"Google"
Erik Malinowski, Playbook, Wired (February 4, 2011)
"For those of you who can't make it out to Dallas for this Sunday's Super Bowl — and, quite frankly, that's probably all of you — the search wizards of Mountain View, California, have been kind enough to offer us the chance to virtually tour Cowboys Stadium via Google Earth.
"It couldn't be simpler. Download the latest version of Google Earth, and type 'Cowboys Stadium' into the 'Find Businesses' field at the top. (Also, make sure you have the '3D Buildings' layer turned on.) It might take a minute or two to get the hang of it, but once you do, you can get a complete 3-D perspective of this $1.2 billion behemoth, decked out in its complete Super Bowl-themed exterior...."
Super Bowl. Football. Google. And, what else? A YouTube video demo:
"Cowboys Stadium in 3D
YourWorldIn3D, YouTube (February 3, 2011)
video, 1:37
Impressive - and fairly cool music, too. In the Lemming's opinion.
The video's been scaled down to fit this blog's format - if it doesn't display well, you're free to follow the link to the YouTube page.
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Super Bowl XLV: Here We Go Again
The Lemming isn't all that much of a sports fan. Growing up in America, though, it's well-nigh impossible to miss the approach of the Super Bowl: that penultimate pennant play, plentifully purveying platitudinous explication of pellucid points of play.
The National Football League isn't shy about discussing the 40th Super Bowl. (www.nfl.com) Looks like it will be "Twitter-Fueled." That's hardly surprising. A year or so from now, and the Lemming thinks it's likely that an online community being involved in a sports event will be as unremarkable as reporters using cameras and telephones are now.
The Super Bowls are a major cultural event here in America - and an unofficial one. More about that, from a distinct point of view:
On the other hand, it occurs to the Lemming that the Super Bowl is popular - because a great many Americans who don't work for the Los Angeles Times like football, at least to watch. "Football" in the American sense of the word - as distinct from soccer. You know: the game played by guys about the size and weight of refrigerators, chasing a ball that's longer than it's wide or tall.
The Super Bowl game is this Sunday - and the local Soo Bahk Do class is meeting early, so folks can get home in time to watch the game.
Soo Bahk Do? It's a sort of Karate - except the martial art developed in Korea. Which is why members of the Lemming's family are learning to read and speak Korean. (March 14, 2010, in passing)
The National Football League isn't shy about discussing the 40th Super Bowl. (www.nfl.com) Looks like it will be "Twitter-Fueled." That's hardly surprising. A year or so from now, and the Lemming thinks it's likely that an online community being involved in a sports event will be as unremarkable as reporters using cameras and telephones are now.
The Super Bowls are a major cultural event here in America - and an unofficial one. More about that, from a distinct point of view:
- "How the NFL turned the Super Bowl into a phenomenon"
Joe Flint, Los Angeles Times (February 4, 2011) (No, really: they date-stamped it for tomorrow: maybe they're on UTC)
On the other hand, it occurs to the Lemming that the Super Bowl is popular - because a great many Americans who don't work for the Los Angeles Times like football, at least to watch. "Football" in the American sense of the word - as distinct from soccer. You know: the game played by guys about the size and weight of refrigerators, chasing a ball that's longer than it's wide or tall.
The Super Bowl game is this Sunday - and the local Soo Bahk Do class is meeting early, so folks can get home in time to watch the game.
Soo Bahk Do? It's a sort of Karate - except the martial art developed in Korea. Which is why members of the Lemming's family are learning to read and speak Korean. (March 14, 2010, in passing)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Marathon Runners: Human and Otherwise
"The Animal Kingdom's Top Marathoners"
Brian Resnick, Popular Mechanics (undated)
"Compared to other land mammals, humans are remarkably good at running long distances. Our upright posture and ability to shed heat—through sweating—are what allow people to run more than 20 miles during a race. Very few other animals can sustain such distances, especially at the speeds that top human athletes perform. But there is plenty of competition out there—nature is full of species adapted for running distance. Here's a look at six of the best marathoners in the animal kingdom, from slowest to fastest...."
"More than 20 miles? Make that 100-plus. The Lemming will get back to that.
This six-part slide show starts with horses:
"...Through years of selective breeding, racehorses have gained a built-in biological mechanism for efficient blood—the kind that certain human athletes can only achieve by doping. 'When they start to exercise, their spleen will kick out a whole bunch of red bloods cells into their system, into their cardiovascular system to make the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood go up,' says Peter Weyand, professor of physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University....
"For the last 30 years, the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells has hoted [!] a 22-mile, man-versus-horse race. Humans have only won the race twice, but top runners usually only finish 10 minutes after the animals. Where horses exceed in oxygen efficiency, humans make up for in temperature regulation. In the beginning of the race the horses tend to have a 30 minute lead, but toward the end, that advantaged is cut to a couple of minutes. Over the course of the race, humans are more efficient at expelling heat—not to mention they aren't running with a rider on their back. On a hot day, humans can win much more easily."
Yeah: a rider would slow a horse down. In principle. The photo showed riderless horses - which raised the question of what motivated the horses to keep going.
My guess is that if Llanwrtyd Wells extended their race a few miles, the horses wouldn't do nearly as well. They're wonderful animals: but, well, they're just not human.
The Lemming did a little research, about a year ago. Among other things, I compared winning times for two races that covered about 100 miles: one run by humans, the other by horses. The top human runners did just slightly better than the horse.
There's more to those numbers, though. The horses ran along an idyllic course: "flat with grassy and gravel surface. No hills, shaded." The humans? Our species decided that it'd be interesting to run 100.2 miles in the "Sierra mountains of California. ... cold, heat, mountains...." And the top runners still beat the horses.
The Popular Mechanics slide show has one page for humans:
"...One major difference between humans and animals is that we don't have in-born endurance; we have to train. Peter Weyand says that compared to other animals, humans have a high energy cost of running—we spend more energy in each stride relative to our size...."
On the other hand, we're really good at dumping heat. There's an 'up' side to the way we sweat. And - as the article points out - we can want to go faster, farther.
Then there's the ostrich: an improbable-looking bird with legs whose length is mostly tendon. That tendon acts like a rubber band or - as the article put it - pogo stick, storing energy when that leg hits the ground and releasing it later in the stroke. No wonder ostriches can average 30 miles an hour over a 20-mile course.
As for deciding that it'd be a good idea to have a long-distance endurance race over terrain like California's Sierras? Well, maybe someday we'll discover that homo sapiens sapiens is - crazy. I've discussed this possibility in another post. (December 5, 2009)
Related post:
Brian Resnick, Popular Mechanics (undated)
"Compared to other land mammals, humans are remarkably good at running long distances. Our upright posture and ability to shed heat—through sweating—are what allow people to run more than 20 miles during a race. Very few other animals can sustain such distances, especially at the speeds that top human athletes perform. But there is plenty of competition out there—nature is full of species adapted for running distance. Here's a look at six of the best marathoners in the animal kingdom, from slowest to fastest...."
"More than 20 miles? Make that 100-plus. The Lemming will get back to that.
This six-part slide show starts with horses:
"...Through years of selective breeding, racehorses have gained a built-in biological mechanism for efficient blood—the kind that certain human athletes can only achieve by doping. 'When they start to exercise, their spleen will kick out a whole bunch of red bloods cells into their system, into their cardiovascular system to make the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood go up,' says Peter Weyand, professor of physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University....
"For the last 30 years, the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells has hoted [!] a 22-mile, man-versus-horse race. Humans have only won the race twice, but top runners usually only finish 10 minutes after the animals. Where horses exceed in oxygen efficiency, humans make up for in temperature regulation. In the beginning of the race the horses tend to have a 30 minute lead, but toward the end, that advantaged is cut to a couple of minutes. Over the course of the race, humans are more efficient at expelling heat—not to mention they aren't running with a rider on their back. On a hot day, humans can win much more easily."
Yeah: a rider would slow a horse down. In principle. The photo showed riderless horses - which raised the question of what motivated the horses to keep going.
My guess is that if Llanwrtyd Wells extended their race a few miles, the horses wouldn't do nearly as well. They're wonderful animals: but, well, they're just not human.
The Lemming did a little research, about a year ago. Among other things, I compared winning times for two races that covered about 100 miles: one run by humans, the other by horses. The top human runners did just slightly better than the horse.
There's more to those numbers, though. The horses ran along an idyllic course: "flat with grassy and gravel surface. No hills, shaded." The humans? Our species decided that it'd be interesting to run 100.2 miles in the "Sierra mountains of California. ... cold, heat, mountains...." And the top runners still beat the horses.
The Popular Mechanics slide show has one page for humans:
"...One major difference between humans and animals is that we don't have in-born endurance; we have to train. Peter Weyand says that compared to other animals, humans have a high energy cost of running—we spend more energy in each stride relative to our size...."
On the other hand, we're really good at dumping heat. There's an 'up' side to the way we sweat. And - as the article points out - we can want to go faster, farther.
Then there's the ostrich: an improbable-looking bird with legs whose length is mostly tendon. That tendon acts like a rubber band or - as the article put it - pogo stick, storing energy when that leg hits the ground and releasing it later in the stroke. No wonder ostriches can average 30 miles an hour over a 20-mile course.
As for deciding that it'd be a good idea to have a long-distance endurance race over terrain like California's Sierras? Well, maybe someday we'll discover that homo sapiens sapiens is - crazy. I've discussed this possibility in another post. (December 5, 2009)
Related post:
- "How Fast Can People Run? Depends on How Far"
(September 15, 2009)
Monday, October 4, 2010
2010 Commonwealth Games, Day Two: Medals, Laurels, and the Usual Complaints
"India at Commonwealth Games: Medals on field, laurels off it"
DNA (Daily News and Analysis) (October 5, 2010) (It's tomorrow now, in India)
"Could it be that the worst is over for the Commonwealth Games? The afterglow of a hitch-free opening ceremony is showing in Delhi. The new-found confidence is almost palpable - even the beleaguered Suresh Kalmadi is hitting back at critics. And to give the devil his due, he has reason to be satisfied.
"India fared well on Day Two, too, both on and off field. Carrying forward from the spectacular opening night, there were no visible or audible glitches - no one was complaining about security and hygiene. Not even about long wait for buses. In fact, the sceptics were singing paeans about India and New Delhi. The only glitch, it seemed, were the empty stands. But officials dismissed that concern as a Monday, and first day, syndrome...."
The Lemming is pretty much of the same page with DNA on this. India's leadership has either done a good job - or had the good sense to stay out of the way and let folks get the job done. Either way, well done.
"Games people play"
Karthik Krishnaswamy, Young World, The Hindu (October 5, 2010) (Dateline stuff again)
"Once every four years a major sports event takes place. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations come together to participate in the Commonwealth Games.
"The first time this event took place was in 1930. It was then known as the British Empire Games and 11 nations participated. It has been held regularly since then, with just one interruption in 1942, during World War II.
"After months spent attempting to scrub the stench of corruption and organisational incompetence off its frame, the 2010 Commonwealth Games is finally upon the capital.
"A dengue outbreak, the collapse of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the revelation that the Games village was in 'unlivable' condition two weeks to the start of the event, and heightened security fears following an attack of a tourist bus near the historic Jama Masjid have led to a host of athletes pulling out of the event...."
The article seems to be a pretty good backgrounder on the Commonwealth Games, and summary of what's happened so far.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are not perfect, though. Certainly not from the point of view of team-India boosters. The Indian athletes haven't been the top performers. So far.
What's happening off the field is important, too. Or at least interesting. The Commonwealth Games are international news, and a fair number of journalists around the world are acting like - well, like journalists.
"Commonwealth Games fans go missing"
ABC Grandstand Sport (Australia) (October 5, 2010) (It's tomorrow in Australia, too.)
"All across New Delhi, brightly-coloured posters plead 'Come out and play', but on Monday this teeming city opted to stay home instead as a wave of indifference greeted the Commonwealth Games.
"The opening day witnessed matches played out at eerily empty venues, a worrying sight for besieged organisers hoping that Sunday's widely-applauded opening ceremony had finally laid to rest the problem-plagued build-up.
" 'Australia 76 Spectators 58' reported The Sydney Morning Herald after the opening match of the netball competition at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex which can hold 4,500 people....
"...'In front of a crowd which would have fitted in a bus - just 58 legitimate spectators - the Diamonds scored more than a goal per fan in a 76-39 cruise past Samoa.'
"Despite the withering cynicism, fans and officials were convinced the situation will improve as the 11-day event progresses...."
Giving credit where credit is due, the Australian news service did mention - later in the article - that folks in India aren't all that much interested in the day's sports. And 58 fans in a 4,500-capacity venue is certainly newsworthy.
"Boxing weigh-in latest fiasco in troubled Games"
Reuters IN (October 4, 2010)
"The official weigh-in for the Commonwealth Games boxing competition ran into complete chaos on Monday with teams complaining of faulty test scales at the Talkatora Indoor stadium.
"Innacurate test scales had a string of boxers unnecessarily trying to shed weight to get into the desired category, Australia team spokesperson John Gatfield said.
" 'The athletes weighed themselves on the test scales, and found themselves to be over. They got back to the sauna trying to lose some weight and when they came back, they weighed more than the last reading,' Gatfield told Reuters.
" 'So there was a lot of chaos there and they have decided to have a second weigh-in Tuesday morning. It was really ridiculous.'..."
Okay: So paragraph one's "complete chaos" was demoted to "a lot of chaos" by paragraph four. There does seem to have been something wrong with the scales.
More about that SNAFU:
All things considered, it's probably better for India if the pre-games publicity reeks, and the events go off reasonably well. Think what a PR problem they'd have on their hands if the headlines yesterday had been "Prince Charles Declared Dead at Scene" and "Aerostat Breaks Free, Hundreds Killed"
Yeah, it could have been a lot worse.
The most sensible statement made about the 2010 Commonwealth that the Lemming's run into so far was made by, of all people, a politico: (October 3, 2010)
...Asked if he was satisfied with the security arrangements, a smiling [Union Home Minister P.] Chidambaram told PTI, 'Ask me on October 14 and I will tell you.'..."
(DNA (October 3, 2010))
Related posts:
DNA (Daily News and Analysis) (October 5, 2010) (It's tomorrow now, in India)
"Could it be that the worst is over for the Commonwealth Games? The afterglow of a hitch-free opening ceremony is showing in Delhi. The new-found confidence is almost palpable - even the beleaguered Suresh Kalmadi is hitting back at critics. And to give the devil his due, he has reason to be satisfied.
"India fared well on Day Two, too, both on and off field. Carrying forward from the spectacular opening night, there were no visible or audible glitches - no one was complaining about security and hygiene. Not even about long wait for buses. In fact, the sceptics were singing paeans about India and New Delhi. The only glitch, it seemed, were the empty stands. But officials dismissed that concern as a Monday, and first day, syndrome...."
The Lemming is pretty much of the same page with DNA on this. India's leadership has either done a good job - or had the good sense to stay out of the way and let folks get the job done. Either way, well done.
"Games people play"
Karthik Krishnaswamy, Young World, The Hindu (October 5, 2010) (Dateline stuff again)
"Once every four years a major sports event takes place. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations come together to participate in the Commonwealth Games.
"The first time this event took place was in 1930. It was then known as the British Empire Games and 11 nations participated. It has been held regularly since then, with just one interruption in 1942, during World War II.
"After months spent attempting to scrub the stench of corruption and organisational incompetence off its frame, the 2010 Commonwealth Games is finally upon the capital.
"A dengue outbreak, the collapse of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the revelation that the Games village was in 'unlivable' condition two weeks to the start of the event, and heightened security fears following an attack of a tourist bus near the historic Jama Masjid have led to a host of athletes pulling out of the event...."
The article seems to be a pretty good backgrounder on the Commonwealth Games, and summary of what's happened so far.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are not perfect, though. Certainly not from the point of view of team-India boosters. The Indian athletes haven't been the top performers. So far.
What's happening off the field is important, too. Or at least interesting. The Commonwealth Games are international news, and a fair number of journalists around the world are acting like - well, like journalists.
"Commonwealth Games fans go missing"
ABC Grandstand Sport (Australia) (October 5, 2010) (It's tomorrow in Australia, too.)
"All across New Delhi, brightly-coloured posters plead 'Come out and play', but on Monday this teeming city opted to stay home instead as a wave of indifference greeted the Commonwealth Games.
"The opening day witnessed matches played out at eerily empty venues, a worrying sight for besieged organisers hoping that Sunday's widely-applauded opening ceremony had finally laid to rest the problem-plagued build-up.
" 'Australia 76 Spectators 58' reported The Sydney Morning Herald after the opening match of the netball competition at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex which can hold 4,500 people....
"...'In front of a crowd which would have fitted in a bus - just 58 legitimate spectators - the Diamonds scored more than a goal per fan in a 76-39 cruise past Samoa.'
"Despite the withering cynicism, fans and officials were convinced the situation will improve as the 11-day event progresses...."
Giving credit where credit is due, the Australian news service did mention - later in the article - that folks in India aren't all that much interested in the day's sports. And 58 fans in a 4,500-capacity venue is certainly newsworthy.
"Boxing weigh-in latest fiasco in troubled Games"
Reuters IN (October 4, 2010)
"The official weigh-in for the Commonwealth Games boxing competition ran into complete chaos on Monday with teams complaining of faulty test scales at the Talkatora Indoor stadium.
"Innacurate test scales had a string of boxers unnecessarily trying to shed weight to get into the desired category, Australia team spokesperson John Gatfield said.
" 'The athletes weighed themselves on the test scales, and found themselves to be over. They got back to the sauna trying to lose some weight and when they came back, they weighed more than the last reading,' Gatfield told Reuters.
" 'So there was a lot of chaos there and they have decided to have a second weigh-in Tuesday morning. It was really ridiculous.'..."
Okay: So paragraph one's "complete chaos" was demoted to "a lot of chaos" by paragraph four. There does seem to have been something wrong with the scales.
More about that SNAFU:
- "Complaints of faulty scales at C'Wealth Games boxing weigh-in"
DNA (October 4, 2010)
All things considered, it's probably better for India if the pre-games publicity reeks, and the events go off reasonably well. Think what a PR problem they'd have on their hands if the headlines yesterday had been "Prince Charles Declared Dead at Scene" and "Aerostat Breaks Free, Hundreds Killed"
Yeah, it could have been a lot worse.
The most sensible statement made about the 2010 Commonwealth that the Lemming's run into so far was made by, of all people, a politico: (October 3, 2010)
...Asked if he was satisfied with the security arrangements, a smiling [Union Home Minister P.] Chidambaram told PTI, 'Ask me on October 14 and I will tell you.'..."
(DNA (October 3, 2010))
Related posts:
- "2010 Commonwealth Games and a Sensible Statement"
(October 3, 2010) - "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games Start Today"
(October 3, 2010) - "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games and Bad Publicity"
(September 26, 2010) - "2010 Commonwealth Games' Dehli Village: Oops"
(September 21, 2010) - "Antibiotic-Resistant Superbug With NDM-1 Enzyme"
(September 15, 2010)
Particularly
Sunday, October 3, 2010
2010 Commonwealth Games, Day One: Pretty Good Start
"Let the games begin (commonwealth games delhi)"
etribune, YouTube (October 3, 2010)
video, 2:22
"The 19th Commonwealth Games have been opened in a spectacular opening ceremony which might repair some of the damage to India's image after a calamitous buildup to the sporting festival."
The Lemming doesn't know that the buildup was "calamitous." Journalists, in the English-speaking world anyway, were predictably eager to pounce of the SNAFUs. Like that incredible collapsing bridge and doo-doo in the dorms.
So, the Commonwealth Games in India are being hosted perfectly? No, of course not.
Still, India managed to get the balloon to go up for the games - literally.
More, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games website:There's quite a bit more on the website.
Related posts:
etribune, YouTube (October 3, 2010)
video, 2:22
"The 19th Commonwealth Games have been opened in a spectacular opening ceremony which might repair some of the damage to India's image after a calamitous buildup to the sporting festival."
The Lemming doesn't know that the buildup was "calamitous." Journalists, in the English-speaking world anyway, were predictably eager to pounce of the SNAFUs. Like that incredible collapsing bridge and doo-doo in the dorms.
So, the Commonwealth Games in India are being hosted perfectly? No, of course not.
Still, India managed to get the balloon to go up for the games - literally.
More, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games website:There's quite a bit more on the website.
Related posts:
- "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games Start Today"
(October 3, 2010) - "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games and Bad Publicity "
(September 26, 2010) - "2010 Commonwealth Games' Dehli Village: Oops"
(September 21, 2010)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
2010 Commonwealth Games' Dehli Village: Oops
"Delhi Games village 'unfit for athletes'"
BBC (September 21, 2010)
"The Commonwealth Games Federation head has demanded the Indian government take immediate steps to improve conditions at the athletes' village in Delhi.
"Team delegates have described the accommodation as filthy, unhygienic and unfit for human habitation.
"But organisers of the event, which runs from 3 to 14 October, said the facilities would be excellent.
"Meanwhile, police said 23 labourers were injured as a bridge being built near the main Games venue collapsed.
"It is the latest setback to an event plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
"New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and Northern Ireland have demanded their teams be put up in hotels if their accommodation is not ready...."
This probably isn't quite what India's leaders had in mind when they started working on the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It's the first time that India has hosted - or tried hosting - the games. Offhand, it seems that things could have gone better.
Then, there's the opinion in the article's sidebar:
" 'Clearly, the "Indian way" hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities'
"Soutik Biswas BBC Delhi online correspondent"
There is some good news in all this: apparently nobody was killed when that bridge collapsed. And it looks like visiting teams will spend much of their time safely off-site during the games. As for spectators: I hope that someone takes a good, hard look at the bleachers before folks climb on - or that spectators decide to watch via television.
Assuming that the events will be televised.
The Lemming thinks this may be another example of a recurring issue plaguing governments, large businesses, and any organization massive enough to have executives who are dissociated from whatever the organization is supposed to be doing.
Someone who's never been on the shop floor, or seen a construction site, may need a reminder from time to time that it doesn't matter how good a plan looks on paper: It's got to actually work.
BBC (September 21, 2010)
"The Commonwealth Games Federation head has demanded the Indian government take immediate steps to improve conditions at the athletes' village in Delhi.
"Team delegates have described the accommodation as filthy, unhygienic and unfit for human habitation.
"But organisers of the event, which runs from 3 to 14 October, said the facilities would be excellent.
"Meanwhile, police said 23 labourers were injured as a bridge being built near the main Games venue collapsed.
"It is the latest setback to an event plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
"New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and Northern Ireland have demanded their teams be put up in hotels if their accommodation is not ready...."
This probably isn't quite what India's leaders had in mind when they started working on the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It's the first time that India has hosted - or tried hosting - the games. Offhand, it seems that things could have gone better.
Then, there's the opinion in the article's sidebar:
" 'Clearly, the "Indian way" hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities'
"Soutik Biswas BBC Delhi online correspondent"
There is some good news in all this: apparently nobody was killed when that bridge collapsed. And it looks like visiting teams will spend much of their time safely off-site during the games. As for spectators: I hope that someone takes a good, hard look at the bleachers before folks climb on - or that spectators decide to watch via television.
Assuming that the events will be televised.
The Lemming thinks this may be another example of a recurring issue plaguing governments, large businesses, and any organization massive enough to have executives who are dissociated from whatever the organization is supposed to be doing.
Someone who's never been on the shop floor, or seen a construction site, may need a reminder from time to time that it doesn't matter how good a plan looks on paper: It's got to actually work.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Record Mosquito Catch in Taiwan
"Taiwanese woman catches 4 million mosquitoes"
Breitbart (August 2, 2010)
"A Taiwanese woman has taken a sizeable bite out of Taiwan's mosquito population, and won a 3,000 US dollar cash prize, by catching around 4 million of the bloodsuckers in just one month.
"Huang Yu-yen, from southern Taiwan's Yunlin county, beat 72 rivals with a catch weighing in at more than 1.5 kilogrammes (3lbs 5oz), competition organisers Imbictus International, a company that makes insect traps, said...."
Over three and a quarter pounds? That's a lot of mosquitoes! Nice to know that Minnesota isn't the only place - blessed? - with such pests.
The article points out, on a more serious note, that mosquitoes have been a serious health problem in Taiwan, until a mid-sixties eradication program. And that they still carry dengue fever: definitely not by popular demand.
Breitbart (August 2, 2010)
"A Taiwanese woman has taken a sizeable bite out of Taiwan's mosquito population, and won a 3,000 US dollar cash prize, by catching around 4 million of the bloodsuckers in just one month.
"Huang Yu-yen, from southern Taiwan's Yunlin county, beat 72 rivals with a catch weighing in at more than 1.5 kilogrammes (3lbs 5oz), competition organisers Imbictus International, a company that makes insect traps, said...."
Over three and a quarter pounds? That's a lot of mosquitoes! Nice to know that Minnesota isn't the only place - blessed? - with such pests.
The article points out, on a more serious note, that mosquitoes have been a serious health problem in Taiwan, until a mid-sixties eradication program. And that they still carry dengue fever: definitely not by popular demand.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Rogers Centre / SkyDome, Toronto, Canada
"Rogers Centre"
Wikipedia
"Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower near the shores of Lake Ontario. Originally opened in 1989, it is home to the American League's Toronto Blue Jays, the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, the site of the annual International Bowl American college football bowl game...."
The name change happened when Rogers Communications bought the stadium in 2005: putting ownership where, in the Lemming's opinion, it belongs, in private hands.
The History Channel has an online video clip from their Modern Marvels series, showing a little of the dome's workings.
"Toronto Skydome"
The History Channel
video, 3:17
A more conventional bit of video journalism is on CBC. This video shows an engineer demonstrating how the SkyDome/Rogers Centre works, using a scale model. It also has a selection of comments about the stadium: apparently it's not universally loved.
"Raising the roof at SkyDome"
CBC Digital Archives (June 4, 1989)
video, length not given
Back to that Wikipedia article:
"...Rogers Centre was designed by Rod Robbie & Michael Allen and was constructed by the EllisDon Construction company of London, Ontario. The stadium's construction lasted about two and a half years, from October 1986 to May 1989. The approximate cost of construction was $600 million (CAD) which was paid for by the federal government, Ontario provincial government, the City of Toronto, and a large consortium of corporations...."
I don't know what percentage of that $600,000,000 CAD came from Canadian taxpayers, but I'm a bit sympathetic with the folks who didn't appreciate footing the bill.
We've got a parallel situation in Minnesota, with the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, in Minneapolis. It's been compared to a giant bundt pan, and might have been more popular if the designers had realized that folks using it would need parking space - and that it snows during Minnesota winters.
Moving along.
"SkyDome / Rogers Centre Built In Two And A Half Minutes"
EllisDonConstruction, YouTube (April 09, 2009)
video, 2:36
"Timelapse of the world's first retractable roof sport's stadium. It was originally called the SkyDom, [!] now called Rogers Centre. The Rogers Centre hosts the Toronto Blue Jays."
It's got a fun, lively, music track: and does a decent job of showing how the stadium was built - and what the dome opening looks like.
Granted: that was a big bill to hand off to Canadian taxpayers. Still, Toronto's got a spectacular stadium that adapts to the city's sincerely non-tropical climate - and, unlike the Minneapolis analog, Toronto's Rogers Centre allows open-air use in the summer.
I'm also impressed by the engineering and architectural planning that went into designing the movable segmented dome.
More:
Wikipedia
"Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower near the shores of Lake Ontario. Originally opened in 1989, it is home to the American League's Toronto Blue Jays, the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, the site of the annual International Bowl American college football bowl game...."
The name change happened when Rogers Communications bought the stadium in 2005: putting ownership where, in the Lemming's opinion, it belongs, in private hands.
The History Channel has an online video clip from their Modern Marvels series, showing a little of the dome's workings.
"Toronto Skydome"
The History Channel
video, 3:17
A more conventional bit of video journalism is on CBC. This video shows an engineer demonstrating how the SkyDome/Rogers Centre works, using a scale model. It also has a selection of comments about the stadium: apparently it's not universally loved.
"Raising the roof at SkyDome"
CBC Digital Archives (June 4, 1989)
video, length not given
Back to that Wikipedia article:
"...Rogers Centre was designed by Rod Robbie & Michael Allen and was constructed by the EllisDon Construction company of London, Ontario. The stadium's construction lasted about two and a half years, from October 1986 to May 1989. The approximate cost of construction was $600 million (CAD) which was paid for by the federal government, Ontario provincial government, the City of Toronto, and a large consortium of corporations...."
I don't know what percentage of that $600,000,000 CAD came from Canadian taxpayers, but I'm a bit sympathetic with the folks who didn't appreciate footing the bill.
We've got a parallel situation in Minnesota, with the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, in Minneapolis. It's been compared to a giant bundt pan, and might have been more popular if the designers had realized that folks using it would need parking space - and that it snows during Minnesota winters.
Moving along.
"SkyDome / Rogers Centre Built In Two And A Half Minutes"
EllisDonConstruction, YouTube (April 09, 2009)
video, 2:36
"Timelapse of the world's first retractable roof sport's stadium. It was originally called the SkyDom, [!] now called Rogers Centre. The Rogers Centre hosts the Toronto Blue Jays."
It's got a fun, lively, music track: and does a decent job of showing how the stadium was built - and what the dome opening looks like.
Granted: that was a big bill to hand off to Canadian taxpayers. Still, Toronto's got a spectacular stadium that adapts to the city's sincerely non-tropical climate - and, unlike the Minneapolis analog, Toronto's Rogers Centre allows open-air use in the summer.
I'm also impressed by the engineering and architectural planning that went into designing the movable segmented dome.
More:
- "Rogers Centre"
the stadium's own website - "Rogers Centre | Ontario, Canada"
ballparksofbaseball.com
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Spain Won the World Cup: Yet Another Post About It
I'm an American, so I'd call it the soccer World Cup. Whatever it's called, the World Cup 2010 seems to be a global cultural phenomenon. Since it looks like a fair fraction of Earth's 6,830,586,000 or so people are talking about it, here's my 'me, too:'
Final fever fiesta as victorious Spaniards party on"
The Sydney Morning Herald (July 13, 2010)
"Spanish men may have a reputation for machismo but there were plenty of hombres with tears running down their cheeks in the city's Spanish Quarter when Spain won its first football World Cup.
"More than 200 boisterous fans, most draped in red and gold, crammed into the Spanish Club in Liverpool Street to watch the game, which La Furia Roja won 1-0...."
"World Cup 2010: Spain return to rapturous welcome"
BBC (July 12, 2010)
"Spain's victorious World Cup squad have returned to Madrid amid scenes of joyous celebration in the capital city.
"Team captain Iker Casillas, carrying the trophy, led the team down the steps of the plane as they made their triumphant return from South Africa...."
"Spain World Cup heroes fly in, prepare for celebrations"
Barcelona News (July 12, 2010)
"Spain's World Cup heroes flew into Madrid Monday, carrying with them the World Cup won with 1-0 victory against the Netherlands Sunday.
"The Spanish victory flight from Johannesburg had been delayed for three hours...."
"Spanish media hails spirit of golden generation"
Reuters Africa (July 12, 2010)
"Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta's dramatic extra-time winner against Netherlands in the World Cup final was the crowning moment for a golden generation of players, local media said on Monday.
" 'Our Spain... From Here to Eternity,' daily El Mundo wrote on their front page, while El Pais led with 'Champions of the World' over the top of a photo of captain Iker Casillas lifting the trophy above his head in Johannesburg on Sunday.
"El Pais continued: 'The national team consolidated the leadership of a dazzling generation.'..."
What more can I say?
Spain won. Fans of the Spanish soccer/football are happy about that, and are celebrating. And it looks like a fair number of Spain's fans aren't in Spain.
Here in America, we see pretty much the same thing happening with the Super Bowl. Minus the global hoopla, of course.
Final fever fiesta as victorious Spaniards party on"
The Sydney Morning Herald (July 13, 2010)
"Spanish men may have a reputation for machismo but there were plenty of hombres with tears running down their cheeks in the city's Spanish Quarter when Spain won its first football World Cup.
"More than 200 boisterous fans, most draped in red and gold, crammed into the Spanish Club in Liverpool Street to watch the game, which La Furia Roja won 1-0...."
"World Cup 2010: Spain return to rapturous welcome"
BBC (July 12, 2010)
"Spain's victorious World Cup squad have returned to Madrid amid scenes of joyous celebration in the capital city.
"Team captain Iker Casillas, carrying the trophy, led the team down the steps of the plane as they made their triumphant return from South Africa...."
"Spain World Cup heroes fly in, prepare for celebrations"
Barcelona News (July 12, 2010)
"Spain's World Cup heroes flew into Madrid Monday, carrying with them the World Cup won with 1-0 victory against the Netherlands Sunday.
"The Spanish victory flight from Johannesburg had been delayed for three hours...."
"Spanish media hails spirit of golden generation"
Reuters Africa (July 12, 2010)
"Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta's dramatic extra-time winner against Netherlands in the World Cup final was the crowning moment for a golden generation of players, local media said on Monday.
" 'Our Spain... From Here to Eternity,' daily El Mundo wrote on their front page, while El Pais led with 'Champions of the World' over the top of a photo of captain Iker Casillas lifting the trophy above his head in Johannesburg on Sunday.
"El Pais continued: 'The national team consolidated the leadership of a dazzling generation.'..."
What more can I say?
Spain won. Fans of the Spanish soccer/football are happy about that, and are celebrating. And it looks like a fair number of Spain's fans aren't in Spain.
Here in America, we see pretty much the same thing happening with the Super Bowl. Minus the global hoopla, of course.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Not Quite How Giro Made Lance Armstrong's Custom Helmet
"How Giro Made Lance Armstrong's $15,000 Custom Helmet"
Playbook - The Wired World of Sports (July 3, 2010)
"Lance Armstrong returned to the Tour de France in 2009 after four years away from cycling's most prestigious race. At the age of 37, Armstrong rode his way to a third-place finish. And though it was one of the great athletic performances of our time, it paled in comparison to Armstrong's seven consecutive victories in what could be the world's most grueling sporting event...."
"...The Giro team brainstormed project ideas and eventually landed on what seemed like the perfect one. What if it focused on building one helmet for one rider, so as to maximize performance? Armstrong was chosen as that one rider, and the cycling time trial –- which emphasizes aerodynamics, because each cyclist rides solo against the clock –- was chosen as the venue. The goal was simple: to create the fastest, most aerodynamic helmet in the world for the conditions Armstrong was likely to face...."
There's a video embedded in the Wired article:
video, 0:28
At the end of the article, I knew that aerodynamics was very important in the design of the helmet - that Giro had designed it for Lance Armstrong - that the video was 28 seconds long and showed Armstrong being scanned - and that "a Los Angeles special-effects house to create a lifelike replica of the rider in his time trial position, along with a detailed model of his head and face."
There's a little more - like the custom helmet not having a gap at the back, and providing superior performance in crosswinds. But I'd have appreciated more detail in just how the helmet was designed.
Still, there's a cool photo of the finished helmet.
Playbook - The Wired World of Sports (July 3, 2010)
"Lance Armstrong returned to the Tour de France in 2009 after four years away from cycling's most prestigious race. At the age of 37, Armstrong rode his way to a third-place finish. And though it was one of the great athletic performances of our time, it paled in comparison to Armstrong's seven consecutive victories in what could be the world's most grueling sporting event...."
"...The Giro team brainstormed project ideas and eventually landed on what seemed like the perfect one. What if it focused on building one helmet for one rider, so as to maximize performance? Armstrong was chosen as that one rider, and the cycling time trial –- which emphasizes aerodynamics, because each cyclist rides solo against the clock –- was chosen as the venue. The goal was simple: to create the fastest, most aerodynamic helmet in the world for the conditions Armstrong was likely to face...."
There's a video embedded in the Wired article:
video, 0:28
At the end of the article, I knew that aerodynamics was very important in the design of the helmet - that Giro had designed it for Lance Armstrong - that the video was 28 seconds long and showed Armstrong being scanned - and that "a Los Angeles special-effects house to create a lifelike replica of the rider in his time trial position, along with a detailed model of his head and face."
There's a little more - like the custom helmet not having a gap at the back, and providing superior performance in crosswinds. But I'd have appreciated more detail in just how the helmet was designed.
Still, there's a cool photo of the finished helmet.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tractors, Horses, and a Weekend Project
"HillsboroDays60I.wmv"
anoasisproduction, YouTube (June 22, 2010)
video, 2:05
Two minutes and five seconds of tractor and horse pulling contests in Hillsboro, North Dakota. I talked to the fellow who made the video - this was a sort of 'weekend project' for him. Turned out pretty well, I think.
Enjoy.
A few points:
anoasisproduction, YouTube (June 22, 2010)
video, 2:05
Two minutes and five seconds of tractor and horse pulling contests in Hillsboro, North Dakota. I talked to the fellow who made the video - this was a sort of 'weekend project' for him. Turned out pretty well, I think.
Enjoy.
A few points:
- No tractors were harmed in the filming of this video
- Those horses are not full-size draft animals
- The Norwegian- and German-Americans who live in that part of the country tend toward height
- But we're not that big
- The Norwegian- and German-Americans who live in that part of the country tend toward height
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Interview With a Rhododendron
"A Good Day For Geraniums"
guardian.co.uk (March 15, 2010)
"Earlier today Phil Brown was relieved of his managerial duties by Hull City and placed on gardening leave, leaving Brown 'very disappointed' but his geraniums 'delighted'.
"Yet more proof of the fickleness of football's fates. Had Boaz Myhill pushed Denilson's shot away from goal, rather than straight back in front of it directly to the feet of Nicklas Bendtner like a total bleeding idiot, in the final moments of Saturday's match against Arsenal Hull would have secured...."
The article's content may not be all that interesting to folks who don't follow British football: and a perhaps-surprising number of Earth's 6,790,062,000 or so people don't. You might enjoy the style, though, and the image of reporter interviewing plants:
"...In an exclusive interview with one of the inhabitants of his garden, which we sadly had to make up because it can't speak...."
guardian.co.uk (March 15, 2010)
"Earlier today Phil Brown was relieved of his managerial duties by Hull City and placed on gardening leave, leaving Brown 'very disappointed' but his geraniums 'delighted'.
"Yet more proof of the fickleness of football's fates. Had Boaz Myhill pushed Denilson's shot away from goal, rather than straight back in front of it directly to the feet of Nicklas Bendtner like a total bleeding idiot, in the final moments of Saturday's match against Arsenal Hull would have secured...."
The article's content may not be all that interesting to folks who don't follow British football: and a perhaps-surprising number of Earth's 6,790,062,000 or so people don't. You might enjoy the style, though, and the image of reporter interviewing plants:
"...In an exclusive interview with one of the inhabitants of his garden, which we sadly had to make up because it can't speak...."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Piscatorial Pursuits - It's Not What You May Think
Piscatorial Pursuits
"Whether you're looking to book an Alaska salmon & halibut fishing package or a Washington fishing trip out of Forks on the Olympic Peninsula, helpful info on how to fish on your own, recipes, Kenai Peninsula tide tables for halibut fishing or clamming, or perhaps some of the most popular fishing bulletin boards / forums ... you've found the right place!
"Our site menu will load to the left. Just mouse-over the buttons for links to the information or fishing trip that you're looking for. If you have any difficulties viewing the menu, text links appear at the bottom of every page!..."
There's something fishy about this website.
Sorry: it had to be said.
Seriously? If you like fishing, you'll probably like this website. It may not be the 'ultimate' website for folks who fish, but it looks promising.
And, updated. The most recent 'Site News' update was January 29, 2010.
Enjoy.
"Whether you're looking to book an Alaska salmon & halibut fishing package or a Washington fishing trip out of Forks on the Olympic Peninsula, helpful info on how to fish on your own, recipes, Kenai Peninsula tide tables for halibut fishing or clamming, or perhaps some of the most popular fishing bulletin boards / forums ... you've found the right place!
"Our site menu will load to the left. Just mouse-over the buttons for links to the information or fishing trip that you're looking for. If you have any difficulties viewing the menu, text links appear at the bottom of every page!..."
There's something fishy about this website.
Sorry: it had to be said.
Seriously? If you like fishing, you'll probably like this website. It may not be the 'ultimate' website for folks who fish, but it looks promising.
And, updated. The most recent 'Site News' update was January 29, 2010.
Enjoy.
Friday, February 26, 2010
'Human Tetris:' Another Strange Japanese Game Show
"Human Tetris The Grand Master 4 (Japanese Show)"
aaaaaaa4000, YouTube (October 04, 2007)
video, 6:19
"Human Tetris 6 is here.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch...
"The original title is "BRAIN WALL"."
Following overwhelming response (two comments) to an earlier micro-review of the weird and wild world of Japanese game shows, I'm back: with "Brain Wall" - or, as aaaaaaa4000 calls it, human Tetris.
It's not, really, much like the Tetris game - but I see the connection.
And, it looks like a lot of fun. If you're limber and don't mind wearing a gold lamé hooded jumpsuit.
My favorite of the lot was the second "breakdance" contestant. For riding it through to the end, if nothing else. The team event after that? Good heavens. I don't know what to say.
I think this video would be more fun for someone who understands Japanese - but the action alone is fun. My opinion. (8,147,547 views, when I checked, show I'm probably not the only one.)
Related posts:
aaaaaaa4000, YouTube (October 04, 2007)
video, 6:19
"Human Tetris 6 is here.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch...
"The original title is "BRAIN WALL"."
Following overwhelming response (two comments) to an earlier micro-review of the weird and wild world of Japanese game shows, I'm back: with "Brain Wall" - or, as aaaaaaa4000 calls it, human Tetris.
It's not, really, much like the Tetris game - but I see the connection.
And, it looks like a lot of fun. If you're limber and don't mind wearing a gold lamé hooded jumpsuit.
My favorite of the lot was the second "breakdance" contestant. For riding it through to the end, if nothing else. The team event after that? Good heavens. I don't know what to say.
I think this video would be more fun for someone who understands Japanese - but the action alone is fun. My opinion. (8,147,547 views, when I checked, show I'm probably not the only one.)
Related posts:
- "Better Ideas from Japan: Crazy Game Shows"
(February 22, 2010) - "Human Tetris - The Video"
(June 6, 2009)- Not about a game show
- "Tetris: Invented in Russia (This Time, Chekov's Right)"
(June 6, 2009) - "Better Ideas From Japan: Human Tetris"
(January 20, 2008)- This is about a game show
Monday, February 22, 2010
Better Ideas from Japan: Crazy Game Shows
"Crazy Treadmill Japanese Game"
virvid, YouTube (February 05, 2008)
video, 4:25
"Another funny game coming from Japan. This one is with en endless treadmill..."
I don't know: "endless treadmill" seems redundant. As a loop, it is "endless" in a sense - oh, well, I'm nitpicking.
The important point is that it's got a wading pool at the end of it.
Ah, Japan: Land of ancient traditions; cherry blossoms; and crazy game shows.
This particular contest involves eye-hand coordination, fast footwork, and a willingness to look silly. Looks like fun.
Nearly four and a half minutes is a little long, for my taste: but your experience may vary.
Enjoy.
Related post:
virvid, YouTube (February 05, 2008)
video, 4:25
"Another funny game coming from Japan. This one is with en endless treadmill..."
I don't know: "endless treadmill" seems redundant. As a loop, it is "endless" in a sense - oh, well, I'm nitpicking.
The important point is that it's got a wading pool at the end of it.
Ah, Japan: Land of ancient traditions; cherry blossoms; and crazy game shows.
This particular contest involves eye-hand coordination, fast footwork, and a willingness to look silly. Looks like fun.
Nearly four and a half minutes is a little long, for my taste: but your experience may vary.
Enjoy.
Related post:
- "Better Ideas From Japan: Human Tetris"
(January 20, 2008)- Updated February 21, 2010)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Winter Olympics: One Gold Medal Down, More to Go
"Ammann glides to normal hill gold"
Reuters Canada (February 13, 2010)
"Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann won the first gold medal of the Vancouver Winter Games on Saturday, sweeping aside his Austrian rivals to win the individual normal gold contest...."
On the off chance that you don't know about this already, here's a website that's tracking the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medals:Enjoy.
Reuters Canada (February 13, 2010)
"Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann won the first gold medal of the Vancouver Winter Games on Saturday, sweeping aside his Austrian rivals to win the individual normal gold contest...."
On the off chance that you don't know about this already, here's a website that's tracking the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medals:Enjoy.
Monday, January 25, 2010
New Orleans Saints. Super Bowl. First Time. Wow!
"New Orleans Saints to meet Indianapolis in Super Bowl"
BBC Sport (January 25, 2010)
"The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts will meet in the Super Bowl after two thrilling conference title games.
"The Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in overtime to advance to the NFL finale for the first time...." [emphasis mine]
Someone told me that if the New Orleans Saints made it to the Super Bowl, it'd be a sure sign of the coming apocalypse. He was kidding, but I've also heard that the Saints haven't been considered the 'most likely to succeed' team lately. So yeah: It's kind of a big deal, their making it to the Superbowl.
"Saints Win Over Vikings Means Super Bowl History vs Colts"
Football News Now (January 24, 2010)
"A little bit of history has been made thanks to the New Orleans Saints 31-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in overtime of Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
"For the first time since 1993 the two No. 1 seed in the playoffs will meet in the Super Bowl...."
I've heard that there was a lot of celebrating going on, down in New Orleans, last night.
More, about the New Orleans Saints:
BBC Sport (January 25, 2010)
"The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts will meet in the Super Bowl after two thrilling conference title games.
"The Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in overtime to advance to the NFL finale for the first time...." [emphasis mine]
Someone told me that if the New Orleans Saints made it to the Super Bowl, it'd be a sure sign of the coming apocalypse. He was kidding, but I've also heard that the Saints haven't been considered the 'most likely to succeed' team lately. So yeah: It's kind of a big deal, their making it to the Superbowl.
"Saints Win Over Vikings Means Super Bowl History vs Colts"
Football News Now (January 24, 2010)
"A little bit of history has been made thanks to the New Orleans Saints 31-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in overtime of Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
"For the first time since 1993 the two No. 1 seed in the playoffs will meet in the Super Bowl...."
I've heard that there was a lot of celebrating going on, down in New Orleans, last night.
More, about the New Orleans Saints:
- "New Orleans Saints"
Sports Encyclopedia - New Orleans Saints History.com
- Who Dat Dish
- WhoDatZone
- If you don't know why "who dat?" is important, you're probably not a Saints fan
- (I didn't, myself, until a few minutes ago)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tow Surfing, Monster Wave, Cool Music: a Video
"Big wave surfing to great music-www.myspace.com/dogbonemusic"
tchouser1, YouTube (August 21, 2007)
video, 3:06
"Guy gets towed into a 50 ft wave to really cool surf music. www.myspace.com/dogbonemusic"
I nearly didn't stay with this video. There isn't much for the first 40 seconds except some mildly-promising music and simple credits: and I've seen too many wannabe videographers whose work is a long-running set of credits followed by maginally-viewable content.
This isn't one of those.
![]()
Checking out YouTube's "Related Videos," I learned that water skiing with a personal watercraft and surfboard, catching up with a monster wave and riding it in is called tow surfing. I'll get back to that.
The video's a good blend of music and action: I trust the fellow made it to shore. The one on the surfboard, that is.
I've got too good a grip on what I can and can't do, to think about trying something like riding a 16-yard-high moving hill of water. But I think I understand why people do. It looks like - fun.
We don't get waves like that, here in Minnesota - but water skiing with a surfboard should be doable. I wonder if anybody's worked out a way of controlling the PWC from the end of the tow rope. And, if any that sort of thing is legal. We've got a rather 'protective' state government here.
Anyway, researching this post: I found TowSurfer.com, "dedicated to extreme surfing and those who dare." My guess is that many of the visitors to that website are in the 18-24 male demographic.
TowSurfer.com has - understandably - a disclaimer on its home page. A long one. It says, in part, that:
tchouser1, YouTube (August 21, 2007)
video, 3:06
"Guy gets towed into a 50 ft wave to really cool surf music. www.myspace.com/dogbonemusic"
I nearly didn't stay with this video. There isn't much for the first 40 seconds except some mildly-promising music and simple credits: and I've seen too many wannabe videographers whose work is a long-running set of credits followed by maginally-viewable content.
This isn't one of those.
The video's a good blend of music and action: I trust the fellow made it to shore. The one on the surfboard, that is.
I've got too good a grip on what I can and can't do, to think about trying something like riding a 16-yard-high moving hill of water. But I think I understand why people do. It looks like - fun.
We don't get waves like that, here in Minnesota - but water skiing with a surfboard should be doable. I wonder if anybody's worked out a way of controlling the PWC from the end of the tow rope. And, if any that sort of thing is legal. We've got a rather 'protective' state government here.
Anyway, researching this post: I found TowSurfer.com, "dedicated to extreme surfing and those who dare." My guess is that many of the visitors to that website are in the 18-24 male demographic.
TowSurfer.com has - understandably - a disclaimer on its home page. A long one. It says, in part, that:
anyone and everything remotely involved with the website "harmless against all and any two wave hold downs, loss of breath, drowning, hyperventilating, choking, vomiting, loss of blood, extreme headaches, loss of vision, loss of a limb, severe cramping, hypothermia, dizziness, blackouts, concussions, open wounds, excessive bowel movements, uncontrolable fear for life, lock jaw, brain aneurisms, continuous wipeouts, free falling from the sky, Uncle whitey attacking you or your rescue sled, broken leashes, broken boards, damaged PWC and what ever else the Hellman may or has experienced, against any and all claims, judgments and losses, due to information and content supplied and featured in this website. In other words, everyone is on their own...."Given the nature of the sport: a legal necessity these days. And - although I'm sure they're quite serious - done with a touch of good humor.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Feline Ping Pong: A New Sport?
"ping pong cat"
mutleey, YouTube (December 13, 2008)
video, 2:00
"cat wants to play ping pong"
Lively music and two minutes of a black cat playing ping pong with two kids. The video has clearly been edited from raw footage - I'm pretty sure that a number of the sections are repeated. But it's fun to watch. Well, I enjoyed it: an you might, too.
It's probably too late for the 2012 London Olympics, but I think we may be looking on a fresh new variation on ping pong here: Ping pong with two players, a table, and a cat. Maybe it could be called feline ping pong. Or cat pong. That sounds weird. Maybe cing cong. No, that reminds me of Fay Wray.
All the Olympic committee needs to do is come up with an Olympic-standard cat, and we're good to go.
I've heard that the Olympics is about meeting and overcoming challenges: and what would be more challenging than a ping pong match, with the reputation of your country at stake, the whole world watching - and a cat trying to catch the ball?
mutleey, YouTube (December 13, 2008)
video, 2:00
"cat wants to play ping pong"
Lively music and two minutes of a black cat playing ping pong with two kids. The video has clearly been edited from raw footage - I'm pretty sure that a number of the sections are repeated. But it's fun to watch. Well, I enjoyed it: an you might, too.
It's probably too late for the 2012 London Olympics, but I think we may be looking on a fresh new variation on ping pong here: Ping pong with two players, a table, and a cat. Maybe it could be called feline ping pong. Or cat pong. That sounds weird. Maybe cing cong. No, that reminds me of Fay Wray.
All the Olympic committee needs to do is come up with an Olympic-standard cat, and we're good to go.
I've heard that the Olympics is about meeting and overcoming challenges: and what would be more challenging than a ping pong match, with the reputation of your country at stake, the whole world watching - and a cat trying to catch the ball?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Brazil Blackout: It Could Have Been Worse
"Power restored in Brazil after blackouts"
CNN (November 11, 2009)
"Electricity returned early Wednesday to a large swath of central and southern Brazil that was plunged into darkness when power from a major hydroelectric dam was lost.
"Up to 18 of Brazil's 26 states were left without power when electricity from the Itaipu dam was interrupted around 10:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. ET) Tuesday, leaving Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities in darkened chaos...."
Obviously, folks in Brazil - now that Job One of getting the power grid working again is done - are very curious about why the power went out in the first place. My guess is that whoever is in charge is highly motivated to make sure it doesn't happen again, any time soon.
Still, it could be worse: This blackout could have happened during the Olympics.
More:
CNN (November 11, 2009)
"Electricity returned early Wednesday to a large swath of central and southern Brazil that was plunged into darkness when power from a major hydroelectric dam was lost.
"Up to 18 of Brazil's 26 states were left without power when electricity from the Itaipu dam was interrupted around 10:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. ET) Tuesday, leaving Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities in darkened chaos...."
Obviously, folks in Brazil - now that Job One of getting the power grid working again is done - are very curious about why the power went out in the first place. My guess is that whoever is in charge is highly motivated to make sure it doesn't happen again, any time soon.
Still, it could be worse: This blackout could have happened during the Olympics.
More:
- "Brazil's Big Blackout Raises More Questions for the Olympics"
Time (November 11, 2009)
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