Firey Snowman

"Hallmark snowman globes can ignite blazes"

Starts fires and costs $100? Can't make this stuff up.

Fiery the Snowman...

now this is winter...

Baby it is cold outside...

snow?

Supposedly a 'few flakes' are falling but I don't see it. Ground is wet though.

Tree is lit. Going to try to get some pics of it later.

Turkey Day Weather

Brisk day but a beautiful day for the parade.

not winter yet (but you could have fooled me)

Actually saw a few flakes of snow this morning but they didn't stick. Temperatures are plunging.

now this is fall...

Definitely a cold bite in the air

fall is definitely here

Autumn is definitely here. Should have broken out the warmer clothes sooner.

Cadillac CTS-V

LA Times - Cadillac CTS-V is full of sound, fury -- and grace

Ok... I tend to be a big fan of German engineering. The Japanese luxury cars are fine. There are very few American models I would own. Add this one to the list.

now this is nice...

Actually had to break out a sweatshirt to sleep in last night.

if only it was limited to lead paint in toys...

Can't believe how outrageous this is...

6,200 Babies Sick; 3 Dead From China Tainted Milk

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5819689

don't want to jinx it

Supposed to be dry and decent for the rest of the week. Don't want to jinx it. Though overall the summer wasn't that bad. July wasn't so great but August was decent. Fall starts on Monday. Some hot days may sneak through but overall should be a good fall.

summer sticking around

Sticky, humid and hot... summer isn't ending early. Looks to be cooler later this week. Hopefully this is it.

not quite autumn

It isn't fall yet but it feels close to it.

heavy rain

Been very muggy the past few days. Tropical storm Hanna is passing through bringing some heavy rain. Probably good it isn't a work day.

home stretch

Yesterday was a little warm but again as long as there aren't long stretches of heat I should be able to deal. May try to walk home from work for this week.

early fall...

Definitely still plenty of time for more hot and humid days but at least the weather forecasters are saying we're in for a couple of faill'ish type days.

Definitely a very pleasant morning.

Taste of Fall

It would be nice if this was the start of fall but it isn't. August has been pretty decent anyway. No long stretches of high heat and humidity. One month of summer left. Yeah!

some relief

Some heavy rain but some nice relief of some really warm, humid... downright uncomfortable week.

Trip to London is in order...

Ok, weather in London at this time seems a lot more hospitable to me.

what else is new...

11pm and way too hot and humid. Well it is summer. What else can one say.

the 'correct' weather

now this is what weather should be like

Summer hasn't technically started and we just had a long run of hot and humid weather. Very oppressive, very uncomfortable. If only the current weather would last.

Stupid hot and humid

9:24pm and it is just way too hot...

early start

Not officially summer yet, but here it is...

it was fun while it lasted....

Seems to be one of those springs where there was no 'spring'. Particularly cool weather for a good portion of it. This morning it is now a bit warm and muggy. Summer is coming.

Hoping summer is short and the fall comes soon.

expensive messaging

Space scientist says texting is four times more expensive than receiving scientific data from space from PhysOrg.com

A University of Leicester space scientist has worked out that sending texts via mobile phones works out to be far more expensive than downloading data from the Hubble Space Telescope.

[...]

Is the name for real? Has to be a joke...

Cat burned after child places her in microwave

Ok someone tell me the cat's name is a joke.

Car Thief

Cool story, with a satisfying ending... on video.

Internet Posse Busts 'The Claw,' Canada's Dumbest Car Thief

Boo CNN - Space Shuttle Landing

MSNBC at least was showing the shuttle landing in part of the broadcast. CNN didn't even break in for a moment to show it.

Sorry, CNN website showing the same report doesn't count in my book and its 'live' web video was still a bit behind the live tv coverage on MSNBC.

Easter Sunday

Going to be a warm day in Los Angeles today. I will enjoy it while I'm here in LA.

things to do in Denver...

About to start a little vacation. First going to Denver to see a friend then heading to Los Angeles. Hopefully no major weather delays tomorrow...

New Amsterdam Trailer (not)

Ok, I tried embedding from YouTube a trailer for New Amsterdam through one of their 'share' methods. Took -several- days for the trailer to appear in the blog. Very, very annoying. Just deleted the code. If you are curious, try searching for it yourself on YouTube. I think I'll just link to the YouTube page in a more conventional way in the future.

In any case, DVR failed recording this past episode, glad iTunes store had it available.

New Amsterdam

"You will not grow old. You will not die until you find the one and your souls are wed." says the medicine woman New York City Detective John Amsterdam saves. Of course at the time he saves her he isn't a detective, and New York City isn't quite New York yet. The new show "New Amsterdam" tells the story of the immortal John Amsterdam solving of crimes while looking for 'the one'.

The new series on FOX, has brought up comparisons with Highlander and the book by Pete Hamill, Forever: A Novel (I think Forever may be the closer comparison). So far after the first two episodes, I'm eagerly waiting the third. Just some of the revelations of John's past (and present) as well as having it set in New York makes it very compelling to me.

I was glad to see Zuleikha Robinson playing John's new partner. First noticed her in the movie Hidalgo, then saw her in the HBO series Rome (another big favorite series of mine).

I really liked how the first episode ends with John learning from the Lene Lenape Medicine Woman why he is still and will stay alive then cutting to a stylized/accelerated view of New York City changing from an early settlement to the modern city as John watches. Actually I think what really makes the scene for me is the song played during it. More on that in a future post.

bees...bee

A little ironic that CNN's story about a bee attack is flanked by an HP ad with a bee on a postcard.

no parachute

7:30am in the east coast now. The guy is supposedly going to demonstrate the technique but will parachute the rest of the way. Saving the actual attempt for the future.

Why do I have feeling he is going to do the actual no parachute attempt now on live tv. He is a daredevil.

Update: 8:32am... heavy fog is delaying the attempt. Still time for it to happen.

9:19am... he's about to do it... but I have to head to work. I'll check the news later. I forgot the plan calls for a special landing 'runway'... so perhaps this is just a demo.

The Oscars

MOVIES / AWARDS SEASON
‘No Country for Old Men’ Wins Oscar Tug of War
By DAVID M. HALBFINGER and MICHAEL CIEPLY
Published: February 25, 2008
“No Country for Old Men,” Joel and Ethan Coen’s chilling confrontation of a desperate man with a relentless killer, won the Academy Award for best picture.

Nice win by Diablo Cody for Juno. While I miss Billy Crystal's openings, Jon Stewart was funny enough and overall liked the show.

But... in the tributes to those who passed away... they had Heath Ledger but not Roy Scheider? You've got to be kidding me.

While one will always remember Roy Scheider from Jaws, his appearance in 2010 is one of my favorites.

let it snow let it snow let it snow

Actually substantial amount of snow coming down. Again I don't question that it can make things hard for people, but I do like seeing the snow.

all year round...

As truly 'on demand' programming comes to be, the right way to go... now if they could have more shows like the reimaged Battlestar Galactica and less Ford commercial new Knight Rider... don't get me wrong I like the new Mustang and other Ford cars but man was the new Knight Rider show one huge commercial.

ADVERTISING
Ending Tradition, NBC Dismisses Fall Debuts
By BILL CARTER and STUART ELLIOTT
Published: February 20, 2008
NBC Universal’s move to a year-round schedule of staggered program debuts could alter an American cultural cycle that dates to the days of radio.

look both ways

Whether or not it was caused by an iPod, cell phone or some other electronic device. Actually in this case looked like he was just spacing out. Be sure to look both ways before stepping into the street.

Nearly saw someone killed right in front of me. Steps right off the curb... city bus honked several times. A split second difference could have been a totally different day for this guy who managed to get back on the sidewalk before getting hit. He basically 'woke up' after the 3rd honk.

ok.. let's move on - bye bye HD-DVD

Maybe if I seriously considered it technically the same or in some ways superior to Blu-ray then I can understand its existence... but what a waste of time. Let's move on with it. Don't bother with any posts as to why it was good.... good riddance. Ok, if it helped drive the cost of Blu-ray players down a bit... sure. I'll give it that. Was going to eventually get a PS3 anyway.

Toshiba delivers its Betamax address by ZDNet's Larry Dignan -- Toshiba officially dropped its plans for HD DVD Tuesday after Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Netflix and a parade of others abandoned the high-definition video format for Sony’s Blu-ray. The statement indicates the obvious–HD DVD was doomed. The writing on the wall has been there for a while with the wheels really beginning to fall off the wagon [...]

mild weather

Another warm break in the weather. Supposed to have been raining all day but seems more on and off. Looking at the forecast I wouldn't mind seeing warm then freezing cold weather back and forth all year round.
Just as long as it wasn't hot and humid.

New York City Taxis

Not my first choice in transportation in New York City, the buses and subways work great, but sometimes you may need to take a cab. Just recently many cabs have started accepting credit cards for payment. One of the first times I tried paying by credit card I was reading the screen following the instructions for credit card payment, I had already swiped my card when the driver said something to the effect it was 'oh you wanted to pay by credit card? too late' that he had 'turned off the machine'. I said I had already swiped my card and he sort of just gave a 'well, uh'. I saw my payment confirmed and that was that.

Sort of puzzled as to why he would 'shut off' the option so quickly after we stopped, but my payment went through so whatever.

Find out later, it is one of the ways a driver tries to prevent a transaction.

Here are the regulations about it from the official site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_serv_enh.shtml

Here are some horror stories from Gothamist on the subject.

let it snow

Actually a bit of a winter wonderland now. Unfortunately warmer temps tomorrow may make everything just one big slushy mess.

at least it is sunny

American Experience - Grand Central Terminal

Growing up PBS was a big part of my tv viewing. From Sesame Street to Cosmos to Nova and many other educational (and interesting programs) I continue to watch its programming. Just seeing the intro to American Experience - Grand Central Terminal I'm hooked.

14 inch chicken breast?

14 inch chicken breast?......... ewww

Haven't posted a product safety story in a while. Here's one from the Olympic angle....

Wary U.S. Olympians Will Bring Food to China

cool job

Cool job...

PARIS JOURNAL
No Quasimodo, He Brings Music to Notre-Dame Bells
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
Published: February 8, 2008
A 40-year-old chemist by training, Stéphane Urbain became the keeper of the bells of the Paris cathedral in 2005.

Sarah Silverman + Matt Damon

Big fan of both. This video had me crying/laughing

compare and contrast

Mild morning here in New York. Haven't reached the winter halfway point yet though.

LETTERMAN 01-03-08: Young Frankenstein

While some friends think I may be big on theater, not quite the case. Something about a show usually has to 'hook' me.
Back in elementary school Mr. Fox would organize a few class trips to some broadway musicals. At least I think it was a few. At the moment I can only remember "Barnum". A musical about PT Barnum (of circus fame). Years later one of my best friends got tickets to the musical "SideShow" a story about the Daisy and VIolet Hilton, conjoined twins.
Breaking the circus/sideshow theme, the next show I saw was "Contact the musical". It has nothing to do with the Carl Sagan novel or the Jodie Foster movie. Now I'm a bit interested to see "Young Frankenstein" primarily because of this number. Wasn't familiar with Sutton Foster who plays 'Inga', but apparently she is a broadway actress of some 'note'.

repeats...

Ok, maybe because of the state of the union address tonight but tonight's "Sarah Connor Chronicles" is a repeat of the first episode.

Great episode but I was expectedly waiting for a new one.

FoodZealot.com article

You Would Be A Bad Ass Line Cook If…

Friend over at FoodZealot just posted that article. As he states, may be the 'obvious' but you would hope more people rather than less would have a good work ethic.

Also goes to show how tough a food service job can be.

Google Maps

Funny and creepy video

no snow

As much as I say I like the winter more than the summer, I don't like really bitter cold. Of course ones definition of 'bitter' may differ. No matter. I've got the clothes for it. Now if only it would snow for a change.

Just to clarify, temps now are fine for me and I can live with it but the temps in the teens combined with a stiff wind really suck or should I say 'bitter'.

while waiting...

While waiting for my iTunes movie rental to download, I'm going to watch an episode of Two and a Half Men. Judging from the time to download, I'll probably be catching up on some other shows too while waiting.

Wish you were able to get the high def version of rentals directly to your computer instead of just the AppleTV. The service looks promising otherwise. While I'm a big fan of the Spider-Man series, I heard some bad things about #3. We shall see.

great new show

Can't say I was eagerly anticipating the new show "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" but I was keeping an eye out for the start date. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of the series. I was actually pleasantly surprised by T3 (I really went in with low expectations).

The first episode got me hooked. 2nd episode last night just wishes they could show the 3rd episode tonight. Casting is good. Don't know the actor playing John but he seems to 'fit'. I'm a big Firefly/Summer Glau fan and her 'unknown full capability' Terminator model should give her some range in the role. Headley as Sarah comes off strong and capable.

Reading some comments at other places, 'purists' seem to have issues where the show has deviated from supposed canon, but heck... time travel is involved. Things can change.

Oh if you are wondering my latest (and final in one case) thoughts on my eagerly anticipated shows from last fall, that post will be coming.

mild

Getting reports from the news as well as friends in LA about the heavy rain. Hopefully there will be minimal damage. New York City is going to be experiencing a bit of mild weather for the upcoming week. Should be nice.

slice @ Stromboli's

slice @ Stromboli's, originally uploaded by .edward.

Check out my friend's quest for good pizza...

Brrrrrrrrr

Nice frigid way to start of the year. I don't question that the weather makes it very difficult for many.... but I will still take this over a hot and humid summer.

Law and Order

Law and Order continues to be one of my favorite shows. I love watching repeats on TNT. I start recognizing supporting actors playing different roles in different episodes. The new season starts tonight. I wonder how many episodes were recorded before the start of the writers strike?