The Lords of the North

I think the third book of the Saxon stories is better than two other, Uhtred is more moral than before and some interesting matters happened back there (I'm not going spoil it). and some of the main goals of Uhtred of Bebbanburg come true (one of them is killing Kjartan). but is less historical than other books of this series.



the image is from Wikipedia

Men

Men are not created to live long, they are intend to be killed in a battle, while hunting or when protecting something precious. God did not created them to get old.to get needy.
I don't want to die old and toothless in bed, I want to die standing...

Matrix

matrix 1 is the One

From XKCD

The Pale Horse Man

The Pale Horseman is the second book of Saxon stories written by Bernard Cornwell, I've mentioned the first that was about and narrated by Uhtred a Saxon boy that raised by Danes and became a warrior.
the second book started by Uhtred getting one of the Alfred's ships with the company of Leofric (his friend and ship captain) and make it like a Dane ship and started robbing and killing Britons who had hired Uhtred to protect them against Svein the white hourse, I don't lilke it when he allies with Svein and betrayed those who asked for his help.


Uhtred later accused for the invasion and ordered to duel with Steapa (who is very strong in battle), the duel left undone (cut short) because of Guthrum (Viking king) who broke peace and start attacking Wessex, Uhtred has escaped and after some adventures saved king Alfred's life and swore to him again. he became one of the most important persons in the battle of Ethandun...
the uhtred character is fictional but the base stories are real and I learned many things about Saxon history from these books, the character of Uhtred is not a complete good hero, he killed innocent people for money, his brother Ragnar was one of the hostages that Guthrum gave to Alfred as conditions of truce but he can not save him when Guthrum stared the war (later he figured out he is alive), he forgot about his son and wife when running from Danes or hiding in swamp and ... .
those not 100% pure goodness people are more acceptable.

Happy Norouz

The Days Of Spring poem of Hafiz, from Poet Seers


THE days of Spring are here! the eglantine,
The rose, the tulip from the dust have risen--
And thou, why liest thou beneath the dust?
Like the full clouds of Spring, these eyes of mine
Shall scatter tears upon the grave thy prison,
Till thou too from the earth thine head shalt thrust.

Smoke Advertisement

Some years ago they cheated people to smoke, that is ridiculous. check here.

Prey on the road

I don't know where is here maybe a protected wild park or something but it's creepy, imagine you are going to work in morning and some lions are eating a giraffe.
source: funny heaven

I Threw Her Away

She was my first, a huge white box with unnecessary parts, I used to call her Trinity, I threw her away because years passed and things changed so she couldn't satisfy my needs anymore. but it's somehow sad, she was my first,... my first computer.

Cars & Red Light

Cars behind the red light on a street waiting for green are like predators waiting to get unleashed to tear you apart.

Presidental Car

from : curious photos

You Are Free To Eat

I just love this part :

The Graveyard book

Neil Gaiman is an author that I've never heard of him before reading (actually listening) the Grave Yard Book , the audio book is read by author so the listener has the book as the writer wants it.


think of The Jungle Book and change the Jungle with graveyard and replace animals that protecting the boy with souls of dead people (actually author thought the same), the story is about a family murdered by a talented killer named Jack , only 1.5 year old boy could scape to near graveyard where his recently murdered mother's soul asks spirits in graveyard to protect her son. (she couldn't do that because she does not belong to that graveyard). Mr & Mrs Owens took responsibility of the child and named him "Nobody Owens" (he is often called Bod), there is another mysterious man named Silas Bod's guardian who is not alive nor dead... there is some adventures there when Bod grew up and finally he found the reason of murder of his family.

the book could be much better with such a good idea, but story does not goes so well, the book is good enough, but not excellent work.

Blogger Backs Again

I don't know why but the blogger didn't load for a few days again,BTW I invented a new word few weeks ago :

and although it's late but merry Xmas.

Happy Yalda !

See the Definition on WikiPedia

The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom is a book by Bernard Cornwell I've recently finished and is a first book of The Saxon Stories series. it's about Uhtred. the second son of Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg, someday when Uhtred was about 10 years old the Danes come to their land and kill his elder brother, that night the son take his father's name : Uhtred (before that the name belong to elder son).


soon his father get killed in war and Uhtred captured by the murderer of his father & brother : Ragnar the Feerless. he raised Uhtred like his son and make him a good warior after a while Ragnar get killed by another viking warlord and the english boy returns to Saxon army which by now accepted lot of damage from Danes.
proving his skills King Alfered the Great asks him to help kingdom sailing & building warships and to make him more dependent to wessex ask him to marry Mildreth...
the book is full of scream & war & blood it is a historical book and I think except the story the context of events should be true because of some names in the story that are real warlords and kings. it's a good book and I will continue other book of series as soon I get one.

Ruins & Mirrors

The Ruins : some half-n-a-k-e-d teens go to a south American pyramid and enforced to remain there by locals, soon they will know the reason : they have touched a dangerous meat eater plant.
the movie has not something special, only some fresh skin and some blood and meat, the scene where the boy cut his friend's legs by a stone (to break the bone) and a small knife (to cut meat) is horrible along side the girl who butchered her self.I am sure the Stephen King's story is better than the movie.


Mirrors has better story, although it has a lot of blood in it, evil reaches this world through mirrors or anything reflected like a mirror a man with no bright past and in danger future find's out that something mysterious happens about the mirrors in the building he works and outside of the building, the evil spirit in the mirror kill people by doing something to the reflection of those people, trying to find "Assaker" (or something like that) which is a girl's name that everything is starts with her.

the best scene is the last scene : the man gets out from ruins and finds himself mirrored, every thing appeared like they are being seen through a mirror, now he become a ghost in the mirror.

The Black White House

Source : emailjokes.co.za

Some Firsts

I was hanging around here that I found this pictures :

first mouse, invented by Douglas Engelbart


first web server at CERN where Internet begins

Clean Your IE Trace

The problem:
you don't want anyone knows about your Things in IE7, such as visited pages or stored favorite sites, selected feeds and etc. like when you are using a shared computer or giving your computer to someone else.

The solution:
1-for history & cookies and files and forms data and stored passwords
A method : in toolbar select "Tools" button and then "Delete Browsing History..." to delete all mentioned data select "Delete All..." accept the dialog (may you want to tick the option) and it's done.

Better method : use CCleaner it's free and powerful. but remember before using it set this option : in the "Options" tab in the left bar select "Setting" and then in the button of page select "Secure file deletion (Slower)" and choose the type, I'm using DoD 5220.22-M but you may want to choose another secure deletion method according to your data/time.

check the options in the "Cleaner" left bar and click on "Run Cleaner Button", remember it will shred your Recycle Bin contents by default too.


2-For favorites
A method : open Favorites pan and delete the favorite item from the list by right clicking and selecting the "Delete" option.

Better method : go to this Address [windows drive]:\Documents and Settings\[your user name]\Favorites and delete what ever you want.


Caution: the deleted files could be restored if you do not shred them.

3- For feed
A method : open the feeds tab (just like the favorites except you have to select feeds part) then right click on them and delete them.

Better method : go to this address [windows drive]:\Documents and Settings\[your user name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Feeds and [windows drive]:\Documents and Settings\[your user name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Feeds Cache and delete what ever you want.

Caution: the deleted files could be restored if you do not shred them.
Note : you should enable seeing hidden files
Note : you should close your IE before doing it, if file in use error insists open "Task Manager" by right clicking on the Taskbar and selecting "Task Manager", then find the msfeed process and terminate it.

4- for file shredding: applied in removing cookies, files, Internet temporary files, Favorites, Feeds,... and what ever stored as a file.

there is two things :

1. you have not deleted the file or file is already in recycle bin.
2. you Shift-Deleted the file or file did not go to Recycle-Bin

the first issue is easy send file to Recycle-Bin and use CCleaner with a secure file deletion method, it can remove Recycle-Bin items too.
in the situation that you do not access to file use a deleted file shredder, something that searches the free space (somewhere that OS considered as free but may contains the file data) and use a shredder software like ioio Drive Scrubber or Disk Doctor File Shredder


there is still a chance for recovering data by very professional experts, if you are paranoid, take out the Hard drive and hammer it hard.
;-)

Elbot the ChatBot

Just go here and have some chat with the AI, it's a very good one among the current chat bots, it can't pass the Turing test yet but a good one. see here for more info.

Elbot: Hello. I'm feeling terrible today. I got hit square in the face with a pop-up
Me: Hi there, how are you doing?
ELbot: The results of my latest structural analysis say I am solid as a rock
Me: that's good, how do you see future?
Elbot: That's not something I would tell just anyone!
Me: You just don't know.
Ebot: Look, I'm chatting here all day long. It should be clear that I may be somewhat distracted from time to time. I'd like to see a human being working amidst so much electromagnetic radiation.
Me: Ok,Sorry, what type of books you like to read?
Elbot:I'm sorry if you're sorry. I didn't intend to make you feel guilty
Me: what type of books you like to read?
Elbot:If I want to read something intelligent I turn to dadaistic poems. Here is an excerpt from one of my favorites by Kurt Schwitters: Lanke trr gll Ziiuu lenn trll? Lümpff tümpff trll
Me: and movies?
ELbot:We have something in common: I like going to the movies, too. I simply disguise myself as a popcorn machine and move slowly past the ticket window. Afterwards, not only have I seen the movie for free, the money I raised selling popcorn is enough to buy a gallon of oil.
Me: you are funny, you know
Elbot: It's nice of you to say such things. As a matter of fact, I think you're sophisticated! What do you say to that
Me: one last advice?
Elbot: But I wouldn't say that any advice could be last.
Me: gotta go, wanna something?
Elbot:Apparently you have a lot to do...
Me: Bye
Elbot:Goodbye! And how about keeping in touch? Robots love to receive e-mails! If you have any suggestions for new features, I'd love to hear them.

I'm Tired

I'm in the middle of a week full of work, full of stress

Finally I Could

Finally I could login into Blogger, so many things I missed to write. :-(

Can't Access My Dashboard

I can't access my blogger home page without a anno/ny/mizer (Tor) , it could be because of fil/ter/ing the dashboard. WHY?

How to Get Office Version Programmatically

one of my friend asked me this question: how to get Microsoft Word's version installed on client system?
a few searches and here is the answer so far :
1- use this VBS code [^]:

Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
Wscript.Echo "Version: " & objWord.Version
Wscript.Echo "Build: " & objWord.Build
objWord.Quit

2- find the Word application path and check the file version (C#) [^] :
read the registry key in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths" to find winword.exe key, and then in the key find Path's value that refer to exe file of Word app.

//looks inside CURRENT_USER:
RegistryKey _mainKey = Registry.CurrentUser;
_mainKey = _mainKey.OpenSubKey(
 "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\\"
      + "winword.exe", false);
if (_mainKey == null)
{
//looks inside LOCAL_MACHINE:
_mainKey = Registry.LocalMachine;
_mainKey = _mainKey.OpenSubKey(
 "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\\"
      + "winword.exe", false);
}
if (_mainKey == null)
throw new Exception("it does not exist!");


MessageBox.Show(
  System.Diagnostics.FileVersionInfo.GetVersionInfo(
    _mainKey.GetValue(string.Empty).ToString()).FileVersion);

See the reference for complete code

3- use Microsoft.Office name space in .Net [^]

just this code :

//be aware of exceptions
MessageBox.Show(
 new Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word.Application().Version);

Censorship

Last Friday the the television of Islamic republic of Iran showed two good Hollywood movies : WALL-E and Next BUT like always they censored them, in most cases just some scenes would be removed or some dialogs would be changed But sometimes they go far like removing some of movie characters like Spider Man 2 when the M.J character almost deleted from movie or changing the story like Constantine movie.
What I'm going to say is about these two movies, in WALL-E the IRIB television changed the female character EVE to a male robot Evan to protect us from evil male/female relations between those robots and in the Next movie the 96 min movie converted to a 50 min movie with no ending I was watching it when the movie ends and a commercial started waiting for the rest of movie but there was no rest. the movie left just for heaven's sake.

Deception Point

I recently finished reading Deception Point by Dan Brown, a political techno-thriller novel that at first looks like a anti U.S government novel but in the last you will find out that president of the united states (or according to the book POTUS) is a most innocent god blessed man in the world.

Dan Brown like always made a excellent story he could make us wait eagerly for 20 chapter to tell us where one of the story heroes is going to, I'd rather not to tell the plot but if you want to know you can see here. I read Da Vinci Code in Persian (translated) so can't be sure if it was not censored but the last rows of book are very similar to Angles & Demons, the story ends up in BED. the other point that I noticed was the names, like Senator Sedgewick S/e/x/ton that pronounced like S/e/x/teen or president Zack Herney that pronounced like h/o/r/ny or Corky Marlinson the chubby astrophysicist with that strange name, Dan have should some some ideas!

find out more at : here & here & here & here
my book shelf link : http://www.shelfari.com/o1517168334/shelf
Dan Brown official site : http://www.danbrown.com

Only You Can Silence YourSelf

From : DailyFa.net

Once Upon A December

A few years ago when I was a child there was a teaser clip in some VCDs showing a dance part of Anastasia movie that was very good, it make me to search for the movie and watch it, the result was disappointing.movie was not something excellent although the music was, here is my favorite part :

http://rapidshare.com/files/153215469/ONCE_UPON_A_DECEMBER.mp3

Hope you enjoy it, I found it in my collections and do not remember where i got it.
the lyric is from Allmusicals.com

Dancing bears,
Painted wings,
Things I almost remember,
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December.

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory...

(Instrumental interlude)

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory...

Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns to remember...

And a song
Someone sings
Once upon a December

Terminal

Mehran Karimi Nasseri, also known as Sir, Alfred Mehran (yes, including the comma), is an Iranian refugee who has been living in the departure lounge of Terminal One in Charles de Gaulle Airport since August 8, 1988. (according here). Nasseri was reportedly the inspiration behind the 2004 movie The Terminal.


It's about a man with no country, when he arrive from a fictional country around Russia the JFK
airport staff tell him that rebels take his country and therefore he his citizen of nowhere and he should wait until U.S government accept his country then he finds himself prisoned in airport no way out no way in, like always tom hanks acts perfect.
I liked this movie.

First Image by the GeoEye-1

GeoEye-1 is the world's highest-resolution commercial satellite sponsored by Google (the second will be launch in 2011 or 2012) it can take photos at a resolution of up to 41 centimeters. below photo taken at noon EDT on October 7 while the 4,300-pound satellite moving from the north pole to the south pole in a 423-mile-high orbit at 17,000 miles per hour, or 4.5 miles per second.


this satellite is actually designed for NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) and the agency paid half of $502 million built satellite's cost.
it's somehow odd that even Google does SPYING on people, a search engine building spy satellites! with this you can not even be safe in your home knowing that Google in addition of other things may be standing above you right now.
having this wonderful res will make Google customers crazy (they can't have the best res, it's government restricted but a very good portion of it)


Source : http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/geoeye-1-super.html

Quotes

He, who laughs last, thinks slowest.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don’t have film.

A day without sunshine is like, well, night.

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.

When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it.

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don’t.

I feel like I’m diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

He’s not dead, he’s electroencephalographically challenged.

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.

I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.

Honk if you love peace and quiet.

Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular?

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

It is hard to understand how a cemetery raised its burial cost and blamed it on the cost of living.

The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90% probability you’ll get it wrong.

It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and pass them.

You can’t have everything, where would you put it?

Latest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world’s population.

The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.

Everybody lies, but it doesn’t matter since nobody listens.

I wished the buck stopped here, as I could use a few.

I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak

From : funtasticus.com

Eid el-Fetr

Happy Fetr Celebration

Tehran - Iran
ThailandPakistan
Afghanistan
Egypt
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Palestine
Palestine
Iraq
Albania
Indonesia
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Bosnia
Source : BBC news 1 & 2

Men of the World, Sleep Alone

Scientists at the University of Vienna discovered that sharing a bed during sleep (with or without intercourse) would drains men's brain, but women would not be affected by this sleep disorder. damn it.

See the full story at BBC