Ill will over the quote controversy refuses to die over at Sanity's Edge. But you know what? Screw 'em. I'll just use that genius and cunning and outflank 'em all once again.

That's right, you guys are *all* added to the blogroll! Even Simon and Jim, who are already there, but get a second link.

Take that!

Posted by: Ted at 06:04 AM | category: Links
Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 73 words, total size 1 kb.

So says Paul over at Sanity's Edge. Right out there in the open too, not all hidden in the comments or in an extended entry.

Long story short: Paul was looking for a new quote for his sidebar and decided to make it a contest. Lots of great entries, but mine won. Because I'm a f*cking cheater genius.

Just to prove there's no hard feelings between myself and the little people, I'll bestow links. Dortch. Shank. Oorgo. Casey. Jim. I'll do more than that, I'll even recommend them because they're smart people (even though none of them link to Rocket Jones dammit (except for Jim)). I know they're smart because they read Paul, and Paul's obviously a genius.

It takes one to know one.

Posted by: Ted at 04:48 AM | category: Links
Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 128 words, total size 1 kb.

So says Paul over at Sanity's Edge. Right out there in the open too, not all hidden in the comments or in an extended entry.

Long story short: Paul was looking for a new quote for his sidebar and decided to make it a contest. Lots of great entries, but mine won. Because I'm a f*cking cheater genius.

Just to prove there's no hard feelings between myself and the little people, I'll bestow links. Dortch. Shank. Oorgo. Casey. Jim. I'll do more than that, I'll even recommend them because they're smart people (even though none of them link to Rocket Jones dammit (except for Jim)). I know they're smart because they read Paul, and Paul's obviously a genius.

It takes one to know one.

Posted by: Ted at 04:48 AM | category: Links
Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 132 words, total size 1 kb.

The guys over at RNS have been on a roll the last few days, and have something worth reading every day.

From Mom, a really funny joke. Too true by half too.

They also link to a guy who acts unprofessional. I'd seen this the other day and meant to link to it, but forgot. Do yourself a favor and go read it now. Really.

Someday the shit might hit the fan where you live, in a big way. Are you prepared for that day? Have you ever even given it some thought? Check out "For Ourselves, By Ourselves". That link is to the 4th part, and there are links there to the first three parts. Most of the time I throw these links around and don't really expect many folks to click them, but... well, I'd go so far as to say it's required reading.

There's a regular over at RNS name of Rivrdog, who has his own site. Good stuff there. Drop by and look around. He posts boobs too.

Posted by: Ted at 07:54 PM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 178 words, total size 1 kb.

I'll quote entire:

NEW YORK (AP) - Four CBS executives were fired Monday following the release of an independent investigation into a "60 Minutes Wednesday" story about President Bush's military service that relied on forged documents.

The network fired Mary Mapes, producer of the report; Josh Howard, executive producer of "60 Minutes Wednesday" and his top deputy Mary Murphy; and senior vice president Betsy West.

Posted by: Ted at 11:55 AM | category: Links
Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 71 words, total size 1 kb.

From The Sporting News:

... as if the NHL hasn't had enough bad publicity in recent months, BusinessWeek magazine has named [NHL commissioner] Gary Bettman one of the worst managers in the United States in 2004.

In selecting Bettman to this list, the magazine cited the "shambles" of the NHL's and the "weak TV deal" he signed last June with NBC, leading to the conclusion that the NHL was now "a second-tier sport" in the United States.

It's unknown what Bettman's opinion is of this dubious honor, but there are more than a few NHL players and fans that consider BusinessWeek's assessment of the commissioner to be quite accurate.

The NHL gets a huge boost every four years come Olymipics time, and people know about the "Miracle on Ice". Thanks to inept marketing and a refusal to adapt the rules to correct readily apparent problems with game play, the NHL has squandered every chance to become a major sport in the US.

So how does the well-connected fan channel his frustration over the labor impasse? This guy bought Hockey cards. Problem is, he used a government credit card to do it.

Donald Billing, a former director of Measurement Canada, was charged with 11 counts of fraud. Police say he used government credit cards to buy hockey cards valued at approximately C$185,000 ($150,000), and tried to pass off the purchases as office supplies.

He's Canadian, so the NHL strike just has to be a mitigating circumstance, right?

Posted by: Ted at 11:46 AM | category: Links
Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 262 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Good to see that "the Count" is getting the recognition that he so richly deserves. However, what is this "readily apparent problems with gameplay" crap I read? THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HOCKEY! if people would quit trying to CHANGE it, they'd find that it is truly nature's perfect sport.

thank you.

Posted by: Derek at January 10, 2005 03:49 PM (wEVXE)

2 Gotta disagree Derek. Goalie equipment is too damn big. With the new breed of oversized goaltenders, there's too little room around the edges to shoot at, and they're too quick to get under. The idea behind the goalie pads was to protect the goalie, not the net.

I also like the 'touch up' rule they're testing in the minors this year, and I think...

I just realized I like *all* of the proposed rule changes: allow two-line passes (or get rid of the red line), no more icing for the shorthanded team on power plays, power plays last the full 2 minutes - not until a goal is scored, and 4-on-4 OT, then a shootout.

I love a good defensive game, but it's gotten dull.

Posted by: Ted at January 10, 2005 03:57 PM (ZjSa7)

3 See, I will disagree. Points!

I'm a goalie. I can say firsthand: the equipment isn't too big, trust me on this one. Professional goalies are simply better conditioned athletes than their predecessors.

I do not like the icing rule which is being tried out. I've been to some minor league games this season and, with no other argument than "it's just not right," I don't like it.

I like a good 1-1 game goin' into overtime. I will say that, having been an employee of a minor league team in a league where games were decided via shootouts, the shootout has a place in my heart. The other proposed changes? Straight in the toilet...

But then, I have no say in it, do I?

Posted by: Derek at January 10, 2005 06:33 PM (wEVXE)

4 Exactly my point, Derek. The pro goalies of today are the best ever, which naturally cuts down on the number of goals allowed. Take away that inch or two all the way around and an additional goal or two a game will be scored. That's good for the game because it's what the typical casual fan can understand.

Your input means just as much as mine.

Posted by: Ted at January 10, 2005 08:14 PM (ZjSa7)

5 What we really need is an ice age that will make the game more available to the youth of the United States, particularly the sunbelt whose cities the NHL seems to covet.

Posted by: Brian J. at January 11, 2005 10:45 AM (V04ml)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

What luck! This site just happens to sell swords (and other weapons) of all kinds.

Posted by: Ted at 05:05 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 21 words, total size 1 kb.

They call it the Hot Lix Tequila Lollipop, I call it a bug sucker. It's a tequila flavored sucker with a real worm embedded inside.

I got it as a gift, and it's too unique to actually eat. That's my excuse story and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by: Ted at 04:54 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 57 words, total size 1 kb.

J-Walk Blog is a nifty place to visit because he updates frequently during the day and it's often a link to something really cool.

Two recent examples:

Use your mouse to write your name in the snow. Don't worry about running out if you've got a long name, because your capacity is virtually (ahem) unlimited.

Someone's collection of unusual LP cover art. I love this kind of kitsch!

I've mentioned album covers before at Rocket Jones too.

Posted by: Ted at 08:20 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 85 words, total size 1 kb.

See a little of the ol' slap and tickle, Lego style. I especially like the lego dude with the camera, it adds an authentic sleazy touch.

Be warned though, the guy that did the site is seriously sick.

Posted by: Ted at 08:08 PM | category: Links
Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 64 words, total size 1 kb.

Courtesy of the Mexican government, a comic book giving their citizens handy tips on dealing with their wanderlust and the gringos they'll encounter on the way.

I love the "translation" provided by the guys at Q&O, and they kept my blood pressure under control as well. You can probably guess what my reaction was when first hearing about this.

Posted by: Ted at 09:38 PM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 67 words, total size 1 kb.

I've been playing with more HTML and CSS over at the Skunkworks. Feedback appreciated, as always.

Posted by: Ted at 02:19 PM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 26 words, total size 1 kb.

This site, SharkShock, has a bunch of cool fonts you can download for free. The link takes you to the main page, just click on the "font" button and become immersed in font-infested sharkness.

Posted by: Ted at 05:52 AM | category: Links
Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 42 words, total size 1 kb.

You may have seen their blogads on some sites, offering their "History of US Political Parties" posters. I was intrigued and followed the links and also found their "Race to the Moon" poster. Very cool.

Posted by: Ted at 04:18 AM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 37 words, total size 1 kb.

1 As a huge space race fan, I've got to say that is a COOL poster! I'm just too cheap to pay $19 for it.

Posted by: Catt at January 06, 2005 01:27 PM (Hg5ZI)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Red, over at The Sheila Variations, points the way to an article that asks:

"WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS TRUE EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT PROVE IT?"

This very question was asked of 100 (in her words) "big brainiac-types" and they provided some truly thought-provoking answers and visions.

Right off the top of my head, I believe you should head over to The Sheila Variations and read her take on it, and then follow her link to the actual article. Cool stuff.

Immediate Update: Jay of Sophont has his take posted as well, including this dandy little snippet:

I believe in science. Unlike mathematical theorems, scientific results can't be proved.They can only be tested again and again, until only a fool would not believe them.

I cannot prove that electrons exist, but I believe fervently in their existence. And if you don't believe in them, I have a high voltage cattle prod I'm willing to apply as an argument on their behalf. Electrons speak for themselves.

That's a quote from Seth Lloyd, a Quantum Mechanical Engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Posted by: Ted at 12:10 PM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 191 words, total size 1 kb.

And I tell ya, I gotta agree. Incidentally, my sides hurt from laughing as I read it.

Thanks to Derek for pointing that one out. Feel better, guy.

Posted by: Ted at 12:07 PM | category: Links
Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 36 words, total size 1 kb.

Rob at Left & Right notes that the US Navy ship Bonhomme Richard is very much in the thick of the tsunami relief effort. He also reminds us that this is the ship that nitwit Pablo Paredes was assigned to. You may recall him as the asshat who refused to report to his ship as a protest against the Iraq war.

What's the protest now, Pablo? Is Chimpy McShrub Co and his cronies at Halliburton invading Indonesia in an act of illegal humanitarian aid?

Because of your actions, there is one less person providing relief to the area.

Right on, Rob!

Moving along to other naval news, the folks at Silent Running posted a little tidbit about the urgent need for fresh water in the devastated regions, and wouldn't you know it, naval ships happen to be pretty damned good at generating fresh water - up to one half million gallons per day from a Nimitz class carrier alone (we have two carrier groups in the region I believe).

I'd consider that a dual-use weapons platform, eh?

The Indian navy is also pitching in in a big way:

The Indian Navy Tuesday cleared Sri Lanka's key Galle port after an extensive operation to remove sunken vessels there as part of the largest peacetime initiative mounted by the country's armed forces post tsunami.

Crews of the Indian ships have set up field kitchens and medical aid stations, passed out supplies, and an Indian hospital ship is anchored at one location to provide additional medical assistance. A second hospital ship is enroute.

Australian naval aviation isn't just working harder, they're working smarter:

"The Iroquois [helicopter] is probably the quickest capability that we can deploy forward," he said.

"It's got a light footprint, so it doesn't take quite as much equipment and personnel to get it moving quickly.

"So we found that the Iroquois was something that we could put on at very short notice."

But Australia had more modern Black Hawk helicopters and heavy lift Chinooks on standby to send to Banda Aceh if they were required, he said.

"Obviously they could do significantly more, but the early assessment that we've made here is that there is a significant amount of other helicopters here already," Lt-Col Steel said.

He said the RAAF had moved enough spare parts for the Iroquois to remain in Aceh for up to three months, while ground crews had been told to expect a stay of at least a month.

The French are assisting as well, sending military ships to Sumatra in coordination with other relief efforts:

The Jeanne d'Arc, a ship carrying six helicopters and two units of engineers, and the Georges Leygues, a frigate, were to leave Djibouti Tuesday, the defence ministry said.

The Jeanne d'Arc was transporting 6,000 food rations, 800 tonnes of water and water treatment equipment, five tonnes of medicine and field medical posts, it said.

I've just touched on what's out there, and it just kinda flowed that this was naval oriented. I also heard this morning that the donations to the Red Cross have already matched what was collected for last year's hurricane relief in Florida. There's hope for this ol' world, because it's full of people like these who help in whatever way they can.

*Ripple Fire is the process of launching several rockets in rapid succession. The military version features big booms at the receiving end.

Posted by: Ted at 11:59 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 570 words, total size 4 kb.

Sadie is a new Munuvian, and her place is at Fistful of Fortnights. Permalink is over on the right. Yay!

Weaselteeth is another new Munuvian. Again, Yay! (that's the traditional Munuvian greeting, ya know)

Same for Naked Villiany, except that he's not a Munuvian, and his permalink is farther down on the right with the other non-Munuvian bloggers. Give us time, we're assimilating as fast as we can.

Posted by: Ted at 06:06 AM | category: Links
Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 72 words, total size 1 kb.

A beautiful selection of the best space photos of 2004, in various sizes to fit your monitor.

Posted by: Ted at 04:51 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 21 words, total size 1 kb.

Artist Kelly Freas passed away today at age 82 of natural causes.

In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Freas illustrated the covers or the pages of books by writers including Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, A.E. Van Vogt, Poul Anderson and Frederik Pohl.

I knew Kelly Freas best from his illustrations in Analog, the Science Fiction magazine, but he was probably better known for his work that graced the covers of Mad Magazine for many years.

Beginning in the 1950s, he spent seven years as the main cover artist of Mad Magazine, creating stylishly detailed portraits and helping to make famous Alfred E. Newman, the freckled, front-tooth-deprived purveyor of the phrase, "What? Me Worry?"

He also did other work including an album cover for Queen and the original Skylab patch design for NASA.

Update: De Doc has a nice post up about the passing of this artistic giant.

Posted by: Ted at 04:30 PM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 159 words, total size 1 kb.