Unfortunate Headline

Not to make light of this man's death, but I saw this headline on ESPN.com this morning.

NHRA's Kalitta dies in Funny Car crash

Richard Dawkins, Atheism & Politics

I have become a big fan of Richard Dawkins, James Randi, Sam Harris & Daniel Dennett, collectively known as "The Four Horsemen." Here is a clip of Dawkins discussing the view of theism, atheism & politics.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=saFIIgM2_co

I Knew It Would Be A Bad Day...

I knew it would be a bad day today when I dropped my car keys in my juice cup.

Lies or Ignorance

Here is another example of straight lies or ignorance (you be the judge) from the "Creation Science Association of Mid-America." The title of the group should say enough. What exactly is scientific about creationism?

Anyway, here is the new depressing newsletter from this organization.

http://www.csama.org/csanews/nws200807.pdf.


I'll post my reaction when I get a little more time.

2008 U.S Open - This Expert's Picks

U.S. Open expert here. I will predict the Top 5 finishers for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. I will tell you why my picks are as solid as a Ben Hogan knock down and why not only will I be dancing, but be within gimmee range. Even my brother Kevin couldn't pull this off. First, an expert like myself must develop the proper criteria, a rubric, for selecting the golfers feeling the heart palpitations on Sunday and those doing the "Samsonite Slide" Friday afternoon. I will also tell you why other criteria, though seemingly important, did not make my list for this tournament. Since every major is different, here is my list of criteria for the 2008 U.S. Open

1. Record at Torrey Pines - This is self explanatory. If a guy likes the course, you have to go with him, U.S. Open setup or not.



2. % of Fairways Hit - This is always key in The Open. Keep it out of the rough and you have a chance.



3. Putts per Green - This is important in every major, but must be factored in with fairways hit. Chipping and one putting every green for bogey won't cut it.



4. G.I.R the Last 3 Starts - I like to see who is hitting the irons well coming into the U.S. Open. This shows relevant confidence and an ability to work the ball, necessary to hit shots to tough U.S. Open hole locations. Those sick sadistic USGA-ians!



5. Scrambling - You won't hit many greens in an Open, even at a more forgiving Torrey Pines. You better be able to get up and down.

Some of the criteria I don't rely on and why:

1. Scoring Avg. - The U.S. Open means one thing...numbers in the black. " The best golfers can shoot an 85 in the U.S. Open." Every little mistake is amplified under these conditions. You must throw it out.



2. Driving Distance - Torrey Pines might be playing almost 8,000 yards, but you'll be hacking out each shot with a pitching wedge if you can't keep it in San Diego.


3. Money List - I don't care if you won $800,000 after shooting 22-under at the FBR Open. This ain't the FBR Open (buckle down J.B!)

Given this criteria, I will now present you with the order of finish in the 2008 U.S. Open. These golfers may be tied with one another or tied with other golfers I do not mention, but they will be there!

1. Phil Mickelson - It is his year to win this major at this course.

2. Tiger Woods - Bad knee or not, he loves this course. Maybe just a little too much rust to pull out the victory.

3. Justin Rose - This limey will again make a run at another major, but it won't quite happen... yet.

4. Stewart Cink - This steady player always performs well in The Open, but once again he'll come up short.

5. Geoff Ogilvy - This course suits his game and he has the experience of winning it.

DARK HORSE - Robert Allenby(if his irons are on...watch out.)

****Tune in tomorrow when I post my jackpot sheet***

Brian Likes His Evolution Spicy (A Response to "Kung Pao Evolution" by Kevin)

"The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal law of increasing entropy, stating that the entropy of an isolated system which is not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium." - A loose definition from the "scholarly" Wikipedia.

Some creationists state evolution cannot exist due to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. This is my favorite argument. They argue things should devolve over time in our closed system...so god must be the giver and designer of life. The key to the 2nd Law is the "isolated system" tidbit. Remember the huge, glowing orb that heats and lights the Earth? Yeah...it's called the Sun.

Also, I have a quibble with people who believe the Universe is not in chaos. Sure, some portions have some order. In a place as vast as the Universe, given enough time & due to natural laws...some order is bound to occur. They seem to forget the fact just about everything seems to be expanding at an increasing rate, stars are exploding, galaxies are colliding with on another and black holes are swallowing star systems like I down a bag of M&M's.

Let's narrow the focus, however, and just think about Earth. Our planet is periodically bombarded (on a geological time scale) by large objects from space. Tons and tons of new debris falls to the Earth every year. Our planet is blasted by X-rays & Gamma rays...even Stevie Ray, Ray Charles and Charlotte Rhea. And this is just a small example of what goes on on this "pale blue dot."

Yep...this is one orderly closed system he "created."

2nd Grader Commits to Kentucky

Heard this at work the other day...pretty funny.

http://wkdzsports.typepad.com/sportsbytes/2008/05/second-grader-c.html

"That's My Dad's Shootin' Car" - West Virginia voter

West Virginia's primary is tomorrow. An article on the Financial Times website yesterday about the state's voters proved Barack Obama to be correct. I have not decided on my vote as of yet, but this may help lead me in a certain direction.

West Virginia is seen as a major challenge, if not an impossiblity, for Obama to win on Tuesday because it has few African-Americans & few college-educated whites. "The state has the lowest college graduation rate in the U.S., the second lowest median household income, and one of the highest proportions of white residents, at 96 percent." After interviewing several democratic voters in the small town of Williamson, none of them said they would vote for Obama.

“I heard that Obama is a Muslim and his wife’s an atheist,” said Mr
Simpson [not to beconfused with Homer Simpson, who joined the NRA in 1998], drawing on a cigarette outside the fire station in Williamson, a
coalmining town of 3,400 people surrounded by lush wooded
hillsides.'

Several weeks ago while campaigning in Pennsylvania, Barack Obama made a comment about "bitter" small town people who "cling to guns or religion." Looking at Williamson, "[w]ith a gun shop on its main street and churches dotted throughout the town," Williamson is that kind of community referenced by Obama.

'"If he is the nominee, the Democrats have no chance of winning West
Virginia,” said Missy Endicott, a 40- year-old school administrator. “He doesn’t
understand ordinary Americans.”'

Aaaah, my dear Missy...I think he understands ordinary Americans very well.

quotes from :W Virginia keeps distance from Obama
By Andrew Ward
Published: May 11
2008 20:13

How Do You Spell Relief? Not I-s-r-i-n-g-h-a-u-s-e-n.

Just a quick post. The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a small winning streak despite giving up plenty of runs in the 8th & 9th innings the last few games. It finally caught up to them tonight. Izzy gave up 4 in the 8th to lose 4-3. This bullpen will not get us very far. Please hurry back Carpenter & Mulder...we need your stitched-upped, gnarled arms!

Where Art Thou, Dr. Zeus?

Was there ever a "Twilight Zone" episode where everyone, except the unsuspecting businessman in the fedora, seemed to regress, or de-evolve (devolve?) and before he knew it neanderthals were roaming the streets devouring stray dogs, looting butcher shops & doing Geico commercials? I feel like that guy(minus the snazzy fedora). Recently several states have started looking to pass "academic freedom" legislation that would encourage, or force, teachers in public schools to raise doubts about Darwin's theories & evolutionary biology as it pertains to human origins. Never mind there is no credible scientific evidence to the contrary(I am well aware Darwinian evolution is pretty much gone the way of the Dodo. Darwin wouldn't recognize modern evolutionary biology. He was simply the "father" of the theory of natural selection. Evolutionary Biology grew from this foundation, however most creationists miss this point). Will we start teaching alternative geographical "theories"? You never know...the whole damn earth just may be flat! How about alternative Mathematical theories? "2 + 2 = 4 is all well and good, but I feel I would be slapping God in the face if I didn't say it equals 7."

Most recent surveys across the United States show the majority of people don't believe in evolution (which tells me they do not understand it) and a god created us very much the way we are now. This includes people who are not really that religious. Is this the education system letting us down or the unfortunate, disgusting & powerful influence of theistic willful ignorance taught in the home? My guess is the latter. Whatever the problem, it scares the hell out of me. I think I'll go back to my cave before the dark swallows me, wonder where the sun went and throw feces at the wall until I feel better.

A Rain Delay, 17 Innings & A Cold

Thankfully our home stand is over and I now have 4 days off to recover. Not only was our 5 game stretch at home cold, it was also longer than any other 5 game stretch I've ever worked. Saturdays game went 13 innings...which we lost. Sundays game was longer than normal, but we also has a booster club luncheon afterward. Monday's game was the killer. We new rain was coming, we just didn't know how much. The rain delayed the start of the game by only 40 minutes. After the rain, however, the temperature dropped into the low 40's with 20-30 mph winds. We then proceeded to play 17 innings of baseball until our first baseman was forced to pitch and gave up 2 runs breaking a 2-2 tie. I got home a little before 2 am. I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I swallowed a pin cushion, dizzy and worn out (to many people that would have meant a good night). I suffered through our 11:05 am Education Day game today knowing I could go home and rest soon after. I now have 4 days to rest and hopefully feel better before Derby Day.

More Cincy Trip...

The Mysterious Blood Gutter

After gathering my keys and stuffing my wallet in my back right pants pocket, I hoisted my back pack over my shoulder and stepped out the door for another day of work. I turned from locking the door, it's black paint chipping exposing the gray metal underneath, and strode toward the top of the steps. Before taking the first step, I looked down to find an extremely large pool of blood on the second step from the top. My first thought was blood, but it was only in the one spot. I didn't see a trail of smaller drops leading to our neighboring apartment or further down the steps. I then second guessed myself and thought someone had spilled a red drink or dessert. After closer inspection, I knew it was blood. I stepped over the pool and went down a few steps. I turned around and looked up at the gutter. There was a red streak on the outer edge of the gutter directly above the pool. The blood was no longer dripping, but it appeared extremely fresh. It was very red and had not yet taken on the brownish rust color. I figure it must have been a raccoon, possum or squirrel that had cut itself, maybe on the gutter. I'll keep you updated if I see any animals with fresh stitches.

One Disappointed Geology Dork

It seems all of Louisville and the entire Ohio Valley were awakened by last weeks 5.2 earthquake west of Evansville on the Indiana-Illinois border. That is everyone except Beth & I. I have long wanted to feel an earthquake (except for the concrete and wood beams falling on my head). When I am finally presented an opportunity, I sleep through it like I was on a NyQuil bender the night before. I have not asked a single person yet who did not feel it. I have a friggin' link to the USGS on my blog and I am the only person I know who consistently reads books on Geology...but I stay asleep. CRRAAAAAAAAAAP!

Anyway, the ballpark had its share of minor damage. The quake created a little ripple in center field which the grounds crew had to sand, tamp down & re-sod. We watched the surveillance cameras when we came into work and you can definitely see them bouncing around. One even picked up a tree trembling in the parking lot. It is easy to tell a tree moving due to wind compared to a tree being shaken. All in all, very interesting for my first earthquake experience...I just missed out on the actual shaking. CRRAAAAAP!

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

I remember Mark reading this book not too long ago and decided to pick it up at Half-Price Books while selling a few stinkers. I figured it would be a short, quick read while I decided what I really wanted to read next. I can't say it's the best book I ever read...not even top 20. However, it is a unique and interesting book. Assuming the point of view created by Mark Haddon (the author) is correct, it gives an interesting perspective from the viewpoint of an autistic person. The funny thing is, I found myself identifying with Christopher (the main character). Sometimes all a person wants is white noise and be left to their fancies.

Things are Going to Start Happening to Me Now!

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=B2&Date=20080414&Category=SPORTS07&ArtNo=804140810&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=13

Miscellaneous Thoughts

First, I hope any Hoosiers reading my drivel don't take it seriously. Having numerous wonderful family members who reside or were born in the Hoosier State, it is more of a friendly jab than anything else.

Second, what is up with the twitching. For the past year I feel my muscles have taken on a life of their own. It's not what it sounds like...I'm not ready for the Cougar 3000 (see Seinfeld for reference). I often have muscle twitches taking place in my back and in my arms and legs. Last week, I encountered a weird fluttering of my left eardrum. It wasn't loud, just odd. I noticed it made the sound when I rubbed the top of my head (don't laugh...I couldn't make this up). I used some ear drops and it seems to have helped. It is the ear with which I have had past trouble. Last night, a new and even more bizarre twitch developed. It felt as if someone was gently bending the top of my right ear in short, quick little pulses. No muscle in that part of the ear...just cartilage and nerves.

Based on these experiences, I have formed a theory when it comes to people who experience "ghosts" touching them. Most of these little episodes do feel as if someone is poking on the muscle (or "bending your ear"). It is completely possible many of these ghostly encounters could be debunked and written off to no more than a twitch. Or maybe it's a small toad or a dwarf living in my stomach. Oh well...I guess I'll go see the Barber for a good bleeding.

A Pirate Looks at Forty (Cents)

I haven't had the chance recently to get out and detect much, but this is what I have found the past couple of weeks. It's not much, but I have not gone to any interesting places either. You've read about the bottle cap and the salamander and the rest is mostly pennies, dimes & quarters (I have found very few nickels...not really sure why). I have found a few tokens (one to The Park & another with the skull & bones-the back has a treasure chest. I thought this was funny because it represents all I want to find in a cheap little kids coin...except for the bones). I did find my first foreign currency in a Canadian cent. It's not a big deal, but it's somewhat of a milestone in my short detecting-life.

Is 40 Days & 40 Nights Too Much to Ask?

In anticipation of the heavy rains forecasted this week in the wake of last weeks deluge, I thought it appropriate to republish my poem...

Metallic Garden Globes & the Fiberoptic Tee Pee
The great Iroquoian river erodes
carving Ken-tah-ten
dividing the land of tomorrow
from land of native men.
North of the muddy ribbon
parasitic towns emerged
oh' only if tomorrow
had purged this festering scourge
Now the lights of winter
cast bleak shadows on our face
as we gaze o'er the river
and ponder wasted space
Glaciers past devoured, scoured
a once proud pristine land.
Now our hope lies with rain drenched skies
to use what is close at hand
Oh river, oh river swell thee wide
depths deadly deep
quicken your current, reclaim your road
and from us Hoosiers keep.

("Ken-tah-ten" is Iroquoian, translated as Land of Tomorrow)

Smallmouth Salamander

Since Beth was in Lexington Tuesday night with Mary Kay, I decided to head over to Charlie Vettiner Park and do some detecting. I headed toward a huge open field I was sure would yield few finds, but do to a lack of recent research, I was basically out for the fresh air. One lone tree stood in the middle of the field. I searched around it for a few minutes and got a hit on something that ended up, like I expected, to be a piece of aluminum. However, in digging for it I came across this ugly little cuss a few inches down. In my limited searching of the web, I think it is a smallmouth salamander.

The picture on top is from the web, the one on the bottom taken with my cell phone. It's blurry, but the toes are identical to the "web specimen." He's lucky I didn't slice him in two. I gently buried him back under the tree. Hopefully he will survive the ordeal of being dragged from hibernation. If anyone thinks this is a different critter, let me know.

I also found $.37 in clad. Besides Mr. Slimy, the neatest find was a Coca-Cola bottle cap. Usually, bottle caps are a nuisance, but this was different. It was obviously off an actual glass Coke bottle. It was in great shape except for the edges being bent in. The top was shiny and looked new. It read "Instant Winner" & Coca-Cola in the famous script underneath. I turned the cap over and I saw the familiar blue-green rubber disc with writing underneath. It was good for (1) Free Admission to an Early Bird Matinee at Champs Roller Dome at any participating Louisville or Lexington location. Unfortunately, I'll have to keep my skates in the closet. The expiration date was 10/31/84. DAMN IT!

(I'll post pictures when I get more booty)