You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Imagine that being said by a large Russian. My capstone management class in college was taught by a large Russian named Milorad Novicevic. He had a few catch phrases like this he used ad nauseam. "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" maybe the only one I use regularly. His love of Warren Buffet was unconditional like the love a small child has the first few days they get a new puppy. Seriously, Milorad loved Warren Buffet. I came to realize through several case studies involving companies he led or advised that he knows what he is doing. Well he also is a very charitable man. He donated over THIRTY BILLION DOLLARS to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (watch the video of the presentation). This is not just big news in Seattle, where The Gates Foundation is located, it's big news globally because that is the reach of this charity. The money given, will in essence, be doubled by the charitable foundation's endowment and will allow them do distribute over $3 billion dollars each year as they see fit. When I was younger and in Milwaukee I was always struck by the amount philanthropy the Bradley/Pettit family gave (and still gives > check out Milwaukee and Minneapolis information). Warren Buffet's gift is the largest ever and will change many lives; however, with a $42 billion net worth it seems he will actually be able to have his cake and eat it too.

Andreas Gursky + World Cup '06 @ f/64

I've always been a fan of Andreas Gursky. He uses scale to his advantage in this photo and most of his work. I'd like to add an original print of his to my art collection. Problem is they're all over 5' x 5' and they cost lots of money.

Akinori Oishi

This artist from Japan is very impressive. His work like Opniyama reminds me of an interactive flip book. It's a lot of fun going through Akinori Oishi's series of micro films. His interactive graphics like Le Petit Bonhomme are discussed in more detail in this interview by A New City Guide.

Love overshadowed

My friend's band The Heavyheads is moving up in the world and I had to share this because as Eddie put it, it's kind of a big deal.

Hi everyone. Check out this attachment. It was in the Onion this week. It takes over for beating Mike Tyson's Punchout in front of a room full of people as my crowning achievement in life (I saw Ed do it and it was amazing!). I love Pabst and I love America. Hope everyone is doing swell. Oh yeah, if anybody that doesn't live around here wants a CD just give me your address and I'll send one to ya really, really fast.
-Eddie

High Tones?

I need to keep my cell phone off at work (although sometimes I leave it on vibrate if I'm expecting an important call). A few people had cell phones when I got out of high school, but mostly just car phones if anything. Lots of places make cell phone use forbidden; in school, movies,etc. Well it looks like a cellphone ring tone has been created to get past this issue. It's based on an invention called the Mosquito, developed last year by a Welsh security company. The ring emits noise at such a high pitch that most adults aren't able to hear it, just kids? I can hear it can you?

June 6, 2006.

Sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year of this century.

666 is the numerical value of: "ועתה יגדל-נא כח אדני"

("Ata yigdal na koach Ado-nai"; Now, let the power of my Lord grow) (Numbers 14:17).

The Bible itself has done the math, and six-six-six adds up to evil. That's the number, according to the Book of Revelation, by which the Beast, the Anti-christ, will be known.

hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia — fear of the numbers 666

*** *** ***

Will something happen today?

Does your name add up to 666?

The End of the World via The Brick Testament

Hanging a hard top

Consistently nice weather for a Jeep Wrangler owner means switching tops. I pulled my hard top off last week and put the soft one on. In the past I've left my hard top on the ground covered by a tarp or two, but I want to use my garage without it getting in the way. So I hung it up. Lots of websites out there offer ways to store tops and hang them. It's not cheap! My system costs less than $50. The top itself sits on a rectangle of wood that is bolted together. The bolts also allow the top to then be hung by nylon straps that wrap around the joists in my garage's ceiling. The hard part is getting 2 other helpers to lift it all up, but that only took 5-10 minutes. Now the hard top is stored out of the way and I can park my jeep directly under it. Let's hope it's as easy to take down.

All it took:
(2) 14' 2x4
(4) 3/8" lag bolt w/an eye screw on one side, a nut and 2 washers
(4) nylon hook strap w/ ratchet clamp

Goooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

Created by The Jim Henson Company, Goleo IV and his companion Pille, the talking football, are the official mascots of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and they're big fan's of my blog. Just 1 week away, the World Cup is fast approaching (the counter on the left is counting down to the US team's first game of the Cup against The Czech Republic).

The US team's Group E includes Italy, Ghana, and The Czech Republic. Despite tough competition, the US team has high expectations generated by the team's No. 5 ranking in the World and its quarterfinal finish in the 2002 World Cup. Some may argue, but Landon Donovan is the star of this team. He led the team in appearances and points during qualifying rounds, playing in 16 of 18 matches while scoring six goals and registering six assists. The rest of the US team is a mix of veterans and newbies, ranging from the 12 players who will participate in their first World Cup to 36-year-old starting goalkeeper Kasey Keller; in all, the World Cup roster has 23 players.

I'm not a huge soccer fan by any means, but I do like the World Cup, each game hold so much importance and you can tell from the crowds these are more than games to most. Since the cup is being played in Germany this year some game times will be at odd hours of the day and night. Guinness and eggs anyone? In the Twin Cities I have two good viewing options; The Local and Brit's Pub. See ya there!

* The official site of the Fifa 2006 World Cup in Germany is the June LINK OF THE MONTH