Big Mac Attack

Happy Wednesday! Did you miss me? I didn't think so.

This is something I have complained about before, but never in a rant. So if it sounds familiar to you then go find something else to read. I've heard there are many couponing blogs you could check out.

To get right into it, I hate Macintosh computer users! That's right, I said it. In case you misunderstood, I don't necessarily hate Mac computers, just their users. And if you don't even
know what a Mac computer is, then maybe you really should be reading the coupon blogs.

I know about half of you 5 people reading this rant are Mac users, so let me tell you why I hate you. Mac users, or Mac-ies, have an undeserved sense of superiority. They feel like they belong to an elite club of special people, like those douche bags that drive Hummers. And just like said douche bags, they are gravely mistaken.

Just to clarify from the beginning, I am not a Kool Aid drinking member of the PC's for life club. And I don't worship at Bill Gates feet (though I would if he would pay me enough money). In my home there are a "couple" computers, some Windows, some Linux, and a Mac. So I am not ignorant to the benefits of any of the systems. I will even admit that in a few ways Macintosh computers are better than Windows. BUT that does not give the Mac-ies the right or even the justification to think themselves smarter than Windows users.

I think the reason I hate you Mac-ies more than others is because I work in technical support. 95% of the customers I speak with are morons. They have no business owning a computer. When one of these 95% also has a Mac computer it makes the conversation that much more painful. Mac-ies can never believe any trouble is with their computer. They believe Mac's are infallible. "It is impossible there is an incorrect setting in my computer because I have a Mac!" But these same Mac-ies don't even know how to change the picture on their screen saver or use the "right click" options.

Macintosh computers are not indestructible. Contrary to urban moronisms, they can fail, have hardware issues, and crash. And there are even a virus or two that can infect a Mac, even though the chances of a Mac getting a virus are significantly less than those of a Windows OS. Just because you paid almost 3 times as much money for your Mac for the same processing power as a Windows computer, it doesn't mean you're a better person. And if you don't even know how to use your computer all you did was spend $3000 for an expensive email machine.

So, if you own a Mac, I hate you. Ok, that is not entirely true. I hate all people! But you Mac owners, pull your heads out of your butts and go get educated about your computer. Mac's do have some great features and some fun software not available to Windows users. However, understand that you are not special. Owning a Mac doesn't increase your IQ, it doesn't make you any better looking, your male genitalia isn't getting any larger, and it doesn't give you any reason to inflate your ego. It just means that some salesman saw you as an easy mark, and made a fat commission from selling you a beginners computer.

As a side note here are a few things I dislike about the Mac computer specifically.

• They have proprietary components. If a hard drive crashes its not just a matter of spending $100 and buying a new hard drive.
• They cost a fortune. Because of the proprietary parts Apple can charge an arm and a leg. Windows systems are so much cheaper because anyone that can read directions (or even follow the simple pictograms found in an Ikea instruction guide) can buy the parts and build their own computer. They don't need to spend the money to get the Dell or HP logo imprinted on their PC.
• Many software programs and games are still incompatible with the Mac OS. It is true that as Mac has gained in popularity over the last few years more and more programs are becoming Mac compatible, but the software options available for Windows based computers is still far superior to that of the Mac.

Ok, just to be fair here are a couple things I do like about Mac's.

• I feel the graphic design software and capabilities of a Mac are still superior to those of Windows, but the gap has been rapidly closing as Microsoft continues their quest for world dominance.
  
• Macintosh computers are good for people with more money than sense. I'm not meaning this as a knock, but I seriously feel that little old grandmas that have plenty of money should get Macs. They are harder to get infected with viruses and spyware. They are a safe beginner computer for someone that can afford it. The perfect "computer for dummies".
• Ummmm...... I'm having a hard time coming up with a 3rd reason. Oh, I love their commercials. Justin Long is hilarious!

Ok, lets hear all your reasons why you THINK I'm wrong, and why you feel you really are better because you bought a Mac.

Cya in 7.

Dollar Store Babies

Hello all,

So today I'm going to "talk" about something. I'm going to avoid making light of this subject, as best as I can of course. This is a sensitive subject to some, and it is personal to me as well. So, this is one rant where I will not be trying to offend my readers. =)

Most of you may know that my wife and I have adopted both of our daughters. I get a lot of questions about adoption. But the one statement, or assumption, I get that kind of irks me is "that's too bad you couldn't have your own kids."

In our case we probably could have biological children. But we felt that adoption was the way we were meant to grow our family at this time. There are people in the world that are not able to conceive and they choose to adopt. But does that make adopted children less loved? Does that mean they had to settle for an adopted child because their first choice wasn't available? I know nobody ever really means to imply that adopted children are any less important than a biological one, but some people think it.

A child is a child. My girls are my children, and I love them more than anything. I could not have biologically created a more perfect set of girls. And except for a few slight physical differences, these girls are a spitting image of me. God created these girls for me, He just used a different delivery system.

It may be difficult for some people to understand how a person can love a child that is not biologically theirs. For me it is difficult to understand how people can NOT love an adopted child. Well, we are all different. Adoption is not for everyone.

In years past there was a big stigma associated with adoption. Children would freak out when they found out they were adopted, parents would keep things secret, everything was always closed and hush hush. That was a shame. As is true with all things, communication and education are key. The stigma has been lifted in the past few years as people have become more concerned about what is best for these children, and less worried about the opinions of others and outward appearances.

The word Adoption needs to hold the same place in society as natural conception, In Vitro fertilization, surrogacy or any other method people choose to grow their family. It is not a second choice, it is not something one must do because all good options are depleted, and it is not a set of parents "saving" a child.

My soap-box lease has expired. And again, I didn't aim to offend anyone, this time. ;) But next time you speak to someone about adoption try to keep in mind that ones children get to them the way they are meant to, and all children are equally important.

Cya in 7