Archive for the ‘Loser’ Category

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Random notes: April 15, 2010.

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Happy National Buy a Gun Day. I usually extend this out to the weekend, just because it is almost impossible to get out to the gun stores during the workweek.

Lawrence suggested I blog this: guy gets 20 years in prison for selling community service hours to people on probation. The coke they found in his pocket didn’t help much, either: he got 15 years for that. (The Chron doesn’t say if the sentence runs consecutively or concurrently.)

The Astros are now 0-8. I was holding out on blogging again until they reached 0-10 (if that happened) but noting the Astros record gives me an excuse to link to this article about the 1983 team, which started out 0-9.

Edited to add 2: Darn, they finally won a game. At 1-8, that puts their winning percentage at .111, which projects out to 17.982 games over the 162 game season.

Edited to add: Tragic news out of Louisana. Production on “Steven Seagal: Lawman” has been shut down. Apparently, the sex slave charges are just too much of a distraction for the department.

Posted in Clippings, Guns, Law, Loser, TV | Comments Closed

Random notes: April 11, 2010.

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

This weekend has been rather busy, so I’m a little behind in blogging.

Friday was the annual barbecue roadtrip, in which a group of us rent a nice car and drive out into the Hill Country in search of barbecue.

After the jump, photos and commentary from the roadtrip, as well as the Texas Linux Fest:

(more…)

Posted in Books, Cars, Clippings, Food, Law, linux, Loser, Obits | 1 Comment »

Obligatory baseball post.

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Yesterday’s HouChron had an article (that I can’t find now Here we go.) stating that the Astros will win 81 games. As Lawrence put it, “Where can I bet the ‘under’ line on that prediction?”

Here’s the line on the Astros this season.

Meanwhile, the Astros lost the first game of the season at Minute Maid Park. The bad thing about this is the Astros won’t be able to sell beer at the games this year…because they lost the opener.

(Thank you, I’ll be here all week. Try the veal, and remember to tip your waitress.)

(And the Cubs lost to the Braves: 16-5. I’m still optimistic, even though FARK claims the Cubs have been mathematically eliminated.

Edited to add: I was kidding when I posted that comment, but now…)

Posted in Loser | 1 Comment »

Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na…

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Bat Fest!

This is one of those “only in Austin” stories. The mayor is proposing an event to celebrate Austin’s bat population, even though we’ve had an event for the past five years. However, the existing event has shut down the Congress Avenue bridge, which is a major artery, for anywhere from a day to a weekend: the mayor’s proposal would only shut down the bridge for a couple of hours on Sunday night. Plus, the mayor’s plan doesn’t involve charging admission; the existing festival does charge, although the promoter has said he plans for it to be free this year.

As part of the “Night of the Bat” celebration, Adam West , star of the 1960s “Batman” TV series, will attend a June 6 Paramount Theatre screening of the 1966 film “Batman”; RunTex plans to hold a bat-themed run/walk June 6 ; and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a private “Batini” contest for local hotel bartenders.

Obit watch: Jaime Escalante.

I’ve been neglecting the Nets. Sadly, they’re now 10-64, and out of record contention.

The WP has an article about the new exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, devoted to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s 1976 “Running Fence”.

Posted in Art, Christo, Clippings, Loser, Obits | Comments Closed

March madness.

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

I’m picking Gonzaga to go all the way.

Mostly because I like saying “Gonzaga”. Say it three times fast. “Gonzaga. Gonzaga. Gonzaga.”

Also, completely unrelated to basketball, I’m going to go on the record as saying I think the Chicago Cubs are going to win the World Series this year.

Edited to add: I’m documenting here that Lawrence has bet me $5 that the Cubs won’t win. Otherwise, I’ll forget.

Edited to add 2: Lawrence is also taking the field against Gonzaga for another $5. Gonzaga. Gonzaga. Gonzaga.

Edited to add 3: I owe Lawrence $5. Gonzaga!

Posted in Loser, Sarcasm, Stupid | 1 Comment »

Generalities.

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

I was having lunch with The Usual Suspects earlier today. The TV on the wall in front of me was tuned to some ESPN channel; probably ESPN 8, “The Ocho”, since they were showing a Harlem Globetrotters/Washington Generals game.

The question came up; have the Generals ever won a game?

The answer is; yes, and no.

Here’s the (I know) Wikipedia entry on the Washington Generals. Apparently, they last won a game on January 5, 1971, but they were playing as the New Jersey Reds at the time.

“They looked at us like we killed Santa Claus.”

I was also previously unfamiliar with the term “kayfabe“.

By the way, the Nets are now 7-55, for a 0.113 percentage. Projected wins for an 82-game season: 9.266.

Posted in Loser | Comments Closed

Random notes: February 15, 2010.

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Longer NYT obit for Dick Francis, as promised.

Also among the dead: Doug Fieger, lead singer for The Knack and co-author of “My Sharona“.

By way of Lawrence, we note this LAT article about a new collection of work by St. Clair McKelway, longtime New Yorker writer.

For 37 years, McKelway was one of the New Yorker’s most prolific and inventive nonfiction writers. In his time, he was regarded as a master of the long-form profile, a superior chronicler of rapscallions and low-rent hustlers. Indeed, when he was on his game, McKelway might have been the best nonfiction writer the magazine had — this at a time when Liebling, Mitchell and E.J. Kahn Jr. were also producing signature work.

Yes, I will be purchasing this.

What are the costs of green energy?

A plan to boost Austin’s reliance on renewable energy would make it one of the nation’s greenest cities. That stature, however, comes at a cost: Bills would increase an estimated 20 percent over the next decade.

Edited to add: Today’s update from the Department of WTF: A French judge has issued an arrest warrant for Floyd Landis. Apparently, the judge wants to question him about an alleged computer hacking incident.

Today’s update from the Department of WTF, part 2: Dave Eggers can’t understand why Gourmet was shut down.

“It’s impossible” that Gourmet magazine wasn’t profitable, Eggers said, referring to the popular magazine Conde Nast shut down last year.  “It’s impossible that you have a million subscribers paying 50 bucks a year and it can’t work.”

$50 a year? No, Dave. $15 a year is more like it. I think I paid $12 for a year when I subscribed.

Nets watch: At the All-Star break, the Nets are 4-48, for an 0.077 percentage. For the 82 game season, that works out to a projected 6.314 wins.

Posted in Books, Clippings, Law, Loser, Media, Music, Obits | Comments Closed

Random notes: February 5, 2010.

Friday, February 5th, 2010

I’ve registered for Texas Linux Fest on April 10th; look for me there.

Megan Abbot, a mystery writer I’ve heard a lot of good things about (but sadly, haven’t read yet; can anyone recommend a good starting point?) interviews Robert Crais, a mystery writer I have an enormous regard for, in the LAT.

Lawrence asks if Mike Dunleavy stepping down as coach, but remaining as GM for the Clippers, falls under the sportsfirings.com bailiwick. Beats me.

That does remind me of something I’ve been neglecting. Nets watch: currently 4-44, for a 0.083 percentage. That projects to 6.086 wins over the 82 game season.

Posted in Firings, Geek, linux, Loser | Comments Closed

Random notes: January 25, 2010.

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Our long national nightmare is over. Or just starting. US to lift 21-year ban on haggis. And just in time for Burns Night, too. (Hattip: Overlawyered.)

Philip K. Dick in Orange County. I don’t think there’s much new here for the serious Dick fan, but I do like the Tim Powers story that starts off the piece.

Covered elsewhere, but still worth linking: ESPN Ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer on the network and Mike Leach.

There’s an interesting story at the WP site about Rabbi Menachem Youlus, who specializes in rescuing Torahs lost in Europe during the Holocaust. But the Post article suggests that the stories Youlus tells may be somewhat exaggerated.

Nets watch: current winning percentage 0.070 (3-40).  That projects out to 5.74 wins for the 82 game season.

Posted in Books, Clippings, Food, Law, Loser, PKD | Comments Closed

Random notes: January 18, 2010.

Monday, January 18th, 2010

The New Jersey Nets are on a pace to win a grand total of six games this season. The NBA record for futility is the 1972-1973 Philadelphia 76ers, who went 9-73. Could the Nets beat the record? The NYT speculates.

I note this only because it will fill Lawrence’s heart with delight: Frank Gehry has withdrawn from the project to design a Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem.

Saturday’s Statesman has a longish article recapping the Triton Financial story, highlighting the firm’s ties to the Mormon church.

Church members and others describe the concentration of Triton executives and investors from the Mormon church as a possible example of “affinity fraud,” in which people looking for money often go first to those they know, either personally or through social organizations.

A $1,000 iPhone app that’s not I Am Rich.

Non story of the day: U.S. Military Weapons Inscribed With Secret ‘Jesus’ Bible Codes.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, so; I’m back in school one night a week (and not even meeting every night on the schedule). So blogging is either going to be light or heavy as I avoid schoolwork.

Posted in Apple, Art, Cars, Clippings, Guns, Loser, School | Comments Closed

Random notes: January 11th, 2010.

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Obit watch: French New Wave director Eric Rohmer. I’ll update this space with the NYT obit and anything Roger Ebert has to say, once those are posted.

Edited to add: NYT obit. Ebert appreciation.

Jayson Williams has apparently decided to plead out to an aggravated assault charge, instead of going through a retrial for killing Costas Christofi.

his personal life in shambles

I’ll have to contact some of my friends at IBM and see how that project to build a tiny violin out of xenon atoms is going.

Posted in Clippings, Guns, Law, Loser, Movies, Obits | Comments Closed

Random notes: January 8, 2010.

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Congrats, Warren St. John.

The Statesman has decided to share with us our local constabulary’s list of “most frequent bars for suspected drunken drivers“. I, personally, am a little bit shocked not to see my own favorite Austin bar on this list.

The Gilbert Arenas story is being well covered elsewhere, but I’d like to note that the NYT is all over this story like a hungry man on an all-you-can-eat buffet. Three stories today, in addition to yesterday’s coverage? For a non-New York team?

Firings: Jim Leavitt at the University of South Florida, who allegedly hit a player.

Breaking, by way of Lawrence Person, who provides the following:

When the GM says “Goodbye”

And everyone knows good and why

That’s a Mora…

Edited to add: from the linked article, “Seattle was decimated by injuries and inconsistency and finished 5-11.” Really? The Seahawks lost one out of every ten players?

Posted in Clippings, Firings, Guns, Loser, NFL | Comments Closed

And so it begins…

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Zorn. Gone.

Not much more to say; everyone knew it was coming.

Lawrence is now arguing that retaining Kubiak is the right call. I’m not sure I agree with that. I agree more with Laurence Simon that the Texans are a mediocre team, and will remain so as long as the current coaching and management structure are in place.

Edited to add: It just gets better. Buffalo has purged their entire coaching staff. It’s like something out of Stalin’s Russia.

Edited to add 2: From the local Buffalo paper: “Drunken Bills fan passes out, leaving three children crying.” The jokes, they write themselves.

Edited to add 3: From the HouChron:

The Bills released an awkwardly worded statement, saying members of the team’s current coaching staff have been informed that their obligations for this season have been completed, and they now “have the opportunity to seek positions elsewhere.” The release said their status will then be determined by the Bills’ next head coach.

Despite how the Bills phrased the release, a person familiar with the team’s decisions told The Associated Press that the staff has been fired.

Edited to add 4: And the Bears take out a full-page newspaper ad apologizing to their fans. (Hattip: E&P in Exile.)

Edited to add 5: Jets Giants fire defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan.

Edited to add 6: Bears fire offensive coordinator Ron Turner, and five other offensive coaches.

Posted in Firings, Loser, NFL | Comments Closed

Random notes: December 18th, 2009.

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Someone swiped the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign (which weighs 90 pounds and is 16 feet long) from in front of Auchwitz. This is the kind of work that doesn’t set you free; this gets you a short term in a pound you in the ass prison, and a long term in one of the lower circles of Dante’s Hell.

Three from the NYT:

  • Obit watch: C.D.B. Bryan, author of  Friendly Fire.

    He will be cremated in advance of a memorial service early next year, St. George Bryan added; until then, his remains are to be stored in martini shakers.

  • A touching and sad article about a retired policeman in Japan who spends his days trying to keep people from killing themselves.

    Mr. Shige and a group of volunteers he put together have saved 222 people so far, a tally that has made Mr. Shige a national figure in a country that often seems apathetic about its high rate of self-destruction. But he has also met with criticism from a conformist society that can look dimly on people who draw attention by engaging in activism, even of the most humanitarian kind.

  • Finally, on a much happier note, a review of “Chestnuts Roasting on the Flaming Idiots“. I saw one of their “last” shows at Zach Scott a few years back, and it wasn’t what I expected; I was totally blown away, not only because they’re talented performers, but their performance style is clearly influenced by people like Ricky Jay. I’m delighted to hear that they’re back; even better, they’re coming back to Austin.

Posted in Clippings, Geek, Loser, Media, Obits, Stupid, Theatre | Comments Closed

Random notes: December 16, 2009.

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Things have been kind of slow the past few days, but I did want to throw up a few notes:

Your NYT obit for Oral Roberts here. While looking that up, I discovered that the NYT has also just posted an obit for Milorad Pavic, of Dictionary of the Khazars fame.

Regret the Error has their year-end roundup of errors and corrections posted. I can’t argue with the correction of the year (which, surprisingly, is not the corrections to Alessandra Stanley’s Cronkite obit; that is, however, highlighted).

Edited to add: But wait, there’s more! The Onion A.V. Club list of the 19+ worst movies of 2009! I miss Ebert and Siskel’s  (and Ebert and Roper’s) yearly worst movies show; the A.V. Club list is the closest I’ve found to a substitute for that.

Posted in Clippings, Geek, Loser, Media, Movies, Obits | Comments Closed

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