Tropical depression #27 is firing up in the southeastern Caribbean. According to StormTrack, it's entirely possible that this storm has already achieved tropical storm intensity, but the NHC is waiting to see more organization before they call it TS Gamma.
This year has been one for the tropical weather books in every way imaginable.
UPDATE: TD 27 may or may not make it to TS status. We should know by the end of the day today (Wed).
UPDATE UPDATE: As of Wed afternoon, it looks like TD 27 is going bye-bye. Keep your fingers crossed, we may be done for this year.
TRIPLE UPDATE: Well, so much for that. TD 27 turned into TS Gamma, clobbered Centeral America (killing several), appeared to be heading towards Florida, and has now turned a bit further right and is headed out into the Caribbean. Maybe we're done now.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Maybe the VR gizmo we've been waiting for
Virtual reality has been an elusive technology for quite a while. We've all seen Hollywood's take on it - The Matrix is probably the best vision of the possibilities of virtual reality. Entire computer-driven cities, complete immersion into the scenario, real interaction with other avatars or components of the application, etc.
In reality (sorry), VR has been a disappointment so far. The very best VR systems consist of enormous helmets with an interactive glove or two. You're visually there, but there's no other sensation available - no movement, limited interaction, rudimentary sounds, etc.
From Wired's Gear Factor blog today, here's a "human hamster ball" that acts like a giant, stand-inside trackball. It allows the VR participant to navigate through the virtual world in a way that resembles reality. The VR images are projected on the inside of the ball, and the participant walks or runs through the scene. Those movements are input into the system via the "hamster ball" and the scene moves accordingly.
While its currently well out of reach at $100,000 a pop, this is an interesting development that offers all kinds of possibilities. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
In reality (sorry), VR has been a disappointment so far. The very best VR systems consist of enormous helmets with an interactive glove or two. You're visually there, but there's no other sensation available - no movement, limited interaction, rudimentary sounds, etc.
From Wired's Gear Factor blog today, here's a "human hamster ball" that acts like a giant, stand-inside trackball. It allows the VR participant to navigate through the virtual world in a way that resembles reality. The VR images are projected on the inside of the ball, and the participant walks or runs through the scene. Those movements are input into the system via the "hamster ball" and the scene moves accordingly.
While its currently well out of reach at $100,000 a pop, this is an interesting development that offers all kinds of possibilities. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Al Qaeda getting blasted in Muslim world
This certainly seems like good news: An article in the online edition of a Scots newspaper talks about "Al Qaeda on defensive as bombs begin to backfire".
It seems pretty clear to me that AQ has found it increasingly difficult to operate in the US (I know that sounds like hubris, but it has been 4+ years - sure seems like they would if they could, right?), Western Europe, and the rest of the non-Islamic world. If it's going to run operations, recent history seems to indicate it's left to the Muslim world, where AQ still finds some support and freedom of movement. However, this strategy, implemented without the discipline of only targeting truly Western interests, can alienate the very population in who's name the organization claims to fight.
AQ seems to be nothing like the shadowy and outrageously successful force it was prior to September 11, 2001. Improved security, improved intelligence, an environment that more successfully harasses illegal activity, and attrition of members and leaders have all helped the West get a bit of a leg up.
That's not to say that the danger has passed - it has not. That's also not to say that AQ won't sort itself out and return to it's previous stature, because it may very well. It does, however, mean that it is not impossible to defeat.
It seems pretty clear to me that AQ has found it increasingly difficult to operate in the US (I know that sounds like hubris, but it has been 4+ years - sure seems like they would if they could, right?), Western Europe, and the rest of the non-Islamic world. If it's going to run operations, recent history seems to indicate it's left to the Muslim world, where AQ still finds some support and freedom of movement. However, this strategy, implemented without the discipline of only targeting truly Western interests, can alienate the very population in who's name the organization claims to fight.
AQ seems to be nothing like the shadowy and outrageously successful force it was prior to September 11, 2001. Improved security, improved intelligence, an environment that more successfully harasses illegal activity, and attrition of members and leaders have all helped the West get a bit of a leg up.
That's not to say that the danger has passed - it has not. That's also not to say that AQ won't sort itself out and return to it's previous stature, because it may very well. It does, however, mean that it is not impossible to defeat.
They named a LEMUR after Cleese?
While I'm sure this was done with all the proper sense of tribute and whatnot, it certainly seems like John Cleese has contributed to the human experience enough to warrant something more than a lemur, doesn't it?
Perhaps a cheese shop, a mention in The Short History of World War II, a cabinet position, or, at the very least, a "Black Knight Toll Bridge" over some loch or firth or something?
Perhaps a cheese shop, a mention in The Short History of World War II, a cabinet position, or, at the very least, a "Black Knight Toll Bridge" over some loch or firth or something?
Piracy in Somali waters
Is it just me, or does this sound like "the shores of Tripoli" all over again?
As mentioned here last week, and all over the media recently, piracy off the coast of Somalia is skyrocketing. The current theory is that there is one or more "mother ships" running around, launching small-boat attacks on merchant and cruise ships in the area and taking their prizes into Somali territorial waters. And, as we all know by now, Somalia has not had a working government or any type of law enforcement for about 15 years.
These guys in no way resemble Captain Blood or Jack Sparrow. There's no romanticizing of their exploits to be done. Instead, it will take an international effort led by the major maritime powers to put an end to this lunacy. Better yet, some form of order will be brought to Somalia and the Somalis can stomp it out themselves.
As long as I'm dreaming, I wish I had a 1969 GTO Judge.
As mentioned here last week, and all over the media recently, piracy off the coast of Somalia is skyrocketing. The current theory is that there is one or more "mother ships" running around, launching small-boat attacks on merchant and cruise ships in the area and taking their prizes into Somali territorial waters. And, as we all know by now, Somalia has not had a working government or any type of law enforcement for about 15 years.
These guys in no way resemble Captain Blood or Jack Sparrow. There's no romanticizing of their exploits to be done. Instead, it will take an international effort led by the major maritime powers to put an end to this lunacy. Better yet, some form of order will be brought to Somalia and the Somalis can stomp it out themselves.
As long as I'm dreaming, I wish I had a 1969 GTO Judge.
Election results from Afghanistan published
The final vote totals and election victors have been announced in Afghanistan. It took a while to certify everything, due to vigorous checking for fraud. In fact, some fraud was found and several candidates had their "victories" stripped from them.
As usual, this sort of thing doesn't get a lot of ink, but we should stop for a moment and consider how far Afghanistan has come in 4 years. Back in 2001, the Taliban was well on its way to destroying the country and it's artifacts (Buddhas at Bamiyan, anyone?) while completely ignoring the outcry of almost the entire world. Today, the UN signs off on free elections.
This serves as a reminder that it's not all bad news.
As usual, this sort of thing doesn't get a lot of ink, but we should stop for a moment and consider how far Afghanistan has come in 4 years. Back in 2001, the Taliban was well on its way to destroying the country and it's artifacts (Buddhas at Bamiyan, anyone?) while completely ignoring the outcry of almost the entire world. Today, the UN signs off on free elections.
This serves as a reminder that it's not all bad news.
"Sept 11 was an inside job" says BYU prof
See what tenure gets you? The ability to spout off all kinds of ridiculous crap and not get fired for it.
Prof Steven Jones, a physics professor at BYU, says that the hijacked planes were merely a diversion, Muslims likely were not involved, and it was pre-positioned explosives that brought down the Twin Towers and 7 World Trade Center.
The power of speech has left me. Please read the article from the Deseret News for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
Prof Steven Jones, a physics professor at BYU, says that the hijacked planes were merely a diversion, Muslims likely were not involved, and it was pre-positioned explosives that brought down the Twin Towers and 7 World Trade Center.
The power of speech has left me. Please read the article from the Deseret News for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
Friday, November 11, 2005
I have GOT to have one of these!
Forget the flying car. Cross off the food embossers. THIS is what I want for my next birthday! More photos here.
2008 Beijing Olympic mascots trigger acid flashbacks
The Beijing Olympic Committee unveiled the five mascots for the 2008 Summer Games today. They resemble Chinese Teletubbies and will be responsible for more stoner nightmares than Tammy Faye Bakker.
Another tech remember when?
Here's a 500 kb (yes, that's KILObyte) hard drive, circa 1975. It took "days" to format.
Compare that to the 20 GIGAbyte hard drive you have in your iPod.
Compare that to the 20 GIGAbyte hard drive you have in your iPod.
Dang it! I really thought this would work!
According to a study done at MIT (where apparently ANYTHING can get funded), aluminum foil hats do not block mind-control rays.
Crap! Now I gotta come up with Plan B. How about meat helmets?
Crap! Now I gotta come up with Plan B. How about meat helmets?
Microsoft news of the day
Microsoft has announced that Beta 1 of the new Office 12 suite will be available in 2 to 3 weeks.
Beta 1 is generally a very rough version of the product with many unfinished features and bugs to be expected. Beta 1 testers are a select group who have to apply for and be accepted to the program.
No official word yet on a more-widely available public Beta (which was Beta 2 for Office 2003), but one assumes that it will be available sometime in the spring.
Beta 1 is generally a very rough version of the product with many unfinished features and bugs to be expected. Beta 1 testers are a select group who have to apply for and be accepted to the program.
No official word yet on a more-widely available public Beta (which was Beta 2 for Office 2003), but one assumes that it will be available sometime in the spring.
More wildlife showing up in food products
A woman in Iowa found a turtle (deceased) in her bag of Folger's coffee. Refreshingly, she isn't going to sue.
Another football Friday
Another big, but not giant, football weekend awaits. On with the show:
Colleges
Kansas @ Texas - All the 'Horns need to do is keep winning. With the demise of Virginia Tech last week, I don't think blowouts are necessary for Texas to hang on to #2 in the BCS. Alabama and/or Miami would have to do something pretty spectacular to make up ground. So, Vince and Co should just take care of business, don't screw around, and don't get hurt.
USC @ Cal - Also not much to look forward to here. The Trojans should have no trouble with Cal. They also just want to take care of business and suffer no serious injuries.
A&M @ Oklahoma - Oh dear. Just when the Aggies REALLY need a win, they have to go on the road to face a resurgent Sooners team. Oklahoma seems to have hit bottom and is on the rebound. The Aggies are still not sure where bottom is. A long afternoon if your wardrobe contains a lot of maroon.
Florida @ South Carolina - In a slow weekend of Dixie football, this is probably the Redneck Game of the Week. Spurrier faces his old team, which makes for some interest. The number of pre-1985 American cars in the parking lot also holds some interest. At last check, the O/U on that was 10,000. I like the over. South Carolina is hot, but they're not a match for the Gators.
Colorado @ Iowa State - Texas will likely face the Buffalos in the Big 12 Championship, so it makes sense to start paying attention to them. Iowa State is cannon fodder, but Colorado is not exactly the 1995 Cornhuskers. I think Colorado wins, but not in a blowout.
Boston University vs. the immortal soul of Tom Ladka. I heard they turned Nickerson Field into a weekly craft fair. I hope I got that wrong.
Pros
Pats @ Miami - Oh my. When do things turn around for the Pats? Well, it could very well be this week. It needs to be, as the Pats have to win the division. The good news is that everyone else in the AFC East is a lot worse than New England.
Denver @ Oakland - Another great AFC West rivalry. The Raiders are far too inconsistent, but when they're on, they've got weapons. Still, Denver is one of the better running teams in the league, and Jake Plummer is having a career year (which is, I know, not saying much). Besides, the Raiders are an awfully tough team to like.
Washington @ Tampa Bay - I keep rooting for the Redskins to lose, and I think they would this week if anyone other than Chris Simms were playing QB for Tampa. Simms is one of those prototype QBs on paper, but lacks the intangibles to make him a legit NFL QB.
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh - Boy, am I glad I don't live in either of these places. Another banner week for "Desperate Housewives".
Cowboys @ Eagles - Will the Eagles take off without the battleship anchor called Terrell Owens around their necks? I think the answer will be some time in coming. At this point, they still have zero running game, their receivers are certainly not as talented without Owens, and McNabb is still hobbled, even if he is better. I know it's Philadelphia on Monday night, but I like the Cowboys' chances. This is assuming that Parcells doesn't turn into RC "There's Only 3 Things That Can Happen When You Throw The Ball, And 2 of Them Are Bad" Slocum on us again.
Comedic Value Game of the Week: Again, there are a bunch to choose from. My pick is SF @ Chicago. You can practically feel the life-force being drained out of everyone associated with this game.
Go (your team here)!
Colleges
Kansas @ Texas - All the 'Horns need to do is keep winning. With the demise of Virginia Tech last week, I don't think blowouts are necessary for Texas to hang on to #2 in the BCS. Alabama and/or Miami would have to do something pretty spectacular to make up ground. So, Vince and Co should just take care of business, don't screw around, and don't get hurt.
USC @ Cal - Also not much to look forward to here. The Trojans should have no trouble with Cal. They also just want to take care of business and suffer no serious injuries.
A&M @ Oklahoma - Oh dear. Just when the Aggies REALLY need a win, they have to go on the road to face a resurgent Sooners team. Oklahoma seems to have hit bottom and is on the rebound. The Aggies are still not sure where bottom is. A long afternoon if your wardrobe contains a lot of maroon.
Florida @ South Carolina - In a slow weekend of Dixie football, this is probably the Redneck Game of the Week. Spurrier faces his old team, which makes for some interest. The number of pre-1985 American cars in the parking lot also holds some interest. At last check, the O/U on that was 10,000. I like the over. South Carolina is hot, but they're not a match for the Gators.
Colorado @ Iowa State - Texas will likely face the Buffalos in the Big 12 Championship, so it makes sense to start paying attention to them. Iowa State is cannon fodder, but Colorado is not exactly the 1995 Cornhuskers. I think Colorado wins, but not in a blowout.
Boston University vs. the immortal soul of Tom Ladka. I heard they turned Nickerson Field into a weekly craft fair. I hope I got that wrong.
Pros
Pats @ Miami - Oh my. When do things turn around for the Pats? Well, it could very well be this week. It needs to be, as the Pats have to win the division. The good news is that everyone else in the AFC East is a lot worse than New England.
Denver @ Oakland - Another great AFC West rivalry. The Raiders are far too inconsistent, but when they're on, they've got weapons. Still, Denver is one of the better running teams in the league, and Jake Plummer is having a career year (which is, I know, not saying much). Besides, the Raiders are an awfully tough team to like.
Washington @ Tampa Bay - I keep rooting for the Redskins to lose, and I think they would this week if anyone other than Chris Simms were playing QB for Tampa. Simms is one of those prototype QBs on paper, but lacks the intangibles to make him a legit NFL QB.
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh - Boy, am I glad I don't live in either of these places. Another banner week for "Desperate Housewives".
Cowboys @ Eagles - Will the Eagles take off without the battleship anchor called Terrell Owens around their necks? I think the answer will be some time in coming. At this point, they still have zero running game, their receivers are certainly not as talented without Owens, and McNabb is still hobbled, even if he is better. I know it's Philadelphia on Monday night, but I like the Cowboys' chances. This is assuming that Parcells doesn't turn into RC "There's Only 3 Things That Can Happen When You Throw The Ball, And 2 of Them Are Bad" Slocum on us again.
Comedic Value Game of the Week: Again, there are a bunch to choose from. My pick is SF @ Chicago. You can practically feel the life-force being drained out of everyone associated with this game.
Go (your team here)!
Some Speilberg news
Ain't It Cool News has a bit of Speilberg news today. The high points for me:
- Indiana Jones 4 is not dead, but isn't progressing much, which sucks because the first three were among the best movies ever made and I can't wait for #4
- he's going to make a Jurassic Park 4, although I'm not sure why
- and he and Tom Hanks are working on another WWII miniseries, this time set in the Pacific, which should be greatness.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
A toasty winter, no fire required
According to StormTrack, pretty much half the country can expect a warmer-than-normal winter, while the other half could go either way.
I'm never sure what to make of predictions like this. I just hope we get enough hard freezes to thin out the spring bug population.
I'm never sure what to make of predictions like this. I just hope we get enough hard freezes to thin out the spring bug population.
PO'd commuters burn delayed trains
Commuters angry over service delays torched 26 railroad cars in South Africa.
Something tells me that this act did not improve service very much. However, it is a slightly stronger vote of dissatisfaction than your average customer survey.
Something tells me that this act did not improve service very much. However, it is a slightly stronger vote of dissatisfaction than your average customer survey.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Closer to alternative power...
Mazda has introduced a whole line of cars that run on alternative fuels or hybrid motors. We're getting closer, but it can't happen soon enough!
"Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World"
One of my all-time favorite comedians, Albert Brooks, has produced a documentary in which he goes to India and tries to figure out what makes Muslims laugh. There's no mention of God, the Qu'ran, or other religious subjects. He's just trying to find out what's funny to the average Muslim on the street.
This is genius.
Brooks has been responsible for some of the biggest laughs in my life. His bit on "Rewriting the National Anthem" on his first album has stayed with me since I first heard it late one night on Q102's "Comedy Hour" in 1975 or so. The Pavillion of Past Lives in Defending Your Life cracked me up so badly that my wife thought about leaving the theater.
Making a movie like this took some guts. According to the John Stossel article linked above, Brooks is having a hard time finding a distributor for the film. I hope he gets it out - Warner says they're going to do it and I hope that's right. I will be first in line to check it out if it ever hits the theaters.
This is genius.
Brooks has been responsible for some of the biggest laughs in my life. His bit on "Rewriting the National Anthem" on his first album has stayed with me since I first heard it late one night on Q102's "Comedy Hour" in 1975 or so. The Pavillion of Past Lives in Defending Your Life cracked me up so badly that my wife thought about leaving the theater.
Making a movie like this took some guts. According to the John Stossel article linked above, Brooks is having a hard time finding a distributor for the film. I hope he gets it out - Warner says they're going to do it and I hope that's right. I will be first in line to check it out if it ever hits the theaters.
China warns of possible terrorist attacks
The Chinese government has issued a warning that Islamic terrorists may be planning to attack luxury hotels in Beijing in the next week. This is interesting for a few reasons, among them:
1. Bush is scheduled to be in Beijing late next week.
2. China has announced "terrorist threats" in the past as a pretext for stomping on the minority Uighurs, who are Muslim.
So, as is the case with nearly everything that comes out of Beijing, it's hard to know what's really going on here.
This certainly MIGHT be credible, as the Chinese are no friends of Islamic extremists.
However, it could just as easily be made up to a) show the world that the Chinese are on board with the War on Terrorism, and/or b) excuse some additional human rights violations against the Uighurs in Xinjiang.
UPDATE: Huh? Now the Chinese deny having issued the warning in the first place. Beijing is the most confusing place on Earth.
1. Bush is scheduled to be in Beijing late next week.
2. China has announced "terrorist threats" in the past as a pretext for stomping on the minority Uighurs, who are Muslim.
So, as is the case with nearly everything that comes out of Beijing, it's hard to know what's really going on here.
This certainly MIGHT be credible, as the Chinese are no friends of Islamic extremists.
However, it could just as easily be made up to a) show the world that the Chinese are on board with the War on Terrorism, and/or b) excuse some additional human rights violations against the Uighurs in Xinjiang.
UPDATE: Huh? Now the Chinese deny having issued the warning in the first place. Beijing is the most confusing place on Earth.
Brutal list of recent A&M floundering
Sturm has a list (emailed to him - scroll down to the bottom of the post) of rather dubious accomplishments by the A&M football team since Dennis Franchione arrived. Some highlights from said list:
- 16-17 overall record
- 11 losses of 20 or more points
- Lost to every Big 12 team, except for KU/KSU, at least once
- Lost to every Big 12 team, except for KU/KSU/Baylor, by at least 20 points
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Rangers at least pursuing AJ Burnett
Encouraging news from Rangerland - new GM Jon Daniels was among the first to call AJ Burnett's agent. The Rangers seem to be serious players for Burnett's services.
Burnett should not be confused with Walter Johnson, but he's probably the best free agent pitcher out there this year. He's relatively young and has a career ERA under 4.00, which, these days, is about as good as it gets.
Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease...
Burnett should not be confused with Walter Johnson, but he's probably the best free agent pitcher out there this year. He's relatively young and has a career ERA under 4.00, which, these days, is about as good as it gets.
Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease...
Fitty Cent's movie - apparently better than I expected
In one of the bigger shocks of my life, Channel 8's movie critic, the great Gary Cogill, actually likes Get Rich or Die Tryin'. This movie, staring and about Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, was on my Bomb-of-the-Year Watch List, but Cogill says not so.
Based on Cogill's say-so, I will give this a try, but I'll probably wait until it hits Netflix or cable.
BTW - I've linked to Channel 8 and the Dallas Morning News sites a few times. Belo, which owns both of them, is one of the most egregious users of pop-ups and in-line ads that I've ever seen, and I suspect them of being the source for 50% of the spam email I receive. I encourage you to use BugMeNot to get into these sites, rather than registering yourself.
Based on Cogill's say-so, I will give this a try, but I'll probably wait until it hits Netflix or cable.
BTW - I've linked to Channel 8 and the Dallas Morning News sites a few times. Belo, which owns both of them, is one of the most egregious users of pop-ups and in-line ads that I've ever seen, and I suspect them of being the source for 50% of the spam email I receive. I encourage you to use BugMeNot to get into these sites, rather than registering yourself.
Ugueth Urbina arrested for attempted murder
Former Rangers' closer Uggie Urbina was arrested in his home country of Venezuela for going after a group of men with a machete. According to the BBC story, he and his cohorts also poured gasoline on the victims and tried to set them on fire.
Makes the Frankie Francisco chair-throwing incident seem rather pedestrian, doesn't it?
Makes the Frankie Francisco chair-throwing incident seem rather pedestrian, doesn't it?
Cowboys rant - I'm tired of Bill Parcells
While looking for coverage of Quincy Carter's bizarre conversation with Rhyner and Williams yesterday on The Ticket (none found yet), I stumbled across a couple of columns from Richie Whitt (formerly of the Startlegram, now writing for the Observer). Richie is seriously PO'd at Bill Parcells and has pulled no punches in letting us all know it. Read the columns here and here.
I'm on Richie's side regarding the Monstrous Tuna. Parcells rules this team and the Dallas media, such as it is, with an iron fist. Everyone from the assistant coaches to the writers are scared to death of him. No one gets to question anything he says or does. It makes no sense to me at all.
Parcells has never done a one-on-one interview since he's been in Dallas. No one gets any access at all. He holds a daily press conference which is a sure cure for insomnia and constipation. As Richie says, they are "circle jerks", with practically no tough questions asked, and the few that do get asked are ignored by His Massiveness.
An intrepid reporter trying to work up a unique angle is left trying to get a 15-second answer by tagging along with The Gargantuan One (along with a slew of other reporters) during a "walk-along" from the briefing room to his office. No wonder no one writes anything interesting about this team.
The assistant coaches are not allowed to speak to the media. This may be the craziest part of the whole deal. The Gigantic Tuna is the only "official" voice of the team. Oh sure, Jerry still talks, but no one has ever listened to him about football matters. Business, stadium, league, and other off-the-field subjects, yes, but never about what happens on the field. The players talk also, but they're all scared to death of Parcells, so their quotes come right out of the "Crash Davis Book of Cliches".
This is being tolerated by the public for two reasons:
1. Parcells' reputation as a "genius" and
2. The team is winning a little this year.
To give The Pear-Shaped One some credit: The move with Bledsoe has worked better than anyone (Parcells included) could have hoped. The draft class of 2005 (Spears, Ware, Canty, Barber, Petitti, etc) is looking like an all-timer. A couple of free agents (Aaron Glenn, Anthony Henry, and, of course, Bledsoe) are panning out. It's obviously not all bad news.
But comparing the Enormous Tuna to the last control freak who coached here, the Great, Spectacular, Hero-of-My-Youth Jimmy Johnson, helps illuminate just how insane Parcells really is. Jimmy was certifiable when he was here, but he was a superior judge of talent, a superior motivator, a superior game-day coach, a superior handler of assistant coaches, FAR more accessible to the media and fans, and on and on.
The Parcells schtick is wearing thin. A return to mediocrity, either in the second half of this season or in coming years (assuming he hangs out that long) will expose this situation for what it is. The emperor has no clothes.
I'm on Richie's side regarding the Monstrous Tuna. Parcells rules this team and the Dallas media, such as it is, with an iron fist. Everyone from the assistant coaches to the writers are scared to death of him. No one gets to question anything he says or does. It makes no sense to me at all.
Parcells has never done a one-on-one interview since he's been in Dallas. No one gets any access at all. He holds a daily press conference which is a sure cure for insomnia and constipation. As Richie says, they are "circle jerks", with practically no tough questions asked, and the few that do get asked are ignored by His Massiveness.
An intrepid reporter trying to work up a unique angle is left trying to get a 15-second answer by tagging along with The Gargantuan One (along with a slew of other reporters) during a "walk-along" from the briefing room to his office. No wonder no one writes anything interesting about this team.
The assistant coaches are not allowed to speak to the media. This may be the craziest part of the whole deal. The Gigantic Tuna is the only "official" voice of the team. Oh sure, Jerry still talks, but no one has ever listened to him about football matters. Business, stadium, league, and other off-the-field subjects, yes, but never about what happens on the field. The players talk also, but they're all scared to death of Parcells, so their quotes come right out of the "Crash Davis Book of Cliches".
This is being tolerated by the public for two reasons:
1. Parcells' reputation as a "genius" and
2. The team is winning a little this year.
To give The Pear-Shaped One some credit: The move with Bledsoe has worked better than anyone (Parcells included) could have hoped. The draft class of 2005 (Spears, Ware, Canty, Barber, Petitti, etc) is looking like an all-timer. A couple of free agents (Aaron Glenn, Anthony Henry, and, of course, Bledsoe) are panning out. It's obviously not all bad news.
But comparing the Enormous Tuna to the last control freak who coached here, the Great, Spectacular, Hero-of-My-Youth Jimmy Johnson, helps illuminate just how insane Parcells really is. Jimmy was certifiable when he was here, but he was a superior judge of talent, a superior motivator, a superior game-day coach, a superior handler of assistant coaches, FAR more accessible to the media and fans, and on and on.
The Parcells schtick is wearing thin. A return to mediocrity, either in the second half of this season or in coming years (assuming he hangs out that long) will expose this situation for what it is. The emperor has no clothes.
Methinks I detect the aroma of sour grapes
Listen, I'm a Pats fan, and I feel bad about last night's thrashing. But I think I detect a note of sore-loserness in this post on Cursed to First.
On the other hand, it would be a good idea to remember that Peyton and Co haven't won anything yet.
On the other hand, it would be a good idea to remember that Peyton and Co haven't won anything yet.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Is this good news?
The EU is set to start training the Palestinian police force. For the sake of everyone in the area, I sincerely hope the French will have very little involvement.
I think Bush was trying to tell you this in 2001
According to the BBC, meeting the Kyoto Protocol will reduce the growth of the European economy.
Not surprisingly, there's no mention of "I told you so" coming from the White House. There should be.
Not surprisingly, there's no mention of "I told you so" coming from the White House. There should be.
They're not criminals, they're just "communicating"
From Michelle Malkin today:
Today's Washington Post runs an apologist piece telling us that the thugs who are doing their darndest to burn down Paris are simply misunderstood youth. According to this piece (of tripe):
Rrriiiiight.
I've been staying away from this topic, other than one post early on, because it's getting a ton of coverage from people who know a hell of a lot more than I do. However, every so often, I run across something like this, that chaps my ass (sorry) so badly that I can't help myself.
I'm sure the people manipulating these thugs have got them fully brainwashed - "Your cause is just. You are taking the only course of action open to you. You are making the French listen to you", that sort of nonsense.
Well, sorry. No one owes you anything, folks. Just because the socialist French have been training you differently since the 60's (which is a subject for another rant in the next few days), you are the only ones who can help yourselves. Burning the friggin city is going to get you nowhere.
Today's Washington Post runs an apologist piece telling us that the thugs who are doing their darndest to burn down Paris are simply misunderstood youth. According to this piece (of tripe):
One of Rezzoug's "kids" -- the countless youths who use the sports
facilities he oversees -- is a husky, French-born 18-year-old whose parents
moved here from Ivory Coast. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, he'd just awakened and
ventured back onto the streets after a night of setting cars ablaze."We want to change the government," he said, a black baseball cap pulled low over large, chocolate-brown eyes and an ebony face. "There's no way of getting their
attention. The only way to communicate is by burning."
Rrriiiiight.
I've been staying away from this topic, other than one post early on, because it's getting a ton of coverage from people who know a hell of a lot more than I do. However, every so often, I run across something like this, that chaps my ass (sorry) so badly that I can't help myself.
I'm sure the people manipulating these thugs have got them fully brainwashed - "Your cause is just. You are taking the only course of action open to you. You are making the French listen to you", that sort of nonsense.
Well, sorry. No one owes you anything, folks. Just because the socialist French have been training you differently since the 60's (which is a subject for another rant in the next few days), you are the only ones who can help yourselves. Burning the friggin city is going to get you nowhere.
Australians say they foiled terror attack
Police in Sydney and Melbourne made arrests on Tuesday which they say have derailed a planned terrorist attack.
Among the arrested is an Algerian-Australian (they've got hyphens down under too) named Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who advocates "violent jihad". Lovely.
Also of note: The men arrested supposedly underwent military-style training at a rural camp northeast of Melbourne. That's almost like saying police in Dallas arrested a bunch of terrorists who were trained outside Ardmore, OK. Scary.
Among the arrested is an Algerian-Australian (they've got hyphens down under too) named Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who advocates "violent jihad". Lovely.
Also of note: The men arrested supposedly underwent military-style training at a rural camp northeast of Melbourne. That's almost like saying police in Dallas arrested a bunch of terrorists who were trained outside Ardmore, OK. Scary.
First half - Pats vs. Colts
The Lexus Halftime Show doesn't hold much allure tonight - I'm sick to death of Terrell Owens' bipolar nuttiness, and Tim McGraw is a bullet to the brainpan.
Instead, I have to comment on the first half, esp the seeming inability of the Pats' secondary to cover the Colts' receivers. I haven't seen that many guys wide open since the Second Annual Drunk-Stoned Touch Football Super Bowl at Boston University in 1985. I know the Pats are down to about 5th string in the secondary, but this is nuts.
I suspect they are changing out Corey Dillon's gloves for the new suction-cup model as I type.
The Colts offense has struggled in weeks past, but seems to be hitting on all cylinders right now. When they've got all the parts going, that is some kind of machine. I thought Peyton was going to have a stroke after Vrabel's interception, but he calmed right down and drove the team like the master he's supposed to be.
The Pats are going to need to get a few hits on Manning, cover the receivers closer, and get a few turnovers to get back into this one. Belichick's the master of the halftime adjustment, and he's going to have to pull out the change of the century this time. I think the second half will be a different story.
Go Pats!
UPDATE: Um, well... So much for that. The Colts really put the pedal to the metal in the 2nd half and completed the blowout. This was a big win for Peyton on many levels, not the least of which is Indianapolis now controls the tie-breaker with the Pats, virtually assuring them of not having to return to Foxborough in the playoffs.
As for the Pats, the wheels have been off most of the season. The good news is the rest of the AFC East sucks a lot worse than New England.
Instead, I have to comment on the first half, esp the seeming inability of the Pats' secondary to cover the Colts' receivers. I haven't seen that many guys wide open since the Second Annual Drunk-Stoned Touch Football Super Bowl at Boston University in 1985. I know the Pats are down to about 5th string in the secondary, but this is nuts.
I suspect they are changing out Corey Dillon's gloves for the new suction-cup model as I type.
The Colts offense has struggled in weeks past, but seems to be hitting on all cylinders right now. When they've got all the parts going, that is some kind of machine. I thought Peyton was going to have a stroke after Vrabel's interception, but he calmed right down and drove the team like the master he's supposed to be.
The Pats are going to need to get a few hits on Manning, cover the receivers closer, and get a few turnovers to get back into this one. Belichick's the master of the halftime adjustment, and he's going to have to pull out the change of the century this time. I think the second half will be a different story.
Go Pats!
UPDATE: Um, well... So much for that. The Colts really put the pedal to the metal in the 2nd half and completed the blowout. This was a big win for Peyton on many levels, not the least of which is Indianapolis now controls the tie-breaker with the Pats, virtually assuring them of not having to return to Foxborough in the playoffs.
As for the Pats, the wheels have been off most of the season. The good news is the rest of the AFC East sucks a lot worse than New England.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Monday is another big day for Microsoft
On Monday, Microsoft will officially launch the three products that make up the application platform of the future. Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, and BizTalk Server 2006 will be the underpins for everything that's coming next year.
Sorry for geeking out, but this is a biggie!
Sorry for geeking out, but this is a biggie!
Video from the Asian tsunami
Here's a collection of videos from the December 26, 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Some of these are quite unbelievable.
Send yourself an email 20 years from now
I just sent myself an email that will be delivered 10 years from today. I could have chosen 20 years from now, but that is just too far away.
Forbes.com is providing a free email time-capsule service. You can write your future self a note through the end of November.
You can select the email address you want the message delivered to. I think it makes sense to use a Web-based email account from one of the big boys - Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc, to give yourself the best odds of the provider still being there.
Type your message, choose when it's to be delivered to you, go through a couple of verification steps, and you're done.
Forbes seems pretty serious about making it work. I just think it'll be a hoot - I made sure I described the current family situation, the current political climate, the type of hardware and connection I'm using, a bit about what I'm doing at this exact moment, etc.
We'll see, in 10 years or so.
Forbes.com is providing a free email time-capsule service. You can write your future self a note through the end of November.
You can select the email address you want the message delivered to. I think it makes sense to use a Web-based email account from one of the big boys - Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc, to give yourself the best odds of the provider still being there.
Type your message, choose when it's to be delivered to you, go through a couple of verification steps, and you're done.
Forbes seems pretty serious about making it work. I just think it'll be a hoot - I made sure I described the current family situation, the current political climate, the type of hardware and connection I'm using, a bit about what I'm doing at this exact moment, etc.
We'll see, in 10 years or so.
Curse of "The Iceman"
A few days late for Halloween, but creepy nonetheless: People who have been in contact with the frozen remains of a Copper Age hunter are dying at a rapid clip.
Back in 1991, an amateur climber found the 5,200 year old remains of a Copper Age hunter frozen in glacier ice in the Austrian Alps. The remarkably well-preserved body, found with tools and weapons, was dubbed "Otzi the Iceman".
Since that time, many of the people who have come in contact with Otzi have died, including the guy who originally found him, the pathologist who examined the body prior to its removal from the glacier, the pathologists mountaineer guide, and several other team members.
Everyone in the scientific community is scoffing at the idea of a "Curse of The Iceman", but I'm not so sure...
Back in 1991, an amateur climber found the 5,200 year old remains of a Copper Age hunter frozen in glacier ice in the Austrian Alps. The remarkably well-preserved body, found with tools and weapons, was dubbed "Otzi the Iceman".
Since that time, many of the people who have come in contact with Otzi have died, including the guy who originally found him, the pathologist who examined the body prior to its removal from the glacier, the pathologists mountaineer guide, and several other team members.
Everyone in the scientific community is scoffing at the idea of a "Curse of The Iceman", but I'm not so sure...
Burmese government moves capital
I was shocked to see this one. I don't pretend to be "wired in" to events in Burma, but I do keep an eye out for news from there, and I hadn't heard a word.
The Burmese (Myanmar) government has apparently built a new capital on the road between Rangoon and Mandalay, at a little nothing place called Pyinmana. According to the BBC, the new capital has all the comforts of home in an easy-to-control little, out-of-the-way package. Golf courses, villas, airfields, all the important stuff. And no press, no international community, and no Aung San Suu Kyi.
It sure looks like the generals are settling in for the long haul. Not that anyone who follows this sad little country is surprised, but the "Roadmap to Democracy" seems to be on hold, no matter what Than Shwe says.
The Burmese (Myanmar) government has apparently built a new capital on the road between Rangoon and Mandalay, at a little nothing place called Pyinmana. According to the BBC, the new capital has all the comforts of home in an easy-to-control little, out-of-the-way package. Golf courses, villas, airfields, all the important stuff. And no press, no international community, and no Aung San Suu Kyi.
It sure looks like the generals are settling in for the long haul. Not that anyone who follows this sad little country is surprised, but the "Roadmap to Democracy" seems to be on hold, no matter what Than Shwe says.
"Sonic blaster" foils Somali pirates
In one of the stranger stories I've run across lately:
A super-luxury cruise ship repelled boarding by Somali pirates (just a quick sanity check - this IS 2005, right? Not 1721?) by hammering them with a "sonic blaster". This device, which I am adding to my gift list, sends out high-powered air vibrations which knock the attackers off their feet. It's the size of a satellite dish and will probably fit on the front bumper of my wife's Expedition nicely.
The waters off Somalia, home of anarchy since 1991, are among the most dangerous in the world. Pirate attacks are common and the only sort of "law-enforcement" available is an international naval task force, currently under the command of the French (snicker).
Will this become the new "adventure tourism"? Head for Somalia in an armed yacht?
Here is yet another instance of "What happens when the West doesn't have any strategic interests in a region". Like I keep saying - if we can come up with some alternatives to petroleum, we can let the Arabs rip themselves to shreds the same way.
I can't help but throw this in as well: For those of you who protest US involvement in places like Iraq and the Middle East, please take a look at Somalia, Zimbabwe, Burma, etc for examples of what happens when the US DOESN'T get involved. Not a very pretty picture, is it?
A super-luxury cruise ship repelled boarding by Somali pirates (just a quick sanity check - this IS 2005, right? Not 1721?) by hammering them with a "sonic blaster". This device, which I am adding to my gift list, sends out high-powered air vibrations which knock the attackers off their feet. It's the size of a satellite dish and will probably fit on the front bumper of my wife's Expedition nicely.
The waters off Somalia, home of anarchy since 1991, are among the most dangerous in the world. Pirate attacks are common and the only sort of "law-enforcement" available is an international naval task force, currently under the command of the French (snicker).
Will this become the new "adventure tourism"? Head for Somalia in an armed yacht?
Here is yet another instance of "What happens when the West doesn't have any strategic interests in a region". Like I keep saying - if we can come up with some alternatives to petroleum, we can let the Arabs rip themselves to shreds the same way.
I can't help but throw this in as well: For those of you who protest US involvement in places like Iraq and the Middle East, please take a look at Somalia, Zimbabwe, Burma, etc for examples of what happens when the US DOESN'T get involved. Not a very pretty picture, is it?
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Hokies let business take care of them
Well, the BCS is pretty clear now. Miami throttled VA Tech tonite, 27-7. Marcus Vick was TERRIBLE, and the Miami defense was stifling.
The BCS begins to sort itself out this week. Clearly, the top four will be:
1. USC (killing Stanford as I write)
2. Texas (destroyed Baylor)
3. Alabama (shut out Mississippi State - another defensive monster)
4. Miami
Number 5 and below take a bit more guessing. I suppose it will be Penn State at 5, it's only my deep apathy when it comes to the over-rated Joe Paterno that keeps me from completely accepting it.
Assuming USC and Texas take care of business the rest of the way, the Rose Bowl will be what we figured all season. I'm trying not to look forward too far, but, man, what a great matchup. Let's get past Thanksgiving, then we'll start the bowl previews.
The BCS begins to sort itself out this week. Clearly, the top four will be:
1. USC (killing Stanford as I write)
2. Texas (destroyed Baylor)
3. Alabama (shut out Mississippi State - another defensive monster)
4. Miami
Number 5 and below take a bit more guessing. I suppose it will be Penn State at 5, it's only my deep apathy when it comes to the over-rated Joe Paterno that keeps me from completely accepting it.
Assuming USC and Texas take care of business the rest of the way, the Rose Bowl will be what we figured all season. I'm trying not to look forward too far, but, man, what a great matchup. Let's get past Thanksgiving, then we'll start the bowl previews.
Texas takes care of business
The 'Horns absolutely demolished Baylor 62-0 earlier today. Ramonce Taylor, the running-back-converted-to-wide-receiver-converted-to-running-back, had a huge game, as did Vince and Jamaal Charles. They did everything they needed to do to hang on to #2 in the BCS.
Hokies-Hurricanes is still big, but Virginia Tech is going to have to turn in a similar performance to make any claim at moving up from #3. Doubtful, at best. Miami has the nation's #3 scoring defense.
ESPN-HD at 6:45, baby. Set those Tivos!
Hokies-Hurricanes is still big, but Virginia Tech is going to have to turn in a similar performance to make any claim at moving up from #3. Doubtful, at best. Miami has the nation's #3 scoring defense.
ESPN-HD at 6:45, baby. Set those Tivos!
Funny sports list
Here's a list of top 10 guys we love to see lose.
I agree with every one of them, except the poker guy whom I've never heard of. And, of course, I completely agree with Gay-Rod as #1.
I agree with every one of them, except the poker guy whom I've never heard of. And, of course, I completely agree with Gay-Rod as #1.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Rather extreme criminal justice
Oscar Goodman, the mayor of Las Vegas and not the guy from "The Six Million Dollar Man", suggests that people who deface highways with graffiti should lose a thumb. Live on TV.
Listen, I'm all for harsh penalties for criminals, but this is too crazy for words. I don't know that I'd support de-thumbing child molesters, much less dudes with spray paint cans.
Didn't Randall Flagg impose these sorts of punishments in Stephen King's classic "The Stand"? Wasn't that part set in Vegas also? I thought it sounded familiar. The mullahs in Iran might get behind this as well.
I'm a supporter of the "law and order" candidate more often that not, but this sort of story scares the you-know-what out of me.
Listen, I'm all for harsh penalties for criminals, but this is too crazy for words. I don't know that I'd support de-thumbing child molesters, much less dudes with spray paint cans.
Didn't Randall Flagg impose these sorts of punishments in Stephen King's classic "The Stand"? Wasn't that part set in Vegas also? I thought it sounded familiar. The mullahs in Iran might get behind this as well.
I'm a supporter of the "law and order" candidate more often that not, but this sort of story scares the you-know-what out of me.
Friday funnies
Kos occasionally comes up with some good stuff. Not often, but every once in a while.
My favorite:
My favorite:
"If Judge Alito is confirmed, there would be two sitting Supreme Court justices from New Jersey. Experts say this could cause a reversal in the famous case of Mullet vs. Backhair."
---Conan O'Brien
Football Friday is here again!
My goodness, the weeks just streak by, don't they? Let's get right to it:
Colleges
Texas @ Baylor - Baylor has improved mightily in the past three years. Not that it matters. The 'Horns will take them apart. There can be no first-half stumbles this week, no sign of weakness against an inferior team, because the Hokies are right on Texas' tail.
Miami @ VA Tech - The College Football Game of the Week without a doubt. Miami is getting six and a half, which surprises me a bit. However, the game is in Blacksburg and the Hokies are tough. Both teams play defense, so it probably won't be a shoot-out. If the Hokies are going to lose this year, this is the game. If they trounce the Hurricanes, there's every chance that they pass the Longhorns for #2 in the BCS and a spot in the Rose Bowl. BIG GAME! I think VA Tech wins, but Miami keeps it close and the BCS stays as-is.
Stanford @ USC - Stanford is getting 33 points, and it won't help them. Ouch.
Alabama @ Mississippi State - The much-anticipated Redneck Game of the Week will feature a few hundred Big Southern Dummies on the field, thousands more in the stands, and millions more on TV. Highlight of the afternoon will be the Big Southern Dummy pledge of allegiance, which includes only vowels. Alabama wins, by the way.
A&M @ Texas Tech - Coach Fran made the front page of Sports Day in the DMN today. That's rarely a good thing when you're team is 5-3 and getting teed up for a major ace-whuppin'. Fran's honeymoon is OVER, and the Aggies need to win some games to avoid an ugly situation.
Rice @ SMU - I figure at least 200 people will be in the stands for this one. Maybe as many as 300. But that's mostly because the weather forecast is really good.
Boston University vs the ghost of Craig Jensen - I was always nervous around Jens because you never knew when he was going to turn up naked. And given the fact that his johnson resembled a baby's arm holding an apple (thanks, Austin Powers), it was always a good idea to keep your distance.
Pros
Colts @ Pats - Finally, a Monday night game worth tuning in! Of course, I like the Pats. Not without reason, though. Manning does struggle in the big game. He's going to have to win a few to shake that monniker. Brady is not as flashy and doesn't put up the same numbers, but three Super Bowl rings sorta puts "case closed" on that argument.
Philadelphia @ Washington - And a good Sunday night game, too. Lucky us. TO called out McNab this week. He probably had a point, but why on Earth would you do that in the middle of the season? Philadelphia is self-destructing before our eyes, but I think they get it together enough to pound the hated Redskins.
Oakland @ KC - Always a war, regardless of how good or bad the teams are. My father-in-law will be glued, hoping against hope that the Raiders sort themselves out.
San Diego @ Jets - Oh good. Joe and Ace will watch this one together and cheer for opposing teams. Just like the good old days. I heard the Jets starting QB this week will be the ghost of Richard Todd. Maybe he'll be better than the living QBs the Jets have.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay - Is Chris Simms still the starting QB in Tampa Bay? He is? Well, this is simple, then, isn't it? Bet the farm, the 401k, your right kidney, and next month's child support on Carolina.
The Comedic Value Game of the Week: There are a bunch to choose from. This week I'll go with Detroit at Minnesota. This one may have the same sort of attendance as Rice @ SMU. I'm certainly less interested in the outcome of this one than I am in Rice @ SMU.
Go (insert your team here)!
Colleges
Texas @ Baylor - Baylor has improved mightily in the past three years. Not that it matters. The 'Horns will take them apart. There can be no first-half stumbles this week, no sign of weakness against an inferior team, because the Hokies are right on Texas' tail.
Miami @ VA Tech - The College Football Game of the Week without a doubt. Miami is getting six and a half, which surprises me a bit. However, the game is in Blacksburg and the Hokies are tough. Both teams play defense, so it probably won't be a shoot-out. If the Hokies are going to lose this year, this is the game. If they trounce the Hurricanes, there's every chance that they pass the Longhorns for #2 in the BCS and a spot in the Rose Bowl. BIG GAME! I think VA Tech wins, but Miami keeps it close and the BCS stays as-is.
Stanford @ USC - Stanford is getting 33 points, and it won't help them. Ouch.
Alabama @ Mississippi State - The much-anticipated Redneck Game of the Week will feature a few hundred Big Southern Dummies on the field, thousands more in the stands, and millions more on TV. Highlight of the afternoon will be the Big Southern Dummy pledge of allegiance, which includes only vowels. Alabama wins, by the way.
A&M @ Texas Tech - Coach Fran made the front page of Sports Day in the DMN today. That's rarely a good thing when you're team is 5-3 and getting teed up for a major ace-whuppin'. Fran's honeymoon is OVER, and the Aggies need to win some games to avoid an ugly situation.
Rice @ SMU - I figure at least 200 people will be in the stands for this one. Maybe as many as 300. But that's mostly because the weather forecast is really good.
Boston University vs the ghost of Craig Jensen - I was always nervous around Jens because you never knew when he was going to turn up naked. And given the fact that his johnson resembled a baby's arm holding an apple (thanks, Austin Powers), it was always a good idea to keep your distance.
Pros
Colts @ Pats - Finally, a Monday night game worth tuning in! Of course, I like the Pats. Not without reason, though. Manning does struggle in the big game. He's going to have to win a few to shake that monniker. Brady is not as flashy and doesn't put up the same numbers, but three Super Bowl rings sorta puts "case closed" on that argument.
Philadelphia @ Washington - And a good Sunday night game, too. Lucky us. TO called out McNab this week. He probably had a point, but why on Earth would you do that in the middle of the season? Philadelphia is self-destructing before our eyes, but I think they get it together enough to pound the hated Redskins.
Oakland @ KC - Always a war, regardless of how good or bad the teams are. My father-in-law will be glued, hoping against hope that the Raiders sort themselves out.
San Diego @ Jets - Oh good. Joe and Ace will watch this one together and cheer for opposing teams. Just like the good old days. I heard the Jets starting QB this week will be the ghost of Richard Todd. Maybe he'll be better than the living QBs the Jets have.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay - Is Chris Simms still the starting QB in Tampa Bay? He is? Well, this is simple, then, isn't it? Bet the farm, the 401k, your right kidney, and next month's child support on Carolina.
The Comedic Value Game of the Week: There are a bunch to choose from. This week I'll go with Detroit at Minnesota. This one may have the same sort of attendance as Rice @ SMU. I'm certainly less interested in the outcome of this one than I am in Rice @ SMU.
Go (insert your team here)!
HOV dummy
While we're on the subject of stupid acts and lawbreakers...
Kevin Morgan of Petaluma, CA (home of the world wrist-wrestling championship, by the way) was given a $351 ticket for driving in the HOV lane w/ a kickboxing dummy propped in the passenger seat. He had the dummy dressed in a Dolphins jacket and cap.
Would he have gotten away with it if the dummy was wearing a Raiders jacket instead?
Kevin Morgan of Petaluma, CA (home of the world wrist-wrestling championship, by the way) was given a $351 ticket for driving in the HOV lane w/ a kickboxing dummy propped in the passenger seat. He had the dummy dressed in a Dolphins jacket and cap.
Would he have gotten away with it if the dummy was wearing a Raiders jacket instead?
This would be funny if it wasn't so scary
How in the hell is THIS possible? A Death Row inmate, being held in a Harris County jail during his retrial (in which he is convicted again and sentenced to death again), changes clothes, produces a fake ID, and walks right out of the jail!!
For God's sake, Harris County is Houston. It's not West BFE, where the guards are each other's uncles and cousins at the same time.
Holy CRAP!!
With any luck at all, Charles Victor Thompson, murderer, white supremacist, and all-around scary-ass dude, will be picked up quickly and we'll all laugh about this on the Daily Show, SNL, and Dennis Miller. If he hurts or, God forbid, kills someone while out, there will be hell to pay. And rightly so.
UPDATE: Well, thank God! Thompson is, as of Sunday night, back in the clink. Looks like we got lucky.
For God's sake, Harris County is Houston. It's not West BFE, where the guards are each other's uncles and cousins at the same time.
Holy CRAP!!
With any luck at all, Charles Victor Thompson, murderer, white supremacist, and all-around scary-ass dude, will be picked up quickly and we'll all laugh about this on the Daily Show, SNL, and Dennis Miller. If he hurts or, God forbid, kills someone while out, there will be hell to pay. And rightly so.
UPDATE: Well, thank God! Thompson is, as of Sunday night, back in the clink. Looks like we got lucky.
Data security and you
Your US govt is apparently considering a bill that will reduce the amount of privacy you're entitled to while curtailing your rights to take action when your private information is leaked or stolen.
The Data Accountablity and Trust Act (DATA - you know some recent Ivy League grad came up with that nugget after his/her 4th Jolt cola late into an all-nighter in the Russell Building) will raise the "trigger" that forces the commercial data brokers like ChoicePoint and Lexus-Nexis to disclose data breaches.
This is a bad bill, and for once, it's a good thing that our Congress is distracted by other matters. Nothing is better than something here.
BTW, MSNBC's new "Red Tape Chronicles" blog is very promising. I like the idea of a really qualified guy, and Bob Sullivan is certainly that, dedicated to exposing fraud, bad laws, sloth-like bureaucracy, etc. Keep an eye on it.
The Data Accountablity and Trust Act (DATA - you know some recent Ivy League grad came up with that nugget after his/her 4th Jolt cola late into an all-nighter in the Russell Building) will raise the "trigger" that forces the commercial data brokers like ChoicePoint and Lexus-Nexis to disclose data breaches.
This is a bad bill, and for once, it's a good thing that our Congress is distracted by other matters. Nothing is better than something here.
BTW, MSNBC's new "Red Tape Chronicles" blog is very promising. I like the idea of a really qualified guy, and Bob Sullivan is certainly that, dedicated to exposing fraud, bad laws, sloth-like bureaucracy, etc. Keep an eye on it.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Buying electronics - big-box vs online
This probably isn't a surprise to anyone: Consumer Reports tells us that you're going to get a better deal buying electronics online than you will in a big-box retailer.
I don't think there's any doubt about that, if price is the sole deciding factor. Depending on the equipment you're buying, that may or may not be true. I have a few personal case-studies to illustrate the point.
Recently, I've bought a digital camera, a digital audio player (DAP), and a TV/home theater. The first two were purchased on Amazon, the TV/home theater was bought at Fry's Electronics (sorta like a super Best Buy).
For the camera and the DAP, these are relatively straightforward devices. Very little set-up, a small learning curve when it comes to usage, not very complex. In this case, price was my only differentiator between retailers.
In the case of the TV/home theater, a much more complex set of products, I made the decision to pay a bit more to deal with some humans in the purchase, delivery, and set up processes. I wish now that I had spent a bit more an gone to a smaller, more specialized retailer like Tweeter or Hillcrest High Fidelity. The reason: While Fry's did send a crew out to set up the equipment, they did an incomplete job. Since then, I've had Fry's out here twice more and I still have problems.
I'm in the market for a major home theater setup for my media room. This will represent a much larger investment than the starter set I bought for the family room. For this one, there's no way I will buy anything online OR from a big-box retailer. I'm going to make damn sure that the store I do buy from is there to support me past the initial installation. I'm willing to pay a premium for that kind of service.
I don't think there's any doubt about that, if price is the sole deciding factor. Depending on the equipment you're buying, that may or may not be true. I have a few personal case-studies to illustrate the point.
Recently, I've bought a digital camera, a digital audio player (DAP), and a TV/home theater. The first two were purchased on Amazon, the TV/home theater was bought at Fry's Electronics (sorta like a super Best Buy).
For the camera and the DAP, these are relatively straightforward devices. Very little set-up, a small learning curve when it comes to usage, not very complex. In this case, price was my only differentiator between retailers.
In the case of the TV/home theater, a much more complex set of products, I made the decision to pay a bit more to deal with some humans in the purchase, delivery, and set up processes. I wish now that I had spent a bit more an gone to a smaller, more specialized retailer like Tweeter or Hillcrest High Fidelity. The reason: While Fry's did send a crew out to set up the equipment, they did an incomplete job. Since then, I've had Fry's out here twice more and I still have problems.
I'm in the market for a major home theater setup for my media room. This will represent a much larger investment than the starter set I bought for the family room. For this one, there's no way I will buy anything online OR from a big-box retailer. I'm going to make damn sure that the store I do buy from is there to support me past the initial installation. I'm willing to pay a premium for that kind of service.
New England baseball fans on suicide watch
The despair in Boston over the Theo Epstein imbroglio continues to swell. Gov. Romney would be well advised to ban sharp objects for the next few weeks.
How not to make Dad proud
The son of the Miami police chief gets busted trying to buy 400 lbs of weed.
Four HUNDRED pounds! That's big even on the Nate Newton scale.
Four HUNDRED pounds! That's big even on the Nate Newton scale.
More genius
From Gizmodo today: The Whovel is one of those obvious things that, as soon as you look at it, you say to yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?"
NHL's Jacques Demers can't read
Former NHL head coach and GM Jacques Demers has announced (via his new book - no link available yet) that he is illiterate.
While not as stunning as coming out of the closet, this is a pretty heavy admission for an NHL tough guy. It's also astonishing that a guy who can't read or write could have the kind of success Demers has enjoyed. Makes you wonder what he would have been capable of had he been literate.
While not as stunning as coming out of the closet, this is a pretty heavy admission for an NHL tough guy. It's also astonishing that a guy who can't read or write could have the kind of success Demers has enjoyed. Makes you wonder what he would have been capable of had he been literate.
Seeking the Sturm Seal of Approval
I've submitted a bid to become an approved blog on Bob Sturm's blogroll. Apparently, I'm under review.
I've told Bob that I am willing to do some sort of mildly degrading blog or radio stunt if that will help speed things along. I don't know what that stunt might be. I'm open to suggestions. Please remember the modifier "MILDLY degrading" when submitting your ideas.
I've told Bob that I am willing to do some sort of mildly degrading blog or radio stunt if that will help speed things along. I don't know what that stunt might be. I'm open to suggestions. Please remember the modifier "MILDLY degrading" when submitting your ideas.
Glued to a toilet
This dude is suing Home Depot because he got glued to a potty in the store's restroom. Apparently, he's not blaming the store for the glue (put there by wacky pranksters), but he is blaming them for ignoring his cries for help.
I have a recurring dream that goes something like this.
UPDATE: Apparently, this isn't the first time Mr. Dougherty has been glued to a toilet. He wants $3 million this time. Very interesting.
I have a recurring dream that goes something like this.
UPDATE: Apparently, this isn't the first time Mr. Dougherty has been glued to a toilet. He wants $3 million this time. Very interesting.
Bugmenot.com goes bye-bye??
Bugmenot, friend of Internet surfers for the past few years, is not there at the moment. Instead, there's a Go Daddy search page and a notice that the domain name expired on 10/29.
Crap!!
The bugmenot service is a boon to anyone who surfs to sites that require registration. It allows you to bypass the entire registration process. This is a huge time- and privacy-saver for bloggers and general surfers.
Hopefully, bugmenot.com will be back shortly. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm going to do!
UPDATE: Bugmenot is back. Thank the good, sweet Lord.
Crap!!
The bugmenot service is a boon to anyone who surfs to sites that require registration. It allows you to bypass the entire registration process. This is a huge time- and privacy-saver for bloggers and general surfers.
Hopefully, bugmenot.com will be back shortly. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm going to do!
UPDATE: Bugmenot is back. Thank the good, sweet Lord.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Katrina's impact made worse by man
This is the last Katrina-related post ever on this blog. I promise. However, I can't let this go by without mentioning it.
An article on this week's NewScientist.com tells us that the man-made Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (a huge channel built to cut 50+ miles off the trip from the Gulf to the Port of New Orleans) funneled Katrina's storm surge right into St Bernard Parish and the Industrial Canal, thus amplifying the flooding in both areas significantly.
Further, an article on Bloomberg today indicates that "poor levee construction worsened Katrina flooding" in the city.
And, last but not least, an AP article reports that Katrina may have only been a Category 3 storm when it made landfall, instead of the Category 4 it had been reported to be at the time. This is bad news for New Orleans (but probably good news for plaintiff's attorneys) in that the New Orleans levee system was supposed to be able to withstand a Category 3 storm.
As mentioned here and in many other places, Katrina was nowhere near the "Doomsday Scenario" that New Orleans had long feared. The next time could be MUCH worse.
UPDATE: From BoingBoing - here are two articles that appeared in Mother Jones questioning why the Ninth Ward has not been rebuilt. Sorry, dudes. The delay is NOT due to a right-wing conspiracy or gentrification or any other hidden agenda. It's being delayed because Katrina was NOT the worst-case scenario, it will happen again, and next time it will be worse!!
God Almighty. THINK, people!!
An article on this week's NewScientist.com tells us that the man-made Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (a huge channel built to cut 50+ miles off the trip from the Gulf to the Port of New Orleans) funneled Katrina's storm surge right into St Bernard Parish and the Industrial Canal, thus amplifying the flooding in both areas significantly.
Further, an article on Bloomberg today indicates that "poor levee construction worsened Katrina flooding" in the city.
And, last but not least, an AP article reports that Katrina may have only been a Category 3 storm when it made landfall, instead of the Category 4 it had been reported to be at the time. This is bad news for New Orleans (but probably good news for plaintiff's attorneys) in that the New Orleans levee system was supposed to be able to withstand a Category 3 storm.
As mentioned here and in many other places, Katrina was nowhere near the "Doomsday Scenario" that New Orleans had long feared. The next time could be MUCH worse.
UPDATE: From BoingBoing - here are two articles that appeared in Mother Jones questioning why the Ninth Ward has not been rebuilt. Sorry, dudes. The delay is NOT due to a right-wing conspiracy or gentrification or any other hidden agenda. It's being delayed because Katrina was NOT the worst-case scenario, it will happen again, and next time it will be worse!!
God Almighty. THINK, people!!
The luckiest &%$# on Earth
Sunjay Devarajan gets pulled out of the AAC crowd by Bono on Saturday night to play "Angel of Harlem" with the U2 lads.
According to the article, he did OK musically, and capped it off by doing the Wayne's World "We're not worthy" bow to Bono. PERFECT, dude!
According to the article, he did OK musically, and capped it off by doing the Wayne's World "We're not worthy" bow to Bono. PERFECT, dude!
CIA's secret prisons
There's a big article in the Washington Post today regarding the CIA's secret prison system. This system is used to house a variety of terrorists captured around the world.
The upshot of the article is the debate within the CIA about the morality and legality of the system. There's an argument to be made for both sides.
I hope no one out there is surprised to learn:
1. That the CIA has a secret prison system for terrorists, or
2. That it is not terribly clear whether the system is legally or morally sound.
Let's think back for a moment to the weeks and months following Sept 11, 2001.
Following the attacks on WTC and the Pentagon, the US government and the overwhelming majority of the population were very clear on the identity of the enemy and the gravity of the threat the enemy posed to us. For the vast majority of us, it was a foregone conclusion that more strikes were on the way, and they would be at least as, if not more, horrific than those we'd already experienced.
This state of rage and fear produced one of the clearest mandates ever given to a US President. Bush had carte blanche to do almost anything he deemed necessary to take the fight to Al Qaeda. If anything, he UNDERestimated the support of the American people for operations in Afghanistan. Many more American troops could have been committed to that effort and they might have made a difference at Tora Bora late that fall. Bin Laden might not have escaped if he'd had to elude the 82nd Airborne, rather than the Northern Alliance.
Around that same time, major Al Qaeda figures started popping up in the custody of the Pakistanis and other nations. Abu Zubaydah, Ramzi Bin al-Shibh, and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (among others) were seized by a combination of luck and excellent police work. All disappeared from the face of the earth, reportedly turned over to the Americans and taken to "secret locations".
No one uttered a word about this. For myself, I remember thinking, "Those guys are headed for the CIA version of the Soviet-era Lubyanka." And rightly so, I thought at the time. And still do, by the way.
So now, here we are, four-plus years down the road. The American people, as they are wont to do, are beginning to second guess themselves. The expansion of the war into Iraq, agree with it or disagree with it, has taken longer and cost far more than the populace can enthusiastically support. The Bush Administration has not helped themselves very much - the case for war in Iraq was stretched at best, fabricated at worst; the plan for the aftermath of the war was insufficient; Bin Laden has been more elusive than anyone would have expected; etc.
Regardless of why, we are where we are. That does not mean we should forget why some of these things happened and the environment in which these decisions were made. If the facts in the WP article today had come to light in November 2001, they would not have warranted a huge WP article. We would have (almost) all said, "Good. Keep it up."
UPDATE: Interesting. An article on cnn.com today (Nov 8) tells us that Congress is investigating the source for the story referenced above. It may be that classified info was leaked. Hmmm. Stay tuned.
Formula 1 looks to NASCAR for inspiration
I've been an F1 fan since high school. I somehow got my hands on an F1 magazine when I was about 16, read an interview with the great Gilles Villeneuve, and was hooked from then on.
F1 barely registers on the US motorsports consciousness, but it's ENORMOUS just about everywhere else in the world. Part of the problem in the US is that there's about zero name recognition, driver-wise, and about the same brand recognition for the sponsors. All the drivers are tiny little Frenchies or Finns, and what's an ELF or Magneti Marelli?
Another part of the problem in the US market, and an increasing one everywhere else, is that there isn't all that much competition in F1. One or two teams tend to dominate the sport for an entire season or string of seasons. For the past 5 years, no one has been able to compete with Ferrari. This past year, McLaren and Renault won 18 of 19 races.
This lack of competition is partly team dominance, but it's also part car construction. The aerodynamics of F1 cars are such that the lead car has the advantage, and the following car has to be much superior to be able to pass. Compare this to NASCAR, where the following cars actually get a boost from "drafting" and are thus able to pass much more easily, and you see a big difference in the excitement level of the sports.
F1 is looking to change all that by introducing the split rear wing. This article from Wired explains the potential problems that will have to be overcome, not the least of which is less real estate to sell to sponsors. Regardless, I hope FIA mandates this, and returns some competition to the greatest motor racing series on earth.
F1 barely registers on the US motorsports consciousness, but it's ENORMOUS just about everywhere else in the world. Part of the problem in the US is that there's about zero name recognition, driver-wise, and about the same brand recognition for the sponsors. All the drivers are tiny little Frenchies or Finns, and what's an ELF or Magneti Marelli?
Another part of the problem in the US market, and an increasing one everywhere else, is that there isn't all that much competition in F1. One or two teams tend to dominate the sport for an entire season or string of seasons. For the past 5 years, no one has been able to compete with Ferrari. This past year, McLaren and Renault won 18 of 19 races.
This lack of competition is partly team dominance, but it's also part car construction. The aerodynamics of F1 cars are such that the lead car has the advantage, and the following car has to be much superior to be able to pass. Compare this to NASCAR, where the following cars actually get a boost from "drafting" and are thus able to pass much more easily, and you see a big difference in the excitement level of the sports.
F1 is looking to change all that by introducing the split rear wing. This article from Wired explains the potential problems that will have to be overcome, not the least of which is less real estate to sell to sponsors. Regardless, I hope FIA mandates this, and returns some competition to the greatest motor racing series on earth.
Art as camouflage in WWI
In an effort to confuse Uboats in WWI, Allied combatant and merchant ships were painted in a cubist-inspired camouflage known as "dazzle paint" or "razzle dazzle". I don't know how effective it was in its original purpose, but it's quite something to look at now.
Unfortunately, no color photographs of razzle dazzle ships exist, but there are some B&W, as well as some artist renderings here.
Your fun WWI fact for the day. Go take on the world!
Unfortunately, no color photographs of razzle dazzle ships exist, but there are some B&W, as well as some artist renderings here.
Your fun WWI fact for the day. Go take on the world!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Riots in the Paris burbs
In the 5th consecutive night of rioting, unrest in the predominantly Muslim burbs of Paris has spread to two neighboring towns.
The unrest originally resulted from the accidental deaths of two North African teens who believed they were being chased by the police. The police have said that they were not chasing the youths.
I'm trying really hard to avoid generalizations, so I think I'll stop right here.
UPDATE: Make that six consecutive nights of rioting.
UPDATE UPDATE: Here's something I did not know - apparently, this sort of thing has been going on, albeit in a smaller way, for some time.
The unrest originally resulted from the accidental deaths of two North African teens who believed they were being chased by the police. The police have said that they were not chasing the youths.
I'm trying really hard to avoid generalizations, so I think I'll stop right here.
UPDATE: Make that six consecutive nights of rioting.
UPDATE UPDATE: Here's something I did not know - apparently, this sort of thing has been going on, albeit in a smaller way, for some time.
Those kids today are as dumb as we ever were
A 19 year old Oxford student (I would have thought Oxford students were smarter than this, but then I remembered Bill Clinton attended there) was killed recently after being hurled more than 30 yards by medieval-style trebuchet catapult.
I can remember (or not) several late nights in college when this could have been on the entertainment agenda. It would have been right after metal trash-can tackling but just before fire-escape jumping.
Pictures of the trebuchet here.
I can remember (or not) several late nights in college when this could have been on the entertainment agenda. It would have been right after metal trash-can tackling but just before fire-escape jumping.
Pictures of the trebuchet here.
Crazy business story of the day
Some Chinese outfit that no one has ever heard of has filed paperwork to buy ExxonMobil for $70/share. This comes to $450 billion for the company.
The Chinese are hard-up for oil, and it's not out of the question that the Chinese government is behind King Win Laurel, the company making the offer. SEC rules require some verification of identity to even submit the offer, so it's probably not some nutball in his underwear.
Crazy, but perhaps worth watching.
UPDATE: This is looking more and more like a hoax.
The Chinese are hard-up for oil, and it's not out of the question that the Chinese government is behind King Win Laurel, the company making the offer. SEC rules require some verification of identity to even submit the offer, so it's probably not some nutball in his underwear.
Crazy, but perhaps worth watching.
UPDATE: This is looking more and more like a hoax.
Red Sox on self-destruct. Again.
Theo Epstein has left the GM post in Boston. This comes almost instantly after news that he had signed a new contract.
The reaction in Red Sox Nation is about what you'd expect. Fans seem to blame the club, the media, conspiracy between the two, everyone EXCEPT Epstein.
This makes you realize the extent of the perfect storm we saw in 2004. So many things that NEVER go right for the Red Sox magically fell into place during the championship year.
It appears that things are back to normal on Yawkey Way, and, if that's the case, it's likely to be another 86 years before another World Series win in the Fens.
UPDATE: The gnashing of teeth and rending of garmets only gets worse. The shock has worn off and the true feelings of Red Sox Nation are begining to spew all over.
UPDATE UPDATE: In case you're wondering how Red Sox Nation feels about Theo, and whether any of them blame him for this fiasco, check here.
The reaction in Red Sox Nation is about what you'd expect. Fans seem to blame the club, the media, conspiracy between the two, everyone EXCEPT Epstein.
This makes you realize the extent of the perfect storm we saw in 2004. So many things that NEVER go right for the Red Sox magically fell into place during the championship year.
It appears that things are back to normal on Yawkey Way, and, if that's the case, it's likely to be another 86 years before another World Series win in the Fens.
UPDATE: The gnashing of teeth and rending of garmets only gets worse. The shock has worn off and the true feelings of Red Sox Nation are begining to spew all over.
UPDATE UPDATE: In case you're wondering how Red Sox Nation feels about Theo, and whether any of them blame him for this fiasco, check here.
Airplane tension
Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) is blogging now, and his post this morning got me thinking a bit.
Adams was apparently on a plane yesterday, sitting next to a guy who figured the flight attendant's instructions to turn off electronic devices didn't really apply to him. He kept banging away on his Blackberry throughout the takeoff. Adams writes about struggling with his options - turn the guy in and suffer thru the tension of sitting next to a pissed-off high-powered executive for the rest of the flight, or ride it out and hope that the Blackberry didn't cause the plane to tumble uncontrollably from the sky.
He went with the latter.
I have sat next to High-Powered Executive Guy (and his relations, I'm More Important Than You Guy and The Rules Don't Apply To Me Guy) a few times on airplanes. What is it with these morons?
I don't really think a PDA or two-way pager is going to crash the plane, but when did rules become arbitrary?
Are these clowns just as cavalier with traffic laws? How about property laws? Do they say things like, "Bob, I know you just spent your life savings on your new dream Ferrari, but, you see, the laws don't really apply to me. So I'm just going to take it for myself."
This is why I am ADAMANTLY opposed to allowing cell phone use on airplanes. More Important Than You Guy will spend the entire flight talking way too loudly on his slick black RAZR about how Charlie has totally screwed up the Smithson account. No doubt he'll be jabbing me in the ribs as he tries to take notes with one hand, and he'll probably do the "Hey, buddy, can you help me out" bit at least once when he drops his pen under his seat.
I am a ride-it-out guy. I have way too many Larry David moments in my life as it is, so I try to avoid the "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-type confrontation when I can. Thus, of my own volition and bad luck, I spend too many flights wrestling between the merits of confrontation vs slamming into the side of a mountain.
No wonder I hate to fly.
Adams was apparently on a plane yesterday, sitting next to a guy who figured the flight attendant's instructions to turn off electronic devices didn't really apply to him. He kept banging away on his Blackberry throughout the takeoff. Adams writes about struggling with his options - turn the guy in and suffer thru the tension of sitting next to a pissed-off high-powered executive for the rest of the flight, or ride it out and hope that the Blackberry didn't cause the plane to tumble uncontrollably from the sky.
He went with the latter.
I have sat next to High-Powered Executive Guy (and his relations, I'm More Important Than You Guy and The Rules Don't Apply To Me Guy) a few times on airplanes. What is it with these morons?
I don't really think a PDA or two-way pager is going to crash the plane, but when did rules become arbitrary?
Are these clowns just as cavalier with traffic laws? How about property laws? Do they say things like, "Bob, I know you just spent your life savings on your new dream Ferrari, but, you see, the laws don't really apply to me. So I'm just going to take it for myself."
This is why I am ADAMANTLY opposed to allowing cell phone use on airplanes. More Important Than You Guy will spend the entire flight talking way too loudly on his slick black RAZR about how Charlie has totally screwed up the Smithson account. No doubt he'll be jabbing me in the ribs as he tries to take notes with one hand, and he'll probably do the "Hey, buddy, can you help me out" bit at least once when he drops his pen under his seat.
I am a ride-it-out guy. I have way too many Larry David moments in my life as it is, so I try to avoid the "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-type confrontation when I can. Thus, of my own volition and bad luck, I spend too many flights wrestling between the merits of confrontation vs slamming into the side of a mountain.
No wonder I hate to fly.
Monday, October 31, 2005
U2 concert reviews - now I'm really going to kill myself
Geeding calls it "one of the greatest moments of my life".
Christensen in the DMN calls it a "glowing" performance.
Mendoza in the DMN describes it as a "soaring wall of crystalline sound".
And what did I do instead of attending? Karoke. Pass me the service revolver.
Christensen in the DMN calls it a "glowing" performance.
Mendoza in the DMN describes it as a "soaring wall of crystalline sound".
And what did I do instead of attending? Karoke. Pass me the service revolver.
Not a bang, but with a whimper
Steve Case has left TimeWarner.
Back in 2000, this would have been HUGE news. As it is, I got it from BBC and it was sorta buried there.
AOL was the first online service to really hit it big. I first saw it in 1992 and I remember thinking, "This is the future." That was two or three years before I heard the words Internet or World-Wide-Web, and it's amazing how much AOL, even in those days, presaged the Web experience.
The AOL-TimeWarner merger was questioned from Day 1, and it's still not clear what the end result will be. It's pretty clearly a short- and medium-term failure, but the jury's still out on the long-term results. Can the AOL brand be saved and returned to glory? I don't see how it can, but then I'm not Richard Parsons. Thank goodness.
Regardless, if success is in the future for AOL or TimeWarner as a whole, it will be accomplished with the great Steve Case involved. An era is over.
Back in 2000, this would have been HUGE news. As it is, I got it from BBC and it was sorta buried there.
AOL was the first online service to really hit it big. I first saw it in 1992 and I remember thinking, "This is the future." That was two or three years before I heard the words Internet or World-Wide-Web, and it's amazing how much AOL, even in those days, presaged the Web experience.
The AOL-TimeWarner merger was questioned from Day 1, and it's still not clear what the end result will be. It's pretty clearly a short- and medium-term failure, but the jury's still out on the long-term results. Can the AOL brand be saved and returned to glory? I don't see how it can, but then I'm not Richard Parsons. Thank goodness.
Regardless, if success is in the future for AOL or TimeWarner as a whole, it will be accomplished with the great Steve Case involved. An era is over.
More info on oil sands
I wrote a bit about alternative energy sources a while ago. One of the topics I mentioned was oil sands, the closest deposit of which is the enormous site in Alberta.
Michael Fumento wrote a great introductory piece on oil sands for Tech Central Station. His article has links galore for the inquisitive mind. I encourage you to give it a read.
Michael Fumento wrote a great introductory piece on oil sands for Tech Central Station. His article has links galore for the inquisitive mind. I encourage you to give it a read.
American Girl imbroglio
My nearly-eight-year-old daughter has an American Girl doll, which has made her the envy of her friends and cousins. Pretty much every girl between 6 and 10 that I've run across either has one (or more) of these dolls, or wants one (or more).
From today's "Success Means Offending Someone" file, here's an MSNBC article informing us that a Catholic school in WI has cancelled a show by American Girl because of AG's support of a charity called Girls, Inc.
I have heard of Girls, Inc. before, and have only heard good things about it. So, imagine my surprise (not to mention shock, holier-than-thou indignation, and outright horror) at finding out the Girls, Inc. supports (gasp) abortion, and (double gasp) lesbians.
No wonder those righteous Catholics want nothing to do with American Girl.
From today's "Success Means Offending Someone" file, here's an MSNBC article informing us that a Catholic school in WI has cancelled a show by American Girl because of AG's support of a charity called Girls, Inc.
I have heard of Girls, Inc. before, and have only heard good things about it. So, imagine my surprise (not to mention shock, holier-than-thou indignation, and outright horror) at finding out the Girls, Inc. supports (gasp) abortion, and (double gasp) lesbians.
No wonder those righteous Catholics want nothing to do with American Girl.
Monday morning sports recap
A weekend like this past one makes me consider taking up gambling again. If you refer back to Friday's predictions, I was darn near 100%. Too scary. I need a bad week of prognosticating to return me to reality.
Regardless, it was a good sports weekend. A few observations:
1. Drew Bledsoe
I keep hearing that this guy can't keep it up. Haters from Buffalo and NE tell me that he has a history of starting fast and falling apart as the season progresses. We'll see. We may look back at the end of the year and see exactly that - a hot first half and a big cool down in the last 8 games. But, I don't see any signs of it yet. He had a bad game in Seattle, but bounced right back yesterday. I know it was Arizona, but a good game is a good game.
2. The tensest sidleline in the NFL
Parcells didn't punch anyone this week (at least, no one I saw), but he was screaming like a banshee. He got in Bledsoe's face at one point, but Bledsoe gave it right back to him. Man, talk about a difficult work environment. Imagine that in your workplace.
3. What is wrong with the Eagles?
What has happened to the NFC champs? Their defense is getting torched by Jake Plummer? I hate TO, but the guy's talent is impossible to deny.
4. Insane officials
What the hell was Mike Vrabel doing to get called for the craziest penalty ever? Joe, help me out on this one. I didn't see the game, but they were playing that call back on the radio this morning. If I got it right, Vrabel was called for an "unnatural act, not common to the game, in an effort to draw the offense offsides". Did he trot out a goat or some other barnyard animal? Perform a ritual sacrifice? I have never heard of anything like this before.
5. BCS
Does Texas lose #1 because they struggled in the first half against silly little Okie State? Or does Texas Tech's wipeout of Baylor improve the 'Horns strength-of-schedule to the point where they hold on? This crap is way too complicated for me. It's college football, for God's sake, not nuclear physics.
UPDATE: Well, there's one question answered. USC is back in the #1 spot. They deserve it - they're the national champs until someone knocks them off. Thankfully, Texas is still ahead of VA Tech, but the gap is narrowing. Orangebloods greatest fears are still hovering out there. Time to start rooting for everyone in the Big 12 to start winning games (except the games against Texas, of course).
6. Monday Night Bleagh!
The Steelers should mop the floor with Baltimore. I think the Raven's overall strategy is to bore the other team to death with their offense. At least I'll get to spend quality time w/ the kids on Halloween.
Happy trick-or-treating!
Regardless, it was a good sports weekend. A few observations:
1. Drew Bledsoe
I keep hearing that this guy can't keep it up. Haters from Buffalo and NE tell me that he has a history of starting fast and falling apart as the season progresses. We'll see. We may look back at the end of the year and see exactly that - a hot first half and a big cool down in the last 8 games. But, I don't see any signs of it yet. He had a bad game in Seattle, but bounced right back yesterday. I know it was Arizona, but a good game is a good game.
2. The tensest sidleline in the NFL
Parcells didn't punch anyone this week (at least, no one I saw), but he was screaming like a banshee. He got in Bledsoe's face at one point, but Bledsoe gave it right back to him. Man, talk about a difficult work environment. Imagine that in your workplace.
3. What is wrong with the Eagles?
What has happened to the NFC champs? Their defense is getting torched by Jake Plummer? I hate TO, but the guy's talent is impossible to deny.
4. Insane officials
What the hell was Mike Vrabel doing to get called for the craziest penalty ever? Joe, help me out on this one. I didn't see the game, but they were playing that call back on the radio this morning. If I got it right, Vrabel was called for an "unnatural act, not common to the game, in an effort to draw the offense offsides". Did he trot out a goat or some other barnyard animal? Perform a ritual sacrifice? I have never heard of anything like this before.
5. BCS
Does Texas lose #1 because they struggled in the first half against silly little Okie State? Or does Texas Tech's wipeout of Baylor improve the 'Horns strength-of-schedule to the point where they hold on? This crap is way too complicated for me. It's college football, for God's sake, not nuclear physics.
UPDATE: Well, there's one question answered. USC is back in the #1 spot. They deserve it - they're the national champs until someone knocks them off. Thankfully, Texas is still ahead of VA Tech, but the gap is narrowing. Orangebloods greatest fears are still hovering out there. Time to start rooting for everyone in the Big 12 to start winning games (except the games against Texas, of course).
6. Monday Night Bleagh!
The Steelers should mop the floor with Baltimore. I think the Raven's overall strategy is to bore the other team to death with their offense. At least I'll get to spend quality time w/ the kids on Halloween.
Happy trick-or-treating!
My weekend choices
We had a big opportunity on this weekend. U2 was at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night and both kids spent the night at my parents. However, we decided NOT to go see the world's greatest band. Instead, we went to a Halloween party thrown by some friends of Robynne's.
I don't want to talk about this too much. However, let me throw one algebraic calculation at you in hope that I summarize the evening succinctly:
I don't want to talk about this too much. However, let me throw one algebraic calculation at you in hope that I summarize the evening succinctly:
night w/ no kids - U2 + karoke = bullet in my brain
Friday, October 28, 2005
Time for a "sensible" gasoline boycott?
As you have probably read, the oil companies' profits are up in the stratosphere this quarter. While I'm not against anyone making money, these profits are sickening. ExxonMobil and the others are making a ton of cash, while the price of their product is having an overwhelmingly bad impact on our economy.
My friend Steve Sanderlin proposes a "sensible" boycott. Don't buy gas from ExxonMobil stations. Keep buying the other stuff (newspapers, coffee, Mars bars, etc) from the stations, so you don't clobber the small businessmen and women who run these stores, just stop buying your gas there.
I think it's worth a try. I have no better ideas.
My friend Steve Sanderlin proposes a "sensible" boycott. Don't buy gas from ExxonMobil stations. Keep buying the other stuff (newspapers, coffee, Mars bars, etc) from the stations, so you don't clobber the small businessmen and women who run these stores, just stop buying your gas there.
I think it's worth a try. I have no better ideas.
Fuel cell news
I LOVE THIS! The guy who invented the blue LED (apparently a big deal - who knew?) says he's created a prototype water-based fuel cell. While it's still very inefficient, it's a start.
Go, buddy, go!
Go, buddy, go!
Friday again? It must be time to talk football
We've got all kinds of excitement in the college world this week, and a few things to look forward to on Sunday as well. Let's get right to it, shall we?
Colleges
Texas @ OK State - For a change, I don't fear the letdown (which scares me, if that makes sense). Texas might have been prime for a lapse, except they are ranked #1 in the BCS this week. I think they'll be looking to show they're legit. The 'Horns are giving 37, which I think they cover easily.
Georgia @ Florida - The Redneck Game of the Week is also the College Football Game of the Week. At least they're honest - it's known as the the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party", although it's being played in Jacksonville. Don't look for any martinis or cosmopolitans in the stands (or parking lot) at this one - last time I checked, moonshine and tobacco juice counted as a mixed drink in Jacksonville. As for the game itself, Georgia is getting 4. Their QB is out and the backup struggled with Arkansas. I think the Gators roll here.
Oklahoma @ Nebraska - This one sure ain't what it once was. Switzer and Osborne, Rozier and Sims, Fryar and Watts, they'll all be in the stands asking the same question as the rest of us, "Who are these guys?" Oklahoma gets one point, but if Adrian Peterson isn't up to snuff, I like Nebraska.
Washington State @ USC - I think the Trojans are pissed about being bumped out of #1 in the BCS. I wouldn't want to be a Cougar this weekend.
North Texas @ LSU - The Mean Green is (are?) getting 44 points. Things are grim in Denton this year.
Boston University vs. the spirit of Kenny "Sauce" Bleskoski - I don't know for a fact that Sauce-man is dead, but I'd put a fair wager on it. Be on the lookout for a 6'2" guy with a 4 ft back.
Pros
Redskins @ Giants - Stormin' Norman Hitzges likes the Skins in this one. I respectfully disagree. I don't think the Redskins are nearly as good as their record would indicate. We'll see, but I like the Giants here.
Arizona @ Cowboys - Did you know that the Cardinals have had a whopping one winning season since moving to the desert? And that they've won one playoff game since WWII (of course, that one win was against the Cowboys)? The Cowboys are giving 9, and I think they cover easily. Caveat - If Parcells punches more than one assistant coach or player during the game, all bets are off.
Buffalo @ Pats - The Pats get the wheels back on starting this week.
Tampa Bay @ SF - The 49ers are SOOO bad. But, hang on, Chris Simms is starting at QB for the Bucs. If anyone is going to make Simms look like an All-Pro, it's probably SF. However, even the once-proud 49ers may not be bad enough for that daunting task.
Philadelphia @ Denver - Tough to call. We'll have to see what kind of shape McNabb is in. TO should have his hands full w/ Champ Bailey.
And a new feature this week - the Comedic Value Game of the Week. To inaugurate this now-weekly feature, we bring you two (count 'em two) candidates:
Cleveland @ Houston - Oh dear. I hear they're going to make the inmates at Guantanamo watch this in an effort to loosen tongues.
Miami @ New Orleans (sort of) - Haven't the people of LA suffered enough?
BTW - Jim mentioned hockey last week. I can't seem to find my interest in "My NHL" yet. Let's get thru football season, then we'll see.
Go (your team here)!
Colleges
Texas @ OK State - For a change, I don't fear the letdown (which scares me, if that makes sense). Texas might have been prime for a lapse, except they are ranked #1 in the BCS this week. I think they'll be looking to show they're legit. The 'Horns are giving 37, which I think they cover easily.
Georgia @ Florida - The Redneck Game of the Week is also the College Football Game of the Week. At least they're honest - it's known as the the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party", although it's being played in Jacksonville. Don't look for any martinis or cosmopolitans in the stands (or parking lot) at this one - last time I checked, moonshine and tobacco juice counted as a mixed drink in Jacksonville. As for the game itself, Georgia is getting 4. Their QB is out and the backup struggled with Arkansas. I think the Gators roll here.
Oklahoma @ Nebraska - This one sure ain't what it once was. Switzer and Osborne, Rozier and Sims, Fryar and Watts, they'll all be in the stands asking the same question as the rest of us, "Who are these guys?" Oklahoma gets one point, but if Adrian Peterson isn't up to snuff, I like Nebraska.
Washington State @ USC - I think the Trojans are pissed about being bumped out of #1 in the BCS. I wouldn't want to be a Cougar this weekend.
North Texas @ LSU - The Mean Green is (are?) getting 44 points. Things are grim in Denton this year.
Boston University vs. the spirit of Kenny "Sauce" Bleskoski - I don't know for a fact that Sauce-man is dead, but I'd put a fair wager on it. Be on the lookout for a 6'2" guy with a 4 ft back.
Pros
Redskins @ Giants - Stormin' Norman Hitzges likes the Skins in this one. I respectfully disagree. I don't think the Redskins are nearly as good as their record would indicate. We'll see, but I like the Giants here.
Arizona @ Cowboys - Did you know that the Cardinals have had a whopping one winning season since moving to the desert? And that they've won one playoff game since WWII (of course, that one win was against the Cowboys)? The Cowboys are giving 9, and I think they cover easily. Caveat - If Parcells punches more than one assistant coach or player during the game, all bets are off.
Buffalo @ Pats - The Pats get the wheels back on starting this week.
Tampa Bay @ SF - The 49ers are SOOO bad. But, hang on, Chris Simms is starting at QB for the Bucs. If anyone is going to make Simms look like an All-Pro, it's probably SF. However, even the once-proud 49ers may not be bad enough for that daunting task.
Philadelphia @ Denver - Tough to call. We'll have to see what kind of shape McNabb is in. TO should have his hands full w/ Champ Bailey.
And a new feature this week - the Comedic Value Game of the Week. To inaugurate this now-weekly feature, we bring you two (count 'em two) candidates:
Cleveland @ Houston - Oh dear. I hear they're going to make the inmates at Guantanamo watch this in an effort to loosen tongues.
Miami @ New Orleans (sort of) - Haven't the people of LA suffered enough?
BTW - Jim mentioned hockey last week. I can't seem to find my interest in "My NHL" yet. Let's get thru football season, then we'll see.
Go (your team here)!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Halloween is weird
This is probably not the reaction she was hoping for. Perhaps she should have pinned a sign to her clothing beforehand - "NOT a decoration".
BIG event in Microsoft-land
SQL Server 2005 has been released to manufacturing (along w/ several other major upgrades to existing Microsoft products).
While "Yukon" (as it's been called during development) has been coming for some time, this represents a HUGE step forward for Microsoft. All of their major server products, including my beloved Project Server, have been based on SQL Server 2000. While there have been a few service packs released over the years, the database product hasn't fundamentally changed in over 5 years, which is an eternity in the software biz.
We in the Microsoft partner community have seen most of the new SQL product, and it is a vast improvement. Look for lots of feature and functionality gains in most of Microsoft's enterprise products in the coming months as a result of this launch.
While "Yukon" (as it's been called during development) has been coming for some time, this represents a HUGE step forward for Microsoft. All of their major server products, including my beloved Project Server, have been based on SQL Server 2000. While there have been a few service packs released over the years, the database product hasn't fundamentally changed in over 5 years, which is an eternity in the software biz.
We in the Microsoft partner community have seen most of the new SQL product, and it is a vast improvement. Look for lots of feature and functionality gains in most of Microsoft's enterprise products in the coming months as a result of this launch.
Beta - Enough, already!
As of this morning, we now have TS Beta kicking up in the southern Caribbean. Honduras and Nicaragua are in the sights. No word on where it goes after that.
Enough is enough. We're ready to stop now.
UPDATE: As of Sunday morning, Nicaragua is set to get hit by the now-Cat 3 Hurricane Beta. I don't even know what's next. Gamma, I think. Stay tuned. This has been one hell of a tropical-weather season, and it's not officially over until the end of Nov.
Enough is enough. We're ready to stop now.
UPDATE: As of Sunday morning, Nicaragua is set to get hit by the now-Cat 3 Hurricane Beta. I don't even know what's next. Gamma, I think. Stay tuned. This has been one hell of a tropical-weather season, and it's not officially over until the end of Nov.
Another MSFT backer, but I said it first
Two Brad Feld items in two days. I am NOT sucking up. Really. I resent the inference.
Regardless, Brad is quite bullish on MSFT for 2006. As is a certain Project Management Consultant with a slightly smaller readership. And we agree on why it will be a good year in Redmond.
My quote was there first. Just pointing that out for the record.
Regardless, Brad is quite bullish on MSFT for 2006. As is a certain Project Management Consultant with a slightly smaller readership. And we agree on why it will be a good year in Redmond.
My quote was there first. Just pointing that out for the record.
If we still lived in Plano, we'd need these
Dear God, it's trendy pumpkins. Coming soon to a suburb near you.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Iranian President demonstrates why Iran holds a special place in my heart
Here are the Iranians, being as helpful as ever in the quest for world peace.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and says that a new wave of Palestinian attacks will destroy the Jewish state. Not satisfied with these inflammatory statements, he went on to threaten the leaders of Muslim nations that recognize Israel.
Following publication of Ahmadinejad's comments, Israel has stated that they view Iran as a "clear and present danger". In their position, wouldn't you?
The Brits, God bless 'em, have called in Iran's ambassador to express their disgust over the statements. In the diplomatic world, that's pretty harsh.
Don't forget that Iran is almost certainly working on a nuclear program.
Iran seemed to be coming out of it's 20+ years of Islamic fundamentalism not so long ago. Khatami (the former President) was seen as a reformer, and there was news of student uprisings against the mullahs. That, apparently, has been beaten into submission, or at least a lower profile.
Once again, I have to do the old "I told you so" bit regarding Iran's (and the rest of the Muslim world's) position of power on the world stage. If we could come up with viable alternatives to oil, we could tell these maniacs to go jump in the lake. As it is, they have a ton of money, and have the West by the proverbial short 'n' curlies. An unpleasant metaphor, perhaps, but the situation we're in vis-a-vis these lunatics ain't too savory either.
UPDATE: Tony Blair (I love that guy) has expressed "revulsion" at the Iranian President's comments. And it wasn't the ambassador who was read the Riot Act by the Brit govt, it was the charge d'affaires. Still, that's about as strong as it gets in the lace-panty world of diplomats.
UPDATE UPDATE: Blair expresses "revulsion", while Kofi Annan expresses mere "dismay". Meanwhile, the Iranians tell us we're "overreacting" in a deliberate attempt to smear Iran's reputation in the world. Insert your own comments.
TRIPLE UPDATE: Now there's word of "massive anti-Israel protests" in Iran. They're all state-organized. I wonder how they got the crowd: Free goats to all who attend?
And, while we're updating, here's a picture from the "The World Without Zionism" conference where Ahmadinejad made his momentous proclamation. My question - Why is the banner in English? Hoping for a bit of pub, are we? Well, you got it.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and says that a new wave of Palestinian attacks will destroy the Jewish state. Not satisfied with these inflammatory statements, he went on to threaten the leaders of Muslim nations that recognize Israel.
Following publication of Ahmadinejad's comments, Israel has stated that they view Iran as a "clear and present danger". In their position, wouldn't you?
The Brits, God bless 'em, have called in Iran's ambassador to express their disgust over the statements. In the diplomatic world, that's pretty harsh.
Don't forget that Iran is almost certainly working on a nuclear program.
Iran seemed to be coming out of it's 20+ years of Islamic fundamentalism not so long ago. Khatami (the former President) was seen as a reformer, and there was news of student uprisings against the mullahs. That, apparently, has been beaten into submission, or at least a lower profile.
Once again, I have to do the old "I told you so" bit regarding Iran's (and the rest of the Muslim world's) position of power on the world stage. If we could come up with viable alternatives to oil, we could tell these maniacs to go jump in the lake. As it is, they have a ton of money, and have the West by the proverbial short 'n' curlies. An unpleasant metaphor, perhaps, but the situation we're in vis-a-vis these lunatics ain't too savory either.
UPDATE: Tony Blair (I love that guy) has expressed "revulsion" at the Iranian President's comments. And it wasn't the ambassador who was read the Riot Act by the Brit govt, it was the charge d'affaires. Still, that's about as strong as it gets in the lace-panty world of diplomats.
UPDATE UPDATE: Blair expresses "revulsion", while Kofi Annan expresses mere "dismay". Meanwhile, the Iranians tell us we're "overreacting" in a deliberate attempt to smear Iran's reputation in the world. Insert your own comments.
TRIPLE UPDATE: Now there's word of "massive anti-Israel protests" in Iran. They're all state-organized. I wonder how they got the crowd: Free goats to all who attend?
And, while we're updating, here's a picture from the "The World Without Zionism" conference where Ahmadinejad made his momentous proclamation. My question - Why is the banner in English? Hoping for a bit of pub, are we? Well, you got it.
Severe tired-head alert!
I KNOW we have more important things to debate than this stupid brouhaha over the visitor's locker room in Iowa City.
The world's most intimidating men's room
Lifted from Brad Feld's blog: At least they're not animatronic...
Brad Feld, in case you've never heard of him, is an ultra-successful VC in the technology field. His is an opinion that is listened to.
This illustrates one of the really cool things about blogs. Guys like Brad, who most of us would never hear of, and those of us who did would never get an opportunity to talk with, has an easy and quick way to post his opinions in a very informal way, nearly a conversation. While not impossible BB (Before Blogs), it was a heck of a lot harder to do.
One other point - Brad is a Dallas guy. He and I sat next to each other in 7th grade Study Hall at good old Westwood Jr. High. I'm sure he wouldn't know me from Adam at this point, but it's a good story for me.
Brad Feld, in case you've never heard of him, is an ultra-successful VC in the technology field. His is an opinion that is listened to.
This illustrates one of the really cool things about blogs. Guys like Brad, who most of us would never hear of, and those of us who did would never get an opportunity to talk with, has an easy and quick way to post his opinions in a very informal way, nearly a conversation. While not impossible BB (Before Blogs), it was a heck of a lot harder to do.
One other point - Brad is a Dallas guy. He and I sat next to each other in 7th grade Study Hall at good old Westwood Jr. High. I'm sure he wouldn't know me from Adam at this point, but it's a good story for me.
Nice note from Dan McGraw
Dan McGraw, who wrote the piece in Ft. Worth Weekly regarding the real problem w/ the Rangers, wrote me a note after I professed ignorance as to his and his publication's identity. In case you were wondering (and, btw, I agree with Dan - I DO need to get out more):
1) Fort Worth Weekly is like the Dallas Observer. Y'know, an alt-weekly
that is often very lefty. But fun to write for, as they let me go most of the
time.
2) I wrote the cover piece for D Magazine "Is Tom Hicks Going Broke"
in 2002. The article asked the simple question of whether Hicks' business
failures in Hicks Muse were affecting his sports teams. I think the answer is
very clear now.
3) I worked as a senior editor for US News & World Report
for ten years, covering all sorts of fun things like Waco/Koresh, OKC/bombing
and Columbine. I now write books (novel coming out in a few months) and do some
sports and politics writing (kind of the same thing) for the FW
Weekly
Hope all is well, and I hope this answers you questions of
who I am and what the FW Weekly is. You should get out more.
Dan McGraw
Fort Worth
Scientist's view of the current sea-ice melt
Bryan Woods at StormTrack has posted an excellent overview and roundup of the scientific community's views on the melting of sea ice, which you've no doubt read about in the press lately.
His bottom line - there are some potential catastrophes looming out there, esp if the icecap in Greenland melts in a significant way, and prepare for a possible return of the Dust Bowl.
His bottom line - there are some potential catastrophes looming out there, esp if the icecap in Greenland melts in a significant way, and prepare for a possible return of the Dust Bowl.
The biggest thing to hit the blogosphere since fire
Pajamas Media is aiming to be THE hotspot in the blogosphere. Leading bloggers like Tim Blair, Mohammed and Omar, Kudlow, Michael Barone, and my hero Glenn Reynolds, have signed up to provide content for the new uber-blog.
Pajamas Media will launch the mega-blog under a new name starting Nov 16th. At that time, I will have a new goal in life.
Pajamas Media will launch the mega-blog under a new name starting Nov 16th. At that time, I will have a new goal in life.
Monday, October 24, 2005
A stroll down Amnesia Lane
Here's a classic picture, courtesy of my buddy Joe. This is me, Joe, Murph, and Ace, having a late breakfast in Charlie's Sandwich Shop (a South End landmark) circa about 1984.
I would kill for that hair again! I think Ace would too!
Thanks, Joseph! Send more if you've got 'em!
I would kill for that hair again! I think Ace would too!
Thanks, Joseph! Send more if you've got 'em!
Um, no thanks
I get nervous on the second step of a ladder, so I don't think I'll be checking out this newest addition to Grand Canyon National Park.
Texas #1 in new BCS!
Well, this is a surprise - Texas has edged USC out of first place in the newest BCS rankings.
One assumes that the lopsided win over #7 Tech did it for the computers. However, this is a double-edged sword, as the 'Horns don't have any ranked teams left on their schedule and the rest of the Big 12 is a sorry lot. USC has Cal (#24), Fresno State (#22), and UCLA (#8) left, while Va Tech has BC (#13) and Miami (#6) left.
There is definitely a scenario where Texas wins out and misses the Rose Bowl.
Stay tuned.
One assumes that the lopsided win over #7 Tech did it for the computers. However, this is a double-edged sword, as the 'Horns don't have any ranked teams left on their schedule and the rest of the Big 12 is a sorry lot. USC has Cal (#24), Fresno State (#22), and UCLA (#8) left, while Va Tech has BC (#13) and Miami (#6) left.
There is definitely a scenario where Texas wins out and misses the Rose Bowl.
Stay tuned.
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Great old Pontiac GTO Judge commercial
This commercial, featuring Paul Revere and The Raiders, is pretty cool. The tune is catchy as all-get-out and they boys are a hoot in full Revolutionary War get-up.
And the car, the Pontiac GTO Judge, ain't too shabby either.
And the car, the Pontiac GTO Judge, ain't too shabby either.
Mike Leach wants to be a pirate
Mike Leach, coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, apparently has a fascination with pirates.
Is this gay? They spend so much time talking about "pirate swords" that I sorta think it is.
Is this gay? They spend so much time talking about "pirate swords" that I sorta think it is.
Tornado car
Another dude with too much time on his hands: Steve Green wants to be the first maniac on earth to drive into a tornado, on purpose, and survive. And he's built himself a Tornado Attack Vehicle to do it.
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