For a free app, though, it works pretty well. At least there is hope with updates, right?

First, I must say I hate what I am guilty of in this post: link-baiting. For that I am sorry. I am only doing it to try to knock down the Google ranking of The Telegraph’s Brendan Gallagher’s article on why Michael Phelps doesn’t deserve 8 gold medals. No I will not link to it because it’s one of the biggest pieces of link-bait for Americans.

In summary, the article in question is full of, as one commenter puts it, “Jealousy. Embarrassment. Frustration.” He complains about the fact that Phelps, at the time, can possibly win more gold medals than Great Britain at the games and “that can’t be right”. So, what can’t be right? That Phelps is so good or the fact that he’s not a British swimmer?

Not only does Gallagher whine about Phelps, but he whines about the Olympic format! He wants more “variety” in order, essentially, to spread the medals more equally. Mr. Gallagher, the Games may be in China, but that doesn’t mean we should have Communist Olympics.

Comrade Mr. Gallagher, can you swim 17 times in 8 events and break 7 world records within the span of 8 days using all 4 different swimming strokes? I know I can’t. Please, spare us your thoughts on what Michael Phelps deserves. We’ve come to find that you don’t deserve to write about him.

With Ortiz out, Manny Ramirez has moved to the DH, JD Drew batting 3rd, Coco Crisp in centerfield and Jacoby Ellsbury in left field.  Although the team hasn’t changed all that much offensively, they have improved defensively with a faster outfield.

Although Crisp was in trade talks this spring, he’s proven his usefulness to the team with his sharp and quick defense and improved offense.  The brawl he was involved in wasn’t a helpful factor though.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets traded for a bullpen pitcher, though.  Although needing more experience, Ellsbury has been a good starting centerfielder for the Sox. Let’s not forget Brandon Moss as well.  He’s got power and speed.

JD Drew has picked it up too. His numbers during June speak for themselves.

Well, here’s the article.

No Papi? No Problem – The Sporting News

Last Word(s):

I’ve been looking for a job, as most of you already know. If you want to see my resume on this blog, email me to get the password.

I’m finally done with school.  With the conclusion of my anthropology class, I’ve completed all my degree’s requirements. Hooray!

Here it is on YouTube and Vimeo:

The audio was taken from a test clip made with GarageBand, a firewire-capable preamp, and two microphones plugged into the preamp.

Last Word(s):

Although I had an idea of how hard the guys at Rooster Teeth do it, but I have gained a whole level of respect and admiration for those guys after working 4 hours to do this 40-second clip of amateur garbage.

The cheapest and best way to capture video on my 2008 15-in. MBP results in getting video at the maximum resolution of 720×480 @ 29.97fps. Not exactly the most desirable dimensions.

I uploaded two vids on two different services to show an example:

YouTube:

Vimeo:

As you can see, the frame rate is just fine. But the compression makes it almost unwatchable.

The above video was captured with Copus’s ADVC110 through firewire and onto my MacBook Pro and iMovie ’08. In hoping for the best results, the video is captured through s-video.

In conclusion, I found that if I want to capture anything of higher resolution, I would have to spend thousands of dollars to get anything to my (or anyone’s) satisfaction.  Although the ADVC110 is a good solution, you can see the results and they speak for themselves.

Last Word(s):
I’ve been tooling around with this for a reason: I’d like to do video review of games and I want to know how to do it myself. I have had a preamp for audio recording for a while and it only cost me $60 in order to make somewhat professional recordings. Hopefully I can find an elegant solution to my video capturing in a device costing less than $500 that will capture at least 1024×768 @ 29.97fps.

For the 6th Annual Scenic Football League (SFL) with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football:

1. Peyton Manning (Ind)
2. Donovan McNabb (Phi)
3. Adrian Peterson (Min)
4. Donald Driver (GB)
5. Ahman Green (Hou)
6. Donte’ Stallworth (NE)
7. Anthony Gonzalez (Ind)
8. DeShaun Foster (Car)
9. Benjamin Watson (NE)
10. David Akers (Phi)
11. Terence Newman DB
12. Roc Alexander DB
13. Clint Ingram DL
14. Ron Dayne RB
15. Sammy Morris RB
16. Bobby Wade WR
17. Michael Clayton WR
18. David Martin TE
19. Rob Bironas K
20. Mel Mitchell DB

Explanation:
The Ahman Green pick was done because I ran out of time and he was auto-picked. I was very lucky to get DeShaun Foster to make up for things. After the 10th round, I left the lobby, feeling it unnecessary to do any more manual picks. (Plus the banter in the live draft room was getting ridiculous with Darrant Williams and Chris Benoit jokes among other things).

As you can see, my sleeper pick was Adrian Peterson from the University of Oklahoma who was value picked by Minnesota in the first round, seventh overall pick of the NFL Draft. He’s a tough, downhill runner that I think can beat out Chester Taylor for the starting spot. If he’s the 2nd back, I doubt they’ll leave him out of 3rd down / goal line situations since he has a habit of falling forward and breaking tackles.

Donald Driver is the ole’ gun-slinger’s favorite and most trusted target.

Donte’ Stallworth is one of many weapons in the New England arsenal. I believe he has a step or two on Randy Moss.

David Akers: tough, accurate, and strong-legged kicker.

Next league: the 8th Annual Tepper Football League (TFL) with ESPN Fantasy Football:

1. Reggie Bush
2. Donovan McNabb
3. Clinton Portis
4. Adrian Peterson
5. Laveraneus Coles
6. Todd Heap
7. Donte’ Stallworth
8. Jeff Garcia
9. Deion Branch
10. Adam Vinatieri
11. Eagles D / ST
12. Dolphins D / ST
13. David Akers
14. Chris Brown

Explanation:
Reggie Bush, Donovan McNabb: Points machines, guaranteed depending their health.

Clinton Portis, Adrian Peterson: Both tough, downhill runners that keep breaking tackles and falling forward.

Todd Heap: The Stormin Mormon is the toughest active tight end in the league IMO. Need a catch in the end zone? This guy will get the job done while people are hitting him. A few seasons ago, I remember seeing this guy get an endzone catch then received a vicious hit, knocking him unconscious for a few seconds. Did he drop the ball? Hell, no. This guy makes TD catches in his sleep, literally.

Donte’ Stallworth: see above.

Jeff Garcia: I can’t believe I got him this late in the draft. With the year he had last year, he’s a quality backup to Mac-5.

Vinatieri and Akers: the two best kickers in the game, hands down. On a side note, when drafting Akers, there were many curses thrown around in the draft lobby.

Eagles and Dolphins Defense and Special Teams: Two more unbelievable steals in the draft. Dolphins with Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, and Joey Porter is just too crazy to pass up.

Chris Brown: I believe he’s a much better running back than LenDale White. Though not as powerful as White, Brown is a harder worker.

Last Word:
Surgery went well, folks. Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes. Thanks to those that visited me and tolerated my messy room. I’m crutchin around the CSU Fullerton campus…

There’s a great father/son article on ESPN.com. Got me choked up:

Holy Ground

I wish everyone a very happy Father’s Day.

Last Word:
Prince of Persia Classic has become a new obsession. It was released on the Xbox Live Arcade this past Wednesday.

I’m gonna get the board game.

Our crazy summer Monopoly nights will turn to even crazier political Catan nights.

Last Word:
Ownage

Yes, I’m the Red group, and I realize how ironic that is in sporting my Caboose beanie gamer pic.