What's the Punchline? Part 2.

Another photo in need of a punchline.

What's the Punchline?

Photo in need of a punchline.

System Fix Malware.

My wife's laptop has become infected with a particularly nasty bit of malware/virus called "System Fix".

As one website explains it:

"System Fix is another fake computer optimizer that tries to scare computer users into purchasing it's fake licence [sic]. As it's previous versions (System Restore, Data Restore, Data Repair...) this fake computer optimizer uses various ways to scare computer users into thinking that their computer hardware components has serious issues and that they could loose their stored information. System Fix is spread through misleading websites that are able to install this rogue program on users computer using security vulnerabilities. When System Fix installs itself on your computer it will flood your desktop with various warning messages stating that there are critical errors in your computers Ram memory, System drive, System registry. Furthermore System Fix will hide your desktop icons stating that there are bad blocks on your HDD surface. If you click "Fix Errors" button after the scan you will be asked to purchase a full version of System Fix in order to eliminate the found hardware issues. You shouldn't buy System Fix - it's a fake computer optimizer a totally useless program created by Internet criminals to trick unsuspecting computer users. All the computer scans and security messages stating about hardware malfunctions are fake".

Her anti-virus software did not stop it. We tried removing it with Spyware Doctor with no luck. We'll have to try professional help.

From what I've read, it's likely she picked up the bug on Facebook. I'll be clearing off Facebook today. I don't use all the apps and games like she does, but better safe than sorry.

SHOCK POLL IOWA.

The headline on Drudge was certainly provocative; "SHOCK POLL IOWA: GINGRICH 32% ROMNEY 19% CAIN 13% ."

The headline linked to a Rasmussen report which stated that today, November 17, 2011, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is leading among caucus-goers in Iowa.

The 2012 Iowa Caucuses are scheduled to take place on January 3; it's still much too early to predict who will eventually come out on top. Gingrich may be ahead now, but Cain was the top dog in October while Perry was the leader in September. It was just August when Michele Bachmann was tied with Romney for first place in Iowa. Has anybody even mentioned Michele Bachmann lately?

I still haven't decided who'll get my vote in the March 6 Georgia primary. Matt Archbold of Creative Minority Report isn't a Gingrich fan, though I don't share Matt's opinion of Newt. Mark Shea wrote a convincing article praising Ron Paul. Unfortunately, Shea is so anti-Romney that he might as well vote for Obama - that will be the end result of his decision to vote for a third party candidate over Romney should Mitt become the Republican presidential candidate. (Mr. Shea isn't a fan of Newt, either, by the way.)

I had pretty much given up on Herman Cain until I read something Ann Coulter had to say about the "sexual harassment scandal". As this piece shows, Ann doesn't care much for Newt either.....she's more a Romney girl.

In an email I received today, HumanEvents asked "Which Candidate Can Beat Obama?" but their survey/poll gave only 3 choices: Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. No mention of Gingrich. Is HumanEvents behind the times? (That particular survey/poll has Cain as the top pick......go figure.)



I can't see the Republicans picking anyone as horrible as their 2008 candidate, John McCain. I really can't believe they forced me to vote for that loser. While I can't say who will get my vote in the primary, we know my vote in November will be for anybody but Obama. Let's hope this time, the Republicans don't make me hold my nose when I cast my vote.

Bloggers Bake-off.

In a recent post [Creative Minority Report: Daddy Cooks] Patrick Archbold sought to impress his readers with his French Toast made from homemade pumpkin yeast bread.

La dee da.

Well, Pat isn't the only baking blogger, thank you very much !






To show what real baking is, I'm posting a photo of my Pumpkin Muffins along with the recipe :




1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

preheat oven to 350°F.
Put liners in muffin cups.

Mix both flours with baking powder

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugars, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.


Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture.(tsp cinnamon added to 1 tbsp sugar)


Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.