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Observations XVI: Apparently their beige hearts no longer bleed with neutrality - William World News
Friday, March 02, 2007
Observations XVI: Apparently their beige hearts no longer bleed with neutrality
It would figure that two days after my brother officially quit blogging, Switzerland would invade Liechtenstein. He warned us about the threat of Swiss tyranny hiding under the guise of neutrality.
Congratulations to Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Bog on the arrival of his daughter. It figures it would happen now, just as I have posted a potentially Bog-worthy entry about Norv Turner.
An article in The Times looks at the "family bed" and how some parents are not really happy about having one. Duh. In addition to ensuring nobody sleeps well, the family bed just screams major codependency issues.
Recent overplayed songs: Lowdown, The Sweater Song
High school sophomores were not even born when Nevermind came out. Time flies.
George Michael is done as WRC-TV sports anchor. He has been there forever, but let's not forget that he only ascended to #1 after the great Glenn Brenner died.
Ted Leonsis is dumping on newspapers lately. I'm not sure an AOL employee should be getting too excited about this issue. Lots of media, traditional and even first-wave new media are having some serious challenges right now.
By the way, Post editor Len Downie recently did a Q&A with Editor & Publisher that might interest a few WWN readers.
A Philly Daily News blogger thinks that Punxsutawney Phil ignored readily available intelligence in his winter prediction this year.
It is 62° out. I'm going for a walk.Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:22 PM |
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Observations XVI: Bread, milk, toilet paper! - William World News
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Observations XVI: Bread, milk, toilet paper!
I love the panic that overcomes this area when snow is forecast. I know it is ultimately embarrassing, but it is still a lot of fun.
I like that it snowed here on the days pitchers and catchers report. It seems appropriate. I think it snowed last year, too.
Is it just me, or would Synchronisity II been a better choice for The Police to perform during the Grammys?
sournsweet.com notes that Office Space went the way of Rocky Horror the other night at the Drafthouse.
I saw an online ad for Cinderella III. I never knew there was a Cinderella II.
A Snapshot™ in USA Today noted that more people snowboarded last year than skied. Perhaps this is why Big Boulder built so many snowboard parks.
When I drive west on I-66, the snow is always noticeably heavier right at the Fairfax County line.
Indianapolis is the least significant city to ever have a Super Bowl championship. In fact, it might be the least significant American city to ever win a title.
The TV show Parking Lot is now available on GetTrio.com. It was by Jeff Krulik and John Heyn (interview), creators of Heavy Metal Parking Lot. Basically, the show is the same idea as HMPL, just with different concerts and events.
It turns out that Maryland fans/coaches feel the same way about Heather Dinich as Penn State fans/coaches did.
I'm so glad Mike Moss is back on WTOP. I couldn't stand Richard Day's voice.
There are over 4,000 signatures on an online petition (CDT) to have State College bars celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 2 because March 17 is during spring break. Bars are not officially supporting the idea (The Collegian), but "if demand is there, they'll plan accordingly."
Happy Valentine's Day Erica!Labels: Observations, Weather
posted by WFY @ 12:32 PM |
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# posted by WFY :
Thursday, February 15, 2007 7:58:00 AM
# posted by :
Thursday, February 15, 2007 5:59:00 PM
Observations XIV: Was Bill Hicks ever wrong about music? - William World News
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Observations XIV: Was Bill Hicks ever wrong about music?
The last time I was in Pennsylvania I heard the song The Last Ten Years (Superman) by Kenny Rogers. He recaps all the problems of the last decade, along with some famous passings and all I could think about was why was Kenny Rogers the one who gets to write this song? Really, if a song like this had to be written, couldn't it have been by someone that didn't have The Gambler Part 17 on their resume?
Fritz's blog has really hit the ground running. He has about ten movie reviews up already. T. William, he's really cleaning your clock on what should be your bread n' butter -- you were class marshall for Film/Video.
Recent earworms: Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash, Under Pressure - Queen/David Bowie, You Were Meant for Me - Jewel
There was briefly a little controversy over the name of one of the Caps bloggers. Recently, Off Wing Opinion joked that DC Sports Chick was going to initiate litigation aganist DC Caps Chick. I had hoped to show video of two women's hockey players fighting as a gag, but alas such video does not exist. In fact, fighting in women's hockey may not exist. Also, DC Caps Chick dropped the DC and is just Caps Chick now.
Is there a good way to get from Arlington Memorial Bridge to Rock Creek Parkway via bike? I always wind up crossing the street in an awkward place.
Recent overplayed songs on DC radio: Do it Again - Steely Dan (Big 100), Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz (DC 101). I also heard Aerosmith's Dude Looks a Lady three times coming back from Happy Valley the last time. I also heard Man in Motion (St. Elmo's Fire) twice.
Driving up N. Glebe Road the other day I realized that Marymount University probably has a pretty good view. I'll stop by sometime and check it out.
I need to come up with something new for my countdown. It almost seems too early for the Outback Bowl to be used.Labels: Music, Observations, Radio
posted by WFY @ 12:39 PM |
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Observations XIII: Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos - William World News
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Observations XIII: Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
The Democrats won Congress by not being the Republicans. If they believe that they have a mandate from the American public, they will lose power in 2008. I also think that fears from some Republicans about this being a major shift to the left are unfounded. I think the left will be more dissapointed with the performance of the new majority two years from now than the right.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Lynn Swann had actually run for governor in Pennsylvania. He was potentially a very attractive candidate; very likable, part of the party of most rural Pennsylvanias, a former Steeler, etc. Many people in Pennsylvania's interior absolutely hate Philly native Gov. Ed Rendell. How much of the hate is from policies and how much is from an anti-Philly bias, I don't know. Now that it is all over, I hope ABC rehires Swann as soon as possible.
Of all the fast food places in the area, Boston Market seems to be the least competent. I have pretty much stopped going there because they can't seem to make a sandwich correctly the first time. Earlier this week I figured I would give hem another shot and went to the McLean one which was out of turkey. I walked out and eventually discovered a Booeymonger's in Ballston. I wish we had one of those or Potbelly in the Tysons/Vienna area; I want a sub option other than Subway. Wawa would also be great. I know Sheetz is not ever coming here.
Recent earworm: That damn Mellancamp song
I have lived in Pentagon City for about five years, but only flown at of National once. Granted, I have flown about six times since then, but I would have hoped to have bene able to use when I actually flew.
I'm way overdue for going to another city on the Northeast corridor. One of these days I'll have to get up to Philly for my cheesesteak.
I think it would be really funny if the president of the Human Rights Campaign or similar organization was revealed to have an intimate hetero relationship on the eve of a major event like Coming Out Day. The media reaction could be very interesting.
When possible, I like to get my haircut at Fetterolf's Barber Shop in State College. They are cheap and best of all, actual barbers who can do things like cut my hair without asking "what number?" They know how to use a straight razor too. I get their twice during football season and another time or two during the rest of the year.
My record on mayor's bets is about 2-6-1 in the last three years. Someone will probably have to start a AlwaysBetAgainstWFY.com site.
I was unaware that Pittburgh's Original Hot Dog Shop (aka "The O") had closed. Erica and I went there in 2000.
I finally started buying iTunes. What I'm buying so far:
Lay Lady Lay, Bob Dylan
What I'd Say Ray Charles
Here's Where the Story Ends, The Sundays
Brazil, Django Reinhardt
Take Five, Dave Brubeck
Schindleria Priematuras, Yes
Fire on High, ELO
I wonder if JerSea Enterprises is rushing out orders of EXIT 9 magnets, stickers, etc.
Though it may be hard to believe, Jack Palance was from the Hazleton area.
I miss the old General Drafting Co./TravelVision/Exxon/American maps. They were always my favorite since they were easy to read and provided lots of useful information. Since they were bought out by Langenscheidt Publishing (who also owns ADC Maps) the quality has gone down and the traditional look is gone. I think it is is a loss for cartography.Labels: Fairfax County, Food and Drink, Music, Observations, Tysons Corner
posted by WFY @ 12:50 PM |
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# posted by :
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 6:47:00 PM
Observations XII: You are looking live - William World News
Friday, October 27, 2006
Observations XII: You are looking live
A lot of people hate -- HATE Brent Musburger; I think Hunter S. Thompson wanted to strangle him with his bare hands, but never got around to it. That being said, I think I am immune from truly hating Musburger because his weekly announcement "YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE..." at the beginning of The NFL Today way back when. He should do that for college football as well.
I kind of like the "Life Will be There Tomorrow" song that Outback Steakhouse uses in their radio spots. I like it much more than the restaurant in fact.
Over the last month Snoop Dogg has been arrested at John Wayne and Bob Hope airports. If there is a Frank Sinatra Airport what are the odds he will get arrested there in November?
How is Firefox 2? Is there anything I should know before I make the switch?
Sheryl Crow's "Everday is a Winding Road" has been used in commercials for at least two different car companies. I guess her songs go through car companies like she goes through men.
Recent earworms: Eastbound and Down (Jerry Reed), Nobody Bothers Me (Jhoon Rhee), that Outback song
The trend towards making nicknames from the first syllable of two words is tiresome. Enough with MoCo (Montgomery County) WaPo (Washington Post) and half the new hip neighborhoods in New York and some of wannabes in D.C. NoVa and JoePa get to stay because they predate the birth of most of the people who use MoCo or NoMa. Stop trying so hard to be cool. Nearlington also has to go, though I don't personally know anybody lame enough to use it. That one might have worked if Arlington was shaped in such a way that there was a clearly defined northeastern section of the county.
It turns out Geno's Steaks, the Philly cheesesteak joint that made headlines for their English only policy, uses South American beef (The Inky). Pat's King of Steaks on the opposite corner also uses "immigrant beef" sometimes. It appears that Jim's, my personal favorite (though I have not been to Pat's yet), uses "USDA choice top round western steer beef." I assume that is the western U.S.
Erica and I have only been to Woo Lae Oak which recently suffered fire damage to the exterior, once. It was okay, but as someone once said, "it was awfully expensive for a place where you have to cook your own food."
I am getting annoyed waiting for Blogger Beta to be available for people who use Blogger, but have their own hosts. I want categories. I hope it has a scheduler too. Then again, since this morning's post was delayed by 3 hours by Blogger troubles, categories should be the least of my worries.
The first frost of the season in Pentagon City was Oct. 26
For several years I have enjoyed reading Southern chef Robert St. John's column. It appears in one of "my" newspapers. St. John is now posting the columns on a blog, so you can read them too. If I am ever in Mississippi, I will go to one of his restaurants, even though Southern food has little appeal to me.
Big green guide signs with clearview font are starting to appear on I-66. I hate clearview font, bring back button copy FHWA Series E!Labels: Music, Observations, Radio, Redskins/NFL
posted by WFY @ 12:23 PM |
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Observations XI: Moltar would be pleased - William World News
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Observations XI: Moltar would be pleased
Most Washingtonians think WTOP has the best traffic reports in the afternoon, but I disagree. Why? DC101 has the CHiPs theme playing while they tell me about backups, so they win.
Blogger has been acting up over the lunch hour, making it difficult to post. Also, when are they going to get around to making Blogger Beta available to people who aren't on Blogspot? I want categories!
Speaking of Blogger, isn't it odd that it still does not have blog in its dictionary?
Have you ever gotten a HEREHEIS or HERESHEIS candy bar? They are customized Hershey bars in either baby blue or pink that parents of newborns send out. I was given one, but I have not eaten it. It would seem weird to eat a customized candy bar with my nephew-cousin's name on it.
It looks like today and tomorrow will be the last days that I can go biking for the season. Daylight Savings Time is ending soon, so I won't be able to get home in time and ride. It'll be getting cold too.
I am getting to the point where I know enough about photography to be very frustrated with my current digital camera.
A friend asked me when I was going to get a MySpace account and I reminded him that I have had a domain for 8 years.
After a trip down Skyline Drive on Sunday, we drove home through Charlottesville. It had been a while since we had been at the home of UVa. It is a beautiful town, but the "college town" part of it is only a handful of blocks long. It does have a separate downtown though which includes a pedestrian mall. I also like that the football helmet logo and V's are painted onto some of the streets. State College ought to steal that idea.
While in Charlottesville we stopped at littlejohns for lunch. That deli smells better than it tastes, but I still enjoyed my sammich.
Driving back from Charlottesville, we took VA 28 through Manassas instead of going all the way to I-66 on US 29. It was a good idea until we got to the city; next time I'll take VA 234 from VA 28. By the way, the interchange between those two roads is a HUGE stack interchange reminiscent of LA freeways. That just might be a bit much for that neck of the woods.
Sunday's ride marked the second consecutive weekend I had traveled through the commonwealth. I was in Virginia Beach for nephew-cousin Jacob's Christening last weekend.
One of my Metroblogging DC colleagues has suggested that Northern Virginia join with D.C. to become the 51st state. That won't happen for lots of obvious reasons, but I, too, am frustrated that the do-nothing legislature takes our tax money, only spends half of it on us, then badmouths us. It sure would be interesting if a few respectable politicians ran on a separation platform though, it might scare people enough to get us more of our fair share of taxes spent where we live. By the way, Maryland's D.C. suburbs (Raw Fisher) are also in a similar situation.
Speaking of politicians, the two major-party Senate candidates are awful, I don't think either is worthy of a vote.
Recent earworms: Tom's Diner (Suzanne Vega), Trust (Megadeth)
I think I'm going to dress up and go out for Halloween this year. It's been years since I have done that; I think I was "invisible pedestrian" last time. Any suggestions?Labels: Music, Observations, Travel, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:42 PM |
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# posted by C. Yurasko :
Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:07:00 AM
Observations X: Ten, ten, ten, everything, everything, everything - William World News
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Observations X: Ten, ten, ten, everything, everything, everything
Is it just me or is lending a DVD of Office Space to your boss just a bit contradictory to the spirit of the movie?
My brother alerted me to this ABCNews.com story about Germans concerned about the infusion of English words into the common vocabulary. He notes that "why is it every time I hear something like 'KEEPING GERMAN PURE' in an article I feel like fleeing to Norway?" That is one way of looking at it. I have no sympathy either, after all Germany did ruin the 20th Century (twice). A few English words won't kill them.
I don't know what the Democrats are thinking by pushing forward with an anti-Wal-Mart agenda; people in middle America LOOOOOOVE Wal-Mart and the last time I checked, middle America was where the Democrats were losing elections. Duh.
For many years my family and I have gone to the Dunn Loring Mobil for car inspections. It was always busy (I bet it is one of the busiest in NOVA) it generally passed any car which was particularly handy with some of our older cars. Anyhow, I drove Erica's car to it the other morning and was surprised to discover that not only the 7 to 7 hours were gone (replaced by 8 to 5) but it was now a Sunoco and the was a new inspector. The previous inspector had been there for at least ten years. I wonder what happened to him.
Thanks to Sweet I discovered the #1 song in the U.S. on the day I was born was Barbra Streisand's Evergreen. This will certainly please my mother who was calling the Brooklyn songstress Barbra long before Linda Richmond ever did. It however, depresses me. My brother's song was oddly appropriate though. Find out for yourself.
It does not look like I am ever going to write a recap to my (first) trip down the shore. A few notable things though -- there were plans carrying signs for Lynn Swann (running for governor in Pennsylvania) and PA Tourism (ha!).
Turning onto W. Beaver Ave. from S. Atherton Street a couple of Saturday's ago I saw the bank sign that said the temperature was 44°. While it was cold and unpleasant, I knew it was not that chilly since my previous trip to State College was in that kind of weather. I wish I had a thermometer on me at the time to see how warm it actually was outside. That made me realize that a thermometer would be a great feature on a wireless phone. Perhaps this has already happened and I am just several years behind the times. An altimeter would be good too.
Can you believe that stupid Ben Rothliesburger didn't wear a helmet on his appendix?
One thing that makes working really late more palatable is listening to Penn Jillete's radio show at 7 p.m. on WJFK (106.7). Marc Fisher recently wrote about him in The Post.
Somehow, The Dead Milkmen became part of my soundtrack for trips to Penn State games.
Shouldn't the band Ten Years After be Fifty Years After now?Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:17 PM |
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Observations IX: Nine, nine, cause I lost count - William World News
Monday, August 21, 2006
Observations IX: Nine, nine, cause I lost count
I was hoping to get this up before I went down the Shore, but I wound up working late at the end of the week hence the delay.
Kimberly Jones, the former CDT Penn State football for the beat writer is now the baseball equivalent of a sideline reporter for YES Network. Does this mean we can expect to see Heather Dinich take on a similar role with MASN someday.
USA Today reports that Heinz is among several companies now offering personalized products. I think the Yurasko Christmas shopping just got easier.
Kevin Smith had thousands of people waiting 12 hours in line (Asbury Park Press) for an autograph. Honestly, I like some of his movies, but that's just nuts.
While we are on the subject, I was disappointed by Clerks II. It had its moments, but seemed very thrown together and slow, not too mention pointlessly vulgar -- even for a Smith movie. It is almost as if Smith set out to prove that he has learned nothing as filmmaker or screenwriter since the original Clerks.
Wida's on Long Beach Island has closed (Asbury Park Press)! The new place, Daddy O, has a retro-hipster motif.
Deputy Editor Fritz Hamme notes that Donald Sutherland played Homer Simpson in the 1975 film The Day of the Locust. Wasn't that a Bob Dylan song?
Is it just me or do we never hear about Ayatollah Al-Sistani much any more? Remember how getting his blessing was vital for anything going on well over there?
Marc Fisher had a great article on what he calls "toxic parents" in The Post Magazine recently. In the follow-up chat, he confirms what he tries to hide in objectivity -- don't try to be a "cool parent" by trying to be your kids "friend." It makes a lot of sense to me someday I suppose I'll test the theory out.
Ten years ago, when I was at the Old School (PSU Hazleton) I remembered observing the cultural tensions going on between Pocono's natives and the outer-borough transplants that were moving there in droves. Now, we find out that some of those transplants are gang members who have moved to in planned communities (USA Today). It is all very ironic.
I am going to post a chili dog comparison sometime soon. So far, The Vienna Inn, Ben's Chili Bowl, and Hard Times Cafe are on the list. Any other BeltwayLand area spots I should check out? I'm thinking Weenie Beennie, at the end of the W&OD Trail, might be the wild card.Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:17 PM |
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Observations VIII: Eight, eight I forgot what eight was for - William World News
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Observations VIII: Eight, eight I forgot what eight was for
When we went to Uptown for Superman Returns I was suprised to see that the Cleveland Park McDonald's had closed. I cannot think of any other McDonald's (other than the "Express-concept" locations from the '90s) that had closed. I was even more surprised when I read (in a Sietsema chat, I think) that it had been closed for a few years. It must have lost its lease in the shopping center it was in, because I cannot imagine that it failed as a business with so many people regularly lined up across the street waiting to get into Uptown.
Speaking of Superman Returns, I am really surprised it has not done better at the box office. While I don't need box office totals to validate my liking the movie, but I am concerned that it will mean that any sequels will be done on the cheap, a road we have been down previously.
A while back I had an email exchange with someone about the state of New Jersey. It reminded me of this great essay that argues the Turnpike is misinformation campaign to keep people from discovering the "real" Jersey. I also observed (and contributed to) a post bashing Jersey on Metroblogging Philly. Man, some Pennsylvanians just cannot get over the one-way tolls; which, by the way, are run by bi-state agencies. The one-ways make a whole lot more sense than two-way tolls. I love jughandles too. Why so much Jersey-hate?
Although I believe that mankind's carbon-based fuel emmissions are a source of some global warming, I am not convinced that it is the only source. I have heard that the nightime lows on the days that planes were grounded following 9/11 were significantly lower than usual. The reason for this was less cloud cover, and it does not take a leap of logic to believe that not having hundreds of jets flying the sky creating contrails meant fewer clouds. I am very curious to find out if this is true.
I still do not have interest in An Inconvienent Truth though, "Powerpoint as entertainment" (as described by fellow Metroblogger Don Whiteside) does not sound that interesting to me.
In fact the next movie that I really want to see in the theater in Spider-Man 3. Clerks II can wait for DVD, though I may see it in the theater.
Last Wednesday Blogger, Flickr, and another Web application I use were I were all down. Tough day. Actually, the tough days have been plentiful for Blogger lately. Also, MySpace.com, owned by Rupert Murdoch, was down for 12 hours the other day.
No Gene Weingarten chat this week :(
Pittsburgh is extending their light rail from the Golden Triangle to the North Side sports complex via tunnels under the Alleghany River (Post-Gazette). Good for them.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, we are talking about going out there for a Caps vs. Pengyunz game this winter. If we do, I am going to have to make sure that I talk incessantly about D.C. I might even have to pretend to be a Redskins fan. Call it payback for all the 'burgh transplants that are here. : )
I am not guilty of supermarket fetishism. While some folks love Wegman's, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's, I am perfectly content with the tiny, "ghetto Giant" in Shirley Park.
Marc Fisher's constant posts about Google Trends last week were boring.
The CDT has reinvented Blue again. You may recall Blue was a daily section targeted to Penn State students a couple of years back. It even got a lot of trade press, but ultimately, it only lasted a semester before turning into some sort of weekly. Now, it is being pushed again, but to the 18-34 demographic instead of just PSU students. After seeing the first issue, I don't think it will suceed. Getting local advertisers is critical and if they keep on featuring content about things to do outside of Happy Valley, like they did last week, local advertisers won't buy in. Who wants to put ads in a publication that encourages readers to leave town?
It was very tempting to subtitle this post "You don't tug on Superman's cape"Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:52 PM |
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Observations VII: Keys - William World News
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Observations VII: Keys
People think it is weird and maybe even offensive that I always carry two sets of car keys with me. It just seems obvious that having an extra set makes a lot of sense since it is pretty hard to lock two sets of keys in the car.
Recent earworms: Lay Lady Lay, Superman theme
My brother notes that from now on, one of his favorite chinese takeout meals shall be known as General Zod's Chicken.
A recent blog post by CDT editor Bob Heisse reminds of the expression "I like living in a place where I don't have to lock my doors." I have heard this from more than a few folks from rural America/smalltowns. I always though it was a foolish mentality because it can be so easily traumatized if someone gets into your car or house. Why make it so easy for someone to violate your property (or worse) when turning a key is such an effortless activity?
I found a javascript that reorders the archives into the more logical reverse chronological order. I was always annoyed that my archives listed least recent first.
Speaking of blogging tools, does anyone know how I can syndicate blog headlines onto another part of the Web site without resorting to a feedburner widget or something with PHP? I want to take Blogger generated headlines and make them available on other pages of Web sites I manage at my job.
For the next few days, The Onion in continuing their 10th anniversary retrospective by highlighting the best of each year it has been published online.
What will happen first, Joe Paterno's retirement or i-99 being completed(CDT)?
While biking: Regardless of whether joggers have the right-away over cyclists, running in front of me on Key Bridge after I have clearly announced "ON YOUR LEFT" is not terribly pragmatic. It is better to not be run over. On the other hand, thanks to the helpful Canadian who pointed me in the right direction to stay on the Bluemont Jct. Trail.
I started college at Penn State Hazleton, so all of the national press, like the recent article in The Sun, about the mayor of Hazleton's anti-illegal immigrant legislation has been interesting. What I find most interesting the "Smalltown, USA" descriptions of the city. As I recall Hazleton, it had a pretty big underground drug trade and a lots of mafia, in addition to a bar on every corner. There were some good efforts to keep the place vibrant, but ultimately, it was a pretty depressing place full of lots of ignorant people.
On a side note, I think the president's outlook on illegal immigration is pragmatic and I would like to see it implemented.
Longtime Don & Mike Show co-host and noted restauranteur Mike O'Meara is buying Sign of the Whale on M Street and turning it into his second O'Mearas Pub. I am pleased by this because I wanted to go to the Manassas O'Mearas, but could never get motivated enough to drive the 40 miles from my apartment to get there. I am not going to miss Sign of the Whale either, the last time I went there the bartender was creepy and the service poor.
I thought Steve Jones did not like the internet.
Deal of the week: 2 for $4 Golden Grahams at Giant.
Is it just me or is ArtsFest really overrated?Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 5:56 PM |
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Observations VII: All right Penn State are you ready to rock n' roll? (not yet, give us five minutes) - William World News
Friday, June 16, 2006
Observations VII: All right Penn State are you ready to rock n' roll? (not yet, give us five minutes)
With Gary Glitter being convicted for a second time for doing very bad things with to children (AP/USA Today) in Viet Nam, the NFL has asked teams to stop playing the stadium anthem Rock n' Roll Part II. I'm all for it since I don't see any reason to celebrate the work of a pedophile pederast. RnRII has also become a stale part of PSU's pregame and I won't miss it so long as it is replaced with more Blue Band music and not all the hiphop crap that Guido D'Elia loves so much.
post-gazette.com has joined washingtonpost.com and usatoday.com in hosting live chats. I don't know why more newspaper Web sites don't do this because it is an incredibly valuable asset to all the ones that have it.
I don't know whether to laugh at the tone of a Times article, Hiding in Plain Sight, Google Seeks More Power or not. Here is the tease from the front page:On the Columbia River, Google is working on a secret weapon in its quest to dominate the next generation of Internet computing. It initially comes off as funny, but it also reminds me of the Google anxieties that I have.
The Ombudsman pointed out this explanation of his field from The Daily Show's Resident Expert.
Not to sound like Ann Coulter here, but I am very concerned about an article I read in Wednesday's USA Today
about Wahhabi Muslims actively trying to get this country to start adhering to some cultural norms of Saudi Arabia. The basic argument by some of these types are some American norms, such men and women being in the same gym, are "infringing on their religion." That's a lot of B.S. of course, but if people do the P.C. thing and buy that line of thinking, especially in public places, in favor of "diversity" it gives this anti-pluralist movement power, and ironically, crushes diversity. I don't know if this is a big deal or just a series of isoloated incidents, but it needs to be watched closely as this has become a real problem in Europe, even England (Telegraph). I, for one, do not want enforced segregation along sectarian lines, specifically one that is enforced by a religion that uses the word "infidel" so freely. Let's all remember that the strength of America is that it is a pluralist society based on personal choice.
Also, if these Wahhabi women want to avoid being at the same gym as men, maybe they ought to find one of the many gyms that are for women only.
The A.V. Club interview with Jonathan Katz, best known for Comedy Central's Dr. Katz is worth a read.
I cannot remember which economist friend I was talking to when we concluded that sports are an excellent way for two people who tend to agree on a lot of things to make their relationship more interesting because they have something to disagree on.
PennLive.com is de-emphasising the Patriot-News of Harrisburg in favor of Easton's Express-Times, which seems odd. I wonder if something is going on behind the scenes that is not readily apparent to someone outside of those markets.
Congratulations to go out to Dr. Calvert for another promotion. You all undoubtidly know him from his many journal articles and his book, Voyeur Nation.
Speaking of Penn State, on Wednesday night Erica and I went to a university function at the Botanical Gardens. In addition to hors d'oeuvres and refreshments there was a presentation about the new arboretum proposed for "east campus." It will mean the end of lot 11, but it will be worth it. Best case scenario has ground being broken in two years.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a fantasy football league. It's still SPRING!
The Ombudsman took a Chinatown bus down from New York the other night and it broke down on the Turnpike near Cherry Hill. Upon arriving in the District the driver was handed a bong immediately upon leaving the bus.Labels: Blue Band, Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:59 PM |
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Observations VI: Where lands are green and skies are blue - William World News
Friday, June 02, 2006
Observations VI: Where lands are green and skies are blue
I heard Spacehog's "In the Meantime" on the radio the other day. I loved that song (and most of the debut album, especially track 14) when it came out and expected them to hang around for a longtime, but sadly, it was not to be. You can watch a few of their videos, including "In the Meantime" on MTV.com.
I really want to love Firefox, but lately, it is really letting me down. Tabbed browsing is great, the extensions are quite useful, and it is more secure than IE. However, it lacks stability with the content management system that my company uses. It also started wiping out parts of blog posts (including the Heavy Metal Parking Lot one on Metroblogging DC) and even templates, which is very annoying, particulary when setting up a blog for work. Additionally, it has taken to crashing without provocation on my PC at home. Natalie Portman would say, "Firefox, you're breaking my heart."
WHO'LL BUY MY MEMORIES? Attention stalkers, my parents' cul-de-sac is having a garage sale this weekend. Including in the sale are a number of things I have collected over the years, like front pages from sports championships (esp. Yankees and Cowboys), game programs from Caps, Oreos, and Redskins games, plus pennants (big and small) and even some mini football helmets. Sideling Court in Vienna, tomorrow.
Two Western Pennsylvania breweries are undergoing hard times right now. The Rolling Rock brand just got sold to Busch from InBev (Post-Gazette), but the brewery in Latrobe was not. It seems to me that Rolling Rock brewed elsewhere is pretty pointless since the identity of the brand is so tied to Latrobe. Further west, Pittsburgh Brewing Co., the people who unleashed Iron City upon an unsuspecting planet just had to have the government take over their pensions too. That brewery has been trying to keep their head above water for years, so it is not surprising. It seems the demise is only a matter of time. Constrast this with the big brewery in Eastern Pennsylvania, Yuengling. About 20 years ago the family decided that they could stay as they were and go out of business or get bigger and develop a product people liked. The did both, coming up with Yuengling Lager which is now ubiquitous and buying a brewery in Tampa.
Cycling along the I-66 Custis Trail during Rolling Thunder is an interesting experience. I might have to make it an annual tradition.
Speaking of cylcing, the eastern end of the W&OD Trail has been rebuilt to have a nice little circle with a garden. There still are not begin/end signs though. That reminds me, I have to go to Weenie Beenie one of these days.
How funny is it that the microphone cut out (ESPN) during the radio broadcast of Barry Bonds' 715th home run?
Former WWF star Nikolai Volkoff is running for office in Maryland (CityPaper).
This year's Memorial Day weekend was kind of unusual -- the weather was great. In fact, it was hot all week, which made for good pool weather. The water in the Riverhouse pool is quite pleasant already.
Jayna Mac was in town yesterday!
Don & Mike played tapes from the Katie Couric sendoff the other day, complete with commentary. It was hard to listen to, because, as Joe Queenan would say, NBC pandered to the emotions that decent people shouldn't have, I wanted to ralph after all that nonsense.
Phil Hartmen died eight years ago this week, according to On this Day on nytimes.com. What a waste. The moral of the story is to not go back to bed with your coked up wife after you tell her you are leaving her. Relive his best bit here (sorry no video).
I need a better name for these posts of random tidbits than Observations, come up with one and let me know.Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 12:31 PM |
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# posted by WFY :
Monday, June 05, 2006 5:59:00 AM
Observations IV: 8 pack - William World News
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Observations IV: 8 pack
Recently, a bag of Doritos I bought from a vending machine came with a "prize" from the vending company. I won a coupon for a free eight pack of 12 oz. cans of any carbonated Coca-Cola product. Given that the next time I see an 8 pack of Coke in cans it will be the first, it is not much of a prize. If you find a place that sells that quantity and type, let me know and I will give you a Sprite.
In the 27 years I have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I have yet to set foot in Richmond, the capital. State capitals I have visited: Annapolis, Md.; Boston, Mass,; Denver, Colo.; Harrisburg, Penna. I have driven through Richmond, Va., Raleigh, N.C., Albany, N.Y., Providence, R.I., Trenton, N.J., and Columbus, Ohio without stopping.
Up in Bootown, The Inky and Philly Daily News were sold to local ownership and not a newspaper company. It will be very interesting to see how that works out. They had been owned by KnightRidder, but when McClatchy bought KR, they indicated they wanted nothing to do with the JOA papers from the city of brotherly love.
If I were in charge of VDOT, I would change the control city of westbound I-66 from Front Royal to Shenandoah Valley.
DCSportsChick'?s Ch. 4 profile is here. I wonder when they are going to discover Capital Punishment or Off Wing Opinion.
Speaking of OWO, a recent post noted that ESPN is in trouble. The rise of league owned cable networks is challenging their role as the 800 lbs. gorilla of TV sports. The NFL just played them, letting them have Monday Night Football, but making NBC's new Sunday night game the marquee telecast and giving the peacock network the ability to reschedule games into that timeslot, something MNF wanted for years.
MySpace.com reminds me of the internet circa 1996 -- lots of animated gifs and links but no content. I am not a member.
I have watched at least two innings of every Nats game since Thursday, a new record for me. That streak ends tonight.
My brother is headed to Colorado this summer and I am a little jealous. I was there in 1999 for a week and loved it. I could even live there for a few years, but would ultimately miss the East's high concentration of cities and proximity to the ocean. I find it comforting to know that I can be sitting on a beach less than 5 hours from right now if I really want to be.
There is a lot of debate over whether to put the proposed Metro line to Dulles above or under the ground through Tysons Corner. Being that Tyson's is an aesthetic nightmare, I don't see how an elevated railway detracts from it. If anything it might make it more interesting. However, it is still worthwhile looking into the tunneling option.Labels: Nats/MLB 2006, Observations
posted by WFY @ 5:42 PM |
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Observations III: Gonna Fly Now - William World News
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Observations III: Gonna Fly Now
Philadelphia is planning on putting the statue of celluloid heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa near the steps to the Museum of Art. Previously, the statue had been at the top of the steps and at the sports complex. It has always been controversial where it resides. Curiously, no word on when a statue of Philly's REAL heavyweight champion will be commissioned.
Mexican wrestlera are big right now. I don't know if this is because of Homestar Runner's Strong Bad. Does he reflect the culture or shapes it? I like to believe it is the latter.
I have never been interested in American Idol. What's the big deal? Why do newspapers have to devote several column inches every week?
Kickball is incredibly popular in this area with rival leagues vying for spots on The Mall. My company has a kickball league too but I don't play, because when it comes down to it, I do not want to blow an ACL on kickball. There are just several better ways to do it and I cannot imagine going through months and months of rehab because of kickball. Explaining it to others would be no better, maybe even worse. I skip softball for similar reasons, but that is a much better reason to injure yourself than kickball.
I finally heard the new Metro voice. In fact, I think she is now on all the trains. I don't like her as much as the original Metro voice and I don't like the new chimes. It sounds too generic. Another example of fixing something that was not broken.
Am I the only one who thinks it is appropriate that the new Archbishop of Washington is coming from Pittsburgh?
Congrats to DC Sports Chick for being featured on Ch. 4.
I was a regular NPR listener for quite a while, but I have pretty much stopped. I can only hear so much news about the disaster in Iraq. If Bob Edwards were still there, I would probably still be listening though. Now, I listen to WTOP in the morning. I cannot decide if I like Lisa Baden though.
For the last two years, Dan Victor has been writing about his experience as a Penn State fan for the CDT, first as a columnist for the ill-fated Blue and more recently as a blogger. He graduated this past weekend and will be moving on. His contributions will be missed.
This morning's USA Today had an article about New Jersey drivers' backlash against the governor's proposal to create self-service gas stations. While I thought the article was framed to make Jersey drivers look lazy and snobbish, or even stupid, it reminded me of how much I enjoy getting a fill-up in the Garden State. Full-serve gas is one of the many things I like about Jersey; 127 miles of oceanfront, charming towns built around railroad stations, real diners, and all-turns-from-the-right-lane to name a few more. I also always enjoyed the amazement that some of my Pennsylvania friends had (when they were not whining about the one-way toll on I-80 over the Delaware) that NJ full-service gas was cheaper than PA self-service gas. On the flipside, I also liked watching kids from Jersey try to fill their tank at the gas station near the Old School.
I am not crazy about the new Flickr Gamma yet.Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 5:04 PM |
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Observations vol. II -- No, nay, never - William World News
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Observations vol. II -- No, nay, never
When it comes to going out to hear background music over drinks, there are two kinds of people -- those who choose '80s night and those who choose Irish music.
Lately, the Sprite I have been drinking has tasted different than the stuff I was buying six months ago. There has been more citrus-y flavor, and less bite. Given the little bit of bite that Sprite had to begin with, this is a troubling prospect. I miss the old 7-UP.
After reading this article (AP/CDT) maybe there is a reason it tastes different. Scary.
There is a lot of talk of putting a street car line down Columbia Pike. While it sounds cool and would give that under-achieving corridor some cachet, I have to wonder if it is actually a sensible way to move lots of people. Columbia Pike is the busiest bus route in the Commonwealth, and I wonder if streetcars would increase capacity.
Having spent a fair amount of time on Boston's Green Line, I have to say that street cars, while cool, are not that quick. The only advantage I can see to using street cars/trolley/light rail is if it has its own alignment, so it does not have to worry about cars, pedestrians etc. I guess it would not be a streetcar on seperate alignment.
Clear Channel killed their oldies format on Big 100 (100.3 FM) and replaced it with classic rock, despite there already being classic rocker on 94.7 with crummy ratings. Now, there is no oldies station in the market, so good luck hearing any Motown or pre-"Sgt. Pepper" Beatles on free radio.
The first three times I hit the station during my run through the dial I heard the Eagles. Mojo Nixon was right...
A friend of mine recently stopped seeing a woman that he been dating for a few weeks. She observed, "you are always on," and thought he was trying too hard. In reality, that is just the way he is, being a well-read, extremely social person. She was actually intimidated by his rhetorical prowress, so she moved on. To my friend I say, "bullet dodged."
Tourist season has began in earnest in BeltwayLand. A lot of locals (though perhaps transplants would be more fair) get down on the tourists, but I take it in stride. Aside from the "stand on the right" issue, I really don't have many gripes. After all, for every "You don't know me" t-shirt sold there is more sales tax revenue, which is double in Pentagon City mall. So, I thank the tourists for keeping my county a great place to live.
Recently, my brother invited his priest to a family dinner. During grace, the priest blessed the conversation. I had never heard that one before, but it makes a whole lot of sense. Please keep this in mind the next time you say grace.Labels: Observations, Radio
posted by WFY @ 9:18 PM |
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Observations Vol. 1: We asked for Mojo Nixon, they said "he don't work here" - William World News
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Observations Vol. 1: We asked for Mojo Nixon, they said "he don't work here"
I have been meaning to begin doing random posts about whatever is on my mind for some time. I am calling this feature, Observations, unless/until I come up with a better name. Think of it as the logical successor to Larry King's USA Today column, only more um, logical. John O'Hurley (aka Mr. Peterman) was named as the new host of Family Feud. I don't really care, I don't watch a lot of TV and certainly not game shows, but I know enough about that show to know the logical choice was Mojo Nixon. Just imagine him yelling, "let's play the Feud!" and it all makes sense.
No show better captured the zeitgeist of the Reagan era better than Duck Tales. The world's greatest plutocrat swims around in a vault of money -- that's rich.
I still cannot believe that nobody says rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for Microsoft.
I wonder how long until I am the only American under age 40 without an iPod. Six months? Two months?
In a related note, I wonder if 40 15 years from now I will be one of the few of my peers without a hearing aid.
I have had so many questions answered on Post and USA Today chats that it is no longer a big deal or even blog worthy. The exception is Tom Sietsema, The Post's food critic. I am about 0 for 12 on his chats. I think I still need to get Gene Weingarten to answer one too, but I have not tried much with him.
The weather sure is promising for the foreseeable future, I wonder if the Ombudsman has snuck into the area again.Labels: Observations
posted by WFY @ 7:15 PM |
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William F. & William R. Yurasko
December 20, 2009
Alexandria, Va.
Photo by Erica Yurasko
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