Star Trek Enterprise
New show, with old plots, sounds good
First show a good start.

Saw the two hour pilot for ST:E last night. It's going to take some time to get used to the new faces and their personal story lines. I can barely remember the captain's name... Archer, I think. But, the plot was good. I'm just a little worried that it had too many in jokes for trekkers to see and not enough explanation for the new viewers (like all of today's youth). I was also impressed with the special effects. I'd like to see a few episodes shot in HD Widescreen (like ER has been doing). s

But mostly, I'm happy the show won't conflict with The West Wing. =)

Everyone has been saying how the Taliban has installed such a different world view in their people that there is no chance of reaching peace between us. In this interview a spokesman claims that in American supported countries "If someone follows the path of Islam, the government arrests him, tortures him or kills him." Well, this is true if the brand of Islam they follow calls for the murder of Americans and other innocents. This is true if it strips people of their basic human rights. But it is obviously not true if you follow the true peaceful path of Islam as there are millions of followers of Islam here in the USA. None of whom are tortured. None of whom are killed, unless convicted by a court of law.

Btw, I forgot to mention that I made my first sale for "Around Your Home" magazine yesterday. If you're inclined to give Premere Images Jewelry any business please tell them you saw their ad in "Around Your Home" magazine.

'Twas an uninteresting day. Called about 100 locations and only got one interview. Very few nibbles in todays market, let alone any one wanting to place ads in our magazine. Working totally on commission sucks. Hopefully it will start paying dividends soon.

Stacey made some more cupcakes. She's been a baking mood and I've gained 5 pounds over the last couple months. But I'm trying to eat better these days, not eat anything within a few hours of going to bed, and walking at least a couple hours a week. Eventually I'll start bike riding again. Who knows, next time you see me I could be skinny as I was in HS again, which is to say slightly plump. =)

I've been trying to write more these days as well. I am, however, not happy with what I'm producing. It's missing something: description, motivation, what have you... but maybe I'm one of those people who can't read his own work without being too critical of it. If you'd like to read what I'm writing email me and I'll send you some of my recent stuff.

It's Sunday and the official period of mourning is over. Flags should be flying at full staff again and maybe people can get back to living their lives as close to normal as this new world paradigm will allow. On the Val-L reading list I read a post about how this war is very much like a short cut to the unified economic market place that groups like the WTO and G8 have been building toward. Let us hope that along the way the humans that occupy these natural resource rich areas aren't forgotten.

If we follow our forces with a new Marshall plan to rebuild these destroyed parts of the world (many destroyed since long before WWI) then there might be hope.

In my personal life, I am affected in that trying to sell ads in a recession is very difficult... and the position I was hoping to get to provide some cash flow is no longer and that company has now laid off hundreds of people. So people! hurry up and come back to Vegas.

The New York Times is working hard to become the paper of record again (having lost its title to the various news sources on the internet a while ago). This story on Bush's feeling that God has called him to his cause is a good one and will no doubt be quoted time and again in future books about this period in time.

It's a little scary at how Bush might be running on what he feels is his date with destiny, but at the same time it is reassuring that there is someone in charge who is willing to do what it takes to 'bring freedom to the world.' Yes, I've been slowly falling into the Pax Americana camp. I thought we could do it through more peaceful means, but the actions of a few Terrorists have forced us to move quicker to establish encampments of everlasting freedom in every nation across the planet. Either you are for freedom, or your for fear, said Bush. When it comes right down to it, this is truth. Love each other like brothers, or be prepared to be slain like enemies. I'm still developing my thoughts on this issue, but I think we must face this thread now, or face it later.

Nothing brings it home like Liza Minneli singing NewYork-NewYork with a kick line of New York's finest behind her. Nobody does it weirder.

Over the course of the week I've read about 50 weblogs from people in
NYC. This, by far, is the most powerful.

http://partygirl.diaryland.com/index.html

You will have to hit previous a number of times until you get to 9-11
and then read forward in time.

The first story I've read from a firefighter's perspective.

This article draws an interesting parralel between the War of 1812 and our present situation.

I've also heard people discuss the ties between fighting Terrorism and the fight against Pirates that Jefferson led during the early days of our country's history.

Any thoughts from people more familiar with these situations than I?

Why did people jump?

I am not a religous man anymore. Whatever happened on Tuesday was outside the realm of the spiritual or the work of any god. Still, I was raised Catholic and have some familiarity with its words and music. This hymn has always given my comfort in times of tremendous sorrow. I hope it helps you as well.

On Eagle's Wings

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in his shadow for life.
Say to the Lord: "My refuge;
My rock, in whom I trust.

And He will raise you up, on eagle's wings;
Bear you on the breath of dawn;
Make you to shine in the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day.
Under His wings your refuge;
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up, on eagle's wings;
Bear you on the breath of dawn;
Make you to shine in the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

For to His angels He's given a command;
To guard you in all of your ways.
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up, on eagle's wings;
Bear you on the breath of dawn;
Make you to shine in the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

And He will raise you up, on eagle's wings;
Bear you on the breath of dawn;
Make you to shine in the sun,
And hold you. . .
And hold you. . .
And hold you. . .
Hold you in the palm of His hand

My heart goes out to all the victims and rescuers who were killed or injured by this attack.

Ooof. So what does this mean? Are we at war? Who is the enemy? Can we overcome the terror and fear they meant to install and find a measured response to this? Or will this escalate?

All questions waiting to be answered.

Okay. The 4th was my birthday and I made off with some good loot. Mostly dough, which is really appreciated at this time. But also the Disney Monopoly game. It's very cute, I like almost everything but the layout confuses me. None of the properties really go together like the original Monopoly game. btw, I didn't win the first game.

In other news, I landed a job today. It's a commission base position selling advertising for a new, but really good magazine. Check out their website at allthatwork.com.

Don't do this

I know I'm about to commit a sin; never release your ideas for an internet website before you've at least registered the domain name. But here I go. I'm thinking about creating a 'Vegas for Families' web site. It would be updated daily with news stories, reviews, and travel tips for families. I'd like it to have a family rated discussion board feature and a chance for guests to contribute their reviews and ratings for various family activites here in Vegas.

What do you think? Email me!

bowling for tourists

Went bowling with the Pretners tonight. Had a good time, but I hate all that smoke. I can't seem to get my game over the hump of 130 points. It might be because I'm a straight bowler, I've never learned the old spin trick that everyone else uses.

I think Vegas is a city in conflict with itself. There are the hick/country types who openly scoff at all us more cosmopolitan folks. We, on the otherhand, can't wait for them to turn their backs so we can rag on their style and backwards attitudes. Usually these two elements don't interact, but bowling alleys seem to be a common ground. Certainly not Starbucks.

So long and thanks for all the fish...

As you might recall Douglas Adams who penned the Hitchikers Guide to the Universe and the Dirk Gently series (my favorite detective) passed on to the other world recently. However, his handwriting has been saved for all posterity in a font on this page.

A couple of interesting links. First ZZZ online appears to have some interesting stories. Notably, this story on Powerskips. Yes, the same fun bouncy things used in the Eureka parade at DCA. Now, I know what I want for Christmas.

Roommates...

Stacey's cousin, his wife, and their baby are staying with us for just over a month. They've bought a new house, and are renting out their old one. There is a month or so of overlap between occupancy and when the renter needed to move in. So we've got house guests.

It never works out perfectly. They're always just a little too messy, too loud, or have too much stuff, than you'd like. And with family, it's tougher. So we're making the best of it, but as i said, "It's never perfect."

Don't have much to say today... except to say congrats to LaughingPlace.com on its two year anniversary yesterday (okay, so I'm a day late and more than a dollar short). It's been a fun two years and I hope to be around 18 years from now when we're celebrating being Almost Legal like MTV was yesterday. Kinda of a weird birthday to share, don't you think?

Come buy a t-shirt

Do you have yours yet? no... Well, the LaughingPlace.com T-shirt is a must have. Five, count'em five, lovely colors embroidered on a perfectly swell Ash Grey T. Help support the best independant Disney web site and yours truly.

Stacey's friend Trina had a brial shower (read bachelorette party) this weekend. While Stacey played I watched Barrage, for whom I used to have a fan website, perform at Disneyland. When Go.com closed up shop, they also stopped supporting the free websites that Barrage(d) was hosted on. So I'm looking for a host site, but not seriously as I don't have the time to update the HTML code. Not until I get a steady job here...

Anyway, it was great to see them and I hope to see them when they come to Vegas... no word on dates yet. But it should be for an extended stay.

Oh well, back to faxing resumes... email me