Random Thursday
Scattershooting* while pondering what kind of hangovers Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, and the rest of the mortals on the PGA Tour are enduring this morning after what must have been a huge celebration last night following Tiger's announcement that he'll miss the rest of the season due to knee surgery. Likewise for the PGA and TV network officials who surely drank themselves into oblivion, albeit for a different reason: despair over what will likely be a huge drop in broadcast ratings for upcoming tournaments.
- My wife had the best line following the revelation that Tiger played the US Open on a torn ACL and with a double stress fracture: Rocco Mediate must feel even worse now, knowing that he was beaten by a guy with one leg!
- Speaking of Tiger Woods, and building on yesterday's post about the impact of the Net on the way we think, New York Times syndicated columnist David Brooks has an excellent piece about the golfer's otherworldly ability to focus. To more fully appreciate this skill (gift?), read Christine Rosen's essay, The Myth of Multitasking" (hat tip to Nicholas Carr).
- A local woman was quoted in this morning's newspaper about the importance of Juneteenth: More so than the Fourth of July, that's something we should never forget. Given the highly-charged emotional implications of that sentiment, I wonder why the newspaper chose to make it the pull-quote for the article? Or, did I just answer my own question?
- Did you catch the premier of Black Gold last night? Neither did I. Tru-TV is on a higher tier channel lineup, and isn't included in our subscription. That's a shame, because I'd love to blog about it, given that it's shot in our backyard and features people we run into every day. I'm hopeful that other local bloggers aren't as chintzy with their cable budgets and will provide recaps of the episodes. Update: According to George (whom I knew I could count on!), "Black Gold" episodes will be re-broadcast on TNT. Last night's premier will be re-run tonight at 9:00.
- I'm on the mailing list for news releases for a software company called Akvis. The company makes image processing software, and I've tested some of it in the past. Anyway, I received their latest release this morning in which they announce the relocation of their corporate headquarters from Russia to Canada. I was amused by some of the statements in the release.
- The company changes its corporate style after moving its head office to Vancouver, BC, Canada. - Translation: We'll be drinking less vodka and more Big Rock.
- AKVIS establishes presence on the North American continent and opens direct access to the wide North American software market. - So, the location of a software company's HQ is a major decision in deciding whether to buy its products?
- ...while dipping into the highly qualified Canadian labor market will undoubtedly improve manufacturing quality. There's probably a way to be less flattering to the Russian labor force, but I'm at a loss to think of it.
- To underline the importance of the move, AKVIS changes its visual identity and accepts a brand-new logo. - We may be moving to North America, but we're still using ESLers to write our press releases.
OK, I'm off to watch the new batch of baby killdeer in the park. They're at a developmental stage equivalent to that of human teenagers, so clumsy that if they were driving, they'd be hitting every dumpster in sight.
*As always, a debt of gratitude is acknowledged to Blackie Sherrod
I am not an official blogger,
Let's see. You're articulate, perceptive, thoughtful, evenhanded. You're right. You're overqualified. ;-)
Thanks for the review...feel free to share your perceptions of future episodes!
I can only imagine how this will affect the image of Texans and oil companies in general in the minds of those in other parts of the country that happen to catch this.
Knowing some of the folks who appear in the program, I'd be surprised if they give a rat's patootie about what anyone outside the industry thinks.
Posted by: Eric at June 19, 2008 11:00 AMWe were talking about the whole Tiger/Rocco playoff at the post office the morning of the match. I didn't know about it beforehand (since I don't follow hockey or any other sport). But I did know that Tiger had bad knees and so I said: "Wait a minute. Rocco's playing the best golf of his life and he's about to get beat by a guy who can barely walk?"
They all laughed at me 'cause they thought Tiger was toast. So who's the one who doesn't know anything about sports?
Posted by: Jim at June 19, 2008 11:57 AMFirst of all, it's quoits, not hockey (the latter is played only in months containing an "r" or in countries containing a "z" preceded by an "x" or a "g").
Second of all, you don't have to know anything about sports to know about Tiger Woods. You only have to have watched The Terminator.
Posted by: Eric at June 19, 2008 12:06 PMI'm anxious to watch Black Gold, to see what all this talk is about.
Posted by: Gwynne at June 19, 2008 05:24 PMJust arrived in my mailbox .... Get the season pass for Black Gold on iTunes for only $10.99! I think I'll subscribe because it's a local thing ... Like the KOSA Tv news thing, and the movies made down in Marfa.
Posted by: Bleu at June 19, 2008 07:43 PMdrill here
drill now
pay less.
that's the truth
Posted by: Kudzu Fire at June 19, 2008 08:05 PMGwynne, let me know if you need any help with the translations. Some of those guys sure talk funny. ;-)
Bleu, thanks for the tip...that's a great idea. After seeing the first episode, I think it's worth adding to a video collection. It's much better than the newsroom series.
Kudzu, truer words were never writ. Too bad Congress can't seem to perceive that truth.
Posted by: Eric at June 19, 2008 10:09 PMEric I put in my two cents on "Black Gold" at http://archaeotex.blogspot.com/2008/06/reality-show-really-aint-so-bad.html
Posted by: Jeff at June 20, 2008 09:23 AMAbout the publisher
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I am not an official blogger, but I did catch Black Gold last night. It follows 3 drilling crews in west Texas… I guess to add drama; they all seem to be located very near to each other and are drilling down to the same formation… The show is by the same guy who produces Deadliest Catch. Although not spelled out, the location has to be around Odessa somewhere, since there was a birthday celebration at Dos Amigos in Odessa.
The show seems to capture the reality of life on a drilling rig…dangerous, crude and hard working. It makes me wonder if there are OSHA people making notes as they watch. I can only imagine how this will affect the image of Texans and oil companies in general in the minds of those in other parts of the country that happen to catch this.
Hopefully people will be able to watch the rebroadcast on TNT…I think the show can be very educational, there is good info...even other than the colorful language. ;-)
Posted by: Mark at June 19, 2008 10:11 AM