Interesting article today from the BBC (one of my favorite news sources, in case you haven't noticed) regarding the possiblity/probablity that the Shiite terrorists in Iraq are receiving training from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The Brits are being careful not to say anything too inflamatory, which only makes sense without a true "smoking gun". However, the fact that Blair himself is saying it means that they're pretty sure about it.
I hope no one is surprised to find out that this is occurring. At the end of the day, it would not shock me to find out that Iran has a hand in a great many things.
What's to be done? That's the subject of a whole other post or posts. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The great direction-of-the-toilet-paper-roll debate
Here's a subject that has received a surprising amount of attention in my house. Please help us settle this hot-button issue with your vote.
Vikings make (bad) news again
Vikings players seem to be doing their best to emulate the mid-90s Cowboys. Unfortunately for them, they don't have the rings the Cowboys did.
I thought trading Randy Moss was going to cure problems like this.
I thought trading Randy Moss was going to cure problems like this.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Sad/Mad Philly = Happy Dallas
I'm still stunned by what the Cowboys threw down on Sunday afternoon. I (along with nearly every member of the leering press here in Big D) had prognoticated an ace-whuppin' of the highest order. However, I (and they) got the whupper and the whupee reversed in a big way.
Some observations:
1. Bledsoe
What the heck has happened to Drew Bledsoe? Maybe the better question is: What happened to him in Buffalo? Remember, he wound up on the bench in New England via an injury - Tom Brady got a chance and hasn't relinquished the job since. Drew didn't get fired because he sucked there. However, there's no denying that he DID suck in Buffalo. What's different here? The Gargantuan Tuna?
Whatever the difference is, the Cowboys are benefiting big time. Bledsoe in no way resembles the over-the-hill, taken-too-many-hits, immobile geezer we were told to expect. He moves as well as Aikman ever did, maybe better. He's still got the gun. He's emerged as the unquestioned leader of this team, says all the right things, handles himself like a pro, and now finds himself as the object of a man-crush from his owner and most of the fan base. And to think I once suggested to a friend that the Pats should draft a linebacker instead of him.
2. Defense
The light bulb clicked on for these guys this week. Granted, the Eagles have no running game and McNabb was clearly not 100%, but still, 129 yards of total offense? How is that possible in an NFL game? Against the NFC champs? What a thrashing.
3. The Immense Tuna
I'm still not so sure this guy is the genius he once was, but you can't argue with his performance this week. He was aggressive, prepared, just generally seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the team. We'll see if he's got another one (or 11) in him, but he was the Gigantic Tuna of old on Sunday.
4. Keyshawn vs Bledsoe
I'm not really a Keyshawn fan. His numbers are pretty awesome, but the whole swordfight w/ Michael Irvin last week really reminds one of how few big plays Keyshawn has made in big games. With that said, it's been a long time since anyone on the Dallas sideline appeared to give a crap about what was going on around him. And you know, I believe both Keyshawn and Bledsoe when they say "it's over".
Next week it's the Eli, Tiki, Plaxico, and the Giants. In the ridiculous NFL of 2005, there's NO WAY of knowing what the heck is going to happen. If the Cowboys can throw down something similar to last week, they can beat any team in the league. However, there's no evidence (yet) that indicates they're capable of such a feat two weeks in a row.
Stay tuna'd (I kill myself).
Some observations:
1. Bledsoe
What the heck has happened to Drew Bledsoe? Maybe the better question is: What happened to him in Buffalo? Remember, he wound up on the bench in New England via an injury - Tom Brady got a chance and hasn't relinquished the job since. Drew didn't get fired because he sucked there. However, there's no denying that he DID suck in Buffalo. What's different here? The Gargantuan Tuna?
Whatever the difference is, the Cowboys are benefiting big time. Bledsoe in no way resembles the over-the-hill, taken-too-many-hits, immobile geezer we were told to expect. He moves as well as Aikman ever did, maybe better. He's still got the gun. He's emerged as the unquestioned leader of this team, says all the right things, handles himself like a pro, and now finds himself as the object of a man-crush from his owner and most of the fan base. And to think I once suggested to a friend that the Pats should draft a linebacker instead of him.
2. Defense
The light bulb clicked on for these guys this week. Granted, the Eagles have no running game and McNabb was clearly not 100%, but still, 129 yards of total offense? How is that possible in an NFL game? Against the NFC champs? What a thrashing.
3. The Immense Tuna
I'm still not so sure this guy is the genius he once was, but you can't argue with his performance this week. He was aggressive, prepared, just generally seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the team. We'll see if he's got another one (or 11) in him, but he was the Gigantic Tuna of old on Sunday.
4. Keyshawn vs Bledsoe
I'm not really a Keyshawn fan. His numbers are pretty awesome, but the whole swordfight w/ Michael Irvin last week really reminds one of how few big plays Keyshawn has made in big games. With that said, it's been a long time since anyone on the Dallas sideline appeared to give a crap about what was going on around him. And you know, I believe both Keyshawn and Bledsoe when they say "it's over".
Next week it's the Eli, Tiki, Plaxico, and the Giants. In the ridiculous NFL of 2005, there's NO WAY of knowing what the heck is going to happen. If the Cowboys can throw down something similar to last week, they can beat any team in the league. However, there's no evidence (yet) that indicates they're capable of such a feat two weeks in a row.
Stay tuna'd (I kill myself).
Blogging slacker
Sorry for the light blogging the past few days. My excuse - I attended one of this guy's yoga classes and have just now been released from the bin.
Cool? Yes. Worth the effort? You decide...
This is one of the coolest pieces of engineering I've ever seen.
I guess there's a return on investment here somewhere, beyond some knucklehead in Texas blogging it to say that it's cool. Beats me what that return is, though.
I guess there's a return on investment here somewhere, beyond some knucklehead in Texas blogging it to say that it's cool. Beats me what that return is, though.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
An active tropical weather season keeps going
Here comes Tropical Storm Vince.
Each season, the National Hurricane Center uses a pre-determined list of tropical cyclone names. There are 21 names on each year's list. Number 21 this year is Wilma.
If we go past 21 named storms, NHC uses the Greek alphabet - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.
Well, it was interesting to me...
UPDATE: Vince is going to Europe.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Vince isn't going anywhere.
TRIPLE UPDATE: Vince makes history.
Each season, the National Hurricane Center uses a pre-determined list of tropical cyclone names. There are 21 names on each year's list. Number 21 this year is Wilma.
If we go past 21 named storms, NHC uses the Greek alphabet - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.
Well, it was interesting to me...
UPDATE: Vince is going to Europe.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Vince isn't going anywhere.
TRIPLE UPDATE: Vince makes history.
Who should own the Internet
This is pretty geeky stuff, but the impact could be gi-normous.
Since it's development in the 60s and 70s as a DARPA project, the Internet and it's forebears have been almost exclusively controlled by the US. The critical root servers are still controlled by the US, giving the Bush administration, like Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, and (I guess) Nixon and Ford, control over the addition of top-level domains (.edu, .com, .gov, etc).
There is serious debate amongst the countries of the world whether that's a good idea. Most think not.
Before you knee-jerk and say to yourself, "Why should the US control this now-vital international resource?", read this commentary by Declan McCullagh. Like many things in life, it ain't so simple.
Frankly, giving the UN control of anything really important scares the life out of me. Like it or despise it, the US government has been a pretty good custodian of the Internet. Letting China, Iran, or other "enlightened" countries have equal control over the Web doesn't sound like a good plan to me.
Since it's development in the 60s and 70s as a DARPA project, the Internet and it's forebears have been almost exclusively controlled by the US. The critical root servers are still controlled by the US, giving the Bush administration, like Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, and (I guess) Nixon and Ford, control over the addition of top-level domains (.edu, .com, .gov, etc).
There is serious debate amongst the countries of the world whether that's a good idea. Most think not.
Before you knee-jerk and say to yourself, "Why should the US control this now-vital international resource?", read this commentary by Declan McCullagh. Like many things in life, it ain't so simple.
Frankly, giving the UN control of anything really important scares the life out of me. Like it or despise it, the US government has been a pretty good custodian of the Internet. Letting China, Iran, or other "enlightened" countries have equal control over the Web doesn't sound like a good plan to me.
News from Zimbabwe gets worse
The BBC is reporting that Zimbabwe can no longer adequately feed it's army.
The looming, entirely man-made disaster in Zimbabwe has the potential of unsettling southern Africa. Again, the US and the West don't have any really significant strategic interests in the region, which means it will probably be left to sort itself out, not unlike Southeast Asia and Darfur.
The looming, entirely man-made disaster in Zimbabwe has the potential of unsettling southern Africa. Again, the US and the West don't have any really significant strategic interests in the region, which means it will probably be left to sort itself out, not unlike Southeast Asia and Darfur.
Think they'll be partying in Austin?
I way underestimated the score, but the end result is the same. It's not a superhighway to the Rose Bowl, but there isn't anything really scary left on the 'Horns schedule. I fear the letdown - any of the remaining teams is capable of the upset.
Coach Brown still has to prove that he can hold it together for the stretch. I still get the feeling that the team is good enough to overcome his potential panic-attacks.
Just how much Imodium do you think Mack went through this week?
Will it matter? Is anyone beating USC this year?
Coach Brown still has to prove that he can hold it together for the stretch. I still get the feeling that the team is good enough to overcome his potential panic-attacks.
Just how much Imodium do you think Mack went through this week?
Will it matter? Is anyone beating USC this year?
In mourning for the Red Sox
I wish I had blogged about the Red Sox and their chances this year. Ah well, too late. I'll be wearing a black armband today in mourning.
If Texas loses this afternoon, I may put on the dress blues and polish up the service revolver.
If Texas loses this afternoon, I may put on the dress blues and polish up the service revolver.
Friday, October 07, 2005
A golf tourney I'd like for you to know about
The wifey asked me to blog this, and I'm happy to. We'll leave out the part about her asking me daily for the past week and just get to the part where I actually do it.
As some of you know, little Drewbie (our 5-year-old son) has a metabolic disorder known as tyrosinemia. This disorder is RARE, so rare that there's not really an organization that supports it.
More common, and very similar, is a metabolic disorder known as PKU. Because there are many more PKU kids than tyrosinemia kids, and because the disorders are so similar, we tend to hang with the PKU families for strength in numbers.
The PKU Association of North Texas is holding it's annual fund-raiser - a golf tournament at Pecan Hollow in Plano, on 10/28. Info is available on-line, or you can email me at phelkin@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance!
As some of you know, little Drewbie (our 5-year-old son) has a metabolic disorder known as tyrosinemia. This disorder is RARE, so rare that there's not really an organization that supports it.
More common, and very similar, is a metabolic disorder known as PKU. Because there are many more PKU kids than tyrosinemia kids, and because the disorders are so similar, we tend to hang with the PKU families for strength in numbers.
The PKU Association of North Texas is holding it's annual fund-raiser - a golf tournament at Pecan Hollow in Plano, on 10/28. Info is available on-line, or you can email me at phelkin@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance!
Closer to Rosie every day
The latest product from iRobot, the folks who brought you the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner. This time it's Scooba, the robot mop.
I'm still waiting for the vaguely human-shaped robot who motored around the Jetson's pad on one wheel, while wearing an apron and cracking wise to the family.
I'm still waiting for the vaguely human-shaped robot who motored around the Jetson's pad on one wheel, while wearing an apron and cracking wise to the family.
More regarding Microsoft geek blogs
Here's a Microsoft developer blog starter-kit. This is heavy-duty geek stuff - don't look for warm and fuzzy here.
Nothing new in Burma (oops, I mean "Myanmar")
Recent events in Burma (I'm not going to use "Myanmar" - the NLD calls it Burma, and that's good enough for me) indicate that nothing is changing, despite the ruling junta's proclaimed "Roadmap to Democracy".
Burma has long been an interest of mine. I've never completely understood why. The sheer remoteness of the place has something to do with it. The story of Aung San Suu Kyi certainly has something to do with it. I've always been intrigued by SE Asia. But there's more to it than that.
This is what happens when the US and the West has no strategic interest in a region. As I've mentioned, I wouldn't mind seeing this same sort of disregard happen to the Arab world.
I don't know what the answer is in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi is 60 years old now, and has spent most of the last 15 years detained in one way or another. Most of the detention has been house arrest, but her health can't be wonderful. When she goes, there's no one with the same kind of moral authority on the stage. That's not a knock on any of her compadres in the NLD; I don't think there's anyone in the world today who has earned the sort of moral authority Aung San Suu Kyi has.
Leaving it up to Burma's neighbors hasn't worked - they all have trade arrangements with "Myanmar". The Brits, as former colonial masters, have no interest in getting involved. The UN has a special envoy appointed and keeps issuing statements about Burma, but we all know how effective that is. About all they've got going them is attention from U2. If Bono had won the Nobel Prize, maybe that would have helped, but even he has moved on to other subjects.
I will write about Burma whenever something happens there, and whenever it pops into my mind. It's all I can do.
Free Aung San Suu Kyi! Free Burma!
Burma has long been an interest of mine. I've never completely understood why. The sheer remoteness of the place has something to do with it. The story of Aung San Suu Kyi certainly has something to do with it. I've always been intrigued by SE Asia. But there's more to it than that.
This is what happens when the US and the West has no strategic interest in a region. As I've mentioned, I wouldn't mind seeing this same sort of disregard happen to the Arab world.
I don't know what the answer is in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi is 60 years old now, and has spent most of the last 15 years detained in one way or another. Most of the detention has been house arrest, but her health can't be wonderful. When she goes, there's no one with the same kind of moral authority on the stage. That's not a knock on any of her compadres in the NLD; I don't think there's anyone in the world today who has earned the sort of moral authority Aung San Suu Kyi has.
Leaving it up to Burma's neighbors hasn't worked - they all have trade arrangements with "Myanmar". The Brits, as former colonial masters, have no interest in getting involved. The UN has a special envoy appointed and keeps issuing statements about Burma, but we all know how effective that is. About all they've got going them is attention from U2. If Bono had won the Nobel Prize, maybe that would have helped, but even he has moved on to other subjects.
I will write about Burma whenever something happens there, and whenever it pops into my mind. It's all I can do.
Free Aung San Suu Kyi! Free Burma!
Friday funnies
This doesn’t help the myth about sports people:
Why Athletes Can't Get Other Jobs
Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."
...........................................................
New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."
...........................................................
And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."
...........................................................
Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."
...........................................................
Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann, 1996: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
..........................................................
Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh: "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." (now that is beautiful)
...........................................................
Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: "You guys line up alphabetically by height." And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."
...........................................................
Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton."
..........................................................
Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes."
...........................................................
Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is."
..........................................................
Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt." (I wonder if his IQ ever hit room temperature in January)
............................................................
Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?'He said, 'Coach, I don't know, and I don't care.'"
...........................................................
Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D: "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject."
...........................................................
Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded: "Because she is too damn ugly to kiss good-bye."(Dead man walkin')
One more:
Gay or not gay?
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Why Athletes Can't Get Other Jobs
Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."
...........................................................
New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."
...........................................................
And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."
...........................................................
Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."
...........................................................
Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann, 1996: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
..........................................................
Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh: "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." (now that is beautiful)
...........................................................
Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: "You guys line up alphabetically by height." And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."
...........................................................
Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton."
..........................................................
Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes."
...........................................................
Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is."
..........................................................
Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt." (I wonder if his IQ ever hit room temperature in January)
............................................................
Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?'He said, 'Coach, I don't know, and I don't care.'"
...........................................................
Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D: "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject."
...........................................................
Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded: "Because she is too damn ugly to kiss good-bye."(Dead man walkin')
One more:
Gay or not gay?
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Football time again
Yikes! Another week gone and it's time to talk football.
Here in Dallas, there's nothing to talk about except Texas-OU. This should be the year for the burnt-orange, they've got all the horses and OU is struggling worse than any other time in the Bob Stoops era. I'd like nothing more than to see Texas demolish the Sooners, but there's a voice in the back of my head that keeps repeating, "Mack Brown" in a mocking manner.
ALL of the pressure is on Texas. I get the feeling that Vince Young is not terribly affected (or is it effected?) by pressure. He's just too cool for that. But Coach Brown - I just bet he's got a case of lower GI problems that would make Bluto Blutarsky queasy. I think the team is good enough to overcome their so-tense-his-head-may-implode coach, so it says here Longhorns 27 Sooners 10.
In other games of note:
UGA @ Tenn - Another battle of ranked rednecks. A buddy of mine (Johnnie-boy, for those of you who know him) is a Georgia lifer, so I'll lean that way in his honor.
Marshall @ Va Tech - The Hokies are pretty scary. Marcus Vick is a sorry human, but he's got talent. Marshall squeaked by SMU last week, and my daughter's Indian Princess tribe could probably do that.
Arizona @ USC - Speaking of scary, this one might be more interesting if it was the Arizona Cardinals at USC, instead of the Wildcats. On the other hand, maybe it wouldn't.
A&M @ Colorado - A&M should have lost to Baylor. The righteous fury of the Baptists rubs off on God and Coach Fran & Co. get stomped in this one.
In the NFL:
Saints @ Green Bay - Displaced hurricane refugees around the country are inspired by the fact that they no longer have to cheer for the Saints.
Bears @ Browns - Displaced hurricane refugees are further inspired because they didn't get relocated to Chicago or Cleveland. Except for those that were.
Pats @ Atlanta - There is NO WAY the Pats lose this one. I would bet my buddy Joe's life on it, except he already has.
Eagles @ Cowboys - Much as I hate to say it, I don't see any way the Cowboys hang in this one. McNabb and TO may set a few records against this secondary, and the Eagles D is going to do bad things to the overrated left side of the Cowboys O line.
Cincinnati @ Jacksonville - Who would have thought that this is the best game of the week?
Steelers @ San D - The 2nd best game of the week. LT (still can't used to using those initials for anyone other than the original) is pure greatness, and from TCU of all places.
Go (your team here)!
Here in Dallas, there's nothing to talk about except Texas-OU. This should be the year for the burnt-orange, they've got all the horses and OU is struggling worse than any other time in the Bob Stoops era. I'd like nothing more than to see Texas demolish the Sooners, but there's a voice in the back of my head that keeps repeating, "Mack Brown" in a mocking manner.
ALL of the pressure is on Texas. I get the feeling that Vince Young is not terribly affected (or is it effected?) by pressure. He's just too cool for that. But Coach Brown - I just bet he's got a case of lower GI problems that would make Bluto Blutarsky queasy. I think the team is good enough to overcome their so-tense-his-head-may-implode coach, so it says here Longhorns 27 Sooners 10.
In other games of note:
UGA @ Tenn - Another battle of ranked rednecks. A buddy of mine (Johnnie-boy, for those of you who know him) is a Georgia lifer, so I'll lean that way in his honor.
Marshall @ Va Tech - The Hokies are pretty scary. Marcus Vick is a sorry human, but he's got talent. Marshall squeaked by SMU last week, and my daughter's Indian Princess tribe could probably do that.
Arizona @ USC - Speaking of scary, this one might be more interesting if it was the Arizona Cardinals at USC, instead of the Wildcats. On the other hand, maybe it wouldn't.
A&M @ Colorado - A&M should have lost to Baylor. The righteous fury of the Baptists rubs off on God and Coach Fran & Co. get stomped in this one.
In the NFL:
Saints @ Green Bay - Displaced hurricane refugees around the country are inspired by the fact that they no longer have to cheer for the Saints.
Bears @ Browns - Displaced hurricane refugees are further inspired because they didn't get relocated to Chicago or Cleveland. Except for those that were.
Pats @ Atlanta - There is NO WAY the Pats lose this one. I would bet my buddy Joe's life on it, except he already has.
Eagles @ Cowboys - Much as I hate to say it, I don't see any way the Cowboys hang in this one. McNabb and TO may set a few records against this secondary, and the Eagles D is going to do bad things to the overrated left side of the Cowboys O line.
Cincinnati @ Jacksonville - Who would have thought that this is the best game of the week?
Steelers @ San D - The 2nd best game of the week. LT (still can't used to using those initials for anyone other than the original) is pure greatness, and from TCU of all places.
Go (your team here)!
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