Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Starlings, Unintended Consequences, Gun Control, and 3D Printers

"Any endeavor has unintended consequences. Any ill-conceived endeavor has more." Stephen Tobolowsky
This post on unintended consequences on the Farnam Street blog starts off with the story of how 100 starlings were introduced to Central Park in New York in 1890 by a Shakespeare fan. Today there is somewhere between 45 and 200 million starlings in the US.

Right now there seems to be a rush for some sort of Gun Control legislation with the banning of "Bump Stocks" * at the top of the list. But if Bump Stocks can easily be made via 3D printers couldn't that later easily lead to the outlawing of 3D printers (If you outlaw 3D printers then only outlaws will have 3D printers)? To many this leap will seem plain stupid but I fear to many elected officials this will seem like just a logical next step (my confidence in elected officials is at an all-time low). Look no further than the history of the outlawing of the growing of hemp in the US if you doubt this outcome is possible.

I admit my brain works differently from most people and maybe the connection between unintended consequences, gun control, and 3D printers is just silly. Or who knows - maybe in decades to come it will lead to violent sprees by Mexican 3D Printer cartels. Hey Eugene Schifefelin never imagined the cute little birdies he released in the park causing millions of dollars in crop damage each year.

* I don't own a gun, am not a member of the NRA and I really don't know anything about guns including what a frigging bump stock is (and I am not proud of this ignorance)

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Dolly Parton is a great American. She has promoted reading by giving away 1 million books. ONE MILLION BOOKS A FREAKING MONTH! Wrap your brain around that... "Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts." - Richard Feynman. A quote to keep in mind every time you read a newspaper or an article online... Japanese WFT? Seriously WTF!... I think the word "disseminate" should refer to when a man masturbates to climax... Who knew? Ulysses S. Grant is the only person on regularly used US currency who actually graduated from college... Spherical Bastards would be a good name for a band (bastards no matter what angle you looked at them)... Dolly Parton truly is an American treasure...

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Linky Links

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

- I love stories like this.

- Heh heh

- Seriously? Part of me is convinced this has to be an early April's Fools prank.

- 20 habits to live your best life today

- Wait - Groot is dead? If that's true then why have Vin Diesel play both Groot and Baby Groot?

- Heh heh

- Ed Latimore tries the Wim Hof method. I have to stop writing about wanting to try this and just do it! (Thanks for the link Doug)

Happy Birthday Ralphie

Today is Ralph Nader's 84th birthday and I for one would like to wish him a happy birthday and thank him once again for taking those votes away from Al Gore in the 2000 election. Nader got 3% of the vote nation-wide and who knows how many votes in the closely contested (to put it mildly) Florida vote.

Thanks Ralphie. Don't hold your breath for a birthday card from Al Gore though.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Interesting read

- Venezuela being evicted from its consulate in Miami. They haven't paid the rent since August. Venezuela is a failed state.

- 10 principles to live an "antifragile" life

- Wow - would DISH walk away from satellite TV?

- Yeah probably going to hell for laughing at this too.

- READ!

- Slap Shot was released 41-years ago (yesterday)

Hurt - Johnny Cash



Today would have been Johnny Cash's 86th birthday. The world is a lesser place with him gone.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

The Challenges of DNA Data

Interesting article about the challenges of a future where many people's DNA sequencing is available in database form. As more testing like 23andMe become prevalent - more people will have greater control over their genetic history as an aid to better health. Criminals will also have potentially more data on which to do identity theft and other dastardly deeds. There will be many challenges coming in the near future regarding DNA data and keeping that data safe.

I can't help but think what DNA sequencing data could do for targeted marketing. For instance in the future I picture the equivalent of my 25-year old self one day wondering, "Why am I suddenly getting all of these ads about diabetes, premature gray hair and penis reduction surgery?"

On a bit of a tangent but still related thought - I wonder what DNA sequencing and things like CRISPR will do for animal breeding? Why pay $500,000 for a stud fee for Storm Cat when a groomer can just grab a few hairs which will yield all the DNA data needed?  Can you imagine the future menagerie of custom DNA built dogs?

We are truly sailing into uncharted waters.

Linky Links

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

- Cancer "vaccine" ready for human trials;
Of the 90 mice affected by lymphoma, 87 were cancer-free after the first treatment, and the last three were rid of cancer with a second injection.
- 1816 the year without a Summer

- I can tell you first hand - the lessons of Total Immersion really work! If you swim laps for exercise or relaxation this is a must read!

- Heh heh

- Tolstoy's 10 Rules for Life

- Google's Project Loon utilizes balloons to bring the Internet to remote areas. Meanwhile Elon Musk plans low Earth orbit satellites for broadband. This sort of reminds me of the story of NASA trying to develop a pen that would work in zero gravity while the Russians just went with pencils.

- The Celtics thinking behind the drafting of Brown and Tatum.

When We Was Fab – George Harrison



Today would have been George Harrison's 75th birthday. He was my favorite Beatle.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Justin Trudeau


"Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." - Steve Jobs
Trudeau's India trip is a total disaster - and he has only himself to blame. - Washington Post

Justin Trudeau's India visit deemed a "slow moving train wreck" - CNBC

Somebody Needs to Remind Him He's Prime Minister - Daily Mail

America is going to be better off after Trump. Canada after Trudeau? Not so much.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I've said it before but for me Dustin Pedroia is like a cross between Ryne Sandberg and Begbie from Trainspotting... "Never start a sentence you don't know how to finish." - Paul Dirac... The argument against Amazon - it's the Standard Oil of the 21st Century... The country of Greenland has just 56,000 people. The City of Worcester, Mass has a population of 184,500. It is harder to get elected Mayor of Worcester than Prime Minister of Greenland... Can running help fight the negative aspects of stress on the brain?... Regarding the idea of arming teachers - after 9/11 many people were in favor of allowing pilots to carry arms in the cockpit. Nothing ever became of that... Rio de Janeiro means "River of January". I wonder if somewhere there's a Rio de Febrero?...

EDIT: Pilots are allowed to carry in the cockpit. Mea culpa.

Linky Links

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

- Interesting - possible new Alzheimer's treatment using stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells may be the "miracle cure" of the 21st century.

- Dilbert's Unified Theory of Everything Financial (good to review this ever once and a while for your financial well-being)

- The cold hard facts about freezing to death (hopefully another New England winter has passed without me getting hypothermia)

- Good point

- What ever happened to Brendan Fraser? Brendan Fraser is a very likable human being.

- The Supreme Court has a chance to correct a 40-year old mistake regarding public unions

- This image of Bird just makes me laugh

Friday, February 23, 2018

Watergate and FISA-gate

Victor Davis Hanson does a fine job explaining why FISA-gate is basically Watergate turned upside down.

It is amusing to me that one of the lasting achievements of the Obama Administration may end up being to make Nixon look better in the eyes of history.

Thanks Obama?

Link Links

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

- Wow - mesmerizing! Math for the win!

- Tom Crean on the lessons he's learned during a year away from coaching.

- Good advice (not just for 20-somethings)

- "Of course.Mark knew. Everyone knew." This is not good for Mark Cuban. Goodbye all thoughts of running for President in 2020.

- Heh heh (I miss Hazel Mae working for NESN)

- Just a spring training reminder!

- The "unknown unknowns" about DIY CRISPR sets are scary to me. So much could go horribly wrong.

Iwo Jima


Today is the anniversary of the iconic photo by Joe Rosenthal of raising of the American flag on Mount Suribashi on Iwo Jima. The fighting on the island actually started four days earlier on February 19th. The story of this battle is something every high school student should have to learn before they are allowed to graduate.

Semper Fidelis.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Do You Believe in Miracles



38-years ago today.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Congratulations to the USA Women's Hockey Team on their Gold Medal victory last night over Canada. I could watch the game-winning shootout goal over and over (in fact I have)... I think the crisis of faith in the Catholic Church stems from the fact such a big deal is made over First Communion, But second communion not so much. That's when things start to go off the rails... You might think you've had a cool conversation with a friend but you'll never be as cool as Major John Glenn and Captain Ted Williams discussing flying tactics in Korea cool... If you raped Peter Pan could you be charged with statutory rape? Or could you be charged with elder abuse? How old is Peter Pan? Asking for a friend... Heh heh - no lollipop for you Ray Bourque (I bet Ray is a fantastic grandpa)... Red Sox are paying Pablo Sandoval $18 million not to play in Boston this year. The Yankees are paying Jacoby Ellsbury $21 million each year for the next three years to be a pinch runner. Advantage Boston...  So cool - after last night's game someone changed Maddie Rooney's position from Goalie to US Secretary of Defense...

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Illustrated Periodic Table shows how we regularly interact with each element. I still say the Periodic Table is one of science's great achievements.

- Saddened to hear this news about Tiny Archibald.

- If true this is really disappointing on the part of NOAA. Eroding trust in science and government at the same time.

- Who knew?

- Interesting look at how 40-years ago Israel basically changed from being a socialist nation to a capitalist one and how that change has made all the difference.

- One of the most persuasive arguments I ever read FOR taking PED's. Sadly the author Andrew Tilin recently died when he was hit by a car while biking.

- National Geographic's Photo of the Year.

102nd Anniversary of the Battle of Verdun

Today marks the the 102nd anniversary of one of the events that changed the world forever. On February 21st in 1916 - the Battle of Verdun began. The battle was to change the course of Western Civilization. 

The idea for the battle was from German Chief of Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn. He believed that if he could take-out France with a major set battle and discourage England to a point that Germany could be in a position to negotiate very favorable terms. To accomplish his goals - Falkenhayn proposed unrestricted submarine warfare to starve Britain and a knockout blow against France at Verdun. With this major battle at Verdun, Falkenhayn hoped to "bleed France white".

It was an ambitious plan - an aggressive plan. Falkenhayn knew that to attack at Verdun he'd have to take resources away from the Eastern Front and that unrestricted submarine warfare ran the risk of bringing the U.S. into the war. Falkenhayn reasoned that Russia was on the brink of revolution and internal civil war in Russia would allow them to take those resources from the Eastern Front and that the decisive blow to France would come before the US was dragged into the war. He was right on the former but wrong on the latter.

Verdun seemed the perfect place to attack. It actually jutted out into the German lines - so it could be attacked from three sides. It was also of historical and psychological significance to Frenchmen (somewhat akin to what the Alamo is to Americans).

The job of attacking Verdun fell to German Crown Prince Wilhelm. He planned to assault the town from both side of the surrounding Meuse River but that plan vetoed by Falkenhayn. After coming up with a daring, aggressive plan - Falkenhayn was suddenly cautious. Falkenhayn ordered the attack to be confined to one side of the river. Similar to a poker game, Falkenhayn was beaten on the river. Falkenhayn had pocket Aces of a plan but he failed to put enough chips at risk to drive the other player out. By not being aggressive when he should have he gave France free cards and allowed himself and Germany to literally be beaten on the river.

With so many people who eventually died in the battle, a poker analogy may seem flip but the fact is the Germans had one million troops against 200,000 defenders. They did hold Aces before the battle.

When the attack finally began, the Germans bombarded Verdun with 1,400 guns that rained Verdun with 100,000 shells every hour. The Germans failed to immediately follow up the bombardment with an full-scale infantry attack and what resulted was a stalemate which was to last for months and months.

The dead and wounded from both sides piled up so that both countries were being "bled white". The French begged Britain to open up a diversionary attack elsewhere on the Western Front to drain resources and men away from Verdun on the German side. Thus the Battle of the Somme was born. 

By the time the battle of Verdun ended almost one million casualties had been inflicted in roughly equal numbers for both sides. The Battle of the Somme resulted in about 1.1 million casualties (about 400,000 British, 200,000 French and 500,000 German). The unrestricted submarine warfare resulted in the Americans being dragged into the War (remember that President Woodrow Wilson was elected on a peace platform). The American joined the fight just as both sides were literally exhausted from being "bled white" from Verdun and the Somme and the rest is history (including the harsh terms imposed on Germany that led to the rise of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party).

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Case of the Poison Apple

While reading the book The Strangest Man (The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom) I came across this surprising paragraph;
In the early autumn of 1925, he [Patrick Blackett] tutored Oppenheimer at the laboratory bench, teaching him the craft of experimental physics, for which Oppenheimer had little aptitude, as he well knew. With the peculiar logic of neurosis, Oppenheimer decided to get his own back by anonymously leaving on Blackett's desk an apple poisoned with chemicals from the laboratory. Blackett survived but the authorities were outraged and Oppenheimer avoided expulsion from the university only after his parents  persuaded the university not to press charges but to put him on probation, on the understanding that he would have regular sessions with a psychiatrist. 
Oppenheimer is famous in history for saying "I have become death, destroyer of worlds" after the explosion of the atomic bomb. Who knew that in graduate school at Cambridge he also almost became the evil queen poisoner of apples?

Can you imagine how the history of the 20th century could have been much different if in 1925 J. Robert Oppenheimer was put in jail for attempted murder?

Linky Links

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

- I've always fantasized about living in a treehouse (or a sailboat)

- The dirty truth about hand dryers. I hate hand dryers. Bring back paper towels!

- Not all Olympic heroes wear capes

- Bad news for network TV and newspapers - Google and Facebook are dominating the ad business

- Heh heh - Black Panther spoiler

- When the Russians first spoke about American "useful idiots" it is people like Michael Moore they had in mind.

- Austin Carr is a good person

Religious Affiliations of the Super Heroes

I found this very interesting.

Who knew that Batman was a lapsed Catholic who is now an Episcopalian? It was easy to guess that Catholic Girl was Catholic (how come there's no Catholic Avenger? That would be a cool name for the Pope's alter ego and while I'm rambling - who ever heard of Catholic Girl?). But did you know that Ben Grimm (the Thing from the Fantastic Four) is Jewish? Magneto (the X-Men super villian) is also Jewish.

The funniest one I thought was J. Jonah Jameson who is the employer of Peter Parker. His religious affiliation is listed as "hates Spider-man". I just found that amusing.

Here are some of the major super heros / villians and their religious affiliations:

Superman - Methodist 
Spider-Man - Protestant 
Batman - Episcopalian/Catholic (lapsed)
Lex Luthor - Nietzschian atheist (I would have guessed Lutheran)
The Joker - atheist

Monday, February 19, 2018

Bon Scott

On this day back in 1980 Bon Scott died - some say he choked on his own vomit but his death certificate says "death by misadventure" (wouldn't that be a great name for a band?). Anyway - here are what I consider the top 5 AC/DC songs with Bon Scott as frontman.

1. It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)
2. Whole Lotta Rosie
3. Highway to Hell
4. Jailbreak
5. (tie) TNT (tie) Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) may be the most perfect hard rock song ever recorded. There is no way to improve on that song. Not many people know this but Bon Scott wasn't even the original lead singer for AC/DC. It was a guy named Dave Evans who Scott replaced after about a year

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Interesting interview with Dr. Spencer Wells - the man who basically created the commercial market for ancestral DNA testing.

- Not sure if Boston has the requisite number of strip clubs

- Further argument for the legalization of drugs

- What SpaceX means for space exploration. We are looking at a giant step forward.

- Basic mountain bike maintenance

- 12 people you might not have known were Olympians

- Heh heh

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Used to be a big fan of NBA All-Star weekend. Now I probably won't see one second of the 3-point contest, dunk contest or actual game... I love the idea of Pedro Martinez being more involved and hands-on with the pitchers at Spring Training for the Red Sox... Subterranean Beavers would be a good name for a band... This week I was having lunch at a Japanese restaurant when I notice the movie Pearl Harbor was playing on the TV's in the background. I was amused by that (but also slightly uncomfortable)... It has to be said that the world has really gone to hell since the passing of Abe Vigoda. Was he some sort of sentinel guarding the gates of chaos or something?... I really want one of these trucks... A blonde is a blonde. A brunette is a brunette. A redhead is a redhead. So what do you call a woman with black hair? She's not a "black" and definitely not a "Blackhead". And don't come at me with "raven" because that's a bird or a pro football player from Baltimore... 

Shattered - Eddie Vedder & Jeanne Tripplehorn



This video always makes me smile.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Heroes Who Walk the Earth

Abdullah Shrim has helped free hundreds held by ISIS. You can't help but be full of admiration for this man. A man who risks his life doing what he think is right and what his conscience tells him he MUST do.
"But I think my life is worth nothing compared to a tear from the eye of a 12-year-old girl who has been raped." - Abdullah Shrim
ISIS must and will be destroyed. Our nation also must re-evaluate our relationship with Turkey who either is turning a blind eye to this human slavery or is assisting it.

The United States should be helping people like Abdullah Shrim. And our help MUST be much more tangible than pathetically frowning and holding signs.

Linky Links

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

- Skydio R1 - cool technology but I couldn't help but think police might benefit most from the product.

- This is cool! Couldn't help but wonder where the V1 bomb ended up landing though?

- Rob Gronkowski is a good person

- This is true

- Remind me again on why we are in the UN?

- Marc-Andre Fleury is a good person too. Here's the video.

- Who knew? We have a major shrimp trade deficit in the US. Shrimp made up more than 1% of the total US 2017 trade deficit.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Charlie Munger


“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”“Acknowledging what you don’t know is the dawning of wisdom.” “People are trying to be smart—all I am trying to do is not to be idiotic, but it’s harder than most people think.”

It is good practice to review the words and lessons of the great Charlie Munger every once and a while.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

For the record I have no problem with Josh McDaniels walking away from the Colts Head Coach job at the last minute. You know there was doubts about leaving a great organization for one run by a buffoon. McDaniels now gets to stay and continue to work with the best QB and best coach of all-time and I'm sure Robert Kraft gave him a very nice bump in pay. No problem at all... Heh heh... Breast Milk Cheese would be a good name for an all female punk Barry Manilow cover band... Heh heh... "I went to my doctor and told him 'My penis was burning' he said 'That means someone is talking about it'" - Garry Shandling (one of my favorite quotes)...  One of the greatest scenes in TV history... OK - I'll be honest - I've watched this several times and I still don't know how to fold a fitted sheet. I'm not just the domestic sort I guess...

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Taxing the Internet

There's a bill currently in Georgia that would basically tax the Internet.
[Rep. Jay] Powell's measure would replace that lost revenue with a broader tax base, imposing a sales tax on music downloads, streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, and other digital purchases.
Powell is co-Chair of the Rural Development Council and heads the House Ways and Means Committee so you would have to guess there's a good chance this bill becomes law in Georgia.

The revenue from the bill would supposedly go to fund broadband expansion for those areas of the State that are currently "unserved" by high speed broadband. That's a commendable goal but is this the right way to go ahead and fund something like that? I can see other states following suit just to get the funds without the commendable goals.

The TEA in TEA Party stood for "Taxed Enough Already" and I can foresee a measure like the Georgia Bill spreading to other states also potentially giving rise to a rebirth of the Tea Party. Maybe Apple and Google can use their considerable hoarded wealth to lobby to help stop this from happening.

Linky Links

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

- Wim Hof Method 10-week video course. Actually thinking of doing this.

- I agree with this theory

- Interesting - the topography of Mars

- Heh - the song known as "Kumbayuh" is actually "Come By Here" but people couldn't understand the Gullah dialect in which it was sung

- David Bowie foresaw the impact of the Internet on content distribution as far back as 1999.

- Part of me is happy I won't live long enough to see the robots take over the world

- Heh heh - awesome!

Happy 95th Birthday to Chuck Yeager

Today is General Yeager's 95th birthday. Happy birthday General!

I'm guessing if you asked him - he would probably be more proud of this accomplishment than of breaking the sound barrier.

Speaking of breaking the sound barrier.

And here's another example why Chuck Yeager is the man!

Monday, February 12, 2018

Linky Links

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

- This is a REAL scandal. Why isn't the ACLU involved yet? Why isn't the MSM covering this? Maybe it's time to get rid of the FISA Court all together.

- Wow - never noticed this before but just move the part in the hair to the other side. Maybe Mitt Romney is secretly the Highlander?

- This is taking Olympic sponsorship to a whole other level.

- I agree - this is the coolest photo I'll see this week

- Heh heh

- Once a Marine always a Marine. Very touching.

- The Ecstasy of Saint Lindsay?

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Forever the Truth - Forever a Celtic

Paul Pierce

Tonight Paul Pierce will have his number retired during the Boston Celtics game vs the Cleveland Cavaliers. On sports talk radio in Boston they are debating his place in the Celtics all-time pantheon. Is he in the top 5 of all-time Celtics? Well he's obviously behind Bill Russell and Larry Bird. Behind John Havlicek too. What about Cousy, McHale and don't forget former MVP Dave Cowens? Talk about a wealth of riches.

What struck me was the thought of what if Paul Pierce wasn't a Celtic? He probably would be THE greatest player in franchise history for the following teams; Toronto, Brooklyn/New Jersey (I'm going to say that he's better than Buck Williams), Milwaukee, Charlotte, Los Angeles Clippers (Blake Griffin was traded before having a chance to pass Pierce), Memphis and the New Orleans Hornets (the New Orleans Jazz had Pistol Pete).

Think of that - 7 franchises for whom Paul Pierce would be their greatest player of all-time. Paul Pierce is one of those players who most likely won't get his historical due.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Climate Change

The climate is changing (but in geologic terms the climate is always changing). And the science is far from settled.

The Earth's magnetic field is shifting - the magnetic poles may flip and this could get bad. The magnetic poles have changed hundreds of times in Earth's history and the scientists don't know why this happens. The Earth's magnetic field protects us from harmful solar and cosmic rays. How will a weakened magnetic field effect the climate or life on this planet? Nobody knows.

But don't worry - people who also don't understand why or how this happens are saying it won't be all that bad. The article states, "it's actually a good thing that the current switch is taking a long time to happen because it means the human race has time to prepare for it." Prepare for it how? Stocking up on SPF 30 sunblock? Moving to underground cities? Weaning ourselves off anything that runs on electricity? 

Couldn't the same be said to those who believe in man-made climate change? The seas are rising but very slowly giving those who live on the coasts plenty of time to move inland. Oh and this warming is going to be great for Siberian farmland - goodbye world hunger!

Then you throw in the fact we are probably in a Solar Minimum (another natural occurrence scientists don't understand) and the picture of what's happening gets even more muddled. Not to mention the Earth's "wobble" is also changing. We really have no idea scientifically what's going on.

Look I think everyone agrees that pollution and waste are bad and we should be working to reduce both. What drives me nuts is the "science is settled" idiots. Scientists actually have no real idea what is happening or why.

People who deny this should be thrown into active volcanoes to appease the angry Science Gods.

Friday, February 09, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Heh heh (as an aside Pope's Funeral would be a good name for a band)

- This is actually some pretty cool technology

- Good life advice when facing any major decision

- 11 out of 12 Boston fans wish ESPN was as quick as the Herald was in fixing a known falsehood

- Heh heh

- And along those same lines

- Maybe this is also why Prince Charles is so anti-Semetic

National Pizza Day



Today is National Pizza Day and in Boston the above is what many first think of when hearing the word "pizza".

I miss the pairing of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy.

Interesting Question


"What if Elon Musk's just committed the perfect murder?" - Jim McCauley

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Thinking about changing my name to Sugar Ray Chris Lynch. Just like the idea of people calling me Sugar Ray... You have to assume that when you order a Tesla one of the color options for the cars will be Mars Red... Just started watching old Frasier episodes... Seriously - I've decided to self-identify as Sugar Ray. Please respect my Sugar Rayness... Am I the only one who misses the old silly Internet?... Sorry but after the fake Trump nudes photos prank - every time I see Representative Adam Schiff's name my brain shouts "Baba Booey!!"... Reminder - Hollywood once put out a movie (not a porn) called Anus Macgillicutty... Never mind. Call me Marvelous instead...

Thursday, February 08, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Socialism fights obesity! And true socialism has yet to be tried!

- The women who took on the mafia

- This was really cool

- The government really shouldn't be making dietary rules. Historically they are always wrong when they do.

- The Boston Bruins have quietly become one of the elite teams in the NHL. And coach Bruce Cassidy should be the leader for NHL Coach of the Year.

- Long article but worth it to get to suggestions on how Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein can fix the mess the FBI is in with the Mueller investigation.

- "The coolest photo I have ever seen"

Saint Cornelius of Ireland

Though not widely remembered today - at one point Saint Cornelius of Ireland (not to be confused with Saint Cornelius of Antioch) was second in popularity in the Emerald Isle only to Saint Patrick. 

Saint Patrick is remembered for driving the snakes out of Ireland. Saint Cornelius was said to have driven the squirrels out of Ireland. This "miracle" of Saint Cornelius later proved to be his undoing. During the Great Potato Famine starving Irishmen and women wished they had tasty squirrel meat to eat and they cursed Saint Cornelius for driving out the furry rodents. In response to this outrage - Pope Pius IX removed Cornelius from the roll of official Catholic Saints. 

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Awesome


Top 5 - Worst New England Patriots Losses

Disappointed in Sunday's Super Bowl loss but it is not close to the worst Patriots loss in my lifetime. Here's how I'd rank them.

1. 2007 Super Bowl loss to the Giants - this was supposed to be the "perfect" season. If this game is played 100 times the Giants maybe win once and guess what happens? Silver lining was that Tom Coughlan was respected in Boston by many for what he did for BC football so we felt good for him.

2. 2006 AFC Championship game 38-34 loss to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. This one really hurt. Indy went on to win Super Bowl LXI over the Bears. The Patriots would have destroyed Chicago.

3. Giants Super Bowl XLVI loss. Not only did it give Eli Manning and the Giants two Super Bowl wins over the Pats but believe it or not there was a bit of a vibe that the end of the road was near for Tom Brady. That was six years ago.

4. 1978 preseason game vs Oakland. This is the game Darryl Stingley was paralyzed by Jack Tatum. Don't even know if this was a loss on the scorecard but we lost Darryl Stingley. Am I a bad person that this isn't higher on my list?

5. Super Bowl XX 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Every male in New England felt much less manly after that beatdown.

The loss to the Eagles Sunday doesn't come close to making the list. Philadelphia was simply the better team - no shame in losing to a better team. The most devastating loss in my lifetime was the 2003 extra innings home run by Aaron Boone off Tim Wakefield. The Yankees went on to win the World Series and the day after that loss I had to drive to NYC for business. When I got there I seriously thought about jumping off a bridge (I take sports much less seriously now).

Iowa Caucus 2020

I am still obsessed with the idea of running for President in 2020. It's not like I have a burning desire for politics or a giant ego that needs to be stroked. It's just that I'm pretty sure I could do better than Martin O'Malley's 0.6% of the vote.

Seriously - you should be able to convince enough strangers to vote for you as a favor or as a joke to do better than 0.6% of the vote. My real goal would be to fall between the 1.8% Mike Huckabee got and the 4.5% Rand Paul got. That should be enough votes to earn at least a single delegate. Me and that lucky delegate would party our asses off at the National Convention.

My platform would be simple and straightforward. "I'm a regular guy running for office because I want to send the message of bringing common sense and fairness back to politics." That's my whole platform. Oh - and I would always ask for the order. I would shake people's hand, look them in the eye and not let go until they promised to vote for me come caucus day.

The federal regulations allow a candidate to pay themselves the same salary as the office they are seeking. So I could potentially pay myself up to $400,000 for running for President. Time to line up some heavy duty sponsors!

Lynch 2020. I have to start working on the bumper stickers.

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles and all their fans. Very deserved victory Sunday night. Yes I'm disappointed the Patriots didn't win but you cannot take away from the game the Eagles played. They were the better team... I want this door knocker... When people ask "how are you?" Or "how you doing?" I'm going to answer "I'm aggressively happy" and leave them wondering just what the hell that means... Who knew? Cycling causes more concussions than football... In modern dollars the ransoms paid to release England's King Richard the Lionhearted would have cost over $2 billion (34 tons of gold)...  Heh heh - funny because it's true!... February 14th could easily now be renamed National Shave Your Legs and Pubics Day sponsored by Lady Gillette instead of Valentine's Day and there would be more truth in advertising...

Monday, February 05, 2018

Alice Cooper



Yesterday was Alice Cooper's 70th birthday. He remains one of the most underrated recording artists of the past 50-years and Generation Landslide is one of his most underrated songs. Here's what I'd consider his Top 5 songs:

1. Under My Wheels 
2. Only Women Bleed 
3. No More Mr. Nice Guy 
4. Elected 
5. I'll Never Cry

Just missing the list Is It My Body and Generation Landslide.

Sunday, February 04, 2018

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Just as a reminder - at about the same time all this FISA stuff was happening the FBI was trying to force Apple to give them backdoor "keys" so they could unlock any iPhone...  Bruins will be pulling for the Patriots in the Super Bowl... Has it ever been conclusively proven that Ted Cruz is NOT the Zodiac Killer? Release that memo!... Holy Cross to keep the name Crusaders. Common sense prevails. I can't think of a single alumni that was in favor of a name change. Changing the name would have destroyed alumni donations to the school... The last interview with Kurt Vonnegut... "Is it wrong to gamble, or only to lose?" Sky Masterson Guys and Dolls.  Seems a worthy quote for a Super Bowl Sunday... I'd be good with this...

Tom Brady - 2017 NFL MVP


Go Pats!!

Budweiser Upside Down Clown



In what has become a Super Bowl tradition for me - I'm posting my favorite Super Bowl commercial of all-time - the Budweiser Upside Down Clown. This commercial only ran once because it was so disturbing (butt so damn funny!).

Go Pats!

Friday, February 02, 2018

Linky Links

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

- Interesting look at Bill Belichick the GM and college scout

- There's an amusing element of truth to this

- Check your Comcast bill for unwanted and unasked for fees

- Two pieces of good advice

- A Futile and Stupid Gesture. Enjoyed this Netflix film on comedy genius Doug Kenney. I don't think it's a stretch to claim Doug Kenney had more influence on popular comedy culture than anyone in the past 50-years.

- Definitely how many Democrats view President Trump

- I laugh because I've done this

Top 5 - Quotes from the Movie Groundhog Day

1. "Don't drive angry."

2. "Who wants some flapjacks?"

3. "I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster and drank pina coladas. At sunset we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get that day over and over and over..."

4. It's the same things your whole life. "Clean up your room.", "Stand up straight.", "Pick up your feet.", "Take it like a man.", "Be nice to your sister.", "Don't mix beer and wine, ever.". Oh yeah, "Don't drive on the railroad tracks." 

5. This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.

Baseball's Groundhog Month

Today may be Groundhog Day but February is Groundhog month as far as baseball is concerned.

Starting around this time of year you can count on 6 weeks of stories concerning Scott Boras talking about mystery teams interested in in remaining free agent clients. Also get used to stories about 10-year MLB veterans talking about coming to camp in the best shape of their lives.

Every single year.

Groundhog month all over again.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Do you think you'll see any Goodell Clown Nose T-shirts on TV Sunday night? You know some Patriots fans will be wearing them in the stands. Would make a good Super Bowl prop bet. I'd put the over/under at 1.5.. The power of compounding and the destructive power of taxes all in one image... Spicy Merkin Relics would be a good name for a Violent Femmes cover band... These "kids" grew up knowing Tom Brady was the GOAT...  According to Hammurabi's Code the fetus of a "superior" woman was worth 10 shekels of silver. Don't think it mattered whether the fetus was 20 weeks old or not... Heh heh... Stephen King was innocently out walking one day when he was hit by a car on the back roads of Maine. The "accident" almost killed or crippled him for life and he spent months in the hospital to recover. In his mind I would what sort of evil deeds he's done to deserve such karma?...