Something To Consider

I just read that the Tiger Woods golf course in Dubai, when it is completed, will require four million gallons of desalinated water each week. The desalination process generates as much in emissions per gallon as burning a gallon of gas in an automobile.

On the other hand, if you can afford to build islands to represent the world I guess you can pretty much do just about anything.

The World In Dubai


Those aren't just little islands either. You are talking about islands where you can put up resorts and have plenty of room left over for luxurious vacation homes.

And let's not forget Dubai's ski-resort inside a shopping mall.

Puts Mall Of America To Shame


Dubai also just completed the world's tallest building.

Burj Dubai

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to worry about bureaucracy or democracy or any of that stuff that just gets in the way and slows you down. It is good to be the king, or the sheik, or whatever.

I guess we can take a bit of pride in the fact that our consumption of oil helped build all of this stuff.

Random Thoughts

If I did an email filter on "enlarge," "penis," and "manhood" I probably wouldn't get any email at all.

Have you noticed that more and more television commercials have a telephone ringing somewhere in the background? I think this is to get your attention because somehow you always subconsciously respond to a ringing telephone.

I hate getting official looking mail that says "Important Tax Information, Open At Once" only to find out it is an advertisement for a tax preparation service.

Would you buy a ShamWow from this man?



I did get a Slap Chop for Christmas, though.

CNNI

I have a recommedation for those of you who like news but get tired of the repetitive pap you get on most news programs. Even The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer tends to go into repeat mode after the first hour. Jack Cafferty's cynicism keeps it interesting, though.

I may have already mentioned that I like BBC, but I just recently discovered CNNI, CNN's international news channel. I would strongly recommend that you check it out if you can get it. For those of you who like business news with a bit of a twist I recommend Quest Means Business with host Richard Quest. Quite informative and very entertaining.

If it hadn't been for CNNI I wouldn't have known about the cricket scandal concerning doctored balls. The cricket balls, not the player's. Although after the Tiger Woods scandal I can see where there might be some confusion (but that would be golf).

Speaking of Tiger Woods, be sure to check out this month's issue of Vanity Fair. Or at least the cover. I am holding my breath while waiting for a similar picture of John Daly.

Airport Security

Let's see, the result of someone sneaking explosives aboard an airplane in their shoe is that we now have to remove our shoes when we go through security. And the result of someone trying to sneak explosives aboard an airplane in their underwear will be...?

The sad thing is that for a long time I had joked that if the shoe-bomber had stuffed his explosives up his butt we would now be having cavity searches before we could board an airplane. I guess I wasn't too far off base.

And, let me get this straight, days after a supposed increase in airport security someone walks, unimpeded, into a secure area in the Newark Airport bypassing all security checks simply by using the, apparently unguarded, exit? And this causes major delays, dozens of flights to be grounded, arriving flights to be delayed because delayed departures were blocking the gates, and thousands of people to be rescreened.

Of course, they never found the person who bypassed security. Officials said "It was possible the man simply walked the wrong way through the security checkpoint," whatever that means. They should also have said none of the security measures seemed able to prevent this.

The thing that I think about is Can you imagine all of the places such as bars, restaurants, shops, bathrooms, etc. where this person could have hidden explosives during the confusion when everyone was being cleared from the area to be re-screened?

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about our new "enhanced" airport security.

Okay, I know this is a bit of a differnt subject than what I usually post about, but I do spend a fair amount of time in airports and on airplanes, and I do blog about airport bars and restaurants.

Of course after posting this I will probably be forced to take a bus when I go to Mexico at the end of the month.

Be Still My Beating Heart

The year 2010 is proving to be very interesting so far.

After a spectacular comeback against Atlanta (and Nat Robinson scoring over 40 points) the Knicks creamed Indiana today, beating them 132 to 89. At one point they were leading by 48, the biggest lead any team has had so far this season. The Knicks have now won 10 out of their last 15 games.

And, as I post this, the Jets are killing the Bengals, up 27 to zip at the half and holding the Bengals to a total of 7 yards. If the Jets win tonight they are in the play-offs.

Oh, and Brett Favre passed for over 300 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions as the Vikings beat the Giants 44 to 7. Brett has passed for over 30 touchdowns this year for the ninth time in his career and for over 4,000 yards for the sixth time. And, most surprising, he has thrown only 7 interceptions, the fewest in his 18 year run as a starter. Give him another few years and I bet he will be really good.

Oh Brett, where were you last year when you were a Jet?

Addendum: Jets won 37 to zip and face the Bengals again on Saturday for round one of the playoffs. GO JETS