Not much of a post today

I'm too busy watching the stock market crashing after the house voted down the bailout package. So, if you follow the market it's been kind of a brutal day. Oh well, it's only money, right? On a lighter note I put a track on the SPs by Better than Ezra. I don't really listen to them now, but I liked them in the nineties. Picked that song because it reminds me of my favorite season... fall. I guess it's a personal favorite song and puts me in a good mood even when the dow drops almost six-hundred points.

Not sure if this is true...

But I thought it was worthy of a post anyway. This article is disturbing to me. I watched Super Size Me on DVD and say the bonus material stuff. As part of the bonus stuff he did something similar to this, but with the fries and they didn't change at all. Granted he kept them for a few months, not a dozen years... so my point is I'm inclined to believe this is the real (disgusting) deal.

Work is for suckers

A co-worker of mine is one of the people working to put on The Hairy Man Festival here in Round Rock. It sounds like fun, so if you're reading this and live (or will be )in the greater Austin you ought to check it out. Plus it raises food/money for people in the area. Unfortunately, like a sucker I've keeping my self groomed for and going to work when I could have just been growing it all out and won some prize money instead. Who needs a job (and respectability) when your nickname in high school was Teen Wolf? I obviously wasn't thinking ahead on that one.

Not to scare you too much

But I did find this a little troubling. I'm not trying to scare you out of flying either, it's still safer than driving. You all remember Jim Carey's lecture at the beginning of Dumb and Dumber (while he's driving the limo). I know it's bad to fall asleep if you're working at an office. Even worse if you're a doctor because someone might die, but at least it would probably be only one. Sleeping as a pilot... that's pretty bad. To me the craziest part is that it was both the pilot and the co-pilot. I guess they weren't smart enough or had the will power to have one say to the other "Hey man, I'm really out of it today. Could you cover while I sleep this one off?"

Here's an interesting map I found. The map shows the size of each state's economy, and puts the name of a country with an economy of the same size in that state in its place. For example, since I live in Texas my state has the same size economy as Canada. I thought this was cool (but I did study economics).

Politics alert, I'm back on the soap box

Alright, so I've said before that I really don't want this blog to be about politics... or at least not about me going off about the things I think. At the same time I think information is key, and as part of this I feel like if I find something useful, you all might find it useful too. I want to link to this debate. This was put on by a group called intelligence squared I think this is really informative. I'm not going to lie if you want to read the transcript it's over eighty pages, so if you're serious about this you'll need to set aside a good thirty minutes to an hour if you're going to read it (It's a transcript, so eighty pages will go quickly. At the same time bits of it are a somewhat technical so you may spend five minutes on one page and thirty seconds on the next). The debate deals with one of the key issues of the election, and one of the issues I feel that I understand least, health insurance. I really feel this debate is ideal to link to for me personally, because I feel both sides were well represented. I'm familiar with the work of several of the people who were involved, and I can tell you that even though I don't agree with them all that these are intelligent people. I know that everybody is busy, and as an economics major I might be more into this than the average American, but this is really time well spent to become informed on something like this. Like I've said before this is your money and your health (two things aspects of life I consider to be on the top of my list in importance) that are being debated. As far as the comments... I'm not sure if you guys will want to use those to express your opinions of the debate itself, or health insurance in general or what. I feel like as part of the blog I would prefer to leave my own opinions out, but that doesn't mean anyone reading this has to.

Also, I would encourage you to tell friends/co-students/workers, etc... any one you know who has an interest in politics at all to visit the Music Snobs(to get the link, or send them their directly to the site). I feel the information is that good, and would like to hear other people's impressions from the debate too. Hope you can all take time to look into this.

Science put to good work

A cure for cancer, who needs that when scientist can really get some work done. Click here to see what I mean. It's a song that is supposed to be the most annoying song ever. I actually thought it was kind of funny. It is way long though, so I didn't make it to the grand finale. The article also has a link to the "Most wanted song" which I think is also funny. Funny, because I would never want this song. Yikes. You'll have to give them both a listen and decide for yourselves.

Too good to pass up

This is too funny not to post. Especially since I am surrounded by Cowboy fans at work. America's team needs to put on a clinic for its fans. Unfortunately I can't see the video while I'm here at work, but the photo is enough for me to make this post worthy.

What could possibly go wrong (Part 2)?

Another brilliant idea by scientist and what a great way to invest tax dollars. I can't think of anything that could possibly go wrong with this idea. I can't wait till I can buy on of these for myself. Then I did have this one thought...You guys remember Ren and Stimpy, right? Well, in this episode Stimpy invents a "happy helmet" to control Ren's mood. While Ren is wearing the helmet all Stimpy has to do is push a button to make Ren "happy." For the video click here. If you remember the show, or this specific episode you'll know Ren wasn't too happy when he finally got the helmet off... seen here.
Here's my favorite part of the article:

And don't overlook potential civilian benefits. "How often have you been annoyed by people screaming into their cell phones?" Schmeisser asks. "What if instead of their Bluetooth earpiece it was a Bluetooth headpiece and their mouth is shut and there's blessed silence all around you?" Sounds like one of those rare slices of the U.S. military budget even pacifists might support.

Great. Have you ever been called by telemarketers on your cell phone? It's been happening to Sarah and I a lot lately. A number on caller id shows up from a state where you don't really know anybody, and if you answer it's a recording trying to sell you a warranty for your car or some other crap you really don't want. Let me put it to you this way to any telemarketers reading this. The only service you can sell me on the phone I might actually want to go out and find other telemarketers and do this to them. So anyway, if they're not annoying enough now why not let them burrow straight into your brain to sell you a warranty to your piece of junk car that is rapidly approaching 200K miles. In fact let me introduce you to the new style telemarketer. Khan:
I know you guys remember this guy, and what he was up to. If you don't, read the last sentence in the second paragraph under plot. Or even easier, call Matt Boardman and say "Matt, I read this blog they talked about the Wrath of Khan, could you tell what this would have to do with having something burrow into my brain?" He'll get a real kick out of it. Yeah Monday!

More blogs I read...

Continuing with some of the stuff I have on my Google reader here are two more pages I read. First is Detroit Bad Boys, and in the same vein is Need 4 Sheed. Need 4 Sheed has a link for any of you looking to buy a house in the Portland area. Sheed's old house, all you need is about 4.9 Million and it can be all yours. Anyways, I like these two blogs since I hardly see Piston games during the season it helps me to keep up with the team. I also read some other sports related blogs, mostly about the NBA. I have one I read about finance that I don't actually think is that great so I'm not going to recommend it here. I have political sites on my reader too, but I'm reluctant to recommend those here since I'm not really trying to make a political blog here. If you are really interested in those you can email me if you want some links. I get the word of the day. The afore mentioned Dinosaur Comics. Music reviews from NME magazine. I also like Channing Frye, and Bill Simmons for sports. So there you go, some suggestions on what I'm reading. As always recommendations for new stuff are welcome, if you're taking the time to read this, let us all know what you're reading.

As a follow up...

Since no one else seems to feel like posting RSS feeds they subscribe to I'm going to share one I recently added that I like. Dinosaur Comics. This thing cracks me up. The drawings are the same every day. Literally, the exact same... this is part of the gimmick. They sometimes link an idea together for a few days, so it's best to have it on your Google reader (or whatever your using) to keep up with it, and it's funny. I also have to have some respect for anyone who comes up with material to post four of five comics per week and never changes the drawing (which are of dinosaurs, no less). Hope you guys try it out, and think it's as funny as I do.

This one's for Bill Walton, er... KVB

Finally had to get to KVB's requested songs for the SP's. And you know I couldn't add a Greatful Dead track without adding this beauty.
Which reminds me.
Q: What did one Deadhead say to the other when their drugs ran out at a concert?
A: Wow, this music kinda sucks.

A dumb joke, but also a half truth. I like a few of the Dead's songs but a little goes a long way. So you get Uncle John's Band since I couldn't find a good version of Dire Wolf. Also got the requested Beck track up, it's a good choice. As far as Live... I like them, and really like the song requested but got a little too burned out its overplay back in the day. Couldn't bring myself to put it on there. Also the last few Live albums left too much of a bad taste in my mouth... I guess I have my "snob" reputation to live up to and couldn't green light all the songs on principle anyway. Besides two requests outta three's not too bad, right?

Come get some ham!

First, if you haven't been over there yet... Sarah updated her blog with some more pictures from our trip to OKC. Also, glad you guys are enjoying the Napoleon quiz... I took it again the other day just for fun I modified the answers to switch who I'd end up as... "Tina, you fat lard! Come get some dinner! Tina, eat. Eat the food. EAT THE FOOD!" In case you need a visual click here, and have your credit card ready (seriously click it, it's funny). Anyways, fun stuff so I'll leave that quiz up a couple more days.

Also, I wanted to ask something Sarah brought up on her blog a while back. Are you guys using RSS feeds to read blogs, what do you use, and what blogs/sites are you subscribed to? I know I use Google Reader, and I got Sarah started on it. What about the rest of you? Also, like I said what good blogs/sites do you guys read or subscribe to?

Today Napoleon (Dynamite that is) weeps

Because of this article.Too bad it had to be a liger and couldn't have just been a tigon. As Napoleon says (not in the movie, but one of the shorts promoting the movie: "A liger is WAY better than a tigon!" I also happened onto a quiz to find out which character you are from the movie. I was Napoleon, click on it to go to the quiz for yourself... if you take it post a comment and let the rest of us know who you are.

Top Ten

I read an article... and even though I know some blog readers may not like Noel Gallagher, or Oasis it still brings up a good discussion point. The article gives Noel's top ten bands of all time. Since I know you might not read the article I'll just tell you his rules for his list which are as follows:

"No solo artists allowed. No female artists allowed. No collectives allowed (Public Enemy etc)."

So in other words, no solo artists. In the linked article you can read the top ten picks for the writers/editors for British music magazine NME. The comments section of the article is open for lists from anyone who cares to submit a list, and of course so is mine. I'd like to hear what everyone has to say. So anyway here are Noel's picks :
1.The Beatles
2.The Rolling Stones
3.The Who
4.Sex Pistols
5.The Kinks
6.The La's
7.Pink Floyd
8.The Bee Gees
9.The Specials
10.(Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac

I guess you'd probably like to hear my picks too, since this is my post so I guess I'll get the discussion started. Slick's Top Ten (note: I haven't given this list too much thought, especially the last few bands on the list. Also this is no particular order):

1.The Beatles
2.Radiohead
3.Led Zeppelin
4.Nirvana
5.Oasis
6.REM
7.Death Cab for Cutie
8.Rolling Stones
9.Pearl Jam
10.The Strokes

*Already have to make my first edit, would probably trade out Pearl Jam for Wilco*

I think I can safely say the Beatles would be a definitive number one choice, otherwise no particular order. The Strokes and Pearl Jam could also be changed out for any of the following honorable mentions: Creedence, The Who, The Doors and Pink Floyd( both almost made the list), and I considered even if briefly the Stone Roses. As far as Noel's picks,I do like the Kinks, but don't know enough of their songs to vote them on my "best." I also know I don't like the Sex Pistols enough to let them near my list. Several of those were in consideration for their influence on other bands, and not just their music alone. Anyway, my list may change, if so I might go back to edit this post, but now it's up to you. Use the comments and make your list known.

All the latest

Well, we're back from our trip to OKC so I thought I'd post some news. First of all thanks to all those who voted in the poll to change/keep the blog title. The majority has spoken and the site will stay Music Snobs. Also, thanks for the new title suggestions. I like several of them, but only one can get the call.

For more on the trip click on over to Sarah's blog, she's already put a post up this morning with some pictures of the trip. While I'm not going to put any of the pictures up (that's Sarah's thing and I don't want to steal her thunder... I think she does a better job of detailing the family's goings on than I do.) I'm not going to let that stop me from saying a few things about the trip.

Firstly, my faith in humanity was restored then dashed again. In Texas, my current state of residence, we have this little thing (note: the picture of highway 183 in Irving, TX runs about a half mile from where I work, hate that thing) that drives me nuts. Frontage roads get my blood boiling like nothing else. I hate them. Now, the hatred is somewhat miss placed and I will freely admit this, but not entirely. I know a large part of the reason I hate them is actually just the fact that Austin is too crowed for its own good. The city and its suburbs have just grown too quickly and infrastructure has not keep pace with the number of people moving here. That is the root of the problem, and frontage roads are a physical manifestation that I can lash out against.

In my defense, and to show I'm not completely crazy about the roads I will explain a little more. The roads in this area suck. They are paved smoothly so all you Michiganders I'm not talking about the jolt to the butt you get every other second when you drive down older sections of I-75. What I mean is none of the roads here seem to go straight for very long they just run in random directions, roads have multiple confusing names, many areas are so new that google and yahoo maps are useless to guide you to new places, and finally the frontage roads. We happen to live on a frontage road, and I work in a building built on one too. Every morning when I leave for work I pull up to the apartment drive way and make a right turn toward the east. Fine. Whatever. The only problem is my work is west of where we live. Because it's a one way frontage road I drive about a quarter of a mile the wrong direction, flip a u-turn underneath the freeway and drive another quarter of a mile where I wave goodbye to my apartment all over again. To cut short all my many complaints of frontage roads I'll just say that I think they encourage people to build about 15 feet off the expressway when they normally wouldn't and they don't help move traffic any faster, but they do require you to pave roads all over the place and make the landscape ugly.

So now that I've made this huge rant you're wondering what this has to do with anything. I'll tell you what it has to do with... we drove to Oklahoma, as in a state that does not use evil torture devices like frontage roads. It was just so awesome to be able to drive the speed limit and think about things in this way "Alright, thirty miles to the next rest area that means we'll be there in twenty-five to thirty minutes" and not "I've got to get on I-35 north at Hester's Crossing (I'd guess about a three mile drive from our place) that should only take about twenty-five minutes." Anyways, faith in humanity restored.

On a more serious note in OKC we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The restoration of my faith was short lived. I don't know how to punish people enough when they do things like that. Repeated buckets of boiling water to the crotch might be a good start. What's especially messed up is that the building had a daycare in it. Blowing those kids up and there parents just trying to make it through another work week, that sure showed the government. I couldn't help but be saddened by the fact that events like this seem so commonplace that we don't remember one tragedy from the next. The pictures from the link are pretty good including a statue called And Jesus Wept, which got me thinking about a Wilco song, now on the SP's.

The trip on the whole was a good one, and it really had me thinking a lot. This was the first trip in the care that was longer than two hours we've taken with Claire since she was six weeks old and the first time ever for Noel. I couldn't help but feel some gratitude for my own parents and how they always worked to give me and my brothers good vacations. I really felt like life comes full circle as I thought about how parents must have felt in a similar situation (not a specific event, just in general) years before. A job that doesn't pay all that well, traveling on a budget, young kids in the back seat, and all the stuff that comes with traveling. Like changing diapers in a strong wind on a picnic table out in the middle of nowhere. It sort of made me feel closer to my own family (even though we weren't visiting them), and it was a good feeling. I guess the old cliche about turning into your parents is, at least in part, true.

Hope you all had a nice holiday weekend (sigh, end of summer), and be prepared for my future posts as the weather here finally cools down again (after I have suffered through another Texas summer) and I rub it in the faces of the readers of the blog who live up north (with its nice mild summer) that winter is nice time to be in Texas.