Almost Worth Knowing: Felix

Felix is the Latin word for "happy" or "lucky" (I was running a google search today to see if that were the case and it is). In any case, this also reminded me of an old cartoon character: Felix the Cat.

Felix and his bag of tricks

I'm almost certainly sure that most kids these days have no idea who Felix the Cat is, but for a time, he was the most recognizable cartoon star to be animated. According to Wikipedia: "Felix was the first character from animation to attain a level of popularity sufficient to draw movie audiences based solely on his star power."

Felix's success predates Mickey Mouse, but with the advent of sound cartoons, Felix's popularity dwindled greatly. He was later reinvented with a new magical bag of tricks, new friends, and a slightly refined look. In 1988, Felix the Cat also received his own feature film. Check out the trailer below:

For what it's worth, this is probably the worst trailer ever. In fact, if you want to learn how to make a trailer that doesn't get the audience excited, study this. For a better movie, do watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in which Felix has a cameo.

I'm doing lots of demo stuff, so I'll get back to you tomorrow... I promise.

In the meantime, go check out this movie: The Rebel. It's a pretty sick martial arts flick... in Vietnamese.

Almost Worth Knowing: Philadelphia Airport in All Its Glory

Well, I'm on my way to Orlando. That's right, it's that time of year again.... Nationals.

I don't have time to say much, because we're boarding soon. However, I would like to say that this is the fastest check-in that I've had so far, and it made my airport experience thoroughly more enjoyable. Nonetheless, I would still warn anyone flying Philly (out of Philadelphia International Airport) to beware of the normally slow check-in times, mostly due to a poor security check system. I always get to Philly 2 hours early, and expect to wait in the security check line for at least an hour. Oftentimes, as my flight time becomes dangerously close, I am pulled from line to be checked more rapidly.

Once, I saw Ron Jeremy while waiting to fly to California.

According to Wikipedia: "As of 2008 [PHL] is the 10th busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft activity. The airport is the primary international hub of US Airways and has service to destinations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Europe, and Mexico, and in the future to China, as US Airways is expected to begin service to Beijing on Spring 2010."

This information actually surprises me, since I think of PHL as the run-down, cheaper alternative to flying Newark Airport. Then again, its unfair to compare PHL with Newark, which services the New York area. New York airports, including Newark, JFK, and La Guardia, comprise the largest airport system in the world, other than London.

So, what does this all mean? Well, I think flying PHL comes down to whether or not you want to deal with going the distance to Philly and putting up with slower check-in times. Newark has better aesthetic design and is faster, but Philly is advertising free Wi-Fi for college students every day, or for everybody on weekends. Both places have similar food options, which is important for me in rating airport quality. In the end, however, I still tend to fly Philly because it is cheaper.

Final Note: Why is airport food so expensive? I bought an 8" turkey sub for 8 bucks. That's entirely outrageous. Also, there's this girl sitting across from me in the terminal, taking MySpace style pictures of herself.

Almost Worth Knowing: Addressing Public Schools

The following is for a presentation for one of Katie's classes. Her assignment was to argue against redefining public schools. Interestingly, this debate does address some of the differences between Senator Obama and Senator McCain's views on tackling the problems with the American school system, with the latter support redefining public schools.

        While Americans have always been instinctively attracted to the idea of change and choice, there has recently been a call for innovation in the face of a failing public school system. Yet, redefining public schools would be an empty solution that does not address many of the actual problems that cause educational inequality. The article, "Redefining Public Schools,” by Kearns and Harvey, asserts that change, in a number of ways, is necessary to improve schools. The primary change that they allude to is finding innovative and transformational leadership that is willing to provide more options for education. At the same time, they insist choice should be injected into the system, to allow for people to choose which education to receive. The definition of public schools would become “any nonprofit entity willing to be accountable for educating our children," motivated because, "by doing so, these organizations are acting in the public interest.”
        Yet, Kearns and Harvey are already acutely aware of the flaws in their proposals. They question whether this new system will work, or work better than the old system, and answer, “only time will tell.” This seems less like a plan and more like an experiment to see what would happen. Kearns and Harvey claim that one of the existing problems is a lack of common standards (i.e. different states disagree on what reading and math levels students should reach by certain grades); however, they want to allow non-profit organizations to come up with innovative new ways to educate students to these standards, with flexibility in implementation methods. Assuring that the “[entities] accountable for educating our children” are non-profit does not necessarily ensure that these organizations are reliable. Inevitably, some will have better resources than others, and despite not having a financial prerogative towards helping one group or another, these organizations will still be biased towards certain social goals or demographics.
        Public schools may not become financial entities, but it would not be far off to imagine that the non-profit organizations willing to take accountability for childrens education may simultaneously be advancing other motives. Coca Cola, for instance, is often willing to donate to school systems, in exchange for advertising space within school grounds. At the same time, would a school sponsored by McDonald’s be better funded than a school sponsored by Burger King. Allowing for sponsorship from non-profit sectors of traditional corporations seems like the natural progression of such a plan. Feed, a novel by M.T. Andersen, deals with such a dystopian future, in which schools became overcrowded and under funded, and the government was forced to turn towards commercial entities to run schools. While these commercial entities continued to teach subjects such as reading and mathematics, other subjects were added to a student’s developmental curriculum, including buying practices and accessorizing. Essentially, this could be a foreseeable problem because the term non-profit organization is an ambiguous one, which fails to address such subtle schemes as advertising or promoting brand recognition. Ultimately, allowing for certain organizations to be in charge creates the same sort of variance that Kearns and Harvey want to avoid.
Furthermore, the simple perception of choice still fails to address the inherent socioeconomic differences that plague the current system. Simply attending a better school does not deal with other factors like poor health care, residential discrimination, poor housing, domestic difficulties, and transportation, which can impede an individual’s learning capabilities. Erika Szostak, of the Huffington Post, points out:

Public school choice is an illusory choice, particularly for people who have limited resources. Let's say you did have the option of going where you wanted to go. How are you going to get there? Are there going to be enough good schools within your area even if you had the means? Are you going to make private schools relax their restrictions? If you do have this terrific school and everybody flocks to it, are you going to provide extra resources to that school?

Such a plan would require intervention in the market in all kinds of ways. Certain institutions would require additional monies, means of transportation, and various subsidies for schools with special needs populations. At the same time, schools that are not frequently “chosen” for attendance may decline in quality, until they are unacceptable and forced to close or placed under new management. Such an eventuality would be severely detrimental to students in attendance at the facility. Kearns and Harvey insist on transformational leaders who would self-regulate, but a little foresight makes it clear that public involvement is inevitable.
        Adopting such plans as these simply seems like grasping at straws: seeking a radical new system because the current system is not perfect. Working with and improving the current system would be a more efficient way to use resources and take advantage of the familiarity with something firmly established. Within the current educational system, common goals can still be promoted. However, maintaining government oversight, rather than turning towards non-profit entities, will allow for better progress towards these goals. Innovative teaching methods can be sought in the form of new classes or enthusiastic teachers, reducing the size of classrooms and addressing a student’s individual needs. Rather than seek all new leadership, money could be relegated to poorer districts to attract these better teachers with increased salaries. Even the help of non-profit entities can still be sought, though not in the form of restructuring; if these organizations have a serious desire to improve the nation’s educational system, their financial and experiential aid is certainly welcome.

Almost Worth Knowing: Bobby Brown and Mike Tyson Sing Monster Mash

So, Tony sent me this link yesterday... whoa.

The video is the rendition of Monster Mash performed by Mike Tyson and Bobby Brown on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. It is entirely creepy. Watch as Mike Tyson tries to sing, despite having brain damage. Does he get the lyrics right? Is he singing anything at all? I can't really understand him (or Bobby Brown). Is this what Mike Tyson has become? Sadly, it's not the only time Tyson has sang on Kimmel's show:

Thoroughly disturbing... I guess a few good things do come out of the Jimmy Kimmel Show after all.

Challenge 1: I personally had a lot of respect for Mike Tyson growing up, because he was such a bad-ass. I fondly remember playing Mike Tyson's Punch-out for the NES, and remember watching him a number of times on tv. The first challenge is this: without using the internet, name as many characters as you can from the video game, Mike Tyson's Punch-out. One point for each correct answer.

Challenge 2: Though you might or might not remember, Tyson won the WBC Heavyweight title in November 1986, making him the youngest heavyweight champion ever at 20 years of age. He quickly went on to win the WBA and IBF titles, making him the first ever undisputed heavyweight champion. For much of my childhood, Tyson held this title, before finally losing in a 42:1 upset against James Buster Douglas, whom we see in the following picture. In fact, Douglas handed Tyson his first knock down as well as his first professional loss. The second challenge is this: Without the help of the web, give me the year in which Tyson has his huge defeat against Douglas.


Tyson almost looks like he's made of clay, in the fashion of Celebrity Deathmatch

Challenge 3: Shortly after losing, Tyson went to jail for a rape conviction. He was finally released in 1995, and soon went back into boxing. In 1996, Tyson fought Evander Holyfield in the a highly anticipated fight dubbed "Finally." Surprisingly, Holyfield won, though there was controversy concerning Holyfield's use of "accidental" head-butts. A rematch was scheduled, and Tyson-Holyfield II occurred in 1997. This is the well-known fight in which Tyson bit Holyfield's ears, leaving a piece on the mat. The final challenge is this: similar to the way Tyson-Holyfield I was dubbed "Finally," what was the media given name for Tyson-Holyfield II? Internets not allowed.

Almost Worth Knowing: Fright Fest - A Lasting Tradition

So, I'm going to Six Flags today, for Fright Fest! With that being said, I thought it might be interesting to do a little research into the history of one of Six Flags' longest running traditions.

From the very first Halloweekend

In 1989, Six Flags hosted its first Halloween themed event, entitled Halloweekends. This started off as nothing but simple decorations placed up around the park, with encouragement for the staff to wear costumes on the last day of the season. However, a hayride soon followed and, in 1990, a Monster Magic show took over the bandstand during the Halloweekends event.

In 1992, Time Warner purchased Six Flags Great Adventure, and, for the first time, the park's Halloween themed events became known officially as Fright Fest.

Over the years, Fright Fest has continued to grow and grow. In 1993, red dye was added to the main fountain to make it appear like it was spouting blood. Frightworks Fireworks were added in 1994. In 1996, Dino Island was used in the Right Stuff simulator during the Halloween season. Finally, check out these pictures of the Robosaurus from 2001.

Where the hell was I for this?

Today, Fright Fest continues to re-theme and redecorate itself for the season, with special shows, rides, and other events. Moreover, after 6pm each night, you can expect to see a number of costumed staff members walking around, adding to the ambiance of the season. Don't worry though, because if they get too scary, you can blow a special whistle an keep the frightening workers away.

Final Note: Check out this excerpt I found from the Wikipedia on Fright Fest. I don't know if it's true, but if it's on Wikipedia... "At some parks during Fright Fest, if guests eat a bug or allow themselves to be locked in a coffin full of insects for a minute, then they get passes to the front of the line of certain attractions." You can read more about the history of Fright Fest if you want here.

Almost Worth Knowing: Another Weekend Come to An End, plus an Important Consideration

Well, it's another weekend at hand, so I guess that it's that time again. I'm calling this "Worth Knowing Wrap-Up #2," despite this actually being the third or fourth time I've done a weekend wrap up, because this is the #2 time I've called it a "Worth Knowing Wrap Up." For what it's worth, however, there's not much to wrap up this week.

On Monday, 10/06/08, I asked, "True or False: You get more drunk by drinking alcohol through a straw and why?" Tony earned himself a point by correctly answering True, because alcohol consumed through a straw mixes more with oxygen, allowing it to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly. You can read about this and other fun facts here, but Tony's answer is pretty good and also undoubtedly correct, because he learned it in college.

On Tuesday, 10/07/08, I mentioned that the movie's version of Piccolo "isn't green, doesn't have antennae, and is wearing some outfit out of X-Men." I've since considered the look even more, and realize that Piccolo looks a lot like he's copied from Shinzon, the "nemesis" is Star Trek: Nemesis. Check it:

Piccolo

Shinzon

On Thursday, October 9, I posed the following challenge: From first to last, place the four major American Professional Sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey) in the order in which they incorporated Instant Replay Challenges into their rules. Since nobody attempted to answer, I'll just give it to you. The NFL first incorporated rules for the Instant Replay challenge in 1986, though the current system came into use in 1999. The NHL was using instant replay rules for determining the legitimacy of goals as early as the 1991-1992 season. The NBA was next, though I'm not exactly sure when. I think it was more recent then not, though I do know a video review was used for a clock malfunction as early as 1982. The MLB finally implemented replays in for the last month of this year. For what it's worth, Tennis, has also recently adopted an Instant Replay system.

Okay, well that's all I have to say with this week's Worth Knowing Wrap-Up. In other news, I'm considering putting AlmostWorthKnowing.com on temporary hiatus, even if it means not having as long a consecutive daily blog run as BAyates. However, I'm finding that I'm a little more busy than I would like, and want to finish up my law school applications before long. Moreover, I would like some more time to concentrate on the other writing I want to do, and have a few trips planned for the near future. I haven't decided yet if this definitely means I will be taking a short break, but we'll soon see.

Almost Worth Knowing: Jason Mraz's new song - I'm Yours

Sorry for the late and crappy post, but it has been one of those weeks. Today, I present to you Jason Mraz's single, I'm Yours. The single was originally released in 2005, on the limited edition EP Extra Credit. However, as of February of this year, the song has been released as a single, the video debuted in march, and the song peaking at #6 on the Billboard Top 100. It can now be found on Mraz's third studio album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. I rather like the song. Check it out, as well as the video below:

Unfortunately, the video has plenty of singing and dancing. I'd like to see some more stealing things.

Almost Worth Knowing: Soccer Ball Microchip is Just One More Step Forward

To say I don't know a lot about sports is an understatement. However, I still recognize that technological advancements affect athletics as much as anything else in the world. Two months ago, I considered the effect of superior swimwear on Olympic swimming times, particularly in light of the Speedo LZR Racer's performance at the 2008 Olympics Games. Technology, in a similar vein, has also affected the way the game is played, permeating both the rule books and strategy pertaining to sports.

The Instant Replay, for instance, was first used in an Army-Navy Game in 1963. Before long, challenges against official calls or the lack thereof, through the use of Instant Replay Challenges, would become commonplace in football. Rules governing the limited use of Instant Replay Challenges have eventually come into use in nearly every sport, allowing for a second opinion when a referee makes a mistake.

Now, however, new technology is again being introduced, making me speculate as to an eventual end to the need for referees. Clearly, referees are only human, and mistakes are made. In football, part of a coach's strategy deals with deciding whether a call is important enough to challenge, even if it were a blatant violation. Yet, with the introduction of the soccer ball microchip, soccer refs will be able to tell if a goal is scored without even looking. According to Engadget: "This year's under-17 world soccer championship will be the official testing ground of a new technology: a microchip embedded in the soccer ball will transmit a signal to a watchlike device on the referee's wrist, generating a beep or vibration whenever a goal is scored. The chip, developed in part by Adidas, is being incorporated in response to an incident in a match on January 4 in which England's Tottenham was denied a clear goal against Manchester United when goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped the ball behind the line while officials were apparently looking elsewhere."

This technology seems a tad stupid as it pertains to soccer, since a ball crossing a goal is pretty clearly recognizable. However, if such a microchip were placed inside of a football, for instance, touchdowns in a pile-up may be a bit easier to call. Similarly, microchips in a volleyball could indicate when the ball touches the line with 100% accuracy; microchips in a football player's knee pads could indicate the instant his knees touch down; microchips in a hockey player's stick could immediately indicate when he was high-sticking. Eventually, one might reach a future where an athlete's equipment is embedded with all sorts of sensors, and cameras relay their footage into computers programmed with complex algorithms to determine fouls and other close calls. Few sports would need referees except for nostalgic value or, perhaps, as a human face to relay these decisions to spectators.

Final Note: I vaguely remember a show called Mutant League, that featured robot referees. Even if that were the case, i also vaguely recall that these robots were about as reliable as the ones that plague the Star Wars universe. Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars if you don't know what I mean.

Almost Worth Knowing: The Flaming Bible

I came across an interesting item on Engadget. I'm sure everyone here is familiar with somebody for whom the word of God burns brightly inside. Well, now you can buy for him or her a Bible filled with similar fire: Fire and Brimstone: The Flaming Bible.

Taken from the Fire Bible's website: "When was the last time your class saw how "HOT" God's Word is? Open this authentic looking "bible" and begin to share the scripture for the day as real flames are seen coming from your "bible". This full size book comes with a battery operated ignition system. All you supply are the batteries, lighter fluid and composure as your class gets excited. (special note: Fed-Ex shipping is available if you absolutely have to have the Fire Bible for this Sunday!)" For only $44.95, you can get this awesome piece of craftsmanship. I don't know what I would do with it, but it would probably make a great gift. You can buy it: here.

Now, if only they made a mock burning bush I could put in my front yard...

Final Note: The woman in the picture has gotz some really big hands.