the sweet life » Elsewhere
Video: Thunder Rolls
A woman was filming a rainstorm from her balcony when she was struck by lightning. She's apparently fine, and decided to post the clip on Flickr for the world to view. Insanity.
(via kottke)
Headline of the Day
"Kidman gives birth Monday to girl named Sunday" - The Associated Press
Bits & Pieces
Here are a few interesting items I thought I would share.
- Iconic moments from classic Alfred Hitchcock movies are recreated with stars from today in Vanity Fair magazine. Hitchcock is one of my favorites - I took a class on his films in college.
- Amazing guitarists Rodrigo & Gabriela perform "Diablo Rojo" on David Letterman in this video (also embedded below). Cooper likes this one, too.
- Previously available by invite only, video website Hulu is now open to the public. Hulu is a joint-venture between NBC and FOX (and their entire network of channels) to provide free access to current and older tv shows and movies. I've been using it for a while now and it has an impressive archive. We don't have cable, so I'm hoping I can catch upcoming episodes of The Shield and Battlestar Galactica there.
- The series finale of HBO's The Wire, perhaps my favorite show of all time, just aired on Sunday. Wire withdrawal is in full-effect. Jason Kottke provides a detailed summary of the coverage/analysis regarding the end of the series. What will HBO do now that The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood and The Wire are history? I guess they still have Entourage.
- The Spitzer Affair: The New York Times has two detailed stories describing how the governor was brought down (Spitzer Fall Began With Bank Reports & 4 Arrests, Then 6 Days to a Resignation).
No Tears for Bill
Microsoft founder Bill Gates is no longer the world's richest man, according to Forbes magazine. That honor now goes to his good friend Warren Buffett. Gates actually slipped to third place, with the second place spot occupied by Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim.
Buffett has a very interesting personal history. If you've never seen an interview with him I'd recommend watching a series of discussions he's had with Charlie Rose.
"My, Oh My!"
Mariners baseball broadcaster Dave Niehaus has been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but Niehaus is truly the heart and soul of that organization. Like Harry Caray, but sober.
The Atlantic
Although I recently let my print subscription lapse, my favorite periodical is w/o a doubt The Atlantic. First published in 1857, the magazine always has in-depth articles regarding current events. I was thrilled to learn that they dropped the subscription wall for their online content - the site's content is now open to everyone, not just print subscribers. Take a look and see if there's something of interest to you. A few of my favorite correspondents are Mark Bowden, William Langewiesche, James Fallows, and Robert Kaplan.
Your Candidate
I'm not sure how you feel about it, but my personal opinion is that the presidential election cycle is about 1 1/2 years too long (assuming candidates declare two years in advance). However, now that the primary season is upon us I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at the candidates' positions on the major issues of the day. There are a couple websites out there that really helped me look at them in a fairly objective way.
The first is www.2decide.com, which is simply a table displaying the candidates names along one axis, and the major issues on the other. If the candidates support a particular issue they get a check mark, while opposition is represented by a red X. Very straightforward way to see all the candidates together.
The second website, which pulls data from www.2decide.com, is called Pick Your Candidate. I like this one b/c it is more like a blind taste test. You select your personal opinion on the issues, then it displays a list of candidates whose positions match yours most closely.
These tools obviously don't measure qualities like personality and experience, but that kind of appeals to me. I wouldn't rely on this to pick a candidate for you, but it could help break a tie, or help point you in the right direction. I was a bit surprised by some of my results. Were you?
Video: Crazy Jobs
I found the following video via kottke. This guy's job is to repair high-voltage power lines, and the only way to access them is by sitting on the outside of a helicopter. At the end he reveals he's afraid of heights and electricity, so he picked the perfect job.
More Thomas Recalls
RC2 Corp. is recalling another batch of Thomas the Tank Engine toys. We have two of these items at home, unfortunately. I still think these recalls are the tip of the iceberg. If you'd like to be alerted to any children's product recalls you can subscribe to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's rss feed.
Rotten Neighbors
Last weekend we were at a wedding for one of Julie's high school friends - Molly - and I was chatting with a friend of ours. He and his wife are moving back into Champaign-proper after living in the rural community of Philo for the last couple years. When they moved out there they anticipated a warm reception from their neighbors, not an unreasonable assumption (you know, the whole warm apple pie for the new neighbors type of thing). The reality was much different, and that was one of many reasons they decided to move back to town. I mentioned half-jokingly that one day there will be a website that rates neighbors so you can check out a prospective locale before you move. Not two days later I saw a recommendation for a new site called Rotten Neighbors, which, guess what, allows you to leave/view comments about those pesky people down the street. Data is a bit sparse right now, but I'll be checking it if we move again.
Landis Loses
Floyd Landis will no longer be considered the 2006 Tour de France champion after losing his arbitration hearing for doping. I feel for the guy. He seems like a much better person, character wise, than Lance.
Video: Pluto in Orbit
Via Boing Boing I found this YouTube video of the Pluto character chasing a kid around Main Street USA at Disneyland. I'd love to know the back story on this since it's hard to tell if it is a friendly game of chase of not. Regardless, Pluto gets taken down, and I have no doubt this person is now a former employee of the Magic Kingdom.
Recent Project
We finally launched a completely re-designed site for the Department of Business Administration at work. This has been my primary project at work for the last 6 months or so. It's been done since June, but it took forever to get final sign off. Whew, now maybe I'll take a few more vacation days.
Recall: Veggie Booty
The FDA is recalling all packages of Veggie Booty for possible salmonella contamination. Toss it if you have it.
More on Popcorn
Via Boing Boing I found this article about the health effects of Diacetyl, which is used to flavor microwave popcorn. Let's just say it's bad stuff, which is one more reason to try the recipe for homemade microwave popcorn I mentioned previously.
Virginia Tech
Deadliest civilian shooting in US history (wikipedia link) - how terribly sad.
Update:
There has been quite a bit of scrutiny regarding the University's warning system used to alert faculty/staff and students after the first shooting took place in the campus dorm. Apparently they sent out a blanket email to the campus, but did not rely on more traditional methods.
Coincidentally, I attended a web conference hosted by the Associate Vice President for University Relations at Virginia Tech last October where he discussed the role of the internet in crisis communications. Their campus was locked down last fall when a fugitive was on the loose and he talked about how the web was so crucial for sharing information during that episode. Today VT has a special section on their site devoted to this incident, which does an excellent job of providing updates. However, I wonder if this incident will cause VT, and other institutions, to change its policies regarding emergencies? As a member of the communications office I can't help but wonder what discussions will follow. Technology has its limits.
Update II: I found out today that one of the victims, Austin Cloyd, grew up here in Champaign, IL. Her father was an Accounting Professor at the College of Business (where Julie and I work) until the family moved to Blacksburg, VA in 2005.
Update III: I just heard on the radio that the University of Illinois is speeding up its current plan to implement an SMS-based emergency warning system on campus. SMS is the protocol used by cell phone companies that allows you to send text messages. In an emergency the University could push a message to your email inbox, cell phone, blackberry, PDA etc. People are much more likely to have a mobile device with them, and would not be required to check their email to receive a warning. Apparently V Tech was considering such a system as well.
Operation Homecoming
Over at Stryker Brigade News I mentioned a PBS documentary airing tonight called Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience. One of the soldiers featured is Colby Buzzell, who I had quite a bit of contact with when he was deployed. His blog entries, particlualry Men in Black, helped put military blogs (milblogs) on the map. He has since written a book called My War: Killing Time in Iraq.
links for 2007-04-07
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A promising tool for work.
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Have to wait for this on DVD as well.
links for 2007-04-06
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More fun with customized Google maps!
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How sad. I have a soft spot for anyone associated with Christmas Story.
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Only $27 million is funded, but an ambitious plan regardless. Lucky Seattleites.
links for 2007-04-05
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I'll have to wait for this on DVD since we don't get that cable station anymore.
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For future reference.
links for 2007-04-04
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It looks pretty cool, however.
links for 2007-04-03
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70 years later the mystery endures, but there is new evidence.
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An article re: the history of KEXP (www.kexp.org), the best radio station around.
links for 2007-04-01
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The company that makes Tabasco is still family run.
links for 2007-03-30
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Former Stryker soldier has a new book of photography for sale.
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Reference article for work. Yawn.
links for 2007-03-28
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Seattle's "Bill the Beerman" died Sunday - he was definitely a local icon.
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Download free virus and spyware protection for your PC if you don't already have it.
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Great photos from the park's construction and early years. Can you tell I'm a Disneyland fan?
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I'm always interested in lowering my electricity bill.
links for 2007-03-27
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Food for thought in the daycare debate.
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In the early 80's Patrick Ewing led the Hoyas to the Final Four. John Thompson was the team's coach. This year's team was led by Patrick Ewing Jr. The coach is John Thompson Jr. Like fathers, like sons.
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The answer is, "that depends," but it is an interesting illustration regardless.
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Interesting redevelopment project in West Seattle.
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Comforting news for Northwesterners.
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Hilarious skit from SNL featuring Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
links for 2007-03-26
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Can't get to Disneyland? These Space Mountain fans have recreated the entire ride in this animated video.
links for 2007-03-25
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Just another episode I need to catch up on.
links for 2007-03-24
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Ingenious use of a USB drive. I remember getting lost at Disneyland as a toddler - my rescue plan consisted of screaming while a stranger put me up on his shoulders so my parents could see me.
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See the 1st episode online for free.
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The EU turns 50. I did my senior thesis on the expansion of the EU, so this story has a nerdy appeal for me.
links for 2007-03-23
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I count myself in this group.
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Good advice to that I'll revisit in a couple years.
links for 2007-03-22
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The popular radio program is coming to television. Here's a review by the NYT.
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I need to make myself one of these - just need to locate a solder spool...
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Like a Hispanic Whole Foods. I wish I had one of these near me.
links for 2007-03-20
FYI - This is a new feature I just added to the site. It automatically generates a daily entry here featuring all of the links I've added to Delicious, the social bookmarking site. I wanted to find a way to easily share some of the links I find. I experimented with adding the most recent 5 links to the sidebar, but realized they were out of sight, out of mind. Many of the links might be work-related (Delicious is how I archive reference material), and therefore uninteresting, but hopefully you'll find something clickable periodically.
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Browse a wide-variety of color schemes for your design projects.
Sad Story
Update 12/10/06: The Oregonian has published a detailed account of this story from start to finish.
I'm not sure if any of you have been following the story of the CA family who got stranded in their car in the snowy mountains of OR as they returned home from a Thanksgiving trip. The mother and two kids were rescued in the car earlier this week after nine days alone. How they survived is amazing. The father- an editor at CNET.com - set out on foot over the weekend to try and find help. His body was recovered today less than a mile from the car. We often hear of tragedies such as this, but for some reason this one was particularly moving. Very bittersweet story.
Crocodile Hunter Dead
I just read in the news this morning that Steve Irwin, known as the Crocodile Hunter ("Crikey!"), died after being attacked by a stingray. How sad.
Yo Parents
Via Lifehacker I found a site that might be of interest to you parents out there. Parent Hacks describes itself as, "a collaborative weblog of practical parenting wisdom." Check it out.
Forza Azzurri
Congratualtions to Italy on their World Cup championship - what an incredible match against France. I was fortunate enough to attend a few Italian league matches when I lived in Turin, and those experiences turned me into a big fan of international soccer. If the US can't win, then I'm happy the Italians did.
Lance has a big heart too
As we approach the start of the Tour de France, perhaps you'd like to read about the physiological reasons for Lance's success.
New York Times, June 14, 2005 - Lance Armstrong's strength and endurance sometimes seem too extraordinary to be believed.Armstrong, a six-time winner of the Tour de France bicycle race who next month will try for his seventh straight victory, can cover 32 miles in one hour of riding. In contrast, the average cyclist covers 16 miles; a top marathon runner can cover 21 miles on a bike.
Armstrong can ride up the mountains in France generating about 500 watts of power for 20 minutes, something a typical 25-year-old could do for only 30 seconds. A professional hockey player might last three minutes - and then throw up.
So how does he do it?
It was 25 years ago...
I can't believe it was 25 years ago tomorrow that Mt. Saint Helens erupted. Wow...25 years. Anyway, the Forest Service has put together a nice website commemorating the anniversary, which is chock-full of info. Take a look at the VolcanoCam if you haven't already.
Freak Wave
Maybe this is the reason I haven't taken a cruise in a while.
NEW YORK (AP) -- When a "Boom!" on a cruise ship awoke him, the first thing that crossed passenger Robert Clark's mind was "the Titanic."
In a panic, he and his wife and 7-year-old daughter ran to a reception area and found passengers from flooded cabins, bunched together and wearing life preservers - some of them crying hysterically. They soon discovered that the thunderous disruption was a freak 70-foot wave that smashed windows, sent furniture flying and ripped out whirlpools on the Norwegian Dawn. [...]
"That's when the captain announced that drinks are free all night,"
