Articles written by Dark Bender

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About me - Dark Bender

I can grow hair anywhere on my body... except the wee top of my head... damn cruel thing wouldn't ya think... but not in my brain! No way! I prefer to think that I have "hair growing super powers" not available to the ordinay mortal man! Stan Lee.... you NEED

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Other Why did the chicken cross the road?: 5 of 33
First we simply must cross-reference what we know about said chicken with what we know about the road.One could surmise that the chicken was perhaps scared as a chicken, felt hen-pecked or cooped up, maybe was walking on egg shells, or simply felt cocky. But we have no evidence of any of that. The question does seem to imply ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Grandparenting Family tree: True stories about gardening with my parents (or grandparents): 42 of 135
This is a story about a rock. A big rock. No, a really big rock! And it is more about what the rock means to me now over what it did then, 30 years ago.My folks are serious gardeners and when moved into the new house in the northwest corner of Milwaukee, WI the "L" shaped corner of the backyard was surely going to become a he... More..
Computers & Technology > Business & Office Software Should I upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007?: 4 of 12
My 20+ years of IT experience tells me the answer is "yes and no". I know that's quite the cop-out, but from what I've seen of Office 2007, the answer really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Some things to keep in mind are that it has quite a different feel than previous versions and things you want to click are ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Reflections: Virginia Tech school shooting: 54 of 106
While my thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this disaster, victims, families, friends, students, even the shooter and his family, my own thoughts move to one of the great questions; Why do bad things happen? This doesn't get into the campus security debate, gun control, or any of the issues that come up after a di... More..
Jobs & Careers > Office Politics Office tips: What you should never say in an email: 8 of 13
"Never say anything in email form that you would not say to anyone in person", was the best advice I've heard about email composition. In addition keep in mind that in a business environment it is extremely common that there is no expectation of privacy when it comes to email communications. Add in some good old-fashioned com... More..
Entertainment > Music Education Tips for learning how to play the trumpet: 6 of 8
Ok, here's the quick bio: 34 years blowin' the horn and played in more bands than I can remember including all the school bands, 13 years in a youth marching band and 25 years with a 12 piece big band. So, let's just dispense with the obvious advice of practice practice practice and move on to some of the things I felt worked... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Engagements & Proposals Wedding proposal horror stories: 8 of 10
Maybe this isn't quite "horror" over it should have been a sign the marriage was doomed from the get-go. When I finally summoned the courage to ask her to marry me all I wanted was a quiet nice dinner where I could pop the question in as relaxed and stress free environment as possible. Of course, that night she wanted to see ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The role of intelligence in modern society: 26 of 31
There are four tissues with the role of intebbigence in modern socibety; We, the smartly elite, know them to be family, edumacation, and commitment. By family we mean that some like us are spimply born with smartetuity. Many ain't not so unlucky. I mean, geez lou-eeze, some old "classic rock" parents, stokin' their merryjuana... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Commentary Alec Baldwin: Is he right or wrong in his parent role: 25 of 29
Ouch... I'm a dad. Unlike Alec Baldwin I'm as far from celebrity status as one can get. So let's just wander through this and see if there is a right or wrong in the end.Certainly the voice mail left by Alec Baldwin to his daughter is vile, cruel, and venomous. To a reasonable person, I'd think there is nothing defensible abo... More..
Entertainment > Musical Instruments Advice to beginning musicians: Don't (just) play guitar!: 21 of 24
If I can pluck out "Stairway to Heaven" on the guitar, trust me, anyone can! So I say go ahead and play guitar! Or trombone! Or the timbales or the harmonica or even join a marching kazoo band! But do so only if you are having fun with it. That's my best advice for starting out playing an instrument at any age. A "have fun" g... More..