Tablet computers first got my attention after watching an episode of South Park called "HUMANCENTiPAD". In the epidsode, Eric Cartman wanted to get an Apple iPad. The store had a Toshiba Handibook for half price. After seeing that episode, i searched Amazon.com for a Toshiba tablet - to find that they were taking pre-orders for the Toshiba Thrive. i added it to my wishlist for a while.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
My Top X Xmas Songs
So, i have been seeing lists popping up reecntly decrying the worst Xmas songs of all time. Yes, some of them are awful/depressing - like "Christmas Shoes". Here is a list of songs that i kind of like (unfortunately, my collection of Xmas songs wasn't on my flash drive). You think i would have a better list considering the radio statio i listen to has changed to all Xmas music. i'm sure i left a bunch out.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Under My Tree, A Blu Xmas
So, here is what under my tree looks like... It is less impressive than it looks.
Basically, there are several relatively cheap discs of some type under my tree. There are a few video games (like the 3 i got at Wal-Mart on Black Friday). Yes, i might have gone overboard on some purchases (quantity, not so much price). Many of these questionable purchases are Blu-Ray discs that were on sale (several under $10). i don't have cable in my room, i have to do something (especially with a hit-or-miss internet connection).
Much of this stuff i bought for myself - yes that is kind of pathetic. Why not, this could be my last Xmas? The world is going to end in 2012 anyway...
Basically, there are several relatively cheap discs of some type under my tree. There are a few video games (like the 3 i got at Wal-Mart on Black Friday). Yes, i might have gone overboard on some purchases (quantity, not so much price). Many of these questionable purchases are Blu-Ray discs that were on sale (several under $10). i don't have cable in my room, i have to do something (especially with a hit-or-miss internet connection).
Much of this stuff i bought for myself - yes that is kind of pathetic. Why not, this could be my last Xmas? The world is going to end in 2012 anyway...
Without the Stuff i got Myself
The Morning After (Some of the Stuff)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Random Seattle Mariner Post: With Made Up Numbers
Recently, a lot has been made of the Angels signing Albert Pujols. What came to light later (the Angels massive media deal) paints an even bleaker picture for the Mariners. There are some things i will gloss over/omit.
The main point i'm getting at is that the Mariners do not have the resources to compete head on with the Angels and Rangers. To compete they will have to be smarter (and luckier).
The following will be my unsubstantiated and possibly uninformed views and should be taken as such
The Mariners are a small to mid market team (they always have been). They had several good, yet unsustainable, years running with the best of teams. Yes, the 1995-2003 Mariners success was kind of a fad (best case scenario) in the market. The Mariners time in that spotlight has passed. The Cleveland Indians actually seem to be in a similar situation (except without the huge free spenders).
So what should the Mariners payroll be in 2012?
To answer this, i will make some questionable assumptions and inferences.
- The TV deal was estimated at about $30-45 million per year through 2020
- The Radio deal with KIRO was valued at around $5.5 million per year from 2009-2011 (apparently, the Mariners signed an extension with KIRO)
TV - http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Mariners-FSN-near-10-year-deal-1231921.php
Radio -(http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/07/Issue-211/Sports-Media/Mariners-Sign-Three-Year-Radio-Rights-Deal-With-KIRO-AM.aspx)
Forbes had an interesting article on stuff like this
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_Seattle-Mariners_331202.html
Basically, Forbes puts revenue at $204 million (this likely includes the media deals)
* My projected revenue scenario for 2012
- Attendance: 1.746 million (10% off of 2011 total): $52.38 million
- TV deal (estimate): $45 million
- Radio Deal (estimate): $6 million
(my estimates based offf of 2011 data i am using are off by 98.68 million from Forbes)
$103.38 million + $93 million = 196.38 million (that Forbes had last year, probably relating to money from league deals)
Now to take some costs off the board (these are my views, not necessarily reality)...
* Operating/Misc Costs - $83.1 million (loosely and badly based off of the Forbes estimates from 2011)
* "Shareholder Return on Investment" - $8 million (about 4.07%)
Total - about $91.1 million
Max payroll, benefits, signing bonuses, scouting, travel, etc $105 million (or a decrease of about 6 million, according to Forbes, from last year).
Basically, what this comes down to is about 75-80 million payroll seems acceptable considering current (estimated) revenue numbers. However, the longer term outlook probably slots the payroll numbers lower.
The main point i'm getting at is that the Mariners do not have the resources to compete head on with the Angels and Rangers. To compete they will have to be smarter (and luckier).
The following will be my unsubstantiated and possibly uninformed views and should be taken as such
The Mariners are a small to mid market team (they always have been). They had several good, yet unsustainable, years running with the best of teams. Yes, the 1995-2003 Mariners success was kind of a fad (best case scenario) in the market. The Mariners time in that spotlight has passed. The Cleveland Indians actually seem to be in a similar situation (except without the huge free spenders).
So what should the Mariners payroll be in 2012?
To answer this, i will make some questionable assumptions and inferences.
- The TV deal was estimated at about $30-45 million per year through 2020
- The Radio deal with KIRO was valued at around $5.5 million per year from 2009-2011 (apparently, the Mariners signed an extension with KIRO)
TV - http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Mariners-FSN-near-10-year-deal-1231921.php
Radio -(http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/07/Issue-211/Sports-Media/Mariners-Sign-Three-Year-Radio-Rights-Deal-With-KIRO-AM.aspx)
Forbes had an interesting article on stuff like this
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_Seattle-Mariners_331202.html
Basically, Forbes puts revenue at $204 million (this likely includes the media deals)
* My projected revenue scenario for 2012
- Attendance: 1.746 million (10% off of 2011 total): $52.38 million
- TV deal (estimate): $45 million
- Radio Deal (estimate): $6 million
(my estimates based offf of 2011 data i am using are off by 98.68 million from Forbes)
$103.38 million + $93 million = 196.38 million (that Forbes had last year, probably relating to money from league deals)
Now to take some costs off the board (these are my views, not necessarily reality)...
* Operating/Misc Costs - $83.1 million (loosely and badly based off of the Forbes estimates from 2011)
* "Shareholder Return on Investment" - $8 million (about 4.07%)
Total - about $91.1 million
Max payroll, benefits, signing bonuses, scouting, travel, etc $105 million (or a decrease of about 6 million, according to Forbes, from last year).
Basically, what this comes down to is about 75-80 million payroll seems acceptable considering current (estimated) revenue numbers. However, the longer term outlook probably slots the payroll numbers lower.
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