When I was in college, the university’s main computer lab had only one line of Macs. It contained a plethora of PC’s, fifty at least, set out in a nice little rows, rather like soldiers marching in formation. Some were Dells, some were Gateways, with a few HP’s throw in for good measure. One was, I believe, actually an eMachine, but I was never quite certain. I never had the opportunity to use it. Back in those days, I did not even immediately notice the strange line of computers shoved up against the back wall. I was very much a Windows user back then, having jumped online just a couple of months before. As far as I was concerned, Apple was either something you consumed or a relic of the 1980s. I even at the time would engage in a bit of Apple bashing with my Windows loving friends. Needless to say, I look back on this time as my own personal computing Dark Ages. After several years of battling Windows, I began to wonder what life was like on the other side of the computer world. It was actually Willow on Buffy who inspired me. I kid thee not. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my favorite TV shows of all time, and Willow Rosenberg my favorite character on the show. And she used a Mac. I began to wonder. If the Mac, this machine I had thought so little of for so long was cool enough for Willow, might it also be for me? Thus inspired, I set out in quest of a Mac. I wished to know what it was like to use one. Naturally, my first stop was the university’s main computer lab. I walked in, scanning the room for a row of Macs. I did not, however, immediately see one. Thinking this odd, I decided to look around, trying not to appear like a stalker who had momentarily lost sight of his quarry. I wander around for a moment, ignoring the looks a couple of people gave me. There were, after all, several machines available. So why the hell was I wandering about? And then, my eyes caught sight of the strange line of computers shoved up against the back wall. I noticed the big blue apple logo on the side of the towers. Ah. Here they are. Macs. I sat down at one, looking over the alien desktop. Icons on the right side, how odd. Task bar at the top. Seems natural to me somehow. Interesting ribbon on the bottom of the screen, filled with icons. Ah. Assuming that in order to launch an application, I clicked on one of those icons, I placed hand on the mouse. It was one of the old hockey puck mice, but hey, not every first time is perfect.
Yesterday I was witness to something I never thought I would see happen: Someone who is not white was elected president of the United States. I voted for Obama and have supported him since he gave the opening address of the 2004 Democratic Convention. Needless to say, when he announced he was running for president, I instantly jumped on board. But I was always cautious about his chances. I thought the ignorant and backward segments of the American population, those who are trapped in the bigotries and hatreds of centuries past, were too many and too powerful to ever allow this to happen. Thank the gods I was wrong. Thank the gods that, for one night at least, and hopefully for many more yet to come, the narrow minded and hateful were thrust to the side. Let this be a trend that continues, please. I am a cynical person by nature, and my thirty-three years of life on this planet have only made me all the more cynical and jaded. But last night, some of the faith of my younger years was restored.
Go out and vote, people.
With the NBA returning tonight, I shall now list my predictions for the season. As I did last season on my old blog, I will not list individual team records for the same reason: Too many things can happen during an NBA season.
As so, now to it…
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
1. Celtics
2. 76ers
3. Raptors
4. Nets
5. Knicks
Central
1. Pistons
2. Cavaliers
3. Bulls
4. Bucks
5. Pacers
Southeast
1. Magic
2. Wizards
3. Heat
4. Hawks
5. Bobcats
Western Conference
Northwest
1. Jazz
2. Trail Blazers
3. Nuggets
4. Timberwolves
5. Thunder (Carpetbaggers)
Southwest
1. Hornets
2. Rockets
3. Spurs
4. Mavericks
5. Grizzlies
Pacific
1. Lakers
2. Suns
3. Warriors
4. Clippers
5. Kings
Playoff teams
East: Celtics, Pistons, Cavaliers, Magic, Wizards, 76ers, Raptors, Heat
West: Lakers, Hornets, Jazz, Rockets, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Suns, Mavericks
East Conference Finals: Celtics over Magic
West Conference Finals: Jazz over lakers
NBA FInals: Utah Jazz over Boston Celtics in 7 games
Yes, I shall admit this is partially a partisan pick on my behalf, since I am a Jazz fan. But, I have a feeling about the team this season. Too many free agents coming up after the season. This season feels like a all or nothing year.
Always must we remember the 11th of September.
I am still very much of the opinion that Ground Zero should be rebuilt as a park and memorial, not another bastion of capitalism. People died on that ground. They should be remembered properly; not with glass and concrete and steel, but with trees and grass and living things.
Just for the record, I am:
Pro-choice
Pro-environment
Pro-civil rights
Pro-gay marriage
Pro-free speech
Pro-union
Pro-education
Pro-evolution
Pro-free use
Pro-Internet neutrality
Pro-copyright reform
Pro-American
I am a Patriot, not a Nationalist.
September 22nd cannot get here quickly enough. I hate Summer. I love Autumn.
And so here are my predictions for the 2008 NFL season. Note: I made these before Brett Favre was traded to the Jets. Will he help the Jets win more games? Yes. Does his playing for the Jets now change my opinion of how the Jets will finish? Not really. The Jets are still the Jets after all, people.
2008 NFL Predictions
NFC
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 12-4
Philadelphia Eagles 9-7
Washington Redskins 8-8
New York Giants 7-9
NFC North
Green Bay Packers 11-5
Minnesota Vikings 10-6
Chicago Bears 7-9
Detroit Lions 6-10
NFC South
New Orleans Saints 12-4
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
Atlanta Falcons 4-12
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks 12-4
Arizona Cardinals 10-6
San Francisco 49ers 5-11
St. Louis Rams 5-11
AFC
AFC East
New England Patriots 13-3
Buffalo Bills 9-7
New York Jets 8-8
Miami Dolphins 4-12
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Cleveland Browns 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
Baltimore Ravens 4-12
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts 12-4
Jacksonville Jaguars 12-4
Houston Texans 9-7
Tennessee Titans 8-8
AFC West
San Diego Chargers 14-2
Denver Broncos 9-7
Oakland Raiders 5-11
Kansas City Chiefs 2-14
NFC Playoff Teams: Cowboys, Saints, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Cardinals
NFC Title Game: Vikings at Saints
NFC Champion: Minnesota Vikings
AFC Playoff Teams: Chargers, Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Jaguars, Browns
AFC Title Game: Patriots at Chargers
AFC Champion: San Diego Chargers
Super Bowl 43
Minnesota Vikings
San Diego Chargers
World Champions
San Diego Chargers
Somehow, considering the Bush Administration’s record on the environment, this latest assault on mother nature does not surprise me at all. Yet another act by a man who does not give a damn about the environment, and cares only about kissing Big Business’ brass ring.
You know, I have not had this many issues with health, one right after the other, since I was a child. Yes, I do have to put up with a handful of chronic health problems (horrible allergies, asthma, tension headaches, migraines, a delicate digestive system), but I have thus far managed to avoid major health problems. In the past few months, I have been hit with a seemingly endless run of sicknesses and health issues. Rather annoying, really.
