I am so sick to death of Miley Cyrus. The formerly clean-cut Disney girl has tramped out in every way possible, and rather than becoming popular for any musical ability, she is a source of mockery for anyone who sees her antics. Frankly, she is about as classy as a plate of pus. Now, I'm no fan of Sinead O'Connor ... at all ... but her feud with Miley in which she accuses Ms. Formerly Hannah Montana of mocking the mentally ill is the stuff of TMZ joy.
It got me thinking of some things I've considered about actors and other performers: who stands out as classy and who stands out as classless? I've decided to make a short list, to which I hope others will add, and wonder if the differences stand out as starkly as they do to me.
Classless:
Just about any rapper
M. Cyrus
J. Bieber
Charlie Sheen
Alec Baldwin
Ted Nugent
Any Kardashian
Paris Hilton
Classy:
Sir Patrick Stewart
Nathan Fillion (argue with me ... I dare you)
Michael J. Fox (anyone who can do a series that not only increases the knowledge of Parkinson's but can also laugh at himself for the things he deals with is an incredibly classy guy)
David Tenant (tell me when you have read anything negative or disgusting about him)
Vin Scully (65 years and going strong as a broadcaster ... and loved by everyone ... even other teams)
Anne Hathaway (she's done some nudity, but she always seems so nice in all of her public appearances)
Hugh Jackman
Kate Middleton
OK....your turn. Give me some suggestions, and I'll keep thinking. I particularly want to note who qualifies as classy.
Friday, October 04, 2013
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Human Governments: Not working so well, are they?
If this week should have taught people anything, it's that even the so-called "best form of human government" doesn't work. One can list tons of negatives about fascism, socialism, and communism. One can recite the crimes and inequities of dictatorships, monarchies, Islamic regimes, and totalitarianism. But one cannot state with all certainty that out of all of the governments that exist, the American form is the best. It is laden with special interests, selfishness, childishness, elitism, and other psychological oddities that make its leaders decide that shutting down all of its facets is better than being reasonable.
Jon Stewart pointed out that the Affordable Care Act is a law. It was voted upon by Congress, signed by the President, and ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court. Guess what? That makes it legal and an active law. Period. By trying to use it as a bargaining chip, the Republicans are denying the constitution that they claim to hold so dear.
Thousands of years of human governments, and not one of them has functioned for the ultimate good of its people.
My point is this: stop waving the flag and saying how awesome American government is. It has become a joke rather than a beacon. It's an embarrassment and the butt of jokes of other nations, not because they are jealous, but because the U.S. system has become so dysfunctional.
A guy took 19 shots at a group of Jehovah's Witnesses with a 9 mm pistol, just because they were following the Bible's requirement that they preach the good news. Part of this good news involves God's government. So now, I guess, if you don't agree with something, you shoot it. I wonder what the writers of the Constitution would say about that.
In any case, stop shouting "U.S.A." for one minute and ask yourself: If things are so great, why do politicians let babies go hungry to try to prove a point? (Don't believe me? Ask how WIC is funded and what it does.) Then maybe, just maybe, instead of hating Jehovah's Witnesses, you could give a listen to what they are saying.
One more thing...
The U.S. Postal Service wants to raise rates for a first-class stamp by three cents up to forty-nine cents. My questions are these:
Will this solve the financial issues they are facing?
How will they address the retirement funding? Will the Congress allow changes? (Yeah...right.)
Why not just raise it to fifty cents? A nice round number that will make buying stamps easier, maybe help the Post Office a bit more, and still be less than just about every other country on this planet charges.
Jon Stewart pointed out that the Affordable Care Act is a law. It was voted upon by Congress, signed by the President, and ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court. Guess what? That makes it legal and an active law. Period. By trying to use it as a bargaining chip, the Republicans are denying the constitution that they claim to hold so dear.
Thousands of years of human governments, and not one of them has functioned for the ultimate good of its people.
My point is this: stop waving the flag and saying how awesome American government is. It has become a joke rather than a beacon. It's an embarrassment and the butt of jokes of other nations, not because they are jealous, but because the U.S. system has become so dysfunctional.
A guy took 19 shots at a group of Jehovah's Witnesses with a 9 mm pistol, just because they were following the Bible's requirement that they preach the good news. Part of this good news involves God's government. So now, I guess, if you don't agree with something, you shoot it. I wonder what the writers of the Constitution would say about that.
In any case, stop shouting "U.S.A." for one minute and ask yourself: If things are so great, why do politicians let babies go hungry to try to prove a point? (Don't believe me? Ask how WIC is funded and what it does.) Then maybe, just maybe, instead of hating Jehovah's Witnesses, you could give a listen to what they are saying.
One more thing...
The U.S. Postal Service wants to raise rates for a first-class stamp by three cents up to forty-nine cents. My questions are these:
Will this solve the financial issues they are facing?
How will they address the retirement funding? Will the Congress allow changes? (Yeah...right.)
Why not just raise it to fifty cents? A nice round number that will make buying stamps easier, maybe help the Post Office a bit more, and still be less than just about every other country on this planet charges.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Supply and Demand
I like to think of myself as "reasonably intelligent". (Shut up, Red!) I can usually figure out perplexing issues, such as:
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? (2174 ... I figured it out as a bored teen.)
Why do kids like Cinnamon Toast Crunch? (Lots and lots of sugar.)
Why doesn't Justin Bieber date Miley Cyrus? (The stupid lack of talent and taste would cause sinkholes in time and space.)
But I can't figure out a couple of things about the roll-out of the new iPhone.
First off, I realized that I can buy my wife a new iPhone 5c AND get paid to do it! By selling her 4s to Gazelle.com for $200, I can buy her the 5c for around $140, and still have enough left to buy her a new case for it! (We were already going to renew the contract with AT&T.) How is this possible? Some kind of timey-wimey burp in the logic circuits of the TARDIS?
Second, word is coming out that the 5s will be in very short supply on release. Explain THAT one to me! Apple advertises this thing, but doesn't allow pre-orders. Why? 'Cause they haven't made enough of them! Look, Apple folks ... You've been at this for awhile now. Is it because Tim Cook has lost control of the ship? Are they creating their own demand for the new phone since it wasn't as innovative as past versions? What's next?
"The new iPhone 5s 1/2, with 10% brighter screen! But limited quantities are available, so stand in line 2 weeks early if you want yours!"
I refuse to give in to this kind of artificial pressure from Apple! So, to show my displeasure, I refuse to wait in line for a new phone! No. Instead, I will drive up to my AT&T store about an hour after it opens and calmly grovel until I get the phone. See? That's me not giving in to the man!
(I hope they have one for me...)
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? (2174 ... I figured it out as a bored teen.)
Why do kids like Cinnamon Toast Crunch? (Lots and lots of sugar.)
Why doesn't Justin Bieber date Miley Cyrus? (The stupid lack of talent and taste would cause sinkholes in time and space.)
But I can't figure out a couple of things about the roll-out of the new iPhone.
First off, I realized that I can buy my wife a new iPhone 5c AND get paid to do it! By selling her 4s to Gazelle.com for $200, I can buy her the 5c for around $140, and still have enough left to buy her a new case for it! (We were already going to renew the contract with AT&T.) How is this possible? Some kind of timey-wimey burp in the logic circuits of the TARDIS?
Second, word is coming out that the 5s will be in very short supply on release. Explain THAT one to me! Apple advertises this thing, but doesn't allow pre-orders. Why? 'Cause they haven't made enough of them! Look, Apple folks ... You've been at this for awhile now. Is it because Tim Cook has lost control of the ship? Are they creating their own demand for the new phone since it wasn't as innovative as past versions? What's next?
"The new iPhone 5s 1/2, with 10% brighter screen! But limited quantities are available, so stand in line 2 weeks early if you want yours!"
I refuse to give in to this kind of artificial pressure from Apple! So, to show my displeasure, I refuse to wait in line for a new phone! No. Instead, I will drive up to my AT&T store about an hour after it opens and calmly grovel until I get the phone. See? That's me not giving in to the man!
(I hope they have one for me...)
Friday, September 13, 2013
I'm So Glad It's Friday
I'm not going to say TGIF. Anyone who says that has a misconception on things to be thankful for.
That being said, I am truly glad that it is Friday, because I hope that next week will be better. Anyway, I think it's time for "Friday Rants" (Registered Trademark pending, Patent Pending, Copyright 2013, etc., etc.)
Let's start with:
Apple: Well, all of the predictions were true. Everything from the 5c to the 5s was leaked ahead of time. Normally, I wouldn't say that either one was so fantastic that I would have to go out and buy one on release day, but since I do "need" a new phone, and since I am now convinced that Android bites big robot butt, I'm going to try to get my greedy little hands on the 5s. I'm not getting it for something so mundane as the fingerprint sensor or the better camera. The geek in me likes those things, but the nerd in me also likes the new processing setup and speed. Nothing incredibly innovative, but still the best smartphone out there.
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Considering the financial successes of the past however many Olympic games, I have to ask the Japanese delegation: Is this really the wisest use of your money?
Miley Cyrus: Yes, a lot has been said about the mad twerking bimbette, but I really wonder if, when she left the protection of Disney, she wasn't able to get refills on the prescription medication that kept her from losing her tiny little mind. Let's see: talentless, trampy, daughter of a semi-famous country singer, various insane escapades...Hey! She should date Bieber! Oh wait ... is she gay? If so, then she can go ahead and date Bieber.
Doctor Who 50th: New rumor has Peter Davidson (5th Doctor) having a role in the 50th. Not sure how they'll pull that off, as he has visibly aged a lot since his regeneration. (Although not as badly as Tom Baker and Collin Baker...sheesh!) I'm just wondering....Where is Paul McGann??? Doctor #8 needs to have a big role! That would be fantastic!
Anthony Weiner: Is he off the stage yet? Please?
That's it for today! More next week!
That being said, I am truly glad that it is Friday, because I hope that next week will be better. Anyway, I think it's time for "Friday Rants" (Registered Trademark pending, Patent Pending, Copyright 2013, etc., etc.)
Let's start with:
Apple: Well, all of the predictions were true. Everything from the 5c to the 5s was leaked ahead of time. Normally, I wouldn't say that either one was so fantastic that I would have to go out and buy one on release day, but since I do "need" a new phone, and since I am now convinced that Android bites big robot butt, I'm going to try to get my greedy little hands on the 5s. I'm not getting it for something so mundane as the fingerprint sensor or the better camera. The geek in me likes those things, but the nerd in me also likes the new processing setup and speed. Nothing incredibly innovative, but still the best smartphone out there.
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Considering the financial successes of the past however many Olympic games, I have to ask the Japanese delegation: Is this really the wisest use of your money?
Miley Cyrus: Yes, a lot has been said about the mad twerking bimbette, but I really wonder if, when she left the protection of Disney, she wasn't able to get refills on the prescription medication that kept her from losing her tiny little mind. Let's see: talentless, trampy, daughter of a semi-famous country singer, various insane escapades...Hey! She should date Bieber! Oh wait ... is she gay? If so, then she can go ahead and date Bieber.
Doctor Who 50th: New rumor has Peter Davidson (5th Doctor) having a role in the 50th. Not sure how they'll pull that off, as he has visibly aged a lot since his regeneration. (Although not as badly as Tom Baker and Collin Baker...sheesh!) I'm just wondering....Where is Paul McGann??? Doctor #8 needs to have a big role! That would be fantastic!
Anthony Weiner: Is he off the stage yet? Please?
That's it for today! More next week!
Monday, September 09, 2013
Why So Syria?
As a complete non-political entity, I do have to ask one question: Why is it that dogs learn when you hit them in the nose with a newspaper, but politicians don't? Actually, maybe the smack on the nose would be a good idea for a politician!
In the years before World War I and for a few years of that slaughter, the United States was isolationist. They didn't want to get involved anywhere. After that, the U.S. decided to get involved in just about any conflict anywhere. And yet, after Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan ... there's talk of dropping bombs on the moms in Syria. Sigh.... and people wonder why we don't go to war. Even experts can't tell who the good guys are in Syria! Fact is ... there are no good guys. There are just bad guys and the innocents who get caught in the crossfire. And those innocents are flowing out of Syria into Saudi Arabia and other lands to get away from the executions, gas attacks, bombings, machine guns, and various other forms of slaughter.
I've got news for anyone who feels justified and "good" in going to battle: God isn't with you. Really. Check your Bibles. When God was with a military force, not only did that force win, but they won either with no losses, or without even having to fight. Ever see that happen in modern times? Didn't think so.
I believe that President al-Assad of Syria is guilty of using sarin gas on the "rebels". I also believe that the "rebels" are guilty of executing captured soldiers. Why do I believe this? Because the proof is there. Because we have been warned that people would go from bad to worse in this "time of the end". Because humans with weapons of any kind (and even without weapons) have proven themselves to be cruel and vicious beyond belief.
It's sad. Truly. And pitiful. And disgusting.
That's just another example of why we preach peace.
In the years before World War I and for a few years of that slaughter, the United States was isolationist. They didn't want to get involved anywhere. After that, the U.S. decided to get involved in just about any conflict anywhere. And yet, after Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan ... there's talk of dropping bombs on the moms in Syria. Sigh.... and people wonder why we don't go to war. Even experts can't tell who the good guys are in Syria! Fact is ... there are no good guys. There are just bad guys and the innocents who get caught in the crossfire. And those innocents are flowing out of Syria into Saudi Arabia and other lands to get away from the executions, gas attacks, bombings, machine guns, and various other forms of slaughter.
I've got news for anyone who feels justified and "good" in going to battle: God isn't with you. Really. Check your Bibles. When God was with a military force, not only did that force win, but they won either with no losses, or without even having to fight. Ever see that happen in modern times? Didn't think so.
I believe that President al-Assad of Syria is guilty of using sarin gas on the "rebels". I also believe that the "rebels" are guilty of executing captured soldiers. Why do I believe this? Because the proof is there. Because we have been warned that people would go from bad to worse in this "time of the end". Because humans with weapons of any kind (and even without weapons) have proven themselves to be cruel and vicious beyond belief.
It's sad. Truly. And pitiful. And disgusting.
That's just another example of why we preach peace.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Why No Posts?
It always seems to come down to this. I stop writing because no one is reading.
I say no one, but I know of a few. Analytics say that I'm getting more than a couple of hits, but no responses other than a couple of friends.
I should be writing this for my own enjoyment, but I don't write every day because, let's face it, it isn't a job. So where do I go from here? I don't know. I guess I'll keep posting from time to time, perhaps 3 times a week.
Please understand, though, that this blog doesn't take sides politically. While I may seem liberal, that doesn't mean that I'm political. So if you are looking for my version of Fox, MSNBC, or anything like that, it isn't going to happen. Even if I make a social statement, it isn't a political statement.
So, I'll keep at this awhile longer. I'll try to be interesting, funny, topical, local, international, serious ... you name it. But -- and this is a threat -- if the readership doesn't pick up, I'm probably done.
With that, some quickies:
Apple: Whatever happened to Apple's famed secrecy? It used to be that you would never know what was in the pipeline until Steve Jobs unveiled the product on stage. Now there are pictures from Chinese factories and other locations giving just about every piece of information about a new product before it hits the stage. Can you say "anticlimactic"? I knew you could.
Microsoft: Wow. How many wrong turns can a company take? Microsoft used to be the powerhouse in the computer world, and now it's just one flop after another. Buying Nokia to get a replacement for Ballmer? What the...? What's next? The Windows toaster? The Microsoft rectal thermometer? (Trust me ... with Microsoft's record, no one's buying that item.)
Sacramento anti-arena forces: Please ... please ... go away. The arena will be good for downtown business. Period. Go protest something else, like idiots who waste time with signature-gathering efforts that no one wants. Oh ... wait.
Doctor Who: I am such a fanboy. With that, I just heard that after the Christmas special, we probably won't have any new episodes until autumn 2014. 2014??? Steven Moffat, I'm calling you out! Stop it! You may be good at lying and keeping secrets and playing with plot lines so that they make sense to you and no one else, but quit delaying seasons! (See: Sherlock.)
I say no one, but I know of a few. Analytics say that I'm getting more than a couple of hits, but no responses other than a couple of friends.
I should be writing this for my own enjoyment, but I don't write every day because, let's face it, it isn't a job. So where do I go from here? I don't know. I guess I'll keep posting from time to time, perhaps 3 times a week.
Please understand, though, that this blog doesn't take sides politically. While I may seem liberal, that doesn't mean that I'm political. So if you are looking for my version of Fox, MSNBC, or anything like that, it isn't going to happen. Even if I make a social statement, it isn't a political statement.
So, I'll keep at this awhile longer. I'll try to be interesting, funny, topical, local, international, serious ... you name it. But -- and this is a threat -- if the readership doesn't pick up, I'm probably done.
With that, some quickies:
Apple: Whatever happened to Apple's famed secrecy? It used to be that you would never know what was in the pipeline until Steve Jobs unveiled the product on stage. Now there are pictures from Chinese factories and other locations giving just about every piece of information about a new product before it hits the stage. Can you say "anticlimactic"? I knew you could.
Microsoft: Wow. How many wrong turns can a company take? Microsoft used to be the powerhouse in the computer world, and now it's just one flop after another. Buying Nokia to get a replacement for Ballmer? What the...? What's next? The Windows toaster? The Microsoft rectal thermometer? (Trust me ... with Microsoft's record, no one's buying that item.)
Sacramento anti-arena forces: Please ... please ... go away. The arena will be good for downtown business. Period. Go protest something else, like idiots who waste time with signature-gathering efforts that no one wants. Oh ... wait.
Doctor Who: I am such a fanboy. With that, I just heard that after the Christmas special, we probably won't have any new episodes until autumn 2014. 2014??? Steven Moffat, I'm calling you out! Stop it! You may be good at lying and keeping secrets and playing with plot lines so that they make sense to you and no one else, but quit delaying seasons! (See: Sherlock.)
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
So ... How's That Android Treatin' Ya?
In a previous post or two, I noted that I was thinking of moving from Apple to Android in the world of smartphones. After much trepidation, I pulled the trigger and got an HTC One. How did it go? I am the proud owner of an iPhone 4S.
You might ask what the heck was wrong with the HTC? Do you really want a review? You do? Suit yourself.
1) Transferring info from the iPhone to the One was presented as an easy thing to do. Just click the synch button on the program downloaded into your Mac and voila! Instant synch. NOT. I actually had to download two programs and manually move everything into the HTC. On top of that, the AT&T bloatware that is unremovable caused lots of problems with my address book and photostream. Fail!
2) The main screen that cannot be changed has a "feature" that is constantly updating with your Facebook, Twitter, news, etc. It's big, and ugly, and after five minutes I wanted it gone. But wait! You can't! It's part of the HTC operating system laid over Android. Fail!
3) Creating ringtones is supposed to be easy. You just go to your music, find a song, click "make a ringtone", change the start and finish points, and there you go! Not. There are two ... count 'em ... two music players on this phone, and when you find the right one, they make it impossible to figure out how to slice and dice! The speakers and sound are great, when you can find the song you want. Fail!
4) The Google Play store is a mess, since they allow anyone and everyone to put apps out there. Some look like the app you want, but if you look at the creator you find that it isn't the right one. Deceptive, opportunity for viruses, annoying, and ... yes ... Fail!
5) Downloading a document is easy. Finding it once it has been downloaded is virtually impossible. Fail!
6) Fail! (Just because.)
Between yesterday evening and this morning, I spend about 6 hours playing with the phone, trying to like it. I didn't. So, at noon, I went back to AT&T, got my money back (less a restocking fee ... criminals), and had the sim card put back into my old iPhone 4S. At which point, I went on to Gazelle.com, got a quote of $220 for the phone, clicked "Accept", and began my wait for the shipping materials to be sent to me. I have until the end of September to send it, by which time I will have either an iPhone 5, 5C, or 5S (6?). There may not be many new bells and whistles to the new iPhone, but I'll wager to say that it works, works well, and makes sense.
I usually learn my lessons by getting hit by a two by four with a nail in the end. Chalk this one up to another scar made by that rusty old nail. I am, and for the foreseeable future will be, an iPhone fan. Win!
You might ask what the heck was wrong with the HTC? Do you really want a review? You do? Suit yourself.
1) Transferring info from the iPhone to the One was presented as an easy thing to do. Just click the synch button on the program downloaded into your Mac and voila! Instant synch. NOT. I actually had to download two programs and manually move everything into the HTC. On top of that, the AT&T bloatware that is unremovable caused lots of problems with my address book and photostream. Fail!
2) The main screen that cannot be changed has a "feature" that is constantly updating with your Facebook, Twitter, news, etc. It's big, and ugly, and after five minutes I wanted it gone. But wait! You can't! It's part of the HTC operating system laid over Android. Fail!
3) Creating ringtones is supposed to be easy. You just go to your music, find a song, click "make a ringtone", change the start and finish points, and there you go! Not. There are two ... count 'em ... two music players on this phone, and when you find the right one, they make it impossible to figure out how to slice and dice! The speakers and sound are great, when you can find the song you want. Fail!
4) The Google Play store is a mess, since they allow anyone and everyone to put apps out there. Some look like the app you want, but if you look at the creator you find that it isn't the right one. Deceptive, opportunity for viruses, annoying, and ... yes ... Fail!
5) Downloading a document is easy. Finding it once it has been downloaded is virtually impossible. Fail!
6) Fail! (Just because.)
Between yesterday evening and this morning, I spend about 6 hours playing with the phone, trying to like it. I didn't. So, at noon, I went back to AT&T, got my money back (less a restocking fee ... criminals), and had the sim card put back into my old iPhone 4S. At which point, I went on to Gazelle.com, got a quote of $220 for the phone, clicked "Accept", and began my wait for the shipping materials to be sent to me. I have until the end of September to send it, by which time I will have either an iPhone 5, 5C, or 5S (6?). There may not be many new bells and whistles to the new iPhone, but I'll wager to say that it works, works well, and makes sense.
I usually learn my lessons by getting hit by a two by four with a nail in the end. Chalk this one up to another scar made by that rusty old nail. I am, and for the foreseeable future will be, an iPhone fan. Win!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Clarification and Rants
Wow. If more people read this blog, I think that I would have caused an internet meltdown with my last post. One thought it was a joke ... at first. Others who know the gist of it are still wondering if my brain has been taken over by little robots. (Robots ... Androids ... get it?) (crickets chirping)
Anyway, just to update my thinking here. I still love lots of things about my iPhone, including the backup method and how it "talks" effortlessly to my other Apple devices. I guess I'm just a bit miffed at the rumors coming out of Appletown that are telling folks that the only changes coming with the new phone are a possible fingerprint reader, a gold color option, and a cheaper version with a plastic back. Excuse me while I "yay" sarcastically with a yawn. I'm trying to justify plopping down an extra $100 or more for that over a different phone. And no, I can't just wait for another year. My iPhone gets hot enough to boil water (or skin) as it is, so keeping this phone for another 12 months isn't an option.
Therefore, some time in the next couple of weeks I am going to walk into an AT&T store and look at the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One to see what they are like. Then, on September 10, I am going to find out what Apple is doing with the next incarnation of the iPhone. By that afternoon, I will either have my order in for the next iPhone, or will be waltzing down to the store to get an Android.
The ball's in your court, Apple. Impress me.
Other notes:
Kings: Chris Hansen (of Seattle trying to steal the Kings fame) gave money to an anti-Sacramento Arena movement, AFTER the NBA decided to have the Kings stay in Sac. Hansen, you are a complete wanker and have harmed the chances of Seattle getting an expansion team. Go throw yourself on your sword ... now. Back out of the ownership group to get the Sonics back so that city at least has a chance now. Scumbag.
Disney: I am so rampantly "I don't like Disneyland" that you could bottle the hatred and sell it as mouse poison. But I have to say, a couple who shall remain nameless just got back from their honeymoon which they spend at the House of the Mouse, and the groom (who is also a Disney disliker) says that they had a great time and were treated incredibly well since they were honeymooning there. So ... well played, Disney. But I will not be so easily won over.
Doctor Who: As much as I like Matt Smith, I'm okay with the choice of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor. Sure, he's older, but there have been older Doctors before. This allows the writers to play with other aspects of the Doctor's personality, and change the tone again. Trust me, folks ... it's fine. I've been a fan since Tom Baker, and the changes have always worked. (See Colin Baker to Sylvester McCoy.) Enjoy the ride.
DirecTV: Oh DirecTV... how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I have had the service for one year, have not been thrilled with the channel lineup, and a couple of weeks ago I found out that my rate was jumping $40 a month, not the $10 promised. Long story short? Paid the early termination fee on principle and had Comcast come out and get me back on cable. No, Comcast isn't perfect, but I'll take that old familiar and reliable cable service than the snotty little satellite company that not only overcharged me, but won't even come and take their dish down! I have to do that myself! Jerks...
Anyway, just to update my thinking here. I still love lots of things about my iPhone, including the backup method and how it "talks" effortlessly to my other Apple devices. I guess I'm just a bit miffed at the rumors coming out of Appletown that are telling folks that the only changes coming with the new phone are a possible fingerprint reader, a gold color option, and a cheaper version with a plastic back. Excuse me while I "yay" sarcastically with a yawn. I'm trying to justify plopping down an extra $100 or more for that over a different phone. And no, I can't just wait for another year. My iPhone gets hot enough to boil water (or skin) as it is, so keeping this phone for another 12 months isn't an option.
Therefore, some time in the next couple of weeks I am going to walk into an AT&T store and look at the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One to see what they are like. Then, on September 10, I am going to find out what Apple is doing with the next incarnation of the iPhone. By that afternoon, I will either have my order in for the next iPhone, or will be waltzing down to the store to get an Android.
The ball's in your court, Apple. Impress me.
Other notes:
Kings: Chris Hansen (of Seattle trying to steal the Kings fame) gave money to an anti-Sacramento Arena movement, AFTER the NBA decided to have the Kings stay in Sac. Hansen, you are a complete wanker and have harmed the chances of Seattle getting an expansion team. Go throw yourself on your sword ... now. Back out of the ownership group to get the Sonics back so that city at least has a chance now. Scumbag.
Disney: I am so rampantly "I don't like Disneyland" that you could bottle the hatred and sell it as mouse poison. But I have to say, a couple who shall remain nameless just got back from their honeymoon which they spend at the House of the Mouse, and the groom (who is also a Disney disliker) says that they had a great time and were treated incredibly well since they were honeymooning there. So ... well played, Disney. But I will not be so easily won over.
Doctor Who: As much as I like Matt Smith, I'm okay with the choice of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor. Sure, he's older, but there have been older Doctors before. This allows the writers to play with other aspects of the Doctor's personality, and change the tone again. Trust me, folks ... it's fine. I've been a fan since Tom Baker, and the changes have always worked. (See Colin Baker to Sylvester McCoy.) Enjoy the ride.
DirecTV: Oh DirecTV... how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I have had the service for one year, have not been thrilled with the channel lineup, and a couple of weeks ago I found out that my rate was jumping $40 a month, not the $10 promised. Long story short? Paid the early termination fee on principle and had Comcast come out and get me back on cable. No, Comcast isn't perfect, but I'll take that old familiar and reliable cable service than the snotty little satellite company that not only overcharged me, but won't even come and take their dish down! I have to do that myself! Jerks...
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Why So Late? Wedding! (Not Mine!)
OK. I apologize again, but between being out of town two weeks ago and preparing for, and taking part in, a wedding, my mind hasn't been on this blog. But I'm back for now.
Today I would like to make a confession: I like Apple products. I always have.
That's not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I am an avowed Apple preferer. (Is that even a word?) But as of today, I am going to give many people coronaries, or at least dirty drawers after this announcement: I may buy an Android phone next.
I will wait until you have all calmed down. Okay? Let me explain.
I currently own an iPhone 4s. I like it a lot, but it is time to move on. The iPhone 5 has been out for awhile, and the next incarnation of this phone is on its way. But the rumors about the next iPhone have me checking out the competition. It isn't that the next iPhone won't be cool. It will be just as cool as the 5. And therein lies the problem. Apple has thrived upon innovation. The kind of innovation where people would go to the Apple announcement events and go "ooh" and "ahhh" over the surprises that Jobs had in store for us. But now Apple seems to have lost its way, at least temporarily.
The company recently announced iOS7, and there appear to be some good things about it, but the majority seems to be cosmetic. Oh, Siri will gain some more voices and will learn to pronounce strange words, but one writer described it as when Windows changed to Vista. He said that when the big change is that the borders have gone slightly transparent, there's more look than innovation. I have to agree with that. Sure, iOS7 looks nice, and I'm okay with the clearer icons. But what else is there? On top of that, the new iPhone is rumored to have a fingerprint sensor (very cool for password avoidance), more speed, and better battery life. Cool, certainly. But innovative? Enough for me to plunk down another $300 on the latest and greatest? I'm not so sure.
I have looked at phones like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active, and am impressed with some of the features there. Sure, there are many things that the iPhone does better, but $100 - $200 better? Yes, I would hate to lose the games and such that I already have, but would it hurt me that much?
I'm not sure what the future holds for Apple. An iWatch perhaps? Apple Glass? Something no one has even imagined, perhaps. But seriously, is the iPhone 5s or 6 or whatever it is being called going to be enough bells and whistles-y to make me drop a chunk of change on it? We'll see. But for now, I have to go pick my friends off the floor after the opening announcement. I won't even mention the Galaxy tablet that looks nice.
Today I would like to make a confession: I like Apple products. I always have.
That's not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I am an avowed Apple preferer. (Is that even a word?) But as of today, I am going to give many people coronaries, or at least dirty drawers after this announcement: I may buy an Android phone next.
I will wait until you have all calmed down. Okay? Let me explain.
I currently own an iPhone 4s. I like it a lot, but it is time to move on. The iPhone 5 has been out for awhile, and the next incarnation of this phone is on its way. But the rumors about the next iPhone have me checking out the competition. It isn't that the next iPhone won't be cool. It will be just as cool as the 5. And therein lies the problem. Apple has thrived upon innovation. The kind of innovation where people would go to the Apple announcement events and go "ooh" and "ahhh" over the surprises that Jobs had in store for us. But now Apple seems to have lost its way, at least temporarily.
The company recently announced iOS7, and there appear to be some good things about it, but the majority seems to be cosmetic. Oh, Siri will gain some more voices and will learn to pronounce strange words, but one writer described it as when Windows changed to Vista. He said that when the big change is that the borders have gone slightly transparent, there's more look than innovation. I have to agree with that. Sure, iOS7 looks nice, and I'm okay with the clearer icons. But what else is there? On top of that, the new iPhone is rumored to have a fingerprint sensor (very cool for password avoidance), more speed, and better battery life. Cool, certainly. But innovative? Enough for me to plunk down another $300 on the latest and greatest? I'm not so sure.
I have looked at phones like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active, and am impressed with some of the features there. Sure, there are many things that the iPhone does better, but $100 - $200 better? Yes, I would hate to lose the games and such that I already have, but would it hurt me that much?
I'm not sure what the future holds for Apple. An iWatch perhaps? Apple Glass? Something no one has even imagined, perhaps. But seriously, is the iPhone 5s or 6 or whatever it is being called going to be enough bells and whistles-y to make me drop a chunk of change on it? We'll see. But for now, I have to go pick my friends off the floor after the opening announcement. I won't even mention the Galaxy tablet that looks nice.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Flying Isn't Fun
When I was a kid, I had to fly from L.A. to Sacramento and back all the time on a kind of "shuttle" between two divorced parents. In that era (no...not bi-planes), I generally flew on Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) and was tended to by stewardesses in mini skirts. My dad or mom would meet me at the gate, and we would get the baggage without a hassle.
Fast-forward to our days. PSA no longer exits. The term "stewardess" is no longer used and is even considered sexist. We are helped along by flight attendants who have to deal with ruder and more demanding customers than ever before. No one is allowed into the gate areas due to security requirements, so they can't see you off or pick you up at the gate. The best that your friends can do is drop you off at the red line on the floor where only ticketed passengers may cross, and then say their goodbyes as you wait to go through the scanners in a shoeless manner.
Is it any wonder that flying is no fun? I never liked turbulence or the general fear of flying. But going to the airport was cool and kind of relaxed. But things can't be that way anymore. September 11 saw to that. So how does it go now? You arrive at the airport 2 hours early, check in at the counter and present your forms of identification; go into the secure area and wait in a looooong line to take your shoes off and stick every possible piece of metal on you into a basket to be scanned. (On that note, why does it seem that some people always - and I mean ALWAYS - get chosen to be taken aside and examined up close and personal? Is it a pheromone they give off?)
Now, a quick note here: I don't blame the TSA agents, nor do I give them any grief. In fact, I try to smile, say "thank you", maybe have a bit of a laugh with them, and move on my way quickly so that they can get to the next person. They may not all be the best and the brightest, but they're doing their assigned jobs.
Anyway, after I shove everything back in my pockets and put my shoes back on, I get to sit in the gate area for an hour or more, afraid to buy anything because the sticker shock might kill me, and wait to line up for my airplane boarding, stuck behind people who don't care that it isn't their turn or that they are standing in the wrong line or that they are supposed to wait.
In fact, that may be what has changed flying for the worse more than any other problem. People are rude. Not the gate agents, not the flight attendants, and not the security folks; the passengers. This percentage of "me first" types think that by their existence, they have the right to board first, take up any and all overhead compartment space, lean their chairs back as far as possible, demand this and that from the busy attendants, refuse to turn off their electronic devices, and generally think that rules apply to everyone but them. They are reason number one why flying is a nightmare now. They are the reason that zip ties and duct tape are a staple for every flight attendant's first aid kit.
To those passengers, I say this: sit your butts down until your seat assignments are called. Your seat will still be there. Be polite. Cooperate with the people in charge of your safety and the safety of the rest of the passengers. You don't need your Twitter feed so badly that you can't turn off your phone. And bathe once in awhile, will you?
I watched a video of a flight attendant in the SFO crash carrying passengers off the plane over her shoulder. She is over 40 years old and at the hospital it was discovered that she had a broken tail bone. Yet, she put her passengers first, and made sure that everyone was safe.
You jerks who won't behave on a plane ... rent a car.
Fast-forward to our days. PSA no longer exits. The term "stewardess" is no longer used and is even considered sexist. We are helped along by flight attendants who have to deal with ruder and more demanding customers than ever before. No one is allowed into the gate areas due to security requirements, so they can't see you off or pick you up at the gate. The best that your friends can do is drop you off at the red line on the floor where only ticketed passengers may cross, and then say their goodbyes as you wait to go through the scanners in a shoeless manner.
Is it any wonder that flying is no fun? I never liked turbulence or the general fear of flying. But going to the airport was cool and kind of relaxed. But things can't be that way anymore. September 11 saw to that. So how does it go now? You arrive at the airport 2 hours early, check in at the counter and present your forms of identification; go into the secure area and wait in a looooong line to take your shoes off and stick every possible piece of metal on you into a basket to be scanned. (On that note, why does it seem that some people always - and I mean ALWAYS - get chosen to be taken aside and examined up close and personal? Is it a pheromone they give off?)
Now, a quick note here: I don't blame the TSA agents, nor do I give them any grief. In fact, I try to smile, say "thank you", maybe have a bit of a laugh with them, and move on my way quickly so that they can get to the next person. They may not all be the best and the brightest, but they're doing their assigned jobs.
Anyway, after I shove everything back in my pockets and put my shoes back on, I get to sit in the gate area for an hour or more, afraid to buy anything because the sticker shock might kill me, and wait to line up for my airplane boarding, stuck behind people who don't care that it isn't their turn or that they are standing in the wrong line or that they are supposed to wait.
In fact, that may be what has changed flying for the worse more than any other problem. People are rude. Not the gate agents, not the flight attendants, and not the security folks; the passengers. This percentage of "me first" types think that by their existence, they have the right to board first, take up any and all overhead compartment space, lean their chairs back as far as possible, demand this and that from the busy attendants, refuse to turn off their electronic devices, and generally think that rules apply to everyone but them. They are reason number one why flying is a nightmare now. They are the reason that zip ties and duct tape are a staple for every flight attendant's first aid kit.
To those passengers, I say this: sit your butts down until your seat assignments are called. Your seat will still be there. Be polite. Cooperate with the people in charge of your safety and the safety of the rest of the passengers. You don't need your Twitter feed so badly that you can't turn off your phone. And bathe once in awhile, will you?
I watched a video of a flight attendant in the SFO crash carrying passengers off the plane over her shoulder. She is over 40 years old and at the hospital it was discovered that she had a broken tail bone. Yet, she put her passengers first, and made sure that everyone was safe.
You jerks who won't behave on a plane ... rent a car.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Royal Baby ... Blah, Blah, Blah
Can you believe the news reports about the new Petit Prince in England? Yes, Kate had a baby. Lots of people do every day. Well, not men, but lots of women do. Yet, because the child is born of so-called "royalty" in a so-called "constitutional monarchy", everyone loses their minds. Why? I mean, ok, the British care because that's how their line of succession runs. But why on earth is it big news in the U.S.? I can only come to one conclusion:
Americans want to be British subjects again.
Maybe not all Americans (certainly not those who claim to be part of the modern-day Tea Party who, instead of throwing tea overboard they lob their sanity over the rails), but seemingly a large number. And I can guess why. The approval rating of Congress has dropped to historical lows, with nothing getting done at that level of government except for a continuous exercise in futility called "Repeal Obama Care". People see this and think, "Wouldn't it be great to be subjects of the Crown again?"
Just think, you could spell words like "color" and "favor" with their missing "u". You could stand in a queue instead of a line, could avoid insane lorry drivers instead of truck drivers, could ride in a lift instead of an elevator, and add petrol to your gas-guzzler instead of, well, gas! Just think! You could get rid of your old apartment and live in a flat instead! Doesn't that better describe the shape of those buildings? They aren't "apart", but are usually quite "flat".
We could keep certain aspects of our lives with just a few tweaks. We could keep the dollar, just as Canada has. But we could put Doctor Who on the $10 (wait...it's 11 now, isn't it?), and the Stig and the fellows from Top Gear on the $20, since that needs "More Powerrrrr"! Hey! This is going well! We wouldn't even have to drive on the left hand side of the road. The Canadians don't! Of course, National Health Care would be implemented, but right-wingers say that's Obama-Care anyway! It all fits!
So you people ooohing and aaahing over the new Prince George, have your fun! Just remember, when you describe the new cuisine from Britain, add the "u" when saying that the food doesn't have any flavour.
Americans want to be British subjects again.
Maybe not all Americans (certainly not those who claim to be part of the modern-day Tea Party who, instead of throwing tea overboard they lob their sanity over the rails), but seemingly a large number. And I can guess why. The approval rating of Congress has dropped to historical lows, with nothing getting done at that level of government except for a continuous exercise in futility called "Repeal Obama Care". People see this and think, "Wouldn't it be great to be subjects of the Crown again?"
Just think, you could spell words like "color" and "favor" with their missing "u". You could stand in a queue instead of a line, could avoid insane lorry drivers instead of truck drivers, could ride in a lift instead of an elevator, and add petrol to your gas-guzzler instead of, well, gas! Just think! You could get rid of your old apartment and live in a flat instead! Doesn't that better describe the shape of those buildings? They aren't "apart", but are usually quite "flat".
We could keep certain aspects of our lives with just a few tweaks. We could keep the dollar, just as Canada has. But we could put Doctor Who on the $10 (wait...it's 11 now, isn't it?), and the Stig and the fellows from Top Gear on the $20, since that needs "More Powerrrrr"! Hey! This is going well! We wouldn't even have to drive on the left hand side of the road. The Canadians don't! Of course, National Health Care would be implemented, but right-wingers say that's Obama-Care anyway! It all fits!
So you people ooohing and aaahing over the new Prince George, have your fun! Just remember, when you describe the new cuisine from Britain, add the "u" when saying that the food doesn't have any flavour.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Small Furniture Makes Big Rooms - Why I Like IKEA
First off, an apology for being late. Things have been mildly psycho around here this week.
I have a small house. Two stories, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms ... but small. When we first shopped for furniture in so-called "normal" stores, the furniture came in two sizes; big and "we're from another country and showing off our huge American leather couch". As we looked around and considered the size of our rooms, we realized that if we put a regular American couch in our living room there would be no room for living. Thus, we went European.
If you have ever watched a program on HGTV called "House Hunters International", you will realize that when people from the U.S. look for homes overseas, they come across as whiny, "where's the closet space", "how can I cook in this tiny kitchen" complainers. They are spoiled here, and fail to realize that in the rest of the world, more than one bathroom is a luxury, a full-sized bathtub is mansion material, and kitchens are designed to cook and not to host a slumber party. The way that Euros make this work is that they buy smaller furniture than can sometimes even be hidden away when not in use. Brilliant!
Americans tend to make the IKEA stores the butt of jokes, largely because buyers of their furnishings generally have to take the flat-pack items home and assemble the tables / couches / beds themselves, often with an enclosed Allen wrench. Put that aside, along with the cost savings that are passed on to consumers with items that are flat-packed and less expensive to ship and store. Look at the general size of the furnishings. Sure, you can buy things that are larger and capable of seating 6 and a Yorkie, but you can also buy furniture that can make a small home look larger. And that is a prime selling point for me, and for other folks who realize that a bigger room makes you feel better.
An example: we have an open floor plan that has the kitchen flowing into the dining area flowing into the living room. A table from a normal furniture store would either be ridiculously large, ridiculously cheap and tacky, or just ridiculous in its uselessness. We went the IKEA route, and bought a nice round table that seats four, but when you open a couple of latches and pull the table apart, there is a butterfly leaf that folds out from the center and seats up to 6 (or more!) in the new arrangement. Brilliant! Our couch is small, our entertainment center is small, and yet, we have plenty of room for friends to visit and we didn't sell any vital organs to afford the furnishings.
Say what you will about IKEA, but I love it. I look at the examples of how to live in 200 square feet and think, "I could live like that!" Americans need to take a look at how other people live, and then take another look at how they live. Maybe then Americans won't look like complete jerk-faces on "House Hunters International".
I have a small house. Two stories, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms ... but small. When we first shopped for furniture in so-called "normal" stores, the furniture came in two sizes; big and "we're from another country and showing off our huge American leather couch". As we looked around and considered the size of our rooms, we realized that if we put a regular American couch in our living room there would be no room for living. Thus, we went European.
If you have ever watched a program on HGTV called "House Hunters International", you will realize that when people from the U.S. look for homes overseas, they come across as whiny, "where's the closet space", "how can I cook in this tiny kitchen" complainers. They are spoiled here, and fail to realize that in the rest of the world, more than one bathroom is a luxury, a full-sized bathtub is mansion material, and kitchens are designed to cook and not to host a slumber party. The way that Euros make this work is that they buy smaller furniture than can sometimes even be hidden away when not in use. Brilliant!
Americans tend to make the IKEA stores the butt of jokes, largely because buyers of their furnishings generally have to take the flat-pack items home and assemble the tables / couches / beds themselves, often with an enclosed Allen wrench. Put that aside, along with the cost savings that are passed on to consumers with items that are flat-packed and less expensive to ship and store. Look at the general size of the furnishings. Sure, you can buy things that are larger and capable of seating 6 and a Yorkie, but you can also buy furniture that can make a small home look larger. And that is a prime selling point for me, and for other folks who realize that a bigger room makes you feel better.
An example: we have an open floor plan that has the kitchen flowing into the dining area flowing into the living room. A table from a normal furniture store would either be ridiculously large, ridiculously cheap and tacky, or just ridiculous in its uselessness. We went the IKEA route, and bought a nice round table that seats four, but when you open a couple of latches and pull the table apart, there is a butterfly leaf that folds out from the center and seats up to 6 (or more!) in the new arrangement. Brilliant! Our couch is small, our entertainment center is small, and yet, we have plenty of room for friends to visit and we didn't sell any vital organs to afford the furnishings.
Say what you will about IKEA, but I love it. I look at the examples of how to live in 200 square feet and think, "I could live like that!" Americans need to take a look at how other people live, and then take another look at how they live. Maybe then Americans won't look like complete jerk-faces on "House Hunters International".
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
How NOT To Get Justice
I didn't watch even one minute of the Zimmerman trial. I must confess, I'm not a trial junkie. I don't like watching them, I'm not interested in them, and I really don't like sitting on jury duty.
But I do know that certain high-profile trials don't always go the way that the general public thinks it should (see Simpson, O.J.). The George Zimmerman acquittal appears to be another such case. However, I'm not writing this entry to say if the jury was right or wrong. As I said, I didn't watch the trial, so I'm in no position to second guess the jury. I am writing to comment on what happened in Oakland, California yesterday. Protesters of the verdict blocked freeways, broke windows, attacked news reporters and vans, and generally got up to no good. They blocked a freeway, for goodness sake! Are you people nuts??
And for what? Do you folks think that protests will get the decision reversed? Do you imagine there will be another criminal trial? That's called "double jeopardy", for those who just want to have things their own way despite what the law of the land says. When O.J. was found not guilty of his criminal charges, they didn't hold another trial of the same kind. Instead, the families of the victims tried another tactic, and filed a civil case against Simpson for wrongful death. That succeeded, and bankrupted Simpson, as well as put him on the path to a prison sentence for other crimes.
If the family of Trayvon Martin want to file civil charges against Zimmerman, more power to them. If people want to try to amend Florida's laws to require a 12-person jury, go for it. If you want to hold a peaceful rally to promote more understanding among people, or try to get some of the handguns out of private citizens, you are entitled to do so. But if you just want to protest and get loud because you don't agree with a verdict, and you want to destroy the property of people who had nothing to do with that verdict? No. If you want to block the freeways and roads and verbally assault people just because they are driving in the area? I don't think so. If you want to assault news reporters who are only there because you are causing trouble? Go directly to jail.
In any case, protesters need to understand that nothing will change by you getting violent. The only thing that will happen is that another innocent person will be injured or killed. Some of you will go to jail. Some may commit crimes and go to prison. What will you accomplish? Nothing.
You want to protest? You go right ahead. But don't hurt others; don't destroy property; and don't expect positive results from you cussing out the police. It isn't going to work that way.
But I do know that certain high-profile trials don't always go the way that the general public thinks it should (see Simpson, O.J.). The George Zimmerman acquittal appears to be another such case. However, I'm not writing this entry to say if the jury was right or wrong. As I said, I didn't watch the trial, so I'm in no position to second guess the jury. I am writing to comment on what happened in Oakland, California yesterday. Protesters of the verdict blocked freeways, broke windows, attacked news reporters and vans, and generally got up to no good. They blocked a freeway, for goodness sake! Are you people nuts??
And for what? Do you folks think that protests will get the decision reversed? Do you imagine there will be another criminal trial? That's called "double jeopardy", for those who just want to have things their own way despite what the law of the land says. When O.J. was found not guilty of his criminal charges, they didn't hold another trial of the same kind. Instead, the families of the victims tried another tactic, and filed a civil case against Simpson for wrongful death. That succeeded, and bankrupted Simpson, as well as put him on the path to a prison sentence for other crimes.
If the family of Trayvon Martin want to file civil charges against Zimmerman, more power to them. If people want to try to amend Florida's laws to require a 12-person jury, go for it. If you want to hold a peaceful rally to promote more understanding among people, or try to get some of the handguns out of private citizens, you are entitled to do so. But if you just want to protest and get loud because you don't agree with a verdict, and you want to destroy the property of people who had nothing to do with that verdict? No. If you want to block the freeways and roads and verbally assault people just because they are driving in the area? I don't think so. If you want to assault news reporters who are only there because you are causing trouble? Go directly to jail.
In any case, protesters need to understand that nothing will change by you getting violent. The only thing that will happen is that another innocent person will be injured or killed. Some of you will go to jail. Some may commit crimes and go to prison. What will you accomplish? Nothing.
You want to protest? You go right ahead. But don't hurt others; don't destroy property; and don't expect positive results from you cussing out the police. It isn't going to work that way.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Why So Vulgar?
I don't get it. Is there something in the contracts that HBO signs that states the following:
As part of this agreement, HBO will air your program ____________ for 13 weeks. However, in order to qualify your program to air each week, each half hour must contain a minimum of five (5) "f-bombs", three (3) scatological references, two (2) scenes of sex and/or nudity, and 5 other words deemed to be vulgar according to attachment 1A.
I don't subscribe to HBO, mainly for that reason. It is just too vulgar for my sensibilities. And yet, I am a big fan of Aaron Sorkin. I loved Sports Night, West Wing, and Studio 60. Thus, when "The Newsroom" came out on DVD, I decided to give it a try. Bad idea.
The old Sorkin-isms were there, some of which (many of which) have been recycled from his previous series. But then, this is HBO, and right from the beginning, the bad language flowed out of my television like raw sewage from the Oakland Coliseum locker rooms.
It's funny in a way. Funny in the idea that in order to be on a cable channel, expletives are required for a truly mature program. Mature? None of my friends feel the need to curse at every opportunity. I can actually manage a whole day at work without hearing one "f-bomb"! I heard more curse words daily when I was a teen than I do now. I guess the whole maturity thing is backwards on HBO.
Aaron Sorkin doesn't need to be crude to be successful. He proved that with his previous series. Originality is nice, though. We could use some of that. But as for "The Newsroom"; it is done in my house. I don't need the language. Nor do I need the violence of other shows, such as "The Walking Dead", "Game of Thrones", or "Adventure Time". (Just kidding on the last one. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.)
Seriously, HBO. Weren't you responsible for "From the Earth to the Moon"? Good television can be done without blood, guts, and disgusting language. Fortunately, I have a secret super power. I can grab the remote, and change the channel. Better still, I can turn off the television entirely. Top that power, Iron Man.
As part of this agreement, HBO will air your program ____________ for 13 weeks. However, in order to qualify your program to air each week, each half hour must contain a minimum of five (5) "f-bombs", three (3) scatological references, two (2) scenes of sex and/or nudity, and 5 other words deemed to be vulgar according to attachment 1A.
I don't subscribe to HBO, mainly for that reason. It is just too vulgar for my sensibilities. And yet, I am a big fan of Aaron Sorkin. I loved Sports Night, West Wing, and Studio 60. Thus, when "The Newsroom" came out on DVD, I decided to give it a try. Bad idea.
The old Sorkin-isms were there, some of which (many of which) have been recycled from his previous series. But then, this is HBO, and right from the beginning, the bad language flowed out of my television like raw sewage from the Oakland Coliseum locker rooms.
It's funny in a way. Funny in the idea that in order to be on a cable channel, expletives are required for a truly mature program. Mature? None of my friends feel the need to curse at every opportunity. I can actually manage a whole day at work without hearing one "f-bomb"! I heard more curse words daily when I was a teen than I do now. I guess the whole maturity thing is backwards on HBO.
Aaron Sorkin doesn't need to be crude to be successful. He proved that with his previous series. Originality is nice, though. We could use some of that. But as for "The Newsroom"; it is done in my house. I don't need the language. Nor do I need the violence of other shows, such as "The Walking Dead", "Game of Thrones", or "Adventure Time". (Just kidding on the last one. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.)
Seriously, HBO. Weren't you responsible for "From the Earth to the Moon"? Good television can be done without blood, guts, and disgusting language. Fortunately, I have a secret super power. I can grab the remote, and change the channel. Better still, I can turn off the television entirely. Top that power, Iron Man.
Monday, July 08, 2013
One tragedy after another
Wow. Just wow.
Three major transport accidents in a single day.
The major newsmaker was the crash of the 777 at San Francisco airport. I'm absolutely amazed that only two people died in the accident. The video of the crash looked horrendous, but somehow the flight crew got the vast majority of the passengers out of the jet and away from danger. One has to feel very sad about the two young women who lost their lives, and the numerous injured passengers (some severely so) who couldn't walk away from the crash. And yet, it boggles the mind how many escaped. I have flown on a 777 a couple of times, and I was very impressed with the plane in every way. From the news reports, though, I found out that the plane was designed so that all passengers could be evacuated from the plane in 90 seconds, even if half of the exits were unusable. That's truly incredible. Who could imagine such a thing even ten years ago? A jumbo jet crashes at SFO and most people walk away.
Another thing that amazes me, though, is how a couple of other tragedies fell by the wayside, and received much less attention from the news media. The first was a train that crashed in Canada. A train carrying crude oil rolled down a hill from a parking spot, jumped the track and crashed into a town. A town!! Forty people are missing, and a number of buildings were destroyed. This received far less coverage than the plane crash, but the actual damage appears to be much greater. Is it because it took place in Quebec?
How about the plane crash in Alaska, which killed all ten people on board? It isn't even on MSNBC's front page! Is it because the crash that killed five times more people wasn't as dramatic? At least the media is staying on top of the violence in Egypt, where over 50 are dead. But still ...
I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I guess I just wonder where drama goes away, and real news begins. I don't care about a Kardashian baby, or if the tanning mom is in rehab, or if Lindsay Lohan snorts all-purpose flour. I really don't. And yet, the news media continues to put drivel out there as "news".
Even though watching the news on BBC America is far more depressing, at least I get the feeling that I am watching real news, and that the viewpoint is somewhat balanced. Stop showing the SFO crash fifty times an hour! Tell me what is going on, leave the Fox News / NPR / Al Jazeera preaching out of it, and give me facts. Don't tell me what I should think. Sure, you can tell me the various viewpoints on a story, but let me decide how I feel about it. And let me know that there is more going on than a crash in SF.
Condolences to all affected by these horrible events...
Three major transport accidents in a single day.
The major newsmaker was the crash of the 777 at San Francisco airport. I'm absolutely amazed that only two people died in the accident. The video of the crash looked horrendous, but somehow the flight crew got the vast majority of the passengers out of the jet and away from danger. One has to feel very sad about the two young women who lost their lives, and the numerous injured passengers (some severely so) who couldn't walk away from the crash. And yet, it boggles the mind how many escaped. I have flown on a 777 a couple of times, and I was very impressed with the plane in every way. From the news reports, though, I found out that the plane was designed so that all passengers could be evacuated from the plane in 90 seconds, even if half of the exits were unusable. That's truly incredible. Who could imagine such a thing even ten years ago? A jumbo jet crashes at SFO and most people walk away.
Another thing that amazes me, though, is how a couple of other tragedies fell by the wayside, and received much less attention from the news media. The first was a train that crashed in Canada. A train carrying crude oil rolled down a hill from a parking spot, jumped the track and crashed into a town. A town!! Forty people are missing, and a number of buildings were destroyed. This received far less coverage than the plane crash, but the actual damage appears to be much greater. Is it because it took place in Quebec?
How about the plane crash in Alaska, which killed all ten people on board? It isn't even on MSNBC's front page! Is it because the crash that killed five times more people wasn't as dramatic? At least the media is staying on top of the violence in Egypt, where over 50 are dead. But still ...
I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I guess I just wonder where drama goes away, and real news begins. I don't care about a Kardashian baby, or if the tanning mom is in rehab, or if Lindsay Lohan snorts all-purpose flour. I really don't. And yet, the news media continues to put drivel out there as "news".
Even though watching the news on BBC America is far more depressing, at least I get the feeling that I am watching real news, and that the viewpoint is somewhat balanced. Stop showing the SFO crash fifty times an hour! Tell me what is going on, leave the Fox News / NPR / Al Jazeera preaching out of it, and give me facts. Don't tell me what I should think. Sure, you can tell me the various viewpoints on a story, but let me decide how I feel about it. And let me know that there is more going on than a crash in SF.
Condolences to all affected by these horrible events...
Friday, July 05, 2013
Happy 4th ... you idiots
We set a record yesterday. Our area had its 7th day in a row with temperatures over 105 degrees.
Let us bow our heads for a minute of silence for my sweat glands.
One can only imagine just how dry the grasses and trees are in the general area. All it takes is a spark to start a nasty fire. So, imagine my lack of surprise when I see illegal fireworks shooting overhead and exploding in a shower of pyrotechnics. Follow that up with exploding M-80s and other forms of miniature dynamite and we have the makings for a disaster. Fortunately, our place of worship and my house was spared any catastrophe of this kind, but I do have a message to the mouth-breathers out there who think their antics were clever: you are idiots, morons, self-centered knuckle-draggers who deserve a swift kick in the seat of the pants.
Let's face it...people who use illegal fireworks are nothing more than selfish jerks, who think that their own visual pleasure and excitement torn from doing something illegal trumps the safety and well-being of others. That's what it comes down to in the end. And frankly, that kind of person shouldn't possess explosives anyway, but particularly when they are no doubt loaded up with Budweiser or some other form of colored water containing alcohol.
You can celebrate so-called Independence Day if you want to, although I do wonder if you really can claim independence when you have the NSA on your phone, computer, and probably your showerhead. But leave the explosives to the military. Leave the pyrotechnics to the pros.
Although even the pros have problems. Just do a search on the fireworks accidents that happened yesterday. If these professionals can't go error free, what makes you nincompoops with the bottle rockets think that you can do better? Take your selfish, ooohing and aaahing and burping, illegal explosive launching selves and go somewhere where you can't harm anyone. I hear Death Valley is nice in the summertime.
Let us bow our heads for a minute of silence for my sweat glands.
One can only imagine just how dry the grasses and trees are in the general area. All it takes is a spark to start a nasty fire. So, imagine my lack of surprise when I see illegal fireworks shooting overhead and exploding in a shower of pyrotechnics. Follow that up with exploding M-80s and other forms of miniature dynamite and we have the makings for a disaster. Fortunately, our place of worship and my house was spared any catastrophe of this kind, but I do have a message to the mouth-breathers out there who think their antics were clever: you are idiots, morons, self-centered knuckle-draggers who deserve a swift kick in the seat of the pants.
Let's face it...people who use illegal fireworks are nothing more than selfish jerks, who think that their own visual pleasure and excitement torn from doing something illegal trumps the safety and well-being of others. That's what it comes down to in the end. And frankly, that kind of person shouldn't possess explosives anyway, but particularly when they are no doubt loaded up with Budweiser or some other form of colored water containing alcohol.
You can celebrate so-called Independence Day if you want to, although I do wonder if you really can claim independence when you have the NSA on your phone, computer, and probably your showerhead. But leave the explosives to the military. Leave the pyrotechnics to the pros.
Although even the pros have problems. Just do a search on the fireworks accidents that happened yesterday. If these professionals can't go error free, what makes you nincompoops with the bottle rockets think that you can do better? Take your selfish, ooohing and aaahing and burping, illegal explosive launching selves and go somewhere where you can't harm anyone. I hear Death Valley is nice in the summertime.
Monday, July 01, 2013
Gentle Seasonal Changes
So, summer has arrived. And where I am, it has arrived ever so gently. It started with a couple of days of rain showers, and somehow morphed into a new Syfy special: When the Earth Went Nuclear!
How we go from rain to 110 degrees is beyond my comprehension. We have always had warm (read: hot) summers here, and a running joke is that we have two seasons; rain and blistering heat. But this week goes beyond sanity. How insane?
We are expecting at least 5 more days over 100 degrees and nearing 111 degrees before we gently cool to 99.
Death Valley, which in anyone's book translates into "Valley where things die" is near 130 degrees. 130! The news reports say that people's tennis shoes are melting as they walk on the pavement!
Las Vegas, NV hit 117 degrees! People actually had to go inside and watch lounge singers to avoid the heat. Ten minutes later they decided that they preferred heat stroke.
Even Seattle, Washington hit the 90s which, as you might guess, is just a bit unusual for them.
So, to all you who deny that humans are having an effect on the weather, I would like to invite you on a tour of Death Valley in a station wagon with no air conditioning.
On a more serious note, I think it appropriate to mention that 19 firefighters died while working a serious blaze in Arizona. My wife and I discussed it this morning, and a thought occurred to me: what defines a 'hero'? I'm sure that there are many different definitions of the word: someone who rescues helpless animals, someone who donates time at a women's shelter, someone who flies to other countries to provide medical care to the impoverished. I would like to throw another definition out there. A hero is someone who runs into danger while others run away; someone who works in catastrophic conditions to save someone else's property; someone who would willingly sacrifice his or her life for the benefit of others.
In this case: firefighters.
How we go from rain to 110 degrees is beyond my comprehension. We have always had warm (read: hot) summers here, and a running joke is that we have two seasons; rain and blistering heat. But this week goes beyond sanity. How insane?
We are expecting at least 5 more days over 100 degrees and nearing 111 degrees before we gently cool to 99.
Death Valley, which in anyone's book translates into "Valley where things die" is near 130 degrees. 130! The news reports say that people's tennis shoes are melting as they walk on the pavement!
Las Vegas, NV hit 117 degrees! People actually had to go inside and watch lounge singers to avoid the heat. Ten minutes later they decided that they preferred heat stroke.
Even Seattle, Washington hit the 90s which, as you might guess, is just a bit unusual for them.
So, to all you who deny that humans are having an effect on the weather, I would like to invite you on a tour of Death Valley in a station wagon with no air conditioning.
On a more serious note, I think it appropriate to mention that 19 firefighters died while working a serious blaze in Arizona. My wife and I discussed it this morning, and a thought occurred to me: what defines a 'hero'? I'm sure that there are many different definitions of the word: someone who rescues helpless animals, someone who donates time at a women's shelter, someone who flies to other countries to provide medical care to the impoverished. I would like to throw another definition out there. A hero is someone who runs into danger while others run away; someone who works in catastrophic conditions to save someone else's property; someone who would willingly sacrifice his or her life for the benefit of others.
In this case: firefighters.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Not So Common Sense
I read an article today that mentioned a woman who followed her GPS directions and ended up stranded in California's Death Valley. (Or, as Bill Engvall calls it, it's a valley ... of death!) I cannot understand this. Certainly I could understand ending up on the wrong street or the wrong neighborhood, but how do you drive on the freeway with signs saying "Death Valley next exit" and think that the signs must be wrong because there's no way the GPS could be wrong? If you were about to drive off a pier, would you refuse to believe there was water ahead of you because the GPS says there isn't? Guess what? You're going to get wet!
This is the lack of common sense that I constantly mourn in this world. You see it in things large and small.
For example, an NFL player was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. What was one of the clues the DA used to press charges? The defendant had bought a pack of a particular kind of bubble gum, and the cops found a chewed piece of that gum at the murder scene. Leave out the DNA testing sure to follow. How do you spit your gum out at a murder site and not think to get rid of it? The guy is an idiot and an evil person for committing murder, but he's a complete moron to leave that kind of evidence laying there!
Another example: the CEO of Chik-Fil-A has made it clear that he is opposed to homosexuality. That's his right. But then he posts an idiotic statement on Twitter, deletes it after it is discovered(?), and then can't figure out how the news media has gotten a hold of things! If you post something online, it's there. It's the same thing with people who post embarrassing things on Facebook and wonder how it went viral. Why not post your phone number and then wonder why you get crank calls?
Paula Deen wonders why she's getting flak? Oh, I don't know... because you showed extremely racist behavior? Westboro Baptist Church wonders why Anonymous is hacking their site after they publicly make their idiotic statements and basically dare the hackers to go after them?
The electronic age has been amazing. But nothing is perfect, and if you start to think it is, then you're a fool. If you don't want something out there, don't type it. Don't photograph it. Don't post it. No one cares about your breakfast. But if you're going to post a picture of yourself in a stolen car, don't be shocked if the cops find you. If you're going to post a picture of yourself in Nazi regalia, don't be surprised if you don't get hired anywhere.
And if you see a sign that says Death Valley, don't get off the freeway if you wanted to go to San Diego.
This is the lack of common sense that I constantly mourn in this world. You see it in things large and small.
For example, an NFL player was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. What was one of the clues the DA used to press charges? The defendant had bought a pack of a particular kind of bubble gum, and the cops found a chewed piece of that gum at the murder scene. Leave out the DNA testing sure to follow. How do you spit your gum out at a murder site and not think to get rid of it? The guy is an idiot and an evil person for committing murder, but he's a complete moron to leave that kind of evidence laying there!
Another example: the CEO of Chik-Fil-A has made it clear that he is opposed to homosexuality. That's his right. But then he posts an idiotic statement on Twitter, deletes it after it is discovered(?), and then can't figure out how the news media has gotten a hold of things! If you post something online, it's there. It's the same thing with people who post embarrassing things on Facebook and wonder how it went viral. Why not post your phone number and then wonder why you get crank calls?
Paula Deen wonders why she's getting flak? Oh, I don't know... because you showed extremely racist behavior? Westboro Baptist Church wonders why Anonymous is hacking their site after they publicly make their idiotic statements and basically dare the hackers to go after them?
The electronic age has been amazing. But nothing is perfect, and if you start to think it is, then you're a fool. If you don't want something out there, don't type it. Don't photograph it. Don't post it. No one cares about your breakfast. But if you're going to post a picture of yourself in a stolen car, don't be shocked if the cops find you. If you're going to post a picture of yourself in Nazi regalia, don't be surprised if you don't get hired anywhere.
And if you see a sign that says Death Valley, don't get off the freeway if you wanted to go to San Diego.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Getting Older
I'm back, and it's time to address an issue that is staring me in the face like a rabid ferret: aging.
Not aging in general this time, but the aspects of aging that involve medical testing.
I was watching a Bill Engvall performance video the other evening, and one of his routines had to do with having that oh-so-fun colonoscopy. He joked about the laxative he had to take the day before, and how anyone who tried to use his bathroom got yelled out of the house. He told about the IV that turned him into a wasted guy that got distracted by the movement of his own finger. He had the audience laughing about the length of tube curled by the machine, and how he passed gas afterward like a bull elephant. If you're wondering, yes, I laughed, too. How could I not? He was hilarious! And yet, behind my laughter was the frightening aspect of the same procedure in my future. It wasn't so funny at that point.
I'm nearly fifty, which means that the AARP is right around the corner (yay discounts!), but it also means that fun times involving prostate exams and colonoscopies are now on the medical schedule for me. Every time I hear about these exams, I never fail to ask, "Shouldn't a modern technological society have come up with a better and less invasive way of conducting these exams?"
Imagine someone from 100 years ago getting a tour of a modern hospital:
"Here, sir, is where we can scan your brain without opening your skull! It's a machine that can show us layers of your brain and where a problem may exist. And here's something interesting! This is called a gamma knife, and it allows us to operate without opening the skin. And where we do open the skin, we have things like electro cauterization and the cell saver which minimizes the loss of blood in a patient. Oh, and look at this! This is a robot that allows doctors to operate safely down to the smallest and most delicate areas of the body!"
"Excuse me, Doctor, but what is that machine over there?"
"Oh, well that's a tube we stick up the patient's backside so we can look for things in the colon!"
"Barbarians!!!"
Seriously, though... Doesn't it seem odd that we can scan an active, living brain for damage without opening the skull, and we can't check a colon for polyps without sticking a tube into it? With all of our technology, Doctor Squint has to still shove a fire hose up the chute to look for bumps? When he finds some, will he shove leeches up there?
I know my loved ones want me to be healthy and live a long life. I want that, too. But when is a technology that gives us Google Glass, iPhones, and Double Stuf Oreos going to get going on a true benefit to mankind: the external scanner for colons? Oh Steve Jobs, why did you have to be such an anti-medicine type? Why couldn't we have an iScope? It's not too late, Bill Gates. While your foundation is offering money for people who come up with ways to solve the world's problems, how about a little cash in the direction of the male colon?
Don't get me started on prostate exams....
Not aging in general this time, but the aspects of aging that involve medical testing.
I was watching a Bill Engvall performance video the other evening, and one of his routines had to do with having that oh-so-fun colonoscopy. He joked about the laxative he had to take the day before, and how anyone who tried to use his bathroom got yelled out of the house. He told about the IV that turned him into a wasted guy that got distracted by the movement of his own finger. He had the audience laughing about the length of tube curled by the machine, and how he passed gas afterward like a bull elephant. If you're wondering, yes, I laughed, too. How could I not? He was hilarious! And yet, behind my laughter was the frightening aspect of the same procedure in my future. It wasn't so funny at that point.
I'm nearly fifty, which means that the AARP is right around the corner (yay discounts!), but it also means that fun times involving prostate exams and colonoscopies are now on the medical schedule for me. Every time I hear about these exams, I never fail to ask, "Shouldn't a modern technological society have come up with a better and less invasive way of conducting these exams?"
Imagine someone from 100 years ago getting a tour of a modern hospital:
"Here, sir, is where we can scan your brain without opening your skull! It's a machine that can show us layers of your brain and where a problem may exist. And here's something interesting! This is called a gamma knife, and it allows us to operate without opening the skin. And where we do open the skin, we have things like electro cauterization and the cell saver which minimizes the loss of blood in a patient. Oh, and look at this! This is a robot that allows doctors to operate safely down to the smallest and most delicate areas of the body!"
"Excuse me, Doctor, but what is that machine over there?"
"Oh, well that's a tube we stick up the patient's backside so we can look for things in the colon!"
"Barbarians!!!"
Seriously, though... Doesn't it seem odd that we can scan an active, living brain for damage without opening the skull, and we can't check a colon for polyps without sticking a tube into it? With all of our technology, Doctor Squint has to still shove a fire hose up the chute to look for bumps? When he finds some, will he shove leeches up there?
I know my loved ones want me to be healthy and live a long life. I want that, too. But when is a technology that gives us Google Glass, iPhones, and Double Stuf Oreos going to get going on a true benefit to mankind: the external scanner for colons? Oh Steve Jobs, why did you have to be such an anti-medicine type? Why couldn't we have an iScope? It's not too late, Bill Gates. While your foundation is offering money for people who come up with ways to solve the world's problems, how about a little cash in the direction of the male colon?
Don't get me started on prostate exams....
Monday, June 24, 2013
Delay of Posts
Just wanted to let folks know that I'm not dead. I have had several really busy days, and haven't been in the frame of mind to post anything. Will try to pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks for your patience.
Or lack of interest.
Or whatever.
Thanks for your patience.
Or lack of interest.
Or whatever.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
News Headlines
I decided that since I couldn't think of subject matter to discuss, I would do the usual and scan through the different news sites and pick a few subjects of interest.
Report: Paula Deen Uses "N" Word: Link to Daily Beast I'd like to say that this headline shocked me, but it doesn't. Deen sees herself as a Southerner (note the capital "S"), and the news report says that she not only used the "N" word, but imagined African Americans dressed in white coats as servers for a Southern-themed wedding. Aside from the clearly racist visual imagery this creates, I'd like to know what self-respecting African American would actually act as a wait staff member for such a reception. Anyone? No? Sorry, Paula. You're going to have to think of something else. How about a masquerade party? You and your friends could wear pillowcases over your heads until you reveal your identities at midnight?
Serena Williams Apologizes for Comment Made About Rape Case: SI article Serena Williams tries to backtrack on a comment made that implied that a girl was partially responsible for getting raped due to the way she was dressed. Really, Serena? You wear a black "catsuit" on a tennis court and you're pointing fingers at a girl who got raped? Like it's her fault?? Stick to your noisy tennis strokes and leave discussion of sensitive topics to those who have half a brain. Good grief.
Starbucks to Post Calorie Counts: Starbucks article They already do that in California. That's how we know that a Venti Mocha Frappuccino has 470 calories, 17 grams of fat, 77 grams of carbs, and is 31% fat. Venti Frap Calories If you're a guy, just order 4 of these and you're done with your calories for the day. On a side note, you're probably also dead.
Men's Wearhouse Fires George Zimmer: Zimmer Fired How does the guy that founded the company get fired? This guy was responsible for the success of the franchise, had concerns about the direction the board was taking it, and got fired for his trouble. I shop here! Now I'm torn! (Oops... no, that's just the pants.) This is the guy responsible for: "You're Gonna Like the Way You Look. I Guarantee It." And he did guarantee it! The customer service was great, and I don't think that the founder of a company should be able to be fired by a bunch of corporate hacks. I don't like they way they look.
GM Tops Quality List: GM Quality It hurt me to type those words. I cannot imagine the data used to come up with that information, but it must be true if it comes from J.D. Power. In other news, North Korea ranks first in public health and nutrition, and Guantanamo Bay ranked first in Seaside Resorts.
Report: Paula Deen Uses "N" Word: Link to Daily Beast I'd like to say that this headline shocked me, but it doesn't. Deen sees herself as a Southerner (note the capital "S"), and the news report says that she not only used the "N" word, but imagined African Americans dressed in white coats as servers for a Southern-themed wedding. Aside from the clearly racist visual imagery this creates, I'd like to know what self-respecting African American would actually act as a wait staff member for such a reception. Anyone? No? Sorry, Paula. You're going to have to think of something else. How about a masquerade party? You and your friends could wear pillowcases over your heads until you reveal your identities at midnight?
Serena Williams Apologizes for Comment Made About Rape Case: SI article Serena Williams tries to backtrack on a comment made that implied that a girl was partially responsible for getting raped due to the way she was dressed. Really, Serena? You wear a black "catsuit" on a tennis court and you're pointing fingers at a girl who got raped? Like it's her fault?? Stick to your noisy tennis strokes and leave discussion of sensitive topics to those who have half a brain. Good grief.
Starbucks to Post Calorie Counts: Starbucks article They already do that in California. That's how we know that a Venti Mocha Frappuccino has 470 calories, 17 grams of fat, 77 grams of carbs, and is 31% fat. Venti Frap Calories If you're a guy, just order 4 of these and you're done with your calories for the day. On a side note, you're probably also dead.
Men's Wearhouse Fires George Zimmer: Zimmer Fired How does the guy that founded the company get fired? This guy was responsible for the success of the franchise, had concerns about the direction the board was taking it, and got fired for his trouble. I shop here! Now I'm torn! (Oops... no, that's just the pants.) This is the guy responsible for: "You're Gonna Like the Way You Look. I Guarantee It." And he did guarantee it! The customer service was great, and I don't think that the founder of a company should be able to be fired by a bunch of corporate hacks. I don't like they way they look.
GM Tops Quality List: GM Quality It hurt me to type those words. I cannot imagine the data used to come up with that information, but it must be true if it comes from J.D. Power. In other news, North Korea ranks first in public health and nutrition, and Guantanamo Bay ranked first in Seaside Resorts.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Thoughts for a Tuesday
It's time for some random thoughts, coming from a fragmented and random mind.
Beauty pageants: Yesterday there were a bunch of stories about how a beauty pageant contestant completely flubbed an answer to a question about education. I have a better question: does anyone else think that the time for beauty pageants is long over?? I mean really, does anyone even watch these things? And on a similar note...
"Reality shows": I saw an ad and a brief blurb for a show called Backyard Oil, about a bunch of idiots trying to find oil on their property. I would say these guys seemed as dumb as a bag of rocks, but I don't believe in insulting rocks. Now I hear the expression "Professional Reality Show Star". Would someone please tell me how someone becomes one of those? Is that someone who has been on more than one reality series? I watch one reality show: Deadliest Catch. For some reason, I have always liked that show. But I do wonder about one thing I noted this season... a couple of the Captains said that they put a ton of money into their boats this year, and their continued existence as crab boat captains depended on their catch this year. Really? I look at the Hillstrand family of the Time Bandit, and see that they have books, a clothing line, etc., etc., along with the money they make from the show and have to wonder how much financial difficulty they are really facing! Just asking.
Iran: New president-elect who they say is a "moderate". Vegas now taking bets on how long it will be before he tells the world that Iran has a right to nuclear warheads. "Moderate"? Is that like a serial killer who only kills 20 people instead of 30?
"Wreck-It" Ralph: Watched it again yesterday. Gets better every time. I constantly see something in the background that I hadn't seen before. I'm not a big fan of Sarah Silverman, but she was great in this film.
Clothing: Say what you will about my being a nerd or a geek, but I get lots of positive comments on my variety of Doctor Who shirts. I guess these days it's cool to be a geek!
Clothing (part 2): I don't think I'll ever get the fascination with capri pants. It just seems like whoever created them had problems with decision making. "Shorts! Pants! Shorts! Pants!" (Enter little hispanic girl...) "Why can't we have both?" (Ugly pants party commences...)
Clothing (part 3): Guys... read my lips ... skinny jeans don't look good. Ever.
Government spying: They tried reading my blog. Got bored. They decided to scan Bieber's computer for proof he's a mentally unstable female instead of just a talentless male singer.
P.S. This was post number 250! Woo hoo! 250 postings of nothing! (Seinfeld would be so proud.)
Beauty pageants: Yesterday there were a bunch of stories about how a beauty pageant contestant completely flubbed an answer to a question about education. I have a better question: does anyone else think that the time for beauty pageants is long over?? I mean really, does anyone even watch these things? And on a similar note...
"Reality shows": I saw an ad and a brief blurb for a show called Backyard Oil, about a bunch of idiots trying to find oil on their property. I would say these guys seemed as dumb as a bag of rocks, but I don't believe in insulting rocks. Now I hear the expression "Professional Reality Show Star". Would someone please tell me how someone becomes one of those? Is that someone who has been on more than one reality series? I watch one reality show: Deadliest Catch. For some reason, I have always liked that show. But I do wonder about one thing I noted this season... a couple of the Captains said that they put a ton of money into their boats this year, and their continued existence as crab boat captains depended on their catch this year. Really? I look at the Hillstrand family of the Time Bandit, and see that they have books, a clothing line, etc., etc., along with the money they make from the show and have to wonder how much financial difficulty they are really facing! Just asking.
Iran: New president-elect who they say is a "moderate". Vegas now taking bets on how long it will be before he tells the world that Iran has a right to nuclear warheads. "Moderate"? Is that like a serial killer who only kills 20 people instead of 30?
"Wreck-It" Ralph: Watched it again yesterday. Gets better every time. I constantly see something in the background that I hadn't seen before. I'm not a big fan of Sarah Silverman, but she was great in this film.
Clothing: Say what you will about my being a nerd or a geek, but I get lots of positive comments on my variety of Doctor Who shirts. I guess these days it's cool to be a geek!
Clothing (part 2): I don't think I'll ever get the fascination with capri pants. It just seems like whoever created them had problems with decision making. "Shorts! Pants! Shorts! Pants!" (Enter little hispanic girl...) "Why can't we have both?" (Ugly pants party commences...)
Clothing (part 3): Guys... read my lips ... skinny jeans don't look good. Ever.
Government spying: They tried reading my blog. Got bored. They decided to scan Bieber's computer for proof he's a mentally unstable female instead of just a talentless male singer.
P.S. This was post number 250! Woo hoo! 250 postings of nothing! (Seinfeld would be so proud.)
Monday, June 17, 2013
Legality of Gay Marriage
This week, the Supreme Court is supposed to rule on the legality of California's Prop 8, which basically makes gay marriage in California illegal.
There are those who say that gay marriage should be illegal, because the Bible states that marriage is between a man and a woman. That is true. The Bible does say that. And although promoters of gay marriage would like to believe otherwise, the Bible also does speak against homosexuality in the so-called New Testament, or Christian Greek Scriptures.
Anyone who knows me knows that I agree with the Scriptural view here. That's my right and it is what I believe. I do not, however, agree with those so-called Christians who take to the courts to try to make homosexual relations illegal or who go out and beat up gays in the name of God. People who do that had better read their Bibles more closely.
What is being argued in the Supreme Court actually has nothing to do with the Bible. Amazing to read, right? I should clarify this point.
Marriage ... according to the Scriptures ... is between a man and a woman.
What is being discussed in the Supreme Court is the civil view of marriage. Any government has the right to make whatever laws it sees fit for society. Whether you agree with that or not, it is how things are. You may say that the Bible speaks against drunkenness, and it does, but where does it give you the legal limit for the definition of drunkenness? That's something the states decide for themselves, and different states have different definitions. In a similar vein, a state can decide what defines marriage to them, and what rights and benefits go along with that definition. It is a civil case being decided, related to things such as insurance, benefits, and divorce (which the Bible also speaks out against, you hypocritical people who thump the Bible and then cheat on your wives). Whatever the state decides in this case does not make the least bit of difference to my beliefs. I will live my life according to God's Word, and will not marry a member of my own sex. Besides, I'm already married! But others will do what they will. Some will divorce (against God's Word), but which is legal. Others will run for political office, which the Bible states is not in line with Christians being separate from the world, but which is legal. There are many things that are legal, but which servants of God will not take part in doing. We could go for hours on so-called Christians who fight "legal" wars and kill members of their own faith.
If the state says gay marriage is legal, then gay marriage is legal. It doesn't make it right in God's eyes, nor does it make it something I will have in my life, but it makes it legal. That aspect is none of my business. But on a side note ... will you local news broadcasts please quit showing gay couples kissing every time you talk about this subject? I mean really... you don't go out of your way to show straight couples kissing every time you mention straight marriage! Sheesh!
There are those who say that gay marriage should be illegal, because the Bible states that marriage is between a man and a woman. That is true. The Bible does say that. And although promoters of gay marriage would like to believe otherwise, the Bible also does speak against homosexuality in the so-called New Testament, or Christian Greek Scriptures.
Anyone who knows me knows that I agree with the Scriptural view here. That's my right and it is what I believe. I do not, however, agree with those so-called Christians who take to the courts to try to make homosexual relations illegal or who go out and beat up gays in the name of God. People who do that had better read their Bibles more closely.
What is being argued in the Supreme Court actually has nothing to do with the Bible. Amazing to read, right? I should clarify this point.
Marriage ... according to the Scriptures ... is between a man and a woman.
What is being discussed in the Supreme Court is the civil view of marriage. Any government has the right to make whatever laws it sees fit for society. Whether you agree with that or not, it is how things are. You may say that the Bible speaks against drunkenness, and it does, but where does it give you the legal limit for the definition of drunkenness? That's something the states decide for themselves, and different states have different definitions. In a similar vein, a state can decide what defines marriage to them, and what rights and benefits go along with that definition. It is a civil case being decided, related to things such as insurance, benefits, and divorce (which the Bible also speaks out against, you hypocritical people who thump the Bible and then cheat on your wives). Whatever the state decides in this case does not make the least bit of difference to my beliefs. I will live my life according to God's Word, and will not marry a member of my own sex. Besides, I'm already married! But others will do what they will. Some will divorce (against God's Word), but which is legal. Others will run for political office, which the Bible states is not in line with Christians being separate from the world, but which is legal. There are many things that are legal, but which servants of God will not take part in doing. We could go for hours on so-called Christians who fight "legal" wars and kill members of their own faith.
If the state says gay marriage is legal, then gay marriage is legal. It doesn't make it right in God's eyes, nor does it make it something I will have in my life, but it makes it legal. That aspect is none of my business. But on a side note ... will you local news broadcasts please quit showing gay couples kissing every time you talk about this subject? I mean really... you don't go out of your way to show straight couples kissing every time you mention straight marriage! Sheesh!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Team Names
There has been a lot of talk on the news lately about offensive team names. To be more specific, team names that are seen as derogatory towards a group of people.
Now, I'm not one for being politically correct or oversensitive about matters, but for the love of sanity, if there is one thing that is clear, it is that certain team names have to go! I don't care if someone wants to cite league or team history. That doesn't fly, and I'll explain why. But first, let's list a few of the names and logos that need to disappear. Now.
Washington Redskins: If there's any more derogatory name out there, I can't think of one. Watch an old western and tell me if the actors playing the cowboys thought that they were being respectful when they used this term. It's a slam, and akin to calling a black person the N-word. The logo, showing a native American head, is also inappropriate, but the name is the thing that is ridiculous. How would a white person feel about a league where the "Whitetown Crackers" played? Come on. The owner, Dan Snyder, says it is a respectful name and based on team history. Actually, the owner who came up with that name was a white supremacist and racist extraordinaire. Does Dan Snyder really want to line up in that group? Overall, it should be clear to see that this name is insulting beyond belief and needs to be changed. Now. Today.
Cleveland Indians: If the name isn't bad enough, smiling Chief Wahoo causes this franchise to get the "Insulting Image" award. The team used to be called the Spiders. Granted, that name stinks, too, but at least it isn't insulting. Again, I don't care if this is historical. Get rid of it. And if you don't think the smiling Chief logo is insulting, I dare you to change it to a smiling Mumbai help desk operator with a turban. What? That's racially insulting? No kidding.
Atlanta Braves: While not overtly insulting, it still is based on racist overtones. Their logo used to be a screaming native American, and they tried to use that logo again this year on some batting practice hats. But some folks called them on it, and they shelved the idea. Time to get rid of the name, the logo, and the tomahawk chop.
Kansas City Royals: This promotes monarchy, as well as the Sacramento and Los Angeles Kings. (Just kidding on this one.)
There are numerous college and high schools who use the same names and similar logos. It's time to stop. You can't tell me that there aren't millions of other possibilities that would be just as good. And get this... you know how soccer teams change their jersey designs regularly? They do this to keep people buying jerseys! Think what would happen if these insulting names were changed, and the uniforms changed with them! Fans would go out and buy the new jerseys and hats and other items to show loyalty to their teams. Money would roll in!
Seriously...get rid of these names. Now. It's reasonable; it's logical; it's financially beneficial. It's the right thing to do.
Now, I'm not one for being politically correct or oversensitive about matters, but for the love of sanity, if there is one thing that is clear, it is that certain team names have to go! I don't care if someone wants to cite league or team history. That doesn't fly, and I'll explain why. But first, let's list a few of the names and logos that need to disappear. Now.
Washington Redskins: If there's any more derogatory name out there, I can't think of one. Watch an old western and tell me if the actors playing the cowboys thought that they were being respectful when they used this term. It's a slam, and akin to calling a black person the N-word. The logo, showing a native American head, is also inappropriate, but the name is the thing that is ridiculous. How would a white person feel about a league where the "Whitetown Crackers" played? Come on. The owner, Dan Snyder, says it is a respectful name and based on team history. Actually, the owner who came up with that name was a white supremacist and racist extraordinaire. Does Dan Snyder really want to line up in that group? Overall, it should be clear to see that this name is insulting beyond belief and needs to be changed. Now. Today.
Cleveland Indians: If the name isn't bad enough, smiling Chief Wahoo causes this franchise to get the "Insulting Image" award. The team used to be called the Spiders. Granted, that name stinks, too, but at least it isn't insulting. Again, I don't care if this is historical. Get rid of it. And if you don't think the smiling Chief logo is insulting, I dare you to change it to a smiling Mumbai help desk operator with a turban. What? That's racially insulting? No kidding.
Atlanta Braves: While not overtly insulting, it still is based on racist overtones. Their logo used to be a screaming native American, and they tried to use that logo again this year on some batting practice hats. But some folks called them on it, and they shelved the idea. Time to get rid of the name, the logo, and the tomahawk chop.
Kansas City Royals: This promotes monarchy, as well as the Sacramento and Los Angeles Kings. (Just kidding on this one.)
There are numerous college and high schools who use the same names and similar logos. It's time to stop. You can't tell me that there aren't millions of other possibilities that would be just as good. And get this... you know how soccer teams change their jersey designs regularly? They do this to keep people buying jerseys! Think what would happen if these insulting names were changed, and the uniforms changed with them! Fans would go out and buy the new jerseys and hats and other items to show loyalty to their teams. Money would roll in!
Seriously...get rid of these names. Now. It's reasonable; it's logical; it's financially beneficial. It's the right thing to do.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
If Not Electric, Then What?
A news report today noted that Chevrolet is slashing the prices of their Chevy Volt electric vehicle due to a lack of demand. It's still around $29,000 in California, but hey! Chevy Volt Prices Slashed
Now I've seen a few Nissan Leaf's around, (in fact, a friend of mine owns one) and Toyota Prius' in various incarnations are all over the place. But I'm going to harp on an idea that I espoused before: hybrids and electric vehicles are not the answer!
Start with the fact that the manufacturing of the batteries is an environmental catastrophe on its own, and the fact that the various materials are shipped from all over the world to the assembly location, and you have a car that probably causes more pollution in the manufacturing of it than a Honda Civic causes from its fabrication and 150k miles of driving! ZLEV vehicles do a pretty good job of cleansing the bad stuff from an internal combustion engine. And yet, the old motors aren't the answer either.
It's time. It is time that we go to the most plentiful element in the universe. No ... not celebrity news stories. I'm talking about hydrogen. "But we'll blow up! It's unstable!" Like gasoline is stable? Like methane is stable? Anything that burns is relatively unstable. But this isn't the era of the Hindenburg. Technology has progressed to the point where hydrogen fuel cells are a reasonable way of fueling cars.
There was a Top Gear episode where James May pointed out a great fact. He said that people are more inclined to accept a technology that doesn't make them change their habits too drastically. Electric vehicles mean you have to plug your car in on a regular basis, and if you run out of power, you're stuck. Granted, fast charging stations are going to pop up soon, but nowhere near the extent of gas stations. Additionally, where does the electricity come from? Does it magically appear? Poof! No, some kind of power plant has to create it, whether it is coal fired, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, nuclear or whatever. The power comes from somewhere, and if it is coal or nuclear, you've got that pollution thing going on again.
Hydrogen pumps would work just like gas pumps, and could, in fact, be installed where gas stations currently stand. Hook up the pump to the car, fill up, and you're on your way, with your car producing no pollutants at all. Nice.
Do I sound anti-environment? If you've read any of this, you know I'm not. In fact, I believe in being reasonable, and making some sacrifices in behalf of the environment. (Not to say I'm up to eating waxworms yet.) But let's move towards something sustainable; something that people will use; something that will give cars the power they need, the feel that people want, and the protection the environment must have. Let's get these fuel cells going, shall we?
Now I've seen a few Nissan Leaf's around, (in fact, a friend of mine owns one) and Toyota Prius' in various incarnations are all over the place. But I'm going to harp on an idea that I espoused before: hybrids and electric vehicles are not the answer!
Start with the fact that the manufacturing of the batteries is an environmental catastrophe on its own, and the fact that the various materials are shipped from all over the world to the assembly location, and you have a car that probably causes more pollution in the manufacturing of it than a Honda Civic causes from its fabrication and 150k miles of driving! ZLEV vehicles do a pretty good job of cleansing the bad stuff from an internal combustion engine. And yet, the old motors aren't the answer either.
It's time. It is time that we go to the most plentiful element in the universe. No ... not celebrity news stories. I'm talking about hydrogen. "But we'll blow up! It's unstable!" Like gasoline is stable? Like methane is stable? Anything that burns is relatively unstable. But this isn't the era of the Hindenburg. Technology has progressed to the point where hydrogen fuel cells are a reasonable way of fueling cars.
There was a Top Gear episode where James May pointed out a great fact. He said that people are more inclined to accept a technology that doesn't make them change their habits too drastically. Electric vehicles mean you have to plug your car in on a regular basis, and if you run out of power, you're stuck. Granted, fast charging stations are going to pop up soon, but nowhere near the extent of gas stations. Additionally, where does the electricity come from? Does it magically appear? Poof! No, some kind of power plant has to create it, whether it is coal fired, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, nuclear or whatever. The power comes from somewhere, and if it is coal or nuclear, you've got that pollution thing going on again.
Hydrogen pumps would work just like gas pumps, and could, in fact, be installed where gas stations currently stand. Hook up the pump to the car, fill up, and you're on your way, with your car producing no pollutants at all. Nice.
Do I sound anti-environment? If you've read any of this, you know I'm not. In fact, I believe in being reasonable, and making some sacrifices in behalf of the environment. (Not to say I'm up to eating waxworms yet.) But let's move towards something sustainable; something that people will use; something that will give cars the power they need, the feel that people want, and the protection the environment must have. Let's get these fuel cells going, shall we?
Monday, June 10, 2013
Who Can It Be Now?
"Who can it be knocking at my door? Go away, don't come round here no more." - Men at Work
Those lyrics may indeed apply to people's feelings about Jehovah's Witnesses, but I'm using it slightly differently here. By now, everyone has heard about how the government is pulling information from cellular companies and internet providers, along with other sources. The shock expressed in the media is amazing. The reason it is amazing is because ... this is NOTHING NEW!!
When 9-11 took place, new rules and regulations went into place with the idea that the public needed to sacrifice some rights and privacy for the safety of the country as a whole. The creation of the Homeland Security agency, along with the increased power granted to the NSA was to give the authorities more and better ways to communicate and to track terrorists. This took place over 10 years ago!
Now people are finding out that the government is doing just what it said it was going to do, and they are blaming it on President Obama. Again, I've got news for you ... he's just using what the public allowed him to use. Frankly, all of this makes me scratch my head, because I'm not sure why people are so upset. Don't get me wrong. I don't like the idea of anyone tracking me or reading my mail or listening to my phone calls. (But if they do, I'm sure that whoever is listening is stunned into silence by the sheer boredom involved.) The reason I'm surprised is that the voters of this country made the choice of sacrificing certain liberties for the sake of protection. What did you expect? This is the choice you made when you elected your representatives.
If you go to London, look up on the street lamps and the buildings around you. London must have one of the most extensive video camera systems in the world. The police, MI-5, and other agencies use these cameras for a variety of reasons. And the people accept them, because they were willing to give up their anonymity for the sake of what they saw as security. That was their choice.
My point is this: any and all security measures that people find so shocking could only have been put in place with the willingness, apathy, or blindness of the people of this country. It didn't happen without some form of discussion among those elected to run the government. So, folks, deal with it. Either accept it, or do something about it. Just don't sound so shocked.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Good Idea ... Bad Idea
There was a section on the Animaniacs cartoon called "Good Idea / Bad Idea". As I was reading the news, I thought it would make for an interesting idea for some future blogs. So, without further ado:
Bad Idea: Drinking a quart of soy sauce on a dare. The guy went into a coma. Brilliant. Anyone who accepts a dare like this is an imbecile, and should be a candidate for the Darwin Awards. Soy Sauce Coma
Good Idea: Toyota is revamping the Corolla. Bigger, quieter, cooler looking. Now if they could avoid recalling it.
Bad Idea: The car comes with a continuing variable transmission. Make it hotter and give it a manual. Oh. That's right. People can't drive manuals.
Good Idea: Rumor has Justin Beiber buying a ticket for a future space flight.
Bad Idea: Letting him come back.
Bad Idea: Anthony Weiner running for mayor of NY City.
Good Idea: Letting twisted people run rampant with the hilarious possibilities. (I won't include any here.)
Good Idea: An Aussi playing Superman or Wolverine.
Bad Idea: Johnny Depp playing a native American.
Bad Idea: Any films starring Kevin Costner or Bruce Willis.
Worse Idea: Putting Costner and Willis together in a comedy.
Good Idea: Having me play the Doctor!
OK. Enough of this. If you like this idea, I'll do it again in the future. Let me know.
Good Idea: Having me play the Doctor!
OK. Enough of this. If you like this idea, I'll do it again in the future. Let me know.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Let HIM Be!!!
It's becoming an epidemic. So many sites out there crying out for the Doctor to be female this time. Let it go. Especially those of you who are so new to the series that you have no idea that there were Doctors before David Tennant!
There are a few points I would like to make here, and some may have been stated before. (My blog ... my rules.)
1) There is no real precedent for a Time Lord to change sex. We didn't see the Master do it. We didn't see Romana do it. The Doctor has never felt his chest after a regeneration and say, "Darn it! I'm still male!" Also, after 11 regenerations, wouldn't the odds have already been that he would have been female at least once if it could happen? He hasn't, and he shouldn't.
2) Political correctness only goes so far. No one has said, "Hey! Why don't we make Superman die and resurrect him as a woman?" It's okay for a character to remain male or female. There's nothing wrong with that! Change just for the sake of change is ridiculous in this case. The show is successful. There is no need to cater to a small group of nattering nabobs.
3) The Doctor "works" as a male. His personality, his quirks, his ego ... it all works. In addition, a male Doctor has always worked best with a female companion. (Sorry Jaime!) It's part of the charm of the series.
I have stated what I would like to see: male, around 35, ginger. Even better, shell out some big bucks for Ewan McGregor if he would do it. Or ask me! I'll take the job! In any case, just leave his gender alone. I, for one, would be horrified if he regenerated into Judi Dench.
There are a few points I would like to make here, and some may have been stated before. (My blog ... my rules.)
1) There is no real precedent for a Time Lord to change sex. We didn't see the Master do it. We didn't see Romana do it. The Doctor has never felt his chest after a regeneration and say, "Darn it! I'm still male!" Also, after 11 regenerations, wouldn't the odds have already been that he would have been female at least once if it could happen? He hasn't, and he shouldn't.
2) Political correctness only goes so far. No one has said, "Hey! Why don't we make Superman die and resurrect him as a woman?" It's okay for a character to remain male or female. There's nothing wrong with that! Change just for the sake of change is ridiculous in this case. The show is successful. There is no need to cater to a small group of nattering nabobs.
3) The Doctor "works" as a male. His personality, his quirks, his ego ... it all works. In addition, a male Doctor has always worked best with a female companion. (Sorry Jaime!) It's part of the charm of the series.
I have stated what I would like to see: male, around 35, ginger. Even better, shell out some big bucks for Ewan McGregor if he would do it. Or ask me! I'll take the job! In any case, just leave his gender alone. I, for one, would be horrified if he regenerated into Judi Dench.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Why We Need the US Postal Service
For a government agency that's been around since the time of its first Postmaster, Benjamin Franklin, the United States Postal Service has done a pretty remarkable job. Just think about it... you receive mail, at your house, six days a week. And the cost of a letter is still around 50 cents. Consider that. You can send a letter across the country for half a buck. And yet, the USPS is losing money hand over fist. The latest calculation shows that it lost $1.9 billion dollars over a three month period. That's billion with a "b".
One can figure that email cuts into revenue. People send letters and photos instantly now via the internet. But there is still a clear need for the USPS. What are some of the problems?
1) The Congress (which is the opposite of the "Progress") insists that the USPS pre-fund the retirement plans of their employees, something that no other company is required to do.
2) The USPS has to get approval to raise the price of postage. That's a killer. In the U.S., a first class letter costs 46 cents. That same letter mailed in Norway costs $1.67. Would it kill us to pay 75 cents to mail a letter? I doubt it. People shell out over 4 bucks for a single gallon of gas.
3) The USPS is not allowed to make a profit. That's correct. They cannot legally make a profit.
4) They are required to have post offices in just about every town. (Let's see FedEx or UPS do that!)
5) The USPS is required to deliver six days a week. FedEx and UPS charge extra for Saturday delivery.
I could go on, but you get the picture. People whine and complain about how slow the mail is, but most of us get our Netflix dvds the day after they are mailed out. It's ridiculous that people complain about the USPS, but don't complain about the constraints that that service has to deal with that FedEx and UPS don't.
I'm sorry, but it's time to take the chains off of the USPS and let them do business. Looking at just the five points above, we could do the following:
1) Get rid of the pre-funding of retirement accounts and let the USPS operate under the same guidelines as any other company.
2) Let the market determine the cost of postage. If they need to raise prices, let them. If the price becomes non-competitive, they'll feel it.
3) Let the USPS make a profit. Duh. Any profit can go to pay down the national debt.
4) Let the USPS close offices that don't make any money. Place a limit, though, and make it so that there has to be a post office within a 20 mile radius to the next office. Use grocery stores and the like for small branches to handle shipping questions and accept packages.
5) Let the USPS determine the delivery schedule. Again, if people start using other methods to ship because they are unhappy with dates of service, the USPS will have to change to keep making money.
See how easy that is? So what, pray tell, is causing these problems? That's right! An idiotic group of doofuses who oversee the regs. Sorry. I'm not trying to be political. I just see a great benefit in having a healthy postal service. Someone needs to fix this. Now. I need my Netflix dvds.
One can figure that email cuts into revenue. People send letters and photos instantly now via the internet. But there is still a clear need for the USPS. What are some of the problems?
1) The Congress (which is the opposite of the "Progress") insists that the USPS pre-fund the retirement plans of their employees, something that no other company is required to do.
2) The USPS has to get approval to raise the price of postage. That's a killer. In the U.S., a first class letter costs 46 cents. That same letter mailed in Norway costs $1.67. Would it kill us to pay 75 cents to mail a letter? I doubt it. People shell out over 4 bucks for a single gallon of gas.
3) The USPS is not allowed to make a profit. That's correct. They cannot legally make a profit.
4) They are required to have post offices in just about every town. (Let's see FedEx or UPS do that!)
5) The USPS is required to deliver six days a week. FedEx and UPS charge extra for Saturday delivery.
I could go on, but you get the picture. People whine and complain about how slow the mail is, but most of us get our Netflix dvds the day after they are mailed out. It's ridiculous that people complain about the USPS, but don't complain about the constraints that that service has to deal with that FedEx and UPS don't.
I'm sorry, but it's time to take the chains off of the USPS and let them do business. Looking at just the five points above, we could do the following:
1) Get rid of the pre-funding of retirement accounts and let the USPS operate under the same guidelines as any other company.
2) Let the market determine the cost of postage. If they need to raise prices, let them. If the price becomes non-competitive, they'll feel it.
3) Let the USPS make a profit. Duh. Any profit can go to pay down the national debt.
4) Let the USPS close offices that don't make any money. Place a limit, though, and make it so that there has to be a post office within a 20 mile radius to the next office. Use grocery stores and the like for small branches to handle shipping questions and accept packages.
5) Let the USPS determine the delivery schedule. Again, if people start using other methods to ship because they are unhappy with dates of service, the USPS will have to change to keep making money.
See how easy that is? So what, pray tell, is causing these problems? That's right! An idiotic group of doofuses who oversee the regs. Sorry. I'm not trying to be political. I just see a great benefit in having a healthy postal service. Someone needs to fix this. Now. I need my Netflix dvds.
Monday, June 03, 2013
The Doctor Dies ... Long Live the Doctor
You had to know I was going to write about Doctor Who today. Matt Smith revealed himself to be as big a liar as Steven Moffat and announced that he will be leaving the series, not after the 8th season as he hinted, but at the end of the current season. We will have two more episodes with Matt as the Doctor; the 50th Anniversary episode in November and the Christmas episode this year. He will have played the role for 46 episodes. Not bad, but it feels like is wasn't long enough.
The episodes since Clara's introduction as the new companion have been uneven, but that is the fault of the writing, and not of Matt. He has, as always, been a fantastic Doctor, moving between incredibly energetic and spastic to tear-jerking to "don't mess with me" serious. In this second half of season 7 (or season 7.2 as they like to call it), I think his best performances have been in the "ghost" story "Hide" and the split-personality acting job in "Nightmare in Silver". In all of the episodes, I have found myself loving the character he created, and wishing he went on forever.
As he started out in "The 11th Hour", we discovered the taste sensation of "fish fingers and custard", the fashion statement of bow ties (and later fezzes and Stetsons) being cool, and how he just couldn't seem to figure out how to arrive on time. That is, until the fire engine ladder burst through the hospital window and the Doctor crawled in to save Amy and Rory. That was timing!
When Matt took over the role, I remember a lot of folks saying that he could never fill David Tennant's shoes. Fortunately, Matt seems to have very big feet. In any case, I told my fellow "Whovians" to give him a chance, and that every new Doctor grows into the role. Matt didn't grow into the role; the role adapted to him! He took the character, jutted out his chin, and dared the writers to keep up with his energy, which they did. Matt Smith proved to be charismatic, photogenic, and a mix of emotions that could leave you laughing or cheering, as he dared a sky full of aliens to challenge him, telling them to "let someone else go first".
There have been many great incarnations of the Doctor. Somehow, Matt has zoomed to the top of my list, even above David Tennant and Tom Baker. (I know some who will accuse me of blasphemy with that David comment.) I still love "Asylum of the Daleks", where he first met the "souffle girl" Oswin (later to be found to be Clara herself), and you can't watch his reaction to the idea of "dinosaurs ... on a spaceship!" without smiling.
Will I miss Matt Smith as the Doctor? Absolutely. Do I trust that the next actor to play the Doctor will be a lot of fun? Certainly. Do I have my opinions as to what Mr. Moffat should look for in a Doctor? Of course. Will I make my opinions known here? What do you think?
1) Do NOT ... repeat DO NOT, regenerate the Doctor as a woman. That just would not work in so many ways. The Doctor is male. That is his gender. It affects his relationships with his companions and it has never been stated that Time Lords can change gender when they regenerate. Leave the Doctor as male. That's the way it is.
2) Don't change his color. I'm not saying this as a racist, but I feel as though if they do this now, it is catering, and not for choosing the best actor. The best actor for the role may very well be black, and if that's the case, go for it. Don't just do it for the sake of doing it, though. This leads me to my next request...
3) Make him ginger. Let's just get this over with. The Doctor has wanted to be a red-head for a long time. Do it. Find us a good red-headed actor (there are lots of them out there), and give the Doctor the thrill of his many lifetimes. It would be fun, though, if he looked in the mirror, decided he didn't like the red hair, and willed it a different color before the regeneration was complete. You could just put the final choice in a red wig to start, and then let his natural hair color be the continuing color.
4) Let me be the Doctor. OK. That was just selfish. But I would absolutely love it.
5) Don't go too old. (Or too young.) Matt was the youngest actor to ever play the role. Don't go any younger, or it gets a bit silly. But don't go William Hartnell old, either. Maybe someone in his late 30s. (Or me. I'm a bit old, but I can play it younger. Mr. Moffat? Hello?)
6) Don't wait forever to start season 8. You need to hit the ground running, and not make the fans wait too long for the new Doctor to start. Allow too much speculation and you could hurt the show. Get your actor, and get filming. Then, get it back on the air. You make us wait too long.
7) You ruined my hope of a Doctor Who / Sherlock crossover, which would have been great. I would have loved to see the Doctor and Sherlock working together and Watson and Clara working together. Still, you can make it happen with the next Doctor. Do it, Mr. Moffat.
I will miss Matt Smith. He was a great Doctor, and he never embarrassed the show with bad behavior off the set. You will reign as the best Doctor to me ... for the foreseeable future. You know how time goes, though. With all of the wibbly-wobblyness, you never can tell who will be my favorite a year from now. But that's Doctor Who for you.
The episodes since Clara's introduction as the new companion have been uneven, but that is the fault of the writing, and not of Matt. He has, as always, been a fantastic Doctor, moving between incredibly energetic and spastic to tear-jerking to "don't mess with me" serious. In this second half of season 7 (or season 7.2 as they like to call it), I think his best performances have been in the "ghost" story "Hide" and the split-personality acting job in "Nightmare in Silver". In all of the episodes, I have found myself loving the character he created, and wishing he went on forever.
As he started out in "The 11th Hour", we discovered the taste sensation of "fish fingers and custard", the fashion statement of bow ties (and later fezzes and Stetsons) being cool, and how he just couldn't seem to figure out how to arrive on time. That is, until the fire engine ladder burst through the hospital window and the Doctor crawled in to save Amy and Rory. That was timing!
When Matt took over the role, I remember a lot of folks saying that he could never fill David Tennant's shoes. Fortunately, Matt seems to have very big feet. In any case, I told my fellow "Whovians" to give him a chance, and that every new Doctor grows into the role. Matt didn't grow into the role; the role adapted to him! He took the character, jutted out his chin, and dared the writers to keep up with his energy, which they did. Matt Smith proved to be charismatic, photogenic, and a mix of emotions that could leave you laughing or cheering, as he dared a sky full of aliens to challenge him, telling them to "let someone else go first".
There have been many great incarnations of the Doctor. Somehow, Matt has zoomed to the top of my list, even above David Tennant and Tom Baker. (I know some who will accuse me of blasphemy with that David comment.) I still love "Asylum of the Daleks", where he first met the "souffle girl" Oswin (later to be found to be Clara herself), and you can't watch his reaction to the idea of "dinosaurs ... on a spaceship!" without smiling.
Will I miss Matt Smith as the Doctor? Absolutely. Do I trust that the next actor to play the Doctor will be a lot of fun? Certainly. Do I have my opinions as to what Mr. Moffat should look for in a Doctor? Of course. Will I make my opinions known here? What do you think?
1) Do NOT ... repeat DO NOT, regenerate the Doctor as a woman. That just would not work in so many ways. The Doctor is male. That is his gender. It affects his relationships with his companions and it has never been stated that Time Lords can change gender when they regenerate. Leave the Doctor as male. That's the way it is.
2) Don't change his color. I'm not saying this as a racist, but I feel as though if they do this now, it is catering, and not for choosing the best actor. The best actor for the role may very well be black, and if that's the case, go for it. Don't just do it for the sake of doing it, though. This leads me to my next request...
3) Make him ginger. Let's just get this over with. The Doctor has wanted to be a red-head for a long time. Do it. Find us a good red-headed actor (there are lots of them out there), and give the Doctor the thrill of his many lifetimes. It would be fun, though, if he looked in the mirror, decided he didn't like the red hair, and willed it a different color before the regeneration was complete. You could just put the final choice in a red wig to start, and then let his natural hair color be the continuing color.
4) Let me be the Doctor. OK. That was just selfish. But I would absolutely love it.
5) Don't go too old. (Or too young.) Matt was the youngest actor to ever play the role. Don't go any younger, or it gets a bit silly. But don't go William Hartnell old, either. Maybe someone in his late 30s. (Or me. I'm a bit old, but I can play it younger. Mr. Moffat? Hello?)
6) Don't wait forever to start season 8. You need to hit the ground running, and not make the fans wait too long for the new Doctor to start. Allow too much speculation and you could hurt the show. Get your actor, and get filming. Then, get it back on the air. You make us wait too long.
7) You ruined my hope of a Doctor Who / Sherlock crossover, which would have been great. I would have loved to see the Doctor and Sherlock working together and Watson and Clara working together. Still, you can make it happen with the next Doctor. Do it, Mr. Moffat.
I will miss Matt Smith. He was a great Doctor, and he never embarrassed the show with bad behavior off the set. You will reign as the best Doctor to me ... for the foreseeable future. You know how time goes, though. With all of the wibbly-wobblyness, you never can tell who will be my favorite a year from now. But that's Doctor Who for you.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Let It Go
When I created this blog, I entitled it "Time Teaches" because my intent was to include some things that I have learned throughout my life. It's often better to learn the easy way than to learn the hard way ... isn't it? Well, today will be one of those times, as I want to write about the tendency to take offense.
In the old days, those who quickly took offense were usually placed in a "kill or be killed" situation called a duel. Frankly, I think that probably kept the holding of grudges to a minimum.
Nowadays, people are so quick to take offense that they still shoot each other, although in road rage or gang-related incidents. But thankfully, not everyone reacts in a violent manner. Some just slowly poison themselves over time as the anger and bitterness eat away at them and turn them into shells of their former selves.
I have known people like that, and I have seen them change for the better. How did they do it? They looked inward. They realized that everyone, and I mean everyone, is imperfect. We all make mistakes. We all say things we wish we had not said. And we all get hurt from time to time. But when we take offense at something, do we really have reason to do so? Do we stop to think about the idea that a comment may have been innocent, directed elsewhere, a generalized commentary, or just a slip of the tongue? In those cases, it is always better to stop, think, and then put any hurt feelings aside.
What if the comment was intended to hurt? What if the person did direct it at us, or if they don't realize what they said? Instead of holding on to anger, couldn't we just talk it out?
In any case, those who study the effect of emotions on human health invariably come to the conclusion that anger that is not eliminated causes negative effects on the person holding on to the anger. It certainly doesn't hurt the one that the anger is being held against!
In the end, there are several options available to you if you feel anger towards, or hurt by someone.
1) Analyze it. Was it really important? Was it intended to hurt? Haven't you said something you regretted?
2) Talk it out. The Bible talks about regaining your brother. Isn't it best to clear the air in a calm manner?
3) Don't accuse. When you are talking it out, avoid generalizations like, "You always" and "You never".
4) Take a deep breath, and let it go. Why poison yourself? Why not put it behind you? When it all comes down to it, the person who caused the hurt, whether intentionally or accidentally, isn't going to be walking down the sidewalk, clutch his chest, and say, "I'm having a heart attack! I must have hurt the feelings of so-and-so! Oh the humanity!" Instead, you will probably be the one with stomach pain, negative emotions, and a sense of resentment that makes you a person no one wants to be around.
I learned this over the course of years, and it has served me well. I'm glad that I have the reputation as someone who doesn't hold a grudge. Yes, I can be hurt. Yes, I can be offended. But when I apply the ideas above, it doesn't last.
There's enough trouble and difficulty in this world. Why cause more to yourself by taking offense.
In the words of the great Sean Connery, "Indiana...let it go."
In the old days, those who quickly took offense were usually placed in a "kill or be killed" situation called a duel. Frankly, I think that probably kept the holding of grudges to a minimum.
Nowadays, people are so quick to take offense that they still shoot each other, although in road rage or gang-related incidents. But thankfully, not everyone reacts in a violent manner. Some just slowly poison themselves over time as the anger and bitterness eat away at them and turn them into shells of their former selves.
I have known people like that, and I have seen them change for the better. How did they do it? They looked inward. They realized that everyone, and I mean everyone, is imperfect. We all make mistakes. We all say things we wish we had not said. And we all get hurt from time to time. But when we take offense at something, do we really have reason to do so? Do we stop to think about the idea that a comment may have been innocent, directed elsewhere, a generalized commentary, or just a slip of the tongue? In those cases, it is always better to stop, think, and then put any hurt feelings aside.
What if the comment was intended to hurt? What if the person did direct it at us, or if they don't realize what they said? Instead of holding on to anger, couldn't we just talk it out?
In any case, those who study the effect of emotions on human health invariably come to the conclusion that anger that is not eliminated causes negative effects on the person holding on to the anger. It certainly doesn't hurt the one that the anger is being held against!
In the end, there are several options available to you if you feel anger towards, or hurt by someone.
1) Analyze it. Was it really important? Was it intended to hurt? Haven't you said something you regretted?
2) Talk it out. The Bible talks about regaining your brother. Isn't it best to clear the air in a calm manner?
3) Don't accuse. When you are talking it out, avoid generalizations like, "You always" and "You never".
4) Take a deep breath, and let it go. Why poison yourself? Why not put it behind you? When it all comes down to it, the person who caused the hurt, whether intentionally or accidentally, isn't going to be walking down the sidewalk, clutch his chest, and say, "I'm having a heart attack! I must have hurt the feelings of so-and-so! Oh the humanity!" Instead, you will probably be the one with stomach pain, negative emotions, and a sense of resentment that makes you a person no one wants to be around.
I learned this over the course of years, and it has served me well. I'm glad that I have the reputation as someone who doesn't hold a grudge. Yes, I can be hurt. Yes, I can be offended. But when I apply the ideas above, it doesn't last.
There's enough trouble and difficulty in this world. Why cause more to yourself by taking offense.
In the words of the great Sean Connery, "Indiana...let it go."
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Predictions
There is a pundit named Nate Silver who somehow defied conventional wisdom and used his intelligence and polling data to accurately predict the 2012 election results. Not just that Obama would win, but how every state would vote. Pretty impressive, right?
Small potatoes.
Today, I announce my sure thing predictions for the rest of 2013. Guaranteed to come true or they won't.
1) Justin Beiber will reveal that he is a complete idiot. Oh, wait.... FULFILLED
2) The Sacramento Kings will win more than 28 games. That's what they won last year, and I am convinced that the new management alone will add at least 2 - 3 games to that total. That doesn't seem like much, but it's a start.
3) The movie industry will announce that fully one-third of the releases in 2014 will either be sequels or remakes. OK....that's snarky. But come on! Just in the last couple of weeks we have seen Star Trek 2 and Iron Man 3 (sounds like a hockey score). Man of Steel, the new Superman film, is coming out, as is the next film in the Hobbit series, Monsters U. (from Monsters, Inc.), Wolverine, Despicable Me 2, Much Ado About Nothing, the new Spiderman film, Transformers 4, Star Wars 7....and so on, and so on....
4) The movie industry will also announce that the same percentage of their films will be rated "R".
5) American Idol will continue to tank, but shows of that ilk will continue to be produced ad nauseum.
6) Someone will write to the FCC and insist that the History Channel no longer be allowed to use "History" in its name, the Discovery Channel no longer to announce any discoveries, and AMC never use the word "movie" or "classic" when discussing its current incarnation.
7) BBC America will continue to gain viewers, and will cause Americans to begins spelling "color" and words of that sort with a "u", as in "colour".
8) A new cable channel will be announced. The Zombie Channel will debut, and some critic will state that it is "dead on arrival". (I continue to be fascinated as to why zombies are so popular these days. Maybe teenagers identify with their personalities.)
9) Scotland will not secede from the UK. (That's a real prediction.)
10) Fox News will continue to be a bunch of right-wing nuts who pay no attention to facts that might undermine their rants. (100% guarantee)
More to come!
Small potatoes.
Today, I announce my sure thing predictions for the rest of 2013. Guaranteed to come true or they won't.
1) Justin Beiber will reveal that he is a complete idiot. Oh, wait.... FULFILLED
2) The Sacramento Kings will win more than 28 games. That's what they won last year, and I am convinced that the new management alone will add at least 2 - 3 games to that total. That doesn't seem like much, but it's a start.
3) The movie industry will announce that fully one-third of the releases in 2014 will either be sequels or remakes. OK....that's snarky. But come on! Just in the last couple of weeks we have seen Star Trek 2 and Iron Man 3 (sounds like a hockey score). Man of Steel, the new Superman film, is coming out, as is the next film in the Hobbit series, Monsters U. (from Monsters, Inc.), Wolverine, Despicable Me 2, Much Ado About Nothing, the new Spiderman film, Transformers 4, Star Wars 7....and so on, and so on....
4) The movie industry will also announce that the same percentage of their films will be rated "R".
5) American Idol will continue to tank, but shows of that ilk will continue to be produced ad nauseum.
6) Someone will write to the FCC and insist that the History Channel no longer be allowed to use "History" in its name, the Discovery Channel no longer to announce any discoveries, and AMC never use the word "movie" or "classic" when discussing its current incarnation.
7) BBC America will continue to gain viewers, and will cause Americans to begins spelling "color" and words of that sort with a "u", as in "colour".
8) A new cable channel will be announced. The Zombie Channel will debut, and some critic will state that it is "dead on arrival". (I continue to be fascinated as to why zombies are so popular these days. Maybe teenagers identify with their personalities.)
9) Scotland will not secede from the UK. (That's a real prediction.)
10) Fox News will continue to be a bunch of right-wing nuts who pay no attention to facts that might undermine their rants. (100% guarantee)
More to come!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
An App For This, An App For That ... But I Need An App For....
As I look at my iPhone, I notice that I have far too many apps. I have apps that I have used once or twice, and others that I have never used at all! (What the..?) I have games, translation apps, financial apps, apps that play music, apps that try to encourage me to exercise (but fail miserably). I need to go through and delete some. I need to delete a lot. But what apps would really help me on a daily basis?
Laundry For Guys: I'm a guy. Which means I stink at doing laundry. This goes in cold water, this in warm, this is hand wash, that is bleach.... Auuuuughhh! I need an app that uses my camera to scan my laundry and tell me which clothes go together in the laundry, and what settings to use to wash and dry them. No more reading tags that have print too small to read without an electron microscope. I want to hold up my phone to a bunch of clothes laid out on the floor, and then "click". I would pay real money for that app. (Fortunately, my wife knows what she's doing!)
Beer For Today: If you have gone to a BevMo or Total Wine recently, you may have noticed that the sheer number of beers has reached the ridiculous level. No, I'm not talking about Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Miller, etc. Those do not count as beers, and anyone trying to add them to that lofty title should be drowned in O'Doul's. Still, if you look down the aisles and try to figure out which beer to buy, you will, like me, wander the aisles like an Israelite in the desert. I think it took me 40 minutes (not years) on one trip. I want an app that will scan the local weather, consider my past purchases, perhaps scan my taste buds, allow me to input the friends who will be joining me (if any), and tell me which beer to buy that day. Think of the time savings alone! And if it picks Budweiser, the app designer gets put against the wall and has cans of Pabst thrown at his head.
Restaurant Marriage Saver: What do you want to eat? I don't know, why do I have to decide? I decided last time! How about here? No, I don't want that. (And on...and on....and now it's breakfast time.) My wife and I go through this whenever we need to pick up lunch or dinner. How about an app that both people have on their respective phones. Each person clicks a couple of check boxes as to what's acceptable that day, they bump their phones together, the data is computed, and the app chooses a nearby restaurant that will be acceptable to both. This can, and should be done immediately. I need an app designer, stat! Marriages throughout the U.S. would be saved!
Find a Non-crappy Movie: Is there anything sadder than scanning through Netflix and realizing that most movies are crap? The sheer crappitude is enormous! It's craptastic! And yet, instead of talking or reading a book or designing an app together, married couples argue, complain, and settle for a film or series that neither really wants to watch. And if one is actually agreed upon, it turns out to be crap. Using the Restaurant Marriage Saver app basis, do the same thing for films. Both people check they type of film or show they might be interested in viewing, bump the phones together, and voila! Films rated as crappy on sites such as Rotten Tomatoes would be automatically excluded, and they could be limited by age appropriateness as well! Another marriage saver!
Where are these apps? If anyone is reading this and designs one of these apps, I want a free copy.
And a cut of the profits.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Angst From the Blogger
So, here we are. We stand at a crossroads. To one side, we see the continuation of a blog. To the other, we see the final and total termination of the blog. Which shall it be?
I'm not good at web self-promotion. I really don't have time to do it, and definitely don't have the time to "do it right". Instead, I rely on friends and word of mouth to help things along.
I'll admit that my start-then-stop-then-start again method of blogging is partially responsible for the non-existent readership. That's fine. I accept that. But I have been writing regularly now, and only one person who shall remain nameless but red-headed has given any indication of reading.
Thus, I return to that fork in the road. Do I continue or do I cease writing this blog? Frankly, I am at the stage where I don't see a lot of point in moving forward unless I see readership increase. Therefore, I post this request:
Ask people to read, comment (and include suggestions for topics), and subscribe.
If that happens, I will keep this going. If not, I will stop. Simple, right?
A couple of thoughts for today:
Stupid: This is the definition of people who go down to a river to play on a holiday weekend and don't wear life vests. Every year ... every stinking year ... the Tuesday morning after Memorial Day news reports say that so-and-so and this-person and that-person drowned over the weekend in the American/Sacramento/Other River because they didn't wear a life vest. Idiots. Wear the vest so that your family doesn't have to identify your bloated corpse when the DART team pulls it lifeless from the water.
Kings: Sale was approved unanimously by the NBA Board of Governors to the Vivek group. So long Maloofs. It hasn't been fun.
Football (Soccer): Why won't the new Sacramento soccer team ownership just accept my brilliant idea of resurrecting the name Sacramento Surge and add an FC at the end? Colors of white, teal, and gold work, and I'm sure the NFL doesn't care about giving up the name. Come on! It's brilliant!
Athletes Who Drive Drunk: See stupid.
Justin Bieber: Stop driving. That's all. Just stop it. You're becoming the poster child for TMZ.
I'm not good at web self-promotion. I really don't have time to do it, and definitely don't have the time to "do it right". Instead, I rely on friends and word of mouth to help things along.
I'll admit that my start-then-stop-then-start again method of blogging is partially responsible for the non-existent readership. That's fine. I accept that. But I have been writing regularly now, and only one person who shall remain nameless but red-headed has given any indication of reading.
Thus, I return to that fork in the road. Do I continue or do I cease writing this blog? Frankly, I am at the stage where I don't see a lot of point in moving forward unless I see readership increase. Therefore, I post this request:
Ask people to read, comment (and include suggestions for topics), and subscribe.
If that happens, I will keep this going. If not, I will stop. Simple, right?
A couple of thoughts for today:
Stupid: This is the definition of people who go down to a river to play on a holiday weekend and don't wear life vests. Every year ... every stinking year ... the Tuesday morning after Memorial Day news reports say that so-and-so and this-person and that-person drowned over the weekend in the American/Sacramento/Other River because they didn't wear a life vest. Idiots. Wear the vest so that your family doesn't have to identify your bloated corpse when the DART team pulls it lifeless from the water.
Kings: Sale was approved unanimously by the NBA Board of Governors to the Vivek group. So long Maloofs. It hasn't been fun.
Football (Soccer): Why won't the new Sacramento soccer team ownership just accept my brilliant idea of resurrecting the name Sacramento Surge and add an FC at the end? Colors of white, teal, and gold work, and I'm sure the NFL doesn't care about giving up the name. Come on! It's brilliant!
Athletes Who Drive Drunk: See stupid.
Justin Bieber: Stop driving. That's all. Just stop it. You're becoming the poster child for TMZ.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Short on Time, Short on Things To Write
How do people do it? How do they find things to say every freaking day? When I say "say", I mean write, of course.
Anyway, it's a busy, busy Thursday, and I don't have a lot of time to write anything, so let's go with the following thoughts:
Kings Rally in Sacramento: New owners of the Sacramento Kings are holding a rally in mid-town to celebrate what some are calling Kings 3.0. Add to that a report from the University of the Pacific Business School that says that an arena in downtown Sac will increase jobs and revenue in the city, and the fans do have cause to party. Keep it under control, folks.
Riots in Sweden: What in the name of sanity makes people think that burning neighbors' cars will make things better? This is what happened in France! How did that go for y'all? Stop it. Just stop it. Leave other people's property alone. You want to protest? Fine. But if you want to destroy property, destroy your own.
Superhero films: None I want to see in the theater. Iron Man 3, Superman, etc. Cool. I'll see 'em on dvd, thanks.
Netflix: Good grief. Is there nothing I want to see that you have available on dvd or instant watch? Is that my problem or yours? In any case, I think I'll read a book.
Have a great day, all 3 (or less) of you who read this. I'll give it a better effort tomorrow.
Anyway, it's a busy, busy Thursday, and I don't have a lot of time to write anything, so let's go with the following thoughts:
Kings Rally in Sacramento: New owners of the Sacramento Kings are holding a rally in mid-town to celebrate what some are calling Kings 3.0. Add to that a report from the University of the Pacific Business School that says that an arena in downtown Sac will increase jobs and revenue in the city, and the fans do have cause to party. Keep it under control, folks.
Riots in Sweden: What in the name of sanity makes people think that burning neighbors' cars will make things better? This is what happened in France! How did that go for y'all? Stop it. Just stop it. Leave other people's property alone. You want to protest? Fine. But if you want to destroy property, destroy your own.
Superhero films: None I want to see in the theater. Iron Man 3, Superman, etc. Cool. I'll see 'em on dvd, thanks.
Netflix: Good grief. Is there nothing I want to see that you have available on dvd or instant watch? Is that my problem or yours? In any case, I think I'll read a book.
Have a great day, all 3 (or less) of you who read this. I'll give it a better effort tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Whatever Will I Do?
Well, the series that I watch regularly are on summer break now. I may seem like a tv addict, but in reality there are only a few shows that I watch weekly. Since these shows are done for the season, I have to consider what to do for a hobby while I wait for them to return.
1) Exercise: While my wife and son would like me to do this regularly, I can't find anything to keep me doing this with the frequency required for benefit. If anyone has reasonable ideas, I'd like to hear them, but remember that I have ADD and am easily frustrated and bored with exercise. Chances of this happening: 5%.
2) Alligator Wrestling: No. I hate reptiles.
3) Studying for a new career: Possible. I do have some continuing education units I have to finish, and once I get those done, a job change is a possibility, but not likely.
4) Writing: I should. I really should. Setting aside 30 minutes a day to write shouldn't be a big issue. Sigh...
5) Laziness: Chances - Very high
1) Exercise: While my wife and son would like me to do this regularly, I can't find anything to keep me doing this with the frequency required for benefit. If anyone has reasonable ideas, I'd like to hear them, but remember that I have ADD and am easily frustrated and bored with exercise. Chances of this happening: 5%.
2) Alligator Wrestling: No. I hate reptiles.
3) Studying for a new career: Possible. I do have some continuing education units I have to finish, and once I get those done, a job change is a possibility, but not likely.
4) Writing: I should. I really should. Setting aside 30 minutes a day to write shouldn't be a big issue. Sigh...
5) Laziness: Chances - Very high
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Oklahoma
Sometimes it's hard to visualize what a natural disaster looks like. We hear news reports and see video, but the immensity of it all can somehow fail to register. In many ways, one has to experience the forces of the environment to have any concept of what it might feel like.
In California we have earthquakes. It's funny, but when you talk to people from other states, they sound terrified of earthquakes. The thought of the ground suddenly rumbling and pitching back and forth frightens them to no end. For us, even though severe earthquakes are horrible disasters, the minor ones mention barely a peep on the news. It's just common here.
Oklahoma City was just pummeled with another tornado, this one a force 5 monster. Many of us have seen the videos; the time-lapse video taken from a news copter, the phone video taken outside a KFC, and others. We hear the stories of storm cellar doors being ripped from their hinges and glass and debris pouring down on those within. And yet, those of us here in California might not be able to fathom the sheer terror of such a catastrophe. We hear descriptions, of course, of how the noise sounds like a freight train bearing down on a person, or how the destruction was such that it was like a vacuum cleaner sucking up everything in a two mile wide berth. The photos and other images are heart-breaking, but those of us who have never (and hope to never) experience one cannot even begin to understand what it must be like. People in other states may be afraid of earthquakes, but the idea of a tornado like the ones that struck this week blow my mind. I can't imagine what it must feel like, especially at night, when the world literally turns upside down. I cannot begin to sense what the folks must feel who see their entire neighborhood simply vanished and transformed into rubble.
I can, however, hope that everyone is okay. I can pray for those who share my faith, and those who don't, to survive and recover their lives. People send donations of food, water, clothing and money through a variety of sources, hopefully honest ones.
And then, the people of Moore will rebuild. Again. Check the history books, and you'll see that this isn't the first time the people of Oklahoma City have experienced a tornado like this. This one followed a similar path to one that hit in 1999. Fourteen years, and they get hit again.
Earthquakes scare you? Me? I'd move the heck out of Oklahoma. But then, to them, these may be like earthquakes to us. A scary, but not unknown, result of a combination of natural forces and human climactic impact that can pile cars like toys. I'll keep California, thanks.
In California we have earthquakes. It's funny, but when you talk to people from other states, they sound terrified of earthquakes. The thought of the ground suddenly rumbling and pitching back and forth frightens them to no end. For us, even though severe earthquakes are horrible disasters, the minor ones mention barely a peep on the news. It's just common here.
Oklahoma City was just pummeled with another tornado, this one a force 5 monster. Many of us have seen the videos; the time-lapse video taken from a news copter, the phone video taken outside a KFC, and others. We hear the stories of storm cellar doors being ripped from their hinges and glass and debris pouring down on those within. And yet, those of us here in California might not be able to fathom the sheer terror of such a catastrophe. We hear descriptions, of course, of how the noise sounds like a freight train bearing down on a person, or how the destruction was such that it was like a vacuum cleaner sucking up everything in a two mile wide berth. The photos and other images are heart-breaking, but those of us who have never (and hope to never) experience one cannot even begin to understand what it must be like. People in other states may be afraid of earthquakes, but the idea of a tornado like the ones that struck this week blow my mind. I can't imagine what it must feel like, especially at night, when the world literally turns upside down. I cannot begin to sense what the folks must feel who see their entire neighborhood simply vanished and transformed into rubble.
I can, however, hope that everyone is okay. I can pray for those who share my faith, and those who don't, to survive and recover their lives. People send donations of food, water, clothing and money through a variety of sources, hopefully honest ones.
And then, the people of Moore will rebuild. Again. Check the history books, and you'll see that this isn't the first time the people of Oklahoma City have experienced a tornado like this. This one followed a similar path to one that hit in 1999. Fourteen years, and they get hit again.
Earthquakes scare you? Me? I'd move the heck out of Oklahoma. But then, to them, these may be like earthquakes to us. A scary, but not unknown, result of a combination of natural forces and human climactic impact that can pile cars like toys. I'll keep California, thanks.
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