Creativity is a wonderful thing. Me, I just see a pumpkin.
Archive for the ‘Living Life’ Category
Favorite Carved Pumpkins 2013 – Take 5 Leave a comment
Paying For Content Leave a comment
It’s happening again.
Just about everyone has been impacted by now with the wars that have developed between those that own content, those that deliver content, and those that receive content.
My latest problem is with the video coverage of my beloved Missouri Tigers.
This weekend, CBS (which has the rights to the their # 1 selected SEC game every weekend, and their # 2 game on their selected weekends) is passing on the # 14 ranked Tigers hosting the # 22 ranked Florida Gators. Mizzou is the top team in the SEC East, but that didn’t matter to the CBS game pickers.
ESPN has the rights to the next 3 SEC games, and they also passed on the MIzzou game. The result? I wasn’t sure if I would be able to watch the game or not.
Good news, though: the fledgling SEC network is syndicating the game to 300+ TV stations across the country (no national network picked up the game). I finally found a list of those stations, and it is here. For me, I have to watch the game on channel 56, KDOC-TV out of Anaheim. It’s a station once known for professional wrestling and roller derby. Now, it’s a sports station airing football games that CBS and ESPN don’t want.
Thank goodness.
I’m not a victim: I get to watch the game I want to watch. There’s a lot of people that won’t be so fortunate. They may have to watch CBS’s twin pick of the week: # 15 Georgia (that Mizzou just beat) at the unranked Vanderbilt, and # 24 Auburn at # 7 Texas A&M. I believe both of those games will be totally uninteresting. I’ve run around the football field at Vanderbilt … but couldn’t care less about those 2 football games.
And here’s news for you: if you are a cable subscriber … or a satellite subscriber … then you are paying to have those CBS games delivered to your home. The ESPN games, too, if you get ESPN. You see, ALL cable subscribers pay, whether they watch football or not. That’s how our system works.
How much are you paying? Those fees are negotiated with each cable system owner, but ESPN’s fees average $4.69 per month. That’s what you pay whether you watch sports or not. The CBS fees are more difficult to figure out, as they include all of the CBS affiliated networks, such as Showtime.
I don’t know how much my Dish Network pays KDOC, but I’m glad they do!
David Byrne, 2006
On another front, today I read an interview with Talking Head’s David Byrne (the voice of the 80s signature hits, “Once in a Lifetime” and “Burning Down the House”). He made the somewhat provocative statement that paying for music content the way we pay for cable content will “suck all creative content out of the world.” The link’s below. Mr. Byrne feels that if we do generic licenses for music, such as we do with Pandora and Spotify, then artists will get the short end of the stick. Record labels will suck up a large portion … and artists starve.
As Mr. Byrne pointed out,
“Even Wagner was always in debt and slept with rich women to get funding – so nothing’s new, right?”
More
RockMNation: Watching The Florida vs. Missouri Game….
AL.com: Why CBS Passed On SEC East Leader Missouri And Its Pivotal Games
TheGuardian: David Byrne: ‘The internet will suck all creative content out of the world
SportsGrid: How ESPN Is Making Your Cable Bill More And More Expensive
What Does The Fox Say? Leave a comment
It’s an internet sensation.
It’s the biggest novelty hit since Psy’s “Gangham Style.”
Read the story of Ylvis, the band of Bard and Vegard Ylvisaker, here.
But watch the video to find out what the fox really says.
Hysteria, Sweet Hysteria 1 comment
October 12, 1974 is when I first experienced mass hysteria.
I never saw it coming. Though I had been warned to look out for those ‘Huskers. I was told they might steal my hat.
In 1974, here’s what they looked like:
Herbie Husker
If you know me at all, you know this image offends me deeply. The idea that it was viewed as both a positive and literally iconic look for an entire state just astonishes me. But I digress.
I was a freshman at the University of Missouri and a proud member of Marching Mizzou. I played the timbales, which means I was not one of the 16 best percussionists in the band.
Really. There was an audition.
So, as percussionist # 17, I played the timbales. Marching Mizzou was taking a road trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, where our mediocre football team would be playing the 5th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers.
76,525 fans and me. And if you’ve ever seen the stadium at Lincoln, you know it’s an emotion-filled place. It rocks in support of Nebraska’s favorite football team. A sea of red confronts every team:
The home of the Huskers since 1923 and the location of a continuing NCAA-record consecutive sellout streak that reached 325 games in 2012, Memorial Stadium provides one of the most exciting game-day experiences in all of college football. The streak of consecutive sellouts started on Nov. 3, 1962, when 36,501 attended the Homecoming contest against Missouri.
It was in this environment that the Missouri Tigers and Marching Mizzou found themselves. Back in the day, the Tigers were known as being very inconsistent on the field … and giant killers when they could get it together. They lost spectacularly, and occasionally won spectacularly.
This game turned into a defensive battle. After 3 quarters, Nebraska led 0 – 3.
And then at the beginning of the fourth, Nebraska scored to lead 0 – 10.
And then it just broke loose.
Mizzou scored: 7 – 10.
And then there came the moment that this post is really about.
Hysteria, Sweet Hysteria.
The band was seated on the field, behind the endzone. Because I played that big kit of timbales, I had to sit at the bottom of the bleachers, out of the way of everyone. Worst. Seat. In. The. Stadium.
Suddenly, everyone was screaming. Everyone was jumping up and down. Jubilation! Hysteria! WAHOO!!!
What happened? I had no idea.
Video screens were a future dream, nothing more. All I could see was a bunch of black & gold music nerds jumping up and down, screaming. And they were surrounded by 70,000 red-clad fans. Screaming.
So what did I do? I jumped up and down and screamed, of course. You’ve got to go along to get along.
Mizzou scored: 14 – 10.
And Mizzou scored again: 21-10. 21 unanswered points, all scored in the 4th quarter to win. Game over.
It was exhausting. It was incredible. It was truly unbelievable.
It was real.
Marching Mizzou exited Memorial Stadium (yes, I protected my hat) and loaded up into the 8 Greyhound buses that brought us to Lincoln that day. We had a long ride home.
But we did stop at a tiny roadside liquor store for the band to acquire, uh, refreshments. I’m pretty sure that the liquor store’s cashiers got to enjoy a different kind of hysteria as they were invaded by 300+ Tigers that day.
Today, 39 years later, the Tigers are again playing the 5th-ranked team in the land, but this time it’s the Georgia Bulldogs.
Go get’em Tigers! M-I-Z…
Redskin Haters 1 comment
If you’re a football fan, you’ve read about it. The name of the Washington Redskins is hate speech, and it’s gotta go. Even President Obama weighed in last week, saying he would look at changing the name if he were the owner.
ABC’s Face The Nation weighed in on Sunday morning, and all of the pundits agreed (even Cokie Roberts, who IS a season ticket holder) that the name has to go.
Because it offends somebody.
Read a couple of opinion pieces below, and the last link includes the letter that the owner of the Redskins (OMG) wrote to his season ticket holders. He says he’s not going to change.
The problem with all of the haters out there is that they aren’t going far enough. You see, if sports team names have to change if they offend anybody, then they all have to go.
Because I am OFFENDED by every NFL team name. To wit (HA! I kill me.):
Arizona Cardinals: This team was originally in St Louis, and then moved to Arizona. The problem is that Cardinals are not migratory birds. Fail.
Atlanta Falcons: Falcons kill other birds, and that makes them inappropriate as role models.
Baltimore Ravens: Edgar Allen Poe was crazy, lived in Baltimore, and created a mythical raven that said “nevermore.” You can’t use that name for a sports team; it has too much negativity.
Buffalo Bills: This team name offends because it’s alliterative with no meaning. What’s a Bill? If this is an homage to the real Buffalo Bill, then that’s not right. He never even heard of football (he died in 1917, before the NFL was founded).
Carolina Panthers: Panthers don’t live in the Carolinas, and black panthers don’t live farther east than Texas. I’m offended when a team tries to assume a relationship with an animal that isn’t true.
Chicago Bears: Bears don’t live in Illinois. Bears in Chicago? It’s a lie.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tigers don’t live in the US. It’s a lie, and I’m offended that a team in Ohio would assume a relationship with an animal that isn’t even native to the Americas.
Cleveland Browns: When the Browns were founded, they wanted to be called the Panthers, but couldn’t be because they didn’t own the name. Brown was the name of the first coach. I’m offended that they are named after a dead person, but it was their second choice. They should respect their coaches.
Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys don’t wear white and blue. And they don’t have scantily clad cheerleaders, either.
Denver Broncos: Rodeos torture animals. It’s not appropriate to name a team after a tortured animal.
Detroit Lions: Lions don’t live in Michigan … not even in bankrupt cities.
Green Bay Packers: The Green Bay Packers were first sponsored by the Indian Packing Company … need I say more?
Houston Texans: Team members are not all from Texas or Houston … so this team name is a lie.
Indianapolis Colts: The helmets of this team have a horseshoe imprinted on each side. What are they thinking? Don’t they know that football players have concussion issues? And they celebrate the idea that horses are going to kick every player … twice? I’m offended.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Another regionally inappropriate name. Plus, since the species is threatened, it’s inappropriate to gain advantage by trading on its threatened name.
Kansas City Chiefs: Stop with the Indian names, already!
Miami Dolphins: Dolphins deserve our protection; they should not be tackled.
Minnesota Vikings: I’ve seen Vikings, and they drink mead and wear hats with big curved horns. Since these football players do neither, they can’t be named the Vikings.
New England Patriots: It’s unfair for this team to insinuate that they are more American than other teams. All teams are equally American, and all equally support the US of A. This team can’t claim a preferential American name.
New Orleans Saints: Really? We’re bringing religion into the discussion? Unacceptable.
New York Giants: Giants are mythical creatures that scare children. That’s an inappropriate name for a team.
New York Jets: The Jets were a gang in West Side Story. Team names cannot glorify musical theater. Or gangs.
Oakland Raiders: Though the team must be given some credit for supporting the handicapped, as their logo Raider only has one eye … the implication that they are pirates or outlaws cannot be ignored, even if they are handicapped. Fail.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are nothing more than an organization that succeeded the Frankford Yellow Jackets, who went bankrupt. That’s not an appropriate reflection on our national symbol, so they must not be called the eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers: This represents old, rust belt technology. Any backwards-looking term is inappropriate.
San Diego Chargers: This term implies the total waste of energy. Lightning bolts as a logo? Inappropriately wasteful.
San Francisco 49ers: Using a number as a team name is far too confusing, as most of the team wears other numbers.
St. Louis Rams: I’ve lived in Missouri, and never seen a ram there. Regionally inappropriate.
Seattle Seahawks: A sea hawk is an occasional nickname of the osprey, a bird of prey that feeds on fish. Unacceptable. We should never glorify creatures that kill innocent animals like fish.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pirates are evil. Why would you want your team to be evil?
Tennessee Titans: The Titans are a part of the Greek mythology. Again with the religious references?
Washington Redskins: I have no problem with a team called the Redskins … as long as they all have red skin. If not, then….
More
Reuters: Will Anyone Defend The Washington Redskins Name?
Down & Distance: Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Writes Letter To Season Ticket Holders About Team Name
New York Times: Redskins’ Name Change Remains Activist’s Unfinished Business
The Lady One Lane Over 1 comment
I have one habit that annoys Velda.
OK, settle down out there. That’s a true statement: I do have one habit that annoys Velda. Really, I do.
And that’s all I’m admitting to. One habit. Velda annoyed.
Sometimes, when I’m backing out of a parking space, I’ll not put my seat belt on until I’m moving forward. Drives her nuts. Now, understand, I never drive any significant distance without a seat belt … its only when I’m backing out, and then when I turn back around to face forward I put the car in drive and put my seat belt on.
Drives her nuts. Sure way to hear nagging, every single time.
But, IMHO, that’s not a huge safety risk. Apparently she disagrees. Vocally. Predictably. Vociferously.
But that’s not today’s story.
Today, I was driving at 65 miles an hour in the #2 lane on the 210 … that’s something we Angelenos do, you see (seat belt firmly in place). In the # 1 lane, there was a lady driving a Surburban, going about 75. And she was texting. She looked to be 40 something, so I’m going to say she was old enough to know better.
But then, she was old enough to drive so she MUST know better.
I thought people understood that driving and texting don’t mix. Honestly, I thought the message had gotten through already.
Apparently it hasn’t.
So: Don’t text while driving. I’ll stop backing out without a seatbelt … you stop texting while driving.
More
To-Go.com: Everything You Need To Know About Distracted Driving
Strike Up The Band! 2 comments
A brass band with attitude. Love it!
Click the link. And I never saw the ending coming.
Thanks to g, the top commenter on this blog (!), for turning me on to the Mnozil Brass.
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Pimpin’ Your Daughter 3 comments
I’m a fan of college football. I know what it’s like to have an extra ticket.
I’m a dad. Love my daughter, known here as Little Girl.
That stated, I’m not going to use football tickets to pimp for my daughter. Like this guy did.
Gary Yates is a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan, who played the Florida Gators in football on Saturday. His stepdaughter is named Jessica Flanagan. Gary bought 4 tickets for the game so he could go with Jessica, Jessica’s date and his wife, Jessica’s mother.
And then Jessica’s date flaked on her, leaving Gary with an extra ticket … so he actually ran this ad on Craigslist:
Gary ran this ad with his daughter’s permission. And her mother’s permission. But he’s still an idiot.
The ad got response … big response. Jessica said there were 300+ respondents for this real life episode of The Bachelorette. She went through the email flood … and finally selected this guy:
Joe Colella is not a Tennessee Volunteers fan. Quite the opposite: he’s a graduate of Florida, who Tennessee is playing.
Oh, and he’s also using this as a promotional event. He’s a radio personality in West Palm Beach for the ESPN afflilate.
Oh, and he already has a girlfriend.
But don’t worry: his girlfriend is cool with him going on this date. Aren’t you glad?
Here’s Jessica, with her game face on. Joe tweeted this photo from the game.
Oh, and the game?
It was as ugly as this dating situation. The first half was horrid; the 2nd half was just sad. Tennessee combined with # 19 ranked Florida to have no fewer than 7 turnovers. Tennessee lost, 31-17.
Jessica lost, again.
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13 Reasons I Love Friday The 13th 6 comments
1. Velda was born on a Friday the 13th. How can I not love this day? (So, you think I’m in her good graces now?)
2. Everyone knows Friday the 13th in unlucky. That pretty much ensures everyone is wrong … everyone is never right.
3. Our 13th President, Millard Fillmore, is famously known for installing the first bathtub in the White House. Which he didn’t do.
4. There’s a name for being scared of 13: Triskaidekaphobia. There’s also a name for loving this number: Triskaidekamania. That’s a lot of confusion for just a number. I mean, does anyone know what fear of the number 7 is called? 12? 5?
5. My first date with Velda was on a Friday the 13th … and I proposed on that date. Good times.
6. It’s Friday. Work is almost done. How bad can it be?
7. The Dodger’s magic number now is 5. And that has nothing to do with 13.
8. Wait. The magic number is four. Doesn’t everyone know that? (and I can prove it)
9. I’ve never seen any of the Friday the 13th movies. I mean, who would want to see them?
10. It is believed Michelangelo began work on his statue of David on September 13. Great art deserves our respect.
11. The Hollywood sign was first unveiled by the owner of the LA Times newspaper, Harry Chandler, on Friday the 13th of July, 1923. Originally the sign spelled out “Hollywoodland” and was erected to advertise a new housing development Chandler was constructing nearby.
12. Benjamin Franklin wrote it on Friday the 13th, 1789: “Everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”
13. Remember how I proposed on my first date with Velda on a Friday the 13th? She said yes. It was a good day.
More
ThePracticalHistorian: The Completely Radional Fear of Triskaidekaphobia
Wisdom City: Number 13, My Shadow Is In Love With Your Shadow
Thursday’s Post: Sitting Pretty Leave a comment
Thursdays are becoming my favorite day of the week: I get things done on Thursday. And a chair is always involved.
