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March 30, 2008
Taekwondo Spring '08 Championship
It was another long day at the championship.
Forms:
Kyla performed Yul Guk, and performed it very well. Unfortunately, the judges must have not had enough coffee and gave her 2nd place. I'm not saying this because I'm her dad, Im saying this because I watched. She really deserved to get 1st, and not 2nd. But, I'm extremely proud of her for going out there, and doing a great job.
I'd also like to congratulate her friend Taylor for getting 1st in form for her group!
Board Breaking:
Her first combo was a jumping snap kick (1 board), and a side kick (1 board). Her second combo was a round house (1 board) and an outside ax kick (2 boards). She broke everything on her first attempt, and did a great job at setting up the holders on her own. However, she took 2nd. Frankly, the girl who got first also did a good job. It was a toss up to me, and I think she only got 2nd by a few 10ths of a point. But, she wasn't robbed like she was in forms :-) Good, solid performance. Next time, I think she'll be doing 2 boards for each strike. I think that that's what put the other girl over the top, since she used 2 boards in each of her combo's.
Sparring:
If you're keeping score, Kyla has gotten 1st in sparring two championships in a row. And, this time, she didn't disappoint. She is still reigning champ. As I know I have said before, sparring is, to me, the most important event. You'll never be attacked by bullies who coincidentally attack in a way a form will defend you. And, it's unlikely pine boards will be jumping out at your on the school yard.
Her first match was against the girl who got 1st in the breaking event. It seemed like a decent match up, at first. Then, the girl punched Kyla in the throat a few times. I saw twice, Kyla said it was four times (maybe angles I didn't see). Kyla was hurt, and they stopped the match for a moment. Getting punched in the throat isn't a good feeling.. been there. She cried, understandably, and the other girl got a warning. When the match resumed, Kyla came out with a vengeance, and kicked the girls ass. She won the match.
The second match was, well, not much of a match. Kyla was tired and hurt, but came out swinging. Her opponent, well, I don't know. Either she's not a great sparrer, was intimidated, or a little scared (Kyla was obviously on a warpath, and she knew it). Kyla knocked her out of the ring twice, and almost knocked her to the ground a few times with front-kicks and punches. She really dominated. After beating both girls, she took the gold.
I must say, I'm extremely proud of her performance for the day. However, her sparring made me extremely proud. Not just because she did well, but more because she didn't give up. She was punched in the throat, out of breath, and in pain yet she continued on. She didn't give up, and she didn't let up.
This is in contrast to one time in class she was kicked in the gut (the boy she was sparring, his foot slid under her padding), and gave up. I told her that life is a series of kicks to the gut. The difference between winners in life and losers in life is if you get up or not. And, this time, she got up and she's a winner.
CONGRATS KYLA!
Posted by Kevin at 9:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2008
"Delish"
I have Food Network on a lot, and sometimes watch Rachael Ray (although she can grate on my nerves). But, she cooks quick meals and since I usually cook, I like to get ideas. But, she says "delish", and this bugs the crap out of me. What's so hard about adding 'us'? Delicious.. not hard to say, just an extra syllable and it's actually a word.
I also hate "sammy". It's a "sandwich". I'll even take "sammich", but not "sammy". If you're wanting to refer to a smaller-than-usual sandwich, at least use the word "slider". I think slider is more reserved for mini-burgers (a la White Castle), but it makes more sense than "sammy".
Posted by Kevin at 5:01 PM | Comments (0)
Obama: Had Wright not retired, I'd have left church - CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/28/obama.pastor/index.html
*sniff* What's that? *sniff* I smell something *sniff* Oh, that's bullshit I smell. It's very convenient for him that he already did retire, and was going to retire when the mainstream media picked this story up. Because, he sure didn't leave the church in the time before he retired and the story broke.
Posted by Kevin at 1:23 PM | Comments (0)
Just when you think it's Spring
Just a little late March snow.
Posted by Kevin at 9:17 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2008
JavaPop::Creator of the World's First Organic Fair Trade Soda!
We were at Ocean State Job Lot the other day, and I saw this soda. It was $1 for a 4-pack, so I picked up two to try it out. Soda + coffee, how could I go wrong? I didn't. It's really really good. If you see it in a store, worth trying out.
Posted by Kevin at 3:31 PM | Comments (0)
McCain: Collaborate More With Allies
Novel idea, eh? Bush didn't collaborate much, Obama wants to talk to enemies and McCain want to talk with allies.
Posted by Kevin at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
Some Kyla stuff
This Saturday is the Spring Taekwondo Championship. She'll again be competing in board breaking, forms and sparring. She's excited because the "grand champion" trophy is now available to all belt levels, and not just black belts. You need to get 1st in all three events to get the trophy. I can't say I'd bet Kyla would do that (depends on her competition), but I do think she'll do well in all three areas.
In two weeks she'll be testing for her red belt. No reason I can think of for her not to get it. She's ready for the next level. It sort of sucks for me since the red belt class is at a different time than we've been going, and not quite as convenient for me. Oh well.
Today she is testing (SCAT test) to be able to take middle school classes next year during 5th grade. Sort of like an advanced placement (which I was in in high school) thing. I hope she gets in, since it'd be a great opportunity for her. As far as I can tell this year, the biggest thing she's learned is long division. She'd be doing trig by now if I had my way :-)
Spring is here, and I think I need to "make" her get involved with more things. Baseball didn't pan out, but I think she should try soccer. I don't care much for the sport, but it'd get her doing something athletic. TKD is athletic, but something outdoors would be good.
Posted by Kevin at 9:19 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2008
HBO Films: John Adams
A few days ago I said how HBO basically sucks. Well, it does. However, for the currently running John Adams series. I just watched the first two episodes, and I must say.. fan-freakin-tastic. The acting is well done, and from what I can recall from all my American history classes, the accuracy is pretty darn good.
I think people should watch this show. If for nothing else, to see what, or to remember what, it was our founding fathers went through. What they did, why they did it and the leap into the darkness they took. These are them we owe for being able to sit in our homes and whine and complain on the internet *ahem*. The men who made it so we can call our (elected) leader a dictator, then have a chance to elect a new one. Then, complain about the new one!
The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea. - John Adams
I can't remember a better depiction of men who we now mainly seen as two-dimensional characters. It was interesting to see how politics then, is pretty similar to politics now. And, it was nice to see them come together, for better or worse, against a common enemy. Frankly, I felt a bit patriotic while watching it.
I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
If you have HBO, give the series a shot.
Posted by Kevin at 12:15 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2008
Wimping Out: Obama's Squandered Chance at Post-Racialism::By Mary Katharine Ham
Great article.
Posted by Kevin at 1:44 PM | Comments (0)
2nd Cooking Class
Last week I went to another cooking class. The teaching chef was from the Olde Bryan Inn, which is a fantastic restaurant up here. In fact, if you are ever up in this area, you need to go eat there. They have a "sister" restaurant, Longfellows, which is just as good. Really, if you're ever here, you need to go to one of them.
We made 4 dishes, which were excellent. The chef was a great instructor, and now I can make a few OBI dishes at home. As well, Kyla came with me. She got to help the chef at the end with making the Banana Strawberry Piñata.
I'll keep taking some of these classes, since they are fun, but also because I learn something new each time. Not just a recipe, but a something about cooking. Also, when you see things being made, while being explained to you, making certain things are less intimidating.
Here's a picture of me eating something. I was the only one in this class who kept their paper chef hat on.
And, here's a photo of Kyla helping with the dessert.
Posted by Kevin at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2008
Sarah Jessica Parker hurt by cruel mag poll
Parker, 43, has had a hard time dealing with the news that men do not
find her as attractive as advertisers do, claiming the result of the
Maxim poll was "brutal" and also affected her husband, actor Matthew
Broderick.
I'm not sure I know of any man who finds her attractive. Well, if Mr. Ed were alive, he probably would.
Posted by Kevin at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
The Local - Swedish town celebrates Church Cock victory
"It's a lovely cock," said Anna-Maria Larsson, the parish vicar, who plans to mention the award during Easter services on Sunday.
*giggle*
Posted by Kevin at 11:20 PM | Comments (0)
Starbucks Announces Sweeping Changes - New York Times
I see a lot of changes in there. But, I didn't see "We'll now charge a reasonable price for a cup of coffee. Because, you know.. it's coffee and not liquid gold" or "We'll stop making up sizes. People like to say 'small', 'medium' and 'large'.. so that's what we'll call them."
Dunkin, you're still #1 for me! "Large, light and sweet" and they hand me the nectar of the gods.
Posted by Kevin at 9:54 PM | Comments (0)
Starbucks Announces Sweeping Changes - New York Times
I see a lot of changes in there. But, I didn't see "We'll now charge a reasonable price for a cup of coffee. Because, you know.. it's coffee and not liquid gold" or "We'll stop making up sizes. People like to say 'small', 'medium' and 'large'.. so that's what we'll call them."
Dunkin, you're still #1 for me! "Large, light and sweet" and they hand me the nectar of the gods.
Posted by Kevin at 9:54 PM | Comments (0)
Obama Iraq War Statement
Today I heard a clip of Obama speaking on the anniversary of the Iraq War and saying how the war in Iraq has lasted longer than the Civil War, World War I and World War II. What he didn't mention was:
Civil War: 600,000 people died (2% of the population). Many of those people died because of the opposition to slavery. Something he, nor his buddy Pastor Wright mention.
World War I: Globally, 20 million dead, 21 million wounded. The USA had 116,708 military deaths.
World War II: 416,800 US military deaths, with total deaths estimated in upwards of 70 million. The attack on Pearl Harbor alone took around 2,350 lives.
Vietnam War: Although he didn't mention Vietnam, there were 58,209 US deaths.
Korean War: Again, not mentioned, but 36,516 dead.
US deaths, as of now, in Iraq is around 4,000. 9/11 took the lives of 2,998. I'm not saying that the war in Iraq is being "well run" because of what's really a relatively low number of deaths for a war. But, I am saying that you shouldn't spew out rhetoric on the duration of a war, when in reality, that war hasn't had as many deaths as any you compare it against.
So, using these stats in contrast to what Obama said, the war in Iraq has lasted longer than the Civil War, World War I and World War II. However, there has currently been only 3.2% of the deaths in WWI, .92% of WWII, and .65% of the Civil War.
So, Obama, why a longer war against unconventional fighters with the mentality to blow themselves up, but so fewer deaths than all the other wars? And, with an estimated 14,700 insurgent/militia deaths.
Posted by Kevin at 7:21 PM | Comments (0)
Buried in Eloquence, Obama Contradictions About Pastor
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4480868&page=1
For so long, if he said it was raining on a sunny day, they would say to grab an umbrella. If it were snowing outside and he said it was warm, they would say to put some shorts on. Is this finally the time Obama stops being the media darling? Was his "historic" speech, filled with spin and curiosity, finally what will get people to realize he's probably not the person to be in the Oval Office? For someone who wants to be a "uniter", his lack of judgment for choosing an anti-America, anti-unity church and pastor is astounding. Do you really want a lapse in judgment choose any Supreme Court justices?
Posted by Kevin at 4:14 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2008
American Gangster
Watched this movie last night (and into early this morning), and really really liked it. I'm not exactly sure how long the extended version was, but it was pretty frikkin' long. But, worth it!
Posted by Kevin at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
Dear IRS
Dear IRS,
I really appreciate that you sent a letter out via the US Mail telling me that a stimulus check may be coming. However, and I think I can speak for everyone here, when you open your mailbox and see mail with the envelope saying 'IRS' on it, your heart skips a few beats. Although your intentions are good, it's just plain scary.
Also, what paid for those letters to be drafted, designed, printed and sent? Next time, just save that tax money used for letters to tell us a check us coming, and just send the check. Not that that was a waste of tax money or anything, but it was.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Posted by Kevin at 9:29 AM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2008
Close to an accident
I was driving back from bringing Kyla and Suzy to the airport this afternoon. We've all been there, on the highway behind a pickup truck with a ladder (or something) laying on a metal frame. It's probably been through all our minds... "I hope that stays on there".
So, there I am, driving behind such a pickup in the center lane.. about 8-10 car lengths behind, traveling at about 75. I'm singing along to Turn the Page and look up. The ladder was suddenly in, well, this / sort of position. I think "That doesn't look right", and it sure didn't. In almost slow-motion I watch it start turning, and fly right off. It starts rolling right in front of, in my lane. I put on my brakes, blinker, look in my side-view and move over to the right lane. Luckily, I missed it, and it didn't roll into me.
Lessons here: Make sure your ladders are secure, and allow follow from a safe distance.
Posted by Kevin at 5:16 PM | Comments (0)
Playing by Obama's Rules
http://townhall.com/columnists/PatrickJBuchanan/2008/03/14/playing_by_obamas_rules
I was thinking about the situation with the statements given by Geraldine Ferraro:
"If Obama was a white man he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up with the concept."
Obama, said about the remarks:
"I don't think Geraldine Ferraro's comments have any place in our politics or in the Democratic Party. They are divisive. I think anybody who understands the history of this country knows they are patently absurd," he told the Allentown Morning Call. "And I would expect that the same way those comments don't have a place in my campaign they shouldn't have a place in Senator Clinton's either."
People got all upset, said she's injecting race (which is injected anyways), and people generally weren't happy. But, why? I guess I couldn't understand what the hubbub is about this. He is where he is because he's black, isn't he? Black voters are out in force voting for him, because he's black. Romney won Utah because he's Mormon, Huckabee won the bible belt because he's evangelical. Clinton gets some female voters because she a woman. Obviously, Obama gets votes because he's black.
Don't get me wrong, I think Obama is a fantastic speaker (if I said he's articulate, then I too may be called racist). He's someone who can pump people up, and he seems like someone people would want to follow. I do believe this has indeed helped him as well. However, being that his support has grown while having no real policy to speak of, it can't all be that he's a great orator (there are some great orators in history who ended up having some pretty bad policies).
Anyways, I have to say I agree with Buchanan on this one. I don't think what Ferraro said was "wrong". In a sense, it's hard to say it's not right. I don't really care, but I do care that you can't seem to say anything negative about Obama without then being called a racist. But, I'll wager if he lost to McCain, people would be all about saying it's because he's black.
For me, white, black, male, female.. I don't care. I just want someone who's not going to tax me to death, and take the country in a good direction.
Posted by Kevin at 11:12 AM | Comments (0)
Mother Arrested Under Truancy Prevention Program
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2008/03/13/truancy_arrest/
This is sort of an interesting one. A 16 year old girl skips school around 100 times, so they mother get arrested. BUT, New York only makes you go to school until you're 16. So, the mother of a girl who doesn't legally need to be going to school gets arrested for that kid not going to school.
I like the truancy program, since I do think parents need to be responsible for having their kids in school. However, I don't every remember skipping school before school. Whenever I skipped school (wasn't often), I was at school, then left. How are the parents to hold the schools responsible? The article even says:
Her mother said that she had taken her to school on numerous occasions only to have the girl leave.
If that's the case, the skipping of school happened once the kid is already there, it's no longer the responsibility of the parent, as the kid is in the control of the school.
Posted by Kevin at 9:34 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2008
The Associated Press: Congress Endorses Post-Bush Tax Hikes
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSu1RI33g5jZfU8YAz7ZFmoPbb7AD8VCTJ200
Democrats in both House and Senate pressed ahead with budget plans that would saddle millions of Americans with higher tax bills in three years by allowing some or all of President Bush's reductions to die after he leaves office.
Thanks Congress! You Democrats are sure doing some fine work since taking over. And, if Clinton or (especially) Obama end up in office, expect more taxes. In fact, I wouldn't doubt it if employers just send your paycheck right to the government, and they just send you whatever is left for you to spend, which you'd again be taxed, of course.
I think, not including property tax and school taxes which I put into an escrow, about $.33 of every dollar I earn goes to either federal/state (withholding) taxes, or sales tax. That means, I need to make $1.50 to buy something which costs $1. Maybe in 3 years, that'll be up to $1.80! Unfortunately, it won't be because I'm in a new tax bracket.
Posted by Kevin at 11:27 PM | Comments (0)
FOXNews.com - Report: Hooker Behind Spitzer's Fall Revealed
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,337331,00.html
Story has a link to some pics. Frankly, for the $4k+, I'd be asking for a refund.
What I thought was amusing, is that she is a NJ native, and lives in NYC.
Her mother, who didn't know her daughter was an escort until she called her last week, told the Times she doesn't think her daughter knew who Spitzer was at the time of the incident.
Then, it goes on to quote her mother...
"She is a very bright girl..."
Well, she's not very bright if she doesn't know who Spitzer is, and lives here. And, the "being a hooker" part doesn't lend to the "brightness" part either.
Posted by Kevin at 9:43 AM | Comments (0)
Woman stuck on toilet for two years, police say - CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/12/woman.stuck.on.toilet.ap/index.html
Can't make this stuff up!
Posted by Kevin at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2008
Wealthy Quitters
Rich people resign so easily. I don't care if I made a racist statement while screwing a hooker on the steps of city hall, I wouldn't quit!
Posted by Kevin at 11:41 PM | Comments (0)
Up Yours 1st National Bank of Scotia
I think I've been late on 1 payment over the past decade. At least, one I can remember. It was simply because I either lost the bill, misplaced it, or it never came. But, as soon as the next bill came and I saw it was twice the usual amount, I immediately called and payed via phone. I've worked hard over the years to build good credit, and hate.. nay.. despise it when I get a threatening letter from someone who can easily mar that credit.
Back to the letter. I have all my recurring bills auto-payed by my bank. Every month, they are sent out with plenty of time to make my monthly due dates. That being the case, I immediately looked online to make sure that check was sent. It was, and it was posted on 2/22, four days before the due date. Blood pressure rising, I called the bank. The person who answered redirected my call, then the next person said she "can't look anything up" and was again redirecting me. But, she also doesn't know how to use the phone system, so she hung up on me. I called back, redirected.. got a person.
She was very nice, and I was keeping my cool. I was certainly frustrated, since these letters offend me. I don't get any "Thanks for paying early for the past 3 years! In our appreciation you'll get a new toaster!" No, it's "you're late, we may send this info to the credit bureaus and here's a hefty late fee for you." Problem was here, this is the loan for Suzy's car, so she wouldn't discuss the account with me. This is another thing that bugs me. I hate calling places which won't discuss accounts for my wife. Everyone says it's a "privacy" thing. I've seen her naked, I think you can talk about the car loan with me. This isn't a medical issue where HIPAA is involved, it's about a car payment. I'm not asking to close an account, transfer money or do anything to the account, just trying to get it straight that I'm staring at posted check from 2/22 and a letter saying it's past due from 2/26.
The woman was still very nice, but was politely telling me to tell Suzy to call, or send something in writing saying they can talk to me about the account. This was pretty frustrating for me. I took her number, and called Suzy for her to call in.
A little over an hour later the bank called back. Without discussing the account "directly", she explained what "would" happen "if" an account had "a mistake". Not this account, per se, but "any account". Basically, telling me what happened with our account without saying it was our account, because she can't discuss this specific account with me. However, I do appreciate her making sure everything was OK with the account, and getting it straightened out. To her, I give my thanks.
But, to the bank for making this mistake, I give a big ole fuck you. Your system had over 10 days to figure out I wasn't delinquent. Over... 10... days. This letter should never have been sent. It caused me frustration I didn't deserve, and wasted time which didn't need to be.
Think I'll get a "sorry, we fucked up" letter? Doubt it. Think we'll get another auto loan from you again? Doubt that too.
Posted by Kevin at 9:16 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2008
Spitzer successor would be nation's 4th black governor - CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/paterson.bio/
As not to focus on race, I'll point out he'll be the first BLIND governor. Which, I think, is more interesting than his blackness. If he were also gay, and Jewish, this could become a banner day for various minorities!
Posted by Kevin at 1:17 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2008
Spitzer reportedly involved in prostitution ring
Prosecutors said the highest-ranked prostitutes cost $5,500 an hour.
If he resigns, I sure hope the new Governor does something about these horribly inflated prices for hookers! I remember when you could get a burger, soda and handjob for $.83!
Posted by Kevin at 5:02 PM | Comments (0)
Skip Intro
Are more sites these days doing a Flash intro on their homepages? Not sure why, but I seem to come across more of them. Luckily, they all have a 'skip intro' link, because what website needs an intro? Who watches those? As far as I know, people still want content on teh interweb, not to be introduced.
Posted by Kevin at 4:03 PM | Comments (0)
Odd MacBook issue
Over the past few weeks, my laptop has randomly turned off a few times. No warning, just off. The only thing I see in any logs around the time has been lookupd failing. But, not sure if that is the cause. Just *poof* off. Doesn't happen on any specific application, and I've trimmed down to the bare-bones stuff (Adium, FireFox and Terminal). So far (knock on wood) it's not daily, and has been a few days apart each time.
Also, oddly, when I reboot, Airport can't find my default, home, network. But, it's in the dropdown of networks. I have to turn the Airport off, then on, and it auto connects as it should on restart. The system.log shows, during startup, that it can't find the password for my network in the Keychain (it's there, I see it). I think this started at the same time when the power-down issue started.
It happened again yesterday, so I called up Apple (still have AppleCare). I was on the phone with them for over 2 hours, and 2 different people. Tried this, tried that but no real solution. Problem is, I can't make the power-off thing happen on command. But, can obviously reproduce the not-finding-my-network thing.
The people at Apple are very helpful. They have their, what seems, set of "let's try this" stuff. One thing I didn't like, is every time I said "This is what I see in the logs...." they seemed to not care much. The 2nd person seemed to think the power-down was maybe a power supply issue. Frankly, I don't. I saw somewhere about a similar issue where lookupd may cause a sudden power-down, and I have seen some lookupd errors. But, she didn't want to explore that. And, she couldn't solve the Airport issue. When I said "I see this related error in the logs..." it didn't deter her plan for moving some folder and just trying to restart. At the end, she just wanted me to backup and re-install OS X (which I don't care much to do).
Hopefully, maybe something we did corrected the power-down issue. I can live with the other issue if I need to. But, if it powers down again.. it's off to Apple for them to fix it.
Posted by Kevin at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
Time changes suck
Being someone who is usually up until 1am (at least) anyways, the Spring Forward time change always sucks for me. I'm sleepy.
Posted by Kevin at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
March 7, 2008
Obama Team Charges 'Double Standard' on Adviser Statements | The Trail | washingtonpost.com
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/07/obama_team_charges_double_stan.html
So, I'm confused here (surprise!). In this interview, an Obama adviser basically says that Obama may not pull troops out of Iraq in 16 months. I recall, a few times, hearing him say that and being quite proud of himself for saying so (many cheers occur when he says it). In fact, I think a lot of anti-win people have flocked to him because of that.
BBC:Ok, so the 16 months is negotiable?
POWER: It's the best case scenario.
BBC: It's the best case scenario.
POWER: It is -
BBC: And of course in Iraq we've never seen best case scenario.
POWER: We have never seen best case scenario
BBC: So we needn't necessarily take it seriously at all.
POWER: What we can take seriously is that he will try to get US forces out as quickly and as responsibly as possible. And that's the best case, estimate of what it would take.
But, this is on Obama's website:
That pretty much states what I've heard him say.. "I'm in office, 16 months later we're out of Iraq." Is it that now he's be back-peddling on that, since it shows he is inflexible an unadaptive, or is his website misleading and disingenuous? Or, is he really inflexible, and unadaptive?
Posted by Kevin at 4:39 PM | Comments (0)
One hot recipe!
Was looking for a recipe to cook for tonight, and this one looked good. Until, I got to the cooking instructions. Unfortunately, my house is too far from the Sun.
Posted by Kevin at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
Wintry mix blasts Panhandle, North Texas with sleet, snow | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5599766.html
Snow across Texas, Arkansas and other places which don't generally get that amount of snowfall (and not in March).
That's what I call some Inconvenient Weather!
Posted by Kevin at 10:28 AM | Comments (0)
The Associated Press: Officials: Letters Not Linked to NY Bomb
This really has to be the best example of coincidental timing I've ever heard of.
Posted by Kevin at 9:14 AM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2008
McCain right on Iraq: Long-term U.S. presence essential
A Democratic line is emerging about Sen. John McCain that is voiced daily by Sen. Obama (and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton) in the presidential campaign. "Senator McCain said the other day that we might be mired for 100 years in Iraq," Obama says, "which is reason enough not to give him four years in the White House." Or more directly, as Obama told a Houston audience, McCain "says that he is willing to send our troops into another 100 years of war in Iraq."
I'm not saying here if I'm agreeing with McCain (however, I am a man of logic and sense), but about what the author of this opinion points out. Almost daily, and surely even more often as the general election closes in, we will hear Clinton (hopefully) or Obama (God help us) take what McCain said out of context. And, the problem is, in the case of Obama, people just seem to listen to him like he's a prophet and eat up whatever he says. If he said he likes eating shit burritos, Taco Bell would be serving them tomorrow, and the line of sheep would round the corner (I'm no Obama fan.. again.. logic and sense. Neither of which tell me he'd be a good President in the current state of the world and his wet-behind-the-ear track record).
Anyways, what McCain really said was:
On Jan. 3 in Derry, N.H., a voter prefaced a question to McCain by saying, "President Bush has talked about our staying in Iraq for 50 years ..." Here, McCain cut him off, interjecting, "Make it a hundred."
The voter tried to continue his question, but McCain pressed on: "We've been in ... Japan for 60 years. We've been in South Korea 50 years or so. That would be fine with me, as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed. It's fine with me, I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al-Qaida is training, equipping and recruiting and motivating people every single day."
McCain is NOT talking about having a WAR IN IRAQ for 100 years. He's talking about a presence there. Just as we have in other countries for the same reason we'd have one there. So, what Obama repeats over and over is simply not true. McCain doesn't want the war to go on for 100 years like Obama wants you to believe (and people do). And, he isn't crying for us to leave South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy and other countries which we stayed at after the wars.
And, he's also right about (most) Americans not caring how long we are there, as long as Americans aren't being harmed or injured. You know you don't care. If you did, you'd be able to name every country we have troops in, and you know you can't. Why? Because if nobody is being hurt, you don't care.
What everyone does care about is Americans (or anyone) being injured in Iraq, right now. But, that's a different topic on policy.
Posted by Kevin at 1:25 PM | Comments (0)
March 5, 2008
Dexter
I don't have Showtime (I have HBO, which is pretty worthless), so didn't get to see this show. But, now that it's on regular TV, we've been watching it.. and loving it.
Michael C. Hall does an excellent job, and is interesting to watch if you also saw Six Feet Under (which was one of the only things which made HBO decent). I also find it fun to watch a serial killer which is likable! You can't feel so much hatred for him when he's "Taking out the trash."
But, sorry CBS. We'll now be watching this show on DVD. There is a tinge of "we're missing something" due to the editing. Not just the "bad language", but who knows if we're missing something else due to it being on the network, or being edited for commercials. So, Netflix to the rescue. We'll watch the next episode on TV, then start on disk 2 of the DVDs.
But, great show. Maybe we should switch to Showtime for a while. I also hear Weeds is a good show, and I've always liked Penn & Teller: Bullshit! HBO now only has three shows I like; Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage and Big Love. No more Oz, Sopranos, Deadwood, Six Feet Under (which did end at a good time), Rome, or Da Ali G Show. And for movies.. eh. I'm unimpressed with their cycle of new movies. By time they play them, if the play them at all (no Reno 911! no DaVinci Code), I've already rented them. But, if you are a fan of The Wire, you can see it at almost any time. I digress... Dexter.. good.
Posted by Kevin at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
March 3, 2008
Earth Liberation Front Burns Street of Dreams Development - thedailygreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/earth-liberation-front-47030308
ELF is sort of dumb, if you ask me. They wait until these homes are built (the land is cleared, the roads are in, etc...) then burn them down. So, now it just means more machinery and supplies to rebuild. And yes, you know they will rebuild. Surely, insurance will cover the loss, and the developer wouldn't lose out. Kind of counter-productive, if you ask me.
Sprawl can be bad, sprawl can be good. I think it all depends on the planning, and what the local governments do. For example, where I live I call a sub-rural area. It's part sub-urban, and part rural. The local government makes sure there is a certain amount of "green space", to ensure the town doesn't end up like somewhere like South Florida (where you can sometimes hear your neighbor fart). Also, the planning of roads would be very important. If you end up with a lot of traffic congestion, the planning probably wasn't done so well. If your roads can't handle the people, then it's simply time to stop building.
I'm not exactly sure what ELF wants, and don't really care to read up on it. Maybe, they want everyone to live in tents. Or, they prefer building up instead of out. Possibly, they are against progress, jobs, local economies and people who "have" or are working towards "having". Possibly, they want everyone to ride a bike or Prius, and live in a house made of hay and compost.
There is surely a better way for them to accomplish some goals without doing what they are doing. I'm not even sure what they do actually has accomplished anything. When they have done these "attacks" in the past, have they ever stopped what they wanted them to?
Posted by Kevin at 1:24 PM | Comments (0)