Friday, October 31, 2008

Just Don't Make It Last Any Longer Than It Has To

At the end of the first marathon, Pheidippides, the Greek messenger, cried out "Rejoice, We conquer" before collapsing into the dust of an Athenian street.
If you want a short, sweet recap of Pheidippides' experience without the whole, you know, dying thing, feel free to follow the course of tomorrow's NYC Marathon via this feature on the NY Times website.

The video tracking the race course is actually thousands of photographs taken along the course and played back at an increased rate of speed. Also, you can track the progress of the race through the five boroughs courtesy of a map located to the right of the video.

Unfortunately, the race organizers this year are not passing out pitchforks and torches this year to allow race participants to form an ad hoc mob to burn down both New and Old Yankee Stadiums. A man can dream, though.

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

She's as Sweet as Tupelo Honey

Congratulations to Ms. Amanda Pierce for correctly naming "Tupelo Honey" by Van Morrison as the Thursday Song of the Day.
Four years later, the writers of “The West Wing” are watching in amazement as the election plays out. The parallels between the final two seasons of the series (it ended its run on NBC in May 2006) and the current political season are unmistakable. Fiction has, once again, foreshadowed reality.

Following the Script: Obama, McCain and 'The West Wing'--Brian Stelter in today's NY Times.

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Just Like Honey From the Bee

Congratulations to Mrs. Katrina Kincaid for correctly naming "Sugar Magnolia" by The Grateful Dead as the Wednesday Song of the Day.

If the franchise with the most losses in Major League history can bring home a World Series title, surely the Rangers can as well.

Right?

Anyone?

Anyone?

Oh well, at least Phillies fans found a good way to celebrate last night, although I'm not sure if the "Hit Your Fellow Citizen (Who Just Happens to Be Hanging From a Traffic Signal) In the Head With a Bottle" celebration should be replicated all across this great nation.


You stay classy, Philadelphia.

Update 5:12 p.m.

More madness from Attica Philadelphia. I'm pretty sure this is Mr. Feeny's car from Boy Meets World.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Takes The Wheel When I'm Seeing Double, Pays My Ticket When I Speed

Congratulations once again to Ms. Amanda Pierce for naming "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins as the Tuesday Song of the Day and to Mr. Tim Henderson and Mrs. Katrina Kincaid for naming "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups as the bizarro Tuesday Song of the Day.

Finally, and within the 2008 Presidential campaign's finishing week, Barack Obama has given John McCain the type of bulletin board quote that would make campaign managers salivate.


The blunder, captured by all major media outlets and broadcast live on CNN, occurred when the typically polished Obama fielded a question about his health care policy. Obama answered by saying he would give small business owners a tax credit to help them provide health care for their employees, and then added, "Now, I'm not completely certain that my plan would work because, overall, I think I would make a bad president."

According to sources, before those on hand could fully process what Obama had said, the Illinois senator continued to stumble, claiming that, were he to win the general election, he'd have absolutely no idea what to do.

'I Would Make a Bad President,' Obama Says in Huge Campaign Blunder--The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic, The Onion

Senator McCain, the ball is in your court.

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I've Been Waiting For This Moment All My Life

I'm not sure how confident fans of the Spurs are right now regarding the 2008-2009 season seeing as though their coach looks a cross between Michael Bluth and a post "San Diego, go $%#@ yourself," Ron Burgundy.

"It's so hot, this blue blazer was a bad choice."

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Monday, October 27, 2008

I Can't Take the Way He Sings, But I Love to Hear Him Talk

Congratulations to the astute Ms. Amanda Pierce for correctly hinting at the Saturday Song of the Day, "Pyramid Song" by Radiohead.

Perhaps it's due to the fact that I'm trying to keep quiet about the current Liverpool F.C. campaign in a quixotic attempt to influence events back in Jolly Old England, but right now, the Boys in Red currently sit atop the English Premier League after 9 matches played. Granted, that means there is still 75% of the season left to play, but if Gerrard, Keane, Carragher, Mascherano, Alonso, and the rest of the boys keep playing like they did yesterday, the 19 year title drought at Anfield might reach its terminus.
Yesterday, at Stamford Bridge in London, Liverpool dealt Chelsea its first loss at home in the Premier League since February 2004. That's right, an 86-match unbeaten streak. The last time Chelsea lost at home, the Red Sox were still breaking the spirits of New Englanders, Matt Leinart was still an elite quarterback, and the world had not yet been subjected to the unmitigated disaster that is Hannah Montana.

As I said earlier, the season has only just reached the quarter pole, and as the campaign continues the pressure on Merseyside will surely mount, but if yesterday is any indication, the men in Red are more than equal to the challenge.
Here's Xabi Alonso's 10th minute winner. Enjoy.

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Saturday, October 25, 2008

All My Past and Futures

Four years ago, this is where it all started. Now, four years and 1,041 posts later, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this blogging thing.

Happy 4th Birthday Running Down a Dream.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Hey Man, Slow Down

Although I can't agree with its endorsement of Obama for President, I can tell you that this feature from the New York Times editorial board is one of the more interesting features by a newspaper that I have seen in awhile.

Feel free to peruse the Presidential endorsements by the Times editorial board all the way back to a fellow named Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

P.S. The most recent Republican endorsed by the Times? Ike in 1956.

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Sometimes I Get Overcharged, That's When You See Sparks

Congratulations to Mr. Peter Pope for correctly naming "Amen Omen" by Ben Harper as the Tuesday Song of the Day.

Depressing Fact of the Day for Fans of the Texas Rangers: We now support the only, I repeat ONLY, franchise in Major League Baseball to have never reached a League Championship Series.
With that said, I'll now go drink a gallon of lantern oil.

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I Put Your World Into My Veins

Yesterday, during my time as a witness in a mini-trial, Prof. CivPro presented the definitive quote regarding the Practice Court experience at Baylor Law:
"You gotta get out there and swim in the deep water. You can't be afraid of drowning. In the real world, you might drown. Here, you can't actually drown. Here, this is just waterboarding."

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Searching For An Answer Where the Question Is Unseen

Forget Joe the Plumber. Meet the newest American archetype: Patio Man.

For all the talk of plumbers and investment bankers, populists and elitists, Patio Man is still at the epicenter of national politics. He is the quintessential suburban American, the service economy worker, the guy who wears khakis to work each day, with the security badge on the belt clip around his waist.

He lives in northern Virginia, along the I-4 corridor near Orlando, Fla., in or near Columbus, Ohio, along the Front Range of Colorado, in the converging megalopolis between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and in many other places.

"Patio Man Revisited" by David Brooks in today's New York Times.

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Monday, October 20, 2008

I Die a Little In Every Breath That I Take

Congratulations to Mr. Jeremy Masten for correctly naming "Trip Through Your Wires" by U2 as the Sunday Song of the Day.

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, say it ain't so...
The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, two of the strongest brands in sports, have joined Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and CIC Partners to form a food and retail company. Legends Hospitality Management LLC will operate catering, concessions, merchandising and other management services at the new Yankees and Cowboys stadiums that open next year.

The Yankees are finishing a $1.3 billion ballpark, while the Cowboys are building a $1.1 billion stadium in Arlington, Texas.
``I know firsthand that when the Yankees put their name on something, they feel just like the Dallas Cowboys do,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at a news conference in New York.

``There is no swinging and striking out here. It's got to work, and consequently you are going to put every ounce of every resource you can into making it very, very successful.''


Let's be honest, though, my friends. Even though America's Team has now hitched itself to the American Evil Empire, at least the Boys from Irving (soon to be Arlington) are also attached to one of the final vestiges of The Artist Formerly Known as American Investment Banks.

Speaking of which, do you think Lloyd Blankfein could fill in at QB until Romo returns?

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

You Put Me Back Together Again

Colin Powell, at last, has spoken, and it does not look good for John McCain.

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Friday, October 17, 2008

Can't Escape From the Common Rule

I'll have more to say tomorrow, but for now, I leave you with a TRE-MEN-DOUS performance of "The Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen with a special appearance by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello.

Speaking of Springsteen, a week or two ago, the NFL announced that Bruce and the E Street Band would be performing at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa next year. It seems that since the Justin/Janet Wardrobe Malfunction in Houston a few years ago the NFL has decided to play it a little safer with halftime performers such as McCartney (2005), The Rolling Stones (2006), Prince (2007), and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2008). I know, I never thought I would use the words "safe" and "Prince" in the same sentence either.

So, everyone, what are your thoughts on the choice of Bruuuuuuuuuce? Thumbs Up? Thumbs Down? Likely bathroom break?

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Life in Slow Motion, Somehow It Don't Seem Real

Congratulations to Mr. Peter Pope for correctly naming "Slow Motion" by David Gray as the Tuesday Song of the Day.

Current Reading
When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss

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While I Was Watching You Did a Slow Dissolve

Congratulations to Mr. Jesse Davis of Intentional Self-Infliction of Emotional Distress and Ms. Nina Patterson for correctly naming "Porch Song" by Widespread Panic as the Thursday Song of the Day.

As I trudge through this quarter of P.C., it's often tempting to wallow in self-pity, but every so often I receive these reminders that life could be worse.

In fact, I could be this Clemson football fan.


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Thursday, October 9, 2008

Never the Wrong Time, Time We Stay

Despite my well-intentioned efforts on Tuesday, the folks over at Some "E" Cards said it much, much better than I ever could:
How do you feel now, Charlie Sheen?

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A Pair of Tennis Shoes to Last Through May

Congratulations to Mr. Jacob George Straub, known to one and all simply as "Chicago", for correctly naming "Pencil Thin Mustache" by Jimmy Buffett as the Tuesday Song of the Day.
Additionally, Chicago took the time to inform me that his bountiful knowledge of Buffett lyrics is derived from the fact that he and Jimmy are fraternity brothers, Kappa Sigma to be specific. I guess I can't make any claims to fraternity brotherhood with famous songwriters for 2 reasons:

1. I wasn't really in what you kids might call a "fraternity".

2. Chris Jacobs hasn't written any great music yet.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Now They Make New Movies in Old Black and White

Among the many shortcomings of modern sports broadcasting, some of the most egregious offenders are the painfully awkward promotional spots that are wedged into breaks in the action.

Even though I cannot see Joe Buck's face when he is forced to extol the virtues of the next episode of "Hole in the Wall", I have no doubt that Joe's attorney tells his client to smile as he silently reviews the announcer's contract with Fox before each and every descent into that world of advertising purgatory.
All of this came to a head last Saturday afternoon when I heard the venerable Verne Lundquist say the following words during the CBS broadcast of the Kentucky-Alabama game:
"Tune in on Monday at 9/8 central for the latest hijinks of Charlie, Alan, and Jake on America's #1 Comedy, Two and a Half Men."

For a second the words washed over me without recognition, but as my mind changed gears from the Rules of Evidence to the Southeastern Conference on a Saturday afternoon, I came to a horrible realization:
What if Verne's right? What if Two and a Half Men really is America's #1 comedy? Is that the kind of world in which I want to live? Isn't that infinitely worse than an economy in turmoil or the fact that Shakespeare in Love beat Saving Private Ryan for the 1998 Best Picture Oscar?

My momentary fears subsided because I've only spoken to one other human being since Saturday who actually knows someone who has watched the show, but let me tell you, I was thrown for a loop there, folks.

I mean, that's almost absurd as telling me that Beverly Hills Chihuahua is currently sitting atop the box-office sales tally.

What's that?

You're serious?

If you'll excuse me, I need to head down to the fall-out shelter.

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Sunday, October 5, 2008

The Sun So Bright It Leaves No Shadows

My thoughts exactly...

"Phish to Reunite" from The Onion's American Voices section.

Virginia Walton,
Systems Analyst
"Oh man, there's no way I'll be able to score mushrooms, gain 20 pounds, and move back in with my parents by March."

Larry Moore,
Waiter
"This is like a dream come true! If only all my dreams were this inconsequential."

John Kihn,
Closet Organizer
"Wait, they were broken up? Who the hell have I been following around the country for the past few years?"

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We Run Like a River to the Sea

Congratulations to the always lovely Ms. Amanda Pierce for correctly naming "Charlemagne in Sweatpants" by The Hold Steady as the Saturday Song of the Day.

Looking for a good deed for the day, my friends? How about finding a Cubs fan and giving them a long, warm hug. They might need a little encouragement right about now.
Also, just to be safe, you might want to take away their shoelaces and/or belt.

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Saturday, October 4, 2008

I'm Gonna Tell It Like a Comeback Story

Seeing as I'm passing the quarter-century mark in a few months, it seems as though it is high time to publish the initial "Life List" of 25 things that must, I repeat MUST, be done before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

Without further ado...
  1. Climb Kilimanjaro.
  2. Write a book.
  3. Fly-fish in Alaska.
  4. See a baseball game at Fenway Park.
  5. See Liverpool play at Anfield.
  6. Run another marathon.
  7. Visit the Old Course at St. Andrews.
  8. Climb Guadalupe Peak.
  9. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to Napa Valley in a convertible.
  10. Hear oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court.
  11. Take a tour of the White House.
  12. Visit Cinque Terre in Italy.
  13. Walk the battefields at Gettysburg.
  14. Hike to Machu Picchu.
  15. Raft the Grand Canyon.
  16. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
  17. Ski at Banff.
  18. Complete a century (100-mile) bike ride.
  19. See U2 live.
  20. Drink a pint of Guinness in Ireland.
  21. Climb the Matterhorn.
  22. See the Cubs play at Wrigley.
  23. Walk the Great Wall of China.
  24. Visit the beaches of Normandy.
  25. Attend the Masters.
I realize there are few things that don't make an appearance on the list such as...getting married to a wonderful woman or having kids, but I'm taking those things as default portions of the Life List.

If I'm missing something huge here, like a visit to the World's Largest Ball of Twine or seeing New Kids on the Block in concert, by all means please let me know. Goodness knows I wouldn't want to lay there on my deathbed knowing that I never heard "Hanging Tough" live.

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Friday, October 3, 2008

The Highway is Alive Tonight

As you lay down your head tonight to catch 40 winks before the 'morrow, you might want to include a quick prayer for the knee ligaments of Baylor freshman quarterback Robert Griffin.
Tomorrow at Floyd Casey Stadium, Griffin and the Bears have an 11:30 a.m. appointment with the team currently sitting atop the national polls, the Sooners from that state north of the Red River. The fact that the Bears currently have an 0-17 record against the Sooners does not bear (oh, the puns) well on their chances tomorrow, but perhaps the spirit of David Koresh, Patrick Dennehy, Dave Bliss, Mike Singletary will lead the Bears to victory tomorrow.

Also, if there is a God, and if he is indeed merciful, the Bears will defeat the Evil Empire from the Land of the Red Dirt. You know, just if he wants to put that on the agenda behind world peace, world hunger, and genocide.

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Thursday, October 2, 2008

Somebody Fightin' For a Place to Stand

Congratulations to Mr. Andrew Tuegel for correctly naming "Gravity" by The Other Former Mr. Jennifer Anniston, a.k.a. John Mayer, as the Saturday Song of the Day. I'll be the first one to tell that I couldn't take Mayer seriously back in his "Your Body is a Wonderland" days, but what the man does here with a guitar is nigh un-Godly.

In the 21st century, it is incredibly difficult to imagine someone simply disappearing for over a year without a trace, and today, one of those rare mysteries came a little closer to some semblance of a resolution.

On September 3, 2007, millionaire businessman/adventurer Steve Fossett took off from Barron Hilton's ranch in Nevada flying a single-engine airplane. As Fossett reached cruising altitude he turned towards the Sierra Nevada and wasn't heard from again...at least until today.

The wreckage of the plane that the millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett was flying when he disappeared more than a year ago has been found in the Sierra Nevada of east-central California, the authorities said Thursday.
The plane was discovered in several pieces strewn across a wide area in the Ansel Adams Wilderness section of Inyo National Forest, about 120 miles south of the Nevada ranch where Mr. Fossett, piloting a Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon, departed on Sept. 3, 2007, for what he had said would be a brief flight. His failure to return had prompted the largest air and ground search in American history, across a 17,000-square-mile region.

Current Reading
The Last Shot: City Streets, Basketball Dreams by Darcy Frey

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