Being a golfer myself, this could be one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Aquafina labels to spell out source - tap water - Yahoo! News
What a joke. This story talks about how Aquafina and Dasani uses tap water. You know those bottled waters you see at your local store, it IS TAP WATER. The same stuff you have at your house, out of the faucet. Except this water is bottled and sometimes they are cold. The water from your faucet costs next to nothing and Aquafina and Dasani will cost you about $1 a bottle.
I agree with the "critics," bottled tap water just causes more plastic for landfills and too much energy is wastes by transporting this tap water. For god's sake, just tell people to drink tap water.
Aquafina labels to spell out source - tap water - Yahoo! News
I agree with the "critics," bottled tap water just causes more plastic for landfills and too much energy is wastes by transporting this tap water. For god's sake, just tell people to drink tap water.
Aquafina labels to spell out source - tap water - Yahoo! News
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
How to use a Bidet
I've always wanted to know how to use one of these things. I've only seen one in my lifetime but did not attempt to use it. If I ever see another one, I wash my ass with it.
How to Use a Bidet
If you're traveling through Europe, Latin America, Japan, or the Middle East, chances are, you'll probably encounter a bidet in the bathroom. It's traditionally a basin near the toilet that's used to clean the genitals and anal area after using the toilet or whenever a "freshening up" is needed. While your first encounter with a bidet can be a little daunting, they are actually very simple (and hygienic) to use.
1. Use the toilet first. The purpose of the bidet is to help clean off after toilet use. While some people believe that using a bidet is a hygienic substitute for using toilet paper, many people choose to use both.
2. Straddle the bidet. On most standalone bidets you can either face the bidet's water controls or you can face away from them, as you would on a toilet. It is easier to control the flow and temperature of the water if you face the controls, but if you are wearing pants you will generally need to remove them in order to straddle the bidet in this manner. Alternatively, you can squat with your back facing the bidet just as is done with the toilet. There are a variety of bidet designs, so you may need to face one way or the other depending on the configuration of the jets and the area of your body that you wish to clean.
3. Adjust the temperature and jet strengths for comfort. If the bidet has both hot and cold water controls, start by turning on the hot water. Once it's hot, add the cold water until you have a comfortable temperature. (In normally hot climates, such as the middle east, you should start with the cold water. The water will not need time to heat up and you will end up burning sensitive areas if you turn the hot water on first...)
* Be very careful when turning on the water, as many bidets can produce a very high jet of water with only a slight turn of the control.
* Be sure that you know where the water will be coming from ahead of time, or you could end up with a surprise shower.
* You may find that you need to hold the control to keep the jets on.
4. Position yourself over the water jets so that the jets hit the desired area. For some bidets you can continue to hover above the bidet or you can sit down on it. Note that most bidets don't have seats, but are still meant to be sat upon; you just sit directly on the rim. Some bidets do not have jets, but instead simply have a faucet that fills the basin, as you would fill a sink basin.
5. Clean anal area and/or genitals. Generally, you simply allow the jets to clean the desired area without having to use your hands. If there are no jets, you will need to use your hands to assist in bathing. You can use soap if you want to, applying it just as you would in the shower.
6. Dry your skin. Some bidets have a built-in air dryer that you can use. For others, simply pat dry with a towel or toilet paper. Many bidets have a towel on a ring positioned next to the bidet.
7. Rinse out the bidet. Once you are off the bidet, run the jets at very low pressure for a few seconds to rinse the basin and keep the bidet fresh.
8. Wash your hands with soap and water, as you would anytime after using the toilet.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Chinese Cardboard pork buns?
A few weeks ago, it was reported by a chinese news station that there were restaurants on the streets of China selling cardboard beef buns. Here's a clip.
CNN video on cardboard buns
Now, the Beijing television station is saying that it was all a hoax by the reporter. The station is saying that the reported used deceptive means to get the segment on the air and that he is being punished now for his tactics. Supposedly, he hired some migrant workers to act as the cooks and used the card board boxes to cook the pork buns. He used 60% card board and 40% fatty pork.
Here's my take. The Chinese government is forcing the television to retract this story and say its a hoax. Think about it. How would this affect China's food export business? How would it affect the restaurants and mini street markets if this story was true? What I'm saying is that China is spinning this story by saying its a hoax when it really isn't. I think there are places that would do stuff like this. Otherwise, how would someone come up with such a sick idea of using cardboard as ground beef? The only way he would come up with something this sick is because he's seen it take place. He uncovered this story and the Chinese government is trying to seal it shut. How better to seal it shut than to say it was all a hoax in the first place?
CNN video on cardboard buns
Now, the Beijing television station is saying that it was all a hoax by the reporter. The station is saying that the reported used deceptive means to get the segment on the air and that he is being punished now for his tactics. Supposedly, he hired some migrant workers to act as the cooks and used the card board boxes to cook the pork buns. He used 60% card board and 40% fatty pork.
Here's my take. The Chinese government is forcing the television to retract this story and say its a hoax. Think about it. How would this affect China's food export business? How would it affect the restaurants and mini street markets if this story was true? What I'm saying is that China is spinning this story by saying its a hoax when it really isn't. I think there are places that would do stuff like this. Otherwise, how would someone come up with such a sick idea of using cardboard as ground beef? The only way he would come up with something this sick is because he's seen it take place. He uncovered this story and the Chinese government is trying to seal it shut. How better to seal it shut than to say it was all a hoax in the first place?
Will Beckham play Saturday against Chelsea?
I was watching the MLS all star game last night and this was just a Beckham promotion game. From the start of the broadcast to the end, the talk was all about David Beckham. They must've showed him on the TV about 50 times... And this is someone who isn't even playing on the field. He was just sitting in a luxury box.
This is what's interesting. At the beginning of the broadcast by ESPN and on the ticker at the bottom of the screen, they keep talking about Beckham making his debut Saturday vs Chelsea. They even have a countdown timer saying... 46 hrs, 11 minutes, 09, 08, 07 secs until Beckham's debut. What a joke. It's a joke because during the halftime interview with Rob Stone, Beckham said his ankle still feels awful and that he probably won't play on Saturday. He said this is about 5-years in the MLS not only one game. It has only been 5 weeks since his injury (ligament damage to his right ankle) and he said it usually takes 6-7 weeks for this injury to heal. It appears that he doesn't want to play but I'm sure the LA Galaxy and MLS will have him make a 5 minute appearance during injury time.
ESPN and the MLS is definitely hyping up this game. One reason is because the game is sold out... meaning thousands have paid $45 or more to watch Beckham's debut. And ESPN has been promoting this debut game for weeks now. I just think it's a joke if Beckham will risk playing in this game. It can hurt him and the MLS if he further injures himself. Think about all those other games he has to play to sold out stadiums. You think I'm going to pay $45 to watch Cobi Jones?
ProGolf - Chipping Tips
ProGolf - Chipping Tips: "Chipping Tips
Chipping is also another important method that allows golfers to perfect their overall techniques. Chipping allows you to become an expert golfer like any other professional golfer. Here are some tips and techniques to perfect your chipping techniques:
How do I Chip:
1. Bring your feet close together about a foot apart. 2. Gently shift your weight to your forward foot or the left foot for right handed golfer and right foot for the left handed golfer. 3. You must be able to lift your back foot right off the ground. 4. Now take a breath and keep your hands ahead of the ball. 5. Make a short back stroke and follow through. 6. Never move your legs and upper body during the practice. Just move your arms and shoulders 7. Never break your wrists while chipping as it will cause 'skul' of ball, subsequently resulting in little lifting of ball.
Which club do I use?
1. For an accurate chipping, you need to make the ball roll down the green, rather than fly it though the air. 2. Choosing a correct golf club will make things easier for you. For pitching wedge clubs, the ball will roll one foot for every foot of the club. 3. 9 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 2 feet. 4. 8 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 3 feet. 5. 7 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 4 feet.
As an example, let us say you're just 4 feet off the edge of the green and the pin 4 feet away. Now, you must choose a pitching wedge for chipping. Attempt to make the ball land past the fringe on the edge of the green, and make the ball roll sweetly the rest of the way to the pin. The proper selection of the gold club depends on speed of the green and on the gradient of the green.
How do I create my chipping drill?
1. When chipping the ball, you must get the ball in air, just past the edge of the green and make it roll the rest of the way to the pin. 2. Practice controlling the distance by setting up a target in your backyard. Now start landing the ball on the target initially from about 3 feet. 3. When you make 5 balls in a row land on your target, move back 1 foot and start again.
Chipping is also another important method that allows golfers to perfect their overall techniques. Chipping allows you to become an expert golfer like any other professional golfer. Here are some tips and techniques to perfect your chipping techniques:
How do I Chip:
1. Bring your feet close together about a foot apart. 2. Gently shift your weight to your forward foot or the left foot for right handed golfer and right foot for the left handed golfer. 3. You must be able to lift your back foot right off the ground. 4. Now take a breath and keep your hands ahead of the ball. 5. Make a short back stroke and follow through. 6. Never move your legs and upper body during the practice. Just move your arms and shoulders 7. Never break your wrists while chipping as it will cause 'skul' of ball, subsequently resulting in little lifting of ball.
Which club do I use?
1. For an accurate chipping, you need to make the ball roll down the green, rather than fly it though the air. 2. Choosing a correct golf club will make things easier for you. For pitching wedge clubs, the ball will roll one foot for every foot of the club. 3. 9 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 2 feet. 4. 8 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 3 feet. 5. 7 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 4 feet.
As an example, let us say you're just 4 feet off the edge of the green and the pin 4 feet away. Now, you must choose a pitching wedge for chipping. Attempt to make the ball land past the fringe on the edge of the green, and make the ball roll sweetly the rest of the way to the pin. The proper selection of the gold club depends on speed of the green and on the gradient of the green.
How do I create my chipping drill?
1. When chipping the ball, you must get the ball in air, just past the edge of the green and make it roll the rest of the way to the pin. 2. Practice controlling the distance by setting up a target in your backyard. Now start landing the ball on the target initially from about 3 feet. 3. When you make 5 balls in a row land on your target, move back 1 foot and start again.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
2007 World Series of Poker Payouts
Here are the payouts for this year's world series of poker being played at the Rio Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.
The winner will receive $8.25 million, and all the final table participants are guaranteed to make at least $525,934.
1. $8,250,000
2. $4,840,981
3. $3,048,025
4. $1,852,721
5. $1,255,069
6. $956,243
7. $705,229
8. $585,699
9. $525,934
Last year, if you remember, the entire final table made at least $1 million. Due to the big decrease in players this year, the pool isn't as big so to become an instant millionaire, you have to be in the top 5.
The winner will receive $8.25 million, and all the final table participants are guaranteed to make at least $525,934.
1. $8,250,000
2. $4,840,981
3. $3,048,025
4. $1,852,721
5. $1,255,069
6. $956,243
7. $705,229
8. $585,699
9. $525,934
Last year, if you remember, the entire final table made at least $1 million. Due to the big decrease in players this year, the pool isn't as big so to become an instant millionaire, you have to be in the top 5.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Golf: Chipping Stroke
Chipping Stroke
The chipping motion is similar to the putting stroke. Keep weight left, wrists firm and in front of clubhead. The goal is to get the ball on the green as soon as possible, rolling toward the hole. With the ball back in your stance take a short backswing with no wrist movement. Make a descending blow and brush the ball from the turf. Maintain flex in your knees at all times. The follow through should always be longer than the backswing. The stroke is dominated by the left arm. The right hand/forearm does not cross or roll over the left.
Purpose
1. To understand the mechanics of the chip shot. Chipping requires a slow tempo and a crisp swing. Stand close to the ball for a more direct swing path. Keep your weight left, body leaning slightly left, with hands ahead of the ball. Chipping is mostly an arm movement. You are trying to brush or sweep the grass, hitting through the ball. Your left arm will dominate the shot. Your arms and wrists work as one unit. Keep your lower body action to a minimum. Grip down slightly for the short chips will give you more feel (control) because your hands are closer to the ball.
2. To understand the limited role of the lower body in executing chip shots. Lower body movement is extremely limited in the chip shot. However, there is movement. Chipping is all upper body, right up to the point of impact, then the right knee leans in, bending and moving forward down the target line. Do not force this movement. It is natural and barely noticeable. Your hands are still ahead of the ball at impact and the left arm leads the way.
Do.s and Don.ts
Always chip to a target (landing spot). It is your intermediate target where the ball flight ends and the roll begins.
The chipping motion is similar to the putting stroke. Keep weight left, wrists firm and in front of clubhead. The goal is to get the ball on the green as soon as possible, rolling toward the hole. With the ball back in your stance take a short backswing with no wrist movement. Make a descending blow and brush the ball from the turf. Maintain flex in your knees at all times. The follow through should always be longer than the backswing. The stroke is dominated by the left arm. The right hand/forearm does not cross or roll over the left.
Purpose
1. To understand the mechanics of the chip shot. Chipping requires a slow tempo and a crisp swing. Stand close to the ball for a more direct swing path. Keep your weight left, body leaning slightly left, with hands ahead of the ball. Chipping is mostly an arm movement. You are trying to brush or sweep the grass, hitting through the ball. Your left arm will dominate the shot. Your arms and wrists work as one unit. Keep your lower body action to a minimum. Grip down slightly for the short chips will give you more feel (control) because your hands are closer to the ball.
2. To understand the limited role of the lower body in executing chip shots. Lower body movement is extremely limited in the chip shot. However, there is movement. Chipping is all upper body, right up to the point of impact, then the right knee leans in, bending and moving forward down the target line. Do not force this movement. It is natural and barely noticeable. Your hands are still ahead of the ball at impact and the left arm leads the way.
Do.s and Don.ts
Always chip to a target (landing spot). It is your intermediate target where the ball flight ends and the roll begins.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Golf Chipping Drills and Tips
Golf Chipping Drills and Tips
Chipping - How to:
When setting up for a chip shot you should have your feet fairly close together, about a foot apart, with your weight on your forward foot (left foot for right handed golfers). You should almost be able to lift your back foot right off the ground. Keep your hands ahead of the ball, and make a short back stroke and follow through (always keeping your hands ahead of the ball and no wrist break - like a putting motion). Keep your legs and upper body still - only your arms and shoulders should be moving during the stroke. If your wrists break and you try to "help" the ball up into the air this will de-loft your club and you will most likely "skull" the ball, getting no lift at all.
Chipping - which club do I use?
I always used to have trouble with my chipping - I didn't know any better and would use a wedge and try to land my chip shot close to the pin. My chipping became much more consistent once I learned the following:
You can chip with pretty much any club in your bag. For a more accurate shot, you want to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible, rather than have it flying through the air all the way to the pin. Here is how to choose the correct club for the shot you need to make:
So, for example, if you are 4 feet off the edge of the green, and the pin is 4 feet in, you would choose a pitching wedge and try to land the ball just past the fringe on the edge of the green, and have the ball roll the rest of the way to the pin.
If you are 3 feet off the green and the pin is 12 feet from the edge of the green your best bet would be the 7 iron, chipping it 3 feet in the air so it lands just on the edge of the green.
Of course, these figures will vary depending on the speed of the green, and whether you are chipping up or downhill, but if you use this as a general rule of thumb, I think that you will find your chip shots getting much closer to the pin.
Golf Chipping Drills:
Target Practice
When chipping you want to get your ball in the air, just past the edge of the green and have it roll the rest of the way to the pin. Thus, the thing that is going to improve your chipping the most is distance control. This is something that you can easily practice in your back yard. Set up a small target laying flat on your lawn, and practice landing the ball on that target (pretending it's the edge of the green). Start from about 3 feet away. If you can make 5 balls in a row land on your target (landing before the target and bouncing on to it doesn't count!) then move back 1 foot and start again. Make sure to practice this with all of your clubs, not just your wedges!
Chipping - How to:
When setting up for a chip shot you should have your feet fairly close together, about a foot apart, with your weight on your forward foot (left foot for right handed golfers). You should almost be able to lift your back foot right off the ground. Keep your hands ahead of the ball, and make a short back stroke and follow through (always keeping your hands ahead of the ball and no wrist break - like a putting motion). Keep your legs and upper body still - only your arms and shoulders should be moving during the stroke. If your wrists break and you try to "help" the ball up into the air this will de-loft your club and you will most likely "skull" the ball, getting no lift at all.
Chipping - which club do I use?
I always used to have trouble with my chipping - I didn't know any better and would use a wedge and try to land my chip shot close to the pin. My chipping became much more consistent once I learned the following:
You can chip with pretty much any club in your bag. For a more accurate shot, you want to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible, rather than have it flying through the air all the way to the pin. Here is how to choose the correct club for the shot you need to make:
Pitching Wedge - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 1 foot.
9 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 2 feet.
8 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 3 feet.
7 Iron - for every foot in the air it will roll approximately 4 feet.
… and so on.
So, for example, if you are 4 feet off the edge of the green, and the pin is 4 feet in, you would choose a pitching wedge and try to land the ball just past the fringe on the edge of the green, and have the ball roll the rest of the way to the pin.
If you are 3 feet off the green and the pin is 12 feet from the edge of the green your best bet would be the 7 iron, chipping it 3 feet in the air so it lands just on the edge of the green.
Of course, these figures will vary depending on the speed of the green, and whether you are chipping up or downhill, but if you use this as a general rule of thumb, I think that you will find your chip shots getting much closer to the pin.
Golf Chipping Drills:
Target Practice
When chipping you want to get your ball in the air, just past the edge of the green and have it roll the rest of the way to the pin. Thus, the thing that is going to improve your chipping the most is distance control. This is something that you can easily practice in your back yard. Set up a small target laying flat on your lawn, and practice landing the ball on that target (pretending it's the edge of the green). Start from about 3 feet away. If you can make 5 balls in a row land on your target (landing before the target and bouncing on to it doesn't count!) then move back 1 foot and start again. Make sure to practice this with all of your clubs, not just your wedges!
Golf: Tips for hitting good wedge shots
Top 10 Wedge Tips from Dr. "FEEL"
1. Wedges are precision scoring clubs, swing with maximum 70% of effort.
2. Keep arms free, very soft and relaxed. Keep your chest turned away from the target during the wedge swing and let arms flow through the shot. Your shoulders will automatically line up to the target and your arms will follow the shoulder line right on target.
3. For greenside bunker shots, open the clubface and imagine throwing sand with your left arm all the way to the pin. The ball will float out, that’s all you have to do. It’s the arm swing only, slow and easy, same tempo back, same tempo through.
4. On all wedge shots, use a soft and semi-loose grip and just let the club flow through, do not try to guide it, just let it happen.
5. When shooting from the rough, the deeper the rough the firmer the grip must be. If the rough is 1" high, play the ball back in the stance 1-2" from normal position. If the rough is 2" high, play the ball back 2-3" from normal. If the rough is 3" high, play the ball back 3-4". If more than this, get King Kong as a designated hitter!
6. Align your shoulders with the slope for all shots.
7. If the ball is sitting up �", play the ball � to 1" back in stance. A ball sitting up increases the loft of the wedge, if sitting up 1", play the ball back 1".
8. For tight lies, and/or ball from a divot, play the ball 2-3" back towards the right foot from normal. This allows a steeper downswing and compresses the ball quicker.
9. The softer your arms are in the wedge swing, the more you’ll "spank" the ball and become a better wedge player.
10. Keep your right foot planted firmly on the ground on all shots when playing the wedges. Only after impact does the right foot want to come up slightly. The wedge swing is an arm and upper torso swing only. Never ever force the swing. Just let the arms flow softly.
1. Wedges are precision scoring clubs, swing with maximum 70% of effort.
2. Keep arms free, very soft and relaxed. Keep your chest turned away from the target during the wedge swing and let arms flow through the shot. Your shoulders will automatically line up to the target and your arms will follow the shoulder line right on target.
3. For greenside bunker shots, open the clubface and imagine throwing sand with your left arm all the way to the pin. The ball will float out, that’s all you have to do. It’s the arm swing only, slow and easy, same tempo back, same tempo through.
4. On all wedge shots, use a soft and semi-loose grip and just let the club flow through, do not try to guide it, just let it happen.
5. When shooting from the rough, the deeper the rough the firmer the grip must be. If the rough is 1" high, play the ball back in the stance 1-2" from normal position. If the rough is 2" high, play the ball back 2-3" from normal. If the rough is 3" high, play the ball back 3-4". If more than this, get King Kong as a designated hitter!
6. Align your shoulders with the slope for all shots.
7. If the ball is sitting up �", play the ball � to 1" back in stance. A ball sitting up increases the loft of the wedge, if sitting up 1", play the ball back 1".
8. For tight lies, and/or ball from a divot, play the ball 2-3" back towards the right foot from normal. This allows a steeper downswing and compresses the ball quicker.
9. The softer your arms are in the wedge swing, the more you’ll "spank" the ball and become a better wedge player.
10. Keep your right foot planted firmly on the ground on all shots when playing the wedges. Only after impact does the right foot want to come up slightly. The wedge swing is an arm and upper torso swing only. Never ever force the swing. Just let the arms flow softly.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
YouTube - Carrie Underwood - I'll Stand by You (Idols Give Back)
Carrie Underwood's rendition of I'll Stand by You... it's better than the original by the Pretenders. This particular version is a dedication to the African kids that American Idol is giving back to.
YouTube - Carrie Underwood - I'll Stand by You (Idols Give Back)
YouTube - Carrie Underwood - I'll Stand by You (Idols Give Back)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Four Keys to Hitting a 460cc Driver
Four Keys to Hitting a 460cc Driver: "Four Keys to Hitting a 460cc Driver
From Kevin Downey, Innovex Golf
How to Get the Most Out of Your Oversized Driver
The key to hitting the ball farther with the modern driver and golf ball (which spins much less off of a flat face than balls of the past) is high launch combined with a low spin rate. Our goal is to get enough spin to achieve lift, while minimizing (hopefully eliminating) drag.
Assuming that you have a driver with enough loft, here are four things that you can do to increase launch and decrease spin rate, thus increasing your distance off the tee:
Tee the Ball Higher
The old adage has always been that the top of the driver should be about halfway up the ball when it is teed up. However, with a 460cc driver, I like to see you set the ball high enough on a peg such that the top of the driver is no more than one-third of the way up the ball. Of course, this means that the standard 2 1/8-inch tee will not be long enough to accommodate. You will need a tee at least 3 inches in length, but likely a little longer than this.
Move the Ball Forward in Your Stance
(Towards your left foot for a right-handed golfer)
The notion of playing the ball off of your left heel is no longer valid. We want to hit the ball on the upswing, thus increasing launch angle and"
From Kevin Downey, Innovex Golf
How to Get the Most Out of Your Oversized Driver
The key to hitting the ball farther with the modern driver and golf ball (which spins much less off of a flat face than balls of the past) is high launch combined with a low spin rate. Our goal is to get enough spin to achieve lift, while minimizing (hopefully eliminating) drag.
Assuming that you have a driver with enough loft, here are four things that you can do to increase launch and decrease spin rate, thus increasing your distance off the tee:
Tee the Ball Higher
The old adage has always been that the top of the driver should be about halfway up the ball when it is teed up. However, with a 460cc driver, I like to see you set the ball high enough on a peg such that the top of the driver is no more than one-third of the way up the ball. Of course, this means that the standard 2 1/8-inch tee will not be long enough to accommodate. You will need a tee at least 3 inches in length, but likely a little longer than this.
Move the Ball Forward in Your Stance
(Towards your left foot for a right-handed golfer)
The notion of playing the ball off of your left heel is no longer valid. We want to hit the ball on the upswing, thus increasing launch angle and"
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Ryan Clark - Victim of Virginia Tech massacre
One of the toughest stories to read is about the RA, Ryan Clark, who was shot during the first incident at West AJ. This young man had a 4.0 grade point average and was on his way to becoming a PhD. Additionally, he has a twin brother and a sister.
Friends, family recall lives of selfless students, teachers - CNN.com: "Ryan Clark, 22, was known as 'Stack' to his friends in the Marching Virginians college band. The Virginia Tech senior came from Martinez in Georgia and was a 'true example of 'The Spirit Of Tech',' according to a message posted on the band's Web site. He majored in biology and English, and carried a 4.0 grade-point average, according to the coroner in Columbia County, Georgia. Clark was a resident assistant at West Ambler Johnston Hall, the dormitory where he and another person were shot dead at 7:15 a.m. Monday. He had been planning to pursue a doctorate in psychology with a focus in cognitive neuroscience, according to the Marching Virginians Web site.
Arielle Perlmutter of Buford, Georgia, wrote:
'I worked with Ryan Clark at Camp Big Heart, where we both spent part of our summers counseling kids and adults with special needs. At camp, Ryan was one of my closest friends. We had many inside jokes and spent a lot of time being silly and laughing. Ryan never had a frown on his face, and even when something was bothering him, he was only upset for a short time and moved back to his good old happy self. Ryan ran the dance/music program at camp and was constantly moving, singing and entertaining both"
Friends, family recall lives of selfless students, teachers - CNN.com: "Ryan Clark, 22, was known as 'Stack' to his friends in the Marching Virginians college band. The Virginia Tech senior came from Martinez in Georgia and was a 'true example of 'The Spirit Of Tech',' according to a message posted on the band's Web site. He majored in biology and English, and carried a 4.0 grade-point average, according to the coroner in Columbia County, Georgia. Clark was a resident assistant at West Ambler Johnston Hall, the dormitory where he and another person were shot dead at 7:15 a.m. Monday. He had been planning to pursue a doctorate in psychology with a focus in cognitive neuroscience, according to the Marching Virginians Web site.
Arielle Perlmutter of Buford, Georgia, wrote:
'I worked with Ryan Clark at Camp Big Heart, where we both spent part of our summers counseling kids and adults with special needs. At camp, Ryan was one of my closest friends. We had many inside jokes and spent a lot of time being silly and laughing. Ryan never had a frown on his face, and even when something was bothering him, he was only upset for a short time and moved back to his good old happy self. Ryan ran the dance/music program at camp and was constantly moving, singing and entertaining both"
Cho Seung-Hui's play "Richard McBeef" and" "Mr. Brownstone"
AOL News has two plays that Cho Seung-Hui wrote. These were obtained by Seung's former classmate, Ian MacFarlane. The first play is called "Richard McBeef". It's pretty disturbing. It talks about his father molesting him and beating both his son and wife. This isn't written by a normal kid.
Richard McBeef
http://news.aol.com/virginia-tech-shootings/cho-seung-hui/_a/richard-mcbeef-cover-page/20070417134109990001
Seung's second play is titled "Mr. Brownstone". Once again, this is about his hatred of an older man.
Mr. Brownstone
http://news.aol.com/virginia-tech-shootings/cho-seung-hui/_a/mr-brownstone-title-page/20070417141309990001
It's obvious that he's had some issues with his own father in the past. These writings show it and he probable never got the support he needed from his family in times of need.
Richard McBeef
http://news.aol.com/virginia-tech-shootings/cho-seung-hui/_a/richard-mcbeef-cover-page/20070417134109990001
Seung's second play is titled "Mr. Brownstone". Once again, this is about his hatred of an older man.
Mr. Brownstone
http://news.aol.com/virginia-tech-shootings/cho-seung-hui/_a/mr-brownstone-title-page/20070417141309990001
It's obvious that he's had some issues with his own father in the past. These writings show it and he probable never got the support he needed from his family in times of need.
Virginia Tech Massacre Victims
Here's a good synopsis with pictures of the victims of the Va Tech massacre.
List Of Virginia Tech Shooting Victims - News Story - WRC | Washington
List Of Virginia Tech Shooting Victims - News Story - WRC | Washington: "Killed:
#
# Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20, of Saugus, Mass., according to his mother, Lynnette Alameddine.
# Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez, Ga., biology and English major, according to Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins.
# Jocelyn Couture-Nowak, a French instructor, according to her husband, Jerzy Nowak, the head of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech.
# Daniel Perez Cueva, 21, killed in his French class, according to his mother, Betty Cueva, of Peru.
# Kevin Granata, age unknown, engineering science and mechanics professor, according to Puri.
# Caitlin Hammaren, 19, of Westtown, N.Y., a sophomore majoring in international studies and French, according to Minisink Valley, N.Y., school officials who spoke with Hammaren's family.
# Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, of Bellefonte, Pa., a Penn State University graduate who was attending grad school at Virginia Tech, according to Penn State's Office of Physical Plant, where his father works.
# Emily Jane Hilscher, a 19-year-old freshman from Woodville, according to Rappahannock County Administrator John McCarthy, a family friend.
# Jarrett L. Lane, 22, of Narrows, Va., according to Riffe's Funeral Service Inc. in Narrows, Va.
# Matthew J. La Porte, 20, a freshman from Dumont, N.J., according to Dumont Police C"
#
# Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20, of Saugus, Mass., according to his mother, Lynnette Alameddine.
# Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez, Ga., biology and English major, according to Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins.
# Jocelyn Couture-Nowak, a French instructor, according to her husband, Jerzy Nowak, the head of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech.
# Daniel Perez Cueva, 21, killed in his French class, according to his mother, Betty Cueva, of Peru.
# Kevin Granata, age unknown, engineering science and mechanics professor, according to Puri.
# Caitlin Hammaren, 19, of Westtown, N.Y., a sophomore majoring in international studies and French, according to Minisink Valley, N.Y., school officials who spoke with Hammaren's family.
# Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, of Bellefonte, Pa., a Penn State University graduate who was attending grad school at Virginia Tech, according to Penn State's Office of Physical Plant, where his father works.
# Emily Jane Hilscher, a 19-year-old freshman from Woodville, according to Rappahannock County Administrator John McCarthy, a family friend.
# Jarrett L. Lane, 22, of Narrows, Va., according to Riffe's Funeral Service Inc. in Narrows, Va.
# Matthew J. La Porte, 20, a freshman from Dumont, N.J., according to Dumont Police C"
Monday, June 26, 2006
betapundit: Comcast tech fired for sleeping on the job
betapundit: Comcast tech fired for sleeping on the job: "Comcast tech fired for sleeping on the job
Last week I posted a video of a Comcast Tech who fell asleep at a customer's house. The post has generated close to 100,000 hits in just a few days. Today we have an update on the Technician and the customer courtesy of Forbes, who picked up on the story:
Comcast Corp. has fired an employee for sleeping on a customer's couch during a house call after video of the incident became a minor Internet sensation.
Philadelphia-based Comcast also said in a statement that it had apologized to customer Brian Finkelstein of Washington, D.C., for the 'unsatisfactory customer experience.'
Finkelstein posted video of the sleeping technician and told this story on YouTube.com, a site that lets users share videos.
His Comcast Internet connection had worked only intermittently since he moved to a new apartment June 1. A Comcast employee who came to Finkelstein's home June 14 to replace the modem called the company for help. Put on hold for more than an hour, he caught some shut-eye while he waited.
Finkelstein, a Georgetown University law student, picked up his video camera, added an Eels song with the lyrics 'I need some sleep,' and sent it to YouTube.
The 58-second video has been viewed more than 227,000 times since it was posted Tuesday.
I feel bad for anyone who has their livelihood taken away, but at the same time, this is a strong reminder not to fall asleep on the job. Let's not rule out the probability that this is as much as a top-level problem as it is a labor-level problem. I hope this sends a strong message to Comcast."
Last week I posted a video of a Comcast Tech who fell asleep at a customer's house. The post has generated close to 100,000 hits in just a few days. Today we have an update on the Technician and the customer courtesy of Forbes, who picked up on the story:
Comcast Corp. has fired an employee for sleeping on a customer's couch during a house call after video of the incident became a minor Internet sensation.
Philadelphia-based Comcast also said in a statement that it had apologized to customer Brian Finkelstein of Washington, D.C., for the 'unsatisfactory customer experience.'
Finkelstein posted video of the sleeping technician and told this story on YouTube.com, a site that lets users share videos.
His Comcast Internet connection had worked only intermittently since he moved to a new apartment June 1. A Comcast employee who came to Finkelstein's home June 14 to replace the modem called the company for help. Put on hold for more than an hour, he caught some shut-eye while he waited.
Finkelstein, a Georgetown University law student, picked up his video camera, added an Eels song with the lyrics 'I need some sleep,' and sent it to YouTube.
The 58-second video has been viewed more than 227,000 times since it was posted Tuesday.
I feel bad for anyone who has their livelihood taken away, but at the same time, this is a strong reminder not to fall asleep on the job. Let's not rule out the probability that this is as much as a top-level problem as it is a labor-level problem. I hope this sends a strong message to Comcast."
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Asian Backstreet Boys - Funniest thing ever!!!!
If you've never seen this, this is the funniest 5 minutes ever.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Don't mess with Col. Braddock
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Ever.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked
names for his left and right legs.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris, you
may be only seconds away from death.
Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.
Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies
the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.
Chuck Norris' blood type is AK+. Ass-Kicking Positive. It is compatible only
with heavy construction equipment, tanks, and fighter jets.
Chuck Norris is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man
ate a fucking Indian.
In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes
that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and those listed in the book
are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.
Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the
speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was
flying over the Pacific Ocean.
Crop circles are Chuck Norris' way of telling the world that sometimes corn
needs to lie the fuck down.
Chuck Norris is ten feet tall, weighs two-tons, breathes fire, and could eat a
hammer and take a shotgun blast standing.
The Great Wall of China was originally created to keep Chuck Norris out. It
failed miserably.
Contrary to popular belief, Chuck Norris, not the box jellyfish of northern
Australia, is the most venomous creature on earth. Within 3 minutes of being
bitten, a human being experiences the following symptoms: fever, blurred vision,
beard rash, tightness of the jeans, and the feeling of being repeatedly kicked
through a car windshield.
Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Chuck Norris has 72... and they're all
poisonous.
If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds 'til."
After you ask, "Two seconds 'til what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.
Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a
picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to
pay taxes, ever.
The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist.
Chuck Norris invented Kentucky Fried Chicken's famous secret recipe, with eleven
herbs and spices. But nobody ever mentions the twelfth ingredient: Fear.
CNN was originally created as the "Chuck Norris Network" to update Americans
with on-the-spot ass kicking in real-time.
Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to
live.
Chuck Norris once ate three 72 oz. steaks in one hour. He spent the first 45
minutes having sex with his waitress.
What was going through the minds of all of Chuck Norris' victims
before they died? His shoe.
Chuck Norris is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.
Police label anyone attacking Chuck Norris as a Code 45-11.... a suicide.
Chuck Norris doesn't churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter
comes straight out.
Chuck Norris doesn t wash his clothes, he disembowels them.
A Handicapped parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped
people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris
and that you will be handicapped if you park there.
Chuck Norris will attain statehood in 2009. His state flower will be the
Magnolia.
Someone once videotaped Chuck Norris getting pissed off. It was called Walker:
Texas Chain Saw Masacre.
If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.
Chuck Norris originally appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was
removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick.
When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool Chuck Norris once and he will fuck you up.
The opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is loosely based on games
of dodgeball Chuck Norris played in second grade.
Chuck Norris once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling,
"Bang!"
Chuck Norris once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit. On
July 19th, 1999, a naked Chuck Norris re-entered the earth's atmosphere,
streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An
embarrassed NASA publically claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.
Chuck Norris has two speeds: Walk and Kill.
Someone once tried to tell Chuck Norris that roundhouse kicks aren't the best
way to kick someone. This has been recorded by historians as the worst mistake
anyone has ever made.
Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on a true story: Chuck Norris once
swallowed a turtle whole, and when he crapped it out, the turtle was six feet
tall and had learned karate.
Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris.
Faster than a speeding bullet ... more powerful than a locomotive ... able to
leap tall buildings in a single bound... yes, these are some of Chuck Norris's
warm-up exercises.
Chuck Norris is the only human being to display the Heisenberg uncertainty
principle -- you can never know both exactly where and how quickly he will
roundhouse-kick you in the face.
In the Bible, Jesus turned water into wine. But then Chuck Norris turned that
wine into beer.
Chuck Norris can hit you so hard that he can actually alter your DNA. Decades
from now your descendants will occasionally clutch their heads and yell "What
The Fuck was That?"
Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris discovered a new theory of relativity involving multiple universes
in which Chuck Norris is even more badass than in this one. When it was
discovered by Albert Einstein and made public, Chuck Norris roundhouse-kicked
him in the face. We know Albert Einstein today as Stephen Hawking.
Chuck Norris doesn't shower, he only takes blood baths.
The Chuck Norris military unit was not used in the game Civilization 4, because
a single Chuck Norris could defeat the entire combined nations of the world in
one turn.
In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill
you, including the room itself.
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, the Native American "Trail of Tears"
has been redefined as anywhere that Chuck Norris walks.
Monday, January 30, 2006
The Dan Harrington Poker Tournament System
The Dan Harrington Poker Tournament System
Dan Harrington has written a book about poker in which he introduced a system for online poker tournaments. His book is called “Harrington on Hold'em, Volume II: The Endgame”. The system this book brings forward is called the Zone System and it basically splits up a tournament into various zones that depend on the stack of each player in comparison to the antes and the small and big blinds. You will enter a zone when you get the appropriate value to fit in it and you will play in each zone accordingly, applying different strategies for each and every one of them.
Harrington divided the players by a criteria based on comparing the amount of the money players have to the starting pot. So if you have $1500 and the blinds are $50/$100 and there are no antes required in this game then your money is equivalent to 10 times the starting pot. This value has been referred to by Harrington as the zone indicator and it has been abbreviated as “M”.
Zone 1 – Green Zone where M is 20 or more
Once you are in the green zone it means that you have sufficient money to play as you wish. This is mainly why it is called the green zone, because you can use any weapon, strategy or betting style you want. Here you must balance the way you play so that you will both protect and raise the amount of money you have in the stack. You can afford to play either tight or loose, whatever suits best your purposes.
Zone 2 – Yellow Zone where M is 11 – 19
Once you got here, it means you lost some money and you cannot play any more passively. You have to get aggressive with certain hands so you can get back on track. Risks are required because this is a tournament and you are directly competing with others in order to win real money. Also, you lose the ability to play some hand that cannot get you the implied odds necessary for a profit. You simply have to increase your stack again so you can play freely.
Zone 3 – Orange Zone where M is 6 – 10
If you are in this zone you are beginning to find yourself in serious trouble. You now can go and bet only when you are sure you can afford it. You will mostly check and call even if you have a winning hand because you might not have the stack to do more than that. You can even try to reserve all your chips for a move that you get you boosted, like an all-in move, but be careful and make this move only if you are sure of the positive outcome. Avoid all marginal calls and drawing hands that can get you in trouble and can make you lose gain because you really can’t take another loss.
Zone 4 – Red Zone where M is 1 – 5
If you managed to drop till here then you have no chances beside the all-in move. Because if you try and bet, even minimum, you will be obliged to play the hand and other player will try to take you out even if they can’t beat the hand. When your m is less than 3 you must expect to get called by players when you go all in. So, act accordingly and play if possible only the winning hand, the hand that will get you the pot after that all-in bet because that is the only chance you stand right now if you want to play further in this tournament.
Zone 5 – Dead Zone where M is less than 1
Once in the dead zone, you are probably out of the tournament or will be in a couple of minutes. You need an extreme luck to get back on track and you also need to play on a table with players that will not pay attention at all to your stack chips and therefore won’t try to get you out of the game. Wait until you are first in and move in with any cards you have at that moment. And then, if you get lucky you can win something. If you don’t, you’ll lose knowing you tried your best.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Are you trying to be a stockbroker?
Crazy story about the NASD and the series 7 examination. Imagine studying for this thing and relying on it to get a job with a brokerage company? You finish your test, you think you aced it and then you hit the Submit button and it says you failed. You don't get the job you always wanted because the brokerage firm now says you can't work with the Series 7. You leave the company, start working at a Starbucks and then one day you get a letter saying that you actually passed the Series 7. Now you go back to the brokerage firm asking for your job back and it's already been given to someone else.
Here's the link and the story:
The Washington-based securities industry self-regulator said 1,882 people wrongly got failing grades on the Series 7 broker qualification exam over a 15-month period.
NASD said a software error caused those test takers to get failing grades when they had actually passed. The regulator said the screwup affected only exams on the cusp of the pass/fail line. People who took the test between Oct. 1, 2004, and Dec. 20, 2005, were affected.
The error caused some test takers to score just below the minimum passing grade, the NASD said, adding that no one got a passing grade in error. NASD said 60,500 people took the exam during the period.
The NASD said more than 1,000 people who got the wrong score have already retaken the exam and passed. More than 600 have not as yet rescheduled an exam date, and just over 200 are scheduled to retake the exam.
"NASD will immediately notify the affected individuals and firms," said CEO Robert R. Glauber. "In addition, because the integrity of our testing program is fundamental, we have undertaken a full review of this issue and are putting in place enhanced quality control measures designed to prevent a future reoccurrence. As appropriate, we will communicate any corrective measures."
The NASD describes Series 7 as "an exam covering critical areas of securities markets, and the laws, regulations and responsibilities of registered representatives." Passing is a requirement for an individual to conduct securities business with the public.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
$60 million winner take all poker tournament
This is crazy isn't it. A $10 million buy in. I'm sure Ivey and may be a few of the other folks are being staked by other "investors." I often hear other professional players calling Ivey the best tournament player around. It wouldn't be that bad I guess if you stake $1 million of the $10 million and get $6 million in return if he wins. Let's put it this way, Ivey's chances of winning is a lot better than yours or mine. These professional poker players are making so much these days, $1 million is like chump change to some of these guys.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Six players will compete in a winner-take-all $60 million poker tournament next summer in what's believed to be the largest single-day payout in the history of sports on television.
Fox Sports Net and Mansionpoker.net reached agreement on a three-year deal, with the pots growing to $75 million in 2007 and $100 million in 2008 for the one-day competitions at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.
The first tournament is scheduled July 12 and will last at least six hours and perhaps up to 10 hours, according to George Greenberg, the executive vice president of programming and production for FSN.
"This event will transcend poker in the United States and take on a global platform,'' Greenberg said Monday. ``It'll be the largest single payday in the history of sports and will turn the poker world on its ear."
Phil Ivey, who has a reputation as one of the world's best Texas Hold 'em players, will be one of the six taking part. Identity of the others will be announced later, Greenberg said, adding that the entry fee for each of the six is $10 million.
Poker has grown greatly in popularity since television became involved in recent years. FSN, ESPN, NBC-TV, the Travel Channel, GSN and Bravo have all presented TV series.
Perhaps the most popular televised event has been the World Series of Poker. Joseph Hachem of Australia collected $7.5 million for winning the main event of the 36th World Series in Las Vegas last summer. A field of 5,619 entered the $10,000 buy-in Texas Hold 'em tournament. Each of the nine players who reached the final table won at least $1 million.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Six players will compete in a winner-take-all $60 million poker tournament next summer in what's believed to be the largest single-day payout in the history of sports on television.
Fox Sports Net and Mansionpoker.net reached agreement on a three-year deal, with the pots growing to $75 million in 2007 and $100 million in 2008 for the one-day competitions at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.
The first tournament is scheduled July 12 and will last at least six hours and perhaps up to 10 hours, according to George Greenberg, the executive vice president of programming and production for FSN.
"This event will transcend poker in the United States and take on a global platform,'' Greenberg said Monday. ``It'll be the largest single payday in the history of sports and will turn the poker world on its ear."
Phil Ivey, who has a reputation as one of the world's best Texas Hold 'em players, will be one of the six taking part. Identity of the others will be announced later, Greenberg said, adding that the entry fee for each of the six is $10 million.
Poker has grown greatly in popularity since television became involved in recent years. FSN, ESPN, NBC-TV, the Travel Channel, GSN and Bravo have all presented TV series.
Perhaps the most popular televised event has been the World Series of Poker. Joseph Hachem of Australia collected $7.5 million for winning the main event of the 36th World Series in Las Vegas last summer. A field of 5,619 entered the $10,000 buy-in Texas Hold 'em tournament. Each of the nine players who reached the final table won at least $1 million.
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