Craigslist drops adult ads

Craigslist is no longer hosting an "adult" section in the US.  The section was removed after at least 18 states threatened lawsuits.  They claim that allowing people to advertise sex on Craigslist will lead to evil things.

This is ridiculous.  It is simple freedom of speech to post ads on a site like Craigslist.  I do not view prostitution as a true crime; if someone wants to sell their body so be it.  There were certainly cases of human trafficking found on the site, but it was all out in the open.  By banning it here, these types of transactions will go further underground making it unsafer for all.  Of course the moralists will claim victory, since for them if it is out of sight it is out of mind.

Nats commentator fired for Strasburg comments

Washington Nationals color commentator Rob Dibble was fired by the Nats for some comments he made the day that (hopefully) future all star Stephen Strasburg tore his elbow up so bad that he's going to need Tommy John surgery.  Dibbles comments:

"OK, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow. ... Stop crying, go out there and pitch. Period." 

Obviously, he put his foot in his mouth.  He made these comments before he knew the extent of the injury.  


I liked Rob Dibble.  The Nats have had some pretty horrible color commentators courtesy of MASN.  The first I can remember was in 2006: Tom Paciorek.  It seemed he didn't know much about baseball, and he definitely didn't add anything to the show.  Next came greaseballer Don Sutton.  He knew a whole lot about pitching and provided good commentary, but he was an ass and completely unlikable.  Dibble on the other hand, was a likable ass and one of the few reasons to watch a Nats game.  He will be sorely missed by me.  Apparently I'm not alone.

Half Marathon Training Week 2, Days 1 and 2

Yesterday was a 4 mile fartlek, the second and last.  It is an unstructured interval workout.  I made it fairly tiring.

Today was a 5 mile easy run.  I took a new route today that led me past the courthouse, jail, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Half Marathon Training First Long Run

Today was the first long run in my training program, 6 miles.  To me this wasn't too bad since I often run up to 9 miles.  But given the hot weather, the code orange air alert, it was plenty challenging.

Half Marathon Training Day 4

After a day of rest, today was a short run (3 mi) in preparation for a longer one (6 mi) tomorrow.  I just ran around some neighborhoods and ran around the Jermantown Cemetery, one of the few peaceful places around here.

Upgrading to Mac OS X Snow Leopard without a CD drive

I just accomplished what I thought was impossible.  Since I found out that the DVD drive in my Macbook no longer works (though it does read CD's), I thought I would not be able to install Snow Leopard.  However, thanks to some online instructions I was able to convince OS X that I was not on a Macbook, but a Macbook Air.  This allowed me to put the OS X Snow Leopard Installation CD into my Windows PC, and install the OS X update over a network connection.  It did take a bit longer, but everything is up and running now.


Here are the steps I followed:


1. Put the Snow Leopard Disc into the Windows PC, and install the CD sharing program.  Enable CD sharing.
2. Go to System Preferences in the Mac and enable CD/DVD sharing
3. Open the terminal and use these commands:

 defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser EnableODiskBrowsing -bool true
 defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser ODSSupported -bool true

4. Restart the Mac

5. The Remote Disc should now show up in the finder.  Open it, click on install and proceed as normal.  Note that you CANNOT disconnect either computer during the install.

6. It took about 90 minutes

Half marathon Training Day 3

Today I woke up at 5:15am and was out and running by 5:50.  I ran the same route as the fartlek on day 1, except in reverse.  A bit over 4 miles, at exactly a 10 minute mile pace.

Tomorrow is my first rest day of the program, followed by a short run on Saturday and a long run on Sunday.

Half marathon Training Day 2

Today was a simple training day, just an easy 4 mile run at 6:30am.  My pace ended up being about 9:40 which is good considering the hills.

Half Marathon Training: 13.1 Day 1

Introduction:

I've registered for the Richmond half-marathon, on November 12, 2010.  This will be my first half marathon event.  Up til now, I have run two 5k's, one 10k, and will run another 10k during my half marathon training.

For those of you unfamiliar with distance running, a half marathon is 13.1 miles.

Today was the first day of my 12 week program.  I hope to be able to stick to it, but things will probably come up.  Injuries may occur, babies will be born, but I will do my best to follow at least 90% of it.

I've combined two plans, the Cool Running Half Marathon beginner plan and the Hal Higdon intermediate plan.  The Cool Running plans are a bit tougher, but based on my schedule they won't work the whole time through.

My weekly mileage:
15, 21, 20, 19, 21, 25, 23, 26, 24, 18, 22, 30 (last week includes the 13.1 run).

So without further ado, onto

Day 1:

I ran at 5:30 this morning. Today was a 4 mile fartlek.   Basically what that is is an unstructured interval.  I ran for about .85 miles as a warmup and then alternated quick sprints, 5k paces, 10k paces, and slower jogging.  I ran the normal loop around my condo.  There are only 2 fartleks in the training program: today and next week.  The rest of this week I'll be running easy runs on W, R, S and a long run on Sunday.

The Myth of Home Ownership

The NY Times is finally catching up to something I've been saying for the last couple of years: owning a home is not a good investment.  It is not necessarily a bad investment, but don't be fooled into thinking that home prices always go up, or that you will even be able to get out easily.

Those of you who bought houses in 2004-2006 could very well have to wait 15 years before you are in the black again, and that's negating the interest paid.  Homes can and do depreciate; just ask someone who bought a condo in a building that's gone to shit, or someone who bought a trailer.  Its just that now this attribute has crawled up the ladder.

Self Defense in MI

I haven't commented on the so called "road rage" shooting case in MI, since I know the defendant.  However, I feel that need to comment given today's development.  According to the Detroit Free Press, the jury was 9-3 in favor of acquittal.  Based on those I've spoken to about this case, I'd say the consensus is about right.  I personally feel that he should be acquitted, but I know those who feel otherwise and have good faith arguments.

It is a tough case, because it hinges on the jury trying to determine what the defendant's state of mind was at the time of the incident.  If he was angry, he is guilty, but if he was scared then he is innocent.  Based on the facts of the case, I think it is reasonable to assume that a person could be afraid in this circumstance.  Thus, he should walk.  I even think this supposed plea deal is too much, but probably better for him to take this than to roll the dice with the jury.

This all being said, the supposed victim in this case should also have been charged with assault, since he started the confrontation by leaving his vehicle.  We'll see what happens over the next few days, but this case should never have gone to trial in the first place.

Best Burger

No surprises here, Five Guys has the best burgers in the US according to Zagat.  They also were second best in fries (losing to McDonald's).  Congratulations Five Guys!

Full results here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38694233/ns/today-foodwine/

CA Proposition 8 Struck Down

Unfortunately the fight will continue.  But for now, same sex marriage is quasi legal again in California.  Key phrase in the ruling, which I wholeheartedly agree with:

"Race restrictions on marital partners were once common in most states but are now seen as archaic, shameful or even bizarre," he added. "Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals."

My America does not discriminate, whether it is on race, gender, or sexual orientation.  It is important that the Supreme Court rule that way, but I do fear that they may not.  However, for any Plessy v. Ferguson, there is a Brown v. Board of Education.  It can just take a few decades.

Ground Zero Mosque

I'm not one to say great things about any religion, but I'm also leery of government regulation of private activities.  This is why I think it is great that a mosque and Islamic center is being built in lower Manhattan. While some are calling this a "ground zero" mosque it is actually located several blocks away.  That's miles in NYC terms.  There are also bars and other establishments nearby.  We should not hold half of Manhattan sacred, and the government should definitely not block development.

Animal Style Cooking

I'm not a huge fan of In n Out Burger.  Having gone to one in San Francisco (Fisherman's Wharf location), I felt that it made burgers that were somewhat better than McDonald's, much worse than Five Guys, with an atmosphere somewhere in between.  But I forgot to order anything from the "secret menu".  Well, I made an Animal Style burger tonight at home, thanks to this guy who reverse engineered one.

I made a few substitutions to save time.
1. Used sharp cheddar cheese
2. Used irradiated beef, 80/20 (safer)
3. My buns had been frozen.

Result?  A pretty fucking tasty burger, if I do so say myself.  And I'll have some leftover for lunch tomorrow.