Good site to visit - Michael Yon.

I found a journalist who reports - absolutely freelance - 'up close and personal' in Iraq. Michael Yon.

The photo at left is one of his best known works (He writes and photographs).

First hand accounts of the surge, the war on terror, are pretty hard to find. this guy's coverage is as gritty as it comes.

He's funded mostly by his readership through 'paypal'.

I highly recommend you go take a look.

Up early 'Deathly Hallows' release day.

Daughter had us up early Saturday, it was the global release of the new Harry Potter book.

She's been devouring (only word for it really) each book on it's release since the first one (when she was about 8). She was already an avid reader, but that series of books really cemented her love for books. As it has done for millions of kids around the world it seems. She knew even at 8 the difference between fiction and non-fiction, fact and fantasy. Those with concerns on religious grounds shouldn't worry either, IMHO.

Overall, a very positive influence. I've even seen each of the movies with her, also good entertainment.

She's reading the book at every available spare moment. no spoilers here, but there was one anguished outburst when she found out early on that something bad happened to a favourite 'character'. Clearly a good read, (based on observations alone).

"life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Hi to All. Blogging has suffered of late due to 'life'. I believe it was John Lennon who wrote that: "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". Well things have been busy, and blogging didn't make it to the top of the priority list, nor should it have when weighed against things. 'Nuf said.

I note there was yet another terrorist attempt at carnage in the UK. With the same connecting link, that of a particular religion and culture. Same as the last terrorist attack, and the one before that, and the one before that, and the one....
If Islam , at roughly 20% of the world population, was source to 20% of the world's terrorism, or conflict, that MAY be understandable. If it were the basis of 40% (doubly represented), that would be statistically significant. But remind me where virtually ALL terrorism originates these days. THAT is what should be significant.

Also 'Live Earth' happened. All those rock stars jetting around in private planes and as icons of conspicuous consumption getting the message to the rest of us to change our ways.
Not a little irony there (or perhaps hypocrisy?).