Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Tough to pick a team to root for between the four remaining MLB teams but kind of leaning towards the Orioles just because of the great job Dan Duquette has done. It should be remembered that he only got the job because other candidates deemed it too radioactive... Pool and beer help you live longer! Later today I'm going to work on extending my life expectancy!... Would love to see an episode of Louie where Louis CK goes for a picnic in the park with his kids and runs into the missing Russian from The Sopranos... 39-years ago tonight SNL first took to the air. The original thought was to have Albert Brooks as the permanent host... For proper elocution a person must have consistent vowel movements... This website is awesome! I will buy all my Christmas gifts there!... Block Me Amedaeus would be a great name for a fantasy football team... Fantastic article on the one of a kind Bob Ryan... Always remember that the word "listen" contains the same letters as the word "silent". To truly listen you should be silent... Big as a hat! Great joke from Big Stupid Tommy... The Obama Drone artist seems like a great guy...
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Thursday, October 09, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- I would so love to have a flying car
- Love the fact that Paul Pierce seems to be pulling a Three Stooges move on Joakim Noah
- How to "Gird Your Loins"
- How something appears is always a matter of perspective.
- Why it's impossible to hold back a yawn
- I would so love to have a flying car
- Love the fact that Paul Pierce seems to be pulling a Three Stooges move on Joakim Noah
- How to "Gird Your Loins"
- How something appears is always a matter of perspective.
- Why it's impossible to hold back a yawn
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Tale of the Tape - Rex Ryan vs Herm Edwards
So Rex Ryan bristles when being compared to Herm Edwards reign as HFC of the NYJ? Sometimes the truth hurts.
As pointed out - Edwards went 39-41 as Jets head coach but went to 3 playoffs. Ryan is currently 43-42 as Jets coach but only has 2 playoff appearances. The Jets might not win one game between now and their week 11 bye. If that happens - the bye week might be when the team finally announces the firing of Rex Ryan.
Consider this - Herm Edwards regular season winning percentage as Jets coach was .487. Right now Rex Ryan's winning percentage as head coach is .506 but if loses his next 3 games that falls to .489 and if he loses his next 4 that falls to .483 - worse than Herm Edwards. The next 4 Jets games are against the Broncos, Patriots, Bills, and Chiefs.
Maybe Rex Ryan is so bristly is because he's done the math?
As pointed out - Edwards went 39-41 as Jets head coach but went to 3 playoffs. Ryan is currently 43-42 as Jets coach but only has 2 playoff appearances. The Jets might not win one game between now and their week 11 bye. If that happens - the bye week might be when the team finally announces the firing of Rex Ryan.
Consider this - Herm Edwards regular season winning percentage as Jets coach was .487. Right now Rex Ryan's winning percentage as head coach is .506 but if loses his next 3 games that falls to .489 and if he loses his next 4 that falls to .483 - worse than Herm Edwards. The next 4 Jets games are against the Broncos, Patriots, Bills, and Chiefs.
Maybe Rex Ryan is so bristly is because he's done the math?
Monday, October 06, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
The Patriots cheerleaders wearing Devon Still's jersey last night was a classy and touching move on the part of the franchise. Robert Kraft is also donating $25,000 to the Cincinnati Children's Medical Center in Leah Still's name. Well done Kraft family... The unanswered question from all of those Rob Lowe DirectTV commercials is the question of whether it was cable TV Rob Lowe or DirectTV Rob Lowe who filmed himself having sex with an underage girl... How many rednecks have "sticking my penis into a Golden Coral chocolate fountain" on their bucket lists? Asking for a friend... I can't believe Bill Belichick never said "On to Buffalo" in last nights post game press conference... There are kids in New England who will be turning one this Fall who have never had a Red Sox World Championship in their lifetime... I think in real life you would have to feed a Ticket Oak newborn infants on the eve of a full moon in order for the magic to work...
The Patriots cheerleaders wearing Devon Still's jersey last night was a classy and touching move on the part of the franchise. Robert Kraft is also donating $25,000 to the Cincinnati Children's Medical Center in Leah Still's name. Well done Kraft family... The unanswered question from all of those Rob Lowe DirectTV commercials is the question of whether it was cable TV Rob Lowe or DirectTV Rob Lowe who filmed himself having sex with an underage girl... How many rednecks have "sticking my penis into a Golden Coral chocolate fountain" on their bucket lists? Asking for a friend... I can't believe Bill Belichick never said "On to Buffalo" in last nights post game press conference... There are kids in New England who will be turning one this Fall who have never had a Red Sox World Championship in their lifetime... I think in real life you would have to feed a Ticket Oak newborn infants on the eve of a full moon in order for the magic to work...
Sunday, October 05, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Ebola Explained - a very good primer on the virus and what you should and should not worry about
- Your drinking habits compared to the rest of the country. This is one list where I'm happy not to be in the top 10 percent.
- I wrote this about Wade Boggs almost 10-years ago. I still stand behind every word. There's a reason the Red Sox never retired his number.
- One dog year does not equal seven human ones
- The Nat Geo photo contest always has amazing shots
- Ebola Explained - a very good primer on the virus and what you should and should not worry about
- Your drinking habits compared to the rest of the country. This is one list where I'm happy not to be in the top 10 percent.
- I wrote this about Wade Boggs almost 10-years ago. I still stand behind every word. There's a reason the Red Sox never retired his number.
- One dog year does not equal seven human ones
- The Nat Geo photo contest always has amazing shots
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observation.
It's been three days since the Patriots were destroyed on Monday Night. I think I'm mostly over the loss... Every time I find a fruit fly floating dead in the head of my draft beer at a bar, I think "That's the way he wanted to die"... Farrah Fawcett... Olive Oil Dysentery would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... Holy shit!.... "With Great Pumpkin comes great responsibility" - Linus... Two girls one brat... Most Patriots are consoling themselves with the fact that it is now less than a week before the Bruins open their NHL season... Heh heh - scientists sneak Bob Dylan lyrics and references into scientific papers and articles as part of a long standing bet... So many fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons growing up but no more - tradition of Saturday morning cartoons is now over... I hope the people in the Bay area treated Joe Montana better when his career was winding down than the Boston sports radio callers are treating Tom Brady. Oh wait... You cannot lose weight by wearing caffeinated underpants.... Just a reminder - according to ABC News Barack Obama's parents were a Black man from Kenya and a white man from Kansas...
It's been three days since the Patriots were destroyed on Monday Night. I think I'm mostly over the loss... Every time I find a fruit fly floating dead in the head of my draft beer at a bar, I think "That's the way he wanted to die"... Farrah Fawcett... Olive Oil Dysentery would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... Holy shit!.... "With Great Pumpkin comes great responsibility" - Linus... Two girls one brat... Most Patriots are consoling themselves with the fact that it is now less than a week before the Bruins open their NHL season... Heh heh - scientists sneak Bob Dylan lyrics and references into scientific papers and articles as part of a long standing bet... So many fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons growing up but no more - tradition of Saturday morning cartoons is now over... I hope the people in the Bay area treated Joe Montana better when his career was winding down than the Boston sports radio callers are treating Tom Brady. Oh wait... You cannot lose weight by wearing caffeinated underpants.... Just a reminder - according to ABC News Barack Obama's parents were a Black man from Kenya and a white man from Kansas...
Monday, September 29, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I thought was interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly's wife is a keeper
- Philosophy explained (with donuts)
- They're big, they're hairy, and they're in your house
- Wow - perhaps as much as half of the Earth's water is older than the Sun
- Cool - Lionfish derbies used to help save coral reefs
- Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly's wife is a keeper
- Philosophy explained (with donuts)
- They're big, they're hairy, and they're in your house
- Wow - perhaps as much as half of the Earth's water is older than the Sun
- Cool - Lionfish derbies used to help save coral reefs
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Robin Yount
Today marks the final game in the career of Derek Jeter. Like many, I'm not saying that Jeter wasn't a great player, a first ballot Hall of Fame player, but I am saying that this victory tour seems a bit much. For comparison sake - who can recall the send-off final season of Robin Yount - who was every bit as good (some would argue better) than Jeter.
Yount played much of his career as a shortstop but then moved to play centerfield because that's what the team needed. I can't imagine Jeter doing either - being athletic enough for center or putting the team first and changing position. Yount won two AL MVP Awards meaning the baseball writers twice felt he was the most valuable player in the entire league. Jeter never won an MVP.
Yount finished ahead of Jeter in the following categories; games played, doubles, triples, and RBI. Obviously that means Jeter was ahead of Yount in most of the other categories not named but also consider that Yount had almost 500 fewer strikeouts than Jeter and 70 fewer grounded into double plays. How close they were at the plate can be summed up in the fact that both finished their career with an OPS+ of 115 (OPS+ is a stat used to compare players from different eras).
Bill James created a stat called WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to try to quantify just how valuable a player was. Robin Yount finished with a career WAR of 77 (69th best of all-time) while Derek Jeter has 71.7 (which is 88th best all-time). WAR argues that Yount was the more valuable player. Maybe Jeter should give half his send-off gifts to Robin Yount because Yount was the better player yet didn't get a victory tour like Jeter is concluding tonight.
Yount played much of his career as a shortstop but then moved to play centerfield because that's what the team needed. I can't imagine Jeter doing either - being athletic enough for center or putting the team first and changing position. Yount won two AL MVP Awards meaning the baseball writers twice felt he was the most valuable player in the entire league. Jeter never won an MVP.
Yount finished ahead of Jeter in the following categories; games played, doubles, triples, and RBI. Obviously that means Jeter was ahead of Yount in most of the other categories not named but also consider that Yount had almost 500 fewer strikeouts than Jeter and 70 fewer grounded into double plays. How close they were at the plate can be summed up in the fact that both finished their career with an OPS+ of 115 (OPS+ is a stat used to compare players from different eras).
Bill James created a stat called WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to try to quantify just how valuable a player was. Robin Yount finished with a career WAR of 77 (69th best of all-time) while Derek Jeter has 71.7 (which is 88th best all-time). WAR argues that Yount was the more valuable player. Maybe Jeter should give half his send-off gifts to Robin Yount because Yount was the better player yet didn't get a victory tour like Jeter is concluding tonight.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Bill Simmons - A Modest Proposal
ESPN couldn't even say anything! All Simmons would have to say is, "Hey I'm on vacation!"
So let it be written - so let it be done.
Top 5 - Thoughts on Bill Simmons Being Suspended by ESPN
So Bill Simmons was suspended for 3 weeks by ESPN for calling Roger Goodell a liar. Here's 5 thoughts on the situation.
1. OK we get it - the Simmons suspension was longer than the 2 weeks the NFL first gave Ray Rice. Proving just how ridiculous this whole scenario has become. However, I thought if Simmons was to be deservedly suspended by ESPN for something NFL related it would have been for his lousy picks against the spread.
2. I'm not a conspiracy guy who thinks the NFL is behind this suspension. This is not good for the NFL. In fact it drags the issue out for at least another month (the 3 weeks Simmons is suspended and the week he gets back). The NFL wants this issue behind it - not dragged out (no pun intended).
3. Part of me feels sorry for ESPN. Simmons comes off as a bit of a petulant spoiled child testing the boundaries of how much the parent will take. The swearing on his podcast has become more frequent much like a child seeing how much he can get away with and now the "I dare someone to say something to me about this!" Petulant child whose punishment is to get paid for 3 weeks and not have to work. Really hard for me to work up any sympathy for Simmons on this.
4. We will know how serious this is if Cousin Sal doesn't do his NFL picks on SportsCenter. If the situation is a joke - Sal does them. If not then either ESPN says "OK Simmons we can't punish you so we'll punish your friends" or Sal thinks the punishment is so unfair he quits the ESPN segment in protest.
5. Roger Goodell is a liar. When will he be on the BS Report to air this all out? That's the ratings win that might be the endgame of this whole situation.
1. OK we get it - the Simmons suspension was longer than the 2 weeks the NFL first gave Ray Rice. Proving just how ridiculous this whole scenario has become. However, I thought if Simmons was to be deservedly suspended by ESPN for something NFL related it would have been for his lousy picks against the spread.
2. I'm not a conspiracy guy who thinks the NFL is behind this suspension. This is not good for the NFL. In fact it drags the issue out for at least another month (the 3 weeks Simmons is suspended and the week he gets back). The NFL wants this issue behind it - not dragged out (no pun intended).
3. Part of me feels sorry for ESPN. Simmons comes off as a bit of a petulant spoiled child testing the boundaries of how much the parent will take. The swearing on his podcast has become more frequent much like a child seeing how much he can get away with and now the "I dare someone to say something to me about this!" Petulant child whose punishment is to get paid for 3 weeks and not have to work. Really hard for me to work up any sympathy for Simmons on this.
4. We will know how serious this is if Cousin Sal doesn't do his NFL picks on SportsCenter. If the situation is a joke - Sal does them. If not then either ESPN says "OK Simmons we can't punish you so we'll punish your friends" or Sal thinks the punishment is so unfair he quits the ESPN segment in protest.
5. Roger Goodell is a liar. When will he be on the BS Report to air this all out? That's the ratings win that might be the endgame of this whole situation.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
At least in the Clinton Administration when we bombed another country it was preceded by a sex scandal... It is the reaction of the "adults" that make this really funny... It has been 73-years since that magical 1941 season when Ted Williams finished with a .406 batting average becoming perhaps the last man in history to ever reach .400 for a season. It should be recalled that Williams didn't even win the MVP that season with voters instead preferring Joe DiMaggio and his 56-game hitting streak... Worms on TV - the opposite of HypnoFrog?... Just a reminder - 5-years ago Bill Simmons gave up on the Patriots. They have gone 72-19 in the regular season since he pronounced their run was over including 3 AFC Conference Finals games and 1 Super Bowl appearance... BoJack Horseman is a pretty funny show. If you haven't watched it yet you should give it a try... In the 2007 NFL draft there were 11 QB's taken - all of them sucked...
At least in the Clinton Administration when we bombed another country it was preceded by a sex scandal... It is the reaction of the "adults" that make this really funny... It has been 73-years since that magical 1941 season when Ted Williams finished with a .406 batting average becoming perhaps the last man in history to ever reach .400 for a season. It should be recalled that Williams didn't even win the MVP that season with voters instead preferring Joe DiMaggio and his 56-game hitting streak... Worms on TV - the opposite of HypnoFrog?... Just a reminder - 5-years ago Bill Simmons gave up on the Patriots. They have gone 72-19 in the regular season since he pronounced their run was over including 3 AFC Conference Finals games and 1 Super Bowl appearance... BoJack Horseman is a pretty funny show. If you haven't watched it yet you should give it a try... In the 2007 NFL draft there were 11 QB's taken - all of them sucked...
Monday, September 22, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Royals fan successfully demonstrates "Irish handcuffs"
- Anthony Bourdain's life advice
- Heh heh - NFL vs NBA?
- Excellent fracking rant! "The industry has better stuff to do than argue with self-righteous morons." Words to live by.
- Interesting Star Wars backstories. Imagine Christopher Walken as Han Solo?
- Royals fan successfully demonstrates "Irish handcuffs"
- Anthony Bourdain's life advice
- Heh heh - NFL vs NBA?
- Excellent fracking rant! "The industry has better stuff to do than argue with self-righteous morons." Words to live by.
- Interesting Star Wars backstories. Imagine Christopher Walken as Han Solo?
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Top 5 - Thoughts on the NFL
I try to avoid these discussions on sports talk radio and elsewhere but they have become unavoidable and I feel I need to put my thoughts down in order to get them out of my head. So here's 5 things I think about the current state of the NFL.
1. Ray Rice - in my book a man who hits a woman is a cowardly piece of shit. That's not to minimize female on male or same sex domestic violence but a guy hitting a woman is a special sort of despicable in my world. Rice should be gone from the NFL permanently and I hope NFL owners realize just how heinous his acts were and how radioactive he is as a player. The people who seem to be avoiding proper scrutiny though are the judge and prosecutor who enabled a slap on the wrist even though they saw the video from inside the elevator. Those are the people who should have lost their jobs by now.
2. Adrian Peterson - this one is a little more hazy. I don't believe that corporal punishment is an effective parenting tool but the debate on spanking is complex and involves one group of people telling another how best to raise their kids (in many cases people without kids end up lecturing on parenting). I give Peterson the benefit - he was a man trying to discipline his child who is not aware of his own tremendous strength. What he did to that child is abuse though and went beyond spanking or getting the belt or getting beat with a switch. Peterson is a man with 7 kids from 5 different women - so personally I have to question if he really understands the responsibility of fatherhood. Having said that you know in his world there are women lining up to be the 6th baby momma so at a certain level this becomes more of a societal issue than an NFL one. Peterson will be employed again in the NFL though I'm not sure if it will be with the Vikings.
3. Roger Goodell - he will weather the storm over Rice and Peterson. What may cost him his job is if the recent controversies compel Congress to strip the NFL of its tax exempt status. The NFL being tax exempt is a perversion of the tax code. Goodell could lose his job as a preemptive sacrificial lamb if the owners think it will satisfy Congress enough to quell the issue or Goodell could be fired as punishment from the owners if the NFL loses tax exempt status. This is the issue people should be pushing.
4. Fantasy football - I didn't feel bad avoiding Ray Rice at my fantasy football drafts. I was just being prudent. But fantasy football made me feel dirty when it came to Adrian Peterson because, if I'm honest. my first thought on hearing the news was "Crap - I gotta get him out of my lineup." Mea culpa.
5. NFL pre-game shows - one of the side benefits of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson allegations is I haven't watched a single minute of any NFL pre-game shows. I need sportcasters and ex-jocks discussing societal issues in my life just as much as I need Hollywood movie stars telling me how I should think politically. I haven't watched any of the shows and I haven't missed them.
1. Ray Rice - in my book a man who hits a woman is a cowardly piece of shit. That's not to minimize female on male or same sex domestic violence but a guy hitting a woman is a special sort of despicable in my world. Rice should be gone from the NFL permanently and I hope NFL owners realize just how heinous his acts were and how radioactive he is as a player. The people who seem to be avoiding proper scrutiny though are the judge and prosecutor who enabled a slap on the wrist even though they saw the video from inside the elevator. Those are the people who should have lost their jobs by now.
2. Adrian Peterson - this one is a little more hazy. I don't believe that corporal punishment is an effective parenting tool but the debate on spanking is complex and involves one group of people telling another how best to raise their kids (in many cases people without kids end up lecturing on parenting). I give Peterson the benefit - he was a man trying to discipline his child who is not aware of his own tremendous strength. What he did to that child is abuse though and went beyond spanking or getting the belt or getting beat with a switch. Peterson is a man with 7 kids from 5 different women - so personally I have to question if he really understands the responsibility of fatherhood. Having said that you know in his world there are women lining up to be the 6th baby momma so at a certain level this becomes more of a societal issue than an NFL one. Peterson will be employed again in the NFL though I'm not sure if it will be with the Vikings.
3. Roger Goodell - he will weather the storm over Rice and Peterson. What may cost him his job is if the recent controversies compel Congress to strip the NFL of its tax exempt status. The NFL being tax exempt is a perversion of the tax code. Goodell could lose his job as a preemptive sacrificial lamb if the owners think it will satisfy Congress enough to quell the issue or Goodell could be fired as punishment from the owners if the NFL loses tax exempt status. This is the issue people should be pushing.
4. Fantasy football - I didn't feel bad avoiding Ray Rice at my fantasy football drafts. I was just being prudent. But fantasy football made me feel dirty when it came to Adrian Peterson because, if I'm honest. my first thought on hearing the news was "Crap - I gotta get him out of my lineup." Mea culpa.
5. NFL pre-game shows - one of the side benefits of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson allegations is I haven't watched a single minute of any NFL pre-game shows. I need sportcasters and ex-jocks discussing societal issues in my life just as much as I need Hollywood movie stars telling me how I should think politically. I haven't watched any of the shows and I haven't missed them.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Heh heh - Braveheart re-written
- Seven Steps to living a Bill Murray life
- How big the extinct Megoladon sharks were in scale
- Interesting cast additions for the final season of Justified
- Heh heh - Braveheart re-written
- Seven Steps to living a Bill Murray life
- How big the extinct Megoladon sharks were in scale
- Interesting cast additions for the final season of Justified
Monday, September 15, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Am I a bad person because I laughed at this?... If I had a brewery that competed against Heineken - I would have a commercial of two skunks drinking Heineken saying things like Heineken is their favorite beer and how you don't even have to leave it out in the sun for hours to get it to the way skunks like their beer... Space Shuttle breaching the clouds... I really think many Red Sox fans are paying more attention to how Pawtucket is doing in the AAA playoffs than how Boston is doing in MLB... The word "alamo" is Spanish for the cottonwood tree. "Remember the Cottonwood" just doesn't have the same ring as a rallying cry though... Kinda like the Eagles (+3) and the under (54) tonight. If the line goes to 3.5 then I'd love Philadelphia in this game. Everyone and their brother seems to like the over which is a good time to go the other way...
Am I a bad person because I laughed at this?... If I had a brewery that competed against Heineken - I would have a commercial of two skunks drinking Heineken saying things like Heineken is their favorite beer and how you don't even have to leave it out in the sun for hours to get it to the way skunks like their beer... Space Shuttle breaching the clouds... I really think many Red Sox fans are paying more attention to how Pawtucket is doing in the AAA playoffs than how Boston is doing in MLB... The word "alamo" is Spanish for the cottonwood tree. "Remember the Cottonwood" just doesn't have the same ring as a rallying cry though... Kinda like the Eagles (+3) and the under (54) tonight. If the line goes to 3.5 then I'd love Philadelphia in this game. Everyone and their brother seems to like the over which is a good time to go the other way...
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Muhammad Ali and Andre the Giant meet and compare hand sizes. It makes you wonder if anyone could have stood up to Andre in the boxing ring. Just one solid blow from his hands would have ended most fights.
- Cool pool trick shots
- Formula E racing looks cool but not hearing the roar of the engine seems strange. Also not sure if I like the idea of having to switch cars when the batteries run low.
- Heh heh - epilepsy my cock
- Cool - soft robotic exosuits - faster please!
- Hannah Storm - what does the NFL stand for?
- The men with the red bandannas beat the USC Trojans last night. They "out-desired them."
- Muhammad Ali and Andre the Giant meet and compare hand sizes. It makes you wonder if anyone could have stood up to Andre in the boxing ring. Just one solid blow from his hands would have ended most fights.
- Cool pool trick shots
- Formula E racing looks cool but not hearing the roar of the engine seems strange. Also not sure if I like the idea of having to switch cars when the batteries run low.
- Heh heh - epilepsy my cock
- Cool - soft robotic exosuits - faster please!
- Hannah Storm - what does the NFL stand for?
- The men with the red bandannas beat the USC Trojans last night. They "out-desired them."
Friday, September 12, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
I would pay good money to see a remake of the movie Barfly if it had Jay Cutler playing the Mickey Rourke role... Archaeologists make an incredible discovery at Stonehenge... When did people first start involving God in an act of sternutation?... I would also pay good money to see a remake of the movie Paint Your Wagon if it had NFL Network's Rich Eisen playing the Lee Marvin role... Bob Ryan on the recently deceased Marvin Barnes... Sternutation by the way is sneezing. Saved you the trouble of having to look that up... If there was a Church of Bacon - I'd be a parishioner. Maybe even a priest...
I would pay good money to see a remake of the movie Barfly if it had Jay Cutler playing the Mickey Rourke role... Archaeologists make an incredible discovery at Stonehenge... When did people first start involving God in an act of sternutation?... I would also pay good money to see a remake of the movie Paint Your Wagon if it had NFL Network's Rich Eisen playing the Lee Marvin role... Bob Ryan on the recently deceased Marvin Barnes... Sternutation by the way is sneezing. Saved you the trouble of having to look that up... If there was a Church of Bacon - I'd be a parishioner. Maybe even a priest...
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Excellent oral history on Cheers. Couple of years old but still a great (re)read.
- Heh heh - Hue Grant
- This is awful - NJ prosecutor and judge who let Ray Rice walk trying to jail mother of two
- Casting Bill Murray
- Excellent oral history on Cheers. Couple of years old but still a great (re)read.
- Heh heh - Hue Grant
- This is awful - NJ prosecutor and judge who let Ray Rice walk trying to jail mother of two
- Casting Bill Murray
Monday, September 08, 2014
Dear Mr Kraft and Coach Belichick
Dear Mr Kraft and Coach Belichick,
The past two years I have traveled to Miami to watch you play the Dolphins. Both years the Patriots were clearly the better team but both years New England lost. I am not taking responsibility for the losses but I am saying intelligent men like the three of us do not believe in coincidences.
What I propose to you is simple and straightforward - you pay me $10,000 to stay home and not go to next year's game in Miami. This is a pittance to pay for an insurance policy. If you do not pay and if I go to next year's game and once again you lose - my price will go up to $20,0000.
Please consider the offer.
Sincerely,
Chris "Mush" Lynch
The past two years I have traveled to Miami to watch you play the Dolphins. Both years the Patriots were clearly the better team but both years New England lost. I am not taking responsibility for the losses but I am saying intelligent men like the three of us do not believe in coincidences.
What I propose to you is simple and straightforward - you pay me $10,000 to stay home and not go to next year's game in Miami. This is a pittance to pay for an insurance policy. If you do not pay and if I go to next year's game and once again you lose - my price will go up to $20,0000.
Please consider the offer.
Sincerely,
Chris "Mush" Lynch
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Saturday, September 06, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
As we embark on the new NFL season - consider that Alex Smith of the Chiefs is now a higher paid NFL QB than Tom Brady. Yeah - I know... Laniakea - we are so very, very small... If I were to have a one-man acoustic band that only played U2 cover songs - I'd name the band Mono... Is it interesting or ironic that some bars chill shots of Fireball?... Very cool. I hate being a pincushion... I wonder if the characters of Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar were loosely based on Billy and Whitey Bulger...
As we embark on the new NFL season - consider that Alex Smith of the Chiefs is now a higher paid NFL QB than Tom Brady. Yeah - I know... Laniakea - we are so very, very small... If I were to have a one-man acoustic band that only played U2 cover songs - I'd name the band Mono... Is it interesting or ironic that some bars chill shots of Fireball?... Very cool. I hate being a pincushion... I wonder if the characters of Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar were loosely based on Billy and Whitey Bulger...
Friday, September 05, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Whacky Russians
- RIP Joan Rivers. You weren't a funny woman. You were a very funny person!
- Worcester - we're number 1! We're number 1! Now get out of my fucking way!
- Pope Francis' 10 Secrets to Happiness
- Why we don't have a vaccine for Ebola yet
- Whacky Russians
- RIP Joan Rivers. You weren't a funny woman. You were a very funny person!
- Worcester - we're number 1! We're number 1! Now get out of my fucking way!
- Pope Francis' 10 Secrets to Happiness
- Why we don't have a vaccine for Ebola yet
Thursday, September 04, 2014
The NFL Middle
Tonight's first game of the 2014 NFL season is an excellent match-up. The Super Bowl Champs Seahawks at home vs MVP candidate Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers. If you were going to bet the game - who to choose? Green Bay is getting 5.5 points and the over / under is 46.5 points. The game could go either way - making this a perfect type game to play "the middle".
If you make the following 4 bets - you would create a big ole middle ground where I think there's a sweet spot for tonight's game:
6-point Tease - Seattle plus under
6-point Tease - Seattle plus over
6-point Tease - Packers plus under
6-point Tease - Packers plus over.
If you bet $100 on each - the most you could win would be $400 but the most you could lose is $200 (at least one of the bets has to come in). The benefit is you are creating a middle where as long as Seattle wins but not by more than 12 points and the total score is between 40.5 points to 52.5 points - you win! Even if Green Bay wins the game but the score remains between 40.5 and 52.5 for the total - you don't lose any money!
If you make the following 4 bets - you would create a big ole middle ground where I think there's a sweet spot for tonight's game:
6-point Tease - Seattle plus under
6-point Tease - Seattle plus over
6-point Tease - Packers plus under
6-point Tease - Packers plus over.
If you bet $100 on each - the most you could win would be $400 but the most you could lose is $200 (at least one of the bets has to come in). The benefit is you are creating a middle where as long as Seattle wins but not by more than 12 points and the total score is between 40.5 points to 52.5 points - you win! Even if Green Bay wins the game but the score remains between 40.5 and 52.5 for the total - you don't lose any money!
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Legal Weed
More proof that government involvement could screw up a wet dream - tax revenue from pot falls far short of expectations. So expected tax revenue in Colorado was supposed to be $33 million in the first six months but was instead about $12 million. I could have sworn that initially tax revenues were way above expectations so I guess after the opening jolt of people buying "legal weed" for the first time or out-of-staters coming in for "pot tourism" - has the demand fallen off?
If the price for legal weed is much higher than the street price then it makes sense(imilla) to buy "black market". But isn't this counter intuitive? When prohibition ended - people didn't keep buying home brew - they started buying the "real stuff" because it was better and cheaper. Are the taxes and fees so high as to make "legal weed" too expensive? Because I'm having a hard time believing that the street weed is of better quality than the legal stuff.
Supposedly the prices are dropping due to competition among "dispensaries" but even at a price of $100 for a 1/4 ounce - I can see why many would buy from street dealers instead. So the question remains - is the government too greedy or is the demand actually less than everyone thought?
If the price for legal weed is much higher than the street price then it makes sense(imilla) to buy "black market". But isn't this counter intuitive? When prohibition ended - people didn't keep buying home brew - they started buying the "real stuff" because it was better and cheaper. Are the taxes and fees so high as to make "legal weed" too expensive? Because I'm having a hard time believing that the street weed is of better quality than the legal stuff.
Supposedly the prices are dropping due to competition among "dispensaries" but even at a price of $100 for a 1/4 ounce - I can see why many would buy from street dealers instead. So the question remains - is the government too greedy or is the demand actually less than everyone thought?
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
On this date in 1901, Teddy Roosevelt delivered his "speak softly but carry a big stick" speech. Today's President seems to have his own version, "speak off the cuff and carry no stick at all"... The real war that inspired Game of Thrones... A friend had a kale smoothie the other day. When he told me I thought he was making a euphemism for a green crap as in "I took a kale smoothie this morning"... Because kids don't understand history - they probably think "the erection of the Berlin Wall" is something dirty... California water hypocrites... Snake Plissken? I thought that guy was dead!... If an apple was magnified to the size of the earth - then the atoms of the apple would be equal to the original size of the apple...
On this date in 1901, Teddy Roosevelt delivered his "speak softly but carry a big stick" speech. Today's President seems to have his own version, "speak off the cuff and carry no stick at all"... The real war that inspired Game of Thrones... A friend had a kale smoothie the other day. When he told me I thought he was making a euphemism for a green crap as in "I took a kale smoothie this morning"... Because kids don't understand history - they probably think "the erection of the Berlin Wall" is something dirty... California water hypocrites... Snake Plissken? I thought that guy was dead!... If an apple was magnified to the size of the earth - then the atoms of the apple would be equal to the original size of the apple...
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- RIP Wing Commander Ken Rees - the last of the Great Escape and guy Steve McQueen's character was based on
- Amusing juggling / magic act
- What does it look like if you strapped a camera to the back of an eagle? It looks like this.
- Game of Thrones sigils for every NFL team
- Guards complaints against Spartacus
- Pollution.
- RIP Wing Commander Ken Rees - the last of the Great Escape and guy Steve McQueen's character was based on
- Amusing juggling / magic act
- What does it look like if you strapped a camera to the back of an eagle? It looks like this.
- Game of Thrones sigils for every NFL team
- Guards complaints against Spartacus
- Pollution.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
As if he wasn't going to be compared to Aaron Hernandez enough - new Patriots tight end Tim Wright will be wearing Hernandez's old number 81... Buying carbon off-sets to me always seemed like the modern equivalent of rich Northerners paying for replacements to fight for them in the Civil War. And just as hypocritical... Carnal Acquaintance would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... Actual movie - MANBORG: a warrior who's half-man, half-machine, but all hero. Look awful... If Cubs fans were told before the season that Theo Epstein would have the team either ahead or tied by record with the Boston Red Sox - those Cubbie fans would have been pretty pleased.
As if he wasn't going to be compared to Aaron Hernandez enough - new Patriots tight end Tim Wright will be wearing Hernandez's old number 81... Buying carbon off-sets to me always seemed like the modern equivalent of rich Northerners paying for replacements to fight for them in the Civil War. And just as hypocritical... Carnal Acquaintance would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... Actual movie - MANBORG: a warrior who's half-man, half-machine, but all hero. Look awful... If Cubs fans were told before the season that Theo Epstein would have the team either ahead or tied by record with the Boston Red Sox - those Cubbie fans would have been pretty pleased.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
State of the Red Sox
The state of the Red Sox can be summed up in six words, "Too many outfielders, not enough starters."
Here's the outfielders Boston has under contract for next season; Yoenis Cespedes, Shane Victorino, Rusney Castillo, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Brock Holt. You only play 3 outfielders at a time - so having 8 seems a bit much. Even if you say Brock Holt and Mookie Betts are really infielders - that still leaves 6 outfielders for 3 starting jobs. Something has to give.
Meanwhile - here are the starters that are under control for next year; Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Brandon Workman, Rubby Del La Rosa, Anthony Ranaundo and Allen Webster. Does any of those names jump out at you as a number 1 or 2 starter? Me neither.
So what to do? The obvious first answer is to sign Jon Lester to a long term deal. At this point 6-years for $150 million is what it will probably take. Then you hope Lester is more like Andy Pettitte when it comes to durability and less like Jack McDowell.
Even if you sign Lester - a rotation of Lester, Buchholz, Kelly, Del La Rosa and pick a name doesn't sound like a playoff contender. Signing free agent James Shields would obviously help but what are the odds of one team signing 2 of the top 3 free agent pitchers? That's why a starter is probably the number one trade priority for the team this off-season. The most obvious name would be Cole Hamels who is owed $94 million over the next 4 seasons.
The good news is that the class of free agent outfielders this year is pretty weak - and guess who has outfielders to spare? Pretty sad but I'm looking forward more to the hot stove than to the rest of the season. I think many fans feel the same.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Heh heh - the metric system vs the imperial
- Never really thought about this - why do we have middle names?
- Oh man this is mean - Wes Welker Confident He Will Be Ready for Patriots Season Opener
- Cannibalism
- Great version - Elvis covering Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Heh heh - the metric system vs the imperial
- Never really thought about this - why do we have middle names?
- Oh man this is mean - Wes Welker Confident He Will Be Ready for Patriots Season Opener
- Cannibalism
- Great version - Elvis covering Bridge Over Troubled Water
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tim Horton's and Burger King
Tim Horton's and Burger King are merging. The new company HQ will be based out of Canada. I have an idea on how this news could be played to increase Burger King's market share in the US.
The minimum wage in Canada is Province by Province. The lowest is Alberta at $9.95 Canadian and the highest is Ontario at $11 per hour Canadian. That $9.95 Canadian works out to about $9.07 in US dollars. Only the State of Washington has a higher minimum wage ($9.32) in the US.
The new combined Tim Horton's and Burger King (Burger Horton's?) announces that they will now be paying at the very least the Canadian minimum wage of $9.07 to all employees in the US. They are probably already paying that to most employees so it wouldn't cost the company very much but it would differentiate itself from McDonald's. When the Occupy Wall Street / Never Shop at Walmart crowd decide where to eat lunch - now the choice would be clear - Burger Horton's! Most of those folks live off the dollar menu anyway.
The minimum wage in Canada is Province by Province. The lowest is Alberta at $9.95 Canadian and the highest is Ontario at $11 per hour Canadian. That $9.95 Canadian works out to about $9.07 in US dollars. Only the State of Washington has a higher minimum wage ($9.32) in the US.
The new combined Tim Horton's and Burger King (Burger Horton's?) announces that they will now be paying at the very least the Canadian minimum wage of $9.07 to all employees in the US. They are probably already paying that to most employees so it wouldn't cost the company very much but it would differentiate itself from McDonald's. When the Occupy Wall Street / Never Shop at Walmart crowd decide where to eat lunch - now the choice would be clear - Burger Horton's! Most of those folks live off the dollar menu anyway.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Some people are upset because Spider-Woman has a nice ass
- Heh heh - This is why you should never put a bald person on the front page
- If you want to understand the Rick Perry situation - watch this video.
- SNL Political secrets
- This is fantastic - I want a print of that statue
- Interesting story - "hermit" who lived in wilds of Maine for 27-years calls Thoreau a "dilettante"
- Some people are upset because Spider-Woman has a nice ass
- Heh heh - This is why you should never put a bald person on the front page
- If you want to understand the Rick Perry situation - watch this video.
- SNL Political secrets
- This is fantastic - I want a print of that statue
- Interesting story - "hermit" who lived in wilds of Maine for 27-years calls Thoreau a "dilettante"
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
ALS Bucket Challenge
Just this morning I read that David Beckham, Britney Spears and Dave Grohl had all separately and independently "won" the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Sorry - to me Jacqueline Bisset is still the champ. Photos from her in the movie The Deep single handedly created the wet t-shirt craze. I know no cause was involved but in my mind Jacqueline is still the champ.
Sorry - to me Jacqueline Bisset is still the champ. Photos from her in the movie The Deep single handedly created the wet t-shirt craze. I know no cause was involved but in my mind Jacqueline is still the champ.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- John Oliver has by far the best explanation and understanding of what's happening in Ferguson that I've seen anywhere
- Rhode Island coach John Belisle gives great speech after loss in Little League World Series
- Article on Gluten really buries the lead - no Gluten is not bad for you
- Actual history that led to Crusades
- Interesting read - most minor league MLB players live below the poverty line
- George Orwell was a genius - here's his 1940 review of Hitler's Mein Kamph
- John Oliver has by far the best explanation and understanding of what's happening in Ferguson that I've seen anywhere
- Rhode Island coach John Belisle gives great speech after loss in Little League World Series
- Article on Gluten really buries the lead - no Gluten is not bad for you
- Actual history that led to Crusades
- Interesting read - most minor league MLB players live below the poverty line
- George Orwell was a genius - here's his 1940 review of Hitler's Mein Kamph
Monday, August 18, 2014
GI Joe Villains
Strange how some morsels of information just jump out at you. I was reading this article on Amazon's fan-fiction portal Kindle Worlds when this tidbit jumped out at me; "In the case of GI Joe, for instance, the villain can't wear a Yankees cap."
All of a sudden I couldn't help thinking that this guy doesn't qualify as a GI Joe villain. And I found that amusing.
All of a sudden I couldn't help thinking that this guy doesn't qualify as a GI Joe villain. And I found that amusing.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Detail from Ferguson shooting may clear police officer
- Cool - Leonard Nimoy (Spock) and Jimmy Hendrix
- Fantastic article on Bernie Kosar
- Map of wealthiest individual in each state
- Maj. General Harold Greene was laid to rest on Saturday. President Obama was golfing at the time of the funeral.
- Detail from Ferguson shooting may clear police officer
- Cool - Leonard Nimoy (Spock) and Jimmy Hendrix
- Fantastic article on Bernie Kosar
- Map of wealthiest individual in each state
- Maj. General Harold Greene was laid to rest on Saturday. President Obama was golfing at the time of the funeral.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
You just know that one of the first real "practical" applications for Google Glass will be for POV porn movies... Who knew that I had this in common with Pedro Martinez?... 10,000 people a year die of drunk driving in the US. 5,000 people die from food poisoning. This message brought to you by MAEAEHC (Mothers Against Eating Anything Except Home Cooking)... I guess the best thing about Google Glass POV porn will be you'll never see the guy's goofy facial expressions during sex... Sounds like a plan... You know it's true! When Robin Williams died and then Lauren Bacall how many people wondered who would be the third celebrity to die?... Is it possible that Tony Stewart has raced his last race?... You also know that someone will film a Google Glass POV porn where the only audio from the guy is "I am Groot" or "Hodor, Hodor"... Just checking...
You just know that one of the first real "practical" applications for Google Glass will be for POV porn movies... Who knew that I had this in common with Pedro Martinez?... 10,000 people a year die of drunk driving in the US. 5,000 people die from food poisoning. This message brought to you by MAEAEHC (Mothers Against Eating Anything Except Home Cooking)... I guess the best thing about Google Glass POV porn will be you'll never see the guy's goofy facial expressions during sex... Sounds like a plan... You know it's true! When Robin Williams died and then Lauren Bacall how many people wondered who would be the third celebrity to die?... Is it possible that Tony Stewart has raced his last race?... You also know that someone will film a Google Glass POV porn where the only audio from the guy is "I am Groot" or "Hodor, Hodor"... Just checking...
Friday, August 15, 2014
Scroobius Pip - Introdiction
Interesting song. Absolutely love the lyric; "You see a mousetrap. I see free cheese and a challenge."
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Robin Williams
Some tributes and remembrances of Robin Williams that I wanted to share.
- Robin's now poignant appearance on Louie
- Slightly NSFW bloopers from the first season of Mork & Mindy. Williams at his manic peak.
- Norm MacDonald's very personal tribute
- Ken Levine's thoughts on the passing of Williams
- David Simon's brief encounter and how Williams changed his life. It may not be a stretch to say without Williams' sacrifice in trying to help a friend's struggling show there may not have ever been The Wire
- Robin's now poignant appearance on Louie
- Slightly NSFW bloopers from the first season of Mork & Mindy. Williams at his manic peak.
- Norm MacDonald's very personal tribute
- Ken Levine's thoughts on the passing of Williams
- David Simon's brief encounter and how Williams changed his life. It may not be a stretch to say without Williams' sacrifice in trying to help a friend's struggling show there may not have ever been The Wire
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Lauren Bacall
Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall has passed away. The news of her death was not greeted with the shock of news of Robin Williams' suicide. Sadly for many it was more of a "oh she was still alive?" reaction. It must be said that Bacall lived a life fully lived which is why the news of her passing has been greeted more with an appreciation of her joie de vivre than sadness. And that's the way it should be.
Some have said she was the "last of the Hollywood Golden Age stars" but that's not correct. At least not while Maureen O'Hara and Olivia de Havilland still draw breath.
I can't think of Bacall without thinking of her in this photo with then Vice President Harry Truman. Give 'em Hell Harry really caught hell for that photo from his boss. Not FDR the President - his real boss - Bess Truman his wife.
Some have said she was the "last of the Hollywood Golden Age stars" but that's not correct. At least not while Maureen O'Hara and Olivia de Havilland still draw breath.
I can't think of Bacall without thinking of her in this photo with then Vice President Harry Truman. Give 'em Hell Harry really caught hell for that photo from his boss. Not FDR the President - his real boss - Bess Truman his wife.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Robin Williams
Saddened by the death of comic genius Robin Williams.
Marc Maron reposted his poignant interview with Williams from 2010. I will probably listen to that hour a couple of times today.
Also when it comes to depression - please keep this in mind.
Marc Maron reposted his poignant interview with Williams from 2010. I will probably listen to that hour a couple of times today.
Also when it comes to depression - please keep this in mind.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Bathroom Attendants
I can't think of anyone who is a fan of bathroom attendants. Other than being fodder for jokes (like this bit by Amy Schumer) they serve no purpose. I think at one point it may have been a sign that a place was classy but that day is long gone.
Over the weekend I was up at Saratoga and they have bathroom attendants at the race track. I got to thinking about how unnecessary they are after I went into the bathroom before the eighth race and the bathroom attendant was sitting there eating his lunch - an open faced roast beef sandwich. It was just wrong eating in the bathroom like that.
I got to thinking that it probably would be pretty easy to discontinue the practice of bathroom attendants. You would simply get a woman to sue for the right to be a men's room attendant and get a guy to sue for the reverse. With trans-gender folks able to use the bathroom of their choice these days and the inherent potential discrimination of men's only or women's only jobs - it's a good chance those cases would win. How classy would a place think it would be to have a male attendant in the women's room? Creepy right? And would a guy see a woman in the men's room without thinking "Is she a prostitute?"
Bam! No more bathroom attendants.
Over the weekend I was up at Saratoga and they have bathroom attendants at the race track. I got to thinking about how unnecessary they are after I went into the bathroom before the eighth race and the bathroom attendant was sitting there eating his lunch - an open faced roast beef sandwich. It was just wrong eating in the bathroom like that.
I got to thinking that it probably would be pretty easy to discontinue the practice of bathroom attendants. You would simply get a woman to sue for the right to be a men's room attendant and get a guy to sue for the reverse. With trans-gender folks able to use the bathroom of their choice these days and the inherent potential discrimination of men's only or women's only jobs - it's a good chance those cases would win. How classy would a place think it would be to have a male attendant in the women's room? Creepy right? And would a guy see a woman in the men's room without thinking "Is she a prostitute?"
Bam! No more bathroom attendants.
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Jets fans who like Rex Ryan are like an inquus populus "a wicked, godless people" and Rex is their King...The head nurse at Emory explains why the American patients of Ebola needed to be treated in US... I went to years of Catholic school and we were never told that Saint Peter - the Rock on which Jesus built his church - the first Pope - was married... I so want the Burger King pies guy story to be true... Brown bears went extinct in England in the 10th century. I wonder if any radical environmentalists out there have proposed re-introducing them? Maybe just release a dozen or so in London and see how that goes?...
Jets fans who like Rex Ryan are like an inquus populus "a wicked, godless people" and Rex is their King...The head nurse at Emory explains why the American patients of Ebola needed to be treated in US... I went to years of Catholic school and we were never told that Saint Peter - the Rock on which Jesus built his church - the first Pope - was married... I so want the Burger King pies guy story to be true... Brown bears went extinct in England in the 10th century. I wonder if any radical environmentalists out there have proposed re-introducing them? Maybe just release a dozen or so in London and see how that goes?...
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- What the heck?
- The time the US tried to buy Greenland
- If you are a Lord of the Rings fan - this is fantastic! Why Gandalf didn't just use the eagles to send the ring to Mount Doom.
- Interesting - why Jeff Samarzjida made the smart choice to choose MLB over the NFL
- Scary assessment of the readiness of our military. It's Jimmy Carter all over again.
- Awesome - Brian Scalabrine "I'm Coming Home"
- What the heck?
- The time the US tried to buy Greenland
- If you are a Lord of the Rings fan - this is fantastic! Why Gandalf didn't just use the eagles to send the ring to Mount Doom.
- Interesting - why Jeff Samarzjida made the smart choice to choose MLB over the NFL
- Scary assessment of the readiness of our military. It's Jimmy Carter all over again.
- Awesome - Brian Scalabrine "I'm Coming Home"
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
The Bill Burr Experience
In recent years a new formula has overtaken the world of stand-up comedy. It used to be (and still is the case for people like Jay Leno) that a comedian had an act and the act and jokes varied very little from year to year. Then comedians started developing an hour's worth of material, honing that material on the road and finally culminating in a taped hour (or so) special. After the special was done the comedian would basically retire the material and start work on a new hour's worth of jokes and stories. Let's call this the Louis CK Formula.
Keeping things new and fresh is absolutely the way to go for people like Louis CK, Jim Gaffigan, and other top comics. However, it almost seems a waste that after the specials are done the material only lives on in DVD sales, on Netflix or HBO Go or in YouTube clips. Here's my idea to fix that and we'll use Bill Burr as an excellent example.
Bill has two great recent specials - You People are All the Same (2012) and Let It Go (2010). He could tighten the material to about 45 minutes of each by getting rid of anything current events related or stuff that didn't work as well as hoped. Then he could hire actors who looked like him (scrawny, sickly looking red heads) who would do the material. One would open with 45 minutes from Let It Go, then a 15 minute intermission followed by second guy doing 45 minutes from You People are All the Same. Curtain call, both actors take bows and then head off to the next city.
I'd go to see something like that. Bill Burr owns the rights to his own material and this would be a way of both making money off past labors and giving people an excellent entertainment option. Think of it this way - if AC/DC only played new songs in concert people would flock to AC/DC cover bands to hear the old songs.
Call it the Bill Burr Experience and let's get the show on the road. Release the Kracken!
Keeping things new and fresh is absolutely the way to go for people like Louis CK, Jim Gaffigan, and other top comics. However, it almost seems a waste that after the specials are done the material only lives on in DVD sales, on Netflix or HBO Go or in YouTube clips. Here's my idea to fix that and we'll use Bill Burr as an excellent example.
Bill has two great recent specials - You People are All the Same (2012) and Let It Go (2010). He could tighten the material to about 45 minutes of each by getting rid of anything current events related or stuff that didn't work as well as hoped. Then he could hire actors who looked like him (scrawny, sickly looking red heads) who would do the material. One would open with 45 minutes from Let It Go, then a 15 minute intermission followed by second guy doing 45 minutes from You People are All the Same. Curtain call, both actors take bows and then head off to the next city.
I'd go to see something like that. Bill Burr owns the rights to his own material and this would be a way of both making money off past labors and giving people an excellent entertainment option. Think of it this way - if AC/DC only played new songs in concert people would flock to AC/DC cover bands to hear the old songs.
Call it the Bill Burr Experience and let's get the show on the road. Release the Kracken!
Monday, August 04, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Now whenever I hear that Clay Buchholz is pitching for the Red Sox - my first thought is "take the over!"... Given his sexual conquests - the phrase "Jeter in the two hole" always cracks me up... Ernest Hemingway reacts to Jon Lester being traded... Part of me wonders if the Red Sox are tanking just so they can get the first pick in the NBA draft... What did Al Gore say about the Arctic Ice melting again?... Is the name Edmonton Eskimos that much less racist than the name Washington Redskins?... 19th century dude pranks 21st century guy...
Now whenever I hear that Clay Buchholz is pitching for the Red Sox - my first thought is "take the over!"... Given his sexual conquests - the phrase "Jeter in the two hole" always cracks me up... Ernest Hemingway reacts to Jon Lester being traded... Part of me wonders if the Red Sox are tanking just so they can get the first pick in the NBA draft... What did Al Gore say about the Arctic Ice melting again?... Is the name Edmonton Eskimos that much less racist than the name Washington Redskins?... 19th century dude pranks 21st century guy...
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Linky Links
Things I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jon Lester says goodbye to Boston with full page ad. Two quick thoughts; I really hate the term "Red Sox Nation" - no Boston fan I know uses it and second if Lester really wanted to stick it to John Henry he would have placed the ad in the Boston Herald (Henry owns the Globe)
- Heh heh - Aboard Heaven's Choo Choo. (Someone should create an Urban Dictionary entry saying "Heaven's Choo Choo" is Vatican slang for vagina.)
- Fantastic review of movie The Big Chill by Lena Dunham
- Excellent video footage on shark behavior
- A-Rod's doping habits are beyond weird
- Jon Lester says goodbye to Boston with full page ad. Two quick thoughts; I really hate the term "Red Sox Nation" - no Boston fan I know uses it and second if Lester really wanted to stick it to John Henry he would have placed the ad in the Boston Herald (Henry owns the Globe)
- Heh heh - Aboard Heaven's Choo Choo. (Someone should create an Urban Dictionary entry saying "Heaven's Choo Choo" is Vatican slang for vagina.)
- Fantastic review of movie The Big Chill by Lena Dunham
- Excellent video footage on shark behavior
- A-Rod's doping habits are beyond weird
State of the Red Sox
Here's five thoughts on the recent shake-up of the Red Sox roster.
1. The biggest difference between the pre-trade deadline line-up and the line-up today is the fact that Boston went from having two players (Ortiz, Napoli) with 25+ HR potential to having five (Ortiz, Napoli, Middlebrooks, Craig and Cespedes). I included Allen Craig even though the most HR he's hit in a season was 22 (but it was in just 119 games). That's a huge difference in pop in the line-up.
2. I have to wonder if Shane Victorino was healthy enough to pass a deadline physical whether he would have been traded too. My guess is he's shut down for the season and dealt once he's healthy. Did I say guess or hope?
3. How do the Red Sox hope to compete for top talent if they are not willing to pay the going rate? The Yankees gave Masahiro Tanaka a 7-year $155 million deal while Boston management looks like it was unwilling to give Jon Lester something comparable to a 5-year $110 million deal.
4. Conversely it should be noted that Oakland had the best record in baseball while relying mainly on young arms (plus 30-year olds Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez). Ace Sonny Gray 24, Tommy Milone 27, Dan Straily 25, and Drew Pomeranz 25 have made a combined 53 starts for the first place A's this season. Compare that to Boston's young arms of Brandon Workman 25, Rubby Del La Rosa 25, Allan Webster 24, and Anthony Ranaudo 24. It looks like Boston is looking to use the A's blueprint next season.
5. The speculation is that with payroll down to just $95 million for next season the Red Sox will use their stockpile of prospects to make a big splash in the trade market. The focus has been on Giancarlo Stanton but the two names I'd like to see on a Boston Opening Day roster next season are Troy Tulowitzki or Cole Hamels. Both would be great.
1. The biggest difference between the pre-trade deadline line-up and the line-up today is the fact that Boston went from having two players (Ortiz, Napoli) with 25+ HR potential to having five (Ortiz, Napoli, Middlebrooks, Craig and Cespedes). I included Allen Craig even though the most HR he's hit in a season was 22 (but it was in just 119 games). That's a huge difference in pop in the line-up.
2. I have to wonder if Shane Victorino was healthy enough to pass a deadline physical whether he would have been traded too. My guess is he's shut down for the season and dealt once he's healthy. Did I say guess or hope?
3. How do the Red Sox hope to compete for top talent if they are not willing to pay the going rate? The Yankees gave Masahiro Tanaka a 7-year $155 million deal while Boston management looks like it was unwilling to give Jon Lester something comparable to a 5-year $110 million deal.
4. Conversely it should be noted that Oakland had the best record in baseball while relying mainly on young arms (plus 30-year olds Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez). Ace Sonny Gray 24, Tommy Milone 27, Dan Straily 25, and Drew Pomeranz 25 have made a combined 53 starts for the first place A's this season. Compare that to Boston's young arms of Brandon Workman 25, Rubby Del La Rosa 25, Allan Webster 24, and Anthony Ranaudo 24. It looks like Boston is looking to use the A's blueprint next season.
5. The speculation is that with payroll down to just $95 million for next season the Red Sox will use their stockpile of prospects to make a big splash in the trade market. The focus has been on Giancarlo Stanton but the two names I'd like to see on a Boston Opening Day roster next season are Troy Tulowitzki or Cole Hamels. Both would be great.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Top 5 - Reasons to go to Fenway Park This Season
Here are the Top 5 reasons to go to Fenway Park for the remainder of the season.
1. To see Derek Jeter's final regular season game (and maybe final game if Yankees miss playoffs) on September 28th.
2. To see the Tom Petty concert on August 30th.
3. If Jon Lester gets traded and his new team visits Fenway.
4. If someone gives you free tickets and you had no other plans for the night.
5. Ummm.... sorry. Can't seem to think of a 5th reason to see this dumpster fire of a team this season.
1. To see Derek Jeter's final regular season game (and maybe final game if Yankees miss playoffs) on September 28th.
2. To see the Tom Petty concert on August 30th.
3. If Jon Lester gets traded and his new team visits Fenway.
4. If someone gives you free tickets and you had no other plans for the night.
5. Ummm.... sorry. Can't seem to think of a 5th reason to see this dumpster fire of a team this season.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Oh my God! He does look like Edgar from Men in Black
- Hamas just doesn't care who it kills
- Game of Thrones Season 4 Bloopers. The end is fantastic!
- This Tour de France rider's legs are insane!
- Heh heh - Guy Walks into a Bar
- Holy crap! Scary looking insect!
- Much better than the Tour de France!
- Oh my God! He does look like Edgar from Men in Black
- Hamas just doesn't care who it kills
- Game of Thrones Season 4 Bloopers. The end is fantastic!
- This Tour de France rider's legs are insane!
- Heh heh - Guy Walks into a Bar
- Holy crap! Scary looking insect!
- Much better than the Tour de France!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Who the Red Sox Should Trade
Brian MacPherson has a list of 10 players the Red Sox may be looking to sell. While I agree that the Red Sox would be wise to move Badenhop, Breslow, Carp, Dubront, Drew, and Gomes - I would disagree about the other names on his list (Lester, Middlebrooks, Miller and Uehara).
To the six players I agree the Red Sox should shop - I would also add:
Shane Victorino - has one more year on his contract ($13 million) and who is know hitting exclusively right-handed. Aren't right handed bats supposed to be in demand?
Edward Mujica - also has one more year on his contract ($4.75 million). I think of Mujica as another Mark Melancon who is dominate in the NL but for whatever reasons just had problems performing in Boston.
My reasons for disagreeing with MacPherson on the four players listed?
Jon Lester - to quote Teddy KGB "play that man his money." If they trade Lester he's gone for good.Pay him his money and just recognize the front office screwed up trying to be cute in their initial offers.
Will Middlebrooks - too valuable a prospect to trade. He has 30-HR potential as a corner infielder. Those don't grow on trees. He's also under team control for another 4 more years! Middlebrooks isn't going anywhere (for now).
Andrew Miller - I will admit that it would make sense to trade Miller since he's a free agent after the season but my heart hopes Miller realizes that he was able to turn his career around in Boston and that leaving may be a mistake.
Koji Uehara - if they do trade Koji I will understand but I would love to see him as the closer for another 2 more years. Main reason not to trade him - who's the closer in 2015? Does the Red Sox front office really want to go through that circus again?
To the six players I agree the Red Sox should shop - I would also add:
Shane Victorino - has one more year on his contract ($13 million) and who is know hitting exclusively right-handed. Aren't right handed bats supposed to be in demand?
Edward Mujica - also has one more year on his contract ($4.75 million). I think of Mujica as another Mark Melancon who is dominate in the NL but for whatever reasons just had problems performing in Boston.
My reasons for disagreeing with MacPherson on the four players listed?
Jon Lester - to quote Teddy KGB "play that man his money." If they trade Lester he's gone for good.Pay him his money and just recognize the front office screwed up trying to be cute in their initial offers.
Will Middlebrooks - too valuable a prospect to trade. He has 30-HR potential as a corner infielder. Those don't grow on trees. He's also under team control for another 4 more years! Middlebrooks isn't going anywhere (for now).
Andrew Miller - I will admit that it would make sense to trade Miller since he's a free agent after the season but my heart hopes Miller realizes that he was able to turn his career around in Boston and that leaving may be a mistake.
Koji Uehara - if they do trade Koji I will understand but I would love to see him as the closer for another 2 more years. Main reason not to trade him - who's the closer in 2015? Does the Red Sox front office really want to go through that circus again?
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
As a Red Sox fan I'm really not comfortable knowing that the guy responsible for hiring Bobby Valentine will also be the guy heavily involved in trying to re-sign Jon Lester... The Simpsons accurately predict the future... Pelosi's Sex Tape would be a good name for a band or fantasy football team... I'm kinda hoping Donald Sterling retains control of the Clippers just to see if Doc Rivers and Chris Paul would really sit out the season... Has it really been 10-years since Varitek smooshed his glove in A-Rod's face?... Frisky Bisuits would also be a good name for a band or fantasy football team... Obscure Snapple Fact - during the course of a year you will swallow two live frogs in your sleep...
As a Red Sox fan I'm really not comfortable knowing that the guy responsible for hiring Bobby Valentine will also be the guy heavily involved in trying to re-sign Jon Lester... The Simpsons accurately predict the future... Pelosi's Sex Tape would be a good name for a band or fantasy football team... I'm kinda hoping Donald Sterling retains control of the Clippers just to see if Doc Rivers and Chris Paul would really sit out the season... Has it really been 10-years since Varitek smooshed his glove in A-Rod's face?... Frisky Bisuits would also be a good name for a band or fantasy football team... Obscure Snapple Fact - during the course of a year you will swallow two live frogs in your sleep...
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Libya is an absolute mess
- Heh heh - "Profanity Pop" art
- How Harry Potter shaped a generation
- Joe Posnanski has a nice story of the first time he met Tom Glavine
- As far as I'm concerned Israel has nothing to apologize for
- Such an awesome photo
- Gotham looks like a good TV show (too bad I cancelled cable)
- Impressed by how well read Bill Hader is
- Libya is an absolute mess
- Heh heh - "Profanity Pop" art
- How Harry Potter shaped a generation
- Joe Posnanski has a nice story of the first time he met Tom Glavine
- As far as I'm concerned Israel has nothing to apologize for
- Such an awesome photo
- Gotham looks like a good TV show (too bad I cancelled cable)
- Impressed by how well read Bill Hader is
Friday, July 25, 2014
Top 5 - Rules for Daily Life
Here are 5 basic rules for daily life which if you follow will bring you happiness. Feel free to Google each rule for more edification. (Place Smiley emoticon here)
1. Say YES to life!
2. Do the work!
3. Don't be afraid ("I go before you always" Christians - "Fear is the mind killer" Sci Fi folks)
4. Don't be a dick!
5. Don't be a pussy! (Same link as above)
1. Say YES to life!
2. Do the work!
3. Don't be afraid ("I go before you always" Christians - "Fear is the mind killer" Sci Fi folks)
4. Don't be a dick!
5. Don't be a pussy! (Same link as above)
Thursday, July 24, 2014
The Rise of Data and the Death of Personal Freedom
Recently I read this article titled "The rise of data and the death of politics". However when I read it I felt it would have been better titled "The rise of data and the death of personal freedom."
If everything in the future will be tracked by data and if everything is subjected to feedback such as you see today on Amazon.com or Yelp - ratings for passengers, drivers, hosts, guests, students, teachers, patients, caregivers, customers, servers, etc., etc., - what will be the future ramifications of bad reviews? With bad reviews having the potential to actually wreak havoc with people's reputations and business livelihoods - is it far fetched to foresee anti-troll legislation being passed to punish gratuitous Internet troll behavior? Would it be equally far fetched to think such legislation being stretched by restaurants to silence bad reviews? By students to punish teachers who don't treat that student like the special little snowflake they think they are? In such a future what would be the incentive of giving feedback or reviews at all?
What about involuntary data feedback? Your car GPS alerts the police about a potential DUI if you've parked at a bar for too long. The biometric app in your smart phone alerts your insurance carrier if you don't exercise enough during the week. Your web searches are included in job interview background checks.
In Eastern European Communists countries people were conditioned from birth to keep their heads down and not make waves. How much different would it be in the new data feedback controlled state where Cyberdyne is watching your every move? It scares me. I'm already starting to keep my head down.
If everything in the future will be tracked by data and if everything is subjected to feedback such as you see today on Amazon.com or Yelp - ratings for passengers, drivers, hosts, guests, students, teachers, patients, caregivers, customers, servers, etc., etc., - what will be the future ramifications of bad reviews? With bad reviews having the potential to actually wreak havoc with people's reputations and business livelihoods - is it far fetched to foresee anti-troll legislation being passed to punish gratuitous Internet troll behavior? Would it be equally far fetched to think such legislation being stretched by restaurants to silence bad reviews? By students to punish teachers who don't treat that student like the special little snowflake they think they are? In such a future what would be the incentive of giving feedback or reviews at all?
What about involuntary data feedback? Your car GPS alerts the police about a potential DUI if you've parked at a bar for too long. The biometric app in your smart phone alerts your insurance carrier if you don't exercise enough during the week. Your web searches are included in job interview background checks.
In Eastern European Communists countries people were conditioned from birth to keep their heads down and not make waves. How much different would it be in the new data feedback controlled state where Cyberdyne is watching your every move? It scares me. I'm already starting to keep my head down.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Minnie Driver for Rom-Com Hall of Fame
I am not a Rom-Com (romantic comedy) type of guy (although I admit to being a complete sucker for You've Got Mail). However I have seen enough of the genre to be taken aback by Grantland's Rom-Com Hall of Fame: Champions and Challengers. About half way though the (long) article I kept wondering "when are they going to mention Minnie Driver?" But they never did.
I would argue that Minnie's three year run of Debi Newberry in Grosse Point Blank (1997), Skylar in Good Will Hunting (1997) and Jane in Disney's Tarzan (1999) was as good a run than anyone who made the list. Maybe she's not included because her career was like Sandy Koufax's but instead of retiring after the 1966 World Series she quit the major leagues and went on to pitch in the Pacific Coast League (nothing really memorable since Y2K).
Maybe it was the quirkiness of Minnie Driver and the quirkiness of her major roles that kept her from the list? But for people smart enough to see that Jerry Maguire was not a sports movie but a rom-com to not see that Good Will Hunting was also a rom-com at its heart is frustrating. An off the charts broken genius is healed by Robin Williams cracking therapy enough to chase the woman of his dreams is the basic plotline of Good Will Hunting. Sure Minnie Driver's character did not get jilted at the altar like many of the women on the list but in Grosse Point Blank she did get jilted at the senior prom! And Tarzan and Jane is one of the most historic romantic pairings in all of literature. People forget that Tarzan loses Jane in the original Edgar Rice Burrough's book. He gives her up to a lesser man because he thinks that's what will make her happy.
Quirky Minnie Driver should have made the Rom-Com Hall of Fame Challengers list! There I said it! How do you like them apples?
I would argue that Minnie's three year run of Debi Newberry in Grosse Point Blank (1997), Skylar in Good Will Hunting (1997) and Jane in Disney's Tarzan (1999) was as good a run than anyone who made the list. Maybe she's not included because her career was like Sandy Koufax's but instead of retiring after the 1966 World Series she quit the major leagues and went on to pitch in the Pacific Coast League (nothing really memorable since Y2K).
Maybe it was the quirkiness of Minnie Driver and the quirkiness of her major roles that kept her from the list? But for people smart enough to see that Jerry Maguire was not a sports movie but a rom-com to not see that Good Will Hunting was also a rom-com at its heart is frustrating. An off the charts broken genius is healed by Robin Williams cracking therapy enough to chase the woman of his dreams is the basic plotline of Good Will Hunting. Sure Minnie Driver's character did not get jilted at the altar like many of the women on the list but in Grosse Point Blank she did get jilted at the senior prom! And Tarzan and Jane is one of the most historic romantic pairings in all of literature. People forget that Tarzan loses Jane in the original Edgar Rice Burrough's book. He gives her up to a lesser man because he thinks that's what will make her happy.
Quirky Minnie Driver should have made the Rom-Com Hall of Fame Challengers list! There I said it! How do you like them apples?
Sunday, July 20, 2014
RIP James Garner
James Garner was one of my favorite actors. I loved Maverick and The Rockford Files. Alan Sepinwall has a good appreciation of Garner's genius.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Grantland did a short video on Porn Star Karaoke this week. I mentioned Porno Karaoke at Sardo's back in 2005. Grantland please try and keep up.
- Jerry Seinfeld wants people to know he doesn't support murder-for-hire even if you have a really good jumbo shrimp basket.
- I want one of these
- The original Michelin Man 1910
- Just how dumb are MSNBC's hosts? This dumb.
- Wonder if Denver rental car agencies can list this as one of the official job benefits? I imagine that housekeepers at Denver hotels are getting similar benefits.
- More scientific evidence that Bigfoot is as real as Babe the Big Blue Ox.
- Grantland did a short video on Porn Star Karaoke this week. I mentioned Porno Karaoke at Sardo's back in 2005. Grantland please try and keep up.
- Jerry Seinfeld wants people to know he doesn't support murder-for-hire even if you have a really good jumbo shrimp basket.
- I want one of these
- The original Michelin Man 1910
- Just how dumb are MSNBC's hosts? This dumb.
- Wonder if Denver rental car agencies can list this as one of the official job benefits? I imagine that housekeepers at Denver hotels are getting similar benefits.
- More scientific evidence that Bigfoot is as real as Babe the Big Blue Ox.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Tattoos
I don't have any tattoos but I don't have anything against them. It's just I've never seen anything or wanted anything particular permanently inked on my body. There is this one tattoo I've been thinking about though.
I have been thinking of buzzing my hair for the summer. It grows back pretty fast so no big deal. But I've also been thinking of getting the numbers "666" tattooed on my scalp. Once my hair grows back I would pretty much be the only one who knows it's there.
Here's where my twisted sense of humor kicks in. I would also alter my will to say that immediately after death I am to have my head shaved (so people can see the tattoo) and then be cremated as quickly as possible to avoid me rising from the dead and bringing about the end of the world. I know that I would be dead and wouldn't get to enjoy this particular prank but I would still think it's funny.
I have been thinking of buzzing my hair for the summer. It grows back pretty fast so no big deal. But I've also been thinking of getting the numbers "666" tattooed on my scalp. Once my hair grows back I would pretty much be the only one who knows it's there.
Here's where my twisted sense of humor kicks in. I would also alter my will to say that immediately after death I am to have my head shaved (so people can see the tattoo) and then be cremated as quickly as possible to avoid me rising from the dead and bringing about the end of the world. I know that I would be dead and wouldn't get to enjoy this particular prank but I would still think it's funny.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
I wonder how many girls Derek Jeter slept with who weren't even born when he made his MLB debut... As a reminder - Derek Jeter's dating diamond... Next season on Game of Thrones a great wizard and conjurer is introduced. Some call him Tim... Tom Glavine had a career batting average of .185 which is 35 points higher than what Stephen Drew is hitting this season for the Red Sox... Weird Al Yankovic Word Crimes. Reminds me of the line, "I'd rather cuddle then have sex." People with proper grammar get the pun... I would so very much prefer to hear Hodor call next year's HR Derby than Chris Berman... Maybe the greatest outfield ever for one game?...
I wonder how many girls Derek Jeter slept with who weren't even born when he made his MLB debut... As a reminder - Derek Jeter's dating diamond... Next season on Game of Thrones a great wizard and conjurer is introduced. Some call him Tim... Tom Glavine had a career batting average of .185 which is 35 points higher than what Stephen Drew is hitting this season for the Red Sox... Weird Al Yankovic Word Crimes. Reminds me of the line, "I'd rather cuddle then have sex." People with proper grammar get the pun... I would so very much prefer to hear Hodor call next year's HR Derby than Chris Berman... Maybe the greatest outfield ever for one game?...
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Libya is a mess. Another example of "smart diplomacy"
- Very cool finger paintings
- A scuba diver and a moray eel have an incredible relationship dating back to 1974
- Lost episode of Seinfeld - Elaine buys a gun (if it was Elaine gets an abortion would it have been OK?)
- This actually looks like a pretty cool event
- Libya is a mess. Another example of "smart diplomacy"
- Very cool finger paintings
- A scuba diver and a moray eel have an incredible relationship dating back to 1974
- Lost episode of Seinfeld - Elaine buys a gun (if it was Elaine gets an abortion would it have been OK?)
- This actually looks like a pretty cool event
Friday, July 11, 2014
State of the Red Sox
As of this morning the Red Sox are 9.5 games back in the AL East and 8 games out of the Wild Card. That's worse than 2 weeks ago when I did my last State of the Red Sox. In that post I made 5 suggested moves for Boston to make. So far they have made 2 (bringing up Mookie Betts and getting rid of AJ Pierzynski). I can easily see them making the other 3 moves listed (trading Jake Peavy and Jonny Gomes and signing Jon Lester) and that certainly would be a move in the right direction.
Having said the above - here's 4 more moves I would like to see the Red Sox make.
1. Trade Edward Mujica who just hasn't fit in with Boston. He reminds me of Mark Melancon who just couldn't handle Boston but thrived in the NL. Trade Mujiica to some NL team in need of bullpen help and save yourself the $4.75 million he's owed for 2015. Maybe lump Mujica and Peavy together in a package?
2. Trade Shane Victorino. I cannot stress enough how much I want Boston to make this move. Victorino now just bats from the right side and righty bats are in demand. The Red Sox would have to wait till he gets off the DL but I would much rather see the plate appearances go to Mookie Betts or Brock Holt. Victorino is signed through next year at $13 million so that money would come off the books and give Boston more flexibility.
3. Trade Stephen Drew. Probably would have to eat half his remaining salary for the year but most fans would much rather see Brock Holt or Xander Bogaerts at short or even Jonathan Herrera who is Drew's equal with the glove but at this point worth more than 170 points in OPS at the plate.
4. Trade for Troy Tulowitzki. I know this is a long shot but if Tulo is "quietly" letting people know he'd be OK with being traded - that means he wants to be traded. Tulo has a good size contract but that money is peanuts to Boston. Use Xander Bogaerts as the centerpiece of a deal and include a couple of pitching prospects as well. So let it be written - so let it be done!
Having said the above - here's 4 more moves I would like to see the Red Sox make.
1. Trade Edward Mujica who just hasn't fit in with Boston. He reminds me of Mark Melancon who just couldn't handle Boston but thrived in the NL. Trade Mujiica to some NL team in need of bullpen help and save yourself the $4.75 million he's owed for 2015. Maybe lump Mujica and Peavy together in a package?
2. Trade Shane Victorino. I cannot stress enough how much I want Boston to make this move. Victorino now just bats from the right side and righty bats are in demand. The Red Sox would have to wait till he gets off the DL but I would much rather see the plate appearances go to Mookie Betts or Brock Holt. Victorino is signed through next year at $13 million so that money would come off the books and give Boston more flexibility.
3. Trade Stephen Drew. Probably would have to eat half his remaining salary for the year but most fans would much rather see Brock Holt or Xander Bogaerts at short or even Jonathan Herrera who is Drew's equal with the glove but at this point worth more than 170 points in OPS at the plate.
4. Trade for Troy Tulowitzki. I know this is a long shot but if Tulo is "quietly" letting people know he'd be OK with being traded - that means he wants to be traded. Tulo has a good size contract but that money is peanuts to Boston. Use Xander Bogaerts as the centerpiece of a deal and include a couple of pitching prospects as well. So let it be written - so let it be done!
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
It took the Catholic Church 25 years to admit they were wrong to have Joan of Arc burned at the stake. Is that the over/under for years it will take Democratic Party to officially admit President Obama was a disaster?... Heh heh - by the way how does the commenter know that Speilberg didn't kill him with his bare hands?... If the Earth was the size of an NBA regulation basketball then the moon would be the size of a tennis ball... Who knew? There's a Mike's Lemonade Lite and it's not bad (not as good as Orange Zima though)... Some things are inexplicable - like people who insist David Lynch's Eraserhead was a great movie... Another reason why nuclear power is superior to wind and solar... Speaking of the Catholic Church - there are two living Popes and the teams from their homelands are meeting in the World Cup final. Never doubt the reach and power of the Jesuits!... This photo always makes me laugh. Probably because I've had days like that...
It took the Catholic Church 25 years to admit they were wrong to have Joan of Arc burned at the stake. Is that the over/under for years it will take Democratic Party to officially admit President Obama was a disaster?... Heh heh - by the way how does the commenter know that Speilberg didn't kill him with his bare hands?... If the Earth was the size of an NBA regulation basketball then the moon would be the size of a tennis ball... Who knew? There's a Mike's Lemonade Lite and it's not bad (not as good as Orange Zima though)... Some things are inexplicable - like people who insist David Lynch's Eraserhead was a great movie... Another reason why nuclear power is superior to wind and solar... Speaking of the Catholic Church - there are two living Popes and the teams from their homelands are meeting in the World Cup final. Never doubt the reach and power of the Jesuits!... This photo always makes me laugh. Probably because I've had days like that...
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- I seriously want to do this - a night at the museum
- Do you ever get drunk?
- Politics - not science driving global warming alarmism
- Heh heh - remember when Democrats thought it was important to return Hispanic children to their parents?
- So legalized pot in Colorado - how's that working out?
- I seriously want to do this - a night at the museum
- Do you ever get drunk?
- Politics - not science driving global warming alarmism
- Heh heh - remember when Democrats thought it was important to return Hispanic children to their parents?
- So legalized pot in Colorado - how's that working out?
WSOP - Who I am Rooting For
The WSOP (World Series of Poker) started over the weekend. After reading this article by Brad Willis - I know who I am rooting for. Brad had a quick update yesterday saying that Vanessa Pacella made it through Day 1 with 67,300 in chips.
Any women out there - please get a mammogram before age 40.
Any women out there - please get a mammogram before age 40.
Monday, July 07, 2014
Why Choose?
The older I get the less I'm willing to entertain questions involving false dichotomies. Which do you prefer - the mountains or the beach? Why not both? Any day you get to spend at a nice beach or hiking in the mountains is a good day. Why choose? Beatles or Rolling Stones? Both are awesome bands with ground breaking music. Springsteen's E Street Band or Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band? Again why choose? Both bands have tons of great songs but neither has enough so that it could be fulfilling to listen exclusively to their music. Chocolate or vanilla? Good ice cream is good ice cream. Besides if we are talking soft serve then why not get a twist and enjoy both?
Ginger or Mary Ann? OK here maybe a choice is necessary. Juggling dating two women never ends well and if we are talking both at the same time - I don't need that sort of pressure. I have a hard enough time completely satisfying one woman. Besides Tina Louise (Ginger) is now 80-years old and Dawn Welles (Mary Ann) is now 76. If you are going to make me choose can't I pick between women who are much younger at this point?
Ginger or Mary Ann? OK here maybe a choice is necessary. Juggling dating two women never ends well and if we are talking both at the same time - I don't need that sort of pressure. I have a hard enough time completely satisfying one woman. Besides Tina Louise (Ginger) is now 80-years old and Dawn Welles (Mary Ann) is now 76. If you are going to make me choose can't I pick between women who are much younger at this point?
Saturday, July 05, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Is having a poker room good business for a casino?
- Penn & Teller on freedom and burning the flag
- Heh heh - Ukrainian astronomers name star "Putin is a dickhead" As an aside Putin-Hulio! would be a good name for a fantasy football team.
- Excellent insiders piece on Iraq. Why we stuck with Maliki and lost Iraq.
- Trust us - we're from the UN! Climate change keeps moving further and further from actual science.
- Why were codpieces so large? Surprise answer - herpes!
- Books make me horny!
- Is having a poker room good business for a casino?
- Penn & Teller on freedom and burning the flag
- Heh heh - Ukrainian astronomers name star "Putin is a dickhead" As an aside Putin-Hulio! would be a good name for a fantasy football team.
- Excellent insiders piece on Iraq. Why we stuck with Maliki and lost Iraq.
- Trust us - we're from the UN! Climate change keeps moving further and further from actual science.
- Why were codpieces so large? Surprise answer - herpes!
- Books make me horny!
Friday, July 04, 2014
4th of July Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing about the 4th of July.
- Heh heh - Jaws was the original 4th of July summer blockbuster. If you're a fan of the movie this is great stuff.
- Stuff you might not know about the Declaration of Independence
- Speaking of the Declaration of Independence - when's the last time you actually read the document? Have you ever read the whole thing?
- EB White on the meaning of "Democracy"
- America Fuck Yeah!
- America Fuck Yeah II!
- America Fuck Yeah III!
- I have to admit that every time I see this painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - I look for the black guy on the $2 bill
- Heh heh - Jaws was the original 4th of July summer blockbuster. If you're a fan of the movie this is great stuff.
- Stuff you might not know about the Declaration of Independence
- Speaking of the Declaration of Independence - when's the last time you actually read the document? Have you ever read the whole thing?
- EB White on the meaning of "Democracy"
- America Fuck Yeah!
- America Fuck Yeah II!
- America Fuck Yeah III!
- I have to admit that every time I see this painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - I look for the black guy on the $2 bill
Top 5 - Memorable Things that Happened on the 4th of July
Happy 4th of July. Here are the top 5 things that happened in US history on the 4th of July. Don't forget that July is American Beer Month.
1. 1776 Colonies declare independence
2. 1826 Presidents, patriots, rivals and friends John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both die on the same day
3. 1863 The surrender of Vicksurg to General Grant (the town of Vicksburg would not celebrate the Fourth of July for 81 years)
4. 1831 James Madison, last of the founding fathers, dies
5. (tie) 1804 Lewis and Clark celebrate first 4th of July west of the Mississippi (tie) 1939 Lou Gehrig gives his "luckiest man alive" speech at Yankee Stadium
1. 1776 Colonies declare independence
2. 1826 Presidents, patriots, rivals and friends John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both die on the same day
3. 1863 The surrender of Vicksurg to General Grant (the town of Vicksburg would not celebrate the Fourth of July for 81 years)
4. 1831 James Madison, last of the founding fathers, dies
5. (tie) 1804 Lewis and Clark celebrate first 4th of July west of the Mississippi (tie) 1939 Lou Gehrig gives his "luckiest man alive" speech at Yankee Stadium
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Because Belgium
Belgium can go back to being Belgium today and I can go back (like most Americans) to not caring about Belgium or soccer.
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
So work pretty much ends for the week about 3: EST today. The USA plays Belgium at 4:00 and people will need an hour or so to get where they will watch the match then the 4th holiday is upon us. Yup - pretty much done for the week after 3:00... Mick Jagger calls the kettle black... I like the idea of making free throws worth 2 points but then subtracting 1 point for every missed free throw... Heh heh - how to shotgun a beer... Product idea - hangover cereal fortified with Advil and caffeine... The silent one in Penn and Teller legally changed his name from Raymond Joseph Teller to just Teller...
So work pretty much ends for the week about 3: EST today. The USA plays Belgium at 4:00 and people will need an hour or so to get where they will watch the match then the 4th holiday is upon us. Yup - pretty much done for the week after 3:00... Mick Jagger calls the kettle black... I like the idea of making free throws worth 2 points but then subtracting 1 point for every missed free throw... Heh heh - how to shotgun a beer... Product idea - hangover cereal fortified with Advil and caffeine... The silent one in Penn and Teller legally changed his name from Raymond Joseph Teller to just Teller...
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