“Stewardesses”  is the longest word typed with only the left hand and “lollipop”  with your right.   (Bet you tried this out mentally, didn’t  you?)

No  word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or  purple.

“Dreamt”  is the only English word that ends in the letters  “mt”. (Are  you doubting this?)

Our  eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears  never stop growing.

The  sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every  letter of the alphabet. (Now,  you KNOW you’re going to try this out for accuracy,  right?)

The  words ‘racecar,’ ‘kayak’ and ‘level’ are the same whether they are  read left to right or right to left  (palindromes).(Yep,  I knew you were going to “do” this one.)

There  are only four words in the English language which end in “dous”:  tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and  hazardous.  (You’re  not doubting this, are you?)

There  are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in  order: “abstemious” and “facetious.”(Yes,  admit it, you are going to say . a e i o  u)

TYPEWRITER  is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one  row of the keyboard.(All  you typists are going to test this  out)

A  cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

A  “jiffy” is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a  second.

A  shark is the only fish that can blink with both  eyes.

A  snail can sleep for three years.(I  know some people that could do this too.)

Almonds  are a member of the peach family.

An  ostrich’s eye is bigger than its  brain.

Babies  are born without kneecaps They don’t appear until the child  reaches 2 to 6 years of age.

February  1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full  moon

In  the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been  domesticated.

If  the population of Chinawalked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of  the rate of reproduction.

Leonardo  Da Vinci invented the scissors.

Peanuts  are one of the ingredients of  dynamite!

Rubber  bands last longer when refrigerated.

The  average person’s left hand does 56% of the  typing.

The  cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel  that it burns.

The  microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube  and a chocolate bar melted in his  pocket.(Good  thing he did that)

The  winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara  Fallsfroze completely solid.

There  are more chickens than people in the  world.

Winston  Churchill was born in a ladies’ room during a  dance.

Women  blink nearly twice as much as men.

Now you know everthing you need to know.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans and especially the partridge that won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Today I found out. From 1558-1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning; the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to the members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in the pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthrew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids a milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
The ten lords a leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

I’ve been watching this go around, not missing being tagged, but Mr. O’Grady got me while he was stuck in an airport. The hardest part about this is I’m pretty much an open book, those who know me, know me.

1. I played on the tennis team at my college, the University of Central Florida.

2. My degree in college was Accounting of all things (also Marketing, but I actually use that one.)

3. I was once a Cobol and an RPG II programmer.

4. I was VP of Marketing for a storage company in the 90’s before working at IBM.

5. Elvis died on my birthday, while sitting on the can.
So tag Elias, Ed, Gina, Stu, and Todd. Sorry about that

Mary Jo Foley describes them here. You can read the list and decide for yourself any of them are relevant or not. That is not my beef.

I’ve been in quite a few conversations where we weren’t going to announce something until we knew it was ready, or wouldn’t talk about a product as it was too far out. One of my talking points to the other parties was look at the example that Microsoft sets. They announce something so far out that no one really remembers whether they deliver it or not (except Mary Jo) and no one ever seems to care.

The industry should take companies to task for delivering on what they commit to. They have with IBM to the point that unless it’s locked and loaded, announcements that I’m involved it don’t get talked about. But it has made us appear that we are either behind or appear that we aren’t up to speed on a technology or industry, or aren’t a player. So in the spirit of being honest, we’ve been penalized or graded below companies that have announced vaporware.

Conversely, this Microsoft strategy could be viewed as shrewd, albeit disingenious. It allows them to claim anything they want is going to be developed, which a allows for obfuscation in whatever market they wish to either dominate or delay until they can decide what they want to do. At minimum, it can send up a cloud of FUD. Then where does an 800 lb. gorilla sit? You should know the answer to that question.

I’ve never written a book review, but I’ll take a crack at this one. I’ve never read an “anything” for dummies, partly because I tried to educate myself past the dummy moniker, and also because I was already ahead of most of the dummy subjects before the book came out. I was a DOS and Internet experienced user years before the books. Not that I should brag, but I was a DOS giant going back to version 1.0 of which I used both IBM and Microsoft versions.

I’m not an SOA qualified person so this book is relevant to me on a number of levels. First, it is written by some analysts who I’m close to, Hurwitz and Associates, (disclaimer, although I should be less personal, you can’t help but become close to the folks you work with, and this statement applies to most of the analysts I work with). Next, with the SaaS wave about to crash on the IBM beach, SOA is technology that is inherently ingrained in our strategy and offerings, so I’m working on this closely. Finally, I’m mentioned in the author’s acknowledgements with some names of folks far more qualified than me. While I can’t comment on the entire book, I’ll bring out some excerpts that will give you a flavor of the book.

First, what I like about it is the first person style, like the first chapter, why you should care about SOA. I can hear Judith, Robin, Carol and Marcia’s voices when I read it. It reminds me of an analyst briefing when they are setting us straight, which we frequently need. Next, it gets right to the salient points of what matters, like connecting programs and re-use. I like the catchy titles like Noah’s Architecture and tongue in cheek comments like “It’s so simple, it’s only taken 40 years”. It is an engaging style that deals with topics you need to know, but didn’t know you didn’t know or needed to know. It goes on further with Nitty-Gritty SOA and My Computer is a Lousy Linguist.

For those who know I like and respect the military, the SOA security chapter hit home with me. It has a funny caption about can you tell Robin wrote this? He’s a Brit. It discusses the Dark Ages in Europe and using moats to surround your castle. It makes a nice transition from the Dark Ages of Computing, namely mainframes, through PC’s and the internet. The author neatly transitions to Identity management software, authentication and other topics that help you “defend your castle”.

The first time I was ever exposed to SOA, it revolved around the Enterprise Service Bus, chapter 9. If you are reading this, you fall into one of two categories. You either already know the discussion of the ESB, or you need to read SOA for dummies. While it doesn’t say IBM is the end all here, we were one of the first to hammer this home and have done a good job of explaining why this is important. The chapter deals with metadata, mediation, messaging, security and the interface capability of the ESB. It also has a comparative description of a Bus is a Bus and actually mentioned ISA, PCI, USB and almost went to the Micro Channel Bus, the other book I was in the acknowledgements for.

I also thought the chapter on Do You Need a SOA was quite helpful. I won’t discuss my score, but it’s safe to say I’m not ready to be an enterprise. Of all the words I know, this chapter uses the word perspicacity, and the only other time I’ve heard this was in the Tour de France coverage.

So in the spirit of not ruining the book for the authors, I won’t go into too much other detail, other than it’s as good a reference book on a technical subject as I’ve read. In comparison, the Eclipse book I recently read was a serious yawner and SOA for dummies kept me engaged. Hats off to the four authors and I wish them luck and good sales.

From: Santa Claus

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer
serve the States of Georgia, Florida, Virginia, North and South Carolina,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas on Christmas Eve.

Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract
was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. As part of
the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies
so keep that in mind.

However, I’m certain that your children will be in good hands with
your local replacement, who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus.
His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering
toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences
between us.

Differences such as:

1. There is no danger of the Grinch stealing your presents from
Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that
reads: “These toys insured by Smith and Wesson.”

2.Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children
leave an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And
Bubba doesn’t smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an
empty spit can handy.

3.Bubba Claus’ sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin’ coon dogs
instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my
reindeer one time, and Blitzen’s head now overlooks Bubba’s fireplace.

4.You won’t hear “On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen..” when
Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you’ll hear, “On Earnhardt, on Andretti, on
Elliott and Petty.”

5.”Ho, Ho, Ho!” has been replaced by “Yee Haw!” And you
also are likely to hear Bubba’s elves respond, “I her’d dat!”

6.As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus’ sleigh does
have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words “Back Off.”

7.The usual Christmas movie classics such as “Miracle on 34th
Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” will not be shown in your
negotiated viewing area. Instead, you’ll see “Boss Hogg Saves Christmas”
and “Smokey and the Bandit IV” featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and
dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other.

And Finally,

8. Bubba Claus doesn’t wear a belt. If I were you, I’d make sure
you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put
presents under the tree.

Sincerely Yours,
Santa Claus

No, this isn’t a press release or chest beating, but since it was a report I had to shepherd for the better part of 5 months during a move, explosion, testing for my 3rd degree Black Belt (ok, that was bad planning) and running the technology for the IBM analyst conference ….it was important to both my group and to me.

Here is the link to the report.

What was tough was that the methodology of the report was completely different than last year, where we were also rated as having the top vendor partner program.  This put us considerably out of our comfort zone and made us work to present our program in the best light knowing we were up against the likes of Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Novell, Intel and others.

I ranted about the thoroughness of doing your job during this report and held various partnering events which were open to the analysts, and it was worth it.  To further the complication, IDC pulled in a bogie, they had an independent advisory council made up of ISV’s to weight various aspects of programs from the vendors.

A lot of folks within IBM worked hard to support this, but keeping focused on this knowing by butt was on the line while we had so much else going on made it hard to keep your eye on the ball.

I, like Steve O’Grady am going to be trying out new themes for my blog until I settle on one that works.  If you get this in an RSS feed, you won’t care, but this one supports widgets and is better organized in the link section.

The best part about this was learning, which involved Steve teaching me how to navigate through a number of issues that I’ve been wanting to learn.  So many thanks Steve…couldn’t have managed it without you.

Many good links to the coverage of December 7, 1941. Lot’s of video’s and good pictures. Today was the 65th anniversary and likely the final reunion of the survivors.
Atlas Shrugs

Dr. Sanity

The Donovan

Michelle Malkin

Riehl World View

Pearl Harbor survivors gather for final reunion

Rightwing Nuthouse

Third Wave Dave

Radio Patriot

Victor Davis Hanson

Stop the ACLU

Stuck on Stupid

The Ace

California Conservative

Similarities:

Both were unprovoked attacks.

Both were on American soil.

Both caused America to return the attack.

Both caused the US president to declare war on a country other than the attacker: FDR declared war on Germany and Italy, George W. Bush declared war on Iraq.

Both attackers have a culture of death in war as being honorable.

Both countries used suicide attackers as a weapon (the documentary Tora, Tora, Tora notes a Lt. Ida who was the first kamikazee).

Both attacks were cold blooded murders by any definition.

Both attackers knew they had to go through the USA or use the USA to accomplish their goals.

Both attackers awakened a sleeping giant.

After the war, it took the United States years to help rebuild the defeated countries.

Differences:
We could tell the who the Japanese were as an enemy, they wore the same uniform. Today, most of the terrorists are young, male, islamic and of Arab descent, many fit that description and they don’t have uniforms. It’s not combatants from a single country with the current war on terrorism. It’s hard to know who the enemy is and there is no defined battlefield. They live in caves or are protected in safe houses and the tactics of border war don’t apply. They attack unprovoked, such as the Twin Towers.

The Second World War was about occupation and most attacks were to expand Japan’s (or Germany’s) borders. The war on terrorism knows no borders, it is about terrorism to accomplish their goals.The Japanese didn’t want to kill Americans because they were Americans. The Japanese knew the United States was the only power that could stop them, and a surprise attack was the means to cripple our military capability in the Pacific. The terrorists on 9/11 attacked out of hate and for the reason of terrorism (using fear as a weapon and negotiating tool of intimidation). They have stated that our culture (largely portrayed by Hollywood) is of culture of immorality.

The emperor of Japan was considered their God, Allah is the God of Islam.

Although Iraq struggles for an identity, it is clear how well Japan recovered and the health of their economy is enviable. Amazing what a little freedom and capitalism will do. I wish the same for the middle east, though many wish us failure.

So there are many similarities and differences. One fact remains that most don’t pick on an opponent they think will fight back, at least not twice. We fought the balance of both WWII and the current war in the opponent’s back yard.

Finally, a tragic fact is that Pearl Harbor survivors are dying at a rate of 3 a day, with the rate increasing as most veterans are in their 80’s (on both sides). When we lose that, a big piece of history will be lost. I’ve been to Pearl Harbor and talked to some of the survivors. They suffered a lot oh that tragic day, December 7th, 1941. It made me proud to be an American. I haven’t run into the NYPD or NYFD who were there on September 11th yet, but they were hero’s also….many hero’s and villans on two day’s of infamy.

Here is an excerpt of a speech by the president:

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God. - FDR