August 14, 1998 - Ok, this has been on my mind for awhile, so I have to share it somewhere. This seemed like as good of a place as any for now. There is one thing that you will hopefully notice about my site. I design it with everyone in mind. I don't understand why someone would tell you that their site is best viewed with a certain browser or at a certain screen resolution. I use different computers depending on where I am and what I am doing; at the office (with the luxurious T1 connection...) I have my settings at 1024x768 - and it is so annoying to come across a site with a bordered background that is only 800 pixels wide - it repeats and then I can't read the text on top of it! I end up having to resize my browser to read it. When I am surfing, using IE4 and 1024x768 I am not going to switch browsers & change my settings just because you tell me to do so, even if you say that this way your pages will look best. I test my pages with Internet Explorer 3 & 4, Netscape 3 & 4, and Opera. I view them at 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 (although not every one has this one available). I am a firm believer in trying to make things simple for you. Don't get me wrong, some of my all time favorite sites have this message on their pages, and I still go back time and time again. Ok, guess I will put my soapbox away now. Just something to think about next time you work on your site...

August 26, 1998 - This is insane! Foley's (a local department story - like Macy's, Marshall Fields, etc.) has CHRISTMAS TREES and Christmas items for sale in the store in downtown! Christmas is FOUR months away!!! Next thing we know, Christmas merchandise will be out on the Fourth of July, then Easter, then it will just be out year round! Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas, it is a wonderful thing to celebrate in my opinion. But it is 98 degrees outside and there is Christmas merchandise in the windows. Insane, simply insane.