18% Simulated Chance of winning money in the Playoff Fantasy Football pool

This year I have a roster (RDK1) that is currently in fifth place in the RKB Playoff fantasy football and in striking distance of first or second place and winning money in the pool. The goal is to determine the chances of that happening. The focus of this simulation is to answer the question "With only the Superbowl to go, will the RDK1 roster be in the money at the end of the playoffs?" and "What combination of player results does RDK1 need...

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Who will win Playoff Fantasy Football Pool?

My clever analysis and modeling of this years football playoffs has yielded a roster (RDK1) that is in fifth place in the RKB Playoff fantasy football results as of the NFC and AFC Championship games. With only the Superbowl to go, the question is, "Will the RDK1 roster be in the money at the end of the playoffs?"The chart above (click the chart for larger) shows the standings as they are right now, after the conference championship games. The y-...

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Cartoon about taxes by Rube Goldberg

This cartoon is on display at the Brandywine River Museum. Rube Goldberg's cartoon on taxes is probably still as relevant today as it was when he drew it. I would like to say I don't mind paying taxes, but I would be lying. I do try to realize that a certain level are necessary to run the government and to provide services for those who may need it. Still sometimes feels like a wack on the head.More information about Rube Goldberg is in the picture...

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Cajuns in PA? GEAUKRT license plate.

I do love a clever personalized license plate, and if you can throw in a Louisiana Cajun reference while referring to your Mini as a go cart, more power to you. This GEAUKRT PA license plate embodies the best spirit of license plate personalizati...

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What military aircraft are you? Quiz.

Have you always wanted to know which type of military aircraft best exemplifies you and your personality. This military aircraft personality quiz can provide you with that answer.As a bonus the quiz comes with questions for which you will not like any answer. Those are the best type of these silly quizzes.(via The Presurf...

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University of Delaware auctions off former Chrysler plant assets - robot arm anyone

For the discerning mad scientist: the list of items up for auction by the University of Delaware from the former Chrysler plant in Newark, Delaware. The university is holding an auction Feb 25 and can be inspected Feb 22-24. The university bought the plant after it closed, and apparently got the contents as well. The coolest items are probably the 6 axis robot arms, some still in line along assembly lines. There appears to be all kinds of milling...

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Playoff Fantasy football arises again

It's time again for playoff fantasy football. Since you don't have to maintain your concentration for 17 weeks, it is a good way for non-football fanatics to play without a huge commitment of time. My sister runs a points-only league so the rules are straightforward: Pick a kicker, quarterback, two running backs, a tight end, three wide receivers and a team defense from the list of players and teams in the playoffs. You get the sum of the points...

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Vice President Biden and President Obama in my neighborhood

You will be well aware that the funeral services for Vice President Biden's mother Jean were at Immaculate Heart of Mary, the church I attend just up the street from my house. In fact, on nice Sundays, we would walk to church. The occasion is a sad one, but it is interesting that President Obama attended and that many of the Delaware and National political hierarchy were at my little old parish church in my neighborhood. Even former president...

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If Obsession (with a new idea, book, author...) is a crime, let me be guilty

It seems to me that finding a new favorite author, artist, musical group or even idea follows the same stages as falling in and out of love. (not the stages of grief, but similar).The example I would use is my recent dalliance with the information presentation and design ideas of Edward Tufte.Stage one: Falling in Love.I never knew that anyone thought this way about data presentation. Tufte's ideas are terrific and visionary. Every pearl of presentation...

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That old tuba argument again

This comic is very similar to discussions I have had, though without the unicycles. Really I do play the tuba, though I haven't in a long while. I need a tuba nook.(via the excellent Wondermark, which you should read every da...

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Aspiring to Tuftian perfection - presenting data

Often financial, scientific or engineering analysis takes large amounts of data and numbers and crunches them down to a single number or decision. I know it felt that way when I was researching and writing my thesis. Much like 42 being the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything", it doesn't seem fair to take all of the data and turn it into one number or decision. Being intellectually honest and the presentation of the data have a lot of...

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Cable Connector Quiz

Mental Floss has the Cable Connector Quiz, with cables both modern and ancient (in computer years). I scored an 80%, I am sure you can do much better.The Cable Connector Quiz(via Neatora...

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Water burbling under the ice on Shellpot Creek

Slowly but surely the waterfall on Shellpot Creek is accumulating more ice. This sound in this video doesn't capture the peaceful burbling of the water as much as I would like, but try to imagine ...

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Shellpot Creek water fall not quite frozen yet

Even with tempertures in the 20's the past few nights the waterfall on Shellpot Creek behind my house hasn't quite frozen completely yet. This week will be cold during the day and frigid (teens) at night. I suspect we may see the water st...

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year!Everyone says, "Welcome to the new decade", but I thought that since there was no year zero, that the decade would end with 2010, not begin. I suppose it's that change in the tens digit that has everyone excited.There also seems to be controversy as to whether 2010 should be "two thousand ten" or "twenty ten". How are you pronouncing ...

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