Randomly Thinking

Alright, it's an interesting day with many different topics available for discussion. We'll talk politics, television, training, and maybe a little journalism.

Right now, I'm watching Al Gore on Larry King talk about global warming. He also doesn't think he'll run for president in 2008. The Wired Magazine profile of Gore in the May issue was fantastic. Gore is passionate about politics and issues close to his heart.

In the profile and on Larry King, he comes across as someone who's not bitter about 2000, but as someone who sees a chance to change the world with his notoriety and wealth. He works with a hedge fund that specializes in funding companies that look at sustainable growth in addition to bottom line profits. It's a unique twist for a hedge fund company, especially since the judgment about sustainable growth is subjective and not easily measured with accepted Wall Street metrics.

Staying on politics for a minute, President Bush flew to Baghdad today to meet the Iraqi president. The cynic in me says it's a publicity stunt. The optimist in me thought it was a nice gesture. On the Al Gore note, in a country with large deficits and $2.89/gallon gas, do we need to jet across the planet to Iraq for a five-hour meet 'n' greet? I'm not sure it's an efficient use of resources, but it's better than talking about a gay marriage amendment or flag burning. Too bad those resources weren't spent on our myriad of health care or education problems.

I'm a big CNBC guy. If somebody offered me a job at the network, I'd be there in a minute. But, it hasn't been fun to have it on the last few weeks. My wallet is lighter every time I turn it on. If the stock price is an indication of expected future performance, we're in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, I think we're okay. The turbulence isn't Air Force One heading back from Baghdad. I think it's a correction and a shift of money, especially as interest rates rise and returns on those financial instruments are possibly a little more attractive than equities.

Enough on the politics. Let's talk television. Tonight is Rescue Me. Dennis Leary as Tommy Gavin turned in another strong performance last week by sleeping with a recent college graduate and beating up his brother for sleeping with his wife. In the meantime, one of the firefighters is sleeping with Tommy's bi-polar sister, the Lew is falling into a drunken stupor after losing his life savings, Tommy's father is losing his mind, Tommy's cousin's widow is serving as a part-time nurse for his father, Tommy's cousin's son is sleeping with a 37-year-old teacher, and Tommy's oldest daughter has become a born-again Christian because all the kids at school are doing it.

Wow, sounds like a soap opera to me. Yes, the story lines are wacky, almost as much of a shock factor as vintage Howard Stern programs in the early days. The shock is justified because it's on a cable network and the show needs attention. It needs to be dangerous so viewers make an appointment each week on their DVR. If it's not dangerous and well-written, people have 100s of other choices. But, lost in the shock are the performances by some strong actors and actresses. Dennis Leary is superb as a demented, yet heroic firefighter. Gavin is more comfortable saving a stranger than saving his family. He's torn between old school alpha male breadwinner and the new age softer-side-of-Sears male that shows his emotions and feelings. It's not an easy role, but one that was written by Leary, for Leary.

I'm sure the ratings are weak, but that doesn't matter on cable. Do they have viewers? Can they sell ads? That's all that matters sometimes as the cable networks look for content to own and hang their hat on.

Training Update:
Some thunderstorms in the area, including damage in Northeast Houston. That lowered the temps from a 106-degree reading in my car on the way home. Ran the Westfield Terra route in the neighborhood. The Westfield Terra route is the oldest route I run in the neighborhood and is around 2.8 miles. Recorded a 3:34 half-mile and a fair pace for the rest of the run. Tomorrow night might be a bike ride.

-30-