FriendsWithManagers

ASIDE: Sesame Street Feist

2008-07-17T15:28:00Z

Feist stops in on Sesame Street singing about her love of the number four.

Reflections on the 2008 All-Star Game

2008-07-16T12:16:00Z

As Minnesota Twin first-baseman, and 2008 Home Run Derby champion, Justin Morneau slid in just ahead of Atlanta Braves’ Brian McCann‘s tag, ending a 15-inning affair, securing home-field advantage for the American League and extending the AL’s unbeaten streak to now 12 All-Star games, the thought that crossed my mind was — man, I’m tired. Ending around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, the marathon All-Star game gave baseball fans an amazing game that, like it or not, actually holds sway on the World Series.

Reflecting the morning after, I think I have to say that last night’s game was by far the best All-Star game I’ve seen in a very long time. The ‘06 and ‘07 All-Star had tense moments into the 9th inning, but last night’s game, unlike the aforementioned two games, doesn’t leave too much to question last night. Everyone was used, which is unheard of quite honestly. All 32 players on both sides played, giving fans all across America this morning something to talk about. We don’t have the controversy this year of Albert Pujols sitting on the bench while then Philadelphia Phillies center-fielder Aaron Rowand flies out for the last out. We don’t have an embarrassing tie like the league experienced in 2002, though it came very close. What we saw last night was the best players from the American and National League grind it out over 15 innings in a 4-3 final score. You couldn’t ask for a better game.

You want homeruns? All-Star Game MVP, and Boston Red Sox, J.D. Drew provided a 2-run shot in the 7th inning to tie the game. Or Colorado Rockies’ Matt Holiday homerun in the 5th inning to give the NL an early lead. You want small ball? Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona had the AL team steal 6 bases last night, unheard of for a typically “base-to-base” league, while Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle used sacrifice bunts and timely steals to get ahead. And, most importantly, do you want defense? Well then you had it! You had Aaron Cook somehow worked out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the 11th inning, Pittsburgh Pirate Nate McLouth throwing out Tampa Bay Ray Dioner Navarro at the plate, or St. Louis Cardinal Ryan Ludwick stealing a hit from Texas Ranger Ian Kinsler on an amazing diving catch in the 15th inning.

This year’s All-Star game boasted 25 first-time All-Stars, and in past, you would have been lucky to see most of those guys play in any meaningful manner. Credit Francona though because by the 8th inning, he had played all of his position players and trusted the younger kids to win for the American League. You had young players like Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro, Carlos Quentin, Ian Kinsler, Grady Sizemore, George Sherrill, Scott Kazmir and Joakim Soria, who all play in smaller markets for the most past, take center stage and shine. The NL as well had similar players like Ryan Ludwick, Nate McLouth, Dan Uggla (3 errors though. Ouch.), Cristan Guzman, Brandon Webb, Aaron Cook and Russell Martin make amazing play after play. And while I understand that typically you hand the MVP award to someone on the winning side, and Drew played great, you could make an equal case for either the NL’s Russell Martin or Miguel Tejeda for the award with their amazing play and hitting in those late innings.

Overall, last night’s game was great not only because of the end result (the AL winning), but also because it didn’t leave anything on the table. Both bullpens were spent and benches were empty. Managers Hurdle and Francona had one shot left in the 15th inning, and the AL finally managed to pull it out. You really can ask for too much more than that.

Book Review: American Creation by Joseph Ellis

2008-07-14T13:56:01Z

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic
Joseph J. Ellis
(2007, Knopf Publishing)

The more I read about the founding of our country a few things become clearer and clearer for me. One thing is my respect for these men to actually pull off this whole thing when so many odds were against them from the beginning. Another thing is the amazing wherewithal these men possessed to seize the moment that was given to them and embrace the circumstances they found themselves in for America’s benefit. The last thing is more personal, but it’s the changing the “heroic” status these men hold in America today to the view that these were men, great men albeit, but men nonetheless who had just as many flaws as attributes. An almost demi-god status now, learning more about the founding fathers like George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson helps strip these men down to simply just that — men at an opportune time who acted in a way that set in action one of the greatest experiments ever.

While the author, Joseph J. Ellis, does tell the story of America’s triumph in the War for Independence extremely well, the strength of this book resides in his ability to show the greatest failings as well of the founding generation, namely the failure to abolish slavery at our nation’s conception and the forced removal of Native Americans. These two tragedies are giant stains upon the great achievements of this generation. While it might be easy to “pile-on” in hindsight, Ellis does a great job of approaching the controversies as level-headed as possible, giving fair treatment in the praises and well as the failings of the men we have come to regard as national heros.

Next Book: Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen

How Could A Republic Be An Empire? (Ellis)

2008-07-08T14:04:00Z

Whether they realized it or not, by signing the Treaty of Paris the newly created American republic was announcing it arrival as the youngest member of the imperial family and the successor to France and Great Britain as the sovereign power over all the people south of Canada and north of Florida.
This new imperial status raised for the first time a disquieting question that has haunted American foreign policy ever since. Put simply, how could a republic be an empire? More specifically, how could a government founded on the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence, which stigmatized the arbitrary and coercive policies of the British Empire, then proceed to behave just as imperiously toward the original occupants of American soil as the British had acted toward them? More tellingly, did not the treatment of the Indian population constitute an obvious acid test of the republican vales the American Revolution claimed to stand for?

— Joseph J. Ellis, American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic (pg. 131, 2007)

ASIDE: Hello GraphJam, Goodbye Productivity

2008-07-02T17:30:00Z

A recent discovery of GraphJam via BuzzFeed has given me little hope of accomplishing much more this holiday-shortened work week. Current favorites include the above How Californians See America, Never Say Die!, US Military Vehicles Destroyed YTD and Spaceball One Populace.

ASIDE: The Shit Box

2008-07-01T17:58:00Z

Well I'm glad I don't have to use the closest Port-O-John, tree or bush in the future. The question isn't "why" but "why hasn't this been thought of before 2008?" How long have we had cardboard?

Walmart Rebrands, My Opinion Stays The Same

2008-07-01T13:56:00Z

This past weekend retail giant Walmart (Look mom! No hyphen now!) decided to quietly drop a totally new logo on the masses. No press releases have been issued and the company is not responding to any stories yet, though it updated the logo on its website yesterday. According to the Wall Street Journal, Walmart’s recent rebranding efforts are part of the company’s recent attempts to shed the “dowdy image” it has in the public’s mind. I’m not sure if the update has quite shed that image since I don’t think it’s previous mark was the reason for its current image. Walmart’s shabby image is a result more from its horrible treatment of employees, continued allegations of preferential treatment of male employees, low-quality merchandise and their predatory tactics that hollow out smaller, local economies.

My initial response to the logo is that I don’t hate it, but I don’t love. It’s safe, not timeless and mediocre. It doesn’t change my impression of the company, but that isn’t likely to change with a new logo since my problems with the company stem more from horrible customer experiences, dirty shopping conditions and overall feeling of “slumming” when I enter the store’s doors.

A more level-headed response to the Walmart’s rebranding can be found over at Brand New’s website.

ASIDE: Andrew Bush’s “Drive”

2008-06-29T00:51:00Z

In my opinion, Photoshelter's "Shoot the Blog" is rocking some great photography-related content day in and day out. Recently they showed some great work from Andrew Bush's new book "Drive." All of the photos were taking while traveling between 50 to 70 mph in Los Angeles and throughout the Southeast.

Iver Recording New Material… Finally…

2008-06-28T02:04:00Z

I was recently reminded of how great some of Iver‘s music is lately. According to their MySpace page, they’re recording new material as well. Hopefully their new disc will be longer than four tracks this time! In the meantime, here’s a great recording of them performing “Sun Down” in Plymouth, MI.

Where The Hell Is Matt?

2008-06-25T17:09:00Z

Here’s a humorous video of a fellow named Matt dancing around the world.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Governments Are Not Changed For Light Reasons

2008-06-24T15:35:00Z

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

— The Declaration of Independence (¶2, 1776)

ASIDE: Onion News: Fantasy Baseball Owner Rips Team In Media

2008-06-23T16:37:00Z

Any fantasy sports fans out there will find this recent article from The Onion News particularly humorous: Fantasy Baseball Owner Rips Team In Media.

Celtics Finish Off Lakers, Clinch 17th Franchise Championship

2008-06-18T13:56:00Z

I’m sure everyone’s heard by now this morning that Celtics won last night, beating the Lakers to clinch the 2008 NBA Finals and their 17^th franchise championship. Well, I wouldn’t call it a mere winning. The Celtics simply embarrassed the Lakers last night, winning Game 6 131-92. Just think about that a minute.

131-92.

38 39 points.

That’s just embarrassing. I’m sure Laker fans out there could have dealt with a NBA Finals series loss better last night if the team was in it until the end, losing by maybe 6 or 8 points. But after losing by 38 39 points, I’m sure what you do to convince yourself that the Lakers were in it after the first 16 minutes. I watched portions of the 2nd and 3rd quarters as well as most of the 4th, and every time I turned the game on, the Celtics just looked dominant. They had an answer for Kobe Bryant, forcing him to the perimeter, having to settle for three-point toss-ups versus driving the lane for two. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, helping the Lakers to win Game 5 at home, faded once again on the road. By the time the Celtics rotated out their starting five with five minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Celtics were up by 40 points, forcing the Lakers to go for three points every time down the court. Boston’s second team out-played the Lakers even there, pushing the lead up to 43 points with 1:44 to go.

Half-way through the 3rd quarter you could tell the Lakers just gave up. They knew they weren’t going to overcome a twenty point half-time deficit. The Celtics smelled blood and they circled in for the kill. Questions probably will start to circle in the relative short-term future about Bryant being traded or other roster moves by the Lakers. But today the Celtics are champions. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen all finally get their first NBA championship. Congrats C’s. Congrats.

Now it’s officially summer, and we can concentrate on other sports that don’t have referee controversies popping up every other day.

ASIDE: Royale’s Jet Blue TV Commercial

2008-06-17T13:17:00Z

Check out Royale's amazing Jet Blue commercial, which brings together a great combination of motion graphics and live video. Makes me want to go jetting.

ASIDE: White Whine Notables

2008-06-17T13:03:01Z

I'm catching up (slowly) on my website feeds, and I noticed these notable complaints this morning over at White Whine: #228, #223 (how true!) and #215.

ASIDE: I’m In If They’re Looking For Uglies

2008-06-11T20:09:00Z

Here's the quote of the day people. When Joe Kelso of Chambersburg, PA was asked about his chances of landing an 'extras' spot in an upcoming movie being filmed in Harrisburg, his response was "I'm in if they're looking for uglies." Priceless.

ASIDE: Drew Gets Hot For Sox

2008-06-10T17:06:01Z

In the winter of 2006, when the Boston Red Sox signed right-fielder J.D. Drew, there were many Red Sox fans who bemoaned the signing. Questions about his durability and effort were forefront in the criticism of Drew, and a poor offensive campaign for much of the 2007 season didn't help any. Still Drew has become favorite player of mine. So it's great to see Drew getting really hot now.

Celtics Win Game 1 of NBA Finals 98-88

2008-06-06T13:30:00Z

The Celtics are up a game on the Lakers in the NBA Finals after winning Game 1 Thursday night 98-88. It was a pretty good game. I personally only watched the 1st half and the last 8 minutes of the 4th quarter. I heard Pierce make the two 3-pointers back-to-back on the radio on the way home. If Game 1 is any indication of the level of competition those two franchise rivals will give, it should be a great series. I’m pulling for the Celtics in 6 or 7 games.

Also the Red Sox won 7-1 despite punches being thrown between the Sox and Rays. Also my softball team swept our two games last night. What a great night.

ASIDE: Kyle Haskins

2008-06-06T13:12:00Z

Favorite new blog of the moment: Kyle Haskins.

ASIDE: Keyboard Shortcut Skins For Mac Photoshop, Aperture and Final Cut Pro

2008-06-06T13:09:00Z

If I hadn't memorized them already, these Mac keyboard short skins for Photoshop, Aperture and Final Cut Pro would be really neat to grab.

ASIDE: New Michelangelo Book Looks To Break Bank, Back

2008-06-03T12:56:00Z

According to the NY Times, a new book is being released soon about Michelangelo with a $155,000 retail price tag. The book itself was 46 pounds because of a marble cover (yes, I just typed marble). Only 99 apparently are being produced.

ASIDE: Microsoft Zune Commercial

2008-06-03T12:50:00Z

Well here's a first: a design blog talking up how great Microsoft Zune's new commercial is from Brand New School. I have to agree as well. Very well executed.

Niagara Falls Photos

2008-06-02T02:11:00Z

It took me the better part of today (Sunday) to get these photos converted, uploaded and properly tagged in Flickr; but our Memorial Day Niagara Falls trip with friends Steve and Sally are up. Enjoy.

Celtics Back To NBA Finals, First Time Since 1987

2008-05-31T03:25:00Z

The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals, where they get to face the LA Lakers. Cheers. See ya Thursday night.

ASIDE: Can Crispin Make Microsoft Cool?

2008-05-30T20:24:00Z

Fast Company magazine asks whether hot-shot ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky can make Microsoft cool? Very interesting article.

FriendsWithManagers