by Hubert
I don't know why my co-author and I haven't written a thing in this blog in over a month. I went to Orlando earlier this month to see both Universal parks, Sea World, and EPCOT, and the last two days had highs of mid to high 40s. And...I bought an Xbox360. Maybe something interesting will happen to me in the next few days...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
New Hat
by Hubert
I'm at the mall and I see a kiosk of animal winter hats. As in the front of the hat has the face of an animal. Not an entire plush animal on top of the hat. That would be strange.
The female sales clerk helps me put on a penguin hat (there are two!) and koala hat on me, tells me the hats look great, and is asking where I work and what do I do.
"Isn't that odd?" I think. And then I realize these are things women ask when they are interested in you. Or trying to sell you a hat.
The clerk was as adorable as the animal hats, although wearing one of the hats probably helped.
I left the kiosk, puttered around a RadioShack looking for something, and then walked back to the kiosk to buy one of the penguin hats because...well it was a penguin hat.
I'm at the mall and I see a kiosk of animal winter hats. As in the front of the hat has the face of an animal. Not an entire plush animal on top of the hat. That would be strange.
The female sales clerk helps me put on a penguin hat (there are two!) and koala hat on me, tells me the hats look great, and is asking where I work and what do I do.
"Isn't that odd?" I think. And then I realize these are things women ask when they are interested in you. Or trying to sell you a hat.
The clerk was as adorable as the animal hats, although wearing one of the hats probably helped.
I left the kiosk, puttered around a RadioShack looking for something, and then walked back to the kiosk to buy one of the penguin hats because...well it was a penguin hat.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ode on the Generation X
Top 10 Reasons why Gen-Xers are Awesome:
1. Blade Runner
I've never actually seen this movie, but that hasn't stopped me from assuming it accurately defines an enitre generation. At my company's required annual Diversity Training, I was the first and only person to list such qualities as "non-conforming, counter-culture, gritty...like the movie Blade Runner" under the Gen X category during an exercise designed to increase inter-generational awareness. No one added to my statements, but no one outright denied my statements either: win, Blade Runner.
2. Mark Lisanti
www.defamer.com - until 2008*
3. Thriftiness
Growing up, they weren't the recepients of all the guilty peace-offerings and money the Greatest Generation had to offer. Gen-Xers were nourished by oil shortages, stagflation, and the Iran-Contra Affair. Gen-Xers learned at an early age that when 'easy money' monetary policies are combined with strong supply shocks, things can only end in tears. It was the spending habits of the overcompensated Baby Boomer generation that got us into this festering, debt-ridden economy, and it'll be the thriftiness of the Gen-Xers that will have to get us out. All 10 of them.
4. Just a little bit cooler than we are
They were the junior high schoolers who could (almost) slam dunk on the courts when we would watch them from across the elementary school playground. They were the ones orchestrating Senior Skip day when we were still struggling to learn our middle school locker combos. They were the saavy college students reading Nietzsche and explaining to us how college girls are different than high school girls because they wear less makeup...As always, just that much cooler than us.
5. The Wonder Years
Kevin and Winnie. Sooo angsty. Sooo generation X.
6. Michael Keaton
Iconic role model of Generation X. Why? Longsuffering, practical and utilitarian - these terms describe both this generation AND every character Michael Keaton every portrayed (Yes, even Beetlejuice...think about it) Keaton's Batman, in particular, was the guy who fought some crime after a long day at the office and maybe played poker with your dad later that Friday night.
7. Not needing 10 reasons to prove their generation's Awesomeness.
Here's to Generation X!
*That was the end of an era. Albeit, a short and trivial era. And Defamer doesn't even exist as a stand alone site any more. It's merged with the Gawker blogging hive (fyi..and such).
1. Blade Runner
I've never actually seen this movie, but that hasn't stopped me from assuming it accurately defines an enitre generation. At my company's required annual Diversity Training, I was the first and only person to list such qualities as "non-conforming, counter-culture, gritty...like the movie Blade Runner" under the Gen X category during an exercise designed to increase inter-generational awareness. No one added to my statements, but no one outright denied my statements either: win, Blade Runner.
2. Mark Lisanti
www.defamer.com - until 2008*
3. Thriftiness
Growing up, they weren't the recepients of all the guilty peace-offerings and money the Greatest Generation had to offer. Gen-Xers were nourished by oil shortages, stagflation, and the Iran-Contra Affair. Gen-Xers learned at an early age that when 'easy money' monetary policies are combined with strong supply shocks, things can only end in tears. It was the spending habits of the overcompensated Baby Boomer generation that got us into this festering, debt-ridden economy, and it'll be the thriftiness of the Gen-Xers that will have to get us out. All 10 of them.
4. Just a little bit cooler than we are
They were the junior high schoolers who could (almost) slam dunk on the courts when we would watch them from across the elementary school playground. They were the ones orchestrating Senior Skip day when we were still struggling to learn our middle school locker combos. They were the saavy college students reading Nietzsche and explaining to us how college girls are different than high school girls because they wear less makeup...As always, just that much cooler than us.
5. The Wonder Years
Kevin and Winnie. Sooo angsty. Sooo generation X.
6. Michael Keaton
Iconic role model of Generation X. Why? Longsuffering, practical and utilitarian - these terms describe both this generation AND every character Michael Keaton every portrayed (Yes, even Beetlejuice...think about it) Keaton's Batman, in particular, was the guy who fought some crime after a long day at the office and maybe played poker with your dad later that Friday night.
7. Not needing 10 reasons to prove their generation's Awesomeness.
Here's to Generation X!
*That was the end of an era. Albeit, a short and trivial era. And Defamer doesn't even exist as a stand alone site any more. It's merged with the Gawker blogging hive (fyi..and such).
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Internet Is Mean
by Hubert
I was filling out a survey online, and it told me the following:
----------------------------------
You are not at all comfortable and competent in expressing your sexual interest to potential partners. You are not at all capable of figuring out that potential partners are interested in you, and not at all effective at conveying romantic interest to potential partners. In your last serious relationship, it was very unlikely that you:
Felt attracted right away.
Were successful when you flirted using your body language.
You are not at all interested in seeking emotional connection and showing sincere interest when flirting. You find flirting not at all flattering, and do not believe that personal and private conversation is the best way to develop romance. When flirting, it is very unlikely that you are:
Successful
Confident
Able to quickly determine relationship potential
In serious relationships, you are very unlikely to experience a strong emotional connection and sexual chemistry.
----------------------------------
Stupid manatee...I mean, survey.
I was filling out a survey online, and it told me the following:
----------------------------------
You are not at all comfortable and competent in expressing your sexual interest to potential partners. You are not at all capable of figuring out that potential partners are interested in you, and not at all effective at conveying romantic interest to potential partners. In your last serious relationship, it was very unlikely that you:
Felt attracted right away.
Were successful when you flirted using your body language.
You are not at all interested in seeking emotional connection and showing sincere interest when flirting. You find flirting not at all flattering, and do not believe that personal and private conversation is the best way to develop romance. When flirting, it is very unlikely that you are:
Successful
Confident
Able to quickly determine relationship potential
In serious relationships, you are very unlikely to experience a strong emotional connection and sexual chemistry.
----------------------------------
Stupid manatee...I mean, survey.
No Pictures???
by Hubert
I have a plush manatee on my couch and remembered the following:
Once upon a time, I had a girl over my apartment.
I wanted to put my hand on her thigh.
However, there was a plush manatee on her lap.
So you're probably wondering, did I move the manatee somewhere else?
No, I did not. I just silently cursed the manatee.
So before the next time she came over, I had a friend manatee-sit for the night.
The lesson is...you can ask the other person if moving the manatee is ok.
Stupid manatee.
I have a plush manatee on my couch and remembered the following:
Once upon a time, I had a girl over my apartment.
I wanted to put my hand on her thigh.
However, there was a plush manatee on her lap.
So you're probably wondering, did I move the manatee somewhere else?
No, I did not. I just silently cursed the manatee.
So before the next time she came over, I had a friend manatee-sit for the night.
The lesson is...you can ask the other person if moving the manatee is ok.
Stupid manatee.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Colleen's Fables: The Mouse and the Lion
by Colleen
Thunder had been rumbling for most of the day, and the sky was so overcast it was hard to tell when dawn's early light ended and 'just a dreary day' began. That afternoon, the inevitable happened and the clouds poured forth their bounty. An unfortunate field mouse was caught in the downpour and skittered around until he finally found a rocky cavern to take shelter in.
The rain showed no sign of letting up. As he caught his breath and prepared to settle in for the long haul, he realized the ragged breathing sound behind him wasn't just the wind, it was, in fact, a creature breathing. Turning around, he gave a squeak of dismay when he realized the animal sharing the cave with him was a lion.
'Don't eat me!' he squeaked.
'ARRRAAAGHHHHHHHHH' replied the lion.
The mouse realized the lion was in great pain and crept a little closer. In one of the lion's front paws was a thorn. The lion was licking and favoring this paw, but couldn't get his teeth around the thorn at the right angle to be able to pull it out.
'Oh you're hurt! I can help you remove that thorn.'
'AARRRRRRRRAaaarrrrghhhhrraa.'
'...'
'Go away little mouse.'
'No really, I can help.'
'I said GO AWAY.'
'But that thing is obviously tormenting you. It would just take a moment for me..'
'What so as soon as you removed it, the blood flow to the wound would return and gush out and I'd bleed to death in SECONDS?!'
'I'm sure that thing is no where near close to a major artery or vein.'
'What, you're a doctor too?'
'No...but come on, anyone can see how much pain you're in. It would be but a simple thing for me to just reach in and get it out.'
'And infect the whole area while you're at it. The whole thing will go septic.'
'...'
'This is ridiculous. Me, in the prime of my life, thorned in the paw. A thorn! In my paw! How can I do anything now? Oh it pains me so.'
'...'
'I can't roam the fields now. I just can't. What with this paw and everything. I can barely stand! And leading the pride? How am I supposed to that? You tell me? Everyone's depending on me...lead the hunt, watch out for the stragglers, and here I am absolutely incapciated. And if the thorn does get removed? What then, a slow death by infection? A gaping whole in my paw that will shoot agony up my leg with every step I take? AAAAARRRHGHhhhhhhhhhhhagaaaaaaaaaaaghg.'
'Good Lion, if you would just raise your paw up ever so slightly, I can give that thing a yank, and we can use some of these leaves, cleaned off by the rain, to staunch any blood immediatly after. Should make a nice poultice and you'll be back on your feet in no time.'
'Unless those leaves are oleandar. Then I'll be dead in 10 minutes. I read about it. They could be oleandar. Do you know what oleandar looks like? I don't. I guess we'd find out in about 10 minutes though, if we did try your suggestion.'
'...'
'...'
'Have you tried walking and just not putting any weight on that one paw?'
'Using my three other legs? That puts my left forarm in a really, really bad postion. Bearing all my weight in front, I'm liable to twist it the first time I step down. Just a little uneveness in the ground, that's all it takes. Then where would I be?'
'...'
'...'
'Do you want me to find your wife or one of your children, to help you up?'
'They're travelling right now. Far from here.'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'What's that? What's that sound you're making?'
'Oh, sorry, I was just humming,' said the mouse.
'Well, you're off key.'
'...'
The rain abated as rains usually do: from a down pour, to a steady rain, to a light rain, and then a drizzle. The mouse crept out of the cave and into the fading light of the late afternoon.
'AAArrrrghhhhhh...'
Thunder had been rumbling for most of the day, and the sky was so overcast it was hard to tell when dawn's early light ended and 'just a dreary day' began. That afternoon, the inevitable happened and the clouds poured forth their bounty. An unfortunate field mouse was caught in the downpour and skittered around until he finally found a rocky cavern to take shelter in.
The rain showed no sign of letting up. As he caught his breath and prepared to settle in for the long haul, he realized the ragged breathing sound behind him wasn't just the wind, it was, in fact, a creature breathing. Turning around, he gave a squeak of dismay when he realized the animal sharing the cave with him was a lion.
'Don't eat me!' he squeaked.
'ARRRAAAGHHHHHHHHH' replied the lion.
The mouse realized the lion was in great pain and crept a little closer. In one of the lion's front paws was a thorn. The lion was licking and favoring this paw, but couldn't get his teeth around the thorn at the right angle to be able to pull it out.
'Oh you're hurt! I can help you remove that thorn.'
'AARRRRRRRRAaaarrrrghhhhrraa.'
'...'
'Go away little mouse.'
'No really, I can help.'
'I said GO AWAY.'
'But that thing is obviously tormenting you. It would just take a moment for me..'
'What so as soon as you removed it, the blood flow to the wound would return and gush out and I'd bleed to death in SECONDS?!'
'I'm sure that thing is no where near close to a major artery or vein.'
'What, you're a doctor too?'
'No...but come on, anyone can see how much pain you're in. It would be but a simple thing for me to just reach in and get it out.'
'And infect the whole area while you're at it. The whole thing will go septic.'
'...'
'This is ridiculous. Me, in the prime of my life, thorned in the paw. A thorn! In my paw! How can I do anything now? Oh it pains me so.'
'...'
'I can't roam the fields now. I just can't. What with this paw and everything. I can barely stand! And leading the pride? How am I supposed to that? You tell me? Everyone's depending on me...lead the hunt, watch out for the stragglers, and here I am absolutely incapciated. And if the thorn does get removed? What then, a slow death by infection? A gaping whole in my paw that will shoot agony up my leg with every step I take? AAAAARRRHGHhhhhhhhhhhhagaaaaaaaaaaaghg.'
'Good Lion, if you would just raise your paw up ever so slightly, I can give that thing a yank, and we can use some of these leaves, cleaned off by the rain, to staunch any blood immediatly after. Should make a nice poultice and you'll be back on your feet in no time.'
'Unless those leaves are oleandar. Then I'll be dead in 10 minutes. I read about it. They could be oleandar. Do you know what oleandar looks like? I don't. I guess we'd find out in about 10 minutes though, if we did try your suggestion.'
'...'
'...'
'Have you tried walking and just not putting any weight on that one paw?'
'Using my three other legs? That puts my left forarm in a really, really bad postion. Bearing all my weight in front, I'm liable to twist it the first time I step down. Just a little uneveness in the ground, that's all it takes. Then where would I be?'
'...'
'...'
'Do you want me to find your wife or one of your children, to help you up?'
'They're travelling right now. Far from here.'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'What's that? What's that sound you're making?'
'Oh, sorry, I was just humming,' said the mouse.
'Well, you're off key.'
'...'
The rain abated as rains usually do: from a down pour, to a steady rain, to a light rain, and then a drizzle. The mouse crept out of the cave and into the fading light of the late afternoon.
'AAArrrrghhhhhh...'
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
It's about the fall of the sparrow...
by Colleen
One of my absolute favorite writers is Madeleine L'Engle. She combined science and religion in all her books in a way that made them seamless rather than contrary. And partly because of that, I was inspired enough to pursue a chemistry degree, so I could learn more about God. Well, anyway, when I hear about and read* articles like this and this I have to smile and mentally raise a glass to L'Engle, who wrote about that stuff ages ago really. I do believe she succeeded at uniting her avocation and vocation, as my two eyes make one in sight...as they say. I'm also reminded of what a disservice Laurel Leaf publishers did to The Arm of the Starfish** by marketing it as a summer beach read.
One of my absolute favorite writers is Madeleine L'Engle. She combined science and religion in all her books in a way that made them seamless rather than contrary. And partly because of that, I was inspired enough to pursue a chemistry degree, so I could learn more about God. Well, anyway, when I hear about and read* articles like this and this I have to smile and mentally raise a glass to L'Engle, who wrote about that stuff ages ago really. I do believe she succeeded at uniting her avocation and vocation, as my two eyes make one in sight...as they say. I'm also reminded of what a disservice Laurel Leaf publishers did to The Arm of the Starfish** by marketing it as a summer beach read.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Stuff economists like
by Colleen
I was in a meeting the other day and a situation came up where the organizer asked some of the attendees to pick a number between 1 and 20. The first lady picked 17. The next lady picking was clearly distracted and didn't realize she was supposed to pick a number. She thought the numbers were page numbers and was rifling through her binder, until the organizer clarified. Then she looked flustered and blurted out, "16".
My first thought was 16? what? Okayyyy...but even before I could mentally finish extending the "ayyyyyy", another thought flashed through my mind and I was like, THAT'S BRILLIANT!* See what she did there? (albeit, probably inadvertently) And, ok, maybe everyone else in the civilized world has already realized this, but it took until the third week of my 28th year for me to, so excuuuuuuussse me. This is what I realized:
In a 2 person game where each person guesses a number between a certain range to try and be closest to a pre-selected number, the optimal strategy for the second guesser is to pick the next consecutive higher number if the first number chosen falls in the bottom half of the range, and to pick the next consecutive lower number if the first number chosen falls in the top half of the range. (Obviously, the optimal strategy for the first person is to pick the midpoint, if possible :)
So taking the real life example that occurred in my meeting, by choosing 17, the first person has a 4/20, or 20% chance, of being the closest guess. By choosing 16, the second lady effectively locked in all the remaining numbers for herself, and has a 16/20, or 80% chance of being the closest guess. (Happy little aside: This is totally and most completely game theory at its purest. Love it :)
If the second lady had tried to balance out the first lady's guess by choosing 3, she would be automatically closer to the lower numbers, but she would concede 11 - 16 to the first chooser (1st's chance would become 50%, 2nd's would decrease to 45%), and they would both lose, should the actual number turn out to be 9 or 10.
Multiple person game:
Now, this can be extended further, and in the case of the meeting last night, my mind probably would have been completely blown had the third chooser then said 15! (Which I will totally do, should this exact opportunity ever arise again) However, players have to be aware of how many total players there are in the game and adjust their strategies appropriately. Choosing 15 is genius if you're in a 3 person game, but stupid if you're in a 4 person game. The general strategy in a multi-person game is to try and choose last, and then select the number that "locks in" the greatest range of numbers for you. If you're not choosing last, but you're aware of how many people are playing, you will want to pick a number that decreases the range available for the next people choosing, but still gives you some room to work with..so picking a consecutive number to the first as the second player is a very bad idea in theory, because you could get locked in to just that one number, BUT...if not everyone you're playing with realizes the optimal strategy is to lock you in (like in my meeting), then it's not that bad an option - just riskier.
The ideal situation is to pick first and mess it up for everyone else by choosing the midpoint, or last and then work off the ranges available to you by picking a consecutive number of an earlier guess which locks in the biggest range left.
*if you were playing a two-person game.
I was in a meeting the other day and a situation came up where the organizer asked some of the attendees to pick a number between 1 and 20. The first lady picked 17. The next lady picking was clearly distracted and didn't realize she was supposed to pick a number. She thought the numbers were page numbers and was rifling through her binder, until the organizer clarified. Then she looked flustered and blurted out, "16".
My first thought was 16? what? Okayyyy...but even before I could mentally finish extending the "ayyyyyy", another thought flashed through my mind and I was like, THAT'S BRILLIANT!* See what she did there? (albeit, probably inadvertently) And, ok, maybe everyone else in the civilized world has already realized this, but it took until the third week of my 28th year for me to, so excuuuuuuussse me. This is what I realized:
In a 2 person game where each person guesses a number between a certain range to try and be closest to a pre-selected number, the optimal strategy for the second guesser is to pick the next consecutive higher number if the first number chosen falls in the bottom half of the range, and to pick the next consecutive lower number if the first number chosen falls in the top half of the range. (Obviously, the optimal strategy for the first person is to pick the midpoint, if possible :)
So taking the real life example that occurred in my meeting, by choosing 17, the first person has a 4/20, or 20% chance, of being the closest guess. By choosing 16, the second lady effectively locked in all the remaining numbers for herself, and has a 16/20, or 80% chance of being the closest guess. (Happy little aside: This is totally and most completely game theory at its purest. Love it :)
If the second lady had tried to balance out the first lady's guess by choosing 3, she would be automatically closer to the lower numbers, but she would concede 11 - 16 to the first chooser (1st's chance would become 50%, 2nd's would decrease to 45%), and they would both lose, should the actual number turn out to be 9 or 10.
Multiple person game:
Now, this can be extended further, and in the case of the meeting last night, my mind probably would have been completely blown had the third chooser then said 15! (Which I will totally do, should this exact opportunity ever arise again) However, players have to be aware of how many total players there are in the game and adjust their strategies appropriately. Choosing 15 is genius if you're in a 3 person game, but stupid if you're in a 4 person game. The general strategy in a multi-person game is to try and choose last, and then select the number that "locks in" the greatest range of numbers for you. If you're not choosing last, but you're aware of how many people are playing, you will want to pick a number that decreases the range available for the next people choosing, but still gives you some room to work with..so picking a consecutive number to the first as the second player is a very bad idea in theory, because you could get locked in to just that one number, BUT...if not everyone you're playing with realizes the optimal strategy is to lock you in (like in my meeting), then it's not that bad an option - just riskier.
The ideal situation is to pick first and mess it up for everyone else by choosing the midpoint, or last and then work off the ranges available to you by picking a consecutive number of an earlier guess which locks in the biggest range left.
*if you were playing a two-person game.
Friday Night Stuff
by Colleen
We spent at least 20 minutes at Jalon and Jenny's last night debating if their son ate the leaf that ended up in his diaper, or if he put it there on purpose for storage.
We spent at least 20 minutes at Jalon and Jenny's last night debating if their son ate the leaf that ended up in his diaper, or if he put it there on purpose for storage.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Some Travel Tips
by Hubert
My co-author and I got back from Barcelona, Spain, and clearly jet lag was affecting both of us, as we saw each other online today at 8:40 AM my time, 7:40 her time. Usually I'm not up until 11 AM on Sundays.
I hadn't traveled internationally in over a decade, so I thought I'd share some things I learned here.
1. Buy an electrical power outlet adapter for the country you're traveling to. Nicer hotels for tourists will have an adapter you can borrow, but why take a chance? Also bring a small power surge protector so you can charge more than one thing at a time.
2. If you have a smartphone, buy an international data plan. 50 megs ($60 a month) should be enough for a week's trip, and your carrier will pro-rate the change based on when you cancel (along with the bandwidth they charge you for), so if you use half of your allocation, just cancel the plan after it's been active for half the month, and you won't pay for unused data. Maps and e-mail can prevent unwanted interruptions in a trip, such as getting into a soccer game...
3. Don't wear silly graphic t-shirts, because you'll look stupid in pictures. You don't want people asking "is that a bunny pretending to be a penguin?" or "why are you wearing a three keyboard cat shirt in Barcelona?" or "Is that an Egyptian Mario?" or...you get the idea.
4. You don't have to bring a ton of cash with you (just a few hundred) to get converted at the airport into local currency (I brought $800 in cash with me, which was unnecessary). Your ATM card most likely works overseas, if just not at every ATM you will run into. You'll get a much better currency rate on your ATM card than at any currency changing kiosk and international ATM fees charged your local bank are likely low to non-existent. My co-author's fee was only $3, and mine was $0!
Now for me to sort through 4 gigs of pictures and video...
My co-author and I got back from Barcelona, Spain, and clearly jet lag was affecting both of us, as we saw each other online today at 8:40 AM my time, 7:40 her time. Usually I'm not up until 11 AM on Sundays.
I hadn't traveled internationally in over a decade, so I thought I'd share some things I learned here.
1. Buy an electrical power outlet adapter for the country you're traveling to. Nicer hotels for tourists will have an adapter you can borrow, but why take a chance? Also bring a small power surge protector so you can charge more than one thing at a time.
2. If you have a smartphone, buy an international data plan. 50 megs ($60 a month) should be enough for a week's trip, and your carrier will pro-rate the change based on when you cancel (along with the bandwidth they charge you for), so if you use half of your allocation, just cancel the plan after it's been active for half the month, and you won't pay for unused data. Maps and e-mail can prevent unwanted interruptions in a trip, such as getting into a soccer game...
3. Don't wear silly graphic t-shirts, because you'll look stupid in pictures. You don't want people asking "is that a bunny pretending to be a penguin?" or "why are you wearing a three keyboard cat shirt in Barcelona?" or "Is that an Egyptian Mario?" or...you get the idea.
4. You don't have to bring a ton of cash with you (just a few hundred) to get converted at the airport into local currency (I brought $800 in cash with me, which was unnecessary). Your ATM card most likely works overseas, if just not at every ATM you will run into. You'll get a much better currency rate on your ATM card than at any currency changing kiosk and international ATM fees charged your local bank are likely low to non-existent. My co-author's fee was only $3, and mine was $0!
Now for me to sort through 4 gigs of pictures and video...
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Someone Tell Me If It's The Cat
by Hubert
cat makes sounds while licking off a spoon
Is the cat making the sounds? or the person holding the camera?
cat makes sounds while licking off a spoon
Is the cat making the sounds? or the person holding the camera?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Holy Carp
That was a close game. Yes, I mean the 49ers - Saints Game on Monday Night football, of course. An amazing drive by Alex Smith just when I'd given up all hope on him, capped by a tenuous but legit (goal line cameras and booth reviews can't be wrong, right?) 2-point conversion to tie it all up, before the 'Aints ended it with a (mostly) blocked field goal that bounced back in? Wut...
Still processing everything. Our defense was AMAZING. Our offense was AMAZING. Just not all at once, and that, dear friends, is how you lose a football game. And what was up with that snap/safety on the first drive? ehhhhh, sigh :/
Just because I was feeling peckish and had some time to kill (work tomorrow, eh), I went around www.sbnation.com to see what people were saying.
Cardinals Fans: Can disregard their random comment stream of consciousness as absolute trash. It's not even worthwhile to summarize...all I can say is they're pretty deluded for a fan-base pinning their hopes and dreams on Derek Anderson.
Seahawks Fans: Wow, this team's unveiling some hate on the 9ers in a surprising way considering how badly they beat us last week and how I always thought we had more of a friendly rivalry with them than anything. I guess suppressing a massive inferiority complex and their jealousy over the media attention the 49ers got this summer is finally rearing it's ugly head. Rowr!
Rams Fans: They're in awe of the 9ers! And Alex Smith! It's so cute. Don't worry Rams fans, in a coupla years Bradford's gonna be pretty amazing too. I want to ruffle their collective heads and give them an "aw shucks" grin.
Falcons Fans: Got a bit more respect from them, mostly due to their hate of the Saints though. Highlights from the comments section, "Smith is a white Michael Vick".
Colts Fans:Seemed to harbor some animosity towards the Saints...Comment Highlights, "[49ers] left too much time. Peyton could set up 10 FG's with 1:19 left on the clock and 2 TO's"..."Just goes to show Brees relies heavily on FG's for someone considered a star QB, like others *cough brady cough*"
Cowboys Fans: Incoherent, inane ramblings..
League-wide consensus-es:
Patrick Willis is a BEAST
Alex Smith is wonderful/aweful
GOOOOREEEE!!!
Still processing everything. Our defense was AMAZING. Our offense was AMAZING. Just not all at once, and that, dear friends, is how you lose a football game. And what was up with that snap/safety on the first drive? ehhhhh, sigh :/
Just because I was feeling peckish and had some time to kill (work tomorrow, eh), I went around www.sbnation.com to see what people were saying.
Cardinals Fans: Can disregard their random comment stream of consciousness as absolute trash. It's not even worthwhile to summarize...all I can say is they're pretty deluded for a fan-base pinning their hopes and dreams on Derek Anderson.
Seahawks Fans: Wow, this team's unveiling some hate on the 9ers in a surprising way considering how badly they beat us last week and how I always thought we had more of a friendly rivalry with them than anything. I guess suppressing a massive inferiority complex and their jealousy over the media attention the 49ers got this summer is finally rearing it's ugly head. Rowr!
Rams Fans: They're in awe of the 9ers! And Alex Smith! It's so cute. Don't worry Rams fans, in a coupla years Bradford's gonna be pretty amazing too. I want to ruffle their collective heads and give them an "aw shucks" grin.
Falcons Fans: Got a bit more respect from them, mostly due to their hate of the Saints though. Highlights from the comments section, "Smith is a white Michael Vick".
Colts Fans:Seemed to harbor some animosity towards the Saints...Comment Highlights, "[49ers] left too much time. Peyton could set up 10 FG's with 1:19 left on the clock and 2 TO's"..."Just goes to show Brees relies heavily on FG's for someone considered a star QB, like others *cough brady cough*"
Cowboys Fans: Incoherent, inane ramblings..
League-wide consensus-es:
Patrick Willis is a BEASTAlex Smith is wonderful/aweful
GOOOOREEEE!!!
Not A Video
by Hubert
This past Sunday, I took the train into Manhattan to see a friend of mine from TAS, and we had pizza at Rigoletto Pizza, yummy! While we were there, he asked me about one of my friends that he had met a decade ago. I'm not friends with that person anymore, but I realized that out of several friends that I have visited over the past decade, I cannot remember any of their friends. I am either unobservant or uncaring. Or penguins take up too much space in my brain. I prefer the latter.
The penguins from "Madagascar" are currently starring in an Intel commercial. Woo!
This past Sunday, I took the train into Manhattan to see a friend of mine from TAS, and we had pizza at Rigoletto Pizza, yummy! While we were there, he asked me about one of my friends that he had met a decade ago. I'm not friends with that person anymore, but I realized that out of several friends that I have visited over the past decade, I cannot remember any of their friends. I am either unobservant or uncaring. Or penguins take up too much space in my brain. I prefer the latter.
The penguins from "Madagascar" are currently starring in an Intel commercial. Woo!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Ha ha ha!
by Hubert
On Friday, I went into the city to go to my sister's birthday "party" at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. I put "party" in quotes because it was outdoors and consisted of commandeered tables and chairs. And cake.
She has a lot of friends.
I didn't get to stay for the whole thing because a co-worker of mine knew I was going to be in the city and texted me about meeting up. I ended up having dinner and dessert with her and her boyfriend.
So today I was having lunch with my mom.
Me: I didn't get to stay for all of Robyn's party, I had to meet a co-worker.
Mom: A girl?
Me: And her boyfriend.
I bet my mom was happy for that split second before I killed it.
Currently playing: Starcraft 2, Puzzle Quest 2
On Friday, I went into the city to go to my sister's birthday "party" at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. I put "party" in quotes because it was outdoors and consisted of commandeered tables and chairs. And cake.
She has a lot of friends.
I didn't get to stay for the whole thing because a co-worker of mine knew I was going to be in the city and texted me about meeting up. I ended up having dinner and dessert with her and her boyfriend.
So today I was having lunch with my mom.
Me: I didn't get to stay for all of Robyn's party, I had to meet a co-worker.
Mom: A girl?
Me: And her boyfriend.
I bet my mom was happy for that split second before I killed it.
Currently playing: Starcraft 2, Puzzle Quest 2
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Video Time!
by Hubert
My co-author has had a rough week, so here is an adorable video of a girl playing with sea otters!
My co-author has had a rough week, so here is an adorable video of a girl playing with sea otters!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Co-Workers are Fun
by Hubert
I noticed that a co-worker had a digital picture frame in his cubicle the other day. Most people, if they have a picture frame, have a non-digital version. But what good is that? Just one picture!
So I remarked "I should get a digital picture frame and load random internet penguin pictures onto it."
Said co-worker choked on his water.
I was serious. Today, I bought this one, a ten inch frame with motion detector. And I bought a 4 GB card for it. And it can play video.
This is what happens when I take my plush penguins home.
I noticed that a co-worker had a digital picture frame in his cubicle the other day. Most people, if they have a picture frame, have a non-digital version. But what good is that? Just one picture!
So I remarked "I should get a digital picture frame and load random internet penguin pictures onto it."
Said co-worker choked on his water.
I was serious. Today, I bought this one, a ten inch frame with motion detector. And I bought a 4 GB card for it. And it can play video.
This is what happens when I take my plush penguins home.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Quote of the Day
by Hubert
I was reading this review of a new computer monitor and read the following quote:
The ASUS VG236H was my first exposure to 120Hz refresh displays that aren’t CRTs, and the difference is about as subtle as a dump truck driving through your living room.
I want to use this analogy in a conversation.
I was reading this review of a new computer monitor and read the following quote:
The ASUS VG236H was my first exposure to 120Hz refresh displays that aren’t CRTs, and the difference is about as subtle as a dump truck driving through your living room.
I want to use this analogy in a conversation.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Well, alright then
by Colleen
I'm just going to go ahead and get this out of the way right now. Jets vs. 49ers in Super Bowl XLV. 49ers take it, 31 - 10, kicking off the start of their '10s dynasty - fittingly, in Cowboys Stadium.
This gives us the entire season to bash Rex Ryan; so let's get started on that, eh.
 | * |  |
I'm just going to go ahead and get this out of the way right now. Jets vs. 49ers in Super Bowl XLV. 49ers take it, 31 - 10, kicking off the start of their '10s dynasty - fittingly, in Cowboys Stadium.
This gives us the entire season to bash Rex Ryan; so let's get started on that, eh.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Something Sucks On My Body
by Hubert
Mosquitoes mostly. Ok, completely. That's why I generally stay indoors. Oh, and I do poorly in hot and humid weather.
So I'm at a friend's place today and I realize I don't like the following things:
Beer
Pools
Bugs
The sun
Relish
Beer
Also, I don't know how to make conversation with people I don't know. But that's always been the case.
So I can't tell if I've just been depressed for the past two years or I'm supposed to feel like this.
And then...I think...
I didn't bring Big Fat Penguin! Yes! That was the problem. I should bring Big Fat Penguin to more parties. People like talking to giant plush penguins.
edit: Next morning, looked at my feet and legs, three dozen mosquito bites. Now to go to the pharmacy to get anti itch cream...
Mosquitoes mostly. Ok, completely. That's why I generally stay indoors. Oh, and I do poorly in hot and humid weather.
So I'm at a friend's place today and I realize I don't like the following things:
Beer
Pools
Bugs
The sun
Relish
Beer
Also, I don't know how to make conversation with people I don't know. But that's always been the case.
So I can't tell if I've just been depressed for the past two years or I'm supposed to feel like this.
And then...I think...
I didn't bring Big Fat Penguin! Yes! That was the problem. I should bring Big Fat Penguin to more parties. People like talking to giant plush penguins.
edit: Next morning, looked at my feet and legs, three dozen mosquito bites. Now to go to the pharmacy to get anti itch cream...
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Best Food Ever
by Hubert
There is a diner called THE PENGUIN DINER!!!
Unfortunately, it is in Delaware so I will not be going anytime soon.
Good news is, they will ship many penguin items to your doorstep! A co-worker was nice enough to buy me an eraser shaped like a penguin. Of course, I will never actually use said eraser for such activities.
There is a diner called THE PENGUIN DINER!!!
Unfortunately, it is in Delaware so I will not be going anytime soon.
Good news is, they will ship many penguin items to your doorstep! A co-worker was nice enough to buy me an eraser shaped like a penguin. Of course, I will never actually use said eraser for such activities.
Monday, July 19, 2010
An Almost Fail
by Hubert
Yesterday I was on a date (yes really), and we were waiting for Toy Story 3. One of the ads before the movie was for the TV show "Adventure Time with Finn and Jake", and one of the scenes had dozens of penguins, to which I exclaimed "PENGUINS!", as I sat next to my date.
I don't think she noticed, thankfully.
And FYI, you can see a video of the penguins here, to see just how adorable they are. They are penguins after all.
Currently Playing: Green Day Rock Band and Final Fantasy XIII for Playstation 3
Yesterday I was on a date (yes really), and we were waiting for Toy Story 3. One of the ads before the movie was for the TV show "Adventure Time with Finn and Jake", and one of the scenes had dozens of penguins, to which I exclaimed "PENGUINS!", as I sat next to my date.
I don't think she noticed, thankfully.
And FYI, you can see a video of the penguins here, to see just how adorable they are. They are penguins after all.
Currently Playing: Green Day Rock Band and Final Fantasy XIII for Playstation 3
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Marmot Eating a Biscuit!
by Colleen
Hola peeps!
Here is a video introduced to me in a comment thread this morning as: the best video of a marmot eating a biscuit...in bed. I love the assonance/alliteration effect you get from the title. It's cuter if you say it out loud and have your voice get louder and higher in pitch at the end of 'marMOT' and 'bisCUIT'. :D The video's pretty cute too. I'm at work so I can't properly imbed it into the post.Unless Hubert does something about it.
edit: Hubert here, ftfy Col. :)
Hola peeps!
Here is a video introduced to me in a comment thread this morning as: the best video of a marmot eating a biscuit...in bed. I love the assonance/alliteration effect you get from the title. It's cuter if you say it out loud and have your voice get louder and higher in pitch at the end of 'marMOT' and 'bisCUIT'. :D The video's pretty cute too. I'm at work so I can't properly imbed it into the post.
edit: Hubert here, ftfy Col. :)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A Sports Entry? By Who?
by Hubert
I would watch the local news if the sports anchors called the games like this:
I would watch the local news if the sports anchors called the games like this:
Monday, July 5, 2010
Day 3 of Ying's trip
by Hubert
See where I went that Friday on Google Maps!
Hoboken Train Station
Boat to Pier 11/Wall Street
South Street Seaport
Chinatown
Jing Fong Restaurant for dim sum
Vivi's Bubble Tea
Little Italy
B Train to Central Park West
Guggenheim Museum (just the lobby)
Metropolitan Museum of Art
6 Train to Astor Place
Otto Restaurant (operated by Mario Batali)
L'Arte del Gelato
Christopher Street PATH station
Back to the Hoboken Train Station and home!
See where I went that Friday on Google Maps!
Hoboken Train Station
Boat to Pier 11/Wall Street
South Street Seaport
Chinatown
Jing Fong Restaurant for dim sum
Vivi's Bubble Tea
Little Italy
B Train to Central Park West
Guggenheim Museum (just the lobby)
Metropolitan Museum of Art
6 Train to Astor Place
Otto Restaurant (operated by Mario Batali)
L'Arte del Gelato
Christopher Street PATH station
Back to the Hoboken Train Station and home!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Day 2 of Ying's trip
by Hubert
See where I went that Thursday on Google Maps!
Penn Station
Shake Shack
Museum of Natural History
Times Square/TKTS booth to get Rock of Ages tickets
Rockefeller Center
Nintendo World Store
Magnolia Bakery
Go Go Curry
Toys R Us in Times Square
Rock of Ages
Back to Penn Station
See where I went that Thursday on Google Maps!
Penn Station
Shake Shack
Museum of Natural History
Times Square/TKTS booth to get Rock of Ages tickets
Rockefeller Center
Nintendo World Store
Magnolia Bakery
Go Go Curry
Toys R Us in Times Square
Rock of Ages
Back to Penn Station
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
2010-05-31
by Colleen
Not much happened to me in May. This is what the basil did.
Yes, time passes...work changes, plants grow exponentially, another song pops up on iTunes just to be skipped over (How Do You Like Me Now? by Toby Keith is a really mean song, come to think of it...why do I even have it on my itunes list?)...blah blah blah...time measured in daylights and sunsets, midnights and coffee spoons...I grow old, I grow old....I may wear my trousers rolled..or something like that.
Not much happened to me in May. This is what the basil did.
Yes, time passes...work changes, plants grow exponentially, another song pops up on iTunes just to be skipped over (How Do You Like Me Now? by Toby Keith is a really mean song, come to think of it...why do I even have it on my itunes list?)...blah blah blah...time measured in daylights and sunsets, midnights and coffee spoons...I grow old, I grow old....I may wear my trousers rolled..or something like that.
2010-05-16
by Colleen
Soon after I got my first job, I started buying the ugliest decorated kleenex boxes I could find to put at my desk, as sort of a weird homage to the people who spend intense amounts of time and thought decorating their cubicles*. The practice kind of turned into tradition, so this is the little gem I picked up on May 16th.
It's always tough choosing between boxes that were designed to be pretty (at least I think that was the goal) and FAILED and the random graphic design boxes that may look cool on the computer but don't transfer well to a kleenex box medium.
I think this one falls in the first category. I try and alternate between the two for variety though.
*It turns out that while these people are mentioned all the time in office-humor related books and Dilbert strips, there's really not that many people in real life who do this. Or at least, not many that I've encountered so far. In fact, my cubicle may be one of the more decorated ones on my team...sigh.
Soon after I got my first job, I started buying the ugliest decorated kleenex boxes I could find to put at my desk, as sort of a weird homage to the people who spend intense amounts of time and thought decorating their cubicles*. The practice kind of turned into tradition, so this is the little gem I picked up on May 16th.
It's always tough choosing between boxes that were designed to be pretty (at least I think that was the goal) and FAILED and the random graphic design boxes that may look cool on the computer but don't transfer well to a kleenex box medium.
I think this one falls in the first category. I try and alternate between the two for variety though.
*It turns out that while these people are mentioned all the time in office-humor related books and Dilbert strips, there's really not that many people in real life who do this. Or at least, not many that I've encountered so far. In fact, my cubicle may be one of the more decorated ones on my team...sigh.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 1 of Ying's Trip
by Hubert
See where I went on Wednesday on Google maps!
Penn Station
Times Square
Cafe Cortadito
Brillo's Apt
Back to Penn Station to take the train home!
See where I went on Wednesday on Google maps!
Penn Station
Times Square
Cafe Cortadito
Brillo's Apt
Back to Penn Station to take the train home!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Lesson of the Day
by Hubert
Don't drink a can of Mountain Dew at midnight. It will keep you up until 5 AM.
And that's your LESSON OF THE DAY!
-------------------
Beginning non-cat related story:
I'm in a bit of a rut right now.
For most of the past month, I've used something to help me sleep (just melatonin pills or a shot's worth of alcohol in juice). Definitely not good.
I have not seen a friend outside of work hours in weeks. And not because I'm busy. I probably have the least scheduled life out of anyone you know. No one depends on me to be anywhere for anything at any time on a regular basis.
I'm looking at my "Likes and Interests" section on facebook and the dating website I am on (and no I will not provide a link), and I have listed "watching TV, playing video games, reading the Economist". That's it. And I don't know what else to write.
Oh, I just wrote it "listening to tech and political podcasts". Ok, that's four things. And I don't know what else to write. After all, what do I really do?
Weekdays: Wake up, go to work and listen to podcasts while I work, come back home, watch tv while eating dinner, play games, surf net, shower, sleep.
Weekend: Wake up, eat lunch, watch tv, play games, surf net, shower, sleep
And occasionally go out to buy food, usually on Sunday, with my mom.
No one wonder I don't get any messages, anyone with the same interests as me is probably a lazy sack of crap. Or fat.
Now I'm noticing I can't delete e-mails or phone numbers that I've entered on facebook. It says "saving" but it never finishes. ugh.
Oh, and there is today. My mom and I went to Applebees and sat in a booth for, I'm guessing 15 minutes, and no one came by to say hello and take our orders, or at least "I'll be with you shortly" so we just left and went food shopping instead. It was for the best, because right before we left I realized I had nothing to say to her. I couldn't think of any topics I wanted to converse about, and nothing of interest had happened to me or anyone I knew. And it's really sad to have a meal with someone with nothing to say. Also, I was too irritated from the wait to enjoy eating.
must get out of foul mood, but how...
End of non-cat related story.
Recently Finished: MySims Agents for Nintendo Wii
Currently Playing: DJ Hero for Playstation 3
Don't drink a can of Mountain Dew at midnight. It will keep you up until 5 AM.
And that's your LESSON OF THE DAY!
-------------------
Beginning non-cat related story:
I'm in a bit of a rut right now.
For most of the past month, I've used something to help me sleep (just melatonin pills or a shot's worth of alcohol in juice). Definitely not good.
I have not seen a friend outside of work hours in weeks. And not because I'm busy. I probably have the least scheduled life out of anyone you know. No one depends on me to be anywhere for anything at any time on a regular basis.
I'm looking at my "Likes and Interests" section on facebook and the dating website I am on (and no I will not provide a link), and I have listed "watching TV, playing video games, reading the Economist". That's it. And I don't know what else to write.
Oh, I just wrote it "listening to tech and political podcasts". Ok, that's four things. And I don't know what else to write. After all, what do I really do?
Weekdays: Wake up, go to work and listen to podcasts while I work, come back home, watch tv while eating dinner, play games, surf net, shower, sleep.
Weekend: Wake up, eat lunch, watch tv, play games, surf net, shower, sleep
And occasionally go out to buy food, usually on Sunday, with my mom.
No one wonder I don't get any messages, anyone with the same interests as me is probably a lazy sack of crap. Or fat.
Now I'm noticing I can't delete e-mails or phone numbers that I've entered on facebook. It says "saving" but it never finishes. ugh.
Oh, and there is today. My mom and I went to Applebees and sat in a booth for, I'm guessing 15 minutes, and no one came by to say hello and take our orders, or at least "I'll be with you shortly" so we just left and went food shopping instead. It was for the best, because right before we left I realized I had nothing to say to her. I couldn't think of any topics I wanted to converse about, and nothing of interest had happened to me or anyone I knew. And it's really sad to have a meal with someone with nothing to say. Also, I was too irritated from the wait to enjoy eating.
must get out of foul mood, but how...
End of non-cat related story.
Recently Finished: MySims Agents for Nintendo Wii
Currently Playing: DJ Hero for Playstation 3
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Quick and dirty Cheering Guide to the Giro d'Italia 2010
by Colleen
Alright people the Giro kicks off in less than 8 hours- 7 am CDT, so let me throw some stuff together really quick so y'all know who to root for. If you're following from Chicago, I believe you can watch delayed footage on Universal Sports, also known as NBC channel 5-3.
Saxo Bank- Because they have the Schlecks!!! The dynamic brother duo who placed like 2nd and 9th (maybe?) in last year's Tour de France. For pictures, please refer to my earlier cycling post. Right, but neither Schleck is competing in this race, so we'll root for the Sorensen brothers: Shlecks-lite! And check out their team jerseys - so professional looking, so corporate, oooh.
Liquigas- The only guy we've heard of before is Ivan Basso. I believe he either rode in last year's Tour or last year's Vuelta, or both. Not that much to remark on here aside from the announcers always seeming to find something to comment on the Liquigas team....and I have no idea why that ends up kicking them over into the Root-For category, but it does. We're definitely not picky. Go Liquigas-the Meh team we love of 2010!
Milram- COW JERSEYS????
Need I say more?
Ok. Last year they also had a surfeit of young, good looking riders, so we're not complaining. Gooooo Milram!
Rabobank- Ah yes, Saxo we meet again. Tell the Rabo to be quiet, we anticipate a riot, this common crowd, is way too loud! Boooo!! Better get the ECB to give you a bailout because you're gonna need it by Stage 7, thatsright, Rabo, how bout them monetary policies? :D
Garmin Transitions- ARGH, this team is just way too smug and smooth for it's own good. It makes us want to go down to the Garmin store on Michigan avenue and kick it!! Well, not really, but we had to watch them pace their way through the Tour all last July with their perfectly uniform, streamlined, efficient cycling, riding around like they owned the course. BAH. They're the Type A, ivy-league MBA grads of the pro-cycling world and now that we've typed that, we want to punch something.
Astana- National team of Khazakhstan and formerly Lance's old tour team. They say that new guy Alexandre Vinokourov is all that and a bag of chips this season.
Columbia HTC- What, Cavendish isn't riding in this one? Never mind. Oooh, but that Greipel guy is good. I think last year he was on a different team...not sure about that and really too lazy to check on it, so moving on.
Cadel Evans, baby! How could you not root for a mug like this?
(yikes)
And now that he's recovered from his mental blow-up that occured in the later stages of last year's Tour?
Yes, Cinderella story, people, Cinderella story. He IS australian after all, like Russell Crowe. We'll see.
Pictured below: your friendly, neighborhood Saxo Bank rider, aww:
*pictures are from posts on www.podiumcafe.com
Alright people the Giro kicks off in less than 8 hours- 7 am CDT, so let me throw some stuff together really quick so y'all know who to root for. If you're following from Chicago, I believe you can watch delayed footage on Universal Sports, also known as NBC channel 5-3.
Teams we love:
Saxo Bank- Because they have the Schlecks!!! The dynamic brother duo who placed like 2nd and 9th (maybe?) in last year's Tour de France. For pictures, please refer to my earlier cycling post. Right, but neither Schleck is competing in this race, so we'll root for the Sorensen brothers: Shlecks-lite! And check out their team jerseys - so professional looking, so corporate, oooh.
Liquigas- The only guy we've heard of before is Ivan Basso. I believe he either rode in last year's Tour or last year's Vuelta, or both. Not that much to remark on here aside from the announcers always seeming to find something to comment on the Liquigas team....and I have no idea why that ends up kicking them over into the Root-For category, but it does. We're definitely not picky. Go Liquigas-the Meh team we love of 2010!
Milram- COW JERSEYS????
Ok. Last year they also had a surfeit of young, good looking riders, so we're not complaining. Gooooo Milram!
Teams that make us go BOOOOO:
Rabobank- Ah yes, Saxo we meet again. Tell the Rabo to be quiet, we anticipate a riot, this common crowd, is way too loud! Boooo!! Better get the ECB to give you a bailout because you're gonna need it by Stage 7, thatsright, Rabo, how bout them monetary policies? :D
Garmin Transitions- ARGH, this team is just way too smug and smooth for it's own good. It makes us want to go down to the Garmin store on Michigan avenue and kick it!! Well, not really, but we had to watch them pace their way through the Tour all last July with their perfectly uniform, streamlined, efficient cycling, riding around like they owned the course. BAH. They're the Type A, ivy-league MBA grads of the pro-cycling world and now that we've typed that, we want to punch something.
Teams that intrigue us:
Astana- National team of Khazakhstan and formerly Lance's old tour team. They say that new guy Alexandre Vinokourov is all that and a bag of chips this season.
Columbia HTC- What, Cavendish isn't riding in this one? Never mind. Oooh, but that Greipel guy is good. I think last year he was on a different team...not sure about that and really too lazy to check on it, so moving on.
One Man Wolf-Packs:
Cadel Evans, baby! How could you not root for a mug like this?
And now that he's recovered from his mental blow-up that occured in the later stages of last year's Tour?
Yes, Cinderella story, people, Cinderella story. He IS australian after all, like Russell Crowe. We'll see.
Viva la Giro!
Pictured below: your friendly, neighborhood Saxo Bank rider, aww:
*pictures are from posts on www.podiumcafe.com
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
RAWRRRR
by Colleen
This is what greets all visitors to the great city of Denver. A bronco...SAURUS!!!11!!1
Tourists beware - he looks anatomically correct :p
Seriously, why?
This is what greets all visitors to the great city of Denver. A bronco...SAURUS!!!11!!1
Tourists beware - he looks anatomically correct :p
Seriously, why?
2010-05-03
by Colleen
Taking photos from planes is cheating - the only thing that can top the advantage of a 10,000 ft view is if that 10,000 ft view is over Colorado (see previous post). All I had to do was press buttons.
Taking photos from planes is cheating - the only thing that can top the advantage of a 10,000 ft view is if that 10,000 ft view is over Colorado (see previous post). All I had to do was press buttons.
2010-05-02
by Colleen
Every time you click the shutter on your camera in Colorado, you get a gorgeous picture. It's really that simple.
Every time you click the shutter on your camera in Colorado, you get a gorgeous picture. It's really that simple.
Oh yeah, I love clouds by the way.
Mountain vistas and other geological wonders after the jump, also, my friend Roberto:
2010-04-24
by Colleen
This one's for you, Javelin! Molly's doing well. I'm so glad we rescued her from her hard life on the streets, so that she could enjoy a life of peace and comfort...sleeping on gravel.
ONE HUNDRETH POST AND IT'S MINE ALLLL MIIIIIIINE
by Colleen
Oh hi guys, this is our blog's 100th post by the way. I've been traveling the past two weekends and haven't had time for much internet access, but it looks like Hubert's been prolific in my absence. And I'm surprised that annoyingly, maturely phrased sentence just flowed from my brain out onto the keyboard (adverbs!!!). I don't try to sound this pretentious, maybe I just am.
Oh wells. Onto some pictures, scenery this time.
Hot Rockies.
Cold Rockies.
Amazing what a difference 900 miles makes. Well, I guess it's not that amazing, 900 miles is a pretty great distance. When I first was putting this together I was hoping Colorado and Arizona were only like 100 miles apart. So then I could be like: Amazing what a difference 100 miles makes - and it would be profound. But then I googled it and they're like 900 miles, so much for that.
Oh hi guys, this is our blog's 100th post by the way. I've been traveling the past two weekends and haven't had time for much internet access, but it looks like Hubert's been prolific in my absence. And I'm surprised that annoyingly, maturely phrased sentence just flowed from my brain out onto the keyboard (adverbs!!!). I don't try to sound this pretentious, maybe I just am.
Oh wells. Onto some pictures, scenery this time.
Cold Rockies.
Amazing what a difference 900 miles makes. Well, I guess it's not that amazing, 900 miles is a pretty great distance. When I first was putting this together I was hoping Colorado and Arizona were only like 100 miles apart. So then I could be like: Amazing what a difference 100 miles makes - and it would be profound. But then I googled it and they're like 900 miles, so much for that.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Cat Withdrawl
by Hubert
My co-author is in a orchestral band! If you're reading this, you probably knew that already.
But what you didn't know is what she's playing next.
It's Symphony No. 4 in A Major written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, also known as "Someone I've never heard of."
You can listen to a streamed version in the lower right corner of the page and pretend Col is playing right now!
In other random links, here is a list of North Korean jokes.
Currently Playing: MySims Agents for Nintendo Wii
My co-author is in a orchestral band! If you're reading this, you probably knew that already.
But what you didn't know is what she's playing next.
It's Symphony No. 4 in A Major written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, also known as "Someone I've never heard of."
You can listen to a streamed version in the lower right corner of the page and pretend Col is playing right now!
In other random links, here is a list of North Korean jokes.
Currently Playing: MySims Agents for Nintendo Wii
Thursday, April 29, 2010
No Cat Today
by Hubert
Somehow, I stumbled upon Editor of Newsweek Jon Meacham's op-ed titled The Religious Case for Church-State Separation and thought our readers might want to see that instead of a cat.
There will still be silly cats in the future.
Somehow, I stumbled upon Editor of Newsweek Jon Meacham's op-ed titled The Religious Case for Church-State Separation and thought our readers might want to see that instead of a cat.
There will still be silly cats in the future.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
I Will Post Something of Content One Day
by Hubert
but...in the meantime, here's a cat playing with a iPad.
but...in the meantime, here's a cat playing with a iPad.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Colleen's Fables: The Tortise and the Hare
A tortise and a hare decided to race one day. So they gathered the woodland creatures together, and marked off the course: 100 yards- 50 out and 50 back. The starting line was set at the break where the forest turned into meadow and the turning point would be at the old, rotted stump. Badger agreed to be the referee and official race starter, and the chipmunks chittered excitedly as the hare and tortise lined up.
BLAM!
Badger fired the starting gun and they were off! The hare raced down the straight away and rounded the stump as the tortise took slow, steady steps towards his goal. The hare bounded back towards the start, picking up speed with each stride. He passed the tortise again and clocked a strong finish at 4.3 seconds. He laughed, and headed off into the forest surrounded by a cheering entourage of field mice, squirrels and other such creatures, while the tortise slowly, but steadily continued on his course.
Half an hour later the tortise crossed the finished line to the half hearted applause of a couple of chipmunks who had found a nice patch of clover earlier and now were slowly coming out of their food coma. Satisfied by a job well done, the tortise currently does the motivational speech circuit, speaking to mostly empty rooms and the occaisional Days Inn staffperson looking for a place to sneak a nap while on the job.
The hare went to Vegas with some of the field mice and a tipsy young rabbit with nice fur.
- And that's real life, baby.
BLAM!
Badger fired the starting gun and they were off! The hare raced down the straight away and rounded the stump as the tortise took slow, steady steps towards his goal. The hare bounded back towards the start, picking up speed with each stride. He passed the tortise again and clocked a strong finish at 4.3 seconds. He laughed, and headed off into the forest surrounded by a cheering entourage of field mice, squirrels and other such creatures, while the tortise slowly, but steadily continued on his course.
Half an hour later the tortise crossed the finished line to the half hearted applause of a couple of chipmunks who had found a nice patch of clover earlier and now were slowly coming out of their food coma. Satisfied by a job well done, the tortise currently does the motivational speech circuit, speaking to mostly empty rooms and the occaisional Days Inn staffperson looking for a place to sneak a nap while on the job.
The hare went to Vegas with some of the field mice and a tipsy young rabbit with nice fur.
- And that's real life, baby.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Challenges
by Colleen
I was listening to a question and answer session led by an atheist and a christian, the other night. Someone had asked the atheist where his morals came from if they weren't derived from a religious code, and he responded that in order for society to function relatively smoothly, the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do to you) makes sense. People suppressing some of their own negative impulses and tendencies benefits humanity in general, and so this type of behavior may have evolved over time as society advanced. Therefore, his own personal moral code was essentially to try and live by the golden rule. Fair enough.
I would argue he has a very valid point when speaking in generalities, and I could see how he was also implying that morally, there's not much (if any) difference between atheists and christians -which, sadly, can also be argued to be a fair statement. The operative word in this whole thing, though, is "try". When we say we try to live by the golden rule, what we really mean (and I did read an article referencing a study that supports the point I'm about to make - really I did :p) is that we may be superficially polite to everyone, but we are truly nice only to people who are nice back to us, and we either ignore or respond in kind to people who are rude or hurt us. So we have this "tit for tat" mentality (this is what that paper was about, so if you really want to you can try googling 'tit for tat' research, but maybe not while at work...) where there's some baseline initial interaction you have with a person, probably based on your personality and genetics, but after that your actions towards that person adjust according to how you think the other person responds to and treats you. And if that other person treats you like scum, well, then all's fair in war, right? And that's kind of how the worlds' morality is right now. I mean...we're not super nice to everyone, no matter what, right?
But, I was randomly reading through the golden rule passage of the bible tonight; it's in Luke, chapter 6. And after the 31st verse: Do to others as you would like them to do to you. The passage continues on to say: If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good to only those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much. And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
So basically, Jesus is calling out christians here by saying - hey, the world is going to have some basic level of morality, that's the truth. They're going to be nice to those who are nice to them, and do favors for those who are able to return the favor in kind. But you, christians, really need to take this to a whole new level - we're called to be apart from what the world does. So what's our charge? "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back."
I was really moved and challenged by this passage tonight. If I was even a tiny bit better at this commandment, then maybe I wouldn't keep ending up as being part of the reason why non-believers see christians as no different than the rest of the world. By God's grace, if christians can be more open to loving like this, then at some point, atheists and nonbelievers will see a difference between christian morality and world 'morality'.
So christians: love boldly and openly. Love others no matter what!
I will definitely be praying about this.
I was listening to a question and answer session led by an atheist and a christian, the other night. Someone had asked the atheist where his morals came from if they weren't derived from a religious code, and he responded that in order for society to function relatively smoothly, the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do to you) makes sense. People suppressing some of their own negative impulses and tendencies benefits humanity in general, and so this type of behavior may have evolved over time as society advanced. Therefore, his own personal moral code was essentially to try and live by the golden rule. Fair enough.
I would argue he has a very valid point when speaking in generalities, and I could see how he was also implying that morally, there's not much (if any) difference between atheists and christians -which, sadly, can also be argued to be a fair statement. The operative word in this whole thing, though, is "try". When we say we try to live by the golden rule, what we really mean (and I did read an article referencing a study that supports the point I'm about to make - really I did :p) is that we may be superficially polite to everyone, but we are truly nice only to people who are nice back to us, and we either ignore or respond in kind to people who are rude or hurt us. So we have this "tit for tat" mentality (this is what that paper was about, so if you really want to you can try googling 'tit for tat' research, but maybe not while at work...) where there's some baseline initial interaction you have with a person, probably based on your personality and genetics, but after that your actions towards that person adjust according to how you think the other person responds to and treats you. And if that other person treats you like scum, well, then all's fair in war, right? And that's kind of how the worlds' morality is right now. I mean...we're not super nice to everyone, no matter what, right?
But, I was randomly reading through the golden rule passage of the bible tonight; it's in Luke, chapter 6. And after the 31st verse: Do to others as you would like them to do to you. The passage continues on to say: If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good to only those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much. And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
So basically, Jesus is calling out christians here by saying - hey, the world is going to have some basic level of morality, that's the truth. They're going to be nice to those who are nice to them, and do favors for those who are able to return the favor in kind. But you, christians, really need to take this to a whole new level - we're called to be apart from what the world does. So what's our charge? "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back."
I was really moved and challenged by this passage tonight. If I was even a tiny bit better at this commandment, then maybe I wouldn't keep ending up as being part of the reason why non-believers see christians as no different than the rest of the world. By God's grace, if christians can be more open to loving like this, then at some point, atheists and nonbelievers will see a difference between christian morality and world 'morality'.
So christians: love boldly and openly. Love others no matter what!
I will definitely be praying about this.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
2010-04-11
by Colleen
Pig tchotchkes. Sighted walking back from Flattop Grill where we celebrated Joe's birthday early. The pigs are out! Spring is here!
Pig tchotchkes. Sighted walking back from Flattop Grill where we celebrated Joe's birthday early. The pigs are out! Spring is here!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A Conclusion for Once
by Hubert
Remember co-worker #2, that co-worker #1 wanted me to ask out? I found out she's been in a long term relationship for 6 years, and she will probably marry the guy to boot. And I found this out without asking her out myself. So that ends that!
Remember co-worker #2, that co-worker #1 wanted me to ask out? I found out she's been in a long term relationship for 6 years, and she will probably marry the guy to boot. And I found this out without asking her out myself. So that ends that!
GAHHHHH
by Colleen
Charlyne, for Pete Squeaks, you stole my (potential) conversation with David Krumholtz. I am now speechless....well, not really- let me just say that if I were ever to meet David in real life I would have totally played up "the awkwardly direct reference to Bernard in the Santa Clause" angle in order to indirectly expose my childhood crush on him, but now I can't. Thanks to you. What now? What if I meet him? What do I have left to talk about? The time he played the "booobies" dude in Harold and Kumar?! David, remember when you and that guy from American Pie got high and ate a lot of food? Remember how pissed off Harold looked? Why did you shave that goatee? I mean C'MON!!!
You walk away with memories of adorable reactions by David to your dorkiness and a signed copy of Santa Clause from Bernard the Elf (with a heart!) and I got nothing to bring to the table now. Whyyyyyyy??? Those were supposed to be my memories and my signed copy of the Santa Clause! Thanks for spoiling it for all the rest of the Korean-American Krumholtz fans everywhere. GO...GO watch your stupid DVD....GOOO!!!
Charlyne, for Pete Squeaks, you stole my (potential) conversation with David Krumholtz. I am now speechless....well, not really- let me just say that if I were ever to meet David in real life I would have totally played up "the awkwardly direct reference to Bernard in the Santa Clause" angle in order to indirectly expose my childhood crush on him, but now I can't. Thanks to you. What now? What if I meet him? What do I have left to talk about? The time he played the "booobies" dude in Harold and Kumar?! David, remember when you and that guy from American Pie got high and ate a lot of food? Remember how pissed off Harold looked? Why did you shave that goatee? I mean C'MON!!!
You walk away with memories of adorable reactions by David to your dorkiness and a signed copy of Santa Clause from Bernard the Elf (with a heart!) and I got nothing to bring to the table now. Whyyyyyyy??? Those were supposed to be my memories and my signed copy of the Santa Clause! Thanks for spoiling it for all the rest of the Korean-American Krumholtz fans everywhere. GO...GO watch your stupid DVD....GOOO!!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Love
by Colleen
Late night quiet time. I love it. Currently meditating on:
What happens when you apply the actions of the second to the statements of the first? Great things.
Late night quiet time. I love it. Currently meditating on:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally as important: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.
What happens when you apply the actions of the second to the statements of the first? Great things.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
People are Shallow!
by Hubert
There are no cats involved in this entry either.
So a co-worker #1 told me to ask another co-worker #2 out (from a different department, thankfully), and I asked co-worker #1, if I did this, would she stop bugging me about this? She said yes.
So now I've asked three of my friends what to do. One of the first questions out of all of their mouths is "Is she attractive?"
People are so shallow!
Like I'd even entertain the idea of asking out of co-worker if I didn't think she was decent looking!
That'll learn 'em.
There are no cats involved in this entry either.
So a co-worker #1 told me to ask another co-worker #2 out (from a different department, thankfully), and I asked co-worker #1, if I did this, would she stop bugging me about this? She said yes.
So now I've asked three of my friends what to do. One of the first questions out of all of their mouths is "Is she attractive?"
People are so shallow!
Like I'd even entertain the idea of asking out of co-worker if I didn't think she was decent looking!
That'll learn 'em.
Monday, April 5, 2010
No Cats Here
by Hubert
Yes, I know. Why no animals? Because this is still funny. It's four girls acting like guys.
Enjoy that? Here's the reverse!
Yes, I know. Why no animals? Because this is still funny. It's four girls acting like guys.
Enjoy that? Here's the reverse!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
2010-04-04: A picture that's also an offer
does that count as a double entendre?
by Colleen
It's flower growing season in Chicago! I have 3 pots of varying sizes and one rectangular planter with which to work.
Last year I did petunias in the planter and half of the largest pot, with disastrous results. Little white flies everywhere: infesting the stems, breeding on the leaves, dying on the flower petals. I didn't learn what they were until my friend and I visited a nursery in August, but by then it was too late. The florist recommended a mild lemon-soap bath as a detractor. After bathing 2 leaves individually, I found the soap acted as a mild adhesive, further securing all white flies onto the fuzzy stems of the plant. So I gave up, pulled them all up and tried to save the remaining plants in the pot, the purple cone flowers: native Illinois prairie flora, which apparently, need more than one growing season to bloom. Yay! for leafy green fronds all summer...but not really. The other pot contained a freaky tomato plant that ended up growing at a pace reminiscent of the Little Shop of Horrors, even without all the blood. In all, it yielded 4 1/2 feet of vertical stem, a 3 feet diameter spray of leafy greens, 16 or so blossoms, and 3 incredibly bitter cherry tomatoes. Well, there's always next season.
Which brings me to:
Ferry's partial-shade wildflower mixture went in the largest pot. My goals are less lofty then the 2ft high petunia plants of last summer - I'm going to go with 3 inch ground cover (Alyssum) in the rectangular planter (hopefully resulting in less stems and white flies and more blooms). The now freaky tomato plant-free pot will get the Calendulas, and I'm reseeding a spare herb planter with more basil (so far the only plant besides my faithful african violets that's flourishing) in hopes of enough leaves for home made pesto.
And now for the offer: Now that my planting's done, I still have enough seedage left to fill more that a 50 sq foot area garden (according to the planting guides on the seed packs), so if you would like any spare seeds, just let me know! Sharing is caring and all that. what what
by Colleen
It's flower growing season in Chicago! I have 3 pots of varying sizes and one rectangular planter with which to work.
Last year I did petunias in the planter and half of the largest pot, with disastrous results. Little white flies everywhere: infesting the stems, breeding on the leaves, dying on the flower petals. I didn't learn what they were until my friend and I visited a nursery in August, but by then it was too late. The florist recommended a mild lemon-soap bath as a detractor. After bathing 2 leaves individually, I found the soap acted as a mild adhesive, further securing all white flies onto the fuzzy stems of the plant. So I gave up, pulled them all up and tried to save the remaining plants in the pot, the purple cone flowers: native Illinois prairie flora, which apparently, need more than one growing season to bloom. Yay! for leafy green fronds all summer...but not really. The other pot contained a freaky tomato plant that ended up growing at a pace reminiscent of the Little Shop of Horrors, even without all the blood. In all, it yielded 4 1/2 feet of vertical stem, a 3 feet diameter spray of leafy greens, 16 or so blossoms, and 3 incredibly bitter cherry tomatoes. Well, there's always next season.
Which brings me to:
Ferry's partial-shade wildflower mixture went in the largest pot. My goals are less lofty then the 2ft high petunia plants of last summer - I'm going to go with 3 inch ground cover (Alyssum) in the rectangular planter (hopefully resulting in less stems and white flies and more blooms). The now freaky tomato plant-free pot will get the Calendulas, and I'm reseeding a spare herb planter with more basil (so far the only plant besides my faithful african violets that's flourishing) in hopes of enough leaves for home made pesto.
And now for the offer: Now that my planting's done, I still have enough seedage left to fill more that a 50 sq foot area garden (according to the planting guides on the seed packs), so if you would like any spare seeds, just let me know! Sharing is caring and all that. what what
2010-03-26
by Colleen
I remember this day. It was one of the first of all these gorgeous days we've been having lately. Sunny and '50s. My co-worker and I had just finished talking to the feds and were coming back from Lisle when he told me about this chocolate shop that we should visit in the South Loop. Hand-painted chocolates, people, made right in the back of the store.
I remember this day. It was one of the first of all these gorgeous days we've been having lately. Sunny and '50s. My co-worker and I had just finished talking to the feds and were coming back from Lisle when he told me about this chocolate shop that we should visit in the South Loop. Hand-painted chocolates, people, made right in the back of the store.
L to R: Raspberry truffle, Dulce de leches
moar chocolates!
March 24th or 25th
by Colleen
Mmm, freshly picked basil and strawberries. Good stuff - although not necessarily when eaten together.
Mmm, freshly picked basil and strawberries. Good stuff - although not necessarily when eaten together.
When Will Colleen Post Next?
by Hubert
Strangest interactive webcomic you'll see today, turn the sound on! I guarantee it's worth the loading time.
Strangest interactive webcomic you'll see today, turn the sound on! I guarantee it's worth the loading time.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Love That Cat
by Hubert
Something great happens 7 seconds in.
Currently playing: Gryomancer on PC and Rabbids Go Home on Wii
Something great happens 7 seconds in.
Currently playing: Gryomancer on PC and Rabbids Go Home on Wii
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday night
by Colleen
ON DRUDGE: “OVERHEARD: Walking into Capitol this morning on phone, Speaker Pelosi tells Hoyer: ‘Steny, we have to get to 217. None of these members wants to be the deciding vote’… Developing…” It’s unsourced, but it’s easy to believe that nobody wants to be the deciding vote on this turkey (-via instapundit).
Cowardice. If this bill is a physical representation of the principles you truly believe in, or the path that you would like this country to head in, then be the 216th vote, regardless of anything else. Take a stand and don't pander. Be the deciding vote even if it means the end of your personal career. You would compromise your values and morals to stay in the public's good grace? No wonder I have no respect for you guys.
Even JK Rowling knows, it is your choices, far more than your abilities, that show what you truly are. So choose what is right, not what is easy.
ON DRUDGE: “OVERHEARD: Walking into Capitol this morning on phone, Speaker Pelosi tells Hoyer: ‘Steny, we have to get to 217. None of these members wants to be the deciding vote’… Developing…” It’s unsourced, but it’s easy to believe that nobody wants to be the deciding vote on this turkey (-via instapundit).
Cowardice. If this bill is a physical representation of the principles you truly believe in, or the path that you would like this country to head in, then be the 216th vote, regardless of anything else. Take a stand and don't pander. Be the deciding vote even if it means the end of your personal career. You would compromise your values and morals to stay in the public's good grace? No wonder I have no respect for you guys.
Even JK Rowling knows, it is your choices, far more than your abilities, that show what you truly are. So choose what is right, not what is easy.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Do You Have $88,000?
by Hubert
Need a watch? Head over to Amazon and buy this Zenith Men's Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch, and then write a review about it, just like 42 other people have!
Here's one review:
The best thing you can do with this watch is smash it in to your forehead repeatedly until you've destroyed the remaining braincells in your brain. You'd have to have less brain material than Terry Schiavo to get suckered in to buying this piece of junk. I think I saw it on HSN (or that MSNBC version of the home shopping network) for 300$. Even that's a stretch when you own a cellphone & a million other gadgets that tell you more accurate time.
Need a watch? Head over to Amazon and buy this Zenith Men's Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch, and then write a review about it, just like 42 other people have!
Here's one review:
The best thing you can do with this watch is smash it in to your forehead repeatedly until you've destroyed the remaining braincells in your brain. You'd have to have less brain material than Terry Schiavo to get suckered in to buying this piece of junk. I think I saw it on HSN (or that MSNBC version of the home shopping network) for 300$. Even that's a stretch when you own a cellphone & a million other gadgets that tell you more accurate time.
Friday, March 19, 2010
A Dream Come True
by Hubert
I haven't spent a whole week at home since I started working at my current job back in December of 2005. I've mentioned to my co-blogger that, at least once, I would like to. Of course I get two weeks paid vacation, but I usually spend one week flying somewhere and the remainder paid time off in half day increments, such as going in late on Fridays at the end of the year because I love to sleep and I can't bring vacation days into the next year.
Well, this week, I finally got to stay home for a week. Not in the perfect way, as I did not know work would be canceled on Monday until I got up, brushed my teeth, and got dressed before turning on my cell phone to see a text message telling me work was canceled. Or for Tuesday through Thursday, checking my cell first thing in the morning to get the same messages. Found out about Friday being canceled at 5 PM on Thursday, that was was the most heads up I got for any day. But otherwise, I've been able to relax as much as an employed person can this week.
It's been...just what I expected. A lot of going to random websites, playing video games, watching tv, and eating. I did one productive thing this week, renewed my passport! Woo! And while at the post office, bought Simpson (cartoon, not murderer) stamps!
I really need to get back to work now.
Just finished: Professor Layton and the Curious Village for Nintendo DS.
I haven't spent a whole week at home since I started working at my current job back in December of 2005. I've mentioned to my co-blogger that, at least once, I would like to. Of course I get two weeks paid vacation, but I usually spend one week flying somewhere and the remainder paid time off in half day increments, such as going in late on Fridays at the end of the year because I love to sleep and I can't bring vacation days into the next year.
Well, this week, I finally got to stay home for a week. Not in the perfect way, as I did not know work would be canceled on Monday until I got up, brushed my teeth, and got dressed before turning on my cell phone to see a text message telling me work was canceled. Or for Tuesday through Thursday, checking my cell first thing in the morning to get the same messages. Found out about Friday being canceled at 5 PM on Thursday, that was was the most heads up I got for any day. But otherwise, I've been able to relax as much as an employed person can this week.
It's been...just what I expected. A lot of going to random websites, playing video games, watching tv, and eating. I did one productive thing this week, renewed my passport! Woo! And while at the post office, bought Simpson (cartoon, not murderer) stamps!
I really need to get back to work now.
Just finished: Professor Layton and the Curious Village for Nintendo DS.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Home For A Week
by Hubert
Last weekend, my area was soaked with rain.
This is the result of two days of rain in a flood-prone area: http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2010/03/16passaicriverfloodmap/0317A_Map1.pdf (16 meg file, beware!)
I don't live there, but my work is a mile away from the lower left picture. As a result of the flood, my work building has been without power this whole week so far, and work has been canceled this whole week, with me finding about tomorrow's canceled work half an hour ago.
I've been sleeping until noon, and then doing what I do on the weekends, which is video games, tv, and internet surfing.
Oh, and I finally filled in my passport renewal. So at least some good came of this week.
So...what should I do tomorrow?
Last weekend, my area was soaked with rain.
This is the result of two days of rain in a flood-prone area: http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2010/03/16passaicriverfloodmap/0317A_Map1.pdf (16 meg file, beware!)
I don't live there, but my work is a mile away from the lower left picture. As a result of the flood, my work building has been without power this whole week so far, and work has been canceled this whole week, with me finding about tomorrow's canceled work half an hour ago.
I've been sleeping until noon, and then doing what I do on the weekends, which is video games, tv, and internet surfing.
Oh, and I finally filled in my passport renewal. So at least some good came of this week.
So...what should I do tomorrow?
A Free Review of the Free Agency, To Date
by Colleen
Yeah, yeah, I do realize we're about two weeks into this now, so this post is hardly timely. But you know what? You can call my writing a lot of things - untimely, unseemly, sloppy. Jeeeust don't call it late for dinner! ba dum dum.
Oh, and I'm writing this from work which means I can't back this post up with stuff like supporting facts from ESPN and NFL.com because then it would be really obvious what I'm not doing. So without further ado, here's my review of some of the FA transactions from memory (mostly):
Sean Hill out, David Carr in
Ah Sean Hill. He left a memorable mark on the great 49er QB Debate of2006 2007 2008 2009 as commentors on both sides debated the finer nuances of Hill's 'it' factor and Smith's 'upside' using questionable statistics and a lot of repetition. In the height of the frenzy, Hill was praised for his cat-like instincts and nick-named Swan. Some comments even started off with "Montana, Young, and Hill..." and did NOT end with "...and one of these things is not like the others." Yes, it was cray cray. Sheer insanity.
Sean is heading out to a fresh environment in Detroit where he's designated as backup QB to a former-first round draft pick with a shoulder injury. Oh wait...
Best wishes, Hill! Thanks for the memories, for sure!
Hello Carr, we don't want anything less than 5 more rings in the next decade, and chances are you probably aren't going to be the one to do that - that's what we expect from Alex Smith. So just step back and keep the bench warm. Welcome to San Francisco.
Pashos
Tony Pashos left the 49ers to go somewhere...and do something...more than he did when he was in San Francisco...probably. I draw a blank when it comes to making any relevant comments on a defensive position.
Chester Taylor to the Bears!
Am I the only resident of Cook County excited by this?! Chester Taylor is a decent running back who was overshadowed by Adrian Peterson for most of his young career. Martz should be an ok OC for a running back to work with. Taylor may see a decent amount of carries this year, and I think he'll take take the ball and run with it. (ah ha ha ha)
Yeah, yeah, I do realize we're about two weeks into this now, so this post is hardly timely. But you know what? You can call my writing a lot of things - untimely, unseemly, sloppy. Jeeeust don't call it late for dinner! ba dum dum.
Oh, and I'm writing this from work which means I can't back this post up with stuff like supporting facts from ESPN and NFL.com because then it would be really obvious what I'm not doing. So without further ado, here's my review of some of the FA transactions from memory (mostly):
Sean Hill out, David Carr in
Ah Sean Hill. He left a memorable mark on the great 49er QB Debate of
Sean is heading out to a fresh environment in Detroit where he's designated as backup QB to a former-first round draft pick with a shoulder injury. Oh wait...
Best wishes, Hill! Thanks for the memories, for sure!
Hello Carr, we don't want anything less than 5 more rings in the next decade, and chances are you probably aren't going to be the one to do that - that's what we expect from Alex Smith. So just step back and keep the bench warm. Welcome to San Francisco.
Pashos
Tony Pashos left the 49ers to go somewhere...and do something...more than he did when he was in San Francisco...probably. I draw a blank when it comes to making any relevant comments on a defensive position.
Chester Taylor to the Bears!
Am I the only resident of Cook County excited by this?! Chester Taylor is a decent running back who was overshadowed by Adrian Peterson for most of his young career. Martz should be an ok OC for a running back to work with. Taylor may see a decent amount of carries this year, and I think he'll take take the ball and run with it. (ah ha ha ha) Wednesday, March 17, 2010
the Fundamental Interconnectedness of All things
by Colleen
So there is a queen bed frame placed between my apartment door and my neighbors' apartment door. It started off in the ground level by the mail boxes, but apparently, our bottom-floor neighbors decided the package certainly isn't theirs and moved it up a floor. This pattern of thinking must have continued until it hit ours, which is the top floor. And there it's remained by default. Well, I can tell you for a fact the bed frame certainly isn't mine, just as sure as my next door neighbors know it isn't theirs either. And so it's remained a fixed object between our two door frames week, after week, after week.
And somewhere, someone is cursing the post office for a failed delivery of a queen sized bed frame.
So there is a queen bed frame placed between my apartment door and my neighbors' apartment door. It started off in the ground level by the mail boxes, but apparently, our bottom-floor neighbors decided the package certainly isn't theirs and moved it up a floor. This pattern of thinking must have continued until it hit ours, which is the top floor. And there it's remained by default. Well, I can tell you for a fact the bed frame certainly isn't mine, just as sure as my next door neighbors know it isn't theirs either. And so it's remained a fixed object between our two door frames week, after week, after week.
And somewhere, someone is cursing the post office for a failed delivery of a queen sized bed frame.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tally Hall @ Lincoln Hall, Chicago
by Colleen
Suave fellow, Rob Cantor in the yellow tie, and some guy I'm not sure of to his left- I think they got him to fill in for Andrew Horowitz last minute. Also as Javelin observed, "they got really shaggy".
Suave fellow, Rob Cantor in the yellow tie, and some guy I'm not sure of to his left- I think they got him to fill in for Andrew Horowitz last minute. Also as Javelin observed, "they got really shaggy".
Oh wait, maybe this was the fill in guy...well I wasn't quite clear on all the details.
Tally Hall moves from the stage to the floor, and our own shenanigans at Buffalo Wild Wings after the jump.
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