Friday, April 30, 2004
Voted early in the city of Carrollton election today. None of the councilmen or the mayor is up for re-election but rather just a few bond packages to be approved by the voters. There was also a bond package for the Dallas County Community College District.
Thursday, April 29, 2004
This day twenty-nine years ago, there were chaos in Saigon, the city in which I was born a year and two months later.
On a similar note, the Americans of Vietnamese descents of two southern California cities, Garden Grove and Westminster, dealed very smartly with the issue of communist Vietnam officials wanting to visit the cities by driving a motorcade through little Saigon. Cities' officials are telling the State Department that they cannot guaranteed safety for the officials of the communist nation, because it would be like Castro visiting little Havana, and that the cities' budgets cannot afford them to have enough law enforcement to guarantee public safety, unless the federal government pay for the extra police and security.
It's scary to hear on Breakpoint broadcast by Chuck Colson about Islamic converts who are Caucasians: US prison population and rebelious European youths, which the US homeland security and intelligent agents should be paying attention to.
Intelligent Design founders: Michael Denton, Philip E. Johnson, Michael Behe, William A. Dembski.
On a similar note, the Americans of Vietnamese descents of two southern California cities, Garden Grove and Westminster, dealed very smartly with the issue of communist Vietnam officials wanting to visit the cities by driving a motorcade through little Saigon. Cities' officials are telling the State Department that they cannot guaranteed safety for the officials of the communist nation, because it would be like Castro visiting little Havana, and that the cities' budgets cannot afford them to have enough law enforcement to guarantee public safety, unless the federal government pay for the extra police and security.
It's scary to hear on Breakpoint broadcast by Chuck Colson about Islamic converts who are Caucasians: US prison population and rebelious European youths, which the US homeland security and intelligent agents should be paying attention to.
Intelligent Design founders: Michael Denton, Philip E. Johnson, Michael Behe, William A. Dembski.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Nortel Networks Inc., my company, just today fired with cause its CEO, along with the CFO and Comptroller who were put on leave a month ago. Apparently 2001 and 2002 losses were overprovisioned but 2003 profit was exaggerated to make the turn around looked better than it should have been.
William Owens has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Company and NNL. Owens replaces Frank Dunn who has been terminated for cause. Owens has been a director of the Company and NNL since February 2002. Until this appointment, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Teledesic LLC, a satellite communications company, since June 2003 and was vice chairman and co-chief executive officer from August 1999 to June 2003. Previously, he was president, chief operating officer and vice chairman of Science Applications International Corporation ("SAIC"), one of the largest employee-owned high-technology companies in the United States. Prior to joining SAIC, Owens was vice chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the second-ranking military officer in the United States. Owens served as Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet during Operation Desert Storm.
The appointments of William Kerr as chief financial officer and MaryAnne Pahapill as controller have been made permanent. These appointments had been made on an interim basis on March 15, 2004. Kerr, a chartered accountant, originally joined Nortel Networks in 1994 as controller. Before leaving Nortel Networks in 2001, he held a number of senior positions in the Company's Finance organization including senior vice-president, finance and treasurer and senior vice-president, corporate business development. Since joining Nortel Networks in 1999, Pahapill, a chartered accountant, has held a number of positions in the Company's Finance organization including assistant controller and, most recently, assistant treasurer. Former chief financial officer, Douglas Beatty, and former controller, Michael Gollogly, both of whom had been placed on paid leave of absence by Nortel Networks on March 15, 2004, have been terminated for cause.
William Owens has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Company and NNL. Owens replaces Frank Dunn who has been terminated for cause. Owens has been a director of the Company and NNL since February 2002. Until this appointment, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Teledesic LLC, a satellite communications company, since June 2003 and was vice chairman and co-chief executive officer from August 1999 to June 2003. Previously, he was president, chief operating officer and vice chairman of Science Applications International Corporation ("SAIC"), one of the largest employee-owned high-technology companies in the United States. Prior to joining SAIC, Owens was vice chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the second-ranking military officer in the United States. Owens served as Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet during Operation Desert Storm.
The appointments of William Kerr as chief financial officer and MaryAnne Pahapill as controller have been made permanent. These appointments had been made on an interim basis on March 15, 2004. Kerr, a chartered accountant, originally joined Nortel Networks in 1994 as controller. Before leaving Nortel Networks in 2001, he held a number of senior positions in the Company's Finance organization including senior vice-president, finance and treasurer and senior vice-president, corporate business development. Since joining Nortel Networks in 1999, Pahapill, a chartered accountant, has held a number of positions in the Company's Finance organization including assistant controller and, most recently, assistant treasurer. Former chief financial officer, Douglas Beatty, and former controller, Michael Gollogly, both of whom had been placed on paid leave of absence by Nortel Networks on March 15, 2004, have been terminated for cause.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Got a used set of golf clubs from a guy at work for $65: PW - #3 irons, driver, #3 wood, and a bag. Already had the putter from the other set. I just need to go find me a SW and that should be good. I'd like to think it's a good deal except I wish the bag has legs.
Toomey vs. Spector: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/site/default.asp
I got a new patient today in my volunteer assignment with Grace Hospice today. Wasn't able to spend a whole lot of time on the first visit with the chaplain because I had a VPAC meeting to attend. But the patient, Mr. S is very welcoming and appreciative of the volunteer.
Toomey vs. Spector: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/site/default.asp
I got a new patient today in my volunteer assignment with Grace Hospice today. Wasn't able to spend a whole lot of time on the first visit with the chaplain because I had a VPAC meeting to attend. But the patient, Mr. S is very welcoming and appreciative of the volunteer.
Monday, April 26, 2004
"Great men do not wait to respond to important events, they make them happen. They are not the servants of history but its drivers. They are not cowed by the unknown, they are grounded in certainties -- their faith, their fitness, and their commitment to the American ideal. This is the essential quality of leadership. A leader defines objectives, assesses capabilities, weighs risks, and acts. Many of those who fail tests of leadership stall on the third step, endlessly debating, studying, considering, pondering, trying vainly to know the unknown in advance, until the moment passes and the opportunity is lost. Competent leaders accept the fact that not everything can be known, and move forward. To say that we cannot go to war because we do not know for certain what will happen is not an argument -- it is at best an excuse. Thankfully, we have a president more interested in shaping history than doing nothing and hoping everything will work out." --James S. Robbins
I have been reading Planes and Pilot magazine and ran into some acronyms that I couldn't decipher. So, a search of the web was called for and I found all my answers in a couple of websites:
Aviation abbreviations and acronyms
Abbreviation and Acronym Dictionary
I have been reading Planes and Pilot magazine and ran into some acronyms that I couldn't decipher. So, a search of the web was called for and I found all my answers in a couple of websites:
Aviation abbreviations and acronyms
Abbreviation and Acronym Dictionary
Sunday, April 25, 2004
We came over to their house and had lunch celebrating our pastor and his wife's 33rd year anniversary. I and Larry then went to check out the pavillon we had booked for Mother's day. It's not big but it's by the lake and there are quite a few trees with good shade.
Talked to MS Thach and MS Dung on Friday, booking them for camps in October this year and March of next year. Talked to John down in Austin about the canoe trip at the end of July or early of August.
Leading SETIATHOME by only 127 units.
Talked to MS Thach and MS Dung on Friday, booking them for camps in October this year and March of next year. Talked to John down in Austin about the canoe trip at the end of July or early of August.
Leading SETIATHOME by only 127 units.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
There were guest speakers this morning at Baruch HaShem, Martin and Norma Sarvis. Their music was really inspiring, Martin did wonder with the keyboard. There are great news with what God is doing among the young Israelis, especially those in the army. The congregation will be celebrating Israel's independence day tomorrow. Too bad I couldn't make it back from Arlington for the important part of the service from 13:30 to 14:30. Didn't make it to the singles Bible study either because I had to prepare for the Bible study for our own youthgroup tonight.
It's been raining yesterday and today so there's no way we could get out for any golf even if we wanted to. They had the same problem with the PGA Shell Houston Open.
I don't know a whole lot about the NFL except to watch a game here and there, catching Monday night football whenever I could, and all those Rose, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange Bowls, and cheer for the Dallas Cowboys but my brother is paying close attention at the draft picks going on today.
Had a good group study of the Biblical passage in Luke 19:1-10, the short stature Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree to see Jesus.
It's been raining yesterday and today so there's no way we could get out for any golf even if we wanted to. They had the same problem with the PGA Shell Houston Open.
I don't know a whole lot about the NFL except to watch a game here and there, catching Monday night football whenever I could, and all those Rose, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange Bowls, and cheer for the Dallas Cowboys but my brother is paying close attention at the draft picks going on today.
Had a good group study of the Biblical passage in Luke 19:1-10, the short stature Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree to see Jesus.
Friday, April 23, 2004
A life worth living of Pat Tillman
In the Line of Duty
U.S. Army Ranger and Ex-NFL Player Pat Tillman Killed in Afghanistan
April 23 — Pat Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals safety, along with his brother Kevin, enrolled with the U.S. Army Rangers a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, has been killed in action in Afghanistan, ABCNEWS has learned.
Pat Tillman's best season was in 2000 when he started all 16 games and had 224 tackles. He made 153 tackles in his last season, the third-highest total in the league. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, an unrestricted free agent Tillman turned down a three-year contract with the Cardinals, approximately 3.6 million, shocked his teammates and fans in May 2002, when he returned from his honeymoon and enlisted in the Army. That wasn't the first time Tillman had proven his loyalty -- in 2001 he turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams, to stay with Arizona for another year. Tillman played collegially at Arizona State before being selected in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was an exceptional student with a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in marketing in three and a half year from ASU.
Tillman was a member of the 2nd battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the Army refers to them as an "elite combat unit." Candidates must pass a stringent orientation course, where they are challenged physically and mentally, before they can even be selected. About two-thirds of soldiers who enter the training program drop out. The Rangers are an infantry force trained to fight against any threat. Their creed: "Rangers lead the way!"
The 27-year-old former football player was killed in direct action during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS.
According to a Pentagon source, Tillman was killed in action when his unit's patrol was attacked by small arms fire and mortars during a coordinated ambush in eastern Afghanistan.
One enemy combatant was killed, and Tillman was the only U.S. soldier killed during the ambush, said Pentagon sources. His brother, Kevin, is in the same platoon.
Last year, the brothers were awarded an Arthur Ashe Courage Award meant for individuals whose contributions transcend sports. The award was accepted by their younger brother, Richard, while the brothers were away.
The Tillman family has been notified, according to a Pentagon source.
The Tillman brothers were accepted into the service's elite Rangers unit and went on to serve in the Middle East. They committed to three-year stints in the Army.
Despite major media interest in his story, Tillman remained very private about his decision to give up football for military service. He swore his family to silence, according to media reports, and never publicly commented about his choice.
While some media reports suggested that Tillman had lost friends in the attacks on the World Trade Center, family members denied the reports.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/US/Sports/tillman_afghanistan040423-2.html
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=as.0I.V33J78&refer=us
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001910696_webtillman23.html
In the Line of Duty
U.S. Army Ranger and Ex-NFL Player Pat Tillman Killed in Afghanistan
April 23 — Pat Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals safety, along with his brother Kevin, enrolled with the U.S. Army Rangers a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, has been killed in action in Afghanistan, ABCNEWS has learned.
Pat Tillman's best season was in 2000 when he started all 16 games and had 224 tackles. He made 153 tackles in his last season, the third-highest total in the league. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, an unrestricted free agent Tillman turned down a three-year contract with the Cardinals, approximately 3.6 million, shocked his teammates and fans in May 2002, when he returned from his honeymoon and enlisted in the Army. That wasn't the first time Tillman had proven his loyalty -- in 2001 he turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams, to stay with Arizona for another year. Tillman played collegially at Arizona State before being selected in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was an exceptional student with a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in marketing in three and a half year from ASU.
Tillman was a member of the 2nd battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the Army refers to them as an "elite combat unit." Candidates must pass a stringent orientation course, where they are challenged physically and mentally, before they can even be selected. About two-thirds of soldiers who enter the training program drop out. The Rangers are an infantry force trained to fight against any threat. Their creed: "Rangers lead the way!"
The 27-year-old former football player was killed in direct action during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS.
According to a Pentagon source, Tillman was killed in action when his unit's patrol was attacked by small arms fire and mortars during a coordinated ambush in eastern Afghanistan.
One enemy combatant was killed, and Tillman was the only U.S. soldier killed during the ambush, said Pentagon sources. His brother, Kevin, is in the same platoon.
Last year, the brothers were awarded an Arthur Ashe Courage Award meant for individuals whose contributions transcend sports. The award was accepted by their younger brother, Richard, while the brothers were away.
The Tillman family has been notified, according to a Pentagon source.
The Tillman brothers were accepted into the service's elite Rangers unit and went on to serve in the Middle East. They committed to three-year stints in the Army.
Despite major media interest in his story, Tillman remained very private about his decision to give up football for military service. He swore his family to silence, according to media reports, and never publicly commented about his choice.
While some media reports suggested that Tillman had lost friends in the attacks on the World Trade Center, family members denied the reports.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/US/Sports/tillman_afghanistan040423-2.html
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=as.0I.V33J78&refer=us
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001910696_webtillman23.html
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Got my Gmail account on April 20th, this past Tuesday with 1Gb of storage but I won't be storing my emails on there anytime soon. Unless I own the machine, I am not going to store my emails on the box, at least not private ones. Let's see how this war between Google and Yahoo is going to play out.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Registered for the Republican state convention. Total cost is $90, which is not too bad.
Micah 6:8
Registered for the Republican state convention. Total cost is $90, which is not too bad.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
I Timothy 6:17-19 NASB
Went in for one-pint blood donation today. Next time I would achieve my 2 gallons milestone with Carter Blood Care.
Learn my first 4 chords for the guitar today with aTruong.
I Timothy 6:17-19 NASB
Went in for one-pint blood donation today. Next time I would achieve my 2 gallons milestone with Carter Blood Care.
Learn my first 4 chords for the guitar today with aTruong.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Had some good "banh xeo" at Bach's place today for lunch. Didn't get to play ping-pong at all today.
Starting to learn the guitar.
SETIATHOME: leading by 318 units.
Starting to learn the guitar.
SETIATHOME: leading by 318 units.
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Went with aTruong to get me a new acoustic guitar, the Yamaha FG04LTD, from the Guitar Center. Now just have to make sure I practice.
Went to the range and then played 9 hole golf but didn't get to finish. We took too long to play. Used golf balls $1.25 per dozen: http://www.onlygolfballs.com/item123.htm
Went to the range and then played 9 hole golf but didn't get to finish. We took too long to play. Used golf balls $1.25 per dozen: http://www.onlygolfballs.com/item123.htm
Friday, April 16, 2004
We had our first meeting for the small group in Arlington tonight at Quynh's place. We missed Dung, Tuong Vy and ThuyTrinh though, somehow they didn't make it.
Finished the action item my boss had for me to investigate why the server crash even only after a configuration data restore.
Finished the action item my boss had for me to investigate why the server crash even only after a configuration data restore.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
I don't know if it's because I put in the new escape character to compensate for the Scroll Lock key switch for my KVM or the new update from RedHat but my RedHat 9 box keeps hanging just like Windows.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Monday, April 12, 2004
Uneditted pictures taken over the Good Friday/Easter weekend: 2004 April 11
SETIATHOME: leading by 331 units.
SETIATHOME: leading by 331 units.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
We locked in at church on Saturday so we could easily wake up for the sunrise service.
I went for a game of golf with a friend at Village Creek in Arlington but got rain out at hole #4 so we took a rain check and come back for it another day.
I went for a game of golf with a friend at Village Creek in Arlington but got rain out at hole #4 so we took a rain check and come back for it another day.
Friday, April 09, 2004
Went out for lunch with my team at work today. My boss turned the big four oh yesterday. They trashed his cube last night. We went to Advanture landing, where you can play all you can for 3 hours of laser tag, miniature golf and go-cart racing for $19.99. We ended up with three rounds of go-cart for $14.99 because it was so crowded with all the kids and parents, today being Good Friday.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Have been able to get in two cardio and one weight lifting workouts so far this week. It's going to be a busy weekend with Good Friday service on Friday night, then the youthgroup get together, potluck dinner and locked in on Saturday night, then sunrise service at 6:30 Easter Sunday and the normal worship service at 10:00.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
II Corinthians 7:10 NIV
II Corinthians 7:10 NIV
Monday, April 05, 2004
I watched a little of the "Average Joe" by NBC tonight. I feel really sorry for Adam if he intends to have that girl Samantha Trenk as a wife. I think his intention is going to play with her and then dump her. I feel sorry for Rachel Goetz but then again, she's chosen to be on national TV by her own choice:( The quality of the show wasn't as good as "The Bachelor" by ABC though.
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Went to a party for a friend who had her fiance just came here from Vietnam yesterday. I learned that K-1 is a fiance visa. We had pretty good crawfish.
Finally achieved #1 ranking on the Setiathome page among all who registered on November 17, 2002, leading the #2 guy by 226 units.
A friend told me the reason I couldn't drive the golf ball any further than 200 yards because I am not rotating my hip correctly. He's going to lend me some tapes next Sunday when we see each other at church to improve my swing.
Finally achieved #1 ranking on the Setiathome page among all who registered on November 17, 2002, leading the #2 guy by 226 units.
A friend told me the reason I couldn't drive the golf ball any further than 200 yards because I am not rotating my hip correctly. He's going to lend me some tapes next Sunday when we see each other at church to improve my swing.
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Went to Grace Hospice last training in the morning today, then helped Larry move a little, then went skating and then out to eat.
Friday, April 02, 2004
I've been busy the whole week at work and also trying to reconcile the numbers for the camp's finance.
Went to the range and shot around 125 rounds for my quarterly practice today.
Went to the mall and got a watch for Phuoc for her 13th birthday party this Sunday after church.
Ordered 1000 rds (minimum require to get the cheaper price) of .40 S&W FMJ ammo this week, which should come in this coming Tuesday. The thing weighted 40 lbs and I have to pay like $19 for UPS Ground.
Went to the range and shot around 125 rounds for my quarterly practice today.
Went to the mall and got a watch for Phuoc for her 13th birthday party this Sunday after church.
Ordered 1000 rds (minimum require to get the cheaper price) of .40 S&W FMJ ammo this week, which should come in this coming Tuesday. The thing weighted 40 lbs and I have to pay like $19 for UPS Ground.
