Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Harvey Weinstein and Barack Obama

You read about Harvey Weinstein and sadly you are disgusted but not surprised by any new revelations. That was true for me until I read that Barack Obama arranged for his daughter Malia to do a summer internship with Harvey Weinstein's company. That surprised and viscerally bothered me. I mean by now it should be clear that EVERYONE KNEW about Harvey Weinstein. You would have to assume that the man who had the FBI and CIA at his beck and call also knew. Yet that man still had his young daughter work for this animal? I'm truly disturbed by that.

I really do believe in the "Babysitter Test" for politicians. Simply put - would you trust this person to babysit your child. Mitt Romney passed this test with flying colors. Bill Clinton? No fucking way! In this just passed election I think Gary Johnson would have been the most trustworthy babysitter and for that and other reasons he earned my vote.

Say what you will about Barack Obama but I always felt he passed the Babysitter Test. Until now.

He let his baby girl work for Harvey Weinstein.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Interesting - joining a fraternity lowered GPA by .25 but increased future income by 36%. In my experience it also helped to really raise your BAC.

- Nathan Fillion coming back to TV in new cop show

- You may think you're cool but you'll never be George Scott 1975 leading the league in HR and RBI cool.

- Both Keith and I have the sense of humor of 12-year old boys.

- Cool - story behind 7-year old girl who threw out World series first pitch with 3-D printed prosthetic hand 

Jimmy Garoppolo

So there was a nuclear accident in North Korea yesterday reportedly killing 200 people but all the news in New England will be about the trade of the Patriots back-up QB - Jimmy Garoppolo. We have have priorities in Boston.

The trade was Garoppolo to the 49ers for a 2018 2nd round draft pick and Brian Hoyer. Make no mistake Hoyer was absolutely part of the deal. There's no way the Patriots don't add a back-up QB to the roster with the trade of Garoppolo and the 49ers don't release Hoyer without the trade. Both things are part of the same transaction.

All the news today will be bemoaning that the Patriots didn't get enough back in return for Garoppolo. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Boston sports talk radio today (and everyday for that matter).

The bottom line is this is Tom Brady's team and the Patriots will only go as far as Brady can take them. That's true for 2017, 2018 and 2019. Jimmy Garoppolo was never going to unseat Tom Brady as the starter so in reality he had at most 8 more regular season games holding a clipboard in Foxborough. They were never going to be able to sign him this offseason without using the Franchise tag which is something they didn't wish to do. So the Pats did him a favor and traded him to his hometown team the 49ers.

Did New England just trade Steve Young in order to keep Joe Montana? You'll probably hear that analogy today at some point but truth is situations are very different. Montana missed all of the 1991 season and played just 1 game in 1992 before being traded to Kansas City to finish up his career. Tom Brady, meanwhile, was the Super Bowl MVP last year and this season statistically he's the best QB in football.

I wish Jimmy Garoppolo all the best. I hope he's everything Pat fans envisioned. And I hope that the Pats make other trades today because they really could use a better pass rush.

Monday, October 30, 2017

The Devil's Footprints

Since tomorrow is Halloween I thought I'd bring up the Devil's Footprints - one of the strangest phenomenons in history:
On the night of the 8th of February 1855, heavy snowfall blanketed the countryside and small villages of Southern Devon [England]. The last snow is thought to have fallen around midnight, and between this time and around 6.00 am the following morning, something (or some things) left a myriad of tracks in the snow, stretching for a hundred miles or more, from the River Exe, to Totnes on the river Dart.

The early risers were the first to find them, strange hoof-shaped prints in straight lines, passing over rooftops, through walls and covering huge areas of land. A set of the prints were even supposed to have bridged a two mile span of the river Exe, continuing on the other side as if the creature had walked over the water.
Freaky stuff with no rational explanation - I find that stuff fascinating.

Happy Halloween.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

NFL Sunday - Week 8


The man holding the sign may have a point. I haven't done the research but I'm guessing the NFL's decline in ratings probably starting going down right about the time Peyton Manning's grotesque forehead starting polluting the airways in thousands and thousands of cringe-worthy commercials. Everything bad in the NFL can in some way be blamed on Manning. So if you love the NFL and are a good American - you should boo Peyton Manning whenever you see him. 

I have to wonder but if a business announced that they were no longer advertising with the NFL because of the anthem controversy  - would the public perception of that business be positive? I think it would. The company could enjoy a bump in good PR while at the same time saving those monies that would have been spent on commercials.

With wheelchair bound President George HW Bush having to apologize for patting a girls butt - I can see the following future NFL scenario; an openly gay NFL player files a harassment suit saying his teammates and coaches often pat him on the behind after good plays. It's coming.

First they denied there was a TV ratings problem, then they said the National Anthem protests had nothing to do with the ratings decline. Now they are justifying the rating decline by saying that it's less a decline than the rest of prime-time TV. Whistling by the graveyard.

On a nice note - you may have missed this but my favorite part of last week's games was Tom Brady high-fiving 200 military service members before the game with the Falcons.

On the year my picks are 3-12-1 on the season so maybe fade them. Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only.

Today I'll take the Pats/Chargers over of 49, Dallas -2.5 at Washington, and  Atlanta -6.5 at the Jets.

Good luck.

Awesome



Awesome! This would probably be the only way I'd ever put an Amazon Echo into my home.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Daylight Savings


Daylight savings is stupid. And we should get rid of it. Can you think of anyone who is actually in favor of daylight savings? Me neither.

Why do we continue to put up with this stupidity? Oh and don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour tonight because we are all dumb monkeys.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- I got nervous just watching this guy.

- Wait what? There's no pumpkin in pumpkin pie.

- Heh heh

- The left-wing heroes who treat women like garbage. Yet it was "binders full of women" that the MSM took offense at.

- Shameful is right! And a reminder - United Arab Emirates is a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

- Paul Newman's Rolex just sold for $17.8 million. Glad most of that money will be going to his family charities.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Chad Millman

I got to know about Chad Millman via ESPN's Behind the Bets podcast (which I still subscribe to and still enjoy). About a month ago there was a quick intro to the podcast saying his duties were being handed over to Ben Fawkes and that was that. Poof! He was gone like "a fart in the wind".

Not sure about you but I was curious what happened and I guess the story is Millman left ESPN to join The Action Network (not to be confused with the Action Network which is totally something different - wait it's totally going to be confusing for everyone!). What's important is he's back partnered with Bob Scucci with The Buffet with Chad and Scooch podcast. Finally I can get my Scooch Roulette listening pleasure back.

If you like sports betting you should be subscribing to their podcast. And Chad - if you read this - get off your ass and update your own homepage.

Missouri Executive Order 44

Extermination Order Day:
"...the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."
Missouri Executive Order 44 passed on this day in 1838. The law made it legal to kill Mormons in Missouri. The law was not repealed until 1976.

It blows my mind to think this law was on the books for 138 years!

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Happy Birthday Big Red


Happy birthday to Dave Cowens who turned 69 today, Happy birthday Big Red!

Blueberry Hill



Rock pioneer Fats Domino has passed away at age 89. Way before my time and I cannot help but think of Fats Domino without thinking of his signature song Blueberry Hill. And I cannot think of that song without thinking of Vladimir Putin's ridiculous version of it.

Enjoy.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Where do we find such men as Army Captain Gary Rose?

- Kevin Bieksa superman punch

- Six seconds to live. Where do we find such men?

- Such love

- Excellent point. I too may engage in the quest!

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

On Reading


The above really hits home for me and that's OK. It's not a "problem" the above is just amusing. I do want to be a better reader though.

So I'm going to try and follow the advice of Arthur Schopenhauer on reading and books.

And I'm going to figure out what best work for me when it comes to this; How to remember what you've read. If you can't remember what you've read you've basically wasted your time. I have to work on this aspect of reading and I really agree with this observation:
As a general rule, people who love reading never, ever finish a crappy book.
It took me a long time to realize this. I was a stubborn Irishman and damn it if I started a book I was going to finish the damn thing. No longer and I'm a much better reader for the change.

Happy reading everyone!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I'm sure Alex Cora will be a fine manager for the Red Sox but I just don't have any enthusiasm to give to that team as this point of the year... Heh heh - we've all been there... The people who love the intrigue and baseness of politics must share some core common trait with people who can't get enough Dr. Pimple Popper videos... Heh heh - one year ago... Joe Thomas' consecutive snap streak was one of the more impressive athletic achievements in recent memory. Feel bad for Thomas that it had to end Sunday... Cool visualization of the warping of spacetime... Speaking of warping spacetime - a teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh as much as one billion tons. Just throwing that out there... The Heartbreakers react to the loss of Tom Petty...

Sunday, October 22, 2017

NFL Sunday - Week Seven


I agree with Matt Chatham that the Patriots should send out James White and Steven Gostkowski as captains for the coin toss for tonight's Super Bowl rematch between New England and Atlanta. Yes it would be a dick move by Bill Belichick but more importantly it would make me chuckle.

One piece of news that I heard this week that should really have the NFL worried is according to Brent Musburger last week Las Vegas had $100,000 more money bet on college football than on NFL football for the first time ever. If TV ratings are down, people boycotting the product because of the anthem protests, and people are getting their gambling jones satisfied elsewhere it could mean the NFL has truly peaked in popularity and is now on the way down.

What about fantasy? Surely those numbers are up - right? The answer is who cares. Most people who play fantasy football don't bother to watch the games. Just refresh the match-up page. How does that help TV ratings or revenue in any way? They say pride goeth before a fall and nobody has had more hubris than the NFL. Think of it as karma.

I'm 2-11 on picks made here so far this season so treat the following accordingly:

Buffalo -3 vs Tampa Bay - the Bills are better than people think or expected.

Carolina -3 at Chicago - don't like the idea on putting money on Cam Newton so I'm thinking I'm of it as putting money on the Panthers defense instead.

New Orleans -3.5 at Green Bay - the Saints are also better than people think or expected and the Packers will be without Aaron Rogers.

Good luck.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Do You Know Who Else Pretends to Be Cowboys?


Every time I see Rep Fredrica Wilson in one of her ridiculous cowboy hats I immediately think of the Tom Segura bit about cowboys; "Do you know who else pretends to be cowboys? Three-year olds."

Congratulations to Florida's 24th District - you elected the equivalent of a three-year old to Congress.

A Modest Proposal


Columbus Day continuing to be a federal holiday also continues to be a divisive issue. On one side you have people who say Columbus was a genocidal imperialist monster and on the other proud Italian-Americans and traditionalists. I have a modest proposal with a solution which I think would be acceptable to most Americans.

On October 19, 1781 the British forces under Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown to end the Revolutionary War. America as a free nation really starts with this date. Why not celebrate the date as the new national holiday in replacement of Columbus Day? Yorktown Day could be celebrated on the third Monday in October. The unions would be satisfied since they wouldn't be losing a paid holiday. Italian-Americans couldn't complain since this in no way would be disrespecting Columbus and historically Yorktown is the more important date (beside Columbus really "discovered" the Caribbean not North America). French-Americans would be big supporters of the switch because the French fleet played a huge role in the victory. The only people who might complain are the people who are against glorifying anything that's even remotely militarily related but screw those people.

Have Yorktown Day replace Columbus Day. So let it be written so let it be done.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Don't Do Me Like That - Tom Petty



This song was written by Tom Petty back in 1973 back when he was still in Mudcrutch. It was offered by his record label to the J. Geils Band who turned it down. The song ended up being Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers first Top 10 single in 1979 on the Damn the Torpedoes album. 

Today would have been Tom Petty's 67th birthday. Gone way too soon.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The tree lobsters are dead! Long live the tree lobsters! (As an aside Tree Lobsters would be a great name for a band)

- Awesome! Beastie Boys / Muppets mashup

- Things like this make me so angry. Not angry with McKayla for coming forward but red-hot anger at the scum would would take advantage of her in this way. I agree with McKayla's four suggested changes and would assume anyone with any decency would too.

- Researchers discover that memories form and get recalled along two distinct circuits in the brain. This could be very relevant towards Alzheimer's research.

- 27 million men, women and children still live as slaves today! 27 million! Why more civilized people aren't outraged at this baffles me.

- Timeline: The Clintons, the Russians and Uranium.

- 21-years of Joe Buck hyping (mostly) forgotten Fox shows

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Spielberg

I watched the HBO documentary Spielberg the other night and I came away very unimpressed. After a few days of thinking on it I'm upset that I wasted my time on this love-fest piece of pap.

Yes Steven Spielberg was a historically great director. Helming such movie classics as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.

But of the last 10 films he directed only 2012's Lincoln stands out. And that stands out more for the acting of Daniel Day-Lewis than anything else. And his last 10 films include all-time shit-fests Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and 2005's War of the Worlds (which may be the worst big-budget movie I've seen in my life).

Maybe HBO felt that Spielberg needed an ego boost and that's fine and dandy but I didn't need to be a participant in the circle-jerk. And you don't either. Don't waste your time on this "documentary".

I don't mean to be all "what have you done for me lately" regarding Spielberg but perhaps what bugs me most was how whitewashed the whole thing was. Spielberg's friend and fellow director John Milius wasn't even mentioned. I mean that guy, among other things, wrote the Indianapolis speech for Quint in Jaws. If Milius was whitewashed out of Spielberg's history what other things also were left out in this "documentary"? Again - don't waste your time.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

The Wim Hof Method

I'm fascinated by Wim Hof and the Wim Hof Method. The mind-body benefits seem incredible but they're true.
To achieve a zen-like mastery of the cold, all you must do is submit yourself to controlled hyperventilation. Not panicky, gasping breaths, but strong, deep inhalations at a rapid pace (one second in) without a deliberate exhalation (allow some air to leave naturally rather than pushing it out). Fill your lungs and repeat this 30 times. Now comes the tricky part: without force, allow all of the air out of your body and then don’t breathe in again until you sense your body really needs oxygen. Complete another round, aiming to extend the period before you inhale. Then go again. 
On the final round, after expelling all the air from your lungs, Hof encourages participants to complete a round of press-ups. Not as a display of masochism, but rather to demonstrate the improved muscular endurance that comes from your body being engorged by oxygen – the essential fuel for exertion.
I'm guessing that by "press-up" they means "push-ups".

Windfall

A "windfall" is a "piece of unexpected good fortune" usually involving money (i.e. "windfall profits"). The term comes from an apple or other fruit being blown down from a tree by the wind. No effort involved in picking a juicy apple was a big deal back in the day I guess.

The origin of words and phrases is just interesting to me.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- A Letter to Jamie Dimon (and anyone else still struggling to understand cryptocurrencies). Long read but worth it if you want to understand Bitcoin.

- Was true in 1931 and still true today

- The day astrophysics changed forever. Neutron-star collision shakes space-time and lights up the sky. Very cool.

- The Clinton and Obama legacies will not be treated well by either close examination or history. Politics (on both sides) continues to sicken me.

- Obama's college transcripts to finally be released - by Wikileaks!?!? Politics continues to sicken me but yet I still can't look away.

- The Yellowstone super volcano continues to scare the shit out of me. Maybe even enough to buy Bitcoin to hedge my post-apocalyptic bet.

- Heh heh - best to end today on a lighter note.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Not all super heroes wear capes. Texas beer ninja saves beer and takes out woman with a box of nachos... I've heard of a high colonic and can't help but wonder is there also a "low colonic"? And what the heck would that be if a high colonic already involves the anus... Whiskey Smoothie would be a good name for a band (or hangover related diarrhea)... Can you imagine being 9-years old and having already hiked the three major nation's longest hiking trails? I hope this isn't the high point for this kid's life... I have to believe that Barack Obama knew the truth about Bowe Bergdahl all along. That's a stain on his legacy that never should be forgotten... The athleticism involved in this move is nuts!...  In solidarity with the Men's National Team - I too will not be going to the World Cup...

Saturday, October 14, 2017

The (A)CDC

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) since it is funded by Federal tax dollars really should be called the American Center for Disease Control. Yes I am advocating for a name change to the ACDC.

Just think of some of the public service announcement possibilities! The ACDC can boast about how effectively they use tax dollars in a spot called "The ACDC - Dirty Diseases Done Dirt Cheap." Or maybe do a commercial geared to a specific disease like, "The ACDC - For those About to Fight Ebola (We Salute You)."

Make it so!

Friday, October 13, 2017

Chuck Yeager



70-years ago today American icon Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier (clip from the movie The Right Stuff). As impressive as that feat was the day before, October 12th, was also the anniversary of another jaw-dropping feat in American history.

On October 12, 1944, Chuck Yeager shot down 5 German planes becoming an "Ace in a Day". 

Incredible feats by an incredible American hero.

Red Sox Fire John Farrell

The Boston Red Sox fired manager John Farrell because Red Sox ratings on NESN were down 15% this year. Sure other explanations will be given for the firing but the real reason is because NESN's freaking ratings were down and the clowns who own the Red Sox needed a scapegoat.

I'm not kidding.

John Farrell won the AL East 3 out of 5 years he managed in Boston, beat cancer for a franchise forever linked with battling cancer (the Jimmy Fund and Boston Red Sox are synonymous in New England) and HE WON A WORLD SERIES. His job should have been safe if he worked for more stable owners anywhere else in any other sport.

But the Red Sox have the least stable (and likable) ownership of all the four major sports franchises in Boston. Theo Epstein and Terry Francona should still be here and be historically somewhere between the duos of Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens with the Celtics and the all-time great duo of Brady and Belichick (no first names or team citation needed). But no - ownership needed a perceived scapegoat then too!

It will be said that GM Dave Dombrowski wanted "his own man" as manager and that's true to an extent. But the only reason Red Sox ownership let him make this move is because ratings at NESN were down 15% this year. If the rating were flat or down just a couple points - John Farrell would still be managing.

I don't care to engage in everyone's favorite new game of "who will be the next Red Sox manager" but I will make one prediction - rating at NESN will be down another 15% next year too.

Because Red Sox ownership doesn't get it and probably never will. 

Joke of the Day

Heh heh.
Bill worked in a pickle factory. He had been employed there for a number of years when he came home one day to confess to his wife that he had a terrible compulsion. He had an urge to stick his penis into the pickle slicer. His wife suggested that he should see a sex therapist to talk about it, but Bill said he would be too embarrassed. He vowed to overcome the compulsion on his own. One day a few weeks later, Bill came home and his wife could see at once that something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong, Bill?" she asked. "Do you remember that I told you how I had this tremendous urge to put my penis into the pickle slicer?" "Oh, Bill, you didn't!" she exclaimed. "Yes, I did." he replied. "My God, Bill, what happened?" "I got fired." "No, Bill. I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?" "Oh...she got fired too."

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

State of the Red Sox - Part 1

So to really nobody's surprise the Red Sox season came to an end at the hands of the Houston Astros. Boston fans are spoiled so just winning the AL East and making the playoffs isn't considered nearly enough. Therefore you've heard the hue and cry to fire manager John Farrell and make lots of changes. That shouldn't happen and I really don't think it will. That said - what changes would I suggest to make the 2018 Red Sox better than the 2017 version?

Boston is set at starting outfield with Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, and Jackie Bradley Jr. They are young, affordable and with tremendous upside as a group. The team is also set at both catcher with Christian Vazquez (and Sandy Leon) and at third with 20-year old Rafael Devers. There's also 2-more years left to determine if Xander Bogaerts is actually their long term solution at short.

That leaves first base, DH, utility roles and surprisingly second base as question marks for 2018.

Do the Red Sox open the checkbook to try and sign Eric Hosmer as a free agent to fill their first base need? That's the big question. If not Hosmer do they bring back Mitch Moreland? How about moving AAAA 28-year old slugger Bryce Brentz to first? He hit 31 HR in 450 AB for Pawtucket and he's right handed. I don't think that'll happen either. Maybe a trade instead? What will happen at first will be the big question for Boston fans this offseason.

Another big question is DH. Hanley Ramirez is due $22 million next season but can the Red Sox really give another 600 AB to a guy with just 23 HR, a .750 OPS and expect to go further than the first round of the playoffs? I don't think so either. Another big consideration is Hanley's $22 million 2019 option that vests with just 497 plate appearances next year. Nobody wants to see that happen. Again - do they try to solve this with a free agent like JD Martinez? Or would that money be better spent solving the issue with first base?

For utility outfielder the Occam's Razon solution would be to promote Rusney Castillo from Pawtucket. You really can't bury him there another season and Boston has him on the books for almost $12 million anyway. Why not give him a role and some AB with the big club?

For utility infielder I think most people will agree it's time to end the Brock Holt experience. Yes he's scrappy and will play whatever position you ask him to. Also true that he's dangerously close to not hitting his weight (and he's just 180-pounds!). The easy solution is to re-sign Eduardo Nunez especially given the question marks about Dustin Pedroia's knee.

Speaking of Pedroia. Hard to believe but his redass, dirt-dog style is wearing very thin on Boston fans. And his hometown discount contract is no longer seen as such a big plus. He's under contract for 4-more years but will his balky knee allow him to warrant a starting role for more than 1 or 2 more seasons? It is not going to end well in Boston for Pedroia.

Next time I'll take a look at the pitching and coaching staff.

King of Spades

Did you know that the King of Spades on a playing card was originally supposedly designed to represent King David from the Bible? The sword he holds was supposed to be the sword used to cut off Goliath's head after young David killed him with a rock from his his sling.

During the early parts of the Civil War - Robert E Lee was given the nickname "King of Spades" because of his propensity to dig trenches as part of his strategy. At first the nickname was derisive because soldiers hate to dig. Later when the effectiveness of his tactics saved the lives of many of these same soldiers - the nickname became affectionate. Reportedly Lee always loathed the nickname.

And he didn't play cards.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Something That Always Bothered Me

Couple of years ago there was an AXE shampoo commercial that claimed that 85% of girls found dandruff on a man to be a turn-off. What the heck was wrong with that other 15% of women polled?

Did they find dandruff on a man to be a turn on? I mean it seems like it was a yes or no type of poll.

Given the profitability of niche marketing - shouldn't AXE have been marketing fake dandruff to men trying for sexy time with that 15% of women by now?

Monday, October 09, 2017

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Cool - an oral history of Batman: The Animated Series... Nut Byproducts would be a good name for a band... Speaking of Batman - my idea of great art... I still say my first move as President would be to make Bill Belichick my Press Secretary. Those press briefings would be epic... Why is it "Happy as a clam?" Is it because clams don't have any brains or feelings?... Don't forget to get your flu shots... One of my deepest fears is of fire-breathing koalas. Wheh! Feels good to get that off my chest. Now let the healing begin... Women wearing nothing but milk. Milk was a good choice... Every time I find a dead fruit fly in the head of my beer I think, "that's the way he wanted to die"... Awesome - the Traveling Jagr's... Happy Columbus Day...

Put Joe Biden in the Movie Title

I amused myself by replacing part of some of the greatest movie titles of all-time with Joe Biden. Some of these movies actually should be made:

The Good, the Bad and the Joe Biden
The Silence of the Joe Biden
Forrest Gump
Joe Biden 2: Judgement Day
Joe Biden of Arabia
Eternal Sunshine of the Joe Biden
Joe Biden: A Space Odyssey
Inglorious Joe Bidens
Mr. Joe Biden Goes to Washington
Cool Hand Joe Biden

Sunday, October 08, 2017

NFL Sunday - Week Five

The Jetsons might have nailed the future of the NFL when back in 1962 they envisioned that football in the future would be played by robots. You don't have to worry about robots saying something stupid about women reporters and the word "route". You also don't have to worry about fans getting angry at a robot protesting during the national anthem. Nobody will care if a robot damages his dome with a big hit. And biggest of all - you don't have to pay robots massive salaries.

With drone racing gaining in popularity, E-sports being the new next big thing, and sex robots becoming so realistic - things seem to be aligning for a future that includes robots replacing human beings as the gridiron gladiators. In the future maybe MIT vs Cal Tech will be the biggest rivalry in college football.

Anyway - looking at today's slate of NFL games one is reminded of a dumpster fire. But hey - who are we kidding? We are going to watch the games and if we are going to watch a sporting event - money will be wagered. Here's my picks for today (I hope you are betting against me every week):

Buffalo +3 at Cincinnati - buy the half point for +3.5 because this game feels like it will be settled by a field goal. 

Tennessee -1 at Miami - two words "Jay Cutler"

San Francisco +2 at Indianapolis - I'm taking three road teams? No wonder my record is 2-8 for the season.

Good luck.

Saturday, October 07, 2017

The Nobel Prize in Physics

The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to the LIGO team for proving gravitational waves exist. Brian Greene explains both what gravitational waves are and also why this is so important.



Meanwhile Eddie Yong explains why the award didn't really go to the LIGO "team" but only to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, and Barry Barish. All well deserving but the question remains - what about the rest of the team? I agree that's its time to make changes to how the Nobel Prize is awarded in science.

Thursday, October 05, 2017

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- 31-years ago today the best call by a referee in NFL history

- Oooh - sick burn

- Lefsetz has his Tom Petty play list and commentary and it's pretty damn good.

- Charging (no pun intended) for empty seats is a business model doomed to fail (and I'm still calling them the San Diego Chargers)

- I love Monopoly Guy!

- I want one of these! But is 7 MPG practical for a wilderness RV?

A Modest Proposal to Fix NCAA Sports

The sports world is waiting for the other shoe (or other sneaker in this case) to drop in the "NCAA basketball corruption scandal". So far 10 individuals have been charged with crimes by the FBI and a number of others have already lost their jobs including Louisville coach Rick Pitino (that's how Boston Celtics fans remember him looking like).

It is expected that some of the 10 already charged (maybe even all of the 10 already charged) will start "naming names" and when that happens - whoo-boy get the popcorn out! I mean who doesn't like staring at a good trainwreck? You've got shady AAU individuals, sneaker company money, coaches of flexible morals and University administrators willing to look the other way as long as the wins greatly outnumber the losses and the boosters are happy. All the makings of a great mini-series drama unfolding in real life.

Well I've got a modest proposal to fix this mess and it's quite simple and straightforward. Take away the tax-exempt status of college sports.

College sports is big business. Everyone knows this. Why not simply treat it as such? If colleges and universities had to pay taxes on all sports related revenue (ticket sales, TV and radio contracts, merchandise sales, etc) - which I argue is a very fair proposition - then IRS reporting and the rules that govern normal business behavior would take care of the rest. And by normal rules I mean little things like businesses actually paying their employees. 

There's an underground economy in college sports of AAU individuals, shady agents, crooked coaches and sneaker company employees all engaging in win at all costs behavior. Making college sports taxable will expose these dealings to the sunlight and at the same time get rid of the most unsavory characters (like a Rick Pitino - I hold a grudge). It would be similar to how legalizing pot in Colorado got rid of the midnight deal in Denny's parking lots and replaced it with well-lit storefronts with coffee and pastry (or so I've heard - haven't been to Colorado in a long time). 

Follow the logic to my argument. If college sports lost their tax exempt status then they would have to pay taxes and follow the IRS rules that every other business has to follow. This includes paying "employees" (aka "student-athletes"). If a student athlete was getting paid then there would no no reason for the best of them NOT to have an agent. Legitimate agents will send the sketchy guys now trying to make a buck back under the rocks from whence they slithered.

You could even sell this politically. Say that the monies raised from taxing college sports will specifically be used to fund military personnel taking advantage of the GI College Bill with any excess funds being used to pay down the national deficit. 

So let it be written. So let it be done.

Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I find it hard to believe that the Founding Fathers who grew hemp did not know about the "medicinal" qualities of the female plant... I can't imagine the emotion the holder of this ticket experienced during and after the final play of Monday night's Chiefs game... Ornamental Gargoyles would be a good name for a band of ugly guys... Moving the Chargers to LA was a huge mistake... Too bad that Wrongheaded Mystical Enthusiasm is too long to use as a fantasy football team name... A buttload is an actual unit of measure. Who knew?... God bless Mitch Trubisky...

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Tom Petty Linky Links

Sad day as rock legend Tom Petty has passed away.

- George Harrison, Tom Petty and Ukuleles

- Everyone is mentioning their favorite Tom Petty song. There's so many to choose from but mine is Running Down a Dream

- Speaking of Running Down a Dream - if you want to know the history of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers I highly recommend the documentary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Running Down a Dream

- When George Harrison passed away Tom Petty led a star studded tribute of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The song featured one of the great guitar solos of all-time by Prince.

Who is going to lead the tribute to Tom Petty? And what song will they choose?

Tom Petty


Sunday, October 01, 2017

NFL Sunday - Week Four

In the NFL vs Trump - Trump won. It's that simple.

Or is it? The playing of the National Anthem and the American flag since 9/11 have been associated with supporting the military. Our volunteer military. Disrespecting the anthem is the same in many eyes as disrespecting the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. That doesn't sit well with most people. The NFL learned this lesson loud and clear last week.

People are sick of being preached to. News channels with a certain bias - click! I have other things to do. Hollywood movies with a liberal message? No thanks I'll stay home instead. Concerts where the singer decides they will preach their political message instead of singing the hits? Fuck you - shut and sing. A sporting event where the players disrespect the flag? Let me see how loudly I can Boooo!

Football has become better to watch on TV than in person for many reasons. Having the teams protesting during the National Anthem is one more reason for people not to go. Going to the games in person are no longer a must-experience event. But games on TV basically make the NFL a long running TV series. People eventually get sick of watching TV series - no matter how much they love the series. I stopped watching The Simpsons and South Park not because I stopped enjoying watching but because both had been on the TV for so damn long. Could the NFL become another TV series people get sick of watching?

The NFL has been tone deaf for at least the entire tenure of Roger Goodell. I can't think of a CEO of a Fortune 500 company who has had a worse record. Handling of BountyGate? Alienated the New Orleans fans. Handling of domestic violence? Yeah right. DeflateGate? Patriots fans HATE Roger Goodell (I'm Exhibit A). San Diego moving so LA could have two team? I think the half-filled soccer stadium for Chargers games speaks for itself on how that's working. I can't believe Roger Goodell hasn't been fired.

Anyhow - here's my picks for today:

Patriots -9 vs Panthers - taking the Pats. (Also I teased the Pats to -3 with the over in the game down to 42.5 points.)

Jaguars -3 at Jets - Jacksonville just seems like the much better team.

2-6 for the season. Maybe the time has come for you to start taking the other side on all my picks? Or is today the point my record starts turning around?

Good luck.