This is a beautiful track. They will start the race as the sun sets and finish under the lights. The track looks to be wide enough to allow for passing, so it should be interesting.
This is the last race of the year. Jenson Button won the driver's championship last week, so that's already been decided.
Alguersuari missed his pit and ran out of fuel on the following lap...that's how tight they run things. The video replay of him trying to pull into another team's pit was funny.
The race settled down. Vettel wins. His fourth win of the season. Mark Webber holds off Jenson Button for third. Button had a few looks during the last few laps, but couldn't pull off the pass. Reubens finished fourth.
It was an entertaining season! I'm already looking forward to next season with all of the new teams and driver changes!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Formula One Race in Brasil
Reubens starts from the pole! The Brasilian fans are going wild! The first corner should be exciting.
There were a couple of nasty crashes on the first lap and the safety car was deployed. Sutil, Liuzzi and Alonso are out on the first lap.
The race settled down after that.
Brawn won the constructor's championship. That team wasn't very good until Ross took over the team this year. You kind of wonder how Ferrari feels now, since they booted Ross after Michael Schumacher retired. You also wonder how Honda feels - this team was Honda last year, and they couldn't play dead. This year, they win the constructor's championship.
Mark Webber wins the race. No drama. Unlike last year's race.
Jenson Button wins the drivers championship with a fifth place finish today.
This was a fairly entertaining F1 season. There is one more race in two weeks in Abu Dhabi.
There were a couple of nasty crashes on the first lap and the safety car was deployed. Sutil, Liuzzi and Alonso are out on the first lap.
The race settled down after that.
Brawn won the constructor's championship. That team wasn't very good until Ross took over the team this year. You kind of wonder how Ferrari feels now, since they booted Ross after Michael Schumacher retired. You also wonder how Honda feels - this team was Honda last year, and they couldn't play dead. This year, they win the constructor's championship.
Mark Webber wins the race. No drama. Unlike last year's race.
Jenson Button wins the drivers championship with a fifth place finish today.
This was a fairly entertaining F1 season. There is one more race in two weeks in Abu Dhabi.
Red Wings Early Season
I've watched most of the Wings games so far this season. They have not looked very good. They are clearly not as good as they were last year, and that wasn't good enough.
They have some potential, if some of the kids play well, however, they lost a lot of talent over the off season, and that is a large gap to fill. Also, the injury to Franzen will not help.
Many of the teams in the Western Conference are improved this year. Edmonton will be fun to watch. The Kings are much better than they have been for a while. Colorado is also better. The Blues should be tough to play.
It is especially sad to see empty seats in the Joe and to hear the commercials during the telecast for tickets. This team used to have a waiting list for season tickets. It is in large part due to the poor economy in Michigan that the Wings are having such a hard time selling tickets.
They lost on Saturday to the Avs in a shootout. The Wings blew a two goal lead in the third period.
I think it will be a tough year for the Wings. I wouldn't be surprised if they do not make the playoffs.
They have some potential, if some of the kids play well, however, they lost a lot of talent over the off season, and that is a large gap to fill. Also, the injury to Franzen will not help.
Many of the teams in the Western Conference are improved this year. Edmonton will be fun to watch. The Kings are much better than they have been for a while. Colorado is also better. The Blues should be tough to play.
It is especially sad to see empty seats in the Joe and to hear the commercials during the telecast for tickets. This team used to have a waiting list for season tickets. It is in large part due to the poor economy in Michigan that the Wings are having such a hard time selling tickets.
They lost on Saturday to the Avs in a shootout. The Wings blew a two goal lead in the third period.
I think it will be a tough year for the Wings. I wouldn't be surprised if they do not make the playoffs.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Formula One Qualifying in Brasil
I've liked Formula One since they held a few races on the streets of Detroit back in the 80s. I was working in the Renaissance center at the time and it was in the middle of the track. I didn't watch the race, but I did walk around during Friday practice one year.
I am watching qualifying on Saturday as I type this. It is raining hard on the course. These are the best drivers in the world, so we expect them to be able to race in the rain. The on-board camera shots give some indication of just how poor the visibility is.
I always contrast that with the NASCAR attitude that says "We can't race in the rain."
I am an early riser, so I don't have an issue with getting up early on Sunday morning to watch an F1 race from Europe. I'm not dedicated enough to stay up and watch the races from Asia that start at 1am ET.
The completed the first qualifying session, but red flagged the second session following a nasty crash. It's raining very hard. The course has a number of elevation changes, which results in water running across the course.
They will finish qualifying this afternoon, but there is college football on, as well. I am going to watch that.
Reubens Baricello won the pole. I didn't see it.
I am watching qualifying on Saturday as I type this. It is raining hard on the course. These are the best drivers in the world, so we expect them to be able to race in the rain. The on-board camera shots give some indication of just how poor the visibility is.
I always contrast that with the NASCAR attitude that says "We can't race in the rain."
I am an early riser, so I don't have an issue with getting up early on Sunday morning to watch an F1 race from Europe. I'm not dedicated enough to stay up and watch the races from Asia that start at 1am ET.
The completed the first qualifying session, but red flagged the second session following a nasty crash. It's raining very hard. The course has a number of elevation changes, which results in water running across the course.
They will finish qualifying this afternoon, but there is college football on, as well. I am going to watch that.
Reubens Baricello won the pole. I didn't see it.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Michael Vick
I am not a big Michael Vick fan. I didn't like him before his conviction. I still don't like him.
If I were a defensive coordinator facing the Eagles, I would do the following:
When Vick is lined up as a wide-out, especially near the formation, I would put a line-backer or defensive lineman on him and tell them to "tee off." When he is not lined up as a QB, he does not get the protection that a QB does. He's just another player at that point. I'd also find a linebacker who owns and loves dogs to line up against Vick. That would be just.
I don't buy the argument that says that Vick has "suffered enough." That's CRAP! He hasn't suffered anything like the suffering that he subjected his dogs to. At the least, he should be made to clean up kennels at dog shelters instead of spending his time in his mansion and in five star hotels.
I've never really liked the Eagles. I like them even less now. When you employ scumbags, you shouldn't expect everyone to love you.
I've added the Eagles to my list of teams that I root against.
If I were a defensive coordinator facing the Eagles, I would do the following:
When Vick is lined up as a wide-out, especially near the formation, I would put a line-backer or defensive lineman on him and tell them to "tee off." When he is not lined up as a QB, he does not get the protection that a QB does. He's just another player at that point. I'd also find a linebacker who owns and loves dogs to line up against Vick. That would be just.
I don't buy the argument that says that Vick has "suffered enough." That's CRAP! He hasn't suffered anything like the suffering that he subjected his dogs to. At the least, he should be made to clean up kennels at dog shelters instead of spending his time in his mansion and in five star hotels.
I've never really liked the Eagles. I like them even less now. When you employ scumbags, you shouldn't expect everyone to love you.
I've added the Eagles to my list of teams that I root against.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Another NFL Season
I'm not really much of a football fan.
I've lived in Michigan all of my life. During my lifetime, the Detroit Lions have won a single playoff game. They have been dreadful. Last year, they went 0-16. It's tough to be a football fan in Michigan.
I once worked with a fellow from Pennsylvania. We had to explain the NFL's "blackout rules" to him, as he had never experienced a home game blackout while he lived near Pittsburgh. It is merciful to keep us from having to see the Lions stink every game. The downside is that the NFL punishes us by not showing any game when the Lions are blacked out. Back in the analog teevee days, I could pick up games from Toledo on my rabbit ears, and could watch the Browns when the Lions were blacked out.
I used to think that the Lion's longtime General Manager, Russ Thomas was the primary reason that the Lions stunk. Russ retired years ago. The Lions still stink. The only constant during this long period of stinkiness has been ownership: the Ford Family. They just don't care. NFL teams are guaranteed to make a profit. The revenue sharing from the TV contracts is more than the salary cap. They make money before they put a single behind into a seat, before they sell a single cardboard pizza, and before they sell a single watered down beer. As long as the team makes money, whether they win or lose, why should ownership care? They obviously do not.
I will watch a few football games this year. As I type this, I am watching the Raiders get their lunch money taken from them by the Saints. They look awful. Jeff Garcia just played for the Raiders. He was better than their starter (who's name escapes me). The Raiders may give the Lions a run for their money for the worst team in the league this year.
The Saints are playing Joey Harrington at QB on this drive. Another refugee from the Lions. He just threw a touchdown pass.
I think the Lions won their exhibition game with the Colts this afternoon. The game was not on teevee here.
It's tough to be a football fan in Michigan.
I've lived in Michigan all of my life. During my lifetime, the Detroit Lions have won a single playoff game. They have been dreadful. Last year, they went 0-16. It's tough to be a football fan in Michigan.
I once worked with a fellow from Pennsylvania. We had to explain the NFL's "blackout rules" to him, as he had never experienced a home game blackout while he lived near Pittsburgh. It is merciful to keep us from having to see the Lions stink every game. The downside is that the NFL punishes us by not showing any game when the Lions are blacked out. Back in the analog teevee days, I could pick up games from Toledo on my rabbit ears, and could watch the Browns when the Lions were blacked out.
I used to think that the Lion's longtime General Manager, Russ Thomas was the primary reason that the Lions stunk. Russ retired years ago. The Lions still stink. The only constant during this long period of stinkiness has been ownership: the Ford Family. They just don't care. NFL teams are guaranteed to make a profit. The revenue sharing from the TV contracts is more than the salary cap. They make money before they put a single behind into a seat, before they sell a single cardboard pizza, and before they sell a single watered down beer. As long as the team makes money, whether they win or lose, why should ownership care? They obviously do not.
I will watch a few football games this year. As I type this, I am watching the Raiders get their lunch money taken from them by the Saints. They look awful. Jeff Garcia just played for the Raiders. He was better than their starter (who's name escapes me). The Raiders may give the Lions a run for their money for the worst team in the league this year.
The Saints are playing Joey Harrington at QB on this drive. Another refugee from the Lions. He just threw a touchdown pass.
I think the Lions won their exhibition game with the Colts this afternoon. The game was not on teevee here.
It's tough to be a football fan in Michigan.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Health Care Quality
Back when I worked in manufacturing, there was a saying that went:
What gets measured gets done. What gets rewarded gets done well.
Healthcare escaped the "quality revolution" that swept through many other industries in the 80s and 90s. That is about to change. When manufacturing changed from a culture and reward structure that focused on quantity (build to the numbers) and incorporated quality metrics into the evaluation and compensation packages of leadership, we saw a dramatic improvement in quality. As I heard it stated once, "It's amazing what you can accomplish when management is paying attention." Management pays attention when their performance reviews, bonuses and promotional opportunities are influenced by achieving quality metrics.
ARRA requires HCOs to report 27 Quality Measures to CMS to qualify for "meaningful use" financial incentives.
Some of the ARRA Quality Measures seem to be pretty straightforward. For example, there is a requirement to report "The percent of orders entered directly by physicians through CPOE." We all know that the error rate is greater when physicians write out orders and someone else enters the data for them than it is with CPOE. CPOE has significant advantages over the manual order writing system. As a local radio commercial says "even McDonalds doesn't use paper orders in 2009." So, one measure of how effectively an organization is using its EHR will be the CPOE Percentage.
Another measure is to report the percent of smokers offered smoking cessation counseling. This is the sort of measure that I have an issue with. So, you offer them counseling. Big Deal. Since we are concerned with outcomes, a better measure would be "the percent of smokers that quit smoking." Just measuring whether you offered smokers counseling reminds me of those kids camps where every kid gets a ribbon for showing up, so that we don't hurt their feelings.
We know that once CMS has this data, it will be made public. And then organizations will be able to compare their scores against their competitors (yes, virginia, hospitals do compete with each other). Also, consumers will be able to look at the scores for hospitals and doctors and use this as a determining factor in deciding where to take their health care business.
An important component of any Quality Management System is specifying what is to be measured. If there is any ambiguity in the description of what is to be measured, we will end up with inconsistent results and will be "comparing apples to oranges."
HL7 is balloting a Healthcare Quality Measures Format (HQMF). I did some work helping to put the document together.
http://www.hl7.org/V3ballot/html/domains/uvqm/uvqm.htm#
What gets measured gets done. What gets rewarded gets done well.
Healthcare escaped the "quality revolution" that swept through many other industries in the 80s and 90s. That is about to change. When manufacturing changed from a culture and reward structure that focused on quantity (build to the numbers) and incorporated quality metrics into the evaluation and compensation packages of leadership, we saw a dramatic improvement in quality. As I heard it stated once, "It's amazing what you can accomplish when management is paying attention." Management pays attention when their performance reviews, bonuses and promotional opportunities are influenced by achieving quality metrics.
ARRA requires HCOs to report 27 Quality Measures to CMS to qualify for "meaningful use" financial incentives.
Some of the ARRA Quality Measures seem to be pretty straightforward. For example, there is a requirement to report "The percent of orders entered directly by physicians through CPOE." We all know that the error rate is greater when physicians write out orders and someone else enters the data for them than it is with CPOE. CPOE has significant advantages over the manual order writing system. As a local radio commercial says "even McDonalds doesn't use paper orders in 2009." So, one measure of how effectively an organization is using its EHR will be the CPOE Percentage.
Another measure is to report the percent of smokers offered smoking cessation counseling. This is the sort of measure that I have an issue with. So, you offer them counseling. Big Deal. Since we are concerned with outcomes, a better measure would be "the percent of smokers that quit smoking." Just measuring whether you offered smokers counseling reminds me of those kids camps where every kid gets a ribbon for showing up, so that we don't hurt their feelings.
We know that once CMS has this data, it will be made public. And then organizations will be able to compare their scores against their competitors (yes, virginia, hospitals do compete with each other). Also, consumers will be able to look at the scores for hospitals and doctors and use this as a determining factor in deciding where to take their health care business.
An important component of any Quality Management System is specifying what is to be measured. If there is any ambiguity in the description of what is to be measured, we will end up with inconsistent results and will be "comparing apples to oranges."
HL7 is balloting a Healthcare Quality Measures Format (HQMF). I did some work helping to put the document together.
http://www.hl7.org/V3ballot/html/domains/uvqm/uvqm.htm#
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