Best TV Theme Song

I don't know why I didn't check this out earlier, and I think there was/is even a show dedicated to this. But Boston.com has a tournament going on to decide what was the best theme song. From whats left, may favorites would be there at the end would be: Fresh Prince of Bel Air vs. Welcome Back Kotter.

A few songs that may be missing? "The Greatest American Hero" (Thanks Prof. Mike) and "Married With Children" (Although I think that may have left off the list because it is an actual song).

Any other songs that were missed? Post a comment.

Verizon FiOS and Cable TV? FiOS TV?

I swear I spoke about this before but I can't find the post,. Yeah I know..."... Curtis, don't you run this thing?" I do, I swear, maybe I just meant to post it, but didn't (This happens A LOT more than you know).

Anyways... Verizon FiOS is a service Verizon offers which allows for fiber optic cables (where previously installed) to be used for internet access, and I believe phone access too. Fiber optic cables allow for faster internet speeds (up to 5 times faster than Comcast's current 6mbps. Also, you only pay $34.95/month for 5mbps, thats a $15/month savings from Comcast, which will aloow you to buy a TiVo, but thats another story.) and the ability to transfer video... So...

Verizon is set to add another feature to their service: Cable Television. Right now they offer a bundle package with DirecTV. But I don't like satellite dishes (and I am not sure we can add it to our condo). Dan told me about this rumor at least a month ago, that's why I thought I posted it, but he was correct. Turns out someone at his job was offered FiOS through Verizon, and they casually mentioned that they would soon be offering cable television through FiOS in October. And here we are, coming to October, and there are rumbles that Verizon is about to start offering this service. Good looking out Dan. Hopefully the price of cable will come down with this announcement. Also, SBC (Southern Bell Communications) is rumored to be doing the same thing, but offering the unconventional IPTV (Internet Protocol Television - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPTV). We'll see what happens, but they have pushed their plans back from late 2005 to early 2006.

A quick check on Verizon's FiOS page shows that not all of us are eligible for FiOS service here in Massachusetts, but it should be here soon.

As usual, I will try to keep you posted... if I can remember.

Google Print

Google looks to be getting in trouble for this one (it may come down soon, so check it out now). This is a site that lets you read scanned-in books on-line. Well not the whole book, but a lot of pages. Turns out publishers aren't too happy about this. I can see why, but thanks for giving us a glimpse Google.

Here is what Google has to say about thier "Library Project"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/09/google-print-and-authors-guild.html

Google WiFi

Looks like Google is at it again. They have launched a beta-type program in the San Francisco area providing independent national wireless internet access, presumably with ad-sense built in, so it wouldn't be "free"... but... yeah... free!

Google WiFi: Frequently Asked Questions
http://wifi.google.com/faq.html

Free Download of Google Secure Access
http://wifi.google.com/download.html

Bad Parenting

Gee, I hope this doesn't happen to us.

Bush: Bathroom Break?

Is this picture real? It is on Yahoo's site. Who is this man, and who elected him president? Yes, we all have to pee... but like Mom always asked "... does anyone have to go to the bathroom before we go to (insert place/activitiy here)?!"... wow!

Google's Definition of Failure

(Thanks to Alex for the e-mail)

1. Go to www.google.com
2. Type in the word: failure
3. Click Google search
4. Make note of the very first website available for that entry

Coincidence? I think not! Hahaha.

Math: Home Phone Number Trick

Check out this link to solve an interesting math problem... With a freaky answer!

Livestrong Bracelet: Done

I have officially retired my yellow Livestrong bracelet. No, not because it's a fad and only teens wear them now (I still wear my Boston Celtics "I Am A Celtic" wristband, not sure I will ever get rid of that one), but because I don't like Lance Armstrong anymore. I think he cheated during the Tour de France. Maybe not this year, but one of those years. Yes, I know, he is not like any other humans we know, his lung capacity is enormous. I just don't understand how a man, any man, can win 6 consecutive Tour de France's (which I believe is one of the toughest things an athlete can do), after coming back from cancer. Yes, cancer, the thing that kills most of it's victims somehow put itself on pause for Lance to win "6 consecutive Tour de France's". Yes, you can "beat" cancer, but it's always there. It can come back, and it's got to make you weaker than you were before (I'm drawing from my extensive medical studies... ah... yeah, that's what I'm doing). So, farewell to the Livestrong bracelet, we had some good times together. Although, I am not wearing the bracelet, I will still continue to support the Livestrong Foundation. We still need a cure for all, or any, cancer.

The Daley Lama is in... Idaho?!

I saw the Dalai Lama once, it was at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge. Anna and I were on our way out of the Charles and there were men in black suits and ear pieces escorting a few black, darkly tinted SUV's in the front of the building...

OK, we didn't really see him, but he was in one of those SUV's leaving the Charles, where he stayed while visiting Harvard.

That was my almost-brush with the Dalai Lama... Do YOU have a Dalai Lama story?

FEMA

According to AP and CNN... Michael Brown has resigned as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This is the same FEMA group that posted a message on their website about a glitch in browser-compatibility for access to a Hurricane Katrina online assistance site, in which they date: "Monday, 09-Sep-2005"

MacDailyNews says: which, of course is impossible, unless you're part of the government. Maybe that's why some of these government agencies botched the hurricane relief efforts? The simple lack of a common calendar?

Sofa: Jordan's Furniture

We ordered it two weeks ago. It was the same color as the one in the showroom. A light grey microfiber (even though Mary specifically told us not to get that material), which the lady said was great for kids and dogs. We even got it Scotch-Guarded and whatever the insurance/spillproof/we-will-fix-almost-anything-just-as-long-as-you-call-us-within-48-hours-and-only-follow-our-instructions-or-your-contract-is-null-and-void plan. It should be available right away... right? Well, no, it was going to be here on September 11th. They called today, it's here. But the earliest they can deliver it will be on September 20th. I will keep you posted when it comes in.

Crooks and Liars

This is a pretty funny site about REAL crooks and liars... You know, the ones in the government. There are funny posts including text, audio, and video.

You can thank me later for the hours of entertainment you will have reading, listening, and watching this site.

Max Blumenthal

I ran across this site today and it had this excerpt from a recent Bill Maher show:

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Bill Maher the other night:
"Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more. There's no more money to spend--you used up all of that. You can't start another war because you used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people. Listen to your Mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's speaking to you. Mission accomplished...

Read the whole thing here

Apple: iPod nano, iTunes 5, Motorola ROKR

Some people question why I do not post about Apple's latest products a.s.a.p. - Reason: I watch/read the news as it happens and then I read all I can before I post, you know, a little more info than just "Apple releases a slick new iPod nano".

Well here are my reviews:
iPod nano
Price: 2GB=$199.00 / 4GB=$249.00
Apple releases a slick new iPod (haha). Truthfully, it's really cool and very, very small. It is thinner than a number 2 pencil, and smaller than the iPod mini. Yes, they have discontinued the iPod mini, the most popular mp3 player in the world. The mini came in colors, which made it even more popular, and the nano is white... ACTUALLY... it also comes in black (it's beautiful). It has a color screen and can also display album covers and pictures copied over from your computer.

iTunes 5
Price: Free
New look, new search functions, new 'shuffle mode" that is more random (people claimed the shuffle mode wasn't so random before).

MotoiTunes
Price: $249 (2-yr contract required)
"...The world's first phone with iTunes..." (I'm sure there will be more every quarter) Pretty cool phone, but not a flip-phone like the more popular phones now-a-days. Pretty cool that it holds 100 songs from your iTunes library. Too bad it is only carried by Cingular/AT&T. It would have been cooler if they put it in their RAZR phone or let Apple create their own phone. Oh well, doesn't seem like enough to make me switch to Cingular.

Gilligan, Dead at 70

(post above from boson.com)

Gilligan Island was one of my first memories of a sitcom. And Gilligan, the lovable klutz, was one of the funniest slapstick comedians I have ever seen. Hey, when you are 5 and watching re-runs of coconuts landing on a guys head a few dozen times, its pretty darn funny!

I just heard/read: Gilligan actually died on Aug. 2, 2005. What took so long for the media to announce his death? Conspiracy? Hold on friends, I'm going to look into this... to be continued

Hurricane Katrina: Before & After

Click on the title above to see pictures of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina... It's insane!

pictures courtesy of boston.com

Savanna's Smiles

Here is a benefit for my friend Anson's 4 year old niece Savanna.

As many of you know, Savanna James (Daughter of Dylan & Robin) recently underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from her skull. She is currently undergoing 42 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy treatments. When the treatments are complete she will have a procedure to replace the skull bone that was removed and will have a second procedure to repair a hole that was found in her heart. Dylan and Robin do have health insurance but will be faced with many additional expenses including expensive co-pays for all of Savanna's hospital stays ($250 each visit), medications, and bed rental not to mention parking fees, meals at the hospital and day care for Isabelle, their other daughter. We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of concern that we have received from our family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances and the constant request of "what can we do"?. We have decided to join in efforts and desire to "do something" by hosting a fundraiser. We would love for you to join us in our efforts to help them both financially and by getting together to show our moral support.

Friday, 23 September 2005
The Knights of Columbus
177 Bedford Street, Lexington MA 02420
7:00PM EST

Includes appetizers, desserts, live music, dancing, performances by the Legacy Dancers and cash bar.

There will also be many raffles including Patriot Tickets (October 2nd), Red Sox Tickets (September 27th), airline tickets, Celtics tickets, Blue Man Group tickets, Disney Package and much more!

Casual dress and feel free to bring your friends! Seating is limited, so first come first serve. Reservations must be made in advance. Please RSVP by Monday, 5 September 2005.

$30 per person

Please make check payable to "Savanna's Smiles"
Send mail to: Lisa Brown /121 Slough Road / Harvard, MA / 01451

All proceeds from this event will go to Savanna and her family

Hurricane Katrina: iTunes

Apple has stepped up again (see Tsunami Fund) and started a relief fund for Hurricane Katrina victims. You can click on a link at the iTunes Music Store to donate money. 100% of your donation will go to the American Red Cross. I did it, you can to!

If you do not have iTunes, find out more about it here

Gas Prices

This is a very funny picture. But it speaks for the rising gas prices everywhere. Gas here in Boston is averaging in the upper $2.00 range. Not crazy, compared to this place in Indianapolis, but still a lot. I'm guessing anyone who responds to this will not that there are a few places in Boston where gas prices surge past $3.00. Check out this link for the lowest/highest gas prices around.

Hurricane Katrina - Those Missing [Updated]

Here are a few links that have lists of those missing. If you know of anyone who you have not heard from, please check these sites:

Nola.com - Local New Orleans news information
CNN - CNN's reported safe list
Craigslist - New Orleans - Craigslist New Orleans section where you will find links for "lost and found", "volunteers", "general", etc.
American Red Cross: Katrina Connections - The Red Cross also has a section on their site dedicated to those looking for loved ones. There are also pictures you can scan/upload to the site.

[Updated] Thanks to "anonymous" for the comment about "Fats Domino" missing. But this is the conversation Prof. Mike and I had today about Fats Domino:

Prof. Mike: Hey, did you hear Fats Domino is one of the missing?
Me: Oh, really? Fats Domino, oh yeah, what did he do??? (I knew his name, couldn't remember what he sang)
Prof Mike: He lost his thrill on Blueberry hill...
Me: Oh yeah... Haha
Prof. Mike: ... and if he were still on that hill he would probably still be safe.

Hurricane Kartina - Continued

The information below is from WBUR's website (I am listening to NPR right now on WBUR to hear stories and information on Hurricane Katrina's devastation, you can to, click here).

Also here is a local link to American Red Cross - Boston
285 Columbus Ave.
Boston, MA 02116-5114
617-375-0700 ext. 277
800-564-1234 ext. 277

How You Can Help Katrina's Victims
Voluntary organizations are seeking cash donations to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states, according to Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. But, volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency.

Here is a list of phone numbers set up solely for cash donations and/or volunteers.

Donate cash to:

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English,
1-800-257-7575 Spanish;

Operation Blessing
1-800-436-6348

America’s Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070

Donate Cash to and Volunteer with:

Adventist Community Services
1-800-381-7171

B'nai B'rith International

Catholic Charities, USA
1-800-919-9338

Christian Disaster Response
941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
1-800-848-5818

Church World Service
1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998

Corporation for National and Community Service Disaster Relief Fund
(202) 606-6718

Lutheran Disaster Response
800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service
717-859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response
888-256-5886

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
800-872-3283

Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief
1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

United Methodist Committee on Relief
1-800-554-8583

For further information: visit the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at: http://www.nvoad.org/.

This list of organizations is provided by the National Organization of Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster. Please email EST-DONATA@dhs.gov if you are interested in having your organization added to the list.