Q and A With David Simon

Fascinating question and answer session with David Simon that covers a lot of ground. He talks about writing as a journalist and for television, Baltimore and New Orleans as characters, politics, corruption, music and more.

I particularly liked this answer:

Actually, I think the broken part of government is the legislative branch. That's where capital has purchased our governance wholesale and where the system is entirely broken. Two terms with a functional Congress would be plenty. Six terms with a legislative dynamic in which every populist and utilitarian imperative is thwarted by monied interests wouldn't be enough. Campaign finance reform needs to return to the highest possible priority. And a Supreme Court that understands that money does not equal speech in any sense needs to be empaneled. Good luck on either of those two items.

http://connect.hbo.com/events/treme/live-q-david-simon/

Obv 2012

Batten Down the Hatches

If you're preparing for the giant storm and expect flooding you might want to refresh your memory on what to do and what NOT to do (emphasis mine):

For flooding 
- Clear all storm drains and gutters from debris - Do not drive through flooded areas - Do not touch electrical equipment or appliances if you are wet or standing in water - Do not walk through moving water 

http://local.nixle.com/alert/4903075/

Instructor Bio

His research interests include the evolutionary significance of foraging, mating and social behaviour, using insects and spiders as model species.  

Aren't we all interested in foraging and mating?

https://www.coursera.org/course/animalbehav

These coursera classes are all free, which is awesome. I'm currently taking a class in programming in Python.

Hypnosis in the sport of wrestling

I think this video says it all. No explanation needed.

The Best Place to Live

How would you like to live at an anti-ballistics missile site? One is going up for sale so if you want to live in North Dakota you are set.

https://extportal.pbs.gsa.gov/ResourceCenter/PRHomePage/loadProperty.do?propId=2174

The Stanley Mickelsen Safeguard Complex (SRMSC) is an Anti-Ballistic Missile complex which was developed to defend the United States against nuclear attacks. The property is located in North Dakota. It was the United States’ only Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense System. The SRMSC became operational in 1975 and was deactivated in 1976. Since then, the property has been in caretaker status. Certain features of the property are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The property includes a Missile Site Radar (MSR) site and 4 Remote Sprint Launch (RSL) sites.

Kindles in Danger

I left my Kindle Fire plugged into my computer so it could charge and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came out the dog had knocked it on the floor and one end of the charger was in his water dish.

I'll have to wait until everything dries before I see how much damage there was.

If he wanted to use it all he had to do was ask...