Sunday, August 24, 2008

US Disappointed Olympics Didn't Open China More

All I can say is : Ya Think?!?!

I'm not impressed either, to say the least.

US disappointed Olympics didn't open China more - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

Friday, August 22, 2008

One Way to a Longer Life is Illegal.

The report is being made that if you have more than one wife, you have a good chance of living longer. Like they say, the best things in life are either free or illegal.

Polygamy is the key to a long life - being-human - 19 August 2008 - New Scientist

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Inevitable Solar Storm

Reading Scientific American articles can be an enjoyable pasttime. But every once in a while you realize that you've just been slapped in the face by it. So it goes with this article on the impending Solar Storm. The article mentions that in times past, more attention was paid to these events by the Press; people took an interest in this type of event. Not so, nowadays. Is this evidence of the media 'Dumbing Down' society? It has been quite a while since the last Solar 'big one', so maybe we're just a little complacent. It's something we should be aware of and prepared for.
Read it at: Bracing the Satellite Infrastructure for a Solar Superstorm

Monday, August 18, 2008

It's Over

We've exposed the Lie. Or should I say NBC has done it for us. If you've been watching the "Olympics", then you should already realize this. From the moment the games began, NBC has been 'in love with' China. Their people, their customs, their 'Beijing'. I have been watching (with mouth agape half the time) at how this new-found China will be the envy of the world. How we will all want to 'be there'; be just like them. Watching the ultimate in opening ceremonies, spending way over and above what other countries spent, the 15,000 individuals who performed at the event (with drummers who were told to "smile more") and the pure unadulterated lust for gold (read: control) goes to show what a country who's past and present can't just run and hide. China's government has its hand in everything. Right down to what you and I are watching. I have to wonder how many families were displaced for the creation of the olympic village for athletes. How many lives are being forced to exist solely for the purpose of attaining momentary perfection in 4 years at the hands of their government. Are we, as seekers of pure sport, condoning these activities by allowing the ideologies of that nation to be broadcast into our living-room? Does NBC honestly believe that this is somehow worthy of support? After this is all said and done, I believe the true stories will be told, but I find it hard to believe NBC will report them ... the world is watching...

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Olympic Foof

I have enjoyed the Phelps saga in Beijing. The pool races are about as
exciting as it gets. Watching individuals push themselves to the edge
of their being to conquer a distance as fast as they can. There is no
word for it other than 'Sport'. No one is hold a gun to them to make
them swim; they know they are good at it and can flaunt it. This, I
like. But there is just something that screams 'NO!' when it come to
"synchronized diving". Thats what you train dolphins for...to watch
just for the beauty of it at Sea World; this is not sport. There on the
TV were two people trying to do the same thing as synchronized and as perfectly timed as possible and I'm yelling "HOW COME THE JUDGES DIDN'T SEE THAT?" Cause I sure did! I swear that the judges are just turning a blind eye to China, but nit-picking all others. (see my last entry about this). This has so turned me off of the "Olympics". I am convinced that the rest of the events will go the same way. But I am still not convinced it is really a sport yet. I would rather watch the old Tug-o-War games be brought back. Don't get me wrong. High-Dive and individual diving is still what I would consider a sport. There is skill in doing some of those moves. But to try to match another person? ESPECIALLY when there seems to be a 'judging' problem that has NO explanation, the event looses ALL meaning and should not be part of the Olympics. Am I imagining all this? I dont think so.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Olympics. Anyone Notice?

I have been watching the Olympic games recently, like a lot of people. A great opening ceremony, I thought, and even enjoyed some of the first games they presented. And then it started... An event would begin and the commentators would have their say, then... Oh, wait, the Chinese are on the screen. I thought it was just a bit odd at first, but then it started happening more often. There would be some critical comment of a team in the sport, but when the Chinese were in the spotlight, on the screen, there were few, very few, critical remarks on their performance or comments about their off moments. So I kept watching the events unfurl. Great moments in sports... but then it kept on happening. The Chinese would be up on the screen in their event, and even though very evident that the performance was not perfect, there was not one mention of it by the commentators. Not one. I have to wonder... Are the networks censored? Did we (US Networks) agree not to be critical? Are we kissing China's a$$? I wonder who else is saying this. I have not heard this comment anywhere yet. Maybe I missed it. Am I imagining things? Please let me know...Is just being in China such a coup that the networks would do/say (or not say as the case may be) anything to piss them off. I am SO waiting to hear the first 'real' critical remarks of a Chinese team/member.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Get PAID to recycle your Old Cell Phone

I ran across this the other day and its been sitting on the pile to write about. The site is cellforcash.com. The website provides an opportunity for you to send in your old cell phone and in turn they will send you a check. The list is extensive, but not all phones will count toward your payoff. Of course the newer ones tend to pay higher, but I found a few older Nokia's that still get you $4. In all its a nice way to get rid of your gadgetry and still get something for it - while knowing that you're not dumping the crap is some landfill.