Has the world turned upside down? It wasn't too long ago that the Golden State Warriors were just as much a laughingstock in the NBA as the Clippers. But then Jason Richardson came along and made the team somewhat entertaining to watch. But no matter who they had, the Pistons took care of business. Well, until this year. Back in November, Detroit traveled to Golden State and got spanked 79-111. A swift 32 point butt kicking. Lindsey Hunter led the team with 14 points on the night. So, last night the Warriors came to the Palace where the Pistons have been playing fairly well lately (unless you count that ridiculous loss to the Wade-less Heat...on their home court...after 5 days of rest). Most were expecting a bit of revenge. No. Warriors 111, Pistons 93. Yeah, only 18 point this time...AT HOME. Oh, and guess who lead the charges? Lindsey Hunter with 20 points. Look guys, if Lindsey Hunter is the only one the Warrios can't seem to stop, you're in trouble. Lindsey Hunter? Come on, he was drafted in '93 (I know because I was at the Palace when he got drafted right before Allen Houston). He's over 36 years old running around on the court. "We're pinning our hopes on Lindsey Hunter? Please tell me we have something more."
One other thing that ticked me off last night...the ESPN Bottom Ticker. I knew it was only a matter of time before this would happen, especially since you now have females talking Men's College basketball on the ESPN set, but stop trying to be Title IX and Equal Rights and women are just as knowledgable crap. The world was spinning absolutely perfect when the bottom ticker read "NCAA" for the Men and "NCAAW" for the women. But then you had to tick me off last night. What is this "NCAAM" crap? Like I can't figure out who you are talking about when it's just plain old "NCAA". Besides, anyone that follows college basketball (meaning anyone that follows Men's basketball because no one cares about Women's) knows what teams you are referring to on the bottom ticker. It's not like I'm sitting at home wondering "Was that the score for the Duke men's team or the Duke women's team?" Like I said, anyone that follows college basketball knows the Men's team sucks, so if you see the name "Duke" on the bottom ticker with a single digit ranking in front of their name, you know it's not the Men's team. So now you are saying, "Well what if there isn't a ranking in front of either teams name?" Well, then it's still obvious that was a men's score because no one cares about women's basketball scores, especially if both teams are unranked. If you want to do everything exactly the same, then you have to show all the scores of both genders. No one cares about the MAC conference and how CMU did last night in Men's basketball. But, ESPN will put the score on the bottom ticker. However, ESPN has never put a Women's MAC score on the bottom ticker because first, no one cares and second, MAC teams wouldn't be ranked in Women's basketball. But, if you are trying to all of a sudden reach a female demographic on your network, then you might as well start showing scores for all Women's teams. That means I better start seeing scores for MD Eastern Shore versus Ark Pine Bluff (yeah, they have a team).
Oh, and it was kinda cool to see Kenny Mayne doing Sportscenter Sunday night with Stuart Scott. Bring back Kilborn and Eisen!!!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Book Club Time! - Tides of War
I promised I would put up a review as soon as I finished, so here it is."Tides of War" - Steven Pressfield
Pressfield also wrote Gates of Fire, so the writing style is similar. Short review: if you liked Gates of Fire, you'll like this one too. If you haven't read Gates of Fire, what are you waiting for?
The core of the story is the career of Alcibiates ( if that name doesn't ring a bell it mmight be worth looking up. Interesting fellow), told through the eyes of his long time friend, confidant, and assassin.
Comparisions to GOF: similar framing of the story, historical detail, color, and general ring of authenticity in characterisation. Overall, I didn't like it as much as GOF, but that is mostly due to it focusing on less likeable people and less heroic events. Th Spartans sacrificed themselves to attain eventual victory, Alcibiates was driven and destroyed by both himself and the city which he embodied. But I'll skip the essay and give the book thumbs up.
Tourney Time
I've just created a Yahoo! Tournament Pick'E group. The number is 32717 and the password is, of course, monkie. Emails will be arriving in your inbox sometime this week (probably), but that info will get you in if you can't wait.
Free Agency
The Lions started out free agency Friday by sending Dre' Bly packing for Tatum Bell, George Foster, and the Broncos' 5th and 6th round picks. They also sent James Hall to the Rams for a 5th round pick. Today they signed DE Dewayne White from the Bucs.
Obviously the Lions must be worried about their running back situation since they acquired Tatum Bell. The second article points out that TJ Duckett will fly to Detroit on Monday and meet with the Lions. This is the first news I've heard about the Lions all offseason that's had me excited. Bell and Duckett could make a great RB tandem if Bell can be successful outside of Denver. And since RB duos are all the rage in the NFL, why shouldn't the Lions jump on the bandwagon?
Obviously the Lions must be worried about their running back situation since they acquired Tatum Bell. The second article points out that TJ Duckett will fly to Detroit on Monday and meet with the Lions. This is the first news I've heard about the Lions all offseason that's had me excited. Bell and Duckett could make a great RB tandem if Bell can be successful outside of Denver. And since RB duos are all the rage in the NFL, why shouldn't the Lions jump on the bandwagon?
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Movie Parallelism: Part Deux
Well, I've already broke down the action movie playbook between Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, so now I'll look at two other movies 15 years apart in release.
The movies are "Escape From Alcatraz" and "The Shawshank Redemption":
1. Both movies are about escaping from prision. I know, pretty deep observation.
2. Both movies have a leading white character (Eastwood and Robbins) who develop a relationship in the prison with a black character.
3. Each movie had a jerk for a Warden.
4. There was a homosexual that wanted to get some action with the leading character in each film.
5. The main characters in each movie were mostly in prison for life sentences, usually because of murder (Eastwood and Robbins).
6. Each movie had an old guy who was really attached to something. The old guy in Alcatraz loved to paint and when told he couldn't anymore, he chopped off his fingers. The old guy in Shawshank loved his library and didn't want to be released from prision.
I think that's all I could remember. There may be more but I haven't seen either movie in quite awhile. Well, I do own Shawshank, so I could go watch it.
The movies are "Escape From Alcatraz" and "The Shawshank Redemption":
1. Both movies are about escaping from prision. I know, pretty deep observation.
2. Both movies have a leading white character (Eastwood and Robbins) who develop a relationship in the prison with a black character.
3. Each movie had a jerk for a Warden.
4. There was a homosexual that wanted to get some action with the leading character in each film.
5. The main characters in each movie were mostly in prison for life sentences, usually because of murder (Eastwood and Robbins).
6. Each movie had an old guy who was really attached to something. The old guy in Alcatraz loved to paint and when told he couldn't anymore, he chopped off his fingers. The old guy in Shawshank loved his library and didn't want to be released from prision.
I think that's all I could remember. There may be more but I haven't seen either movie in quite awhile. Well, I do own Shawshank, so I could go watch it.
Friday, March 02, 2007
The Da Vinci... Errr... Last Tomb of Jesus
There's been a lot of controversy about James Cameron's "documentary" The Last Tomb of Jesus. As far as I can tell, this article from John J. Miller of NRO tells you all you need to know. A quote:
Check it out.
The Lost Tomb of Jesus runs perilously close to Erich von Daniken territory — no prehistoric astronauts, but definitely a flight of fancy. It runs for 90 minutes (with commercials stretching it to two hours). Views that dissent from its relentlessly uncritical presentation of a madly speculative theory — which is to say, the opinions of Cross and virtually every mainstream Biblical scholar who has examined the film’s central contentions — receive almost no air time.
Check it out.
100 Years of Faygo
Did you know Faygo is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year? Well, I didn't until I read this article from the Detroit News. The most interesting thing I learned from the piece? Faygo is credited for "pop" being used in the Midwest rather than "soda." Fascinating. Flavors, of course, are Faygo's claim to fame. Some of the more popular: Rock and Rye, Moon Mist, Redpop, Root Beer, Strawberry, and Pineapple Orange. Okay, so Pineapple Orange and Strawberry may not be that popular, but they're my favorites. What are yours?
The good ol' Chronicle
Hey, you gotta love that picture of community service in this weeks addition of the Cass City Free Press. Nothing says good community service work better than a picture of Damian Izydorek and Gilberto Nazario from "Complete Concrete." I think the name of the company should be "Complete Convicts." That might make more sense. I'm fine with them bulldozing buildings down, but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with them building apartment structures.
Nazario...what a great Cass City family heritage. I mean, who could forget Jose in 7th grade. I've loved it in the fall of 2005 when I had jury duty in Caro. I didn't have to serve, but I was selected as a possible juror for a Circuit Court case that same day. Guess who was in court. Jose. Criminal Sexual Conduct. Gasp. I wonder what I would have said if I was selected and they asked me if I had prior knowledge of one Jose Nazario. I probably would have lied or else Jason Mester might have killed me. He was there supporting Jose. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Mester and pal Jason Humpert also worked for Complete Concrete. I know Humpert does because his sister is married to the owner of the company.
Oh, and who could forget Jose's sister...Anna. You remember. The summer we were going to be freshmen in high school. Anna and 2 other girls, one in 6th grade and the other in our grade, Amanda Smith, decided to steal a truck and go on a joy ride. Well, when you have a 6th grader driving, Anna, bad things will happen. Bad things did happen and Anna died. Great family story. I remember the first day of english class that freshman year with Mrs. Comire:
Mrs. Comire: So tell me about yourself.
Amanda Smith: Hi, my name is Amanda Smith.
Mrs. Comire: Wow, what happened to you? Why are you on crutches?
Amanda Smith: (Sitting down with cast on leg and crutches at desk) Well, me and some friends decided to steal a truck this summer and we got in an accident and my friend Anna died.
Mrs. Comire: Oh, you're THAT Amanda Smith.
This has been Down Memory Lane. Hope you enjoyed.
Nazario...what a great Cass City family heritage. I mean, who could forget Jose in 7th grade. I've loved it in the fall of 2005 when I had jury duty in Caro. I didn't have to serve, but I was selected as a possible juror for a Circuit Court case that same day. Guess who was in court. Jose. Criminal Sexual Conduct. Gasp. I wonder what I would have said if I was selected and they asked me if I had prior knowledge of one Jose Nazario. I probably would have lied or else Jason Mester might have killed me. He was there supporting Jose. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Mester and pal Jason Humpert also worked for Complete Concrete. I know Humpert does because his sister is married to the owner of the company.
Oh, and who could forget Jose's sister...Anna. You remember. The summer we were going to be freshmen in high school. Anna and 2 other girls, one in 6th grade and the other in our grade, Amanda Smith, decided to steal a truck and go on a joy ride. Well, when you have a 6th grader driving, Anna, bad things will happen. Bad things did happen and Anna died. Great family story. I remember the first day of english class that freshman year with Mrs. Comire:
Mrs. Comire: So tell me about yourself.
Amanda Smith: Hi, my name is Amanda Smith.
Mrs. Comire: Wow, what happened to you? Why are you on crutches?
Amanda Smith: (Sitting down with cast on leg and crutches at desk) Well, me and some friends decided to steal a truck this summer and we got in an accident and my friend Anna died.
Mrs. Comire: Oh, you're THAT Amanda Smith.
This has been Down Memory Lane. Hope you enjoyed.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Things to Ponder...
Pro Athletes buying drugs online? What's next your going to tell me they don't visit strip clubs. Shocking developments. Maybe I'm not that smart but if I'm buying beef-roids online, I'm sure as Cass City's growing stock on the TV 5 News, not going to put my real name on there. And furthermore I'm probably not going to put my real address on there either. Maybe they did this and they cought them anyway, who knows. Just a thought.
Second, Pencil in you schedules March 24th boys for a gathering. Just pencil in the whole day. Groom how does that work in your schedule?
Third, "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader" Has got to be a huge accomplishment once you win. THERE KIDS... I SHOWED YOU!
Late
Second, Pencil in you schedules March 24th boys for a gathering. Just pencil in the whole day. Groom how does that work in your schedule?
Third, "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader" Has got to be a huge accomplishment once you win. THERE KIDS... I SHOWED YOU!
Late
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
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.
Monday, February 26, 2007
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.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, February 23, 2007
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
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
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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.
UPDATE: It seems to be working, more or less. I'm not entirely satisfied, but I think I can work out the issues.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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.
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.
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