So today I tried to install a new starter on my truck. I finally got it on the truck, and was able to start the truck. Then I got back to school and when I stopped I tried to start it again for good measure, but it didn't. Of course I noticed that it just kept trying to start. I figured that wasn't a good thing, so I open up the hood, and I see liquid coming out of my battery, so I decide it is time to disconnect the battery.

So I call my brother the mechanic and ask him what may be the problem. It is quite possibly two things. Either the starter is bad, and I need to return it and get another one, or maybe it was grounding out somewhere. So I took out the new starter, which did not take nearly as long as the first time, and I look at one of the cords on my starter and it had burned through. SO tomorrow I will re connect the stater, making sure that the cord isn't touching anything it shouldn't. It may be that I need a new battery also. So hopefully I will find time to do that tomorrow along with three finals. Woot.

Pics.

Specs.

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower (R), November 8, 1954

The bit about the Texas oil millionaires almost makes this seem made up, but Snopes confims that Ike did write this. They go on to say that he was a Republican generally in favor of smaller government, but he did feel that Social Security was worth the expense.

(via Snopes.com)

In somewhat related news, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist buys some $295 shoes from a store that's in the same building as the offices of Americans United to Protect Social Security. And, what do you know, they meet him at the door with a rally protesting the privatization of Social Security. Wonkette.com has pictures.

(via Wonkette)

Okay, so it's hard to give an example of in still photos from the internet, but Thandie Newton has pretty much the same bone structure and facial features as Gwyneth Paltrow, only her skin/eyes/hair are darker. For some reason that struck me in the middle of watching Crash. Not to say that Crash was boring enough to ponder such thoughts, because I quite enjoyed it. I guess I was intrigued in how Thandie Newton could have done such a nice job in Crash while her performance in Chronicles of Riddick was pretty bad.

Thandie Newton discussion aside, I liked Crash... a lot, I think. Some critics seem to have gotten caught up over how the plot feels contrived, or how the plot might feel oversaturated with racial themes or dialog. But the story was told with such care and calm that contrivance wasn't an issue for me. As for the racial themes, that was pretty much the point of the movie, so I have no qualms there either, because I know I'm guilty of having entertained some of the thoughts expressed by characters in this movie.

Actually, that's an interesting point. I know I've made assumptions about certain races at certain times, and it was quite obvious the rest of the audience had as well. I'd never been to such a movie that got as many verbal reactions (at appropriate times) as this one. People either laughed, exlaimed expletives in surprise at the blunt comments about race, or made other such reactions throughout all of Crash. Everyone in the audience seemed involved.

There was something that drew me in, even when I had connected some of the dots before they were revealed. The movie wasn't necessarily about figuring out where the connections were - it was what happened as the various characters interacted with each other, each with his or her own assumptions, fears, or what have you. Regardless of good or bad traits, I was able to feel connected to all of the characters.

Definitely one of the better movies of the year so far.

I've got my brother Mike set up with his own brendoman.com weblog. Check it out and leave him a comment. You can find pictures of him here. Stop in at his new site and leave him a comment. If you RSS, then you may want to subscribe to his feed.