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I’m happy to see that Microsoft is still seriously committed to improving the Surface family of tablets. I love the competition that they are adding to the tablet wars. I don’t own a Surface yet, but I could definitely see myself purchasing one within the next year. Hopefully, the prices will go down and the performance of these hybrid devices will go up.
Photo taken on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, which was a very windy day at Ocean Beach in San Diego. After I took the photo above I moved south to Sunset Cliffs and took a few more shots. This one is one of my favorites……
After walking up and down Sunset Cliffs I headed back to the OB business district. I took this picture of the iconic Ocean Beach pier from the sea wall right off the corner of Newport Ave. and Abbott.
This post is part of a continuing series on Podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis and recommend.
The John Batchelor Show
This podcast is a recording of The John Batchelor Show (TJBS), which is a radio show on WABC in New York City. You can listen to this show via WABC’s website or by downloading the show’s podcasts on iTunes. The show streams on WABC from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am Monday to Friday. John Batchelor broke into talk radio as a host back in 2001, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. So, Batchelor has been a radio presence for a while now and I’m sure those of you who are talk radio fans are familiar with him.
John Batchelor is a 1970 graduate of Princeton University and a 1976 graduate of New York Seminary. The focus of Mr. Batchelor’s show is politics, geopolitics, history, science, economics and even sports on occasion. Most of the time the show discusses current events and conditions, but there are a significant number of shows devoted to the discussion and analysis of prominent events from earlier eras.
TJBS is a guest driven show and the host does not take calls from the audience. Instead, Batchelor discusses the topics mentioned above with very knowledgable, very authoritative guests that he invites from elite media, government and academic circles. I think it is fair to say his guests represent the views of the establishment, especially the gov’t, media and finance establishment based in DC and NY. Some of the regular guests on TJBS include the following:
Gordon Chang
John Avalon
Malcom Hoenlein
John Fund
Larry Johnson
Bob Zimmerman
Salena Zito
Larry Kudlow
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Steven F. Cohen
Jeff Bliss
Dennis Ross
Various writers from Bloomberg, WSJ, Forbes, etc.
Academics from the some the leading universities of the nation.
Batchelor is a Republican and a political conservative, although I would characterize him as a moderate, at least with regard to social and economic issues. His foreign policy views are somewhat internationalist, or non-isolatist, if you will. So, that pretty much puts him in the GOPe camp on most issues. I don’t share that orientation most of time, but I really enjoy hearing different views and positions if the arguments for those views and positions are made by people who are intelligent and articulate. Sometimes my mind is changed on particular issues.
One of the strengths of the show is that guests come from both the left and right of the political spectrum, although they are usually fairly mainstream for the most part. You won’t find any yelling and screaming on TJBS, nor much humor, at least not intentional humor, but I enjoy the serious, almost academic demeanor of the show. You won’t find too many bomb throwers on TJBS either. Not too many guests who appear on TJBS will be found on the Alex Jones Show or the Michael Savage Show and vice versa. I try to listen a wide variety of radio shows and podcasts, from one end of the political spectrum to the other, although I would admit to favoring hosts that lean toward libertarian views.
So, if you appreciate intelligent discussions of some of the most important facing our country and the world today I would recommend that you download a few podcasts of The John Batchelor Show. You may not always agree with all the views expressed on the show, I know I don’t, but I think you will definitely find it informative.
On Tuesday Apple announced that they were introducing new Mac Book Air models with faster chips and a $100.00 reduction in price for each model across the line. That was welcome news, but nothing to get really too excited about because Apple is just making slight improvements to the MBA. I loved the groundbreaking design of the MBA when it was introduced and I still think it is very cool and best in class, but it is now three years old and I think Apple needs to introduce a radically new design which can complete with the new crop of Hybrid Laptop/Tablets which run Windows 8 and Android.
Not too long ago, when the spectacular new iPad Air was introduced, I put up a post on this blog praising the new tablet and noting that the ever-increasing capabilities of tablets such as the iPad were making them viable replacements for laptops. I stated that I thought I could see myself just using a tablet and a desktop computer in the future and not purchasing traditional laptops in the future. Now that Microsoft Office is available for the iPad it is an even more attractive laptop substitute. When the iPad Air hit the Apple Stores I took a trip to my local Apple Store to see it in person and I must say that the Air lived up to my expectations. As usual, the build quality was excellent and although I seen pictures of the Air and knew the spec’s prior to seeing it in person I was still surprised by just how light, yet sturdy, it felt.
In recent weeks I have also spent a lot of time looking at the some of the latest tablets running Windows8 and Android being sold at stores here in San Diego, including our local Microsoft Store. I have to admit I was also very impressed by Microsoft Surface tablets, particularly the Surface Pro 2. The Surface Pro 2, which runs on the Intel i5 chip, is really a full blown computer in the body of a tablet. It remains fairly a expensive device, with 128 GB model at $999.00 and the 256 GB model costing $1299.00, which is more than many laptops with comparable spec’s, but the Surface has redefined the capabilities of tablets in ways that even the iPad has not in some ways.
At least one company, Asus, briefly produced laptop that ran Win8 and had a detachable screen that could function as an Android tablet. However, it appears that neither MSFT or GOOG was very happy with that machine. I checked the Asus website and it appears that Asus no longer sells this laptop so they must have been pressured to discontinue it. Too bad, because I think that would machine have appealed to many people, because Android is regarded as a better OS for mobile devices and Windows is clearly superior to Android as a conventional computer OS. However, I can understand why MSFT and GOOG were not supportive of that type of hybrid because, ideally, they don’t want users to have split loyalties. Asus still offers hybrid laptops, but it appears that they only run Win8.1 now.
I think Apple should copy the dual OS concept and build a Mac Book that runs OS X with a detachable screen that could function as an iPad running iOS. High ranking Apple Executives have indicated that there are no plans to merge the Mac’s OS X and the iPad’s iOS into one OS a la Windows 8. Apple thinks OS X and iOS are perfectly suited for the type of devices that they run on respectively and I understand that position. A new Apple OS that combined OS X and iOS might indeed be advantageous in some respects, but might not provide the same performance or user experience that OS X and iOS provide for the devices they are specifically designed for.
I’m not sure if Apple could produce such a Mac/iPad hybrid at a competitive price, but if various PC makers can produce hybrids of this type I don’t see why Apple could not. Various tech blogs have run stories within the last year that suggest Apple may indeed be working on such a hybrid device, but who knows? Maybe they are and they are keeping it under wraps. We know that Apple is set to introduce a new 12 inch Mac Book Air that is rumored to feature a new lightweight design. Is it possible this new laptop will be hybrid? Probably not, I suspect an Apple hybrid is not quite ready yet, but I really look forward to the day that it is. Mac and iPad users would love it. It would indeed be the best of both worlds.
I took this picture a few days ago during a visit to Coronado. I enhanced the photo with the Snapseed app on my iPad, applying the Drama filter.
Way back at the beginning of the NBA season I posted the following tweet:
I'm very happy to see NBA teams back in action. I expect both conferences to be very competitive. My Finals prediction: Heat vs Clippers
— George Fattell (@GeorgeFattell) October 30, 2013
Picking the Miami Heat, the defending champ’s, to return to the Finals was pretty easy given the fact that Miami’s big three (LeBron James, Dwayne Wade & Chris Bosh) were set to return, as well as most of their important secondary players (Ray Allen, Birdman, Haslem). Picking the Los Angeles Clippers to go to the Finals this season was definitely not a safe choice. It would have been much easier to go with San Antonio or Oklahoma City, but I thought the Clippers had a legit outside shot at winning the whole thing and as the playoffs begin I see no reason to change my mind.
Here are the current odds for teams in the playoffs and what the odds were in the preseason:
Miami Heat — Current: 2/1 | Preseason: 2/1
San Antonio Spurs — Current: 3/1 | Preseason: 12/1
Oklahoma City Thunder — Current: 4/1 | Preseason: 8/1
Indiana Pacers — Current: 6/1 | Preseason: 10/1
Los Angeles Clippers — Current: 9/1 | Preseason: 9/1
Houston Rockets — Current: 20/1 | Preseason: 10/1
Brooklyn Nets — Current: 25/1 | Preseason: 10/1
Golden State Warriors — Current: 28/1 | Preseason: 16/1
Chicago Bulls — Current: 40/1 | Preseason: 8/1
Portland Trail Blazers — Current: 40/1 | Preseason: 150/1
Dallas Mavericks — Current: 66/1 | Preseason: 50/1
Memphis Grizzlies – Current: 66/1 | Preseason: 28/1
Toronto Raptors — Current: 66/1 | Preseason: 150/1
Washington Wizards — Current: 150/1 | Preseason: 100/1
Atlanta Hawks — Current: 250/1 | Preseason: 150/1
Charlotte Bobcats — Current: 250/1 | Preseason: 500/1
I never thought the LA Clippers would win the Western Conference. I thought the Clippers would end up being seeded somewhere between #3 and #6 in the ultra competitive West, but I thought they would be peaking in the playoffs and would be a very dangerous team in deal with. I became very bullish on the Clippers as soon as they hired Doc Rivers to be their Head Coach. I thought the Clippers were pretty good before they hired Rivers, but that his addition significantly enhanced their chances because his proven ability to win a championship, which he did with the Boston Celtics. However, I also thought it would take at least a full season for the Clippers to fully adjust to and embrace Doc Rivers’ coaching principles, as well as adjust to new players that were added to the team in the offseason and during the course of the regular season. I
Eastern Conference
The Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers were clearly the best two teams in the East going into the season and they essentially lived up to expectations. The Pacers actually exceeded the expectations of many when they amassed the best regular season record in the East and edged out the Heat for the number #1 seed in that conference. However, even with home court advantage I don’t think the Pacers will be able to defeat the Heat in a seven game series. Despite finishing with the best record in the East the Pacers looked vulnerable going down the stretch, losing key games, and barely hanging on to win the East. The Heat weren’t quite as dominant has they have looked in the past two seasons. The wear and tear of playing many extra playoff games over the past two seasons appears to be taking a toll on Miami, but they haven’t lost any key players to significant injury and I think when the Heat really turn it on they can handle any team in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn beat Miami four times in the regular season and Chicago has proven to be unexpectedly tough, despite the mid season loss of star PG Derrick Rose. But again, I just don’t think either one of teams, or any others in the East will be able to unseat the Heat if they should meet in the playoffs because Miami’s intensity will be elevated.
Western Conference
I expect the Western Conference playoffs to be a total dogfight. Yes, I’ve already predicted that the Clippers will emerge victorious, but I won’t be shocked at all San Antonio or Oklahoma City or if even Houston wins the Western Conference. Heck, I can’t totally rule out the Portland Trailblazers. This entire conference is loaded with very talented teams and there is not a lot separating the top 4 or 5 teams. If any of these teams lose a key player in the playoffs it could totally upset their chances. I would included Golden State as a possible contender, but recently lost starting center Andrew Bogut to injury, and I think that puts the Warriors at significant disadvantage to the Clippers.
The Finals
When I originally posted my tweet predicting that the Clippers would meet the Heat in the Finals I honestly thought that Heat would win that series and threepeat as NBA champions. Now I’m not so sure. If indeed the Clippers get past the OKC Thunder and the SA Spurs I think they can beat the Miami Heat this year. With Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan the Clippers are one of the few teams that have stars that can match Miami’s vaunted Big Three. The mid season additions of Big Baby Davis, Danny Granger and Hedo Turkoglu help bolster a bench that I think is deeper and stronger than Miami’s. Doc Rivers, as I mentioned earlier, has a championship pedigree and is exactly the kind of coach that can guide the Clippers to a championship in my opinion.
If the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2nd round I think the Thunder will advance to the Finals and defeat the Heat. The Thunder, with MVP favorite Kevin Durant and All Star guard Russell Westbrook, is another team that has elite stars that can match up well with the Heat’s stars. Moreover, the Thunder, like the Clippers, have a deep bench and I think that would give them an advantage over the Heat.
What about the Spurs, the team with the best record in the league? Well, they are obviously very good too. Hard to pick against any team with their talent and coached by someone as good as Gregg Popovich, who is easily one of the best coaches of the last 20 years. Frankly, I’m not sure the the Spurs will able to keep up with the OKC Thunder or the Clippers in the latter stages of playoffs. The Spurs primary stars are all well over 30 yrs old and I think that may put them at a disadvantage. We’ll see. I may be totally wrong about that, but I think the Clippers or Thunder will prevail in the West and ultimately be crowned as the new NBA champions.
I will post my thoughts as the playoffs progress from round to round. We’ll see, I may have to revise my picks by the time the Finals roll around, but until I’m proven wrong I’m sticking with the Clippers.
Captain America: The Winter Solider
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Samuel Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie
136 minutes
I saw the film last week and found it quite entertaining. I was hopeful that this sequel to the first Captain America film, Captain America: The First Avenger, would live up to the promise of the exciting trailers that were released within the last few months and in my opinion it did. Like most other Marvel fans I was a little disappointed in first film, but I still thought the Captain America character and franchise had a lot potential, especially now that the World War II era hero had been transported to contemporary times as a result of being frozen for 70 years and then “defrosted” (See the first film). The Russo brothers went a little CGI crazy at the end of the film, but overall their direction was outstanding. The characters in this film were perfectly cast, the acting was convincing and the story is interesting. I think it is one of the best comic book based ever made. Of course, it still is a comic book film and you have to overlook some things are not totally logical or downright impossible, but it is fairly realistic in many ways. It definitely addresses a lot subjects that are relevant to what is happening in the world today, including the construction of a police state, pervasive surveillance of the general public and the dangers of a unipolar world.
I gave the film a rating of 8/10 on IMDb.
If you haven’t seen Captain America: The First Avenger I would encourage you to view a few scenes from that film which are on You Tube so you have a better understanding of the Steve Rodgers character and how he became Captain America. If nothing else at least watch the last 3 minutes of the first film.
OK, I will freely admit that I did not see #7 seed UConn ending up in Finals vs. #8 seed Kentucky. A few people did actually pick these two teams to be the last two teams left, but I suspect most of them are alum’s of one school or the other, or maybe both in a few rare cases. When UConn defeated #1 ranked and #1 seed Florida they totally destroyed the hopes and brackets of hundreds of thousands (millions?) on college basketball fans. I have been informed by a friend and fellow hoops fan that there was less than a 1% chance that a #7 seed would meet a #8 seed in the Finals.
I did pick Kentucky to beat Wisconsin, which they barely did, but they got the W and and that is all that matters. They have done that throughout this tournament. It really is amazing how Kentucky, a team starting five freshmen, keeps winning close games against very talented and more experienced teams. The Wildcats and their coach, John Calipari, deserve great credit for making it this far. This team does not play like freshmen anymore, that’s for sure.
Kentucky is a 2 1/2 point favorite to beat UConn and that seems about right to me. I would expect this game to be close.
Kentucky will have their hands full with UConn’s prolific point guard, Shabazz Napier. If he gets loose and drops 30 plus on the Wildcats the Huskies can win this game, although Napier is hardly the only weapon the Huskies have. Kevin Ollie, UConn’s coach, has done an outstanding job of preparing his team. If they can beat Florida they should be capable of beating any team, if everything goes right for them. I think UConn has to play a nearly perfect game to win. Napier may indeed be the best player on the court tonight, but Kentucky’s entire starting five could end up going to the NBA next year, that’s how good they are. Kentucky’s overall size and athletic ability will give them an advantage.
Kentucky wins 72-68
POST GAME Comments:
Wow, I was wrong again. However, in fairness, I did note that UCONN had a shot if Shabazz Napier played very well, which he did, scoring a game high 22 points. I thought Napier might have to score 30 in order for the Huskies to win, but that was clearly not the case, because the UConn D kept Kentucky’s “fab five” freshman under control.
So, Congrats to UConn. Outside of UConn fans and alum’s I think it is fair to say few of us college basketball fans saw this coming.
The Final Four is now set and I must say it is a foursome that not too many fans predicted:
#1 Seed – Florida
#2 Seed – Wisconsin
#7 Seed – UConn
#8 Seed – Kentucky
There are indeed a few people who picked all four of these teams for their bracket on Yahoo! Kudos to them. Of course, most college basketball fans, myself included expected number 1 ranked Florida Gators to be here. FLA was only team that I correctly picked for Final Four. I knew Wisconsin was really good, but I didn’t think they could get past #1 seed Arizona. I didn’t see #7 seed UConn and #8 Kentucky making this far, but here they are.
Florida is 6 1/2 point favorite over UConn.
UConn’s run to Final Four has been most impressive, but I think this will be the end of the road for them. Florida just looks too strong. UConn will have the best player on the court in First Team All-American Guard Shabazz Napier, Florida Guard Scottie Wilbekin is also an excellent player on both ends of the court and I think Wilbekin should be able to slow down Napier enough to enable the Gators to win this game. Florida lost to UConn, 65-64, back on Dec. 2, 2013 in the regular season when they played the Huskies in Storrs, CT., but Wilbelkin had to leave that game with 3 minutes to go due to injury. Florida hasn’t lost a game since the and on a neutral court I think they will win.
Kentucky is a 1 1/2 point favorite over Wisconsin.
Wow, this game is a very tough call. I want the Wisconsin Badgers to win this game, but I have to agree with Vegas here. I think the Kentucky Wildcats deserve to be a slight favorite over Wisconsin because they the hottest team in the tourney and they have demonstrated they can play with anyone within the last several weeks. The Badgers have also demonstrated they belong here by defeating #1 seed Arizona, but the Wildcats defeated #1 seed Wichita St., #4 seed Louisville and #2 Michigan. Moreover, the Wildcats lost to Florida by only one point in the SEC championship game right before the NCAA’s started. All five of Kentucky’s talent laden team are Freshman and they are clearly peaking at the right time of the year.
I expect this to be a close game. The Badgers shoot well and if they shoot the 3 pt shot well in this game they are definitely capable of pulling off the upset. Badger C/F Frank Kaminsky has emerged as the best big man of the tournament and he may end up being the key to the game. If Kentucky can contain Kaminsky, and by that I mean hold him under 20 points, and shut down the rest of the Badger shooters I think the Wildcats will win. I’m sure Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan knows that Kaminsky will be the focus the Kentucky D, so it will very interesting to see how he counters that.
I’d love to see Wisconsin face off against Florida in the National Championship game, but I think it more likely that Kentucky advances and we will see a rematch of the two best teams in the SEC, and the nation.
Here are few more pictures of my favorite pictures from my NYC trip…
gmf journal 