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.)
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