March, 2006


28
Mar 06

Japanland, by Karin Muller

Interesting memoir that’s relevant to some of my work lately — it’s about Karin Muller’s six month visit to Japan. Super interesting explanation of cultural & language challenges — lots of things were recognizable from my very short time in Japan this year. Worth reading if you’re spending any time in Japan at all.


28
Mar 06

Arrested: Arrested

Final cut: they’ve canceled Arrested Development. They apparently had offers from Showtime to continue the show with the full cast, but Mitch Hurwitz, creator and producer, decided not to take the offers. While I’ll miss the show — I think it’s the funniest on television — I think this was the right decision. They ran a whole bunch of story arcs to ground in the last few episodes on Fox, and it clearly wouldn’t have been the same show.

In other news: I’m excited about Andre Braugher in Thief, starting tonight on FX. FX has done a great job lately — “The Shield,” “Rescue Me”, and “Over There” are all tremendous television shows. I’m very hopeful for Thief. Also means the return to television of Andre Braugher, star of the very best network drama ever, “Homicide”.

And: after everyone who I rooted for in my blog lost (Cuba), I’ll not tell you who I’m rooting for in the final four. I’ll just say it’s one of the schools named after a founding father.

Also: crappy, crappy year so far for Stanford sports. Thank god it’s baseball season. The Stanford 9 isn’t as good as they usually are, but seem to be scrappy this year. Almost time for Sam’s first baseball game.


20
Mar 06

Rooting for Cuba (and other bits)

I’m rooting for Cuba tonight in the finals of the World Baseball Classic. My great experiences lately with Japan notwithstanding, I think the story of the Cuban team is just amazing. Because of the long, crappy relationship the US has with Cuba, these Cuban players have had no visibility on the worldwide stage at all — so nobody really knew how to think about the Cuban team playing against powerhouses from other countries (like the Dominican Republic, with Pujols, Colon, Tejada, Big Poppy) since most people have never seen them play. Anyway, these players clearly don’t get the worldwide recognition that they deserve, so I’m super-happy about their success to date in the WBC.

Other bit #1: TO in Big D.

Terrell Owens will be fantastic in Dallas this year, I think. Next year, he’ll lose his mind and take the whole Cowboys team with him. Good trade? I don’t know. But it’ll make awesome television. And holy cow, that guy is in incredible physical shape. If his mind were in the same shape, he’d be the richest guy on the planet. Or curing cancer. Either way.

Other bit #2: Rooting for Bradley

I was watching the Pitt-Bradley game yesterday with conflicted emotions. On the one hand, I have Pitt in my bracket going to the Elite Eight (note to self: stop betting on the Big East). On the other hand, you’ve got to root for the Braves. And underdogs in general. So my new rule, I think, is not to root for my brackets, but let the chips fall where they may — but pull for the underdogs, mostly. Exceptions to the rule: UK (even at a #8 seed, they’re not exactly an underdog), USC (always), and Duke, UConn & UNC, all perennial powerhouses. Arizona I’m on the fence about.


15
Mar 06

Star Wars or Web 2.0?

This is great. Quick quiz on how much  you know about your SStar Wars Characters and Web 2.0 company names. Renkoo? Dooku? Frodo? Man, it’s sort of a ridiculous industry I’m in. Yes, I know that Frodo is neither a web2 company nor a Star Wars character. Quick! start a new company.


13
Mar 06

Google Mars

This is super-neat. Google Mars. It’s like Google Maps, but with the elevation, visible images, and infrared pictures of Mars. Very very neat. They don’t seem to have “directions” functionality yet, though.