The Danger of Walks

Cultural Offering, ever alert, examines an important lesson at a baseball game:

The opposing coach made a very good point: "Ever notice how errors so often follow walks?" I chuckled - our team had taken the lead so I was comfortable chuckling. But the coach was right. At any level when you start walking batters, the fielders are lulled to sleep. Walks are soporific. They require no skill on the part of the pitcher, batters or fielders and a baseball game beset with them grinds to geologic pace as the batters decide not to swing and fielders begin to notice shapes in the dirt and happenings on other fields in the park.

Steinmetz on Africa: Brilliant

Start the weekend right: Go to the site of George Steinmetz and see the galleries of his stunning photographs of Africa.

Quote of the Day

Men can only be happy when they do not assume that the object of life is happiness.

- George Orwell

Unexpected Stories

Harry Stein lists five books where history tells an unexpected tale.

I'd add Victor Herman's unforgettable Coming Out of the Ice.

Humor Break

Caspar Salmon: If the Beach Boys Had Lived in Great Britain.

Weird Interview Questions

"If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?" *

What does an employment attorney think of this type of interview question?

Michael P. Maslanka will tell you.

[*Is it a $350 blender?]

A $350 Blender?

CoolTools says it's worth it.

Did Sandals Play a Role?

Glenn Reynolds is worried about organic farms.

What to Call HR

"Personnel" - What does this evoke? Pea-green walls, worn tile, metal desks, and lots and lots of polyester.

"Human Resources" - Is this a strip mining operation? Are steam shovels involved?

"People Department" - Very New Agey. Let me see those tie-dyed business cards, bro.

"Human Capital" - Well, this certainly removes any warm and cuddly feelings. "Hey, you'd better put that Human Capital back in the safety deposit box."

My own choice would be simple: "Employee Recruitment and Development."

Miscellaneous and Fast

Claire Berlinski has a personal peek at the Russian demographic disaster.
Homeland Security: Napolitano on profiling.
Fashion statement for the college student.
Nicole Gelinas: The Tappan Zee is falling down.
The New Yorker: Berlusconi, women, and Italian TV.
FutureLawyer: A retirement condo on Mars?