Bushido Blog

"Our dear liberated heroes"

2008-07-17T11:26:00.003-05:00

Stories like this absolutely drive me insane. And as one witness can attest yesterday... I was livid for a while after I heard about it. It usually takes a lot for me to write one of these posts, and this story today was the final straw. Read them over, form your own opinions, discuss amongst yourselves; I don't give a shit. This is my blog post and if you don't like what I have to say then write your own post about it. Do not negotiate with terrorists. This doesn't have anything to do with infringing civil liberties, harassing potential suspects, or impeding due process of the law. These are people convicted in court of murdering innocents for political gain. They should not get the freedoms that they denied to others. I was in Spain when 191 of my fellow residents were killed while they were just trying to get to work. And even though I've never been to Lebanon, there is no political situation on Earth that can justify executing a man in front of his four year-old daughter and then bludgeoning her to death with the same gun. None. I know people that post on this blog don't agree with my opinions on this, but there are people in this world that do not agree to follow the rules of law or man. When you encounter one of these people, and it comes to that point, there can only be one solution. You strike hard and fast, and with the aim to finish it. That's all I have to say.

Things I suck at:

2008-06-30T22:57:00.002-05:00

I can officially add "regularly updating a blog" to the long list of things at which I'm just no God-damned good. After the initial excitement of the blog's novelty wore off we were terrible about updating this thing. Then the beard-off came around and like an pro athlete suddenly traded to a winning team we rocked it for about two months only to watch our performance fall off like a bunch of no-heart sad-sacks. Unfortunately for our four devoted readers I don't think the blog updates will be coming with any increased frequency. So as an apology and in the spirit of self-flagellation I give you a short list of things Cole sucks at:

1. The performing arts - This would include dancing, singing, theater, etc. I'm just really uncoordinated, tone deaf, and generally untalented when it comes down to it. Although the fact that I suck ass in these aspects doesn't prevent me from appreciating the talents of others.

2. Cooking - I can't pinpoint the reason for this one, but I think it comes down to my lack of interest. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good food, but I could care less about how it gets from the ingredient stage to the part where I stab it with my fork. Most of my cooking experimentation consists of finding ways to cook faster. Case in point, I now microwave my condensed soup.

3. Keeping in touch with people - I think the cause of this one is my need to focus all my energy on not sucking at whatever I'm currently doing. This makes me forget to contact everyone from my friends to my grandma (sorry Emma, the Twins are on a hot streak).

4. Growing up - Pretty self-explanatory. I agonize over being tied down by the purchase of a vacuum cleaner. Ben Folds sang about it, I live it.

5. Applying sunscreen - For some reason every summer I forget that I'm so white that I could be considered transparent and I decide that I don't need sunscreen. Part of it is my desire for that beautiful, deep tan that people of other ethnic backgrounds enjoy, and the other part is ignorance about the effects of skin cancer. However, as evidenced by family history my heart will suddenly explode before I ever experience the pain of melanoma. Thank God.

So there you go folks! I know there's stuff that I'm good at too, but no one really wants to read about that. Feel free to add anything that I missed, but please be gentle.

Now in facial hair related news: Jason Giambi's mustache kicks ass! We debated about this during the beard-off, but now I'm well-convinced that steroids would unfairly enhance beard-off performance.

Our Crazy Minds

2008-05-08T00:06:00.002-05:00

The brain is an amazing muscle. A little over a year ago I began documenting my dreams. This only lasted like two weeks, but I never read them since it happened. Until tonight. It was amazing how much I remebered from the dream after reading it a year later. I think I am going to by a digital voice recorder so I can keep track of them on my way to work and then right them down later on. I had initially intended on writing a book about them, but I some what ditched that idea. I did begin a different novel however, and I think I'm going to incorporate them into that. I doubt it will ever be published. I had documented my moods and intoxication level (I was a drunk back then!!) as well to see if that made a difference. There is one crazy dream i read about that was interesting because it involved things that had happened that day, but in much different contexts. Anyway, I think i would really like to start doing that again. If you have time, you should try it out, its quite the experiment. Well, that's all I have for now. I need to go to bed so I can try to make it to work on time in the morning. Luckily it is thursday tomorrow and I am taking a vacation day friday. Should be a good day. peace.

Daniel Day-Lewis is a pretty kick ass actor.

2008-04-21T00:28:00.002-05:00

I haven't seen The Last of the Mohicans (LotM) since before the coming LotM reference was applicable. But I can not believe how different Daniel Day-Lewis looks in LotM, Gangs of New York, and There Will Be Blood. It's like the shape of his head changes and he looks like a completely different person.
This got John and I talking about how a friend of a friend tried to get a girl to make out with him by watching LotM, which (as it often does) got us talking about things that are frankly beyond our cognitive capacity. John and I came to the agreement that the friend should have just gone for it because when a situation like that occurs the girl is basically giving the green light for the makeout session. It's obvious that she doesn't want to watch the movie, it's just a guise to get on the couch. C'mon, we know from experience. Now, this realization has certain implications for both men and women. For guys, every time a girl is on your couch all you're going to see is the mental image of Chuck Norris giving you the thumbs up and whispering "Go for it." For girls... I obviously don't know anything about what you're thinking, but you can no longer expect to just watch a movie. Sorry ladies, things are about to either get very awkward or very sexy.
So in order to bring this post full circle I ask this question: Is Daniel Day-Lewis a good enough actor to get a dude laid? I vote yes.

Deal sealer from LotM. Enjoy.

Old people porkin?

2008-04-19T17:42:00.002-05:00

I thought this article was quite interesting, and amusing. Courtesy of azcentral.

Safe sex may seem like an unusual discussion topic for seniors, but members of Goodyear's PebbleCreek retirement community gathered Wednesday to learn about it.

Officials from Banner Estrella Medical Center said some West Valley adult communities have noticed high rates of sexually transmitted diseases among residents.

Dr. James Brown from Banner Estrella said lack of education and comfort is a primary reason for this.
"With the older people, they think they're immune," Brown said.

To help educate seniors about preventing HIV and other STDs, Brown spoke to a group of PebbleCreek residents.

Brown said statistics show 15 percent of new AIDS cases across the world are found in people older than 50. This is a large number considering this age group accounts for 25 percent of the world's population, Brown noted.

While the elderly usually teach younger generations, today's youth are more knowledgeable when it comes to AIDS, he said, yet both groups are equally at-risk.

After age 50, Brown said, only 22 percent of women and 38 percent of men discuss sex with their doctors. Brown also said postmenopausal women are physically more susceptible to contracting AIDS.

The hourlong seminar was sponsored by Kare Bears, a PebbleCreek organization that helps residents through illness, medical treatment and loss.

Program Director Elaine Reichard schedules speakers for monthly meetings, and this month she chose Brown.

"I lost a son to AIDS," Reichard said during the meeting. "It's not a pretty disease - it's a terrible disease."

Reichard later said her son lived with AIDS for almost 15 years. "Seeing my son live with the disease was terrible," she said. "I don't want to see anyone else go through that."

Brown also discussed stereotypes associated with AIDS, as well as its symptoms, and how it's contracted, prevented and diagnosed.

"It's important to bring it out and discuss it," said Kare Bear President Jim Reynolds. "For me, the only difference between (AIDS) and cancer is that (AIDS) is preventable.

"The more knowledge they have, the better it is," Reynolds added.

Some friendly advice

2008-04-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

I was gonna post this as a comment, but I felt it became too long. I don't know if this means much, but I thought I'd offer it.

I too landed my job through careerbuilder. I used it to view job postings, not to post my resume. I also had much success with jobbing.com, viewing jobs and my resume was posted there as well and I got random calls. And I went to a huge career fair sponsored by them as well.

As for the job itself. It doesn't have to be what you want to do for the rest of your life. In fact, the average american completely switches careers 3-4 times within the span of their life. So don't feel that you have to land a job that you are going to retire at. Also, money isn't everything. Also, go to as many interviews as you can, even if its for a job you don't think you'll like, it is good experience and will help you when you get an interview for a job you really do want.

Career builder also has some really good advice on their website as far as mock interview questions, and I think some stuff on how to find a career that is right for you. The advice and resources articles section is helpful as well. I don't know if this helped much, but I hope it gives some sort of positive direction. One more thing, I know my current employer checked out my facebook (even though I had it set so only UND peeps could see it, a UND alum worked there and he checked it out. luckily he was cool with everything on there!!) Good luck man, and everyone else out there searching. Be patient, something will come along. peace.

Job Search: Now featuring the spectre of starvation.

2008-04-13T18:28:00.002-05:00

So the five of you who regularly read this blog know that I've been searching for a new job for quite a while now. A few weeks ago I just ran out of patience and quit. There's really not a whole lot to say about it, it was a terrible job, I was unhappy going to work every day, and I'd like to think I can do better. I'm still staying on part-time outside in the yard, but my regular job (with my regular paycheck) is long gone. I will say this, the money was not bad, and I'm going to be missing it soon, but I'd like to think a job can offer more than just monetary rewards.

So if any of you can offer any helpful advice I could obviously use the assistance. I think part of my problem is that I don't really know what I want to do. Hopefully a little free time will give me the opportunity to figure some of that out. Getting me a job will probably need to be a team effort, and I'm really going to need all five of you. And if any of you out there are in the same spot as me I could offer some hard-earned advice too. The articles on MSN careers are comically useless (check them out if you're not using a few minutes of your life), but my friend Gary recently had success landing a sweet job through CareerBuilder. And I had to take my name off Monster because I'm not interested in managing a tire store. Wish me luck, I'll need it. Keep you posted.

For those of us some how connected to the Airline Industry

2008-04-12T02:44:00.003-05:00

I thought this NY Times article was interesting. Here it is in detail. Apparently the airline industry is about to fold like Cole in a high stakes poker match.

April 10, 2008

For Pilots, Dreams Run Into Reality

By JEFF BAILEY

IRVING, Tex. — Among the jobs little boys dream of — policeman, fireman, bulldozer driver — airline pilot long held the added virtue of satisfying grown-up dreams: pay that reached $300,000 a year, 20 days a month off work, the prestige of one day commanding a $200 million airplane, and a lush retirement at 60.

But the airline industry’s financial collapse this decade did away with much of that, leaving thousands of young men — and increasingly women — chasing a dream toward a disappointing reality.

“My wife thinks I’m nuts,” said Jason Captain, 32, of Fort Worth who left the Navy last November, walking away from $75,000-a-year lieutenant’s pay for flying military brass in and out of Guantánamo Bay.

He started training last month to fly a 76-seat regional jet for a Northwest Airlines subsidiary and expects to make about $21,000 his first year. Like most airline pilots, Mr. Captain had his heart set on flying “ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “I can’t see myself in an office.”
In recent years, he and his wife, June, were in the odd position of saving part of his military pay so they and their two sons could afford to have him work in the private sector. It could take him a decade to work his way back up to his former income.

He hopes, of course, to jump ultimately to the big jets at Northwest Airlines, where the most senior pilots can still make more than $150,000 a year, but there is no guarantee he will get there.

And, with the airline industry ready to go into another swoon because of high fuel prices, Mr. Captain and other junior pilots could find themselves furloughed.

“You’re much better off going into plumbing, from a purely financial perspective,” said Ed Grogan, a financial planner in Gig Harbor, Wash., who has pilots among his clients.

The military is turning out fewer pilots, so aspiring aviators increasingly attend private flight schools, emerging with as much as $150,000 in student debt. Student loan payments can exceed $1,000 a month.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the biggest domestic airlines reduced their fleets by hundreds of planes, so they needed fewer pilots. And through actual and threatened bankruptcies, airlines managed to cut pilot pay by 30 percent or more. Many pilots lost big parts of their pensions. Work hours increased.

Certainly, top pay of $200,000 a year at the biggest airlines, down from $300,000, is still a nice living.

But cuts at big airlines were just the beginning of the decline in pilot careers. Regional airlines, which pay far less than hub-and-spoke carriers even after the pay cuts, expanded to handle much of the flying that bigger airlines had abandoned. Many new pilot jobs are like the one Mr. Captain is taking, with a rock-bottom starting wage that creeps slowly toward $100,000 a year.
Poor pay and fewer big-airline jobs to move up to have led to fewer applicants, creating a pilot shortage that is most acute overseas but is also felt here.

Regional airlines have had to reduce hiring standards drastically. Earlier this decade, they could insist on a candidate’s having at least 1,500 hours of total flight time before an interview. Today, that minimum is 500 hours at many regional carriers. The decline is contributing to safety concerns among some experts.

The seniority system — a new pilot starts at the bottom at most airlines, earning the lowest pay and getting the worst shifts — limits job-hopping. So choosing the right employer the first time around is crucial. Moving from first officer, the right seat, to captain, the left seat, brings the biggest leap in pay and status.

Thus, Mr. Captain, who looks forward to being called Captain Captain, turned down a job at American Eagle Airlines, the regional division of American Airlines. It initially paid better, but the wait to upgrade to captain is six and a half years. At the Northwest regional carrier, Compass, which is growing, he could make captain in as little as one year.
But things change. Network carriers like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines hire regional carriers, which are separate companies, to fly feeder routes from smaller cities into hub airports. But the big airlines renegotiate contracts every few years, often switching carriers to reduce costs. That means today’s fast-growing regional airline could be laying off pilots tomorrow.
“It’s a nightmare,” said Kit Darby, who retired a year ago as a United pilot and runs a pilot job fair business, Air Inc.

Some pilots leave the business. Paul Rice, a vice president of the Air Line Pilots Association, a pilots union, said that in previous decades nearly 100 percent of furloughed pilots came back when temporary layoffs ended. Since Sept. 11, 2001, though, 30 to 35 percent did not return when offered their old jobs.

At Mesa Air Group, a big regional carrier, 784 pilots left last year, some moving up to hub-and-spoke network carriers, some moving laterally to other regional airlines and about 10 percent leaving the business altogether, said Michael Jayson, until recently the pilots union chief at Mesa. Turnover is high at some other regional airlines, too.

Todd Lehmacher, 39, learned to fly as a teenager and worked a variety of airline jobs in crew scheduling and as a ticket pricing specialist and flight attendant while accumulating the flying hours to be a pilot. “It was something I just had to do,” he said.

He was hired by Mesa in August 2005, but long hours and unpleasant relations between pilots and management wore on him.

He sometimes slept on the plane during late shifts — “camping trips,” pilots call them — that required him to fly again early the next morning. He said he often worked a 13-hour day to get in five hours of flying time, the only hours pilots are paid for.

Mr. Lehmacher quit last September and runs a travel agency in Phoenix that sells cruise trips to airline workers.

Mesa officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Samantha Negley did not get the flying bug until a boyfriend took her up in a four-seat Cessna in 1999. It was a bright day in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and they flew over farms, across the beach and over the ocean. “He let me take the controls. It was amazing,” said Ms. Negley, who is now 30.

She graduated from college that year with a journalism degree and spent four years working odd jobs — tending bar, substitute teaching, tutoring — to save money for flight lessons. Landings were her favorite part.

In an essay for a $1,500 scholarship she won to supplement her flight school costs, Ms. Negley said she planned a life around flying. “In five years, I plan to be a captain at Mesa Airlines,” she wrote. “In 10 years, I plan to be a first officer with a major airline, awaiting my chance to upgrade.”

She was accepted at a New Mexico flight school that feeds pilot candidates to Mesa and was hired in 2004. “The day I found out was like the best day ever,” she said. Making about $15,000 initially, and saddled with $50,000 of school debt, she moved in with her sister in Washington, flying out of Dulles Airport.

A typical day had her up at 5 a.m., at the airport by 8 a.m., and making three flights spread out so that the last one landed about 10 p.m. Then it was wait for a hotel shuttle; sleep; get up again at 6 a.m.

She also worked overnight shifts, sleeping across a row of seats and being awakened by a gate agent in time to brush her teeth in the plane lavatory and tuck her shirt in before passengers came aboard. “It was crazy,” she said.

“I was enjoying the landings. I was living my whole life for those three minutes a day.” Otherwise, she thought, “this is the worst life ever.”

She quit last July and went to work at Mattel, where she writes copy for packaging of Hot Wheels and other toys. She makes more money and has whittled her student debt down to $30,000.

She knows she will be home every night in Long Beach to walk the dogs. She plays beach volleyball. And became engaged in February. “Normal job. Normal life,” she said. “I know I made the right decision.”

Nobody told me!

2008-04-02T10:19:00.002-05:00

So Schick is having a $20,000 YouTube facial hair shaving contest, and I'm pissed about having been left out. Anyone who saw me with my Hulk Hogan/trucker 'stache knows that if I were in this contest no one else would stand a chance. Ask the lady that cuts my hair, or any of the roughly forty thousand people that were at the X that day... contest over. And if you didn't see it that day, I'll send you a picture from my phone. But be forewarned, apparently it can cause nightmares, auto crashes, spontaneous pregnancy, and instant addiction to meth. Oh well, what would I do with twenty grand anyway? Probably just spend it on Grain Belt and pajamas.

Training - Days 2 and 3

2008-04-02T00:07:00.002-05:00

So, all the stuff I've read said that I should be keeping a log of what I've done. Therefore you all get to read about it as well because I don't want to start a new word document! Day 2 consisted of 2 and half hours of basketball. In the position I'm currently in I should technically only be working out 3 days a week. But basketball doesn't really count I guess. It was an intense couple hours though, and fun so that counts for something.

Day 3, today, consisted of a 10 minute run followed by a 20 minute walk. As much as I want to run the whole marathon, I realize I will probably walk some of it. But I am training to run it all. In fact, since I haven't done anything major for a long time, it is good to walk as well. So I've read. Anywho, tomorrow's plan is to play some basketball again. If we don't, I will probably take an hour long walk, and stretch. I haven't been stretching lately and I think that is causing more soreness and could potentially lead to injury (and that's no bueno).

So there you have it, the continuation of the workout log. On a side note, my lungs are starting to feel quite a bit better than they have in a long time. I think that is somewhat of a good sign. Til tomorrow, peace.

Training - Day One

2008-03-30T23:24:00.001-05:00

Brutal, That's all I have to say. It is going to be a long road ahead. But do-able I think. peace

Half Marathon

2008-03-26T23:59:00.004-05:00

So, in an unusual turn of events in my life, I agreed to run a half-marathon one year from now. (approximately) Now, for any of you who actually know me, you understand I fucking HATE running. But, I am a man of my word. In fact, I won't be doing it alone. My roomate and myself have challenged each other. We always make stupid bets and shit, but I think this is epic and tops it all. First of all, its going to be hard to actually run every night, but add that in with the fact that we are starting at the beginning of summer in Phoenix? We are not that smart. Second, it is going to be a huge lifestyle change altogether for myself (and Joe for that matter.) But nonetheless, we won't bitch out like those two guys who grew a beard for two weeks and then wussed out. This is real, and you can expect to read about the progress I make here on the blog. I would like to have the support of the few readers we have here, and hope that I can make it through for one year. Have a good night everyboday. The first night of running starts sunday and until then, I'm going to try and not kill myself from partying. peace.

The End

2008-03-23T12:59:00.003-05:00

Going into this beard-off I always said I wanted to go one day longer than John. Well, I went about a week longer, but yesterday morning I woke up and looked in the mirror and realized that although I looked damn good with a beard, it had to go. So I did what any beard shaver would do, I carved it into a Hulk Hogan ass-kicker and sat two rows off the glass at the biggest college hockey tournament in the country. I'm just not a beard guy, and today after I shaved off the stache was the first time I saw myself in the mirror in a long time. I like me, and I like all of you. Thanks for keeping up with the Blog this last month, hopefully we can keep you entertained with something a little less sensational going forward.

The end

2008-03-20T17:26:00.003-05:00

Well, after spending about a week in seclusion, I am writing to concede the fact that I shaved on Friday of last week. I may have "lost" the beard off, but I felt I had nothing more to prove. I sported a crappy beard for a month and it was an interesting experience. There was an extra spring in my step after I shaved. I felt good ... and clean. If that's what it feels like to be a "loser." Count me in.

With that, I now ask for reader submissions for our next gimmicky ploy to get people to read the blog.

Day 23, or whatever.

2008-03-12T08:47:00.005-05:00

The beard off continues with a marked lack of interest from all parties. The three week mark came and went without fanfare, and the transition phase seems to be done. I think that sometime during the last week we went from two guys who were growing beards to two guys with beards. That's a pretty subtle but important change. The first time it dawned on me was when I went back to work on Sunday. I met one of our new hires, and I realized that because he's never seen me without a beard, the beard will always be a part of his perception of me. Anyone who meets me from now on will consider a beard to be the norm.

I've concluded that there is a point where a growing a beard stops being funny or novel and just starts being. That sounds too profound to describe a beard, but compare it to meeting a new 'significant other.' At first everything is new and great, everybody asks about it, and people can usually see the difference on your face. But after a while the novelty wears off, people start to think of it as normal, and stuff starts to itch. So it comes time to make a decision: keep it for the long run, or rinse it down the drain? I guess it depends on the circumstances and the person, but I do know this... when you make that decision you had better take action quickly, because you don't want to wake up every morning and not like what's grabbing your face.

I know it's my birthday, but I have a present for you all!!!

2008-03-10T22:32:00.002-05:00

Delightfully Awesome.

Day 20 - Get this thing off my face!

2008-03-10T10:00:00.002-05:00

Our eyes tell the story. I'm having problems uploading pics, so these are all you get.

Day 18

2008-03-07T16:40:00.002-06:00

Physically, I'm OK. I too have been experiencing some mental stress recently, but rather than blame it on the beard, I'm going to give the beard credit for being one of the only things that's keeping me going right now.

I can't count how many times I stroked the beard in my Property class earlier today, which is becoming increasingly boring by the minute. I pretty much read before class and then listen to people (my own classmates, who are not lawyers) tell me what I read for 50 minutes. Brutal. Also, measuring its daily growth gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Lastly, my beard is slowly making the transition to a playoff beard, which means I'm considering not shaving until the Sioux lose or win the national title in hockey. Sioux yeah yeah!

Day 17

2008-03-06T08:23:00.003-06:00

This beard-off is really taking its toll on me. I was ready for the physical aspects of growing a beard, but I couldn't prepare for the mental game. It probably doesn't help that I'm working nights while this is all going on, so I feel even more out-of-sorts. But when you wake up at seven o'clock PM, look in the mirror and see an unfamiliar face... it's a little disconcerting. Growing a beard is a big responsibility. Like owning a dog, but the beard smells slightly better when wet. When you have a beard people expect you to act in a certain way. I don't want to blame the beard, but I've recently been a little more impatient and generally surly. We'll see if this lasts through the transition phase, which looks like it could take longer than I initially expected. Frankly, right now this beard looks terrible. And it will probably get worse before it gets better.

On an unrelated note: I need a new job. I currently work with a guy who thinks Barack Obama is secretly a radical Islamist ("Look at his name. Does he sound American?") and the country would be "fucked" if he's elected. Anybody hiring?

Day 15 -- The Cause

2008-03-04T20:19:00.004-06:00

Here is the latest photo documentation.

Day 15. In light of today, Cole and I have decided it is appropriate to unveil the newest element to our beard-growing endeavor -- raising beard awareness.

That's right. Men have facial hair. It's science. For years, men have been hiding this little known fact through a daily ritual known as shaving. Since the advent of shaving, men have dealt with a plethora of complications such as cuts, razor burn, ingrown hairs and money wasted on products like razors, shaving cream and aftershave. Today, on Day 15, we are advocating a cause. Men, it is OK to proudly bear the facial hair that has been gifted from a higher power. Today we climb the mountain of the blogosphere and urge all men to heed the call of our valiant cause and break free from the chains of their morning shaving routines.

Now ladies, we are fully aware of the dark side of facial hair. We've often heard your complaints of whisker burn and red chin-itis. We also understand that the phrase "Who wants a mustache ride?" is not funny outside the realm of "Super Troopers." But, as part of advocating our cause, we also have taken the stance that in order to truly love us for who we are, you must also accept the fact that men grow facial hair. It's a hard task, we know.

It'd like to close this with a Spanish proverb: "Chins without beards deserve no honor."

Day 14

2008-03-03T07:49:00.004-06:00

Folks, this weekend was a real beard grower. Friday was nothing to brag about, but Saturday was a beard growing tour de force. It started when we woke up and drove to Duluth to watch the Sioux play the Bulldogs. I'd have to say the win and the view from the concourse were the two best things about the DECC. I feel old saying this, but the things the students were chanting were out of control. If I wanted to hear people yelling racist shit like that I would have watched a St. Cloud State game. And not an alcoholic beverage in sight. I have to go down to Mankato to get a cocktail at a game in this state? After the UND game we busted ass back to St. Paul to catch the bulk of the St. John's v. Hamline MIAC playoff. Johnnies lost a tough one, but you had to respect their playoff beards. Afterward we made it home in time to watch the Minnesota v. Alaska Anchorage game (at least what I could stay awake for). It all adds up to some serious growth that I think will show in the pics tomorrow. Chris Collinsworth, Chris Collinsworth, Chris Collinsworth. Thank you.

Open Thread

2008-03-02T00:49:00.002-06:00

1. Cole needs to cut back on the shaving of the neck. He has clearly violated the rules by about an inch of bare skin. This is a judge's warning...next time it will be points or a DQ.

2. If the NHL stops big guys from pounding on little guys...the terrorists win. Just saying...

3. If CHUCK decides to link to an article, and reading that article requires someone to register with the Grand Forks Herald (aka Gestapo), than it isn't worth one's trouble.

4. And now to the open thread.......Clinton, Obama or McCain. Let's hear it people!

Interesting Article

2008-02-28T21:59:00.002-06:00

I noticed this article and thought it was pretty interesting. Since we have a law student as a contributor, I would like to see what his take is on it. Personally, I think its pretty weak that the family would name the friends of their late daughter on a lawsuit, holding them accountable for her death. If I was a lawyer, I would countersue holding her parents liable for not teaching her responsibility and providing guidance when she was under the legal age.(this is probably why i'm not a lawyer, and would get shot if i ever became one.) Anyway, what are your thoughts?

On a lighter note, tomorrow is friday. That totally kicks ass. I look forward to the weekend everyday, even before its over I look forward to the next one. Well, I'm gonna go listen to the latest installment of the sorry execuse for a podcast put on by the great folks at INCH. I'm sure I will fall asleep quite rapidly. Til tomorrow....peace.

"Why I Don't Watch Pro Hockey" by Beardy Mc Bearderton

2008-02-28T07:58:00.003-06:00

Sorry readers (love ya Fab 4!), this is not a beard post. We've had a pretty intense beard week here, so I thought I would discuss another Bushido Blog standby: hockey. Specifically, why I despise pro hockey.

I love hockey. I'm not afraid to admit my love. I'm a sensitive motherfucker. I love to play hockey, I love to watch hockey and I love to talk hockey. I watch boys high school hockey on FSN... constantly. But what some people don't realize is that I do not watch pro hockey. I haven't watched an entire NHL game in over a decade.

Why? It mostly comes down to this guy. Well, not Chris Simon in particular, but he's the best available example. Here's a "professional" who would be most famous for stomping on the back of a guy's leg earlier this season... if he hadn't two-handed a guy across the face last December. His most-recent thirty game suspension was the longest in NHL history.

Thirty-one years ago a similar situation took place in a completely different sport. A young L.A. Lakers player named Kermit Washington absolutely laid out Rudy Tomjanovich with a punch in some after-whistle activities. Until Kermit's fist met Rudy's nose basketball in the 70's was known to be physical to the point that some teams would have a guy on the court just for fights. Sound familiar? Here's where it gets weird. Tomjanovich nearly died from the punch, Washington got twenty-six games, fighting in the NBA was basically unheard of for thirty years, and poor Kermit couldn't catch on with a team for more than a season the rest of his short career.

So whatever happened to Chris Simon after he served his suspension? Well he was recently sought out and traded for by my very own local club the Minnesota Wild. Another new chance with another new team and Barry Melrose mentions it on SportsCenter. They say it "adds toughness" to the Wild.

Let me address the NHL directly. NHL, I may not be the type of fan that you are trying to reach, but I'm telling you right now I will not watch this shit. If I wanted to see small guys mugged by big guys I would play Nintendo Ice Hockey. Is it going to take spinal fluid leaking into someone's mouth before you get the picture? Figure it out. I love your sport, but I won't reward that behavior.

Day 10 pics

2008-02-27T21:54:00.005-06:00

Here are the most recent pictures. We've decided to add profile shots to help the judges.

I'm going to limit my Day 10 post to the pictures since things have been somewhat contentious in the apartment due to "Neckgate." We can't let that kind of negative energy into this friendly competition.

How do you like them apples?

2008-02-27T01:05:00.003-06:00

A while back, some lame Miami of Ohio fan visited our blog and talked some trash. This individual suggested the WCHA and UND were not very good this year. Well, sir, check out USCHO's Bracketology for this week.

Seven (siete, 7, sept) of the 10 WCHA teams are currently projected to make the 16-team NCAA tournament this year. SEVEN of the TEN. Wow. How's that for a strong conference? Four of the 12 teams in the CCHA are projected to make it in. I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Screw you Miami fan. Your conference simply isn't as good as you thought it was."

Judge's Ruling

2008-02-27T00:43:00.002-06:00

Beard trimming is only acceptable in terms of providing for full beard definition. All hair grown on the neck can be removed, but anything above the neckline is grounds for disqualification.

Sparsly populated cheek hair also can be groomed, but it is recommended that the opposing candidate or a valid, impartial observer be in attendance during such activity.

Both subsections are invalid should the contest be elevated to "friendly mutton chops."

Also...extended beard advice

Can I get a judge's ruling?

2008-02-26T09:15:00.002-06:00

Cole and I are at loggerheads over his decision to rid himself of approximately 30 percent of his facial hair. The problem comes from a fundamental difference in our approach to this beard off. As I've discussed before, he's a style guy. I'm about volume. We need the judges to sort this one out. Are there any consequences for shaving that much facial hair? Disqualification? Sanctions? I think disqualification is a little harsh, so I propose making my opposition tattoo an image Billy Mays
on his chest in honor of his budding man-crush.

Interestingly, Cole pointed out a message I once wrote on a cocktail napkin at the Bulldog in Northeast Minneapolis. "Whatever it takes," I wrote to inspire him. If I would've known he was going to use that quote to justify shaving a portion of his beard during a beard off ... well, let's just put it this way, that napkin wouldn't exist.

Day 9

2008-02-26T08:33:00.003-06:00

Day nine started with John making a sudden and startling realization. This contest may never end. Apparently he was under the (false) impression that this ordeal was over once I went back to day shifts two weeks from now. Wrong. We have many things written on the message board by our door (most of them have to do with hating Don Lucia), but only one of the memos will govern this contest. It's a cocktail napkin on which John scrawled "whatever it takes" after I was given the Heisman by a chick in a German milkmaid outfit.

Day eight saw the entrance of a new contestant and a bold maneuver made on my part. Our friend in DC decided to step out of Web Log retirement and step into a world of shit. Not only does he not have a chance in the beard-off, but I can imagine Chuck Norris will be pretty pissed off when he finds out someone is trying to steal his identity. My bold maneuver actually happened on Sunday night, but didn't debut until Monday. In an attempt to stave off the dreaded itching and add definition to the growth, I've shaved off the neck beard. John considers it a mistake, but I don't agree. Now my facial hair actually has the look and outline of a beard instead of just...sloth. To provide a little comparison: this morning my boss said I looked like Abe Lincoln (America's greatest president) and I told John he looked like a homeless alcoholic (America's greatest seeker of spare change).

Day 10

2008-02-26T00:48:00.002-06:00

As you can see...I clearly have edged out the competition and taken the lead.

RNC Protest

2008-02-24T22:26:00.002-06:00

If any of you are planning on being around for the Republican National Convention in MSP and want to reserve a spot to protest...check this out.

Get them while they are hot...

Beard off East Coast Style

2008-02-24T21:44:00.002-06:00

Unbeknownest to my fellows in MSP...I also have been rocking the beard since last Friday. My one week of work "recess" has unknowningly thrown me into the mix, and with my redish hued beard I should win overwhelmingly in style and awesomeness catagories. Pictures will soon be provided.

Day 7

2008-02-24T20:08:00.002-06:00

I'm feeling pretty confident going into week two of this debacle. So far, I haven't had to deal with any problems with itchiness and I'm definitely winning as far as facial hair growth on the upper lip is concerned. Perhaps I will celebrate my victory by sporting the mustache for a while. I'm sure my girlfriend would be proud of that.

Judging from my competition's previous post, I think I've got a bit of a mental edge. He's already concerned about what women will think of his appearance. NOT THIS GUY. Any girl who doesn't support this cause is not worth the trouble. I'm dangerous when I'm focused. And I am definitely focused.

Day 6

2008-02-24T02:47:00.003-06:00

The beard-off continues, but tomorrow the contest enters a whole new level. There is a period in the growth of every beard that could be called some sort of transition phase. There is a tipping point where the beard goes from badly needing to be shaved to looking like complete shit. Usually that point occurs around day seven. This transition phase normally lasts about two weeks. Tomorrow is day seven, so for the next fourteen days my beard (and self-esteem) will be subjected to constant ridicule. I have no doubt that the personal toll will be great, but I also have no doubt that the reward will be greater. I have to be mentally prepared for complete strangers to tell me my face looks like a Frenchwoman's vagina. Readers... that's a heavy burden to bear. Not only that, but I have to be ready for the constant, crushing self-doubt that comes with waking up, looking in the mirror, and realizing that no woman would sleep with a man whose face has the texture of a cat's tongue. My only comfort is the knowledge that I now walk the same path as Lincoln, Norris, Kenobi and other great, beard-wearing men. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. So I will suffer the slings and arrows, because a beard isn't a fashion decision, it's a lifestyle.

"Baby sister, I was born game and I intend to go out that way." John Wayne as Marshal Rooster Cogburn, True Grit (1969)

Day 5 pics

2008-02-22T22:37:00.003-06:00

Here's where we're at ... It's pretty close at this point. I think I have somewhat of an advantage because I've got darker hair.

2008-02-22T18:43:00.002-06:00

This picture pretty much sums up what we did to denver last week. I was stoked to be back in the ralph for another game. On a related note, inch.com has a weekly podcast and I must say...it totally sucks ass. I actually like listening to it because they say some interesting things when they actually talk about the WCHA. But they don't do that very often. The worst part is the hosts just suck. They are numerous moments of silence where even I feel awkward. But for as much as it sucks, I still enjoy listening to it while I try and fall asleep. Like always, there is a huge east coast bias, and there is even a guy from minnesota that hosts. And the only thing he could talk about was how big of a game the minnesota/wisconsin series is going to be for the WCHA. Whatever. I think his name is actually Bob LaBlah. But anyway, here's to the sioux this weekend. Walski may be starting in goal.

And guys, good luck on the beard contest. I am enjoying the updates. However, and I don't think I'm alone on this, we need some more pictures so we can see the actual growth. I know your all busy but seriously, it'll take like 3.5 minutes.

Day 5 -- the burden of the beard

2008-02-22T09:09:00.002-06:00

I've been having some trouble waking up the last few mornings. I think part of the problem is the amount of energy I'm diverting toward winning this beard off. You know, those hours spent looking in the mirror and rubbing my chin start to add up. In light of my need for more rest, I've decided to try to ignore my budding beard for a while.

My new strategy is to study more Constitutional Law. My Con Law prof has a glorious beard and I'd imagine he spends a lot of time studying our country's greatest document. That might amp up the fatigue factor, but I'm prepared to deal with it. The sweet nectar of victory that awaits me next week -- Cole's got about three days left in him from my estimations -- is worth weeks of unrest. When I crawl into bed on the eve of my victory, I will sleep like a baby for days and days. In the meantime, I'm going to heed the advice of a former boss: "Hey, no sleep for the wicked."

Day 4

2008-02-21T09:44:00.002-06:00

So far the response to my ever-growing beard has been varied. This morning I heard the full spectrum from "Hey, are you growing a beard? Sweet!" all the way to "Cole you need to shave." Well boss, I will not shave. I'm going to carry this thing through to its sad, patchy end.
Also, there has been a strong indication that volume should be the judging criteria for the beard-off. I think this puts me at a serious disadvantage simply due to the overwhelming size of John's head. But from what I read in Charlie Jones' "What Makes Winners Win," I just need to concentrate on growing my own beard and doing my personal best let the chips fall where they may.

Day 3

2008-02-20T09:04:00.003-06:00

I woke up this morning and rubbed my chin a little bit. The stubble is still tender, but it seems to be forming a good foundation for my beard. It's cold out today, so I think I'm going to wear my bum hat. Hopefully, that'll give my face follicles a little added inspiration for the weeks ahead. On a side note, it is cold out ... but I'm not afraid to leave my apartment because my face is now insulated.

Strategy is for chumps

2008-02-19T09:56:00.002-06:00

So, I've been told I need to write about my beard growing strategy. My strategy is simple really: WHATEVER IT TAKES. I could sit around on the couch and try to better my beard through watching shows like Dirty Jobs. Or I could go stare at forklift operators and construction workers all day (which is a little odd if you ask me). But really, what's the point of that?

Beard growing is about genetics. My opposition is Dutch and Dutch people aren't really that hairy. I think I'll have this thing wrapped up in about a week.

Beard Off Strategy

2008-02-19T08:54:00.000-06:00

This is my first post in a long time, but I figured I should provide some supporting information to go along with the beard off. First off, welcome to any new readers the beard off has attracted. This is blog is basically a side project that wastes the time of the three or four of us that write on it and also wastes the time of the three or four people that actually read it. I would describe it as the world's number one source of information on Fighting Sioux hockey, Chris Collinsworth, and beard growing.
Our third focus is the reason for this post and for any upswing in our site's traffic. As you can see from the pictures below John and I have begun a serious beard growing competition. So I thought I'd share a little bit of my strategy while the contest is still in it's peach fuzz phase. I have a patented three-part beard growing system that I follow in these situations. Part one: I usually grow a series of three and four day "mini-beards." This serves to train my face for the rigors of beard carrying. Part two: constant face massages to stimulate the growing folicles. Part three: beard food and environment. I usually eat a lot of meat during beard growing (probably double the USDA daily recommended value). However, environment is where I think my competitive advantage lies. While John is reading books and listening to people talk about things, I'll be surrounded by gloriously-bearded construction workers and truck drivers.
As you readers can see I've got this competition well in hand, so my advice to all of you would be to sit back, enjoy the pictures and posts, and wish John luck. And to John... take a second and enjoy the the view as I fly right by you.

And it begins

2008-02-19T00:34:00.004-06:00

So here's Day 0 of the Beard Off, which began yesterday. The photo documentation was inspired by The Hold Steady, who are pretty much doing the same thing as they record their new album. We need some help with the judging criteria, though. I think he who grows a beard with the most volume wins a beard off. My competition disagrees. He says the winner is he who grows the best looking beard (ppfff). What do the three of you who read this blog think?

Beard off 2008

2008-02-15T18:31:00.003-06:00

This post is the whet your appetite for the most insane, challenging competition of the year. The Hamline Ave. N. Beard off 2008. The fun begins Sunday. Get ready!

Winning graciously

2008-02-07T00:42:00.000-06:00

Carl's commentary on the NY Giants Super Bowl victory.

Sweet sweet victory

2008-02-02T10:59:00.000-06:00

This was probably one of the best goals I've ever seen:

RIP Edwards Campaign

2008-02-02T10:57:00.000-06:00

This is late, but I have to say that I'm depressed about John Edwards dropping out of the race for President. I really did think he was the candidate with the most substance.

So, now I'm faced with a decision about who to support on Super Tuesday. I'm leaning towards Obama, but I'm not sure. How 'bout you guys?

Sweet nothings

2008-01-25T22:34:00.000-06:00

I don't really have anything substantial to write about, but I've got a few things on my mind.

First of all, congrats to the University of North Dakota hockey team, which is on a nice little six-game winning streak right now. I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but this could be a sign of some big things to come. Sioux yeah yeah! Check out the Sioux hockey blog for regular updates. My former colleague (who was way more experienced than I was) Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald does an excellent job with the blog.

Moving on, I had a mock interview for a fake clerking position with a city attorney today. I'm left wondering: Is a mock interview worth the effort? I think so. Although I'm sure some of my law school classmates would disagree, I think it was a good overall experience ... even if the guy's last words were "John, I like your resume and you seem like a good guy, but I'm going to shoot you straight ... this job doesn't exist." Has anyone else done a mock interview? Was it worth it?

Lastly, this Heath Ledger thing is kind of weird. CNN.com had this strange story reliving phone calls placed between his masseuse and Mary-Kate Olsen. Personally, I'm not really interested in the exact details surrounding Ledger's death. It's a tragedy, yes, but it is a little invasive on the part of the media to publish stories like this. There's a time and a place for the media to play the watchdog role and this isn't it.

That's all I've got. Peace y'all.

The Perfect Shave

2008-01-21T23:56:00.000-06:00

If you would've asked me a year ago what my preferred method of shaving was, I probably would've looked at you with dumbfoundedness. This is because I had a beard (and a sweet one at that). But having grown up out of the college life, which i really miss, I have come to find that I really enjoy shaving. I used to go with the electric razor, mostly due to sheer laziness, but now I find I love the feel of a blade. And ever since going to my new barber, I absolutely love the straight edge and am considering purchasing one for my self. And to enhance the experience even more, I have discovered after shave. I think I was always a little turned off about if because of the movie "Home Alone" (if you don't know what i'm talking about, you have issues) but it might be the best way to start the morning ever. But it has to be alcohol based. I tell ya, if you haven't had the experience, go out as soon as you can and pick some up, it is delectable. On another note, I finally found "The Karate Kid" on dvd for five bucks!!! It was like a 4 year journey, and that isn't a joke. Well, until next time. peace.

Gimme some guitar

2008-01-19T11:32:00.000-06:00

For those of you, who like myself, enjoy listening to someone who can shred on guitar ... I present an interesting podcast from Minnesota Public Radio. It's called Facemelter. I listened to the Prince episode last night and it was pretty good. The podcast isn't perfect right now, but the potential ... oh God! Check it out.

Gold Digger?

2008-01-18T20:24:00.000-06:00

This whole Randy Moss thing is interesting. One thing that I don't think has been made very clear by the media involves what a battery is. In a civil action, a battery is defined as any kind of intentional harmful or offensive contact with another. If Moss is to be found guilty, he would have had to intentionally harm this woman or come into contact with her in a way that offends a reasonable sense of personal dignity. No criminal charges (that I'm aware of) have been filed in this mess, so it doesn't sound like Moss beat the woman. His lawyer said the injury resulted from consensual horseplay. At this point, I think the woman's complaint sounds kind of sketchy, especially given the fact that she suffered mental harm as well.

Any thoughts?

Glen Ullin?

2008-01-17T11:07:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the irregular posting recently. I've started a new semester at school, one of our contributors' computers broke down and one of us has fallen completely off the blogosphere for months.

Regardless, people have still been visiting this blog. Interestingly, we recently had a visitor from Glen Ullin, North Dakota. I didn't even know they had the Internet there. Just kidding. As a blog that originated at the University of North Dakota, we appreciate the readership.

Hopefully, we'll make things more interesting as 2008 continues.

And so it starts

2008-01-04T21:31:00.000-06:00

Well, 2008 has come off to a great start. First of all, American Gladiators starts in like 3 days. I don't know if I've ever posted my love for that show, but i'm glad its back...hopefully complete with 80s haircuts and all.
On a different note, I didn't want to bring this up but thought I would. First of all, this recent Oshie arrest has been blown WAY out of proportion. Not only did the herald put up his mugshot, but they keep freaking out that he was already on probabation and his first offense (misdemeanor) will stay on his record. BFD. Anyway, INCH.com has a podcast that you should download, the Jan 3rd episode talks about the suspensions at the beginning, its kind of funny listening to the hosts cause they're so small time. I think I'll start listening to it more often especially if there is something good on it. Hope y'alls 2008 is off to a good start. Keep it real and take er easy. peace

What is this crap?

2008-01-03T16:07:00.000-06:00

I don't know about anyone else out there, but this story seems to be a little slanted. While it may be true that girls are outperforming boys in high school and college (You go girls!), I doubt that messy backpacks are the reason for this trend.

Sounds to me like Ms. Homayoun is one of those uberorganized neat freaks that everyone hates. Is it honestly worth a student's time to make a binder like the ones modeled after what she made in high school? No, it's not. There's a difference between being organized and being a perfectionist about being organized. Being a perfectionist about being organized is a waste of time that should be spent studying. Also, one person's study tactics do not necessarily work for everyone.

Furthermore, it appears the examples of male students used in this story are not only unorganized, they are either stupid, slackers or both. Honestly, who forgets to fill out an entire college application (to the University of Virginia no less ... ha)? Who doesn't know that you are supposed to turn your homework in when you are the seventh grade? Are you kidding me?

I'm about as unorganized as you can be sometimes and I turned out alright. I happen to be very good at multitasking as well. Maybe I'm an anomaly. Thoughts?

Another Year Gone

2007-12-23T14:16:00.000-06:00

Well, Another year has passed us by. I just wanted to get all of your thoughts on what was your best accomplishment of 2007, or your the best thing that happened. I remember having this conversation last year with john in fargo, and it seriously seems like that was only 4 months ago. Personally, I my biggest accomplishment was probably moving, and getting an actual job. Although the whole job part took almost the whole year. And being able to drink every night in GF after graduating was a pretty big accomplishment as well. Well, I hope everyone has a great holida season, and good luck in 08. peace.

Don't fuck with my news!

2007-12-14T23:27:00.000-06:00

On Thursday my quiet little world was interrupted, and as of this posting it is just now returning to normal. The event in question was, of course, the Mitchell Report detailing alleged steroid use by Major League Baseball players. I'm sure everyone is aware of the content of this report because its release has dominated basically all news coverage for the last 24 hours. Everyone is up in arms about the "Steroid Era" of baseball, and performance enhancing drugs. Well... everyone but me. I'm unhappy for entirely different reasons. I'm pissed that my sports coverage has been completely hijacked by such bullshit.
My world revolves entirely around sports, watching sports, talking about sports, and watching people talk about sports. Nothing pisses me off more than when something like this interrupts that. There was a one hour period yesterday before my nap where I was forced to watch rodeo. Now don't get me wrong, I like rodeo, but it's definitely a second tier sport. I just couldn't take any more speculation about the tip of a needle intersecting with a ballplayer's sweaty ass.
They don't have any proof of anything. The most they can put on anyone is that they bought steroids over the internet. The only thing tying most of these guys together is some snitch dropping names to save his own ass. No positive drug tests, no reliable eyewitness accounts... now I'm not a lawyer but, that doesn't seem to add up to much.
Why are we even talking about this? As far as I'm concerned this is just a list of dudes with big foreheads, hairy backs, and anger management issues. I laughed out loud when Bud Selig threatened to punish the individuals named in the report. Punish how? Most of those guys don't even play anymore. And for those who do... the MLBPA would never allow you to suspend, fine, or otherwise penalize players without proof that they violated baseball's drug policy.
Everyone knows steroids are a problem in all sports, and not just professional baseball. If the owners really gave a shit about anything other than putting an exciting product on the field they would do something about it. Do the fans care? I think that's up to each individual. But what do they really care about? The integrity of the game or the players' health?
You have no idea how happy I was when I got home from work tonight and SportsCenter was covering actual baseball.

On a somewhat related note... If this many major leaguers are using steroids to just maintain performance, how bad is the steroid problem in the minor leagues? I would imagine those guys would inject just about anything to make it to the show. Just a thought.

Doug Woog sucks

2007-12-08T22:53:00.000-06:00

So the Sioux and the Gophers split this weekend, but I think we can all agree that Dean Blais is four times the man Doug Woog is.

And to make ourselves feel better about tonight's loss, I present this:

That clip brings the biggest smile to my face every time I see it.

Keep your damn hands away from the nickel

2007-12-03T16:55:00.000-06:00

So the folks over on the Bison media blog are saying that if (also read: when) UND retires the Fighting Sioux nickname, the famous Nickel trophy would have to go along with it.

I disagree. The nickel is one of the most unique trophies in college athletics. While one side is an Indian head and the other is a Bison, the overall significance of the trophy will not be lost if one school changes its name.

Plus, what would replace the nickel? New travelling trophies are always lame. But, if people really feel like the nickel's gotta go. That means it will forever be in the hands of the University of North Dakota. Hey-o!

This Week in Non-Chris Collinsworth News:

2007-12-02T20:22:00.000-06:00

Some chick got arrested.
This dude's wife ran off.
This dude is still bald, not famous.
This guy got his job back.

What do all these stories have in common? I don't give a shit about any of them. I'm wondering who does. I consider my days pretty well full. I go to work, I eat, I sleep, sometimes I exercise or read books, sometimes I write on this web log thing. That takes up most of my time. I don't seem to have spare time to care about any of these things, let alone any of the other limitless bullshit that goes on in this world. Is that wrong of me? All of these stories were on the front page of CNN.com, so they must be considered important to the average reader. I don't want to tell CNN it's business, but aren't there better stories to cover? More importantly, aren't there better stories for the average reader to follow? I don't know as much about the news business as some horses (or horse's asses) on this site, but I imagine they supply a product that their readership demands. That doesn't reflect well on the average American.
I should start my own news website full of stories that only I cared about. It would definitely be the world's most popular news source for sports statistics, N64 updates, obituaries, college hockey, and Chris Collinsworth related media.

Dumb people

2007-12-02T13:55:00.001-06:00

This is kind an old piece, but its message is timeless. How do you respect people whose arguments and opinions are dumb? I hear people say stupid crap all the time. I hear it in law school classes, I hear it from people behind me when I'm standing in line someplace, I hear it on TV and in the newspapers. It's funny how some people seem to think their opinion is so important they don't have to apply any fact to it (this may be one reason why I'm generally skeptical of political science majors ... zing. Poly Sci is an interesting topic. However, it seems like the people who study it are more apt to go off on emotional, factually sketchy tirades.)

Oh well, as an old family maxim goes, "There are more horses asses in this world than there are horses."

Full disclosure: My girlfriend as well as some of my other friends are poly sci majors. They're pretty cool.

Chris Collinsworth and I have a lot in common.

2007-11-25T21:01:00.000-06:00

This is my second post referencing Chris Collinsworth and NBC's horrible Sunday Night Football coverage, but I just came to a realization about him and I thought I should share it through this web log phenomenon. Chris Collinsworth hates his job. I can see it, and I know it, because I'm in the same situation. I had previously linked to him laughing through NBC's Green Week experiment, but in a thirty second span tonight where he called out Keith Olbermann for a weak Oh Brother Where Art Thou? reference and questioned Bob Costas' use of the word "esoteric" in a football broadcast, I realized he was just going through the motions. Chris Collinsworth is quitting NBC's Sunday Night Football, he just hasn't told anyone yet. From my experience he's probably spending his days off looking for job openings, applying for things he really isn't even interested in, and making plans for what he'll do with his now-free Sunday nights. He might even have a day planner with the phrase "turn in two week's notice" marked on a certain day. Chris Collinsworth is a great broadcaster, and he deserves better. I just hope (for both our sake's) that it works out for him. Stay strong brother, don't let the man get you down.

Day of Thanks

2007-11-24T18:07:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. My buddy referenced this on his site, so I thought I would see what you all had to say. My favorite memory of thanksgivings is always the company. I love being with family, but my favorite part is always the day after. In my family, the guys always go pheasant hunting while the ladies go shopping on black friday. Though it is fun walking the fields and trying to hit birds, the best is when we fire off hundreds of rounds shooting clay pigeons.

The food is generally the same for everyone, and its always good, but I live for the leftovers. I love inventing a new sandwich every year. My favorite is as follows: Turkey (dark meat only of course), stuffing, rice dressing (a family favorite) and gravy, all stuffed between two pieces of white bread. I call it StuffThingly Numb.

My buddies favorite is "turkey and cranberry sauce between a dinner roll. It adheres to the first rule of leftovers--it's simple." It is appropriately named Turkerry.

What about you all, what is your favorite thanksgiving leftover creation? peace

Dag Gummit

2007-11-20T15:12:00.001-06:00

If you need your spirits lifted, you have to watch these videos. This guy, is so accident prone its almost ridiculous. Thank god for the internet!!!

Bill Dance New Bloopers - Watch more free videos

More Bill Dance Fishing Outtakes - Watch more free videos

Schedule Strength

2007-11-19T18:43:00.000-06:00

So, we were earlier talking about the weakness of the redhawks opponents so I thought this was interesting. I saw this on Schlossman's Blog today.

These are the teams we've played so far. Notice They have all been ranked

Michigan State (5)
Boston College (14)
Northeastern (20)
Michigan Tech (19)
Colorado College (4)
Wisconsin (12)

These are our next 5 games

Nov. 30-Dec. 1 -- Denver (3)
Dec. 7-Dec. 8 -- Minnesota (13)
Dec. 28-Dec. 29 -- New Hampshire (8)
Jan. 5-Jan. 6 -- St. Cloud State (10)
Jan. 11-Jan. 12 -- Michigan Tech (19)

It's going to be a tough start to the season, but it will only better prepare us for the tournament.
peace

Interesting voting piece

2007-11-17T12:47:00.001-06:00

This is old, but it's interesting. Freakonomics bloggers talk about the utility of voting. Check it out.

Miami Redhawks? Who dey?

2007-11-17T12:03:00.000-06:00

Miami of Ohio is 11-1. They have the best record in college hockey. Therefore, they are the best team in college hockey? Umm, no. Contrary to what certain websites would like you to believe, this is a false syllogism.

Take a look at their schedule. Let's compare that to a WCHA school. I would pick North Dakota, but I don't want to look too biased, so I'll pick Colorado College. Miami plays TWO tough teams this whole year. In fairness, Michigan State won it all last year. Colorado College plays Minnesota (2002, 2003 National Champs), North Dakota (2000 National Champs, three straight Frozen Fours), New Hampshire, Denver (2004, 2005 National Champs) and Wisconsin (2006 National Champs).

I'm getting so sick of hearing about how good Miami of Ohio is this year. Yeah, they are a decent team, but they're a team that hasn't played anybody. And they won't play anybody until a two-game series against Michigan in February. Everyone's going to be making a big deal about how the Redhawks swept Michigan State at home this weekend, but what they are forgetting to mention is that Michigan State is overrated. They lost 6-nuts to North Dakota to open the season.

The WCHA is where the best teams in college hockey play. Every single weekend is a battle, not just four league games like in the CCHA. The CCHA has three, maybe four, good teams. The WCHA is top-to-bottom a solid league ... except maybe for Anchorage.

That said, all will be right in the world come April. And we won't be hearing from Miami of Ohio. I'll tell you that much.

For all you soccer fans out there

2007-11-16T21:34:00.001-06:00

I know the few people who read this site like soccer. I love this video, it makes me laugh every time. enjoy!!

Other blogs

2007-11-14T16:53:00.001-06:00

If you've got a blog and read ours, let us know about yours and maybe we'll link to it. Mystery reader "S" recently asked for a shout out. However, our researchers have been unable to locate a link to her Web log.

Old time hockey

2007-11-13T17:58:00.001-06:00

This video is intense. Sioux yeah yeah!

Sweet Sweet Celebration

2007-11-09T19:41:00.000-06:00

I used to read Brad Schlossman's hockey blog on a daily basis, but now I only catch it about once or twice a week. Anyway, he had a link to this sweet celebration by Teemu Selanne. It pretty much got me thinking about how much I wish the NFL and other football leagues would allow more celebrating. Well, I know that will never happen, but at least the real sport of football allows celebrating. After I saw that Selanne video I ran across this video of soccer celebrations...its pretty cool, even if you don't like soccer. Any way, check it out (the last couple minutes has no video, but its cool none the less). And while we're at it, here's some highlights of some hockey celebrations (toward the end of the video). My favorite is hejduk's. Peace out, girl scouts.

Shit gas

2007-11-09T14:25:00.000-06:00

This is ridiculous. Apparently, we are in the midst of "The Great Jenkem Scare of 2007." Jenkem is a drug made from fermented human waste. Legend has it that kids inhale gases from the waste to get high.

There are a series of news reports online. Here are a few of them: Washington Post Offbeat blog, Fox News, MSNBC, Naples (FL) Daily News and the Enterprise (AL) Ledger.

I don't even know what to say. I don't know how desperate you'd have to be to say, "Hey, dude. Let's go take a dump in a bottle, mix in some urine, put a balloon over the top and leave it in the sun for a while. Then, let's inhale the fumes and get HIIIIGH." Really?

Anyway, I'll let you do your own reading to sort this one out.

Red scare

2007-11-09T10:44:00.000-06:00

I was reading the NY Times earlier and came across Paul Krugman's latest column. Good stuff. I laugh almost every time I hear people's arguments against the implementation of a national health care plan. My personal favorite is the use of the word "socialism." Oh no!

Maybe, just maybe, it would be a good thing for the federal government to provide health care for everyone. Business could save money on the benefits they provide to employees because health care would be out of the picture and we wouldn't hear countless stories of middle class individuals going bankrupt because of the extraordinary cost of medical care.

One thing I found interesting in Krugman's column was the fact that the U.S. spent six times as much on health care administration as other countries. Frankly, after seeing some of the salaries of executives at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, N.D. while working as a reporter, this doesn't surprise me at all. I'm not saying administrators' jobs are easy. The administration at Altru works hard in a demanding, complicated industry. However, $350K a year is a helluva lot of money to be making in Grand Forks.

It's time to cut some fat.

Culture shock

2007-11-06T22:47:00.000-06:00

I don't get it. Maybe it's because I went from a large university to a small one. Maybe it's because I'm not sensitive enough. Maybe I too need some education. Maybe the school I go to is overreacting.

I'm a little behind the 8-ball on this because I'm a law student, not an undergrad, but some serious controversy has surfaced at Hamline University over six football players who appeared at an off-campus Halloween party in blackface costumes. They were supposed to be African tribesmen. Anyway, photos of them appeared on Facebook. University officials found out. And now they have been suspended for the remainder of the football season and could face even more serious punishment on the academic side of things.

Now, it's important to note that I'm not condoning blackface costumes. Personally, I think it's a pretty insensitive thing to do given the history of blackface. A recent movie that touches the issue is Spike Lee's Bamboozled.

The problem I have with this whole mess involves the way Hamline is handling the issue. Hamline is a school that prides itself on cultural understanding and appreciating diversity. However, I do not believe it is the university's role to punish these students for their off campus actions. The university's role is to educate. It is to spur discussion. It is to encourage exploration of new and different ideas. It is to prepare students to conduct themselves as educated individuals in their off campus endeavors.

But when these students make stupid mistakes in the real world, the university should not make an example out of them. It shouldn't use their actions as an excuse to get the "understanding" pistons firing and have all kinds of forums to tout diversity. When students are off campus, they get a different form of education. In this case, perhaps a good old "fuck you, I have a problem with your costume" would have been in order. Moments like those will educate a person, too.

Lastly, I wonder if this would even be an issue at my alma mater, the University of North Dakota or any other big school. It seems that it wouldn't have been as big of a deal, although the Strib article does mention an incident at Illinois. Or maybe it would just have received less publicity. More than anything, though, this is the first time I've really been aware of how small a community Hamline actually is.

Are the any thoughts out there from the few people who read this blog?

2007-11-06T11:35:00.000-06:00

Now, I'm all for saving electricity through smart energy consumption practices and I'm happy NBC is having this whole Green Week endeavor, but doing the Sunday Night Football halftime and post-game analysis in the dark was just dumb. What did NBC prove? Turning off the lights saves electricity? Who knew? Apparently not NBC, who -according to the previous link- never thought to turn out the lights when they aren't using their studios.
Why did we invent the light bulb? The obvious answer would be, "to see in the dark." I don't see what NBC is trying to prove by forcing me to watch an already un-funny Keith Olbermann try to do his "comedy" by candlelight.
Is this the type of eco-solution we can expect from the rest of Green Week? Turning out the lights is not a solution to Global Climate Change, and anyone who thinks so has been in the dark for quite some time already. So they saved a lot of electricity by sitting in the dark for two hours... isn't that indicative of a larger problem? Why are we using that much energy in the first place? Where is it coming from? I think all that brain power may have been better-directed at finding a way to sit in a well-lit studio powered by a clean, renewable energy source.
Instead they suggested that all of America turn out the lights and watch their shitty game in the dark like a bunch of fucking cavepeople. Thank you, but no. The best part of the show was Chris Collinsworth making a *gasp* mockery of the entire thing by laughing every four seconds. Sorry about the extended Matt Lauer clip and the SayAnythingBlog ("Go Ed Schafer") link.

P.S. Christopher Russo is less straight than an Adrian Peterson fifty yard scamper, and... polar bears are drowning.

Give 'r

2007-11-01T17:32:00.000-05:00

So this is kind of a belated recommendation, however, I watched the move Fubar last night and it is AWESOME. It's got it all. Drama, partying, camping, rock and roll, sex, booze and even testicular cancer. Check it out.

The change is blowing in the wind

2007-11-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a point of contention for those who think UND's settlement with the NCAA is a victory.

No one else cares.

Like I said before the settlement doesn't mean anything. It's merely an extension of the status quo. An extension that still is not worth $2 million.

Naturally, the logo supporters are going to rail on the U of M for this decision. Say what you will about the Goofers, but this decision really does show that keeping the nickname is going to hurt the school as it moves into DI.

Think of how big NDSU's victory over Minnesota was for the football program and the school as a whole. UND football will never get the opportunity to do the same thing. And it's all because of a name.

The Loss of an Icon

2007-10-30T19:35:00.000-05:00

Let's please have a moment of silence for the loss of an American Hero who passed away this morning. And let us remember what he was best known for to our generation...being impersonated by Will Ferrell on SNL. peace.

A sad day for sports

2007-10-30T04:03:00.000-05:00

So, with the rockies loss the other night, and the broncos losing monday night, I am a little bummed. I wasn't expecting the Broncos to do that well this season, but I thought they'd play a little better tonight. We are definately rebuilding the program, and thinks are looking good from that point of view. The fact that it was a loss to the packers makes it hard to swallow, but I have an extreme respect for Brett Favrvrerve.

On a totally unrelated note, I reafirmmed my love for craig's list this evening. This website is by far the best thing the internet has to offer (other than this blog of course). Now this might sound ridiculous to some of you who read this site, but my roomates and I each posted our profiles in the "dating" section of the site this evening to see who would receive the most votes. Its going to be pretty intense because we have a complete points system set up, and we are all currently tied with 1 legitimate point a piece. However, its early in the game and more points should be tallied as time goes on.

And now for a totally random note. I'm watching some syndicated episodes of The Nanny and thinking about how much I used to want to get with Fran Drescher which led me to ask the question: "Has she ever been naked on the big screen?" Well, if you've ever wanted to know this about her or anyone else, check out this site. Just type in the name of the actress (or actor if you're into that sort of stuff), and it will tell you what movies they showed some skin in. And just so you know, I was referred to this site by one of my roomates after watching Knocked Up. So check out Mr. Skin to answer all of your movie nudity questions.

I gotta go for this evening (or I guess its early morning now) and continue enjoying my AmberBock. Have a Happy Halloween, and be good to each other. peace.

Bison bias

2007-10-29T17:19:00.000-05:00

I think the North Dakota State University athletic department has secretly acquired the Forum newspaper sports department. Seriously, the Forum's coverage of the NDSU football team this year makes me wonder if they are just printing NDSU press releases instead of doing their own reporting.

Here's the most recent example. Talk about a "no shit" story. Obviously NDSU will not play in a bowl game because FCS (formerly Division I-AA) teams don't compete for bowl bids. Now, I realize NDSU has a good football team this year. Their victory over Minnesota truly was a complete win. However, they will not be playing in any postseason games because they haven't been a DI team for the past five seasons. I can't help but get the impression that the Forum is playing an active role in finding any way possible for the Bison to play a game after the regular season. After all, I'm they could print up some kind of a special section and sell more newspapers.

Anyway, this story is the latest in a series of pro-Bison propaganda coming from the Forum. Columnist Mike McFeely has been leading the charge. He'd be a strong candidate for Fargo's biggest Bison fan.

P.S. I'm writing this as a former newspaper reporter. Not as someone who hates NDSU football (although I do).

On an unrelated note, we've changed the look of this blog a few times. Anyone have any thoughts on which look was the best?

World Series

2007-10-27T22:33:00.001-05:00

I love the game of baseball and am currently watching game 3 of the world series. I'm rooting for the Rockies for obvious reasons. 1. I hate the red sox, and the yankees at that. 2. I grew up closer to denver than any other major city. And 3. The 1993 Rockies vs. Astros game at the old Mile High was the first proffesional sporting event I ever saw in person. Amazingly, I still remember parts of that game, I was 9ish. I am definately hoping the rocks can pull one out tonight and not go down 3-0. But in any case, I think the world series is the best professional championship sporting event in America. It actually showcases two great teams who are willing to put it all on the line without all the extra bullshit as seen during the Super Bowl, and without the lameness of the NBA. In any case, I will be rooting on my Rockies, while drinking Coors Light and know that next year, and in years to follow, I can always rely on the World Series, and Baseball in general to carry me through and keep me stress free. Be good to each other. Peace.

What's the point?

2007-10-27T15:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday featured a new development in a story I've been following for a while. The University of North Dakota settled with NCAA in a lawsuit over the Fighting Sioux nickname. Great news, right?

No.

UND is putting off the inevitable. The only thing the settlement does is add three years to the process. The only thing good for UND in this deal is that NCAA will quit referring to the nickname as "hostile and abusive." Now, I realize that wordage deeply offended some people connected with the university. However, I would argue that nobody in their right mind would actually think UND was a hostile and abusive place. Those are just words. They are extreme and exaggerated to give credence to the NCAA's decision to crack down on school's with Native American nicknames. Was it really worth $2 million to get rid of that terminology? I don't think so.

Here's the problem. Words are just words, but the growing lack of support for Native American nicknames in sports is real. The NCAA will simply find another way to put pressure on UND. At that point, UND will be faced with the same decision. Go to court or change the name.

Just change the name.

Turkiye

2007-10-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

So at a time when the people should be pulling away from conflict in Iraq, just the opposite is happening. Turkey has now joined the fray. I just heard on CNN that the country is conducting air raids in Iraq to prevent terrorist attacks that start in Iraq and spill over the border into Turkey.

Here's a New York Times article about the situation that was published before the air strikes began.

On an unrelated note, the University of North Dakota plays on the road against Michigan Tech as the number one ranked team in college hockey. Sioux Yeah Yeah!

What are you gonna do about it?

2007-10-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

My level of apathy is so high that they are starting to measure it in negatives: I now care so little about US politics/government that I make other people care less. Two consecutive posts downing our President is the top of a slippery slope, but when you jump out into traffic you can expect to be hit. You know it's getting out of control when I have to say something.
A stern warning? How stern? Double underlines, bold font, exclamation points? If I were Raul or Fidel Castro I would be laughing my ass off right now. They have been telling US Presidents since John Kennedy to stick it and this guy thinks a stern warning is going to do the trick. What are you going to do George Bush? Invade them? This guy told LBJ to get fucked. You think he's scared of you?
Maybe President Bush should force his scheduler to resign. He is obviously struggling to budget his day. I think he may be filling up too many of his afternoons with empty rhetoric time and not leaving enough for innovative domestic policy time, or even nap time.
The 2008 elections are over a year away. Is President Bush a lame duck at this point? What was the last policy idea he had? At this point I think we are committed to leaving the country's problems to the next President, because the only continuous domestic policy we seem to maintain is destroying other countries so we don't look so bad in comparison. At least we don't live in Iraq, where when a bridge collapses the cause is readily identifiable.
Let's do a quick run down of some of the domestic policy issues facing the country this second: social security, medical insurance, the environment, real estate collapse, falling dollar, prison overcrowding and immigration. Somebody tell me why I should care what happens in Cuba.
So here is my last question to George Bush: What are you going to do about it?

Not my president

2007-10-22T18:13:00.000-05:00

So shortly after vetoing a bill that would help provide health care coverage for needy children (to the tune of $60 billion), Mr. Bush has finally decided where the U.S. should spend more money. Can anyone guess where that might be? Unbelievable. What's even more unbelievable is the cost of the war. For the price of one week of operations in Iraq, you could buy 2 billion junior bacon cheeseburgers from Wendy's. Call me crazy, but I think the money would probably be just as well spent on the JBC.

Thoughts anyone?

Why sue when you can fight?

2007-09-26T17:14:00.000-05:00

So about a month or so ago Jedi wrote about suing bad bosses. I said my solution was to just beat them up. Well, in the state of Arizona, that might not be such a bad idea. Read this article and see what can happen if you fight your boss. Maybe I'll try this. peace.

No one else cares to comment?

2007-09-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been stewing over this for a few weeks now and I was about to let it go, but I was re-admitted to the blog just before I stopped giving a shit. Apparently I'm not the only person in the world who will defend this guy.
Unless you live under a rock, or don't leave the men's restroom at the MSP airport, you heard about this unfortunate bastard. Now I have no love lost for the Republican Party, rich white men, or even people from Idaho, but what happened to Larry Craig was ridiculous. What makes it even worse is the fact that such nonsense is becoming the norm.
First, what did he do? I'm still confused about what crime he committed. I know he was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, disorderly conduct, but what is so disorderly about tapping your feet and putting your hand under a bathroom stall? Unfortunately for him that stall happened to be a known spot for anonymous gay sex, and his foot tapping routine was some sort of secret code. So what he was basically charged with was intent to have 62 year-old gay sex in a public men's room. Disgusting? Yes. But criminal? Now you don't even have to commit the crime. All you have to do is consider committing a crime. He wasn't caught in the middle of some unspeakable act, he wasn't even caught propositioning someone for such an act. He was caught tapping out what may or may not be Morse code for "Let's Get it On" on some dank tile floor.
Second, his boys in the Republican Party sold him out for losing his credibility on "Family Values" issues. What an amazing organization that won't stand behind one if it's most important members while he tries to clear his name. There was practically a race to see who would throw this poor stooge under the bus first. And the Democrats weren't much better. They smelled blood in the water and saw an opportunity to better their odds for a contested seat. Not bad for a bunch of legal rights liberals. He knew exactly what would happen if the story broke, and when it did his colleagues, the Media, and the Public bent him over the toilet bowl.
Finally, the Bushido outlook on all of this. I don't care what this guy does in his free time, behind closed doors, or in the darkened corners of his mind. It's not up to me to decide what his intent was, if he's gay, or pass judgement on his moral character. That being said, the last thing on his mind should be getting his job back. He's got a lot of life to sort out, and the first thing he needs to get squared away is himself.
There is one thing I do want to ask Larry Craig: "Is there, like, a location, or some signal for anonymous straight restroom sex?"

NFL Week 2

2007-09-13T21:02:00.000-05:00

Alright, here is the start of our NFL pool....anyone can join in at anytime, I'll keep a running point total...If you don't understand the chart this is it...first team is favorite, followed by the spread which is the first number. Second number is the Over/Under, and lastly the underdog team. Therefore, the spread is always a + in favor of the first team. All fractions rounded up. Numbers current as of Thursday 7:15pm PST. All picks must be submitte before first kickoff on sunday. As for points...2 points for a win according to spread & 1 point for correct over/under. good luck. peace

Favorite Spread O/U Underdog
at Baltimore 10 33 1/2 NY Jets
at Carolina 6 1/2 39 Houston
at Chicago 12 34 1/2 Kansas City
Cincinnati 6 1/2 41 1/2 at Cleveland
Dallas 3 1/2 40 1/2 at Miami
at Denver 10 37 1/2 Oakland
at Detroit 3 42 1/2 Minnesota
Indianapolis 7 45 1/2 at Tennessee
at Jacksonville 10 34 1/2 Atlanta
at New England 3 1/2 46 1/2 San Diego
New Orleans 3 1/2 41 1/2 at Tampa Bay
at NY Giants 0 37 1/2 Green Bay
at Pittsburgh 9 1/2 37 Buffalo
Seattle 3 42 at Arizona
at St. Louis 3 44 San Francisco

Skol Vikings!

2007-09-10T09:39:00.001-05:00

My boys in purple started the season on a high note by beating Atlanta 24-3. It was pretty fun being at the game, although there were some empty seats despite the "sell out" crowd.

On another note, it appears Britney Spears has tanked again, this time at the MTV Video Music awards. This just shows how lame MTV is. Even with all the music talent out there, they opened the show with a has-been. Pathetic. I bet there was an awesome episode of "My Super Sweet 16" on after the award show as well.

My Bad

2007-09-09T22:10:00.000-05:00

So, I totally forgot to post the NFL weekly schedule and spreads...oh well, i have a feeling this will be a head to head competion anyway. But, I will definately post next weeks games and we can begin there. peace.

Leaving for more money?

2007-09-01T11:22:00.000-05:00

I find it rather strange that Tony Snow is leaving the White House for more money. It seems kind of weird that he would say something like that up front. Oh well, I enjoy watching all of Bush's minions bail on him. Good riddance.

On an unrelated note, it's college football season. It's awesome. I'm currently watching Virginia Tech play East Carolina. Kind of a boring game so far, maybe its time for my good old Saturday ritual of taking a nap while watching some football.

Suing bad bosses?

2007-08-29T11:09:00.001-05:00

Here's an interesting article on bad bosses. Obviously, there are some very real horror stories about abusive and terrible bosses. However, there is on element to this news story that really scares me. Should state legislatures enact laws that allow employees to essentially sue a boss because he or she is bad?

I don't think so. For every valid cause of action, there will be five or six ridiculous ones. Bosses have a target on their backs. The nature of their position of authority opens the door for resentment among people who are lower on the totem pole. Now, I'm not saying it's acceptable to be an asshole or overly demanding boss. We've all had on of those. I just think people would use laws like the proposed legislation in ways that it's not intended to be used. Yes, it's up to the courts to decide if a lawsuit is or is not valid, but at the same time the time spent throwing out a frivolous suit would be better spent on a more worthy cause.

Settling Inn

2007-08-27T23:34:00.000-05:00

So, I think we're going to try and kick this thing off again. Now that everyone has kind of settled in we should be able to update it semi-regularly. After this week, I will do my part. So anyway, I recently began listening to Loveline pretty avidly again. Since it is now available as a podcast, it is very convenient. Last week, the guest host was Aisha Tyler. Aisha Tyler is a hottie that's been in a lot of stuff over the past years. Anyway, they got on the topic of britney spears and lindsey lohand and the stupid shit they did. She went on to say that Americans have started believing that they're lives and the things they do don't mean anything unless someone is watching. And reality tv has just added to that ideal. I must say that I completely agree with her. If you're a celebrity, everyone is always watching you and when you become famous at a young age, the whole world sees the stupid shit you do. Luckily for me, I was able to do all my stupid shit in High school and college, and I got it all out of my system before I became famous (ok, so i'm not famous, but someday I will). So like all those times I passed out in the front yard or wherever, no one really saw because they were all passed out with me.
So that's basically a rundown of what Aisha said, but I thought it was very interesting and compeltely true. She really had no point to her story, except to stay in school and don't do stupid shit when everyone can see you do it.

On another note, Football season is coming. Soooo, we need to start picking teams each week. I think we should pick games each week throughout the season. I will make sure to post the weekly games as well as the spreads and over/unders. If this sounds like something of interest, let me know. The more people we can get to participate, the more fun it will be. I will make a spread sheet and stuff as well to easily keep track of things. Any takers? Let me know. peace

I'm back

2007-08-27T16:19:00.000-05:00

So I'd imagine that no one reads this blog because we don't update it. However, I'm back to regular posting. I recently underwent a period of great personal transformation. Hopefully, that will be evident in my writing. Actually, I moved and started law school, which will probably make my writing less interesting.

Anyway, the first topic is the start of soccer season in Spain ... or, rather, how Barcelona managed to tie with Racing Santander despite having the "quatro magnificos" (Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o and Henry). That pisses me off.

Here's a good round-up of la primara jornada. Check it out.

Lindsey HoHand: Get Out of My Fucking Way!!!

2007-08-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

HAHA, I thought this was a really funny title for a new porno. Coming soon to a store near you!

Hiatus

2007-07-22T18:10:00.000-05:00

Due to the inability of the authors to post on this blog regularly, we are taking a momentary hiatus. Hopefully we'll get this thing running again in August.

Live Earth ... will it last?

2007-07-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

So Live Earth reached people around the globe yesterday. It was pretty cool, especially with NBC's finale featuring John Mayer, Kanye West and the Police (see Sting above). My question is will anyone care in a few weeks? I'm somewhat skeptical because I think Americans (I only say this because I'm American and can't really speak for other nations) won't change their habits unless they can actually see the end of the world.

The public transportation where I live is basically non-existant. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never been on the city bus system in Grand Forks, ND. Unfortunately, the routes have never catered to my schedule. I used to work until 3 or 4 in the morning and the busses shut down much earlier. Now, I need my car because my job requires me to drive around town.

I guess I'm somewhat down on the good old US of A right now because I really do feel like we've become content with the status quo. We have the world's highest standard of living, yes, but other countries are catching up. I just read an article in Newsweek about how the United States is lagging far behind other nations in the development of broadband infrastructure. Everyone knows the Internet is driving the global ecomony. The U.S. is lagging. The Newsweek article cited a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which ranked the high-speed broadband adoption of 30 developed nations. The U.S. ranked 15th in April. That's not acceptable for a nation that prides itself on being a world leader in innovation.

It's too bad things like this and this are taking away from other imporant issues at the national level. Oh well, I guess I'm just waiting (waiting); waiting on the world to change.

Our Independence

2007-07-06T02:27:00.000-05:00

Well Happy fourth of July everyone. I know this is a couple days late, but we should be allowed to celebrate our independence everyday, shouldn't we? And I'd like to show my patriotism with this beautiful picture. I hope no one lost any limbs or lives while lighting off fireworks. Just as a little warning, this post is going to incorporate a number of things. so here goes.

First and foremost, I recently completed reading the book Flight by Sherman Alexie. It was AWESOME. For those of you who don't know, Sherman Alexie is a well renowned American Indian author and is most famous for writing the screenplay for Smoke Signals (a great movie by the by). The book was really good, and like all of his stuff, was quite funny. I literally finished this gem in like 2 days, and couldn't wait for the ending. I highly recommend it. This book also fits in well with our independence since we did take our land from the Indians. Next, I'd like to delve into a little sioux hockey.

I've been reading the Schlossman hockey blog daily now, and I am really quite disappointed in the shit people were saying about Brian Lee and his days at ND. The fact that he signed a pro contract speaks well of his ability and the Sioux hockey program in general, so kudos to him. Secondly, overall I felt he was a very solid dman. But enough of that he's gone, we'll see who steps into his shoes. I know one thing, it won't be six feet and seven inches of piled shit commonly referred to as Joe Finley. I'm just going to come out and say it...he sucks. You know it, I know it, it's no big secret. But maybe he won't suck as bad this year. come to think of it, is he even going to be back next year? moving on

There was another good article in the GFHerald about former player Matt Greene. Sounds like things are going well for him up in Edmonton. I still think he will be a household name in 5 years. Quote me on that. Well, assuming the NHL is still around in 5 years.

So thats it folks, another great post. Also, just got our DVR hooked up and i've been watching more tv than i thought possible. I've already mentioned how bad-a rob and big is. and i think pirate master comes in a close 2nd. that show is AAArrrrrrrsome. that's all i got i'm too tired(lazy) to write anything else. peace.

Bragging rights

2007-06-30T23:45:00.001-05:00

I always knew I was smarter than my siblings. Now I have this study backing me up in that claim. Anyway, this will be sure to spark some interesting debate regarding birth order. I have three siblings and the differences between me and the rest of them are sometimes tremendous. So, how much did birth order contribute to that? I don't know.

I just thought this was an interesting news story because I currently live with my younger brother. It's interesting to note the differences between us now that we are both twenty-somthings and not teenagers living at home. Do I think I'm smarter than him because I was born before him? No. But, I do think we see things and think about things in a slightly different way. It could be because I am the oldest and he is in the middle of the family. Or it could simply be a difference that is strictly there because we are two different people.

Are there any thoughts out there?

On an unrelated note, I'm going to have limited access to the Internet for the next month. I'll try to post as much as possible, but I apologize to my dedicated readers who might be thirsting for more.

Self-Made Man

2007-06-29T00:56:00.001-05:00

In the boring stuper that is currently my life, I have had plenty of time to read. And luckily for the few of you that stumble across this site, you have the pleasure of hearing about the recent books i've been delving into. I recently just finished "Self-Made Man" by Norah Vincent. It was very interesting and the complete opposite of what I thought it'd be and identical to my initial thoughts all at once. Does that make sense?

The author basically dresses up as a man for a year and a half to gain a better understand of manlihood. (this is another cool book since we're on the subject.) Anyway, as you might expect, the author herself is a lesbian. I feel this is important to state because she doesn't have any sexual feelings that might interfere with her research. After she becomes a he (and goes by the name of Ned) he puts himself in various social situations to interact with males. He ends up joining a bowling team, staying in a monestary, and even goes camping with an all male club. It is a really good book, and I recommend it to anyone, male or female. She has some very interesting thoughts on why men act the way we do. Anyway, check it out for yourselves. peace.

Watch this show...NOW damnit!!!

2007-06-24T01:38:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that I HATE MTV. However, I must say that Rob & Big is AWESOME. If you haven't seen it before, you should definately watch it. It stars Rob Dyrdek (pro-skateboarder), and his bodyguard/best friend/roomate "Big Black" aka Chris Boyken. It is, by far, the most hilarious show on television and for all of you people who still have morals, this show is super clean, if I had young child, I'd even let them watch it. Not only are Rob and Big super hilarious, but they have a funny dog, and a sweet new mini-horse. Catch the next episode. I haven't seen the first season yet, but the second season just started a month ago and it rocks. check it out if you get a chance. peace.

U.S. News and World Report rankings

2007-06-21T11:29:00.001-05:00

Here's an intersting little ditty in the NYT about some colleges not wanting to participate in the U.S. News and World report rankings. This is a bold move for the schools, but I think it's a good one. Those rankings really don't mean a whole lot to me, and did not play a factor in where I earned an undergraduate degree or where I will attend law school next year.

I'm a firm believer in the ideology that your college doesn't make your future, you do. Granted there are some pretty crappy schools out there, but there are also plenty of good ones, many of which will never crack the top 10 in the U.S. News and World report rankings.

The decision by the schools will have no impact on my life whatsoever, but maybe it will change things for some kids who get their hearts broken when they don't get into an Ivy League institution. Listen here kids: You'll be fine.

As for the U.S. News and World report ... I'll go to the schools I feel want me to be there. Not the ones you say I should go to. Besides, I'm too poor to actually buy the report.