I think it's safe to call Evrsoft and it's re-launch of a new version of 1stPage 2000 a dead issue now.

Unlike the many disgruntled and abusive posters in their guestbook, I haven't flamed them about taking time to release a product... I know enough about the development process to know it doesn't always work to a fixed timetable.

BUT...

• their Website hasn't been updated in the slightest since late February / early March, announcing a hoped-for launch date of April/May 2001


• no request for an update in the guestbook has ever been answered; that's something many of us have had trouble with already from Hero Games


• they produce in Australia, were it's already almost noon on June 1st (I'm terrible with time conversions, so I may be off a bit)


• many of the listed designers have gone on to other companies


• this is the clincher: when I tried the link to their Guestbook a few minutes ago, it wouldn't connect at all

It's really a shame... I've been a Website designer for years, and FirstPage is the first product I've used in a long time that freed me up to think more of the creative process rather than the technical side. That's like the difference between free and structured Jazz: when you can think more of the sound rather than worrying about the technique, it usually sounds better.

As mentioned in this article "Kaycee", a supposed Blogger who just died from cancer, didn't exist. She was a composite made of several different real-word cases.

As a disabled person, this upsets me. Those of us with real disabilities are harmed by this, as our stated conditions may now be questioned.

For the record, I do have MS. This isn't pretend for the Web, this isn't a case of "On the Internet nobody knows you're a dog"-things... it also isn't life threatening, or even a sticking point for this Blog.

I had to reboot before posting this... my keyboard wasn't reacting.

I added a new Blog to my personal site about a week ago, to replace my writing journal. If you'd like to check it out, you can find it here.

Today was a busy day of packing and cleaning for me. With an Adapted Housing inspector coming on Monday, I want this place to be as ship-shape as possible; anything that can push me up the waiting list is a good thing.

The sheer base depravity of how some find this Blog never ceases to amaze me... I keep getting visits from people searching for Dani Ashe, Cyndi Margolis, pictures of either one nude, or Montreal lapdances.

I realize that just mentioning these names now will guarantee my logs showing them as search terms to visit Jazz Life again... well, let the pervs feel dumb while I just get a few more visits!

On Entertainment Tonight this evening, I saw a large piece of the musical medley from the film Moulin Rouge.

It'll possibly be laughed at by many viewers, because the songs are all contemporary pop, sung as if they were written in the late 1800s.

Hearing the KISS song "I was made for loving you" sung by a romantic man of that era just sounds too weird.

- Oh, it may also be that I attributed Blueberry Hill to the wrong Fats. It may well have been sung by Fats Domino, not Waller.

Today would have been the 97th birthday of jazz legend Fats Waller. Many of you knew of his music from Happy Days; Ritchie Cunningham's favorite song, Blueberry Hill, came from Fats.

His life should be cause for celebration at this year's Montreal Jazz Fest... but I don't expect organizers who got freakin' Prince in concert to feel this way.

Insufficient DNA Halts Tests on Two Titanic Dead.

Although this item was listed under Bizarre News, it's really a bit sad; a century later, and the families of some of the people dead in this tragedy still won't have closure.

My first learning steps on E-Bay will be finished in about 10 hours.

One of the two items I listed has had no bids; the other has now seen 3... totalling a "whopping" $1.25 more than my initial price of $2.50.

The first item I'll attempt to relist with some images to entice buyers and more information. For other auctions though, I'll know better to start them at a higher bid...

Today was a prolific, busy day for me!

I spent a large portion of the day tweaking the settings for my new message boards on The Wild World of Jeff. I started doing much yesterday, as I mentioned in the last post, but continued today, pushing at it until I got it right.

But that isn't all! Both my Comicopia and Apacalypse zines are due on June 8th. I've already written most of my materials for them... but today I worked on a lot too.

Mr. Prolific is slowly coming back.

I've just spent the last hour-and-a-half updating my personal site, The Wild World of Jeff. It's been stagnant and unchanged for far too long - and as a site devoted to the writing craft, that felt lousy to me.

While working on it, I also remembered my love for hand-coding HTML pages. I know, it's a skill I'm trying to make a career of, but it's been so damn long since I used it... it felt good.

hidden city

Marc Kevin Hall here has a very well-thought out essay for those most upset with Blogger the last few days. I have to admit, I was one of the.

(Well granted he wishes a happy birthday to a guy named Jeff too... I know it isn't me, and it was posted a few days ago, but I take all the ego-boo I can. :])

Entertainment Tonight had some good and sad news this evening.

The good was finding out both George Lucas and Tim Roth were born today too. One of my favorite directors and favorite actors; a good blend!

The sad news was that crooner legend Perry Como died this weekend. I think this is something that comes with age, that you begin to appreciate more performers whose careers were before your time, their material not 'hip' enough in your youth.

Well, as I mentioned/hinted in my last post, today is my birthday. I'm 34 years old.

(Cue the Beatles song)

34 is the year before we reach mid-thirties. Most folks have accomplished a lot by now... I don't yet feel I have. Mind you, a large part of my nature is always trying to do more.

I think of my former classmate Anne Marie at times like this: she was a few years my elder in University, but far younger in spirit. She pointed out that as Animation people, we tended to be younger at heart.

I think she was right.

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms of the world!

I called mine this morning, to continue a tradition of well-wishes and a litany of "I'm sorry!"s too; Mothers Day 34 years ago I was born, a long and tiring labor the 'gift'.

CNN.com - Entertainment - Hitch Hiker author Adams dies - May 12, 2001.

"Hitchhiker's Guide" was one of my favorite early readings.

Douglas Adams, like Joey Ramone, died way too young.

I got a few extra minutes of fame now: I have a featured discussion thread on the main page of Compuserve's SF Media Forum!

It cheered me up a little... as I got the notice on my provincial tax refund - all claimed between the student loan folks and Welfare. Almost three hundred bucks.

I anticipated the loan people taking their blood money, but it still smarts.

Haven't been practicing to retake any MENSA tests the past few days... just going through minor spring/summer fever! Since I've been able to go outside more I've been getting some air... also started my day early today, because of a medical check up at 8 am. I got to basically open the clinic today!

I just tried a practice test for MENSA; one of my best friends just qualified as a member of the group.

My first try: not great. 16 on 30. Might be enough to squeak by into MENSA, but it's a start.

Back to the drawing board!

Its time to can spam. This expresses an opinion I've held for at least 10 years now.

Sadly, I don't think spam can be best, since spammers change tactics as soon as folks make them... but I can dream.

MuchMusic, the Canadian MTV aired a classic videos show today. The songs were all less than 2 years old

That's something that I can't understand as a jazz fan; some of our songs are timeless classics, songs almost 100 years old.

In typical Montreal weather tradition, we went from late-winter weather to mid-summer yesterday, with the temperature rising into the 30s Celsius!

So now, we're in the other season that I can't spend much time outdoors in; no snow and ice, but great heat that messes me up...