I've been experimenting a little bit with Mozilla Firefox Extensions and happened upon this Adblock extension. It's pretty interesting because it blocks flash ads and images from external servers. You can customize it quite a bit.
The only reason I'm writing this post is that I also found a "Blog This!" extension and am trying it out.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Krugman vs. O'Reilly
A recent "Great Moments in Punditry as Read by Children" on the Daily Show reminded me of this great exchange on the Tim Russert Show last summer. I saw this one on air and it was a hoot!!
Click on the link and read the whole thing. It's a RIOT.
KRUGMAN: ...you take a look at anything I've written about economics, and I'm not a socialist. You know, that's a slander.
O'REILLY: I said quasi.
KRUGMAN: Well, that's a wonderful--then you're a quasi-murderer. I mean, why--what...
O'REILLY: I'm a quasi-murderer?
KRUGMAN: Well, quasi is a pretty open thing.
O'REILLY: That's ridiculous. All right.
KRUGMAN: Right. I'm nowhere close to that.
Click on the link and read the whole thing. It's a RIOT.
KRUGMAN: ...you take a look at anything I've written about economics, and I'm not a socialist. You know, that's a slander.
O'REILLY: I said quasi.
KRUGMAN: Well, that's a wonderful--then you're a quasi-murderer. I mean, why--what...
O'REILLY: I'm a quasi-murderer?
KRUGMAN: Well, quasi is a pretty open thing.
O'REILLY: That's ridiculous. All right.
KRUGMAN: Right. I'm nowhere close to that.
Can He Even Afford A Suit??
I thought MJ was bankrupt...
From the New York Times:
"As his trial began last week, Michael Jackson did not play the part of the criminal defendant ordered by his lawyers to buy a respectable suit and tie."
From the New York Times:
"As his trial began last week, Michael Jackson did not play the part of the criminal defendant ordered by his lawyers to buy a respectable suit and tie."
MSG Bids on Jets Stadium Land
An interesting move by the MSG people - they are bidding twice as much as the Jets are offering for the rail yard that the Jets would like to build their stadium on.
Is this a bluff? What happens if the MTA gives it to them? Will they be able to actually build anything on it? Would the City even try to help them out? This has major humor potential, and whenever a joke can be made, I'm all for it being made.
Is this a bluff? What happens if the MTA gives it to them? Will they be able to actually build anything on it? Would the City even try to help them out? This has major humor potential, and whenever a joke can be made, I'm all for it being made.
Alberto Gonzalez - Confirmed!
I don't know much about Alberto Gonzalez, but I have to be a little concerned when I read this in the New York Times (yes, I know it has a bias).
"Giving Alberto Gonzales the nation's top legal post is a terrible signal to send the rest of the world, and to American citizens concerned with human rights."
I'm an American citizen concerned with human rights. This doesn't sound so good.
"Giving Alberto Gonzales the nation's top legal post is a terrible signal to send the rest of the world, and to American citizens concerned with human rights."
I'm an American citizen concerned with human rights. This doesn't sound so good.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
MoMA
I still haven't made it over to the new MoMA, but I saw an ad for it on the subway. The ad featured a photo of a very plain looking helicoptor that I guess they've got over there.
Now, is a helicoptor art? I don't really think so. When someone designed the helicoptor, this person was trying to make a helicoptor, not an artistic helicoptor. Perhaps certain helicoptors, if they were painted in a strange way or had funky aerodynamics could be considered art, but if they were mass-produced, that has to be another strike against them.
We could consider that many of these art museums contain anthropoligical items that are on this border of art/not art. For example, the Met has armor and musical instruments. These are just as much anthropology/archeology type items. Does this mean that the American Museum of Natural History is an art museum? I'm sure they have jewelry or pottery from various cultures. If we accept this helicoptor as an art piece, then won't we have to accept the National Museum of Air and Space as an art museum as well?
I suppose it doesn't really matter in the end. But these are the sorts of stupid things I wonder from time to time.
Now, is a helicoptor art? I don't really think so. When someone designed the helicoptor, this person was trying to make a helicoptor, not an artistic helicoptor. Perhaps certain helicoptors, if they were painted in a strange way or had funky aerodynamics could be considered art, but if they were mass-produced, that has to be another strike against them.
We could consider that many of these art museums contain anthropoligical items that are on this border of art/not art. For example, the Met has armor and musical instruments. These are just as much anthropology/archeology type items. Does this mean that the American Museum of Natural History is an art museum? I'm sure they have jewelry or pottery from various cultures. If we accept this helicoptor as an art piece, then won't we have to accept the National Museum of Air and Space as an art museum as well?
I suppose it doesn't really matter in the end. But these are the sorts of stupid things I wonder from time to time.
Star Trek
Much like the real-life space program, sounds like the fictional one is grounded too.
I believe (and this may be semantics) that the statement at the beginning of this article is untrue:
"For the first in 18 years, prime-time U.S. network television will be without a starship crew to 'boldly go where no man has gone before.' "
Semantics: Both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine were not prime-time network television shows, rather they were syndicated shows. This means they could be aired on any station at any time.
Example: "Everybody Loves Raymond" is a prime-time network show when it airs Mondays at 9pm (EST) on local CBS affiliates only. "Andromeda" is a syndicated program that airs on channels that may be completely unrelated throughout the nation.
I believe (and this may be semantics) that the statement at the beginning of this article is untrue:
"For the first in 18 years, prime-time U.S. network television will be without a starship crew to 'boldly go where no man has gone before.' "
Semantics: Both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine were not prime-time network television shows, rather they were syndicated shows. This means they could be aired on any station at any time.
Example: "Everybody Loves Raymond" is a prime-time network show when it airs Mondays at 9pm (EST) on local CBS affiliates only. "Andromeda" is a syndicated program that airs on channels that may be completely unrelated throughout the nation.
De-Gifting
Daunte Culpepper, meet Tim Whatley.
This story made me completely change my mind about Super Bowl media days. If funny stuff like this could be guaranteed to happen, then I'd say, take four weeks off before the Super Bowl!
This story made me completely change my mind about Super Bowl media days. If funny stuff like this could be guaranteed to happen, then I'd say, take four weeks off before the Super Bowl!
Inhaled Ethanol
Thanks to my friend for sending this link to AWOL - the alcohol without liquid website. That's right, why drink to get drunk when you can inhale to get drunk?
At first, I didn't know what to think of this idea. But do you really want to put down $300 for a machine to allow you to inhale alcohol? That's $300 without even getting any alcohol.
Secondly, do you want to get your $300 alcohol inhalation machine from a company that thinks "without" is two words?
At first, I didn't know what to think of this idea. But do you really want to put down $300 for a machine to allow you to inhale alcohol? That's $300 without even getting any alcohol.
Secondly, do you want to get your $300 alcohol inhalation machine from a company that thinks "without" is two words?
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
State of the Union
Wow. I totally didn't realize the State of the Union was tonight.
I was going to suggest a "State of the Union drinking game" but if you search for that on Google (or any other search engine of your preference) you'll find plenty of them.
So the state of the union always seems to be "strong". Will a President ever decide otherwise? I looked this up in the C-SPAN archives. As far as I can tell, this is a trend that Bill Clinton started in 1996 to say that the state of the union is strong.
Anyone care to present evidence to the contrary? I looked at the Clinton speeches, and then a random sample of some of those before.
I was going to suggest a "State of the Union drinking game" but if you search for that on Google (or any other search engine of your preference) you'll find plenty of them.
So the state of the union always seems to be "strong". Will a President ever decide otherwise? I looked this up in the C-SPAN archives. As far as I can tell, this is a trend that Bill Clinton started in 1996 to say that the state of the union is strong.
Anyone care to present evidence to the contrary? I looked at the Clinton speeches, and then a random sample of some of those before.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
While I Try to Get Psyched for MLB
Interleague Play. Teams play their "natural rivals" for two series, where they play only one series against other interleague opponents.
In the case of the Cubs, their natural rival is the White Sox. The Mets have the Yankees. Some are more of a stretch, like the Red Sox and Braves, who once used to play in the same city.
Then there's the case of the Blue Jays and Expos -- the only two Canadian teams. They were natural rivals, except now, the Expos are in Washington DC. One would think then that the DC rival would become Orioles (whose previous natural rival was the Phillies). But instead, it's DC versus the Blue Jays.
Pretty silly, especially since there's already an existing tension from Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who is unhappy about the Expos-to-DC move. Sure, it's a little confusing for the schedulers to change, but it wouldn't be that hard.
This does set up a nice USA vs Canada rivalry (after all, nobody likes the Canucks) between the capital city of the USA, versus the only city in Canada that US citizens can identify (with Montreal a possible close second, and Vancouver a distant third).
Too bad Oakland is in the same league as Toronto. Otherwise the natural rivalry could be Blue Jays and the Oakland Eh's.
In the case of the Cubs, their natural rival is the White Sox. The Mets have the Yankees. Some are more of a stretch, like the Red Sox and Braves, who once used to play in the same city.
Then there's the case of the Blue Jays and Expos -- the only two Canadian teams. They were natural rivals, except now, the Expos are in Washington DC. One would think then that the DC rival would become Orioles (whose previous natural rival was the Phillies). But instead, it's DC versus the Blue Jays.
Pretty silly, especially since there's already an existing tension from Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who is unhappy about the Expos-to-DC move. Sure, it's a little confusing for the schedulers to change, but it wouldn't be that hard.
This does set up a nice USA vs Canada rivalry (after all, nobody likes the Canucks) between the capital city of the USA, versus the only city in Canada that US citizens can identify (with Montreal a possible close second, and Vancouver a distant third).
Too bad Oakland is in the same league as Toronto. Otherwise the natural rivalry could be Blue Jays and the Oakland Eh's.
Two Stories About Change (The Coins, Not the Action)
Story 1
I left this morning with $1.08 in change in my pocket. The total was comprised of the most useless coin combination possible - eight pennies and one sacagawea dollar.
Story 2
One time (have I told this one before?), somebody asked me for some change with the following line. I don't know if it was a request or a threat.
"I just got out of prison. Can you give me some change?"
I left this morning with $1.08 in change in my pocket. The total was comprised of the most useless coin combination possible - eight pennies and one sacagawea dollar.
Story 2
One time (have I told this one before?), somebody asked me for some change with the following line. I don't know if it was a request or a threat.
"I just got out of prison. Can you give me some change?"
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Back to the Future 2 is Making My Head Hurt
(This post contains spoilers to the 1989 movie)
I'm watching Back to the Future Part 2 for the first time in a long time. When Marty changes the "future" for his kid by preventing him from going to jail, "tomorrow's" newspaper changes headlines.
So when future Biff takes this sports almanac back in time to his young self and tells him to start betting on sports events, and the time line changes, shouldn't then the future change around Marty and Doc while they're in 2015? Like shouldn't future George McFly disappear or something since now he's dead?
Also, doesn't future Biff stop existing when he gives young Biff the almanac? But if future Biff doesn't exist he can't give young Biff the almanac. So then it can't happen? Ugh.
Still a fun film, but I have to think less.
I'm watching Back to the Future Part 2 for the first time in a long time. When Marty changes the "future" for his kid by preventing him from going to jail, "tomorrow's" newspaper changes headlines.
So when future Biff takes this sports almanac back in time to his young self and tells him to start betting on sports events, and the time line changes, shouldn't then the future change around Marty and Doc while they're in 2015? Like shouldn't future George McFly disappear or something since now he's dead?
Also, doesn't future Biff stop existing when he gives young Biff the almanac? But if future Biff doesn't exist he can't give young Biff the almanac. So then it can't happen? Ugh.
Still a fun film, but I have to think less.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Sunday, January 23, 2005
AFC Championship Game
I watched the first three plays of this game and the outcome was obvious. Then I watched fourteen more plays and it was REALLY obvious. I hope Philly comes prepared to the Super Bowl, but it's going to be a stinker.
Mediawatch - January 23 Edition
What a great story... Ex-President Bush is sad that Carlos Beltran left the Astros. Is that surprise? Who even cares?
Today's New York Times had a feature about how the linebacker play will help determine the result of the Pats/Steelers game. Strange, I thought Len Pasquarelli wrote an article on the same topic five days ago!!
Today's New York Times had a feature about how the linebacker play will help determine the result of the Pats/Steelers game. Strange, I thought Len Pasquarelli wrote an article on the same topic five days ago!!
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Suddenly, My Sports World is Very Small
Wow.
The Jets get knocked out of the playoffs and all I care about is the draft in April and what will happen next season with a new offensive coordinator. I'm mildly excited about baseball, but not yet really, since my favorite team, the Yankees, is considered to be a lock for the playoffs. That means the next meaningful game they'll play is nine months from now. At the same time, team members include the newly added Tony Womack (can't get too excited about that), Randy Johnson (amazing but surly) and hard to root for holdovers from last year, such as steroid users Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi, as well as Kevin "Right Hook" Brown. This is certainly testing my "root for the uniform" abilities.
Meanwhile, I can't stand the Red Sox, so we'll have to listen to the tired national themes of "They Finally Beat the Curse" and "Can the Cubs be Next?" Barry Bonds will probably go into a steroid induced frenzy after breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. In the New York area, we'll have tons of Mets fans overreacting to every single thing that happens with the team.
Will I participate in fantasy baseball? I have done so in the past few years, and this may be the only thing that could keep my interest in the season alive, however I don't really like the idea of having to follow the scores so tediously every day any more. Perhaps that will change when pitchers and catchers report.
In other sports, the NBA won't get exciting until their playoffs start. After all, half the teams make the playoffs, so not much is in doubt with that scene. Only the marginal teams, fighting for the 7-8 seeds might have anything worth watching in the regular season, but if they're marginal they're probably not too good.
Then there's the NHL, also only exciting in the playoffs. Of course, the next playoffs may be next year.
My sports world has shrunken. The Patriots will probably win their third Super Bowl in four years, meaning I have to listen to pronouncements of their being a dynasty in this "modern, salary cap era" where maintaining greatness is so much more difficult, and any team can win (I suspect if one looks at actual data, both these notions are not true) and we'll probably even get some "genius" writing articles full of popular culture references that link the two Super Bowl championships with the World Series win (I suspect his name will be Bill Simmons).
The cherry on this sports apathy sundae is the apathy I've been feeling towards politics lately. It seems in the current events arena, I've been following a number of losing causes recently. Then again, maybe it's just the winter.
The Jets get knocked out of the playoffs and all I care about is the draft in April and what will happen next season with a new offensive coordinator. I'm mildly excited about baseball, but not yet really, since my favorite team, the Yankees, is considered to be a lock for the playoffs. That means the next meaningful game they'll play is nine months from now. At the same time, team members include the newly added Tony Womack (can't get too excited about that), Randy Johnson (amazing but surly) and hard to root for holdovers from last year, such as steroid users Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi, as well as Kevin "Right Hook" Brown. This is certainly testing my "root for the uniform" abilities.
Meanwhile, I can't stand the Red Sox, so we'll have to listen to the tired national themes of "They Finally Beat the Curse" and "Can the Cubs be Next?" Barry Bonds will probably go into a steroid induced frenzy after breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. In the New York area, we'll have tons of Mets fans overreacting to every single thing that happens with the team.
Will I participate in fantasy baseball? I have done so in the past few years, and this may be the only thing that could keep my interest in the season alive, however I don't really like the idea of having to follow the scores so tediously every day any more. Perhaps that will change when pitchers and catchers report.
In other sports, the NBA won't get exciting until their playoffs start. After all, half the teams make the playoffs, so not much is in doubt with that scene. Only the marginal teams, fighting for the 7-8 seeds might have anything worth watching in the regular season, but if they're marginal they're probably not too good.
Then there's the NHL, also only exciting in the playoffs. Of course, the next playoffs may be next year.
My sports world has shrunken. The Patriots will probably win their third Super Bowl in four years, meaning I have to listen to pronouncements of their being a dynasty in this "modern, salary cap era" where maintaining greatness is so much more difficult, and any team can win (I suspect if one looks at actual data, both these notions are not true) and we'll probably even get some "genius" writing articles full of popular culture references that link the two Super Bowl championships with the World Series win (I suspect his name will be Bill Simmons).
The cherry on this sports apathy sundae is the apathy I've been feeling towards politics lately. It seems in the current events arena, I've been following a number of losing causes recently. Then again, maybe it's just the winter.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
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