A Large Regular

Linky Links

2013-05-19T11:06:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Texts from Last Night - occasional comedy gold.

- Origins of 9 great British insults

- Heh heh - Summer is Coming!

- This use of the Marines really bothered me. Really bothered me.

- Heh heh - so true - so true

- Bea Arthur nude painting sells for $1.9 million

Flotsam and Jetsam

2013-05-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I don't care how awesome the Internet becomes - Zombo.com will still be the best site ever... Have you seen those pictures of Richard Branson dressing up as a stewardess because he lost a bet? Just saying but the Most Interesting Man in the World would never do something like that.... Interesting - 10 hotel secrets from behind the front desk... I have Albert Pujols in one of my fantasy baseball leagues so I don't have to be reminded that Lyle Overbay has more HR (6-5) and more RBI (23-21)... Franks Sinatra has been dead for 15 years now - here's 15 things you may not have known about him... This is genius - comedian Kurt Braunolher paid to have this written in the sky above Los Angeles... Now would be a really good time for President Obama to raise or lower the sea levels just to distract people from all these scandals...

Linky Links

2013-05-14T08:14:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Nice profile of Rockies manager Walt Weiss. Hard not to like the guy.

- Senator challenges NFL's tax-exempt status. Of course a shortcut would be to just tell the IRS that the NFL was affiliated with the Tea Party.

- Col. Chris Hadfield singing Space Oddity is awesome. Part of me is bothered by the idea that NASA now is best known for singing astronauts and not for the sort of great goals and accomplishments that made them famous in the past. We don't even have a space shuttle any more.

- Watch this excerpt from a commencement speech by David Foster Wallace. Watch it once a week for the rest of your life to remind yourself "this is water".

- 11 Patron Saints of food, wine and those who cook or serve

- Interesting look at how our Solar System isn't "normal".

Flotsam and Jetsam

2013-05-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Two very interesting pairings this past weekend. You had the Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain story and then Tiger Woods vs Sergio Garcia story-line at TPC Sawgrass. In both cases the younger player came off as bit of an ass... "Give us just the audio feed from Erin Andrews" said no TV producer ever... I read the subtext to this Dan Shaughnessy rebuttle by Red Sox part-owner Tom Werner as "I gave your daughter a job in Hollywood you ungrateful jerk"... God bless the Richard family. I cannot image the pain and grief they must shoulder every day... I still say that Tim Tebow would be a useful back-up to the Patriots. Tom Brady likes those one-yard goal-line plunges too much. He's getting older and there's no reason to risk him in those situations when you could have a guy like Tebow... Part of me thinks the Westboro Baptist Church is just some real elaborate hoax being pulled off by an not-dead Andy Kaufman... Playing off the success of ChristianMingle.com - I'd like to start a site ChristianDivorce.com. Jesus want you to separate!...

The Great Gatsby

2013-05-12T10:32:00.001-04:00

I have read F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby a few times. The first time was for an English class. The next two times because Ernest Hemingway spoke so highly of the book I was sure I was missing something. Each time reading the book felt like a chore to be finished.

I agree completely with this review of the book The Great Gatsby - it just doesn't do anything for me.

For books about the same period in time - give me John Steinbeck's Cannery Row or Hemingway's A Moveable Feast (even though this book wasn't actually published till 1964 - three years after Hemingway's suicide).

I have no desire whatsoever to see the movie.

Ghosts

2013-05-12T08:17:00.000-04:00

I've decided that I'm not going to believe in ghosts. Why? Well the reason is pretty simple.

Every kid is taught that ghosts say "boo!" Who decided this? It's become unanimous. According to our culture and accepted norms - ghosts say "boo". But why would your spirit in death be saying something you never said in life? When was the last time you said "boo"? Were you impersonating a ghost?

The only explanation is that nobody has ever spoken with a ghost. And that must be because they don't exist. Logic.

As an aside - I think it would be funny if someone re-cut the movie Ghost so that Patrick Swayze's dialog after he dies is replaced by someone just repeating "boo!" over and over.

The Herpes of Sports Reporting

2013-05-10T10:41:00.002-04:00

Recently Green Day frontman Billy Joe Armstrong call Korean singer Psy the "herpes of music" "once you think he's gone he comes back." Armstrong took some heat for the comment but generally people thought it was amusing and agreed with him.

It got me thinking about who I would consider the "herpes of sports reporting". Here's my list:

1. Dan Shaughnessy - nobody makes me turn a radio or TV channel faster than Shagnasty. He faded into the woodwork somewhat after the Red Sox ruined his "Curse of the Bambino" cottage industry but recently he made himself as public as a cold sore on a wedding day with his basically accusing David Ortiz of using steroids. It should be recalled that before Ortiz even had a plate appearance for the Red Sox - Shaughnessy called him a "pile of you know what". I think the Curly Haired Boyfriend just has it out for people of color.

2. Skip Bayless - why is he famous? Why does ESPN stick with this douche? Does anyone like him? All serious questions.

3. Mike Lupica - get over yourself little man. You couldn't hold Dick Schaap's jock.

4. Stephen A Smith - aka Screaming A Smith. As annoying as this guy can be I do have to admit that at least occasionally he makes valid points.

5. Ron Borges - we get it. You hate Bill Belichick, don't find plagiarism to be a sin and are not afraid to fight men in wheelchairs. Probably a Boston thing but this guy is a dickhead.

Missing the list - Jay Marriotti who has proved himself to be more of a chlamydia in the word of sports transmitted diseases.

Linky Links

2013-05-09T08:59:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Parents who suck on their infants pacifiers may protect child from developing allergy. If my kid dropped their binky on the ground - I didn't hesitate to pick it up and clean it off in my mouth. Better a little dirt in my mouth than an unhappy kid missing their binky. Glad to hear there were other benefits.

- President Obama used Buzz Aldrin just for a photo opportunity.

- Another piece of my childhood soiled.

- Heh heh - new Man of Steel poster explained

- How do noise cancelling headphones work?

- I was wondering whatever happened in that story of the casino deciding not to pay Phil Ivey millions in winnings because they thought he was cheating

Slavery

2013-05-08T10:54:00.000-04:00

What happened to those three girls in Cleveland is monstrous. I would call it unbelievable except for the fact it really happened. These three girls had their freedom taken away and were basically slaves for a decade.

One thing I think all Americans can agree on is that slavery is wrong and in this day and age - it is inexcusable. Yet our country continues to do business with other nations where slavery is perfectly acceptable. Why isn't there more outrage about this?

Even when one of these nations brings their practice of slavery to our very capital - it barely makes a blip on the news. Honestly - how many of you were even aware of that story?

Read this article on slavery - then wrap your mind around this quote from the article, "When I want a sex slave, I go to the market and pick whichever female I desire and buy her." Now think back to how outraged you felt about those three girls in Cleveland. If those nations who allow slavery were hunting whales instead - there would be all sorts of outrage and demonstrations. Where is the outrage?

Linky Links

2013-05-07T08:28:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Andrew Jackson is thought of very highly by many but he did some truly horrible things. Should he be on the $20 bill? Should he be a liability for Democrats?

- Wow - how Killer Whales catch and eat much faster dolphins.

- Fascinating look at a great pilot, war hero and seemingly all-around great guy.

- Very cool picture of a Blue Heron with a snake rapped around his head and neck. (The snake would lose this battle.)

- Speaking of cool pictures - Jeff Bridges takes pictures on his film sets and they are just wonderful. HT Big Stupid Tommy

- Lowes uses Vine to make some very helpful household hints. The rubber band to get out a stripped screw is genius!

Flotsam and Jetsam

2013-05-06T10:10:00.000-04:00

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I don't think it will come to this but excellent point - if Tim Tebow doesn't get any any NFL QB opportunities he could spark a bidding war for his college football TV services... "Wouldn't the world be a cleaner place if we gave blind people brooms instead of canes?" - Nick Thune... Why do people say "I shit myself" or "I almost shit myself"? Who else are you going to shit?... Speaking of shit - you know you've wondered about this - why does your crap sometimes float and sometimes sink?... Old Irish saying, "Many a time a man's mouth has broken his nose"... Wow I feel old - Bree Seanna Wall who played little Sophia on Deadwood is now 18-years old... I don't like the phrase "immoral fornicator". Have you ever heard anyone who would say that also say "moral fornicator"?... Chick-fil-A should sign Jason Collins as an endorser. Certain people's heads would explode... I am really surprised that this doesn't happen more in baseball... Is it really necessary at this point for people who advertise lunch or dinner buffets to add the words "all you can eat"?...

Best Albums of the 70's?

2013-05-04T08:47:00.000-04:00

I have a question mark in the title because I really don't agree with this list of the best albums of the 1970's. And I know the list is 9-years old but it is new to me.

During the 70's I was a kid. But aren't kids the most impressionable? I have to admit that I don't recognize half of the albums on the list. Maybe that's my ignorance but to have a list like this and not have something from Bruce Springsteen when he was at his peak tells me that maybe I'm not the ignorant one. No Bon Scott AC/DC? Highway to Hell is better than 90 percent of the albums on the list.

At number 1 on the list is Low from David Bowie. As I mentioned - I was an impressionable kid in the 70's but this album didn't make an impression on me. The only song I recognize is Sound and Vision - which is an OK song but it is no London Calling.

You can listen to the entire album Low here.

Linky Links

2013-05-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Interesting analysis of the Kentucky Derby field. So Java's War? I'm leaning towards the Pletcher / / Valezquez combo on Verrazano.

- In case you missed it - Netflix lost close to 2,000 titles this past Wednesday.

- Holy crap! What a hit in the Lingerie Football League!

- Time crystals? The scientist will never admit it but I bet he originally got the idea for this theory from the Sleestacks on Land of the Lost

60 Thoughts About Turning 60

2013-04-30T08:27:00.000-04:00

I admit that I had never heard of Ian Martin - but his 60 thoughts on turning 60 were very clever.

My favorite two:

"When someone starts a sentence 'I'm not trying to be'... they always are." How very true. Just as true as "Nothing counts except what comes after the but." I think you are a great person but...

"[O]f course God exists. Even if God turns out to be just science in fancy pyjamas." What a great way of stating one's religious beliefs!

I also loved him calling someone a "human coelacanth." What a great turn of phrase!

The Great Gatsby and F Scott Fitzgerald

2013-04-30T08:09:00.000-04:00

Interesting look into the life and finances of writer F Scott Fitzgerald.

His masterpiece The Great Gatsby (which is now a major motion picture - what a strange phrase that is - have you ever heard a movie described as a minor motion picture?) was published in 1925. According to Fitzgerald's notes and ledgers - he made $18,333.61 for that year. That would be roughly $250,000 in today's dollars.

Confession

2013-04-29T15:10:00.001-04:00

I grew up Catholic and I have to confess that most of my time at mass was spent reviewing the Boston Red Sox roster in my head. First I would try to recall each player on the 25 and 40-man rosters. Then I would start thinking about if certain players at Pawtucket would be upgrades. This would get me to about the time the priest was giving his homily. At that point I was most likely starting to go through next year's free agent class and wondering which of those players would be a good fit in Boston.

When it was time for communion - I would stop thinking about the Red Sox roster and start thinking about which women in the receiving line I would like to have sex with (but that is a different confession).

I am thinking about starting to attend church again. I think it might help with my fantasy baseball skills.

Linky Links

2013-04-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Heh heh - where the customer always comes first!

- When Clarence Thomas wrote to George Jones

- I want this painting for my place - JFKFC

- The human body truly is amazing. Why your nose gets stuffy one nostril at a time.

- George W. Bush saved more lives than any other President

Jets QB Circus

2013-04-27T12:37:00.001-04:00

The Jets spent another high draft pick on a QB - taking Geno Smith of West Virginia in the second round. The Jets now have six QB's on their roster - Smith, lame duck starter Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, David Garrard, Greg McElroy and Matt Sims. For a point of comparison - the Patriots roster has three QB's - Tom Brady, back-up Ryan Mallett and Mike Kafka from Northwestern.

Some want the Jets to cut Sanchez and take the $8 million plus cap hit. They argue that Geno Smith may be a raw rookie but at least he protects the football. These are the same people who neglect to mention that Tim Tebow is one of the best QB's in football at turnover ratios. I would also mention that every team in the NFL knew the Jets were going to take Smith in the second round and yet every team above them passed him over and no team behind them moved up to make sure they got him.

I will also add that Tebow was also much higher rated coming out of college. The Jets are a joke. And as a Patriots fan - I think the joke is pretty funny.

Linky Links

2013-04-26T09:14:00.001-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Very cool - all five of Yu Darvish's pitches in one delivery

- If you use an off-shore betting account - this article is must reading.

- The "human computer" passes away

- Wow - Sperm whales battling Killer whales

- The Hubble Telescope's top 100 images

George W. Bush's Legacy

2013-04-26T08:55:00.000-04:00

Charles Krauthammer has a good look at what the Bush legacy will and has been. Krauthammer makes the comparison to Harry Truman which I've also made repeatedly.

One thing to point out is that Truman was followed in office by Dwight Eisenhower while Bush was followed by Barack Obama. That is bound to work in Bush's favor once the celebrity ga-ga over Obama is replaced by real historians looking at facts.

Schwarzenegger Driving

2013-04-24T14:01:00.001-04:00

Hilarious!

Linky Links

2013-04-23T08:26:00.001-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Marc Maron in space? I'm a fan of WTF and will check out this show.

- Interesting profile of Billy Joel. I've never understood the idea that you had to like either Springsteen or Joel. I've always liked them both.

- Michael Shannon reading the insane sorority letter is why the Internets were invented.

- Good timeline explanation on how the Boston bombers were identified and caught.

- Interesting look into the year 1968. If you are into history - these articles are like catnip.

Flotsam and Jetsam

2013-04-22T12:28:00.000-04:00

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I am not a fan of the singing of Sweet Caroline at Red Sox games but my hat is off to Neil Diamond paying his own way to sing the song live at Fenway on Saturday... I completely understand why George H. W. Bush is smiling in this picture... Is it really necessary at this point for people who advertise lunch or buffets to add the words "all you can eat"?... Interesting - a map that shows there are only 22 countries in the world the Great Britain has not invaded or had a military presence in... I am not a person who feels driven to run marathons or any sort of endurance races so to me this race - the Barkley - seems insane... You can't have good without evil yet Christianity has official blessings but no official curses. That seems to be a missing ingredient... Not completely sure but I think doing this would get you tossed out of an establishment...

David Ortiz

2013-04-21T08:39:00.000-04:00

Linky Links

2013-04-20T10:31:00.001-04:00

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Gives me chills - every time

- The yo-yo master

- What happens when you wring out a washcloth in space?

- The sorority girl letter is the greatest thing ever!

- The Man of Steel movie looks awesome!

- Barbie's measurements drawn onto a real woman