source projects are different in most cases but READ the EULA!), and they don't charge you for it, it means that they are likely to gather information, like, name, demographics and other information about you that you may not really feel comfortable in sharing. 

Not to point fingers, but facebook is a huge collector of user information. If you have the free account that facebook gives away, then facebook has tons of information about you. You must weigh "Am I willing to give up some privacy in order to take advantage of the software? And don't forget, even though facebook is a web application it is still software. 

Don't just blindly scroll by the EULAs (End User License Agreement). Look through them and SEE what information they are collecting about you and how they will share it. 

Do they use persistent cookies (These are not deleted when you close the browser). Most are rather innocuous and just save usernames and passwords to make it easier to access, some are not so nice. Look at their EULA to see what information the collected cookies actually collect and do!

Free online quizzes, tests and the like are huge mining software that collects oodles and oodles of private information about you. Avoid them! Some writers of this type of software actually use cookies and information freely provided from you to sell to hackers who will attempt to use the information to "guess" passwords for other sites, like online banking credentials for example. Do the opposite of Nike's slogan; "Just DON'T Do It!"

READ THE EULA

What I am saying is that nothing is truly free on the internet, yes, even open source software as all writers of this free software collect information on their users. It just comes down to "How much information that you give up is worth the cost of using the free software?

READ THE EULA

LGBTQ Youth Resources: How To Stay Safe Online? [A Complete Guide]

 

Click on the link below

An Ultimate Guide To Online Safety for the LGBTQ Community

Google Chrome is by far the leader in web browsers

As of today, Google Chrome is the number one in web browser usage. It has about 65% share of all web browsers. According to StatCounter.

Safari for Apple users comes in around 18%. Firefox comes in a way distant market share at just around 2%. . All other browsers are even less in terms of market share.

Strange in a way as Google Chrome is not known for its privacy and a whole lot of data is collected (and SOLD!) by Google detailing your surfing habits. The Wizard uses Firefox as it is open source and is much less involved as far as data collection is concerned.

 

The Wizard recommends Firefox for a well rounded and secure browsing solution. 

Click here to download Firefox.

Did you know...

... the Wicked Witch of the West wasn't always evil? Elphaba (the birth name of the previously mentioned witch) had every intention of using her magic powers to make the world a better place- finding love for her sister (correctly guessed as the Wicked Witch of the East) and saving her love crush from a tragic end.

The result of her screw up was the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Later frustrated that her attempts at creating her own fantasy miserably failed, Elphaba vowed a life of evil. Of course, there is way more to the story, but the moral here is that you can save yourself a lot of grief by letting the natural course of things unfold.

Bulletin

For those of you who are not aware, North Dakota and southwestern Montana often get hit with a blizzard of the season at the same time, This text is from county emergency manager out in the western part of North Dakota state after one such storm. Amusing...

WEATHER BULLETIN

Up here in the Northern Plains we just recovered from a Historic event --- may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic blizzard of up to 24" inches of snow and winds to 50 MPH that broke trees in half, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed all roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to 10's of thousands. George Bush did not come.... FEMA staged nothing.... No one howled for the government... No one even uttered an expletive on TV... Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards..... No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.... No news anchors moved in. We just melted snow for water, sent out caravans to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars, fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Aladdin lamps and put on an extra layer of clothes. Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early...we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves. Everybody is fine.

1972-2022 (Time check)

1972: Long hair
2022: Longing for hair


1972: KEG
2022: EKG


1972: Acid rock
2022: Acid reflux


1972: Moving to California because it's cool
2022: Moving to Arizona because it's warm

1972: Tryin to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2022: Trying NOT to look like MarlonBrando or Liz Taylor


1972: Seeds and stems
2022: Roughage


1972: Hoping for a BMW
2022: Hoping for a BM


1972: Going to a new, hip joint
2022: Receiving a new hip joint


1972: Rolling Stones
2022: Kidney Stones


1972: Being called into the principal's office
2022: Calling the principal's office


1972: Screw the system
2022: Upgrade the system


1972: Disco
2022: Costco


1972: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2022: Children begging you to get their heads shaved


1972: Passing the drivers' test
2022: Passing the vision test


1972: Whatever
2022: Depends


Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.

The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 2004.

They are too young to remember the first space shuttle blowing up on liftoff.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.

The CD was introduced in 1972.

They have always had an answering machine.

They have always had cable.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.

They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane, Boss, de plane".

They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.

McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.

They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.


Do you feel old yet? Pass this post on to the other old fogies on your list.

MAKES CENTS

A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.

The waitress asks them for their orders. The man says, "A hamburger, fries and a coke," and turns to the ostrich, "What's yours?"

"I'll have the same," says the ostrich.

A short time later the waitress returns with the order. "That will be $9.40 please," and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change for payment.

The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, "A hamburger, fries, and a coke."

The ostrich says, "I'll have the same." Again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.

This becomes routine until, the two enter again. "The usual?" asks the waitress.

"No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato, and salad," says the man.

"Same," says the ostrich.

Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, "That will be $32.62."

Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table.

The waitress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer.

"Excuse me, sir. How do you manage to always come up with the exact change out of your pocket every time?"

"Well," says the man, "several years ago I was cleaning the attic and found an old lamp. When I rubbed it, a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes. My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there."

That's brilliant!" says the waitress. "Most people would wish for a million dollars or something, but you'll always be as rich as you want for as long as you live!"

"That's right. Whether it's a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there," says the man.

The waitress asks, "But, sir, what's with the ostrich?"

The man sighs, pauses, and answers, "My second wish was for a tall chick with a big ass and long legs who agrees with everything I say."

Laws of the Universe

These are the laws of the natural universe: (AND TRUE--bet you've experienced most, if not all of them)!!!!!!

Law of Mechanical Repair:
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.

Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of the Telephone:
When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law:
If you change lines or traffic lanes, the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.

Bath/shower Theorem:
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Law of Lines:
When you walk in the grocery store, there's never anyone in the checkout line.

Inverse Hair Dryer Law:
You're sure you hear the phone ringing in the background, until you turn the hair dryer off.

Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Bio mechanics:
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Theater Law:
At any event, the people whose seats are farthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something that will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers:
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Natural Attraction:
If you and your date are the only two on a five-mile stretch of beach, the family of five will set up right next to you.

Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets:
The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

Law of Location:
No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument:
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

End of the runway

NORFOLK Naval Air Station Virginia -- One of the military's largest transports got stuck at the end of a runway atop the I-564 overpass for more than 16 hours. It was unable to turn around at the West end of Chambers Field at the Norfolk Naval Station.  The incident forced the closing of the field to all but helicopter traffic and made for a dramatic sight for hundreds of motorists passing beneath it during morning rush hour.

"That thing's like a big building sitting there." said motorists. The nose of the aircraft actually stuck out and OVER the Interstate!

The aircraft's nose was so far over the end of the ramp, the crew was unable to see the runway where it was supposed to turn around so the pilot simply had to leave it at the end of the runway.  The Air Force C-5 Galaxy, largest airplane in the free world, is almost as long as a football field and as high as a six-story building.

Weighing 420 tons with a full load, it uses a system of 28 wheels to distribute its weight.  The aircraft had to wait for a specially made tow bar trucked in from Dover, Del. When the tow bar arrived, it was used to hook the C-5 to a tractor that then turned the aircraft around.  The plane was not damaged.

The female co-pilot was overheard saying to the male pilot as they exited the plane...
 

"I told you we should have stopped and asked for directions."

Streaking Old Lady

Two old ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress. 

One leaned over and said, "Life is so darn boring. We never have any fun anymore. For $5.00, I'd take my clothes off and streak through that stupid flower show!" 

"You're on!" said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill. 

The first fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked through the front door of the flower show. Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause. 

The naked lady burst out through the door surrounded by a cheering crowd. "What happened?" asked her waiting friend. 

"I won 1st prize as Best Dried Arrangement."

A Cops worst nightmare

 

Logic

Two South Texas farmers, Jim and Bob, are sitting at their favorite bar drinking beer. Jim turns to Bob and says, "You know, I'm tired of going through life without an education. Tomorrow I think I'll go to the community college and sign up for some classes." Bob thinks it's a good idea, and the two leave. The next day Jim goes down to the college and meets the dean of admissions, who signs him up for the four basic classes: Math, English, History, and Logic.

"Logic?" Jim says. "What's that?"

The dean says, "I'll show you. Do you own a weedeater?"

"Yeah."

"Then logically because you own a weedeater, I think that you would have a yard."

"That's true, I do have a yard."

"I'm not done," the dean says. "Because you have a yard, I think logically that you would have a house."

"Yes, I do have a house."

"And because you have a house, I think that you might logically have a family."

"I have a family."

"I'm not done yet. Because you have a family, then logically you must Have

a wife."

"Yes, I do have a wife."

"And because you have a wife, then logically you must be a heterosexual."

"I am a heterosexual. That's amazing, you were able to find out all of That because I have a weedeater."

Excited to take the class now, Jim shakes the dean's hand and leaves to go meet Bob at the bar.

He tells Bob about his classes, how he is signed up for Math,

English, History, and Logic.

"Logic?" Bob says, "What's that?"

Jim says, "I'll show you. Do you have a weedeater?"

"No."

"Then you're gay."

Some old, some new.... Possible Mergers to come

1. Xerox and Wurlitzer:
Joining forces to make reproductive organs.

2. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers:
New company expected to be called Fairwell Honeychild.

3. Polygram Records, Warner Brothers and Keebler:
New company will be called Poly-Warner-Cracker.

4. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush Co. and W. R. Grace Co.
New company will be called Hale Mary Fuller Grace.

5. 3M and Goodyear:
To be known as: Mmm-Good.

6. John Deere and Abitibi-Price:
New company will surely become Deere Abi.

7. Honeywell, Imasco, and Home Oil:
Combining forces to become Honey, I'm Home.

8. Denison Mines, Alliance, and Metal Mining:
To now become Mine, All Mine

9. 3M, J.C. Penney, Canadian Opera Company:
New company slated to be called 3 Penney Opera

10. Grey Poupon and Dockers Pants:
Will be known from now on as Poupon Pants

11. Knott's Berry Farm and National Organization of Women:
Joining forces to become Knott NOW!

12. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi, Dofasco, Dakota Mining:
What else but Zip Audi Do-Da

"How Could You?"

 

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End

© Jim Willis 2001

Who would have guessed?

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Jeffery Straker has a new album out - "Just After Sunset"

Jeffery's new album "Just After Sunset" is out and of course The Wizard has purchased a signed copy. Jeffery Straker is a singer, songwriter and pianist, the perfect trifecta when it comes to music.

It's short with just 5 tracks, but each song tells a story. Jeffery Straker is a storyteller through his songs, and this album is no exception. Jeffery is a very talented singer/pianist with a large discography, each album is different but pure Jeffery Straker as only he can do. 

The tracks were chosen by Jeffery from the album, "Just Before Sunrise" and remastered in an acoustic style, to allow the listener to hear the songs performed in a different and unique way!

Unique melodies and his patented sound of piano and vocals, which are instantly identified as Jeffery Straker. Jeffery is a friend of mine and I encourage you to check out his website to take a listening preview of some of his music. There are links to purchase there through BandCamp. Click here to visit.

R.I.P. Robbie Coltrane (1950 - 2022)

Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor known for playing Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" films, has died at the age of 72.

"My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday, October 14," Coltrane's agent, Belinda Wright, said in a statement.

Keep Your Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal  illness and had been given three months to live.  So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.  She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The young woman explained.  "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so.  I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'. It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?".  Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.

He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death.  But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
             
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.

She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.  Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died.  He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
             
And keep your fork.