tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38817672011-04-21T11:32:46.462-07:00"Should this journey lead to death, we ride together!" - Jason Holdfast, <br> <i>Parables of the Fall</i>J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comBlogger831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1102100085419327392004-12-03T10:36:00.000-08:002004-12-03T10:54:45.420-08:00

Last night, we had Virtual Game Night with Robert. We played on Brettspielwelt, which is a German site that has created electronic versions of several of the best German Games out there. We had time to play Funkenschlag (aka Power Grid) which was very fun. Another of my favorites, Attika, was also played. Speaking of gaming, there is a new blog out there run by the creator of one of the best

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1101949961326993252004-12-01T16:56:00.000-08:002004-12-01T17:12:41.326-08:00

There is still time to donate to Spirit of America. I am amazed at the work being done by Spirit of America, as I have noted in earlier posts. But more importantly, I am amazed by the sheer transformation of a truly global charity that has been enabled so fully. The Charity manages its resources on charity gifts- good Samaritan organizers who are paying for bandwidth, storage space, web

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1101854554902354992004-11-30T14:40:00.000-08:002004-11-30T14:42:34.903-08:00

The Free Spirit and I are hosting blogs for our nieces. The idea is to provide blog-posts from around the world, telling the girls about different locations and people. If you want to provide information, visit Kayla's blog and follow the instructions for posting to her. Thanks!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1101854323727097932004-11-30T14:35:00.000-08:002004-11-30T14:38:43.726-08:00

When people tell me that there isn't enough dialogue between drug users and motorcycle drivers of the country, I show them this. (Hat Tip: C-dawg)

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1100915866514692052004-11-19T17:57:00.000-08:002004-11-19T18:03:12.783-08:00

Hello Friends and Family! I am writing to ask that you to consider Spirit of America this holiday season if you plan to donate to a charity. Those who were planning to give Heidi and I a gift this year, we would be honored if you instead kicked a couple bucks towards Spirit of America. For those who normally do not give to a charity, I ask just a few moments of your time to make my case for this

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1094319769624868252004-09-04T10:03:00.000-07:002004-09-04T10:42:49.623-07:00

Let's just imagine for a second that Kerry could execute the war on terror as well as Bush. (I have remarked for awhile that a Democrat president would have likely done much of what Bush did post 9-11, but merely with the sympathetic support of th activist left.) But let's just remove the question of the War on Terror for a few moments. Bush still needs to be elected this coming election. Two

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1091756959758457942004-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:002004-08-05T18:51:18.736-07:00

Evidently Subway has pulled their tray liners, but still distribute a book with a picture of a burger crashing into two tall towers, with cartoon people running away beneath. The funny thing is that Subway I now realize that has been un-american for quite some time. I don't mean anti-american, I mean un-american- as in they don't understand many of the American ideals. How long did it take them

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1091558104924320882004-08-03T11:28:00.000-07:002004-08-03T11:35:04.923-07:00

John Kerry recently noted that he has a "secret plan" to get us out of Iraq. The claim is reminiscent of his previous claims that he had talked to several foreign leaders who were secretly pulling for his victory. The previous claim was a chance for many people to have some fun. I think the current claim is just plain absurd. According to Kerry and some Democratic senators, he can get other

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1091145290894095062004-07-29T16:44:00.000-07:002004-07-29T16:54:50.896-07:00

There is a new report that the Pakistanis have arrested a high value target. So immediately, Josh Marshall leaps on the attack, saying that it is extremely convenient that this news is released on the day that Kerry is set to speak. The theory (as implied by The Nation several months ago) is that the capture of an HVT will cloud out Kerry's media coverage. Let's not forget the inconvenient fact

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1089406150319890132004-07-09T13:48:00.000-07:002004-07-09T13:49:10.320-07:00

But second, I wonder if I'm really bad because I refuse to engage people in discussions about F-911. It's like the freaking plague. Everywhere I go, people are coughing up various bits of flem about how "Disturbing" and "Thought Provoking" that movie is. And it sickens me. The arguments in F911 are the same crackpot conspiracy theories that I've dealt with on various mailing lists for the past

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1089304784525545842004-07-08T09:33:00.000-07:002004-07-08T09:39:44.526-07:00

First of all, yes, I am bad for not keeping this blog updated since starting my job at OV. However, I have some great Process Talk for the near future. I'll be heading back to the old CO for Cammammeron's wedding, so I hope to get some good wrting time in.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1083171644244273162004-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:002004-04-28T10:04:53.576-07:00

I have long considered myself a coloradan in exile. And this is yet another reason to go back home!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1082750734299208772004-04-23T13:05:00.000-07:002004-04-23T13:09:37.140-07:00

I've long contended that mere plurality voting is not going to get the results that Fox wants on American Idol. As shown in this article, one of the top three contenders was voted off on Wednesday, while some of the most atrocious singers of the year continue to hang on. Now, there are charges of racism, vote fixing, etc that are threatening to sour this competition. But the problem is very

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1082581580280632872004-04-21T14:06:00.000-07:002004-04-21T14:10:20.500-07:00

When I travel about the world looking for bloody noses, I find this site to be immensely useful.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1082570439350506202004-04-21T11:00:00.000-07:002004-04-21T15:38:30.983-07:00

Spirit of America gathered over a three-quarters of a million dollars in less than a week after it was featured in an article on Wall Street Journal. The money, coming from over 4,000 contributors, will be used to provide equipment to seven local Iraqi TV stations, which will be owned and independently operated by Iraqi citizens. I have donated in the past (nothing extraordinary like the

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1082569452102964372004-04-21T10:44:00.000-07:002004-04-21T10:48:11.606-07:00

For those who do not know already (and considering the traffic to this blog, that number is small), I have decided to end my job at EarthLink to go to work for Yahoo!. Specifically I'll be working within the wholly-owned subsidiary, Overture as a Problem Management Analyst. More succinctly: as the problem management analyst. What is Problem Management? There are many ways to describe Problem

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081692065388346412004-04-11T07:01:00.000-07:002004-04-11T07:04:52.060-07:00

Blogging will be light this week. I'm headed to Atlanta for The Company.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081548002294840302004-04-09T15:00:00.000-07:002004-04-09T15:03:46.780-07:00

Yes. I agree. The latest trouble in Iraq is bad. Very Bad. I have confidence that the guys on the ground will have the adaptability and poise to confront the latest uprising among a minority of shiites in the country. (Notwithstanding the defeatest anklebiting of certain senators.) In any case, I think it worthwhile to put some things in perspective. This is from Iraq the Model: "Years ago,

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081538674579482642004-04-09T12:24:00.000-07:002004-04-09T12:30:44.090-07:00

I think that this entry by Gregg Easterbrook puts quite a few things in perspective. It predicts the furor that would have erupted if the Bush Administration had tried to engage in a war in Afghanistan prior to 9-11, based on the intelligence of "something big" happenning. I tend to agree with Easterbrook, though I think that his case is somewhat misstated. The complaints about Bush that I have

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-108144343433207352004-04-08T09:57:00.000-07:002004-04-08T10:00:56.436-07:00

The Av's pulled out all the stops last night, to down the Stars, 3-1. Of course, the story of the night has been and still is the proud performance of David Aebischer who stopped 37 shots and only gave up one goal, halfway through the third period. There has been speculation about how well Abby would do in the playoffs. I did not get to watch the game, but I've seen what he did in the first Red

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081440273126943632004-04-08T09:04:00.000-07:002004-04-08T09:08:33.216-07:00

I think the Free Spirit has changed the style of her blog more times than she has posted....

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-108143876728801452004-04-08T08:39:00.000-07:002004-04-08T08:43:09.590-07:00

Finally, Linux is starting to appeal to me.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081367498178627642004-04-07T12:51:00.000-07:002004-04-07T14:18:51.000-07:00

There is an interesting analysis at Global Guerillas. Go read it, and come back. Don't worry, I'll wait! (via Unstable Human). Ok finished? I think we can agree that the tactics offered by Alexander the G' and summarized by John are quite effective. But I think this brings up an important issue: this is tactics, not strategy. Alexander, engaged in a battle with the Scythians, used superior

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-108135373138906632004-04-07T09:02:00.000-07:002004-04-07T09:05:52.890-07:00

The ATI All-In-Wonder is getting much, much more sophisticated, and I've read in magazines that the software is far more robust. Specifically, I'm excited about the AIW's new "streaming" functionality. The board has had TiVo functionality for awhile. However the new functionality allows any computer with an ATI Radeon card to access that functionality. In other words, you can stream, timeshift (

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081192490794606612004-04-05T12:14:00.000-07:002004-04-05T12:18:59.700-07:00

Keith Barry has a nice roundup of the reaction to the hurtful comments made by Kos the other day. The summarization is about what you'd expect. Right-leaners largely came out to condemn Kos, while Kos and others made lame excuses for his stupid and dumb statements. I'd end this with no further comment except for these few odd tidbits: First, Kos is whining about the attacks against him. Come on

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081188176846662862004-04-05T11:02:00.000-07:002004-04-05T12:29:56.250-07:00

If you are unfamiliar with my Movie rating system, here it is- Worst to Best: Negative $: Don't watch this movie. It is so bad that they should pay you to waste 2 Hours on it when you could be hiking in the mountains, washing your car, or getting teeth pulled. $0.00: Catch it when it airs on your local networks. Let advertisers pay the cost for you. $1.00: It is worth it to grab off of HBO or

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1081187486319043942004-04-05T10:51:00.000-07:002004-04-05T10:55:05.856-07:00

We went to see the Ladykillers on Friday night. In summary, it was a good movie, but not up to Coen brothers standards. I rate it a $19.00 movie. I am a huge fan of the Coen Brothers movies. They are to Brothers Grimm what Tarantino is to 70s pop-movie culture- lending these forgotten styles to the stories of today. None can match their ability to weave elements of the supernatural fable into a

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080922703121191612004-04-02T08:18:00.000-08:002004-04-02T10:12:25.250-08:00

Unstable Human comments on this article, hoping that he is too old for the draft. It appears that the selective service is drawing up plans just in case they are asked to draft those poor blokes like UH who actually studied in school. Now, the Bush Administration has said in no uncertain terms that they are not going to ask for the draft, but one assumes that the Selective Service must draw up

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080921673318239722004-04-02T08:01:00.000-08:002004-04-02T08:04:48.170-08:00

The Free Spirit finaly has her own blog. Huzzah! In the, "Why I love her so much" category, her first post is a Hello World. Come on, how cute and geeky can a girl get. BACK OFF! She's MINE!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080921207362914522004-04-02T07:53:00.000-08:002004-04-02T07:57:02.670-08:00

Daily Kos is a sick, sick man(?). You may not believe that the Iraq war was good. You may not believe that it is moral. But to say something like this about the victims of the Fallujah massacre: They aren't in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them. Now, how the bloody hell does he

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080853376621854392004-04-01T13:02:00.000-08:002004-04-01T13:06:30.403-08:00

A great roundup of Post-Colonial Algeria is to be had at Winds of Change. Hat tip to Instapundit.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080837075824487372004-04-01T08:31:00.000-08:002004-04-01T08:34:49.090-08:00

Today's Lileks is a perfect April 1 indulgence. I would quote it, but it would spoil the fun. No, it isn't a fake news item...It's better!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080765633421221052004-03-31T12:40:00.000-08:002004-03-31T12:44:05.356-08:00

A lot has been said recently about problems with the Avalanche's ability to put the puck in the net. A quick read on the Denver Post, or the league reports in general, and you see a lot of tactical discussions about penalty killing, passing plays and offensive stances. I think the problem is much more fundamental than that. Take a look at any star player on a typical team, and you will see two

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1080763426540770652004-03-31T12:03:00.000-08:002004-03-31T12:13:35.233-08:00

All week, I have been hearing networks lament the Whitehouse's reaction to the allegations made by Richard Clarke. If the various radio shows, news hours and talking heads were to be believed, Clarke leveled zingers at Bush that he has failed to rebut. But is this true? According to the recent Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll (hat tip to Hugh Hewitt), Bush is polling a few percentage points higher for

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079973999021665022004-03-22T08:46:00.000-08:002004-03-22T08:49:58.793-08:00

I have to say that I'm not a great neighbor. That is, I wave to those I see on the street when watering the flowers; I've even taken the time to get the name of those who had a second to talk. But I've never really integrated myself in the community. I have probably spent more time walking on trails a mile away than I have spent walking around my block. But this weekend, that changed. There

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079970361852985612004-03-22T07:46:00.000-08:002004-03-22T07:49:21.576-08:00

I'm not a major fan of condescending jokes...But this cannot be ignored! A+ for effort!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079559868945935132004-03-17T13:44:00.000-08:002004-03-17T13:47:42.403-08:00

From the Volokh conspiracy, I see that a the British Labour Home Secretary wants to bill wrongfully imprisoned persons for the food and boarding while they were in jail. I think Mr Bart Simpson had it best when he said, "Zuh?"

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079555780131629992004-03-17T12:36:00.000-08:002004-03-17T12:41:31.250-08:00

When the courts upheld McCain-Feingold, I was really surprised. But they felt that the appearances of money-buying-power were to dire to allow the enforcement of the First Ammendment. I didn't agree, but resolved to live with it. (It was Bush's fault for signing the damn thing into law in the first place). One of the main thrusts of McCain-Feingold, and the support it gained from the courts,

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079553540141346442004-03-17T11:59:00.000-08:002004-03-17T12:02:13.356-08:00

I don't generally talk about political figures. I know who I'm going to vote for in November, it is readily apparent by the content of this site. I am more interested in gaming out the theories behind my political beliefs. I figure that one of the political parties will adopt them assuming they take flight. In my mind, it is about convincing people on the issues first, and which person to push

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079542986968685472004-03-17T09:03:00.000-08:002004-03-17T09:06:20.750-08:00

I start every morning with Lileks' "The Bleat". Usually it is just trivial stuff, like his day with the kind. But Lileks has that gift of gab that makes even the most mundane event a masterpiece. Case in point: "I want to use this color, says Gnat’s friend. I WANT TO USE THAT COLOR, Gnat replied. Note: there are 48 colors. Take child aside for a lesson. When you go to Livvy’s house, she lets

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079542542668431202004-03-17T08:55:00.000-08:002004-03-17T08:59:43.000-08:00

Over at Policy Review, there is a great article that discusses the demographic crisis that is threatening China. Evidently, like Europe, China's birth rate per couple has plummeted to the point where they are not replacing their deaths. Unlike Europe, the trend is severely accelerated by the Chinese "One Child" law and some rather shocking birth-control and abortion statistics. In any case, I

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079541951229294932004-03-17T08:45:00.000-08:002004-03-17T08:49:04.590-08:00

We finaly found out who the Foreign (or was that "More") leaders were. Now that's good stuff.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079541658334887782004-03-17T08:40:00.000-08:002004-03-17T08:44:11.733-08:00

Gregg, in the comments section, says: "The reason why people pay upwards of $50 for the bundles is not because it's such a great deal-- it isn't. It's a downright crappy deal. But there's no competition. Most areas have one cable provider, sometimes two if you're lucky. That means the cable companies can charge what they dang well please and people pay it. " I appreciate your comments but I

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1079022334822726682004-03-11T08:25:00.000-08:002004-03-11T08:28:40.340-08:00

So, Bertuzzi is going to be out for the rest of the year, including playoffs. I'm pretty happy with that. Some friends feel that he should be out as long as Moore is out, including ending his career if Moore's injuries end up forcing him to retire. I love the Avs and all, but I don't think that such a thing is necessary. Yes, it was a cheap shot. Yes, it was unwarranted. And I'll insist all day

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078939261178144262004-03-10T09:21:00.000-08:002004-03-10T09:31:04.373-08:00

The Instapundit produces a well-thought-out article about unbundled channel packages that you get from cable TV. But then he gets to this key quote: "I don't know a lot about cable TV regulation, but I can't imagine a legitimate objection to unbundling here. Why should people be forced to buy things they don't want?" Knowing Professor Reynolds' generally libertarian leanings, I'm a bit shocked

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078934806420111882004-03-10T08:06:00.000-08:002004-03-10T08:09:54.950-08:00

But I cannot resist adding a ling to this article. A man proposes to his girlfriend with a custom-modded computer made in the shape of a wedding cake...Well, ok. I am a little bit disapointed that Wired didn't bother to give us the computer's specs!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078863629570416502004-03-09T12:20:00.000-08:002004-03-09T13:51:42.623-08:00

It was beautiful. Spectacular. It was the best party I've had in my entire life. The ceremony was held in the Music Room of the Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado. A snowstorm began just as we were getting started, making a beautiful backdrop to everything. The reception was also held at the Stanley in the Macgregor ballroom. We danced and drank all night! We really are lucky to have such

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078861505042692872004-03-09T11:45:00.000-08:002004-03-09T11:48:07.860-08:00

Well, we made it. We're married. Fourteen months ago, when I asked Heidi for her hand in marriage, we could never have predicted what it would take to get us to this day. And perhaps the most amazing aspect of the whole thing has been the outpouring of support from our family and friends. First and foremost, Heidi and I want to thank her parents, Dave and Cindy Eldenburg for hosting this

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078860173490877482004-03-09T11:22:00.000-08:002004-03-09T11:25:59.123-08:00

My Dearest Heidi, When we first met, I knew that you were a free spirit. You tirelessly sought the newness of each day, and found a rare comfort in change. Little did I know that you would find me hidden in the darkness; that you would pull me into the chaos of your world....Nor could I have guessed that I would love you for that. Know then that I promise to travel with you on this uncertain

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078859798754460582004-03-09T11:16:00.000-08:002004-03-09T11:19:41.920-08:00

Henry, You have managed to bring order into the chaos of my life, giving me an island of respite, protection, love, and comfort. You keep me sane, and for that, I love you deeply. In return, I promise you that I will stand with you always. I’ll be your partner in crime. I’ll play assist for your goals. I will illuminate any darkness that crosses our path. And always remember this

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1078771408501081822004-03-08T10:43:00.000-08:002004-03-08T10:46:29.950-08:00

Huzzaaah! The wedding is over, the Free Spirit and I are married. I'll be updating this post with links and reports soon!

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1074108340645950792004-01-14T11:25:00.000-08:002004-01-14T11:27:30.950-08:00

Well, starting on Friday I'll be going to Vegas for my bachelor party. I have no idea what is planned, except that 1 Million guys consisting of my 3 friends and their countless friends, have been invited. Apparently this has created the opportunity for a huge blowout-bash, with lots and lots of booze and shenanigans. My keen spy abilities indicate that it also includes a game of drunken golf.

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1074106947461754542004-01-14T11:02:00.000-08:002004-01-14T11:04:18.060-08:00

Let's just look at a couple of scenarios here: Bush is asking for NASA to get a $1 Billion raise so that they can go to the moon. Assuming that this money is approved by congress, NASA will begin work on attempting to get to the moon and Mars. Meanwhile, the X-Prize offers a mere $10 Million to the first private enterprise that can create a reusable ship that can transport 3 people to low-earth

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1073687916576717992004-01-09T14:38:00.000-08:002004-01-09T14:40:20.310-08:00

John Derbyshire, says this in The Corner: "Certainly the Bush plan is very unfair to people who have followed the rules, since it gives people who scoffed at the rules the same benefit with less trouble and expense than we had." I think that Derbyshire is a poor judge of what is fair. It is certainly true that the legal immigration laws are extremely unfair to the poor immigrant workers of this

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1073590127068520332004-01-08T11:28:00.000-08:002004-01-08T11:30:29.546-08:00

I've had two weeks now to grow accustomed to my Treo 600, which the Free Spirit bought me for Christmas. I have to say that it is great for what it is. I love having the keyboard, and it is great to have my memos and agenda on my phone, so that I don't have to carry two electronic devices. (The day that all of my wallet fits in there too will be the greatest EVER.) The little pill-keyboard is

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1073587765815066832004-01-08T10:49:00.000-08:002004-01-08T10:51:08.043-08:00

Regarding about yesterday's essay on immigration, I have had feedback from several friends, and had a chance to think more about the issue. For one thing, Glenn Reynolds has written extensively about how he feels that Outsourcing will become a big election-time issue. If true, this is even more reason why conservatives should get behind laws that favor immigration. Simply put, the stronger,

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1073524688211094382004-01-07T17:18:00.000-08:002004-01-08T10:17:08.500-08:00

The Bush administration has just released their plans to accommodate Illegal Aliens working in the US with temporary work permits. There are numerous reasons why the administration has been eager to act on our growing population of those residing in the US illegally, many of which are spelled out in far other (and better) articles. Already, the notable conservatives (see the NRO Corner) are

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1073511643531068212004-01-07T13:40:00.000-08:002004-01-07T13:42:24.496-08:00

I have returned from my exodus to Colorado for the Christmas holiday. Woohoo. It was definately a great and enjoyable time. The Free Spirit and I were able to wrap up a number of wedding details. We went to the Stanley and had the oportunity to better plan how the ceremony will go. We also interviewed DJs and a florist. Finaly, I was able to vegitate a bit and get some quality time with

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1070305806939539132003-12-01T11:10:00.000-08:002003-12-01T11:10:59.513-08:00

Nick Wybolt, a brilliant and wonderful man, is gone. I met Nick several months ago, when he came to work at The Company on a project to which I had been assigned. He was a partner at the small consulting firm, TAM Group, Inc. He reminded me immediately of Charles Grodin, the dad in Beethoven- that film about the dog. I wasn't so sure about him at first. I knew that I wanted- needed- his respect,

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069875550796864922003-11-26T11:39:00.000-08:002003-11-26T11:39:56.543-08:00

Soros seems extremely upset about Bush's recors internationally. He seems to want Clinton's style of politics instead of Bush's. But I really wonder if Clinton's politics were really that different in posture from Bush's... Where was the outrage when Clinton intervened in the Balkans? He defied the UN Security council, and without half the supporting resolutions present for Iraq. There were not

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069715590497447842003-11-24T15:13:00.000-08:002003-11-24T15:13:53.983-08:00

The Free Spirit and I hosted our friends for a "Pre-Thanksgiving, No Family Allowed" dinner last night. On the menu was Prime Rib. At $11-$13 per pound, one should make sure that they cook their beast propperly. Alton Brown gave awesome instructions on the matter on his show, Good Eats. The recipe is here, but I really recommend that you watch the show (which can be seen on the Food Network or

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069713935395719372003-11-24T14:45:00.000-08:002003-11-24T14:51:10.796-08:00

Jacob Levy notes, on the Volokh Conspiracy, that several people are invoking the "Conception Requirement" argument to defend the exclusivity of hetero-sexual marriage. The refrain goes somewhat like this, "Since marriage is meant as a means to procreation, marriage should not be allowed for homosexuals who cannot procreate." In order to fend off the logically following argument- that we allow

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069435086790881302003-11-21T09:18:00.000-08:002003-11-21T09:18:44.983-08:00

Lileks is en Fuego. Go to his Bleat where he verbally dresses-down Salam Pax for his little memo to George Bush, printed in the Guardian this week. (You can find the letter reprinted in full on the Bleat pages.) I think it is high time that someone pointed out the twinkle-toed hypocrisy that Salam- and for that matter, 90% of the Democrat party- has engaged in since the war's start. They prance

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069202672665854602003-11-18T16:44:00.000-08:002003-11-18T16:45:06.920-08:00

The Supreme Court of Massachusetts has ruled that citizens have a right to same-sex marriages. I suppose that what rankles most about this to me is that the government even cares who marries whom. After all, it wouldn't be an affront to anybody if the government weren't revered as some sanctioning body that confers legitimacy upon some manner of relationship. Beyond that, I think that the

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069193763108115062003-11-18T14:16:00.000-08:002003-11-18T14:16:37.606-08:00

Eh...I woke up this morning to news that everyone in the world hates the US. But then I saw this article from the Guardian. The money graph: A majority of Labour voters welcome President George Bush's state visit to Britain which starts today, according to November's Guardian/ICM opinion poll. The survey shows that public opinion in Britain is overwhelmingly pro-American with 62% of voters

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069191975562448862003-11-18T13:46:00.000-08:002003-11-18T13:46:49.623-08:00

Once again, anti-violence protestors are suprised to find that their march gets no media attention. They have pictures here. Why don't the media report these?

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069184299886063032003-11-18T11:38:00.000-08:002003-11-18T11:38:53.936-08:00

I received my wedding band today. It is a ring created in Mokume fashion. Mokume is an ancient Japanese metalworking style, which was used, among other things, to make swords. The process of folding metal- hammering it flat, then folding it over on itself, then hammering it flat again, folding, etc- is also a beautiful art when two metals of different color are hammered together. The metalsmith

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1069183658951448372003-11-18T11:27:00.000-08:002003-11-18T11:28:13.140-08:00

Is it just me, or does this "American Empire" meme have a life of its own? I really tire of the statement. America is not an Empire. Where are the subjugated states whom we rule by force? Where are our proconsuls dictating law to these peoples? Where are the tax revenues, gathered by our military to support their stay in foreign lands. Last I checked, the United States shoulders an

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1068662317472542482003-11-12T10:38:00.000-08:002003-11-12T10:47:25.590-08:00

According to this article, British environmentalists are protesting the arrival of "toxic" ships scheduled to be scrapped and disposed of. Their protests have caused the British government to rescind the previous authorization for work to be done. ""We don't want these ships in the UK," said Mike Childs, Britain's campaign director for environmental pressure groups Friends of the Earth."America

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1068590672337051652003-11-11T14:44:00.000-08:002003-11-11T14:47:34.170-08:00

Alaa continues to amaze at his blog. I keep wanting to help people in Iraq, but do not think that the government will- or even can help them. Governments in the US cannot even relay to me how to get my Drivers License renewed. How can they be expected to get the right communication out to people who speak a whole other language, and who have half the communication infrastructure that I do. And

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1068490443946257092003-11-10T10:54:00.000-08:002003-11-10T10:54:28.090-08:00

My post to Alaa at Mesopotamian Blog: Alaa- You are the reality that I have hoped to find on the bloggosphere. You prove that Iraq is a diverse place, full of hope and defying the grave attempts of intellectuals to categorize, label and analyze you into mediocrity. As an American, I wish that your country was not feeling the pain of today. I wish that your streets were not filled with American

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1068488724702613172003-11-10T10:25:00.000-08:002003-11-10T10:28:29.123-08:00

Another Iraqi Blog: http://messopotamian.blogspot.com/ I'm lucky that my cubicle at work sits against the edge of the building, in a windowed corner. Like all Cubes, there is no privacy- no walls or doors to keep the day-to-day activities of my colleagues from shattering my fragile concentration. But the windowed corner has made me the envy of the floor. There are even managers with their own

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-1068486079506404592003-11-10T09:41:00.000-08:002003-11-10T09:41:43.140-08:00

I know that I haven't been blogging much...Not that anyone really watches or cares...;) I hope to change this over the next few weeks. TTYL -HB

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-935479602003-04-30T12:15:00.000-07:002003-04-30T12:15:13.940-07:00

Andrew Sullivan, whom I respect dearly, seems to have this obsession with circumcision. I myself have heard quite a bit of criticism from people who call the act barbaric and cruel to the unwilling child. The problem is that the studdies show circumcised children to be no better or worse off in life than those with the "whole package". So at most, it is a benign ritual that is performed at the

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-894565812003-02-20T13:49:00.000-08:002003-02-20T13:49:15.670-08:00

The Volokh Conspiracy has a discussion about this article on LawMeme that comes off critical of eBay's policy of keeping and sharing personal information with legal authorities. The Conspiracy responds: "I'm not so sure. eBay runs an auction site, and they need to protect their customers. They only collect the information from their users that eBay needs to conduct their business, and don't

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-892535992003-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:002003-02-17T17:51:41.000-08:00

The Truth Laid Bear has a quite exhaustive Pro-War response to the Anti-War people. Not to nit-pick here, but I've always felt that the Pro-War label is a bit derogatory. I don't want war. I'm not pro-war. I just refuse to discount the effectiveness of war, and the use of it as an option. Look, it has been said again and again, but I'll repeat it here: 1. 3 Days at Gettysburg did more to end

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-892513962003-02-17T10:21:00.000-08:002003-02-17T17:51:59.000-08:00

Some may have seen this news item, about the 20-or-so people killed by stampeding in a Chicago night club. Now, Glenn Reynolds has often written about how we are a pack- capable of self-organization- rather than a herd- prone to mass hysteria, and needing rational people to guide us. I guess the real question is: Why did this panic situation turn into a feeding-frenzy when others (such as WTC)

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-883876162003-02-01T11:27:00.000-08:002003-02-17T10:09:50.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and, as I usually do, found my way to the computer- bleary eyed, caffeine deprived. Opening a browser has always been different for the past 16 months. When my.yahoo pops up, I always wonder what headlines will be there. It's because I had slept in on a fateful Tuesday morning, only to be woken by frantic phone calls from loved ones needing to hear my voice... "Space

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-881957372003-01-28T19:57:00.000-08:002003-01-28T19:57:36.860-08:00

Oh, you sanctimonious, hypocritical pricks. Give it up. Give up your little game. You, who accuse Bush, et al, for pursuing the Iraq war out of self interest; pursuing oil; pursuing vengeance for his father; pursuing American Imperialism. You are the worst. How can you claim the moral high ground while you defend a dictator who will kill nearly a million (or more) before he is consigned to the

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-879855252003-01-24T17:14:00.000-08:002003-01-24T17:14:42.693-08:00

A Little note to people who believe that Americans, Corporations, Sweat Shops and, whatever else, are the root of all problems: If you want to save the world, there are two places to start: 1. Pay for consistent water purification for developing nations. 2. Fund the eradication of plague-baring insects. Sounds too simple doesn't it? Well it is simple. Before you can pay people more, you have

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-867272942002-12-30T20:38:00.000-08:002002-12-30T20:43:37.000-08:00

Glenn Reynolds (aka InstaPundit aka The Man, aka The Wise) wrote today, stating that: "I keep waiting for some clear explanation of why cloning is so awful that it must be banned, but nothing I've heard really gets much past the "it gives me the willies" argument. Which isn't an argument at all." Fair enough. Here goes, Glenn: Cloning cannot be accomplished without experimenting on humans,

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-834863582002-10-24T17:19:00.000-07:002002-10-24T17:25:45.000-07:00

There is a man named John Allen Muhammed, whose name shall be remembered throughout history- likely as a perpetrator of crimes so uniquely heinous as to write yet another page in the Serial Killer's Handbook. This rant is not about him. Instead, please allow me just a moment to discuss America's black sheep, the Media. Each morning, I turn on the national networks, with the hope of finding out

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881767.post-834312962002-10-23T16:49:00.000-07:002002-10-24T11:41:42.000-07:00

"Should this Journey lead to death, We ride together!" -Jason Holdfast Parables of the Fall

J Holdfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185402022563224353noreply@blogger.com