Well, at least temporarily.
Nothing like a self-imposed hiatus to fill your mind with crap to spill. I haven't written for various reasons, none of them noteworthy, but I've thought about it almost daily.
Almost nothing in my recent life has been of any wide-spread interest. I've just been sitting around, doing work and paying loose attention to the sporting universe. And rocking my baby to sleep.
My wife and I were just commenting the other day on how much time a baby can sap away. Not to sound negative. Just that I get home every day at 6pm or so, and the next time I look at the clock it's already 8pm, and the next time it's 10pm, and between all of these it seems as if just a few minutes have passed.
Infants are a marvel in this way. We move our clocks back and forth to manipulate time twice a year. Babies don't need such artificial measures. They are like a time black hole. When you are near them, your time disappears.
I'm getting a vague sense of what all those parents were saying to all those kids for all those years. "I remember, it seems like just yesterday, you were in diapers..." My baby's still in diapers, but just yesterday she was an 8 pound miracle, and now she's a 17 pound chatter-box. Just yesterday I was waiting for her to stop sleeping so much and start doing baby stuff. Just an hour ago she cracked her first smile. 10 minutes ago she started holding her feet up with her hands while I changed her diaper. 20 seconds ago she learned to reach out for her toys, hold onto them, manipulate them. In 10 minutes, she'll be walking and talking. In 20, she'll be in a school play. In an hour she'll be off to college, and I'll be scratching my head wondering where the hell all that time went.
Amazing. Kids are a wormhole in space-time. They warp you through, and you realize that while you were watching this little marvel evolve, the whole world just passed you by. And, because you love the marvel so much, it's okay. You wouldn't have it any other way.
When I'm not focussed on the little one, though, I get to pass the fleeting moments with other minor interests. Most of them sports-related.
The Blazers
Man, the Portland Trailblazers just continue to break a brother's heart, don't they? What's the deal with these guys?
Granted, I haven't been able to pay as much attention recently as I should, but from what I have noticed, there isn't much reason to so far.
Zach is the same guy he was 2 years ago. He shows flashes of the great player he could be, and then settles back into the mediocrity he's accepting from himself.
Darius is a lost cause. Paul Allen either can't accept it, or won't. We are, hopefully, not the last team enamored with his potential. Who cares if he breaks out on another team? The problem is, he's not going to do it here.
Telfair, who was so incredible back in the day, got so used to being the man in high school that he doesn't know how to accept a supporting role here. So many of the great PG's, like Nash and Kidd, are what they are because they are great individually, but more importantly elevate the play of those around them. Damon suffered the same problem when he was here: he wanted to be the scoring PG that Iverson has made so popular. But the fact is that Iverson is able to do what he does so well because he's Iverson; he's the exception that proves the rule.
Ratliff has returned from being a contract-year monster to being one of the more predictably useless, injured, over-paid players in the league. He's a good guy, but despite our wishes for character, you have to have a balance of off-court greatness and on-court ... well, in this case, anything on-court would be better than what we're getting from this guy, wouldn't it?
Przybilla suffers, as so many do, with being a quality guy in a non-quality situation. He's the Abdur-Rahim of this year's roster, trying to establish his value on a team that sucks you of your worth. I love Joel's play and his heart, but I hope for his sake that he finds a team willing to pay him and willing to commit to winning, and he goes there and thrives.
There's hope for the future. Blake shows promise. Jack probably shows more; with McMillan at the helm, perhaps we can get past the expectations that we attached to Telfair and see that one of these two is the future. Martell is all up-side, as far as I'm concerned. Outlaw will be a monster once he gets his head around the game as much as his heart is. That's three solid positions. We should draft fairly well, and that will just increase my excitement about tomorrow. But today? Who cares anymore?
NCAA Tourney
My second year following the tourney, and man was it exciting. My brackets at ESPN and CBS Sportsline were all, of course, pretty busted early on, but the wide-range of upsets sure made it interesting. That is, until the end, when none of my teams were in it anymore. Once the predictable end of George Mason's run finally arrived (sure, I'd predicted it two rounds earlier, but it was predicted nonetheless), there really wasn't much to draw me in.
How many of you saw Florida taking it all when you were setting up your brackets? And how many guessed they'd be winning it all over UCLA?
Fantasy Baseball
Though I'm not really much of a baseball guy, I realized that having the bracket gave me something to think about in my freetime other than babies and bills, and so I decided to see how I liked fantasy sports. At Sportsline's website, I set up two different leagues. In my first one, I really didn't think much about what I was doing. It's filled with people I don't know, and so I'm not following it too closely.
My second league contains 4 friends, myself, and some random folks to close the group out. With the friend angle, it's much more interesting. At breakfast last weekend, my friend and I broke into a side conversation about our pitching options while our wives cooed over the babies. While working the other day, I Google-chatted with a pal about potential trades.
My team in both leagues is called "Sofa King Awesome," in recognition of the funniness of a friend-o'-mine's dodgeball team name. That's right, I said it. Dodgeball. Apparently, she's found a competitive league in Portland, and she's religiously attended games every Thursday. Her team's called "Sofa King Rad," which is also funny, but lacks the even number of syllables that makes me like my version better.
Currently I'm in second place in my second league. Sofa Kings forever.
Anyway, after much harassment from Denise (who's blog, last time I checked, was entirely outdated) about not posting any kid pics, I put the slide presentation below in. I think it'll change as I add photos there. Hopefully that'll keep you off my back for awhile, my fellow slackers...
April 05, 2006
March 31, 2006
March 23, 2006
Modern Terminology
Received this from a friend today...
NEW WORDS FOR 2006: Essential additions for the workplace vocabulary.
1. BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
2. SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
3. ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
4. SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
5. CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles
6. PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a Cubefarm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
7. MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couchpotato.
8. SITCOMs: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
9. STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
10. SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
11. XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
12. IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The J-Lo and Ben wedding (or not) was a prime example.
13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
14. ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.
15. 404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.
16. GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.
17. OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.
18. WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.
19. CROP DUSTING: Surreptitiously farting while passing through a Cube Farm.
NEW WORDS FOR 2006: Essential additions for the workplace vocabulary.
1. BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
2. SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
3. ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
4. SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
5. CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles
6. PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a Cubefarm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
7. MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couchpotato.
8. SITCOMs: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
9. STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
10. SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
11. XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
12. IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The J-Lo and Ben wedding (or not) was a prime example.
13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
14. ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.
15. 404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.
16. GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.
17. OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.
18. WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.
19. CROP DUSTING: Surreptitiously farting while passing through a Cube Farm.
March 15, 2006
You're gonna be that guy?
Spent a nice, relaxing lunchtime at the gym, doing gym-type stuff, and then headed to the locker room to get ready to go back to work.
As I sat down on the bench in front of my locker, I appreciated the fact that 24 Hour Fitness puts TV's in the locker room. With these TV's, you always have a place to look that isn't awkward and you can also spend your time listening to people talk about things that you may or may not care about. For instance, on the TV as I looked was a chap named Michael Smith, on and ESPN show called "Around the Horn," who was discussing where Terrell Owens might land, as Philadelphia finally kicked him to the curb.
It was then that I was reminded that the TV in the locker room is a double-edged sword. Random Randy, a few feet away, decided I looked like a good person to strike up a conversation with (as I was shirtless, and in the midst of pulling down my gym shorts).
"Sucker," he exclaimed, either talking about the fool that would sign T.O. to a contract, or about the fool waxing pseudo-wise on the TV -- it wasn't entirely clear. "I'm from Philly, we [expletive starting with F]'ing hate that guy there."
I wanted to turn to him and say "Really? You're going to be that guy?"
Instead I hemmed and said "not surprising," referring to Philly-fan's hatred of T.O., while quickly grabbing my towel and locking my locker so that I could retreat to the relative safety of the showers.
Men are well acquainted with the rules of the bathroom. Many don't understand that these should generally be considered to apply to the locker room as well. Exceptions can me made for when you are there with a friend, or when someone's blocking your locker, but generally you should keep your trap shut, especially when you're considering talking to someone you've never met before, and then especially when they're nigh-naked.
After I got out of the shower and grabbed my towel, I noticed the guy looking my way. This was just a little too creepy. I adjusted my position to gain the cover of a well-placed wall as I covered my bits and pieces, and then scurried to my locker to quickly clothe myself. When I started to walk out, I found that my new Philly-Fanatic Friend was long gone, but his dirty boxers were on the floor in front of his locker.
I don't know why he left them, and I don't care to.
Anyway, point is don't be that guy. Ever. Or I might just have to blog about you.
As I sat down on the bench in front of my locker, I appreciated the fact that 24 Hour Fitness puts TV's in the locker room. With these TV's, you always have a place to look that isn't awkward and you can also spend your time listening to people talk about things that you may or may not care about. For instance, on the TV as I looked was a chap named Michael Smith, on and ESPN show called "Around the Horn," who was discussing where Terrell Owens might land, as Philadelphia finally kicked him to the curb.
It was then that I was reminded that the TV in the locker room is a double-edged sword. Random Randy, a few feet away, decided I looked like a good person to strike up a conversation with (as I was shirtless, and in the midst of pulling down my gym shorts).
"Sucker," he exclaimed, either talking about the fool that would sign T.O. to a contract, or about the fool waxing pseudo-wise on the TV -- it wasn't entirely clear. "I'm from Philly, we [expletive starting with F]'ing hate that guy there."
I wanted to turn to him and say "Really? You're going to be that guy?"
Instead I hemmed and said "not surprising," referring to Philly-fan's hatred of T.O., while quickly grabbing my towel and locking my locker so that I could retreat to the relative safety of the showers.
Men are well acquainted with the rules of the bathroom. Many don't understand that these should generally be considered to apply to the locker room as well. Exceptions can me made for when you are there with a friend, or when someone's blocking your locker, but generally you should keep your trap shut, especially when you're considering talking to someone you've never met before, and then especially when they're nigh-naked.
After I got out of the shower and grabbed my towel, I noticed the guy looking my way. This was just a little too creepy. I adjusted my position to gain the cover of a well-placed wall as I covered my bits and pieces, and then scurried to my locker to quickly clothe myself. When I started to walk out, I found that my new Philly-Fanatic Friend was long gone, but his dirty boxers were on the floor in front of his locker.
I don't know why he left them, and I don't care to.
Anyway, point is don't be that guy. Ever. Or I might just have to blog about you.
March 14, 2006
Worthy of a link
I've tried to reduce simple-link posts, but this home-made lightsaber duel video by two industrious young men merits some attention.
If only I'd been that creative at 15 . . . simply amazing.
If only I'd been that creative at 15 . . . simply amazing.
March 07, 2006
Joe D strikes again
So, my friend and former roommate Joe D once again invaded my home.
He flew in Friday. This was actually the consummation of a trip Joe started in September (scroll down to "Joe versus the Clock"), when my good, good friend so lazily managed to miss his plane.
Anyway, back to Friday. Joe flew into town early in the afternoon; early enough to have a chance to score some Burgerville and a quick nap before the fun began. Well, he got to nap. With baby around, sleep during the day comes at a premium.
Baby had been sick all night Wednesday, and my wife had spent much of the night up with her (since I had to work Thursday and she didn't). When Friday rolled around, my wife was tuckered, as was the kid, so Joe and I ended up going sans-Missus to the Portland City Grill to meet JLowe and his wife for happy hour.
Impressive view. Nice appetizers. Full, full bar. Our friend Laura wasn't kidding when she told us to get there at 4pm to make sure we got a seat.
After, my wife rallied and we all went to JLowe's to watch the first season of Entourage, currently Joe's favorite show, while scarfing down Caro Amico pizza and drinking Drop Top. Nice time had by all.
Saturday was shopping for the ladies (that is, Joe and the wives) while I hung out with baby and JLowe did some work on his money pit. Later, it was dinner at Morton's, capped off by dessert at Pix Patisserie and more Entourage at my place.
Sunday was sleep-in day. We got up and had breakfast at Roux (fabulous food, by the way, though the service didn't impress) and chased that with video games and beer. Sunday night was spent watching Lords of Dogtown, which I missed most of while cajolling the kid to sleep.
Monday, Joe flew away.
A whirlwind trip, but entirely too much fun. Each time Joe comes to see us, I find myself wishing a little more that he'd stop enjoying California long enough to move back (much like the soon-to-be-renamed OC Girl is finally doing...). But, I suppose once he got here I'd be thinking of how great it was when his visits were spread out.
Either way, good times. Thanks for coming, JD.
He flew in Friday. This was actually the consummation of a trip Joe started in September (scroll down to "Joe versus the Clock"), when my good, good friend so lazily managed to miss his plane.
Anyway, back to Friday. Joe flew into town early in the afternoon; early enough to have a chance to score some Burgerville and a quick nap before the fun began. Well, he got to nap. With baby around, sleep during the day comes at a premium.
Baby had been sick all night Wednesday, and my wife had spent much of the night up with her (since I had to work Thursday and she didn't). When Friday rolled around, my wife was tuckered, as was the kid, so Joe and I ended up going sans-Missus to the Portland City Grill to meet JLowe and his wife for happy hour.
Impressive view. Nice appetizers. Full, full bar. Our friend Laura wasn't kidding when she told us to get there at 4pm to make sure we got a seat.
After, my wife rallied and we all went to JLowe's to watch the first season of Entourage, currently Joe's favorite show, while scarfing down Caro Amico pizza and drinking Drop Top. Nice time had by all.
Saturday was shopping for the ladies (that is, Joe and the wives) while I hung out with baby and JLowe did some work on his money pit. Later, it was dinner at Morton's, capped off by dessert at Pix Patisserie and more Entourage at my place.
Sunday was sleep-in day. We got up and had breakfast at Roux (fabulous food, by the way, though the service didn't impress) and chased that with video games and beer. Sunday night was spent watching Lords of Dogtown, which I missed most of while cajolling the kid to sleep.
Monday, Joe flew away.
A whirlwind trip, but entirely too much fun. Each time Joe comes to see us, I find myself wishing a little more that he'd stop enjoying California long enough to move back (much like the soon-to-be-renamed OC Girl is finally doing...). But, I suppose once he got here I'd be thinking of how great it was when his visits were spread out.
Either way, good times. Thanks for coming, JD.
March 01, 2006
Yes, I'm around
Just nothing big on the personal front to talk about, except the return of JoeD (assuming he can actually make his flight this time...), who'll be in town Friday-Monday (necessitating much needed, mostly undeserved vacation time...).
However, I have been busy posting at the Portland Metroblog (you can get to my posts here), where I've been banging away on various local sports issues of late. Chances are I'll be posting there a little more often than here for the time being, since my personal life is all about the baby.
However, I have been busy posting at the Portland Metroblog (you can get to my posts here), where I've been banging away on various local sports issues of late. Chances are I'll be posting there a little more often than here for the time being, since my personal life is all about the baby.
February 22, 2006
Un-digging the hole
E-mail exchange between JLowe and me yesterday (edited for editorial purposes):
Me: Do you want to know what i've done for my wife's b-day? It's evil.
JLowe: I want to know, but only if it is truly evil.
Me: It involves a $xyz loan that she doesn't know about.
JLowe: Are there repercussions for me? Because it sounds like there are...
Me: Sounds like you're ready to take a guess.
JLowe: Sounds like a new piece of compressed coal made into a clear and shiny centerstone for somebody's ring...
Me: Indeed. It looks quite nice. By far the nicest rock she's had yet. She has no idea it's coming.
JLowe: No way my true response would make it past the company spamguard.
Me: Sorry. Had to be done. You're impromptu San Francisco birthday jaunt for your wife forced my hand.
JLowe: Planned it months ahead. Wouldn't really call it impromptu. Besides, that was more a matter of filling in a hole I dug for myself. [Ed. note: JLowe did indeed dig himself a hole while planning a birthday event for his wife. It's a long story. However, he quickly recovered by booking a surprise weekend in San Fran, which he and his wife will enjoy this very weekend.]
Me: Aren't most of these sorts of purchases just a way for us to un-dig ourselves?
Indeed. Left to our own devices, most men believe strongly in taking the path of least resistance. And, usually, following our instincts is a path to destruction. Of course, it doesn't help when our friends help dig the holes for us.
For JLowe, the hole was dug as he was trying to lump his wife's birthday together with a ski weekend being planned by others in the office. Sure, whe would've enjoyed herself, but for her that wasn't the point. The point was that she wanted something special.
JLowe compensated, and that dug me a hole. My wife noticed JLowe's heroics, and now wonders when I'm going to plan an impromptu holiday.
Now I've dug JLowe a hole. His wife will hear about my surprise to my wife, and totally start pressing for an upgrade to her wedding ring. Hence JLowe's desire to respond so profanely. Eventually, he'll un-dig himself, and re-dig me.
In the end, this game is a good one. Without it, I'd totally end up low-balling my wife, and that wouldn't be good for her or me. A little competition forces me to find gifts that more fully express my affection for my wife than I would if I were left to my own devices.
So, thanks for the hole, JLowe. And enjoy your new one.
And happy birthday, my lovely bride (and JLowe's too, while I'm at it).
Me: Do you want to know what i've done for my wife's b-day? It's evil.
JLowe: I want to know, but only if it is truly evil.
Me: It involves a $xyz loan that she doesn't know about.
JLowe: Are there repercussions for me? Because it sounds like there are...
Me: Sounds like you're ready to take a guess.
JLowe: Sounds like a new piece of compressed coal made into a clear and shiny centerstone for somebody's ring...
Me: Indeed. It looks quite nice. By far the nicest rock she's had yet. She has no idea it's coming.
JLowe: No way my true response would make it past the company spamguard.
Me: Sorry. Had to be done. You're impromptu San Francisco birthday jaunt for your wife forced my hand.
JLowe: Planned it months ahead. Wouldn't really call it impromptu. Besides, that was more a matter of filling in a hole I dug for myself. [Ed. note: JLowe did indeed dig himself a hole while planning a birthday event for his wife. It's a long story. However, he quickly recovered by booking a surprise weekend in San Fran, which he and his wife will enjoy this very weekend.]
Me: Aren't most of these sorts of purchases just a way for us to un-dig ourselves?
Indeed. Left to our own devices, most men believe strongly in taking the path of least resistance. And, usually, following our instincts is a path to destruction. Of course, it doesn't help when our friends help dig the holes for us.
For JLowe, the hole was dug as he was trying to lump his wife's birthday together with a ski weekend being planned by others in the office. Sure, whe would've enjoyed herself, but for her that wasn't the point. The point was that she wanted something special.
JLowe compensated, and that dug me a hole. My wife noticed JLowe's heroics, and now wonders when I'm going to plan an impromptu holiday.
Now I've dug JLowe a hole. His wife will hear about my surprise to my wife, and totally start pressing for an upgrade to her wedding ring. Hence JLowe's desire to respond so profanely. Eventually, he'll un-dig himself, and re-dig me.
In the end, this game is a good one. Without it, I'd totally end up low-balling my wife, and that wouldn't be good for her or me. A little competition forces me to find gifts that more fully express my affection for my wife than I would if I were left to my own devices.
So, thanks for the hole, JLowe. And enjoy your new one.
And happy birthday, my lovely bride (and JLowe's too, while I'm at it).
February 17, 2006
Fifth Amendment Friday
Disclaimer: Aside from this disclaimer, this post has nothing to do with Lars Larson. Who is an idiot.
While waiting on my daily soy latte with my friend JLowe this morning, we ended up discussing Cheney-Gate, or The Case of Dead-Eye Dick, or whatever the pundits have officially declared the recent unfortunateness to be named.
I find that my friend JLowe and I are remarkably like-minded about a great many things. Having been bosom buddies since high school, this doesn't really surprise me. What does surprise me are the number of times we end up having a serious difference in opinions, and how often these differences are political in nature.
JLowe is more conservative then I am. And I'm fairly conservative. I tend to be more like a typical Portland Conservative, though, than a true-red conservative, which makes me fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I'm not actually that socially liberal, though. On the hot-button issues, I usually end up on the more stereotypically conservative side than a social-liberal would. I'm pro-life (although I often vascillate on when abortion should be available), I'm pro-being-in-Iraq (originally, I was pro-invasion, and I'd probably be pro-invasion again, but knowing what I know now I'd have wanted to see a better plan in place for the post-invasion scenario to avoid the current morasse), I'm for state's rights, I'm against unnecessary federal entanglements, I don't like excessive entitlements, and so on.
Anyway, today I was the liberal among us as we discussed Cheney. Having recently cashed-in my Bush-backer card, I was busy doing my Jon-Stewart-doing-Dick-Cheney-styled Dick Cheney impersonation and pretending to be a gleeful VP brashfully boasting about how much damage I was able to do with one shot, and what not. We ordered our drinks, and then the discussion got serious.
JLowe posited that it was entirely acceptable to him that the Veep's staff, and the Veep himself, had dragged their heels on making any statements. JLowe raised the Fifth Amendment, and asked why the Vice President should be expected to make any statements that may later incriminate him (say, if his friend unfortunately dies and he has to be investigated by a grand jury) when a normal citizen wouldn't be expected to.
A good question. I retorted that it was the responsibility of the government to inform its citizens about matters affecting the government, including an embarassing-albeit-important incident involving the Vice President shooting a man. Further, I stated, that the duty to fulfill that responsibility fell upon the VP's press people, as I discussed in an update earlier.
JLowe pondered whether the Veep's staff, acting as his agent, could be argued to be making statements by the Vice President that could be used against him. Truly an interesting legal point. However, I pointed out that a statement could be issued which simply stated that there was a hunting accident during which a man was shot by the Vice President and injured, and such a statement would not be one assigning blame or forwarding any sort of incriminating statement on behalf of the Vice President.
JLowe went on to disagree. And so did I. Altogether done in a not-disagreeable way, though, so at least we have Congress beat.
As I actually have to work for a living, I don't intend to look into this at all. JLowe may end up posting on it later, as he tends to like to mull these things a little more deeply than me. Either way, if you have any thoughts to contribute, they are welcome (as always).
While waiting on my daily soy latte with my friend JLowe this morning, we ended up discussing Cheney-Gate, or The Case of Dead-Eye Dick, or whatever the pundits have officially declared the recent unfortunateness to be named.
I find that my friend JLowe and I are remarkably like-minded about a great many things. Having been bosom buddies since high school, this doesn't really surprise me. What does surprise me are the number of times we end up having a serious difference in opinions, and how often these differences are political in nature.
JLowe is more conservative then I am. And I'm fairly conservative. I tend to be more like a typical Portland Conservative, though, than a true-red conservative, which makes me fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I'm not actually that socially liberal, though. On the hot-button issues, I usually end up on the more stereotypically conservative side than a social-liberal would. I'm pro-life (although I often vascillate on when abortion should be available), I'm pro-being-in-Iraq (originally, I was pro-invasion, and I'd probably be pro-invasion again, but knowing what I know now I'd have wanted to see a better plan in place for the post-invasion scenario to avoid the current morasse), I'm for state's rights, I'm against unnecessary federal entanglements, I don't like excessive entitlements, and so on.
Anyway, today I was the liberal among us as we discussed Cheney. Having recently cashed-in my Bush-backer card, I was busy doing my Jon-Stewart-doing-Dick-Cheney-styled Dick Cheney impersonation and pretending to be a gleeful VP brashfully boasting about how much damage I was able to do with one shot, and what not. We ordered our drinks, and then the discussion got serious.
JLowe posited that it was entirely acceptable to him that the Veep's staff, and the Veep himself, had dragged their heels on making any statements. JLowe raised the Fifth Amendment, and asked why the Vice President should be expected to make any statements that may later incriminate him (say, if his friend unfortunately dies and he has to be investigated by a grand jury) when a normal citizen wouldn't be expected to.
A good question. I retorted that it was the responsibility of the government to inform its citizens about matters affecting the government, including an embarassing-albeit-important incident involving the Vice President shooting a man. Further, I stated, that the duty to fulfill that responsibility fell upon the VP's press people, as I discussed in an update earlier.
JLowe pondered whether the Veep's staff, acting as his agent, could be argued to be making statements by the Vice President that could be used against him. Truly an interesting legal point. However, I pointed out that a statement could be issued which simply stated that there was a hunting accident during which a man was shot by the Vice President and injured, and such a statement would not be one assigning blame or forwarding any sort of incriminating statement on behalf of the Vice President.
JLowe went on to disagree. And so did I. Altogether done in a not-disagreeable way, though, so at least we have Congress beat.
As I actually have to work for a living, I don't intend to look into this at all. JLowe may end up posting on it later, as he tends to like to mull these things a little more deeply than me. Either way, if you have any thoughts to contribute, they are welcome (as always).
February 15, 2006
Chiropractors
I went to law school with a chiropractor. Really didn't care for the guy.
I, like most people, consider chiropractics to be a pseudo-, or even junk-science. A practice for people who couldn't make it as doctors (much like dentistry, or taxidermy).
But then my back started hurting to such a degree that I finally decided to go see one.
Results are mixed. Usually, I feel good after seeing him, for about an hour or two, and then I start feeling all sorts of twinges and stiffenings that, generally, just make me feel like he's actually trying to tweak me into coming back regularly.
And, sadly, it's working. In the last month, I've been to the chiropractor about 6 times, and tomorrow will make 7-ish.
I ask you: What do you think of chiropractics in general, and what better alternatives would you suggest?
I, like most people, consider chiropractics to be a pseudo-, or even junk-science. A practice for people who couldn't make it as doctors (much like dentistry, or taxidermy).
But then my back started hurting to such a degree that I finally decided to go see one.
Results are mixed. Usually, I feel good after seeing him, for about an hour or two, and then I start feeling all sorts of twinges and stiffenings that, generally, just make me feel like he's actually trying to tweak me into coming back regularly.
And, sadly, it's working. In the last month, I've been to the chiropractor about 6 times, and tomorrow will make 7-ish.
I ask you: What do you think of chiropractics in general, and what better alternatives would you suggest?
February 14, 2006
Brilliance!
Personally, I hate phone trees and automated menus when I call companies.
If you're like me, we may never have that problem again, thanks to the brilliant people at gethuman.com.
Ahh, sweet relief...
(Link courtesy of Metafilter)
If you're like me, we may never have that problem again, thanks to the brilliant people at gethuman.com.
Ahh, sweet relief...
(Link courtesy of Metafilter)
Shame on Kwan
On the heels of finding out Michelle Kwan had to pull out of an Olympics that she had no business being in in the first place, now comes word that the person who should've been there, and who was left behind because of Kwan's selfishness, is still trying to get a plane to Italy.
UPDATE: Looks like she finally got a seat on a plane. She arrives just one day before having to hit the ice. Nothing like some time to take in the Olympic experience before being thrown out to the dogs...
UPDATE: Looks like she finally got a seat on a plane. She arrives just one day before having to hit the ice. Nothing like some time to take in the Olympic experience before being thrown out to the dogs...
February 13, 2006
Officially spitting out the Bush KoolAid.
Long ago, in a far-away blog, I spent a good deal of time discussing the fact that, despite his awkwardness, I generally liked President Bush.
That was long ago.
As a card-carrying Republican, I have generally held my tongue and withhold judgment when considering matters in our Executive Branch in the last couple of years.
But it's been harder and harder to tolerate the direction of our government as time has gone on.
The icing on the cake is the recent shotgun accident involving VP Dick Cheney. Now, I have no qualms with the fact that the Vice President had a legitimate hunting accident. These things happen. They are unfortunate, but it could really happen to anyone on a bad day.
The part I take issue with is the White House's assertion that the news wasn't released that very day because they didn't know about it.
Reportedly, the incident hit the media the day after the event, and only because the Texas land-owner on whose land the shooting occurred called her local newspaper.
When asked to comment on why the news wasn't released by the White House sooner, Scott McClellan said that the Vice President's office was handling it, the White House wasn't involved, and the White House didn't know until Sunday.
To which I respectfully cry out "Bull$h!t".
Why? Two words: Secret Service.
VP Cheney is followed by Secret Service, just as President Bush is. Even if I'm to believe that Cheney's office somehow made the monumental mistake in judgment to forget to dial in the big boss on such a major press event, am I to also believe that word didn't get to Bush's people through Secret Service channels?
So, to me, this is clearly a lie. Or a case of embracing plausible deniability. Or whatever. And it comes after a series of events that appear to be built upon a foundation of untruth.
This from the man who promised to restore dignity to the White House.
Make no mistake: the Bush Presidency has been one involving a lot of tough situations. I don't envy some of the decisions the President has had to make. I can only imagine the hand-wringing that goes into having to make some of the choices he does.
But I long for a President who I can believe. And this isn't one.
I can no longer, in good faith, trust anything this man says. If he were in court, and I had him on the stand, I'd spend hours impeaching his credibility to a jury through the various times he's proven himself untrustworthy.
Sadly, we still have two more years of him. I don't quite know what to do.
I'm considering voting in a Democratic legislature as a necessary balance.
Attention Oregon Republican politicians: The time has come to get off of this President's coat-tails and, instead of following him in lock-step, display the courage of your convictions and show me how you're different. Otherwise, I imagine you, and your counter-parts in other states, will face the wrath of the voters.
I'm disillusioned.
UPDATE: Well, maybe I'm being a bit hypercritical. According to former White House Spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, the VP's office was who should've disseminated this info, and the failure to do so should be charged to them and not the President. Joe Lockhart, who was Press Secretary for Clinton's administration, points out that perhaps we should wonder if they ever planned to tell us, and what else they're hiding.
While I'm not too excited about being more in line with the guy speaking for the convicted liar Clinton, I have to agree to some extent. The VP, I'm convinced, is not acting inconsistently with the rest of this administration. And, I think, this info certainly should've been released by the White House when it was clear the VP's Office wasn't doing their job.
Stupid is as stupid does...
That was long ago.
As a card-carrying Republican, I have generally held my tongue and withhold judgment when considering matters in our Executive Branch in the last couple of years.
But it's been harder and harder to tolerate the direction of our government as time has gone on.
The icing on the cake is the recent shotgun accident involving VP Dick Cheney. Now, I have no qualms with the fact that the Vice President had a legitimate hunting accident. These things happen. They are unfortunate, but it could really happen to anyone on a bad day.
The part I take issue with is the White House's assertion that the news wasn't released that very day because they didn't know about it.
Reportedly, the incident hit the media the day after the event, and only because the Texas land-owner on whose land the shooting occurred called her local newspaper.
When asked to comment on why the news wasn't released by the White House sooner, Scott McClellan said that the Vice President's office was handling it, the White House wasn't involved, and the White House didn't know until Sunday.
To which I respectfully cry out "Bull$h!t".
Why? Two words: Secret Service.
VP Cheney is followed by Secret Service, just as President Bush is. Even if I'm to believe that Cheney's office somehow made the monumental mistake in judgment to forget to dial in the big boss on such a major press event, am I to also believe that word didn't get to Bush's people through Secret Service channels?
So, to me, this is clearly a lie. Or a case of embracing plausible deniability. Or whatever. And it comes after a series of events that appear to be built upon a foundation of untruth.
This from the man who promised to restore dignity to the White House.
Make no mistake: the Bush Presidency has been one involving a lot of tough situations. I don't envy some of the decisions the President has had to make. I can only imagine the hand-wringing that goes into having to make some of the choices he does.
But I long for a President who I can believe. And this isn't one.
I can no longer, in good faith, trust anything this man says. If he were in court, and I had him on the stand, I'd spend hours impeaching his credibility to a jury through the various times he's proven himself untrustworthy.
Sadly, we still have two more years of him. I don't quite know what to do.
I'm considering voting in a Democratic legislature as a necessary balance.
Attention Oregon Republican politicians: The time has come to get off of this President's coat-tails and, instead of following him in lock-step, display the courage of your convictions and show me how you're different. Otherwise, I imagine you, and your counter-parts in other states, will face the wrath of the voters.
I'm disillusioned.
UPDATE: Well, maybe I'm being a bit hypercritical. According to former White House Spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, the VP's office was who should've disseminated this info, and the failure to do so should be charged to them and not the President. Joe Lockhart, who was Press Secretary for Clinton's administration, points out that perhaps we should wonder if they ever planned to tell us, and what else they're hiding.
While I'm not too excited about being more in line with the guy speaking for the convicted liar Clinton, I have to agree to some extent. The VP, I'm convinced, is not acting inconsistently with the rest of this administration. And, I think, this info certainly should've been released by the White House when it was clear the VP's Office wasn't doing their job.
Stupid is as stupid does...
Tonya Harding
I don't know what to make of Tonya Harding.
I remember back in my junior high days, the excitement that I felt that an Olympic-caliber athlete was not only from my home-town (well, at least, from the greater metropolitan area), but also that I had a half-a-chance of seeing her practice if I ever got off my tuckus and went out to the ice rink at Clackamas Town Center.
I remember the fiasco of the Kerrigan-bashing leading up to the Olympics, followed by the Harding-Gilooly-Eckard (any spelling errors may or may not be intentional) conspiracy investigation which eventually led to the break-up of the Harding-Gilooly marriage.
I remember the Gilooly-changing-his-name-to-Stone pseudo-news event while he was in prison boot-camp.
I remember the infamous Harding-Gilooly sex-tape, a harbinger of bigger, grosser things to come (Pam Anderson and most of her partners, Paris Hilton, and others of that ilk).
I remember the boxing career, leading to a none-too-convincing win on Celebrity Boxing, along with a series of none-too-surprising losses and/or no-shows at less-interesting events.
I remember the hub-cap throwing arrest.
I remember her telling Dan Patrick, on his radio show, that she wasn't going to make a "skeptical" of her past.
All-in-all, Tonya's is a story of a life full of promise which led to a future full of miserable decline.
Case in point: Here's the latest on Tonya.
At what point do we just put her out of our misery?
I remember back in my junior high days, the excitement that I felt that an Olympic-caliber athlete was not only from my home-town (well, at least, from the greater metropolitan area), but also that I had a half-a-chance of seeing her practice if I ever got off my tuckus and went out to the ice rink at Clackamas Town Center.
I remember the fiasco of the Kerrigan-bashing leading up to the Olympics, followed by the Harding-Gilooly-Eckard (any spelling errors may or may not be intentional) conspiracy investigation which eventually led to the break-up of the Harding-Gilooly marriage.
I remember the Gilooly-changing-his-name-to-Stone pseudo-news event while he was in prison boot-camp.
I remember the infamous Harding-Gilooly sex-tape, a harbinger of bigger, grosser things to come (Pam Anderson and most of her partners, Paris Hilton, and others of that ilk).
I remember the boxing career, leading to a none-too-convincing win on Celebrity Boxing, along with a series of none-too-surprising losses and/or no-shows at less-interesting events.
I remember the hub-cap throwing arrest.
I remember her telling Dan Patrick, on his radio show, that she wasn't going to make a "skeptical" of her past.
All-in-all, Tonya's is a story of a life full of promise which led to a future full of miserable decline.
Case in point: Here's the latest on Tonya.
At what point do we just put her out of our misery?
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