Picture of the Day

No comment necessary. (thanks Jordan)

TV Update

Last October I got a great deal on 42-inch HDTV. I was so happy about it that I wrote one of my longest posts ever on how I am exceptional at finding good deals. (http://thenewsun.blogspot.com/2007/10/internet-specials.html)

Well, my vanity has punished me.

I spent the last few months discovering why I got such a great deal. The Westinghouse TV I purchased seems to have a defect in it- all of them do. My TV has randomly tormented me with sound problems. The repairman finally came today and told me that "All Westinghouse's have this problem."

Anyhow, the morale of this story is... always overpay for electronics.

The Wonderful World of Slate and Online Prediction

Although I never really talk about it in public, my favorite website on the net is a little news outfit called "Slate.com" It provides a wide range of intelligent news with a rare combination of intelligence and wit.

One of the interesting things this website introduced me to was the pastime of online prediction markets. http://www.slate.com/id/2086316

Apparently, there is a whole range of websites (of questionable legality, mind you) where you can buy and sell pretty much any kind of wager. One topic I find particularly interesting is the future trading on the next Democratic Presidential Candidate. A few days ago Hillary's stock price for clinching the Democratic Nomination on InTrade was at 2.2. This means that only about 22% of people thought Hillary would become the Democratic nominee (this was after Barack won Iowa, mind you.) The day after Hillary won New Hampshire her price shot up to 7.7 or, 77% probability.

Markets like Intrade have been demonstrated to be some of the most accurate barometers of political prediction. When money is on the line, people tend to be giving the matter serious thought. Taking an average of all these serious thoughts gives one some accuracy.

Unfortunately for Americans, I believe the U.S. Attorney has recently made some rules against online betting. I am not sure whether Intrade qualifies... but I don't recommend anyone placing monetary bets. Intrade does have bets for play-money though, if you are interested...

Fake News Department

Joe Gibbs announced his retirement from the NFL today.

Gibbs, a hall of fame coach who won three superbowls, left the Redskins today. Unfortunately the sixty-seven year old coach's second tour with the Redskins was lackluster with only one playoff victory in four years. Reports indicate Gibbs might be interested in a third try in 2028, at age 87.

Chuck Norris Quote of the Day

Chuck Norris doesn't kill two birds with one stone. He kills all birds with two stones. The two stones in his pants.

The Smugness of Tom Brady

I don't talk much sports, but i feel compelled to say a little bit about how much I dislike the Patriots and Tom Brady.

Some people feel that there is nothing worse than a smug human being. I find, however, that I am far more perturbed by humans who act completely humble, because I suspect they are closet-cocky people . Tom Brady fits this mold for me. He always has the perfect humble answer for every question reporters throw at him. I keep waiting for him to slip up and talk in the third person about his greatness like a regular football player. Something like "What? I am Tom Brady.. TOM f'ing BRADY. I am a living Legend. Of course I was going to break that record."

All season long I have maintained the hope that not only the Patriots would blow their perfect season, but that the drama would force Tom Brady to cry. I still think this is on the table... especially as the post season draws down.

It would be doubly satisfying if Coors Light turned Brady's conference cry-session into one of those commercials where they pretend to be having a conversation with the coors light guys.

Coors Guy #1: Brady... what happened to your beer?
Brady: (referencing game) I... I... just... fumbled...
Coors Guy #2: It's alright, Brady.. we have more beers...
Brady: It's not alright!! I lost it!! Okay I lost it!
Coors Guy #1 and #2 exchange wide-eyed glances.

Yes. That would be sweet.

The Oakland A's are moving to Fremont

For those of you who don't know me that well. I am from the bay area, and my hometown team the Oakland A's, are being moved to a new stadium in Fremont. While I don't really have a strong opinion on the move (as I live 3,000 miles from both locations), I was touched and moved by this humorous video.



(video was pawned from a friends myspace page.)