Michigan, What the Hell!?!?!
I'm not sure what to say. I'm flabbergasted. Michigan lost in one of the poorest officiated game I've ever seen. No offense to smaller conferences but these guys from the Southern Conference or whatever don't know what the hell they're doing ou there on the field. Plus, the jackass in the replay booth needed people to tell him to review plays. Ummm....I guess he didn't get the memo about his job description - review close plays. Michigan pissed away two crucial time outs to get the booth to review calls. Now, I'm not saying that Nebraska didn't deserve to win. Michigan was in control for a large portion of the game and then did the usual Michigan I get weak in my knees drill and fell apart. Unfortunately, their performance in this game summarizes how they played most of the season. Hey, since I'm in Michigan right now I can listen to the Michigan Radio broadcast and hear fans lambast Coach Carr and his team. Boy, it'll be a doozy.
The craziest thing about the game was at the end of the game where Henne made this pass and Michigan tried their best impersonation of the Cal Miracle that occured long ago. It almost succeeded. Well, hats off to Michigan. I'll be patiently waiting for next year.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
GM in Crisis?
Well, I'm almost done reading the World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. He did a tremendous job putting together some of the economic phenomenons that are occurring today and projecting these trends into the future. While many may scoff at his cataclysmic predicitions about the economic future of the US if we don't change our mental state about education and really working for our rewards the US will suffer. The current GM crisis has gotten me thinking.
A few years ago GM was the darling of the US auto industry and then Chrysler had its time in the spotlight. However, now GM is on the brink of collapse. UAW members clamoring for better benefits but they are unable to get them because the costs are too great for the automaker to pick up. A dull car line up doesn't help either. Clearance, red tag extravaganza, pay what we pay marketing isn't helping too. The exception is Cadilliac, who took a chance and it has paid off.
But, I think the major problem with US automakers is this, they are always a step behind. Toyota is primed to become the leading automaker in terms of volume and is alerady a great leader in quality. You don't see them doing crazy deals to get sales. They let their products sell themselves. US automakers don't need to lower price, they need to take a page from the Japanese. Build what we want! The American consumer will purchase it. Hell, we spend $350 on a purse and $250 on a pair of jeans we will purchase nice vehicles, but it has to be what we want.
Here's the kicker. Get this, I looked at the new Hyundai Sonota and I liked it. While it wouldn't win too many style points, it does all the right things well. Yeah, a friggin' Hyundai. The fastest growing auto company in the US is from Korea. If you think the competition is going to get easier think again; the Chinese are going to be jumping into the foray soon. This year they will showcase their first car at the Detroit Auto Show. While, the vehicle is simplistic and overall an okay car the Chinese can only do one thing - get better.
Okay, I'm criticizing the US auto industry, but I'm positive that these challenges will arise in other economic segments which the US has been the leader. So, how can we change this? This may sound unpatriotic but we need a crisis to come about. After 9/11, our country was unified to fight a single cause. I admit that the government and the President may have been over zealous at first, but we're seeing now a response in the US Congress and the people as they question some of these practices.
I'll like to make an analogy to control systems controlling water flow for a process. If we change the set point asking for more water the control system responds. Like any control model , the control system tries to find that new "stable" operating point, the reponse may be too much or too little water, but eventually it finds the correct operating value. Also, some control systems will respond quicker and find that new set point faster than other control models. The problem with the current US state of mind is that we're happy operating at our current set point. However, the world has changed and the set point is a new greater value. Other countries are racing to that new set point, while we're being lethargic - allowing our trusty old control system work. What this country could use is a disruption to our control model. So the disruption I mentioned earlier that would be unpatriotic is this - allow a major company like GM to fail, go bankrupt, disappear, go extinct, whatever you want to call it. Yes, this would cause major economic peril, but it might wake us up from our comas. Also, the remaining auto companies would swallow up the market share that was once GM's. I would bet that those that use to work for GM would work for Toyota, Hyundai, or the new Chinese auto company instead of being unemployeed.
Well, I'm almost done reading the World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. He did a tremendous job putting together some of the economic phenomenons that are occurring today and projecting these trends into the future. While many may scoff at his cataclysmic predicitions about the economic future of the US if we don't change our mental state about education and really working for our rewards the US will suffer. The current GM crisis has gotten me thinking.
A few years ago GM was the darling of the US auto industry and then Chrysler had its time in the spotlight. However, now GM is on the brink of collapse. UAW members clamoring for better benefits but they are unable to get them because the costs are too great for the automaker to pick up. A dull car line up doesn't help either. Clearance, red tag extravaganza, pay what we pay marketing isn't helping too. The exception is Cadilliac, who took a chance and it has paid off.
But, I think the major problem with US automakers is this, they are always a step behind. Toyota is primed to become the leading automaker in terms of volume and is alerady a great leader in quality. You don't see them doing crazy deals to get sales. They let their products sell themselves. US automakers don't need to lower price, they need to take a page from the Japanese. Build what we want! The American consumer will purchase it. Hell, we spend $350 on a purse and $250 on a pair of jeans we will purchase nice vehicles, but it has to be what we want.
Here's the kicker. Get this, I looked at the new Hyundai Sonota and I liked it. While it wouldn't win too many style points, it does all the right things well. Yeah, a friggin' Hyundai. The fastest growing auto company in the US is from Korea. If you think the competition is going to get easier think again; the Chinese are going to be jumping into the foray soon. This year they will showcase their first car at the Detroit Auto Show. While, the vehicle is simplistic and overall an okay car the Chinese can only do one thing - get better.
Okay, I'm criticizing the US auto industry, but I'm positive that these challenges will arise in other economic segments which the US has been the leader. So, how can we change this? This may sound unpatriotic but we need a crisis to come about. After 9/11, our country was unified to fight a single cause. I admit that the government and the President may have been over zealous at first, but we're seeing now a response in the US Congress and the people as they question some of these practices.
I'll like to make an analogy to control systems controlling water flow for a process. If we change the set point asking for more water the control system responds. Like any control model , the control system tries to find that new "stable" operating point, the reponse may be too much or too little water, but eventually it finds the correct operating value. Also, some control systems will respond quicker and find that new set point faster than other control models. The problem with the current US state of mind is that we're happy operating at our current set point. However, the world has changed and the set point is a new greater value. Other countries are racing to that new set point, while we're being lethargic - allowing our trusty old control system work. What this country could use is a disruption to our control model. So the disruption I mentioned earlier that would be unpatriotic is this - allow a major company like GM to fail, go bankrupt, disappear, go extinct, whatever you want to call it. Yes, this would cause major economic peril, but it might wake us up from our comas. Also, the remaining auto companies would swallow up the market share that was once GM's. I would bet that those that use to work for GM would work for Toyota, Hyundai, or the new Chinese auto company instead of being unemployeed.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
Hey, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those who didn't a get a card from me. haha! I hope you were all good boys and girls; Hopefully, Santa brought you what you wanted.
I was able to hang out with my sis and her husband, my parents and grandfather. I can't really ask for more than that. Of course, I won't lie, the gifts were good this year. I got some sweet clothes from my parents and sister, a new Snoopy book (yeah, I dig Snoopy! Wanna fight?), a Benjamin and an emergency road light.
All right, I'm tired. Peace out!
Hey, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those who didn't a get a card from me. haha! I hope you were all good boys and girls; Hopefully, Santa brought you what you wanted.
I was able to hang out with my sis and her husband, my parents and grandfather. I can't really ask for more than that. Of course, I won't lie, the gifts were good this year. I got some sweet clothes from my parents and sister, a new Snoopy book (yeah, I dig Snoopy! Wanna fight?), a Benjamin and an emergency road light.
All right, I'm tired. Peace out!
Monday, December 12, 2005
Crime and Redemption
I don't have much of an opinion on execution sentence of Stanely Tookie Williams. There are too many variables to weigh in to this complex scenario. Has this man found himself and is anew? Or is he trying to live another day? I agree the system is not 100% perfect in its rulings, but at the same time I believe that there would be a consensus that this system is preferential to other justice systems.
In the end, if he has committed no crime then he has nothing to fear before the judgement of his creator. I think this is a moral dilemna for a Christian. If a man is killed and is truly guilty then his punishment of death is a severe judgement but would pale in comparison to the Lord's wrath But if that man is innocent and executed then what does God feel about those that put that man to death?
I would like to clearly state that my opinion here is biased on a Christian view since I grew up with the belief in God. I'm curious how other cultures and religions view this type of predicament.
I don't have much of an opinion on execution sentence of Stanely Tookie Williams. There are too many variables to weigh in to this complex scenario. Has this man found himself and is anew? Or is he trying to live another day? I agree the system is not 100% perfect in its rulings, but at the same time I believe that there would be a consensus that this system is preferential to other justice systems.
In the end, if he has committed no crime then he has nothing to fear before the judgement of his creator. I think this is a moral dilemna for a Christian. If a man is killed and is truly guilty then his punishment of death is a severe judgement but would pale in comparison to the Lord's wrath But if that man is innocent and executed then what does God feel about those that put that man to death?
I would like to clearly state that my opinion here is biased on a Christian view since I grew up with the belief in God. I'm curious how other cultures and religions view this type of predicament.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Crime Rises in Mount Vernon
Today, I was the victim of theft. UPS had dropped off my sister's Christmas gift and left it at my front door; this is pretty standard for most packages except those of high value. When I came home, I checked the tracking number and was suprised that the package was delivered earlier that morning. I asked my neighbor if they had seen my package; two of them said yes. I then reported the incident to my landlord. She didn't remember seeing any package while she was changing out my furnace filter and changing the battery in my smoke detector. I also file a police report for whatever that's worth. When the officer came to get my testimony, he can't remember hearing of such a case. Yeah, crime in Mount Vernon just doesn't happen. Actually, I think my older neighbors were more pissed than I was. Okay, I can't say that I was happy but it's better than getting robbed at gun point for a gift. So, I'll spend again and purchase the same gift again.
However, it does seem a little ironic of all the gifts I've purchased online, this is the first time this incident has occured. Hell, I lived in Norristown and nothing was ever taken. Peope were getting stabbed, bludgeoned to death, arrested for being suspected terrorist and drug dealers and a city major indicted for fraud, but nobody took your UPS package.
Winterized Apartment
To take my mind off the crime I went to Walmart and got some items to winterize my apartment. While my landlord is good about changing the furnace filter and changing batteries and light bulbs, she doesn't really care about insulation quality of the apartment. In my previous apartments, they were heated by boiler heat and I didn't have to pay for that service, but this apartment I have to pay for heat, so, having a stake in the insulation quality, I purchased some caulk, expandable foam insulation, and a plastic film indoor storm window package. I had a serious gaping hole in the room where my furnace is located. Yes, it is well ventilated, but there was this random hole that was open to the outside wall, plus some poor dry wall installation didn't help either. The heat shrink storm windows were kinda frustrating to put on because my windows are so friggin big, but I was able to get it done. I must say it does help quite a bit; while it won't replace a good argon filled double pane window, it should help reduce the heat loss. Oh, how much did I spend? Less than $20 for a chaulk gun, 1 bottle of chaulk, 1 can of foam insulation, and 1 package for the heat shrink plastic for the windows. I think that's a bargain.
Today, I was the victim of theft. UPS had dropped off my sister's Christmas gift and left it at my front door; this is pretty standard for most packages except those of high value. When I came home, I checked the tracking number and was suprised that the package was delivered earlier that morning. I asked my neighbor if they had seen my package; two of them said yes. I then reported the incident to my landlord. She didn't remember seeing any package while she was changing out my furnace filter and changing the battery in my smoke detector. I also file a police report for whatever that's worth. When the officer came to get my testimony, he can't remember hearing of such a case. Yeah, crime in Mount Vernon just doesn't happen. Actually, I think my older neighbors were more pissed than I was. Okay, I can't say that I was happy but it's better than getting robbed at gun point for a gift. So, I'll spend again and purchase the same gift again.
However, it does seem a little ironic of all the gifts I've purchased online, this is the first time this incident has occured. Hell, I lived in Norristown and nothing was ever taken. Peope were getting stabbed, bludgeoned to death, arrested for being suspected terrorist and drug dealers and a city major indicted for fraud, but nobody took your UPS package.
Winterized Apartment
To take my mind off the crime I went to Walmart and got some items to winterize my apartment. While my landlord is good about changing the furnace filter and changing batteries and light bulbs, she doesn't really care about insulation quality of the apartment. In my previous apartments, they were heated by boiler heat and I didn't have to pay for that service, but this apartment I have to pay for heat, so, having a stake in the insulation quality, I purchased some caulk, expandable foam insulation, and a plastic film indoor storm window package. I had a serious gaping hole in the room where my furnace is located. Yes, it is well ventilated, but there was this random hole that was open to the outside wall, plus some poor dry wall installation didn't help either. The heat shrink storm windows were kinda frustrating to put on because my windows are so friggin big, but I was able to get it done. I must say it does help quite a bit; while it won't replace a good argon filled double pane window, it should help reduce the heat loss. Oh, how much did I spend? Less than $20 for a chaulk gun, 1 bottle of chaulk, 1 can of foam insulation, and 1 package for the heat shrink plastic for the windows. I think that's a bargain.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Size Does Matter
When a girl says size doesn't matter, they're lying like crazy. Anyway, in the same scenario men will say the same thing about certain objects, one being the size of their tv. I don't really get it. Then today, I wished myself Merry Christmas. I hooked up my brand new Dell 2005FPW - 20 inch wide screen LCD monitor. Oh, baby! I wish though I could play Battlefield 2 on it. I'm having some difficulties right now. I'm not sure what's wrong with the program. I think it might be envious about the size.
When a girl says size doesn't matter, they're lying like crazy. Anyway, in the same scenario men will say the same thing about certain objects, one being the size of their tv. I don't really get it. Then today, I wished myself Merry Christmas. I hooked up my brand new Dell 2005FPW - 20 inch wide screen LCD monitor. Oh, baby! I wish though I could play Battlefield 2 on it. I'm having some difficulties right now. I'm not sure what's wrong with the program. I think it might be envious about the size.
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