Tuesday, November 30, 2004

How Many Days After Thanksgiving Is It Okay To Ask How Someone's Thanksgiving Was?

As we returned from a long weekend, I began to wonder how long one has to ask his colleagues how their Thanksgiving was. I figure tomorrow (Wed) is about it. By Friday it's definitely too late to ask how someone's Thanksgiving was.

For some reason I think this might have been a bit on a television show. Like how soon after a normal weekend can you ask how a weekend was? It's perfectly natural to ask on Monday, and Tuesday can be fine, especially in the mornings. But by Wednesday, "How was your weekend?" is not a reasonable question. It's also too early for "What are you doing next weekend?" So what is a suitable Wednesday greeting? "How's your week so far?" I don't think so...

Can someone please let me know if I've totally ripped this bit off a tv show? It seems like a nice observation yet at the same time I have this total sense of deja vu.

Deja vu. The matrix just reset itself.

Monday, November 29, 2004

Two Words a Single Guy Hates to Hear

Today, I noticed that even if a woman (of similar age) that I have absolutely no romatic interest in says the words, "my boyfriend" it makes me wince. Hopefully it's just a psychological wincing and not an obvious physical flinch. I'm not sure why this happens. Some sort of carnal instinct?

Certainly in a bar, those two words are a big conversation killer for me. Oh, your boyfriend? Great... that's the last person I want to hear about. But this morning, I wasn't in a bar and it made me (figuratively) roll my eyes.

Do single women wince when they hear guys say "my girlfriend"? I suspect that single women might actually do the opposite -- raise their eyebrows and want even more information -- either for gossip or to figure out what kind of man they're really talking to.

Seinfeld/Superman ads

Does anyone have a link to those Seinfeld/Superman web-only tv ads? The link that used to work (http://www.americanexpress.com/jerry) no longer seems to function.

Greatest Hits Albums

To the popular music afficianado, there must not be any greater nemesis than the "Greatest Hits" album. "Hits" albums are great for marginal fans or people who have never been exposed to a band. They're like the appetizer sampler of music albums.

On the other hand, for uber-fans of any musical artist, they're an expenditure that's not worth making. If you've already got all the albums, why do you need a compilation of songs that you already have? The digital age of multiple playlists makes this worse since you can already make the new album track list out of existing songs.

What's worse is the making of a "Hits" album probably wasn't even the artist's choice in the first place. Most likely, it's standard practice to add a "Hits" album to a record contract since it's so easy to make and it's just like easy money.

Is it better if the "Hits" album has a few new tracks? I'm split on this one. If you're really a nutty fan, then it won't make a difference -- you'll want the album art and the whole piece to sit alongside your other music. But you could also be a serious enough fan to be upset that you need to buy an entire album to just get two or three songs. Then again, it's nice to get something new at all.

In some cases, these new songs are marginal -- check out Billy Joel's various Greatest Hits albums. "Night is Still Young" and "You're Only Human" are not some of his stronger works. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, however, had a teriffic song in "Mary Jane's Last Dance" on their "Hits" album.

Unfortunately, it appears that "Greatest Hits" albums are a reality in the music industry and it won't change anytime soon.

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Spam text message?

I think I got a spam text message on my phone the other day. That's just what I need. I think it was spam, unless someone sent a really dirty message to the wrong person.

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the folks (me) at KFB!

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Cell Phone + Camera

When I first saw this knife I thought "That seems stupid!"

Then again, when I first saw a camera/cell phone, I thought it was stupid too.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Winners

Funny thing. I guess everybody loves a winner. Yay Bush!!

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Ocean's 12

I enjoyed the movie Ocean's Eleven, but I have a feeling the upcoming Ocean's Twelve will not be a good one. Why? It's a sequel to a remake, and they're advertising it so heavily right now. When a movie's advertised this heavily in advance it always seems like it won't be a good one...

Jets Blog

Jets versus Browns

1:00pm - The Browns have lost three in a row and say "we deserve to win." But the Jets have lost three of four. Don't they also deserve to win?

1:08pm - Doug Brien misses a 43 yd FG. This reminds me of the game vs Buffalo they lost two weeks ago.

1:13pm - Jets defense forces a 3 & out. Maybe this isn't like the Buffalo game.

1:20pm - Jets tackle Suggs for a 4 yd loss, an incompete pass, then a near sack on Garcia. Not bad. Can the offense do anything?

1:25pm - Quincy Carter sacked again on third down. The punt results in a huge return. This game will be hard to watch if it's a defensive battle.

1:36pm - The Browns sack Carter again on a play action attempt at 3rd and 4. This isn't looking good.

1:41pm - There have been seven punts in the first quarter.

1:52pm - Cleveland scores a TD after moving through the Jets defense pretty handily. There was a questionable call of a late hit on the QB as well. Cleveland 7, Jets 0.

2:07pm - Neither team is playing well, but now Curtis Martin is on the sideline, limping around. Not good.

2:14pm - Garcia looks hurt and Cleveland missed a FG. Are things looking up?

At the half, it's Cleveland 7, Jets 3.

3:04pm - I took a phone call but haven't missed a thing. At this point, both teams haven't converted a single third down in the game. Kelly Holcomb is now in the game for the injured Jeff Garcia. The Jets recover a fumbled punt by the Browns but give it right back when Carter goes deep to a double covered Santana Moss and gets intercepted. Not a bad play call but the lack of 3rd down success is frustrating. This is an ugly, ugly football game.

3:19pm - With 8 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the first third down conversion of the game has been made.

3:27pm - The Browns miss a FG. Did anyone else notice that there have been 3 missed FG's in this game, and only 4 attempts?

3:36pm - My pizza arrives. A check on the internet tells me I've missed a Jets penalty and time out. I'm such a slave to marketing since I got the Domino's DoubleMelt Pizza. The Jets are stopped for a loss and it's 3rd and 10. THE JETS CONVERT THEIR FIRST THIRD DOWN OF THE DAY.

3:40pm - The Jets score a touchdown. I'm feeling less guilty about getting this pizza since the game is much better after its arrival. It's not too bad either. The Jets throw some nice little short passes to Moss and McCairens that give them the lead. Jets 10, Cleveland 7.

The Jets finally started muscling around the Browns defense. They actually scored more points against the Ravens, if you can believe it. I think the line was not playing with much energy earlier today.

And the Jets won the ballgame! What an ugly, ugly football game. Next week they get to go to Arizona, a team that should be a pushover but beat the Giants a few weeks back.

Saturday, November 20, 2004

Pacers vs. Pistons

If you haven't seen anything about the Pacers/Pistons fight, then you undoubtedly will, but if you should put on ESPNEWS as soon as you can to try and watch the whole thing.

The ESPN.com page doesn't do this fight justice.

This fight had it all.

Player hits player. Fan throws beer at player. Player goes into stands. Players hit fans. Fans hit players. Fans come onto floor. Players hit fans on the floor. Fans throw more beer. Fans throw chairs! Larry Brown throws microphone.

Remarkable.

Oh, and the next time the Pacers play the Pistons? A little day called Christmas.

(I'm so thankful this happened so that people no longer talk about that dopey MNF intro)

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Two and a half Big Macs

This Hardee's burger has the same amount of calories as two and a half Big Macs. We should drop a bunch of these into impoverished countries!

Despite knowing that it's got the calorie content of 2 1/2 Big Macs, I still want to eat one.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Nudity

An article like this makes me wonder if people are a little too sensitive about nudity. After all, if that bitch, Eve, had followed directions and not eaten the apple, we would all still be running around naked, frolicking in the Garden of Eden!

Monday, November 15, 2004

Colin Powell - Out?

According to the paper this morning, Colin Powell is out as Secretary of State.

Strangely enough I saw him in an interview yesterday on "The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo" where the following exchange took place. I guess I should have read the subtext more closely.

----

MS. BARTIROMO: The big question for a lot of people wondering, if you have a fire in your belly for another four years as Secretary of State?

SECRETARY POWELL: I've always had fire in my belly for whatever I did.

MS. BARTIROMO: Are you planning to announce imminently that you're stepping down, sir.

SECRETARY POWELL: Whenever something is to be announced, it will be announced, and it is a matter for the President and I to discuss and decide.

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Jets loss

This Jets loss reminds me of a Jets/Patriots game I attended about three years ago. It was Sunday, December 2, 2001. The Jets went up 16-0 but New England, with backup QB Tom Brady leading the way (Brady came in after the Jets knocked Drew Bledsoe out for the season in the two teams' first meeting) won the game 17-16.

Here, the Jets went up 14-0, fell behind 17-14 and then eventually lost in OT 20-17.

Two notes:

1) Doesn't Herm Edwards have a time out/clock management specialist? What happened at the end of regulation?

2) I was feeling pretty bad about this loss until I saw that the Giants lost at Arizona. At least most of the headlines will be about the Giants! The Jets will have the opportunity to catch similar headlines in a few weeks when they go to AZ.

Saturday, November 13, 2004

No Love.... But Still...

There is no love for the Miami Dolphins at the Kitchen Fresh Blog (and now the mere mention of the team will create a Google-bsaed ad on this very site). But still, this article by Skip Bayless on ESPN Page 2 is pretty harsh! The main point is that Dave Wannstedt is a born loser.

Friday, November 12, 2004

Shtick

This blog needs more shtick
I want to get some more hits
Would nudity help?

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Whoa. Ashcroft resigns?

Wow, looks like Attorney General John Ashcroft won't be back for a second Bush term.

I have two questions:

1) Was Ashcroft serious when he said, "The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved, yet I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration, I believe that my energies and talents should be directed toward other challenging horizons."? In particular was he serious about having completed the objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror?

2) Does this mean we'll get to see the boob of that statue of justice again?

Monday, November 08, 2004

An absoultely awful Jets game

Jets vs. Bills 11/7/04

The Bills are a pretty good team despite their 2-5 record entering the game. They barely lost to the Jets in NJ a few weeks ago. On the other hand, the Jets were riding high after their complete victory over the Dolphins last Monday.

There was no doubt that this would be a tough game but with the strong defensive line of the Jets and their diversity of offensive tools, it looked like they would be able to prevail.

In the first quarter, K Doug Brien missed a 36 yd field goal. The winds were heavy but he just missed this FG. At this point, I just had a sense the game would be tough for the Jets, but they had moved the ball very well by attacking with the passing game. Next drive, ends in a Pennington fumble, and it is returned deep into Jets territory. Now the sense is even greater that the Jets need to put things together.

As it turns out, the half ends 10-10, but the Jets dodge a bullet when at 3rd and Goal with about 30 seconds left, Buffalo elects to spike instead of try a pass attempt into the end zone. Earlier in the second quarter the Jets executed a great drive from their 20 yd line for a TD. Maybe things are looking up.

But in the third quarter, the collapse begins. The Jets defense looks groggy and Buffalo takes advantage, with a 67 yd drive that takes about seven minutes. It's a great drive and QB Drew Bledsoe makes a critical play on third and long, when he eludes DE Shawn Ellis, avoids a sack and gets a first down. Buffalo scores on a great catch by WR Lee Evans. It's a good, solid drive.

The Jets get the ball and run four out of five rushing plays. Overall, they had not been moving the ball well on the ground and much better in the air. Not sure why they rushed the ball so much. But after Buffalo's next drive is stopped, it's a 3 and out for the Jets as well - you guessed it - two run plays and one pass play (on 3rd and 1, no less).

On to the fourth quarter, and here's where the house of horrors begins. The Jets run twice for -1 yds and QB Chad Pennington throws an interception on 3rd and 11. At this point, in the second half, this was Pennington's third pass attempt, out of eleven plays. Could we have gotten a little more balance? In the first half, Pennington was very accurate. Maybe something more here?

The INT led to a FG from Buffalo who has opened their lead to ten points (20-10). On their next drives, both teams punt and the Jets have the ball back at their 1/2 yard line, following a great punt by P Brian Moorman. First off, QB Quincy Carter shows up (it turns out Pennington had a shoulder injury) and the Jets try to run the ball up the middle out of the end zone with RB Curtis Martin and get totally stuffed for a safety (22-10, Buffalo).

The game now continues and after stopping the Bills, Quincy Carter throws a great pass to WR Santana Moss for a TD (22-17). The Jets are back in it with four minutes to go. But the defense can't make a stop on a critical 3rd and 8 and the game ends.

The Jets played a sloppy game (7 penalties for 40 yards, 2 turnovers) and also made some key mistakes.

But here's the sad thing. This game probably caps their season with a wildcard playoff berth and a first or second round playoff loss. Even if the Jets can keep pace (and that's unlikely) New England would still win the division unless they lost @ NY Jets on 12/26 AND lost to either Buffalo next week or @ Miami 12/20. Not likely. The fight for a wildcard won't be easy either.

I can live with the Pennington injury (that sort of thing happens), I can deal with the defensive lapses (sort of), and I can even deal with the missed 36 yard field goal. But when you add in the straight-up-the-middle rush from the half yard line in the context of not being able to rush the ball all day, then I get upset. Four pass attempts by Pennington in the second half out of fourteen plays is not acceptable. When this team can't run, they shouldn't be afraid to go to the pass. If Pennington, Moss and McCairens aren't good enough to help run the offense then the team needs to rework the entire unit.

Pennington's injury had better not be an excuse for the low number of pass attempts. If he can't pass then he shouldn't play, and if he got injured in the first quarter, then why was he able to pass so well in the second?

On a side note, despite hating the Patriots, it was pretty cool to see Vinitieri's great fake FG pass to Troy Brown. I wish I could have seen the look on Mike Martz's face.

Voting

This should be the last voting related post for a while.

All this talk of a "mandate" for Bush is making me ill. It's the media trying to put words in his mouth. At the same time, I don't think Bush acknowledges that there is a significant divide within the population (in some ways, he probably can't since it makes him look weaker). So perhaps, one of the media outlets could take a look at voters and see how supporters of Gore and Bush in 2000 decided to vote in 2004. Did they stay party loyal or did they switch sides? Was it at any greater rate than in past elections? My hypothesis would be that larger numbers switched sides from Bush to Kerry (purely on anecdotal evidence), and it was larger than usual. That might be the best measure of how Bush's first term was perceived by the electorate.

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Hockey

Did anyone notice that hockey hasn't started yet?

***Hockey players/owners, their friends and families, and ESPN 3 executives are not eligible to answer this question***

Episode 3

I watched the Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith trailer. I got giddy. Then I popped in my Episode 2 DVD and watched the trailers to it.

Here's one good thing and one bad thing.

One good thing: The Episode 3 trailer has very little talking. Hopefully that means that the movie has very little talking. Episode 2 was best when talking was at a minimum.

One bad thing: Seems like in the grand tradition of bringing characters from the original trilogy and trying to flesh them out for merchandising's sake, it's going to happen again.

Overall: The trailer looks pretty and doesn't have any of the horrible dialogue from Episode 2. But I enjoyed the trailers for Episodes 1 & 2 far more than I enjoyed the movies.

There's a Fat Albert movie?

On Christmas Day, Fat Albert is opening up. Sounds like it was inevitable given all the cartoons that have recently become live-action but was it necessary (as shown in the trailer) for it to be about the tv cartoon character magically appearing out of the tv set and travelling into the 00's?

Yao Ming

In my view, the NBA season does not begin until April. However, in his first three games this season, Yao Ming hasn't been as good as I had expected. Sure, it's only three games and I haven't watched any of them, but it seems like he has been getting into early foul trouble and unable to play. The Rockets are "Knicks South" in my view, with Charlie Ward, Jeff Van Gundy and Patrick Ewing.

Apprentice 2

This second installment of the Apprentice is not as good as the first. The contestants are mostly unlikeable and none of them really have the sorts of relationships (friendships or in-fighting) of the first cast. They tried to create some of the goofiness, particularly with Raj, Stacie J and Andy. But in the end, the Kwame/Troy friendship, the Amy/Nick sort of romance, and the Omarosa/Heidi conflict aren't around this time. The teams gang up on the weak link pretty quickly and none of the contestants seem to get along. The episodes have a lot of filler material as well. The show is not as strong. Someone has to get fired!

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Episode 2

This week, not only will The Incredibles be released, but so will the Star Wars: Episode 3 trailer. This of course, is the final movie of the Star Wars series.

After watching the DVDs of the original trilogy, I pulled out my Episode 2 DVD to view some of the fight scenes. I can't explain it but there's something amiss with entire this film. While the digital scenery and characters are pretty amazing, when the actors are on the screen, it still looks like an advanced version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The problems seem to do with lighting inconsistancies or camera focusing differences between "real" and digital, but I'm not totally sure. Something about the movie just doesn't look right.

Something I Noticed...

So, according to all these polls, Kerry voters were more likely to be concerned about the economy and jobs, and Bush voters were more likely to be concerned about security and terrorism. Then why, oh why, did Bush lose all the states where terrorism were actually is a threat (such as New York, Massachusetts, California)? And why, where jobs and the economy are such a big issue, like the manufacturing states or farm states did John Kerry lose?

Why do I think the rest of the world is laughing right now?

Election

Looks like we're headed for four more years of Bush. This liberal weenie is going to cry himself to sleep tonight.