Saturday, December 31, 2011
Neil Gaiman's New Year Wish
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Bill Belichick is 9-2 ATS in season finales as head coach of the Patriots with 9 of those games going over the total. This is even more impressive when you realize the Patriots may not have been really trying to win that Doug Flutie drop-kick game against the Dolphins in 2005 (because a loss allowed them to play the Jaguars instead of the Steelers in the first round)... Heh heh - Occupy Wall Street Lego version - "Occupy my nightstick!"... Did not realize this - Michael Gambon who is best known for playing Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies also played Mafia boss Don Faranzano in the 1991 movie Mobsters starring Christian Slater... Here's an idea for a new TV channel - ESP-N - the Extra Sensory Perception Network. You could have psychics making sports picks and predictions for upcoming sporting events... 100 incredible pictures taken from airplanes... Who knew? All ten of the most commonly used verbs in English are irregular verbs... Put on the meat ponchos! Like tasty gravy to a hungry wolf! Two phrases that definitely should be used by NHL announcers for goal scoring plays... Very cool insect photographs... The other day I seriously had the voice of Burgess Merideth as Rocky's trainer Mickey saying, "Newt Gingrich craps bigger than Ron Paul" stuck in my head. Seriously... Neat quiz. Who said it: Jack Kennedy or Jack Donaghy? I went 9 for 9.
Bill Belichick is 9-2 ATS in season finales as head coach of the Patriots with 9 of those games going over the total. This is even more impressive when you realize the Patriots may not have been really trying to win that Doug Flutie drop-kick game against the Dolphins in 2005 (because a loss allowed them to play the Jaguars instead of the Steelers in the first round)... Heh heh - Occupy Wall Street Lego version - "Occupy my nightstick!"... Did not realize this - Michael Gambon who is best known for playing Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies also played Mafia boss Don Faranzano in the 1991 movie Mobsters starring Christian Slater... Here's an idea for a new TV channel - ESP-N - the Extra Sensory Perception Network. You could have psychics making sports picks and predictions for upcoming sporting events... 100 incredible pictures taken from airplanes... Who knew? All ten of the most commonly used verbs in English are irregular verbs... Put on the meat ponchos! Like tasty gravy to a hungry wolf! Two phrases that definitely should be used by NHL announcers for goal scoring plays... Very cool insect photographs... The other day I seriously had the voice of Burgess Merideth as Rocky's trainer Mickey saying, "Newt Gingrich craps bigger than Ron Paul" stuck in my head. Seriously... Neat quiz. Who said it: Jack Kennedy or Jack Donaghy? I went 9 for 9.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.
The 10 Biggest Comedy News Stories of 2011
America's Secret 1980s War With ... Sweden?
Interesting article on Erez Lieberman Aiden a pan-disciplinary scientist.
With contract up, Pats coordinator O'Brien could be on the move
Goon looks like a pretty funny movie - I'll see it
If you bet your favorite NFL team each week on the moneyline, here is what you'd be up or down on the year (w/ table)
Interesting look at Urban Myer and how he's had to change in order to coach again
Interesting look by Chris Jones on Jeff Loria and the recent Marlins moves
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Ron Paul surge is bigger trouble for Barack Obama than Mitt Romney
I agree with the sentiment behind this post. If Ron Paul ran as a third party candidate - he'd take more votes away from Barack Obama than from Mitt Romney. The Occupy Wall Street, the anti-war crowd and those generally disappointed that Hope and Change resulted in more of the same would find a voice for their protests in Ron Paul. Those people make up some of the very base Obama has been pandering to.
The Republican base and the Independents worried about the economy aren't going to forsake Mitt Romney for Ron Paul. Giving up the fringe to get the center is a very good trade for the presumptive Republican nominee.
A third party run by former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson would also hurt Obama much more than Romney. Johnson on the ballot would attract people whose main issues are the environment or legalizing drugs. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think those people voted for Hope and Change the last time around.
The Republican base and the Independents worried about the economy aren't going to forsake Mitt Romney for Ron Paul. Giving up the fringe to get the center is a very good trade for the presumptive Republican nominee.
A third party run by former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson would also hurt Obama much more than Romney. Johnson on the ballot would attract people whose main issues are the environment or legalizing drugs. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think those people voted for Hope and Change the last time around.
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
I am a big fan of Josh Reddick. I thought he was going to be the starting RF in 2012 for the Red Sox. I also think his late season drop-off probably had a lot do do with his injured wrist. Having said that - really like the trade for Andrew Bailey. He becomes the closer and lets Daniel Bard become a starter. The one thing I'm not so hot on is the idea of Bailey keeping number 40 on his uniform. The last closer to wear that number for the Red Sox was Calvin Schiraldi. Bad juju... Who knew? According to Mental Floss "Barry Manilow's hit 'I Write the Songs' was not written by Barry Manilow"... The Boston Celtics have lost 3 games in less than a week. You would have to go back to October to find 3 losses for the Boston Bruins... Just saying but if I owned a zoo - I would make money on the side doing body disposal Mr. Wu on Deadwood style. Good thing I don't own a zoo... This is an interesting nugget via Sports by Brooks, "Keep in mind, [Mike] Leach was only coach in America who offered Adam James a scholarship, at Craig's behest. SMU wouldn't"... Is it possible that Rex Ryan is actually a worse coach than Herm Edwards? When Edwards was done in NYC he at least was able to get another HC job with the Chiefs. When Ryan is eventually fired by the Jets do you think another team will take on his baggage? Even asking the question comparing him to Edwards is an indictment on Ryan... If Drew Brees broke the passing record before Christmas he might have been able to sell a ton of Isotoner gloves... My daughter makes an awesome drink she calles a Ferrero Rocher. It's half Hazelnut coffee and half hot chocolate.
I am a big fan of Josh Reddick. I thought he was going to be the starting RF in 2012 for the Red Sox. I also think his late season drop-off probably had a lot do do with his injured wrist. Having said that - really like the trade for Andrew Bailey. He becomes the closer and lets Daniel Bard become a starter. The one thing I'm not so hot on is the idea of Bailey keeping number 40 on his uniform. The last closer to wear that number for the Red Sox was Calvin Schiraldi. Bad juju... Who knew? According to Mental Floss "Barry Manilow's hit 'I Write the Songs' was not written by Barry Manilow"... The Boston Celtics have lost 3 games in less than a week. You would have to go back to October to find 3 losses for the Boston Bruins... Just saying but if I owned a zoo - I would make money on the side doing body disposal Mr. Wu on Deadwood style. Good thing I don't own a zoo... This is an interesting nugget via Sports by Brooks, "Keep in mind, [Mike] Leach was only coach in America who offered Adam James a scholarship, at Craig's behest. SMU wouldn't"... Is it possible that Rex Ryan is actually a worse coach than Herm Edwards? When Edwards was done in NYC he at least was able to get another HC job with the Chiefs. When Ryan is eventually fired by the Jets do you think another team will take on his baggage? Even asking the question comparing him to Edwards is an indictment on Ryan... If Drew Brees broke the passing record before Christmas he might have been able to sell a ton of Isotoner gloves... My daughter makes an awesome drink she calles a Ferrero Rocher. It's half Hazelnut coffee and half hot chocolate.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Drunken Afternoon with Anthony Bourdain
Very interesting profile of Anthony Bourdain.
I started watching No Reservations about a year or so ago and have become a big fan. Tony just seems like a guy you'd want to have some beers or a meal with. This piece seems to catch the essence of the man you see on TV.
I started watching No Reservations about a year or so ago and have become a big fan. Tony just seems like a guy you'd want to have some beers or a meal with. This piece seems to catch the essence of the man you see on TV.
Corn Ethanol Subsidy to Expire
Congress ends corn ethanol subsidy.
Good news. This was one of the biggest boondoggles in US history. People are upset at wastes of money like the Solyndra "investment" - and rightly so - but the ethanol subsidy with the dollar amounts involved and the willing suspension of belief for political gain dwarfs the green money grab.
Also interesting that this public good was accomplished not by Congress being proactive and fixing a wrong but by Congress being inactive and just letting the subsidy to expire.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.
Don Cherry's piano desk is awesome. I absolutely loved this.
The scale of Saturn. I love these items which give real-world examples of the scale of things.
Congressmen keep getting richer in a bad economy. Where's the outrage? Where's the legislation to prevent abuse of public trust for personal gain?
Time to trade Kevin Youkilis? Now that the Red Sox traded Jed Lowrie - I see this as very unlikely. If they do trade Youkilis for prospects - then it will be a cost cutting move designed to get the team under the luxury cap.
China moved ahead of Japan and Brazil passed the UK in terms of GDP in 2011. We live in a rapidly changing world.
Speaking of living in a rapidly changing world - here's a one ton 5MB hard drive from 1956. Today that amount of storage would fit in your pocket on a thumb drive.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Mitt Romney at Harvard
Interesting look at Mitt Romney's time at Harvard.
Problem solving was his specialty. Sounds like something that would be important given the problems we are having.
Problem solving was his specialty. Sounds like something that would be important given the problems we are having.
Mark Sanchez by the Numbers
Is Mark Sanchez a good QB? I have to say no and the numbers agree with me.
In QB rating - Sanchez is 22nd in the NFL with a 79.5 rating - just below Tarvaris Jackson.
In passing yards he's 15th in the NFL but when it comes to yards per game he's a miserable 24th.
Sanchez is a respectable 8th in TD's passes but he's also 7th in interceptions.
In the other bad things category - Sanchez is tied for 5th in sacks, 6th in fumbles and 1st in fumbles lost.
Those numbers just don't add up to equal a winning equation. As a Patriots fan - I hope they stick with Sanchez. Them getting a Kellen Moore in the mid rounds of the draft and him becoming their Tom Brady is what I'd fear. But the way the team is managed my guess the only way something like that happens would be by accident.
In QB rating - Sanchez is 22nd in the NFL with a 79.5 rating - just below Tarvaris Jackson.
In passing yards he's 15th in the NFL but when it comes to yards per game he's a miserable 24th.
Sanchez is a respectable 8th in TD's passes but he's also 7th in interceptions.
In the other bad things category - Sanchez is tied for 5th in sacks, 6th in fumbles and 1st in fumbles lost.
Those numbers just don't add up to equal a winning equation. As a Patriots fan - I hope they stick with Sanchez. Them getting a Kellen Moore in the mid rounds of the draft and him becoming their Tom Brady is what I'd fear. But the way the team is managed my guess the only way something like that happens would be by accident.
Live from New York
. If you are a fan of SNL - I highly, highly recommend the book. I knew this before but the book cemented the notion that Lorne Michaels is a genius and the show never would have survived or prospered without him. Those that say otherwise are just jealous. Some nuggets gleaned from the book include the fact that Billy Crystal was supposed to be part of the original cast, Janeane Garofalo was a miserable self-entitled succubus on the show (all her excuses for her failure on the show were rendered moot by Tina Fey's success in almost the same circumstances - oh and Chevy Chase was a jerk.For what it's worth - here are my Top 10 SNL Cast Members:
1. Eddie Murphy - I will not argue this
2. Dan Aykroyd - I give him the nod over Belushi just for longevity
3. John Belushi
4. Gilda Radner - people are forgetting how awesome she was
5. Phil Hartman
6. Bill Murray
7. Mike Myers
8. Chris Farley
9. Will Ferrell
10. (tie) Jimmy Fallon, Adam Sandler and Tina Fey
You could actually change the order of pretty much everybody after Eddie Murphy and I wouldn't complain too much.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Day After Christmas Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations on the day after Christmas.
Happy birthday to Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk... Have you seen those Subway ads where the hot girls will be your "girlfriend" in exchange for a sandwich? I'd like to work there. Sandwich whores sure are a hell of a lot cheaper than coke whores... You never see lumps of sugar anymore. When did lumps of sugar fade into history? Now you just have packets of sugar. You would think the eco-freaks would go after this change... I like to think that the NAPA-know-how commercials are about how to give oral to African-American women because otherwise it is just two guys serenading each other about auto parts which is twice as weird and not in a good way... OK - I'll say it! The Patriots have 3 QB's on their roster who are probably better than Mark Sanchez. Tom Brady obviously is better but Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are probably better too... Do Italian children write Dear Sinatra letters the way others write Dear Santa letters?... Norv Turner would have had this Jets team in the playoffs...
Happy birthday to Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk... Have you seen those Subway ads where the hot girls will be your "girlfriend" in exchange for a sandwich? I'd like to work there. Sandwich whores sure are a hell of a lot cheaper than coke whores... You never see lumps of sugar anymore. When did lumps of sugar fade into history? Now you just have packets of sugar. You would think the eco-freaks would go after this change... I like to think that the NAPA-know-how commercials are about how to give oral to African-American women because otherwise it is just two guys serenading each other about auto parts which is twice as weird and not in a good way... OK - I'll say it! The Patriots have 3 QB's on their roster who are probably better than Mark Sanchez. Tom Brady obviously is better but Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are probably better too... Do Italian children write Dear Sinatra letters the way others write Dear Santa letters?... Norv Turner would have had this Jets team in the playoffs...
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
AshleyMadison.com Faithful Republican / Unfaithful Husband "endorsement" of Newt Gingrich was genius. The billboard in Pennsylvania probably cost a few thousand dollars but they are easily getting ten-times that in free exposure... Excellent parody of the David Bowie / Bing Crosby Little Drummer Boy holiday classic... I am glad that the Red Sox did not trade for Gio Gonzalez because he would have cost too much in terms of prospects. I would much rather see the Red Sox commit to making Daniel Bard a starter... Drew Brees cannot get through the gate. The gate is narrow. Also Drew Brees drives a gay parade float... The 50 Funniest Headlines of 2011... "I would like - to feed your fingertips - to the wolverines"... Is it me or have the Boston Celtics draft results from the past several years been awful?... If they made a Broadway play based upon the campaign of Newt Gingrich - the lead could be played by Bernadette Peters... Did I miss the Def Leopard Christmas Special? Damn every year I miss that... I absolutely love this idea:
AshleyMadison.com Faithful Republican / Unfaithful Husband "endorsement" of Newt Gingrich was genius. The billboard in Pennsylvania probably cost a few thousand dollars but they are easily getting ten-times that in free exposure... Excellent parody of the David Bowie / Bing Crosby Little Drummer Boy holiday classic... I am glad that the Red Sox did not trade for Gio Gonzalez because he would have cost too much in terms of prospects. I would much rather see the Red Sox commit to making Daniel Bard a starter... Drew Brees cannot get through the gate. The gate is narrow. Also Drew Brees drives a gay parade float... The 50 Funniest Headlines of 2011... "I would like - to feed your fingertips - to the wolverines"... Is it me or have the Boston Celtics draft results from the past several years been awful?... If they made a Broadway play based upon the campaign of Newt Gingrich - the lead could be played by Bernadette Peters... Did I miss the Def Leopard Christmas Special? Damn every year I miss that... I absolutely love this idea:
@StevanRidley - Double Stuffed Oreos should be called Oreos, and regular Oreos should be called Diet Oreos..
Friday, December 23, 2011
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.
A 2011 Quiz. I got 12 out of 14 but honestly a couple were guesses.
15 of the Greatest Gifts in the History of Presents. It should be noted that France originally was going to give the Statue of Liberty to Egypt. It would have had a veil and have been named something else.
Tom Brady is having one of the greatest seasons in history (that nobody will notice). I really like the comparison to the year Oscar Robinson averaged a triple-double and still finished 3rd in the MVP voting.
Bush 41 backs Mitt Romney for President. Also not a fan of Newt Gingrich.
Dayne Crist reunites with Charlie Weiss at Kansas for a season of NFL preparation.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Joe Strummer
It's been 9 years to the day since the passing of Joe Strummer. Straight to Hell is one of my favorite Clash songs and this is a pretty solid version.
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
I'm a little torn in my AFC West rooting now. I like how Tim Tebow drives some people crazy but I also want Romeo Crennel to succeed so he wins the head coaching job in Kansas City... Boston Celtics doctors can detect Jeff Green's thoracic aortic aneurysm but somehow they completely missed Delonte West and his mental illness... 19 Outstanding Words You Should Be Working Into Conversation... Right now Daisuke Matsuzaka has cost the Red Sox $1.9 million per win. By the end of 2012 John Lackey will have also cost the Red Sox $1.9 million per win... Phil Martelli was great in Young Frankenstein... Christopher Hitchens famously debunked the saying "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in his last column but I have to wonder what he'd have to write about the saying "No pain no gain"?... Speaking of Hitch - I knew Christopher Hitchens better than you... I'm hoping Norv Turner comes out and says that if he had a team as talented as the Jets then he'd have a playoff spot tied up by now. And speaking of the Jets - I agree with the sentiment that if you switched the QB's from the Jets and Giants then the team with Eli Manning would win by 2 TD's... If the government sold its remaining GM stock today taxpayers would lose about $16.5 billion...Who knew? There are more McDonald's in the US then Wendy's, Burger Kings and White Castles combined... Most rational leaders gave thanks at the news of the death of Kim Jong Il but Jimmy Carter sends condolences. He is truly a craven person...
I'm a little torn in my AFC West rooting now. I like how Tim Tebow drives some people crazy but I also want Romeo Crennel to succeed so he wins the head coaching job in Kansas City... Boston Celtics doctors can detect Jeff Green's thoracic aortic aneurysm but somehow they completely missed Delonte West and his mental illness... 19 Outstanding Words You Should Be Working Into Conversation... Right now Daisuke Matsuzaka has cost the Red Sox $1.9 million per win. By the end of 2012 John Lackey will have also cost the Red Sox $1.9 million per win... Phil Martelli was great in Young Frankenstein... Christopher Hitchens famously debunked the saying "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in his last column but I have to wonder what he'd have to write about the saying "No pain no gain"?... Speaking of Hitch - I knew Christopher Hitchens better than you... I'm hoping Norv Turner comes out and says that if he had a team as talented as the Jets then he'd have a playoff spot tied up by now. And speaking of the Jets - I agree with the sentiment that if you switched the QB's from the Jets and Giants then the team with Eli Manning would win by 2 TD's... If the government sold its remaining GM stock today taxpayers would lose about $16.5 billion...Who knew? There are more McDonald's in the US then Wendy's, Burger Kings and White Castles combined... Most rational leaders gave thanks at the news of the death of Kim Jong Il but Jimmy Carter sends condolences. He is truly a craven person...
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