For those of you who aren’t in the mood to hear someone complain, stop reading now. This post is going to be a bit of a rant.
I’m sick and tired of the news blowing everything out of proportion. Everything is “breaking news” or fear or hype. The facts don’t seem to matter anymore…or at least only half of the facts matter. I guess if you make a big enough deal about something or talk about it long enough, however small it is, it becomes important. It seems that the news only reports what it wants to or at least a slightly twisted version of the facts.
I know this is hardly “breaking news” to any of you. This isn’t even a political rant about the liberal media…in fact, most of this rant is about Fox News although the rest of them are just as guilty. I guess when you have to fill the airwaves with news 24 hours a day, you HAVE to blow things out of proportion to create enough material. That’s right, I’m saying these channels “create” the news.
This brings me to the whole swine flu nonsense. Ok, I’m not necessarily saying that the swine flu is nonsense…but how it’s being portrayed is utter foolishness. If you turn on the news you’ll see things like a global map with the entire continent of North America in red…or you’ll see a map of the United States with half of the states colored in with swine flu. Next, they’ll flash a graphic up that reads: WHO (World Health Organization) Confirms Swine Flu Pandemic Imminent. Or, New York City Mayor States Thousands Likely Infected. Why do they subject us to such nonsense?
Don’t get me wrong, swine flu has (and can be) very dangerous. However, if you watch the news you would be led to believe that half the population of the world is going to die from swine flu tomorrow. They can’t even get the numbers right! Let me give you some real facts straight from the WHO website today – as confirmed by the U.S.A. and Mexican governments:
U.S.A. - Confirmed cases: 109, Deaths: 1
Mexico – Confirmed cases: 97, Deaths: 7
Hmm…let’s see. There are approximately 300 million people in the United States and 110 million people in Mexico. By my calculations that’s an infection rate of 0.000036% and 0.000088% respectively. But I thought I heard hundreds and hundreds of people had died from this already? The 1 death in the United States was a child. Did you know that according to the CDC website, there have already been 55 reported pediatric deaths this flu season (2008-2009) alone from the NORMAL flu? Rubbish – absolute rubbish!
Perhaps the more disturbing point I have to make is that people actually believe this garbage. Are people really that stupid or lazy? Are people’s lives really that boring/shallow that they want to believe – that they want drama created for them? Do their ears hear what they want to hear? Seriously, wake up people. I’m not trying to downplay anything, just highlight the utter garbage (and lies, if you want to go that far) that you will see on the news – Fox included. The swine flu is just one small example of what I am subjected to everyday at lunch in the gym when I forget my headphones. It always goes to the extreme – to the worst case scenario. It’s just like Chicken Little telling you the sky is falling. Whatever.
So, I suggest you tune out as I have…unless you like to listen to BS and 100% negativity. It really does affect you, your outlook, and even your faith if you let it get that far. At the very least, know that what you hear or read probably isn’t entirely true…so if you don’t want to stop watching, then just sit back and enjoy the spectacle called “news” that’s rotting your brain.
What? A bus hit a light pole thousands and thousands of miles away in Philadelphia (actual post-swine flu story news)? Yes! Now THAT’S news!
30 April 2009
27 April 2009
United 5 - 2 Tottenham
It's been two months since I last posted about Spurs. Ironically, in that post on 25 February I mentioned that I was going to limit my updates on Spurs to once a week. Ha.
For those of you who don't follow the league (or sport), since that last post 2 months ago Tottenham have been on fire. We've climbed about 10 places in the league, and are now fighting for the last European spot (7th place). What's amazing is that this season was our worst EVER start to a league campaign in club history (since 1882)...yet if we concede less then 2 goals in our final 2 home games we'll beat our all-time record for fewest home goals conceded in a league season. If that doesn't tell you how much we've turned it around, I don't know what does. At the very least, it really shows you how crazy this year has been.
This past Saturday Stacey and I went up to Denver to watch the game at the British Bulldog Pub. The group "Colorado Spurs" meet there each time a live league match is televised at a decent hour. Unfortunately, no one really showed up from the group. As a side note, don't order a beer at 10:30 in the morning. It makes you really tired the rest of the day. I guess I didn't know that since I've never had beer for breakfast. OK, not really. I ordered lunch with it shortly thereafter but the "tired point" still stands.
Anyway, after the first half things were looking great. We were 2-0 up and cruising to a victory against the current World, European, and English Champions at their stadium. I was getting ready to send Matt an email with the final score in the subject line and only the words "you're welcome" typed in the body of the message. Then, around the 60' mark it all fell apart.
I can't completely blame England's "best referee" for blowing the call. After all, he was on the other side of the play then the television camera. But, even in full-speed when it happened live, I could see Gomes (the goalie) push away the ball before Carrick even got to him. I don't know what Steven from WSD is smoking - the play wasn't even close (see the below photo). Despite everyone from Spurs going mental at the call, Howard Webb stuck to his first decision and awarded a penalty kick to United.
With that call, the referee completely changed the game. You can't say that he lost the game for Spurs, but he sure did change it. After the penalty kick went in, the onslaught from United was on. About 10 minutes later they proceeded to knock in 3 goals in the space of 4 minutes. It was a good thing I was almost done with my burger because those last few bites went down like broken glass. I wasn't hungry anymore but I preferred to stare at my plate and eat my food instead of looking at the television or the United fans dancing about.
Would Spurs have won or tied the game if that penalty had not been awarded? We'll never know. How each team reacted after the call is a completely different topic (United could smell blood and Spurs folded under the pressure). At least Webb (the referee) was man enough to come out today and annouce to the media that he blew the call. But the question still remains in Spurs fans minds...what if?
By the way, this isn't the first monumental collapse or royal screw-job that Spurs fans have experienced. It just comes with the territory (i.e. think Red Sox until recently). Although it's only a game, I still think the quote I heard the other day pretty much sums it up. When asked why he is a Spurs fan, a man replied, "because the pain lets me know that I'm still alive." Classic.
For those of you who don't follow the league (or sport), since that last post 2 months ago Tottenham have been on fire. We've climbed about 10 places in the league, and are now fighting for the last European spot (7th place). What's amazing is that this season was our worst EVER start to a league campaign in club history (since 1882)...yet if we concede less then 2 goals in our final 2 home games we'll beat our all-time record for fewest home goals conceded in a league season. If that doesn't tell you how much we've turned it around, I don't know what does. At the very least, it really shows you how crazy this year has been.
This past Saturday Stacey and I went up to Denver to watch the game at the British Bulldog Pub. The group "Colorado Spurs" meet there each time a live league match is televised at a decent hour. Unfortunately, no one really showed up from the group. As a side note, don't order a beer at 10:30 in the morning. It makes you really tired the rest of the day. I guess I didn't know that since I've never had beer for breakfast. OK, not really. I ordered lunch with it shortly thereafter but the "tired point" still stands.
Anyway, after the first half things were looking great. We were 2-0 up and cruising to a victory against the current World, European, and English Champions at their stadium. I was getting ready to send Matt an email with the final score in the subject line and only the words "you're welcome" typed in the body of the message. Then, around the 60' mark it all fell apart.
I can't completely blame England's "best referee" for blowing the call. After all, he was on the other side of the play then the television camera. But, even in full-speed when it happened live, I could see Gomes (the goalie) push away the ball before Carrick even got to him. I don't know what Steven from WSD is smoking - the play wasn't even close (see the below photo). Despite everyone from Spurs going mental at the call, Howard Webb stuck to his first decision and awarded a penalty kick to United.
With that call, the referee completely changed the game. You can't say that he lost the game for Spurs, but he sure did change it. After the penalty kick went in, the onslaught from United was on. About 10 minutes later they proceeded to knock in 3 goals in the space of 4 minutes. It was a good thing I was almost done with my burger because those last few bites went down like broken glass. I wasn't hungry anymore but I preferred to stare at my plate and eat my food instead of looking at the television or the United fans dancing about.
Would Spurs have won or tied the game if that penalty had not been awarded? We'll never know. How each team reacted after the call is a completely different topic (United could smell blood and Spurs folded under the pressure). At least Webb (the referee) was man enough to come out today and annouce to the media that he blew the call. But the question still remains in Spurs fans minds...what if?
By the way, this isn't the first monumental collapse or royal screw-job that Spurs fans have experienced. It just comes with the territory (i.e. think Red Sox until recently). Although it's only a game, I still think the quote I heard the other day pretty much sums it up. When asked why he is a Spurs fan, a man replied, "because the pain lets me know that I'm still alive." Classic.
23 April 2009
The Four Corners Update
Well ladies and gentlemen, Dave Doyal, the chief geodetic surveyor for the National Geodetic Survey, which defines and manages a national coordinate system, says I HAVE visited the Four Corners (as I suspected).
The long and the short of the article is that the marker is 2.5 miles off if starting from the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England. In fact, the original mandated measurements were supposed to be based on the Washington Meridian, which runs through Washington D.C. Using the D.C. meridian, the monument is only 1,800 feet east of the true spot. When you consider the types of primitive surveying instruments/tools they used, 1,800 feet is actually quite impressive.
In any case, the measurement differences don't matter anymore - as I stated in my previous post and as Doyle confirms. "The monument controls. Where the marker is now is accepted, Doyle said. Even if it's 10 miles off, once it's adopted by the states, which it has been, the numerical errors are irrelevant. It becomes the legal definition of the Four Corners."
Whew. Good to know I haven't lived "a bit of a lie".
The long and the short of the article is that the marker is 2.5 miles off if starting from the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England. In fact, the original mandated measurements were supposed to be based on the Washington Meridian, which runs through Washington D.C. Using the D.C. meridian, the monument is only 1,800 feet east of the true spot. When you consider the types of primitive surveying instruments/tools they used, 1,800 feet is actually quite impressive.
In any case, the measurement differences don't matter anymore - as I stated in my previous post and as Doyle confirms. "The monument controls. Where the marker is now is accepted, Doyle said. Even if it's 10 miles off, once it's adopted by the states, which it has been, the numerical errors are irrelevant. It becomes the legal definition of the Four Corners."
Whew. Good to know I haven't lived "a bit of a lie".
21 April 2009
The Four Corners
This is me in 4 states at one time...or so I thought.
Did you hear the news today? The initial survey measurements taken in 1868 of Colorado's southern border were inaccurate...meaning the actual location of the 4 corners is really 2.5 miles east/northeast of where this picture was taken. Apparently, the true location lies within the currently accepted borders of Colorado...meaning I'm squatting like an idiot in the middle of nowhere Arizona. I want my $6 back.
Here's the thing though. If the measurements were off, does this mean that Colorado is going to have to give up that land to the 3 other states? If all of the states involved had previously agreed that the physical location/boundaries are where this picture was taken, doesn't that technically mean that this still would be considered the 4 corners? Unless the physical state lines are redrawn, this place is still the 4 corners even if the original measurements were off, right?
It's like my and my neighbor's front lawn that share a property boundary. There is an official property line somewhere, but in practice my lawn starts and stops with the line drawn by my sprinkler system. Does my sprinkler system perfectly straddle the property line? Not likely. So, in reality is the true property line what it says on the map or where the sprinkler system is laid? Practically speaking (not legally speaking), the real property line is where the sprinkler system lies. So, using that example the current 4 corners location is still legit until everyone agrees to move it...and even if they move the 4 corners it won't change the fact that when I visited the location it was the 4 corners. I'm going to stick to that...mainly because I don't want to have to drive down to the middle of nowhere again and pay another $6.
Did you hear the news today? The initial survey measurements taken in 1868 of Colorado's southern border were inaccurate...meaning the actual location of the 4 corners is really 2.5 miles east/northeast of where this picture was taken. Apparently, the true location lies within the currently accepted borders of Colorado...meaning I'm squatting like an idiot in the middle of nowhere Arizona. I want my $6 back.
Here's the thing though. If the measurements were off, does this mean that Colorado is going to have to give up that land to the 3 other states? If all of the states involved had previously agreed that the physical location/boundaries are where this picture was taken, doesn't that technically mean that this still would be considered the 4 corners? Unless the physical state lines are redrawn, this place is still the 4 corners even if the original measurements were off, right?
It's like my and my neighbor's front lawn that share a property boundary. There is an official property line somewhere, but in practice my lawn starts and stops with the line drawn by my sprinkler system. Does my sprinkler system perfectly straddle the property line? Not likely. So, in reality is the true property line what it says on the map or where the sprinkler system is laid? Practically speaking (not legally speaking), the real property line is where the sprinkler system lies. So, using that example the current 4 corners location is still legit until everyone agrees to move it...and even if they move the 4 corners it won't change the fact that when I visited the location it was the 4 corners. I'm going to stick to that...mainly because I don't want to have to drive down to the middle of nowhere again and pay another $6.
20 April 2009
Happy Little Trees
Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon hugging trees…and today, 4/20, I’m blogging about it. Allsome dude. So in that spirit…
I’ve been waiting all winter for the weather to warm up so I could begin some landscaping work at our house. Now that the “grass” is turning green, I decided to buy 6 Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees (the Canadian laws are much more liberal). The best looking “specimens” I found each had their own “pot” and were just starting to show new “buds”. The checkout lady, “Mary Jane”, was very nice. After I “rolled” them off of the cart and into the back of my truck, I “toke” them home. It took me about “4 hours and 20 minutes” to plant them along our driveway. Afterwards I was a little light headed, but mostly I just had the “munchies” from all the hard work.
Ok, all joking aside, I think they look "smokin". In person they add a lot to that side of our house. In the coming months I’ll be tackling the area in front of our house and the other side of the house. If all goes well and I am super-motivated, I might even do some work on the dirt patch we call our backyard.
p.s. this winter we are going to put Christmas “lights” on these trees – very “smooth”! :)
I’ve been waiting all winter for the weather to warm up so I could begin some landscaping work at our house. Now that the “grass” is turning green, I decided to buy 6 Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees (the Canadian laws are much more liberal). The best looking “specimens” I found each had their own “pot” and were just starting to show new “buds”. The checkout lady, “Mary Jane”, was very nice. After I “rolled” them off of the cart and into the back of my truck, I “toke” them home. It took me about “4 hours and 20 minutes” to plant them along our driveway. Afterwards I was a little light headed, but mostly I just had the “munchies” from all the hard work.
Ok, all joking aside, I think they look "smokin". In person they add a lot to that side of our house. In the coming months I’ll be tackling the area in front of our house and the other side of the house. If all goes well and I am super-motivated, I might even do some work on the dirt patch we call our backyard.
p.s. this winter we are going to put Christmas “lights” on these trees – very “smooth”! :)
16 April 2009
Stories From Lake Wobe-Julia
One of the benefits of staying home sick this week was that I was able to spend some extra time with Julia. She's got quite the personality now and is getting cuter by the day. Even though we are definitely biased, we have yet to meet another baby her age that is as cute as she is...no seriously, she really is the cutest kid around. So, here are two stories from Tuesday that I hope you enjoy.
Story 1
I was watching Julia while Stacey was out getting her hair cut. As usual, I was holding her. Every time we pick her up from a nursery, a staff member is ALWAYS holding her. Anyway, I sat down at my laptop and brought up some pictures that I took last summer. Eventually I brought up a picture of myself, and pointed to the screen while saying "Daddy". She looked at the screen, looked at me, looked back at the screen, and then back at me. A few seconds passed and she got a really big smile on her face...and then practically flung herself against my shoulder and gave me a big hug. It was really funny to watch her process the idea of two of me at the same time with the result being a big hug.
Story 2
When Julia gets hungry she usually runs to the pantry door and asks for food. We have all sorts of kiddie snacks and I usually stand there with her long enough for her to tell me what she wants to eat. This time we went to the pantry and she looked around but didn't say much. So, I pulled out a little chocolate Easter egg that was hiding in the corner. Her eyes got really big and excited, so I handed it to her. I laughed and closed the door, only to look back at her and realize that she was waiting patiently with pursed lips, head back, eyes half closed, wanting to give me a kiss. How cute is that? I gave her an extra special treat that time and she expressed her excitement and appreciation by giving me a kiss.
I'm sure my accounts of these stories don't do them justice...but they were really funny and totally adorable. I guess you just had to be there.
Story 1
I was watching Julia while Stacey was out getting her hair cut. As usual, I was holding her. Every time we pick her up from a nursery, a staff member is ALWAYS holding her. Anyway, I sat down at my laptop and brought up some pictures that I took last summer. Eventually I brought up a picture of myself, and pointed to the screen while saying "Daddy". She looked at the screen, looked at me, looked back at the screen, and then back at me. A few seconds passed and she got a really big smile on her face...and then practically flung herself against my shoulder and gave me a big hug. It was really funny to watch her process the idea of two of me at the same time with the result being a big hug.
Story 2
When Julia gets hungry she usually runs to the pantry door and asks for food. We have all sorts of kiddie snacks and I usually stand there with her long enough for her to tell me what she wants to eat. This time we went to the pantry and she looked around but didn't say much. So, I pulled out a little chocolate Easter egg that was hiding in the corner. Her eyes got really big and excited, so I handed it to her. I laughed and closed the door, only to look back at her and realize that she was waiting patiently with pursed lips, head back, eyes half closed, wanting to give me a kiss. How cute is that? I gave her an extra special treat that time and she expressed her excitement and appreciation by giving me a kiss.
I'm sure my accounts of these stories don't do them justice...but they were really funny and totally adorable. I guess you just had to be there.
14 April 2009
Suddath - Represent!
Well, our neighbors to the north of us are finally moving. Being a Marine family, I guess it was inevitable.
On Saturday the new owners stopped by to do a final walk through. We knew that they were coming at 10:00, so we hung out in the kitchen to spy on them! Much to my delight, a young guy and girl (mid twenties?) showed up with their little girl and their parents. Later we found out that their names are Adam and Shauna (or something like that) and their little 10-month old girl is named...I'm not making this up...Julia! So, we've already got the A and the S and the Julia covered. I told Stacey that I already liked him since he showed up wearing running shoes, a baseball cap, and a t-shirt that had a North Face logo on the back. Oh, and they are also first time home buyers moving in on or around Easter weekend. Weird. I wonder what else we'll have in common?
So, back to the outgoing owners. Their moving truck rolled up this morning. Represent! For all your moving and relocation needs, please visit www.suddath.com!
p.s. our last name is so uncommon, the chances of relationship to this alternate spelling of our last name is probably pretty high.
p.p.s. notice the snow is already gone?
On Saturday the new owners stopped by to do a final walk through. We knew that they were coming at 10:00, so we hung out in the kitchen to spy on them! Much to my delight, a young guy and girl (mid twenties?) showed up with their little girl and their parents. Later we found out that their names are Adam and Shauna (or something like that) and their little 10-month old girl is named...I'm not making this up...Julia! So, we've already got the A and the S and the Julia covered. I told Stacey that I already liked him since he showed up wearing running shoes, a baseball cap, and a t-shirt that had a North Face logo on the back. Oh, and they are also first time home buyers moving in on or around Easter weekend. Weird. I wonder what else we'll have in common?
So, back to the outgoing owners. Their moving truck rolled up this morning. Represent! For all your moving and relocation needs, please visit www.suddath.com!
p.s. our last name is so uncommon, the chances of relationship to this alternate spelling of our last name is probably pretty high.
p.p.s. notice the snow is already gone?
12 April 2009
Easter in Colorado
Well, my self-imposed blogging hiatus for Lent is over. Honestly, I haven't missed it that much!
This has been a very weird Easter weekend, probably because my Mom is in Fargo and every one (including the cat and dog) except Stacey has vomited multiple times the past few days. Too much information?
No church, no family, no fun - and to top it off, no sunshine!
This has been a very weird Easter weekend, probably because my Mom is in Fargo and every one (including the cat and dog) except Stacey has vomited multiple times the past few days. Too much information?
No church, no family, no fun - and to top it off, no sunshine!
04 April 2009
01 April 2009
The Daily Routine
This is what I see every morning when I pull out of the garage and head to work. I finally decided to take a picture of it today, since at some point it will stop happening. It's pretty funny that I have a crowd seeing me off each morning.
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