Onward and Upward

While on the way back from lunch today the subject of old school video game systems came up. Specifically the TI-99 home computer and classic games like Parsec, Alpiner, and Hunt the Wumpus. A little bit of searching the internet even turned up an emulator for the computer, which you can download from here if you're interested (games included). If you've never played these games this won't mean much to you, but I really appreciated the nostalgia. Check out the sound clips, many of which used real speech emulation. And I'm sure that to this day there's still not another mountain climbing where you can get sprayed by skunks or run over by a Yeti.

Novesta Domination

It was once again a Novesta domination at the February 3, 2007 Tecmo Super Bowl Tournament. The 2006 winner was Criag Emmert, who was unable to defend his title at this years contest. But that is okay, as fellow Novesta Church of Christ alumnus Jason Speirs picked up the bobble head trophy going 5-0 in the madness. He defeated, of all people, Kevin Schott in the Championship game. Kevin advanced to the title game after beating Nathan Haag in the Loser's bracket finale, 14-13.

You can check out the bracket below, but before you do, here are some fun facts about the tournament:

1. Of the top 4 finishers in the 2006 tourney, none were to be found in the championship game.

2. Nathan Haag had a 13-0 lead at halftime (with the 1st player controller) over Kevin Schott as he was looking ahead to the rematch with Jason Speirs in the Title game. Schott came back to win 14-13, defeating the Oilers with his 49ers.

3. Jason Speirs got revenge on Haag after losing to him in the 2006 tourney and being eliminated from the competition. His Eagles crushed the Rams 24-14 in the rematch. (I bet you are wondering...why did he use the Rams?) It should be noted, Haag missed a FG at the end of the half which would have made the score 3-10 at Halftime.

4. There was lots and lots of Monkey on Monkey crime. Fritz eliminted Aaron, then Fritz knocked out Matt, then Haag crushed Fritz, and then Kevin punched out Haag like Mandy in the Nintendo Wii boxing game. Since the clones all eliminated each other, only Kevin was able to reach the top.

5. Kevin beat Haag. Enough said. When was the last time that happened?

On the day, there were no Nintendo deaths or unforeseen restarts because of the floor shaking. The Life Support (Game Genie) once again did the trick. Unfortunately, there was no official record of how many "That's a Bunch of crap" were used.

Re: Did MSU cure Cancer?

I probably should have posted this earlier but I just got to it now. The short version: they're working on it.

The (Not So) Mighty Quinn

Brady Quinn has an image problem. Scouts think he's slipped. Why? Well, there's no reason at all, really. He hasn't done anything since he's waiting for Notre Dame's pro day to show off his skills for the scouts. Still, he's falling behind JaMarcus Russell, who seems to be this years come-from-nowhere high draft pick. I predict Quinn will be the better QB in the long run, especially if Russell goes to the Raiders, but Russell looks to be on the path to a bigger payday.

Note: In all fairness about my picks, I should note that last year I was unimpressed with Vince Young and thought he was mostly hype and that he certainly wouldn't be a better QB than Matt Leinart. Results aren't in yet, but it gives you a point of reference.

Fresh Fruit

That Chic at Rome's Christmas Party

Gentleman, coming up on the eve of our dear brothers funeral errrr... wedding I think it's fitting that we talk about the the final hurrah. First, Sparty when are you home. I'm assuming that your coming home friday. Second is the issue of when, who, and what. And I am looking for input, including from the man himself. I've come up with some idea's

1.) Throwing snowballs into crowds of people, running, finding someone to chase us, denie it, then yell " THANKS"

2.) Get together, throw in the fine movie "PROM NIGHT" and throw back a few carrotts. Washed down with some fine H2O.

3.) Get a women to make out with you while driving around town, first one to get pulled over by law enforcement wins.

4. ) Blow out Pilot Lights.

5.) I'm a sure I am forgetting some great moments in history but I really am looking for some serious suggestions. I'm sure your all think strippers and beer, that's just a given of course.

I have a few ideas in my mind but I'm always ready to hear a few more.

Late

Pining for the Fjords

Upgrade

I think I'm going to try and switch the blog over to the new Blogger, so if something isn't working, that's probably the source of the problem.

UPDATE: It seems to be working, more or less. I'm not entirely satisfied, but I think I can work out the issues.

Did MSU cure Cancer?

I'm going to take the fine line between gettin' run and gettin' racked because I know I'm going to be offending some people. Oh well. You won't be hearing any Tim Hardaway or Colorado football coach apologies after it's been said. And before you drop the ever-so-predictable "...well at least our team actually wins games..." or "...at least our team has something to celebrate..." or "...at least our team is going to the NCAA tournament..." save it because I already know. I get it. Michigan sucks.

But, you'd have to be green and white color blind to not see what happened last night. So, I'm going to try and come at this take not as Michigan (has a crappy team) Fan, but as NCAA basketball Fan. As if I lived in California and watched the game on ESPN last night.

After MSU won the game, the student section rushed the court like they just won the NCAA Championship game. Why? You are freakin' Michigan State. You have Tom Izzo. You were playing AT HOME. You live in the Big 11.

Tom Izzo is one of the top 5 coaches in the NCAA right now. He is brilliant. He is always winning games that MSU isn't supposed to win. It's called outcoaching the other team and being prepared (something that guy 45 miles south has yet to figure out in 6 years).

You were playing in East Lansing. It's nearly impossible to win at MSU. At one time they had a streak of FOREVER not losing a home game. It's called home court dominance.

Wisconsin wasn't exactly an undefeated team. This was no major upset. It's not like they were #1 in the county for 10 weeks and no one could beat them. They were #1 (in one poll) for a whole 2 days! That's what always happens when a team becomes the new team with the target on their back...you're going to get shot down. Everyone is gunning for you. Hope you savored the taste of it because you won't taste it again the rest of the year. Too bad you didn't get to play Northwestern or Penn State so you could stay at the top a little while longer before someone knocked you off.

The Big 11 isn't exactly a dominating conference. They never get respect, so why should it be a "shocker" Wisconsin lost?

Tell me honestly, was anyone really surpised MSU won last night? I don't want to take anything away from the season and talent Wisconsin has, but Michigan State is still Michigan State. You aren't East Middle Tennessee State so why are you acting like you just won the championship? I realize you may have just sealed the deal on the Big Dance, but come on, you are Michigan State. The same Michigan State that went to 3 straight Final Fours just a few years ago. Act like your college has played and won bigger games than that. I understand MSU is down from a few years ago and hasn't had the same class of players like before, but come on. You are better this year than last year. You were also on a little bit of a roll heading into the game. You beat a rival team, spanked your next opponent, then showed why it's so hard to win on the road in the Big 11, especially at MSU.

So congrats to MSU on the big win. No doubt about it, beating the #1 team no matter how good or bad you are is a great accomplishment. But, next time, don't act like you are Northwestern or Penn State. EXPECT to win that game. I know Izzo did.

Fighting With A Vim

I like it when my team wins. Especially when they beat the #1 team in the nation. Good times.

Suggestion

Seeing as how some of you are getting around to starting families I'd assume you've spent at least some time thinking about names for your children. May I make a suggestion? Check out this guy: Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish, nickname Buster. Now that's a name. Actually, it's 5 names, but who's counting? So, how about Ronald Reagan Odysseus Pedro Indiana Barrigar? No? (Hat tip: The Corner.)

Wonderful

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World not doing it for you? Think we need some new wonders? Well, some people do and worldwide voting on the "New 7 Wonders" is going on right now. At first I thought this was silly and even a little arrogant, but then I realized the only one of the original wonders that still exists is the Great Pyramid of Giza, so maybe it's not a crazy idea. Some of the candidates seem a bit questionable to me: does anyone think the Eiffel Tower really can stand up to the Great Pyramid? I'm down with some of the others though, like Petra for example. And, yes, you all know what Petra looks like because you've all seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Anyway, Yahoo didn't actually provide a link in the article (it's the internet, use it), but I managed to find one. So, if you want to vote, click here.

Fantasy Baseball

In case you're wondering, I'm not planning on starting a fantasy baseball league this year. We had practically zero interest during the season last year, so as far as I'm concerned it's dead. If someone is really interested in playing feel free to start a league, I'm just not interested in being commish.

It's Coming

Say It Ain't So

I was watching Sportscenter the other night and they were doing their Nascar segment. I couldn't care less about Nascar so I was going to change the channel. But then I saw Chris Fowler sitting at the table. Did Chris lose a bet in one of the bowl games or something? Chris doesn't strike me as a redneck. But this isn't what really drew my attention. It was the guy sitting at the other end of the table. A black guy. A tall black guy. A tall black guy that played for Carolina and many NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers...Brad Daugherty.

Quick, name me a tall race car driver....
Quick, name me a black race car driver...
Quick, name me ANY race car driver...

What in the world does an NBA basketball player know about Redneck country?

Is NASCAR that bad that even ESPN can't find "experts" to cover the "sport?"

Who Needs Tickets?

Yeah, it's almost that time of year again. That's right, the Cass City Baseball Trip Excutive Board Meeting. Baseball game tickets are going on sale as we speak with new teams opening up their box offices everyday. (Tigers individual tickets go on sale March 3.) Some years I already ordered the tickets by now.

It seems after 7 years of Baseball trip "Roadies," we are almost to our driving limits or flying minimums. Rumor has it the Yankees will be hosting the All-Star game in 2008 and after the 2008 season will be playing in a new ball park. No more Yankee Stadium. So, it has been mentioned we better make sure we get to New York for our 2008 Road Trip.

With that being said, there is no 2008 trip without a 2007 trip first...which is exactly our current dilemma. Where? Who? I believe now would be a good time to start throwing out the ideas of what we are going to do or any possible options.

Here is my list of options:

1) Toronto. Toronto would be one game and one of the shortest drives we've ever had. It would also be a very cheap trip if it's only one game. Not as cheap as last year with no hotel fees, but still cheaper than other years with less gas money.

2) Two game series watching 2 of the possible 3 teams (if their game schedules actually work out so we could do this) in the Maryland/Pennsylvania area: Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies. Cons: Long trip and cost of 2 games. Not much time would probably be available to see much of the D.C. area.

3) Go back to a stadium we've already been to. If we did Wrigley Field, we might get to stay for the whole game this time. Pros: It would be a lot closer/cheaper for Adam to come on the trip.

4) KC Royals...they suck and probably as far as a Baltimore trip.

5) Fly. I still don't think we are financially at that point yet. If we are going to fly, let's go as far as we can; California, Arizona, etc. If we do New York next year, I think Flying would be the best way to go.

6) No Trip. Not an option

Not that this is all about Adam...but it is. It's really his fault for moving to Minnesota just for a job. Obviously my tongue is shooting through both cheeks when I say that. But, I don't know Adam's options. He's already taking time off for my wedding. He already flew home once this year for Christmas. Making him drive to Michigan so we can then drive to some game 10 hours away probably isn't a great idea either.

I'm not really in favor of Options 4, 5, or 6. I don't mind doing the Washington trip for 2 games, but logistics would make things difficult I think.

I guess it comes down to what is our goal? Our purpose? Do we plan on doing this for another 5 years? 10? Until we see all MLB stadiums? It all sounds great, but we have to be reasonable. If those aren't our goals, then when and where do we draw the line? According to my calculations, this would be trip #8. We are dang close to 10 and we've all been talking about New York long before the media started talking about Hilary Clinton running for President in '08.

If we do New York in 2008, that is trip #9. I think it would be cool to fly some place for our 10th Anniversary in 2009 and quite possibly seeing our 14th and 15th stadiums in 10 years.

The Board is open so have a take and don't suck.

Wait...is this satire?

Thousands Lose Jobs As Michigan Unemployment Offices Close

"Our state has a long, hallowed history of unemployment, and with these closings, we have lost a vital part of our economic and social fabric."

Here It Goes Again

I was having lunch with some friends when this song started playing in the restaurant. When asked if I had seen the video, I said no. I was told to check it out and thought it was pretty entertaining, so I thought I'd share. OK Go's Here It Goes Again:

Movies to Rent

I'm looking for suggestions on a few good flicks to rent or even go see. I need to remind you, however, that 102% of my movie viewing is with a female. As much as I love movies like "Rounders" and "Pool Hall Junkies," if you recommend a movie like that, it may be a long time before I get to watch. I'm not saying you need to restrict all your suggestions to just crappy G-rated Disney movies, but that's kinda what it seems like sometimes. I've let her pick the movie once in a while, but she's yet to rent any classics like "Prom Night." She picked out "The Illusionist" a few weeks ago and I'd have to give her an A+ on that one. But picking out "The Final Cut" is flirting dangerously with "Prom Night" and "One Hour Photo." Someone needs to take "The Final Cut" out back and shoot that thing. What was Robin Williams thinking this time? I hate to say go Barbaro on that movie, but it has to be done.

I am open to any suggestions anyone may have. It can be a 2007 movie. It can be a movie from 2006. It can even be a movie from 1985. I don't care. Don't hold back on any type of genre, because some nights I just get lucky and get to pick what I want.

Down by the River

The Matt Foley, motivational speaker sketch came up at work today, so I thought I'd post one. It's not the Spanish Inquisition, but it's still pretty good.

Why can't we tickle ourselves?

Before the Super Bowl on Sunday, the Pistons/Cavs were on ESPN. I wasn't watching the game, but I could still hear it as I was shooting pool Ricky Schroeder style in another room. All of a sudden I hear the Cavalier PA guy clowning the Pistons and Piston PA dude Tyson:

"Deeeeeee-troit Turnnnn-overrrrrrr"

I get that Tyson has certainly found a way to make a buck at his job as the PA man for the Pistons. And I bet if we weren't Piston fans, we'd also probably get annoyed hearing the guy constantly say "Deeeeee-troit Basketballllllll." (I think some of us are annoyed at the Denver Bronco PA person everytime he does his "And the pass was IN-COM-PLETE."

However, you are still the Cleveland Cavaliers and if you didn't have LeBron, you'd still be wondering why Craig Ehlo couldn't stop Jordan from making that last second buzzer-beater on your home court at the free throw line to send you out of the playoffs.

Oh, and when this took place, there was less than 2 minutes left in the game with Detroit ahead by at least 10 points. So, clown the Pistons all you want, they still kicked you and LeBrons tail. Maybe next time try that trick when you are winning. Or, since that won't be happening, do it earlier in the game as soon as you have a lead, like 2-0. Making a parody of Detroit Basketball into Detroit Turnover probably wasn't hilarious to Cavs fans as they were walking out of the joint during the 4th quarter. Don't tell me that won't come back to haunt you in the playoffs.

I'm waiting....who's got the ultimate crackback for me....Fritz? You know what's coming....

SCOREBOARD!

NOBODY EXPECTS....

....The Spanish Inquisition!!!

Happy Birthday!

Today is the 203rd brithday of John Deere. The man, not the company. You can read more about him at his biography on the official site.

-9°

Halfway through the morning and it's still -9°F here in the Twin Cities. The forecast calls for it to barely break zero all weekend. So, yes, it's freakin' cold.

A Million Penguins

No, this post isn't about Antarctica, it's about writing. Penguin, a British publisher, has started the first "wiki novel." This means anyone can log on and contribute to the story, much like happens with Wikipedia. So, like Wikipedia, you're likely to get some very good content, and probably a lot of crap. The story contains this interesting quote from Penguin's blogger:

"...and in truth I'll be happy so long as it manages to avoid becoming some sort of robotic-zombie-assassins-against-African-ninjas-in-space-narrated-by-a-Papal-Tiara type of thing."

Who WOULDN'T want that? Except for the papal tiara thing, that's just weird. Really, he should hope for a Pirate vs. Robot vs. Zombie vs. Ninja vs. Monkey deathmatch sort of thing, but maybe that story would be better for a visual medium. Anyway, you can check out the current results of the experiment here.

Year in Review

Here is Dave Barry's annual recap.

A quote:
...But the big sporting event is the Winter Olympics, a glorious quadrennial celebration of world-class virtuoso athletic accomplishment in sports nobody has ever heard of. Surprise winners include Latvia in the 500-kilometer Modified Nordic Combined; the Republic of Irvingkahnistan in the 2,300-meter Slavic Personified; and U.S. skier Bode Miller in Most Nike Commercials Featuring A Competitor Who, In the Actual Competitions, Mainly Falls Down.

A wonderful rememberence of all the idiocy you managed to forget.
Go read the whole thing.

Backyard Sports

Now that most of us are married or soon to be, some of us are also buying homes. So what is your dream home? Is it a home with a backyard ice-hockey rink? It was for ESPN's John Buccigross. It's a great article, practially a How-To.

Scorecard

Super Bow(l) Thesis

This weekend is the Super Bowl or Super "Bow" (like a bow tie) depending on who you listen to on the radio or TV. I didn't think it was that difficult to pronounce the "l" at the end of "bowl." When they go bowling, do they say "Let's do some bowing tonight"? Come on people, speak english. It's BOWLLLLLL, not "bow."

Also, with the Super Bow in Miami, do U think Michael Irvin will say anything about the game being played at the U of Miami and how awesome the U is and that U should all know by now the U is the best college football team in America or U must be an idiot. U better watch out for the U in 2007.

In the spirit of the big game this weekend, I thought I would put on a Super Bowl History Course. Here is the curriculum:

SB History 101: On January 26, 1992 the Washington Redskins won Super Bowl XXVI (26) by defeating the Buffalo Bills 37 to 24.

SB History 201: Think back to September 1991. In Week 1, the Detroit Lions played their first game of the year at the Washington Redskins and were pasted 45-0.

SB History 301: Now think forward to January 1992. The Detroit Lions finished 12-4. After receiving a first round bye, they destroyed the Dallas Cowboys to advance to the NFC Championship game against the Washington Redskins. Once again it was at Washington and once again they got thumped.

So far most of you remember all of this to some degree if you are a Lions and/or NFL fan. This is where the Master's curriculum starts.

SB History 401: Think back to Week 17 of the 1991 season. Detroit at Buffalo. The game went to overtime with a score of 14-14. All I remember is Eddie Murray kicking the game winning FG in OT to beat the Bills 17-14.

I may have lost a few of you, depending on your memory bank. If you are still hanging with me, here is where you get your Doctorate.

SB History 501: Let's pretend for one brief, hypothetical moment that the Lions defeated the Redskins in the NFC Championship game. Do you see where I'm going with this? It's the always fun "What If" game. That would mean the Lions would have matched up in the Super Bowl with the Buffalo Bills. A rematch from the season finale. The Lions proved they could beat the Bills in Buffalo. So, theoretically speaking, IF the Lions would have made it to the Super Bowl, they would have beat the Bills again and become the Super Bowl Champions!

I hope you enjoyed the pursuit of this degree. Your diploma will be in the mail shortly.


I just wanted to add that the tournament Tiger Woods won last weekend was played at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California. I played that course almost 5 or 6 years ago to the month. I didn't quite shoot the same score Tiger finished with on the North Course. I tried looking for my scorecard but couldn't find it. I'll try harder later. If I find it, I'll post my embarrassment.