Random Bits of Randomness

 

Conversation with Miley

Me: But was the Jay-Z song on? 

Miley: How many times do I have to tell you... The Jay-Z song was on... the Jay-Z song was on... the Jay-Z song was on!

Me: But what about the Britney song? 

Miley: Oh geesh... What do I have to write a song or something?

 

New Google Announcement

Google has recently announced that the next Nexus phone will not only include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which they introduced in last year's Nexus S, but that it will include Alternating Field Communication (AFC).  The new Nexus will combine Near Field Communication and Alternating Field Communication  to form the Near Field Layer (NFL). Unfortunately, it's not yet determined if NFL will work this year.

 

J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets

The story goes that in 2007 when AJ. Smith of the Chargers fired Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season, he called LT into his office.  LT was already concerned with AJ's decision making ability after losing his good friend Brees the year before & Smith wanted to reassure him. He told LT that if he listened to him, he would guarantee him a Super Bowl.  

This year, AJ released LT.

Prior to this season, I always found the story slightly encouraging as a Chargers fan...  I just didn't realize he meant with the Jets.
 

Arizona Tragedy

 http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4491733/an-american-tragedy/

This is a must watch video.  We must be ever vigilant to not permit government to exploit the death of innocents.  Judge Napolitano gets it exactly right and states it better than I ever could.
 

College Football Playoffs

On this day of College Bowl games, I find myself sitting here wishing more than ever for a college football playoff.  In my perfect world, here's how I see it working, loosely modeled from the NFL playoff structure.

I propose a playoff consisting of 14 teams played across 4 weeks.

The NCAA Division I conferences with at least 10 members get automatic seeds in the playoffs for their conference champion. For 2010 that would have been 9 conferences, Big East, C-USA, Big Ten, ACC, MAC, SEC, Sun Belt, Big 12, Pac-10. 

So, for seeding in 2010, the top 9 places go to the 9 conference winners in order of BCS standing with the remaining 5 wild card seeds going to the highest rated BCS teams that are not conference champions.

Initial week of playoffs would be ordered as follows with the team matchups using 2010 seedings:

week 1 - Wildcard Round
A: 1 Bye (Auburn)
B: 2 Bye (Oregon)
C: 3 vs 14 (Wisconsin vs Michigan State) 
D: 4 vs 13 (Oklahoma vs Arkansas)
E: 5 vs 12 (Virginia Tech vs Ohio State)
F: 6 vs 11 (UCF vs Stanford)
G: 7 vs 10 (Connecticut vs TCU)
H: 8 vs 9 (Miami of Ohio vs FIU)

week 2 - Quarter Finals
1: A vs H 
2: B vs G
3: C vs F
4: D vs E

week 3 - Semi Finals
A: 1 vs 4
B: 2 vs 3

Week 4 Championship
1: A vs B

For 2010, the seeding works out as such:

1: SEC: Auburn
2: Pac-10: Oregon
3: Big Ten: Wisconson
4: Big 12: Oklahoma
5: ACC: Virginia Tech
6: C-USA: UCF
7:Big East: Connecticut
8: MAC: Miami of Ohio
9: SunBelt: FIU

10: Mtn West: TCU
11: Pac-10: Stanford
12: Big Ten: Ohio State
13: SEC: Arkansas
14: Big Ten: Michigan State

Just missed the playoffs:
15: WAC: Boise State
16: SEC: LSU
17: Big 12: Missouri
18: Big 12: Oklahoma State
19: WAC: Nevada
20: SEC: Alabama

We would get to see some interesting matchups and teams with less BCS/AP/Coaches Poll juice would get a chance to compete with the big boys. Some might note that there are only two conferences missing from the automatic seed, the WAC and Mtn West. I would prefer to see 2 extra wild card spots than to guarantee a small conference a seed.  The WAC and Mtn West could also merge to guarantee themselves an automatic seed and still provide for 4 wild card spots.

You could also get rid of the two bye games by making it a 16 game playoff, but I like the idea of rewarding 1 and 2 with a little bonus.  Then again, maybe 1 and 2 would rather play the game for additional revenue.  Regardless, I'd be ok either way.

I know I'd watch nearly every one of these games and care a lot more during the entire college football season.
Filed under: rant sports
 

TSA Nudie X-Ray Machines are Untested and Unsafe
This is an excellent article from the Seattle Times which outlines just how ridiculous it is that the TSA's claims these things are safe.

Basic premise...  the machines are untested, radiation is bad and the agencies the TSA claims have approved the devices have done no such thing.

It's a must read.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013733774_scanners22.html

Filed under: news rant tsa
 

No More Fear

 Tim Bray wrote an excellent article regarding the fear based approach to airport security post 9/11. He explains what we really did to strengthen our security and that the rest is all unnecessary.  I agree with his assessment completely.  It's worth the quick read.

Filed under: rant tsa
 

Is the Central Bank Unnecessary?
This is a terrific discussion regarding the Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.  A must watch.

Filed under: politics video
 

Angry Birds Peace Treaty

I don't get this, but I'm sure my wife will find it hilarious.

Filed under: funny video
183
To Posterous, Love Metalab