Archive for August 19th, 2012

A bunch of random links.

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Here are a bunch of random links that I promised various people, collected in one place, so I can email one link rather than half-a-dozen.

“Stupid Idea Of The Day: Let’s Nationalize Facebook!”. This was also in TMQ Watch, but buried, so I’m breaking it out here. Note that this goes to Forbes and not Slate, because I refuse to give Idiot Boy any linkage.

Obit from EE Times for Hans Camenzind, inventor of the 555 timer IC.

Rap music is becoming less homophobic.

“Many hip-hop artists, too, noticed when Jamaican dance hall artists such as Buju Banton, whose lyrics are violently anti-gay, saw lucrative tour dates canceled as a result.”

The latest in Buju Banton’s legal case, or “You got 10 years. Would you like to go for 15?”

“What will 2011 (the Year of the Rabbit) hold for Buju Banton?” Somehow, I don’t think the answer was “Federal prison”.

“I ride a Flying Pigeon. It’s an obscure bicycle, imported from China. You’ve probably never heard of it.”

Posted in Clippings, Geek, Music, Obits | 1 Comment »

Cheesecake.

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

I have mentioned in the past that I don’t like linking to stories already on FARK, unless it is something that just demands coverage and comment.

I’m not sure this qualifies as an example of that, but I feel compelled to link anyway.

The Seattle Times has a profile of Dolores Erickson, who is 76 years old and doesn’t look that bad for 76. We’d happily take her out for a chaste dinner and movie.

Most of you probably see this coming, especially if you’re music buffs (Weer’d Beard, I’m looking at you). For the rest of you: who is Dolores Erickson?

After the jump (picture may be mildly NSFW. depending on where you work)…

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Posted in Clippings, Music, Photography | 1 Comment »

TMQ Watch: August 14, 2012.

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

We were expecting TMQ to start up again soonish, and actually noticed that the first TMQ of the season went up last Tuesday. Unfortunately, some personal issues kept us from getting back into the swing of things until now. Future TMQ Watches will be posted on the same Tuesday as the TMQ, barring unusual and unforeseen circumstances.

And with that, let’s fill the chainsaw’s gas tank with two-stroke mix, pull the starter cord, and get going. Winter will be here sooner than we think.

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Posted in Movies, NFL, Sports, TMQ watch | Comments Closed

Woo hoo woo hoo hoo…

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

This is CNN SportsFirings.com, after all.

The Houston Astros fired their manager, Brad Mills, their hitting coach, Mike Barnett, and their first base coach, Bobby Meacham.

The dismissal of Mills was made just short of three years of his tenure that ended with a 171-274 record. With losses the last two nights to the Diamondbacks, Mills was on the losing end of 59 of his last 76 games.

The Astros are currently at .322, 39-82. If they keep up this pace, they should lose 110 games this season.

Posted in Clippings, Loser, Sports | Comments Closed

How informal can we get?

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

A while back, I noted that the University of Texas had shut down the popular “informal classes” program as a money-saving step.

I found out, by way of today’s Statesman, that the classes are back.

I did not know this. Perhaps there is a reason for that:

…there’s a perception that the program — which offers instruction in fly fishing, painting, dog obedience, digital photography and GarageBand for songwriters — remains kaput.
There are a couple of reasons for that. For a few months, it was. And those ubiquitous paper course catalogs you used to see all over town are no more. Watson and program director Monica Mercado say they rely on email and social media to get the word out.

I could snark on the whole “let’s use social media” thing, but guess what? Enrollment has gone up 23 percent between 2010 and 2012.

I could also snark on the classes that are being offered…but they’re actually pretty good. (“The World of Vincent Price” sounds like it could be fun, but I’m not sure I’d be willing to shell out $68 for it.)

(“Finally, students will look toward the future of food and food blogging, and delve into sustainable food systems and sustainable blogging systems.” What the heck is a “sustainable blogging system”?)

Edited to add: After I wrote this post, I had breakfast with two friends of mine. Both are more active on social media than I am, and one is actually a grad student at UT. Neither of them knew the informal classes were back, either.

Posted in Clippings | Comments Closed