Retired US Iraq general demands Rumsfeld resign
This article is from Reuter's (above)
I totally agree with the comments below and with the article referenced. We need a fresh start in the Pentagon, and we cannot wait until the next Presidential cycle in 2008. Rumsfeld needs to go. He has failed since the "end of the war" declaration.
He succeeded in toppling Sadam, but after that, he has been a complete failure, as have any and all policies coming out of the Pentagon with respect to rebuilding IRAQ.
We need new leadership, fresh ideas, and a strategy that wins the support of all of the factions in IRAQ, as well as the American people. What is going on now is a farce, because we take 2 steps forward and then 3 steps back. Read this article and these quotes about which, I totally and completely agree.
"He defined success in the war as 'setting the Iraqi people up for self-reliance with their form of representative government that takes into account tribal, ethnic and religious differences that have always defined Iraqi society.'
'Iraqis, frankly, in my experience, do not understand democracy. Nor do they understand their responsibilities for a free society,' Batiste said.
This (above) is the essence of the problem. These people in IRAQ have been exposed to tribal thinking and tribal conflicts for centuries. For a democracy to work, there has to be a common bond, a common ground from which to rise up and to succeed in building a new life together, from which goods and services are produced, then sold, and from which a general respect for one another is acheived.
This is not inherent in the make up of IRAQ society in general. It takes many many years to achieve this, not 2 or 3, but 25-50 or 100 years.
We have to start all over. Rumsfeld did his duty, but it is time for him to go.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Electric Cars coming back
Autopia
(actually, I never knew there were "in" )
Electric Cars on Comeback Trail
Now Playing: Electric Light Orchestra
Topic: Electric Vehicles
A Canadian startup will begin selling electric vehicles in the North America this summer. The FeelGoodCars ZENN is an urban vehicle with a 25 mph maximum speed and range of 30 miles.
The base model of the ZENN will cost under $10K, and is expected to be available in dealerships in many states, according to FeelGoodCars CEO Ian Clifford.
bes.
If Rod Stewart can have a successful comeback, why not EVs? As gas prices continue their inevitable upward churn, plugging in a vehicle with cheap electricity becomes more and more attractive.
(actually, I never knew there were "in" )
Electric Cars on Comeback Trail
Now Playing: Electric Light Orchestra
Topic: Electric Vehicles
A Canadian startup will begin selling electric vehicles in the North America this summer. The FeelGoodCars ZENN is an urban vehicle with a 25 mph maximum speed and range of 30 miles.
The base model of the ZENN will cost under $10K, and is expected to be available in dealerships in many states, according to FeelGoodCars CEO Ian Clifford.
bes.
If Rod Stewart can have a successful comeback, why not EVs? As gas prices continue their inevitable upward churn, plugging in a vehicle with cheap electricity becomes more and more attractive.
Paul Griffin--One of the greatest guys who hates publicity
An iNiche Market FROM TN BUSINESS
"Paul Griffin might have a reason or two to be quiet about his business. Fourteen years ago, the inventor and electrical engineer founded a company in Nashville that made adapters for Apple Macintosh computers, making them work with PC monitors. Since then, the mom-and-pop business, which at some point employed only a handful of people at its Elm Hill Pike warehouse, grew to one of the world’s largest makers of peripheral products for all things Mac.
So why is Paul Griffin shying away from publicity? First off, his business is closely held and sales appear to be going through the roof (to the tune of some $80 million last year, according to people familiar with the company). If the numbers are good, who needs publicity?
Take iPod. Since the portable players were introduced in 2001, Apple Computer has sold 42.2 million of them, barely keeping up with surging demand. Last year alone, iPods accounted for one-third of Apple’s sales. If digital players are hot, their accessories proved to be at least equally attractive to gadget lovers. But Apple makes few accessories on its own, and leaves much of the job to third-party manufacturers and vendors. That’s where Griffin comes in. Some of Griffin’s most popular products, such as AirBase, iTrip and radio Shark, retail in the range of $39.99 and $69.99.
And competition is fierce. In 2004, Griffin sued its former vice president of marketing Andrew Green after he took a job at DLO in a similar role. Green had worked for Griffin between 2002 and 2004, and participated in the design of iTrip, one of Griffin’s most successful products. DLO’s parent Netalog later sued Griffin for patent infringement.
But legal maneuvering is not the only reason Griffin might be disinclined to talk. Independent makers of Apple’s peripheral paraphernalia seem ripe for consolidation, and Paul Griffin and his brain trust at Griffin may just want to fly under the radar, at least for the time being. One Apple analyst, Shaw Wu of California-based American Technology Research, says it’s about time somebody got bought.
With its slick products and robust growth, Griffin Technology certainly presents a tempting target.
(NOTE FROM MO---Paul Griffin still wears jeans to the office, drives an average car, and lives in an average neighborhood. In short, he has not lost his identity in the face of what is- quite staggering success. Paul may be a bit over protective about his success, but he is easily in my book the most succesful business person in Nashville--and could quite literally be a Nashville business celebrity if he so chose to do so. He is a genius and a great guy at the same time. Now, we just need to get him to get interested in philanthropic or big time marketing activities---Perhaps the Griffin Entertainment Center (we could still call it the GEC), or maybe Paul will be solicited now for charitable donations for worthy causes he finds interesting. Whatever happens, it's great to have a new super successful business person in Nashville.
"Paul Griffin might have a reason or two to be quiet about his business. Fourteen years ago, the inventor and electrical engineer founded a company in Nashville that made adapters for Apple Macintosh computers, making them work with PC monitors. Since then, the mom-and-pop business, which at some point employed only a handful of people at its Elm Hill Pike warehouse, grew to one of the world’s largest makers of peripheral products for all things Mac.
So why is Paul Griffin shying away from publicity? First off, his business is closely held and sales appear to be going through the roof (to the tune of some $80 million last year, according to people familiar with the company). If the numbers are good, who needs publicity?
Take iPod. Since the portable players were introduced in 2001, Apple Computer has sold 42.2 million of them, barely keeping up with surging demand. Last year alone, iPods accounted for one-third of Apple’s sales. If digital players are hot, their accessories proved to be at least equally attractive to gadget lovers. But Apple makes few accessories on its own, and leaves much of the job to third-party manufacturers and vendors. That’s where Griffin comes in. Some of Griffin’s most popular products, such as AirBase, iTrip and radio Shark, retail in the range of $39.99 and $69.99.
And competition is fierce. In 2004, Griffin sued its former vice president of marketing Andrew Green after he took a job at DLO in a similar role. Green had worked for Griffin between 2002 and 2004, and participated in the design of iTrip, one of Griffin’s most successful products. DLO’s parent Netalog later sued Griffin for patent infringement.
But legal maneuvering is not the only reason Griffin might be disinclined to talk. Independent makers of Apple’s peripheral paraphernalia seem ripe for consolidation, and Paul Griffin and his brain trust at Griffin may just want to fly under the radar, at least for the time being. One Apple analyst, Shaw Wu of California-based American Technology Research, says it’s about time somebody got bought.
With its slick products and robust growth, Griffin Technology certainly presents a tempting target.
(NOTE FROM MO---Paul Griffin still wears jeans to the office, drives an average car, and lives in an average neighborhood. In short, he has not lost his identity in the face of what is- quite staggering success. Paul may be a bit over protective about his success, but he is easily in my book the most succesful business person in Nashville--and could quite literally be a Nashville business celebrity if he so chose to do so. He is a genius and a great guy at the same time. Now, we just need to get him to get interested in philanthropic or big time marketing activities---Perhaps the Griffin Entertainment Center (we could still call it the GEC), or maybe Paul will be solicited now for charitable donations for worthy causes he finds interesting. Whatever happens, it's great to have a new super successful business person in Nashville.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
I hope a Tennessee Fan did not kill Logan Young
Logan Young found dead in his home
This is a bizarre ending to Mr. Young's life. He was the Alabama booster that apparently went to extreme circumstances to help out his alma mater in the recruiting game.
This article is from the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
This is a bizarre ending to Mr. Young's life. He was the Alabama booster that apparently went to extreme circumstances to help out his alma mater in the recruiting game.
This article is from the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Friday, April 07, 2006
The Rise of the Islamist Axis
Jerusalem Post
"While Western defense establishments have had tepid responses to Iran's show of force, the regime built on its provocations Wednesday when the supreme commander of its Revolutionary Guards, Maj.-Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, issued a thinly veiled threat to close the Straits of Hormuz - the narrow waterway through which 40 percent of the world's oil passes.
Iran's recent financial maneuverings also indicate general preparations for global war. The Swiss newspaper Der Bund reported the Iranian regime recently withdrew $31 billion of its gold reserves and foreign exchange from European financial institutions. Additionally, this week Iran renewed its gasoline rationing for the general public."
There is a great deal of action going on in the Middle East which does not get much coverage in the Main Street Press in America. The fact is that Iran is preparing for war, and they could pretty easily block the Straits of Hormuz--and cut off our oil supply. Gasoline would double in price overnight. Gold would eclipse $1000 per ounce. This is not pie in the sky doomsday talk here---all signals point to a major new confrontation with IRAN in the near term, probably within the next 12-24 months.
About the only thing the media did cover over here was that missle test that IRAN conducted that could sense torpedos and then turn around and blow up ships. But the media did not connect the dots. The reason naval resources are so important for IRAN is precisely because they want to interrupt the flow of oil to America and by doing so, create internal economic chaos. That's just one reason why the Straits of Hormuz are so important, and just one reason why Condi Rice is flying back and forth to the Middle East right now---trying to avert further problems.
Read this article for a sobering view of what the Israeli's think is going on (as if these quotes aren't sobering enough).
"While Western defense establishments have had tepid responses to Iran's show of force, the regime built on its provocations Wednesday when the supreme commander of its Revolutionary Guards, Maj.-Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, issued a thinly veiled threat to close the Straits of Hormuz - the narrow waterway through which 40 percent of the world's oil passes.
Iran's recent financial maneuverings also indicate general preparations for global war. The Swiss newspaper Der Bund reported the Iranian regime recently withdrew $31 billion of its gold reserves and foreign exchange from European financial institutions. Additionally, this week Iran renewed its gasoline rationing for the general public."
There is a great deal of action going on in the Middle East which does not get much coverage in the Main Street Press in America. The fact is that Iran is preparing for war, and they could pretty easily block the Straits of Hormuz--and cut off our oil supply. Gasoline would double in price overnight. Gold would eclipse $1000 per ounce. This is not pie in the sky doomsday talk here---all signals point to a major new confrontation with IRAN in the near term, probably within the next 12-24 months.
About the only thing the media did cover over here was that missle test that IRAN conducted that could sense torpedos and then turn around and blow up ships. But the media did not connect the dots. The reason naval resources are so important for IRAN is precisely because they want to interrupt the flow of oil to America and by doing so, create internal economic chaos. That's just one reason why the Straits of Hormuz are so important, and just one reason why Condi Rice is flying back and forth to the Middle East right now---trying to avert further problems.
Read this article for a sobering view of what the Israeli's think is going on (as if these quotes aren't sobering enough).
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Windows or Mac? Apple Says Both- It's happening--We're going to be forced to use Windows one day
Windows or Mac? Apple Says Both - New York Times
Last year Mr. Jobs stunned the computer world by announcing that he would break away from his alliance with I.B.M. and recreate the Macintosh based on Intel microprocessors. It was the switch to Intel chips, long the standard in the Windows world, that opened the door to Mac-Windows harmony.
Through all of these moves, Mr. Jobs has managed to maintain his loyal base of customers. In fact the Macintosh religion can still be palpably felt among those who have remained loyal to the user-friendly computer even as its market share dipped below 3 percent.
"I love the Mac platform, I just hope I won't have to boot Windows even for Photoshop in a few years," Alexandros Roussos, a student at the University of Paris who is founder and editor of the MacCulture network, a group of Web sites for Macintosh enthusiasts.
Wednesday's move also won an important endorsement from Apple's other co-founder, Stephen G. Wozniak, who long ago left the company but remains a vocal Macintosh user and is idolized by the Mac faithful.
"It's a great thing for Apple," he told a reporter by e-mail. "I don't see the earth being rocked, but I can now recommend Apple hardware to a lot more people. One pitch is that if Windows gets too frustrating and unbearable and unsafe, then they can easily switch."
Okay, maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's a good thing. But I see a train a comin', and the Mac folks seem to have gone Hollywood with the IPOD...They can easily slip into selling hardware for Macs and using the Windows software, and cease development and support of the Mac OS.
Colorado State releases Hurricane Predictions for this summer
2006 Hurricane Season Prediction
"Today's 2006 hurricane forecast from the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University is unchanged from the forecast made in December. Today's report states that 'information obtained through March 2006 continues to indicate that the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season will be much more active than the average 1950-2000 season.'
The project team predicts that 17 named tropical storms and hurricanes will form this upcoming season, which lasts from June through December. In an average year, about 10 storms form in the Atlantic basin; in 2005's record-breaking season, 27 named storms (of which 15 were hurricanes) developed. "
Looks like an active year, but not as bad as last year in basic terms.
"Today's 2006 hurricane forecast from the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University is unchanged from the forecast made in December. Today's report states that 'information obtained through March 2006 continues to indicate that the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season will be much more active than the average 1950-2000 season.'
The project team predicts that 17 named tropical storms and hurricanes will form this upcoming season, which lasts from June through December. In an average year, about 10 storms form in the Atlantic basin; in 2005's record-breaking season, 27 named storms (of which 15 were hurricanes) developed. "
Looks like an active year, but not as bad as last year in basic terms.
Is (Opry) Mills in Trouble?
Mills Cuts 70 Jobs, Trims Building Projects
This story has been developing for several weeks but gets very little press here in Nashville. (I refuse to pay for Nashville Post anymore--something has probably been on that site, but I think their rates are way too high)
The parent company of Opry Mills, the Mills Corp, is under formal investigation by the SEC and that usually means that more announcements and possible setbacks are ahead.
Here's a quote from the Washington Post article:
The cuts, disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing yesterday, bring to more than 160 the number of jobs eliminated since January, when Mills halted work on 10 development projects and admitted accounting errors that will lead it to restate its results for the past five years. Since then, the SEC has launched a formal investigation of the company and Mills has lost billions in market value as doubts have grown about the quality of its accounting.
We've had enough drama out there in the Opryland area in the last 10 years. Let's hope this is nothing but a debits and credits issue and that the company is just in a little bit of a pothole right now.
This story has been developing for several weeks but gets very little press here in Nashville. (I refuse to pay for Nashville Post anymore--something has probably been on that site, but I think their rates are way too high)
The parent company of Opry Mills, the Mills Corp, is under formal investigation by the SEC and that usually means that more announcements and possible setbacks are ahead.
Here's a quote from the Washington Post article:
The cuts, disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing yesterday, bring to more than 160 the number of jobs eliminated since January, when Mills halted work on 10 development projects and admitted accounting errors that will lead it to restate its results for the past five years. Since then, the SEC has launched a formal investigation of the company and Mills has lost billions in market value as doubts have grown about the quality of its accounting.
We've had enough drama out there in the Opryland area in the last 10 years. Let's hope this is nothing but a debits and credits issue and that the company is just in a little bit of a pothole right now.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Couric says she's leaving 'Today' - Television - MSNBC.com
Couric says she's leaving 'Today' Show after 15 years
You can say what you want about Katie Couric, but I've always liked her presence on this show, even though I've never liked her politics. That's probably why she is going to CBS---her true colors are coming out--CBS is a pretty well known haven for those left of left types. None the less, she will add a bit of sparkle to a news cast that no one watches anymore. My other guess is that she is going over there because of the plum assignments she will get to cover, and because she won't have to wake up at 3 am anymore.
I think the quote below is priceless and very true:
"“Sometimes I think change is a good thing,” Couric said. “Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it’s also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life.”
You can say what you want about Katie Couric, but I've always liked her presence on this show, even though I've never liked her politics. That's probably why she is going to CBS---her true colors are coming out--CBS is a pretty well known haven for those left of left types. None the less, she will add a bit of sparkle to a news cast that no one watches anymore. My other guess is that she is going over there because of the plum assignments she will get to cover, and because she won't have to wake up at 3 am anymore.
I think the quote below is priceless and very true:
"“Sometimes I think change is a good thing,” Couric said. “Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it’s also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life.”
Sunday, April 02, 2006
I don't like Wal Mart
Super Wal Mart that is....As a small indepdendent business person, I see no reason for a store to be this big, or to offer so many different goods or departments under one rooftop. If the idea is to be the cheapest purveyor of goods, all types of goods, from soup to shirts, then I guess they win the battle. I like the idea of fair competition, but these guys take competition to the next level by ordering their vendors over to Bentonville, and whipping them into shape by dictating the costs and the quantities Walton and company is willing to pay. Granted, such vendors don't have to give in or take the business, but they usually do. Suffice to say that this is a degree of capitalism that I don't think the likes of Adam Smith (father of capitalism) envisioned. I am not for intervention or any type of handcuffing of the Wal Mart folks of any type. I understand and realize what Super Wal Mart has become--which is, a totally legal and well within their rights entity that is supported by millions and millions of people. I personally will just not ever buy any Wal Mart stock, will not shop there, and will choose to develop retail relationships that do not involve any of their (store) brands. That's all.
Aviation's future -- pilotless planes - from CNN
CNN.com - Aviation's future -- pilotless planes
Check out this quote from this article----
"They can't see and avoid other aircraft, and they can't respond to air traffic controllers' instructions, Cebula said."
Well, I'll be damned!
Check out this quote from this article----
"They can't see and avoid other aircraft, and they can't respond to air traffic controllers' instructions, Cebula said."
Well, I'll be damned!
Macs Most Rabid Fans
Wired News: Apple Fans Gallery
Another story from "Wired News" I could not pass up. Glad to know that I am just an average Mac fan, and not a "rabid fan". These people put Apple/Mac tatoos all over their bodies (ahem, in decent places you pervert).
Another story from "Wired News" I could not pass up. Glad to know that I am just an average Mac fan, and not a "rabid fan". These people put Apple/Mac tatoos all over their bodies (ahem, in decent places you pervert).
Digital TV for Cell Phones in Japan
Wired News: Japan: Digital TV for Cell Phones
So, what's next-- High Definition TV for your cell phone, or how about a nice half inch by half inch plasma screen for your trusty hand held?
It's hard to believe that the Japanese people are watching television shows and movies on their cell phones. A video Ipod is one thing, and I know several people who love these little gadgets, but I just can't get there, or just can't understand how someone could watch an entire show on such a diminutive screen.
There is a real dichotomy right now in the hardware space for entertainment. The big plasma screens or LCD screens have settled down around the 42 inch or even the 60 inch size. Now, there is this news from Japan (plus the video Ipod) that people enjoy watching stuff on these screens about half the size of a business card. I hate to pull out this cliche out right now, but it seems as if size really does not matter after all--something I've been telling my wife for years!
So, what's next-- High Definition TV for your cell phone, or how about a nice half inch by half inch plasma screen for your trusty hand held?
It's hard to believe that the Japanese people are watching television shows and movies on their cell phones. A video Ipod is one thing, and I know several people who love these little gadgets, but I just can't get there, or just can't understand how someone could watch an entire show on such a diminutive screen.
There is a real dichotomy right now in the hardware space for entertainment. The big plasma screens or LCD screens have settled down around the 42 inch or even the 60 inch size. Now, there is this news from Japan (plus the video Ipod) that people enjoy watching stuff on these screens about half the size of a business card. I hate to pull out this cliche out right now, but it seems as if size really does not matter after all--something I've been telling my wife for years!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Casper Wienberger, We Will Miss You
This is an article about Casper Wienberger as told by Rich Karlgaard of Forbes. Lost in the headlines yesterday was the fact that "Cap the Knife" died at the age of 88. Casper Wienberger was a great man, a great legacy to the Reagan years and to the idea that a stong defense is the best offense.
I've always felt a great deal of respect for this man, and although I may not have always agreed with him, he was a man of principle. That is so hard to find any more. Most leaders and politicians sway with the wind, and change their mind constantly. Not Cap. He reminded me a great deal of Ronald Reagan. He was solid as a rock, and even wrote a great print column in Forbes magazine for the past several years on a multitude of issues, all written with conviction. I read his column in every issue. He never wavered in his love for our country and his long term view of what is best for our people. He will be missed, and below is most of the text of the article by Karlgaard about the last time he saw Mr. Wienberger.
Last saw Cap Weinberger in August 2005, at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Cap was there to give a speech to a group of chief information officers at an event sponsored by Forbes and SAS Institute. We had done many of these events over the years, and it was always a pleasure to see Cap at the podium or interview him on stage.
Cap had used a walker for several years, but this time he had to be wheeled in. We all knew his kidneys were failing, that he required dialysis a few days a week. But I wasn’t prepared for his frailty. I feared for Cap, feared that at long last he would fail to give his usual riveting and learned speech about global politics and economics; I feared for the great man's pride.
No worries. Not so by a mile. Cap spoke for 45-minutes, in perfect paragraphs. He fielded questions more deftly than our current commander-in-chief. How Cap suddenly recovered his ability to hear, I’ll never know. He pulled it from somewhere. I do know that Cap was a man of great physical courage. Infirmity and great pain did not set him back.
After the speech, Cap winked at me and said, “See you next time.”
I wish it were so.
I've always felt a great deal of respect for this man, and although I may not have always agreed with him, he was a man of principle. That is so hard to find any more. Most leaders and politicians sway with the wind, and change their mind constantly. Not Cap. He reminded me a great deal of Ronald Reagan. He was solid as a rock, and even wrote a great print column in Forbes magazine for the past several years on a multitude of issues, all written with conviction. I read his column in every issue. He never wavered in his love for our country and his long term view of what is best for our people. He will be missed, and below is most of the text of the article by Karlgaard about the last time he saw Mr. Wienberger.
Last saw Cap Weinberger in August 2005, at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Cap was there to give a speech to a group of chief information officers at an event sponsored by Forbes and SAS Institute. We had done many of these events over the years, and it was always a pleasure to see Cap at the podium or interview him on stage.
Cap had used a walker for several years, but this time he had to be wheeled in. We all knew his kidneys were failing, that he required dialysis a few days a week. But I wasn’t prepared for his frailty. I feared for Cap, feared that at long last he would fail to give his usual riveting and learned speech about global politics and economics; I feared for the great man's pride.
No worries. Not so by a mile. Cap spoke for 45-minutes, in perfect paragraphs. He fielded questions more deftly than our current commander-in-chief. How Cap suddenly recovered his ability to hear, I’ll never know. He pulled it from somewhere. I do know that Cap was a man of great physical courage. Infirmity and great pain did not set him back.
After the speech, Cap winked at me and said, “See you next time.”
I wish it were so.
Long Live the Mac
Today is the 5th Anniversary of OS X and if I was the father of this child, it would be equally as hard to believe that my little tike had grown up this much, as if it were my own.
Okay, maybe that sentence did not make sense, much less, I know it was not gramatically correct. I'm getting deeper into trouble with syntax as I go. The bottom line is that why is it that Mac users feel this kindred connection to the dad gum computer that they use? Most people "on the other side" just don't understand it, and lo, I'm not sure I do either. The Mac Os, or, for short, just "my Mac" is so--so much more than "my Dell". If they only knew.....So,
happy 5th birthday to our great operating system, the OS X. The article referenced and linked above gives a great history of what makes us love our machines.
Okay, maybe that sentence did not make sense, much less, I know it was not gramatically correct. I'm getting deeper into trouble with syntax as I go. The bottom line is that why is it that Mac users feel this kindred connection to the dad gum computer that they use? Most people "on the other side" just don't understand it, and lo, I'm not sure I do either. The Mac Os, or, for short, just "my Mac" is so--so much more than "my Dell". If they only knew.....So,
happy 5th birthday to our great operating system, the OS X. The article referenced and linked above gives a great history of what makes us love our machines.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Enjoying my Blogging Break, maybe a little too much
Back from Steamboat Springs where the spring skiing was extremely excellent. Over 400 inches of snow this entire winter created a snow base of up to 100 inches all over the mountain. Despite the late afternoon "mashed potatoes" conditions at the lower levels, the highest points of the mountain had just unusually great conditions from 9 am to 4 pm, which is the ski regimen we followed for almost every day. We were worn out at night, and were often sawing logs by 9 or 9:30 pm.
Skiing is a phsyical commune with nature. The incredibly majestic Rocky Mountains surrounded by the snow---with aspen, hemlock, and other pine species in abundance with the occasional rocks of the Rockies sticking out here and there, pretty cool stuff. And then, what a concept, strapping on these 2 long pieces of fiberglass to your boots, and then, zoom, heading down the hill. Wow. Heading into the restaurant and bar at lunch without a car is also great---zipping your skis into a parking place, and then, pulling out after lunch to continue your journey. It's a truly unique sport. It's also a people sport. We had a group of 11 folks, including my lovely wife, our 15 year old and our 11 year old. Skiing with a bunch of people is much more fun than skiing with just one or two. And you get away from everything in Total....Which leads me to.....
I have enjoyed by blogging break, and now, almost, it seems like I'm coming back to a chore. I don't want to feel compelled to add to the mix, I want to add to the mix with enthusiasm. In other words, I felt like (leading up to Spring Break) that I was working too hard to find topics to write about, and then, when looking back, I ended up posting a lot of things from other sites without much of a comment.
In essence, that is really NOT the point of blogging. That is just taking someone elses work and re-posting it on my blog (with full credit mind you)--but still, I don't think that is what it's all about.
Having said that, I'm going to take an extended break from blogging and try to figure out if I have anything to add to the mix ---that is original or that is different from what you can find on other blogs. I need to find a focus, or at least, a common thread, and I don't think it's there right now.
Look no further than to read Rex Hammockand his unusually crisp and clear thoughts on most any topic about which he posts. Make no mistake about it, this is what true blogging is all about.
Until next time.
Skiing is a phsyical commune with nature. The incredibly majestic Rocky Mountains surrounded by the snow---with aspen, hemlock, and other pine species in abundance with the occasional rocks of the Rockies sticking out here and there, pretty cool stuff. And then, what a concept, strapping on these 2 long pieces of fiberglass to your boots, and then, zoom, heading down the hill. Wow. Heading into the restaurant and bar at lunch without a car is also great---zipping your skis into a parking place, and then, pulling out after lunch to continue your journey. It's a truly unique sport. It's also a people sport. We had a group of 11 folks, including my lovely wife, our 15 year old and our 11 year old. Skiing with a bunch of people is much more fun than skiing with just one or two. And you get away from everything in Total....Which leads me to.....
I have enjoyed by blogging break, and now, almost, it seems like I'm coming back to a chore. I don't want to feel compelled to add to the mix, I want to add to the mix with enthusiasm. In other words, I felt like (leading up to Spring Break) that I was working too hard to find topics to write about, and then, when looking back, I ended up posting a lot of things from other sites without much of a comment.
In essence, that is really NOT the point of blogging. That is just taking someone elses work and re-posting it on my blog (with full credit mind you)--but still, I don't think that is what it's all about.
Having said that, I'm going to take an extended break from blogging and try to figure out if I have anything to add to the mix ---that is original or that is different from what you can find on other blogs. I need to find a focus, or at least, a common thread, and I don't think it's there right now.
Look no further than to read Rex Hammockand his unusually crisp and clear thoughts on most any topic about which he posts. Make no mistake about it, this is what true blogging is all about.
Until next time.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Time for Spring Break--Back on March 27th
I'm off to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for some much needed spring break ski-ing.
Fortunately, I'll be joined by my lovely wife and two children plus several good friends. We all have a need for speed. (the downhill type).
So, these pages may not be much fun to look at for a few....
In the meantime, this is my favorite blog, one that is really worth reading.
Uh-oh, I just read that Rex is off on a spring break trip too, doing some much more worthy things like helping people victimized by Katrina. Good for Rex. We need more people like him and his family.
As for me, I'll just send money and say prayers and hope that helps too.
Fortunately, I'll be joined by my lovely wife and two children plus several good friends. We all have a need for speed. (the downhill type).
So, these pages may not be much fun to look at for a few....
In the meantime, this is my favorite blog, one that is really worth reading.
Uh-oh, I just read that Rex is off on a spring break trip too, doing some much more worthy things like helping people victimized by Katrina. Good for Rex. We need more people like him and his family.
As for me, I'll just send money and say prayers and hope that helps too.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Plumbing from bar gets re-routed--Woman gets beer from her kitchen faucet
From USA Today----
Woman gets beer from her kitchen faucet. Would that this lady were in college and this happened.
Hopefully the juke box from the bar was not wired to her stereo......
Woman gets beer from her kitchen faucet. Would that this lady were in college and this happened.
Hopefully the juke box from the bar was not wired to her stereo......
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Microsoft 'Leaving Door Wide Open' For Google - Forbes.com
Microsoft 'Leaving Door Wide Open' For Google
I blog a great deal about Apple and my company's use and love of their products. However, it is interesting to watch the developing (or, already developed) animosity between Google and Microsoft. I used to loath Microsoft, but hey, at least they kept developing products for Mac. Enter Google. They are starting to take over the world. Slowly but surely they are becoming the new super-power that everyone loves to hate. Now, it seems, as this Forbes article points out, they have a pretty good word processing product to add to their portfolio.
"Goldman Sachs said Google's recent acquisition of Upstartle, the maker of the Writely online word processor, brings the company one step closer to competing with software giant Microsoft.
The analyst said the news was 'directionally negative' for Microsoft .
'We disagree with Microsoft's approach of ignoring the consumer market for a hosted solution and leaving the door wide open for Google to come in and establish a presence in the consumer or potentially the small business market,' the analyst wrote in a recent note."
I blog a great deal about Apple and my company's use and love of their products. However, it is interesting to watch the developing (or, already developed) animosity between Google and Microsoft. I used to loath Microsoft, but hey, at least they kept developing products for Mac. Enter Google. They are starting to take over the world. Slowly but surely they are becoming the new super-power that everyone loves to hate. Now, it seems, as this Forbes article points out, they have a pretty good word processing product to add to their portfolio.
"Goldman Sachs said Google's recent acquisition of Upstartle, the maker of the Writely online word processor, brings the company one step closer to competing with software giant Microsoft.
The analyst said the news was 'directionally negative' for Microsoft .
'We disagree with Microsoft's approach of ignoring the consumer market for a hosted solution and leaving the door wide open for Google to come in and establish a presence in the consumer or potentially the small business market,' the analyst wrote in a recent note."
Does Apple Need A Security Czar?
This sounds like a great idea to me. For us Mac users, we revel in the fact that we don't have to scan our computer each morning for viruses, we don't have to think twice about opening questionable files, and we snicker when another "Worm" headline makes the news. Just ask Microsoft - if they had gotten ahead of the security pitfalls and issues effecting their OS years and years ago, they would be ahead of the curve today.
MacSlash | Does Apple Need A Security Czar?: "Anonymous Coward writes 'BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl asks if perhaps Apple should appoint Chief Security Officer. 'This person would be a well-known computer security expert, ideally from outside Apple, who would wave the flag for all things related to Mac security, debunking myths, correcting the record, and providing a public face when issues crop up.' He says. He also says it would be a good way to get ahead of public perceptions that Mac security may be 'eroding.' 'In matters related to product marketing, it's the public perception, not the reality that really matters....And once you've lost a user's confidence, it's hard to get it back."
MacSlash | Does Apple Need A Security Czar?: "Anonymous Coward writes 'BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl asks if perhaps Apple should appoint Chief Security Officer. 'This person would be a well-known computer security expert, ideally from outside Apple, who would wave the flag for all things related to Mac security, debunking myths, correcting the record, and providing a public face when issues crop up.' He says. He also says it would be a good way to get ahead of public perceptions that Mac security may be 'eroding.' 'In matters related to product marketing, it's the public perception, not the reality that really matters....And once you've lost a user's confidence, it's hard to get it back."
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