Just Another Day At Work

I work at The University of the Arts. I'm not much of an artist. I do things here most folks would consider pretty boring, but hey, it puts clothes on the kids and buys good beer, so I won't complain. Yesterday, the University community got together for one of our great traditions. Every other year we take a photo of the whole darn place in one big room. It's called The Big Shot. Students wear wigs, hold signs, dance, sing and generally act like themselves. Prospective students get to be in on it too! As usual, I had my camera and took a few dozen shots of the mayhem. They are up on my Flickr site here. Note co-workers Cisco, Duran and Carolyn as "The Box Robot Army." Not sure. Just don't know. There's also a shot or two of my crew as well as UArts junior and American Idol star Nicole Tranquillo. It was a fun thing to be a part of something like this. And yeah, that's a foot in that photo. Have a good day! C

Just Another Day At Work

I work at The University of the Arts. I'm not much of an artist. I do things here most folks would consider pretty boring, but hey, it puts clothes on the kids and buys good beer, so I won't complain. Yesterday, the University community got together for one of our great traditions. Every other year we take a photo of the whole darn place in one big room. It's called The Big Shot. Students wear wigs, hold signs, dance, sing and generally act like themselves. Prospective students get to be in on it too!

As usual, I had my camera and took a few dozen shots of the mayhem. They are up on my Flickr site here. Note co-workers Cisco, Duran and Carolyn as "The Box Robot Army." Not sure. Just don't know. There's also a shot or two of my crew as well as UArts junior and American Idol star Nicole Tranquillo.

It was a fun thing to be a part of something like this. And yeah, that's a foot in that photo.

Have a good day!

C

I'm Speechless - Blogger Gets Death Threats

And that does not happen very much. For some time I have been writing about how blogging finally puts the means of publication into the hands of the producers. No longer do writers need someone to sanction their thoughts and back them to be published. And about 99.44% of the time, this is a VERY GOOD THING. But somebody always has to mess shit up. This morning, in my normal troll through the randomness of life on the Interwebthingy, I found this horribly disturbing blog. It details a series of threats of violence and sex against Kathy Sierra, a well-known blogger, that caused her to have to cancel a speaking engagement and get the police involved. Her blog is usually very good and in no way is there anything in it that might have triggered such a horrible response. It's good that the police are involved and that the blog community has rallied around Sierra. The people who did this are sick, twisted scum who should be be prosecuted. It's never acceptable to use the freedom of the press in such a way that you threaten the physical well-being of another. Such behavior IS ILLEGAL, chills interaction, threatens potential regulation and should be dealt with severely.

I'm Speechless - Blogger Gets Death Threats

And that does not happen very much. For some time I have been writing about how blogging finally puts the means of publication into the hands of the producers. No longer do writers need someone to sanction their thoughts and back them to be published. And about 99.44% of the time, this is a VERY GOOD THING.

But somebody always has to mess shit up. This morning, in my normal troll through the randomness of life on the Interwebthingy, I found this horribly disturbing blog. It details a series of threats of violence and sex against Kathy Sierra, a well-known blogger, that caused her to have to cancel a speaking engagement and get the police involved. Her blog is usually very good and in no way is there anything in it that might have triggered such a horrible response.

It's good that the police are involved and that the blog community has rallied around Sierra. The people who did this are sick, twisted scum who should be be prosecuted. It's never acceptable to use the freedom of the press in such a way that you threaten the physical well-being of another. Such behavior IS ILLEGAL, chills interaction, threatens potential regulation and should be dealt with severely.

Jason Ray, UNC Mascot, Dead at 21

Just a quick update to note that since this morning's post, Jason Ray, the 21 year old senior mascot for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels has passed away. The Associated Press says that the NCAA is discussing how to memorialize Ray's life at this weekend's men's Final Four in Atlanta. CBS has a nice story here that re-caps the last few days. I can't imagine how they must feel at this time. My son John is six and Emma is three and I have so many hopes and dreams for them. I can't imagine losing them so young. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

Jason Ray, UNC Mascot, Dead at 21

Just a quick update to note that since this morning's post, Jason Ray, the 21 year old senior mascot for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels has passed away.

The Associated Press says that the NCAA is discussing how to memorialize Ray's life at this weekend's men's Final Four in Atlanta. CBS has a nice story here that re-caps the last few days.

I can't imagine how they must feel at this time. My son John is six and Emma is three and I have so many hopes and dreams for them. I can't imagine losing them so young.

My thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

Anna Nicole Still Dead

Apparently it's news that Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose. I am not surprised a bit. What surprises me is that there were no illegal drugs, either in her system or in her hotel room. Guess the maid got there first. The number one search on the internet today is "Anna Nicole Smith Photos." Some things never change. Here's my question. Will the next generation's Elton John produce a song about this Playboy starlet. Is she the Turn of the 21st Century's Marilyn? I gotta think not. You never saw her on the arm of the President (not even that horndog Bill Clinton) and she was never cool enough to run with the Rat Pack, not even George Clooney's version. Still the world seems a little less glittery and a tiny bit less fun, doesn't it? Bracketology In in the 73rd percentile in the nation, three of my Final Four are alive, and my national champion handed UNC its ass in OT last night. Still I only win my pools if Georgetown wins it all. Go Hoyas! Puts It All In Perspective Jason Ray, UNC Senior and hoops mascot remains on life support. I know how much kids like Jason put into their support of teams. I wish his family well. Have a good one. C

Anna Nicole Still Dead

Apparently it's news that Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose. I am not surprised a bit. What surprises me is that there were no illegal drugs, either in her system or in her hotel room. Guess the maid got there first. The number one search on the internet today is "Anna Nicole Smith Photos." Some things never change.

Here's my question. Will the next generation's Elton John produce a song about this Playboy starlet. Is she the Turn of the 21st Century's Marilyn? I gotta think not. You never saw her on the arm of the President (not even that horndog Bill Clinton) and she was never cool enough to run with the Rat Pack, not even George Clooney's version.

Still the world seems a little less glittery and a tiny bit less fun, doesn't it?

Bracketology

In in the 73rd percentile in the nation, three of my Final Four are alive, and my national champion handed UNC its ass in OT last night. Still I only win my pools if Georgetown wins it all. Go Hoyas!

Puts It All In Perspective

Jason Ray, UNC Senior and hoops mascot remains on life support. I know how much kids like Jason put into their support of teams. I wish his family well.

Have a good one.

C

Spring Has Sprung

Internal Clock It's amazing. As soon as the calendar said that spring was actually here, I started to get the itch to head out into the yard and do some work. What causes that? I want to get the spreader out and put down the Scott's Turfbuilder plus Halts or whatever, gather up the fallen branches, trim up the bushes and plant some flowers. Yeah I'm a guy and all, but I do love to get out and mess around in the yard and I would love to know why last week I had zero desire to do anything and now I am suddenly ready. I was out there briefly, and while the spring sunshine LOOKS warm, the wind cuts pretty hard just to remind me it's still March. Maybe next week. Timeline Finally Set On Iraq The House Democrats pushed through a measure (HR 1591) this week to set an end date on the war in Iraq. While it's unlikely this measure will become law since President Shrub says he will veto it, I think it begins to show that things are starting to change in DC. The final vote was 218-212-1. My initial question was who the hell elected a guy who votes PRESENT on a WAR??? Then I read this. Mr. Stark, you have immense courage and I stand humbly corrected.

Spring Has Sprung

Internal Clock

It's amazing. As soon as the calendar said that spring was actually here, I started to get the itch to head out into the yard and do some work. What causes that? I want to get the spreader out and put down the Scott's Turfbuilder plus Halts or whatever, gather up the fallen branches, trim up the bushes and plant some flowers.

Yeah I'm a guy and all, but I do love to get out and mess around in the yard and I would love to know why last week I had zero desire to do anything and now I am suddenly ready. I was out there briefly, and while the spring sunshine LOOKS warm, the wind cuts pretty hard just to remind me it's still March.

Maybe next week.

Timeline Finally Set On Iraq

The House Democrats pushed through a measure (HR 1591) this week to set an end date on the war in Iraq. While it's unlikely this measure will become law since President Shrub says he will veto it, I think it begins to show that things are starting to change in DC. The final vote was 218-212-1. My initial question was who the hell elected a guy who votes PRESENT on a WAR???

Then I read this. Mr. Stark, you have immense courage and I stand humbly corrected.

OK - I Am Officially Worried

Tom Gordon can't find the strike zone, Freddy Garcia is pitching like Karim Garcia and the lineup is hitting about .240. And this team comes north next week. Even Uncle Charlie is starting to fret:

“We need to get off to a fast start and this definitely makes me concerned,'' he said. “Do you think jumping off the Causeway Bridge would help?”

Think the Phils' manager is looking around and noting all these guys on his coaching staff that have managerial experience? Think that's what has him worried? The Phils know one thing for sure. Brett Myers will be on the mound when the Phightin's open the season against the Braves at 1:05 on April 2nd at Citizens bank Park. Matt and I will be there. Bracketology Pitt killed me. I still have 3 of my 4 final four alive, but only 40 picks right so far out of 56 puts me in the 52nd percentile nationwide. Oregon is a surprise, UNC and Kansas look VERY scary. I'll stick with my Hoyas pick, but I will not be surprised if the Tar Heel Nation hoists the trophy. Sad Note Jason Ray, the University of North Carolina senior who portrays the Ramses mascot at athletic events was struck by a SUV and critically injured yesterday just hours before the UNC win over USC. Roy Williams addressed the issue after the game. My thoughts go out o him and his family.

OK - I Am Officially Worried

Tom Gordon can't find the strike zone, Freddy Garcia is pitching like Karim Garcia and the lineup is hitting about .240.

And this team comes north next week.

Even Uncle Charlie is starting to fret:

“We need to get off to a fast start and this definitely makes me concerned,'' he said. “Do you think jumping off the Causeway Bridge would help?”

Think the Phils' manager is looking around and noting all these guys on his coaching staff that have managerial experience? Think that's what has him worried?

The Phils know one thing for sure. Brett Myers will be on the mound when the Phightin's open the season against the Braves at 1:05 on April 2nd at Citizens bank Park. Matt and I will be there.

Bracketology

Pitt killed me. I still have 3 of my 4 final four alive, but only 40 picks right so far out of 56 puts me in the 52nd percentile nationwide. Oregon is a surprise, UNC and Kansas look VERY scary.

I'll stick with my Hoyas pick, but I will not be surprised if the Tar Heel Nation hoists the trophy.

Sad Note

Jason Ray, the University of North Carolina senior who portrays the Ramses mascot at athletic events was struck by a SUV and critically injured yesterday just hours before the UNC win over USC. Roy Williams addressed the issue after the game. My thoughts go out o him and his family.

Priorities

This Guy Needs To Get His in Order John Edwards just announced that he will continue his presidential bid despite the fact that his wife Elizabeth's cancer has returned. Ok. You are running for president and you find out your wife has cancer that is likely incurable. Only a COMPLETE ASSHOLE keeps running for president at that point. I've never been a fan of Edwards. I think he's style over substance at a time when America needs leadership with credibility. This decision now makes me wonder if he would be capable of handling the complex decisions of the presidency. I know he's saying his wife is forcing him to stay in the race, but he can say no. He can say thanks for your support dear, but my most important job is here with you now. My other issue here is that he told us that his wife being cancer-free was a major factor in his getting into the race. Now suddenly it doesn't matter. I see a credibility gap. At any rate, I sure hope that her treatment is successful and this is all a minor setback for her. Phoenix Has It Priority that is. Over Philly. The Daily News has a rather confusing story today that basically boils down to this: more people live in Phoenix than live in Philadelphia. We dropped from 5th largest city in the US to 6th. Probably sometime last year. Bummer. At least we still have grass. Umm Yeah No-Brainer Here Ok. I'll admit I have done it. But texting should not be your priority when driving. Our friends in Trenton are ready to help us by banning texting while driving. You already can't use a cell phone when driving in NJ. Yeah right. Thanks to Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester, and David Mayer, D-Gloucester, we now have another thing that we wont be allow to do. Sure. Uh-huh.

Priorities

This Guy Needs To Get His in Order

John Edwards just announced that he will continue his presidential bid despite the fact that his wife Elizabeth's cancer has returned. Ok. You are running for president and you find out your wife has cancer that is likely incurable. Only a COMPLETE ASSHOLE keeps running for president at that point.

I've never been a fan of Edwards. I think he's style over substance at a time when America needs leadership with credibility. This decision now makes me wonder if he would be capable of handling the complex decisions of the presidency.

I know he's saying his wife is forcing him to stay in the race, but he can say no. He can say thanks for your support dear, but my most important job is here with you now.

My other issue here is that he told us that his wife being cancer-free was a major factor in his getting into the race. Now suddenly it doesn't matter. I see a credibility gap.

At any rate, I sure hope that her treatment is successful and this is all a minor setback for her.

Phoenix Has It

Priority that is. Over Philly. The Daily News has a rather confusing story today that basically boils down to this: more people live in Phoenix than live in Philadelphia. We dropped from 5th largest city in the US to 6th. Probably sometime last year.

Bummer. At least we still have grass.

Umm Yeah No-Brainer Here

Ok. I'll admit I have done it. But texting should not be your priority when driving. Our friends in Trenton are ready to help us by banning texting while driving. You already can't use a cell phone when driving in NJ. Yeah right. Thanks to Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester, and David Mayer, D-Gloucester, we now have another thing that we wont be allow to do. Sure. Uh-huh.

Snow, Stephen and Bo

I have to consider the possibility that Philadelphia is being paid to store snow for other communities. There is snow EVERYWHERE. I thought the white stuff was fun and all this weekend, but coming into the city today made me think twice. I mean what are my wage taxes paying for if not snow removal in Center Friggin' City. It's not like this is Outer Manyunk or Mayfair. This is the Gayborhood! And property owners, if I managed to get off my butt and shovel my walk, you can at least pay someone to shovel yours. I damn near fell on my ass at 13th and Spruce because some slumlord hasn't even considered the potential liability of his uncleared sidewalks (left). Eventually It Had To Happen I agree with Stephen A. Smith. Finally. He has finally written a column where he doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. He rips the fans. He rips Mr. Snider. He snubs the players. Last night, after the 76ers lost by 50 at home, Mr. Smith Went To The Visitor Locker Room. Skipped the home guys. No matter. They weren't talking much after posting the worst home loss in franchise history. The Rockets were though:

"We were up by 40, dunking the basketball," Rockets point guard Rafer Alston said after the game.

The Sixers "didn't give any hard fouls," surprised Rockets guard Kirk Snyder added. "They didn't get called for any technicals."

It's sad that these guys have no heart and now they have no Kevin Durant or Greg Oden.

Bo Ryan Doesn't Get It

The Pride of Aston or Chester or Brookhaven or where ever he says he's from, Bo Ryan, just doesn't get it. In one of the great stories of this NCAA Tournament, his Wisconsin badgers were BOMBED by UNLV's Kevin Kruger, son of head coach Lon Kruger. In this article, Ryan complains that Kruger should not have been able to play in the game because of his circuitous road to eligibility at UNLV. How can you fault a kid who wants to play for his dad? Hey Bo, I love ya man. I loved what you did for D3 at Platteville. I love the defensive intensity. But when you get your ass handed to you in The Show, be gracious.

Enjoy!

C

Snow, Stephen and Bo

I have to consider the possibility that Philadelphia is being paid to store snow for other communities. There is snow EVERYWHERE. I thought the white stuff was fun and all this weekend, but coming into the city today made me think twice. I mean what are my wage taxes paying for if not snow removal in Center Friggin' City. It's not like this is Outer Manyunk or Mayfair. This is the Gayborhood! And property owners, if I managed to get off my butt and shovel my walk, you can at least pay someone to shovel yours. I damn near fell on my ass at 13th and Spruce because some slumlord hasn't even considered the potential liability of his uncleared sidewalks (left).

Eventually It Had To Happen

I agree with Stephen A. Smith. Finally. He has finally written a column where he doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. He rips the fans. He rips Mr. Snider. He snubs the players. Last night, after the 76ers lost by 50 at home, Mr. Smith Went To The Visitor Locker Room. Skipped the home guys. No matter. They weren't talking much after posting the worst home loss in franchise history.

The Rockets were though:

"We were up by 40, dunking the basketball," Rockets point guard Rafer Alston said after the game.

The Sixers "didn't give any hard fouls," surprised Rockets guard Kirk Snyder added. "They didn't get called for any technicals."

It's sad that these guys have no heart and now they have no Kevin Durant or Greg Oden.

Bo Ryan Doesn't Get It

The Pride of Aston or Chester or Brookhaven or where ever he says he's from, Bo Ryan, just doesn't get it. In one of the great stories of this NCAA Tournament, his Wisconsin badgers were BOMBED by UNLV's Kevin Kruger, son of head coach Lon Kruger. In this article, Ryan complains that Kruger should not have been able to play in the game because of his circuitous road to eligibility at UNLV.

How can you fault a kid who wants to play for his dad?

Hey Bo, I love ya man. I loved what you did for D3 at Platteville. I love the defensive intensity. But when you get your ass handed to you in The Show, be gracious.

Enjoy!

C

March Snowball Fights and Much More

On Friday, we had a messy late winter snow storm that covered the Delaware Valley in 3-6 inches of wet snow and sleet. It was a pretty, but a bear to drive in. I like snow and I seem to live in a spot that gets more than the surrounding area. John loves that we get more snow here than at Mommy's house. However, as you can tell from the photo to the right, John is ready for spring. Yesterday, he and Eli and Eli's sisters had a great snowball fight in the back yard. A few photos are up at my Flickr site. I remember all of the great snowball fights I had as a kid back in Brookhaven with Greg and Matt and the girls. Mr. Feld was always around to help construct complicated snow forts and walls and participate in the fights. Billy Wagner - Moron In Jim Salisbury's column today, he reveals again, for anyone who has missed it before, that Billy Wagner is a moron. You may remember that Wagner played here for a few years, before moving on to New York because he could not handle ... the fans. he claims that the fans will be the Phils' downfall this year. Brett Myers puts some sanity into the article by noting:

"That's why Billy couldn't make it here. He could have been a superstar in Philly. The fans loved him because he threw 100. But he chose to focus on the negative part instead of the positive: The fans are the way they are because they care."

And that's why Brett Myers will make it here. Despite being a wife beater, Myers gets it. he understand who pays his salary and who the people are who care enough about a sport to enable him to throw a baseball for a living. Bracketology I am 8-2 in the second round games so far as March Madness rolls on. That puts me in the 98th percentile of all online pools and behind only Goot in each of the two online pools I am in. Who knows how I am doing against the folks at UArts.

March Snowball Fights and Much More

On Friday, we had a messy late winter snow storm that covered the Delaware Valley in 3-6 inches of wet snow and sleet. It was a pretty, but a bear to drive in. I like snow and I seem to live in a spot that gets more than the surrounding area. John loves that we get more snow here than at Mommy's house. However, as you can tell from the photo to the right, John is ready for spring.

Yesterday, he and Eli and Eli's sisters had a great snowball fight in the back yard. A few photos are up at my Flickr site. I remember all of the great snowball fights I had as a kid back in Brookhaven with Greg and Matt and the girls. Mr. Feld was always around to help construct complicated snow forts and walls and participate in the fights.

Billy Wagner - Moron

In Jim Salisbury's column today, he reveals again, for anyone who has missed it before, that Billy Wagner is a moron. You may remember that Wagner played here for a few years, before moving on to New York because he could not handle ... the fans. he claims that the fans will be the Phils' downfall this year. Brett Myers puts some sanity into the article by noting:

"That's why Billy couldn't make it here. He could have been a superstar in Philly. The fans loved him because he threw 100. But he chose to focus on the negative part instead of the positive: The fans are the way they are because they care."

And that's why Brett Myers will make it here. Despite being a wife beater, Myers gets it. he understand who pays his salary and who the people are who care enough about a sport to enable him to throw a baseball for a living.

Bracketology

I am 8-2 in the second round games so far as March Madness rolls on. That puts me in the 98th percentile of all online pools and behind only Goot in each of the two online pools I am in. Who knows how I am doing against the folks at UArts.

Cats Run Done

It was pretty clear to me early on last night that the Nova Cats were not going to move on in the NCAA tournament. Sorry Mr. Davis. By halftime, I was ready to move upstairs to watch the game from bed. While the score was not yet indicative of what would be the final result, I have seen enough basketball to know that size and speed are usually deadly. Size, speed and experience are ALWAYS deadly when you are a rag-tag group of freshmen and sophomores being by a gimpy senior. The win by Tubby's Team may still not be enough to save his job. This was a fun year to follow this team. They lost a ton off of last year's #1 seeded team and yet managed to post more than 20 wins, slip into the NCAA tournament and topple a few giants along the way. Hopefully Jay Wright was on the phone to his recruits last night after the game, or at least today, talking to a few guys over 6'5". The y0ung guards on this squad could do a lot of damage if they had some big guys to help balance the attack. Similarly, Villanova could play a bit more zone against teams to switch things up if they had some tree-toppers in the middle. Bracketology I went 25-7 in the first round. Not too bad. That puts me tied with my brother for last in his office pool and in the 75% world-wide in the Yahoo pick 'ems. I would have done a bit better if I had put my money where my mouth was. I had been telling people all week that Winthrop was going to beat Notre Dame. And they did. I just didn't pick the game that way! I've only got one loss that projects into the second round, so I am ok so far. A lot better than some folks. The Kids We are all here in the snow today. Made a long trip from Joe Sestak's Higher Ed Summit in West Chester to pick them up yesterday afternoon and get back here safely. We were all pretty exhausted, hence the lack of an update yesterday. Emma is playing kitchen and John is playing football. How much more typical can you get? Have a good one! C

Cats Run Done

It was pretty clear to me early on last night that the Nova Cats were not going to move on in the NCAA tournament. Sorry Mr. Davis. By halftime, I was ready to move upstairs to watch the game from bed. While the score was not yet indicative of what would be the final result, I have seen enough basketball to know that size and speed are usually deadly. Size, speed and experience are ALWAYS deadly when you are a rag-tag group of freshmen and sophomores being by a gimpy senior. The win by Tubby's Team may still not be enough to save his job.

This was a fun year to follow this team. They lost a ton off of last year's #1 seeded team and yet managed to post more than 20 wins, slip into the NCAA tournament and topple a few giants along the way. Hopefully Jay Wright was on the phone to his recruits last night after the game, or at least today, talking to a few guys over 6'5". The y0ung guards on this squad could do a lot of damage if they had some big guys to help balance the attack. Similarly, Villanova could play a bit more zone against teams to switch things up if they had some tree-toppers in the middle.

Bracketology

I went 25-7 in the first round. Not too bad. That puts me tied with my brother for last in his office pool and in the 75% world-wide in the Yahoo pick 'ems. I would have done a bit better if I had put my money where my mouth was. I had been telling people all week that Winthrop was going to beat Notre Dame. And they did. I just didn't pick the game that way! I've only got one loss that projects into the second round, so I am ok so far. A lot better than some folks.

The Kids

We are all here in the snow today. Made a long trip from Joe Sestak's Higher Ed Summit in West Chester to pick them up yesterday afternoon and get back here safely. We were all pretty exhausted, hence the lack of an update yesterday. Emma is playing kitchen and John is playing football. How much more typical can you get?

Have a good one!

C

The Madness is Upon Us

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Tournament is officially underway. Today should be a National Frigging Holiday! Bill Simmons has some hilarious lines in his tournament preview. Check out the setup that Enrico found some guy using to follow The Show. Here is further proof that Tony Bruno is God. Check out Amanda, the Hooters chick who called his show today to say that she had broken up with her boyfriend and wants to move to LA. Good luck there TonE! Enjoy my friends. It's the best weekend of the year. All live, all free, right here on CBS On Demand. Good luck with your brackets.

The Madness is Upon Us

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Tournament is officially underway.

Today should be a National Frigging Holiday!

Bill Simmons has some hilarious lines in his tournament preview.

Check out the setup that Enrico found some guy using to follow The Show.

Here is further proof that Tony Bruno is God. Check out Amanda, the Hooters chick who called his show today to say that she had broken up with her boyfriend and wants to move to LA. Good luck there TonE!

Enjoy my friends. It's the best weekend of the year. All live, all free, right here on CBS On Demand.

Good luck with your brackets.

Gregg Henson Comments

Illegal photo

Library of Congress This rather blurry photo of the main reading room of the Library of Congress was taken today while I was on a guided tour there. No photos are allowed of the room (no reason given) and it's through 1.5 inches of glass on a cellphone camera. Incredibly beautiful room. Stupid rule. Thus the transgression.

Illegal photo

Library of Congress

This rather blurry photo of the main reading room of the Library of Congress was taken today while I was on a guided tour there. No photos are allowed of the room (no reason given) and it's through 1.5 inches of glass on a cellphone camera.

Incredibly beautiful room. Stupid rule. Thus the transgression.

Heading Out

On Travel It's always nice to be away for a bit but also always nice to come home. I don't travel enough that it's a chore, but there is something tedious about noisy hotels and room service. Being away does make me appreciative. Not only of the places I get to visit, but also of my little home, the joyful noise of little people and also someone soft to hold against me at night. Photos Yesterday I got a chance to wander around the Mall a bit. I was 'challenged' by a federal officer when I took pictures of the Federal Reserve Building. Apparently I fit their terrorist profile. Many photos up at my Flickr site. More coming, especially of the ubiquitous surveillance cameras in DC, later this week in a special report on privacy. March Madness My Final Four:

• Florida
• Pittsburgh
• Georgetown
• Ohio State

Georgetown beats Pittsburgh to crown the second generation of John Thompson champions. Villanova beats Kentucky, but gets smoked by Kansas. As always, Enrico has found Another Angle. Lots of happy thoughts for my new friends from Niagara University. I met you all in the bar last night and I feel good for you. Enjoy it, because the Jayhawks loom. See ya in Jersey.

Heading Out

On Travel

It's always nice to be away for a bit but also always nice to come home. I don't travel enough that it's a chore, but there is something tedious about noisy hotels and room service. Being away does make me appreciative. Not only of the places I get to visit, but also of my little home, the joyful noise of little people and also someone soft to hold against me at night.

Photos

Yesterday I got a chance to wander around the Mall a bit. I was 'challenged' by a federal officer when I took pictures of the Federal Reserve Building. Apparently I fit their terrorist profile. Many photos up at my Flickr site. More coming, especially of the ubiquitous surveillance cameras in DC, later this week in a special report on privacy.

March Madness

My Final Four:

• Florida
• Pittsburgh
• Georgetown
• Ohio State

Georgetown beats Pittsburgh to crown the second generation of John Thompson champions.

Villanova beats Kentucky, but gets smoked by Kansas.

As always, Enrico has found Another Angle.

Lots of happy thoughts for my new friends from Niagara University. I met you all in the bar last night and I feel good for you. Enjoy it, because the Jayhawks loom.

See ya in Jersey.

Sunrise in DC

Good morning from our nation's capital. Had a fun dinner last night at Bobby Van's. The ribeye was a bit over done and not as good at Smith and Wollensky or Gallagher's, but the Cabernet was excellent and the seafood tower appetizer was awe-inspiring. The conference is yet another opportunity for me to realize how much there is to know in the world and how little of it I grasp. More DC photos are up on my Flickr.com site I had been planning a Phillies Preview, but this one is better than anything I can do, so I will just humbly link. I had never seen this Lance Armstrong quote before, but I think it sums things up: "What am I on? I'm on my bike, busting my ass six hours a day. What are you on?"

Sunrise in DC

Good morning from our nation's capital. Had a fun dinner last night at Bobby Van's. The ribeye was a bit over done and not as good at Smith and Wollensky or Gallagher's, but the Cabernet was excellent and the seafood tower appetizer was awe-inspiring.

The conference is yet another opportunity for me to realize how much there is to know in the world and how little of it I grasp.

More DC photos are up on my Flickr.com site

I had been planning a Phillies Preview, but this one is better than anything I can do, so I will just humbly link.

I had never seen this Lance Armstrong quote before, but I think it sums things up: "What am I on? I'm on my bike, busting my ass six hours a day. What are you on?"

Travel Report

So DC is not bad, but it’s not a ton of fun when you are by yourself. Yesterday, I wandered downtown in the afternoon. The DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a lot of fun. I walked the parade route along Massachusetts Avenue and 7^th Street. There was a lot to see and take pictures of.

After that, I wandered over to the area around Union Station. I took some pictures at The Dubliner, but they were not really interested in serving a tourist with a camera. The place next door was also an Irish bar, but filled with DC Firefighters post-parade. I had one Guinness. Then I headed over to Cap City Brewing. I had a good cheesesteak and a great Kolsch there. They were out of the dunkleweizen, but the Wee Dram was a very good substitute. Kate was a good bartender and fun conversation.

I ate dinner and caught up with a few former colleagues. This morning I discovered that the sun shines straight through the curtains at the Juries. This was good, since it came up at 7:25 and I had forgotten to set the alarm.

Metro

Every time I am in DC, I am amazed at the Metro. While the 1970s mass concrete architecture seems a bit dated in the 21^st century, the system is still about the best I have used.

The burnt orange and yellows of the original cars are being gradually replaced, but one thing has not changed. The trains are never late. The stations are clean, if eerily lit. And even when it’s crowded, the system is still roomy enough that you aren’t pressed into other people.

Sports

Jay Wright must be pissed. His team was a top 30 RPI squad that beat Georgetown. He’s not as pissed as Bruiser Flint should be. His Drexel Dragons beat damn near everybody, and still will be playing in the NIT because they aren’t from a power conference.

Tournament Expansion

For the last few months, every time I get a chance, I tell people that the NCAA tournament is too small. I have told Jody Mac, I have posted it on blogs, I have talked to my buddies about it. There is already a play-in game. There should be 4. It’s pretty simple. The 8 worst teams in the tournament should play each other Tuesday night to earn the right to have their ass handed to them by Ohio State, Florida, UNC or Kansas.

Phil Sheridan agrees with me. He thinks we should add 7 teams though.

I think that 3 teams is enough. That won’t water down the talent too much, and it will also give teams who normally would get blown out and go home a chance to actually win a game in The Show before getting blow out and going home.

Have a great day! C

Travel Report

So DC is not bad, but it’s not a ton of fun when you are by yourself. Yesterday, I wandered downtown in the afternoon. The DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a lot of fun. I walked the parade route along Massachusetts Avenue and 7^th Street. There was a lot to see and take pictures of.

After that, I wandered over to the area around Union Station. I took some pictures at The Dubliner, but they were not really interested in serving a tourist with a camera. The place next door was also an Irish bar, but filled with DC Firefighters post-parade. I had one Guinness. Then I headed over to Cap City Brewing. I had a good cheesesteak and a great Kolsch there. They were out of the dunkleweizen, but the Wee Dram was a very good substitute. Kate was a good bartender and fun conversation.

I ate dinner and caught up with a few former colleagues. This morning I discovered that the sun shines straight through the curtains at the Juries. This was good, since it came up at 7:25 and I had forgotten to set the alarm.

Metro

Every time I am in DC, I am amazed at the Metro. While the 1970s mass concrete architecture seems a bit dated in the 21^st century, the system is still about the best I have used.

The burnt orange and yellows of the original cars are being gradually replaced, but one thing has not changed. The trains are never late. The stations are clean, if eerily lit. And even when it’s crowded, the system is still roomy enough that you aren’t pressed into other people.

Sports

Jay Wright must be pissed. His team was a top 30 RPI squad that beat Georgetown. He’s not as pissed as Bruiser Flint should be. His Drexel Dragons beat damn near everybody, and still will be playing in the NIT because they aren’t from a power conference.

Tournament Expansion

For the last few months, every time I get a chance, I tell people that the NCAA tournament is too small. I have told Jody Mac, I have posted it on blogs, I have talked to my buddies about it. There is already a play-in game. There should be 4. It’s pretty simple. The 8 worst teams in the tournament should play each other Tuesday night to earn the right to have their ass handed to them by Ohio State, Florida, UNC or Kansas.

Phil Sheridan agrees with me. He thinks we should add 7 teams though.

I think that 3 teams is enough. That won’t water down the talent too much, and it will also give teams who normally would get blown out and go home a chance to actually win a game in The Show before getting blow out and going home.

Have a great day!

C

In DC

US Capitol Building and peace marchers, originally uploaded by jcolman.

Ok - I am here. And 7:30 am comes really frigging early when some doofus in Congress takes and hour of sleep away from you. Don't these guys have something more important to do that play with the clocks? Have they noticed there is a war dragging on? A massive federal deficit out of control? Shit, if they want to work on something insanely stupid, they can tackle the traffic problems here in The District. Later - meetings.

In DC

US Capitol Building and peace marchers, originally uploaded by jcolman.

Ok - I am here.

And 7:30 am comes really frigging early when some doofus in Congress takes and hour of sleep away from you.

Don't these guys have something more important to do that play with the clocks? Have they noticed there is a war dragging on? A massive federal deficit out of control?

Shit, if they want to work on something insanely stupid, they can tackle the traffic problems here in The District.

Later - meetings.

Antonella Barba - Gone - Same as the Cats

Antonella Barba Well the run had to end somewhere for trashy-hot Jersey Girl Antonella Barba. America voted, and she got sent home last night. I can't figure out the obsession this country seems to have with American Idol, but its getting killer ratings, and even the people who lose get recording contracts, so i guess they are doing something right over at Fox. The Cats Not doing anything right yesterday in the first half was anyone in a Villanova uniform. At the Garden, the Cats managed just 7 points in the first 15 minutes. While they rallied to make it clsoe, Jay Wright's boys are now sent home to wait and wonder. One friend of mine at NBC Sports says that Villanova is back on the bubble with a lackluster win over DePaul, an ugly loss to Georgetown and Nardi not looking so hot. I still say they are in. So does Chamomiles Davis. The question in my mind at this point is seeding. I think that yesterday's loss drops them a bunch, perhaps into a dreaded 8-9 matchup. On the Town I Took Patti and Jim to the big V last night after work for a few drinks. As I have noted before, whenever I take people there they love the place. Last night was no different. Lorenzio kept Patti guessing with his concoctions and the pours of Jack were generous. As usual it was a varied crowd, some gay, some straight, some dressed in clothes their mom did not buy for them. Chef John was on Fox29's morning show this week, and the place got a great writeup at AroundPhilly.com this week. It's a good thing George is knocking a hole in the wall and expanding. It's tough to get a seat some nights!. Cabrini Hoops The whispers in the Philly hoops curcles are that Speedy Morris, former LaSalle Explorers coach and current St. joe's Prep Head Hawk, wants to fill John Dzik's shoes at Cabrini. After Matt Maccoccia nearly destroyed the program in just two years, something needs to be done. Morris can coach, that's for sure, and he has always brought talent in, but Division III is a whole seperate animal. Can he do it without scholarships and in an environment that is darn near hostile to athletic success? Stay tuned. The Weekend Headed to a cocktail party and The Flower Show tonight. Maybe a few margaritas at The Mexican Post afterwards. Audtition Day at UArts toimorrow. (No I can't get your kid into Musical Theatre). Saturday afternoon I head to DC for a higher education software conference until Wednesday. Sounds exciting huh? I'll try to shoot some photos while I am down there. Have fun! C

Antonella Barba - Gone - Same as the Cats

Antonella Barba

Well the run had to end somewhere for trashy-hot Jersey Girl Antonella Barba. America voted, and she got sent home last night. I can't figure out the obsession this country seems to have with American Idol, but its getting killer ratings, and even the people who lose get recording contracts, so i guess they are doing something right over at Fox.

The Cats

Not doing anything right yesterday in the first half was anyone in a Villanova uniform. At the Garden, the Cats managed just 7 points in the first 15 minutes. While they rallied to make it clsoe, Jay Wright's boys are now sent home to wait and wonder. One friend of mine at NBC Sports says that Villanova is back on the bubble with a lackluster win over DePaul, an ugly loss to Georgetown and Nardi not looking so hot.

I still say they are in. So does Chamomiles Davis. The question in my mind at this point is seeding. I think that yesterday's loss drops them a bunch, perhaps into a dreaded 8-9 matchup.

On the Town

I Took Patti and Jim to the big V last night after work for a few drinks. As I have noted before, whenever I take people there they love the place. Last night was no different. Lorenzio kept Patti guessing with his concoctions and the pours of Jack were generous. As usual it was a varied crowd, some gay, some straight, some dressed in clothes their mom did not buy for them.

Chef John was on Fox29's morning show this week, and the place got a great writeup at AroundPhilly.com this week. It's a good thing George is knocking a hole in the wall and expanding. It's tough to get a seat some nights!.

Cabrini Hoops

The whispers in the Philly hoops curcles are that Speedy Morris, former LaSalle Explorers coach and current St. joe's Prep Head Hawk, wants to fill John Dzik's shoes at Cabrini. After Matt Maccoccia nearly destroyed the program in just two years, something needs to be done. Morris can coach, that's for sure, and he has always brought talent in, but Division III is a whole seperate animal. Can he do it without scholarships and in an environment that is darn near hostile to athletic success? Stay tuned.

The Weekend

Headed to a cocktail party and The Flower Show tonight. Maybe a few margaritas at The Mexican Post afterwards. Audtition Day at UArts toimorrow. (No I can't get your kid into Musical Theatre). Saturday afternoon I head to DC for a higher education software conference until Wednesday. Sounds exciting huh? I'll try to shoot some photos while I am down there.

Have fun!

C