A "Shameless" Follow-Up, Vol. 2

I'm all for another good-looking proponent of net neutrality.

It's Good To Have An Opinion

So yesterday, I wore a T-shirt with this design. The teller at the bank couldn't contain his laughter when I made my deposit. "That's pretty fuckin' funny," he told me. Reaction throughout the day was similar. It didn't use to be like that, of course. A professor noted that Bob Woodward has gone to great extent to hide his political leanings and asked me—as a Journalism major—if my less-than-subtle opinion would propose any problems.

Not really. "I write op/eds," I said.

And that was Wednesday.

So then on Thursday, I decided to wear another white T-shirt. And it featured this design. And there was rarely a person I walked by during the walk from Ogilvie to the office who couldn't help but commenting on it.

I've had both of these shirts for years, but it's funny how the reaction to the two shirts has completely changed.

How I do love my First Amendment.

Why Wrigley will always be more fun than the Cell ...

I was next ... really.

To Induce Vomiting ...

... just click here.

Forensic Economists? "Glad"-ly ...

"Tipping Point" author Malcolm Gladwell made an interesting case about using forensic economists to create a "statistical plausibility test" for professional athletes. His argument stems from the revelations that he—and, well, everybody else—had been reading about in "Book of Shadows."

Indeed, the idea of such a test sounds ludicrous at first mention (the greatest accomplishments of many athletes break records because they defy the statistical norms), but if you didn't think Gladwell put together a solid argument, he came back for another round.

(Deadspin, as always, had fun with Malcolm—and made a point of their own as well.)

A "Shameless" Follow-Up, Vol. 1

And so it begins. A name came up tonight that I'm ashamed to have forgotten. I hear she has a new album due out this summer, so that adds more pleasure to what has—thus far—been a rather blissful 2006.

Musical Chairs

Radiohead's Thom Yorke told the U.K.'s New Musical Express (NME) that the music industry is "a bunch of fucking retards."

Heartless, clueless, and/or begrudging could have worked just as well.

Charlie's Back

I made reference to Charlie Crain about a week before he announced a new site for his blogging. Check it out. He's getting ready to back to Iraq.

Bad Idea

Good for ratings I suppose, but still a bad idea in general.

UPDATE: Okay, I'm sorry. I think Katie Couric is as sweet and pleasant as much as the next undersexed, horny guy. But placing her into a position as the anchor of CBS News after spending years overcoming being the woman who replaced Deborah Norville on NBC's morning programming—where you ask questions like:

Couric: You've been acting for a long time. So far, what is the favorite — your favorite movie, in terms of what you've been in?

Craig: That's a tough one. Because I've got a few. I mean, I've got a list of them that I've enjoyed.

Couric: Not “Tomb Raider?” You wouldn't say that was your personal favorite?

Craig: Thanks. Thanks, so much. [Laughter] This is going so well. [Laughter]

Couric: What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day off?

Craig: Nothing.

Couric: Nothing?

Craig: Mmm-hmmm.

Couric: What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Craig: Wow. God — these questions.

Couric: I know, I'm sorry.

Craig: Vanilla.

Couric: Really?

Craig: Uh-huh.

Couric: Oh, come on. What's your second favorite?

Craig: Pistachio.

Couric: Okay. That's a little more interesting, frankly. How did the whole Bond thing unfold? There was so much mystery and intrigue around who would be the next Bond. Can you give me a little bit of the back story?

That was an interview with Daniel Craig, the new 007. And if you have that kind of difficulty, with those kind of celebrities, on this kind of platform, after this many years of experience—well, you probably shouldn't be the person I turn to for the nightly account of the evening's news. Sorry.

Just sayin'.

Brown Cow

Brown as in shitty. As in bad. As in just about every possible negative aspect as it relates to the on-air rantings of Erich "Mancow" Muller.

Of course, the only thing that isn't brown about this douchebag is the color of his skin. And that fact offers great comedic material for the "shock jock" when he shows up on equally worthless morning programs such as Fox & Friends. This morning the Cow decided to announce he was organizing a big rally in Chicago for "illegal murder" and "illegal car thievery." Isn't that just the most hilarious bit you've ever heard? And Steve Doocy's observation about the opportunity to "round them up" is equally funny and insightful!

The "King of Free Media" isn't just a poor man's Howard Stern, but a stupid, racist one's as well. Devoted fans of his will argue that he's hugely successful and that completely invalidates my feelings, but just as with Jay Leno, that doesn't make him talented.

Am I to assume Muller supports "legal" murder—or would that just lead to other comments of his embodying his typically idiotic views? I know Mancow sells himself as big defender of the First Amendment, and I'll second him on that. We need to protect his right to freely speak his feeble mind in order to gauge just where the bottom of the barrel really is.

UPDATE: I may have spoken too soon. Jay Leno is adored (at least as evidenced by the pitctures adorning the walls) at Mr. Beef (666 N. Orleans—about 2 blocks south of Chicago stop on Brown/Purple line)—producers of a terriffic Turkey sub. Good taste ... nearly all-around.

New Predictions

Opening Day is as good a time as any to start unloading my picks for what to expect in Major League Baseball come October. And it also gives me something else to discuss besides the Oscars. So here goes:

American League East

1. New York Yankees

2. Boston Red Sox

3. Toronto Blue Jays

4. Baltimore Orioles

5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

***

American League Central

1. Cleveland Indians

2. Chicago White Sox

3. Minnesota Twins

4. Detroit Tigers

5. Kansas City Royals

***

American League West

1. Oakland A's

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3. Texas Rangers

4. Seattle Mariners

***

National League East

1. Atlanta Braves

2. New York Mets

3. Philadelphia Phillies

4. Washington Nationals

5. Florida Marlins

***

National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Houston Astros

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Chicago Cubs

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

6. Cincinnati Reds

***

National League West

1. San Francisco Giants

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

3. San Diego Padres

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

5. Colorado Rockies

***

Divisional Playoffs

New York Yankees over Chicago White Sox in 4 games

Cleveland Indians over Oakland A's in 5 games

St. Louis Cardinals over New York Mets in 4 games

Atlanta Braves over San Francisco Giants in 5 games

***

League Championship Series

Cleveland Indians over New York Yankees in 6 games

St. Louis Cardinals over Atlanta Braves in 6 games

***

World Series

Cleveland Indians over St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games

***

Part wishful thinking, part reasonable guessing.