Friday, September 24, 2010
SEC
The SEC is just like the Baltimore Police Dept. in The Wire - juking the stats!
From Kotz:
- The SEC encouraged only "quick hit" cases to boost their stats (numbers) and make it seem like they were effective. During the previous decades the Fort Worth office operated within a broader SEC culture where novel and complex cases such as the Stanford scheme were not encouraged because officials were evaluated by the number of cases they brought. Instead, staff were focused on bringing a number of “quick hit” smaller cases.
Because why else would this have happened:
From Kotz:
- The SEC concluded that Stanford's fund was a fraud FOUR separate times, yet each time decided not to pursue the investigation. The SEC's Fort Worth office had examined Stanford in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2004, "concluding in each case that Stanford's CDs were likely a Ponzi scheme or a similar fraudulent scheme."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Live Blog: Outsourced
9:32: Arthur Bryants product placement. Nice
9:33: Wow, so many indian people on one show. Thank you Slumdog Millionaire...
9:37: Punjabi MC. Of course
9:46: "Detroit. City of motors and black people"
9:47: This assistant manager looks like Borat
9:53: This company reminds me of the companies we used to invest in at Silver Point. Just one day decides to fire the entire sales staff and move it to India
9:54: Cue Punjabi MC again... ridiculous
9:56: Pretty average. But I do like a show with a ton of Indians. The set is nice too. I shall watch again!
9:58: Well, that about wraps it up. Let us never speak of this live blog experiment again
9:37: Punjabi MC. Of course
9:46: "Detroit. City of motors and black people"
9:47: This assistant manager looks like Borat
9:53: This company reminds me of the companies we used to invest in at Silver Point. Just one day decides to fire the entire sales staff and move it to India
9:54: Cue Punjabi MC again... ridiculous
9:56: Pretty average. But I do like a show with a ton of Indians. The set is nice too. I shall watch again!
9:58: Well, that about wraps it up. Let us never speak of this live blog experiment again
Live Blog: The Office
9:02: Wow, singing and dancing!
9:03: Just noticed that all 3 shows had a summer break on their shows. 1) the office had to do it b/c it is a documentary (i guess?) 2) school obviously has summer off 3) 30 rock is also off for the summer. Did Mad Men start all of this with the year shifting between seasons?
9:14: Should they have opened up auditions for Hanson? Awesome
9:17: Michael buys jeans from Talbots? Awesome
9:19: That Betty White movie. Last joke "Amuse Bouche?" "Not since college". How is that supposed to be funny?
9:23: More urine humor. This time in an elevator. Random thought, elevators the new vampires?
9:27: Love that passive aggressive move by Dwight at the end. Poor Nard Dog
9:29: Surprise surprise. I actually liked this episode! Perhaps The Office still has life in it even with Michael Scott at the helm?
9:14: Should they have opened up auditions for Hanson? Awesome
9:17: Michael buys jeans from Talbots? Awesome
9:19: That Betty White movie. Last joke "Amuse Bouche?" "Not since college". How is that supposed to be funny?
9:23: More urine humor. This time in an elevator. Random thought, elevators the new vampires?
9:27: Love that passive aggressive move by Dwight at the end. Poor Nard Dog
9:29: Surprise surprise. I actually liked this episode! Perhaps The Office still has life in it even with Michael Scott at the helm?
Live Blog: 30 Rock
8:35: I hope there is singing in this episode
8:41: Loved the Top Gun reference. It DID need more volleyball
8:42: Wow David Letterman reference on NBC. This plus the dig at S#!T my dad says on Community... oh snap Thursday Night NBC Sitcoms
8:45: So far, not into these season openers. I am also tired from standing up while on my computer.
8:48: How does this new stopping short technology on Mercedes automobiles work with Frank Costanza's stopping short strategy?
8:49: Jack uses a MAC? I don't think so...
8:53: Picking peas out of your fried rice. Another Thomas childhood move!
8:55?: Oops. Had to time shift (rewind). Couldn't understand what Liz and Matt Damon said to each other
8:57: Boo, no singing!
8:41: Loved the Top Gun reference. It DID need more volleyball
8:42: Wow David Letterman reference on NBC. This plus the dig at S#!T my dad says on Community... oh snap Thursday Night NBC Sitcoms
8:45: So far, not into these season openers. I am also tired from standing up while on my computer.
8:48: How does this new stopping short technology on Mercedes automobiles work with Frank Costanza's stopping short strategy?
8:49: Jack uses a MAC? I don't think so...
8:53: Picking peas out of your fried rice. Another Thomas childhood move!
8:55?: Oops. Had to time shift (rewind). Couldn't understand what Liz and Matt Damon said to each other
8:57: Boo, no singing!
Live Blog: Community
7:58: It is weird actually waiting for a television show to come on. I am so used to having a DVR that it has been a while since I watched anything (non sports) live. I actually had a DVR in college that skipped ads automatically, man I miss that thing
8:03: I have no idea what is going on. I have completely forgotten what happened last season except paint ball and chicken fingers. i feel like chevy chase
8:10: Betty Davis? or is it Bea Arthur? I forget... anyways, not so funny so far. Having her drink urine? So lame
8:13: Fratellis song for the Outsourced ad. How many TV shows and movies are going to use this song??!
8:17: "he thinks all dog are boys and all cats are girls". I totally agree! I also used to think cavemen and dinosaurs lived during the same time period. Damn you Flinstones!
8:20: from wikipedia "The [fratelli's] song also appears in the trailer for the movies Run, Fat Boy, Run, Shrek The Third, Knocked Up, and The Game Plan, as well as the television commercials for Balls of Fury, Open Season, Youth in Revolt, Dinner For Schmucks and Amstel Brewery. It is also used for the supermarket chain Vons." - now we can add Outsourced to this list. shameful
8:21: Party City ad seems to used to be Thriller by Michael Jackson. No way this happens if he is still alive
8:22: What a tease. NBC news at 11 "what ever happened to the guy from the Bed Intruder song. see at 11pm"
8:23: Betty White. Oops. Who is Betty Davis?
8:27: Twin Peaks style ending. Or is that supposed to be Lord of The Rings? Anyways, live blogging is boring. I am going to do the dishes instead
8:03: I have no idea what is going on. I have completely forgotten what happened last season except paint ball and chicken fingers. i feel like chevy chase
8:10: Betty Davis? or is it Bea Arthur? I forget... anyways, not so funny so far. Having her drink urine? So lame
8:13: Fratellis song for the Outsourced ad. How many TV shows and movies are going to use this song??!
8:17: "he thinks all dog are boys and all cats are girls". I totally agree! I also used to think cavemen and dinosaurs lived during the same time period. Damn you Flinstones!
8:20: from wikipedia "The [fratelli's] song also appears in the trailer for the movies Run, Fat Boy, Run, Shrek The Third, Knocked Up, and The Game Plan, as well as the television commercials for Balls of Fury, Open Season, Youth in Revolt, Dinner For Schmucks and Amstel Brewery. It is also used for the supermarket chain Vons." - now we can add Outsourced to this list. shameful
8:21: Party City ad seems to used to be Thriller by Michael Jackson. No way this happens if he is still alive
8:22: What a tease. NBC news at 11 "what ever happened to the guy from the Bed Intruder song. see at 11pm"
8:23: Betty White. Oops. Who is Betty Davis?
8:27: Twin Peaks style ending. Or is that supposed to be Lord of The Rings? Anyways, live blogging is boring. I am going to do the dishes instead
The Girl Who Played with Fire
I watched the movie yesterday. It was terrible. A huge drop-off compared to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I am not sure you should even read the book
My Generation
"OK, Mr. Critic. You are so negative all the time, why don't YOU come up with ways to improve the show"
OK, I will!
1) The star athlete (who is white) quits school and decides to join the military out of love for country. Nice, but totally unrealistic. How about the poor kid who can only afford college if he or she signs up for military service? Oh yeah, and this person is NOT white
(message: the poor fight our wars)
2) The ivy league over-achiever who goes into investment banking and finance and makes 3x what everyone else makes, but still complains about the stress juxtaposed to people in Afghanistan fighting in the war
(message: people are spoiled)
3) The person who got married to her high school sweetheart and is now in a love-less marriage wondering, what did I do?
(message: people get married way too early)
4) The person who got married to her high school sweetheart and is perfectly happy in her marriage and spends all her time looking for things to buy from pottery barn to fill her mcmansion
(message: people are materialistic)
My Generation
ATB has requested that I live blog ABC's new show, My Generation
Here are the top 3 reasons I won't (from Slate)
Context-free taglines like "Dumping you was the biggest mistake of my life"
A soothing female voice—speaking over Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady"—explains that the year 2000
"The overachiever" discovers he has a 9-year-old son who was the result of a one-night stand with "the wallflower" at prom
The only person I trust to document the 2000s is VH1 and Michael Ian Black
The only person I trust to document the 2000s is VH1 and Michael Ian Black
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
More on that Chicago Professor
Here’s Brad DeLong’s fantastic response:
And in reality, I doubt that a four-point increase in the tax that he pays on any income over $250,000 is going to stop him from hiring someone to mow his lawn. And it’s certainly not going to make him give up his cellphone.
The big expenses in the Henderson family budget–their $60,000 a year in contributions to tax-favored retirement savings vehicles, their $25,000 a year savings building home equity, their $55,000 for housing, their $60,000 in private school costs, even their $10,000 a year for new cars–are simply out of reach for the overwhelming majority of Americans…
By any standard, they are really rich.
But they don’t feel rich. They have a cash flow problem. When the bills are paid at the end of the month, the money is gone–and they feel that they have to scrimp…
Professor Henderson’s problem is that he thinks that he ought to be able to pay off student loans, contribute to retirement savings vehicles, build equity, drive new cars, live in a big expensive house, send his children to private school, and still have plenty of cash at the end of the month for the $200 restaurant meals, the $1000 a night resort hotel rooms, and the $75,000 automobiles. And even half a million dollars a year cannot buy you all of that.
But if he values the high-end consumption so much, why doesn’t he rearrange his budget? Why not stop the retirement savings contributions, why not rent rather than buy, why not send the kids to public school? Then the disposable cash at the end of the month would flow like water. His problem is that some of these decisions would strike him as imprudent. And all of them would strike him as degradations–doctor-law professor couples ought to send their kids to private schools, and live in big houses, and contribute to their 401(k)s, and also still have lots of cash for splurges. That is the way things should be.The first thing to note here are Henderson’s priorities: for him, it seems, it’s more important to spend $60,000 a year on retirement savings, and to send his kids to private school, than it is to have a cellphone. That alone marks him out as very unusual among Americans, most of whom will spend money on a cellphone long before they send their kids to private school or put that fifty-thousandth dollar into their retirement savings.
And in reality, I doubt that a four-point increase in the tax that he pays on any income over $250,000 is going to stop him from hiring someone to mow his lawn. And it’s certainly not going to make him give up his cellphone.
Senate Sucks
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, said on Tuesday from the floor of the Senate that she would oppose efforts to advance debate of the defense spending bill, likely dashing hopes of those who want to overturn the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy this year.
A repeal of the military’s ban on allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly is attached to the broad piece of legislation that authorizes military spending.
Ms. Collins, who backs repeal of the policy, said she would nonetheless vote against moving forward with debate because of a dispute with the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, over whether Republicans would be allowed to offer amendments to the bill.
“I cannot vote to proceed to this bill under a situation that is going to shut down debate,” Ms. Collins said.
Republicans have accused the Democratic leadership of playing politics with the defense bill in an election year and have said they will filibuster the legislation. Ms. Collins, who voted for repealing the service ban in committee, had been seen as the best hope for breaking the filibuster.
Repeal is one of a series of promises that President Obama made in the early days of his administration, only to find that negotiations with Congress were more difficult than he had imagined. At the State of the Union in January, Mr. Obama called it a “law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are,” and he said repealing it was “the right thing to do.”
With midterm elections just six weeks away, a unified Republicans filibuster would likely mean a delay in fulfilling the president’s pledge until next year.
If the Democrats can’t muster 60 votes to cut off debate, the delay on “don’t ask, don’t tell” would be a blow to gay activists, members of a key White House constituency who fear that next year’s Congress will be less sympathetic to a repeal of the 17-year-old ban. The policy was enacted during President Bill Clinton’s first term.
The vote is scheduled for around 2:15 this afternoon.
A repeal of the military’s ban on allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly is attached to the broad piece of legislation that authorizes military spending.
Ms. Collins, who backs repeal of the policy, said she would nonetheless vote against moving forward with debate because of a dispute with the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, over whether Republicans would be allowed to offer amendments to the bill.
“I cannot vote to proceed to this bill under a situation that is going to shut down debate,” Ms. Collins said.
Republicans have accused the Democratic leadership of playing politics with the defense bill in an election year and have said they will filibuster the legislation. Ms. Collins, who voted for repealing the service ban in committee, had been seen as the best hope for breaking the filibuster.
Repeal is one of a series of promises that President Obama made in the early days of his administration, only to find that negotiations with Congress were more difficult than he had imagined. At the State of the Union in January, Mr. Obama called it a “law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are,” and he said repealing it was “the right thing to do.”
With midterm elections just six weeks away, a unified Republicans filibuster would likely mean a delay in fulfilling the president’s pledge until next year.
If the Democrats can’t muster 60 votes to cut off debate, the delay on “don’t ask, don’t tell” would be a blow to gay activists, members of a key White House constituency who fear that next year’s Congress will be less sympathetic to a repeal of the 17-year-old ban. The policy was enacted during President Bill Clinton’s first term.
The vote is scheduled for around 2:15 this afternoon.
From ATB
That is some serious hate.
"Ohio apologized to Ohio State today following the brawl between the schools' mascots Saturday before the teams' game in Columbus.
As Ohio State ran across the field before kickoff, the person dressed as Rufus, Ohio's mascot, attempted to tackle Brutus, Ohio State's mascot. Rufus missed in his first attempt, but followed Brutus into the end zone and the fight continued.
Jason Corriher, assistant athletic director for Media Relations, announced in a statement that the person involved in the stunt has been banned from any further affiliation with Ohio Athletics.
"The department does not condone this behavior and apologizes for the negative effects that this had on an intercollegiate event between two proud institutions," Corriher said in the statement. "This is not indicative of the quality partnership between the universities and reflected extremely poor judgment and sportsmanship."
Brandon Hanning, the person in the Rufus costume, said he was not upset with the aftermath.
"It was the whole reason I tried out (to be Rufus) last year," he said. "I knew we were going back to OSU this year, and I wanted to tackle Brutus."
Hanning, 19, is a student at Hocking College. He enrolled at OU last year but dropped out, he said. He added that he still hadn't been informed of his firing, but didn't care.
Ohio coach Frank Solich said he did not know much about the situation.
"A statement has been released and action has been taken," he said. "I'm sure it's the appropriate action. We obviously don't condone it.
"Obviously we needed to tackle the guy with the ball, not the mascot."
"Ohio apologized to Ohio State today following the brawl between the schools' mascots Saturday before the teams' game in Columbus.
As Ohio State ran across the field before kickoff, the person dressed as Rufus, Ohio's mascot, attempted to tackle Brutus, Ohio State's mascot. Rufus missed in his first attempt, but followed Brutus into the end zone and the fight continued.
Jason Corriher, assistant athletic director for Media Relations, announced in a statement that the person involved in the stunt has been banned from any further affiliation with Ohio Athletics.
"The department does not condone this behavior and apologizes for the negative effects that this had on an intercollegiate event between two proud institutions," Corriher said in the statement. "This is not indicative of the quality partnership between the universities and reflected extremely poor judgment and sportsmanship."
Brandon Hanning, the person in the Rufus costume, said he was not upset with the aftermath.
"It was the whole reason I tried out (to be Rufus) last year," he said. "I knew we were going back to OSU this year, and I wanted to tackle Brutus."
Hanning, 19, is a student at Hocking College. He enrolled at OU last year but dropped out, he said. He added that he still hadn't been informed of his firing, but didn't care.
Ohio coach Frank Solich said he did not know much about the situation.
"A statement has been released and action has been taken," he said. "I'm sure it's the appropriate action. We obviously don't condone it.
"Obviously we needed to tackle the guy with the ball, not the mascot."
Monday, September 20, 2010
Bed Bugs in Niketown
Reaction To Bed Bugs In Niketown: "Ew!"
After midtown's Niketown "proactively" closed due to a bed bug infestation, Air Jordan shoppers were shocked to find the store's windows covered in brown paper and signs saying they are "closed until further notice." But once they found out why they shuttered, they didn't want to go anywhere near the flagship. One Staten Island resident told the Daily News, "Ew! It makes you not want to go into stores. I'd rather shop online now than buy something and bring the bugs into my house." And that's how the internet finally killed real life shopping.
Pirates
Saw some pirates at Frying Pan on Saturday... this explains it
Yaaaaar, It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Avast ye scalliwags: today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Beloved by Dave Barry, it's the perfect time to try out some of those pirate pickup lines you've been storing up all summer.
Are you dressing up today (you could be a "Pirate of the Bronx")? Or maybe you're making a piratey video? If you're even more extroverted than that, you can celebrate at Bluestockings on Allen Street, where Teresa Svoboda will be reading from her novel "Pirate Talk or Mermalade." Maybe you just really don't wanna be a pirate. Just don't forget that real pirates can be kind of terrifying. And in keeping with our ITLPD tradition of yuks:
Q: What's a pirate's favorite airport?
A: La Guarrrrrrrrrrrrrrdia
A: La Guarrrrrrrrrrrrrrdia
$400K whiners
$400K and you are still living paycheck to paycheck? That is PATHETIC. Sell your SUV and McMansion you idiot
Todd Henderson, a law prof who writes for the blog Truth on the Market, has written a great essay titled We Are The Super Rich, about how he and his wife live on about 450K per year (via Marginal Revolution).
He notes, first off, that he and his wife paid $100K in federal and state taxes last year, meaning that financing the government is his #1 family expense.
Here's what he says will happen if his taxes rise:
Like most working Americans, insurance, doctors’ bills, utilities, two cars, daycare, groceries, gasoline, cell phones, and cable TV (no movie channels) round out our monthly expenses. We also have someone who cuts our grass, cleans our house, and watches our new baby so we can both work outside the home. At the end of all this, we have less than a few hundred dollars per month of discretionary income. We occasionally eat out but with a baby sitter, these nights take a toll on our budget. Life in America is wonderful, but expensive.
If our taxes rise significantly, as they seem likely to, we can cut back on some things. The (legal) immigrant from Mexico who owns the lawn service we employ will suffer, as will the (legal) immigrant from Poland who cleans our house a few times a month. We can cancel our cell phones and some cable channels, as well as take our daughter from her art class at the community art center, but these are only a few hundred dollars per month in total. But more importantly, what is the theory under which collecting this money in taxes and deciding in Washington how to spend it is superior to our decisions? Ask the entrepreneurs we employ and the new arrivals they employ in turn whether they prefer to work for us or get a government handout.
If these cuts don’t work, we will sell our house – into an already spiraling market of declining asset values – and our cars, assuming someone will buy them. The irony here, of course, is that the government is working to save both of these industries despite the impact that increasing taxes will have.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
In another exchange leaked to Silicon Alley Insider, Zuckerberg explained to a friend that his control of Facebook gave him access to any information he wanted on any Harvard student:
ZUCK: yea so if you ever need info about anyone at harvard
ZUCK: just ask
ZUCK: i have over 4000 emails, pictures, addresses, sns
FRIEND: what!? how’d you manage that one?
ZUCK: people just submitted it
ZUCK: i don’t know why
ZUCK: they “trust me”
ZUCK: dumb fucks
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
AMC
From the channel that brought you Mad Men and Breaking Bad...
It's Death Wish Week!
http://www.amctv.com/movienights/death-wish
Tornado in Park Slope??
Definitely kind of felt like one
http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/park-slope-twister/
Blast from the past
Columbia announces big-screen adaptation of "Goosebumps"
It's official: the 1990s retro craze is starting. First Capcom revived "Street Fighter" last year, and now "Goosebumps"? R.L. Stine's beloved series of horror novels that captivated kids when Harry Potter was still in kindergarten? Yes, it's back.
Omar on The Office?
Your Wire co-stars Amy Ryan and Idris Elba both have made guest appearances on The Office. Can you see yourself ever doing that?
I’m not going to turn it down, that’s for sure. I can be the disgruntled co-worker, the guy who goes postal. I’ll give it a shot if they make me an offer.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Random Jon Hamm News (unconfirmed)
Apparently he went to The University of Texas for 2 years before transferring to Missouri.
Wanted to play baseball, but gave it up after having too good of a "social life".
He was a Sigma Nu (Fall '89 pledge) and part of the reason he left UT was b/c the fraternity got kicked off campus (after his roommate turned them in- unclear for what)
He reps the Z-O-U, forever.
He reps the Z-O-U, forever.
From Diana
They missed the most obvious one
The origin of ‘Asian Ken’ – Revealed?
By Arturo R. GarcÃa
Still wondering where Mattel might have gotten the idea for its’ new Asian Ken Doll? You’re not alone. A number of blogs have tried to place the inspiration for this questionable choice for the first Asian Ken doll. As Dolls Of Color put it:
But is this really the best image for the FIRST ASIAN KEN? – Ken who is totally American and CONTEMPORARY… and by American, I mean a person from the USA but NOT neccessarily of European** ancestry? Now, last time I was in America… I did not see even ONE person who dressed even vaguely like this Ken doll… oh wait he’s supposed to be “Japanese”… well last time my partner went to Japan, he didn’t find anyone who wore anything like this either…
In that same post, DOC noted speculation that the doll was inspired by Shan Yu from Mulan.
Disgrasian places him as a dead ringer for Vietnamese singer Tuan Anh
And AATheory went with Lars Alexandersson from the Tekken 6 video game.
All good guesses. All off the mark. See, I don’t believe there’s any “historical” basis for this figure. It’s really based on somebody from the here and now. Meet pro wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi:
Let’s take another look at that jacket:
I’m half-joking, of course. But Mattel should at least stop trying to pretend it’s going for something “true to life” and embrace kitsch, if it’s going to make dolls like this one. And let’s not even get into A-Ken’s compation, “Asian Barbie”:
Sooners
http://newsok.com/ou-football-coach-bob-stoops-hope-its-home-of-the-brave-and-nothing-else/article/3494841
It's Home of the Brave, not Home of the Sooners...
It's Home of the Brave, not Home of the Sooners...
West Hollywood
This remiinds me of the time I was in West Hollywood at The Abbey and some gay guy came up to me and asked me if I was "Thai". Yes, that was his pickup line. Apparently gay guys have asian fetishes too...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tea Baggers
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/09/can_carl_paladino_really_pull.html
Currently up 73% to Lazio's 27% with 19% precincts reporting
WOW
Currently up 73% to Lazio's 27% with 19% precincts reporting
WOW
Congrats Christine O'Donnell - Future Delaware Senator?
http://www.anusha.com/sex9d.html
CHRISTINE O'DONNELL, President, The S.A.L.T.: My name is Christine O'Donnell. I am the President and Founder of The S.A.L.T. The S.A.L.T. stands for "The Savior's Alliance For Lifting The Truth." We choose sexual purity in our lives. We have God-given sexual desires and we need to understand them and preserve them to be used in God's appropriate context. Our members are committed to be role models, committed to be the salt of the earth. (At condo) Let's
figure out where everyone's gonna go. We have a condo, a gorgeous condo that God graced us with at a very reasonable price. This one is all the girls. We got two condos, one for the guys and one for the girls, and the reason that we did that is if we intend to be role models, we have to avoid all appearance of any wrongdoing. Two teenagers and a priest are gonna go here. Gloria doesn't think it's a good idea but... We need to address sexuality with young people and masturbation is part of sexuality but it is important to discuss this from a moral point of view.
CHRISTINE GEDGAUDAS, Marketing Director, The S.A.L.T.: Masturbation is a selfish act and it's a lustful one and we are to walk with pure hearts not adulterous, lusting hearts.
TODD HITCHCOCK, Youth Pastor: The Bible is clear in the fact that it says that any sexual act outside of the realm of marriage is wrong.
JUNICHI SEMITSU: My name is Junichi Semitsu and tonight we're gonna be putting on a program called "Coming To Terms With Masturbation." When we first start the program, it seems that most people are expecting a freak show. We wanted to do a program that made people think about their own value system.
SPEAKER AT PROGRAM:
When, where, and how do people learn to feel guilty about masturbation?
PROGRAM ATTENDEE: Religion, Catholic high school.
SEMITSU: One of the things that we particularly enjoy doing is discussing the Victorian techniques to cure masturbation.
SPEAKER AT PROGRAM: It was better to cut off a boy's genitals entirely then to let him go insane or die from masturbating too frequently. Some parents had their sons' foreskins fastened shut with rings, clamps, or staples to prevent erections and masturbation.
SEMITSU: For a lot of the audience, it's a really shocking thing to hear and that's a very fun thing for us to present because people are amazed with the extent to which people believed that masturbation was a sinful thing.
O'DONNELL: The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can't masturbate without lust.
CHRISTINE O'DONNELL, President, The S.A.L.T.: My name is Christine O'Donnell. I am the President and Founder of The S.A.L.T. The S.A.L.T. stands for "The Savior's Alliance For Lifting The Truth." We choose sexual purity in our lives. We have God-given sexual desires and we need to understand them and preserve them to be used in God's appropriate context. Our members are committed to be role models, committed to be the salt of the earth. (At condo) Let's
figure out where everyone's gonna go. We have a condo, a gorgeous condo that God graced us with at a very reasonable price. This one is all the girls. We got two condos, one for the guys and one for the girls, and the reason that we did that is if we intend to be role models, we have to avoid all appearance of any wrongdoing. Two teenagers and a priest are gonna go here. Gloria doesn't think it's a good idea but... We need to address sexuality with young people and masturbation is part of sexuality but it is important to discuss this from a moral point of view. CHRISTINE GEDGAUDAS, Marketing Director, The S.A.L.T.: Masturbation is a selfish act and it's a lustful one and we are to walk with pure hearts not adulterous, lusting hearts.
TODD HITCHCOCK, Youth Pastor: The Bible is clear in the fact that it says that any sexual act outside of the realm of marriage is wrong.
JUNICHI SEMITSU: My name is Junichi Semitsu and tonight we're gonna be putting on a program called "Coming To Terms With Masturbation." When we first start the program, it seems that most people are expecting a freak show. We wanted to do a program that made people think about their own value system.
SPEAKER AT PROGRAM:
When, where, and how do people learn to feel guilty about masturbation? PROGRAM ATTENDEE: Religion, Catholic high school.
SEMITSU: One of the things that we particularly enjoy doing is discussing the Victorian techniques to cure masturbation.
SPEAKER AT PROGRAM: It was better to cut off a boy's genitals entirely then to let him go insane or die from masturbating too frequently. Some parents had their sons' foreskins fastened shut with rings, clamps, or staples to prevent erections and masturbation.
SEMITSU: For a lot of the audience, it's a really shocking thing to hear and that's a very fun thing for us to present because people are amazed with the extent to which people believed that masturbation was a sinful thing.
O'DONNELL: The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can't masturbate without lust.
Gaga
Following the lead of the First Lady, Lady Gaga headed to DUMBO to get a late dinner at Grimaldi's pizza last night. Allegedly!
Reader Jane Kratochvil writes in: "I live across the street and was having a pizza with my sister... The restaurant was less than half full at 10:30 p.m. when Gaga walked in and ordered the pizza herself at the takeout counter (she was with a friend). She was wearing a leotard and ripped fishnets with a gold lame jacket. She had on snakeskin, platform, stiletto ankle boots. No information on what kind of pizza she ordered..." but we bet there was meat on it!
After placing the order she "slowly waltzed back out to her SUV and waited for her pizza." Twitter adds fire to the rumor, with several people posting about spotting the pop star. Yet no one got a photo? We'll put a call in when the pizza joint opens later today to see if they can confirm... and to possibly place an order.
Stalked to Death
This can't be what Urban Meyer signed up for when he decided to come back to coaching after retiring for a day last December.
With his offense already struggling to find itself in the first two games, now he has one of the guys who was supposed to play a key role in that offense facing felony stalking charges.
Junior slot receiver Chris Rainey was arrested early Tuesday morning on a charge of aggravated stalking. According to police, Rainey sent a woman he'd been dating off and on for about three years a text that said, "Time to die." This was after Rainey went over to the woman's house and was told to leave. (ESPN)
With his offense already struggling to find itself in the first two games, now he has one of the guys who was supposed to play a key role in that offense facing felony stalking charges.
Junior slot receiver Chris Rainey was arrested early Tuesday morning on a charge of aggravated stalking. According to police, Rainey sent a woman he'd been dating off and on for about three years a text that said, "Time to die." This was after Rainey went over to the woman's house and was told to leave. (ESPN)
Bored to Death
50% of why I like this show is because it is in Brooklyn
http://www.hbo.com/html/series/bored-to-death/bored-in-brooklyn/
Monday, September 13, 2010
Never Let Your Kids Play Football
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/sports/14football.html?_r=1&src=tptw
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A brain autopsy of a University of Pennsylvania football player who killed himself in April has revealed the same trauma-induced disease found in more than 20 deceased National Football League players, raising questions of how young football players may be at risk for the disease.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A brain autopsy of a University of Pennsylvania football player who killed himself in April has revealed the same trauma-induced disease found in more than 20 deceased National Football League players, raising questions of how young football players may be at risk for the disease.
Muffin Top
Oh no! still better than muffin stumps though
Your Muffin Top Will Give You Butt Cancer
That gut you've got may be adorable and fun to grab hold of, but it's going to kill you, says Science.
Every extra inch on your waistline raises the odds of bowel cancer even if the rest of your body is trim, doctors have warned. The dangers of a pot belly or 'muffin top' were highlighted by a large-scale review of studies into Britain's second biggest cancer killer. Crucially for the millions battling to contain middle-age spread, it found that you don't need to be overweight for a generous waistline to cause problems.
Even worse, almost everything that's fun to eat, "including bacon, ham, pastrami, salami and hot dogs – significantly raises the chances of bowel cancer" (also known as "colorectal cancer" or "cancer of the ass"). Sometimes life is exactly as unrelentingly awful as you expect it to be.
Dude, Where's My Quran?
A planned Quran burning Saturday in Amarillo was thwarted by a 23-year-old carrying a skateboard and wearing a T-shirt with “I’m in Repent Amarillo No Joke” scrawled by hand on the back.Local news station News Channel 10 covered the event and interviewed Isom. Isom told News Channel 10 that “he heard something about burning the Qur’an. Then I snuck up behind [Grisham] and told him, ‘Dude, you have no Qur’an,’ and took off.”
Jacob Isom, 23, grabbed David Grisham’s Quran when he became distracted while arguing with several residents at Sam Houston Park about the merits of burning the Islamic holy book. “You’re just trying to start Holy Wars,” Isom said of Grisham after he gave the book to a religious leader from the Islamic Center of Amarillo.
More Journalism
Also, trust fund babies have no income but still live quite the life...
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Journalism
Horns drop spot in AP poll, hold steady in coaches
For the second straight week, the Longhorns retained their standing in both major polls — fifth in the Associated Press media poll and fourth in the USA Today coaches poll — after their 34-7 victory over Wyoming Saturday night.Texas opens Big 12 play this week with a visit to Texas Tech, the site of its last regular-season defeat, in 2008. Under new coach Tommy Tuberville, the Red Raiders are receiving votes in both polls after their 52-17 victory at New Mexico improved their record to 2-0.
Saturday’s game in Lubbock starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.
CORRECTION: Texas actually dropped one spot to sixth place in the AP media poll in the latest poll.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Chefs
25 things chefs never tell you
(Photo: Getty Images)
Chefs are pickier than you think.
Liver, sea urchin, tofu, eggplant, and oysters, of all things, topped the list of foods chefs hate most. Only 15% of chefs surveyed said they’d eat absolutely anything.
Liver, sea urchin, tofu, eggplant, and oysters, of all things, topped the list of foods chefs hate most. Only 15% of chefs surveyed said they’d eat absolutely anything.
Still, chefs hate picky eaters.
More than 60% said requests for substitutions are annoying. Some of their biggest pet peeves: When customers pretend to be allergic to an ingredient, and when vegetarians make up rules, like “a little chicken stock is OK.”
More than 60% said requests for substitutions are annoying. Some of their biggest pet peeves: When customers pretend to be allergic to an ingredient, and when vegetarians make up rules, like “a little chicken stock is OK.”
When eating out in other restaurants, chefs say they avoid pasta and chicken.
Why? These dishes are often the most overpriced (and least interesting) on the menu. Said one chef, “I won’t pay $24 for half a chicken breast.” Said another, “I want something I can’t make myself.”
Why? These dishes are often the most overpriced (and least interesting) on the menu. Said one chef, “I won’t pay $24 for half a chicken breast.” Said another, “I want something I can’t make myself.”
Chefs have expensive taste.
The restaurant chefs most often cited as the best in the country was The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley. It ought to be — dinner there is $240 per person, before wine.
The restaurant chefs most often cited as the best in the country was The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley. It ought to be — dinner there is $240 per person, before wine.
...and yet they like fast food.
Their favorite chain: Wendy’s. Culinary degrees aren’t necessarily the norm. Just half the chefs surveyed graduated from a cooking school. The rest got their training the old-fashioned way, by working their way up through the kitchen ranks.
Their favorite chain: Wendy’s. Culinary degrees aren’t necessarily the norm. Just half the chefs surveyed graduated from a cooking school. The rest got their training the old-fashioned way, by working their way up through the kitchen ranks.
Critics trump movie stars in the VIP pecking order.
A whopping 71% of chefs said they give special treatment to restaurant critics when they spot them; only 63% do the same for celebrities. Making out in the bathroom is old news. More than half of the chefs have found customers kissing — and much more — in the restaurant loo.
A whopping 71% of chefs said they give special treatment to restaurant critics when they spot them; only 63% do the same for celebrities. Making out in the bathroom is old news. More than half of the chefs have found customers kissing — and much more — in the restaurant loo.
Roaches are more common than you think.
Yes, 75% of chefs said they’ve seen roaches in the kitchen. And yet, chefs swear their kitchens are clean. On a scale of 1 to 10, 85% of chefs ranked their kitchens an 8 or higher for cleanliness.
Yes, 75% of chefs said they’ve seen roaches in the kitchen. And yet, chefs swear their kitchens are clean. On a scale of 1 to 10, 85% of chefs ranked their kitchens an 8 or higher for cleanliness.
Only 13% of chefs have seen a cook do unsavory things to a customer’s food.
The most unbelievable tale: “Someone once ran a steak through a dishwasher after the diner sent it back twice. Ironically, the customer was happy with it then.”
The most unbelievable tale: “Someone once ran a steak through a dishwasher after the diner sent it back twice. Ironically, the customer was happy with it then.”
Your bread basket might be recycled.
Three chefs admitted that uneaten bread from one basket goes right into another one.
Three chefs admitted that uneaten bread from one basket goes right into another one.
Chefs work hard for low pay.
The chefs we surveyed work between 60 and 80 hours a week and almost all of them work holidays. Sixty-five percent reported making less than $75,000 a year. Waiters take home an average of $662 a week, often tax free.
The chefs we surveyed work between 60 and 80 hours a week and almost all of them work holidays. Sixty-five percent reported making less than $75,000 a year. Waiters take home an average of $662 a week, often tax free.
“Vegetarian” is open to interpretation.
About 15% of chefs said their vegetarian dishes might not be completely vegetarian. Beware if you’re one of those super-picky vegan types: One chef reported seeing a cook pour lamb’s blood into a vegan’s primavera.
About 15% of chefs said their vegetarian dishes might not be completely vegetarian. Beware if you’re one of those super-picky vegan types: One chef reported seeing a cook pour lamb’s blood into a vegan’s primavera.
Paying for a last-minute reservation probably won’t work.
Only one chef said bribes will help you score a table when the restaurant is fully booked; he suggested “promising to buy a bottle of Dom Pérignon or Opus One.” A better bet: Being buddies with the chef.
Only one chef said bribes will help you score a table when the restaurant is fully booked; he suggested “promising to buy a bottle of Dom Pérignon or Opus One.” A better bet: Being buddies with the chef.
Menu “specials” are often experimental dishes.
Contrary to popular belief — that specials are just a chef’s way of using up old ingredients — most chefs said they use specials to try out new ideas or serve seasonal ingredients. Only five chefs admitted that they try to empty out the fridge with their nightly specials.
Contrary to popular belief — that specials are just a chef’s way of using up old ingredients — most chefs said they use specials to try out new ideas or serve seasonal ingredients. Only five chefs admitted that they try to empty out the fridge with their nightly specials.
The appropriate tip is 20%...
That’s what chefs leave when they eat out, and it’s the amount they think is fair.
That’s what chefs leave when they eat out, and it’s the amount they think is fair.
...unless the service is really poor.
An astounding 90% of chefs said it’s fair to penalize bad waiters with a smaller tip.
An astounding 90% of chefs said it’s fair to penalize bad waiters with a smaller tip.
That rule about not ordering fish on Sunday might be worth following.
Several chefs warned, “We don’t get fresh deliveries on Sunday.”
Several chefs warned, “We don’t get fresh deliveries on Sunday.”
Chefs hate working on New Year’s Eve more than any other holiday.
Valentine’s Day was a close second, but don’t take that to mean chefs aren’t romantic: 54% of those surveyed said they like it when couples get engaged in their restaurant.
Valentine’s Day was a close second, but don’t take that to mean chefs aren’t romantic: 54% of those surveyed said they like it when couples get engaged in their restaurant.
They secretly want to be Alton or Giada.
Nearly 60% of chefs said they’d want their own cooking show.
Nearly 60% of chefs said they’d want their own cooking show.
Chefs cook when they’re sick.
It’s a long-standing tradition in the restaurant industry: Cooks report to duty unless they’re practically hospitalized. Half of those we surveyed said they come to work sick, and they stay there through injuries, too. Many chefs have cut themselves on the job, gone to get stitches, and returned to work to finish out the night. Accidents definitely happen: Almost every chef we surveyed has been injured on the job in some way, and several chefs said they’re missing parts of their fingers.
It’s a long-standing tradition in the restaurant industry: Cooks report to duty unless they’re practically hospitalized. Half of those we surveyed said they come to work sick, and they stay there through injuries, too. Many chefs have cut themselves on the job, gone to get stitches, and returned to work to finish out the night. Accidents definitely happen: Almost every chef we surveyed has been injured on the job in some way, and several chefs said they’re missing parts of their fingers.
The five-second rule actually applies.
A quarter of the chefs surveyed said they’d pick up food that dropped on the floor and cook it.
A quarter of the chefs surveyed said they’d pick up food that dropped on the floor and cook it.
Your waiter is trying to influence your order.
Almost every chef surveyed (95%) said he or she urges servers to steer customers toward specific dishes on the menu each night.
Almost every chef surveyed (95%) said he or she urges servers to steer customers toward specific dishes on the menu each night.
Restaurants mark up wine by a lot more than you might expect.
Most chefs said that a bottle on their wine list costs 2½ times what the same one would cost in a wine store.
Most chefs said that a bottle on their wine list costs 2½ times what the same one would cost in a wine store.
There’s a reason so many restaurants serve molten chocolate cake.
More than 75% of chefs said they take inspiration from other restaurant menus.
More than 75% of chefs said they take inspiration from other restaurant menus.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Favorite LFO Songs & Lyrics
In honor of Rich, here are my favorite LFO songs with my favorite lyrics from those songs
Every Other Time
Every Other Time
"sometimes we sit around
just the 2 of us on the park bench
sometimes we swim around
like 2 dolphins in the ocean of our hearts"
just the 2 of us on the park bench
sometimes we swim around
like 2 dolphins in the ocean of our hearts"
"but then i think about the time that we broke up before the prom and u told everyone that I was gay...OK"
Life is Good
"if you love rich nice or you hate rich nice
take my advice and just live up your life"
6 Minutes
"sometimes I feel like the catcher in the rye
sometimes I wish that I could catch your eye
sometimes I wish that I could be that guy"
Girl on TV
"Shooby-doo-wop and scobby snacks,
met a fly girl and i can't relax
the only problem is she's a movie star
Oh, my friends, they won't believe me,
if they could only see me
at the risk of sounding cheesy
i think i fell for the girl on TV"
Alayna
"when I treat my thoughts at night
Gypsy woman look ahead and says she sees a fight
See piranha, fall to my knees beg Madonna
Please be with me cause I feel I'm a gonner"
West Side Story
"Johnny Rocket
Got her number in my pocket
We was on the run
daddy got a gun
Stop it
playin' with veronica
she got me now
But her father got a biscut and it might go pow"
What If
“If I were some movie star
with some big expensive car
at some big first night premiere
with Ben Affleck and Richard Gere”
“If I was the great Houdini
granting wishes like a genie
If I were some big tough guy
who went to Mars and made you cry“
Summer Girls
Yeah...I like it when the girls stop by.. In the summer
Do you remember, Do you remember?
...when we met..That summer??
New Kids On The block,had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer
Hip Hop Marmalade spic And span,
Met you one summer and it all began
You're the best girl that I ever did see,
The great Larry Bird Jersey 33
When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet
Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets
Call me Willy Whistle cause I can't speak baby
Something in your eyes went and drove me crazy
Now I can't forget you and it makes me mad,
Left one day and never came back
Stayed all summer then went back home,
Macauly Culkin wasn't Home Alone
Fell deep in love,but now we ain't speaking
Michael J Fox was Alex P Keaton
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
New Kids On The block,had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer
Cherry Pez,cold crush,rock star boogie
Used to hate school so I had to play hookie,
Always been hip to the B-boY Style
Known to act wild and make girls smile,
Love New Edition and the Candy Girl
Remind me of you because you rock my world
You come from Georgia where the peaches grow
They drink lemonade and speak real slow
You love hip hop and rock n roll
Dad took off when you were 4 years old
There was a good man named Paul Revere
I feel much better baby when you're near
You love fun dip and cherry Coke,
I like the way you laugh when I tell a joke
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
In the summertime girls got it going on,
Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like,
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
Bugaloo shrimp and pogo sticks
My mind takes me back there oh so quick
Let you off the hook like my man Mr. Limpet
Think about that summer and I bug,cause I miss it
Like the color purple,macaroni and cheese,
Ruby red slippers and a bunch of trees
Call you up but whats the use
I like Kevin Bacon,but I hate Footloose
Came in the door I said it before,I think I'm over you
but I'm really not sure
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
In the summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summertime girls got it going on
Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
RIP LFO
LFO's Rich Cronin Dies At Age 35
Cronin, the lead singer of 1990’s boy band LFO, passed away Wednesday after a long battle with leukemia. He suffered a stroke in a hospital this afternoon, according to his brother. Cronin wrote the pop trio's 1999 hit "Summer Girls," which spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. [TMZ]
Funny Because It's True
OKCupid's racial stereotyping guide (re-published on Gizmodo), mined the website's dating profiles for the most common words that men use to describe themselves in their interests, hobbies, tastes, and self descriptions.
Then OKCupid separated all of the answers by race. The results are both hilarious and enlightening.
None of the top words White men use to describe themselves say anything about their careers. None of the women's profiles seem to mention career either - just the Asian males, who are either engineers or finance guys, and proud of it.
Here are some of the words Asian men use the most in their profiles:
Freakonomics, analyst, Malcolm Gladwell, surfing the net, investment, gadgets, entrepreneur, finance, accountant, and investing.
The white guys use words like this:
Ghostbusters, The Big Lebowski, brew, boating, Groundhog Day, hockey, Jeep, building things, hunting and fishing
http://gizmodo.com/5632105/
Street Smarts
Street smarts is a colloquial slang term referring to knowledge not obtained through higher learning or formal education but instead by practical life experience. In general, street smarts involve using common sense to stay savvy and safe in real-life – or "street" – situations. The term has been used for decades throughout the United States, especially in regards to teens in urban centers. It is often used as a clear delineation between those who thrive in urban settings and those who do not, and can sometimes draw a line between economic or social classes.
The term street smarts is often used in conjunction with a criticism of someone who is "book smart," but has little common sense. The person’s knowledge itself is not called into question; it is usually assumed or conceded that the person is reasonably intelligent in terms of cognitive ability and assessment, but in terms of streetwise ability or common sense, the person tends to lack certain skills. This assessment is often an insult aimed at the subject rather than a flattery of their skills as a "book smart" individual. Someone who lacks street smarts can find themselves the subject of ridicule from those with common sense in social situations rather than or in addition to formal education.
Street smarts can also refer to one’s instincts in regards to high-stress situations, such as navigating city streets via car, bicycle, or on foot. This includes not only knowledge of the urban center or certain locale, but also a working knowledge of how to move through the area safely and often aggressively. This may include knowing short-cuts, quickest means of travel, or even having contacts within the system – such as police officers, street vendors, locals, etc. Knowledge of the area or its history is not enough to qualify as street smarts; the key component of street smarts is practical application.
Street smarts does not necessarily refer to urban settings exclusively. The term may also be used to refer to social awareness and interaction, regardless of setting. Communicating well with peers and navigating through social circles can also fall under the category of street smarts, particularly when dealing with the social circles of young people and high school cliques.
The term street smarts is often used in conjunction with a criticism of someone who is "book smart," but has little common sense. The person’s knowledge itself is not called into question; it is usually assumed or conceded that the person is reasonably intelligent in terms of cognitive ability and assessment, but in terms of streetwise ability or common sense, the person tends to lack certain skills. This assessment is often an insult aimed at the subject rather than a flattery of their skills as a "book smart" individual. Someone who lacks street smarts can find themselves the subject of ridicule from those with common sense in social situations rather than or in addition to formal education.
Street smarts can also refer to one’s instincts in regards to high-stress situations, such as navigating city streets via car, bicycle, or on foot. This includes not only knowledge of the urban center or certain locale, but also a working knowledge of how to move through the area safely and often aggressively. This may include knowing short-cuts, quickest means of travel, or even having contacts within the system – such as police officers, street vendors, locals, etc. Knowledge of the area or its history is not enough to qualify as street smarts; the key component of street smarts is practical application.
Street smarts does not necessarily refer to urban settings exclusively. The term may also be used to refer to social awareness and interaction, regardless of setting. Communicating well with peers and navigating through social circles can also fall under the category of street smarts, particularly when dealing with the social circles of young people and high school cliques.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-street-smarts.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)