Christmas Painting

Painting with his new Goodwill easel and paints.

You can see the entire set here, I think?

A Few Christmas Pics

This one is Isaac and Leo asleep together with the Texas flag even.

Cookies for Santa

There were cookies, milk, reindeer food, and cheese for Santa Mouse.

Isaac's New Year's Resolution: Ecology

The Brough family would be proud. As we were discusing resolutions with Isaac, he proclaimed his was to 'take care of the Earth'. This prompted promisses from Denise and I to check out the recycling possibilities from the City of Houston waste disposal.

Also ran accross this article regarding new scientific evidence explaining the importance of location when planting new trees. Seems a new forest in the wrong location can actually heat up the atmosphere.

New Dolls for Next Christmas

After a perfect Christmas vacation we received everything we ever could have wanted, but here is the new wave of dolls. Each one come complete with a micro-processor and a wireless connection. They can sense when you give the other doll more attention. Faith, put it on your list for Santa next year quick!

Bible Study

Here is an interesting interview by Terri Gross with a bible scholar. He describes an interesting interpretation of the New Testament. Indicating that scribes during the Middle Ages may have changed the accounts thereby altering the way we view Jesus during in the New Testament.

Monkey See Monkey Do

Here's a New York Times piece about learning in chimpanzees and humans. It appears that the chimps are better 'cause and effect' learners, while the human children are better imitators. It mentions that the imitation may be a higher evolutionary thought process than the 'cause and effect'.

This is an interesting observation as I am continually attempting to teach Isaac independent thinking skills. No wonder we have such a hard time thinking 'outside the box'.

Oh yes, if there are those that don't believe in evolutionary concepts; I suppose chimps were created with the 'cause and effect' skills, while humans were created simultaneously with the imitation skills.

Official Letters to Santa

The US Postal department has posted the official method of sending mail to Santa or God.

New Orleans Wish List

Here's a wish list posted from a New Orleans resident:
1. CAT 5 Levees
2. Insurance Checks
3. FEMA Trailers
4. Traffic Lights
5. Normal Store Hours
6. Reliable Cell Phones
7. Rebuild New Orleans
8. Coastal Restoration
9. Freinds and Family to come home

Makes me definately appreciate the gifts of my family

Panpsychism

Panpsychism is the idea that every object has a mind, of sorts. Mr. Rudy makes the unusual argument that, if this is true, and you tear a napkin in two halves, it now has two minds. Opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Leo Sleeping with the Pack

After a great weekend of grueling adventuring; Isaac, Leo, and Daddy take a well deserved rest on Sunday. We also found some great play spots when Christian, Faith, and Brian come and visit.

Isaac and Leo's First Pics

Leo gets Knighted

Here's Isaac knighting Leo this weekend

The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas

This is a cautionary tale, be careful what you post on the internet, it is all public information.

Unfortunately, Isaac was informed early of his Christmas surprise. As we were on our bike ride home (3 miles at least, pretty good for the little guy), he asked me when he would get his surprised. He then informed me that he was anxious to meet his new dog Leo, who was named after his imaginary horse...

I was a bit stunned, but we all recovered well to have a tremendous night. All four of us eventually ended up in the bed together. Isaac, wanted to be next to Leo the whole time; and Leo responding the same. Pictures to follow soon.

So for those that attempted to spoil a little boy's Christmas surprise; remember how astonished the Grinch was when the Who's were completely happy on Christmas morning, even after he stole all of their possessions.

You're a mean one Ms. Grinch. But the Who's are celebrating in happiness today.

Hurry Home Uncle Michael

Some scenery to remind you of home. We love you!

...and finally, how can you refuse this guy. I'd recognise that bikini anywhere.

The Cthulhu Circus

What an odd mashup. The Family Circus cartoons and H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft is a science fiction writer who's style called cthulhu mythos. This rather dark philosophy revolves around the insignificance of humanity in the universe and the search for knowledge ending in disaster. This combined with the Family Circus happy view of life make a particularly startling combination. Whoa!

Thanksgiving Google Cartoon

Leo's First Pics

Some pics of our newest family member Leo. He is an 11 week old chocolate lab, named after Isaac's horse (the horse that runs faster than a car, and can leap over buildings). He's learning very quickly; no accidents yet, and having fun fetching the tennis ball. He also loves to sleep.

Quest for the Colored Bubble

On the way to creating a colored soap bubble, this inventor made a miraculous scientific discovery. "It turns out that coloring a bubble is an exceptionally difficult bit of chemistry." Unfortunately, the colored bubble won't be out until February, under the brand name of Zubbles. But when it is, I say we have a bubble party.

RIP Link Wray

I had never heard of this guy, but the mp3, kind of sounds like Mick Jagger.

Editorial 11/23/05: Another tribute to Link Wray on Fresh Air. They used his track in Pulp Fiction. Master of the Power Chord.

Great Rugby Weekend

Mom and Denise valiantly braved the bitter Austin weather to cheer on the Woodlands rugby team Saturday. Unfortunately, the cheering was much better than the Woodlands play.

However, we did have a great time with Mike, Angie, and Caroline while in Austin. Listening to Caroline's first words were almost as sweet as Mike and my all night singing jam. Can't wait for Isaac to sing the high harmony!

Michael and Nancy are creating posts

YEAH! Great to see the posts from Michael and Nancy. I stole a few pictures. Thank for making our family blossom so beautifully.

Marcel Proust "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

Happy Veterans Day

In 1918, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month,
fighting ceased in World War I. Formerly known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day
(November 11) is a day to honor veterans living and dead who have given so much
to protect our country.

This site is from the Library of Congress filled with stories.

Aluminum Foil Hats

MIT Engineers cnoducted an empirical study on the efficacy of aluminum foil helmets to block mind control rays. Here's a bit:

Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the
protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the
efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals.
Using a $250,000 network analyser, we find that although on average all helmets
attenuate invasive radio frequencies in either directions (either emanating from
an outside source, or emanating from the cranium of the subject), certain
frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide
with radio bands reserved for government use according to the Federal
Communication Commission (FCC). Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets
may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We theorize that the
government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.

Comment Word Verification

I turned this on to prevent spam comments. You will just have to verify a word when leaving a comment. I'm sure there's a more elegant method of handling this, but its fast.

Salt of the Earth

Denise and I got our internet connection back this evening, and are sitting side by side browsing the internet. Isn't technology wonderful. I'm browsing through widipedia, amazing what you can discover following the links.

I somehow was following the sermon on the mount. Along with the beatitudes, and the Lord's prayer, is the phrase "the salt of the earth". I guess I've always taken this phrase to reflect some sort of humility or baseness. Actually, salt was very valuable during the Roman times, and even used for trade and money. To call someone the salt of the Earth, was a compliment describing their value and worth.

Denises Promotion

Denise’s Promotion
Denise wanted to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers regarding her work.  She was notified today that she received the job in question.  So far, we’ve only had a chance to dance briefly, but we definitely plan to do the celebration salsa for at least a week.  YEAH!!!!!

Fortune Cookie

Dia De Los Muertas

Dia de los muertas was celebrated yesterday, here's an interesting alter for recently passed civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

Reflection on the hurricane

from Scripting News

In the discussion after Hurricane Katrina I heard a scientist talk about
global warming and how the fate of New Orleans awaited coastal cities all over
the world. He said something profoundly simple. It doesn't matter if your city
is three feet below sea level, or if the sea rises three feet, the effect is the
same.

Computers Take over the World

From a discussion on artificial intelligence, an interesting quote from Simon Ings, a science fiction writer,

"When our machines overtook us, too complex and efficient for us to
control, they did it so fast and so smoothly and so usefully, only a fool or a
prophet would have dared complain."

With this vision in mind, Alan Turing suggests more caution and reverence in attempts to creation of intelligence,

"In attempting to construct such machines we should not be irreverently usurping His power of creating souls, any more than we are in the procreation of children, rather we are, in either case, instruments of His will providing mansions for the souls that He creates"

Philosophy Study

The book I’ve referenced recently by Rudy Rucker, The Lifebox, the Seashell, and the Soul has lead to a fabulous philosophy study.  In the book, Mr. Rucker proclaims to use the Hegelian Dialectic to discuss is proposition that all life is really “universal automatism” (a thought that revolves around the idea that the universe is a set of very complex computations).

To prove this in the Hegelian Dialectic, he uses a basic triad of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis.  

The thesis is the lifebox; a term the author created being like an “intelligent blog”; a collection of sounds, videos, and stories which represent a simulation of you.  The lifebox represents the thesis that even human consciousness is a computation.

Secondly, the antithesis is belief that we all have something that’s not captured by any mechanical model, a soul.  Last is the synthesis, a combination of the first two.  His model is a cone shell seashell.  It serves to bridge the differences between the thesis, and antithesis.

I guess I’ve never paid so much attention to the similarities between mathmatics, computers and philosophy, and may not have the specifics 100% correct; but, it certainly is an interesting investigation.

Rudy's Blog Midterm Exam

The computer and philosopher that I've discussed, Rudy Rucker, posted his midterm philosophy exam online. Thought it might be interesting and thought provoking. Isn't the internet awesome.

Frozen Rose Picture

Interesting picture of a rose frozen with liquid nitrogen being shot with a bullet and captured with a high speed camera.

E books

Further in the discussion of reading material you hold in your hand. Here's a science fiction e-book which has been released by the author for free. Not only can I download this one, I can get it several chapters at a time in my news aggregator. How cool is that.

He says this,

There may well be a time between the sunset of printed text and the appearance
of robust models for unfettered distribution of electronic text, an interregnum
during which the fortunes of novelists follow those of poets and playwrights and
other ink-stained scribblers whose industries have cratered beneath them.

I read his first Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, which has some very interesting ideas (everyone has a huge drive in their brain where they can browse and mail others people's machine. Talk about non-verbal communication).

Isaac Christmas List

Thought this would be the easiest way to give you some thoughts for Isaac's Christmas list

* These looked pretty cool, and I like the
construction pieces. There are many different iterations.

* He's been keen on collecting rocks and doing experiments lately.

* He has a little tape player and really enjoys the tapes, interesting music on tapes would be a good idea. Maybe even some in different languages.

* Of course always looking for interesting reading as well.

I will try to come up with some for Denise and myself later, we're just thrilled to have a new home near Isaac.

Quote of the Day

I found this in my daily quote feed and it reminded me of Michael's paper.

"Any community's arm of force - military, police, security - needs people
in it who can do necessary evil, and yet not be made evil by it. To do only the
necessary and no more. To constantly question the assumptions, to stop the slide
into atrocity."

In fact, Ms. Bujold has several interesting quotes

Lunar Eclipse

Denise and I saw an amazing lunar eclipse this morning on the way to work. It made waking up before dawn well worth it. Apparently, we were looking at the same moon as this Flickr user.

Happy Birthday Michael

Michael hope you had the happiest of days two days ago with excellent celebrations.

Here's a quote from the computational philosophy article I referred to earlier, "... Interesting things happen as the consequences of the physical laws unfold. The unfolding process is a computation carried out by the world itself."

Isaac, Denise and my "unfolding process" continued over my own birthday. We moved into our new house in Kingwood, and loved every second of it. What a great adventure! Gammy was on hand for the festivities as well, while we all ran circles around our new home in a non-stop happy dance. Pictures of our home to come.

Interesting Word reading The Lifebox, The Seashell, and the Soul

MSN Search: define logician: "Definition:
logician logic specialist"
Bet it looks great on a resume.

The Lifebox, the Seashell, and the Soul

Here's an interesting combination of philosophpy and computers. Might put it on my Christmas list.

We're presently in the midst of a third intellectual revolution. The first came with Newton: the planets obey physical laws. The second came with Darwin: biology obeys genetic laws. In today’s third revolution, were coming to realize that even minds and societies emerge from interacting laws that can be regarded as computations. Everything is a computation.

Does this, then, mean that the world is dull? Far from it. The naturally occurring computations that surround us are richly complex. A tree's growth, the changes in the weather, the flow of daily news, a person's ever-changing moods --- all of these computations share the crucial property of being gnarly. Although lawlike and deterministic, gnarly computations are --- and this is a key point --- inherently unpredictable. The world's mystery is preserved.

Faith's Brian Kiss

Couldn't resist posting this one.

Family and Baby Brian

Beautiful Baby and Mom

Here's an interesting link, its a search engine that finds all mention of the word sojourner in the Bible.

Here's another one in Hebrews; hey, look who he was sojourning with, "... dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob..."

Also, here is the verse that Michael and Nancy gave. In several versions, the word 'sojourner' is replaced with pilgrim. This is the entire chapter 11 and commentaries on this chapter about faith.

Is this intentional on Michael and Nancy's part? Choosing a name from a chapter speaking of Faith?

Hello Brian Sojourner Brough

Hip Hip hooray!! And yeah for Aunt Nancy, at 9 lbs 13 ozs I think we have a new rugby prop on our hands.
We weren't sure the definition of sojourner, but here's a couple of guesses. We'll have to wait for the parent's explanation. We're ready for playing!!

Great quote of the day

Great quote of the day
Found an awesome quote to celebrate getting a house.  But, it applies to anyplace you feel at home.
Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey "May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility."

Document for Michael - How to be published quickly

One more comment on your paper Michael. Your mother mentioned when we saw her during the summer, that she found herself reading your papers with a dictionary in hand. I wanted you to see the power of the web. http://www.writely.com/View.aspx?docid=af65sc5fcjr

You can link words or phrases that you think might be difficult, or you want to give a concrete exemple of to web sites, or as I have done, a Google search. Click on your phrase 'jus ad bellum' or the Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman's name. This makes your document extremely dynamic, people can get as much out of it as they need.

I didn't want to publish your entire article, but will with your permission. Then, instead of giving people a copy, you can just give them a link. I've also made it so you can revise this copy.

New House

Take a look at the new house on Google maps. Very cool! Nancy inspired this post with her question.
What you can't see in the map is the bayou in our back yard.

Hello World

Hello World.  This is my very first online document.  I should be able to link to it from my blog, and you should be able to read and click links hopefully.

 

How about different colored text.

---

Even a line, and even a spell checker.

 

I can even post to the document. http://www.writely.com/View.aspx?docid=af6tnhq96nz

 

But, how about images?  Yes, images work too.  This is NASA's image of the day.  The Boomerang Nebula.  Even a link, how cool!

 

New Pics of Isaac

Some recent pics of Isaac. Isn't he a cutie.

Isaac and Christian at the Beach

I wish we would have got one of these guys surfing. You'll have to take my word for it. The little guys were definately the best.

On the Ferry

We went to Galveston for the holiday with some friends. This is the ferry ride on the way back. We saw lots of dolphins playing with the jelly fish.

Gulf (of Mexico) War

Gulf (of Mexico) War
Despite the author’s obvious political slant, he makes an interesting play on words in the title.  Commenting later that “the literal meaning of homeland security is that you secure the land you live on…”

Hurricane Katrina

This study was written in November 2004.  Scary stuff about the worst case scenario, which seems to be very close to the truth.  
In this hypothetical storm scenario, it is estimated that it would take nine weeks to pump the water out of the city, and only then could assessments begin to determine what buildings were habitable or salvageable. Sewer, water, and the extensive forced drainage pumping systems would be damaged. National authorities would be scrambling to build tent cities to house the hundreds of thousands of refugees unable to return to their homes and without other relocation options. In the aftermath of such a disaster, New Orleans would be dramatically different, and likely extremely diminished, from what it is today. Unlike the posthurricane development surges that have occurred in coastal beach communities, the cost of rebuilding the city of New Orleans’ dramatically damaged infrastructure would reduce the likelihood of a similar economic recovery. And, the unique culture of this American original that contributed jazz and so much more to the American culture would be lost.

Necessary Words

Interesting article about words, however, I still take comfort in saying ‘I love you’, even if it may not be necessary.

Dilbert and Programming

A quote from Dilbert
“Stupidity is like nuclear power: It can be used for good – or evil.  And you sure don’t want to get any on you”
This comes from an article about Lazy and Dumb programmers.

Haka

Oh wow! Check out this website that shows the history of the Haka and even a demonstration with an english translation.

Tis death, tis life. behold there stands the hairy man Who will cause the sun to shine. one step upwards, another step upwards. the sun shines!

The first Haka was supposedly performed by women, sent to revenge the death of a pet whale.

Happy Birthday Nancy

What a great time we had this weekend. As I sat in the church with Isaac curled in my lap, my arm around Denise, and my family sitting around me; I could not feel more at home.

Have a great day Nancy, onwards with the birthday parade.

New Blog Tool

Testing a new tool in Blogger where you can post a blog entry through a Word document. So in the time honored programming fashion, “Hello World”.

…And try a picture. Here’s one of NASA’s new rockets, Atlas V, it’s headed to Mars.

Faith and Ernie Racing

I thought it was dangerous letting Isaac ride his scooter without a helmet.

New Cheep Children's Entertainment

We went to a new pizza/game place this weekend. Lots of fun driving and other games of course. With all of the tickets we won, Isaac decided to buy 5 glow in the dark bouncy balls. What a great discovery. First we "energized" the balls against the kitchen florescent lamp, and them set them loose in the dark bathroom. We bounced for more than 30 minutes in the dark, in a very small room filled with laughter.

Word of the Day - Potemkin

Found an interesting new RSS feed which includes a word of the day. Today's word is Potemkin.

Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin was an 18th century Russian military officer and politician. Who was rumored to have built fake villages along the banks of the Dnieper river in order to impress Empress Catherine II. Potemkin, who had recently conquered the area, wanted to impress Catherine II by demonstrating the value of the area he had captured by showing off a wonderful village.

Today the term potemkin village or just potemkin is used to describe a staged, deceptive or hollow event. Particularly hollow or deceptive political maneuverings.

IsaacClown

Guess what we did this weekend. The Greatest Show on Earth has nothing on our little clown.

Shuttle returns to Space

"Discovery roared into the skies ... as NASA returned to shuttle space flight for the first time since the 2003 Columbia disaster."

Juanita Soliz

Denise and her family celebrated the life of a magical woman today. She was also Denise's beloved Grandmother.

Happy Moon Day

Even though the conspiracy theorists don't believe, I do.

Happy Moon Day, here's an awesome panoramic quick time movie of the astronauts. Incredible stuff.

British War Games

Sorry its been a while, celebrating summer time.

Funny story about war exercises in Great Britian, 'Bang, Bang'. That's my kind of war game.

And a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Planck knowledge and chauffeur knowledge

After winning the Nobel prize, Max Planck went around Germany giving talks. His chauffeur heard the talk so many times that he had it by heart, and so one time, he asked Max Planck if he could give the address. Planck agreed, they changed places, and the lecture came off famously. But then came the Q&A, with the very first question being one that the chauffeur had no hope of answering. The chauffeur replied: "I'm surprised to hear such an elementary question on high energy physics here in Munich. It's so simple, I'll let my chauffeur answer it."

Here's Tim O'Reilly's site.

Father's Day

This is a very interesting podcast. Great stories and music for father's day. God bless the children.

We had a fantastic time in Corpus Christi camping at the ocean. Nothing better than sleeping under the stars and the smell of salty air. Pictures forthcoming.

Happy Father's Day

Check out this mash-up (its a big one, save for fast connection). Its a great tune.

I'm so happy to be a father. Everyday is a new adventure, challenge, and blessing. Love is great and it can heal your soul.

Father's Day Ice Cream

Oh yes, and Mom also brought an incredible early Father's Day treat. Isaac and I made some super delicious ice cream. Super Duper fantastic; Christian and Faith better get their taste buds ready for this tremendous treat.

Thanks Mom, looks like we're not the only one's who have heard of Big Red ice cream.

Chewing Gun Theory on Critism

Mom spent a magnificent weekend with us; part of which was attending the church we take Isaac to when possible. I was sort of complaining about the way the preacher does the sermons, and wouldn't you know it, he gave the best, most applicable one yet with Mom in the audience.

One of the points I liked the best was the 'chewing gum theory'. I couldn't find any web references, but it basically goes like this. Treat critism like chewing gum; digest and use the 5 to 10% which is helpful and valid, then throw out the rest.

Whew! I've been practicing, and things seem easier already. Happy Monday!

Amazing Times

I found this quote in one of the programming blogs that I read. He was discussing computer advancement, but I believe it applies much more globally.

It's good that people tell you things you don't believe that turn out to be true. That means you live in amazing times.

Philosophy Joke

Michael here's one for you.
Descarte walks into a bar and has a beer. After finishing, the bartender asks him if if he would like another. He thinks for a moment and says, "I think not." Then he disapears.
:)

Tornadoes

WHOA! Check this out on your high speed connection. Very cool! Shows a tornadoe through a special camera shot. Incredible and scary.

D-Day

It is the anniversary of D-Day the biggest military invasion in history. Here is an interesting historical map. And a cool flash presentation from National Geographic.

A Poem for Faith on her Birthday

Found this poem for Faith, I hope the sounds and smell of the waves help you sleep tonight.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Eugene Field

Wynken, Blynken and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe--
Sailed on a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea--
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish--
Never afeard are we!"
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
and Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam.
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home.
'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be
And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea--
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
and Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
and Nod.

Happy Birthday Faith

Isaac says "cool dress," and we all can't wait to see you twirl in Texas!! Happy Birthday to a beautiful princess.

quote of the day for Mom

I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

This quote in honor of our first day of summer vacation with Isaac. The first full cycle was sucessful. The 'camp' not school, as I was reminded is 'very fun', with lots of playmates. We ate out on the porch, did some scootering, got to sleep almost on time, brushed our teeth, took a shower, and read a poem and a book.

I can't think of anything more entertaining.

Morning Quotes

Each morning I send Denise some quotes and a poem. Here is an undeniable quote about quotes.

Sooner or later we all quote our mothers.
Bern Williams

Walt Whitman

Today is Walt Whitman's (or as Robin Williams called him Uncle Walt "the sweaty-toothed madman") birthday. I found this section of his 'Leaves of Grass' poem called 11-Sun-Down Poem. What a vivid description of the water at sun set.

11—Sun-Down Poem.

I too many and many a time crossed the river,
the sun half an hour high,

I watched the December sea-gulls, I saw them
high in the air floating with motionless
wings oscillating their bodies,

I saw how the glistening yellow lit up parts of
their bodies, and left the rest in strong
shadow,

I saw the slow-wheeling circles and the gradual
edging toward the south.


I too saw the reflection of the summer-sky in the
water.
Had my eyes dazzled by the shimmering track of
beams,

Looked at the fine centrifugal spokes of light
round the shape of my head in the sun-lit
water,

Looked on the haze on the hills southward and
southwestward,

Looked on the vapor as it flew in fleeces tinged
with violet,

Looked toward the lower bay to notice the arriv-
ing ships,

Saw their approach, saw aboard those that were
near me,

Saw the white sails of schooners and sloops, saw
the ships at anchor,

The sailors at work in the rigging or out astride
the spars,

The round masts, the swinging motion of the
hulls, the slender serpentine pennants,

The large and small steamers in motion, the pi-
lots in their pilot-houses,

The white wake left by the passage, the quick
tremulous whirl of the wheels,

The flags of all nations, the falling of them at
sun-set,

The scallop-edged waves in the twilight, the
ladled cups, the frolicsome crests and glisten-
ing,
The stretch afar growing dimmer and dimmer, the
gray walls of the granite store-houses by the
docks,

On the river the shadowy group, the big steam-
tug closely flanked on each side by the
barges—the hay-boat, the belated lighter,

On the neighboring shore the fires from the foun-
dry chimneys burning high and glaringly into
the night,

Casting their flicker of black, contrasted with wild
red and yellow light, over the tops of houses,
and down into the clefts of streets.

Caroline Busting the Bongo

Here's a pic that Mike sent me of Caroline. Cool!

How to get kids interested in computers

Maybe you want you child to be less interested in computers, but heres a great link. Even an example of binary taught through vegetables.

Dylan's HOME!!

Wow, Great news about Dylan. Plus a new weblog his parents started.

Consultants and Sheep

Here's a funny story about some of the people we deal with at work. Very smart and well paid people, but sometimes, you have to question them.

A norwegian farmer is herding his gigantic herd of sheep when a tough new BMW 5 series pull up on the road next to his field. A young guy in a Broni dress with Gucci shoes, RayBans and a YSL tie sticks his head out the window and shouts to the farmer: 'If I can tell you exactly how many sheep you have, will you give me one of them?'
The farmer looks at the kid and says: Well, thats OK with me'. The guy pulls over to the side, opens his notebook on the hood, hooks it up to the latest Nokia cell phone, and surfs to a NASA site, and calls up a GPS sattelite navigation system, picks up their exact position, and feeds it to another NASA sattelite the takes an ultra high resolution photo of the field. Then he opens the digital image in Photoshop and exports it to another site: 'Image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany' . Within seconds he receives an e-mail on his palm pilot that reads 'picture processed and data stored. Then he logs in to an SQL database via ODBC and calls up an Excel sheet with hundres of built in formulas. Then he loads all the data to a Xircom and in an instant he receives an answer. Lastly he prints out a multicolor, 150 page report on his high tech mini HP color laserjet and glances at the last page:

'You have exactly 1586 animals' he says.

The farmer says its correct, so its ok that you take a sheep. Then he is watching while the kid picks an animal, and struggles to fit it in the trunk of the BMW. Finally he says: 'Hey you - if I can tell you what your job is, can I then have my sheep back?' The young guy thinks for a second and then says: 'Yeah, why not?'. The farmer says: 'you are a consultant'. 'Oh, my God, you are right', the guys says - 'how could you guess?' - 'I am not guessing' the farmer says 'You came here without me calling you, then you wanted me to pay you for an answer I already knew, even to a question I never asked - furthermore you have absolutely NO clue about my business! - So would you please open the trunk and give me my DOG back?'

Pictures on Request

We took this pic Saturday after a long day climbing "The Mountain". Isaac slid down and climbed back up time after time. The picture shows the results.