Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Song of the Day: Teen Angst
Hoppin' tune by Cracker. Good lyrics, too.
The band's much more famous single is Low (remember the disgraced cosmonaut?). But I actually think this one's more fun.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The halftime show
My idea for future halftime shows is to feature the year's inductees to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. They've been at it for a while, so most of the really, really old groups have been put in. Granted there are still a few oldies from the 2009 class but you could do an entertaining show. What is it, 20 minutes?
It would be good publicity for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and would ease some of the annual tension the NFL seems to endure in trying to find an act.
For the record, I'm a huge fan of the Who, have been since I was in middle school. But I don't think they're want the Super Bowl crowd was looking for. Would've been better to throw out Metallica, Jeff Beck and Run D.M.C., don't you think?
It would be good publicity for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and would ease some of the annual tension the NFL seems to endure in trying to find an act.
For the record, I'm a huge fan of the Who, have been since I was in middle school. But I don't think they're want the Super Bowl crowd was looking for. Would've been better to throw out Metallica, Jeff Beck and Run D.M.C., don't you think?
What a weird dude (not about Micheal Jackson)
Ok, so King Tut takes over when he's 10 years old and ten dies when he's 19. Odd enough. But the latest revelations are mind bottling.
--He had a cleft palate.
--And a club foot. Probably walked with canes.
--He died of a malaria infection linked to a broken leg.
--His father was his uncle and his mother was his aunt. Translation: his mother and father were brother and sister.
--He had a cleft palate.
--And a club foot. Probably walked with canes.
--He died of a malaria infection linked to a broken leg.
--His father was his uncle and his mother was his aunt. Translation: his mother and father were brother and sister.
Science suddenly needs consensus?!?!
A very good discussion over at BMG about global warming/climate change which raises the issue of how lay folks understand and react to sciency folks. Politicizing science. Carve out some time and take a look. Here's a taste, a comment in the thread from one of my favorites, lightiris.
I'd be interested in the reaction to this of any sciencers out there.
I'd be interested in the reaction to this of any sciencers out there.
No science is going to convince the "deniers" or "skeptics" or whatever you want to call them at this point. Climate change has jumped the shark, so to speak, and now resides in the realm of hoax and conspiracy theory. The science has been done, and anyone who claims there is any "debate" about that is a) lazy, b) disingenuous, or c)ignorant. Climate change has received a toxic injection of politicization, ensuring no rational treatment of the topic is forthcoming. The "deniers" or the "skeptics" have a vested interest in rejecting the evidence and furthering their narrative; they're not going to give that up any time soon, even though the overwhelming body of science is not on their side.
This issue is a perfect example of how this generation's crop of scientists is poorly trained. There's a reason MIT is now requiring eight semesters of English for its undergraduates: science, as a discipline, is unable to communicate effectively. It's not enough to hole up in your lecture hall or your lab and shun the unwashed masses, but that is what science has done. I've had a lot of conversations with educators as well as my own family members who are PhDs in hard sciences--genetics, geology, biology, virology--who all seem to indicate that this is a serious concern among the nation's university leadership. My brother-in-law even went so far to say that at his research university, the tipping point for graduate students getting good fellowships is a) their ability to reduce complex ideas into lay terms--in writing and b) their demeanor. The geeky, socially awkward science kid with the straight As is going to find s/he has some competition based on skills that they do not have. Fortunately, there are a small number of outliers to this trend--Brian Greene, Neil deGrasse Tyson, V.S. Ramachandran, and Neil Shubin to name a few--but the history is not good--and we're living the consequences. Science, too long ensconced in its labs and ivory towers, has become an object of ridicule rather than admiration. Neil deGrasse Tyson is particularly eloquent on this topic. Carl Sagan is is more likely weeping than laughing in his grave at what has happened since his groundbreaking dream of bringing complex science to the masses so that people can understand and make informed decisions.
The corresponding ascendancy of anti-intellectualism in the United States is a concomitant problem and is as likely to ensure our relegation to the international back row sooner rather than later, all the hand-wringing by conservatives about wanting "good schools" notwithstanding.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Someone please fire Bob Costas
Seriously, the guy is insufferable. Does he have pictures of that many NBC executives in compromising positions?
He knows his stuff, no doubt. And he 's a decent presenter. But all of that is undermined by the fact that he insists on being too cute by half...and then some. He's got absolutely no humility. He is totally unlikable.
So please, fire him. He doesn't need to be drummed out of the business, just knocked down a peg or two so he can recalibrate his persona.
BTW: the Canadian mogul skier who won the country's first gold medal is a great story. Just saw the feature piece on he and his brother. Good stuff. Glad he won the first gold for Canada instead of the woman who was favored to repeat.
He knows his stuff, no doubt. And he 's a decent presenter. But all of that is undermined by the fact that he insists on being too cute by half...and then some. He's got absolutely no humility. He is totally unlikable.
So please, fire him. He doesn't need to be drummed out of the business, just knocked down a peg or two so he can recalibrate his persona.
BTW: the Canadian mogul skier who won the country's first gold medal is a great story. Just saw the feature piece on he and his brother. Good stuff. Glad he won the first gold for Canada instead of the woman who was favored to repeat.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
For the record, on LOST
The Man in Black, who is also the smoke monster, did NOT invade Locke’s body. Locke’s body is whole and unpossessed, lying dead on the beach. What the Man in Black did, somehow, was create a replica or clone or apparition or some sort of image of Locke’s body for his own use.
I don’t know if this is relevant in any way, but I’ve seen too many people describing Locke’s body being taken over or possessed and it simply is not true.
This may or may not play into scenarios people are floating about Jacob taking over Sayid’s form. What also might play into that is the fact that we have no evidence the Man in Black died before taking Locke’s appearance. Jacob certainly appeared to have been killed. For Jacob to do with Sayid after death what the Man in Black is doing with Locke would take one more ability than we’ve seen from the Man in Black so far.
As always, take this for what it is.
I don’t know if this is relevant in any way, but I’ve seen too many people describing Locke’s body being taken over or possessed and it simply is not true.
This may or may not play into scenarios people are floating about Jacob taking over Sayid’s form. What also might play into that is the fact that we have no evidence the Man in Black died before taking Locke’s appearance. Jacob certainly appeared to have been killed. For Jacob to do with Sayid after death what the Man in Black is doing with Locke would take one more ability than we’ve seen from the Man in Black so far.
As always, take this for what it is.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Give some love to Thuglit.com
Big Daddy Thug here, wishing all you degenerates a Happy New Year!
So our salutations are a month late. Bite me. Besides, if you're a true Thugliteer, then your hangover should just be wearing off right about now. What IS on time however, is the new issue of Thuglit, you lucky dogs, you. Just in time to infect your greasy little minds with eight new baaaaaadass tales of the down and dirty, the cool and the criminal, the... uhhh... young and the restless?
Scrap that last one.
Before we get down to business, we got two points of order to establish. As always, we got to give our thanks to each and every writer who hit us with their words for the issue. We couldn't use all the stories, but mad respect to each and every one of you for sending them our way. Keep 'em coming.
Secondly, tune in this Thursday to CBS at 10 p.m. and catch yourself some of The Mentalist. This weeks' episode was penned by none other than Thuglit veteran, guest editor and brudda from anudda mudda - the Pope of St. Louis hisself - Jordan Harper. We couldn't be prouder of you buddy. Most of the time we actually DON'T wish that you choke on those fat tee-vee checks. Double-up chest pound.
And now, without further ado, the eight skull-cracking stories presented for your twisted pleasure in Thuglit - Issue 35 ARE:
The Consummate Professional - by Graham Bowlin
The Nest Egg - by Nicola Haywood
Daytime Drunks - by Nolan Knight
Miss Kenner and Me - by Nate Southard
The Big Touch - by Jordan McPeek
Last Call - by Tom Casatelli
Two Minutes - by Christopher E. Long
Come To Roost - by S. Craig Renfroe Jr.
THUGLIT - ISSUE
35 <http://THUGLIT.COM>
~~~~~~
Someday I Will
noternie.blogspot.com
So our salutations are a month late. Bite me. Besides, if you're a true Thugliteer, then your hangover should just be wearing off right about now. What IS on time however, is the new issue of Thuglit, you lucky dogs, you. Just in time to infect your greasy little minds with eight new baaaaaadass tales of the down and dirty, the cool and the criminal, the... uhhh... young and the restless?
Scrap that last one.
Before we get down to business, we got two points of order to establish. As always, we got to give our thanks to each and every writer who hit us with their words for the issue. We couldn't use all the stories, but mad respect to each and every one of you for sending them our way. Keep 'em coming.
Secondly, tune in this Thursday to CBS at 10 p.m. and catch yourself some of The Mentalist. This weeks' episode was penned by none other than Thuglit veteran, guest editor and brudda from anudda mudda - the Pope of St. Louis hisself - Jordan Harper. We couldn't be prouder of you buddy. Most of the time we actually DON'T wish that you choke on those fat tee-vee checks. Double-up chest pound.
And now, without further ado, the eight skull-cracking stories presented for your twisted pleasure in Thuglit - Issue 35 ARE:
The Consummate Professional - by Graham Bowlin
The Nest Egg - by Nicola Haywood
Daytime Drunks - by Nolan Knight
Miss Kenner and Me - by Nate Southard
The Big Touch - by Jordan McPeek
Last Call - by Tom Casatelli
Two Minutes - by Christopher E. Long
Come To Roost - by S. Craig Renfroe Jr.
THUGLIT - ISSUE
35 <http://THUGLIT.COM>
~~~~~~
Someday I Will
noternie.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I'm starting to lose my way...
...things are starting to look less familiar. I think I might soon be....LOST!!!
Gear it up, fans. The final season is two days away. Here's a tune featured in Season One. You'll know it as the song playing when the batteries went dead on Hurley's cd player at the end of Episode 17. It's Delicate, by Damien Rice. (embedded video on blog)
Recap of Episode 17, for fun. We see what Jin had been doing for Sun's dad, which lead to their estrangement. Sun outs herself as an English-speaker during Jin's beating at the hands of Micheal. You remember, Micheal thinks it was Jin that burned the raft? It was really Walt. (He will soon be renamed Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalt!!)
We also get the nauseating budding romance between Sayid and the ever-annoying Shannon. Yeah, the worst family ever assembled on a desert island were in full force. Boone only had a few minutes, but made the worst of them. Those two should've died in the crash!
The hatch was found a few episodes ago.
There's still a little time to catch up or brush up. Check out the Lostpedia. http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page with full descriptions of episodes, characters, etc. Hey, you might not know all you need to about Frank Lapidus.
Gear it up, fans. The final season is two days away. Here's a tune featured in Season One. You'll know it as the song playing when the batteries went dead on Hurley's cd player at the end of Episode 17. It's Delicate, by Damien Rice. (embedded video on blog)
Recap of Episode 17, for fun. We see what Jin had been doing for Sun's dad, which lead to their estrangement. Sun outs herself as an English-speaker during Jin's beating at the hands of Micheal. You remember, Micheal thinks it was Jin that burned the raft? It was really Walt. (He will soon be renamed Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalt!!)
We also get the nauseating budding romance between Sayid and the ever-annoying Shannon. Yeah, the worst family ever assembled on a desert island were in full force. Boone only had a few minutes, but made the worst of them. Those two should've died in the crash!
The hatch was found a few episodes ago.
There's still a little time to catch up or brush up. Check out the Lostpedia. http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page with full descriptions of episodes, characters, etc. Hey, you might not know all you need to about Frank Lapidus.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Spot on, as usual
Sabutai, of Quriltai on the Shore, once again offers excellent insight on how elections--and the electorate--are often misread both by the media and politicos involved.
It's not just an American problem. He provides other examples of very poorly characterized election results. Well worth the quick read as usual. Visit qontheshort.blogspot.com early and often.
Today, a note on how implacably elections are reduced to a single-issue frame so quickly and easily. Many Bay Staters are reasonably irritated that outsiders (especially those in Washington, DC) are taking Brown’s victory last week as a repudiation of the health care reform process underway in the nation’s capital. While health care was an issue in this election, it was not the only issue. Such a view ignores Brown’s skilled campaign, the Coakley implosion, Democratic over-confidence, and a number of other factors in the result. Worse still, it led to a short press to force House passage of the Senate health care bill, almost regardless of the bill’s contents.
It's not just an American problem. He provides other examples of very poorly characterized election results. Well worth the quick read as usual. Visit qontheshort.blogspot.com early and often.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A realistic outlook
Christopher Beam at Slate.com provides a reasonable look at what the special election results in Massachusetts might mean and what they do not mean.
Read the entire thing, it's worth a look.
Everyone has his or her own interpretation of why Brown won and Coakley lost. Which is why the aftermath of this election is likely to be as acrimonious as the election itself: No one can prove or disprove anything. Even more than usual, the pundits and analysts don't really know what they're talking about.
There's only so much we can learn from this election, largely because there were no exit polls. Normally, a consortium of news organizations pays a company to conduct surveys outside polling locations—but only when there's enough interest in the race to justify it. By the time national media started paying attention to the race, it was too late.
As a result, we don't know to what extent independents swung to Brown. We don't know how many women voted for Brown instead of Coakley. We don't know whether Obama's appearance drew more African-Americans to the polls than usual. We don't know why voters favored Brown, or when they made up their minds. Perhaps they liked his ideas on health care, his plan to keep Guantanamo open, or his smile. For all we know, his truck sealed the deal.
Read the entire thing, it's worth a look.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Teddy Pendergrass is dead
Teddy Pendergrass is dead at the age of 59.
Many of us only know him because he recorded a version of One Shining Moment, the schmaltzy song CBS uses for the annual highlight video of March Madness. Here's a sample. These things always bring back memories and send me scrambling to look up the brackets and replay things in my mind. Didn't pick this year for any specific reason, other than it's one of the years they used Teddy's version and not someone else. But there's plenty to comment on, if you care to.
Many of us only know him because he recorded a version of One Shining Moment, the schmaltzy song CBS uses for the annual highlight video of March Madness. Here's a sample. These things always bring back memories and send me scrambling to look up the brackets and replay things in my mind. Didn't pick this year for any specific reason, other than it's one of the years they used Teddy's version and not someone else. But there's plenty to comment on, if you care to.
I'm with Conan
Jay's a super putz. I enjoyed seeing him fail and hope he'll just go away soon.
NBC handled the whole thing horribly.
Letterman is the best of the bunch. Always has been.
NBC handled the whole thing horribly.
Letterman is the best of the bunch. Always has been.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Steroid cheater
That oversized tomato can head can suck my left elbow. He cheated, deliberately and continuously, for years. I don't think he even believes himself when he says they didn't improve his performance. He's a disgrace and neither his late, qualified, alterior motivated admission nor his tears mean a thing to me.
Go away...or don't. But shut the he'll up when it comes to your playing days or the issues of honesty, integrity or respect for the game. You remain a disgrace.
Go away...or don't. But shut the he'll up when it comes to your playing days or the issues of honesty, integrity or respect for the game. You remain a disgrace.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Netflix
My in-laws gave me a three month subscription to Netflix for Christmas and I finally got around to activating it last night. Here's what I've got in my que so far:
Borat
Batman Begins
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Little Miss Sunshine
Iron Man
Burn After Reading
Wedding Crashers
300
Seven Samurai
The Wild Bunch
No Country for Old Men
Superbad
Looking for movie suggestions. Don't be upset if I don't jump all over something you suggest.
Borat
Batman Begins
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Little Miss Sunshine
Iron Man
Burn After Reading
Wedding Crashers
300
Seven Samurai
The Wild Bunch
No Country for Old Men
Superbad
Looking for movie suggestions. Don't be upset if I don't jump all over something you suggest.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Deval Patrick
The Governor of Massachusetts gives almost every indication that he just doesn't WANT to be Governor of the Commonwealth beyond his current term. If that's the case, why doesn't he just announce it and let us all move on with picking a willing Democratic nominee?
Monday, January 4, 2010
My latest favoritist app
Adrenaline Pool Online. You can play 8-ball, 9-ball, straight pool or snooker against other folks online. You can't have a custom screen name or play against the computer unless you buy the full app for $4.99, but the Lite version is good enough for now.
It tracks your games and keeps a separate ranking for you in each game. Also tracks the time you've spent playing.
My nephew, brother-in-law and I were playing quite a bit over the vacation week.
It tracks your games and keeps a separate ranking for you in each game. Also tracks the time you've spent playing.
My nephew, brother-in-law and I were playing quite a bit over the vacation week.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Innanet fun
Not only can you have fun using new technology on the interwebnets and with portable cellular handheld smart phone iDroids, you can have fun on websites that capture the funniest stuff on the interwebnets and portable iDroids.
For your browsing pleasure, I give you:
Texts from Last Night. Purportedly actual texts people have sent to others. The numbers in parentheses are the area code from which they were sent. Area code 508 is represented with a non-kid-friendly text today.
Lamebook features some of the best pictures, comments and interactions on the popular social media site of a similar name. Be sure to watch for links to "Read the rest of this entry." There are some very, very, very funny things to be found in some of those. Again, much of the content is adult in nature.
For your browsing pleasure, I give you:
Texts from Last Night. Purportedly actual texts people have sent to others. The numbers in parentheses are the area code from which they were sent. Area code 508 is represented with a non-kid-friendly text today.
Lamebook features some of the best pictures, comments and interactions on the popular social media site of a similar name. Be sure to watch for links to "Read the rest of this entry." There are some very, very, very funny things to be found in some of those. Again, much of the content is adult in nature.
To my concerned readers
I'm going through some blogger doldrums. Multiple reasons for it. But this blog is not finished. Keep visiting and you'll soon see an uptick in activity. Thank you for your support.
I finally took off the Twitter box that was filled with garbage. I've been keeping up with Twitter a little bit more, so keep up on that at twitter.com/noternie.
Happy Holidays!
I finally took off the Twitter box that was filled with garbage. I've been keeping up with Twitter a little bit more, so keep up on that at twitter.com/noternie.
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Beats me
No idea what's going on with the Twitter box on the blog. Seems to be picking up some static from the cyber world. To get my actual twitter...tweets, visit twitter.com/noternie
Turkey Turkey Turkey
This year's Thanksgiving holiday (extended) has been an unqualified success. As faithful readers know, I'm a big fan of turkey sandwiches. (exhibit a, exhibit b, exhibit c and exhibit d.
After dinner at family's house Thursday we spent the night at my folks. My mom always makes a turkey the day after, for sandwiches. So...
Friday featured two sandwiches for lunch. Dinner was at the Melting Pot in Providence after mrs. noternie and sister of noternie did their annual black Friday pilgrimage at ungodly hours.
Saturday, we stopped at my in-laws and picked up some turkey leftovers (didn't take any from mom and dad's). Lunch Saturday was out with friends. My dinner was turkey sandwiches. Total: 4.
Sunday I had turkey sandwiches for lunch. (6) Mrs. noternie and I also decided that we might need more leftover turkey and stuffing. So she picked up a 15 lb turkey (only $4.75!!)and we threw that in the oven. Dinner was new stuffing and new turkey.
Monday's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (8) Dinner was turkey sandwiches. (10)
Tuesday's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (12) Dinner was turkey some sort of pasta dish, I think.
Wednesday's lunch was tacos(!) but dinner was turkey pie.
Today's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (14) And since mrs. noternie has to go out tonight, I get to have them for dinner, too. (anticipated 16)
So the tote board currently reads:
14 turkey sandwiches
2 turkey dinners
1 turkey pie
Keep and eye on this space and my twitter for further updates.
After dinner at family's house Thursday we spent the night at my folks. My mom always makes a turkey the day after, for sandwiches. So...
Friday featured two sandwiches for lunch. Dinner was at the Melting Pot in Providence after mrs. noternie and sister of noternie did their annual black Friday pilgrimage at ungodly hours.
Saturday, we stopped at my in-laws and picked up some turkey leftovers (didn't take any from mom and dad's). Lunch Saturday was out with friends. My dinner was turkey sandwiches. Total: 4.
Sunday I had turkey sandwiches for lunch. (6) Mrs. noternie and I also decided that we might need more leftover turkey and stuffing. So she picked up a 15 lb turkey (only $4.75!!)and we threw that in the oven. Dinner was new stuffing and new turkey.
Monday's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (8) Dinner was turkey sandwiches. (10)
Tuesday's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (12) Dinner was turkey some sort of pasta dish, I think.
Wednesday's lunch was tacos(!) but dinner was turkey pie.
Today's lunch was turkey sandwiches. (14) And since mrs. noternie has to go out tonight, I get to have them for dinner, too. (anticipated 16)
So the tote board currently reads:
14 turkey sandwiches
2 turkey dinners
1 turkey pie
Keep and eye on this space and my twitter for further updates.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's almost time
Saw and ad last night advertising the return of Lost on February 2. I bet the groundhog goes back in his hole to watch!
Song of the Day: To Love Somebody
Ray Lamontagne and Damien Rice do justice to the Bee Gees classic.
Patriots comments
They're just not that good. The Saints, Colts and Vikings are. So in order for the Patriots to win, they have to make some special things happen and those teams have to be a little bit off.
This is where, I think, Belichick is at his best. Like Parcells, he doesn't get caught up in romanticizing the past when assessing his team. "You are what you are," is the phrase that's appropriate. Parcells used to say that you couldn't claim a team was "better than their record shows. If you're 5-6 or 11-1 or 10-6, that's what you are. No better, no worse."
So Bill will take a very harsh, cold look at the good and bad and try to use what he has in the best way it can be used. No trying to mold this or that to what he wants. You play the cards you're dealt in the way they can best be played.
And if they don't win a Super Bowl, that doesn't mean Bill isn't at the top of his game or that the Patriots have lost some mystique. It just means they're not that good this year.
This is where, I think, Belichick is at his best. Like Parcells, he doesn't get caught up in romanticizing the past when assessing his team. "You are what you are," is the phrase that's appropriate. Parcells used to say that you couldn't claim a team was "better than their record shows. If you're 5-6 or 11-1 or 10-6, that's what you are. No better, no worse."
So Bill will take a very harsh, cold look at the good and bad and try to use what he has in the best way it can be used. No trying to mold this or that to what he wants. You play the cards you're dealt in the way they can best be played.
And if they don't win a Super Bowl, that doesn't mean Bill isn't at the top of his game or that the Patriots have lost some mystique. It just means they're not that good this year.
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