lifeasdaddy

lifeasdaddy - Today's podcast review.

What did two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion George Foreman dream about when he was a boy?

"...I always dreamed about not a car, not a beautiful home, but enough to eat." 

In this podcast from NPR and the Kitchen Sisters, poor people talk about how the George Foreman Grill is their kitchen.  Often in low-rent unfurnished rooms, they bu a Foreman Grill to cook on.

Then the Kitchen Sisters interview Foreman, and his delight in finding out his grill is helping poor people is just so plain to hear.

Here's the iTunes link:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=156274133&s=143441&i=12732622

Apart from that I've been listening to some pretty good dance music on iTunes this afternoon.

Great tribal house from DJ Anngelica:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=188541623&s=143441&i=13327675

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=188541623&s=143441&i=14008465

And from Radio 538 Dance Department in the Netherlands:

with Paul van Dyk:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=80488920&s=143441&i=18826452

with Scumfrog:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=80488920&s=143441&i=18627023

lifeasdaddy - Errol Morris: The best blog post ever?

Jason Kottke reckons that this piece by Errol Morris may well be the best blog post he has every read.

Morris is blogging there on the New York Times site, and there are more than 700 comments to the post.

He talks about two almost identical photographs taken by Roger Fenton in 1855 during the Crimean War.

It's interesting. 

lifeasdaddy - Kids wearing Crocs + escalator = danger!

Crocs near the side of escalator steps/treads can be very dangerous as the get stuck against the side  in a stationary position as the step continues to move.  Could result in amputated toes.

Check the Forbes article here.

And the addtional comment by Charles A. Buckman (escalator expert) here.

lifeasdaddy - Alan Greenspan explains economics.

Here's an interview with Greenspan, one of the world's greatest practical economists.  From Jon Stewart's The Daily Show.  It's actually a really good bit about the basics of a monetary system. Stewart has a rep as a comedian, but shows here he's a more than competent general interviewer.  Stewart doesn't pretend to be an expert, but he does get the expert to say some interesting things.

Most enlightening quote:

"... I’ve been in the forecasting business for 50 years. … I’m no better than I ever was, and nobody else is. Forecasting 50 years ago was as good or as bad as it is today. And the reason is that human nature hasn’t changed. We can’t improve ourselves.”

It's about 7:45 minutes.

lifeasdaddy - San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders backs gay marriage.

Jerry Sanders explains why he has changed his mind about same-sex marriage.  It's powerful - read emotional - stuff.

[ pointer from danah boyd ]

lifeadaddy - The conflict that creates high quality restaurants.

David McMillan writes a great blog about hospitality management with a focus on hotels.  I've just been catching up on his back catalogue and came across this post HOW SAD THAT WE DENOUNCE PEELING AND FLIPPING where he talks about how "... I discovered that only when conflict exists between kitchen and restaurant staff does quality exist."

Thinking back on my own time working in hotels and restaurants I have to agree with him.  When everyone in front and back of the restaurant are cozy with each other the output tends to be ordinary, mediocre and bland.  When there is creative tension quality rises.

I guess that's a warning for husband and wife restaurant teams which almost always find the two halves of the partnership working on opposite sides of the business.  One cooking, one hosting.

lifeasdaddy - We have friends ...

Continuing the motoring theme of the past few days. My friend Volf pictured on his motorcycle.  Sitting not riding.

lifeasdaddy - Cool car for Mum, Dad, and the two kids.

We also followed a red Cadillac convertible, maybe  early 60's vintage.  The registration plate was "FINS".   A car which obviously only comes out of the garage for fine days and special occasions.  Like taking the kids for a drive.

When we stopped at the traffic lights I asked if we could take their photo.  The bloke was pleased.

lifeasaddy - The limited edition Peter Brock memorial trailer.

Peter Brock was a famous Australian motor racing driver.  He died just over a year ago, but he is still remembered.

we were out driving today and followed a car towing this trailer.

The sign reads,

"King of the mountain Peter Brock 05

1945 - 2006"

lifeasdaddy - Actors playing multiple roles: The highest number?

checking this week's TV guide, I see that the BBC comedy Help is going to show on ABC TV and that Paul whitehouse plays 25 characters on the show.

Reminds me of seeing Anna Deavere Smith's one-woman play Fires in the Mirror.  she played 29 characters in that one.

I wonder what's the largest number of characters played by one actor in a single show, movie or play?