Gordon Ramsey, Jumping the Shark?

You know, I've always enjoyed Ramsey's shows.  I've defended him against those who would say he was a total asshole, by pointing to his "Kitchen Nightmares" show where he helps out struggling restaurants to stay afloat.  But last night may have been the end of my defense of Ramsay.

Now, it has always been clear that Gordon has no love affair with people who are overweight.  But I've always seen that disdain as an outgrowth of the problems he sees with them performing in the intense heat and stress of a fast-moving kitchen.  You know - sweat, close-quarters, lack of agility.  that sort of thing.

But last night, after the men had won a challenge, he first calls Robert, the fat chef, into his office to tell him that he won't be able to fly on the helicopter because of insurance restrictions.  But then he seemingly gives him the good news, in that he will still be able to go, just by ferry.  Robert seems to cheer up then.

Then they switch to clips of all the other men on the helicopter and then on the island enjoying the sites.  Robert is in transit all this time.  

When he gets there, Ramsey, tells him that there is good news and bad news.  And the bad news was that they were done and that they were heading back.   Robert didn't get to enjoy the reward at all.  It just seemed so mean-spirited and childish.  I've alway enjoyed the show, but I'm seriously thinking about not watching it again.

What do you all think?  Was this over the line?

The Death of Chewbacca...

Damn!  I new that this was coming sometime within the New Jedi Order series, because, being the SW geek that I am, I listen to podcasts and read things online, but I had managed to avoid enough detail not to know that it happened in the very first book!  Chewbacca is dead!  I haven't even finished the book yet, so I don't even know how everything is going to play out, but wow.  I mean, I could see it coming at the beginning of the chapter in which it happened, but I kept thinking, "Nah, this is going to happen in the first book, surely?"  But I was wrong.  It seemed so abrupt.  

I've read some harsh opinions of this.  Some of them have more to do with how things play out afterwards then with the event itself.  I can' comment to that end, given that I've not yet finished the first book, but I found this to be a very powerful moment personally.  Sure, you hate to see a fan favorite go, but everything has to go eventually, right?  It's not as if we don't have all the past books and movies within which to relive our favorite Chewie moments.  

I find the rift that has opened between Han and Anakin particularly emotional, being a father myself, I can't imagine what that sort of thing must feel like.   But I think Salvatore takes a pretty good stab at it.

So, I look forward to the rest of this series.  I've heard review that down it for being too dark.  Good.  Just the way I like it!

Poemind.

UML Modeler for More

At the prompting of a co-worker I went looking for a UML modeler that could generate Perl code.  I had been using StarUML, but I thought I would give it a shot.  So, I came across this little number:

http://uml.sourceforge.net/index.php

I haven't used this yet, but I plan to see how it handles PHP.  Let me know if you have any experience with this piece of software.

George Lucas Needs a Padawan....

Yes, I'm a Star Wars geek. It is a fairly recent obsession honestly. And it was prompted as much by the EU (that's Extended Universe, for the Geekly-impaired) novels as the movies themselves. I read "Darth Bane: Path of Destruction" and it hooked me. But what sucks is the fact the Lucas vows that he will make no more live action SW movies. But the Darth Bane novels are screaming to be made. I think they would make great screenplays.

So, I understand that George is getting up there in years and he doesn't want to cheapen the SW legacy by making movies that might not be received well. But my idea is this: George Lucas should take on a padawan! He needs to find a young director who is a huge Star Wars fan and wants to study the Lucas way. Lucas can train this director to take over for him upon his passing. I think this is a great idea and I think that I'm going to put a petition online for it.

Tell me what you think!

Poe Was Right...

or so it would seem. An article in The New Scientists http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026861.500-did-our-cosmos-exist-before-the-big-bang.html?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=mg20026861.500

Would seem to support Poe's theory that the universe continually recycles itself, "At every beat of the heart divine". Poe reached this conclusion in his treatise "Eureka" in 1848. It was way ahead of its time but now it seems as if his view has some high profile adherents.

Poe's Full-text "Eureka" is here:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/POE/eureka.html

The Mind of Poe indeed!

On the Universal agglomeration and dissolution, we can readily conceive that a new and perhaps totally different series of conditions may ensue -- another creation and irradiation, returning into itself -- another action and reaction of the Divine Will. Guiding our imaginations by that omniprevalent law of laws, the law of periodicity, are we not, indeed, more than justified in entertaining a belief -- let us say, rather, in indulging a hope -- that the processes we have here ventured to contemplate will be renewed forever, and forever, and forever; a novel Universe swelling into existence, and then subsiding into nothingness, at every throb of the Heart Divine?

Super Ants to Take Over Europe

Here is an interesting article about a species of ant, L. neglecticus,  I think it is called, that is threatening to invade Europe.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081203/sc_livescience/superanttakingovereurope

Sometimes...

life is good. It is good to you. Those close to you .... care. Those far from you.... well.... do they matter? Maybe....

Is Obama the AntiChrist? That's a question that should get me a Google look or two....

I say.... .Who gives a shit!

I know that sounds harsh.... but I've been looking for something of the sort for many a year, and at this point, I think maybe an antichrist is just what this fucking world needs.

Now, ..... I don't see 'Antichrist' as many/most of you probably understand the term.

More later.... perhaps when I'm sober......

maybe......

Life, a crazy parade....

Life is crazy. It gets way to busy sometimes to really enjoy the passage of time. You see those roses on the side of the road but you must get to work. You see the chocolate laid out there on teh table but your break is over. You want one more hug or kiss from your child but it's time for school. Time marches on. You sit and watch as it flies by.

I'm taking an online class towards getting a master's degree in software engineering, but it is kicking my ass. I'm not sure anymore about anything. What am I doing? What am I supposed to be doing? I'm just not sure anymore.

Going back to school??

Well, I was to begin teaching a class at Pitt Community College starting next Thursday, but I found out a few hours ago that it didn't make the required enrollment minimum, so it has been canceled.  Kind of sucks, but I guess it will give me the opportunity to try and get back into school and work towards a master's degree in Software Engineering.  That would be nice because I could then possibly get a job full time teaching at the community college level.

So, the first couple of days next week will be devoted to finding out what I need to do to execute such a plan.

So Close?

I don't understand how the polls have Obama and McCain running so closely... It seems that Obama should be far ahead, yet here it is, a virtual dead heat. I'm thinking/hoping that the polls are not taking into account the vast numbers of young people that I believe Obama has brought to the table. If the young voters actual get out and go to the polls this time, it could be a different story altogether.

So, I hope that this election shows us for once, that young people care enough to actually get the hell out and vote!