Without Warranty

Double Disk, Double Dumb

2005-04-29T17:27:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong, the technology itself is cool. But, what halfwit decided that this was going to be any part of saving the recording industries butt. The brain storming session probably went something like:

Ted: I've got it! We'll combine our music CDs with DVDs and the DVD will contain all sorts of extra stuff that people want.

Jim: Yeah, and with all this added content people can't get online they'll return to buying our product.

Bob: Oh, we can use camcorder footage from the recording session and concert footage to fill the DVD side.

Ted: Awesome idea Bob, that's stuff we already have and consider of no real value. So, why not just give it away.

Jim: And don't forget interviews with the band members, tour photos, and stuff.

Bob: Heck, we could even include tour information and promotionals for our other acts.

Ted: With all this added value we could even charge 20% more than a regular CD.

Boss: Good work gang. I like it!

Frank: But don't people really download music because it's free. And isn't the stuff we're putting on the DVD content that's free to us that we're expecting customers to pay for. Wont someone pirate the DVD content and publish it online? Why is it that we haven't started our own music download site? Why aren't we distributing our product via the medium that our customers prefer? Why don't we develop a high quality compressed digital format and charge a premium for downloads? Why are we trying to hold on to what is clearly a dieing business model?

Boss: Frank! You're fired!

(Frank exits)

Ted: Can you believe that guy.

All: Yeah, what a loser.

Pay No Mind To The Angry Fat Man

2005-04-16T18:32:00.000-04:00

Micheal Moore may have been a documentarian at some point but the films he's most famous for are certainly not documentaries. Moore's films often make interesting points and do so in a comedic fashion. However, Moore emphasizes the later and does so at the expense of the truth.

Moore is certainly not brilliant and seldom provides an original or insiteful view of an issue. Moore trys to pass off his work as a hard hitting documentary. In reality his work simply panders to the extreme left.

Moore hypes his confrontations with supposed authorities. These confrontations amount to nothing more than attacks on the weakest links in the chain. Sure, anyone looks like a mental giant and comes away shining from a battle of wits with a senile old NRA President; why not take on an academic? Or perhaps a politician who's sole qualification for office wasn't being prom king and captain of the football team.

Moore's films aren't without value, hell my views on certain topics actually align with his. But, lets call these documentaries what they really are. Political satire and humor presented in a more formal way than most are accustomed to.

The Value of a Dollar

2005-04-15T19:27:00.000-04:00

There's allot of talk about a weakening dollar these day. Just remember that currency value is a relative measure and is just one factor to consider when evaluating economic health. Furthermore, the relative value of one currency to another is only indirectly related to inflation.

Bankruptcy Legislation

2005-04-14T19:47:00.000-04:00

The latest round of bankruptcy legislation is absurd. This legislation actually makes filing bankruptcy more expensive as a "deterrent". The law also changes income, debt, asset, and expense thresholds for filing bankruptcy, again as a "deterrent". How do either of these act as a deterrent?

Anyone who handles credit irresponsibly or and seeks to abuse the bankruptcy system will dig themselves in as deep as it takes to qualify. Hell, there's nothing to stop people from quitting legitimate work and working under the table. So, how is this a deterrent? If it's a deterrent to one form of abuse it's certainly a motivating factor for other types of financial abuse.

If you want to take some for of primitive action to prevent bankruptcy filings, you must educate people. The proposed laws that would require lenders to tell you how long it will take to pay off your existing debt by making the minimum payments are a good start. Still, I'd go a step further and say that basic finance, including handling credit, should be a mandatory part of every public school education.

Requiring debt/fiance education makes perfect sense. Parents are mismanaging credit and are in no position to teach their children to manage credit effectively. This is where government is supposed to step in and protect the public interest. Government at all levels needs to put the creationist education agenda on the back burner and do something that will not only make a difference but have a lasting and long term positive affect.

In Defense of Google Maps

2005-04-13T19:39:00.000-04:00

Lots of people were talking about privacy concerns related to Googles addition of satellite imagery to its popular, some might say superior, maps site. Other sites have offered for free this same service for a number of years. Besides the images aren't of sufficient clarity or recent enough to possibly threaten ones privacy. So leave'em alone.

Class Action Wanted

2005-04-12T19:25:00.000-04:00

I'd like to see a class action lawsuit against Travelocity for it's use of deceptive techniques when selling airline tickets. On more that one occasion I've found reasonably priced fairs through Travelocity only to have the actual ticket price increase by as much as $200 once I committed to the purchase. Of course by that time I had coordinated my potential travel plans with relatives and friends who were then expecting me to be there. This puts allot of pressure on me to show up and thus pay the increased fair. Travelocity is well aware of it's customers buying habits and in my opinion is purposefully structuring transactions so as to deceive buyers and increase their profit as a result.

Suprise Day Off

2005-04-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

Today I went in to work early only to learn that I could have stayed home because the office was taking the day off. Think I'll get some chores done and play some golf.

The Scary Movie Formula

2005-04-05T20:30:00.000-04:00

Little Kids + Everyday Object + Supernatural = Scary Movie

Thing about it. How many scary movies fit the formula? Grudge, Poltergist, Sixth Sense, The Ring, Amityville Horror, etc.

Do you have a secret?

2005-03-31T20:27:00.000-05:00

Heard about this on NPR. People anonymously send postcards to the site with their secrets written on them. Check it out.

AARP: Americans Against Reform, Period

2005-03-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

Forget social security privatization, do you ever get the sense that the AARP is against changing social security in any way? Just seems that the AARP is sometimes very short sited. Because the AARP's policies are heavily influenced by their membership, they tend not to look past the problems of the immediate generation of retires. Ok, privatization isn't the way to go, so at least open up a constructive dialogue or propose some alternatives for a long term solution. The AARP should wake up, look forward, and start dealing in policy not protest.

Just a Thought

2005-03-29T19:57:00.000-05:00

If Shiavo had been forced to go before the congress, she probably would have communicated more effectively than Mark McGuire inspite of her condition.

What's that H word? Ummm . . .

2005-03-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

You know that H word you'd use to describe the religious right that pushes through tort reform to, among other things, prevent jurisdiction shopping in class action lawsuits filed against corporations while passing new legislation that allows them to find jurisdictions that will side with them on so called moral issues.

Blogger Rights

2005-03-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

I'm sick of winy bloggers griping about free speech, blogger protection, etc. A blog gives you a public voice and with that comes responsibility. If you trash your employer or others on your blog be prepared to accept the consequences. It doesn't matter if you thought you were anonymous when you published it, you're still accountable.

Forget the DNR

2005-03-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

For all those who believe that pulling the plug is "playing God", I have a novel type of advanced directive for you. With the God Only Decides (GOD) Directive you can garuntee that no one will interfere in the almighty's master plan on your behalf. That's right no antibiotics, IV medicines, x-rays, catscans, chemotherapy, CPR, defibrilation, etc. for you. You'll be allowed a natural death of what those liberal wack-jobs would call "easily treatable conditions". And, don't worry there'll be no unplugging you, cause you'll never be plugged in. Get a GOD Directive and get the peace of knowing your life will end at the Lord's chosen time.

Best Maps Yet

2005-03-20T19:08:00.000-05:00

If you haven't used the new Google Maps you should go there now. This service is leaps and bounds better than Mapquest or any of those other services. What's surprising about how they've implemented this is the use of older technologies (client side vs server side). Check out this CNET article to learn more.

Who would you want to decide?

2005-03-18T17:51:00.000-05:00

Multiple Choice: If you were in Terri Shiavo's position, who would you want to decide your fate?

I would want republicans to decide?
I would want religious activists to decide?
I would want my doctors to decide?
I would want my parents to decide?
I would want my spouse to decide?

Choices 1-3 all have something in common. None of these groups of people know anything about your past or your values. Of course you don't want republicans, activists, or doctors to have any say.

Choice 4 seems like a reasonable selection but it has some drawbacks. Sure you love your parents but you didn't pick them out. Most people hold views contrary to those held by their parents on a number of issues. If those issues are relevant to decisions they make on your behalf in your mental absence, do you trust them to apply your values?

Choice 5 seems like the best of the available options. Your spouse is someone you identify with on enough issues that you've chosen to spend the whole of your life (in theory) with them. Given the opportunity your spouse will definitely have greater exposure to you and your values over the years. It seems to make the most sense that in the absence of your own instructions that your spouse make decisions for you.

Policing the Internet

2005-03-17T19:14:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: I don't have kids.

There are a number of software applications and services that claim they can keep your kids from accessing adult content on the web but none of them completely prevent accidental exposure and most can be purposefully circumvented without much effort. How then can parents police their children's internet experience?

Let the kids police themselves. That's right. There's no complete software solution and you can't hover over their shoulder the whole time so you have to let the kids police their own internet surfing. This is accomplished in two ways.

First, you must discuss what is and what isn't appropriate viewing with you children. Be specific regarding the subjects that are off limits and let your kids know that they can come to you if they are unsure about certain content.

Second, you must take steps to monitor your child's surfing. This won't prevent them from viewing material but it will allow you to know what they are viewing. More importantly, this step lets your kids know that you'll know what they are viewing. There are a few monitoring options.

There is of course software that will log every site your computer visits. This is good but it only tells you the URL or website name that was visited. This leaves you checking all these sites for content.

A better approach might be to keep the computer in a public area. Place your computer in a corner of the living room or kitchen. It's allot harder to sneak a peak at that porn site with mom making dinner behind you. The only real draw back of this approach is that you must be present and while you can easily see pictures or large content you can't easily monitor instant messaging or chat.

Finally, I think the total solution is to record the actual computer monitor output. To do this you need a VCR that you can secure to prevent tampering. Next you need a way to route your computer output to the VCR. If you have a video card that supports TV out, then you're all set. Otherwise you can buy such a card or get a splitter for your monitor cable, a coax converter, and a signal modulator (this puts the monitor output on a specific TV channel). Then you'll be able to record everything your kids view on a standard video tape that you can review, in fast forward, at your leisure.

Implement this solution and your kids will know what they should and shouldn't be seeing and will steer clear of that content because they know their being watched. Of course there may be accidental viewing of material but you'll know when it happens and with any luck your kids will report it to you before you go to the tape.

tv.org: How are they still in business?

2005-03-16T21:20:00.000-05:00

On more than one occasion I've stumbled across this site, tv.org. The site claims that you'll be able to download all of your favorite tv shows, movies, songs, and other copyrighted content. Sound to good to be true?

Well wait there's more, they claim they'll deliver this great service to you for a one-time-lifetime registration fee of less than $30. How do they do it?

They don't! From the tv.org terms of service:

THE SERVICE

The fee assessed by TV.org entitles You to access the location, evaluation, and or recommendation of software products available from the web site and for the installation and technical support provided. All software recommendations refer to software that is available without charge to individuals at large for specific purposes.

So, they charge you a fee to point you in the direction of file sharing programs, which the terms of service go onto say may or may not contain malicious applications. A few questions:

How is this a non-profit?
Where's the money going if it's non-profit?
Why hasn't the MPAA, etc. gone after them?
Has the MPAA, etc. just been too busy with the peer-to-peer software providers to bother with these guys?
Why would anyone signup for this service? Admittedly they claim to support these products in some capacity but how much support do these applications need.
Doesn't offering support for these products increase their culpability?
They claim to have lots of users. Do you know of any?

Don't Wanna Be A Cover Band

2005-03-15T18:40:00.000-05:00

The beginnings of an ode to the cover band, sung to the beat of Green Day's
American Idiot. Prompted by a recent experience with Mr. Green Jeans, a
local cover band, and brought to you with full pre-acknowledgement of my personal
lack of lyrical skill. Enjoy . . . or don't!

Don't wanna be a cover band hack.
Don't wanna mime those with talent.
Do you perceive a trace of originality?
There is no value in creativity.

Welcome to that which is familiar.
Minor alteration, now it's not so similar.
Rock star dreams of tomorrow.
We are the ones who're meant to follow.
Not much in that to argue.

.
.
.

Another Brilliant Review

2005-03-14T18:38:00.000-05:00

The Sketch Show, more like The Retch Show. It's honestly hard to imagine a less imaginative or more poorly acted show. The only reason to possibly watch The Sketch Show is to see just how bad TV can be. Though, be warned, watching this program is seriously painful. Listening to a three year olds knock-knock jokes is a more entertaining endeavor. Seriously, the only thing I took away from The Sketch Show was a new found appreciation for reality TV (which until now was, IMHO, the worst thing to ever happen to TV).

Things that make you go hmmm

2005-03-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

If talking to oneself is a sign of insanity, why is keeping a diary or journal considered a habit of the self-aware and introspective? Where does keeping a blog that no one reads fall? What about prompting non-existent readers for feedback?

Oh yeah, and what ever happened to C&C Music Factory?

And, why doesn't the blogger.com spell checker recognize blog as a word?

Not-So-Clever Movie Reviews

2005-03-10T20:57:00.000-05:00

I *heart* Huckabees: more like I *heart* suckabees.
The Grudge: apt description of one's attitude toward the director & screenwriter.
Mr. 3000: 3000+ laughs.
Sideways: worthwhile in so many ways.
Saw: a movie you'll wish you never saw.

Investing for Dummies

2005-03-09T18:36:00.000-05:00

Money drives the market. The company CEO can be flying to Thailand to have sex with shemales and water buffalo and so long as the company's profitable its stock will still do well. The next time you see a big headline pronouncing the latest corporate scandal, look closely at whether it's just juicy gossip or whether it affects the core of the business before deciding to buy or sell.

For example, Choicepoint was hacked and has lots of user info stolen. Choicepoint still had the information and thus it's business remained unaffected. Choicepoint isn't responsible for any harm resulting from the loss of the information. Still many people bailed. The smart ones bailed and then jumped back in once the stock price stabilized. Choicepoint was up 11% the other day because it's still making money and people are quickly forgetting last weeks headline.

Not-So-Sweet Irony

2005-03-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Many of the elected officials who oppose mandatory firearm registration are the same officials who would archive everything from your shoe size to a list of your library rentals in the name of improved national security.

Think About It

2005-03-07T22:30:00.000-05:00

If US forces had deliberately and knowingly opened fire on a former Italian Hostage and her driver in Iraq, what are the chances that the former Italian Hostage would be allowed to live and bear witness? Uh . . . zero. Much easier to explain two accidental deaths than one death and a wounding.

At Least I Think It's Funny

2005-03-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

West coast wine snobs, that poke fun at star wars fanatics, reenacting the journey taken by the characters in the new movie Sideways.
If North Korea and Iran issued statements saying, "Weapons of Mass Destruction don't kill people, people do."
Members of a congress that abused social security funds arguing that private accounts aren't safe.
People believing that using private accounts alone will fix a system created to address the individuals inability to reliable provide for himself.

Oh Canada?

2005-02-10T09:49:00.000-05:00

I wish I could remember which show I was listening to on NPR when I heard this but . . . when speaking of Indonesian attitudes toward the US, someone compared how favorably Indonesians rated the US to how favorably they rated Canada. Their point was that perceptions of America and Canada were equally favorable only a few years ago but the US has now lost allot of ground. I don't doubt the statistics but I have to ask: why Canada? what does this prove?

In my mind, the fact of any national population's like or dislike for another nation is almost meaningless. Ask the average American what they think of Turkey and they'll tell you they love it, especially at Thanksgiving. Ask the average American what they think of Iran or France and you will probably get an unfavorable response. Ask the average American what they think of Canada and they'll likely say, "I don't".

What's my point? Our perceptions of other nations can't help but be shaped by our individual exposure or lack of exposure to news media. If coverage is positive, perceptions tend to be more positive; if coverage is negative, perceptions tend to be more negative; if coverage is non-existent then perceptions may be formed by grouping the nation with nations in close geographic proximity or by some combination of unknown factors.

It's clearly tempting to talk about our like or dislike of nations as though nations are people we know. The reality, however, is that we have no real first hand insight into the behavior or motivation of other nations, so the situation is really more akin to forming opinions based on gossip. It may seem less trite in reality because of the perceived objectivity of the news source but consider this: What is your perception of America if you watch Fox New? What if you watch the BBC? What about Al Jazera? . . . CNN? . . . NBC?

More to the point, what is your perception of Canada vs. the US? The US is indisputably a bigger world player than Canada. As a result people have greater exposure to the US than to Canada, through the news, and naturally are going to have a stronger opinion regarding the US. Conversely, it's reasonable to believe that opinions tend to be more neutral regarding Canada for lack of any basis for forming an opinion.

FYI, in Canada, it is legal to club baby seals to death. How do you like Canada now?

Science Does NOT Require Faith

2005-02-04T13:16:00.000-05:00

Intelligent Design is the latest evolution of Creationism. Creationisim argues that Evolution is absurd because it's inconsistent with a literal interpretation of the Bible (i.e. blasphemy). Intelligent Design is a step forward in as much as its proponents challenge the accepted Theory of Evolution using pseudo-science. Intelligent Design argues that certain biological systems are too complex to have been formed via the successive adaptations of generations and thus these systems were obviously architected by some supreme intelligence.

Before breaking down the Intelligent Design (ID) Theory lets get some definitions out of the way. Micro-Evolution is the gradual change of one species by mutation and natural selection. Through micro-evolution a distinctly separate species (separate in that the new group will not bread with the group which spawned it) may evolve. The existence of micro-evolution is as much a scientific fact as gravity. Macro-evolution deals with the development of complex biological systems from simpler systems, presumably through micro-evolution.

Now, as for ID. The first assertion of ID - that certain biological systems are too complex to form via micro-evolution - is a solid and scientifically defensible assertion. In fact, so obvious is this potential hole that Darwin himself pointed it out. Darwin made it clear that were one to find a irreducibly complex biological system or a complex trait that is required, in whole, for the survival of a species, that this would cast a great deal of doubt on the theory of macro-evolution.

It's the second assertion of ID that removes all credibility from the theory and it's proponents. It should be self-evident that punching a whole in one theory does nothing to prove another. It's a huge jump to assert that evolution is scientifically questionable and therefore an intelligent entity must have guided the development of early life and caused the resulting complexity.

Traditionally one of the most contentious points between creationists and evolutionists has been the evolution of man from early primates -- this subject isn't even addressed by ID. Nor does ID bother to distinguish between micro and macro evolution. Micro-evolution being the process at work in the evolution of man from early primates a process which we've established is observable and factual. Were one to speculate, one might conclude that ID Advocates seek to weaken micro-evolution by lumping it together with and attacking macro-evolution.

Furthermore, intelligent Design is NOT a scientific theory. Intelligent Design makes no testable assertions, as all credible scientific theories do. Intelligent Design, to be believable, requires a leap of faith. Intelligent design is simply a formal statement of beliefs (note it's not even a "system" of beliefs because it is inconsistent within itself) and an attack on a credible scientific theory. Intelligent Design has no place in science or secular education.

Finally, science and religion are not at war, if so only one side of the battlefield is occupied. Science does not seek to discredit religion. Science attempts to explain the world as it is observed. Those who feel that science is an attack on faith must have very little faith. Nothing in the realm of scientific discovery is mutually exclusive with the existence of a God or an intelligent creator. Would any creator/designer that worked through natural or scientific means be less intelligent?

What's wrong with the truth?

2005-02-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

You may have heard that some nut wants to have kids exposed to the idea that being gay is a choice and is unnatural. Equally nutty are those who would have kids learn that people are born gay (and it's therefore not a choice) and is natural (note this is natural in the strict since of the word (i.e. naturally occurring) vice the colloquial usage (i.e. of a known nature) but I digress). Why can't we just tell kids the truth?

The truth is we don't know why anyone is gay. The truth is that there are numerous theories regarding why people are gay. The truth is that most reasonable people would have their children respect if not at least tolerate those born with handicaps as well as those who choose to be Muslim/Christian/Jewish. The truth is that people are gay and, whether that's by choice or design, they are deserving of equal treatment.

Blogging From My Couch

2005-02-02T13:57:00.000-05:00

Sometime during the two months I wasn't blogging I bought a new laptop -- it's actually the first laptop I've owned. I also invested in a wireless router. So now, I'm blogging from my couch, checking email from bed, and surfing from any number of other places. All this of course is very convenient. However, I find myself facing a certain dilemma regarding how to operate my wireless network .

On several occasions I've made use of the unsecured wireless networks maintained by individuals unknown to me. Now, you can either choose to believe that these people would secure their networks if they knew how or you can believe that they've decided to share their connectivity with others. If you choose to believe the later then it's reasonable to assume that they do so in the hope that others will share their connections and help provide a wider wireless coverage area.

I like the idea of creating a multitude of wireless access points that are openly accessible. However, I don't like the idea of sharing my homes computer resources over an unsecured wireless/wired network. This is my dilemma. How do I share my wireless connectivity without exposing the services I share over my home network?

The best total solution I've come up with thus far, that doesn't require purchasing more hardware, is to run my own VPN. Any other thoughts?

And the winner is . . .

2005-02-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

My sister . In case you were wondering, she is the winner of the Sibling Procreation Race. (The fact that she's pretty much had a by round should in no way diminish the victory.) Mother and baby are both doing fine. Mom had a marvelously easy birth for a first timer and baby, it's a girl, came in at nearly 9 pounds and 20 inches with a full head of black hair.

Autism Provides Unique Perspective

2005-01-31T10:48:00.000-05:00

There was a recently aired NPR Interview with Dr. Temple Grandin . Dr. Grandin is the author of two books (that I'm aware of) Thinking in Pictures (1995) and Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (2004). The interview mostly focuses on Grandin's theories on animal learning, behavior, and training and how her autism has given her additional insight into those areas. Grandin offers a unique perspective on a number of topics, animal related and not, that make this a truly interesting interview.

Of those topics not directly related to animals, most interesting to me are her comments regarding mild autism and engineers. It's well established that there is a higher incidence of autism in the children of engineers. Dr. Grandin has some brief but interesting speculations regarding possible explanations for the engineering-autism link (or perhaps it's the autism-engineering link).

Grandin also provides unique insight into the process of educating those with autism. However, her comments could apply equally well to education in general. Buried within those same sentences are some ideas that anyone with an interest in machine learning or expert systems should find titillating.

The interview only runs about 30 minutes long and you can easily digest it while you surf; so you should definitely check this one out. If the interview peaks your interest then you may wish to visit Dr. Grandin's Website.

Pleasantly Surprised And Happily Proven Wrong

2005-01-30T21:35:00.000-05:00

. . . in light of the huge voter turnout in the Iraqi election; the relatively minimal election related violence; with what is clearly a step forward for the Iraqis, the Iraqi Government, and the Coalition.

Vote and Die (as opposed to Vote or Die)

2005-01-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

Ah, it's a good day to vote. In theory many Iraqis will soon be headed toward their various polling places. In theory there will be sufficient voter turnout to legitimize the election. In theory they [the Iraqis] will brave RPG fire, sniper attacks, and suicide bombers so that they may exercise their new freedoms. In theory the US will accept the outcome of this election and the presidential election to come (following constitutional development).

Oh wait . . . I'm mistaken . . . it's a good day to die . . . or maybe it's a good day for both. Please revisit the previous paragraph and change in theory to in your dreams. In reality a number of Iraqis have already decided not to vote. In reality voter turnout will be terribly low. In reality the mere threat of inclement weather adversely impacts voter turnout. In reality the US will veto the selection(s) made in any Iraqi Election if they run contrary to the US agenda.

The Digital Future

2005-01-28T11:50:00.000-05:00

This is a really interesting ongoing series being aired by C-SPAN. The series covers a variety topics, from quantum technology to effects of technology on society. You can get showtimes or stream full length programs from the series homepage.

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

2005-01-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

Regarding Harvard President, Lawrence Summers recent comments: There is clearly a gender gap in the scientific community but I won't be so foolish as to openly speculate as to the cause of that gap. I will, however, point out the equally foolish mindset that a number of people - mainly women in my opinion - have fallen into.

I continually see people balking at mere suggestion that women don't have the same propensity/desire/ability to excel in some endeavors as men; then in the same breath they explicitly or implicitly assert that men have any number of shortcomings that are attributable to their gender. I simply can't stand this line of thinking, maintaining that men can exhibit behavior X due to their gender but can only exceed the achievements of women in field Y because of societal gender bias, etc. If you believe that men wage war, toss midgets, watch pro-wrestling, don't listen, or belch loudly simply because they are men, whereas women avoid these things because they are women, then you must concede that that men might excel in a particular endeavor solely because they are men.

Note, this is a rant against flawed reasoning. My personal opinions on the various strengths and weaknesses of the sexes are too illdefined or detailed to be expressed fully by a single post.

You can't have it both ways [Mr. President]

2005-01-27T10:28:00.000-05:00

2000-2001: President Bush argues that across the board tax cuts are warranted.
2004-2005: President Bush argues that Social Security is or soon will be bankrupt.

Given that the alleged Social Security shortfall is many years down the road, it's clear that whatever financial model is being employed could have predicted the same "catastrophe"
four years ago. Thus it's obvious that President Bush is guilty of one or more of the following:

using Federal Funds in an attempt to garner immediate popular support at the expense of future generations.
extreme short-sidedness.
manufacturing data that supports the shortfall theory to further his own Social Security Reforms -- namely the Privatization Agenda.

"Don't call it a come-back . . ."

2005-01-27T09:35:00.000-05:00

Ok . . . perhaps this [post] is a a come-back of sorts but with one important qualification. The fact is I've never been that consistent when it's come to posting -- I'm ok with that (now). I feel no guilt and ask no forgiveness for the on-again-off-again cycle of posting that is my blog. I'll only say that we're on again (for now).

However, I will ask you to forgive the L.L. Cool J. reference a la "Mama said knock you out".

Kinda Creepy?

2004-10-28T21:23:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one that gets kinda creeped out when they see ailing celebrities lobbying for stem cell research? The celebrities, for some reason, remind me of the brain eating zombies from old horror movies. I keep waiting to see Michael J. Fox stiltedly walking up the capital steps grunting "cells! ceeeellllllllsss!".

Awful, I know, especially since I believe that stem cell research could produce tangible benefits in the future (not soon enough to help these celebrities, but . . .). I just find myself thinking that sickly or infirmed persons, celebrities or otherwise, aren't the best spokespersons for the effort to gain funding for stem cell research. The tact taken by these celebrities and the groups they work with is wrapping the cause in an aura of desperation.

This sense of desperation ultimately detracts from the message. Sure, we all can sympathize with these celebrities and their plight. But, how can people be expected to trust in the judgment or advice of someone who seemingly has so much riding on the issue?

Personally, I'd like to see an objective spokesperson with transparent and well-meaning motives making the case for stem cell research. Then again, I may not be the one the ads are trying to reach.

Judging A Book By Its Cover

2004-10-26T22:52:00.000-04:00

The new book He's Just Not That Into You has gotten allot of positive press, so I decided to scope it out. I've only read the cover material and table of contents (and wont be going any further) of He's Just Not That Into You (HJNTIY) but that much alone exceeds my tolerance for specious reasoning, comfortable stereotypes, and familiar platitudes. In all, the book could be funny but is wrongly marketed as self-help.

It's clear that the authors contrive simple scenarios in which they can easily apply their trademark "he's just not that into you" while ignoring the larger context. Furthermore, they trivialize men when they say "men aren't complicated" and insult women by simultaneously arguing that they've battled with these issues for "ages" (also note the arrogance necessary for one to assert that they've got it all figured out) . Finally, and perhaps worst of all, they seem to advocate that women take a completely passive role (except when applying the "he's just not that into you" formulae) during relationship development -- a sure way to guarantee, in this guy's opinion, that no guy will ever be "that into you".

With that out of the way, please join me in poking fun at HJNTIY and it's authors.

Greg Behrendt , coauthor of HJNTIY, provides us with the following insights -- my additions are in red.

Oh sure, they say they're busy [Of course, no one ever is, busy that is. After all, I'm a stand-up comedian and I certainly seem to have allot of time on my hands -- especially now that that Sex in the City gig is gone] . They say that they didn't have even a moment in their insanely busy day to pick up the phone. It was just that crazy. All lies. With the advent of cell phones and speed dialing, it is almost impossible not to call you [There's no more courteous way to say you care or establish your interest in someone, that you're just getting to know, than by a barely audible cell phone call from the metro or airport]. Sometimes I call people from my pants pocket when I don't even mean to [Cause my tool is friggin huge like that and sometimes hits the speed-dial on my phone -- I'm such a stud] . If I were into you [Did I mention that I'm not into you? I'd still like your $14.95 though.], you would be the bright [wet] spot in my horribly busy day [But, that spot is getting crowded, what with my wife and of course all those dopey chicks I'm banging during the book tour]. Which would be a day that [will never come. Again, I'm not that into you and I'm not dating, but I might like to get in you. So, if you've got huge jugs, I might be able to give you 45 seconds in the Barnes and Noble storage room.] I would never be too busy to call you [Have you bought my book yet?].

Liz Tuccillo, coauthor of HJNTIY, adds the following -- my additions are, again, in red.

There is something great about knowing that my only job [aside from hocking this book that is] is to be as happy as I can be about my life, and feel as good as I can about myself, and to lead as full and eventful a life as I can [having a real job would also be nice], so that it doesn't ever feel like I'm just waiting around for some guy to ask me out [Cause that's precisely what I do when I'm not fostering my self-delusions. Why aren't any guys asking me out? Would leaving my house help me get a date?]. And most importantly [Because my life is defined by my dating successes or failures.], it's good for us all to remember that we don't need to scheme and plot [Believe me, I have the restraining orders to prove that doesn't work.], or beg anyone to ask us out [Not when there's a higher power to turn to. Please God, I just want to get laid.]. We're fantastic [Wow! I almost believed that. Maybe I can finally go off the anti-depressants.].

Lies and Lying Liars

2004-10-19T22:31:00.000-04:00

Why are people so shocked and appalled, as I sometimes am, when politicians are caught in a lie? Modern campaigns are filled with lies and distortions that aim to bolster one candidate or denigrate the other. It should be obvious that someone lying or employing deception to achieve any one goal will almost certainly continue that practice to further their agenda in the future. The whole thing is somewhat analogous to the person who adopts a Pitt Bull being taken by surprise when the dog mauls them.

Both Bush and Kerry have told half truths, distorted the facts, and just out and out lied throughout this presidential campaign. So, I'll offer this advice. Don't vote for the guy you think is telling the truth or against the guy you think is lying -- neither of them are or will be telling the truth (in whole) . Vote for the guy who will lie in service of the agenda you favor.

In Case Anyone Has Forgotten

2004-10-18T20:17:00.000-04:00

People are lining up to wait for flu vaccine. However, you are more likely to die of one of the following conditions than you are of the flu.

Heart Disease
Cancer
Stroke
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
Accidents (unintentional injuries)
Diabetes

With the above in mind, let us pray that there are a few more shortages in the near future.
Let there be a shortage of:

treadmills
nicotine gum
lean meats and fish
sugar-free beverages
fruits & vegetables
reasonably sized portions of food

My Life . . . (A "Catch-up Post")

2004-10-16T21:16:00.000-04:00

I would have gotten this post out sooner, but I was developing some ideas for new fall TV Shows. Unfortunately, none of the shows made it. Here's how it all played out.

My Life As A Stunt/Game Show

Whitewater rafting on the Gaulley River definitely presented enough risks, but all the networks wanted were bikini clad super models choking down raw animal parts and live insects; the show had neither.

My Life As A Dating Show (Take 1)

Witty and charming characters (at least one anyway) but middle America wasn't ready for a Joshua Bell concert. Perhaps the PBS will be interested.

My Life As A Medical Drama

Ewww -- allergies! Surveys indicated that the show had wide appeal but it all fell apart when the actor playing the lead character discovered over-the-counter Claritin-D.

My Life As A Reality Race/Challenge Show

A series detailing the misadventures of two people trying to navigate the D.C. metroplex.
Despite the happy ending/rescue facilitated by the "Egyptian Lawyer Girl" ( Who needs On Star? Thanks!), the concept proved wildly unpopular. The show only reminded people of the labyrinth of barricades and poorly marked roadways they'd be navigating the following morning -- guess some things are just too real.

My Life As A Dating Show (Take 2)

The show had a cute cast with great chemistry but was ultimately lost on the test audience during a 15 minute discussion concerning the meaning of unprepossessing.

The First Commemorative "Way Lame Post"

2004-09-30T22:36:00.000-04:00

Well . . . it has been a whole month since the first post. Looking back, I haven't exactly been a prolific poster, leading to the conclusion that I must simply be better at living my life than I am at documenting my life. Though deficiency in the later in no way implies succes in the former, I never the less feel that I have had my share of accomplishments and experiences in the past month. I hope to create a few catch up posts (like anyone is reading this) to fill in the gaps in posting over the last month.

Coincidence or Destiny?

2004-09-25T13:39:00.000-04:00

The other morning marked the third occasion, in a short period of time, on which a dripping sound has alerted me to a huge mess in the making.

On the first occurrence, condensation dripping from my AC absorbs into my apartments carpeting. The duration was many days. The consequences included enduring fans, a dehumidifier, and soggy carpets for days.

On the second occurrence, the sidewall of a huge candle gives way and releases the contents of a massive wax reservoir onto my coffee table and carpeting. The duration was many hours. The consequences included enduring many hours of carpet scrubbing and wax chipping, only to be left with a pink (red candle + white carpet) blotch on my carpet.

On the third occurrence, a malfunctioning coffee maker spews (yes spews) coffee and grounds throughout my kitchen. The duration was a few minutes. The consequences included several minutes spent absorbing coffee from various kitchen surfaces.

Each time there was a dripping sound, each time the duration between occurrence and detection decreased, and each time the adverse consequences were reduced. Some will see coincidence in these events but could this be the hand of fate preparing me to meet some destiny (even if it is in that unbelievable Shyamalan-Signs sorta way)? Yes, it's almost certainly so, the universe isn't simply screwing with me? No, there is obviously some higher purpose in all this. Only time can tell.

Keep an eye on the news, just in case I detect the dripping of a forming crack in a dam, alert the authorities, and save some town from certain doom.

Allawi + Bush = Illegitimate Iraqi Government

2004-09-24T13:46:00.000-04:00

An oversimplification, perhaps, but I can't be alone in thinking Allawi's recent visit and actions the result of a reckless miscalculation, can I? At a time when Allawi should be down playing his ties with the U.S. to further legitimize himself and the interim government, the Iraqi interim Prime Minister is all but campaigning for the U.S. President. Give me a break! Who will benefit from this gesture?

I watched the entire address in utter disbelief as Allawi gushed on and on about Bush and the U.S. Fine, you're grateful, but you don't need to stand before congress or beside the president to say so. The message would have been received just the same if delivered by an ambassador or if broadcast from Iraq. The Prime Minister's time outside Iraq would be better spent trying to garner additional international support.

As for how the message was received, the presentation was awkward and the speech disingenuous. I'll stop short of saying Allawi was being pressured to perform. However, I will say this: Allawi, at times, had a look of reluctance, a look I recognized as the same nakedly reluctant visage worn by a child who's forced, by a parent, to kiss a distant relative.

So, who will benefit from this gesture? Let's see . . . Iraq? No benefit . . . Allawi? Nope . . . America? Sweet, but no . . . President Bush? Clearly the president thinks this stunt will bolster his reelection bid, I only hope Americans see this for what it is, a manipulative and self-serving act that does nothing to further U.S. or Iraqi interests.

For those who missed the address.

17" is Average, Right?

2004-09-24T13:16:00.000-04:00

That was part of the rational behind the recent blog layout change. I found the layout I was using pretty limiting. While the old layout worked well with smaller monitors, it didn't scale well, limited my formatting options, and was generally not conducive to the inclusion of graphical media. The new layout works really well, I think, on a 17" monitor, such as the one I most frequently use, and has none of the aforementioned shortcomings. Fortunately, this layout also seems to scale pretty well to smaller monitors, though the index may shift to the bottom of the screen. So there you have it, a better (IMO) layout that does little to further monitor-dimension elitism.

". . . that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide!"

2004-09-24T02:12:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I never knew President Carter was attacked by a rabbit, while fishing in the middle of a pond no less, and yes I questioned the veracity of the story as it was first relayed to me (apologies to all the appropriate people, you know who you are), but I was only two years old when it happened; so give me a break. Anyway, the incident so reminded me of the "Killer Rabbit" scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail that I had to know which came first, and of course share it with you all. The movie predates the bunny attack by 4 years, the relevant movie dialogue and a write up on the Carter incident follow.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Tim the Enchanter : There he is!
King Arthur : Where?
Tim the Enchanter : There!
King Arthur : What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim the Enchanter : It IS the rabbit!
King Arthur : You silly sod!
Tim the Enchanter : What?
King Arthur : You got us all worked up!
Tim the Enchanter : Well, that's no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur : Ohh.
Tim the Enchanter : That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin : You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim the Enchanter : Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!
Sir Galahad : Get stuffed!
Tim the Enchanter : He'll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad : Oh yeah?
Sir Robin : You mangy Scots git!
Tim the Enchanter : I'm warning you!
Sir Robin : What's he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim the Enchanter : He's got huge, sharp - eh - he can leap about - look at the bones!
King Arthur : Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Bors : Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin' right up!

Fierocious Rabbit Attacks President Carter (1979)

I'm a Swinger, Baby. Yeah!

2004-09-04T10:59:00.000-04:00

A last minute decision, to take Friday off, extended the already promising three day Labor Day Weekend to four days. The only question remaining, how to start things off right? I had planned on two days of hiking in the Shenandoah but it looked like plans for Golf on Saturday (plans subsequently changed to Sunday) were going to interfere. Fortunately, new recreational inspiration came, quite unexpectedly, from a local interest story being aired on the morning news.

From the story, I learned that the Trapeze School of New York [1] (TSNY) had a relatively new location in Baltimore. That was all it took. I'd seen ads for this sort of thing before but that morning curiosity, motivation, and timing collided. Only a short while later I'd registered and paid for a class, all through TSNY's very informative and convenient web site [1].

Later Friday afternoon, after a thoroughly inconvenient 2.5 hour battle with D.C. and Baltimore traffic, I arrived at TSNY's Downtown Baltimore location. I found that there were only two others in my class. Both my classmates were women. Susan was a veteran with 4 classes under her belt; Audrey was a newbie, like me. Unlike me Audrey was with a friend, Susan. Susan was allowed to warm up while Audrey and I were taken aside and taught the basics of trapezeing (Is trapezeing the right word or even a word?).

With a solid foundation in the basics of trapezeing, which, as presented, consisted mostly of safety and some dry runs of the moves we'd soon perform at altitude, the class began. The class is structured so that on your first swings you go through the fundamental motions that you develop and build on in subsequent swings. During the initial swings you don't fly to the arms of a catcher, as they do in the circus, you simply let go and fall to the net. Aside from the fundamentals, you will concentrate on developing one or two moves as the class progresses. Near the end of the two hour class you'll attempt your first moves with a catcher if you and the staff feel you're prepared.

*WARNING SHAMELESS BRAGGING AHEAD*

So, how did our class do? The two ladies did fine but from the beginning it was clear that this was going to be the "Jody Show". The staff and I were very pleased with the ease in which I mastered (ok, mastered might be a reach) my moves, inspiring such comments as:

- You've great body awareness, were you ever a gymnast, dancer, etc.? (The answer, of course, was "No, and you'd be the first to ever ask.")

-"That's the best first time Planche I've seen" (The Planche being a "strength" move).

-Does your family precede the plural form of its surname with "The Flying"? (Ok, I made that one up.)

(You'd be right to point out that I was paying these people money but I'd point out that no similar comments were made of the other two students.) The small class size afforded us all lots of swing time. When it came time to do our moves with the catcher everyone was successful. From the daily notice on the TSNY web page, "Susan caught her straddle whip, congrats, Audrey her kneehang, Jody his kneehang and Planche."

In all seriousness, the class was truly great. I fully intend to return as soon as possible, preferably with some friends in tow. So, if I know you, consider yourself warned.

[1] http://baltimore.trapezeschool.com

Scare the Vote(rs): "Vote [For Me] or Die"

2004-08-31T20:32:00.000-04:00

"Vote or Die", the slogan made popular by pop culture architect Sean "P Diddy" Combs, front-man for and organizer of the voter awareness campaign called Citizen Change [1], may prove to motivate the youth vote but it also has me thinking. I feel a modified version of "Vote or Die" provides an apt summary of the major party candidates' focus for this election. "Vote For Me or Die"; Senator Kerry and President Bush have made this the central theme for their campaigns and in doing so have neglected other serious issues to the detriment of themselves and the voters.

Demonstrating a party's or candidate's National Security prowess has been the direct or indirect goal of every presidential speech, commercial, and endorsement to date. There has yet to be any significant mention made of education, poverty, the economy, employment, social security, foreign policy, or health care. These issues that have defined past presidential campaigns are just as pertinent to the current election.

The American presence in Iraq, the War on Terrorism, and the defense of our country clearly have special significance at this juncture in U.S. Politics and the candidates are right to address these issues. However, it is impossible for the candidates to substantially distinguish themselves on these issues.

The U.S. presence in Iraq is a direct result of actions taken by the current administration. Senator Kerry may denounce the current administrations handling of Iraq (you may as well) but that decision is in the past. The reality is that American Troops are in Iraq and neither candidate has or likely will lay down any concrete exit strategy prior to the election; though each claims they will pull our troops out.

A candidate's stance on the War on terrorism and the National Defense provide a poor basis for drawing distinctions between the candidates. Everyone agrees that terrorism is deplorable and an effective defense is crucial. Ultimately voters find themselves evaluating the tactics each candidate would employ to the same ends. Professionals dedicate their lives to exploring these topics and still have difficulty evaluating a proposed approach in context, what hope does the average person have?

The events of the past four years have awakened us all to the reality of terrorism directed against Americans and the dangers our Nation faces. A presidential hopeful may scare some votes his way by constantly reminding us of the continuing dangers but the majority of Americans are still more concerned with paying their bills each month than any threat of terrorist attack. Any serious presidential candidate will have to recognize this and begin earning the votes of "swing voters" (read open-minded-independent-willing-to-evaluate-a-candidate-on-his-merits voters).

[1] http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/voter101/news.jhtml?id=1489561

The Way Lame First Post

2004-08-30T21:13:00.000-04:00

The title says it all.

My only intention here is to check out the site with a post on it. Please check back soon for what will hopefully be a much improved posting.