I bought some powdered water...

But I didn't know what to add. Happy birthday to Steven Wright. The comedian who elevated absurd humor with deadpan delivery to new heights is 58 today. He is my all time, favorite comic. As he once said "Some people are afraid of heights, not me, I'm afraid of widths."

Absurdism at its finest...

One hundred years ago today one of the finest writers ever to walk the face of the earth was born in French Algeria. I am speaking of Albert Camus, whose novel The Stranger is one of the most remarkable pieces of writing I have ever read. Happy birthday Mr. Camus, your contributions to the annals of literature will forever stand tall among the great outputs mankind has produced.

Incredible footage

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Good thing they were all skydivers!

Feeling ill?

Dramatic footage

Watch this skier set off and survive an avalanche due to the fact that he was wearing an avalanche airbag. It's all caught on tape because they were filming a commercial for a car brand. Wow!

Triple Threat

Happy birthday to Dave Winfield who is 62 years old today. He is one of only three people ever to be drafted in three professional sports: baseball, basketball and football.  He opted for baseball and today is in the hall of fame. What an athlete.

Casablanca

Here is Casablanca from the album Nero by Two Steps from Hell. For those who like epic music that rises up and moves you, enjoy.

Read all about it

Here is Emeli Sande singing her tune live in Japan. God, how I love her music. Enjoy!

How true!

The Wall

Roger Waters has hit the wall, turning seventy years old today. Dark Side of the Moon was simply a turning point in music. What an album!

A funny from John Cleese

For anyone who has ever watched Monty Python, Fawlty Towers or any other of the numerous classic vignettes John Cleese has been  involved with and appreciated him and his incredible comedic skills, here is a brief piece of humor he penned.

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels ..

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be right, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.

Regards,
John Cleese

In the bag

He has won the title of world champion no less than thirteen times. Here is a peek at what Ken Climo aka "The Champ" carries in his disc golf bag, with a detailed explanation of why he carries each and every disc. Spoiler: believe it or not, he carries a Condor.

Skinny Love

By Bon Iver. Enjoy!

McBeast defends his title

Congratulations to Paul McBeth of Huntington Beach, California. Paul successfully defended his title from last year and is once again the best disc golfer on the planet. Paul won the Professional Disc Golf Assocation's Men's Open title at the World championships last week. Way to go Paul.

RIP Mr. Cale

J.J. Cale, one of the finest musicians/songwriters who ever lived and an incredible guitarist, died this past Thursday at age 74. He will be missed.

Rock band sponsors little league team

I like The Black Keys' music, but now I like the band members too. This is really, really cool.

Good luck!

To all the players at AM Worlds in Emporia, Kansas this week, Bang chains!

Only Girl in the World

Jimmy Eat World has covered many songs, one of my favorites being Firestarter by Prodigy. This cover is out there. Here is Rihanna's Only Girl in the World from Jimmy Eat World's perspective. It's interesting if nothing else.

A closer look at Spo

As his players affectionately call him. A lot has been said about the Heat, celebrating their back to back championships. There has been a lot of focus on the greatness of the players, especially Lebron James. And rightly so. Here now is a little bit of the spotlight on their coach Erik Spoelstra. He's only 42 and now has guided the team to the NBA Finals for the last three years in a row, winning the last two. In the history of the game only seven other coaches have guided their teams to back to back championships and only twelve have won multiple titles. Spo started as the team's video coordinator and worked his way up. How sweet it is. Meanwhile, Spo seems unimpressed by the magnitude of it all.

Santana's new digs

Everything is controlled with an iPAD. Check it out.

Back to back championships

The Miami Heat rock. Lebron is the man! Read all about it.

Some pretty wild disc golf shots

This guy has a hell of a mid-range game, and his putting isn't too shabby either. Check out some of these wild shots.

Why?

Why would you want to fire her?

WTF?

Was this man deported from Saudi Arabia for being too sexy? Wow! I've been to the kingdom and they are pretty uptight, but this takes it to a new level.

Could this be part of the problem?

  
With the general lack of accountability these days...

The streak is over

97 points were not enough last night. An undermanned but rabid Chicago Bulls team played extremely well in Chicago to win 101-97 and stopped the Heat's winning streak at 27 in a row. Miami is now the proud owner of the second longest winning streak in NBA history. The focus is now to start a new streak and defend the title of NBA champions when the playoffs begin in April. Go Heat, we love you!

Good luck Heat!

Going for 28 in a row tonight versus the Chicago Bulls. Each win is a step closer to the record of the 1971-72 L. A. Lakers who won 33 straight games. Go Heat!

Weekend Haiku

Washing the saucepans-
the moon glows on her hands
in the shallow river.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

O, KY

This guy is a genius. Here is O, KY from Archer Prewitt. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Citi settles with bondholders

Citi will pay 730 million U.S. dollars to settle a class action suit by bondholders stemming from the financial crisis. The bondholders claimed that Citi misled them by misrepresenting its exposure to mortgage-backed assets as well as understating losses on loans. Citigroup denies the allegation but is settling to put the lawsuit behind it.

This is cold!

Don't you just hate it when you get set up? This is hilarious!

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This week's offering is a skittish character who tends to be a freethinker. While this may be a good thing at times, long term this manager may not be a good bet to survive within the morass that is corporate inertia.

MOTW: Buck the Trend Manager

Watches a lot of movies and television, especially fare that features rogue cops, vigilante citizens and/or general anti-establishment characters. Has a reputation for going against whatever corporate strategy, policy or procedure is mandated by Head Office. Working for Buck the Trend Manager can have serious and undesired, short-term repercussions for your career.

Weekend Haiku

That wren-
looking here, looking there.
You lose something?

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Lamento No Morro

I love Brazilian music. These three sound wonderful together. Here are Vinicius de Moraes, Toquinho and Maria Creuza singing Lamento No Morro. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Ricky Rubio's magic

Check out this double behind the back move from the Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio. In all my years of watching professional basketball I can honestly say I have never seen a move like this. The Wolves waited a long time for Rubio to join their team, but you can see why they waited from this play. The Spaniard is a magician on the court, no two ways about it. It's wonderful to watch such a creative point guard play the game.

Shout out to the Heat

They are sizzling. It wasn't easy, but last night on the tail end of a back to back, Miami defeated a cantankerous and scrappy Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers team 98 to 94 to extend their winning streak to 20 games. Way to go Heat! Keep it up.

Agile Programming - for your family

During this TED talk Bruce Feiler explains the way his family has gone about using agile programming to lead a more balanced and less stressful family life. His chat makes a lot of sense and is quite eye-opening. As a parent you sometimes are too close to the rut you may have created and participate in during what can only be termed the most important responsibility you will have during your entire lifetime; raising your children.

When Robots Attack

Are you over 50 years old? You may need Old Glory insurance. I'm sure thinking about buying a policy, what with drones in the news all the time these days. Eat your heart out Rand Paul.

The Ten Commandments

   
Of Disc Golf. These are divine rules people. I would add a local one which goes like this...

"Thou shalt be present on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. sharp for random draw doubles."

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. What is it that many people in different parts of history said in their defense. "I was following orders." Well, this manager actually was.

MOTW: Lackey Manager

This manager survives by doing anything and everything Senior Management says without question. Lackey Manager’s silhouette has a distinct stooped contour to it from all the weight of nonsensical orders that he/she has complied with over the years. At home Lackey Manager’s spouse, children and even pets order him/her around with relative ease. When alone, Lackey Manager stills looks around at non-existent beings for permission before doing anything at all.

Weekend Haiku

Napped half the day;
no one
punished me!

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Say It Ain't So

Here is Weezer performing Say It Ain't So. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Death came looking for someone...

In the image death came looking for someone whose initials are F.C. but he got H.C. instead. Hugo Chavez is dead and it is time to reprise the image.

Harlem Shake out of control

Doing the Harlem Shake on an airplane apparently did not go so well for the shakers and now it has gotten some Australian miners fired (15 of them) and banned for life from the mine.  What is it with these dance crazes that people feel they need to break out into dance at their jobs, in restricted areas, or just about anyplace where it is not appropriate? Whatever happened to dancing on the dance floor? Beats me.

Here is one writer's explanation for the phenomenon.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. No one knows why the company employs this next manager, but then if they did, it wouldn't be a mystery now would it?

MOTW: Mysterious Manager

A shadowy figure, Mysterious Manager comes in at odd hours and leaves at even odder ones. He/she sits in the corner office and spends a lot of time speaking on the phone in hushed tones. Is never observed going to lunch and when seen in the hall is jocular, but never really connects with anyone.

Weekend Haiku

Even considered
in the most favorable light,
he looks cold.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

What day is it today?

Today is sequestration day and also palindrome day. For those of you that may not have paid attention that day in school a palindrome is a word, phrase or number which may be interpreted the same way backwards as forwards. When I learned it in school we were given the famous example of "Able was I ere I saw Elba."

I am not even going to try to explain sequestration beyond the fact that there will probably be a whole bunch of cuts to the federal budget. Depending on who you believe, either criminals will be running amok in the streets by first thing tomorrow morning along with many other "the sky is falling" type of repercussions, or, not much will change although people will feel the pinch eventually down the road.

I don't really know what to believe so let's just call it Palindrome Day since you can interpret the date the same way backwards and forwards, 3/1/13. Happy Palindrome Day everyone.

Violet

Felt like getting a little rowdy today. Here is Violet by Hole. Whatever you make think of her, Courtney Love can rock with the best of them. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Smooth release, great snap and a perfect X step...

Equals a long, long drive. Here is Will Schusterick in super slow motion demonstrating the form that has made him one of the top professionals in our sport. It is a thing of beauty to watch.

Contrary to popular belief...

There are still honest people in this world. This brief story helps restore some faith in humanity.

C. Everett Koop dead at 96

The country's most recognizable Surgeon General is dead at age 96. The cause of death has not been disclosed. He was a good man and an even better steward of the nation's health. It is only fitting that the man who cared for our health during seven years of the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations should have lived such a long, prosperous and productive life.He will be missed.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. What is that saying? "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you." Someone should tell this next manager that. It might be reassuring for him/her.

MOTW: Paranoid Manager

Afraid of his/her own shadow, this manager rarely leaves his/her office and only does so when summoned by Senior Management. When the summons comes Paranoid Manager assumes the worst and already has half of his/her desk cleaned out by the time he/she hangs up the phone. Upon a chance encounter with Conspiracy Manager, Paranoid Manager usually implodes because of all the negative implications upon his/her corporate survivability a conversation with Conspiracy Manager will typically reveal.

Weekend Haiku

We human-
squirming around
among the blossoming flowers.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Forever Lost

Forever Lost from Conjure One. Great tune, I don't know why more people don't know about Conjure One. Enjoy and happy Friday.

That's hot!

Here (in this linked list, not in the picture) for your consumption (or not) are the world's spiciest hot sauces. Me, I just like to drench my eats in that old reliable, Crystal Hot Sauce which you can see in the picture to the left. It is just thick enough and has enough of a kick to add a little spice to the blandest of offerings, but it isn't really that hot. When I can't get a hold of some Crystal, my backup is Cholula which I find mimics Crystal's viscous pour and spiciness pretty well. I am not really into Tabasco, which I find kind of watery. When I want something really hot I use the "Smack My Ass and call me Sally" sauce sold by the restaurant chain Tijuana Flats, but that didn't even make the list. Check them out. Hot, hot, hot!

Postal Service to launch clothing line

WTF? The struggling United States Postal Service will launch a clothing line supposedly to try and boost revenue. Call me crazy, but when you can't even execute your core competency (delivering mail within budget) I don't think you should be branching out into other pursuits such as trying to compete with  top flight fashion designers. Who came up with this one? The USPS uniforms aren't exactly cutting edge. Perhaps they should focus on delivering the mail and not cutting out the Saturday delivery. The apparel will  be sold under the brand name “Rain Heat & Snow,” an homage to the service’s unofficial motto, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Good luck with that one. Yikes!

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This next manager could use a regular supply of energy drinks, but rarely indulges in them.

MOTW: Dozing Off Manager

Typically a specimen that is getting on in years, one can set one’s watch by this next manager’s nap schedule. Dozing Off manager regularly saws wood during the work day at specific times in the morning and after lunch. This manager’s demise typically comes when a meeting is scheduled with an important senior manager at the time of one of Dozing Off Manager’s precisely scheduled power naps. Since he/she cannot keep his/her eyes open at this critical time, the only recourse is to claim that he/she suffers from narcolepsy and hope for the best. This defense strategy rarely works.

Weekend Haiku

That gorgeous kite
rising
from the beggar's shack.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Bring on the Terror

Bring on the Terror from Robbers on High Street. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Swedes are tough

At least this Swedish female golfer is. Check out this story. Wow!

Monopoly tips

Now that the token has been changed the Hasbro board game is in the news. Here are some tips to ensure that winning Monopoly strategy.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Everyone has heard of this next manager. Finally, his/her role is explained. Or is it?

MOTW: Matrix Manager

Most people who work in a large multinational company have had one of these at some point in their careers, but what is a Matrix Manager and what does a Matrix Manager do? The answer is no one really knows. Typically this manager appears above you in a remote part of the organizational chart. You are depicted several layers below him/her connected by a dotted line path with many twists and turns resembling some child’s random twirling of the knobs on an Etch-a-Sketch . This manager rarely interacts with you, doesn’t really know what you do, but at review time opines on your performance and gets some indeterminate say on your raise and bonus. Eventually your matrix manager moves on and is replaced by another, even less connected and more remote Matrix Manager whom you hope to eventually speak with at some point within the next performance management cycle.