tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58210152011-06-23T16:31:19.559-04:00snap judgments about pop culture, sports, politics, etc.snaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847977279188942478noreply@blogger.comBlogger11711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-24132582343716419532008-07-09T18:00:00.003-04:002008-07-09T18:01:42.778-04:00

Re-programming the Showbiz Pizza Place's Rock-afire Explosion to play modern songs. Man, I used to love this place.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-15078470883733124402008-06-25T10:55:00.002-04:002008-06-25T10:56:09.588-04:00

It's been a while, but this Joel Achenbach piece on GPS navigation was worth posting for.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-28897054742334156252008-05-02T16:40:00.001-04:002008-05-02T16:40:28.466-04:00

Facebook in real-life...

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-12511764311436578362008-04-25T16:55:00.001-04:002008-04-25T16:56:42.179-04:00

as soon as I post that pinball story, i see that gawker has ripped into it, saying it's a rehash of a BusinessWeek story from a few years ago.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-43848631047109064862008-04-25T16:44:00.001-04:002008-04-25T16:45:40.583-04:00

A story about the last pinball manufacturer in the world. That's kind of sad.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-31655228188389253922008-04-03T14:14:00.002-04:002008-04-03T14:20:46.763-04:00

The New Kids on the Block are reuniting! Everyone get out your old issues of Tiger Beat (with fold-out posters of Jonathan Brandis or Scott Baio) to get autographed at their upcoming world tour.Clearly, this isn't going to be some trip down memory lane: "'I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material,' said Wahlberg, 38....But he added: 'We absolutely will do the

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-12596580779984754672008-04-02T12:03:00.003-04:002008-04-02T12:09:46.379-04:00

An op-ed in the Times describes the benefits of willpower thusly:[C]onsistently doing any activity that requires self-control seems to increase willpower — and the ability to resist impulses and delay gratification is highly associated with success in life.And then there's this from George Will:The sometimes terrible truth is that being a sports fan is a physical phenomenon as well as a

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-34482916413989032252008-04-01T11:10:00.001-04:002008-04-01T11:11:49.039-04:00

I don't think we'll ever see a harvest quite like 1957's bounty:

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-44054444272743296302008-03-31T09:53:00.000-04:002008-03-31T09:54:21.801-04:00

I am having a productive morning:

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-42114888652876044332008-03-31T09:11:00.001-04:002008-03-31T09:13:36.952-04:00

I can only assume that Cassie must have visited one of the local nightclub establishments where teens hang out and perform spontaneous, elaborately choreographed one-on-one dance competitions to the music of a young gentleman named Soulja Boy, among others," head instructor James Tillingford said. "Of course, there's no way Cassie could have infiltrated this subculture, unless she entered a

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-64091372235409653262008-03-31T08:42:00.001-04:002008-03-31T08:43:38.971-04:00

In an electronic feature of the New York Times. And an article about the artist who's done all 400+.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-49650221333317698382008-03-25T13:59:00.000-04:002008-03-25T14:02:03.843-04:00

I am on a youtube kick:

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-49965457111631708392008-03-24T16:33:00.002-04:002008-03-24T16:35:40.725-04:00

A fascinating history of the video game console. TurboGrafx16, 3DO, Sega CD, how we don't miss thee.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-23513135825464703792008-03-24T13:56:00.000-04:002008-03-24T13:57:03.571-04:00

It's from 2004, but it still works:

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-3312342229078992382008-03-21T11:03:00.003-04:002008-03-21T11:07:46.288-04:00

I never had Prodigy, but had friends who did, and I remember those days of staring at the computer screen for minutes while some news story or page of baseball statistics loaded up over a 14k or 28k modem. Man, those were the days. I mean, literally. That's what it felt like.In any case, Deadspin alerts us to this NYT story from 1992 on the early days of computer-assisted fantasy baseball. It

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-87307342412856549992008-03-19T13:01:00.003-04:002008-03-19T13:04:02.613-04:00

[found on digg]

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-3849774632432475532008-03-19T08:02:00.001-04:002008-03-19T08:03:18.109-04:00

Brilliant. [The Onion]

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-42193682703306488402008-03-14T10:09:00.001-04:002008-03-14T10:11:09.672-04:00

Here's reason #1 why hockey is the best spectator sport at the University of Michigan.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-3943858131808583102008-03-13T13:24:00.001-04:002008-03-13T13:28:26.260-04:00

From the New York Times, an article on the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-27128297569456412312008-03-12T16:19:00.004-04:002008-03-12T16:21:54.039-04:00

If you looked like Nicholas Cage, how would you exploit the celebrity-impersonating opportunities? An Italian TV personality duped Real Madrid into thinking he was Nick Cage, posing for photos with the players and then sitting in the owners box for the Real / AS Roma Champions League game. Well played, sir. That's way more useful than trying to use your resemblance to pick up women in bars.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-8287828038188617292008-03-07T12:01:00.003-05:002008-03-07T12:03:12.379-05:00

And yes, I just dropped a Lil' Romeo lyrics reference on you:A Hot Prospect? Lil' Romeo's scholarship to USC is a perfect L.A. story, involving a music mogul, a child TV star and basketball. [From the WSJ]Nothing wrong with giving an injured 5'10" point guard who averages 9 points a game a scholarship to one of the top programs in the country. Nope.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-52137145732497212942008-03-04T10:44:00.001-05:002008-03-04T10:46:56.307-05:00

Career Record vs. Bears: 22-10Career Record at Soldier Field: 12-3Touchdowns vs. Bears: 55[I love that picture, it's from Deadspin]

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-90057879001362306372008-02-25T20:28:00.001-05:002008-02-25T20:28:37.258-05:00

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-89374994457230602432008-02-22T10:00:00.004-05:002008-02-22T10:13:28.864-05:00

Here are my choices and my predictions for this year's Oscars:Best Picture My Choice: No Country for Old MenPrediction: No Country for Old MenBest ActorMy Choice: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be BloodPrediction: Daniel Day-LewisBest Actress My Choice: ? (I've only seen Juno out of the five films)Prediction: Julie Christie, Away from HerBest Supporting Actor My Choice: Javier Bardem, No Country

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-76248806922228231722008-02-21T18:47:00.002-05:002008-02-21T18:50:02.694-05:00

Just look at the graph, gas will need to rise by 40% to align with oil prices. $4.23 a gallon anyone? [From Felix Salmon.]

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-4529678588434360482008-02-20T17:52:00.001-05:002008-02-20T17:53:43.742-05:00

If I was unemployed, I might have started this:Stuff White People Like

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-91699747561731685562008-02-14T08:56:00.003-05:002008-02-14T09:02:39.958-05:00

Pitchers and catchers report.And just as the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, hope springs eternal at Ho Ho Kam Park.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-26237245014760188702008-02-13T13:34:00.006-05:002008-02-13T13:58:52.875-05:00

Since you have all been clamoring noisily in the comments section for my favorite movies of the year, here's my ranked list of every 2007 release I have seen:No Country for Old MenThere Will Be BloodZodiacThe Diving Bell and ButterflyDarjeeling LimitedSuperbadInto the WildKnocked UpJunoKite RunnerAmerican GangsterMichael ClaytonAtonementThe NamesakeGone Baby GoneI'm Not ThereThe Bourne

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-44177197940936995852008-02-12T08:55:00.000-05:002008-02-12T08:58:20.385-05:00

The Onion headline February 8: GM Introduces New 2008 Line of Layoffs, with these quotes:"We're General Motors. Firing great people is what we do.""Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected General Motors to come out firing the way it has in 2008.""Bigger, bolder, more daring—these 2008 redundancies are sure to create a stir."CNN headline February 12: GM Offers Buyouts to 74,000. You can't make this

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-12585017438079410772008-02-11T17:19:00.000-05:002008-02-11T17:21:21.716-05:00

How do economists deal with institutional moral repugnance? In other words, what's the difference between wife-carrying and dwarf-tossing? Should economists make a distinction?

Williamnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-4334937583865889452008-02-11T17:18:00.001-05:002008-02-11T17:18:55.191-05:00

Dear God, ...

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-91854515281505554312008-02-11T09:31:00.001-05:002008-02-11T09:34:01.591-05:00

"Some Patriots played in a Pro Bowl sauna yesterday at Aloha Stadium, but their reception from the sellout crowd of 50,044 was ice cold. The six Patriots who played in the all-star game in 80-degree temperatures and on artificial turf that was hot to the touch were greeted with a surprisingly emphatic chorus of boos during introductions yesterday. Cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Mike Vrabel,

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-29820470558475630962008-02-07T09:59:00.001-05:002008-02-07T10:10:37.274-05:00

I enjoy perusing the campus crime notes because they usually contain relatively harmless stories about public urination or intoxication. But I couldn't pass up posting today's gem:Where: Facilities Services Building CWhen: Tuesday at about 11 a.m.What: A radio left unattended was stolen from a shelf in the bathroom, the Department of Public Safety reported. The radio was valued at $2,300.You're

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-91797625973846791532008-02-04T09:47:00.001-05:002008-02-04T09:53:17.587-05:00

After many years of people saying "you have to see this show," we have finally gotten around to watching Freaks and Geeks. And it is awkward and hilarious and heartfelt all at the same time. It captures everything I hated about junior high and high school a little too perfectly. It was a critical success when it aired in 1999 but didn't catch on to a wide audience, and was unceremoniously

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-17743955681485074682008-02-02T11:00:00.000-05:002008-02-02T11:01:33.220-05:00

From the Times: Ireland's plastic bag tax seems to be working even better than anticipated.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-35584833408932566412008-01-31T18:52:00.000-05:002008-02-02T11:46:14.503-05:00

Steve Martin describes the trials and tribulations of being a upstart comedian in Smithsonian Magazine. I think I need to read his new autobiography. I'm about the biggest fan of the Jerk in the world. Why they haven't released a director's cut with a commentary track from Martin is beyond me. He has a great sense of what's funny and what works in comedy, described in creative and clear new

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-26724872833364200992008-01-30T08:58:00.000-05:002008-01-30T08:59:33.741-05:00

Apparently, double-dipping chips really does spread bacteria. Brought to you by the same guy who disproved the five-second rule of eating something after it falls on the floor.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-32922393959811367942008-01-29T14:00:00.000-05:002008-01-29T14:03:03.956-05:00

This is an incredible story about a kid who sent a message to Gilbert Arenas on myspace and ended up as a ballboy with the wizards. Gilbert comments on his blog under the section "The D.C. Sports Bog Profiled My Rebounder."

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-72497141383937762612008-01-28T19:39:00.000-05:002008-01-28T19:43:26.943-05:00

The details in this article about Eli Manning are truly unfortunate. So much material for the Patriots to taunt him with. Enjoying antiquing? Dinners with Mommy? Trashtalkers usually don't have this kind of ammunition handed to them on a platter. I feel bad for the guy. I also feel like I read this exact same article a few years ago. Anyone else having flashbacks?

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-7571568756208196242008-01-24T18:14:00.000-05:002008-01-24T18:16:50.687-05:00

Wired Magazine has released a list of 33 things that suck, from traffic to Evite to knees and backs.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-55714861557611879952008-01-23T15:34:00.000-05:002008-01-23T15:37:46.054-05:00

The final installment of My Year of Flops was Tuesday, but Nathan Rabin now provides a wrap-up post, a tally of whether the films were deemed secret successes, fiascoes, or failures, and a convenient location to find all 104 movie reviews. And he's going to continue the series as a monthly AV Club feature! It's a win-win!

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-76055410189397841562008-01-23T15:14:00.000-05:002008-01-23T15:15:39.318-05:00

Being an American Gladiator Actually Meant Something. [The Onion]

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-76377806084086702442008-01-22T18:51:00.000-05:002008-01-22T18:55:13.518-05:00

Andy Samberg was 11 years old and "Lazy Sunday" was filmed outside my hometown theater? Then this would happen:Lake Theater and CertifiedLand, Represent!

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-53135709373775162352008-01-19T12:15:00.000-05:002008-01-19T16:03:01.875-05:00

Or so the Hydrox fans of the world would have us believe.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-39954082499307985862008-01-18T15:42:00.001-05:002008-01-18T15:44:50.324-05:00

I have to be first to make this joke: The reason Herschel Walker was traded for 11 people is because Herschel Walker was actually eleven people!

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-4055031363664630582008-01-18T08:24:00.001-05:002008-01-18T08:25:22.690-05:00

Yep, in this month's Esquire. The captions are hilarious.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-87022861911120379642008-01-16T17:25:00.000-05:002008-01-16T17:26:58.933-05:00

This is pretty damn cool. I wish I had that kind of time and talent.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-67165208035867688872008-01-16T17:23:00.000-05:002008-01-16T17:25:51.521-05:00

So it's not nearly as great as the original, and he definitely has a good sense of humor about it. "This is why I wanted to be a director!"

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-41889398110847752582008-01-11T12:11:00.000-05:002008-01-11T12:14:09.501-05:00

India's Tata motors is building a $2,500 car for the Indian mass market (and it's a massive market....). What's not mentioned is that Tata recently won the bid to buy Jaguar from Ford. Going for the high-end and the low-end.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-56645488478230206002007-12-28T14:38:00.000-05:002007-12-28T14:41:04.307-05:00

It's getting better, all the time (it couldn't get much worse). Most people don't know this, but The Beatles wrote that song about Chicago sports. Here's a quick year-in-review of my beloved sports teams:Cubs: SuckedBears: Sucked (in Superbowl), Suck (this season)Bulls: Sucked (against Pistons), Really suck (this season)Blackhawks (not-so-beloved): Sucked, suck.That said, this will make

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-11911589637521088782007-12-28T14:15:00.000-05:002007-12-28T14:27:21.615-05:00

From CNN, A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis of the Times. It's worth noting that the year's top grossing films are more often showing up in the "worst of 2007" lists than the best. Wild Hogs was #10 for the year and made $168 million! Now we know why crap like that gets made in the first place. People shell out to hear Martin Lawrence say "Daaaaaaaammmmmn!", and awkward sexual innuendo between

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-60588460674058625242007-12-21T11:32:00.001-05:002007-12-21T11:33:12.656-05:00

Mitt Romney says he watched the game the last time they did. That must have been something.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-90908687226374540852007-12-21T09:35:00.000-05:002007-12-21T09:43:34.048-05:00

As the best year for movies ever, this time by Nathan Rabin of the AV Club. Pulp Fiction, Shawshank Redemption, Quiz Show, Ed Wood, and Crumb are the headliners. Also this was the year Hoop Dreams came out, still the best documentary I have ever seen. This was the first year that I got into paying close attention to new good movies (as opposed to rushing out to see the latest Pauly Shore flick)

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-21030543169631231232007-12-20T08:25:00.000-05:002007-12-20T13:11:00.359-05:00

This article argues that, contrary to Huckabee's repeated claims about the effectiveness of diet and exercise (he even "wrote" a book on dieting), all available evidence points to bariatric surgery.(Thanks John!)

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-51907854019889548132007-12-19T08:57:00.001-05:002007-12-19T09:02:25.798-05:00

Here's the AV Club's list. I'll be posting more of these top films lists as I find them.All in all, I'm disappointed by the lack of diversity in the Club's choices. I was hoping to see more indie/foreign/documentaries on their sub-lists. The only documentary which shows up on more than one list is King of Kong, which I missed because it played for about a week in theaters. I'll have to add it

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-47559297744899402022007-12-17T12:39:00.001-05:002007-12-17T12:49:14.174-05:00

That's the actual title of Steven King's short story which was turned into one of my favorite movies of all time. I guess it must be some prisoners' favorite films as well, as these guys used it as a get-out-of-jail manual, and dug themselves out of prison using the "pin-up picture to cover the hole" trick. As for the title, the hole in the cell in Shawshank was first covered by a picture of

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-55577848969573522142007-12-15T11:24:00.000-05:002007-12-15T11:27:24.132-05:00

Headline from the Onion:Fan Favorite White

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-23009186870013660402007-12-14T09:39:00.000-05:002007-12-14T09:46:25.083-05:00

Here's the case for 1967 as the best movie year ever. It features a great top 4 (in my book) of Cool Hand Luke, Bonnie and Clyde, The Dirty Dozen, and the Graduate. Solid year, but I'm not sure it compares to 1974. Movies I still need to see from '67: Point Blank, Play Time, Who's That Knocking on my Door, Le Samourai, The Trip, Belle du Jour.Also, I am realizing that my French New Wave

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-47484846695480776312007-12-13T16:59:00.000-05:002007-12-13T17:03:32.897-05:00

The Mitchell Report is out, and here is the list of players named in it (courtesy of Deadspin). They don't have the BALCO section listed in this link, but that crowd is named as well.As best I can tell, no mention of Sosa, McGwire, Bagwell, Derek Bell, or Brady Anderson, who would have been my first guesses as to names that would show up. I think we have to keep in mind that all these names are

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-72711214096700249202007-12-12T08:04:00.000-05:002007-12-12T08:08:13.932-05:00

The year's best media corrections, including correcting the use of the phrase in the title. I also like the one that called a "sexual health worker" a "sex worker".

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-11733702955851218862007-12-11T08:47:00.000-05:002007-12-11T08:51:56.988-05:00

Will FerrellJason SchwartzmanSteven ColbertSteve CarellMichael CaineShirley McClaineandNicole Kidmanall teamed up to make Bewitched. I saw a few minutes of it on t.v. over the weekend and it is an unmitigated train wreck. Impressively bad film with that many people who I usually enjoy. Can you top this for worst movie with the best cast?

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-53286159642091629562007-12-10T20:24:00.000-05:002007-12-10T20:25:31.051-05:00

But this is a great game. Desktop Tower Defense. I am having the hardest time beating the medium level.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-22220592127397883422007-12-09T10:30:00.000-05:002007-12-09T10:32:44.499-05:00

Well, everyone knows that Al Gore didn't invent the internet. What this post presupposes is...maybe he did?

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-36665492566634606942007-12-07T18:24:00.000-05:002007-12-07T18:42:55.533-05:00

Not surprisingly, I suppose. But I expected things like "I bite my thumb at you, sir", and calling people "Scalawag" or "Scoundrel." Um, no. It turns out they were far less appropriate, as this document from 1898 shows. Not safe for work, unless you work with people who shout "I'll make you suck my ass!" (That is the least vulgar quote and most printable for this family-friendly blog. And my

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-91244599171427329252007-12-07T08:36:00.000-05:002007-12-07T08:42:09.493-05:00

What's the best single year for movies? The AV Club is debating amongst themselves. The first entry is a persuasive argument for 1974. I have trouble disagreeing, and there are at least 10 movies on their list that I would love to see, the Conversation, California Split, and Thieves Like Us at the top of my must-see list. To the Netflix queue!

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-72185086784389612702007-12-06T11:01:00.001-05:002007-12-06T11:01:58.647-05:00

Deadspin comes through with the butt-trap footage:

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-83720628732608397332007-12-05T11:44:00.000-05:002007-12-05T11:45:19.236-05:00

From the Times' soccer roundup:In Peru, Efrain Viafara, a midfielder for Sport Ancash, created an uproar when he used his buttocks to trap the ball. His bit of unorthodox skill was interpreted as a mocking act by Universitario players, who chased Viafara. Fans began to fight in the stands, then poured onto the field before the referee abandoned the game.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-65663675480255140382007-12-04T08:38:00.001-05:002007-12-04T08:38:36.890-05:00

A guide to the cheapest toys, courtesy of the AV Club.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-68283612868286339772007-12-03T22:30:00.000-05:002007-12-03T22:32:02.394-05:00

Indexed.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-68371161681050118392007-12-03T09:02:00.001-05:002007-12-03T09:12:11.347-05:00

The bowls are out, and guess what? There's controversy. There's ALWAYS controversy. And the NCAA wants it that way. Ignore the quotes from Pete Carroll ("Every sport in college sports has a playoff") and Gene Wojciechowski ("College football deserves better than simple bedlam"), and the grumbling around the college coaching fraternity. The bowl system is the only way for college football to

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-92030719365297629102007-12-02T17:13:00.000-05:002007-12-02T17:17:23.719-05:00

The U.S. won the Davis Cup yesterday in a great effort from the Bryan Brothers. I was possibly the only American watching doubles tennis on the Versus network, but it was a well-earned win nonetheless. The always-excellent Jon Wertheim provides some insightful tidbits in today's wrap-up:Imagery of the week goes to Bob Bryan: "I've been nauseous for three days. I'm not going to try to hide that

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-68292111945612540602007-12-01T09:51:00.001-05:002007-12-01T09:55:08.452-05:00

Portland, Maine, is honoring its native son Chester Greenwood, the inventor of earmuffs. It's hard to believe that his granddaughter is still alive. He sounds like an awfully busy guy, who invented over 100 things, "created and sold a local telephone company, built a plumbing and heating business, purchased land and built houses, owned a bicycle shop and ran an excursion boat with his brothers"

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-24201225096420103932007-11-29T16:35:00.000-05:002007-11-29T16:40:29.770-05:00

It's simple: You can't beat the market in the long run. If you think you can, you're wrong. My favorite financial writer, Michael Lewis (go read Liar's Poker!) profiles a reformed stockbroker in a great article in Portfolio Magazine. My favorite passage:"If you put a thousand people in barrels and push them over Niagara Falls," one of them says, "some of them will survive. And if you take

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-58351286501061059582007-11-28T09:35:00.000-05:002007-11-28T09:42:23.102-05:00

The Steelers / Dolphins game on Monday night, played on a field that was more a puddle than anything else, reminded me of the Fog Bowl, the classic Bears / Eagles 1988 playoff game played in a dense fog.If you want to see highlights of that game, the only YouTube option requires enduring Duran Duran. (Obviously) This is from an English broadcast of the game, and Walter Payton is listed as a

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-6220347165395560762007-11-26T10:04:00.001-05:002007-11-26T10:06:18.692-05:00

From DCist.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-38161291995019895132007-11-25T10:25:00.000-05:002007-11-25T10:26:00.623-05:00

is awesome: (Thanks John!)

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-30383851218041861742007-11-24T12:29:00.000-05:002007-11-24T12:40:50.273-05:00

After losing soundly in the first match and losing in two tiebreakers on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Pete Sampras beat Roger Federer 7-6, 6-4 this morning in Macau. I'm sure Federer wasn't trying very hard, and he probably lost the match so people would pay to see an exhibition rematch sometime in the future, but even so, not bad for the old man. And apparently when you play an exhibition match

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-75598187404614374522007-11-21T13:51:00.000-05:002007-11-21T13:55:10.832-05:00

Yep, the night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest pizza ordering days of the year. I also wouldn't have guessed that Halloween was in the top 5 days of the year (besides Super Bowl Sunday, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day).

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-4362632388531617022007-11-20T11:27:00.000-05:002007-11-20T11:29:56.528-05:00

It turns out that the Federer/Sampras exhibition is actually a three-match Asian tour. They started in South Korea yesterday, and Federer won, 6-4, 6-3. Ho hum. The only interesting thing in the recap is this picture.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-34358011852966075242007-11-19T10:15:00.001-05:002007-11-19T10:17:39.382-05:00

Here's a time-lapse video of the South Park offices in the 24 hours before finishing up a show. And here's time-lapse of Lambeau Field from the Packers / Vikings game a few weeks ago.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-35472893691283921332007-11-18T17:02:00.000-05:002007-11-18T17:04:26.749-05:00

Fresh off his Masters' Cup win, Roger Federer will play Pete Sampras in an exhibition dubbed "The Clash of the Times", which is about the stupidest name I've ever heard. I think the logo should be a grandfather clock and a stylish modern digital clock slamming together, with requisite giant explosion. I don't that's what they're using, but I did find these pictures of the tickets online.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-1784557453766603452007-11-16T17:02:00.000-05:002007-11-16T17:05:56.702-05:00

If you flip past the usual tv channels, odds are you'll eventually run across Ninja Warrior on the G4 Network. It's an awesome game show that usually involves people falling into puddles of mud in disgrace, while the crowd moans and groans. A guy from Ann Arbor was named the American Ninja and will be competing on this season's competition. Tune in and see if he can conquer the 4 stages of

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-46621919182153786182007-11-15T08:22:00.000-05:002007-11-15T08:23:48.886-05:00

U.S. Military Wasting All Its Victories on Notre Dame. "It's important to realize that our young men have been fighting pitched battles against religious fanatics who have been brainwashed into a culture that seeks to destroy all other ways of life," Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said Monday. "That's just the way Notre Dame football is, the way it's always been. You can't reason with people

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-85220327976129566662007-11-14T21:18:00.001-05:002007-11-14T21:20:11.487-05:00

Okay, not quite, but surprisingly enough, Tupac was a ballet student. I learned that from the Hip Hop Documentary I posted a few days ago, then I found this. I also learned that the reason Snoop mentions Seagram's Gin in Gin and Juice is because his record label, Death Row, was a subsidiary of the Seagram Corporation. Who knew?

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-62876254426256724482007-11-11T09:58:00.000-05:002007-11-11T10:01:19.983-05:00

a persuasive argument for why college football players should be paid, by the always-great Michael Lewis. I know, he's preaching to the choir, but I think about this every time I see the athletes walking around our campus with a bag of Wendy's.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-32084776730990886052007-11-10T18:47:00.001-05:002007-11-10T18:54:14.681-05:00

Clearly, as evidenced by these articles on the growth of skateboarding in black communities in the Times and Tribune. Uh, guys, Lupe Fiasco's track about skateboarding came out on an album a year and a half ago. And Pharrell's video with skateboarders in it was five years ago. At least the Times article has the decency to reference both of those, whereas the Trib article steals its title from

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-46548322315289584002007-11-09T16:40:00.001-05:002007-11-09T16:41:06.016-05:00

Economist Joe Stiglitz outlines the catastrophe that is the Bush Administration's economic policies, and says it will take a generation to recover from all the mistakes and misdeeds. And I think that's an underestimate. It's depressing as hell, but required reading nonetheless.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-54842265393717624872007-11-08T17:34:00.000-05:002007-11-08T17:40:06.314-05:00

ok, not really, but I have come across a few useful shopping-related websites that link to the best online deals and coupons:The Bargainist has all the deals and is updated multiple times a day,Consumerist has a daily shopping coupon/sale post,Uncrate has men's "needs" (really "wants"), andOutblush is the women's version.For comparison shopping, I came across this article on the best sites to do

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-60272894041715814612007-11-05T22:04:00.000-05:002007-11-05T22:08:22.743-05:00

on the origins of hip hop, called Hip Hop Years, which Google Video is nice enough to present in its entirety. Everything you ever wanted to know about Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, etc. A good drinking game would be to drink every time Marley Marl curses.I found this when looking for another rap documentary, but I haven't found it yet. I think it has a title like "nine miles to manhattan" but

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-8207442819819198602007-11-01T21:08:00.000-04:002007-11-01T21:12:17.500-04:00

Don't know if you've been following the Airbus A380, the double-decker plane that just started flying. Singapore Airlines, the first carrier to fly the A380 (it's currently too big for U.S. airports), includes double-bed "suites" for couples who can afford them. But, no hanky panky!

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-56122836560164889992007-11-01T12:57:00.001-04:002007-11-01T12:59:11.458-04:00

Get the world's fastest race-walker to try to break the world record on tv. Send out 5 samurais to chase him. Will he run, or walk? Japanese tv decided to figure out what would happen. Yet another reason why Japanese tv is the best. (Link from WithLeather)

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-83690799513192097182007-10-31T19:22:00.000-04:002007-10-31T19:26:17.094-04:00

which, if you watch ESPN or follow any of the sports blogs, you've already seen. This 15-lateral play by Trinity University (TX) won them the game as time expired. Here's one angle of it, and here's the view from the end zone. And the announcer who called the play gets a nice write-up in yesterday's Times. So there you go.

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-47604289129973899452007-10-30T17:58:00.000-04:002007-10-30T18:01:17.798-04:00

or, really, a South African.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-69169069219805017132007-10-30T08:30:00.001-04:002007-10-30T08:30:40.963-04:00

Sugar Ray Thrilled To Be Playing In Man's Head.(from the Onion, of course)

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-29154694461082254622007-10-29T16:32:00.000-04:002007-10-29T16:41:56.427-04:00

for finally removing the horrible curse that had befallen you these rough three years. Yes, I'm talking about the Curse of Curtis Leskanic. Unfortunately, Red Sox fans, everyone in the country hates you. They hate BC being undefeated, they hate that the Celtics have put together a great team (on paper), and most of all they hate the Patriots, who are running up the score on everyone. And are

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-49043214611012209352007-10-24T11:59:00.000-04:002007-10-24T12:01:37.293-04:00

Exactly what the title says.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-52287485812217989532007-10-17T19:32:00.002-04:002007-10-17T19:33:14.891-04:00

and it comes through loud and clear in this article from ESPN.com. He's still mad at Ali for the things Ali now calls "jokes."

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-86119778877360750972007-10-16T09:41:00.000-04:002007-10-16T09:55:43.744-04:00

Last week I posted about an appearance by Wes Anderson at the local Borders bookstore. The ante was upped two-fold, as I later found out that Jason Schwartzman would be appearing with him, and that they were giving away tickets to a screening of the new movie, Darjeeling Limited, at the same time.Needless to say, I was psyched. Borders tells me they're giving out wristbands for the appearance

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-36997146527716820092007-10-10T17:26:00.000-04:002007-10-10T17:28:17.698-04:00

75-year-old arrested for smashing Comcast office. That four-hour window is bad enough. Even worse when they just give you a day of the week and it could be anytime that day. Glad I don't have Comcast, although they are pretty much all the same anyway.

Williamnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821015.post-66380742554598974102007-10-10T08:39:00.001-04:002007-10-10T08:40:09.248-04:00

at the AV Club, with 10 films that couldn't have been made without Wes Anderson and an interview with the man himself. Yeah, I'm psyched for Monday...

benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03015606315027915728noreply@blogger.com0