• Union beat Colgate last night and will face Harvard in the ECAC Championship. Union is currently ranked #3 in the country via the power rankings. (Behind BC and Michigan (who we beat in the fall)) Go Union!
• Enjoy your day today and be safe.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day
• My run this morning was a lot shorter than I wanted it to be but there was relatively pain. This is a goodness.
• Union beat Colgate last night and will face Harvard in the ECAC Championship. Union is currently ranked #3 in the country via the power rankings. (Behind BC and Michigan (who we beat in the fall)) Go Union!
• Enjoy your day today and be safe.
• Union beat Colgate last night and will face Harvard in the ECAC Championship. Union is currently ranked #3 in the country via the power rankings. (Behind BC and Michigan (who we beat in the fall)) Go Union!
• Enjoy your day today and be safe.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Two Interesting Pieces for the Afternoon
Slate has a long piece on "_why" and about Ruby in general. Where’s _why?
NPR's "Morning Edition" has an article about Steve Martin's brilliant Twitter feed. The Wild And Crazy 'Tweets Of Steve Martin'
Enjoy.
NPR's "Morning Edition" has an article about Steve Martin's brilliant Twitter feed. The Wild And Crazy 'Tweets Of Steve Martin'
Enjoy.
A Little Less Douche
First of all, that is a great phrase. It can be applied to so very many situations. Everything these days can be a little less douche.
This phrase comes from Shelton Films' "The Daly Show" on YouTube with is a series of web videos following the life and times of Tim Daly (Wings, Superman, Private Practice) and his son Sam Daly (Red Tails, The Office). This surreal look at life is wonderful.
Some of the scenes are so absurd, including Tim Daly's bizarre habits (measuring shoes, using a sling shot, buying a baby), Sam Daly's inexperience with the "Bases", Taye Diggs tasting of chocolate, and a baby as a Christmas gift.
There are guest stars, like the aforementioned Taye Diggs, and Nathan Fillion.
Subscribe on YouTube and watch these often. The laughter that will emit from your cube is worth it.
(Oh, and check out some of the other Shelton Films' shorts. "Running" be me in a fugue state and deeply saddened one of my good friends.
This phrase comes from Shelton Films' "The Daly Show" on YouTube with is a series of web videos following the life and times of Tim Daly (Wings, Superman, Private Practice) and his son Sam Daly (Red Tails, The Office). This surreal look at life is wonderful.
Some of the scenes are so absurd, including Tim Daly's bizarre habits (measuring shoes, using a sling shot, buying a baby), Sam Daly's inexperience with the "Bases", Taye Diggs tasting of chocolate, and a baby as a Christmas gift.
There are guest stars, like the aforementioned Taye Diggs, and Nathan Fillion.
Subscribe on YouTube and watch these often. The laughter that will emit from your cube is worth it.
(Oh, and check out some of the other Shelton Films' shorts. "Running" be me in a fugue state and deeply saddened one of my good friends.
I can hear them chirping in the air tonight...
• I slept with the windows open last night and heard the birds, bugs, and other fauna chirp away. It was really nice even if it was quite chilly this morning.
• Most people that make it to my phone have their own text tone. It allows me to decide to be excited or not about what I am about to receive. Someone on set on MSNBC is using the same tone for texts and it freaks me out when I hear it through the television. Like a feeling of hope and dread at the same time. (No, it not my ex-wife. She has a great tone that was once mean spirited but now makes me chuckle.)
• Speaking of MNSBC, I love The Rachel Maddow Show and it is almost appointment viewing for me and when I am to tune in, I look forward to seeing...well...Rachel. Last night when I tuned in, I saw...Ezra Klein. Yes, he is a wunderkind. Yes, he is brilliant. No, he is not Rachel.
• "Luck" has been canceled. Why? Horses are dying like it is Free Burrito Day at Taco Bell. For a show that had so much promise and so many accolades, this has to be disappointing but, even though I hate horses (big, dumb, skittish) animals dying for entertainment is unnecessary.
• Finally, a very happy birthday to a good man. Happy Birthday, FAU!
• Most people that make it to my phone have their own text tone. It allows me to decide to be excited or not about what I am about to receive. Someone on set on MSNBC is using the same tone for texts and it freaks me out when I hear it through the television. Like a feeling of hope and dread at the same time. (No, it not my ex-wife. She has a great tone that was once mean spirited but now makes me chuckle.)
• Speaking of MNSBC, I love The Rachel Maddow Show and it is almost appointment viewing for me and when I am to tune in, I look forward to seeing...well...Rachel. Last night when I tuned in, I saw...Ezra Klein. Yes, he is a wunderkind. Yes, he is brilliant. No, he is not Rachel.
• "Luck" has been canceled. Why? Horses are dying like it is Free Burrito Day at Taco Bell. For a show that had so much promise and so many accolades, this has to be disappointing but, even though I hate horses (big, dumb, skittish) animals dying for entertainment is unnecessary.
• Finally, a very happy birthday to a good man. Happy Birthday, FAU!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Use a Password...a Strong Password
If you fail to have a good password on your phone, something will happen. Why will something happen? Let's face it, you (and by you, I mean me) are kind of an idiot who will lose his phone. They (and by they, I mean you) are mean spirited. Therefore, you (me) will lose your phone and they (you) will check it out. Q.E.D.
"Among people who found the phones, 72 percent tried to access photos, 57 percent tried to open a file called "Saved Passwords," and 43 percent tried to open an app called "Online Banking." Most of the apps on the phones were protected by passwords, but the username and password fields were already filled out, so that users could simply press a button to access them. Well over half of the people who discovered the phones, 66 percent, clicked those buttons to try and start the programs. The fact that the finders had to click a button to access the apps indicates that their attempts were likely intentional."
The Scary Consequences of A Lost Smartphone - Boing Boing
"Among people who found the phones, 72 percent tried to access photos, 57 percent tried to open a file called "Saved Passwords," and 43 percent tried to open an app called "Online Banking." Most of the apps on the phones were protected by passwords, but the username and password fields were already filled out, so that users could simply press a button to access them. Well over half of the people who discovered the phones, 66 percent, clicked those buttons to try and start the programs. The fact that the finders had to click a button to access the apps indicates that their attempts were likely intentional."
The Scary Consequences of A Lost Smartphone - Boing Boing
Every Day is Better with Pie (or Pi)
• Terry O'Neill, President of NOW, was on MSNBC yesterday and when she was speaking of Sandra Fluke, called Fluke a "young woman". Not to be ageist, but after 25, isn't the young man/young woman thing a bit dismissive? Would you mind being called a "young" person?
• Pi Day - 3.1415926535 - I prefer apple.
• Colcannon made yesterday from meh to not-so-meh.
• I did not win the MegaMillions. Stupid tax on the math impaired.
• My brother shaved his winter beard off. This prompted me to create (in my head) a dating site profile for him where his name was Jar Jar Bottoms. It made me chuckle. I cannot, in good conscience, repeat what I decided that his tag line should be.
• Santorum spreads through Mississippi and Alabama. The grin on my face as I made that joke may be worth seeing Sen. Santorum in a general election.
• Pi Day - 3.1415926535 - I prefer apple.
• Colcannon made yesterday from meh to not-so-meh.
• I did not win the MegaMillions. Stupid tax on the math impaired.
• My brother shaved his winter beard off. This prompted me to create (in my head) a dating site profile for him where his name was Jar Jar Bottoms. It made me chuckle. I cannot, in good conscience, repeat what I decided that his tag line should be.
• Santorum spreads through Mississippi and Alabama. The grin on my face as I made that joke may be worth seeing Sen. Santorum in a general election.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Definitive Guide to Spoilers
Celebrities know that you are watching their shows and they want you to know the rules to spoilers are.
What is a spoiler?
Here is what Urban Dictionary says:
Listen to what these people say. They are the experts.
Via The Mary Sue
What is a spoiler?
Here is what Urban Dictionary says:
The ruining of a surprise in a book, movie, tv program, etc.
Listen to what these people say. They are the experts.
Via The Mary Sue
Awesome Things & Odd Things
Awesome Thing:
I am sure that you have heard about the penguin colony at the California Academy of Sciences, and that link is an awesome waster of time, but now you cn do this on the go. I stumbled upon the apps for both Android and iOS devices. TEA has decided that he wants to be a marine biologist and I am sure that we are going to spend a lot of time just staring at these penguins.
Odd Thing:
Chuck Norris For Newt
Via Politico
Awesome Thing:
My friend Elizabeth's second cookbook is coming out this week. You can order it on Amazon and I am sure that you can find it at your local bookstore.
Odd Thing:
I had a dream that I won the MegaMillions (all $171 Million of it) and after that two women (both of which I love though in completely different ways) both expressed interest in dating me. We were sitting in a conference room, with myself on one side of the table and the two women sitting side by side on the other side of the table. Let's call the women RHD and BLG. They both expressed interest (now that I was a multi-millionaire) and I told them both that "While I love you, I cannot trust either of you with my heart." BLG asked if there was anything that they could do to change that. RHD looked at BLG, looked at me, and looked at BLG again and then delivered a devastating right cross to BLG's jaw. Odd, no? Neither of these women would fight over me in real life.
I am sure that you have heard about the penguin colony at the California Academy of Sciences, and that link is an awesome waster of time, but now you cn do this on the go. I stumbled upon the apps for both Android and iOS devices. TEA has decided that he wants to be a marine biologist and I am sure that we are going to spend a lot of time just staring at these penguins.
Odd Thing:
Chuck Norris For Newt
Via Politico
Awesome Thing:
My friend Elizabeth's second cookbook is coming out this week. You can order it on Amazon and I am sure that you can find it at your local bookstore.
Odd Thing:
I had a dream that I won the MegaMillions (all $171 Million of it) and after that two women (both of which I love though in completely different ways) both expressed interest in dating me. We were sitting in a conference room, with myself on one side of the table and the two women sitting side by side on the other side of the table. Let's call the women RHD and BLG. They both expressed interest (now that I was a multi-millionaire) and I told them both that "While I love you, I cannot trust either of you with my heart." BLG asked if there was anything that they could do to change that. RHD looked at BLG, looked at me, and looked at BLG again and then delivered a devastating right cross to BLG's jaw. Odd, no? Neither of these women would fight over me in real life.
The Web Video That Will Never Be Made
(This is partially a response to the Kony 2012 video...which I am sure you have watched and now have a very strong opinion about the LRA. If I had the time, I would actually make the video, but I do not, so you get this.)
Open on a man sitting in front of a well appointed book case in a leather club chair. Picture someone like Edward Herrmann for the role.
"When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (1)
For two thousand years, we have known about the destruction of these children, yet we do not speak of it.
Cut to view of children playing in village.
The purpose of this message is to ensure that everyone who watches this video knows that Herod (2) has not been punished for his crimes against children.
Yes, he died from scabies (3) related symptoms but was he punished.
We need you to get involved.
Cut to image
Voiceover
This man must be brought to justice.
(4)
This is why we need you to go to Herod-2012.org and spread the message.
This man as responsible for the deaths of dozens of children (sotto voce well, probably, but historically unlikely...unless your only historical reference is the Bible) (visibly shrug) and yet was allowed to die in his own bed.
These long dead children need your help.
Close on image of Herod-2012 logo.
Open on a man sitting in front of a well appointed book case in a leather club chair. Picture someone like Edward Herrmann for the role.
"When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (1)
For two thousand years, we have known about the destruction of these children, yet we do not speak of it.
Cut to view of children playing in village.
The purpose of this message is to ensure that everyone who watches this video knows that Herod (2) has not been punished for his crimes against children.
Yes, he died from scabies (3) related symptoms but was he punished.
We need you to get involved.
Cut to image
Voiceover
This man must be brought to justice.
(4)This is why we need you to go to Herod-2012.org and spread the message.
This man as responsible for the deaths of dozens of children (sotto voce well, probably, but historically unlikely...unless your only historical reference is the Bible) (visibly shrug) and yet was allowed to die in his own bed.
These long dead children need your help.
Close on image of Herod-2012 logo.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Santorum versus the Slayer
(NB: If you are reading Buffy Season 9 or plan on it, avoid this post. There are spoilers. If you do not care about Buffy and are turned off by this, keep reading, because it makes a larger point.)
So, here we have Buffy.
As most recently seen on the cover of the most recent issue.
The Slayer. The Slayer of Slayers. Bad ass. Saved the world countless times (or in the show, one of her tombstones said, "She saved the world...a lot.") and even though she is extraordinarily powerful, she is a hot mess. She cannot hold a job, she dropped out of college...she is a women in need.
She, Buffy made a mistake. Buffy is pregnant. Buffy needs to make a choice.
Now, Senator Santorum would say that Buffy does not deserve a choice. That Buffy made her choice when she decided to have unprotected sex and now must live with the consequences.
Well, what are those consequences?
Buffy is the SLAYER. Yes, there are the Slayerettes and the Scooby Gang and the various other groups that fight the things that go bump in the night, but Buffy is their leader, and the best of the best. In all of recorded history, Buffy has no equal and she cannot be the Slayer and a mother at the same time. They are mutually exclusive. One is founded in love and the other founded in rage and fear. There is no overlap in that Venn.
Buffy can put her effort into being a badass or she can put her efforts into being a mother. (Yes, I know that second wave feminism says that you can have it all but when trying to have it all, sometimes things suffer.) If she fails to put her efforts into being a Slayer, we know what could happen. Another rotation in the cycle of poverty and early motherhood, even with the support system that Buffy has built around her. If she puts all her effort into being a mother, the world could end again.
In things like parenthood or saving the world, half efforts are bad.
Now, Senator Santorum will argue that the choice is not hers. The choice belongs to society where the life of Buffy's unborn child outweighs the almost-literal weight of the world that Buffy carries on her shoulders. Buffy's career does not matter.
But, much like Buffy, Senator Santorum does not exist in the real world.
Buffy does make her choice.
I know that Senator Santorum will disagree with this choice, but then again, that just proves that the Senator is on the side of the demons, vampires and things that go bump in the night. The strong young women of America deserve better.
(See io9 for better images from the comic.)
*Quote via Wikipedia
"Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer."*
So, here we have Buffy.
The Slayer. The Slayer of Slayers. Bad ass. Saved the world countless times (or in the show, one of her tombstones said, "She saved the world...a lot.") and even though she is extraordinarily powerful, she is a hot mess. She cannot hold a job, she dropped out of college...she is a women in need.
She, Buffy made a mistake. Buffy is pregnant. Buffy needs to make a choice.
Now, Senator Santorum would say that Buffy does not deserve a choice. That Buffy made her choice when she decided to have unprotected sex and now must live with the consequences.
Well, what are those consequences?
Buffy is the SLAYER. Yes, there are the Slayerettes and the Scooby Gang and the various other groups that fight the things that go bump in the night, but Buffy is their leader, and the best of the best. In all of recorded history, Buffy has no equal and she cannot be the Slayer and a mother at the same time. They are mutually exclusive. One is founded in love and the other founded in rage and fear. There is no overlap in that Venn.
Buffy can put her effort into being a badass or she can put her efforts into being a mother. (Yes, I know that second wave feminism says that you can have it all but when trying to have it all, sometimes things suffer.) If she fails to put her efforts into being a Slayer, we know what could happen. Another rotation in the cycle of poverty and early motherhood, even with the support system that Buffy has built around her. If she puts all her effort into being a mother, the world could end again.
In things like parenthood or saving the world, half efforts are bad.
Now, Senator Santorum will argue that the choice is not hers. The choice belongs to society where the life of Buffy's unborn child outweighs the almost-literal weight of the world that Buffy carries on her shoulders. Buffy's career does not matter.
But, much like Buffy, Senator Santorum does not exist in the real world.
Buffy does make her choice.
I know that Senator Santorum will disagree with this choice, but then again, that just proves that the Senator is on the side of the demons, vampires and things that go bump in the night. The strong young women of America deserve better.
(See io9 for better images from the comic.)
*Quote via Wikipedia
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Spring Forward
• Coffee Shops should offer two for one deals when you spring forward. (Yes, we should also have another national conversation about the efficacy of the concept but that is another post.) speaking of coffee shops, I have noticed that the one in my neighborhood, which has a wonderful Costa Rican Dark Roast (not too dark but close to perfect), has started playing "Praise" music over the PA. Isn't coffee fuel for the godless? Is this a new ploy by the Christianist agenda?
• Union defeated RPI last night, making me very happy, and now we wait to see who we play in the ECAC semis.
• I have been experimenting with succotash. I hate lima beans. (Who, honestly, likes lima beans?) I am thinking about trying it with edamame. Why is this a thing for me? Well...I just like the way the colors play on the plate.
• Back to springing forward: Why is the day that we lose an hour always one of the mornings that I wake up at 5 and fail to fall back asleep? Is it some weird thing to exhaust me for the day? Some vague trick of my subconscious to let me know that everything is going to suck? I spent the morning, tossing and turning, listening to old Slate Double X podcasts, which did nothing but make me chuckle at the hosts.
• It is a bright and chilly morning here, with an expected high in the low 60s, and as I was headed to the aforementioned coffee shop, the Go-Go's "Vacation" came on. I listened to it three times in a row. Why? Well, for years it has been little but background music for me but today I really listened to the lyrics, which are heartbreaking and to the music, which is great. The backbeat alone is something to listen to with awe and wonder. (okay, maybe not awe and wonder, but allow me a rhetorical flourish now and then...)
• Today is my family's annual St. Patrick's Day dinner which means corned beef sandwiches this week. This is a goodness and I can see the weight that I have lost being out back on because of this.
• Union defeated RPI last night, making me very happy, and now we wait to see who we play in the ECAC semis.
• I have been experimenting with succotash. I hate lima beans. (Who, honestly, likes lima beans?) I am thinking about trying it with edamame. Why is this a thing for me? Well...I just like the way the colors play on the plate.
• Back to springing forward: Why is the day that we lose an hour always one of the mornings that I wake up at 5 and fail to fall back asleep? Is it some weird thing to exhaust me for the day? Some vague trick of my subconscious to let me know that everything is going to suck? I spent the morning, tossing and turning, listening to old Slate Double X podcasts, which did nothing but make me chuckle at the hosts.
• It is a bright and chilly morning here, with an expected high in the low 60s, and as I was headed to the aforementioned coffee shop, the Go-Go's "Vacation" came on. I listened to it three times in a row. Why? Well, for years it has been little but background music for me but today I really listened to the lyrics, which are heartbreaking and to the music, which is great. The backbeat alone is something to listen to with awe and wonder. (okay, maybe not awe and wonder, but allow me a rhetorical flourish now and then...)
• Today is my family's annual St. Patrick's Day dinner which means corned beef sandwiches this week. This is a goodness and I can see the weight that I have lost being out back on because of this.
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