Comments for Sam's Thoughts

Comment on My latest plaything by Sam

Sam — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:19:29 +0000

You should have seen the looks from people at the movie theater when I took my son to go see Iron Man. It got more than a few double takes when people saw the same car that was in the movie.

Comment on My latest plaything by Bob Goyetche

Bob Goyetche — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:16:24 +0000

wow! what a looker!

That must get heads turning at the mall..

Comment on Driving the Tesla Roadster by fugeguy

fugeguy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:35:02 +0000

Good stuff Sam.

Hopefully, we can find an energy source to fuel electric vehicles. Converting electricity or natural gas to hydrogen is a complete waste of time.

http://pluginmotors.com/

Don

Comment on Lip Balm is finally live! by Stacey

Stacey — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:39:12 +0000

When I click on her links it says “not found”. I’m trying to comment! Because I know how much bloggers like comments, I know I do.

Comment on Zingerman’s must be drinking their own Kool-aid by biscodo

biscodo — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:38:47 +0000

Gotta say - it’s like Zingerman’s is an economy with runaway inflation. How much for a sandwich these days? $15? Who is kidding whom? They’ve had a sandwich problem for a while, and it sounds like the roadhouse has the same problem - a business far too high on themselves. I realize that it’s Ann Arbor and people all around me seem to have money to burn on all sorts of foolishness, but… I just don’t feel I’m tasting the bang or my buck when I go there. So I don’t go there any more. Amer’s makes tasty sammiches at half the price, and you don’t have to deal with all the “we’re so damn cool” BS.

Comment on Please do not be alarmed by trusty getto

trusty getto — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:36:36 +0000

That’s the best cover story for getting arrested I’ve ever heard!

You mind if I use that next time I’m sent up the river?

Comment on Racoon for lunch by maryd

maryd — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:59:50 +0000

Awesome hawk pics. My brother actually had a pet hawk when I was a kid. He was nursing it back to health after his friend shot it with a bee bee gun. It lived on our back porch and I was terrified of it. I was hoping the Ypsi Braves would become to Ypsi Hawks. The BoE hated it though. After all hawks actually live here and are awesome birds.

Comment on Racoon for lunch by trusty getto

trusty getto — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:51:52 +0000

I bet it thought you were going to steal its dinner

Comment on Opportunity knocks… by Rich

Rich — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:03:07 +0000

Congrats!

Where did you end up?

Comment on Opportunity knocks… by Bob Goyetche

Bob Goyetche — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:20:37 +0000

Awesome!

These changes are what make life exciting! I’m happy you’ve made the leap. Your post reminds me how important it is to keep our eyes open, and it’s not because we were doing something yesterday that we have to do the same thing tomorrow.

Congrats on having the courage and support to grab that ring!

Comment on Jewish and/or Gay and meeting Brenda Priddy by Brenda Priddy

Brenda Priddy — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:31:22 +0000

Oy Vey!!!

I’m not sure what all this means, but … It was a pleasure to meet you, too, Sam - and I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.

Comment on Has it really been a month? by maryd

maryd — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:06:07 +0000

I do enjoy the SCIT sign every time log in. Thanks Sam.

Comment on Zingerman’s must be drinking their own Kool-aid by trusty getto

trusty getto — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:53:28 +0000

Wow! I’ve never had anything but an outstanding meal there.

One of the things I like in addition to the food are the authentic cocktails that they put together using fresh ingredients. Their Mint Julep is out of this world, as is their Mohito.

It’s a shame you’ve had crappy food there. I hope I never do, ’cause it’s my favorite restaurant outside of Ypsi to eat at.

Comment on Has it really been a month? by maryd

maryd — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:38:26 +0000

Yes it has been, thought you left town or something!

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Mark

Mark — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:55:49 +0000

But Dan Rather got the axe for being a bad journalist. Go figure.

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Marjorie

Marjorie — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:54:22 +0000

I am heartened by these responses and agree that the blustering bully Scott Pelley is a disgrace to the profession.We would rightly be appalled if Bush or any of our leaders was treated this way in another country.

We are supposed to be a courteous and hospitable nation. We are supposed to welcome free speech because we are confident and strong enough in our own beliefs that we can hear anyone out. The rest of the world was watching and their low opinion of us has been reinforced by the likes of Pelley and Bollinger.Ahmadinejad’s popularity at home is sure to be bolstered by our display of insecurity and boorishness.

The cowardly folks of the American press have consistently failed us by their refusal to ask difficult questions of the likes of Bush and Cheney or to press them when they dissemble. Small wonder that when Bush met a REAL journalist in Ireland a few years ago he stormed out of her interview. He basks in the sycophancy of a DC press corps which gives him a free pass time after time.

I ran into a friend this morning and she told me that after the sickening rudeness of Pelley and Lee Bollinger she would scream if yet another moron asked wide-eyed, why do they hate us?”

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by tj

tj — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:11:00 +0000

My wife and I caught the smug interview involving the Iranian President with Scott Pelley. Whether or not you agree with Iranian politics is beside the point. Pelley’s arrogance and reckless journalistic approach reaffirms my dissatisfaction involving the lack of integrity with the American media. I would expect a journalist of any integrity to, at the very least; interview any global leader with respectful insight and responsibility with the country in which he or she represents in mind. Scott Pelley fueled the stereotypical hate and arrogance felt across the globe. Quoting President Bushâ€™s â€œwhat if he were sitting across from the Iranian Presidentâ€ comment was at the very least an attempt to insight a political riot. When did â€œgetting the scoop no matter whatâ€ take precedence over peaceful debates and insightful commentaries? Is anyone else tired of this hypocritical rhetoric?

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Luke

Luke — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:13:29 +0000

After reading the transcript of this interview, I googled “Scott Pelley sucks” and found this blog. I could not believe the arrogance of this man. Pelley summed up everything that is wrong with our foreign policy. I think Jason Washington’s blog reply sums up the interview perfectly. Pelley was not interested in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s response, unless it was “yes” or “no.” He was insulting, and the Ahmadinejad’s intelligent responses made Pelley look like a fool, which apparently is not hard to do. I can’t believe such an opportunity for an interview was wasted by repeating bullshit rhetoric that does not even represent the true opinion of the American people. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was more in touch with American people’s opinions than Pelley. How ridiculous… and now the Bush administration is hinting about a war with Iran. God this country is being run by uneducated morons. And the media has everyone so scared with their fear mongering propaganda that we’re shaking in the corner with our finger on the trigger, shoot first ask questions later. Let’s use our fucking brains! Do some research and find out who the true enemies are and what the Bush administration is really trying to accomplish. In the interview Pelley quoted Bush, saying Ahmadinejad has made Iran a pariah of the world. Really? Why doesn’t Bush admit that his administration has made The United States a complete outcast and Bush has desecrated decades of international peacemaking. Maybe the American people don’t realize it, because our media outlets are almost as bad as outright censorship. We get one perspective from all the news, and they are not reporting the truth. Use the internet to get a foreign perspective, you might be shocked. Please read the interview transcript between Pelley and the Iranian President or watch it. He’s an intelligent man, with valid questions that we need to ask ourselves and the Bush administration.

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Jason Washington

Jason Washington — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:26:16 +0000

Imagine enjoying an ice cream cone and discovering a razor blade inside, what kind of news is this supposed to be, it is the pinnacle of the reverse of news.

“…Good, somebody got ‘em.”

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Jason Washington

Jason Washington — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:22:55 +0000

Evoking opinion and disinformation in the guise of questions.

Comment on Scott Pelley is an absolute disgrace to journalism and should be fired by Jason Washington

Jason Washington — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:56:23 +0000

I too saw the interview. I believe the interviewer was disrespectful, forceful to their guest, uninterested in their guest answers, was more interested in their next question than the response of their subject, and was a complete failure at encouraging dialogue with the guest for the purpose of educating the audience. Thankfully the guest was able to discern this and take upon himself to inform the audience and perform both duties so the interview was not a disaster. Lord Jesus.

Comment on Paul Schrieber and the Ypsi City Council don’t believe in the 1st Ammendment! by trusty getto

trusty getto — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 03:38:31 +0000

Know what else is classy? City officials who try to scare constituents into voting for a tax to bail them out while denying the true cause of the problem — Water Street.

The festival organizers acted illegally by denying SCIT a spot in the parade. Nonam unfortunately doesn’t know thing one about the city’s ordinances protecting political and civil rights, just like festival organizers didn’t know thing one about them either. If asserting one’s constitutional rights reflects poorly on SCIT, then God help us all.

Comment on Paul Schrieber and the Ypsi City Council don’t believe in the 1st Ammendment! by nonam

nonam — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:38:22 +0000

Since the group was advocating a specific way to vote it shouldn’t have been allowed in the parade. Washtenaw County Democrats or Eastern Michigan College Republicans would have been ok. “VOTE NO” NOT OK. If the pro tax would have applied for the parade they would have been told no. It was an honest mistake the parade orginizers made by intially letting them march but the CORRECT decision was made by officially denying the right to march. But the disregarded the rules anyway and got in with another group. Classy people.

Comment on Paul Schrieber and the Ypsi City Council don’t believe in the 1st Ammendment! by maryd

maryd — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:03:01 +0000

I suspect the Heritage Festival’s policy committee (members?) are the culprits. Rather than keep the big tent open they chose to simply limit free speech. This is about freedom of expression. Should be an interesting parade…

Comment on Paul Schrieber and the Ypsi City Council don’t believe in the 1st Ammendment! by John Gawlas

John Gawlas — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:53:51 +0000

Sam,

The Ypsilanti Heritage Festival is a private volunteer organization that puts on the event including the parade. I know from past experience (including being a chairman of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival in 1992/93) that the parade has traditionally sought to prohibit campaign messages. While the festival must obtain a special event from the City, the organizers are in charge of the event including the parade. I have no knowledge of how the application by StopCityIncomeTax was initially handled or how it was recently followed up.

However, to characterize the responsible party as the City (and specifically the Mayor) is unfair since the festival organizers set the rules for their own event.

Comment on Up north for a few days by maryd

maryd — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:11:53 +0000

I so agree; we all decided after one year of renting from Riverside (they seem to have the monopoly) to buy our own Kayaks for the river. I love getting to the end of the Platte River and seeing Empire Bluffs and the Sleeping Bear dunes. It is so beautiful there!
Traverse is a little bit of heaven…

Comment on Reasons not to buy an iPhone by John Neff

John Neff — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:20:21 +0000

Sam, the program iFuntastic unlocks the iPhone to a good degree and allows some things you note as negatives about the iPhone. For instance, you can change ringtones to whatever you want and you can drag files onto the device and see its file structure. I totally agree about AT&T, but happen to have been a customer of theirs for the last six years or so. They made the transition to the iPhone as difficult as could be, and I do hate them, but no one has been able to tell me the name of a good cell phone carrier, besides perhaps T-Mobile, which is also the smallest. Anyway, I’ve had the iPhone for a few weeks now, and I love it. I am an Apple fanboy, but I particularly use the Google Maps feature a lot and load the device up with videos I’ve downloaded from bitorrent.

Comment on Ypsilanti School Bond election by maryd

maryd — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:02:14 +0000

I voted but it was a low turn out at Adams school were I voted.

Comment on Vote for local businesses as the best by Keith McKee

Keith McKee — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:36:26 +0000

We vote for the Aspen Restaurant as the best restaurant for a variety of excellent food
served in a very friendly, professional manner.
aspen’s the best for excellent food,great ambiance,friendly staff!

best
11111

Comment on Reasons not to buy an iPhone by Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:36:42 +0000

I am not liking the new AT&T.

Comment on Vultures by maryd

maryd — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:54:33 +0000

My Liz is in Alaska and desribes Ravens as big as her torso. She says everything is bigger there. We await her photos.

Comment on Vote for local businesses as the best by Kate

Kate — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:35:56 +0000

oh, and you can nominate other businesses for other categories. I nominated The Bomber for best breakfasts in the Cheap Eats section. This is fun! Let’s get everyone to come to Ypsi.

Comment on Statement to the Board of Education on sex ed and the Braves by maryd

maryd — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:55:19 +0000

Thanks Sam and all friends of reproductive health education. This is such an important matter to our children, we must not be sidetracked by such non-issues as nicknames. Or rather our BoE should not step backwards with this bad policy and move forward with the things that matter to our children.

Comment on Statement to the Board of Education on sex ed and the Braves by maryd

maryd — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:53:38 +0000

Thanks Sam and all friends of reproductive health education. This is such an important matter to our children, we must not be sidetracked by such non-issues as nicknames.

Comment on Ypsi Board of Education to vote on reinstating Braves nickname! by Kate

Kate — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:44:47 +0000

This issue has been debated, redebated, discussed and voted on, not once, but twice now. The board has spent more time on this issue than on the budget, union negotiations and curriculum programs. Yet, evidently, this is STILL more important to the diehards than any of those.

Tom Reiber has protested that every time the board changes some of its trustees certain issues come up again. Yet, this time it is he who is returning to something that should be done already. He does not intend the use of the Braves name to hurt anyone, so, no matter what others say, it must not be hurting anyone. That is hypocracy, closeminded arrogance and blatant racism.

Spread the word, people. We need bodies in the seats and voices raised in protest of this insanity on Monday night.

Comment on Statement to the Board of Education on sex ed and the Braves by Amy Doyle

Amy Doyle — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:47:48 +0000

I just watched the ypsinews.com video of public input at the meeting and saw you deliver that statement. Thank you, Sam, for speaking up. Thanks, too, to Cathy Thorburn and Gerry Butterwick for their remarks.

I encourage others to attend more of these meetings or watch the videos. There are many things going on in the district, both good and bad, which we all should be aware of. And please, weigh in on those issues which are important to you. Sam is right that there is a very vocal minority attempting to shape policy for the district. Don’t let the decision-makers think they speak for you if they don’t.

Comment on Statement to the Board of Education on sex ed and the Braves by Sam

Sam — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:36:16 +0000

Thanks Kate. It’s tragic that so many people refuse to acknowledge reality and actually believe getting kids to sign an abstinence pledge is all it takes to get them to not have sex.

Comment on Statement to the Board of Education on sex ed and the Braves by Kate

Kate — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:10:16 +0000

Very well said, Sam. Reproductive health education is desperately needed in Ypsilanti. I, too, have real trouble with the foot-dragging going on in the district right now. How many babies having babies does it take before the administration and board wise up? How many young lives changed because of an STD? Why is it more important that leaders give the appearance of being properly puritanial than that our kids learn the realities of life?

Good for you for speaking up. I hope more will follow your example.

Comment on Wurst of Ypsi by Stacey

Stacey — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:58:22 +0000

Nice! That was such a good time. Now I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the pool.

Comment on Wurst of Ypsi by maryd

maryd — Thu, 24 May 2007 01:25:59 +0000

Great photos and a great time. You really caught the essence of the evening.

Comment on Wurst of Ypsi by Mark

Mark — Tue, 22 May 2007 01:32:29 +0000

I think it’s pretty f’n cool.

Comment on No sense of humor by Sam

Sam — Sat, 19 May 2007 20:20:09 +0000

For the right price Greg might just sell you a pair.

Comment on No sense of humor by trusty getto

trusty getto — Sat, 19 May 2007 13:16:03 +0000

The question that should have been asked, obviously, was: “Where can I get one?”

Comment on School board back at full strength by maryd

maryd — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:18:48 +0000

Go Maggie… My heartfelt prayers are with you!

Comment on Prayer is not going to solve Ypsilanti’s problems by kally

kally — Sat, 05 May 2007 02:46:36 +0000

Actually, there are many reasons why Lois Richardson should not be on City Council. This is only one of them.

Comment on It looks like Monroe lied to get rid of Layne Hunt by Sam

Sam — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:05:32 +0000

Kally, Hunt was only in Benton Harbor for a year. I have yet to hear anything about his tenure there. However, his history in Monroe strangely parallels what happened here. More importantly, when he left Monroe he made an agreement with the district to remove the negative reviews from his record and get paid for another year. Monroe likely did this to avoid any litigation with Hunt which could have potentially cost a lot more than one year’s salary.

Comment on It looks like Monroe lied to get rid of Layne Hunt by Forner Employee of Hunt

Forner Employee of Hunt — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 22:53:08 +0000

Look further back. Hunt has accused ALL of his previous employers of racism. Look at his Southfield tenure; look at his out-of-state tenure–all were “racists” according to Hunt. He has NEVER held an administrative position for a full 3-year contract term. He is, simply, not administrative material. Period.

Comment on It looks like Monroe lied to get rid of Layne Hunt by kally

kally — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:13:17 +0000

I read the Ann Arbor News article and I don’t see why you would say Monroe lied to get rid of him. It was Benton Harbor that had him before he came to Ypsilanti. I guess I don’t see the corrolation.

Comment on It looks like Monroe lied to get rid of Layne Hunt by Mark

Mark — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:35:11 +0000

It does sound like that, doesn’t it?

Comment on Vilsack bails by Mark

Mark — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 06:30:51 +0000

Thank You

Comment on Something about Detroit that doesn’t suck! by Ford Parts News

Ford Parts News — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:36:14 +0000

At the 2007 SAE World CongressÂ……

The FEV revealed its newest advanced powertrain technology on the recently opened 2007 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress. The Ford Motor Company also revealed its Lincoln MKS that comes featuring the exclusive Ford part TwinForce turboch…..

Comment on This is not about racism! by fugeguy

fugeguy — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:01:59 +0000

The PC police are alive and well.

The guidelines are coming.

Tow the line or sit in the unemployment line.

–’nuff platiudes–

Land of the free and all….

Comment on This is not about racism! by maryd

maryd — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:55:18 +0000

Thanks Sam for sharing some truth.

Comment on Thanks Cam! by Eric 3.0

Eric 3.0 — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:37:45 +0000

Amy Doyle resigned, too.

Comment on Feeling out of time and place by MaryD

MaryD — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 19:10:41 +0000

That is so funny! I really do know how Max feels. It is like how I feel when I go into Best Buy or somewhere similar. If i happen to wander into electronics and out of the appliance dept., it is like I am on another planet.

Comment on Sex-Ed presentation at Board of Education by nemoforone

nemoforone — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:33:47 +0000

What about the possibility of pulling out of Iraq, letting Iran invade and lose resources fighting their own kind,
and then come in and mop up the dregs?

Comment on Taking a test to find out about yourself by trusty getto

trusty getto — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:48:46 +0000

When I do one of these “tests,” what usually happens is that the things I already know about myself are re-organized or re-presented to me in such a way that I do actually see something I didn’t see before, a connection I may have not fully appreciated, or see something differently than I did before doing the test.

Comment on AutoblogGreen Podcast by Steve Pierce

Steve Pierce — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:20:45 +0000

Tesla is building their new factory in Albuquerque. I am looking forward to seeing manufacturer plates in New Mexico the next time I am out there visiting.

Cheers!

- Steve

Comment on Not the Daily Show by Peter Rukavina

Peter Rukavina — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:53:47 +0000

The article, by the way, was in The New Yorker — should have mentioned that!

Comment on Not the Daily Show by Peter Rukavina

Peter Rukavina — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:53:26 +0000

There was an interesting article about the Fox show 24 several issues back that discussed the political approach of the series, and also touched on the genesis of the Half Hour Comedy Hour, which comes from the same production company. Worthwhile reading.

Comment on Shoot the messenger by trusty getto

trusty getto — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:56:56 +0000

They also fired the general in charge, just yesterday.

Comment on Vilsack bails by Roberto

Roberto — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:09:11 +0000

I agree with you on Hillary, and feel too many fellow Dems are aboard that particular train, and only for one reason: Desperate to see the first woman president be elected– Which I wouldn’t mind, but just not her. I’ve always thought of her as too much of an opportunist– If not downright conniving. From staying with Bill, to picking New York for an empty senate seat, to an overly careful middle-of-the-road ’safe’ voting record while in the senate– All in planning for this 2008 race. Also she has some closeted skeletons and old political baggage that will soon again be brought into the light again by the likes of Karl Rove & Co. I’ll say it here: She’s been too cautious, too measured, and everything about her since Bill left office has been geared for this run– I don’t like it, and I don’t trust her (it’s a ‘gut’ thing- and it hasn’t failed me in almost 50 years!)
Whew! If that’s not pouring it out, I don’t know what is! Still, if I’m tuned to what your saying about this ‘race’ narrowing down to just a couple of media darlings– I’m with you. It’s too soon. Vilsack had some original ideas, and a starting war-chest in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 million dollars, if I recall correctly– Sadly, it wasn’t enough. I too, hope Edwards (and others) can weather the early primaries, if only to keep things a little loose, which could, at least, get some of their ideas set as ‘planks’ when the formal charade of the convention finally does roll around…

Comment on Insightful quote by Sam

Sam — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:57:09 +0000

Thanks for stopping by Bruce. Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing it before and it figures that it was Dave. I’m a big fan of the evil genius and even bought one of his Stuff packs and I was actually wearing my Evil Genius shirt this morning when I was listening to CPB.

Comment on Insightful quote by Bruce Murray (The Zedcast)

Bruce Murray (The Zedcast) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:43:16 +0000

Hey Sam,

Actually I heard the quote on Dave Slusher’s Evil Genius Chronicles, and he heard it from Steven Barnes. Here is the quote:

“SF writer Steven Barnes once said to me â€œperfectionism is procrastination disguised as quality control.â€ Given the choice, Iâ€™m always in favor of finishing flawed work rather than noodling infinitely on something that is asymptotically approaching perfect.”

In an attempt to stop the ‘noodling’ I wrote the quote down and stuck it to my desk as a reminder that most of the time ‘good enough’ is good enough.

Cheers Sam, - Bruce

Comment on Ricky Gervais is a one trick pony by Maynard

Maynard — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:41:21 +0000

I can’t speak about the British original, as I’ve only seen the first episode or two, but I like the American version. It’s one of the few things on TV that I find consistently interesting. I’ll have to give it some more thought, but I don’t think that I like it because watching miserable people makes me feel batter about my lot in life. I think I like it because it’s well written and well acted. Sometimes it veers a bit too far off into the absolutely unbelievable, but I can forgive that. I’ll admit that it’s escapist fluff, but sometimes I need that.

Comment on Ricky Gervais is a one trick pony by Sam

Sam — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 23:25:55 +0000

I don’t really watch the US version of the Office, but from the bits I have seen, it is much the same kind of jokes as the original. I personally can only take so much of the same shtick, over and over again, especially when it’s this kind of stuff. I’m not really into watching other people’s miserable lives to make me feel better about myself.

Comment on Ricky Gervais is a one trick pony by Maynard

Maynard — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:51:05 +0000

Do you find the saem to be true of the US version of The Office? I’m just curious…

Comment on Ypsi Schools Tech Blog by Maynard

Maynard — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:48:49 +0000

Very cool, Sam. We’re lucky to have you.

Comment on Politics and writing by Sam

Sam — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 23:27:40 +0000

Absolutely! You have to pick your battles and focus on the ones you think you can win. Too much information can be overwhelming too, and so I am just doing some personal filtering for a while.

Comment on Politics and writing by maryd

maryd — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 23:24:45 +0000

I know what you mean about politics and seeing things get done. It is excrutiating to watch or listen to National Politcs right now. Whenever I get too tired of the national scene, I usually concentrate on local issues for awhile, the politics is more personal locally anyway. Yet lately the local scene is just as bad as the national scene. And don’t even mention the yahoos on the state level. That is when I have to focus on just one thing and get it done. Too many battles…

Comment on February 12, 2007 BOE meeting by Sam

Sam — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:55:59 +0000

The most important thing for a functioning democracy is an informed electorate. People need to be aware of what’s going on, be it in congress or at the local school board level. I just want do my little bit to make that information available, be it through recording and publishing what goes on the community, or publishing my opinions on this site.

Comment on February 12, 2007 BOE meeting by maryd

maryd — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:43:54 +0000

Thanks Sam for the work of attending these meetings and getting them recorded for the public. It was a very long meeting and we were unable to get started till after 9:00 PM but it was worth it. Now for the hardest part, implementation.

Comment on Soldering success by Bob Goyetche

Bob Goyetche — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:28:59 +0000

Thanks for including a demo file - I’ve been wanting to try this.. Perhaps I’ll pick one up if I can find CVS on my next trip stateside..

Comment on Livonia Police by gary

gary — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:07:30 +0000

the livonia cops are ticket crazy. the I-96 service drive(schoolcraft) is a speed trap. that road should have a higher speed limit(35). i wrote the city to raise the speed limit on that road and i suggest everyone else do it too.

Comment on Stacey on “Braves” by Stacey

Stacey — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:27:25 +0000

Oh my dog I’m being linked to. So much for anonymity. Ah well, for anyone that’s headed over there they should go to my Friends list, look up the band Questions and play “Absinthe and Oysters”.

Comment on Infantile behavior by maryd

maryd — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 13:31:37 +0000

I agree Sam. What Eric said really resonated with me too. In this very Christmasy season, I harken back to my early religious education at my catholic school. Caring for “the least among us” is one of the most “Christ-like” messages of the season. I think of the parable of the lost sheep, that one lost lamb mattering the most to the good shepherd. Happy and Merry New Year to the students that now can pick their new name and mascot.

Comment on Shadow art fair a success again! by Dale

Dale — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:57:52 +0000

AAiO commented on the way home that she was surprised that there wasn’t MORE phallic water tower-related merch. Young adults doing indie stuff while promoting Ypsi — that SCREAMS Ypsi water tower. It’s how you know someplace is Ypsi. You had the goods for the market, Matt.

Comment on Shadow art fair a success again! by Matt Callow

Matt Callow — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:58:12 +0000

Cool! And thanks for the link…

That turned out to be my most popular print over the two days. I think I sold four copies, had to frame one up in a hurry on the Saturday morning, and then took orders for two more prints after I’d sold out. I had no idea it’d be so popular!

Comment on Shadow art fair a success again! by Sam

Sam — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 13:05:37 +0000

Was that the surprise package CD? I picked up a copy of that one at the first fair back in July. Great disk. You can get Matt’s pinhole camera prints by contacting him directly from his site at http://www.mattcallow.com. Just go to his about page and you’ll find the e-mail link. We got some cool stuff for the kids too, but they’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out what it is.

Comment on Shadow art fair a success again! by Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 12:00:48 +0000

Oh, I’m so jealous! I want some water tower art, too.

We were there Saturday night. I bought a cool Molly Mast skirt, and now I want more, and a Dreamland Theater t-shirt as a gift for Evan. Some vinyl by MHZ and a garage punk Christmas CD. It was mellow enough at the end of the evening to do some actual shopping. I can’t think if it’s too crowded.

Comment on A carbon question by Mike

Mike — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:07:44 +0000

Is CO2 the only gas emitted? If so, then a finely accurate scale would shed light. Just weigh the can, then leave it open for a while and weigh it again. Another concern might be that pouring it releases even more gas. In that case, you would want to weigh the can and a glass, etc.

Comment on Monterey by fugeguy

fugeguy — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:13:25 +0000

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061129/ap_on_sc/marauding_sea_lions

Comment on Shadow Art Fair 2 by Mark

Mark — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 03:31:31 +0000

Thanks, Sam. I appreciate the link. -mark

Comment on Beer and Bloggers by Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 14:54:36 +0000

Good to see you Sam - it was a nice evening out and I was really impressed with the turnout.

Comment on The doves are safe and republicans are on the run by Sam

Sam — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:20:29 +0000

You’re right on both counts Murph. I guess I was so excited that I wasn’t paying attention. Are you going to be a Frenchie’s on Thursday?

Comment on The doves are safe and republicans are on the run by Murph

Murph — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:05:51 +0000

The abortion legislation rejection was in South Dakota, wasn’t it?

And Jon Tester is the proud new Senator from Montana, my favorite state that’s not Michigan.

Really, I don’t know anything about what NoDak did this year, but I’m sure that they deserve credit for something.

Comment on Categorizing people by Gerard Kennedy

Gerard Kennedy — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 12:54:35 +0000

Very entertaining issue. I haven’t heard of this one. It will be necessary to visit you on a thicket!

Comment on The future of downtown Ypsi business by John Gawlas

John Gawlas — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:02:04 +0000

I do not recall seeing Reynold Lowe in attendance and do not believe he showed up for his scheduled comments.

Comment on Dwight Eisenhower’s warning to the nation by Mark

Mark — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 02:39:59 +0000

Or, if you donâ€™t have that long, an edited version is available here.

Comment on The future of Ypsilanti Business by Mark

Mark — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 22:17:47 +0000

Very cool. Thanks again, Sam.

Comment on Diebold still trying to corrupt the election process! by Sam’s Thoughts » Blog Archive » Diebold continues to prove that they are idiots

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:54:18 +0000

[...] Continuing on the discussion that has been going on here and over on Mark’s site, comes yet another example Diebold’s utter incompetence. HBO has a new documentary premiering tomorrow night called Hacking Democracy. The film is apparently critical of Diebold and other voting systems companies. Needless to say Diebold is not happy about it and doesn’t want people to see it. According to TechDirt, Diebold not having seen the film they are trying to get HBO to cancel it. However, their complaints about inaccuracies in the film actually relate to a completely different movie called Voter Gate. If they can’t get something relatively straightforward like this right why would anyone trust them to run a voting system? Bookmark to: [...]

Comment on The end of line for tradional radio by fugeguy

fugeguy — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:46:30 +0000

BTW-

Not that you will take comfort from this but Rush and you agree that the mass media is doomed.

Very few want to listen to the uninformed read cue cards about matters they do not even remotely comphrehend let alone are qualified to comment on any more.

>> Enjoy living in the last days of Rome

Comment on The end of line for tradional radio by fugeguy

fugeguy — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:53:21 +0000

The other problem is that when you listen to these syndicated shows they are about 60 to 70% commercials. It seems you get all the syndicated shows commercials tacked onto the local ones. Very little actual content- most of which is drivel.

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by Sam

Sam — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:59:10 +0000

How about a hydrogen powered Shelby GT500 mustang? Ford’s also building a fleet of hydrogen powered E450 shuttle buses. These use the 6.8L V10 that Ford uses in the big trucks. They use similar injectors to the natural gas powered cars. Having driven the GT500, and loving the acceleration the idea of having one that puts out nothing but water vapor is very appealing.

I also got two new batteries for my work laptop.

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by fugeguy

fugeguy — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:46:31 +0000

My dell was affected….

And I remember ‘03 very well.

Many nano technologies are making batteries better every day. Some of the new Bosch power tools are very impressive.

IMHO, it just seems an easier jump to “fix” the battery issues than to overcome the “issues” around h2.

Either way I would miss crusin’ down the road in my V-8 Ford…..

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by Sam

Sam — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:27:27 +0000

First thanks for the vote. The production and distribution of Hydrogen does remain the biggest stumbling block. Electrolysis does take energy, but there are options beyond nuclear. Solar and wind power in coastal areas could generate a lot of electricity for electrolysis. The problem with running vehicles on batteries, is that chemical batteries remain a lousy way of storing energy. The batteries themselves are made out nasty toxic materials.

Even the most advanced batteries today, lithium-ion batteries have a lot of problems. If they’re not manufactured properly, they tend to have rather nasty uncontrolled thermal events (google for “dell laptop battery fires” if you’re not familiar with this one). These batteries also have a limited number of charge cycles. If you have owned an ipod, cell phone or laptop for more than about 18 months you will be familiar with the problem of batteries that will no longer hold a charge.

The other issue with electrics is the power grid. If you experienced the blackout in August 03 you know that the US grid is marginal at best. Large scale use of electrics would put a lot of strain on the grid that would require a lot of investment too.

There is no perfect solution. Manufacturers are all working on multiple parallel development paths. This takes time and money, but it is happening. The fuel cell Focus and others from GM, Honda and others have a lot of potential. I’m not trying to shoot down any of the paths, just trying to highlight what’s being worked on and what is possible.

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by fugeguy

fugeguy — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:04:34 +0000

The open issue with hydrogen is that currently it is produced from ng (non- renewable) and electrolizing water. In order to provide enough h2 fuel we would either build huge new nuclear plants, burn enormous amounts of coal or further deplete a resource already in terminal decline (ng) in North America.

Until we have a better source for electricity, hydrogen vehicles are a horse pushing a cart (IMHO). If we had a new technology that produced enormous amounts of electricity, why not just build electric vehicles? That way, avoid the energy losses….

- All of which assumes the “other” issues around this technology will be resolved

- One vote logged

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by Sam

Sam — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:57:51 +0000

The construction of the H2 tnak is such that it should be safe. As for the cost of filling up, I don’t know the answer to that one. But when I asked the Ford rep when they think it might be available, his response was “The first $1.1 million takes one!” so if you can manage the current price you won’t worry about the cost of hydrogen.

Comment on Help Digg my new article on the hydrogen powered Ford Focus by Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:53:34 +0000

Cool! So, how much does it cost to fill the tank with hydrogen? Also, if the car gets rearended does the whole thing explode if the tank ruptures?

Comment on Children of Children by Sam

Sam — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:58:09 +0000

Mark, the show still running until this weekend so it’s not too late!