Owner: Thoughts From An Empty Head URL:http://silas216.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 16:20:23 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: "Not everyone thinks the way you do, Steven." Site statistics:Click here
Under a Microscope 1970-01-01 00:59:59 [DISCLAIMER: I'm no expert when it comes to sports. I leave that field to my brother Joel. What follows is my own two cents on Rex Grossman. I could very well be wrong, but like everything else I write on this blog, when has that ever stopped me?]After watching Rex Grossman this last weekend, I think I've may have hit on the nub of the problem with the Cannon.See, I believe that Rex has always been playing at more or less the same level. The problem is two-fold: (1) Rex's mental state and (2) public perception.Speaking to the first, when things are good with the Cannon, things are very good (see weeks 1-4). He can stand back in the pocket all day long and hurl the ball down field, fully confident that there will be a receiver waiting for it. Of course, it helped that the Bears were playing sub-500 teams for most of the season, but what is a championship run but taking advantage of those types of situations? Still, Rex was on target and things were running smoothly, so little thought Read more:Microscope
random flickr blogging: 4616 1970-01-01 00:59:59 .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } IMG_4616, originally uploaded by Scott Christian. We watched the funeral from a distance. The scent of the burning wafted in our direction as the sun set behind us. In a sense, being present at a funeral after the experience we had undergone only served to deepen the melancholy of our group.Bob had been very quiet all the way back from the mountains. He was the one who had gathered us together to help make the trip. Being his oldest surviving friend, I tried my best to talk him out of his madness, but he was not to be dissuaded. Only after our supplies were nearly gone did he entertain the idea of returning to Katmandu.Now he and I watched the funeral from a distance, the other long since having either gone to bed or left for home, sitting in a mutual friend's front entrance, feeling every bit of finality
Need Sleep 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Thinking about last night's episode of 24, and it just hit me:a little whinyscarred horriblyscared of his old selfbites some people in the necksaves other peopleSo, the writers decided to use Joss Whedon's Angel as the new Jack Bauer template?Maybe I just need sleep.technorati tags: 24, Whedon Read more:Sleep
Excellence in Madness 1970-01-01 00:59:59 FOX: Killing off science-fiction shows and lowering IQs since 1986.So let me get this straight: Fox moves heaven and earth to make damn sure I know that one of the worst British imports ever is coming on tonight and that, if I don't watch it, I am a total loser and probably deserve to die a lonely death in a dark bar somewhere. (I exaggerate, but only a little.) And that doesn't even take into account the attempt to push OJ Simpson back into my life. (Your choice which is worse; I say OJ only because no one ever died from watching a karoake TV show. I think.)Yet, one of the finest television experiences of all time got shuffled all over the schedule, only to be killed off after a handful of episodes had been broadcast.No, I'm not talking about that show. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one.This one.I swear, if the NFL wasn't on FOX, I'd have no reason to watch that worthless excuse for a network.technorati tags: Am Read more:Excellence
, Madness
Box 1970-01-01 00:59:59 My cutting-edge technologyThe computer is up and running again. I won't be putting any more music on the hard drive until I get an external drive that's a bit more rugged than what I have. Otherwise, everything stays in backup, which will probably impact my last.fm stats for a bit.Shopping list at the moment:motherboardprocessormemoryflat screenEh. It could've been worse.technorati tags: box, computer
Enemies List 1970-01-01 00:59:59 William O'ReillyFox News ChannelMr. O'Reilly:I note with no small amount of glee that, as a result of the fracas between yourself and the city of San Francisco, you are assembling an enemies' list. I am writing you today to ask that you include my name for consideration of this highly valued honor.I would like to say that, as a matter of balance, your television show has been a part of my nightly viewing habits, but that would be grossly dishonest. Truth to tell, I cannot abide the sound of your nasally, pedantic voice for more than a few minutes at a time, lest I start projectile vomiting. I have thus relied on such fine archival sites as Crooks and Liars and Media Matters to chronicle your incessant whining and angry ranting spittle. In these small doses, I have been able to study your recent comments about San Francisco and have drawn a few conclusions of my own, all of which are sure to disgust you.You see, Bill, (may I call you Bill?) I've never been to San Francisco, so I Read more:Enemies
Cookie Monster 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Glenn BeckCNN Headline News, et al.Dear Idiot:You, sir, are the living personification of this quote:"The most dementing of all modern sins: the inability to distinguish excellence from success." - David HareDo the human race a favor: shut up and go away.Sincerely,Steven PerezObserver and raconteur, Thoughts From An Empty Headtechnorati tags: CNN, Glenn Beck, racism, stupidity Read more:Cookie
, Monster
Gratitude 1970-01-01 00:59:59 George W. BushPresident of the United StatesDear Mr. President:Regarding your recent interview with 60 Minutes:"We liberated that country from a tyrant. I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude. That's the problem here in America: They wonder whether or not there is a gratitude level that's significant enough in Iraq."The previous letter, along with its recommendation, applies to you, as well. You are not worth any further words.Sincerely,Steven PerezObserver and raconteur, Thoughts From An Empty Headtechnorati tags: Bush, Iraq, stupidity
Take Me Back Tuesday - Week 106 1970-01-01 00:59:59 LastsWhat was the last album you purchased?neko case, fox confessor brings the floodWhen was the last time you listened to a cassette?Sometime last decade, I think.When was the last time you listened to a vinyl album?john coltrane, blue trainWhen was the last time you watched a video (either MTV, VH-1 or on a DVD or VHS)?It was a rebroadcast of the last year's mariachi festival in Guadalajara, Mexico, on PBS.What was the last online music purchase you made?natalie merchant, retrospective. I had this album before, but I traded it on la la before Box crashed for the third time, and I can't find that last song that I love so much, so I bought the album again.What was the last concert you attended?Honestly can't remember.technorati tags: music, meme, Tuesday
, Music Memoirs
Ten on Tuesday 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ten Things You Do WellRead and comprehend quickly.Write about nonsense.Lift heavy objects.Have fun.Use "ten-dollar" words.Recall arcane information.Figure out how to use software without consulting a manual.Pick good restaurants.Sing without breaking windows.Be a smartass.technorati tags: meme, Ten on Tuesday
Like the Wind 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I think someone needs to ask the Ninja if he was in the UK recently.A samurai sword wielding vigilante has come to the rescue of two Police officers when they were attacked by an armed gang in South Shields, England.A group of men had forced their way into a house and were ransacking the place when passing plain-clothes officers were alerted by a woman inside screaming.The criminals outnumbered them and were armed with a hammer, knives and chains and attacked the Police officers.As one of them stabbed at a Policeman with his knife, a mysterious do-gooder appeared from nowhere and attacked him with a samurai sword.One of the burglars began running away but was stopped by the stranger who struck him on the arm with the sword.Two of the criminals were arrested, but in true hero style the samurai disappeared before police could speak to him.Point of order: it's called a katana, and they are called ninjas. Just because you don't see them as they creep up behind you doesn't mean that they
Miss Scarlett, in the Library, with the Flu Bug 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Apologies for the paucity of blogging today. I woke up this morning, minus my voice, sick as a dog.I think I coughed up one of my lungs three hours ago.So here I am, bundled up on the couch in front of the fireplace, watching SPOOKS (MI-5 to us Yanks) Series 4 on DVD, a cup of hot Earl Grey on the table in front of me, trying very hard not to run to the computer and read the feeds in my now-seriously overburdened Bloglines account.It is rather warm here. Read more:Scarlett
, Library
Hump Day Hunt - Week Fifty-Five 1970-01-01 00:59:59 DropThis is what happens when you drop your digital camera. Or if you let me take a picture.technorati tags: photo, Flickr, blog, meme, Foto Pherrets Read more:Fifty
, Hump Day
Booking Through Thursday: 1, 2, 3 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The Page 123 MemeGrab the book closest to you.Open to page 123, look down to the 5th sentence.Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog.Include the title and the author's name. "Richard was thunderstruck: it has been like watching Emma Peel, Bruce Lee, and a particularly vicious tornado, all rolled into one and sprinkled with a generous helping of a mongoose killing a king cobra. That was how she had moved. That was she had fought.- Neil Gaiman, Neverwheretechnorati tags: books, Booking
Through Thursday
, reading, meme
Global Idiocy 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Sitting bundled up on the couch yesterday, sick as a dog, watching the snow fall in Malibu, I mentally said to myself, "I just know that, within 24 hours, I'll be hearing that some idiot on Fox has been blathering on about how all of this ice and snow all over the nation proves that there is no such thing as global warming. I know this because said idiot will know absolutely nothing about climate change outside of the name 'global warming' itself, so he (said idiot will definitely be a he, no doubt) will run that trope into the ground for all its worth."I made this observation around 5 pm yesterday.It is now nearly 2 pm the next day, and I would like you to meet, right on time, global warming idiot of the day: Neil Cavuto.As Fabian Nicieza once wrote long ago, "It doesn't take a crystal ball to predict the obvious."technorati tags: Fox, wingnuts, stupidity, global warming Read more:Global
, Idiocy
On Drugs 1970-01-01 00:59:59 If this doesn't make your blood boil, then you've never really been alive.Good news: There may a drug which will cure many forms of cancer. It's relatively safe, cheap to make, and no one has patented it yet.Bad news: Large pharmaceutical companies won't fund human trials on the drug. Why, you ask?wait for it ...Because they won't make any money on it.I kid you not.Edmonton, AB (AHN) - It is expected there would be no problems securing funding to explore a drug that could shrink cancerous tumors and has no side-effects in humans, but University of Alberta researcher Evangelos Michelakis has hit a stalemate with the private sector who would normally fund such a venture.Michelakis' drug is none other than dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug which cannot be patented and costs pennies to make.It's no wonder he can't secure the $400-600 million needed to conduct human trials with the medicine - the drug doesn't have the potential to make enough money.Michelakis told reporters they will b Read more:Drugs
RIGHT! NOW! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The following took place between 3 pm and 4 pm, the day after I got over being sick.NOTE: If I was a nice person, I'd probably have a big banner up here that says SPOILER ALERT in very large letters, but the aspirin I took this morning have long since worn off, so be warned: I'm more than a little wired and a lot grumpy.For those of you who suckle on the Great Glass Teat and haven't had your brain turned into tapioca by the horrible half-brained contortion that is American Karaoke, another wunderkind of the Fox Network premiered on Sunday night that I have been remiss in mentioning. The familiar bumper chimes sound off, the ever-present amber digital clock counts down, and explosions and torture and mayhem abound.That's right: Jack Bauer, America's most indestructible hero, is back on the tube.I have a few thoughts about the show last Sunday and the show in general. Sunday first, though.Jack is looking a bit seedier than whence he was last seen taking the slow boat to China. S
Deal or No Deal 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Useless Person of the Day: Richard B. Cheney.A package of concessions offered to the US by Iran in 2003 was very close to what the US is now asking from Tehran. The BBC reports that Iran offered, among other things, to end upport for Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups and to help stabilize Iraq following the US-led invasion. But a former US senior official told BBC's Newsnight program that the package was rejected by Vice President Dick Cheney's office.technorati tags: Cheney, Iran, Hamas, Iraq
Colbert Meets Papa Bear 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I swore I would not do it.Never in a million years.But it was too funny not to post.Colbert
. O'Reilly.Can you dig it? For some strange reason, the Colbert Report episode does not have an embed code. So here are the links: part one and part two.Enjoy.technorati tags: Colbert, O'Reilly
Top Five On Friday - Week 107 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Top Five Songs On Constant Repeatvanessa daou, make you lovelunascape, mindstalkingmono, life in monopoe, hauntedenigma, gravity of lovetechnorati tags: Music Memoirs, music, meme, Friday Read more:Top Five
Habeas Whozit? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Reading is fundamental, especially if you're in a position of responsibility. Apparently, Alberto Gonzales didn't get that memo:Yesterday, during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales claimed there is no express right to habeas corpus in the U.S. Constitution. Gonzales was debating Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) about whether the Supreme Court's ruling on Guantanamo detainees last year cited the constitutional right to habeas corpus. Gonzales claimed the Court did not cite such a right, then added, "There is no express grant of habeas in the Constitution" Ummmm, yes, it does, Bert:The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. Exactly which constitution were you reading when you were in Rice, Bert?Via Think Progess.technorati tags: Gonzales, Constitution, habeas corpus, stupidity Read more:Habeas
The Beast Speaks 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Another list that I made this year:16. YouCharges: Your whole life has been a pitiful exercise in rote mimicry, a meek subjugation of individuality in exchange for herd approval. Your delusions of "common sense" wisdom stem from an unwillingness to seek information and an inability to critically analyze it. You never hesitate to offer strong opinions on subjects you don't know a damn thing about. You're willing to believe anything a guy in a suit says on TV, as long as it doesn't hint at your culpability in the negligent homicide of your country and planet or otherwise cloud your streak-free conscience. You're more worried about friction on the "Desperate Housewives" set than the lack of health coverage at your tedious, soul-destroying job. You have no idea what is going on in the world, and you're fine with that. You are why democracy doesn't work.Exhibit A: You're Time magazine's person of the year. So was Hitler.Sentence: More of the same.Sweet.The rest of the list i Read more:Beast
Bitpass RIP 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I got the same e-mail Warren received a couple of days ago. Immediate thoughts:Bitpass? Wow, I forgot I had an account with them.I bet Warren will have something to say about it.That's too bad. Honestly, the last time I used Mperia was two years ago. I downloaded a few songs, but fot the most part, life distracted from investigating further. I'd probably be more broken up about it, but there are more than a few places where I can get music on the net and in the real. Still, I hate seeing a good resource shutter its doors.technorati tags: Bitpass, Mperia
Yanqui Football 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I hate this doing this, mainly because every time I try blogging about the Bears on game day, they lose and lose hard, but my compulsion refuses to let me sit silent.To whatever demented football gods are listening, I pray for only two things today:Let the Bears look respectable. Win or lose, just don't let them look like chumps.Please please please please please please please please ohprettyplease let Tom Brady and his precious Patriots go down in flames today.Having said that, I should probably steel myself for a Saints-Patriots Super Bowl.I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.technorati tags: NFL, playoffs, Bears Read more:Football
Love and Fandom 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Apparently, there are fans, and then there are fans:CHICAGO -- Chicago school teacher Colleen Pavelka knows how much her husband loves the Bears. Apparently, she loves him even more.Colleen chose to have the birth of their second child induced a few days early so Mark Pavelka could attend Sunday's NFC Championship showdown between the Bears and the New Orleans Saints. That guy is going to be so bent if the Bears lose today.technorati tags: football, baby, crazy
BEARS 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Twenty-one years ago:Today:Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) holds the George Halas Trophy after the NFC championship football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Saints 39-14 to win the NFC title. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)One more game.Oh, and ESPN, and all you overpaid suits who get paid to prognosticate:That worked out well.February 4 can't get here fast enough. One more game.technorati tags: Chicago Bears, NFL, Super Bowl
Random Ten - Week 56 1970-01-01 00:59:59 massive attack with mos def, i against idixie chicks, not ready to make nicevanessa daou, sunday afternoons [danny tenaglia remix]nightmares on wax, chi maigarbage, milk [classic remix by massive attack]johnny cash, hurtpoe, hauntedmaxwell, everwanting: to want you to wantjem, stay nowbuena vista social club, dos gardeniasAnd in order to offset all of the cat blogging all over the intraweb, I present Frisco:technorati tags: meme, random, music, photo, Music Memoirs Read more:Random
Getting Sick 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Frankly, I'm surprised it took so long for someone to come up with this:Since OPERATION Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, more than 700 US soldiers have been infected or colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii. A significant number of additional cases have been found in the Canadian and British armed forces, and among wounded Iraqi civilians. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has recorded seven deaths caused by the bacteria in US hospitals along the evacuation chain. Four were unlucky civilians who picked up the bug at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, while undergoing treatment for other life-threatening conditions. Another was a 63-year-old woman, also chronically ill, who shared a ward at Landstuhl with infected coalition troops.Behind the scenes, the spread of a pathogen that targets wounded GIs has triggered broad reforms in both combat medical care and the Pentagon's networks for tracking bacterial threats within the ranks. Interviews with current and former mi
random flickr blogging: 3776 1970-01-01 00:59:59 IMG_3776, originally uploaded by ivan_domazet.I hate this job. Tromping around in the woods, looking for rotting corpses to shoot, I realized just how much I well and truly hated this job. It beats the alternative, but I can't help feeling more than a little bent about the whole sorry situation.Ever since the satellite fell to Earth, my whole life has been one huge pile of bovine scatology, to use the military terminology. I had a pretty wife and a couple of nice kids. I had a job that I liked and which made me a rather obscene amount of money. My life was pretty sweet.Then the dead started walking the earth.What the heck did I know about guns and blowing stuff up? Sweet FA, that's what. My old man had been a Marine sergeant in Vietnam, but that was the extent of my military background. I had never even picked up a gun before. Explosions were something that happened in movies; they were not a daily staple of my life. Yet.There they are, just behind that cabin. Thank God these thing
Random Ten - Week 89 1970-01-01 00:59:59 the "Super Bowl Shuffle" mixll cool j, mama said (knock you out)natalie merchant, break your heartshrift, lost in a momentjorane, i feel lovedanko jones, the fingermetric, combat babystevie ray vaughan and double trouble, voodoo chile (slight return)filter and crystal method, trip like i doevanescence, sweet sacrificeOne more game ...Chicago Bears players holds the George Halas Trophy after beating the New Orleans Saints 39-14 to win the NFC championship Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)technorati tags: meme, random, music, photo, Music Memoirs Read more:Random
Recommend Site To A Friend
