Jurassic Park Was My First Novel

One of my first memories to becoming an avid reader was in 6th grade. Jurassic Park was about to hit movie theaters, but my mother said I needed to read the book first and than I could see the movie. I tackled the 416 paperback and loved it so much I was upset the movie did not meet my expectations. I would go on to later read Michael Crichton’s Sphere, Timeline and State of Fear.

I was sad to hear the following news:

In Los Angeles, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Michael Crichton passed away at the age of 66 to cancer.

This is what the family said about one of my favorite authors,

"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us – and entertained us all while doing so – his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."

Publishers are holding the release of a new book, but if it is anything like his previous books, I am sure it will be great.

Breaking News that Makes You Say, "What?!?"

"Ahmadinejad Offers Congratulations to Obama, First to U.S. Leader by Iranian President," reads the current headline on ABC News' webpage.

The article states, "President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution."

Comments?

News Flash: Raccoon['s] clash...with Dallas cops

**Associated Press-Oct. 23, 2008-DALLAS — Police learned something during a frenetic burglary call to an elderly couple's home: Tasers don't work on raccoons.

Police arrived with guns drawn after receiving a 911 call from an 85-year-old man who heard noises near his front door Tuesday night.

Officers surrounded the house but pretty quickly — in the words of the police report — "determined the suspect was a raccoon."

In the meantime, the masked burglar apparently made its way into the house through the chimney. That's when things got really interesting.

With officers in pursuit, the raccoon took off through the house, ripping up Venetian blinds, pulling down drapes, knocking over a lamp and toppling a flowerpot. Finally, Officer Daniel Ek tried to let it out the back door when the suspect apparently turned threatening.

"While unlocking the back door, the suspect ran at Officer Ek," the police report says.

Ek used his Taser, but the raccoon ran up the chimney with the stun gun's prongs in its back. An animal control officer tried unsuccessfully to flush it out with ammonia, homeowner Bill Hyde said in today's editions of The Dallas Morning News.

A neighbor helped secure the front of the fireplace to keep the raccoon from returning. The next morning, when the neighbor returned to put a cap on the chimney, the raccoon had escaped.

"He got away clean," Hyde said.

(**This is a complete copy of the article, link is to reference the source)

News Flash: Feedburner Installed

I have seen it and used it on other websites, but never tried it out on Insert Title Here. The wait is over; I am now “burning my feed.” So, to the right under "subscribe here" you can update your RSS feed to Insert Title Here with the new link. If you don’t use a reader, I highly recommend the Google Reader. Let me know what you think.

Ike Aftermath in Pictures

If you haven't seen pictures from the aftermath of Ike check out the link below. 28 mind blowing pictures of the devastation.

Link

If you have others to share, drop them on my comments. Many prayers to those picking up the piece.

Some Thoughts

Kari and I spend a lot of time in Galveston, so this image caught my attention. You can see the waves and Seawall sign in the background. About a month ago we were on the seawall. I want to make one thing clear, I am deeply concerned about the people of Southeast Texas. My recent rants were directed to local (Austin) media outlets that seem to report more than the news. Our prayer is God spares lives and provides protection for those in Ike's path. We are ready to do whatever we can to help the people in need. Please say a prayer for my buddy JLee, who decided to "ride it out." I talked to him last night briefly and I can only imagine now what is going on. Don't forget to mention Cassie's parents in your prayers as well.

Have a blessed weekend.

726 Miles Away

At approximately 12:30pm central time Hurricane Ike is 726 miles away from Austin. I got this information from the below website. I normally don’t blog about websites, but this one really caught my attention.

The amazing website I want to share is http://www.stormpulse.com/

It is a storm tracker website, detailed to the MAX. I could probably spend several days on this site. Check it out. Happy storm watching.

God Bless