Gold Rush
I added the spot price for gold to my side bar for my convenience but, if someone else finds it useful, great! I started investing in some gold and other precious metals a couple of years ago as a hedge against our declining dollar and ridiculously low interest rates. So far, so good. My initial gold purchases were at about $320/oz and, as you can see, it currently resides in the $420/oz range. If gold repeats its cycle from the 1970s, I'll be a very happy camper. I could go on a long rant about the inevitable doom of the fiat currency system, but I'll leave that part to your imagination. Simply put, I like having some gold, because I know that it will always have value, as it has for thousands of years. Whereas, paper money is nothing special. It's just paper. Someday it could all be worthless. I hope not, but who knows?
- posted by Jason @ 11:22 AM |

 
It's Time to Bid Freddy "Adu"
We must make way for Jean Carlos Chera, the 9-year-old Brazilian soccer phenom. Apparently this site has some video clips displaying this young buck's incredible soccer abilities but now it frequently exceeds its bandwith limits due to the insane amount of hits the site has begun to get with the increasing popularity of this youngster. Manchester United has already asked for permission to send a representive to Brazil to talk with Jean about his desire to play for them. This kid must be good! Move over LeBron and Freddy, it's time for "Anderson."
- posted by Jason @ 1:10 PM |

 
I'm livin' life, in high definition!
I finally recieved my HD receiver yesterday and got it all hooked up without too much difficulty. I tuned in to the Michigan/Michigan State game on ESPNHD for my inaugural HD program. Wow! The experience just about knocked my socks off. I felt like I was in the arena, watching the game in the stands. The picture had so much detail I could almost see the boogers in the players' noses. I am definitely impressed with the HD format and I anxiously await more programming to become available in HD in the near future (and no, I'm not talking about porn!).
- posted by Jason @ 9:38 AM |

 
Jack It?
I would if I could, but I'm too nice of a guy, so I'll just have to resort to buying the coolest jacket ever once I round up the necessary cash. I've always been a sucker for secret pockets and this bad boy takes pockets to the extreme. I'd have room for all of my necessary gadgets. Plus, this jacket was originally designed for use in law enforcement during stealth operations and the secret service also wear jackets by this designer. How awesome is that?! I've gotta get me one of these. Feel free to donate to my cause if you're so inclined. I love surprises!
- posted by Jason @ 10:14 AM |

 
Take a Numb3r
Did anyone else catch the premier of "Numb3rs" last night on CBS? I'm not one to watch too many television dramas, except for the occasional "24;" however, "Numb3rs" came on after the Patriots/Steelers game I had been watching on my new TV, so I decided to give it a shot.

I'll have to say I enjoyed the show's premise of using mathematical equations to solve crimes. I've always enjoyed making up my own equations, albeit very basic ones, for real-life situations. I don't know how feasible it is to create a formula to predict where a criminal resides, based on where he commits his crimes, but perhaps a real mathematician could offer me more insight on the subject. After all, there are equations out there that can pinpoint the worst day of the year!

Anyway, I enjoyed seeing a mathematician play a major role in a television show. He was actually a pretty cool guy, too; not the stereotypical tool that enjoys math. The show as a whole could probably use a little work, but I think I'll give it another shot next week; simply because math rocks!
- posted by Jason @ 3:15 PM |

 
Gimme da Loot, Gimme da Loot!
I WON!!!!

I am the proud new owner of a 46" Samsung television with DLP technology. It'll be a nice upgrade from my 27" Sony Trinitron that I've had since college.

Yippee!!
- posted by Jason @ 4:12 PM |

 
Let's Talk About Sects, Baby!
I'd have to say that my favorite sect in which I most frequently claim to be actively involved is that of the true sports trivia fanatics. I know, I'm a dork. I'm not particularly dominating while playing any particular sport, but I sure can remember my share of random shit that other people have managed to accomplish during their days on the diamond, court, field or what have you.

If you're extremely bored at 1:15 p.m. CST today and want to hear myself and a few other sports trivia dorks battle for a brand-new television, click here for a live internet feed of the 810 WHB broadcast.
- posted by Jason @ 9:42 AM |

 
Gooooooogle
Wow, there must be many a person who falls in love with the "Rappin' Duke" on a daily basis. Ever since I heard that song, and posted about it, I've been overwhelmed by hits from Google searches for "Rappin' Duke" or "Da Ha Da Ha." I had underestimated the grand proportions of this song's popularity. I thought I might have been one of only a handful of geeks who actually found that song refreshingly entertaining.
- posted by Jason @ 9:24 AM |

 
Cuz I'm the Miggitta MIGGITTA Miggitta MIGGITTA Mack Daddy
What was the last country to finish as the runner-up in two consecutive World Cup soccer championships?

Sorry, I've been filling my mind with many sports factoids lately in preparation for the Stump-Off on Thursday. Answer that question correctly and you'll get a star next to your name in my book. I love anyone who can hold their own in a game of trivia.
- posted by Jason @ 10:53 PM |

 
Bling Bling!


OK, so I didn't exactly splurge on any expensive clothing items during my visit to NYC last weekend. However, I did manage to score a Mets stocking cap and a subway line t-shirt. I figure the cap will help me support yet another superstar to leave the Royals for greener pastures and the shirt should elicit a few questions from unassuming Kansans who have no idea what a huge 'F' in an orange circle means.

Oh yeah, and that minor wound on my nose resulted from a recent late-night run-in with a support column in my living room. It was dark; I was half-asleep. Don't worry about me, you should see the column. It's totally F.U.B.A.R. ;)
- posted by Jason @ 9:46 PM |

 
Whoooaah!!
I just stumped the chumps and won dinner for two at Jazz, purveyors of some mighty fine cajun cuisine. That scenario is exciting in and of itself, but the plot thickens. Now I get to return next Thursday for a "stump-off" with three other gents where the winner gets a 46" plasma television. Oh yeah!

What were the winning questions, you ask?

Me: Who was the last MLB player to hit 2 inside-the-park homeruns in one game?*

Them: Willie Wilson. WRONG!

Them: Who was the last MLB player to hit 2 grand slams in one inning?

Me: Fernando Tatis. CORRECT!

I stumped the chumps, and they didn's stump me! I knew my vast amount of seemingly useless sports trivia knowledge would come in handy someday. Well ladies and gentlemen, that day has arrived. I'll let ya'll know if I win the big prize next week.

*The correct answer to my question is Greg Gagne. He hit two inside-the-park homeruns on October 4, 1986, for the Minnesota Twins.
- posted by Jason @ 1:57 PM |

 
Remember Rappin' Duke, Da Ha, Da Ha, I Never Thought That Hip Hop Could Make It This Far
I had never heard "Rappin' Duke", by Shawn Brown, before today. It had me crackin' up like no other! You gotta love a rappin' John Wayne impersonator. Chalk up another old school rap reference in a Biggie Smalls song that I actually get now. I learn something new everyday, usually when I least expect it.

I also took in "Danger", by Blahzay Blahzay. Now I know where John Wallace got his saying, "'Cuse in the the house, oh my God, my God." I think that was back in '96, when Syracuse played Kentucky for the national title in basketball.

Da HAA, Da HAA, Da HAHA HAHA HAA!
- posted by Jason @ 1:45 PM |

 
Somethin' Like a Phenomenon
Check out Bree and Pam's music in The Big Idea. They're talented independent musicians currently taking England by storm*. They have yet to find their niche in the States, but that's bound to happen one of these days. This website is currently out of stock, but if you really want a CD, I'll send you one. I've got plenty in my basement waiting around to make someone's day!

*They've sold two CDs to people from England. Hey, you gotta start somewhere!
- posted by Jason @ 1:11 AM |

 
Blame It on the Rain, Yeah, Yeah
I'm with Jessica, crappy weather sucks, and it doesn't get much worse than freezing rain. Warm weather, where art thou?
- posted by Jason @ 8:38 PM |

 
Supa Dupa Fly
Jason, your hip hop heartthrob is Missy Elliott


- posted by Jason @ 7:55 PM |

 
All I wanna do, zoom a zoom zoom zoom and a boom boom!
Seriously, that just sounds like fun at the moment. That's all I really wanna do.
- posted by Jason @ 5:07 PM |

 
To Infinity, and Beyond
How do you define location? To me, the term defines itself fairly easily on Earth. Here, everything has a place. I am in my house. My house is in Kansas. Kansas is in the U.S.A. The U.S.A is in North America, and so on. However, further beyond the realm of the beautiful planet we call home, the location of things gets harder to fully comprehend.

I guess the ultimate question I always end up asking myself is, "Where is the universe?" If everything else resides within some other designated area, then what houses the universe? After all, most scientists theorize that the universe continues to grow to this day. If that hypothesis holds water, then what is our universe growing into? Could our universe really be dangling from the neck of some extra-terrestrial cat or do the limits of our universe represent the end of the material world as we know it? Where does existense end?

I don't think I'll ever be able to solve this problem that confronts me from time to time. Frustrating problems like these make belief in a higher being much easier to accept because I sure as hell can't fathom everything that takes place in the universe in my limited little mind.
- posted by Jason @ 1:14 PM |

 
Challah if ya hear me!
Well, my first trip to New York City has come and gone. I am once again in the confines of my humble abode in Kansas. I really enjoyed my first trip to the city. I saw a very good play, "Twelve Angry Men", took in some break dancing in Battery Park, soaked up the bright lights of Times Square, tried some new food, and walked on the Brooklyn bridge, among other things. I also met up with an old friend in the West Village for a few drinks and some reminiscing about the good ol' days. However, I did not capitalize on my opportunity to meet a new friend and that kinda bummed me out. I wish I could have stayed longer and had time to do everything I wanted to do. Overall, the trip was superb and I cannot wait to return to the city in the future! Now I must concentrate on catching up on some much-needed sleep.
- posted by Jason @ 10:56 PM |

 
When it Comes to Treks, I'm Similla, to the Thrilla, in Manilla
I will be leaving for the Big Apple in less than 24 hours. I'm anxious to get there and begin trekking my my way through its vast urban sprawl. I know I'll get plenty of good use out of my new hiking boots. Their comfort defies explanation. The Brooklyn bridge tops my list of things to walk in, around, across and/or atop. If you have any other suggestions, by all means, let me know. I'll be in the city Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I'm down for whatever.
- posted by Jason @ 3:39 PM |

 
Brainteaser Test Results
I didn't cheat, I promise!

Jason, you answered 30 out of 30 questions correctly!

Congratulations! Your score is in the 100th percentile. This means that if one hundred people took the test with you, your score would rank higher than 99 of them on average.

When we analyzed your test, we also discovered that when it comes to quantitative ability, you measure in the 100th percentile. This score indicates you have unusually strong abilities when it comes to solving numerical problems. If there is a numerical pattern to be found, you'll find it. You've got a knack for noticing when something "isn't right." Whether you're conscious of it or not, you have an ability to simply understand when something doesn't add up. Also, when it comes to splitting the check, doing taxes, or determining the number of fans in a baseball stadium, you're the one people turn to.

Are you a mastermind? Try the Brainteaser Test for yourself. It's great fun!

- posted by Jason @ 11:08 AM |

 
New Shoes


These shoes, my feet, they meet, we're rompin'. I'll be Wafflestompin' from Tallahassee, to Compton!

- posted by Jason @ 3:10 PM |

 
Are you questioning my intelligence?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

You are great at finding patterns and relationships between things. Always curious about how things work, you love to set up experiments. You need for the world to make sense - and are good at making sense of it. You have a head for numbers and math ... and you can solve almost any logic puzzle. You would make a great scientist, engineer, computer programmer, researcher, accountant, or mathematician.

- posted by Jason @ 8:08 PM |

 
In case you don't already know...
I'm a member of the Rokenbok Hall of Fame! I joined this very exclusive club in June 2003. I know, toddlers and primary school kids aren't exactly stiff competition but I'm still proud of the honor! I don't think I'll ever be too old to play with a cool toy or two. If you also enjoy Rokenbok, Zip Zaps, Legos and the like, come on over and have some fun with me. I've got plenty of toys to go around!

- posted by Jason @ 1:05 AM |

 
Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it
Well, I had a pretty darn good time celebrating the new year last night. The highlight of my night had to be dancing to "Ice Ice Baby" in the cordoned off streets of Aggieville. They even had the videos to the songs playing on big screens scattered throughout the area. I had forgotten how cool Vanilla Ice looked in his prime!

I also drank my share of alcoholic beverages. The highlights were a few Dos Equis Ambers and the lowlight was probably the champagne of beers, Miller Highlife. I just had to drink that one since it was indeed new years eve and the bar had it on special.

I saw many a tacky outfit and began to wish I had been a little more tacky myself. I'll remember that for next year. I like nights when dressing like an idiot is the norm; then I don't stand out so much.

- posted by Jason @ 6:20 PM |