Chess

I like to play chess.

My ability is slightly above that of the average chimpanzee, but I like to play anyway. I just start up Chessmaster 9000, and choose an opponent with a rating lower than Circuit City's stock price.

Here are some nice online resources for learning and playing chess.

Instant Karma

When it comes to music, there was no one more interesting than John Lennon.

Unfortunately, there were no two people less interesting than John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Still, this was a good one.

Wal-Mart

Each year in the U.S., on the day after Thanksgiving, retail stores open their doors early - and holiday shoppers run through like savages.

Not sure why.

This year, somebody got trampled to death.

Society has hit a new low.

Rosie O'Donnell

You might be feeling a little bummed out by Rosie O'Donnell's lousy variety special last night. It's not like absolutely nothing good came from it - the comments on this page are HILARIOUS!

The Electronic Brain

Here's a 1973 magazine ad for the Electronic Brain - a very basic calculator (by today's standards) made by Commodore.

It is actually a Minuteman 3, one of the earliest pocket calculators. Hard to believe, but these were so unique in 1973 that we would play with them for hours. (We didn't have this one, we had one of the original Texas Instruments models).

Also hard to believe - adjusting for inflation, $49.95 is almost $250 in today's dollars. These days, more sophisticated calculators are routinely given away for free.

If you're interested in old calculators, here is a great site with pictures and descriptions.

Vincent Price

There are a lot of fine Thanksgiving traditions: the Macy's parade, football games in Detroit and Dallas, Miracle on 34th Street (the beginning of it took place during Thanksgiving), the National Dog Show, and the Vincent Price Thanksgiving Special.

Vince McMahon

Here's Vince McMahon attempting to sing at the 1987 WWF "Slammy" awards.

Vince is introduced by the future Governor of Minnesota, and yes, that's the Hulkster himself on lead guitar. The band is made up mainly of WWF "superstars" pretending to play.