Saturday, August 27, 2005
Ahh, The French
This story is a few days old and given my love for cycling you’d probably think that that I’d have written about it already. However, this story is so staggeringly ignorant, I wasn’t sure if it was worth my time.
But then I got to thinking, while most of my 4 to 5 readers are up on the baseball scandal, you might not know the big picture on Lance- so here goes.
That’s right, the French, after all their digging into recent tests, couldn’t nab him this year, so they decided to pull up some phantom samples from six years ago.
That’s right folks, the ‘positive sample’ used to ‘prove’ his guilt, no longer exists. So, we have to take the word of an obscure French guy in an obscure French laboratory on the fate of one of the greatest riders in cycling history. Good thing he’s not on trial for murder.
This whole mess smells terribly of a set-up, but since it involves the French ‘smelling terrible’ should be expected.
The only support they have received is some partial support by the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound (no kidding, that’s his real name)- a man who’s credibility has been questioned for years.
Lance has paid his doping dues. As much as they’ve tried, he’s come up clean. Take this year’s tour- out of the over 250 riders, Le Tour thought it would be neat if they randomly tested one rider the night before the race’s start. That random rider- not Basso, not Ullrich, not McGrady, but guess who. I suppose with those odds Lance should have played the lottery that night to.
Doping is certainly nothing new in cycling, in reality cyclists make MLB look like Jr. Highers on caffeine pills. Case in point- Tyler Hamilton.
Tyler Hamilton is a name you were all about to know, that is before he got in a little bit of trouble. Tyler was the heir apparent to Lance. He was Lance’s main lieutenant for years before joining Phonack in an attempt to win it himself. He had already come in fourth in the Tour, took gold in the ’04 summer Olympics (time trials) and he is American.
But then Tyler’s road hit a snag. It seems the samples taken after the Olympics, and at the Vuelta a España had something a little funny in them. No, Tyler’s blood didn’t have drugs in it; instead it had someone else’s blood in it. These guys are so hard-core they will regularly have blood transfusions to hide any traces of drugs. It’s not rare; as a matter of fact there have been two cyclists have recently died from it.
But back to Lance.
If someone came up with some good evidence, something that could be substantiated saying Lance was doping, I probably wouldn’t be all that shocked. The problem is that no one has ever been able to produce anything even remotely close to that. So the French keep searching and searching.
Lance doesn’t need to dope. His anatomy is outstanding. If someone sat down to engineer a cyclist, he would be Lance (check it out here). Someone who has a heart and respiratory system three times larger than a normal man’s doesn’t need EPO. Someone with his training regiment doesn’t need EPO. Someone with his team doesn’t need EPO.
I think the problem with the French and Lance (keep in mind a lot of the French people really like him, it’s the aristocracy that can’t get his thorn out of their side) is that Lance got there using two things completely out of their reach- Hard Work and Dedication.
Perhaps it’s time the French save what little face they have and give up on the whole quest- or to phrase it a different way, surrender. That, I know they are capable of.
But then I got to thinking, while most of my 4 to 5 readers are up on the baseball scandal, you might not know the big picture on Lance- so here goes.
Associated Press
Aug. 26 Lance Armstrong received strong backing Friday from cycling's domestic governing body, which said accusations against the seven-time Tour de France champion are "completely without credibility."
"Preposterous is a strong word, but it is warranted in this case," said Gerard Bisceglia, chief executive officer of USA Cycling.
Armstrong has denied reports in the French media this week that he used a banned blood booster in his first tour victory in 1999. The sports newspaper L'Equipe reported that new tests on six urine samples Armstrong provided during the 1999 tour resulted in positive results for the red blood cell-booster EPO.
That’s right, the French, after all their digging into recent tests, couldn’t nab him this year, so they decided to pull up some phantom samples from six years ago.
"All I can do is come on this stage and tell my story and be honest. I've always done that," he said. "Since this stuff's rolled out, I sleep great at night …. I don't have a problem looking at myself in the mirror."
Armstrong questions the handling of samples frozen six years ago. He also wonders how he is to defend himself when the only confirming evidence — the 'A' sample used for the 1999 tests — no longer exists.
That’s right folks, the ‘positive sample’ used to ‘prove’ his guilt, no longer exists. So, we have to take the word of an obscure French guy in an obscure French laboratory on the fate of one of the greatest riders in cycling history. Good thing he’s not on trial for murder.
This whole mess smells terribly of a set-up, but since it involves the French ‘smelling terrible’ should be expected.
The only support they have received is some partial support by the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound (no kidding, that’s his real name)- a man who’s credibility has been questioned for years.
Pound said the lab is accredited by the International Olympic Committee. He also questioned the need for two samples to confirm a positive test.
"You can count on the fingers of one hand the times a B sample has not confirmed the result of the A sample," Pound said. "It's almost always a delaying tactic."
Armstrong said that contradicts WADA's own policy.
"For the head of the agency to say he actually doesn't believe in the code … if your career is riding on the line, wouldn't you want a B sample?" Armstrong told the AP. "The French have been after [me] forever, and `Whoops!' there's no B sample? The stakes are too high."
Lance has paid his doping dues. As much as they’ve tried, he’s come up clean. Take this year’s tour- out of the over 250 riders, Le Tour thought it would be neat if they randomly tested one rider the night before the race’s start. That random rider- not Basso, not Ullrich, not McGrady, but guess who. I suppose with those odds Lance should have played the lottery that night to.
Doping is certainly nothing new in cycling, in reality cyclists make MLB look like Jr. Highers on caffeine pills. Case in point- Tyler Hamilton.
Tyler Hamilton is a name you were all about to know, that is before he got in a little bit of trouble. Tyler was the heir apparent to Lance. He was Lance’s main lieutenant for years before joining Phonack in an attempt to win it himself. He had already come in fourth in the Tour, took gold in the ’04 summer Olympics (time trials) and he is American.
But then Tyler’s road hit a snag. It seems the samples taken after the Olympics, and at the Vuelta a España had something a little funny in them. No, Tyler’s blood didn’t have drugs in it; instead it had someone else’s blood in it. These guys are so hard-core they will regularly have blood transfusions to hide any traces of drugs. It’s not rare; as a matter of fact there have been two cyclists have recently died from it.
But back to Lance.
If someone came up with some good evidence, something that could be substantiated saying Lance was doping, I probably wouldn’t be all that shocked. The problem is that no one has ever been able to produce anything even remotely close to that. So the French keep searching and searching.
Lance doesn’t need to dope. His anatomy is outstanding. If someone sat down to engineer a cyclist, he would be Lance (check it out here). Someone who has a heart and respiratory system three times larger than a normal man’s doesn’t need EPO. Someone with his training regiment doesn’t need EPO. Someone with his team doesn’t need EPO.
I think the problem with the French and Lance (keep in mind a lot of the French people really like him, it’s the aristocracy that can’t get his thorn out of their side) is that Lance got there using two things completely out of their reach- Hard Work and Dedication.
Perhaps it’s time the French save what little face they have and give up on the whole quest- or to phrase it a different way, surrender. That, I know they are capable of.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Getting Closer
Seems the rights of gay couples just got a little more sane- California (yes I know, it would have been a little more impressive if the bill was passed in say, Tennessee) has just ruled that children of gay couples are just as needy as ‘normal’ kids and therefore fall under the same financial burdens during break-ups. Read it here.
I love this.
In essence, it shows in a very rational way the true nature of the unfortunate chances we ALL take in our lives when we are with one another. More importantly it places the burden of the children upon their true parents- right where it should be.
Being an avid supporter of equality in marriage, I’d have to say that this is good news. The State of California has thrown a large bit of grim reality (key word, reality) into the whole debate.
I have always said that the ban on gay marriages is flat out, no question, a human rights issue. In it’s base argument- married couples are granted several legal and financial rights and privileges (trust me, I just got married). When a couple is not granted those rights based solely upon their sexual orientation the result is no less than legalized discrimination.
Granted, this is not exactly Brown V. Board of Education, but what California has done is said, in a small way, “you are the same as us.”
You won’t hear me say this often, but here goes- “Bravo California, bravo.”
SAN FRANCISCO - In the latest ruling to recognize rights of same-sex couples, the California Supreme Court has said gay and lesbian couples who raise children are lawful parents and must provide for their children if they break up.
The state’s custody and child support laws that hold absent fathers accountable also apply to estranged gay and lesbian couples who used reproductive science to conceive, the high court ruled Monday.
I love this.
In essence, it shows in a very rational way the true nature of the unfortunate chances we ALL take in our lives when we are with one another. More importantly it places the burden of the children upon their true parents- right where it should be.
Being a legal parent “brings with it the benefits as well as the responsibilities,” said Justice Joyce Kennard.
Being an avid supporter of equality in marriage, I’d have to say that this is good news. The State of California has thrown a large bit of grim reality (key word, reality) into the whole debate.
I have always said that the ban on gay marriages is flat out, no question, a human rights issue. In it’s base argument- married couples are granted several legal and financial rights and privileges (trust me, I just got married). When a couple is not granted those rights based solely upon their sexual orientation the result is no less than legalized discrimination.
Granted, this is not exactly Brown V. Board of Education, but what California has done is said, in a small way, “you are the same as us.”
You won’t hear me say this often, but here goes- “Bravo California, bravo.”
This Should Help My Street Cred....
I'm sure you've all done this in the past, but it cracks me up every time. Check out Radio Free in Gizoogle.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Attack On Ozzy Smith?
Got this from Jason (a loyal employee of the Boeing Corperation) and thought it was pretty cool. Actually, if you stare at it long enough it really just looks like two REALLY big mock up's of some F-15's hanging out in some St. Louis partking lots.
Microsoft Shrugged
In a glowing example of how clueless Microsoft developers must be, there’s a new (well, three days old and in Microsoft security lapses news, that’s actually kind of not so new as they’ve probably found 10 more since then) security risk associated with Explorer that was so obvious that it was found by the French.
Read it here.
You know, when was the last time you saw anything like this for Apple’s ‘Safari?’ Rarely if ever. Netscape, not so much either.
Really, I’m thinking about dropping this subject just to save time on the all the redundancy.
Ironic Update: As I was typing this, Explorer encountered a "flaw" and shut itself down twice.
I love it.
Read it here.
You know, when was the last time you saw anything like this for Apple’s ‘Safari?’ Rarely if ever. Netscape, not so much either.
Really, I’m thinking about dropping this subject just to save time on the all the redundancy.
Ironic Update: As I was typing this, Explorer encountered a "flaw" and shut itself down twice.
I love it.
If I Were A Cartoon
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Ahh, The Germans
On the very day the BTK killer was sentenced to 175 years (why don’t they just call it ‘life’) and you think that America is quickly spiraling down on the gruesome and demented list, along comes the Germans to let us know who’s king of the sick-o mountain. Check out this killjoy of a story from MSNBC.
Oh, and it gets even worse. Seems this piece of work lives in a neighborhood comprised mainly of former “security” agents from the communist regimes in the East- and this kind of child slaying isn’t all that unusual.
I’ll be honest; I do question the legalities and purpose of our interment camp at Guantanamo, but to compare its conditions to the Gulags- pure ignorance. To cheapen the crimes committed by making that comparison- purely irresponsible.
Aug. 22, 2005 issue - They were hidden inside flowerpots, a sand-filled aquarium and a black handbag. Tiny skeletons of nine newborn babies, found by police recently in the east German village of Brieskow-Finkenheerd. The prime suspect: their mother, Sabine Hilschenz, 39, charged in the killings dating from 1988 through 1999. Police say the unemployed dental assistant admits she had "something to do" with the deaths—but adds she was too drunk each time to remember either the infants' births or the killings.Wonderful.
Oh, and it gets even worse. Seems this piece of work lives in a neighborhood comprised mainly of former “security” agents from the communist regimes in the East- and this kind of child slaying isn’t all that unusual.
Around the same time that Hilschenz allegedly killed the last of her babies in Brieskow-Finkenheerd, another mother in the town left her two infants to die of thirst—unnoticed by the neighbors. In nearby Cottbus, police last year arrested a mother who'd chopped up her 6-year-old and stored him in the freezer—and for three years no one asked why he was missing. Christian Pfeiffer, a professor of criminology who's spent years studying the east-west crime divide, says infants are up to six times more likely to be killed by their parents in the ex-communist east.From time to time I’ll hear some academic, left winged; bullet head talk about how the former Easten Block wasn’t all that bad, their reputation being a result of American propaganda. I’m sure some of you will even remember Amnesty International (and our very own Dick Durban) compare the conditions of Guantanamo Bay to the Gulags run by these very same former agents. Right…. If this kind of stuff is going on now, in a controlled and rule-oriented society, it really makes you wonder what unspeakable acts were going on before. The truly shocking crimes are the ones we will probably never know of.
I’ll be honest; I do question the legalities and purpose of our interment camp at Guantanamo, but to compare its conditions to the Gulags- pure ignorance. To cheapen the crimes committed by making that comparison- purely irresponsible.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
A Step Above
Have any of you purchased a ladder lately? Good God!I’m not sure who’s controlling the ladder industry, but this is ridiculous. Check out this baby, it’s a mere 8ft from Lowes that’ll run you $119 bucks.
Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of mafia racket? $119.00!! Sure it’s fiberglass and all, but how expensive can fiberglass be?
It’s a good thing my 10-footer was gift from my father in-law or I’d be standing on some half-assed, death trap I rigged up in my garage.
What's In A Name, Yet Again
I did this before on the old page, tagging my blog address to my name that is. Like this- Kirk Maroscher.
Really, for no real reason other than it's cool to have something pop up when you do a Google search on yourself (and you know you do).
I have to do this kind of thing from time to time lest all the search results be that of my freakshow brother and all his lifting of stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be lifted.
Weirdo.
Really, for no real reason other than it's cool to have something pop up when you do a Google search on yourself (and you know you do).
I have to do this kind of thing from time to time lest all the search results be that of my freakshow brother and all his lifting of stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be lifted.
Weirdo.
This Is Gonna Be Good
I saw the first pics of the ‘new’ Chevy Camaro, due out sometime in ’07. Man does this thing look bad ass or what?
I kind of had a feeling they were going to do this, take away the Camrao / Firebird for a while and re-vamp the entire thing for re-release a few years later.
Looks to me as if GM is using the Camaro to do the same thing they wanted 40 years ago- head straight for the Mustang.
Do yourself a favor and click on the images for greater detail.
(I hear the RS will have 5.7ltr V8. Oh boy , oh boy, oh boy...)
I kind of had a feeling they were going to do this, take away the Camrao / Firebird for a while and re-vamp the entire thing for re-release a few years later.
Looks to me as if GM is using the Camaro to do the same thing they wanted 40 years ago- head straight for the Mustang.
Do yourself a favor and click on the images for greater detail.(I hear the RS will have 5.7ltr V8. Oh boy , oh boy, oh boy...)
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
This Is Way To Interesting To Be Considered A Time Killer
Like "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy?" Sure ya do (and if you don't, leave this page, never to return again).
Aside from myself and Gene, there is probably only one or two of you out there that remember its old computer game. One of the best selling of it's time, it was a wonder. I actually had a copy that I would play on my Commodore 128 for hours upon end.
Well, if you feel like traveling back to the good ol’ days of pre-graphic amusement (solely cerebral) then grin a geeky smile for its back and at your fingertips.
There are two versions to choose from, both with original text.
First there is this one, (based on Java)presented in its original, text only format. The downside is that you cannot stop the game and go back, gotta leave it running.
Then there is this one. Created by the BBC it still has the original text, plus some still-frame graphics that will let you go a little less insane. The user interface is a little updated and I think (haven’t had time to play it to much) you can stop and go back.
This is one of those things that I specifically will never do at work. After all, they pay me to be productive.
Aside from myself and Gene, there is probably only one or two of you out there that remember its old computer game. One of the best selling of it's time, it was a wonder. I actually had a copy that I would play on my Commodore 128 for hours upon end.
Well, if you feel like traveling back to the good ol’ days of pre-graphic amusement (solely cerebral) then grin a geeky smile for its back and at your fingertips.
There are two versions to choose from, both with original text.
First there is this one, (based on Java)presented in its original, text only format. The downside is that you cannot stop the game and go back, gotta leave it running.
Then there is this one. Created by the BBC it still has the original text, plus some still-frame graphics that will let you go a little less insane. The user interface is a little updated and I think (haven’t had time to play it to much) you can stop and go back.
This is one of those things that I specifically will never do at work. After all, they pay me to be productive.
Microsoft Shrugged
Well, let this be the first in what I’m sure will be a long series of posts dedicated to the backward, counterproductive, consumer thoughtless posts dedicated to the mighty Microsoft.
One of the reasons I got the new PC (didn’t make ‘the switch’ as I still have my iMac) was so I can do work at home. I use Excel and Word quite a bit and I seem to be more productive in the confines of my house. The new PC was inexpensive, which of course meant that it didn’t have Office, but instead utilized Works. This is problem #1.
Why is Works even an option? Seriously, do you know of anyone who uses any of its crappy applications? Why would MS even bother to make it? It is hardly able to communicate with Office documents. AppleWorks, while being from a whole different OS, will talk with Office and makes sure that Office can talk to AppleWorks, yet Office can’t even talk to another program from its same developer. The answer of course, is money. Every computer with Works will give you a ‘free’ 60 day trial of Office. So MS in all their charity will give you a sub-standard, obsolete program, only to lure you into having to drop $200 on what you could have had installed in the first place.
This created the second problem.
Luckily I work for Circuit City, who has a pretty good working relationship with MS. Turns out, through an accommodations program we have with MS, I can get Office Professional 2003 for $19.95, one hell of a good deal. So I go to install it and everything is fine, that is until I go to open Word. When I do, it asks me for the product key (which, during the installation process I had already entered). I re-type all 25 digits and it tells me that the key was invalid. Invalid? So I retype the damn thing five or six times, using all sorts of combinations of capitols and lower case. Then, after some research, I come to the conclusion that Word was conflicted with the new program and the existing ‘free’ trial version (the one that came with the computer). I then had to un-install my new program, dump the trial version and then re-install the new program.
Good Lord.
Here’s where I long for my Apple days. You see Apple, being a user friendly company, writes programs that pick up on stuff like this and automatically do all dumping for you. Why? Because it makes sense. Why? Because it’s easier on the consumer. Why? Because they have programmers who think about these kind of things.
I get the feeling that I’ll be ranting on this kind of thing at least twice a month.
One of the reasons I got the new PC (didn’t make ‘the switch’ as I still have my iMac) was so I can do work at home. I use Excel and Word quite a bit and I seem to be more productive in the confines of my house. The new PC was inexpensive, which of course meant that it didn’t have Office, but instead utilized Works. This is problem #1.
Why is Works even an option? Seriously, do you know of anyone who uses any of its crappy applications? Why would MS even bother to make it? It is hardly able to communicate with Office documents. AppleWorks, while being from a whole different OS, will talk with Office and makes sure that Office can talk to AppleWorks, yet Office can’t even talk to another program from its same developer. The answer of course, is money. Every computer with Works will give you a ‘free’ 60 day trial of Office. So MS in all their charity will give you a sub-standard, obsolete program, only to lure you into having to drop $200 on what you could have had installed in the first place.
This created the second problem.
Luckily I work for Circuit City, who has a pretty good working relationship with MS. Turns out, through an accommodations program we have with MS, I can get Office Professional 2003 for $19.95, one hell of a good deal. So I go to install it and everything is fine, that is until I go to open Word. When I do, it asks me for the product key (which, during the installation process I had already entered). I re-type all 25 digits and it tells me that the key was invalid. Invalid? So I retype the damn thing five or six times, using all sorts of combinations of capitols and lower case. Then, after some research, I come to the conclusion that Word was conflicted with the new program and the existing ‘free’ trial version (the one that came with the computer). I then had to un-install my new program, dump the trial version and then re-install the new program.
Good Lord.
Here’s where I long for my Apple days. You see Apple, being a user friendly company, writes programs that pick up on stuff like this and automatically do all dumping for you. Why? Because it makes sense. Why? Because it’s easier on the consumer. Why? Because they have programmers who think about these kind of things.
I get the feeling that I’ll be ranting on this kind of thing at least twice a month.
...As I Was Saying
The Onion did a nice little piece on the afore mentioned 'March Of The Penguins.'
Click here to check it out.
Click here to check it out.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
One Of The Judges Must Have Been French
I recently heard ‘The Devil Went Down To Georgia’ and I had an epiphany of sorts. After all these years of listening to that song I suddenly finally came to the conclusion that, in my opinion, The Devil beats Johnny fair and square. Now by no means am I an expert on fiddle battles, but it really wasn't a contest. Granted, The Devil had his band of Demons backing him up with a pretty funky groove, but it was the more technically complex and original of the two compositions.
So, let’s do the right thing, give The Devil back his golden fiddle and grant him possession of Johnny’s sole. After all, he earned it.
So, let’s do the right thing, give The Devil back his golden fiddle and grant him possession of Johnny’s sole. After all, he earned it.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
The Radio Free Movie Zone
Review: March Of The Penguins
I have this thing for penguins. No- not that kind of thing, sicko. I just dig penguins. So I’ve been hearing a lot of really good things about this movie. From what I’ve gathered it was originally supposed to be just another French, National Geographic documentary. Turns out, the movie was so good Warner Brothers picked it up for major release.
And I’m glad they did.
This is the best movie I’ve seen all year, and one of the best I’ve seen ever. It has everything you need in a movie and then some.
Let me explain in terms of that of a traditional movie-
Plot: Nothing can tell a story better than reality.
It is truly eye-opening. My knowledge of the penguin was really relegated to “them funny fellers that walk funny and eat fish.“ I had no idea how brave and resilient they really are.
As the movie’s narrator (a well cast Morgan Feeman) explains very early on, it is a movie about loss, journey and ultimately, love. The whole thing centers around what these creatures do and endure for the lone sake of the family. I don’t mean the pack, I mean the individual family. It is truly astounding, their faith and triumph really can teach us a thing or two.
I have a friend who just became a daddy about two weeks ago. He popped into my head a few times during the movie as I contemplated the amount of sacrifice and love he must produce for the rest of his life. Really I think that this movie should be required watching for all parents, the penguins could teach us a thing or two.
On top of all that, I had to admit the cliché “It made me laugh, it made me cry.” These guys are so cute you just gotta crack up at them , but at the same time this story is based upon reality so there are the moments of loss, including death, that albeit is natural it is filled with sorrow none the less.
Acting:Acting? Huh? How can penguins act? Well, they can’t, but there are several times that you think that they are. You see pride in the face of a new father, as well as terrible despair in the cries of a mother who has lost her chick. It’s an ensemble cast that works well together, kind of the point of the movie in the first place. Even the environment, the harsh winds, the hungry predators, the enormity of the ice, plays an important role that cannot be left on the cutting room floor.
Direction: In addition to how amazing the reality of this story is, there is something almost as amazing lurking in the background- that this movie even got made at all.
Shot in the very depths of the South Pole the conditions are some of the harshest on the planet. That someone managed to capture it on film is a triumph upon itself. However, it paid off. This movie has some of the most amazing shots I’ve ever seen on film. Do yourself a favor, do NOT wait until this comes out on DVD, see it on the big screen.
In summation, it’s (so far at least) the best movie of the year. There’s already a lot of Oscar buzz (best Movie, not just best Documentary) and as well there should be. This movie has everything we look for in our cinematic quests.
Swim, don’t walk, and see it soon.
I have this thing for penguins. No- not that kind of thing, sicko. I just dig penguins. So I’ve been hearing a lot of really good things about this movie. From what I’ve gathered it was originally supposed to be just another French, National Geographic documentary. Turns out, the movie was so good Warner Brothers picked it up for major release.
And I’m glad they did.
This is the best movie I’ve seen all year, and one of the best I’ve seen ever. It has everything you need in a movie and then some.
Let me explain in terms of that of a traditional movie-
Plot: Nothing can tell a story better than reality.
It is truly eye-opening. My knowledge of the penguin was really relegated to “them funny fellers that walk funny and eat fish.“ I had no idea how brave and resilient they really are.
As the movie’s narrator (a well cast Morgan Feeman) explains very early on, it is a movie about loss, journey and ultimately, love. The whole thing centers around what these creatures do and endure for the lone sake of the family. I don’t mean the pack, I mean the individual family. It is truly astounding, their faith and triumph really can teach us a thing or two.
I have a friend who just became a daddy about two weeks ago. He popped into my head a few times during the movie as I contemplated the amount of sacrifice and love he must produce for the rest of his life. Really I think that this movie should be required watching for all parents, the penguins could teach us a thing or two.
On top of all that, I had to admit the cliché “It made me laugh, it made me cry.” These guys are so cute you just gotta crack up at them , but at the same time this story is based upon reality so there are the moments of loss, including death, that albeit is natural it is filled with sorrow none the less.
Acting:Acting? Huh? How can penguins act? Well, they can’t, but there are several times that you think that they are. You see pride in the face of a new father, as well as terrible despair in the cries of a mother who has lost her chick. It’s an ensemble cast that works well together, kind of the point of the movie in the first place. Even the environment, the harsh winds, the hungry predators, the enormity of the ice, plays an important role that cannot be left on the cutting room floor.
Direction: In addition to how amazing the reality of this story is, there is something almost as amazing lurking in the background- that this movie even got made at all.
Shot in the very depths of the South Pole the conditions are some of the harshest on the planet. That someone managed to capture it on film is a triumph upon itself. However, it paid off. This movie has some of the most amazing shots I’ve ever seen on film. Do yourself a favor, do NOT wait until this comes out on DVD, see it on the big screen.
In summation, it’s (so far at least) the best movie of the year. There’s already a lot of Oscar buzz (best Movie, not just best Documentary) and as well there should be. This movie has everything we look for in our cinematic quests.
Swim, don’t walk, and see it soon.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Never Mind Me
I Don't Get It
I need to do some more research on Blogger. After all, I keep up-loading images, which I know is adding to disc space somewhere, there apparently is no upload limit, and yet I'm not paying a cent.I see no advertisement, no pop-ups, no tracking... so who is supplying this and why?
My initial finding is that Blogger is part of the Google juggernaut, but I was always told that nothing in life is free.So, I'm searching for the catch.
My initial finding is that Blogger is part of the Google juggernaut, but I was always told that nothing in life is free.So, I'm searching for the catch.
The Radio Free Thought For The Day
Thursday, August 11, 2005
…I Don’t Believe In Anything Anymore, I’m Going To Law School
Not sure what’s worse here, the fact that it took so long for someone to project murderous blame on G.T.A., that there are attorneys out there that actually worked on this as a defense, or that someone is attempting to leech off the whole, terrible mess.
From MSNBC
Sigh…
Yes, no other form of media has ever shown the killing of an officer of the law (say is Reservoir Dogs on HBO this month? Guess I‘ll have to TiVO it, I‘m busy reading Serpico and listening to NWA).
I suppose I could go into a tirade about how I hit my wife in the head last night with an anvil after watching Bugs Bunny, but that has so been done before (besides, where would I get an anvil?)
When respectfully used with their original intent, our Nation’s court systems tend to work, after all this ass-faced piece of work will probably face the death penalty. Way to go, prosecuting attorneys.
And then this has to happen-
Sure, a horse-shit, projectionist lawsuit ought’a ease your pain. I’m sure the plaintiffs were in no way contacted by bottom-feeding Civil Suit Attorneys. They came up with that one on their own.
You know what would be great- if ‘Suicide Solution’ was somewhere on the G.T.A. soundtrack- that would just make the whole thing one big, useless circle of our court systems for all to abuse.
From MSNBC
FAYETTE, Ala. - A 20-year-old whose lawyers claimed the video game “Grand Theft Auto” and childhood abuse caused him to kill three small-town police officers was convicted Tuesday of capital murder.
Sigh…
Defense lawyers had partly blamed Moore’s actions on the hours he spent playing video games from the “Grand Theft Auto” series, in which players shoot police officers and steal cars…
Officers had taken Moore to police headquarters for booking on a stolen auto charge. Authorities said Moore, who was 18 at the time, grabbed one of the officer’s guns and fatally shot all three victims in the head before fleeing in a patrol car.
Yes, no other form of media has ever shown the killing of an officer of the law (say is Reservoir Dogs on HBO this month? Guess I‘ll have to TiVO it, I‘m busy reading Serpico and listening to NWA).
I suppose I could go into a tirade about how I hit my wife in the head last night with an anvil after watching Bugs Bunny, but that has so been done before (besides, where would I get an anvil?)
When respectfully used with their original intent, our Nation’s court systems tend to work, after all this ass-faced piece of work will probably face the death penalty. Way to go, prosecuting attorneys.
And then this has to happen-
The victims’ families have filed a civil suit against the video game manufacturer and two stores, claiming Moore killed the three after repeatedly playing “Grand Theft Auto III” and “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.” No trial date has been set in the civil lawsuit..
Sure, a horse-shit, projectionist lawsuit ought’a ease your pain. I’m sure the plaintiffs were in no way contacted by bottom-feeding Civil Suit Attorneys. They came up with that one on their own.
You know what would be great- if ‘Suicide Solution’ was somewhere on the G.T.A. soundtrack- that would just make the whole thing one big, useless circle of our court systems for all to abuse.
Mighty Mouse, Crappy Reveiw
You know, if you’re going to do a product review on something, the least you could do is- oh I dunno- know what you’re talking about.
Take this review I found on ABCNews.com.
Seems Apple is coming out with some sort of super-mouse that’s light years ahead of the rest. Or so the reviewer says. I’m not sure I trust him all that much given that he obviously doesn’t know the first thing about Macs. Really, is it that hard to find a product reviewer that knows Apples?
Take this-
Um, more than one button? See, proves my point. Anyone who’s used a Mac for more than say, five minutes knows you don’t need to right click. All you have to do is hold down the one button for a second longer than normal. Really it’s much easier to use, and has less parts which of course means less stuff to quit working on you (a concept foreign to all things Microsoft I’m sure).
Then there’s this beauty of a statement-
Um, again. All Apple keyboards have USB ports built in them specifically designed for mouse input, even has a nice little pictre in the set-up manual with no confusing ‘words’ to get in the way.
Lastly-
Um, for a third time. “..Apple has long lagged behind everyone else…” except of course for that time when they invented the computer mouse.
Worst of all, they didn’t even bother to include a picture. But have no fear, I the non-journalist can supply that with only ten seconds of research on Yahoo Images-
Take this review I found on ABCNews.com.
Seems Apple is coming out with some sort of super-mouse that’s light years ahead of the rest. Or so the reviewer says. I’m not sure I trust him all that much given that he obviously doesn’t know the first thing about Macs. Really, is it that hard to find a product reviewer that knows Apples?
Take this-
At the very least, it shows that Apple has come around to the realization that more than one button is a good idea. Now, its customers don't have to look beyond Apple for their pointing-and-clicking needs.
Um, more than one button? See, proves my point. Anyone who’s used a Mac for more than say, five minutes knows you don’t need to right click. All you have to do is hold down the one button for a second longer than normal. Really it’s much easier to use, and has less parts which of course means less stuff to quit working on you (a concept foreign to all things Microsoft I’m sure).
Then there’s this beauty of a statement-
My biggest complaint was the short length of the cord that plugs into a computer's USB port, though it's not likely to be an issue if you plug your mouse into a USB port on the keyboard.
Um, again. All Apple keyboards have USB ports built in them specifically designed for mouse input, even has a nice little pictre in the set-up manual with no confusing ‘words’ to get in the way.
Lastly-
…when it comes to the lowly computer mouse, Apple has long lagged behind everyone else…
Um, for a third time. “..Apple has long lagged behind everyone else…” except of course for that time when they invented the computer mouse.
Worst of all, they didn’t even bother to include a picture. But have no fear, I the non-journalist can supply that with only ten seconds of research on Yahoo Images-
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Time AND Money to Burn.
Got this link off of Derek's page. If you have disposable money to spend on the nerdy-camp, check out Think Geek.
Radio Killed The All Stars, Part Deux
Just got done reading a little rant by Jason about how much radio sucks and it got me to thinking.-I've hated the radio for quite some time now and I seem to be locked between a rock and a hard place. On my way to work I have to listen to something (I work 3rd shift so my commute starts at 11:30pm). I can't really put in a c.d. because I'm the kind of guy who likes to take in the whole c.d. experience, not just one or two songs. By the time I get to work I'll be totally into the music which makes pulling into the parking lot that much more of a kill-joy. I won't listen to FM music radio because I have taste and shame. I did listen to NPR for a while, but about a year ago I came to the conclusion that NPR is, in a phrase, un-f**cking listenable. When 10:30 pm is the new 6:30 am you need all the help you can get- listening to stories woven specifically for pseudo intellectuals with no fingers on the button of reality does not a cup of coffee make. I have a whole tirade on NPR that I'll splot out to you later, but I feel so strongly about this subject that It'll take some heavy composition. (quick hint- it involves the applause of the cutting of public funding).On the other extreme I'm not about to listen to conservative talk radio. Talk about your pasture of hypocritical idiots. These are the kind of guys that support such things "intelligent design" because God is American while wanting a constitutional amendment against gay marriage because human rights apparently don't apply to everyone. Anyway-I''ve since taken to listening to sports talk radio. In a way it's kind of a relief because I usually happen to tune into FoxRadio and this is about the only thinking that the FoxNews Network will actually admit is biased and based upon opinion and not necessarily upon fact. Granted, like anything else, you need to draw your own conclusions. But hey, it's just sports.
Whoops
Had a little issue with comments. Should be fixed now so comment as much as you want, it makes me feel somewhat worthwhile.
Homies
Got a few links at the side for all to check into when you get the chance. Notable blogs from others are -
Just As I Thought by Gene Cowan
Thoughts And Rants by Jason Marks
Paradigm Shift by Matt Hendrickson
As If My Blog Mattered by Da CorDawg
Staring At The Wall by Derek Cook
I wonder if in the future there could be some sort of 'Blog Off' like old school style. Kinda like in "Beat Street."
Just As I Thought by Gene Cowan
Thoughts And Rants by Jason Marks
Paradigm Shift by Matt Hendrickson
As If My Blog Mattered by Da CorDawg
Staring At The Wall by Derek Cook
I wonder if in the future there could be some sort of 'Blog Off' like old school style. Kinda like in "Beat Street."
Catching Up With The Jones'
The story so far. -“In the beginning, God created the Universe. This has made a lot of people angry and has widely been regarded as a bad move.” Since then, times have changed a bit.During my little sabbatical from da blog there have been a few additions to my life. Being as if a picture is worth a thousand words, and given my predilection for rambling incessantly, here’s a really efficent summation of the 4-1-1.
Got a wife.
Got a house.
Got a truck.
Got some (more) dogs.
Got a new mower.
This all happened within about 2 months. In addition, I made the move back to Marion (ironically due to being transferred from St. Louis) and started in my new position as a Shipping and Operational Logistics Supervisor. It’s just a fancy way of saying I supervise in a distribution facility.
So to cap it all off- things are going pretty good. Now I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop….
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
New And (not really) Improved
So why the new http address? Well for the last installment of Radio Free, my cousin and uber-blogger (or is it pan-blogger, I can never keep up with these new fangled buzz words) Gene was kind enough to donate web space and design know-how to my little cyber tea party. Since then Gene has taken a bold and welcomed change to his life and relocated to the left side of the country, which makes perfect sense if you check out his politically based posts. So, in summation, he’s just way to busy to hold my hand anymore. I certainly understand and definitely suggest you check out his page from time to time.
Given that change I took it upon myself to open up a Blogger account. It’s really quite easy to use and it’s free. All I do have to figure out the subtleties of the page format. Keep your eyes peeled for changes thought our little existence. I’ll also have get on my Verizon web space and upload digital pictures. It seems that unlike before when I could just add picks onto the blog from my desktop, I now have to link them from the net. Oh well- it’s free. Anybody that uses Blogger who would like to drop me a hint from time to time, please feel fee to do so.
Also comes the most welcome change- I’m free of the heartless digital shackles that is Earthlink. Good God I hated that company. I made the switch over to Verizon, which has been working out pretty well for me. For one, if you have a question, you get to talk to someone from the United States. Ironically when you call a tech support operator, who is obviously from the mid-west, they will lie about their name and say it’s something like “Rajish.”
The downside to switching to Verizon was the sad realization that my trusty old iMac had some serious problems with it’s Ethernet port. If I wanted DSL (and who doesn’t) then I’d have do something drastic. Seems that on a Mac, Ethernet (why does my spell checker keep capitalizing Ethernet?) ports rarely go out, so changing them is a really big deal. I gave it some thought and after concluding that I could do much more of my work at home if I had a PC, comparing prices and figuring that I’m not going to be doing any high-end graphics and editing, I came to the mad realization that I should buy a PC.
So I did.
I won’t go through the nerdy details of RAM and megahertz, ‘cause I just don’t care. So armed with my trusty employee discount (which does nothing since PC's have minimal mark-up) I found one that Circuit City had on sale and asked our resident computer guru if “it didn’t suck” then got it. All in all it’s worked out pretty well, I just have to get used to making like 7 mouse clicks to do what my Mac did in one. Quick hint- back to school is a seriously good time to find good deals on computers.
I still have the Mac hooked up for Photoshop, iTunes and other stuff, so my den looks pretty cool with the two operating systems.
How very Neo of me.
Given that change I took it upon myself to open up a Blogger account. It’s really quite easy to use and it’s free. All I do have to figure out the subtleties of the page format. Keep your eyes peeled for changes thought our little existence. I’ll also have get on my Verizon web space and upload digital pictures. It seems that unlike before when I could just add picks onto the blog from my desktop, I now have to link them from the net. Oh well- it’s free. Anybody that uses Blogger who would like to drop me a hint from time to time, please feel fee to do so.
Also comes the most welcome change- I’m free of the heartless digital shackles that is Earthlink. Good God I hated that company. I made the switch over to Verizon, which has been working out pretty well for me. For one, if you have a question, you get to talk to someone from the United States. Ironically when you call a tech support operator, who is obviously from the mid-west, they will lie about their name and say it’s something like “Rajish.”
The downside to switching to Verizon was the sad realization that my trusty old iMac had some serious problems with it’s Ethernet port. If I wanted DSL (and who doesn’t) then I’d have do something drastic. Seems that on a Mac, Ethernet (why does my spell checker keep capitalizing Ethernet?) ports rarely go out, so changing them is a really big deal. I gave it some thought and after concluding that I could do much more of my work at home if I had a PC, comparing prices and figuring that I’m not going to be doing any high-end graphics and editing, I came to the mad realization that I should buy a PC.
So I did.
I won’t go through the nerdy details of RAM and megahertz, ‘cause I just don’t care. So armed with my trusty employee discount (which does nothing since PC's have minimal mark-up) I found one that Circuit City had on sale and asked our resident computer guru if “it didn’t suck” then got it. All in all it’s worked out pretty well, I just have to get used to making like 7 mouse clicks to do what my Mac did in one. Quick hint- back to school is a seriously good time to find good deals on computers.
I still have the Mac hooked up for Photoshop, iTunes and other stuff, so my den looks pretty cool with the two operating systems.
How very Neo of me.
...and we're back.
Whew, sorry 'bout that folks. Seems like I had to take a little time off. Things got a little crazy but all seems to be back to normal. As a 'writer' of sorts I'd like to tell you all that my hiatus was the result of a much overdue detox appointment, but instead it's just because I was very busy writing a new chapter of my life.
I'll do my best to post as much as possible, and I'll give y'all a quick rundown of the past several months. There have been several changes and goings on that you might find of little interest, but I'm gonna fill you in anyway.
Hope you enjoy... and be sure to post comments often.
I'll do my best to post as much as possible, and I'll give y'all a quick rundown of the past several months. There have been several changes and goings on that you might find of little interest, but I'm gonna fill you in anyway.
Hope you enjoy... and be sure to post comments often.
