You're both very pretty, Chikat.

I grew up not far from Naperville.

yellow ribbon the BF added to his apparel

We all had to wear one to show that we were registered. It didn't match my dress, though, so I had it somewhat hidden on my belt. Ah, vanity.

Did people ask which troops he was supporting all day?

No, but they did look at him funny. There aren't many men dressed as civilians at these things and even fewer African American men. There were 2 Union soldiers there as part of one of the black regiments. And, a woman portraying Harriet Tubman was there.

if you're in Naperville, is the fingerprint to access the public library computers a big deal there?

I live in a different Chicago 'burb. My local library (Oak Park) doesn't do that. Does Naperville? That seems strange to me.

Great pictures, ChiKat.

I've decided I just have a normal cold, with added sleep deprivation, since I'm finally getting some more typical cold symptoms. Y'all will be stunned to know I'm being sensible and canceling or rescheduling whatever I can.

I'm also waiting to hear from a writing contest where I know the finalists have been determined and will be announced today. If I were feeling better, I'd pack Annabel up and go to the mall so I wouldn't have to spend the day glaring at the phone and my email inbox.

Do you feel well enough to get out of the house at all Susan? Maybe treat yourself to lunch somewhere? Waiting is hard.

Regarding the Naperville PL --

Library card? Check. Fingerprint? Really?

Citing security, Naperville libraries will make patrons prove their identities before using computers. Privacy advocates fear misuse of the data.

By James Kimberly

Tribune staff reporter

Published May 20, 2005

Before long, patrons wanting to use Naperville Public Library System computers without a hassle will have to prove their identity with a fingerprint.

The three-library system this week signed a $40,646 contract with a local company, U.S. Biometrics Corp., to install fingerprint scanners on 130 computers with Internet access or a time limit on usage.

I get a chill off that story. Because, really, who does that affect? People who can't afford computers. There's a digital divide conspiracy theory in there somewhere...

Cashmere, can't you just tell them to 1) open Excel. 2) open the file using the "open" command within the Excel program?

I WANT TO GO TO A REENACTMENT!

If I were independently wealthy, I would totally pack up the family and go work a living history museum somewhere. I've always wanted to do that. I love dressing up.

damn that's an ugly sdtory.

sending the safe from evil to fay

and credit ma to cindy

Whine. I am so very tired of writing beautifully-crafted cover letters specific to the job advertisement I'm responding to and then hearing nothing back. This crap got old a long time ago and I still hafto do it, plus try to motivate DH. Seems like there's just not enough motivation to go around here. Whine.

Fingerprints required for library access sounds just as scary as having my medical records online for all to see.

Here's a link to the story. It has a bit about the library's side of things, which basically comes down to, "we need it to protect the children." You'll probably need to visit bugmenot for a registration password.

"we need it to protect the children."

MaudeFlanderists.