March 19, 1999

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Looks like time got away from me over the last couple of weeks, what with all my important grooming, eating, and sleeping chores, so this column is late. I'm a cat. Get used to it. Speaking of time, a number of websites have popped up to correct the general public in its misconception that January 1, 2000 is the start of the third millenium. Although this is essentially spitting into hurricane force winds, it's nice to see that there are folks out there who get it, and can explain it while keeping some perspective. Ian Chadwick provides a scholarly look at the problem, revealing that, by exact Christian reckoning, the third millenium has already started. No, Chadwick hasn't been drinking too much tequila. He's right on the money. Take a look and see. I'm too lazy to think up a clever segue, so let's just jump right into this next site: Rex's Forest Fire Lookout page. Rex Kamstra has a modest little site here dedicated to the lookout towers that keep forests safe in those dry summers when fires get out of control. Included are little-known facts about the towers and their construction, plus pictures of many different towers across the U.S. Rex also makes mention of towers on tv and in film, and displays pictures of the various fires he's seen from the Aeneas Mountain Lookout. I really like sites that show some personality and cover unusual ground, and Rex's site has a nice feel to it. Little personal comments from Rex about his passion make this suite of web pages worth reading. Today's final site is some good wholesome reading for your kids: Kevin Kelm's Oddly Different Story Time. Although it's been around for a while, it bears mentioning as one of the funniest riffs on children's literature ever. You'll thrill to the adventures of Curious George as he encounters the High Power Tension Line. Classics like James and the Giant Roll of Barbed Wire will entertain for hours. And who could forget Henry and his helpful little Red Balloon? Seriously: unless you're a sick and twisted parent who wants sick and twisted kids, only nice sane adults and their nice sane cats should be reading this kind of oh-so-humorous parody material. Next time: A return to themes as I present cartoon animals. Don't forget to check out the archives for older editions of Clickerama. Next update: April 5 This page is for entertainment purposes only, and Otis is not responsible for the content of the sites presented here. Copyright 1999 by Chris Holland. Do not take internally. Your mileage may vary.