Are you ready for the epic story about how i met my HDTV. It is a story filled with drama, satisfaction, longing and atypical behavior (for me). It is a story that will elicit yawns for posts and posts to come.
Over the years i have needlessly wasted money (or misspent it) on things i would come to regret, this is not one of those purchases.
Back in the year 2007 (yes, it was a year i hear) i decided that the time had come for me to look into purchasing an HDTV. The switch to digital/HDTV was on the horizon. So, with that in mind i set out on the arduous process of finding out what i really wanted. Initially i thought that it would be cool to have an DLP. However, several issues (such as cost) changed my mind.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Congratualtions New Graduates
Congratulations new graduates.
Ok now that i said that (sarcasm doesn't come off in written form, does it?). Picture an evil villain laughing (or maybe a cautionary tale who's been there). The graduates of today face one of the most annoying and harsh environments in recent history. Good luck graduates - you are really, really going to need it.
There is so much they didn't tell you in school. There is so much they taught you in school that may not be true. Real life really is nothing like school (especially college - theory heavy, no real usage for the information). In fact, you will find most of the stuff they taught you is completely irrelevant. You really are not as prepared as you think you are.
i just thought that maybe someone should throw a little water over this jubilation. Graduates in the US and other countries (not sure about their timetables) face a tough road ahead. The gender shift (and roles) are still confusing and seemingly arbitrary. Relationships are no longer the bedrock they used to be in simpler times. The worker faces more threats to their job security - both domestically and internationally. Things are getting more expensive and population abundances are going to keep wages down.
Don't get too comfortable it gets worse. That starter job can evaporate over night. The government will probably increase taxes (in all its various forms). Life will only get more expensive. Insurance rates will increase. Your whole credit/financial life could be wiped out overnight by cyber-terrorists. The future looks kind of bleak.
Ok now that i said that (sarcasm doesn't come off in written form, does it?). Picture an evil villain laughing (or maybe a cautionary tale who's been there). The graduates of today face one of the most annoying and harsh environments in recent history. Good luck graduates - you are really, really going to need it.
There is so much they didn't tell you in school. There is so much they taught you in school that may not be true. Real life really is nothing like school (especially college - theory heavy, no real usage for the information). In fact, you will find most of the stuff they taught you is completely irrelevant. You really are not as prepared as you think you are.
i just thought that maybe someone should throw a little water over this jubilation. Graduates in the US and other countries (not sure about their timetables) face a tough road ahead. The gender shift (and roles) are still confusing and seemingly arbitrary. Relationships are no longer the bedrock they used to be in simpler times. The worker faces more threats to their job security - both domestically and internationally. Things are getting more expensive and population abundances are going to keep wages down.
Don't get too comfortable it gets worse. That starter job can evaporate over night. The government will probably increase taxes (in all its various forms). Life will only get more expensive. Insurance rates will increase. Your whole credit/financial life could be wiped out overnight by cyber-terrorists. The future looks kind of bleak.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
This Date In Awesome: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
On June 11, 1986 a cinematic masterpiece would be unleashed on an unsuspecting world. i am of course referring to the John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Have you seen this movie Anyone... Anyone... Anyone? Basically this is the epic story of a ridiculously well connected high school student and his desire to take a day off. After all, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Joining Ferris (Matthew Broderick) on his quest are his hypochondriac friend Cameron and his junior girlfriend Sloane Peterson. The problem was that Ferris Bueller was sort of a cult hero to the students of his highschool (probably in Shermer, IL). Every clique seemed to hold him in high regard. This did not sit well with the principal Ed Rooney - who wanted to make an example out of Ferris. Ferris Bueller's sister was not a fan either. So, Ferris had his foil in place. Ferris did not have his own "piece of tin" so he needed the help from his friend Cameron. Long story short, the car was a sweet low mileage Ferrari California that just had to be taken out of the garage. "If you have the means, I would highly recommend picking one up". The rest of the movie was about Ferris and his two buddies having fun on their day off (usually in oddly public settings). In the end... Ferris had his day off, Cameron stood up to his dad and Principal Rooney was mauled by a dog.
This movie has earned a place in popular culture (being referenced by a ton of other movies, shows, music, etc). Who would have thought a $6 million dollar budget movie could have that much of an impact. Matthew Broderick went on to star in other movies (like Godzilla, hey i liked it). Alan Ruck (Cameron Frye) went on to have a role as the awesomely lascivious Stuart Bondek in Spin City, the "oh darn" guy in Speed and numerous other appearances. Ben Stein as a teacher was a brilliant casting decision. If not for this movie, i doubt anyone would have heard the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello (though i'm not sure if that would have been a bad thing). i think of Ferris Bueller every time i hear hear the songs "Danke Schoen" and "Twist and Shout" - along with the weird "butt dance". Everyone wanted to Save Ferris for some reason (even on sign at Wrigley Field), but how many people actually knew who he was? Also, how else could have Psych used the line "how very Cameron Frye of you" without this movie.
One more thing about the movie is the TV version. It seem hilarious to me how this was edited. Classic lines include stuff about a "piece of tin", "put a lump of coal in his fist", "the jig is up", etc. It is sadder because none of this stuff really needs to be edited.
Overall, it was an awesome movie from an awesome era. i know it is more memorable than any day i have ever had.
Have you seen this movie Anyone... Anyone... Anyone? Basically this is the epic story of a ridiculously well connected high school student and his desire to take a day off. After all, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Joining Ferris (Matthew Broderick) on his quest are his hypochondriac friend Cameron and his junior girlfriend Sloane Peterson. The problem was that Ferris Bueller was sort of a cult hero to the students of his highschool (probably in Shermer, IL). Every clique seemed to hold him in high regard. This did not sit well with the principal Ed Rooney - who wanted to make an example out of Ferris. Ferris Bueller's sister was not a fan either. So, Ferris had his foil in place. Ferris did not have his own "piece of tin" so he needed the help from his friend Cameron. Long story short, the car was a sweet low mileage Ferrari California that just had to be taken out of the garage. "If you have the means, I would highly recommend picking one up". The rest of the movie was about Ferris and his two buddies having fun on their day off (usually in oddly public settings). In the end... Ferris had his day off, Cameron stood up to his dad and Principal Rooney was mauled by a dog.
This movie has earned a place in popular culture (being referenced by a ton of other movies, shows, music, etc). Who would have thought a $6 million dollar budget movie could have that much of an impact. Matthew Broderick went on to star in other movies (like Godzilla, hey i liked it). Alan Ruck (Cameron Frye) went on to have a role as the awesomely lascivious Stuart Bondek in Spin City, the "oh darn" guy in Speed and numerous other appearances. Ben Stein as a teacher was a brilliant casting decision. If not for this movie, i doubt anyone would have heard the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello (though i'm not sure if that would have been a bad thing). i think of Ferris Bueller every time i hear hear the songs "Danke Schoen" and "Twist and Shout" - along with the weird "butt dance". Everyone wanted to Save Ferris for some reason (even on sign at Wrigley Field), but how many people actually knew who he was? Also, how else could have Psych used the line "how very Cameron Frye of you" without this movie.
One more thing about the movie is the TV version. It seem hilarious to me how this was edited. Classic lines include stuff about a "piece of tin", "put a lump of coal in his fist", "the jig is up", etc. It is sadder because none of this stuff really needs to be edited.
Overall, it was an awesome movie from an awesome era. i know it is more memorable than any day i have ever had.
Baseball Bloggers - Why Some of Them Suck
Ok, so i have been thinking about a post like this for a number of years. This is not going to be a glowing endorsement of these types of people (even if i have some specific in mind). In fact, some people may view this as a little bit mean, but not vindictive.
Baseball is known for being America's past time. However the fascination with the sport has led to a dark and evil space... i am of course referring to "sabermetric" (many are not actually attached to SABR in any real way) blogs. Just because you can "prove" something on Excel doesn't mean it is a universal truth (and i love to use my Excel).
It is not so much that a certain subsection of the population subscribe to a certain world view. It is mostly about the way the communities operate and act. Basically what you see (in some places) is a condescending, snobbish, demeaning culture of self-professed intelligentsia. Let's put it this way, WWII Germany had far more intellectual diversity. Some of these sites are more about ego aggrandizing that actual real content. Yes, i know that this is a common group dynamic. The "accredited" (in some way leader) and those who bask in (and claim) the leader's intellectual prowess for their own.
You usually have the overbearing "leader" (or fuhrer) who always says that opposing viewpoints are stupid (sometimes in harsh and demeaning ways) and the semi-mindless sheep who follow. The leader is not bound by any sense of decency - just overblown rhetoric about how they are right and everything else in the universe is wrong. Condescension, blogger be thy name. In fact, it seems like the leader views everyone who doesn't blindly believe everything they say with contempt. So it is kind of a dictatorial set-up (with the requisite SS cohorts). They can make claims like player X is complete garbage and will never amount to anything. Let's just say they are not noted for their diplomacy or tact. If anyone disagrees with the leader, the hive mind comes in to play. The somewhat humorous aspect here is that the leader is talking mostly out of egotism. If they were nearly as smart (and capable) as they think they are, they would probably have a real job in the field.
Basically the problem with modern baseball stat worship is that it sprung out of the highest of the high ego business set. Sure, these people can construct rough operating budgets and the like. In fact that is actually where a great deal of this "sabermetric" stuff came from. Basically, they are trying to apply business metrics to baseball statistics. That branched more into the statistics area (i've never been a fan of hypotesis testing - as it is not that useful in the real world). Needless to say, i don't see them as being that closely correlated. i'm sure many of the metrics were best fit methods (using multi-variate regressions). However, i've played with stats enough (in a past educational life) to realize that how you define or work with variables can definitely skew the results (maybe that is the idea). If you have no real checks (too many similar minded people) - they could run wild.
With baseball the concept can be broken down to bases. A run is four bases (actually, when i played with some stats it ranged from about 4-6 bases, i forget the real number). OPS and the like are really expected value calculations. In other words, the chance they get on base (OBP/AVG) times the number of bases they get when they are on base (SLG, etc). Then you get into really messed up stuff like win probability. i guess it is unfortunate for stat heads that games arent' being played by perfectly replicating machines and controlled "trials".
Baseball is known for being America's past time. However the fascination with the sport has led to a dark and evil space... i am of course referring to "sabermetric" (many are not actually attached to SABR in any real way) blogs. Just because you can "prove" something on Excel doesn't mean it is a universal truth (and i love to use my Excel).
It is not so much that a certain subsection of the population subscribe to a certain world view. It is mostly about the way the communities operate and act. Basically what you see (in some places) is a condescending, snobbish, demeaning culture of self-professed intelligentsia. Let's put it this way, WWII Germany had far more intellectual diversity. Some of these sites are more about ego aggrandizing that actual real content. Yes, i know that this is a common group dynamic. The "accredited" (in some way leader) and those who bask in (and claim) the leader's intellectual prowess for their own.
You usually have the overbearing "leader" (or fuhrer) who always says that opposing viewpoints are stupid (sometimes in harsh and demeaning ways) and the semi-mindless sheep who follow. The leader is not bound by any sense of decency - just overblown rhetoric about how they are right and everything else in the universe is wrong. Condescension, blogger be thy name. In fact, it seems like the leader views everyone who doesn't blindly believe everything they say with contempt. So it is kind of a dictatorial set-up (with the requisite SS cohorts). They can make claims like player X is complete garbage and will never amount to anything. Let's just say they are not noted for their diplomacy or tact. If anyone disagrees with the leader, the hive mind comes in to play. The somewhat humorous aspect here is that the leader is talking mostly out of egotism. If they were nearly as smart (and capable) as they think they are, they would probably have a real job in the field.
Basically the problem with modern baseball stat worship is that it sprung out of the highest of the high ego business set. Sure, these people can construct rough operating budgets and the like. In fact that is actually where a great deal of this "sabermetric" stuff came from. Basically, they are trying to apply business metrics to baseball statistics. That branched more into the statistics area (i've never been a fan of hypotesis testing - as it is not that useful in the real world). Needless to say, i don't see them as being that closely correlated. i'm sure many of the metrics were best fit methods (using multi-variate regressions). However, i've played with stats enough (in a past educational life) to realize that how you define or work with variables can definitely skew the results (maybe that is the idea). If you have no real checks (too many similar minded people) - they could run wild.
With baseball the concept can be broken down to bases. A run is four bases (actually, when i played with some stats it ranged from about 4-6 bases, i forget the real number). OPS and the like are really expected value calculations. In other words, the chance they get on base (OBP/AVG) times the number of bases they get when they are on base (SLG, etc). Then you get into really messed up stuff like win probability. i guess it is unfortunate for stat heads that games arent' being played by perfectly replicating machines and controlled "trials".
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
i Went to a AAA Baseball Game Today, Sort Of
i finally go to go to a game at the renovated Cheney Stadium.
Unfortunately, i went to this particular game (AAA Baseball). It was one of the more boring baseball games i have ever seen. There were only three hits for the hometown Rainiers to go with several walks. The teams both played mostly disinterested baseball. The starting pitcher Blake Beavin was missing his spot more often than hitting it (fastball was 90-93 MPH). The Rainiers defense was iffy with 3 miscues - 2 by the shortstop (Kazmar) and one by the the third baseman (fielded the ball cleanly, couldn't throw it). The final score of this snooze-fest was 3-0 for the Reno Aces of Diamonds.
i can see why stat heads are enamoured with Dustin Ackley's command of the strike zone. However, i wasn't really all that impressed with him. His contact was mostly of the pull variety (a weak pop up and at least one decently hit grounder to the first base side). i am kind of surprised that the pitchers aren't trying to abuse him with curves and sliders on the outside half of the plate like they do with so many other left handed hitters.
Shin-Soo Choo is still probably the best player i have seen play for the Rainiers.
Much like the Mariners, the Rainiers are kind of a dull team. They do have some mildly interesting players and no pitching. i find Greg Halman to be the most interesting player on the current roster. The guy has decent acceleration from first to second (kind of fast) and has some power, but often looks lost at the off-speed stuff. In other words, he is the Rainiers' Pedro Serrano (with better speed and defense). He struck out once at this game, but walked twice (which i hear is a really rare occurrence).
Oh, the renovated stadium is kind of nice. They added a decent video screen and luxury boxes to the stadium. Unfortunately, they also lowered the fences significantly. They also moved the bullpens out beyond the left field wall. Cheney Stadium was kind of an old dank-ish ballpark before - and i kind of miss that. They also took out a lot of the roof overhang (where i like to go to avoid the sun). It is always kind of strange to see people with clipboards and radar guns in the immediate area.
Unfortunately, i went to this particular game (AAA Baseball). It was one of the more boring baseball games i have ever seen. There were only three hits for the hometown Rainiers to go with several walks. The teams both played mostly disinterested baseball. The starting pitcher Blake Beavin was missing his spot more often than hitting it (fastball was 90-93 MPH). The Rainiers defense was iffy with 3 miscues - 2 by the shortstop (Kazmar) and one by the the third baseman (fielded the ball cleanly, couldn't throw it). The final score of this snooze-fest was 3-0 for the Reno Aces of Diamonds.
i can see why stat heads are enamoured with Dustin Ackley's command of the strike zone. However, i wasn't really all that impressed with him. His contact was mostly of the pull variety (a weak pop up and at least one decently hit grounder to the first base side). i am kind of surprised that the pitchers aren't trying to abuse him with curves and sliders on the outside half of the plate like they do with so many other left handed hitters.
Shin-Soo Choo is still probably the best player i have seen play for the Rainiers.
Much like the Mariners, the Rainiers are kind of a dull team. They do have some mildly interesting players and no pitching. i find Greg Halman to be the most interesting player on the current roster. The guy has decent acceleration from first to second (kind of fast) and has some power, but often looks lost at the off-speed stuff. In other words, he is the Rainiers' Pedro Serrano (with better speed and defense). He struck out once at this game, but walked twice (which i hear is a really rare occurrence).
Oh, the renovated stadium is kind of nice. They added a decent video screen and luxury boxes to the stadium. Unfortunately, they also lowered the fences significantly. They also moved the bullpens out beyond the left field wall. Cheney Stadium was kind of an old dank-ish ballpark before - and i kind of miss that. They also took out a lot of the roof overhang (where i like to go to avoid the sun). It is always kind of strange to see people with clipboards and radar guns in the immediate area.
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