I don't know about you, but my mail delivery generally sucks. It's unreliable as some stuff from crosstown can get here in a day or a week. A friend tried to send me something from another part of the city and it keeps getting sent back due to a bad address, even though it's correct. WTF? And getting a magazine the week it comes out is completely out of the question.
Note that the postal service was created by the Continental Congress. That's right, we had postal service in the US before we had independence. So, they've had 233 years to perfect it. I guess they are counting on another 233.
In the meantime, the Obama administration has decided that they know how to run car companies. Which isn't to say the the car companies do it well. But, this is the double-edged sword of the bailouts. As a taxpayer, I don't want to be giving these assholes my money without more accountability and having a say in things. As the receiver of abysmal government services, I don't think there are people in Washington who have a clue on how to run General Motors.
I also don't like the government picking and choosing who stays or who gets fired at a company. Who is to say that GM's CEO was more/less incompetent that Chrysler's, but Waggoner was the one who got the boot. I don't think it's a stretch to say that other factors besides performance (e.g., politics) could cost an executive a job in the future if the Feds keep giving money to failing businesses.
In times of emergency, Bush didn't have confidence in our consitution and as a result we've lost rights and we're less safe. Now in times of emergency, Obama has lost faith in our economic system. Don't bet on us coming out better in the end.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mondo Birthday Weekend, Pt 3
So, we did the big double bday party thing at my s-i-l's for the boys. It was all good (pizza, salad and cheesecake) and everyone seemed to have a good time.
That evening, the NZS2 had some friends over for a bbq and hanging in the jacuzzi. The kids had a good time and were well behaved. Unlike my bbq which seems to have a valve problem (only one side will stay well lit at a time), so I cooked have the food outside and the other half inside.
We topped things off on Monday (The HB's actual birthday) by playing hookey (well, all except the HB whose spring break has started) and going to Knott's Berry Farm. It was EMPTY so we got to on all the ride we wanted as many times as we wanted. When I was kid we never went there because the Knott family was big contributors to the John Birch Society, a pretty right-wing organization. Even though my dad is pretty conservative in his political beliefs, he thought these guys were a bunch of red-baiting kooks.
By the time we got home, everyone was pretty beat. I had to really rally the troops for some cake and ice cream. All in all, a pretty successful bday weekend, even if we all need another weekend to recover.
That evening, the NZS2 had some friends over for a bbq and hanging in the jacuzzi. The kids had a good time and were well behaved. Unlike my bbq which seems to have a valve problem (only one side will stay well lit at a time), so I cooked have the food outside and the other half inside.
We topped things off on Monday (The HB's actual birthday) by playing hookey (well, all except the HB whose spring break has started) and going to Knott's Berry Farm. It was EMPTY so we got to on all the ride we wanted as many times as we wanted. When I was kid we never went there because the Knott family was big contributors to the John Birch Society, a pretty right-wing organization. Even though my dad is pretty conservative in his political beliefs, he thought these guys were a bunch of red-baiting kooks.
By the time we got home, everyone was pretty beat. I had to really rally the troops for some cake and ice cream. All in all, a pretty successful bday weekend, even if we all need another weekend to recover.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mondo Birthday Weekend, Pt 2
First, some NCAA basketball updates. My picks for the whole draw? Not so good, though my predicted champ, Louisville, is still doing fine. If they win it all I'll do pretty well in one pool and will win some money from Rotary in that we draw teams at random, and I got them. In fact, I'll win my money back and then some if they win today and make the final 4.
Yesterday's excursion to Little Tokyo was fun. We found a sushi bar with bbq sushi for the NZS. Andy has bbq ribs (Korean style), the wife had a cucumber roll (she HATES fish) and I ordered up two crab rolls (I figured the NZS2 would like it, too). Apparently the sushi place the NZS2 is pretty dumpy and has pre-made sushi, so this was quite the upgrade.
Before we left, the NZS2 opened some prezzies. We got him a gift certificate for See's candy (he's got a sweet tooth like no other person I know) and a few rounds of golf. He got a care package from home with (more) candy/chocolates, a jacket and some cards/letters. His parents sent the HB a nice pullover and wrote the wife and I a nice note. His dad's in Rotary back home and they host exchange students as well (they have a girl from Portugal with them now). They are very nice people and it was great that they got something for the HB.
After guitar lessons (the HB still has no clue that he's getting an electric guitar on Monday) and his play rehearsal, the HB went to the nephew's for a sleepover. The NZS headed out with the girls he's most sweet on. We'll see her, and some other friends, tonight as he successfully moved the bar-b-que. The wife and I went to see Duplicity. It was OK, good escapist fare. Then we grabbed a drink (OK, two) and some spring rolls before calling it a night.
This afternoon is the double bday party at my s-i-l's. Pizza, cake, presents, etc. Woot!
BTW, I've gotta start hitting the ellipitical more. My work schedule has serious gotten in the way of my exercise and I'm feeling in.
Yesterday's excursion to Little Tokyo was fun. We found a sushi bar with bbq sushi for the NZS. Andy has bbq ribs (Korean style), the wife had a cucumber roll (she HATES fish) and I ordered up two crab rolls (I figured the NZS2 would like it, too). Apparently the sushi place the NZS2 is pretty dumpy and has pre-made sushi, so this was quite the upgrade.
Before we left, the NZS2 opened some prezzies. We got him a gift certificate for See's candy (he's got a sweet tooth like no other person I know) and a few rounds of golf. He got a care package from home with (more) candy/chocolates, a jacket and some cards/letters. His parents sent the HB a nice pullover and wrote the wife and I a nice note. His dad's in Rotary back home and they host exchange students as well (they have a girl from Portugal with them now). They are very nice people and it was great that they got something for the HB.
After guitar lessons (the HB still has no clue that he's getting an electric guitar on Monday) and his play rehearsal, the HB went to the nephew's for a sleepover. The NZS headed out with the girls he's most sweet on. We'll see her, and some other friends, tonight as he successfully moved the bar-b-que. The wife and I went to see Duplicity. It was OK, good escapist fare. Then we grabbed a drink (OK, two) and some spring rolls before calling it a night.
This afternoon is the double bday party at my s-i-l's. Pizza, cake, presents, etc. Woot!
BTW, I've gotta start hitting the ellipitical more. My work schedule has serious gotten in the way of my exercise and I'm feeling in.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mondo Birthday Weekend, Pt 1
The NZS2's bday is today. The HB's is Monday, but we got the weekend started last night by taking the HB (and the NZS2) and 3 of his buddies to see Monsters Vs. Aliens. In 3-D. At the IMAX. It was very cool and everyone had a good time. We even saw a gaggle of other kids from the HB's school there.
The NZS headed out after we grabbed some burgers and the other boys stayed the night. I was pleased with how well they got along (2 are from the HB's school, the other is a friend from camping) and the wife and I didn't have to do any refereeing. They played Wii, watched a movie, etc until about midnight. Then, back up at 7am. I whippped them up some waffles, bacon and fruit salad and their parents swooped them up at around 10.
The NZS2 has had a bit of a tough time getting his bday activities together. He wanted to do a bbq and laser tag tonight, but too many of his friends already had stuff going on (soccer tournaments, etc.). So, it looks like just the bbq tomorrow night. He's been wanting sushi. Well, not really sushi, but chicken rolls that look like sushi, so we're going to head to Little Tokyo for that after the HB's guitar lesson. Also, since he turned 18, he'd be legal to drink in NZ. Of course, alcohol has crossed his lips, but still kind of a bummer than he can't go out for a couple (legally) here tonight.
Tomorrow we'll have the dual bday party at my s-i-l's. Monday is the beginning of the HB's spring break, so the wife and I are taking the day off. Who knows what we'll be up to.
The NZS headed out after we grabbed some burgers and the other boys stayed the night. I was pleased with how well they got along (2 are from the HB's school, the other is a friend from camping) and the wife and I didn't have to do any refereeing. They played Wii, watched a movie, etc until about midnight. Then, back up at 7am. I whippped them up some waffles, bacon and fruit salad and their parents swooped them up at around 10.
The NZS2 has had a bit of a tough time getting his bday activities together. He wanted to do a bbq and laser tag tonight, but too many of his friends already had stuff going on (soccer tournaments, etc.). So, it looks like just the bbq tomorrow night. He's been wanting sushi. Well, not really sushi, but chicken rolls that look like sushi, so we're going to head to Little Tokyo for that after the HB's guitar lesson. Also, since he turned 18, he'd be legal to drink in NZ. Of course, alcohol has crossed his lips, but still kind of a bummer than he can't go out for a couple (legally) here tonight.
Tomorrow we'll have the dual bday party at my s-i-l's. Monday is the beginning of the HB's spring break, so the wife and I are taking the day off. Who knows what we'll be up to.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Why of Differences
From a genetics point of view, we are all pretty similar (about 99.9% the same, if you believe some estimates). Yet, there are many observed differences in people. For, well, 99.9% of these, we pretty easily attribute it genes (oh, she's tall because her parents/aunt/uncle are). We know from high school biology that one of the things our genes do is tell our body how to grow and give our eyes and hair color. But, do our genes make us smart?
We all know people who are more/less intelligent that we are (however you want to define intelligence). As a culture, we are eager to say that someone got ahead on his smarts, but reluctant to say he's got a shitty job because he's stupid. We also tend to believe that smarts is something you get by working at it (studying hard, getting good experiences, etc.). Put another way, we don't look at high school kids' SAT scores and throw the low scorers in shop or home ec. And most people will not start a conversation about which group of people are smarter than another one.
What our reluctance to speak about intelligence masks is that any cognitive process (e.g., problem solving, learning and memory) must be physiological events. And if they are physiological they must be subjected to the same principles of genetics that other physiological processes are, right? Well, here's the science to back it up.
Basically, the researchers found that there are physiological properties of neurons (brain cells) that allow some to transmit faster (quicker thinking) than others, and these properties are inherited. Of course, if they isolate the gene that increases these properties, then drugs to make us smarter could be created. But that's a ways off.
It's important to note that genes, in some respects, are templates for our potential. Environment and behavior certainly determine how much of our potential (whether it be intelligence or height) that we can obtain. But this, and other research, do show that we get more than our eye color from our parents. Now, if I could only develop the easy to administer test of the quality of brain myelin...
We all know people who are more/less intelligent that we are (however you want to define intelligence). As a culture, we are eager to say that someone got ahead on his smarts, but reluctant to say he's got a shitty job because he's stupid. We also tend to believe that smarts is something you get by working at it (studying hard, getting good experiences, etc.). Put another way, we don't look at high school kids' SAT scores and throw the low scorers in shop or home ec. And most people will not start a conversation about which group of people are smarter than another one.
What our reluctance to speak about intelligence masks is that any cognitive process (e.g., problem solving, learning and memory) must be physiological events. And if they are physiological they must be subjected to the same principles of genetics that other physiological processes are, right? Well, here's the science to back it up.
Basically, the researchers found that there are physiological properties of neurons (brain cells) that allow some to transmit faster (quicker thinking) than others, and these properties are inherited. Of course, if they isolate the gene that increases these properties, then drugs to make us smarter could be created. But that's a ways off.
It's important to note that genes, in some respects, are templates for our potential. Environment and behavior certainly determine how much of our potential (whether it be intelligence or height) that we can obtain. But this, and other research, do show that we get more than our eye color from our parents. Now, if I could only develop the easy to administer test of the quality of brain myelin...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Trippin' Around to LA
I'm not a crackberry/iphone kinda guy, but I do love finding an internet cafe with the free wifi. I have some time now between getting some important data and picking up the HB from school. BTW--if my sentence structure is weak and my tenses shift it's because I'm being distracted by this smokin' blonde who sat at an outside table right in my line of site.
Earlier today I had lunch at a great sushi place in Calabasas. OK, I don't eat that much sushi, so I guess I wouldn't know great from good, but the woman I ate with, who is a regular eater of such, raved about it as well. She's one of those clients who is also a great friend. We're not working on any projects now, and may never again (she's changed roles in her organization). I have seen her in ages as she moved from Tucson to Cleveland then back here to LA. It was great to just sit down with her for a while and bullshit.
She's coming off of a break-up and having her girl plumbing taken out, but, as always was in remarkably good spirits. She lived in LA several years ago and is happy to be back. She says that it only took her 41 years to realize that she's a California Girl. Her MS seems to be getting a bit worse, but she has a new totally tripped out van with a mini ramp (think drawbridge) that allows her to get around pretty easily. I'm hoping that I'll now have the chance to introduce her to the wife and HB.
Traffic on the way back was amazingly good, so instead of spending additional time in the car, I'll just park it here for the next 45 min. And get the myself and the HB a cookie.
Earlier today I had lunch at a great sushi place in Calabasas. OK, I don't eat that much sushi, so I guess I wouldn't know great from good, but the woman I ate with, who is a regular eater of such, raved about it as well. She's one of those clients who is also a great friend. We're not working on any projects now, and may never again (she's changed roles in her organization). I have seen her in ages as she moved from Tucson to Cleveland then back here to LA. It was great to just sit down with her for a while and bullshit.
She's coming off of a break-up and having her girl plumbing taken out, but, as always was in remarkably good spirits. She lived in LA several years ago and is happy to be back. She says that it only took her 41 years to realize that she's a California Girl. Her MS seems to be getting a bit worse, but she has a new totally tripped out van with a mini ramp (think drawbridge) that allows her to get around pretty easily. I'm hoping that I'll now have the chance to introduce her to the wife and HB.
Traffic on the way back was amazingly good, so instead of spending additional time in the car, I'll just park it here for the next 45 min. And get the myself and the HB a cookie.
Monday, March 23, 2009
My Work Shore After the Tsunami
The big work crunch has passed. Things got done and a deadline got extended (that's right, extended, not cut). Whew. Here's the big news:
1) The HB did NOT get the part he wanted in the play. Tears were shed but he's more or less over it now. He's oh-for-callbacks, which is disconcerting. If the director doesn't want him for these parts (and clearly she doesn't), then why invite him back? This has nothing to do with whether he is more talented than the kids who got them or not. That's up to the director to decide and I'm NOT going to be a stage dad. But he's doing this for fun and while I don't expect him to get every role he wants (yes, having to handle some dissapointment is a good thing), never getting one isn't doing him any good either.
2) Continuing the tour of SoCal with the NZS2, we went to the San Diego Zoo yesterday. It was kinda iffy as it rained the whole drive down there. But, the skies cleared after lunch and we had a really good time. It was the most excited I had seen the NZS2 about anything.
3) The big birthday weekend, the HB and NZS2 is coming up. Plans are in the works. More details in a later post.
1) The HB did NOT get the part he wanted in the play. Tears were shed but he's more or less over it now. He's oh-for-callbacks, which is disconcerting. If the director doesn't want him for these parts (and clearly she doesn't), then why invite him back? This has nothing to do with whether he is more talented than the kids who got them or not. That's up to the director to decide and I'm NOT going to be a stage dad. But he's doing this for fun and while I don't expect him to get every role he wants (yes, having to handle some dissapointment is a good thing), never getting one isn't doing him any good either.
2) Continuing the tour of SoCal with the NZS2, we went to the San Diego Zoo yesterday. It was kinda iffy as it rained the whole drive down there. But, the skies cleared after lunch and we had a really good time. It was the most excited I had seen the NZS2 about anything.
3) The big birthday weekend, the HB and NZS2 is coming up. Plans are in the works. More details in a later post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
