My friend Brandon, who used to live downstairs, is in Houston and did not evacuate. I really, really wish that he did, but now that there is pretty much no running away he is bunkered down. He got supplies and stocked up, but according to him power should be out by midnight.
I'm really worried. I tried to call him but getting a line is pretty much impossible.
Joshua's Journal
My Podcast Link
09/12/2008 18:15 #45658
My Friend In Houston09/11/2008 16:11 #45642
Interesting Politico "Arena" EntryThe Politico, which is a site I read multiple times daily, has recently posted in its "Arena" page a group of statements from experts commenting on the strange focus on the trivial. What causes it and to what degree is the media responsible?
It is a worthwhile read and a lot of salient points are made. Personally, I'd suggest that the media certainly is complicit in focusing on silly stuff. If the topic isn't about politics then it is about "celebutards" such as Paris Hilton and such. News is sensationalized for the same reasons in the US as they are anywhere else - to make money. It isn't as if the mainstream guys are doing good business, particularly in print. I think the media is desperate to compete for attention and are generally willing to extend remarks on the most trivial of topics if it means gaining an edge.
It is a worthwhile read and a lot of salient points are made. Personally, I'd suggest that the media certainly is complicit in focusing on silly stuff. If the topic isn't about politics then it is about "celebutards" such as Paris Hilton and such. News is sensationalized for the same reasons in the US as they are anywhere else - to make money. It isn't as if the mainstream guys are doing good business, particularly in print. I think the media is desperate to compete for attention and are generally willing to extend remarks on the most trivial of topics if it means gaining an edge.
dcoffee - 09/11/08 22:02
I never watch TV, and I'm usually late when I try to catch the news, the past couple times I hit Inside Edition or Entertainment Tonight, or some other BS Hollywood show that talks about shoes and celebrity babies. They're covering the election. and it makes my head hurt. It's handled through the same lens of sensationalized trivia. It's so weird. I don't recommend watching it. It just makes me go "oh my god, is this how people get information?!" Sorry, I'm rambling.
I agree Josh, profit motivates the news media now more than ever. News outlets used to compete to be the first one to get the 'scoop', expose lies, fraud, and abuse of power. But now they've cut their staff so much that they can't do investigative journalism, they leave that to people who write books. And the networks are only concerned about ratings. I honestly do not see the point of TV news, on cable they just repeat the same bullet points over and over again. And the network news spends all this time trying to get you excited about what's "coming up", you hear about a story five times before they actually get to it, and then they finally give you 3 minutes of coverage. Just skimming the headlines on any website or newspaper gives you way more info than network TV. I like the interviews, but that's about it.
You should watch the movie Network if you haven't already, part of that story is true. The news departments used to be self sufficient and self governed. The parent companies didn't care if the news division made a lot of money because having the most credible news team made the whole network look good. The news divisions had a sort of fraternal pride, and fought to be the first to dig up the facts and expose them to the American people. The Networks have since lost their independence, the CEO's and accountants are more hands on now.
another side note, I think Fox News should just hire Rush Limbaugh and switch their format to opinion. I think MSNBC should do the same, except hire Randi Rhodes on the left. They'd get better ratings, and we'd all accept the bias as a given. We'd all be better off.
As you can tell, the media is on my mind lately. Lipstick on a pig.. what the hell are these people wasting my time for.
I never watch TV, and I'm usually late when I try to catch the news, the past couple times I hit Inside Edition or Entertainment Tonight, or some other BS Hollywood show that talks about shoes and celebrity babies. They're covering the election. and it makes my head hurt. It's handled through the same lens of sensationalized trivia. It's so weird. I don't recommend watching it. It just makes me go "oh my god, is this how people get information?!" Sorry, I'm rambling.
I agree Josh, profit motivates the news media now more than ever. News outlets used to compete to be the first one to get the 'scoop', expose lies, fraud, and abuse of power. But now they've cut their staff so much that they can't do investigative journalism, they leave that to people who write books. And the networks are only concerned about ratings. I honestly do not see the point of TV news, on cable they just repeat the same bullet points over and over again. And the network news spends all this time trying to get you excited about what's "coming up", you hear about a story five times before they actually get to it, and then they finally give you 3 minutes of coverage. Just skimming the headlines on any website or newspaper gives you way more info than network TV. I like the interviews, but that's about it.
You should watch the movie Network if you haven't already, part of that story is true. The news departments used to be self sufficient and self governed. The parent companies didn't care if the news division made a lot of money because having the most credible news team made the whole network look good. The news divisions had a sort of fraternal pride, and fought to be the first to dig up the facts and expose them to the American people. The Networks have since lost their independence, the CEO's and accountants are more hands on now.
another side note, I think Fox News should just hire Rush Limbaugh and switch their format to opinion. I think MSNBC should do the same, except hire Randi Rhodes on the left. They'd get better ratings, and we'd all accept the bias as a given. We'd all be better off.
As you can tell, the media is on my mind lately. Lipstick on a pig.. what the hell are these people wasting my time for.
tinypliny - 09/11/08 16:55
Somehow I really like the layout on that website and that the debate has a moderator (with a differently coloured comment box). Very spiffy and easy-on-the-eye design.
Somehow I really like the layout on that website and that the debate has a moderator (with a differently coloured comment box). Very spiffy and easy-on-the-eye design.
tinypliny - 09/11/08 16:54
Looks like the website mandatorily wants commentators to list their occupations. Interesting.
Looks like the website mandatorily wants commentators to list their occupations. Interesting.
09/09/2008 11:43 #45613
McCain: 15-pt. lead among independentsGallup Poll: McCain Rides Wave, Opens Gaping Lead Among Independents
I have to admit, I'm very surprised by this. I expected McCain to get a bit of a bump after the convention, but a 15-point lead? Truly unexpected. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this shift, but it is a fairly obvious statement that Gov. Palin and her appeal has drawn more voters to the GOP. Love her or hate her, obviously she's been effective at getting middle America and political independents on John McCain's side.
Actually, if you read the data you'll see that among voters that are purely independent, McCain has a 20% increase over Obama among those individuals.
At this point the parties are entrenched in their choices, so very little shifting is going to occur. It remains to be seen how many conservative Democrats will shift over - according to this Gallup data the number of conservative Democrats favoring McCain over Obama has increased from 15% to 25%. Also unknown is how much further the numbers will increase on the GOP side as a result of additional enthusiasm among conservatives, who have helped to pull McCain's numbers higher as well.
Former Mayor of SF stokes Democrat Fears of the "Palin Effect"
Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco, is one of the most colorful and interesting politicians you'll ever meet. If you ask me, it is too bad that SF term limits allowed Gavin Newsom to slither into office. The man has had a very interesting political career in California that started in the 1960's. Anyway, he wrote a piece that appeared in the SF Chronicle that very much surprised me.
Overall I thought Willie was astute in his analysis of the Palin effect, love it or hate it. The only thing I really would take issue with is Mayor Brown's assertion that the press will treat Palin as the have Obama. Beeeeeeee Essssssss. That has already been proven wrong.
As an aside, Willie has a funny entry at the very bottom, addressing the recent string of restaurant robberies in Oakland (think Pulp Fiction):
By the way, there's a new dining tip for people going out in Oakland.
Be sure to order soup.
That way when the robbery starts, you can slip off your jewelry and drop it into soup so the robbers won't see it.
Ok, now that is funny. I wish we had more politicians capable of social commentary like this. It might actually endear them to us!
I have to admit, I'm very surprised by this. I expected McCain to get a bit of a bump after the convention, but a 15-point lead? Truly unexpected. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this shift, but it is a fairly obvious statement that Gov. Palin and her appeal has drawn more voters to the GOP. Love her or hate her, obviously she's been effective at getting middle America and political independents on John McCain's side.
Actually, if you read the data you'll see that among voters that are purely independent, McCain has a 20% increase over Obama among those individuals.
At this point the parties are entrenched in their choices, so very little shifting is going to occur. It remains to be seen how many conservative Democrats will shift over - according to this Gallup data the number of conservative Democrats favoring McCain over Obama has increased from 15% to 25%. Also unknown is how much further the numbers will increase on the GOP side as a result of additional enthusiasm among conservatives, who have helped to pull McCain's numbers higher as well.
Former Mayor of SF stokes Democrat Fears of the "Palin Effect"
Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco, is one of the most colorful and interesting politicians you'll ever meet. If you ask me, it is too bad that SF term limits allowed Gavin Newsom to slither into office. The man has had a very interesting political career in California that started in the 1960's. Anyway, he wrote a piece that appeared in the SF Chronicle that very much surprised me.
Overall I thought Willie was astute in his analysis of the Palin effect, love it or hate it. The only thing I really would take issue with is Mayor Brown's assertion that the press will treat Palin as the have Obama. Beeeeeeee Essssssss. That has already been proven wrong.
As an aside, Willie has a funny entry at the very bottom, addressing the recent string of restaurant robberies in Oakland (think Pulp Fiction):
By the way, there's a new dining tip for people going out in Oakland.
Be sure to order soup.
That way when the robbery starts, you can slip off your jewelry and drop it into soup so the robbers won't see it.
Ok, now that is funny. I wish we had more politicians capable of social commentary like this. It might actually endear them to us!
ajay - 09/10/08 12:34
For a guy who hates SF, you do spend a lot of time obsessing about the city, (e:josh) :-D
Willie Brown is the consummate politician; as much at home in City Hall as in some mafioso's den.
Oh, and about the press? Last time I checked, Palin was hiding from the press, just like Dick Cheney. Seems like a Republican thing: send someone else out to fight your wars, while you soil your pants in the bunker.
For a guy who hates SF, you do spend a lot of time obsessing about the city, (e:josh) :-D
Willie Brown is the consummate politician; as much at home in City Hall as in some mafioso's den.
Oh, and about the press? Last time I checked, Palin was hiding from the press, just like Dick Cheney. Seems like a Republican thing: send someone else out to fight your wars, while you soil your pants in the bunker.
tinypliny - 09/09/08 19:03
Hahah.. that's a good tip about soup. I will be sure to remember it when I am in Oakland!
Hahah.. that's a good tip about soup. I will be sure to remember it when I am in Oakland!
08/31/2008 09:55 #45521
PBS HD - Sesame StreetIt turns out that one of my favorite channels to watch since we got the upgrade is PBS HD. This morning we were flipping through and noticed Sesame Street was in HD - I don't know why this was so mind blowing to (e:jay) and I. I guess we never considered that this show might be produced in HD these days. Anyway, it made me think of the single greatest thing to ever have been shown on Sesame Street. Funky music, pinballs, mechanical animals, the Washington Monument used as a cannon - you know exactly what I'm talking about because you love this video too! This is a compilation - go ahead and bliss out for 7 minutes.
08/28/2008 14:31 #45486
Contorting My FaceThe wi-fi station is greatly improved at JFK now. I really wish we had a Jamaican announcing the flights back home like they have here.
I had to switch into my grody other shirt because I got mustard on the one I wore today. Oh snap.
Josh
I had to switch into my grody other shirt because I got mustard on the one I wore today. Oh snap.
Josh
tinypliny - 08/29/08 13:59
But really, I am just worried about my using swear words via influence. It's not that I don't ever swear. If you are an Indian, swearing is a way of life. Since I can't use literal translations of all those oaths here, maybe I am unconsciously substituting the swear words commonly used here. Hearing people swearing encourages me to be lazy and unimaginative in my speech and I don't like that.
But really, I am just worried about my using swear words via influence. It's not that I don't ever swear. If you are an Indian, swearing is a way of life. Since I can't use literal translations of all those oaths here, maybe I am unconsciously substituting the swear words commonly used here. Hearing people swearing encourages me to be lazy and unimaginative in my speech and I don't like that.
tinypliny - 08/29/08 13:45
Also, JetBlue's concourse has a better selection of food stalls than concourses elsewhere at JFK. I made it through alive and well from Prague last year because of the awesome food at the JetBlue stalls.
Laziness. Poverty. Does it really matter? The outcome is obnoxiousness, exponentiated.
Also, JetBlue's concourse has a better selection of food stalls than concourses elsewhere at JFK. I made it through alive and well from Prague last year because of the awesome food at the JetBlue stalls.
Laziness. Poverty. Does it really matter? The outcome is obnoxiousness, exponentiated.
joshua - 08/29/08 12:23
(e:paul) - I don't know when you've been to JFK last but JetBlue's wi-fi hot spot is nice. I think you'd like it - it is one of the best I've seen around the country by far. they installed lounge chairs with tables, and taller steel tables with AC outlets and monitors. The monitors were touch screen menus - you can order at the hot spot and someone brings you your food while you surf/work/whatever.
(e:tiny) - I swear a lot but it is not down to a poverty of expression. I am just lazy at times!
(e:paul) - I don't know when you've been to JFK last but JetBlue's wi-fi hot spot is nice. I think you'd like it - it is one of the best I've seen around the country by far. they installed lounge chairs with tables, and taller steel tables with AC outlets and monitors. The monitors were touch screen menus - you can order at the hot spot and someone brings you your food while you surf/work/whatever.
(e:tiny) - I swear a lot but it is not down to a poverty of expression. I am just lazy at times!
tinypliny - 08/29/08 08:27
The lighting in that picture is so "future-scapey". It's like you are standing in the booth of fluorescence.
I like that expression! It's better than swearing. I am probably turning into this 80 year old hag but I am starting to dislike swearing more and more. I feel it reflects poverty of expression. Lately, I can't tolerate being around people who swear without purpose. It's depressing because I feel they are rubbing off on my language and I resent that.
The lighting in that picture is so "future-scapey". It's like you are standing in the booth of fluorescence.
I like that expression! It's better than swearing. I am probably turning into this 80 year old hag but I am starting to dislike swearing more and more. I feel it reflects poverty of expression. Lately, I can't tolerate being around people who swear without purpose. It's depressing because I feel they are rubbing off on my language and I resent that.
jason - 08/29/08 08:14
The Oh Snap comes from the Biz Markie song "Just a Friend". Biz says "OH, SHNAP, Guess what I saw?"
The Oh Snap comes from the Biz Markie song "Just a Friend". Biz says "OH, SHNAP, Guess what I saw?"
paul - 08/29/08 00:08
Nice pic. Where does the "snap" come from? My boss (e:mrdeadlier) says it all the time.
Nice pic. Where does the "snap" come from? My boss (e:mrdeadlier) says it all the time.
it's been a few days, any word from your friend?
Apparently, not many fatalities were reported. Hopefully, there wont be many and your friend will pull through safe.
All those people staying behind have me really worried. They're definitely on my mind.