I'm sorry blogging has been light lately, but it's the holidays and to top it all off, we're moving! Yep, time in Mankato is coming to a close as the Missus has landed a job at a bank in Iowa City and I have landed another gig at Wal-Mart in Coralville. It's not much, but we figured that such a move would get us out from under rent payments, give us some room to clean up our finances a bit with an eye towards maybe getting our own place by summer of '09- and since my 'rents still live in Iowa City, we're going to crash with them for awhile, which should be all kinds of interesting.
But more than that, I'm contemplating a major overhaul and redesign of the entire blog- maybe even leaving this one behind and starting a new one. It seems like a perfect time to do it- I mean, we're moving, we're getting new jobs and it's a New Year- big things are afoot. Why not start fresh? We got a digital video camera as a wedding gift, so I'm toying with the idea of creating more original programming, so to speak- and basically, I'd just like to take it up a notch somehow. But rest assured, if there's a move- I'll post it here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Dilbert Gets Fired
Dilbert is getting fired in January... I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Dilbert, but it's not often you see major character milestones of the funny pages make the newspaper- even it is the Des Moines Register.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hail to the Toker In Chief!
President-Elect Obama tokin' it up back in the day!
I like this for any number of reasons:
1. He's inhaling and exhaling. None of this 'I didn't inhale' bullshit- that should have alerted us to President Clinton's casual relationship with the truth and the definition of the word 'is' right there. Of course he inhaled. Everyone does- and if they don't it's a waste of weed and money and they shouldn't be trusted with my hard earned tax dollars- because I don't have a lot of 'em to go around at this point.
2. Plus, it's just refreshing. No hiding, no pissy, pathetic explanations. This guy went to college once, and like a lot of Americans, while he was there, he smoked what looked to be some very premo bud- if you can get anything from the pics. Finally- a President who is genuine and real. I like it.
3. I think it might be too much to hope for that someone stops this bullshit war on drugs- or at least the war on dope. But hope springs eternal.
I like this for any number of reasons:
1. He's inhaling and exhaling. None of this 'I didn't inhale' bullshit- that should have alerted us to President Clinton's casual relationship with the truth and the definition of the word 'is' right there. Of course he inhaled. Everyone does- and if they don't it's a waste of weed and money and they shouldn't be trusted with my hard earned tax dollars- because I don't have a lot of 'em to go around at this point.
2. Plus, it's just refreshing. No hiding, no pissy, pathetic explanations. This guy went to college once, and like a lot of Americans, while he was there, he smoked what looked to be some very premo bud- if you can get anything from the pics. Finally- a President who is genuine and real. I like it.
3. I think it might be too much to hope for that someone stops this bullshit war on drugs- or at least the war on dope. But hope springs eternal.
McCready Hospitalized
Country Singer Mindy McCready has been hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt. We wish her and her family all the best at this difficult time.
(The article, however, pisses me off a little for a number of reasons. So she hasn't really done anything since 1996- so what? Neither has Garth Brooks, really and you don't see him trying to off himself. Something else has to be going on here- that none of us know about- and I'm thinkin' its more than her career doldrums. I mean if you really wanted to kick your career in the keister, you'd cut an album, get a new manager, agent, change your sound- do something to change direction. This is something different- at least that what it seems like to me.)
(The article, however, pisses me off a little for a number of reasons. So she hasn't really done anything since 1996- so what? Neither has Garth Brooks, really and you don't see him trying to off himself. Something else has to be going on here- that none of us know about- and I'm thinkin' its more than her career doldrums. I mean if you really wanted to kick your career in the keister, you'd cut an album, get a new manager, agent, change your sound- do something to change direction. This is something different- at least that what it seems like to me.)
The Day the 'Puters Died
Majel Barrett Roddenberry, wife of Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry and a presence in every Star Trek franchise since she played Nurse Chapel in the original television series has died aged 76 of leukemia.
OK, this is how much of a total dork I am: Roddenberry played Captain Christopher Pike's original first officer on the unaired original pilot, 'The Cage'- she played Nurse Chapel (and then Dr. Chapel in the first movie) in the original show. She played Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but I believe she holds the record for most appearances in Star Trek of any type full stop because of her one, almost iconic role in the franchise: she was the voice of the computer- whether on Voyager, Deep Space Nine or the Enterprise, you pretty much hear her voice in every single episode of Star Trek every made in probably the past twenty years or so. And she was the voice of the computers in the new movie coming out next May.
The Enterprise computer has lost its voice.
OK, this is how much of a total dork I am: Roddenberry played Captain Christopher Pike's original first officer on the unaired original pilot, 'The Cage'- she played Nurse Chapel (and then Dr. Chapel in the first movie) in the original show. She played Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but I believe she holds the record for most appearances in Star Trek of any type full stop because of her one, almost iconic role in the franchise: she was the voice of the computer- whether on Voyager, Deep Space Nine or the Enterprise, you pretty much hear her voice in every single episode of Star Trek every made in probably the past twenty years or so. And she was the voice of the computers in the new movie coming out next May.
The Enterprise computer has lost its voice.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Early Christmas
...all right. I'm out for a weekend down in Iowa City with the fam to celebrate Christmas a little early. The Missus and I are getting the heck out of dodge ahead of the weather up here (snow, lots of it) and the weather down there (ice, lots of it- and then snow on top of that.)
Cornholing
New York is tightening its belt for the recession and it's not pretty. A major tax increase- and new taxes on everything from iPods to beer and movies, believe it or not. So I guess if the economy has you down in New York, going to the movie, getting a beer or jamming out to an iPod just got more expensive.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Why aren't people rioting in the streets? Probably because it's winter and people just want to keep warm. We'll see what happens in spring when they realize just how much the government has just cornholed them. To me, this is a gift from heaven for small-government Republicans- even libertarians. If the GOP is going to have a Civil War, then crap like this means advantage: libertarians and small government types.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Why aren't people rioting in the streets? Probably because it's winter and people just want to keep warm. We'll see what happens in spring when they realize just how much the government has just cornholed them. To me, this is a gift from heaven for small-government Republicans- even libertarians. If the GOP is going to have a Civil War, then crap like this means advantage: libertarians and small government types.
Blago Won't Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Not by a long shot. Impeachment proceedings are gathering pace- but the Illinois Supreme Court rejected an attempt by the state AG to have Blagojevich declared unfit for office. And the Governor: he wants to tell his side of the story- and thinks we should just all, in the words of Elvis- 'hang loose.'
Hmmm... I wonder what exactly Blago's story is going to be- he didn't mean to offer bribes for Obama's seat? Accidental bribery? Head injury? That should be interesting- and it seems like the Governor is pushing back hard against this impeachment push- and if he goes, he's going to go kicking and screaming.
Hmmm... I wonder what exactly Blago's story is going to be- he didn't mean to offer bribes for Obama's seat? Accidental bribery? Head injury? That should be interesting- and it seems like the Governor is pushing back hard against this impeachment push- and if he goes, he's going to go kicking and screaming.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Final Countdown!
The Minnesota Canvassing Board has started to review the challenged ballots in the MN Senate Race. We are, I hope, closer to actually discovering just who are next Senator is going to be. It is (I'm really sorry about the dash of 'Europe' above- I just couldn't resist that) the final countdown. Literally.
The Star Tribune site has Coleman up 264, but we're not done yet- but either way, it doesn't look good for Franken, at least not right now- and any way you slice it- the final margin of this race is going to be insanely tight. Which will hopefully inspire some sensible governance, whomever comes out on top in this thing.
Team GB Soccer?
They want to field a fully British soccer team for the 2012 London Olympics- and the idea is getting the thumbs up from FIFA and has been greeted with something less than enthusiasm by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Apparently, it's been 52 years since a fully British team has been fielded at the Olympics and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have concerns that this could impact their ability to field teams at the international level in the future.
I have to admit, it's always been a little odd that despite being one country, the United Kingdom plays separately in international tournaments. I think it's because 'England' won in 1966 and not Britain- and as a result, everybody has guarded their teams very carefully. This won't, I think, go over well or last beyond the 2012 Olympics, even if FIFA does shove it down the throats of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish.
I have to admit, it's always been a little odd that despite being one country, the United Kingdom plays separately in international tournaments. I think it's because 'England' won in 1966 and not Britain- and as a result, everybody has guarded their teams very carefully. This won't, I think, go over well or last beyond the 2012 Olympics, even if FIFA does shove it down the throats of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish.
'Party Launched for all South Africa'
Hehehehehe. A political party, not an actual party. But the headline made me smile- and this could be a good thing for South Africa. The ANC forced Thabo Mbeki out and there was a fairly spectacular split and in the end, I like this. The ANC had dominated the political scene since the fall of apartheid and a little competition cannot be a bad thing for democracy or for South Africa.
Conventional wisdom seems to indicate that the new party is in a position to give the ANC a run for its money- a good thing!
Good luck to the Congress of the People!
Conventional wisdom seems to indicate that the new party is in a position to give the ANC a run for its money- a good thing!
Good luck to the Congress of the People!
How Low Can You Go?
To 0.25% apparently. At least, that's what the Fed has slashed rates too- how much further they could drop is unclear, but stocks liked it. At least for today.
Vilsack to Ag
Tom Vilsack is going to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. This to me, makes sense- Vilsack was a solid governor and this is a choice that makes sense- after all, he was a Midwestern governor, where agriculture, you know, is somewhat important. Just a little bit.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek II set up the franchise pattern of odd movies sucking and even movies rocking, but honestly, re-watching these movies, I cannot find a lot of evidence to suggest that this pattern exists. Star Trek: The Motion Picture wasn't as bad as people think, being perhaps the only attempt the franchise made to make an honest, deeply artistic, genuine science fiction movie. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is probably the best effort of the Trek franchise to date as well as one of the best science fiction movies (and sequels) of all time.
Then, we come to Star Trek III: The Search for Spock more a Star Trek II: Part II, Trek III primarily suffers because it is pure continuation of the events described in Trek II. It makes watching this movie as a stand-alone movie next to impossible, despite the prologue at the beginning updating the viewers as to what has happened...
But to update: Spock is 'apparently' dead, Kirk and the Enterprise are reporting back to Earth to find that the Enterprise is due to be decommissioned and Dr. McCoy is apparently going insane. Lt. Saavik (now played by Robin Curtis) and Kirk's son David (played by Merrit Butrick) are exploring- and finding out interesting things on the newly created Genesis Planet. As a whole, the plot works- especially when Kirk and Company are forced to steal both Dr. McCoy and entire spaceship to set things right. The forces of good triumph in the end, but there's a cost.
And as usual, the bad guys are the old classic villains, the Klingons. Christopher Lloyd lends his scenery chewing abilities as Captain Kruge and he bounces off Captain Kirk quite nicely. Not as good of a foil as Khan was, but serviceable enough.
All in all, Star Trek III is a serviceable enough entry into the Trek franchise with very little in the way of criticism to be leveled against it. I think what bothered me the most is the inability of the franchise to kill a major character and let the other characters grow and change because of that. But it hadn't been done until Trek III- and because of it, it works- for Trek III. Why they'd want to do something similar for Star Trek: Nemesis is beyond me- and it killed that movie and underlined the point that Trek needed a reinvention badly. But as the odd numbered movies go, Star Trek III is amongst the least objectionable ones.
Then, we come to Star Trek III: The Search for Spock more a Star Trek II: Part II, Trek III primarily suffers because it is pure continuation of the events described in Trek II. It makes watching this movie as a stand-alone movie next to impossible, despite the prologue at the beginning updating the viewers as to what has happened...
But to update: Spock is 'apparently' dead, Kirk and the Enterprise are reporting back to Earth to find that the Enterprise is due to be decommissioned and Dr. McCoy is apparently going insane. Lt. Saavik (now played by Robin Curtis) and Kirk's son David (played by Merrit Butrick) are exploring- and finding out interesting things on the newly created Genesis Planet. As a whole, the plot works- especially when Kirk and Company are forced to steal both Dr. McCoy and entire spaceship to set things right. The forces of good triumph in the end, but there's a cost.
And as usual, the bad guys are the old classic villains, the Klingons. Christopher Lloyd lends his scenery chewing abilities as Captain Kruge and he bounces off Captain Kirk quite nicely. Not as good of a foil as Khan was, but serviceable enough.
All in all, Star Trek III is a serviceable enough entry into the Trek franchise with very little in the way of criticism to be leveled against it. I think what bothered me the most is the inability of the franchise to kill a major character and let the other characters grow and change because of that. But it hadn't been done until Trek III- and because of it, it works- for Trek III. Why they'd want to do something similar for Star Trek: Nemesis is beyond me- and it killed that movie and underlined the point that Trek needed a reinvention badly. But as the odd numbered movies go, Star Trek III is amongst the least objectionable ones.
Impeach Blago!
OK, so Governor Blagojevich has not resigned. Yet. The Illinois House is starting the impeachment process (a panel will look at the charges, make recommendations and they'll go from there.) Illinois AG Lisa Madigan has also asked the Illinois Supreme Court to remove Blagojevich, but she's not getting a lot of love from some legally minded bloggers out there...
The Blago Mess continues for another day.
The Blago Mess continues for another day.
Kennedy Wants It
It's official: rumors have become fact- Caroline Kennedy is officially throwing her hat into the ring for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.
I'm still not sure what to think about this- I think there are worse choices, but I dislike the fact that her last name and the family connection to the seat give her some sense of entitlement. I don't like this encroachment of dynastic politics in America-- there are enough problems with our political system to begin with without encouraging stuff like this.
But again, she's not a bad choice from what I can see. Her resume is a little thin, but that's not necessarily a black mark against her.
I'm still not sure what to think about this- I think there are worse choices, but I dislike the fact that her last name and the family connection to the seat give her some sense of entitlement. I don't like this encroachment of dynastic politics in America-- there are enough problems with our political system to begin with without encouraging stuff like this.
But again, she's not a bad choice from what I can see. Her resume is a little thin, but that's not necessarily a black mark against her.
Let's Get Some Shoes!
The whole shoe thing- if you didn't know, a reporter threw his shoes at President Bush- in Middle Eastern culture, downright insulting, but in our culture just plain weird and more than a little wacky.
The New York Times has apparently accorded this guy 'folk hero status' already, but to me, the unsung hero of this whole situation is the President. I mean, his reflexes were good. Who knew?
And I am so waiting for a remix of this:
The New York Times has apparently accorded this guy 'folk hero status' already, but to me, the unsung hero of this whole situation is the President. I mean, his reflexes were good. Who knew?
And I am so waiting for a remix of this:
Friday, December 12, 2008
Out for 24
I'm done for 24+ hours. Quick trip to Iowa City for a job interview (and hopefully more job interviews for flossier, better-paying jobs, hint hint to any prospective Iowa City based companies reading this) and then right back up to 'Kato town on Saturday for a par-tay!
I'm out kids. Enjoy your Friday.
I'm out kids. Enjoy your Friday.
It Ain't the Heisman...
...but I think he'll take it. Iowa RB Shon Greene took home the Doak Walker Award last night- the award given to the Nation's Best Running Back- he was the first Hawkeye ever to win the award. The Doak Walker caps off an incredible season for Greene and is just the latest in a string of post-season awards for the RB- including the Big Ten's Silver Football (Conference MVP) and a whole bunch of All-American recognition.
What's even more incredible is that about a year ago, he was working at a furniture store- forced to attend to the local Community College for a year to straighten out academic issues that forced him off the team for a year.
And now, he's winning the Doak Walker. Not a bad turnaround, all things considered.
The big question on the minds of every Hawkeye fan from here to Timbuktu is going to be this: will he go pro?
The general conventional wisdom I've seen says that it's a high probability, as NFL RBs have a short shelf life (shorter than QBs, anyway) but that said, this is a guy who's had to fight his way back into football after almost losing the thread entirely, so to speak. I think there's an argument that he might come back for one more year, lock things down, maybe take a run at the Heisman (not entirely out of the question if he has a season equal to or better than this one next year.) But either way, maybe you go pro when you're on top rather than run the risk of a lackluster season next year.
Who knows... we'll have to see. But congratulations to Mr. Greene, anyway!
What's even more incredible is that about a year ago, he was working at a furniture store- forced to attend to the local Community College for a year to straighten out academic issues that forced him off the team for a year.
And now, he's winning the Doak Walker. Not a bad turnaround, all things considered.
The big question on the minds of every Hawkeye fan from here to Timbuktu is going to be this: will he go pro?
The general conventional wisdom I've seen says that it's a high probability, as NFL RBs have a short shelf life (shorter than QBs, anyway) but that said, this is a guy who's had to fight his way back into football after almost losing the thread entirely, so to speak. I think there's an argument that he might come back for one more year, lock things down, maybe take a run at the Heisman (not entirely out of the question if he has a season equal to or better than this one next year.) But either way, maybe you go pro when you're on top rather than run the risk of a lackluster season next year.
Who knows... we'll have to see. But congratulations to Mr. Greene, anyway!
No School Like the Old School
The Old School got a little older this past couple of days:
Van Johnson died at 92- an actor in such movies as The Caine Mutiny and Brigadoon.
And pin-up queen Bettie Page died yesterday at 85.
Van Johnson died at 92- an actor in such movies as The Caine Mutiny and Brigadoon.
And pin-up queen Bettie Page died yesterday at 85.
Blago Going, Whether He Likes It Or Not
The boom is being lowered on embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich- the Illinois AG is following through on her threat to have him removed and went to the State Supreme Court today to ask them to declare him 'unfit to serve' and install the Lieutenant Governor- and bar him from appointing a replacement to President-Elect Obama's Senate seat.
Blago was meeting with a cavalcade of Ministers, ostensibly for prayer (he needs it) and is still reportedly claiming that he's going to be vindicated.
Jesse Jackson Jr. is still denying any involvement with any of this...
New White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel is also staying tight-lipped about this- the word is that he may have presented Blago with a 'list of acceptable Senate candidates' which, if it's true, probably doesn't look that good, but is probably OK. I would imagine if a Democratic Administration creates a vacancy in a state run by a Democratic Governor someone's going to write a memo saying 'hey, we like these people for the seat.' I don't think that's bad (illegal)- it's just horrifically bad timing.
And a plaintive plea for Mike Royko, bad-ass (and now sadly deceased) columnist.
Blago was meeting with a cavalcade of Ministers, ostensibly for prayer (he needs it) and is still reportedly claiming that he's going to be vindicated.
Jesse Jackson Jr. is still denying any involvement with any of this...
New White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel is also staying tight-lipped about this- the word is that he may have presented Blago with a 'list of acceptable Senate candidates' which, if it's true, probably doesn't look that good, but is probably OK. I would imagine if a Democratic Administration creates a vacancy in a state run by a Democratic Governor someone's going to write a memo saying 'hey, we like these people for the seat.' I don't think that's bad (illegal)- it's just horrifically bad timing.
And a plaintive plea for Mike Royko, bad-ass (and now sadly deceased) columnist.
First Blago, then Coleman?
The FBI is investigating allegations that a prominent Coleman supported funneled $75,000 to a prominent insurance company that employs Mrs. Coleman. This investigation combined with evidence that the Senator's financial troubles had him soliciting favors from backers smell a little funny to the authorities- and good government groups.
So is it true? It surfaced before the election, died down a bit during the initial wave of the recount and now it's popped back up again. Whether that's an indication that the sharks are swimming closer to Coleman or that the mainstream media (conservatives, please insert 'liberal, communist-loving, America-hating' or whatever tired epithet you prefer) is merely redirecting the story away from Governor Blagojevich's spectacular implosion, I don't know.
But either way: it's just another example of what's wrong with politicians in this country.
So is it true? It surfaced before the election, died down a bit during the initial wave of the recount and now it's popped back up again. Whether that's an indication that the sharks are swimming closer to Coleman or that the mainstream media (conservatives, please insert 'liberal, communist-loving, America-hating' or whatever tired epithet you prefer) is merely redirecting the story away from Governor Blagojevich's spectacular implosion, I don't know.
But either way: it's just another example of what's wrong with politicians in this country.
Advantage: Franken
Al Franken got a couple of boosts in the Senate Recount today- they're going to count the absentee ballots and the State Canvassing Board has determined to use election night results for that Minneapolis precinct that lost 133 votes after election night but before the recount.
Team Coleman responded to this by forcing the absentee ballot issue to the State Supreme Court so that a general standard for counting the ballots can be established before things get going. They being on the side of angels that they are, want to 'avoid a chaotic Florida situation.' But, either way you come down on this call, it does make sense to avoid chaos.
So some good news for Franken- he doesn't have it in the bag by any means, but he's not out of the running either.
Team Coleman responded to this by forcing the absentee ballot issue to the State Supreme Court so that a general standard for counting the ballots can be established before things get going. They being on the side of angels that they are, want to 'avoid a chaotic Florida situation.' But, either way you come down on this call, it does make sense to avoid chaos.
So some good news for Franken- he doesn't have it in the bag by any means, but he's not out of the running either.
Nasty!
So, some KFC employees decided to shut down their store one night and take a bath. In the kitchen sink- it is pretty nasty. And here are the details.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Art
...piece from the Cedar Rapids Gazette about how the University of Iowa saved its art collection.
The real question I have yet to see an answer too is where the Museum is going to end up going now that it can't go back down by the River. But with budget cuts and economic hard times looming, it's going to take a massive capital campaign to raise the funds to get new land and build a new building. Or figure something else out. I don't know- I'd like to see it come back.
The real question I have yet to see an answer too is where the Museum is going to end up going now that it can't go back down by the River. But with budget cuts and economic hard times looming, it's going to take a massive capital campaign to raise the funds to get new land and build a new building. Or figure something else out. I don't know- I'd like to see it come back.
Albert Lea Scandal
Residents of Albert Lea gathered to discuss the case of nursing home abuse that recently broke to nationwide scandal...
Musings on Che
Bemoaning Hollywood's obsession with Che Guevara from reason.tv- it's the usual screed, but to me, you can break it down thusly:
1. Che was an asshole.
2. Che was a killer.
3. Che wasn't that competent- his hippy-dippy utopianism was a total disaster for Cuba and got him bounced out of power, more or less.
So why the t-shirts? Why the love? Why the hero worship? People take one stand and say you shouldn't wear Che T-Shirts because it's essentially glorifying a communist killers- but let's consider this:
1. Che was a communist.
2. The fact that he is now an icon of capitalism is a perversion of pretty much everything he fought and stood for. So by wearing his t-shirt or watching movies about him or shit, even making movies about him, you are essentially perverting everything the man stood for and giving a big 'fuck you' to him and his ideals.
That still doesn't change the fact that was an asshole. But instead of 'your Che t-shirt is about a killer and therefore totally uncool' type of attitudes how about 'your Che t-shirt perverts everything he stood for and is really kind of like pissing all of his grave, congratulations to you' type of attitudes.
What I can't stand are the people that wear Che t-shirts out of some kind of weird political statement in support of him and his ideals. If you stop and think about it- by buying (and wearing) a t-shirt with his face on it, you're actually supporting the polar opposite of his ideals.
So congratulations, you might be kind of dumb.
1. Che was an asshole.
2. Che was a killer.
3. Che wasn't that competent- his hippy-dippy utopianism was a total disaster for Cuba and got him bounced out of power, more or less.
So why the t-shirts? Why the love? Why the hero worship? People take one stand and say you shouldn't wear Che T-Shirts because it's essentially glorifying a communist killers- but let's consider this:
1. Che was a communist.
2. The fact that he is now an icon of capitalism is a perversion of pretty much everything he fought and stood for. So by wearing his t-shirt or watching movies about him or shit, even making movies about him, you are essentially perverting everything the man stood for and giving a big 'fuck you' to him and his ideals.
That still doesn't change the fact that was an asshole. But instead of 'your Che t-shirt is about a killer and therefore totally uncool' type of attitudes how about 'your Che t-shirt perverts everything he stood for and is really kind of like pissing all of his grave, congratulations to you' type of attitudes.
What I can't stand are the people that wear Che t-shirts out of some kind of weird political statement in support of him and his ideals. If you stop and think about it- by buying (and wearing) a t-shirt with his face on it, you're actually supporting the polar opposite of his ideals.
So congratulations, you might be kind of dumb.
Wising Up
Iowa's Universities are moving towards addressing 'cyber-stalking' and hopefully going to get a sensible policy in place to help combat creepers that use the internet to stalk people/post nude photos of their ex online/generally be cyber-douchebags.
Excellent. This is going to be an increasingly big problem as time goes on, I think- and I'm glad Universities are becoming aware of it and more to the point, I'm glad people are becoming aware of it and being a little more careful about what they put online. But this problem will explode rapidly- especially when the current crop of high schoolers hits college. If what I run into is even the slightest indication of what's ahead, then people need policies now. Cyber-bullying is on the rise everywhere (even the media is aware of this) and I would say half the stuff I deal with at the high school involving girls usually has a component involving 'somebody talking shit on MySpace.'
So this is needed- for now and the future.
Excellent. This is going to be an increasingly big problem as time goes on, I think- and I'm glad Universities are becoming aware of it and more to the point, I'm glad people are becoming aware of it and being a little more careful about what they put online. But this problem will explode rapidly- especially when the current crop of high schoolers hits college. If what I run into is even the slightest indication of what's ahead, then people need policies now. Cyber-bullying is on the rise everywhere (even the media is aware of this) and I would say half the stuff I deal with at the high school involving girls usually has a component involving 'somebody talking shit on MySpace.'
So this is needed- for now and the future.
Traffic Calming Democracy
I smiled a bit when I read this article: the residents of the 4th Avenue/A Street Neighborhood in Iowa City have voted to remove the 'traffic calming devices' (or speed humps) that were placed along their streets to supposedly slow the traffic down- but failed to do so.
The area in question is near my parents house, so I'm well familiar with it, but the main problem there isn't traffic per say, but rather it's proximity to City High School. Kids will be kids, and will, (as it turns out) view such obstacles as a challenge and not slow down at all. Having lived in the area, I know darned well not to drive anywhere between the hours of 3 PM (when Hoover Elementary gets out) and about 4 PM (after all the traffic from City High has calmed down). They really need a traffic light at the intersection of Court and 4th. Or a wider street.
But I am glad to see that the City is being a bit more sensible about such measures these days. The article mentions the infamous 'chicanes' on Highland, which were actually a lot of fun- (it was like running a slolam in your car. And you wanted to do it as fast as possible) and they were, in retrospect dumb. (I voted for them to stay and actually wrote the Press-Citizen urging exactly that, if I recall.) Stop signs, as residents said, would have been far more effective. I'm just glad that the bottom half of Highland with the infamous 'dips' hasn't gone the way of the Lexington Dips (now closed to traffic entirely.)
The area in question is near my parents house, so I'm well familiar with it, but the main problem there isn't traffic per say, but rather it's proximity to City High School. Kids will be kids, and will, (as it turns out) view such obstacles as a challenge and not slow down at all. Having lived in the area, I know darned well not to drive anywhere between the hours of 3 PM (when Hoover Elementary gets out) and about 4 PM (after all the traffic from City High has calmed down). They really need a traffic light at the intersection of Court and 4th. Or a wider street.
But I am glad to see that the City is being a bit more sensible about such measures these days. The article mentions the infamous 'chicanes' on Highland, which were actually a lot of fun- (it was like running a slolam in your car. And you wanted to do it as fast as possible) and they were, in retrospect dumb. (I voted for them to stay and actually wrote the Press-Citizen urging exactly that, if I recall.) Stop signs, as residents said, would have been far more effective. I'm just glad that the bottom half of Highland with the infamous 'dips' hasn't gone the way of the Lexington Dips (now closed to traffic entirely.)
Strip Mall Bought
This is a piece of interesting news: the strip mall here in 'Kato that contains Buster's and Mankato Furniture Outlet has been bought by a developer for a hefty sum who plans to renovate it for an equally hefty sum.
This is a good move and I like it- whomever owns the Belle Mar Mall did a fantastic job turning that around- or at least sprucing it up and I think this is a good next step- but the real challenge is the big white elephant of Madison East. That needs a makeover in a big way- and maybe should be split up entirely and turned into an mini outlet mall/strip mall or something. I don't know- but that would be the third project to take on if you were a developer looking for a challenge.
This is a good move and I like it- whomever owns the Belle Mar Mall did a fantastic job turning that around- or at least sprucing it up and I think this is a good next step- but the real challenge is the big white elephant of Madison East. That needs a makeover in a big way- and maybe should be split up entirely and turned into an mini outlet mall/strip mall or something. I don't know- but that would be the third project to take on if you were a developer looking for a challenge.
Blago To Go
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is running out of options- the Illinois AG is threatening to go to the state supreme court to have him declared unfit for office, the state legislature is probably going to start moving towards impeachment- as well as drafting legislation to take away his power to appoint a Senator.
And, thus far: Blago won't go.
I don't know what this idiot is thinking. I certainly can't see any way out of this for him- I mean, he can't appoint a Senator (the Senate won't seat whomever he appoints- plus the legislature might want to strip him of that power entirely) so he's got nothing there. There's speculation he might be holding onto his office as a 'bargaining chip' he can use for leniency with prosecutors, but if their case is as solid as they seem to think it is, then all they have to do is wait for either the AG, State Supreme Court or State Legislature to throw this guy out and then charge him.
I can't see any winning scenario for the Governor in this. So why stay, other than arrogance or hubris? You got caught with all ten of your dirty little fingers in a very dirty pie. Own up, take the rap and good luck to you. You'll probably need it.
And, thus far: Blago won't go.
I don't know what this idiot is thinking. I certainly can't see any way out of this for him- I mean, he can't appoint a Senator (the Senate won't seat whomever he appoints- plus the legislature might want to strip him of that power entirely) so he's got nothing there. There's speculation he might be holding onto his office as a 'bargaining chip' he can use for leniency with prosecutors, but if their case is as solid as they seem to think it is, then all they have to do is wait for either the AG, State Supreme Court or State Legislature to throw this guy out and then charge him.
I can't see any winning scenario for the Governor in this. So why stay, other than arrogance or hubris? You got caught with all ten of your dirty little fingers in a very dirty pie. Own up, take the rap and good luck to you. You'll probably need it.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Out of Wool
Incredible news from the United Kingdom: Woolworth's is circling the drain. Woolies, as it's more informally known, is going down.
This is, wow... but if you spend time in the UK, you pick up on certain things almost immediately: Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer (Marks and Sparks) and Woolworth's are probably quintessential sights in any British town. (You can add Tesco and ASDA to that list as well.)
The closest American equivalent I can think of is Montgomery Ward. I remember, vaguely, when they went under and it was hailed as the end of an era, the kind of passing of a bygone age in American business. I mean when a store gets referenced in a song in 'The Music Man', then you know it's pretty iconic. And when that goes, it's kind of shocking and kind of sad.
But no more Woolies. Wow.
This is, wow... but if you spend time in the UK, you pick up on certain things almost immediately: Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer (Marks and Sparks) and Woolworth's are probably quintessential sights in any British town. (You can add Tesco and ASDA to that list as well.)
The closest American equivalent I can think of is Montgomery Ward. I remember, vaguely, when they went under and it was hailed as the end of an era, the kind of passing of a bygone age in American business. I mean when a store gets referenced in a song in 'The Music Man', then you know it's pretty iconic. And when that goes, it's kind of shocking and kind of sad.
But no more Woolies. Wow.
Auto Crash?
Someone might grow a backbone finally. It sounds like the GOP has found its cojones and might derail the auto bailout deal when it hits the Senate.
Again, I'm not indifferent to the situation. But President Elect Obama has a point- we need guarantees that the auto industry is going to change and not just piss away the billions of dollars they're going to get. At the same time, you can't put that many jobs at risk. The economy is going downhill fast- and if the Big 3- or any one of them go under, then we'll go from bad to worse in a big hurry.
The Missus comes from a family that is very auto-connected. Classic cars, car knowledge, things that go way beyond my brain- all of it she knows upside down, inside out just from watching cars get fixed when she was growing up. Her take:
1. Smaller cars.
2. More efficient cars.
3. And, if you drive an obscenely large car- you should have to qualify for a different permit and be able to prove that you have a need for that car. (I.E. Why do you need an SUV when you don't have a family of six?)
My take:
1. Where has the artistry gone? It's been running through my mind more and more, but I think it's true. There was an age, running through the 60s probably into the early 80s (not being a car buff, I don't know the particulars) where American cars were downright cool. The Dukes of Hazzard, Smokey and the Bandit- it was the age of the American muscle car, with Chargers, Mustangs, Trans-Ams, the whole she-bang. Those cars were cool. I'd want to buy those cars. It seems like the VW had an icon in the Bug, so it updated it. The Mini Cooper was an iconic car- and it was updated. Other, more successful car companies took those iconic, classic, cars and made them relevant in the modern age.
Now, to be fair, they've reissued the Charger and the Mustang and they're not bad looking. But that should be the norm! Quality, efficiency and artistry should be the order of the day. Somewhere, in the mid-90s, the American Auto Industry got stuck on SUVs and pick-up trucks and it's coming back to haunt them, perhaps fatally.
But this is a bad situation, I think. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Again, I'm not indifferent to the situation. But President Elect Obama has a point- we need guarantees that the auto industry is going to change and not just piss away the billions of dollars they're going to get. At the same time, you can't put that many jobs at risk. The economy is going downhill fast- and if the Big 3- or any one of them go under, then we'll go from bad to worse in a big hurry.
The Missus comes from a family that is very auto-connected. Classic cars, car knowledge, things that go way beyond my brain- all of it she knows upside down, inside out just from watching cars get fixed when she was growing up. Her take:
1. Smaller cars.
2. More efficient cars.
3. And, if you drive an obscenely large car- you should have to qualify for a different permit and be able to prove that you have a need for that car. (I.E. Why do you need an SUV when you don't have a family of six?)
My take:
1. Where has the artistry gone? It's been running through my mind more and more, but I think it's true. There was an age, running through the 60s probably into the early 80s (not being a car buff, I don't know the particulars) where American cars were downright cool. The Dukes of Hazzard, Smokey and the Bandit- it was the age of the American muscle car, with Chargers, Mustangs, Trans-Ams, the whole she-bang. Those cars were cool. I'd want to buy those cars. It seems like the VW had an icon in the Bug, so it updated it. The Mini Cooper was an iconic car- and it was updated. Other, more successful car companies took those iconic, classic, cars and made them relevant in the modern age.
Now, to be fair, they've reissued the Charger and the Mustang and they're not bad looking. But that should be the norm! Quality, efficiency and artistry should be the order of the day. Somewhere, in the mid-90s, the American Auto Industry got stuck on SUVs and pick-up trucks and it's coming back to haunt them, perhaps fatally.
But this is a bad situation, I think. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
No Cali Cows!
I hate these commercials. I resent them deeply. I am a Midwesterner and while I don't live in Wisconsin, I'm not a Cheesehead or a Packer-backer in any way, shape or form, I feel a deep regional solidarity and rage when these commercials come on.
California can keep its happy, hippy-dippy cows. Our cows make better milk and better cheese.
So suck it.
Where, I wonder are the commercials from the Wisconsin Dairy Association in response to this? Why do I have to see this crap on my television! I want my mother-effin CHEESE WARS!
California can keep its happy, hippy-dippy cows. Our cows make better milk and better cheese.
So suck it.
Where, I wonder are the commercials from the Wisconsin Dairy Association in response to this? Why do I have to see this crap on my television! I want my mother-effin CHEESE WARS!
Canadian Unions 1 , Wal-Mart 0
Workers at a Wal-Mart is Saskatchewan have finally (after five years or so) won the right to unionize- after years of legal wrangling and stall tactics on the part of Wal-Mart and two applications to the Supreme Court of Canada by Wal-Mart to overturn the process entirely. More Canadian Wal-Marts could follow.
I myself am somewhat conflicted on the idea of unions. I'm not against them per say, but rather I'm against big, ugly, overly nationalized unions that benefit union bosses rather than the workers they represent. Therein lies my main concern with the Employee Free Choice Act- it's not that I'm against making unionization easier- I just think that secret ballot elections should be absolutely mandatory for such organizing efforts- and no less an authority than George McGovern agrees with me. Some people have interpreted the EFCA as being a method for employees to get to that secret ballot election (and the NLRB mandated procedures that go with it) quicker and easier- but most of the interpretations I have seen seem to circumvent the question of organizing elections entirely- just to get more people in the union.
To me that smells a little funny. Like Union Bosses just want a bigger bat to swing- and that I'm not in favor of. Unions, when used properly can do fantastic things for workers, but unions, when they get big, ugly and out of control are entirely useless and do more damage to workers than help. (Part of this attitude I think stems from the fact that economic situation in Britain was so dire in the mid-80s my parents emigrated. I'm glad they did, but it was the socialism and unionization run amuck in the late 70s that drove Britain to the rocks and forced Thatcher to do fairly brutal things to the economy just to get something going again. Union types hate her, but I think there's plenty of blame to go around.)
Wal-Mart's stance on unionization has always struck me as a little ridiculous. Employees have to sit through a twenty minute video on what to do if a union organizer approaches you (run away is the general recommendation, I think) and their refusal to consider unionization is equally as ridiculous. In their defense, their corporate structure is supposedly more open than most companies their side. Associates of any level can exercise 'the open door policy' to talk to management whenever they want, whenever they have problems- and it's worth noting that the idea for people greeters came from a lowly associate and not from corporate HQ in Bentonville.
But here's the thing: just how open is the door? Sure they say you can 'walk through the open door' whenever you want- but can Wal-Mart workers really do that? Are the higher-ups really that responsive to the needs of their workers? Those are questions worth asking- and if you don't get a good answer, then Wal-Mart workers need another form of redress if management is not as responsive as it claims to be.
And here's a question: people jump and down on Wal-Mart's head, but what about McDonald's? No unions there either.
I myself am somewhat conflicted on the idea of unions. I'm not against them per say, but rather I'm against big, ugly, overly nationalized unions that benefit union bosses rather than the workers they represent. Therein lies my main concern with the Employee Free Choice Act- it's not that I'm against making unionization easier- I just think that secret ballot elections should be absolutely mandatory for such organizing efforts- and no less an authority than George McGovern agrees with me. Some people have interpreted the EFCA as being a method for employees to get to that secret ballot election (and the NLRB mandated procedures that go with it) quicker and easier- but most of the interpretations I have seen seem to circumvent the question of organizing elections entirely- just to get more people in the union.
To me that smells a little funny. Like Union Bosses just want a bigger bat to swing- and that I'm not in favor of. Unions, when used properly can do fantastic things for workers, but unions, when they get big, ugly and out of control are entirely useless and do more damage to workers than help. (Part of this attitude I think stems from the fact that economic situation in Britain was so dire in the mid-80s my parents emigrated. I'm glad they did, but it was the socialism and unionization run amuck in the late 70s that drove Britain to the rocks and forced Thatcher to do fairly brutal things to the economy just to get something going again. Union types hate her, but I think there's plenty of blame to go around.)
Wal-Mart's stance on unionization has always struck me as a little ridiculous. Employees have to sit through a twenty minute video on what to do if a union organizer approaches you (run away is the general recommendation, I think) and their refusal to consider unionization is equally as ridiculous. In their defense, their corporate structure is supposedly more open than most companies their side. Associates of any level can exercise 'the open door policy' to talk to management whenever they want, whenever they have problems- and it's worth noting that the idea for people greeters came from a lowly associate and not from corporate HQ in Bentonville.
But here's the thing: just how open is the door? Sure they say you can 'walk through the open door' whenever you want- but can Wal-Mart workers really do that? Are the higher-ups really that responsive to the needs of their workers? Those are questions worth asking- and if you don't get a good answer, then Wal-Mart workers need another form of redress if management is not as responsive as it claims to be.
And here's a question: people jump and down on Wal-Mart's head, but what about McDonald's? No unions there either.
Girl, Interrupted, Interrupted?
Book censoring usually makes me laugh. Usually some school district has banned Harry Potter or something equally as silly, but this school district is tearing pages out of 'Girl, Interrupted' due to its sexual context. The process is usually referred to as 'bowlderizing' Why? I don't know.
But tearing pages out of books is WRONG! Don't do it- treat your books with respect!
But tearing pages out of books is WRONG! Don't do it- treat your books with respect!
Blago Won't Go
Blagojevich is apparently ignoring calls to resign and is clinging to power. I really don't know how long he can do this for, as he's pretty much fucked. If he appoints someone to the Senate seat, then Reid and the Senate can block that person (they have the constitutional authority to refuse to seat members) and they might hold a special election and go around the Governor entirely- but apparently they don't want to do that, hoping that Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will take over soon and just appoint someone himself.
Only problem: Blagojevich has yet to leave.
The situation gets stickier by the hour. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats claims to be 'the clean ones' and their promises to end 'the culture of corruption' are worth about as much as a piece of soiled toilet paper at this point- as they've demonstrated that they too, are not free from the stench of Washington politics. (Plus, just as a bonus: the House Ethics Committee is expanding their probe of Congressman Charles Rangel, so expect that to break at some point.)
Oh and hey- in a nice bonus, Jesse Jackson Jr. has been revealed to be mysterious 'Candidate Number 5' apparently willing to pony up a nice bunch of cash in exchange for the Senate seat- but, it doesn't look like he's directly implicated.
Conservatives are gleefully gloating at the new taint that the scandal could attach to President-Elect Obama. Democrats are denouncing Blagojevich left and right, but the problem hasn't gone away: we need more than just action against one dude. We need house cleaning. Actually accountability would be nice. Higher standards would be nice. A whole new political class would be nice as well.
Only problem: Blagojevich has yet to leave.
The situation gets stickier by the hour. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats claims to be 'the clean ones' and their promises to end 'the culture of corruption' are worth about as much as a piece of soiled toilet paper at this point- as they've demonstrated that they too, are not free from the stench of Washington politics. (Plus, just as a bonus: the House Ethics Committee is expanding their probe of Congressman Charles Rangel, so expect that to break at some point.)
Oh and hey- in a nice bonus, Jesse Jackson Jr. has been revealed to be mysterious 'Candidate Number 5' apparently willing to pony up a nice bunch of cash in exchange for the Senate seat- but, it doesn't look like he's directly implicated.
Conservatives are gleefully gloating at the new taint that the scandal could attach to President-Elect Obama. Democrats are denouncing Blagojevich left and right, but the problem hasn't gone away: we need more than just action against one dude. We need house cleaning. Actually accountability would be nice. Higher standards would be nice. A whole new political class would be nice as well.
New In Town
So Renee Zellweger's new movie, 'New In Town' is actually set in New Ulm, which is about a half hour away from Mankato. Ironically, it didn't occur to Hollywood to actually film any of it in New Ulm, but they did it anyway. There's a piece in the Free Press today denouncing it as yet another tiresome portrayal of Minnesota as nothing more than a hot-dish eating, ice fishing, Sven and Ole Joke.
Interested in this, I watched the trailer to see for myself- and lo and behold, the typical regional cliches are there. Ice fishing, funny accents, hot dish, etc. But at the same time, we have to stop and consider: given the fact that this looks to be a middling movie destined for box office disaster- and almost sadly predictable, even from the trailer. (I'll put money on it right now: big city girl (Zellweger) gets sent to small town Minnesota where hunky man makes her see the virtues of small town leaving as well as sweeping her off her feet.)
There, I just saved you seven bucks. And hey, wait a minute- wasn't there another movie similar to this?
Either way, it just looks like another exercise in creative laziness from Hollywood. Is it then, any wonder that they're losing money hand over fist? I think this is a problem- there seems to be a dearth of movies that make me sit up and take notice anymore- no one wants to push creative boundaries- they only want to throw up nuggets like this one in the vain hope that they'll make some money.
I'm betting they won't- but see for yourselves nonetheless:
Interested in this, I watched the trailer to see for myself- and lo and behold, the typical regional cliches are there. Ice fishing, funny accents, hot dish, etc. But at the same time, we have to stop and consider: given the fact that this looks to be a middling movie destined for box office disaster- and almost sadly predictable, even from the trailer. (I'll put money on it right now: big city girl (Zellweger) gets sent to small town Minnesota where hunky man makes her see the virtues of small town leaving as well as sweeping her off her feet.)
There, I just saved you seven bucks. And hey, wait a minute- wasn't there another movie similar to this?
Either way, it just looks like another exercise in creative laziness from Hollywood. Is it then, any wonder that they're losing money hand over fist? I think this is a problem- there seems to be a dearth of movies that make me sit up and take notice anymore- no one wants to push creative boundaries- they only want to throw up nuggets like this one in the vain hope that they'll make some money.
I'm betting they won't- but see for yourselves nonetheless:
Blago Must Go
The Illinois Mess continues to expand- Democrats are unleashing a chorus of 'get the heck outta here' to Blagojevich- Reid doesn't want him to make the appointment, Obama wants him to resign. Everyone wants this guy gone- and fast.
This is just another example of the fatal systemic flaw that is becoming increasingly obvious to me as time goes by. When the chips are down, our system is paralyzed (witness the two tries it took to get a bailout passed) and our political class has become a separate entity in and of itself, playing by its own rules and regulations and living to enrich itself. And when a political class exists solely for its own enrichment and guards its turf, it's a fatal flaw that will eventually undermine the system.
The maddening thing though, is that the system is impossible to change. You have to play by the rules or you don't get anywhere and once you play by their rules, you become part of the system you wish to change. Unlike Greece, (see the last post) there's no cultural tradition of taking to the streets and demanding change. Not a flippin' thing we can do about it, in other words. We just have to wait until the cancer spreads far enough to be fatal and bring down the system. And by then, it'll be too late for the worst of our leaders, but it'll also be too late for the country as a whole.
And again, there's no method for house cleaning here. No one can say it, but we cannot even ask if, after two centuries, the system is even working anymore. The Constitution has no room for evolution in it- it has methods for changing it, but no honest-to-God way of actual systemic change. Which is what we might need.
So what to do? A Third Party? It'd be nice, but a long shot. Take to the hills? Yeah, and have people laugh at you. Or just sit there and watch the cancer spread further and further into the body politic- until- boom. Down it all falls.
Sadly, I think option 3 is probably the most likely option.
This is just another example of the fatal systemic flaw that is becoming increasingly obvious to me as time goes by. When the chips are down, our system is paralyzed (witness the two tries it took to get a bailout passed) and our political class has become a separate entity in and of itself, playing by its own rules and regulations and living to enrich itself. And when a political class exists solely for its own enrichment and guards its turf, it's a fatal flaw that will eventually undermine the system.
The maddening thing though, is that the system is impossible to change. You have to play by the rules or you don't get anywhere and once you play by their rules, you become part of the system you wish to change. Unlike Greece, (see the last post) there's no cultural tradition of taking to the streets and demanding change. Not a flippin' thing we can do about it, in other words. We just have to wait until the cancer spreads far enough to be fatal and bring down the system. And by then, it'll be too late for the worst of our leaders, but it'll also be too late for the country as a whole.
And again, there's no method for house cleaning here. No one can say it, but we cannot even ask if, after two centuries, the system is even working anymore. The Constitution has no room for evolution in it- it has methods for changing it, but no honest-to-God way of actual systemic change. Which is what we might need.
So what to do? A Third Party? It'd be nice, but a long shot. Take to the hills? Yeah, and have people laugh at you. Or just sit there and watch the cancer spread further and further into the body politic- until- boom. Down it all falls.
Sadly, I think option 3 is probably the most likely option.
Riots and Strikes and...
Greece goes from bad to worse- a general strike has been called AND more riots.
But finally- some context.
But finally- some context.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Ski Mask + Coffee Cup = Gun?
What?
Some motorist in Stillwater spotted a guy walking into the high school up there in a ski mask with an 'object' of some kind that apparently looked like a gun. Everyone sort of freaked.
How do you mistake a coffee cup for a gun? That's the really interesting question- and what crazy angle lets you do that?
Spare The Rod
Ironically, only yesterday, Governor Blagoevich was daring the Feds to wire-tap him, because he was totally clean- as a whistle. Newly arrested tonight, however, a different story is rapidly emerging:
Basically, he was looking to auction off the vacant Senate seat left by President-Elect Obama to the highest bidder. Um... well, it's Illinois- and Chicago politics and by extension, Illinois politics has always been famously corrupt- so surprising? Not entirely. Dumb? Yeah... I mean, why? He could have just appointed himself to the seat and been a Senator, if being Governor was so bad. But nooooo, he had to try and auction it off. Ooops.
This guy richly deserves what's coming to him, I think.
Basically, he was looking to auction off the vacant Senate seat left by President-Elect Obama to the highest bidder. Um... well, it's Illinois- and Chicago politics and by extension, Illinois politics has always been famously corrupt- so surprising? Not entirely. Dumb? Yeah... I mean, why? He could have just appointed himself to the seat and been a Senator, if being Governor was so bad. But nooooo, he had to try and auction it off. Ooops.
This guy richly deserves what's coming to him, I think.
Exit George?
T.R. Knight (George) apparently wants off 'Grey's Anatomy' and is reportedly going to get his wish. He's reportedly unhappy with his story line- and this season, who can blame him? He's kind of floating around like jello, a ruined mess following the idiocy of putting George and Izzie into a relationship- he's never really recovered from it.
Only person more pissed off that T.R. Knight: Katharine Heigel- who is currently having an on again-off again romance (including sex) with her dead fiancee.
Yep. Dead fiancee.
To me, the first two seasons of Grey's were awesome. The third season floundered a bit and the fourth season started out promising but it floundering a bit. I mean, there was so much hope at first- Meredith had stopped being incredible annoying, had finally figured it out with McDreamy. George and Izzie had broken up. Callie had decided to be lesbian. Things looked downright exciting for once.
Now, Callie's squeeze is gone. Apropos of pretty much nothing. George is floundering around. Izzie is sleeping and screwing a dead guy. And it's just all gone pear shaped.
Not so good- but there's hope for redemption.
Only person more pissed off that T.R. Knight: Katharine Heigel- who is currently having an on again-off again romance (including sex) with her dead fiancee.
Yep. Dead fiancee.
To me, the first two seasons of Grey's were awesome. The third season floundered a bit and the fourth season started out promising but it floundering a bit. I mean, there was so much hope at first- Meredith had stopped being incredible annoying, had finally figured it out with McDreamy. George and Izzie had broken up. Callie had decided to be lesbian. Things looked downright exciting for once.
Now, Callie's squeeze is gone. Apropos of pretty much nothing. George is floundering around. Izzie is sleeping and screwing a dead guy. And it's just all gone pear shaped.
Not so good- but there's hope for redemption.
Greek Riot
Something hardcore is going down in Greece. Rioting and protests continues after police shot and killed a 15 year old boy and doesn't show any signs of stopping and nor does their government show any signs of knowing just how to deal with this.
I don't know what happened or why it happened, but apparently, they're mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore.
I don't know what happened or why it happened, but apparently, they're mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore.
Extreme Makeover: Payments SUCK!
Ah-HA! The Missus wondered about this awhile back and I mentioned it on the blog and lo and behold, it seems that it is a question worth asking: those shiny new homes they build on 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'- how do people afford them?
Apparently, they don't- at least not in this case. Mortgage Payments for this couple (if it's the couple I'm thinking of- they were featured on the nauseating Ty Pennington special this past Sunday) and their family have doubled. Yep. DOUBLED. Plus they had medical debts on top of that- and that was before the renovation. And to top it all off, Husband Dearest might be on the verge of losing his job.
This is why I might be leery if Pennington and company came calling. It's not that I wouldn't be thrilled at the opportunity- (especially if we had special needs children or some other dire need for improved housing) it's just that, on face value, on the show, people just say 'OK. Build us a new house!' They don't stop and ask: 'Hey, Ty- are you gonna help with the mortgage payments?'
Do they deserve some help? Sure- but the show should also take the subprime crisis into account when they start building shiny new things. I mean if your house is falling apart to begin with, are you really going to be in a position to handle a shiny new one, financially speaking?
(Oh and P.S.: It is bullshit that medical insurance doesn't cover their son's autism. That's a crappy deal- more reasons why we need to dismember the health care industry.)
Apparently, they don't- at least not in this case. Mortgage Payments for this couple (if it's the couple I'm thinking of- they were featured on the nauseating Ty Pennington special this past Sunday) and their family have doubled. Yep. DOUBLED. Plus they had medical debts on top of that- and that was before the renovation. And to top it all off, Husband Dearest might be on the verge of losing his job.
This is why I might be leery if Pennington and company came calling. It's not that I wouldn't be thrilled at the opportunity- (especially if we had special needs children or some other dire need for improved housing) it's just that, on face value, on the show, people just say 'OK. Build us a new house!' They don't stop and ask: 'Hey, Ty- are you gonna help with the mortgage payments?'
Do they deserve some help? Sure- but the show should also take the subprime crisis into account when they start building shiny new things. I mean if your house is falling apart to begin with, are you really going to be in a position to handle a shiny new one, financially speaking?
(Oh and P.S.: It is bullshit that medical insurance doesn't cover their son's autism. That's a crappy deal- more reasons why we need to dismember the health care industry.)
Bait and Switch
The much bally-hooed succession plan that NBC so carefully worked out for the Tonight Show has pretty much just gone down the tubes. I mean, Leno isn't staying on- but they're just moving him to his own shiny new show an hour earlier.
Hmmm... well if was Conan, I might be a little pissed by this. But he still gets The Tonight Show- but it seems like no matter what he does, he'll always be on AFTER Leno. Kind of rage inducing, isn't it? And anyway- they picked Jimmy Fallon of all people to succeed Conan. Talk about uninspired- I'm telling you- get Chelsea Handler off cable and onto Network TV. It'd be a ratings smash.
Hmmm... well if was Conan, I might be a little pissed by this. But he still gets The Tonight Show- but it seems like no matter what he does, he'll always be on AFTER Leno. Kind of rage inducing, isn't it? And anyway- they picked Jimmy Fallon of all people to succeed Conan. Talk about uninspired- I'm telling you- get Chelsea Handler off cable and onto Network TV. It'd be a ratings smash.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Torture
...so some twisted genius at the high school I work at (Mankato West) decided that, in spirit of the holidays they would try and raise $100 for The Giving Tree. And they decided that to motivate fundraising, they would play Hanson's 'Mmmm-Bop' during every single passing time between classes until their goal was met.
Let me repeat that: every. single. passing. time. I heard that song more times today than in the past ten years. I thought I was free of it in about 1999, but no, apparently, we're never going to be safe from Hanson EVER AGAIN.
It could be worse. I heard suggestions for the Macarena or 'It's A Small World' but in the spirit of the holidays, I decided that if I have to listen to this damnable earworm of a song, then you do too.
Enjoy:
Let me repeat that: every. single. passing. time. I heard that song more times today than in the past ten years. I thought I was free of it in about 1999, but no, apparently, we're never going to be safe from Hanson EVER AGAIN.
It could be worse. I heard suggestions for the Macarena or 'It's A Small World' but in the spirit of the holidays, I decided that if I have to listen to this damnable earworm of a song, then you do too.
Enjoy:
Can I Put In For Hillary's Seat, Too?
Fran Drescher apparently wants to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.
For reals apparently. Instapundit even linked it.
I got nothing on this. Really.
For reals apparently. Instapundit even linked it.
I got nothing on this. Really.
Budget Cuts
The announcement from Saint Paul about a week or so ago at the gloomy budget prospects has filtered down to Mankato already. The School District is already starting the process of trying to figure out budget cuts.
I'm not sure about the idea of moving classes to a 40-50 student range and doing 'lecture-style' classes à la college lectures though. High School students are pretty squirrely at the best of times- I think if you're going to do that, maybe look at the possibilities of moving to a block schedule type of thing and seeing what savings you get out of that. (I actually was asked to judge some student presentations about ways to improve West and one of them suggested precisely that. Maybe they should pitch it to the board.)
Either way, it's a sensible move to start early- these things are usually tough- and I'm just glad that God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be safely into another job before the beancounters start looking at my job.
I'm not sure about the idea of moving classes to a 40-50 student range and doing 'lecture-style' classes à la college lectures though. High School students are pretty squirrely at the best of times- I think if you're going to do that, maybe look at the possibilities of moving to a block schedule type of thing and seeing what savings you get out of that. (I actually was asked to judge some student presentations about ways to improve West and one of them suggested precisely that. Maybe they should pitch it to the board.)
Either way, it's a sensible move to start early- these things are usually tough- and I'm just glad that God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be safely into another job before the beancounters start looking at my job.
Local Awesomeness
Stay at home Dad in the Mankato area? If you are- check this out.
I think this is awesome and a totally good thing. I have made it very clear to the Missus that if the situation demands it, I would have no problem putting the career on hold to be a stay-at-home or even a part-time-stay-at-home Dad and it's nice to see growing awareness of this phenomenon.
Unfortunately, the Missus has made it clear to me that she expects my butt to be working and doing amazing things. I think she can do equally amazing things, but have yet to totally sell her on that concept. (I'll wear her down eventually. :-P )
But still: kudos to this guy. Keep it up.
I think this is awesome and a totally good thing. I have made it very clear to the Missus that if the situation demands it, I would have no problem putting the career on hold to be a stay-at-home or even a part-time-stay-at-home Dad and it's nice to see growing awareness of this phenomenon.
Unfortunately, the Missus has made it clear to me that she expects my butt to be working and doing amazing things. I think she can do equally amazing things, but have yet to totally sell her on that concept. (I'll wear her down eventually. :-P )
But still: kudos to this guy. Keep it up.
Twilight. (Yes, that Twilight.)
Director of blockbuster teenbopper sensation Twilight, Catherine Hardwicke has been fired. Or more precisely, won't be back for potential sequels 2, 3 and 4.
Yes, that's right. I actually just wrote something about Twilight. Hardwicke just broke a pretty significant glass ceiling by becoming, I believe, the most successful female director of all time- (not many woman directors to begin with, never mind ones that helm actual blockbusters.) The official word is 'timing issues' but there are reports that she was 'difficult' and 'hard to work with.'
Either way, hippy-dippy supposed liberal fantasy land Hollywood is far from the paradise it makes itself out to be.
Yes, that's right. I actually just wrote something about Twilight. Hardwicke just broke a pretty significant glass ceiling by becoming, I believe, the most successful female director of all time- (not many woman directors to begin with, never mind ones that helm actual blockbusters.) The official word is 'timing issues' but there are reports that she was 'difficult' and 'hard to work with.'
Either way, hippy-dippy supposed liberal fantasy land Hollywood is far from the paradise it makes itself out to be.
Paper Gashes!
More bad news for journalism. The Tribune Company is filing for bankruptcy, the New York Times is borrowing $250 million and NBC is considering cutting programming hours.
Well, the newspaper industry was having a bad few years anyway- if I was them, I might consider following the Christian Science Monitor's lead and going to an all-online edition... though the profitability of such a venture remains to be seen as is probably a few years off from going mainstream anyway.
But place your bets: now that the auto industry is getting a loan, how long until media executives are on Capitol Hill, begging for a bailout?
Well, the newspaper industry was having a bad few years anyway- if I was them, I might consider following the Christian Science Monitor's lead and going to an all-online edition... though the profitability of such a venture remains to be seen as is probably a few years off from going mainstream anyway.
But place your bets: now that the auto industry is getting a loan, how long until media executives are on Capitol Hill, begging for a bailout?
Let It Snow!
The first major storm of the season is hitting the metro area right now and most of the rest of the state should see something by tomorrow. The bulk of it will miss us here in Mankato (naturally) but we've got a two hour late start tomorrow anyway.
Coldplagiarism Part III
This from Althouse. They ripped off Kate Bush?
Hmmm, I'm still not buying into the whole Joe Satriani thing- but I like how that now Satriani has sued them, there's media coverage all over the place. Completely ignoring the fact that this is lawsuit number 2. Over the same damn song.
Hmmm, I'm still not buying into the whole Joe Satriani thing- but I like how that now Satriani has sued them, there's media coverage all over the place. Completely ignoring the fact that this is lawsuit number 2. Over the same damn song.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Let's Go Bowling!
Minnesota's going to the Insight Bowl in Arizona to play Kansas.
Iowa's going to Florida to play South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.
Oklahoma and Florida duke it out for the title.
Penn State and USC in the Rose Bowl, Cincy and VaTech in the Orange Bowl, 'Bama and Utah in the Sugar Bowl and Texas and Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Here's the best of the rest.
The BCS isn't as much of a train wreck as it could have been, but it still could be better. If I was a Bosie State fan, I'd be pissed off. If I was a Ball State fan, I too would be pissed. Not because people may not have considered them serious contenders (and indeed, they might not have been) but because they were denied a chance to even prove that they could be contenders. Therein lies the most maddening part of the BCS: it's not that it doesn't work, because it does, after a fashion- but it puts the determinations of the match-ups into the hands of polls and computers- and doesn't even let teams prove themselves on the field. Which is what the point of the game should be.
Iowa's going to Florida to play South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.
Oklahoma and Florida duke it out for the title.
Penn State and USC in the Rose Bowl, Cincy and VaTech in the Orange Bowl, 'Bama and Utah in the Sugar Bowl and Texas and Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Here's the best of the rest.
The BCS isn't as much of a train wreck as it could have been, but it still could be better. If I was a Bosie State fan, I'd be pissed off. If I was a Ball State fan, I too would be pissed. Not because people may not have considered them serious contenders (and indeed, they might not have been) but because they were denied a chance to even prove that they could be contenders. Therein lies the most maddening part of the BCS: it's not that it doesn't work, because it does, after a fashion- but it puts the determinations of the match-ups into the hands of polls and computers- and doesn't even let teams prove themselves on the field. Which is what the point of the game should be.
Live Free or Die Hard
I'm watching the newest Die Hard right now and I saw an intriguing thing flash by me on the credits- it was based on an article entitled 'A Farewell to Arms' by John Carlin- it originally appeared in Wired Magazine in May 1997.
So far, this movie is intriguing me a bit. I didn't bother going to see it in the theaters, just because I felt the Die Hard franchise had run aground while back. Die Hard itself is a classic. Die Hard 2 was pretty much Die Hard but with planes. Die Hard With A Vengeance was better than Die Hard 2 (not hard to do) but still amounted to Die Hard on a boat. This, thus far, seems to be a totally different bag of chips.
And it's intriguing to find an action movie based on a real-life scenario.
I'm liking this.
So far, this movie is intriguing me a bit. I didn't bother going to see it in the theaters, just because I felt the Die Hard franchise had run aground while back. Die Hard itself is a classic. Die Hard 2 was pretty much Die Hard but with planes. Die Hard With A Vengeance was better than Die Hard 2 (not hard to do) but still amounted to Die Hard on a boat. This, thus far, seems to be a totally different bag of chips.
And it's intriguing to find an action movie based on a real-life scenario.
I'm liking this.
Psycho-Somatic?
President Elect Obama has a big, huge plan to help the economy. He's also said that 'its going to get worse before it gets better.'
I'm tired of hearing that. So much of economics is apparently based on credit and how traders are feeling on every given day of the week. There's a psychological component to it that's hard to ignore. How, I have to wonder, is telling people 'IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE' going to help people believe that it can (or will) get better?
Phil Gramm got into trouble for saying that we were 'in a mental recession' and we were 'a nation of whiners.' I don't think we have to be quite that extreme in our assessments, but still I have to ask: do we want to encourage a psycho-somatic recession? If we think it's going to get worse, will it?
Again, my short coming is in the field of economics. I simply don't know enough about it- but this is what I think: we're spoiled. We've gone through the 90s and the post-September the 11th recession- and we've thought that was bad. But how long has it been since a real, honest-to-God, hard times type of a recession has hit us?
It's been awhile. I think everyone needs to take a breath and take a few deep knee bends. We've gotten through recessions like this before, we can do it again. We need a combination of truth-telling from our leaders. (Good start to the President-Elect) and responsibility from the television pundits. (Enough predicting depressions!)
But what do I know? Not enough about economics, that's for sure.
I'm tired of hearing that. So much of economics is apparently based on credit and how traders are feeling on every given day of the week. There's a psychological component to it that's hard to ignore. How, I have to wonder, is telling people 'IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE' going to help people believe that it can (or will) get better?
Phil Gramm got into trouble for saying that we were 'in a mental recession' and we were 'a nation of whiners.' I don't think we have to be quite that extreme in our assessments, but still I have to ask: do we want to encourage a psycho-somatic recession? If we think it's going to get worse, will it?
Again, my short coming is in the field of economics. I simply don't know enough about it- but this is what I think: we're spoiled. We've gone through the 90s and the post-September the 11th recession- and we've thought that was bad. But how long has it been since a real, honest-to-God, hard times type of a recession has hit us?
It's been awhile. I think everyone needs to take a breath and take a few deep knee bends. We've gotten through recessions like this before, we can do it again. We need a combination of truth-telling from our leaders. (Good start to the President-Elect) and responsibility from the television pundits. (Enough predicting depressions!)
But what do I know? Not enough about economics, that's for sure.
Riots in Greece
Riots are erupting all over Greece after the police killed a 15 year old boy. The BBC doesn't have details on all the particulars of what went on, but it sounds like the shooting took place in the Exarchia District in Athens, which is a big hub of Anarchist activity in Greece.
Which might explain the clashes with police. But still, there are a LOT of riots all over the country.
Which might explain the clashes with police. But still, there are a LOT of riots all over the country.
Aston Villa 3, Everton 2.
Good way to start my Sunday. 92nd minute- Everton equalizes and makes in 2-2. Not 30 seconds later, with pretty much no time left on the clock, Ashley Young races down the field for Villa and scores the game winner.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Good game.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Good game.
Another Senator Kennedy?
With Hillary Clinton heading to Washington to be the new Secretary of State, this leaves a Senate seat to be filled in New York. There's the usual mindless speculation afloat (Bill Clinton) but in recent days, Caroline Kennedy has emerged as a potential candidate as well.
I have to admit, I've never really understood the whole Kennedy thing. I think I'm way too young- they just all seemed like relics of a bygone age to me. That said, of what I know of the Kennedys, Caroline Kennedy to me probably seems to be the least objectionable one of the bunch. She doesn't, I believe, have a very deep resume when it comes to politics, but she has been in the public eye and wrote some interesting books on valuable topics.
She would not, at all, be a bad choice. I think if I have one objection, it's the continuing influence of families in American politics. I think trading a Clinton for a Kennedy might leave a bad taste in people's mouth.
I have to admit, I've never really understood the whole Kennedy thing. I think I'm way too young- they just all seemed like relics of a bygone age to me. That said, of what I know of the Kennedys, Caroline Kennedy to me probably seems to be the least objectionable one of the bunch. She doesn't, I believe, have a very deep resume when it comes to politics, but she has been in the public eye and wrote some interesting books on valuable topics.
She would not, at all, be a bad choice. I think if I have one objection, it's the continuing influence of families in American politics. I think trading a Clinton for a Kennedy might leave a bad taste in people's mouth.
The Rules of Fandom
The rules of sports fandom, are, I think, quite complicated at times. There are those that take it very seriously- pick one, single team and back them without fail and without question throughout their entire lives. Such people can merely be serious fans or can be slightly deranged to the point of obsession. I take a different view, however- I think sports teams can come in threes.
Why 3? I don't know- it seems like a fairly random number at first glance, but, to me, I think it's OK if you're a fan of more than one team. One team should always be your number one (especially if your number one team is playing your number two team or so on and so forth) but by and large, I take the view that, with careful deliberation, if you find three teams you dig, then go ahead- do your thing.
Again, why 3? Why not 10? Well, I think there's a difference between being a fan and being a wannabe. Three teams that you've seen play, know the players on and genuinely enjoy watching is different if you just rush out and buy a Dallas Cowboys Jersey just because all your buddies are. Does that make sense? Like I said, I think it's OK to like more than one team, provided you know where you loyalties lie if your number one team plays your number two or your number three team.
Maybe none of this makes sense. But let me illustrate:
The NFL: I remember John Elway's last ride and how awesome it was- so yeah, I'm a Broncos fan. Living in Minnesota for two years has infected me a bit, so I've decided to be an atypical Iowan and be a Vikings fan. (Am so NOT a Cheesehead. Ew.) And... hmmm, I'd like to say that Joe Montana and Jerry Rice have inspired me to be a 49ers fan, but they haven't done anything for years now. But if they ever do again, I'd probably give 'em a cheer.
MLB: Twins. (Of course.) Cubs. (Not because I'm one of the sad members of that particular congregation but because I think a Curse of the Bambino makes sense. I think getting cursed for cheating in the 20s makes sense. I think a curse about a goat is just stupid and needs to go.) And... well, probably the BoSox. Again, I'm not a serious member of the BoSox Nation, but the excitement about their first shot at a title in like 80 years made me do something that I'd never, up until that point in my life, done before- I sat down and watched the World Series.
NBA: I really don't care about the NBA. I'm not that big of a basketball fan to begin with and the NBA hasn't interested me for years now. Anyone but the Lakers and I'm happy.
CFB: Iowa. College rules are a bit different- you should, until the day you die, support your alma mater. I mean, come on now. That's just how it should work. So yeah, Iowa. Aside from that, I'd say anyone but the usual suspects gets my support. (The Usual Suspects being: Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma- the people that always win.)
EPL: Arsenal. I latched onto the Gunners because my Scouser second cousins have Liverpool completely locked up to themselves- and forbid me outright from being a ManU fan. Happily, living in America, I discovered the easiest way to spot a poser is usually any fool you see in a ManU jersey. A good 7 times out of 10 (that number is coming down, happily- it used to be as high 9 out of 10) they're usually ManU fans because 'that's where Beckham played.' In other words, total posers. Chelsea became number 2, because, well, they weren't ManU and they were just goooooood... and now, watching Aston Villa play Everton, I'm seriously considering making them my number 3 team. They're just fun to watch.
I guess my point is this: there are serious sports fans that can find a team and be crazy loyal, obsessed and hardcore about it. There are people who don't get sports (and thus do things like, for instance, walk into a bar in Liverpool wearing a ManU Jersey on game day, and so on and so forth) and then there are the mid-range people that just genuinely like the sport in question and a find a solid core of teams they can get behind. The ideal number of that core of teams?
3.
Why 3? I don't know- it seems like a fairly random number at first glance, but, to me, I think it's OK if you're a fan of more than one team. One team should always be your number one (especially if your number one team is playing your number two team or so on and so forth) but by and large, I take the view that, with careful deliberation, if you find three teams you dig, then go ahead- do your thing.
Again, why 3? Why not 10? Well, I think there's a difference between being a fan and being a wannabe. Three teams that you've seen play, know the players on and genuinely enjoy watching is different if you just rush out and buy a Dallas Cowboys Jersey just because all your buddies are. Does that make sense? Like I said, I think it's OK to like more than one team, provided you know where you loyalties lie if your number one team plays your number two or your number three team.
Maybe none of this makes sense. But let me illustrate:
The NFL: I remember John Elway's last ride and how awesome it was- so yeah, I'm a Broncos fan. Living in Minnesota for two years has infected me a bit, so I've decided to be an atypical Iowan and be a Vikings fan. (Am so NOT a Cheesehead. Ew.) And... hmmm, I'd like to say that Joe Montana and Jerry Rice have inspired me to be a 49ers fan, but they haven't done anything for years now. But if they ever do again, I'd probably give 'em a cheer.
MLB: Twins. (Of course.) Cubs. (Not because I'm one of the sad members of that particular congregation but because I think a Curse of the Bambino makes sense. I think getting cursed for cheating in the 20s makes sense. I think a curse about a goat is just stupid and needs to go.) And... well, probably the BoSox. Again, I'm not a serious member of the BoSox Nation, but the excitement about their first shot at a title in like 80 years made me do something that I'd never, up until that point in my life, done before- I sat down and watched the World Series.
NBA: I really don't care about the NBA. I'm not that big of a basketball fan to begin with and the NBA hasn't interested me for years now. Anyone but the Lakers and I'm happy.
CFB: Iowa. College rules are a bit different- you should, until the day you die, support your alma mater. I mean, come on now. That's just how it should work. So yeah, Iowa. Aside from that, I'd say anyone but the usual suspects gets my support. (The Usual Suspects being: Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma- the people that always win.)
EPL: Arsenal. I latched onto the Gunners because my Scouser second cousins have Liverpool completely locked up to themselves- and forbid me outright from being a ManU fan. Happily, living in America, I discovered the easiest way to spot a poser is usually any fool you see in a ManU jersey. A good 7 times out of 10 (that number is coming down, happily- it used to be as high 9 out of 10) they're usually ManU fans because 'that's where Beckham played.' In other words, total posers. Chelsea became number 2, because, well, they weren't ManU and they were just goooooood... and now, watching Aston Villa play Everton, I'm seriously considering making them my number 3 team. They're just fun to watch.
I guess my point is this: there are serious sports fans that can find a team and be crazy loyal, obsessed and hardcore about it. There are people who don't get sports (and thus do things like, for instance, walk into a bar in Liverpool wearing a ManU Jersey on game day, and so on and so forth) and then there are the mid-range people that just genuinely like the sport in question and a find a solid core of teams they can get behind. The ideal number of that core of teams?
3.
Friday, December 5, 2008
War on Christmas?
I meant to blog about this sooner- but because I didn't snap a pic (bad blogger! Bad Tom!) it slipped my mind a bit. But in Ft. Collins, we drove past a billboard sponsored by the Knights of Columbus proclaiming:
'Keep Christ In Christmas'
Argh. 'Tis the season, I guess- happily, Republicans have more reasons to be gloomy right now instead of gearing up for the usual battery of complaints about Christmas this and Christmas that and the 'War on Christmas.'
This is where I come down on this stuff: first of all, everyone is wrong. The Right (War on Christmas types) freak out because Christmas is 'being expelled' from the public square and freak out about the moral decline of America and the anti-Christian hatred and yak, yak, yak... but: in about a two month period you have Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice and potentially Ramadan. The great thing about America is that walking down the street, I can't reliably tell (a lot of the time) which religion my neighbor practices- hence, I won't get offended if someone tells me 'Happy Holidays' because really, they have no way of determining what holiday I might be celebrating this winter.
Oh and p.s.: I think we should celebrate them all- it just means more partying, more time off work and heck, I'd get a daishiki and have a Kwanzaa Party if people were up for it. It'd be the American Melting Pot we all hear about.
But! Lefty types also are wrong (the strictly secular, bland, all Santa, no Jesus Christmas types) because there's a fundamentally incorrect assumption about expelling religion from the public square- I don't care. I really don't- I think if you're going to go after a Nativity Scene at Christmas, you're no better than Scrooge. And, because people who do flip their shit at the sight of a single Jesus in the public at Christmas tend too (I'd put money down on this) subscribe to the whole 'politically correct' thing and I think that's just a backwards path into censorship.
Sooooooo, what to do then? Well, it's Christmas. Stop being so damn serious about it and remember what the season is for- and if you're going to freak out about it, well then let's celebrate everything! All of 'em. Holidays and days off left and right- if there is no established religion in this country (as the Founders intended) then that means we can't put one ahead of the other. So bring 'em all on. (And declare two random holidays- one for atheists, one for agnostics- just so they don't feel left out.)
Plus, if we took the 'Christ' out of 'Christmas' I'm pretty sure we'd be left with 'mas.'
'Keep Christ In Christmas'
Argh. 'Tis the season, I guess- happily, Republicans have more reasons to be gloomy right now instead of gearing up for the usual battery of complaints about Christmas this and Christmas that and the 'War on Christmas.'
This is where I come down on this stuff: first of all, everyone is wrong. The Right (War on Christmas types) freak out because Christmas is 'being expelled' from the public square and freak out about the moral decline of America and the anti-Christian hatred and yak, yak, yak... but: in about a two month period you have Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice and potentially Ramadan. The great thing about America is that walking down the street, I can't reliably tell (a lot of the time) which religion my neighbor practices- hence, I won't get offended if someone tells me 'Happy Holidays' because really, they have no way of determining what holiday I might be celebrating this winter.
Oh and p.s.: I think we should celebrate them all- it just means more partying, more time off work and heck, I'd get a daishiki and have a Kwanzaa Party if people were up for it. It'd be the American Melting Pot we all hear about.
But! Lefty types also are wrong (the strictly secular, bland, all Santa, no Jesus Christmas types) because there's a fundamentally incorrect assumption about expelling religion from the public square- I don't care. I really don't- I think if you're going to go after a Nativity Scene at Christmas, you're no better than Scrooge. And, because people who do flip their shit at the sight of a single Jesus in the public at Christmas tend too (I'd put money down on this) subscribe to the whole 'politically correct' thing and I think that's just a backwards path into censorship.
Sooooooo, what to do then? Well, it's Christmas. Stop being so damn serious about it and remember what the season is for- and if you're going to freak out about it, well then let's celebrate everything! All of 'em. Holidays and days off left and right- if there is no established religion in this country (as the Founders intended) then that means we can't put one ahead of the other. So bring 'em all on. (And declare two random holidays- one for atheists, one for agnostics- just so they don't feel left out.)
Plus, if we took the 'Christ' out of 'Christmas' I'm pretty sure we'd be left with 'mas.'
Juggernaut Arrested in South Dakota
Vinnie Jones, actor in such movies as 'Snatch', 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'X-Men 3: The Last Stand' got in a bar fight and was arrested and hospitalized in...
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
For reals. Apparently, he was on vacation in Sioux Falls. Um, ok. I guess if I'm a hot shot actor and I want to go on vacation, Sioux Falls is the number one destination that springs to mind. I mean, it's a nice city- really, it is- I'm not hating on the place or anything- but it seems a trifle bizarre that Vinnie Jones of all people would go to Sioux Falls on vacation. (And more to the point, go on vacation to Sioux Falls in December! Not even other Midwesterners would do that.) What was he doing in town?
That's the first thing- second thing is that per the Argus Leader article, the bar fight stemmed over him being 'that guy from X-Men.' That, apparently was enough for Vinnie to punch a guy.
Hmmm... that's a little more understandable. Vinnie's role in X-Men 3 was middling to say the least, but I don't think that's his fault, really- the movie itself was a half-hour too short and suffered from severely stunted plot development as a result. Enough to punch a guy? Eh, if you're angry, British, in Sioux Falls and have had a few beers, it might well be.
But still: Vinnie Jones? In Sioux Falls? On Vacation?
What?
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
For reals. Apparently, he was on vacation in Sioux Falls. Um, ok. I guess if I'm a hot shot actor and I want to go on vacation, Sioux Falls is the number one destination that springs to mind. I mean, it's a nice city- really, it is- I'm not hating on the place or anything- but it seems a trifle bizarre that Vinnie Jones of all people would go to Sioux Falls on vacation. (And more to the point, go on vacation to Sioux Falls in December! Not even other Midwesterners would do that.) What was he doing in town?
That's the first thing- second thing is that per the Argus Leader article, the bar fight stemmed over him being 'that guy from X-Men.' That, apparently was enough for Vinnie to punch a guy.
Hmmm... that's a little more understandable. Vinnie's role in X-Men 3 was middling to say the least, but I don't think that's his fault, really- the movie itself was a half-hour too short and suffered from severely stunted plot development as a result. Enough to punch a guy? Eh, if you're angry, British, in Sioux Falls and have had a few beers, it might well be.
But still: Vinnie Jones? In Sioux Falls? On Vacation?
What?
Coldplagiarism Part II?
This is just weird. First some random band accuses Coldplay of plagiarism over their song 'Viva La Vida' and now Guitarist Joe Satriani is suing them- over the same song, claiming they ripped off one of his riffs.
I don't see it. There are similarities between the two, I think- it's fairly obvious if you listen to Satriani's piece and 'Viva La Vida' that there's some similarity- but to my ear, there's substantial difference between the two. We're not talking about the supposed difference between Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' and David Bowie and Queen's riff from 'Under Pressure.' To me, it seems a bit more substantial than that.
But it's crazy that someone else is suing them over the exact same song.
I don't see it. There are similarities between the two, I think- it's fairly obvious if you listen to Satriani's piece and 'Viva La Vida' that there's some similarity- but to my ear, there's substantial difference between the two. We're not talking about the supposed difference between Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' and David Bowie and Queen's riff from 'Under Pressure.' To me, it seems a bit more substantial than that.
But it's crazy that someone else is suing them over the exact same song.
Outside the Box
Well this is novel. I'm sort of stunned, but not entirely surprised that this turned up on PerezHilton.com of all places. You would have thought that CNBC would have picked up on this.
Solution to the financial crisis=make your own money? Hmmmm... can I do that too? 1 Tom Dollar totally equals $80,000 US Dollars. I swear.
Can I say that I think we should just bite the bullet and legalize weed? Can I do that? I mean, should I ever run for public office, someone's going to find that last remark and nail me for it- but I don't care! We need cash. A carefully controlled cheeba legalization could be the way to get some.
And it'd grow the economy. (Along with a lot of other things...) But it'll never happen. It might actually make some sense, and that means our noble leaders in Washington will be automatically against it.
But there- my turn 'outside the box' on 'the crazy train' for a solution to our financial crisis. Make of it what you will.
Solution to the financial crisis=make your own money? Hmmmm... can I do that too? 1 Tom Dollar totally equals $80,000 US Dollars. I swear.
Can I say that I think we should just bite the bullet and legalize weed? Can I do that? I mean, should I ever run for public office, someone's going to find that last remark and nail me for it- but I don't care! We need cash. A carefully controlled cheeba legalization could be the way to get some.
And it'd grow the economy. (Along with a lot of other things...) But it'll never happen. It might actually make some sense, and that means our noble leaders in Washington will be automatically against it.
But there- my turn 'outside the box' on 'the crazy train' for a solution to our financial crisis. Make of it what you will.
Pour Me A Double!
Well isn't this just great?
The search continues, I guess. In the meantime, some music to rally the spirits:
'My friend's got a girlfriend and he hates that schnitch?' Hmmm...
Not exactly the message I'm going for- but God knows I'm underpaid and overworked. But then again, that just sounds like general whining, because these days, who isn't? In my case, however, the paltry $9.10 an hour the school district ponys up is really not cutting it anymore. I need a second job (or preferably a better one).
I remember this one from 'Batman Forever.' First time I ever heard the Flaming Lips- and I had no idea who they were until, well, recently. Which says a lot about how I find new music, but that's beside the point. The lyrics to the song aren't cheerful, but the sentiment totally works for me right now: 'All my bad days WILL end.'
Anyway, the search continues. My sister claims that there are a lot of jobs in Iowa City right now. Hope that's true.
The search continues, I guess. In the meantime, some music to rally the spirits:
'My friend's got a girlfriend and he hates that schnitch?' Hmmm...
Not exactly the message I'm going for- but God knows I'm underpaid and overworked. But then again, that just sounds like general whining, because these days, who isn't? In my case, however, the paltry $9.10 an hour the school district ponys up is really not cutting it anymore. I need a second job (or preferably a better one).
I remember this one from 'Batman Forever.' First time I ever heard the Flaming Lips- and I had no idea who they were until, well, recently. Which says a lot about how I find new music, but that's beside the point. The lyrics to the song aren't cheerful, but the sentiment totally works for me right now: 'All my bad days WILL end.'
Anyway, the search continues. My sister claims that there are a lot of jobs in Iowa City right now. Hope that's true.
Wacky Tabackky!
Ann Althouse just made my day.
With this.
Lawrence Welk is pretty old school for us twenty-somethings, but on a visit to the Missus' grandparents, I discovered it- as both her grandparents were pretty big fans of the show- it was their Saturday night tradition, I guess. It was an interesting bit of Americana that I hadn't experienced- ever. The colors, the music, the general old school harmonies- it all hearkened back to an earlier time in America.
Plus, I love how 'One Toke Over The Line' has somehow, in Welk's view, become 'a modern spiritual.' So, if it's a modern spiritual, can it be used for funerals/bar mitzvahs/weddings, etc? If so, I know what they're going to be wheeling me out of the church too!
With this.
Lawrence Welk is pretty old school for us twenty-somethings, but on a visit to the Missus' grandparents, I discovered it- as both her grandparents were pretty big fans of the show- it was their Saturday night tradition, I guess. It was an interesting bit of Americana that I hadn't experienced- ever. The colors, the music, the general old school harmonies- it all hearkened back to an earlier time in America.
Plus, I love how 'One Toke Over The Line' has somehow, in Welk's view, become 'a modern spiritual.' So, if it's a modern spiritual, can it be used for funerals/bar mitzvahs/weddings, etc? If so, I know what they're going to be wheeling me out of the church too!
Cali Broke?
California might be out of cash by February. Out. Of. Cash.
Is there any good news anywhere? I'm seriously considering curling up into a ball and hibernating until this recession is over or until someone calls me to offer me a job that pays more than 9.10 an hour. (I'm crossing my fingers on that receptionist position job I applied for! It'd pay $12 an hour! It would be AWESOME! I just hope the fact that I'm a dude doesn't count against me... I wanna be a receptionist!)
California though, is in quite the mess- but then again, so is Minnesota- but not as big of one as California. We're in the red, but we should still have money come February.
Is there any good news anywhere? I'm seriously considering curling up into a ball and hibernating until this recession is over or until someone calls me to offer me a job that pays more than 9.10 an hour. (I'm crossing my fingers on that receptionist position job I applied for! It'd pay $12 an hour! It would be AWESOME! I just hope the fact that I'm a dude doesn't count against me... I wanna be a receptionist!)
California though, is in quite the mess- but then again, so is Minnesota- but not as big of one as California. We're in the red, but we should still have money come February.
Orgies? Hiltons? What?
So there was apparently an orgy at the Minneapolis Hilton. And people got fired over it... (well, more precisely their lack of participation in aforementioned orgy.)
I'm trying to think of a Paris Hilton joke to insert (hehehehe) here, but there are just too many to choose from. :-)
I'm trying to think of a Paris Hilton joke to insert (hehehehe) here, but there are just too many to choose from. :-)
Comfort Food
There's comfort food and then there's comfort food. Since I can't afford groceries right now- at least not for another week or so, I'm left on a Friday afternoon with an entirely different type of comfort food- a guilty pleasure that I'm somewhat astonished to discover that I actually miss.
Yes, it's Friday afternoon. More snow is probably imminent and I'm fending off panic attacks about the continued lack of success of my job search and I'm sprawled on the couch watching Gilmore Girls.
Don't judge me.
Yes, it's Friday afternoon. More snow is probably imminent and I'm fending off panic attacks about the continued lack of success of my job search and I'm sprawled on the couch watching Gilmore Girls.
Don't judge me.
Paper Cuts!
Bad economic news apparently has no boundaries- there's been a round of bad news for newspapers over the past couple of days- KSTP and the Star Tribune have announced job cuts, the Rocky Mountain News is for sale and might actually close and the Des Moines Register has announced cuts as well.
All in all, about 30 daily newspapers are for sale across the country.
I sort of wish it wasn't so... I love writing and despite my non-journalism related degrees, I was sort of toying with the idea of making a run at busting into journalism. If you love to write, it sort of makes sense to find a job that allows you to write every day. I'm not sure I'd be down with writing under a deadline every single day, but it'd be experience, it'd be... well, just interesting.
Why can't I be interested in industries that are actually growing?
All in all, about 30 daily newspapers are for sale across the country.
I sort of wish it wasn't so... I love writing and despite my non-journalism related degrees, I was sort of toying with the idea of making a run at busting into journalism. If you love to write, it sort of makes sense to find a job that allows you to write every day. I'm not sure I'd be down with writing under a deadline every single day, but it'd be experience, it'd be... well, just interesting.
Why can't I be interested in industries that are actually growing?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Almost Done Counting
The MN Senate Recount is almost done with- looks like it's going to be Coleman- but the final sticking point: 133 missing ballots from Minneapolis. Franken is saying that those missing ballots would be enough to put him ahead- but no one can find them. The Franken Camp has been putting out math for weeks now that has been wildly different from the Star Trib's math... and that's saying something.
But they've got to start digging into challenged ballots yet I think. So it's getting closer, but no final verdict yet.
But they've got to start digging into challenged ballots yet I think. So it's getting closer, but no final verdict yet.
The Great American Food Challenge!
I've been thinking about sustainability lately. We live in a consumer-driven society, we're the most wasteful society in the world and these twin foundations of our everyday lives seem to have been providing the driving force behind American capitalism- but, looking around, it's hard not to wonder if those driving forces haven't gone down the toilet along with the rest of the economy. The sad fact of the matter is that, to me, we waste an awful lot of stuff- especially food.
So instead of bemoaning the fact that between bills, rent, bills, Christmas presents for a newly expanded family and facing up to the fact that between the two of us I don't make nearly enough money (a fact I'm working to remedy rapidly), I've decided to take this financial anorexia and turn it into an interesting experiment.
Hence, The Great American Food Challenge!
I'm sure the Food Network already has that copyrighted somewhere- but here's the deal:
The Missus and I are more than a little broke right now- and we can't afford to get groceries until sometime next week- so we're stuck with what we've got in the cupboards. The GAFC is to basically see three things: how much can we use, can we survive another week and how exactly do we use what we've got?
In our society to do, we spend too much, we buy too much and we waste too much- and this includes food. I've had too many roommates and seen too many people that buy a whole bunch of food that they think is going to be rockin' and then they end up throwing it away. I've been in situations where roomies and I would go through tons of Diet Coke- cases at a time, because someone would open one, get distracted, forget about it and open another one and so on and so forth.
So, we're going to give this a try:
DAY ONE: We had a supper of Velveeta Shells N'Cheese, followed by cooking up a squash we had laying around and we made a pasta salad with some leftover veg, macaroni and some Mrs. Dash Marinade we don't have meat for.
So instead of bemoaning the fact that between bills, rent, bills, Christmas presents for a newly expanded family and facing up to the fact that between the two of us I don't make nearly enough money (a fact I'm working to remedy rapidly), I've decided to take this financial anorexia and turn it into an interesting experiment.
Hence, The Great American Food Challenge!
I'm sure the Food Network already has that copyrighted somewhere- but here's the deal:
The Missus and I are more than a little broke right now- and we can't afford to get groceries until sometime next week- so we're stuck with what we've got in the cupboards. The GAFC is to basically see three things: how much can we use, can we survive another week and how exactly do we use what we've got?
In our society to do, we spend too much, we buy too much and we waste too much- and this includes food. I've had too many roommates and seen too many people that buy a whole bunch of food that they think is going to be rockin' and then they end up throwing it away. I've been in situations where roomies and I would go through tons of Diet Coke- cases at a time, because someone would open one, get distracted, forget about it and open another one and so on and so forth.
So, we're going to give this a try:
DAY ONE: We had a supper of Velveeta Shells N'Cheese, followed by cooking up a squash we had laying around and we made a pasta salad with some leftover veg, macaroni and some Mrs. Dash Marinade we don't have meat for.
Red Ink Storm
It's ON. Minnesota is projecting a budget deficit of $5.2 billion and our noble Governor Pawlenty wants a 10% spending cuts and no new taxes to tackle the problem. This undoubtedly means that the next Legislative Session is going to be fun. Fun in the same way a pair of pliers peeling off your big toe nail is fun, I would imagine.
But apart from a potential cat fight in St. Paul, the big question that no one has mentioned yet is this: whither the Vikings? Granted, they're in first place in the NFC North right now, but being in first place in the NFC North is like being in third place or even fourth place in pretty much any other division. We're not talking a lot of bench strength here- and with their lease on the Metrodome set to expire in 2011, if they want to move into a shiny new stadium in time for 2011, they need to seal the deal this year. This is the year.
Will the Vikes up and move to LA? I doubt it- NFL Owners would probably veto that, because if it happens, they won't be able to use the threat of an LA move to get shiny new things. And the fact of the matter is that the Vikes need new digs.
But the Governor is playing hardball. And with the economy in the state its in, the rest of the Legislature may not want to play ball either... granted, there is an argument to be made. An investment in a new stadium would mean construction jobs and investment in the local economy- and the long term benefits of a facility that could host things like Super Bowls and potentially Olympics (if white bread Chicago can land 'em, why not Minneapolis?) would be undeniable.
There's a sale the Vikes can make. The question is: will the legislature listen?
But apart from a potential cat fight in St. Paul, the big question that no one has mentioned yet is this: whither the Vikings? Granted, they're in first place in the NFC North right now, but being in first place in the NFC North is like being in third place or even fourth place in pretty much any other division. We're not talking a lot of bench strength here- and with their lease on the Metrodome set to expire in 2011, if they want to move into a shiny new stadium in time for 2011, they need to seal the deal this year. This is the year.
Will the Vikes up and move to LA? I doubt it- NFL Owners would probably veto that, because if it happens, they won't be able to use the threat of an LA move to get shiny new things. And the fact of the matter is that the Vikes need new digs.
But the Governor is playing hardball. And with the economy in the state its in, the rest of the Legislature may not want to play ball either... granted, there is an argument to be made. An investment in a new stadium would mean construction jobs and investment in the local economy- and the long term benefits of a facility that could host things like Super Bowls and potentially Olympics (if white bread Chicago can land 'em, why not Minneapolis?) would be undeniable.
There's a sale the Vikes can make. The question is: will the legislature listen?
1 More Thing About Laramie
This.
Best newspaper name- EVER.
(Plus, they were all excited about the hiring of Dave Christensen- the O-Coordinator at Mizzou to head up the football program at the University of Wyoming. About two days before we got there, the AD fired pretty much everyone on staff at the football program- this was evidenced by the row of 'for sale' signs that quickly sprung up along the row of extremely nice looking houses known as- for reals now, 'Coaches Row.' Sadly, being a bad blogger that I am, I didn't get a pic of it. No biscuit for me, I guess.)
(Oh, and P.S. I don't know why I'm using parentheses, but I'm in favor of the new hire out there- this guy put Mizzou on the map, and I think if he can make Wyoming into a contender in the Mountain West, that's one more team rubbing shoulders with Boise State, Utah, BYU and other teams that the BCS tends to sneer at. And the more of those- the better.)
Best newspaper name- EVER.
(Plus, they were all excited about the hiring of Dave Christensen- the O-Coordinator at Mizzou to head up the football program at the University of Wyoming. About two days before we got there, the AD fired pretty much everyone on staff at the football program- this was evidenced by the row of 'for sale' signs that quickly sprung up along the row of extremely nice looking houses known as- for reals now, 'Coaches Row.' Sadly, being a bad blogger that I am, I didn't get a pic of it. No biscuit for me, I guess.)
(Oh, and P.S. I don't know why I'm using parentheses, but I'm in favor of the new hire out there- this guy put Mizzou on the map, and I think if he can make Wyoming into a contender in the Mountain West, that's one more team rubbing shoulders with Boise State, Utah, BYU and other teams that the BCS tends to sneer at. And the more of those- the better.)
1991
The Survivor of the 1991 Campus shooting at the University of Iowa has died.
I was in Third Grade when it happened, I remember that much- and it was always, I think at the back of my mind more or less. Every early November, if you knew where to look, there would always be a wreath outside Van Allen Hall- the majority of people just walked on by, not realizing what it was there for- but people still remembered. I think, when it comes to things like tragedies and shootings- people tend to be horrified at the images on their television screens and then pushing it away thinking, 'It can't happen here.' But I think if the events of 1991 impressed anything on me, it's that things like that can happen anywhere.
There are quiet signs of the shootings on the UI Campus, even today- like I said, every year, there'd be that wreath. There's a Memorial Walkway between Calvin and Pappajohn that most people just walk by. It's not noticeable to many, I think, unless you know why it's there and what's its there for. If you know that, then occasionally, you look at that wreath or that walkway a little differently. You remember what affected the community.
That day, I remember one of the neighbor kids being upset because her Mom worked in Van Allen. I didn't quite understand why until later- and I think I looked at Van Allen a little differently- a quiet voice inside my head reminding me that people had died there. A tragedy had occured there. Maybe it was subconscious, but in five years on campus, I don't think I ever went into Van Allen more than five times. Then again, maybe I just didn't have a good reason too.
The community remembers, but it is a credit, I think, to Miya Rodolfo-Sioson was that, despite being paralyzed from the neck down as a result of the shootings, she was a tireless advocate for the disabled in California, where she lost her battle with breast cancer yesterday.
I was in Third Grade when it happened, I remember that much- and it was always, I think at the back of my mind more or less. Every early November, if you knew where to look, there would always be a wreath outside Van Allen Hall- the majority of people just walked on by, not realizing what it was there for- but people still remembered. I think, when it comes to things like tragedies and shootings- people tend to be horrified at the images on their television screens and then pushing it away thinking, 'It can't happen here.' But I think if the events of 1991 impressed anything on me, it's that things like that can happen anywhere.
There are quiet signs of the shootings on the UI Campus, even today- like I said, every year, there'd be that wreath. There's a Memorial Walkway between Calvin and Pappajohn that most people just walk by. It's not noticeable to many, I think, unless you know why it's there and what's its there for. If you know that, then occasionally, you look at that wreath or that walkway a little differently. You remember what affected the community.
That day, I remember one of the neighbor kids being upset because her Mom worked in Van Allen. I didn't quite understand why until later- and I think I looked at Van Allen a little differently- a quiet voice inside my head reminding me that people had died there. A tragedy had occured there. Maybe it was subconscious, but in five years on campus, I don't think I ever went into Van Allen more than five times. Then again, maybe I just didn't have a good reason too.
The community remembers, but it is a credit, I think, to Miya Rodolfo-Sioson was that, despite being paralyzed from the neck down as a result of the shootings, she was a tireless advocate for the disabled in California, where she lost her battle with breast cancer yesterday.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Elections, eh?
Canada could be headed for another election- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, sitting on a minority government is vowing to 'resist attempts' by the opposition (the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois) to force a confidence vote and force him out.
He's asked the Governor-General to suspend Parliament to avoid a confidence vote- but the Opposition is arguing that it should be suspended- but only after the vote. So Canada's Governor-General is flying back from Europe to deal with this mess- and it could be a doozy- which is what makes Constitutional Crises like these so much fun to watch, north of the border.
The verdict seems to be that it's not out of the question that she'll give the Prime Minister what he wants- he wants a suspension until January 27th, when the Government is set to unveil its budget- and it's also not out of the question that she scrubs everything and calls for new elections even if the Confidence vote still goes through.
I would think the first option would be more likely. The government hasn't been in office two months yet! (Election results were finalized October 15th, giving Harper and the Conservatives a narrow win) This makes it hard to buy into the Opposition's argument that people have lost faith in the Conservatives. After two months? Eh, talk to me in four! And I don't think its out of the question to let Harper at least present a budget before you knee-cap him. I think, if I'm the Governor-General, you give him until January, get a budget in and see where you are. In these economic times, the last thing you want to do is rock the boat with political instability as well.
And with option 2- I wouldn't muck about and let everyone wallow in bad feeling. If you're going to let them have a confidence vote, let 'em- but make it clear that if it goes through, then new elections- and someone has to get a damn mandate. Because again, in these economic times, you need someone with something resembling a majority- because things need to get done without faffing about with the usual inter-party bickering.
But a fine mess in the Great White North. Stay tuned.
He's asked the Governor-General to suspend Parliament to avoid a confidence vote- but the Opposition is arguing that it should be suspended- but only after the vote. So Canada's Governor-General is flying back from Europe to deal with this mess- and it could be a doozy- which is what makes Constitutional Crises like these so much fun to watch, north of the border.
The verdict seems to be that it's not out of the question that she'll give the Prime Minister what he wants- he wants a suspension until January 27th, when the Government is set to unveil its budget- and it's also not out of the question that she scrubs everything and calls for new elections even if the Confidence vote still goes through.
I would think the first option would be more likely. The government hasn't been in office two months yet! (Election results were finalized October 15th, giving Harper and the Conservatives a narrow win) This makes it hard to buy into the Opposition's argument that people have lost faith in the Conservatives. After two months? Eh, talk to me in four! And I don't think its out of the question to let Harper at least present a budget before you knee-cap him. I think, if I'm the Governor-General, you give him until January, get a budget in and see where you are. In these economic times, the last thing you want to do is rock the boat with political instability as well.
And with option 2- I wouldn't muck about and let everyone wallow in bad feeling. If you're going to let them have a confidence vote, let 'em- but make it clear that if it goes through, then new elections- and someone has to get a damn mandate. Because again, in these economic times, you need someone with something resembling a majority- because things need to get done without faffing about with the usual inter-party bickering.
But a fine mess in the Great White North. Stay tuned.
Greenland?
Greenland is very nice and Iceland is full of ice.
And Greenland voted 3-1 in favor of an arrangement that would give them more autonomy in respect to their 'colonial country' Denmark. To be honest, I don't often stop and think about Greenland as being part of Denmark, but technically speaking, it is- and I've found an interesting piece in the Independent on what an independent Greenland might mean.
So enjoy.
And Greenland voted 3-1 in favor of an arrangement that would give them more autonomy in respect to their 'colonial country' Denmark. To be honest, I don't often stop and think about Greenland as being part of Denmark, but technically speaking, it is- and I've found an interesting piece in the Independent on what an independent Greenland might mean.
So enjoy.
2 Movies (& 3 Trailers) That Excite Me!
If you haven't read Watchmen, go do it RIGHT NOW! Because there is a movie of it coming out in March and it looks beyond fantastic. I'm very, very, very excited about it.
And then there's this new twist on the latest Star Trek trailer. Spot the difference!
And yes, I know. I'm a dork.
And I wave my dork flag high!
And then there's this new twist on the latest Star Trek trailer. Spot the difference!
And yes, I know. I'm a dork.
And I wave my dork flag high!
Teens, Sex and TV
I've blogged on this subject before- first, this lump of drivel by noted Star Tribune drivel fan Katharine Kersten. And now, NPR weighing in with this RAND Study on mixing teens, sex and television.
Happily, NPR produces a fairly balanced piece- pointing out that detractors of the study rightly point out that adults (gasp, PARENTS!) can have an equally, if not more important effect on teens and their sexual behavior. But again, why give this study the time of day unless you're going to point out the obvious: if you let your television parent your children, then yeah, they're going to learn their lessons about life from television. Not having kids, I can just hope that I can do better than a television.
Happily, NPR produces a fairly balanced piece- pointing out that detractors of the study rightly point out that adults (gasp, PARENTS!) can have an equally, if not more important effect on teens and their sexual behavior. But again, why give this study the time of day unless you're going to point out the obvious: if you let your television parent your children, then yeah, they're going to learn their lessons about life from television. Not having kids, I can just hope that I can do better than a television.
Back From The Mountains
I'm settling back into dreary Mankato and I thought I'd sum up our time in Laramie:
I've forgotten how much I love the mountains.
I would love to go back there (in the summer) with a camera and just go crazy for the week. Laramie lies on a plain between a range of hills that lie between it and Cheyenne and the Snowy Range to the west- it's totally flat and almost depressing, at first- but when you look around and really, really see then you realize how beautiful, empty- and almost peaceful it really is. The clouds seem closer, the sky seems bigger and everything just seems so wild, empty and free.
I love IT!
Laramie itself, however, wasn't large- but then again, this is Wyoming we're talking about. A town of about 27,000 and the home to the University of Wyoming- it's also home to the tallest buildings in the state (the two main dorms at the U)- aside from that, there's not much else there, apart from the University, the charming old-school downtown and a Wal-Mart Super Center (and a Sonic too. Yum.) I tend to prefer towns a little less isolated- and a little closer to the some sort of population base (Mankato's proximity to Minneapolis made it very attractive to me) yet, despite being all out in the nowhere, it's about an hour to Ft. Collins and 45 minutes to Cheyenne. And there's plenty to do- and drive too!
We did the usual Thanksgiving thing- and Ali and I enjoyed time with Nelly the Boxer...
...we also went hiking up in the hills near town, near the rocks at Vedauwoo and the Lincoln Memorial along Interstate 80. Vedauwoo was closed, since it was Thanksgiving, but the hills were still beautiful:
...it was a nice and much needed break. Now, there's just the mad rush towards the end of the semester and a potential move. (Yes, dear reader, you read that right. I might, with a little bit of luck and a job interview- and even without, the Missus and I will probably be headed back down to the I.C.) Then, job, finish up, life and we'll see what happens after that. Probably house, dog, car, kid, the usual list of things that happen after college and marriage. For myself, it'll be a relief to step away from academia and do things I love to do: write, photograph, cook... I want to lose myself in the mundane and learn how to be good at something other than school.
After that, who knows?
I've forgotten how much I love the mountains.
I would love to go back there (in the summer) with a camera and just go crazy for the week. Laramie lies on a plain between a range of hills that lie between it and Cheyenne and the Snowy Range to the west- it's totally flat and almost depressing, at first- but when you look around and really, really see then you realize how beautiful, empty- and almost peaceful it really is. The clouds seem closer, the sky seems bigger and everything just seems so wild, empty and free.
I love IT!
Laramie itself, however, wasn't large- but then again, this is Wyoming we're talking about. A town of about 27,000 and the home to the University of Wyoming- it's also home to the tallest buildings in the state (the two main dorms at the U)- aside from that, there's not much else there, apart from the University, the charming old-school downtown and a Wal-Mart Super Center (and a Sonic too. Yum.) I tend to prefer towns a little less isolated- and a little closer to the some sort of population base (Mankato's proximity to Minneapolis made it very attractive to me) yet, despite being all out in the nowhere, it's about an hour to Ft. Collins and 45 minutes to Cheyenne. And there's plenty to do- and drive too!
We did the usual Thanksgiving thing- and Ali and I enjoyed time with Nelly the Boxer...
...we also went hiking up in the hills near town, near the rocks at Vedauwoo and the Lincoln Memorial along Interstate 80. Vedauwoo was closed, since it was Thanksgiving, but the hills were still beautiful:
...it was a nice and much needed break. Now, there's just the mad rush towards the end of the semester and a potential move. (Yes, dear reader, you read that right. I might, with a little bit of luck and a job interview- and even without, the Missus and I will probably be headed back down to the I.C.) Then, job, finish up, life and we'll see what happens after that. Probably house, dog, car, kid, the usual list of things that happen after college and marriage. For myself, it'll be a relief to step away from academia and do things I love to do: write, photograph, cook... I want to lose myself in the mundane and learn how to be good at something other than school.
After that, who knows?
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