Ad Astra Per Aspera

athletes' funny quotes always brighten my workday.

2008-07-08T00:28:00.001-05:00

"You can destroy one racket. You can destroy a chair. But you can't destroy a racket and a chair in the same match. There has to be a limit. Otherwise this is the tennis of a sick person." - Marat Safin, pro tennis player

technology is everywhere.

2008-06-25T19:10:00.002-05:00

It is strange to me to be sitting on the porch of a summer cottage on a fairly obscure lake on the western coast of Michigan, about 15 minutes away from the nearest town (which is quite tiny) and have my laptop and wireless access to be able to be online. It is so quiet and peaceful, the only noises being the wind rustling the trees on the shore and various birds chirping at each other, including a blue jay that may be dying because it is making a wholly unbirdlike noise. (OK, there is also the faint sound of a boat on the other side of the lake, but doesn't it sound prettier with just the nature stuff?) It is nice, in a way, to be able to check my e-mail and such, but at the same time, it is not REALLY like a vacation if you're not cut off from the world. I feel a little bit chained to it, and even though I could decide to not get online while I'm here, I can't resist the pull...

things I like about summer (which is just now finally! here)

2008-06-19T21:03:00.003-05:00

Popsicles.

Wearing flip-flops, not shoes.

Reading outside in the sun.

Vacation.

Along with that, the sand dunes in Michigan. (And the lake at the end.)

Longer days.

Watching golf on TV.

Listening to country music loudly with the car windows down, which I feel slightly ridiculous about but just like too much to care.

Taste Test: Japanese Kit-Kats

2008-05-16T23:00:00.001-05:00

http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/taste_test_japanese_kitkats

Journalism is funny, sometimes

2008-05-11T00:05:00.001-05:00

From the Los Angeles Times' Morning Briefing (from a long time ago, I kept meaning to post this and forgetting)

Burglary foiled: A would-be burglar got quite a shock when he crawled through a window in suburban Budapest, Hungary. Virgine Ujlaky, 23, an Olympic fencer, was in the middle of a practice session.
Within seconds and a few slashes of the sword, Ananova.com reported, the crook was pinned against the wall, with the blade against his throat as the swordswoman reached for the phone and called police.
The arrested perp had to be treated for shock, but Ujlaky seemed to take it all in stride.
“It was good practice, as I have a competition coming up,” she said.

And finally: Austin Peay, which lost to Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, in the early 1970s had a player named Fly Williams, who averaged 28.5 points a game during his two seasons at the Clarksville, Tenn., school. Dan Patrick recalled on his national radio show last week what the popular Austin Peay cheer was when Williams played there.
Keep in mind the “y” in Peay is silent. It was: “Fly is open, let’s go Peay.”

my babies...

2008-04-29T23:19:00.001-05:00

Hermes leaning forward, Pigwidgeon in the back.

airplane fun

2008-04-16T19:46:00.002-05:00

I flew to Chicago and back a few weeks ago and on the way back flipped through the free Skymall catalog. It was so entertaining that I took it with me. Here are some of my favorite advertisements from it (unedited):

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We all have them, an expensive pair of dress shoes for those “special occasions.” The shoes that world famous secret agents wear to the black tie party where they end up doing some reconnaissance before they are chased around a European city by evil henchmen. The kind of dress shoes that show class, style, and sophistication but are so uncomfortable you can’t wait to take them off. Designed by the best shoe designers from three continents, the Gravity Defyer Shoes provide you with all the sophistication and comfort needed to keep up with the best of the world famous secret agents.

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The original sleep sound generator: This compact device produces a gentle whooshing noise that blocks intermittent or continuous annoying sounds so that you can relax and fall asleep.

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The marshmallow shooter: This clever pump-action device shoots sweet, edible miniature marshmallows over 30’, and it even has an LED sight that projects a safe beam of red light to help locate a target for pinpoint accuracy. Marshmallows not included.

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The best electronic pants presser: In comparison tests by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute, this hand-crafted British walnut veneer pants presser was rated best for its large pants pressing area, versatility of pressing time, and pressing temperature.

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The “keep your distance” bug vacuum: This cordless insect vacuum quickly captures bugs from up to 2’ away. Flies, bees, spiders and other insects are suctioned by a 22,400 rpm motor, sending the insect through a one-way valve in the extension tube to an electric grid in the handle that instantly kills the pest.

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The remote controlled beverage buggy: This 1:12 scale remote-controlled dune buggy has cup holders that secure two 16 oz. cans or bottles of your favorite beverage, allowing you to dispatch the buggy to the refrigerator or cooler for more libation (willing accomplice not included).

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Massive boulder? No, it’s a lightweight imposter, and it’s hiding your lawn’s ugly utility post underneath.

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When you get thirsty on the golf course, your beverage is in the bag. When you find yourself parched on the back nine, break out the Caddie Cooler. This beverage dispenser, cleverly disguised as a 3-wood, is much more than just a conversation piece.

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Raise a few eyebrows with your own personal blimps! The MegaBlimp Combo is a sure winner with any crowd.

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Personalized branding iron for your barbecue: A great steak is a work of art and now you can sign your work!

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We have put a man on the moon, but we still don’t know when the toast will be done. Now there’s no more guesswork with our Deluxe Digital Countdown Toaster.

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The perfect driving shoe: The specially-designed soles grip your car’s pedals, and a wrap-around heel pad prevents scuffs.

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“Big Foot, the Garden Yeti” sculpture: With his characteristically big feet, our over two-foot-tall Garden Yeti will have guests doing a double-take as they admire your creative gardening style!

this is the best day

2008-03-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

I got a fancy new ergonomic keyboard at work on which the shift, enter and delete keys are not constantly stuck! hooray!

apparently my collecting names idea wasn't an original one

2008-02-25T17:14:00.002-06:00

http://nameoftheyear.blogspot.com/

Still, some of my personal favorites from that site:

Destiny Frankenstein
Genesis Lighthouse
Baffelly Woo
Poony Poon
Mummenschontz Bitterbeetle

just for fun

2008-02-25T00:53:00.000-06:00

Two of my favorite names in sports:

Esteban Toledo (pro golfer)
Stanley Pringle (Penn State basketball player)