This bit from Louis CK speaks for itself but it is especially relevant to me as I sit here cleaning up another mess left by a former twenty-something who thought that he was too interesting for his job. I completely sympathize with Louis. Why wouldn’t you do your job? There is no excuse for doing a shitty job and, in the end, it is just worse for you.
Pine tree fell in the back yard and nearly took my deck out this weekend. Luckily it broke at it’s half way point.
Here is a tiny frog that I found hiding in the BBQ cover. It was kind enough to stay put while I ran inside and grabbed a quarter. Had to give the shot a sense of scale. And yes, I am the frog whisperer.
How about a freakishly tall white guy in green spandex dancing to a remix of Over the Rainbow? Your Welcome.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aj1vKcBX5I&feature=player_profilepage#t=14s]
For $5, you can have him dance to your favorite song. This is why I love the Internet.
I am addicted to podcasts and have wanted to do a post listing some of the best of show for awhile. These are podcast that, once you listen to them, you will go back and download the entire library. In fact, that is exactly what I have done. These are in no particular order, I love them all in their own special way.
The Nerdist is hosted by television personality (did I just type that?) and comedian Chris Hardwick, fellow comedian Jonah Ray, and Apple Store employee Matt Mirah. If you are a comedy, TV, or movie nerd, this is probably one you should add to your list. This is a weekly podcast with awesome guests like the cast of Black Dynamite, Rob Zombie, and John Oliver to name a few. Alternating weeks without guests are just as entertaining with the “hostfull” episodes where they just riff about whatever is on their mind.
Definitely one of the best shows on NPR and a great example of that NPR “feel”. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, it has the perfect mix of science and humanism.
Skeptics Guide to the Universe
The SGU has been a staple in the skeptic community and has been instrumental in growing skeptic movement. Dr. Steven Novella, along with his ensemble cast of skeptics, deliver a weekly dose of science and skeptic commentary. The topics range from discussions on the latest discoveries in physics to debunking psychics and frauds James Randi style. No surprise since they are closely associated with the JREF. Guests include leading scientist, science writers, and leaders in the skeptic movement. New podcasts go up every Saturday.
A staple in the NPR repertoire, this podcast is no stranger to fans of National Public Radio. Ira Glass has developed a production style that has become the template for new radio and is often immitated but never duplicated. Every episode is a probing look at real people often in extrodinary circumstances. The regular production cycle is every week with occasional breaks and re-runs.
It seems that every comedian has a podcast, even if they shouldn’t. As a self-proclaimed comedy nerd, I usually find myself tuning out of most every podcast. Despite their best efforts, they inivitably end up becoming a parade of comics promoting their latest guest spot on Community. WTF, hosted by Marc Maron, has kept me hooked from ep 1. Instead of your usual parade of shills, Marc has the big names and no names alike. Marc, who has been a standup forever, has not only worked with most everybody in the biz, but also pissed them off or offended them at one time or another. Many of his interviews begin with an apology and I think that immediately disarms the guests in a way that just does not happen with any other interviewer. On top of that, the podcast is a very personal look at Maron and I think somewhat cathartic for him. You get the feeling that this is not just a promotional tool but another way for Maron to get a lot of shit off his chest. Maron is putting out 2 podcasts a week at the moment.
A little on the sciency side, this video podcast is the catalog of speakers at the regular TED conferences and features insiteful talks from innovators in business, art, and science from all over the world.
Although this is the newest on my list, it is no straggler by any means. This NPR show and podcast is much more than just an extension of the best selling books Freakonomics and Super Freakonomics written by journalist Stephen Dubner and economist Steven Levitt. They tackle topics ranging from “Better students at $10 a pop” to “Why We Can’t Predict Earthquakes”. Right now, they are putting out a new show each week.
This one will probably not appeal to many but if you are a history buff ,then this one is worth checking out. Dan Carlin, veteran radio talk show host and amateur historian, brings his passionate and unique perspective to some of the most important historical events throughout history. Each podcast is over an hour long and many historical events, like the fall of the Roman Empire, are spread out over as many as 4 separate podcasts. Expect only one podcast every 2 months.
Some pics from Holly Springs, just a few miles from our home. This is why I the 150ft trees in my front yard removed.
Is this a dove or an albino pigeon? It was chillin’ above the front door of my sons school this morning.
op*ti*mal |ˈäptəməl|
adjective
best or most favorable; optimum : seeking the optimal solution.
I am making a New Year’s resolution (again) to blog more and to help give myself a kickstart, I am going to change my tired old WordPress theme and give this blog a name.
So, visitors of the interwebs, what should I name this poorly maintained and neglected blog? It needs to be something that inspires others to lay down there life’s and follow me to the ends of the earth. Something awe-inspiring yet elegant in it’s subtle simplicity.
Here are a few possibilities:
-Crazy Awesome Super Fantastic Land
-Kevin Bacon’s Brain
-Journey to the Center of the Ham
-Please, Just Stop (not sure how relevant this one is but that’s what you get when you ask your wife to suggest a name for your blog at 630 in the morning.)
If I pick your name from the thousands of suggestions that will surely arrive over the weekend, you will win a crisp $1 bill. Good Luck!
Have you ever purchased a throw rug only to realize that it would look so much better if you also had a new coffee table over in that corner and wow a lamp would really set the whole thing off and crap that couch is looking pretty shabby I mean what’s the point of having a new rug if the couch and love seat look like they belong in a homeless shelter and what drugs was I on when I bought those pictures they have to go and holy shit these walls are like 3 shades too dark they have to be painted … well, you get the idea. This is called the Diderot Effect and it is no doubt a big reason why we Americans have so much trouble living within our means.
The term “Diderot Effect” was coined in 1988 by anthropologist Grant McCracken but it has it’s roots in an essay by French philosopher Denis Diderot titled Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown. In his essay, Diderot tells the story of receiving a new dressing gown (what we would generally call a bath robe these days) and how this acquisition inevitably led to redecorating his entire study so that the surroundings in which he wore the gown matched the magnificence of this stunning new garment. Throughout the essay, Diderot mourns the loss of his old dressing gown, which had become like an “old friend”, and regrets the path of debt and consumerism that he has found himself pursuing. In the end, the new dressing gown just brings more stress and unhappiness into his life that would not have been there had he just kept the old gown that he loved so much.
I certainly have experienced the Diderot Effect more recently than I care to admit. In my constant struggle to reduce the unnecessary things in my life, I find myself considering purchases more carefully and doing my best to not be an impulse buyer.
To this end, I have recently started bringing my 10 year old son with me whenever I go shopping. He mercilessly questions me about every purchase to the point where I find myself constructing responses in advance so that I can convince him that Daddy really does need that new whatever. This has really brought a new dimension to my shopping habits and has probably saved me hundreds of dollars. I guess the kid just wants to make sure I don’t blow through his college fund.
Beware the Diderot Effect in your own life and you will probably be a happier person. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some painting to do.