Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Note to self...
Hm.....KC, P&G and GC!
P&G cuts outlook, says sales slowing
Los Angeles Times to Cut 300 Jobs, 70 in Newsroom
Gannett, the largest U.S. newspaper publisher of USA Today, To Take Quarterly Charge Of Up To $5.2 Billion Another newspaper publisher, Media General (MEG) and New York Times Co. (NYT) are recently taking some drastic action. NP1 really needs book badly.
P&G cuts outlook, says sales slowing
Los Angeles Times to Cut 300 Jobs, 70 in Newsroom
Gannett, the largest U.S. newspaper publisher of USA Today, To Take Quarterly Charge Of Up To $5.2 Billion Another newspaper publisher, Media General (MEG) and New York Times Co. (NYT) are recently taking some drastic action. NP1 really needs book badly.
The largest U.S. phone company, AT&&T freezes salaries of 120,000 management, a few suggested that we are in L-town, and we can take a pay cut, I tink Blue Heron aleady did that, maybe we are next.
IP posts loss, hurt by mill closures, other costs, no one is winning!
Denver tops list of preferred American cities, the WEST is better! Portland and Seattle are on the list!
Taken, another old Harry Ford.
No Reports of Damage From 4.5 Seattle Earthquake
Caterpillar To Cut 2,110 More Jobs At 3 Illinois Plants, the layoffs are in addition to the 20,000 job cuts Caterpillar announced Monday.
Swedish clothing store H&M creates up to 7,000 new jobs , seriously? People will shop for clothes?
P&G 2Q profits rise 53 percent, sales drop, hm... tissues option...
Japsanese electronic giant NEC's loss widens, plans to cut 20,000 workers
Japan's Hitachi forecasts $7.7B loss; to cut 7,000 jobs
Bartiromo Goes In For The Kill
Recession Triggers Memories Of Great Depression
'Dating A Banker Anonymous': Did The New York Times Get Punked?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
My Mom is a Fob & My Dad is a Fob, 2 super fun APA sites.
The blame game starts at Davos
Thursday job cuts could exceed 13,000; AstraZeneca -6,000; Kodak -3,500 to 4,500; Oshkosh -1,050; Cessna -2,000; Bon-Ton Stores -1,150; Charles Schwab - 500 to 600 jobs.
唐狗女被困10呎深雨水道獲救
Plan to Close Chinese-Language Paper Deepens a Shadow Over the Ethnic Press, we need Ming Pao.
Obama, an ox himself, commemorates the year of the ox link
Hong Kong rebel, I am not 100 % convinced.
Australia debates ditching Queen, I love the queen too.
Must-See Green American Landmarks
50 Most Powerful Women in Business
No layoffs -- ever! Nugget, Devon Energy, Aflac, QuikTrip, Container Store, NuStar Energy, Stew Leonard's, Scottrade & Publix Super Markets. Well, 3 of them are grocergies chains.. We need food even when we are broke.
The blame game starts at Davos
Thursday job cuts could exceed 13,000; AstraZeneca -6,000; Kodak -3,500 to 4,500; Oshkosh -1,050; Cessna -2,000; Bon-Ton Stores -1,150; Charles Schwab - 500 to 600 jobs.
唐狗女被困10呎深雨水道獲救
Plan to Close Chinese-Language Paper Deepens a Shadow Over the Ethnic Press, we need Ming Pao.
Obama, an ox himself, commemorates the year of the ox link
Hong Kong rebel, I am not 100 % convinced.
Australia debates ditching Queen, I love the queen too.
Must-See Green American Landmarks
50 Most Powerful Women in Business
No layoffs -- ever! Nugget, Devon Energy, Aflac, QuikTrip, Container Store, NuStar Energy, Stew Leonard's, Scottrade & Publix Super Markets. Well, 3 of them are grocergies chains.. We need food even when we are broke.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Employers cut 14,100 more jobs; Boeing -10,000 (50% of that from the state of WA) jobs (included 4,500 jobs previously announced); Starbucks -6,700; Allstate -1,000; AOL -700; Abbott Laboratories -200; Jabil Circuit -3,000; Nissan -110 U.S. jobs; Dell Inc. -??? jobs
Starbucks announces 6,700 more job cuts., this is really bad news for WA.
Boeing plans to cut 10,000 jobs, this is really bad news for WA.
Asda creating 7,000 new UK jobs, not the best news, ASDA is UK's Walmart. Crappy goods domination.
Panasonic to cut 560 jobs, close Asian plants
婚姻如賭博
救小狗功虧一簣 眾志成城拯救70小時 麻醉後拖出牆罅不治
Mixed fortunes for US companies, so what do we learn? We like chocolate (Hershey) and check mark telecom (Verizon). We don't like sand (Corning) and paint (Dupont).
Siemens confident on 2009 profit
Car Parts Maker Engineering group GKN cut 2,800 jobs
Steel firm Corus cuts 3,500 jobs worldwide
Political Buzz
'Atlas Shrugged': From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years
Starbucks announces 6,700 more job cuts., this is really bad news for WA.
Boeing plans to cut 10,000 jobs, this is really bad news for WA.
Asda creating 7,000 new UK jobs, not the best news, ASDA is UK's Walmart. Crappy goods domination.
Panasonic to cut 560 jobs, close Asian plants
婚姻如賭博
救小狗功虧一簣 眾志成城拯救70小時 麻醉後拖出牆罅不治
Mixed fortunes for US companies, so what do we learn? We like chocolate (Hershey) and check mark telecom (Verizon). We don't like sand (Corning) and paint (Dupont).
Siemens confident on 2009 profit
Car Parts Maker Engineering group GKN cut 2,800 jobs
Steel firm Corus cuts 3,500 jobs worldwide
Political Buzz
'Atlas Shrugged': From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The box-maker files for Chapter 11; No Faith In Smurfit-Stone; this may aid IP.
Corning Inc. -3,500; Baker Hughes -1,500; Navistar International Corp -700; Avery Dennison -3,600; Volvo Trucks North America -650; Weyerhaeuser -220 and Target -1,500 job cuts; More than 11,500 job cuts announced Tuesday
Cows with Names Make More Milk
Poor doggie, 唐狗被困四天 救出不治
The Best (and Worst) Fast-Food French Fries
Weyerhaeuser Announces Closures of Two Washington Mills, we are joining the un-employment line.
Corning slashes 3,500 jobs, they amke glass for LCD screens and monitors in addition to fiber-optic technology.
Surrounded by friends? It's all in your genes
Global Warming Is Irreversible, Study Says
科大MBA升一級全球16 《金融時報》排行榜 本港唯一百強課程
MBAs Look For High-Paying Jobs In Down Market
Corning Inc. -3,500; Baker Hughes -1,500; Navistar International Corp -700; Avery Dennison -3,600; Volvo Trucks North America -650; Weyerhaeuser -220 and Target -1,500 job cuts; More than 11,500 job cuts announced Tuesday
Cows with Names Make More Milk
Poor doggie, 唐狗被困四天 救出不治
The Best (and Worst) Fast-Food French Fries
Weyerhaeuser Announces Closures of Two Washington Mills, we are joining the un-employment line.
Corning slashes 3,500 jobs, they amke glass for LCD screens and monitors in addition to fiber-optic technology.
Surrounded by friends? It's all in your genes
Global Warming Is Irreversible, Study Says
科大MBA升一級全球16 《金融時報》排行榜 本港唯一百強課程
MBAs Look For High-Paying Jobs In Down Market
Fight, fight and fight
I just found out that Katie from APM is at OHSU being treated for leukemia. Hope she is doing well with her treatment.
'The Wrestler' Director: Fake Sport, Real Pathos
Kenneth Turan Picks His Favorite Films Of 2008; watch for: Slumdog Millionaire, The Class, Happy-Go-Lucky, Rachel Getting Married, Wall-E and Waltz With Bashir
Why Are There So Many Holocaust Movies?
'The Reader' and 'Doubt' Tackle Generational Divides
Kenneth Turan Picks His Favorite Films Of 2008; watch for: Slumdog Millionaire, The Class, Happy-Go-Lucky, Rachel Getting Married, Wall-E and Waltz With Bashir
Why Are There So Many Holocaust Movies?
'The Reader' and 'Doubt' Tackle Generational Divides
A letter to co-mentee
God could wait, get a new car, how old are you? 80. You already are.
Your cool bud
Boringfish
Your cool bud
Boringfish
It's snowing
It wouldn't be Portland if people weren't biking in the snow. This unidentified cyclist decided to take the sidewalk near NE 21st and Sandy Boulevard. Photo by Bill RobersonLink
Snow, freezing rain during commute
Monday, January 26, 2009
Global job cuts
Caterpillar - 20,000; ING - 7,000; Philips - 6,000; Corus - 3,500; Home Depot - 7,000; Pfizer/Wyeth - 20,000; Texas Instruments - 3,400; Sprint Nextel - 8,000; General Motors - 2,000 Link
Also, Brooks Automation Inc. said it plans to get rid of 350 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force and oilfield services provider Halliburton Co. said it will eliminate jobs in markets particularly hard hit by the recession, though it didn't provide details. Its larger rival Schlumberger Ltd. said last week it will cut up to 5,000 jobs worldwide in the first half of 2009 and consider further reductions this spring. More layoff victims
Deere& Co- 700; Over 71,400 jobs lost in 1 day
And more are coming? Economic forecasters see more job cuts ahead
Also, Brooks Automation Inc. said it plans to get rid of 350 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force and oilfield services provider Halliburton Co. said it will eliminate jobs in markets particularly hard hit by the recession, though it didn't provide details. Its larger rival Schlumberger Ltd. said last week it will cut up to 5,000 jobs worldwide in the first half of 2009 and consider further reductions this spring. More layoff victims
Deere& Co- 700; Over 71,400 jobs lost in 1 day
And more are coming? Economic forecasters see more job cuts ahead
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Harley-Davidson to slash 1,100 jobs
Reported talks to buy Wyeth could transform Pfizer
Geithner signals tougher stance on China
Dow, Rohm & Haas in talks to close $15.4 deal
Audi to stop work for five days
Apple's first Macintosh turns 25
Two Portland directors nominated for Oscars
Obama's family
World's First Air-Powered Car: Zero Emissions by Next Summer
Mark Bittman: Eating Right Can Save The Planet
Climber Dies On Mt. Hood, why would they be up there in such bad weather?
Warmer Climate Doubles Tree Deaths In Western Forests; AP news
Hotels Trim Amenities Amid Recession
Best Day of the Week to Get Cheap Airline Seats
Meltdown 101: Travel industry vs. the 'staycation'
Toyota mulls cutting 1,000 full-time jobs
Where You Won't Shop in 2009, oh no Ann Taylor!?
5 Reasons to Avoid Liquidation Sales
White House stuck in "technological dark ages"
Hello Kitty helps calm moms at Taiwan hospital
Mayor apologizes for sex with teen intern, will he step down?
New WH site offers candid bios
GM loses sales title to Toyota, go out and buy some big ass GM auto, you will help me too, we are making the car manual at mill town! Go paper or do you really want to download your auto manual from the web? That would use paper too.
Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state, who else could it be?
United Airlines to cut 1,000 jobs, the airline had previously announced it was cutting 1,500 positions in the second quarter of last year.
Little Luxuries Faring Well In Flagging Economy
Study Busts Antarctica's Chill On Global Warming
Disney sends buyout offers to 600 parks executives
Investors put stock in feng shui
Ex-KGB spy buys UK paper for £1
Ericsson reports profit drop, to cut 5,000 jobs
In Antarctica, scientists hail President Obama
What's your due when you lose a job?
The 10 best U.S. cities to find a job in 2009, yeah, Madison, Wis.
Generation Y job-seekers hit hard
Warner Bros. to cut 800 jobs, 10% of its worldwide staff
Layoffs hit the wind industry, Clipper Windpower laid off 90 employees - about 11% of its workforce
German retailer, Metro cuts 15,000 jobs
Dutch-owned Food firm Vion cutting 820 jobs
Hertz says over 4,000 jobs to go
Fiat, Chrysler Sign Deal
BHP Billiton to shed 6,000 jobs
Johnson & Johnson 4Q profit rises 14 percent, I should look for that direction... *smile* or maybe Wisconsin!
Bank of America Could Cut 4,000 Jobs
Portland mayor admits past relationship with teen
Toyota taps founder's grandson as new president
Universal health care, in Western Europe, it's a reality, you can start with Germany, then France, Netherlands, U.K, and Switzerland! We can make it a happen!
Natural disasters doomed early civilization
Thirty Things a 7 years old Believe
55歲救生員挑戰全球爭筍工 應徵大堡礁保育員「未試過點知唔得」
Global slump casts a pall over Chinese New Year
Reported talks to buy Wyeth could transform Pfizer
Geithner signals tougher stance on China
Dow, Rohm & Haas in talks to close $15.4 deal
Audi to stop work for five days
Apple's first Macintosh turns 25
Two Portland directors nominated for Oscars
Obama's family
World's First Air-Powered Car: Zero Emissions by Next Summer
Mark Bittman: Eating Right Can Save The Planet
Climber Dies On Mt. Hood, why would they be up there in such bad weather?
Warmer Climate Doubles Tree Deaths In Western Forests; AP news
Hotels Trim Amenities Amid Recession
Best Day of the Week to Get Cheap Airline Seats
Meltdown 101: Travel industry vs. the 'staycation'
Toyota mulls cutting 1,000 full-time jobs
Where You Won't Shop in 2009, oh no Ann Taylor!?
5 Reasons to Avoid Liquidation Sales
White House stuck in "technological dark ages"
Hello Kitty helps calm moms at Taiwan hospital
Mayor apologizes for sex with teen intern, will he step down?
New WH site offers candid bios
GM loses sales title to Toyota, go out and buy some big ass GM auto, you will help me too, we are making the car manual at mill town! Go paper or do you really want to download your auto manual from the web? That would use paper too.
Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state, who else could it be?
United Airlines to cut 1,000 jobs, the airline had previously announced it was cutting 1,500 positions in the second quarter of last year.
Little Luxuries Faring Well In Flagging Economy
Study Busts Antarctica's Chill On Global Warming
Disney sends buyout offers to 600 parks executives
Investors put stock in feng shui
Ex-KGB spy buys UK paper for £1
Ericsson reports profit drop, to cut 5,000 jobs
In Antarctica, scientists hail President Obama
What's your due when you lose a job?
The 10 best U.S. cities to find a job in 2009, yeah, Madison, Wis.
Generation Y job-seekers hit hard
Warner Bros. to cut 800 jobs, 10% of its worldwide staff
Layoffs hit the wind industry, Clipper Windpower laid off 90 employees - about 11% of its workforce
German retailer, Metro cuts 15,000 jobs
Dutch-owned Food firm Vion cutting 820 jobs
Hertz says over 4,000 jobs to go
Fiat, Chrysler Sign Deal
BHP Billiton to shed 6,000 jobs
Johnson & Johnson 4Q profit rises 14 percent, I should look for that direction... *smile* or maybe Wisconsin!
Bank of America Could Cut 4,000 Jobs
Portland mayor admits past relationship with teen
Toyota taps founder's grandson as new president
Universal health care, in Western Europe, it's a reality, you can start with Germany, then France, Netherlands, U.K, and Switzerland! We can make it a happen!
Natural disasters doomed early civilization
Thirty Things a 7 years old Believe
55歲救生員挑戰全球爭筍工 應徵大堡礁保育員「未試過點知唔得」
Global slump casts a pall over Chinese New Year
They are hiring?
Who are these companies?
Edward Jones, Google, Wegmans Food Markets, Cisco systems, Genentech, Methodist Hospital System, Whole Foods Market, Microsoft, Burns & McDonnell, Ernst & Young, Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Scripps Health, Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health South Florida, Bright Horizons, Publix Super Markets, T-Mobile, Accenture. So heatlh care in general? I am skeptical.
Edward Jones, Google, Wegmans Food Markets, Cisco systems, Genentech, Methodist Hospital System, Whole Foods Market, Microsoft, Burns & McDonnell, Ernst & Young, Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Scripps Health, Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health South Florida, Bright Horizons, Publix Super Markets, T-Mobile, Accenture. So heatlh care in general? I am skeptical.
Coffee, Emily, Romeo and Mocha are the best kind.
Best in breed: The top 10 dogs of the year in USA
#10: Shih Tzu
#9: Poodle
#8: Bulldog
#7: Dachshund
#6: Boxer
The well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the boxer is a powerful dog with an intelligent and alert expression. While they are instinctive guardians, the boxer loves to be with his people. This personality has allowed them to succeed as couriers during wartime and as seeing-eye dogs for the blind. One of the breed’s most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection, especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. Appearing in both fawn and brindle colors, the boxer’s short coat requires minimal maintenance, but he is an active dog that needs daily exercise.
#5: Beagle-Maki
#4: Golden Retriever
#3: German Shepherd
The German shepherd dog is hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than just a hard worker. It is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body, and can be most colors except white. Energetic and fun-loving, this breed is a loyal family pet, a good guard dog and the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.
#2: Yorkshire Terrier
#1: Labrador Retriever
#10: Shih Tzu
#9: Poodle
#8: Bulldog
#7: Dachshund
#6: Boxer
The well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the boxer is a powerful dog with an intelligent and alert expression. While they are instinctive guardians, the boxer loves to be with his people. This personality has allowed them to succeed as couriers during wartime and as seeing-eye dogs for the blind. One of the breed’s most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection, especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. Appearing in both fawn and brindle colors, the boxer’s short coat requires minimal maintenance, but he is an active dog that needs daily exercise.
#5: Beagle-Maki
#4: Golden Retriever
#3: German Shepherd
The German shepherd dog is hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than just a hard worker. It is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body, and can be most colors except white. Energetic and fun-loving, this breed is a loyal family pet, a good guard dog and the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.
#2: Yorkshire Terrier
#1: Labrador Retriever
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Regional Hit
Unemployment: Regional Ripples
Microsoft resorts to first layoffs, cutting 5,000, R & D folks will get the hit and 1500 jobs in WA will be lost today.
OHSU Cuts Jobs To Close $35 Million Budget Hole; up to 1,000 jobs lost in OR
Being 'nice' on bad loans cost Bank of Clark County
Intel plans manufacturing consolidation which will affect up to 6,000 jobs worldwide, that could mean up to 1000 oregon job lost. Intel is the world's largest semiconductor company, with 80 percent of the world's market for microprocessors, the brains of personal computers.
Cowlitz County's unemployment rate hits 11.5 percent in December
WA's unemployment rate jumps to 7.1 percent in December
Oregon's jobless rate hits 9.1%, 23-year high
Microsoft resorts to first layoffs, cutting 5,000, R & D folks will get the hit and 1500 jobs in WA will be lost today.
OHSU Cuts Jobs To Close $35 Million Budget Hole; up to 1,000 jobs lost in OR
Being 'nice' on bad loans cost Bank of Clark County
Intel plans manufacturing consolidation which will affect up to 6,000 jobs worldwide, that could mean up to 1000 oregon job lost. Intel is the world's largest semiconductor company, with 80 percent of the world's market for microprocessors, the brains of personal computers.
Cowlitz County's unemployment rate hits 11.5 percent in December
WA's unemployment rate jumps to 7.1 percent in December
Oregon's jobless rate hits 9.1%, 23-year high
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Who has it easy?
Cost-cutting Google scraps newspaper ad program
Bankruptcy near for Smurfit-Stone, the stock closed at 0.0460 today.
MeadWestvaco to cut 2,000 jobs, 10% of its global force
Hebei Yongxin of China begins mechanical tests on PM, a new recycled linerboard machine in China is ready to have commerical production in March this year.
G-P announces layoffs, indefinitely shutting one of its 3 linerboard machines at Cedar Springs, GA
KapStone temporarily idles linerboard machine at North Charleston, KapStone Purchased MeadWestvaco's North Charleston Division last April.
Catalyst to curtail newsprint and market pulp production, Crofton and Elk Falls mills in British Columbia and Snowflake, Arizona mill, all 3, WY competitors.
Can you believe this? China is still buying new machine. Metso to supply fine paper machine to Sun Paper Group in China
BOISE CASCADE ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF WHITE CITY PLYWOOD MILL in ORegon
NewPage To Take 150,000 Tons Of Downtime In First Quarter Of 2009
KRUGER TO REDUCE NEWSPRINT PRODUCTION IN 2009
UPM CONCLUDES SALE OF ITS ASSETS IN MIRAMICHI, CANADA, i wonder what the new owner will do to the disabled paper machines that no longer be used for paper production.
IMPACTS OF BOTNIA'S KASKINEN PULP MILL CLOSURE TO UPM
Minnesota Star Tribune files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Gannett offers to sell assets of the Tucson Citizen or they will close it.
Chicago Tribune to introduce tabloid-size edition
Bankruptcy near for Smurfit-Stone, the stock closed at 0.0460 today.
MeadWestvaco to cut 2,000 jobs, 10% of its global force
Hebei Yongxin of China begins mechanical tests on PM, a new recycled linerboard machine in China is ready to have commerical production in March this year.
G-P announces layoffs, indefinitely shutting one of its 3 linerboard machines at Cedar Springs, GA
KapStone temporarily idles linerboard machine at North Charleston, KapStone Purchased MeadWestvaco's North Charleston Division last April.
Catalyst to curtail newsprint and market pulp production, Crofton and Elk Falls mills in British Columbia and Snowflake, Arizona mill, all 3, WY competitors.
Can you believe this? China is still buying new machine. Metso to supply fine paper machine to Sun Paper Group in China
BOISE CASCADE ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF WHITE CITY PLYWOOD MILL in ORegon
NewPage To Take 150,000 Tons Of Downtime In First Quarter Of 2009
KRUGER TO REDUCE NEWSPRINT PRODUCTION IN 2009
UPM CONCLUDES SALE OF ITS ASSETS IN MIRAMICHI, CANADA, i wonder what the new owner will do to the disabled paper machines that no longer be used for paper production.
IMPACTS OF BOTNIA'S KASKINEN PULP MILL CLOSURE TO UPM
Minnesota Star Tribune files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Gannett offers to sell assets of the Tucson Citizen or they will close it.
Chicago Tribune to introduce tabloid-size edition
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2009 Uke season
PDXUke 3 chord club is in business in February.. another place to learn uke.
Jim D'Ville & Caravan Gogh on Art Beat
Jim D'Ville & Caravan Gogh on Art Beat
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Lots of job cut
Yo-Yo Ma Picks Music Contest Winners
AMD to cut 1,100 workers, 9 pct of staff
Can A Pregnant Woman's Diet Affect Baby's Sex?
Love the eyelashes. Who is your doctor?, Botox is so much more attractive to hide all my wrinkles.... :P
Motorola to cut 4,000 more jobs in 2009
Jaguar Land Rover cuts 450 staff
Virgin's US flagship store shuts
China economy grew to world's 3rd largest in 2007
Washington County jobs cuts announced
ODOT To Close Two Lanes Of I-5 In Portland Overnight, yeah, fix those potholes.
Tired Of Talking About Race? So Am I, But It's Vital
Chocolate: A Food Without Borders and BEER!
Colds And Quality Of Sleep Linked, Study Shows, honestly, how many hours of sleep do you get?
Chinese Electric Car Jolts The Competition, electric car, are we ready for it? Will you go buy one today?
Feeling pretty? Hormones may lead to more...
Retailers Gottschalks and Goody's file for bankruptcy
112 years old Nortel seeks bankruptcy protection, shares plunge,
Employees get a break -- but they don't get paid, 3 of my friends got downtime over the winter break!
Rent-a-friend in Japan, money can buy happiness!
How to land dream island job, Dave, go fo it!
UK bank Barclays to cut 2,100 jobs due to downturn
Drugmaker Pfizer cutting up to 800 scientist jobs.. another prospect on my job lists get crossed out!
Super-Predators: Humans Force Rapid Evolution of Animals
More firms go bankrupt in Japan
Refinery fire injures 4, yikes!
PETA Attempts To Make Fish More Adorable, oh I am evil, I love eating my Omega-3 oil!
Joan Rivers Talks About Nips, Tucks And New Book
The Secret To Selling When Nobody's Buying
Neglected Films Of 2008 Still Well Worth Seeing
Love, love, love cilantro
Would-be bride, 107, seeks first husband; wow, I will be the 108 years old bride! That calls procrastination!
港連續15年膺全球最自由經濟體系; 香港經濟自由度續全球第一
Couple exchanges wedding vows inside Illinois Taco Bell, really classy, Illionis and Australia style!
'Slumdog Millionaire' wins 4 at Golden Globes, go Slumdog MM!
豐澤派三百萬花紅
公益金籌款「十年來最差」; 匯率下跌最頭痛 社協﹕歐洲捐款蒸發一截
凍到暈 打鼓嶺零下一度; 打鼓嶺零下1℃ 16年來最冷 HOT POT, YUM!!!
青協社企推「自煮餸包」 二人分量為主 貼營養標籤
港人「嘥米飯」食物浪費嚴重; 84％港人外膳吃剩飯 食肆推「少飯減1元」
斜視不早醫變「大細面」
Youngest Briton to scale Everest dies on France's Mont Blanc
Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Down Jacket
What To Wear At -78 Degrees
2009 Food Trends: A Side Dish Of Recession
14 Percent of U.S. Adults Can't Read
States with worst jobless rates share root causes, CA and OR are on the list, oh no!!!!!!!!!!!
SKorean blogger arrested
AMD to cut 1,100 workers, 9 pct of staff
Can A Pregnant Woman's Diet Affect Baby's Sex?
Love the eyelashes. Who is your doctor?, Botox is so much more attractive to hide all my wrinkles.... :P
Motorola to cut 4,000 more jobs in 2009
Jaguar Land Rover cuts 450 staff
Virgin's US flagship store shuts
China economy grew to world's 3rd largest in 2007
Washington County jobs cuts announced
ODOT To Close Two Lanes Of I-5 In Portland Overnight, yeah, fix those potholes.
Tired Of Talking About Race? So Am I, But It's Vital
Chocolate: A Food Without Borders and BEER!
Colds And Quality Of Sleep Linked, Study Shows, honestly, how many hours of sleep do you get?
Chinese Electric Car Jolts The Competition, electric car, are we ready for it? Will you go buy one today?
Feeling pretty? Hormones may lead to more...
Retailers Gottschalks and Goody's file for bankruptcy
112 years old Nortel seeks bankruptcy protection, shares plunge,
Employees get a break -- but they don't get paid, 3 of my friends got downtime over the winter break!
Rent-a-friend in Japan, money can buy happiness!
How to land dream island job, Dave, go fo it!
UK bank Barclays to cut 2,100 jobs due to downturn
Drugmaker Pfizer cutting up to 800 scientist jobs.. another prospect on my job lists get crossed out!
Super-Predators: Humans Force Rapid Evolution of Animals
More firms go bankrupt in Japan
Refinery fire injures 4, yikes!
PETA Attempts To Make Fish More Adorable, oh I am evil, I love eating my Omega-3 oil!
Joan Rivers Talks About Nips, Tucks And New Book
The Secret To Selling When Nobody's Buying
Neglected Films Of 2008 Still Well Worth Seeing
Love, love, love cilantro
Would-be bride, 107, seeks first husband; wow, I will be the 108 years old bride! That calls procrastination!
港連續15年膺全球最自由經濟體系; 香港經濟自由度續全球第一
Couple exchanges wedding vows inside Illinois Taco Bell, really classy, Illionis and Australia style!
'Slumdog Millionaire' wins 4 at Golden Globes, go Slumdog MM!
豐澤派三百萬花紅
公益金籌款「十年來最差」; 匯率下跌最頭痛 社協﹕歐洲捐款蒸發一截
凍到暈 打鼓嶺零下一度; 打鼓嶺零下1℃ 16年來最冷 HOT POT, YUM!!!
青協社企推「自煮餸包」 二人分量為主 貼營養標籤
港人「嘥米飯」食物浪費嚴重; 84％港人外膳吃剩飯 食肆推「少飯減1元」
斜視不早醫變「大細面」
Youngest Briton to scale Everest dies on France's Mont Blanc
Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Down Jacket
What To Wear At -78 Degrees
2009 Food Trends: A Side Dish Of Recession
14 Percent of U.S. Adults Can't Read
States with worst jobless rates share root causes, CA and OR are on the list, oh no!!!!!!!!!!!
SKorean blogger arrested
Slow Motion Paper Making
My latest spy report indicates that my corrugated colleagues are suffering from the slowing economy. Machines are running at 1/3 their typical speed at one mill, while the other has shut down half their capacity and begun running experimental grades on the other to try to find a niche that won't shrink to nothing.
I keep hearing reminders of my prescient decision to move to fine paper, and it seems that I saved myself from joining the job hunters in line at the unemployment department. Some of my buddies may end up in that line instead. My mentor is now running like a headless chicken, spun in circles by a micromanager who is trying to trim costs as a backseat driver.
Latest news is that the twin Norms are hitting the road to enjoy their retirement - will they miss the machine?
Levi is the latest victim to fall to R's bossiness. He seems to be a good intern, so I hope we don't scare him away before his time is up here.
I keep hearing reminders of my prescient decision to move to fine paper, and it seems that I saved myself from joining the job hunters in line at the unemployment department. Some of my buddies may end up in that line instead. My mentor is now running like a headless chicken, spun in circles by a micromanager who is trying to trim costs as a backseat driver.
Latest news is that the twin Norms are hitting the road to enjoy their retirement - will they miss the machine?
Levi is the latest victim to fall to R's bossiness. He seems to be a good intern, so I hope we don't scare him away before his time is up here.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A week away to Mocha's "B"IG Day!
I was doing doggie research and I came across many sites liked this one, so apparently, they are teaching dog owners how to celebrate your canine birthday in style.
I am in the middle stages of planning to throw a birthday party for Mocha. Price is no object, so we will have a grand event. I know for sure that we will sing a birthday song and bake a dog safe birthday cake. I expect we will give them water on the rocks, possibly with special ice cubes.
Mocha will enjoy some presents as well: extra belly rub privileges, wrapped (possibly with bacon) empty water bottle, and a big bone (hippo?) The party favors will be glow in the dark frisbees for all her doggie pals. Evening activities will culminate in an extra long walk (weather in WA permitting), a visit to the local canine cafe, and dessert will consist of a frosty beer for owners and frosty pig ears for the doggies (or frosty paws). The grand finale will be a dog agility course for all the canines to compete for top dog honors (of course Mocha will win - it's her birthday!).
Romeo and Emily will no doubt be observing with jealous eyes - they have never had such a fantastic party in their honor, and will certainly be upset.
I am in the middle stages of planning to throw a birthday party for Mocha. Price is no object, so we will have a grand event. I know for sure that we will sing a birthday song and bake a dog safe birthday cake. I expect we will give them water on the rocks, possibly with special ice cubes.
Mocha will enjoy some presents as well: extra belly rub privileges, wrapped (possibly with bacon) empty water bottle, and a big bone (hippo?) The party favors will be glow in the dark frisbees for all her doggie pals. Evening activities will culminate in an extra long walk (weather in WA permitting), a visit to the local canine cafe, and dessert will consist of a frosty beer for owners and frosty pig ears for the doggies (or frosty paws). The grand finale will be a dog agility course for all the canines to compete for top dog honors (of course Mocha will win - it's her birthday!).
Romeo and Emily will no doubt be observing with jealous eyes - they have never had such a fantastic party in their honor, and will certainly be upset.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
All these questions???? Thank you.
Are you better off?
What we need to get by? A basic standard of living costs $48,778, and nearly a third of families fall short
What we need to get by? A basic standard of living costs $48,778, and nearly a third of families fall short
Tips at work
5 Salary Secrets Your Company Won't Tell You, too late for me!
Are You and Your Boss Compatible?, nah, non, nein, いいえ, 否, 아니다, nao!
10 Great Cities for Salary Growth, I have couple options on the list.
Are You and Your Boss Compatible?, nah, non, nein, いいえ, 否, 아니다, nao!
10 Great Cities for Salary Growth, I have couple options on the list.
Shuttle flight to Alberta ends as oil patch faces slowdown
Oil sands companies keen to throw off dirty tag
BA Energy first oil sands developer to file for protection, the first oil sands company to file for bankruptcy protection, fearing its parent company’s major lender, Credit Suisse, will recall a US$507-million loan.
Crash closes Fort McMurray highway
Oil sands companies keen to throw off dirty tag
BA Energy first oil sands developer to file for protection, the first oil sands company to file for bankruptcy protection, fearing its parent company’s major lender, Credit Suisse, will recall a US$507-million loan.
Crash closes Fort McMurray highway
Hanging on by a thread
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp, it was 10 bucks a year ago.. now $0.36
Forest and paper products firms struggled in '08
Forest and paper products firms struggled in '08
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Total darkness
The mill lost power and the whole place is down... 2 weeks in a row of TMO ... my unpredictable mill life!!!!!! :P
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Watch Manoj Online
Interesting mockumentary about a very very Indian standup comedian, Manoj n Krishnamurthy
Uke 2009, a fresh start
CUA uke was meeting was a blast! And I can't wait to have fun again this Sunday for PUA.
There is no free dinner. Guilty as Charged
Regular Style Chalupa Baja - Beef 410 calroies
Regular Style DOUBLE DECKER® Taco 320 calroies
Regular Style DOUBLE DECKER® Taco 320 calroies
I am not proud!
Un-natural affinity: Electrician, millwright, machinery operator, janitor, restaurant owner, party animal, a dry cleaner and tonight...a waiter..HMMMM.. :P where are the doctors? Mathematicians? Actuary? Statistician?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
AP Top 25
* 1.Florida (48)
* 2.Utah (16)
* 3.USC (1)
* 4.Texas
* 5.Oklahoma
* 6.Alabama
* 7.TCU
* 8.Penn St.
* 9.Ohio St.
* 10.Oregon
* 11.Boise St.
* 12.Texas Tech
* 13.Georgia
* 14.Mississippi
* 15.Virginia Tech
* 16.Oklahoma St.
* 17.Cincinnati
* 18.Oregon St.
* 19.Missouri
* 20.Iowa
* 21.Florida St.
* 22.Georgia Tech
* 23.West Virginia
* 24.Michigan St.
* 25.BYU
HMM...Only 3 PAC-10 teams made it to top 25, California and Arizona are NOT on the list.. *pout*
Utah AG: BCS may violate antitrust laws....Utes are trying too hard!
* 2.Utah (16)
* 3.USC (1)
* 4.Texas
* 5.Oklahoma
* 6.Alabama
* 7.TCU
* 8.Penn St.
* 9.Ohio St.
* 10.Oregon
* 11.Boise St.
* 12.Texas Tech
* 13.Georgia
* 14.Mississippi
* 15.Virginia Tech
* 16.Oklahoma St.
* 17.Cincinnati
* 18.Oregon St.
* 19.Missouri
* 20.Iowa
* 21.Florida St.
* 22.Georgia Tech
* 23.West Virginia
* 24.Michigan St.
* 25.BYU
HMM...Only 3 PAC-10 teams made it to top 25, California and Arizona are NOT on the list.. *pout*
Utah AG: BCS may violate antitrust laws....Utes are trying too hard!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Layoffs Hit Oregon Manufacturing Sector
Freightliner Plans More Layoffs From Portland Facility
Boeing Announces 4500 Layoffs
Mosquito Duet Leads To Love
BMW sales down but Mini sales up, yeah mini!
US job losses hit record in 2008
Spanish industrial output plunges
UK economy 'now at 28-year low'
UK manufacturing declines sharply
標籤印刷公司裁334人 香港航空減55空姐 巴克萊港炒20人
Gaza prompts boycott in Malaysia, go buy Russian goods won't change anything, didn't Russia start an unjust war with Georgia last year?
Calls for ban on monkey testing in Scotland
Tech fair offers greener vision
First flight of algae-fuelled jet
Will you live in Flint, MI; Indianapolis; Cleveland & Detroit? $1,000 homes
Will Americans put on "recession pounds"?
Two large Asian technology firms TDK and Lenovo, announce a total of 10,500 job cuts after a fall in demand
Dell set to cut 1,900 Irish jobs
Nissan plant to shed 1,200 jobs in UK
Cathay faces $1bn fuel deal loss
HK returns sick Chinese sturgeon to China, must be a different kind of sturegon.
Macy's, Inc. to Close 11 Stores, none in OR or WA!
M&S to close stores and cut jobs, oh, I like Mark and Spencer.
Alcoa to cut 13 pct of global work force
Yikes, German mogul kills self over financial meltdown
Porsche takes majority VW stake
Obama's Unguarded Moments; 'Time' Photographer Captures Obama Moments
Postal Service Sees Less Mail In Slumping Economy, where would I be if I had stayed with the postal service?
Put Down The Remote, Pick Up The Mouse. Do you watch web TV?
Bush to establish 3 marine monuments in Pacific.. too late to be the "green" guy...
Toyota to suspend 12 production plants for 11 days in February and March in Japan
Cheer UP. Optimism is the cure for the downturn
Crystal, china maker Waterford Wedgwood collapses; How Waterford Wedgwood cracked; Wedgwood goes into administration
Scientists dismiss 'detox myth'
The Top 'Non-Troversies' Of 2008
Hunter Alert! It’s Survival of the Weak and Scrawny
Woman drowns retrieving dog from frozen pond, this's really sad. The Irony is that the dog got out and ran home.
This American Life Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence
A prediction that's a safe bet, we don't like celebrity and the super yacht!
100 things we didn't know last year
When young is too young?
Beware of the killer snow globe
Oregon looks at taxing mileage instead of gasoline-->> WRONG IDEA!!
China finds major dinosaur site
Freightliner Plans More Layoffs From Portland Facility
Boeing Announces 4500 Layoffs
Mosquito Duet Leads To Love
BMW sales down but Mini sales up, yeah mini!
US job losses hit record in 2008
Spanish industrial output plunges
UK economy 'now at 28-year low'
UK manufacturing declines sharply
標籤印刷公司裁334人 香港航空減55空姐 巴克萊港炒20人
Gaza prompts boycott in Malaysia, go buy Russian goods won't change anything, didn't Russia start an unjust war with Georgia last year?
Calls for ban on monkey testing in Scotland
Tech fair offers greener vision
First flight of algae-fuelled jet
Will you live in Flint, MI; Indianapolis; Cleveland & Detroit? $1,000 homes
Will Americans put on "recession pounds"?
Two large Asian technology firms TDK and Lenovo, announce a total of 10,500 job cuts after a fall in demand
Dell set to cut 1,900 Irish jobs
Nissan plant to shed 1,200 jobs in UK
Cathay faces $1bn fuel deal loss
HK returns sick Chinese sturgeon to China, must be a different kind of sturegon.
Macy's, Inc. to Close 11 Stores, none in OR or WA!
M&S to close stores and cut jobs, oh, I like Mark and Spencer.
Alcoa to cut 13 pct of global work force
Yikes, German mogul kills self over financial meltdown
Porsche takes majority VW stake
Obama's Unguarded Moments; 'Time' Photographer Captures Obama Moments
Postal Service Sees Less Mail In Slumping Economy, where would I be if I had stayed with the postal service?
Put Down The Remote, Pick Up The Mouse. Do you watch web TV?
Bush to establish 3 marine monuments in Pacific.. too late to be the "green" guy...
Toyota to suspend 12 production plants for 11 days in February and March in Japan
Cheer UP. Optimism is the cure for the downturn
Crystal, china maker Waterford Wedgwood collapses; How Waterford Wedgwood cracked; Wedgwood goes into administration
Scientists dismiss 'detox myth'
The Top 'Non-Troversies' Of 2008
Hunter Alert! It’s Survival of the Weak and Scrawny
Woman drowns retrieving dog from frozen pond, this's really sad. The Irony is that the dog got out and ran home.
This American Life Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence
A prediction that's a safe bet, we don't like celebrity and the super yacht!
100 things we didn't know last year
When young is too young?
Beware of the killer snow globe
Oregon looks at taxing mileage instead of gasoline-->> WRONG IDEA!!
China finds major dinosaur site
Wow she calls me a CLOSE friend...
I was speechless to this Huskygal's statement and I felt unease to find my pictures in her calendar.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Flooding increases demand for flights, you can get on Horizon for $119 oen way between Seattle and Portland....
Floods shut major routes between Washington, Oregon
South Kelso evacuation order lifted; rivers appear to have crested
Picture link from TDN.com
Floods shut major routes between Washington, Oregon
South Kelso evacuation order lifted; rivers appear to have crested
Picture link from TDN.com
Bowl Games UPdate-all PAC-10 teams won!!!!
Las Vegas: Arizona won (31 vs 21-BYU)
New Mexico: Colorado State won (40 vs 35-Fresno St)
Poinsettia: TCU won (17 vs 16-Boise St)
Hawaii: Notre Dame won (49 vs 21-Hawaii)
Champs Sport: Floride St. won (42 vs 13-Wisconsin)
Emerald: California won (24 vs 17-Miami)
Humanitarian: Maryland won (42 vs 35-Nevada)
Holiday: Oregon won (42 vs 31-Oklahoma State)
Music City: Vanderbilt won (16 vs 14-Boston College)
Chick-fil-A Peach: LSU won (38 vs 3-Georgia Tech)
Sun: Oregon State won (3 vs 0-University of Pittsburgh) ...kakakaka! :D
Orange: Virginia Tech won (20 vs 7-Cincinnati)
Capital One: Georgia won (24 vs 12-Michigan State)
Gator: Nebraska won (26 vs 21-Clemson)
Outback: Iowa won (31 vs 10-South Carolina)
Rose: USC won (38 vs 24-Penn State)
Cotton: Mississippi won (47 vs 34-Texas Tech)
Sugar: Utah won (31 vs 17-Alabama)
Fiesta: Texas won (24 vs 21-Ohio State) ... kakakakakak! :D
GMAC: Tulsa won (45 vs 13-Ball State)
BCS Championship series: Florida won (24 vs 14-Oklahoma)...oh Sooners...
New Mexico: Colorado State won (40 vs 35-Fresno St)
Poinsettia: TCU won (17 vs 16-Boise St)
Hawaii: Notre Dame won (49 vs 21-Hawaii)
Champs Sport: Floride St. won (42 vs 13-Wisconsin)
Emerald: California won (24 vs 17-Miami)
Humanitarian: Maryland won (42 vs 35-Nevada)
Holiday: Oregon won (42 vs 31-Oklahoma State)
Music City: Vanderbilt won (16 vs 14-Boston College)
Chick-fil-A Peach: LSU won (38 vs 3-Georgia Tech)
Sun: Oregon State won (3 vs 0-University of Pittsburgh) ...kakakaka! :D
Orange: Virginia Tech won (20 vs 7-Cincinnati)
Capital One: Georgia won (24 vs 12-Michigan State)
Gator: Nebraska won (26 vs 21-Clemson)
Outback: Iowa won (31 vs 10-South Carolina)
Rose: USC won (38 vs 24-Penn State)
Cotton: Mississippi won (47 vs 34-Texas Tech)
Sugar: Utah won (31 vs 17-Alabama)
Fiesta: Texas won (24 vs 21-Ohio State) ... kakakakakak! :D
GMAC: Tulsa won (45 vs 13-Ball State)
BCS Championship series: Florida won (24 vs 14-Oklahoma)...oh Sooners...
Know any single Mathematician??
Mathematicians Land Top Spot in New Ranking of Best and Worst Occupations in the U.S.
The Best The Worst
1. Mathematician 200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 191. Ironworker
11. Economist 190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 181. Firefighter
The Best The Worst
1. Mathematician 200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 191. Ironworker
11. Economist 190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 181. Firefighter
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Not the most pleasant news
Newspaper publisher Lee inches toward default; in OR & WA , they have 4 newspapers in Longview, Albany, Corvallis and Coos Bay.
Chesapeake files for Chapter 11; will sell all business operations to investment group
Williamson to Succeed Rogel as Weyerhaeuser Chairman
Murdy Appointed to Weyerhaeuser Board of Directors; Mazankowski Announces Retirement
Newspaper Roundup: NYT; Lee; Gannett; Hoy; AsianWeek; Pew Research
Chesapeake files for Chapter 11; will sell all business operations to investment group
Williamson to Succeed Rogel as Weyerhaeuser Chairman
Murdy Appointed to Weyerhaeuser Board of Directors; Mazankowski Announces Retirement
Newspaper Roundup: NYT; Lee; Gannett; Hoy; AsianWeek; Pew Research
SP Newsprint to Take Market-Related Downtime in 1st Quarter 2009 & parent company: White Birch Paper to Limit Newsprint Production
Domtar to permanently close Lebel-sur-Quévillon pulp mill in Quebec
Clearwater paper, spin-off from PotLatch
Domtar to permanently close Lebel-sur-Quévillon pulp mill in Quebec
Clearwater paper, spin-off from PotLatch
Monday, January 05, 2009
Oh someone feel sorry for them.
Utah out of sight, out of mind By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports
Why didn’t Utah merit consideration to play for the BCS national title? Why are the Utes, despite their 13-0 record, victories over four Associated Press top-25 teams and the champions of a conference that went 6-1 in the regular season against the Pac-10, watching one-loss teams Oklahoma and Florida play on Thursday?
Just ask some of the voters in the Harris Interactive Poll, which helps determine the title-game matchup.
“I did not see them play (in the regular season),” Bobby Aillet said.
“I didn’t see any live games,” Lance McIlhenny said. “I just (saw) highlights.”
“I don’t recall if I saw them play specifically during the regular season,” David Housel said. “I don’t remember a specific game.”
Alliet, McIlhenny and Housel aren’t alone. It turns out there were a number of Harris Poll (and presumably coaches’ poll) voters who never saw Utah play this season. At least until the Utes manhandled Alabama in a way that Florida could only dream. That 31-17 victory in the Sugar Bowl didn’t just cap the program’s second perfect season in four years, it left people wondering why Utah wasn’t at least in the conversation for the title game. How did a team this good wind up a lowly sixth in the final BCS standings? The answer speaks to the illogical way college football crowns its champion, a system where perception, reputation and media hype can mean more than touchdowns and tackles. Utah could do the latter as well as anyone. It was non-competitive in the former – suffering from tired stereotypes, a lack of television exposure and the mind-numbing power of group think.
Even by the absurd standards of the BCS, having voters not bother to watch an undefeated team play a single game is a new low. Whether Utah deserved to be ranked No. 1, 2 or 25 isn’t the point of this argument. The Utes deserved to have voters at least see them. The coaches and Harris polls make up two-thirds of the BCS rankings. The average of six computer formulas is the other third. Frustration with the BCS is often pointed at those faceless “computers.” It’s the human opinion polls, however, that are most subject to bias, laziness or disinterest. The computers can’t help but plug in Utah’s info. One of them even had the Utes ranked No. 2.
The 61 voters in the coaches’ poll and 114 in the Harris weren’t as kind. They often voted on what they thought Utah might be, not what they saw Utah actually was. In a testament to copy-cat voting, almost everyone had the Utes between No. 7 and No. 10 in the polls. Then many tuned in Friday for what they admit was the very first time and saw reality wasn’t perception after all. This wasn’t some lucky mid-major team; the Utes were big, strong, fast and talented. “I wouldn’t say I probably was wrong. I was wrong,” said Housel, a former Auburn athletic director who had the Utes ranked 10th.
Utah’s championship hopes for this season were dashed on July 1, 1978. That day the Pacific-8 Conference expanded. Rather than take Brigham Young and Utah, it went one state south and added Arizona and Arizona State. It cemented the opinion in the media – and thus the public and thus the coaches and Harris poll voters – that the only big-time sports league out west is the Pac-10. If you’re in it, you matter. If not, you might be a cute story, but you don’t. It’s the never-ending asterisk; one that Utah and the Mountain West Conference can’t seem to shake no matter how many perfect seasons, No. 1 draft choices or NFL MVPs it produces. It manifests itself not just in a skeptical eye of voters 30 years later, but in television contracts and media exposure.
Utah played just one game on ESPN this season – a September victory at Michigan. It (and the rest of the leagues’) other games were carried on Versus and the league-owned MountainWest Sports Network., which reaches less than three million homes. Nationally, you needed a satellite system to watch the Utes. “I think you can find Utah if you want to find it,” Craig Thompson, the Mountain West commissioner, said. You can. And you’d think the BCS would require voters to do so. Naturally, it doesn’t. Instead, the BCS spreads the vote out to so many people while asking little in return. (One voter, NBC’s Don Criqui, didn’t even bother to cast a final ballot.)
The BCS has no set rationale for how or why a school should be ranked – is it record, strength of schedule, whom it beat, whom it lost to, how it won, how it lost? The decision is up to each voter. The Harris voters are selected by conference offices. Most are media, former players or administrators. They are well-meaning but hold regular jobs and have their own busy schedules. This is a secondary (at best) thing and watching all the games is a challenge. “I don’t think I’m the only one that has that problem,” said Aillet, a retired SEC referee, who had Utah ranked ninth and said he might give up his vote next season. “I suspect most of the folks have that same problem. “It takes a lot of time to get it right, and sometimes I wonder if I’m doing it right.”
Meanwhile, college coaches are admittedly biased and have little time to scout any team not on their schedule.
In contrast, the 10-member NCAA men’s basketball selection committee meets throughout the season to compare notes and stay on top of hot teams. It demands comprehensive scouting, sets common criteria and even asks committee members to get out and see teams in person. Then they all meet and hash it out. While not devoid of controversy, the system is about as good as you can design. The BCS might be the worst. Thompson could only shrug off the frustration. He believes a 12-0 team from a league such as his will one day play in the BCS title game. This was a step toward gaining long-term credibility with voters and opinion makers. “Even if we were on national television it’d still be a fight because we don’t have that history,” Thompson said. The Mountain West had three teams ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS poll (the ACC and Big East each had one). It scored a number of notable out-of-conference victories, including strong success against the Pac-10. Yet reputations die hard. “I just thought that the Mountain West is not as tough a conference (as others),” McIlhenny, a former SMU player, said. “Apparently I was wrong.” Thompson knows that if a team went 12-0 in one of the six BCS automatic qualifying conferences, even ones that ranked lower than the MWC, they’d have gotten in without debate. “Sooner or later they’ve got to take notice,” he said. “You can’t say the Pac-10 was stronger than the Mountain West. The Pac-10 went 5-0 in bowl games, but head-to-head (in the regular season) we went 6-1. “If they start drilling down on it there’s nothing to say.” Sure, if you think BCS voters bother to drill down.
The Mountain West doesn’t just suffer from a lack of game coverage on national television. It suffers for the lack of overall attention. ESPN, the 800-pound gorilla of college football hype, is notorious for promoting the games and teams that it broadcasts. This year that meant lots of Big 12 talk. “There’s definitely some self-serving there,” Thompson said. Utah didn’t receive the same attention. Even after the Alabama win, part of the debate on Sunday’s “Sports Reporters” (the ultimate barometer of East Coast media thinking) was how Utah simply couldn’t be that good because, well, because it’s Utah. “They don’t play in a good conference,” Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe claimed.
In the BCS chase, media is everything since the voters admit to taking their cues from highlight shows and articles. The networks aren’t above playing favorites. Back in 2006, the CBS broadcast crew for the SEC championship game campaigned relentlessly on the air for Florida to be selected over Michigan. Color commentator Gary Danielson later said CBS only did it because ESPN was doing the same for Michigan and the Big Ten.
If the Utes had a broadcaster campaigning for them this year it wouldn’t have mattered. The BCS voters didn’t trouble themselves to watch anyway.
Why didn’t Utah merit consideration to play for the BCS national title? Why are the Utes, despite their 13-0 record, victories over four Associated Press top-25 teams and the champions of a conference that went 6-1 in the regular season against the Pac-10, watching one-loss teams Oklahoma and Florida play on Thursday?
Just ask some of the voters in the Harris Interactive Poll, which helps determine the title-game matchup.
“I did not see them play (in the regular season),” Bobby Aillet said.
“I didn’t see any live games,” Lance McIlhenny said. “I just (saw) highlights.”
“I don’t recall if I saw them play specifically during the regular season,” David Housel said. “I don’t remember a specific game.”
Alliet, McIlhenny and Housel aren’t alone. It turns out there were a number of Harris Poll (and presumably coaches’ poll) voters who never saw Utah play this season. At least until the Utes manhandled Alabama in a way that Florida could only dream. That 31-17 victory in the Sugar Bowl didn’t just cap the program’s second perfect season in four years, it left people wondering why Utah wasn’t at least in the conversation for the title game. How did a team this good wind up a lowly sixth in the final BCS standings? The answer speaks to the illogical way college football crowns its champion, a system where perception, reputation and media hype can mean more than touchdowns and tackles. Utah could do the latter as well as anyone. It was non-competitive in the former – suffering from tired stereotypes, a lack of television exposure and the mind-numbing power of group think.
Even by the absurd standards of the BCS, having voters not bother to watch an undefeated team play a single game is a new low. Whether Utah deserved to be ranked No. 1, 2 or 25 isn’t the point of this argument. The Utes deserved to have voters at least see them. The coaches and Harris polls make up two-thirds of the BCS rankings. The average of six computer formulas is the other third. Frustration with the BCS is often pointed at those faceless “computers.” It’s the human opinion polls, however, that are most subject to bias, laziness or disinterest. The computers can’t help but plug in Utah’s info. One of them even had the Utes ranked No. 2.
The 61 voters in the coaches’ poll and 114 in the Harris weren’t as kind. They often voted on what they thought Utah might be, not what they saw Utah actually was. In a testament to copy-cat voting, almost everyone had the Utes between No. 7 and No. 10 in the polls. Then many tuned in Friday for what they admit was the very first time and saw reality wasn’t perception after all. This wasn’t some lucky mid-major team; the Utes were big, strong, fast and talented. “I wouldn’t say I probably was wrong. I was wrong,” said Housel, a former Auburn athletic director who had the Utes ranked 10th.
Utah’s championship hopes for this season were dashed on July 1, 1978. That day the Pacific-8 Conference expanded. Rather than take Brigham Young and Utah, it went one state south and added Arizona and Arizona State. It cemented the opinion in the media – and thus the public and thus the coaches and Harris poll voters – that the only big-time sports league out west is the Pac-10. If you’re in it, you matter. If not, you might be a cute story, but you don’t. It’s the never-ending asterisk; one that Utah and the Mountain West Conference can’t seem to shake no matter how many perfect seasons, No. 1 draft choices or NFL MVPs it produces. It manifests itself not just in a skeptical eye of voters 30 years later, but in television contracts and media exposure.
Utah played just one game on ESPN this season – a September victory at Michigan. It (and the rest of the leagues’) other games were carried on Versus and the league-owned MountainWest Sports Network., which reaches less than three million homes. Nationally, you needed a satellite system to watch the Utes. “I think you can find Utah if you want to find it,” Craig Thompson, the Mountain West commissioner, said. You can. And you’d think the BCS would require voters to do so. Naturally, it doesn’t. Instead, the BCS spreads the vote out to so many people while asking little in return. (One voter, NBC’s Don Criqui, didn’t even bother to cast a final ballot.)
The BCS has no set rationale for how or why a school should be ranked – is it record, strength of schedule, whom it beat, whom it lost to, how it won, how it lost? The decision is up to each voter. The Harris voters are selected by conference offices. Most are media, former players or administrators. They are well-meaning but hold regular jobs and have their own busy schedules. This is a secondary (at best) thing and watching all the games is a challenge. “I don’t think I’m the only one that has that problem,” said Aillet, a retired SEC referee, who had Utah ranked ninth and said he might give up his vote next season. “I suspect most of the folks have that same problem. “It takes a lot of time to get it right, and sometimes I wonder if I’m doing it right.”
Meanwhile, college coaches are admittedly biased and have little time to scout any team not on their schedule.
In contrast, the 10-member NCAA men’s basketball selection committee meets throughout the season to compare notes and stay on top of hot teams. It demands comprehensive scouting, sets common criteria and even asks committee members to get out and see teams in person. Then they all meet and hash it out. While not devoid of controversy, the system is about as good as you can design. The BCS might be the worst. Thompson could only shrug off the frustration. He believes a 12-0 team from a league such as his will one day play in the BCS title game. This was a step toward gaining long-term credibility with voters and opinion makers. “Even if we were on national television it’d still be a fight because we don’t have that history,” Thompson said. The Mountain West had three teams ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS poll (the ACC and Big East each had one). It scored a number of notable out-of-conference victories, including strong success against the Pac-10. Yet reputations die hard. “I just thought that the Mountain West is not as tough a conference (as others),” McIlhenny, a former SMU player, said. “Apparently I was wrong.” Thompson knows that if a team went 12-0 in one of the six BCS automatic qualifying conferences, even ones that ranked lower than the MWC, they’d have gotten in without debate. “Sooner or later they’ve got to take notice,” he said. “You can’t say the Pac-10 was stronger than the Mountain West. The Pac-10 went 5-0 in bowl games, but head-to-head (in the regular season) we went 6-1. “If they start drilling down on it there’s nothing to say.” Sure, if you think BCS voters bother to drill down.
The Mountain West doesn’t just suffer from a lack of game coverage on national television. It suffers for the lack of overall attention. ESPN, the 800-pound gorilla of college football hype, is notorious for promoting the games and teams that it broadcasts. This year that meant lots of Big 12 talk. “There’s definitely some self-serving there,” Thompson said. Utah didn’t receive the same attention. Even after the Alabama win, part of the debate on Sunday’s “Sports Reporters” (the ultimate barometer of East Coast media thinking) was how Utah simply couldn’t be that good because, well, because it’s Utah. “They don’t play in a good conference,” Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe claimed.
In the BCS chase, media is everything since the voters admit to taking their cues from highlight shows and articles. The networks aren’t above playing favorites. Back in 2006, the CBS broadcast crew for the SEC championship game campaigned relentlessly on the air for Florida to be selected over Michigan. Color commentator Gary Danielson later said CBS only did it because ESPN was doing the same for Michigan and the Big Ten.
If the Utes had a broadcaster campaigning for them this year it wouldn’t have mattered. The BCS voters didn’t trouble themselves to watch anyway.
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