:: Archipelapogo ::

:: 31.12.03 ::

To you all, whoever you are

May 2004 be a more positive, peaceful, active, love-filled, educational, inspirational, and fun year for all of us. May more of our goals come to fruition and may we find ourselves in a better world than we have this year thanks in no small part to our being active in it.

Thanks to both all of you who read this site with some regularity. Stay safe, be positive, and strive for peace whenever and however you can.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Newsy Stuff

Like most people, I kind of took a break from deeper-than-headlines news coverage over the past week. It's unfortunate but true. To get back in the swing of things, here are some news links that may be under your radar, however wide it reaches:

..::The Boston Globe highlights the efforts of the League of Conservation Voters general arming for the upcoming election year. They include tidbits about the recently released Presidential Scorecard and an analysis of all of the candidates for Election 04. The staff of the 'pogo would like to slap LCV president Deb Callahan with a (dolphin-safe) tuna for her Jolly Green Giant metaphor.::..

..::The Washington Post reports that the US Army is using, and possibly abusing, "stop-loss" provisions to prevent retirement-ready soldiers from leaving the service, and is instead shipping them abroad. More on how stop-loss is supposed to work can be found here and here.::..

..::I don't read a lot of newly released books, but there are certainly some in the Economist's Books of the Year 2003 that look worth checking out. I've seen a lot of very positive press lately about They Marched into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 by David Maraniss. I'll have to skim through it next time I'm at a bookstore.::..

..::And just in case you haven't seen it, I'll post a link to The BushTax. Amongst a lot of the cuts the Federal Budget has undergone, much of it was money that goes to State and Local governments in the form of grants and stipends. When that money dries up, local governments either have to cut programs or raise taxes and fees. Find out what's going on in your locality and see how it compares to your federal income tax cut.::..
:: Scott [+] ::
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Sheesh

When I'm checking my e-mail, the login page at hotmail has little blurby links to stories on MSN that often highlight the most recent breaking news in the world of celebrity gossip and shopping. I keep my browser window at a less than maximized size while at work so I can quickly click on whatever Excel or Word File I have open behind it (working in a cube will make you paranoid) so I often catch myself giving the headlines on these stories an oblique glance. When that happens, I usually misread one of them and it will send my brain into a synaptic overload with massive processing speed that usually ends in a "What the hell?". That happened earlier today:

The headline was "Is it over for Nicole and Lenny?". My addled brain quickly turned that into a question of its own right: When the hell did Lemmy start dating Anna-Nicole Smith?

That's probably the only celebrity couple that could make Sid and Nancy look like the Osmonds.

Completely unrelated: This search- and browsable 1,001 tips from great cooks is pretty damned cool.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Back in the Saddle

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Mine was very tranquil and mellow, so it was a pleasure. Gifts were exchanged, food was eaten, games were played, sleep was slept. That's about all I could realisitically ask for.

One of my co-workers was telling me about a gift he had received from his wife. The National Baseball Hall of Fame will make a customized CD for you of yourself or the baseball nut in your life winning the World Series. You can pick any team that you wish to play for, and announcers will do a play by play call of you winning game seven in the bottom of the ninth. Your name gets said sixteen wondeful times in the 13 minutes long CD.

As he was describing it to me he was telling me that it really does make you feel quite good. I kind of joked with him that it would be a great incentive to start your day before going to work, but he seemed seriously intrigued by the idea. Between this and personalized (and sometimes bastardized) versions of classic novels (and a deluge of companies willing to sell you personalized romance novels), there seems to be an emerging trend in egotainment, for lack of a better word.

I imagine that there will probably be a point in time where, for enough money, you could have your face digitally input into say, Top Gun, so you could watch yourself battle Iceman in the skies or something. Speculatively, I'd guess that the technology will probably be developed by the adult industry (something like that may already exist, but not that I'm aware of and I'm not going to search for it at work). We humans are an interesting species, aren't we?
:: Scott [+] ::
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For the 2nd Time this Week...Guh?!?

I'm shocked and stunned and a bunch of other words, but thanks to the good folks at The Great Team's Blog of the Day who saw fit to link to me yesterday. I'm confident in saying that I have no position even close to the likes of Arts and Letters Daily, Bifurcated Rivets, EvHead, Coudal, Waxy, Defective Yeti, Plep, or Wood's Lot, all of which are far superior to anything I've ever aspired to here, but it's great and intimidating company to be in.

Since most aren't going to be surfing much this upcoming week, I'm going to be spending most of my time building a massive links portal to be hosted here on site but off of the main page. I'm expecting it to contain somewhere in the vicinity of 200-300 links, so be on the lookout. I'll still post anything worthy that I come across, but between the portal and grad school application essays, I'll likely be otherwise occupied.

The starry skies of Tulsa say hello to you all.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Tooned Up TV

Electric Tiki is producing some limited run tooned-up action figures from TV Past. At $80 a pop, they're not for the casual fan, but they're pretty damn cool anyways. So far they've got I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, and Married With Children editions, with the Dukes of Hazzard, The Greatest American Hero, and Sanford and Son soon to come. If nothing else, good whimsical eye candy. (via Eye of the Goof).
:: Scott [+] ::
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Flashback: Third Grade

Make-a-Flake: (flash) Kick it grade school and cut out your own snowflake. Or, you know, you could just take some printer paper and some scissors and do it at your desk, but ideally the website will draw less strange looks from coworkers. (via crash)
:: Scott [+] ::
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Dallas Cowboys Park

The male version of Joan Rivers has begun his onslaught of an ad campaign to get the citizens of Dallas pumped to dump out their wallets to build him a new park. I've heard the radio commercials, seen the television ads, and today went to the official website.

Wow, if I'm to believe what I'm seeing, then this will make Dallas an entirely different city? The five benefits are solidly backed up by evidence! I'd really rather drive my kids to downtown for a soccer game then ten minutes from my house to a local park with fields (of which there are plenty). And the Pan-Am games? Wowzers. Aren't those broadcast on PAX TV or something?

Yeah, it sucks that we're cutting all kinds of government programs, and it's unfortunate that we can't give the clerks that make $8 an hour a cost-of-living increase, but damn if I'm not willing to pony up some extra tax money so that when Jerry Jones sells the team he can make an extra $60million profit! (cite: GWB and the Ballpark in Arlington, and pretty much every other stadium that has been built in the past twenty or so years).

I'm sure this would be good for tourism and a fun place for citizens to go once or twice. But those that are directly benefitting should pay the upfront costs, not my neighbors and I. If I open a really cool club in Deep Ellum that books a lot of shows that Dallas wouln't normally get that will bring people in from Waco, Denton, Ft. Worth, etc., that's good for bringing in out of area revenue, but do I get help from the citizens? Nyep. Neither should Jerry Jones. I've not yet heard what the total of beggings is going to be, but I hope it's at least a close vote.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Guh?!?

If they ever complete the Trinity River Project (yeah, right), then I'm commissioning someone to make me one of these. This guy is a master at his craft.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Global Obesity

It's a topic that has been hashed and rehashed, but this article from the Economist (and it's companion piece) had a few surprises in it. Apparantly, for the first time in history, the Average USian has actually lost weight in the past year. Sure, it may not be by much, but it's a rare positive sign in the fight against the health problems that obesity brings along.

Also somewhat surprising was this chart:


I was first off kind of surprised that the UK had a higher overall percentage of people overwieght or obese (but the US still leads in outright obesity). But a look down the chart provided a bigger surprise. Look at China's numbers. That really surprised me initially.

The first article linked to above has some explanation for China's numbers though, which kind of make sense. Unlike the US (where the rich are losing weight thanks to dieticians, better doctors, more time, and the ability to pay for health food and other diet aides [like pills, plastic surgery, etc.]), China's rich are the ones packing on the pounds. This is likely due to the fact that those that are finding themselves with disposable income probably didn't grow up that way and they are enjoying it.

Similiar to the post-WWII baby boom where the U.S.'s growing economy and expanded consumer services sector led to a lot more options for people, parts of China's populous are finding themselves with the ability to pay for more food and an influx of American (and other international, I'm sure) chains. You're average rural Chinese person, which is still a significant part of the population, probably still can't afford more than meager meals which are more of the traditional Chinese menu. But the urban Beijing style population seem to be enjoying it.

Another theory that the article lays out is the nature of grandparents to spoil grandchildren. With limits on procreation still en force, you can have a ratio of up to 4 grandparents for 1 grandchild, all of them vying to spoil the little one. If China does wind up with an epidemic of obesity like many Western countries are experiencing, it could be a disaster for their economy and their country.

Just, you know, food for thought.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Well, there goes my weekend excitement

As if a chilly, rainy Friday weren't enough to dampen my spirits, this morning itself had poor tidings. As I was walking up to my building, I noticed police cars blocking Elm Street going down the Grassy Knoll. I figured there had been a car wreck (the intersection of Elm and Houston is an especially hairy one) as is quite common, so I boarded the elevator, got off on the floor of Government Slack, and found my cube. A coworker came over to ask me if I had walked around to the other side of the building to see all the hubbub. I told him I hadn't so he told me what had happened:

Turns out some guy had parked his car at the meters across from the Records Buliding and walked down Elm to the Grassy Knoll. He then walked out to the big white X that marks the spot Kennedy was shot, pulled out a gun, and shot himself in the head. What a way to start your day.

Anyways, it is still Friday, and despite the fact that the Mavs will likely get another reaming from the Lakers tonight, I'm looking forward to leaving work and chilling out. And no, I don't know whether this guy paid the meter or not.
:: Scott [+] ::
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A Message From Management:

The management of the 'pogo are proud to announce that the long-awaited launch of our new mascot is nearing. We're working day and night* to ensure that everything is ready. The time draws near. In the meantime, have some linky thingies:

-- What happens when a college goalie gets brought up to sit on the bench of the Vancouver Canucks as a backup? That's got to be a tad bit exciting.

-- This is one of my favorite MeFi threads in a long time. The links are all great, and there's insider info!

-- And speaking of MeFi, I've been spending more time getting a great education in the newly launched Ask Mefi than I have on the blue screen.

-- The new Explosions in the Sky album is fantastic. I'm on my seventh listen in the last two nights, which really says something. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

-- According to the SelectSmart guys, Dean is my man, barely edging out Kucinich (which kind of surprised me). (via Charles, though I've seen it in the past)

1. Your ideal theoretical candidate. (100%)
2. Dean, Gov. Howard, VT - Democrat (78%)
3. Kucinich, Rep. Dennis, OH - Democrat (75%)
4. Clark, Retired General Wesley K., AR - Democrat (67%)
5. Edwards, Senator John, NC - Democrat (63%)
6. Kerry, Senator John, MA - Democrat (54%)
7. Sharpton, Reverend Al - Democrat (52%)
8. Gephardt, Rep. Dick, MO - Democrat (51%)
9. LaRouche, Lyndon H. Jr. - Democrat (47%)
10. Lieberman, Senator Joe, CT - Democrat (40%)
11. Moseley-Braun, Former Senator Carol, IL - Democrat (39%)
12. Libertarian Candidate (32%)
13. Bush, President George W. - Republican (22%)
14. Phillips, Howard - Constitution (5%)
:: Scott [+] ::
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T-minus 11 months and counting

With Gore officially endorsing Howard Dean this morning, the race for the Democratic nominee for next year is looking almost certainly decided. General Wesley Clark's train has kind of seemed to stall (pulling out of the Iowa Caucus will do that to you this time of year) and most people are now relegating him, at least mentally, to a running mate.

There's a lot of clamor for a Dean-Clark ticket, at from a cursory glance, it almost seems ideal and very electable. But this story should give some pause. Writer Matt Taibbi enrolled in the Clark camp and worked for his campaign for a little while, even getting some face time with the General. If what Taibbi states in this article is true, then over the ensuing months, Clark appears to be a potential liability for the Dems.

Heads turned in shock all throughout the audience. What the hell was he talking about? But Clark plowed on. He began to recount his biography, noting that the Army had allowed him to "be all he could be." Five minutes later, he said it again. "Every part of this society," he said, "has to get the support that they need to be all they can be."

After the conference, I chased after him in the parking lot. "General," I said. "You're not seriously going to make 'Be all you can be' your campaign slogan, are you?"

It is the Nation, so take it with a grain of salt, but it is an interesting read and something I'll be keeping a closer eye on in the near future.
:: Scott [+] ::
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I often make things much more difficult than they should be

Permalinks are working again. Additionally, the archives are off of the front page and the link can be found right at the top. Just click where it says "archives".
:: Scott [+] ::
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Netflix

I've not got much to say or link to right now, and I'm heading to Austin tomorrow for some Government Slack Convention or other, so for the hell of it, here's what's in my NetFlix queue. Feel free to comment on my (lack of) taste and make your own recommendations in the comments. Oh, and there's no way in hell I'm going to link all these, so if you have questions as to what they are, float on over to the Internet Movie Database and search for the title (like I needed to tell you that).

Out Now (or on the way):
- The Deer Hunter
- Withnail and I
- Winged Migration

Queue
- Mo' Better Blues
- 24 Hour Party People
- Heathers
- Six Feet Under: Season 1 Disc 1
- Live Flesh
- Mother Night
- Koyaanisqatsi
- Powaqqatsi
- Nagoyqatsi
- Dead Kennedys: The Early Years Live
- Best of the Muppet Show Featuring Harry Belafonte, Linda Ronstadt, and John Denver
- 1984
- Hollywood Shuffle
- Barton Fink
- Seven Samurai
- Gil Scott-Heron: Black Wax/Is That Jazz?
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
- MST3K: Eegah!
- Animal Factory
- Divine Trash
- Barfly
- Les Miserables
- 32 Short Films About Glen Gould
- 4 Little Girls
- Fear of a Punk Planet
- Breakfast of Champions
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie
- Best of the Muppet Show featuring Peter Sellers, John Cleese, and Dudley Moore
- The Dancer Upstairs
- G.I. Joe: The Movie
- The Cannonball Run
- Blade Runner
- Papillon
- Max
- Salvador
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
- The Complete Monterery Pop Festival: Disc 1
- Blue
- White
- Red*

DVDs Awaiting Release:
- Spellbound
- Divine Intervention

There it is. Have at it.

*Blue, White, and Red are the Krzysztof Kieslowski trilogy.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Puedo Planchar!

So, I must be growing up. After nearly 24 and a half years on this planet (likely about a third of my life), I finally am the proud owner of one of them ironing gadgets that makes clothes look less wrinkly. Many use them after they wash clothes. People like me use them to make it look like they didn't sleep in those pants the night before, or more likely, so that you can't tell it's the fifth time I've worn these pants since they were last washed.

I went about 23 years without having to learn how to use one of those fancy contraptions. It was nice. Sadly, at least for the time being, those years have ended. Sometime last year I imposed on all of Denise's patience and virtue to teach me how to iron something without turning my trousers into permanent rust-colored Rorschach blots. It was a tedious, but productive time.

Last night, with Denise out of the country for a bit and all her crap in storage, I found myself in need of an iron (I was too lazy to wedge her ironing board into her car, so I just walked it over to my apartment. I can put off that purchase for a good couple of weeks!). So off I tromp to SuperTarget in search of an iron that I can figure out how to use.

It seems that equality of the sexes has at least reached the small household appliances department, because I found the iron made for slobby livealone fellers like myself.

This shit has everything. It's got a permanent plastic thingy that tells you what level you need to have your iron on based on cloth material. All that leaves you to do is pick up your shirt, locate the tag (if you haven't already ripped that itchy bitch out in a fit of Summer frustration) and see where it says "65% polyester, 35% cotton". I think that means "cotton blend" which is setting 5 on my iron.

It also has little meters (on both sides of the handle!) that give you distinct Minimum and Maximum lines for water level. Yeah, I didn't know you had to put water in irons until recently either, and my first attempt was probably about like watching a three year old try to assemble a Toyota Highlander. There was a lot of banging involved.

There's also an automatic shut-off switch (for "piece of mind") so that you can drink while you iron (not recommended by the staff of the 'Pogo), pass out later, and not wake up at 3:15 in the morning with your curtains on fire. What will they think of next?

Ah, yes. The kicker. All of the knobs on my iron are a manly color of blue, not that crap pastel-blue that they ruined some of the new Thunderbirds with or some prissy sky-blue. This is a man's blue. One that could make Paul Newman sport his shit-eating grin while he presses a doily.

Yes, this was the iron for me. And thus far I've been successful. Well, sort of. Once I had set-up my ironing board (without even a mark on the wall!) and carefully filled the water at a respectable level, equidistant between the two lines, I plugged it in, set it on level five, and turned on my most recent rental from NetFlix. After going to the bathroom and giving myself a nice thirty-second pep talk in the bathroom mirror, I was ready to go. So I cautiously waved my hand in front of the teflon coated bottom of my new Testosteriron, careful not burn any knuckle hair or anything, but I didn't feel any heat.

Turns out I'd forgotten to turn it on. So it's not completely fool-proof. But it's close.
:: Scott [+] ::
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World Aids Day

It's again time for link and think. This post will likely be edited throughout the day based on any new things that I find, so check back later if you're interested.

..::Recently, two separate and very different cases of people being fired from their jobs for being HIV-positive have sprung up. One was a gymnast at Cirque Du Soleil, the other a 19-year old waitress in a small town in Nebraska. At some point in time this weekend, VH1's "I Love the 80's Strikes Back" was on the television as my mom and I were playing Scrabble. They showed an old PSA about how feral cats can't transmit HIV. It made me think about how afraid and paranoid people were when first learning about the disease. It was almost comical in a way. But now I'm afraid that there are still people out there that are that deluded and paranoid, and the humor is lost on me.::..

..::The ACLU, who I sometimes love and sometimes loathe, has completed a two-year report on HIV and Civil Rights.

Over the past two years, the ACLU AIDS Project interviewed over 40 community-based AIDS service providers (CBOs) around the country to get a better picture of the civil rights and civil liberties issues facing people living with HIV/AIDS.[i] The survey cast a wide net in terms of geography, type of service provided (medical, basic care, policy), and race, class, age, ethnicity, and particular needs of clients. The results reflect what direct service providers already know from day-to-day experience: there is a lot of work to be done. That work requires better connections between CBOs and civil rights organizations like the ACLU. This report is the first step in the ACLU AIDS Project’s work to forge those connections.

It makes for a pretty interesting read.::..

..::Advice on avoiding the contraction of AIDS in prison via dana.::..

..::Finally, today the Catholic Church defended its previous statements about the usage of condoms and their failure to protect someone from HIV. This time it was Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan of Mexico issuing the statement. I do not disagree with the Cardinal or anyone else who says that the best way to protect yourself from disease is by remaining monogomous and chaste in your actions. That is indisputable. However, someone who never drives a car is highly unlikely to die in a car wreck. That doesn't mean that those that choose to drive cars (and the vast majority of society does) should refuse to wear seatbelts. In fact, I would maintain that we should advocate seatbelt usage for drivers. You catching my drift yet?::..

I don't yet know anyone that is HIV-postive (that I'm aware of) but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be concerned about those that already have the disease and the potential ramifications of letting it go unresearched and untreated. We're past the verge of a worldwide epidemic, and it's only a matter of time before we start seeing numbers like those in Africa and Latin-America and parts of Asia here in the United States.
:: Scott [+] ::
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