1) Two guys in a convertible smart car. They were all smiles, backing up the theory that this is a fun way to get around.
2) A woman riding a unicycle in Clifton.
3) A woman in an obvious drug haze ambling in the middle of Linn St.
15 August 2008
12 August 2008
Bob Ney Has Been Living in Cincinnati?
It's true. Bob Ney, a politician so corrupt he actually stood out in a field of corrupt politicians, was transferred to a halfway house in Cincinnati in February.
Ney, a Republican who served six House terms and served the Chillicothe area for about six years , has served nearly a year and a half of his original 2 1/2 years prison sentence. The sentence was reduced after he completed treatment for alcohol problems, and a federal prisons Web site shows Aug. 16 as his release date.
Ney, 54, was transferred in February from the Federal Corrections Institution in Morgantown, W.Va., to Cincinnati for placement in a halfway house as a transition to freedom. Prison authorities have declined to identify the halfway house.
Any Bob Ney sightings out there? On a golf course, perhaps? A bar? A GOP event?
I'll admit it-- there's a part of me (the evil part) that hopes to run into him somewhere.
Ney, a Republican who served six House terms and served the Chillicothe area for about six years , has served nearly a year and a half of his original 2 1/2 years prison sentence. The sentence was reduced after he completed treatment for alcohol problems, and a federal prisons Web site shows Aug. 16 as his release date.
Ney, 54, was transferred in February from the Federal Corrections Institution in Morgantown, W.Va., to Cincinnati for placement in a halfway house as a transition to freedom. Prison authorities have declined to identify the halfway house.
Any Bob Ney sightings out there? On a golf course, perhaps? A bar? A GOP event?
I'll admit it-- there's a part of me (the evil part) that hopes to run into him somewhere.
From the Dept. of Good News, Meat-Eating Division
Mindful of your red meat consumption? Maybe the solution is to drink more red wine:
What happens when red wine meets red meat? If that happens in the stomach, wine’s healthful chemicals may thwart formation of harmful substances released during digestion of fat in the meat, scientists report.
Wine concentrate substantially reduced formation of two byproducts of fat digestion, malondialdehyde and hydroperoxide, which are toxic to cells, the investigators said.
What happens when red wine meets red meat? If that happens in the stomach, wine’s healthful chemicals may thwart formation of harmful substances released during digestion of fat in the meat, scientists report.
Wine concentrate substantially reduced formation of two byproducts of fat digestion, malondialdehyde and hydroperoxide, which are toxic to cells, the investigators said.
11 August 2008
Olympic Hero of the Day: Jason Lezak
I spent a good part of the weekend watching the Olympics, and it was fantastic. Thank god the Olympics happen every four years because if they didn't I would be stuck watching that other race, the one for President.
It's great to see sports that are rarely, if ever, shown on TV. Water polo, handball, badminton, table tennis, etc. And of course, swimming. Those who missed the men's 4 x 100 medley late last night missed a magic moment:
Lezak, the oldest man on the U.S. swimming team, pulled off one of the great comebacks in Olympic history Monday morning, hitting the wall barely ahead of Bernard in the 400 freestyle relay, a race so fast it actually erased two world records.
Few sporting events live up to the hype -- this one exceeded it. The 32-year-old Lezak was nearly a body length behind Bernard as they made the final turn, but the American hugged the lane rope and stunningly overtook him on the very last stroke.
The race was a huge thrill. The Frenchman was WAY ahead at the beginning of the final lap, and watching Lezak close the gap stroke by stroke was an awesome spectacle. As it turned out, his swim was the fastest of its kind in history, and he couldn't have picked a better time for it.
NBC is still covering the games from the "world revolves around America" mindset, but it's less over-the-top than 2004. And Bob Costas is less of a total dick this time. But the really great thing is that the games are televised on four networks: NBC, MSNBC, USA, and CNBC. There's usually at least one thing worth watching.
It's great to see sports that are rarely, if ever, shown on TV. Water polo, handball, badminton, table tennis, etc. And of course, swimming. Those who missed the men's 4 x 100 medley late last night missed a magic moment:
Lezak, the oldest man on the U.S. swimming team, pulled off one of the great comebacks in Olympic history Monday morning, hitting the wall barely ahead of Bernard in the 400 freestyle relay, a race so fast it actually erased two world records.
Few sporting events live up to the hype -- this one exceeded it. The 32-year-old Lezak was nearly a body length behind Bernard as they made the final turn, but the American hugged the lane rope and stunningly overtook him on the very last stroke.
The race was a huge thrill. The Frenchman was WAY ahead at the beginning of the final lap, and watching Lezak close the gap stroke by stroke was an awesome spectacle. As it turned out, his swim was the fastest of its kind in history, and he couldn't have picked a better time for it.
NBC is still covering the games from the "world revolves around America" mindset, but it's less over-the-top than 2004. And Bob Costas is less of a total dick this time. But the really great thing is that the games are televised on four networks: NBC, MSNBC, USA, and CNBC. There's usually at least one thing worth watching.
07 August 2008
The Brett Favre Lesson
Despite the perseverating babble among the sports punditry, I have not heard one person get to the fundamental issue involved in the Favre situation.
Let's back up. Last year, when Favre called it quits I believed him. He's had a Hall of Fame career, a championship ring, and got to leave the game on his own terms. You can't ask for more than that. And there's only a certain amount of physical punishment a body can take year after year.
But then he gave an interview in which he admitted having no idea what he was going to do from now on. He had no idea how he was going to spend his time. And that's when I figured he'd return to football. I didn't think it would be as a player, but someone who has spent his entire life doing pretty much nothing but football would probably find a way to be around it longer.
So it surprised me that he wants to play but it's no surprise that he needs to keep doing the only thing he knows: football.
And that's the fundamental issue: for most pro athletes, it takes a lifetime of commitment to one thing. When it's over, they have no idea what to do with themselves. It's like going into witness protection: one has to start all over with a new life. Pete Sampras has talked about the problem as well.
It would be great if they could all be like former Bengal Reggie Williams, a Dartmouth grad who served on City Council and is now an exec at Disney. He was prepared for a second life and when the time came, he was ready.
Favre can't play forever. Eventually he'll have to start a second life and the sooner he gets ready for it, the better off he'll be.
Let's back up. Last year, when Favre called it quits I believed him. He's had a Hall of Fame career, a championship ring, and got to leave the game on his own terms. You can't ask for more than that. And there's only a certain amount of physical punishment a body can take year after year.
But then he gave an interview in which he admitted having no idea what he was going to do from now on. He had no idea how he was going to spend his time. And that's when I figured he'd return to football. I didn't think it would be as a player, but someone who has spent his entire life doing pretty much nothing but football would probably find a way to be around it longer.
So it surprised me that he wants to play but it's no surprise that he needs to keep doing the only thing he knows: football.
And that's the fundamental issue: for most pro athletes, it takes a lifetime of commitment to one thing. When it's over, they have no idea what to do with themselves. It's like going into witness protection: one has to start all over with a new life. Pete Sampras has talked about the problem as well.
It would be great if they could all be like former Bengal Reggie Williams, a Dartmouth grad who served on City Council and is now an exec at Disney. He was prepared for a second life and when the time came, he was ready.
Favre can't play forever. Eventually he'll have to start a second life and the sooner he gets ready for it, the better off he'll be.
Local Execs Still Trying to Buy Government
From the Business Courier:
Three Cincinnati business leaders known for their financial support of Republican candidates and conservative causes are among the largest donors to a new political organization chaired by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Carl Lindner (American Financial), Dick Farmer (Cintas) and Bob Castellini (Reds) have given $800,000 total to the group American Solutions for Winning the Future.
The "solutions:" to defend America and our allies abroad and defeat our enemies, to strengthen and revitalize America’s core values, and to move government into the 21st Century.
Non-B.S. translation: Obama is kicking our ass. If we convince enough people that offshore drilling will lower gas prices they might forget we have no real energy policy and vote for us.
Three Cincinnati business leaders known for their financial support of Republican candidates and conservative causes are among the largest donors to a new political organization chaired by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Carl Lindner (American Financial), Dick Farmer (Cintas) and Bob Castellini (Reds) have given $800,000 total to the group American Solutions for Winning the Future.
The "solutions:" to defend America and our allies abroad and defeat our enemies, to strengthen and revitalize America’s core values, and to move government into the 21st Century.
Non-B.S. translation: Obama is kicking our ass. If we convince enough people that offshore drilling will lower gas prices they might forget we have no real energy policy and vote for us.
06 August 2008
The Homeless, Panhandling and Redevelopment
A good article in the Pulse on the issue:
Police and business owners agree, the benches along Fourth Street make it an attractive spot for the homeless. Says one businessman, "They're not benches. They're bunkbeds."
...developers have become increasingly savvy in recent years with respect to how they view the homeless.
"Some developers have become more educated over the last few years, and are advocating programs like DCI's intervention worker. That didn't exist several years ago."
...DCI employs a social worker to work with panhandlers and the homeless in an attempt to break their cycles of poverty and get them off the streets for good.
He adds though, that he is concerned by city ordinances that clear paths for development at the expense of low-income or transitional housing.
"I'm concerned about efforts that aren't aimed at reducing poverty, but zone it away and move it around.
Expanding DCI's system with a task force of social workers is surely a better plan than what we are getting with the current network of social service agencies.
About half of homeless individuals are schizophrenic and don't have the basic life skills the rest of us take for granted. They need the psychological equivalent of a parole officer. Once they have someone to hold their hand they can start working, pay rent, etc. and be productive tax-paying citizens.
Police and business owners agree, the benches along Fourth Street make it an attractive spot for the homeless. Says one businessman, "They're not benches. They're bunkbeds."
...developers have become increasingly savvy in recent years with respect to how they view the homeless.
"Some developers have become more educated over the last few years, and are advocating programs like DCI's intervention worker. That didn't exist several years ago."
...DCI employs a social worker to work with panhandlers and the homeless in an attempt to break their cycles of poverty and get them off the streets for good.
He adds though, that he is concerned by city ordinances that clear paths for development at the expense of low-income or transitional housing.
"I'm concerned about efforts that aren't aimed at reducing poverty, but zone it away and move it around.
Expanding DCI's system with a task force of social workers is surely a better plan than what we are getting with the current network of social service agencies.
About half of homeless individuals are schizophrenic and don't have the basic life skills the rest of us take for granted. They need the psychological equivalent of a parole officer. Once they have someone to hold their hand they can start working, pay rent, etc. and be productive tax-paying citizens.
04 August 2008
Pepper on Griffey
David Pepper gets it right with these comments on his blog:
In the end, much of the frustration came, ironically, from the fact that Griffey physically slowed and repeatedly injured himself over time, while other players in their late 30s seemed to bloom and stay as strong as ever. Well, now we know why! While he was aging naturally like most of us, the others of his caliber were cheating. And I hope Griffey's long-term legacy will be that he achieved greatness the right way.
If the White Sox make the playoffs and the Reds don't, I will be cheering for him to win his first World Series. And I know I won't be alone. He is, after all, a Cincinnatian.
I hope he gets his ring, he deserves one. This probably won't help, though...
In the end, much of the frustration came, ironically, from the fact that Griffey physically slowed and repeatedly injured himself over time, while other players in their late 30s seemed to bloom and stay as strong as ever. Well, now we know why! While he was aging naturally like most of us, the others of his caliber were cheating. And I hope Griffey's long-term legacy will be that he achieved greatness the right way.
If the White Sox make the playoffs and the Reds don't, I will be cheering for him to win his first World Series. And I know I won't be alone. He is, after all, a Cincinnatian.
I hope he gets his ring, he deserves one. This probably won't help, though...
Tough Times for Chain Restaurants
From the July 30 Wall St. Journal:
[The bankruptcy filing by Bennigan's and Steak and Ale] is the most extreme sign yet of how midprice, sit-down restaurants are undergoing one of their worst periods in decades...
High ingredient and labor costs are eating into profits, and several years of rapid expansion by bar and grill chains has left a glut of locations in the market. Pressures such as high gasoline prices and dwindling home values have prompted consumers to eat out less often or switch to cheaper fast-food meals.
The venerable chains weren't able to survive in part because their menus and atmosphere failed to set them apart from the pack...
"There's just too many stores in this category... most of these places aren't even that full on a Saturday night." Chains have already started slowing their expansion and shutting locations, and [restaurant consultant] Mr. Paul expects that will accelerate.
This news struck me in light of the announcement of the upcoming Chipotle on Fountain Square. Perhaps this trend favors places like Chipotle, one of the better fast food establishments (or at least it used to be, I haven't been in a while).
Employees of chains might find out the hard way [the Chicago Bennigan's was given only a few hours notice] if places like Max & Erma's, Lone Star Steaks, Olive Garden, etc. start closing around here. Old Country Buffet already filed for bankruptcy this year but plans to restructure and re-open.
[The bankruptcy filing by Bennigan's and Steak and Ale] is the most extreme sign yet of how midprice, sit-down restaurants are undergoing one of their worst periods in decades...
High ingredient and labor costs are eating into profits, and several years of rapid expansion by bar and grill chains has left a glut of locations in the market. Pressures such as high gasoline prices and dwindling home values have prompted consumers to eat out less often or switch to cheaper fast-food meals.
The venerable chains weren't able to survive in part because their menus and atmosphere failed to set them apart from the pack...
"There's just too many stores in this category... most of these places aren't even that full on a Saturday night." Chains have already started slowing their expansion and shutting locations, and [restaurant consultant] Mr. Paul expects that will accelerate.
This news struck me in light of the announcement of the upcoming Chipotle on Fountain Square. Perhaps this trend favors places like Chipotle, one of the better fast food establishments (or at least it used to be, I haven't been in a while).
Employees of chains might find out the hard way [the Chicago Bennigan's was given only a few hours notice] if places like Max & Erma's, Lone Star Steaks, Olive Garden, etc. start closing around here. Old Country Buffet already filed for bankruptcy this year but plans to restructure and re-open.
02 August 2008
It's Funny Because They Were Serious
I laughed two times this week. The first time was while watching the Today show. The topic was how to have a good doctor-patient relationship. This was the exchange:
Lauer: Your first tip is "don't have a hidden agenda." What do you mean by that?
Guest: It means you should have an agenda, and it should not be hidden.
The second laugh came last night when I woke up to get a drink. I turned on the TV and saw the last segment of "Family Feud" when the family picks two people to go for the mother lode. One question was "Name a tree that streets are named after."
The first one said "eucalyptus." When the second person had her turn, she said the same thing, eucalyptus. I almost fell on the floor.
The #1 answer was "Elm," followed by probably every other kind of tree except eucalyptus.
Lauer: Your first tip is "don't have a hidden agenda." What do you mean by that?
Guest: It means you should have an agenda, and it should not be hidden.
The second laugh came last night when I woke up to get a drink. I turned on the TV and saw the last segment of "Family Feud" when the family picks two people to go for the mother lode. One question was "Name a tree that streets are named after."
The first one said "eucalyptus." When the second person had her turn, she said the same thing, eucalyptus. I almost fell on the floor.
The #1 answer was "Elm," followed by probably every other kind of tree except eucalyptus.
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