Thursday, December 30, 2004
Week 17 NFL Picks, Final 2004 Regular Season Edition.
Cincinnati at Philadelphia
Cleveland at Houston
Detroit at Tennessee
Green Bay at Chicago
Miami at Baltimore
Minnesota at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina
N.Y. Jets at St. Louis
Pittsburgh at Buffalo
San Francisco at New England
Atlanta at Seattle
Tampa Bay at Arizona
Indianapolis at Denver
Jacksonville at Oakland
Kansas City at San Diego
Dallas at N.Y. Giants
8:37:00 AM
Week 16 NFL Picks Results.
Week 1: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 2: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 3: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 4: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 5: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 6: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 7: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 8: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 9: 7-7; 50%
Week 10: 6-8; 42.86% (My first losing week.)
Week 11: 11-5; 68.75% (My second best week.)
Week 12: 12-4; 75% (My best week.)
Week 13: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 14: 12-4; 75% (Tearing it up since Week 11.)
Week 15: 12-4; 75% (Continuing on my late-season push.)
Week 16: 9-7; 56.25%
Overall: 148-92; 61.66%
8:31:00 AM
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
The New York Times offers a look inside the world of literary journals and talks about one journal, Quick Fiction, and the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, which has a member directory.
11:49:00 AM
Books I Picked Up Recently.
"McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales," ed. Michael Chabon
"Best American Nonrequired Reading 2003," ed. Zadie Smith and Dave Eggers, series ed.
"Lapsing into a Comma," by Bill Walsh
"Choice: The Best of Reason," ed. Nick Gillespie
10:07:00 AM
Monday, December 27, 2004
I wonder what the Mothers Against Violence in America would have to say about this.
9:20:00 PM
Kevin Melrose points out the post-"Demo" interview at Newsarama with Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan.
6:55:00 PM
Glenn Reynolds offers some thoughts on Hugh Hewitt's new book about blogs, "Blog : Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World."
6:53:00 PM
What will I do with the test once I get it?
I was flipping through the channels last night on the television when I came across a commercial "advertising" the beauty of taking an HIV test. However, at the end of the commercial, there was a screen shot with the logo on it. Down at the bottom, I think, it read, "Get an HIV test." I'm not sure what I should do with it after I get it.
1:19:00 PM
Unused Spam.
Worry no more: something unusual
being bugged?
last notice to help you sit back and relax
can you make my party broke
like me? get back to me please
Actually see yourself looking
more Exploding teens!
Learn how to design your own
greatest city on Earth.
Hey Hunk
don't wait another year;
pictures are lonely in the military.
Don't get caught without protection:
Fill 'er up on us.
Addicted to gnomish cost?
Relax help is here.
1:07:00 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2004
To Read List, Third Update.
"The Post-Truth Era: Dishonesty and Deception in Contemporary Life," Ralph Keyes
"All the Laws but One: Civil Liberties in Wartime," William Rehnquist
"Atlas Shrugged," Ayn Rand
"The Politics Presidents Make," Stephen Skowronek
"Presidential War Power," Louis Fisher
"No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days," Chris Baty
"Who Let the Blogs Out? : A Hyperconnected Peek at the World of Weblogs," Biz Stone
"Choice: The Best of Reason," ed. Nick Gillespie
"Mimesis and the Human Animal," Robert Storey
"Literary Darwinism: Evolution, Human Nature, and Literature," Joseph Carroll
8:27:00 PM
My Christmas Present to Myself?
Probably most of these:
A.K.A. #1 & 2
All Flee
Attic Wit
Dinosaur Song
Kharma Comic
Monica's Story
One Line
Reporter and Little Black
Sisyphus
White Elephant
3:25:00 PM
Stop Me Before I Blitz, Special Christmas Eve Edition.
Game tied at 31, Green Bay had the ball and was facing 1-and-10 from the Minnesota 38. At that spot, it would be a 55-yard field goal attempt for the win. If Minnesota holds them, the figgie is no sure bet. Anyway, it's a blitz! Quick flat completion to Javon Walker, who put a move on the defender and ran 31 yards down the sideline before being pushed out of bounds at the Minny 7.
9:10:00 AM
The tastefully named Gregg Easterbrook has written in his Tuesday Morning Quarterback column that the playoffs should be held with the teams with the best records, not necessarily making an even split among conference lines.
For example, this year, as of today, the representatives in the playoffs would be Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New England, San Diego, Indianapolis, Atlanta, New York B, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Denver and Buffalo -- assuming that the division winners do not get an automatic berth, as Seattle leads its division with a 7-7 record. This would mean that of the 12 playoff teams, nine would be from the AFC and only three from the NFC, a disproportionate number.
Now, I tend to agree with the tastefully named NFL.com columnist, but I have a question regarding his argument for the above playoff restructuring: How would the playoffs be restructured?
If this were to be instituted, it would be the instant death of the AFC and NFC Championship games -- not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, however, it's just a natural conclusion. If an even split of teams were to enter the playoffs, six from each conference, the championship games could be held, but there's no guarantee that they will be held each year. I don't have a problem with losing the championship games so long as it means the best teams enter the playoffs each year.
However, I think that simply eliminating an even split for playoff teams from the playoffs would not be a far enough push. With 12 teams earning playoff bids, that's currently 37.5% of the teams who earn a spot in the playoffs -- way too many. The playoffs should be for the elite football teams -- and that's what Easterbrook is pushing with his argument. I think only eight teams should earn playoff berths in the new system, meaning only 25% of the teams earn a playoff spot.
However, if the league were to implement that, it would be hard to format the post-season scheduling. Consider: say only the top two teams earn a first-round bye, that would mean six teams must play. But three games? That would give an odd number of winners.
With 10 teams, 31.25% of the league, either two teams would need to play twice in one week or the top two teams would earn byes for the firs two weeks, both of which are fringe scenarios. With six teams, 18.75% of the league, the format would work out nicely, but only six teams would earn playoff spots, meaning the playoffs would be quite short. I'm not sure where I was going with this other than to put my thoughts in words.
8:39:00 AM
Friday, December 24, 2004
Have I ever written about how great Scott McCloud is? He's only passed on information about BitPass and, now, Mperia.
8:30:00 AM
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Week 16 NFL Picks.
Green Bay at Minnesota
Oakland at Kansas City
Denver at Tennessee
Atlanta at New Orleans
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Chicago at Detroit
Houston at Jacksonville
N.Y. Giants at Cincinnati
San Diego at Indianapolis
Buffalo at San Francisco
New England at N.Y. Jets
Arizona at Seattle
Carolina at Tampa Bay
Washington at Dallas
Cleveland at Miami
Philadelphia at St. Louis
1:40:00 PM
St. Louis Post-Dispatch fired staff writer Daniel P. Finney after company brass found out Finney had been working on a blog from work in which he posted under a different name and wrote about happenings in the paper, including some of the stories on which he was working.
1:34:00 PM
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
News about the next "Real World" season has broken. What I found really interesting was this:
Murray also wouldn't say where the house is, and he was tightlipped on the identities of the seven strangers, though he said his casting staff did "a bit of an outreach to people returning from Iraq." "We always look for a diverse cast," Murray told the AP. "The idea of someone who was in Iraq, well, that would certainly meet that criteria. Ultimately, we choose from people who apply."
6:19:00 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Week 15 NFL Pick Results.
Week 1: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 2: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 3: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 4: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 5: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 6: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 7: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 8: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 9: 7-7; 50%
Week 10: 6-8; 42.86% (My first losing week.)
Week 11: 11-5; 68.75% (My second best week.)
Week 12: 12-4; 75% (My best week.)
Week 13: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 14: 12-4; 75% (Tearing it up since Week 11.)
Week 15: 12-4; 75% (Continuing on my late-season push.)
Overall: 139-85; 62.05%
10:11:00 AM
Monday, December 20, 2004
I always seem to be a few days late catching up to the Carnival of the Recipes, but they're usually well worth it. Highlights this week: Sicillian Meatloaf and Poor Man's BBQ.
3:22:00 PM
Friday, December 17, 2004
Week 15 NFL Picks.
Pittsburgh at N.Y. Giants
Washington at San Francisco
Carolina at Atlanta
Buffalo at Cincinnati
Dallas at Philadelphia
Denver at Kansas City
Houston at Chicago
Minnesota at Detroit
San Diego at Cleveland
Seattle at N.Y. Jets
New Orleans at Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Arizona
Jacksonville at Green Bay
Tennessee at Oakland
Baltimore at Indianapolis
New England at Miami
6:44:00 PM
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Week 14 NFL Pick Results.
Week 1: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 2: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 3: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 4: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 5: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 6: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 7: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 8: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 9: 7-7; 50%
Week 10: 6-8; 42.86% (My first losing week.)
Week 11: 11-5; 68.75% (My second best week.)
Week 12: 12-4; 75% (My best week.)
Week 13: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 14: 12-4; 75% (Tearing it up since Week 11.)
Overall: 127-81; 61.06%
7:21:00 PM
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
NFL Post-season Predictions.
Here's my take on the post-season picture:
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
Wildcard: New York Jets
Wildcard: Buffalo Bills
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks
Wildcard: Minnesota Vikings
Wildcard: Carolina Panthers
10:57:00 AM
Sunday, December 12, 2004
A couple of days ago, the Toronto Star offered a good read on how films about history generally tell more about the time in which the film was made than the time in which the film is set.
(Link via ArtsJournal.)
10:42:00 AM
The Washington Post offers How to Start a Winning Blog.
(Link via Instapundit.)
10:40:00 AM
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Class Registration Spam.
Don't get Scrooged; Super deals are alive!
All the luxury, none of the guilt.
Never sweep again into the orchestra and
your profile looks great.
Get ready to roll: Earth is not round;
You've Struck Gold; My name is Christy.
If you like to eat, you'll love this
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Account transfer: how are you today?
let's have drinks? are you married?
You always lose with the ladies;
is it funny?
9:23:00 AM
Week 14 NFL Picks.
Chicago at Jacksonville
Cincinnati at New England
Cleveland at Buffalo
Indianapolis at Houston
New Orleans at Dallas
N.Y. Giants at Baltimore
Oakland at Atlanta
Seattle at Minnesota
Miami at Denver
N.Y. Jets at Pittsburgh
Detroit at Green Bay
San Francisco at Arizona
St. Louis at Carolina
Tampa Bay at San Diego
Philadelphia at Washington
Kansas City at Tennessee
9:08:00 AM
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Wikipedia is a great, great site; have I ever mentioned that? It's been the only place I can remember where I learned about the slight, subtle difference between panspermia and directed panspermia.
7:21:00 PM
Stanley Kauffman at The New Republic has a review of the movie "Sideways."
Yet, unlike the earlier film, Sideways is a comedy. Its comic beginnings are what delay its serious impact, not because they are comic but because they seem to predict a somewhat familiar story. Miles is a schoolteacher in San Diego, a would-be novelist and a wine lover, who goes off to northern California with an old college chum for a week of wine tasting. (Casually drinking while they drive, too.) The chum, Jack, is a good-looking fellow, full of sun-kissed charm, big and a touch overripe, a former soap-opera actor who is congenitally cheery. Jack is engaged to be married on the next Saturday. When he and Miles set off together, we know the film wouldn't have been made if changes were not coming for both of them, but little in the opening section makes us expect more than tolerable entertainment--from this pairing of an introvert and a hearty good fellow.
7:19:00 PM
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Week 13 NFL Pick Results.
Week 1: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 2: 9-7; 56.25%
Week 3: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 4: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 5: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 6: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 7: 10-4; 71.43%
Week 8: 8-6; 57.14%
Week 9: 7-7; 50%
Week 10: 6-8; 42.86% (My first losing week.)
Week 11: 11-5; 68.75% (My second best week.)
Week 12: 12-4; 75% (My best week.)
Week 13: 9-7; 56.25%
Overall: 115-77; 59.90%
8:17:00 AM
Monday, December 06, 2004
The Chicago Sun-Times sits down with Bill Rancic, the winner of the first season of "The Apprentice".
This exchange was pretty amusing:
He's getting pretty used to people recognizing him, but the interest they have in his personal life still weirds him out a bit. The "what happened with Jen?" question is among his least favorite, he says, as I make a mental note to try getting the real story out of him. Later.
He says people also frequently ask "if there's anything I would have done differently."
"Look," he says after a comic pause, "I won the damn thing!"
The second season is scheduled to end Dec. 16. Only two episodes left.
8:31:00 PM
Factsheet 5 touts itself as "your guide to zines and alternative publishing." I've been looking for a listing of Wisconsin literary zines, but haven't done a lot of searching. Hopefully this site will have what I need.
(Tip NeilAlien.)
8:30:00 PM
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Week 13 NFL Picks.
Arizona at Detroit
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Buffalo at Miami
Carolina at New Orleans
Cincinnati at Baltimore
Houston at N.Y. Jets
Minnesota at Chicago
New England at Cleveland
San Francisco at St. Louis
Tennessee at Indianapolis
Denver at San Diego
Kansas City at Oakland
Green Bay at Philadelphia
N.Y. Giants at Washington
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville
Dallas at Seattle
9:03:00 AM
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
The Washington Post also had a story on how newspapers may inflate circulation numbers and how circulation numbers nationwide have been falling since 1987.
7:21:00 PM
This is a great article, and a good insight into covering this administration.
7:13:00 PM
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