For any readers in LA, I’m keynoting the MS Architect Connections conference in LA next week. They have a few spots still open, so if you’re interested you can sign up here.

I normally keep this blog clear of personal and political commentary, saving that talk for my personal blog on MSN Spaces. But this time I had to make an exception. Check out this awesome picture of my daughter Rileyanne in a field of buttercups. Isn’t she cute? 😄

For a change, I’m not involved with TechEd at ALL this year. It’s all Simon and Marty. Looks like they’ve got some cool stuff cooking, particularly the Iron Architect contest. Almost makes me wish I was going this year.

I am so digging the new new Windows Live Sign-in Assistant. If you haven’t seen it, it provides easy signin for people w/ multiple Passports Windows Live IDs. I use Windows Live Custom Domains to manage my devhawk.net email (which also rocks) which means I have my personal hotmail ID as well as my devhawk email ID. With the sign-in assistant, I get a slick login UI that lets me log in with either ID with a single click. Very nice. So far, the new sign-in only seems to be enabled for Windows Live Ideas, but I assume that will expand over time.

BTW, if you want this new sign-in experience, it looks like you need the new beta of Windows Live Messenger. There’s a bunch of other new stuff in the latest beta - new features, better perf and a more polished experience. AFAIK, you still need to be invited to join the beta. I have a bunch of invites – if you want one, drop me a line.

(Quick reminder, this is my personal blog. Standard disclaimer applies.)

I’m guessing the White House Correspondents’ Association didn’t run their choice of dinner entertainment past the actual White House. Last year, Stephen Colbert had this hilarious bit on Laura Bush’s “after hours” show @ last year’s dinner.

I wonder who thought “Let’s get the guy that made the joke about President Bush bathing in a bucket of horse semen last year to appear at this year’s Correspondent’s dinner.” Actually, I don’t have to wonder. It was Mark Smith from AP Radio, the President of WHCA, who admitted to being responsible for signing Colbert while introducing him Saturday night. This guy considered “Colbert: AP is America’s #1 threat” a “pit-in-my-stomach, career-in-flames moment”. I’m guessing he’s in full barf-o-rama mode after Colbert’s stunning performance. This administration isn’t exactly known for forgiving and forgetting. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark Smith could get to the White House in the future was the online tour.

You can get the transcript from Daily Kos and the video from Vast Moderate Conspiracy. The video is also up on YouTube (in parts). Check out Thank You Stephen Colbert for links. And while you’re there, you can join the nearly 14,000 people who have said thanks in just under 24 hours.