Tony Daniel has decided to take a sabbatical from "Central Sprawl", which has me very depressed today.
Tony is wired in to events in Collin County and writes with a wonderful dry wit. I've been entertained and informed by both his blog and his periodic appearances in the Metro section of the Dallas Morning News for quite a while.
I wish him much success with his book, and hope like heck he rejoins the blogosphere prontissimo!
Monday, February 27, 2006
A geek visits Delta Force
Mark Schneider's blog is a must-read for me, as he is an authoritative voice on Microsoft Project Server, a product near and dear to my professional heart.
Today's post, however, is a departure for Mark. He recently had an opportunity to work on a Microsoft project at Special Operations Command. SOCOM, as it's called, is the combined command center for America's most-elite-of-the-elite Special Forces, including the Army's Green Berets and Delta Force, the Navy SEALS, Air Force Special Operations, and other units you may or may have heard about.
Mark was impressed with the hospitality of the men and women of SOCOM and makes a profound observation, "I guess that you don't have to act tough when you really are tough."
He also had the opportunity to thank the folks at SOCOM for their efforts in keeping us safe.
I'd like to have the opportunity myself someday.
Today's post, however, is a departure for Mark. He recently had an opportunity to work on a Microsoft project at Special Operations Command. SOCOM, as it's called, is the combined command center for America's most-elite-of-the-elite Special Forces, including the Army's Green Berets and Delta Force, the Navy SEALS, Air Force Special Operations, and other units you may or may have heard about.
Mark was impressed with the hospitality of the men and women of SOCOM and makes a profound observation, "I guess that you don't have to act tough when you really are tough."
He also had the opportunity to thank the folks at SOCOM for their efforts in keeping us safe.
I'd like to have the opportunity myself someday.
What really happened in Iraq last week
Mohammed at Iraq The Model has a VERY interesting post today regarding the events of late last week in Iraq.
Of course, you know that someone blew up one of the most sacred sites in Shia Islam. The Western press nearly wet themselves proclaiming "CIVIL WAR IS HERE!!"
Now, less than a week later, things are quieting down. The Iraqi Army apparently has performed well, and the Iraqi government has continued to function.
Mohammed informs us that things were not quite as they appeared - "spontaneous" street demonstrations were not so spontaneous, the Muslim clerics who seemed to be keeping the lid on things may have been the very parties that were encouraging the situation to blow, and the elected authorities may have handled things better than anyone expected or is willing to say now.
Go read this post. And keep in mind that Mohammed and his brother Omar have been blogging from Iraq for a long time, are credible, and understand the impact of their words.
Of course, you know that someone blew up one of the most sacred sites in Shia Islam. The Western press nearly wet themselves proclaiming "CIVIL WAR IS HERE!!"
Now, less than a week later, things are quieting down. The Iraqi Army apparently has performed well, and the Iraqi government has continued to function.
Mohammed informs us that things were not quite as they appeared - "spontaneous" street demonstrations were not so spontaneous, the Muslim clerics who seemed to be keeping the lid on things may have been the very parties that were encouraging the situation to blow, and the elected authorities may have handled things better than anyone expected or is willing to say now.
Go read this post. And keep in mind that Mohammed and his brother Omar have been blogging from Iraq for a long time, are credible, and understand the impact of their words.
More proof that Mark Cuban is a genius
Cuban has offered a million dollars to Howie Mandel's favorite charity if he can get Donald Trump to do the old blow-up-the-rubber-glove-on-your-head bit when Trump is on Mandel's show later this week.
How many times have you uttered the phrase, "I'll give you a million dollars if you do X"? All the time when you were a kid, right?
Cuban has the million dollars and he's serious about this offer. There is NO CHANCE Trump would ever do it, but I love that Cuban is willing to try.
How many times have you uttered the phrase, "I'll give you a million dollars if you do X"? All the time when you were a kid, right?
Cuban has the million dollars and he's serious about this offer. There is NO CHANCE Trump would ever do it, but I love that Cuban is willing to try.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Can't wait for the movie
Some gutsy bank robbers in England have stolen $40 million plus from a cash processing facility in Kent. They used a kidnapping ploy straight out of Hollywood to pull it off.
It will be interesting to see if the authorities can get a bead on these guys. It sounds like they knew what they were doing, but the coppers are no dummies either.
If the baddies do get nabbed, look for a major book deal and subsequent movie deal to follow.
It will be interesting to see if the authorities can get a bead on these guys. It sounds like they knew what they were doing, but the coppers are no dummies either.
If the baddies do get nabbed, look for a major book deal and subsequent movie deal to follow.
Meet the Marimba Ponies
From Beware of the Blog: The Marimba Ponies are a loosely-organized group of kids aged 4 to 12 who perform without sheet music or a conductor. You can download their version of "Sabre Dance" from the site.
For my money, the amount of fun kids have is usually inversely proportional to the number of adults involved. The fewer grown-ups around, the more fun the kids seem to have.
For my money, the amount of fun kids have is usually inversely proportional to the number of adults involved. The fewer grown-ups around, the more fun the kids seem to have.
Iraq - good, bad, somewhere in-between?
I keep seeing articles like this one from servicemen and women back from Iraq. The picture a lot of them paint of the situation on the ground there differs pretty sharply from that presented on the front page of the Dallas Morning News or USA Today.
What is the honest-to-God truth? I suspect it's somewhere in between, but it's hard to argue with the folks who are there, on the ground, living it on a daily basis.
What is the honest-to-God truth? I suspect it's somewhere in between, but it's hard to argue with the folks who are there, on the ground, living it on a daily basis.
Indiana Jones 4 is no mirage
According to Ain't It Cool, Steven Spielberg has FINALLY said, in public, that he's making "Indiana Jones 4" this year, with a release scheduled next year.
I will be first in line!
I will be first in line!
You REALLY should use a hands-free when driving
A Kentucky woman recently ran her SUV off the road while talking on her cell phone. After the paramedics cut her out of the vehicle, they found her severed arm nearby, still clutching the phone.
Folks, use your hands-free when driving!
Folks, use your hands-free when driving!
Yeah, but the team still sucks
The Arizona Cardinals are about to open their new palace of a stadium in Glendale AZ. I've been by it on highway 101 and it is truly a behemoth. It's also, apparently, a marvel of technology inside.
Wonderful. The 10,000 suckers who buy tickets will be able to order concessions from their seats and participate in fantasy football during the games. The gizmos enabled by the huge IP network being installed may even be sufficient to distract the fans from the miserable product on the field.
Wonderful. The 10,000 suckers who buy tickets will be able to order concessions from their seats and participate in fantasy football during the games. The gizmos enabled by the huge IP network being installed may even be sufficient to distract the fans from the miserable product on the field.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Look out, AL East - Keith Foulke says he's back
According to Joy of Sox, Keith Foulke is a new man in both body and mind. This can only be good news for the Red Sox, and bad news from the rest of the AL East.
How the Red Sox emerge from this winter of discontent is one of the most intriguing stories of the upcoming season.
Today is the unofficial reporting date for big leaguers. We're almost there!
How the Red Sox emerge from this winter of discontent is one of the most intriguing stories of the upcoming season.
Today is the unofficial reporting date for big leaguers. We're almost there!
Gay or not gay - the authoritative list
For fans of Bob and Dan's "Gay or Not Gay" feature, or the occasional anonymous commenter on this blog, here's the most authoritative list I've ever seen of what's gay and what's truly manly.
Feel free to flame me, but sign your name to the comment. As we've said before, anonymous comments are gay.
Feel free to flame me, but sign your name to the comment. As we've said before, anonymous comments are gay.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Macintosh trojan now making the rounds
Attention, smug Macintosh owners who think they are immune from viruses and other malware: It's time to invest in some anti-virus software.
The Oompa-Loompa trojan doesn't sound too dangerous on its own, but it does represent the first iteration of some potentially bad stuff for Macs. You're no longer invulnerable, folks.
UPDATE: Leander Kahney from Wired says this is a bunch of garbage - that it's only news because of it's novelty. Well, no kidding. However, note the word "iteration" above. It's been proven that it can be done. Can the bad guys be too terribly far behind?
The Oompa-Loompa trojan doesn't sound too dangerous on its own, but it does represent the first iteration of some potentially bad stuff for Macs. You're no longer invulnerable, folks.
UPDATE: Leander Kahney from Wired says this is a bunch of garbage - that it's only news because of it's novelty. Well, no kidding. However, note the word "iteration" above. It's been proven that it can be done. Can the bad guys be too terribly far behind?
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Maybe not the "next U2" after all
According to "People" magazine (ok, so maybe it's not the MOST reputable source of info around, but let's face it, who is?), Chris Martin has started dropping hints that Coldplay is breaking up.
Didn't we hear story after story about how these guys wanted to inherit the mantle from U2? Dudes, you gotta put out more than 3 albums (only one of which was really great - the other two are merely good) if that's your goal.
Hopefully, this is a red herring, as I am a fan of those boys.
Didn't we hear story after story about how these guys wanted to inherit the mantle from U2? Dudes, you gotta put out more than 3 albums (only one of which was really great - the other two are merely good) if that's your goal.
Hopefully, this is a red herring, as I am a fan of those boys.
Hope you already got your Houston 1836 t-shirts
Houston's Major League Soccer team is in the process of changing it's name for the second time in a month.
After relocating from San Jose, CA (where they were known as the "Earthquakes") about four weeks ago, the team announced that they would be known as "Houston 1836". This was supposed to represent the year Houston was founded and, thus, foster all sorts of civic pride. However, the Houston Hispanic population views 1836 as a less-than-banner year, as it was the year the siege of the Alamo (a military victory for Mexico, but a PR debacle of monumental proportions) occurred, The Battle of San Jacinto has fought and lost by the Mexican Army (Sam Houston and the Texas militia surprised and routed Santa Anna's forces during siesta), and Texas achieved independence. Not much to be proud of.
Word is the team's new name will be something like "Lone Star", "Apollo", or "Mustangs".
After relocating from San Jose, CA (where they were known as the "Earthquakes") about four weeks ago, the team announced that they would be known as "Houston 1836". This was supposed to represent the year Houston was founded and, thus, foster all sorts of civic pride. However, the Houston Hispanic population views 1836 as a less-than-banner year, as it was the year the siege of the Alamo (a military victory for Mexico, but a PR debacle of monumental proportions) occurred, The Battle of San Jacinto has fought and lost by the Mexican Army (Sam Houston and the Texas militia surprised and routed Santa Anna's forces during siesta), and Texas achieved independence. Not much to be proud of.
Word is the team's new name will be something like "Lone Star", "Apollo", or "Mustangs".
DLP HD Projectors coming WAY down in price
This is such WONDERFUL news: The Toshiba MT700 projector, with native 720p resolution, has dropped from over $4,000 to under $2,500.
While I'm not all that interested in a 720p projector (why wouldn't you hold out for at least 1080i?), the trend is great news.
Once my media room is done, you can just send my meals up there, since I won't be coming out.
While I'm not all that interested in a 720p projector (why wouldn't you hold out for at least 1080i?), the trend is great news.
Once my media room is done, you can just send my meals up there, since I won't be coming out.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Cartoon jihad - Israeli response isn't what you'd expect
You gotta love the Israelis. How do they respond to the Iranians publishing some truly offensive Holocaust cartoons? Do they burn down Persian rug stores? Riot in the streets? Heck no!
They put on their own anti-Semitic cartoon contest.
Says Amitai Sandy, the founder of the contest, "We’ll show the world we can do the best, sharpest, most offensive Jew hating cartoons ever published! No Iranian will beat us on our home turf!”
How novel
They put on their own anti-Semitic cartoon contest.
Says Amitai Sandy, the founder of the contest, "We’ll show the world we can do the best, sharpest, most offensive Jew hating cartoons ever published! No Iranian will beat us on our home turf!”
How novel
Pitchers and catchers - THIS is the most wonderful time of the year
Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training tomorrow. As I've said several times, this is the most exciting spring in Texas Rangers' history. And here I am, less than 10 miles down the road from Surprise.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
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