Archive for June, 2006

2006.06.12

USA v Czech Republik

Tomorrow brings an interesting dilemma for me: America is playing Czech Republik in the World Cup.

Yes, I’m American and by rights I should be rooting for our team, but I was a resident of Czech Republik for two years and I have some feeling of loyalty there.

Both teams need the win and a loss will be very bad; a tie might be recoverable for our bracket but still not good. Well, anyways I’ll be watching tomorrow at work while I can between helping people. Kick off is at 9AM here on the west coast. If you have Comcast Cable you can find the game on ESPN2 channel 39. I’m not sure where else it might be playing.

After this game there will be little difficulty in choosing teams. Tomorrow will be a great game. I just wish the two teams playing weren’t playing each other.

2006.06.11

District B13

Banlieue 13District B13, or Banlieue 13, is a French action movie set in the near future. Certain areas of Paris have become unmanagable and the authorities have built a giant wall around these ghettos. A neutron bomb is stolen and super-cop Damien, played by Cyril Raffaelli, must retrieve it. He recruits Leïto, played by Parkour founder David Belle, to help him. Leïto is a native of District B13 with intimate knowledge of the crime boss who has the bomb. He agrees to help Damien for his own, very personal reasons.

The plot isn’t terribly complex but the action is amazing. Mr. Raffaelli is a master stunt coordinator and Mr. Belle and his Parkour is simply stunning. Like his many asian counterparts like Jackie Chan and Tony Jaa, Mr. Belle has no need of strings or nets when he leaps from building to building, runs up buildings or does insane flips in impossible spaces. Just watch this introduction to Leïto (there are more videos here).

If you’re looking for something deep and thoughtful go watch something else, but if you’re looking for one of the hottest action movies you’ll see this summer go see District B13. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

2006.06.10

Drugs and Religion Don’t Mix

Wow. I would have thought that two of the most influential lobbying groups in America would have loads in common. The drug industry and the religions “right” have untowards influence in American government, one with money and one with noise.

Yet it appears that to get a cervical cancer vaccine approved, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline are kowtowing to various conservative religious groups. Here’s a vaccine that can save the lives of millions of young women in America (and billions around the world). Saving lives seems remarkably “pro-life” to me, but apparently the virus that causes cervical cancer is caused by *gasp* sexual contact so the fundamentalists are likely to freak out and do what they do best: yell, scream and whine until they get their way.

It appears that where sex is involved you just have to deal with the consequences, like unwanted pregnancies or cervical cancer. Never mind that these things can be prevented. Their warped morality thinks that sex is evil. Sometimes I wonder how they got here; I’m sure not all of them were born in wedlock or were even wanted.

Anyways, I’m going to propose a theory. In overt politics it doesn’t matter how much money you have, it’s how much noise you can make. Remember to make as much noise as you possibly can.

2006.06.09

The 2006 World Cup Begins

Today begins the World Cup, a tournament of sports the likes of which might even be more popular than the Olympics in its appeal. Soccer (or football as it’s known everywhere else) is probably the single most popular sport on the planet. Unlike American baseball’s World Series (which is just the USA and Canada) this is a world event.

This year it’s being held in Germany. Last time around South Korea and Japan shared the honor. America made it into the first round and we play our first game on Monday, June 12th. I can’t wait, especially after seeing an exhibition game against Japan this past February. My only problem is we’re playing the Czech Republic, where I used to live and still love.

As the games progress we should get a group of people together and watch. I’m sure Mookee is up for it… Anyone else?

2006.06.08

Steam Engines

Anyone got about $1,000 I can have? I figure if I’m going to get a tug boat eventually it might be useful to know how the engine works. And I would like to get a steam boat.

Of course if someone’s feeling really generous…

2006.06.05

Truth in Advertising

Truth in Advertising: DEATH ™ CigarettesIt’s extremely refreshing to see advertising and marketing that doesn’t even pretend to be selling you something with a wink and a smile. No play for your sexual proclivities or weaknesses. No catering to your insecurities. No attempts at peer pressure.

These Japanese cigarettes declare simply that though legal they will kill you. Smoke up but prepare to die.

A pack of DEATH ™ cigarettes leaves no doubt as to the risks of smoking. We don’t print a health warning just because it’s law. We believe in telling the truth. You know the risks and it’s your choice.

DEATH ™ is a responsible way to market a legally available consumer product which kills people when used exactly as intended.

Yes indeed! I remember when I lived in Prague there were cigarettes along these lines. I’m not sure if they are from the same company or not.

The rest of the packaging is in Japanese so I’m not sure what it’s saying, but it does have a lovely skull and bones on it. I hate marketers, but I can appreciate this because it works. Thanks to Kit for the scans and Redge for the heads up!

2006.06.03

37

‘Nuff said.

2006.06.03

Coopting Elections

If you’re worried about future elections in this country (and you should be) this article is a must read. It discusses the horrible state of affairs in the Presidential election of 2004 in Ohio.

I am greatly saddened that not only has the branch of neo-conservatism that Bushco spawned from coopting elections, but they have effectively coopted the Republican party. I’ve never considered myself Republican leaning, but I have great sympathy with some of their tenets. Those days are gone and the Republican party has been emasculated.

Until they realize that they have effectively been split into two parties, the Republican party and the Bushco party, they will continue to help destroy the America I love and believe in.

2006.06.01

Copy Edit Humor

Seeing something akin to this on a web page

Designed by:
Douglas Nerad

my copy editor friend whispered to me, “You don’t need a colon if it’s next to ‘by’.”

I looked at him and said, “I’d imagine a colon would be very useful if you’re bi.”