Opinions, Everybody's Got'em...

Deal with it.  

People are going to like different things.  Just because you do not like something does not mean other people should not.  People are allowed to disagree with each other.  Again, as I have said in the past it is part of something that makes us human.  It would be a boring world if we all liked the same stuff.  If everyone was the same, most of the creativity in the world would be gone.  

If people like to watch romance movies, that's fine.  It's not my thing, but if that is what they enjoy more power to them.  If you hate romance movies, and thing they are the stupidest thing in the world, that's fine to.  

Now the crucial thing to understand is that just because you think romance movies are stupid, does not mean that people that like romance movies are stupid.  They are just different then you.  You still should respect people with differing opinions.

Now a big problem with my whole argument here is that, if you think people who like romance movies are stupid, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it.  However, you should still show respect for that person despite their differing opinion.  You can argue with them, and try to convince them of your point of view.  But you should not get vulgar or insulting about it (calling them stupid or a dork is not likely to convince them to take your side).  

The only place where I can really see having conflict over differing opinions is when someones opinion is harmful to others.  If it is your opinion that beating up old people is cool, there are likely to be issues (although if you really think that, but do not really act on it, you won't face the legal consequences of said opinion).

I guess my main point here is that it is good to have likes and dislikes.  Yours will not always line up with other peoples.  That is fine, that is normal.  Now if you are friends with that person, then that just may be something you don't do together.  If you are not friends with that person, then you really do not have to hang out with them or deal with the fact that they hold whatever opinion it is that you disagree with.  

If you really care for a person that has differing opinions then you, then you really have to learn to deal with the fact that people are going to disagree.  It might be you decide not to discuss that topic because it will only lead to bad arguments.  It may be you have to do things separately from time to time.  If it is something really as trivial as they like movies, or books, or games, or collecting something that you think is dumb, if you really care for that person you should encourage it anyway.  Maybe you do not understand it but it makes them happy.  If you care for them, you should want to see them happy.  

Opinions.  Everybody has them, and that is OK.   

Happy Thanksgiving, from Continental Airlines

I have been a fairly steadfast customer with Continental airlines over the last two years. As I search for an airline ticket for the upcoming holiday season I get to see how "wonderful" a company they are. If I want to travel on the weekends around Thanksgiving, I need to be willing to put up almost $500 more then I normally would for a ticket.

I am glad they really feel the need to screw people for the holidays. Last year at the onset of winter I could typically find tickets for around $250 for a non-stop round trip flight. Now even looking two months in advance the cheapest ticket I can find for the Thanksgiving weekends is $708.

So I hope you all live close to your loved ones, because business could really care less about the holiday spirit.

YAY! Price Gouging

Is this the year?

The NHL has unveiled its new ad campaign, and I can't say its a real winner.  The campaign focuses on photos that have been taken over the past year and having the players in them step out and talk about the moment and how they feel.  While in an artistic endeavour this is a clever idea, I do not think that is what is going to appeal to people about hockey.  

The sport is all about its explosiveness and speed.  That is what they keep preaching each year.   This is not something that is highlighted well by still photography.  A hit doesn't look as brutal or bone crunching in still frame.  A break away or amazing save is not as exciting with no motion.  It steals the excitement from the game.  The commercials are too quite and lack energy, which is what hockey is all about.

These commercials do not leave me hyped to start watching hockey.  Show the dazzling plays, goals, saves, hits that the players make everyday when they play.  That is what people watch the game for.  Not to hear Sidney Crosby whine about not winning the Stanley Cup.  

I can watch video highlights of hockey all night.  Make commercials with those.  Show the game.  

I will admit this is a cool shot though.  Although not in the ad campaign as it is a little dated.  

Big Step for Space Industry

The Space industry took a large step forward yesterday with the first ever successful commercial launch to reach orbit with a liquid powered rocket. Elon Musk's company SpaceX launched their Falcon I rocket at 4:15 PDT and made orbit roughly nine minutes later.

This was the fourth attempt of to prove their Falcon I rocket. SpaceX is one of the competitors in the COTS (commercial Orbital Transportation Services) program that could be used to resupply the International Space Station after the retirement of the space shuttle.

In Early August SpaceX had a successful test of their Falcon 9 engines. These two tests are a big step forward for the company as it develops its Dragon launch vehicle. The fact that commercial industry has finally make orbit is a major step in the forward progression of space exploration.

It will be companies that are attempting to make a profit that will starting cutting back the massive infrastructure that currently surrounds all the government funded space programs. The Falcon 1 rocket costs 7.9 million a piece. This price is minuscule compared the vehicles we are using now If we are ever to truly be a space faring people we need to cut the cost drastically and we cannot have thousands of people observing every single flight.

Of course in the long run this means putting myself out of a job, but that is the cost of progress.

The Tragedy of Remakes

I was driving to the book store today and it struck me that there is something wrong with the movie and music industry.  Every year we are constantly dealing with remakes of older movies and older songs (yeah, yeah this isn't really a stroke of genius on my part, I'll get to my point shortly).  People seem to have lost there ability to think of an original idea to make into a movie.  Or they just try to make a spoof of good movies that have been made.  How many stupid spoofs can you make?

Really?  Aside from Disaster movie even the covers are identical.  

I guess they have figured out a formula that is guaranteed to make them money, but it is seriously getting lame. 

Now I know people have been saying this for years, but the one thing that struck me as I drove to the bookstore is that people don't make remakes of books.  If they do I haven't heard about it.  I haven't seen a Lord of the Rings Trilogy by John Doe.  

Is it because it is unacceptable to rewrite someone's exact story with your words?  If this is the case, why is it such a great idea with movies and music?  Maybe I can start making money by taking other peoples genius and rewriting great books.  Something I'll have to look into.  

Wings Exhibition Loss

The Red Wings lost the exhibition opener tonight to the Montreal Canadians, 3-2 in a shootout.  The loss of the game is not really as worrying as the opening events of the third period.  Three minutes and five seconds into the period the Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom had a shot deflect off his stick and into his face.  He fell to the ice and a pool of blood was seen quickly forming.  The puck hit just above his eye and he had to receive stitches.  He did not return to the game but was taken to the hospital for precautionary x-rays.  

Lidstrom has been the Captain of the team since Steve Yzerman retired after the 2005-2006 season.  In 2004 Steve Yzerman was similarly hit in the eye by a deflected shot.  It required surgery to fix due to the multiple broken bones in his face.  While this shot to Lidstrom does not appear to be as serious, it is always scary to see this kind of thing happen to anyone.  Particularly to such a leader, and such an outstanding player.  Nicklas Lidstrom has lead the Wings for two years now and including to a Stanley Cup Championship last year.  Lidstrom has also won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in six out of seven of the last active NHL seasons.  

His loss for any extended period of time would be a major hit to the Red Wings.  

Hockey is back!

With the preseason starting up, I am pumped about the upcoming season. It was a long three months without hockey. Things slow down way too much in the hockey world after the draft. All in all it was a good summer being able to bask in the glory of another Detroit Red Wings Stanley cup. However, it just makes me more anxious to see them start the defense of the their title. Especially after making the brilliant signing of Marian Hossa during the off-season.

The other great part about the new season is another season of fantasy hockey. I have been

playing for three years now, just using the free Yahoo Fantasy Sports website. It was great when I started off with a win my first year, but I have steadily declined over the past few years taking second and third this past season. However, Team Grrrrr! will rise again.

Fantasy sports are fun because it is a way to stay in touch with the game. If you are interested in a sport, it is one of the easiest ways I know to learn the ins and outs of the game, the teams, and the players (that is if you are actually trying to be competitive).

The first Red Wings preseason game is tonight. It will good to see Hossa and Datsyuk together on the ice, and whether or not they work well together. I unfortunately am not able to actually watch or listen to preseason games. The live scoreboard will have to do (if I have Internet back after the hurricane).

Red Wings season opens officially October 9, 2008.