Commonwealth Games?

This article raises a couple of questions.

1.) First and foremost, what the heck are the "Commonwealth Games"? I've heard a lot about them this year, but don't recall ever hearing of them before. Is this just some crap someone came up with to attempt to cash in on the Olympic format? Have I just not been paying attention?

2.) What kind of spin is this?

"Obviously there is a feeling that it is not the nicest thing to do to the host country and your team mates to walk out," said Sierra Leone team spokesman Robert Green.

I recall people from the communist block countries doing this during the Olympics to attempt to escape the crap they were living in. If I recall correctly, the host country (especially if it was us) was generally all for it.

Of course, Australia is a bit different, and isn't exactly accepting of people wanting to immigrate away from some crappy country. It doesn't seem to be within their interest. Hopefully the athletes can make it somewhere that they can find asylum.

3.) What kind of crap-hole is Sierra Leone that their athletes keep running away? It must really suck to live there.

Idiot of the Day

And, the idiot of the day for Monday, March 13th, 2006 is (drum roll please)....

Isaac Hayes!

That's right. The washed up singer whose last accomplishment of note was the theme for Shaft, and who as of late has been the voice of South Park's Chef is officially an idiot.

It would seem that Mr. Hayes wants to be released from his South Park contract because of the show's "intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs". It is interesting that this attitude from Mr. Hayes was only expressed after South Park finally got around to making fun of that freakish cult called "Scientology" (of which Mr. Hayes happens to be member).

Intolerant and bigot. Let's look at what those words mean.

Intolerant - Unwilling to tolerate differences in opinions, practices, or beliefs, especially religious beliefs.

Bigot - One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

South Park is far from bigoted and intolerant. Rather, they are quite the equal opportunity satirists, poking fun at Christians, Jews, and Muslims, as well as homosexuals, crack whores, Mormons, and NAMBLA. Were they to just satire one group, then they could be accused of being intolerant and bigoted. However, the way that every group in existence is fair game, about the only thing you can accuse them of is being funny, if not a bit crass.

However, someone in this story is bigoted and intolerant. It just isn't the South Park people.

How Coders Make a Living...

Having been a computer programmer for over 12 years now, I find this cartoon absolutely perfect!!

Eyebrow Pierce

Eyebrow Pierce
Originally uploaded by stuffle.

I have been wanted to get my eyebrow pierced for quite a while now, I just never got off my butt and did it. While I was there, I also got a stud in my left ear replaced with a captive loop.

The procedure was pretty quick. I just went to the local tattoo and piercing shop. After filling out some paperwork, I was taken to the piercing room where my eyebrow was marked. I then laid back. My eyebrow was clamped. On the count of two I took a deep breath, and on the count of three I exhaled while the needle was quickly pushed through. A little pain there, but no big deal. The only other part that hurt a little was when the needle was replaced with the jewelry.

After that, the stud in my left ear was replaced with a captive loop (18 ga, 3/8 dia). I was given care instructions and went on my way.

Next, I want to eventually replace the two 18 ga, 3/8 dia captive loops in my ear with slightly larger and thicker captive loops. I also want to get some captives in my right ear.

Peaches in da Hood...

Peaches in da Hood...
Originally uploaded by stuffle.

Here is our dog, Peaches, wearing the hood off of my wife's winter coat.

We can pretty much dress her (the dog, not my wife) up in any stupid thing we want. This lasted just about as long as it took her to figure out that no food was actually involved. At that point, she said "forget this", and shook the thing off...

Sad Start to the Season

Well, the news this morning is that Kirby Puckett has died from the stroke he suffered. Back in 1987 and 1991, when he went to the World Series with the Twins, we lived in NW Wisconsin, just about an hour from the twin cities. There were a lot of Twins fans up there, and Kirby was a big name. So, my condolences to all the hurting Twins fans out there...

Don't Ban The Brats!

If there is one thing here in Wisconsin that we love more than binge drinking at art museums, it is eating bratwurst. A lot of bratwurst. Now it seems some old coot up in Sheboygan wants to ban their annual bratwurst eating contest.

"It's gross," said Clarence Mertz, 84. "This is a situation where you are saying to the young children that it's OK to overeat. In fact, we sponsor a contest to reward the person who overeats the most. Overeating is an epidemic among young children. They should be told overeating is bad for their health."

Ignoring the fact that his argument is the typical nanny state B.S. that you get from these people, this is just plain wrong. Some traditions just are not meant to be messed with, Mr. Mertz.

Fellow Wisconsinites, be proud. Eat your brats (and cheese, especially if it is breaded and deep fried), and drink your beer, for tomorrow you may die (of a heart attack from all the brats and deep fried cheese curds)...

Ear Wax

I can totally relate to this cartoon...

Whoah, Barry!

All I can say is click here, and then check out the "Giants Idol" gallery...

Very scary!!