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Guest Review: World Whisky – South Africa
November 10th, 2010Bain's Cape Mountain (Grain whisky), 46%, $22
South Africa may be home to an increasingly impressive wine industry — and a noted brandy producer — but the country is also home to two whisky distilleries. Drayman's in Pretoria is run by brewer Moritz Kallmeyer, while the James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington is home to Three Ships and Bain's Cape Mountain Grain. Bain's was created by distiller Andy Watts as a way to attract the new, female drinker. Sweet and succulent, this is like an alcohol ice cream sundae — fudge chunks, toffee, and butterscotch syrup, not to mention the ice cream, You pile on the pounds just smelling it. A lush beauty. (Dave Broom)Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 85
3 Responses to "Guest Review: World Whisky – South Africa"
If anyone is interested in this whisky let me know and we can arrange a sample swap. I can also offer the Drayman's that is mentioned as well as the Three Ships blended 5yo whisky and bourbon cask finish.
Hope you don't mind John, but great opportunity to get South African whiskies some further exposure.
hey marc,
is this available in the usa?
i'd gladly swap samples…i got a bottle recently from a local winery just outside of boston. 5 yr old, very pleasant. Noshoba Valley Winery (they do mostly apple wines i think, they have orchards, and some eau de vie), single malt, aged in their own wine barrels, it's called 'stimulus', 42%.
Hi Joe.
Sorry only saw this now! If you are still interested please go to my blog and send me a message via the Contact Me page.


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All-star celebration fulfills Sens owner's promise
by Rob Brodie / Ottawa SenatorsSenators president Cyril Leeder displays a puck bearing the logo of the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, which was been awarded to the franchise and the city of Ottawa and will be played at Scotiabank Place for the first time (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/OSHC).
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced this morning that the league has awarded its 2012 all-star game to the nation's capital. The game is set for Jan. 29, 2012, capping a four-day celebration in the city, and is being held in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Senators' return to the league in 1992.
Delivering the all-star game to Ottawa fulfilled one of the promises made by owner Eugene Melnyk when he bought the Senators franchise and the arena in 2003. Now, he said, "thanks to the support and endorsement of commissioner Bettman and the National Hockey League," the Senators can "give our fans and our city a special opportunity to host the NHL's top talent at the 2012 all-star weekend."
Melnyk went one step further, promising Bettman "that Ottawa will do a spectacular job in hosting the 2012 all-star weekend and we will show everyone why hockey is the greatest game in the world."
Senators players expressed enthusiasm for the arrival of the NHL's mid-season showcase event in their city.
"It's another way to showcase our city and how great a winter city that it is," said captain Daniel Alfredsson, who's played in five previous NHL all-star games. "It's a big event for the hockey world. It's a weekend where you bring in all the best players in the world and showcase them. I believe it's something that this city will definitely make into a great event and also have a lot of fun with it. I believe it will be a great weekend and a lot of fun for everyone involved."
Added centre Jason Spezza, a 2008 all-star game participant: "My initial thought was it would be great to play in an all-star game in your home city. It makes it even more special. You always want to play well enough to be a part of something like this."
In conjunction with Ottawa Tourism, the Senators submitted a bid for the 2012 all-star game back in February. Until now, the Senators were the only Canadian franchise that hadn't played host to the NHL's mid-season showcase event. Bettman called the Senators' presentation "a compelling bid" and added it was a strong show of support for the man who rescued the franchise from bankruptcy seven years ago.
"Seven years into the job and I'm still working on delivering those promises. And today, thanks to the support of commissioner (Gary) Bettman and the National Hockey League, I'm able to deliver on one of those promises by giving our fans and our city a special opportunity to host the NHL's top talent at the 2012 all-star weekend." - Gary Bettman
"Eugene Melnyk has been the stable, firm, guiding force of this franchise since he bought it in 2003," said Bettman. "He is a passionate, involved, knowledgeable owner. I believe the National Hockey League is fortunate to have him as one of our owners and we are grateful for all he does."Also working strongly in the Senators' favour was the organization's track record in playing host to major hockey events, including the 2005 and 2008 NHL entry drafts, the 2007 Stanley Cup final and the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, which shattered all attendance records.
"We know Ottawa can do a terrific job of hosting events," said Bettman. "So we know that this venue and this great city are more than well equipped to handle this marquee event."
But all-star weekend, which includes a Saturday night skills competition and Sunday game, figures to extend its reach well beyond the walls of Scotiabank Place. The new Ottawa Convention Centre, set to open in the spring of 2011, will be the venue for Fan Fest, a celebration of the game that Senators president Cyril Leeder said features "everything hockey, from all the NHL trophies to interactive games to players to the latest technologies."
The Rideau Canal skateway will also be a centrepiece of all-star weekend, with a legends shinny game planned for the world's longest skating rink. Winterlude organizers are also moving up some activities to coincide with the all-star event.
Ottawa Tourism estimates the 2012 all-star weekend's festivities could pump more than $30 million worth of economic activity into the region, with more than 7,000 hotel rooms being booked for it on both sides of the Ottawa River.
"It's a major win for Ottawa-Gatineau and the Senators organization," said Leeder. "It speaks volumes about the infrastructure and facilities we now have in our community."
Asked what's next on his list of promises to fulfill, Melnyk smiled and said "that's the easiest question. Win the Stanley Cup. That's all we're working toward now."

subset: commoncrawl


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Find the Best in Guadalest – Spain
September 1, 2013 by Guest Author
Filed under Europe, Leisure, featured, Art and design, Guest post, Museums, Nature, Sightseeing, Spain, Valencia
If you haven't been to Benidorm before, then chances are your cousin or your neighbour has. And if they haven't told you about the tiny town of Guadalest then I will. It's easy to write off as a tourist trap, especially when you arrive at the large car park in the centre of the modern part. But if you only have the time and/or the money to make one excursion out of Benidorm, this has to be the one. The real secret is in timing your trip. If you are not visiting in an off peak holiday period, then do try and pry yourself out of bed early one morning. It's well worth the effort.
I last went there during the Christmas break, on a spur-of-the-moment trip we'd found to Benidorm with Jet2holidays. We left not so early in the morning, and managed to escape the crowds that took the edge off my previous visit one July. Hire a car for a day or two and Guadalest also makes a great first stop on a trip into the mountains.
It's less than 20 miles along the main road to Alcoy, and one of the joys of driving there was being able to pull off into a well-placed lay-by for a few minutes. The view through the pine trees took in the tiny hilltop town in one direction, and in the other huge feathery banks of cloud floating back through the mountains towards the sea.
With all the souvenir shops and bars and restaurants near the car park, on arriving you might start to think you're in for a mini version of Benidorm itself. But keep following the signs to the Castle and the pedestrian-only alley leads you out on to the side of the hill, past rows of lanky palm trees and flowering shrubs to the main gate to the old town. And what a gate it is – one worthy of Alice wandering into Wonderland – as you step over the threshold of a solid wooden door embedded right in the middle of a huge rock into a tiny world of its own.
As the cobbled street winds round to your left you are immediately confronted by the 18th century Baroque church and beyond that a small plaza. Walk across to the open right hand side and you can look way down to the bright blue waters of the town's small reservoir, with the outline of the high peaks behind clearly reflected in it.
To get up to the highest point of Guadalest you can pay to go through the old family house that stands on the site of the original castle, taking in its mostly modern art collection as you climb up the stairs. Or if you prefer you can head for the cemetery gate at the end of the square, and walk up through a miniscule graveyard where the 'residents' really couldn't get much closer to their 'Maker'. There are views everywhere around the old town, over the terraced hillsides with their almond trees that source the honey and hard turron nougat that the region is famous for and way up the slopes of the surrounding mountains. But the classic one from the top is looking back at the squat whitewashed bell tower sat firmly on the top of another pedestal rock, high above the gate where you walked in.
Of the various small museums dotted around the town, my favourite is the ethnological museum virtually opposite the church where you can see many of the tools used by local farmers and tradesmen over the centuries. Others house historical motorbikes and a miniature collection, including minute paintings on rice seeds – plenty to keep you busy if you want to make a day of a trip to the town.
Katie is the sugar and travel addicted blogger behind delightso.me. You can follow her exploits on Twitter at @delightsomeblog.
This article is brought to you by Jet2Holidays who offer a wide and exciting range of great value package holidays to over 40 beach and city destinations.
Photo credits: Guadalest by A Roger Davies, Guadalest by delightso.me, Guadalest by Jez Page, Baroque church by rojabro, and Guadalest by Stephen & Claire Farnsworth.
More Spanish sojourns:
See where the road will take you in Spain
The Moorish charms of the Alhambra in Granada
See another side of Spain in La Rioja
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read the original article here
You'll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey
Don't miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels
08 Valencia in the Springtime – podcast
April 3, 2010 by Heather Cowper
Filed under Europe, Leisure, Podcasts, Beaches and swimming, Cycling, Eating and drinking, Sightseeing, Spain, Valencia
Podcast Episode 8 in my travel podcast series takes us to the coastal city of Valencia, Spain that I visited with my family in April 2008. Hear me talking to my local Valencian friend, Angel, about the best things to enjoy as a visitor to Valencia. You can hear the dancing and folk music of Valencia, about the pyrotechnical Fallas festival that takes place in March, and about the other places to go such as the beach, Turia Gardens and Mercado Central.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
To subscribe to all my podcasts in ITunes click here
If you enjoyed this podcast, check out all my other Travel Podcasts in my Podcast Archive
I contacted Angel through the travel networking website, Hospitality club, and he spent the day with my family, cycling with us through the Turia Gardens and to the beach where we relaxed for a while before returning the same way.
I hope you also enjoy the slideshow below with my photos from Valencia, that you can watch while listening to the podcast.
Shownotes for Valencia in the Spring
In the podcast we covered the following;
- Meeting other travellers through the travel networking website Hospitality Club, either for accommodation, to meet for a drink or a meal or just for tips on things to see.
- The Fallas Festival that takes place in March, when different neighbourhoods of the city club together to create wooden and paper sculptures, set off fireworks and bangers, eat Paella, parade through the streets and then set alight the sculpture at the end. The best sculptures from each year's festival are preserved in the Fallas museum that you can visit at any time of year.
- The Mercado Central in the centre of Valencia where you can look at all the different food stalls and buy a picnic – don't miss the fish section at the back and you can also try some tapas at the small bar in the Mercado.
- The Turia River Park where we spent the day cycling with Angel. The park was created from the bed of the river that used to run through the city but was diverted in the 50s due to flooding. You can hire bikes from several different bike shops in the centre and then ride along as far as the port and the beach.
- Going to the city beach which is a favourite place for Valencians to go at the weekend and is the best place to eat seafood or Paella in the restaurants along the boardwalk – you can cycle as we did or take the tram from the centre.
- Walking around the centre at night, especially the area around the Cathedral and the Plaza de la Virgin that is close behind it – you'll also find plenty of nightlife in the Bario Carmen
- Visiting the modern leisure complex of the Cuidad de las Artes Y Las Ciencias or City of Arts and Sciences, where you'll find museums, cinemas and concert halls as well as the Aquarium or Oceanographic where our kids enjoyed the Dolphin show when we were there.
- Best time to visit is spring and early summer or autumn – you'll probably find it too hot in July and August when all the Valencians head for the coast and the beach.
If you enjoyed this travel podcast please check out my other podcasts in my Travel Podcast Archive
Check for the best hotel prices in Valencia and book here.
Other Valencia Podcasts
Listen to my podcast interview about our trip to Valencia at the Amateur Traveler Podcast
Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home
Don't miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels
If you enjoyed this podcast, check out all my other Travel Podcasts in my Podcast Archive
Heather on her travels around the web in December and January
January 15, 2009 by Guest Author
Filed under United Kingdom, Europe, Accommodation, Leisure, Misc, Blogging, Bristol and Bath, Greece, Guest post, London and around, Spain, Street art, Valencia, Zakynthos
Here's your chance to catch up with some of the other articles of mine that have been published recently around the web.
Over at Europe a la Carte I'm posting regularly on a Thursday and have covered a few different themes recently;
If, like me, you enjoy colourful surroundings, then you'll want to read my post on Great street art around Europe. I wrote about the street-art I've seen, not only in my home town of Bristol but also in Valencia and Orgosolo in Sardinia. When I visit Berlin this spring I'm planning to take a look at the East Side Gallery, where part of the old Berlin Wall has been turned into an outdoor street gallery to celebrate the re-unification and re-generation of Berlin.
Related posts
Bandits and Murals in Orgosolo in Sardinia
Old town Valencia and street-art
Graffiti tourism in Bristol
Inspired by a pre-Christmas weekend in London to do some shopping and take in a show, I suggested you Visit Covent Garden in London. It's an old fruit and vegetable market, now turned into a shopping centre for individual shops, market stalls and street-theatre. The place is teeming with bars and restaurants for that pre-theatre meal and you should also visit the Actor's church and maybe a spot of pampering at the Sanctuary spa.
Related Posts
A free day out in Greenwich in London
An artistic lunch at the V & A
They're changing the guard at Buckingham Palace
Dreaming of sunnier days, I wrote about Cycling in the Turia Gardens of Valencia when I visited the city with my family in 2008 for some spring sunshine. The Turia Gardens were once the bed of the river that ran through the centre of Valencia which was diverted due to flooding. It's now a string of parks, sports grounds and other leisure facilities and we enjoyed hiring bikes and cycling as far as the port and beach where we dozed in the sun for a couple of hours.
Related Posts
A cycle in the Turia Gardens in Valencia
The city of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
A picnic from the Mercado Central in Valencia
Still on theme of sunshine I enjoyed a Mama Mia fantasy on the Greek Island of Skopelos, inspired by the film Mama Mia recently released on DVD. The island of Skopelos was chose by the location scouts for it's unspoilt beauty, but all was not as it seems, as Donna's hotel, where much of the action took place was in fact all part of a film set (or I'd be checking in immediately). It all reminded my of my trips to visit my sister on the Greek Island of Zakynthos, although her wedding to her Greek husband was somewhat less fraught with drama.
Related Posts
A hunter's view on Zakynthos
How to find a real Greek taverna on Zakynthos
My top three beaches on Zakynthos
I read that Bristol is one of the top cities to visit in 2009 according to guidebook publisher Dorling Kindersley and it was the only UK city they named. Well, as I've lived in Bristol for 15 years, I already knew that it's a great place to live and to visit, and I gave you some of the reasons you should consider coming in 2009. Well there's the thriving harbour area, many parks, free museums, fantastic shopping, beautiful architecture, historic past and… (need I go on?) Fellow bloggers can always find some tips and maybe even a bed for the night at Heatheronhertravels-central so do let me know when you're coming.
Related Posts
To Bristol cathedral for a contemplative lunch
An introduction to Bristol
A visit from Nomadic Matt
With low cost travel being on the agenda this year, why not travel on a budget with Hospitality Club, the website that brings together likeminded people as travel hosts and travel guests. If you're wondering how you might enjoy more travel destinations at lower cost, you might like to hear about my experiences of being both a host and a guest through Hospitality Club.
Related Posts
A visitor from Riga
Meet the locals in Valencia
Places to visit in Turkey recommended by Sedef
Finally, hot off the press, check out my Guest Post over at Ciao Bambino, published today. Ciao Bambino specialise in family friendly accommodation, but their site also features travel tips and destination guides as well as reviews of hotels and other accomodation that are ideal for family holidays. If you're visiting London with the family, check out my post on Free, family-friendly museums in London in which I reviewed the Big Three museums in South Kensington; the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. They each make a great half day out with the kids, combined with another activity such as some playtime in nearby Hyde Park. You can see all my photos of the museums on Flickr below;
See my photos of the Science Museum on Flickr
See my photos of the Natural History Museum on Flickr
See my photos of the Victoria and Albert Museum on Flickr
Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home
Don't miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels


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The SKB PS45 Professional Pedalboard utilizes SKB's patented design, offering the durability and protection expected from SKB, but with power supply efficiency that is second to none. The PS45 has four effects loops and can power eight 9 volt pedals with 100 mA per outlet. It also has a larger surface, measuring 27 x 15 1/2 inches. Complete with a hard case providing full enclosure, the SKB PS45 offers six different configuration options and can power multi-voltage pedals. Like all SKB hard-shell cases, it is backed by SKB's unsurpassed Million Mile Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. SKB really went out and did their homework on this one.
SKB PS45 Pedalboard Features
SKB PS45 Pedalboard Specifications


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The Rockets have lost two straight against teams they should beat. They fell to the Utah Jazz on Monday and lost to Phoenix last night.
Houston shot a dismal 35.2 percent from the field and 29 percent from three against Phoenix. While the shooting was poor, Dwight Howard sees a bigger issue with his team.
"[Expletive] effort out there on defense and on offense," said Howard. "The ball stuck … We didn't move it and we can't win that way….
"It had nothing to do with us missing shots," Howard said. "They just played harder than us…It had nothing to do with the offensive game. They just played hard. We know what we [have to] do. It's gotta be important for guys to come out and play the same way every night."
It also doesn't help that Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons are out due to injuries.


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Pregame notes: Ellsbury at DH because "physically he needs it"
Joe Girardi said there's no one particular injury that's causing concern, but it's no accident that Jacoby Ellsbury is getting a start at designated hitter tonight.
"He just needed it," Girardi said. "Physically he needs it."
Ellsbury had a day off before the start of this road trip. He's since played 10 days in a row, and he's played alright — couple of home runs on this trip, a current five-game hitting streak — but it's notable that he's stolen a base in only two games since June 20. In that span, he's had three stolen bases and been caught stealing three times.
"When you get those speed guys, they get beat up," Girardi said. "Physically they get beat up. … We talked about it. He probably could have used (a DH day) yesterday, but we just decided to do it today instead."
Girardi said there's no specific injury, just a general sense of being "beat up" at the moment. Batting practice started soon after Girardi's session, and I don't remember seeing Ellsbury in the clubhouse before Girardi talked, so there really wasn't much chance to go directly to the source to find out what exactly is hurting him.
"When you play every day, and you're running around, and you're playing center field, your body is going to hurt. It's probably a different spot every day," Girardi said. "It just kind of moves around depending on what you do that day. Is there anything serious? No, but he's just beat up."
• The Yankees starters for the first series after the All-Star break:
Friday: David Phelps
Saturday: Brandon McCarthy
Sunday: Hiroki Kuroda
• Girardi said the basic plan was to give guys fairly equal rest. McCarthy gets a little more than the others. Sounds like Shane Green will likely start next Monday's game. As for a fifth starter after the break: "We haven't made any decisions," Girardi said. "Obviously Chase (Whitley) is the most built up."
• The plan is still to have Carlos Beltran activated from the seven-day disabled list on Friday. I assume he'll replace Bryan Mitchell, who was brought up to give the Yankees a just-in-case reliever. "We just felt that, if we get into a crazy game, I'd rather be protected on the pitching side," Girardi said. "Dellin has been worked hard, Adam has been worked hard. If you don't need them or something, you'd hate to have to use them."
• More on Beltran: "He's doing pretty good," Girardi said. "He did some exercising yesterday and felt no ill effects from it, so he's feeling better."
• Michael Pineda is supposed to throw another bullpen soon, but Girardi said he's not sure when exactly that will happen. Girardi said he fully believes Pineda will be back at some point this season.
• It was a long shot, but I kind of wondered if the Yankees might use the All-Star break to get a guy like Adam Warren built up a little bit. Maybe pitch him two innings tonight, then have him throw the equivalent of three innings at some point over the break. In theory they could have him up to four innings by the fifth game after the break. But, Warren said he's just planning to play catch a few times during the break. There's no secret plot to get him converted back into a starter. So, so much for that idea.
• Tonight is the Yankees 45th game with a rookie starting pitcher this season. That's by far the most rookie starts before the All-Star break in franchise history. "It's not what we expected, but it is what it is," Girardi said. "And I think our young pitchers have handled it pretty well. Through all this, we've been fighting and fighting and we'll continue to do that. You have a chance to have a really good road trip with a win tonight. We use whatever we have to to win the game."
Associated Press photos


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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Unfair County rules may kill watersports instruction on Maui
Maui County has proposed new rules that will almost certainly kill watersports instruction on Maui. This is bad news for the Maui watersports community
And bad news for all the schools that have been serving the community for decades.
One example is, Proposed Rule 10-102-22 prohibits windsurfing schools from having more than two instructors working at one time. This will eliminate our kids camps, and any other high-school programs. This will put the vast majority of watersports instructors out of work, and most (if not all) schools will go out of business. The sports affected are Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, kayaking, Scuba diving, etc.
We need public testimony from anyone who supports these sports. Please support our schools and instructors by writing a letter or email. And send it to
Tamara Horcajo, Maui County parks director, firstname.lastname@example.com
Zachary Helm, deputy director parks, email@example.com
Mayor Charmaine Tavares, firstname.lastname@example.com
Jo Anne Johnson, firstname.lastname@example.com
Michelle Anderson, firstname.lastname@example.com
Senator Shan Tsutsui, email@example.com
And cc a copy to firstname.lastname@example.com
The testimony could be sent before 5pm Tuesday 2/26/08 (next meeting), or the final deadline is in 45days.
"Say goodbye to kids camps like these, if Maui County has their way!"
39 comments:
whats the arguement for these new rules ?
- Pedro said...
What's on the head of these guys?? Are they high or something?
- David said...
The new mayor and admin are making big waves in terms of attempting to kill the (white) sports like windsurfing/kiting, etc. on the island. They're attacking the lodging, instructions, etc. and the only thing that I can think of is the undercurrent that they want to be their own country and bail from being an actual U.S. state.
It just doesn't make sense, but then again, the things they are attacking are usually white operations, not native hawaiian.
It's racism run amok if you ask me. - 2/24/08, 3:19 PM
- jeff E of the Great White North said...
I cant believe it!!!1st its vacation rentals and the hollow arguments against, then this ban windsurfing and kiting within amount X of feet of surfers. Now this??!! there's an old saying "just because your paranoid it doesnt mean people arent after you"
i didnt know the taliban,existed in Maui i mean really!! - 2/24/08, 3:59 PM
stfu haole
What's da prob, brah? More waves fo' me!
Aloha, Alan Cadiz here. We are working hard to maintain your access to quality, affordable lessons here on Maui. Unfortunately, the proposed rules go too far and are a seismic threat to the viability of watersports instruction businesses. Your support and positive comments about the status quo at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui would be invaluable at this time.
Please email to Parks Director: email@example.com
and to Mayor: email@example.com
and copy to me at email@example.com
Mahalo and Aloha. - 2/25/08, 7:13 AM
This brings new meaning to the prescient "Windsurfing has been cancelled." Except now it is "Windsurfing AND kitesurffing has been cancelled."
Thanks to all the kite renegades for bringing all this down on us.
I guess Allen Cadez should change his name to Hawaiian Swimming Techniques. - 2/25/08, 7:34 AM
Can someone post the actual Proposed Rule? It's hard to comment on something when you don't know what it actually says. Also, a sample "form letter" response would be handy for us illiterate ones. :)
We will post the rules as soon as we can, our scanner is down at the moment and we only have our hard copy that the schools received in the mail Saturday. We will post asap.
Damn, I shoulda sold my house in 2006. Instead, Fred told me to buy!
haoles complaining about racism... poor, poor babies, you poor innocent things, victims of racism now... those bad dark-skinned people don't like your fair skin, your fair hair, and your light-colored eyes, and they're out to get you for it... after all the wonderful things you've done for them... civilizing them, teaching them about God, giving them honest work in the fields, and spending your hard-earned dollars for vacations on their islands, and saving them from those other yellow-skinned scourges, the japanese... "wtf are those idiots thinking? they must be on drugs again, as usual... they always run amuk, that's why we had to invent a special caliber side-arm, to shoot them down... they're the same as all those other dark-skinned terrorists, those taliban al-qa'eda schmucks... which we are busy shooting down... anybody who doesn't love us, has got to have something wrong with them... why, why, why, oh why do they hate us so..." it sucks to be you, haole.
These rules were created by the parks department who just want to eliminate all the ocean activity schools on Maui. BTW the parks director is a blond haired "haole" woman. Watersports instruction is a serious business where most instructors are certified in their sport of teaching, they work really hard. They act as "lifeguards" and are an extra set of eyes for the county and make all our beaches safer. Maui is changing and growing, that is a fact. In my opinion the county should recognize this and therefore IMPROVE all our parks, beaches, and harbors, add proper showers, add restrooms, extend parking lots, make the beaches a better place. The schools and instructors are not the problem, it is the county and their lack of support!!!
but the department must be giving a reason for doing this, its not just to annoy the hell out of everyone. Whats their reasoning ?
- jeff E of the Great White North said...
the taliban dont allow a vote, they push rules upon people under religious law. Woman cannot go to school or show their faces in public and have no rights they can be beaten and murdered without recourse to the man that has done the deed.
Luckily Democracies such as Canada and the USA have free votes and free speech.
I hope the people speak up on this issue in Maui country and the people are truly represented by the administrators.
So that what i meant by "taliban." If i offended you anon sorry.
If you think i am racist please think again. One of my best friend is an East Indian the other Chinese we are all Canadian and Human beings just like you.
Ok fair i am a haole. i dotn think the original meaning of that word was bad. If the shoes fits i'll wear it. I am proud of who I am i work at a hospital helping people i support 2 foster kids, i think i am a good person i let locals pass me in maui when i am driving slow ( LOL) and WOW that make me a "haole". Shit i am proud to be a haole if thats what i am .
I am curious who are you, can you "own" who you are? - 2/25/08, 2:47 PM
First: Don't be proud to be "haole". The literal translation is "without breath" or "without soul".
Second: Windsurfing is just as viable a sport as surfing and swimming. So discrimination is wrong.
Third: Colonization of Hawaii may have caused serious problems. This is bad. However, this is life, and the clock can not be turned back. Stop whining and start living. ... Also there is always somebody there first. When the "Hawaiians" migrated to Hawaii from Polynesia, the islands were already populated. The Polynesians killed most of the "natives" and gained control of the islands. ... People's are conquered (and sometimes destroyed) through out history. It's life.
Racism against whites is a huge problem in our islands. Until it is resolved, there will always be a latent tension haunting our air. - 2/25/08, 6:36 PM
to "david"
you typify the arrogant "haole" mentality infesting our beautiful island of maui.
we hope that with these new regulations in force, haoles like you return to the mainland and never come back. - 2/25/08, 7:09 PM
David Troup of Wisconsin said:
"The new mayor and admin are making big waves in terms of attempting to kill the (white) sports like windsurfing/kiting, etc. on the island. They're attacking the lodging, instructions, etc. and the only thing that I can think of is the undercurrent that they want to be their own country and bail from being an actual U.S. state.
It just doesn't make sense, but then again, the things they are attacking are usually white operations, not native hawaiian."
What a blindly racist and supremely ignorant statement to make. You accuse others of racism, yet you yourself are in denial. Oh the irony. Typical racist whites. - 2/25/08, 8:27 PM
As part Hawaiian, I wonder what evidence you have for calling david a racist. He may be wrong; I don't think the issues are anti-white or racist. But how does this make him "a racist white"? Where is the "denial"?
The real problem is a lack of tolerance and a discrimination of certain sports (namely windsurfing). There is enough room to enjoy all of the ocean together.
And: As a good surfer and windsurfer, I'd like to point out that Hookipa normally sucks for surfing but is great for windsurfing. There are better spots for surfing on Maui's north shore. It does not make sense to kick windsurfers out when there are so many breaks that cater to specialized water sports (be they windsurfing, surfing, kiting, etc). - 2/25/08, 8:57 PM
To Duke,
Sorry you feel that way, but I do see some of your argument. If you and other native Hawaiians want your independence bad enough (and want the islands to yourself), why not start a movement and NOT be part of the USA. Then you can have your island to yourself, like you want. You want freedom, show a some conviction and go all the way!!! Start your movement! Then we can all claim that your tax $$$ are not leaving the island, and mainlanders can say their tax $$$ are not going there to help you (you don't want it anyway). A win/win situation!!!! - 2/26/08, 1:24 AM
Hawaii is the one place where being white is a DISADVANTAGE.
Sorry. Time to face reality. - 2/26/08, 6:01 AM
for thousand of years in hawaii the blooming of flowers where associated with fish and then ....the musts and sails arrived and associated with caucasian and their laws and deceptions and than again on maui appeared the sailboards(must and sale) and more caucasian development and their trash "maui is so cute i like to buy a pice of it""i'm so cute i windsurf" "hey you ugly hawaiians go away i windsurf" "i'm free...free" "i make one million dollar""i can pay you""i bring Happiness""I TAKE EVERYTHING"
did you go to the governor to protest when the cut the water form the POOR and FULL hawaiian village for the 3 RICH and EMPTY hause ? how much money did you make last 20 years windsurfing industry?how much have you given directly to the locals (forget about tax and crappy jobs ) "i'll give you 500$ a week to wash my rentals!!!"
do you really think the hawaiians needs your money and you? they know how to fish grow craft and surf better then any million dollar men, their land is paradise. no need of development and selfish fucks
when in hawaii do as the hawaiians
be a respect full guest
and if you want to do politics go and help the locals
not private interests
to learn how to windsurf buy a book is cheaper and better
a caucasian windfuckincok - 2/26/08, 7:05 AM
windsurfing is for everyone. don't blame a beautiful sport for some people's mistakes.
well said, "windsurfingcok."
exactly. those windsurf schools have been milkin it for years. at the peak (1985-1990) they shoulda been giving back to the local community. teaching local youths. disadvantaged kids. but no. they brought in the rich, white spoiled kids, desecrating the beaches. hogging up the best of maui for themselves.
- David said...
Wow. Where to start ... where to start. I guess we'll just go down the line, shall we?
When I referenced racism, I was referring it as "against anyone NOT Hawaiian" not just against whites.
There's a strong undercurrent against non-hawaiians on the island, and this is typified by Duke's comments. I got no gripe with him, he just made the point for me.
In the next post, one of our anonymous poster correctly identified me. Yup, that's right. I exist online with my TRUE identity. If you can't post your name, then as far as I'm concerned, you have no voice. Grow some balls, create a profile and lets have real debate. Then again, I'm about solving problems, you folks seem to be about sustaining them for your end goal. Fine by me. I'll never hide from words I speak. I dare everyone here to do the same.
GP hangs it all out on his blog. He's a super nice guy. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with his politics, but that doesn't mean I don't like him. I'll gladly give him the next wave all the same. It's about respect. I don't see a lot of it from those of you who are claiming to be Hawaiian and calling myself and others haole.
I've met a lot of great Hawaiians who are true to the spirit of the islands. I feel shame for those that abuse their birthright and believe wrongly that they are somehow better than others. Such a waste of a good soul. - 2/26/08, 11:53 AM
Just curious. Are the locals just singling out just the caucasians from the mainland? Or are they going after everyone? Japanese, Italians, Germans and any of the other races of the world that visit/live in Hawaii?
90% of the surfers on Maui are either California transplants or illegal South Americans.
The surfer vs windsurfer fight immigrated to hawaii with the white Californians. - 2/26/08, 4:12 PM
the last post (anon) is full on correct - i sailed diamond head (oahu) for 10 years and the only problems i ever encountered was with wannabe locals - mostly coming from california.
- Mac said...
Wow...I have a stupid question, because I really don't know the answer. Does "Anonymous" and "Duke" speak for most native Hawaiians? Or, is he/she representative of only a few? If I were to move to Hawaii, the first thing I'd want to do is learn about Hawaiian history, culture and respect the folks who were there first. But if this person speaks for many, would I as a white American, even have a chance to get that respect back?
- moreforce4 said...
Wow, a lot of bitterness in the comments. As an anthropologist, I'm not overly surprised, most dispossessed people feel the same. If injustice allowed to linger long-standing hatred festers. How many of the newcomers get to know Hawaiians really well, visit their houses, and understand the history and local politics? If its like the relationship here (western Canada)between newcomers and aboriginal First Nations, the percentage is tiny.
Some of the last comments got me wondering about the efforts of the windsurfing schools/industry over the years. I know nothing of it, but how many professional native Hawaiian windsurfers (competitors, sponsored, instructors, business owners) are there? I know there were some like Tom "Pohaku" Stone; is Dave Kalama native Hawaiian? The schools in Aruba, Bonaire, Morocco etc. have made a big effort to get the local kids involved, and now many of the top freestyle and wave world cup guys and girls seem to come from local communities. I don't follow World Cup much, but I don't recall seeing any Hawaiian names/faces lately. Hope I'm wrong but if not, why not? - 2/26/08, 5:49 PM
Josh Stone is native Hawaiian and his father was one of the founders of Da Hui. He also windsurfs almost every day and is a 2 time world champion. His brother, Jason, (who is also native hawaiian) is also a top pro. And yes, Kalama is hawaiian. Bernd I-don't-know-his-last-name is also a hot up-and-coming native hawaiian pro. Apart from these pros, there are countless other hawaiian recreational windsurfers.
Most of the kids camps are free, so kids from any socioeconomic or racial background can learn to windsurf (be they white, hawaiian, poor, or rich).
Also, many pros offer free instruction down at kanaha.
Basically, if you want to learn how to windsurf on Maui, it is very easy to do so.
I windsurf at Hookipa every day there is wind and will gladly devote a Saturday morning to teaching anyone to windsurf.
However, I notice a lot of hatred from the surfers towards the windsurfers. Most of these "haters" are from California. And to be honest, I wish they would go back to the mainland. IF YOU HATE, GET OFF MAUI.
It's is sad to see the locals who post here. They seem so confused in feeling that windsurfing has wronged them. I pity anyone who could be so wrong. - 2/26/08, 6:14 PM
"...if not, why not?"
You are one pathetic anthropologist. WTF do you think? It is the age old story of white privilege and racism. Ever hear of it?
Pretty funny that now all the mickey mouse haole wind school owners are crying like babies. Too little too late.
Buy-bye windsurf schools. Now I can take my children to Kanaha to play and swim in peace.
Thank you Mayor Tavares! - 2/26/08, 6:17 PM
- moreforce4 said...
Well thanks for that anonymous 2 back, its good to hear about the free kids camps etc. I had no idea the Stones were Hawaiian.
Anon 1 back has the same style as most of the other ones in the same vein, sounds like a repeat customer. I hope you are not typical of hawaiians; when my wife and I were in Maui last, we were warmly welcomed both on beaches and at some traditional events. And fyi, I'm a pretty damn good anthropologist, and my expert testimony at supreme court here last year helped the Tsil'qotin first nation establish aboriginal title to a huge piece of land. Set a huge precedent. - 2/26/08, 7:44 PM
To the last anonymous poster:
You're hiding behind a fabricated and inaccurate cliche. Worse, you're actually using it as a justification for discrimination.
Look at your argument. You admit that the Windsurfing School's only flaws are being white and not giving free lessons to hawaiian children. These aren't reasons for putting them out of business.
By the way, do you know of any hawaiian children who feel embittered because they didn't receive free windsurfing lessons? Do you recommend any music schools that should be shut down for not giving free lessons? Or any Karate teachers that should be arrested for charging a fee? Do you think Fukashima's should be shut down because he doesn't give free food to all the local children running around Haiku?
Just use your brain...please. - 2/26/08, 7:49 PM
Dan from NZ:
I can't believe some of the comments here.
I've only been to Maui once 10 years ago and I was amazed by both its beauty and the amazing conditions that it offered to surfers and windsurfers alike. It was great that basic rules had been established and were well understood that you didn't windsurf before 10am (or is it 11?) so that the surfers could enjoy the waves, there never tended to be any wind then anyway.
What has happened over the past few years for such ill feeling to be generated between the native Hawaiians and the tourists that come to enjoy your wonderful island? - 2/26/08, 9:39 PM
Haole, (pronounced: How-leh) in the Hawaiian language, means "foreign" or "foreigner"; it can be used in reference to people, plants, and animals. The origins of the word predate the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook (which is the general accepted date of first contact with westerners), as recorded in several chants stemming from antiquity.
Haole, in its current definition, first became associated with the children of Caucasian immigrants in the early 1820s. It unified the self-identity of these Hawai'i-born children whose parents were as much culturally different as they were similar. For Haole children whose first language was Hawaiian, their parents were either religious missionaries or secular businessmen, and hailed from both Europe and North America, not necessarily speaking the same language or English dialect.
With the first three generations of Haole playing key roles in the rise of the economic and political power shifts that lasted through the turn of the 20th century, Haole evolved into a term that was often used in contempt. Though its first usage in such context had to do with classist origins, it has evolved further to racial meaning, erroneously replacing "malihini" (newcomer) in addressing people who move to Hawai'i from the U.S. mainland. Today it is often applied to those who are of Caucasian ancestry, or those who think or behave in a foreign manner.
In current application, Haole is sometimes, but certainly not always, used as a racially derogatory word and can be used descriptively or derisively. - 2/27/08, 3:35 AM
It's really interesting what happened with windsurfing in the caribbean. Indeed I remember the 80'd when all the PWA (PBA it was called?) pros were blonde causcasians (Robby, Anders, Bjorn, etc).
Thanks to some generous (and caucasian) instructors, local kids got into windsurfing and now the freestyle discipline is dominated by windsurfers with african or native american origin. More interestingly, I heard (I'm not totally sure) that world champion Gollito Estredo is the son of a poor local fisherman. Nice story.
Why the situation seems so different in Maui? I can point a couple differences:
1) Those windsurfing spots in the Caribbean (Bonaire, Margarita, etc) are not surfing spots, so people does not have that antiwindsurfing vibe that California surfers bring to Hawaii.
2) Hawaii was a relatively prosperous Kingdom before being taken up by the US. They clearly still have some bad feelings about it... That is hard to change, and it's amazing that windsurfing was made a symbol of that.
Marcos - 2/27/08, 5:10 AM
It seems that instead of having fun people prefer the hate. How people can be miserable in paradise!
A wave is just a wave, one can leave without, Maui is not that crowded, go to Europe or China and see how beaches look over there. The color of the skin does not make the person, just respect one eachother and be able to let go.
This discussion instead of solving issues is making everything even worst and building up even more hate.
Either you are Hawaiian or Caucasian or South American, please stop, this does not bring any positive, and the mediator should put a stop to it. - 2/27/08, 6:39 AM
I don't think any of the rules are the result of racism. I believe its a result of too much commercial activity on PUBLIC beaches. Commercial operators have had a free ride. They do have an impact on public parks and facilities. It is sad that David would throw the race card out. I would be more productive to work to find a solution to the over commercialization of public beaches. If David want to look for racism, he should start with his mirror.
Joe - 2/5/09, 3:25 PM


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Archive for May, 2005
Five straight losses is enough to render even the new, optimistic me verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves. Topic: aging superstars surrounded by mediocrity. Discuss.
Randy Wolf has lowered his ERA from 6.52 to 4.57 over his last six starts, going 5-1 during that stretch. Hmmmmm, isn't that special? Brett Tomko, on the other hand, has lowered his ERA from 6.75 to 4.05 over his last seven starts (which, by the way, is referred to as doing better!), and instead of receiving pitcher of the month awards, was rewarded with an exciting 3-4 record over that stretch. Isn't that special?
So, I'm not exactly speechless.
Big doings in orange and black. The Giants traded Jerome Williams and David Aardsma for LaTroy Hawkins, one of the premiere setup men in baseball. Listening to Brian Sabean made my heart all aflutter:
…. "We're in desperate need to remake the bullpen. The more we watched our games, home or on the road, we have a very difficult time stabilizing the game when we need to. This sends a message to the position players that we're serious about straightening this thing out. It also sends a message to the bullpen, although there's going to be some changes because of this, because when he reports on Sunday, somebody is going to have to go. We may not be done rearranging this thing."
…. "It's the price of doing business. You take a step backward. Maybe Jerome can get his stuff together in another organization. Money was very important. We're going to wind up paying less than $1 million on the whole thing, and that gives us flexibility to do some more things up the line. Obviously we're in a negative leverage situation. With Benitez hurt, teams come in and assess the situation. It's one of those things we're going to have to live with. Hopefully, LaTroy comes in and fills the void."
…."The Benitez thing was a shock. We took a huge step backwards. I think we've regrouped with Walker taking over, but again, we've had the hardest time seemingly trying to find folks who can pitch an inning or can be slotted. That's hopefully what LaTroy can do — give us some sanity. It's been a credit to Felipe and Rags [Righetti] how they've juggled it. At this point, there's no system. There's no method to our madness."
True dat.
LaTroy Hawkins has been pretty good this season, moving back and forth between setup man and closer. In 72 at bats, he's allowed 18 hits, (although 4 of them have been home runs, 3 of those have come at homer friendly Wrigley), which runs out to a very nice looking .250/.316/.444 .761 OPS against. His ERA stands at 3.32, and he's got a 13 to 7 strikeout to walks ratio. In 2002, 03, and 04, he'd been outstanding, averaging about 80 innings with an ERA around 2.00 and a 4-1 strikeout to walk ratio. Yummy.
As for dealing young pitching for another 32-year old, well, 32 isn't that old, and it's likely that Sabean has again properly assesed his bargaining chips, and these two pitchers may have already reached their ceilings. If that's the case, once again the lunatic fringe and I will have to give Brian his due for knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.
It's hard to see these two players in the same light as, say, Joe Nathan or Russ Ortiz, pitchers whose probability for continued big-league success was fairly high. Nathan in 2003 was essentially the same pitcher who went to the All-Star game for the Twins in '04, something that was pretty hard to miss (I know I sure did, but in my defense, I had essentially no computer access for two whole months when the trade took place).
Jerome Williams, on the other hand, had pretty marginal numbers even when he was doing well. He went a combined 17-12 in 2003 and 2004, but he managed just 168 strikeouts in 260 innings, and with a less than 2-1 K/BB ratio, 5.5 strikeouts per 9 innings puts too much pressure on the defense, something that seemed evident this season as he's struggled.
Kudos for Sabean for making a move before it got too late. It'll be interesting to see how Williams and Aardsma fare over the next couple of seasons.
The combination of Jason Christiansen and a sudden squeeze by home plate umpire Dan Iassogna brought the Giants back to earth, as they rallied and then were rallied upon by the Dodgers, losing 6-4 last night. The Dodgers ninth-inning rally was built upon two walks, one deserved (Jason Christiansen, who was unable to come within a foot of the plate on any of his five pitches), one courtesy of Iassogna, who turned his head at not one, but two third strike calls that would have put a dent in the Dodgers plans. So, instead of sweeping the Dodgers, which would have been sweet revenge.
Woody pitched well, the hitters were a bit overmatched by Brad Penny, and the Padres are coming.
Brett Tomko was dominating, allowing two runs over 8 innings, as the Giants beat the Dodgers 10-2. The Giants hitters came alive, especially Pedro Feliz, (who was can't watch awful the night before) and Moises Alou; both hit two home runs, and four Giants had two-out RBI hits. It was a rare night of offense for Tomko, who had seen less than 2 runs per start from his teammates prior to last night's explosion.
Tomko hit 97 on the radar gun more than once, and more than just the numbers, his fastball was exploding. His ERA (4.05) has fallen almost three runs after his last four starts, (one more start like this and he'll get it below three), and at 4-6, he leads the team in wins. The win pushes the Giants back over .500, and at 23-22, they are tied with the free-falling Dodgers, (who once held a six game lead over the G-men) four games behind Arizona.
Scott Munter gave up one hit in ninth, (damn, did you see the size of that kid?), as the Giants used the big lead and gave Walker the night off.
Alfonzo's back up to .323, Deivi Cruz continued to shine with the bat, he's hitting .320 bouncing around the infield, Alou now has 7 home runs and 20 RBI, Feliz leads the team with 8 home runs and 32 RBI. I might add that Mike ~ Run Saver ~ Matheny has as many home runs (5) already this season as he had all of last (and is only three away from his career high), and with his 22 RBI, is on pace for a 20 home run, 80 RBI campaign, which, if it happens, would cause the rotation of the earth to change, forever.
Meanwhile, the Giants have six hitters(!) with an on-base percentage over .350, and four of them are in the .390′s, which is just outstanding. It would be great if we are witnessing the stabilization of the picthing staff, because the hitters have been adequate, (if not more than); and Bonds' return now seems closer than ever.
Jason Schmidt looked only about a million times better last night, striking out the side in the first inning, and he hit his fifth career home run as the Giants beat the Dodgers 5-3 to get back to where they started. At 22-22, they are alive, if not exactly well, but Schmidt's return from the DL may be just the thing to give them a boost. Not only was he hitting 95 MPH consistently, he was spotting corners, doing just about everything he wanted until his one tough inning, his last. He struggled to control his changeup during that final frame, something he said afterward he knew would be trouble.
Watching, I got the feeling he was throwing seven straight changeups because he was trying to work something out, and it almost cost him.
After he was done, the entire bullpen combined to throw four more shutout innings, punctuated by a perfect two batter save for Mr. Walker, who looked quite excellent.
The Cincinnatti Reds designated today, ending his Cincinnatti career. Listening to the Reds GM Dan O'Brien made me laugh:
His performance has been unsatisfactory and unacceptable. It hasn't been up to the standards we've come to expect for the Cincinnati Reds organization. We appreciate Danny's contributions to the organization, and we hope he finds an opportunity with another major league club.
His performance hasn't been up to the standards we've come to expect for the Reds?!? Is this the same Reds who've lost 90-plus games for like the last ten years? The same Reds who asked Graves to go from the bullpen to a starting role to help the team, starting him on this slide to oblivion? In the same article Graves wonders about that:
…. Graves, 31, hasn't been the same since he agreed to help the team by moving into the rotation in 2003. A career reliever, Graves wore down during a 4-15 season that took several miles per hour off his fastball and took a toll on his body. He was throwing around 88 mph this season, down from 94 mph in his prime.
"I changed roles and probably ruined my career," Graves said. "I don't know. I don't have the answers. I felt like I've been given up on. It's a shock to me. If I can recall, I'm not the only closer that has struggled."
Yeah, and the Reds coaching staff seemed to have really helped him with that:
…. "It became a confidence factor," manager Dave Miley said. "His confidence has been shaken in the month of May, and we weren't comfortable bringing him in certain situations. We weren't seeing what we were accustomed to seeing."
Confidence, yeah, he's lost confidence. Nothing's like a ready made excuse for a coaching staff to clear itself of any part of players troubles. We don't think he has any confidence, or maybe it's his lack of heart, or any other completely unmeasurable intangible. Here's a thought: maybe the coaching staff of this laughingstock of a team team failed to perform at a level that Graves' had come to expect.
I'm sure free agents will look at the way he was handled at the end and think twice (or even three times) about joining the perennially under-acheiving Reds. His teammates certainly feel like management pulled the rug out from under the team:
…. Stunned teammates sat in folding chairs in the clubhouse after learning of the move, which leaves the team without a proven closer. Several players said Graves should have been given a chance to work out his problems.
"This is not his fault," first baseman Sean Casey said. "We stink. For us to be 15-28 has nothing to do with Danny Graves. That's the frustrating part for me.
"I know I'm a little emotional right now, but I think the Cincinnati Reds as an organization owe a lot more to Danny Graves for the eight years he stepped up every year. They owe him more than to just release him like this. I just disagree with it."
Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. said he's never seen anything quite like the move.
"It's tough," Griffey said. "He's not a troublemaker. He's not a guy that complained. He wants the ball. It's just upsetting. It's a tough way to lose a guy that's been here and dedicated himself to the organization."
Yeah, that'll rally the troops. Throw Graves out the window. Let me be the first to suggest that Sabean call up Graves agent and get him out here fast. Sure, he's been horrible for a while, but I guarantee you, for $316,000, somebody will sit him down and try to figure out what the Reds were doing to screw him up, and he'll be back throwing bullets again. It might as well be the Giants.
Tyler Walker? The same Tyler Walker who began the season with an ERA of infinity? I guess so.
The Giants, behind Noah Lowry's best effort of the season, Moises Alou's big, two-out, two-run, sixth inning home run, and the afore-mentioned Walker took the rubber game of their weekend series with the A's.
Walker earned his fifth save in a row, (so much for the bullpen-by-committee BS, eh, Felipe?), something this writer would have considered unthinkable a month ago:
…. Tyler Walker is pitching his way out of baseball, or at least into Herges-ville. After allowing a three-run home run to the first hitter he faced last night, he got the final out of the inning ~ his first out recorded in 2005 ~ to lower his ERA to an astronomical 108.00. He then got three outs in the next inning to bring his season line to 6 hits, 5 runs, 1 HR and 4 outs, which translates to a 33.75 ERA.
His season line, after today, actually looks like, well…. like a major-league pitcher's line. Here's then and now:
Then 1.1 IP 6 H 5 ER 1 HR 0 BB 1 SO
Now 20.1 IP 19 H 8 ER 2 HR 12 BB 12 SO
Since 19 IP 13 H 3 ER 1 HR 12 BB 11 SO
He had a streak of 12 straight games without allowing an earned run, and after his May 11th meltdown against the Pirates, he has been just this shy of perfect, 5.2 IP 0 H O R 1 BB 2 SO. He's not getting many strikeouts, but he has seemed to embrace the pressure I spoke of when I suggested that Jason Christiansen might be the guy. Let's see if Walker can keep this up for any stretch of time. Giants are 21-22, 5 games out.
UPDATE: Reader Mark notes that 25 baserunners in 19 innings ain't no great shakes. True, but Walker seems to be all or nothing, so his totals look worse than his performance actually is. Looking at his game logs, he's had two horrible outings, (7 of his 8 earned runs and 8 of his 19 hits), two in which he's had no control, (7 of his 12 walks), and 15 pretty damn good ones. Last season, he struck out 48 and walked 24, so maybe it's still early to look too closely at his rate stats; but just for the sake of argument, let's imagine that he never made that first appearance. Forget about the walks for a second, –Hey, his name is Walker. Get it?– if you take away his first horror-show outing, his numbers look like this:
Sure, his strikeout and walk numbers look a bit suspect, but no matter how you look at it, that ain't hash. Just about a week ago, I wrote about the amazing start to the season Dustin Hermanson had put together for the White Sox. Here's how Walker looks (minus his first appearance) against him and Joe Nathan, since I started this whole closer thing pining for the two ex-Giants:
Walker 20.1 IP 15 H 4 ER 1 HR 12 BB 12 SO 1.80 ERA 6 saves 0.80 K/BB 5.31 K/9IP
Dustin 20.1 IP 12 H 0 ER 0 HR 6 BB 15 SO 0.00 ERA 10 saves 2.14 K/BB 6.64 K/9IP
Nathan 18.1 IP 14 H 4 ER 0 HR 3 BB 21 SO 1.96 ERA 12 saves 7 K/BB 10.31 K/9IP
The point isn't that he's as good as these two guys. I know they blow him away in all of the important rate stats:
Walker 0.80 K/BB 5.31 K/9IP 8.41H/9IP
Dustin 2.14 K/BB 6.64 K/9IP 5.31 H/9IP
Nathan 7.0 K/BB 10.31 K/9IP 6.87 H/9IP
But these two guys have been among the very best in the league, and I was just sitting here wishing on a star that we had somebody who was capable of performing at anything even close such a high level, and somebody has. More walks, fewer strikeouts, sure, but not too shabby at all. Take away those two horrible appearances, and Walker looks like maybe baby. Add in Bonds' appearance this weekend, the news that he's off the antibiotics, the possibility that Alou's finally starting to hit a little…. I don't know, maybe the worst is behind us.
Using the Keltner List (a Bill James creation), Westwood Blues takes a look at Will Clark's Hall of Fame chances.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
In The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, James ranks Clark as the 14th best first baseman in baseball history. The only Hall of Fame eligible player ranked ahead of Clark who is not already in the Hall of Fame is Don Mattingly.
Also, James ranks Clark ahead of Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda, Dan Brouthers, Roger Connor, George Sisler, Frank Chance, Bill Terry, Jim Bottomley, and George Kelly.
For Giants fans, this qualifies as a must-read.
If there were any doubt about the true intentions of our 'fearless leaders' in Congress, it's gone now:
A third congressional committee opened an investigation into steroids in U.S. sports, asking Major League Baseball, the NBA, NFL, NHL and their unions to turn over documents about their drug programs.
…. "The more the merrier. This is an important issue, and we're glad other committees agree," said Dave Marin, spokesman for Government Reform chairman Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican.
The more the merrier. As opposed to, the waste of time. Or, the waste of taxpayers money. Or, the bullshit we are using to distract you from the fact that we do nothing but suck at the corporate teat and lie. Or, the easiest way to get our names in the papers.
Not one of the men and women involved in these 'investigations' has one time evinced a desire to either know what the hell they are talking about, or act like they care to learn; swinging from baseless accusations to pointless scoldings, from ridiculous declarations of 'toughness' and 'uncompromising integrity' to cliche'd assertions of 'protecting the children.'
They should all be ashamed of themselves, everyone of them. This country is going to hell in a handbasket right now; the list of true 'scandals' these absolutely useless morons should be trying to do something about is essentially endless; corporate wrongdoings, the environment, Iraq, the increasing political power of the religious right…. I am hardly qualified to even know a tenth of what's really in need of 'investigation' by the men and women who are paid money by you and me to protect our interests.
I am, however, qualified to know that these important issues are being ignored while the grandstanding goes on.
UPDATE: Michael O'Keefe of the NY Daily News comes thisclose to cutting and pasting from OBM in today's editorial. ;-)
Dozens of witnesses – jocks, commissioners, union bosses, medical experts, grieving mothers – have appeared at an endless series of congressional hearings on steroids in sports. But America's lawmakers overlooked two of the nation's biggest experts, Greg Stejskal and Bill Randall.
Stejskal and Randall are the two FBI agents behind Operation Equine, the landmark steroid investigation that led to 70 convictions in the early '90s despite lukewarm support from their superiors. Operation Equine targeted big-time dealers, not athletes, but as the Daily News reported in March, the names of hundreds of athletes – including Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco – came up during that investigation.
A decade later, important members of the House of Representatives have decided that ridding sports of steroids is the most important issue facing the nation. So while millions of Americans go without health insurance and a bloody war continues in Iraq, our leaders conduct marathon blabfests that give congressmen the opportunity to profess love of sports, disdain for steroids and plead, like Rev. Lovejoy's wife on The Simpsons, "WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?"
That's some tasty crumpets.


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Considering Vista just had its first birthday, this seemed like a good time to look at some statistics to get a feel for just how popular it is.
Microsoft issues sales figures for Vista licenses, but they have a vested interest and a corporate history that makes trusting them difficult. Market researchers come out with numbers based on surveys but the sample size is always small. That leaves usage statistics, specifically website usage.
The software that runs a web site is called a web server, the most popular programs being Apache and IIS. In addition to serving up web pages, every web server program also creates an activity log that includes information about visitors to the website. When a web browser requests a web page, it also sends information about itself to the web server in a character string called the "user agent". You can see the user agent string for your web browser here.
Reporting software, such as AWStats*, reads the log file, examines the user agent field and can determine the operating system running on the computer that requested each web page.
My most popular website is javatester.org. It offers a free service, reporting on the version of Java being used by your web browser(s). In January 2008 the site averaged 1,859 visits/day, 3,682 page views/day and 26,734 hits/day according to AWStats.
Shown above are the stats for "hits" by Windows users of the website**. Simple division shows that XP accounted for 80% of the traffic and Vista accounted for 10%.*** Next up, were Windows 2000 at 4% and Windows Server 2003 with 3%. Amazingly, someone is still using Windows 3.1.
Put another way, for every Vista user there were eight Windows XP users.
The most popular site that I can get stats for is a radio station in New York City. In January 2008 the site averaged 3,092 visits/day, 14,514 page views/day and 71,457 hits/day according to AWStats.
Shown above are the stats for Windows users of the radio station's website. The percentages are surprisingly similar to the Javatester site - 82% of Windows users ran XP and 10% ran Vista. Next up was Windows 2000 at 5% and Windows 98 at 1%.
I've said before that I think Windows XP is the better choice for Windows users than Vista. Apparently, many of you agree with me.
Slightly off-topic, but an interesting read: A computer shop's sales pitch: 'We remove Vista' by Todd Bishop at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
*All stats reported here are from Advanced Web Statistics version 6.6 (build 1.887).
**Not all users of the website are running Windows, of course, but the stats shown here are just for Windows users. Comparing the popularity of Windows vs. Macs is another topic. Unfortunately, AWStats does not break down visits or page views by operating system, only "hits".
***All percentages are rounded off.
See a summary of all my Defensive Computing postings.


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Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.
Add your Review-
12/22/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
1 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety Nothing really dangerous
Greek Life None.
Clubs and Activities There is plenty
Great for these types of students Freshman looking to save money for a semester or two.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus None.
Bang for the buck The Wellesley campus is the best
What to do for fun Join a club! or form one
Food and Dining It's not the best
Dorm Life No dorms
Academic Rigor Depends on your major
Tips for prospective students Don't drop out! Stick it out to the end and use ratemyprofessor to choose your professors.
In three sentences A very nice school. Good resources. Nice people.
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Anonymous from Wellesley, MA
06/18/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
2 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety There is always a police presence. Never heard of any issues.
Clubs and Activities Veterans Club is great!
Great for these types of students Great for self-starters and those who want a relaxed campus mood.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There appears to be a club that either are open satanists or wickens, not sure. That was interesting to come across..
Bang for the buck Overall, I give this school a 3/5. They just need to work on their science faculty.
What to do for fun There are lot's of clubs, and sports options. Honestly, I have a lot of fun just spending time with friends in the cafeteria between or after classes.
Food and Dining Food and drink are good actually. If you don't like what you see, They whip something up for you upon request.
Dorm Life No dorms.
Academic Rigor The science faculty are mediocre from what I've experienced so far. Which has been the most difficult issue for me since I am a science major. Everyone else is great, including the math faculty and learning specialists.
Tips for prospective students Consider another college if you are a science major or intend to be. However, this college is respected and it's credits are widely accepted at 4 year universities.
In three sentences Great for veterans. Disappointing science faculty. Strong support from academic advisors.
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03/20/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
3 of 15
Categories Comments Food and Dining Food will keep your tummy. If you are looking for something to appeal your tastebuds, bring your own food or buy somewhere else...
Dorm Life There are no dorms....
Academic Rigor Well it depends on the teacher. Some are intense some are lax. Rate your teacher.com will give you an idea of the specific teacher you are looking for.
Tips for prospective students Always be alert of your environment. MAssbay is not dead, they have clubs and they have help when you need it so keep you eyes open
In three sentences The Teachers are great, They have a science, writing center to help students with homeworks. Its school :)
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Nicole from Attleboro, MA
03/01/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
4 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus is very safe. There are always security guards on the campus who are willing to help you, even if the problem is small. One of the officers on campus even helped me get my keys that I locked in my car, they are all really nice and helpful people.
Clubs and Activities There are a lot of clubs and activities, especially since it is a small community college.
Great for these types of students Mass Bay is great for students who are looking to save money before transferring to a four year school. It is also a great school to go to if you are just going back to school for the first time in years. It is great to get you back into the learning setting.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There really aren't any unusual traditions or locations at Mass Bay.
Bang for the buck Mass Bay has a lot of bang for your buck! The classes are reasonably priced and it is great to get all of your gen eds out of the way for a great price.
What to do for fun The campus is right on route 9 so there are a lot of fun things to do. It is very close to the Natick Collection, a movie theater, restaurants and more.
Food and Dining The food there is pretty good as far as college food goes. There are also a lot of decently priced places to go to that are close to campus.
Dorm Life There are no dorms on campus.
Academic Rigor The classes are not all that difficult. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing especially since (like me) most of the students there just going to college years after graduating high school.
Tips for prospective students Always make sure you meet with an adviser before signing up for classes. They are incredibly helpful and they can tell you all the classes you need to either transfer to a four year school or to get your certificate or associates degree.
In three sentences Mass Bay is one of the best community colleges in the state. I travel more than I half hour every day to get there and it is well worth it. They also have a great transfer rate to many other schools.
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Jonathan from Framingham, MA
12/04/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
5 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus Security is similar to other college's security. They are police officers, regularly patrol, always visible and on-site, and well prepared for anything. Whether it is an evacuation or a medical emergency, the do it professionally and by the book. You can always trust the security to be fair to you and respect you as not just a student, but a person, too.
Clubs and Activities Clubs are a large part of the fun at MassBay because there are so many, and they do as much as they can. Clubs will hold events and participate in events, some providing music or an outlet to connect and branch out to the community or student body.
Great for these types of students Commuter students, out-of-high-school students, changing careers, returning to college, pursuing college for the first time, active learners, Nursing/EMT/EMS/Paramedic/Radiology, automotive, the average student.
Bang for the buck For what MassBay offers, and the extremely high rates of transfers to four-year colleges, you cannot get a better deal. Transferring out of MassBay offers you the chance to go to a four-year state university as a junior, and pay almost half their tuition BECAUSE you attended MassBay. You've completed half your Bachelor's Degree at a fraction of the price others have paid, and your FAFSA helped you accomplish that. Going to MassBay won't make you hungry.
What to do for fun Clubs will generally have activities going on at their club meetings, which each individual club has set once a week. There is a Fitness Center with a work-out gym, and a basketball court you're welcomed to play in. Every semester there are fitness classes like Tae Kwon Do, Yoga, and Samba dancing to students interested in learning a activity and staying fit. The school is also located near many restaurants, bars, and shops in the Wellesley area, so going out after class is never a hike.
Food and Dining MassBay's Cafeteria offers made-to-order deli sandwiches at a very affordable price, as well as a well-cooked hot meal option every single day. Also included is a salad bar, pre-made sandwiches, chicken tenders and fries, and occasionally a stir-fry station. They offer hot coffee, cappuccinos, and Coca-Cola beverages as well (Monster and Red Bull too!) so you can make it through class after that all-nighter.
Dorm Life MassBay is a commuter school, so you don't have to pay any extra for room and board! You can take classes and sleep in your own bed and work in your own home if you want, without having to worry where you'll live next semester because you don't get along with your roommate.
Academic Rigor Some professors who work full time here have long histories in teaching, some including Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale, and they teach at MassBay because there are more students from different walks of life they want to teach. You are receiving the same education you'd receive if you attended a state university and some times Ivy League, so don't come in thinking that it will be a breeze. Come in and get ready to learn.
Tips for prospective students -Never be afraid to ask for help. The people that work there make it their job to help you. -Get involved. College is you make it, and if you participate in clubs, teams, or in Student Government, you'll get so much more out of the experience. -Be proud you chose MassBay. MassBay works with you and your life in order to help you receive a higher education, and that's something to be proud of.
In three sentences Some prospect students see MassBay Community College as just another community college, but it is so much more once you attend. The staff and faculty are incredibly helpful and happy to assist you with any issues or concerns you have, as well as the college's long list of certifications and associate's degrees provide students with a path to a successful career and direction in life. If you are fresh out of high school, returning to college, or changing careers, MassBay is the college you want to attend.
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Jiovelisse from Framingham, MA
12/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 15
Categories Comments Food and Dining There is a good variety of food to pick from. It means that you can have something different each day such as Asian food, along with other choices.
Dorm Life Since its a community college, there are no dorms. But, this campus has three locations. The Wesselley Campus. The Framingham Campus and the most new Massbay campus in Ashland, Ma.
Academic Rigor The academic rigor is challenging because its not exteremely easy so it gives a good challenge for the student regardless what major he or she may pursue.
Tips for prospective students Always keep track of work from every class, Have a good relationship with the professors. Treat them with respect and they will help have success in their classes.
In three sentences A perfect school with a huge selection of programs for many popular majors such as Nursing, Early Childhood, and others. The professors there are dedicated to help every student to succeed in college. This school has lots of different students from different backgrounds which celebrates the diversity found there.
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Andrew from Sudbury, MA
10/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
7 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety Police force is patrolling throughout the day. There's always someone around to let you know you and your belongings are safe.
Great for these types of students It's great for the focused student. Campus life does not attract the lazy and that's a good thing. Everywhere you look, students are motivated, sharing ideas, buried in textbooks, but smiling all the same.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Fridays there is a DJ in the cafeteria playing your favorite songs from pop culture.
What to do for fun Numerous student organizations flood the campus: whether you're interested in student government, athletics, dance class, student newspaper; MassBay has something for you.
Food and Dining MassBay prides itself on keeping fresh fruit, healthy beverages and snack bars, as well as meats and cold cuts stocked daily for its student body.
Dorm Life Doesn't apply.
Academic Rigor Coursework is not overwhelming, however teachers are stringent. They are they to teach those who want to learn, not those looking for the easy A. They understand a chunk of the student body have outside responsibilities so homework and tests and quizzes are not overwhelming. They do this because they expect you to put your mind to work and give your best effort for the assignments you are assigned. In the end, you'll find you've learned something.
Tips for prospective students Try new things! Here is your chance to take the course you've only-sorta-kinda been interested in and at an affordable rate.
In three sentences MassBay is a perfect school for those looking to figure out what they want to do. Whether a recent high school graduate curious to experiment with different interests, or a professional trekking down a different career path, community colleges are applicable to all. Friendly people, abundant course options, and knowledgeable, vetted staff are what make this school not only great but affordable and helpful in people pursuant of their dreams.
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Michelle from Leominster, MA
06/11/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 8 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus police are very nice. They helped me break off my lock on my locker because i lost my keys to the lock.
Clubs and Activities So many clubs its hard to keep up with them all. Whats even more wonderful is that you can create your own club or organization by yourself.
Great for these types of students Anyone who has financial problems, or cant pay for a dorm can afford this school. People who loves small classroom sizes as well.
What to do for fun There are so many clubs and things to do, such as yoga, belly dancing, basketball.
Food and Dining The food is no restaurant or five star dining room but it is still delicious and fulling.
Dorm Life There is no dorm life, you commute.
Academic Rigor They offer many academics to there students. They are all at there own level of challengers. I personally love the online classes. They are more compatible with my daily schedule.
Tips for prospective students There are wonderful resources to use at this school. It is open late, and teachers are willing to stay past hours to help there students out. It is a fun school that knows how to create a fun but still academic school.
In three sentences Massbay is a really good school to attend. The teachers are all passionate about their work and try there best to help their students learn to there full abilities. I definitely recommended this school for a great education.
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05/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 15
Categories Comments Bang for the buck You will save A LOT of money by attending Mass Bay. Tuition is generally around $3,000/semester for a full-time student.
Food and Dining The food is alright. If you have enough free time and want to get off campus there are so many food places along route 9 to grab a bite to eat.
Dorm Life There are no dorms at Mass Bay. This is a commuter school. Its harder to make friends here than it would be at a school with dorms.
Academic Rigor The academics at Mass Bay are just as hard/easy as a state school. Don't think that you'll be able to get away with little to no work just because it's a community college. The academics are fairly challenging.
Tips for prospective students My tip for prospective students is to attend Mass Bay. You have a chance to save a lot of money by going to this school. If you do decide to transfer to a four year school then you will obtain a degree from whichever school you choose. In all honesty where you go to school is not really an issue, just as long as you have a degree.
In three sentences This school is great! Why pay more money for an education when you can receive the same education and pay a lot less money? The staff at Mass Bay are great and help you with anything along the way!
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05/17/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
10 of 15
Categories Comments In three sentences Looks interesting, would like to apply here
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Mackenzie from Bellingham, MA
04/07/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety There is a security office, and very friendly officers that are always eager to patrol the halls, parking lots, or simply lend a hand.
Greek Life MassBay has a variety of attending students, all with different ethnicities.
Clubs and Activities There are many clubs, and MassBay has its own sports teams as well.
Great for these types of students MassBay is great for everyone! There are foreign students, parents, grandparents; students in highschool, or ones that just graduated; and returning college students that need to finish up a degree, or even start a new one.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The computer lab used to be a chapel. The original stained glass is still in there! It's very beautiful.
Bang for the buck The price for each semester is substantially cheaper than any four-year school, and the best part is that you're taking the same classes and getting credit for them. It's a cost-effective option for your first two years of school, if you plan on transferring to a four-year school.
What to do for fun MassBay has an endless list of student clubs and organizations. It is also extremely easy to create your own, new club if it doesn't exist!
Food and Dining The cafeteria menu is very extensive, and caters to different ethnicities and comfort foods. You have many healthy options, as well as junk food ones if you're craving it. All of the food is delicious.
Dorm Life There are no dorms at MassBay, because it is a commuting school. But it is still very easy to make friends!
Academic Rigor There are a variety of levels for classes, and the professors always keep you on your toes. If you place into a class below the college-level, the credits don't count towards your GPA, until you advance into the college class.
Tips for prospective students You have the possibility of taking Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes, Tuesday-Thursday classes, or even every day. The Tuesday-Thursday classes are longer, but it is a great way to settle into the college life, as well as the commuting aspect of it.
In three sentences MassBay is the perfect school for the beginner college student who is wary about attending post-high school education. There are a variety of degrees that easily let you explore any major you want to consider. The campus is small, but beautiful, and has a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
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Marie from West Roxbury, MA
02/25/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 12 of 15
Categories Comments What to do for fun there is lots of different things available club wise. there is also a gym, and zumba classes and much much more!
Food and Dining the food here is pretty good! it's not gourmet, but as far as cafeteria's go, it's good! i love the turkey sandwiches as well as the bacon, cheddar, egg on a bagel breakfast sandwiches.
Dorm Life there is no dorms, so sadly i must give this a one star. i would give a zero if it were an option.
Academic Rigor academic difficulty varies from teacher to teacher. i have had some teachers that give a normal amount of homework with longer due dates while others will give less frequent assignments, but when they do give them the difficulty will be higher and the due date closer. i feel there is a balance in this because i am never overwhelmed with the amount of school work i have to finish while at the same time being challenged.
Tips for prospective students check out the photography class! mislick is one of the best professor's there. she seriously knows her stuff! also, the cafeteria food is pretty good! you won't be disappointed.
In three sentences massbay provides an environment that feels comfortable and safe to learn. the professors here know what they are doing and are not afraid to challenge their students, while at the same time providing helpful tips for adjusting from high school level work to college level.
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gbaper from newton, MA
02/22/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 13 of 15
Categories Comments Food and Dining good
Tips for prospective students human services
In three sentences very nice school they take there time with the students
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Heather from New Orleans, LA
09/27/2011Reviewer is A past student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 14 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Returning students and those who have other priorities, this school is great in terms of their flexible scheduling and teachers sill work with you when approached. The key is communication.
Tips for prospective students If you're not serious about your education, don't waste your money. Keep your focus, do your work and you won't regret a moment. Also, schedule your classes online and avoid the advisor rush.
Bang for the buck These are the same professors as the ivy league schools with the same curriculum and the same books, for a tiny fraction of the price.
Did enjoy being here As a commuter school, you choose whether or not to have any on-campus social life.
Did learn a lot This is one of those schools where you get out of it exactly what you put in. If you do your work, you will learn, but teachers will let you fail if you don't ask for their help when you're having trouble.
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08/22/2009Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 15 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Anyone who is focused and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead in their field of choice.
Tips for prospective students Have all your paperwork in order prior to meeting your advisor(s) so you do not waste their valuable time. When you are not prepared you will have to repeat trips to the college and that wastes not only your valuable time and gas but now you are taking up time that could be useful to another student who needs their help.
Bang for the buck I feel this community college will be a great investment. I feel that I will receive the best education. The college has very tough standards and if one studies hard and does they will benefit greatly.
Will enjoy being here Definately
Will learn a lot If all goes according to plan I will learn a lot since I am older and returning to college after a 16 year laps. This time I am more focused and determined to accomplish all my goals at MassBay!
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Adeadpan comedy/film noir, "Spare Me" has its share of fresh angles, but in attempting to muscle in on the suburban mystique terrain of indie exponents like Hal Hartley, it's knowing to the point of self-consciousness. Beyond the college circuit, it looks like a low-scorer commercially.
Adeadpan comedy/film noir, "Spare Me" has its share of fresh angles, but in attempting to muscle in on the suburban mystique terrain of indie exponents like Hal Hartley, it's knowing to the point of self-consciousness. Beyond the college circuit, it looks like a low-scorer commercially.
N.Y. filmmaker Matthew Harrison's micro-budget debut feature steps into the seemingly innocuous bowling milieu and opens up a menacingly weird can of worms. The basic idea is familiar off-Hollywood fodder: Mysterious out-of-town dude with cool sideburns breezes into Normalsville, kicks the lid off a cesspool of no-gooders and nutcases and hooks up with a local bad girl along the way. The dude here is ace sportsman Theo (Lawton Paseka). Suspended from pro bowling for braining his opponent, he tracks down his absentee father (Mark Alfred), hoping that dad's legendary status in the sport will get him reinstated. Dad's in deep with a crooked bowling alley-owner Miles Kastle (Richard W. Sears Jr.). While Theo weighs the ethics of accepting sponsorship from Kastle, he gets romantically entangled with Kastle's troubled daughter (Christie MacFadyen). She, in turn, is irked by the unbrotherly affections of her unhinged sibling (Bill Christ), who's just escaped from a psychiatric hospital. Theo becomes a pawn in their insidious individual plans, but following some twisted plot subterfuge and a gruesome death on the pin-stacking machine, he eventually gets back in the game. Harrison's resourceful direction brings a sharp look and sound to the shoestring venture, playing up, rather than trying to cover up, the raw edges imposed by limited technical means. But the film wavers noncommittally between styles and tones. Dialogue is straight-out noirspeak, but the stylized camerawork, off-the-wall characters and arbitrarily over-the-top performances don't fit the mold. Result is an affable but relatively formless pastiche that gets by on reckless energy and charismatic leads.Spare Me
(Comedy-drama -- Color -- 16mm)
A Film Crash production. Produced by Matthew Harrison, Madeline Warren. Co-producer, Christopher Cooke. Directed by Harrison. Screenplay, Christopher Grimm.
Camera (Duart color), Michael Mayers; editor, Piero Mura, Hughes Winborne; music, Danny Brenner; production design, Mark Friedberg; art direction , Tom Jarmusch; costume design, Mayers; assistant director, Jonathan Starch; casting, Meredith Jacobson. Reviewed at San Remo (Italy) Intl. Film Festival (competing), March 26, 1993. Running time: 88 min.
Theo Skinner ... Lawton Paseka
Sheila Kastle ... Christie MacFadyen
Buzz Fazeli ... Mark Alfred
Millie Fazeli ... Sunny Weil
Miles Kastle ... Richard W. Sears Jr.
Junior ... Bill Christ
Sid ... Christopher Cooke
Breeze ... Sean Hagerty


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On rumination, fear, and accepting help when you need it.
Long-Term Travel
Personal musings after 7 years of Legal Nomads
I left the law on April 1, 2008. This is an anniversary post putting together my favourites from the last seven years of travel and writing, as well as some contemplation from my travels.
2015 Travel Plans
The coming year in travel, public speaking, and food.
FAQs after 6 years of travel
You asked, I answered.
Revisiting The Solo Female Travel Experience
Thoughts on solo female travel in light of recent news about a US woman murdered in Turkey, and media reactions that followed.
Life is short and the world is small
Chance encounters strike again.
Practical Tips from Years of Traveling The World
Lessons and tips from years of world travel, all on one page.
On Homesickness and Long-Term Travel
A long musing about the emotional component of long-term travel.