Friday, July 02, 2004
Mini-Vacation
Off to Catalina for the weekend, won't be back until Monday night.
See ya'll Tuesday and please, don't burn the place down.
See ya'll Tuesday and please, don't burn the place down.
Saddam Faces Court, Looks like Babu
Yes Babu from Seinfeld.
But he could be saying "You, you pig dog" and its plausible because he did spend a good amount of time calling Kuwaitis dogs.
Of course there is good news: Saddam could face the death penalty.
But it comes with the bad news: David Beckham will probably take it.
But he could be saying "You, you pig dog" and its plausible because he did spend a good amount of time calling Kuwaitis dogs.
Of course there is good news: Saddam could face the death penalty.
But it comes with the bad news: David Beckham will probably take it.
Attention Single Bloggers
Nicole Kidman is single, lonely, and looking for a new 'fella'.
On a side note, the spell checker built in to Blogger, says blogger (& bloggers) is spelled incorrectly. Very Odd.
On a side note, the spell checker built in to Blogger, says blogger (& bloggers) is spelled incorrectly. Very Odd.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Cosby Sounds Off Again, Jesse Does Impression of Deer in Headlights
Much like his speech for Bown vs. Board of Education, Cosby says the same thing, this time for Rainbow/PUSH.
France
If it wasn't for them, we'd all be speaking English right now.
Via Patterico:
A great link to compare reviewers comments on F/911 and The Passion. Left-wing bias anyone?
Bias Factor: 7, Entertainment Factor: 0, Bang Head Against Wall Factor: 10+
A great link to compare reviewers comments on F/911 and The Passion. Left-wing bias anyone?
Geoff Pevre, Toronto Star:
F9/11: A plea for America's deliverance ... it may not be an argument one agrees with, and it may be unbalanced and propagandistic, but it is both convincingly argued and sincerely motivated.
Passion: A work of fundamentalist pornography.
Bias Factor: 7, Entertainment Factor: 0, Bang Head Against Wall Factor: 10+
"Peace Activists" who support our troops,
EXCEPT at things like baseball games.
Gee I wonder if the "I am against the war, but support the troops" is just another case of being a BUT MONKEY*.
*No relation to the Infinite Monkeys
Several peace groups are demanding the Minnesota Twins abandon plans to give G.I. Joe action figures to 5,000 children as part of a team promotion honoring local military personnel.
Gee I wonder if the "I am against the war, but support the troops" is just another case of being a BUT MONKEY*.
*No relation to the Infinite Monkeys
The Losing Bet, Despite Winning
Could you collect 1 Million Pennies?, well one man did.
Of course his brother doesn't remember making the wager. Then again it was dinner in Paris, but it wasn't clear who was paying for the airfare. I look at it as he's stuck with all these pennies he can't offload with out paying some sort of fee and all he gets out of this hassle is a trip to France. Lots of effort and zero benefit, talk about a suckers bet.
A man is trying to get rid of his pennies - all 1 million of them. Ron England bet his brother 30 years ago that he could save a million pennies in exchange for a dinner in Paris.
Of course his brother doesn't remember making the wager. Then again it was dinner in Paris, but it wasn't clear who was paying for the airfare. I look at it as he's stuck with all these pennies he can't offload with out paying some sort of fee and all he gets out of this hassle is a trip to France. Lots of effort and zero benefit, talk about a suckers bet.
McCain Being.......Funny
First off, yes I do occasionally watch the Dennis Miller Show [and looking at the ratings not many others do] because I find it moderately entertaining. Although it would be better if Miller wasn't cracking himself up and he will work to hard to get some kind of joke in. But back to the point, Miller had McCain on last night and well McCain (with a little help from Miller) cracked me up.
First Miller asked McCain if he was in earshot of Cheney dropping the F-bomb on Leahy, McCain said no while smirking and letting out a little school girl giggle. I wonder if McCain was thinking, "He deserved it, I would of done it too."
Then they got on the topic of France, to which McCain referred to as a aging actress who once got meal on her looks that isn't going out to dinner anymore and is a little moody because of it. McCain was right on something again!
Of course being a keynote speaker at the convention [with Rudy & Arnold] pretty much kills the already dead horse on the VP talk. Of course of the three keynote speakers, Miller described McCain as the one with the most "balls". As Miller wrapped up on the keynote address where he made a special request, that half way through the speech he call out Chirac and flip him the bird. Now that my friends would be entertainment.
First Miller asked McCain if he was in earshot of Cheney dropping the F-bomb on Leahy, McCain said no while smirking and letting out a little school girl giggle. I wonder if McCain was thinking, "He deserved it, I would of done it too."
Then they got on the topic of France, to which McCain referred to as a aging actress who once got meal on her looks that isn't going out to dinner anymore and is a little moody because of it. McCain was right on something again!
Of course being a keynote speaker at the convention [with Rudy & Arnold] pretty much kills the already dead horse on the VP talk. Of course of the three keynote speakers, Miller described McCain as the one with the most "balls". As Miller wrapped up on the keynote address where he made a special request, that half way through the speech he call out Chirac and flip him the bird. Now that my friends would be entertainment.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Just One Day Please
Just one day I would like to walk the block and a half from the parking lot to my office with out someone asking me for money, smelling urine and feces or stepping over someone sleeping on the sidewalk. Is that asking too much?
But I did make an interesting observation most of the homeless/panhandlers along my walk to and from the office have a better mastery of the English language than most of the students at the school where my girlfriend use to teach.
But sometimes on my walks I have food and if I am not particularly hungry that day I'll offer it to the someone who asks me for money. There is about a 25% chance of acceptance, those who don't usually use some form of profanity then ask for money, but the 25% that does take the food are much more gracious and likely to say thank you for any show of generosity. Unlike my girlfriend's former students.
But I did make an interesting observation most of the homeless/panhandlers along my walk to and from the office have a better mastery of the English language than most of the students at the school where my girlfriend use to teach.
But sometimes on my walks I have food and if I am not particularly hungry that day I'll offer it to the someone who asks me for money. There is about a 25% chance of acceptance, those who don't usually use some form of profanity then ask for money, but the 25% that does take the food are much more gracious and likely to say thank you for any show of generosity. Unlike my girlfriend's former students.
Since I have season seats for the Kings...
Looking forward to hopefully having a NHL Season this year here's a look at the Free Agents who the Kings gave and didn't give qualifying offers to (to prevent players from being unrestricted free agents), with my thoughts on the moves.
Goes:
Sean Avery - Center - I'd didn't like him at first, now he is one of my favorite Kings. He's a pest, he can get in the other team's heads, he can draw penalties, he's got talent, he's gritty, he'll fight, he can pass and he can even score. Very Worth Keeping.
Scott Barney - Center - Good comeback after missing a few years due to injury, can score goals. Right now is a good 4th line player. Worth Keeping
Eric Belanger - Center - Still getting by on the goal he scored against Detroit in the 2001 playoffs, hasn't been very good lately and his face off wins are going down. Not Worth Keeping
Noah Clarke - Left Wing - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Joe Corvo - Defenseman
Jeff Cowan - Left Wing - A enforcer, who can score occasionally, his impact is felt in the forecheck and always gives his best effort. Worth Keeping
Ryan Flinn - Left Wing - Minor Leaguer, but has played for the Kings before. Excellent enforcer to replace Kip Brennan
Steve Kelly - Center - Decent Player for a 3rd or 4th Line.
Ian Laperriere - Center/Right Wing - Heart and Soul of the team, it would be stupid not to keep him.
Bryan Muir - Defenseman - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Joe Rullier - Defenseman - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Lubomir Visnovsky - Defenseman - Will be a long time All-Star as a offensive minded defenseman, Worth Keeping.
Tomas Zizka - Defenseman - Saw him play a few times for the Kings has some raw talent that needs work, but still is a quality prospect, Worth Keeping.
No Goes:
Jason Allison - Center - Hasn't played in two years, with the money it would take to qualify not worth the risk of signing him and not playing because the insurance wouldn't pay his salary if he still couldn't play. If he can play he would make a huge positive impact and would make him worth keeping.
Adam Deadmarsh - Right Wing - Same as Allison.
Anson Carter - Right Wing - Good Player, Played like crap for the Kings which makes him not worth the money it would take to qualify him. But if signed for less money would be worth keeping
Brad Chartrand - Right Wing/Left Wing - Good Kid, Plays Hard, Isn't a impact player and there are better choices for a 4th liner.
Mathieu Chouinard - Goaltender - With the recent Goalie trades and drafts, no need to keep him when you have good prospects and a fixed starting 2.
Maxim Kuznetsov - Defenseman - Played like crap when he was called up, never fit in with the time and never produced.
And a important note not mentioned, the Kings must re-sign Ziggy Palffy.
The Kings have also already resigned Dempsey and Holland who are 2 quality defenseman, both good moves.
Goes:
Sean Avery - Center - I'd didn't like him at first, now he is one of my favorite Kings. He's a pest, he can get in the other team's heads, he can draw penalties, he's got talent, he's gritty, he'll fight, he can pass and he can even score. Very Worth Keeping.
Scott Barney - Center - Good comeback after missing a few years due to injury, can score goals. Right now is a good 4th line player. Worth Keeping
Eric Belanger - Center - Still getting by on the goal he scored against Detroit in the 2001 playoffs, hasn't been very good lately and his face off wins are going down. Not Worth Keeping
Noah Clarke - Left Wing - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Joe Corvo - Defenseman
Jeff Cowan - Left Wing - A enforcer, who can score occasionally, his impact is felt in the forecheck and always gives his best effort. Worth Keeping
Ryan Flinn - Left Wing - Minor Leaguer, but has played for the Kings before. Excellent enforcer to replace Kip Brennan
Steve Kelly - Center - Decent Player for a 3rd or 4th Line.
Ian Laperriere - Center/Right Wing - Heart and Soul of the team, it would be stupid not to keep him.
Bryan Muir - Defenseman - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Joe Rullier - Defenseman - Minor Leaguer, Don't know much about him. His minor league numbers make him look to be a quality prospect, worth keeping.
Lubomir Visnovsky - Defenseman - Will be a long time All-Star as a offensive minded defenseman, Worth Keeping.
Tomas Zizka - Defenseman - Saw him play a few times for the Kings has some raw talent that needs work, but still is a quality prospect, Worth Keeping.
No Goes:
Jason Allison - Center - Hasn't played in two years, with the money it would take to qualify not worth the risk of signing him and not playing because the insurance wouldn't pay his salary if he still couldn't play. If he can play he would make a huge positive impact and would make him worth keeping.
Adam Deadmarsh - Right Wing - Same as Allison.
Anson Carter - Right Wing - Good Player, Played like crap for the Kings which makes him not worth the money it would take to qualify him. But if signed for less money would be worth keeping
Brad Chartrand - Right Wing/Left Wing - Good Kid, Plays Hard, Isn't a impact player and there are better choices for a 4th liner.
Mathieu Chouinard - Goaltender - With the recent Goalie trades and drafts, no need to keep him when you have good prospects and a fixed starting 2.
Maxim Kuznetsov - Defenseman - Played like crap when he was called up, never fit in with the time and never produced.
And a important note not mentioned, the Kings must re-sign Ziggy Palffy.
The Kings have also already resigned Dempsey and Holland who are 2 quality defenseman, both good moves.
Obscure Student Logic
Normally my night classes start at 6:30 and end at 8:30, but last night it ran until 9:00. The moans of a few classmates about the extra lecture was a ray of light in to the thinking of many students.
They are the only group that complains if they get more than they paid for, but are happy when they get less than they pay for. I liken it to going to the market, if I buy a 6-pack of beer and at the check out stand the cashier gives me a 7th beer, I'd happily take it. BUT if I go to the checkout stand and the cashier took one beer away, I'd be pretty ticked to still have to pay for 6th.
But that "student" logic works for some, but mostly just socialist.
They are the only group that complains if they get more than they paid for, but are happy when they get less than they pay for. I liken it to going to the market, if I buy a 6-pack of beer and at the check out stand the cashier gives me a 7th beer, I'd happily take it. BUT if I go to the checkout stand and the cashier took one beer away, I'd be pretty ticked to still have to pay for 6th.
But that "student" logic works for some, but mostly just socialist.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Looks Like I'm a NeoCon
I took this quiz too(From Mulatto Boy):
Based on your answers, you are most likely a neoconservative.
Want the US to be the world's unchallenged superpower
Share unwavering support for Israel
Support American unilateral action
Support preemptive strikes to remove perceived threats to US security
Promote the development of an American empire
Equate American power with the potential for world peace
Seek to democratize the Arab world
Push regime change in states deemed threats to the US or its allies
Historical neoconservative: President Teddy Roosevelt
Modern neoconservative: President Ronald Reagan
Based on your answers, you are most likely a neoconservative.
Want the US to be the world's unchallenged superpower
Share unwavering support for Israel
Support American unilateral action
Support preemptive strikes to remove perceived threats to US security
Promote the development of an American empire
Equate American power with the potential for world peace
Seek to democratize the Arab world
Push regime change in states deemed threats to the US or its allies
Historical neoconservative: President Teddy Roosevelt
Modern neoconservative: President Ronald Reagan
Formula for the Perfect Parallel Park
After work I am going to figure this one out. Ooooh I might even write a model to figure out different possibilities, maybe it will work for my computer modeling class project, being that my joke idea of using a global warming model was rejected because "the model you use should be based on realty, not junk science."
Anyways here is the Formulas from the Discovery Channel:
Start with three initial formulas:
P = r - w/2
G ≥ w + 2r + b
F ≤ w + 2r - fg
For the perfect park, those formulas must satisfy the following relationship:
Max ((r + w/2)2 + f2, (r + w/2)2 + b2) ≤ min (4r2, (r + w/2 + k)2)
Definitions:
Position (P) = Where to set up for the parallel park
Gap (G) = Determines if parking gap is large enough
Front of car (F) = Determines where front of car should go
r = turning radius of your car
w = width of your car
b = distance from back of car to point midway between axles
fg = gap you want left at the end
k = distance from curb where you end up
Anyways here is the Formulas from the Discovery Channel:
Start with three initial formulas:
P = r - w/2
G ≥ w + 2r + b
F ≤ w + 2r - fg
For the perfect park, those formulas must satisfy the following relationship:
Max ((r + w/2)2 + f2, (r + w/2)2 + b2) ≤ min (4r2, (r + w/2 + k)2)
Definitions:
Position (P) = Where to set up for the parallel park
Gap (G) = Determines if parking gap is large enough
Front of car (F) = Determines where front of car should go
r = turning radius of your car
w = width of your car
b = distance from back of car to point midway between axles
fg = gap you want left at the end
k = distance from curb where you end up
Best Thing on the News Last Night
Aside from all the Reporters aka "But Monkeys" on the Nightly News (ABC, NBC, CBS) complaining about not being in the loop about the early handover and the poo-pooing of the event. But the best thing they had on the news was when they showed Bush being notified notified at the NATO Summit and he leaned over to tell Tony Blair and exchanged a handshake.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Michael Moore From Movie Fraud to Voter Fraud
Turns out Moore's claim of being a independent isn't quite true (thanks Smoking Gun), being he is registered in New York as a Democrat, but wait Moore is simultaneously registered to vote in Michigan, where registrants aren't even given the option of party affiliation (so he's not an Independent there either). But then Moore is large enough to exist in two states at once, but should the half of his body mass that exists in both states only count as half a vote?
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Baseball Observations, Complaints
I spent the weekend going to the Angels-Dodgers Series, a sweep would of been nice, but 2 out of 3 isn't bad. However a few things about Dodger Fans annoy the crap out of me.
1. Sitting during the National Anthem and wearing your hat during the Anthem.
2. Arriving late, leaving early, and standing up to get in and out of seats during innings.
3. The "______ sucks" chant, rooting for your team is one thing, using profanity is another ballgame. I go to enjoy baseball not be cursed at.
4. Playing a song for each batter, in between batters and in between pitches. If you can't sit an watch baseball for more a minute with out needing to be entertained, stay home and watch the game on TV.
5. Thinking you have a good team when you play in the worst division in baseball. Any of the NL west teams would finish last in the AL West.
I have found the NL West does contain two of the worst fan bases in SF and LA, I just worry with the Angels being successful we will get more of the same kinds of fans, sure it sucked being an Angels fan for 19 years and always failing, but you were there because you enjoyed the game and supported the team and lately that trend has been changing some where we are getting the Dodger fan effect, but at least all the felons are at Raiders games still.
It also got me thinking about some stats in baseball that are completely useless.
1. The "Quality Start" yes you get a quality start even if you loose and all it requires is a 4.5 ERA, that's not quality that's bad starting pitching.
2. The "Hold" another lame stat, ooh pitching a inning not giving up runs or the lead, that's what your are SUPPOSED to do as a pitcher. It doesn't need a stat.
3. The "Save" ooh pitching 3 inning with the lead and keeping it, nothing special just your job. Same goes for coming in the 9th with a 3 run lead, make a save challenging 1 run leads only where 1 batter can tie it and 2 will win it. No more of this allowing 2 runs and 6 hits in the 9th and getting a save, after all allowing 2 runs in the only inning you pitch would give you a ERA of 18, and that is nothing near impressive.
1. Sitting during the National Anthem and wearing your hat during the Anthem.
2. Arriving late, leaving early, and standing up to get in and out of seats during innings.
3. The "______ sucks" chant, rooting for your team is one thing, using profanity is another ballgame. I go to enjoy baseball not be cursed at.
4. Playing a song for each batter, in between batters and in between pitches. If you can't sit an watch baseball for more a minute with out needing to be entertained, stay home and watch the game on TV.
5. Thinking you have a good team when you play in the worst division in baseball. Any of the NL west teams would finish last in the AL West.
I have found the NL West does contain two of the worst fan bases in SF and LA, I just worry with the Angels being successful we will get more of the same kinds of fans, sure it sucked being an Angels fan for 19 years and always failing, but you were there because you enjoyed the game and supported the team and lately that trend has been changing some where we are getting the Dodger fan effect, but at least all the felons are at Raiders games still.
It also got me thinking about some stats in baseball that are completely useless.
1. The "Quality Start" yes you get a quality start even if you loose and all it requires is a 4.5 ERA, that's not quality that's bad starting pitching.
2. The "Hold" another lame stat, ooh pitching a inning not giving up runs or the lead, that's what your are SUPPOSED to do as a pitcher. It doesn't need a stat.
3. The "Save" ooh pitching 3 inning with the lead and keeping it, nothing special just your job. Same goes for coming in the 9th with a 3 run lead, make a save challenging 1 run leads only where 1 batter can tie it and 2 will win it. No more of this allowing 2 runs and 6 hits in the 9th and getting a save, after all allowing 2 runs in the only inning you pitch would give you a ERA of 18, and that is nothing near impressive.
Highly Recommended Reading
For my 8 readers, take a visit to PRESTOPUNDIT and read BushCheney '04 "F"-bombs the Michael Moore Democrats.
