one thing is that it defies genre.
There is something in Edie that reminds of a younger Loretta Lynn, but that's hard to say because the Loretta below is still bringing it pretty good.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Recommended by a friend . . .
This is better then the songs that made her name -- she finally listened to Letterman and got rid of those pesky Bohemians.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
David Brooks
I recently listened to a debate between these two about the nature of conservatism. Brooks had reviewed Sullivan's book, The Conservative Soul and they had an interesting conversation about where conservatism is right now.
I also listened to two podcasts this weekend of Brooks speaking to two different groups, the World Affairs Council of Northern California and at the 2008 Aspen Ideas conference.
Brooks as a political pundit can sometimes make me crazy. I think he forces himself to be the "house" republican when he is commentating at PBS. It is an unnatural role for him and it shows. I don't think that he is really that interested in the horse race aspects of politics, yet that is really what political commentary is all about.
I really enjoy him in other venues (these podcasts). He excels at speaking in a longer forms. He has the time to articulate ideas, and he has a lot of them. He mentions his political affiliation on these podcasts, but if he did not, it would be difficult to guess what it was.
In a way I envy Brooks, Sullivan and other disillusioned conservatives. I believe they will try and reinvigorate their brand of conservatism. To do so will require conversations and debate about new ideas -- or at least a resolve to get back to old ones. It is refreshing to listen to them, and will be interesting to see how they react to the new president.
I also listened to two podcasts this weekend of Brooks speaking to two different groups, the World Affairs Council of Northern California and at the 2008 Aspen Ideas conference.
Brooks as a political pundit can sometimes make me crazy. I think he forces himself to be the "house" republican when he is commentating at PBS. It is an unnatural role for him and it shows. I don't think that he is really that interested in the horse race aspects of politics, yet that is really what political commentary is all about.
I really enjoy him in other venues (these podcasts). He excels at speaking in a longer forms. He has the time to articulate ideas, and he has a lot of them. He mentions his political affiliation on these podcasts, but if he did not, it would be difficult to guess what it was.
In a way I envy Brooks, Sullivan and other disillusioned conservatives. I believe they will try and reinvigorate their brand of conservatism. To do so will require conversations and debate about new ideas -- or at least a resolve to get back to old ones. It is refreshing to listen to them, and will be interesting to see how they react to the new president.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Live Mocha
My wife and I have talked about buying Rosetta Stone software to learn French. Even on Ebay, the program is rather expensive, so I looked for something on the internet that would work -- at least to get us started.
I discovered Live Mocha, a free social networking site that has worked perfectly so far. It really uses the best parts of social networking. You practice and even record yourself speaking the language that you want to learn, while offering commentary to other people who are learning your native language. I've gotten two comments correcting my french pronunciation from native speakers.
I'm still on Course One -- which as advertised as taking 50 hours. I will update if it continues to be successful or not.
I discovered Live Mocha, a free social networking site that has worked perfectly so far. It really uses the best parts of social networking. You practice and even record yourself speaking the language that you want to learn, while offering commentary to other people who are learning your native language. I've gotten two comments correcting my french pronunciation from native speakers.
I'm still on Course One -- which as advertised as taking 50 hours. I will update if it continues to be successful or not.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
My friend has it right
http://www.seekingrelevance.typepad.com/
At the very least, the discussion needs to be held. I agree with a lot of the ideas above, especially for their aims. I have a couple of ideas that I will throw out in the coming days as well.
The temptation is to engage in a dissection of each idea, assessing their feasibility. I caution against that. As a country we are a extremely large focus group, and one that is directly impacted by the conclusions we make.
When I have led focus groups in the past, I have instructed the people in them to tell me what they want a piece of software or technological product to do. Do not worry about whether it is possible, assessment is another step in the process. It is usually the experts who end up telling others what is possible and impossible -- and they almost always err on the side of caution. I have never had a programmer look at a proposal that came out of a focus group and as a first instinct tell me that the task is doable. They do, however, in the end almost always get the task done.
Idealistic, unrealistic and naive ideas should be the goal. For they are our best and only antidote to the cynicism with which we are currently ruled.
At the very least, the discussion needs to be held. I agree with a lot of the ideas above, especially for their aims. I have a couple of ideas that I will throw out in the coming days as well.
The temptation is to engage in a dissection of each idea, assessing their feasibility. I caution against that. As a country we are a extremely large focus group, and one that is directly impacted by the conclusions we make.
When I have led focus groups in the past, I have instructed the people in them to tell me what they want a piece of software or technological product to do. Do not worry about whether it is possible, assessment is another step in the process. It is usually the experts who end up telling others what is possible and impossible -- and they almost always err on the side of caution. I have never had a programmer look at a proposal that came out of a focus group and as a first instinct tell me that the task is doable. They do, however, in the end almost always get the task done.
Idealistic, unrealistic and naive ideas should be the goal. For they are our best and only antidote to the cynicism with which we are currently ruled.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sullivan and Palin
Andrew Sullivan really had the right take on the Palin thing. It was an absurd choice, not worthy of being taken seriously. And this is where some journalists got it wrong, they insisted on looking it as a real choice. You could sense that most of them didn't believe it, but are so afraid of being outed as liberals, that they couldn't bring themselves to confront what was plainly evident. And even when they criticized her, they had to offer platitudes about how charming and charismatic she was.
What struck me initially was the arrogance with which she displayed her ignorance. Not a definition of charm in my dictionary. (If I don't see air quote ever again, it will be too soon) While Bush has displayed enough of this in the last eight years, he at least seems to know to keep his arrogance somewhat hidden. He only seems proud of his ignorance, rather then arrogant (that's as charitable as I can be). While he vastly overestimates himself, I think he has been around so many smart people, he may recognize that he is not quite there.
The rise of Bush seemed to come from the misguided notion that he would be fun to have a beer with. Sadly, I think the choice of Palin had more to do with feelings on parts of Bill Kristol and Rich Lowry that I would rather not discuss.
What struck me initially was the arrogance with which she displayed her ignorance. Not a definition of charm in my dictionary. (If I don't see air quote ever again, it will be too soon) While Bush has displayed enough of this in the last eight years, he at least seems to know to keep his arrogance somewhat hidden. He only seems proud of his ignorance, rather then arrogant (that's as charitable as I can be). While he vastly overestimates himself, I think he has been around so many smart people, he may recognize that he is not quite there.
The rise of Bush seemed to come from the misguided notion that he would be fun to have a beer with. Sadly, I think the choice of Palin had more to do with feelings on parts of Bill Kristol and Rich Lowry that I would rather not discuss.
Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is coming out with a new book, Outliers: the story of success.
I recently heard a talk of his about America's obsession with precociousness, not knowing that it was connected to a book. Now it makes sense that he would spend an hour and half talking about the subject. The talk -- as all of his are -- is enlightening. It breaks down myths that many of us have believed about prodigies like Mozart. If we think that he was writing beautiful music at five years old, we think that there is a way to teach others to do the same. Realizing that the original premise may be flawed, hopefully can alleviate some of the pressure that is applied on early success.
I recently heard a talk of his about America's obsession with precociousness, not knowing that it was connected to a book. Now it makes sense that he would spend an hour and half talking about the subject. The talk -- as all of his are -- is enlightening. It breaks down myths that many of us have believed about prodigies like Mozart. If we think that he was writing beautiful music at five years old, we think that there is a way to teach others to do the same. Realizing that the original premise may be flawed, hopefully can alleviate some of the pressure that is applied on early success.
Jeopardy anyone?
Who did not know that Africa was a continent?
Answer revealed in these links:
Sullivan I
Sullivan II
Now I do take these with a grain of salt, McCain staffers are going to see just how far they can stick the blade into her back. I am sure there will be exaggerated stories, but it is kinda fun to see some of this reported on FOX. Though they will probably get some of the best of this kind of thing because their sources with the McCain campaign are quite good.
Answer revealed in these links:
Sullivan I
Sullivan II
Now I do take these with a grain of salt, McCain staffers are going to see just how far they can stick the blade into her back. I am sure there will be exaggerated stories, but it is kinda fun to see some of this reported on FOX. Though they will probably get some of the best of this kind of thing because their sources with the McCain campaign are quite good.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Brown County Redux
Overheard at MSNBC (I'll never reveal my sources)
David G: I'm tempted to call Brown County for McCain
Chuck T: I don't know, the urban centers, Nashville and Helmsberg are always late with their numbers -- let's wait.
All I can say is, these guys are really on top of things.
David G: I'm tempted to call Brown County for McCain
Chuck T: I don't know, the urban centers, Nashville and Helmsberg are always late with their numbers -- let's wait.
All I can say is, these guys are really on top of things.
Brown County
For those most concerned about a certain county in southern Indiana --
Update: McCain up 2644 to 2615 67% reporting
Update: McCain is up 1512 to 1420 for Obama with 42% reporting.
Obama is up 1160 to 1087 with 33% counted.
A breakdown below for the politically inclined:
Bear Wallow: 3 McCain 2 Obama
Pike's Peak: 0 McCain 0 Obama
Gnaw Bone: 17 McCain 14.5 Obama
Oh No! Fruitdale in -- big for McCain 23 to 12 Obama
Update: McCain up 2644 to 2615 67% reporting
Update: McCain is up 1512 to 1420 for Obama with 42% reporting.
Obama is up 1160 to 1087 with 33% counted.
A breakdown below for the politically inclined:
Bear Wallow: 3 McCain 2 Obama
Pike's Peak: 0 McCain 0 Obama
Gnaw Bone: 17 McCain 14.5 Obama
Oh No! Fruitdale in -- big for McCain 23 to 12 Obama
Phillies
I listen to this podcast often when I go on my walks -- it is a sports show, that gets very good guests for something that is not broadcast anywhere. I subscribe via itunes.
This recent podcast from On the DL is a celebration of the Phillies victory in the World Series. I have never heard so much enthusiasm for a winning team. The host, Dan Levy keeps talking about how he has been crying every time he says the word parade, talking about how it is a privilege for a city to have a parade.
Most of the show is made up of him getting the reactions of various Phillie fans, most of whom are somewhat well known (Buzz Bissinger makes an appearance - without profanity). Some talk to Dan, others leave messages about what a Phillie victory means to them. I have never really heard anything quite like it. I'm a big sports fan, especially a Red Sox fan, but I am not sure I could work up a tear over their victories, unless some infield dirt hit me in the eye.
I am not making fun of this -- hey I listened for the whole hour and a half. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this podcast as an introduction to the show, though I do recommend it overall. It is very good, especially if you have an interest in sports media or sports blogging. Here is a link to the site.
This recent podcast from On the DL is a celebration of the Phillies victory in the World Series. I have never heard so much enthusiasm for a winning team. The host, Dan Levy keeps talking about how he has been crying every time he says the word parade, talking about how it is a privilege for a city to have a parade.
Most of the show is made up of him getting the reactions of various Phillie fans, most of whom are somewhat well known (Buzz Bissinger makes an appearance - without profanity). Some talk to Dan, others leave messages about what a Phillie victory means to them. I have never really heard anything quite like it. I'm a big sports fan, especially a Red Sox fan, but I am not sure I could work up a tear over their victories, unless some infield dirt hit me in the eye.
I am not making fun of this -- hey I listened for the whole hour and a half. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this podcast as an introduction to the show, though I do recommend it overall. It is very good, especially if you have an interest in sports media or sports blogging. Here is a link to the site.
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