Millenium

Got the first season of Chris Carter's show Millenium (spelling?) from Netflix. I remember watching this show at times when it came out and liking it, but I wasn't a regular viewer -- it's pretty dark, and at the time I was a devotee of Carter's other show, the X-Files. I missed out is all I can say. The premise is that the lead character, Frank Black (no not from the Pixies) is a retired FBI profiler of serial killers, who hangs it up because he's too good at what he does -- he actually has visions of what the killer sees (a la Will Graham from Red Dragon). The twist is that he's been contacted to come out of retirement by a "consultant" group called the Millenium Group, who assists the authorities on particularly baffling serial killer cases. The Millenium Group, however, believes that these killers, rather than being random psychopaths, are driven by the forces of hell on earth (i.e., Satan) bent on bringing about the apocalypse of Revelations. May sound out there, but it's compelling...

The Squid and The Whale

Caught this indie flick over the weekend. Good movie, but tough to watch. It's about a family breaking up after years of the husband and wife being lousy to each other. It shows how the parents and their two sons suffer, particularly by making bad choices it seems. There were parts that were truly funny and bits that were hard to watch because they were raw and painful -- the younger son (who's pre-teen) acts out by drinking, smoking and something more politely reserved for private conversation. Good acting, particularly by the boys who play the sons. It's definitely not for delicate sensibilities (like Mom! :))

Here We Go Again

What would spring training be without Cubs pitchers on the shelf? Kerry Wood is still rehabbing, and Mark Prior is rumored to have shoulder problems.

Krushchev

I'm currently reading a biography of Nikita Krushchev by William Taubman. I find Khrushchev as fascinating as any historical figure of the 20th century, as a man, a politician, a statesman, and a Cold War leader. The man is as complex and contradictory as they come both in his motives and his methods. More to come as I get farther into the book...

Hiatus Over

Taken a little longer posting break than I like to. It's been busy around the Tarzan household and with the Tarzan business. Just finished a history of the Middle East written by a former BBC (I think) correspondent. It was concise, well written and contained a wealth of information about the roots of the current conflict between the U.S. and Europe, Arab and Persian nations and Islam. Colonialism and neo-colonialism, combined with Islam, explain much about the current problems the U.S. and Europe are experiencing in the Middle East. It also discusses the roots of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism as an accepted weapon against the West. It's a great book that gives one a lot to think about in the modern context.

The GAO Preliminary Statement On Katrina

This preliminary report from the GAO takes the federal government (particularly FEMA) to task for massive failures in preparation, planning, and response to Hurricane Katrina. What's chilling is the implication the report makes for our readiness for any new potential terrorist attack...

McSweeney's Does 24

Snippets from

"About Me"
on Jack Bauer's Friendster Profile.
BY JACK RUENPRAPAN

Catch the full article at the link to McSweeney's Internet Tendency

- - - -

I don't have a lot of time to explain right now, but you're going to have to trust me.

During my years of covert government service, I have gone through hell and back. Yes, I am proud to have served my country, helping to avoid many horrific tragedies. Rules are meant to be followed, but I have a history of insubordination. While the methods I employ may seem harsh, I always have one goal in mind: saving lives. In the process, I have had to make some tough decisions, often within seconds, in order to avert disaster.

To my friends: I'm sorry for not telling you everything. It's not that I don't trust you, but we are operating on a strict need-to-know basis. But when I'm in a jam, I hope I can count on you. Whether it's illegally hacking passwords of suspected terrorist financiers or keeping your mouth shut about my smack habit, I really appreciate everything. And if you ever find yourself unavoidably chained to a weapon of mass destruction counting down to zero, you know I'm the first one there with an ax. You can even use my belt to stop the bleeding while I radio Division for help. Sorry I can't stick around to accompany you to the emergency room, but there's still work that needs to be done, so get me that chopper. And set up a perimeter right away.

To my enemies: If I need information from you, seconds count. So apologies in advance if I have to break your thumbs or threaten to kill your family; I empathize with you. Believe me, I've been tortured plenty of times myself, and I know interrogation ain't no picnic. Please listen to me very carefully: I will DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to stop this assassination/nuclear bomb/horrible karaoke.

- - - -

Been A Long Week...

Haven't blogged for almost a week -- between work, considering new work options (got a couple of interviews next week to explore some new possibilties), illness and a major wireless router breakdown requiring the crack help of the Geek Squad (they don't actually roll like the Mod Squad, which was disappointing), I haven't had much time or accessiblility to the Century of Futility.

First, work. Week started with a bang -- new contracts, a new project with a colleague, and plenty of closings over the next three weeks, and ended with a whimper -- likely lost one contract because the appraisal came back way too low, and lost my condo deal, which will entail a future hit. Not too pleased with the way the day went as I write this.

Second, new work. Interviewing with a headhunter on Monday, and for a position with a firm in Wheaton. Interested in seeing what's out there.

Third, illness. My little man caught a cold Tuesday and was up all night with breathing problems and a fever -- he'd cough, cough, cough and wake himself up -- he couldn't have gotten more than two hours of sleep all night. He went to the doctor Wednesday, and has bounced back nicely, but the hardest thing for me as a parent is when I'm powerless to help (like when Sammo can't breathe), particularly because my kids are still young enough to think Mom and Dad can fix anything. Then, on Thursday, my wife calls me. From the hospital. Seems she had a bad dizzy spell at work that she thought may have been an allergic reaction. She's fine, thankfully, but again, there's the powerless problem.

Fourth, Geek Squad. While Sammo was getting sick, so was our computer system. The wireless router somehow got unconfigured (deconfigured, discombobulated?) completely shutting down the home office. Which happens to be THE OFFICE. Thankfully, Geek Squad rolled to the rescue for a total of $129.00

That's the week in a nutshell. Stay tuned for next week's episode, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.

The "New" Supreme Court

I've been purposely holding off commenting on the selections of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the high court -- mostly because I wanted to see how the process played out. The "vetting" process by the Senate is badly flawed. The fact of the matter is, I'm most interested in knowing how a particular judge intereprets the law -- not in their personal politics. As a matter of course, most judges put their personal beliefs aside in reaching a decision on a case, and there was clearly no evidence that either Justice Roberts or Justice Alito would use their new role to advance private political agendas. While a judge's interpretation of an unprecedented case may be informed by their background, most judges who make it to courts of appeal or the federal bench at all are solid jurists who apply the law, not their opinions to the case. This is why the Republicans missed badly on Justices Kennedy and Souter, and why the Democrats made themselves look like fools when they spent their time pontificating during the confirmation hearings of the new Justices -- they failed to fully appreciate (or care) that candidates for the highest bench in the land are by and large going to interpret the law as it exists -- not as they wish it to be. Legislating from the bench is the quickest way to stall your career as a judge (Justice Scalia being the obvious exception). So while it's way too early to uncover any trends from Justices Roberts and Alito, I'm not too concerned that they'll be listening to a political party rather than the Constitution in deciding cases. They seem much more pragmatic than dogmatic.

Karl Barth

Here are the thoughts of yet another significant theologian -- Swiss born Karl Barth. Many consider Barth to be the most inlfuential theologian since Thomas Aquinas. Here's a sampling of his thoughts:

[God] is not deaf, he listens; more than that, he acts. He does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God's action, even upon his existence. That is what the word 'answer' means. ... The fact that God yields to man's petitions, changing his intentions in response to man's prayer, is not a sign of weakness. He himself, in the glory of his majesty and power, has so willed it.

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.

Man can certainly flee from God... but he cannot escape him. He can certainly hate God and be hateful to God, but he cannot change into its opposite the eternal love of God which triumphs even in his hate.


Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God


Jews have God's promise and if we Christians have it, too, then it is only as those chosen with them, as guests in their house, that we are new wood grafted onto their tree.

Religion is the possibility of the removal of every ground of confidence except confidence in God alone

Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not grace.

Men have never been good, they are not good and they never will be good

It may be that when the angels go about their task praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they play Mozart.

All sin has its being and origin in the fact that man wants to be his own judge. And in wanting to be that, and thinking and acting accordingly, he and his whole world is in conflict with God. It is an unreconciled world, and therefore a suffering world, a world given up to destruction.

Super Seahawks! (Meaning Steelers Win!)

Going with the Seahawks for the Super Bowl win -- thus guaranteeing a Steelers victory in the game, which should make all the Pry-wins in and around the 'Burgh joyful! I think it will be a good game -- the teams match up well, and if Shaun Alexander can get going, the Seahawks will make it tough on the Steeltowners. No other analysis -- just going with my streak of (bad) luck to bring it home for the Terrible Towelers...