Selene graces you with the royal wave. You are blessed. Rejoice.This edition of FRB is brought to you by Mrs Doombreed's photographic skills. Nice shot, love.
8.12.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene graces you with the royal wave. You are blessed. Rejoice.This edition of FRB is brought to you by Mrs Doombreed's photographic skills. Nice shot, love.
Goatcam!
The Swedish town of Gavle erects, every year, a traditional Christmas goat. The 43ft tall straw statue stands in the town's central square, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1966. Goats are very important to Swedish tradition, as, apparently, a goat delivered winter festival gifts before Father Christmas took over the job.
Unfortunately, a second, less festive tradition takes place. In all but ten of the last forty years, the goat has been set on fire, sometimes within hours of being erected.
The town authorities in Gavle are hoping that this year they've got it licked. The goat has been painted in a special flame-resistant coating, and the goat is under 24-hour surveillance.
You can monitor the poor goat's progress by checking out "goatcam". There are two views available, from the side and from behind, both with large, slow-refreshing images.
You never know, keep an eye on the cams and if it does go up in flames, you may be able to capture a newsworthy image.
Or, just watch it burn, if that's your bag..
Unfortunately, a second, less festive tradition takes place. In all but ten of the last forty years, the goat has been set on fire, sometimes within hours of being erected.
The town authorities in Gavle are hoping that this year they've got it licked. The goat has been painted in a special flame-resistant coating, and the goat is under 24-hour surveillance.
You can monitor the poor goat's progress by checking out "goatcam". There are two views available, from the side and from behind, both with large, slow-refreshing images.
You never know, keep an eye on the cams and if it does go up in flames, you may be able to capture a newsworthy image.
Or, just watch it burn, if that's your bag..
6.12.06
281 Tricks To Irritate An Atheist
This utterly hilarious post lists off 281 (yes, I know the bit about the bottom of the list - it's a joke) ways to irritate an atheist. And, yes, in my years as a freethinker, I've encountered many of these in one setting or another.
Hat Tip to MomSquared at AP.
Hat Tip to MomSquared at AP.
5.12.06
Hat Tip
Our cable company and the NFL Network have, apparently, resolved whatever differences they had and are now going to be showing the NFL Network games as scheduled.
Yeah, bit late for this Bengals fan.
At least Mrs Doombreed gets to see her Cowboys play the Falcons next Saturday.
Yeah, bit late for this Bengals fan.
At least Mrs Doombreed gets to see her Cowboys play the Falcons next Saturday.
4.12.06
Wow... just... wow...
Apparently, country singer John Michael Montgomery believes that atheists are automatically alchoholic, drug-using, child abusers.
Well, pardon me, Mr Montgomery, but bollocks. Great, big, sweaty bollocks.
According to ChildhelpUSA, 906,000 children are reported as abused in the USA every year, and estimates put the actual number as being around three times more than are reported.
Given as how we keep being told that 90% of Americans believe in God, at least some of those good ole God-fearin', church-goin', bible-thumpin', Jesus-lovin' folks must be involved here, somewhere.
They can't all be Catholic priests.
Child abuse is one of those abhorrent events that transcends race, creed, background, social status, and, yes, even religious belief.
Well, pardon me, Mr Montgomery, but bollocks. Great, big, sweaty bollocks.
According to ChildhelpUSA, 906,000 children are reported as abused in the USA every year, and estimates put the actual number as being around three times more than are reported.
Given as how we keep being told that 90% of Americans believe in God, at least some of those good ole God-fearin', church-goin', bible-thumpin', Jesus-lovin' folks must be involved here, somewhere.
They can't all be Catholic priests.
Child abuse is one of those abhorrent events that transcends race, creed, background, social status, and, yes, even religious belief.
3.12.06
On this day in history...
...Mrs Doombreed was born.
Happy Birthday, sweet love of my life, and may you enjoy many, many more.
Happy Birthday, sweet love of my life, and may you enjoy many, many more.
2.12.06
Bengals 13-7 Ravens
Thanks to our cable company and the NFL Network I missed yesterday's game between the Bengals and the Ravens, which the Bengals won.
Great result, though.
7-5-0
Great result, though.
7-5-0
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene, nose-down in her food bowl into which, if you look closely, she has chewed a doorway for easier entrance and exit.
1.12.06
New Immigration Test
The US is revamping its immigration test in order to refocus from simply memorising facts to actually showing that you understand democracy.
Critics, of course, say that it's an anti-immigration tactic that seeks to target immigrants with little or no grasp of English.
Meh, doesn't a country have the right to set its own immigration agenda?
Anyway, I thought I'd have a quick crack at the five questions the Beeb identified as being on the new test.
Okay, so you only have my word for it, but this is off of the top of my head:
Man, it's a shame I'm not interested in becoming a citizen, that was pretty easy.
Oh, why not?
Because the oath goes:
No, it's not the "so help me God" bit - that's optional - it's the "renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity" bit.
I'm British, a subject of Her Majesty The Queen, and any oath I take to the contrary would be a lie, and I'm not about to lie under oath.
Critics, of course, say that it's an anti-immigration tactic that seeks to target immigrants with little or no grasp of English.
Meh, doesn't a country have the right to set its own immigration agenda?
Anyway, I thought I'd have a quick crack at the five questions the Beeb identified as being on the new test.
Okay, so you only have my word for it, but this is off of the top of my head:
Why does the United States have three branches of government?
The major powers were split into three distinct branches so that no one person or group could wield total control over the USA.
Name two rights that are only available to US citizens:
The right to bear arms and the right to vote.
Name two cabinet level positions:
The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense. Off the top of my head I can also name: the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Energy. (after checking, I found that this list was under half of the positions. I missed the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I also missed the Vice President, the White House Chief of Staff, th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Angency, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the National Drug Control Policy, and the United States Trade Representative. Still, with that many, it shouldn't be hard to remember two.)
Name one important idea found in the Declaration of Independence:
That power derives from a mandate of the people, not by right of birth.
What does the Constitution do?
The Constitution lays out the structure, rights and responsibilities of the Federal government, and guarantees, through the ammendments, the rights of the people and the States.
Man, it's a shame I'm not interested in becoming a citizen, that was pretty easy.
Oh, why not?
Because the oath goes:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
No, it's not the "so help me God" bit - that's optional - it's the "renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity" bit.
I'm British, a subject of Her Majesty The Queen, and any oath I take to the contrary would be a lie, and I'm not about to lie under oath.
30.11.06
House MD
I am getting a little disillusioned with this show in this latest season.
The drama is just as compelling, the medical side is just as fascinating, Hugh Laurie is just as awesome as ever.
It's Tritter.
For those that don't watch, Dr Greg House (Hugh Laurie) and Michael Tritter (David Morse) had a typically "Housian" encounter - meaning House was rude and abusive as he always is - and Tritter came off worse, because, well, House is smarter.
But Tritter is a cop.
And a bully, an arsehole and a stubborn fuckhead.
So he's decided to go after House.
Yep, a police officer pursuing a personal vendetta.
We'll leave aside the fact that House was right and Tritter assaulted him. That's nothing.
Tritter arrests House on his way home from the hospital for DUI and resisting arrest, which he wasn't and didn't. The police know this, they admitted as much to House's Lawyer at the end of the episode Que Sera Sera.
That means it was an illegal arrest. By a cop persuing a personal vendetta. That'll get Tritter in trouble already.
But then, based on that illegal arrest, Tritter swore out a search warrant for House's apartment.
Perjury. I don't know what the technical term would be for a police officer lying to a judge to unlawfully obtain a warrant, but whatever it is, Tritter did it.
Then he executed the illegal warrant.
Where to start? That's illegal and violates the US Constitution's prohibition on unwarranted search.
Oh, and unwarranted seizure, because he took House's pills.
Tritter has harassed House at work, as well as his superiors, colleagues and subordinates, repeatedly seized or perused hospital records - which violates Doctor-patient confidentiality.
Then he froze Dr Wilson's (probably the only person in the world who counts House as a friend) financial accounts in an attempt to get Wilson to testify against House.
That would be a violation of Federal banking laws.
Ditto for Cameron, Foreman, and Chase (House's subordinates) when Tritter froze their accounts.
He involved the FDA and had Wilson's right to prescribe drugs revoked.
Again, that's Federal.
He had Wilson's car impounded.
Oh, I'm going with the Constitution again, with a side order of local or state laws.
Now, I get that there are bad cops out there. Not every police officer can be Dixon Of Dock Green or Adrian Monk, so that's not the problem
The problem I have is that House's lawyer hasn't put a saddle and bridal on that smug little bent copper and ridden him all the way to the bank.
Not only would House end up owning a large slice of the city, but Tritter - if he didn't end up in prison - would be lucky to get a job guarding a gerbil cage.
Selene says she wouldn't hire him.
And why hasn't Tritter's superiors yanked him off of a case he clearly has a personal involvement in?
And why aren't the drug squad handling this?
Look, I get that the show's writers want to introduce conflict, that Tritter is this season's nemesis - the anti-House, if you will - but this is just unrealistic.
The drama is just as compelling, the medical side is just as fascinating, Hugh Laurie is just as awesome as ever.
It's Tritter.
For those that don't watch, Dr Greg House (Hugh Laurie) and Michael Tritter (David Morse) had a typically "Housian" encounter - meaning House was rude and abusive as he always is - and Tritter came off worse, because, well, House is smarter.
But Tritter is a cop.
And a bully, an arsehole and a stubborn fuckhead.
So he's decided to go after House.
Yep, a police officer pursuing a personal vendetta.
We'll leave aside the fact that House was right and Tritter assaulted him. That's nothing.
Tritter arrests House on his way home from the hospital for DUI and resisting arrest, which he wasn't and didn't. The police know this, they admitted as much to House's Lawyer at the end of the episode Que Sera Sera.
That means it was an illegal arrest. By a cop persuing a personal vendetta. That'll get Tritter in trouble already.
But then, based on that illegal arrest, Tritter swore out a search warrant for House's apartment.
Perjury. I don't know what the technical term would be for a police officer lying to a judge to unlawfully obtain a warrant, but whatever it is, Tritter did it.
Then he executed the illegal warrant.
Where to start? That's illegal and violates the US Constitution's prohibition on unwarranted search.
Oh, and unwarranted seizure, because he took House's pills.
Tritter has harassed House at work, as well as his superiors, colleagues and subordinates, repeatedly seized or perused hospital records - which violates Doctor-patient confidentiality.
Then he froze Dr Wilson's (probably the only person in the world who counts House as a friend) financial accounts in an attempt to get Wilson to testify against House.
That would be a violation of Federal banking laws.
Ditto for Cameron, Foreman, and Chase (House's subordinates) when Tritter froze their accounts.
He involved the FDA and had Wilson's right to prescribe drugs revoked.
Again, that's Federal.
He had Wilson's car impounded.
Oh, I'm going with the Constitution again, with a side order of local or state laws.
Now, I get that there are bad cops out there. Not every police officer can be Dixon Of Dock Green or Adrian Monk, so that's not the problem
The problem I have is that House's lawyer hasn't put a saddle and bridal on that smug little bent copper and ridden him all the way to the bank.
Not only would House end up owning a large slice of the city, but Tritter - if he didn't end up in prison - would be lucky to get a job guarding a gerbil cage.
Selene says she wouldn't hire him.
And why hasn't Tritter's superiors yanked him off of a case he clearly has a personal involvement in?
And why aren't the drug squad handling this?
Look, I get that the show's writers want to introduce conflict, that Tritter is this season's nemesis - the anti-House, if you will - but this is just unrealistic.
29.11.06
Ohh.. So That's Discrimination...
So, British Airways employee Nadia Eweida is suspended from work because she refuses to obey the dress code that says her necklace must be worn under her uniform.
Okay, lets get to the root of this:
It's a necklace.
It's jewelry.
The fact that it consists of a cross-shaped piece of metal hanging from a chain is irrelevant. It is jewelry.
That British Airways takes action against her for refusing to obey their dress code does not, in any way, constitute discrimination.
That Mrs Eweida and her supporters continue to claim that she was fired for wearing "a symbol of her faith" does not make it so.
No, pay attention. She can wear the necklace, she must, however, obey the dress code and wear it under her uniform.
She was suspended for refusing to obey her employer's dress code, not for wearing a necklace. She was suspended because, like most of the wacky religious right, she feels that rules should apply to everyone except her, not because this is some targeted anti-Christian hate tactic.
Were you not paying attention to that whole "suspended for refusing to obey her employer's dress code" bit?
Kinda makes me wonder how Mrs Eweida, her supporters and their ilk view this disturbing campaign to ban Moslem women from wearing their veils.
Bet they're not so into religious freedom then, are they?
Okay, lets get to the root of this:
It's a necklace.
It's jewelry.
The fact that it consists of a cross-shaped piece of metal hanging from a chain is irrelevant. It is jewelry.
That British Airways takes action against her for refusing to obey their dress code does not, in any way, constitute discrimination.
That Mrs Eweida and her supporters continue to claim that she was fired for wearing "a symbol of her faith" does not make it so.
"Frankly I think the British Airways order for her not to wear a cross was loopy."I don't understand it, I don't think anybody understands it and that is my view."
No, pay attention. She can wear the necklace, she must, however, obey the dress code and wear it under her uniform.
She was suspended for refusing to obey her employer's dress code, not for wearing a necklace. She was suspended because, like most of the wacky religious right, she feels that rules should apply to everyone except her, not because this is some targeted anti-Christian hate tactic.
George Galloway, the Respect leader, said: "[...] BA must bring this woman back to work right now, compensate her and apologise to her and then explain to the rest of us what twisted thought mechanism allowed such a stupid thing to be done."
Were you not paying attention to that whole "suspended for refusing to obey her employer's dress code" bit?
Kinda makes me wonder how Mrs Eweida, her supporters and their ilk view this disturbing campaign to ban Moslem women from wearing their veils.
Bet they're not so into religious freedom then, are they?
28.11.06
Fundies Say The Darndest Things!
By far the funniest (and, in some cases, the most worrying) website I've read in a long time, Fundies Say The Darndest Things is a collections of wierd and wacky posts that have been made in various discussions around the 'net.
By far, the best is by a user called JohnR7 on the Christian Forums who said "I can sum it all up in three words: Evolution is a lie."
By far, the best is by a user called JohnR7 on the Christian Forums who said "I can sum it all up in three words: Evolution is a lie."
27.11.06
Bengals 30-0 Browns
The Bengals held the Browns scoreless - the first time they've done that to any team since 1989 - and beat them for a record 5th time.
A little geography for the uninitiated: Both Cincinnati and Cleveland are in the state of Ohio, so the Browns and the Bengals are huge rivals.
Anyway, cool match.
The Colts resumed their winning ways, slapping the Eagles about for a quite splendid 45-21 victory, and the hated Patriots cheated their way to a 17-13 victory over the Bears.
The Cowboys slipped firmly into first place in the NFC East when the NY GIants simply imploded against the Titans.
A little geography for the uninitiated: Both Cincinnati and Cleveland are in the state of Ohio, so the Browns and the Bengals are huge rivals.
Anyway, cool match.
The Colts resumed their winning ways, slapping the Eagles about for a quite splendid 45-21 victory, and the hated Patriots cheated their way to a 17-13 victory over the Bears.
The Cowboys slipped firmly into first place in the NFC East when the NY GIants simply imploded against the Titans.
26.11.06
Cruel And Unusual Punishment
The pastor of a church in Montana is sending "love packages" to the little shits who vandalised it. The packages include hundreds of dollars in gift cards, a DVD, a VCR and an XBOX 360.
So... vandalise a church and get about a grand's worth of electronics?
Shit, that's a deterrent, dumbasses.
Would all fucktards please form an orderly queue outside the church of your choice, there's enough inside for you all to have a crack at*.
What do you get for setting fire to the church? A new sports car?
*Your "love package" may differ from that shown. Offer void where prohibited by law. May not be combined with any other offer. One per customer. Must have coupon to redeem offer. Enlarged to show detail. Serving suggestion. Not approved by the FDA. Not intended for the prevention, treatment or diagnosis of any disease. Read instructions before use. Take as directed. Not intended for professional use. For external use only. If rash develops, stop use immediately and contact a doctor. Please drink responsibly.
So... vandalise a church and get about a grand's worth of electronics?
Shit, that's a deterrent, dumbasses.
Would all fucktards please form an orderly queue outside the church of your choice, there's enough inside for you all to have a crack at*.
What do you get for setting fire to the church? A new sports car?
*Your "love package" may differ from that shown. Offer void where prohibited by law. May not be combined with any other offer. One per customer. Must have coupon to redeem offer. Enlarged to show detail. Serving suggestion. Not approved by the FDA. Not intended for the prevention, treatment or diagnosis of any disease. Read instructions before use. Take as directed. Not intended for professional use. For external use only. If rash develops, stop use immediately and contact a doctor. Please drink responsibly.
25.11.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
In honour of Thanksgiving, Selene graciously consents to being photographed eating a pumpkin seed. A hitherto unheard-of event.
24.11.06
Thanksgiving NFL
Thanksgiving traditionally has a few NFL games, and this year had an extra one.
We watched the Cowboys stuff the Buccaneers, 38-10, giving Tony Romo 5 touchdown passes, equaling Troy Aikman's Cowboys record, and breaking the "touchdown passes thrown on Thanksgiving by a Cowboys quarterback" record. The Cowboys are gaining - sigh - Romomentum (thanks Madden) after a really shaky start to the season.
Earlier in the day, we half-watched the Dolphins beat the Lions, but we couldn't watch the Chiefs beat the Broncos because our cable company does not carry "those" games.
There's a new channel - NFL Network - that is showing eight games this season, on Thursdays and Saturdays, but a lot of cable providers are refusing to show those games at no extra cost to the consumers (which they should, because those games have all been taken from channels that are on basic cable), which means that Mrs Doombreed will be unable to watch the Cowboys - Falcons game on December 16th, and I'll miss the all-important divisional match between the Bengals and the Ravens on November 30th.
Arse.
We watched the Cowboys stuff the Buccaneers, 38-10, giving Tony Romo 5 touchdown passes, equaling Troy Aikman's Cowboys record, and breaking the "touchdown passes thrown on Thanksgiving by a Cowboys quarterback" record. The Cowboys are gaining - sigh - Romomentum (thanks Madden) after a really shaky start to the season.
Earlier in the day, we half-watched the Dolphins beat the Lions, but we couldn't watch the Chiefs beat the Broncos because our cable company does not carry "those" games.
There's a new channel - NFL Network - that is showing eight games this season, on Thursdays and Saturdays, but a lot of cable providers are refusing to show those games at no extra cost to the consumers (which they should, because those games have all been taken from channels that are on basic cable), which means that Mrs Doombreed will be unable to watch the Cowboys - Falcons game on December 16th, and I'll miss the all-important divisional match between the Bengals and the Ravens on November 30th.
Arse.
23.11.06
22.11.06
Doombreed's Theory Of Extremely Special Relativity
After careful first-hand observation, I have formulated the following theory:
Where:
and
Thus, it can be shown, the last 2 1/4 hours of my shift today, with A being 21, T(o) being 11, took 4 hours 15 minutes 45 seconds to go by.
This can be readily demonstrated by showing that, despite quadruple-checking my formula and readings for over two hours, the clock only moved on a few minutes.
QED*.
*QED means Quod Erat Demonstrandum, which is italics for "that which was required to be shown" or, in non-nerd speak, "told ya so".
T(v)=T(o)[T(a)+A]
Where:
T(v) is Perceived Time before vacation starts, in minutes;
T(o) is the Time Off, in days;
T(a) is the actual time before vacation starts, in hours;
and
A is the Anticipation Index, defined as the number of weeks since the last vacation ended.
Thus, it can be shown, the last 2 1/4 hours of my shift today, with A being 21, T(o) being 11, took 4 hours 15 minutes 45 seconds to go by.
This can be readily demonstrated by showing that, despite quadruple-checking my formula and readings for over two hours, the clock only moved on a few minutes.
QED*.
*QED means Quod Erat Demonstrandum, which is italics for "that which was required to be shown" or, in non-nerd speak, "told ya so".
21.11.06
Hark! What's that I hear?
It's a new draconian law being sneaked past my countrymen!
Police forces across England and Wales will shortly be carrying electronic fingerprinting devices, according to Auntie, and will be able to take fingerprints on the spot and check them against a national database.
Although, the report notes, fingerprints can only be taken in this manner if the person accosted agrees to it.
Oh, here's a rider from me: "..for now".
How long is it going to take before some group or other starts campaigning on the grounds that officers having the equipment is pointless if they have to ask permission to use it? Then we'll see a change in the law that allows officers to take fingerprints with or without permission, if the suspect is believed to be involved in a crime.
Cue "fits the description*".
And then how long before police are allowed to just fingerprint anyone they want?
I know that the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" mob are all over this, but I'm reluctant to trust the goverment with fingerprints since we had that hugely under-reported scandal a few years back where almost all constabularies across England were completely ignoring the guidelines about disposing of elimination fingerprints and were, in fact, keeping what amounted to the basis of a national fingerprint database.
Yep, if your home was burgled, your car was stolen, your place of work robbed, and you did your civic duty and gave your fingerprints "for elimination purposes", the chances are that your fingerprints are still - unlawfully - on file somewhere.
And, just a question, but how is local bobby-on-the-beat going to react if he flourishes his fingerprint taking machine at me and I say no? Is he going to be of the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" persuasion and conclude "saying no equals something to hide"?
*"Fits the description" is an old police tactic that allows any copper to detain anybody at any time. You, they say, "fit the description" of a person identified as committing a crime in the vicinity (which can, in reality, mean anywhere within a hundred miles or more). Given that most witnesses tend towards the shaky and memory is easy to fool, I can almost guarantee that you - yes, you - "fit the description" of at least one criminal who was identified somewhere near you some time in the recent past. I, personally, fit the description of any criminal described as "a white guy of average height, heavy build, with brown hair and a close cropped beard."
See if you can spot how many crimes my description commits around the world.
Police forces across England and Wales will shortly be carrying electronic fingerprinting devices, according to Auntie, and will be able to take fingerprints on the spot and check them against a national database.
Although, the report notes, fingerprints can only be taken in this manner if the person accosted agrees to it.
Oh, here's a rider from me: "..for now".
How long is it going to take before some group or other starts campaigning on the grounds that officers having the equipment is pointless if they have to ask permission to use it? Then we'll see a change in the law that allows officers to take fingerprints with or without permission, if the suspect is believed to be involved in a crime.
Cue "fits the description*".
And then how long before police are allowed to just fingerprint anyone they want?
I know that the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" mob are all over this, but I'm reluctant to trust the goverment with fingerprints since we had that hugely under-reported scandal a few years back where almost all constabularies across England were completely ignoring the guidelines about disposing of elimination fingerprints and were, in fact, keeping what amounted to the basis of a national fingerprint database.
Yep, if your home was burgled, your car was stolen, your place of work robbed, and you did your civic duty and gave your fingerprints "for elimination purposes", the chances are that your fingerprints are still - unlawfully - on file somewhere.
And, just a question, but how is local bobby-on-the-beat going to react if he flourishes his fingerprint taking machine at me and I say no? Is he going to be of the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" persuasion and conclude "saying no equals something to hide"?
*"Fits the description" is an old police tactic that allows any copper to detain anybody at any time. You, they say, "fit the description" of a person identified as committing a crime in the vicinity (which can, in reality, mean anywhere within a hundred miles or more). Given that most witnesses tend towards the shaky and memory is easy to fool, I can almost guarantee that you - yes, you - "fit the description" of at least one criminal who was identified somewhere near you some time in the recent past. I, personally, fit the description of any criminal described as "a white guy of average height, heavy build, with brown hair and a close cropped beard."
See if you can spot how many crimes my description commits around the world.
20.11.06
2 days to go
I'm counting down to my holiday. I have to work tomorrow and wednesday, and then I'm off for the rest of the week and all of next week. And I didn't even realise I had scheduled my week off just after thanksgiving, thus giving me two extra days.
Sweet.
Thursday is, of course, Thanksgiving, which involves eating too much and watching the Cowboys play.
Sweet.
Thursday is, of course, Thanksgiving, which involves eating too much and watching the Cowboys play.
19.11.06
Bengals 31-16 Saints
Okay, that's a little better.
Quite an outstanding game, although, I would say that.
5-5-0
Another quite oustanding game was the undefeated Colts visiting the struggling Cowboys, and being handed their first defeat this season.
Tony Romo is shaping up to be a quarterback to watch.
Quite an outstanding game, although, I would say that.
5-5-0
Another quite oustanding game was the undefeated Colts visiting the struggling Cowboys, and being handed their first defeat this season.
Tony Romo is shaping up to be a quarterback to watch.
Dr Who X
Some time ago, I made a note about the (then) latest season of Dr Who, starring Chris Eccleston as the Doctor.
It was good.
It was short.
One season, then pfft. Okay, at least it was a regeneration and not an ending, but still.. I liked Chris Eccleston. This new chap looks a bit wishy washy.
I refuse to like him. I do. He replaced someone who, in my opinion, was up there with Tom Baker, William Hartnell, and John Pertwee as The Greatest Doctors Ever.
I'm going to watch because, well, it's Dr Who. And, maybe, I'll give this David Tennant person a fair shake, but I won't like him. I refuse.
And now it's nine episodes into the new season (the twenty-eighth season, for those who are counting) and, crap, I do like him.
He's funny. He's different, but he's also similar enough to make it work. He's more Colin than Tom, but with echoes of the sober styling of the first few Doctors, but with an undertone of Sylvester McCoy's irreverence. And the plimsoles make a great whimsical touch.
Well, that seals it. There are no bad Doctors. The series is, officially, The Greatest Sci-Fi Show In The History Of Everything, Ever.
And The Impossible Planet's cheeky reference to EastEnders was hilarious enough to require a pause whilst I dried my eyes.
Shame it'll be lost on 99% of The Sci-Fi Channel's viewers.
And here's a plug for my favourite Dr Who site, Beavis and Duncan's Dr Who Guide. Episode synopses, cast lists, background. Excellent stuff.
It was good.
It was short.
One season, then pfft. Okay, at least it was a regeneration and not an ending, but still.. I liked Chris Eccleston. This new chap looks a bit wishy washy.
I refuse to like him. I do. He replaced someone who, in my opinion, was up there with Tom Baker, William Hartnell, and John Pertwee as The Greatest Doctors Ever.
I'm going to watch because, well, it's Dr Who. And, maybe, I'll give this David Tennant person a fair shake, but I won't like him. I refuse.
And now it's nine episodes into the new season (the twenty-eighth season, for those who are counting) and, crap, I do like him.
He's funny. He's different, but he's also similar enough to make it work. He's more Colin than Tom, but with echoes of the sober styling of the first few Doctors, but with an undertone of Sylvester McCoy's irreverence. And the plimsoles make a great whimsical touch.
Well, that seals it. There are no bad Doctors. The series is, officially, The Greatest Sci-Fi Show In The History Of Everything, Ever.
And The Impossible Planet's cheeky reference to EastEnders was hilarious enough to require a pause whilst I dried my eyes.
Shame it'll be lost on 99% of The Sci-Fi Channel's viewers.
And here's a plug for my favourite Dr Who site, Beavis and Duncan's Dr Who Guide. Episode synopses, cast lists, background. Excellent stuff.
18.11.06
16.11.06
Oh my, now that's worrying..
When I was battling with bronchitis a few months back, my doctor sent me to get some blood work done. The usual, cholesterol, platelets, etc.
Well, it came back with elevated white count. Not panic-inducingly high white count, but high nonetheless.
So my doctor ordered a re-do, because elevated white count could simply have been a response to the bronchitis I was fighting.
It came back, again, elevated.
By this time, Mrs Doombreed had quizzed WebMD and found out that elevated white blood cell numbers are rarely a good sign.
My doctor referred me to a hematologist - a blood specialist for those who don't savvy the medical lingo.
Today was my appointment.
We arrived at the hospital, located the main desk (by the cunning tactic of walking through the main door and looking straight ahead) and, aided by a directory, found out where the hematologist's office was based.
We turned, and beheld a pair of doors that could only be described as mid- to late-funeral parlour. I'm talking heavy wood, gleaming varnish job, beautifully presented heavy glass insets, tasteful gold details, and, above these portals that were the visual equivalent of a heavy brass bell mournfully tolling out endless peals of grief, was some understated, yet almost sympathetic scroll work picked out in an incredibly restrained hand.
Four or five words. I don't remember which because there was only one word that was hammering for my attention.
Oncology.
Something-Something-Oncology-Something.
Cancer specialist.
One of the nastier options Mrs Doombreed recalled from WebMD was leukemia.
Leukemia. Blood cancer. High white count. Oncology. Did my doctor know - or suspect - something she wasn't telling me?
Then we went inside.
Y'know how you can almost always get an idea of how serious, debilitating or life-threatening a problem a doctor deals with is by just how comfortable their waiting room is?
It's almost like they're saying "It's okay, life has already laid a giant turd on your head, we're going to be extra-specially nice to you while you die".
This place was like the lobby of the better class of hotel. The soft hiss of air in the large fish tank, the wide, airy spaces, the rather expensive widescreen plasma tv on the wall, more incredibly restrained and tasteful gold work, comfortable seats, open reception desk (no privacy window between the impressively sympathetic receptionist and the victim - sorry - patient), soft drinks, coffee, snacks, all laid on free.
Awww crap..
By now my heart was in my boots (which were back home, I was wearing my trainers) and Mrs Doombreed was already planning my funeral.
Then the impressively sympathetic receptionist explained that, whilst hematologists don't always deal with cancer, oncologists always need hematologists, so mostly they go hand-in-hand or, in this case, in the same office. Not all hematologists work through oncology centres, but most, apparently, do.
Being sent to a hematologist, she explained, didn't mean I had, nor was at imminent risk of developing, cancer, and if my doctor had sent me there in order to start work on anything cancerous, she would definitely have told me beforehand.
Okay, a relief, but damn, my doctor could have bloody warned me where I was headed.
Oh, the white count thing? Probably normal. I gave some more blood and we're waiting on the result. If it's still elevated, I'm going back in a month to see if maybe higher is just normal for me.
Well, it came back with elevated white count. Not panic-inducingly high white count, but high nonetheless.
So my doctor ordered a re-do, because elevated white count could simply have been a response to the bronchitis I was fighting.
It came back, again, elevated.
By this time, Mrs Doombreed had quizzed WebMD and found out that elevated white blood cell numbers are rarely a good sign.
My doctor referred me to a hematologist - a blood specialist for those who don't savvy the medical lingo.
Today was my appointment.
We arrived at the hospital, located the main desk (by the cunning tactic of walking through the main door and looking straight ahead) and, aided by a directory, found out where the hematologist's office was based.
We turned, and beheld a pair of doors that could only be described as mid- to late-funeral parlour. I'm talking heavy wood, gleaming varnish job, beautifully presented heavy glass insets, tasteful gold details, and, above these portals that were the visual equivalent of a heavy brass bell mournfully tolling out endless peals of grief, was some understated, yet almost sympathetic scroll work picked out in an incredibly restrained hand.
Four or five words. I don't remember which because there was only one word that was hammering for my attention.
Oncology.
Something-Something-Oncology-Something.
Cancer specialist.
One of the nastier options Mrs Doombreed recalled from WebMD was leukemia.
Leukemia. Blood cancer. High white count. Oncology. Did my doctor know - or suspect - something she wasn't telling me?
Then we went inside.
Y'know how you can almost always get an idea of how serious, debilitating or life-threatening a problem a doctor deals with is by just how comfortable their waiting room is?
It's almost like they're saying "It's okay, life has already laid a giant turd on your head, we're going to be extra-specially nice to you while you die".
This place was like the lobby of the better class of hotel. The soft hiss of air in the large fish tank, the wide, airy spaces, the rather expensive widescreen plasma tv on the wall, more incredibly restrained and tasteful gold work, comfortable seats, open reception desk (no privacy window between the impressively sympathetic receptionist and the victim - sorry - patient), soft drinks, coffee, snacks, all laid on free.
Awww crap..
By now my heart was in my boots (which were back home, I was wearing my trainers) and Mrs Doombreed was already planning my funeral.
Then the impressively sympathetic receptionist explained that, whilst hematologists don't always deal with cancer, oncologists always need hematologists, so mostly they go hand-in-hand or, in this case, in the same office. Not all hematologists work through oncology centres, but most, apparently, do.
Being sent to a hematologist, she explained, didn't mean I had, nor was at imminent risk of developing, cancer, and if my doctor had sent me there in order to start work on anything cancerous, she would definitely have told me beforehand.
Okay, a relief, but damn, my doctor could have bloody warned me where I was headed.
Oh, the white count thing? Probably normal. I gave some more blood and we're waiting on the result. If it's still elevated, I'm going back in a month to see if maybe higher is just normal for me.
15.11.06
Dumb criminals
Will they never learn?
Snopes has a great story about a guy who tried to steal a car from a dealership by pulling a gun on a guy wearing - get this - a "Friends of the NRA" baseball cap.
Now, what are the chances that a guy so proud of his affiliation with right-wing, gun-rights group, the National Rifle Association, wouldn't be armed?
Snopes has a great story about a guy who tried to steal a car from a dealership by pulling a gun on a guy wearing - get this - a "Friends of the NRA" baseball cap.
Now, what are the chances that a guy so proud of his affiliation with right-wing, gun-rights group, the National Rifle Association, wouldn't be armed?
14.11.06
"Toys For Tots" rejects Jesus doll
The US Marine Corps' "Toys For Tots" programme, which every year collects toys for distribution to needy families, has rejected a talking "Jesus doll".
Four thousand of the dolls were offered by one2believe, the company that makes them. They are a foot tall and quote selected phrases from The Bible at the push of a button. No, not the good stuff about stoning misbehaving kids to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) or people having genitals like a donkey (Ezekiel 23:20), but the "love thy neighbour" stuff and the like.
Bill Grein, vice president of Toys For Tots, said that the Marines don't discriminate when it comes to recipients, and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations."
Bravo. Toys For Tots is about spreading a little happiness into the lives of poor families, not about proselytising on behalf of the fundies.
Said Grein, "[w]e can't take the chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or Muslem family". Or a Buddhist family, or Wiccan, or any of the hundreds of other religions that don't follow that one diety. Or Atheist. It kinda defeats the point to get this wonderful gift from the caring guys 'n' gals of the US Marine Corps and it turns out to be Blasphemy In A Box.
But, of course, the fundies don't even understand why there's a problem.
Michael La Roe, of one2believe and their parent company, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., said "I believe as a churchgoing person, anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible."
That would be Fundamentalist Belief Number 7: "Everybody would be a Christian, if you could just explain it to them", or possibly Number 4: "Everybody is really a Christian, they're just pretending not to be".
Four thousand of the dolls were offered by one2believe, the company that makes them. They are a foot tall and quote selected phrases from The Bible at the push of a button. No, not the good stuff about stoning misbehaving kids to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) or people having genitals like a donkey (Ezekiel 23:20), but the "love thy neighbour" stuff and the like.
Bill Grein, vice president of Toys For Tots, said that the Marines don't discriminate when it comes to recipients, and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations."
Bravo. Toys For Tots is about spreading a little happiness into the lives of poor families, not about proselytising on behalf of the fundies.
Said Grein, "[w]e can't take the chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or Muslem family". Or a Buddhist family, or Wiccan, or any of the hundreds of other religions that don't follow that one diety. Or Atheist. It kinda defeats the point to get this wonderful gift from the caring guys 'n' gals of the US Marine Corps and it turns out to be Blasphemy In A Box.
But, of course, the fundies don't even understand why there's a problem.
Michael La Roe, of one2believe and their parent company, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., said "I believe as a churchgoing person, anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible."
That would be Fundamentalist Belief Number 7: "Everybody would be a Christian, if you could just explain it to them", or possibly Number 4: "Everybody is really a Christian, they're just pretending not to be".
One Man, One Vote, One Stamp
A Florida voter posted in his absentee ballot in time for the recent election, all proper and above board.
The stamp on the envelope, which may or may not have been mistakenly used, is apparently worth around $200,000.
And American law says that a used postage stamp on an envelope is public property, so most likely the stamp will be auctioned off and put into the relevant county budget.
The envelope had a second stamp, dating from WWII.
Silly mistake, if mistake it be.
The stamp on the envelope, which may or may not have been mistakenly used, is apparently worth around $200,000.
And American law says that a used postage stamp on an envelope is public property, so most likely the stamp will be auctioned off and put into the relevant county budget.
The envelope had a second stamp, dating from WWII.
Silly mistake, if mistake it be.
12.11.06
Bengals 41-49 Chargers
Okay, now I'm pissed off. Up twenty-one points to nothing at the end of the first quarter. Up twenty-eight points to seven at the half. And then the Bengals went all England.
The Bengals couldn't stop a four year-old from running and couldn't catch a frikkin' bus.
That's a three-game losing streak.
4-5-0
And Baltimore won, so the Bengals are now three games behind in their division.
At least the Colts keep on keeping on, winning to go 9-0.
The Bengals couldn't stop a four year-old from running and couldn't catch a frikkin' bus.
That's a three-game losing streak.
4-5-0
And Baltimore won, so the Bengals are now three games behind in their division.
At least the Colts keep on keeping on, winning to go 9-0.
10.11.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Remember the Mark On The Beast? Well, Selene's got a new one, a line running around her lower back. I keep getting the vague feeling that one day all these lines are going to spell something.
News From The Land Of The Bizarre
Here's some eyebrow-raising stories from right here in the Great State of Kentucky:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A poll worker was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault and interfering with an election for allegedly choking a voter and pushing him out the door, officials said.
It apparently started as a dispute between the two over marking the ballot, said Lt. Col. Carl Yates of the Jefferson County sheriff's office.
The voter told poll worker Jeffery Steitz that he didn't want to vote in a judicial election because he didn't know enough about the candidates, but Steitz told him he had to vote in the race anyway, Yates said.
Steitz, 42, eventually grabbed the man by the neck and threw him out of the polling place, Yates said.
----------
LONDON, Ky. (AP) -- A woman who was bitten by a snake at a church that neighbors say practices serpent handling died of her wounds hours later, a newspaper reported.
Linda Long, 48, was bitten Sunday at East London Holiness Church, where neighbors said the reptiles are handled as part of religious services, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Tuesday.
Long died at University of Kentucky Medical Center about four hours after being bitten, authorities told the newspaper.
"She said she was bitten by a snake at her church," said Lt. Ed Sizemore of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office
Handling reptiles as part of religious services is illegal in Kentucky. Snake handling is a misdemeanor and punishable by a $50 to $100 fine.
Police said they had not received any reports of snake handling at the church.
Snake handling is based on a passage in the Bible that says a sign of a true believer is the power to "take up serpents" without being harmed.
Church officials could not be reached for comment.
----------
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - A Kentucky police officer trying to unload his gun accidentally shot himself while driving on an Indiana highway, police said.
Sullivan McCurdy, 41, an officer with the Radcliff Police Department, was driving south on Interstate 65 near Lafayette Sunday when the weapon discharged, Indiana State Police said. A bullet struck the 10-year police veteran in the right leg, police said.
McCurdy was listed Monday in satisfactory condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette, said hospital spokesman Matthew Oates.
----------
Hat tip to Snopes.
And, for the sheer hilarity, here's a Guy Fawke's Night story about an attempt to anally launch a rocket that went a leetle bit wrong.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A poll worker was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault and interfering with an election for allegedly choking a voter and pushing him out the door, officials said.
It apparently started as a dispute between the two over marking the ballot, said Lt. Col. Carl Yates of the Jefferson County sheriff's office.
The voter told poll worker Jeffery Steitz that he didn't want to vote in a judicial election because he didn't know enough about the candidates, but Steitz told him he had to vote in the race anyway, Yates said.
Steitz, 42, eventually grabbed the man by the neck and threw him out of the polling place, Yates said.
----------
LONDON, Ky. (AP) -- A woman who was bitten by a snake at a church that neighbors say practices serpent handling died of her wounds hours later, a newspaper reported.
Linda Long, 48, was bitten Sunday at East London Holiness Church, where neighbors said the reptiles are handled as part of religious services, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Tuesday.
Long died at University of Kentucky Medical Center about four hours after being bitten, authorities told the newspaper.
"She said she was bitten by a snake at her church," said Lt. Ed Sizemore of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office
Handling reptiles as part of religious services is illegal in Kentucky. Snake handling is a misdemeanor and punishable by a $50 to $100 fine.
Police said they had not received any reports of snake handling at the church.
Snake handling is based on a passage in the Bible that says a sign of a true believer is the power to "take up serpents" without being harmed.
Church officials could not be reached for comment.
----------
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - A Kentucky police officer trying to unload his gun accidentally shot himself while driving on an Indiana highway, police said.
Sullivan McCurdy, 41, an officer with the Radcliff Police Department, was driving south on Interstate 65 near Lafayette Sunday when the weapon discharged, Indiana State Police said. A bullet struck the 10-year police veteran in the right leg, police said.
McCurdy was listed Monday in satisfactory condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette, said hospital spokesman Matthew Oates.
----------
Hat tip to Snopes.
And, for the sheer hilarity, here's a Guy Fawke's Night story about an attempt to anally launch a rocket that went a leetle bit wrong.
9.11.06
Election night 2006 - the aftermath
As of right now, only two elections remain unconfirmed. The Democrats picked up the seats they required for a majority in the House Of Representatives and more besides, but the Senate is still a little hard to call settled.
Here's the quick and dirty of this election:
The US government is made up of three branches: the Executive (the President); the Legislative (Congress); and the Judicial (The Supreme Court). These elections decided the Legislative. Congress is made up of two "chambers" - in almost the same way as British politics has the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it's just that over here, both are elected. The Senate consists of 100 Senators - two from each state. In the Senate, each state has equal say and no state has undue power. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, with varying numbers from each state depending upon its population. In the House, bigger states have a bigger say.
In the House, the Democrats now have 234 seats, Republicans have 201, and one is held by an Independent.
The Senate is closer. The confirmed count at the moment is 49 Republican, 49 Democrat. The two missing seats are Virginia and Montana. Both sets have already been called for the Democrats, and in both, the vote counts show Democrat victories.
The Republican candidates are, the last time I heard, challenging the counts. It would be uncouth, I think, to dwell overmuch on the contrast between the 2006 Republican attitude of "all votes must be counted" and their 2004 and 2000 stance of "be a man and concede you lost for the good of the country".
Other things were decided, too. The Democrats took 6 state Governor's elections.
Referendums were also held. Seven out of eight states voted to make same-sex marriage illegal. Voters in South Dakota, however, overturned the state's abortion ban, and voters in Missouri voted to legalise stem cell research in that state, despite a Federal ban. Initiatives in Colorado and Nevada to make marijuana use legal failed, also defeated was an initiative in South Dakota to make marijuana legal for medical use only. Seven states voted to raise minimum wage. California and Oregon defeated initiatives requiring parental notification for abortions.
Not everything was plain sailing. Wikipedia has a list of confirmed or alleged problems with the running of this election, but of special note is that the FBI is apparently investigating possible instances of "voter intimidation" in Virginia.
Anyway, that was it in a nutshell.
The high point of the day was Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert joining forces (and their shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report) to bring Indecision 2006: Midterm Midtacular on Comedy Central, clips of which you can see at the Comedy Central site.
Priceless, truly priceless.
Here's the quick and dirty of this election:
The US government is made up of three branches: the Executive (the President); the Legislative (Congress); and the Judicial (The Supreme Court). These elections decided the Legislative. Congress is made up of two "chambers" - in almost the same way as British politics has the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it's just that over here, both are elected. The Senate consists of 100 Senators - two from each state. In the Senate, each state has equal say and no state has undue power. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, with varying numbers from each state depending upon its population. In the House, bigger states have a bigger say.
In the House, the Democrats now have 234 seats, Republicans have 201, and one is held by an Independent.
The Senate is closer. The confirmed count at the moment is 49 Republican, 49 Democrat. The two missing seats are Virginia and Montana. Both sets have already been called for the Democrats, and in both, the vote counts show Democrat victories.
The Republican candidates are, the last time I heard, challenging the counts. It would be uncouth, I think, to dwell overmuch on the contrast between the 2006 Republican attitude of "all votes must be counted" and their 2004 and 2000 stance of "be a man and concede you lost for the good of the country".
Other things were decided, too. The Democrats took 6 state Governor's elections.
Referendums were also held. Seven out of eight states voted to make same-sex marriage illegal. Voters in South Dakota, however, overturned the state's abortion ban, and voters in Missouri voted to legalise stem cell research in that state, despite a Federal ban. Initiatives in Colorado and Nevada to make marijuana use legal failed, also defeated was an initiative in South Dakota to make marijuana legal for medical use only. Seven states voted to raise minimum wage. California and Oregon defeated initiatives requiring parental notification for abortions.
Not everything was plain sailing. Wikipedia has a list of confirmed or alleged problems with the running of this election, but of special note is that the FBI is apparently investigating possible instances of "voter intimidation" in Virginia.
Anyway, that was it in a nutshell.
The high point of the day was Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert joining forces (and their shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report) to bring Indecision 2006: Midterm Midtacular on Comedy Central, clips of which you can see at the Comedy Central site.
Priceless, truly priceless.
7.11.06
Election night 2006
It's election time over here in the US and, whilst the President is President for two more years, a lot of other people are fighting for their jobs.
Early indications are that the Democratic Party are going to make a few giant leaps, maybe even take back congress.
In Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, Democrat John Yarmuth has beat out Republican incumbent Anne Northup, which was a massive upset.
Fayette county voted overwhelmingly against allowing the government to use the Eminent Domain laws to force a purchase of Kentucky American Water.
As of nowish, the Democrats have taken thirteen House seats. They need fifteen for a majority. They've also taken three key Senate seats, and now need four more for a majority there.
This is vital because President Bush had been working with a Republican Congress, so anything the Republicans wanted to do, they did. But Pres. Bush could end up spending his last two years in office the same was Pres. Clinton did, facing a hostile Congress and unable to get just about anything done.
And here's the breaking news: The Beeb is calling the House for the Democrats.
Oh dear. I foresee much blame-throwing amongst the Republicans over this one.
Early indications are that the Democratic Party are going to make a few giant leaps, maybe even take back congress.
In Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, Democrat John Yarmuth has beat out Republican incumbent Anne Northup, which was a massive upset.
Fayette county voted overwhelmingly against allowing the government to use the Eminent Domain laws to force a purchase of Kentucky American Water.
As of nowish, the Democrats have taken thirteen House seats. They need fifteen for a majority. They've also taken three key Senate seats, and now need four more for a majority there.
This is vital because President Bush had been working with a Republican Congress, so anything the Republicans wanted to do, they did. But Pres. Bush could end up spending his last two years in office the same was Pres. Clinton did, facing a hostile Congress and unable to get just about anything done.
And here's the breaking news: The Beeb is calling the House for the Democrats.
Oh dear. I foresee much blame-throwing amongst the Republicans over this one.
6.11.06
Stattin' it up
Radiers-Seahawks stat for ya:
Raider's QB Andrew Walter is so bad that out of 32 teams, he has the 34th worst pass rating.
Boggle away.
Raider's QB Andrew Walter is so bad that out of 32 teams, he has the 34th worst pass rating.
Boggle away.
Saw III
Saw III is not as good as Saw and Saw II. There, I said it. The movie is just as inventive, the baddie just as bad, the plot twists just as twisty, but there's something.. missing.
The story is a straight continuation of Saw II. Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), who was at death's door and grooming Amanda (Shawnee Smith) to take over his life's work at the end of the last installment, is up to his old tricks again.
He's kidnapped his old oncologist Dr Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) to keep him alive whilst he plays one last gruesome game on hapless Jeff (Angus Mcfadyen), who is looking for revenge against the person who killed his son.
But there's just something lacking..
The tension doesn't get as high, the drama seems a little forced at times, and Jigsaw's all-knowing, all-seeing attitude seems a little smug instead of scary. What's also a little weird is that we're clearly supposed to be sympahising with Jigsaw rather than his victims. Denlon is pompous, Jeff's a moron and the others are far too two-dimensional to care about.
It's surprising to see that the goriest part of the movie is completely and utterly unnecessary. The entire trepanation scene could have been removed, cut right down or shot from an obscuring angle without any loss to the film whatsoever. And there is where the film falls down. The previous installments relied upon drama and tension - the suggestion of gore rather than gore itself - to make the viewer squirm. This one scene goes more for the "Eeeww! Look! She's drilling into his skull! Can you hear it? Can you see the saw cutting? Can you see the blood flying?" style of feel.
The blood and gore should be a counterpoint - an accent, if you will - to the scare, not the cause of it.
Other than that, not too bad. Weakest of the three, certainly, but still way better than most attempts at the genre.
And I won't guarantee it's over with the third, because there's still some loose ends.
Doombreed rating: * * * * 1/2
The story is a straight continuation of Saw II. Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), who was at death's door and grooming Amanda (Shawnee Smith) to take over his life's work at the end of the last installment, is up to his old tricks again.
He's kidnapped his old oncologist Dr Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) to keep him alive whilst he plays one last gruesome game on hapless Jeff (Angus Mcfadyen), who is looking for revenge against the person who killed his son.
But there's just something lacking..
The tension doesn't get as high, the drama seems a little forced at times, and Jigsaw's all-knowing, all-seeing attitude seems a little smug instead of scary. What's also a little weird is that we're clearly supposed to be sympahising with Jigsaw rather than his victims. Denlon is pompous, Jeff's a moron and the others are far too two-dimensional to care about.
It's surprising to see that the goriest part of the movie is completely and utterly unnecessary. The entire trepanation scene could have been removed, cut right down or shot from an obscuring angle without any loss to the film whatsoever. And there is where the film falls down. The previous installments relied upon drama and tension - the suggestion of gore rather than gore itself - to make the viewer squirm. This one scene goes more for the "Eeeww! Look! She's drilling into his skull! Can you hear it? Can you see the saw cutting? Can you see the blood flying?" style of feel.
The blood and gore should be a counterpoint - an accent, if you will - to the scare, not the cause of it.
Other than that, not too bad. Weakest of the three, certainly, but still way better than most attempts at the genre.
And I won't guarantee it's over with the third, because there's still some loose ends.
Doombreed rating: * * * * 1/2
Remember, remember
Just a note to my British buddies to wish everyone a happy and safe Guy Fawkes night. Hope everyone had a blast and nobody had a blast, if ya know what I mean.
The picture above is of one of the fireworks Mrs Doombreed and I let off on July 4th.
Bengals 20-26 Ravens
Well that's just really annoying. Another game lost to the guys in the black and white striped shirts. Apparently, pass interference calls only count when they are against the Bengals, not in favour of them.
This season in the NFL has seen some incredibly bad refereeing. Every game I've seen has had at least one major - and in most cases game-changing - bad call, or a lack of call when one should have been made.
In today's Cowboys-Redskins game, a "minor facemask*1" call was awarded a 15 yard penalty - reserved for "major facemask*2" - which put the Redskins in range of a game-winning field-goal.
And, whilst typing this, I'm watching the Broncos-Steelers game which has been littered with calls so bad that it's almost like watching a parody of refereeing.
And what's with the ridiculous "false start*3" penalty? Both teams line up and then, for no apparent reason, the flags fly and the offense gets marched backwards 5 yards because someone breathed out at the wrong time.
What's really annoying is when some defensive player goes tear-arsing over the line of scrimmage whilst everyone else is still waiting - but the penalty goes against the offense because the defensive player uses the skillful tactic of pointing randomly, but emphatically, at an opposing player.
Ah well. Steelers lost, too.
We still have the Colts and, after the debacle that was the Bears-Dolphins game today, there's only one undefeated team in the NFL.
I really hope that the Colts destroy the Patriots*4.
[later]
The game is about to start and everyone is predicting the Patriots. No real surprise there.
[later again]
The first half is winding down and a great example of the bad refereeing has shown up. The Patriots did not get that first down, and even if they had, there is no way that the ref could have seen it from where he was standing and, even if he could have seen it, he should have spotted the ball and measured it instead of moving the chains.
And then, to add insult to injury, the same guy gets to review his own call! Of course he's not going to overturn it!
This is a great example of a game-changing call. As it stood, the Colts intercepted and ended the half 3 points up. However, it could just have easily ended up with a touchdown and 4 points down.
If the call had been made correctly, Manning and the Colts take over at the 47 yard line with 1.00 left and a timeout. Now, Manning's going to score off of that, even if it's only a field goal. Colts at the half by at least 6, probably 10.
Bad refereeing, bad calls, changing games.
[end of game]
Despite the refs' best efforts, Manning and the Colts remain undefeated, Brady and the Patriots get beaten two years running, but still everyone is going to wobble on about how Brady is the better quarterback.
And the Bengals sink to 4-4-0
*1: In case you were wondering: grabbing the facemask is against the rules. A "minor facemask" call means that the player grabbed his opponent's facemast momentarily before letting go.
*2: A "major facemask", on the other hand, means grabbing the opponent's facemask and not letting go.
*3: A "false start" is when a member of the offense jumps before the ball is snapped. However, the slightest movement is often interpreted as jumping off, and thus it's often near impossible to tell, even with slow motion replay, exactly who false started and exact;y what it was that he allegedly did.
*4: I really hate those Patriots.
This season in the NFL has seen some incredibly bad refereeing. Every game I've seen has had at least one major - and in most cases game-changing - bad call, or a lack of call when one should have been made.
In today's Cowboys-Redskins game, a "minor facemask*1" call was awarded a 15 yard penalty - reserved for "major facemask*2" - which put the Redskins in range of a game-winning field-goal.
And, whilst typing this, I'm watching the Broncos-Steelers game which has been littered with calls so bad that it's almost like watching a parody of refereeing.
And what's with the ridiculous "false start*3" penalty? Both teams line up and then, for no apparent reason, the flags fly and the offense gets marched backwards 5 yards because someone breathed out at the wrong time.
What's really annoying is when some defensive player goes tear-arsing over the line of scrimmage whilst everyone else is still waiting - but the penalty goes against the offense because the defensive player uses the skillful tactic of pointing randomly, but emphatically, at an opposing player.
Ah well. Steelers lost, too.
We still have the Colts and, after the debacle that was the Bears-Dolphins game today, there's only one undefeated team in the NFL.
I really hope that the Colts destroy the Patriots*4.
[later]
The game is about to start and everyone is predicting the Patriots. No real surprise there.
[later again]
The first half is winding down and a great example of the bad refereeing has shown up. The Patriots did not get that first down, and even if they had, there is no way that the ref could have seen it from where he was standing and, even if he could have seen it, he should have spotted the ball and measured it instead of moving the chains.
And then, to add insult to injury, the same guy gets to review his own call! Of course he's not going to overturn it!
This is a great example of a game-changing call. As it stood, the Colts intercepted and ended the half 3 points up. However, it could just have easily ended up with a touchdown and 4 points down.
If the call had been made correctly, Manning and the Colts take over at the 47 yard line with 1.00 left and a timeout. Now, Manning's going to score off of that, even if it's only a field goal. Colts at the half by at least 6, probably 10.
Bad refereeing, bad calls, changing games.
[end of game]
Despite the refs' best efforts, Manning and the Colts remain undefeated, Brady and the Patriots get beaten two years running, but still everyone is going to wobble on about how Brady is the better quarterback.
And the Bengals sink to 4-4-0
*1: In case you were wondering: grabbing the facemask is against the rules. A "minor facemask" call means that the player grabbed his opponent's facemast momentarily before letting go.
*2: A "major facemask", on the other hand, means grabbing the opponent's facemask and not letting go.
*3: A "false start" is when a member of the offense jumps before the ball is snapped. However, the slightest movement is often interpreted as jumping off, and thus it's often near impossible to tell, even with slow motion replay, exactly who false started and exact;y what it was that he allegedly did.
*4: I really hate those Patriots.
5.11.06
Fake priests make money
Apparently there is good money to be made in Japan by pretending to be a priest.
I wonder if you have to fake being a paedophile, too?
I wonder if you have to fake being a paedophile, too?
3.11.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Thirty seconds before I took this picture, Selene was chewing on that cardboard tube outside of her house. As soon as she saw me with my camera, she dragged it to the entrance and went inside to chew in peace.Getting a little camera-weary?
2.11.06
An elephant never forgets
US researchers have shown for the first time that elephants are capable of recognising themselves in a mirror, a trait previously only observed in humans, great apes, and bottle-nosed dolphins.
The world of dumb animals just keeps getting smaller.
The world of dumb animals just keeps getting smaller.
1.11.06
Heffalump O'Lantern
This Hallowe'en marked my first ever attempt to carve a pumpkin. Mrs Doombreed wanted it carved with Lumpy, the heffalump from the movie Pooh's Heffalump Movie, and the results can be seen above.
31.10.06
Happy Hallowe'en
Here's a Hallowe'en joke, courtesy of Mrs Doombreed's parents.
A man was walking home alone late one foggy night, when behind him he hears:
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him
FASTER...
FASTER...
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.
However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping.
clappity-BUMP..
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
on his heels, the terrified man runs.
Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.
With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.
Bumping and clapping toward him.
The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup!
Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...
and...
(hopefully you're ready for this!!!)
...the coffin stops.
Happy Halloween!
A man was walking home alone late one foggy night, when behind him he hears:
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him
FASTER...
FASTER...
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.
However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping.
clappity-BUMP..
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
on his heels, the terrified man runs.
Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.
With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.
Bumping and clapping toward him.
The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup!
Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...
and...
(hopefully you're ready for this!!!)
...the coffin stops.
Happy Halloween!
30.10.06
NFL pumpkin carving patterns
I'm seeing an awful lot of people finding my blog looking for various NFL pumpkin carving patterns, largely thanks to the fact that I posted a couple of entries about pumpkin carving and NFL teams get regular mention here.
Here's the bad news:
All of the NFL team's emblems are copyright images. It would be an infringement of that copyright for any place to produce patterns without the permission of the NFL. And the NFL, apparently, aren't giving permission.
Spookmaster was trying, but the NFL refused. Still, his site does give one an idea of how the carved pumpkins might have looked.
It should be pointed out that pumpkin carving patterns are simply black-and-white pictures printed out onto a page. You cut out the black bits, lay it over the pumpkin and draw through the design.
So.. how hard can it be to make your own, no matter what you want to carve?
If you want to buy pumpkin carving patterns for your favourite NFL team, they are out there. Yankeehalloween.com has a couple, the Giants and the Patriots.
But, really, where else you gonna go? NFLShop.com has 15 teams. Redskins, Titans, Rams, Eagles, Jets, Giants, Vikings, Dolphins, Colts, Packers, Lions, Browns, Bears, Ravens, and Falcons.
And if they ain't there, they ain't anywhere.
Here's the bad news:
All of the NFL team's emblems are copyright images. It would be an infringement of that copyright for any place to produce patterns without the permission of the NFL. And the NFL, apparently, aren't giving permission.
Spookmaster was trying, but the NFL refused. Still, his site does give one an idea of how the carved pumpkins might have looked.
It should be pointed out that pumpkin carving patterns are simply black-and-white pictures printed out onto a page. You cut out the black bits, lay it over the pumpkin and draw through the design.
So.. how hard can it be to make your own, no matter what you want to carve?
If you want to buy pumpkin carving patterns for your favourite NFL team, they are out there. Yankeehalloween.com has a couple, the Giants and the Patriots.
But, really, where else you gonna go? NFLShop.com has 15 teams. Redskins, Titans, Rams, Eagles, Jets, Giants, Vikings, Dolphins, Colts, Packers, Lions, Browns, Bears, Ravens, and Falcons.
And if they ain't there, they ain't anywhere.
Wow.. you said it..
John Madden, he of the cursed game fame, commentator of football games, purveyor of constant, pointless drivel, during last night's suprise comeback and drubbing of the Carolina Panthers by the Dallas Cowboys (briefly mentioned in yesterday's lament over the Bengals loss) uttered the incredible triple redundancy "you just can't go after Steve Smith man-to-man on your own without any help."
Nice, John.
Sports commentators: filling the silences in the game with mindless pap so you don't have to think.
Nice, John.
Sports commentators: filling the silences in the game with mindless pap so you don't have to think.
29.10.06
The Madden Curse
Snopes has a fascinating and long-running story concerning the video game Madden NFL and its many incarnations. Apparently, there's a "curse" assosciated with the game, in that any player who appears on the cover will end up having a very bad season indeed.
I'm not superstitious, but if I were a football player, I would stay the hell away from John Madden.
And Campbell's soup.
And Sports Illustrated.
2001 was Eddie George, who had his worst career season that year.
2002 was Daunte Culpepper, who went out with a knee injury.
2003 was Marshall Faulk, who with an injured ankle had his worst season for four years.
2004 was Michael Vick, who fractured his tibia on the day the game was released.
2005 was Ray Lewis, who had a terrible season and had to sit out the last game because he was injured.
2006 was Donovan McNabb, who had a "sports hernia" and was eventually (and painfully) retired for the season by the Cowboys.
2007 is Shaun Alexander.
Who just broke his foot.
I'm not superstitious, but if I were a football player, I would stay the hell away from John Madden.
And Campbell's soup.
And Sports Illustrated.
28.10.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene vs the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.Good job she read up about them. Daft as a brush, but very very ravenous. Now whether I'm talking about Selene or the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal is open for discussion.
26.10.06
Loretta Nall for Governor (of Alabama)
How to attract voter's attention? Cleavage.
That's the not-particularly-imaginative title of a piece over at MSNBC on Alabaman Gubernatorial candidate Loretta Nall (nallforgovernor.com and nallforgovernor.blogspot.com)
Nall, a Libertarian, is campaigning for the Governor's office and as part of her strategy is using the slogan "More of these boobs (under a picture of herself) and less of these boobs (over pictures of her four opponents)"
However, as Nall herself points out, that's not all she's about. Neither is the fact, inexplicably pointed out in the article, that her blonde hair colour comes from a bottle.
Her blog is worth a read, even if only because it's startling to find a politician with an actual, real, honest-to-goodness sense of humour.
That's the not-particularly-imaginative title of a piece over at MSNBC on Alabaman Gubernatorial candidate Loretta Nall (nallforgovernor.com and nallforgovernor.blogspot.com)
Nall, a Libertarian, is campaigning for the Governor's office and as part of her strategy is using the slogan "More of these boobs (under a picture of herself) and less of these boobs (over pictures of her four opponents)"
However, as Nall herself points out, that's not all she's about. Neither is the fact, inexplicably pointed out in the article, that her blonde hair colour comes from a bottle.
Her blog is worth a read, even if only because it's startling to find a politician with an actual, real, honest-to-goodness sense of humour.
25.10.06
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Ctrl+Alt+Del is one of the funniest comics online. Go check it out, but plan ahead, it's been going a while.
And I look foreward to celebrating Winter-een-mass with you all this year.
Hat tip to Office_Shredder at AP.
And, courtesy of tain, we have:
Something Positive,
Goats,
and
Schlock Mercenary.
And I look foreward to celebrating Winter-een-mass with you all this year.
Hat tip to Office_Shredder at AP.
And, courtesy of tain, we have:
Something Positive,
Goats,
and
Schlock Mercenary.
24.10.06
Lemme introduce you to a friend of mine, he's called PR
Weird news from this side of the pond. The Republicans seem to be undergoing some sort of meltdown.
First, I heard about the incident (in a previous post) where Pres. Bush basically told the American people that their opinions didn't matter.
Oopsie.
Then radio talking-head, hate mongeror and darling of the right, Rush Limbaugh, had the total and utter stupidity to attack Michael J Fox - he of the Back To The Future, Spin City, Doc Hollywood, and, more recently, breaking our hearts with his courageous fight against Parkinson's - by accusing the pint-sized, yet lovable actor of faking his symptoms to garner sympathy. in a recent set of ads to support stem-cell research.
Double oopsie.
Then we learn that Wyoming Republican Representative Barbera Cubin said to Thomas Rankin, the Libertarian candidate who is challenging her seat next month, "If you weren't sitting in that chair, I'd slap you across the face."
Rankin is in a wheelchair.
Day-um.
Then there's Jim Gibbons, Republican candidate for the Governor's job in Nevada. Hates illegal immigrants, talks tough on illegal immigration, employs an illegal immigrant for years.
Uh-oh.
Of course, the biggest story is Mark Foley. I probably don't have to provide links for that name. He's the dude who was up to no good with some of the under-age pages in DC.
Okay, remember when the Conservative party went under in Britain? What happened? Years of incompetence and nothing happened. Years of screwing us out of everything and nothing happened. Years of running Britain into the crapper and nobody lifted a finger! A few months of serious, complete, constant, and unending scandals and they've not seen office since.
The outlook is not good.
Although, a word of warning to my American chums. We replaced the Conservatives with Blair and his cronies. And we've all seen how that clusterfuck worked out.
Don't bank on the Democrats riding to the rescue on a white charger and putting the world to rights with a wave of a magic wand.
Remember, no matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.
First, I heard about the incident (in a previous post) where Pres. Bush basically told the American people that their opinions didn't matter.
Oopsie.
Then radio talking-head, hate mongeror and darling of the right, Rush Limbaugh, had the total and utter stupidity to attack Michael J Fox - he of the Back To The Future, Spin City, Doc Hollywood, and, more recently, breaking our hearts with his courageous fight against Parkinson's - by accusing the pint-sized, yet lovable actor of faking his symptoms to garner sympathy. in a recent set of ads to support stem-cell research.
Double oopsie.
Then we learn that Wyoming Republican Representative Barbera Cubin said to Thomas Rankin, the Libertarian candidate who is challenging her seat next month, "If you weren't sitting in that chair, I'd slap you across the face."
Rankin is in a wheelchair.
Day-um.
Then there's Jim Gibbons, Republican candidate for the Governor's job in Nevada. Hates illegal immigrants, talks tough on illegal immigration, employs an illegal immigrant for years.
Uh-oh.
Of course, the biggest story is Mark Foley. I probably don't have to provide links for that name. He's the dude who was up to no good with some of the under-age pages in DC.
Okay, remember when the Conservative party went under in Britain? What happened? Years of incompetence and nothing happened. Years of screwing us out of everything and nothing happened. Years of running Britain into the crapper and nobody lifted a finger! A few months of serious, complete, constant, and unending scandals and they've not seen office since.
The outlook is not good.
Although, a word of warning to my American chums. We replaced the Conservatives with Blair and his cronies. And we've all seen how that clusterfuck worked out.
Don't bank on the Democrats riding to the rescue on a white charger and putting the world to rights with a wave of a magic wand.
Remember, no matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.
Weight Glarers
Mrs Doombreed and I have joined WeightWatchers.
Oh dear.
For breakfast today I had a banana and a Special K bar. Working out my points suggests that I may be able to spend 15 minutes in the same room as a piece of uncooked pasta for lunch.
Oh dear.
For breakfast today I had a banana and a Special K bar. Working out my points suggests that I may be able to spend 15 minutes in the same room as a piece of uncooked pasta for lunch.
On Iraq
In a recent interview, US President George W. Bush said "I'll stay in Iraq even if the only support I have left is from my wife and my dog."
Well, at least Blair's opinion counts for something, somewhere.
All joking aside, I'm stunned that there hasn't been more - which is to say any - outrage over the President saying to 300 million Americans "I don't give a shit what you think".
I mean, democracy, right?
Well, at least Blair's opinion counts for something, somewhere.
All joking aside, I'm stunned that there hasn't been more - which is to say any - outrage over the President saying to 300 million Americans "I don't give a shit what you think".
I mean, democracy, right?
Extreme Pumpkin Carving
Extreme Pumpkins.com - Pumpkin Carving at its wildest!
Link found via Positive Athiesm, funnily enough.
At what point did the carving of pumpkins turn into a "cute" event? When did boys stop carving and moms start? Where did we lose touch with one of the years coolest events?
Today we will seize back this ritual. Today is the day we throw away those safe, cute carving tools. Today. We will buy a big, ugly, pumpkin so large one man cannot lift or move it. Today. We will carve that sumbitch into something ugly and plop it on the front porch. Ocrober 31st we will light it brightly enough to give visting children suntans.
Pumpkin carving is reborn.
Welcome to ExtremePumpkins.com where strange pumpkins, pumpkin patterns, and alternative pumpkin carving techniques are developed and demonstrated for you. Pumpkin carving will never be the same.
Link found via Positive Athiesm, funnily enough.
Richard Dawkins: Do We Really Need Bad Reasons To Be Good?
Richard Dawkins, author of The End Of Faith and Letter To A Christian Nation writes an incisive piece about right and wrong in the name of religion.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
22.10.06
Stattin' it up
Couple more useless stats for you.
Indianapolis Colts' Head Coach Tony Dungy has beaten all 32 teams in the NFL in his career, including the Indianapolis Colts (when he was with Tampa Bay). I have no idea how unusual that stat is, but it sounds cool.
Colts' QB Peyton Manning threw his 256th touchdown pass today, putting him 10th in NFL history.
Brett Favre, QB for the struggling Green Bay Packers, threw his first touchdown pass at the Miami Dolphins stadium today. He's now thrown touchdown passes in 36 different venues. Yes, that is four more than there are teams in the NFL. Some teams have moved since 1991 when he started playing.
Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme has never thrown an interception in the Red Zone until today, when Bengal Kevin Kaesviharn picked off a pass intended for Keyshawn Johnson.
All of this week's games were sold out, for a record-setting seventh week. The previous record was four consecutive weeks, in 2004 and 2005.
I find the idea of filling your head with useless information quite stimulating.
Indianapolis Colts' Head Coach Tony Dungy has beaten all 32 teams in the NFL in his career, including the Indianapolis Colts (when he was with Tampa Bay). I have no idea how unusual that stat is, but it sounds cool.
Colts' QB Peyton Manning threw his 256th touchdown pass today, putting him 10th in NFL history.
Brett Favre, QB for the struggling Green Bay Packers, threw his first touchdown pass at the Miami Dolphins stadium today. He's now thrown touchdown passes in 36 different venues. Yes, that is four more than there are teams in the NFL. Some teams have moved since 1991 when he started playing.
Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme has never thrown an interception in the Red Zone until today, when Bengal Kevin Kaesviharn picked off a pass intended for Keyshawn Johnson.
All of this week's games were sold out, for a record-setting seventh week. The previous record was four consecutive weeks, in 2004 and 2005.
I find the idea of filling your head with useless information quite stimulating.
Not Staying The Course On Staying The Course
Ever since the invasion of Iraq, the soundbite from the White House has been "stay the course" or some variaton thereof.
So, apparently, not only have we been staying the course, but we are so committed that we are, if you'll pardon the expression, staying the course on staying the course.
Until today*.
Not only are we no longer staying the course on staying the course, we aren't even simply staying the course at all. The course is dead to us. The course knows what it did, why we aren't staying.
Oh, but worse.
Apparently, not only are we neither staying the course on staying the course, nor simply staying the course at all, we never were staying the course.
Y'know, I miss bits of England. I've posted on the subject before. And one of the things I miss about English telly is the way English political interviewers are unafraid to call bullshit.
Imagine if that that been Blair trying such a blatant falsehood on someone like Brian Walden. You'd have heard the outrage all over the country with your tv set off.
And it's not just interviewers but viewers, too. Remember that housewife roasting Margaret Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano?
*Hat tip to AMERICAblog.
We will stay the course.
We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq.
We will stay the course until the job is done, Steve. And the temptation is to try to get the President or somebody to put a timetable on the definition of getting the job done. We’re just going to stay the course.
And my message today to those in Iraq is: We’ll stay the course.
And that’s why we’re going to stay the course in Iraq. And that’s why when we say something in Iraq, we’re going to do it.
And so we’ve got tough action in Iraq. But we will stay the course.
(All quotes Pres. George W. Bush)
So, apparently, not only have we been staying the course, but we are so committed that we are, if you'll pardon the expression, staying the course on staying the course.
Until today*.
Not only are we no longer staying the course on staying the course, we aren't even simply staying the course at all. The course is dead to us. The course knows what it did, why we aren't staying.
Oh, but worse.
Apparently, not only are we neither staying the course on staying the course, nor simply staying the course at all, we never were staying the course.
Y'know, I miss bits of England. I've posted on the subject before. And one of the things I miss about English telly is the way English political interviewers are unafraid to call bullshit.
Imagine if that that been Blair trying such a blatant falsehood on someone like Brian Walden. You'd have heard the outrage all over the country with your tv set off.
And it's not just interviewers but viewers, too. Remember that housewife roasting Margaret Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano?
*Hat tip to AMERICAblog.
The Complete Works Of Charles Darwin
Anyone who has ever picked up a copy of Darwin's The Origin Of Species or The Descent Of Man would probably be surprised to learn that such weighty tomes are, in fact, merely abstracts from a far greater body of work.
Darwin was a prolific writer, and each of his most famous books is backed by literally thousands of pages of meticulous research.
Well, a group at the University of Cambridge, Darwin's old school, has started a mammoth project to put all of that research online.
The Complete Works of Charles Darwin currently has over 50,000 pages of text and over 40,000 pictures and illustrations.
Dr John van Whye, who is heading the project, says that he hopes to double those figures by 2009, in time for the bicentennial of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin Of Species.
Darwin was a prolific writer, and each of his most famous books is backed by literally thousands of pages of meticulous research.
Well, a group at the University of Cambridge, Darwin's old school, has started a mammoth project to put all of that research online.
The Complete Works of Charles Darwin currently has over 50,000 pages of text and over 40,000 pictures and illustrations.
Dr John van Whye, who is heading the project, says that he hopes to double those figures by 2009, in time for the bicentennial of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin Of Species.
21.10.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene apologises to her fans, but she's had a hard day, what with the gnawing cardboard, eating pumpkin seeds and looking cute, so she's having an early night.
20.10.06
No Star Trek Jokes In Headlines, Please
CNN reports on a breakthrough made by scientists in Denmark who have performed teleportation experiments involving more than just an atom.
Okay, so don't get excited, it's only over half a meter and, although the term "a macroscopic atomic object containing thousands of billions of atoms" sounds big, it's way, way, way short of being able to - sigh - "beam me up". In fact, the experiment has far more potential for communications than for personal travel.
And if you're a little more fluent in physics, you can check out Scientific American's slightly-more-highbrow report on the experiment.
But further proof, if such were needed, that we're really headed deep into the 21st century comes in the form of Romulan cloaking devices.
Sort of.
Can personal jetpacks, hover cars, meals in pills, and Bacofoil suits really be that far behind?
Okay, so don't get excited, it's only over half a meter and, although the term "a macroscopic atomic object containing thousands of billions of atoms" sounds big, it's way, way, way short of being able to - sigh - "beam me up". In fact, the experiment has far more potential for communications than for personal travel.
And if you're a little more fluent in physics, you can check out Scientific American's slightly-more-highbrow report on the experiment.
But further proof, if such were needed, that we're really headed deep into the 21st century comes in the form of Romulan cloaking devices.
Sort of.
Can personal jetpacks, hover cars, meals in pills, and Bacofoil suits really be that far behind?
18.10.06
The World Accoring To Fundy
thecdn over at AP brought a series of blog posts to our attention recently.
The first is Morality Clauses, EC, and broken condoms over at Den Of The Biting Beaver. It is a very disturbing portrait of one woman's attempt to find a place that would dispense emergency contraception (EC) in George W. Bush's America.
The second post is a follow-up to the original, called The hiatus will start after this post *smile* and is an accounting of what happened with her search and, more importantly, how she has been treated.
Some of the emails she's received are truly horrific.
But hey, God is love and all that jazz.
The first is Morality Clauses, EC, and broken condoms over at Den Of The Biting Beaver. It is a very disturbing portrait of one woman's attempt to find a place that would dispense emergency contraception (EC) in George W. Bush's America.
Folks, the condom broke Friday night and I searched all weekend for someone who could prescribe me EC. It is now Monday and I have to report that I have been unable to find anyone who will write me a fucking prescription for EC. None of the hospitals in the surrounding counties would write it for me. I stopped my search at about 100 miles from my home because my telephone book wouldn't take me out any further than that.
I have been asked about my sexual practices. Whether I'm 'monogamous' or 'in a relationship' if I'm married, if I have kids, how many kids I have, if I was raped or 'traumatized' but there wasn’t' ONE question about my health. Not one. The few places that said that they had a doctor who would occasionally write prescriptions for EC told me that I had to ask for that doctor specifically and then they proceeded to tell me that I would be 'interviewed' to see if I meet that doctors 'criteria' and then they proceeded to ask me all the above questions before telling me that I should 'try anyway' and I 'might be able to talk him into it'.
The second post is a follow-up to the original, called The hiatus will start after this post *smile* and is an accounting of what happened with her search and, more importantly, how she has been treated.
Some of the emails she's received are truly horrific.
But hey, God is love and all that jazz.
Peering at the world
I'm noticing something worrying, here. My close-up vision is starting to go. It's not much, just when something is shoved real close to my eyes.
Things get out of focus when they are four or five inches from my eyes. Not bad, in fact, I'd bet, better than most, but from someone who is used to being able to focus on things at about half that distance, it's depressing.
Also I've noticed that it's a little worse in my left eye than my right eye.
I'm getting old.
Things get out of focus when they are four or five inches from my eyes. Not bad, in fact, I'd bet, better than most, but from someone who is used to being able to focus on things at about half that distance, it's depressing.
Also I've noticed that it's a little worse in my left eye than my right eye.
I'm getting old.
17.10.06
Virtual Pumpkin Carving!
Well, Hallowe'en is just around the corner, so it's probably time to turn your thoughts towards carving that pumpkin into a Jack O'Lantern for the festivities.
For those who want to practice without making a mess, try How To Carve A Pumpkin Like A Pro, and whilst you're there you can groove to the cool Monster Mash background music.
Grooving is optional.
Hat tip to 2tadpoles at AP.
For those who want to practice without making a mess, try How To Carve A Pumpkin Like A Pro, and whilst you're there you can groove to the cool Monster Mash background music.
Grooving is optional.
Hat tip to 2tadpoles at AP.
Stattin' it up
Well, two new earth-shattering stats from last night's Bears - Cardinals game, which the Bears narrowly squeaked a 24-23 victory:
First, this game was the first time in NFL history that a team has led by 14 or more points at half-time and then gone on to lose, in two consecutive games.
Wow, now don't you feel edumacated?
Second, and, perhaps more astoundingly, this game was the first time in NFL history that a team that had trailed by 14 points or more had gone on to win, and that win making their record 6-0 or better.
Clear?
See, now don't say coming here isn't beneficial.
First, this game was the first time in NFL history that a team has led by 14 or more points at half-time and then gone on to lose, in two consecutive games.
Wow, now don't you feel edumacated?
Second, and, perhaps more astoundingly, this game was the first time in NFL history that a team that had trailed by 14 points or more had gone on to win, and that win making their record 6-0 or better.
Clear?
See, now don't say coming here isn't beneficial.
16.10.06
It's backwards week on the NFL..
So, the 5-0 Bears are getting a drubbing by the 1-4 Cardinals.
It's currently 23-17 with 5:00 to play in the 4th.
Okiedokie.
I gave up watching after some exceedingly dodgy calls by the refs.
It's currently 23-17 with 5:00 to play in the 4th.
Okiedokie.
I gave up watching after some exceedingly dodgy calls by the refs.
15.10.06
Bengals 13-14 Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This morning they were an 0-4 team. Then the officiating team helped them become a 1-4 team at the expense of the Bengals.
Apparently, one is not allowed to "rough" the quarterback when one is sacking him.
Coach Lewis said it best, "I guess you've got to cuddle him to the ground."
Wankers.
3-2-0
Apparently, one is not allowed to "rough" the quarterback when one is sacking him.
Coach Lewis said it best, "I guess you've got to cuddle him to the ground."
Wankers.
3-2-0
Blair's in trouble
It just does my heart good to see Blair getting blindsided by one of the British army's top Generals.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, has already spoken out on soldier's pay, living conditions, length of tour and medical treatment. But then he launched quietly competent attack on the situation in Iraq and the Prime Minister's handling of it.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Sir Dannatt said:
He went on:
He also said:
He also made comments about Iran:
But far better, IMO, is the way that British troops immediately spoke up in praise of the General's comments.
It's good to see that the British army is keeping up the tradition of having at least one officer who cares more about the troops than he does about his political wellbeing.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, has already spoken out on soldier's pay, living conditions, length of tour and medical treatment. But then he launched quietly competent attack on the situation in Iraq and the Prime Minister's handling of it.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Sir Dannatt said:
I am going to stand up for what is right for the Army. Honesty is what it is about. The truth will out. We have got to speak the truth. Leaking and spinning, at the end of the day, are not helpful.
He went on:
I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war-fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning.
History will show that a vacuum was created and into the vacuum malign elements moved. The hope that we might have been able to get out of Iraq in 12, 18, 24 months after the initial start in 2003 has proved fallacious. Now hostile elements have got a hold it has made our life much more difficult in Baghdad and in Basra.The original intention was that we put in place a liberal democracy that was an exemplar for the region, was pro-West and might have a beneficial effect on the balance within the Middle East.
That was the hope. Whether that was a sensible or naïve hope, history will judge. I don't think we are going to do that. I think we should aim for a lower ambition.
He also said:
[We should] get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems.
We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear. As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited into a country, but we weren't invited, certainly by those in Iraq at the time. Let's face it, the military campaign we fought in 2003 effectively kicked the door in.That is a fact. I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing around the world are caused by our presence in Iraq, but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them.
He also made comments about Iran:
Particularly with Iran — if we paint them into a corner I think that is being too simplistic. Dialogue and negotiation make eminent sense and military posturing doesn't.
But far better, IMO, is the way that British troops immediately spoke up in praise of the General's comments.
It's good to see that the British army is keeping up the tradition of having at least one officer who cares more about the troops than he does about his political wellbeing.
13.10.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight.
Selene admires her reflection in the glass wall of her house.
2006 Bengals Medallion Collection
For most of the last month, our local newspaper has been running a promo where you can collect a commemorative set of Cincinnati Bengals medallions, featuring members of the 2006 squad and of course, the man himself, Coach Marvin Lewis.
Today we got our hands on the last medallion to complete the collection, pictured above.
A thing of beauty.
12.10.06
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Well, what a gore fest this was.
Hang on.
This was the prequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, right? I mean, what were you expecting?
Yes, this movie lives up to the original in many, many respects. It does neatly introduce all your favourite characters. It sets the scene well.
And there's something worryingly thrilling about watching a slasher flick like this when you know that the bad guys aren't going to get their comeuppance (because they're in the original movie). There's no hope. You're gonna die. You're in a prequel.
The origins of Leatherface, "Sheriff Hoyt", Mama et al are interesting in their own right, but the true genius comes from R. Lee Emery (Hoyt) and his use of the word "balance".
Check it out. I challenge you to not laugh during one of the most disturbing scenes on celluloid.
Great movie. Slasher pic like they used to make.
Doombreed rating * * * * 1/2
Hang on.
This was the prequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, right? I mean, what were you expecting?
Yes, this movie lives up to the original in many, many respects. It does neatly introduce all your favourite characters. It sets the scene well.
And there's something worryingly thrilling about watching a slasher flick like this when you know that the bad guys aren't going to get their comeuppance (because they're in the original movie). There's no hope. You're gonna die. You're in a prequel.
The origins of Leatherface, "Sheriff Hoyt", Mama et al are interesting in their own right, but the true genius comes from R. Lee Emery (Hoyt) and his use of the word "balance".
Check it out. I challenge you to not laugh during one of the most disturbing scenes on celluloid.
Great movie. Slasher pic like they used to make.
Doombreed rating * * * * 1/2
11.10.06
England 0-2 Croatia
England against Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
One goal for each team.
Shame they were both in the same net.
Football. We invented it, and now we'll show the world how to suck at it.
One goal for each team.
Shame they were both in the same net.
Football. We invented it, and now we'll show the world how to suck at it.
10.10.06
Robocop Vs Terminator
The delectable Mrs Doombreed told me about this video available on YouTube. It is a home-made video - as is just about anything on YouTube - where the user, Zeddyone, has spliced together scenes from both Robocop and Terminator movies and created an amazing-looking short movie.
Robocop vs Terminator.
Robocop vs Terminator.
9.10.06
22nd Praetorian update
Way back here I posted pictures of my command squad, and here I posted pictures of my Rough Riders, both new additions to the legendary "Ironfist's 22", my IG regiment, the 22nd Regiment, Praetorian Imperial Guard.
Today, there has been a change. The command squad has a fourth and final member, a veteran, and both units have been undercoated.
Yep, over six months have passed and they've been undercoated.
It's like watching paint dry, but.. not.
Today, there has been a change. The command squad has a fourth and final member, a veteran, and both units have been undercoated.
Yep, over six months have passed and they've been undercoated.
It's like watching paint dry, but.. not.
8.10.06
Nancyboys and Fairies League
Well, Bengals are on a bye this week, so I watched some other games.
We saw Indianapolis barely snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against the Titans, a game that was littered with way too many "the underdog Titans at the undefeated Colts" lines for me.
We then watched Dallas, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Philadelphia, a game that was heralded by way too much nonsense about useless T.O. and his return to the Eagles stadium. Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe almost tied the game, and was only able to salvage a defeat by a skillful interception in the dying seconds as he was about to score.
Oh, yeah. Does Bledsoe have video footage of Bill Parcells having sex with goats or something? Maybe evidence of mob connections? How about financial records showing that Parcells hasn't paid tax in the last fifty years?
There has to be some reason why Bledsoe keeps on starting for the Cowboys, despite being, quite simply, as talented a quarterback as my left buttock, and blackmail is the only thing I can think of.
The Bears game wasn't shown, which is a shame because there's nothing funnier than a 40-0 beatdown except, maybe, a 40-0 beatdown where the beatees are allowed a single pity touchdown in the dying minutes of the game.
And now we're watching the Steelers getting a mild beating at the hands of the Chargers who, inexplicably, are playing in This Planet's Most Ridiculous Uniforms.
13-20 with 7 mins 15 secs left to play.
We saw Indianapolis barely snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against the Titans, a game that was littered with way too many "the underdog Titans at the undefeated Colts" lines for me.
We then watched Dallas, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Philadelphia, a game that was heralded by way too much nonsense about useless T.O. and his return to the Eagles stadium. Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe almost tied the game, and was only able to salvage a defeat by a skillful interception in the dying seconds as he was about to score.
Oh, yeah. Does Bledsoe have video footage of Bill Parcells having sex with goats or something? Maybe evidence of mob connections? How about financial records showing that Parcells hasn't paid tax in the last fifty years?
There has to be some reason why Bledsoe keeps on starting for the Cowboys, despite being, quite simply, as talented a quarterback as my left buttock, and blackmail is the only thing I can think of.
The Bears game wasn't shown, which is a shame because there's nothing funnier than a 40-0 beatdown except, maybe, a 40-0 beatdown where the beatees are allowed a single pity touchdown in the dying minutes of the game.
And now we're watching the Steelers getting a mild beating at the hands of the Chargers who, inexplicably, are playing in This Planet's Most Ridiculous Uniforms.
13-20 with 7 mins 15 secs left to play.
Forge World
Browsing through Games Workshop's Forge World site is an exercise in self control, or, for those of us with no money, an exercise in futile dreaming. Here are the best of the best in models, with prices to match.
New in, for example, are the Death Korps Of Kreig heavy weapons platforms. And beautiful they are, too. As are the Tallarn heavy weapons platforms. And the Elysian Drop Troops are, at least, moderately yummy.
New vehicles abound, like the Arvus Lighter, which is nice in a quirky way, and the Aquila Lander, which is the same. Not quite on the level of my personal favourite in the flyer category, the Thunderbolt, but still worthy contenders.
But, of course, the model to drool over is definitely the Bloodthirster (all 9.5 inches and £125.00 of him).
Aaaannd.. then there's the Thunderhawk Transport which, at£395.00
Now, where are those bloody lottery tickets..?
New in, for example, are the Death Korps Of Kreig heavy weapons platforms. And beautiful they are, too. As are the Tallarn heavy weapons platforms. And the Elysian Drop Troops are, at least, moderately yummy.
New vehicles abound, like the Arvus Lighter, which is nice in a quirky way, and the Aquila Lander, which is the same. Not quite on the level of my personal favourite in the flyer category, the Thunderbolt, but still worthy contenders.
But, of course, the model to drool over is definitely the Bloodthirster (all 9.5 inches and £125.00 of him).
Aaaannd.. then there's the Thunderhawk Transport which, at
Now, where are those bloody lottery tickets..?
6.10.06
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene, apparently digging herself in in order to repel some sort of invasion. All she needs is a GPMG and a belt of grenades.
SG-1 R.I.P
I was halfway through writing a review of the milestone 200th episode of Stargate SG-1, entitled, appropriately, "200", when I discovered some news.
Disturbing news.
SG-1 has been cancelled. The Sci-Fi Channel will not be buying any more episodes.
Gateworld, long viewed as the authority on everything under Cheyenne Mountain, confirms the news that, whilst Stargate: Atlantis has been renewed for another season, its older brother has not.
Still, when SG-1 first took off, it was being shown on Showtime and, after five years, they dropped it and Sci-Fi picked it up. This may not be the end of all things SG-1.
MGM owns the rights to SG-1, so there's rumours of a new direction - mini-series, TV movie, or another film - going on.
Still, it's got to feel bad for Ben Browder and Claudia Black who, with Farscape, now have the kiss of death on two shows.
This sounds like one of the worst decisions since Showtime decided to give up - er - SG-1.
Of course, with Dean Devlin getting a deal with MGM to produce the two Stargate sequels he wanted to do in the first place, which will ignore the SG-1 series completely, and carry on as if the last ten years never happened, it's almost enough to make a conspiracy theorist go "hmmm.."
Disturbing news.
SG-1 has been cancelled. The Sci-Fi Channel will not be buying any more episodes.
Gateworld, long viewed as the authority on everything under Cheyenne Mountain, confirms the news that, whilst Stargate: Atlantis has been renewed for another season, its older brother has not.
Still, when SG-1 first took off, it was being shown on Showtime and, after five years, they dropped it and Sci-Fi picked it up. This may not be the end of all things SG-1.
MGM owns the rights to SG-1, so there's rumours of a new direction - mini-series, TV movie, or another film - going on.
Still, it's got to feel bad for Ben Browder and Claudia Black who, with Farscape, now have the kiss of death on two shows.
This sounds like one of the worst decisions since Showtime decided to give up - er - SG-1.
Of course, with Dean Devlin getting a deal with MGM to produce the two Stargate sequels he wanted to do in the first place, which will ignore the SG-1 series completely, and carry on as if the last ten years never happened, it's almost enough to make a conspiracy theorist go "hmmm.."
4.10.06
George Carlin HBO special
George Carlin is a stand-up comic, actor, pseudo-philosopher and famous atheist. He's also just released an HBO special.
See it here.
And you can visit Carlin's website here.
WARNING:
The above links are most definitely, completely, utterly, obviously and undeniably NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK.
It is also 1 hour and 14 minutes long, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to watching it.
See it here.
And you can visit Carlin's website here.
WARNING:
The above links are most definitely, completely, utterly, obviously and undeniably NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK.
It is also 1 hour and 14 minutes long, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to watching it.
3.10.06
Well, nothing lasts forever
Feeling much better, so it's back to work tomorrow, so just to fill in the day, here's an interesting story nearly 40 years in the making.
I'm sure that most people are aware of the joke surrounding the 1969 Moon landing, where Neil Armstrong apparently fluffed his lines. On the way to the Moon, Armstrong says, he came up with the now famous phrase "that's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
But then, from the recording, he stuttered at the crucial moment and missed the "a", turning the phrase into "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind".
Well, apparently, he did no such thing. And a $45 computer programme proves it.
Allegedly.
One of the wierd things is that I have always thought that Armstrong intended to say "one small step for man", and never saw that there was anything wrong with it until a few years ago when it was pointed out to me. I mean, one small step for man? That means, like, a small step for man, as in a man, right? Isn't that, I thought, why he put in the difference beween man and mankind?
And, in the final analysis, wouldn't Armstrong be able to settle the argument by saying "Man? A man? Who cares? I was on the Moon, dude! Have you been on the Moon? Didn't think so! So shut up!"
I'm sure that most people are aware of the joke surrounding the 1969 Moon landing, where Neil Armstrong apparently fluffed his lines. On the way to the Moon, Armstrong says, he came up with the now famous phrase "that's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
But then, from the recording, he stuttered at the crucial moment and missed the "a", turning the phrase into "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind".
Well, apparently, he did no such thing. And a $45 computer programme proves it.
Allegedly.
One of the wierd things is that I have always thought that Armstrong intended to say "one small step for man", and never saw that there was anything wrong with it until a few years ago when it was pointed out to me. I mean, one small step for man? That means, like, a small step for man, as in a man, right? Isn't that, I thought, why he put in the difference beween man and mankind?
And, in the final analysis, wouldn't Armstrong be able to settle the argument by saying "Man? A man? Who cares? I was on the Moon, dude! Have you been on the Moon? Didn't think so! So shut up!"
Carnival Of The Godless
Feeling tired and sick tonight, so here's just a quick link to the latest Carnival Of The Godless over at Salto Sobrius.
Some very interesting reading.
Some very interesting reading.
1.10.06
Bengals 13 - 38 Patriots
The Bengals fell today to the New England fuckin' Patriots.
My biggest problem with the Patriots - apart from the fact that they just handed the Bengals a defeat - is that they are one of those teams that, shall we say, plays on the edge of the rules. Watching the Patriots play is almost like watching Argentina play.
What pisses me off is that unlike, say, the Eagles, who are known as another of those "slightly less than sportsmanlike" teams, the Patriots are lauded for their style instead of lambasted.
Still, they're not that good. What really hurt the Bengals was piss-poor defence combined with piss-poor offence.
Early on, the Bengals had the Patriots mostly contained, and then it fell apart. Early on, the Bengals were doing very well, and then it fell apart. The Bengals were playing the way they used to when the NFL knew them as "The Bungles".
Shoddy performance, made worse by the commentators' gushing.
Bye week next week, and then it's on to Tampa for the Buccaneers.
3-1-0
My biggest problem with the Patriots - apart from the fact that they just handed the Bengals a defeat - is that they are one of those teams that, shall we say, plays on the edge of the rules. Watching the Patriots play is almost like watching Argentina play.
What pisses me off is that unlike, say, the Eagles, who are known as another of those "slightly less than sportsmanlike" teams, the Patriots are lauded for their style instead of lambasted.
Still, they're not that good. What really hurt the Bengals was piss-poor defence combined with piss-poor offence.
Early on, the Bengals had the Patriots mostly contained, and then it fell apart. Early on, the Bengals were doing very well, and then it fell apart. The Bengals were playing the way they used to when the NFL knew them as "The Bungles".
Shoddy performance, made worse by the commentators' gushing.
Bye week next week, and then it's on to Tampa for the Buccaneers.
3-1-0
The Lost Numbers
Speaking of Lost, here is a linky to a blog called The Lost Numbers Guide, dedicated, strangely enough, to the Lost numbers.
Still sick and still Lost
Okay, Mrs Doombreed and I have reached the end of the first season of Lost, and just one question remains.
How many people play 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 in lotteries around the world?
I wish there was some way to find out.
How many people play 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 in lotteries around the world?
I wish there was some way to find out.
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