The Zimmermann Note

As Summer begins and the city of Chicago becomes notoriously busy I am finding myself hating driving around more than ever. In trying to exit the city, it took me an hour to get the car filled out and outside of the city. A simple accident stops traffic forever and I find walking is much more pleasurable.

And it’s a shame because there is so much that I would love to do, however, my impatience bekons me more than ever.

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I have been looking forward to the new show on HBO, “Flight of the Conchords”, a parody on the hipster music community that we love. I have been somewhat disappointed lately with the output from HBO, on the lack of good output. Sure, Bill Maher is classic as has the Ricky Gervais and Larry David’s shows but other than that its been instead offered consumers elements that cannot be offered on regular television without the aspect of it being a great drama or comedy. Let’s hope that this is better.

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Anyone else getting into the iPhone hype? I have to say that I am. I love my iPod and will give the mass public time to consume and rip apart the iPhone. Anything that is loved by many will ultimately be loathed by others, especially when it comes to Apple products. I can only say that I have been particularly impressed with Apple products in the past. I find a Mac far superior than a PC in terms of ease of use as well as reliability. I have cut down my rebooting ten-fold.

The buzz that the iPhone has caused is enough to warrant attention. Sometimes products or services come around where a company does not have to market it. I think that this is the biggest thing since the Wii. I am not sure if Apple is any more cutting edge than Microsoft, but I think that it’s the perception that they are that is more telling among consumers. Microsoft in effect has become big blue while Apple sits on the fringe offering its customers a unique product and an image that is Anti-Windows. While still promoting that image they create a unique buzz among Macaholics.

I still remember going home the day that the Apple Store opened on Michigan Ave. and saw fans lined up around the block just to enter the store. As the bloggers fight it out, I will sit in the background and mind my own business but if anyone wants to give this lowly boy an iPhone I will take it with open arms.

In many respects the finale to the Sopranos left more questions rather than conclusions and the show seems more destined not to be completed rather than to be shifted to a different venue such as a movie. I think what the Sopranos juggernaut would prove is that 5 years down the line there could be a movie. The ending keeps the door open for any possible shift to the big screen.

In a way we are dealt with the same issues that the show has dealt with before: a conflict with the Brooklyn Family that has now been solved in the shooting of Phil which in itself brings peace between the two families, yet again.

But what else, or how else can this show survive with all of its characters getting shot, hacked, stabbed and or otherwise deemed disposable?

The only story that could live on would be the eventual growth of the Soprano children for it is the next generation that we would be most concerned about. Little Anthony is given a chance at an aspiring movie producer role and possible club ownership if he straightens up his act, wereas Meadow Soprano finally came to grips with her upbringing deciding that she wants to be a lawyer and defend the likes of “Italian Americans”.

I think that overall, there is a level of disappointment, however. I think there is a calling for Tony to realize some redeeming aspect in his character and I am not sure that it really shone through. The years of dealing with his issues were for naught, his possible death was for naught and this last season showed him having less trust in his friends than ever.

The demise of Christopher who was trying to change his ways was blocked by Tony as if Christopher’s alcohol and drug addictions could not be handled.

But it really was the last couple seasons that dragged on way too long. I stuck it through thinking that there must be some huge climatic ending to the series and we are just left hanging. I think that is the problem with these cliffhanger shows that gain huge popularity…lets keep them alive so that the series can continue on.

Now this kid can shred!

It’s time for a well thought out couple of days off. I hate talking about myself but my book on Michelangelo has only been given a couple scratches to and those tennis ladies I keep running into on Nintendo Wii are just becoming tiresome. I want new opponents! However, I am convinced the game learns from my strategy. Mr. Zampano is in love with the Wii and loves watching the tennis ball and the mini wii’s dance across the screen. He sits there and then puts his paws on the screen. Sorry to disappoint my little furry companion but you got brushed today and I hate to mess up your do.

I have not given the Art Institute of Chicago a good run for it’s money in years. I think it might have to do with the book I am reading however there is something ultimately romantic about some of the great works of art in there. I tend to prefer the classics over the modern era works. It could be that circles and squares show less emotion than an old peasant women looking her 200 years, or pretending what Van Goghs bad side looks like.

Thursday it will be listening to Patrick Ryan who is helping the bid for the 2016 Chicago Olympics. Here is hoping that the second city has what it takes.

Friday I might be seeing a ballgame if the Sox stop blowing.

And tonight it is just me, a blank computer screen, my muse, and a lot of music.

Ok well they surely do not blow but as a dedicated fan for the past 30+ years I have come to the conclusion that the team has some issues to look into if they plan on competing in the Central Division this year. My 1/3 of the season grades

Offense: D

The team has looked sluggish and slow. Their offense is the worst in the AL, however, they have been finding ways to win and slowly but surely are doing some things right. The insertion of Jerry Owens into the leadoff spot looks promising.

The only good thing to say is that out of their troubles, the offense has the most upside. You know they have the ability to put up some great numbers, it’s only a matter of them actually doing this.

Defense: B

The defense has actually been pretty solid so far this season. I could make a few exceptions here and there, especially the game with Toby Hall against the Cubs and I have never been much of a Pablo Ozuna defender but otherwise its been solid. A.J. has been solid behind the plate and they have been solid up the middle with Uribe, Iguchi and Erstad. I think Owens will work out in Center and could only imagine that this team would have been so much better with Owens in center last season. Its not the arm that would have killed him but the fact that even if Owens batted at the Mendoza line like Anderson did, he would have made the team faster.

Starting Pitching: B

I have liked what I have seen so far. Everyone has been on their game for the most part. Last season it seemed that there were a couple starters that took awhile to get acclimated to the season, however, it has just been bad luck. John Danks has been a pleasant surprise. I still think that the Sox put too much trust into Vazquez but I guess it could be worse.

Bobby Jenks: A-

Bobby Jenks does not deserve to be lumped in with the other relievers so I am going to mention him here. I have always been a big fan of Jenks who has gotten better year in and out. Arguably, it took him a little longer to get his arm up to speed but even with a less than outstanding fastball early in the year he was able to convert save opportunities and at the end of the day that is the only thing that you can look to him for. Without Jenks, I could only figure this team has five or six less wins then they do and his numbers would only be better if he had more support in the seventh and eigth innings.

Relief Pitching: F

Fact of the matter is that we are watching a free fall of ultimate proportions. The White Sox currently have no confidence in the late innings. Going into the season the management felt that they had improved their bullpen but what I saw from their moves was to acquire fireballers who had lost confidence and try to improve them. They got too confident with Sisco in thinking they can turn his troubles around like they did with Thornton and Jenks. I am not sure what to think of MacDougal who for the first time in his career cannot find the strike zone. Aardsma looked simply brilliant when the temperature was hovering around 40-45 degrees outside and since then the hitters have caught up with him. Too much has been asked out of Massett to make an accurate judgment and I do not think that going in he was in a pivotable role. The fact was that the setup men on this team (Thornton, MacDougal, Aardsma, Sisco) have not done their jobs.

Bench: B –

The bench has been there when needed. Makowiec has played big in a couple games as has Cintron. With the amount of injuries that this team has amassed so far this season I think that they are being asked to do too much. Where the issues with the bench play out are more in the field rather than at the plate. The Sox lack many players on their bench that offer a better defensive opportunity.

Coaching: B

I am not sure what to say. I am surprised with the lack of offense and bullpen that we are still hovering around .500 and they have to be given that level of success. The coaches cannot be blamed when pitchers do not throw strikes. I have been disappointed in their lack of running game and how we can have less stolen bases than the Oakland A’s. For a team that is struggling to score, we should be running at every opportunity.

Management: C

I think that the biggest issue in the offseason for the Sox was their bullpen and their changes reflect a mentality that is looking for powerpitchers rather than pitchers that get outs. Secondly, the reliance on Scott Podsednick was probably the wrong decision. As much as I love Pods, he is injured way too much and previous seasons show that when Pods is out of the lineup, the Sox struggle. I think that the Sox should have used Pods in the offseason as trade bait for some good relievers and in the process turn over the opening left fielder job to someone like a Jerry Owens who could have been groomed for the leadoff position.

I think that successful baseball teams need a good balance of both power and speed because as you play the season you realize that there are going to be those close 2-1 games when a bunt single, stolen base and single can win you a game rather than relying on the three run homer. The Sox had this formula in place during the 2005 season but got away from it last season focusing their attention more on the home run ball.

Conclusion: Unless the bullpen improves, I just cannot see this team getting too far. I do expect the offense to improve. Hot summer nights on the South Side should start becoming more advantageous to the offense. However, will the team make any moves in the bullpen? There does not seem to be a lot of talent in the minor leagues affiliates right now. Their recent recalling of Dewon Day is not the answer as he only has average stuff. I see a dismantling of the team in the offseason with the chances of Uribe, Crede, Iguchi, Dye and Buehrle all wearing different uniforms next season.

http://www.stewartcopeland.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2809

Even though it is being misrepresented in the media, calling Sting a pansy is sure making this tour notable.

You have to love the National Spelling Bee if only for the commentators pretty much all being sports figures/commentators from ESPN.

A canadiac has never won a National Spelling Bee and I could only imagine the digust in the United States if this were to ever happen. However, I think that today should be a National Holiday to celebrate United States pride.

The winning word was serrefine which is no ursprache the winning word in last years competition.

I think what should be next is extreme spelling where these kids have to spell while swimming in a pool filled with barracudas or better yet, have Dubya be the joker that is pronouncing the words. I am not complaining. I am just happy that I did not pick Samir Patel on my Spelling Bee Fantasy Team.

I tend to appreciate nonfiction over fakery so here it goes.

Constantines Sword – James Carroll

Is a compelling book if you are either Catholic or Jewish or maybe just interested in the subject matter. The book th both Catholic and Jewish history and culture since the time of Christ and points to the Holocaust as an ever present reminder of even the current day anti-semitism that exists. The book looks at Constantine as being the true birth of the Christian Religion. The subject of Jesus Christ is interesting in the Jewish faith because as it would be stated, there would be those that look at Jesus as being the savior and thus you see the first decisive split between the religions.

For me, I have to say that I struggled over some of the theological aspects as it has been a long time since I studied that aspect of the Catholic Church. The other problem is that there seems to be a lot of evidence against the Catholic Church for their wrongs, there lacks that certain amount of compassion to look at the good that they have done. Also, there is a difference between discrimination and anti-semitism. The Pope will always have a heart for the beliefs and values of Catholics before anyone else and to make claims that the Pope is being anti-semitic is at times unfairly justified.

Carroll does a nice job in bringing his own personal accounts into the story as a guide to his unraveling with his Catholic beliefs. I would not suggest that Carrol is anti-catholic but more pro-religious unity. He speaks on behalf of both Christians and Jews to try to come to a solution for the issues that have plagued these two religions over the past 2000 years. He does point out that history should teach us lessons for the future and while he does say that some of the actions of the Catholic Church can obviously be questioned, how could they know that certain events would work out the way they did.

Overall, I am torn. Several events are repeated ad nausem. The same result could have been accomplished in about 100 less pages. However, I have always been somewhat fascinated with the studies between different faiths, especially christian (catholic especially) and Judiaism. There is so much that both faiths share that I would hope for some determination by the catholic church to correct its wrongs.

Well what is The Zimmermann Note all about? The actual Zimmermann Note or Zimmermann Telegram was written by Arthur Zimmermann to the Mexican Government back around WWI trying to get their alliance against the United States of America. However, the British Goverment was able to break the code on this transcription and find out the contents of this very important telegram. In retrospect it seemed perfectly amusing to me to use this as the name of the site.

The Zimmermann Note is also the name of a Heavy Metal Band, so for all you headbangers out there beware.