There are still a few series to be played. Spurs and Jazz (as if that's a better matchup than the Spurs and Suns). Pistons and Cavs. Spurs, Pistons. Who cares?
What the NBA did to the Suns will remain the real story of the Playoffs, and the rest is a big yawn. Too late, doesn't matter. Spoiled by some bizarre application of rules that would suspend two key players from one team for their slight reaction to a body slam by the other team. Oh yeah, that other team happens to be the Spurs.
The Spurs are good, but their "win any way possible" approach is not much fun to watch. It's almost like you have to be a lawyer to win in the NBA - and the winning team knows the law a little better and knows the judge's tendencies, and that's just not what basketball should be about.
So I'm turning off the playoffs. Don't care who wins. I was impressed by the Nuggets and Suns though. I might go see either of those teams live, as long as they weren't playing the Spurs.
[Link - LA Times - Crimes and Punishment]
5.19.2007
5.16.2007
NBA Screwjob of Phoenix Now Complete
No players or coaches are allowed to say much against "the league" - the gestapo of NBA basketball, for fear of getting fined or benched (or deported?) but everyone hinted around the real issue tonight as a talented Phoenix Suns team finally ran out of gas and lost game 5, after having been forced to play without their 2 top centers Stoudemire and Diaw, who were suspended because of a mild reaction to a flagrant foul or two by Robert Horry in game 4. They left their bench area! Oh my! The Phoenix starters played 45-47 minutes each tonight and just didn't have the depth; nevertheless they almost had the game, but at crunch time a sneak play by Ginobli to pull Nash on top of him after a 3-point shot faked the referee into calling a foul. 3 made free throws later, San Antonio had almost caught up.
Could Phoenix feasibly go back to San Antonio and win game 6 and then go on to win the series? Yes, it's possible, but the damage is done and the unfair burden placed upon Phoenix boggles the mind and taints the '07 Playoffs for good. Only if Phoenix wins it all will there be any justice.
It's just a game I'm reminded, and so in the end there will be a "victor" and it could quite possibly be San Antonio, but it'll be an empty victory and pointless. The Suns are awesome!
[Scoreboard]
Could Phoenix feasibly go back to San Antonio and win game 6 and then go on to win the series? Yes, it's possible, but the damage is done and the unfair burden placed upon Phoenix boggles the mind and taints the '07 Playoffs for good. Only if Phoenix wins it all will there be any justice.
It's just a game I'm reminded, and so in the end there will be a "victor" and it could quite possibly be San Antonio, but it'll be an empty victory and pointless. The Suns are awesome!
[Scoreboard]
5.15.2007
Spurs Make Mockery Of NBA Rules
NEW YORK, May 15 -- Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs has been suspended two games without pay and Amaré Stoudemire and Boris Diaw of the Phoenix Suns have each been suspended one game without pay for their actions in last night's game, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. source - NBA.com
Suspending Stoudemire and Diaw only rewards the Spurs and encourages teams like the Spurs to do the same - provoke the other team on purpose to try to get THEM suspended. For all we know Horry's was a planned play, and his bench had the heads up to not take the bait.
The Sun's coaches did a fine job of containing their players, and suspending them is unconscionable.
The NBA is rewarding the wrong team... now the Spurs get the main benefit... a huge advantage in game 5 - why? Because Horry committed at least 2 flagrant fouls in a row, and possibly on purpose, in order to use the league's stupidest of all rules against the other team.
NBA: get a clue - the Spurs are using your rules against you making you look ridiculous and they'll win the series in the end, because perhaps they are just wise enough to push the league's buttons. If Horry had done his job right they could've also taken Nash out of game 5 as well due to injury and then they'd sacrifice just one player scoring less than 5 points a game, for the top 3 players of the other team: a huge win for them!
Based upon this event, I would encourage all teams to send out your lower level players late in games, and try to injure and provoke the other team's stars, on purpose. It's just good strategy.
What if Stoudemire or any other player did need to check in? Should they remain on the bench and not check in with 2 minutes left in a 3 point game in order to avoid the appearance of doing something wrong?
NBA: Wake up!
[link]
5.01.2007
Joey Crawford was Right!
NBA - sore loser rant begins here >>
I was surprised to see Joey Crawford call 2 "T"s on Tim Duncan a few weeks ago, ejecting him from a game for essentially just laughing at the ref. But after watching game 4 of the Denver Nuggets vs. the San Antonio Spurs, I'm starting to see things from Joey Crawford's perspective. Good for him! I'm glad he had the guts to throw him out! And I apologize to Joey C. He was right!
In game 4 of the Denver S.A. game the referees did not have that kind of fortitude to stand up to Duncan. He starts out by giving the silent stare if he was touched in any way, as if to say "you moron how could you not call that foul?" Every time he gets the ball and shoots, he will go into a little childish dramatic acting if he doesn't get a call. He looks as if he is near tears, and is in such great disbelief that he doesn't get the call. This happens repeatedly, and I think Crawford had finally just had enough of his childish drama. Go play in your sandbox you little child!
Somehow, by the 4th quarter, Duncan had built up enough good will and ended up at the free throw at two crucial moments in the San Antonio "comeback." Carmelo Anthony on the other hand, who was the real star of the game and a better player than Duncan IMO, had to sit on the bench with 5 fouls in those crucial moments of the 4th quarter, after 2 mystery fouls were called against him in a row. AI was called for "pushing" Tim Duncan as he fell out of bounds, and he wasn't even in the play. If you're going to make a game-changing momentum-shifting call like that, could you at least look at the play? Just because Duncan is falling doesn't mean there was a foul - in fact he's very tough to push over at his size. If he falls, it's MORE likely to be a flop.
It was disgusting. Greg Popovich said he felt fortunate to come out of there with a win, and he knows what he's talking about. Denver was the better team, IS a better team, and they'll just have to learn how to be crybabys and manipulate referees the way Duncan does I guess in order to move to "that next level."
One thing I will say about the Spurs is that they have a very deep team and have a lot of guys they can bring in as designated foulers, so that their top guys don't end up on the bench with 5 or 6 fouls. In that way, I guess you could say that the Spurs are better. But the Nuggets were amazing - I love this team and I feel the referees robbed them blind out of game 4.
Game 4 was the Nuggets last chance to really compete for the series... this is why these "little things" matter so much. At 3-1 Spurs, this series is essentially over, and game 4 was a gift that San Antonio and Tim Duncan didn't really deserve. Even worse is, we'll have to watch the Tim Duncan whimpering act all over again through the next series, and the Nuggets are simply put, a lot more fun to watch.
>> end rant
I was surprised to see Joey Crawford call 2 "T"s on Tim Duncan a few weeks ago, ejecting him from a game for essentially just laughing at the ref. But after watching game 4 of the Denver Nuggets vs. the San Antonio Spurs, I'm starting to see things from Joey Crawford's perspective. Good for him! I'm glad he had the guts to throw him out! And I apologize to Joey C. He was right!
In game 4 of the Denver S.A. game the referees did not have that kind of fortitude to stand up to Duncan. He starts out by giving the silent stare if he was touched in any way, as if to say "you moron how could you not call that foul?" Every time he gets the ball and shoots, he will go into a little childish dramatic acting if he doesn't get a call. He looks as if he is near tears, and is in such great disbelief that he doesn't get the call. This happens repeatedly, and I think Crawford had finally just had enough of his childish drama. Go play in your sandbox you little child!
Somehow, by the 4th quarter, Duncan had built up enough good will and ended up at the free throw at two crucial moments in the San Antonio "comeback." Carmelo Anthony on the other hand, who was the real star of the game and a better player than Duncan IMO, had to sit on the bench with 5 fouls in those crucial moments of the 4th quarter, after 2 mystery fouls were called against him in a row. AI was called for "pushing" Tim Duncan as he fell out of bounds, and he wasn't even in the play. If you're going to make a game-changing momentum-shifting call like that, could you at least look at the play? Just because Duncan is falling doesn't mean there was a foul - in fact he's very tough to push over at his size. If he falls, it's MORE likely to be a flop.
It was disgusting. Greg Popovich said he felt fortunate to come out of there with a win, and he knows what he's talking about. Denver was the better team, IS a better team, and they'll just have to learn how to be crybabys and manipulate referees the way Duncan does I guess in order to move to "that next level."
One thing I will say about the Spurs is that they have a very deep team and have a lot of guys they can bring in as designated foulers, so that their top guys don't end up on the bench with 5 or 6 fouls. In that way, I guess you could say that the Spurs are better. But the Nuggets were amazing - I love this team and I feel the referees robbed them blind out of game 4.
Game 4 was the Nuggets last chance to really compete for the series... this is why these "little things" matter so much. At 3-1 Spurs, this series is essentially over, and game 4 was a gift that San Antonio and Tim Duncan didn't really deserve. Even worse is, we'll have to watch the Tim Duncan whimpering act all over again through the next series, and the Nuggets are simply put, a lot more fun to watch.
>> end rant
4.19.2007
Virginia Tech Victim Profiles
New York Times presents an easy-to-use layout of
Virginia Tech Victim Profiles.
Virginia Tech Victim Profiles.
4.17.2007
Michael Brecker Tribute
Michael Brecker was the most wonderful musician; a jazz genius who had a huge impact on the world of music. He passed away this year, and this video is my small tribute to one of my all-time heros of music. The first tune is "Naima," a Coltrane tune, and it's just Michael playing all by himself inventing lines. The second tune is "Some Skunk Funk," a rhythm section's dream song, and this particular early 80s band shows the level of musician that MB routinely played with, because he was the best. The Some Skunk band features Michael's brother Randy (hence the band The Brecker Brothers) Dave Weckl on drums, James Genus on bass, and Mike Stern on guitar. The 3rd video features:
Makote Ozone Trio With Mike Brecker
Between October 3-8, 2001
Blue Note Tokyo, Japan
Makoto Ozone: Piano
Michael Brecker: Tenor
James Genus: Bass
Clarence Penn: Drums
and it's a great example of how hard he could swing.
I put in a 4th video as well featuring another of my heros in music, Pat Metheny, with Larry Goldings on organ, of course MB on sax, and I believe Bill Stewart on drums.
Michael Brecker - I love you for putting it all out there and inspiring me and so many others.
Michael Brecker Feature Page at All About Jazz
Makote Ozone Trio With Mike Brecker
Between October 3-8, 2001
Blue Note Tokyo, Japan
Makoto Ozone: Piano
Michael Brecker: Tenor
James Genus: Bass
Clarence Penn: Drums
and it's a great example of how hard he could swing.
I put in a 4th video as well featuring another of my heros in music, Pat Metheny, with Larry Goldings on organ, of course MB on sax, and I believe Bill Stewart on drums.
Michael Brecker - I love you for putting it all out there and inspiring me and so many others.
Michael Brecker Feature Page at All About Jazz
Rap Artist of the Week - DJ Puffy Bread Performs His H** S*NG
Puffy Bread's latest song hits home with his community and resonates deep.
Here's a sample of the lyrics:
Recently BLRBS.com had the opportunity to sit down with Bread. Here's a portion of that interview:
It was such a pleasure speaking with DJ Puffy Bread. Truly he was so intelligent and really knows the history, and culture of gang violence and drug dealing. It's no wonder Puffy Bread has quickly risen in the oven of the rap world, straight out of the streets of the Chicago suburbs. Represent!
Here's a sample of the lyrics:
I a* s* A*** W** E**** S* O*** M******** E**. Yeah - what? Yeah - what? B***** T*** Y** I l*** f** m*****. Yeah - what? Yeah - what?
Recently BLRBS.com had the opportunity to sit down with Bread. Here's a portion of that interview:
BLRBS: Welcome Puffy Bread.
PB: H***o
BLRBS: Congratulations on your recent recording hitting gold. To what do you attribute your music's great success?
PB: R*gh*. W* use m***** nak** women h** in our vid***.
BLRBS: Surely there's more to it than that?
PB: N*** dawg.
BLRBS: Now - I guess congratulations are in order for your Academy Award (Song of the Year), and Grammy Award (Album of the Year). How does it feel finally getting the respect you so richly deserve?
PB: Coming from the str**** (Rep******!) I feel it doesn't matter *** ** that I can't carr* a t***, and my peeps agree ****.
BLRBS: And so does the Academy, right?
PB: Yeah dawg, keep** ** r***.
BLRBS: Represent!
PB: What the w*** was that?
BLRBS: I don't know - you know. You say "represent!" sometimes and so it sounds cool I think, so I was just just saying it.
PB: You wh*** cr***** pret*****!! Get out!!
BLRBS: But I live here!
PB: No tal*** wh*** l*** x* y** z*$%^&!
It was such a pleasure speaking with DJ Puffy Bread. Truly he was so intelligent and really knows the history, and culture of gang violence and drug dealing. It's no wonder Puffy Bread has quickly risen in the oven of the rap world, straight out of the streets of the Chicago suburbs. Represent!
4.16.2007
Winner of 111th Boston Marathon Has Real Bragging Rights
To win any Boston Marathon would be a monumental achievement, but to win THIS year's race through one of the region's worst nor’easters in history, amidst cold rain, 40 degree temperatures, and high winds, would give a person bragging rights for decades.
Congratulations to repeat winner Robert K. Cheruiyot, of Kenya, and the women's champ Lidiya Grigoryeva, of Russia.
[Link: Cheruiyot and Grigoryeva Win Boston Marathon Titles]
Congratulations to repeat winner Robert K. Cheruiyot, of Kenya, and the women's champ Lidiya Grigoryeva, of Russia.
[Link: Cheruiyot and Grigoryeva Win Boston Marathon Titles]
4.15.2007
Joey Crawford Ejects Player For Laughing At Him
"He was laughing at me and he hurt my wittle feelings. I work hard everyday and it's not easy to make those tough foul calls constantly, and Timmy Duncan was laughing at me. Wahhhhh." Joey Crawford, NBA Referee (author embellishment!!)
Joey Crawford called 2 technical fouls on Tim Duncan within a 3-minute time span, while Duncan was sitting on the bench. The second technical of course means the player is ejected (and pays a hefty fine). To earn the 2nd foul Duncan didn't actually speak, but was laughing, ostensibly at Joey Crawford's latest bad call. But it could also be that he was laughing because his bench mate had said something funny, and he wasn't even thinking about Joey Crawford at all at the time. It could actually be that Tim Duncan, unlike many Americans these days, actually still posseses a sense of humor.
Joey Crawford called 2 technical fouls on Tim Duncan within a 3-minute time span, while Duncan was sitting on the bench. The second technical of course means the player is ejected (and pays a hefty fine). To earn the 2nd foul Duncan didn't actually speak, but was laughing, ostensibly at Joey Crawford's latest bad call. But it could also be that he was laughing because his bench mate had said something funny, and he wasn't even thinking about Joey Crawford at all at the time. It could actually be that Tim Duncan, unlike many Americans these days, actually still posseses a sense of humor.
Garry Kasparov Just a Pawn In Russia's Game
Chess master Garry Kasparov and 170 protesters were arrested by an overwhelming 9,000 Russian troops at a pro-democracy rally that was held against the Russian government's wishes. [Link - Russia Cracks down hard on protesters]
Makes me proud to be an American, where we don't have to rally about our freedoms and can focus instead on false propaganda such as "Bush Lied People Died." [Link: Who is lying about Iraq?] | [Link: Interview With General Georges Sada]
Makes me proud to be an American, where we don't have to rally about our freedoms and can focus instead on false propaganda such as "Bush Lied People Died." [Link: Who is lying about Iraq?] | [Link: Interview With General Georges Sada]
4.14.2007
There's Just Something About That Wheat in Uganda
Ug99 Stem Rust is spreading fast. Scientists and Researchers need to continue to pool together to stave off this latest strain of wheat-killer, which could devastate world food supplies. In the meantime... GO WITH SPELT.Ug99 may take several years to reach North America, but it is inevitable. (Image courtesy HULIQ.com)
[Link: dangerous-wheat-disease-jumps-red-sea]
4.12.2007
Someone should just shut MSNBCtv down - your whole network is offensive
Dear MSNBCtv:
From Keith Olbermann's show, to your "Worst Person In The World"
feature, to Hardball, I'm thinking, you can't really get much more
offensive than that... so if you're going to fire IMUS, why not just
shut the whole network down? You've done enough damage for one decade I think.
One thing will be true after Imus is gone - MSNBCtv will now officially
have no sense of humor at all. Not that Imus was very funny either,
but at least he was in POSSESSION of a sense of humor. At least he
could smell humor when it existed within 60 feet of his nose, unlike
your other hosts.
I've got an idea for you! How about a "Worst Network In The World"
spot and you can just feature MSNBCtv there everyday?!
I feel sorry for Tucker. How did he get stuck on your network? He may
be the one exception to your humorless rule, although as your lone
conservative, isn't he mainly there to act as punching bag?
Anyway - I'll just mention that Keith Olbermann is perhaps the only
news show host that actually makes me want to vomit each time he opens his mouth. I'm usually fortunate enough to miss his show, and I fortunately am not even sure what channel MSNBCtv is on (is it 312, or 272?) but on those occasions when I do catch a show I'm reminded why I watch FOX.
Sincerely,
BLRBS.com
From Keith Olbermann's show, to your "Worst Person In The World"
feature, to Hardball, I'm thinking, you can't really get much more
offensive than that... so if you're going to fire IMUS, why not just
shut the whole network down? You've done enough damage for one decade I think.
One thing will be true after Imus is gone - MSNBCtv will now officially
have no sense of humor at all. Not that Imus was very funny either,
but at least he was in POSSESSION of a sense of humor. At least he
could smell humor when it existed within 60 feet of his nose, unlike
your other hosts.
I've got an idea for you! How about a "Worst Network In The World"
spot and you can just feature MSNBCtv there everyday?!
I feel sorry for Tucker. How did he get stuck on your network? He may
be the one exception to your humorless rule, although as your lone
conservative, isn't he mainly there to act as punching bag?
Anyway - I'll just mention that Keith Olbermann is perhaps the only
news show host that actually makes me want to vomit each time he opens his mouth. I'm usually fortunate enough to miss his show, and I fortunately am not even sure what channel MSNBCtv is on (is it 312, or 272?) but on those occasions when I do catch a show I'm reminded why I watch FOX.
Sincerely,
BLRBS.com
4.11.2007
Crossing Street Musician Off Of My Career List
What would happen if you placed one of the world's most acclaimed violinists (Joshua Bell) playing on an exquisite antique violin, in a busy D.C. subway station at rush hour, posing as a street musician? Not much! Click this link to see video.
The final haul for his 43 minutes of playing? $32.17. Yes, some people gave pennies. Not terrible, although just a few days before he had played to a packed Symphony Hall in Boston where people paid $100 per seat.
Thanks to the Washington Post's Gene Weingarten for this fun story.
[Link]
Hear the full audio file of his entire incognito performance at the D.C. Metro station.
The final haul for his 43 minutes of playing? $32.17. Yes, some people gave pennies. Not terrible, although just a few days before he had played to a packed Symphony Hall in Boston where people paid $100 per seat.
Thanks to the Washington Post's Gene Weingarten for this fun story.
4.10.2007
A Lot To Be Sorry For
What with all the apologizing going on for verbal slips, Larry Elder lists a few other apologies we'll probably never hear, such as:
Dear Anti-Defamation League and White Community,
Please accept my apologies for calling whites "interlopers" and referring to Jews as "diamond merchants," and, during a conflict between Jews and blacks, saying, "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." They were mistakes of the head, not the heart.
Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and former host of "Saturday Night Live"
Dear Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and other minority members of the Bush administration,
Please accept my apology for, while co-hosting a radio show in 2001, calling Bush's minority appointees "Uncle Tom types." I made a mistake of the head, not of the heart.
Sincerely yours, Gloria Allred, attorney at law, currently representing the black "victims" of Michael Richards' racist rant
[Link]
Dear Anti-Defamation League and White Community,
Please accept my apologies for calling whites "interlopers" and referring to Jews as "diamond merchants," and, during a conflict between Jews and blacks, saying, "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." They were mistakes of the head, not the heart.
Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and former host of "Saturday Night Live"
Dear Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and other minority members of the Bush administration,
Please accept my apology for, while co-hosting a radio show in 2001, calling Bush's minority appointees "Uncle Tom types." I made a mistake of the head, not of the heart.
Sincerely yours, Gloria Allred, attorney at law, currently representing the black "victims" of Michael Richards' racist rant
[Link]
Striking The Word Nappy From Middle English
From Stevie Wonder's "I Wish"
Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring
[Link]
The album Songs In The Key Of Life is one of the greatest in the history of American music. One of those tunes, "I Wish" starts off with the lyrics posted above - and as far as I knew as a "white guy" from Iowa, it was perfectly OK to use the term nappy headed. It was ok for Stevie. Now come to find out thanks to Imus, I'm not allowed to say nappy headed. That's racial according to the Reverend Al. That's ridiculous according to Reverend Merriam. What now... can Al presume to remove words from the dictionary? Nappy derives from nap: Etymology: Middle English noppe, from Middle Dutch, flock of wool, nap - a hairy or downy surface (as on a fabric). Nappy is a perfectly decent descriptive adjective.
As for the rest of Don Imus' little quip (and it was very brief), he was trying to make a joke at the expense of others. That's what comedians do (and Imus is not a very good one). You just have to make sure that "the others" are not Muslim, or black, I guess, or you'll receive either death threats or get fired, depending. Better to slam safer targets such as America, George W, or any person who is either white, Republican, Christian or Catholic, because friends, it is open season on them.
Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring
[Link]
The album Songs In The Key Of Life is one of the greatest in the history of American music. One of those tunes, "I Wish" starts off with the lyrics posted above - and as far as I knew as a "white guy" from Iowa, it was perfectly OK to use the term nappy headed. It was ok for Stevie. Now come to find out thanks to Imus, I'm not allowed to say nappy headed. That's racial according to the Reverend Al. That's ridiculous according to Reverend Merriam. What now... can Al presume to remove words from the dictionary? Nappy derives from nap: Etymology: Middle English noppe, from Middle Dutch, flock of wool, nap - a hairy or downy surface (as on a fabric). Nappy is a perfectly decent descriptive adjective.
As for the rest of Don Imus' little quip (and it was very brief), he was trying to make a joke at the expense of others. That's what comedians do (and Imus is not a very good one). You just have to make sure that "the others" are not Muslim, or black, I guess, or you'll receive either death threats or get fired, depending. Better to slam safer targets such as America, George W, or any person who is either white, Republican, Christian or Catholic, because friends, it is open season on them.
4.02.2007
Vermont Movement Grows To Secede From the USA
"Vermont was once an independent republic, and it can be one again. We think the time to make that happen is now. Over the past 50 years, the U.S. government has grown too big, too corrupt and too aggressive toward the world"
This is good news for school kids, who would no longer be required to remember that Montpelier is the Vermont state Capital.
read more | digg story
This is good news for school kids, who would no longer be required to remember that Montpelier is the Vermont state Capital.
read more | digg story
3.30.2007
3.29.2007
Gary Willis Keeps Me Humble
OK - I'm a bassist (clue to my identity which remains anonymous) but Gary Willis is someone I listen to frequently to remind me to keep working on it! This guy is fun and can PLAY DA BASS!!!
3.27.2007
Are You Smarter Than a Doorjamb?
OK - there's a show called Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader and a lady on there tonight had won $50,000, and was going for $100k! The question that sent shivers through her bones and caused her to not risk it and take the 50k was from Algebra:
if y=3x and 3x=12. what does y equal?
It's funny to see how just the mention of a y or an x turns people's brains into jelly, but they practically gave her an additional $50k and she could not answer. She said she would've said 4. That's funny. What kind of a leap does it take to think y=3x=12 ??
Do they really have to go that extra step and say: y=12, therefore, what does y equal? Or y is exactly 1 less than 13 and exactly 1 more than 11. What does y equal???
The next lady had to try to figure out what the radius was equal to in a circle with a diameter of 4 inches. Also too tough for her. Never heard the word diameter before I guess.
if y=3x and 3x=12. what does y equal?
It's funny to see how just the mention of a y or an x turns people's brains into jelly, but they practically gave her an additional $50k and she could not answer. She said she would've said 4. That's funny. What kind of a leap does it take to think y=3x=12 ??
Do they really have to go that extra step and say: y=12, therefore, what does y equal? Or y is exactly 1 less than 13 and exactly 1 more than 11. What does y equal???
The next lady had to try to figure out what the radius was equal to in a circle with a diameter of 4 inches. Also too tough for her. Never heard the word diameter before I guess.
3.26.2007
And the award for Best Over-Acter Goes to...
I rented Mystic River from Netflix, and managed to make it through the whole film despite being repelled by the protagonist's character and by the over-acting of Sean Penn.
Come to find out later, Sean Penn won the Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his portrayal of Jimmy Markum, an arrogant self-absorbed Boston-area father and two-bit thief. I can see why the part would be a natural for Penn (arrogant, self-absorbed) although Jimmy Markum's not the sort of person you'd ever want to know or be friends with.
Nothing about Penn's Markum seemed real to me... if there are people in this world like him, I thankfully have not met them, but his staged breaking through the police lines to see his slain daughter was an obvious attempt to make his character larger than the movie. I wasn't buying it. I saw that as a man crying out, "I AM AN ACTOR!! - SEE MY EMOTION, FEEL MY ANGUISH!" I didn't see Jimmy Markum at all, just Sean Penn being mis-directed by Clint Eastwood.
Of course by now we know that the Oscars have become a kind of political sham. For example, does anyone really believe that 2007's Best Song was "I Need to Wake Up," by Melissa Etheridge? Really? I think the Academy needs to wake up. But back in 2003 the Best Actor award was leaning towards awarding people who portrayed characters who were worse morally than you ever dreamed a human could be. Denzel Washington won in 2001 for his portrayal of Alonzo, a corrupt and racist cop who was more animal than human. Again - not someone you'd ever want to meet, or know. I agree that Denzel is a powerful actor though; worthy of his award. Did he win for Glory, Crimson Tide, or Philadelphia? Movies in which he portrayed characters with some redeeming qualities? Nope. But I digress.
Sean Penn - the Little Richard of acting... please check yourself into rehab for your illness of over-acting. And do we need an Academy that acts as enabler? Oh, and by the way, Kevin Bacon turned in the best acting performance of the three leading men in Mystic River, and he wasn't even nominated. Marcia Gay Harden was awesome as usual in her role, and Laura Linney's portrayal of Annabeth Markum was frightening. That lady is scary looking.
[Link]
Come to find out later, Sean Penn won the Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his portrayal of Jimmy Markum, an arrogant self-absorbed Boston-area father and two-bit thief. I can see why the part would be a natural for Penn (arrogant, self-absorbed) although Jimmy Markum's not the sort of person you'd ever want to know or be friends with.
Nothing about Penn's Markum seemed real to me... if there are people in this world like him, I thankfully have not met them, but his staged breaking through the police lines to see his slain daughter was an obvious attempt to make his character larger than the movie. I wasn't buying it. I saw that as a man crying out, "I AM AN ACTOR!! - SEE MY EMOTION, FEEL MY ANGUISH!" I didn't see Jimmy Markum at all, just Sean Penn being mis-directed by Clint Eastwood.
Of course by now we know that the Oscars have become a kind of political sham. For example, does anyone really believe that 2007's Best Song was "I Need to Wake Up," by Melissa Etheridge? Really? I think the Academy needs to wake up. But back in 2003 the Best Actor award was leaning towards awarding people who portrayed characters who were worse morally than you ever dreamed a human could be. Denzel Washington won in 2001 for his portrayal of Alonzo, a corrupt and racist cop who was more animal than human. Again - not someone you'd ever want to meet, or know. I agree that Denzel is a powerful actor though; worthy of his award. Did he win for Glory, Crimson Tide, or Philadelphia? Movies in which he portrayed characters with some redeeming qualities? Nope. But I digress.
Sean Penn - the Little Richard of acting... please check yourself into rehab for your illness of over-acting. And do we need an Academy that acts as enabler? Oh, and by the way, Kevin Bacon turned in the best acting performance of the three leading men in Mystic River, and he wasn't even nominated. Marcia Gay Harden was awesome as usual in her role, and Laura Linney's portrayal of Annabeth Markum was frightening. That lady is scary looking.
[Link]
3.25.2007
Borat - The sound of throwing up
Imagine the sound of someone vomiting: "Borat!" "Borat!" After hearing the hype I rented the movie from Netflix. Although there were some laughs in the beginning, the movie became increasingly disgusting, until I reached the point of ejecting the movie sometime after the "do you clean my anus?" dinner party.
Amazingly Rottentomatoes.com gave this movie a 91% fresh rating. That's almost as disturbing as the movie. The jokes were pretty much all used up in the first 15 minutes, after which it became the same staged setup where this jerk exploited people's honest desire to befriend someone of a foreign culture only to insult them repeatedly.
I was puzzled when I heard many people wanted to sue him after the movie came out, but after seeing it, I not only understand but hope that he loses his "anus" big time. He deserves it. "You are suing my ass in the US of A?"
Amazingly Rottentomatoes.com gave this movie a 91% fresh rating. That's almost as disturbing as the movie. The jokes were pretty much all used up in the first 15 minutes, after which it became the same staged setup where this jerk exploited people's honest desire to befriend someone of a foreign culture only to insult them repeatedly.
I was puzzled when I heard many people wanted to sue him after the movie came out, but after seeing it, I not only understand but hope that he loses his "anus" big time. He deserves it. "You are suing my ass in the US of A?"
3.07.2007
The RIAA Casts Gloomy Web
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has announced its decision on Internet radio royalty rates. Bottom line - Webcasters will now have to pay $500 per station annually, and about 1.28 cents per listener hour, retroactively to the beginning of 2006.
For Live365.com, a service that allows individuals to legally run small Internet radio stations, the decision could be a backbreaker. In the Internet business, it's hard enough to predict the future, but when you also have to predict the past, it can feel like a real rift in the space-time continuum. "Live365's royalty obligation for 2006 is running in the range of $350,000 per month, and that's not even addressing the question of the $500 per station mininum!" - RAIN
[Link]
For Live365.com, a service that allows individuals to legally run small Internet radio stations, the decision could be a backbreaker. In the Internet business, it's hard enough to predict the future, but when you also have to predict the past, it can feel like a real rift in the space-time continuum. "Live365's royalty obligation for 2006 is running in the range of $350,000 per month, and that's not even addressing the question of the $500 per station mininum!" - RAIN
[Link]
Leaders of the Future
High School Student Council Passes Nonbinding Resolution
The Onion makes a funny that's not decidedly biased against Republicans. Now that's news.
[Link]
The Onion makes a funny that's not decidedly biased against Republicans. Now that's news.
[Link]
Free Speech in Russia - Please!
"Now that we've killed off all the journalists we didn't like, we're now good to go with that whole free speech thing." (author embellishment)
"Ivan Safronov, the military affairs writer for Kommersant, died Friday after falling from a fifth-story window in the stairwell of his apartment building in Moscow, officials said..."
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in January that 13 Russian journalists have been murdered in contract-style killings since 2006, making Russia the third-deadliest country for journalists after Iraq and Algeria in the past 15 years.
[Link]
"Ivan Safronov, the military affairs writer for Kommersant, died Friday after falling from a fifth-story window in the stairwell of his apartment building in Moscow, officials said..."
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in January that 13 Russian journalists have been murdered in contract-style killings since 2006, making Russia the third-deadliest country for journalists after Iraq and Algeria in the past 15 years.
[Link]
2.27.2007
Who's the idiot now?
After a co-worker quipped to Ed O'Neill that "some idiot" hadn't claimed an $800,000 Powerball winning ticket, Mr. O'neill chuckled, and then after further investigation realized the winning ticket was purchased where he bought his, so he checked the numbers and realized that he was that idiot.
O'Neill will now be an idiot whose mortgage is paid off, as well as his children's mortgages. The co-worker will remain just another idiot co-worker.
[Link]
O'Neill will now be an idiot whose mortgage is paid off, as well as his children's mortgages. The co-worker will remain just another idiot co-worker.
[Link]
Another Successful Non-Union Company
Toyota to Build $1.3 Billion SUV Plant in Mississippi
This is about 10% of what Ford lost last year. Chump change I guess, for these players. But I have to ask myself why Americans are so sworn to buying Japanese cars, and can we somehow get a grip before we lose our entire auto industry?
Perhaps if unions such as UAW didn't break the backs of the companies who produce American cars, we could compete and win in a global marketplace.
[Link]
This is about 10% of what Ford lost last year. Chump change I guess, for these players. But I have to ask myself why Americans are so sworn to buying Japanese cars, and can we somehow get a grip before we lose our entire auto industry?
Perhaps if unions such as UAW didn't break the backs of the companies who produce American cars, we could compete and win in a global marketplace.
[Link]
Rocky Based in Truth
From the "in case you didn't know" department, the original story of Rocky was inspired by Chuck Wepner, a tough ex-marine who challenged Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title in 1975, and in a losing effort became the only opponent to knock Ali down during his championship years.
"When a young, impressionable and unknown Philadelphia resident -- Sylvester Stallone -- saw the Wepner/Ali fight he was instantly inspired to write the blockbuster movie screenplay, Rocky. It became one of the 20th Century's greatest box office hits."
[Wikipedia]
[Chuck's Page]
2.23.2007
Hillary Staying Positive
After David Geffen raised millions for Obama and not Hillary, and called her a smooth liar, she shot back:
"I want to run a very positive campaign, and I sure don't want Democrats or the supporters of Democrats to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction."
Hillary only wants to slander and personally destroy Rebublicans.
"I want to run a very positive campaign, and I sure don't want Democrats or the supporters of Democrats to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction."
Hillary only wants to slander and personally destroy Rebublicans.
2.22.2007
Muslim Blogging - Please Be Nice!
Abdel Kareem Nabil is a 22-year-old a blogger who was convicted of insulting Islam with his blog, and sentenced to 4 years in prison. Nabil (known as Kareem Amer online) referred to Egypt's Al-Azhar University in his blog as "the university of terrorism" and accused it of suppressing free thought.
Honestly, the Egyptian government doesn't suppress free thought, as long as people don't express any of those thoughts. Then they might go to jail.
[Link]
Honestly, the Egyptian government doesn't suppress free thought, as long as people don't express any of those thoughts. Then they might go to jail.
[Link]
2.20.2007
The Capo Incident
OK - Guys. Wow. This is a musician thang but, visit this site and listen to what is commonly known as a TRAIN WRECK. It sounds way worse than it is. The only problem here is that the guitarist moved his capo to the wrong fret... which puts his guitar and voice in a different KEY than they'd planned on in rehearsal. The result is very painful... just follow the [Link] and listen until the band enters...
[Link]
photo: Wikipedia
Baby Tattoos
Feeling like your baby is just not hip enough? Tattoos on your little one may be just the answer. And before you call Child Protective Services, just know that these are FDA approved temporaries ;) At 10 cents per image, this bundle of 49 'baby tats' could give your child street cred until age 5.
[Link]
2.18.2007
Boom Town
Fortunately I was in town playing bass from 3 pm until 8... and my wife was with me. When we got finished the top story on all major news outlets in Houston was regarding this massive explosion of a 31" natural gas pipe that occured "at 529 and Fry Rd North" was all we knew, which happens to be 1 block from where we live!The explosion and resultant fire was plainly visible from all over town, 30 miles away, and the fire sent flames 200 feet into the air.
We arrived home at 9 pm or so and took the backroads to avoid traffic, but we could smell it and we saw a fire truck leaving from near our home. No damage - no one hurt, but it was a spooky story to hear about from in town.
[Details]
Photo courtesy KPRC
2.16.2007
Senators Know the Importance of This Vote
This is one vote the Democrat's 2008 hopefuls know they need to attend. This non-binding resolution on Iraq will be a key to the Presidential debates in '08, where they will be able to say they voted for a resolution about Iraq.
Is the vote meaningless? Yes. But it's an all-important vote as potential candidates study polls intensely to help them choose what position on the Iraqui conflict will garner more votes in '08.
Many important decisions were made in '05 in preparation for the '06 elections. The goal? To promote the following talking points:
1. It's not a War on Terror - it's just a war in Iraq. Issues related to Al-Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Israel, 9/11 - comPLETEly unrelated
2. Bush (and any Republican even loosely associated with Bush) is responsible for the war in Iraq
3. Bush lied about WMDs
Getting people to believe those three points may have seemed like an impossible task, but considering that many voters already sincerely believe that the Government is covering up information about aliens and UFOs, it's not really such a stretch.
Amazingly, a large percentage of voters now believe points 1, 2, and 3, as gospel truth. With the crucial '08 elections only 21 months off, it's important that the public sees that the Democrats in the House and Senate have been busy talking and voting on stuff, because once the debates come up, it'll be very important to be able to cite what various candidates voted on and talked about. Meanwhile, Bush (and any Republican even loosely associated with Bush) can continue to shoulder responsibility for theWar on Terror illegal invasion of Iraq, unless by some amazing miracle, the new government in Iraq starts to stabilize, in which case it'll be important to jump on the bandwagon and find times when candidates said things in support of the War on Terror. Important decisions made now to stop funding the troops could help to ensure that this won't happen.
[Link]
Is the vote meaningless? Yes. But it's an all-important vote as potential candidates study polls intensely to help them choose what position on the Iraqui conflict will garner more votes in '08.
Many important decisions were made in '05 in preparation for the '06 elections. The goal? To promote the following talking points:
1. It's not a War on Terror - it's just a war in Iraq. Issues related to Al-Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Israel, 9/11 - comPLETEly unrelated
2. Bush (and any Republican even loosely associated with Bush) is responsible for the war in Iraq
3. Bush lied about WMDs
Getting people to believe those three points may have seemed like an impossible task, but considering that many voters already sincerely believe that the Government is covering up information about aliens and UFOs, it's not really such a stretch.
Amazingly, a large percentage of voters now believe points 1, 2, and 3, as gospel truth. With the crucial '08 elections only 21 months off, it's important that the public sees that the Democrats in the House and Senate have been busy talking and voting on stuff, because once the debates come up, it'll be very important to be able to cite what various candidates voted on and talked about. Meanwhile, Bush (and any Republican even loosely associated with Bush) can continue to shoulder responsibility for the
[Link]
2.15.2007
Necessity is the Okaa-san of invention.
Milk surpluses in Japan and declining consumption gave one entrepreneur the idea: BILK. Beer + Milk! It does a body good.
Could I get some milk in my beer, please?
[Link]
Could I get some milk in my beer, please?
[Link]
Tim Hardaway Comes Out of the Closet
It was time for former NBA star Tim Hardaway to finally come out... and say it. He's a homophobe.
[Link]
"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."Hardaway should be thankful he's not running for political office.
[Link]
2.13.2007
Hello - this is your blog calling.
Imagine picking up the phone, and being greeted by a computer/blog asking your opinions, and, by the way, if you want to leave verbal comments, they could appear on the blog as well. It's already happening according to Business Week's Stephen Baker who received a call from Barista.net, soliciting his opinion regarding a local hotel.
Listen blog, how about if I call you back?
[Link]
Listen blog, how about if I call you back?
[Link]
Here's a driver who does not litter
It may have been tempting, but no trash was going to be thrown out of this lady's car window. This is one case where I might recommend getting a large SUV, because this Ford Focus is clearly just running out of room!The trash caused a minor accident when some coffee cups fell onto the gas and brake pedals, making it difficult to drive. Turns out the owner suffers from OC disorder, and has an issue with hording, not only in her car, but her home as well. Police are offering to help the lady overcome this difficult situation.
[Link]
2.12.2007
Dixie Chicks Long Road of Great Suffering has Finally Come to an End
It has been four long grueling years for the Chicks since the American music-buying public had the audacity to stop wanting to hear their recordings. Forced to gut it out living simply on the royalty checks from their previous best-selling recordings Home and Wide Open Spaces, the Chicks managed to eke out an existence going from magazine cover to TV commercial to finally getting hired as the house band for the Democratic Party.
By taking the top 5 major awards at this year's Grammy Awards, the Chicks are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Acknowledging the amount of suffering her husband and children endured, Emily Robison thanked them for hanging tough through the hard times. Although they're still not sure how they'll be able to pay for their next meal, it's at least comforting to know that the Recording Academy feels sorry for them.
The Chicks have begun working on their next CD already - a recording which will focus on why their music deserves to get more air play on college radio, and the pain they've gone through dealing with the disorganized PR schema of that medium.
By taking the top 5 major awards at this year's Grammy Awards, the Chicks are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Acknowledging the amount of suffering her husband and children endured, Emily Robison thanked them for hanging tough through the hard times. Although they're still not sure how they'll be able to pay for their next meal, it's at least comforting to know that the Recording Academy feels sorry for them.
The Chicks have begun working on their next CD already - a recording which will focus on why their music deserves to get more air play on college radio, and the pain they've gone through dealing with the disorganized PR schema of that medium.
2.11.2007
Dixie Chicks Had a Record Out This Year?
OK - as a musician I can tell you the buzz all year came as a result of John Mayer's new recordings. Continuum is a solid, special recording, and I didn't run into one musician all year who was buzzing about any Dixie Chicks record. I guess the Dixie Chicks did have a recording out this year... something I first learned of this evening at the Grammys. But the amount of awards they won tonight was obscene. Did it have anything to do with music?
Anyway - the Mayer recordings will be the ones influencing guitarists, bassists, drummers, and songwriters for years to come. The Dixie Chicks record was politically inspiring to some folks, but I thought they looked like the "Ridiculous Chicks" tonight. What's with the Cocktail party dress, playing a strat? Am I supposed to take this seriously? Apparently I am - the "Academy" says so anyways. Even the Dixie Chicks knew that their awards were more about making a "statement" than they were about music.
Don't get me wrong. The Dixie Chicks are a solid professional act. I can see booking them in Branson or maybe Vegas. But you can't seriously expect me to believe theirs was the best album of 2006?!
Props to John Legend, The Police, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Mary J Blige, John Mayer, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, Gnarls Barkley, and Christina Aguilera, (among others) who all gave incredible performances at this year's Grammys. The Dixie Chicks? Not so much.
Anyway - the Mayer recordings will be the ones influencing guitarists, bassists, drummers, and songwriters for years to come. The Dixie Chicks record was politically inspiring to some folks, but I thought they looked like the "Ridiculous Chicks" tonight. What's with the Cocktail party dress, playing a strat? Am I supposed to take this seriously? Apparently I am - the "Academy" says so anyways. Even the Dixie Chicks knew that their awards were more about making a "statement" than they were about music.
Don't get me wrong. The Dixie Chicks are a solid professional act. I can see booking them in Branson or maybe Vegas. But you can't seriously expect me to believe theirs was the best album of 2006?!
Props to John Legend, The Police, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Mary J Blige, John Mayer, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, Gnarls Barkley, and Christina Aguilera, (among others) who all gave incredible performances at this year's Grammys. The Dixie Chicks? Not so much.
2.09.2007
Cartoon Network Chief Resigns - Ensures All That the Network "is not a terrorist organization"
Jim Samples stepped down today as head of the Cartoon Network.
"It's my hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages," Samples said.
The Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" marketing campaign was mistaken for a terrorist plot by the City of Boston. Officials there perhaps don't know that actual terrorists have absolutely no sense of humor.
[Link]
"It's my hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages," Samples said.
The Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" marketing campaign was mistaken for a terrorist plot by the City of Boston. Officials there perhaps don't know that actual terrorists have absolutely no sense of humor.
[Link]
2.08.2007
Future iPods may be pre-loaded with music I don't want
Personally, I like the concept of getting a blank mp3 player and putting music on it that I like. For years radio stations tried to tell us what music we were supposed to like, and MTV and VH1 continue that same push mentality. Thanks to the internet, and music services such as emusic, Rhapsody, and iTunes, music lovers can choose what they want to listen to based on being able to listen to vast song libraries before actually plunking down any cash.
According to this Wired News' writer Leander Kahney, however, due to the recent settlement over the Apple name, and falling flash memory prices, future special edition iPods may come pre-loaded with pre-selected song libraries as a way to again push music on us.
No thanks. Music is far too individualistic for us to go back now to having music thrust upon us. Please just leave the players blank and let us choose!
If they would come out with a jazz-genre preloaded player, and if I was stuck in an airport before a long trip, then maybe I would care, but please, no iPods crammed full of U2, Aerosmith, Ludicrous, or some other artist du jour. IMO that's just more time I'd have to spend deleting these wasted attempts to add value.
[Link]
According to this Wired News' writer Leander Kahney, however, due to the recent settlement over the Apple name, and falling flash memory prices, future special edition iPods may come pre-loaded with pre-selected song libraries as a way to again push music on us.
No thanks. Music is far too individualistic for us to go back now to having music thrust upon us. Please just leave the players blank and let us choose!
If they would come out with a jazz-genre preloaded player, and if I was stuck in an airport before a long trip, then maybe I would care, but please, no iPods crammed full of U2, Aerosmith, Ludicrous, or some other artist du jour. IMO that's just more time I'd have to spend deleting these wasted attempts to add value.
[Link]
Billionaire Robbed for Petty Cash
Ernest Rady, the billionaire founder of Westcorp and former part-owner of the San Diego Padres arrived home to witness his wife and maid being robbed by a phony delivery man. Rady was also bound by the intruder, who left the house with less than $1,000 in cash about five hours after arriving.
Newsflash: just because someone is a billionaire doesn't mean they have a billion dollars in cash in their home! Their ashtrays, however, may have been worth more than $1,000.
[Link]
Newsflash: just because someone is a billionaire doesn't mean they have a billion dollars in cash in their home! Their ashtrays, however, may have been worth more than $1,000.
[Link]
2.07.2007
Anyone here speak Yawi?
A woman who speaks only Yawi, a dialect spoken by Muslims in southern Thailand, boarded the wrong bus and accidentally headed for Bangkok. Already 800 miles off course, she boarded another bus which took her an additional 400 miles off course, to Burma.
The good news? She has been found by her children and has returned home. The bad? It took 25 years.
[Link]
The good news? She has been found by her children and has returned home. The bad? It took 25 years.
[Link]
2.06.2007
He Said He Would "Fly me to the moon"
Former astronaut Lisa Marie Nowak was well-trained for this mission - a cross-country expedition on which she chose to wear adult diapers in order to avoid having to make bathroom breaks. Whether she also consumed food on the trip from little packets I'm not sure. Nowak's (alleged) goal: to make the drive from Houston to the Orlando airport in time to accost romantic rival Colleen Shipman, an Air Force captain who was flying back to Orlando after seeing the third leg of this cosmic love triangle, Bill Oefelein.
Equipped with a knife, pellet pistol, can of pepper spray, steel mallet and 4 feet of rubber tubing, one can only speculate that Nowak had more in mind than just a discussion. And there was no International Space Station in need of repair anywhere near the airport.
[Link]
Equipped with a knife, pellet pistol, can of pepper spray, steel mallet and 4 feet of rubber tubing, one can only speculate that Nowak had more in mind than just a discussion. And there was no International Space Station in need of repair anywhere near the airport.
[Link]
2.05.2007
Dungy Makes History as First Bald Coach to Win Super Bowl
Although George Seifert(Super Bowl XXIV) and Mike Holmgren(Super Bowl XXXI) both came close, their comb-overs disqualified them from actually capturing the honor of being the first bald winning coach of an NFL Super Bowl. Congratulations to Tony Dungy, whose team fought tough to overcome an early deficit, difficult weather conditions, and one of the league's worst stadiums, to capture the title.
[Coach Bio]
[Victory page]
[Coach Bio]
[Victory page]
2.03.2007
What a concept!
Alright - I'm posting this just for the cool factor. These cars look awesome! Check out these entries into Peugeot's annual "car of the future" design contest.
[Link]
Unruly Chewbacca Brought to Justice
I don't mean to sound prejudiced, but something has to be done about these Wookiees running loose in L.A.[Link] (photo - Jimmy Kimmel Live)
2.02.2007
Peyton Manning Scores
"There's no greater honor for a major player in the endorsement game than to get to the Super Bowl," said Manning, a three-time AdWeek MVP who is attempting to prove once and for all that he can land the big campaign.
[Link]
Smell ya later!
This woman smelled like dead fish for most of her life. Smart, and pretty, but could someone open a window?
The story of Camille - former model, Phi Beta Kappa with a master's in education, who suffered from trimethylaMinuria, which depending on diet can make you stink to high heaven.
[Link]
The story of Camille - former model, Phi Beta Kappa with a master's in education, who suffered from trimethylaMinuria, which depending on diet can make you stink to high heaven.
[When Camille got older, the insults continued. One of her first jobs was as a teller in a credit union.
"My supervisor would come by and spray my area with perfume, Lysol, and they put me in the drive-through section, which is separate from the rest of the teller area," Camille said.]
[Link]
"You cannot silence the muffled cries of these Russian orphans!"
Was that title dramatic enough for you? Here's a story about Russian nurses getting tired of baby orphans crying all the time, so they TAPED their teeny mouths shut, or plastered 'em shut, and someone caught it on their mobile phone. Is their a pacifier shortage in Russia?
[Link]
[Link]
2.01.2007
Contextual Advertising Run Amok!
This Toyota advertisement popped up over a news story that used the word "car" in the headline. OK - maybe contextual advertising isn't all it's cracked up to be:
Mayor Has Strange Way of Showing Appreciation
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was served well by his long-time campaign manager, Alex Tourk, who worked tirelessly for the mayor helping him get elected. Then the mayor slept with Tourk's wife.
Given that this is San Francisco, the question remains, will this bit of news help or hurt the Mayor's re-election bid?
[Link]
Given that this is San Francisco, the question remains, will this bit of news help or hurt the Mayor's re-election bid?
[Link]
It's Empty!
Thought for the day: if a glass is empty, do you see it as being not full, or empty? or really empty?
First Thing Ever Sold on eBay?
First thing sold was a broken laser pointer for $14, sold by eBay creator Pierre Omidyar in 1995. Conveniently the negative feedback feature had not yet been created.
[Link]
[Link]
90% of Venezuelans Thrilled
Chavez gets sweeping new powers
Imagine a country where the top 10% of wage earners carry the poorest segment of their society on their backs. Where schools, welfare, insurance, roads, and the nation's protection are paid for mostly by the top 10% in the form of hefty tax revenues. Oh wait - wasn't supposed to talk about the United States in this blurb...
As for Venezuela... can we also vote into power someone who will take the company and the luxury home your family worked for over decades, and give it to me? Sounds strangely similar to North Korea in the beginning. My Korean wife's family lost their homes and companies which were seized by the Communists from the North, and then what happened? They became one of the poorest countries on earth. How did that work out? And her family, starting from nothing again, built new companies and became wealthy again. Funny.
But seriously, 90% of Venezuelans who are poor are happy that Chavez will seize the assets of the rich and distribute to the poor. Government sanctioned thievery. Quick way to get a 90% approval rating. I'm wondering what kind of commission Chavez will keep for himself of the seized assets. 20% in a private offshore account? 30%? We'll never know because that's probably part of the new power grab - all books will be closed.
[Link]
Imagine a country where the top 10% of wage earners carry the poorest segment of their society on their backs. Where schools, welfare, insurance, roads, and the nation's protection are paid for mostly by the top 10% in the form of hefty tax revenues. Oh wait - wasn't supposed to talk about the United States in this blurb...
As for Venezuela... can we also vote into power someone who will take the company and the luxury home your family worked for over decades, and give it to me? Sounds strangely similar to North Korea in the beginning. My Korean wife's family lost their homes and companies which were seized by the Communists from the North, and then what happened? They became one of the poorest countries on earth. How did that work out? And her family, starting from nothing again, built new companies and became wealthy again. Funny.
But seriously, 90% of Venezuelans who are poor are happy that Chavez will seize the assets of the rich and distribute to the poor. Government sanctioned thievery. Quick way to get a 90% approval rating. I'm wondering what kind of commission Chavez will keep for himself of the seized assets. 20% in a private offshore account? 30%? We'll never know because that's probably part of the new power grab - all books will be closed.
[Link]
Trade you a gallon of gas for a corn tortilla?
Mexicans stage tortilla protest! We want to conserve fuel by using more Ethanol. Mexicans want corn tortillas! Something's got to give!
[Link]
[Link]
1.30.2007
Pot-Bellied Man Looked Pregnant
OK - this guy was teased to no end for his pot belly... bet they didn't know he'd had his mutated twin brother living inside his stomach for almost 4 decades.
I don't think I have any similar excuse, unless I can blame the mutated carbs and pizza that make up some of my midsection.
[Link]
"The case may have been a medical miracle to doctors, but to Bhagat his condition had been a source of shame and misery. All his life, people in the village where he lived had mercilessly teased him and told him he looked pregnant. Ironically, they were right in a way."
I don't think I have any similar excuse, unless I can blame the mutated carbs and pizza that make up some of my midsection.
[Link]
58% wish Bush Presidency were simply over
[Link]
I kind of wish it were over too, so I wouldn't have to listen to Democrats bitch about Florida anymore, and I wouldn't have to listen to bitter political hacks taking pot shots at a man who's down because it's now politically safe to do so. Although it is entertaining at some level, kind of like those assault videos on YouTube.
Democratic talking points:
#1 Bush lied us into Iraq - Bush is not a liar. It's not in his nature to lie. He's probably the most honest President we've had since Lincoln. Too honest I suppose because it's political suicide to actually say what you mean and then do it. That's infuriating to those who expect a President to do whatever the opinion polls dictate.
#2 Bush is dumb - my observation is that Bush has leadership skills and people skills and is a skilled politician. He's able to work with both sides of the aisle to get things passed and didn't veto a single bill so far. That will change. But is he an intellectual? Nope - but who would rather have leading your company as CEO? A brilliant theorist who screws up the bottom line, or a people person who makes you a ton of money?
#3 Bush #$@% and is a $%#@ and &^%$# etc. That's just Democrats. No one is quite sure what it means.
End of the day Bush is probably a very nice guy and I like him. He's not mean.. He's friendly and fun, not overly obsessed with himself. That's how he kept getting elected. There are some politicians in Washington I wouldn't loan $10 to. But I would loan money to Bush because I'd get it back. So then what produces the hatred and bitterness from the left?
1. tough loss in Florida
2. hatred of Christian evangelicals
3. hatred of traditional families who are rich and happy
4. disagreement over how to handle terrorists - diplomacy vs. offensive military solutions
5. Liberals lean towards bitterness in general because they have a lot less certainty about God, and marriage, gay vs straight, drugs, alt. lifestyles etc. That can get stressful. Ennui. They also tend to prop up the "establishment" as evil, and big business as evil, so it's tougher to live surrounded by evil people, especially when those evil folks appear to be happy and well-adjusted.
6. Liberals reflect their own weaknesses onto their opponent. They need for Bush & co. to be liars and basically evil to the core so they can feel better about themselves. It is so important for them to apply the label "liar" to Bush and make it stick, because it helps them overcome the years of shame after Clinton demonstrated what liars are really like. If they successfully apply the label to Bush, it misdirects people, and helps Democrats setup the Republican stereotypes that have helped them in recent years. Therefore Iraq wasn't just bad policy. BUSH LIED. Much more important to the overall Democratic strategy.
I kind of wish it were over too, so I wouldn't have to listen to Democrats bitch about Florida anymore, and I wouldn't have to listen to bitter political hacks taking pot shots at a man who's down because it's now politically safe to do so. Although it is entertaining at some level, kind of like those assault videos on YouTube.
Democratic talking points:
#1 Bush lied us into Iraq - Bush is not a liar. It's not in his nature to lie. He's probably the most honest President we've had since Lincoln. Too honest I suppose because it's political suicide to actually say what you mean and then do it. That's infuriating to those who expect a President to do whatever the opinion polls dictate.
#2 Bush is dumb - my observation is that Bush has leadership skills and people skills and is a skilled politician. He's able to work with both sides of the aisle to get things passed and didn't veto a single bill so far. That will change. But is he an intellectual? Nope - but who would rather have leading your company as CEO? A brilliant theorist who screws up the bottom line, or a people person who makes you a ton of money?
#3 Bush #$@% and is a $%#@ and &^%$# etc. That's just Democrats. No one is quite sure what it means.
End of the day Bush is probably a very nice guy and I like him. He's not mean.. He's friendly and fun, not overly obsessed with himself. That's how he kept getting elected. There are some politicians in Washington I wouldn't loan $10 to. But I would loan money to Bush because I'd get it back. So then what produces the hatred and bitterness from the left?
1. tough loss in Florida
2. hatred of Christian evangelicals
3. hatred of traditional families who are rich and happy
4. disagreement over how to handle terrorists - diplomacy vs. offensive military solutions
5. Liberals lean towards bitterness in general because they have a lot less certainty about God, and marriage, gay vs straight, drugs, alt. lifestyles etc. That can get stressful. Ennui. They also tend to prop up the "establishment" as evil, and big business as evil, so it's tougher to live surrounded by evil people, especially when those evil folks appear to be happy and well-adjusted.
6. Liberals reflect their own weaknesses onto their opponent. They need for Bush & co. to be liars and basically evil to the core so they can feel better about themselves. It is so important for them to apply the label "liar" to Bush and make it stick, because it helps them overcome the years of shame after Clinton demonstrated what liars are really like. If they successfully apply the label to Bush, it misdirects people, and helps Democrats setup the Republican stereotypes that have helped them in recent years. Therefore Iraq wasn't just bad policy. BUSH LIED. Much more important to the overall Democratic strategy.
Man Recites 22,514 digits of Pi
Have trouble remembering names? Phone numbers/ Your credit card number? Check out this amazing story of a savant who has not retreated into autism, and recited Pi at Oxford to the amazement of scholars. "It took him over five hours and he did it without a single mistake." CBS
[Link]
[Link]
1.29.2007
Technology Voting Guide
Here's a very handy guide by Declan McCullagh outlining the way House Representatives and Senators voted on technology-related bills. As for Obama, he scored "out-of-the-office" on 14 of 16 bills and left the voting to others, while Clinton voted on only 9 of 16 bills, and scored only 33% out of 100 in the tech-friendly department.
I could've used their votes to save legal Internet Poker. Poker is a skill, an awesome game, and the best way to play it, and learn it, is online! But somehow that Port Security bill really needed this anti-poker law tagged on last-minute. Way to go.
[Link to Tech Voting Map]
I could've used their votes to save legal Internet Poker. Poker is a skill, an awesome game, and the best way to play it, and learn it, is online! But somehow that Port Security bill really needed this anti-poker law tagged on last-minute. Way to go.
[Link to Tech Voting Map]
Black Man Can Jump
I think the Arizona Cardinals have found their new field goal blocker! Here Adrian Wilson [bio], the Cardinals' strong safety for the last 5 years, jumps over a 66' pole straight on with just a few steps to prepare.
Welcome to New York!
Wow! Those cruel streets of New York. The muggings, rapes, and murders. Perhaps that infamous NYC reputation is what kept Damon Mootoo from asking anyone for directions for a period of 5 days and 4 nights in a chilly Queens New York.
Mootoo was staying at his brother's house in South Jamaica, Queens, and 12 hours after his arrival decided to go out for a walk, on Wednesday, January 17.
Sunday the 21st, after spending 4 chilly nights wandering those streets lost, Mootoo finally gathered the courage to ask someone for directions. He had his brother's address written on a piece of paper in his pocket, and speaks English.
Thankfully, while walking home from church, Michael Bharath spotted the shivering man and offered assistance.
"I want to go home," Mootoo told the paper. "I'm thinking about going back to Guyana."
Hopefully he won't try walking back. [Link]
Mootoo was staying at his brother's house in South Jamaica, Queens, and 12 hours after his arrival decided to go out for a walk, on Wednesday, January 17.
Sunday the 21st, after spending 4 chilly nights wandering those streets lost, Mootoo finally gathered the courage to ask someone for directions. He had his brother's address written on a piece of paper in his pocket, and speaks English.
Thankfully, while walking home from church, Michael Bharath spotted the shivering man and offered assistance.
"I want to go home," Mootoo told the paper. "I'm thinking about going back to Guyana."
Hopefully he won't try walking back. [Link]
American Idol Auditioner shocked
This auditioner assumed every contestant would go before Simon, Paula, and Randy. [Link]
Doing the math, you figure if the Idol judges are in your town for 2 days, the maximum # of auditions they could do would be roughly 12 an hour, and I don't see Paula and Simon working more than 8 hours a day, so that's maybe 96 auditions a day, and they're there 2 days. So 10,000 people show up, minus the 192 auditions done by the star judges, leaving 9,808 auditions that need to be done by some other judges.
Nevertheless, the show has interest because it puts some very funny things on display - namely the fact that people often don't realize how lacking they really are in talent. Professional musicians and actors lose auditions all the time and life goes on, but amateurs think of things as "once in a lifetime." Because in real life, their lack of talent will never give them a shot at a music career. Real musicians practice and work hard and network and move on. When the show gets boring for me is when they choose their final 32 or whatever it is and force them to grind through week after week of pop cover songs by mostly amateur singers.
Taylor Hicks, by the way, is in my opinion the best true musician to ever sneak through the competition. He'll probably be over produced and over packaged, which may cause him to lose most of what is appealing about him in the first place - authentic passion and talent. Time will tell.
The show's format also does a poor job of attracting any singer/songwriter type, because original music is not encouraged. The producers of the show know that 98% of original music is boring, and doesn't sell, so their best bet is to feature a parade of hits. They are in business to earn a profit after all, so you can't blame them.
Doing the math, you figure if the Idol judges are in your town for 2 days, the maximum # of auditions they could do would be roughly 12 an hour, and I don't see Paula and Simon working more than 8 hours a day, so that's maybe 96 auditions a day, and they're there 2 days. So 10,000 people show up, minus the 192 auditions done by the star judges, leaving 9,808 auditions that need to be done by some other judges.
Nevertheless, the show has interest because it puts some very funny things on display - namely the fact that people often don't realize how lacking they really are in talent. Professional musicians and actors lose auditions all the time and life goes on, but amateurs think of things as "once in a lifetime." Because in real life, their lack of talent will never give them a shot at a music career. Real musicians practice and work hard and network and move on. When the show gets boring for me is when they choose their final 32 or whatever it is and force them to grind through week after week of pop cover songs by mostly amateur singers.
Taylor Hicks, by the way, is in my opinion the best true musician to ever sneak through the competition. He'll probably be over produced and over packaged, which may cause him to lose most of what is appealing about him in the first place - authentic passion and talent. Time will tell.
The show's format also does a poor job of attracting any singer/songwriter type, because original music is not encouraged. The producers of the show know that 98% of original music is boring, and doesn't sell, so their best bet is to feature a parade of hits. They are in business to earn a profit after all, so you can't blame them.
1.28.2007
An Image a Day Goes a Long Way
daily dose of imagery is a site by Sam Javanrouh, who has been archiving his photo journal, one brilliant photo a day, every day, since July 4th, 2003. His site has won many awards, and the thumbnail you see here is an image featured February 18, 2005. A gorgeous shot. Sam is Creative director at Optix digital pictures, a visual effects and animation company. Photo © Sam Javanrouh
1.27.2007
Readers Go Ape Over New Portrait Book
Jill Greenberg, famous for her portraits of humans, also knows what to do with a monkey pic and a trusty copy of Photoshop. Monkey Portraits
consists of studio shots of monkey-celebs. Great coffee table book. [Link]
[Photos by Jill Greenberg]
consists of studio shots of monkey-celebs. Great coffee table book. [Link] 
[Photos by Jill Greenberg]
![[Link]](http://www.joyoftech.com/joyoftech/joyimages/915.gif){kind=link}
SF Chronicle Complaint Line
I'm wondering if this irate caller to the San Francisco Chronicle is something of an unmanned aircraft himself, if you know what I mean. [Audio]
Correct me if I'm Wrong is a new Podcast being offered by the San Francisco Chronicle highlighting (or should I say lowlighting) the readers who call in to complain about mistakes in their paper.
1.26.2007
Elderly Woman Beats Mountain Lion Into Submission
Nell Hamm is a strong woman. While hiking in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California, a mountain lion pounced, attacking her husband, and had his head locked in his ferocious jaws. After beating the lion repeatedly with a 4-inch wide log, the lion released his death grip, and stared at the 65-year-old woman. She screamed and waved the log until the animal finally walked away.
"You messed with the wrong grandma!"
LINK
"You messed with the wrong grandma!"
LINK
Man's Life sold for $5800 and change
A man's life Sold! on eBay. This completed auction included:
A New Life in the coastal town of Wollongong, Australia of a 24-year-old male.
Ownership of seller's
- Name
- Phone number
- All seller's possessions which included the following:
- Clothes,
- Roughly 300 CDs
- Surfboard
- Laptop (minus certain information with my discretion),
- Pushbike (Has wonky handlebars, may need some work)
- Books,
- Bed
- CD player
- Backpack
- Tennis racquets
- Golf Clubs(which you will have no idea how to use)
- Childhood photos
- Skateboard
- Nice lamp which his ex-girlfriend bought him.
- Seller to teach his skills which include the following
- Surfing (Expert)
- Climbing (Intermediate)
- Skateboarding (Novice)
- Handstand Skills (Expert)
- Fire Twirling Skills (Intermediate)
- Devil Stick Twirling (Expert)
(Plus many more)
###
The winner also received extras including
- A 4-week training course by the former me which includes the following:
- Many anecdotes and stories from a very interesting and intriguing past 24 years of my life
- 6 Jokes
- Haircut like seller's
- Piercings to the value of $180.
Plus 2 months of on-call support. Winning bidder also inherits 2 nemeses. I would want to know if the jokes were any good, first.
LINK
1.25.2007
We literally caught him with his pants down
"Police said they caught a 16-year-old robbery suspect who had eluded authorities on several previous occasions when his baggy pants fell down, causing him to stumble as officers chased him." I guess that once they got him back to the police station, he was at least able to make a fashion statement.
Death to the suit?
I don't wear suits, either, Mark Cuban.
"If you are a CEO , are there not better things your employees could spend money on than multiple suits, ties, dress shirts, dress shoes, dress socks, dry cleaning, and all the other associated costs? Gee, no suits would be the same as giving your employees a tax free raise. Think that might make them happy? Or do employees consider having to spend money on suits a perk?"[LINK]
Ford hit by record $12.7bn loss
Newsflash! Consumers want fewer gas guzzlers, and finally, in 2007, after it's largest loss in its 103-year history, Ford says it gets the message.
Living in Texas, though, I'm not sure people here have gotten the message. Big dumb trucks here everywhere you look. Sometimes companies need to be brave and lead the way down the right path, even if consumers are slow to follow at first. Years later, once consumers catch up, companies such as Toyota, Google, and Whole Foods market are years ahead of competitors because they made the right choices early on. Ford? Not so much.
Unions play a part in this as well. It's no longer just "big evil company vs. poor opressed worker class." The reality is companies are not evil, especially the ones putting your kids through college, and American companies don't live in a vacuum. They have to compete with companies like Toyota, whose American-based non-union workers get paid equally, are more satisfied, and have better job security thanks to Toyota's superior marketing strategies.
Ford had previously put much weight on sales of pick-up trucks and SUVs, or sport utility vehicles, to generate profits.
But a peak in the price of oil last year, which pushed US petrol prices up to $3 a gallon, saw customers abandon gas-guzzling vehicles in favour of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.
Mr Mulally said Ford planned to "operate profitably at lower volumes and with a product mix that better reflects consumer demand for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles".
Living in Texas, though, I'm not sure people here have gotten the message. Big dumb trucks here everywhere you look. Sometimes companies need to be brave and lead the way down the right path, even if consumers are slow to follow at first. Years later, once consumers catch up, companies such as Toyota, Google, and Whole Foods market are years ahead of competitors because they made the right choices early on. Ford? Not so much.
Unions play a part in this as well. It's no longer just "big evil company vs. poor opressed worker class." The reality is companies are not evil, especially the ones putting your kids through college, and American companies don't live in a vacuum. They have to compete with companies like Toyota, whose American-based non-union workers get paid equally, are more satisfied, and have better job security thanks to Toyota's superior marketing strategies.
Toyota workers in the Georgetown plant reportedly earn about $24 an hour, which is slightly less than UAW-represented employees make, but Truth Finders, an anti-union group at the plant, points out that workers are provided 24-hour day care, an on-site discount pharmacy and a credit union, along with other perks like parties for perfect attendance that feature big-name talent like Jay Leno.
Additionally, the old adage that unionized workers make more money than their nonunion peers is less true now than it used to be. According to the UAW, in 1990 unionized autoworkers earned 85 percent more per week than nonunion workers. By 1999, the premium had fallen to 59 percent. In the Midwest and South regions, where auto industry employment is concentrated, inflation-adjusted earnings rose 8 percent and 14 percent, respectively, for union workers; for nonunion work-ers, they jumped 23 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Link
Scottie tails - Date With Barney?
I know this dog really wants to talk but is frustrated because he doesn't speak English, and his owner doesn't speak doggie.
Cute little White Scottish Terrier too.
Cute little White Scottish Terrier too.
1.24.2007
Hey Robot! Grab me a beer while you're in there!
Here it is folks - the robot servant. Now if only we could teach it to close the refrigerator door when it's done. Maybe it could also be trained to close the toilet lid and pick up the damn clothes off the floor!
Alexandra Pelosi's Good Intentions
OK - after reading this I have to feel some remorse for Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of Nancy, whose documentary "Friends of God" airs on HBO January 25. She chose the "former" Reverend Ted Haggard to be her leading man. Imagine, you're just about to wrap up filming of your new docudrama, you flip on the TV, and there's your guy, splashed all over the news, admitting to drug abuse and having sex with a male prostitute.
"I chose the wrong leading man" quips Pelosi. Unfortunately, Jesus was not available.
"I believe in the culture war," Pelosi continues. "And you know what? If I have to take a side in the culture war I'll take their side," meaning the Christian conservatives. "Because if you give me the choice of Paris Hilton or Jesus, I'll take Jesus."
After much editing and de-emphasizing of Haggard, viewers will get to see only what's left of her film. And if what's left is just Jerry Falwell and Joel Osteen, I'd hazard a guess that this'll be another missed-the-mark film like "Jesus People." But I'll reserve judgement until the film maks its way to Netflix.
"I chose the wrong leading man" quips Pelosi. Unfortunately, Jesus was not available.
"I believe in the culture war," Pelosi continues. "And you know what? If I have to take a side in the culture war I'll take their side," meaning the Christian conservatives. "Because if you give me the choice of Paris Hilton or Jesus, I'll take Jesus."
After much editing and de-emphasizing of Haggard, viewers will get to see only what's left of her film. And if what's left is just Jerry Falwell and Joel Osteen, I'd hazard a guess that this'll be another missed-the-mark film like "Jesus People." But I'll reserve judgement until the film maks its way to Netflix.
Climate Survey Debate is not over
I rented "An Inconvenient Truth" because I wanted to understand more about the debate over global warming, which I have later learned is also commonly referred to as climate change.
The movie, however, states emphatically that there is not even a debate. The debate is over. But what do scientists and environmental professionals say? In a Global Climate Change Survey conducted by The National Registry of Environmental Professionals, I think you'll find that the results don't suggest that there is no longer a debate. Maybe in the mind of Al Gore, however, Gore (I like to point out) was also the winner of "the most classless election loser" award in history, and still believes he won the election of 2000. Imagine if all the Republican losers in 2006 behaved like Al Gore did... we may still be counting votes and not getting anything done.
I hate to bring Gore's politics into a post about Global Climate Change, but that's what Gore himself was compelled to do in his movie. One moment we're talking about environmental issues, and the next we're talking about the race of 2000 and how he still disagrees with the Supreme Court. Maybe we should let them decide the debate on climate change as well, although I'd rather let the scientists have that one.
Still, I found the DVD worth my time, as it spells out in layman's terms at least part of the debate, and is thought provoking.
The movie, however, states emphatically that there is not even a debate. The debate is over. But what do scientists and environmental professionals say? In a Global Climate Change Survey conducted by The National Registry of Environmental Professionals, I think you'll find that the results don't suggest that there is no longer a debate. Maybe in the mind of Al Gore, however, Gore (I like to point out) was also the winner of "the most classless election loser" award in history, and still believes he won the election of 2000. Imagine if all the Republican losers in 2006 behaved like Al Gore did... we may still be counting votes and not getting anything done.
I hate to bring Gore's politics into a post about Global Climate Change, but that's what Gore himself was compelled to do in his movie. One moment we're talking about environmental issues, and the next we're talking about the race of 2000 and how he still disagrees with the Supreme Court. Maybe we should let them decide the debate on climate change as well, although I'd rather let the scientists have that one.
Still, I found the DVD worth my time, as it spells out in layman's terms at least part of the debate, and is thought provoking.
Hockey Coach Was Illiterate
An amazing story if you haven't heard it... Stanley Cup winning coach Jacques Demers could not even read the lineup cards with his players names listed, or a menu in a restaurant. It was a secret he kept to himself for as many years as he could, although he did finally admit to his wife that the reason he was not paying the bills promptly was because he could not read them!
Finally, after becoming GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Demers realized for the good of the team he needed to come clean. Being GM meant lots of paperwork, and his only option was to hire assistants to cover for his disability.
Fortunately, 2 years after coming clean before a shocked hockey world, he has now gotten help and is well on his way to overcoming his biggest obstacle in life.
Finally, after becoming GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Demers realized for the good of the team he needed to come clean. Being GM meant lots of paperwork, and his only option was to hire assistants to cover for his disability.
Fortunately, 2 years after coming clean before a shocked hockey world, he has now gotten help and is well on his way to overcoming his biggest obstacle in life.
1.22.2007
Science Myths Debunked
True or false?
Water drains backwards in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Earth's rotation
A falling cat will always land on its feet
A penny dropped from the top of a tall building could kill a pedestrian
You probably know these already. Or do you? Link
Water drains backwards in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Earth's rotation
A falling cat will always land on its feet
A penny dropped from the top of a tall building could kill a pedestrian
You probably know these already. Or do you? Link
1.21.2007
Don't fret - just play your bass!
OK - as a guy who plays both fretless and fretted bases - I know it can be hard sometimes to decide which one to play. Here's a guy, Jonas Hellborg, who thumbs his nose at indecision, as he thumbs his bass.
Gettin' Piggy With It
Seriously - being a vegetarian is awesome, and even more so after reading articles like this one. My wife and I have been vegetarians for a few years now and it's amazingly easy to do.
Here's one tax audit that won't take long
"A jury ruled Thursday that Ed Brown and his wife, Elaine, plotted to hide their income and avoid taxes on Elaine Brown's income of $1.9 million between 1996 and 2003."
If only I had known that I didn't have to pay!
If only I had known that I didn't have to pay!
The Mighty Duck
Here's one mighty duck who had a bit of a surprise in store for his captor. Sources say he remained cool throughout the ordeal.
1.20.2007
Interview with Wife of CNET Editor James Kim: surviving a week in the Oregon forest
This is a tough but amazing story of survival. I am so sorry for their loss, but thank God James' wife Mati and family survived to tell this story.
1.19.2007
Finally Caught a Spammer
This should go a long ways towards cleaning out that inbox, eh? Billions of spam emails have plagued computer users for YEARS, and now, in 2007, 17+ years after the Internet came online, we proudly announce we have caught out first ever spammer! Alright.
Unfortunately for him, since he's the only one we've caught, he'll have to serve 101 years in prison to make up for all the other spammers we haven't caught yet, but don't worry; more arrests will come. Let's check back with this story in 2024 and see if we have nabbed perpetrator #2 by then.
"Forty-five year old Jeffery Goodin was found guilty of running a running scam that fooled users into giving out personal information. E-mails that Goodin sent out made users believe that they were cooperating with a legitimate business when in fact they were not."
Unfortunately for him, since he's the only one we've caught, he'll have to serve 101 years in prison to make up for all the other spammers we haven't caught yet, but don't worry; more arrests will come. Let's check back with this story in 2024 and see if we have nabbed perpetrator #2 by then.
"Forty-five year old Jeffery Goodin was found guilty of running a running scam that fooled users into giving out personal information. E-mails that Goodin sent out made users believe that they were cooperating with a legitimate business when in fact they were not."
Bad Drivers in Portland?
Ice is not a brand new phenomenon, e.g. ever hear of the Age named after it? But in Portland, apparently it is something of a first as demonstrated by these bad drivers. Although I must confess that in Iowa I did slide into a car on an icy hill, but in my defense the car appeared to me as nothing more than a giant mound of snow... looked safe but there was a CAR hiding under there. It was also 3 a.m. after playing a New Year's gig, as if that's relevant.
1.18.2007
Welcome to the Jungle
'Half-Animal' Woman Is Discovered After Spending 19 Years Alone in Cambodian Jungle
Wow - where would we all be without schooling, and family? Makes me wonder about the very first languages spoken - how were they thought of, and how many words were in the vocabulary? And now that we do have so many languages we do our best to pollute and distort them.
Wow - where would we all be without schooling, and family? Makes me wonder about the very first languages spoken - how were they thought of, and how many words were in the vocabulary? And now that we do have so many languages we do our best to pollute and distort them.
1.17.2007
AT&T / Cingular / SBC Naming Conventions Explained
At last, thanks to Industry Expert Stephen Colbert, this all makes sense.
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