Something I don't understand

why doesn't badminton get more coverage on the olympics.   some things to consider.

 

1) Most people have actually played badminton at some point in their lives, whether at a backyard BBQ or gym class.  (Can't say that about synchronized swimming.)

2) Fast paced action.  (can't say that about cycling or distance running)

3) People actually can understand the rules.  (Can't say that about gymastics or international basketball)

4) People can actually understand the scoring system.  (Can't say that about gymnastics or diving)

5) The entire sport revolved around a cock.

6) Lots of androgenous looking asian athletes.  You can play a game of "He or She" while watching.

 

All in all a jolly good time.

 

some random thoughts

• watching a 1977 george carlin concert.  it was an HBO special.  Didn't know HBO was that old.   a very good wikipedia article on this, apparently HBO was founded by Charles Dolan in 1972.
• things cook really really fast when you cook them at 700 degrees.
• my last golf shot today on the braemar par 3 course was the best 6 iron I ever hit in my life, about 10 yards over the 9th green.   wish every golf shot felt that good.
• my new favorite quote -- "You got what you brought"
• people share why too much information in their facebook status.  XXX is recovering from a bad day.  who on earth are you that you are asking all of your friends and acquaintances for some pity.   who does that?

graham elliot is still my hero

wifey and i ate at Graham Elliot this weekend.  a few thoughts.

 

- Service was outstanding and without pretense.  The crowd was very different than Avenues, much younger and more familes as well which we really enjoyed.

 

- Loved the decor as well;  nice open space with well spaced tables

 

On to the food.  Overall, everything was at least good and the small dishes in general were a bit better than the large ones.  When we go back,

 

The Standouts--

 

- Gnocchi-- best I have ever had (and I order it alot);  pearl onions and cheese helped make the dish with perfectly cooked potatoes.

 

- Rissotto-- best in class as well;   rice cooked perfectly and the bacon gives good flavor without overpowering the dish

 

Very, Very Good:

 

- Buffalo chicken with beer foam:  great inventive twist on wings.  Chicken perfectly done in the middle with a spicy sauce that doesn't overpower.  The blue cheese with celery pieces was a good touch.

 

- Mahi Mahi:  very good as well with pineapple salsa and bok choy cooked perfectly.  Presentation on this and all of the other main dishes needed some work IMHO.  Everything stacked together isn't a good approach when you have such good distinct flavors.

 

- Pork chop:  As mentioned before; huge portion with very good flavor.

 

- the truffle popcorn:  GE could make a fortune by bagging and selling this.  truly addicting.  we probably filled up a bit too much on this

 

Needs a Little Tweaking

 

- The Caesar Salad.  The brioche got changed up a bit on this version of Avenues BLT dish. GE, please bring the old dish back

you'd be shocked at the kind of workout you can get form WiiFit.

obama clinches nomination... four more years of a republican president.  well kinda a republican.  John McCain

Best Taglines Ever

 

1.  You can't be very good if you aren't Veryfine.

2.  Vernors.  Its what we drink around here.

3.  We do it like you do it when we do it like you do it at Burger King.

4.  Pizza, Pizza (little caesars)

5.  Just Do It (Nike)

6.  Made from the best stuff on earth (Snapple)

7.  Milk.  I does the body good.

8.  Raise your hand if you're Sure.

9.  The Quicker Picker Upper (Bounty)

10.  The Ultimate Driving Experience (BMW)

 

Any good ones I'm missing?

 

 

damn i'm good

In the backstretch I said, Big Brown wins by 5 lengths...

 

Now i am saying Big Brown wins the Triple Crown.  (and none of the races will be close.)

interesting duality

 

over the past 10 years, there has been an exponential growth in the quality and availability of entertainment technology.  The pentration of plasma screens with the clearest picture ever is approaching it limit.   However, at the same time, other technology is growing as well and consequently, multi-tasking.

 

Ironically, we now have the clearest picture ever, yet people are paying less attention to it.  As I write this, I am watching Dateline NBC and IMing wifey who just on the other floor.  In practical terms, this trend illustrates the importance of audio in today's television.  With even less attention paid to the picture, advertisers must have breakthrough audio to get through to consumers.

Some random restaurant musings

1) when did waiter/waitresses stop brining you your food?  now it also also seems like it is a busboy or runner of some sort.  As a result, if there is a mistake of some sort, then person in front of you in unable to deal with it.  I know Henry Ford would be proud of this specialization but breaking the role of server into "order taking specialist" and "food delivery specialist".  However, at some point, you need to bring the customer back into customer service.

 

2A)  When did Wendy's eliminate the tables with the old newspapers on the tabletop?  I miss those.

 

2B)  When did Superbar go away?  Maybe when Wendy's tried to go up market a bit more.

 

3) When will someone go to market with a down-market Fogo de Chao (Brazillia steakhouse).  Since you eat immediately, tables turn much faster than normal.   This would be a great opportunity for a volume play to enter the market.

 

more to come later.

i hope duke basketball plays as hard as davidson for at least one game next year.

huh?

since when did they take the ostrich burger off the menu at fuddruckers?

 

 

wfey's facebook status is "Hi Tyler, you suck." 

 

how cool is that?

for what its worth american idol odds

from WSEX

 

DAVID ARCHULETA 19 23   +334

MICHAEL JOHNS 17 21   +376

JASON CASTRO 9 12   +733

 SYESHA MERCADO 9 12   +733

RAMIELE MALUBAY 9 12   +733

CARLY SMITHSON 7 10   +900

KADY MALLOY 6 9   +1011

ASIA'H EPPERSON 6 9   +1011

ALAINA WHITAKER 4 6   +1566

BROOKE WHITE 3 5   +1900

DANNY NORRIEGA 3 5   +1900

ALEXANDREA LUSHINGTON 2 4   +2400

ROBBIE CARRICO 1 3   +3233

DAVID HERNANDEZ 1 3   +3233

AMANDA OVERMYER 1 3   +3233

 DAVID COOK 1 3   +3233

JASON YEAGER 0 2   +4900

KRISTY LEE COOK 0 2   +4900 C

HIKEZIE EZE 0 2   +4900

LUKE MENARD 0 2   +4900

 

 

If betting were legal, I'd throw some $$ on Carly, Robbie and Syesha.  But too bad gambling is wrong.   I'd also probably short David.  I can't believe that America would vote a short mousy guy as American Idol.

what I am waiting for..

Can't wait until they ask Barack Obama about the situation in Kosovo, which has the potential to alter the face of central Europe for decades to come.

Q: Mr. Senator, what do you belief the US should be about the situation in Kosovo.

A: Great question. I feel it is important for the US to improve its status across the global. I believe in Hope and I believe in Change. If elected President, I belief I can bring hope, change and optimism to all of the former eastern europe.

Q: so what exactly would you do, Mr. Senator

A: I believe in Hope. I believe in Change.

So the real question is, when will the American people realize that the Presidential candidate is wearing no clothes.

overheard in the johnson household

CC: What are you looking at?
MJ: Looking at scout.com; looks like Duke might get Sean Renfree
CC: Who is he?
MJ: A QB from Arizona
CC: Then why isn't he playing there
MJ: He is a high school senior
CC: OK. That makes sense. Is he any good?
MJ: Yes, He is an elite 11 QB.
CC: That's good right?
MJ: Uh-huh
CC: Are they going to get a kicker too. They really need one.

I love my wife.

my wife, the gun expert

I used to joke about the department of Alchohol Tobacco and Firearms.  Why on earth do you combine the regulation of those three completely different products-- in case you want to know what handgun goes best with a Merlot?  Well now, my wife will be able to tell you.

------------------------------

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Shares of gun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. rose Wednesday after an analyst started coverage with a "Positive" rating, saying the company's revenue will increase as it launches new products and books more orders from the military.

While Smith & Wesson is famous for its revolvers, Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Cheryl Cortez said the company's military and police weapons have helped it take a stronger position in the semi-automatic market. That market offers a lot of potential for the company, she said.

Product lines the company gained from its buyout of Thompson/Center Arms in January 2007, including hunting rifles, will also help improve sales.

"Smith & Wesson has recently launched its bolt-action rifles and has many other products in the pipeline," Cortez said. "New products are expected to gain popularity and wide market acceptance on the back of Smith & Wesson's strong brand name."

She added that profit margins should grow due to the expansion of Smith and Wesson's gun barrel manufacturing facility and the integration of Thomson/Center Arms.

The stock rose 38 cents, or 7.9 percent, to $5.21 in afternoon trading. Smith & Wesson shares have traded around annual lows over the last two months, and took a steep drop in October after the company cut its fiscal-year profit outlook. It cut its forecast again in December.

Cortez said she estimates the Springfield, Mass., company will earn 31 cents per share in the year ending April 30, compared to the company's estimate of 40 cents per share.

She expects a profit of 46 cents per share in fiscal 2009, while analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast a profit of 61 cents per share that year.

some assistant brand manager is about to be fired

just saw an EAS commercial during the titans/bolts game.   so i went to the website to get a free sample.   when i tried to enter my information to get my sample, the website crashed and locked up.  so no sample for me.    Glad EAS just dropped 500K to build trial for a product whose website doesn't work.

 

its all about execution people.