I am disgusted with the Round Lake Beach, IL police department and the Popeye's in the same town. I left work an hour early to drive 1 hour and 15 minutes to meet Chris Benoit, probably the best technical wrestler alive today. I really wanted to meet him. The session started at 4:30 and I got there at 4:25, a little later than I was hoping. There were about 600-700, maybe more, people ahead of me.
As I'm standing in a line that is going into residential neighborhoods and conversing with the people, I hear something about we need a blue ticket to get an autograph. Now this was coming from a woman who had one eye open, one eye closed, and looking like she had just come from a taping of the Jerry Springer show. I'm not kidding. Turns out they handed out about 250 tickets and the only way Chris would sign was if you had one. Nobody told us about tickets, we found out while we were waiting as patiently as we could. Around 5:45, we figured it out.
We rushed the restaurant just trying to catch a glimpse of the Crippler. I saw the back of his head and his face from the side. Then the cops threatened us that we had to leave immediately if we didn't have a ticket. And they thanked us for our cooperation. Pardon me, but what a bunch of assholes. Maybe they had to end the session at 6 sharp because the restaurant was afraid they were losing business. I understand, but if they had cut the session short, that would have resulted in an absolute riot. And I wouldn't have been surprised if one broke out after I left.
And then the road I took to drive up there was closed on my way home, so I had to take an alternate route. I spent 2 and a half hours driving for basically standing for an hour in a bad neighborhood and ultimately seeing the back of Benoit's head. Yeah, what a thrill that was.
I blame the police first and the restaurant second. We were all very civil. The word we got was they just weren't ready for such a big crowd to converge on such a small community and restaurant. Come again. You weren't prepared? Well you should have been prepared. Chris Benoit is not Outback Jack, Doink the Clown, or Duke the Dumpster Droese, you know what I mean! Wrestling may not be the NFL, but it's still a big deal, ok?
If you've ever driven with me, you know I need the radio on or some kind of music going on. I drove 95 minutes and the stereo was never one for one split second. I don't think I have ever driven that long with no music on. That's how numb, upset, and disgusted I was. Hopefully, the weekend will get better.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
What are the Metropolitans thinking about?
See, this is the type of thing I just don't understand. And when people get on me for getting too crazy about things like the Mets, I point to moves like this. The Mets have decided Aaron Heilman is going to the bullpen and Brian Bannister will be in the starting rotation. Here are the reasons I don't like this.
1) Is Bannister really ready? Remember Tyler Yates? The king of the blown out elbow? In 2002 or 2003 he pitched lights out in spring training and the Mets decided to give him a sho in the rotation. He got whacked around by Montreal two starts in a row and hasn't started a game since. He's in Baltimore now, trying to get his career on track. Apparently that's where the 2003 Mets go to rehabilitate their bodies and their careers. Orber Moreno. Kris Benson. Vic Darensbourg. Desi Relaford. Esix Snead. Watch, Ty Wigginton and JAmes Baldwin will be in Baltimore before you know it! Anyway, Bannister has been very good this spring. Low ERA, low walks, good location. But the guy has barely even pitched in Triple AAA Norfolk. Is he ready to handle this pressure in New York?
2) Who's our backup in the rotation? When one of our starters gets hurt, and notice, I use the word "when," not "if." When one gets hurt and misses a start, who steps in? Jose Lima (who as I speak is getting hammered like Ted Kennedy after a rough week at work? Jason Scobie? John Maine? Are we going to bring David Cone out of retirement again? I mean, what do we have to hag our hats on? Bannister would have been perfect for this spot. He could have gone to Norfolk, got some more experience, and when the time was right, he could get called up. Now we have no legitimate protection. Unless Mike Pelfrey is ready now and we don't know it yet.
3) The front office is messing up Heilman's head. This is a guy, who at this time last year, we all thought was on the scrap heap. Most people thought he was a first round draft choice bust, and we've seen plenty of those with the Mets over the years. I liked him and he emerged in May with that incredible complete game shutout win over Florida. Then when the rotation got healthy, he became a solid reliever. And he was very good. But all along, this winter, Heilman stated his desire to start. And the staff wanted to accomodate him. So they traded Jae Seo and Benson to open a spot. I wasn't in favor of trading both guys, but at least a plan was in place. So Heilman comes to camp and pitches very well as a starter. But Bannister's emergence catches the world off guard and the office decides to put Heilman back in the pen so he can get lefties out. They are messing with this kid's head and I'm very nervous. Heilman could be that wild card the Mets need to take a big step up if he can pitch this year like he did last year. Or he could be the Mets version of Manny Malhotra. I hope that Notre Dame education made him mentally tough, because he will need it.
I really hope they're right by making this move. I really do. This team has a load of veterans (Pedro, Glavine, Franco, Delgado, LoDuca) and doesn't have much time to win a division, pennant, or World Series as constructed. Two years, tops. I hope this does not backfire for Bannister, for Heilman, for the pitching staff, and for the team.
1) Is Bannister really ready? Remember Tyler Yates? The king of the blown out elbow? In 2002 or 2003 he pitched lights out in spring training and the Mets decided to give him a sho in the rotation. He got whacked around by Montreal two starts in a row and hasn't started a game since. He's in Baltimore now, trying to get his career on track. Apparently that's where the 2003 Mets go to rehabilitate their bodies and their careers. Orber Moreno. Kris Benson. Vic Darensbourg. Desi Relaford. Esix Snead. Watch, Ty Wigginton and JAmes Baldwin will be in Baltimore before you know it! Anyway, Bannister has been very good this spring. Low ERA, low walks, good location. But the guy has barely even pitched in Triple AAA Norfolk. Is he ready to handle this pressure in New York?
2) Who's our backup in the rotation? When one of our starters gets hurt, and notice, I use the word "when," not "if." When one gets hurt and misses a start, who steps in? Jose Lima (who as I speak is getting hammered like Ted Kennedy after a rough week at work? Jason Scobie? John Maine? Are we going to bring David Cone out of retirement again? I mean, what do we have to hag our hats on? Bannister would have been perfect for this spot. He could have gone to Norfolk, got some more experience, and when the time was right, he could get called up. Now we have no legitimate protection. Unless Mike Pelfrey is ready now and we don't know it yet.
3) The front office is messing up Heilman's head. This is a guy, who at this time last year, we all thought was on the scrap heap. Most people thought he was a first round draft choice bust, and we've seen plenty of those with the Mets over the years. I liked him and he emerged in May with that incredible complete game shutout win over Florida. Then when the rotation got healthy, he became a solid reliever. And he was very good. But all along, this winter, Heilman stated his desire to start. And the staff wanted to accomodate him. So they traded Jae Seo and Benson to open a spot. I wasn't in favor of trading both guys, but at least a plan was in place. So Heilman comes to camp and pitches very well as a starter. But Bannister's emergence catches the world off guard and the office decides to put Heilman back in the pen so he can get lefties out. They are messing with this kid's head and I'm very nervous. Heilman could be that wild card the Mets need to take a big step up if he can pitch this year like he did last year. Or he could be the Mets version of Manny Malhotra. I hope that Notre Dame education made him mentally tough, because he will need it.
I really hope they're right by making this move. I really do. This team has a load of veterans (Pedro, Glavine, Franco, Delgado, LoDuca) and doesn't have much time to win a division, pennant, or World Series as constructed. Two years, tops. I hope this does not backfire for Bannister, for Heilman, for the pitching staff, and for the team.
Regular season champs!
Well the regular season in the Willow Creek Church DuPage Volleyball League Group C is over. Long name, I know. We were ahead by 2 games going into the final weekend, and we didn't play this weekend as we already played a doubleheader a few weeks prior. As I've said, what we needed to finish first, was the worst team (Mike's) in the league to beat the team we were battling for first (Paul's) in just 1 of 3 games. Now we had played Mike's team the previous weekend and caned them like that kid in Singapore about 12 years ago. A three game sweep that actually had us bored because they really did not play well. Though we beat Paul's team each time we play, the game are always close and you earn every point you get.
So Sunday night, I'm walking into my baseball fantasy draft in Lisle and I get the call from my captain that we finished first. I thought was in a bad cell area, I didn't think it was going to happpen. Mike's team beat Paul's in all three games, giving us the Number One seed for the playoffs.
So we play Randy's team on Sunday in the semifinals and unfortunately, I won't make it, but hey, Wrestlemania comes to Chicago once every 10 years! I hope they can win without me so I can return for the championship the following Sunday. With my new orange gel-soled sneakers (kind of like Pedro Martinez) starting to get broken in, I will be ready.
So Sunday night, I'm walking into my baseball fantasy draft in Lisle and I get the call from my captain that we finished first. I thought was in a bad cell area, I didn't think it was going to happpen. Mike's team beat Paul's in all three games, giving us the Number One seed for the playoffs.
So we play Randy's team on Sunday in the semifinals and unfortunately, I won't make it, but hey, Wrestlemania comes to Chicago once every 10 years! I hope they can win without me so I can return for the championship the following Sunday. With my new orange gel-soled sneakers (kind of like Pedro Martinez) starting to get broken in, I will be ready.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Plenty to talk about
but I'll stick with fantasy sports right now.
Well basketball is over and I finished one game out of the playoffs in seventh place. I really feel this team underachieved as I could have done some damage in the championship tournament. I have a bye this week and play in the conosolation semis next week.
I won in hockey 9-1 and am in the championship semifinals. I'm playing a team that I finished only one point behind in the regular season. My opponent lost Dan Boyle with an ankle injury, so that could hurt his defense. Then again he has Mathieu Schenider and Rob Blake, so he won't be lacking for firepower. He seems to be one of those guys who has completely ignored his roster as he still has Ed Belfour in a starting goalie role. I don't think Ed Belfour is even in the NHL right now. And he's certainly not healthy. More info on this match as the days go by. I want my first championship!
My Daily Herald League draft is done and I have to say, I am not thrilled. I will make a number of waiver moves and then I will post the roster. But last year, I felt really good and I bombed out by June.
A few notes from last night's draft at the Country House in Lisle.
1) Great 1/2 pound sirloin burgers and iced tea.
2) We sat, the 10 of us, around a table according to our draft order. The last guy who picks in the first round (and all odd-numbered rounds) goes first in the second round (and all even-numbered rounds) and you keep going through 30 rounds. So I picked 8th overall and then third in the 2nd round. I sat next to Neil, who's an older guy (looks like Orson Welles). Originally from Flushing, NY. If there's a target for teasing in the group, it's him. Twice, he lost track of which direction we were picking, and he picked before I was supposed to pick. One time was one thing. But two and he was just asking for it.
3) One guy drafted Holliday. We didn't know if that was Roy Halladay or Matt Holliday!
4) Four Johns or Johnny's were drafted in a row: Gomes, Peralta, Lackey, and Patterson. The next guy should've taken Juan Castro or Juan Rivera. It's still a John, right?! Other John's on the board at the time: Garland, Lieber, Thomson, Papelbon, Buck, Estrada, Rauch, and Mabry.
5) Julie, who had the second pick, is the only woman in the league and usually finishes last. We were taking an exceptionally long time to make picks. And she starts piping up and says "I don't have time to fool around!" And I said "Maybe if you did fool around, you'd finish better in the standings." The whole table didn't just crack up, they were gone. Hardcore laughing for about 20-30 seconds.
6) I got a quick dig on Neil at one point. I don't remember what I said but it happened when he took Nick Swisher one pick before I was going to take him and I settled on Pedro Feliz. But Neil said "You're good. See guys, his insults are gentler. You oughta give these guys humor lessons." Suffice to say, no one's ever said that to me before!
Well basketball is over and I finished one game out of the playoffs in seventh place. I really feel this team underachieved as I could have done some damage in the championship tournament. I have a bye this week and play in the conosolation semis next week.
I won in hockey 9-1 and am in the championship semifinals. I'm playing a team that I finished only one point behind in the regular season. My opponent lost Dan Boyle with an ankle injury, so that could hurt his defense. Then again he has Mathieu Schenider and Rob Blake, so he won't be lacking for firepower. He seems to be one of those guys who has completely ignored his roster as he still has Ed Belfour in a starting goalie role. I don't think Ed Belfour is even in the NHL right now. And he's certainly not healthy. More info on this match as the days go by. I want my first championship!
My Daily Herald League draft is done and I have to say, I am not thrilled. I will make a number of waiver moves and then I will post the roster. But last year, I felt really good and I bombed out by June.
A few notes from last night's draft at the Country House in Lisle.
1) Great 1/2 pound sirloin burgers and iced tea.
2) We sat, the 10 of us, around a table according to our draft order. The last guy who picks in the first round (and all odd-numbered rounds) goes first in the second round (and all even-numbered rounds) and you keep going through 30 rounds. So I picked 8th overall and then third in the 2nd round. I sat next to Neil, who's an older guy (looks like Orson Welles). Originally from Flushing, NY. If there's a target for teasing in the group, it's him. Twice, he lost track of which direction we were picking, and he picked before I was supposed to pick. One time was one thing. But two and he was just asking for it.
3) One guy drafted Holliday. We didn't know if that was Roy Halladay or Matt Holliday!
4) Four Johns or Johnny's were drafted in a row: Gomes, Peralta, Lackey, and Patterson. The next guy should've taken Juan Castro or Juan Rivera. It's still a John, right?! Other John's on the board at the time: Garland, Lieber, Thomson, Papelbon, Buck, Estrada, Rauch, and Mabry.
5) Julie, who had the second pick, is the only woman in the league and usually finishes last. We were taking an exceptionally long time to make picks. And she starts piping up and says "I don't have time to fool around!" And I said "Maybe if you did fool around, you'd finish better in the standings." The whole table didn't just crack up, they were gone. Hardcore laughing for about 20-30 seconds.
6) I got a quick dig on Neil at one point. I don't remember what I said but it happened when he took Nick Swisher one pick before I was going to take him and I settled on Pedro Feliz. But Neil said "You're good. See guys, his insults are gentler. You oughta give these guys humor lessons." Suffice to say, no one's ever said that to me before!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I am embarrassed
to say I am a New York Ranger fan today. The biggest game this franchise has had since Seinfield was on the air. The Flyers had played the Devils the night before, and you're home, up two points in the standings, Robert Esche in the opposing goal crease, Henrik Lundqvist in your own. How can you give up six goals? Six freakin' goals?
And Ryan Hollweg. What a genius move. 10 seconds after Jaromir Jagr gives the Rangers a 2-1 lead, he hits RJ Umberger from behind and gets a game misconduct, and the Flyers get a 5-minute power play, where they score twice, including a goal with 0.8 seconds left in the first period. Right then, you knew the Rangers were not winning. If you are a hockey fan, raise your hand right now if you knew when that third goal was scored, the Rangers were not getting a point. I didn't even pay attention to the second period and I shouldn't have gone near a message board in the third. Because all those Flyer fan pricks who invade our message boards now get to gloat.
But what do you expect from a franchise whose three best position players of the last 15 years are named Messier, Graves, and Leetch? Kind of like the Jets had Snell, Boozer, and Sauer.
And not that it means anything standings wise, but the Knicks lose by 26 to the Almighty Orlando Magic. The same crap in Madison Square Garden over and over again. Again, I am embarrassed to be a New York sports fan tonight. Can baseball be far away?
And Ryan Hollweg. What a genius move. 10 seconds after Jaromir Jagr gives the Rangers a 2-1 lead, he hits RJ Umberger from behind and gets a game misconduct, and the Flyers get a 5-minute power play, where they score twice, including a goal with 0.8 seconds left in the first period. Right then, you knew the Rangers were not winning. If you are a hockey fan, raise your hand right now if you knew when that third goal was scored, the Rangers were not getting a point. I didn't even pay attention to the second period and I shouldn't have gone near a message board in the third. Because all those Flyer fan pricks who invade our message boards now get to gloat.
But what do you expect from a franchise whose three best position players of the last 15 years are named Messier, Graves, and Leetch? Kind of like the Jets had Snell, Boozer, and Sauer.
And not that it means anything standings wise, but the Knicks lose by 26 to the Almighty Orlando Magic. The same crap in Madison Square Garden over and over again. Again, I am embarrassed to be a New York sports fan tonight. Can baseball be far away?
So who are the ones who won't tolerate?
As a Christian, I both understand and don't understand when people who don't believe in this religion call us intolerant. The message in schools and society are to tolerate other people and what they believe. They say it was the lack of toleration that has led to wars, murders, slavery, and so on. I understand how to someone who is not a Christian, the beliefs can sound exclusive. I agree, in a way, they are. But I wish that people can look objectively and see that Christians are not the only ones who can be intolerant. And I don't follow world affairs much, but this got to me.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the days of the Taliban, those promoting Christianity in Afghanistan could be arrested and those converting from Islam could be tortured and publicly executed.
That was supposed to change after U.S.-led forces ousted the oppressive, fundamentalist regime, but the case of 41-year-old Abdul Rahman has many Western nations wondering if Afghanistan is regressing.
Rahman, a father of two, was arrested and is on trial for rejecting Islam. The Afghan constitution, which is based on Sharia, or Islamic law, says that apostates can receive the death penalty.
"They want to sentence me to death, and I accept it," Rahman told reporters last week, "but I am not a deserter and not an infidel."
He had been arrested after telling local police, whom he approached on an unrelated matter, that he had converted to Christianity. Reports say he was carrying a Bible at the time. He said he converted to Christianity 16 years ago after working with a Christian aid group that assisted refugees in neighboring Pakistan.
Rahman's case illustrates a split over the interpretation of the Afghan constitution, which calls for religious freedom while stating that Muslims who reject Islam can be executed.
Nicholas Burns, undersecretary for political affairs, said he understands the complexities of the case and promised the United States would respect Afghan sovereignty. However, he said, Afghans should be free to choose their own religion, and he believes the nation's constitution supports that.
"We hope the Afghan constitution is going to be upheld," Burns said. "If he has the right of freedom of religion, that ought to be respected."
My remarks:
For the record, Afghanistan's population is 80 percent Sunni Muslim and 19 percent Shiite Muslim, according to the CIA. The rest of the population is classified as "other." Now many Western nations object to this man going on trial as they should. But if we are cleaning up the Middle East and all, then why is a law so fundamental to human life as this, still in place from the Taliban reign? Should that not have been one of the first things addressed? And if he is found guilty, what will they do about it. Will they just use their secretaries to talk a good game and let the chips fall where they may?
Here's my more basic question. How can you write a Constitution that promotes religious freedom while also saying that people who don't follow Islam can be executed? Did each citizen get to write their own law and it was just adopted without anyone reviewing its validity? If I've heard hypocrisy in my life, this is it.
So what's the trial really about? Supposedly he's on trial for rejecting the official religion of the country he lives in. Well, if he has converted (and there are questions about his mental stability), then he is as guilty as can be under that law. I'm not saying I agree with the fundamentals of that law, because I don't. But if there is a law against rejecting Islam, I think he probably will be found guilty. I don't understand it, but there are flawed laws. And when they're in your country's Constitution or whatever document of fundamental beliefs and laws you have, you've got problems.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the days of the Taliban, those promoting Christianity in Afghanistan could be arrested and those converting from Islam could be tortured and publicly executed.
That was supposed to change after U.S.-led forces ousted the oppressive, fundamentalist regime, but the case of 41-year-old Abdul Rahman has many Western nations wondering if Afghanistan is regressing.
Rahman, a father of two, was arrested and is on trial for rejecting Islam. The Afghan constitution, which is based on Sharia, or Islamic law, says that apostates can receive the death penalty.
"They want to sentence me to death, and I accept it," Rahman told reporters last week, "but I am not a deserter and not an infidel."
He had been arrested after telling local police, whom he approached on an unrelated matter, that he had converted to Christianity. Reports say he was carrying a Bible at the time. He said he converted to Christianity 16 years ago after working with a Christian aid group that assisted refugees in neighboring Pakistan.
Rahman's case illustrates a split over the interpretation of the Afghan constitution, which calls for religious freedom while stating that Muslims who reject Islam can be executed.
Nicholas Burns, undersecretary for political affairs, said he understands the complexities of the case and promised the United States would respect Afghan sovereignty. However, he said, Afghans should be free to choose their own religion, and he believes the nation's constitution supports that.
"We hope the Afghan constitution is going to be upheld," Burns said. "If he has the right of freedom of religion, that ought to be respected."
My remarks:
For the record, Afghanistan's population is 80 percent Sunni Muslim and 19 percent Shiite Muslim, according to the CIA. The rest of the population is classified as "other." Now many Western nations object to this man going on trial as they should. But if we are cleaning up the Middle East and all, then why is a law so fundamental to human life as this, still in place from the Taliban reign? Should that not have been one of the first things addressed? And if he is found guilty, what will they do about it. Will they just use their secretaries to talk a good game and let the chips fall where they may?
Here's my more basic question. How can you write a Constitution that promotes religious freedom while also saying that people who don't follow Islam can be executed? Did each citizen get to write their own law and it was just adopted without anyone reviewing its validity? If I've heard hypocrisy in my life, this is it.
So what's the trial really about? Supposedly he's on trial for rejecting the official religion of the country he lives in. Well, if he has converted (and there are questions about his mental stability), then he is as guilty as can be under that law. I'm not saying I agree with the fundamentals of that law, because I don't. But if there is a law against rejecting Islam, I think he probably will be found guilty. I don't understand it, but there are flawed laws. And when they're in your country's Constitution or whatever document of fundamental beliefs and laws you have, you've got problems.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Before I take a break...
from work that is, although now that I'm typing, I guess I am, I have a couple of sports-related issues to discuss.
First I'd like to thank Ohio St, Iowa, and North Carolina for screwing me over in the NCAA tournament. The odds of me winning anything at work basically depend on Connecticut beating Duke in the finals and even then, I don't have a great chance. Ah well, my first day of picks was great.
Volleyball is finished as far as the regular season. And for me, it could be done until next fall. We have next week off, which is when I will do a fantasy baseball draft in Lisle. And in 2 weeks, for those that don't know, I'M GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA! When I tell people that I'm going, I'm getting every reaction from "Why?" to "There's nothing wrong with that." I guess some people just aren't as sophisticated as me.
Anyway, we went 3-0 against a lousy team yesterday to close the season. What we want is the second place team to lose one of the three games they have next week against the team we just thrashed. The odds of that are not good. Now if they lose just one of the three, we finished tied with them at 17-10, we take first place via tiebreaker, and play the team we just beat in the first round of the playoffs. If the second place team sweeps, we're second and play another team.
Regardless, I will miss the semifinals, so I hope they can get a win with me gone. I think they have a good chance to win no matter who they play in the first round, but in all honesty, I think they lack speed and agility without me on the floor. If they win on April 2, I come back for the championship match on April 9.
In the same professional organization, you now have Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells, Terrell Owens, Drew Rosenhaus. Forget Barry Bonds, let's watch a reality show on this!
Fantasy sports update: I moved into sixth place in basketball with one week to go before the playoffs, which means I'm in position to make the championship tournament. I haven't been this high since Christmas. I'm playing a pretty decent 5th place team this week and leading the 7th place team by 2 games. If I win this week by 4 of 9 categories or more, I tie him and pass him in the standings. I don't think that's likely though. Seriously, I just want to qualify and with a team that has just recently gotten healthy, I think I can make a run.
Hockey playoffs start this week. I finished 3rd out of 12 teams with a record of 120-67-33. I needed 2 more points to finish second outright as I would have lost the tiebreaker. So I don't get a first round bye, but that's fine. This week, I take on a team that I should not have much trouble beating. I have plenty of powerplay points, goals, assists and those sort of stats. They key for me is goaltending. I need Peter Budaj (supposedly you don't pronounce the "j") of Colorado to step up. I like Kari Lehtonen, the ex-Chicago Wolf. And Robert Esche seems to be getting better. My penalty minutes is not good, and +/- hasn't been great lately. So if I can just keep winning 2 of the 4 goaltending categories, I think I'll keep winning.
Now here's who this guy has. His centers are Mike Comrie and Daymon Langkow. (Yawn.) His left wingers are Erik Cole and somebody named Frolov from LA, both of whom are injured. His right wingers are Mikael Samuelsson from Detroit (day to day) and Hemsky from Edmonton. Supposedly, the latter is good. The defense is okay with Spacek (FLA), Van Ryn (FLA), Heward (WAS), and Campbell (BUF). I don't think they compare to my lineup of Pitkanen, Zubov, Lidstrom, Souray, and Tomas Kaberle. On his bench, I repeat, his bench: Darcy Tucker, Marek Svatos (excellent player, but injured for the year), and Joe Sakic. Joe Sakic on the bench! This idiot won't put his best healthy offensive player in his lineup.
His goaltending is tough with Tomas Vokoun, Dominik Hasek, and Ray Emery (both Ottawa). Can you see where this is going? Emery is on the bench so I only need to deal with Vokoun this week!
I expect a 5-3 win and a semifinal meeting with RDU Snipers.
And to my boyhood hockey idol, tonight, welcome home Leetchie.
First I'd like to thank Ohio St, Iowa, and North Carolina for screwing me over in the NCAA tournament. The odds of me winning anything at work basically depend on Connecticut beating Duke in the finals and even then, I don't have a great chance. Ah well, my first day of picks was great.
Volleyball is finished as far as the regular season. And for me, it could be done until next fall. We have next week off, which is when I will do a fantasy baseball draft in Lisle. And in 2 weeks, for those that don't know, I'M GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA! When I tell people that I'm going, I'm getting every reaction from "Why?" to "There's nothing wrong with that." I guess some people just aren't as sophisticated as me.
Anyway, we went 3-0 against a lousy team yesterday to close the season. What we want is the second place team to lose one of the three games they have next week against the team we just thrashed. The odds of that are not good. Now if they lose just one of the three, we finished tied with them at 17-10, we take first place via tiebreaker, and play the team we just beat in the first round of the playoffs. If the second place team sweeps, we're second and play another team.
Regardless, I will miss the semifinals, so I hope they can get a win with me gone. I think they have a good chance to win no matter who they play in the first round, but in all honesty, I think they lack speed and agility without me on the floor. If they win on April 2, I come back for the championship match on April 9.
In the same professional organization, you now have Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells, Terrell Owens, Drew Rosenhaus. Forget Barry Bonds, let's watch a reality show on this!
Fantasy sports update: I moved into sixth place in basketball with one week to go before the playoffs, which means I'm in position to make the championship tournament. I haven't been this high since Christmas. I'm playing a pretty decent 5th place team this week and leading the 7th place team by 2 games. If I win this week by 4 of 9 categories or more, I tie him and pass him in the standings. I don't think that's likely though. Seriously, I just want to qualify and with a team that has just recently gotten healthy, I think I can make a run.
Hockey playoffs start this week. I finished 3rd out of 12 teams with a record of 120-67-33. I needed 2 more points to finish second outright as I would have lost the tiebreaker. So I don't get a first round bye, but that's fine. This week, I take on a team that I should not have much trouble beating. I have plenty of powerplay points, goals, assists and those sort of stats. They key for me is goaltending. I need Peter Budaj (supposedly you don't pronounce the "j") of Colorado to step up. I like Kari Lehtonen, the ex-Chicago Wolf. And Robert Esche seems to be getting better. My penalty minutes is not good, and +/- hasn't been great lately. So if I can just keep winning 2 of the 4 goaltending categories, I think I'll keep winning.
Now here's who this guy has. His centers are Mike Comrie and Daymon Langkow. (Yawn.) His left wingers are Erik Cole and somebody named Frolov from LA, both of whom are injured. His right wingers are Mikael Samuelsson from Detroit (day to day) and Hemsky from Edmonton. Supposedly, the latter is good. The defense is okay with Spacek (FLA), Van Ryn (FLA), Heward (WAS), and Campbell (BUF). I don't think they compare to my lineup of Pitkanen, Zubov, Lidstrom, Souray, and Tomas Kaberle. On his bench, I repeat, his bench: Darcy Tucker, Marek Svatos (excellent player, but injured for the year), and Joe Sakic. Joe Sakic on the bench! This idiot won't put his best healthy offensive player in his lineup.
His goaltending is tough with Tomas Vokoun, Dominik Hasek, and Ray Emery (both Ottawa). Can you see where this is going? Emery is on the bench so I only need to deal with Vokoun this week!
I expect a 5-3 win and a semifinal meeting with RDU Snipers.
And to my boyhood hockey idol, tonight, welcome home Leetchie.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Does this exist?
I had to send books to a professor at Mississippi University for Women. All the books were for Italian courses. You actually mean to tell me someone speaks Italian in Mississippi? I think if I went to a restaurant in Mississippi and ordered spaghetti, they would ask "Do you want fries with that?" This actually happens.
Knicks win! Marbury, Curry, Francis, and Rose sit out the last quarter and 2 overtimes and the Knicks beat that powerhouse team from Atlanta. And they're out of last place in the league! Boy am I excited.
I have about 11 different brackets for the tournament between ESPN, work 1, work 2, Yahoo, CBS, and Sportsline. Generally speaking here's the breakdown:
Teams I need to do well: UCLA, LSU, Boston College, UConn, Ohio State.
Possible upsets: UW-Milwaukee, Southern Illinois, South Alabama, San Diego State.
Possible runs: Kansas, Pittsburgh (though they'll likely play in the second round), North Carolina.
Overrated: Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, Duke.
My 4 Houghton Mifflin bracket teams: LSU, UCLA, UW-Milwaukee, North Carolina.
I've actually invested 10 bucks between my work pools so let's see what happens.
Knicks win! Marbury, Curry, Francis, and Rose sit out the last quarter and 2 overtimes and the Knicks beat that powerhouse team from Atlanta. And they're out of last place in the league! Boy am I excited.
I have about 11 different brackets for the tournament between ESPN, work 1, work 2, Yahoo, CBS, and Sportsline. Generally speaking here's the breakdown:
Teams I need to do well: UCLA, LSU, Boston College, UConn, Ohio State.
Possible upsets: UW-Milwaukee, Southern Illinois, South Alabama, San Diego State.
Possible runs: Kansas, Pittsburgh (though they'll likely play in the second round), North Carolina.
Overrated: Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, Duke.
My 4 Houghton Mifflin bracket teams: LSU, UCLA, UW-Milwaukee, North Carolina.
I've actually invested 10 bucks between my work pools so let's see what happens.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Plenty to break down...
after a couple of days away from my board. But I am here and if you are here too, well, I guess you clicked in a good spot.
I have a lot to talk about so I'm going to spread it out over the course of the week. First thing is this:
1) The donut burger is delicious. jk. I've never tried it.
2) 2 more volleyball wins this past Sunday over the second place team. We;re in first place by anywhere between 2 and 5 games. Now that's a little bit deceiving because we've played three more games than the second place team and I'll tell you why. We played a double header but I had to miss it due to a dinner I was attending that evening. I don't know the results. We had to do it because one of the teams in our league had to deal with a tragedy involving at least two of their team members. I don't know the details, but it happened, so we shuffled the schedule around. I hope that whoever is involved is okay spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
3) _ _ _ _ O==== _ _ D==== T _ _==== _ _ _
Name that TV Show. Since spacing is an issue on this board, I used equal signs to separate the four words. I solved this puzzle while playing Scene It Friday night. Answer at the end of it's post.
4) I am really angry at WWE right now. Shane McMahon beat down Shawn Michaels and then delivered the Van Terminator to him, a move he has not done since Wrestlemania 4 years ago and only done by Rob Van Dam. Now in 2002, RVD was still in ECW. But how pissed must he be to see the owners' son do his one of his trademark moves? And I saw the match I have been waiting 18 months to see: RVD versus Shelton Benjamin. It was good, BUT!!! There was no promotion at all during the show until the commercial right before the match happened. And they only got about 10 minutes. Give these guys 30 minutes and they could bring the house down. This match should be saved for PPV. On a side note, the opening segment was indeed disgusting, though I admit I laughed at the end of it.
5) NCAA's will come tomorrow. I need to do more research. Two year ago, I got 30 out of 32 first round games right. Last year, only around 17 or 18. Time to redeem.
6) Yahoo Futures listed the Mets as the favorite to win the NL East, the NL pennant, and third to win the World Series behind the Yankees and White Sox. Amazing, the media is more optimistic than me. The top 10 World Series favorites from 4-10 are St. Louis, Boston, the Cubs, Anaheim (regardless of their name change), Oakland, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. For the one person wondering, Atlanta is 12.
7) Here's my NL Sleeper: Milwaukee. They're ranked 11 of 16 to win the pennant. Their top 3 is Sheets, Capuano, and Davis. Does anyone know Capuano won 18 games last year? Derrick Turnbow is a great closer. Carlos Lee, Geoff Jenkins, are a good 3-4 punch. And they have a lot of good youngsters with Richie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Jose Capellan, JJ Hardy, Bill Hall, and Dan Kolb! Whoops. Now I don't know if they'll make the playoffs, but they'll win some games, especially late in the season.
8) Can the Rangers move Prucha or Sykora to the top line to play with Nylander and Jagr? For one game? And let Straka sit for a game or two. He looks more worn out than my sneakers.
9) Why are hot dogs made at home never as good as when you get them out?
10) Deal or No Deal on NBC is getting addictive. And who thought Howie Mandel would ever make a comeback? I just don't know if I like game shows where everything is based on luck and chance. It's like if we're lucky, fate will deal us the right cards and we'll be winners. I don't know if I buy that.
11) The Jets first free agent signing is the immortal Matt Chatham, a linebacker from New England, who's supposed to be a special teams player and possible starter. This 6-year vet is best known for tackling a streaker during a Super Bowl.
Trivia Answer:
Chico and the Man
And finally:
If you're in your middle 20's, should you take extra caution with a woman 9 years older than you?
I have a lot to talk about so I'm going to spread it out over the course of the week. First thing is this:
1) The donut burger is delicious. jk. I've never tried it.
2) 2 more volleyball wins this past Sunday over the second place team. We;re in first place by anywhere between 2 and 5 games. Now that's a little bit deceiving because we've played three more games than the second place team and I'll tell you why. We played a double header but I had to miss it due to a dinner I was attending that evening. I don't know the results. We had to do it because one of the teams in our league had to deal with a tragedy involving at least two of their team members. I don't know the details, but it happened, so we shuffled the schedule around. I hope that whoever is involved is okay spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
3) _ _ _ _ O==== _ _ D==== T _ _==== _ _ _
Name that TV Show. Since spacing is an issue on this board, I used equal signs to separate the four words. I solved this puzzle while playing Scene It Friday night. Answer at the end of it's post.
4) I am really angry at WWE right now. Shane McMahon beat down Shawn Michaels and then delivered the Van Terminator to him, a move he has not done since Wrestlemania 4 years ago and only done by Rob Van Dam. Now in 2002, RVD was still in ECW. But how pissed must he be to see the owners' son do his one of his trademark moves? And I saw the match I have been waiting 18 months to see: RVD versus Shelton Benjamin. It was good, BUT!!! There was no promotion at all during the show until the commercial right before the match happened. And they only got about 10 minutes. Give these guys 30 minutes and they could bring the house down. This match should be saved for PPV. On a side note, the opening segment was indeed disgusting, though I admit I laughed at the end of it.
5) NCAA's will come tomorrow. I need to do more research. Two year ago, I got 30 out of 32 first round games right. Last year, only around 17 or 18. Time to redeem.
6) Yahoo Futures listed the Mets as the favorite to win the NL East, the NL pennant, and third to win the World Series behind the Yankees and White Sox. Amazing, the media is more optimistic than me. The top 10 World Series favorites from 4-10 are St. Louis, Boston, the Cubs, Anaheim (regardless of their name change), Oakland, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. For the one person wondering, Atlanta is 12.
7) Here's my NL Sleeper: Milwaukee. They're ranked 11 of 16 to win the pennant. Their top 3 is Sheets, Capuano, and Davis. Does anyone know Capuano won 18 games last year? Derrick Turnbow is a great closer. Carlos Lee, Geoff Jenkins, are a good 3-4 punch. And they have a lot of good youngsters with Richie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Jose Capellan, JJ Hardy, Bill Hall, and Dan Kolb! Whoops. Now I don't know if they'll make the playoffs, but they'll win some games, especially late in the season.
8) Can the Rangers move Prucha or Sykora to the top line to play with Nylander and Jagr? For one game? And let Straka sit for a game or two. He looks more worn out than my sneakers.
9) Why are hot dogs made at home never as good as when you get them out?
10) Deal or No Deal on NBC is getting addictive. And who thought Howie Mandel would ever make a comeback? I just don't know if I like game shows where everything is based on luck and chance. It's like if we're lucky, fate will deal us the right cards and we'll be winners. I don't know if I buy that.
11) The Jets first free agent signing is the immortal Matt Chatham, a linebacker from New England, who's supposed to be a special teams player and possible starter. This 6-year vet is best known for tackling a streaker during a Super Bowl.
Trivia Answer:
Chico and the Man
And finally:
If you're in your middle 20's, should you take extra caution with a woman 9 years older than you?
Friday, March 10, 2006
Another Rangers message boards exchange
I need to preface this. A russian guy on our board heard new Ranger d-man Sandis Ozolinsh had a problem with Russians since he's Latvian. Probably not true, but anyway. He wrote "Does Ozolinsh hate Russians?" So a few guys started doing parodies. Does Ozolinsh hate Nebraskans. Does Ozolinsh hate Wisconsin? So I responded to the Wisconsin one since it was from Vic Vega, who's a fine guy. This is part of the exchange from that thread. Again I'm wa2k99.
Date: 3/10/2006 1:05:28 PM Author: Vic Vega
If he does, well thats bad.
Date: 3/10/2006 1:09:23 PM Author: wa2k99
Is that where you live or did you pick a random state?
Date: 3/10/2006 1:05:28 PM Author: Vic Vega
Its where I get my food from!
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: hockey sauce It's Vic Vega... all you have to do is put 2 and 2 together..Vic Vega loves cheese...Wisconsin is known for cheese...Therefore, one can conclude with certainty that when Vic Vega is asked to randomly pick a state, that state will be Wisconsin... Can't argue with logic
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: rangerfan11
are you steve urkal?
Date: 3/10/2006 1:09:23 PM Author: wa2k99
I don't have to take this. I'm going home!
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: rangerfan11
LMAO!
Date: 3/10/2006 1:05:28 PM Author: Vic Vega
If he does, well thats bad.
Date: 3/10/2006 1:09:23 PM Author: wa2k99
Is that where you live or did you pick a random state?
Date: 3/10/2006 1:05:28 PM Author: Vic Vega
Its where I get my food from!
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: hockey sauce It's Vic Vega... all you have to do is put 2 and 2 together..Vic Vega loves cheese...Wisconsin is known for cheese...Therefore, one can conclude with certainty that when Vic Vega is asked to randomly pick a state, that state will be Wisconsin... Can't argue with logic
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: rangerfan11
are you steve urkal?
Date: 3/10/2006 1:09:23 PM Author: wa2k99
I don't have to take this. I'm going home!
Date: 3/10/2006 1:07:23 PM Author: rangerfan11
LMAO!
We are one fat country
From ESPN
Homer Simpson would love the newest taste sensation in minor league baseball: the donut burger.
We kid you not. The Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League promised to create "Baseball's Best Burger" in time for the team's opener in late May. And they appear to have succeeded.
The ballpark sandwich will include a hamburger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon -- all between a "bun" of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts.
If you can find a (loop)hole in your cardiologist's advice, calorie counters predict the monster will set you back about 1,100 calories and 60 grams of fat.
"We have had the opportunity to bring in a new concession item for the past two seasons and each of them have been very successful," said Grizzlies general manager Tony Funderburg, who told ESPN.com that he got the idea after reading about a restaurant in the South with a similar sandwich.
Funderberg, who has said he has eaten at least 10 of the Grizzlies' new creations as part of a "sampling process," said the team hopes to sell 100 to 200 of them a night at $4.50 each. He calls it a bargain, considering it is a meal and a dessert in one.
Locals who might not be interested in minor league baseball but who want to experiment with clogged arteries will have to buy a ticket. Funderberg said the burger will only be sold inside the stadium gates.
So let's think about this. Many thoughts come to mind here. I'm about 6 hours north of the ballpark. Throw in the price of a ticket, you have to pay 10 bucks to try a DB. Maybe they should try it with a chocolate filled Krispy Kreme. I'm not a chocolate fan, but I think some fans would be disappointed they don't have an variety of donuts from which to select. Come to think of it, why don't they just deep fry the whole thing?
I would make one rule, if you get one of these calorie-stuffers, you are not allowed to buy a diet soda with it. That's like driving to the gym and parking as close to the door as possible.
Homer Simpson would love the newest taste sensation in minor league baseball: the donut burger.
We kid you not. The Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League promised to create "Baseball's Best Burger" in time for the team's opener in late May. And they appear to have succeeded.
The ballpark sandwich will include a hamburger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon -- all between a "bun" of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts.
If you can find a (loop)hole in your cardiologist's advice, calorie counters predict the monster will set you back about 1,100 calories and 60 grams of fat.
"We have had the opportunity to bring in a new concession item for the past two seasons and each of them have been very successful," said Grizzlies general manager Tony Funderburg, who told ESPN.com that he got the idea after reading about a restaurant in the South with a similar sandwich.
Funderberg, who has said he has eaten at least 10 of the Grizzlies' new creations as part of a "sampling process," said the team hopes to sell 100 to 200 of them a night at $4.50 each. He calls it a bargain, considering it is a meal and a dessert in one.
Locals who might not be interested in minor league baseball but who want to experiment with clogged arteries will have to buy a ticket. Funderberg said the burger will only be sold inside the stadium gates.
So let's think about this. Many thoughts come to mind here. I'm about 6 hours north of the ballpark. Throw in the price of a ticket, you have to pay 10 bucks to try a DB. Maybe they should try it with a chocolate filled Krispy Kreme. I'm not a chocolate fan, but I think some fans would be disappointed they don't have an variety of donuts from which to select. Come to think of it, why don't they just deep fry the whole thing?
I would make one rule, if you get one of these calorie-stuffers, you are not allowed to buy a diet soda with it. That's like driving to the gym and parking as close to the door as possible.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
5 hours and 10 minutes...
until the NHL trade deadline. Here's a pice from the Star-Ledger that sums up the Rangers defense situation.
"The Rangers aren't likely to go after the biggest names (on defense), anyway, because their No. 1 pick from last summer, Marc Staal, was voted the top defenseman at the World Junior Championships in January and is a candidate to make the team next season. Plus, the Rangers have their eye on Ottawa's dynamic duo of Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden, both of whom are going to be free agents this summer. The Rangers don't think Ottawa can afford to keep both of them, and assistant GM Don Maloney, who drafted both when he was GM of the Islanders, would love to sign one to the Rangers. With all that in mind, it just wouldn't make sense for the Rangers to give up too many prospects for a player they only need for three months. Veteran players who won't cost too much -- such as Pittsburgh's Ric Jackman and Cory Cross, Atlanta's Niclas Havelid, Toronto's Ken Klee, Anaheim's Ruslan Salei -- are among the names that have been mentioned as being on the Rangers' radar screen."
Let's not get crazy here. Last night was a terrible way to lose. But all 3 of their losses this week have been by 1 goal. Prucha's return to the lineup will be big for an offense that certainly needs a kick. And I like the HMO line a lot, but can they put the puck in the net more than once a month? It seems like every time I watch Carolina for instance, their 4th line center, Kevyn Adams scores a big goal.
"The Rangers aren't likely to go after the biggest names (on defense), anyway, because their No. 1 pick from last summer, Marc Staal, was voted the top defenseman at the World Junior Championships in January and is a candidate to make the team next season. Plus, the Rangers have their eye on Ottawa's dynamic duo of Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden, both of whom are going to be free agents this summer. The Rangers don't think Ottawa can afford to keep both of them, and assistant GM Don Maloney, who drafted both when he was GM of the Islanders, would love to sign one to the Rangers. With all that in mind, it just wouldn't make sense for the Rangers to give up too many prospects for a player they only need for three months. Veteran players who won't cost too much -- such as Pittsburgh's Ric Jackman and Cory Cross, Atlanta's Niclas Havelid, Toronto's Ken Klee, Anaheim's Ruslan Salei -- are among the names that have been mentioned as being on the Rangers' radar screen."
Let's not get crazy here. Last night was a terrible way to lose. But all 3 of their losses this week have been by 1 goal. Prucha's return to the lineup will be big for an offense that certainly needs a kick. And I like the HMO line a lot, but can they put the puck in the net more than once a month? It seems like every time I watch Carolina for instance, their 4th line center, Kevyn Adams scores a big goal.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
From the Ranger-Thrasher game
Jason Ward gets a penalty shot. My exchange with a fellow poster on the Rangers message boards. I am wa2k99.
Date: 3/8/2006 7:37:57 PM Author: wa2k99
Just like the Blades of Steel video game
Penalty Shot..Shot
I still have that game lmao
Let's go Rangers!!
Date: 3/8/2006 7:37:57 PM Author: wa2k99
Just like the Blades of Steel video game
Penalty Shot..Shot
I still have that game lmao
Let's go Rangers!!
And let's breathe out....
From ESPN
Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez threw his longest bullpen of the spring Wednesday and appears ready to face batters soon. Martinez threw 62 pitches, nearly double his previous high of 34 this year. He removed the two gel pads from his right shoe between his warmup and bullpen session, stating it would help him better understand how his right big toe feels.
"It was a really good day," Martinez said. "I felt a little bit uncomfortable but nothing to stop what I'm doing."
Well my legs are back to the point where I can actually bend them again. I hit the gym a little too hard last Saturday afternoon and then came Sunday. We played 4-on-5 volleyball for a solid hour and I had to do a lot of sprinting to recover wild shots. Most of which I hit myself... But we were tied for first with the team we played and won 2 of 3. We actually had a chance to win the third game as well. We trailed 20-23 and I served three points in a row. With the chance to take the lead and bring the score to match point I served a ball that nearly knocked over the bleachers, it was so far out of bounds. That gave them the lead and they scored on the next point to end it. So we're 12-6, and just past halfway through the season. And I feel fine. A combo of high protein, low Ben-Gay, and plenty of stretching does the trick. It's all about flexibility. It gives you an edge in physical activities. It also helps if you're 15 years younger than most of the people you're playing with and against.
Ecclesia is eating at Muldoon's Sunday night. YES! That is easily the best restaurant in downtown Wheaton and maybe DuPage County, IL. I'm leaning toward the burger and Cajun fries though their sourdough baguette dipped in the baked potato soup is always good too.
Great interview with Stephen A. Smith and Knicks legend Bernard King on Quite Frankly last night. I didn't know after King came back from a torn ACL in 1987, the Knicks just released him to free agency. Now this was after he missed 1.5 years with the injury. He came back for the last 6 games of the regular season and averaged 22 points per game. And after the season, Rick Pitino and whoever the GM was let him go! And he became an All-Star in Washington. Man, Patrick Ewing and Bernard King together on the same court. That would have been something special. If he had been in that small forward spot a few years later, do you think King pulls a Charles Smith and blows 6 lay-ups against the Bulls in the '93 playoffs? Didn't think so.
One more thing. Some may wonder why I don't talk about my personal life on here. Well, it's really nobody's business. But I will admit to this. I did recently have a certain little thing come to an end. And it wasn't easy to take. I was seeing this one girl for about 6 weeks. Unfortunately, I lost my binoculars.
And remembuh, it's mi howsse. But you welcome anytiime.
Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez threw his longest bullpen of the spring Wednesday and appears ready to face batters soon. Martinez threw 62 pitches, nearly double his previous high of 34 this year. He removed the two gel pads from his right shoe between his warmup and bullpen session, stating it would help him better understand how his right big toe feels.
"It was a really good day," Martinez said. "I felt a little bit uncomfortable but nothing to stop what I'm doing."
Well my legs are back to the point where I can actually bend them again. I hit the gym a little too hard last Saturday afternoon and then came Sunday. We played 4-on-5 volleyball for a solid hour and I had to do a lot of sprinting to recover wild shots. Most of which I hit myself... But we were tied for first with the team we played and won 2 of 3. We actually had a chance to win the third game as well. We trailed 20-23 and I served three points in a row. With the chance to take the lead and bring the score to match point I served a ball that nearly knocked over the bleachers, it was so far out of bounds. That gave them the lead and they scored on the next point to end it. So we're 12-6, and just past halfway through the season. And I feel fine. A combo of high protein, low Ben-Gay, and plenty of stretching does the trick. It's all about flexibility. It gives you an edge in physical activities. It also helps if you're 15 years younger than most of the people you're playing with and against.
Ecclesia is eating at Muldoon's Sunday night. YES! That is easily the best restaurant in downtown Wheaton and maybe DuPage County, IL. I'm leaning toward the burger and Cajun fries though their sourdough baguette dipped in the baked potato soup is always good too.
Great interview with Stephen A. Smith and Knicks legend Bernard King on Quite Frankly last night. I didn't know after King came back from a torn ACL in 1987, the Knicks just released him to free agency. Now this was after he missed 1.5 years with the injury. He came back for the last 6 games of the regular season and averaged 22 points per game. And after the season, Rick Pitino and whoever the GM was let him go! And he became an All-Star in Washington. Man, Patrick Ewing and Bernard King together on the same court. That would have been something special. If he had been in that small forward spot a few years later, do you think King pulls a Charles Smith and blows 6 lay-ups against the Bulls in the '93 playoffs? Didn't think so.
One more thing. Some may wonder why I don't talk about my personal life on here. Well, it's really nobody's business. But I will admit to this. I did recently have a certain little thing come to an end. And it wasn't easy to take. I was seeing this one girl for about 6 weeks. Unfortunately, I lost my binoculars.
And remembuh, it's mi howsse. But you welcome anytiime.
Monday, March 06, 2006
One North Side Snippet and NYC notes
The big story for the Chicago Cubs right now is not the health of Mark Prior or Kerry Wood or Derrek Lee's bat. It's non-roster invitee Marquis Grissom. Why? What could a 39-year-old outfielder who played in just 44 games last season in San Francisco possibly bring to the mix?
Just think about this: If he makes the club and Matt Murton struggles early in the season, or strains a hammy or whatever, the Cubs could play Marquis alongside Juan Pierre and Jacque Jones giving them what I think would be the major league's first ever All-Faux French Outfield! Now dat's cool!
The Rangers are lucky they won't have to deal with Erik Cole when they play Carolina tonight. With Marek Mailk out, Thomas Pock will likely play in his place. My prediction: If the Rangers don't play well in front of Lundqvist tonight, count on a trade for a defenseman by Thursday.
The Knicks won a game! They've been competitive in their last three and never mind they blew a 12-point lead against the lovely Bulls on Friday. Oh who cares! The big thing is they didn't choke against Milwaukee on Saturday. And they picked up a game on the Pistons for first place in the East, how ab0ut that! They're on a roll! Boy am I excited!
Ugh. End the season already, please. Let's get to March Madness and the beginning of the baseball season. Anything to put the NBA out of our minds.
Just think about this: If he makes the club and Matt Murton struggles early in the season, or strains a hammy or whatever, the Cubs could play Marquis alongside Juan Pierre and Jacque Jones giving them what I think would be the major league's first ever All-Faux French Outfield! Now dat's cool!
The Rangers are lucky they won't have to deal with Erik Cole when they play Carolina tonight. With Marek Mailk out, Thomas Pock will likely play in his place. My prediction: If the Rangers don't play well in front of Lundqvist tonight, count on a trade for a defenseman by Thursday.
The Knicks won a game! They've been competitive in their last three and never mind they blew a 12-point lead against the lovely Bulls on Friday. Oh who cares! The big thing is they didn't choke against Milwaukee on Saturday. And they picked up a game on the Pistons for first place in the East, how ab0ut that! They're on a roll! Boy am I excited!
Ugh. End the season already, please. Let's get to March Madness and the beginning of the baseball season. Anything to put the NBA out of our minds.
Friday, March 03, 2006
For the record, father...
It's spelled Carvao!
Man, have you not remembered any Spanish... And I never doubted the Rangers for a minute! Anyhoo...
Man, have you not remembered any Spanish... And I never doubted the Rangers for a minute! Anyhoo...
What is this knucklehead trying to pull?
From metsblog.com
"On Monday, March 6th, former Braves antagonist John Rocker will be in New York City’s Bryant Park filming an episode of the new series Pros vs. Joes for SpikeTV. Between 7 AM and 11 AM, nine fans will get the chance to hit three pitches off Rocker."
They will need more security for this than Bush does in India and Islamabad. This could get ugly. Like a crash in racing. You don't want it to happen, but if it does happen, you definitely don't want to miss it. Anyway the guy is 6'6 240, so I doubt anyone will charge him. Now maybe some fans will bring a couple of batteries and #7 subway tokens along...
"On Monday, March 6th, former Braves antagonist John Rocker will be in New York City’s Bryant Park filming an episode of the new series Pros vs. Joes for SpikeTV. Between 7 AM and 11 AM, nine fans will get the chance to hit three pitches off Rocker."
They will need more security for this than Bush does in India and Islamabad. This could get ugly. Like a crash in racing. You don't want it to happen, but if it does happen, you definitely don't want to miss it. Anyway the guy is 6'6 240, so I doubt anyone will charge him. Now maybe some fans will bring a couple of batteries and #7 subway tokens along...
TGIF
A full week of work has 4 hours left to go, at least until tonight. Between this past Monday through Saturday night, I will have worked approximately 62 hours. I'll figure out the final tally by the weekend. Man, thank God for Sundays.
Loaded up on some Apple pie a la mode ice cream at Cold Stone. Now when I went there, I usually had the cheesecake one with the berries and graham cracker. But unlike both my parents, when I go out to eat, I'm into a little bit of variety. So this thing had cake batter ice cream, apple pie filling, graham cracker, cinnaninnaninnaninnoman, and caramel. Excellent stuff. Their waffle cones are not very good compared to some of the other ones I've had, but what can you do?
Now on to some news of the week.
A teen who pinched and twisted another boy's nipple while standing in line at a deli has been sentenced to four days in juvenile detention because he refused to write a letter that explained his actions. David Thumler, 16, was convicted of offensive physical touching in July 2005, after the victim's parents complained to police. The Crater High School student paid a $67 fine and served three days of community service.
To me, that punishment is mostly baloney. See, cause it happened in a deli.... Anyway, the story doesn't mention why he went after the nipple? Shouldn't motive have been referred to here?
This one is downright strange:
A sticker on a bicycle that said "this bike is a pipe bomb" caused a scare Thursday at Ohio University that shut down four buildings before authorities learned the message was the name of a punk rock band, a university spokesman said. Police blocked streets around the restaurant and the Columbus police bomb squad came from about 65 miles away. The bomb experts hit the bike with a high-pressure spray of water, then pried it apart with a hydraulic device normally used to rescue accident victims trapped in cars, acting Athens Fire Chief Ken Gilbraith said. Once they had it open, they saw there was no bomb.
If that sticker had been put on a car, would the police and authorities have still gotten concerned?
Quick Facts
1. Christmas became a national holiday in the US in 1890.
2. Cleveland law forbids you to operate a motor vehicle while sitting in another person's lap.
3. During the average human life, you will consume 70 assorted bugs as well as 10 spiders as you sleep. (So basically 1 bug a year. Ah well, it probably builds your immune system.)
4. Cockroaches break wind every 15 minutes. (I'm just copying this stuff!)
5. Did you know that 85.7% of statistics are made up? (You gotta think about that for a while.)
6. Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants. (Shame)
7. Don't even think about having sex while in a moving ambulance in Tremonton, Utah as it is extremely illegal. Of course, a stationary ambulance is another story.
Peace, my peeps.
Loaded up on some Apple pie a la mode ice cream at Cold Stone. Now when I went there, I usually had the cheesecake one with the berries and graham cracker. But unlike both my parents, when I go out to eat, I'm into a little bit of variety. So this thing had cake batter ice cream, apple pie filling, graham cracker, cinnaninnaninnaninnoman, and caramel. Excellent stuff. Their waffle cones are not very good compared to some of the other ones I've had, but what can you do?
Now on to some news of the week.
A teen who pinched and twisted another boy's nipple while standing in line at a deli has been sentenced to four days in juvenile detention because he refused to write a letter that explained his actions. David Thumler, 16, was convicted of offensive physical touching in July 2005, after the victim's parents complained to police. The Crater High School student paid a $67 fine and served three days of community service.
To me, that punishment is mostly baloney. See, cause it happened in a deli.... Anyway, the story doesn't mention why he went after the nipple? Shouldn't motive have been referred to here?
This one is downright strange:
A sticker on a bicycle that said "this bike is a pipe bomb" caused a scare Thursday at Ohio University that shut down four buildings before authorities learned the message was the name of a punk rock band, a university spokesman said. Police blocked streets around the restaurant and the Columbus police bomb squad came from about 65 miles away. The bomb experts hit the bike with a high-pressure spray of water, then pried it apart with a hydraulic device normally used to rescue accident victims trapped in cars, acting Athens Fire Chief Ken Gilbraith said. Once they had it open, they saw there was no bomb.
If that sticker had been put on a car, would the police and authorities have still gotten concerned?
Quick Facts
1. Christmas became a national holiday in the US in 1890.
2. Cleveland law forbids you to operate a motor vehicle while sitting in another person's lap.
3. During the average human life, you will consume 70 assorted bugs as well as 10 spiders as you sleep. (So basically 1 bug a year. Ah well, it probably builds your immune system.)
4. Cockroaches break wind every 15 minutes. (I'm just copying this stuff!)
5. Did you know that 85.7% of statistics are made up? (You gotta think about that for a while.)
6. Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants. (Shame)
7. Don't even think about having sex while in a moving ambulance in Tremonton, Utah as it is extremely illegal. Of course, a stationary ambulance is another story.
Peace, my peeps.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Back in action!
Yes that's right.
The Mets win!!! 12-7 over St. Louis in Jupiter, Florida. The X-man, Xavier Nady, goes 4-4 with a grand salami home run. Delgado had three hits, Reyes and Redman both hit triples. And our buddy Matsui strikes out twice and goes 0-4 so he's in mid-season form. Wagner and Juan Padilla looked good on the mound.
Oh yeah the Rangers just started five minutes ago. I'm not optimistic about tonight, since it's their first game back. And the Flyers are no doubt aggravated after their shootout loss to the Devils.
The Mets win!!! 12-7 over St. Louis in Jupiter, Florida. The X-man, Xavier Nady, goes 4-4 with a grand salami home run. Delgado had three hits, Reyes and Redman both hit triples. And our buddy Matsui strikes out twice and goes 0-4 so he's in mid-season form. Wagner and Juan Padilla looked good on the mound.
Oh yeah the Rangers just started five minutes ago. I'm not optimistic about tonight, since it's their first game back. And the Flyers are no doubt aggravated after their shootout loss to the Devils.
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