Saturday, September 6, 2008
Look Out IFL! I Am Going to Run the A-11 Offense Tomorrow
Here is my new offense making its debut in the IFL tomorrow.
11 players eligible to get the ball! It's known as the A-11 offense and developed in Piedmont, California. With two potential quarterbacks and up to 10 eligible receivers, this offense dramatically increases the number of options available. According to Scientific American, you have 36 options for who receives the snap and who receives the ball using a standard formation. Using the A-11, there are over 36,000 options!
Here is a preview of what you are up against...
Good luck, IFL!
11 players eligible to get the ball! It's known as the A-11 offense and developed in Piedmont, California. With two potential quarterbacks and up to 10 eligible receivers, this offense dramatically increases the number of options available. According to Scientific American, you have 36 options for who receives the snap and who receives the ball using a standard formation. Using the A-11, there are over 36,000 options!Here is a preview of what you are up against...
Good luck, IFL!
DIVE IN AND RSVP !!!
It's time to dive in and RSVP if you haven't done so yet.
I did email the ones I haven't heard from yet,
but I found the last time I emailed, there were some that
didn't get it.
If you haven't RSVP'd for our next
get-together, (Sept 20th)
please email me by Wednesday
so I can finish planning and get this party started :)
lizardmom@wi.net
THANKS!!
A 156% tax increase goes to far!
Whether you’re a smoker and non-smoker some of our politicians are out of control.
What’s going to happen if this increase goes in to affect? Will more people quit smoking...sure they will and tax revenue will decline. You know the money grabbers in Washington will not accept that so it will have to be made up elsewhere.
The government has too many windows of opportunities where to get the money from; alcohol, gasoline, property taxes, individual income taxes and list goes on.
You may want to think about this and write your congress representative and urge him/her to vote down this increase. It will eventually affect everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike.
You can do it online line at “No Means No”".
What’s going to happen if this increase goes in to affect? Will more people quit smoking...sure they will and tax revenue will decline. You know the money grabbers in Washington will not accept that so it will have to be made up elsewhere.
The government has too many windows of opportunities where to get the money from; alcohol, gasoline, property taxes, individual income taxes and list goes on.
You may want to think about this and write your congress representative and urge him/her to vote down this increase. It will eventually affect everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike.
You can do it online line at “No Means No”".
Kenosha Unified Investment should be prosecuted by U.S. Attorney
Written by John Nordquist and Lisa Loring
It is the position of The Daily Kenoshan that the CDO cloud hanging over our Kenosha public schools be referred to the U.S. Attorney for investigation and prosecution. From its inception the investment, which has lost $23,000,000 to date, has been cloaked in lies, false characterizations of the nature of the investment, and was illegal under state law.
Documents received by KENOSHA NEWS reporter Gary Kunich show that KUSD board members knew as early as May of 2007 that the investment was in danger, yet despite that knowledge, board and district officials persistently lied to the public by insisting that the investment was sound and safe. Under State law, speculative and risky investments of public money is illegal. The KUSD Board knowingly and incorrectly characterized the investment as "bonds" which would mature in 2112. The investments in no way resemble bonds, but are in fact Credit Default Swaps with no promise of return.
The State Department of Public Instruction warned the KUSD, many months prior to the commitment of public funds, that they must not risk public money in risky investments.
The original advisor guiding the District in the CDO investment characterized it as risky and warned the board accordingly.
In addition to these facts, the relationships and associations of key players in this scheme suggest that the investment was made with no regard to future loss. The same investment firm is also accused of duping Lac du Flambeau of nearly $30 million in risky and failing casino schemes, while the former KUSD Board President has inherited the Troha Kenosha Casino scheme.
The fact that the Board of Education persistently and knowingly lied to the public and to those inquiring about the investment, and even attempted to discredit those asking questions by referring to them as 'troublemakers' makes it painfully clear that without the full weight of the U.S. Attorney's office investigating the matter, the truth would be covered up and responsibility denied. At this time, anyone inquiring from the elected officials about the investment are referred to a PR firm for answers rather than providing facts to their constituency. Since the investment involves banking interests that are outside of the United States, local and State authorities would be less likely to succeed in investigating and prosecuting the matter.
We are therefore pressing for this matter to be taken up by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin to properly investigate, assess responsibility and prosecute as necessary.
It is the position of The Daily Kenoshan that the CDO cloud hanging over our Kenosha public schools be referred to the U.S. Attorney for investigation and prosecution. From its inception the investment, which has lost $23,000,000 to date, has been cloaked in lies, false characterizations of the nature of the investment, and was illegal under state law.
Documents received by KENOSHA NEWS reporter Gary Kunich show that KUSD board members knew as early as May of 2007 that the investment was in danger, yet despite that knowledge, board and district officials persistently lied to the public by insisting that the investment was sound and safe. Under State law, speculative and risky investments of public money is illegal. The KUSD Board knowingly and incorrectly characterized the investment as "bonds" which would mature in 2112. The investments in no way resemble bonds, but are in fact Credit Default Swaps with no promise of return.
The State Department of Public Instruction warned the KUSD, many months prior to the commitment of public funds, that they must not risk public money in risky investments.
The original advisor guiding the District in the CDO investment characterized it as risky and warned the board accordingly.
In addition to these facts, the relationships and associations of key players in this scheme suggest that the investment was made with no regard to future loss. The same investment firm is also accused of duping Lac du Flambeau of nearly $30 million in risky and failing casino schemes, while the former KUSD Board President has inherited the Troha Kenosha Casino scheme.
The fact that the Board of Education persistently and knowingly lied to the public and to those inquiring about the investment, and even attempted to discredit those asking questions by referring to them as 'troublemakers' makes it painfully clear that without the full weight of the U.S. Attorney's office investigating the matter, the truth would be covered up and responsibility denied. At this time, anyone inquiring from the elected officials about the investment are referred to a PR firm for answers rather than providing facts to their constituency. Since the investment involves banking interests that are outside of the United States, local and State authorities would be less likely to succeed in investigating and prosecuting the matter.
We are therefore pressing for this matter to be taken up by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin to properly investigate, assess responsibility and prosecute as necessary.
Bonus Track
Not really a lost video, but god damn, this song just kicks all forms of ass. Janes Addiction Live - Irvine Meadows 1991 Jane Says......... Im gonna kick tomorrow....
Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday nights lost video
A friend of mine lost his wife this week to cancer. She leaves behind a nine year old son. Austin, this is for you:
Hush now dont cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
Youre lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over...or has it just begun?
Theres a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run to in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didnt realize it and you were scared
Its a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the tears
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly, you hear and see
This magic new dimension
Chorus
I-will be watching over you
I-am gonna help you see it through
I-will protect you in the night
I-am smiling next to you...in silent lucidity
If you open your mind for me
You wont rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Come tumblng down, and a new world will begin
Living twice at once you learn
Youre safe from pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusion, can you realize
Your dreams alive, you can be the guide but...
9 Ball!
http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/pool-jam
This is a 10 minute 9 Ball game... guaranteed to waste 10 minutes of your time.
Things I have learned playing this game:
Don't bother with the "English" thingie, just takes time
The faster you shoot, the higher your score
You get penalized for scratches ( starts at -300 for the first round, goes up from there for each round)
You can place the cue ball anywhere after a scratch, so make it good!
I was thinking we could all play and get used to the game and maybe have a JTI pool tournament sometime?
This is a 10 minute 9 Ball game... guaranteed to waste 10 minutes of your time.
Things I have learned playing this game:
Don't bother with the "English" thingie, just takes time
The faster you shoot, the higher your score
You get penalized for scratches ( starts at -300 for the first round, goes up from there for each round)
You can place the cue ball anywhere after a scratch, so make it good!
I was thinking we could all play and get used to the game and maybe have a JTI pool tournament sometime?
Sarah Barracuda Can't Use "Barracuda"
Yep, the use of Heart's pop classic "Barracuda" the other night at the RNC did not amuse Ann and Nancy Wilson. No permission was sought or granted for use of the song. Heck, even Olive Garden knows that you have to get permission and pay royalties to use a copywrited song like "Happy Birthday" in a public place which is why they have their own little birthday ditty.
From their statement: "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image...It was written in the late '70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women...There's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."
Sort of like when Ronald Reagan didn't quite get the meaning of the song "Born in the U.S.A." and wanted to use it in his campaign.
From their statement: "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image...It was written in the late '70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women...There's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."
Sort of like when Ronald Reagan didn't quite get the meaning of the song "Born in the U.S.A." and wanted to use it in his campaign.
Brewer Post season ticket lottery
I entered it. If nothing else, I'll be rich Rich RICH when I scalp em. (provided I win of course)
Is This Your Typical Workday?
Try it...it's a great flow chart to drive your decision making!
(Click to embiggen)
(Click to embiggen)
Microsoft is Spending $300 Million to Promote Vista
And that is the first commercial, premiering last night.
WTF?
What do you do when you can't sleep - Play Games
The object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.
If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal. It's been said that the US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes.
Give it a try but be careful...it is addictive!!
“Red Square Game”
If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal. It's been said that the US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes.
Give it a try but be careful...it is addictive!!
“Red Square Game”
Happy Friday !!!!!!!!
Happy Friday everybody!!
It's been a long week,
Wearing this 'boot' makes me feel like a pirate
with a peg leg - Arrgg, a pirates life for me...
I need a parrot!!
Have a great weekend!!!
It's been a long week,
Wearing this 'boot' makes me feel like a pirate
with a peg leg - Arrgg, a pirates life for me...
I need a parrot!!
Have a great weekend!!!
McCain, face lift?
What happened to McCain's age lines? Are they air brushing his pictures, or has he turned to face lifts and Botox? Anyone notice the removal of near 30 years of age off his face in the last few years? Not a lib thing with acusations, heck Hillary has the same "youthful" line free features. Just another thing to think about.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sick of Left Wing nonsense
They just couldn't show some modicum of respect, even when John McCain is delivering his acceptance speech. Three different leftist morons interupted the Senator. I thought he handled it very well.
In contrast, on the day of Obama's speech, when McCain was asked to comment, all he would say was this is Obama's day and I will let him enjoy it. There were no lunatic protestors.
How sad the political discourse in this country has become when they can't show enough respect to allow McCain to deliver his speech in peace.
And don't give any of that weak minded "free speech" bullshit. It was highly disrespectful and certainly does not advance their cause at all.
Regardless of our political differences, we should show respect to those who have earned it.
In contrast, on the day of Obama's speech, when McCain was asked to comment, all he would say was this is Obama's day and I will let him enjoy it. There were no lunatic protestors.
How sad the political discourse in this country has become when they can't show enough respect to allow McCain to deliver his speech in peace.
And don't give any of that weak minded "free speech" bullshit. It was highly disrespectful and certainly does not advance their cause at all.
Regardless of our political differences, we should show respect to those who have earned it.
Sit and spin
Something I've found interesting is the polarized news items on Palin. Using just the headlines you can easily see which side of the aisle the "reporter" is sitting in. "Reporters Gush for Palin," "Palin stretches the truth."
Journalism schools teach that a reporter is supposed to be non-biased. We no longer seem to be seeing that. Now it is, "How can the populace be manipulated," and boy are we manipilated.
Journalism schools teach that a reporter is supposed to be non-biased. We no longer seem to be seeing that. Now it is, "How can the populace be manipulated," and boy are we manipilated.
Stupid is as stupid does
Four thieves on Milwaukee's northwest side attemtped to carjack a 1995 Ford Ranger as it proceeded down an alley early this morning. One of the men pulled out a gun and stood in front of the vehicle. All went according to plan until the would-be badasses realized that the truck was a stick shift and none of them knew how to operate it.
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=9/4/2008&id=45654
ROFLMAO!!!
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=9/4/2008&id=45654
ROFLMAO!!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Technology Issues in the Presidential Election
I assume that most people here have at least a passing interest in technology and a modest skill level (or higher), but it is rarely discussed by the candidates. Since we are constantly told that our economy is being transformed from a manufacturing based economy to an information and technology based economy, I kind of think this is a HUGE issue if we are going to stake our economic future on it.
Of our current candidates, Obama and Palin appear to be most competent users of technology. McCain famously avoids the internet and email (although he is "aware" of it). Biden, although he is somewhere in the middle in terms of use, well, I'll get to him!
I will use Cnet, one of the big tech websites, as my starting point. They published a 2006 TechVoter's Guide (2008 not done yet). Obama scored 50% tech friendly. Biden was even worse at 37.5%. McCain can limbo lower and eked out a 31.25% tech friendly score. Palin gets off easy with an incomplete since she did not vote in Congress or the Senate. I expect that some of the stances that Cnet considers tech friendly might be considered good stances by some here, so here is the list of votes for the House and Senate they used.
Durign the presidential primaries,the asked all the major candidates a series of questions and summed it up in a nice little chart. Biden did not respond to the survey at all which is disappointing. The only question McCain and Obama found agreement on is the next tax ban (although McCain ducked two of the questions and Obama ended up voting for telecom immunity even though he opposed it in this questionaire). But this survey shows Obama to be the more tech friendly (omitting Palin of course since, well, no data). You can read the detailed answers from Obama and McCain to these questions as well.
So I am going to call this issue for Obama in spite of his choice of Biden as a running mate.
If it's the economy stupid, we had better talk about science and technology if we are to have a science and technology based economy. Oh yeah, I will write another blog entry coming up on science policy (look for it in a few days).
Of our current candidates, Obama and Palin appear to be most competent users of technology. McCain famously avoids the internet and email (although he is "aware" of it). Biden, although he is somewhere in the middle in terms of use, well, I'll get to him!
I will use Cnet, one of the big tech websites, as my starting point. They published a 2006 TechVoter's Guide (2008 not done yet). Obama scored 50% tech friendly. Biden was even worse at 37.5%. McCain can limbo lower and eked out a 31.25% tech friendly score. Palin gets off easy with an incomplete since she did not vote in Congress or the Senate. I expect that some of the stances that Cnet considers tech friendly might be considered good stances by some here, so here is the list of votes for the House and Senate they used.
Durign the presidential primaries,the asked all the major candidates a series of questions and summed it up in a nice little chart. Biden did not respond to the survey at all which is disappointing. The only question McCain and Obama found agreement on is the next tax ban (although McCain ducked two of the questions and Obama ended up voting for telecom immunity even though he opposed it in this questionaire). But this survey shows Obama to be the more tech friendly (omitting Palin of course since, well, no data). You can read the detailed answers from Obama and McCain to these questions as well.
So I am going to call this issue for Obama in spite of his choice of Biden as a running mate.
If it's the economy stupid, we had better talk about science and technology if we are to have a science and technology based economy. Oh yeah, I will write another blog entry coming up on science policy (look for it in a few days).
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
CPA Wants To Give Racine CPR
Local accountant and Racine Taxpayers' Association member Jody Harding has declared her candidacy for the Racine mayoral election of 2011. She posted a press release on her blog, The World According To Jody, in which she states: “An attractive city is a fine thing, but this mayor seems obsessed with the outward appearance of our neighborhoods. While he is busy applying a coat of whitewash, the foundation is rotting.”
I applaud her entry into the field. I hope that more members of our community follow suit. Choice is good.
I'd also like to state that although I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Harding, that will not prevent me from being amongst the first to sling mud her way. Seeing her announcement in a blog made me start to wonder about the political possibilities of another blogger in Racine. "OrbsCorbs, Of Course!" has a nice ring to it and may be just the slogan to land me a cushy city job in '11.
I applaud her entry into the field. I hope that more members of our community follow suit. Choice is good.
I'd also like to state that although I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Harding, that will not prevent me from being amongst the first to sling mud her way. Seeing her announcement in a blog made me start to wonder about the political possibilities of another blogger in Racine. "OrbsCorbs, Of Course!" has a nice ring to it and may be just the slogan to land me a cushy city job in '11.
More Amazing Shuttle Pics
Just another set after Ser's wonderful post a few days ago. This is from the Boston Globe's Big Picture series and highlights preparations for the Hubble repair mission scheduled to lift off in October (not going to put a date down yet as it is going to change with these storms taking pot shots at Florida). Here is one of my favorites for a sample.
I have been up the service tower of a Delta II rocket at the Cape , but never on launch pad 39 or in the VAB, two things I am jonesin to do!
I have been up the service tower of a Delta II rocket at the Cape , but never on launch pad 39 or in the VAB, two things I am jonesin to do!
Are You Ready For Some Football Physics?
Yep, football season is upon us and the NFL and the JTIrregulars League kicks off this week. Football is a game of speed, strength, leverage, and collisions...what better laboratory for physics?
University of Nebraska Physics Professor Timothy Gay produced a series of short videos on football physics. These videos are shown on the jumbotron before the University of Nebraska football games. He also wrote a book on Football Physics.
Dr. Gay also gives hour long public talks on football physics. I saw him give the talk at a meeting a few years ago and it was very good. Through the magic of technology, you can also see one of his talks. He gave a talk at Fermilab in 2005 and they have it available streaming online. This was after I worked at Fermilab so you won't see me in the audience!
I hope you are ready for some bone crushing hits...I know how to use leverage!
University of Nebraska Physics Professor Timothy Gay produced a series of short videos on football physics. These videos are shown on the jumbotron before the University of Nebraska football games. He also wrote a book on Football Physics.
Dr. Gay also gives hour long public talks on football physics. I saw him give the talk at a meeting a few years ago and it was very good. Through the magic of technology, you can also see one of his talks. He gave a talk at Fermilab in 2005 and they have it available streaming online. This was after I worked at Fermilab so you won't see me in the audience!
I hope you are ready for some bone crushing hits...I know how to use leverage!
Lockheed Aircraft 1940's
Lockheed During W.W.II (unbelievable 1940s pictures) This is pretty neat--special effects during the 1940's: During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air.
BEFORE
AFTER
"Don't be afraid, and don't let these little punks and thugs and rats run your life,” says Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey
Authorities Crack Down on Kenosha Crime
Anti-crime initiative introduced
Crackdown yields nearly 100 arrests in first week
Meanwhile, authorities in Racine have decided to step up their anti-crime efforts with the announcement that additional sand will be trucked into Monument Square this Friday for local politicians and civic leaders to stick their heads into.
"We're not quitting until we don't see a damn thing!" declared one city official.
Anti-crime initiative introduced
Crackdown yields nearly 100 arrests in first week
Meanwhile, authorities in Racine have decided to step up their anti-crime efforts with the announcement that additional sand will be trucked into Monument Square this Friday for local politicians and civic leaders to stick their heads into.
"We're not quitting until we don't see a damn thing!" declared one city official.
Hale Bopp---400 tons of water?
I saw a news article about night shining clouds on the edge iof space. Pretty interesting until I came across the screw up (I think) stating that 400 tons of water from the shuttle exhaust caused one of these clouds to form. Care to give a explanation?
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080901-mm-night-shining.html
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080901-mm-night-shining.html
Monday, September 1, 2008
The Pledge of Allegiance Was Written by the Founding Fathers?
Funny that, I thought it was written by Francis Bellamy in the 1890s. It turns out that Sarah Palin does not agree with me on this one. She seems to think it was written by the Founding Fathers with the "under God" line intact. So where did I find this? Moveon? The Huffington Post? The Daily Kos? Or some other liberal site? Well, not quite. The Eagle Forum Alaska (falling solidly on the right) posted a series of questions to Alaskan candidates for Governor in 2006. In repsonse to a question about the Pledge, Palin responded, "If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance."
This was not a live interview...the questions were SENT to the candidates which shows exactly how much research she did answering it (zero). I would rather have someone who takes time and researches her answers than shoots from the hip...when you shoot from the hip, you never know what you are going to hit!
It is educational to look at her answers to these questions. No wonder the far right likes her!
This was not a live interview...the questions were SENT to the candidates which shows exactly how much research she did answering it (zero). I would rather have someone who takes time and researches her answers than shoots from the hip...when you shoot from the hip, you never know what you are going to hit!
It is educational to look at her answers to these questions. No wonder the far right likes her!
$9.99 CDs at Best Buy!?!
I just went to Best Buy this evening and sometime in the last couple of months, they dropped the price of almost every CD to $9.99. I would have thought there would have been a bigger announcement of this. I got the Broadway shows I am missing from my collection (although they did not have Xanadu which I am dying to get and see how this truly awful '80s movie was transformed into a Tony nominated musical). Guess they are feeling the heat from online music sales and lowering prices to compete.
Yeah, as tech geeky as I am, I still buy the CDs. I can rip them and put them on my mp3 player. MP3s are not a lossless format and I still can tell the a certain lack of "pop" in their sound when you get them from iTunes or Amazon.
So audiophile trumps tech geek in this case.
Yeah, as tech geeky as I am, I still buy the CDs. I can rip them and put them on my mp3 player. MP3s are not a lossless format and I still can tell the a certain lack of "pop" in their sound when you get them from iTunes or Amazon.
So audiophile trumps tech geek in this case.
The First Day of Ramadan
I saw the crescent Moon tonight...the first spotting of it (which probably occurred yesterday but it was raining here last night) marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. For the next month, Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset...no food, no water and no sex (although it makes sense, I have always found it odd that it seems to be considered part of the fast!)
Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, so it drifts. Each year it stars about 11 days earlier. I remember several years ago it was in November (that was 2003...I remember a Muslim friend commenting about it at the time). Now you might notice that when Ramadan is in December, well sunrise to sunset fast isn't so bad. In June and July, I imagine it would be a little more trying with the longer days. And I admit I occasionally wonder weird things like what if a Muslim lives north of the Arctic Circle and its light 24 hours a day? One source I found says they go by the sunrise and sunset times in Mecca.
Last year we had the first Muslim in space during Ramadan and they issued special rules for him in space. I mean, you get about 18 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours and its pretty tough to stay constantly facing Mecca while in orbit (and keeling isn't so easy either!)
I have looked up the proper greeting, so I leave with with Ramadan Mubarak and Salaam.
Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, so it drifts. Each year it stars about 11 days earlier. I remember several years ago it was in November (that was 2003...I remember a Muslim friend commenting about it at the time). Now you might notice that when Ramadan is in December, well sunrise to sunset fast isn't so bad. In June and July, I imagine it would be a little more trying with the longer days. And I admit I occasionally wonder weird things like what if a Muslim lives north of the Arctic Circle and its light 24 hours a day? One source I found says they go by the sunrise and sunset times in Mecca.
Last year we had the first Muslim in space during Ramadan and they issued special rules for him in space. I mean, you get about 18 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours and its pretty tough to stay constantly facing Mecca while in orbit (and keeling isn't so easy either!)
I have looked up the proper greeting, so I leave with with Ramadan Mubarak and Salaam.
Another Math Chick...
A few weeks ago I blogged about Danica McKellar's math books. It turns out that Paula Poundstone has also coauthored a couple of math books: You Can't Keep Slope Down, The Sticky Problem of Parallelogram Pancakes and Venn Can We Be Friends.
Unlike McKellar's books, Poundstone's books are not targeted quite so much at girls. With her sense of humor, I am betting boys would probably be just as amused by them.
Paula Poundstone is performing here in Tucson Friday night...I won't be able to go since I have an improv show Friday night.
Unlike McKellar's books, Poundstone's books are not targeted quite so much at girls. With her sense of humor, I am betting boys would probably be just as amused by them.
Paula Poundstone is performing here in Tucson Friday night...I won't be able to go since I have an improv show Friday night.
Eric Gange pees away another one for the Brewers
The best thing Eric Gagme did for the Brewers was to be on the disabled list for a good chunk of the season. Today, he pees away another game like he did in Chicago. How many millions did the Brewers pay for this guy? The only other entity that can throw money away like that is the government.
About the time you think that you have it rough....
along comes someone else who has it rougher....
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/01/people.sean.combs.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/01/people.sean.combs.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/technology/30comcast.html?em
Oh no! This reminds me of when I first signed on for dial-up. They had two plans, one which allowed for X number of hours online per month, and one which allowed for unlimited time online. The guy who was helping me set up for the net said I should sign up for the limited access deal because there was no way a normal person would spend more time than that online. Well, I knew I wasn't normal, I signed up for the unlimited access, and I haven't looked back since. Now I have Road Runner Turbo. I'd have Business Class if I could afford it. Time Warner has also been conducting trials of internet metering and I assume that we can expect them to folow suit.
Anyway, as the article states, this isn't about the amount of time you spend online, it's about the amount of data that you download. And I really don't know how much I download on average. I used to use a peer-to-peer file sharing program similar to the old Napster to download music. (Forgive me RIAA, for I have sinned.) I still have it installed, but don't use it anymore. Turns out that I just don't have the time/inclination to listen to much music.
And last week I downloaded the Olympics opening ceremony for a friend. Over 4GB of data, downloaded overnight, but that's very rare for me. I had to reinstall the BitTorrent software on the spare computer to do it. What I'm much more likely to go after these days are flash files from YouTube, or other video files that I encounter or which friends send me. Most of those are under 10MB.
I don't think a 250GB monthly limit would affect me, but I don't like what this portends: internet service charges based upon usage of the net, not a one-size-fits-all policy. That's only fair, I suppose. I'm going to install some sort of bandwidth monitoring software to get an idea of my monthly usage. Anyone have any suggestions? A Google search turned up this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS177US177&q=bandwidth+monitor&btnG=Search
And I'm going to hurry up and download all 6 seasons of The Sopranos before Time Warner cuts me off. Geez, now I gotta get some larger hard drives to store all this stuff.
Oh no! This reminds me of when I first signed on for dial-up. They had two plans, one which allowed for X number of hours online per month, and one which allowed for unlimited time online. The guy who was helping me set up for the net said I should sign up for the limited access deal because there was no way a normal person would spend more time than that online. Well, I knew I wasn't normal, I signed up for the unlimited access, and I haven't looked back since. Now I have Road Runner Turbo. I'd have Business Class if I could afford it. Time Warner has also been conducting trials of internet metering and I assume that we can expect them to folow suit.
Anyway, as the article states, this isn't about the amount of time you spend online, it's about the amount of data that you download. And I really don't know how much I download on average. I used to use a peer-to-peer file sharing program similar to the old Napster to download music. (Forgive me RIAA, for I have sinned.) I still have it installed, but don't use it anymore. Turns out that I just don't have the time/inclination to listen to much music.
And last week I downloaded the Olympics opening ceremony for a friend. Over 4GB of data, downloaded overnight, but that's very rare for me. I had to reinstall the BitTorrent software on the spare computer to do it. What I'm much more likely to go after these days are flash files from YouTube, or other video files that I encounter or which friends send me. Most of those are under 10MB.
I don't think a 250GB monthly limit would affect me, but I don't like what this portends: internet service charges based upon usage of the net, not a one-size-fits-all policy. That's only fair, I suppose. I'm going to install some sort of bandwidth monitoring software to get an idea of my monthly usage. Anyone have any suggestions? A Google search turned up this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS177US177&q=bandwidth+monitor&btnG=Search
And I'm going to hurry up and download all 6 seasons of The Sopranos before Time Warner cuts me off. Geez, now I gotta get some larger hard drives to store all this stuff.
"Russia Web site owner killed after arrest"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10029798-38.html
And we thought we had censorship problems.
Is it true that "Ingushetiya" is Russian for "Irregular"?
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Viva independance
Sometimes you have to be responsible and do the right thing. Such was the case when I grounded myself from driving. The legs had gotten too screwed with this progressive crap of mine aand I was becoming unsafe. While others go forward and damn the consequences, I'm big on self responsibility.
Today we installed a set of hand controls someone on the Net tossed my way. It's good to have Bikers helping bikers in the world. My buddy John spent the last four hours on his knees leaning into the car and the end result is a high quality (albet old and with peeling chrome) set of hand controls installed in my car. After three trips around te block, all I can say is YEE HAAAAA. This set is built like a tank so any small amount of dirt and peeling chrome is minor spuds indeed.
Time for some 409 and a rag, and I'll be like down town.
Today we installed a set of hand controls someone on the Net tossed my way. It's good to have Bikers helping bikers in the world. My buddy John spent the last four hours on his knees leaning into the car and the end result is a high quality (albet old and with peeling chrome) set of hand controls installed in my car. After three trips around te block, all I can say is YEE HAAAAA. This set is built like a tank so any small amount of dirt and peeling chrome is minor spuds indeed.
Time for some 409 and a rag, and I'll be like down town.
Bonus Video... I must be in a mood
Raise your rock fist in the air for the god of vocal Ronnie James Dio. Here he performs "Neon Knights" With Heaven and Hell (aka Sabbath). Let there be Rock!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday Night's Lost Video
Not so much a video as a posted song. The Replacements are a band that never got their full due, but deserve it. Plug your ear buds into your monitor, turn up the sound up and just listen........ Within Your Reach by The Replacements.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Spineless Yellow Dog Cowards
Rep. Corey Mason posted a blog regarding Hillary's "momentous" declaration declaring Obama the nominee. When I attempted to post a comment, a message appeared stating that "Comment moderation has been turned on. Your comment will not appear until approved".
Approved??? Approved by whom??? Rep. Mason or some lackey at RJT?
http://my.journaltimes.com/post/RepCoryMason/blog/hillary_puts_obama_over_the_top_secures_her_legacy.html?nc=8/28/2008%205:09:39%20PM
In case my comment does not meet approval here it is:
I've stated it before and I'll state it again: Clinton's support of Obama is lukewarm at best. They want him to lose, period. Hillary is not going to wait another 8 years for a chance at the nomination. She has her eyes firmly set on 2012. The only way to ensure that is a McCain victory.
Approved??? Approved by whom??? Rep. Mason or some lackey at RJT?
http://my.journaltimes.com/post/RepCoryMason/blog/hillary_puts_obama_over_the_top_secures_her_legacy.html?nc=8/28/2008%205:09:39%20PM
In case my comment does not meet approval here it is:
I've stated it before and I'll state it again: Clinton's support of Obama is lukewarm at best. They want him to lose, period. Hillary is not going to wait another 8 years for a chance at the nomination. She has her eyes firmly set on 2012. The only way to ensure that is a McCain victory.
Pray for Rain and God WIll Answer...But It Might Not Rain Where You Want It To!
From the Really Ironic News Department: Focus on the family posted a video on its website (now removed but posted on Youtube) asking people to pray for "rain of bibilical proportions" at Obama's acceptance speech tonight. Well, careful what you ask God for...a malfunctioning sprinkler system at the Pepsi Center went off in a skybox being used by Fox News causing a flood (no word on whether it was of "biblical proportions").
Forecast for Denver today: Sunny and clear. High 81, low 54.
Forecast for Denver today: Sunny and clear. High 81, low 54.
Ripon College gives freshmen free bikes for no-car pledges
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=788470I like this idea. They're using money they would've spent on a new parking lot to fund the program, so that may be short-sighted (a parking lot lasts for years, but there's an incoming class annually), but I like the notion of instilling good habits in young people.
I believe that we absolutely must end our dependence upon others for our energy needs. Our addiction to foreign oil is crippling. It drives our economy, it drives our foreign policy, it drives our national policy, it drives everything. We are NOT a free nation if we have to schlep to the dealer (foreign countries) to score our daily fix. No junkie is free.
In the past, Americans have risen to challenges. Good ol' Yankee ingenuity and all that stuff. It appears to me that there are all sorts of opportunities here for people to get filthy rich with alternative technologies. Can we do it? Will we? Or should we just give in now, sell our soul to the oil man, and blissfully nod off into a petroleum-induced stupor . . . until we wake up tomorrow, screaming in need, and crawl back to the dealer for another angry hit?
Thursday's Funnies Blog
We all need a good laugh, and I just got this in, ENJOY!!!
"I LOVE MY JOB!"
If you don`t laugh out loud after you read this you are
in a coma! This is even funnier when you realize it`s real!
Next time you have a bad day at work think of this guy.
Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers
in Louisiana . He performs underwater repairs on offshore
drilling rigs.
Below is an E-mail he sent to his sister. She then sent
it to radio station 103.2 on FM dial in
Ft. Wayne , Indiana , who was sponsoring a worst job
experience contest. Needless to say, she won.
Hi Sue,
Just another note from your bottom-dwelling brother.
Last week I had a bad day at the office. I know you`ve been
feeling down lately at work, so I thought I would share my dilemma
with you to make you realize it`s not so bad after all. Before I
can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you
with a few technicalities of my job.
As you know, my office lies
at the bottom of the sea. I wear a suit to the office. It`s a
wet suit. This time of year the water is quite cool. So what we
do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered industrial
water heater. This $20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out
of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then
pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose, which is taped
to the air hose.
Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I`ve used it
several times with no complaints. What I do, when I get to the
bottom and start working, is take the hose and stuff it down the
back of my wet suit. This floods my whole suit with warm water.
It`s like working in a Jacuzzi.
Everything was going well until all of a sudden, my butt
started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only
made things worse. Within a few seconds my butt started to burn.
I pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage was done.
In agony I realized what had happened. The hot water machine
had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. Now,
since I don`t have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn`t
stick to it, however, the crack of my butt was not as fortunate.
When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I was actually
grinding the jellyfish into the crack of my butt.
I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the
communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact
that he, along with five other divers, were all laughing
hysterically. Needless to say I aborted the dive. I was
instructed to make three agonizing in-water decompression
stops totaling thirty-five minutes before I could reach the
surface to begin my chamber dry decompression. When I arrived at
the surface, I was wearing nothing but my brass helmet.
As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of
laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream
and told me to rub it on my butt as soon as I got in the
chamber.
The cream put the fire out, but I couldn`t poop for two
days because my butt was swollen shut.
So, next time you`re having a bad day at work, think about
how much worse it would be if you had a jellyfish shoved up
your butt.
Now repeat to yourself, "I love my job, I love my job,
I love my job."
Whenever you have a bad day, ask yourself, is this a
jellyfish bad day?
May you NEVER have a jellyfish bad day!!!!!
"I LOVE MY JOB!"
If you don`t laugh out loud after you read this you are
in a coma! This is even funnier when you realize it`s real!
Next time you have a bad day at work think of this guy.
Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers
in Louisiana . He performs underwater repairs on offshore
drilling rigs.
Below is an E-mail he sent to his sister. She then sent
it to radio station 103.2 on FM dial in
Ft. Wayne , Indiana , who was sponsoring a worst job
experience contest. Needless to say, she won.
Hi Sue,
Just another note from your bottom-dwelling brother.
Last week I had a bad day at the office. I know you`ve been
feeling down lately at work, so I thought I would share my dilemma
with you to make you realize it`s not so bad after all. Before I
can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you
with a few technicalities of my job.
As you know, my office lies
at the bottom of the sea. I wear a suit to the office. It`s a
wet suit. This time of year the water is quite cool. So what we
do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered industrial
water heater. This $20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out
of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then
pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose, which is taped
to the air hose.
Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I`ve used it
several times with no complaints. What I do, when I get to the
bottom and start working, is take the hose and stuff it down the
back of my wet suit. This floods my whole suit with warm water.
It`s like working in a Jacuzzi.
Everything was going well until all of a sudden, my butt
started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only
made things worse. Within a few seconds my butt started to burn.
I pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage was done.
In agony I realized what had happened. The hot water machine
had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. Now,
since I don`t have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn`t
stick to it, however, the crack of my butt was not as fortunate.
When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I was actually
grinding the jellyfish into the crack of my butt.
I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the
communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact
that he, along with five other divers, were all laughing
hysterically. Needless to say I aborted the dive. I was
instructed to make three agonizing in-water decompression
stops totaling thirty-five minutes before I could reach the
surface to begin my chamber dry decompression. When I arrived at
the surface, I was wearing nothing but my brass helmet.
As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of
laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream
and told me to rub it on my butt as soon as I got in the
chamber.
The cream put the fire out, but I couldn`t poop for two
days because my butt was swollen shut.
So, next time you`re having a bad day at work, think about
how much worse it would be if you had a jellyfish shoved up
your butt.
Now repeat to yourself, "I love my job, I love my job,
I love my job."
Whenever you have a bad day, ask yourself, is this a
jellyfish bad day?
May you NEVER have a jellyfish bad day!!!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Where Do You Have To Go To Get Away From Computer Viruses?
Well, the answer is farther than the International Space Station! It turns out that a worm designed to steal gamer passwords has popped up on some laptop computers on the International SpaceStation. The good news is that none of the infected computers control things like, oh, life support or guidance systems.
So keep you Windows computers up to date and run your virus protection software...especially before you email someone on the ISS!
So keep you Windows computers up to date and run your virus protection software...especially before you email someone on the ISS!
In Memory of Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eighteen years ago today, Stevie Ray Vaughan played his last concert ever at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy,WI. He shared the bill with Eric Clapton,Robert Cray,and his brother Jimmy Vaughan. After the show he decided to visit his girlfriend in Chicago. His helicopter crashed in the ski hill and was killed instantly. Ironicly, his last song he played was"Sweet Home Chicago"
Stevie Ray was born in Dallas,Texas October 3,1954. Learned how to play guitar at the age of seven. His music career started in Austin ,Texas. He was discovered by David Bowie,who offered him to play on his "Let's Dance" album. Jackson Browne offered him free studio time so he could record and album. The result was "Texas Flood" released in 1983.
Stevie Ray suffered from drugs and alcohol addiction midway though his career. He entered rehab and got cleaned. After rehab, he released critically aclaimed "In Step" in 1989. That was his last studio album.
Please, listen to this guy. His guitarwork is the BEST I've ever heard. Here is his cover of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile(Slight Return)
Stevie Ray was born in Dallas,Texas October 3,1954. Learned how to play guitar at the age of seven. His music career started in Austin ,Texas. He was discovered by David Bowie,who offered him to play on his "Let's Dance" album. Jackson Browne offered him free studio time so he could record and album. The result was "Texas Flood" released in 1983.
Stevie Ray suffered from drugs and alcohol addiction midway though his career. He entered rehab and got cleaned. After rehab, he released critically aclaimed "In Step" in 1989. That was his last studio album.
Please, listen to this guy. His guitarwork is the BEST I've ever heard. Here is his cover of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile(Slight Return)
Illegal Immigrant Raid in Mississippi
I was really annoyed reading this AP article. Oh, boo hoo, the poor "immigrants". Wake up AP, they're not "immigrants", they're "ILLEGAL immigrants", and, yes Mr. Foxworth, they are also criminals and should be treated as such.
I found it interesting that other people in the plant were applauding as they were being removed.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411462,00.html
I found it interesting that other people in the plant were applauding as they were being removed.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411462,00.html
HEY hALE BOPP! Moon landing hoax
News has it the myth Busters are going after the moon hoax wednesday. If we landed on the day side, and we have such powerful telescopes, why aren't we able to see the lander from afar? Wouldn't this settle all arguments once and for all? Where are the pictures we have certainly(?) been able to take for decades? I've always thought it'd be cool to have a telescope generated picture of the lander base.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Luke Warm Endorsement
Just watched Hillary's speech. At best, I thought it was a luke warm endorsement of Obama. I thought of it this way: How would I feel if someone was asked: What is AA's best quality? And they answered: He's always punctual.
GLAST...Oops, Fermi Releases First Light Image
NASA today officially renamed the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope after Enrico Fermi (kind of surprising to me since Fermilab was already named after him). Fermi, as the name implies, looks at the universe in gamma rays rather than visible light. Gamma rays are the high energy photons that come from supernova remnants, pulsars, and matter falling into black holes, all that exotic, fun stuff.
The satellite was launched June 11th and has been undergoing it checkout since then. Today, they released the first light image.
This image shows the gamma ray intensity all over the sky. You can clearly see the plane of our galaxy and the center of our galaxy. Several well known strong sources are marked. You can also see a very dim (blue) diffuse background everywhere. One of the goals of the mission is to try and discover the source of this diffuse gamma ray background.
Another main goal is to find out what all the gamma ray sources are. NASA produced a neat poster a few years ago showing all the gamma ray sources and many of them were listed as "Unknown". Fermi has much better sensitivity and resolution so we can start figuring out what these things are.
Fermi also carries a Gamma Ray Burst Monitor. Gamma ray bursts are these really powerful explosions from the far reaches of the universe thar are caused by massive supernovas, black hole mergers, and cool stuff like that. It has been seeing about one a day so far. The increase in detection rate will help study these weird events as well.
I have worked on the Education program for GLAST since 2002 and had an invite to the launch (and couldn't make it due to another meeting). I did get to tour Spectrum Astro up in Phoenix in 2007 when they were building Fermi...got to don the whole bunny suit and go in the cleanroom (since they do DOD work, cameras were streng verboten so I have no pictures of that).
I am sure I will have an occasional blog on Fermi as time goes on and it releases major discoveries. I am just glad to see it up and working after being a small part of the team for the last six years!
The satellite was launched June 11th and has been undergoing it checkout since then. Today, they released the first light image.
This image shows the gamma ray intensity all over the sky. You can clearly see the plane of our galaxy and the center of our galaxy. Several well known strong sources are marked. You can also see a very dim (blue) diffuse background everywhere. One of the goals of the mission is to try and discover the source of this diffuse gamma ray background.Another main goal is to find out what all the gamma ray sources are. NASA produced a neat poster a few years ago showing all the gamma ray sources and many of them were listed as "Unknown". Fermi has much better sensitivity and resolution so we can start figuring out what these things are.
Fermi also carries a Gamma Ray Burst Monitor. Gamma ray bursts are these really powerful explosions from the far reaches of the universe thar are caused by massive supernovas, black hole mergers, and cool stuff like that. It has been seeing about one a day so far. The increase in detection rate will help study these weird events as well.
I have worked on the Education program for GLAST since 2002 and had an invite to the launch (and couldn't make it due to another meeting). I did get to tour Spectrum Astro up in Phoenix in 2007 when they were building Fermi...got to don the whole bunny suit and go in the cleanroom (since they do DOD work, cameras were streng verboten so I have no pictures of that).
I am sure I will have an occasional blog on Fermi as time goes on and it releases major discoveries. I am just glad to see it up and working after being a small part of the team for the last six years!
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