For sale: MWC

Some moron decided to sign exclusive rights to the conference games over to The Mountain TV station on Comcast. Not only does the "mtn" have crappy video quality, lame commentary and horrible camera work, it also limits exposure the conference would receive in other parts of the country (read: BCS). For example, right now I can't watch the BYU/U game here in Oregon on ESPN because that bozo wanted to make a quick buck.

Whoever made that brilliant decision should be sacked. By someone like Fui Vakapuna.

Happy (smoky) Thanksgiving

It's good to be home.

It finally rained

Rain in Oregon is not in and of itself an uncommon occurrence. In fact, it's quite common. However, over the last three years it has never rained when my wife and I have been home to visit. That's saying something since we've visited during some typically very wet months.

Today the lucky streak ended. It rained. Actually, it's still raining. It hasn't stopped raining since we arrived. Apparently my wife has lost her touch.

And just so you know, rain smells better when it has something to land on that's not dirt or a building or Utah.

P.S. Yes, I did give a big hug to the tree in my front yard.

The mural

This dog has the right idea. Down with the mural!

Oh no you di'in't.

Yesterday I swung by the Apple store. The part is (finally) in. They told me it wouldn't be ready until today. So I called at about 12:30. I asked about the status and a very helpful associate went back to see what was going on with my now very homesick iMac.

When he came back I was told, essentially, "Sorry, since we have so many customers out on the floor everyone who would be working on it is out helping them. It's really busy with the holidays."

Pardon? I AM A CUSTOMER! I ALREADY GAVE YOU MY MONEY! NOW TREAT ME WITH SOME RESPECT.

Disenchanted with Apple

I have to admit, I'm a bit miffed at Apple. You see, my beloved new iMac went kaput. We took it to the Apple Store last Monday hoping it was something as simple as bad RAM but secretly knowing the problem was larger. Indeed, a new "logic" board was needed. They placed the order that night for the part and said I should have my computer back within five days.

It's a bit frustrating to have a two month-old computer for which you laid down some serious cash require that kind of maintenance. But, hey, these things happen and the Geniuses at the Apple Store were kind and helpful to my wife. Fine.

Well, it's now been nine days and as far as I can tell from calling Apple Care they haven't even received the part yet, let alone started repairing my computer. What in the world is taking so long? Last night I realized that if I'd ordered a new computer they would have shipped it within 24 hours. Apple, I hate to say it but I think you're getting sloppy: first my new computer breaks down and I take it in to be repaired but, heck, you already have my money so why rush it?

Apple, if you can get a someone who's as hard-core an Apple fan as I am to get ticked off at you, you'd better be seriously worried about what everyone else thinks.

Walmart says "Merry Christmas"

It's a little late in posting, but Walmart isn't going to tip-toe around with uber political correctness this "holiday season". They're going to be saying "Christmas" in their store, to their customers and in their advertising. *GASP!* Merry Christmas and all that. Who'da thought?

That's the second thing Walmart has done this year that's impressed me (the first being their "green" push, not only internally but with their suppliers as well). Maybe by Walmart not bending to the obnoxious minority (as well as going green) others will follow. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually considering shopping at Walmart this year. Lower prices weren't enough to convince me, but hearing "Merry Christmas" just might be.

Conference champs

Undisputed conference champs, ranked 21 by the AP and heading to a bowl game. Keep it up Cougs, because if we don't toast Utah it won't matter much.

Unsympathetic

Last night's episode of The Office ("The Merger") was mediocre. It was mainly plot-driven with bits of comedy here and there (such as Michael's "slave" comment and the breast pump). Fine, but not outstanding like last week's.

The big reveal was that Jim is now dating Karyn. (Well, that and the fact that Creed is fast with a camera.) I don't know if we're supposed to be feeling sorry for Pam, but I'm certainly not. I haven't really liked the way her character has developed this season and lack of communication/chemistry between the two for so long means any hopes I had of them getting back together have disappeared. He laid his heart out there, she shot him down and now I'm supposed to feel bad for her? Sorry chica. I'm rooting for Karyn.

Da Vinci Code

I rented it on Tuesday and...eh. Honestly, I enjoyed National Treasure a lot more. "The Code" was long, rather boring and I agree that Tom Hank's performance was stiff. Definitely didn't live up to the hype. The book was much more intriguing. Although I will give credit for not having Robert and the French chick kiss randomly or hook up for some reason at the end. I hate it when that happens.

There was a Smart Car in it though, so that was cool. Gotta get me one of those when they come to the U.S. in a year or two.

Hit and miss

OK. Fine. My prediction of Apple's announcement of a wide screen iPod (or an invitation to an event where they would reveal said iPod) before the Zune launch didn't come to fruition.

Honestly, I'm OK with it because I realize it was a long-shot. However, news today from Forbes says Foxconn secured an order from Apple to produce 12 million iPhones said to be available within the next four to six months. That news alone is enough to make any and all sadness about lack of a 6G iPod disappear.

The Office...rocked

Last Thursday's episode, "Branch Closing", was awesome. It completely redeemed last week's. My favorite part, by far, was Jim sending Dwight faxes from himself...from the future. Hilarious.

Stay tuned for this Thursday's episode: The Merger.

The Office...sucked

I can't believe I'm writing this but The Office last week (Diwalli) really blew. I'm a die-hard Office fan but...wow...it stunk. It seems there were a lot of things started but nothing resolved. (Pam's text message to Jim, for example.) And what was with the whole drinking game thing at the Stamford branch?? Not only did it not contribute to the plot at all, but it kind of tainted my perception of Jim's character. The small glimpses we have of the Stamford branch are usually gems within the show. Not last week. I kept waiting for something to come of it but...nothing. Even Jim falling over in the bush was predictable.

The episode was also noticeably lacking in talking head interviews. Overall, I don't think I laughed once...even when I watched it again later.

I've heard talk of the it serving as a sort of an "Empire Strikes Back" episode where it acts as a foundation for everything to be resolved this week. Perhaps, but it sounds like this week's episode is pretty significant in and of itself.

I suppose we'll find out in about ten minutes.

K-fed, we hardly knew thee

Brittney and K-fed filed for divorce. Like, ohmygosh. I totally saw that one coming.

I think things could have worked out. I really do. Poor souls. They were in it for the long run. Seriously. It was 'til death do they part. Completely devoted. But we can't blame the poor kids, can we? The whole thing got off on the wrong foot when they had to push back the wedding to settle the prenup.

I didn't vote

For most people that's not such a big deal. In fact, most people don't vote. However, in my case I find it particularly ironic. You see, I helped develop the above logo. I wrote the tag line too. I also wrote four TV commercials, two radio spots and a couple of print ads encouraging people to vote (and vote early).

But I didn't.

It wasn't a spiteful thing. I just didn't register in time. In addition to normal feeling normal guilt over not voting, now I feel hypocritical too, like I should have set an example for everyone by being first to the polls.

So people, a good lesson to learn about me: do as I say, not as I do.

Rise and Shout

BYU is now ranked in the AP's top 25.

I love fall

Hubble

Apparently the Hubble telescope is in need of some repairs and NASA is planning a repair mission in 2008. The only thing holding them back is the $900 million it'll take to keep that bad boy in orbit for another five years of pretty picture taking.

*sigh*

I've expressed my frustrations with space programs in the past and this quote reaffirms my position: "The veteran crew members agreed that the next Hubble flight would be less risky because of the safety improvements made since 2003, such as an inspection of the shuttle in orbit and new tools for repairing the ship in space."

Repairing the ship in space? We're spending millions of dollars to send people into space in a ship that's going to break when they get there so we can spend $900 million to (again) fix a busted telescope that we'll replace in five years? Seems like that money could be better spent on, say, health care, education, tax breaks or me.

P.S. The thing looks like a couple of tin cans wrapped in aluminum foil on training wheels. No wonder it's always breaking.