Mike's BC Odyssey

St. Patrick's Day

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:33:39 GMT

Once again, its that time of year (Life of St. Patrick).. now if only St. Patrick could chase the cold away it would be the perfect birthday.

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:23:21 GMT

<td align="center"> Mike --
[adjective]:

Fuzzy to the touch

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

Ovid you dirty, dirty bastard

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:57:11 GMT

So as some of you already know Dana (she doesn't have a livejournal, so I will leave it at that) and I are getting married this weekend. As we are getting married in a UU church, we are writing the service ourselves and waited to the last minute before tracking down a reading.

During my research, I tried to see if I could find some good ancient (secular) writers on the subject of love and marriage. As one would suspect, views of these subjects were different such that my search yielded no workable readings. However, if you are looking for slashy overly dramatic poetry to recite with your friends, be sure to check out The Love Books of Obid.

Some of what you might find includes:

A hundred motives compel me to be always in love. Here is a girl that drops her gaze demurely. That is enough, my heart catches fire and her modesty is the lure that ensnares me. And here is one that is out for booty. To her I fall a willing victim because she is no novice and because she bids fair to be keen and enterprising on a downy couch. And then, if I see one with an expression that recalls to me the Sabine dames, I forthwith tell myself that she has longings but knows how to conceal them. Are you a learned lady? I fall in love with your rare accomplishments. Unlearned? Your naïveté enthralls me. This one finds Callimachus a sorry poet compared with me. I please her, and lo, straightway she pleases me. This one finds fault with my verses and tells me I am no poet. Despite her strictures I fain would have her in my arms. This one walks languorously. Her gait enchants me. This one is prim. Peradventure, if she had a lover 'twould soften her. This one sings delightfully, and breathes from her soft throat the most melodious strains. I long to steal a kiss from her parted lips. Another lightly fingers the trembling chords of her lyre; where is he who could help adoring such skilful fingers? Here is one that wins me with her dancing. I feast my eyes on her seductive poses, on the rhythmic movements of her arms, on the swaying of her whole body as she moves in time to the music. But never mind me, whom anyone can set on fire. Let Hippolytus see her; even he would become a Priapus. You, my tall beauty, recall the heroines of olden days and the bed is not a whit too long for you. And you, my dainty little treasure; I love you, too, just as much.

... You all have some fun like Ovid - myself - I'm a married man now :-)

I got accepted to MIT!!!

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 19:57:35 GMT

So as some of you know I applied a while back to the Advanced Studies Program at MIT - and today I was accepted! The ASP is a non-degree program that allows 30-40 professionals known as ASP "fellows" a year to take regular MIT graduate courses part or full time with "regular" MIT graduate students. Despite being a non-degree program, the application included everything from a personal statements to two letters of recommendations - so believe me, this is not exactly harvard extension.

We got engaged:-)

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:25:20 GMT

Hello everybody,
just wanted to let you know we got engaged this weekend:-).
Greetings,

Mike & Dana

Ahojte vsetci,
chceli sme Vam oznamit, ze sme sa tento vikend zasnubili:-)
Vela pozdravov,

Mike & Dana

Picture of Us :-)

Picture of the ring

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:43:49 GMT

PATRICK OF IRELAND'S LIFE

Patrick was born in Britain. His father was a wealthy alderman and a Christian. Pirates captured Patrick at the age of 16, during a raid and sold him as a slave in Ireland. During this time, Patrick dedicated himself to religion. He was a slave for 6 years, and then escaped back to his home of Britain.
Patrick's experiences in Ireland made him driven by the idea of converting the Irish to Christianity. He studied in the monastery of Lerins, on an island off the southeast coast of France. Patrick also went to Auxerre, France, and studied religion under Saint Germanus, a French bishop. His religious superiors were reluctant to let him return to Ireland as a missionary, because of his inadequate education. But Palladius, the first Irish missionary bishop, died in 431. Pope Celestine I then sent Patrick to Ireland.

No one had ever preached Christianity in northern and western Ireland,so this is where Patrick began his work. He gained the trust and friendship of several tribal leaders and soon made many converts. Patrick founded more than 300 churches and baptized more than 120,000 people. He brought in clergymen for his new churches from England and France. Patrick preached in Ireland the rest of his life. Patrick was chiefly responsible for converting the Irish people to Christianity. He became known as the Apostle to the Irish. His name in Latin is Patricius.

Patrick wrote CONFESSION in his later years, an account of his spiritual development, to justify his mission to Ireland. This, along with his other writings, are the most important sources of information about his life and work.

His writings serve as the most important sources of information about Patrick's life and work. During his later years, he wrote Confession, an account of his spiritual development. Patrick wrote this book to justify his mission to Ireland.
Many stories about Patrick are based only on legend. One of the best-known tales tells how he charmed the snakes of Ireland into the sea so they were drowned. According to another legend, Patrick used a three-leaf shamrock to illustrate the idea of the Trinity. Many people believe the shamrock came to be the traditional symbol of Ireland as a result of this legend. Today, Irish Catholics throughout the world celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on his feast day, March 17.

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th, the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a national holiday in Ireland. It also is celebrated outside of Ireland in cities with a large number of people of Irish descent.

In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is primarily a religious holiday. People honor Saint Patrick by attending special religious services, enjoying family and community gatherings, and wearing shamrocks.

St. Patrick's Day is primarily a secular holiday in the United States. Many people wear green clothing, and they hold parties and march in parades. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. Today, more than 100 cities hold parades. The parade held in New York City is the largest.

Winter Trip Plans (2/24 => 3/5)

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:50:31 GMT

As you may or may not know, each year us Ahern boys have our annual winter adventure get away. This year we had to take a shorter trip (only one week) and leave a little later than usual (see above) due to conflicting schedules. Although, we were worried that this trip we might actually do something perfectly normal and stay in the continental United States, we instead opted - once again - to heave ourselves underneath the feet of peril and risk a minor international incident by crossing the border to the South. As always, i'm sure things won't go according to plan; updates and pictures to follow.

Keeping warm,
-Mike

====================================================================
Friday 2/24
====================================================================

Arrive (Colin) 5:30
Arrive (M&Cr) 8:44(AA 225)

Pick up car from Dollar (Res # )
- Insurance policy#

Sleep - Comfort Inn San Diego/Escondido ()
- 1290 W Valley Pkwy off of RT 17

====================================================================
Saturday 2/25
====================================================================

Drive Escondido => Flagstaff
- Possible detours:
- San Berdino
- Mojove desert?

Sleep - Best Value Inn and Suites-Flagstaff ()
- #800-346-835,
- 1990 E. Route 66

====================================================================
Sunday 2/26
====================================================================

Morning - Wupatki National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/wupa)
- Opens at 8am
- 6400 North Highway 89, (Turn right at sign for Wupatki National Monument), Flagstaff, AZ
- 2 hrs

MAYBE (if running on time) Visit sunset crater (lp 90)

Early Afternoon
- Climb the Watchtower (lp90)
- Desert View Drive (lp88)
- Tuscan Ruins & Museum
- Lipan Point
xxx Shoshone Point (lp95) => closed winter (lp)

Late lunch at El Tovar (lp169)

Late Afternnoon
- Walk rim trail behind Bright Angel Lodge (lp 169)
- Dinner

Checkin - Kachina ()
- #1-800-222-6966
- TODO: call for directions/ppl #

====================================================================
Monday 2/27
====================================================================

Mule Trip (All Day, pack lunch)
+1 928 638 2631; Xanterra: +1 303 297 2757; U.S. T
Grand Canyon Tourist Center, South Rim
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

====================================================================
Tuesday 2/28
====================================================================

Checkout - Kachina

- Easy walk in early morning
- Drive canyon view drive west

Visit meteor crater
or
Hike O'Leary Peak (looks over Sunset Crater) 8-mile round trip... probably closed this time of year
or
Antelope Canyon

Drive to Yuma

Sleep Yuma Best Western ()
1450 CASTLE DOME AVE
Yuma, AZ 85364

====================================================================
Wednesday 3/1
====================================================================

Early morining - Cross at Calexico (6-7 am)
Directions => http://www.sanfelipelodging.com/location.htm

*San Luis Border Info
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/az/2608.xml
- (928) 627-8854

*Calexico Border Information
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ca/2503.xml
- Traffic information call 760-768-2383

Crossing info
http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/webadunet/aga.aspx?Q=ImpTempVehiculos_Tema1
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html

http://www.azmetro.com/yumamexico.html

Lunch San Felipe
http://www.sanfelipelodging.com/location.htm
http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/
http://www.baja-web.com/san-felipe/index.html

Camping at.... (http://www.bajaquest.com/sanfelipe/baja13b.htm)

1 mile south of town center via Av Mar de Cortez.
On beach with rocky hills behind. 29 RV or tent sites.
Hookups: EWS-29. Flush toilets, showers. Fishing
trips arranged.
529 S. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, Ca. 90057

OR

Mar de Sol RV Park

1 1/2 mile south of town center on Mision de Loreto, adjacent to
Hotel Las Misiones. On beach. 85 RV sites, 30 tent sites. Hookups:
EWS-85. Flush toilets, showers, pool, whirlpool, boat launch,
groceries.
Mexico Resorts International
740 Bay Blvd., Suite 105, Chula Vista, Ca. 91910

OR

CONSULT PRINTED LISTING

====================================================================
Thursday 3/2
====================================================================

Day at the Beach

Make run for border around 4pm or sleep night depending on how we feel.

Sleep in Escondina (see above) ... possibly

====================================================================
Friday 3/3
====================================================================
Checkin - HYATT REGENCY ISLANDIA ()
- 1441 Quivira Road,
- San Diego, California, USA
- Tel: 619 224 1234

Visit Sea World (open from 10-6)

====================================================================
Saturday 3/4
====================================================================

Morning:
- Visit Zoo
(open 8-4)

Afternoon
- Relax near beach

Easy tour of San Diego

====================================================================
Sunday 3/5
====================================================================
Checkout - HYATT REGENCY ISLANDIA

Fly Home (mike/chris) 7:45am (AA226) => Arrive Boston 4:04pm
Fly Home (Colin) ???

Holday Questionare...

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 02:37:53 GMT

I haven't done this in a while so here goes...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30 - and yes I know it is saturday

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Neither.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Syriana

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (overall). Nip/Tuck (currently) - although I am only on the first season on DVD

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Bread and cheese with a side of tomatoes and/or cucumber.. occasionally egg truffles

6. Favorite cuisine?
Lebanese - I could eat it every day.

7. What is your middle name?
Ian

8. What food do you dislike?
Shell fish & spam.

9. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Donna and the Buffalo - Live from the American Ballroom

10. What do you want for Christmas?
Free time, to be with my girlfriend and my family, and a larger apartment.

11. Favorite sandwich?
Tuna.

12. What characteristics do you despise?
ignorance and intolerance

13. Favorite items of clothing?
My trusty brown sweater, my snazzy jeans that Dana got me, and my hiking boots.

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?
Thailand or Peru - especially this time of year

15. What color is your bathroom?
White and creamy green

16. Favorite brand of clothing?
Dunne's Stores (Irish equivalent to Target)

17. Where would you retire to?
Italy or Northern California (bay area)

18. What was your most memorable birthday?
12th-ish; D&D, pizza, and soda - good times.

19. Favorite sport to watch?
Baseball (but only the red sox), otherwise Rugby or Soccer with a pint of Guinness.

20. Furthest place you are sending this?
Antarctic - I think they have some sort of connection at this point

21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
I've no idea

22. Person you expect to send it back first?
Dave, but only because Dana is on a dialup.

23. Favorite saying? in English?
fuck that shit... pardon my french

24. When is your birthday?
March 17th

25. Are you a morning person or a night person?
night.

26. Pets?
Birds - Lilo & Stich aka The Minions, Olly aka "Devil Bird"

29. What did you want to be when you were little?
A submarine captain.

30. How are you today?
Well, but Dana- Chybas Mi! Otherwise good.

31. What is your favorite candy?
Reece's peanut butter cups.

32. What is your favorite flower?
The Lotus

33. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
January 10th, Dana gets back form Slovakia.

34. Where do you want to be right now?
Bratislava, Slovakia.

Not quite as nerdy as I thought :-(

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 01:55:56 GMT

RIP Crispy Cream

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 02:15:20 GMT

In sad sad news today the Prudential Center Krisy Kreme closed its doors this week for good... I died a little inside. Krispy Kreme closes its shop in Prudential Center

Off to Slovakia

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 16:51:08 GMT

In the interest of time I can't say much other than I am flying back to Slovakia tonight. In the middle of the night - my time - my girlfriend's father passed away. The service is being held friday, after which I will be flying back Monday.
-MIA

Fun abusing compyrights...

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 02:53:59 GMT

Blatently abusing copyright laws I have decided to bring you this story from our friends across the pond - enjoy!

A foul-mouthed parrot previously owned by a lorry driver has been banished from public areas in a British animal sanctuary after repeatedly embarrassing his keepers, they said.

Barney, a five-year-old Macaw, is now kept indoors at Warwickshire Animal Sanctuary in Nuneaton, central England, when outsiders visit after abusing dignitaries with swearword-littered insults.

"He's told a lady mayoress to f..(expletive) off and he told a lady vicar: 'And you can f... off as well'," sanctuary worker Stacey Clark said.

Nor did the forces of law and order escape, she added.

"Two policemen came to have a look at the centre. He told them: 'And you can f... off you two wankers'."

Clark said sanctuary workers believed Barney either picked up the phrases from television or was taught them by his previous owner, a lorry driver who emigrated to Spain.

"He does say 'Hello, big boy' and 'Thank you' when you give him a biscuit," she added.

"But it's mainly naughty words and always to the wrong people. We're trying to teach him not to swear. Macaws are very intelligent birds."

On the edge of the dark side...

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 00:46:50 GMT

So I am a Dumbaldore- for the moment. Keeping in mind that I watched Ghandi today, changing the answer to one of the questions I was half-and-half on chaged my character completely... Needless to say, watch your back.

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 16:06:17 GMT

a Knight Errant
You scored 3 Honor, 7 Justice, 6 Adventure, and 7 Individuality!

It's one thing to be a Knight. It's another to wanter the country side,
doing good deads and serving no master save justice and your own
Scruples! You would make a fine Knight Errant, gallant and lordless.

Saddle your steed and ready your lance. You're gonna do just fine.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 2% on Ninjinuity
You scored higher than 81% on Knightlyness
You scored higher than 38% on Cowboiosity
You scored higher than 71% on Piratical Bent

Link: The Cowboy-Ninja-Pirate-Knight Test written by fluffy71 on Ok Cupid

Mike vs Thesis: triple-slap.. flawless victory

Sun, 08 May 2005 18:10:16 GMT

So the thesis is finally done!!!

For those of you who have no clue what it is all about, in short:
Ever since the invention of the computer people have been fascinated by the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Although general purpose AI remains science fiction, AI and Machine Learning (ML) techniques have been used to develop everything from autonomous Martian rovers to computers that drive cars. Although it is ideal to build physical systems to test algorithms often times costs constraints require initial development to be done using rich game-like simulators. Building upon this line of research, my thesis describes the automatic programming of simulated agents playing a “Quidditch-like” game using genetic programming.

Presentation: quidditch presentation (warning: 9mb!!!)

Video of the debugged run of the system here

Finally videos of the thing playing quidditch at the various stages of evolution:

Initial Run I
Initial Run II
Initial Run III

Intermediate Run

Later Run

In retrospect, no suprises here...

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 21:32:53 GMT

Your Inner European is Russian!

Mysterious and exotic.

You've got a great balance of danger and allure.

Who's Your Inner European?

Mike vs. Thesis, Round 1

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 19:40:46 GMT

Mike 1; Thesis 0

Hostile takover of Wikipedia

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 19:06:53 GMT

The headline of this article scared me until I realized what day it was...

Wikipedia:April 1, 2005/-2005 Britannica takeover of Wikimedia-

Happy April Fools!

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 05:48:47 GMT

I'm 23 today... oh so old... not quite as old as I act (27), but like a year older than yesterday.

I also found $80, still deciding how to live it up- because, it's my birthday.

Stuff I found out while I was procrastinating...

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:54:21 GMT

You Are 27 Years Old

27
Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

You Are a New School Democrat

You like partying and politics - and are likely to be young and affluent.

You're less religious, traditional, and uptight than most Democrats.

Smoking pot, homosexuality, and gambling are all okay in your book.

You prefer that the government help people take care of themselves.

What political persuasion are you?

I rest my case...

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:27:51 GMT

Ok- Battlefield Earth just won the Razzie award for the worst drama of the past 25 years. As I have been saying for years - worst movie ever.

People are Crazy

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 16:17:44 GMT

While I am procrastinating, have I mentioned to you that American parents are insane. I was reading the NY Times today and I came across this gem:

For many young people at Superior and many more around the country, hockey, as well as other sports, becomes a focus of their lives and the lives of their families. And that is true for Patrick, who plays on a travel hockey team (he will be in Marlborough, Mass., for a tournament this weekend) and, with practice and lessons, is on the ice four or five times a week.

It is also true for Dana, who plays on an in-house recreation league team at Superior, and expects to play travel hockey next year. Her father was a professional goalie at one time himself, and she has caught his enthusiasm.

Is her father tough on her?

"Yep," she said. "I get mad at him sometimes when he blames stuff on me."

Does she mind?

"Nope," she said.

Such devotion to a sport at such a young age is, for many children, pressure enough. But goalies have more, an added stress that even avid hockey parents sometimes won't let their children endure. For one thing, goalies are, of course, human targets.

For another thing, like a quarterback in football or a pitcher in baseball, a goalie bears a disproportionate responsibility for a team's success, and there is no position in sports that is so naked a candidate for blame. As Richard McGuigan, who owns Superior and runs both the recreational leagues and the travel hockey program, put it, "Every one of a goalie's mistakes is counted on the scoreboard."

Ok - that seems, a bit harsh... especially since this girl is 9!!! People really need to relax, its just a game, sheesh. Looking back on it now, I am really glad that my parents were so unenthusiastic in their praise of my athletic achievements; there are so many things that should be more important. My kids are totally going to hate me when they are little, hopefully they will thank me when they are older.

And so it begins...

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 17:20:56 GMT

So after lots of wrangly and numerous unfounded (and some founded) criticisms by the US, the Kyoto Protocol has come into effect today. Under the agreement, "developed" countries that have ratified the treaty will have to reduce their CO2 & greenhouse gas emissions by 5% of 1990's levels.

Here are a number of articles explaining the particulars in more detail:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/16/business/worldbusiness/16kyoto.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4268707.stm

I realize it's been a while but...

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 22:54:02 GMT

Ok, so I realize I am posting this two months after the fact but I figured it was finally time that I get around to it. Below is a set of links to Colin's account and pictures of our trip to Morocco. So, at long last here it is!

BTW -> If it looks like I wore the same thing for three weeks this is well... because I did *shrugs*

Pictures!!! - http://colin.dankirsh.com/pictures.php

The account in chronological order:

Rabat
Fes
Marrakech - First Day
Lost in the desert

Finally - the last one on our time in the Canaries - Enjoy
=======================================================================
Hello all-

My email was broke, and I last wrote you about to go into the atlas mountains
(in which is in MOROCCO for those of you that failed derleth's map quiz
DUSTIN)...

Anyways... We were awoken at 'o dark thirty' as in the army say, and drove for
about 2 hours to oukaimaden and toubkal, the joint 2 highest peaks in the
atlas.

Un beknownst to my brother and I, there was a thaw the day / night before, and
the trail was unskiiable at the bottom third. For those of you who have never
skiied in the atlas and dont know what Im talking about ... which I assume is
all of you ...

There is only one lift on the 2 mtns. It is only open from about feb to the end
of april, when ther is enuf snow to ski down the trail. From about november, it
is possible to ski on the mtns, but the trail is much narower and more
treacherous (our guide called it more 'exiting'). Thus, we had to walk up much
farther than we expected to get the skiing... much, much farther. Unfortunetly,
our guide didnt realize (or probably did, and was lying to us when he said he
could fit our time constraints) and we had to turn back before there was enuf
snow to ski properly. Oh well. Ill just have to come back.

We went back to marrakech, not skiied but still having had a good time - our
guide gave us tea and lunch in his house to make up partially for it. Our next
stop was Laayoune, Western Sahara. The bus from marrakech was 18 hours long.
LOOONGGGGG. Thats alot of bonding time. Especially when the bus is 'rustic'
and has no bathroom ... not that I expected one.

Arriving the NEXT AFTERNOON, we were checked out at the border, because from
what the gendarme said, the only americans he sees are from the UN and the
Peace corp, and he had a little trouble beliving our 'tourist' BS. He finally
let us in and we went to our hotel, which was 8 dollars a night, for the both
of us. it is so cheap because the hotel business is actually a competition to
get the UN and varous NGOs monitoring the Moroccan mess to book in their place.
The city is totally different from any other city in morocco that we had been
to. It appears like a mirage out of the dessert, and all the buildings are a
funny puke-red color. All of them. the three things to do ther are sand
dunes, beach, and cafes. And would you believe it ... we did all three! Thats
right, we went to the beach, which had huuugge waves btw, and got the pics to
prove it.

After that we went to the one hotel bar that served beer (I got labels from the
beer for Zumwalt and Derleth - and yea, ther wicked sweet), which was populated
exclusively by bored and drunk tourists (me and mike) and UN flak's (everyone
else). All the trucks inthe town are white with huge 'UN' on the side. We bid
morocco good bye for Las Palmas Gran Canaria from the overly large Laayoune
airport .. which has 4 flights daily ... 2 arriv and 2 depart ... and a huge
contingent of old US military C-series transports in use by the UN.

We arrived in Las Palmas, the capital, and since it was new years eve we couldnt
get a bus out to our main pad, stayed in a little pension. There are very
little tourists in Las palmas this time of year, so theses beds cost us 16 euro
per night. Double! what a rip off! anyways ...

All the clubs were booked and required 'real' clubbing clothes ... my brother
and I's unwashed I-was-in-the-dessert-in-crappy-hotels-not-washed-for-3-weeks
clothes didnt quite cut it. So we went to the a place with exactly 10 stools
and a room full of deep sea fisherman and Spanish Navy Salts, and one sad
looking old woman, to spend the new year. It was great. They all spoke
entirely spanish, and they were telling very exiting sounding stories, which an
algerian chap was trying in vain to translate for me quickely enuf. It was one
of the most memorable new years I have had. They all wanted the pictures (of
which there are many) to be sent to them, and I will definelty do so when I get
to Paris.

Since then we have been hanging out on the beach alot, oogling the topless
european women, and I have been trying not to get my ass kicked by any angry
spanish guys offended that I was staring at his lady ... but I digress...

Today the wind was so bad (sustained 30 guts 40-50) that the red cross deployed
helicopters and trucks. I, being me, paid them no heed and tried to go farther
down the beach to get a chance to go in and ride the waves (which were the
biggest I have ever seen, bar none). I was about waist deep in, with the
current pulling me sharply in and the waves pushing me out thinking 'maybe the
red cross is right ... could this be a bad idea?', when i was thwarted. I had
been spotted. The truck drove up and my bro was trying to tell him (in
horrible spanish) not to worry cause I think im invinicible cause Im in the
army ... and would you believe that they still didnt think me going in was a
good idea! I aquiesced to 'the man' and spent the rest of the day lazing round
and watching tv. And if you dont believe me and mike are being economical on
this trip, get this ... the tv is 'pay per view' as in you pay per minute with
coins ... wow. I am really cheap. Oh well...

Write back everyone! I hope you all had a good new years,

Your son / friend / spammer
Colin

PS. As always - More to come ...

ESPN on McNabb's first Superbowl Interceptio

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 20:32:00 GMT

...

But on first down, Mike Vrabel dropped him for a 16-yard loss. On second down, he tossed an airball into the end zone that Asante Samuel intercepted. Fortunately, he was bailed out by an illegal-contact penalty on Pats linebacker Roman Phifer.

Unfortunately, he threw an even worse pass, seven yards short of Brian Westbrook and perfectly placed for safety Rodney Harrison, who hustled to the ball, stopped, waited, ordered take-out, looked for former presidents Bush and Clinton in the stands, weighed the musical "talents" of the Black Eyed Peas, yawned, and finally intercepted the pass.

...