Fave Wingnut Photo of the Day

Saw this at Crooks and Liars blog. Made me chuckle... perhaps you will too. We all admire competence, right?

Photo credit:
(TIA ANN CHAPMAN / HARTFORD COURANT

Frank Partnoy: Derivative Dangers

Listen to him on Fresh Air at the link below as he explains how derivatives work, how they began, why he used to sell them and how now he will have nothing to do with them.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102325715

Star Wars Gadgest Cont'd

Gotta have one of these:



















See them at this site: http://www.firebox.com/product/2158/Star-Wars-Phone-Flashers

Economic Meltdown Had Warning in 1999!

Very interesting story on the FireDogLake blog about Senator Byron Dorgan who called this economic mess, very accurately, almost alarmingly so.

Read and watch the video with Maddow here:

http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/03/26/kudos-to-sen-byron-dorgan/

Sex, Spitzer, Derivatives: Using Our Outrage

Fascinating reading. I would like to think that Obama administration members read this and take appropriate action, using the outrage as justification for making politically difficult remedies.



I won't be holding my breath, tho.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

We Star Wars Fans Have New Cause To Celebrate!!

Wow, am I excited! A new Star Wars toy, one that every fan should have... and why has no one thought of it before.
Yes, I'm talking about a Darth Vader Hula Doll for you dashboard. See for yourself:


Follow the link below to find out how this work of art came to be!! And watch the video of Darth doing the hula. The force is strong with him.

http://community.livejournal.com/starwarscrafts/63882.html

Wine Recommendations!

Since I am fortunate enough to live here in Provence-like Sonoma county, I frequently get requests for wine recommendations. Apparently there is an impression "out there" that I qualify as a wino.
The correct word in enophile, thank you very much.

So, here are three wines that Kay and I drink often, me more than her, each under $10 here in the county (might be higher out of state, if available). We are especially fortunate that we are close to several wineries that periodically have warehouse type sales, open to the local public only. We are drinking a Viansa Barbera that was sold in such a manner just before the holidays. Fab stuff and only $5 a bottle, since it was all overrun and they wanted to dump it, so to speak.
Anyway, here are the three:

Menage a Trois is a blend of Rhone style reds and is available nationally, thanks to it being purchased by a conglomerate from the local Napa owners. I put a detailed shot so you can see how the name is spelled. There is also a white version. Usually around $9.












































Next is a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that I really enjoy. Very typical of the style, very crisp, minerally with tons of fruit. There is a strong connection between Chilean and CA winemakers.





























This Laurier Cab is a fruit bomb. Blended nicely from several vineyards, I think it's the runoff of a well known Napa winery that chooses to remain anonymous. This is usually priced in the $8 a bottle range, tho I find it on sale for just under $7 here. Cost Plus World Market might have this, Trader Joes does not.

Fun News From Daily Kos.

That wonderful republican side show continues. Sometimes, when on a bad roll, it's best to quit. But nooooo...
Read this story:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/22/711845/-BeavisButt-Head-vs.-The-Volcano

New Website Recommendation.

Nothing like Alaska politics.

http://www.themudflats.net/

Flashback: It Was Bush, GOP That Opposed Executive Compensation Caps

Republicans conveniently forget their duplicity and the corporate press never seem to remember it either. Grleat post.
About Mitch McConnell
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Attention Star Wars Fans!!

Found an incredible little Star Wars item on a British web site, link below. Perfect for when you're in a meeting where the phones have to be off but you would like to know when you get a call. Also a good way to let other people know just how "ahead of the curve" you are.


http://www.firebox.com/product/2158/Star-Wars-Phone-Flashers

Tweeting like Crazy!!

Look for me at http://twitter.com/pinotdrnkr

Sure Signs of Spring!

One, the flowers are erupting into bursts of color, as this daffodil photo demonstrates:








Two, the birthday children get together for the annual food and wine bash, this time Chez Moi and Kay. Judy has the same birthday as me, March 20; Richard's is the 21st and Susan's the 22nd. Photo taken last night (Saturday) in an early gathering this year. A good time was had by all and no one got their clothes dirty!

Photo lineup:
Me, Richard, Susan and Judy.

Meditation Timer CD Still Available!

Yep, Kay still has copies of this one-of-a-kind product for sale, $20 includes postage, for those needing some timed meditation silence. Perfect for Yoga exercise sessions too.
Contact Kay at kbingner@pacbell.net to order.

"Dotcom(e) Again" - A Story in the Works.

I've decided that the world needs to know the reasons why so many internet companies (Twitter, Second Life, 12Seconds.tv, et al) are headquartered in San Francisco and the Bay Area. What is it about this area that germinates so many successful media entities that become part of the national mediascape? Inquiring minds want to know, so I am beginning a series of interviews with CEO's of many of these companies to get their takes on it. Stay tuned!!
And if you know of a dotcom startup that is doing well, pass it along to me so I can include it in my story (whose publisher must remain anonymous at this time).

New 12 Second TV post

I just posted a new video, 12 seconds long, at this address:


http://12seconds.tv/channel/Biscuitboy/108734

let me know what you think!!

Watch This Space - New Video Coming!!

Soon as I upload from my Sony Mini-DV tape deck, I have a fun video clip of Tom Smothers demonstrating a yo-yo trick on stage at a Sonoma Valley Wine Auction several years ago. He gave me permission to post it when our paths crossed in Santa Rosa a few weeks ago. I had to do a conversion from DVCAM to mini-dv so that I could use it in my player.
Let me know what you think, once it is up.... probably tonight or tomorrow for sure.

Mainstream Media Getting It All Wrong - Again!
Here's a website I monitor a lot to get progressive news coverage. Today's entry that caught my eye:

Memo to the media

by kos

Wed Mar 04, 2009 at 09:50:04 AM PST

Dear media,

95 percent of Americans are getting a tax cut with Obama's budget. So framing this as a tax hike makes you look pretty stupid. And dishonest. And wrong. So stop it.

Hugs and kisses,

kos