Can You Believe It? ...

Yes, a few days behind.  It's been one of those weeks.  Haven't actually been home much and when I have been there's been other stuff to do.  I mean come on, the week before 24 ends, season finale of House, last episode before the series finale of Lost and tonight is the season finale of Fringe!  That and Botcon registration finally went up on Tuesday. 

Needless to say there's been a bunch of interesting things that happened this week:

• The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and jumped a bunch of spots to get the First overall pick in this years draft!  That is amazing.  Some would say lucky.  Some would say rigged.  It was nice to hear that Irene Pollin was there wearing Abe's Championship ring and then finding out they had won the draft lottery.  Like I said amazing story or is it?  We all know that the Pollin family is selling the majority interest to Ted Leonsis.  A respected businessman and as the owner of the Washington Capitals brought them out from the ashes to where they are now.  Ted had the number one hockey pick and drafted Ovechkin.  Look how that turned out.  Do you really want to give such a promising new owner the "draft curse" as the Wizards have always had?  Sure the Zards had the first overall pick when Jordan was here (exactly) and there was no consensus number one pick.  They picked Kwame Brown.  - yeah -  Everyone is saying Wall is and should be the first pick.  Can't say I've followed basketball all that much anymore but I'd rather have a big man like Tim Duncan, Shaq or David Robinson.  Whether it was luck or not, I guess I'm glad they got the pick.  It was nice that Irene Pollin got the chance to experience that for the team she and her husband loved so dearly.  We wish the Pollins well and hopefully they'll always be a part of the franchise in some shape or form.
• Today was draw Muhammad Day for those that cared.  For some it was draw Muhammad Ali Day.  Or it was hide from those trying to kill you again day.  Or it was the rest of the world don't care about these people day.
• More info about Top Chef D.C.!!!
• Huh oh, looks like Megan Fox just got dropped from Transformers 3.  Wait.  That's a bad thing? 
• So you think you're going to boycott just a few things?  Why not boycott everything.  Come on I dare you.  No really, I double-dare you!
• I remember my brother-in-law was so adamant that Landis did not dope.  Oh, Lance.  Oh Lance.  Where are you?
• I still wonder if we can get our pastors to do something like this.

Never Trade For Any Wizard Players ...

That's basically the take away from John Hollinger.  After the LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to Boston the other day I was amazed that the two teams that had traded for Wizard players (the other being Dallas) were bumped out of the playoffs so early.  I'm sorta glad Cleveland lost, even if I would have liked to see Jamison get a ring but I was really surprised that Dallas had lost in the first round of the playoffs.  Oh well.  The curse of les boulez continues! 

On a side note, it's also good to see Montreal beat Pittsburgh.  It's not just because I dislike the Pens, it should show that the Habs beatings the Capitals wasn't a fluke.  They really are a good team.

• It's a face only a mother could love.  I kid.   Muresan was awesome!  Though keep in mind, back then the 30th pick was in the Second Round of the draft not near the bottom of the First Round.
• "Jessica's case is yet another outrageous example of the unaccountable local enforcement of immigration laws in Cobb County gone awry," - Really?  REALLY?  She's lied twice, first in being an illegal immigrant and then second giving false information to try and protect that she was illegal.  Is this case really unjust?  We should encourage breaking our countries laws just to "live the American dream"?  Doesn't seem right to me.  There are plenty of people who want to get an education from an American school but they do it legally.  I say detain and deport.  There's no profiling here.  Just people doing their jobs.  She may not be a threat but she'll reinforce to those who are threat that if she stays or gets a slap on the wrist that it'll be easy for them to come in and do harm to the citizens and friends of this country.  People really do need to get a clue.
• So where does "yellow" fall at?
• Novel idea but somehow I'd see the military or national guard getting involved.  Novel but still a bad idea.  Plus, it's a CITY and never should be a state. 

Interesting ...

While checking out my own public Xanga page I noticed this ad banner at the top:

The thought of a designer getting a large corporation to donate part of the profits from the sale of a particular shirt to a Asian group for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was a novel idea.  Sure it reminds me of the pink KFC buckets but come on, the concept was interesting enough.  I hit the link to take a better look at the shirt because I can't even tell it's a t-shirt.  Then to my surprise and also to a chuckle I see they don't really advertise the clothing to Asians. 

This is what the particular tee looks like on a non-Asian:

For the Asian look:

Not that I'm all into fashion but that's some ugly clothing.  I don't think the OCA group is going to get much funding from this particular project. 

• A nice Op piece about the recent anniversary of the 'The Pill' from a former Miss Hottie.  Though I'm still trying to figure out the phrase "Time to pull up our socks."  There's a similar phrase for when men wear pants that are too short for them but that's "pull up your shoes."
  
• I wish Chewy would support me in stuff like this ... oh wait, we're going to Botcon this year.  Never mind.
• Remember OT rules are different during the regular NFL season verse the playoffs.  Oh wait.  They're talking a different OT.
• Sharka is not amused.  OK, he is as is Tauntaun.

Thank Goodness For A Cold-ish Spell ...

The hot summer weather that we had earlier this week is slowly gonna become nice cool weather.  The reason this is good is because our heat pump died.  Not that it's been running for about a month but I figured it would be good to turn on last Sunday to make sure everything OK.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  HVAC dude came out today and basically said we should go Office Space on it.  I mean who knows what "PC Load Letter" means?  (Yes, I do know what "PC Load Letter" means.)  Anyways, gotta figure out who, what, when and how to get this fixed.  yeah  But like I said, the weather will be cool so that's good.

• The Papa is NOT in the house ... really 18% tax?  There are other foods to target as well.  Wasn't there supposed to be a "Fast food tax" at some point?  Or a sugary soda tax too?  Each breath of air will cost you a nickel.
• TomTom is introducing Star War voices for their GPS units!!!  (Not sure why the page is not showing up in English but here's the story from Gizmodo)
• I thought they told us the TV was the babysitter ...
• Just a funny use of Visa's concierge service.
• Franklin speaks the truth, even though many don't care to hear it.
• "It's not certain what is more despicable: the nonstop Christian bashing featured on the network, or Comedy Central's decision to censor all depictions of Muhammad," said William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights.

That Was Like, Really Sad ...

If not tragic, tonight's episode of Lost is leaving me speechless.  Sure stuff was revealed.  But just as Jin and Sun finally get back together look what happens.  So sad.  Only a few more episodes left so they better start revealing more juicy stuff.  And what happened to Richard, Ben and Miles?  They were supposed to be at the plane.

• Even with 80 degree weather, there's still snow in the area.
• And they're gonna repeal "Don't ask don't tell"?  I kid.  These guys are just having some fun during some down time.
• Soon, they'll be a tax on every breath you take.
• Not that we're "HENRY's" but this is the reality most do not see.  Most think it's fine because it doesn't affect them because they're in a lower tax bracket.  Well "HENRY's" are small business owners who, hello, employee other people.  Less profits means less jobs.  But that's ok.  They're the ones everyone want to tax.
• Sorta makes David Robinson look silly.  I said "sorta."

First Time in Almost 36 Years ...

The Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Soxs again in 10 innings.  That concluded a three-game sweep which according to the Post hasn't happened since September 2-4, 1974!!  Either tells you the Orioles are getting out of their funk and are starting to actually play the game of baseball.  Or the Boston Red Sox have fallen that far from their pedestal.  Just wish the Yankee's would do the same. 

Still stunned ...

It's taken me two days to finally get over the absolute shock of seeing the Caps lose in the 1st round of the playoffs.  Obviously, the better team won.  But for all that the Caps did over the regular season they just laid a big o'l goose egg during the last three games.  Just stunned.  Montreal actually reminded me of the '98 Caps when they went to the Stanley Cup finals.  That '98 Caps team had problems scoring but excelled in their defense and had a extremely hot goalie named Olaf Kolzig. 

With such a big loss the question arises about changes.  Ted has eluded to change.  GM McPhee says Coach Boudreau has support of the team management.  I like Gabby.  He seems like a good coach who seemingly has made good mid-game adjustments but something seemed horribly wrong this series.  Sorta reminds me of Pat Riley letting John Starks just chuck up three point shots even though he was just building an extension to MSG (Yes, it was raining bricks!) during the 1994 NBA Finals (That was the same NBA Finals that got interrupted by the OJ chase =).  Besides the lack of adjustments, man did Green have a horrible game.  HORRIBLE game.  For all the offense the team has we've seen great defense and a hot goalie do the job just as well.  Keep the O.  Gotta retool the defense and really see if Varlamov is the next coming of Godzilla or not!  Hmmm the Orioles don't look so good either.

• At least Laich was in a good enough mood to help out
• Just reading the comments you can feel all the HATE!  B-U-R-N Baby B-U-R-N!
• There really is (sorta) an Olive Garden school in Tuscany.  Too bad I've gotten food poisoning one too many times while eating at OG.
•  Happy Meal without the toys = Not-so-Happy Meal
• This was just hilarious and yet sad at the same time.
• JIHAD!!!!  (Sorta reminds me of my "All I need to learn in life, I learned from Star Wars" t-shirt)
  
• This story reminds me of when people thought the Mercedes Benz symbol was the same as the peace symbol. 

Sorta Suxs ...

Being sick that is; it sucks.  Not sure what I got (it could be the stomach flu).  All I know is that since I'm at home, not working, my brain sometimes has these ideas of doing stuff.  Then my body says no and my brain begins to whine.  At least I'm catching up on my "not doing anything" quota.  

Caps lost too.  They gotta win Game 7 else the regular season achievements really mean nothing.

• At least Ted is getting closer to buying the Zards
• That's nice.  As a co-worker would say, if they government can't do, how can they expect the citizens to do the same?
• Data Redaction: You're Doing it Wrong - A really good article on a BIG goof-up
• I wonder if someone has called a jihad yet?
• Homemade SNICKERS!!!!
• It's cuz I'm sensitive ...
• With the 140th pick in the 5th Round, Buffalo selects the first Chinese-American NFL player
• I think I have some co-workers who could win this!  
• And THAT'S why you don't mess with Texas!

We Should All Listen to Danny ...

Happy Earth Day

• So far so good ... Skins draft OT Trent Williams out of Oklahoma!  Gotta keep the fingers crossed that they don't trade him away.  Wonder if Big Al or JC are gonna get traded tonight.
• Never knew Brian Austin Green has a kid.  Didn't care for him in 90210 but was pretty kick-butt in Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles.  (Gotta luv the - Can you autograph this Transformers DVD for me?)
• Hmmmm glad there wasn't an iPhone like 8 years ago ...
• Wow.  Even Ozzie doesn't think it's Comcastic!

It Really Does Work ...

I bumped into an ex-co-worker of mine on the metro today.  It was nice catching up with him because I just found out his wife just had a baby girl about six weeks ago and that he has an iPad.  Sure we talked about his kid and all the adjusting and stuff like that but really he just wanted to show off his iPad.  How do I know that?  The background on the iPad wasn't a picture of his new kid but of him and his wife.  The kid was born before he was able to get the iPad so hmmmm yeah, it's all about the iPad. 

As he took out the iPad on the metro I could just sense all these eyes staring at us.  More and more people started to crowd around us trying to get a glimpse of the sleek design and crisp looking screen.  Then these model like women started to push their way to the front of the gawkers asking us for phone numbers and outings for coffee and walks on sandy beaches.  Er, yeah, I made this whole last part up.  No one cared he had an iPad.  I will say it was kinda neat in a pseudo geeky fashion like how Mac lovers think they're all hip and cool and yet they really aren't. 

FRAK YEAH!  I'm a PC running Linux!  ... Well maybe at work I am. 

• We should have gotten these for our dining room table!
• I never knew there were all these requirements for the mighty Skilcraft pen
• This really paints a pretty picture of our nations broadband future ...
• So where are the celebrity marathons or more press coverage?
• Nice article on Pat Lee - the man who brought Transformers back to comics and well screwed a ton of other people while doing it
• Hot Springs National Park is not a State!  wait, that was for a different argument
• And Pandora's box has just begun to be opened ... If they went through all the trouble to get married in a particular state because that state recognized their marriage then why not do the same for their divorce?
• iPad's maybe nice but looks like they're unsupportable at certain Universities and colleges
• Sometimes I do have to tell myself: I luv my job.  I luv my job.
• South Park makes fun of everybody.  Get over it.  Why is it everyone can make fun of Christians but no one else?