Well, a new job it is and a nice, three week stay in Pleasanton CA. The hills are nice to see again and the smell of eucalyptus, although not in the air, is just on the other side of the valley. I made the jump hoping for a better culture and the opportunity to specialize in a niche area and, so far, it looks like it could happen. Time shall be the eternal test for this and other things.

Sites of interest: The new gig.
Rhinos are on the way.

Wow; lots of new things to say and so little time to do it!

A new job, perhaps, is right around the corner and should be a welcome relief to the boredom that currently occupies most of my working day now that I'm currently 'non-chargeable' at my old school, big-5 consulting company. Ah, it was such sweet bliss implementing that last product.

I don't think I'll ever see that Bush v Hussien debate mentioned last month. Although not as wonderful as that possibility, the Iraqi Information Minister was a hoot. It was almost SNL like in its comedy, although SNL would've not known when to stop.

Sites of interest: Indianapolis' local Presbyterian governing body?
Spin gone bad or, at least, out of touch.

It seems absolutely amazing to me that a land-locked country, in the middle of Europe, known for pocket knives, cuckoo clocks, chocolate, incredibly large and secret bank accounts, and neutrality, won the America's Cup. Where in the world will they defend? (It's not so amazing when you discover the owner of the team is a billionaire and that he practically bought the cup when you consider he convinced the skipper who won the last two cups for Team New Zealand, to drive his sailboat.) Nonetheless, on the surface, it makes for good reading.

Sites of interest: Teach 'em young to love the media?
The best chat client around.
The champ deserves better than this.

It is a fact of human nature; it cannot be denied. Given the ability to fret, worry, fester, and remain fixated on our troubles, we will. Day in and day out.

On a lighter note, I'd love to see the proposed debate between President Bush and Mr. Hussein. Granted, Mr. Hussein is a monster; of that there exists no doubt. He might be comparable to some of the worst political demagogues the world has ever seen and I do not wish to treat the current situation in Iraq lightly. However, I would just love to see this happen. Where would such an event take place? One would think that a neutral site would be void of any religous or racial inequality so, perhaps, Japan? No, Japan is too US friendly. Maybe The Netherlands, or somewhere in Mongolia. Once that nightmare is settled, what about the moderator and the structure of the debate? Flip a coin, 15 minute opening statements, 3 questions each from a moderator with a time limit of 10 minutes and then 5 minute rebuttal? I want to know! Speaking of moderators, how about Kofi Annan? He'd be marvelous.

Oh, well. Site of interest: The dream of Woodrow Wilson.

Snow last night with a total accumulation of 6". That makes it 40"+ for this winter with no relief in site. The hardest thing to get used to in the midwest is the wind. In the mid-atlantic area you've got this nice, natural windbreak called the Appalachian mountains. Not so here. The only windbreak as far as the eye can see (and those would be really good eyes) is the Rockies. That wind caused difting of up to 1 ft. and made shoveling this morning a real treat. This is definitely the winter for SUVs and snowblowers. Alas, I have neither. Fortunately, front wheel drive and a nice snow shovel have worked so far.

Tax preparation day and another wash. The $100 from the feds almost offsets the $150 owed to the state. I will be thrilled once the new house is completed and we can claim mortgage deductions on next year's return. Speaking of the house, we're only a month or so away from closing. That should be a trip.

Sites of interest: The man doesn't stop and is a show not to be missed.
Another man who doesn't (and, perhaps, can't) stop and is the current king of Las Vegas.
The man who started with radio jingles, became Bette Midler's music director, and then, who knew?

Sites of interest for this week:

The official website of the America's Cup challenger, Alinghi (SUI 64).
The man who started it all.
The method to the madness.

Well, here it is. The first blog entry. I know, I know; everyone's doing it do why not you? Good question. And, the answer is, I don't have a good reason for not doing it, so, as a result, I am. After all, everyone's doing the turkey trot. So why not?