Book Log 2008 #59: Jetpack Dreams by Mac Montandon
Fueled by memories of men dashing around in jetpacks as a vision of our future, Montandon sets out to find the people who are still trying to make the jetpack work, a mix of dreamers, tinkerers and, as demonstrated by a jetpack-related murder, the occasional psychotic. Beyond this, he also takes a little time to talk about the meaning of the jetpack as an icon of a future promised but unmet, where we don't have jetpacks, meals in capsule form, or other Jetson-like conveniences.
It's a fun book and worth the read, though at some of the sections more focused on his personal life things felt a bit draggy. But I suppose that'd be hard to avoid when your topic is jetpacks.
31 December 2008
30 December 2008
Book Log 2008 #58: Charlatan by Pope Brock
It's likely you've not heard of John R. Brinkley, but it's a pretty safe bet that our grandparents have. Brinkley operated a series of clinics (first in Kansas and later in Texas and Arkansas) where he transplanted glandular material from goats into people (mostly men) in order to boost virility. The only problem is that the procedure never really worked and that Brinkley wasn't really a doctor. But that didn't stop thousands of people from seeking out cures, which would later include other procedures and substances with about as much benefit.
This book chronicles Brinkley's rise and eventual fall at the hands of Morris Fishbein, a central character in the rise of the American Medical Association. It also illustrates how some of the things that Brinkley did to support his business - from running for governor of Kansas to estabilishing a "border blaster" radio station in Mexico - would later become established aspects of our lives. It's an engrossing story on several levels and well worth a read.
It's likely you've not heard of John R. Brinkley, but it's a pretty safe bet that our grandparents have. Brinkley operated a series of clinics (first in Kansas and later in Texas and Arkansas) where he transplanted glandular material from goats into people (mostly men) in order to boost virility. The only problem is that the procedure never really worked and that Brinkley wasn't really a doctor. But that didn't stop thousands of people from seeking out cures, which would later include other procedures and substances with about as much benefit.
This book chronicles Brinkley's rise and eventual fall at the hands of Morris Fishbein, a central character in the rise of the American Medical Association. It also illustrates how some of the things that Brinkley did to support his business - from running for governor of Kansas to estabilishing a "border blaster" radio station in Mexico - would later become established aspects of our lives. It's an engrossing story on several levels and well worth a read.
Book Log 2008 #57: Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin
I'd heard of Ian Rankin and his series of mysteries featuring Edinburgh-based detective John Rebus, but I didn't think to search any of the books out until Rankin showed up on an episode of No Reservations, where he took Anthony Bourdain to a chip shop. There was enough talk about the series and its depiction of the darker side of the city to make things click the next time I went to the library.
And I have to say I'm pretty glad things clicked, as I really enjoyed this introduction to the series. Now if only our library had more of the early books...
Book Log 2008 #56: The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter
I read this installment of the Inspector Morse series over Thanksgiving weekend, and probably rushed it given how clueless I was about who committed the crimes (starting with decapitated torso fished out of the Oxford Canal). Still, enjoyable reading as always.
I read this installment of the Inspector Morse series over Thanksgiving weekend, and probably rushed it given how clueless I was about who committed the crimes (starting with decapitated torso fished out of the Oxford Canal). Still, enjoyable reading as always.
Book Log 2008 #55: The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston with Mario Spezi
Preston, an established mystery writer, moved his family to Florence looking to enjoy Tuscany and write his next book. Shortly after the move he met Spezi, a local journalist who mentioned that an olive grove next to Preston's house was the scene of one of a string of murders that targeted young couples parked in the countryside doing what couples do when parked in the countryside. With killer still at large, Preston found himself drawn to the case and to helping Spezi continue his investigation, which is detailed in the first half of this book.
The second half becomes something out of Kafka, as a combination of local law enforcement and conspiracy-minded cranks react to Spezi and Preston's investigations with arrests and other harrassment. While not in the same league as serial killing, the second half is shocking in its own way, at least to me as someone who takes freedom of speech and of the press pretty much for granted. The level of incompetence by the local authorities is also pretty staggering.
I can't say it's the best-written book in the world (I found something vaguely off-putting about the first half, and of course couldn't put my finger on it), but it's not like you can find this sort of true crime story just anywhere, so it's worth a look.
Preston, an established mystery writer, moved his family to Florence looking to enjoy Tuscany and write his next book. Shortly after the move he met Spezi, a local journalist who mentioned that an olive grove next to Preston's house was the scene of one of a string of murders that targeted young couples parked in the countryside doing what couples do when parked in the countryside. With killer still at large, Preston found himself drawn to the case and to helping Spezi continue his investigation, which is detailed in the first half of this book.
The second half becomes something out of Kafka, as a combination of local law enforcement and conspiracy-minded cranks react to Spezi and Preston's investigations with arrests and other harrassment. While not in the same league as serial killing, the second half is shocking in its own way, at least to me as someone who takes freedom of speech and of the press pretty much for granted. The level of incompetence by the local authorities is also pretty staggering.
I can't say it's the best-written book in the world (I found something vaguely off-putting about the first half, and of course couldn't put my finger on it), but it's not like you can find this sort of true crime story just anywhere, so it's worth a look.
Book Log 2008 #54: Getting into Guinness by Larry Olmstead
Part history, part how-to guide, part critique, this book probably tries to be too much without ever really being any one thing. Still, what is presented is entertaining and, in the case of the critique, pretty enlightening. The tension between an interest and even a love for the book and the way it is currently being marketed (and perhaps mismanaged) is clearly shown, and keeps the book on an even keel. If you were ever interested in the book it's worth a browse.
(Quick aside, I'm clearing the decks of all the log entries I've not completed, so my apologies for the string of short, half-remembered thoughts about books I've read in the last six weeks.)
Part history, part how-to guide, part critique, this book probably tries to be too much without ever really being any one thing. Still, what is presented is entertaining and, in the case of the critique, pretty enlightening. The tension between an interest and even a love for the book and the way it is currently being marketed (and perhaps mismanaged) is clearly shown, and keeps the book on an even keel. If you were ever interested in the book it's worth a browse.
(Quick aside, I'm clearing the decks of all the log entries I've not completed, so my apologies for the string of short, half-remembered thoughts about books I've read in the last six weeks.)
Book Log 2008 #53: Bottlemania by Elizabeth Royte
While it's easy enough to say that this book is looking to do for bottled water what Garbage Land did for trash, I don't think it's quite the same. Royte undertakes a very similar path, going out into the field to visit sources and the people behind the bottles, but I don't think this took as global a look as it could have. She spends a lot of time discussing the conflict between Nestle and various towns in Maine over obtaining water for Poland Springs, and it's a very interesting story, but I felt like there were other items - such as the marketing aspect of bottled water and the denigration of tap water - that would have benefitted from more attention.
That being said, the book does a very good job of demonstrating how something that most of us don't see as a problem could become a very significant one in the near future. Very much worth a read.
While it's easy enough to say that this book is looking to do for bottled water what Garbage Land did for trash, I don't think it's quite the same. Royte undertakes a very similar path, going out into the field to visit sources and the people behind the bottles, but I don't think this took as global a look as it could have. She spends a lot of time discussing the conflict between Nestle and various towns in Maine over obtaining water for Poland Springs, and it's a very interesting story, but I felt like there were other items - such as the marketing aspect of bottled water and the denigration of tap water - that would have benefitted from more attention.
That being said, the book does a very good job of demonstrating how something that most of us don't see as a problem could become a very significant one in the near future. Very much worth a read.
29 December 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Monday - Missouri v. Northwestern (at San Antonio, Texas). Missouri enters the Alamo Bowl a little down after a season which promised a title run and a Heisman shot for QB Chase Daniel ended in a blowout loss in the Big XII title game and no trip to New York for Daniel. Northwestern comes in from the other direction, as a national ranking and quality bowl match-up were wishful thinking back in August. And while a Wildcat win would be a good story, their 45-10 loss to Ohio State in the regular season suggests what they might get when facing the even more potent offense of a team that may feel like it has something to prove. Score: Missouri 55, Northwestern 21
Tuesday - Western Michigan v. Rice (at Houston, Texas). The Texas Bowl is probably the least interesting match-up of the day (though Maryland-Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl isn't that far off), but I've chosen it as it's airing on the NFL network and not ESPN, which currently holds the rights to most of the minor bowls and, starting in 2011, will also have the BCS bowls. I don't know if a looming ESPN monopoly is enought to make you pick up whatever tier you need to get the NFL Network, but if you like offense, you may want to call your cable company now, as both of these teams were in the top 10 this year in passing offense and in the bottom quarter in passing defense (Rice was 10th worst). Score: Western Michigan 65, Rice 58
Wednesday (early) - Oregon State v. Pittsburgh (at El Paso, Texas). Our Bowl Week tour of Texas continues with the Sun Bowl. I've always liked the Sun Bowl, no idea why, really. It could be the history of the game (in its 75th year) or the close games that it's produced over the years (my favorite being Alabama's one point win over Army in 1988). I want to say that Oregon State will win pretty handily, but who am I to buck history? Score: Oregon State 24, Pittsburgh 21
Wednesday (late) - LSU v. Georgia Tech (at Atlanta, Georgia). Bad enough for LSU that they aren't playing in January, but add on that the Peach Bowl this year is basically a home game for Georgia Tech (who, unlike LSU, is nationally-ranked, a further indignity for the Tigers). Given their run over the past few years it's pretty reflexive to take LSU, even in a game like this, but there are two other items requiring consideration: the Yellow Jackets' triple option offense, which can scramble good defenses, and LSU's lack of a decent quarterback. Most years a LSU bowl loss would be a surprise, but not this year. Score: Georgia Tech 27, LSU 17
Thursday (morning) - South Carolina v. Iowa (at Tampa, Florida). The first college football game of 2009 is the Outback Bowl. It is not an auspicious way to start the new year, though both are theoretically big name teams who will travel. I mean, who the hell is going to choose to stay in Iowa over going to Tampa for a few days? Still, if you overdid it on Amateur Night, sleep in and catch the later games. Score: Alka Seltzer 45, South Carolina 13, Iowa 2
Thursday (afternoon) - USC v. Penn State (at Pasadena, California). The Rose Bowl, or as I like to call it, What Could Have Been, Part I. Both teams have one loss, just like Oklahoma and Florida, but if they played in different conferences or lost earlier in the season or whatever they could be playing for a national title. And, heck, perhaps if things break right the AP might throw us a bone. Score: USC 31, Penn State 21
Thursday (night) - Cincinnati v. Virginia Tech (at Miami, Florida). The Orange Bowl, or as I like to call it, the Quarrantine Bowl. I get the sense that the ACC and Big East champions are going to play each other pretty much forever unless one actually manages to go undefeated and be the only BCS team that's undefeated. Not necessarily a bad thing, but certainly an example of both leagues sowing what they've reaped (which I'm sure they'll reflect on as they cry into their huge piles of cash). Score: Virginia Tech 13, Cincinnati 3
Friday (early) - Texas Tech v. Mississippi (at Dallas, Texas). I also love the Cotton Bowl, for familial reasons. For 2009, I'm also looking forward to the bloodbath, as I expect Michael Crabtree to rack up more yards than Mississippi as a team (even though they'll probably do quite well given the Red Raiders' "defense"). Score: Texas Tech 71, Mississippi 30
Friday (late) - Utah v. Alabama (at New Orleans, Louisiana). The Sugar Bowl, or as I call it, What Might Have Been, Part II. The Utes are undefeated and even if they pull off the upset there's no guarantee that they'll get a share of the title. Alabama could win by 300 points and still not get a chance thanks to their loss to Florida in the SEC title game. Still, I hope this is a better game than last year's Sugar Bowl, which nearly set back the cause of non-BCS teams by a decade. Score: Utah 23, Alabama 21
Saturday - Buffalo v. Connecticut (at Toronto, Ontario). What is it with Buffalo teams playing in Toronto? Luckily for the Bulls, Turner Gill is a better coach than Dick Jauron (who has apparently survived today's bloodletting). So it'll be 1-1 for The City of Good Neighbors and 0-2 for us in New England (had the Bills gotten to play the Dolphins at home they'd have had a better chance of beating them, meaning that the Pats would have edged them out for the AFC East title by a game rather than losing it on divisional record. Thanks, Rog.). Score: Buffalo 24, UConn 12
Last Week: 3-2
Season: 70-46
Monday - Missouri v. Northwestern (at San Antonio, Texas). Missouri enters the Alamo Bowl a little down after a season which promised a title run and a Heisman shot for QB Chase Daniel ended in a blowout loss in the Big XII title game and no trip to New York for Daniel. Northwestern comes in from the other direction, as a national ranking and quality bowl match-up were wishful thinking back in August. And while a Wildcat win would be a good story, their 45-10 loss to Ohio State in the regular season suggests what they might get when facing the even more potent offense of a team that may feel like it has something to prove. Score: Missouri 55, Northwestern 21
Tuesday - Western Michigan v. Rice (at Houston, Texas). The Texas Bowl is probably the least interesting match-up of the day (though Maryland-Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl isn't that far off), but I've chosen it as it's airing on the NFL network and not ESPN, which currently holds the rights to most of the minor bowls and, starting in 2011, will also have the BCS bowls. I don't know if a looming ESPN monopoly is enought to make you pick up whatever tier you need to get the NFL Network, but if you like offense, you may want to call your cable company now, as both of these teams were in the top 10 this year in passing offense and in the bottom quarter in passing defense (Rice was 10th worst). Score: Western Michigan 65, Rice 58
Wednesday (early) - Oregon State v. Pittsburgh (at El Paso, Texas). Our Bowl Week tour of Texas continues with the Sun Bowl. I've always liked the Sun Bowl, no idea why, really. It could be the history of the game (in its 75th year) or the close games that it's produced over the years (my favorite being Alabama's one point win over Army in 1988). I want to say that Oregon State will win pretty handily, but who am I to buck history? Score: Oregon State 24, Pittsburgh 21
Wednesday (late) - LSU v. Georgia Tech (at Atlanta, Georgia). Bad enough for LSU that they aren't playing in January, but add on that the Peach Bowl this year is basically a home game for Georgia Tech (who, unlike LSU, is nationally-ranked, a further indignity for the Tigers). Given their run over the past few years it's pretty reflexive to take LSU, even in a game like this, but there are two other items requiring consideration: the Yellow Jackets' triple option offense, which can scramble good defenses, and LSU's lack of a decent quarterback. Most years a LSU bowl loss would be a surprise, but not this year. Score: Georgia Tech 27, LSU 17
Thursday (morning) - South Carolina v. Iowa (at Tampa, Florida). The first college football game of 2009 is the Outback Bowl. It is not an auspicious way to start the new year, though both are theoretically big name teams who will travel. I mean, who the hell is going to choose to stay in Iowa over going to Tampa for a few days? Still, if you overdid it on Amateur Night, sleep in and catch the later games. Score: Alka Seltzer 45, South Carolina 13, Iowa 2
Thursday (afternoon) - USC v. Penn State (at Pasadena, California). The Rose Bowl, or as I like to call it, What Could Have Been, Part I. Both teams have one loss, just like Oklahoma and Florida, but if they played in different conferences or lost earlier in the season or whatever they could be playing for a national title. And, heck, perhaps if things break right the AP might throw us a bone. Score: USC 31, Penn State 21
Thursday (night) - Cincinnati v. Virginia Tech (at Miami, Florida). The Orange Bowl, or as I like to call it, the Quarrantine Bowl. I get the sense that the ACC and Big East champions are going to play each other pretty much forever unless one actually manages to go undefeated and be the only BCS team that's undefeated. Not necessarily a bad thing, but certainly an example of both leagues sowing what they've reaped (which I'm sure they'll reflect on as they cry into their huge piles of cash). Score: Virginia Tech 13, Cincinnati 3
Friday (early) - Texas Tech v. Mississippi (at Dallas, Texas). I also love the Cotton Bowl, for familial reasons. For 2009, I'm also looking forward to the bloodbath, as I expect Michael Crabtree to rack up more yards than Mississippi as a team (even though they'll probably do quite well given the Red Raiders' "defense"). Score: Texas Tech 71, Mississippi 30
Friday (late) - Utah v. Alabama (at New Orleans, Louisiana). The Sugar Bowl, or as I call it, What Might Have Been, Part II. The Utes are undefeated and even if they pull off the upset there's no guarantee that they'll get a share of the title. Alabama could win by 300 points and still not get a chance thanks to their loss to Florida in the SEC title game. Still, I hope this is a better game than last year's Sugar Bowl, which nearly set back the cause of non-BCS teams by a decade. Score: Utah 23, Alabama 21
Saturday - Buffalo v. Connecticut (at Toronto, Ontario). What is it with Buffalo teams playing in Toronto? Luckily for the Bulls, Turner Gill is a better coach than Dick Jauron (who has apparently survived today's bloodletting). So it'll be 1-1 for The City of Good Neighbors and 0-2 for us in New England (had the Bills gotten to play the Dolphins at home they'd have had a better chance of beating them, meaning that the Pats would have edged them out for the AFC East title by a game rather than losing it on divisional record. Thanks, Rog.). Score: Buffalo 24, UConn 12
Last Week: 3-2
Season: 70-46
23 December 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Boise State v. TCU (at San Diego, California). When you look at the 300 or so bowl games now contested, it seems odd that the best match-up may be one taking place two weeks before the "national title" game, but you can argue that that's the case here as you have two teams in the top 11 nationally, one of which is undefeated. That you have these teams in the Poinsettia Bowl and Cincinnati-Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl is a better argument against the BCS than anything involving Texas or Oklahoma. Score: Boise State 28, TCU 20
Wednesday - Hawaii v. Notre Dame (at Honolulu, Hawaii). Teams with 6-6 records are 2-1 in bowl games so far this season, which is good news for the 6-6 Irish. The bad news comes if you believe in patterns, as the 6-6 teams have gone win, loss, win. I miss having the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day, as it gave me something to do when I got stick of dealing with family. Christmas Eve is probably too early to start ignoring people. Score: Notre Dame 7, Hawaii 2
Friday - Florida Atlantic v. Central Michigan (at Detroit, Michigan). I still don't understand how playing in the Motor City Bowl isn't some sort of punishment, like it'd be the one bowl game you can play in if you're on probation or something. I'm sure the FAU kids will be thrilled to leave the Sunshine State to hang out in Detroit. They better put extra long johns in their swag bags. Score: Central Michigan 37, FAU 21
Saturday - West Virginia v. North Carolina (at Charlotte, North Carolina). These teams are playing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, ironic given how their states' collective view of car care stereotypically doesn't extend much past cinder blocks. Now excuse me while I go pick my banjo. Score: West Virigina 40, North Carolina 31
Sunday - Northern Illinois v. Louisiana Tech (at Shreveport, Louisiana). An open letter to the Independence Bowl Committee:
Dear Bowl Committee,
I have two questions:
1. Can you bring back Poulin-Weed Eater as a sponsor? That was a fun name to say.
2. Northern Illinois - Louisiana Tech. Why?
Score - Louisiana Tech 10, Northern Illinois 9
Last Week: 0-4Season: 67-44
16 December 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Before we get on to the games, I thought it worth noting that Northwest Missouri - whose best-known fan here is a member of the clergy - lost their fourth straight divison II title game, while one of the many heathens around here told the entirety of the evangelical Wheaton College (IL) to suck it, and they followed suit, losing to Mount Union. Pigskin is clearly not the reason for the season.
Saturday (morning) - Mount Union v. Wisconsin-Whitewater (at Salem, Virginia). This is the fourth consecutive year in which these teams will play for the Division III national title. And while that's pretty repetitive, the teams haven't played yet this season, which is more than you can say for the other Saturday morning game, the EagleBank Bowl, which kicks off bowl season with a Navy-Wake Forest rematch. So let's go with the relatively fresher option. Score: Wisconsin-Whitewater 37, Mount Union 35
Saturday (afternoon) - Colorado State v. Fresno State (at Albuquerque). It's the first New Mexico Bowl to not feature the University of New Mexico, thanks to the Lobos going 4-8 this season. Way to blow a sure thing! The Rams are just happy to be here, as they eked out a bid with a 6-6 record. Fresno, meanwhile, has to feel like this game will help right their 7-5 season, which ended by getting stomped by Boise State. As long as the hot air balloons make an appearance I'll be happy. Score: Fresno State 41, Colorado State 23
Saturday (night) - Richmond v. Montana (at Chattanooga, Tennessee). A tough call, as I always enjoy it when BYU winds up in the Las Vegas Bowl (I assume their fans spend the week shuttling between the Liberace Museum and their rooms), but as this is the closest we're going to get to an actual Divison I playoff championship, I'm going with it. Plus, we now get the age-old question answered: can a Spider beat a Grizzly? Score: Montana 37, Richmond 3
Sunday - Southern Mississippi v. Troy (at New Orleans, Louisiana). Try to catch some of this during the Giants-Panthers halftime, or at least arrange for something to get shipped on Friday to keep the R + L Carriers folks happy. Score: Troy 2, Southern Miss 0
Last week: 3-2
Season: 67-40
Before we get on to the games, I thought it worth noting that Northwest Missouri - whose best-known fan here is a member of the clergy - lost their fourth straight divison II title game, while one of the many heathens around here told the entirety of the evangelical Wheaton College (IL) to suck it, and they followed suit, losing to Mount Union. Pigskin is clearly not the reason for the season.
Saturday (morning) - Mount Union v. Wisconsin-Whitewater (at Salem, Virginia). This is the fourth consecutive year in which these teams will play for the Division III national title. And while that's pretty repetitive, the teams haven't played yet this season, which is more than you can say for the other Saturday morning game, the EagleBank Bowl, which kicks off bowl season with a Navy-Wake Forest rematch. So let's go with the relatively fresher option. Score: Wisconsin-Whitewater 37, Mount Union 35
Saturday (afternoon) - Colorado State v. Fresno State (at Albuquerque). It's the first New Mexico Bowl to not feature the University of New Mexico, thanks to the Lobos going 4-8 this season. Way to blow a sure thing! The Rams are just happy to be here, as they eked out a bid with a 6-6 record. Fresno, meanwhile, has to feel like this game will help right their 7-5 season, which ended by getting stomped by Boise State. As long as the hot air balloons make an appearance I'll be happy. Score: Fresno State 41, Colorado State 23
Saturday (night) - Richmond v. Montana (at Chattanooga, Tennessee). A tough call, as I always enjoy it when BYU winds up in the Las Vegas Bowl (I assume their fans spend the week shuttling between the Liberace Museum and their rooms), but as this is the closest we're going to get to an actual Divison I playoff championship, I'm going with it. Plus, we now get the age-old question answered: can a Spider beat a Grizzly? Score: Montana 37, Richmond 3
Sunday - Southern Mississippi v. Troy (at New Orleans, Louisiana). Try to catch some of this during the Giants-Panthers halftime, or at least arrange for something to get shipped on Friday to keep the R + L Carriers folks happy. Score: Troy 2, Southern Miss 0
Last week: 3-2
Season: 67-40
09 December 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Friday - Montana at James Madison. The only time these teams have played each other was in 2004, when the Dukes took the 1-AA title 31-21. So there's not a lot of history to go on, and both teams have played very well over the course of the season, each taking only one loss (JMU to Duke, Montana to Weber State). I'll do the semi-homerish thing and go with the team that plays in the conference that BU would be playing in if they still had football. Makes about as much sense as anything else I'd do. Score: James Madison 31, Montana 27
Saturday (noon) - Wheaton (IL) at Mount Union. Mount Union won its first Div III national title in 1996, and have only not made the title game since then three times. A win here would set up the first half of a potential fourth title game against Wisconsin-Whitewater, which I have to assume is going to happen. Score: Mount Union 47, Wheaton 18
Saturday (1 PM) - Minnesota-Duluth v. Northwest Missouri State (at Florence, Alabama). More semi-homerism in favor of commenters. Bridesmaids no more! Score: Northwest Missouri 57, Minnesota-Duluth 34
Saturday (2 PM) - Jackson State at Grambling State. No matter how you slice it, the Tigers are going to take the SWAC title. Score: Tigers 31, Tigers 23
Saturday (4 PM) - Richmond at Northern Iowa. ESPN has apparently run out of poker to show, as this will be on the WWL. Maybe they can get Lon and Norm to call the game; I'm looking forward to Norm's jokes comparing his ex-wife to various offensive linemen. Score: Northern Iowa 27, Richmond 10
Last week: 5-1
Season: 64-38
Friday - Montana at James Madison. The only time these teams have played each other was in 2004, when the Dukes took the 1-AA title 31-21. So there's not a lot of history to go on, and both teams have played very well over the course of the season, each taking only one loss (JMU to Duke, Montana to Weber State). I'll do the semi-homerish thing and go with the team that plays in the conference that BU would be playing in if they still had football. Makes about as much sense as anything else I'd do. Score: James Madison 31, Montana 27
Saturday (noon) - Wheaton (IL) at Mount Union. Mount Union won its first Div III national title in 1996, and have only not made the title game since then three times. A win here would set up the first half of a potential fourth title game against Wisconsin-Whitewater, which I have to assume is going to happen. Score: Mount Union 47, Wheaton 18
Saturday (1 PM) - Minnesota-Duluth v. Northwest Missouri State (at Florence, Alabama). More semi-homerism in favor of commenters. Bridesmaids no more! Score: Northwest Missouri 57, Minnesota-Duluth 34
Saturday (2 PM) - Jackson State at Grambling State. No matter how you slice it, the Tigers are going to take the SWAC title. Score: Tigers 31, Tigers 23
Saturday (4 PM) - Richmond at Northern Iowa. ESPN has apparently run out of poker to show, as this will be on the WWL. Maybe they can get Lon and Norm to call the game; I'm looking forward to Norm's jokes comparing his ex-wife to various offensive linemen. Score: Northern Iowa 27, Richmond 10
Last week: 5-1
Season: 64-38
02 December 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Wednesday - Middle Tennessee State at Louisiana-Lafayette. The winner of this critical Sun Belt match-up goes to 6-6 and becomes bowl eligible. How the winner actually winds up in a bowl game is the question, though I think the answer involves a plague of locusts. Score: Louisiana-Lafayette 13, MTSU 10
Thursday - Louisville at Rutgers. Louisville, the coldest team in the Big East (riding a four game losing streak) gets to visit Rutgers to play a team that's on a five game winning-streak (I'd call them the hottest team in the league, but hotness is kind of a relative term where the Big East is concerned). This will not end well for the Cardinals. Score: Rutgers 37, Louisville 17
Friday - Ball State v. Buffalo (at Ford Field, Detroit). Ball State is looking to run the table, while Buffalo reaps the reward of their turn-around from being one of the worst teams in all of division I football. Either way, it's another win in Detroit for a team from outside of Michigan, and I expect someone will find a way to pin the loss on the Lions. Score: Ball State 41, Buffalo 7, Lions 2
Saturday (early) - Navy v. Army (at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia). A win by the Middies will give them their sixth straight Commander in Chief's trophy, tying the record for consecutive wins that Air Force set from 1997-2002. Expect the trophy to be back in its case in Bancroft Hall by noon on Sunday. Score: Navy 31, Army 3
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - North Alabama at Northwest Missouri State. Always willing to suck up to commenters, let's talk D2 football. Northwest Missouri has been to the title game in each of the last three seasons, and looks to make it four when they take on North Alabama. Of course, they've lost each of those title games, but they'll worry about that when the time comes, I'm sure. Score: Northwest Missouri 52, North Alabama 44
Saturday (night) - Missouri v. Oklahoma (at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City). With the loser to play the Chiefs to see if they get relegated. Score: Oklahoma 37, Missouri 31; Missouri 52, Chiefs 2
Last week: 5-2
Season: 59-37
Wednesday - Middle Tennessee State at Louisiana-Lafayette. The winner of this critical Sun Belt match-up goes to 6-6 and becomes bowl eligible. How the winner actually winds up in a bowl game is the question, though I think the answer involves a plague of locusts. Score: Louisiana-Lafayette 13, MTSU 10
Thursday - Louisville at Rutgers. Louisville, the coldest team in the Big East (riding a four game losing streak) gets to visit Rutgers to play a team that's on a five game winning-streak (I'd call them the hottest team in the league, but hotness is kind of a relative term where the Big East is concerned). This will not end well for the Cardinals. Score: Rutgers 37, Louisville 17
Friday - Ball State v. Buffalo (at Ford Field, Detroit). Ball State is looking to run the table, while Buffalo reaps the reward of their turn-around from being one of the worst teams in all of division I football. Either way, it's another win in Detroit for a team from outside of Michigan, and I expect someone will find a way to pin the loss on the Lions. Score: Ball State 41, Buffalo 7, Lions 2
Saturday (early) - Navy v. Army (at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia). A win by the Middies will give them their sixth straight Commander in Chief's trophy, tying the record for consecutive wins that Air Force set from 1997-2002. Expect the trophy to be back in its case in Bancroft Hall by noon on Sunday. Score: Navy 31, Army 3
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - North Alabama at Northwest Missouri State. Always willing to suck up to commenters, let's talk D2 football. Northwest Missouri has been to the title game in each of the last three seasons, and looks to make it four when they take on North Alabama. Of course, they've lost each of those title games, but they'll worry about that when the time comes, I'm sure. Score: Northwest Missouri 52, North Alabama 44
Saturday (night) - Missouri v. Oklahoma (at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City). With the loser to play the Chiefs to see if they get relegated. Score: Oklahoma 37, Missouri 31; Missouri 52, Chiefs 2
Last week: 5-2
Season: 59-37
01 December 2008
Book Log 2008 #52: The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
This book tells the story of the 1854 cholera outbreak in London that, in many ways, was the event that gave birth to modern public health thanks to the work of John Snow and Henry Whitehead, a doctor and minister who worked in parallel (and together in some instances) to uncover just how it occurred and how to stop it. Their work ran counter to the scientific and class-based beliefs of the time, and would eventually help topple them, but only eventually.
Johnson does an admirable job of setting the scene, both in how the urban environment of London was ripe for outbreak and how cholera itself works. He spends a fair amount of the book trying to get beyond the written accounts and history of the outbreak and into the personal and emotional impacts, which works to some extent, though I'd have liked just a bit more of the history. He also looks to bring the lessons forward into the present day, which I think work less well.
If nothing else, I was able to get through the entire book, an improvement from the last time I tackled a book by Johnson. It's pretty good, certainly worth a look.
This book tells the story of the 1854 cholera outbreak in London that, in many ways, was the event that gave birth to modern public health thanks to the work of John Snow and Henry Whitehead, a doctor and minister who worked in parallel (and together in some instances) to uncover just how it occurred and how to stop it. Their work ran counter to the scientific and class-based beliefs of the time, and would eventually help topple them, but only eventually.
Johnson does an admirable job of setting the scene, both in how the urban environment of London was ripe for outbreak and how cholera itself works. He spends a fair amount of the book trying to get beyond the written accounts and history of the outbreak and into the personal and emotional impacts, which works to some extent, though I'd have liked just a bit more of the history. He also looks to bring the lessons forward into the present day, which I think work less well.
If nothing else, I was able to get through the entire book, an improvement from the last time I tackled a book by Johnson. It's pretty good, certainly worth a look.
Book Log 2008 #51: Anathem by Neal Stephenson
There's no easy way to sum up this book. It runs over 900 pages, has two appendices, a timeline and a 20+ page glossary. It takes place on a planet where deep thinkers are cloistered and rarely interact with the outside world, where people are fixated on their handheld devices and eat food laced with a drug that placates them. This order changes dramatically during the course of the book, but as you might expect in a book this long it does so at length, and more than once with an aside that gives some level of background or insight as to why a character does what they do.
But there's no easy way to say that things go from A to B to C when you wind up taking side trips to F, N, and Q, or when moving from B to C involves discussions of space-time theory and the history of wine making on Arbre (the planet where most of the book takes place). But it's well worth wading through, flipping between the text and glossary, and accepting that there's some percentage of the book you may not get the first time around when the quality of the writing is this high. Block off a couple of weeks and give this a go.
(As an added bonus, the website for the book includes a music section with recordings of various chants that the mathic types would have performed. A must if you ever wanted to hear a proof of the quadratic equation in musical form.)
There's no easy way to sum up this book. It runs over 900 pages, has two appendices, a timeline and a 20+ page glossary. It takes place on a planet where deep thinkers are cloistered and rarely interact with the outside world, where people are fixated on their handheld devices and eat food laced with a drug that placates them. This order changes dramatically during the course of the book, but as you might expect in a book this long it does so at length, and more than once with an aside that gives some level of background or insight as to why a character does what they do.
But there's no easy way to say that things go from A to B to C when you wind up taking side trips to F, N, and Q, or when moving from B to C involves discussions of space-time theory and the history of wine making on Arbre (the planet where most of the book takes place). But it's well worth wading through, flipping between the text and glossary, and accepting that there's some percentage of the book you may not get the first time around when the quality of the writing is this high. Block off a couple of weeks and give this a go.
(As an added bonus, the website for the book includes a music section with recordings of various chants that the mathic types would have performed. A must if you ever wanted to hear a proof of the quadratic equation in musical form.)
26 November 2008
Book Log 2008 #50: Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon
Two wanderers in Central Asia get caught up in a power struggle in Khazaria in this novella, which was originally appeared in serial form in the New York Times Magazine. I didn't know it was published that way, not that it really matters as it's still a fun story with colorful characters and plenty of action. It'd be a nice way to kill a rainy day, and works well for commuting, too.
Two wanderers in Central Asia get caught up in a power struggle in Khazaria in this novella, which was originally appeared in serial form in the New York Times Magazine. I didn't know it was published that way, not that it really matters as it's still a fun story with colorful characters and plenty of action. It'd be a nice way to kill a rainy day, and works well for commuting, too.
25 November 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Western Michigan at Ball State. Western Michigan is 9-2? Really? Too bad they're in the MAC division that doesn't suck, otherwise they'd have clinched their trip to the title game back in October. Score: Ball State 38, Western Michigan 17
Thursday - Texas A&M at Texas. A&M gets to go into Austin at a time where the Longhorns desperately need to prove themselves so they can top Oklahoma and Texas Tech in the BCS and earn a shot to play Missouri for the Big 12 title. And you thought that a Thanksgiving bloodbath only involves turkeys. Score: Texas 82, Texas A&M 9
Friday (early) - West Virginia at Pittsburgh. The Backyard Brawl may be my favorite name for a rivalry game, though this list has given me some new ones to consider. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate (Georgia-Georgia Tech) and Brawl of the Wild (Montana-Montana State) stand out. As far as the actual game goes, I expect both teams to play a hard-fought contest while trying to figure out how they hell they both lost to Cincinnati. Score: West Virginia 21, Pitt 17
Friday (late) - Fresno State at Boise State. I mentioned a few weeks ago the Fresno State was going to win this game and screw up our shot at a BCS-buster. Now I'm tacking the other way, as it'd be amusing to have Boise State and Ball State as undefeated conference champions who are ranked higher than the teams who win the Big East and ACC. More ammo for President Obama's playoffs!. Score: Boise State 37, Fresno State 20
Saturday (early) - Georgia Tech at Georgia. Speaking of Clean, Old Fashioned Hate, nothing would sum up the Bulldogs' season than dropping this game. It's almost quaint to think that they were such a big pre-season favorite. Thankfully for them, Tech is as consistent as any team in the ACC, which leaves the door pretty wide open. Score: Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 14
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Florida State at Florida. So what is it with Florida and rivalry games? First there's the Georgia game, which lost its "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" name, and now there's the FSU game, which apparently has no nickname based on the game notes at the UF website. The list calls it the Sunshine Showdown, which makes me think that no name is the better choice. You'd think an educational institution as fine as the University of Florida would put its top thinkers to work on this. Score: Florida 57, Florida State 14
Saturday (night) - Notre Dame at USC. How big of a win does USC need to not actually lose ground in the BCS by beating the Irish? Triple digits? Done. Score: USC 147, Notre Dame 2
Last week: 5-4
Season: 54-35
Tuesday - Western Michigan at Ball State. Western Michigan is 9-2? Really? Too bad they're in the MAC division that doesn't suck, otherwise they'd have clinched their trip to the title game back in October. Score: Ball State 38, Western Michigan 17
Thursday - Texas A&M at Texas. A&M gets to go into Austin at a time where the Longhorns desperately need to prove themselves so they can top Oklahoma and Texas Tech in the BCS and earn a shot to play Missouri for the Big 12 title. And you thought that a Thanksgiving bloodbath only involves turkeys. Score: Texas 82, Texas A&M 9
Friday (early) - West Virginia at Pittsburgh. The Backyard Brawl may be my favorite name for a rivalry game, though this list has given me some new ones to consider. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate (Georgia-Georgia Tech) and Brawl of the Wild (Montana-Montana State) stand out. As far as the actual game goes, I expect both teams to play a hard-fought contest while trying to figure out how they hell they both lost to Cincinnati. Score: West Virginia 21, Pitt 17
Friday (late) - Fresno State at Boise State. I mentioned a few weeks ago the Fresno State was going to win this game and screw up our shot at a BCS-buster. Now I'm tacking the other way, as it'd be amusing to have Boise State and Ball State as undefeated conference champions who are ranked higher than the teams who win the Big East and ACC. More ammo for President Obama's playoffs!. Score: Boise State 37, Fresno State 20
Saturday (early) - Georgia Tech at Georgia. Speaking of Clean, Old Fashioned Hate, nothing would sum up the Bulldogs' season than dropping this game. It's almost quaint to think that they were such a big pre-season favorite. Thankfully for them, Tech is as consistent as any team in the ACC, which leaves the door pretty wide open. Score: Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 14
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Florida State at Florida. So what is it with Florida and rivalry games? First there's the Georgia game, which lost its "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" name, and now there's the FSU game, which apparently has no nickname based on the game notes at the UF website. The list calls it the Sunshine Showdown, which makes me think that no name is the better choice. You'd think an educational institution as fine as the University of Florida would put its top thinkers to work on this. Score: Florida 57, Florida State 14
Saturday (night) - Notre Dame at USC. How big of a win does USC need to not actually lose ground in the BCS by beating the Irish? Triple digits? Done. Score: USC 147, Notre Dame 2
Last week: 5-4
Season: 54-35
19 November 2008
Book Log 2008 #49: How the States Got Their Shapes by Mark Stein
I occasionally have good ideas. Pork nog. The home nuclear power plant. And, many years ago, a book about the geographic oddities one finds in the US, such as the small notch on the Massachusetts-Connecticut border, or the city that's part of Washington state even though the only land it's connected to is British Columbia. But, as with most of my good ideas, they get lost in the ether or banned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At least, until I ran across this book at the library.
Its approach is broader than the one I'd have taken, as it covers all 50 states (and DC) and discusses how each of them got the borders they have today. There's also a chapter preceding the state entries that talks about treaties and other events that set common borders so that it doesn't have to be mentioned in detail for each state involved (for example, the Western states that border Canada to the north).
The one semi-major problem is that the states are presented alphabetically rather than regionally, which can cause some problems if you're trying to flip between a state entry and the ones for neighboring states. Going regional would create some arbitrary decisions and at least a little overlap, but I think it'd have been more effective from a reading standpoint. I'd also have liked better maps, but the ones that are there are adequate.
Overall, though, a great book for geography nerds, with a good dash of history thrown in to boot.
I occasionally have good ideas. Pork nog. The home nuclear power plant. And, many years ago, a book about the geographic oddities one finds in the US, such as the small notch on the Massachusetts-Connecticut border, or the city that's part of Washington state even though the only land it's connected to is British Columbia. But, as with most of my good ideas, they get lost in the ether or banned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At least, until I ran across this book at the library.
Its approach is broader than the one I'd have taken, as it covers all 50 states (and DC) and discusses how each of them got the borders they have today. There's also a chapter preceding the state entries that talks about treaties and other events that set common borders so that it doesn't have to be mentioned in detail for each state involved (for example, the Western states that border Canada to the north).
The one semi-major problem is that the states are presented alphabetically rather than regionally, which can cause some problems if you're trying to flip between a state entry and the ones for neighboring states. Going regional would create some arbitrary decisions and at least a little overlap, but I think it'd have been more effective from a reading standpoint. I'd also have liked better maps, but the ones that are there are adequate.
Overall, though, a great book for geography nerds, with a good dash of history thrown in to boot.
17 November 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Northern Illinois at Kent State. This game is not televised, but I assume is on Tuesday to set up next Tuesday's NIU-Navy broadcast. NIU will not play a weekend game this month, which I assume is a prelude to an all mid-week MAC schedule in 2009. I suppose I'm for it if it reduces the amount of World Series of Poker that's aired. Score: Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 10
Wednesday - Ball State at Central Michigan. Finally, the clash of the titans that's been anticpated for weeks, a gridiron slugfest to once and for all determine the champion of the MAC West. Be still my heart! Score: Ball State 23, Central Michigan 14
Thursday - Miami at Georgia Tech. While I'm sure it doesn't work out this way, if you look at the ACC standings it appears that only Duke has been eliminated from winning the Coastal division. I'm too lazy to go through the schedules to see who really has a shot; let's hope Miami can bail me out and clarify things. Score: Miami 28, Georgia Tech 20
Friday - Fresno State at San Jose State. You'd rather I talk about one of the two MAC games also on Friday? While I can't say this game really matters (outside of the loser getting knocked out of bowl contention), the real issue is that, somehow, Fresno is going to derail Boise State's BCS drive and screw the conference. But we'll save that for next week. Score: San Jose State 27, Fresno State 24
Saturday (early) - The Citadel at Florida. Giving Thanks for Cupcakes, Part I. The best part about this match-up is the Florida game notes, which leads off by noting that a majority of the current top 10 have played 1-AA teams this year, and that Texas Tech has played two. They then go on to note that after playing 1-AA Western Carolina in 2006, they actually went up in the rankings. Good that they got the propaganda out front. Score: Florida 77, The Citadel 3
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Washington at Washington State. The football game that will set the sport back decades. The over/under on headlines that make a pun using the game's Apple Cup name and some form of rotting is 1.3 million. You should still take the over, and even then I don't think the astonishingly excremental nature of this game would be adequately captured. This is the sort of game someone should get Roger Ebert to review, if only to give North a break. I know ties are no longer possible in college football, but I can see this one ending that way out of sheer disinterest. And the best thing is that both teams have a game after this one, so they can spread their putridity into the holidays. Score: Washington 2, Washington State 2 (called after 137 OTs)
Saturday Mid-Afternoon Extra! Cal Poly at Wisconsin. Giving Thanks for Cupcakes, Part II. I didn't find the game notes for the Badgers (truth be told, I didn't look all that hard), but I'd love to have seen the section where they'd try to argue that winning this game would make them a better Motor City Bowl rep than the winner of Iowa/Minnesota. That may be putting the cart before the horse, as Cal Poly was the team that opened the season by beating San Diego State (who are, admittedly, a different brand of awful by an order of magnitude from Wisconsin). Score: Wisconsin 49, Cal Poly 14
Saturday (night) - Texas Tech at Oklahoma. Finally, decent football. I find it amusing that TCU is the only team to have held the Sooners under 45 points in a game this season (Sooners topped the Horned Frogs 35-10). The Sooners have also topped 60 points in their last two games, albeit against lesser opponents. I have to think this is when the Red Raiders finally fall, though I expect it to go much like the Texas game. Just with more points. Score: Oklahoma 69, Texas Tech 63
Sunday: Connecticut at South Florida. Do you think that Mark Mangino looks at the game tape from the South Florida game and wonders how he lost to them? Especially after the Bulls lost to Rutgers 46-19 this past week? UConn, meanwhile, just wants the win so they can get some sweet Meineke Car Care Bowl action, even if they do have to play Wake or UNC. Either way, this should be one useless game. Score: UConn 11, South Florida 10
Last week: 5-2
Season: 49-31
Tuesday - Northern Illinois at Kent State. This game is not televised, but I assume is on Tuesday to set up next Tuesday's NIU-Navy broadcast. NIU will not play a weekend game this month, which I assume is a prelude to an all mid-week MAC schedule in 2009. I suppose I'm for it if it reduces the amount of World Series of Poker that's aired. Score: Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 10
Wednesday - Ball State at Central Michigan. Finally, the clash of the titans that's been anticpated for weeks, a gridiron slugfest to once and for all determine the champion of the MAC West. Be still my heart! Score: Ball State 23, Central Michigan 14
Thursday - Miami at Georgia Tech. While I'm sure it doesn't work out this way, if you look at the ACC standings it appears that only Duke has been eliminated from winning the Coastal division. I'm too lazy to go through the schedules to see who really has a shot; let's hope Miami can bail me out and clarify things. Score: Miami 28, Georgia Tech 20
Friday - Fresno State at San Jose State. You'd rather I talk about one of the two MAC games also on Friday? While I can't say this game really matters (outside of the loser getting knocked out of bowl contention), the real issue is that, somehow, Fresno is going to derail Boise State's BCS drive and screw the conference. But we'll save that for next week. Score: San Jose State 27, Fresno State 24
Saturday (early) - The Citadel at Florida. Giving Thanks for Cupcakes, Part I. The best part about this match-up is the Florida game notes, which leads off by noting that a majority of the current top 10 have played 1-AA teams this year, and that Texas Tech has played two. They then go on to note that after playing 1-AA Western Carolina in 2006, they actually went up in the rankings. Good that they got the propaganda out front. Score: Florida 77, The Citadel 3
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Washington at Washington State. The football game that will set the sport back decades. The over/under on headlines that make a pun using the game's Apple Cup name and some form of rotting is 1.3 million. You should still take the over, and even then I don't think the astonishingly excremental nature of this game would be adequately captured. This is the sort of game someone should get Roger Ebert to review, if only to give North a break. I know ties are no longer possible in college football, but I can see this one ending that way out of sheer disinterest. And the best thing is that both teams have a game after this one, so they can spread their putridity into the holidays. Score: Washington 2, Washington State 2 (called after 137 OTs)
Saturday Mid-Afternoon Extra! Cal Poly at Wisconsin. Giving Thanks for Cupcakes, Part II. I didn't find the game notes for the Badgers (truth be told, I didn't look all that hard), but I'd love to have seen the section where they'd try to argue that winning this game would make them a better Motor City Bowl rep than the winner of Iowa/Minnesota. That may be putting the cart before the horse, as Cal Poly was the team that opened the season by beating San Diego State (who are, admittedly, a different brand of awful by an order of magnitude from Wisconsin). Score: Wisconsin 49, Cal Poly 14
Saturday (night) - Texas Tech at Oklahoma. Finally, decent football. I find it amusing that TCU is the only team to have held the Sooners under 45 points in a game this season (Sooners topped the Horned Frogs 35-10). The Sooners have also topped 60 points in their last two games, albeit against lesser opponents. I have to think this is when the Red Raiders finally fall, though I expect it to go much like the Texas game. Just with more points. Score: Oklahoma 69, Texas Tech 63
Sunday: Connecticut at South Florida. Do you think that Mark Mangino looks at the game tape from the South Florida game and wonders how he lost to them? Especially after the Bulls lost to Rutgers 46-19 this past week? UConn, meanwhile, just wants the win so they can get some sweet Meineke Car Care Bowl action, even if they do have to play Wake or UNC. Either way, this should be one useless game. Score: UConn 11, South Florida 10
Last week: 5-2
Season: 49-31
14 November 2008
Our Fox affiliate, whose news department hasn't found a three day old story that it can't repackage as current news, had some sort of report last night about hypermiling. If hypermiling sounds familiar, it's because it was big news in, what, June?
I suppose they were reacting to news that the New Oxford American Dictionary dubbed hypermiling word of the year status for 2008. Personally, I'd have gone with staycation, and am surprised that it didn't get off the short list. I've not heard any of the other finalists in day to day parlance other than toxic debt, which is kind of a stupid choice for a finalist.
Still, way to be on the ball, Fox 25. I'm looking forward to your upcoming report about Hurricane Gustav.
I suppose they were reacting to news that the New Oxford American Dictionary dubbed hypermiling word of the year status for 2008. Personally, I'd have gone with staycation, and am surprised that it didn't get off the short list. I've not heard any of the other finalists in day to day parlance other than toxic debt, which is kind of a stupid choice for a finalist.
Still, way to be on the ball, Fox 25. I'm looking forward to your upcoming report about Hurricane Gustav.
12 November 2008
11 November 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Ball State at Miami (Ohio). Second straight Tuesday night game for the RedHawks, third straight loss. Score: Ball State 37, Miami (Ohio) 3
Wednesday - Central Michigan at Northern Illinois. A match-up fraught with MAC division title implications, or at least as fraught as anything involving the MAC can be that didn't involve Randy Moss' tenure at Marshall (I know, they weren't in the MAC at the time, go with me here, I have nothing). A win here and the Chippewas play for the MAC West title against Ball State next Wednesday. Nothing like a relatively important college football game on a Wednesday. Score: Central Michigan 31, Northern Illinois 17
Thursday - Virginia Tech at Miami. The winner here keeps pace with North Carolina in the ACC Coastal division. That sentence tells you everything you need to know about the sort of year the ACC is having. Score: Virginia Tech 13, Miami 12
Friday - Cincinnati at Louisville. Speaking of conferences that no one wants to win, this match-up appears to have significant Big East implications, but the way everyone is playing you could have a five way tie at 4-3. The Orange Bowl must be looking forward to another ACC-Big East showdown. Score: Cincinnati 24, Louisville 20
Saturday (early) - Northwestern at Michigan. Northwestern doesn't fare well against Michigan. They've not beaten the Wovlerines since 2000, and haven't won in Ann Arbor since 1995 (and before that? 1959!). On the plus side, Michigan hasn't been this bad since LBJ was in office, so if there was a time to chalk up a win, it's now. Score: Northwestern 17, Michigan 13
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Boise State at Idaho. It's games like this that'll keep the Broncos out of the BCS, which is unfortunate give that they're more fun to watch than any team in the ACC or Big East. And while she's not personally responsible for this one, Idaho alum Sarah Palin gets to be connected to her second blowout in ten days. Score: Boise State 61, Idaho 2
Saturday (night) - Tulsa at Houston. Without any Texas Tech to liven up our screens, Tulsa is your next best bet for offense, as they lead the nation with a 52 points per game average. It'll pay the Golden Hurricane to be wary, as the last time Houston played a team ranked 23rd in the nation they won, besting East Carolina 41-24. I don't expect a repeat. Score: Tulsa 47, Houston 30
Last week: 4-3
Season: 44-29
Tuesday - Ball State at Miami (Ohio). Second straight Tuesday night game for the RedHawks, third straight loss. Score: Ball State 37, Miami (Ohio) 3
Wednesday - Central Michigan at Northern Illinois. A match-up fraught with MAC division title implications, or at least as fraught as anything involving the MAC can be that didn't involve Randy Moss' tenure at Marshall (I know, they weren't in the MAC at the time, go with me here, I have nothing). A win here and the Chippewas play for the MAC West title against Ball State next Wednesday. Nothing like a relatively important college football game on a Wednesday. Score: Central Michigan 31, Northern Illinois 17
Thursday - Virginia Tech at Miami. The winner here keeps pace with North Carolina in the ACC Coastal division. That sentence tells you everything you need to know about the sort of year the ACC is having. Score: Virginia Tech 13, Miami 12
Friday - Cincinnati at Louisville. Speaking of conferences that no one wants to win, this match-up appears to have significant Big East implications, but the way everyone is playing you could have a five way tie at 4-3. The Orange Bowl must be looking forward to another ACC-Big East showdown. Score: Cincinnati 24, Louisville 20
Saturday (early) - Northwestern at Michigan. Northwestern doesn't fare well against Michigan. They've not beaten the Wovlerines since 2000, and haven't won in Ann Arbor since 1995 (and before that? 1959!). On the plus side, Michigan hasn't been this bad since LBJ was in office, so if there was a time to chalk up a win, it's now. Score: Northwestern 17, Michigan 13
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Boise State at Idaho. It's games like this that'll keep the Broncos out of the BCS, which is unfortunate give that they're more fun to watch than any team in the ACC or Big East. And while she's not personally responsible for this one, Idaho alum Sarah Palin gets to be connected to her second blowout in ten days. Score: Boise State 61, Idaho 2
Saturday (night) - Tulsa at Houston. Without any Texas Tech to liven up our screens, Tulsa is your next best bet for offense, as they lead the nation with a 52 points per game average. It'll pay the Golden Hurricane to be wary, as the last time Houston played a team ranked 23rd in the nation they won, besting East Carolina 41-24. I don't expect a repeat. Score: Tulsa 47, Houston 30
Last week: 4-3
Season: 44-29
04 November 2008
Oh, the voting.
We got to our polling place 10-15 minutes before it opened, and there was a line of 20-25 people in front of us (depending on how you count; there were several children in the line, so while they were in front of us they weren't going to be voting, unless ACORN got to them). By the time the polls opened I'd estimate 75 or so people were in line (based on the the segment behind us looking about twice as long as the segment in front of us).
For whatever reason, about 90 percent of the people in front of us lived in the other precinct (our ward is split into two precincts, both of which vote in the same place). This made our trip to the booth much quicker than expected, and we were out of there by 7:10 at the latest. We were the fifth and eighth voters for our precinct. Go us!
No problems with electioneering out front of the location, with only the write-in candidate for state rep out there when we arrived (turns out the wife and I both wrote him in). The whole thing went very smooth, with the exception of the bake sale not being set up in time for us to make a purchase. The women running it can be excused, given how the city put the kibosh on bake sales in 2006. But they better be ready to go in 2010.
We got to our polling place 10-15 minutes before it opened, and there was a line of 20-25 people in front of us (depending on how you count; there were several children in the line, so while they were in front of us they weren't going to be voting, unless ACORN got to them). By the time the polls opened I'd estimate 75 or so people were in line (based on the the segment behind us looking about twice as long as the segment in front of us).
For whatever reason, about 90 percent of the people in front of us lived in the other precinct (our ward is split into two precincts, both of which vote in the same place). This made our trip to the booth much quicker than expected, and we were out of there by 7:10 at the latest. We were the fifth and eighth voters for our precinct. Go us!
No problems with electioneering out front of the location, with only the write-in candidate for state rep out there when we arrived (turns out the wife and I both wrote him in). The whole thing went very smooth, with the exception of the bake sale not being set up in time for us to make a purchase. The women running it can be excused, given how the city put the kibosh on bake sales in 2006. But they better be ready to go in 2010.
You may recall that there was a period right after the wife and I moved to Beverly that we had three incidents involving drivers on train tracks. Things abated after that, and it looked like the general public had gotten the subtle reminder that in the battle between car and train, train wins.
But that lesson apparently didn't make it one town over to Salem, as a guy managed to drive into a train tunnel and get hit by an oncoming train. Going one better than the Beverly incidents, which all involved street crossings, the driver here got on the track after driving down the platform. Neither platform nor tunnel are on street crossings, which has left us wondering how this whole thing played out (there is an area on one end of the platform where you could conceivably get a car on to the platform, but there's a gate there that I've never seen open; maybe yesterday was the day).
Of course, this happened at the start of the home-bound commute, so we got to add a couple of hours to our travel time as we sat on the train waiting to be let of at Lynn, where we then got to wait for a bus to take us to Salem, from where we got another bus to Beverly and then could, thankfully, walk home. Things went about as well as could be expected on that end, I suppose. Even so, we drove in today, both to facilitate voting and to avoid any lingering delays from the investigation or potential track damage. We managed to stay off the rails.
But that lesson apparently didn't make it one town over to Salem, as a guy managed to drive into a train tunnel and get hit by an oncoming train. Going one better than the Beverly incidents, which all involved street crossings, the driver here got on the track after driving down the platform. Neither platform nor tunnel are on street crossings, which has left us wondering how this whole thing played out (there is an area on one end of the platform where you could conceivably get a car on to the platform, but there's a gate there that I've never seen open; maybe yesterday was the day).
Of course, this happened at the start of the home-bound commute, so we got to add a couple of hours to our travel time as we sat on the train waiting to be let of at Lynn, where we then got to wait for a bus to take us to Salem, from where we got another bus to Beverly and then could, thankfully, walk home. Things went about as well as could be expected on that end, I suppose. Even so, we drove in today, both to facilitate voting and to avoid any lingering delays from the investigation or potential track damage. We managed to stay off the rails.
03 November 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Miami (OH) at Buffalo. Expect this game to poll well with gamblers, drunk alumni, and people who need to replace the battery to the remote control and can't be bothered to get off the couch. Score: Democracy 538, Buffalo 27, Miami 6
Wednesday - Northern Illinois at Ball State. The weekly updates from here on out are going to be pretty MACtacular, as the league monopolizes Tuesday and Wednesday broadcasts from here on out. I'll try to pretend I care. This game apparently has divisional implications, and of course Ball State is trying to remain undefeated, all of which we'll hear about in spades as November rolls along. Score: Ball State 27, Northern Illinois 20
Thursday - TCU at Utah. The other game for Thursday is Maryland at Virginia Tech. If you'd been asked in August which would have the greater BCS implications, you'd have chosen the latter. It's OK to admit, everyone else would have said the same thing. TCU already beat BYU this season, so a win here would make the horned toad the least popular reptile in the Beehive State, assuming they keep track of reptile popularity. Score: TCU 31, Utah 30
Friday - Nevada at Fresno State. Speaking of teams poised to crash the BCS but won't, how about the Bulldogs? Losing to Wisconsin was understandable. Losing to Hawaii and Louisiana Tech not so much. This is the sort of game that defines the WAC, as it'll be high scoring yet pretty much meaningless. Score: Fresno State 42, Nevada 37
Saturday (early) - Wyoming at Tennessee. This could be the ugliest game of the year, sartorially speaking, what with Tennessee's bright orange and Wyoming sporting the brown and yellow that the Padres rocked back in the mid-80s. It'll also proabably be ugly on the field, too, as both teams sport 3-6 records. This will be the first game of Phil Fulmer's lame duck head coaching; I hope he puts in the wishbone for shits and giggles. What are they going to do, fire him? This is the third time these teams have played, with the Vols never making the trip out to Laramie. It can't be that much worse than Knoxville, can it? Score: Tennessee 41, Wyoming 2
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Arizona at Washington State. How bad are the Cougars? They're so bad that I couldn't give them the safety that I traditionally give to an obvious loser, because it'd overestimate their likely scoring. Arizona's biggest challenge this week will be to hang at least 50 on Wizzou while pitching the shutout, just as USC and Stanford(!) have done the last two weeks. Score: Arizona 63, Washington State 0
Saturday (night) - Florida at Vanderbilt. Remember what a great story Vandy was shaping up towards? A 5-0 start and a national ranking, coach Bobby Johnson the hot pick to move into whatever coaching job opened up? Well, they've lost three in a row (most recently to Duke!) and are looking to follow last season's form by sliding out of the bowl picture after a good start. This is not the best time for them to face a Florida team that's thinking it has a clear road to the SEC title game. If nothing else, Vandy recruits won't have to worry about Johnson moving to a more prestigious job. Score: Florida 45, Vanderbilt 17
Last week: 2-4
Season: 40-26
Tuesday - Miami (OH) at Buffalo. Expect this game to poll well with gamblers, drunk alumni, and people who need to replace the battery to the remote control and can't be bothered to get off the couch. Score: Democracy 538, Buffalo 27, Miami 6
Wednesday - Northern Illinois at Ball State. The weekly updates from here on out are going to be pretty MACtacular, as the league monopolizes Tuesday and Wednesday broadcasts from here on out. I'll try to pretend I care. This game apparently has divisional implications, and of course Ball State is trying to remain undefeated, all of which we'll hear about in spades as November rolls along. Score: Ball State 27, Northern Illinois 20
Thursday - TCU at Utah. The other game for Thursday is Maryland at Virginia Tech. If you'd been asked in August which would have the greater BCS implications, you'd have chosen the latter. It's OK to admit, everyone else would have said the same thing. TCU already beat BYU this season, so a win here would make the horned toad the least popular reptile in the Beehive State, assuming they keep track of reptile popularity. Score: TCU 31, Utah 30
Friday - Nevada at Fresno State. Speaking of teams poised to crash the BCS but won't, how about the Bulldogs? Losing to Wisconsin was understandable. Losing to Hawaii and Louisiana Tech not so much. This is the sort of game that defines the WAC, as it'll be high scoring yet pretty much meaningless. Score: Fresno State 42, Nevada 37
Saturday (early) - Wyoming at Tennessee. This could be the ugliest game of the year, sartorially speaking, what with Tennessee's bright orange and Wyoming sporting the brown and yellow that the Padres rocked back in the mid-80s. It'll also proabably be ugly on the field, too, as both teams sport 3-6 records. This will be the first game of Phil Fulmer's lame duck head coaching; I hope he puts in the wishbone for shits and giggles. What are they going to do, fire him? This is the third time these teams have played, with the Vols never making the trip out to Laramie. It can't be that much worse than Knoxville, can it? Score: Tennessee 41, Wyoming 2
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Arizona at Washington State. How bad are the Cougars? They're so bad that I couldn't give them the safety that I traditionally give to an obvious loser, because it'd overestimate their likely scoring. Arizona's biggest challenge this week will be to hang at least 50 on Wizzou while pitching the shutout, just as USC and Stanford(!) have done the last two weeks. Score: Arizona 63, Washington State 0
Saturday (night) - Florida at Vanderbilt. Remember what a great story Vandy was shaping up towards? A 5-0 start and a national ranking, coach Bobby Johnson the hot pick to move into whatever coaching job opened up? Well, they've lost three in a row (most recently to Duke!) and are looking to follow last season's form by sliding out of the bowl picture after a good start. This is not the best time for them to face a Florida team that's thinking it has a clear road to the SEC title game. If nothing else, Vandy recruits won't have to worry about Johnson moving to a more prestigious job. Score: Florida 45, Vanderbilt 17
Last week: 2-4
Season: 40-26
Still time to get your entry for my election prediction game. It's due at 11:59 PM EST tonight, given that one of the questions on it will be answered by 12:15 or so tomorrow morning.
Note that the original spreadsheet didn't include Iowa, so if you filled that one out please email me with your call for that state. Sorry, Iowa.
Note that the original spreadsheet didn't include Iowa, so if you filled that one out please email me with your call for that state. Sorry, Iowa.
31 October 2008
Still being a bit new at the Facebook thing, I have a question. I have three people who I don't know who have sent friend requests solely to become allies on one game that I've been playing (World Domination, in case you're looking for allies as well). I know that it's pretty common for people to add strangers as friends, but was curious as to any potential downside. Comments welcome!
Book Log 2008 #48: House Lust by Daniel McGinn
I read this a while ago and apparently forgot to log it, but from what I can remember this was a pretty good survey of the ways property ownership - either in one's own house or in investment property in a state you may never visit - has gotten people to go off the deep end in both good and bad ways. I think it'd be a more interesting read in the wake of all the subprime nonsense, and I'd love to catch up with some of the people in the book to see how they're faring.
I read this a while ago and apparently forgot to log it, but from what I can remember this was a pretty good survey of the ways property ownership - either in one's own house or in investment property in a state you may never visit - has gotten people to go off the deep end in both good and bad ways. I think it'd be a more interesting read in the wake of all the subprime nonsense, and I'd love to catch up with some of the people in the book to see how they're faring.
29 October 2008
Now that we have a World Series that's dangerously close to going into November for no good reason, can someone consider bringing back the doubleheader? The players won't because they don't want to play two games in a day, and owners won't because they fear that two games on the same day won't perform as well as one game each on two days. And Bud won't because the owners won't. Maybe President Obama can do something about this?
If each team plays one doubleheader a month, that would take a week off of the schedule. This may not help avoid the current problem (it's just as likely to be crappy on October 19 as October 26 in the Northeast), but mentally I think it'd be a nice move.
If each team plays one doubleheader a month, that would take a week off of the schedule. This may not help avoid the current problem (it's just as likely to be crappy on October 19 as October 26 in the Northeast), but mentally I think it'd be a nice move.
28 October 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Houston at Marshall. This sounds less like a football game and more like the name of a '50s TV western. "Tune in next week to find out if Marshall Houston can save Miss Lil from the clutches of the evil Benson gang!" God knows the western would be more interesting. Houston does pass a lot, so let's pretend that this will be some sort of shootout at the medicore at best corral. Score: Houston 31, Marshall 7
Thursday - South Florida at Cincinnati. I'm a little shocked that South Florida is still ranked after their loss last week to Louisville, but am even more shocked at how many Big East teams are on the cusp of bowl eligibility. Six of the conference's eight teams have at least five wins, which I'm sure is comforting to the folks at the International Bowl. Anyway, tonight's winner will be one step closer to not playing in Toronto in January, which seems like a good thing. Score: South Florida 31, Cincinnati 23
Saturday (early) - Northwestern at Minnesota. Pre-season consensus was that neither of these teams would finish in the top half of the Big 10. Sports Illustrated had the Wildcats as high as sixth, while no major publication put the Gophers higher than ninth. So, of course, the teams are a combined 13-3 this season (5-3 in conference). A win for Minnesota puts them at 8-1 and, with a favorable schedule, potentially into the Rose Bowl. I'd like to see that. Score: Minnesota 21, Northwestern 10
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Arkansas State at Alabama. Even for a homecoming game, this is weak. The Tide could at least play a C-USA team. I hope this drops them in the BCS standings, if just for the week. Score: Alabama 93, Arkansas State 2
Saturday (night) - Texas at Texas Tech. Expect another tight defensive struggle from these two teams. Ha! We'll be lucky if neither team fires its defensive coordinator before halftime. If the Longhorns get through this they'll run the table (with Kansas as a minor bump), while the Red Raiders get Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to follow this up. Should they win all three, I'd be OK with letting them, Alabama and Penn State play a round robin to determine the national title. Score: Texas 52, Texas Tech 48
Sunday - Central Florida at East Carolina. Scheduling tip - the Golden Knights have demonstrated why two weeks off in the middle of the season may not be such a good idea. They lost back-to-back games, took the time off, and got whacked by Tulsa upon their return. If you can't put together a workable game plan in two weeks, what hope do you have for the rest of the season? Score: East Carolina 33, UCF 3
Last week: 4-3
Season: 38-22
Tuesday - Houston at Marshall. This sounds less like a football game and more like the name of a '50s TV western. "Tune in next week to find out if Marshall Houston can save Miss Lil from the clutches of the evil Benson gang!" God knows the western would be more interesting. Houston does pass a lot, so let's pretend that this will be some sort of shootout at the medicore at best corral. Score: Houston 31, Marshall 7
Thursday - South Florida at Cincinnati. I'm a little shocked that South Florida is still ranked after their loss last week to Louisville, but am even more shocked at how many Big East teams are on the cusp of bowl eligibility. Six of the conference's eight teams have at least five wins, which I'm sure is comforting to the folks at the International Bowl. Anyway, tonight's winner will be one step closer to not playing in Toronto in January, which seems like a good thing. Score: South Florida 31, Cincinnati 23
Saturday (early) - Northwestern at Minnesota. Pre-season consensus was that neither of these teams would finish in the top half of the Big 10. Sports Illustrated had the Wildcats as high as sixth, while no major publication put the Gophers higher than ninth. So, of course, the teams are a combined 13-3 this season (5-3 in conference). A win for Minnesota puts them at 8-1 and, with a favorable schedule, potentially into the Rose Bowl. I'd like to see that. Score: Minnesota 21, Northwestern 10
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Arkansas State at Alabama. Even for a homecoming game, this is weak. The Tide could at least play a C-USA team. I hope this drops them in the BCS standings, if just for the week. Score: Alabama 93, Arkansas State 2
Saturday (night) - Texas at Texas Tech. Expect another tight defensive struggle from these two teams. Ha! We'll be lucky if neither team fires its defensive coordinator before halftime. If the Longhorns get through this they'll run the table (with Kansas as a minor bump), while the Red Raiders get Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to follow this up. Should they win all three, I'd be OK with letting them, Alabama and Penn State play a round robin to determine the national title. Score: Texas 52, Texas Tech 48
Sunday - Central Florida at East Carolina. Scheduling tip - the Golden Knights have demonstrated why two weeks off in the middle of the season may not be such a good idea. They lost back-to-back games, took the time off, and got whacked by Tulsa upon their return. If you can't put together a workable game plan in two weeks, what hope do you have for the rest of the season? Score: East Carolina 33, UCF 3
Last week: 4-3
Season: 38-22
Book Log 2008 #47: The Great Derangement by Matt Taibbi
Disgusted with the way that day to day goverment runs in Washington (as attested in asides on how both parties are twisting the legislative process), Taibbi sets out to see how others similarly disaffected have channeled their energies. On the right, he hooks up with John Hagee's church, while on the left he samples some of the groups who believe that the US government either supported or simply allowed the 9/11 attacks to occur.
I enjoyed the two long, strange trips into the subcultures, but I'm not sure to what extent either group was really reacting towards the derangement in the title. In many cases (especially with the church group), the people Taibbi speaks with don't seem particularly political, but are more looking for some sort of individual direction in their lives (the truth groups less so, though the middle-level leaders come off as joining so they can boss other members around).
As I said I did enjoy the book and Taibbi's brand of participatory journalism. Not sure how much it informed me on the current political climate, but it's better than most of the usual political stuff that's out there.
Disgusted with the way that day to day goverment runs in Washington (as attested in asides on how both parties are twisting the legislative process), Taibbi sets out to see how others similarly disaffected have channeled their energies. On the right, he hooks up with John Hagee's church, while on the left he samples some of the groups who believe that the US government either supported or simply allowed the 9/11 attacks to occur.
I enjoyed the two long, strange trips into the subcultures, but I'm not sure to what extent either group was really reacting towards the derangement in the title. In many cases (especially with the church group), the people Taibbi speaks with don't seem particularly political, but are more looking for some sort of individual direction in their lives (the truth groups less so, though the middle-level leaders come off as joining so they can boss other members around).
As I said I did enjoy the book and Taibbi's brand of participatory journalism. Not sure how much it informed me on the current political climate, but it's better than most of the usual political stuff that's out there.
22 October 2008
For those of you who are looking for one more thing to drive you to distraction on election night, I've created a little prediction game.
Point yourself here to get a copy of the spreadsheet, and get your completed predictions to me by 11:59 PM EDT on Monday, November 3. If I've screwed anything up, feel free to note it in the comments for my public shaming and eventual correction. The winner will get a prize, by which I mean something I'll find at home that can be easily mailed or hand-delivered the next time I see the winner.
Point yourself here to get a copy of the spreadsheet, and get your completed predictions to me by 11:59 PM EDT on Monday, November 3. If I've screwed anything up, feel free to note it in the comments for my public shaming and eventual correction. The winner will get a prize, by which I mean something I'll find at home that can be easily mailed or hand-delivered the next time I see the winner.
21 October 2008
Two weeks until the election, so you know what that means. Endorsement time!
President - OK, I voted for John McCain in the primary, as I got to couple the vicarious thrill of voting in a Republican primary with maximizing my opportunities to vote against Mitt Romney. But I went into it knowing that I wouldn't vote for him again in November, and that's still the case. We're too far apart on issues, and he's clearly not the McCain of 2000. His talk is less straight now than ever, and I fully expect he'll bust out some revamped versions of John Edwards' "two Americas" stump speech before the week is out.
So then there's the other major option, Barack Obama. We in Massachusetts got a sneak preview of his campaign two years ago when Deval Patrick ran for governor, as the whole hope/change theme was the basis of his candidacy. And considering that it's been a mixed bag for Governor Patrick, I worry about similar lack of results for a potential President Obama (though I think Obama will find working with Congress less problematic than Patrick has found working with our hack-infested state legislature). So I'm at a bit of an impasse with him.
Normally, I'd settle this by going with one of the third-party candidates. In 2004 I endorsed voting for any one of them, depending on your politics. The only problem is that this year's crop of third-party candidates is sorely lacking. Your choices:
Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party: I don't know much about him as a person, but looking at the Party's website is interesting, to say the least. To quote their mission statement, "The goal of the Constitution Party is to restore American jurisprudence to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries." Which is great news to the folks who train seeing-eye dogs. They also seem very concerned about the North American Union, a theoretical merger of the US, Canada and Mexico, though I think they're missing a fundraising opportunity by not selling party logo-embossed tinfoil hats on their website.
Bob Barr, Libertarian Party: My problem here is personal, as Barr's role in the Clinton impeachment makes me want to slap the stupid little mustache off of his face every time I see him on TV. That he's turned his back on the GOP and now may help to torpedo McCain in some states makes me a little happy, in that now people on both sides hate the twerp.
Cynthia McKinney, Green Party: Assuming I never get the change to slap Barr's mustache off his face, McKinney may be able to do the honors for me. I've voted for the Greens the last couple of times, but can't see myself doing so this time between the cop slapping and all.
Ralph Nader, Independent: At this point I think he keeps running because he likes to get out of the house.
With all that in mind, the best I can do is say that Blogolicious endorses no one in particular, but wouldn't be heartbroken if you voted for Obama. Or Nader, if you want to get your third party on.
Senate - John Kerry is up against Republican Jeff Beatty and Libertarian Robert Underwood. Kerry is actually going through the motions of a campaign, as he's run TV ads, sent out mailers (including one with him acting as the T in the word VOTE) and even had a debate with Beatty on New England Cable News. I'll admit to knowing very little about Beatty and Underwood, but perusing their websites there's not enough there to convince me that either one of them is the right agent for change. So, for what it's worth, Blogalicious endorses John Kerry, though not exactly with enthusiasm.
US House - John Tierney runs against Richard Baker, a Republican. We actually got a mailing for Baker last week, looking to get money from us to do another mailing. Why he didn't just do one mailing I'm not sure, but he did tout his experience balancing the budget of his local school district as why he's the pefect person to fix our economy. I expect his plan has Treasury agents going door to door to sell wrapping paper, scented candles, and shares of AIG. While I'm dubious on him due to his switcharoo on the bailout bill, Blogalicious endorses John Tierney.
State House - Our state rep (Mary Grant) and state senator (Fred Berry) and governor's councilor (Mary Ellen Manning) are all running unopposed, so an endorsement seems pointless. However, we'll go out of district as Blogalicious endorses Arthur Vigeant for state representative for the Fourth Middlesex District. In the interest of full disclosure I work with one of his family members, but he does seem like the right choice, given that he's a long-time Marlborough city counselor running against a Democrat who was an aide to the previous rep.
I won't bore you with county races.
Ballot Question 1 seeks to repeal the state income tax in Massachusetts, cutting it in half next year and removing it entirely the following year. This doesn't seem like the best idea, given what the medium-term predictions are for the economy, and when paired with the cap cities and towns have on raising property tax the results of this passing look pretty grim. On the other hand, if you ever wanted to pay $750 to renew your driver's license, this seems like the perfect way to have it happen. Blogalicious endorses a no vote on Question 1.
Ballot Question 2 would decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing criminal sanctions with fines and (in some cases) mandated treatment. Law enforcement and county DAs are against the question, and while I do have some concern related to public health and safety, I'm not convinced that the criminal system is the best way to approach things, so Blogalicious endorses a yes vote on Question 2.
Ballot Question 3 would ban dog racing, a proposal that's been brought up before and met with narrow defeat. While supporters focus on animal cruelty issues, I'm thinking this would be a good way to open up space for actual casinos. Trump's people have already looked at Wonderland, the track in Revere, which is located near public transportation and is likely to go bankrupt due to low revenue and significant tax debt. This could also shift racing fans to Suffolk Downs, which could use the business as well. So, perhaps twisted logic, but it leads to Blogalicious endorsing a yes vote on Question 3.
President - OK, I voted for John McCain in the primary, as I got to couple the vicarious thrill of voting in a Republican primary with maximizing my opportunities to vote against Mitt Romney. But I went into it knowing that I wouldn't vote for him again in November, and that's still the case. We're too far apart on issues, and he's clearly not the McCain of 2000. His talk is less straight now than ever, and I fully expect he'll bust out some revamped versions of John Edwards' "two Americas" stump speech before the week is out.
So then there's the other major option, Barack Obama. We in Massachusetts got a sneak preview of his campaign two years ago when Deval Patrick ran for governor, as the whole hope/change theme was the basis of his candidacy. And considering that it's been a mixed bag for Governor Patrick, I worry about similar lack of results for a potential President Obama (though I think Obama will find working with Congress less problematic than Patrick has found working with our hack-infested state legislature). So I'm at a bit of an impasse with him.
Normally, I'd settle this by going with one of the third-party candidates. In 2004 I endorsed voting for any one of them, depending on your politics. The only problem is that this year's crop of third-party candidates is sorely lacking. Your choices:
Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party: I don't know much about him as a person, but looking at the Party's website is interesting, to say the least. To quote their mission statement, "The goal of the Constitution Party is to restore American jurisprudence to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries." Which is great news to the folks who train seeing-eye dogs. They also seem very concerned about the North American Union, a theoretical merger of the US, Canada and Mexico, though I think they're missing a fundraising opportunity by not selling party logo-embossed tinfoil hats on their website.
Bob Barr, Libertarian Party: My problem here is personal, as Barr's role in the Clinton impeachment makes me want to slap the stupid little mustache off of his face every time I see him on TV. That he's turned his back on the GOP and now may help to torpedo McCain in some states makes me a little happy, in that now people on both sides hate the twerp.
Cynthia McKinney, Green Party: Assuming I never get the change to slap Barr's mustache off his face, McKinney may be able to do the honors for me. I've voted for the Greens the last couple of times, but can't see myself doing so this time between the cop slapping and all.
Ralph Nader, Independent: At this point I think he keeps running because he likes to get out of the house.
With all that in mind, the best I can do is say that Blogolicious endorses no one in particular, but wouldn't be heartbroken if you voted for Obama. Or Nader, if you want to get your third party on.
Senate - John Kerry is up against Republican Jeff Beatty and Libertarian Robert Underwood. Kerry is actually going through the motions of a campaign, as he's run TV ads, sent out mailers (including one with him acting as the T in the word VOTE) and even had a debate with Beatty on New England Cable News. I'll admit to knowing very little about Beatty and Underwood, but perusing their websites there's not enough there to convince me that either one of them is the right agent for change. So, for what it's worth, Blogalicious endorses John Kerry, though not exactly with enthusiasm.
US House - John Tierney runs against Richard Baker, a Republican. We actually got a mailing for Baker last week, looking to get money from us to do another mailing. Why he didn't just do one mailing I'm not sure, but he did tout his experience balancing the budget of his local school district as why he's the pefect person to fix our economy. I expect his plan has Treasury agents going door to door to sell wrapping paper, scented candles, and shares of AIG. While I'm dubious on him due to his switcharoo on the bailout bill, Blogalicious endorses John Tierney.
State House - Our state rep (Mary Grant) and state senator (Fred Berry) and governor's councilor (Mary Ellen Manning) are all running unopposed, so an endorsement seems pointless. However, we'll go out of district as Blogalicious endorses Arthur Vigeant for state representative for the Fourth Middlesex District. In the interest of full disclosure I work with one of his family members, but he does seem like the right choice, given that he's a long-time Marlborough city counselor running against a Democrat who was an aide to the previous rep.
I won't bore you with county races.
Ballot Question 1 seeks to repeal the state income tax in Massachusetts, cutting it in half next year and removing it entirely the following year. This doesn't seem like the best idea, given what the medium-term predictions are for the economy, and when paired with the cap cities and towns have on raising property tax the results of this passing look pretty grim. On the other hand, if you ever wanted to pay $750 to renew your driver's license, this seems like the perfect way to have it happen. Blogalicious endorses a no vote on Question 1.
Ballot Question 2 would decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing criminal sanctions with fines and (in some cases) mandated treatment. Law enforcement and county DAs are against the question, and while I do have some concern related to public health and safety, I'm not convinced that the criminal system is the best way to approach things, so Blogalicious endorses a yes vote on Question 2.
Ballot Question 3 would ban dog racing, a proposal that's been brought up before and met with narrow defeat. While supporters focus on animal cruelty issues, I'm thinking this would be a good way to open up space for actual casinos. Trump's people have already looked at Wonderland, the track in Revere, which is located near public transportation and is likely to go bankrupt due to low revenue and significant tax debt. This could also shift racing fans to Suffolk Downs, which could use the business as well. So, perhaps twisted logic, but it leads to Blogalicious endorsing a yes vote on Question 3.
20 October 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Ohio at Temple. Ah, sweet, sweet Tuesday football. It's MACtacular! Or whatever you call a match-up between a pair of 2-5 teams who would probably lose to North Dakota State. Score: Ohio 3, Temple 2 (23 OT)
Thursday - Auburn at West Virginia. A decent Thursday night affair, though I think the ESPN folks were expecting at least one of the teams to be nationally-ranked coming into it. Auburn limps in after a home loss to Arkansas (who may not win another game in conference), and West Virginia literally limps in with an injury to Pat White (not literally limping, it's a head injury) derailing their offense. White will be back this week, so it looks like another backwoods thumping for the Tigers. Score: West Virginia 24, Auburn 14
Friday - Boise State at San Jose State. With BYU's BCS-buster bid gone blooey, the Broncos face their toughest test before the season-ending game with Fresno State. We have to have at least one team spoil the party, and I'd prefer it be a team that's done so before in notable fashion. Score: Boise State 31, San Jose State 20
Saturday (early) - Texas Tech at Kansas. I feel kind of bad for Texas Tech. They're undefeated, yet all the talk is about Texas, Oklahoma State and one-loss Oklahoma. I don't feel as bad when I look at their schedule, peppered as it is with easy wins (recall their game a few weeks ago against UMass). I go back to feeling bad when I see that the Red Raiders will play Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks in November. But, oddly, I'll feel something like relief when they leave Lawrence with a shootout loss. Score: Kansas 45, Texas Tech 38
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - UCLA at California. UCLA scored a touchdown with 10 seconds left to pull out a win over Stanford last Saturday. This makes a Cal win doubly important, as it will help the Golden Bears their fifth win and one they can lord over the Cardinal during the Big Game. Score: Cal 31, UCLA 20
Saturday (night) - Middle Tennessee State at Mississippi State. While I've not done the research on it, I think this could be the longest combination of school names possible for division I football. Expect MTSU to win when they hit the triple word score. Score: MTSU 24, Mississippi State 22
Sunday - Central Florida at Tulsa. Take that, Hawaii! And this game's even on TV, which will be great comfort to the dozens of people who didn't want to watch Indy-Tennessee or game 4 of the World Series. Score: Tulsa 37, Central Florida 9
Last week: 5-1
Season: 34-19
Tuesday - Ohio at Temple. Ah, sweet, sweet Tuesday football. It's MACtacular! Or whatever you call a match-up between a pair of 2-5 teams who would probably lose to North Dakota State. Score: Ohio 3, Temple 2 (23 OT)
Thursday - Auburn at West Virginia. A decent Thursday night affair, though I think the ESPN folks were expecting at least one of the teams to be nationally-ranked coming into it. Auburn limps in after a home loss to Arkansas (who may not win another game in conference), and West Virginia literally limps in with an injury to Pat White (not literally limping, it's a head injury) derailing their offense. White will be back this week, so it looks like another backwoods thumping for the Tigers. Score: West Virginia 24, Auburn 14
Friday - Boise State at San Jose State. With BYU's BCS-buster bid gone blooey, the Broncos face their toughest test before the season-ending game with Fresno State. We have to have at least one team spoil the party, and I'd prefer it be a team that's done so before in notable fashion. Score: Boise State 31, San Jose State 20
Saturday (early) - Texas Tech at Kansas. I feel kind of bad for Texas Tech. They're undefeated, yet all the talk is about Texas, Oklahoma State and one-loss Oklahoma. I don't feel as bad when I look at their schedule, peppered as it is with easy wins (recall their game a few weeks ago against UMass). I go back to feeling bad when I see that the Red Raiders will play Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks in November. But, oddly, I'll feel something like relief when they leave Lawrence with a shootout loss. Score: Kansas 45, Texas Tech 38
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - UCLA at California. UCLA scored a touchdown with 10 seconds left to pull out a win over Stanford last Saturday. This makes a Cal win doubly important, as it will help the Golden Bears their fifth win and one they can lord over the Cardinal during the Big Game. Score: Cal 31, UCLA 20
Saturday (night) - Middle Tennessee State at Mississippi State. While I've not done the research on it, I think this could be the longest combination of school names possible for division I football. Expect MTSU to win when they hit the triple word score. Score: MTSU 24, Mississippi State 22
Sunday - Central Florida at Tulsa. Take that, Hawaii! And this game's even on TV, which will be great comfort to the dozens of people who didn't want to watch Indy-Tennessee or game 4 of the World Series. Score: Tulsa 37, Central Florida 9
Last week: 5-1
Season: 34-19
16 October 2008
Now that the baseball season is over for the LA Dodgers, it's time to start wondering where Manny Ramirez will wind up next season. My top five possibilities:
5. Baltimore Orioles - Peter Angelos loves to sign aging sluggers, and in this case he'd actually be signing one who is still hitting (and who is apparently not using any performance-enhancing drugs; we'll leave mood-enhancing drugs out for now). If he heads here, expect him to finish his first season under a five year, $130 million contract with a .211 batting average, 8 home runs and 24 RBI just to fit the pattern.
4. New York Yankees - of course everyone has him going here, as he's from New York and the Steinbrenners are angling to have the first billion-dollar payroll in sports. I'm less convinced that Manny will wind up here, either because A-Rod has some sort of hissy fit over his potential singing or it will finally dawn on Manny that life in the Yankees fishbowl will be even tighter than in the Red Sox fishbowl (I assume the explanation will involve flash cards, a game of charades and the use of Lego figurines).
3. Los Angeles Dodgers - Manny seems to like LA, and the fans have certainly reacted well to him. I don't know if the mutual appreciation would last if he became a regular, either through fans not understanding that he doesn't always hit .400 or Manny finding LA a little too anonymous. But the Dodgers have let the Angels get the upper hand in terms of local baseball supremacy, and signing Manny would be a good way to change that around a bit.
(Of course, Anaheim could make a play here, and by not putting them on the list I'm more or less guaranteeing that Manny will be with the Halos by Thanksgiving.)
2. New York Mets - this is almost the perfect scenario for Manny, as he'd be playing in New York for a team with a strong Latino orientation, but would be under less of a microscope thanks to the attention given to the Yankees. I don't know if Manny would react well to the one time the Mets get attention: their annual swoon from playoff contention. I also don't know if the Mets want to throw the sort of money at Manny that other teams will pony up, but they do have a new stadium to fill (which you may have heard about through all the din surrounding Yankee Stadium), and Manny would help with that.
1. San Francisco Giants - they're a team that has a proven track record for spending money on aging sluggers who may not be the clubhouse fave. They have a dedicated fan base, but one not known for its rabidity. They're rebuilding and can use a marquee name, and playing in the NL West they're never that far out of playoff contention. And what major league city would be more accepting of Manny than this one?
5. Baltimore Orioles - Peter Angelos loves to sign aging sluggers, and in this case he'd actually be signing one who is still hitting (and who is apparently not using any performance-enhancing drugs; we'll leave mood-enhancing drugs out for now). If he heads here, expect him to finish his first season under a five year, $130 million contract with a .211 batting average, 8 home runs and 24 RBI just to fit the pattern.
4. New York Yankees - of course everyone has him going here, as he's from New York and the Steinbrenners are angling to have the first billion-dollar payroll in sports. I'm less convinced that Manny will wind up here, either because A-Rod has some sort of hissy fit over his potential singing or it will finally dawn on Manny that life in the Yankees fishbowl will be even tighter than in the Red Sox fishbowl (I assume the explanation will involve flash cards, a game of charades and the use of Lego figurines).
3. Los Angeles Dodgers - Manny seems to like LA, and the fans have certainly reacted well to him. I don't know if the mutual appreciation would last if he became a regular, either through fans not understanding that he doesn't always hit .400 or Manny finding LA a little too anonymous. But the Dodgers have let the Angels get the upper hand in terms of local baseball supremacy, and signing Manny would be a good way to change that around a bit.
(Of course, Anaheim could make a play here, and by not putting them on the list I'm more or less guaranteeing that Manny will be with the Halos by Thanksgiving.)
2. New York Mets - this is almost the perfect scenario for Manny, as he'd be playing in New York for a team with a strong Latino orientation, but would be under less of a microscope thanks to the attention given to the Yankees. I don't know if Manny would react well to the one time the Mets get attention: their annual swoon from playoff contention. I also don't know if the Mets want to throw the sort of money at Manny that other teams will pony up, but they do have a new stadium to fill (which you may have heard about through all the din surrounding Yankee Stadium), and Manny would help with that.
1. San Francisco Giants - they're a team that has a proven track record for spending money on aging sluggers who may not be the clubhouse fave. They have a dedicated fan base, but one not known for its rabidity. They're rebuilding and can use a marquee name, and playing in the NL West they're never that far out of playoff contention. And what major league city would be more accepting of Manny than this one?
15 October 2008
Book Log 2008 #46: USSA by David Madsen
In this book, the US has won WWIII and occupied Russia. A large displaced persons camp rings Moscow, and large areas of the country are off limits due to radiation. The espionage market has dried up, forcing many cashiered spies into working on corporate cases. Among the lower tier of such spies is Dean Joplin, whose luck turns when an officer of the occupation police hires him to conduct an off the books investigation of a murder in a new luxury hotel.
From there things progress as you might expect in a spy thriller/mystery. There are a few places where you'll find echoes of future Arkady Renko plots, but this book never comes close to the excellence of that series. It's not a bad book, but it never quite uses it's setting as well as it could have. The depiction of the occupation police officer and his family is also kind of off-putting, which doesn't help.
I don't think it's quite worth seeking out, but may be worth a browse for alt-history types.
In this book, the US has won WWIII and occupied Russia. A large displaced persons camp rings Moscow, and large areas of the country are off limits due to radiation. The espionage market has dried up, forcing many cashiered spies into working on corporate cases. Among the lower tier of such spies is Dean Joplin, whose luck turns when an officer of the occupation police hires him to conduct an off the books investigation of a murder in a new luxury hotel.
From there things progress as you might expect in a spy thriller/mystery. There are a few places where you'll find echoes of future Arkady Renko plots, but this book never comes close to the excellence of that series. It's not a bad book, but it never quite uses it's setting as well as it could have. The depiction of the occupation police officer and his family is also kind of off-putting, which doesn't help.
I don't think it's quite worth seeking out, but may be worth a browse for alt-history types.
14 October 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Thursday - Florida State at North Carolina State. They say that no parent should outlive their child (so true), but I don't know if there's a similar sentiment for a parent's career outlasting that of their children. Probably not where the Bowdens are concerned. Maybe Bobby winning this week will help to open up the NC State job for one of the boys. Score: Florida State 24, NC State 10
Friday - Hawaii at Boise State. The (Rainbow) Warriors are on here a lot, aren't they? I suppose it helps to have a time zone to yourself. Plan ahead for their appearances here when they host Nevada and Idaho, which should be more competitive than this game. Score: Boise State 55, Hawaii 7
Saturday (early) - Vanderbilt at Georgia. I love the Vandy story so far, but I really can't see them going into Athens and winning, considering they've not done so since 1874. Actually, they won there in 2006, Georgia's "down" year when they went 9-4. Still, as long as the Bulldogs don't try another fan blackout they should be fine. Score: Georgia 37, Vandy 17
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Toldeo at Northern Illinois. Even you don't consider their win over Michigan an upset given the way the Wolverines are playing this year, you know that there's going to be a let-down, right? Score: Northern Illinois 31, Toledo 2
Saturday (night) - Oregon State at Washington or Mississippi State at Tennessee. The Head Coach Death Watch focuses on Seattle and Knoxville, as Ty Willingham and Phil Fulmer coach for their jobs. Willingham at least has the excuse of Jake Locker still being out, not that it will keep the axe at bay for long. Score: Oregon State 31, Washington 7, Willingham 0; Mississippi State 12, Tennessee 6, Fulmer 0
Last week: 5-2
Season: 24-17
Thursday - Florida State at North Carolina State. They say that no parent should outlive their child (so true), but I don't know if there's a similar sentiment for a parent's career outlasting that of their children. Probably not where the Bowdens are concerned. Maybe Bobby winning this week will help to open up the NC State job for one of the boys. Score: Florida State 24, NC State 10
Friday - Hawaii at Boise State. The (Rainbow) Warriors are on here a lot, aren't they? I suppose it helps to have a time zone to yourself. Plan ahead for their appearances here when they host Nevada and Idaho, which should be more competitive than this game. Score: Boise State 55, Hawaii 7
Saturday (early) - Vanderbilt at Georgia. I love the Vandy story so far, but I really can't see them going into Athens and winning, considering they've not done so since 1874. Actually, they won there in 2006, Georgia's "down" year when they went 9-4. Still, as long as the Bulldogs don't try another fan blackout they should be fine. Score: Georgia 37, Vandy 17
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Toldeo at Northern Illinois. Even you don't consider their win over Michigan an upset given the way the Wolverines are playing this year, you know that there's going to be a let-down, right? Score: Northern Illinois 31, Toledo 2
Saturday (night) - Oregon State at Washington or Mississippi State at Tennessee. The Head Coach Death Watch focuses on Seattle and Knoxville, as Ty Willingham and Phil Fulmer coach for their jobs. Willingham at least has the excuse of Jake Locker still being out, not that it will keep the axe at bay for long. Score: Oregon State 31, Washington 7, Willingham 0; Mississippi State 12, Tennessee 6, Fulmer 0
Last week: 5-2
Season: 24-17
09 October 2008
Book Log 2008 #45: New Masters, Old World by Cynthia Saltzman
This book details how a small group of American collectors, flush with fortunes made during our rapid industrial growth after the Civil War, created (and later dominated) the European market for high-quality paintings by the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt (among others). These collectors, working with European-based intermediaries of varying ethics, created collections of both quality and quantity, which enriched private residences before becoming the foundation for colletions of museums across the country.
The story is deftly told from both the art and business perspectives, which isn't surprising as Saltzman has a background in both. She also gives a great deal of background on both the collectors and their agents, which helps to explain why the interest in collecting developed and how it was often exploited for personal gain.
The one major issue I had with the book is that it doesn't end as well as it starts. Coverage of the end of this collecting period, marked by the deaths of the original collectors and the varying success their heirs had in keeping the collections, seems rushed and much less interesting. A minor issue is that there are a number of paintings mentioned that are never reproduced in the book, and while Saltzman describes them well having the visual would be a bonus.
A good read for anyone interested in art or Gilded Age history.
This book details how a small group of American collectors, flush with fortunes made during our rapid industrial growth after the Civil War, created (and later dominated) the European market for high-quality paintings by the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt (among others). These collectors, working with European-based intermediaries of varying ethics, created collections of both quality and quantity, which enriched private residences before becoming the foundation for colletions of museums across the country.
The story is deftly told from both the art and business perspectives, which isn't surprising as Saltzman has a background in both. She also gives a great deal of background on both the collectors and their agents, which helps to explain why the interest in collecting developed and how it was often exploited for personal gain.
The one major issue I had with the book is that it doesn't end as well as it starts. Coverage of the end of this collecting period, marked by the deaths of the original collectors and the varying success their heirs had in keeping the collections, seems rushed and much less interesting. A minor issue is that there are a number of paintings mentioned that are never reproduced in the book, and while Saltzman describes them well having the visual would be a bonus.
A good read for anyone interested in art or Gilded Age history.
08 October 2008
Just once, when Sarah Palin or someone of her ilk drops a "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" in the middle of a speech, I want the crowd to react like the kids do in the Harry Potter books when Voldemort gets mentioned by name. Whatever faith I have in humanity will finally exhaust itself, but at least I'll get a chuckle out of it.
06 October 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Troy at Florida Atlantic. More mid-week love for the Sun Belt Conference, who is to ESPN2 what the Big East is to the mothership. The Owls tripped me up last week, so this week I am obligated not to take them so they can screw things up for me again. Score: Troy 27, FAU 10
Thursday - Clemson at Wake Forest. Wait, there isn't some MAC-WAC paddywhack we can get for Wednesday? Or does paddywhack more describe what Notre Dame is in for this week against UNC? Either way, Clemson is marginally lucky to be playing the second-best college football team in North Carolina this week. They may still be in this game at halftime. Score: Wake Forest 27, Clemson 6
Friday - Louisville at Memphis. Dick Vitale is sitting by the phone wondering why he hasn't been called to cover this game. Score: Louisville 38, Memphis 9
Saturday (early) - Texas at Oklahoma. Well, not really at Oklahoma as the game's being played in Dallas, which I'd think is unfair to the Sooners if they weren't the best team in the country and if Texas wasn't overrated (their 5 wins: FAU, UTEP, Rice, Arkansas, Colorado). Oklahoma at least played one ranked team (TCU was #24 when they faced off). I look forward to a Big XII title game where the winner here and Missouri combine for 1400 yards. Score: Oklahoma 37, Texas 28
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Michigan State at Northwestern. If the Wildcats are going to shore up their claim of being the Vanderbilt of the Big 10, it starts here. But I have a feeling it'll stop here, though as it's the Big 10 the Spartans could lose by 30 just as easily. Score: Michigan State 17, Northwestern 15
Saturday (night) - LSU at Florida. I really need the Gators to lose here, as (a) I'm sick of them skulking around the BCS picture, and (b) it'd he highly entertaining if they were ranked lower than Vandy (or not at all!) when they take on the Commodores in November. I am slightly less sick of LSU hanging around, if only because I take warped pleasure out of James Carville trying to talk football. Score: LSU 23, Florida 18
Sunday - Louisiana Tech at Hawaii. I was all set to talk smack about the (Rainbow) Warriors, except that they beat Fresno State last week. Still not going to stay up for this thing, which is good as there doesn't appear to be a local outlet showing the game. Score: Hawaii 20, Louisiana Tech 2
Last week: 4-3
Season: 19-15
Tuesday - Troy at Florida Atlantic. More mid-week love for the Sun Belt Conference, who is to ESPN2 what the Big East is to the mothership. The Owls tripped me up last week, so this week I am obligated not to take them so they can screw things up for me again. Score: Troy 27, FAU 10
Thursday - Clemson at Wake Forest. Wait, there isn't some MAC-WAC paddywhack we can get for Wednesday? Or does paddywhack more describe what Notre Dame is in for this week against UNC? Either way, Clemson is marginally lucky to be playing the second-best college football team in North Carolina this week. They may still be in this game at halftime. Score: Wake Forest 27, Clemson 6
Friday - Louisville at Memphis. Dick Vitale is sitting by the phone wondering why he hasn't been called to cover this game. Score: Louisville 38, Memphis 9
Saturday (early) - Texas at Oklahoma. Well, not really at Oklahoma as the game's being played in Dallas, which I'd think is unfair to the Sooners if they weren't the best team in the country and if Texas wasn't overrated (their 5 wins: FAU, UTEP, Rice, Arkansas, Colorado). Oklahoma at least played one ranked team (TCU was #24 when they faced off). I look forward to a Big XII title game where the winner here and Missouri combine for 1400 yards. Score: Oklahoma 37, Texas 28
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Michigan State at Northwestern. If the Wildcats are going to shore up their claim of being the Vanderbilt of the Big 10, it starts here. But I have a feeling it'll stop here, though as it's the Big 10 the Spartans could lose by 30 just as easily. Score: Michigan State 17, Northwestern 15
Saturday (night) - LSU at Florida. I really need the Gators to lose here, as (a) I'm sick of them skulking around the BCS picture, and (b) it'd he highly entertaining if they were ranked lower than Vandy (or not at all!) when they take on the Commodores in November. I am slightly less sick of LSU hanging around, if only because I take warped pleasure out of James Carville trying to talk football. Score: LSU 23, Florida 18
Sunday - Louisiana Tech at Hawaii. I was all set to talk smack about the (Rainbow) Warriors, except that they beat Fresno State last week. Still not going to stay up for this thing, which is good as there doesn't appear to be a local outlet showing the game. Score: Hawaii 20, Louisiana Tech 2
Last week: 4-3
Season: 19-15
03 October 2008
Book Log 2008 #44: A Few Seconds of Panic by Stefan Fatsis
I was somewhat disposed to dislike this book due to some loyalty towards Just Kick It, where another aging soccer player becomes a football kicker. I enjoyed that book quite a bit, and as it takes place locally I was a little miffed (irrationally so) that a better-known author would get more publicity for kicking for a better-known team (even if, unlike St. Amant, he didn't get to kick in live games).
What I should have been thinking is that there was a chance that there'd be two highly enjoyable books that use a similar premise to tell very different stories. That's the reality of the situation, as this book is as entertaining in its depiction of life in the NFL's least-secure position as Just Kick It is in telling the story of players looking for another season doing what they most enjoy.
Fatsis is skilled at getting into subcultures - if you've not read Word Freak, do so at your earliest convenience - and kickers may comprise the NFL's ultimate subculture. Granted, he gets access other kickers don't (he speaks with Mike Shanahan and team execs quite a bit), but he also gets into the minds of established guys like Jason Elam and fringe guys whose names I can't even remember. He's also there during Todd Sauerbrun's drug suspension, which helps to add some color to the narrative.
So, your two conclusions: one, I'm an idiot, and two, read both of these scribe-turned-kicker books.
I was somewhat disposed to dislike this book due to some loyalty towards Just Kick It, where another aging soccer player becomes a football kicker. I enjoyed that book quite a bit, and as it takes place locally I was a little miffed (irrationally so) that a better-known author would get more publicity for kicking for a better-known team (even if, unlike St. Amant, he didn't get to kick in live games).
What I should have been thinking is that there was a chance that there'd be two highly enjoyable books that use a similar premise to tell very different stories. That's the reality of the situation, as this book is as entertaining in its depiction of life in the NFL's least-secure position as Just Kick It is in telling the story of players looking for another season doing what they most enjoy.
Fatsis is skilled at getting into subcultures - if you've not read Word Freak, do so at your earliest convenience - and kickers may comprise the NFL's ultimate subculture. Granted, he gets access other kickers don't (he speaks with Mike Shanahan and team execs quite a bit), but he also gets into the minds of established guys like Jason Elam and fringe guys whose names I can't even remember. He's also there during Todd Sauerbrun's drug suspension, which helps to add some color to the narrative.
So, your two conclusions: one, I'm an idiot, and two, read both of these scribe-turned-kicker books.
02 October 2008
Book Log 2008 #43: The Bluest State by Jon Keller
Keller, who has spent his career as a local political journalist, seems like just the right person to write a critique of the one-party, hack-heavy Massachusetts political system. And in places the fit between subject and author is just right, with Keller skewering the way folks like Tom Finneran played power games while not addressing state-wide economic issues like job growth and a lack of affordable housing.
But things don't work so well in most of the book, in which Keller blames pretty much everything on the outdated policies and values of the "boomer liberals," which in most cases is a Kennedy or John Kerry. And, of course, these folks hate America, don't give to charity, think religion is bunk and are to blame for the whole PC thing (seriously, there's a whole chapter on PC language and thinking that would have made some sense if the book was written ten years earlier).
I think my issue with this book is similar to the one I had with Thomas Frank's What's the Matter With Kansas? (which is mentioned a few times in the book as well). Both have an interesting premise and the material to really support it, but things drift as the book goes on. Maybe I'm just fated to be disappointed in contemporary political writing.
Keller, who has spent his career as a local political journalist, seems like just the right person to write a critique of the one-party, hack-heavy Massachusetts political system. And in places the fit between subject and author is just right, with Keller skewering the way folks like Tom Finneran played power games while not addressing state-wide economic issues like job growth and a lack of affordable housing.
But things don't work so well in most of the book, in which Keller blames pretty much everything on the outdated policies and values of the "boomer liberals," which in most cases is a Kennedy or John Kerry. And, of course, these folks hate America, don't give to charity, think religion is bunk and are to blame for the whole PC thing (seriously, there's a whole chapter on PC language and thinking that would have made some sense if the book was written ten years earlier).
I think my issue with this book is similar to the one I had with Thomas Frank's What's the Matter With Kansas? (which is mentioned a few times in the book as well). Both have an interesting premise and the material to really support it, but things drift as the book goes on. Maybe I'm just fated to be disappointed in contemporary political writing.
01 October 2008
Book Log #42: 1434 by Gavin Menzies
I started this book thinking it was related to 1491, Charles Mann's book that uses a variety of new research and methodologies to paint a very different picture of the pre-Columbian Western Hemisphere than that which has been typically presented. Instead, it's the follow up to 1421, in which Menzies theorizes a Chinese discovery of America.
Suffice it to say that I was sadly mistaken. Where Mann makes his argument based on published research and interviews with people in the field, most of Menzies' ideas seem to have sprung from his head while on vacations with his wife. In fact, both he and his wife are mentioned more often then any Chinese admiral in the parts of the book I could get through. Needless to say I didn't make it through the entire work, and while it may have taken a turn for the better, I'm doubting it did.
Even so, I am interested in a suggested third book in the series, where Menzies will apparently argue that legendary admiral Zheng He is buried somewhere around Asheville, North Carolina. I'm looking forward to an Al Capone's vault-style TV special for if and when he finds Zheng's tomb.
I started this book thinking it was related to 1491, Charles Mann's book that uses a variety of new research and methodologies to paint a very different picture of the pre-Columbian Western Hemisphere than that which has been typically presented. Instead, it's the follow up to 1421, in which Menzies theorizes a Chinese discovery of America.
Suffice it to say that I was sadly mistaken. Where Mann makes his argument based on published research and interviews with people in the field, most of Menzies' ideas seem to have sprung from his head while on vacations with his wife. In fact, both he and his wife are mentioned more often then any Chinese admiral in the parts of the book I could get through. Needless to say I didn't make it through the entire work, and while it may have taken a turn for the better, I'm doubting it did.
Even so, I am interested in a suggested third book in the series, where Menzies will apparently argue that legendary admiral Zheng He is buried somewhere around Asheville, North Carolina. I'm looking forward to an Al Capone's vault-style TV special for if and when he finds Zheng's tomb.
Book Log 2008 #40 and 41: Service of All the Dead and The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter
Two more in the Morse series, the first revolving around deaths at a local church, the latter on two killings on a small street in the titular Oxford neighborhood. Both are good, and have some similarities where the victims are concerned. More development in the Morse-Lewis relationship, which is pretty much where it'll be for the rest of the series, I think.
Two more in the Morse series, the first revolving around deaths at a local church, the latter on two killings on a small street in the titular Oxford neighborhood. Both are good, and have some similarities where the victims are concerned. More development in the Morse-Lewis relationship, which is pretty much where it'll be for the rest of the series, I think.
29 September 2008
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Tuesday - Florida Atlantic at Middle Tennessee. I like football, obviously, or I wouldn't waste my time doing this sort of thing. But I can't think of what would lead me to watch this game, outside of a large cash payment or Erin Andrews playing real-time strip ratings. All I know of FAU is Howard Schnellenberger, which seems like enough. Score: FAU 33, MTSU 7
Wednesday - Louisiana Tech at Boise State. See above, replace "FAU" and "Howard Schnellenberger" with "BSU" and "Ian Johnson." Throw in a reference to Smurf Turf if you'd like. Score: Boise State 33, Louisiana Tech 7
Thursday - Oregon State at Utah. The letdown commences. Score: Utah 41, Oregon State 3
Friday - BYU at Utah State. There actually is a trophy given to the best team out of BYU, Utah, and Utah State, called the Beehive Boot. The Aggies will officialy be eliminated from contention after this game, as they've already been thrashed by Utah. Mark your calendars for November 22, when the Cougars and Utes will play for the book (and, most likely, the Mountain West title). Score: BYU85, Utah State 2
Saturday (early) - Alcorn State at New Mexico State. A couple of weeks ago I called UC0nn-Baylor the least essential game of the season. I stand corrected. This would make sense if this were the Aggies homecoming game, but it's not. For some reason they've scheduled Boise State for homecoming. Apparently they get more money from alumni who drink away the pain. Score: New Mexico State 23, Alcorn State 0
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Florida State at Miami. This week's entry into the Remembrance of High-Quality Football Past, as this series that for years had national title implications now serves as the decided for who gets to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. On the other hand, you don't hear about as many players from either program going to prison as you did back in the day, so there's that. Score: Miami 17, Florida State 9, Florida Department of Corrections 0
Saturday (night) - Ohio State at Wisconsin. Please, Badgers, put an end to any possibility that we'll have to sit through another title game thrashing involving the Buckeyes. One loss may not do it this year, especially after USC tanked. A grateful nation thanks you in advance. Score: Wisconsin 20, Ohio State 18
Last week: 4-2
Season: 15-12
Tuesday - Florida Atlantic at Middle Tennessee. I like football, obviously, or I wouldn't waste my time doing this sort of thing. But I can't think of what would lead me to watch this game, outside of a large cash payment or Erin Andrews playing real-time strip ratings. All I know of FAU is Howard Schnellenberger, which seems like enough. Score: FAU 33, MTSU 7
Wednesday - Louisiana Tech at Boise State. See above, replace "FAU" and "Howard Schnellenberger" with "BSU" and "Ian Johnson." Throw in a reference to Smurf Turf if you'd like. Score: Boise State 33, Louisiana Tech 7
Thursday - Oregon State at Utah. The letdown commences. Score: Utah 41, Oregon State 3
Friday - BYU at Utah State. There actually is a trophy given to the best team out of BYU, Utah, and Utah State, called the Beehive Boot. The Aggies will officialy be eliminated from contention after this game, as they've already been thrashed by Utah. Mark your calendars for November 22, when the Cougars and Utes will play for the book (and, most likely, the Mountain West title). Score: BYU85, Utah State 2
Saturday (early) - Alcorn State at New Mexico State. A couple of weeks ago I called UC0nn-Baylor the least essential game of the season. I stand corrected. This would make sense if this were the Aggies homecoming game, but it's not. For some reason they've scheduled Boise State for homecoming. Apparently they get more money from alumni who drink away the pain. Score: New Mexico State 23, Alcorn State 0
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Florida State at Miami. This week's entry into the Remembrance of High-Quality Football Past, as this series that for years had national title implications now serves as the decided for who gets to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. On the other hand, you don't hear about as many players from either program going to prison as you did back in the day, so there's that. Score: Miami 17, Florida State 9, Florida Department of Corrections 0
Saturday (night) - Ohio State at Wisconsin. Please, Badgers, put an end to any possibility that we'll have to sit through another title game thrashing involving the Buckeyes. One loss may not do it this year, especially after USC tanked. A grateful nation thanks you in advance. Score: Wisconsin 20, Ohio State 18
Last week: 4-2
Season: 15-12
28 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 10
Not sure how much of a vacation day this was; I suppose it depends on how much you like being in the car. We spent the whole day driving back, leaving before 7 am and getting home around 5:30 pm. I worried about getting stuck in traffic around the Meadowlands as the Giants were home, but it was fine (even stopped at the Vince). The traffic hit once over the GWB and on to the New York Thruway, which was very slow. Another argument for taking the long way around.
The only notable part of the trip was on 128 coming up from the Pike to home, where we got to see a fully engaged car fire. Thankfully, it looked like everyone got out of the car before it went up.
All in all, a much better vacation than Indiana, which was only a vacation for one of us (and even then not much of a vacation, as there's only so long you can hang out by yourself before you start to go a little batty). Then again, vacationing with in-laws can often lead to the same thing.
Not sure how much of a vacation day this was; I suppose it depends on how much you like being in the car. We spent the whole day driving back, leaving before 7 am and getting home around 5:30 pm. I worried about getting stuck in traffic around the Meadowlands as the Giants were home, but it was fine (even stopped at the Vince). The traffic hit once over the GWB and on to the New York Thruway, which was very slow. Another argument for taking the long way around.
The only notable part of the trip was on 128 coming up from the Pike to home, where we got to see a fully engaged car fire. Thankfully, it looked like everyone got out of the car before it went up.
All in all, a much better vacation than Indiana, which was only a vacation for one of us (and even then not much of a vacation, as there's only so long you can hang out by yourself before you start to go a little batty). Then again, vacationing with in-laws can often lead to the same thing.
27 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 9
We finally connected the Historic Triangle by going to Colonial Williamsburg. It was pretty interesting, though we'd have appreciated more clarity between what buildings were recreations and what ones were original. Guides would usually note this, but not always (the guide for the capitol building never mentioned that it was rebuilt), and if you didn't go into a building you really had no way of knowing.
Also interesting were the number of buildings on the site that were serving as private residences. You'd need a very high tolerance for strangers traipsing through your backyard, among other qualities. I don't think I could put up with it.
Consequently, you can just walk on to the site from the town. You'd not be able to enter buildings (the staff is very alert to people not wearing a ticket badge), but if all you wanted to do is nose around and see the performances (there's a drum and fife procession, and on the day we were there a number of street theater pieces telling the story of local reaction to independence), you certainly could. And for the money we paid, I almost think I'd have preferred to nose around for free.
And that wrapped up the actual vacation portion of things. All that was left was the drive home.
We finally connected the Historic Triangle by going to Colonial Williamsburg. It was pretty interesting, though we'd have appreciated more clarity between what buildings were recreations and what ones were original. Guides would usually note this, but not always (the guide for the capitol building never mentioned that it was rebuilt), and if you didn't go into a building you really had no way of knowing.
Also interesting were the number of buildings on the site that were serving as private residences. You'd need a very high tolerance for strangers traipsing through your backyard, among other qualities. I don't think I could put up with it.
Consequently, you can just walk on to the site from the town. You'd not be able to enter buildings (the staff is very alert to people not wearing a ticket badge), but if all you wanted to do is nose around and see the performances (there's a drum and fife procession, and on the day we were there a number of street theater pieces telling the story of local reaction to independence), you certainly could. And for the money we paid, I almost think I'd have preferred to nose around for free.
And that wrapped up the actual vacation portion of things. All that was left was the drive home.
26 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 8
We put the history aside for the day and took up geography, so to speak, by going to Busch Gardens Europe.
For those not familiar with the park, it has nationally-themed sections whose rides and attractions theoretically tie in to the country. For example, in Scotland you'd find the Loch Ness Monster roller coaster, in New France the log flume ride, and in Poland the Escape from the CIA Secret Prison motion ride.
(OK, I'm kidding about the last one. Poland isn't represented in the park.)
One of the things I've noticed as I've aged is that I've become a bit of a wuss where roller coasters are concerned. For me to go on one I need to see it in operation, gauge the height of the initial hill, find out what sort of restraint system is used, and then take a few minutes to ponder if it's for me. The Griffon was clearly not a coaster I was going to ride, given the 90 degree drop after its initial hill (and the way that the riders are held at the top, over the edge of the drop, for a few seconds before plunging to, what I see in my mind's eye, as a splatterific death on the pavement below).
To that end, I wound up passing on the Loch Ness Monster, which the wife went on about five minutes after we entered the park. If she'd been willing to wait a few more minutes I may have joined her, multiple loops be damned.
I do not have this same problem with other rides, so I did go on the variety of motion rides, the log flume, and even the bumper cars (I love bumper cars, they were always the highlight of summer trips to Canobie Lake Park when I was a kid). I did squeeze in one coaster, the Big Bad Wolf, which isn't too bad (though it has its highest hill towards the end, which seems a little cruel).
We also took in a few of the shows, which was kind of disappointing as they had all been changed for Howl-O-Scream. Seemed to early for that to me, but as Halloween candy has been on sale in our supermarket for a month I suppose it's the way things are going. While I wasn't looking forward to the shows, I would have preferred step dancing and guys and liederhosen slapping their feet to vampires singing covers of '80s music.
I will say that Busch Gardens is marginally less of a gougetastic experience than the Disney parks, and going on a Friday in mid-September pretty much guarantees minimal lines. It wasn't a bad way to spend a day of the vacation, and I'd go back if I was in the area (and it was a day where it wouldn't be too crowded), but I'm not exactly plotting my return trip now.
We put the history aside for the day and took up geography, so to speak, by going to Busch Gardens Europe.
For those not familiar with the park, it has nationally-themed sections whose rides and attractions theoretically tie in to the country. For example, in Scotland you'd find the Loch Ness Monster roller coaster, in New France the log flume ride, and in Poland the Escape from the CIA Secret Prison motion ride.
(OK, I'm kidding about the last one. Poland isn't represented in the park.)
One of the things I've noticed as I've aged is that I've become a bit of a wuss where roller coasters are concerned. For me to go on one I need to see it in operation, gauge the height of the initial hill, find out what sort of restraint system is used, and then take a few minutes to ponder if it's for me. The Griffon was clearly not a coaster I was going to ride, given the 90 degree drop after its initial hill (and the way that the riders are held at the top, over the edge of the drop, for a few seconds before plunging to, what I see in my mind's eye, as a splatterific death on the pavement below).
To that end, I wound up passing on the Loch Ness Monster, which the wife went on about five minutes after we entered the park. If she'd been willing to wait a few more minutes I may have joined her, multiple loops be damned.
I do not have this same problem with other rides, so I did go on the variety of motion rides, the log flume, and even the bumper cars (I love bumper cars, they were always the highlight of summer trips to Canobie Lake Park when I was a kid). I did squeeze in one coaster, the Big Bad Wolf, which isn't too bad (though it has its highest hill towards the end, which seems a little cruel).
We also took in a few of the shows, which was kind of disappointing as they had all been changed for Howl-O-Scream. Seemed to early for that to me, but as Halloween candy has been on sale in our supermarket for a month I suppose it's the way things are going. While I wasn't looking forward to the shows, I would have preferred step dancing and guys and liederhosen slapping their feet to vampires singing covers of '80s music.
I will say that Busch Gardens is marginally less of a gougetastic experience than the Disney parks, and going on a Friday in mid-September pretty much guarantees minimal lines. It wasn't a bad way to spend a day of the vacation, and I'd go back if I was in the area (and it was a day where it wouldn't be too crowded), but I'm not exactly plotting my return trip now.
25 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 7
This was our second day of historical nerditry, as we went over to Yorktown. Same deal as Jamestown, the state has their own facility with recreated period scenes and the National Park Service is in charge of the actual location. Unlike Jamestown, though, there's been no numerically-significant anniversary to spur spending, so both locations are a bit disappointing.
The state's facility, the Yorktown Victory Center, has a decent museum area, but the movie they show is not very good at all. It tries to tell the story of the battle and the revolution by going through an American encampment before the last big push of the battle and hearing what various soldiers are talking about. It's not content-free, but it doesn't tell you much.
The recreated areas are small, and the encampment is too clean and ordered to suggest that the troops stationed there are fighting a war. There's also a farm/homestead area which doesn't quite fit in, though I liked that they were growing hops.
The NPS site's visitor center is suffering from age a bit, and the movie appears to have been made no later than 1981. The short walking tour we took did an excellent job of covering the basics of the seige and did take us through some of the remaining earthworks. But to see the whole site requires a driving tour, which we decided not to take. Which is too bad, as I'd have liked to seen more.
We did go through the actual town on the way to the NPS site. The downtown appears to mostly be an open-air mall-type thing, which we thankfully did not stop to explore.
One thing we noticed on the way home was the preponderance of gates on the on and off ramps that would cut them off from the roadways. From what I've read they seem to be there to allow for contraflow during hurricane evacuations, though I imagine they'd also help if the military had to get a lot of people in or out of the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area quickly.
So that was two-thirds of the Historic Triangle down.
This was our second day of historical nerditry, as we went over to Yorktown. Same deal as Jamestown, the state has their own facility with recreated period scenes and the National Park Service is in charge of the actual location. Unlike Jamestown, though, there's been no numerically-significant anniversary to spur spending, so both locations are a bit disappointing.
The state's facility, the Yorktown Victory Center, has a decent museum area, but the movie they show is not very good at all. It tries to tell the story of the battle and the revolution by going through an American encampment before the last big push of the battle and hearing what various soldiers are talking about. It's not content-free, but it doesn't tell you much.
The recreated areas are small, and the encampment is too clean and ordered to suggest that the troops stationed there are fighting a war. There's also a farm/homestead area which doesn't quite fit in, though I liked that they were growing hops.
The NPS site's visitor center is suffering from age a bit, and the movie appears to have been made no later than 1981. The short walking tour we took did an excellent job of covering the basics of the seige and did take us through some of the remaining earthworks. But to see the whole site requires a driving tour, which we decided not to take. Which is too bad, as I'd have liked to seen more.
We did go through the actual town on the way to the NPS site. The downtown appears to mostly be an open-air mall-type thing, which we thankfully did not stop to explore.
One thing we noticed on the way home was the preponderance of gates on the on and off ramps that would cut them off from the roadways. From what I've read they seem to be there to allow for contraflow during hurricane evacuations, though I imagine they'd also help if the military had to get a lot of people in or out of the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area quickly.
So that was two-thirds of the Historic Triangle down.
24 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 6
My brother is an excellent golfer. My father loved to play, and wasn't too bad, either. One of his uncles was, for a time, the pro at the Westchester Country Club. So there is some connection to the game in my family.
I, for whatever reason, don't seem to share that connection, or at least not to the same extent. Which is why I had some trepidation going into this day of the vacation, the day where I annually tee it up with my father in law and the wife's uncle.
The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg has two championship courses, one designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and the other by his son Rees. We did not play either of those. Instead, we opted for the $29 special to play the Spotswood Course. Which, when you think about it, isn't a bad deal considering it allowed us to play unlimited holes and included carts.
The course itself needs a little work. The 8th hole (which is the subject of the bottom right picture on their web page) may not be draining properly given the level of green slime on the water, and had more sand than grass on its green. Overall, though, it's a perfect course for hackers like us.
We're quite a trio when we go out, considering that the wife's uncle is legally blind and I often play like I am. Seriously, if this were a Cooch golfing recap I'd have had to contact MIT to design a polygon to contain some of my more egregious scores. But as we played on I got into the rhythm of things and even had legitimate par opportunities on occasion. Not that I converted any of them; it's hard to putt when you're more used to doing so while timing the arms of a tiny windmill. On at least two holes I took shots from under trees with a left-handed seven iron that my dad carried around for just such an occasion.
We wound up playing the course three times, as the second time around we zipped through in just about an hour. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but around hole 23 we started to flag, and we more or less played it out to satify honor.
The day ended up pretty much like every other vacation golf day, I enjoyed myself but not so much that I want to play every week. Though we do have a municipal course in town that's fairly cheap...
My brother is an excellent golfer. My father loved to play, and wasn't too bad, either. One of his uncles was, for a time, the pro at the Westchester Country Club. So there is some connection to the game in my family.
I, for whatever reason, don't seem to share that connection, or at least not to the same extent. Which is why I had some trepidation going into this day of the vacation, the day where I annually tee it up with my father in law and the wife's uncle.
The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg has two championship courses, one designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and the other by his son Rees. We did not play either of those. Instead, we opted for the $29 special to play the Spotswood Course. Which, when you think about it, isn't a bad deal considering it allowed us to play unlimited holes and included carts.
The course itself needs a little work. The 8th hole (which is the subject of the bottom right picture on their web page) may not be draining properly given the level of green slime on the water, and had more sand than grass on its green. Overall, though, it's a perfect course for hackers like us.
We're quite a trio when we go out, considering that the wife's uncle is legally blind and I often play like I am. Seriously, if this were a Cooch golfing recap I'd have had to contact MIT to design a polygon to contain some of my more egregious scores. But as we played on I got into the rhythm of things and even had legitimate par opportunities on occasion. Not that I converted any of them; it's hard to putt when you're more used to doing so while timing the arms of a tiny windmill. On at least two holes I took shots from under trees with a left-handed seven iron that my dad carried around for just such an occasion.
We wound up playing the course three times, as the second time around we zipped through in just about an hour. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but around hole 23 we started to flag, and we more or less played it out to satify honor.
The day ended up pretty much like every other vacation golf day, I enjoyed myself but not so much that I want to play every week. Though we do have a municipal course in town that's fairly cheap...
The Blogalicious College Football Games of the Week
Thursday - USC at Oregon State. The Trojans open their Pac-10 campaign against a team that lost by double digits to Stanford and got whacked by Penn State (but beat Hawaii - woo!). The only hope for the Beavers is if USC is already looking forward to the BCS title game, which is possible given the "strength"of the conference this year. Possible, but unlikely. Score: USC 98, Oregon State 3
Friday - Connecticut at Louisville. UConn's second consecutive Friday night game. I assume their opponent next week is New Haven East High? I shouldn't mock the Huskies, considering Louisville won't play another Saturday game until mid-October. The Big East should just make ESPN a title sponsor already. Score: Louisville 10, UConn 8
Saturday (early) - Army at Texas A&M. This would have been a great game - in 1958. Today, Army loses to New Hampshire by three scores and the Aggies open the season with a loss to Arkansas State. Sad. Score: Texas A&M 35, Army 2
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Marshall at West Virginia. You would think that a game between the state's only two Divison I teams would be more of a rivalry, but it's not. The Mountaineers have a series sweep going, and last year marked the first time in 92 years that the Thundering Herd hosted the game. It does have a snazzy name - the Friends of Coal Bowl - with the winning team taking home the Black Lung Trophy. But it won't really be a rivalry until Marshall wins one, which I don't think will be this year. Score: West Virginia 27, Marshall 10
Saturday (night) - Illinois at Penn State. If nothing else, this game will either prove that the Nittany Lions are (relatively) for real or that the power of ZOOK!!!!! hasn't dulled. The Illini are going to have to sweat intensity and crap passion to pull this one out. Score: Penn State 23, Illinois 20
Sunday - San Jose State at Hawaii. Thanks, time zones, for making me recognize this crap-ass game. Score: San Jose State 7, Hawaii 3 (14OT)
Last week: 5-1
Season: 11-10
Thursday - USC at Oregon State. The Trojans open their Pac-10 campaign against a team that lost by double digits to Stanford and got whacked by Penn State (but beat Hawaii - woo!). The only hope for the Beavers is if USC is already looking forward to the BCS title game, which is possible given the "strength"of the conference this year. Possible, but unlikely. Score: USC 98, Oregon State 3
Friday - Connecticut at Louisville. UConn's second consecutive Friday night game. I assume their opponent next week is New Haven East High? I shouldn't mock the Huskies, considering Louisville won't play another Saturday game until mid-October. The Big East should just make ESPN a title sponsor already. Score: Louisville 10, UConn 8
Saturday (early) - Army at Texas A&M. This would have been a great game - in 1958. Today, Army loses to New Hampshire by three scores and the Aggies open the season with a loss to Arkansas State. Sad. Score: Texas A&M 35, Army 2
Saturday (mid-afternoon) - Marshall at West Virginia. You would think that a game between the state's only two Divison I teams would be more of a rivalry, but it's not. The Mountaineers have a series sweep going, and last year marked the first time in 92 years that the Thundering Herd hosted the game. It does have a snazzy name - the Friends of Coal Bowl - with the winning team taking home the Black Lung Trophy. But it won't really be a rivalry until Marshall wins one, which I don't think will be this year. Score: West Virginia 27, Marshall 10
Saturday (night) - Illinois at Penn State. If nothing else, this game will either prove that the Nittany Lions are (relatively) for real or that the power of ZOOK!!!!! hasn't dulled. The Illini are going to have to sweat intensity and crap passion to pull this one out. Score: Penn State 23, Illinois 20
Sunday - San Jose State at Hawaii. Thanks, time zones, for making me recognize this crap-ass game. Score: San Jose State 7, Hawaii 3 (14OT)
Last week: 5-1
Season: 11-10
23 September 2008
Virginia Vacation - Day 5
This was the first day of historical geekery, as we went over to Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement on American soil.
I was a little confused when reading about Jamestown, as there are two main attractions. One, Jamestown Settlement, is run by the state of Virginia and is a recreation of early Jamestown on land that is near, but not part of, the original site. There's a large and well-appointed visitors center, behind which you find the recreated settlement area, which includes typical native dwellings, the fort and a work area of the town in about the 18th century, and full-sized replicas of the ships that brought the colonists to Virginia in 1607.
The other part is the actual site, which is run by the National Park Service as part of Colonial National Park. The site doesn't have any original structures, but does have some later ones as well as a good museum showcasing artifacts found during excavations. It's also cheaper than the settlement site.
We wound up doing both, and both have their advantages. The settlement recreation made it much easier to visualize colonial life, and some of the guides were quite adept at explaining life for natives and settlers alike (the younger guides were less knowledgable, though I expect that they were recently-hired college students based on some comments they made). We also got to put on some colonial armor and help hollow out a canoe, which was fun. Still, there was an air of make-believe to the place that made it a little hard for things to fully sink in.
The actual site has the advantage of being the actual site, as well as some extremely knowledgable rangers. It helps to have seen the recreation first, I think, as it allows you to overlay the visuals on to the original site. It takes away some of the fun of coming up with your own mental pictures, but at least replaces that with something reasonably accurate.
Both facilities show the benefit of the 400th anniversary of the founding, with new buildings and exhibits. Both also try to demonstrate the balance between the English settlers, the natives they found upon arriving, and the Africans who wound up in the area after escaping from the Spanish, an important part of the history but one that the settlement beats over your head a little too much, I think.
Anyway, if you ever go I'd plan on visiting both sites. No combo admission, sorry to say, but both offer combos with sites at Yorktown. More on that on Thursday.
This was the first day of historical geekery, as we went over to Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement on American soil.
I was a little confused when reading about Jamestown, as there are two main attractions. One, Jamestown Settlement, is run by the state of Virginia and is a recreation of early Jamestown on land that is near, but not part of, the original site. There's a large and well-appointed visitors center, behind which you find the recreated settlement area, which includes typical native dwellings, the fort and a work area of the town in about the 18th century, and full-sized replicas of the ships that brought the colonists to Virginia in 1607.
The other part is the actual site, which is run by the National Park Service as part of Colonial National Park. The site doesn't have any original structures, but does have some later ones as well as a good museum showcasing artifacts found during excavations. It's also cheaper than the settlement site.
We wound up doing both, and both have their advantages. The settlement recreation made it much easier to visualize colonial life, and some of the guides were quite adept at explaining life for natives and settlers alike (the younger guides were less knowledgable, though I expect that they were recently-hired college students based on some comments they made). We also got to put on some colonial armor and help hollow out a canoe, which was fun. Still, there was an air of make-believe to the place that made it a little hard for things to fully sink in.
The actual site has the advantage of being the actual site, as well as some extremely knowledgable rangers. It helps to have seen the recreation first, I think, as it allows you to overlay the visuals on to the original site. It takes away some of the fun of coming up with your own mental pictures, but at least replaces that with something reasonably accurate.
Both facilities show the benefit of the 400th anniversary of the founding, with new buildings and exhibits. Both also try to demonstrate the balance between the English settlers, the natives they found upon arriving, and the Africans who wound up in the area after escaping from the Spanish, an important part of the history but one that the settlement beats over your head a little too much, I think.
Anyway, if you ever go I'd plan on visiting both sites. No combo admission, sorry to say, but both offer combos with sites at Yorktown. More on that on Thursday.
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