A Glimpse of Pre-Giuliani New York

This is really interesting for someone who didn't arrive in New York until late 1996.  The drastic changes that occurred there during the mid-90s were a common and sometimes polarizing topic among New Yorkers then, with many hard-scrabble natives bemoaning the "Disney-fication" of Times Square, etc.  Nevertheless, I heard some things about the old upper west side that were hard to believe after seeing how relatively clean and crime-free it was in '97 and after.

This clip says it all.  In six years in the city, including residing in two different burroughs, I never saw graffiti inside a subway car anything like this: 

It might also surprise you to know that around '99 or so, New York ranked No. 1 as the safest big city in America.  Hard to believe, I know.  Whether you love or hate Rudy Giuliani, he was widely popular as Mayor there until he made the controversial move of pushing for the removal of a work of art from the Brooklyn Art Museum.  Of course, his lasting legacy will be his cool-handed leadership during and after the events of September 11, 2001.  In the end, I'm sure most New Yorkers would agree he did a great deal to make the city a better place.

See the full blog-post about that subway ride here:

http://gothamist.com/2012/08/20/video_a_subway_ride_to_coney_island.php

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Ad Age Report: A&E Beams Ads Into Your Head

Since I've been working on the new blog, Sports Greats Journalism Archive, I've been doing some research on advertising and marketing.  In the process, I stumbled on this very interesting article from Ad Age magazine--a respected source in the field--on a billboard that targets individual passers-by with a direct message from an audio spotlight.  The product on the billboard is the cable-TV program, "Paranormal State" appearing on--where else?--A&E.

http://adage.com/article/news/hear-voices-ad/122491/

Fascinating.

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Favicon Trouble in Blogger

You know, I've been so busy working on my new blog, Sports Greats Journalism Archive, that I've been neglecting C.B.S. a bit.  Of course, it's morphed into nothing but a log of strange computer and Internet "glitches" I experience anyway.  In my more paranoid-schizophrenic moments, I'm compelled to think it's all part of a DNS attack.  But why would anyone want to do that to li'l ol' me?

Well, I created a favicon for the future home of Sports Greats Journalism Archive, which you can visit here: http://sportsgreatsjournalismarchive.com/.  (Someone mentioned something to me about having the domain name.  Check.)  A favicon is that itty-bitty square with the site logo that appears in the browser tab and your bookmarks.  Here's the Sports Greats Journalism Archive favicon:

Cool, huh?  I like it because of the obscure rock music reference. (If only "2SG" was appropriate and would fit in that tiny little square.)  So, I thought, why not add the favicon to the current SGJA blog on blogger?

In this blogger interface page, you can see a long rectangle in the upper left corner of  the blue area labeled, "Favicon."  In the bottom right of that rectangle is the "edit" link:

Simple, right?  Well, I uploaded the image successfully, as you can see indicated in the image above, but like the many other the gadgets (WordPress calls them widgets.) I've attempted to add to the blog, the favicon does not appear.  I've refreshed the window several times.  The only gadgets that appear on my blog are default ones, I take it--blog archive and e-mail subscription--those tiny little vertical grey tabs on the right at SGJA.  It's really strange, especially considering that, as shown above, the image uploaded successfully.

In case you're wondering, "gadgets" are features such as the ones seen in the column on the right of this blog with links to other blogs, hit counter way down on the right, and my photo.  There are many others.  I've attempted to add several to Sports Greats Journalism Archive, but none appear.

Odd, no?

While we're at it, I guess I should mention this, too.  Below is an image of what you see when you first start a blog in blogger.  It's the generic look of the template before you make visual aesthetic decisions, etc:  

For whatever reason, I'd say maybe half the time I click on SGJA to open it, the version you see above is what opens.  I get the felling this really is just a glitch in blogger because the new blogger platform interface has many options and changes may take time to take effect.  Nevertheless, I can't help but wonder if that's what other people are seeing when they visit.  I've looked at the site on other computers and it usually appears correctly.  Maybe it's just my computer.

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New York Angels No-Go

Nope--it's not a major league baseball mix-up.  New York Angels is a seed-funding private investment group.  In yet another cyber oddity on my computer, their website simply will not open. 

The last time I had this problem was with, as you might recall, blogger previews and before that, my Twitter account.  There have been other such oddities I haven't posted.  I would call  it strange, but I've gotten used to it.  I guess I must be on to something.  (I'll find the right person.)

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My Computer Is Strange

It's usually very, very slow.  I apply for a couple security jobs on line and now it's flyin'. 

Northrop Grumman Systems Is Now Hiring

From The Job Search Oddities Dept.

I never get e-mail from Montser--until now.  I've been on Monster off and on since before I started getting stalked and harassed by political, corporate, etc. operatives in mid-2009.  I think my "field"  is listed on Monster as communication and writing.  Nowhere in my experience will you find a hint of "technical writing," and certainly not "Knowledge of XML data used in production of MIL-STD-400051 and/or ASD S1000D" or "Familiarity with AS9100 and CMMI."  Also, as far as I know, I don't qualify for this: "Must have the capability to receive and hold a Top Secret clearance."    I guess there must be a glitch in Monster's profile information aggregator because I just got this e-mail out of the blue... 

About the Job:

Northrop Grumman Information Systems sector is seeking a Technical Editor and Writer 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Sacramento, CA.
Where Technology and Teamwork come together supporting mission critical equipment for global security. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman Corporation Information Systems Sector supporting the AN/ASQ-230 (ASIP) SIGINT sensors installed on the Global Hawk aircraft that deploys worldwide.

Responsibilities Include:

• Writes, rewrites and/or edits technical documents such as technical procedure manuals, user manuals, programming manuals, service manuals, operational specifications, and related technical publications to communicate clearly and effectively technical specifications and instructions to a wide range of audiences.
• Acquires subject knowledge by interviewing product developers, observing performance of production methods, referring to technical specifications, blueprints, engineering illustrations, and trade journals.
• Oversees preparation of illustrative materials, selecting drawings, sketches, diagrams and charts.
• Conducts quality review of materials.
• Develop end user technical documentation and training materials for the Integrated Logistic Support group using XML editor interface and various graphic/multimedia packages.
• Represents organization as a prime contact on contracts or projects.
• Interacts with senior internal and external personnel on significant matters often requiring coordination between organizations.
• May develop and deliver presentations.

Requirements Include:

• 6 Years with Bachelors; 4 Years with Masters (may consider experience in leui of degree)
• Knowledge of XML data used in production of MIL-STD-400051 and/or ASD S1000D essential.
• Strong communication skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office software is key and essential.
• Familiarity with AS9100 and CMMI helpful.
• Must be a US citizen and have the capability to receive and hold a Top Secret clearance.

Sullinger Solid; Tribe Stinks with #1 Closer; 8-Team Field For CFB Playoff

C.B.S. Sports Notes

Sullinger Will Be Solid
Ohio State product, Jared Sullinger was a hot topic in last week's NBA draft.  League GMs' reservations regarding a back injury that nagged the 6', 9" forward last year were compounded by questions about his skill set and height, and how that combination might translate to pro ball.  All things considered, Sullinger was very appropriately snatched up by the Boston Celtics with the 21st pick in the draft.  Regardless of physical issues, Jared Sullinger never was a lottery pick as he was hyped to be.   It's true: he's a power forward by trade but falls an inch or two short at that position in the NBA.  It's also true that he has a combination of tools, including a jump-hook he can dump in from seemingly any angle, which ensured a first-round selection.

Boston GM Danny Ainge zeroing in on Sullinger makes perfect sense.  Maybe the former Celtics gritty hustler recalls from the his playing days a big man with a certain Boston nemesis .  When I think of Sullinger, the first player I'm reminded of is 6', 1" forward/center, Mychal Thompson as he fit on the late 80s championship Lakers teams--the perfect utility man to fill out a starting line full of stars.  That's Sullinger.  Expect a very solid NBA career in which he either starts or gets quality time as a 6th-man role, rebounds well, bangs around and defends very effectively down low, helps out with 15 or so points a game and otherwise picks up the slack for the go-to guys--very effectively.  Think Rick Mahorn or Charles Oakley with a few extra chops on offense.  Don't be surprised if he wins a 6th-man-of-the-year award at some point or even sneaks into an all-star game or two.  Plain and simple: he's not a small forward which is what his height would dictate in the NBA.  Another well-evidenced knock on Sullinger is that his shots get swatted too often inside.  If that was a problem in college ball, what could alleviate it in the bigs?  If anything, it might get worse.  He won't be a super-star.

Tribe Has Leading Closer; Sits at .500
According to my handy-dandy S.I. app, outspoken Cleveland Indians closer, Chris Perez is tied for the lead in saves in the majors.  Opposing batters are hitting .171 against Perez who was just selected for his second straight All-Star appearance.  Also according to my S.I. app, the Cleveland Indians are one game above .500 which is good enough for second place in the less than impressive AL Central.

Comparing any team--in any sport, really--to the New York Yankees is unfair.  Nevertheless, it's no secret that the one constant on the great Yankees teams of the past 15+ years has been Mariano Rivera who is generally considered the greatest closer ever.  Oh, but those teams were full of super-stars, right?  Really?  Take another look at the late-90s Yankees teams.  Yes--the teams that won the World Series in '96, '98, '99, and '00.  They had a young Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams and Paul O'Neil, sure, but none were bona fide super-stars at that point though those three were very, very popular and very, very good players.  Rivera's major league debut was with the Yankees in May of '95.  The mighty Yankees last World Series win prior to Rivera's sophomore year was some time in the late 70s.  The math isn't that difficult.  What else?  Let's see...

There are 2 closers currently tied with Perez for the lead in saves: a J. Johnson of the Orioles and a C. Kimbrel of Atlanta.  The Orioles' record is 42-35, the Braves, 41-36.  Yep--I'm taking the very long way around to say something very simple (I write for the sake of writing.): If your team is sitting at .500 in the worst division in baseball and has the best closer in the game, your team simply must otherwise be pretty bad.  Oh, no, wait--the tribe still has Grady Sizemore.  Apparently his injury-proneness, highlighted by a knee problem, has prevented the Yankees from snatching the potential Hall-of-Famer from the rusty jaws of Cleveland despair.  Poor Grady.  Memo to Brian Cashman:  Give ol' Grady one last look, will ya?  He deserves better.

Perfect College Football Playoff-Field Size?  8
I was going to write an in-depth opinion on the size of the playoff field in college football, but straight-talking sports caster, Bob Costas nearly said it all in a recent tweet on the subject:  "Need an 8 team w/conf. champs and 2 at large, rotate btwn 6 bowls. Keep bowl system, get a real champ."

All I might add is that I suspect that the majority of the college football world is in agreement that 16 teams is too many--with MAC and Mountain West schools keeping dissenting opinion alive--as it would devalue the regular season, the main argument of CFB playoff detractors.  I have come to agree with that sentiment after originally thinking a 16-team field would be best.  With a 16-team playoff, the possibility exists that the top 2 or 3 teams in the nation would have the option of pulling their stars in their final regular-season or even their conference championship game, however unlikely that might seem, and still get a playoff berth.  I doubt any team would take such a chance with an 8-team field.  Also, with an 8-team field, season-ending clashes between 1-loss and undefeated rivals--which has been known to happen between between Ohio State and Michigan, for example, or in many conference championship games--would, in effect, be for a playoff berth.  With a 16-team field, the loser of such a game would still have playoff hopes.  8's the best number.

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Former NFL Guard's Story Similar to Chris Brymer's

In a March, 2011 Tampa Bay Times article, Stephen F. Holder writes of former Buccaneers offensive lineman, Aaron Sears and his suffering from apparent mental instability.  Sears is the most recent NFL vet to join the class-action suit against the league involving debilitating brain injuries.  Sears' story is similar to that of former USC standout, Chris Brymer--also an offensive lineman:

"Media Coverage of Hidden Brain Damage Mounts" --J. Paul Zoccali, Communication By Symbol

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Groping by TSA Screeners a "Self-Entangled" Mess

Here's a post from Los Angeles Airlines/Airport Examiner Joel Sigfried about airport security screeners groping passengers' breasts and genitalia.  I pass it on because I watched the exact scenario described happen to my terminally ill, elderly mother as she sit in her wheelchair--in tears.

Woman charged with groping TSA supervisor in Fort Myers, Fla.

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Funky Dancer in SF

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