loneknight.org recent blogs

the two questions everyone has been asking me

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:57:00 -0600

No baby yet, and all is well.

(recursive) a senryu

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:53:00 -0600

punctuate me please piece my fragment phrases add meaning to my words

Magic Words

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:43:00 -0600

Please, Open your heart to me, Let me see who you really are. Let me hold the you that No one else sees inside Your secret Zen garden; That part of you makes me real. Please, Open your mouth and speak, Tell me who you want to be. Say the things you want to say But couldn't because I was in the way. Let out your gale force wind, And blow me away with meaning. Please, Open your eyes and see I am standing right here with you, And I don't want to leave, I need you to want me, too. Open your ears and feel me say, I love you.

(the meaning of life)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:13:00 -0600

What is the sum of life, but a memory? A life to live, yes, and driven by a purpose. But purpose may also be a memory, Often motivated by the fickle heart, Led hither and yon by the waning moon. Where then, does one gain direction? Is it fate, or perhaps providence? Perhaps, but only arguably so; I say it is vanity, simple vanity That inflates in our memory The image we greedily hold Of what we were, are, and will become. What depth has wisdom, beyond one experience? As a tower that crumbles in decay Under the pressure of weather and time, No principle stands to the basilisk's gaze Of the self-made agnostic cynic. So we each build our soul a castle, And choose to set a picture window Framing the fairest of aspects to spy. Within our high parapet we feel wise. What is opinion but an expression of the vanity of subjective self? In folly we decide what is right By our own observance and subjective thought, In folly we decide what is not, By exclusion of that which is distasteful. There is no intellect in clever admission Nor wisdom by prejudicial omission; We worship that which appears beautiful And in vanity assume it reflects our face, And in vanity disdain all others Whose beauty we do not comprehend. Who has freedom yet refuses to choose? The devote zealot is vanity, The agnostic cynic is vanity, The free unfettered mind is vanity, A rational opposition to insanity is vanity, All logical conclusion is vanity, All theological posture is vanity, All unitarian thought is vanity, All righteousness is vanity, All piety is vanity, Science is vanity, Eternity is vanity, Choice is vanity, Freedom is vanity, All that is of man is but vanity, Life is vanity.

A matrix-like theme for Pidgin using GTK+ / GTK 2.0

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:35:00 -0600

My GTK 2.0 theme for Pidgin is still under review on freshmeat, so I have posted it here for downloading as well. Windows zip: link: http://www.loneknight.org/themes/GTK2-TheMatrix.zip GTK2-TheMatrix.zip gzip tarball: link: http://www.loneknight.org/themes/GTK2-TheMatrix.tar.gz GTK2-TheMatrix.tar.gz Unzip the contents into a new "TheMatrix" subfolder in your GTK themes path. On windows, this is C:\Program Files\Common Files\GTK\2.0\share\themes\ Next, if you are using the stock GTK+ that is included with the Pidgin installer, you will need to run the GTK themes selector. In the Windows Start menu: Start > All Programs > GTK+ > Theme Selector. Then select "TheMatrix" under either the current user or globally. (If you chose globally, make sure to also select it or '[always follow global settings]' under current user.) If you are currently running Pidgin, close and reopen the application to apply the new theme. In Pidgin go to the main menu Tools > Preferences, and the "Conversations" tab, make sure that under Font "Use font from theme" is checked. Also, under Tools > Plugins you may want to at least initially disable the "Conversation Colors" and "Pidgin GTK+ Theme Control" plugins, as these can override the GTK settings for font, color and other settings for specific text elements within Pidgin. If you are willing to play around with the plugins you can add some nice affects that go above and beyond the stock GTK skin, for example in the "Conversation Colors" plugin I set the "Sent Messages" text color to a slightly darker shade of green, such as #009600, so that in your convo log you can easily see a contrast between your sent and received messages. I also highly recommend that in the "Conversation Colors" plugin you check the options "Ignore incoming format", "Apply in IMs", and "Apply in Chats" to taste, or you will be at the mercy of your friend's color settings in their IM client (hot pink text or font size 20, anyone?). If you don't want to override any of the GTK colors you can leave the "customize" options unchecked.

(day dreamer)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:42:00 -0600

I knew that things might change someday, but never thought it would end this way.

Worst movies I hate to love

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:05:00 -0600

There are certain inside jokes that are simply inexplicable unless you were there to share the moment. There are moments of shared pain that draw friends closer together. And some movies aren't meant to be loved, but you love them anyway. Stop judging me! *grin* The Transporter This movie got terrible reviews, but Jason Statham's propensity for granite-faced action stunts was cast perfectly into this sometimes wacky, occasionally sexy thriller. Zoolander Pop-culture references, high-fashion spoofs and bulimia jokes: Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson make this movie plain dumb stupid, and somehow a lot of fun. The Replacements Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman star in this yarn about a football team that is forced to recruit misfits to finish out the season in the NFL. The acting is atrocious, which somehow redeems this hilarious farce. The Core Aaron Eckhart is lame, Hillary Swank makes you want to gag, but for some reason you keep watching this trainwreck of a sci-fi thriller through each of the improbable, ridiculous and sometimes hilarious plot twists. Stealth Josh Lucas acting is subpar, Jessica Biel is useless and stereotypical eye-candy, but Jamie Foxx and a laughable plot add just enough (unintentional) humor to keep you hemming and hawing 'til the end of this awful excuse for a film. Anaconda Jenifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. This movie was painful! and you loved every minute of it. Hobgoblins An instant do-it-yourself-MST3K, thanks to this trashy horror B-classic. Manos: The Hands of Fate Beware, the dullness of this movie may be toxic if you dare to skip the MST3K rendition for the original. To call it a cult classic is an insult to cult classics. It truly doesn't get much worse than this.

Worst movies of the decade I would enjoy hating

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:36:00 -0600

There is occasionally the gem of a shoulda-been-a-B-movie that unintentionally inspires those MST3K moments that you and your friends will never forget. From Rotten Tomatoes list of top 100 worst movies of the decade, here is my list of the worst movies I but haven't seen yet, but will probably enjoy hating: (#100) Whiteout Stars Kate Beckinsale. 'nuf said. (#49) In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale Stars Jason Statham. I enjoyed playing the game Dungeon Siege. *shrug* (#48) Bloodrayne Another video game flic. This movie likely sucks to the Nth degree. (#44) Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Other than the game title, I have no idea why anyone would watch this movie. Ever. (#27) Battlefield Earth This might be enjoyable only to rip apart how awfully it mis-portrays the excellent sci-fi book.

The Courtship of Poseidon

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:10:00 -0600

The storm may rage and the winds may blow In a hurricane of epic proportions But all is still and calm under the ocean The tightest of grip is ripped and tossed overboard Where the water will guide you down, down Far below the storm's violent sound As peaceful as rocking in your mother's arms The only sound is the singing of her lullaby Until you yield to her gentle aquatic repose The waves above toss and bounce about With heavy arms grappling and hurling But there is only one long embrace under the ocean So put your hand in mine and let's dive And escape the cares of this violent trifle To find true rest under the ocean And under the ocean we will swim about Dancing to the beat of the eternally devout In the most serene of water ballet Perhaps once we are bored we will glide From ship to ship upon the tide And waving, mock the pitiful few still aboard Or if you wish capsize the contents into the salty brew Why be selfish? There is plenty of room To let them play with us too Where we shall live together, me and you In peace under the ocean

Songs my (imaginary but) awesome band should learn to cover

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:47:00 -0600

I will add to this list and touch the post date as I feel inspired to. Songs my (imaginary but) awesome band should learn to cover: Eye in the Sky - Allan Parsons Project

The Flood

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:16:00 -0600

determined he struggles to get to her but the waves keep coming. --- She cries in his arms, Then beats her fists on his chest. He tries to argue, 'I have been trying', And points out every obstacle along the way That kept him from being there for her. Every obstacle but himself.

Yes I am procrastinating

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:13:00 -0600

It's been a crazy dozen weeks or so. Between work and class and family drama, it must be pure adrenaline and caffeine that is keeping me going. So the site changes I meant to work on aren't ready for public consumption yet, but they are on the way. Look for more updates soon.

this site's days are numbered...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:45:00 -0600

This site may not be around for much longer... ... in it's current form. loneknight.org as a domain has been around since 2002, but was preceded in various forms on free-hosting sites since late nineties. It has been my testing ground, my artistic outlet, my baby. It has seen half a dozen redesigns, and countless code updates, bug fixes, and attempts to stop the spammers. But as life goes, it moves on, and so must loneknight.org. My plans over the next few months are to move this site into a much more reduced, subdued format. The blog will likely go away (although I may preserve some read-only functionality for past users who request it). Likely, the only thing left will be the poetry repository, since I committed myself as well as accepted the gracious permission of many friends and fellow poets to post their works here as well. Why the change? I realized at the end of '08 that I really need to separate my professional business presence from the more personal, artistic expression, and loneknight.org is really only suited to meet the latter. So as loneknight.org diminishes, you will hopefully see geekmode.com bloom and flourish. I have been planning for years to get my blog engine operational there; but likely it will only be a single-author site -- me. I will be porting over the technology and professional blog topics from here to there. Also, falsesecurity.net will eventually reach it's end-of-life, and the tech/security related content will be moving to geekmode.com as well. Thank you to my readers for keeping me inspired and motivated, thank you to my haters for keeping me on my toes, and thank you for the spam bots for giving me a reason to read through literally hundreds of submissions of bad grammar, anatomy-changing promises and questions about "where do I find ?" Peace, clutch

a senryu

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:33:00 -0600

worn foot-path shadows drape the pillar of precepts in diaspora

I Missed You

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:16:00 -0600

I missed you while you were gone. My arms felt more empty than I ever remember. The absence of your body heat left a chilly reminder that Without you, I am quite alone. Did you miss me? 'Like a kidney-shot,' you laugh, and I chuckle, But I hope you realize how much I need you, And I am grateful you came back. I want my caresses to whisper devotion, Each hopeful gaze to proselytize my feelings for you, Each of my kisses to perform their bawdy opera, "I LOVE YOU, I DO." Because my words fail me. I beat at my head with my hands to stop my stammering, I reflexively gag on my own putrid words, juvenile and lame. I want to be heard above the sighs.

ten little piggies

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 5 Mar 2009 09:33:00 -0600

counting the ways to lose you on my fingers, my fateful abacus.

The ransom note

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600

This is my ransom note to you: Yesterday I stole a smell of your hair. You leaned in close, Shoulder against my chest Your hair fell across your neck taunting me to just breathe you in. It reminded me of the Spring, Running barefoot through the wet grass Plucking away the flower blossoms That hung over the neighbor's fence. I would run off like a thief in hot pursuit To lay with my spoils around my head, Lazily staring up at the clouds ambling by dancing their way across the sky. I would dream of putting my flowers into The hair of some mystery girl in the future, And wonder, is that enough to make a girl Want to kiss a fellow? So here is my demand, If you want back what I stole: Would you run with me barefoot in the grass And while you stare up at the sky, Carelessly watching the clouds roll by Let me weave flowers in your hair? It will only cost you a kiss, if you dare.

The world is a-twitter...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:06:00 -0600

I now have a twitter account. I feel connected to the slipstream, hehe.

(islands of shadow)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:28:00 -0600

an empty vessel adrift, searching to find islands of shadow.

and other random thoughts...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:51:00 -0600

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Cr 13:11-12

(in our prison cell)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:45:00 -0600

When the machines take over the world, I hope they at least give us a pillow To go in our cell. I'd like a towel, maybe a bed, A picture window looking out at a yard Or a picture window bricked in to block out the sun, A pocket knife, A clock radio, The complete unabridged works of Bear Grill, A bowl and a Spoon, Anywhere slightly more spacious Than your cell room. A table and chair, Bright orange jumpsuits, Conjugal visits or midnight snacks. I'd like curtains to hang over the bars To ignore the screaming down the hall, Or stronger drugs to forget it all. When the machines take over the world, They should at least give us pillows To pad our cell.

poetically pwnt

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 8 Dec 2008 10:35:00 -0600

"So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead." Isaiah 59:9-10

A tribute to Robert Jordan

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:57:00 -0600

From The Dragon Reborn, by Robert Jordan What He Said to Me I'll dance with a girl with eyes of brown, or a girl with eyes of green. I'll dance with a girl with any color eyes, but yours are the prettiest I've seen. I'll kiss a girl with hair of black or a girl with hair of gold. I'll kiss a girl with any color hair, but it's you I want to hold.

One less thing I HAVE to do...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 07:33:00 -0600

I can now check one thing off my list of "Things I HAVE To Do Before I Die": Last night I saw Weezer in concert. The show was a living tribute to the geeky, punk-rocking goodness that can only be described as BRING-THE-HOUSE-DOWN-AWESOME! Most of their set was a flashback to the Blue Album and Pinkerton, which were the albums that defined them and definitely crowd favorites. They also added a good selection of their new stuff from Red, which fit in well and proved to the crowd that they are still the band that we grew to love while wasting time in our parent's basement almost 15 years ago. Their first encore was to bring a hootenanny mob of roughly two dozen other musicians from Chicago with them back onto stage, with the most hilarious selection of instruments you have seen on a punk rock concert stage: starting with the obvious guitar and drum sets, there were also present a trombone, french horn, accordion, sax, tenor sax, clarinet, oboe, and even a didgeridoo. Rivers Cuomo then led the entire band in 'Island in the Sun', which resulted in a sound that was hilarious, endearing and rather entertaining at the same time. Other highlights of the show was an excellent live performance of "Greatest Man That Ever Lived", a blending of many different musical styles into what the band considers their epic masterpiece. Their cover of Nirvana's "Sliver" was also well received by the crowd. The opening act, Tokyo Police Club, were an eclectic rock group that had a bit of the screamo feel to them, but their keyboardist Graham Wright definitely made their set shine with a rapid, melodic sound reminiscent of Ray Manzarek (The Doors). The second act Angels and Airwaves, the self-proclaimed super-group led by Tom DeLange (former blink-182 singer/guitarist), was an epileptic-seizure inducing light show accompanied by a mediocre performance.

a haiku, V

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 20:14:00 -0600

Snowy peak floating above rolling pine forests Fishy salt water

(tsunami)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:03:00 -0600

Dedicated to J & V. Thanks to bluebird for helping me take a step back and do it right. a senryu. ---- Though fear tosses you God will hold you together through peril of storm.

The Fall of Brodgar

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:35:00 -0600

A metered poem, in senryu verse. --- The Fall of Brodgar Of this the Poet wrote: Great was the fall of Brodgar, hero of gods and men! Many were his foe, and great were his victories over all but one. He the gods did bless, but in his pride and unrest grew a wand'ring eye. In a sorceress of great beauty and fine breasts tyranny did hide; Her coquettish eyes and propensity to lie destined men to die. He thought to slay her, but instead did lay with her willing his own doom. In guilt he fled up and from rooftop with arms out for his sins commit; His sobs heard the street. To drunken gutter he plead, to heav'ns fate he flew. But in his fool heart did not repent her guiled arts nor gods' wrath dissuade. The ground smote him dead; the arm of the gods sundered vain pride from his head. Quoth this the Poet: beware the fall of Brodgar, the curse of all men!

reflections on life, getting older, and Weezer (the Red Album)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:05:00 -0600

It was one of those lazy Saturday afternoons. I was cruising down the 5 on my way to San Diego with some buddies for a little R&R. We were listening to KROQ and heard the announcement, "Next you will hear for the first time anywhere the new single from Weezer's unreleased red album, 'Pork and Beans,'" I almost wet myself. After actually hearing the song, I almost wet myself again. How can I describe the feeling? It was like running into an old friend that you haven't seen in 10 years, and picking up right where you both left off. Without words, you forgive each other for not keeping in touch. You overlook how you both have changed; how you look older, fatter. Maybe also a little crazier, but less "my-crazy-college-buddy", and more "unsettling-are-you-ok?" crazy. Sometime over the next few weeks I found myself growing ever more impatient waiting for the release date of this album. Its not like Weezer hasn't had album releases in the past, and frankly some of their latest work never made it into my 'favorites' playlist at home. But I'll admit, I have been nervously listening to (blue) and Pinkerton almost every day for months. It makes me feel like I'm a little emo kid all over again. I finally picked up a copy of the album this week. I won't try to make an excuse for how long I waited after the official release date to finally pick up a copy. I froze. Or call it nervous hesitance; I wanted it, yet I was scared to have it. The first time I listened to it straight through just to make sure I got the full effect of the album as a whole. Then I listened to it again with a critical mind, analyzing and critiquing each song by itself, comparing it to it's sibling tracks and past Weezer experiences. Then I listened to it again. And again. I'm still listening to it. And I will probably hit play once again. How do I describe it? The first word that comes to mind is schizophrenic. But that really sounds more harsh than I intend. Chaotic? Still too much. Good. Yes, I think I can start by saying, after listening to it multiple times, despite all of my other critical observations about this album, I can say that it is good. But at the same time I feel the need to explain myself, to add the disclaimer, "It is good, but..." It is good, but what else exactly is it? I think if you want to get a good head for this album, you need only listen to the single, "Pork and Beans". Rivers Cuomo writes, I don't give a hoot About what you think No I don't care I don't care [...] I think I was hoping for another (blue), another Pinkerton. But is it even possible for the same circumstances to exist that made geeky teenagers like me want to stand up on the roof tops, pump our fists and scream, over 15 years ago? OK, wait, that's what we would like to say we did. We actually wanted to find a quiet corner to crank our headphones up and let our souls sink down into the soothing-emo-goodness. Even if Weezer could somehow repeat the creative genius that went into their earliest work, the end result would have to be something entirely different again. And maybe Weezer is ready for that change before the rest of the world might be. This album is a tribute to Weezer, by Weezer, made up of individual contributions from the band members. Each song is a different voice, and each song when looked at alone may seem to clash with the next. "The Greatest Man that Ever Lived" even seems to clash with itself. But throughout the cacophony, even lending from it, a theme is built: despite how much we the public may love or hate them, Weezer is going to make the music that they want to make, and screw the consequences (and the critics). I like the album. I may eventually adjust to the changes that make Weezer sound like the older, adult version of them, and learn to love it as the older, adult me. So I'll close with this question to ponder: whether you love or dislike the red album, is it because it is a step closer to their original roots, or because it is (and must be) something new and different? "If you don't like it, you can shove it. But you don't like it; you LOVE it." -- Rivers Cuomo, "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived", Weezer (the red album)

effing the ineffable

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:15:00 -0600

"We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all." -- Douglas Adams in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Taxing the life out of America

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 2 May 2008 09:02:00 -0600

From Investors Business Daily, Thursday, May 01, 2008 link: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=294534501962503" target="_blank Profits of Doom? "Oil prices aren't high because profits are up; they're high because we don't have enough oil. By clamping down on drilling, refusing to move forward on nuclear energy and hitting producers with punitive taxes, Congress is doing all it can to ensure we don't have enough in the future."

Socialized health care is bad. Just ask Sweden.

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 1 May 2008 08:29:00 -0600

Socialized health care. It sounds great -- in theory. Wouldn't it be great if everyone in our entire nation could receive first-class health care with little or no cost to the patient? But in reality, this is far from the case. In a recent article written by Sven R. Lawson, PhD., titled link: http://www.jpands.org/vol13no1/larson.pdf" target="_blank Lessons from Sweden�s Universal Health System: Tales from the Health-care Crypt, he outlines specific cases in the Swedish government centralized health care system that are prime examples of how Socialized health care can and will fail. Universal rationing means that centralized health care will withhold care from patients due to budget pressures, lack of funding, and government regulation that prevents certain costly, but life-saving procedures from being performed due to their cost. Delayed consequences of socialized health care are again budget related, but has a much more long-range effect on the quality and innovation of health care. Tighter government budgets means that tasks will be delegated to less qualified, less skilled health care employees to defer costs. Dr. Olle Stendahl, professor of medicine at Linkoping University, pointed this out in the national Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Referring to the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded to Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren for their discovery of Helicobacter pylori, Dr. Stendahl explained that part of the reason for their innovative research was a medical system that encouraged research and innovation. But, he continued, discoveries of this magnitude are ruled out in Sweden: "In our budget-governed health care there is no room for curious, young physicians and other [medical] professionals to challenge established views. New knowledge is not attractive but typically considered a problem [that brings] increased costs and disturbances in today�s slimmed-down health care... Primarily the system endorses health care regions and administrative directors who can show a surplus in their budget. Quality of care and patients� well-being are second-tier goals." Sven goes on to say, "While it may seem as though the Swedish tax rates are off the chart compared to American taxes, it would not take us long to get there if the United States made the mistake of adopting socialized medicine for all. It has been estimated that a Swedish-style single-payer health insurance system in America would cost the median-income household some $17,200 per year in health care taxes." Even if this is affordable for Americans, would this be sufficient to keep socialized health care going? Sven continues, "As in Sweden, American politicians would promise to freeze the tax to pay for a hypothetical American single-payer system at a fixed rate." That would put a cap on the income going into the system, but does not address the change in expenses: "Over the past half century, medical costs have risen just over twice as fast as the payroll on which the tax would be levied. To avoid raising the tax, Congress would have to have curbed spending one way or the other. This would have resulted in a combination of three things: (1) a significant lag in implementing new medical technology; (2) massive reductions in staff, beds, and number of clinics and hospitals; and (3) widespread transfers of responsibilities for medical evaluations and treatment downward in the skills pyramid: from physicians to physician assistants (PAs), from PAs to nurses, from nurses to nurse assistants, etc. In short, less skilled staff would be would be operating with yester-year�s technology in clinics and hospitals of greatly diminished capacity." Sven summarizes the article by saying, "If we implement a universal, single-payer model in America today, the negative effects will reliably occur about a generation from now. The question that we need to ask ourselves as we enter the election season is this: Are we willing to send that bill down the road for our children to pay?" --- The article linked above, "Lessons from Sweden�s Universal Health System: Tales from the Health-care Crypt" comes from the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Volume 13 Number 1.

When Microsoft and DRM combine...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:07:00 -0600

No, this isn't a quote from Captain Planet (although I wish it were something as cheesy and campy as that). No, this little piece of news that link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/23/microsoft-turns-the-drm-screw-on-msn-music-owners/ Microsoft is abandoning their DRM-music service through MSN heralds the end of the line for any of their past customers. The setup: You want to buy some music online, legally, so you go out on the net and look for music download sites. The bait: You might arrive at the MSN music download site and decide to purchase some DRM-licensed music, and download it to your PC. DRM allows for that music to be on only a certain number of devices, so you may keep one copy on your PC, maybe another on your mp3 player. Each time you want to move the music to a new device, your PC requests a new license file from the MSN DRM authentication system, which issues the approval to copy that piece of music to a new device. The switch: Microsoft decides to drop their MSN music-download service, and discontinue issuing authorizations. The dilemma: You are now forced to keep your PC running indefinitely if you ever want to listen to the music you have purchased ever again. Don't delete it from your mp3 player, either, if you ever want to listen to it from there. Because this is the last time you get to transfer the song off of your PC, too. Forever. Because DRM will not allow you to move any licensed music you own to another device, never allow you to even burn it to a CD without the authentication from a non-existent MSN authenticator. Need to reformat your PC? Say buh-bye to your MSN DRM-licensed music. Want to upgrade your PC to a new OS? Oh, I'm sorry. Tough luck. Want to free up some space on your mp3 player? Microsoft says, 'screw you'. I really hope that consumers will get the message and STOP SUPPORTING DRM MUSIC. How many people need to get screwed before consumers get smart and stop supporting DRM? Because if the consumers get smart, and the power of their money goes elsewhere, DRM will go away, too. Switching to a service like iTunes doesn't really solve the problem, either. As long as there is money in the industry, you will always have companies like MSN or other up-starts trying to get a slice of the pie. That's a part of American economics. If iTunes lasts forever, that still doesn't negate the evil of DRM, or stop music listeners getting screwed by it. The only thing that makes me less-than-completely-irate at Microsoft is the fact that consumers out there made the big mistake of purchasing DRM-infused music to begin with. I almost feel like the customers are getting what they deserve. Almost.

Of poor frenchman's dinners and whirling dervishes

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:02:00 -0600

Last week I traveled to Anaheim, California for a conference. Sco and I stayed with my good friend Chris who lives out in Irvine. I had a blast. It only took me a few minutes to realize it had been about 8 years since I had been out to SoCal, so it was a trip I definitely needed to make for a long time. During the weekend we took a trip to the Orfela winery near San Diego. It was a gorgeous day for driving, and we sampled some of the best wine you will find in Southern California. The same night we kicked back to have what Chris called a "poor frenchman's dinner." Bread with a little olive oil, sliced summer sausage, fruit and cheeses, and some amazing wine. It was an awesome spread. I also felt a little link: http://www.loneknight.org/poetry.asp?poem_id=128 inspired watching link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk0ROmJ4UY8 Clerks 2. Tuesday night we went to the Napa Rose for dinner, this little restaurant off of the Hotel California in downtown Disney. The great thing about this place is that is has world-class food, but since it's off of Disney, they aren't pretentious at all. Our server was laid back, but had great knowledge of food (and their wine list), and entertaining at the same time. I had the roasted rabbit, which made me wonder what it would take to set up a few snares in my own back yard. The conference itself was pretty good. I picked up some great info that I will inevitably be putting to good use here at work. The week did wear a little long, so as much fun as I had hanging out with Sco and Chris, eventually I had to hop on a plane back to Chicago. Unfortunately, our plane was delayed multiple times, which resulted in us sitting on the plane, unmoving, for about 2 hours. I was pretty exhausted when I got home, but it was nice to be home again with Natalie.

Cutting costs, or clever political undermining?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 06:52:00 -0600

Endgadget was recently mourning the announcements from link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/dell-to-cut-even-more-jobs-as-it-reduces-costs/ Dell and link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/motorola-to-cut-another-2-600-jobs/ Motorola slashing jobs in order to cut costs. Of course, reading this you get the usual reactions: "Why not fire two or three executives instead, and save the same amount of cash?" "Why don't they start by cutting their overseas support centers?" (especially infamous with Dell) Eventually, these comments turn to more broad, political musings. Why are companies like Dell and Motorola cutting jobs? This sounds like a bad barometer for our Economy. In turn, this sounds like a bad report card for George W. Bush, who traditionally receives the blame for a bad economy as the President has for decades. If you stop for a second to consider the cause-and-effect of these job firings, you realize that it is the top executives of these companies like Dell and Motorola who wield an extra-ordinary power over the political barometer of our economy, and the blame of their decisions falls at the President's feet. "8,000 jobs cut at Dell, 2,600 jobs cut at Motorola, that President Bush sure is doing a bang-up job[?]" Or if you look back at the history of, say, Dell, and their tendancy to sacrifice quality of product for cheaper production costs, and out-sourcing their support centers to who-knows-what-first-language idiots. Maybe the real problem is the fact that people have stopped buying their products, and not that the President's economics has "forced their hand". Now I'm not saying that the President plays no role in the national and even global economic situation. I'm also not saying that everything is the fault of "big, bad business". Companies have the right, even the responsibility (to their investors) to make adjustments to maintain their profit margins, regardless if you do or do not agree with their sometimes aggravating ways of implementing those changes. Sometimes a company has to trim the fat, and one can hope that the over 10,000 jobs cut (between Dell and Motorola) are the dead weight that was just begging to be shed, and the net result will work to the better for the American consumer. What I am saying is that it may be giving a little too much credit to say that the execs at Dell and Motorola don't realize EXACTLY the effect their decisions of firing employees to "cut costs" will have on the image of our President. And they have an awful amount of influence on the collective opinion of our nation's leader, if they so choose to manipulate it. With that in mind, I take the "Oh, noes!" message with a grain of salt. Yes, unemployment to a certain degree is a sign of a struggling economy. But I will not give over to the sensational over-reaction to say that the decisions of very human, sometimes very biased individuals is necessarily the hard, objective evidence against a single influence in our nation's economy. I am very open to people's reactions or opinions on this, leave comments please.

Why I am most definitely NOT voting Hillary Clinton for President. [An April Fool's apology]

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:01:00 -0600

Yes, [no,] you read correctly [ok, not really]. Yesterday's post was a joke, of course. I am NOT voting for Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, and here are my real reasons why: Abortion - Hillary is pro-death. Even though her website strategically leaves out the actual word Abortion (replaced with "reproductive rights"), is it really any surprise to anyone that she will support her perceived right for mothers to murder innocent unborn children? This is the #1 reason why I would never, ever, EVER vote for Hillary Clinton. Family - Hillary Clinton wrote her manifesto on devaluing the building block of society in "It Takes a Village." While it may require a village government to tax it's citizens, it does not require a village to raise a family. Hillary as a woman President would not be respected by our nation's enemies - Theodore Roosevelt famously said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far." He was referring not directly to the power of the U.S., even though the U.S. is one of the most powerful nations of the world. He wasn't speaking directly of the threat of American power being used against foreign nations, but at times of necessity, our nation has used it's military power to secure freedom, punish evil, and secure our nation's interests. But what our former President was referring to is the image that our enemies have, and must keep, of the leadership and power of our nation, lest they get overconfident and take offensive action against us. We do not need to police the entire world; we do not need to make unnecessary shows of force. But we do need our enemies to understand that we do in fact have military power, and a leader capable of wielding that military in a time of need, and a leader who may be respected enough to be feared by our enemies as a formidable foe. Hence the visual of "Carry a Big Stick". It is in my most humble opinion that Hillary Clinton as President of the U.S. would give such a negative image of the leadership of this country to the U.S. foreign enemies that despise us, that they would have little fear of repercussion for provoking us. America would be forced to face enemies who will have no respect and much contempt for Hillary Clinton as our President. Taxes, taxes, and more taxes - A few of Hillary's plans sound like great suggestions, sure. Who doesn't like the idea of free, quality health care? And cutting the drop-out rate of students? And, and, and. But even if you can for a moment ignore the monumental question of the practicality of some of Hillary's plans, how will we even begin to afford to pay for it? Government funding doesn't grow on trees -- it comes out of our paychecks. No, thank you, Hillary. [Note: the original text from yesterday's post is shown below in italics. My own responses are listed in brackets below each quoted segment.] "National Health Care - Tax credits will ensure you won't be charged more than a set percentage of your annual income. Insurance companies won't be able to turn you down. Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care." [My real thoughts: Forcing insurance companies to cover anyone will only force down the quality of health care offered to those with insurance. You will still have disparity in care between those who can pay well for their health care, and those who have the "freebie" government hand-out. Just look at the existing countries that have centralized health care: it sucks, and the wealthy who can afford to get it elsewhere do.] "Ending the war in Iraq - In the first 60 days of office, Hillary will order the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Aid efforts would focus on stabilizing Iraqi entities most likely to get aid to the Iraqi people. Hillary would also uphold a non-interference policy through the U.N., and in partnership with Iraq's neighbors would mediate disputes and aid in reconstruction." [My response: This not only sounds impractical, but irresponsible. If we instantly pull out our troops, there will be a vacuum of power in Iraq that will be filled by the most radical element present, which will end up being the insurgents. Just look at Iran. Asking Iraq's neighbors to "help" is also a mistake, since they all will have personal agendas at stake in controlling Iraq.] "Energy and Environment - Hillary will cut greenhouse emissions by 80%, foreign oil imports by two-thirds, and begin a 50-billion dollar energy research and development project. "Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings." "[...]All federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings."link: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/ (site source)" [My response: While this sounds GREAT, most of this is just throwing figures around. How do you stop 80% of greenhouse gas emissions? You would cripple our industry which would in turn cripple our economy. How do you stop two-thirds of foreign oil imports without changing the oil consumption needs of our society? I'm sorry, you aren't going to just wave a hand and have soccer mom's give up their SUV's, jocks give up their 2-ton pickup trucks, or your family from driving to Grandma's for Christmas. The last portion of the "Energy and Environment" section is just RIDICULOUS. If Hillary "asks" automakers, oil and energy companies and utilities to take huge profit losses by complying with her whims, at best they will smile and say, "OK, we will try our best." Or, they may just laugh in her face.] "Education - Hillary will take several measures to improve our failing school system: - Pre-kindergarten for all four-year olds. - End 'No Child Left Behind'. - Cut the minority dropout rate in half. - Create "Green schools" to improve environment for students. - 1 billion for at-risk youth for pre-college high schools and multiple pathways to graduation. - 100 million for summer internship programs. - Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities." [My response: How are we going to pay for all of this? We hardly have the tax money available now to pay for the failing schools we DO have. Her blanket plans say nothing about feasibility, let alone quality of services that will result out of an insane policy like "pre-kindergarten for 4-year olds." That sounds more like "government sanctioned child care." PUH-LEASE! Asking colleges to "expand their access" for students will effect lowering of admissions standards. Why not give more monies for merit-based scholarships? Or building schools that are targeted to low-income communities? All Hillary will do is take the "selective" out of "Selective colleges", which just demotes their value.] I hope you join me in NOT EVER voting for Hillary Clinton as President, for the sake of the integrity, security and well-being of our nation!

Why I'm voting Hillary Clinton for President

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:01:00 -0600

[EDIT: If you didn't figure this out already, consider this your official notice: APRIL FOOLS!] Yes, you read correctly. I am voting for Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, and here's why: National Health Care - Tax credits will ensure you won't be charged more than a set percentage of your annual income. Insurance companies won't be able to turn you down. Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care. Ending the war in Iraq - In the first 60 days of office, Hillary will order the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Aid efforts would focus on stabilizing Iraqi entities most likely to get aid to the Iraqi people. Hillary would also uphold a non-interference policy through the U.N., and in partnership with Iraq's neighbors would mediate disputes and aid in reconstruction. Energy and Environment - Hillary will cut greenhouse emmissions by 80%, foreign oil imports by two-thirds, and begin a 50-billion dollar energy research and development project. "Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings." "[...]All federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings."link: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/ (site source) Education - Hillary will take several measures to improve our failing school system: - Pre-kindergarten for all four-year olds. - End 'No Child Left Behind'. - Cut the minority dropout rate in half. - Create "Green schools" to improve environment for students. - 1 billion for at-risk youth for pre-college high schools and multiple pathways to graduation. - 100 million for summer internship programs. - Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities. I hope you join me in voting for Hillary Clinton as President for a better America.

An old saying goes...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:34:00 -0600

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." I may be paraphrasing Edmund Burke a bit, but I think the substance of the meaning is there. Last night, I DID something, and a friend was safe. I only hope that friend is wise enough to stay safe tomorrow.

Happy Pi day!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:33:00 -0600

Pi Day. March 14th. You could even get more specific, and say, 3/14 16:33 (converting 3.1415926... to m/dd hh:mm) Regardless of how you want to split it up, today is the honorific holiday dedicated to one of the mathematical constants that has gained a near mystical reputation. I still remember the first time reading Carl Sagan's Contact (not the movie, you have to read the book), and wondering if, in fact, God would leave his "signature" in the physics which governs our existence. Don't forget to have some pie for dessert!

The passing of a Legend

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:46:00 -0600

Ernest Gary Gygax passed away today, March 3rd, 2008. The original creator of Dungeons and Dragons, he set the framework for the genre of role playing games. link: http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Dungeons_and_Dragons_Creator_Gary_Gygax_Died_at_69_14777.html More info at efluxmedia.com Thank you Gary, you have touched our lives and your many, many fans will miss you.

The geekiest concert of 2008!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Sun, 2 Mar 2008 14:23:00 -0600

I just spent an awesome evening at one of the most enjoyable, and best performed, symphony concerts I have been to in a long time. Distant Worlds: The Music of Final Fantasy. Composer: Nabuo Uematsu Conductor: Arnie Roth Performances by: The Chicago Pops Symphony, The Chicago Festival Choir My good friends Jim and Paul from St. Louis drove up for the concert, along with their sister Catherine and friend Brandy. We also met up with Brandon, who plays in our World of Warcraft guild. Half the fun was just hanging out with that crew, of course. I wish I could see them more often! The performance was superb. I attended the "Dear Friends" concert that was last at Rosemont, and as a Final Fantasy fan I thoroughly enjoyed the music, but as a music critic recognized a few flaws in the performance level. But this show was nearly flawless. Here's a few highlights from the set list: Liberi Fatali - One of my fav pieces, the choir was spot-on and was a great opener to get the crowd emotionally into the performance. Vamo' alla Flamenco - the classical guitar soloist was amazing. I love this scene from FF9, the music gives you a sense of the adventurous but playful spirit in this game, and the performers nailed this one. Main Theme - the guitar soloist also played for the main theme, was a great rendition of the main FF theme. Opening Bombing Mission - This one took me by surprise as a most exellently performed piece, better than what was recorded on the Distant Worlds CD. Fisherman's Horizon - Memoro de la Stono - These two pieces have never been played live by orchestra before, and were a nice addition to the show. Opera "Maria and Draco" - Absolutely the highlight of the entire concert, the very popular opera piece from FFIII (FFVI jap) got the standing ovation it deserved. The Opera voice trio played perfectly to the crowd, adding some amusing but subtle expressions to their performance that prompted an overwhelmingly positive response from the crowd. As link: http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/resk/ffdistantworlds.shtml" target="_new One reviewer put it, "Nothing less than a standing ovation is deserved. Bravo." Terra's Theme - Another piece not often played live, a superb performance and a favorite of many. One Winged Angel - The conductor introduced the last song as "And for our final piece... well, you don't need me to tell you..." A cult-classic favorite of Sephiroth fans, and excellently performed by symphony and choir. I was very lucky to have a VIP ticket, which allowed a brief yet exciting meeting with the composer and conductor after the show (after 2 hours in line) but it was entirely worth the wait to get the awesome pics. It was a blast cracking jokes and talking to the friendly Rosemont staff while waiting in line. To Travis, the ultimate bouncer, who could break a man while blind-folded and with one arm tied behind your back: you rock. I truly had a great weekend at that show, with friends as geeky about Final Fantasy as I am. What a blast! If you ever have a chance to listen to the recorded Distant Worlds CD (performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Arnie Roth), you have to turn it up LOUD, close your eyes, and pretend you are sitting in the front section of an auditorium.

Yay, the Patriots lost, and other Lenten observations

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 18:32:00 -0600

There was only one reason I was rooting for the Giants in the Superbowl; I didn't want to see the Patriots, who were caught cheating at the beginning of the season, finish with both the Superbowl championship AND a perfect season. It just wouldn't have been fair to the American sport of football. Most of the action was in the 1st and 4th quarters, which saw all of the points scored by both teams. It was a well played, fairly called contest of two rather good teams, and a great upset game. In my mind, the Giants were a subtle reminder of justice to the Patriots that cheaters should never win. In other news, the Lent season begins again this week on Ash Wednesday. I am again reminded of the pledge I made to myself last year. I will admit; I tripped up a few times in my 40 day fasting-of-self. But after slipping I didn't let it stop me from continuing to try, and the end result was as... unexpected as it was meaningful. I am resolved to try again this year, and hope to find yet again that sense of solace and self control.

Happy New Year, and all that jive

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:58:00 -0600

My dear friends, It is that time yet again when we celebrate an arbitrary calendar date, New Years Day. This is the time when we say, "I CAN diet and lose all this weight I gained gorging myself for the last 2 months!" It is also, ironically, the time when your frantic pace that led up to the holidays crashes into exhaustion and depression; the time when the glimmer of new Christmas presents begin to wear off, and you realize that you will very shortly be back at work. Yet, during this time of feeble resolutions and melancholy, I have to stop and realize that 2008, like every new year, bears it's own promise. For while it may not be all rainbows and roses, I am very thankful to realize that things can always be worse, and that it is statistically impossible for everything bad that could happen will happen in 2008. So hang in there, things are looking up! So I raise a toast to friend and foe alike: may 2008 be everything you want it to be, and nothing you don't. May you find happiness in what you have, and be content with what you don't. May you realize and appreciate the love that others share with you, and forgive the times they don't. My final words to you are this: Take heart! If things don't work out for you in 2008, remember that 2009 is just around the corner.

My Festivus

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:43:00 -0600

My Festivus 'Twas the night of Festivus when all through the house not a person was napping, not even a mouse. Dinner was nearly over and all were in wait for the Airing of Grievances, to get issues off our plate. "I got a lot of problems with you people!" dad bellowed, and my pulse quickened with every insult furled. Not a fellow was relaxed, all were getting limber to take on the challenge to wrestle or run away with a quiver. For the head of the household would select from the crowd "I challenge you to Feats of Strength 'til someone pins me down!" I tried to act cool, "Sorry, I'm working a double-shift," but dad saw through my bluff and his eyebrows did lift. "You! Time to throw down!" he cried and charged at a full run, I fled behind the Festivus pole but deftly he spun. His arms 'round my chest, he lifted me high, "Feel the true meaning of Festivus!" and landed a pile-drive. As I lost consciousness dad yelled out with glee, "Happy Festivus to all, and to all weaklings a good night!"

(your foliage)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:22:00 -0600

a senryu. --- a leaf on the wind; at times soft as a feather, or stinging rose thorn.

An Ode to a Hoodie

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:37:00 -0600

a metered poem, in senryu verse. --- An Ode to a Hoodie I scoff when I see your mantle hang from my hook, Oh banner of geeks. Yet I cannot hide my desire to be comfy in your soothing wraps. In sun, moon and rain your lovers embrace warms me when inside or out. Oh, hoodie sweater, my +1 cloak of emo, Keep me safe from harm.

I want to...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:26:00 -0600

I want to start playing guitar again. Play like I don't care, and kick ass doing it. I want to start a band. It will sound like Radiohead getting pwnd by a hurricane. I want to be cool again, in my own eyes if not to my friends. I want to go on a real road trip. I want to hit the gas, with the windows rolled down, good tunes on the radio, and a smile on my face. I want to have a party, have all of my friends in one place. We'll laugh at the idiots at work, and toast each other until dawn. Piss off the neighbors, and earn a hangover to brag of. I want to figure out who would play me in a movie, what would be on my sound track? Screw that -- I want someone to want ME to play THEM in a movie, and have my BAND play on their soundtrack. Yeah, That would be excellent.

Teh bestest web comic.... ever?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:58:00 -0600

I love Questionable Content, but this one has entered a whole new atrium of my heart. link: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=963 #963, hot chics and D&D, it doesn't get much better than that for a geeky guy like me, right?

a workday senryu

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:48:00 -0600

tick-tock, goes the clock. Twin arms move, yet too slowly; to tired eyes, stopped.

Tycho & Gabe of Penny Arcade featured on Wired.com

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:20:00 -0600

link: http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/15-09/mf_pennyarcade?currentPage=all A recent Wired.com article features the brainpower behind one of my favorite web comics, Penny Arcade. The interview is with Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, the real life counterparts that the comic characters Gabe and Tycho are loosely based upon.

Chicago 27, Indianapolis 24

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:17:00 -0600

The Bears pull out another pre-season win! This time, it was a rematch with the Indianapolis Colts, who stole the Superbowl away from us last season. Grossman looked a little shaky this game, giving up a few turnovers, but he managed to earn some redemption with a QB sneak TD before retiring to the bench late in the 2nd quarter. Brian Griese, Kyle Orton and Robbie Gould were yet again the true performers, who gave us a significant lead that outlasted Peyton's might and a late TD from the Colts' 3rd stringer QB. So while it looks like Grossman hasn't quite worked out all the bugs yet, the Bears still look solid, and I have high hopes that the '07-'08 season will be a strong one for our Chicago Bears.