Dirkmonster

"We hope you've enjoyed your stay at the Holiday Inn Guantanamo Bay"

Three detainees checked out of the the US Defense Department's all inclusive Cuban resort for Arab's last week. 

According to the Government's press release, "one detainee was transferred to Afghanistan, one detainee to the United Arab Emirates, and one detainee to Qatar.  These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes...The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary."

Is this release (or transfer), one of over 60 in the works, an admission that these detainees were never a threat to begin with or just no longer a threat?  Maybe the Defense Department has gotten as much out of them as they're ever going to.  In any event, I'm sure they'll have a lot of nice things to say to their friends in Afghanistan, the UAB and Qatar.

The approximately 265 guests still (not) enjoying their stay in Guantanamo Bay can sit tight.

"Last Lecture" author Randy Pausch dies

Last night I was only about halfway through Randy Pausch's small book, The Last Lecture, and I knew I was blessed to be reading it.

Today, I saw the news that Pausch died this morning.  The cancer that prompted him to put together the lecture took his life.  The cancer couldn't get him before he felt the need to do something important for a relatively small group of people.  Turns out, he's told the world about some of the best things in life.

Let's pray for his wife and 3 small children who have lost their dearest one today.  Thanks Randy!

Big stink at the office causes evacuation

You gotta love this announcement on a Friday afternoon:

"Attention associates: There is a sulfer smell throughout the 800 building.  I have called the fire department.  Everyone must evacuate.  Please leave slowly."

No one was injured and there was a singular act of bravery when one of my colleagues re-entered the building to retrieve a football.

Officially, the Nashville Fire Department says the cause is "still under investigation".  But in this video report from the scene, I got to the "bottom" of it pretty quickly.

The Commodore 64 generation

Yeah, I'll admit I found this post on engadget cool.  And, yeah, I already knew I was a nerd :)

Will Hordichuk battle Tootoo next season?

I was very sorry to see the Predators trade F Darcy Hordichuk last week.  Darcy was a fan favorite in Nashville for his high energy and eagerness to drop the gloves.  If you got a chance to meet him off the ice, you loved him even more.  The tough guy is down to earth and easy to talk to.  He's also constantly on the lookout to help his friends any way he can.  Darcy was my 5 year old son Ross' favorite player by far.

Now Ross has a favorite Canuck, after Darcy skated away from a deal with Carolina in favor of a nice contract with Vancouver.  Why did he prefer to play for one over the other?  Here's what was reported by The Province, in Vancouver this week:

"I want to play in the west because there are a lot more tough guys and that's my job every night," he said. "I'm so excited. I look back at my career and some of my best games have come in front of Canadian fans because that's my style. I like to run around and hit guys and anybody who's willing to drop the gloves. I'm the kind of guy who won't back down. I know my role and any chance I get to fight Georges Laraque and some of the bigger guys out there, I like to test myself against those guys."

..."I was kind of held back a bit with Jordin Tootoo on the team with the same role as me," added Hordichuk. "In Vancouver, I think I'm a perfect fit."

Which brings up an intriguing possibility next season.  I fully expect Darcy to get the Scott Walker treatment - a warm welcome - when he steps onto the Sommet Center ice next fall.  But I can't see warm wishes stopping Darcy if he needed to, uh, do what he does.  So could we see Hordy and Tootoo brawl?  Who would win?  For Preds fans it's going to be high drama.