Depressed Fat Man Approaching New York

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

Fifteen years ago, Steve Vaught of Oceanside, California accidentally killed two pedestrians in a car accident.  That sent him in a downward spiral of depression, and within three years, he had gained 150 pounds (taking his weight to 410). Last year on April 10, he decided he had to do something to turn his life around.  So he decided to … Read More

Friday iPod Random Ten

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia! Broadway Cast Recording Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John with Billy Joel Prologue – Renaissance Undertow – Suzanne Vega Our Lips Are Sealed (a capella) – Tufts Jackson Jills Rock The Casbah – The Clash Get Closer – Seals & Crofts … Read More

A Recipe For Disaster

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

Soccer, more than any other sport, is an international sport known for (among other things) a high death toll among its riotous fans. That’s why I think that a planned soccer match between Muslim imams and Catholic priests — in Berlin (a city not unfamiliar with violence) no less — is a bad idea.

The “Five Weird Habits” Meme

Ken AshfordPersonalLeave a Comment

Mannion did it.  So did Shakepeare’s Sister.  So will I. MY FIVE HABITS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED WEIRD: (1)  When reading or considering something, I stroke my goatee just like scientists in the 19th century did.  Except I don’t have a goatee.  I just stroke my chin in an affected way.  Except that I’m usually not aware that I’m doing … Read More

Talk About A Bad Life

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

This opening graf hurts to read: CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — A man who spent 12 years in prison for murder before new DNA testing exonerated him last year was killed in a hit-and-run as he walked on the city’s South Side.

Friday iPod Random Ten

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

Haven’t done this in a while: Jive Talkin’ – Bee Gees In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel Luka – Suzanne Vega Mess Around – Ray Charles Taurus II – Mike Oldfield Live and Let Die – Paul McCartney It’s Too Late – Carole King Schadenfreude – Avenue Q What Child Is This – Vince Guaraldi The Wreck of the Edmund … Read More

Just Wondering….

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

After reading that China released a panda named Xiang-Xiang into the wild (the first time this has happened), I came to wonder: Why are pandas always given the same first and last names?

Greenwald #1

Ken AshfordWeb RecommendationsLeave a Comment

I’ve often quoted and linked to blogger and First Amendment lawyer Glenn Greenwald on this site, noting (several times) that his blog’s contribution to the NSA wiretapping story is inestimable. Looks like Glenn is doing well in the regular media as well.  His book — How Would A Patriot Act? — is ranked number #1 on Amazon.  (It was ranked … Read More

Emilymark.net

Ken AshfordWeb Recommendations1 Comment

I spent some of this weekend building a website for a friend.  Please check it out and leave comments here.  Or, if you know and see Emily, let her know.  Or leave a comment on Emily’s message board. I’m not looking for compliments — I’m looking for bugs and/or ways to improve it.  Is it legible?  Is it too slow … Read More