Saturday, 15 March 2003: Last night, Katie and I called my grandma and were talking to her for about a half hour. I've just gotta say one thing about our conversation, she never ceases to amaze me.

We started talking about computers and the Internet, something that Nano was introduced to only a few months ago. Well, she enrolled in and finished a computer course at her local community college and she's part of a computer club that is held through the Country Club where she lives. Then, we started talking about computers themselves and she got into how inferior the machines were at her local community college. To hear your Grandma come out and say that her machine is running Windows XP and that she's disappointed the computers there only have Windows 95. Heck, she even said, "they're not even up to Windows 98, that's how behind they are." This from someone who hasn't even used a computer until late last year and she's already that well versed in Windows Operating Systems. My Nano refuses to sign up for her intermediate computer class at the College until they finish the upgrade of their computer labs. Damn, Nano, you're already a techno snob. I'm so proud. So is Katie. I got off that phone with a big old smile on my face.

Friday, 14 March 2003: Some might argue that yesterday was a good day for the Bears, others might argue that it is not so great. I am completely stoked about this. The Chicago Bears have signed former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart to a two-year deal for $5M. Granted Stewart isn't always the most reliable quarterback, but when he's on, he's on. I just hope that when this next season starts, he's on. I like Stewart. He's got a strong arm, he's incredibly intelligent, and he's mobile. That is the key for the Bears... mobility. No matter what, you can't say that Stewart isn't mobile.

Kordell, welcome to Chicago. I, for one, am happy to have you.

I wonder what his uniform number will be. Any guesses?

Thursday, 13 March 2003: File this under "it must be a cold day in Hell." But, it seems that the former President George H.W. Bush is not entirely convinced that war is the proper course of action in Iraq. Well, going to war without a unanimous U.N. resolution, that is.

He says that any hopes for peace in the Middle East would be ruined by a war in Iraq that is not unilaterally supported. He also recommended that the current administration resist his tendency to bear grudges and that his son should work to mend the rifts that have been developing between the U.S. and Germany and France.

According to this article in the London Times Online, the senior Bush believes that the number of weapons of mass destruction possessed by Iraq "could be debated" and the overall case against Iraq is "less clear" than it was during the first Gulf War. Bush also said, "The Madrid conference would never have happened if the international coalition that fought together in Desert Storm had exceeded the UN mandate and gone on its own into Baghdad after Saddam and his forces."

It would seem that the Bush family, on a whole, has several differing opinions regarding going to war in Iraq. Perhaps Daddy does know best.

This kinda reminds me of a Saturday Night Live sketch from a few years back with George Sr. (Dana Carvey) and George Jr. (I believe Will Farrell) going hunting together just before the election. George Sr. says that he can't possibly let the American public suffer like this, sends his son to go pick up a duck they shot down, and then shoots his son in the back with his shotgun. Made me laugh then, makes me laugh now.

Does this mean we can start calling them "French Fries" and "French Toast" again?

Here's a link to the article.

Wednesday, 12 March 2003: I am in complete and utter shock that Elizabeth Smart was found and, not only that, she's alive. Wow. What else can you really say? The Smart family has got to be thanking their lucky stars right now. That's absolutely incredible.

Welcome home, Elizabeth.

And give your kid sister a big old hug. You owe her your life.

Tuesday, 11 March 2003: Sometimes, our government just makes it way too easy for me. Get a load of this one... cafeterias in all House office buildings in Washington, D.C. have decided to strike a blow against the French by changing their menus. Oh, you're gonna love this one... they will now be serving Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast. What the hell is that about? Is that just the saddest and most unforgiveable thing you've ever heard in your life? Now I am seeing proof that our government is being run by a bunch of grade school kids. Oh, I'm sure this is hurting the French. I'm sure they're sitting at home crying over the renaming of two food items that, if I recall correctly, were American inventions anyway. I'll bet they're more than happy to have their names removed from our fattening foods.

"Come back and I shall taunt you a second time!"

Update: Apparently, French Fries were created in Belgium. As for French Toast, I'm still not quite sure.

Monday, 10 March 2003: Don't ask me where the inspiration for this one came from. But here goes anyway...

I'm sure you've heard people invoke (usually blasphemously) the name "Jesus H. Christ," right? Well, have you ever wondered about its origin? Where exactly did the "H" come from? Or, more importantly, what does it stand for? Somebody here at work told me what it historically refers to and it's just way too academic for it to be any fun ("Holy" in case you're wondering). So, be creative and e-mail me with your suggestions as to what the H in Jesus H . Christ represents. Be funny. Be insightful. Just be original. Let me know.

And, yes, I know I'm probably going to hell for this one.