Tsunami death toll tops 116,000

Well, as suspected the toll has increased today. It just keeps going up. I can't help but think that the UN needs to mobilize military forces in order to deal with this catastrophe. This is where organized, trained people could do marvelous things.

Stand by...

Amazon.com is helping out with disaster relief

American Red Cross Disaster Relief
At least 80,000 people have lost their lives in East Africa and South Asia in the aftermath of the earthquake and resulting tsunamis on December 26. Thousands of people in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Indonesia are still missing; many others have lost their homes and livelihoods. Sri Lanka and Indonesia suffered the highest number of deaths, but India, East Africa, Seychelles, Maldives, and Thailand were all affected by the tsunami waves, which reached as high as 20 feet. Aid workers and volunteers are focused on stopping the spread of disease and delivering food and drinking water to survivors. The American Red Cross reports that emergency assessment and first-aid teams were on the ground quickly and are already working with local groups to support relief efforts. Your financial donation will help provide medicine, clothing, food, and shelter for victims of the East Africa and South Asia earthquake and tsunami disaster. Thanks in advance for your participation during this critical time. The American Red Cross name is used with its permission. For more information about the American Red Cross, please call 1‑800 HELP NOW or e-mail info@usa.redcross.org.

Podcasting

Just learned about "podcasting"...Very interesting. Perhaps I need to look into this technology.



Update: Dec 8, 2005:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4504256.stm

Wordsmiths hail podcast success

Podcasts can be listened to on music players such as the iPod

The term 'podcast' has been declared Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

The term is defined as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the internet for downloading to a personal audio player".

The word is derived from a combination of "broadcasting" and "iPod".

It will be added to the online version of the dictionary during the next update early next year.

Rising popularity

Podcasts have grown quickly in popularity over the past 12 months as they are an easy way of getting digital content and playing it when and where you want.

The term was coined by journalist Ben Hammersley and although originally derived from combining "broadcasting" and "iPod", this definition has become something of a misnomer as podcasts can be listened to on any digital music player.

Some have criticised the term for giving too much credit to Apple, which had little to do with the development of the technology and some have tried to suggest alternative terms such as blogcasting or audioblogging.

Podcast was considered for inclusion last year, but we found that not enough people were using it, or were even familiar with the concept Erin McKean, New Oxford American Dictionary

Podcasts have become popular because anyone with a microphone, computer, software and a net connection, can produce one themselves.

Their rising popularity is challenging conventional radio's broadcasting and business model.

As a result, many radio stations such as the BBC are making their shows available as downloadable MP3 files.

The BBC began a seven-month podcasting trial in May. Around 20 programmes are taking part in the trial, including Radio 4's Today programme and Five Live's Sportsweek.

Podcasting received a big boost in June, when Apple added a podcast directory to its iTunes online music store.

Chris Moyles is the BBC's most popular podcast

"Podcast was considered for inclusion last year, but we found that not enough people were using it, or were even familiar with the concept," said Erin McKean, editor-in-chief of the New Oxford American Dictionary.

"This year it's a completely different story. The word has finally caught up with the rest of the iPod phenomenon."

Losing words

Among the words that did not make it were two other terms popular in tech circles.

One was lifehack, which refers to a more efficient way of completing an everyday task.

The other was rootkit, defined as software installed on a computer by someone other than the owner, intended to conceal other programs or processes, files or system data.

The term hit the headlines when Sony was found to have included a rootkit as part of the copy protection system on some of its music CDs.

Other words that did not make it include bird flu, sudoku and trans fat.

Tsunami death toll could top 60,000

I first heard it was around 6,000, then it went to 10,000, increased to 22,000, and as of this headline it looks like 60,000. I'm sure it's going to rise, but I certainly hope the increase in numbers stops soon.

It's very strange perspective being hereand watching news events.

Stand by...

UNICEF estimates at least a third of dead were children

I just donated to Save The Children .

CNN is reporting that a third of the victims were children.

What's going on?

It's a strange feeling being away from the states an hearing about the news stories from the "outside". It's also strange to being on the "inside" of stories that are airing in the US.

Then along comes a story like this, where the world has lost around 23,000 (at last count and probably will go higher) and all of a sudden there is a third newsworthy area because of a natural disaster of unheard of proportions.

What exactly is going on? One minute people are walking along in nice weather, and the next minute they are just swallowed up by waves? Very strange...Very sad.

Today, in our area of operations, a third country national, found out he lost his entire family in India. The soldiers took up a donation to give to him as he was leaving this evening to tend to matters. These workers come here and are deployed in every sense of the word. hey usually are supporting multiple people (5-10) and get paid about 300 dollars a month. Just a heart wrenching development.

Stand by...

Tidal Waves?

Strange...My wife just sent me the movie The Day After Tomorrow (which I have not watched yet) and today I hear that they may have lost 10,000 people in Asia at last count to "massive tsunamis".

Massive tidal waves actually exist? Very strange...

Christmas in the Desert

Well, just experienced my first Christmas away from home. I think the most impressive thing is how well the soliders that I serve with cope with being away from family.

These young men and women shared a holiday meal and then put on a couple of skits during a talent show. This sort of self entertainment is a time honored tradition in the military and it's always fun time had by all to be able to laugh amongst ourselves.

I ended up calling my family through the use of a satellite patch. I opened my gifts they had sent me through the Army Post Office system. A couple of DVDs (Starsky & Hutchand The Day After Tomorrow) and a grey sweat shirt. Considering it actually gets cold here at night, this simple gift will be useful and then become quite sentimental for the years to come.

In today's news apparently a couple of key suspects were caught. Hope that trend keeps up.

Well for now, Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to All!

Standing by...

My Apple IPOD Photo Just Arrived

Well, I just got my Apple IPOD Photo. It arrived via the Army Post Office system.

This little device is going to alow me to take my music AND pictures wherever I go in this groovy place. Funny, how music and photos can make you feel closer to home. Spent a pretty penny on it, but after a year here and how it makes me feel right now, it's well worth every single cent!

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DVD's

One of things that we do out here is watch a lot of Dvds. It helps take our minds off of where we are at and helps with the boredom. The latest series that have ben watching is The West Wing. Even though the dialouge seems like it is made for TV I find it quite entertaining and stimulating.

Stand by...

So close to the Holidays

I was afraid that when I started this blog that it may not have all that many "happy" posts.

I was hoping that I might find things to write about such as the strengths, and professionalism of today's solider. Really remarkable things that these yong men and women do out here every day...plus they do it with honor and integrity. I guess I will find the moment that I can write about such things.

However, now is not one of those times.
We just lost 14 troopers. They were simply having their noon meal when an explosion occurred. My heart goes out to their families.

Stand by...

Hit and Run

Heard news today in a briefing that we lost two soldiers to a vehicular accident.

Called home a few moments later to let my Mom know it wasn't me, didn't have a chance to call home and mention that to my wife. Sent her a short e-mail. I hope she gets it before she hears about it on the news.

Stand by.

Eleven Months....Eleven Long Months

It is 3:38 in the morning here (6:38 PM EST) on a Saturday Night..Well actually my Sunday morning but a Saturday night nonetheless in good 'ole NY.

Anyway I've now been here close to eleven months in the beautiful (ok not so beautiful, Middle East).

After all this time, I naturally do miss my family, but moreso I miss what I've missed. When I left, my four month old newborn daughter was in a baby carrier and my seven year old son had all his teeth, when I returned for 2 weeks of R&R leave, my daughter was defying gravity and actually scampering away from me and my son was toothless (sans incisors).

We have one more month to go. My troops and I have worked hard towards mission completion, because that's what we do. But years from now, the jury will still be out as to the political side to this mission. When you wear the uniform, the saying goes "Ours is not to reason why..." and for the most part that holds true for the good order of any unit. I now know though, that I will be strongly contemplating a future stint in politics.

That is all for my inaugaural post. Till next time...stand by.

-MAJOR K