Sticking it to a much meaner Man

Last spring I posted this about a guy in DC who refused to sell his house to make way for a condo complex. But this, from today's NYT, is even crazier, especially since it's in China. The article keeps talking about the force of personality of the owner but never really goes into the specifics of her successful tactics. Mostly, I'm surprised the developer doesn't just go in and knock it down and sort out the details later. Keep it up Ms. Wu. Cause a stir. Progress without accountability to those you are displacing is just plain wrong. We have trouble with that even here in the US (see the ridiculous ruling in Kelo v. City of New London {and wimpy version}).

That time of year...

The perfect way to kick off baseball season:

The Wabash Mashers of 1864

This is some of the worst apple hurling and stick mashing I've seen!

HAAHAAHAAAA, He's dead! HAAAHAAAHAAA

"The Unnatural"

This is so cool. And yes, I still have secret dreams about such things. The being invited to spring training part, not the sausage part.

Less Filling, Tastes Gross

I'm not a big fan of aftertaste. Some foods have it, many beers have it, and even particularly strong household cleaners can leave you with a bitter flavor in your mouth. (Yes, when you clean with them. I don't drink household cleaners.) One place I would NOT expect a gross aftertaste is toothpaste. Crest Pro Health, you have major issues, you disgusting minty-carp flavored goop! Blech...

The Ides are coming! Look Out!

Beware the Ides of March...

Remus Stefan: Subtle yet endearing

Little-know fact: I LOVE names. I just really enjoy cool sounding, unique, and weird names. A few months ago, I started what has become a half-hearted effort to "collect" names I like. I made a spreadsheet and everything, and I have no shame about it. So when I came across this, I was elated. Make sure to check the subtitle. Stellar effort by this group of visionaries. Who says there are no heroes anymore...


And don't worry; I have no plans to cease my own collection effort. You just can't call it a definitive list if it doesn't include Kiko Calero or Odd-Even Bustnes...

Things are looking up

Stumpas is showing his first new growth, since Doug and I sticked him up.

The seagulls in Quincy Park have been replaced by baseball players. No lines yet, and no fence, but the high school teams are out in spring training. I was so excited to hear the ping of a bat (metal bats don't really crack).

I'm nearly done with a book and about to start another (which I might actually start before I finish the first; I have a problem with finishing things.)

I've been mondo productive at work, and hope to be boffo productive at home too. Like a banshee even.

I got a new mouse. It double clicks only when I click it twice, which is a nice change.

I've learned some valuable lessons about bad planning and quick decisions

Adventures in Lawyering

Two recent stories that make me maybe question the occupational choices of a number of friends:

Dominic DiCenso owns a pizza shop in Boston that was allegedly a front for a cocaine business (and an illegal discotheque, though that is less pertinent here). State Police performed a sting operation where they successfully bought cocaine from the shop over a number of months. After his arrest they raided his house, finding 1.5 kilos of cocaine, a wad of cash, and numerous weapons. His lawyer's response:

DiCenso's lawyer, Jerry Falbo, said his client is innocent.

"There is no evidence that the defendant participated in any of the exchanges," Falbo said. "The defendant never made an exchange or sell of any drugs to any State Police officer."

And later in the article:

Falbo said DiCenso grew up in the Boston area and had operated West End Pizza for nearly a decade.

"He has a business to run, and this business supports many employees," Falbo said.

I'm all for due process, and the presumption of innocence. And I'm well aware of the bias, intentional or not, in an article such as this, so the cut-and-paste nature of quotes from interviews needs to be taken into account. But I sincerely hope that the Mr. Falbo has a better defense for his client than "He didn't do it; he has no idea how that kilo of cocaine got in his coffee canister" and "He has a business to run; think of his employees!" and "He wouldn't have sold them coke if he knew they were state police officers! I swear!"

Meanwhile, the Woodward and Bernstein of MLB performance enhancement has found his name again associated with steroids. Jose Canseco is apparently on the customer list of a pharmaceutical company that has allegedly been selling steroids, etc. over the Internet. His lawyer quickly came to his defense:

Canseco's attorney, Robert Saunooke, told The Associated Press he would be surprised if the former slugger had been a client.

"I would find it highly unlikely," he said. "All the steroids that he got were prescribed to him or were from people in the gym. There's never been anything he's gotten online."

I'm not a law student nor the son of a law student, but as the boyfriend of a law student it seems to me that "My client never buys his steroids over the Internet; that's ridiculous!" is a defense doomed to fail. I think shouting "Banana Hammock!!" into the microphone might have actually been more helpful to Jose.

And so I say to Renée, and Suzanne, and John, and Katie, and Michelle, and Darren, and Kenny, and in the near future coworkers Josh and Chris: what is WRONG with you? THIS is your career of choice? THESE are the people you strive to be associated with?? GAHHHH!!!!!!!

The seagulls are in Quincy Park

No, this isn't code for anything. As I was driving to work, I noticed that there were about a hundred seagulls in Quincy Park. Maybe that'll be beachfront property in a few years when global warming starts to kick in, and they wanted to stake their claim early.

At least they're better than pigeons... And Canadian geese...