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Posts from 2010 February 28

By Brendan Loy (Twitter/FriendFeed)

From the please-God-let-this-happen files: after ditching Colonel Reb, some students at the University of Mississippi (a.k.a. Ole Miss) want Return of the Jedi’s Admiral Ackbar — of “IT’S A TRAP!” fame — to be their school’s new mascot.

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I guess it would be a natural step for Ackbar, a member of the Rebel Alliance, to join the Ole Miss Rebels. And apparently Lucasfilm is “flattered.” Does that mean they’ll allow it?

Out: “The SEC: it’s a WAR!” … In: “The SEC: it’s a TRAP!”

By Brendan Loy

Hawaii was lucky. As this awesome NOAA map shows, the main thrust of the energy in yesterday’s tsunami went almost “due” WNW from the epicenter of the Chile earthquake, at an angle of approximately 294 degrees, rather than 302 degrees — i.e., roughly halfway between WNW and NW — which would have taken it straight toward the islands.

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This helps explain why the Marquesas Islands — roughly in the middle of that red finger reaching WNW — got waves on the order of 6-8 feet a few hours before the tsunami’s predicted arrival in Hilo, seemingly confirming the forecasts for Hawaii, but in fact the effect in Hawaii was far less significant than predicted.

(Via the L.A. Times.)

UPDATE/CORRECTION: This map apparently is the forecast — it’s based on computer model projections, not observed data. So I guess the scientists knew all along Hawaii wasn’t in the tsunami’s “bullseye,” but nevertheless there was enough risk to warrant the warnings.

Meanwhile, here’s a cool animation of the tsunami’s progress across the Pacific:

By Brendan Loy (Twitter/FriendFeed)

CNN Breaking News — Canada defeats U.S. men’s hockey team 3-2 to win Olympic gold.

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By Brendan Loy

For anyone who is watching the U.S.-Canada gold-medal hockey game, and wants to say something about aboot it, here’s an open thread for you. I’m not “liveblogging,” per se, though I may post an update or two, if I feel so inspired.

GO AMURRRICA!!! BEAT CANADIA!!!

UPDATE, 1:40 PM MDT: 1-0 Canada on a goal by Toews, 7:10 left in the first period. That’s the first time Team USA has trailed in the Olympics.

2:17 PM: Perry scores for Canada, and it’s 2-0. Ruh-roh. 12:47 left in the second period.

2:31 PM: U.S. pulls within 2-1. w00t w00t!

3:29 PM: The U.S. ties it with 24 seconds left, and we’re going to OVERTIME!!! WOOOO!!!!

3:54 PM: CANADA WINS! :(

Well, good for the home team & fans. Now nothing the British press can say will make the Canadians feel that the Vancouver Olympics were anything less than the Best. Olympics. Ever.

Crosby scores the winner, sending B. Minich into convulsions of confusion. America/Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller is the MVP.

Great game.

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By Brendan Loy (Twitter/FriendFeed)

CNN Breaking News — Death toll from earthquake passes 700, president of Chile says.

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By Brendan Loy (Twitter/FriendFeed)

RT @fivethirtyeight Saturday’s NYT piece makes the health care math sound REALLY daunting for Democrats in the House. http://nyti.ms/cWT6c2

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By Brendan Loy (Twitter/FriendFeed)

CNN Breaking News — A Pacific-wide tsunami warning has been canceled for all countries, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports.

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