December 2003 Archives
31 December 2003
Happy New Year
Don't expect any posts here until tomorrow, as I'm getting ready to ring in the New Year.
It's going to be a Mucky Duck evening, because the combination of food/music/locale just couldn't be beaten.
It was a tough choice, though, with Bleu Edmonson and Randy Rogers playing at the Firehouse.
But the Firehouse is too far away, and this is no night to be driving (I can walk to the Duck).
Anyway, I hope you readers all have a festive time tonight, and a most excellent 2004. Be careful on the streets if you're out and about -- and if you're boozing, don't drive.
See ya on the other side. Thanks for making 2003 a fun blogging year.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/31/03 17:34 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Antone's To Close
This is terrible news:
In a world of Subways and Blimpies, one Houston sandwich shop has held its own, but not for much longer. Sadly we're hearing Antone's Import Company in the 800 block of Taft and 8100 block of Kirby the will serve up its last sandwich New Year's Eve.The beauty of Antone's was the stores. Buying a sandwich at a Stop-n-Go is a piss-poor substitute.Loyal customers received the news Tuesday. The Houston eatery has been in the midst of a family legal spat over the rights to the popular sandwich chain following the death of Mrs. Antone last spring.
Besides indulging in one last po'boy, patrons can buy furniture, old familiar knick-knacks and other merchandise.
The Original Antone's Import Company opened in 1962 when the late Jalal Antone opened his first grocery store and began making sandwiches. The chain sells more than 100,000 sandwiches every month.
Only the family owned locations on Taft and Kirby will close Wednesday. You'll still be able to buy Antone's po'boys at certain convenience stores.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/31/03 07:56 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (2)
30 December 2003
Number Five!
There was another auto/train accident today.
That's five auto/train accidents so far on the new rail line, and the thing doesn't even officially open until Thursday.
Connelly's right -- stunts like this are a bargain.
Meanwhile, Metro's plan to shut down its midtown trolley service and force its patrons onto rail (no matter the inconvenience) is being resisted by the trolley riders. I'll be surprised if they prevail, because Metro's resources are going to be stretched way too thin once the train boondoggle starts operating and its ridership falls below estimates.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 23:46 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (2)
World-Class Mess
The New York Times has picked up the story that nobody in Houston seems to know or care about -- the impending 59/527 Spur shutdown (link from Rob Booth):
Jen Marie Rau should love it when work crews tear up the city's streets and its spaghetti tangle of freeways, sending motorists into a dither: her family business, Key Maps, has been charting greater Houston's highways and byways since 1957.True enough. The NY Times then goes on to take a (cheap) shot at the Bush Administration for its management of a provision in a highway bill that has nothing at all to do with this particular mess (because that's what the NY Times does).But Ms. Rau is helping lead a neighborhood coalition fuming over roadwork that will choke off a downtown spur and could funnel an additional 80,000 cars a day through historic Houston neighborhoods.
Work has been put off until after the Super Bowl here on Feb. 1, but then, she said, "all will be gridlock."
Callie has actually been following this issue for quite some time, and I've posted occasionally on it (most recently on TXDOT's lies about the project).
And now, it's made a national newspaper.
Still, I suspect quite a few motorists are going to be surprised (and angry) when they're trying to get out of downtown, stuck on the residential bottlenecks in my neighborhood, wondering just who the hell is responsible for the mess:
Outside the immediate area, the reaction has been muted, at least so far. "We're still convinced that a stunning number of people have no idea what's coming," said Robin A. Holzer of the West Alabama Quality of Life Coalition, which brought the lawsuit over the spur.
Bill White, to his credit, actually sounds more sensible than anyone in municipal government so far:
But relief for the protesters may yet come. Bill White, the mayor-elect, who won a runoff on Dec. 6, said he would review the road plans. "We want to build in two steps," Mr. White said recently, "so we will not divert traffic through residential areas."Unfortunately, there's just not much the new mayor can do. TXDOT is going to move on this project, and has effectively told the city to deal with it (hence the retarded reversible lanes city workers have nearly finished building on West Alabama). I'll be impressed if Mr. White can get them to reconsider.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 23:36 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
Connelly On A Roll
The Houston Press's Richard Connelly seems now to have been given the Hair Balls column in its entirety -- which makes one who doesn't understand the ways of corporate alternative media wonder why his old column was taken away -- and he's all wound up about the recent auto/train crashes on the light-rail line:
The casualty-free street violence gets a thumbs-up from professional stuntman Mark Anthony Chavarria, a Houstonian who's done stunts in Walker, Texas Ranger and Pearl Harbor and who will be the Mexican soldier killing Billy Bob Thornton's Davy Crockett if The Alamo ever gets released.Elsewhere in the same column, Connelly describes Houston's efforts to create a pedestrian-only entertainment zone downtown (it's not working out so well) and he visits with a KKK member.Trying to re-create Metro's weekly Jerry Bruckheimer carnage would be expensive, he says. "Doing a stunt like that would take at least a week of prep time," he says. "You probably wouldn't want to have the train hit the actual car because of budget reasons -- you'd cheat it by dragging a crunched car in front of the rail car."
If you did it the no-holds-barred way of Houston's drivers -- having someone actually behind the wheel as the crash occurs -- costs go up further. "If you got a guy in the car, basically you'd be asking him, 'What's it worth to you?' He'd probably get $2,500 to $5,000 for it," he says.
And here's the beginning of a column on the Aeros:
On a recent Friday night -- like most nights when the Houston Aeros play a home game -- the new $235 million Toyota Center downtown can seem like the most expensive mausoleum ever built.Ouch.
Dude's on a roll this week. And more Connelly definitely makes for a better Houston Press.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 22:37 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
On To The New
Alex has posted a review of Under The Table and Above The Sun, the big-label release from self-described Austin-via-Oregon "hick-rockers" Reckless Kelly.
He gives it a solid thumbs up, which doesn't surprise me. It is a good effort, and the lyrics are definitely, as Alex writes, more "grown up" on this CD than the earlier ones.
I put the thing on the old stereo for a listen tonight, because I really haven't listened to it much since I bought it shortly after the release.
Absence must make the heart grow fonder. I liked it then, but I like it better now.
Maybe I'm finally getting over the fact that Casey Pollock and Chris Schelske are long gone, and the band isn't ever going to sound like they did on their first two CDs and at so many shows.
That's been hard for me. I loved the BAND on those two CDs. Not so much for the lyrics, but for the music. The lyrics were good in those early efforts, of course, but Alex is right in saying that Willy Braun just writes more mature stuff now. But the music back then -- wow. That sound defined what alt-country (no Texas abbreviation, just alt-country) should be -- Casey wailing on the guitar in Son Volt fashion (listen sometime to the guitar riffs in RK's "It's All Over" and Son Volt's "Live Free"), Cody and Willy harmonizing like only brothers can, with a little help on the high notes from Schelske, Cody blending in that sweet fiddle (and a mandolin sometimes), Schelske and Nazz laying down the rhythm. THAT was a sound unique to the Texas scene, and comparable to some of the really good stuff going on in the bigger alt-country scene (I think).
The sound now is... different, but not completely, if that makes any sense. There's still harmony from Cody and Willy. But there's a lot more Willy solo (again, not a bad thing, he's got a more seasoned voice now, from years on the road), and no three-part harmony anymore (the old sound). There's no Casey, although Bartlesville's very own David Abeyta brings a great sound of his own (again, different). And the writing is probably a little better.
If I had never heard that band in its early days, I would call the current iteration one of the best things going in this state. Hell, I do that anyway.
But there are some days when I'm a bad music fan, and instead of appreciating the present, I wonder just where the band would be if the old crew had stuck together, and had gone further down the Millican path. I think it would have been really interesting. I should stress that I don't mean that to reflect one way or the other on what they're doing now.
It's perhaps telling that my two favorite songs on this CD are probably "Everybody" and "Mersey Beat." "Everybody" is a simple little song, but very interesting musically, with a lap steel and a Greek bouzouki making for a sound that's very different from Millican. "Mersey Beat" was co-written by long-departed bass player Chris Schelske, sounded great when they played it live when he was still with the band, and still sounds great on the CD even absent his distinctive backing vocals.
They've gotten out the last of the old, and are fully on to the new. So I guess it's probably about time for me to do the same.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 21:17 | Music | Technorati | Comments (3)
Not Andrea Harris... Noooo
It looks like she's hanging 'em up:
It occurs to me that I have better things to do.That thought occurs to me from time to time.
This thing is a time sink, and so is Reductio.
But since about 1997 or so, my little stabs at web publishing have been a fun hobby. I've met some interesting people through it. And honestly, it's not that big of a time sink (I'm largely just commenting on stuff I've either read for work or read out of intellectual curiosity anyway, and I'm a fast typist). About the biggest negative has been that I read tons of short-medium articles, but my book reading has declined -- then again, that may just be a result of finally finishing the silly dissertation earlier this year and not wanting to do that kind of heavy reading for a while.
I think about the only reason (short of my, say, going to work for the CIA or some such) I would shut the things down would be if they stopped being fun hobbies. So far, that's not the case.
But the thought does cross my mind every once in a while. It crossed my mind about an hour ago, actually. It didn't last.
But that's a story for later.
(01-01-2004 Update) Well, well, Ms. Harris tricked us. She has a fancy new blog located here. It's powered by WordPress, software that is, functionally, quite a bit like Nucleus.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 18:45 | Other | Technorati | Comments (4)
NASDAQ Cruises Past 2000
I was preoccupied yesterday, and forgot to point out that the NASDAQ cruised over 2000 for the first time in quite a while.
Not a bad way to end the year.
Unless you're a liberal Dem. Then I'm sure you have something negative to say.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/03 10:28 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)
29 December 2003
A Nets Bonanza
Not only did the Rockets blow three first-round draft picks for Eddie Griffin, but now the team to which they effectively traded those picks has signed the "troubled" forward (that's what we call so many of the NBA's young thug criminals, right?).
So, it's effectively a four-pick bonanza for the Nets, courtesy of Carroll D and Rudy T.
Just a partial explanation of why our Rockets have been so underwhelming (we'll leave Kelvin Cato's huge contract for another time).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/29/03 18:51 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
28 December 2003
The Rail Boondoggle - cont'd
Rob Booth pulls this bit out of a Comical Q&A on light-rail:
How many people are expected to ride?Funny, but I remember all the rail proponents telling us this was a plan actually to reduce congestion, while those of us opposed to the cost of the thing pointed out that it wouldn't reduce congestion significantly, that there were less expensive/more efficient mass-transit options, and that light-rail was largely a boondoggle for developers and people who wanted to reshape Houston into their vision of a "world-class city."For all the hoopla, few Houstonians are expected to commute on the electric-powered trains. Metro has estimated daily ridership after the first year at 33,000, which translates into 16,500 people making roundtrips. That's not even 1 percent of the city's population.
Opponents fought the rail line every step of the way, decrying it as nothing more than an expensive toy that takes money away from highways. But supporters are optimistic that rail holds the potential to reshape the city and its ugly image, hoping the tracks attract hundreds of millions of dollars in new apartments, townhomes, restaurants, stores and office towers inside the Loop.
It looks like we opponents were right, if I'm reading light rail's biggest cheerleader (the Comical) correctly. They didn't admit any of this before the voting, of course.
Here's another fun answer:
Where are there likely to be trouble spots?It would have been easier and just as accurate to write "There are likely to be trouble spots along the whole line."The train travels at street level for its entire route, crossing dozens of intersections. Most are controlled by standard traffic lights, but there are railroad crossing gates and flashing lights at major locations.
Tom Lambert, Metro police chief, said troublesome areas include five intersections in the Texas Medical Center where cars must drive on the train tracks to make a left turn; the intersection of Main and Richmond, where the tracks turn from a protected area onto Main; and at the South Loop frontage road, which is the highest-speed road crossed by the train and also where the overhead wires dip below 15 feet, requiring a detour for tall trucks.
Putting rail at street level and mixing it with motor traffic creates a more dangerous situation for motorists. Period.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 21:12 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (1)
It's Out
Since the demise of the Front Page Sports Football Pro series, I've been waiting for someone to write the next great football simulation.
And waiting.
And waiting.
But I think the wait may be over.
Total Pro Football 2004 has finally been released.
I'm fighting the urge to go purchase and download the thing immediately. I probably will give in to the urge.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 20:54 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Tocqueville And College Football
Political scientist and BCS guru Jeffrey Anderson defends the BCS system.
In so doing, he makes a comparison to the inherent tension in American politics between unchecked majority rule and rule by experts (republicanism, of course, being intended to mitigate that tension).
Interesting.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 14:04 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
We Get Letters
Here's some fan mail I got over Christmas:
I just read your article, Expanding the Boycott, and was not very happy to see that you dont appreciate Kenny Chesney, and plan to boycott him. Boycott him from what may i ask!?!? I understand everyone has an opinion, but you dont have anything nice to comment about, why say anything at all!?! I would appreciate if you wouldnt diss someone that you don't know personally. What goes around comes around.I think my interlocutor misunderstands the point of my weblog.
See, it's all about dissing people I don't know personally.
That's the beauty of it!
And people who assault my ears while standing in swimming pools are perfectly legitimate targets.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 12:57 | Music | Technorati | Comments (4)
The Ford Lions: Where Quality Is NOT Job 1
William Clay Ford has announced that Matt Millen will return as general manager of the Detroit Lions.
Millen's return comes despite Detroit's ongoing NFL-record 24-game road losing streak and two high-profile verbal gaffes concerning a current or former Lion player.The verbal gaffes are bad enough, but 9-38 over his three years?! That's horrible.Earlier this month, Millen came under fire for using a derogatory term for gays in a heated exchange with Kansas City receiver Johnnie Morton, who spent eight years in Detroit before being cut in 2001. Millen apologized shortly after making the comment.
In 2002, Millen was panned for referring to one of his players as a "devout coward" during a radio interview.
In Millen's three years in the Lions' front office, the team has compiled a 9-38 record and has not won a game on the road. The Lions were 9-7 the season before Millen took control.
One surely hopes Mr. Ford knows something more about cars.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 12:38 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (1)
Chipping Away At Anti-Speech Zones
University "free-speech zones" have long been an affront to the First Amendment, and a betrayal of the purpose of liberal education in a free society.
It's always good news when universities begin to take note of that fact, and back away from the idea that speech should be "free" in a small, designated area of a campus, and nowhere else:
They may have come kicking and screaming, but Southwest Missouri State University's leaders did the right thing last week. They acknowledged that students should have the same First Amendment rights on campus they have when they step into the community at large.Until Friday, SMS policy restricted any rallies, demonstrations or protests to a small area in front of Plaster Student Union. The university defended this restriction on the fundamental American rights of assembly and speech by saying that while free speech was important, maintaining order and avoiding disruption of education was more important.
What the story I've linked doesn't make clear is that a conservative student activist who was prohibited from distributing his alternative student newspaper or recruiting fellow students to his group outside of said "free speech zone" brought a federal lawsuit against the university, which seems to have forced them to back away from their ridiculous stance.
So, while this is good news, it's a shame that publications have to be banned and lawsuits brought for a university to adopt a reasonable policy on the First Amendment.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/03 12:01 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
27 December 2003
At The Risk Of Sounding Like A Chick...
Does anyone besides me long for the days when NFL coaches dressed the part?
I'm not saying they need to look like your typical NBA coach, who is dressed to kill. Or not necessarily even like Tom Landry.
But Patriots' coach Bill Belichick looks like a damn homeless person strolling the sideline in his sweats. Surely the same NFL that fines players for having a sock tucked in improperly (I'm not kidding) can take some minimal level of interest in the appearance of the people coaching those players.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/03 15:46 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)
Enjoy That Beef
Richard Bennett has some thoughts on American beef and the Mad Cow scare.
Conclusion: There's no good reason to worry about that moo-moo you're about to consume.
And given the beautiful weather this weekend, about the only worry I have is which cut of beef I'm going to be grilling.
(12-28-03 Update) I grilled up several Filet Mignon steaks just ahead of the cold front moving through Houston. Mmmmmm.... BEEF.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/03 10:45 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
Steak-n-Shake
Back in October when I made it back to my old stomping grounds in Missouri, I mentioned that I was happy to have a Steak-n-Shake burger in Springfield (that place being one of the great regional burger chains in the land).
Over my Christmas roadtrip, I was pleased to discover that Steak-n-Shake has moved into the Dallas area. 
So, of course, I made two stops at a convenient location along US 75 heading to and back from Oklahoma (technically, I was in Plano).
We had the same waiter both times, a natural comedian and excellent server named Marshall. So if you get a chance to stop in Plano and have a double steakburger at Steak-n-Shake, look him up! And enjoy those burgers. Mmmmmmm.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/03 10:00 | Other | Technorati | Comments (5)
A Slow Sports Day
I know it's a slow time in college football right now, before the really big bowl games start.
But I think this statistic that Keith Whitmire pulled together about Oklahoma's average margin of victory following a loss in the Bob Stoops era is one of the sillier things I've seen someone devote column space to.
For those who care, the average victory margin is 39-9. I doubt Nick Saban and LSU will be intimidated.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/03 09:07 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
26 December 2003
Brawl Season?
Well, how about that little brawl at the conclusion of the Hawaii Bowl?
It's not entirely clear who started the thing, but it sure didn't reflect too well on either team with the initials UH.
Maybe not many people saw it, since it was at the end of a LONG game. It's not the way you'd like to conclude a turnaround season that saw so many good things happen.
I do hope Art Briles can recruit some speed on defense for the upcoming season. That defense needs help.
And I don't know where the Hawaii Bowl got its officials, but I also hope they can recruit some talent in that area. Those were some pitifully inept officials.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/26/03 08:22 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (1)
25 December 2003
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
I hope Santa was good to you all.
Even you liberals and UT fans. :)
After a day full of presents and food and such, don't forget to conclude your evening with the Houston Cougars in the Hawaii Bowl.
Because Christmas isn't just about family and food and celebrating Christ and all that. There's football too!
(Update) On a less lighthearted note, let's also remember the members of our armed forces (one of whom will be attending that same Houston game I mentioned, courtesy of my donated ticket) this Christmas. We are blessed to have men like PFC Jesse Givens serving in our armed forces, men who show us the way even through their tragedy.
Go outside and look at the stars and count them. Don’t forget to smile.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/25/03 08:58 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
24 December 2003
Mack's Been In The Egg Nog
It looks like Mack Brown's been hitting the spiked egg nog:
"What I'd like to say to our fans is, 'As long as you pay for a ticket, I don't mind if you gripe.' I make a lot of money, and there's a lot of people I'm responsible to," Brown said. "But I would like for some people to enjoy football more. I think some enjoy just the criticizing of the coaching. That's OK, too. Because you have that right if you come and sit in the stands. I don't think that's a bad thing.Now there is a plan -- hang out and hope for the best."But we're making progress. The last two years, we've lost two games [each season] in the fourth quarter that kept us from playing in the final game and having a chance to win the national championship. We're back on the national scene ... and if you're around the national championship often enough, you'll eventually win it."
In my opinion, Mack Brown had his best shots in 2001 and 2002. He had outrecruited every team in the Big 12 several years running, the talent on the field was superior, and he just didn't get it done. It's going to be tougher now that Bob Stoops is outrecruiting him on the national level, and Les Miles and Dennis Franchione are in hot pursuit in his division of the Big 12.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/24/03 18:26 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (2)
When A Is Not A (Or, Solomon Strikes Again)
About the only good thing about the end of college football season is that we won't be subject to gems like this from Comical Big 12 sportswriter Jerome Solomon for a while:
Just because you believe a team is the best, doesn’t mean it deserves to be ranked No. 1.Err, umm, okay, Jerome. Thanks for that insight.
By the way, nice call on the Heisman race as well.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/24/03 11:38 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
Nice Job, Horned Frogs
I'm a UH fan, and for the reason I tend to root for their C-USA brethren when it comes to bowl games.
But I have to say, after TCU turned C-USA upside down to get out of the GMAC Bowl and effectively host an extra game in Fort Worth for their "bowl" game, I'm kind of glad to see them get waxed.
By Boise State.
All of the people who were whining about them being left out of the BCS sweepstakes way back when they were undefeated can now go away.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/24/03 11:27 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
Merry Christmas Eve!
Posting is almost certainly going to be really light around here, as your friendly proprietor engages in Christmas cheer.
I hope you're enjoying your Christmas Eve.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/24/03 09:41 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
23 December 2003
It's Official: International Festival Leaving Downtown
Not quite two weeks after Houston International Festival officials warned the annual musical and cultural festival might be leaving downtown, it's official: the new home of the international festival will be the Reliant Park complex and parking lots.
And so, a great chance to show off our downtown -- rail and all now -- instead falls by the wayside because city and festival leaders couldn't figure out a way to keep one of our best festivals from moving out of central Houston to a big slab of concrete south of town.
I can't believe I'm about to write this, but the KPFT folks get it right:
"It's not going to be very creative," said Nuri Nuri, a KPFT-FM radio announcer and devoted festival participant. He said the new site will be more structured and sterile, ruining the relaxed atmosphere that led families to spend the day at the festival, napping in the parks, meeting new people and chatting with friends.Only in certain ways? You mean by building quarter-billion dollar playpens at the public's expense for the city's millionaire sports team owners and the folks affluent enough to be able to afford good seats in those taxpayer-subsidized playpens?"I'm not blaming the festival folks because they don't have the money," Nuri said. "Let the city put some money in it, for God's sake."
Mike Savas, a music buff and former KPFT announcer, said he will miss the ambience of downtown. He thinks city officials are overlooking a natural part of creating a vibrant downtown that attracts more than commuters.
"It seems ironic that they're trying to build up downtown, but only in certain ways," said Savas, who has performed at the festival in a Greek dancing group.
Meanwhile, Carol Alvarado and Mark Ellis prove that dumbassery really can be bipartisan in our fair city:
But though the city helped found the festival and has long supported it by waiving many fees, city officials did little to discourage the move.Err, Mark, do you REALLY believe YOU had ANYTHING to do with the festival's rise to prominence?"I just don't see how these minimal changes would drive them out of downtown," said City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, who pushed for the measure that quintupled the fees the festival would have had to pay to remain on city property.
Councilman Mark Ellis disputed Austin's contention that the festival generates revenue for the city in parking fees and taxes, promotes international business, and helps Houston's image.
"Their position now is, `Now that y'all have built us, we're going to go take our ball and play somewhere else,' " he said. "Good riddance."
And it's hardly surprising Alvarado can't see how raising fees on anything would discourage that activity, economics apparently not being a strength of hers.
It's nice when our city leaders manage so perfectly to screw up one of the few things our city has gotten right for so many years.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/23/03 07:53 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
22 December 2003
Bring On The Christmas Gluttony
Time is likely to be scarce over the next few days through Christmas, so I just compressed a couple of days of weights into a single gym session tonight.
So now I'm ready. Bring on the Christmas gluttony.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/03 23:07 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
We Like Suzy Too!
It's hard to blame Joe Namath for this sentiment.
Suzy Kolber IS a cutie after all, and she seems really to know her football.
But dude should learn not to blurt out such things.
Nobody likes an offensive, sloppy drunk.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/03 21:09 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)
Austin Monthly?
Maybe the arrogant asses who run Texas Monthly should give themselves one of their infamous Bum Steer awards for a change:
The almost-forgotten Astrodome has come alive again -- accidentally.That's impressive.Leading off a special "Houston and Beyond" advertising section in the January 2004 edition of Texas Monthly, timed to coincide with the upcoming Super Bowl, is a prominent photo of the Astrodome provided by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Problem is, the Dome is hardly used anymore and the Feb. 1 game is coming to new Reliant Stadium next door. The bigger problem is that the years-old photo of the Astrodome on page 109 is captioned "Reliant Stadium."
"That's nice," bureau spokeswoman Holly Clapham said jokingly. "We don't use Astrodome photos unless they're in our archives."
Clapham said the bureau provides promotional photos on its Web site and was not involved in Texas Monthly's layout. The magazine did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press about the error.
The picture of the Astrodome, shown bustling with cars packed in the lot, was taken before construction began on $449 million Reliant Stadium in 2000. The Astrohall convention center in the foreground was demolished last year.
Want to see a picture of Reliant Stadium? Sorry, it doesn't appear in the magazines 22 pages of text and photos.
I used to subscribe to that magazine, but at some point it just stopped being worth it (I think the Chrissy Simms cover may have finally done it). Seems like they need to get outside of Austin a little more.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/03 20:13 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (1)
A Very Claremont Christmas
The Claremonsters have posted their last-minute Christmas book ideas.
As one might imagine of the Claremonsters, it's not exactly, shall we say, the lightest reading.
But it's all good. Of most interest to me is a new translation of early works of Leo Strauss, which I had completely missed. Tom West also has some thoughtful comments on Harry Jaffa's two major works on Lincoln.
Another gift idea for those bookish political types might be the Claremont Review of Books, about the smartest such review going.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/03 20:01 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
It Matters How Government Is Funded
Kuffner is complaining because Governor Perry refuses even to consider the possibility of a state income tax as a tool to modify public school financing in Texas:
The objection to an income tax as opposed to any other kind is strictly a doctrinal one. It has no basis in rationality as far as I'm concerned.People who have no objections to the growth of the administrative/redistributive state -- nay, who agitate for its very growth -- rarely are concerned about such matters.
Kuffner may be right -- those of us who celebrate the absence of a personal income tax in Texas tend to do so on doctrinal grounds. But I won't concede that we're capriciously doctrinaire (or irrational).
The problem with the income tax is its pernicious nature -- it's withheld throughout the year, it's calculated once a year, nobody ever has a great sense of just what their government is costing them, and it's very easy for legislators interested in growing the administrative/redistributive state to take a "one-time" hit to boost such a tax, knowing the full consequences won't actually be assessed until tax day, well down the road.
Boost the sales tax, on the other hand, and people feel the consequences much more directly. Ditto cigarette taxes, liquor taxes, gas taxes, license and registration fees (ask Gray Davis how that went over!). And they react, by calling legislators and complaining, by limiting tax growth through popular referendum (California), perhaps even recalling their governor (also California). Advocates of democracy and limited government should rejoice over those few states that don't have an income tax.
No advocate of limited government should probably ever support an income tax in this state (despite carping from experts like Richard Murray, who's been extolling the virtues of new "revenue streams" on the public access channel lately). I say "probably ever" because I can only think of one possible exception, and that would be supporting a revenue neutral state income tax that reduced other taxes and also included a hard constitutional cap on the size of government that would require any revenue collections in excess of a certain percentage of state income to be returned to taxpayers. Missouri's "Hancock Amendment" is one such mechanism, and the one with which I'm most familiar. Unfortunately, the experience in Missouri suggests that a Democrat governor and legislature determined to grow the administrative/redistributive state will find creative ways around such barriers.
Still, if the advocates of a state income tax were to pledge their support for such a limitation on the growth of government, it might be something we limited-government types could support. I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/03 19:08 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (1)
21 December 2003
Stop Making Illegal Turns!
The rail line's not officially open, but it just saw its fourth traffic/train collision.
Every instance seems to have been a clueless motorist fighting the natural tendency to want to make a left turn.
Here's some friendly advice, people: stop the illegal turns. The train's big and heavy. You will lose. Just like this guy, who was clueless crash victim #3:
I really hope people become accustomed to the thing before the Super Bowl.
I have to say, it certainly has made getting around Main an adventure. I sat FOREVER at a red light downtown wanting to make a right turn onto Main a few nights ago because of the new "No Right Turn On Red" designations all along the rail route.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/21/03 08:29 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (5)
20 December 2003
Jason White Back To The Sooners Next Season
Heisman winner Jason White will be returning for one more season with the Sooners next year:
The offense will return every key starter but running back Renaldo Works (who split time with Kejuan Jones and Donta Hickson this season) next year, unless other players (Mark Clayton? Jamaal Brown?) declare for the NFL draft.White, who won the Heisman Trophy a week ago, capping a comeback from two serious knee injuries, eschewed any such announcement during his weekend in New York — repeatedly deflecting questions about his future, just as he had all year.
He originally planned to reveal the decision during the annual team banquet on Friday night. Instead, White asked coach Bob Stoops if he could address the Sooners as they huddled before leaving Owen Field.
“It’s just like Jason not to do it on a grand stage, not to do it at a banquet or somewhere where everybody’s waiting on it,” Stoops said. “It’s his humble way and also respecting his players. He wants them to be the first to know.”
White’s teammates responded with a loud cheer.
“It’s awesome,” said junior defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who had pondered — and decided against — applying early for the NFL. “It makes me definitely want to come back, for sure.”
White, 23, who was a member of Stoops’ first recruiting class and enrolled in 1999, is on track to graduate in May with a sociology degree. He’s eligible for another season because of an NCAA bylaw that allows an additional season for players whose eligibility was interrupted by injury.
White three times has been sidelined by injuries. He received a hardship in 1999 for a back injury and another in 2002 after his second torn anterior cruciate ligament. The first knee injury a year earlier wasn’t applicable because it occurred beyond the midway point of the season.
OU officials petitioned the NCAA’s office of student-athlete reinstatement on Thursday and received an affirmative response by phone Friday morning. White must still receive written assurance, but with the oral assurance, that’s a formality.
Offensive coordinator Chuck Long is practically salivating over this early Christmas present from White:
“We felt we were gonna be good this year, but we also thought we were a year away from being great,” offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. “We ended up being better than good this year, so this is wonderful news.”I was sure I heard an odd hum for much of the day coming from the general direction of Austin. I can only guess that was the distant sound of Mack Brown groaning.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/03 11:56 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (3)
Coughlin To New York?
I'll be shocked if Tom Coughlin is not the next coach of the Giants, and if he isn't named soon. Really soon.
It's a perfect fit. Coughlin has been a successful NFL assistant, a successful NFL head coach, and he's been an assistant for the NY Giants and understands how to coach in that hellhole the crazy place.
Unfortunately, that will make the NFC East (where my Cowboys reside) a much tougher division.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/03 11:47 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)
If The Food Doesn't Kill You....
You faithful readers who frequent Houston's many taquerias may want to be extra careful:
A group of masked robbers terrorizing north Houston taquerias are merciless in their quests for cash, police investigators said Friday.These folks really aren't very smart. We do have a concealed-carry law in this state, and it's only a matter of time before someone who is annoyed by having his artery-clogging taco feast interrupted pulls out his concealed taco defender, and makes salsa out of the brains of these folks.Armed with shotguns, pistols and knives, the robbers have beaten, shot at and stabbed even cooperative victims. Since Oct. 30, the group has stormed nine taquerias and a Denny's restaurant. The number of attacks is escalating, Houston police say, with seven such heists occurring in the past two weeks.
"They are being very brutal," said investigator Roger Chappell. "They are injuring people inside these restaurants. Whether (the victims) are complying or not makes no difference. Unfortunately, we haven't had a lot of witnesses stay around that could give us information."
[snip]
Three people were taken to the hospital after the latest heist early Friday at a Denny's in the 7700 block of Veterans Memorial. Three men and a woman burst into the restaurant at about 3 a.m., wearing ski masks or hoods, Chappell said. After demanding wallets and money from customers and employees, the robbers shot at a man's vehicle pulling up as they left.
In most cases, one of the robbers posed as a customer, asking for directions or to use a bathroom or phone, Chappell said. The robber usually left, then returned with accomplices.
Seven of the holdups escalated into assaults, even when victims fully cooperated.
"It looks to us like (victims) are doing what they're required to do ... but they're still being beaten with the weapons. In one incident, we had two who were stabbed," Chappell said.
[snip]
The suspects are described as three black men and a black woman, all between 19 and 25 years old. The robber depicted in a composite sketch released Friday has a teardrop tattoo under one eye and is smaller than his accomplices, standing 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 140 to 160 pounds. The other men are 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weigh 190 to 210 pounds.
Either that, or the proprietor of one of these establishments will do the same thing. For example, they haven't returned to the Icehouse (lesson apparently learned: do not try to separate armed Greek man from his livelihood).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/03 11:08 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
19 December 2003
Finally, The Weekend
I *really* should roadtrip to Galveston to see Randy Rogers tonight, but I'm afraid the office party last night took too much of a toll (that, and we did the Galveston thang LAST weekend).
So, it's gonna be another night of 80s fun with Molly and the Ringwalds at the Continental Club.
And maybe some time at the Icehouse afterwards.
(Update) There was another traffic/rail accident today, the third one that's taken place (even though the line isn't officially open). Since the Continental Club is along the rail line, maybe I'll get to see a crash with my 80s music tonight! Or not. Anyway, time to go.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/03 18:34 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)
Fired
Re: this post about Farmer's Insurance -- I ran a day late, but just sent the fax firing them.
I feel much better now!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/03 13:02 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
I'm Gonna Rock And Roll All Night (And Party Every Day)
I didn't quite expect to find a review of KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography when I went to the Jerusalem Post books page earlier, but there it is.
For the record, I was a huge KISS fan in grade school, and even saw the band live when I was in fourth grade.
I was so cool. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/03 10:53 | Music | Technorati | Comments (1)
18 December 2003
Rockets Buffoonery
Three first-round draft picks for nothing.
Thanks Rudy T and Carroll D.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/03 23:44 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
That Same Old Feeling
Post company holiday (we dare not call it Christmas, because someone might be offended) party, I find myself listening to Sinatra and to .38 Special.
Callie is thinking, "that boy just ain't right."
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/03 23:12 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
Congrats
Word has it that a friend of ours will be marching in commencement ceremonies at UH today.
Congrats!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/03 11:07 | Other | Technorati | Comments (5)
Down
Sorry for the recent downtime.
The host was doing some serious upgrades with the server, and changed some settings that took us off for a while.
The site may be a little less peppy than usual, because for some reason gzip compression is not working at the moment. Will have a look at that tonight.
(Update) Gzip compression should now be working. There may be some other bugs (comments seem to be acting up?) that I will sort out tonight. Please email me if you find something that's not working properly.
(Update 2) Comments are definitely having problems. I'm at work and cannot tinker with the thing at the moment. Your comments seem to be saving just fine, even though an error message is produced. I'll try to get that fixed later. Sorry about this.
(Update 3) Okay, I *think* comments are working properly again now. It just required an obscure tweak in an obscure place. Please let me know if you find something that's broken.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/03 07:35 | Other | Technorati | Comments (4)
17 December 2003
Raging Blogging Fools
This post over at The Trailing Edge is thought provoking.
Most political weblogs are polemical, and I would go further to suggest that even more personal weblogs are as well (this one certainly is on quite a few topics, ranging from the Comical to Mayor Pothole). The medium lends itself to that sort of rhetoric.
There's a line (how fine? I'm not entirely sure) between polemic and raging, however. And there seems to be a great deal of raging in political weblogs, in posts, but especially in comments. And then, as Mr. Casburn points out, the inevitable posts from "the other side" pointing out just how foolish all of those raging fools are.
Truth be told, there are plenty of raging blogging fools. A tip of the hat to Mr. Casburn and the folks he's linked to for reminding us that we shouldn't spend too much attention on them -- or becoming them.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/03 22:53 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (2)
Bowling Bowling Bowling
I've said in previous posts that too many people want the BCS system to be a substitute for a playoff, which it is not (and was never intended to be).
Comical Big 12 sportswriter Jerome Solomon is indicative:
Q: I just want to comment and ask your thoughts on OU and the BCS. I can't believe some of these writers and ESPN personalities trying to undermine the Sooners. I hate standing up for them being that I am UT grad, but let's get real. All three of these teams stumbled and OU just happen to do it last. In my opinion the BCS has the polls just right. How quickly the writers forget that USC lost to Cal and LSU to Florida, both arguably sub-par to K-State. I have a feeling that in the end Mr. Stoops will have his boys ready to embarrass LSU and Michigan will take care of the men of Troy.So, Mr. Solomon agrees that the Sooners are the best team in the country. But it seems Mr. Solomon is disappointed because the BCS formula didn't impose a penalty for a late-season loss, and thereby put at least one team in the championship game that was not among his two best teams in the country over the course of the season -- all because of a mythical unofficial playoff that exists in the minds of quite a few people, including Mr. Solomon.Micah in Houston
A: Micah, no one wants to undermine the Sooners, but in every college season, there is a point where an unofficial playoff begins. OU is the only one of the three one-loss teams to lose a "playoff" game, and as we know, when you lose in the playoffs, you're out. OU lost and should be out. But I think the Sooners are the best team in the country.
But Mr. Solomon then goes on to criticize the NY Times ranking:
Have you looked at some of these computers and their rankings? The New York Times has Texas at No. 4 and Oklahoma, which beat UT 65-13 and has a better record, at No. 5.If late season losses are to count disproportionately (the mythical "playoff") -- and we have a sense from Mr. Solomon that this is what he thinks -- then doesn't the NY Times ranking get it right by that logic?
The BCS system isn't perfect. But nobody ever promised that it would act as a substitute for a playoff (although, as I've suggested before, you could weigh late-season losses disproportionately and make it work that way -- if you want results like the NY Times computer spits out). Overall, though it's done a decent job pairing the two teams that played the best over the course of college football seasons, including this season. I'm not even especially unhappy with how the other bowl matchups come about now. As I mentioned earlier over at Alex's place in a related post, the "big" bowls used to have some crap games back in "the good old days." But I'm looking forward to the biggies this year. Not to mention the Hawaii Bowl. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/03 22:34 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
I'm Going To Fire Someone Tomorrow
I wonder what the retention rate is for most auto insurance companies?
Generally, I'm guessing most people don't leave the company they're with, because it's kind of a pain in the ass.
As an example, I've insured through Farmer's for something like 17 years.
But they've finally annoyed me enough actually to switch.
It doesn't hurt that we've recently gotten a good group deal through work with Liberty Mutual, or that I can pay via payroll deductions and avoid silly service charges and down payments.
So, tomorrow I think I'll finalize the Liberty Mutual stuff, and FIRE THE FARMER'S EFFERS.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/03 22:08 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Another Light Rail-Car Accident
There's been another traffic/light-rail accident, even though the line isn't even officially open:
Another driver has found out the hard way about the potential dangers of light rail and other traffic sharing the same road space.It's only going to get worse.The accident happened at Fannin and Southmore and is a vivid reminder that drivers need to start watching out for the rail.
Within minutes workers were on the scene at Southmore and Fannin trying to figure out if the system failed or if the driver of a Mercedes was at fault. The collision left a 70-foot scratch on the train, but no one was hurt.
Wednesday afternoon a motorist leaving the Flower Garden store started to exit the driveway when the train came as a surprise.
"Anytime you come out of a driveway, anywhere you should look both ways," says Metro spokesperson Ken Connaughton. "That's good fundamental driving habits."
But Houstonians aren't used to the rail sign, which was on the motorist's right hand side. Workers tested it and it worked, lighting up when the train was two blocks away. But it doesn't flash, and it doesn't have a sound.
"We are real concerned about that," says Connaughton.
Workers at the Flower Garden say they saw a motorist narrowly escape getting hit at the same location three weeks ago. "Probably she didn't see the train coming," says George Ramos. "And the sign was not visible, so she almost got hit by the train."
Light rail is in test-drive mode. It will be in full swing on New Years Day. Metro says it will be the motorists' responsibility to start recognizing the signs. But it's not ruling out a possible change. "Yeah, in a general sense we will always be willing to look at any alteration or improvement that would make a safer system," says Connaughton.
On a more positive note, I'm happy to report that I survived a walk earlier this evening in the downtown area where Metro buses have killed two people in recent months.
Mass transit kills in this city.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/03 20:52 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (10)
From One Public Works War Zone To Another
ABC-13 is reporting that Iraqi officials are in town to learn from Houston public works officials:
Iraqi leaders are hoping the Bayou City will help them learn how to rebuild their country.That's exactly right.Officials from Baghdad are in the US to learn about our cities as part of the long-term plan for re-building Iraq. Baghdad's Deputy Mayor Ibrahim Hussein says they're here to learn about things like how to install sewer lines. It might surprise you, but Houston and Baghdad have a lot in common.
Six years of Lee Brown's inept administration have produced a state of public works not unlike that found in a war zone. As we begin to recover under the new White Administration, we should have plenty to share with our Iraqi friends.
:)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/03 15:13 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
16 December 2003
Pelini Sounds Like Haig
Nebraska AD Steve Pederson better get himself a marquee name for his next football head coach, and soon.
Because if firing a 9-3 coach who was a loyal Husker at a crucial point in recruiting weren't bad enough, stories like this one are just killing the school. Seriously, are any of the potential coaches named in this story big enough to save recruiting for Nebraska this year?
I can't imagine so.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 21:59 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
Damn Fools Covering A Damn Fool
Belo and Time Warner recently started a 24 hour cable news station in Houston, with the not-so-original name News 24 Houston.
It's a dreadful little station that suffers from extremely poor writing, so poor that it's noticeable even on a visual medium.
Here's an example of their stellar work:
“He wants to be all things to all people and I don't think that what's a mayor should be in the city of Houston. We got away from some of the core city services that we should have been providing,” said Ellis.Rap Pore. Sounds like some sort of fungus. I hope it's not communicable.Brown was criticized for often being away on foreign trade missions, earning the nickname "Out of Town Brown." When he was home, he had difficulty in convincing opposing council members to vote for major projects.
He was never good at building rap pore. He is not the most personality oriented mayor. He is a police officer in the root of his being and because of that he doesn't have that personal skill that a lot of leaders will have,” said Sims.
On the topic of incoherence, here's a quote from our bumbling fool of a mayor:
“One of probably the best advices I had been from my former boss Mayor Dinkins. He said be yourself. I am myself. I have not changed during my time as mayor. I do reach out and remember we didn't lose too many things on city council,” said Brown.Best advices. From Mayor Dinkins.
Need I say more?
Why yes, actually. THANK GOODNESS FOR TERM LIMITS.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 21:45 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (3)
Everyone's A Winner At UT
Mack Brown has given out annual awards for his Longhorns.
Here are the details:
[Roy] Williams shared Most Valuable Offensive Player with junior RB Cedric Benson, who was named Texas’ Outstanding Offensive Back for the third straight season. Williams also shared the Outstanding Wide Receiver award with FL B.J. Johnson and SE Sloan Thomas.Think about what's wrong with this picture, and click on the [Read More] link when you want to read my take. [Read More]Junior WLB Derrick Johnson was selected both the Most Valuable Defensive Player and Outstanding Linebacker. DT Marcus Tubbs was selected Outstanding Defensive Lineman with sophomore DT Rodrique Wright. Tubbs also shared the team’s Strength and Conditioning Award with OG Tillman Holloway and senior DS Cullen Loeffler.
CB Nathan Vasher was named Outstanding Defensive Back along with FS Dakarai Pearson. (It’s quite a gesture for Pearson, considering he missed half the season with injuries while Vasher tied the Texas career INT mark at 17 while leading the team with six picks.)
Holloway, the only senior on this year’s O-line, earned Outstanding Offensive Lineman honors. The four other starters on the O-line (junior Jason Glynn, sophomores Will Allen and Jonathan Scott, and redshirt freshman Justin Blalock) shared the offensive Most Improved designation.
Both freshman Vince Young and junior Chance Mock shared the Outstanding Quarterback award while Young was named the Outstanding Offensive Newcomer.
Loeffler earned more hardware with the Longhorn Club Sportsmanship Award while sharing Most Valuable Special Teams Player with sophomore P Richmond McGee and junior PK Dusty Mangum.
Basically, nearly every Longhorn who saw significant action this past season received some sort of an award.
Senior Bo Scaife, sophomore David Thomas and senior Brock Edwards all shared Outstanding Tight End. Senior RB Brett Robin and junior FB Will Matthews shared Most Consistent Offensive Player honors. Robin was also awarded the Lan Hewlett Academic Award and the Coca-Cola Community Service Award.
Senior Kalen Thornton was named the Outstanding Defensive End (my choice would have been freshman Tim Crowder, as Thornton has been a shell of his former self after battling lengthy knee injuries) while senior SLB Reed Boyd was tabbed as Most Consistent Defensive Player (yep, the least we can say about Boyd is that he was consistent).
Hard-hitting sophomore MLB Aaron Harris shared the Most Improved Defensive Player award with junior safety Phillip Geiggar. (The argument here is Geiggar made the defensive play of the year when he stripped Kansas State QB Ell Roberson of the ball inside the red zone halfway through the fourth quarter Oct. 4. The play set up Texas’ 88-yard winning drive in the 24-20 win over the eventual Big 12 champs.)
CB Tarell Brown, S Michael Griffin, DB Aaron Ross and Crowder were each named the Outstanding Defensive Newcomer.
Williams, Tubbs and Holloway were named permanent team captains by their teammates.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 20:59 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (2)
Ryan Adams
Jack Sparks is wound up, and Ryan Adams is in the crosshairs:
Maybe I should ditch all the comparisons and scenery and just say it. There are a lot of guys and gals in the music biz who were strange, exciting and vital voices for a new kind of twang in the late 80's and early 90's, and for some reason, many of them think they're rock stars now. They're all talented, so these are at the very least, passable rock shows; but, their twang talents were and could be so much more interesting and important than the garden variety stuff they're churning out now. Good luck Ryan Adams, we hardly knew ya.As is often the case, I agree completely with Mr. Sparks.
Ryan Adams did some brilliant stuff with Whiskeytown.
But I just can't get into what he's doing now.
In fact, of the Whiskeytown folks who are doing solo work now, I much prefer Caitlin Cary.
Interestingly enough, that post from Mr. Sparks made me think of the Great Divide and Mike McClure.
(12-17-03 Update) Renee sends me another review of Ryan Adams in Minnesota, this one by Chris Riemenschneider (who used to cover the Austin music scene for publications there). The link requires registration (hint: I've yet to find a site where laexaminer for name and password doesn't work -- thanks to Welch and Layne!). It sounds like Adams was being his usual ass-clown self.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 20:36 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)
August And Everything After
You Counting Crows fans may want to check out AnnaBegins.com and download August and Everything After.
No, not the album.
The song that gave the album its name, but didn't make the cut on the album, had been long lost, was recently found on a fan's live bootleg after Duritz hinted he'd perform it if someone could find him the lyrics, was transcribed and given to the man, and VOILA -- a live recording of it from a fan on the best fan's music site (AnnaBegins.com) on the great big web.
It's a cool song.
And what a cool band that encourages tapers like myself.
All good.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 20:14 | Music | Technorati | Comments (7)
Happy To Be Unofficial
I'm glad this blog is nothing more than a hobby for me.
Because if it were, say, the "Official Weblog of the Texas Democratic Party" (or any other organization), I might actually run a spell checker on occasion and otherwise check my copy.
Just a hint guys -- there's no E in ridiculous. And only one t in on the back side of targeted.
Since you're official and all, you're officially welcome. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/03 20:12 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (2)
15 December 2003
Callie: "He looks like a demented football Santa Claus"
I think Cowboys coach Bill Parcells is bipolar:
Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells understands the opportunity at hand. Always has.One week (vs. Carolina) he's crying (literally!) about how proud he is of his team. The next week, they don't have any idea what's going on. Two weeks later (after a win), everyone knows what's going on.And he knows some of his most experienced players always had a good idea what could be accomplished.
But Parcells wasn't so sure about his younger players, stating two weeks ago he had too many immature players who "didn't understand what they were doing."
However, Sunday's 27-0 win over the Redskins might have demonstrated to the coach his younger players are starting to get the message and realize the position this team is in with two games to play.
"At this point, you really don't have to tell them what's going on," Parcells said. "They know. There doesn't have to be a big message to the team. Everyone, I think, has an idea what's going to be going on now."
The man is a great coach, but I can see why he has to "retire" every 3-4 years. It's just an intense rollercoaster ride with him. And he's no longer a young man.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/15/03 20:18 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (0)
14 December 2003
The Comical As Drayton's PR Outlet
Almost two weeks ago, I noticed that Comical sportswriter Jose de Jesus Ortiz worked in a reference to the Astros losing $15 million during the past baseball season, with no substantiation of any sort for the claim.
Today, he's at it again:
The Astros, who lost $15 million last year, aren't in a position to stretch the budget much higher than the potential $80 million it stands at right now for next season. Hidalgo understands he might be traded, ridding the Astros of his $12 million salary for next season and a $2 million buyout for 2005And Richard Justice, a writer who is presumably a step up from the rest of the staff at the Comical if we take his mug time on ESPN's PTI as evidence, does the same thing:
McLane did not order the trade of closer Billy Wagner because it would lead to the signing of one of baseball's best starters. He ordered that trade because the Astros lost around $15 million and because baseball has ordered teams to dramatically reduce their debt by 2006.I'll repeat what I said in an earlier post:
McLane refuses to open his books fully, so there's no objective way of knowing how much money he's made or lost. The Comical's sportswriter apparently just decided that if McLane said it, it must be true. Not even worthy of some sort of qualification, such as "After claiming losses of $15 million, McLane...."The Comical's "reporters" shouldn't be acting as Drayton's cheerleaders in their articles. If they are just repeating Drayton's press releases about losses of $15 million last year, they should be writing "Team officials claim $15 million in losses for last year." If they've somehow verified those numbers, they should explain that.
I sent a polite email to the Comical's reader representative about this sloppy reporting earlier today. If you care to do so, you can click on his name: James T. Campbell.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/14/03 19:56 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)
White And The Heisman
Kudos to Jason White for capping off a great season and a great personal comeback physically by winning the Heisman over the weekend.
All season long, White has been the difference-maker in an offense that was good last year under Nate Hybl but that had difficulty seizing games and reversing momentum at crucial times. This year, Oklahoma's offense roared like no Norman offense in decades, largely due to Jason White's ability to read defenses and deliver pinpoint strikes. We should note, however, for those who don't follow college football so closely or who only watched this year's Big 12 championship game, that Jason White didn't have Trent Smith, the great tight end who was Oklahoma's most reliable receiver last year. In fact, Oklahoma didn't get anything close to comparable production out of its tight ends this year. Nor did the offense have Quentin Griffin, the best running back in the Big 12 last year, although the Sooners did get good production out of their current trio of running backs. Jason White was missing some key weapons that Nate Hybl had last year, and STILL the Sooners roared. He was a key reason.
I'm glad the Heisman voters didn't punish White because they disagreed with Oklahoma's selection to the Sugar Bowl.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/14/03 19:11 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (2)
Streak Broken
A few weeks ago, Callie and I took advantage of post-Thanksgiving sales and bought ourselves a Christmas gift -- a larger television.
Since then, the football teams I watch religious have played terribly.
My Sooners forgot to show up for the Big 12 Championship game in Kansas City and got hammered 35-7.
And then my Cowboys did show up for half of the game against Philadelphia, only to get blown out 36-10 by the end.
I was convinced it was the television's fault.
But the streak was broken today, as Dallas thumped on Washington.
Now, I just need the Sooners to respond similarly in the Sugar Bowl.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/14/03 18:55 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
12 December 2003
Busy Weekend
We have a visitor coming in for the weekend, so posting is likely to be nonexistent (or very slow) around here as we show her around during her first ever trip to the greatest state in the union.
She's a dang Redskins fan, so it's probably not going to be a happy weekend for her after the Cowboys spank their asses on Sunday. :)
Music that we may or may not see in Houston (but that you good readers should consider):
Kevin Fowler, Firehouse, Friday
Mandy Smith Group, The Twelve Spot (218 Travis), Friday
Django Walker, Firehouse, Saturday
Jimmy LaFave, Mucky Duck, Saturday
Joe Ely and others, Continental Club, Saturday (Alejandro Escovedo benefit)
Oh, and it's possible that my various sites may be unavailable for a time over the weekend. The host is changing some things on the server that may well affect php/mySQL sites like this one. If we're gone, it won't be for long, so you liberals and UT fans don't need to get your hopes up.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/12/03 17:31 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
Maisel Votes White
Ivan Maisel says he voted for Jason White for the Heisman, and defends his pick:
Oklahoma quarterback Jason White has been the favorite since midseason, but his Heisman chances emerged from the Big 12 Championship Game as battered as the Sooners themselves. Oklahoma took some heat this week for getting into the Sugar Bowl because the body of its work overrode the pratfall against Kansas State. Whether you buy into that for the Sooners, it certainly should be true for White.I think so. I'm glad Maisel reached that conclusion. Some people do still have trouble divorcing themselves from the debacle against Kansas State, but maybe it won't cost White the Heisman.The fifth-year senior has the numbers, and he played a large role in the rise of the Sooners from good to great. Even with his performance against the Wildcats, White finished first in the nation in passing efficiency. Once you divorce yourself from the emotional reaction to seeing Oklahoma treated like Baylor, you still come to the conclusion that White had the best season.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/12/03 16:09 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
Cry Me A River
NFL players say some of the funniest things:
An obviously frustrated [Ebenezer] Ekuban became the first Cowboys player to criticize first-year coach Bill Parcells, saying the decision to deactivate him for Sunday's game against Philadelphia was "handled in a very classless manner."Maybe he could bring a box of chocolates? And a chick flick? And maybe they could have a good cry together while they discuss whether Ekuban will be active any given week?"I would think coach Parcells would come and talk to me personally, say, 'I'm going to go this route,' and let me know exactly, show some respect. But I found out the night before that he was going to sleep on it," Ekuban said. "So the day of the game, no one tells me. I just go in the locker room and see my equipment not there."
No, I don't think so. Here's what Parcells says:
"No. 1 draft pick doesn't have anything to do with anything around here. Any more," Parcells said. "It's a production game. It's as simple as that. It's a production game."
And the other guys have produced:
Ekuban has 2 1/2 sacks this season, which does not place him in the top 100 in the NFL. His 22 tackles rank 11th among the Cowboys, placing him just below end Eric Ogbogu, who was signed during training camp when Parcells was "looking under rocks" for options. What began as a series of "options" has turned into a right-end rotation with Ekuban, Ogbogu and Kenyon Coleman.There you have it. Ekuban will be with another team next season, never having lived up to being a #1 draft pick.Not only has Ogbogu bettered Ekuban's production in fewer starts, but he has replaced him in the starting lineup.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/12/03 08:01 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (0)
11 December 2003
Retarded Radio?
Community far-Left radio station KPFT is preparing for elections to their Local Station Board, and is starting to hold candidate forums.
I found this announcement on their website to be unintentionally hilarious:
The first Candidate Forum will be held at the The Center serving Persons with mental Retardation, Sunday December 14, between 2 & 5 PM. The Center is located at 3550 West Dallas (near Shepherd)It's just perfect. I mean, really, I could only screw this up by saying anything. So I'll just leave you with that valuable information.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/11/03 16:54 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (4)
College Football Awards
How about University of Houston TRUE FRESHMAN quarterback Kevin Kolb snagging a place as first team quarterback on the College Football News Offensive Freshman All-America Team?!
For you Shorthorn fans, that means he finished ahead of your star running back who lines up behind center, Vincent Young. He also beat out Florida's Chris Leak.
Nice job!
Elsewhere, the AP gave LSU head coach Nick Saban its Coach of the Year award. It's hard to argue with the job Saban did, and he's long been a media favorite. If yours truly had a vote, though, it would have gone to Tulsa's Steve Kragthorpe. He presided over an incredible turnaround of the football program at that basketball school.
Of course, everyone already knows that Sooners Derrick Strait (Nagurski) and Tommie Harris (Lombardi) have recently picked up big postseason awards. Will Jason White add another one to the list in the form of the Heisman?
Shorthorn homer Kirk Bohls explains why he voted for White, as does Erick Smith.
I'm still worried that the media will punish Jason White (who had a great season, better than most of the quarterbacks who have won the Heisman recently) because White's team upset all the media types by earning a #1 BCS ranking despite losing late in the season. Maybe, though, they're going to be professionals and look past that. I hope so.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/11/03 16:46 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (9)
Way To Go Drayton (Yes, I Had My Doubts)
In just a few minutes, the Astros' press conference to announce the signing of Andy Pettitte will begin.
Regular readers know that I've been highly skeptical of Drayton McLane's willingness to sign Pettitte. I'm happy to eat crow on this one (now how about a real centerfielder/leadoff type? I know, call me greedy). Pettitte should be a good addition, both for his talent and his leadership.
However, he may have an adjustment period. He goes from a stadium well suited to his style to a home run launching pad.
And he is a guy that gives up some hits -- almost always more hits than innings pitched over the course of a season. Given the Astros' terrible outfield, that's kind of scary.
But still, it's a good day to be an Astros fan.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/11/03 10:58 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)
Another Mess Waiting For The Mayor-Elect?
The Houston International Festival is one of the best annual events put on in this city.
So of course, we're getting ready to screw it up.
Reliant Park is a terrible place for the International Festival. It belongs downtown, in Houston's hub. Especially after all the money expended to make downtown "world-class."Next year, a combination of city fees, road construction and ever-expanding performance venues may force the festival to Reliant Park or another location.
Some festival fans are outraged at the prospect of a sterile, treeless location that is not in the heart of the city.
"If they push it back there, I can guarantee you, tens of thousands of people will be disappointed, and I'll be the first," said Nuri Nuri, a master of ceremonies at the festival and a disc jockey at KPFT-FM. "The city needs to get off their butt and respect what the city has to offer. ... They need to drop money on it instead of spending money on stadiums they don't even need."
The city subsidies have decreased since the festival started in 1971. As it grew, though, it became a bigger burden for the city, which did not charge for closing streets, using the parks or providing security. The festival paid 2 percent of its concession profit and 10 percent of its admissions profit to the city.
This year, facing mounting budget woes, City Council voted to up the cost to 10 percent of concessions and 15 percent of admissions, estimated at a total of about $250,000.
"The city was spending close to $200,000 for each festival in city services," said City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, who sponsored the budget amendment that increased the charges. "During tough times, the city at the very least ought to recoup what it was putting in, and we weren't."
But Robert Sakowitz, a founding member of the festival and chairman of its Alternative Site Committee, said the additional charges would be devastating for the nonprofit organization.
"It would be such a substantial amount as to endanger the financial future of the festival," he said.
Additionally, festival organizers are concerned about upcoming construction on Smith Street and the lack of places to expand.
Of course, some of Lee Brown's minions seem to want the thing to move:
Roksan Okan-Vick, the city's Parks and Recreation Department director, applauded the idea of moving the festival to Reliant Park, saying she would prefer that other large festivals held downtown find new locations rather than creating "wear and tear" on the parks.Because, heaven forbid, people actually WALK on your precious grass. Better to have decorative parks? Is that what being "world-class" is all about?"I would be happy if they found maybe a more suitable home," she said.
Decorative parks. Think about it.
Like so many of Lee Brown's crack team, Roksan Okan-Vick sounds like a damn idiot.
Just another Brown administration mess for Mr. White to deal with upon taking office. But I'm sure he can draw on his experience at the Department of Energy.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/11/03 06:43 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
10 December 2003
When I Was At The Energy Department...
Tim Fleck has an interesting article on the recent history of institutional tension between the mayor and city controller in the city of Houston.
In his quest to be loved by all, Bill White indicates that he will try to have a less adversarial relationship with the city controller than previous mayors:
White indicates he will be more flexible than Brown in bringing the controller into a management partnership.I thought the best thing to come of the last election was the fact I would no longer have to listen to Mr. White reflect on the good old days when he "was a big effing deal at the Energy Department" (making contacts that led to being made CEO of a holding firm) or "creating jobs in Houston as CEO of Wedge Group" (the holding firm)."I think there is a role [for the controller] in what we call reliable management information systems that can be used by decision makers. And I know there may be some within the departments who will resist it."
White recalls how, during his tenure at the federal Energy Department, he used the agency's inspector general office to scour the bureaucracy for waste and inefficiencies.
"That is a big role where somebody's going to have to do it, and if we can use dedicated personnel at the Controller's Office to perform that useful function, that would be great for the city."
Alas, it was not to be. But surely it must end soon. Surely.
Interestingly enough, Annise Parker does comment that she thinks the new mayor is a micromanager. The question is, will he be the inept micromanager of Frontera Resources, or a Lanier-style micromanager who gets the potholes fixed?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/10/03 18:53 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
09 December 2003
But I Thought Texas Dems Were No Longer Allowed To Vote?
Charles Kuffner has posted his interview of Richard Morrison, a Democrat who will be challenging Tom DeLay.
Greg Wythe highlights and critiques some of Morrison's comments here.
I was also struck by one of the same comments Greg highlighted:
I went to this deal the other day with the teachers, when they were protesting at DeLay. There were all these ladies coming up there, these three really nice ladies, the Fort Bend County Democratic Women, they’re like a hundred years old, three of them. They were, like, “Oh, we’d like for you to come and speak.” And I said, “I’d love to speak.” And these three or four soccer moms walked up, and they said, “We’re registered Republicans, but can we come to your meeting?” And so they all think they’re Republicans, because that’s the hip thing to be, you know, and that’s where all the rich guys are and all that, but really they’re just Democrats and they don’t know it, ’cause their rights are getting trampled on, they just don’t realize it. And they think, “Oh, the Republicans are going to take care of us.” Well, I’m not sure that’s true. But the way to get that message out is you have to be able to raise a lot of money and spend it. And Chris Bell, I talked to his campaign before I even started this process, and they told me that he raised 1.2 million and spent all that to get elected. Well, I realized that he had great name recognition from running for mayor the year before, two years before.They just don't realize it?
Somehow, I'm guessing that condescension towards Republican voters may not be the best approach when you're an unknown Democrat running against a powerful incumbent Republican in a Republican district.
In any case, at least the Dems aren't conceding the seat, however unlikely it is that a Dem will win it, and that's good for the republic in my view.
It's a little surprising, of course, because from all the Dem bitching and moaning during redistricting about being "disenfranchised," I was under the impression that my fellow members of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy had effectively put an end to elections and voting in the Lone Star State.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/09/03 22:23 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (0)
The Houston Sports Curse?
Houston sports fans have long thought there's a curse over Houston.
And not without good reason.
So is the curse about to affect the University of Houston football team?
Hawaii coach June Jones will pull his team from the Hawaii Bowl if the school can't academically certify the players before the Christmas Day game.I suspect June Jones is just taking the opportunity to vent, and that everything will be fine, but wouldn't that be rich if Houston went to play Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl, and Hawaii didn't show?!None of the Warriors were certified before last year's Hawaii Bowl, but Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier said that won't happen again before Hawaii (8-5) faces Houston (7-5).
"This year, the institution has put many things in place in order for us to be eligible and have our athletes certified," he said. "Our people have been working on it all along. There will be checks of our athletes' grades as early as Dec. 15."
Frazier said grades will be monitored until they are officially posted Dec. 23, two days before the bowl game.
"Everybody has done everything they can to get it done and I anticipate they will, but I was told one thing: If the computer freezes up or locks up and we can't get them, then we've got a problem," Jones said. "If that happens we're not going to play."
(12-10-2003 Update) Mr. June Jones was marched out by his AD to correct his earlier statement. The correction pretty much amounts to, "there's no way in hell Hawaii won't play this game, and I shouldn't have opened my big mouth about it."
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/09/03 08:29 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)
Leach's Proposal
Leave it to Mike Leach, who runs the wackiest offense in the Big 12, to come up with the wackiest plan to fix the BCS:
On Monday, every college football coach in America got the same question. Texas Tech's Mike Leach was no exception.A 64-team college football playoff will happen about as soon as Leach's teams start playing defense and rushing for 200 yards per game regularly. :)If the Bowl Championship Series isn't working, what's the alternative?
Coaches appear to be warming to the idea of a playoff more than ever, and Leach said he's in favor of the most drastic change: Having a 64-team playoff that mirrors the NCAA basketball tournament.
Leach cited some states, including Texas, where high school teams play 15 or 16 games in a season, as well as some lower NCAA college divisions. He said bowls could stage early rounds, but it could require giving several teams a first-round bye, given 28 bowls currently exist.
The key, he said, would be mandating a 10-game regular season for everyone, which would make staging conference title games tricky.
"It needs to be a big playoff," Leach said. "It needs to encompass a lot of teams. We can't keep having this foolishness where computers come up with the right thing. It would make the [bowls] mean something and give them a national following. If you regionalize the playoffs, it would be a heck of a deal."
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/09/03 07:37 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)
08 December 2003
TXDOT Lies About Local Traffic Mitigation Plans
I realize that progress is necessary, but I do wish that TXDOT would not lie to the public about its construction plans.
After the Super Bowl, TXDOT is going to close Spur 527 heading into and out of downtown. They've basically told the city to come up with a traffic mitigation plan.
That traffic mitigation plan involves routing much of the traffic that would normally go from the closed section of freeway (527 to roughly Shepherd, as I understand it) out of downtown and West to Shepherd/Greenbriar, and Kirby on residential streets (Richmond and West Alabama mainly).
Yet here's what a TXDOT official has to say to ABC-13:
TxDOT spokesperson Janelle Gbur told Eyewitness News, "There's no portion of our traffic control plan that allows for us routing traffic on to city streets."That's not what TXDOT told people at town meetings earlier this year, and that's not what they've told the city. If a person wants any evidence that Janelle Gbur is a liar, he or she can simply head down Alabama between Shepherd and Montrose and note the reversible lane signals that are being constructed, along with the lane improvements that have already taken place on Alabama, Kirby, and Greenbriar to handle the excess traffic.
TXDOT needs to stop lying about what's getting ready to take place.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/08/03 21:04 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
Buff - Tatanka
I mentioned in a previous post that I took a spin up around the Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve just north of Pawhuska over Thanksgiving.
For the first time, I actually saw their bison herd on the prairie.
Of course, I had to snap a few photos (with a zoom -- no way was I gonna get gored by one of those beasts).
Click on the [Read More] link to see 'em.
[Read More]Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/08/03 20:27 | Outdoors | Technorati | Comments (10)
Big 12 Championship
This post is going to come as somewhat of a shocker to the faithful readers here.
I was giving some thought to the whole BCS mess while I was at the gym today. I didn't really change my mind on anything I've posted previously on that topic.
But I was thinking of teams that did get the shaft.
Texas came to mind.
Yes, the Texas Longhorns of Mack Brown.
And the reason they came to mind is that over the course of the season, they were the second-best team in one of the top two conferences in college football (the SEC being the other). But Texas lost to the team that was tops in the conference until the championship game. Texas had a better record than the team that won the championshp game. Hell, Texas beat the team that won the championship game (and so did Oklahoma State, for that matter)!
And there was no reward for it. No reward for bouncing back from the Oklahoma game and playing extremely well down the stretch. No reward for being the second best team in the Big 12 over the whole season. No chance at redemption against the best team (Oklahoma) in the championship game.
That needs to change in my opinion. I've just about come around to the notion that the top two teams in the conference need to play each other in the Big 12 Championship game, rather than the top team from each division of the conference playing each other at the end.
In that case, Oklahoma and Texas would have had a rematch this year. Two top six teams. In most years, you'd have two top ten teams, because that's just the nature of the Big 12. And in that case, the winner of that game would certainly be deserving of a BCS appearance. And the conference would probably still get an at-large bid most years.
Kansas State earned their BCS appearance with their performance Saturday night, but Texas was a better football team in the conference over the course of the season. That such a highly ranked team -- the second best team in one of the best conferences in football -- didn't