The headline says it all. I am still not sure if the Lakers lost game 6. I stopped watching after they were down by 40 flippin' points. How does a team that made the finals, has arguably one of the best players in the history of the NBA (at least prior to this series) and has a good bench get down by 40 points in game 6. The Lakers haven't been able to string together any good quarters, but they've certainly stringed together some horrendous quarters. But 40 points?
Regardless, the series didn't go 7. The conspiracy theorists have some explanation of this no doubt.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Lakers in 7? Conspiracy theorists unite!
I don't believe it, but we're approaching the possibility that the conspiracy theorists may be right. Or at least, difficult to prove wrong. For those of you who aren't in the know, the conspiracy suggests that the NBA finals will definitely go 7 games. Why you ask? For the love of money, of course. Essentially, the theory posits that there is simply too much advertising revenue for the NBA and networks covering the finals to have it end in any number of games fewer than 7. I certainly don't buy it and in fact was willing to bet $1000 for anyone who would take lesser odds on the wager... but nobody did.
Looking at the last 5 games of the series, I'm surprised the lakers are still in it. They've played like crap. They've had moments of brilliance, but haven't been able to string together more than one quarter of decent ball. With that said, if the Lakers take game 6 in Boston, anything goes in game 7. The conspiracy doesn't get detailed about who will win game 7, only that there will be a game 7.
Is that why Tiger hit a 12 foot put to cause a playoff? Did the mafia control the ball into the hole? Is that why there was an 18 hole playoff instead of a sudden death match? For advertising? We may never know.
Looking at the last 5 games of the series, I'm surprised the lakers are still in it. They've played like crap. They've had moments of brilliance, but haven't been able to string together more than one quarter of decent ball. With that said, if the Lakers take game 6 in Boston, anything goes in game 7. The conspiracy doesn't get detailed about who will win game 7, only that there will be a game 7.
Is that why Tiger hit a 12 foot put to cause a playoff? Did the mafia control the ball into the hole? Is that why there was an 18 hole playoff instead of a sudden death match? For advertising? We may never know.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Got Gas?
Seems like everyone has been talking about the price of gas lately. Frankly, I haven't really given it much thought because it's required to live in SoCal. I'm still going to go to the beach, I'm still going to drive to work, I'm still going to do what I want to do to have fun. I haven't given it a second thought, until today.
Gas has been relatively expensive for quite some time now, but when I went to the pump, gas was USD 4.59 for the 89 proof that I put in my car. Are you serious? It cost me over USD 60 to fill up my tank. The point is this, I've got a good job, I make a decent salary, I'm single, no pets, no car payment. All I really have to pay is rent and food/drink/entertainment. But the price of gas now has me thinking about how to save money here and there. It's something that I could be doing anyway, but I'm not buying some cheaper vegetable packages for food, I'm cooking in a lot more, I'm tipping more carefully whereas before it was 20% by default... I'm still going to do the things I like to do, but I'm going to consider changing some things in the other areas of my life.
I'm just wondering how the lower income families are dealing with this, especially with our lackluster public transit. Now the question remains: Is this a bubble? No tree grows to the sky, but there are some tall trees out there.
Gas has been relatively expensive for quite some time now, but when I went to the pump, gas was USD 4.59 for the 89 proof that I put in my car. Are you serious? It cost me over USD 60 to fill up my tank. The point is this, I've got a good job, I make a decent salary, I'm single, no pets, no car payment. All I really have to pay is rent and food/drink/entertainment. But the price of gas now has me thinking about how to save money here and there. It's something that I could be doing anyway, but I'm not buying some cheaper vegetable packages for food, I'm cooking in a lot more, I'm tipping more carefully whereas before it was 20% by default... I'm still going to do the things I like to do, but I'm going to consider changing some things in the other areas of my life.
I'm just wondering how the lower income families are dealing with this, especially with our lackluster public transit. Now the question remains: Is this a bubble? No tree grows to the sky, but there are some tall trees out there.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Vegas: Plane, Automobile, and maybe Train?
There have been rumors of a high speed train between Las Vegas and Los Angeles for 20 years. This project has obviously had challenges because there isn't so much as a stake in the ground to show for it.
It's about time.
In the past there have been conspiracy theorists who would suggest the automobile companies have lobbied successfully to keep cars on the road. Now I'm sure these old conspirators have found partners in the oil arena who would suggest that LA doesn't have any public transit because of the oil companies desire to squash anything that would stop SoCal dependence on the automobile. These are also the same people that think the Lakers/Celtics series will go 7 because of marketing dollars and advertising.
Whatever the reason, there has been zero execution on the train project. There is renewed hope, however. Last Friday, President Bush signed a $45 million dollar transportation bill that will help make this project a reality. Under the new plans, the MagLev train would be a non stop journey from Disneyland to The Strip. Disneyland West to Adult Disneyland? I'm not sure that the SoCal stop is the best one, but frankly, I don't care. Let's get a train between SoCal and Nevada. It just makes good sense. I'd be willing to spend top dollar to have a 2 hour trip on a high speed train, and I'm sure the Vegas casinos wouldn't mind another route for Los Angelinos to get to Vegas to spend some money.
It's about time.
In the past there have been conspiracy theorists who would suggest the automobile companies have lobbied successfully to keep cars on the road. Now I'm sure these old conspirators have found partners in the oil arena who would suggest that LA doesn't have any public transit because of the oil companies desire to squash anything that would stop SoCal dependence on the automobile. These are also the same people that think the Lakers/Celtics series will go 7 because of marketing dollars and advertising.
Whatever the reason, there has been zero execution on the train project. There is renewed hope, however. Last Friday, President Bush signed a $45 million dollar transportation bill that will help make this project a reality. Under the new plans, the MagLev train would be a non stop journey from Disneyland to The Strip. Disneyland West to Adult Disneyland? I'm not sure that the SoCal stop is the best one, but frankly, I don't care. Let's get a train between SoCal and Nevada. It just makes good sense. I'd be willing to spend top dollar to have a 2 hour trip on a high speed train, and I'm sure the Vegas casinos wouldn't mind another route for Los Angelinos to get to Vegas to spend some money.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Continuing success of the weekend warrior
I had the opportunity to go out in a boat on the Pacific this Saturday. Typically, we drive to surf spots and paddle out. With a boat, you paddle in. So much fun, and definitely money.
After surfing for a few hours, we had an unexpected visitor.
Enjoy!
After surfing for a few hours, we had an unexpected visitor.
Enjoy!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Run in the Sun
I'm not much of a runner. I finished a marathon, but I nearly died doing it. I never got the runner's high that they said I would.
Also, my knee surgery a few years ago has given me a great excuse any time I question myself. It's not good for my knee I say. Pounding the pavement will only hurt me later in life. The bottom line is I just don't really like running. I'd rather swim, surf, canoe or really do anything except run. iPods have certainly helped because it gives you some distraction, but seriously, running is kind of lame, and boring.
Treadmills are nice because it forces you to keep running or you'll fall off the back. Most gyms have a nice TV setup too, where you can watch brainless, captivating shows while you run, again, for distraction.
I did go for a run today, and I rather liked it. It's the first run I've gone on in a while. In fact, I've only run a handful of times since the marathon. It was nice! Rather than explaining why it was so nice, let me show you.
View Larger Map
Need I say more?
Also, my knee surgery a few years ago has given me a great excuse any time I question myself. It's not good for my knee I say. Pounding the pavement will only hurt me later in life. The bottom line is I just don't really like running. I'd rather swim, surf, canoe or really do anything except run. iPods have certainly helped because it gives you some distraction, but seriously, running is kind of lame, and boring.
Treadmills are nice because it forces you to keep running or you'll fall off the back. Most gyms have a nice TV setup too, where you can watch brainless, captivating shows while you run, again, for distraction.
I did go for a run today, and I rather liked it. It's the first run I've gone on in a while. In fact, I've only run a handful of times since the marathon. It was nice! Rather than explaining why it was so nice, let me show you.
View Larger Map
Need I say more?
Bali Pictures
I've organized (in the loosest sense) some of my pictures from Bali. There are a lot of them, but I think you'll enjoy them. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Bali Part I
This is pictures from Kuta, Ubud and our first few days on the island.
Bali Part II
This section of photos has a lot of wedding pictures.
Snapshot Pics
These are pictures from the entire vacation. They were taken with my point and shoot (Optio S4) so some of the pics are fairly blurry and bad. However, it allowed me to bring it with me to places I wouldn't want to take my SLR. Therefore, you'll probably see more booze and club scenes than any other photos.
Bali Part I
This is pictures from Kuta, Ubud and our first few days on the island.
Bali Part II
This section of photos has a lot of wedding pictures.
Snapshot Pics
These are pictures from the entire vacation. They were taken with my point and shoot (Optio S4) so some of the pics are fairly blurry and bad. However, it allowed me to bring it with me to places I wouldn't want to take my SLR. Therefore, you'll probably see more booze and club scenes than any other photos.
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