I think I saw the beer selections for the "Beer Summit" tonight at the White House, with the attendees being President Obama, Prof. Gates and Sgt. Crowley. Here's my first impressions of the choices. If I have them wrong, please correct me!
Pres. Obama - Bud Light. Safe choice. This beer still is seen as a domestic beer, even though the company got sold last year. I think this beer has to be in the top 2-3 when one tries to name a beer that represents America in 2009. (Miller Lite may be another one).
I know he's trying to show he's linked into the working class with this pick - but I would have loved to see him go even more in that direction with "Old Milwaukee Light" or, heaven forbid, "National Light".
Beer Choice Grade: A-. Although I'd love to set a line - "Number of Swigs that Pres. Obama takes of Bud Light tonight after the cameras are off.". I'd say 1.5.
Prof. Gates: Red Stripe. A bit puzzling. Does anyone over 30 drink this? Does Prof. Gates have any Jamaican roots? I truly can't see him - even after 7 or 8 beers - running aorund his house yelling "Hooray, Beer!"
Am I missing something, or is he the exact opposite of the target audience that Red Stripe is going after?
Still, not too frilly or "academic", and I bet that factored in.
Beer Choice Grade: C+.
Sgt. Crowley: Blue Moon. Really? Wow. We've all watched cop shows in the past - and there is usually one scene an episode where the off-duty cops hang out at a bar. Let's just say you never see any fruit in the beer during the scene.
I mean, for God's sake, this is Layup's favorite beer! He is as far from blue collar as you can get! Is he really going to have an orange in his beer for the photo op tonight? Please - no.
Beer Choice Grade: C-.
Jul 30, 2009
Jul 27, 2009
Jul 26, 2009
Odds and Ends
Some topics to set the stage for lively discussion this week before July turns to August - and that means NFL time!
1) I always learn something when I gamble. Don posted a message 3 weeks ago about Hollywood - I joined him on that trip and again on Saturday when our round of golf got rained out. Some notes:
- I'm beginning to doubt my "rule of 20" - come to the table with 20 x the minimum bet. So, on a $10 table, that's $200. However, $200 doesn't last long when you are playing the pass line with single odds, a $12 6 and 8, and a Ken Green look-alike is ice-cold in rolling the dice.
- The Horn High Ace-Deuce is sooo 2008. I am able to easily resist that temptation now. However, if someone next to me whispers "the field is on FIRE!!!!", well, I lose my willpower.
- What kind of shitty casino won't let you re-split aces???? Actual hand at Hollywood on a $15 table: I was dealt A-A against a 3. Yes, please, I will split!
Got an A on the first. I looked at the dealer. She said - "sorry", and then dealt me a 2 on the second ace. So I'm stuck with 12 and 13 , and when the dealer did not bust, I was furious.
2) Pop Quiz! I'm so out of practice that I had to consult Don's card on these hands. What do you do on:
a. A-8 vs 10
b. 9-9 vs 7
c. 2-2 vs 2
d. 5-3 vs 6
e. 6-4 vs 9
f. A-3 vs 3
3) Driving to work the other day, pull up behind a car in the other lane...I notice he has a Steeler sticker on his back window.
I mutter something about being an inbred illerate --- but there was another sticker on the other side. A Penguins sticker.
Well, at least he is consistent. Must like his women toothless too.
Then I check his license plate. It was a Pennsylvania plat.
"OK", I say. "Give him a break. He's a transplant and is true to his local roots. Can't fault him for that".
Then I check out his license plate frame.
"Major League Baseball" at the top.....
"New York Yankees" on the bottom.
What a complete douchebag fraud. Only thing worse woul dhave been a Boston Red Sox frame. No jury made up of any males would have me convicted if I rammed into the car.
4) Janice is starting to get addicted to "NYC Prep" on Bravo.
Really? Have we really run out of reality ideas that we have to go to a prep school now?
1) I always learn something when I gamble. Don posted a message 3 weeks ago about Hollywood - I joined him on that trip and again on Saturday when our round of golf got rained out. Some notes:
- I'm beginning to doubt my "rule of 20" - come to the table with 20 x the minimum bet. So, on a $10 table, that's $200. However, $200 doesn't last long when you are playing the pass line with single odds, a $12 6 and 8, and a Ken Green look-alike is ice-cold in rolling the dice.
- The Horn High Ace-Deuce is sooo 2008. I am able to easily resist that temptation now. However, if someone next to me whispers "the field is on FIRE!!!!", well, I lose my willpower.
- What kind of shitty casino won't let you re-split aces???? Actual hand at Hollywood on a $15 table: I was dealt A-A against a 3. Yes, please, I will split!
Got an A on the first. I looked at the dealer. She said - "sorry", and then dealt me a 2 on the second ace. So I'm stuck with 12 and 13 , and when the dealer did not bust, I was furious.
2) Pop Quiz! I'm so out of practice that I had to consult Don's card on these hands. What do you do on:
a. A-8 vs 10
b. 9-9 vs 7
c. 2-2 vs 2
d. 5-3 vs 6
e. 6-4 vs 9
f. A-3 vs 3
3) Driving to work the other day, pull up behind a car in the other lane...I notice he has a Steeler sticker on his back window.
I mutter something about being an inbred illerate --- but there was another sticker on the other side. A Penguins sticker.
Well, at least he is consistent. Must like his women toothless too.
Then I check his license plate. It was a Pennsylvania plat.
"OK", I say. "Give him a break. He's a transplant and is true to his local roots. Can't fault him for that".
Then I check out his license plate frame.
"Major League Baseball" at the top.....
"New York Yankees" on the bottom.
What a complete douchebag fraud. Only thing worse woul dhave been a Boston Red Sox frame. No jury made up of any males would have me convicted if I rammed into the car.
4) Janice is starting to get addicted to "NYC Prep" on Bravo.
Really? Have we really run out of reality ideas that we have to go to a prep school now?
Jul 23, 2009
Is it march yet?
Recap of the last two days out in Vegas at the Monte. Sorry Don for posting right over yours, but who would of thought that we would have this many gambling blogs in July.
I had sent out this manager, Peter, who is in his late 20s for two months to help out the Vegas operation. He is one month into it and he is struggling. He is staying at the Signature at the MGM and basically told me that he is tempted every night to go gamble. He works late now, and then goes and works out to try to keep himself out of the casinos. He has dropped 30 pounds because he is in the gym so much, but in the end it hasn't done him any good since he is tempted to head down around 10:00pm to just check out what's going on. Poor guy, but I'm still jealous.
Now Peter is a really good guy and a pretty big gambler. I have played Poker, Pai Gow, and BJ with him and he would probably be a great fit for the March trips. Until I told him I was going to go play craps after a solid session of BJ. He joins me and just watches for about 5 minutes. I pressure him to saddle up to the table and he does so, but is just clueless on how to bet. Almost like he has never played. $5 on the 6 please...Um what? He gets a little embarrassed and says he has only played a couple of times and really doesn't like it. WHAT?????? How does this happen to an otherwise solid gambler. How did I not see this coming. Very disappointing. I don't think the group would of let me down if I brought him out in March and he did this in front of Don and Mike. Almost like how the group hasn't forgiven Wiz for bringing out Peter the Molester this last trip.
Now my last Peter story. So Peter and I find an empty $10 BJ table and sit in the middle seats with one chair between us. Nice dealer and a pretty solid shoe. So after about 30 minutes, this crazy fat lady comes up to the table and squeezes in right between Peter and I. I give her the stink eye and grunt outloud as I move my chair away from her. And instantly she brings a terrible vibe to the table by openly complaining after every card she gets. "ohhhhhh, I got a seven." And I must of got two BJs while she was there with her saying each time "I never get blackjacks." Ugh she was miserable. The final breaking point was when we all got 13s and 14s against a dealer 6 and then the dealer turns over a 10, with her saying "ohhhhh, he is going to turn over a 5." Of course the dealer turns over a 5 and I yell "For fuck sake lady, you are terrible." with me picking up my chips and leaving. So no Don you are not a bitter gambler, just people are idiots.
Finally lets talk about the idiots at the craps table. Last night after another solid run at BJ, I jumped in on a table just warming up. A decent looking female was just starting her role as I jumped in. On my side of the table there were 6 people; 3 girls, 1 young guy, an old guy, and myself. So the one girl starts to roll and gets hot. She rolls for about 20 minutes. So the next girl rolls, gets hot and stays hot. I'm pressing my come bets and start to make some pretty solid money. I look around and other than the old guy, nobody's stack is getting bigger. I look and see the girl next to me is only betting the pass line. The younger guy has a bet on the pass line and one other number. I then look up and really only the old guy and myself has money out on the numbers. What the hell are these people doing? After about an hour of great rolling, nobody was excited except for the old man and myself. How sad.
So left Vegas a winner. What a great feeling. I wanted to stay longer but too much shit hitting the fan back in LA. I already miss Vegas. Came home and asked Carol when we can go back out and she said this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe time for a quick impromptu trip.
I had sent out this manager, Peter, who is in his late 20s for two months to help out the Vegas operation. He is one month into it and he is struggling. He is staying at the Signature at the MGM and basically told me that he is tempted every night to go gamble. He works late now, and then goes and works out to try to keep himself out of the casinos. He has dropped 30 pounds because he is in the gym so much, but in the end it hasn't done him any good since he is tempted to head down around 10:00pm to just check out what's going on. Poor guy, but I'm still jealous.
Now Peter is a really good guy and a pretty big gambler. I have played Poker, Pai Gow, and BJ with him and he would probably be a great fit for the March trips. Until I told him I was going to go play craps after a solid session of BJ. He joins me and just watches for about 5 minutes. I pressure him to saddle up to the table and he does so, but is just clueless on how to bet. Almost like he has never played. $5 on the 6 please...Um what? He gets a little embarrassed and says he has only played a couple of times and really doesn't like it. WHAT?????? How does this happen to an otherwise solid gambler. How did I not see this coming. Very disappointing. I don't think the group would of let me down if I brought him out in March and he did this in front of Don and Mike. Almost like how the group hasn't forgiven Wiz for bringing out Peter the Molester this last trip.
Now my last Peter story. So Peter and I find an empty $10 BJ table and sit in the middle seats with one chair between us. Nice dealer and a pretty solid shoe. So after about 30 minutes, this crazy fat lady comes up to the table and squeezes in right between Peter and I. I give her the stink eye and grunt outloud as I move my chair away from her. And instantly she brings a terrible vibe to the table by openly complaining after every card she gets. "ohhhhhh, I got a seven." And I must of got two BJs while she was there with her saying each time "I never get blackjacks." Ugh she was miserable. The final breaking point was when we all got 13s and 14s against a dealer 6 and then the dealer turns over a 10, with her saying "ohhhhh, he is going to turn over a 5." Of course the dealer turns over a 5 and I yell "For fuck sake lady, you are terrible." with me picking up my chips and leaving. So no Don you are not a bitter gambler, just people are idiots.
Finally lets talk about the idiots at the craps table. Last night after another solid run at BJ, I jumped in on a table just warming up. A decent looking female was just starting her role as I jumped in. On my side of the table there were 6 people; 3 girls, 1 young guy, an old guy, and myself. So the one girl starts to roll and gets hot. She rolls for about 20 minutes. So the next girl rolls, gets hot and stays hot. I'm pressing my come bets and start to make some pretty solid money. I look around and other than the old guy, nobody's stack is getting bigger. I look and see the girl next to me is only betting the pass line. The younger guy has a bet on the pass line and one other number. I then look up and really only the old guy and myself has money out on the numbers. What the hell are these people doing? After about an hour of great rolling, nobody was excited except for the old man and myself. How sad.
So left Vegas a winner. What a great feeling. I wanted to stay longer but too much shit hitting the fan back in LA. I already miss Vegas. Came home and asked Carol when we can go back out and she said this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe time for a quick impromptu trip.
Lumiere
Seriously now, you name your casino Lumiere and place it the St. Louis, solidly in the mid-west. Just exactly who is your marketing director?
1) Overall, a nice place. 2 blocks form the downtown hotel and a view of the arch.
2) Direct from the web site. “And now, you can enjoy gaming without limits. The $500 loss limit* has been eliminated, so you can have a big-action gaming experience with all the non-stop excitement Lumière Place was built to deliver!” Wow.
3) Note to fellow gamblers. I DO NOT CARE about the long shot straight flush you hit months ago. I DO NOT CARE about the bad beat you had last week. I DO NOT CARE. Can we talk about the weather? How about sports?
4) Had a brief stint at a BJ-3 card poker table. You play BJ but can place a sucker bet on 3 card poker involving your 2 cards and the dealers up card. Pays 9 to 1 for a straight, flush or trips. Why do I mention this? I noticed at the top right of the table a reference to the game being patented. How does this happen? Someone explain how this is patentable? What is unique and not obvious?
5) Lady sitting next to me was having a discussion across the table with a gentleman trying to explain proper BJ strategy. I think she had a 13 against a 5 and was concern that no one else had taken a hit and thus, maybe she should hit. FIND A GUN so I can shoot my brains out. You are wasting my time.
6) I fear I’m becoming a bitter gambler. I need help …or maybe just a table of folks that “get” it. Can we move March to say, November?
Jul 21, 2009
Obama ratings: plummeting among 5-8 year olds
The boys' favorite TV show is, by far, "Wipeout". (For whatever reason, iCarly is second). They can't get enough of it, and will watch each episode at least 3-4 times.
I had to give them the bad news tonight: tomorrow, they will have to wait until Thursday to watch Wipeout since it won't be on at 8.
"Why not? Why can't we watch Wipeout?"
Well, because President Obama is talking to the nation at that time.
"About what?"
Well, health care......
Long pause.....
"We don't have to watch that, do we?"
No, no you don't.
"Doesn't he know Wipeout is on at 8 that day?"
I guess not.
"Well", they said, disappointed. "I guess we can wait a day to watch it."
I saw an opportunity to recruit some activists. "Would you guys like to write a letter to the President telling him how disappointed you are that you can't watch Wipeout?"
I got 1 yes and 1 no.
I had to give them the bad news tonight: tomorrow, they will have to wait until Thursday to watch Wipeout since it won't be on at 8.
"Why not? Why can't we watch Wipeout?"
Well, because President Obama is talking to the nation at that time.
"About what?"
Well, health care......
Long pause.....
"We don't have to watch that, do we?"
No, no you don't.
"Doesn't he know Wipeout is on at 8 that day?"
I guess not.
"Well", they said, disappointed. "I guess we can wait a day to watch it."
I saw an opportunity to recruit some activists. "Would you guys like to write a letter to the President telling him how disappointed you are that you can't watch Wipeout?"
I got 1 yes and 1 no.
Put it all on red.
A flurry of activity on the blog here which makes me happy. Gets me a little motivated to post.
Interesting fact to just me: Laura informed me that of our old college group, there have been 10 babies, with 9 of them being girls. If we could actually wager on the gender of my baby, I'm sure Wiz and I would of put the house down on Carol and I having a baby boy. And in typical fashion we would of lost as now we are at 10 out of 11 being girls.
Ethical Question
I have an ethical question for the group. Mer and I are in a Sunday golf league in Cleveland that has a club championship. There is a qualifying round and three subsequent rounds. I will be on vacation for the second post-qualifying round and will have to forfeit my match if I make it that far. Is it appropriate for me to enter the competition knowing that, if I advance, I would have to ultimately withdraw? Mer says f___ the rest of the league and that I should sign up. He hopes I knock out the defending champ in an early round so he does not have to face him.
Jul 20, 2009
Vegas
Heading out to Vegas tomorrow. Staying at the ole Monte. Ahh the memories. Over/Under on how many Brittany songs they still have playing.
Layla will have a female playing partner in Blackjack
Found out late last week that Carol and I are having a little girl. Don't want to gooch anything yet since it really isn't official. With three nephews I was sort of hoping for a little girl. Thinking that I could train her to kick my nephews asses in poker as well as show her how to properly roll craps.
But this weekend I went out and found what seems to be the Talbots for little kids clothing department. I bought a very nice and sensible pair of slacks and a blouse in a size 3-6 months. Compare this to Carol's 10 dresses that she already purchased. My daughter will not be wearing any dresses. Khakis or capris are the only thing that will be allowed in my house. Nothing above the knee.
But this weekend I went out and found what seems to be the Talbots for little kids clothing department. I bought a very nice and sensible pair of slacks and a blouse in a size 3-6 months. Compare this to Carol's 10 dresses that she already purchased. My daughter will not be wearing any dresses. Khakis or capris are the only thing that will be allowed in my house. Nothing above the knee.
Jul 19, 2009
Exercise/Fitness Question
Before we start, I don't think I have ever been as depressed on the outcome of a golf tournament than I was after today's action. It was - sad. Deflating. Disspiriting. The valiant effort of Watson came up just a bit short in regulation - you knew there was no chance of him winning - and, really, you can't call it a choke. Ok, the last putt was terrible - but he hit a perfect drive and a perfect 8 iron in. Is it really a "choke" to see the ball bounding over the green into a difficult spot? He made great contact - maybe too great? - and it was on the right line. Was it the wrong club? It was one foot - if that - from history that we will never see again in our sporting lives.
Anyway, a semi-serious question for you fitness gurus out there.
Starting in about December, I realized I HAD to lose some weight. I started jogging 2-3 nights a week, starting with about 2 miles and working eventually up to 3 1/2. (I also had to train for my 6 1/2 mile leg in the Marathon relay in early May).
So, in December, I weighted X. (I'm not brave enough to say exactly what X is).
During the winter, I would head to the gym after the boys were in bed, ran from about 10 - 10:30 and then weight myself. At the end, in early May, before the marathon, I weighted X-7. (We will call this Y). A 7 pound loss just from moderate exercise and no real change in diet.
Well, since that marathon, I've done nothing. Sure, I've mowed the lawn and walked the dog, but the jogging has stopped. Period.
Last week my neighbor and I played racquetball after work for an hour. I weighed myself on the same scale.
Y - 2.
How did I lose 2 pounds since May without doing anything?
Is it the summer? Doesn't any summer/winter difference get negated by all the ice cream I am eating?
Is it the fact that I weighed myself at a different time - 6 pm? Is there that much fluctuation during the day?
I'm pleasantly puzzled. Should I be happy? Or is this weight loss a mirage? (and yes, it was confirmed again today at a 5 pm weighing....)
Anyway, a semi-serious question for you fitness gurus out there.
Starting in about December, I realized I HAD to lose some weight. I started jogging 2-3 nights a week, starting with about 2 miles and working eventually up to 3 1/2. (I also had to train for my 6 1/2 mile leg in the Marathon relay in early May).
So, in December, I weighted X. (I'm not brave enough to say exactly what X is).
During the winter, I would head to the gym after the boys were in bed, ran from about 10 - 10:30 and then weight myself. At the end, in early May, before the marathon, I weighted X-7. (We will call this Y). A 7 pound loss just from moderate exercise and no real change in diet.
Well, since that marathon, I've done nothing. Sure, I've mowed the lawn and walked the dog, but the jogging has stopped. Period.
Last week my neighbor and I played racquetball after work for an hour. I weighed myself on the same scale.
Y - 2.
How did I lose 2 pounds since May without doing anything?
Is it the summer? Doesn't any summer/winter difference get negated by all the ice cream I am eating?
Is it the fact that I weighed myself at a different time - 6 pm? Is there that much fluctuation during the day?
I'm pleasantly puzzled. Should I be happy? Or is this weight loss a mirage? (and yes, it was confirmed again today at a 5 pm weighing....)
Jul 16, 2009
How not to motivate people
There is a big reorganization going on in our business at P&G - and I attended a rollout meeting where the VP's try to energize the group to buy into these changes.
At the end, they played a video to motivate us. "Unstoppable!" And to go along with that theme, they showed images from sports to illustrate that theme.
There were plenty of images of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, I'm not a Bengals fan, but this is a company headquartered in Cincinnati. There are plenty of Bengals fans around. And none of them have forgiven the Steelers for their "dirty play" - their "cheap shot" of Carson Palmer in the Jan 2006 playoff game. Carson has not been the same since that injury.
I had no dog in that Bengals-Steelers playoff game - in fact, I wanted the most emotional pain as possible headed on the loser's side, and I think I got my wish. The Bengals fans are bitter and hate a lot of things about the 21st centruy Steelers. It's not a good idea to hold them up as role models to this city.
As for me? No, I have no respect for them either. Let's look at the two most recongizable faces of the Steelers:
Hines Ward. Punk. Should be taken out at any opportunity. *
* ok, ok. If you put truth serum in me and tie me up in the truth rope (don't get excited, Leland) - I will admit that Hines is a great player and I would love to have him on my team. He loves to win and - more importantly - will do anything to win. But I can't publicly admit this as a Browns fan.
Ben Roethlisberger. Dumb ass hick.
I mean, really, what he did on his motorcycle was just as dumb as Winslow. For those who don't remember, in June 2006, Ben was not wearing a helmet and smashed into a windshield.
So - to recap:
Winslow: acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, screwed up his knee, lost a year of playing, and is ridiculed by most fans for being a dumb ass.
Ben:acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, rammed his head into a windshield, missed 2-3 games, but somehow is revered as a warrior and a hero.
What's the difference? Race? Position?
No, some Steelers should not be held up as role models.
At the end, they played a video to motivate us. "Unstoppable!" And to go along with that theme, they showed images from sports to illustrate that theme.
There were plenty of images of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, I'm not a Bengals fan, but this is a company headquartered in Cincinnati. There are plenty of Bengals fans around. And none of them have forgiven the Steelers for their "dirty play" - their "cheap shot" of Carson Palmer in the Jan 2006 playoff game. Carson has not been the same since that injury.
I had no dog in that Bengals-Steelers playoff game - in fact, I wanted the most emotional pain as possible headed on the loser's side, and I think I got my wish. The Bengals fans are bitter and hate a lot of things about the 21st centruy Steelers. It's not a good idea to hold them up as role models to this city.
As for me? No, I have no respect for them either. Let's look at the two most recongizable faces of the Steelers:
Hines Ward. Punk. Should be taken out at any opportunity. *
* ok, ok. If you put truth serum in me and tie me up in the truth rope (don't get excited, Leland) - I will admit that Hines is a great player and I would love to have him on my team. He loves to win and - more importantly - will do anything to win. But I can't publicly admit this as a Browns fan.
Ben Roethlisberger. Dumb ass hick.
I mean, really, what he did on his motorcycle was just as dumb as Winslow. For those who don't remember, in June 2006, Ben was not wearing a helmet and smashed into a windshield.
So - to recap:
Winslow: acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, screwed up his knee, lost a year of playing, and is ridiculed by most fans for being a dumb ass.
Ben:acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, rammed his head into a windshield, missed 2-3 games, but somehow is revered as a warrior and a hero.
What's the difference? Race? Position?
No, some Steelers should not be held up as role models.
Jul 14, 2009
Obama and the ASG
What did you guys think of Obama throwing out the first pitch? I didn't mind the ChiSox jacket - he's a real fan, so that was OK. Now...before I go on I want to say - I go to work in flip flops, shorts and a golf shirt - as most of you know I am hardly buttoned up with regards to my appearance. The last time I wore a tie, my son asked why I was "wearing a long string on my neck?!?" BUT....despite that, for some reason I didn't like Obama in jeans. Just felt like he should have been in something a little nicer. Doesn't need to be a tux or anything, but jeans?? C'mon man.
Jul 13, 2009
Hollywood
So, the closest local casino, Argosy, decided to trash its Brand name and re-open as Hollywood. Mike, E and I spent a brief visit (yes, 60 minutes) there last Saturday. My thoughts and notes.
1) Wow. It certainly is not a riverboat casino anymore. Lots of space and tables.
2) The traffic patterns entering the place have changed and the signage stinks.
3) If you build it, they will come. When we left, about 6:30PM on at Saturday, the line-up of cars waiting to enter was ridiculous.
4) The dealers stunk up the place. We, ok I, picked a $10 craps table. 3 of the 4 guys to my right continually were asked by their buddies …what do ya got money one. To which the reply was …I’m not really sure. The problem here is, neither they OR THE DEALER knew. Take a gun and shoot my brains OUT. I think we averaged 1 role of the dice ever 2 minutes, and I’m being generous.
5) I looked around at the other tables thinking, we should move. Unfortunately, the situation looked similar at the other tables. It’s 6PM on a Saturday night and they have inexperienced dealers on the floor. What gives!!! I will not return for at least 6 months.
6) Finished the session with a short stint, 7-8 hands, at a BJ table. Won 7 straight hands with at least 3 of them double down. Had the table to myself. Lady sits down, lays out $15, the minimum bet and hands the dealer her player’s card (for cryin out loud, seriously). I almost turned to her and asked her to not place a bet until I lost as I was on hot streak. Figured that would be rude, and lost the next hand. I cashed out.
Jul 12, 2009
F&J Poll
At the Vineyard Classic a few weeks ago, I sank a 30 foot putt on #9. Luckily, that was the hole that had a "Longest Putt" contest. I ended up winning!
The course called today: I won tickets at Riverbend- the local concert venue! My choices:
- Blink 182, or
- Comedy with Kathy Griffin
Votes? My choice has already been made, but would love to see what you think....
The course called today: I won tickets at Riverbend- the local concert venue! My choices:
- Blink 182, or
- Comedy with Kathy Griffin
Votes? My choice has already been made, but would love to see what you think....
Jul 10, 2009
Cup of Geek
I am going to try and post on some tech things with some regularity - your Daily (ok monthly?) Cup of Geek. It will probably focus on smartphone and web stuff. Those of you not interested...wait, how can you not be interested??? Smartphones right now are like web in 1996!!! :)
First installment - the iPhone.
Well, I finally broke down and got the iPhone when the new 3GS came out. Had to release my assault weapon...err..4yr old old Windows Mobile smartphone - it was time. I also switched to AT&T from Verizon and I did not port my old number, as I would like to leave my past behind. I had that old 703 number forever and it was tied to my old business, etc so I would get a lot of random calls on it. I just wanted to release that number.
Those of you that are running my mobile app (dub me now) would get my updated cell phone automatically in your BB, WinMo or iPhone address book. Those that aren't - well c'mon think of my children - do you want them to starve?? Please sign up today! - its FREE :) Plus, you can win an iPhone 3GS or BlackBerry of your choice click here.
Anyway self promotion aside, I wanted to post about my experience thus far with the iPhone and AT&T. First off, I have been a smartphone user for about 7 years. So I expect A LOT of my phone. The iPhone has not disappointed in that department. It does everything very elegantly and the attention to detail, both in hardware and in software is amazing. One small example, listening to music with the headphone jack plugged in (a standard jack which is another nice feature), if you unplug your headphones the music pauses automatically. Just shows the level of detail that the designers have when it comes to usable functionality. Can't tell you how many times on my old phone I would unplug my headphones and then music would be blaring out of my speakers.
Overall, the hardware design is top notch. You can't take anything apart on it, and the phone feels like it is well constructed. I like having one USB sync cable that also acts as your charger - no need to bring two cables when you travel. Plus the screen works well indoors and outdoors. Overall, the phone feels very solid and sturdy in your hand.
Apple made an interesting choice when designing the phone. First, they decided that NO apps will be allowed to run in the background. So the phone is incredibly stable because shoddy developers (like me) can't spawn jobs that sleep and run in the background. What inevitably happens (anyone with a BB or WinMO phone knows this well) is that some of those cool little apps start leaking memory like a bitch. Then - something will lockup, crash, etc. You know the drill - if it is bad enough you pull the battery and reboot. Now the iphone gets away from that because you can't run anything in the background. Once you push that magic button to exit the app - that app and all its resources are killed.
There are times when this ISN'T desirable however. Like when I'm listening to music on Pandora (awesome app BTW) and I want to check google traffic or my email. Well I can't, because once I close Pandora - boom its dead. Or if I am on yahoo IM, same thing. So you truly cannot multi-task on the iphone. However, it is a tradeoff that I believe is worth it in terms of overall stability. BTW, just to be clear - you can run certain APPLE apps in the background (like the iPod), just not 3rd party apps. Overall, most apps "retain their state" pretty well so you just switch back and forth and its not a big deal. The new Palm Pre has an interesting take on this model - I'll have to post more about it at some point.
Random functioanlity notes:
- iPhone 3gs handles video streaming very well, and you can output videos to your TV too!
- native YouTube app is pretty addictive
- Visual voicemail is freaking brilliant
- the virtual keyboard has not been bad for me. Could I type better if I had a QWERTY keyboard - sure but the new 3.0 OS does a nice job handling input. I've been surprised at how well it handles typing, as that was my biggest stumbling block.
- The way it switches between WIFI and 3G connectivity is very smooth. Download speeds are pretty good with 3G, and AT&T is going to double the speed by year end.
- GPS with google maps is great for the navigationally challenged like myself
- emailing pictures and video is incredibly simple (MMS TXTing is disabled by ATT for now)
- there is absolutely NO BETTER mobile web browsing experience than the iPhone (Google Android is close 2nd). The Safari web browser can do virtually everything that a desktop browser can do (JavaScript, AJAX, etc) . Plus ,the iphone is so popular that many sites are delivering custom iphone versions of their sites. The "pan and zoom" features of browsing a non mobile site are far better than anything else out there. It will not do Flash, however I see that as a good thing :)
OK, now the bad part. I came from Verizon, and I can tell you AT&T's network is nowhere near as good as verizon. Call quality is much more variable on ATT, and I get occasional dropped calls. If I was a sales guy who was on the road 24x7 and making a ton of calls... it would be a tough choice. But for me, the plusses of the functionality of the device blow away the shortcomings of the cell network.
Our company gets a ton of BB devices (we are RIM partners), Android, etc so I have played around with a bunch of phones, and I really found that the iPhone was the one I liked the best (I can't stand BB's thumb scroller thingy to navigate around - I always want to touch the screen). I saw what VRZ had in the pipeline for smartphones and I just wasn't impressed - so I made the switch. BTW - those of you with VRZ, they are going to be releasing some Google Android phones at the end of the year, and will have the Palm Pre in 2010.
Anyway, at some point I'll post about all the BB devices I've seen from RIM as I know that we have some dedicated BB users on this blog.
First installment - the iPhone.
Well, I finally broke down and got the iPhone when the new 3GS came out. Had to release my assault weapon...err..4yr old old Windows Mobile smartphone - it was time. I also switched to AT&T from Verizon and I did not port my old number, as I would like to leave my past behind. I had that old 703 number forever and it was tied to my old business, etc so I would get a lot of random calls on it. I just wanted to release that number.
Those of you that are running my mobile app (dub me now) would get my updated cell phone automatically in your BB, WinMo or iPhone address book. Those that aren't - well c'mon think of my children - do you want them to starve?? Please sign up today! - its FREE :) Plus, you can win an iPhone 3GS or BlackBerry of your choice click here.
Anyway self promotion aside, I wanted to post about my experience thus far with the iPhone and AT&T. First off, I have been a smartphone user for about 7 years. So I expect A LOT of my phone. The iPhone has not disappointed in that department. It does everything very elegantly and the attention to detail, both in hardware and in software is amazing. One small example, listening to music with the headphone jack plugged in (a standard jack which is another nice feature), if you unplug your headphones the music pauses automatically. Just shows the level of detail that the designers have when it comes to usable functionality. Can't tell you how many times on my old phone I would unplug my headphones and then music would be blaring out of my speakers.
Overall, the hardware design is top notch. You can't take anything apart on it, and the phone feels like it is well constructed. I like having one USB sync cable that also acts as your charger - no need to bring two cables when you travel. Plus the screen works well indoors and outdoors. Overall, the phone feels very solid and sturdy in your hand.
Apple made an interesting choice when designing the phone. First, they decided that NO apps will be allowed to run in the background. So the phone is incredibly stable because shoddy developers (like me) can't spawn jobs that sleep and run in the background. What inevitably happens (anyone with a BB or WinMO phone knows this well) is that some of those cool little apps start leaking memory like a bitch. Then - something will lockup, crash, etc. You know the drill - if it is bad enough you pull the battery and reboot. Now the iphone gets away from that because you can't run anything in the background. Once you push that magic button to exit the app - that app and all its resources are killed.
There are times when this ISN'T desirable however. Like when I'm listening to music on Pandora (awesome app BTW) and I want to check google traffic or my email. Well I can't, because once I close Pandora - boom its dead. Or if I am on yahoo IM, same thing. So you truly cannot multi-task on the iphone. However, it is a tradeoff that I believe is worth it in terms of overall stability. BTW, just to be clear - you can run certain APPLE apps in the background (like the iPod), just not 3rd party apps. Overall, most apps "retain their state" pretty well so you just switch back and forth and its not a big deal. The new Palm Pre has an interesting take on this model - I'll have to post more about it at some point.
Random functioanlity notes:
- iPhone 3gs handles video streaming very well, and you can output videos to your TV too!
- native YouTube app is pretty addictive
- Visual voicemail is freaking brilliant
- the virtual keyboard has not been bad for me. Could I type better if I had a QWERTY keyboard - sure but the new 3.0 OS does a nice job handling input. I've been surprised at how well it handles typing, as that was my biggest stumbling block.
- The way it switches between WIFI and 3G connectivity is very smooth. Download speeds are pretty good with 3G, and AT&T is going to double the speed by year end.
- GPS with google maps is great for the navigationally challenged like myself
- emailing pictures and video is incredibly simple (MMS TXTing is disabled by ATT for now)
- there is absolutely NO BETTER mobile web browsing experience than the iPhone (Google Android is close 2nd). The Safari web browser can do virtually everything that a desktop browser can do (JavaScript, AJAX, etc) . Plus ,the iphone is so popular that many sites are delivering custom iphone versions of their sites. The "pan and zoom" features of browsing a non mobile site are far better than anything else out there. It will not do Flash, however I see that as a good thing :)
OK, now the bad part. I came from Verizon, and I can tell you AT&T's network is nowhere near as good as verizon. Call quality is much more variable on ATT, and I get occasional dropped calls. If I was a sales guy who was on the road 24x7 and making a ton of calls... it would be a tough choice. But for me, the plusses of the functionality of the device blow away the shortcomings of the cell network.
Our company gets a ton of BB devices (we are RIM partners), Android, etc so I have played around with a bunch of phones, and I really found that the iPhone was the one I liked the best (I can't stand BB's thumb scroller thingy to navigate around - I always want to touch the screen). I saw what VRZ had in the pipeline for smartphones and I just wasn't impressed - so I made the switch. BTW - those of you with VRZ, they are going to be releasing some Google Android phones at the end of the year, and will have the Palm Pre in 2010.
Anyway, at some point I'll post about all the BB devices I've seen from RIM as I know that we have some dedicated BB users on this blog.
Jul 8, 2009
How not to get real estate customers to your agency
So our neighborhood gets postcards in the mail from Real Estate agents looking for business. These postcards highlight a house in the development that is up for sale, or gives you a list of houses that have been sold for comparison - and, presumably, to show you what a good sale it was.
Honest to God, this is what came in the mail today:
Four Bridges Property Sales March 1, 2009 - June 10, 2009
xxxx Winter Hazel Drive Sold for 51.7% of list price in 1,552 days
Below that is a picture of an agent.
Really, does anyone proof read? Even if this is true, why would you put in on there?
Honest to God, this is what came in the mail today:
Four Bridges Property Sales March 1, 2009 - June 10, 2009
xxxx Winter Hazel Drive Sold for 51.7% of list price in 1,552 days
Below that is a picture of an agent.
Really, does anyone proof read? Even if this is true, why would you put in on there?
Jul 7, 2009
Jacko
Wish me luck today as I'm up in LA for some meetings. This place has turned into a full blown circus. I'm shocked at how many people are here for his stupid viewing. And the news coverage is just shocking. Have we forgotten about all the little boys he fingerbanged? Ugh.
Jul 5, 2009
16 reasons: Why?
You didn't think I would get very far in posting before Palin comes up, did you?
So - for those of you out of the country or under a rock this holiday, Sarah Palin will resign as Governor of Alaska effective later this month. Boy, did this set off a round of speculation as to why? Why now? Why resign?
Mickey Kaus (and - if you aren't reading his blog, you better start) has documented 14 reasons that he has heard in the press to explain the resignation. The list in italics, and my thoughts:
I can see 14 Palin theories ... and counting:
1) She's running for president;
EZ: In 2012? No way, not now. Too much damage was done with this announcement.
2) She's undergoing fame withdrawal and plans to get more attention in the lower 48;
EZ: Is she this much of an egomaniac? I guess you have to be to be in politics.
3) She wants to cash in ($);
EZ: This certainly seems plausible. Cash in now while you are still a celebrity.
4) There's another shoe about to drop;
EZ: Remind me...what was the first shoe? Wasn't she cleared of all wrongdoing?
5) She'll now run against Murkowski for Senate.
EZ: Wow. Lisa Murkowski is the Republican senator from Alaska who was elected in 2006; charges of nepotism ran wild after her father resigned in 02 and named his daughter- Lisa- to the Senate. Lisa won the full six year term in 2004, and is up for reelection in 2010.
Running against Murkowski -for Palin- would be a high stakes gamble. It's one thing to lose as a VP. However, if you lose a Senate primary - a PRIMARY - in Alaska - well, that takes you down about 537 notches. If she wins, Palin could become one of the party leaders in Washington. If she loses, it's curtains. Too risky.
6) She needs to tend to her family.
EZ: Are we that cyncial not to believe that? (Don't answer that)
7) She's bonkers.
EZ: No comment.
8) She's preggers.
EZ: Wow. No comment either.
9) She wants to "effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities."
EZ: English, please?
10) Actually being a governor in a recession is no fun. Gives you ulcers.
EZ: Ask Mr. Corzine, Schwartzenegger, Paterson, Patrick, Strickland, etc. etc. etc.
11) She worried she wasn't giving "Alaska's issues" the attention they deserve, and was being criticized for that;
EZ: Um, sure, but.....like she wasn't going to be reelected in 2010....
12) She's "fed up with politics ... the personal garbage" etc..
EZ: Sure...but if she is fed up with this, then she has no busness in a natinal office. Juneau? Cmon. You can handle it from Juneau...
13) She wants to fight back without one hand tied behind her back.
EZ: Not sure what this means....
14) The Alaska legislature now hates her;
Some bonus theories:
P.S.: Howard Kurtz is sure! "No way Palin can run for president now." ... Update: Now he asks, "How can these talking heads pop off about the meaning of Palin's resignation when not one of them saw it coming?" ... It's the return of Kurtz vs. Kurtz! ...
So - for those of you out of the country or under a rock this holiday, Sarah Palin will resign as Governor of Alaska effective later this month. Boy, did this set off a round of speculation as to why? Why now? Why resign?
Mickey Kaus (and - if you aren't reading his blog, you better start) has documented 14 reasons that he has heard in the press to explain the resignation. The list in italics, and my thoughts:
I can see 14 Palin theories ... and counting:
1) She's running for president;
EZ: In 2012? No way, not now. Too much damage was done with this announcement.
2) She's undergoing fame withdrawal and plans to get more attention in the lower 48;
EZ: Is she this much of an egomaniac? I guess you have to be to be in politics.
3) She wants to cash in ($);
EZ: This certainly seems plausible. Cash in now while you are still a celebrity.
4) There's another shoe about to drop;
EZ: Remind me...what was the first shoe? Wasn't she cleared of all wrongdoing?
5) She'll now run against Murkowski for Senate.
EZ: Wow. Lisa Murkowski is the Republican senator from Alaska who was elected in 2006; charges of nepotism ran wild after her father resigned in 02 and named his daughter- Lisa- to the Senate. Lisa won the full six year term in 2004, and is up for reelection in 2010.
Running against Murkowski -for Palin- would be a high stakes gamble. It's one thing to lose as a VP. However, if you lose a Senate primary - a PRIMARY - in Alaska - well, that takes you down about 537 notches. If she wins, Palin could become one of the party leaders in Washington. If she loses, it's curtains. Too risky.
6) She needs to tend to her family.
EZ: Are we that cyncial not to believe that? (Don't answer that)
7) She's bonkers.
EZ: No comment.
8) She's preggers.
EZ: Wow. No comment either.
9) She wants to "effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities."
EZ: English, please?
10) Actually being a governor in a recession is no fun. Gives you ulcers.
EZ: Ask Mr. Corzine, Schwartzenegger, Paterson, Patrick, Strickland, etc. etc. etc.
11) She worried she wasn't giving "Alaska's issues" the attention they deserve, and was being criticized for that;
EZ: Um, sure, but.....like she wasn't going to be reelected in 2010....
12) She's "fed up with politics ... the personal garbage" etc..
EZ: Sure...but if she is fed up with this, then she has no busness in a natinal office. Juneau? Cmon. You can handle it from Juneau...
13) She wants to fight back without one hand tied behind her back.
EZ: Not sure what this means....
14) The Alaska legislature now hates her;
Some bonus theories:
P.S.: Howard Kurtz is sure! "No way Palin can run for president now." ... Update: Now he asks, "How can these talking heads pop off about the meaning of Palin's resignation when not one of them saw it coming?" ... It's the return of Kurtz vs. Kurtz! ...
and finally:
P.P.S.: I'm waiting for someone to claim it was all the Scientologists' idea. So far, noone. But the night is young.
My mother - of all people - had the best, most plausible theory. She will be named head of the RNC in the near future (fall, 2009), replacing Michael Steele. Makes perfect sense. It reenergizes the party; it is an instant money maker for the Republican candidates in 2010 (and they are going to need money), gets her in Washington to learn while staying visible, and keeps her in the public spotlight. From here, she can run for Senate against the Democrat in 2014 (this is the seat the Ted Stevens lost due to his "non" scandal), and then gt national experience for a Presidential run in 2020 or 2024. For the 2024 election, she will only be 60 years old, so it's possible.
Back after the hiatus
OK, sorry for the lack of posting. Vacation, holidays, golf, work, etc - all getting in the way of what's most important, blogging.
Random topics (non-political) in nature:
1. I am still in shock that I can actually buy a Shaq Cavaliers jersey. Will this put them over the top in 2010? Who knows. But we would have beaten Orlando with him if we had him in June. This is 2 months too late.
2. I am holidng our family hostage; Game Show Network is now replaying old "$25,000 Pyramid" and "$100,000 Pyramid" episodes. I am quickly filling up the TiVo watching Marcia Wallace and Soupy Sales try to win the jackpot for their partners.
3. Freddie's baseabll season ended last week - we got a mail with all of the stats. He was in the middle of the pack with a .532 on-base percenatage. His ERA, however, was 57.....Layup immediately suggested he would be a good fit for the Tribe bullpen. Unfortunately, he's right.
4. I know I sound like "the Boy who cried Wolf" around here sometimes, but I am legitimately excited for the Browns this year. New coach + settled QB + revamped front 7 on defense + some talent (athough young) in the receiving core - a murderous schedule = 7-9 or 8-8 this year. I'm not predicting any more than that - but we aren't the worst team in the league (as Peter King has ranked us). Please
4a. Of course, we do play Detroit in November. If the Lions have not won by then....look out.
4b. Week 1 is Cleveland at home vs....Minnesota. If Favre signs with the Vikings, he will open up against us - and his old coach from the Jets. Expect this game to be nationally televised on FOX.
5. Ethical question: Janice and I were upgraded (twice) on our flight to CA in June; once from Salt Lake to San Diego; the other time from San Diego back to Cincinnati. Is it bad that we sat in First Class - with Martin - and let Freddie and Warren sit in coach with a poor soul who occupied the 3rd seat in the row?
6. I love WNBA wagering. That is all.
Random topics (non-political) in nature:
1. I am still in shock that I can actually buy a Shaq Cavaliers jersey. Will this put them over the top in 2010? Who knows. But we would have beaten Orlando with him if we had him in June. This is 2 months too late.
2. I am holidng our family hostage; Game Show Network is now replaying old "$25,000 Pyramid" and "$100,000 Pyramid" episodes. I am quickly filling up the TiVo watching Marcia Wallace and Soupy Sales try to win the jackpot for their partners.
3. Freddie's baseabll season ended last week - we got a mail with all of the stats. He was in the middle of the pack with a .532 on-base percenatage. His ERA, however, was 57.....Layup immediately suggested he would be a good fit for the Tribe bullpen. Unfortunately, he's right.
4. I know I sound like "the Boy who cried Wolf" around here sometimes, but I am legitimately excited for the Browns this year. New coach + settled QB + revamped front 7 on defense + some talent (athough young) in the receiving core - a murderous schedule = 7-9 or 8-8 this year. I'm not predicting any more than that - but we aren't the worst team in the league (as Peter King has ranked us). Please
4a. Of course, we do play Detroit in November. If the Lions have not won by then....look out.
4b. Week 1 is Cleveland at home vs....Minnesota. If Favre signs with the Vikings, he will open up against us - and his old coach from the Jets. Expect this game to be nationally televised on FOX.
5. Ethical question: Janice and I were upgraded (twice) on our flight to CA in June; once from Salt Lake to San Diego; the other time from San Diego back to Cincinnati. Is it bad that we sat in First Class - with Martin - and let Freddie and Warren sit in coach with a poor soul who occupied the 3rd seat in the row?
6. I love WNBA wagering. That is all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)