In Boston, the Red Sox climbed back on the victory train, crushing Baltimore, 12-1. Tampa trails Cleveland in Cleveland, 7-4, so if that score stays the same, Boston will close to within 1/2 game of first place. That didn't take long.
Of course, the Yankees are coming up from behind, only 6 games off the pace. Something tells me they are going to be heard from before all is said and done. As much chaos as they have endured, you have to give them some credit for staying in this race. As much as the rest of America hates it, it looks like it may have to be Boston and New York again in September.
Woot!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bobby Murcer
Longtime major league outfielder Bobby Murcer has died. Murcer played mostly for the Yankees, with a brief midcareer detour to the Giants and Cubs.
Murcer was an all star in the 1970s, but managed to leave just before the Yankees got good, coming back just in time to fade out in the early 1980s. Murcer never achieved stardom, but was truly a useful, professional third outfielder.
RIP, Bobby Murcer.
BTW, excellent obituary of George Carlin by film director Kevin Smith.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/142975
And if you had any doubt that it's 1932 all over again, BANKS ARE FAILING. BANKS. I'm going to get my cup full of pencils ready.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iWxtfjpQDpa7Wc4t3xQQf84g16XgD91S93C00
Murcer was an all star in the 1970s, but managed to leave just before the Yankees got good, coming back just in time to fade out in the early 1980s. Murcer never achieved stardom, but was truly a useful, professional third outfielder.
RIP, Bobby Murcer.
BTW, excellent obituary of George Carlin by film director Kevin Smith.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/142975
And if you had any doubt that it's 1932 all over again, BANKS ARE FAILING. BANKS. I'm going to get my cup full of pencils ready.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iWxtfjpQDpa7Wc4t3xQQf84g16XgD91S93C00
Don't Meet Dave
Just saw "Meet Dave". Elizabeth Banks was luminous, but the rest of the film was pretty standard fare. A perfect example of a film where all the good jokes are in the trailer.
Snow has fallen
Former press secretary Tony Snow is dead at 53.
While I didn't agree with his politics, I'm sure his family will miss him. RIP. Say hi to Hunter S. Thompson for me.
We had one of those "big boss" meetings on Friday. You know, big man (and woman) coming from the central office, spend a whole week spitshining everything, running around like an idiot instead of concentrating on oh, you know, doing business.
First of all, if this is the way things are supposed to be, why don't we spend the time and money and other resources to make it that way all the time? Second of all, if you're the big boss, why do you announce your visit? I'd just walk in if I were they. That is, if you really want to know how things are really going.
What a senseless waste of money and people.
While I didn't agree with his politics, I'm sure his family will miss him. RIP. Say hi to Hunter S. Thompson for me.
We had one of those "big boss" meetings on Friday. You know, big man (and woman) coming from the central office, spend a whole week spitshining everything, running around like an idiot instead of concentrating on oh, you know, doing business.
First of all, if this is the way things are supposed to be, why don't we spend the time and money and other resources to make it that way all the time? Second of all, if you're the big boss, why do you announce your visit? I'd just walk in if I were they. That is, if you really want to know how things are really going.
What a senseless waste of money and people.
Friday, July 11, 2008
So Much For That Little Issue...
In Boston, the Red Sox lost to the Orioles, 7-3. Cowboy Clay gave up 4 runs over 5 innings, while Metropolitan District Commission and Mike "Firebug" Timlin gave up three more to put the game out of reach. On the plus side, BOTH Tampa and the Yankees were shut out, so we don't lose any more ground.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080712/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_global_warming
"The Bush administration, dismissing the recommendations of its top experts, rejected regulating the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming Friday, saying it would cripple the U.S. economy."
If I were a reporter, I would have a hotkey that allowed me to type, "The Bush administration, rejecting the claims of experts, " with one keystroke. It would save a lot of time.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080712/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_global_warming
"The Bush administration, dismissing the recommendations of its top experts, rejected regulating the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming Friday, saying it would cripple the U.S. economy."
If I were a reporter, I would have a hotkey that allowed me to type, "The Bush administration, rejecting the claims of experts, " with one keystroke. It would save a lot of time.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Great Billy Joel Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/arts/music/13barr.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&ref=arts
Great Billy Joel article coming in Sunday's New York Times.
What I have always loved about Joel is, similar to Vonnegut, he always has a soupcon of bitterness to go with the sweetness.
Great Billy Joel article coming in Sunday's New York Times.
What I have always loved about Joel is, similar to Vonnegut, he always has a soupcon of bitterness to go with the sweetness.
Meme Time II
1. What time did you get up this morning? Way too early. 615AM, because I had to be at a Continuing Education lecture at 8AM.
2. Diamonds or pearls? "Diamonds Are Forever"(Bond movie) beats "Pearl Necklace" (ZZ Top)
3. What is your favorite t.v. show? Hard to say. I probably watch "Baseball Tonight" more than anything else, but in terms of story-ish shows, it would have to be FX's "The Riches" or Fox's "The Sarah Conner Chronicles".
4. What do you usually have for breakfast? Nothing.
5. What is your middle name? Frederick. My father's name, and my son's name.
6. What food do you dislike? Vegetables.
7. What is your favorite song at the moment? "Vienna", Billy Joel
8. What kind of car do you drive? Hyundai Santa Fe
9. Favorite sandwich? Hard to say. At the moment, a meatball sandwich with cheese.
10. What characteristic do you despise? Mindless obedience
11. Favorite item of clothing? Red Sox t shirt
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Paris
13. Favorite brand of clothing? Lands End
14. Where would you retire to? Doesn't matter. I'd retire tomorrow.
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I can't think of one.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball
17. Furthest place you are sending this? Everywhere.
18. Person you expect to send it back first? K?
19. Missing? A sense of purpose.
20. When is your birthday? October
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night. No doubt.
22. What is your shoe size? 10, I think. I don't know.
23. Pets? Nope.
24. Any exciting news you would like to share with us? Nope.
25. What did you want to be when you were little? Right fielder for the Boston Red Sox.
26. How are you today? Distressed.
27. What is your favorite flower? None.
28. What is a day on the calendar that you are looking forward to? The day I'm not working,
29. What is your full name? Easy to mock.
30. What are you listening to right now? Jimmy Pardo's "Never Not Funny" podcast
31. What was the last thing you ate? Casserole that my wife made for my son
32. Do you wish on stars? No.
33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Black.
34. How is the weather right now? Calm. A little humid. Feels like it might rain.
35. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mother.
***This meme is missing #36. I have no idea what the question was. ***
36. Suggested replacement- If you could have dinner with one American President, who would you pick? Lincoln.
37. Favorite restaurant? Fridays. I know, no taste.
38. Hair color? Light brown and thinning.
39. What was your favorite toy as a child? Star Wars figurines.
40. Summer or winter? Fall.
41. Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
42. Coffee or tea? Tea, but Diet Soda more than both (Coke Zero)
43. Do you want your friends to email you back? Sure, I like these. Spread 'em around.
44. When was the last time you cried? I don't remember.
45. What is under your bed? Baseball cards.
46. What did you do last night? Played a tabletop baseball game, then went to bed.
47. What are you afraid of? My son living as unhappily as I am.
48. Salty or sweet? Both!
49. How many keys on your key ring? I don't know. Maybe 8.
50. How many years at your current job? 3+
51. Favorite day of the week? Days off.
52. How many towns have you lived in? Four
53. Do you make friends easily? Nope.
54. How many people will you send this to? Smoke em if you got em
55. How many will respond? No clue.
56. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? Yes, these are fun.
Yes, You're Right. (Phil Gramm is a Ninny)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/10/mccain.gramm/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Yes, Senator Gramm, you're right.
It's MY fault Gas is $4 per gallon.
"We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline," Gramm said.
That's basically because America is in decline. The barbarians are at the gates, and it was deregulation-mad idiots like you who brought us here.
"These national and congressional leaders 'blame speculators and oil companies for our problems, instead of presenting concrete programs for using energy more efficiently, or leaders who don't think we can compete with Mexico.' "
Well, that's because speculators and oil companies are responsible for our problems. It is your Republican Party who has mocked and killed any efforts to use energy more efficiently, and we CAN'T COMPETE WITH MEXICO PAYING $1.00 AN HOUR, YOU NINNY!
Rock ribbed Republicans like Phil Gramm love to talk about competition and worshipping at the altar of the free market, until it's time to pay the bill. Heaven knows, it isn't capitalism's fault. Of course not.
I wish Republicans would just come out and say it, "I'm not going to be really happy until I drive over the bodies of poor people on my way to the store."
Yes, Senator Gramm, you're right.
It's MY fault Gas is $4 per gallon.
"We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline," Gramm said.
That's basically because America is in decline. The barbarians are at the gates, and it was deregulation-mad idiots like you who brought us here.
"These national and congressional leaders 'blame speculators and oil companies for our problems, instead of presenting concrete programs for using energy more efficiently, or leaders who don't think we can compete with Mexico.' "
Well, that's because speculators and oil companies are responsible for our problems. It is your Republican Party who has mocked and killed any efforts to use energy more efficiently, and we CAN'T COMPETE WITH MEXICO PAYING $1.00 AN HOUR, YOU NINNY!
Rock ribbed Republicans like Phil Gramm love to talk about competition and worshipping at the altar of the free market, until it's time to pay the bill. Heaven knows, it isn't capitalism's fault. Of course not.
I wish Republicans would just come out and say it, "I'm not going to be really happy until I drive over the bodies of poor people on my way to the store."
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
That Went Well (Game 94)
On a mere 23 hits, Boston scored 18 runs tonight to sweep the Twins and come one step closer to first place. New York beat Tampa to trim the lead to 2 games.
Inconvenient Fact
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/09/turley-fisa-felony/
Can't say this often enough.
George W. Bush is a felon. He has committed crimes, and should be impeached, convicted, and removed from office.
Can't say this often enough.
George W. Bush is a felon. He has committed crimes, and should be impeached, convicted, and removed from office.
The price will be making happy for you
I love spammers. They're so clever.
They have begun somehow installing addresses from my address book into the headers of their messages, to make me open them.
Elton Brand is a Sixer. That's pretty big news. Suddenly the balance of power in the Eastern Conference gets a little less balanced.
Another day, another dollar.
They have begun somehow installing addresses from my address book into the headers of their messages, to make me open them.
Elton Brand is a Sixer. That's pretty big news. Suddenly the balance of power in the Eastern Conference gets a little less balanced.
Another day, another dollar.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Game 93: Made it by that much
In another tight contest, the Bad Man slams a two run homer to key a 4 run eighth to push Boston past those pesky Twins, 6-5. Since the Ray-Rays lose in New Jack City, we are now 3 games out of first. W00t!
Everyone goes south every now and then
The “new” Billy Joel is out, at least in ITunes. Being the crusty old fogey that I am, I really should have waited and bought the CD, but being the impatient, unreasonable person that I also am, I just downloaded it.
It is the “30th Anniversary Edition” of “The Stranger”, which, IIRC, is by far Billy’s best selling record. In fact, for a while it was the second best seller in the history of Columbia Records, right behind, I believe, “Thriller”. I could be wrong. It has, of course, a remastered version of the album, plus a live “Stranger” era concert recording, recorded, IIRC, somewhere in New York City. I could look, but I don’t have Internet access at the moment.
I can’t really tell about the remastering. Perhaps my music expert wife can tell the difference, but I really can’t. I listened to it once, all the way through, and all I can really say, to be far, is that maybe the mix is a little cleaner. That’s all. It’s fine-don’t get me wrong. I’m a fanboy, so I have no objections towards buying the same album for the 3rd time, and in some cases the same song for the 8th or 9th time.
But, similar to the Led Zeppelin box set that I bought in the early nineties, my ear is not keen enough to hear the difference between the “original” CD and the remaster. I drew the line, though, at the new new remaster of Zeppelin that they put out in preparation for the concert they played in London. Not going to pay for that again again.
There’s a new verse to the live version of “The Entertainer” that I’ve never heard before. That’s interesting. The “Brenda and Eddie” section of the live “Scenes” is a little stripped down, which is different. The horns are much brassier-obviously live horns, instead of the synthesized ones that became more common later.
It’s nice to have another 1970s era Joel live recording to listen to. They are hard to find, and the whole thing from that era is just more energized. As Henry Rollins would put it, he’s out there defending his music against a public and a world of critics that didn’t yet anoint him as a genius. The band seems to work harder, Billy seems to play faster, the whole thing is just a little more rock and roll than a live album like “12 Gardens Live”. To my untrained ears, “Angry Young Man” is quite a bit faster.
Then again, I have to cut the man some slack. I’m comparing him from his twenties and thirties to his fifties and sixties. I can’t think of anyone except Tina Turner who doesn’t suffer with that comparison.
From the “Are you HIGH?” department, the SEC is considering loosening accounting rules. LOOSENING. Yeah, because it was all those tight rules that got us into this mess in the first place. What a fiasco.
It is the “30th Anniversary Edition” of “The Stranger”, which, IIRC, is by far Billy’s best selling record. In fact, for a while it was the second best seller in the history of Columbia Records, right behind, I believe, “Thriller”. I could be wrong. It has, of course, a remastered version of the album, plus a live “Stranger” era concert recording, recorded, IIRC, somewhere in New York City. I could look, but I don’t have Internet access at the moment.
I can’t really tell about the remastering. Perhaps my music expert wife can tell the difference, but I really can’t. I listened to it once, all the way through, and all I can really say, to be far, is that maybe the mix is a little cleaner. That’s all. It’s fine-don’t get me wrong. I’m a fanboy, so I have no objections towards buying the same album for the 3rd time, and in some cases the same song for the 8th or 9th time.
But, similar to the Led Zeppelin box set that I bought in the early nineties, my ear is not keen enough to hear the difference between the “original” CD and the remaster. I drew the line, though, at the new new remaster of Zeppelin that they put out in preparation for the concert they played in London. Not going to pay for that again again.
There’s a new verse to the live version of “The Entertainer” that I’ve never heard before. That’s interesting. The “Brenda and Eddie” section of the live “Scenes” is a little stripped down, which is different. The horns are much brassier-obviously live horns, instead of the synthesized ones that became more common later.
It’s nice to have another 1970s era Joel live recording to listen to. They are hard to find, and the whole thing from that era is just more energized. As Henry Rollins would put it, he’s out there defending his music against a public and a world of critics that didn’t yet anoint him as a genius. The band seems to work harder, Billy seems to play faster, the whole thing is just a little more rock and roll than a live album like “12 Gardens Live”. To my untrained ears, “Angry Young Man” is quite a bit faster.
Then again, I have to cut the man some slack. I’m comparing him from his twenties and thirties to his fifties and sixties. I can’t think of anyone except Tina Turner who doesn’t suffer with that comparison.
From the “Are you HIGH?” department, the SEC is considering loosening accounting rules. LOOSENING. Yeah, because it was all those tight rules that got us into this mess in the first place. What a fiasco.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Most Delusional Statement Ever
Douglas Feith, on 60 Minutes, on the Iraq War, “our goal was to prevent the next attack.” So, naturally, you invaded a country who didn’t attack us and had no terrorists there.
“I think the president made the right decision, given what he knew then, and given what we’ve learned since.” That is the clubhouse leader for Most Delusional Statement in Human History, right up there with “Sure, General Custer, I don’t think the Indians will attack today,” and “An air attack? On Pearl Harbor? They wouldn’t dare.”
No, wait, here’s a better one: Condeleeza Rice- “I am proud of the Iraq War.” Really? Wow. That’s a stunner.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/07/iraq.security/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Security is improving, they say.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/07/iraq.main/index.html
Bombings kill 11.
I guess, going from utterly horrible to just horrible is improvement, of sorts. What a disaster.
In Boston, the Red Sox scratched out an 8th inning run on an RBI single from the Bad Man. Dice K threw seven shutout innings, and Okey Doke vultured a win, which will, if nothing else, help my fantasy team.
Anyone have any nominations for "Most Delusional Statement in the History of Statements"?
“I think the president made the right decision, given what he knew then, and given what we’ve learned since.” That is the clubhouse leader for Most Delusional Statement in Human History, right up there with “Sure, General Custer, I don’t think the Indians will attack today,” and “An air attack? On Pearl Harbor? They wouldn’t dare.”
No, wait, here’s a better one: Condeleeza Rice- “I am proud of the Iraq War.” Really? Wow. That’s a stunner.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/07/iraq.security/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Security is improving, they say.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/07/iraq.main/index.html
Bombings kill 11.
I guess, going from utterly horrible to just horrible is improvement, of sorts. What a disaster.
In Boston, the Red Sox scratched out an 8th inning run on an RBI single from the Bad Man. Dice K threw seven shutout innings, and Okey Doke vultured a win, which will, if nothing else, help my fantasy team.
Anyone have any nominations for "Most Delusional Statement in the History of Statements"?
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