Tuesday, December 28, 2010

By the way, I'm running for mayor of Chicago, too

Did you miss the news the other day?

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners ruled that former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is a Chicago resident and can run for mayor.

Part of the problem is that Emanuel doesn't actually live in Chicago. Hasn't for a couple of years. He says he's paid taxes there. And that whole selling his house thing? He wasn't really selling it.

The Board, in true Chicago style, said that as long as Emanuel was planning on going back, he was a resident.

Which brings me to my point: I've been to Chicago. Spent days there. Drove the roads and paid the tolls ... which are road taxes. Even been to a White Sox game. And plan to go back to see a Cubs game at Wrigley.

Like Rahm Emanuel, I've been to Chicago, paid taxes there, and plan to go back.

Therefore, I am a Chicago resident.

So, I'm running for mayor, too.

And, since it's Chicago, I want everyone to register so you can vote for me. I mean, it's Chicago. Dead people vote there all the time. I don't see why being alive should disqualify you. Just tell them you're a Democrat. That should cut through any red tape.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I'm elected mayor of Chicago. I suppose I should think up some campaign promises or something. I mean, it's what people running for office do, right?

Here are some of the things I've come up with:
  • Rename US Cellular Field to Cominskey Park.
  • Daily contests between Lou Malnati's and Pizzeria Uno's for best Original Chicago Style Pizza.
  • Every holiday gets a massacre. St. Valentine's Day has ridden that gravy train for too long!
  • Oprah has to give cars to everybody.
  • Lake Michigan is renamed Happy Fun Lake and is declared off-limits to Canada.
I'm looking for more ideas. When I'm elected mayor, I'll have jobs for everyone who submits ideas and otherwise contributes to the campaign. As mayor of Chicago, I'll be able to do that.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Luke 2:1-20

  1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
  2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
  3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
  4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
  6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
  7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
  8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
  10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
  11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
  12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
  13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
  15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
  17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
  18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
  19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
  20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Night Before Christmas

A Visit From St. Nicholas

©2000 Denise Van Patten - http://collectdolls.about.com
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, so up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, Laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

-- Clement Clarke Moore

Thursday, December 23, 2010

On the last day of Christmas shopping...

Yesterday was the last day of Christmas shopping.

Oh, sure, the stores are still open today and people are out shopping and such, but I'm not. Because I finished up yesterday. It was the last day of Christmas shopping.

Of course, there have been a few times that I thought I was finished. Three times prior to yesterday.

It wasn't fun, though. Traffic was, well, like everyone was out Christmas shopping. Bad.

Got caught by a train once. That's never fun. It's even worse when the roads are packed, as they were yesterday. That's when people do stupid stuff. Well, more stupid stuff. Or maybe it's the same ratio of stupid stuff, just more people out there so more stupid stuff happens.

Like this old lady who was next to me. In the wrong turn lane. Actually, it wasn't a turn lane. Not for traffic going in our direction. She was actually in the oncoming traffic lane, with her left-turn signal on. There was no oncoming traffic, because it was caught by the train, too, just on the other side of the train.

Anyway, this old lady wasn't happy. I say that because she was fussing at ... the air. She was gesturing and just a running her mouth and was in her car all alone.

I shook my head and said, aloud, "How sad." Then I realized what I had just done. Because I was talking out loud while I was in my car all alone.

But, she wasn't the only person on the road that didn't need to be on the road. In fact, Christmas shoppers are horrible drivers. Police should have pulled everyone who was out driving over and given them a ticket. Including me.

I had thought that I had finished up my shopping before the day began. That's when Wife told me something she wanted for Christmas. A couple of things, actually. Only, I had already gathered and purchased what she wanted. Except for this one thing she mentioned that I don't remember her ever mentioning before. That meant I wasn't done.

Now, to be honest, I had to pick up an item from the mall. I had purchased an ornament from Things Remembered and left it to be engraved. I had planned to pick it up that day anyway, so I knew I had to go to town. But, now I had two stops to make.

I made my first stop, got the thing she wanted -- plus something else that she probably doesn't want -- then headed to the mall and Things Remembered.

When I got to Things Remembered, they were packed. Then, when they got to me, they couldn't find the thing I bought. Then they didn't have another one. But, the lady said to give them an hour and they'd have me fixed up. So, I was not done shopping.

An hour to kill in the mall. What to do?

I figured I could run into Spencer's Gifts. After all, you can't have too many fur-lined handcuffs or pecker whistles!

Nah. Victoria's Secret? Well, Wife says their bras care comfortable. I assume she means some of their bras, because I don't think some of them are built for, well, doing what bras do. But, she says they're really good bras, but won't go buy them herself, because they cost like $50.

Now, personally, I think that anything that makes the boobies happy is worth $50. Happy boobies are good things. Okay, boobies are good things, but happy boobies are better things.

Anyway, I'm not sure what all I bought or how much I spent but it was probably too much.

After an hour, and a severe drain on the wallet, I made my way back to Things Remembered, and they had the ornament ready. That was the last thing I needed in the mall, so I headed for the exit. You know, the mall should replace all the signs that say "Exit" with signs that say "The Hell Outta Here" because that describes it better.

Still, I'm happy that I finally finished my Christmas shopping.

Except for one thing...

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

How to set up Apple TV sharing for computers with different iTunes accounts

Here's the scenario:
  • You have iTunes and you buy your stuff under your own iTunes account.
  • Someone else in the house (or on the same network) has iTunes and buys stuff under their own iTunes account.
  • You have an Apple TV and want to be able to play anything from either iTunes account on the TV/sound system.
How common is this scenario? I don't know. It applies to Wife and me. But, it's not common enough for you to be able to find out how to do this easily from Apple.

All the instructions from Apple assume that everyone is using the same iTunes account. Wife and I have separate accounts and prefer it that way. For others, it could be a roommate situation. Or it could be another family situations where the teenager has his own account that's fed with prepay iTunes cards, and the parents have iTunes with their credit card; and you don't want to give your teenager unlimited access to your credit card.

Whatever the reason, there are plenty of good reasons for computers on the network to want to connect to Apple TV but still run different iTunes accounts.

Pick the Home Sharing Account

First thing you need to do is pick which Home Sharing account you want to use. You see, the way the Apple TV can play stuff off your computer is via the Home Sharing feature of iTunes.

The catch is, if you want to allow rentals via the Apple TV, this is the account that will be used, unless you sign out after each purchase. More about that later. This isn't a show-stopper, as you'll see.

For my purposes, I chose my Apple ID. In a college or other roommate situation, you might want to use your Apple ID, since that gives you control over who can access it.

Set Up Home Sharing on the Your Computer

Launch iTunes.


From iTunes, click "Advanced" and select "Turn on Home Sharing"


If prompted, log in to iTunes with your account.

You are now set for Home Sharing.

Set Up Home Sharing on the Other Computers

In order to share content on the various computers, they'll have to use the same Home Sharing account. This doesn't mean they'll be able to access your iTunes account, but it does mean they can share your content across the network.

Go to the other computer and launch iTunes.


From iTunes, click "Advanced" and select "Turn on Home Sharing"


Log in to iTunes with your account.


If this computer is not already authorized for your iTunes account, you'll be prompted to authorize it. That's the only way Home Sharing will work.


You'll be notified that the computer is now authorized on your account, and how many authorizations you have left. You'll need one for each computer on the Home Sharing network (including yours) and for Apple TV.

If you don't have enough, go to the other computers that you've already authorized and deauthorize the ones you no longer want authorized. You only have 5 to go around, so you may have to make some hard decisions. If you don't remember what all computers you authorized, you can reset your authorizations. Apple lets you do that once a year. If you do a reset, you'll have to reauthorized your computer.


Your iTunes library will now show up on that computer. This user can copy anything in your iTunes library to his library, as long as that computer is on the same Home Sharing account.

Set Up Home Sharing on the Apple TV

Set up your Apple TV. That involves connecting the HDMI cable and the power cord. You can connect the optical audio cable if you use that. You can also connect LAN connection if you like, but Apple TV supports 802.11a/b/g/n, so you can go WiFi.


After it's started, select "Computers" then "Turn On Home Sharing."

Enter the same Apple ID and password you entered on your computer, then choose Done.


The iTunes library's logged in to the Home Sharing account should appear.


You will also see any rentals made to the Home Sharing iTunes account.

If you have any trouble, recheck the instructions and try again. Or, try Apple's help page.

You should be good to go, though.

It was actually easy to set up. The hard part was figuring out that the other computers can be logged in to one iTunes account but another Home Sharing account. Once you get that part down, the rest is easy.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Apple TV

Got an Apple TV box recently.

In case you aren't familiar with Apple TV, it's a little box that you hook up to your TV that allows you to send content to your TV.

Apple is pushing their movie and TV rentals, although that's not what attracted me to the device. I have been buying content from Amazon.com and feeding it to my TiVo device.

They're making a big deal about its Netflix integration, but that's not a selling point for me. I already have that with Tivo.

The playing of iTunes content on the TV is what sold it for me. I've been wanting to be able to do that. And Wife wanted to do that. And, with Apple TV, we can. Wirelessly.

To do that, you have to turn on the Home Sharing feature. Where it was cumbersome is that Wife has one iTunes account and I have another. So, it took a bit to figure out that she can be signed in on her iTunes account but signed in to Home Sharing on my account, and we can share content with each other and with the Apple TV.

Now, the other things -- Netflix, YouTube, movie and TV rentals -- weren't a selling point for me. But, I do like the Netflix interface on Apple TV better than the one on TiVo. On my TiVo HD (I don't have the new Premiere, so I don't know how well it works) the only thing I can do with Netflix is play what's in my Streaming Queue. And I have to manage it on my computer. But, on the Apple TV, I can manage it from the menu. Not as easy as I can on the computer, but at least I don't have to go to the computer to manage it unless I want to; with Tivo, I have to.

TV rentals may come into play later. I'm looking at the cost of taking all my content from the Internet and dropping cable and TiVo. If I did that today, I'd save $171.04 a year, but I'd lose some programs: six network shows, local programming, and all live sports.

Let me add that I'm talking about watching on the TV, not through a browser. I'm talking about a full TV experience: content on the big screen where everyone in the living room can see it. So, watching online (Hulu standard, ESPN, etc.) isn't a viable solution.

Still, talking about Apple TV, I can sum it up in one word: I like it. Okay, that's three words. But that's how much I like it.

The content is clear, much clearer than through the TiVo for similar content. Probably because it connectes via HDMI connection, and not the component connection as the TiVo does. In fact, the only way Apple TV connects is via HDMI. And, setup is rather easy. The only issue was, as I mentioned, when you try to Home Share with multiple computers on multiple iTunes accounts.

It's worth the $99 it cost.

What about and alternative device? Like the Roku?

I can't say. I don't have one.

Yet.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Ice Box Fruitcake

I'm not a fan of traditional fruitcake. But there is a fruitcake that I do like. Wife's grandmother passed her Ice Box Fruitcake recipe to her years ago.

Ice boxes were what people used before refrigerators became more widely available and affordable. And, you may have seen an ice box without knowing it. On The Honeymooners, the Kramden's didn't have a refrigerator; they had an ice box.

One of my grandmothers -- my father's mother -- always called her refrigerator "the ice box." When I was a lot younger, I just figured it was because the top part (the freezer) had the ice. Later, I came to understand that it was a hold-over term from when she had an ice box. And that's true of many southern families.

Ice Box Fruitcake is similar to fruitcake. It won't keep as long as regular fruitcake, though. You must refrigerate it -- or, as they use to say years ago, "put it in the ice box."

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
  • One box (approx. 12 oz.) of vanilla wafers
  • One pound of candied cherries (red and/or green)
  • One can (approx. 14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
  • One cup raisins
  • One cup coconut
  • One cup pecans
Directions
  1. Finely crush vanilla wafers. A food processor works great!
  2. In a large bowl, add the vanilla wafers, sweetened condensed milk.
  3. Hand mix until wafers are moistened.
  4. Add remaining ingredients.
  5. Mix well by hand.
  6. Press mixture into a buttered tube pan.
  7. Cover
  8. Refrigerate overnight, until firm.
Keep it refrigerated; it will spoil. This isn't your traditional fruitcake. It's so, so much better!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The obligatory "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" parody


Every You
Down in You-ville
Liked Tax-Cuts a lot...


But the Wench,
Who was far left of You-ville,
Did NOT!


The Wench hated Tax-Cuts! There would be no pleasin'
The Yous. Don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason.


It could be that her head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that her face was too tight.


But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that her heart was two sizes too small.


But,
Whatever the reason,
Her face or her heart,
She stood with her gavel and said with a start,
"The Yous have their money; they earned it, it's true,
But I shan't let any money be controlled by a You!"


"The government knows what is best," said the Wench,
Ignoring all government programs' bad stench.
"It's been nearly ten years since that evil George Bush
Sent Tax-Cuts through Congress with a great big push."


"They're set to expire," the Wench said with delight.
"But the Keynesian gave up with barely a fight."


And she frowned. The Wench frowned. Yes she frowned. Frowned. Frowned. Frowned.
She frowned and she stomped all around on the ground.


The GOP had won a battle it seemed.
An agreement had been reached with the White House that deemed
That the Tax-Cuts would stay for another two years.
The thought of that brought the Wench so close to tears.


She snarled and she fumed and she said "This won't stand.
The Yous' money is mine." And she needed a plan.


She's plotting and planning and scheming right now.
She wants to kill all the Tax-Cuts. But how?


Unlike the Grinch of the Seuss tale years ago,
The Wench's cold heart still refuses to grow.


She wants to kill Tax-Cuts and pillage your wallet.
Remember in 2012 at the ballot!

Bad ideas for awards

Earlier this month, Wayne State University decided to stop awarding the "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media" award.

What does that mean? Well, it means that they actually gave a "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media" award. Which, to me, is a bigger story than stopping the giving of a "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media" award.

Earlier this year, she finally retired after catching flack for saying that Israelis should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home." To which Konzentrationslager, she didn't say.

Anyway, she recently defended her comments, then said the Jews were out to get her.

That was finally too much for Wayne State University, which had given the "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media" award.

What should they replace it with?

Well, how about something that makes just as much sense as a "Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media" award? How about:
  • Barack Obama Leadership Award
  • Markos Moulitsas Humanitarian Award
  • Julian Assange Safe Sex Award
  • Keith Olbermann Journalism Award
  • Al Gore Science Award
There must be plenty of examples of awards that some liberal institute of higher learning could give. Any other ideas?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Mythbusting Obama

The president was on Mythbusters last night. Did you see it? I did. Not because Obama was on the show, but in spite of it. Not a fan of Obama. Am a fan of Mythbusters.

Anyway, he asked Adam and Jamie to retest a myth:


[Direct link]

Adam and Jamie tested the myth ... for the third time ... and, once again, busted it. But, you know, that myth was perfect for Obama:
  • It's from Europe.
  • It had been tried before, more than once, and shown to fail.
  • It was paired with Hellboy.
  • It involved smoke and mirrors.
I wonder if there are any other myths that would make sense for Obama to want Adam and Jamie to test?

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

DHS and the Walmart

Drudge is reporting that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano wants you to report on other people.

If George W. Bush had said this, the left would be all up in arms. But, since one of Obama's incompetents made the suggestion, it's okay with the left. But we on the right are getting our panties in a wad about it.

Should we?

Heck, I don't know. Because Big Sis launched the campaign at ... Walmart.
The "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign—originally implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and funded, in part, by $13 million from DHS' Transit Security Grant Program—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.

More than 230 Walmart stores nationwide launched the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign today, with a total of 588 Walmart stores in 27 states joining in the coming weeks. A short video message, available here, will play at select checkout locations to remind shoppers to contact local law enforcement to report suspicious activity.
You see the problem I have with this, right?

Not that Big Sis wants us to report each other. It's that they're asking for suspicious activity at Walmart.

I wonder has she ever been to a Walmart? I was at one the other day, and saw Elvis:



Someone else saw him, too, but in California. On the same day, no less.



But, then, it is a Walmart. Where you can find people like this:


And this:


And this:


And this:


Okay, that's enough. It's more than enough. You can see more, if you like.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is, are we supposed to report suspicious people we see at Walmart? And, what's the criteria for "suspicious" at Walmart? Looking normal?

If I was looking for suspicious people to report, I wouldn't need to go to a Walmart to find some. There's this person. And this one.

Monday, December 6, 2010

What is this "professional football" that people talk about?

Somebody mentioned something about "professional football" the other day. I simply though they were talking about Auburn and Cam Newton. But, no. As it turns out, there is an organization that consists of grown men playing football on Sunday afternoons.

Who knew?

It's almost like real football, like they play on college campuses on Saturdays. Or Fridays, if you have a small college, or high school.

But, this group of people are something called the "Eneffell." I think that's how it's pronounced, anyway. Like the letters "N," "F," and "L" all rolled together.

I'm not sure. The thought of grown men getting together and playing a kids game? It seems to me it would attract all kinds of riff-raff. Like potheads, murderers, rapists, Chris Rock look-alikes, and other irreputable types.

I prefer the real football. College football.

The players still get paid. Or their dads do. Or their dad's churches do.

But, they only hang around for four years, then move on to selling drugs or knocking over liquor stores. Or becoming potheads, murderers, rapists, or Chris Rock look-alikes.

The college game even has playoffs and a championship. For three levels. And could have one for a fourth, if someone would just come up with a good plan.

Anyway, this "Eneffell?" I don't think it'll last.

Tracking Web browsers

What's the latest security issue with Web browsers? Knowing where you've been. And telling.

You know how on a Web browser, you can hit the back button and it'll take you to the page you were just on. And how you can do that over and over? For a bit, anyway?

Well, the browser can do it because it keeps up with where you've been. And, some Websites can have code that tracks where you've been.

Lot of browsers report where you just came from. Suppose you clicked a link to come to this Website, your browser probably included the page you were on in the HTTP_REFERER header (yes, it's correctly misspelled as "referer"). But this security issue isn't that. It's the actual reading of the Web browser history.

Didn't know they could do that? Yeah, well they can. For lots of browsers anyway. LikeInternet Explorer and Firefox. And older version of Chrome and Safari.
The report adds to growing worry about surreptitious surveillance by Internet companies and comes as federal regulators in the U.S. are proposing a "Do Not Track" tool that would prevent advertisers from following consumers around online to sell them more products.

The researchers found 46 sites, ranging from smutty to staid, that tried to pry loose their visitors browsing histories using this technique, sometimes with homegrown tracking code. Nearly half of the 46 sites, including financial research site Morningstar.com and news site Newsmax.com, used an ad-targeting company, Interclick, which says its code was responsible for the tracking.
Oh, and I'm not saying we have any of that kind of tracking code here, but some of you people are freaks. Seriously. I can't believe the places some of you go.

I do wonder, though, what would happen if WikiLeaks got hold of this information for, say, the president? Or some of his cabinet? So, I did some digging. And here's what I found.

Obama's most-visited Websites?
Joe Biden's most-visited Websites?
  • Trick question. His computer is an Etch-A-Sketch.
I'm sort of afraid to ask, but ... what do you think are the most-visited Websites by some high-profile people? Oh, and you may not want to include a link. Or I may not want you to.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Division 1-A playoffs 2010

No, the NCAA doesn't have playoffs for Division 1-A (FBS). They should, but they don't.

And, if they did, here's the right way to do it.
  • 16 teams: the 11 conference champions, plus the top 5 teams -- as determined by the BCS formula -- that do not win their conference.
  • The conference champions are seeded 1-11, as ranked by the BCS formula, followed by overall record.
  • The non-champion teams are seeded 12-16, as ranked by the BCS formula. This is similar to the NFL system, where the division champs are the top seeds, even if a wild-card team has a better record.
  • At each round, highest seed hosts lowest seed, second-highest seed host second-lowest seed, and so on.
  • Teams eliminated in the first round are still bowl-eligible.
  • The second round (quarter-finals) are can be combined with bowl games.
  • The third round (semi-finals) can be combined with top-tier bowl games.
The Field of 16

Here are the 11 conference champions, plus the top 5 non-conference champions, for your field of 16:
  1. Auburn (Southeastern, #1 BCS)
  2. Oregon (Pacific 10, #2 BCS)
  3. Texas Christian (Mountain West, #3 BCS)
  4. Wisconsin (Big Ten, #5 BCS)
  5. Oklahoma (Big 12, #7 BCS)
  6. Boise State (Western Athletic, #11 BCS)
  7. Virginia Tech (Atlantic Coast, #13 BCS)
  8. Central Florida (Conference USA, #25 BCS)
  9. Connecticut (Big East, #26 Coaches)
  10. Miami University (Mid-America, #29 Coaches)
  11. Florida International (Sun Belt)
  12. Stanford (#4 BCS)
  13. Ohio State (#6 BCS)
  14. Arkansas (#8 BCS)
  15. Michigan State (#9 BCS)
  16. Louisiana State (#10 BCS)
With this field and seed, here are the first-round games:
  • Louisiana State at Auburn
  • Michigan State at Oregon
  • Arkansas at Texas Christian
  • Ohio State at Wisconsin
  • Stanford at Oklahoma
  • Florida International at Boise State
  • Miami University at Virginia Tech
  • Connecticut at Central Florida
Most people that don't like this, don't like teams like Florida International being seeded above teams like Arkansas. That would be solved if Arkansas had been their conference. FIU won theirs, and get the better seed as a result.

My plan is simple. My plan makes sense. My plan would work. The NCAA just needs to do it.

But they won't. Because their top priority isn't to make sense.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Championship Saturday

I miss Leonard's Losers. If you never heard Leonard Postero's show, where he picked the outcome of college football games as Leonard Postosties, then you really missed something. He was witty, and he knew his football, right way more often than wrong.

Leonard left us back in 2001, having retired from the show in 1999. He was a pleasure to listen to.

If he was still with us, I like to think it might go like this. It wouldn't. It'd be a lot funnier and a lot more accurate:
Cue: Foggy Mountain Breakdown


This is Percy Peabody tellin' you it's time for Leonard's Losers ... starting Leonard Postosties, the world's greatest football prognosticator. Tell 'em 'bout it, Lenny.


Well, thank you, Percy, and howdy, football fans.

This is the day that football fans have been waiting for. It's the Saturday where all the conference championships are settled, as well as the only championship that matters: and that's for the Southeast Conference.

It's been a long time since I've had to fire up the ol' Smartpill Machine. It broke down and was placed in the Big Junk Room In The Sky back about 20 years ago, and I followed not too long after.

Still, I've never been one to let one of life's little obstacles keep me down for too long.

The Little Smartpill Machine is fired up and ready to go ... and so am I. We'll take a look at the most important games this weekend coming up after this message from our benefactor.

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Auburn vs South Carolina

The cocky Cocks from Columbia earned a rematch with the Big Kitties from the Plains despite posting a 5-3 record in the SEC.

Cam Newton has shown himself to be worth every penny with his play this season. He's led the East Alabama Cow College to the top of the football world, and he has the chance to nail down the Heisman simply by not losing.

Steve Spurrier returns to the SEC Championship Game with the best team in the East ... and the worst team he's ever taken to the big hoedown in Atlanta. He's 6-and-1 in the conference championship, and knows how to win this game. But his players don't.

These two teams met in September, with the Roosters jumping out to the early lead, but the Cats coming back in the 4th quarter to take the win.

Spurrier might be the better coach, but Auburn is the better team. Leonard's Loser, in a close one: South Carolina.


Oklahoma vs Nebraska

Two teams that both lost to Texas A&M meet to decide the Big 12 championship. And, unless some more teams are added to the Dwindling 12, it might just be the last Big 12 championship.

The Big Red Thrashing Machine has run roughshod over the competition this season ... except for two small speedbumps.

The Wagonmasters from Norman have had a good run as well, although their stumbles seemed to be a bit worse.

In the days of Big Eight football, this game was always a classic. Now that they are in separate divisions of the Big 12, they don't play nearly as often. And with Nebraska making the jump to the 11-team Big Ten, these old rivals will only meet on New Years Day from now on.

This one could be a great one that won't be decided until the fourth quarter ... or beyond. Leonard's Loser, in another close one, Oklahoma.


Florida State vs Virginia Tech

Once upon a time, this used to be a battle of top five schools. Nowadays, it's a battle just to get to the ACC championship game.

After beginning the season as the Chokies, the Polytechnicals have put together an impressive run after falling to a bunch of Smurfs and one of the Founding Fathers. The upside is, they've made mincemeat out of the competition. The downside is, the competition is a worse-than-normal ACC.

The Semi-holes have had an up and down season. They proved they were the best team in Florida, but only the third-best team in North Carolina.

Jimbo Fisher's North Florida Tribe took care of business when they needed to, and are looking to leave Charlotte with some Old Hokie scalps. But they need to watch out. Frank Beamer's cadets know how to handle themselves.

Leonard's Loser: FSU.

We'll be back after this word from Dear Old Dad...

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Southern Methodist vs Central Florida

Nobody knows how a bunch of Wild Horses from the Dallas area ended up in the Conference-USA championship game, unless John Wesley asked a favor from the Almighty. But make it they did. Last year, June Jones led his Mustangs to their first bowl game since coming back from the dead. This year, they can take a conference championship trophy with them when they go bowling.

But first, they have to get by George O'Leary's Knights from Orlando. Central Florida has has sole possession of their division since late October, so their appearance in the game isn't because of a padded resume.

SMU has a lot to be proud of. Today won't be part of that.

Leonard's Loser: SMU.


Here's Leonard's List of Likely Losers:
  • South Florida will lose to Connecticut
  • Utah State will lose to Boise State
  • Louisiana Tech will lose to Nevada
  • Rutgers will lose to West Virginia
  • UNLV will lose to Hawaii
  • San Jose State will lose to Idaho
  • Middle Tennessee will lose to Florida International
  • Florida Atlantic will lose to Troy
  • Cincinnati will lose to Pittsburgh
  • Oregon State will lose to Oregon
  • Washington State will lose to Washington
  • UCLA will lose to Southern California
And next weekend, Army will lose to Navy.

Well, the Ol' Smartpill Machine is due for an oil change, and I'm due for a long rest.

Till next time, this is Leonard Postosties saying, "So long, neighbor!" Get me outta here, Percy.

Cue: Foggy Mountain Breakdown


Leonard will be back next time with another bunch of losers. Till then, this is Percy Peabody ... hoping you'll be with us.
Oh, how I miss Leonard.

There are plenty of ways to hear predictions about college football games. You got College Gameday, plus all sorts of sports channels on TV and radio, blogs and whatnot. But nothing ever compared to Leonard's Losers.


Leonard Postero. A great American.

Friday, December 3, 2010

My Windows 7 iPad

So, I was surfing the 'Net with Internet Explorer on my Windows 7 iPad ...

What's that?

Yes, a Windows 7 iPad.

Well, no, not an iPad running on Windows 7. But an iPad running Windows 7.

Let me show you a screen shot, so you'll believe me.



See?

Yes, that's an actual screen shot from my iPad. With my surfing the 'Net with Internet Explorer. And, yes, it looks like Windows 7 because it is Windows 7. And here's a photo of the iPad, running Windows 7:



How?

Actually, it's an app that allows the iPad to operate as a terminal for a virtual machine I'm running on my MacBook. I'm running Parallels 6 on the Mac, running an instance of Windows 7.

So, in reality, it's my Mac that's running Windows 7 in a virtual machine. And my iPad is a terminal of that virtual machine.

What would it take for you to do that the same way I did it?

MacBook Pro (maxed out): $3,336

Parallels 6: $79.99

Windows 7 Ultimate: $319.99

iPad 64GB 3G: $829

Doing it because I can: Priceless.