NASA mulls early retirement for space shuttle

While there will be possibly dire reprecussions with the retirement of the Shuttle Program, it is envitable - and perhaps sooner rather than later. In fact, NASA may retire the space shuttle program before the planned 2010 date. From MSNBC we learn that "even as NASA gears up for the space shuttle's return to flight [this year], officials at the space agency are quietly studying the possibility of cutting back its number of missions and retiring the spacecraft years ahead of schedule". Its replacement? Robot rocket missions.

And while the American commitment to space wanes, let us not forget the Taikonauts!

Commenting on Comments

On the Shuttle's recent grounding for damage concerns, Neal Harrison comments that the astronauts are well aware of the risks - send them up.

I think the real issue is that delays like this recent NASA mission scrub throw the whole project into possible irrelevance... the X Prize program should have thrown the fear of God into NASA.

In my opinion, the Days of the Shuttle program is over. Time for small manned vehicles and tons more unmanned programs.

Bring on Chelski

Liverpool Coach Rafael Benitez is adamant that for next week's match all the pressure is on Chelsea to win the match.

Following Wednesday night's draw at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said Liverpool must now show they can adapt their style of play to secure the victory needed to take them to Istanbul.

But Rafa believes the pressure is firmly on Liverpool with '99.9 per cent of Liverpool people already thinking they're going to the final'. And Benitez isn't fooled by Mourinho's attempted mind games and says the Portuguese boss has got it wrong.

"When you spend that much money on new players then you need to win titles and you need to win trophies.

'We did a good job at Chelsea and now we will try to do a good job at Anfield. We have a 50-50 chance of going through. We'll be ready for it. Our fans will be with us and they are always extra special on European nights.' "

Thin edge of the wedge?

In the UK, the Law Lords *may* have backed the creation of 'designer babies' - in the case argued, they have backed the licensing of pre-implantation tissue-typing. The creation of 'designer babies' to treat sick siblings is lawful, the Law Lords have ruled, upholding an earlier court decision.

Science Day on Ben Harrison Blog

We begin today's feature with a mystery - Exploding toads are baffling German scientists. It seems that toads at a pond in the upscale neighbourhood of Altona (in Hamburg) have been blowing up since the beginning of the month, filling up like balloons until their stomachs suddenly burst. No cause has been determined despite tests of the toads and water.

And as there was lots of hail today - I give you the answer to the question: How does hail form and what determines its size?

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

I'll take that result.

On Tomorrow's Match

Liverpool Midfielder Xabi Alonso eagerly awaits tomorrow's semi-final game in the Champions League. The last time Xabi Alonso played Chelsea he ended up with a broken ankle which threatened to destroy his first season in England. A win against Chelsea (two legs) will advance Liverpool to next month's final in Istanbul. And that would be just perfect for Alonso, although he insists he does not blame Lampard for the three months he spent on the sidelines watching Liverpool's erratic season unfold.

Grit judicial appointments suspect?

Yet another post from the paper today... apparently the BQ wants Mounties to probe Grit judicial appointments. The Bloc has asked the RCMP to investigate allegations that lawyers who volunteered for the Liberals during the 2000 election were later made judges as a reward. Poor Paul Martin... he was a good Finance Minister, but looks to be completely undone by cronyism.

Air Canada goes with Boeing; I wanna go home.

Well first some interesting aviation news- Air Canada has gone with Boeing for new planes in its fleet (?), purchasing more than 30 aircraft months after Boeing closed down their Toronto factory.

The recovery of Air Canada, which emerged from 18 months of bankruptcy protection in September, has been a long time coming. The company was hit hard after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks forced it to take some planes out of service as demand for seats plunged (let's not talk about the then evident glut of international carriers). Last month, however, the company posted its first fourth-quarter profit since 1999 and said it planned to expand its overseas routes, while increasing market share at home after the demise of rival, Jetsgo Corp.

Says President Robert Milton (who somehow found the time to write a book!): "Our decision to modernize our fleet with the 777 and 787 Dreamliner will move Air Canada into a clear leadership position among North American international carriers with the world's two newest and most efficient twin-engine, long-haul airplanes."

Grey day today. Both inside and outside the office. The morning was unpleasant, the afternoon glum and only moderately productive.

I've been working on two new pages for the Infoware site that will hopefully help us boost our web-based trade:

The page Infoware Law Office Sopftware Tips is intended to be a resource for our existing future users. Infoware News is going to be our press release publishing space as well as a general bulletin board for Infoware-related news.

Toys, Technology and the Old Testament.

Who needs to learn the stories of the Bible from Charlton Heston when Lego can do the trick?

Check out: Genesis 3:7
"The eyes of both them were opened, and they knew that they were naked."

And more from the Story of Gideon!
When Israelites attack (Judges 7:3), you don't want to be a Midianite. Especially at night. When it gets confusing. And rest assured, Gideon will get Old Testament on your ass if you talk to him the wrong way - consider his tendencies to thresh men with thorns and knock down perfectly useful towers. Not to say that he wasn't a lover too.

These slides are also useful for filling in certain gaps left out of Hollywood Biblie portrayals. And they come with a content rating code, so don't complain to me when you're shocked and appalled by the violent images herein linked.

UEFA approves new 'local player' rule

The development of lower level sport and individual talent in football today received a major boost with UEFA changing the team sheet requirements for teams playing in the body's competitions. Starting next season, clubs will be required to field a first-team roster of 25 players containing at least two players trained at their own academy. An additional two must come through systems of clubs from the same country.

Plugging Away.

Admittedly not the most adventurous title for today's posting. But it does capture my general state-of-mind in terms of work at the moment. No big news to announce right now on that front, in fact things may become more complex in the immediate short term. Remarkable I am ahead of the game for once on my Outlook task list - as of 4:15, I don't have any reminders popping up. I have, however, made a list of "Big Tasks" which I need to complete in the near-term... it's time to move out of the recent project mode and hammer out some marketing materials.

As it's getting press pretty much everywhere, I'm not going to talk about the new Pope. I'm not Catholic anyway.

The other night I caught William Shatner on Conan O'Brien - it was a repeat I guess - where he was promoting his album Has Been with it's excellent cover of "Common People" and a couple contributions by Henry Rollins. Shatner is a first class nut - what an awesome character! His Itsy-Bitsy spider was a showstopper!

Liverpool has just beaten Portsmouth, but Everton is beating a certain North London team, so perhaps no help on the chase for the fourth Premiership berth.

Pope chosen.

White smoke, bells signal selection of new pope on Apr 19, 2005

Popecam.

Click here for a link to the Live Vatican Conclave WebCam.

You know, if we fitted all future Popes with webcams, it would make their beautification process much easier.

Good'day to Tom DeLay?

Is Majority Leader Tom DeLay really in trouble? The jury is out on whether it's for the best for the Republicans to keep him or set him loose in light of ethics and leadership concerns.

Fitness Report for this Week.

I haven't been a good boy this week his respect to my diet and exercise regime. I have been fantastically undisciplined with respect to food consumption and have missed my boxing sessions for the week. I did make it out to the gym yesterday, and am going tonight, so perhaps I can rescue (or remain neutral) on the week by finishing strong in these last few days.

I also haven't been a good boy replying to some friend's correspondence. This is a deficit I will correct on the weekend. Have much work to do before Monday in preparation for a series of meetings, so I think K and I are headed to the Metro Reference Library to find a non-distracting work environment.

On another note, I have changed my cell phone number, so if you haven't received it yet, send me an email.

Finally, as a bookend to the blog posts of early this week, I should report that Inter Milan has been handed their penalty for the flare-throwing incident of early this week. They have been fined 132K Euros and must play four European matches in an empty stadium (which will cost them dearly). That said, this is a limper penalty than I expected and I don't imagine it will help remedy the recent tide of violence committed by European soccer fans.

Planning for Istanbul

As mentioned, Liverpool won their place in the next Champions League round yesterday, which means that following their defeat of Chelsea in a couple weeks time, the team will be heading to Turkey for the Champions League Cup final. Over drinks last night, there was discussion of going to the game - and why not? It will be last minute, but also could be a lot of fun!

I'm sweating my afternoon out today after making numerous calls today... many items to follow up on. One of my projects has been pushed back for rollout, but the design timeline stays the same - good news I am coming to think. No other news on the work front...

Reds through in Turin

In a game of nail-biting tension Liverpool produced enough on-field discipline to shut out Juventus and preserve their 2-1 first leg advantage. At times it was backs to the wall stuff but Benitez' men defended resolutely to set up a semi-final clash with Chelsea. Xabi Alonso was excellent and Cisse looks in excellent form. Think I'll go get a pint to celebrate.

BBC SPORT | Football | Milan Rivalry ends in Chaos

A bizarre sequence in Italy as the Inter - AC Milan match ends in moderate violence.

From the BBC SPORT | Champions League Clockwatch

2112: Inter have a goal disallowed when Esteban Cambiasso heads in, but the referee gives a free-kick to Milan for a foul on Dida.

2115: There is high drama in Milan as AC keeper Dida goes down after being struck on the shoulder by a flare from the crowd. The Milan end of the San Siro pitch is covered by flares and the referee has no option but to call a halt to the game.

2120: The game at the San Siro is still not back under way as firemen try to put out the flares in the Milan area. Bottles and other objects are still being thrown on to the field by the Inter fans.

2125: The game at the San Siro is suspended and the players are taken off the field.

2141: MATCH ABANDONED Inter Milan 0-1 AC Milan -
The scenes at the San Siro take another ugly twist as the players come back on and play resumes for the final 17 minutes. But more objects and flares are thrown on to the pitch and the game is called off again. The Milan players applaud their fans and the game is abandoned. It is unclear what will happen to the tie but there are sure to be ramifications for Inter from Uefa.

Peru trip in Peril? Cisse returns.

Some not altogether welcome news today as I have learned that Nenita is not likely to be in Peru this year. These damn dissertations! Don't know how this might affect summer vacation plans, if at all.

I am tired today although I can't place my finger on a cause... got my normal 6 hours last night. Going to workout tonight before heading to a flick with Karina and a friend. Don't know what we're likely to pic, but I imagine that Fever Pitch and Sahara are leading candidates. Rented "After the Sunset" with Pierce and Salma. It was a horrible flick, dull and predictable. Don Cheadle is too good an actor for this kind of mindless crap.

For the first time since breaking his leg in October Striker Djibril Cisse is in Liverpool's squad for the Champions League match against Juventus. This is three months ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. In other news ahead of tomorrow's game, Rick Parry is asking travelling REDS to behave themselves as there have been fears of trouble ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie. The violence is in reply to the Heysel disaster in Brussels 20 years ago where 38 Juve supporters were killed in an in-stadium riot.

Argh! GERRARD OUT OF JUVENTUS MATCH!

A spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club confirmed Gerrard would not travel with the squad to Turin on Tuesday but will stay at Melwood for further treatment. Club doctors are hopeful Gerrard may be able to recover in time to be involved in Liverpool's game against Tottenham at Anfield on Saturday.

The Man City loss on the weekend is proving very expensive! ACK!

Bush's Social Security Plan > ?! <

The Doonesbury Daily Dose doesn't help us to understand...

There's only one Carragher

A fanzine on sale outside Anfield on Tuesday night carried the headline: 'We Dream of a Team of Jamies', complete with mock photograph of 11 versions of the same doughty defender, all concave of cheek and piercing of eye. Carragher has been one of the unsung heroes of the season in England, though not on Merseyside. His consistency, concentration and old-fashioned honesty would make him a candidate for Player of the Year but for having to share the Anfield stage with Steven Gerrard and the excellence of Frank Lampard and John Terry in a Chelsea side challenging for the title.

Aash: Hot or Not?

Look! You can check out ratings for Professor Aashish Clerk. He claims that these comments are not representative. He'll probably be pondering these statements next time he's up in his hot air balloon.

No post yesterday, But I post today!

On the Liverpool front, Rafa Benitez is upbeat after the Juve win yesterday. The Reds won 2-1 at Anfield, and although Carson let in a regretable away goal, it's obviously a plus for the team - they could prove giant killers in the Champions League.

Big things shaking out at work these days. Although there's not much I can or should say, I will go as far as to say that events being discussed could be life-changing.

Made it out to hipster hangout The Drake Hotel last night and hung out with the art-yuppies. Old friend and photographer Finn O'Hara had a show there and I also walked into Tad and the OCAD crew who were participating in a Live Performance show. This world is closing in on me!

Weekend Sporting News

Liverpool is now one point out of fourth place in the Premiership with a one goal win over Bolton on the weekend and Everton's lost to West Brom. Liverpool is again saved by the heroics of Igor Biscan. Biscan's header came off a cross from Anfield pariah Djimi Traore. Tomorrow is the first game against Juventus in the Champions League Quarter Final.

In auto racing news, after Jarno Trulli's second win of the F1 season, carmarker and racing team Toyota says Ferrari's dominance of the sport is over. The Team's technical director believes F1's new rules have helped Toyota come out of nowhere to challenge the status quo. 'It's exactly what Formula One needed,' said Gascoyne, whose team have spent an estimated $3 billion on the sport in the last three seasons. Now if only Jenson Button can finish a race.

Links from CNN

Got to love those business synergies... Molly Sims on SI.com - Swimsuit Collection. Can everyone see the US Army advertisements?

On Eating and Health

While Karina slept, I snuck in a viewing of the documentary SUPER SIZE ME. A frightening experience and a real eye-opener for someone who isn't always the best at ensuring a balanced diet. For those unfamiliar with the movie, it follows filmmaker Morgan Spurlock as he adopts a McDonalds menu only diet for one month, in the process visiting schools (where healthy eating option are left to the discretion of the kids) and various interested parties. In the course of the diet, Spurlock becomes depressed, gains 24 lbs and moves towards liver failure.

The official line: The film explores the horror of school lunch programs, declining health and physical education classes, food addictions and the extreme measures people take to lose weight and regain their health.

The message I took from the movie: you must be constantly vigilant in your food choices.

My vow: No more fast food. Never again. (And this includes Harvey's Veggieburger which is tasty!)

I'm also going to start a weekly record on my health and well-being.

Health Report. My name is Ben Harrison. I am 5'9" and I weight 193 lbs. I try to remain very active. This week I have run 2 miles on a treadmill (Monday), used an Elliptical trainer for 30 minutes(Tuesday) and have had two one-hour long boxing training sessions. I am a vegetarian (including no fish). I have eaten as good a diet this week as I have managed in many months (although I have snacked on many cashews and Smarties) and have had one Guinness. I have not been to a Doctor in many years. My fitness achievement of the week is that I did 150 reps at 100lbs on the leg-press machine in one continuous attempt.