Aardvark is a Firefox extension that I frequently use before resorting to MODIv2. Both of these tools outline elements in the browser and reveal the underlying CSS. When CSS is being mystical and you have keyboard shaped dents in your forehead, these tools can pull the man out from behind the curtain and help bring on that a-ha! moment which solve the problem. Aardvark needs to be installed from the developer’s site as its review for addition in the Mozilla Firefox Add-ons is not complete. I highly recommend Aardvark!

Oh, the Web Developer Toolbar also has similar functionality under Information->Display Element Information. (cntl+shift+f) The Web Developer Toolbar is the absolute most essential Firefox add-on for us Internet junkies!

Update: Like MODIv2, Aardvark now comes as a bookmarklet! That means Aardvark can be used with Internet Explorer and Safari also.

My buddy Andrew turned 36 on June 2nd. He recently blogged about the memory loss he had experienced since that day, and with my 36th birthday quickly approaching, I decided that I’d better skip it.

I’ve always had a sharp memory. In the mid to late 1990s, I handled payroll for a book store chain. We had about 100 stores throughout the country, and we referred to each one with a number as well as location. You could name any employee on our payroll, and I could immediately tell you which store number he worked at. Jonathan Farr? Store 473!

If I read something, I can remember where it is located in the book. Approximately half way through the book, right hand page, last paragraph!

I’m sure you can understand my hesitance to celebrate my 36th birthday. So last Sunday I woke up and quickly rushed to the calendar. Holy crap! It was June 29th! I had officially turned 36. So much for skipping this monumental birthday!

I made the best of the day though. I had pizza and birthday cake. And my best friend made the day extra special for me, as he has done so many times in the past. I’m happy to say that the day was fantastic, and so far, 36 feels a lot like 35! My memory is as sharp as ever!

It’s now July 5th. I can’t believe I waited so long to write this post. I really meant to do it earlier…

but I forgot.

©2008 The Kat House. All Rights Reserved.

I’m listening to The Righteous Path by Drive-By Truckers right now. Hits close to home and turns me a bit introspective every time I hear it. I do a lot of thinking lately about how I have lived my life, whether or not I am repeating habits of old or learning and growing? Am I truly living up to my own belief systems and have I set the bar too low (or too high)?

Years ago, I had some pretty far fetched dreams balanced by some pretty achievable goals. Seems I missed all of them. I lost the dreams and missed the goals. Now a days, my dreams and goals are pretty much "put food on the table" and "make sure the car has gas." Yes there are greater aspirations inside me but I feel an sort oppression that keeps them from surfacing.

As we make choices in our lives, we will be judged. If you look righteous up in the dictionary, one of my better friend’s name comes up. He is just shy of qualifying as a priest. I think I’m a pretty straight up guy. I’m honest and have a high level of integrity. Compared to my friend, I’m a heathen. But it is wrong to compare ourselves to other’s systems of morals. We must define our own morals and be true to ourselves for no matter how you live, someone will judge you harshly. The challenge comes in not judging ourselves too harshly and simply asking, "Am I on the righteous path?"

Amy, 6 years old: "Dad, did you get a cinnamon roll?"
Dad:"No. I don’t need one. Thanks."
Amy: "Well, I’m eating the last one already."

Happy Independence Day from the Knoxify crew! We hope you’re out celebrating and enjoying this special holiday.

We’ll be back next week with a new Friday question.

Photography by *Micky

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As Josh Flory reported, Tommy Stokes is looking for signatures. Costco signatures that is.