Latest Blog Posts
Senator Jon Bruning?
I don’t think so. Its pretty clear to us all that the right-right have got him thinking that he should run and maybe even that he could win. But I don’t think he stands a chance. Sure, there are a lot of Republicans who would rather burn themselves alive than continue to see Hagel exist as a life form, let alone continue to harp on Bush on the Sunday morning talk shows, but they are a minority, albeit a highly vocal and visible one.
In my analysis, Hagel has the money and political connections and power to maintain his senate seat (if he chooses to do so) easily. He votes with Bush on everything BUT Iraq, and that’s probably not a liability seeing as how 67% of the country or whatever it is wants us to leave Iraq in some fashion, and pretty much everyone either hates Bush or thinks he has become a liability to the Republican party.
Yep, It’s Started…
Anyone here besides me seen the critically and popularly acclaimed Old Boy? The same director made a film in his “Vengeance Trilogy” that was one of my favorites of last year.
On NYTimes tonight - speculation links the VT massacre to film.
Big O
One of my consistently favorite radio shows/podcasts of the past few years - Studio 360 - focused on Omaha in its Friday edition.
The Doctor Returns
That’s right everyone. Doctor Who is back on NET! I’m watching the opening credits now.
Seeking Geeks
I know there are a few computer types out there who visit this site. You geeks – you know who you are - I need to get a new desktop this month because my current system is teetering on the edge. I use my desktop at home really pretty often, both for typical work stuff and web surfing, but also watching videos, listening to music, and casual gaming. Pretty normal home use, although I would say that the gaming aspect requires something with kick (and something that won’t be obsolete in a year – I want to be able to play “high end” games effectively in the next few years without having to suffer from poor performance – but I am not such a nut that I would pay more than $2000 for a hardcore gaming system. You could consider me a casual gamer, but not so casual that I would make do with a system that won’t perform).
I am looking at something along the following lines:
Windows OS (xp or get vista?)
2 gigs of RAM at least
A dual core microprocessor with at least 2.2 GHz capabilities
256 MB video card at least
At least 320 GB for a HD, preferably much larger (500 GB)
A couple of DVD drives
The problem is that everytime I configure something at the Dell site, there is always something about the limitations that bug me a bit. I have looked at the high end dimensions and low-medium XP models. The optimal builds are usually the medium end XPs, but then that’s putting me in the $1700-2000 range even with the discounts they typically offer. Obviously, I would like to spend as little as possible. I would prefer not to go over $1500 if that is possible. $1700 would be the absolute maximum I would want to go to. And I can get an OS and your typical office software pretty cheap through my employer. So I am basically just thinking of that money for the hardware.
I am considering having a local vendor build one for me (I wouldn’t want to do it myself but have a pro do it for me/consult on parts, etc.). I feel it would provide me with a lot of flexibility, and be cheaper, but I also worry about not having a warranty or service then. Any advice on my situation? What would you do? Any specific types of hardware you would recommend? And if I did go with a local vendor/build my own route, I don’t know what local vendors to use (thus I would appreciate tips on this too). Thanks in advance. Feel free to zip me a PM too.
Local PBS Programming
I am a member of NET Television, and was pleased to learn today that NET will begin broadcasting Doctor Who on Sundays this coming April. I’m not as big a sci-fi buff as I was when I was younger, but tuning in to Doctor Who again should be a guilty pleasure and a nostalgia kick, since I used to watch that program religiously when I was in grade school.
However, I should also say that I am still a bit miffed that NET doesn’t have a locally produced Nebraska news and human interest program anymore. They used to have a program called Statewide which was fantastic. It was educational, varied, and well-produced. Being a Lincolnite (and not a native Nebraskan) whose opportunities to go to other communities in the state is few and far between, I thought Statewide was a solid program that provided me with an informative window on events happening across the state, and I watched it regularly. If I had to choose between Doctor Who and bringing back Statewide or a similar incantation, I would choose the latter in a heartbeat.
I don’t understand why NET dumped Statewide. Although they don’t seem to want to push a Nebraska news and human interest program, they will continue to produce local programs like Backyard Farmer and the Big Red Wrap-Up. Between a statewide news program, a program on gardening, and a sports show, one would think that they would dump either the gardening or sports show and not the news program if they had to choose. Not to hate on the gardening show, but of the three of them, it’s the least Nebraska-specific. As for Big Red Wrap-up, isn’t it a tad bit redundant to have yet another Husker sports program when almost every single media outlet in the state also has some platform to talk about the huskers? And don’t get me started on why they have decided to inundate us with tripe like Antiques Roadshow multiple times in one week. What is that? Oh well, maybe someone can splain it to me.
Okonokos
I missed out on this October 2006 release from My Morning Jacket with all the holiday madness and usual year end stuff to do. Now I’ve been listening to it 2-3 times a day for the past week. Excellent, excellent addition to those who like quality live albums. Great performances and fantastic sound quality. Even Mr. Wilson downloaded it, and the only album he owns is Journey’s Greatest Hits.
Brought to you by the same people behind Volvo…
When I first heard this I was like whaa? But when you think about it, there is some tremendous potential here.
Sweden is soon to become the first country to have a government-sanctioned virtual “embassy” in the virtual world of Second Life.
Calling Kenneth H. Zike
The Chuckster made it to the current edition of GQ:
Sitting in his office on a recent afternoon, Hagel leaned back in his armchair to explain, in a voice reminiscent of sandpaper on rough oak, how he was deceived by the president, and won’t let it happen again.
Another Cable Poll
MSNBC poll here. Its hard to disagree that Van Halen or The Police shouldn’t reunite. Yet the likelihood of that happening is about the same as Rosie and Trump eloping, especially when it comes to Van Halen and stupid ass Eddie Van Halen’s ego.
In anycase, when it comes to reuniting - and I take it that means an ACTUAL reuniting where a group cuts a new, original album and tours (and not just do a one time get together) - can’t I get some love for Pink Floyd and the Wu Tang Clan?
A Holiday Treat For The Beer Orchid
Note how the cost of a “Crave Crate” of 100 hamburgers is the same price as ordering 100 singles.
Ten (or Eleven) for 2006
Not necessarily a list of bests or worsts, just a list of memorable items. Expect something from Mr. Wilson later in the weekend.
Tuna salad croissant sandwiches at Highnooners – I think I ate at Highnooners close to 30 times this year, and at least half of those times I ordered their tuna salad sandwiches. Especially good with cucumbers and sprouts. You have to ask them for croissants since its not on their bag menus.
The Pete Ricketts’ media campaign team – I am still convinced they were democrats.
Jogging in Pioneers Park – Walking in Pioneers Park was also pretty cool. Weather was awesome all year around.
Foreign movies – I think I saw less than 8 movies in theaters this year. Coincidentally, my three favorite ones were all foreign films (Borat does not count as a foreign movie by the way). Those were The Proposition, Lady Vengeance, and The Road to Guantanamo. I believe both Lady Vengeance and Guantanamo were actually made in 2005 but had US releases this year. Guantanamo didn’t make it to Lincoln until the opening week of the football season. As far as favorite US film of the year, that has to be Clerks II.
iTunes 7 – Never before has any “entertainment” application caused me as much grief as iTunes 7 has.
Hug It Out Bitch – The Michael Scott quote of the year. Perhaps surpassing the David Brent “there’s been a rape up there” moment.
Stupid Remarks – George Allen, Mel Gibson, Kramer, Rosie O’Donnell, and countless others…Thanks for making 2006 the ”Year O’ Racism”.
Listening to awesome podcasts (or podcasted radio shows) – The best in criticizing, attacking, apologizing, explaining, predicting, analyzing, debating, and just plain and pure whining. A few notables include Filmspotting’s #110 and #129, the Blogher session on racial identity and blogging, M. Ward on All Songs Considered, This American Life #320, and Michael Apted on The Treatment.
Wasting Time Looking at Cool Photo and Food websites and blogs – Like those belonging to Mr. Toledano and Austin Bush.
The Month of June – Yep, the entire month rocked.
Person of the Year - Zinedine Zidane. Gratuitous Zidane youtube tribute/compilation/music video montage here.
King of the Trifecta of Comedy?
Carell, Colbert, and Cohen… Could Steve Carell be the king of comedy’s 2006 Triad - all whom coincidentally share the last name of C? After watching tonight’s episode of The Office, I think so. I am a huge Steve Carell fan. The above is a screenshot of Season 1, Episode 2 of The Office, one of my favorite epis so far for this brilliant series, an oldie but a goodie.
Earlier today, in a conversation with Mr. Wilson, we were hashing out the “greats” of comedy whose names begin with C, and I added some more after the fact. The list is a long and illustrious one:
candy, john
carey, drew
carell, steve
carlin, george
carrey, jim
carson, johnny
carvey, dana
chaplin, charlie
chappelle, dave
chase, chevy
cho, margaret
cleese, john
cohen, sacha baron
colbert, stephen
corddry, rob
cosby, bill
crystal, billy
curtin, jane
Why do all the greats have last names beginning with C? Regardless, Steve Carell, may you live long and prosper!
TV Night
I am looking forward to the Gervais and Merchant-penned episode of The Office which will premiere tomorrow. Possibly the best thing out of British comedy in a while. Certainly better than watching Gordon Ramsay talking about his low sperm count (on BBC America now, ugh).
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