The death of journalism illustrated ...

in a mere two sentences.

Stable. Interesting word choice because I should think this man wasn't particularly stable even before he met with a bullet. Then we go to the second sentence ... nice transition. And it took three of them to write this article (multi-authorial attribution being the norm these days) - I suppose it took all their collective brain power to de-sensationalize the headline by only blaming the major for the rampage.

It's a wonder people aren't trampling over one another to get their newspaper fix. It's one thing for the Idaho Statesman, a publication that would have to improve many fold to even be considered a merely dreadful paper, but there was a day when one could expect more from The Times (LA or NY).

Speaking of the Statesman, I caught Mi-Ai Parrish's (the publisher) talk at the City Club on News 91 the other day and ...Oh. My. Gawd. This individual makes a living in a field of words? Talk about failing upward but then again it may be upward in position though certainly not in papers as she has previously worked for the San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Sun-Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I don't have hopes for the Statesman reaching the pinnacle of merely dreadful any time during her tenure.
[screenshot of LA Times article]

Prodigy

Since my itunes library has grown I've found there are way too many pieces I don't hear often enough so I've taken to spending a little time each day, either with my cuppa in the am or in the wee hours, streamlining (removing unnecessary duplicates of slightly different versions, reducing all the artwork to 202 x 202 pixels) and rating the tunes. I'm now in the "Fs" and just came across this:



And I couldn't help but think of the phenomenon that Michael Jackson had become - and not to take anything away from acknowledging his musical genius but ... Stevie 12. Years. Old. Damn.

Nobel Awarded on Spec

Excuse me? Obama was awarded a Nobel Peace prize?

It's not unusual for many to disagree with any particular choice of the committee, however, I can't recall another instance where an award was given (other than the presidency of the US - but not a Nobel) on speculation of actions based on rhetoric.

What. A. Joke. This diminishes all other prizes awarded by the committee.

To borrow from Barney Frank, on what planet do they spend most of their time?

PSA - Opportunity

An opportunity is what the CableOne phone center rep called it. When I called to ask why, as a long-time customer of theirs, I was paying the monthly rate for 'premium' service but receiving the transmission rates of of 'standard' service, the rep informed me that as consumers called they were being made aware of the 'opportunity' to upgrade speeds for the same service fee or maintain their existing broadband speed at a reduced rate ($10/month).

Also, presumably in an effort to maintain cable television viewers, they have put daily usage limits that will be prohibitive of video streaming - let's say if you want to watch a movie through Netflix. Where's the FCC when they're needed?

So, if you've been with CableOne for awhile I suggest you contact them to ensure you don't continue to be overcharged because they're certainly not going to contact you.

Unfortunate Choices in Advertising

Is that legal?

Fun with Photoshop

Somewhere over at the end of the rainbow. I say somewhere because the shot was taken somewhere in OR but I don't recall where. Sometimes you need a little serenity. You won't get fries with it but (as always) you can click to biggie size the pic.

Fun with Venn Diagrams

Exhibit A