From Americans for Tax Reform 1. A 156 percent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco:  On February 4, 2009, just sixteen days into his Administration, Obama signed into law a 156 percent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco, a hike of 61 cents per pack.  The median income of smokers is just over $36,000 per year. 2. Obamacare Individual Mandate Excise Tax (takes effect in Jan 2014): Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay ... Read More

Back in Windows 98 and XP days, I used a program called PrintFolder and I was very happy with it. Today, using my Windows 7 computer, and looking over what Christmas music I have, I was hoping to print the contents of the folder. Then I realized, I don't have that program for this OS. I first thought, gee, you'd think Windows 7 with all it's hype would have something already installed for such a need. It doesn't. The reason I wanted ... Read More

Our church recently got a new roof. Now I don't think there is anything wrong with reconizing the effort that went into the new roof. However in today's church bulletin, I couldn't help a few giggles at the printed list: $135,000 - in savings to the church 67 "holy souls" (Volunteers) 24 "holey souls" 21 meals provided 130 sheets of plywood $25,000 in donated materials 1,480 hours of labor 15,000 sq. ft. of underlayment 140 meatballs 19,000 sq. ft. of sheet metal 720 cold cups 45 gallons of Gatorade 160 pieces of chicken 17 watermelons ... Read More

Some evidence of a recent Todd Rundgren concert here... Discovered Buffalo Tom on "My So Called Life" and Landon Pigg on a TV commercial for AT&T 1. Bob Marley - Turn Your Lights Down Low (3:36) 2. Buffalo Tom - Soda Jerk 3. Buffalo Tom - Do You In 4. Buffalo Tom - Late At Night 5. Buffalo Tom - Wiser 6. Diana Ross - Diana Ross - Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand) (3:01) 7. Janis Joplin - Cry Baby (3:57) 8. Landon Pigg - Can't ... Read More

The top ten most irritating phrases: 1 - At the end of the day 2 - Fairly unique 3 - I personally 4 - At this moment in time 5 - With all due respect 6 - Absolutely 7 - It's a nightmare 8 - Shouldn't of 9 - 24/7 10 - It's not rocket science   (I sure agree with #1, you hear it often on political talk shows). Scource ... Read More

I have been trying to figure out a way to put all my websites listed in one place and under one domain name. This hasn't been easy. I was never good with names for things like this. Anyway, for now, I have created the XerraireNetwork page, a list of all my sites and projects in one place. Visit Xerraire Network HERE ... Read More

  I am a hopeless listmaker. My blog testifies to that. Recently having moved some of my things from my house, and having unpacked most books from the barn, I have put together a list of the books I currently own that are dusted off and put up on the shelf. Likely more to come. Some were gifts, and even one on this list I had a part in helping the author!   Title I Talk Back to the Devil The Final days Ben Carson Love, Sex, and ... Read More

  I really found a great list for anyone looking to help their productivity. ( ** shows those that I am familiar with, have used, or are using now.) Basically, 100 Web Apps for Everything You Will Possibly Need: Organization   Backpack: Get your projects organized by using Backpack. Create to-do lists, notes, files, images and a calendar with reminders that can be sent via email or to your mobile device. Central Desktop: Collaborate, communicate and share files with clients and coworkers using Central Desktop. iOrganize: With iOrganize, ... Read More

  I sure can't pretend to be an authority on presidential pardons. I do think though, it would be wise for Bill and Hilary to be careful with their criticism of President Bush’s decision to erase the prison sentence of former aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby. In his commutation decision, Bush left a $250,000 fine. Libby paid the fine on Thursday. Bush has had the fewest of pardons of any modern president. Mr. Clinton averaged 228 during each of his administrations. Mr. Bush’s ... Read More

Recently at my Photography forums at Unique Exposures, we discussed birds and what was my secret to attracting them to my backyard. I didn't really have a secret to share except that I offer suet and seeds for them regularly. A member, Johnstox, said he was starting a list of birds that he could name that came to his backyard, which prompted me to create my own list. So far, and to the best of my memory here are the birds that ... Read More

Of late, I don't seem to have any new websites/domains that I am aquiring, but, I do seem to have a lot of projects going at once. In fact, I am starting to realize someone could easy get lost in my sites. I thought to list some of the more popular projects that I am working on here:   My Portfolio of Clients Barb's Complete Mp3 Collection Barb's Blog My Photography Shop With Xerraire Shop With Me in Amazon Unique Exposures Unique's Weekend Photo ... Read More

Most who visit my blog know that my external hard drive, where I store all my music, failed. I have not been able to get together the money needed to look into a data recovery specialist, although, a few of them quoted me fair prices, well below the 1,000 - 2,000 dollar standard, it was still steep for me in light of my limited income. I have that on the back burner for now, perhaps I will still be able to do ... Read More

Forbes' U.S. Billionaires, Listed by State The ranking of American billionaires as estimated by Forbes magazine,listed by state. Listings include rank, name, age where known, wealth in billions of dollars and source of the money. A number of billionaires share the same rank because Forbes reported their wealth as being identical with each other. The list includes U.S. billionaires living overseas. --------------------------- Alabama 512. Marguerite Harbert, 82, $1.5, inheritance Arizona 451. Bennett Dorrance, 57, $1.7, inheritance 512. John Sperling, 85, $1.5, Apollo Group 562. Peter Sperling, 46, $1.4, Apollo ... Read More

"Where there is great love, there are always wishes." ~Willa Cather Did you ever as a child make a wish list? Perhaps at Christmas time? I don't really recall doing it, but Amazon.com lets you make one! Xerraire's Amazon Wish List ... Read More

I was in a King Crimson mood while I worked today... Just one of my absolute favorite bands, they're pure genius. 1. King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade (4:38) 2. King Crimson - Epitaph (8:47) 3. King Crimson - Formentera Lady (10:04) 4. King Crimson - I Talk To The Wind (6:09) 5. King Crimson - Formentera Lady.mp3 (10:15) 6. King Crimson-The Night Watch (4:07) 7. King Crimson - Moonchild (7:13) 8. King Crimson - Exiles (7:42) 9. King Crimson - Book Of Saturday (2:56) 10. King Crimson - ... Read More