Every day I get up at 5:00 a.m., walk the dogs, and then sit down to read the New York Times.  It's my ritual.

I've never understood how anyone could be in the business world, offer insight and advice to clients, and not be informed about what's happening on the world stage.

After I'm done with the Times I move over to the Internet and go to a directory in my browser called "Daily Vitamin".  In it are short cuts to a list of the top 25 viral videos, the Daily Beast and Mashable.

If I'm feeling really news hungry, then I go read the WSJ as well, just to see what insights they have that the NYT missed.

It only takes two hours, but at the end of it, the day seems slightly more in control, and, usually, I've found some articles to forward on to people who will find them helpful/interesting in their days.  At least, that's what I hope.

Another part of the ritual, and what sparked me to write this post, is coming across the report of casualties - "Names of the Dead" as the Times puts it bluntly.

Each day, I'm cruising through the paper (I use the Times Reader) and I go past that page.  Then, I stop, go back, and I read each name.  Why?  Out of respect for those people that lay down their lives for the US.

Whether or not you agree or disagree with why we're wherever we are -- those people are still dead and there's a family and friends somewhere crying their eyes out.  Here's today's list:

COX, Nathan W., 21, Specialist, Army; Fremont, Calif.; 101st Airborne Division.
HOTCHKIN, Gunnar R., 31, Pfc., Army; Naperville, Ill.; 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps.
JOHNSON, Joseph D., 24, Specialist, Army; Flint, Mich.; 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps.■

I wonder if Gunnar had kids.  He's 31.  Nice name.  He was an engineer.  I wonder how and why he died.

I don't spend more than a minute, but I make a point of stopping, reading, acknowledging, respecting, thanking, and then, I move on.

I love mornings, and I love reading the paper and trying to be informed.  And, each day, I acknowledge those who's lives have ended in some far off land, far from home.  Thank you Nathan.  Thank you Gunnar.  Thank you Joseph (I wonder if he was a Joe).  Sadly, tomorrow, there will be more.

Okay, let me begin by apologizing.  How ridiculous is it to have a blog and then post one thing and stop.  Life's been busy, but we all have busy lives and that's no excuse.  So, on with the post.

There's much criticism about what electronic devices like iPads are doing to isolate people in society.  We spend more and more time staring at screens and less talking with each other.  But, I had an experience yesterday that made me love, love, love the digital world and was a perfect example of doing the opposite of separating.

My daughter and I often drive together back and forth to our farm on the weekends.  I'm a very dedicated books-on-tape listener (though, of course, now they're on CD or my iPod), and sometimes my daughter will listen along with me (if we're too tired to talk).  A favorite thing of ours to do is keep a book in the car and she'll become the reader.  She's quite good at her dramatic delivery and there's nothing more fun than sharing a story together.

Yesterday, as we were getting on the highway, we were talking about Breaking Dawn, one of the Twilight series books.  We both agreed that the scene where Bella wakes up as a new vampire and goes out for her first hunt was an amazing time in the book.  "Dad," she said.  "next time we're in the car, I'll bring the book and we can read that together."

What a great invite for a dad to have from his 14 year old daughter.  A whole lot better than, "leave me alone, I'm listening to my headphones!"

Being the highly impatient person that I am, I immediately started my mind working on a faster solution.  "Do you have your Kindle?" I asked.  "No," she replied.  Then it dawned on me. "Grab my iPad," I said.

In less than a minute, we had downloaded the book, found the part, and she had begun reading the chapter.  Over the next 90 minutes I got to enjoy a wonderful time with my daughter, with her reading, us talking, and our imaginations running wild with stories of Bella, Edward and Jake.

Technology, in this case, brought us together, and not to play a video game, but to read, talk and get transported to wonderful imaginary places.  What a wonderful Father's Day present that was.