Pretty Super

Okay, so I've talked about the SACD that I purchased before. I love Boston, yes, but I needed to truly experience SACD. Well, the choices are rather mild, but I was able to purchase Norah Jones' first album. I'm happy to say that music in 5.1 is good. I think I would need a better setup to totally experience all the nuances offered by this format, but overall I'm still pleased with listening to music in 5.1

Pinochole

I had a great Thanksgiving with my parents and grandpa. We had the traditional turkey with all the trimmings. I'm not sure why they call it trimmings though? Anyhoo, it was a nice time. We also had some time to drink the single malt scotch that I had purchased for my father and grandfather's birthday. I'm still not a scotch drinker though.

One of the highlights was playing pinochle with the family. Everyone should learn to play this game in addition to Euchre. Well, the game started early in the afternoon and we were locked at two games apiece. Then we had dinner. Well, after dinner we resumed playing. Another 2-2 tie. So we played the tie-breaking game. Most of the previous games the winner was decided pretty quickly, however, on the last hand of the game we (my mom and I) were up by just a few points. Luckily, during meld (betting) part of the hand, we smoked them. We were lucky to win the bid and called hearts as trump; We both had runs in hearts. If my dad or grandpa had picked trumped they would have called diamonds and the would have won. Okay, maybe this doesn't make sense to any of you because you don't play the game.

Well, get out there and learn.

Marathon

Tonight, I finished watching Marathon; it would be rather crass to say this movie is just about 26.2 miles (41.195 km). This movie touched me. I strongly recommend it everyone. There was one scene where the coach and the runner both feel the same sensation that running brings; where exhaustion equates to pure joy. Only a runner could appreciate that moment. There are several other moments that set my heart trembling because I could relate to him as a runner.

This movie is based on a twentysomething austic runner Bae Hyeong-Jin . At the ripe age of 21 he ran a marathon in 2:57:07. He is picture below with his mother (far left) and the President and First Wife of Korea. His accomplishment is wonderful.













Now, another word about marathons. They are not for everyone. It takes more than saying I want to run a marathon. I'm saying this because a few weeks ago at the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC, a charity group was disqualified because they transported some of their runners for 4 miles. I don't care who runs a marathon, but do the marathon; 26.2 miles. Be proud that you accomplished feat this by yourself.

OSU beats Michigan

I really can't put into words the anguish that I experienced today while watching my football team lose to their rival. Actually, I was quite pissed at the poor 4th quarter performance from the players, but more from the coaches. Sigh... 8-4. What a crappy record. Plus, Lloyd Carr is having trouble beating the OSU under coach Tressel. He has to get a better record or he will be like OSU's coach Cooper - out of a job.

Semi-Super

Yesterday, I purchased my first Super Audio CD (SACD). I purchased Boston's first album. Unfortunately, though it was mix in 2 channel stereo. Ok, first let me explain the benefits of SACD or DVD Audio. These two formats allow for a higher level of compression of more data on the disc resulting in higher fidelity. Music sounds more natural and dynamic. Also, most of these formats utilize 5.1 sound drenching the listner to high quality music. Well, as I said most utilize 5.1 channels, Boston's CD is one of the CD's that are mixed in 2 channel stereo. However, the sound is rather awesome compared to regular CD. I might purchase Norah Jone's Hybrid SACD (allows to be played on regular and SACD CD players) or Chuck Mangione's newest CD.

It's COLD!

Okay, it's not Michigan cold, but it's frigid. It's a nice change if you ask me.

Last night I went ice skating. I learned how to turn backwards sorta. I can't skate backwards though. I have the entire winter to practice. Oh, yeah!

The Backlash

The current administration is under fire about the support for the war in Iraq. Their response of course is defensive stating that Democrat were shown the same information as the did. Yes, that is true. It is also true that former Secretary of State Powell presented to the United Nations about mobile biological warfare stations which I'm still waiting to see evidence of their existence. What it comes down to is this - when a "conflict" is issued, Congress is hard pressed to object. The opponents would be quickly criticized as un-patriotic, un-American, and what other un- words you can think of. Nevertheless, if some of these Democrats were so adamant to the war, why didn't they produced a document - sealed and notorized stating their opinion? Obiviously, this bickering is good television, but is it good for Democracy?

Random Stuff

So i've got a new dvd player now. It's region free allowing me to watch any movie from any country. The first movie I watched on it was Marathon, a Korean movie about an Autistic man who runs a marathon. Very cool. Plus he wears New Balance shoes as well. I also watched Steam Boy, a Japanese animated movie. It was a little strange, but fun to watch.

This past weekend I went out with my friends out to the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest. It was amazing. I think it was one of the first non-drinking, bar visiting activities we've had.

Finally, go out and read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugnenides. Oh, by the way, I'm now reading the World is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

Get the Ratings

This morning the local radio station 96.1 was talking about the relief programs that are under way help those effected by the tornado. He evened mentioned that the storm didn't discriminate against anyone. Phew, thanks goodness. There's nothing I hate more than racist tornados. Come on people, it's okay to be creative when describing a disaster. I even accept when people make claims that a storm's behavior seems to have a mind of its own; but to personify a natural disaster to the point that it has the ability to choose a certain class in society to wreck havoc on is a little far-fetched.

Fall Where?

It's too hot here. It's 11pm and it's a balmy 63F outside. Plus, the general heat of the apartment and we're talking about 74+ degrees inside. I just might have to sleep with a fan on. I'm still waiting for that fall.

Random Tornado

Evansville usually doesn't make any headlines in Indiana let alone the country. However, last night at 2:20 AM a tornado formed caused by an severe isolated storm. They haven't put a dollar figure to the destruction; currently over 150 homes from a trailer park community have been destroyed, in addition, the new township, Newburgh was struck. Luckily for me, I live 20 miles from this area. Here in Mount Vernon, we had some wind and rain. Thanks to all those who called to make sure I was okay. I'm glad that I didn't go to the city last night to party like I usually do.