Friday, December 26, 2008

Howard Schnellenberger

What a name. The coach of Florida Atlantic led his team to a tight victory over Central Michigan in the Motor City bowl. (Will this bowl be alive after this crappy auto year? I don't know what to expect, although expert analysis seems to like its chances. And I don't see why it would go away, I mean college football will always be popular.)

Anywho, Howard Schnellenberger is 74 years old, making him kind of old, and believes in a strong running game, as I would expect an older coach to believe in. After all, the running game was a staple of past dynasties and it is rather recently with the arrival of the West Coast Offense and Bill Walsh that the passing game became as important as it is today.

Of course, we can always thank the Green Bay Packers for inventing the passing game, with good old Arnie Herber chucking bombs like he was at war.

green acres lyrics

Here is green acres lyrics, for yall who want some green acres... (wtf?)

Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square

You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

de la villehuchet

Well I hadn't really paid much attention to this whole scandal story, but one of the guys who lost 1.4 billion dollars on the scandal committed suicide.

Thierry de la Villehuchet was a 65 year old who started a successful hedge fund company on Wall St, but apparently a lot of his assets were built up in the madoff fraud.

From what I gather it was a remarkable fraud. Even more remarkable was how it went undetected. He basically set up his own stock market, with all made up profits. When an investor wanted to pull their money out, he would pay them with money from a new investor. So if everyone wanted to pull their cash out, he would be in a bind.

It sounds like a standard bank to me, so I guess he big deal is over his false profits he posted. Nevertheless, remarkable.

Garrote

Well, there have been a lot of questions about what exactly a garrote is. So I got curious. Since so many people want to know, why not explain in detail?

A garrote is like a strangling device. It is not necessarily a specific device, but rather, a generic device can be used as a garrote. Garrotes are just strangling things, like the fiber wire on the Hitman games.

Nunchucks are garrotes. They choke the victim when they are wrapped around the neck region.

Javan Rhino

Good news for people who like endangered species! They found four new Javan Rhinos, a rare breed of Rhinos hailing from, you guessed it, Java. These critters are especially small and afraid of humans.

The rhinos were said to have ran away as soon as the scientists saw them. They ran back to their parents, who are in their 30's.

My take on this is that it is good news for the world. Of course, I'd be sure to snatch a workable DNA sample i case worst comes to worst and they all die out one day.

Of course, they probably already have. At least the odds are good. With the technology we have today, I don't see why any creature should completely die out. I mean, even if there are only 50 of them left, I'd still say that wasn't cause for major concern with what we have today.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Andy Kennedy

Hahahaha. The Mississippi men's basketball coach has been arrested for reportedly shouting racial slurs at a cab driver and then punching him.

On one hand, he is the coach of mississippi, so I could see it happening. On the other hand, I suppose it could all be a lie.

Kind of a funny story, as long as nobody gets hurt. No other details have come out yet, just that he was arrested.

High Mercury Count and Jeremy Piven

So I looked it up High mercury counts hurt the kidneys and the nervous system. And also a developing fetus, if someone has a baby or something.

Anyways, there is a lot of mercury out there and I wouldn't be surprised if we all had high levels of it- just not high enough to start worrying.

So how does one get high mercury? Well, I suppose you could drink a thermometer, but also, eating lots of fish (mercury rich tuna) is a way to start. Also you could be near a mercury spill at some point, although that would seem to cause short term effects, like vomiting and diarrhea.

Also, if your job is near somewhere that uses mercury, then you'd be susceptible. I don't quite understand why this actor was exposed. Maybe he liked to drink thermometers to wash down all that fish he ate. Nah.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Armageddon and Apophis

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081217/sc_mcclatchy/3125382


Wow. How's this for a story. An asteroid named for the egyptian god of darkness and void, enemy of the sun god re, has supposedly a 1 in 44000 chance of hitting the earth and wiping out everything.

Now what day will this all happen? On Easter Sunday. Of 2036. So it's a while off, but nevertheless intriguing. Surely this is all coincidence and everything will be alright, right?

Well, scientists are pulling a futurama (the first episode I watched!) and are gonna brainstorm for ways to blow it up or redirect it in case. I guess we learned things from movies like Armageddon and Deep Impact.

Snow in Las Vegas! CCsd!




Wow. Snow in Vegas. Don't know much about the weather there but everything is closed. I wouldn't think it snows there a lot, since Houston had snow a little while ago for the first time in a long time, but we are in the age of global cooling, so it's whatever. (Time to increase gas and carbon emissions.)

So everything is closed. Wonder about the casinos and shit. I've always wanted to go to Vegas, but snow oughtta cripple the strip.

So everything is closed now and they'll let the citizens know tomorrow.

Here's a nice link:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/17/snow-leads-event-cancellations/

Rick Warren

Okay, I don't see anything wrong with having Rick Warren say a prayer at the inauguration. He is anti- choice and anti- gay and Obama needs a little bit of hard core conservativism on his first day. Works for me.

It would be cool if Obama turned out to be a secret conservative and was hired by the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" to appear as a socialist, win the presidency, and then install a right wing agenda.

Even so, Obama puzzles me. He is obviously a socialist but then again some of his policies seem very free market- esque. The key is that line about those under 250k not paying a dime extra. That was always the saying of socialism, make the rich poor and the poor poorer.

But then again, his highest tax bracket is only (only?) around 45%. That's awfully high, but not as bad a true socialist state, where it would be ideally 100%.

Hmm, anyways good choice for the prayer.

Sammy Baugh

It is a sad day for football fans. Sammy Baugh, 94, died.

He was a famous Washington Redskin who was dominant way back when.

He led the league in numerous things numerous times during his storied career and helped shape the game. I believe he still has a punting record out there floating around. He led the league one time in TDs and interceptions, kind of like Brett Favre. The only difference? His interceptions were while playing defense, so they helped the team rather than hurt.

He will be missed and although it is not quite a shocker like last season's Shaun Taylor shooting, the Redskins have had two somber late seasons in a row.

Nicole Buffett




Okay so here's the deal. Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world, doesn't like it when his family asks him for money. He wants them all to be self made men (or women). So his adopted granddaughter is in an interview and she says she would like it if she could do more with all that money he has stocked up. She thinks it is a bit of a waste and would like to use it for something else.

So he flies off the handle and now the nice old man doesn't conjure up pleasant memories of grandpa anymore.

One conclusion to be drawn is that he never really thought her to be part of the family (which is mean to say the least and I would think this is not the case). The other is that the presented story is not all true and there is a lot of speculation, which probably is the case.

So maybe everyone should take a chill pill. Something may have gone down but we can only wish the best upon their family.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Jason Richardson

The Bobcats traded Jason Richardson to the Suns for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell.

I don't know about this one. Both Diaw and Bell were decent players for Phoenix. In the NFL I would be hesitant of this trade, but in basketball, one guy can make the difference. I would think this one would be bad for both teams. Charlotte now gets some decent guys, but not enough to compete. Phoenix traded a significant chunk of their team for one guy, who, if he fails, will be worth nothing. That said, if he plays great, this will turn out to be a great move.

Covini c6w



It goes 185 miles per hour.

It kind of looks like an eel car. I like how it has the two groups of wheels in the front.

Looks legit honestly. Probably costs a ton.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Keri Russell

Keri Russell's friend on the TV series Felicity had a baby. Hooray!

So this gives us all a chance to talk about Keri Russell, who is hot and I had never even seen her picture before.

She also apparently played in Mission Impossible III, and became a great actress in 1998.

One thing I like is that her birthday is three days next to mine. Hooray again. I hope we share a "happy birthday".

Monday, December 8, 2008

Conan O'Brien

So he is set to take over Late Night in May of 2009. I always thought he was sort of funny.

I mean, he isn't as gag- funny as Leno, but then again who is? O'Brien has some good ideas of his own and perhaps will shine bright in the spotlight and provide a fresh face of comedy.

I think his brand of humor is just as funny as Leno, although we certainly will miss the witty "nha- ha" moments with all those awkward jokes. (Maybe the joke writers stay?)

But I certainly like Conan's pranks and of the wall humor a lot.

Burl

From Wikipedia:

"A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Burls are the product of a cambium. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burl wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition."

So my guess is that it is a retarded tree. Funny. Burl looks to be like those little nitrogenous bulbs on certain fixating plants where bacterium live.

Visanthe Shiancoe

Visanthe Shiancoe is a Minngaysota Viqueen best known not for his on the field actions but for a glimpse of his dick while on national television in the locker room. He is now a star.

He should have been known for his actions on the field however. He has had a great season by NFL TE standards and has essentially broken out for the NFC North leading Viqueens. He plays well and should have a bright future.

Go Pack Go

You be the judge! The battle of the Jessicas...

We at Popular Things decided that there is a need to compare and decide who is indeed more attractive, Jessica Alba or Jessica Biel. Sorry Jessica Simpson, you don't seem to cut it anymore...

You decide. Post a comment below and your reasons why.




The people at Popular Things think that this is won by Alba. Too much natural beauty. What do you think?

Saturday, December 6, 2008

What About Bob

What about Bob is a very funny movie starring Bill Murray. It is about a crazy man who is paranoid about everything. He goes to see the best shrink in the world, and subsequently drives the doctor crazy with his endless calls and good cheer. He eventually settles on a certain disposition: taking a vacation from your problems, a nice theory that works well in real life too, as I know people who have changed their life around this philosophy.

Overall a great movie I would recommend to anyone young or old.

USC vs. UCLA


While everyone seems to be watching the SEC Championship game on CBS, there is another game on ABC. This game is the UCLA vs. USC game. This game, while the outcome seems to be already decided, means alot to both teams.

1. UCLA defeated USC 13-9 last time USC came to the Rose Bowl, eliminating USC from the national title picture.

2. The teams have a dozen national championships between them and 8 Heisman winners.

3. A win for UCLA will eliminate USC from the Rose Bowl game and make their rather poor season a success.

4. 100,000 screaming fans in the Rose Bowl...need we say more?

5. There is loads of bad blood between the teams. Incidents involving helicopters vandalizing the opponents campus and various incidents of assault and theft have occurred.

6. Hot Cheerleaders. Case Closed

Liberty Bowl

The Autozone liberty bowl is the 5th most expensive bowl ticket according to some big stat guy.

Why are they popular? Well, it's because Kentucky wants to play in it. The Kentucky Wildcats.
They aren't even that good, but they are a popular school, especially for basketball.

The bowl is in Memphis, Tennessee and is going to be contested between the winner of East Carolina and Tulsa, two perennial powerhouses.

Good luck, competitors

Sunny Von Bulow

Top of the trends chart. Sunny von Bulow, a 76 year old heiress who was almost killed by her husband, died after being in a coma for 28 years.

28 years.

Must have been some pretty important dreams. I don't know what she was an heiress of, but it must have been something important. Her husband was the OJ of the 1980s

Friday, December 5, 2008

Jesse Money

Jesse Money looks hot, although I don't quite understand why she is trendy as of right now. Maybe it's because she appeared with her pop, Eddie Money, on Don't Forget the Lyrics. And everyone thought she was hot, so now they searched for her.

Just like Hannah Montana

Ludlow CA

There was an earthquake in Ludlow, California, a nice, previously earthquake unfriendly place. Of course, the biggest fear is that this is only the predecessor to the next "big one", which is going to happen sometime, but nobody really knows. There have been small quakes, even though this one was 5.5, all around California for ages and it is not going to stop now just because someone fears the major one is coming.

Whatever.

I know that my friend said he lived through one major one when he was four and he turned out alright so it's no biggie.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Steve Sarkisian

Apparently he is in at Washington, which I guess he respects more than the job of head coach of the Oakland Raiders, since he turned down that job earlier. I wouldn't want to work for Al Davis either. Besides, the guy who took Sarkisian's place as coach was fired not too long ago anyway.

Sarkisian worked at USC, but now will go to a rival, Washington.

It's rumor as of now but look for it to be confirmed soon.

Guy Fisher

I dont know why he is trendy right now but he is what he is. He apparently was a drug dealer/ Apollo owning man who went to jail.

What I really like is how his wikipedia page says he is not a rat and his partners are. kind of funny how anyone can edit wikipedia and put whatever they want. That's why kids, dont use it for your projects. Actually I did in high school and it worked out fine but you can always spot information that souldn't be there because it is badly misspelled or mispunctuated.

Preston Hollow


So, the President has purchased a house in preston hollow, one of the premier neighborhoods in Dallas.

I guess they got tired of boring old Crawford, which is a little while away from Waco and the old Branch Davidian complex.

Anyways, why Big D? Well, probably because it's an area where Bush is still tolerated by people. And besides D- Town is a nice little city, lots of sports success and lots of babes.

It looks decent and is one of the most expensive houses in texas.

Quiverful

So, apparently this is a movement for "striving to raise a large and growing, godly family" in the world today. Apparently one family, the famous Duggars, are about to have an 18th child. Eighteen kids. Wow, that must be a lot of complaining about a lot of dishes that aren't done.

Nice for them, to have 18 kids. Apparently they're really strict on their kids and enforce discipline, so I guess that's way better than letting your kids roam free on the streets while getting into guns and drugs and shit, but whatever.

Quiverful I guess means a quiver full of children. Haha, meh.