I'm not quite sure I understand what the results of this quiz acutally mean, but here they are anyway.

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- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 11:22 AM

I'm sure you all seen the video or at least heard about the fiasco over the weekend in the NBA. I think the punishments dealt out by the league were appropriate for the most part, except in the case of Artest, who is on his 8th league suspension in his short career. That's worthy of a lifetime ban if you ask me. The fans are at fault as well, and the law will come down on them all eventually. But you're always going to have a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. You think Ron Artest is the only pro athlete in history to have a beer thrown at him? Take a survey, the numbers will be in the hundreds at least.

Professionals need to act that way, not like they are playing a game of street ball which is what the NBA has become over the past decade... organized street ball. I have to agree with Chris about who (generally speaking) plays and attends these games. It's a thug society, a microcosm of the lifestyle from which the players come, the inner city gangster mentality that dominates much of our entertainment today. Inflated superstar salaries and endorsement contracts only help in fueling the massive egos and holier than thou attitudes so apparent in the personalities of people like Allen Iverson, Latrell Spreewell, and Shaquille O'Neal for example.

Speaking of thug societies, anyone hear about what happened just a few days earlier at the VIBE awards? Seems as though they had their own brawl in the middle of the awards show! While Dr. Dre was being presented with a lifetime achievement award, he was jumped on the way to the stage. As you could well expect, a near riot ensued. Check out the story and video clip here.

And the country is all up in arms about a Monday night football clip of a woman's bare back. Someone's priorities are truly backwards.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 1:57 PM

We all have our guilty pleasures. My most recent is a new video by the original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. Most of you know I hate the show, but that's because of the premise not the performers. The video is for the first single "Since You've Been Gone" from her second album "Breakaway". I've got my reasons for liking it too. First off, it's a rock song. Guitars, drums, bass, etc. Secondly, the song contains the classic pop formula of quiet verse, loud uplifting chorus with that particular chord progression that's hard to resist. The song is also the first I've heard from her that actually displays her true vocal talents in a manner that make them relevant to music today. And lastly, she looks pretty damn cute in the video. I'm sure some of you remember my attraction to brunette, "girl next door" type pop stars. So go ahead and give me shit, but at least I'm man enough to admit it.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 11:03 AM

Here's a nice article from The St. Louis Post Dispatch about how the area surrounding my dad's warehouse (Production Support Services, my place of employment as well) is on the fast track to becoming the next popular St. Louis neighborhood. Along the same lines as "The Loop", "Soulard", "The Washington Loft District", "Lafayette Square", "The Central West End" and "Grand Center".

Right now, the area is most commonly referred to as Forest Park Southeast, which is quite vague considering that covers everything from "The Hill" to the "Central West End". More specifically they are talking about a stretch of Manchester Rd between Tower Grove Ave. and Sarah St and the surrounding blocks. In the 50's when the area was still a bustling shopping district, people were calling it "The Grove". Sounds kinda outdated to me. Although a new fine dining restaurant (which actually opened this summer as an old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor) has opened up called the "Mangrove" at the corner of Manchester and Tower Grove, using the names of the two streets to create the name. Yet rumor has it the establishment is owned by a gay man, so maybe its a double entendre.

Anyway, I won't say to much more other than I have definitely noticed the improvements in the neighborhood myself over the past 3 years or so and have discussed it at length with the fine folks over at the Billy Goat Restaurant and Bar, another relatively new establishment across the street from work. Who knows what's to come in the next couple of years?

UPDATE: While having a brew yesterday after work at "The Goat", I noticed that the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood Association just released their first official newsletter. It highlighted some of the same things that the StLToday article did. More specifically it mentioned that there are 6 new restaurants opening (or old establishments relocating) within the next 6 months to the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Manchester Rd. Liam mentioned in the comments section that parking is a problem. Wouldn't you know it, by April of 2005, a public parking lot will be opening at the corner of Manchester Rd and Sarah St. For even more info on the developments, visit the FPSE homepage.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 3:12 PM

... according to Movies.com that is. Stumbled across this list while searching for a good movie to rent this evening. They describe the criteria for the list as:

"a list of 10 movies in which the amber brew plays a role of pivotal importance, or at least makes for a funny scene or three."

Good enough for me.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 8:55 PM

She hasn't had the best year of her career. She's already been married, then divorced, then married again... just this year. Now there's some pretty solid evidence that she's pregnant (that's an old article, she is now married). It may be of the reasons she may have rushed to marry her backup dancer Kevin Federline after only a few months of dating, and soon after the engagement (evidence of a pregnancy announcement here). I won't even mention that she's recently canceled multiple live and TV appearances, or that she just announced that she won't tour again for "another couple of years" and that her "priorities have changed". Sweetie, you could have at least waited until your spotlight had faded before attempting to raise a kid in a normal fashion. Ain't gonna happen. That'll be one fucked up little munchkin by age 12. What's even worse... she's just release a greatest hits CD after only what maybe 3 studio albums? AND!!! It's got a cover of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" on it. Shameless.

Check out this funny little flash animation for a hilarious look at Brit's ever changing boobie size.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 9:51 PM

Ok, so I was exaggerating a bit. No programs are showing up in HD... yet. But in all seriousness, I downloaded the new Windows Media Player 10 last night, which gives me the ability to download or play straight from DVD, High Definition resolution (and aspect ratio) video. Pretty sweet if you ask me. I downloaded a couple of samples from the WinMedia website and it looks damn good. I can only do 720p (progressive scan) video right now because I only have a 15" monitor and a 64 MB video card. However, if you have a 17" or larger monitor, a 3 GHz or faster processor, and at least 128 MB of video memory, you can get resolutions up to 1080p. Whoo Hoo!!! HighDef internet porn, here I come! (Joke, hehe)

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 9:08 PM

So, I missed my chance to see the Aurora Borealis (otherwise known as the Northern Lights) the other night here in St. Louis. It's a rare occasion to see the lights so far south of the Arctic region (where they occur almost nightly) and on Monday night, the conditions were perfect for viewing. Rarely, major sun spots and solar flares cause the electromagnetic waves to drift so far south, and with the sky being as perfectly clear as it was that night, I'm kicking myself for not getting out of the city limits to take a look. Oh well, maybe in another couple of years. Here's a photo from the KSDK News Channel 5 website that someone took from just outside St. Charles:


A view from just outside the reach of the bright St. Louis lights. 

If anyone is interested in seeing some more cool photos of the lights, check out this website, or do a Google image search for "Northern Lights".

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 3:41 PM

Well, it's out. The beginning of the end for Star Wars fans. The first teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith was officially released today worldwide on the net (it was in theaters on Friday, and AOL as early as last Wednesday). From the looks of the trailer, it certainly looks like it has the potential to be the best of the three most recent films. You'll have to judge for yourself. Here's the poster:


Whoooo, look at the cape... It's a Vader mask! Spooky! 

And here's the trailer... Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 8:51 PM

Back a few weeks ago, I went to my old Jr. High to help the kiddies out with their fall play like I've done every year for the past 5 years or so. I realized that this was the first group of kids to go through that school that weren't even born when I was there (truly making me feel like and old fart).

Every year the kids are a bit different, they always look a bit older on the outside, but act a lot younger. Each year a little less respect, and for the girls, a little less clothing, but for the teachers a few more gray hairs. I'm I getting too be an old coot at only 26. "No way" I said to myself, and a few teachers confirmed that belief.

I asked a group of teachers "I just don't know how you guys do it. Put up with this on a daily basis that is. Were we really that bad 14 years ago?" I fully expected a "Hell yes" but I actually got a firm "No, not even close." The teachers went on to inform me about how stuff that we used to get suspended for, kids barely get noticed for today. Stuff that teachers would stop class and publicly make an example out of us for, is old hat and status quo now. "It scares too many parents nowadays" to paraphrase one teacher. "We could lose our jobs now if we cross the line now. But we don't know what the line is."

Too many overprotective, overly P.C. parents. Too many episodes of Oprah and Dr. Phil. Too many shrinks and counselors. Too many complacent parents dropping kids off and letting the babysitter or the day care take care of the problem. Too many TV sets playing the role of mom and dad. Too many sue happy people out there wanting to profit from the moral decay of their own children.

Sometimes you need to learn from your mistakes and learn to appreciate the little things in life. That's what I want for my kids. Paul Harvey sums up my sentiments pretty well in the passage below (with a few minor changes that suit my beliefs better).

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my (kids) grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it if you like it, you know when to say when. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend that only you, are ultimately responsible for your own decisions.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hanukkah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

"I know sour, which allows me to appreciate the sweet." - Brian [Jason Lee] from the movie Vanilla Sky

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 4:17 PM

Don't start screaming now, I'm not trying to fuel any post election debate fires again. I just thought this was too funny not to post.


"Nobody fucks with the Jesus" 

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 1:42 PM

Religion Definition
are you mono or polytheistic?	Neither
do you subscribe to a major religion?	No
how do you feel about Jesus?	Probably exsisted, possibly a schitzo, might have done a lot of mind altering drugs
what holy book do you feel is most accurate (Bible, Koran, etc)	If I have to choose one, probably the Tipitaka
do you believe in reincarnation?	Just as plausable as any other afterlife
do you believe in the traditional heaven and hell?	No
do you believe in ANY heaven and/or hell?	There's a remote possibility
do you think the god(s) are vengeful or nice?	Ummm, tricky. We'll leave it at that
do you believe in angels?	No
do you believe in miracles?	No
do you believe in predestination?	No
do you believe in original sin?	No
do you believe in freedom of will?	Yes
do you believe in souls?	Something like a soul
what do you think will happen to you when you die?	Brain will cease to function, body will decompose, lot's of people will cry.
do you think there will be an armageddon?	Only if it's brought on by natural forces or humans themselves.
why do you think we exist?	Because the right circumstances were available for life to develop on this planet.
do you believe in life on other planets?	Yes
do you believe in evolution?	Yes
do you think religion and science will always oppose the other?	No
what would you say to God if you met him/her/them today?	Dude, why you been fucking with me all along?
anything else we should know?	I don't dislike God, just organized religion
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 1:15 PM

Which Homestar Runner character are you?

this quiz was made by jurjyfrort

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 1:12 PM

Drunk people are funny. Drunk people on video getting pulled over by the cops, can potentially be much funnier. This video is definitely one of the funny ones. Poor guy, he almost weaseled out of that one. Gotta give him an "A" for effort though.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 1:10 PM

Somehow, Los Angeles Dodgers closing pitcher Eric Gagne found out about our Halloween party. Rumor has it he's interested in pitching for the Cardinals. I think he was there because just couldn't resist a chance to see Pete dressed like a flaming poo log!


In town for a meeting with Walt Jockety perhaps? 

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 11:31 AM

For one of the first times in my life, the actual process of democracy gave me chills today on my drive to work. Seeing folks out on highway overpasses with banners rooting their guy on, hearing on the radio about record voter turnouts, seeing a guy dressed as Uncle Sam at the corner gas station waving an American Flag, cars that shared a common bumper sticker giving each other a friendly honk and a thumbs up, seeing the lines of people that went to the local board of elections to vote early to ensure their voice was heard, even the guy sporting an Old Glory American Flag tie under his suit all showed me that for once in my life, people really do care about their role in our government and are passionate as hell about this particular election. No matter who wins at the end of the day, it's going to be an interesting evening.

Although over the past few months with the over abundance of media coverage and political ads, I've had some of the same feelings as this guy...


I second that notion. 

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 10:46 AM

Bernie Miklasz has a nice article today in the St. Louis Post with commentary from Red Sox fans regarding how Cardinals fans truly lived up to our label as the "best fans in baseball". It made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Something nice to take away from an otherwise poor World Series.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 10:36 AM