24 February 2007
Isn't it a bit early for all of this?
I used to consider myself a political junkie. Then I started reading all these political blogs and watching alot of 24 hour news channels. I discovered I'm nothing compared to many, even those that just do the blogging thing "for fun".
Since this realization about a year or two ago, I've weaned myself of some of my political intake. So I missed the Obama-Clinton kerfluffle until the summaries appeared yesterday and today. I still don't get exactly what went down, or, rather, why it's such a big deal. I mean, aren't we just under two years out from the election? That's the same feeling echoed here in this article from CNN:
We ARE a long way from that. We've got, what?, 18 months more of this?
That was also my reaction yesterday when I heard that Vilsack dropped out yesterday. And I remember thinking the same thing in 1999 when Elizabeth Dole dropped out way before any primaries. I was kind of excited to see Mrs. Dole in the race, especially since I hadn't heard anything all that compelling about the guy everyone was calling the front-runner. Maybe this has been happening for a while in our country, but these long drawn out primary and pre-primary races seem both silly and a killer to interesting candidates.
I'm one of those cynical disillusioned Americans, but I like politics. And I especially like interesting and unique candidates. Obama's kind of interesting, but I'm going to grow weary of him. McCain was interesting in '00 because he seemed to come out of nowhere to challenge the designated heir apparent. Now if guys like Vilsack (who at least has the coolest logo so far!) can't stick with it or don't enter at all, what's there left for me? Nader?
Since this realization about a year or two ago, I've weaned myself of some of my political intake. So I missed the Obama-Clinton kerfluffle until the summaries appeared yesterday and today. I still don't get exactly what went down, or, rather, why it's such a big deal. I mean, aren't we just under two years out from the election? That's the same feeling echoed here in this article from CNN:
"If Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama were engaged in a day-in, day-out bashing of each other, I think it probably would help somebody like John Edwards, who could stand above the fray and act presidential," [political analyst Stu] Rothenberg said. "But we're a long way from that."
We ARE a long way from that. We've got, what?, 18 months more of this?
That was also my reaction yesterday when I heard that Vilsack dropped out yesterday. And I remember thinking the same thing in 1999 when Elizabeth Dole dropped out way before any primaries. I was kind of excited to see Mrs. Dole in the race, especially since I hadn't heard anything all that compelling about the guy everyone was calling the front-runner. Maybe this has been happening for a while in our country, but these long drawn out primary and pre-primary races seem both silly and a killer to interesting candidates.
I'm one of those cynical disillusioned Americans, but I like politics. And I especially like interesting and unique candidates. Obama's kind of interesting, but I'm going to grow weary of him. McCain was interesting in '00 because he seemed to come out of nowhere to challenge the designated heir apparent. Now if guys like Vilsack (who at least has the coolest logo so far!) can't stick with it or don't enter at all, what's there left for me? Nader?
Labels: 2008, politics, primaries
22 February 2007
Please don't excommunicate me...
but a part of me finds this a little funny:
Now, had I actually made it to Ash Wednesday service yesterday (consider that my confession) and this had happened there, I probably would have been rather disgusted. But since I'm already in full disobedience to the Church and I feel I've already missed starting Lent on a good foot, I think I'm going to chuckle. Just a little.
Ok. Now that I have that out of my system, proper Lenten penitential observations starts.... now.
"SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) -- Three CD players hidden under a cathedral's pews blared sexually explicit language in the middle of an Ash Wednesday Mass, leading a bomb squad to detonate two of the devices."
Now, had I actually made it to Ash Wednesday service yesterday (consider that my confession) and this had happened there, I probably would have been rather disgusted. But since I'm already in full disobedience to the Church and I feel I've already missed starting Lent on a good foot, I think I'm going to chuckle. Just a little.
Ok. Now that I have that out of my system, proper Lenten penitential observations starts.... now.
07 February 2007
Sure it's cold...
...but why exactly did the daycare close?
I can see closing schools. You don't want the kids walking to school or standing at the bus stop in -10 degree weather. Too many kids don't have the right winter equipment for that.
But no one is sending their 2 year old to walk alone to day care.
I think they just took advantage. Everyone else closed, so they might as well, too. Of course, I had to work. So the little one got to watch TV pretty much all day while I worked and felt like a horrible parent. To compound the problem, he was sick last week and stayed home two days, so I had already used up some sick time to tend to him then.
Today, now that we're above zero, everything's open again. And I'm playing a bit of catch up at work.
Oh - and cleaning up the exploded pop can from the garage. Oops! I'm not sure how exactly I'm going to do that, but I at least swept the icy pop explosion debris from the floor around the door.
Winter in Wisconsin is fun!
I can see closing schools. You don't want the kids walking to school or standing at the bus stop in -10 degree weather. Too many kids don't have the right winter equipment for that.
But no one is sending their 2 year old to walk alone to day care.
I think they just took advantage. Everyone else closed, so they might as well, too. Of course, I had to work. So the little one got to watch TV pretty much all day while I worked and felt like a horrible parent. To compound the problem, he was sick last week and stayed home two days, so I had already used up some sick time to tend to him then.
Today, now that we're above zero, everything's open again. And I'm playing a bit of catch up at work.
Oh - and cleaning up the exploded pop can from the garage. Oops! I'm not sure how exactly I'm going to do that, but I at least swept the icy pop explosion debris from the floor around the door.
Winter in Wisconsin is fun!
Labels: cleaning, cold, day care, winter, work
02 February 2007
Cool geek gift
A laser-guided USB Missile Launcher? How cool is that?
Way cool, I say!
I saw the USB missile launchers two years ago, but could only find them in the UK. This past Christmas, I looked a bit, thinking I might get one for my brother, and they had made it to the US. Now it looks like they have an improved version with a laser (it just shows you where you're aiming) and a better interface.
I'd love to play with one of these, though I'm sure I'd have more fun in an office with other people. My cats might get tired of being targets.
Thanks to Brain at BBSpot for reviewing the product.
Way cool, I say!
I saw the USB missile launchers two years ago, but could only find them in the UK. This past Christmas, I looked a bit, thinking I might get one for my brother, and they had made it to the US. Now it looks like they have an improved version with a laser (it just shows you where you're aiming) and a better interface.
I'd love to play with one of these, though I'm sure I'd have more fun in an office with other people. My cats might get tired of being targets.
Thanks to Brain at BBSpot for reviewing the product.
Labels: bbspot, geek, gifts, toys
