Conner's Blog

Welcome to Friday everyone, another week is 8 hours from completion and the weekend is just around the corner.  Here are five things I read or watched this week that made me smile, laugh, or just nod my head and say “yep, this is awesome”.

• Doniree takes on “The Cocktail Question” and blows it away.  If you don’t read her blog you should do so, this girl can write.
• Ed Kohler posted this image and I almost spit out my coffee.
• This video is not safe for work or near small children, but it’s funny even if you are sick of the Kanye West noise. (also contains Hitler)
• Crooks and Liars lists 10 lessons for Tea Baggers, not that any of them would listen.
• A brewery in New York has crafted a bacon beer.  I’ll admit, I’m not rushing out to buy a plane ticket.

Finally, I give you the bonus item of the week, which is probably the cutest video you will see this week.

I’m going to move soon, only I’m moving in the wrong direction.  I’ve decided I need to pack up and head south.  I went through this stage last year after spring took too long to get here, but this year it’s not just the weather making me consider leaving the great state of Minnesota.

True, the weather has been annoying.  Granted, days where the sun shines and the temps get above 40 are great.  The problem with Minnesota spring is the tease before it actually arrives. I know it’s coming every year, but it still gets to me.  I’m not sure how to cope, I was going to fly south in February earlier this year, but I decided to spend my money smartly and pay down some debt instead.  On top of that, I ended up getting sick this Saturday and staying in bed Sunday and Monday.  This meant I missed most of the nice weather this week.  I know I just need to get over it but still, if anyone knows how to combat the annoyance of the Minnesota pseudo-spring please let me know.

However, the weather is not the main reason I’m on the verge of renting a U-haul.  It’s our messed up congressional situation.  By now, everyone and his or her pet bird know we still do not have a second Senator.  If you don’t know about the two imbeciles who basically tied you should set your time machine for 2009 and come join us.  I haven’t written about it because I don’t think either Franken or Coleman deserve the seat, but the law is the law.  It’s just sad it’s going to be six months into the term before Minnesota has a full voice in the Senate

You would think that the recount would be enough idiocy.  But no, Michelle Bachman, who proved herself crazy during the run up to the general election has opened her mouth again.  This time instead of accusing members of Congress of holding anti-American views, she is claiming we are running out of rich people.  I am not sure what to say to this.  Good?  Waaa?  WTF? I had forgiven her district for re-electing her, but honestly what were those people thinking. It’s a mystery to me how someone like this got elected, and how she continues to hold onto that seat.

You can see my dilemma, first I have to put up with Minnesota weather, something I came to terms with before I moved here.  Like other Minnesotans though, complaining about the weather is just what we do.  I did think this congressional thing was different, until I thought about it a bit and realized that I did move to the state that elected Jesse Ventura governor.  It was then that I realized I had made my own bed, and would stick with this state through the winters and the elections.  It may be a little messed up, but Minnesota knows how to combat the insanity.

I wasn’t planning on writing about the inauguration.  The week before I was actually kind of annoyed at all the coverage the festivities were getting.  I was very excited that Bush was going to be gone and that Obama would be president, but the inauguration seemed kind of pointless. 

When I woke up yesterday, I did what I always do.  I flipped on my computer, checked the email, and then signed into Twitter and the NY Times.  Within a few minutes I realized this was special.  Everyone was talking about the inauguration.  I started looking at the photos being posted to Flickr and CNN and was absolutely astounded by the crows of people taking part in this day.

Unfortunately I had to work so I flipped on MPR in the car to listen to the coverage.  The more interviews I heard the more I came to realize that the day was something to be savored and remembered.  I finished my first meeting of the day and then found a place to park and just sat there listening to the coverage, following Twitter, and taking in any images that I could find.  I slowly came to realize that this wasn’t just a change in power, it was a change in the way this country thought about itself.  Election night started the process, but it wasn’t until yesterday that it was completed.

As a nation we went from a culture of fear to a culture of hope.  Our president the day before had once told us to go shopping(Google cache) when things were not going well.  Our new president had asked everyone who wasn’t working the day before to go volunteer somewhere.  The president from the day before had landed on a air craft carrier holding a sign proclaiming Mission Accomplished.  Our new president spoke eloquently about race while running for president.  The president from the day before had a citizen of another country throw a shoe at him.  Our new president attracted a crowd of thousands when he traveled to Europe while running for office.

I don’t believe that President Obama can fix everything.  There is a lot to fix and he would deserve a spot on Mount Rushmore if this country was put together in four years or even eight.  The only thing I know is that for the first time that I can remember we have a president worth looking up to.  He’s someone I would want my children to emulate, and because he’s in office I think that if I have children they will have a chance to do so.

I’m excited for the next 4 years, and glad that  I decided to witness history.  Of course it’s just the beginning.  As our new president said,” [o]ur journey has never been one … for those who prefer leisure over work,”  meaning it’s time to get to work.  We have four years to prove we made the right choice, let’s not put it all in his hands.

• Do you hate being asked questions that require a 3 second Google search.  Send them to letmegooglethatforyou.com and your problem is solved.
  
• Remember when Forbes Magazine used to be smart, it has become a camouflaged version of People.  Then again I guess it’s things like the Hottest Tots that sells magazines these days.
  
• I normally don’t approve of fans booing their team, but the Thunder as a whole deserve it.  Maybe not the players but the owners for sure.  In fact I propose that the Thunder get booed at all games regardless of where they take place.
• Fun photo of the day, check out the Star Tribunes front page.  Does this inspire confidence in the recount? The guy in the stocking cap is a nice guy I’m sure, but really??
• Michelle Bachmann did not need to do anything else to prove she is insane, but that didn’t stop her.  Can someone please tell her that an urban legend generally doesn’t have video tape to prove they are real.
  
• My blog recommendation for the week is one I discovered but forgot about.  Margaret and Helen have a lot of wisdom and aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. Thank to RosaPena and and nukirk for reminding me.
  
• Three new MN based blogs for your reading pleasure
• • Desaraev is interesting if you like reading about internet marketing.
  • Because Emily Says So is great, really I’m not kidding, read her.
  • Finally The Forest of Things looks like it was interesting, Jeff appears to be busy with other writing engagements.  Of course you can follow him on Twitter.
• Did you see the Timberwolves won last night.  They avoided the fate of the 2003-2004 Magic who went 1-19 after winning their first game(check the last item).
• This song was played on Tuesday morning on the Current.  When the first song of the day is titled Zydeco Taco you know things are looking up.
• If you didn’t like my chili recipe, here is a vegetarian recipe that looks tasty.  Also the story preceding the recipe is kind of cute.  (Yes, I’m a guy and I will use the word cute)
• For those on Twitter, if you haven’t see this, check it out.

Just when it looked like the Coleman-Franken race couldn’t get any more ridiculous.  This afternoon Norm Coleman banned a media member from a press conference in St. Paul.  The Uptake may not be a main stream media outlet, but I respect them more than many of the members of the MSM.  Why in the world did Minnesota vote for this guy?

Help spread the story, if Coleman wants to represent us he needs to let every media member participate in his press conferences regardless of the mode of delivery.

Circuit City is filing for bankrupcy shortly after announcing they would be closing numerous stores.  From what I’ve read it sounds like Minnesota stores are safe which is good.  I’m not a big fan of Circuit City, but I hope they survive, Best Buy needs some competition keeping them honest. 

I’ve added a few new Minnesota Blogs to my reading list:

• Fresh.mn – Started by swirlspice.  I wrote about Erica’s blog in my previous Minnesota Blogs post.
• Via Fresh.mn I found Because Emily Says So. I read the last 5-6 posts and clicked subscribe.  Well written and funny.
• Aaron Landry – Interesting so far, if for no other reason than the photos from local pizza places.  If you are hungry and trying to eat healthy I don’t recommend visiting.
• We Got Served – Well written restauraunt reviews from around the Metro.

So far the Obama’s search for a puppy seems to have caught the nation’s attention more than anything else.  Bob Collins at MPR’s News Cut takes the press to task for their lack of reporting on real issues.

Am I allowed to rescind my opinion on the Timberwolves?  I’m considering starting a fire Randy Whitman site shortly.  The Timberwolves better start playing defense or they won’t win 10 games this year.

The Vikings defense played a solid game against the Packers.  Lucky for the offense the insane number of mistakes they made didn’t cost the Vikings the game.

For the record the Vikings MVP’s halfway through the season are Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen.  If you didn’t see Sunday’s game and how Peterson willed his team to victory after fumbling on fourth down you need to.  Talk about heart.  Allen played hurt all game and was very effective.  He may not deserve his contract, but at least he’s trying to live up to expectations.

The Franken-Coleman race will never end.  This is what Minnesota gets for voting for either of those imbeciles.  There was another choice.

FiveThirtyEight.com had a front page article on the NYT’s web site today.  I started introducing my offline friends to this site.  I’m usually very hesitant to introduce them to websites but Nate Silver’s site was just too good.

I had a horrid experience at the Applebee’s in the Burnsville Mall this weekend.  I’ve never had bartenders be quite so angry at their customers.  On the other hand Chili’s in Burnsville was, as always, a good experience.  Of course I would prefer a non chain bar, but I live in Burnsville so my options are limited.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  This means Christmas music will start shortly.  I hate this, I like Christmas music, just not for a month straight.

With the change in seasons I’m suddenly craving soups and chili.  This is fairly unusual for me so I’m on a recipe collecting spree.  I’m planning on trying this recipe at some point this week.  Any other soup or chili recipies I should try?

It snowed all day on Saturday.  I had to scrape my windshield for the first time all year.  I am not happy I had to pull out the hat and gloves from storage.

If you are a blogger, please read this article from Lazy Lighting.  There are people out their trying to alter the contents of local blogs.  Let’s keep them from succeeding.

I don’t usually devote entire posts to a single link, but as November 4th approaches I think everyone should read Tim O’Reilly’s Endorsement of Barack Obama.  If you don’t know who Tim O’Reilly is, he is one of the most influencial people in the technology business.  His company, O’Reilly Media, is the most respected publisher of books on technology.   His endorsement reflects his interests, but is a wonderful argument as to why Barack Obama may not solve all of our problems but is the best choice to get us started in the right direction.

• If you happen to live in Minnesota and have a chance to try Brau Brothers Brewing Co’s Whirly Bird Oatmeal Stout do so immediatly.
• I also have to recommend Flying Dog Brewery’s Dogtoberfest
• If you missed it, NBA 2k9 shipped without as product key.  This left many gamers(including me) unable to descend into unproductive gaming binges as soon as they would like.
• Chapstick is an odd but very necessary invention
• If you use Twitter, try out twinfluence.  I’m currently ranked #47 out of 50 in social capital.
• Join the movement, Chipotle needs to begin serving breakfast.
• If you run Windows, please update now.  A major bug has been found.
• I’m endorsing working out on Friday afternoons, it is painful to enter the gym, but you leave knowing the weekend will be good.
• I have to add another MN blog to my list of those I read.  NPR’s Newscut is a daily visit.  I also recommend following @bcollinsmn.
• Only ten days left until election day, I’m moving into the no main-stream media bunker until 5:00 pm on 11/4.
• The right has gone completely mad, first they mail out a scare tactic piece basically calling Obama a terrorist and linking him to 9/11, and then Ashley Todd fakes an attack by an Obama supporter.
• Bring some fun to your office next week. You’ve been Booed.

Everyone have a great weekend, and remember to look both ways when jaywalking.

First two things I need to disclose,  I didn’t watch the second presidential debate as intently as I watched the first presidential debate or the VP debate.  I actually participated in a fantasy basketball draft at the start of the debate.  Still, I want to make a some observations.   Second, if you don’t read my blog, I am an Obama supporter.  I’m not overly happy with some of the things he’s done, but he has my support.

• Obama seemed to come off as much more presidential.  He was calm, thoughtful, while McCain seemed to rush into the answers he knew and stumbled through those he wasn’t 100% sure of.
• McCain didn’t seem nearly as comfortable in the town hall meeting as I expected.  On the other hand, I think he may have gained from Obama’s inability to stop talking.  The Obama supports on twitter were even getting annoyed with it.
• McCain’s new home plan sounds very similar to something Biden said in the VP debate that I very strongly disagree with.  Here is part of the quote from McCain. Source

Alan, I would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes — at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those — be able to make those payments and stay in their homes.

• And here is Biden during the VP debate. Source

Number two, with regard to bankruptcy now, Gwen, what we should be doing now — and Barack Obama and I support it — we should be allowing bankruptcy courts to be able to re-adjust not just the interest rate you’re paying on your mortgage to be able to stay in your home, but be able to adjust the principal that you owe, the principal that you owe.

• I am in agreement that we should allow renegotiation of interest rates.  This would help everyone by allowing the banks to make some money on the loan instead of nothing when the home goes into foreclosure.  I completely disagree with the idea of changing the principle owed on a loan.  I would write more but this feels like a post itself.
• Anyone who pays attention to body language can tell that McCain has very little respect for Obama.  Obama doesn’t appear to greatly respect McCain either, but it doesn’t seem as though Obama considers McCain unworthy of his respect.
• Did I mention that Obama really needs to learn to stop talking once in a while.
• Obama gave two answers I really liked.  He stated that health care should be a right which I am in 100% agreement of.  He also commented that Americans are going to have to make sacrifices to get through the current crisis.   I was not alive during the Korean war or Vietnam and haven’t spent much time reading about that time period, but I know during both World Wars Americans went without a lot of things.  We are fighting two wars right now, maybe it’s time us  non-military families sacrificed something other than being able to drive 200 miles for $20.
• Tom Brokaw came across as a high school English teacher.  Yes, the candidates agreed to the rules, but I would have rather seen both of them go at each other for the entire 90 minutes on one issue then hear Brokaw cry when they didn’t listen to him.

I’m not going to spend hours tearing the debate apart, you can find that all over the web.  These are just a few things that I either thought about or noticed last night.  For a running tally of my thoughts, please visit my Twitter page.  I didn’t tweet a ton during the debate, but one tweet stood out to me.  I said Brokaw impressed me, he did at the time, but as I thought about it more I changed my opinion.

Please remember everything you read here are my opinions.  Please find out the facts before you make your decision on how to vote November 4th.  This election is too important to be uninformed.

1. I keep reading articles stating that we need a solution to increase spending to save the economy.  Why can’t people see that spending is what got us into this mess in the first place.
2. I once had someone say the difference between people in Asia and America was that American’s use credit, and people from Asian countries save before spending money.  I said the Asian countries were smart, turns out they were.
3. John Jansen declared the current crisis “the financial equivalent of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.”  That’s pretty bad, and it is the rich that are getting killed, most average American’s still haven’t felt the pinch from this.  Of course they were being pinched long before the markets started collapsing.
4. Wells Fargo made a good move, funny how they have capital to make this move. I’m going out on a limb and saying some smart people must work for Wells Fargo.
5. The bailout bill sucks, and it’s even worse with the added pork.  Good thing we have John McCain to tell us next week about how pork barrel spending is the reason we are in this mess.  (He voted for the bill.)
6. My new music player is Banshee.  I switched after Amarok lost my database for the 10th time.  I’m not quite as happy with the interface as I was with Amarok’s, but at least it’s stable.
7. Twitter had more difficulty staying up during the VP debate then during the presidential debate.  At one point I just got a server unreachable error instead of a Fail Whale.  That was a shock.
8. People keep writing about how Sarah Palin survived her debate against Biden.  Unfortunately, the presidency isn’t a play, you don’t get to rehearse your lines.  Yes I know Biden rehearsed to, but he at least could answer questions outside of his comfort zone.  Palin went from mortgages to energy in one question in the span of 30 seconds.
9. I’m leaving for the weekend today, I set my fantasy lineups and just hope that no major news breaks today or Saturday, could really use a win in both leagues.