"Meritocracy"
JP Morgan hired the sons and daughters of the Chinese elite.
I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of this.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Ouch
An open letter shaming Leo and Marty for The Wolf of Wall Street.
This is a tough position. I'm sympathetic to what the woman is saying and yet, it's a movie. If you start talking about the victims of real-life stories and glamorization and all this stuff, you'd never make any movies based on real-life stories and boy, would they be boring. You'd also be without any good crime drama. We wouldn't have Goodfellas, The Godfather.
That said, I really didn't like The Wolf of Wall Street and cannot understand how it is topping a lot of "best-of" lists. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
An open letter shaming Leo and Marty for The Wolf of Wall Street.
This is a tough position. I'm sympathetic to what the woman is saying and yet, it's a movie. If you start talking about the victims of real-life stories and glamorization and all this stuff, you'd never make any movies based on real-life stories and boy, would they be boring. You'd also be without any good crime drama. We wouldn't have Goodfellas, The Godfather.
That said, I really didn't like The Wolf of Wall Street and cannot understand how it is topping a lot of "best-of" lists. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
How Did I Miss This?
Luis Suarez bites Ivanovic. Boy, that's a pretty strange thing to watch. I hope Uraguay is in the World Cup.
Luis Suarez bites Ivanovic. Boy, that's a pretty strange thing to watch. I hope Uraguay is in the World Cup.
Football
Arizona beats Seattle. I can't tell whether this is good or bad for the Niners. On the one hand, dealing a loss to our archrivals at home is good. Punctures their balloon (and I believe Seattle is a bubble just waiting to burst with their overly aggressive defense that holds and pass interferes almost every play and their systematic use of major PEDs). On the other hand, this leaves Arizona in a position to still knock the Niners out of the playoffs and to make the already competitive NFC West even more competitive. There could be three 11 win teams! And the Rams are no slouches either - they might even get to .500.
Maybe the best thing out of it is a model to contain Russell Wilson. I've always thought you need to design a defense to not let him out of the pocket and use the large arms of defensive to cut down his vision and throwing lanes. I didn't watch the whole game, but whatever Arizona did should be repeated.
Arizona beats Seattle. I can't tell whether this is good or bad for the Niners. On the one hand, dealing a loss to our archrivals at home is good. Punctures their balloon (and I believe Seattle is a bubble just waiting to burst with their overly aggressive defense that holds and pass interferes almost every play and their systematic use of major PEDs). On the other hand, this leaves Arizona in a position to still knock the Niners out of the playoffs and to make the already competitive NFC West even more competitive. There could be three 11 win teams! And the Rams are no slouches either - they might even get to .500.
Maybe the best thing out of it is a model to contain Russell Wilson. I've always thought you need to design a defense to not let him out of the pocket and use the large arms of defensive to cut down his vision and throwing lanes. I didn't watch the whole game, but whatever Arizona did should be repeated.
Then Why Do You Ask?
A&E and others in the media are super offended by the Duck Dynasty dude who said homosexuality is a sin. These folks "respect" his right to free speech, but of course, want his job. They make hand-over-fist money displaying these kooky people and then are offended when he says kooky things. Really? And didn't GQ pose the question? It's not like the guy took a bullhorn in order to make this point, it was asked of him. Very clumsy and strange.
A&E and others in the media are super offended by the Duck Dynasty dude who said homosexuality is a sin. These folks "respect" his right to free speech, but of course, want his job. They make hand-over-fist money displaying these kooky people and then are offended when he says kooky things. Really? And didn't GQ pose the question? It's not like the guy took a bullhorn in order to make this point, it was asked of him. Very clumsy and strange.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Kobe
Interesting discussion on Kobe's contract on the Brian Windhorst podcast with Chuck Klosterman. Hat tip, Andy.
Klosterman brings up some good points about the state of the NBA and how much talk is centered around the finances and the friendships of the players and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering. I tend to agree with him that I find all these topics unappealing, yet, a major part of the conversation. You can thank fantasy sports.
They frame the overall discussion in an interesting way -- and how the NBA is now a players league and the NFL is a management league -- and what that means to whom. Just an all-in-all interesting talk.
Regarding Kobe's contract - and now he's injured again - I sense most people are just disposed to liking or disliking it based on how they feel about Kobe already. I'm not a fan and it's been well documented on the blog. I think the contract is stupid, above all else, gives the Lakers little chance to win in the next couple years. Whether Kobe deserves the money -- I sort of don't particularly care -- and the question almost doesn't seem all that relevant. I think Kobe's been a master of self-promotion over the years and has an almost cult-like following. I think he's the most overrated of the major stars in any sport.
Interesting discussion on Kobe's contract on the Brian Windhorst podcast with Chuck Klosterman. Hat tip, Andy.
Klosterman brings up some good points about the state of the NBA and how much talk is centered around the finances and the friendships of the players and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering. I tend to agree with him that I find all these topics unappealing, yet, a major part of the conversation. You can thank fantasy sports.
They frame the overall discussion in an interesting way -- and how the NBA is now a players league and the NFL is a management league -- and what that means to whom. Just an all-in-all interesting talk.
Regarding Kobe's contract - and now he's injured again - I sense most people are just disposed to liking or disliking it based on how they feel about Kobe already. I'm not a fan and it's been well documented on the blog. I think the contract is stupid, above all else, gives the Lakers little chance to win in the next couple years. Whether Kobe deserves the money -- I sort of don't particularly care -- and the question almost doesn't seem all that relevant. I think Kobe's been a master of self-promotion over the years and has an almost cult-like following. I think he's the most overrated of the major stars in any sport.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Niner-Tampa Bay Impressions
Mike Glennon is like Colin Kaepernick without the running ability. Takes similarly long to read defenses and throw the ball. Big disadvantage.
Helps to have Crabtree back. Very nice work on the first touchdown.
Boldin has to be the Niners offensive MVP this year. He converts a hell of a lot of 3rd downs.
What a letdown at the end of the half. Could have put the game away, instead allowed a touchdown.
Is Revis good anymore?
Mike Glennon is like Colin Kaepernick without the running ability. Takes similarly long to read defenses and throw the ball. Big disadvantage.
Helps to have Crabtree back. Very nice work on the first touchdown.
Boldin has to be the Niners offensive MVP this year. He converts a hell of a lot of 3rd downs.
What a letdown at the end of the half. Could have put the game away, instead allowed a touchdown.
Is Revis good anymore?
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Population Questions
1. What is the third largest country in the world by population?
2. What country has a larger population - Pakistan or Nigeria?
3. If Pakistan and India were one country, would it be larger than China?
4. Does France or Iran have more people?
5. What country in the Middle East has the most people?
6. Who has more people Japan or Germany?
7. Who has more people - Russia or Bangladesh?
Answers in comments.
1. What is the third largest country in the world by population?
2. What country has a larger population - Pakistan or Nigeria?
3. If Pakistan and India were one country, would it be larger than China?
4. Does France or Iran have more people?
5. What country in the Middle East has the most people?
6. Who has more people Japan or Germany?
7. Who has more people - Russia or Bangladesh?
Answers in comments.
Practice What You Preach
A bunch of New York professionals are disappointed to learn their health insurance plans are being cancelled and they will pay more in the exchanges. And they are Obama people.
Uhh...yeah...that's the whole idea of health care reform -- those who can pay more for the sick and the poor. This is what it means to be a liberal.
A bunch of New York professionals are disappointed to learn their health insurance plans are being cancelled and they will pay more in the exchanges. And they are Obama people.
Uhh...yeah...that's the whole idea of health care reform -- those who can pay more for the sick and the poor. This is what it means to be a liberal.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Pick of the Week
Nine home underdogs in the betting lines this week! A home dog's dream come true.
I am fascinated by the Niners-Tampa Bay game. This is a real test of how someone views the world. In the study of history, the two major schools can basically be broken down into: 1) Historical Movements or 2) The Great Man theory. In the "Historical Movement" school, great big complicated forces move history and men and women are largely products of their time and their actions exist and matter only in the context and relationship to this larger forces at work. So, for instance, the American Civil War can be viewed as the inevitable clash between the realities of Southern slavery with the values espoused in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, combined with economic and social forces coming to a head at that particular moment. In the "Great Man" theory of history, individual people shape history by their choices and actions in a particular moment. You would view the American Civil War as the result of Lincoln's attitudes toward slavery mixed with his political skill and/or the follies of the Southern Leadership and the conduct of the war more about major choices made by Generals, etc.
The Niners-Tampa game is a classic "trap" game for the Niners. Coming off a big, emotional win against Seattle, they have to travel cross country for a 10am game against a sneaky good Tampa Bay team. On the flipside is Harbaugh. Harbaugh does not lose games against bad teams. The Niners are rarely unprepared (except, oddly, in the Super Bowl, NFC Championship game last year and against Seattle in Seattle -- although I attribute those to nerves rather than lack of prep). So...the question is...do you believe in trends (ie trap games) or individuals (Harbaugh's ability to keep his team focused)?
Right now, I lean toward individuals and am picking Harbaugh.
Nine home underdogs in the betting lines this week! A home dog's dream come true.
I am fascinated by the Niners-Tampa Bay game. This is a real test of how someone views the world. In the study of history, the two major schools can basically be broken down into: 1) Historical Movements or 2) The Great Man theory. In the "Historical Movement" school, great big complicated forces move history and men and women are largely products of their time and their actions exist and matter only in the context and relationship to this larger forces at work. So, for instance, the American Civil War can be viewed as the inevitable clash between the realities of Southern slavery with the values espoused in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, combined with economic and social forces coming to a head at that particular moment. In the "Great Man" theory of history, individual people shape history by their choices and actions in a particular moment. You would view the American Civil War as the result of Lincoln's attitudes toward slavery mixed with his political skill and/or the follies of the Southern Leadership and the conduct of the war more about major choices made by Generals, etc.
The Niners-Tampa game is a classic "trap" game for the Niners. Coming off a big, emotional win against Seattle, they have to travel cross country for a 10am game against a sneaky good Tampa Bay team. On the flipside is Harbaugh. Harbaugh does not lose games against bad teams. The Niners are rarely unprepared (except, oddly, in the Super Bowl, NFC Championship game last year and against Seattle in Seattle -- although I attribute those to nerves rather than lack of prep). So...the question is...do you believe in trends (ie trap games) or individuals (Harbaugh's ability to keep his team focused)?
Right now, I lean toward individuals and am picking Harbaugh.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Why Aren't Americans Moving?
I'd guess because the rents are too damn high and too much of our "wealth" is concentrated in homes.
If you live in a lower-value real estate area, you have little incentive to move to a higher value area, even for a better job opportunity because your standard of living may still drop.
I'd guess because the rents are too damn high and too much of our "wealth" is concentrated in homes.
If you live in a lower-value real estate area, you have little incentive to move to a higher value area, even for a better job opportunity because your standard of living may still drop.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Stay Calm and Carry On
Why you are speculating and not investing.
Pretty good article on the insanity of asset prices, zero percent interest rates and why it is all engineered by the Fed. It's awful hard out there for just a regular old retail investor who wants a calm, steady yield.
Why you are speculating and not investing.
Pretty good article on the insanity of asset prices, zero percent interest rates and why it is all engineered by the Fed. It's awful hard out there for just a regular old retail investor who wants a calm, steady yield.
Overheard
My overheard movie-related bits while traveling in Asia:
In disbelief, "You haven't seen Sex in the City 3? Abu Dhabi! Hilarious!"
Searching for the title, "...the movie where humans grow tails..." puzzled looks all around. Finally someone figures it out: "Avatar." Not how movie buffs would reference it, but how the public thinks of it.
My overheard movie-related bits while traveling in Asia:
In disbelief, "You haven't seen Sex in the City 3? Abu Dhabi! Hilarious!"
Searching for the title, "...the movie where humans grow tails..." puzzled looks all around. Finally someone figures it out: "Avatar." Not how movie buffs would reference it, but how the public thinks of it.
The World
A bunch of lawyers and studios fighting over the money of dead creators and talents. Parasites.
A bunch of lawyers and studios fighting over the money of dead creators and talents. Parasites.
Generally Speaking, Not A Good Move
Tila Tequila expresses sympathy for Hitler and suspects Paul Walker was murdered.
I've yet to see the "Hitler was misunderstood" move work effectively. I suppose she wants a little attention, so it works for a moment, but she should have consulted with Lars Von Trier before going on her Facebook rant. (I'd watch that conversation)
Tia: Lars, I've been thinking: Hitler was misunderstood.
Lars: I sympathize with him in the bunker.
Tia: Bunker?
Lars: Who are you? My did my agents set this up?
Tia: I'm a myspace star in a Facebook era.
Lars: I am a filmmaker.
Tia: We have much in common, then. I'm thinking of posting a picture of myself dressed as a Nazi outside Auschwitz on Facebook.
Lars: What's Facebook?
Tia: I love you.
Lars: You have an interesting face. Have you considered acting?
Tia: I value my privacy too much.
Lars: You're perfect. How do you feel about being subjected to abuse?
Tia: I'm fine with it recreationally.
Lars: Do you have a problem with pedophilia?
Tia: On the contrary, I'm in favor of it.
Lars: Do you really believe in Nazism or is this a ruse?
Tia: I just don't see what the big deal is -- it's not like anyone got hurt.
Lars: On second thought, I have a better part for you. I'm making a film about aliens.
Tia: Perhaps we could co-write since I've recently been abducted.
Tila Tequila expresses sympathy for Hitler and suspects Paul Walker was murdered.
I've yet to see the "Hitler was misunderstood" move work effectively. I suppose she wants a little attention, so it works for a moment, but she should have consulted with Lars Von Trier before going on her Facebook rant. (I'd watch that conversation)
Tia: Lars, I've been thinking: Hitler was misunderstood.
Lars: I sympathize with him in the bunker.
Tia: Bunker?
Lars: Who are you? My did my agents set this up?
Tia: I'm a myspace star in a Facebook era.
Lars: I am a filmmaker.
Tia: We have much in common, then. I'm thinking of posting a picture of myself dressed as a Nazi outside Auschwitz on Facebook.
Lars: What's Facebook?
Tia: I love you.
Lars: You have an interesting face. Have you considered acting?
Tia: I value my privacy too much.
Lars: You're perfect. How do you feel about being subjected to abuse?
Tia: I'm fine with it recreationally.
Lars: Do you have a problem with pedophilia?
Tia: On the contrary, I'm in favor of it.
Lars: Do you really believe in Nazism or is this a ruse?
Tia: I just don't see what the big deal is -- it's not like anyone got hurt.
Lars: On second thought, I have a better part for you. I'm making a film about aliens.
Tia: Perhaps we could co-write since I've recently been abducted.
Relax, Buddy
An article on the rise of ACL tears.
An article on the rise of ACL tears.
But here is the thing about ACL tears: They're not just another injury. They are the Godzilla of injuries. They are painful beyond tolerance, they take eons to rehab, and they always leave a lingering doubt in the athlete's mind that he will ever be whole again. An ACL tear tests one's mettle. An ACL tear goes to the very heart of resilience and mental toughness. An ACL tear is the standard against which the athlete himself measures his determination. An ACL tear is the absolute limit.I've had an ACL tear -- and it is bad, but this description is hyperbolic.
Monday, December 09, 2013
The Rent Is Too Damn High
According to a Harvard study. The three biggest scams/money-sucks running in America today: housing, college, and healthcare.
Is it just me or are these all places where the Federal government plays an inordinately large role?
According to a Harvard study. The three biggest scams/money-sucks running in America today: housing, college, and healthcare.
Is it just me or are these all places where the Federal government plays an inordinately large role?
Saturday, December 07, 2013
The Cheapest of Shots
I generally like Wesley Morris and I've yet to see Out of the Furnace. Judging by the many bad reviews, I expect it won't be good. But I'm a little sick of this charge made by movie critics:
Anyhow, movie critics lobbing this charge strikes me a bit as the pot calling the kettle black.
I generally like Wesley Morris and I've yet to see Out of the Furnace. Judging by the many bad reviews, I expect it won't be good. But I'm a little sick of this charge made by movie critics:
These vacuous, grim, sometimes grisly movies want to speak to the troubles and fears of our times. But to even have a chance at achieving that, a director ought to care about life as it's lived outside the movies he's seen.It's a familiar charge by critics and others that the filmmaker hasn't "lived enough" and lives inside only movies. We've all heard it many times. It's been lobbed upon every lousy student film by faculty in addition to filmmakers like Tarantino and the Coen Brothers. I think's it's a bullshit charge because it can apply equally to lousy films and great ones. I mean, does anyone think a young George Lucas had "lived enough" when he created Star Wars? I can't imagine the early Coen Brothers were all that experienced in life. I just think it's an easy thing people say when a film is lousy (or they don't like it) because the charge cannot be refuted or debated. Oh...you simply live in a world of movies, therefore your movies only reflect other movies...as if the only guy who should direct a film is The Most Interesting Man In the World.
Anyhow, movie critics lobbing this charge strikes me a bit as the pot calling the kettle black.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
The Best Player on the Niners
Watch Justin Smith on this play.
People talk about Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Davis, Bowman, Willis, Aldon Smith...but for my money, the best player on the field is Justin Smith. I knew the guy was good, but it didn't become clear to me how good until they played without him for a little bit last year and the defense stunk. In contrast, when Aldon Smith was out for 4 games this year, the team hardly noticed.
Talent-wise, our two linebackers: Bowman and Willis are in the same league as Justin Smith, but I simply think Defensive Tackle is a more important position than linebacker, which is why I give the nod to Smith. Vernon Davis is our most important player on offense and Boldin, probably our most valuable player on offense, but the heart and soul of this team is the defense. Gore, career-wise, has an argument to be made in his favor, and I love the guy, but in terms of value to the team on a given game -- the Niners are one of the top teams in the league with Smith and simply not one of them without him.
Watch Justin Smith on this play.
People talk about Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Davis, Bowman, Willis, Aldon Smith...but for my money, the best player on the field is Justin Smith. I knew the guy was good, but it didn't become clear to me how good until they played without him for a little bit last year and the defense stunk. In contrast, when Aldon Smith was out for 4 games this year, the team hardly noticed.
Talent-wise, our two linebackers: Bowman and Willis are in the same league as Justin Smith, but I simply think Defensive Tackle is a more important position than linebacker, which is why I give the nod to Smith. Vernon Davis is our most important player on offense and Boldin, probably our most valuable player on offense, but the heart and soul of this team is the defense. Gore, career-wise, has an argument to be made in his favor, and I love the guy, but in terms of value to the team on a given game -- the Niners are one of the top teams in the league with Smith and simply not one of them without him.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
The End Of History Ends
Terrific article on foreign policy. He understands precisely what Iran, Russia, and China are up to.
Terrific article on foreign policy. He understands precisely what Iran, Russia, and China are up to.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Logging
Films I watched or partially watched over my honeymoon vacation:
The Wolverine - on plane to Taiwan. Eh.
Pacific Rim - on plane to Taiwan. Eh.
The Dark Knight - on plane. Only watched scenes with Bain. Enjoyed it in comparison to the other two aforementioned movies.
Thor 2 - was between this and Hunger Games 2 one evening at a random theater. I think we made the right choice, which is not saying much.
Beyond Beauty - Taiwan From Above -- I fell asleep many times. Strange "documentary."
Identity Thief - turned off after 5-10 minutes in the hotel. Of all the bad movies, this was the worst and most hatable.
Bourne Legacy - turned off after 20 minutes. Very confusing. Maybe would have been decent if I stuck with it.
Rust and Bone - I loved it and also wanted it to be over. Maybe because I was on a torturously long flight home. Audiard is a filmmaker. And I suspect he rather likes Michael Mann. Or the other way around.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - a Taiwanese film by Arvin Chen, a classmate from film school showing on the plane. Congrats to Arvin on making a real feature film. Not my cup of tea in terms of subject matter, but a respectable film.
Grown Ups 2 - the surprise on the list. I really enjoyed it and had quite a few laughs. I can see how people may hate this movie if they paid to go see it because they are not really rewarded by any narrative pleasures. But Sandler doesn't care about narrative, he cares about comic bits and some of them work. What can I say? It made me chuckle. There's no reason to find reasons something sucks if you are enjoying it in the moment. I'd watch this movie any day over a piece of corporate trash like Identity Thief, which is simply aimed at getting butts in the theater. At least there is a human being behind Grown Ups -- Sandler -- and I'm guessing he likes his own movie. There is no way anyone involved with Identity Thief can actually believe in the thing. There is no love or care put into it at all. No personality. No nothing, but a clever marketing conceit. Grown Ups - sloppy as it may be - is actually about something beyond the comedy - about parents discovering the talents of their children, about blue collar family values and friendships, and about a community. Frankly, I found the movie refreshingly uncynical.
Films I watched or partially watched over my honeymoon vacation:
The Wolverine - on plane to Taiwan. Eh.
Pacific Rim - on plane to Taiwan. Eh.
The Dark Knight - on plane. Only watched scenes with Bain. Enjoyed it in comparison to the other two aforementioned movies.
Thor 2 - was between this and Hunger Games 2 one evening at a random theater. I think we made the right choice, which is not saying much.
Beyond Beauty - Taiwan From Above -- I fell asleep many times. Strange "documentary."
Identity Thief - turned off after 5-10 minutes in the hotel. Of all the bad movies, this was the worst and most hatable.
Bourne Legacy - turned off after 20 minutes. Very confusing. Maybe would have been decent if I stuck with it.
Rust and Bone - I loved it and also wanted it to be over. Maybe because I was on a torturously long flight home. Audiard is a filmmaker. And I suspect he rather likes Michael Mann. Or the other way around.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - a Taiwanese film by Arvin Chen, a classmate from film school showing on the plane. Congrats to Arvin on making a real feature film. Not my cup of tea in terms of subject matter, but a respectable film.
Grown Ups 2 - the surprise on the list. I really enjoyed it and had quite a few laughs. I can see how people may hate this movie if they paid to go see it because they are not really rewarded by any narrative pleasures. But Sandler doesn't care about narrative, he cares about comic bits and some of them work. What can I say? It made me chuckle. There's no reason to find reasons something sucks if you are enjoying it in the moment. I'd watch this movie any day over a piece of corporate trash like Identity Thief, which is simply aimed at getting butts in the theater. At least there is a human being behind Grown Ups -- Sandler -- and I'm guessing he likes his own movie. There is no way anyone involved with Identity Thief can actually believe in the thing. There is no love or care put into it at all. No personality. No nothing, but a clever marketing conceit. Grown Ups - sloppy as it may be - is actually about something beyond the comedy - about parents discovering the talents of their children, about blue collar family values and friendships, and about a community. Frankly, I found the movie refreshingly uncynical.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
NFL
Returned from my trip and vegged out watching NFL today. A few thoughts:
Niners are looking pretty good. They need to start scoring touchdowns rather than field goals to be elite, but their defense is stronger than last year and with Crabtree back, the passing game has opened up. Let's see if Joe Staley will be okay - losing a left tackle is a major problem. Kaepernick is still limited in his understanding of defenses and his progressions, but if we dominate other aspects of the game, we are looking good. But can we beat Seadderal?
Kansas City has apparently forgot how to rush the passer. They don't get any pressure on Manning and the Broncos will score 30+ every time if you don't pressure him. What happened? It didn't help that their offense dropped about 6 passes, either. But this team isn't built for shootouts. They have some decent offensive weapons - Jamal Charles is a top tier back and they have two other running back type weapons - McCluster and Hill (or something) - who are quite good. They have Bowe, a good possession receiver, and Smith is a good QB. He was hitting on passes all around the field today, but his guys were dropping too many balls. He made one costly interception early in the game, but that's not why they lost. They lost because they couldn't pressure Manning. They need a tight end and a big play receiver to improve offensively. But their defense has become a weakness all of a sudden.
Returned from my trip and vegged out watching NFL today. A few thoughts:
Niners are looking pretty good. They need to start scoring touchdowns rather than field goals to be elite, but their defense is stronger than last year and with Crabtree back, the passing game has opened up. Let's see if Joe Staley will be okay - losing a left tackle is a major problem. Kaepernick is still limited in his understanding of defenses and his progressions, but if we dominate other aspects of the game, we are looking good. But can we beat Seadderal?
Kansas City has apparently forgot how to rush the passer. They don't get any pressure on Manning and the Broncos will score 30+ every time if you don't pressure him. What happened? It didn't help that their offense dropped about 6 passes, either. But this team isn't built for shootouts. They have some decent offensive weapons - Jamal Charles is a top tier back and they have two other running back type weapons - McCluster and Hill (or something) - who are quite good. They have Bowe, a good possession receiver, and Smith is a good QB. He was hitting on passes all around the field today, but his guys were dropping too many balls. He made one costly interception early in the game, but that's not why they lost. They lost because they couldn't pressure Manning. They need a tight end and a big play receiver to improve offensively. But their defense has become a weakness all of a sudden.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
A Few Thoughts on Healthcare
I understand getting a business or government run health system would have some natural kinks. Then again, I figure knowing this, you ought to plan for it and test the system before launching it. Also, the government already has a system delivering healthcare: Medicare and Medicaid, so wouldn't you just be able to mimic some of the systems already in place? Or, flipside, couldn't you just mimic private insurer systems? Why didn't they hire someone who worked for Kaiser to help implement the new Obamacare system?
I suspect the reason is because the law itself makes no sense. No one understands it and worse, there are people who pretend to. The rules, I'm guessing, contradict each other and have all sorts of wonky, unintended consequences. But, this is what you get when policy is basically wishful thinking. In some ways, we might have just been better off increasing taxes and then expanding Medicaid to the uninsured, or offered straight subsidies to the uninsured. It strikes me the Supreme Court understood the law to be basically this system, but clearly it is written in such a goofy way, no one can make heads or tails of it.
I understand getting a business or government run health system would have some natural kinks. Then again, I figure knowing this, you ought to plan for it and test the system before launching it. Also, the government already has a system delivering healthcare: Medicare and Medicaid, so wouldn't you just be able to mimic some of the systems already in place? Or, flipside, couldn't you just mimic private insurer systems? Why didn't they hire someone who worked for Kaiser to help implement the new Obamacare system?
I suspect the reason is because the law itself makes no sense. No one understands it and worse, there are people who pretend to. The rules, I'm guessing, contradict each other and have all sorts of wonky, unintended consequences. But, this is what you get when policy is basically wishful thinking. In some ways, we might have just been better off increasing taxes and then expanding Medicaid to the uninsured, or offered straight subsidies to the uninsured. It strikes me the Supreme Court understood the law to be basically this system, but clearly it is written in such a goofy way, no one can make heads or tails of it.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Michael Jordan and Ideology
Posing the question "who is the greatest of all-time?" is not a search for truth, but rather a statement of ideology. The question is reflects a peculiar set of values that privilege "success" and "winning" over honor, sportsmanship, and graciousness.
I grew up rooting for Joe Montana and Magic Johnson and want to write about how their playing styles reflect different - and better - values than Michael Jordan's. The legacy of Jordan is this new era of sports where athletes are only judged by winning. The result is widespread use of PEDs, mega-teams created by joining forces with other stars, and pro teams tanking to get higher draft picks.
Posing the question "who is the greatest of all-time?" is not a search for truth, but rather a statement of ideology. The question is reflects a peculiar set of values that privilege "success" and "winning" over honor, sportsmanship, and graciousness.
I grew up rooting for Joe Montana and Magic Johnson and want to write about how their playing styles reflect different - and better - values than Michael Jordan's. The legacy of Jordan is this new era of sports where athletes are only judged by winning. The result is widespread use of PEDs, mega-teams created by joining forces with other stars, and pro teams tanking to get higher draft picks.
Logging
Film: The Wild Geese
Filmmaking has come a long way since 1978 (incidentally, the year I was born). If you can get past the utter cheese and believing the old drunken fart, Richard Burton, is actually running around the bush killing Simbas, the film has some good elements and builds up to an emotional and action packed payoff in the end.
Film: The Wild Geese
Filmmaking has come a long way since 1978 (incidentally, the year I was born). If you can get past the utter cheese and believing the old drunken fart, Richard Burton, is actually running around the bush killing Simbas, the film has some good elements and builds up to an emotional and action packed payoff in the end.
Monday, November 11, 2013
The Future, Mr. Gitts, The Future
A rather positive outlook on the future of American work. Less traffic. More work from home. Office space costs plummet.
A rather positive outlook on the future of American work. Less traffic. More work from home. Office space costs plummet.
1. Just as it was once standard for U.S. workers to work a six-day week, Levinson imagines that the workweek will continue to shrink. Every-other Friday off (the 5/4 schedule) becomes standard by 2015; by 2020, the standard schedule becomes a 9 hour day with four days a week in the office and 4 additional hours of checking in from home; by 2025, workers are taking every-other Monday off (the 4/3 schedule); and by 2030, the “flipped” office, like the “flipped” classroom, becomes the norm — i.e., workers do the bulk of their work at home, and they come to the office for “interactive collaboration days.”Sounds eerily like my present.
First Read
Dilfer -- "take away Kapernick's first read and he's a remedial passer."
For the record, I've been saying Kapernick is way overrated from the beginning. How many excuses can we possibly make for the guy? At first, it was he didn't have enough receiving help. Now, it's well, he's only playing in his 18th game as an NFL Quarterback. Hey. Guess what? The Niners were a Super Bowl contender the last two years. We weren't in the market for a project quarterback. We were in the market for a win-now quarterback.
We look way worse now than we did last year or the year before. So did our window close already? I think so. Changing starting quarterbacks from Smith to Kaepernick was a move for a team going nowhere -- not a team competing for the Super Bowl. All the media folks need to stop making excuses and admit they were wrong.
Smith had earned his shot to compete for a Super Bowl with the Niners and he's proving it (again) with Kansas City. Who is in better shape right this moment, Chiefs or Niners? I'd rather be the Chiefs and I don't see more offensive weapons over there.
Dilfer -- "take away Kapernick's first read and he's a remedial passer."
For the record, I've been saying Kapernick is way overrated from the beginning. How many excuses can we possibly make for the guy? At first, it was he didn't have enough receiving help. Now, it's well, he's only playing in his 18th game as an NFL Quarterback. Hey. Guess what? The Niners were a Super Bowl contender the last two years. We weren't in the market for a project quarterback. We were in the market for a win-now quarterback.
We look way worse now than we did last year or the year before. So did our window close already? I think so. Changing starting quarterbacks from Smith to Kaepernick was a move for a team going nowhere -- not a team competing for the Super Bowl. All the media folks need to stop making excuses and admit they were wrong.
Smith had earned his shot to compete for a Super Bowl with the Niners and he's proving it (again) with Kansas City. Who is in better shape right this moment, Chiefs or Niners? I'd rather be the Chiefs and I don't see more offensive weapons over there.
Monitoring Social Media
Colleges rescind applications after looking up prospective students on social media. Hat tip, Chuck.
I don't know why people use this stuff.
Colleges rescind applications after looking up prospective students on social media. Hat tip, Chuck.
I don't know why people use this stuff.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Logging
Film: 12 Years A Slave
Considering all the buzz, a very underwhelming experience. Purposeless brutality, if you ask me. Despair upon despair. The main character isn't always involved with the more interesting dramatic moments and relationships. I actually found the Patty-Fassbender-and his wife little triangle the most interesting part of the movie perhaps because there was dramatic conflict instead of just people shitting on Chewy Ejiofor. Anyhow, the race hucksters will get it into the nominations, but will the Academy be fooled?
Film: 12 Years A Slave
Considering all the buzz, a very underwhelming experience. Purposeless brutality, if you ask me. Despair upon despair. The main character isn't always involved with the more interesting dramatic moments and relationships. I actually found the Patty-Fassbender-and his wife little triangle the most interesting part of the movie perhaps because there was dramatic conflict instead of just people shitting on Chewy Ejiofor. Anyhow, the race hucksters will get it into the nominations, but will the Academy be fooled?
Friday, November 08, 2013
The Internet Scam
How much does twitter owe you?
And T-Bone Burnett on the same issue:
Hey. He's right. I'm sure every middle manager at Apple and Twitter is now a millionaire while Cat Power is broke.
This is cannibalism. At least the Hollywood studios, stingy and corrupt as they are, pay the actors and filmmakers residuals and royalties. These internet people take what other people make, turn it into a cheap digital copy, and take $1 and give the creators 5 cents. Who put in the work to make this stuff? The struggling musician who worked 10 years to hone their craft or or the kid who took 3 engineering classes at Stanford and knows how make a small sized digital file?
How much does twitter owe you?
And T-Bone Burnett on the same issue:
If somebody had come down from Silicon Valley 30 years ago and said "I've got this new technology, and you're gonna be able to see all around the world, transfer your stuff all over the world, you're gonna be able to send things, you'll be able to see your friends, you'll be able to hear music -- all you have to do is give up your privacy and your royalties," everybody would have said, "Get the f--- out of town! Right now! Get out of here!" Instead, these guys came down with their shtick, and everybody went "Well, how can we make money from this great new technology?" "Oh, you're not gonna make money from it. Everything's gonna be free. Just give us the intellectual property we can send around in our pipes, everybody will subscribe, and then we'll be rich. Not you, though." [Laughs.] "Don't ask us what we're doing with the money. Just make the stuff and send it to us for free." That's how much of a straight-up con it's been. People in Hollywood, we should go up there with pitchforks and torches to Silicon Valley now. Unfortunately, that's [how sophisticated] our response would be -- pitchforks and torches.Hat tip, Andy.
Hey. He's right. I'm sure every middle manager at Apple and Twitter is now a millionaire while Cat Power is broke.
This is cannibalism. At least the Hollywood studios, stingy and corrupt as they are, pay the actors and filmmakers residuals and royalties. These internet people take what other people make, turn it into a cheap digital copy, and take $1 and give the creators 5 cents. Who put in the work to make this stuff? The struggling musician who worked 10 years to hone their craft or or the kid who took 3 engineering classes at Stanford and knows how make a small sized digital file?
Logging
Film: Oldboy
Really enjoyed this film. I missed the entire Vengeance trilogy and have for whatever reason never caught up. It was showing at the New Bev last night, so I caught it. Goofy, surreal, with some unbelievably awesome moments. It feels wonkily plotted, until the end it all comes together. Terrific.
Film: Oldboy
Really enjoyed this film. I missed the entire Vengeance trilogy and have for whatever reason never caught up. It was showing at the New Bev last night, so I caught it. Goofy, surreal, with some unbelievably awesome moments. It feels wonkily plotted, until the end it all comes together. Terrific.
Critical Re-Evaluation of Starship Troopers?
A beginning. I was a huge fan of this film. It came out at a time when I wasn't going to a lot of movies, and I dragged people to the theater to see it.
A beginning. I was a huge fan of this film. It came out at a time when I wasn't going to a lot of movies, and I dragged people to the theater to see it.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Good Title
I'd like to read this book: The Antidote.
Blurb:
I'd like to read this book: The Antidote.
Blurb:
Looking both east and west, in bulletins from the past and from far afield, Oliver Burkeman introduces us to an unusual group of people who share a single, surprising way of thinking about life. Whether experimental psychologists, terrorism experts, Buddhists, hardheaded business consultants, Greek philosophers, or modern-day gurus, they argue that in our personal lives, and in society at large, it’s our constant effort to be happy that is making us miserable. And that there is an alternative path to happiness and success that involves embracing failure, pessimism, insecurity, and uncertainty—the very things we spend our lives trying to avoid. Thought-provoking, counterintuitive, and ultimately uplifting, The Antidote is the intelligent person’s guide to understanding the much-misunderstood idea of happiness
Logging
Reading: Blood's A Rover by James Ellroy
Man, I really loved American Tabloid, but am having a tough time with the other two. Ellroy is fun to read and I made it through The Cold Six Thousand just on the fumes from American Tabloid. Blood's A Rover is suffering from plotting. I'm 200 pages in and not even sure what these guys are trying to accomplish. At the moment, they're trying to infiltrate these weak-ass black power organizations and it just feels like super small stakes given the language and power of Ellroy's prose.
I'm having a hard time finding really good big novels. Started reading this Machado book Philosopher and Dog and it feels like it came from a different writer than the Alienist. Maybe it is a translator thing.
Reading: Blood's A Rover by James Ellroy
Man, I really loved American Tabloid, but am having a tough time with the other two. Ellroy is fun to read and I made it through The Cold Six Thousand just on the fumes from American Tabloid. Blood's A Rover is suffering from plotting. I'm 200 pages in and not even sure what these guys are trying to accomplish. At the moment, they're trying to infiltrate these weak-ass black power organizations and it just feels like super small stakes given the language and power of Ellroy's prose.
I'm having a hard time finding really good big novels. Started reading this Machado book Philosopher and Dog and it feels like it came from a different writer than the Alienist. Maybe it is a translator thing.
This is a Real Thing
Tony Dorsett and others showing signs of CTE.
Tony Dorsett and others showing signs of CTE.
The former Cowboys running back, now 59, said that when he took his Oct. 21 flight from Dallas to Los Angeles for testing, he repeatedly struggled to remember why he was aboard the plane and where he was going.
Such episodes, he said, are commonplace when he travels. Dorsett said he also gets lost when he drives his two youngest daughters, ages 15 and 10, to their soccer and volleyball games. "I've got to take them to places that I've been going to for many, many, many years, and then I don't know how to get there," he said.
The 1976 Heisman Trophy winner and eighth all-time leading NFL rusher said he has trouble controlling his emotions and is prone to outbursts at his wife and daughters. "It's painful, man, for my daughters to say they're scared of me." After a long pause, he tearfully reiterated, "It's painful."Another guy says he played for years and never was diagnosed for a concussion but probably suffered from 100s of them. That's right: 100s. Man, it really surprises me it didn't cross people's minds that suffering all these bell-ringing hits would have some long term consequences even without all the science. This is a problem with the way "men" handle problems, by not talking about them and being perceived as weak if they do.
The Plot Thickens
Many of the Miami players are defending Incognito and not Martin. And this former lineman explains the logic behind the various incidents. And Martin isn't talking. Also, rumor I heard on the radio was that Miami coaching staff wanted Martin to "toughen up." All very strange. Guess I should shut my trap with opinions, until the full story comes to light.
Many of the Miami players are defending Incognito and not Martin. And this former lineman explains the logic behind the various incidents. And Martin isn't talking. Also, rumor I heard on the radio was that Miami coaching staff wanted Martin to "toughen up." All very strange. Guess I should shut my trap with opinions, until the full story comes to light.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
No Duh
Student loans could delay retirement for young grads.
How many articles can be written about how student loans affect young people's ability to buy homes, save for retirement, or just have money, in general? The math is so obvious. Any money spent on loans or interest is money not spent on other things. And one of the good things to spend money on is investments that accrue interest or value, like homes or retirement savings invested in stock. Math:
20,000 loan at 5% paid off in 10 years - total price paid: $212.13 per month = $25,455
20,000 investment at 5% in 35 years - total value: $110,320
So while it seems like that 20-25 grand is a reasonable amount, over time the value is really much more.
Student loans could delay retirement for young grads.
How many articles can be written about how student loans affect young people's ability to buy homes, save for retirement, or just have money, in general? The math is so obvious. Any money spent on loans or interest is money not spent on other things. And one of the good things to spend money on is investments that accrue interest or value, like homes or retirement savings invested in stock. Math:
20,000 loan at 5% paid off in 10 years - total price paid: $212.13 per month = $25,455
20,000 investment at 5% in 35 years - total value: $110,320
So while it seems like that 20-25 grand is a reasonable amount, over time the value is really much more.
The End of TV's Golden Age
Normally, I don't agree much with Greenwald, but he is spot-on with his analysis of The Walking Dead being the quintessential show of the moment and the symbol of the end of TVs golden age.
In the 70s, Orsen Welles lamented we were brutalizing the audience. I can only imagine what he would have thought of this particular Walking Dead sequence which I find emblematic of the show: a major character needs an amateur c-section to save a baby. The mother dies and then is murdered to avoid becoming a walker. The father goes to see the dead mother and finds a zombie with a full stomach, who has obviously eaten the mother. He kills the zombie and stabs it in the stomach multiple times. And this is the most popular show on television. Something is wrong with our society and I'm a freaking fan of violence in movies and tv...but this is just too ridiculous.
Normally, I don't agree much with Greenwald, but he is spot-on with his analysis of The Walking Dead being the quintessential show of the moment and the symbol of the end of TVs golden age.
In the 70s, Orsen Welles lamented we were brutalizing the audience. I can only imagine what he would have thought of this particular Walking Dead sequence which I find emblematic of the show: a major character needs an amateur c-section to save a baby. The mother dies and then is murdered to avoid becoming a walker. The father goes to see the dead mother and finds a zombie with a full stomach, who has obviously eaten the mother. He kills the zombie and stabs it in the stomach multiple times. And this is the most popular show on television. Something is wrong with our society and I'm a freaking fan of violence in movies and tv...but this is just too ridiculous.
The Gentleman Athlete
This article does wax nostalgic for a different type of era and different type of game. I rather like the overall attitude:
This article does wax nostalgic for a different type of era and different type of game. I rather like the overall attitude:
Instead of focusing on creating academic or athletic top dogs, our educational institutions should focus on what Baker valued above all: character. Not only is good character a worthy goal in itself, it has an additional bonus: It can lead to success. Consider the research of Angela Duckworth, a renowned social scientist, who, looking at places like the Chicago public high schools, the military’s West Point, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee, has studied the differences between those who excel and those who do not. She has found that “grit”—the persistent pursuit of a long-term goal—better predicts success than “standardized achievement test scores.” She also finds that self-control, a close cousin of grit, predicts good grades better than raw intelligence does.That said, like anything else, the gentlemanly aspect of sport can be taken too far and create soft players.
What Kind of World Do We Live In?
I already read Deadline too much as it is, but this will give me an excuse to give it up completely (I surely won't).
Nikki Finke is gone from the site she basically created from scratch, herself. Literally, this woman created THE SPOT for entertainment reporting and took down Variety and the Hollywood reporter and became one of the most influential people in town. And look: I doubt many people are 100% fans. She's caustic, editorializes, needs constant praise, and has all sorts of annoying qualities. I don't think she'd be a fun companion to be around. But she was fun to read and had an earned chip on her shoulder as any person of character might develop by being around Hollywood too much.
The people who run this site ought to be pretty ashamed, right? I mean, how do they spin this without coming across as carpet-bagging vultures? They take her creation and are now turning it into online Variety, the exact type of reporting she wanted to toss in the dustbin. Ugly world. This is the same thing as Walmart coming to town and forcing all the mom and pop shops to close down. And the only thing I really hate about this reality is the people involved with Deadline are the types who would criticize Walmart and deny what they've done as the same exact thing.
I already read Deadline too much as it is, but this will give me an excuse to give it up completely (I surely won't).
Nikki Finke is gone from the site she basically created from scratch, herself. Literally, this woman created THE SPOT for entertainment reporting and took down Variety and the Hollywood reporter and became one of the most influential people in town. And look: I doubt many people are 100% fans. She's caustic, editorializes, needs constant praise, and has all sorts of annoying qualities. I don't think she'd be a fun companion to be around. But she was fun to read and had an earned chip on her shoulder as any person of character might develop by being around Hollywood too much.
The people who run this site ought to be pretty ashamed, right? I mean, how do they spin this without coming across as carpet-bagging vultures? They take her creation and are now turning it into online Variety, the exact type of reporting she wanted to toss in the dustbin. Ugly world. This is the same thing as Walmart coming to town and forcing all the mom and pop shops to close down. And the only thing I really hate about this reality is the people involved with Deadline are the types who would criticize Walmart and deny what they've done as the same exact thing.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Logging
Film: The Counselor
There was no plot. There were just scenes of people talking. And I didn't want it to be over.
UPDATE: As I lay in bed last night, I thought to myself: Does Cormac McCarthy really believe we are destined for an old testament slaughter? It strikes me as the organizing principle in his notable works: No Country, Blood Meridian, The Counselor, The Road (I have yet to read the Border Trilogy). His stories are sort of centered around this very idea and the violence he displays exists in relation to this brutality. Or is this old testament stuff just an excuse to get your jollies off lopping people's heads off?
Film: The Counselor
There was no plot. There were just scenes of people talking. And I didn't want it to be over.
UPDATE: As I lay in bed last night, I thought to myself: Does Cormac McCarthy really believe we are destined for an old testament slaughter? It strikes me as the organizing principle in his notable works: No Country, Blood Meridian, The Counselor, The Road (I have yet to read the Border Trilogy). His stories are sort of centered around this very idea and the violence he displays exists in relation to this brutality. Or is this old testament stuff just an excuse to get your jollies off lopping people's heads off?
Monday, November 04, 2013
Rigging The Numbers
I wish someone had pointed this out before...when you remove car accidents and violent crime from statistics related to life expectancy in the United States, we actually have really good outcomes. And if you have cancer, you can be expected to live longer. Basically, using the metric of "broad life expectancy" takes into account factors unrelated to the healthcare system and misled our thinking that our health system is super flawed.
I wish someone had pointed this out before...when you remove car accidents and violent crime from statistics related to life expectancy in the United States, we actually have really good outcomes. And if you have cancer, you can be expected to live longer. Basically, using the metric of "broad life expectancy" takes into account factors unrelated to the healthcare system and misled our thinking that our health system is super flawed.
Asshole
Incognito (how did he get that last name) suspended from Dolphins for bullying, racist taunts, and forcing this dude to pay $15,000 for a trip to Vegas. I agree with Cowherd on this point: forcing rookies to pay for big ass dinners and trips is fucked up. Most of these guys aren't gonna last in the league and the vets know it. Forcing them to shell our major dough as a hazing process is super shitty. Good for this Martin kid for saying F-you to the Dolphins and Incognito. You know this guy can't be too soft - you don't get to the NFL being soft.
Incognito (how did he get that last name) suspended from Dolphins for bullying, racist taunts, and forcing this dude to pay $15,000 for a trip to Vegas. I agree with Cowherd on this point: forcing rookies to pay for big ass dinners and trips is fucked up. Most of these guys aren't gonna last in the league and the vets know it. Forcing them to shell our major dough as a hazing process is super shitty. Good for this Martin kid for saying F-you to the Dolphins and Incognito. You know this guy can't be too soft - you don't get to the NFL being soft.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
What Fun
A review claiming The Counselor is the worst film every made...and it makes me want to see it. Reviews are rarely fun to read. Maybe at one time, reviews were meant to discriminate for the audience how to spend their time and money. I no longer read them that way. I read them now as texts unto themselves, like accessories to outfits. This is a fun quote:
A review claiming The Counselor is the worst film every made...and it makes me want to see it. Reviews are rarely fun to read. Maybe at one time, reviews were meant to discriminate for the audience how to spend their time and money. I no longer read them that way. I read them now as texts unto themselves, like accessories to outfits. This is a fun quote:
If you eat dinner at Burger King and the food sucks, it’s disingenuous to get all mad about it. This is more like having Alice Waters and Mario Batali labor in the kitchen for a while and then serve you a gray-green burger on Wonder Bread, with what looks like somebody’s pubic hair stuck to it. But surrounded with whimsical garnishes of fresh herbs.
Narrative Lies
A new book on the Matthew Shepard hate crime case suspects the killing had more to do with a burgeoning crystal meth scene than a hate crime.
Yikes.
And Big Papi winning the World Series MVP. And everyone knows he's juicing. What a joke. I know how we can stop steroids: you get caught, your career is over. Kaput. We lock up 18 year old poor kids in jail for dealing pot, effectively throwing their lives down the toilet and we reward millionaire drug users with MVP trophies, multi-million dollar contracts, and a slap on the wrist and wink, wink, nod, nod. We're getting to a breaking point with this stuff...I think....
A new book on the Matthew Shepard hate crime case suspects the killing had more to do with a burgeoning crystal meth scene than a hate crime.
Yikes.
And Big Papi winning the World Series MVP. And everyone knows he's juicing. What a joke. I know how we can stop steroids: you get caught, your career is over. Kaput. We lock up 18 year old poor kids in jail for dealing pot, effectively throwing their lives down the toilet and we reward millionaire drug users with MVP trophies, multi-million dollar contracts, and a slap on the wrist and wink, wink, nod, nod. We're getting to a breaking point with this stuff...I think....
Heath Care
Costs are going up for some people. But of course they are -- you don't insure the uninsured for free.
Costs are going up for some people. But of course they are -- you don't insure the uninsured for free.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Offensive!
Blackface for Halloween.
Blackface for Halloween.
As a black man, I find myself wondering two things. First, why do I need white people to be offended on my behalf? Second and far more importantly, why should I be offended by something as trivial as a Halloween costume?
I’ve never quite understood why blackface should offend me. The act of wearing blackface does not harm me. It does not take something from me. It does not prevent me from acting upon my own judgment. It does not violate my rights. I accept that blackface offends some people. I understand that it may be distasteful. But I’m not sure why academics and journalists are so desperate to snuff blackface out of existence while ignoring or even advocating practices which actually harm black people.People get offended because you get to feel righteousness without it costing anything. A win-win.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Horrible Play Calling
Rams on the goal line at the end of a pretty good MNF game -- horrible play call on 4th down. You have a back up QB and shit receivers and you throw a fade? Huh? The fade is for 1st down or if you have Calvin Johnson.
Spread the defense and draw up the middle. Or pack the box and do a QB rollout with a run/pass option. Let someone make a play. That wasn't even close.
Rams on the goal line at the end of a pretty good MNF game -- horrible play call on 4th down. You have a back up QB and shit receivers and you throw a fade? Huh? The fade is for 1st down or if you have Calvin Johnson.
Spread the defense and draw up the middle. Or pack the box and do a QB rollout with a run/pass option. Let someone make a play. That wasn't even close.
Profits Up, Earnings Down
Yep. Profits are up because firms are cutting the fat and working people too hard. Revenue is down across the board. This is bad news.
Yep. Profits are up because firms are cutting the fat and working people too hard. Revenue is down across the board. This is bad news.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Hard Out There For A Villain
Myanmar's villains are having trouble getting work.
I suppose we all have to agree globalization is good. And we all need to be nimble and crafty to get work. But at some point -- shouldn't we even pause to consider -- all the workers and craftsmen and various skilled laborers who lose their livings to the companies who merely aggregate data on the internet? Can I be skeptical of this system without being a Communist pinko bastard? I mean, isn't it obvious we are cannibalizing ourselves?
Myanmar's villains are having trouble getting work.
I suppose we all have to agree globalization is good. And we all need to be nimble and crafty to get work. But at some point -- shouldn't we even pause to consider -- all the workers and craftsmen and various skilled laborers who lose their livings to the companies who merely aggregate data on the internet? Can I be skeptical of this system without being a Communist pinko bastard? I mean, isn't it obvious we are cannibalizing ourselves?
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Do Trades Work in the NFL?
I don't know. But Tony Gonzalez to the Chiefs is a good idea. If anyone could come in and fit on a team, it would be Gonzalez. And the Chiefs are at least one offensive player away from a true Super Bowl contender. But who knows? Maybe this only improves them incrementally and in the end, it will still just come down to luck.
I don't know. But Tony Gonzalez to the Chiefs is a good idea. If anyone could come in and fit on a team, it would be Gonzalez. And the Chiefs are at least one offensive player away from a true Super Bowl contender. But who knows? Maybe this only improves them incrementally and in the end, it will still just come down to luck.
Average is Over
Tyler Cowen argues we are headed towards an increasingly stratified economy. This will spell the end for democracy should it happen.
Tyler Cowen argues we are headed towards an increasingly stratified economy. This will spell the end for democracy should it happen.
Logging
TV: Masters of Sex, ep 1 and 2
I really enjoyed the 2nd episode. I commented after the first episode "this is a girl's show" and I'm probably right. I imagine the drama running out eventually. There's only so long you can string us along on this will-they or won't-they type of stuff. This is why I stopped watching Mad Men. But that said, I'll keep watching this until I get bored. The writing and characters and design of the show are quite good. I actually think I prefer it to Mad Men, at least at the moment, and maybe just because it is something new.
TV: Masters of Sex, ep 1 and 2
I really enjoyed the 2nd episode. I commented after the first episode "this is a girl's show" and I'm probably right. I imagine the drama running out eventually. There's only so long you can string us along on this will-they or won't-they type of stuff. This is why I stopped watching Mad Men. But that said, I'll keep watching this until I get bored. The writing and characters and design of the show are quite good. I actually think I prefer it to Mad Men, at least at the moment, and maybe just because it is something new.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Commenting on The Internet
I have the top rated comment on this internet post. Should I be worried about myself? Commenting on the internet?
I have the top rated comment on this internet post. Should I be worried about myself? Commenting on the internet?
Monday, October 21, 2013
Most Disliked Players in NFL by the Public
The list:
1. Michael Vick
2. Manti Teo
3. Suh
4. Big Ben
5. Mark Sanchez
Interesting. I diverge with the public a bit...I don't mind Vick or Big Ben...I imagine women are driving the dislike of Big Ben because of his sexual assault history. And Vick -- well -- people love dogs. Don't mess with dogs if you want to be liked. The others are interesting because clearly, they are disliked for different reasons.
Teo is disliked because he is weird and foolish. We don't like that. Suh is disliked because he is evil and out to hurt people. We don't like that. Sanchez is disliked because he is overpraised and receives undeserved accolades. We don't like that.
The list:
1. Michael Vick
2. Manti Teo
3. Suh
4. Big Ben
5. Mark Sanchez
Interesting. I diverge with the public a bit...I don't mind Vick or Big Ben...I imagine women are driving the dislike of Big Ben because of his sexual assault history. And Vick -- well -- people love dogs. Don't mess with dogs if you want to be liked. The others are interesting because clearly, they are disliked for different reasons.
Teo is disliked because he is weird and foolish. We don't like that. Suh is disliked because he is evil and out to hurt people. We don't like that. Sanchez is disliked because he is overpraised and receives undeserved accolades. We don't like that.
Awesome
Build your own car.
If you lived in a modestly trafficked area, this would be a load of fun.
Build your own car.
If you lived in a modestly trafficked area, this would be a load of fun.
NFL
Kaepernick played great yesterday, even though he threw several risky throws and got bailed out of an interception by a silly roughing the passer call. That moment changed the game. But overall, the Niners going into Tennessee and getting a convincing win was impressive. We are back to our style of football we were playing with Smith at QB and I love it.
Watched some of the Kansas City game as well. It was not as close as the final score. The Chiefs got cocky for a moment and Sean Smith let some back up receiver beat him over the top by Case Keenum. You could see this was a moment of taking the foot off the gas pedal for the Chiefs D. They also fumbled near the goal line when they were about to put the game away and then obviously kneeled it out at the 2 yard line. I'm saying the game "should" have been 24-16 at least. But who cares? They are the only 7-0 team. If they can manage to split with Denver (who is looking kinda vulnerable, especially on D), they might even take the division, which would be a huge advantage to them in the playoffs. Certainly, they are benefitting from a pretty easy schedule, but still. 7-0 is no joke, especially given a new coach, QB, and the 2-14 record from last year. And it's not like any of the wins were exactly "lucky" anyway. They've basically just beat every team so far.
Is it just me or do Peyton Manning's throws look weak? It seems like his arm strength has regressed back to last year. What's up with that? Still, Denver is the only team that can be down 22 points in the fourth quarter and I'm keeping the TV on because there is a decent chance of a comeback. Shit, when it was 30-36 and they got the ball back, I was pretty sure they were going to score and then we'd get to see if Luck could drive the Colts back. Huge bummer about Reggie Wayne. Right as I saw the play, I knew it was an ACL. Turf, right? I hate seeing that. Can a 34-year old WR return from an ACL to play in the NFL? Man...I dunno. Bummer, too because the Colts have become the most interesting team in the NFL - beating Denver, Seattle, and the Niners, but losing to Miami and the Chargers and almost losing to the Raiders.
Who do I like for the Super Bowl at this point?
Buying: Niners, Saints, Colts, Kansas City, Cincy
Selling: Denver, New England, Green Bay
Don't really see any other possible contenders...some decent teams, but no one I see winning 3-4 playoff games.
Kaepernick played great yesterday, even though he threw several risky throws and got bailed out of an interception by a silly roughing the passer call. That moment changed the game. But overall, the Niners going into Tennessee and getting a convincing win was impressive. We are back to our style of football we were playing with Smith at QB and I love it.
Watched some of the Kansas City game as well. It was not as close as the final score. The Chiefs got cocky for a moment and Sean Smith let some back up receiver beat him over the top by Case Keenum. You could see this was a moment of taking the foot off the gas pedal for the Chiefs D. They also fumbled near the goal line when they were about to put the game away and then obviously kneeled it out at the 2 yard line. I'm saying the game "should" have been 24-16 at least. But who cares? They are the only 7-0 team. If they can manage to split with Denver (who is looking kinda vulnerable, especially on D), they might even take the division, which would be a huge advantage to them in the playoffs. Certainly, they are benefitting from a pretty easy schedule, but still. 7-0 is no joke, especially given a new coach, QB, and the 2-14 record from last year. And it's not like any of the wins were exactly "lucky" anyway. They've basically just beat every team so far.
Is it just me or do Peyton Manning's throws look weak? It seems like his arm strength has regressed back to last year. What's up with that? Still, Denver is the only team that can be down 22 points in the fourth quarter and I'm keeping the TV on because there is a decent chance of a comeback. Shit, when it was 30-36 and they got the ball back, I was pretty sure they were going to score and then we'd get to see if Luck could drive the Colts back. Huge bummer about Reggie Wayne. Right as I saw the play, I knew it was an ACL. Turf, right? I hate seeing that. Can a 34-year old WR return from an ACL to play in the NFL? Man...I dunno. Bummer, too because the Colts have become the most interesting team in the NFL - beating Denver, Seattle, and the Niners, but losing to Miami and the Chargers and almost losing to the Raiders.
Who do I like for the Super Bowl at this point?
Buying: Niners, Saints, Colts, Kansas City, Cincy
Selling: Denver, New England, Green Bay
Don't really see any other possible contenders...some decent teams, but no one I see winning 3-4 playoff games.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Redistribution
How older generations rip off the younger. Several schemes:
1. Social Security. People get more money than they put in. Why do we even have this system?
2. Low capital gains taxes. People in their 60s have five times as much wealth as those in their 30s. All those capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than the folks who are working for income. The guy has a good proposal to tax capital gains as income and lower the corporate tax rate to zero.
3. Mortgage interest deduction and any policies designed to help homeowners. He doesn't mention this one, but every cent you give to a homeowner is a cent out of the pocket of a potential homeowner. There is no way around this logic and it obviously this benefits those who own homes (ie older generations) against younger one's.
How older generations rip off the younger. Several schemes:
1. Social Security. People get more money than they put in. Why do we even have this system?
2. Low capital gains taxes. People in their 60s have five times as much wealth as those in their 30s. All those capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than the folks who are working for income. The guy has a good proposal to tax capital gains as income and lower the corporate tax rate to zero.
3. Mortgage interest deduction and any policies designed to help homeowners. He doesn't mention this one, but every cent you give to a homeowner is a cent out of the pocket of a potential homeowner. There is no way around this logic and it obviously this benefits those who own homes (ie older generations) against younger one's.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Insanity
Teenage streaker was going to be charged as an adult sex offender and instead, killed himself.
Who are these prosecutors? What the hell is wrong with them.
One of my fondest high school memories was a streaker during halftime during a huge soccer game. One of the funniest moments in all of high school. Loosen up.
Teenage streaker was going to be charged as an adult sex offender and instead, killed himself.
Who are these prosecutors? What the hell is wrong with them.
One of my fondest high school memories was a streaker during halftime during a huge soccer game. One of the funniest moments in all of high school. Loosen up.
Logging
Film: Sweetwater
A festival western starring January Jones as a vengeful whore killing her husband's murderers. The film is not good, but it also wasn't totally terrible for a small film. Ed Harris is in the movie and it is shocking how better he is than everyone else in the film. If you ever need evidence to support paying actors well, just show people this film and you can picture a world where there are only subpar actors. No one would watch a thing.
Film: Sweetwater
A festival western starring January Jones as a vengeful whore killing her husband's murderers. The film is not good, but it also wasn't totally terrible for a small film. Ed Harris is in the movie and it is shocking how better he is than everyone else in the film. If you ever need evidence to support paying actors well, just show people this film and you can picture a world where there are only subpar actors. No one would watch a thing.
For Real?
Arian Foster is going public and selling shares of his future earnings.
I don't see how this is ever is going to be a good investment.
Arian Foster is going public and selling shares of his future earnings.
I don't see how this is ever is going to be a good investment.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Enjoy the Decline
The more the government tries to tinker with the lives of of its citizens, the more perverse incentives result.
In screenwriting, a bad fundamental idea always leads to goofy patch-work solutions. In the case of our healthcare system, there is a fundamental flaw of linking the majority of healthcare to the workplace. This worked in a specific time in America and is simply no longer relevant to the global economy. The residue, however, is nearly impossible to politically shake. A quick understanding of how Singapore created their health system and you'll understand why they spend 10-15% less of their GDP on healthcare and get better outcomes -- basically you are forced to set aside money for your family into a "health plan." When you go to the doctor, all services cost something. In addition, the government subsidizes some health services to effect the overall cost (in theory, very smart because some health services are public issues - ie flu shots, other diseases, versus acute issues like broken bones).
And here is an interesting part -- the set aside money can also be used for retirement and housing.
It can easily be said this type of thing can only work in a small country versus a big, diverse one. But if I'm the state of Oregon or North Carolina -- why do I not consider trying something like this?
The more the government tries to tinker with the lives of of its citizens, the more perverse incentives result.
In screenwriting, a bad fundamental idea always leads to goofy patch-work solutions. In the case of our healthcare system, there is a fundamental flaw of linking the majority of healthcare to the workplace. This worked in a specific time in America and is simply no longer relevant to the global economy. The residue, however, is nearly impossible to politically shake. A quick understanding of how Singapore created their health system and you'll understand why they spend 10-15% less of their GDP on healthcare and get better outcomes -- basically you are forced to set aside money for your family into a "health plan." When you go to the doctor, all services cost something. In addition, the government subsidizes some health services to effect the overall cost (in theory, very smart because some health services are public issues - ie flu shots, other diseases, versus acute issues like broken bones).
And here is an interesting part -- the set aside money can also be used for retirement and housing.
It can easily be said this type of thing can only work in a small country versus a big, diverse one. But if I'm the state of Oregon or North Carolina -- why do I not consider trying something like this?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Doing Well
People born in the 1930s and 1940s made significantly more money that people born in the 1950s and 1960s.
I'm sure there are many reasons for this, among them, luck. Should we redistribute? Why not?
My advice would be to follow the habits of the people from the 30s and 40s.
People born in the 1930s and 1940s made significantly more money that people born in the 1950s and 1960s.
I'm sure there are many reasons for this, among them, luck. Should we redistribute? Why not?
My advice would be to follow the habits of the people from the 30s and 40s.
Logging
Novella: The Alienist by Machado de Assis
In a mere 84 pages, this guy immediately became one of my favorite writers. I can't believe he was writing in the late 1800s. His style is incredibly modern. The little book was part Confederacy of Dunces, part Bolano (Bolano wishes he could write like this guy), part Woody Allen. Hilarity. I loved it.
This is the series of novellas recently republished -- all by terrific writers. Great little project.
Novella: The Alienist by Machado de Assis
In a mere 84 pages, this guy immediately became one of my favorite writers. I can't believe he was writing in the late 1800s. His style is incredibly modern. The little book was part Confederacy of Dunces, part Bolano (Bolano wishes he could write like this guy), part Woody Allen. Hilarity. I loved it.
This is the series of novellas recently republished -- all by terrific writers. Great little project.
Logging
TV: Broadchurch
This was one of the better executed mysteries of the four I've watched recently: Top of the Lake, The Killing, Prisoners, and Broadchurch. Somehow, it got more compelling toward the end. The mystery was only the plot engine, it was really a social examination of small town life in the UK. I imagine many American audiences will find it a tad boring. BBC, after all. But if you like just straight ahead mystery stories, this one does the form quite well.
TV: Broadchurch
This was one of the better executed mysteries of the four I've watched recently: Top of the Lake, The Killing, Prisoners, and Broadchurch. Somehow, it got more compelling toward the end. The mystery was only the plot engine, it was really a social examination of small town life in the UK. I imagine many American audiences will find it a tad boring. BBC, after all. But if you like just straight ahead mystery stories, this one does the form quite well.
Not Working
When do they decide and scrap the Obamacare website for another year?
If this was such important legislation, you'd a thunk they could figure out how to make the system work. This isn't brain surgery. My car insurance is incredible simple to purchase. When I get healthcare through my employer, it is just a straight sign up. Obama is making Republican opposition look prescient - something they can't do for themselves.
When do they decide and scrap the Obamacare website for another year?
If this was such important legislation, you'd a thunk they could figure out how to make the system work. This isn't brain surgery. My car insurance is incredible simple to purchase. When I get healthcare through my employer, it is just a straight sign up. Obama is making Republican opposition look prescient - something they can't do for themselves.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Logging
Film: Captain Phillips
I was surprised I didn't enjoy this film more. It started well and did a clever thing with the first act break, separating the pirate attack into two separate events (this was probably based in reality, not so much cleverness on the filmmakers part). As a side note, so often "real life stories" are able to do more interesting narrative things since the audience will "buy" odd storytelling techniques because it adheres to real life. An easy example is bringing in major characters very late into the movie, which Captain Phillips does. But anyhow, after the movie gets onto the lifeboat, it got repetitive and frankly, a little boring. Too procedural. And I couldn't help but a feel like the whole thing was this immense waste of resources. How about you just put a machine gun or a rocket launcher on the cargo ship to ward off little pirate skiffs? Do we really need a battleship, an aircraft carrier, and a team of Navy Seals flown in from Virginia to handle four fisherman?
Anyhow, towards the end, I was just hoping the movie was going to end and this is never a good sign. Although in fairness, it was a late Friday night show and I get tired at that time.
Film: Captain Phillips
I was surprised I didn't enjoy this film more. It started well and did a clever thing with the first act break, separating the pirate attack into two separate events (this was probably based in reality, not so much cleverness on the filmmakers part). As a side note, so often "real life stories" are able to do more interesting narrative things since the audience will "buy" odd storytelling techniques because it adheres to real life. An easy example is bringing in major characters very late into the movie, which Captain Phillips does. But anyhow, after the movie gets onto the lifeboat, it got repetitive and frankly, a little boring. Too procedural. And I couldn't help but a feel like the whole thing was this immense waste of resources. How about you just put a machine gun or a rocket launcher on the cargo ship to ward off little pirate skiffs? Do we really need a battleship, an aircraft carrier, and a team of Navy Seals flown in from Virginia to handle four fisherman?
Anyhow, towards the end, I was just hoping the movie was going to end and this is never a good sign. Although in fairness, it was a late Friday night show and I get tired at that time.
Friday, October 11, 2013
No Longer A Story
Facebook does not allow you to remove yourself from search. I suppose we just need to come to terms with the idea that all google and facebook searches and information can and will be viewed by those powerful enough to access it.
Facebook does not allow you to remove yourself from search. I suppose we just need to come to terms with the idea that all google and facebook searches and information can and will be viewed by those powerful enough to access it.
Logging
Book: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Much like his others, the original premise is quite interesting and the book gets progressively less interesting by the end. Perhaps because the argument is so convincing early on. To me, it could have been 100 pages just as well as 280.
Film: Key Largo
John Huston does a hell of job with ensembles.
Book: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Much like his others, the original premise is quite interesting and the book gets progressively less interesting by the end. Perhaps because the argument is so convincing early on. To me, it could have been 100 pages just as well as 280.
Film: Key Largo
John Huston does a hell of job with ensembles.
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Soul Mates
Are made, not found.
When someone talks of finding a soul mate, I know I'm talking to a moron.
Are made, not found.
When someone talks of finding a soul mate, I know I'm talking to a moron.
Save Your Cash
"America needs a stock market crash."
In our current climate, it is very possible. If you are young, the best thing to do is save your cash and buy after it crashes. If you are old, you should have a significant portion of your money outside of stocks.
I've come around to the idea there are only two ways to smartly buy stocks: on a regular dollar-cost-averaging basis and/or when they are ridiculously low and you can't possibly lose money in the long run. All other retail purchases are speculative. Hoard cash for the once every five to ten years when stocks go super low because that's the only time to buy.
"America needs a stock market crash."
In our current climate, it is very possible. If you are young, the best thing to do is save your cash and buy after it crashes. If you are old, you should have a significant portion of your money outside of stocks.
I've come around to the idea there are only two ways to smartly buy stocks: on a regular dollar-cost-averaging basis and/or when they are ridiculously low and you can't possibly lose money in the long run. All other retail purchases are speculative. Hoard cash for the once every five to ten years when stocks go super low because that's the only time to buy.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
"Save Your Money"
My history of jazz teacher in college would tell us everyday as we left class "Save your money! Save your money!" One of better lessons I learned. I guess Curt Schilling didn't take his class.
Poor guy blew every cent he earned playing bball on a video game company. A video game company! Jesus.
My history of jazz teacher in college would tell us everyday as we left class "Save your money! Save your money!" One of better lessons I learned. I guess Curt Schilling didn't take his class.
Poor guy blew every cent he earned playing bball on a video game company. A video game company! Jesus.
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Waiting Tables
"I remember when you could pay your way through college waiting tables."
Equality of opportunity depends on having a system where someone can get a college degree debt-free if they want to work for it.
"I remember when you could pay your way through college waiting tables."
Equality of opportunity depends on having a system where someone can get a college degree debt-free if they want to work for it.
Logging
Film: Gravity
A great reason to see 3D IMAX. Rather enjoy the design of the film - a small genre piece about an astronaut getting home - done as a spectacular formal spectacle. Is this a film or a ride? There are certainly a few emotional moments, but the reason you watch the movie is for the shots, the action, the movement of the floating camera. I can't say the narrative is anything other than a vehicle to deliver the images. I suppose this is what makes it a good and not great film. In some ways, it is a technical experiment. This is not a criticism. Curon is moving the cinema forward. He is making a spectacle that is not a stupid comic book for nerds. A film unquestionably worth seeing in the theater. Bravo.
Film: Gravity
A great reason to see 3D IMAX. Rather enjoy the design of the film - a small genre piece about an astronaut getting home - done as a spectacular formal spectacle. Is this a film or a ride? There are certainly a few emotional moments, but the reason you watch the movie is for the shots, the action, the movement of the floating camera. I can't say the narrative is anything other than a vehicle to deliver the images. I suppose this is what makes it a good and not great film. In some ways, it is a technical experiment. This is not a criticism. Curon is moving the cinema forward. He is making a spectacle that is not a stupid comic book for nerds. A film unquestionably worth seeing in the theater. Bravo.
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Fascinating Guy
The Vietnamese General who defeated the French and the United States died today. He didn't even have a military background.
The Vietnamese General who defeated the French and the United States died today. He didn't even have a military background.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Two Nations Under Mammon
Ouch.
Ouch.
But there is currently no major figure in the public sphere that sees with any clarity the deep collusion of the all key players in its construction. So we continue down a road that will give rise to two nations, the winners wringing their hands all the way to the bank, the losers narcotized on a steady diet of cheap and deforming delights.
True
Vic Fangio jokes quarterbacks should be the ones getting fined for big hits.
In soccer, they are called "hospital balls," when you play a guy a ball that sets him up to go to the hospital. I was just watching Bills/Browns and EJ Manual tossed a ball to a receiver going over the middle on 3rd down, just lining him up to be drilled by a linebacker.
These flags on illegal hits are getting ridiculous. If you have any common sense and watch the speed of the game, you can't possibly expect these guys to make the plays and then pull back on those last 1/2 seconds. And if your QB throws a dangerous ball, why do you punish the defenders?
Vic Fangio jokes quarterbacks should be the ones getting fined for big hits.
In soccer, they are called "hospital balls," when you play a guy a ball that sets him up to go to the hospital. I was just watching Bills/Browns and EJ Manual tossed a ball to a receiver going over the middle on 3rd down, just lining him up to be drilled by a linebacker.
These flags on illegal hits are getting ridiculous. If you have any common sense and watch the speed of the game, you can't possibly expect these guys to make the plays and then pull back on those last 1/2 seconds. And if your QB throws a dangerous ball, why do you punish the defenders?
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Logging
TV: Re-watching Deadwood Season 1
Enjoying quite a bit. Really enjoy how everyone - even allies - are continually at each other's throats, running schemes, and at times, overcome with moral behavior. Quite enjoy the humor as well. EB makes a side comment when Calamity Jane is going to talk to Alma Garrett something along the lines of "that foul-mouthed heathen going upstairs to converse with the junkie -- must be a conversation for the ages."
TV: Re-watching Deadwood Season 1
Enjoying quite a bit. Really enjoy how everyone - even allies - are continually at each other's throats, running schemes, and at times, overcome with moral behavior. Quite enjoy the humor as well. EB makes a side comment when Calamity Jane is going to talk to Alma Garrett something along the lines of "that foul-mouthed heathen going upstairs to converse with the junkie -- must be a conversation for the ages."
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Breaking Bad Death Dream...
...waaah? A theory the end of Breaking Bad was a Walter White death dream. Ahh...no. Not even close. Taxi Driver makes a whole lot more sense as a death dream ending and even that is debatable. There is no indication or suggestion Breaking Bad was meant this way. I suppose it means Walter had a death dream about Jesse having a dream. It's just hard to end TV shows because TV shows are not designed to end.
On Bill Simmon's podcast the other week, Cousin Sal makes a funny point about the Sopranos finale, which is now the standard bearer for "artistic" endings. He says "how can an ending be considered successful, when 70% of their audience thought their TV power went out?" He makes a fair point.
...waaah? A theory the end of Breaking Bad was a Walter White death dream. Ahh...no. Not even close. Taxi Driver makes a whole lot more sense as a death dream ending and even that is debatable. There is no indication or suggestion Breaking Bad was meant this way. I suppose it means Walter had a death dream about Jesse having a dream. It's just hard to end TV shows because TV shows are not designed to end.
On Bill Simmon's podcast the other week, Cousin Sal makes a funny point about the Sopranos finale, which is now the standard bearer for "artistic" endings. He says "how can an ending be considered successful, when 70% of their audience thought their TV power went out?" He makes a fair point.
Jordan
I actually appreciate the entertainment factor of Michael Jordan's pettiness. He claims he could beat LeBron one on one and Kobe steals all his moves. Awesome.
How good was Jerry West? He was before my time, but when asked who Jordan would want to play one-on-one, his mind goes to Jerry West first. Interesting.
I actually appreciate the entertainment factor of Michael Jordan's pettiness. He claims he could beat LeBron one on one and Kobe steals all his moves. Awesome.
How good was Jerry West? He was before my time, but when asked who Jordan would want to play one-on-one, his mind goes to Jerry West first. Interesting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)