That's not Islam, that Is lame.

A news story came across the wire today about an Islamic scholar warning Muslim tourists and students that riding in ethanol-powered vehicles may be a sin. His "logic" is based on the Koranic verses describing wine as an intoxicant that gets in the way of your prayer.

If I read the passages correctly, the substance is not the sin - it's the clouding of the mind. In that case, hare-brained Islamic clerics should be considered a sin.

R.I.P. Norm Van Lier

Former Chicago Bulls player and television personality Norm Van Lier passed away today. When I was young, we used to go to the games to see Stormin' Norman play with Bob Love, Chet Walker, and Jerry Sloan. Laura and I had the unique experience of drinking with him all night at Pippin's Bar on Rush Street. He was clearly insane, but also a big personality who seemed to have a soft side underneath that hard head. Also, he paid for our drinks all night.

At one point, Laura asked him if he would come speak to her class to tell them that studying was important. She wanted him to tell them that it wasn't as easy as they thought to make it into the NBA; that they should focus on their education instead. He said, "Yeah, I'll talk to your class. I'll tell 'em that Lincoln didn't do nuthin' for the slaves!" She said, "Ummm... They're in 3rd grade." He replied, "Oh. Then, I'll tell 'em about Ferdinand the Bull." We still have his cell phone number around here somewhere.

He told us about getting excused from rookie camp to go to Woodstock. He even intimated that they may have played a few games under the influence of Albert Hoffman. He told us the reason he was able to succeed in the NBA is that he tried harder than the other guys.

He told us he wanted to be reincarnated as Van Morrison. Hopefully, he's singing "And It Stoned Me" somewhere right now...

Proudest Day of Parenthood Yet.

Yesterday, Ellie was asking for a snack. She told me she wanted "cheesy crackers." She was referring to the Blue Diamond Cheddar Nut Thins ® (she can't eat regular crackers since she has celieac). So, I went to the kitchen cabinet and put some nut thins in her Toy Story bowl and brought them to the dining room table where she was sitting:

Daddy: "Here, Sweetie."

Ellie: "No, Daddy. I want amato."

Daddy: "What?"

Ellie: "Amato."

Daddy: "You want tomatoes?"

Ellie: "No, Daddy. Amato."

Daddy: "I don't understand, Bean. You just told me you wanted cheesy crackers."

Ellie: "Amato!"

Daddy: "Bean?!? What's 'amato?'"

Ellie: "I don't know. What's 'amato' you?"

Mommy: "Hah! She just totally burned you!"

My heart swelled with pride. We're doing something right.

Best Jobs of 2009.

MSN just published a list of the best jobs of 2009. Apparently, painting wine glasses is one of them.