I saw True Grit (2010) today. I've not see the original, but I've heard good things about the remake. I came away being being lukewarm about it. The plot was straight forward and enough to keep me interested. I didn't buy Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges in their roles. There was too much of The Dude in Cogburn and Damon doesn't make for a believable talkative, if not out right effeminate, Texas Ranger. Also, there were some rough transitions between scenes that were jarring. On the plus side, there were several excellent one-liners and bits of wisdom (like not needing a good lawyer, but rather a good judge) to keep things moving.
Since I didn't love this movie, maybe I should have gone to something with different actors like Tron: Legacy. Oh, wait, nevermind.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Big Orange Screw
The Vols got screwed out of a win at the Music City Bowl yesterday. I know I'm biased, but even some refs agree.
The last time the Volunteer Nation got treated this poorly was when Peyton Manning didn't get the Heisman Trophy.
The last time the Volunteer Nation got treated this poorly was when Peyton Manning didn't get the Heisman Trophy.
FlexRadio
I like computers. I work with computers. I don't know that I would want a radio that is dependent on a computer like the FLEX-5000A.
I find it interesting that it requires FireWire. If I were to go this route, I would want a dedicated machine. Or it would be nice if you could virtualize it. My father-in-law seems impressed with the specs and the QST review was mostly positive. (I think some of the problems the reviewer had were PC/Vista related, but that is a legitimate complaint for a Software Defined Radio.) One of the guys that is often on the 940 repeater really likes his FlexRadio and may upgrade to the 5000A.
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| From Brick O'Lore |
I find it interesting that it requires FireWire. If I were to go this route, I would want a dedicated machine. Or it would be nice if you could virtualize it. My father-in-law seems impressed with the specs and the QST review was mostly positive. (I think some of the problems the reviewer had were PC/Vista related, but that is a legitimate complaint for a Software Defined Radio.) One of the guys that is often on the 940 repeater really likes his FlexRadio and may upgrade to the 5000A.
Smart Phone App for Mobile Callsign and Repeater Search
QSL.FM is a neat little app for looking up repeater information and callsigns while on the go.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Who is misinformed?
From the "How the World Works" video below...
You may have seen the study showing that Fox News Viewers are largely misinformed. Except they aren't - unless you ignore:
- The study didn't test what it claimed.
- The data collected supported opposite conclusions.
- The researchers cited disputed citations as fact.
- and more!
It reminds of:
Using statistics means you never have to say you lied.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
98% of all stats are made up.
You may have seen the study showing that Fox News Viewers are largely misinformed. Except they aren't - unless you ignore:
- The study didn't test what it claimed.
- The data collected supported opposite conclusions.
- The researchers cited disputed citations as fact.
- and more!
It reminds of:
Using statistics means you never have to say you lied.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
98% of all stats are made up.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Preparation is a Journey
Preparation is a journey. I can't prepare for everything, but over time I'd like to give myself more options.
For example, I keep improving my Emergency Car Kit as I've add cell phone chargers and some ice melt to the gloves, poncho, and hat.
Here is another food-for-thought article:
Three seconds. Three minutes. Thirty minutes.
I have no go-bag. I've had CPR, but don't have good first aid kits. A buddy is talking about scheduling some first-aid training, so maybe I can fill in that gap.
For example, I keep improving my Emergency Car Kit as I've add cell phone chargers and some ice melt to the gloves, poncho, and hat.
Here is another food-for-thought article:
Three seconds. Three minutes. Thirty minutes.
I have no go-bag. I've had CPR, but don't have good first aid kits. A buddy is talking about scheduling some first-aid training, so maybe I can fill in that gap.
Private Enterprise
I read David Moon's article in the Sunday paper and it is another great example of what's wrong with the world. Forget if you are pro-gay rights, anti-gay rights, Christian, or an ardent supporter of the separation of church and state - let private enterprise do what they want. If people don't want to do business with a conservative or liberal bank, let them vote with their dollars.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
How many are prevented?
Via Slashdot, the Met is reporting that cameras help solve six crimes a day in London.
I know this is a harder question, but shouldn't we be looking for ways to prevent crime? I don't have the reference handy, but I've heard that lights are a better deterrent to crime than cameras.
I know this is a harder question, but shouldn't we be looking for ways to prevent crime? I don't have the reference handy, but I've heard that lights are a better deterrent to crime than cameras.
Book Reviews: Point of Impact & First Family
I've had some downtime around the holidays, so I read a couple of books.
First, I read David Baldacci's First Family. This is the fourth book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. I've read a handful of his books and I can't say they are that memorable. I enjoyed several of his other books in the Camel Club series, but all in all they are mostly escapist reading. I've had this one for a long time, but the last Camel Club book I read was so disappointing, I put off reading this one. His stuff is good enough that I've read more than one, but not so good that I feel compelled to ever pick up another of his novels. I think a good alternative (especially to the King and Maxwell series) would be Nelson DeMille's John Corey and Kate Mayfield from Plum Island
and subsequent books.
I got Stephen Hunter's Point of Impact for Christmas and burned through it. I had seen Shooter
, the movie with Marky Mark, so I had an idea of the plot. I really enjoyed this book. Not surprisingly, the novel had a lot more depth than the movie. In addition to more information about Bob Lee Swagger, you get the whole back story on Special Agent Nick Memphis. If you are into guns, you'll also appreciate Hunter's attention to details when it comes to the rifles and long range shooting. I definitely recommend it. Good thing, too, as I also got the next three books in the Bob Lee series as gifts.
First, I read David Baldacci's First Family. This is the fourth book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. I've read a handful of his books and I can't say they are that memorable. I enjoyed several of his other books in the Camel Club series, but all in all they are mostly escapist reading. I've had this one for a long time, but the last Camel Club book I read was so disappointing, I put off reading this one. His stuff is good enough that I've read more than one, but not so good that I feel compelled to ever pick up another of his novels. I think a good alternative (especially to the King and Maxwell series) would be Nelson DeMille's John Corey and Kate Mayfield from Plum Island
and subsequent books.I got Stephen Hunter's Point of Impact for Christmas and burned through it. I had seen Shooter
, the movie with Marky Mark, so I had an idea of the plot. I really enjoyed this book. Not surprisingly, the novel had a lot more depth than the movie. In addition to more information about Bob Lee Swagger, you get the whole back story on Special Agent Nick Memphis. If you are into guns, you'll also appreciate Hunter's attention to details when it comes to the rifles and long range shooting. I definitely recommend it. Good thing, too, as I also got the next three books in the Bob Lee series as gifts.
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