Sunday, December 23, 2012

Nicknames in Sport (Sport because I think it is funny to call it Sport and not Sports)

There are some great Nicknames in sports.  So here are some of my favorites all-time.  And yes I am sure I will miss some of your favorites.  I'd like your additions... but don't be a dick about it.

*no particular order

Magic Johnson

Why it's great: When your nickname becomes your name that is impressive.  Plus Magic is such an apt description of his play it is definitely deserving of making the list.

"The Matrix" Shawn Marion

Why it's great: Shawn Marion was (he has declined over the years) one of the best athletes in the NBA.  Crazy dunks, steals, & dunks (and yes I said dunks twice) to go with possibly the ugliest jump shot in NBA history.  It's like the Matrix operated on another physical dimension when at his peak.

"Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval

Why it's great: Dude is fat as hell but is still has hit for a .303 average over his MLB career in the National League where he cant hide on the bench as a DH.

"The Answer" Allen Iverson

Why it's great:  Because he is the answer (well was).  That Sixers team he took to the NBA finals was not very good I mean the starting five included Jumane Jones, Eric Snow, and Black Skeletor.  Iverson is probably the best player in NBA history 6'0" and under.  He won 4 scoring titles in six years.

"The Lawfirm" Benjarvus Green-Ellis

Why it's great:  It is the best fictional lawfirm name since Dewey-Cheatem-and Howe.

"Air Canada/Vinsanity" Vince Carter

Why it's great:  See below



"Megatron" Calvin Johnson

Why it's great:  not many heros in sports can have the nickname of a villain, be a great human being and player and have the moniker fit but Megatron does just that.



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

a long sentence

I drove the rover for some custard pie in my time of dying down by the seaside and in the light; which was ten years gone from when took a night flight to boogie with Stu and the kashmir dressed black country woman that was sick again; trampled underfoot and wanton; song we all sung in Bron-Yr-Aur (one of) the houses of the holy.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Wikileaks and Pussy Riot

So the "Whitehouse" is protesting the two-year prison sentence for Pussy Riot.  Politicians shake their twitter fists of shame against the Russian Regime.


But where will the outrage be for Julian Assange?  Oh that is right there wont be any.  While Julian Assange is part of a diplomatic tug-o-war we have our Political Elite calling the Russian System shameful. Meanwhile Assanage is wanted for Sexual Assault charges in Sweden, but everyone knows these charges are specious and merely a reason extradite him and subsequently hand him over to the United States.  Then he is to be thrown into a hole or Git'Mo.  Bradley Manning and Assange are the enemy to the Congressional Military Industrial Complex so they must be stopped.


The Pussy Riot case shows how transparent the American Political Establishment is.  The powerful only champion freedom of speech when it is obvious and when it does not have an impact on them (which is to say us).  But speak out against the US Government, well we can't have any of this.

President Obama and Kelly Ayotte you can shame the Russians for an absurd punishment all you want.  But, WE know it is just political grandstanding.  Republicans and Democrats at least can agree on one thing.  Freedom of Speech is bullshit and a prop that is used to get the citizens to think we are free.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

You and Chick-Fil-Aint Shit

Chick-Fil-A and Ignorance

Everyone is choosing sides in the Chick-Fil-A controversy.  The LGBT community is outraged that a company that is not open on Sundays would be against Gay Marriage (at least the corporate leadership).  So as a good Lib I am not eating at the controversial chicken joint.  Full disclosure: this is not some grand sacrifice for me.  I have only eaten Chick-Fil-A a few times.  It's pretty good but whatever.  The weird thing to me is not someone wanting to protest a restaurant or business because of their policies, service, or products.  It just seems odd that people are going to Chick-Fil-A to show how much they hate gay people.  If you never went to Chick-Fil-A before this controversy and are now a PROUD supporter you sir are a buffoon.   If you choose to eat there or not to eat there great.  But... get over yourself.

Rodimus Prime the co-host of The Black Guy Who Tips made a great point.  If you want everyone to boycott Chick-Fil-A because of their stance on Gay Marriage are you going to boycott your grandmother because she feels the same way?  It is easy to demonize an amoral entity when they make a [im]moral stand.  It actually takes courage to express to your family ie your elders they are on the wrong side of an issue.  Old people are the ones voting when these initiatives are on the ballots  Additionally if you are tweeting about Chick-Fil-A from your iPhone like this person you should be aware of how an iPhone is made.



The conditions at Foxconn are horrendous.  Workers are forced to live in cramped dormitories and conditions are so bad there is a problem with suicide inside the factory and nets were put in place to catch workers trying to kill themselves.  But Apple is not the only company guilty of questionable actions.  In fact if you use nearly any electronic device it is likely comprised of Rare Earths.  Most rare earths such as Scandium, Cerium, Erbium, Terbium etc are mined in China (about 97% of global supply).  According to Tim Folger (National Geographic June 2011) rare earth mines also contain uranium and thorium which are radioactive.  The radioactive materials poison local water supplies and farm land.

But hey, if we can get (relatively) cheap electronics who cares right?

1st Amendment Rights

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The Constitution of the United States of America
Can you tell where the hell in the 1st amendment you are protected from criticism?  I guess I missed that day in Constitutional Law with Dr Jules Gleicher.  Oh no it's because it does not exist.  


Let me explain the FIRST AMENDMENT to you all.


The citizens are protected from the GOVERNMENT.   The government may not interfere with your ability to speak your mind or publish awful material (such as this blog).  Yes, Dan Cathy is free to express is opinion.  The citizens/consumers are free to exercise their opinions regarding such comments as an opinion on gay marriage.


I am really tired of these clowns misstating what the 1st amendment really is.


 


Regarding mayors discussing the topic... at this point it is just words.  the subject is nuanced and can be discussed intelligently.  I don't think it is the right tactic for a mayor or other elected official to say Chick-Fil-A is not welcome but it does not come near a first amendment issue unless laws are passed either at the federal or local level.  This rudimentary understanding of the first amendment is not only laughable but it is crippling to our society and our debates.


Systemic Problem


Go to Chick-Fil-A or boycott it.  In the end I don't really care  You really think that company is the only one giving money to rightwing groups?  We have a systemic problem because of Super-PACs and Citizens United.  Large companies give their money to right wing groups.  This happens because for are amoral and the right wing faction is only concerned with profits and lower taxes no matter the cost to society (these ideas are usually called externalities in the business community I guess it makes it easier to not give a shit when fancy words are used).  Organizations such as ALEC provide legislation to congresspersons (see I'm a good lib) and state legislators to further conservative policies.


We have a system in place that allows for the consolidation of power to large companies.  If we want to boycott individual companies that is fine but if you boycott McDonalds because of reason X or Y do you really think your Whopper Meal from Burger King is any different.  I personally don't shop at Wal-Mart (for a number of reasons) but I really doubt target is really that much better.  Until I have my self-sustaining farm in the mountains I guess I will have to join the rest of society and shop at evil companies.  But I guess just shop a little less (so I can sleep at night).


Libs can still eat chicken though
But at least there is one chicken chain we can all go to.

Monday, July 30, 2012

book excerpt


“Who’s there?”

Vinno becomes lost in the darkness of the forest.  No moonlight penetrates the thick cloud cover.  The stars are extinguished by the billow of water vapor suspended in the night sky.  The isolation and darkness heighten his other senses. Vision is rendered useless in this environment.  The sounds of footsteps surround him.  Vinno turns to his left and then back to the right.  The bully has become a coward alone in the eclipse of his mind and soul.  He shouts again.  “Who’s there?”  The words fall on deaf ears.  The putrid smell of vile excrement and rotting teeth surround his nostrils.  “Who are you?  Identify yourself asshole.”  He shouts into the black.  Scared he fires his gun into the void.  He fires again.  Vinno screams as the madness descends upon him; ripping his flesh from bone; devouring him; biting his face and neck; tearing through his clothing.  Over a dozen hands rip at his belly tearing skin and muscle.  Bony fingers rip out his left eyeball.  He calls for his own death to end the pain.  The yell only awakens the blackbirds perched in an oak tree.  Their calls only mock Vinno as the feast continues.  They flap into the night as he falls to the deepest pits of hell.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

novel

i just passed 20,000 words in the first draft of my novel