1. Edgar Allan Poe
2. Maya Angelou
3. Langston Hughes
4. A. A. Milne
Hmm, I clearly need to either be less discerning or read more poetry.
14 October 2011
My Favourite YouTube Videos
I met with my friend Joanna for supper tonight. During supper, we ended up talking about some of my favourite YouTube videos. My newest favourite I shared with you on Monday.
Here are the other two that crack the top three.
1. Epic Why Guy. I discovered this video because it was posted on Ravelry a couple of years ago. Ever since then, Ria and I have discussed the many ways in which we could re-enact this. When I posted on Twitter the other day that I was going to be on the news, she replied with "Did they lock you out of the mall again?"
2. The Difference Between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England Explained. A great video made of facts but done so awesomely that it's just hysterically funny.
Here are the other two that crack the top three.
1. Epic Why Guy. I discovered this video because it was posted on Ravelry a couple of years ago. Ever since then, Ria and I have discussed the many ways in which we could re-enact this. When I posted on Twitter the other day that I was going to be on the news, she replied with "Did they lock you out of the mall again?"
12 October 2011
Rhinebeck Prep
I spent tonight getting ready for Rhinebeck. I'll be out tomorrow after work, so I knew I needed to get things together tonight. What's left for tomorrow is to get patterns (that I want to shop for yarn for) printed, get food together for the weekend, and last-minute stuff that I can't pack until after I use it in the morning (toiletries and such).
And, of course, I'm packing some knitting to take with me.
I'm exciting since I had to miss Rhinebeck last year. And I'll get to see Ria. Yay!
And, of course, I'm packing some knitting to take with me.
I'm exciting since I had to miss Rhinebeck last year. And I'll get to see Ria. Yay!
11 October 2011
How Wrong is Curt?
Very, extremely, awesomely, hugely, exceedingly, immensely wrongity wrong wrong wrong.
Just so you all know.
Just so you all know.
10 October 2011
Not a Book Review Monday
Usually, I bring you a book review every Monday. Although I have several queued up, I've been so inspired by this video, that I had to share it with you.
And it's tied into Book Review Monday because it's by one of my favourite authors, Brad Meltzer.
This video has been tugging at my brain since I first saw it this weekend. In fact, I now have a little sticky in my cube at work that reads "he was a"
Enjoy. I hope you're as inspired as I was.
(Btw, TED = Technology Entertainment and Design; MIA = Meet Inspire Act)
And it's tied into Book Review Monday because it's by one of my favourite authors, Brad Meltzer.
This video has been tugging at my brain since I first saw it this weekend. In fact, I now have a little sticky in my cube at work that reads "he was a"
Enjoy. I hope you're as inspired as I was.
(Btw, TED = Technology Entertainment and Design; MIA = Meet Inspire Act)
09 October 2011
The Autumn Wind
On Sundays (and some Saturday evenings), I usually glued to Race Day, the two-hour pre-race show on SPEED Channel. But today, I switched over to FOX NFL Sunday, the one-hour Sunday football show. Howie Long is one of the panelists, and he was a Raider for 13 years. I knew that every national pre-game show would have a segment on Al Davis, but I particularly wanted to catch what Howie had to say about Mr. Davis.
But it was actually what Terry Bradshaw (the former Steelers quarterback who won four Super Bowls) said that was more poignant. When Bradshaw (who my mom would leave her husband for in a New York minute) retired, he had returned to his Louisiana ranch, and he got a call from Mr. Davis one day. They talked for a bit, and Davis asked how he was doing financially. Bradshaw said he "was okay - nothing coming in, nothing going out." And Davis told him, "If you ever need ANYTHING, you give me a call and let me know." And he and other panelists commented about how such offers wouldn't be made in this day and age. Davis valued loyalty above all else, and if he saw something in you that warranted his loyalty, you had it forever.
Now, for those of you who don't know your football history, this is huge. For the owner of the Raiders to make a gesture like that to someone from the Steelers organisation is no small thing. The Steelers are the team who benefited from the play known as the Immaculate Reception. In fact, Bradshaw said that one time (before the call), he happened to sit at a table near Davis, and he didn't say hi to Davis because of the history between the Raiders and Steelers, but Davis waved him over and they shared a meal together.
One thing Howie Long said that I think is important, though, is also something that makes me sad. Although I have no illusions that the Raiders will take the big prize this season, I do think this season is a turning point. And it saddens me that our fearless leader won't be able to see the ship righting itself. And I hope his death won't mean that everything falls apart.
In closing, "The Autumn Wind," the unofficial anthem of the Raiders. It's often played at our home games:
But it was actually what Terry Bradshaw (the former Steelers quarterback who won four Super Bowls) said that was more poignant. When Bradshaw (who my mom would leave her husband for in a New York minute) retired, he had returned to his Louisiana ranch, and he got a call from Mr. Davis one day. They talked for a bit, and Davis asked how he was doing financially. Bradshaw said he "was okay - nothing coming in, nothing going out." And Davis told him, "If you ever need ANYTHING, you give me a call and let me know." And he and other panelists commented about how such offers wouldn't be made in this day and age. Davis valued loyalty above all else, and if he saw something in you that warranted his loyalty, you had it forever.
Now, for those of you who don't know your football history, this is huge. For the owner of the Raiders to make a gesture like that to someone from the Steelers organisation is no small thing. The Steelers are the team who benefited from the play known as the Immaculate Reception. In fact, Bradshaw said that one time (before the call), he happened to sit at a table near Davis, and he didn't say hi to Davis because of the history between the Raiders and Steelers, but Davis waved him over and they shared a meal together.
One thing Howie Long said that I think is important, though, is also something that makes me sad. Although I have no illusions that the Raiders will take the big prize this season, I do think this season is a turning point. And it saddens me that our fearless leader won't be able to see the ship righting itself. And I hope his death won't mean that everything falls apart.
In closing, "The Autumn Wind," the unofficial anthem of the Raiders. It's often played at our home games:
The Autumn wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weatherbeaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you 'round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won.
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weatherbeaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you 'round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won.
08 October 2011
A Sad Day for Raider Nation
I had another blog topic prepared for today, but I've just learnt of the passing of Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders.
While I sometimes disagreed with his decisions (firing Jon Gruden? Seriously? benching Marcus Allen for two seasons? Really?), I had mad respect for him. He is the only man who has played every role in the NFL. Scout, assistant coach, coach, general manager, commissioner, and owner. When he was an assistant coach in college, he recruited the first black quarterback in the PAC-10. As a coach, Davis was the first to start recruiting from black colleges. And as an owner, he was the first to sign a black head coach (shout-out to Art Shell!), a Latino coach, and a female CEO.
He wanted his team to be internationally (not just nationally) recognised. This vision came from him growing up Brooklyn and admiring how ubiquitous the Yankee pinstripes were. A guy I worked for when I taught once remarked that "no matter where I go, I find you people (Raiders fans) everywhere! I can't get away from you!"
Davis coined the catchphrases "Just Win, Baby," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Pride and Poise." While the Raiders have had their ups and downs and for the past decade, the organisation as a whole has become a recognisable icon and not only among football fans. ESPN's show "30 for 30" showcased the impact that the Raiders have had on the hip-hop industry, for instance.
Raider Nation has lost a great leader, visionary, and competitor. This is truly a sad day for Raider Nation.
While I sometimes disagreed with his decisions (firing Jon Gruden? Seriously? benching Marcus Allen for two seasons? Really?), I had mad respect for him. He is the only man who has played every role in the NFL. Scout, assistant coach, coach, general manager, commissioner, and owner. When he was an assistant coach in college, he recruited the first black quarterback in the PAC-10. As a coach, Davis was the first to start recruiting from black colleges. And as an owner, he was the first to sign a black head coach (shout-out to Art Shell!), a Latino coach, and a female CEO.
He wanted his team to be internationally (not just nationally) recognised. This vision came from him growing up Brooklyn and admiring how ubiquitous the Yankee pinstripes were. A guy I worked for when I taught once remarked that "no matter where I go, I find you people (Raiders fans) everywhere! I can't get away from you!"
Davis coined the catchphrases "Just Win, Baby," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Pride and Poise." While the Raiders have had their ups and downs and for the past decade, the organisation as a whole has become a recognisable icon and not only among football fans. ESPN's show "30 for 30" showcased the impact that the Raiders have had on the hip-hop industry, for instance.
Raider Nation has lost a great leader, visionary, and competitor. This is truly a sad day for Raider Nation.
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