I don't know what drugs Macalester people are ingesting these days, but they're not the ones from my day. First, they spend the $$$ coming up with Mac, The Ritalin Douchebag and now they come up with this piece of crap:
Ok, I'm having problems with Blogger. Anyway, check this out. Believe me, the mailing is much more annoying. I'm done figuring blogger out right now.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Political Economy
Here's a great post on the consequences of our monitary policy and its correlation with oil.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Childhood Obsessions
Once in a while, I have the urge to watch something from my childhood, whether I liked it or not. The most common one is Mary Poppins. While up at my friends' house in Minnesota, I did try watching it. Five minutes of viewing led me to the decision that I didn't like it.
For some reason, I have this urge to watch "Eight is Enough". Why!?! That show sucked and and do not think I ever watched a full episode. I always wanted to beat the shit out of that Adam kid, despite my non-violent nature. I think I should start taking large amounts of drugs and obsesses about and act out on more normal "strange" behavior.
For some reason, I have this urge to watch "Eight is Enough". Why!?! That show sucked and and do not think I ever watched a full episode. I always wanted to beat the shit out of that Adam kid, despite my non-violent nature. I think I should start taking large amounts of drugs and obsesses about and act out on more normal "strange" behavior.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Something Resembling a Life
Somehow, I've managed to assemble a full weekend where I can sleep in and not go to a Packer game. How this happened, I have no idea. Generally, I have one day that is just plain dead until I find something. Even then, nothing may happen.
Anyway, I have the Sigur Ros concert tomorrow night. Tom can't go, so I need to dig up someone else. I think Shaun may be free. If not, I'll have to dig deeper.
Saturday, I have the Michigan game with my father, Ed, and Mike. It's an evening game, but that just means there's more time to eat brats and drink crappy beer. That'll take most of the day and will be capped by a likely devastating loss to Michigan. Again.
Sunday, I'm seeing the Corpse Bride with the Queery folk from WORT, and, if I the movie isn't too long, apple-picking with Melissa, another WORTnik. This doesn't add in returning the call of the woman my sister is trying to set me up with. Add in Monday night class and the homework I need to do, tonight may be the last night in a bit that I can be my normal, introverted self.
Oh well. Leonard Nimoy's version of "If I Were a Carpenter" popped up. Groovy.
Anyway, I have the Sigur Ros concert tomorrow night. Tom can't go, so I need to dig up someone else. I think Shaun may be free. If not, I'll have to dig deeper.
Saturday, I have the Michigan game with my father, Ed, and Mike. It's an evening game, but that just means there's more time to eat brats and drink crappy beer. That'll take most of the day and will be capped by a likely devastating loss to Michigan. Again.
Sunday, I'm seeing the Corpse Bride with the Queery folk from WORT, and, if I the movie isn't too long, apple-picking with Melissa, another WORTnik. This doesn't add in returning the call of the woman my sister is trying to set me up with. Add in Monday night class and the homework I need to do, tonight may be the last night in a bit that I can be my normal, introverted self.
Oh well. Leonard Nimoy's version of "If I Were a Carpenter" popped up. Groovy.
Friday, September 9, 2005
It's Such A Good Feeling
I have strange dreams. Take part of one I had last night.
Mr. Rogers was visiting Steven Sommers (director of "The Mummy" and "Van Helsing") on the set of his new movie. A porno movie. Steven Sommers wanted to try something new, but it still had explosions and stuff. Good Old Fred smiled and went about his business in his folksy, friendly way he always had. He showed up when Steven Sommers had people hooked up to waist harness who were diving head first into dinner plates and breaking them.
?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?
Also, at then end of my sleep, a woman was riding in a cart while playing cymbals to the 1812 Overture. When she hit them, she'd throw one way in the air. Then I woke up to, guess what, the 1812 Overture playing on my iPod.
There were other odd parts, like swerving on the road and ending up in the ditch, forgoing $10 cans of MGD and such, but we won't get into that.
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Thank You British Columbia
*UPDATE*
There's too much to follow as far as help goes. Thanks to everyone. I heard more was given by Americans in the four days after the hurricane than the four days after Sept. 11. Germany has been especially generous. Here's a list via CNN:
Following is a list of some of the aid offered by governments.
-- Sri Lanka has offered what it called a "token contribution" of $25,000 through the American Red Cross.
-- Mexico has offered $1 million and is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas. The Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.
-- Australia is giving A$10 million ($7.6 million), most of it to the American Red Cross.
-- China has offered $5 million.
-- India is making a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, Ambassador Ronen Sen said Saturday. In addition, Sen said India was willing to donate essential medicines to the relief effort, noting that India has the largest number of Food and Drug Administration-recognized pharmaceutical companies outside the United States.
-- -- Germany has offered a wide range of assistance including evacuation by air, medical services, transportation services, water treatment capabilities, assistance in searching for victims, vaccination teams and supplies, and emergency shelter. Germany has also said it is ready and willing to "dip into its own emergency oil reserves" to release some 2 million barrels a day for 30 days.
-- France has offered mobile help from the French Antilles, which is relatively close to the affected regions, including a civil defense detachment of 35 people, tents, camp beds, generators, motor pumps, water treatment units and emergency kits, two CASA cargo aircraft, a ship (Batral Francis Garnier) and the frigate Ventose with its Panther helicopter, and a hurricane disaster unit (20 soldiers and 900 kg of specialized supplies and medical support).
-- France has also offered assistance from the French mainland including: one or two C-135 planes, one A-310 aircraft , and four C-160 Transalls, an airborne emergency unit. In addition, the NGO Telecoms Sans Frontieres, which specializes in restoring phone lines and Internet service in disasters, is ready to send a team of experts and equipment. Veolia Environment, which has facilities in Louisiana, has offered to make its local water management resources available to the American authorities or the Red Cross. It can also quickly send in a team of hydraulic experts.
-- Japan has offered to provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross. The government of Japan will identify needs in the affected regions through the U.S. government and, upon request, is ready to provide necessary and available emergency assistance supply amounting to up to $300,000 worth of items such as tents, blankets, power generators, portable water tanks and more from a supply depot maintained by the Japanese government in Florida.
-- Cuba's President Fidel Castro said on Friday his nation was ready to send 1,100 doctors and 26 tons of medicine and equipment.
Asia
AUSTRALIA: "We're going to provide A$10 million ($7.6 million) and the bulk of that money, if not all of it, will go to the American Red Cross," said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. The Australian government said there may be up to 24 Australians trapped in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina.
CHINA: China offered $5 million in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the Gulf Coast ahead of President Hu Jintao's U.S. visit. If needed, the Chinese government is also prepared to send rescue workers, including medical experts, officials said.
JAPAN: Will provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Japan will also identify needs in affected regions via the U.S. government and will provide up to $300,000 in emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if it receives requests for such assistance, the ministry said.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts. The government said the Chinooks will help to ferry supplies and undertake airlift missions.
SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a U.S. response, a government official said. "We have sent our intention to offer recovery aid," a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.
SRI LANKA: Will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross.
TAIWAN: Has pledged more than $3 million to the relief effort.
Americas
CANADA: Offered to help in any way it can and the navy is preparing a ship full of emergency disaster relief supplies to be sent when a request comes.
CUBA: Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tonnes of medicine to treat disaster victims.
MEXICO: The country is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas and the Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.
VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.
Europe
EUROPEAN UNION: EU countries are ready to give the United States oil if it requests help, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said this was not what the EU had in mind when it discussed how to help.
FRANCE: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer support, telling TF1 television: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."
GERMANY: Has offered mobile units to provide clean water, military hospital facilities and medical aid.
ITALY: Has offered to "immediately" send aid and evacuation specialists, Italy's civil protection unit said. Authorities have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from U.S. officials, the unit said.
NETHERLANDS: Will provide teams for inspecting dykes and for identifying victims if there is a formal request from the United States. It will also send a frigate from Curacao to New Orleans shortly to provide emergency assistance, the government said.
RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators -- as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said.
SPAIN: Expects to receive a formal request to release gasoline stocks to the United States and is prepared to grant it, an Industry Ministry spokesman said.
SWEDEN: The Rescue Authority said it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed.
UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Britain stands ready to help the United States in whatever way it can.
Middle East
SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Refining, a Houston-based subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, will donate $5 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
An urban search and rescue team from British Columbia is trying to get to New Orleans to help out. The US Department of Homeland Security isn't letting them in though. I do not know if it is red tape or if it is because the US rescue effort is still trying to get organized. Anyway, a big thank you to everyone in British Columbia and a big thank you to everyone who is helping down there.
Also, Billmon has links to various charities helping out with the fall out. Please give if you can.
*Update*
More places are giving. I'll add them as I find them:
Germany: Foreign Minister said "Any help".
A.G. Edwards: $100,000 to the Red Cross.
There's too much to follow as far as help goes. Thanks to everyone. I heard more was given by Americans in the four days after the hurricane than the four days after Sept. 11. Germany has been especially generous. Here's a list via CNN:
Following is a list of some of the aid offered by governments.
-- Sri Lanka has offered what it called a "token contribution" of $25,000 through the American Red Cross.
-- Mexico has offered $1 million and is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas. The Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.
-- Australia is giving A$10 million ($7.6 million), most of it to the American Red Cross.
-- China has offered $5 million.
-- India is making a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, Ambassador Ronen Sen said Saturday. In addition, Sen said India was willing to donate essential medicines to the relief effort, noting that India has the largest number of Food and Drug Administration-recognized pharmaceutical companies outside the United States.
-- -- Germany has offered a wide range of assistance including evacuation by air, medical services, transportation services, water treatment capabilities, assistance in searching for victims, vaccination teams and supplies, and emergency shelter. Germany has also said it is ready and willing to "dip into its own emergency oil reserves" to release some 2 million barrels a day for 30 days.
-- France has offered mobile help from the French Antilles, which is relatively close to the affected regions, including a civil defense detachment of 35 people, tents, camp beds, generators, motor pumps, water treatment units and emergency kits, two CASA cargo aircraft, a ship (Batral Francis Garnier) and the frigate Ventose with its Panther helicopter, and a hurricane disaster unit (20 soldiers and 900 kg of specialized supplies and medical support).
-- France has also offered assistance from the French mainland including: one or two C-135 planes, one A-310 aircraft , and four C-160 Transalls, an airborne emergency unit. In addition, the NGO Telecoms Sans Frontieres, which specializes in restoring phone lines and Internet service in disasters, is ready to send a team of experts and equipment. Veolia Environment, which has facilities in Louisiana, has offered to make its local water management resources available to the American authorities or the Red Cross. It can also quickly send in a team of hydraulic experts.
-- Japan has offered to provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross. The government of Japan will identify needs in the affected regions through the U.S. government and, upon request, is ready to provide necessary and available emergency assistance supply amounting to up to $300,000 worth of items such as tents, blankets, power generators, portable water tanks and more from a supply depot maintained by the Japanese government in Florida.
-- Cuba's President Fidel Castro said on Friday his nation was ready to send 1,100 doctors and 26 tons of medicine and equipment.
Asia
AUSTRALIA: "We're going to provide A$10 million ($7.6 million) and the bulk of that money, if not all of it, will go to the American Red Cross," said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. The Australian government said there may be up to 24 Australians trapped in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina.
CHINA: China offered $5 million in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the Gulf Coast ahead of President Hu Jintao's U.S. visit. If needed, the Chinese government is also prepared to send rescue workers, including medical experts, officials said.
JAPAN: Will provide $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Japan will also identify needs in affected regions via the U.S. government and will provide up to $300,000 in emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if it receives requests for such assistance, the ministry said.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts. The government said the Chinooks will help to ferry supplies and undertake airlift missions.
SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a U.S. response, a government official said. "We have sent our intention to offer recovery aid," a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.
SRI LANKA: Will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross.
TAIWAN: Has pledged more than $3 million to the relief effort.
Americas
CANADA: Offered to help in any way it can and the navy is preparing a ship full of emergency disaster relief supplies to be sent when a request comes.
CUBA: Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tonnes of medicine to treat disaster victims.
MEXICO: The country is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas and the Mexican navy has offered to send two ships, two helicopters and 15 amphibious vehicles.
VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.
Europe
EUROPEAN UNION: EU countries are ready to give the United States oil if it requests help, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said this was not what the EU had in mind when it discussed how to help.
FRANCE: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer support, telling TF1 television: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."
GERMANY: Has offered mobile units to provide clean water, military hospital facilities and medical aid.
ITALY: Has offered to "immediately" send aid and evacuation specialists, Italy's civil protection unit said. Authorities have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from U.S. officials, the unit said.
NETHERLANDS: Will provide teams for inspecting dykes and for identifying victims if there is a formal request from the United States. It will also send a frigate from Curacao to New Orleans shortly to provide emergency assistance, the government said.
RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators -- as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said.
SPAIN: Expects to receive a formal request to release gasoline stocks to the United States and is prepared to grant it, an Industry Ministry spokesman said.
SWEDEN: The Rescue Authority said it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed.
UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Britain stands ready to help the United States in whatever way it can.
Middle East
SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Refining, a Houston-based subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, will donate $5 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
An urban search and rescue team from British Columbia is trying to get to New Orleans to help out. The US Department of Homeland Security isn't letting them in though. I do not know if it is red tape or if it is because the US rescue effort is still trying to get organized. Anyway, a big thank you to everyone in British Columbia and a big thank you to everyone who is helping down there.
Also, Billmon has links to various charities helping out with the fall out. Please give if you can.
*Update*
More places are giving. I'll add them as I find them:
Germany: Foreign Minister said "Any help".
A.G. Edwards: $100,000 to the Red Cross.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Midwest Frumpy at the Football Game
There's a phenomenon, no, ingrained cultural reality I call Midwest Frumpy. You see it all over the upper Midwest; obesity, bland clothing, teddy-bear sweatshirts, waddling, haircuts that are so bad they didn't ever go out of style since they were never in. Each area or state has its own variation of frumpy. You're more likely to see teddy-bear sweatshirts in Minnesota and more likely to see poodle bangs in Wisconsin.
I witnessed Wisconsin Frumpy in full force at Lambeau Field on Friday night. Women who looked like their 4th grade pictures with wrinkles, men who still have their 1991 Sterling Sharpe jerseys, and obese androgyny with mullets were all the, uh, fashion. I use "fashion" loosely. I told my brother-in-law that Lambeau Field doesn't seat the most, but it sure weighs the most. Give these people beer and a Packer game, they're actually quite amiable. Leave the politics out, though.
I didn't notice Wisconsin Frumpy as much at the Camp Randall re dedication. People seemed thinner, slightly more stylish, and more energetic. The field was open to all and people were throwing footballs and running around. They even had the First Brigade Civil War Band from Waterloo. No beer was to be found. Maybe that's why people were thinner on average.
I know Madison likes to think of itself as more cultured (read uppity) than the rest of the state, but the fact remains it IS part of Wisconsin. You can see rednecks flying around in their rusted 1987 Chevy Blazers with no exhaust, frumpy people at the malls, teddy-bear sweatshirt gals on State Street, and Miller Beer everywhere. The west-siders like to think they're cultured, but for them is Concerts on the Square where they eat $5.99 cheese and drink three-steps-higher-than-Mad-Dog wine is almost as good as Royal Albert Hall. It's more delusional than Miller claiming High Life is the Champaign of Beers. At least High Life is close in color.
I witnessed Wisconsin Frumpy in full force at Lambeau Field on Friday night. Women who looked like their 4th grade pictures with wrinkles, men who still have their 1991 Sterling Sharpe jerseys, and obese androgyny with mullets were all the, uh, fashion. I use "fashion" loosely. I told my brother-in-law that Lambeau Field doesn't seat the most, but it sure weighs the most. Give these people beer and a Packer game, they're actually quite amiable. Leave the politics out, though.
I didn't notice Wisconsin Frumpy as much at the Camp Randall re dedication. People seemed thinner, slightly more stylish, and more energetic. The field was open to all and people were throwing footballs and running around. They even had the First Brigade Civil War Band from Waterloo. No beer was to be found. Maybe that's why people were thinner on average.
I know Madison likes to think of itself as more cultured (read uppity) than the rest of the state, but the fact remains it IS part of Wisconsin. You can see rednecks flying around in their rusted 1987 Chevy Blazers with no exhaust, frumpy people at the malls, teddy-bear sweatshirt gals on State Street, and Miller Beer everywhere. The west-siders like to think they're cultured, but for them is Concerts on the Square where they eat $5.99 cheese and drink three-steps-higher-than-Mad-Dog wine is almost as good as Royal Albert Hall. It's more delusional than Miller claiming High Life is the Champaign of Beers. At least High Life is close in color.
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Time to get nostalgic about a movie I saw eighteen years ago and was about a time seventeen years earlier. My college roommates can verify...
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After the post below and after finding Dave's post, I created my South Park persona after a bike ride. I think it's fitting.
