Big Wheels!

Totally amazed by these tires. What an awesome machine they must fit!

Television: Is it getting worse or are we just stupid?

I will admit that I watch a lot of bad television. In my defense I actually get paid to watch horrible shows like Kate Plus 8, Police Women of insert city or county, and all the incarnations of cake/kitchen boss. Can someone explain to me what is the appeal of these or any show on the channels owned by Discovery Communications. First, it appears that Discovery has four basic scripts for all their programming. Secondly, each these shows seem to have bad editing, bad sound, and incredibly horrid camera work. And finally, these treat the viewers like they are extremely stupid. In almost every show the "talents" will tell the viewer something is going to happen, then if the viewer gets to watch a badly edited version of the action, and finally we have to sit through someone telling us what happened.

Every "cooking show" and motorcycle/car building show has the same script. There is always some huge event for which the shop has to make a special item. Then (what a surprise) there is a tight deadline for the build. Now the worst part is the actual build takes about one fourth of the show. The rest of the show centers around the "employees, owners, etc." and their boring personal life. And heaven help is if it's the dysfunctional motorcycle family who have gone beyond belief with their stupidity.

Another type of show that Discovery seems to love is the multiple children exploitation show. I am so sick of stage struck moms, hypocritical "religious" parents, and spoiled children who try to be cute for the camera. It wouldn't be so bad if the episodes weren't so boring. I have a hard time in general watching parents parade their kids in front of the camera like that. To me it's just disgusting.

Okay, the rant is over. It's time to go back and watch another horrible show. Oh look it's a "cooking show". Wonder what event the cupcake ladies are making a giant sculpture covered with mini cupcakes this episode?

Thoughts from the weekend

Friday: It was so sad that the most awesome performance I've seen by The Packway Handle Band was at the worst venue I've ever seen. Can't say enough about Packway. They are an amazing band who keep surprising its fans. Great job guys. The all-electric set was super and it was made even better when they performed my favorite song, "Outskirts." However, the sound quality was a bit lacking so I was a little disappointed. New Earth is nice if you're looking to hook up but not a great venue if you actually want to listen to music. I look forward to seeing Packway at another venue soon.

Sunday: I love that Cine shows the Oscar nominated shorts this weekend. "God of Love" won the best live action short film and it's hilarious. Check it out. This is the second year that I've caught the live action films at Cine. Next year I hope to see both the animated and live action sets.

Just a thought

This is a great way to live:

“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours." Swedish Proverb

Football Saturday in Athens, GA

It's the first football game of the season and thousands descended upon our little town for the action between ULL and UGA. It's also the first game with new tailgating rules concerning North Campus. Those of us who work on North Campus (and love) were apprehensive that the new rules would either have no effect or be ignored by the fans. Thankfully, people followed the new rules. At game time the quad in front of the library was free of trash. No broken tents, no beer cans everywhere, it looks beautiful.

To the Dawg fans I have to say good job in keeping North Campus trash free and beautiful. At least in front of the library. I am looking out and all I see are a few cups and a couple of bottles. Keep it up guys!!

Suddenly my Cheerios taste bad!

Yesterday I read a short article about General Mills, the big corporation which "makes" my morning cereal, objecting to a small business owner in Salt Lake City calling herself "My Dough Girl" because the "needed to protect" their trademark.

The bakery makes cookies and cookie dough and is owned by a woman so I understand the name but General Mills must think they own the rights to the word "dough" and since they make processed cookie dough then they're the only ones who can use the word "dough" in anything. Then there's that Pillsbury mascot, the dough boy. Click here to see that mascot. I'm not running the risk of pissing General Mills off by posting a picture of their albino doughy mascot.

The result of this is that a big corporation wins again because they are a 16 billion dollar company and who has the money to fight them. However, they have lost a customer in me because I have lost my taste for my old favorite cereal, Cheerios. Reputations are hard to make and easy to lose. With this one action which GM must believe is an insignificant act of doing business I will always remember their arrogance in thinking they are the only ones to use "dough" or a dough imagery in their advertising just because they make refrigerated cookie dough.

Now I have to find another quick breakfast. Kellogg's? Post? I think there's a lady who sells natural organic granola mix at the farmer's market in town.

Help

Poor John is trapped by the physical plant people. I guess we can guess their opinion of art!!