At home, I use a Mac. At work, I use a PC. The other day when starting-up AOL Instant Messenger at work, I received one of those nice little notices mentioning that there was a new version of AIM (I think it’s something like 5.5.6721098509873240985480943259078324809325895421390823149085902229C … but I could be wrong) available for download that allows the user to do things such as be signed on to more than one screen name at once. Besides, it’s always a good idea to be updated, right? So I downloaded it, and ever since, when I sign-on in the morning here at work, a window (that looks much like the main AOL service’s “Welcome” screen) pops up with “news,” weather, and other assorted info … basically, links to take you to stories on AOL’s main site.
As I mentioned yesterday, I was somewhat amazed that, the death of Clay Aiken’s estranged father was apparently considered one of the three most important headlines of the day. Even if they reserve one slot for entertainment (and really, why bother?), the day after a major primary and with continued unrest in Haiti and Iraq, Aiken’s non-Dad-dad? Please.
But I took notice of the little “news” box in the upper right corner of the window again today, and I suppose it’s just that AOL still hasn’t worked out the kinks as far as hiring people with good judgment. Either that, or there really was virtually NO news yesterday. I’m thinking of making this a regular morning feature because it manages to both amuse and infuriate me:
- Breaking News: Disney Chair Booted From Post (links to CNN Money)
This is their one important story of the day, albeit it’s a very misleading headline, and since it happened last night, is it still “breaking?” Michael Eisner has had his “Chairman” title taken away, but he’s still the CEO of Disney, so while he was “booted” from that post, he still controls the company. - Baldwin, Basinger Battle Ends
Whew! Finally I have some free time to follow some notable but less-sensationalized court cases. (Actually, I wasn’t aware they were still fighting. Oops!) - Teacher Duct Taped Boy to Desk
You’ll be happy to know the teacher has since resigned … and that the incident happened on Feb. 19, making this even more timely since we’re still only in March. I’m sure the teacher was completely overreacting to something, because as the father of the 14-year-old seventh grader (wah?? me thinks someone has been held back once or twice. He has ADD, but don’t we all?) said, “He was just being ornery.” Thanks, Duke.
Out of Focus 