Computer problems. Can't get the damn thing to stay on. Unsure what to do. Tried lots of things. It works in safe mode, but when I run Windows normally, it flicks off and restarts frequently and without warning. I ran Norton AV in safe mode and found a security threat, deleted it, and restarted Windows regularly. Worked for about 30 minutes (long since we've been having the problem), and I started patting myself on the back. And then it flicked off.
And I've been slammed at work.
So posting has been impossible.
Got to figure out this problem, but every time I try something new it works for a second, then fails.
I tried calling the computer manufacturer. Toshiba, you're an awesome company. The POS spent 3 weeks in the repair shop while under warranty. Renewing the warranty would've cost $250, so we passed on it (a new laptop isn't all that much more and the time in the shop seemed to fix it). Literally to the day after the warranty expired, we started having more trouble (power problems - seemed like it was always running on low power - dimmed screen, some functions slowed). About a month later the flicking off and restarting began. It's almost exactly like that PC/MAC commercial where John Hodgman keeps freezing. And that makes me think there might be a mac in my future (I had one in college and law school, never had any trouble with it, except with the whole "can't connect to the office with it because they didn't have mac discs" but I think they've fixed that issue).
Anyone know a way to fix the fllicking problem? Saw online that people just used compressed air to fix it, as if it's an overheating issue. Not really the case here, I think, because of the irregularity of the problem (it doesn't just flick off when I've been using it a long time, or when I have a few applications open), and because it didn't happen in safe mode.
Also, I support net neutrality because I want to be able to say bad things about multinational conglomerates (like Toshiba) who might own "internet tubes" without worry of censorship. And to be able to say how I honestly believe Comcast is the single worst company in the history of American business. They're my internet provider and they suck. The worst. Seriously.
But anyway, I still exist. I've been making comments elsewhere once in a while. I just haven't had the ability to post things at home.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Where am I?
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
World Cup Thoughts
I should rehash all my predictions, I guess. I don't really think I picked all that well, but I spotted some good players and picked 6 of the final 8 before the cup started. Focus on the positive!
What can I write now about the cup that hasn't been written a million times already, and a million times better?
Zidane's headbutt was mindblowing and surreal.
The refereeing was terrible. The refs altered their decisionmaking all the time due to externalities - FIFA, whining players, crowds, managers. And teams used that to their advantage, such as Portugal (who I will dislike for a long time because of their performance in this cup; I mean, they didn't have to rely on flopping and bitching - they had as much talent as anyone).
I kind of thought the cup was sort of odd in that it's a little difficult to make broad generalizations about the entire cup. Like the Golden Boot award given to Zidane - yes, he was incredible in the Brazil match and great in the Portugal match. But we're also talking about a guy who had to sit out the only good match France played in the group stage and someone who wasn't the 8th best player on the field in the Spain match. And then there's the headbutt. Italy can be praised for their defense, but I'll also, begrudgingly, say that they had some of the best finishing in the tournament - really. The first goal in the Germany match was superb. They didn't attack all that much, but when they had a chance to score, they usually twisted the knife. But then again, Italy's tactics in the USA, Australia, and France matches just piss me off. I want to praise them, but I think I can't - and that is as close to a generalization for the whole cup as I can get.
My least favorite teams coming into the cup (Italy and Argentina) played in a way that didn't let me simply cast the same aspersions I always would. My favorite teams (USA, England, Spain) did play in ways that met the traditional criticisms.
Lots of players made a bigger name for themselves here: Maxi Rodriguez, Frank Ribery, Lukas Podolski, Gennaro Gattuso, Aaron Lennon, the entire Aussie team, Clint Dempsey. Lots of players lost some esteem in my eyes too: Cris Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Ronaldinho, Landon Donovan, most of the Mexican team, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, I don't think the last month will mean all that much when considering how club teams are going to do.
Here's the deal: I don't really want to wait another 4 years for soccer to be a main topic of discussion. Euro 2008 could be interesting, but I wish the Copa America were on the same cycle and that the USA were included in it.
Very very very early prediction for South Africa 2010: Argentina win it, over Brazil. When the cup isn't in Europe, South America does well. I'll also say that an African team makes the semifinals. The USA will qualify, will advance out of the group, and will beat a good team.
Gotta hope, right?
An Interesting Post
Football readers might've missed it because it got buried by a lengthy post on turnover trends, but I direct anyone interested to CFR's post on teams playing 8 home games this year. I added a lengthy comment to it, and wanted to expound a bit.
Basically, I agree with CFR in that teams playing 8 home games should be shamed. I looked at it a little closely, and it seems like for most of the teams, the 8 home game thing is an aberration, and going forward these schools aren't planning on making a habit of it. Let's all hope. Because if teams are successful playing these kinds of schedules, you'll just see more teams try to mimic it, and there'll be a significant division between teams playing almost all home or all road OOC games, plus more 1-AA opponents, both bad things. It's a prescription for a permanent elite and permanent underclass. Teams will be playing on unlevel playing fields.
How to fix it to ensure that it doesn't happen much in the future? Let the conferences impose caps on home games. The SEC is requiring all teams to play Thanksgiving weekend. Why not require the same kind of equality when it comes to home/away games. Arguably, this is within the purview of the leagues, since when only a few teams in a conference have the added benefit of a few million each year from an extra home game or two, the schools aren't playing by the same rules. It's one thing to bring in more revenue by putting a better product on the field or by adding more seats, but extra home games seems a little different.
Anyway, when is Auburn going to learn from the shit that was pulled on them in 2004-5? They really don't have an excuse for such a weak schedule.
Elbowing in...
Didn't want to pass on this because I don't want people to think I was ducking it. Anyway, EDSBS hosted a blogpoll roundtable, which I don't normally participate in, because I'm not a blogpoll voter, a while back that asked for revelation of biases and stuff. I think I've hinted at this in very early posts, but the roundtable questions put it all in the right spot.
Education. List the region of the country you were born in, what universities you attended and at least one other you would have attended if your alma mater didn’t exist.
Born south of the Mason-Dixon line in New Jersey. Now you may call that bullshit, but it's true. I was born and lived 7 years in the gambling/beachgoing/taffy-ripping-fillings-out part of the state and not the brownfields/refinery tank/Sopranos part. I used to describe it to my South Georgia friends unaware of the state that I lived in a place akin to Brunswick, while most people think of Jersey as Atlanta. Not that that's necessarily better. Lived in Georgia the last 22 years, save 9 months in North Wales, Pennsylvania. Attended the University of Georgia for undergraduate degree and law degree. Where I would've gone otherwise is an odd question. My 18 year old idiot self actually had Georgia as a fallback school, and I sat waitlisted everywhere else, and had I gotten in there I'd probably a communist or something. Small schools up north. Looking backward, I'd have a completely different answer for this question. I think I'd like California or Texas. Throw in Georgetown too.
Sports Affiliations. List your top 10 favorite teams in all of sports in decending order. For instance, your alma mater’s football team may be number 1, but perhaps there is a professional team that squeezes in before you get to your alma mater’s lacrosse team.
Ranked in order of what I'd watch if title games featuring such team were on at the same time: Georgia Football, Georgia Basketball, USA MNT, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Georgia Baseball, Walton Raider football, and... Georgia Mens' Tennis (seriously, an NCAA Championship Title match is awesome live).
Movies. List the movie you’ve watched the most, your favorite sports related movie, the movie you secretly love but don’t like to admit it (possibly a chick flick or b film), and the movie you were (or still are) most looking forward to from this summer’s season.Probably watched The Big Lebowski most, but Animal House and Raising Arizona aren't far behind, and Old School and Napoleon Dynamite are catching up quickly now that they're on cable all the time. Favorite sports movie is either Caddyshack or Slap Shot, but does Best In Show count? or Fight Club? I secretly love plenty of shitty and chick movies. Amelie is one that comes to mind. I'm most looking forward to Talladega Nights, I guess, but really just because it'll tide me over until Borat in the fall. If it ever comes out, ATHF the movie could slot in here too.
Music. List your favorite band from middle school, high school, college and today. Also, as with the movies, include the song you secretly love but don’t like to admit. If Nickleback is involved in any of these responses, please give a detailed explanation as to why, god, why.
This is harder. I guess my music liking curve tracked closer to the MTV late night weekend shows I'd tape and watch later, rather than simply bands. Middle school, it was Headbangers' Ball, high school it was 120 Minutes. College was whatever was on that would make me laugh when I was drunk and plowing through a Gumby's pizza. Now, I guess it's whatever twee bullshit gets played as the credits roll on "The Hills". To answer the question, I'd say in Middle it was Metallica and Led Zeppelin. High school was Archers of Loaf, Sugar, REM and Nirvana. College was probably Radiohead or Beck but that covers up the indisputable fact that my taste in music slipped to below rational levels due to the prevalence of that ubiquitous Allman Brothers Band greatest hits album throughout UGA's greek system. Now, I have little idea if I have a favorite band. REM is still there, along with Beck, Radiohead and U2. I hide from no one my love of Backstreet's "I Want It That Way", so I guess I'll roll with admitting that I secretly like that Incubus song "Wish You Were Here". I'm a little ashamed of that.
Books. Favorite book you’ve finished, worst book you’ve finished and the book you really should read but haven’t gotten around to it.
Favorite ever is Don Quijote. The worst was covered in a meme I threw out a while ago, but I revise to include Angels & Demons. That book ate a huge dang. I should read the stack of books awaiting me on the shelf, but I guess I'd like to read Football Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper, and that Bill Bryson history of everything book.
Travel. Favorite city you’ve every been to and the one place you still must visit before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
A lot of cities could be favorites. St. Andrews, Scotland (and I hate golf); San Francisco; Oxford, England; Galway, Ireland. Must visit Rome, Venice, Florence, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Paris, and Sydney.
What do you love most about college football in 20 words or less?
It breaks your heart over and over. Then Michael Johnson catches a 4th and 15 and I lose my voice and track of time.
Back from the dead
Been a really weird month. Whole lot going on inside this ole head of mine. For some reason, posting hasn't been my thing. I've left comments a few places and I've been keeping up with all the important stuff, like college football foods, so don't let my absence bother y'all too much. Sometimes I think it's good to pause for a while and catch your breath, as it were.
But anyway, I'm back. And I've brought aggression and shit with me.
