After another special Dan Carlin's Hardcore History about American Indians, really the only fair treatment of the issue I've ever heard, I heard a brilliant Studio 360 about autism. I don't really know anything about the topic, but given the autistic inability to deal with multiple sources of sensory input, I feel a little bit autistic.
The notion was also raised that autism is the next step in human evolution-and given the multiplicity of types of input we have these days, I can easily imagine that being true.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Blowing It
I missed my second chance to engage in the Mandatory Conference Call about our New Super Spectacular Program where they read us the Handout They Already Sent Us That Really Explains It In Far More Detail That Was Necessary.
I hate my job.
I hate my job.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Clock is ticking....
I listened to TWIT (This Week In Tech) just in time. Audible is giving away audiobooks for free today, but only until midnight tonight. The choices weren't overwhelming, but hey, it's free.
I chose a book about philosophy by two guys I've never heard of.
TWIT also mentioned "Bringing Down the House", which was a book I adored, soon to be a movie starring Kevin Spacey about a group of kids that counted cards in Vegas. Very interesting.
A guy told me once he was trying to kill a few minutes waiting for his wife at a casino playing blackjack. She came up to tell him he was ready, so he decided to throw his few remaining chips on the last hand, rather than go to the trouble of cashing them in. They wouldn't let him, though, apparently afraid he was counting cards.
Interesting that, in what is avowedly a customer focused world, casinos can and do treat people shabbily if they choose to. Obviously, they rarely do.
Is it wrong to be looking forward to a weekend trip 3 weeks from now because I'll get to be by myself from Friday until late Sunday night?
I chose a book about philosophy by two guys I've never heard of.
TWIT also mentioned "Bringing Down the House", which was a book I adored, soon to be a movie starring Kevin Spacey about a group of kids that counted cards in Vegas. Very interesting.
A guy told me once he was trying to kill a few minutes waiting for his wife at a casino playing blackjack. She came up to tell him he was ready, so he decided to throw his few remaining chips on the last hand, rather than go to the trouble of cashing them in. They wouldn't let him, though, apparently afraid he was counting cards.
Interesting that, in what is avowedly a customer focused world, casinos can and do treat people shabbily if they choose to. Obviously, they rarely do.
Is it wrong to be looking forward to a weekend trip 3 weeks from now because I'll get to be by myself from Friday until late Sunday night?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Emil Brown? (Game The Second)
Boston 1, Oakland 5
March 26, 2008
Tokyo, Japan
A 3 run homer from Emil Brown off of John Lester made all the difference as Oakland beats Boston, 5-1. Boston is now 1-1 on the year, as is, obviously, Oakland. Rich Harden was pretty dominant, while Lester struggled(3 walks and 5 hits in 4 innings).
The only Boston run came on a home run from the Bad Man, Manny Ramirez.
Overall, my feeling after the first two games is approximately, meh.
Oakland is not that good. Then again, when any team gets strong starting pitching, they've got a good chance to win. I'm proud of the comeback yesterday, and not entirely shocked by the loss today. Both Lester and Dice K walked too many guys.
Oh, those bases on balls.
But seriously, Emil Brown?
March 26, 2008
Tokyo, Japan
A 3 run homer from Emil Brown off of John Lester made all the difference as Oakland beats Boston, 5-1. Boston is now 1-1 on the year, as is, obviously, Oakland. Rich Harden was pretty dominant, while Lester struggled(3 walks and 5 hits in 4 innings).
The only Boston run came on a home run from the Bad Man, Manny Ramirez.
Overall, my feeling after the first two games is approximately, meh.
Oakland is not that good. Then again, when any team gets strong starting pitching, they've got a good chance to win. I'm proud of the comeback yesterday, and not entirely shocked by the loss today. Both Lester and Dice K walked too many guys.
Oh, those bases on balls.
But seriously, Emil Brown?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Seek and Destroy
Now listening: Metallica, "Seek and Destroy"(Live)
"We're succeeding. I don't care what anybody says. I've seen the facts on the ground," the Arizona senator insisted a day after a roadside bomb in Baghdad killed four U.S. soldiers and rockets pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone there, and a wave of attacks left at least 61 Iraqis dead nationwide. The events transpired as bin Laden called on the people of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to "help in support of their mujahedeen brothers in Iraq, which is the greatest opportunity and the biggest task."
(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_iraq;_ylt=Asl6j_M7QV7msS_1iX1AWzes0NUE)
"I don't care what anybody says." "I've seen the facts on the ground."
Really, Senator McCain?
Do we really need another President who doesn't care what anybody says?
"We're succeeding. I don't care what anybody says. I've seen the facts on the ground," the Arizona senator insisted a day after a roadside bomb in Baghdad killed four U.S. soldiers and rockets pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone there, and a wave of attacks left at least 61 Iraqis dead nationwide. The events transpired as bin Laden called on the people of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to "help in support of their mujahedeen brothers in Iraq, which is the greatest opportunity and the biggest task."
(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_iraq;_ylt=Asl6j_M7QV7msS_1iX1AWzes0NUE)
"I don't care what anybody says." "I've seen the facts on the ground."
Really, Senator McCain?
Do we really need another President who doesn't care what anybody says?
Two Out, Two On, Tension
"Let's go pound some sake, boys."
2-0 count to Suzuki. Tying run at second. A little too close for comfort.
Groundout to first, relay to Pap, it's over!
Final Score, Boston 6, Oakland 5.
1-0 on the season. Phew.
2-0 count to Suzuki. Tying run at second. A little too close for comfort.
Groundout to first, relay to Pap, it's over!
Final Score, Boston 6, Oakland 5.
1-0 on the season. Phew.
One Out Wierdness
Line drive into the gap. Emil Brown doubles home Barton, but is doubled off of second base when Youkilis cuts off the throw, 9-4-3-5-6-3.
Nice.
Two out, none on.
2-0 count to Bobby Crosby.
Single to center.
Whoops.
That would have tied the game, if not for the baserunning blooper.
Hannahan now.
He homered earlier.
1-1 count-base hit.
Double whoops.
Kurt Suzuki up.
Nice.
Two out, none on.
2-0 count to Bobby Crosby.
Single to center.
Whoops.
That would have tied the game, if not for the baserunning blooper.
Hannahan now.
He homered earlier.
1-1 count-base hit.
Double whoops.
Kurt Suzuki up.
Legion of Doom
Red Sox take a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the tenth.
Here comes Pap.
He does have the 3-4-5 hitters to face, though, and Jack Cust is a little bit of a bad man as well.
It strikes me that I'm upset because my ESPN2 feed is not working, so I can't watch the game live and I have to settle for a live radio feed. I have to remind myself that this game is being played in Tokyo, for heaven's sake, and ten years ago, I wouldn't have had nearly as many options to follow the game.
3-2 on Daric Barton, none on, none out, bottom tenth.
Pap walks Barton. Maybe he's a little too pumped up.
Jack Cust now, a sabermetric darling for years.
Pap is dealing, 0-2 on fastballs. If Jack gets ahold of one, it is going to come down in Korea.
It is peripherally disturbing that they seem to be having trouble beating Oakland, who in fact is not a very good team. Plus theyve used a bunch of relievers.
Swinging strike three! One Down!
Here comes Pap.
He does have the 3-4-5 hitters to face, though, and Jack Cust is a little bit of a bad man as well.
It strikes me that I'm upset because my ESPN2 feed is not working, so I can't watch the game live and I have to settle for a live radio feed. I have to remind myself that this game is being played in Tokyo, for heaven's sake, and ten years ago, I wouldn't have had nearly as many options to follow the game.
3-2 on Daric Barton, none on, none out, bottom tenth.
Pap walks Barton. Maybe he's a little too pumped up.
Jack Cust now, a sabermetric darling for years.
Pap is dealing, 0-2 on fastballs. If Jack gets ahold of one, it is going to come down in Korea.
It is peripherally disturbing that they seem to be having trouble beating Oakland, who in fact is not a very good team. Plus theyve used a bunch of relievers.
Swinging strike three! One Down!
Second verse, same as first?
After a scoreless bottom of the ninth, Manny cracks a 2 run double in the top of the tenth for a 6-4 advantage.
Truly a Bad Man.
Finally found my XM, and the Boston feed. Good to hear Joe Castiglione, even at this early date and early hour.
Crisp now running for Manny. Lenny DiNardo now pitching for Oakland.
Truly a Bad Man.
Finally found my XM, and the Boston feed. Good to hear Joe Castiglione, even at this early date and early hour.
Crisp now running for Manny. Lenny DiNardo now pitching for Oakland.
Game The First
March 25, 2008
Tokyo, Japan
Boston @ (so to speak) Oakland
Matsuzaka vs. Blanton
I overslept, plus ESPN2 is malfunctioning(what a coincidence!) on Direct TV, so I'm following via GameCast, because I am also too lazy and tired to go get my XM.
Dice K appears to have struggled, walking 5 in 5 innings, allowing two early runs on a solo homer and an RBI grounder.
Boston rallies in the sixth, Manny doubling in two runs and Brandon Moss, filling in for Drew, who is not playing (quelle surprise!) due to a bad back, singles in another for a 3-2 lead.
However, Kyle Snyder, picking up for Dice Man, gives up a 2 run homer to Jack Hannahan for a 4-3 deficit. However, Brandon Moss homers off of Huston Street with one out in the ninth to tie the game at four.
I think I gotta go get my XM.
Tokyo, Japan
Boston @ (so to speak) Oakland
Matsuzaka vs. Blanton
I overslept, plus ESPN2 is malfunctioning(what a coincidence!) on Direct TV, so I'm following via GameCast, because I am also too lazy and tired to go get my XM.
Dice K appears to have struggled, walking 5 in 5 innings, allowing two early runs on a solo homer and an RBI grounder.
Boston rallies in the sixth, Manny doubling in two runs and Brandon Moss, filling in for Drew, who is not playing (quelle surprise!) due to a bad back, singles in another for a 3-2 lead.
However, Kyle Snyder, picking up for Dice Man, gives up a 2 run homer to Jack Hannahan for a 4-3 deficit. However, Brandon Moss homers off of Huston Street with one out in the ninth to tie the game at four.
I think I gotta go get my XM.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Dan Carlin Rules, Too!
Another brilliant "Common Sense With Dan Carlin" (#121) this week, about the Obama/Wright kerfluffle and the DC gun ban case currently before the Supreme Court.
First of all, it is the height of hypocrisy to not grill McCain's spiritual advisors as hard as you do Obama's. There is plenty of wackjobbery on the right as well.
I really don't see what's so bad about what Rev. Wright said. Now, on the AIDS thing he was wrong, obviously-AIDS was not created by the CIA. (If it had, they would have screwed it up.)
But there was a time in our history when AIDS' origin wasn't clearly known. And is it impossible to believe, at that time, that the white power structure would try to exterminate black people? Really?
The gun ban is interesting, and Dan really made me question my own beliefs. To paraphrase Kurt Vonnegut, a heavily armed man given no aims or goals by any official does not constitute a well regulated militia.
But as has been pointed out elsewhere, if I want the persons, places, and effects clause to extend a shadow to protect my privacy online, I have to read the second amendment as an individual right. It makes my brain hurt, but Dan makes me think.
First of all, it is the height of hypocrisy to not grill McCain's spiritual advisors as hard as you do Obama's. There is plenty of wackjobbery on the right as well.
I really don't see what's so bad about what Rev. Wright said. Now, on the AIDS thing he was wrong, obviously-AIDS was not created by the CIA. (If it had, they would have screwed it up.)
But there was a time in our history when AIDS' origin wasn't clearly known. And is it impossible to believe, at that time, that the white power structure would try to exterminate black people? Really?
The gun ban is interesting, and Dan really made me question my own beliefs. To paraphrase Kurt Vonnegut, a heavily armed man given no aims or goals by any official does not constitute a well regulated militia.
But as has been pointed out elsewhere, if I want the persons, places, and effects clause to extend a shadow to protect my privacy online, I have to read the second amendment as an individual right. It makes my brain hurt, but Dan makes me think.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
John Adams Part III
They are now in Paris, begging for funds to continue the revolution. John Adams, at the table with French nobles, confesses to not knowing very much about music, that he must study politics and war so that his children will have the freedom to study politics and poetry.
That's kind of the whole thing, isn't it. Each generation strives, so that their children need not. I can't help but think I am pissing away what I have been given.
That's kind of the whole thing, isn't it. Each generation strives, so that their children need not. I can't help but think I am pissing away what I have been given.
Rob Sheffield Rules!
To The Best of Our Knowledge has a great interview with Rob Sheffield, who wrote what might be my favorite book of 2007, "Love is a Mix Tape".
Tom Wolfe
Great talk with novelist Tom Wolfe on the NYT Book Review podcast this week. I was about to skip over it and move onto the next one, but listening to Wolfe stopped me. Sometimes I forget just how much I love his work, because there is so much time between them-so many images are so very vivid from his work.
Bonfire of the Vanities, with the detectives lunging forward when they take a bite of their sandwiches so the innards don't fall on their ties.
The Right Stuff, with the astronaut fracturing ribs while riding a motorcycle (I believe) and then trying to disguise it so he wont be pulled from the flight.
Bonfire of the Vanities, with the detectives lunging forward when they take a bite of their sandwiches so the innards don't fall on their ties.
The Right Stuff, with the astronaut fracturing ribs while riding a motorcycle (I believe) and then trying to disguise it so he wont be pulled from the flight.
Nothing says it better than this
Vice President of the United States Richard Cheney, when told that two thirds of the American people believe the Iraq War is not worth fighting:
"So?"
That's it. That's the entire history of the Administration, all rolled up in that one little word.
"So?"
"So?"
That's it. That's the entire history of the Administration, all rolled up in that one little word.
"So?"
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