Now That's A Fish!

A 646.2-pound (293 kg) Mekong giant catfish, netted in Thailand, may be the largest freshwater fish ever found. The fish was documented as part of a World Wildlife Fund-National Geographic project to identify and study and conserve freshwater fish around the world that exceed 6 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight. (Stringer/Thailand/Reuters)

Cool Tomlinson Pic

Saw this cool Tomlinson pic on a Charger forum I frequent...

Shock & Awe At Home

Makes Me Smile....

:)

High Hopes For Vincent Jackson

There's lots of good buzz surrounding the Chargers rookie WR - Vincent Jackson. There's this blurb from the summer mini camps currintly going on from this article in the San Diego Tribune:

"One of the biggest crowd reactions came toward the end of the morning practice when Schottenheimer lit up rookie receiver Vincent Jackson after Jackson bungled a pass at the back of the end zone. Jackson took his eyes off the ball to check if his feet were inbounds. The play was illustrative of Jackson's need to work on fundamentals. It is clear he has a grasp on the spectacular. Jackson has made many fine catches the past two days. As for the crowd's enthusiastic reaction to the coach's chiding, it even caused Schottenheimer to smile."

I like Vincent Jackson because he's from Northern Colorado, a former NCC team.

Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates will enter this season on the final year of his contract with the Chargers. I sure hope the Chargers are just seeing what Gates can do to prove his worth. Was last year's insane performance a fluke or is this the guy that will take a place in history alongside Kellen Winslow as one of the greatest tight ends donning a Charger uniform and maybe beyone?

I love Antonio Gates and hope that he even exceeds last year's insanity. Even if he doesn't yet remains the threat that he has established himself to be, he will be worth top dollar. I hope the Chargers have every intention to give this guy the money he is due. In conclusion... Go Chargers!

Scout.com has a short article about the whole matter here.

The Entitlement Generation

Found this article interesting...I've always had a distaste for the latest generation...I think the classification of gen-x era (which I consider 'my' generation encompasses about 10 years... about the ages of 33-43 right now...

With the next, I think is 18-32 and still growing... most of the people I have worked with that are from this generation fit the stereotype the article gives them:

Now, deserved or not, this latest generation is being pegged, too — as one with shockingly high expectations for salary, job flexibility and duties but little willingness to take on grunt work or remain loyal to a company.

New Picture Upload Feature

Venice sunset : The sun sets in Venice as the city prepares for the 51st International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, which will open to the public Sunday. (AFP/Filippo Monteforte)










(Noticed with that last picture post, that Blogger.com has added a new, nicer, quicker, easier way to upload pitures (by URL)...which is nice...so expect more pictures! Also the editor has been upgraded to a "true" wyswig view...nice as well! I totally recommend Blogger.com to anyone that wants to start a blog.)

Let's Go Swimming!

A bull shark swims in the waters near visitors to Mimamar Beach, Fla. Sunday, June 25, 2005, one day after a bull shark attacked a 14-year-old girl. This sighting is less than a quarter mile from Saturday's attack site. (AP Photo/Jason C. Miller)

Observation Part II

Because I, like the rest of the world, couldn't care about the IRL... I had a post about Danice Patrick...but it's really Danica Patrick... not that anyone, including myself, noticed or cares now or then... but ESPN/ABC Sports hoped you would....I just felt obligated to correct myself... continue on not caring about the IRL... I know I will....

An Observation

Just an observation... I don't give a rat's ass about Kirstie Alley or Jenny Craig (or any other weight loss program because I'm not a self-conscience woman), but I recall a month or two ago she was all over the TV saying how to join Jenny Craig with her to lose weight because, she's fat - her words... then about 2 weeks later, was still plastered all over the TV because she lost 10 pounds - or whatever it was - and to join now..... well, it's been a while since I've seen any Jenny Craig commercial, let alone Kirstie Alley... just wondering, how's that working out for you?

Just an observation....

Lemieux Says Players Should Have Accepted Earlier

Well, as I've been saying and now all the 'superstars of hockey' are being quoted as to agreeing what I've been saying, that the player's held out for less...

Mario Lemieux is quoted to say that the player's should have settled in February when Bettman offered a 'last chance offer' of $42.5 million to save the 2004-05 NHL season. And really, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how things are shaking out and in the end, the players look worse than the owners in this labor dispute...thinking there was an excess of money for them, when everyone in the WORLD knew there wasn't.

If the negotiating process that has been reported on is accurate, the union and the owners have spent most of this time figuring the actual worth of each club as to figure what a reasonable cap would be...and again, if the reports are right, that cap - which if agreed upon - will be less than the $42.5 million offer in February (around $36 million).

And if you thought NHL clubs were financially strapped before, just wait until after the next few seasons...the small market, non-playoff teams are really going to be struggling and it wouldn't surprise me that when the next collective bargaining agreement (cba) comes under negotiations, that the cap would either remain the same or even be reduced...and then you'd have the union, once again, refusing to believe the numbers and thus not willing to agree to a reduced (or even continued) cap and I think we all know how the rest of the story goes...

Jagr Speaks Out On Lockout

Jaromir Jagr has supported my claims regarding the NHL's lockout: ``We started the fight because we didn't agree with the introduction of salary caps,'' Jagr said. ``Now, we'll be happy to get them. We didn't expect the owners to be so tough and persistent. It was a risk that didn't pay off.'' Full story here.

If the player's union would have at least accepted the possibility of a salary cap prior to the final hours before the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, it could have been saved. Now, almost 5 months after that date rumor has it that a salary cap plan has been agreed upon and minor issues are being hammered out. In fact, if the details of the proposed deal are correct, the upper limit on the salary cap would be around $36 million. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in an effort to save the season, offered a last chance $42.5 million cap a day or two prior to cancelling the season...so the player's have done a fine job of holding out to get less. And with the new collective bargaining agreement most surely to be linked to revenues, they will really feel the hit once they realize that the avid supporters of the NHL are in even further decline. For some reason most everyone knows that the NHL is the least cared about major sport in America except the players of the NHL...they may become aware of the truth now.

Hot Time In The Summer

My daughter's 8th birthday was this past Saturday and I certainly didn't mind her choice to have it bowling since it was incredible hot and humid. It was a good time and my 2 (soon to be 3) year old son was insane. She wanted and got a kitten...so we now have a new member to the household, Gracie the cat. Gracie has made herself at home already...she was sleeping on me last night.

Got a new grill for Father's Day from the family, so had some friends over yesterday and grilled out...and again, hot and humid! The kids had a good time playing in the water...

Joke

I Tire Of Danika Patrick Hype

I didn't follow (along with the rest of the world) IRL racing prior to Danika Patrick hitting the 'scene' and it didn't take long for me to get tired of hearing about her. Obviously ABC Sports has a vested interest in the success (or failure) of the IRL, so it was no surprise that ESPN had to mega-hype the Indy 500 and Patrick's pre-race success. But the hype is just too much for someone that hasn't done anything yet...ESPN continues to hype Patrick but now it is no longer as a contender but as the 'side-show' they have made her into. ESPN sucks and is nothing more than a hype mcahine...if they would just let things like this go, they would appear to have a clue, instead they continue on to self-promote themselves. Can we please all go back to not caring about the IRL???

Rain, rain and more rain

It's been raining all month here...even if it doesn't rain during the day, it rains at night...

Here's one of the bike/foot bridges my daughter and I would normally bike across that spans the Red River of the north:


And to illustrate the amount of rain we've been getting:


Cool Volcano Picture


Mexico's Volcano of Fire, also known as the Colima volcano, is seen in a time exposure photograph during an explosion as lava and hot rocks flow down its sides and lightning flashes over its crater late June 1, 2005. The photograph was taken with a four-minute exposure. (Staff/Reuters)

(Note: I'm trying to get some more pictures onto my blog)

I Survived

I have survived our four day outdoor festival (Rib Fest). It was a busy week for me, worked late everyday and then went out every night - a very deadly combination which only accelerates the fatigue factor... I am still decompressing from one of the busiest times of the work year for me, but by all appearances, it looks like I made it through o.k.

And yes, I missed the Belmont...not much for the exacta, $44...but here's the line anyways:

# Horse Win Place Show
9 Afleet Alex 4.30 3.60 3.00
7 Andromeda's Hero 8.20 5.80
1 Nolan's Cat   7.20

Wager Type Payoff   Winning Numbers Pool
$2 Pick 3 $314.50   9-2-9 (3 Correct)  $442,194
$2 Pick 4 $490.00   2-9-2-9 (4 Correct)  $1,846,220
$2 Pick 6 $204.00   7-6-2-9-2-9 (5 Correct)  N/A
$2 Pick 6 $19,758.00  7-6-2-9-2-9 (6 Correct)  $1,146,740
$2 Daily Double $88.00   2-9  $420,973
$2 Exacta $44.00   9-7  $9,583,612
$2 Superfecta $14,219.00  9-7-1-10  $4,834,612
$2 Trifecta $1,249.00  9-7-1  $12,353,752

Cuban Immigrants Intercepted in Floating Taxicab

A video grab shows Cuban refugees in a vintage blue floating taxicab being intercepted off the Florida Keys by the U.S. Coast Guard June 7, 2005. A group of 13 Cubans set sail for the United States in a vintage blue taxi converted into an unwieldy but seaworthy vessel, Miami television station NBC6 reported. Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters

Charger Fans Shouldn't Show Optimism

Yes, the headline of this entry is accurate...that fans of the San Diego Chargers shouldn't show optimistim for the upcoming 2005-06 season. Why? Because not since the early '80's has a Charger team began a season as a 'power' and/or 'the team to beat'. Even after their Super Bowl appearance in 1995, it didn't take long after the following season to see that the team wasn't going to be a threat in the league and barely made the playoffs in '96. And let me conclude this thought with that I never put ANY credence into historical statistics...but just wanted to point this out that for all of my teen and adult life, the Chargers have, despite beginning a season with optimisim, typically have disappointed me...

By all appearances this upcoming Charger team should be one to reckon with...if last season wasn't a one season fluke for Brees, there should be little standing in the way from at least securing their second straight AFC West crown. Tomlinson was dinged up for several games last season and the rest of the team picked up the slack, but he should be back to full speed for next year. The defense looked muched improved and the secondary should be better as well. Antonio Gates is the BEST tight end in the NFL. Reche Caldwell was having a great year until a season ending injury took him out, if he can return where he left off along with McCardell and Parker the receiving corps looks good.

And really, I am very optimistic about next season, yet I do not want to get too carried away. It has been 10 years since Charger fans actually could be excited for the upcoming season. This time last season I was dreading the season and wondered how many jokes about my Chargers I would have to endure...

So now I try to temper my optimism...inside, I think to myself (as I see a Bronco jersey) "I can hardly await for Charger Domination." But as I discuss football with said Bronco fan I say "Oh, it should be good games...but I think we can take you this year!" I don't want to get too carried away because as we all know, it's easy to talk smack before the season even begins, but that smack talk will be quickly returned if it isn't backed up!

Short Break, Now Back To Work

Had an extended weekend due in part to working over Memorial Day weekend...now I will be busy for the rest of this week setting up and doing video production for a 4 day outdoor festival that we host every year... hopefully everything goes smoothly, but usually doesn't...

Modest Mouse Show Review

Ok, so I'm starting it now... I guess I go to a few concerts so I'll start giving my impressions...

Tonight was Modest Mouse in my hometown of Fargo, ND.....I heard a few songs prior to going into the show, but didn't really know too much about them except for the 'radio hits' that they had....

Show was sold out...which really surprised me....or at least maybe gave the 'slap to the face' of reality that I'm know longer on the 'cool train' and have no idea what's 'cool' anymore....regardless...

Went in blind but had a good time...

Sure, I was looking for a good time, so it may not have taken too much...

Fargo is a college town...and was a good time... I relate Modest Mouse to a more "Edgier Dave Matthews Band"...and I have no tolerance for Dave Matthews, but Modest Mouse is a pretty cool band... 6 members (I think), with several switching off to different instruments (cello, piano, etc), 2 drummers...pretty cool sound... never hearing them before, I thought they had a good sound....had a modern 'Beatles' feel to their sound...

Overall good show, especially when you are looking to go out and see hot chicks and have a good time...of course I'm married, so I'm just looking to have a good time! ;)







Yes, I know, I know... pictures in the dark on a camera phone with no flash don't look that great...but it's all I got...

1st Year Anniversary

Wow, it's been almost a year since my first post on my very own blog...

Computer Losers

Although I am most proficient in the video production realm, because my workplace doesn't have anyone with the skills to produce professional (or somewhat) marketing materials/graphics, I am the guy that does all this now. I never claim to be a 'graphic artist' but I consider myself more advanced than most people. I've created a variety of materials; brochures, posters, fliers, print ads and even a 10'x12' trade show display all of which look 'professionaly' created. So from time to time I'll run into a person that works for a particular business, and for this story will be a hat manufacturer, that will need a logo or artwork from us and become annoying...

This recent episode is about as typical as it gets... we have an outdoor festival that we are getting hats and shirts made up for, so of course I am asked to send the artwork to the business that will produce these items, which I do. I send the artwork, which I've produced in Photoshop, in a variety of formats (jpeg, gif, tif and pdf) which any NORMAL printshop, newspaper, etc... could easily use 'as is.' But not there. Shortly after I do this, I receive a call from their 'graphic expert' that needs the artwork in some bizarre form that I've never even heard of. My first response to them is..."Isn't any common format usable?" I can basically render this thing out into any one of a thousand different formats...well of course it can't and their 'graphic expert' proceeds to explain to me why...which I just roll my eyes. So after working with this guy for a full day to finally get him the artwork in a usable format (so he has to do as little work as possible) he can proceed with producing the hats and shirts.

Well now he sends us a 'proof' of the artwork that he will be using to produce our items and what format does he send it to us? In a file that is name.f11 - F11? What the hell is that? And excuse me if you know the answer, but give me a break... you see these guys are only 'computer experts' in the ONE program they know how to use. They don't even know what a jpeg is, let alone what to do with it... and that is what drives me NUTS with these guys. They assume that everyone is using or able to view the files they produce with their 1993 version of Printshop that is outputting files as a dos only file...

So I call this guy up to request that the proof be sent over in a format that is more 'common' and after explaining that whatever a .f11 file is, is not common...how about a gif, jpeg, tiff, pdf or eps? Even an autocad/vector based format is more common than whatever this .f11 file is... my point is, are we their first client or have they never sent a proof to anyone else, ever? I can safely say that if they have sent this file type to ANYONE else they would get the same request back...so why do they do this? Do they have no clue...and the obvious answer is yes.

I love explaining to this guy how I can send artwork to newspapers, televsion stations, printshops and virtually anywhere in the world and have ZERO problems with the files I send to them...but for some reason you and your 'hat shop' are unable to use any file that is typical in the 21st century and I'm made to look like the 'oddball'. Unfortunately this isn't the first time I have ran into this which really makes me wonder how far in the stone age some businesses still remain...and then why is my company doing business with them? Oh yeah...their cheap!