Chris Meller

Welp, looks like my slacker ways finally caught up with me and ruined the perfect blogging streak I had going. Actually, I’m sure you guys were all pretty grateful for the break.

Unfortunately, my boss got back after 3 weeks off Monday, so we’ve all gotten whipped back into line. There’s a lot of stuff on the horizon, and I just haven’t had the time to blog or even read blogs. I hope things settle back down soon, because it was really fun blogging on a daily basis, even if it was randomly little posts about nothing in particular.

Ah well, we shall see. BTW, I’m also still working on WordPress themes. I’ve got several good ideas, now I just have to actually make them happen… Blah, sometimes I hate CSS…

Welp, as summer ramps up and we top out 100 degrees here in South Carolina, I thought I’d offer everyone a chance to cool down a little by celebrating winter! That’s right, winter!

Check out some of these amazing ice and snow sculptures here!

Ever wonder what exactly the fallout would be if there were a nuclear attack on your hometown?

Welp, thanks to Google Maps, you can now find out!

For instance, how likely would I die if there were a 200 kilotonne nuke detonated in Greenville, SC? I’m pretty damn well screwed…

Ever wanted to be one of the lucky beta testers for none other than Microsoft? Welp, now’s your chance…

Just incase you didn’t know how it all works, in order to become a member of a beta program at Microsoft, you typically log in with a Passport account at Microsoft Beta (formerly Betaplace). You then find the link indicating that you were provided with a Microsoft Guest ID. After entering the ID (which we’ll get to in a minute), you’re taken to the project’s intro page. Remember to complete any “Invitation” or “Nomination” surveys displayed, otherwise you stand no chance of being accepted!

After the survey responses are reviewed, you may or may not be accepted, based on the answers you provided. They generally look for a wide variety of testers, so you never really know.

So what is this magic Guest ID you have to enter? Well, it’s a random mashing of the Beta program’s name. Sometimes you’ll come across a story at WinBeta or BetaNews that lists the ID when referencing a program, but generally you’ll be sent an invitation directly from Microsoft referencing it.

Thanks to the power of the internet, that is no longer true! There’s a long list of active Beta Guest IDs here!

NOTE: This is in no way a guarantee that you will be accepted to the program. I’m also not able to confirm 100% accuracy of this list. I have glanced over it, and from the half dozen programs I’m a member of or have been invited to / applied for, it appears valid. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

Well, as much as I hate to do it, I?m going to violate a dying woman?s last wish by revealing this startling news to you, my loyal readers. I know, I know, I?m a horrible person. If I?ll violate a dying woman?s last wish, is there nothing holy left in the world?

Apparently not. At 7:11 am (EST) this morning, I was presented with this exciting news via electronic mail. Please read with me?

My name is Mrs. lousia Wilson i am a dying woman who have decided to donate what i have to church.I am 59 years old and i was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago,immediately after the death of my husband,who has left me everything he worked for. I have been touched by God to donate from what i have inherited from my late husband to you to do the good work of God,rather than allow my relatives to use my husband hard earned funds ungodly.Please pray,that the good Lord forgive me my sins.I have asked God to forgive me and i beleive he has because He is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation in less than one hour. I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $1,500,000 (One million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows according to (JAMES 1:27). At the moment i cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my relatives are around me and my health status.I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware i have changed my will to you and he will arrange the transfer of the funds from my account to you. I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others. Contact my lawyer with this specified email(brianvariesesq@netscape.net) and tell him that i have WILLED ($1,500,000.00) to you and i have also notified him that i am WILLING that amount to you for a specific and good work.I know i dont know you but i have been directed to do this.Thanks and God bless. NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don’t want anything that will Jeopardize my last wish. And Also I will be contacting with you by email as I don’t want my relation or anybody to know because they are always around me. Regards, Louisa Wilson

I?m sure you can all now see why I would be so anxious to share this life-changing and exciting news with the world. I quickly drafted a response to her lawyer at the email address indicated, asking Mr. Varies, Esq. that he please expedite this issue so that I may collect my allotted amount as soon as possible.

I will, of course, keep my loyal readers appraised to the situation. Be forewarned? Once I?m a millionaire, I will likely be out enjoying all life has to offer for prolonged periods. Rest assured I will always return to this blog to keep you apprised of my travels.