70 hours down

Let's do the math.

37.5 hours at Houghton Mifflin
32 hours at the Daily Herald

That's 69 hours I have worked since last Monday. And that's not counting the extra 8 hours of credit I get for covering the Batavia tennis Quad. And let's count 80 minutes driving as well. That's not much when you factor in 5 days a week and round trips. So when you get right down to hit, I hit over 70 hours of work this week.

Money is going faster than I realized. A couple of reasons. One, I have to pay my maintenance fee in the next two weeks. Two, my car insurance bill came. Thank God for 25th birthdays coming up! Three after Ecclesia, a bunch of us have started hanging out at the Village Tavern. This is also the spot a bunch of us went on the night of my 5-year high school reunion. Now when I think of this place, the first thing I think of is chicken fingers. Nobody beats their chicken fingers with that honey mustard. So that's knocking me out an extra 10 bucks a week. So how am I saving money? I've been to the gym once in the last 5 weeks. And when I do go in, it's not to work out, it's to hit on the girl at the front desk.

Oh who am I kidding? Whenever I start to talk about women here, it never leads to anything good, so let's go on.

I got to eat at Claim Jumper's on Friday night. If you haven't been there, I do recommend it. It was kind of like a Cheesecake Factory, because the portions are large and the menu is so ecclectic. We split southwest egg rolls, sliders (min-cheeseburgers), and we each had a salad. I must admit I think I would actually like the desserts at Claim Jumper's. I still maintain the cheesecake at the Factory is too sweet. Some may wonder how can a dessert be too sweet? Uh, when I can feel my teeth rattling three days later, that's how I know.

Now the salad thing is tricky. I'm a guy and I like a salad. But it's not a good idea for a main course. One, it rarely fills you up (then again my appetite is a bit larger than normal). And two, and I got this from Seinfield so it has to be true, women don't respect salad eaters.

The cool thing is they have a full dessert case where you can look at these things. They muyst have 20 desserts. And I'm not a big dessert eater, probably because I don't like chocolate (which is good, because their six-layer chocolate cake will never tempt me). There was this lemon shortbread bar that I wanted to try. And maybe I should have gotten a piece to go. Ah well. I had carrot cake at Bible study later that night. And the thing is when people know you can eat a lot, they want to see how far can you go. I never asked for a huge piece or anything, but my portion looked twice the size of anyone else's. I mean, come on, I have limits.

See God was smart. He gave cows four stomachs and he gave people one. One will suffice for us.

American Idol picks: With Kellie out, I hope Chris or Taylor win. I've always rooted for underdogs (hence hockey and country music) and they don't seem to fit the prototype that other previous winners fall into.

Trace Adkins and Travis Tritt are playing the Kane County and DuPage County fairs, respectively. Hmm. It would be fun to drag Mom to hear a live version of Honky Tonk Badonkadonk! Keeping perfect rhythm, make you wanna swing along. Got it going on like Donkey Kong! She hates that song!

First day draft summary

I am one disappointed NY football fan.

Now not for the reasons that you may be thinking. I'm going to start with the Jets. As soon as I realized Mario Williams was unobtainable, D'Brickashaw Ferguson seemed to be the smartest move. And they got the offensive tackle they needed. I know they needed to fortify that area. But hang on. They then selected Nick Mangold, a center with the No. 29 pick. Remember I talked about Eric Winston? He lasted until the beginning of the third round. Another position could have been addressed or they could have traded down to the middle of the first round and still got a very solid player.

Then they got Kellen Clemens, a QB from Oregon. Some people like Ron Jaworski, love this guy. Some people projected him as a 7th rounder. So he could be anything.

Then things get hairy. They pick Anthony Schlegel, a linebacker from Ohio St. Don't we have linebackers between, Barton, Chatham, Hobson, McClover, and a guy named Vilma? This guy could have been had in the 5th round. And even sadder, they traded up to get him!

This pick makes no sense to me at all. With the final pick of the first day, they take Eric Smith, a safety. A safety. That is about the last area that needed to be addressed. Erik Coleman and Kerry Rhodes are very good and were both drafted in the last three years. With DT, WR, HB, and DE all needs, they get a safety on Day 1! Terrible choice.

So for me this draft started well and got progressively worse. To me, the Jets are reaching for players they could have gotten later. They have 4 picks tomorrow, including 2 in the 4th round.
Right now, I grade this a C+.

As for the Giants, if this is Ernie Accorsi's swan song, well Ernie, you're getting out at the right time! The Giants trade down first. That's fine. They go from 25 to 32 and get 2 additional picks. I thought they would address defensive tackle or wide receiver with the very highly touted Chad Jackson out of Florida. And what do they do? They draft a defensive end! This with a team with Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck on the roster! Accorsi's response, you can never have enough pass rushers. Yes you can, particularly if you can't get them on the field because there's no spot available!

Oh and Chad Jackson goes to where? New England?! I can watch him kill the Jets now! Oh joy!

Then the Giants get Sinorice Moss, a receiver from Miami. Fine. The Giants need speed, and a replacement for Amani Toomer, who's aging a little bit. And we have a lot of good receivers in Tim Carter and Jamaar Taylor, but they're injured every year. Let's see what Moss can do.

With their third and final pick of the day, they take an inside linebacker named Gerris Wilkinson. With Antonio Pierce already there. Go figure.

The one area in the Giants starting lineup where they look vulnerable to me is defensive tackle. And they are yet to address it. And 25 picks will be made before they select on Sunday. I'd rate this day around a C for the Giants.

But Gabe Watson is on the board still... But probably not for much longer.

Giants and a quick note

I'm going to keep this one short. For the Giants in the draft tomorrow, I want defensive tackle addressed in the first two rounds. Gabe Watson of Michigan or this kid from NC State (his name slips me, but I know it's John) would be great fits. I want a wide receiver with some speed, a cornerback, and a future running back, in case Tiki slows down suddenly. Now on to the fun news I found out today.

Did anyone else know that Atlanta Braves pitcher Kyle Davies' first name is really Hiram. Oh boy, I thought I was having fun with the name Larry... And if more Met fans knew this, it would be great. When he comes back to Shea Stadium, can't you just hear 'em now (Hiram, get it???)

Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!
Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam! Hiiiiiiiir-aaaaaaam!

Covering tennis tomorrow. Catching up on my sleep this weekend And since I'm still not totally over my illness, I'll need every minute.

Jets draft needs

The NFL draft is two days aay and for the second straight year, I have to work while it's going on. The extra 65 dollars will kind of make it worth it. Here's what I want to see happen from the NY teams. First off...

NY Football Jets

The Jets have 7 picks in the first 4 rounds, including #s 4, 29, and 35. Their most pressing needs to me are:

1) Offensive tackle

2) Defensive end

3) Wide receiver

4) Quarterback

5) Running back

In other words, this team needs to revamp the offense.

Let's go ahead and assume Reggie Bush goes to Houston at 1. Then comes NO and the 10-eh-C. Now the Saints will either take D'Brickashaw Ferguson (offensive tackle from Virginia) or Mario Williams (defensive end from NC State) The Jets certainly have needs at both positions. Actually, they have needs at every position. But I want Williams. This guy is supposed to be better than Julius Peppers of Carolina and after losing John Abraham, we need a big-time pass rusher. There will be plenty of good offensive linemen available later on. But an elite pass rusher comes along once every five years.

I understand a lot of people think the Titans take Matt Leinart at QB. However, they may take Vince Young as owner Bud Adams seems to favor Young.

That would leave the Jets with Leinart, QB Jay Cutler, TE Vernon Davis, and either Super Mario or Brick available. Leinart is good, but I don't see the Jets going QB this early. I'm hoping for 1) Williams, 2) Leinart, 3) Ferguson, 4) QB Jay Cutler, 5) anyone else, including Young. I don't see him thriving in NY.

With the next pick at 29, I want to see the Jets get Eric Winston, from Miami. He is an excellent offensive tackle prospect and can really fortify that position. If he's gone, then get center Nick Mangold from hio State to replace Kevin Mawae. The Jets could not protect their QB last year and could not open a hole for the running game if there was no defense on the other side of them. The Jets have not drafted an offensive player in the first two rounds since Santana Moss and LaMont Jordan in 2001. That will change Saturday.

With the third pick, either draft a QB if they haven't already or get another or get a receiver. Then get another offensive lineman by the end of the third round. And if they can't get Williams, go after Manny Lawson, an outside linebacker also from NC State who can also be an effective pass rusher, though his ideal spot would be as an outside linebacacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

I'll cover the Giants on Friday.

There's very little left to say

I was smart last night. After I got home from work, I turned on Quite Frankly (watching Stephen A Smith call out an e-mailer who said Tyson Chandler would be a beast on the boards against Shaquille O'Neal was hysterical!) to get my mind off hockey. I did watch the last 10 minutes and OT of Dallas-Colorado and you could tell from the start of OT, Colorado was winning. Marty Turco is terrible in the playoffs.

But what else do you say. The Rangers are demoralized and so am I. At this point, I just want to avoid the sweep. No, that's asking too much.

Actually I just want to lead in a damn game! I read a stat today that in the Rangers last 428:30 minutes of hockey (approximately seven games), they have lead for about one minute and thirty seconds.

I mean, that's impossible!

Someone asked me today, if the Rangers could pull a Red Sox (come back from a 3-0 series deficit). I said of course the Rangers can pull a Red Sox. They can win just one championship over 88 years! So far, it's 1 in 66!

OK, easy on the venom

I'm going back to Chicago Ridge to watch Ring of Honor in June. Fifth row, ringside seat. Since we're all wrestling fans here and we know it's real, I will give you, my followers, the rundown on the card as the date of June 24 approaches.

Mets go for the series win against SF today. Brian Bannister against Matt Morris. Hopefully Bannister can get into the seventh inning. Mike Pelfrey got called up to Double A Binghamton. Hopefully he will take Zambarno's roster spot by August.

Gas in the city of Chicago is 3.29. I can still get away with 2.89 in the burbs. But explain this to me. This is from CNN.
"Lujan's 20 trucks roam the busy freeways of Orange and Los Angeles counties as part of a publicly funded patrol that gives a free gallon of gas to drivers who have run out of fuel. It also offers other basic assistance to drivers whose vehicles have broken down." A free gallon of gas. So what are drivers doing? They're deliberately running out of fuel on the freeway and waiting for assistance! They figure it's cheaper. Once it hits 4 dollars, that'll be the truth.

Music lineup for Naperville Ribfest: Doobie Brothers, Charlie Daniels, REO Speedwagon, Three Dog Night (minus Chuck Negron) Steepwater (local band). Not too shabby.

Joke from George Wallace, who I think is excellent. George Bush wants to build a wall on the Mexican border to keep the immigrants out. (I should point out, won't that also keep the illegal immigrants in?!) This wall on Mexico is never going to work. First of all, think about this, who is going to be building it???? There'll be a couple of holes in that wall, you know the Mexicans know how to get them in there.

My thoughts on Game 2

Chad Wiseman
Sandis Ozolinsh
Colton Orr
Tom Poti
Michael Rozsival
Marek Malik
Jason Ward
Martin Rucinsky
Jaromir Jagr
Jason Strudwick
Fedor Tyutin
Petr Sykora
Darius Kasparminus
Kevin Weekes
Tom Renney
Benoit Allaire
Perry Pearn
Mike Pelino
Glen Sather
Don Maloney
Cameron Hope (VP of Hockey Adminstration, R&D)
Steve Mills
Jim Dolan
Gordie Clark (Head Amateur Scout)
Dave Brown (Head Professional Scout
Jim Ramsay (Head Trainer)
Scott Gomez
Jamie Langenbrunner
Brian Gionta
Zach Parise
Martin (I love my sister in law) Brodeur
Scott Stevens
Ken Daneyko
Lou Lamoriello
John McLean
Jacques Laperriere
Brian Rafalski
Janssen
John "Stuff Another Hot Dog" Madden
Brad Lukowich
Ken Klee (whoever the hell he is)
Paul Martin
Colin White
Grant Marshall
Jay Pandolfo
The 20 Devil Fans that exist in the world
and the f'n referees of this series

ALL SUCK!

The only post during this week that will not be filled with venom

Geneva 4, Oswego East 3:

Throughout most of this game, Geneva had chance after chance to score, but could not drive its baserunners home.

That changed in the bottom of the seventh when the Vikings, who were trailing 3-2, scored twice to top visiting Oswego East 4-3.

Nick Herrera walked to open the final inning and Brad Allen followed with a single. Nick Andrew then bunted down the first-base line, but pitcher Nick LeSorsa’s throw pulled the first baseman off the bag and the bases were loaded with no outs. After a fly out, Andrew McCarty, who had homered in the sixth inning, walked on five pitches and the score was tied.

During that last inning, Geneva coach Matt Hahn urged his hitters to stay patient against a relief pitcher who had trouble hitting the strike zone.

“Their pitcher was struggling to get the ball over the plate so there were a lot of take signs on in that last inning,” Hahn said. “That put him in situations where he had to throw strikes.”

And that’s what happened when Chris Jordan stepped in to bat. With two strikes against him, he drilled a liner into center field, and the winning run came home.

The Vikings (9-9) had several opportunities to take the lead throughout the game.

In the second inning, Geneva had the bases loaded and one out, with their best hitter, Herrera, standing in the batter’s box. He smashed a grounder down the line that third baseman Diego Rios dove to his right to stop. While on his knees, he tagged the bag with his glove and then fired a perfect throw to first to terminate the threat.
The Wolves (5-13) scored two runs in the first. Eric Lindahl hit the first of his two doubles and scored on Rios’ single. Rios later scored on a hit by LeSorsa.

After the first, Vikings pitcher Jordan found his composure. He allowed 4 hits in the first, but 3 the rest of the way and only 1 walk. He needed only 84 pitches to get through all seven innings.

“Chris did a wonderful job today,” said Hahn. “He’s a sophomore pitching on the varsity and he’s thrown two really good games now.”

Oswego East coach Chris Hupke was pleased with his team’s play, particularly on defense where Wolves turned three double plays.

“We knew that defense and pitching would have to be our strengths and so far that’s what it’s been,” Hupke said. “Overall, I’m pleased.”

Wolves starter Matt Laturno threw 5 º innings and allowed 5 hits and 2 runs.

Geneva leadoff hitter Dan Young opened the bottom of the first with a solo home run.

— Adam Bartolo

That's how it goes

Remember I alluded to maybe I should try rooting for another baseball team? I hinted at the Cubs, really letting out my frustration more than anything. So one day after I made my post, Cubs superstar Derrek Lee fractures his wrist in 2 places and is our for 3 months. Scratch that plan!

Every time Kaz Matsui comes back from the DL or starts a new season, he hits a home run. My idea. Let him play one day and then put him on the DL. Do this 50 times each season. Or maybe he can be a decent bench player because we have no use for Jose Valentin or Endy Chavez.

David Wright literally just grounded into another double play. David, quit writing your blog and leave that to us professionals. Focus on your game and actually getting a hit when there are runners on base or when you're facing a good team. Try that one time!

And what kind of stiffs are Cliff Floys and Carlos Beltran that they miss the whole Brave series, yet are perfectly healthy and ready to go for the San Diego series? Please.

Now enough baseball and on to the more relevant topics of the day. From Wisconsin:

A 16-year-old boy lost his job at a fast-food restaurant and was given a ticket by police after he was accused of tampering with a police officer's food. The boy, who isn't being named because he's a juvenile, was given a ticket accusing him of disorderly conduct.

What happened was a Muskego officer went through the drive-through the evening of April 12 to order a McChicken sandwich and medium french fries for an emergency dispatcher, Chief Geiszler said. Dispatchers cannot leave the station during work shifts, and officers occasionally pick up dinner for them, he said.

Not suspecting that anything had happened to the food, the officer brought it to the station and handed the bag to the dispatcher. She discovered a hole that went through the paper wrapped around the sandwich and through the sandwich, Geiszler said.

The officer who had brought the food, along with a second officer, went back to McDonald's to speak to a manager, Geiszler said. The manager then brought in the employee who had handed the officer the bag of food. The boy at first said he didn't remember a police squad car using the drive-through.

After more questioning, the boy admitted to putting his finger through the sandwich because he had gotten tickets for underage drinking and didn't like police officers, Geiszler said.

The boy apparently also bragged to another employee, saying he had just "messed with a cop's food," Geiszler said.

The boy was fired that night.

How many more times...

do I have to watch the scum of the sports world humiliate my teams and send my life into a state of misery. Whether it's Hollywood Brady and the Pats in football, Marty and the NJ Satans in hockey, or those imbred hicks down in Bitch-lanta.

I'm sick (in more ways than one) so I stayed home today and watched the Mets-Brave game. Glavine pitched great, but Hudson is perfect through 5 innings. So in the 6th and we get second and third, one out, top of the order comes up. First pitch, the great Jose Reyes (oh, he's been terrific) pops one to left field. Matt Diaz, whoever the hell he is, catches it and fires a strike to home plate. Castro is out by 30 feet. Next inning, Glavine, who had give up just 2 hits allows a home run to Andruw Jones. Bad enough I'm against this prick right now in fantasy. Now he's killing me in two ways! Then Glavine allows two more runners, but he gets out of it.

Now it's the bottom of the seventh. Woodward leads off with a smash to the shortstop where someone named Tony Pena pulls a Rafael Furcal, makes a ridiculous defensive play, and throws him out. Then Delgado walks, David Wright, and I'm getting sick of him, because he does nothing against Atlanta, gets hit and there are runners on first and second, one out. Xavier Nady comes up. And my first thought is strikeout on a breaking pitch. But no! Double play ball. If Woodward gets on base, everything turns out differently. And you knew right there, the game was over.

Oh, but typical of the Mets. They finally get a rally going in the 9th. Julio Franco, who should join Vinny Testaverde on the retirement couch, grounds out. Figures he leaves Atlanta, and he suddenly can't hit the ball out of the infield. Reyes doubles, Woodward singles him in, and it's 2-1. Delgado comes up. Fly out almost to the warning track in left field. Up comes Mr. 3 errors on the day, the phenom, the franchise, the superstar, David Wright. Promptly bounces out to shortstop. Game over. I should seriously start rooting for the Cubs.

Yeah we're missing Beltran, Floyd, and Hernandez. But they're missing McCann, Giles, Larry Jones, and Langerhans. Hudson and Davies have been horrible all year and we've scored 1 run in 18 innings! And get Wright out of here. He can't get it done in a big spot. Trade him for a starting pitcher and a position player.

And don't tell me about being positive, about how there are 140 games left, we're still in first place. You know what, if you think that, stick it where the sun don't shine. I didin't think it could get worse than the Knicks and Bulls and Reggie Miller in the 1990's. This is pure agony. God I have to stop watching sports. It's going to have me dead inside of 10 years.

Rick Peterson

Following another horrid outing from Victor Zambrano against Atlanta last night, I had to read Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson in the paper this morning. Now this is the guy who when we traded Scott Kazmir for this stiff, said he could turn Zambrano around in 10 minutes. He's referring to the Met fans.

“That's why they call it a 'New York Minute,' I think. They have about a minutes worth of patience for anything. It's the nature of this industry, and anybody who goes through a tough time. If I'm not mistaken, I think they were booing (Mariano) Rivera the other night. He's been pretty damn good.”…

This idiot has the nerve to compare Mariano Rivera and Victor Zambrano. He should just shut his hole.

And the Rangers are dead.

Does this team want to play hockey?

I almost don't feel I have to type anymore than what I just typed. Have the New York Rangers stopped playing? Stopped caring? Stopped working? Stopped thinking?

After two losses to horrible Islander and Pittsburgh teams, they're on national TV against Philly with the chance to win the Atlantic Division for the first time in roughly a decade. Win and they have home ice in the first round of the playoffs. They lost to Philly 4-1 and with it will likely lose home ice. But there was no drama in this game. They were never in the game. Within two minutes, you knew they were in trouble. The Flyers had scoring chance after scoring chance. Their defense clogged up the middle and the Ranger offense looked like they were skating in quicksand. The Rangers never sustained any offensive pressure. They were getting beat to every loose puck. Never won a battle for the puck on the boards.

As soon as Philly scored on a 2-on-1 situation on their first power play, it was trouble. The goals had nothing to do with Weekes. His defense was terrible. Some of those goals they wouldn't have stopped if Lundqvist AND Weeks were in the net together at the same time. And when Philly made it 2-0 toward the end, you could have shut your TV off.

And I don't want to hear about injuries. Every team has them now. This team has played 80 games. They've had time to mesh. So don't tell me about injuries. That's a cop out. That's crap. Just like the coaching staff over the last 3 weeks. They're crap. Because they have not had this team ready to play hockey since the Olympic break. Yeah, they're going to make the playoffs. Unless Lundqvist, Rucchin, and Kasparitis get back for the first game and healthy, they couldn't win a series right now against the Penguins AHL affiliate! And now, they have one game left against Ottawa. You think for a minute they're winning that game? Whatever you're smoking give me some of that stuff, because I could use it. That's got to be some pretty heavy stuff there.

And to paraphrase Pedro Martinez. Wake up Kate Smith from the dead to sing God Bless America again. Maybe I'll drill her in the ass, and a considerable one it was too.

My mind is numb

All I can say is if you thought the Super Bowl Shuffle was annoying, try this video. And I thought it was bad enough the Braves had ripped off Mr. Met...

http://media.putfile.com/2006-Braves-Turner-South-Commercial

If you don't have video capability, here's what it is. MC Hammer is doing a commerical for the Atlanta Braves for their games on Turner South with a song called "My Braves." He is rapping with various current and former players. They had Phil Niekro dancing to rap music and Tim Hudson strumming a baseball bat like a guitar. Chipper Jones looked as confused as if he was in a fun house. Bobby Cox smiling as if he knew what was going on.

Calling the Braves marketing team...Any comment on what you had in mind with this? A rap artist who peaked around 1990? Outkast is current and from Atlanta? Why not do something fresh? Oh that's right, one of the Mets has "The Way You Move" play every time he hits a home run.

And anyone who knows anything about Hammer knows he grew up an A's fan in Oakland and still is. He got his start dancing outside the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and the players and owner Charles Finley let him into the games. So the fact that he does a Brave commercial is bogus. Or the money was really good.

But look at it this way. No longer can baseball fans get on the Mets for playing "Who Let the Dogs Out" about 5 years ago. But I would like to see the Braves start to play in parachute, glittery pants! You can't touch that!

Saturday track article

West Aurora shines at McCornack Relays

By Adam Bartolo
Daily Herald Writer
Posted Sunday, April 09, 2006

Outdoor track meets this early in the season are usually not about how a team finishes in comparison to the others, but to give coaches a better idea of the ability and depth they have.

If Saturday’s St. Charles East McCornack Relays are any indication, then a few area schools have a lot to look forward to.

If this event did track team scores, then West Aurora would have scored very high. Of the 15 varsity events, the Blackhawks won seven and placed in the top three in 13.

One of their highlights was the high jump. Ahmed Williams won the individual competition with a jump of 6 feet, 2 inches and he teamed with Tim Hunckler, Marshall Preeht and Dan Jordan to win the team event with a combined score of 23-2. West Aurora also won relays at 400, 800, 3,200, the 400 weightman, shot put and triple jump.

Coach Cortney Lamb liked his team’s balance and depth.

“We ran very well in the distance and we ran well in the sprints,” Lamb said. “Field events came through. It was an all-around team performance.”

The host Saints finished first in the 1,200 intermediate hurdles. Nick Ciffone, Josh Rassmussen, Travis Nier and Joe Vitali finished in a combined 2:59.08. Coach Ben Provencher felt good about the Saints’ work.

“We’ve been competitive today,” Provencher said. “For a lot of guys, this is their first meet outside, so I’m pleased overall.”

Despite its youth, Glenbard North held its own and performed very consistently. The Panthers won the discus, long jump and high hurdle shuffle and finished in the top three in six other events.

“We’ve only got eight seniors so we’re rebuilding a little,” Panthers coach Eric Manual said.

One of the biggest highlights for Libertyville was the 4,000 meter distance medley. Despite the length, the race’s finish was tight. Jack Howard, Justin Hansen, Josh Schweigert and Tim Taylor’s 11:25.84 edged out the Saints who finished at 11:26.69.

Later, those four Wildcats combined their efforts to win the 1,600 relay.

Coach Briant Kelly used the meet to put some of his younger runners in different events.

“We’ve got some holes to fill from last year’s team,” Kelly said. “This was a good meet to give everyone a chance to run.”

Fenton won the 6,400 relay at 19:25.96. Edgar Chaider, Frank Postelnick, Patrick Fritsch and Josh Current blew past their competition, beating the runners-up by 20 seconds.

Coach John Kurtz is ready to see his whole team take a step forward.

“We have some young kids that are doing very, very well,” Kurtz said. “Now we can start focusing on getting ready for outdoor and the conference.”

Elk Grove’s vocal enthusiasm was contagious even in the stands. The Grenadiers took second place in the 3,200 relay. Their runners ran practically neck and neck with West Aurora while the other teams couldn’t keep the rapid pace. Elk Grove finished one second behind the Blackhawks, but 16.5 seconds ahead of the third-place finishers.
Coach John Farrell mentioned the team aspect of these relays and thinks it will help his squad.

“You don’t have anyone doing anything as an individual so I think it’s good for our team at this time to run in a relay meet,” Farrell said.

Streamwood also participated in several events, with their best finish being third place in the long jump. Their coach, Weert Goldenstein, came away encouraged.

“We’re a little bit shallow this year, but we have some hard workers,” Goldenstein said.

The champ is heeee-uhhhh!

I wanted to use the John Cena pronunciation on this one. Anyway, my team won the 2006 Spring Willow Creek Community Church DuPage League Division C volleyball championship! The first game was horrendous. I hit shots that were so off I couldn't believe it. I guess I needed some time to shake off a little rust after missing two weeks. We lost 25-15. After going outside in the 65 degree weather to regain my composure, I was ready.

Actually, our rally had little to do with us. They just started screwing their shots up. They mishit maybe two shots in the entire first game and I think they got a little confident. And we took advantage. We had a slight lead for most of the game and won it 25-22 after scoring 4 of the last 5. I ended the match with a fake spike. I set up like I was going to spike the ball to my left, but I actually hit the ball with the back side of my right hand into the near right corner. Nobody expected it and I had never tried the shot in a match before. But it dropped straight to the Wheaton Academy gym floor and the match was knotted at one game apiece.

I can't remember much about the third game, except we got ahead pretty early and never let them in it. Our lead was never more than 6 or 7 points, but it was decisive. We took it 25-20 and after playing in 7 Willow Creek leagues, I not only got to play in a title game, but won it. They even outscored us over the three games 67-65, and we still did it.

But the funny thing for me was when we won it. I dropped to my knees because I had run around so much. The rest of my teammates just shook each other's hands, we got our T-shirts and that was about it. It's strange, maybe it was because the league was so small. Or maybe we expected to win. Yeah, I got a title, but somehow, the whole thing just didn't add up. I can't really explain it. It feels good to win, but just like that, now it's over. Maybe I thought it would be a little more of an uplifting feeling.

And the Mets are 4-1! Unfortunately, the Cubs are doing well too. And nice job by Chris Reitsma for Atlanta, blowing a 4-3 lead, and not even getting an out. Maybe we can work out a Jorge Julio for Reitsma trade...

I'm the only one that's real here...

Recent music, Career fair, Wolves game, Quick one

A couple of songs I've heard over my Pioneer in the Silver Civic.

What Hurts the Most- I'm no Rascal Flatts fan, but this may be their best song. It's #1 now.

Never Mind Me- Big and Rich do a soft rock-soul thing here, that reminds me of a Hall and Oates song. Heard it on the Tonight Show last night. One thing's for sure, whether it works or not, they are not afraid to take risks with their music. And that's to be admired.

Ok, that's about it. Onto last night.

I went to the Chicago Wolves career fair at All State Arena. Actually it was in a tiny building across the street. I have seen graduate school fairs held in bigger rooms. A couple of people never showed up. Chicago Bandits (Jennie Finch's team), Phillips Arena, Atlanta Thrashers, Atlanta Hawks. Now as much as I despise anything Atlanta, if I had the opportunity to do something down there, I would do it. I may not make many friends, but hey, I've always been a little stubborn in a good way.

The longest lines were for the Bulls and the Chicago Rush (arena football). I think I may hae an in with a new lacrosse team that's coming. Since I have a background in watching that sport, I could do something there. And there's a minor league hockey team in Rockford. Of course, a lot of these people were looking at hiring interns and ticket sellers. You have to swallow some serious pride to get in this business.

I did meet a girl in the Bulls line and we talked hockey for a while. She actually likes the Rangers, so this is good.

Then I went in the arena. They had a shooting target game for charity where for a buck, you shoot three pucks at a tic-tac-toe type board. You have to nail three targets in a row and you win a prize. I hit bottom middle, top middle, and middle-middle to win a Wolves video. I haven't played any kind of hockey in 4 years, and I still got my touch. If I could have learned to skate, I could have been really good.

As for the game, the Wolves (Thrashers) played Omaha (Calgary). First of all, I have heard enough pyro in that arena over the past week to make me deaf. My seats were center ice, 12 rows up. Awesome. Chicago won 3-1 in a crazy game. Up 1-0 on a short handed goal most of the way, the Wolves took a penalty with 10 minutes left and a minute later, took a 5 minute major! Omaha, coached by former Wolf Pack coach Ryan McGill, couldn't score. And the Wolves fans were not pleased with the ref as they let him know. With 4 minutes left, Omaha barely scores on a fluke. Then a minute later, Omaha takes a close penalty and the Wolves score. McGill, who had been as passive as Ron Low all game just chewing gum, goes ballistic at the ref! He gets a bench minor and the Wolves score again to win 3-1. I actually had a Ranger jersey on and tried to chant Let's Go Rangers at McGill, but he blew me off.

Of course, Wolves defenseman and former Ranger Tomas Kloucek has been injured since December with a knee tendon problem and could return for the second round of the playoffs, if the Wolves get that far, which is not likely.

Some things never change.

A group of people wanted to take the toilet from the late Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia's house and donate it to a museum, but a couple of people stole it. When the police arrived at the house to investigate, they had nothing to go on.

As I said, some things...

6 hours and counting

till I visit the Chicago Wolves Career Fair. I've never been to a Wolves game, although I wish I did when Brian Noonan was still on the team. I don't know what's going to happen, I just hope I make some decisions or some progress one way or another.

And I tried Coca-Cola Blak today, and that was not a type-o. It's Coke with coffee flavoring and a little vanilla and caramel. And no, they don't have diet. Now I can't stand coffee. But I have to admit, it wasn't bad. A little carbonation but not as much as a typical can of soda. 45 calories and 12 grams of sugar for an 8 ounce bottle is not that bad. A can of coke (about 12 ounces) has about 140 calories.

I actually brought a 4-pack into work and gave it to a bunch of people. 2 or 3 would not try it. 2 didn't like it, 1 or 2 loved it, and about 7 or 8 thought it was pretty good. It's one of those tastes I gues you just have to get used to. I'm not sure I would buy it again, unless I needed a real boost. As for the future of Blak, I think it will have a niche since we're in this fancy coffee era. I think it will have a decent run for a few years and then fade away. Certainly it will do better than Pepsi Kona. If you're asking what is Pepsi Kona, well, that should be your answer right there.

Say your prayers little one

Don't forget my son to include everyone.
Tuck you in warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the sandman he comes.

Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight.
Exit Light
Enter Night.
Take My Hand.
We're off to Never-Neverland.

The opening verse and chorus to Enter Sandman by Metallica. Now I've got to stop right here and ask a question. Have you ever heard of a news story so stupid that it bears repeating and writing about? This is one of those times.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivers has been entering games to "Enter Sandman" for 8 or 9 years. It's a huge deal when the music starts and Rivera enters the game as he is one of the best closers ever. Probably the best. Now Billy Wagner, certianly a very accomplished closer, is a Met and using the same song. Now he's been using it in Houston and Philly for 10 years. He's a Metallica fan unlike Rivera. He loves the song, unlike Rivera. And I have to hear all these Yankee fans, particularly WFAN's Mike Francesa (a diehard Yankee fan, by the way) whining and bitching and moaning about "Oh it's just lame. The Mets are copying the Yankees. You don't mess with the best closer ever. Be original."

I'm sorry, I must have missed something. Since when did Mariano patent the song as his own? I mean, Braden Looper (Mr. popped AC joint) came into games to Hell's Bells by AC/DC and I never heard Trevor Hoffman complain. And Hoffman is the best closer outside of Rivera of recent memory and was the first reliever ever to use music when he entered a game. And Mariano says he's fine with Wagner using the song.

This is so lame an argument that I had to post on it. I mean, why should Wagner change a routine he's had for 10 years just because he's in New York now? It's just stupid.

Random roundabouts

Seems like I get in here once or twice a week now. And then I have a lot to write, so a lot has to get skipped over. Well, I could tell you about WrestleMania, I could tell you about Don Shula's steakhouse (I should have gotten the T-bone!), event programs that cost 20 bucks, watching hot dog shows on the Food Network for two hours on Saturday afternoon, and whatever else, but let's get to the heart of the matter.

I have two new tattoos. It's true. A Rob Van Dam on my left forearm an an Undertaker on my right one. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I don't know you. I wonder how long sprayed ink lasts...

I hope my grandaprents didn't read that paragraph, or they'd have just suffered a kuniption. I mean, you should have seen my grandmother when I visited her in a hat with long hair sticking out of the back of it, and she thought I had grown a ponytail!

I got the temp tattoos at the WWE fanfest in Schaumburg at the Woodfield Mall on Friday. I got to do loads of free activities like broadcasting a match (I have the DVD), doing a promo and my wrestling name was "The Spinner" (and it may show up on the Net soon...) and taking a picture with the WWE title belt. I saw the old I-C title, a turnbuckle eaten by George the Animal Steele, Degneneration X merchandise, and hand molds where you put your hands inside of famous people, like at the Walk of Fame. They had the Big Show and Andre The Giant. My full hand is barely as big as Andre's palm!

They also had RVD, Matt Hardy, Ashley Massarro, and Bobby Lashley signing autographs. I got there 2 hours early and still didn't come close to getting a spot in line. This wasn't as disappointing as the Benoit debacle.

Straight from there, I went to Bible study wehre I got mobs of questions about wrestling, mostly from the guys. None of them had watched it since the 80's so they're asking me about the Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage.

Amazing news. We are in the championship round of fantasy hockey. It's a miracle. I was losing all week and out of desperation I picked up both Columbus goalies for one night each in back to back games. They got the two wins I needed to climb the mountain and go over the top. as I won 4 categories to 3 after trailing 5-3 going into Sunday.

And speaking of championships, I will be in the championship match in volleyball this Sunday at Wheaton Academy, starting tme 1 p.m. While I was in Chicago, my team won 2 games to 1 over the last place team to set up my first shot at a Willow Creek sports league championship.

Mets season starts in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Let's take it to the NL and hard.