You can watch a fun little slide show of some of their greatest issue covers here. No longer will we be informed of Bat-Boy, Bigfoot, kittens who survive time-traveling adventures in the dryer, alien political pundits, Biblical artifacts found in Minnesota, or the ever charming three-legged women who are looking to marry the ghost of Abrahm Lincoln. Journalists every where should have a moment of silence for the Weekly WORLD News--I mean the whole entire world, geez that's a tough beat to cover--gone out of print publication as of this week.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Those of you who are following the post-Lance Tour De France are either hardcore road bikers or reading the daily news of all those scandals that plague the world's premier cycling event. At the rate riders are dropping, I'm going to be next in line to win the yellow jersey assuming the French officials don't taint my urine sample.
I am baffled by the ineptitude of cycling to not only monitor their sport but also the Tour De France officials who seem to have a hatred of all riders and continually bungle ever regulation they try to impose. It's a true shame because cycling is one of the great tests of endurance, a sport that demands respect from the sheer suffer factor that must be undergone to succeed. Instead of hearing of great deeds, exciting sprints, and heroic pushes all we hear about are doping scandals, testosterone boosts, HGH, and criminally accused pee in a test tube.
I've seen church bake sales run with more efficiency and professionalism. The sad truth is either a huge performance enhancing epidemic has inflicted the sport or the governing council cannot tell their cranks from their shifters, metaphorically speaking. No matter what, cycling has received yet another black eye with the expulsion of current leader Michael Rasmussen, who was cruising to his first Tour victory until recent allegations forced his team to withdraw him.
Cycling just isn't going to catch on in America like our "big three" sports but with every doping scandal, it slips farther off the radar. I hope there eventually is some redemption for cycling because despite the garish uniforms and decidedly Europy-ness of it all, it is a tremendous sport that deserves better than the rogues who define it today.
I am baffled by the ineptitude of cycling to not only monitor their sport but also the Tour De France officials who seem to have a hatred of all riders and continually bungle ever regulation they try to impose. It's a true shame because cycling is one of the great tests of endurance, a sport that demands respect from the sheer suffer factor that must be undergone to succeed. Instead of hearing of great deeds, exciting sprints, and heroic pushes all we hear about are doping scandals, testosterone boosts, HGH, and criminally accused pee in a test tube.
I've seen church bake sales run with more efficiency and professionalism. The sad truth is either a huge performance enhancing epidemic has inflicted the sport or the governing council cannot tell their cranks from their shifters, metaphorically speaking. No matter what, cycling has received yet another black eye with the expulsion of current leader Michael Rasmussen, who was cruising to his first Tour victory until recent allegations forced his team to withdraw him.
Cycling just isn't going to catch on in America like our "big three" sports but with every doping scandal, it slips farther off the radar. I hope there eventually is some redemption for cycling because despite the garish uniforms and decidedly Europy-ness of it all, it is a tremendous sport that deserves better than the rogues who define it today.
Monday, July 23, 2007
This weekend was the annual GRUB Frisbee Tourney here in Boulder. With my lousy income this summer, even the modest $35 entry fee seemed out of the question but a generous donation by Sheila got me on the alternate list. It was quite a sweet gesture, since she knew I've been a bit restless here being unable to do the things I love while "semi-employed". I ended up picking up with a team from Crested Butte who were young, a lot of fun, and up and coming frisbee players (hey, we won a game!) Along the way we saw the dreaded frisbee shark (involves nakedness and a clenched frisbee...ugh), several pantless points, streakers, and plenty of heckling.
But the main element at work was a frisbee-warping, cramp-igniting, heat hovering over 100 degrees--the kind of sun that quickly turns icy Gatorade into a syrupy sludge and makes food that isn't frozen as appetizing as melted crayons. Players were sunburned, dehydrated, worn out, and cramped up; an odd phenomenon occurred thanks to the fact the fields were so heavily watered the night before, there was a 4 foot invisible barrier of humidity hovering just above the grass. Luckily, my research into hydration and cramping prevented me from getting tight (magnesium my friends, that's the key!) and I played fairly well with my new pals. I might be a redneck if... well, I just checked and I am a redneck! 8 hours in ultra violet radiation will do that.
Tomorrow I have my normal A-League games (two of my teammates made it to the finals of the GRUB tournament by the way) which will be STILL be hot and dry, but with enough rest I should be fine. Like many of my sports pursuits, frisbee is one that I know I could reach that "next level" if I put the time into it, but as is my pattern, there are too many other fun things to do.
So we'll see. A few jobs are close, I can feel it! I've had more interviews lately and I'm ready to find something good. Finally, today is my Grandpa's birthday--we'll say he's turning 29 :) I wanted to be in Maine for his big day but as it turns out neither he nor I could make it up there this year for the 23rd. Nonetheless, a happy birthday to the guy who I'm named for--I couldn't ask for a better name association!
But the main element at work was a frisbee-warping, cramp-igniting, heat hovering over 100 degrees--the kind of sun that quickly turns icy Gatorade into a syrupy sludge and makes food that isn't frozen as appetizing as melted crayons. Players were sunburned, dehydrated, worn out, and cramped up; an odd phenomenon occurred thanks to the fact the fields were so heavily watered the night before, there was a 4 foot invisible barrier of humidity hovering just above the grass. Luckily, my research into hydration and cramping prevented me from getting tight (magnesium my friends, that's the key!) and I played fairly well with my new pals. I might be a redneck if... well, I just checked and I am a redneck! 8 hours in ultra violet radiation will do that.
Tomorrow I have my normal A-League games (two of my teammates made it to the finals of the GRUB tournament by the way) which will be STILL be hot and dry, but with enough rest I should be fine. Like many of my sports pursuits, frisbee is one that I know I could reach that "next level" if I put the time into it, but as is my pattern, there are too many other fun things to do.
So we'll see. A few jobs are close, I can feel it! I've had more interviews lately and I'm ready to find something good. Finally, today is my Grandpa's birthday--we'll say he's turning 29 :) I wanted to be in Maine for his big day but as it turns out neither he nor I could make it up there this year for the 23rd. Nonetheless, a happy birthday to the guy who I'm named for--I couldn't ask for a better name association!
Monday, July 16, 2007
This was a relatively good weekend--the plus side was climbing a pair of 14ers with Sheila and Mystic (her doggie). The down side was my Gamefaqs account got hacked, thanks to stupid AOL's idiotic policy on closing accounts. Basically, this guy reopened my old bruplex@aol.com account which I SPECIFICALLY ASKED BE PERMANENTLY DELETED when I closed it in 2003. From there, he got a bunch of older passwords, most of which were irrelevant except for my gamefaqs account. AOL really, really sucks and I'm certain that my e-mail to them demanding they fix this situation will go unheeded. On the plus side, I STILL have my email that claims they completely deleted my account, which they didn't. I should sue 'em for huge bucks. Oh well...
Life goes on.
Life goes on.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Ah, nothing is quite as impressive as the rec-league sports meltdown. Last night at my ultimate frisbee game, my team won a close game. It was competitive and fun for the most part, but the show of the evening was when a guy on the other team went ballistic on the sideline. I'm not 100% sure why, other than he was frustrated at something... and while I appreciate fiery play, I couldn't quite finger what set off the trigger. The dude was playing fine and didn't make any obvious mistakes. When he got off the field, his folding chair was the first victim--bashed several times until the arms broke off. Then the backpack was slammed to ground, while unzipped, meaning contents were strewn about. Many of these smaller objects were also beaten/kicked/hurled, including a Nalgene bottle that deftly avoided the first attempt at a kick, furthering the ire of our manic pal.
What was amazing is that I went in for 2 points, came off the field and the tirade was still underway. That's a span of like 5 minutes. It was like a Shakespearean play broken into several parts; I returned in the "throwing the shoes and vowing to never play ultimate again" phase.
I'm thinking this guy's team should bring along a pinata for him next time, or perhaps one of those inflatable clowns you can punch and they spring back up. Or better yet, solve two problems at once and let him beat up a real clown.
What was amazing is that I went in for 2 points, came off the field and the tirade was still underway. That's a span of like 5 minutes. It was like a Shakespearean play broken into several parts; I returned in the "throwing the shoes and vowing to never play ultimate again" phase.
I'm thinking this guy's team should bring along a pinata for him next time, or perhaps one of those inflatable clowns you can punch and they spring back up. Or better yet, solve two problems at once and let him beat up a real clown.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Man, a blast from the past-- I forgot how much this video cracks me up!
In taking a break from the grind of figuring out a way to survive in Boulder, I was playing a little bit of Chrono Trigger. CT is one of my favorite RPGs from the golden era of the SNES, and the title of this post comes directly from the game. Though you'd be hard-pressed to get any scholarly types to admit it, game stories can be plenty thought provoking, even if the message is lost in the presentation of the action.
In regards to this quote, I ask myself that very question: Why are we drawn to the talents we have? Why isn't everyone? The questions resonate with Zen-like rhetorical sense. I've always felt a pang at envy at people whose skills happen to not only be aligned with their passion but also makes them a good living. Obviously, the diversity of human experience means we all filter down into certain roles that either fulfill us or sustain us-- and for a few lucky people, both parameters are met.
In our own lives, there are so many ways to define fulfillment--for some it's having a family, for others it's owning a pet, for others it's growing an enormous pumpkin. It's frustrating for me at times to fend off the reality of how impractical these "skills" I've nurtured truly are. I know this much: I'm in the right place, my work is honest, and something has kept the light on through it all. Again to quote CT: "So they do have a purpose after all."
Heh, another quote that doesn't really apply but I stumbled across: "His only friend, other than his sister, is that stupid cat. What tempest rages in his head?" That only partially applies, as my cat is not stupid.
Getting back to Chrono Trigger-- I've always liked the atmosphere of the lamp post at the end of time. Quiet, remote, peaceful, surrounded by the darkness. It's one of more compelling ambiance settings from any game, especially given the reprieve from the frantic action when you first arrive here.
I don't think it's any coincidence that gamers are often pretty smart, often sensitive, guys--when they don't end up like the Comic Book Store Guy from the Simpsons. And yes, I'm assuming no girls play games ever (sorry Candice!)
Friday, July 06, 2007
In taking a break from the grind of figuring out a way to survive in Boulder, I was playing a little bit of Chrono Trigger. CT is one of my favorite RPGs from the golden era of the SNES, and the title of this post comes directly from the game. Though you'd be hard-pressed to get any scholarly types to admit it, game stories can be plenty thought provoking, even if the message is lost in the presentation of the action. In regards to this quote, I ask myself that very question: Why are we drawn to the talents we have? Why isn't everyone? The questions resonate with Zen-like rhetorical sense. I've always felt a pang at envy at people whose skills happen to not only be aligned with their passion but also makes them a good living. Obviously, the diversity of human experience means we all filter down into certain roles that either fulfill us or sustain us-- and for a few lucky people, both parameters are met.
In our own lives, there are so many ways to define fulfillment--for some it's having a family, for others it's owning a pet, for others it's growing an enormous pumpkin. It's frustrating for me at times to fend off the reality of how impractical these "skills" I've nurtured truly are. I know this much: I'm in the right place, my work is honest, and something has kept the light on through it all. Again to quote CT: "So they do have a purpose after all."
Heh, another quote that doesn't really apply but I stumbled across: "His only friend, other than his sister, is that stupid cat. What tempest rages in his head?" That only partially applies, as my cat is not stupid.
Getting back to Chrono Trigger-- I've always liked the atmosphere of the lamp post at the end of time. Quiet, remote, peaceful, surrounded by the darkness. It's one of more compelling ambiance settings from any game, especially given the reprieve from the frantic action when you first arrive here.I don't think it's any coincidence that gamers are often pretty smart, often sensitive, guys--when they don't end up like the Comic Book Store Guy from the Simpsons. And yes, I'm assuming no girls play games ever (sorry Candice!)
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
My lack of posting comes from a lack of anything good afoot; this job hunt is getting really old. I won't gripe about it but I'm defintely reaching my "11th hour" when it comes to being really screwed. How was I to know 4 companies I worked for would tank or that the job market would be as bad as it is now. So, in lieu of all that boring whining...
I can say it's blasting hot in Colorado. 100+ degrees many days in a row; it reminds me of 2002 when the heat was bad and I was again semi-employed! I'm amazed at people who don't complain about the heat (in my defense, I almost NEVER complain about the cold). I think I'm at my southern limit for where I could ever live, anything hotter than this and I would willingly melt into a pile of goo.
I've been keeping tabs on the little calico cat that hangs out near my parking spot. I'm not 100% sure if she has an owner and in this heat, I make sure to leave her a little water and food to keep her energy up. This week I plan to see if she even HAS an owner--if not, I may see if she gets along with Xanadu and take her in. I get the sinking feeling she has been abandoned... she's not beat up, but she's outside at all hours and friendly to people. More updates on this as I gather some info!
I can say it's blasting hot in Colorado. 100+ degrees many days in a row; it reminds me of 2002 when the heat was bad and I was again semi-employed! I'm amazed at people who don't complain about the heat (in my defense, I almost NEVER complain about the cold). I think I'm at my southern limit for where I could ever live, anything hotter than this and I would willingly melt into a pile of goo.
I've been keeping tabs on the little calico cat that hangs out near my parking spot. I'm not 100% sure if she has an owner and in this heat, I make sure to leave her a little water and food to keep her energy up. This week I plan to see if she even HAS an owner--if not, I may see if she gets along with Xanadu and take her in. I get the sinking feeling she has been abandoned... she's not beat up, but she's outside at all hours and friendly to people. More updates on this as I gather some info!
