tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-181351222024-03-12T23:36:05.079-07:00The Intellectual ThicketSome words about music, baseball, science ...Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-65663003180982612672008-06-24T10:38:00.002-07:002008-06-24T10:39:12.389-07:00Migrating!The decision is made, I'm headed to Wordpress.<br /><br />Come join us at <a href="http://intellectualthicket.wordpress.com/">the Intellectual Thicket, version 2.0.</a>Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-4340003493552781652008-06-19T13:30:00.001-07:002008-06-19T13:31:42.938-07:00HmmmI think this blog has reached a crossroads ...<br /><br />Do I go on?<br />Do I move it to wordpress?<br />Do I start posting crazed diatribes about the usage of relief pitchers?<br /><br />Who knows.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-80962849242515037952008-06-12T13:46:00.002-07:002008-06-12T13:50:30.267-07:00Comcast, I thought we had a breakthrough ...So, after all that drama over my chat with "Lotta", the online Live Chat Comcast Rep., I got an email from the company's customer service rescue team. Long story short, they said they would downgrade my cable without any fees or such for "installation" or "change of service fee" or whatever. All they had to do is find a day/time for a service person to come to my apartment - for unknown reasons? - to finish things up. My guess was so they could collect my digital cable box. That was last week. Since then I have not heard a peep from Comcast about when I might expect this downgrade to actually occur, and honestly, after emailing to remind them that they said they would get back to me and getting no response, I am just fed up. When I get a free moment, I'll pop the cable box in my car and drive down to the local office and get rid of Comcast cable once and for all. Comcast, you had your chance and you blew it. Back to thinking that Comcast and its customer service does indeed suck.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-9215711143187217682008-06-05T18:53:00.003-07:002008-06-05T18:59:13.723-07:00PHL!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.airchive.com/airline%20pics/PHILADELPHIA%202007/PHL%20GATES-6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.airchive.com/airline%20pics/PHILADELPHIA%202007/PHL%20GATES-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Oddly enough, Philadelphia International Airport does not suck. I know, I know, it might suck when you're stuck in it for hours, but its customer service, at least from me was great. How so?<br /><br />Well, after going through security, I had to walk down two gates to find a place to sit to put my shoes back on (OK, that was a demerit for PHL). Afterwards, being the idiot that I am, I left my camera bag with my new, $600 Nikon D40 DSLR with the accompanying zoom lens behind. I didn't realize I had been parted with the camera until my flight to Houston was boarding, so I rushed around trying to find it. Finally, I called the PHL Lost & Found and luckily for me, they had found my lost camera bag! At first, they asked when I'd be back in Philly (uh, never?) and then asked if I had time to go to the communications center (on the <span style="font-style:italic;">other</span> side of security ... sorry, no), but neither of those options worked. So, much to my surprise, they offered to mail it to me in California.<br /><br />Now, I wasn't holding my breath that it would (a) arrive and (b) in one piece. However, about a week after leaving the camera behind, it arrived in Davis, packed neatly in a box with bubblewrap and all. So, huzzah on PHL and its Lost & Found department. You are a gem in a field of abysmal Customer Service!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-72672736209669797132008-06-04T21:22:00.003-07:002008-06-04T21:22:51.218-07:00The man for the country<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://readwritenow.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/obama_sc_04_01_2007-731285.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://readwritenow.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/obama_sc_04_01_2007-731285.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Huzzah for Senator Obama!<br /><br />On to the White House, says I!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-43183472441522999252008-06-03T20:03:00.002-07:002008-06-03T20:09:40.713-07:00Why Comcast is terrible ...I tried to downgrade my cable from Digital Cable to Limited Basic on Comcast tonight. Let me tell you, Comcast is terrible.<br /><br /><br />Here is the transcript. Note the bolded passages, where, among other things, they wanted to charge me a $25 installation fee TO CHANGE MY PLAN. Insanity, my friends, insanity.<br /><br />>>> <br />Erik(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:24:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I would like to change my plan to Limited Basic<br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:28 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Hello Erik_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Lotta.24942. Please give me one moment to review your information.<br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:31 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I will be glad to assist you today.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:50 GMT-0700 (PDT))>May I ask why do you want to changer your cable plan to Limited Basic, Erik?<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:50:24 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is too expensive for what it is worth. We don't need it anymore.<br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:50:33 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I see.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:50:47 GMT-0700 (PDT))> May I have your account number please? So I can better assist you.<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:51:20 GMT-0700 (PDT))> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:51:19 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for that information.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:51:23 GMT-0700 (PDT))> How are you today?<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:52:03 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I'm doing well, thank you.<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:07 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Great to hear that you are doing well.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:08 GMT-0700 (PDT))> You are welcome.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:09 GMT-0700 (PDT))> For identification, could you please verify the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number listed on the account?<br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:52:30 GMT-0700 (PDT))> XXX<br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:35 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for that information.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:41 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I am now going to process your order.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:45 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Please hold.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:54:37 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for waiting.<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:54:55 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Your new monthly rate would be $11.70 before taxes and fees.<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:55:20 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Alright<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:55:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> There is also a one time installation fee of $25.</span><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:55:15 GMT-0700 (PDT))>Okay.<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:55:47 GMT-0700 (PDT))> There is a fee to change my plan?<br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:56:24 GMT-0700 (PDT))>We already have the cable installed here? Why is there another installation fee?<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:56:15 GMT-0700 (PDT))> What do you mean?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:56:55 GMT-0700 (PDT))> We have digital cable and we're trying to change the plan to limited basic<br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:57:06 GMT-0700 (PDT))> why would i have to pay another installation fee?<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:57:49 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is because your Basic Cable is wired and has a different way of installing it.</span><br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:59:08 GMT-0700 (PDT))> That doesn't even make sense ... so if I change to non-digital cable I get charged for a new installation?<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:59:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I understand where you are coming from but yes, there is an installation fee.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Listen, if that is the case, then just cancel our service<br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> This is rather ridiculous</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I am sorry to hear that, Erik.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:27 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you want to cancel your service, you can contact your local office for the cancellation.</span><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Do you know the contact details of your local office?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:49 GMT-0700 (PDT))> So I can;t cancel it here?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:59 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Your local office is the only authorize to cancel services.</span><br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:17 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Wow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:22 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you want I can just give you a promo of our Digital Cable package.</span><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:34 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Yes, I know where it is ... and I will gladly cancel this service ... this is ridiculous<br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:41 GMT-0700 (PDT))> No thanks, this is insane<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:37 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Alright then.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Is there anything else I can help you with?<br /><br /><br />Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:02:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> No, thanks.<br /><br /><br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:26 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Okay.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:27 GMT-0700 (PDT))> You are welcome.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:29 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is my pleasure to assist you today.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:30 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I will appreciate your feedback about the service you experienced with me today. It is our priority to provide you the best customer service. Kindly answer the survey at the end of this chat so we will know how we can improve our service.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:31 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for contacting Comcast! We appreciate your business!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:32 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us through Live Chat or E-Mail (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Comcast also offers excellent FAQ and Help forums located at www.comcast.com to help you reach a resolution independently.<br />Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:33 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Have a great evening!</span>Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-82375812097053838202008-05-30T10:46:00.002-07:002008-05-30T10:56:04.193-07:00New (and not so new) Reviews ...I haven't updated much in the way of new reviews lately, so here they are!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008may/redyellowblue">Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008may/alopecia">Why? - Alopecia</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008may/couples">The Long Blondes - "Couples"</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008may/blackpatchwar">Common Market - Black Patch War</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008may/doit">Clinic - Do It!</a><br /><br />And sure, here is my iPod Top 10<br />1. Death to Los Campesinos! - Los Campesinos!<br />2. Throw It On Me - Timbaland & the Hives<br />3. Sophia - the Toothaches<br />4. The Gymnast, High Above the Ground - Colin Meloy<br />5. Trouble Is - Common Market<br />6. Einfach Sein - Die Fantastischen Vier<br />7. Threads - Portishead<br />8. Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu<br />9. Shopping Bag - Clinic<br />10. Holle - K.I.Z.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-24777000098625353202008-05-26T14:33:00.002-07:002008-05-26T14:35:11.704-07:00Coolest ... thing ... ever!Quite the <a href="http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080526-phoenix-mission-update.html">snapshot!</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/080526-mro-phoenix-02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/080526-mro-phoenix-02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-61839700273153968462008-05-26T10:13:00.002-07:002008-05-26T10:17:07.687-07:00No threepeat for the Beavs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/ucda/graphics/08-m-basebl-mg-cover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/ucda/graphics/08-m-basebl-mg-cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The NCAA announced the <a href="http://ncaa.com/uploadedFiles/Sports/Baseball/Articles/Division_I/2008MCWS64-teamBracket.pdf">bracket for the college baseball tournamen</a>t today. 64 teams get to play on, but 2006-07 Champions Oregon State Beavers are not one of them.<br /><br />However, my current home of UC Davis did make the tournament and will face off against the Stanford Cardinal. Go Aggies!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-84010819506529129052008-05-20T13:19:00.003-07:002008-05-20T13:34:41.940-07:00Dusty Baker, the Village Idiot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/baker1109.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/baker1109.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />These sorts of things make me mad.<br /><br />Dusty Baker on Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez - a nice, young arm that Dusty would love to ruin:<br /><blockquote>Volquez pitched winter ball and there are questions about him running out of gas. Baker couldn't disagree more. "Bob Quinn (former Yankees, Reds and Giants GM) told me once that pitchers usually rust out before they wear out. Latins guys who I've seen play winter ball rarely have arm problems — Julian Tavarez, Luis Tiant played winter ball somewhere every year, Diego Segui. Japanese pitchers throw more."</blockquote><br /><br />Volquez is currently 7-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, and 62K and 30BB to go with 54.3 IP.<br />His pitch count for the season so far:<br />95, 75, 112, 105, 104, 100, <span style="font-weight:bold;">118</span>, 110, 111<br />The 118 pitch game was one where the Reds were sporting a 9-0 lead ... and Dusty still let Edinson pitch on.<br /><br />This has got me a little frightened.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-14097401633985532082008-05-19T19:33:00.003-07:002008-05-19T19:34:43.225-07:00Lesterific!Off to the east coast for a few days (but not Boston)...<br /><br />However, congrats to Jon Lester for his no hitter!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0519/mlb_ap_lester_war_top.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0519/mlb_ap_lester_war_top.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-69309247345153862852008-05-01T12:29:00.002-07:002008-05-01T12:36:00.931-07:00Portishead, Cylons and more music<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.britfilms.tv/images/news/Numbersix2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.britfilms.tv/images/news/Numbersix2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />For those of you who missed it, I love the new Portishead album.<br />If you want to know why, check out my review on TIG, especially if you like Cylons.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/third">Portishead - Third</a><br /><br />And here's a new iPod top 10<br />1. Under Pressure by Xiu Xiu<br />2. Death to Los Campesinos! by Los Campesinos!<br />3. Threads by Portishead<br />4. Rubicon by the Blistering Suns<br />5. Avantcore by Busdriver<br />6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend<br />7. These are the Daves I Know by Bruce McCullough<br />8. The Gymnast, High Above the Ground by Colin Meloy<br />9. Shake a Fist by Hot Chip<br />10. Allure by Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-27211474556158903862008-04-28T14:33:00.002-07:002008-04-28T14:38:46.881-07:00New reviews ...Some new TIG reviews:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/walkitoff">Tapes 'n Tapes: Walk It Off</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/colinmeloysingslive">Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/bodylanguagenotready">Monotonix: Body Language</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/antidotes">Foals: Antidotes</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/mrlovejustice">Billy Bragg: Mr. Love & Justice</a>Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-65039690962700178452008-04-16T15:39:00.002-07:002008-04-16T15:41:48.573-07:00Barry Zito<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blogs.dailyillini.com/justbaseball/files/2007/05/zito.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://blogs.dailyillini.com/justbaseball/files/2007/05/zito.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'm going on record to say Barry Zito (SF Giants) will lose 20 games in 2008. Why?<br /><br />Well, for one, he isn't the pitcher that won the Cy Young 5 years ago. Secondly, the Giants are terrible. Thirdly, he's their #1 starter and durable, so he'll make most if not all of his starts.<br /><br />Now, I don't have the time right now to check, but how many Cy Young winners have also lost 20 games in a single season? Good question...Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-14264264922625418552008-04-11T15:39:00.003-07:002008-04-11T15:49:57.267-07:00Reviews Reviews and Reviews ... sort of ...Busy week with traveling and labwork and such.<br /><br />TIG has posted a bunch of new review ... actually they're part of a chopped up pile of reviews, thus their relative shortness.<br />Except the first one, which is the normal, overly wordy length:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/holdonnowyoungster">Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster (excellent!)</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/robotiquemajestique">Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique (trainwreck!)</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/theboywhowouldntstopdreaming">Club 8 - The Boy Who Wouldn't Stop Dreaming</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/whileiwalkyouhome">Dylan Mondegreen - While I Walk You Home</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/naradreamland">Mini People in Coney Island - Nara Dreamland</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/sexdeathcassette">Rafter - Sex Death Cassette</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008apr/readburn03">Wire - Read & Burn 03</a><br /><br />Here is my current iPod Top 10:<br />1 Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu<br />2 Rubicon - The Blistering Suns<br />3 Avantcore - Busdriver<br />4 Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend<br />5 Shake a Fist - Hot Chip<br />6 Allure - Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.<br />7 Aspidistra - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir<br />8 Death to Los Campesinos - Los Campesinos!<br />9 Snake Mistakes - Dan Deacon<br />10 Machine Gun - Portishead<br /><br />Oh yes, and this weekend is the first Red Sox-Yankees series of the year. What fun!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-38757938970766440362008-04-08T09:56:00.002-07:002008-04-08T09:59:54.534-07:00It's Opening Day at FenwayThe Red Sox get their 2007 World Series Champion rings today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/rings0408.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/rings0408.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And if that is not cool enough, the Sox are exorcising their demons for good by having none other than <span style="font-style:italic;">Bill Buckner</span> throw out the first pitch. Its good to see him agree to do it and I'm sure he'll get a very warm welcome at Fenway.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-72857542771556980832008-04-05T21:47:00.002-07:002008-04-05T21:54:41.767-07:00Charlton Heston 1924-2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/2/29/240px-Heston_as_Taylor_with_gun_standing_on_the_beach.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/2/29/240px-Heston_as_Taylor_with_gun_standing_on_the_beach.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Charlton Heston died today at the age of 84.<br /><br />Heston might be one of the greatest science fiction actors of all time, starring in <span style="font-style:italic;">Planet of the Apes</span>(as Taylor, left), <span style="font-style:italic;">Soylent Green</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Omega Man</span>, the trifecta of classic sci-fi from the '70s. He was also politically active - and contrary to Michael Moore's portrayal, on both sides of the political spectrum. Yes, he was the president of the National Rifle Association, but he was also an active crusader for civil rights. He was one of the last of the "Golden Age" actors of Hollywood yesteryear.<br /><br />Very few actors could talk to themselves and act barechested like Charlton.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.classicalvalues.com/Poitier_Belafonte_Heston_Civil_Rights_March_1963.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.classicalvalues.com/Poitier_Belafonte_Heston_Civil_Rights_March_1963.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p><br />Charlton with Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte on the Lincoln Memorial. (right)Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-81588557905822666872008-03-30T19:28:00.004-07:002008-12-10T19:29:19.991-08:00More Opening Day Baseball...A few thoughts after watching Atlanta-Washington on Opening Day #2:<br /><br />- Why are they playing "Sweet Caroline" in the 8th at Nationals Park? Are the Nats trying to grab some of that Red Sox mojo?<br />- And you wonder why it is referred to as the "Red Sox Nation".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt85usP0pJ20n0-5nk6VxWXskF9G0la2uDzlxZtp82qmmOKH2wTq8o0CL0k71SfI2dmfu8-8jLVpsOprEQrAsOmKV2MPX59rIG6eLv-hhZ7EqMsoZWScrLYzXlqT-zG2mFHAH/s1600-h/RSN.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt85usP0pJ20n0-5nk6VxWXskF9G0la2uDzlxZtp82qmmOKH2wTq8o0CL0k71SfI2dmfu8-8jLVpsOprEQrAsOmKV2MPX59rIG6eLv-hhZ7EqMsoZWScrLYzXlqT-zG2mFHAH/s400/RSN.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183727753806396994" /></a><br />Remember folks, the "Red Sox Nation" doesn't refer to fans not from New England who have jumped on the bandwagon. It does not refer to the Red Sox being "America's Team". It refers to all the expatriate New Englanders all over the U.S. who support the team. So there.<br />- Jon Rauch came into the game in the 9th to get the save for the Nationals ... even with Chad Cordero warming. What's the deal? Is Cordero hurt? Uh oh.<br />- It's fun to watch players figure out how the ball plays in a new park. Kearns played one poorly in the 9th and McCann got tagged out at 2nd earlier in the game thinking a single was a double.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-86932740510892123962008-03-30T12:07:00.002-07:002008-03-30T12:31:28.797-07:00ESPN "Experts" Picks: An AnalysisSo, the team over at ESPN has made <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview08/news/story?page=08expertpicks">their picks for the 2008 MLB Season</a>. Nothing too shocking in the results, but I thought I'd compile their picks and look at the results. Here it is for your amusement.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Playoff Probably/Division Win/Wild Card (in %; out of 19 analysts)</span><br />Chicago Cubs - 100/89/11<br />Boston Red Sox - 95/73/22<br />Detroit Tigers - 79/53/28<br />Cleveland Indians - 79/47/33<br />New York Mets - 68/47/21<br />Los Angeles Angels - 58/53/5<br />Atlanta Braves - 53/37/16<br />Arizona Diamondbacks - 53/42/11<br />Seattle Mariners - 47/47/0<br />Los Angeles Dodgers - 42/37/5<br />New York Yankees - 37/27/11<br />Philadelphia Phillies - 32/11/21<br />Milwaukee Brewers - 26/11/16<br />Colorado Rockies - 11/11/0<br />San Diego Padres - 11/11/0<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">*Note: There is 1 less AL Wild Card pick because Pedro Gomez picked the AL Wild Card to be the Cubs and the NL Wild Card to be the Mets. He also picked the Brewers to win the AL Centrals and the Tigers to win the NL Central. He's on the ball.</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />World Series Winners (%, out of 19)</span><br />Detroit Tigers - 32<br />Cleveland Indians - 16<br />Atlanta Braves - 11<br />Boston Red Sox - 11<br />Chicago Cubs - 11<br />New York Mets - 11<br />Los Angeles Dodgers - 5<br />Los Angeles Angels - 5<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bleacherreport.com/image/file/19626/article/random_key_23315_file_357FEB23004_Detroit_Tigers_Spring_Training.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://bleacherreport.com/image/file/19626/article/random_key_23315_file_357FEB23004_Detroit_Tigers_Spring_Training.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So it seems that ESPN likes the Detroit Tigers to win it all this year, and they are a worthy pick. Their bullpen is a little iffy, but bullpens are bullpens - they are hard to predict. The Cubs might be a mortal lock on the NL Central. The AL West looks like a battle between the Angels and the Mariners (and the Angels starters look shaky right now). The Red Sox look in good shape in the AL East while the NL East could be up for grabs between the Braves (who did better on this than I expected) and the Mets. Disappointments? Nary a mention of Cincinnati or Toronto and only 2 appearances by last year's postseason darlings, the Rockies. Sorry folks!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-26347695453954361392008-03-28T10:27:00.003-07:002008-03-28T10:32:34.541-07:00New Reviews and Top 10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/KateNash.jpg/462px-KateNash.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/KateNash.jpg/462px-KateNash.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A couple of new TIG reviews and a top 10 for the weekend.<br /><br />Remember, baseball starts (again) Sunday with Atlanta vs. Washington (in DC's shiny new ballpark!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/madeofbricks">Kate Nash - Made of Bricks</a><br /><a href="http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/recordreview/2008mar/matinee">Jack Penate - Matinee</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Current iPod Top 10</span><br />1. Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu<br />2. Rubicon - the Blistering Suns<br />3. Avantcore - Busdriver<br />4. Shake a Fist - Hot Chip<br />5. Allure - Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G.<br />6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend<br />7. Aspidistra - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir<br />8. Snake Mistakes - Dan Deacon<br />9. Gardenia - Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks<br />10. Down Boy - Yeah Yeah YeahsErik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-30512087914436554332008-03-23T20:16:00.004-07:002008-03-23T20:33:32.158-07:00Predictions, Part IV: The Playoffs and AwardsHere's what I've talked about so far:<br /><br />- <a href="http://eriktron.blogspot.com/2008/03/mlb-2008-predictions-part-1.html">Total wins</a><br />- <a href="http://eriktron.blogspot.com/2008/03/predictions-part-ii-american-league.html">American League summary</a><br />- <a href="http://eriktron.blogspot.com/2008/03/predictions-part-iii-national-league.html">National League summary</a><br /><br />Now, let's wrap things up...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Playoffs</span><br />Based on finish and total wins, the matchups looks like ...<br><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AL Division Series</span>(with winner in bold and % wins in the first round in parentheses).<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Detroit (21.1%)</span> vs. Los Angeles (13.6%)<br />Boston (17.2%) vs. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cleveland (18.0%)</span><br />The surprise here is Cleveland, the wild card team, taking out Boston. It is real close (<1% difference), but hey, that is how it goes.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL Division Series</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New York (17.0%)</span> vs. Chicago (13.8%)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Colorado (12.4%)</span> vs. Atlanta (11.4%)<br />Colorado takes out Atlanta by a nose.<br><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AL Championship Series</span>(winners in bold, championship win % in parentheses.)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Detroit (13.0%)</span> vs. Cleveland (7.0%)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New York (10.6%)</span> vs. Colorado (6.0%)<br />The odd thing here is that Detroit might win more ALCS, but Cleveland actually wins more World Series (12.6 to 9.4%), so go figure, stats like this can be odd sometimes.<br><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">World Series</span> (winner in bold, World Series win % in parentheses.)<br />Detroit (9.4%) vs. <span style="font-weight:bold;">New York (15.6%)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/03/11/alg_santana.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/03/11/alg_santana.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Yes, meet your 2008 World Champion New York Mets. Even if Cleveland did make the World Series, New York would have a 3% advantage on them anyway.<br><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Player Awards</span><br />My picks, based somewhat on the simulation results...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AL MVP</span>: Miguel Cabrera (3B - Detroit)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL MVP</span>: David Wright (3B - New York)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AL Cy Young</span>: Josh Beckett (Boston)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL Cy Young</span>: Jake Peavy (San Diego)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AL Rookie of the Year</span>: Daric Barton (1B - Oakland)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL Rookie of the Year</span>: Kyosuke Fukudome (OF - Chicago)<br /><br />And that's that. If you have any picks for winners/losers/awards, feel free to post them here!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-63801605209824199692008-03-23T19:56:00.002-07:002008-03-23T20:15:44.772-07:00Predictions, Part III: National LeagueContinuing on to the NL...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL East</span><br />New York 91-71<br />Atlanta 88-74<br />Philadelphia 87-75<br />Washington 77-85<br />Florida 67-95<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLEast08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLEast08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />The top of the NL East is going to be a busy place. New York, Atlanta and Philly are separated by a mere 4 games. However, looks can be deceiving as New York won fully 47% of the division titles, with Atlanta and Philly sharing the rest (save for Washington's 1.6%) However, once New York gets to the playoffs, it becomes the favorite to win it all, with >15% of the World Series won (more on that later). Philadelphia wins more wild cards than Atlanta (17.4% to 16.8%) but Atlanta actually ends up on top for playoff appearances (44.6% to 40.6%). Atlanta's good showing surprised me, and I wonder if either BB Mogul favors Atlanta's veteran pitching staff or Philadelphia's park effect wreaks havoc on the Philly staff. Florida, however, is the only NL team to never win a division or wild card.<br><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL Central</span><br />Chicago 87-75<br />Houston 82-80<br />Milwaukee 80-82<br />Cincinnati 77-85<br />Pittsburgh 75-87<br />St. Louis 75-87<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLCent08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLCent08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />(* = BB Mogul does not divide the results of the NL Central to 5th and 6th place. Instead, they're just listed as "5th+")<br />Chicago looks to be the heavy favorite in the NL Central. They win 54.2% of the titles, followed by Houston's 20.4%. I'm a little baffled by Houston's showing, I pegged the 'Stros to be pretty terrible in 2008, but BB Mogul must like something, my guess it is the offense. Milwaukee does walk away with 14.6% of the titles as well. The NL Central does look like the weakest division in the NL again, with the division only accounting for 8% of all the wild cards. Note how quickly St. Louis has fallen to the cellar. Heck, even Pittsburgh (?!) won a World Series ... they get my "NL Surprise Team" label for 2008. I guess St. Louis' fall can be rationalized by any team hoping the likes of Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer belong in an MLB rotation. (Oh yeah, and Dusty Baker sucks.)<br><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NL West</span><br />Colorado 87-75<br />San Diego 85-77<br />Los Angeles 85-77<br />Arizona 81-81<br />San Francisco 71-91<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLWest08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/NLWest08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />Colorado looks like 2007 was no fluke, coming out on top of the NL West for 2008. They grab the division in 41.4% of the simulations, while San Diego and LA duke it out for next best at 27.6% and 20.0% respectively. Of course, Arizona won the division in 2007, but the simulations predict a step backwards for the Diamondbacks, coming in at playoffs appearances 14% of the time. And for you Bay Area types wallowing in pity about your Giants and A's, yes, even the Giants win the NL West ... 0.4% of the time.<br><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Playoff Picture</span><br />Here's the playoff percentages for the NL:<br />New York - 70.2%<br />Chicago - 57.0%<br />Colorado - 48.4%<br />Atlanta - 44.6%<br />Philadelphia - 40.6%<br />San Diego - 35.6%<br />Los Angeles - 30.4%<br />Houston - 24.4%<br />Milwaukee - 18.6%<br />Arizona - 14.0%<br />The Rest - <10%<br />Florida - 0%<br /><br />My NL playoff teams: <span style="font-weight:bold;">New York, Chicago, Colorado and Atlanta (wild card).</span><br />Up next, the playoffs and awards.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-2774430964608895362008-03-23T18:30:00.003-07:002008-03-23T19:03:10.837-07:00Predictions, Part II: The American LeagueSo, let's get into the nitty-gritty of my simulations, first with the AL East<br /><br /><b>AL East</b><br />Predicted Finish<br />Boston 91-71<br />New York 87-75<br />Toronto 82-80<br />Baltimore 76-86<br />Tampa Bay 75-87<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALEast08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALEast08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />This is a bar graph showing each team's share of finishing 1st through 5th in the division. Note that the Red Sox have the lion's share of division wins (61%), but each team had at least one 1st place finish and one 5th place finish. I was most surprised by Tampa's poor showing, but I think the pitching for the Rays is still a year away from being truly competitive (and BB Mogul doesn't tend to shine upon young pitching). Toronto ended up winning 6 World Series, so I'm tempted to label them my surprise team of 2008.<br><br /><b>AL Central</b><br />Detroit 92-70<br />Cleveland 89-73<br />Minnesota 80-82<br />Chicago 69-93<br />Kansas City 67-95<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALCent08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALCent08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />The AL Central is a little different. Only Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota win the division, with the first two teams winning most of the time. Detroit ends up on top 17% more than Cleveland, but both teams make the playoffs in over 63% of the simulations. Heck, Cleveland actually wins <i>more</i> World Series than Detroit (12.6% to 9.4%), so go figure. And don't let Ozzie tell you differently: the White Sox are going to be baaad.<br><br /><b>AL West</b><br />Los Angeles 88-74<br />Seattle 83-79<br />Texas 80-82<br />Oakland 78-84<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALWest08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ALWest08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />Not surprisingly, Los Angeles dominates the division ... but not by as much as you might imagine. Sure, they win 56% of the time, but that means almost half of the simulations ended with someone other than LA on top. Seattle grabbed 25% of the division titles, but I'm most surprised by Oakland, that 8.4%. There was even a simulation I noticed that Oakland won <i>107 games?!</i>. The other oddity might be that Texas wins more World Series (4) than Seattle (3), although with almost 15% fewer playoff appearances. More or less, the AL West looks like the most wide-open in the league.<br><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Playoff Picture</span><br />Here's the playoff percentages for the AL:<br />Detroit - 76.0%<br />Boston - 69.6%<br />Cleveland - 63.8%<br />Los Angeles - 62.4%<br />New York - 41.0%<br />Seattle - 30.2%<br />Toronto - 16.0%<br />Texas - 14.8%<br />Minnesota - 10.8%<br />Oakland - 10%<br />The Rest - <10%<br />Chicago, Kansas City - 0%<br /><br />Based on this, my picks for the playoffs are: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles and Cleveland (wild card)</span>. I'll have my playoff/World Series odds in a later post. I'll have my NL predictions up next ...Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-8860064800396985742008-03-21T10:58:00.005-07:002008-03-21T11:54:02.604-07:00MLB 2008 Predictions, Part 1With Opening Day around the corner, it is time to break out my official 2008 predictions for the MLB Season. <br /><br />Methods: I used <a href="http://www.sportsmogul.com/">Baseball Mogul 2008</a> with a roster file I modified myself to account for all roster moves up to 3/20/2008. I then used the<a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/"> Baseball Prospectus Depth Charts</a> to assign a batting order, rotation and bench for each time. With this roster file set, I simulated the 2008 season 500 times. The results were output to a text file.<br /><br />I'll have a more indepth analysis of the results, but for your initial entertainment, here are the predicted wins for all teams based on these simulations. I added the PECOTA predictions from Baseball Prospectus as comparison.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ranking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~klemetti/ML/ranking.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />More to come this weekend!Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18135122.post-88246063135611882852008-03-19T16:38:00.003-07:002008-03-19T16:45:09.970-07:00Arthur C. Clarke, redux.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.digitallantern.net/McLuhan/course/spring96/profiles.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.digitallantern.net/McLuhan/course/spring96/profiles.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Sorry about the borderline unintelligible obit for Arthur C. Clarke yesterday.<br /><br />To rectify that, I will try again.<br /><br />Arthur C. Clarke was one of the greatest authors I've read. His short stories are wonderful, optimistic and clever endeavors that just left me captivated. I think of any author, I have read more Arthur C. Clarke books/stories than anyone. He is one of those 20th/21st century people who still have that enthusiasm towards humans, learning and science that died out at the end of the Victorian era. Humanity had limitless potential and the universe was there to discover. I still (sometimes) believe that, even though the current state of the world makes it hard to believe sometimes, both politically and economically. However, the visions of Sir Clarke can still bring hope to my heart and mind that we are only at the tip of the iceberg - culturally, scientifically - and that human will one day figure out that there are many more important things in the universe beyond our petty squabbling.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and Sir Clarke also introduced me to my favorite idea for political leadership (and it is downright communist), where he envisioned a world where the global leader was picked at random from the entire population. The rationale? "People who <i>want</i> to be a leader aren't qualified to be one". Beautiful.Erik Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847489390267603744noreply@blogger.com0