That is what is keeping the Cavs from unforeseen elimination before the NBA finals. Lebron beat the Magic basically by himself last night. The entire 4th quarter he held the ball at the top of the key and drove to the hoop, sometimes passing to a wide open player (because Lebron is the only player that Orlando really needs to guard) and usually getting fouled in the process. He took 19 free throws (making 15) and had his first triple double of the post season.
He can't do this for two more games, can he? He has to be tired, doesn't he? Someone else has to step up, don't they?
This is one of those yes/no questions. He has to be getting worn down and someone else has to step up, but who is to say that he can't take the Cavs on his back for two more games? There are a lot of things that Lebron can do that we haven't even seen before. I think we forget that this guy is only 24 years old. That's it. We are spoiled because we have seen Lebron dominate for six years now and we perhaps have crowned him too early. Perhaps.
All I know is that this series WILL go seven games. If not, I don't know. I'm sure I will watch the finals but it won't be the same. Whether it be Kobe v Lebron or Melo v Lebron, Lebron must be involved in the finals in some way. Maybe as a commentator?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Marathon: in pictureS
Boo
Tossing a shirt to one of my fans
Drinkin' some water after mile 13. I think AJ was listening to the Spice Girls.
AJ and I at mile 15, wishing it was mile 23
Last turn before the end
Crossing the finish line
AJ and I after it was all overWednesday, May 27, 2009
TT: What a twist...
This version of Tuesday Trash is anything but trash... This will be more of a Tuesday Triumph. Little different, I know but there is a good reason for the switch.
I ran a marathon.
It all started last November when a friend told me about this new class that the U is offering and you run a marathon to complete it. The class was aptly named "1262 Marathon Training". I jumped at the chance to take a three credit phy ed class and I would get to do something that I feel everyone at least wishes they could do once.
The class started and it was set up where we had a running schedule given to us. The scheduled called for running on our own two days (Tuesday's and Friday's) and run as a class for two days (Wednesday's and Sunday's). For Sunday we would have our long runs which would range from 40 minutes at the start of the class to 20 miles (which we ran twice) and everything in between.
I ran well for most of the runs and felt confident in my abilities to run a marathon but that all changed a week before I was set to run. On my last run my knee started to hurt, and hurt bad. That night I was woken up multiple times because of the pain and for the week leading up to the marathon my diet consisted of plenty of Ibuprofen mixed with a steady dose of ice. Not fun.
Marathon morning approached and I would be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I've never ran a marathon before so I didn't know what to fully expect. I've ran 20 miles but its the extra 6.2 that will get ya. AJ then picked me up and we were off to Byron for the start of the race.
There were a lot of runners in a small elementary school and there was a cool buzz in the gym. Everyone had the nervous energy that I had and wanted the race to start asap. The national anthem was sung at the starting line (the singer needed a cheat sheet. Seriously? Who doesn't know the national anthem?). After the anthem we were off. After watching a girl pull down her pants showing her ass crack for a good 2 minutes I was ready to take on the marathon.
AJ and I kept a good pace throughout the race and were running strong...until I got to about mile 18. We hit the 18 mile mark at 2 hours and 40 minutes, five minutes faster then we have ran it before and I knew I was going to be in trouble. As AJ grew stronger, I felt weaker. After the 21st mile I had a little set back and told AJ to go on with out me. The last five miles were a test for me and although I had to walk more then I wanted to, I still finished the race at a respectable time of 4 hours and 5 minutes and came in 100th place out of over 220 men. Not bad for the first time.
Now to the Thank You's:
AJ- Thank you AJ for taking the class with me and getting up at 6:30 every Sunday and running with me. I don't know if I could have ran a marathon or gone through the training without someone else there with me. So thaaaaaaaanks.
Family - Thanks for supporting me with this marathon. Thank you for coming out and cheering me on while I ran, it helped so much seeing someone there rooting for you to keep going.
Chase and Chester - Thank you both for coming out on Sunday and rooting us on. Thank you Chase for making the drive down with me and for all of the support. You guys are awesome.
PE 1262 - Good job all. It was a long journey and we did it. Take it in and now we can drink again on Saturday's. Yay. Also thank you Chris for teaching and being there on the course with us. That was a big help.
I ran a marathon.
It all started last November when a friend told me about this new class that the U is offering and you run a marathon to complete it. The class was aptly named "1262 Marathon Training". I jumped at the chance to take a three credit phy ed class and I would get to do something that I feel everyone at least wishes they could do once.
The class started and it was set up where we had a running schedule given to us. The scheduled called for running on our own two days (Tuesday's and Friday's) and run as a class for two days (Wednesday's and Sunday's). For Sunday we would have our long runs which would range from 40 minutes at the start of the class to 20 miles (which we ran twice) and everything in between.
I ran well for most of the runs and felt confident in my abilities to run a marathon but that all changed a week before I was set to run. On my last run my knee started to hurt, and hurt bad. That night I was woken up multiple times because of the pain and for the week leading up to the marathon my diet consisted of plenty of Ibuprofen mixed with a steady dose of ice. Not fun.
Marathon morning approached and I would be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I've never ran a marathon before so I didn't know what to fully expect. I've ran 20 miles but its the extra 6.2 that will get ya. AJ then picked me up and we were off to Byron for the start of the race.
There were a lot of runners in a small elementary school and there was a cool buzz in the gym. Everyone had the nervous energy that I had and wanted the race to start asap. The national anthem was sung at the starting line (the singer needed a cheat sheet. Seriously? Who doesn't know the national anthem?). After the anthem we were off. After watching a girl pull down her pants showing her ass crack for a good 2 minutes I was ready to take on the marathon.
AJ and I kept a good pace throughout the race and were running strong...until I got to about mile 18. We hit the 18 mile mark at 2 hours and 40 minutes, five minutes faster then we have ran it before and I knew I was going to be in trouble. As AJ grew stronger, I felt weaker. After the 21st mile I had a little set back and told AJ to go on with out me. The last five miles were a test for me and although I had to walk more then I wanted to, I still finished the race at a respectable time of 4 hours and 5 minutes and came in 100th place out of over 220 men. Not bad for the first time.
Now to the Thank You's:
AJ- Thank you AJ for taking the class with me and getting up at 6:30 every Sunday and running with me. I don't know if I could have ran a marathon or gone through the training without someone else there with me. So thaaaaaaaanks.
Family - Thanks for supporting me with this marathon. Thank you for coming out and cheering me on while I ran, it helped so much seeing someone there rooting for you to keep going.
Chase and Chester - Thank you both for coming out on Sunday and rooting us on. Thank you Chase for making the drive down with me and for all of the support. You guys are awesome.
PE 1262 - Good job all. It was a long journey and we did it. Take it in and now we can drink again on Saturday's. Yay. Also thank you Chris for teaching and being there on the course with us. That was a big help.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday Montage: Tuesday edition
It's been a long weekend (more on that later) and since yesterday was a holiday I spent it at a lake, not on a computer. With that here is the Monday Montage for this week.
Is there anything better than a nice May day in Minnesota? Sunday was amazing.
What is up with the Lebron's? Didn't see a 2-1 hole coming.
The Lakers win in Denver was big. We will see if it has an effect on tonight's game (note: I wrote this yesterday and the Nuggs won by 19. Guess there was no effect.)
I went to two Twins games this weekend and saw a cycle and a grand slam. Not bad.
Did I mention that I also saw a sweep of the Brew Crew? Well I did.
Is it a coincidence that the Twins are undefeated and averaging over 7 runs a game with Joey in the 2 hole? (note: Mauer was not in the lineup for yesterday's game but he did hit a pinch hit bomb. 11 already. Wow Joey.)
I'm never going to watch college lacrosse again after I went 0-2 in the steak this weekend and would have gone 0-3 if I would have picked the championship game. No thank you.
I have decided that the Mohawk is a very underrated hair style.
There is nothing better then a home cooked meal.
More about this weekend soon. Probably later tonight when I have the time to sit down. Now, GTA time...
Is there anything better than a nice May day in Minnesota? Sunday was amazing.
What is up with the Lebron's? Didn't see a 2-1 hole coming.
The Lakers win in Denver was big. We will see if it has an effect on tonight's game (note: I wrote this yesterday and the Nuggs won by 19. Guess there was no effect.)
I went to two Twins games this weekend and saw a cycle and a grand slam. Not bad.
Did I mention that I also saw a sweep of the Brew Crew? Well I did.
Is it a coincidence that the Twins are undefeated and averaging over 7 runs a game with Joey in the 2 hole? (note: Mauer was not in the lineup for yesterday's game but he did hit a pinch hit bomb. 11 already. Wow Joey.)
I'm never going to watch college lacrosse again after I went 0-2 in the steak this weekend and would have gone 0-3 if I would have picked the championship game. No thank you.
I have decided that the Mohawk is a very underrated hair style.
There is nothing better then a home cooked meal.
More about this weekend soon. Probably later tonight when I have the time to sit down. Now, GTA time...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Can I get a witness?
I don't even know where to begin. Where should I start? Should I talk about Michael Cuddyer's cycle, the first one I have seen start to finish? Or do I talk about what could be one of the greater finishes in NBA playoff history? Do I talk about how the Twins put a beat down on the Brewers? Or should I gush about a man named Lebron? The choices.
First lets go with Lebron since that is most fresh in my mind because it happened ten minutes ago...Wow. Just wow. There is nothing to describe a game like that. The Magic battle back from a 23 point deficit (how many times can they do this by the way?), take the lead in the final second of the game (what a shot by Hedu. Everyone knew that he was going to take the shot but yet he stepped up and made a tough shot) and Lebron happened.
The Cavs were down two and inbounding the ball at half court but before this happened TNT's cameras showed Mo Williams and Lebron talking and I could see that Mo told Lebron, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then I lob it to you." Knowing this bit of information, I decided to do it myself. Mo got the ball from the ref and I counted...one...two...three...four..Lebron breaks for the hoop only to be denied by Hedu...five...Lebron steps outside the three point line...Mo passes the ball out to Lebron and he catches and shoots...
Money.
Ballgame.
Wow.
I jumped out of my chair and probably woke up the neighbors, but whatever, I don't really care. I had a good time.
There are no words to accurately describe all that is Lebron. And he keeps surprising. It's baffling really. I plead you, all of you, watch Lebron James. Even if you don't really like basketball, I promise you that you will like Lebron. He is the most likable athlete probably ever and probably the best basketball player, ever. Sorry Mike.
Speaking of Mike, how great is Michael Cuddyer? The most streaky hitter on the Twins is currently streaking and loving every moment of it. Today was no different and he took me on a journey that no Twin ever has. I only saw Gomez's infield hit the night he completed baseball's cycle and I was working during Kube's. Cuddy hit for the cycle today starting with a blast to left field for a three run home run in the first inning and he didn't stop there. His next at bat he laced a ground rule double to left center.
A single and a few innings later Cuddy was up to bat needing only a triple for the cycle and Sam and I did our best to jinx him looking back on it. The entire time he was up we were talking about how we both have never seen a cycle before in person. I said to Sam that I was hoping that Cuddy would hit it to right field because that was the only place where he could run out a triple. Was I wrong. On the next pitch Cuddy broke his bat and hit it over 3rd base, only he didn't stop running. As I was waiting for Ryan Braun to throw it in I saw Cuddy round 2nd and head to third. "Go! Go!" I yelled as the throw came in.
Safe.
Cycle.
Boo-yah.
Sam and I left the Twins game after that. First time I have left a Twins game before the 7th inning stretch. Some of you will think I am crazy for doing this but what else could I see? Nothing could top a cycle hit by your team against a team that some of your close friends like. Yeah, I'm talking about you...
What a day.
First lets go with Lebron since that is most fresh in my mind because it happened ten minutes ago...Wow. Just wow. There is nothing to describe a game like that. The Magic battle back from a 23 point deficit (how many times can they do this by the way?), take the lead in the final second of the game (what a shot by Hedu. Everyone knew that he was going to take the shot but yet he stepped up and made a tough shot) and Lebron happened.
The Cavs were down two and inbounding the ball at half court but before this happened TNT's cameras showed Mo Williams and Lebron talking and I could see that Mo told Lebron, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then I lob it to you." Knowing this bit of information, I decided to do it myself. Mo got the ball from the ref and I counted...one...two...three...four..Lebron breaks for the hoop only to be denied by Hedu...five...Lebron steps outside the three point line...Mo passes the ball out to Lebron and he catches and shoots...
Money.
Ballgame.
Wow.
I jumped out of my chair and probably woke up the neighbors, but whatever, I don't really care. I had a good time.
There are no words to accurately describe all that is Lebron. And he keeps surprising. It's baffling really. I plead you, all of you, watch Lebron James. Even if you don't really like basketball, I promise you that you will like Lebron. He is the most likable athlete probably ever and probably the best basketball player, ever. Sorry Mike.
Speaking of Mike, how great is Michael Cuddyer? The most streaky hitter on the Twins is currently streaking and loving every moment of it. Today was no different and he took me on a journey that no Twin ever has. I only saw Gomez's infield hit the night he completed baseball's cycle and I was working during Kube's. Cuddy hit for the cycle today starting with a blast to left field for a three run home run in the first inning and he didn't stop there. His next at bat he laced a ground rule double to left center.
A single and a few innings later Cuddy was up to bat needing only a triple for the cycle and Sam and I did our best to jinx him looking back on it. The entire time he was up we were talking about how we both have never seen a cycle before in person. I said to Sam that I was hoping that Cuddy would hit it to right field because that was the only place where he could run out a triple. Was I wrong. On the next pitch Cuddy broke his bat and hit it over 3rd base, only he didn't stop running. As I was waiting for Ryan Braun to throw it in I saw Cuddy round 2nd and head to third. "Go! Go!" I yelled as the throw came in.
Safe.
Cycle.
Boo-yah.
Sam and I left the Twins game after that. First time I have left a Twins game before the 7th inning stretch. Some of you will think I am crazy for doing this but what else could I see? Nothing could top a cycle hit by your team against a team that some of your close friends like. Yeah, I'm talking about you...
What a day.
Thanx but no thanx
Today was a great day. The Twins snapped their six game losing streak and it was against the White Sox. Double Whammy.
This, however, was no ordinary win for the Twinks. This was a 20-1 beat down that featured a grand slam by Joey Baseball, a Matt Tolbert home run (congrats, first career bomb) and a starting pitcher dominating a White Sox offense that has hit four home runs in the previous two games vs the Twins. Can it get much better? Maybe...
The Twins also tied the White Sox record for most lopsided loss with the 19 run margin. Take that Ozzy. Did I mention that the White Sox traded for Jake Peavy today? Oh wait it didn't happen because Peavy wouldn't be caught dead playing for a shitty team like the White Sox. He probably took one look at the box score and was like, "ummm nah I think I'll pass..." Haha, losers.
So what does this mean? Did the Twins have a meeting called by the skipper himself (as Cheeto thinks) or was this a game where everything went right as opposed to everything imaginable going wrong during this current road trip? (I don't even have to mention everything. It would take too long)
I hope it is a combination of both. Gardy usually knows when to push his players and maybe this was his time to step up and challenge some guys. Joey was hitting in the two hole today and perhaps that is what it will take. Idealy we (yes, I said we) would like Joey to hit third because of his sweet stroke but he is a natural two hitter, he is just too big to fit the conventional build of a two hitter. Moving Joey to the two hole does weaken the lineup but you have to do what you have to do.
I really hope that this is the spark that this team needs. They scored 20 vs the Sox two years ago in the middle of the summer but that was also the year that they missed the playoffs. They need to get back to winning series like they were doing before they went on the road. Being at home will be good for them and the Brew Crew are in town so let's show them how baseball is really played...Go Twins
This, however, was no ordinary win for the Twinks. This was a 20-1 beat down that featured a grand slam by Joey Baseball, a Matt Tolbert home run (congrats, first career bomb) and a starting pitcher dominating a White Sox offense that has hit four home runs in the previous two games vs the Twins. Can it get much better? Maybe...
The Twins also tied the White Sox record for most lopsided loss with the 19 run margin. Take that Ozzy. Did I mention that the White Sox traded for Jake Peavy today? Oh wait it didn't happen because Peavy wouldn't be caught dead playing for a shitty team like the White Sox. He probably took one look at the box score and was like, "ummm nah I think I'll pass..." Haha, losers.
So what does this mean? Did the Twins have a meeting called by the skipper himself (as Cheeto thinks) or was this a game where everything went right as opposed to everything imaginable going wrong during this current road trip? (I don't even have to mention everything. It would take too long)
I hope it is a combination of both. Gardy usually knows when to push his players and maybe this was his time to step up and challenge some guys. Joey was hitting in the two hole today and perhaps that is what it will take. Idealy we (yes, I said we) would like Joey to hit third because of his sweet stroke but he is a natural two hitter, he is just too big to fit the conventional build of a two hitter. Moving Joey to the two hole does weaken the lineup but you have to do what you have to do.
I really hope that this is the spark that this team needs. They scored 20 vs the Sox two years ago in the middle of the summer but that was also the year that they missed the playoffs. They need to get back to winning series like they were doing before they went on the road. Being at home will be good for them and the Brew Crew are in town so let's show them how baseball is really played...Go Twins
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Nike is genius
I am currently obsessed with Nike's current ad campaign involving Lebron and Kobe as puppets. I have posted the first one three times on my blog and they have recently came out with two more...
These commercials I first saw yesterday and Lebron inexcusably lost on his home court on the same day. Coincidence? Did Kobe get in his head?
Speaking of the game yesterday...how can Lebron let a 16 point lead slip away at home? He better come out with a vengeance tomorrow and his teammates have to play much, much better. When you set a team record for points in a playoff game and your team loses you have problems. Cleveland, do we have a problem?
These commercials I first saw yesterday and Lebron inexcusably lost on his home court on the same day. Coincidence? Did Kobe get in his head?
Speaking of the game yesterday...how can Lebron let a 16 point lead slip away at home? He better come out with a vengeance tomorrow and his teammates have to play much, much better. When you set a team record for points in a playoff game and your team loses you have problems. Cleveland, do we have a problem?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
He's has escaped!
Mike Vick was released from prison today and the folks from PETA probably think that this is some sort of tragedy and that he should be locked up forever. Vick was in prison for just over a year and a half for being the ring leader in a dog fighting operation and now he is free* (by free I mean under house arrest for two months and he will always face scrutiny wherever he goes from crazies...)
A lot of people do not believe that Mike Vick will be a quarterback in the NFL and I say why not? Sure he didn't complete 50% of his passes or read the defenses like Tom Brady. But he's not Tom Brady, he is Mike Vick. Vick is the best running quarterback that the NFL had ever seen. And don't even get me started on the thought that Vick would be the perfect QB for the Wildcat offense... (well since you brought it up. First, Vick is not, I repeat, NOT a running back. He cannot take the same hits that say Ronnie Brown can. For a Wildcat offense to work the defense has to worry about both players running with the ball. The QB in the Wildcat would usually bust it up the gut. Something Vick does not do. Secondly, No. Just no.)
Vick will eventually be on a NFL roster, but which one? Glad you asked...
Jacksonville - They would be the front runners in landing/needing Michael Vick. An up and coming franchise only seasons ago, last year they fell on their face and could use a pick me up. David Gerrard took a step back last year and Mike Vick could challenge for his job right away.
Carolina - There are rumblings that Jake "Daylight come but you got to" Delhomme may not be the right guy, right now. The five interception game last post season vs the Cardinals doesn't help his case either. Vick could work here as well
Miami - This would be a good fit because I'm sure the Dolphins will think what I told you not to think. They are the inventors of the Wildcat and perhaps Vick could beat out Chad Pennington anyway for the QB job out right.
Buffalo - My wild card. Buffalo doesn't have the bright lights and temptations that a Miami has. It does have an Applebee's though. And if this is any indication...then the Bills will do great things with TO and Vick together.
Where ever Vick ends up I do wish him the best. I was a fan from his beginning and he will continue to be a favorite. Its not like he killed a person...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Conference Championship Preview: Usain Bolt Style
So I've talked so much about each team at length that I'm tired of repeating myself (if you want to see what I think about each team still in the playoffs check the archives). I've watched mostly every game of the playoffs and I like to think I know what I'm talking about, so heeere we go...
Cavs vs Magic
This series will be better then a lot of people think because Orlando is a good team (Orlando won the season series with the Cavs 2-1) and they have a beast in the low block. If Dwight can get it going offensively the Magic will be successful...at winning a game. The Magic will walk away being the only team to beat the Cavs thus far in a post season game but they do not have the depth/hunger/attitude/talent that Cleveland has. Cavs in 5.
Lakers vs Nuggets
In my NBA Playoffs preview column I predicted that the Mavs would upset the Nuggets to play the Lakers in the conference finals. If it wasn't for a no call that should have been a call who knows how that series would have turned out. Instead of being down 3-0 the Mavs would have been down 2-1 going into game 4 (a game they won) and presto! you have a series. Oh well, I can't be a genius all of the time. The Nuggets are a very tough and dare I say Thugish? (I want to take this time to apologize to Kenyon Martin and his mother. What I said was wrong and I am sorry. Please don't come after me) The Lakers were just pushed to a game 7 by a physical but undermanned team in Houston and the Nuggets has been twice the team that Houston has been this post season. This will be the series to watch and I'm sure it will go 7 games. Lakers have the home court so they have the advantage. Lake show in 7.
Yeah baby! Playoff time! Get Excited!
Cavs vs Magic
This series will be better then a lot of people think because Orlando is a good team (Orlando won the season series with the Cavs 2-1) and they have a beast in the low block. If Dwight can get it going offensively the Magic will be successful...at winning a game. The Magic will walk away being the only team to beat the Cavs thus far in a post season game but they do not have the depth/hunger/attitude/talent that Cleveland has. Cavs in 5.
Lakers vs Nuggets
In my NBA Playoffs preview column I predicted that the Mavs would upset the Nuggets to play the Lakers in the conference finals. If it wasn't for a no call that should have been a call who knows how that series would have turned out. Instead of being down 3-0 the Mavs would have been down 2-1 going into game 4 (a game they won) and presto! you have a series. Oh well, I can't be a genius all of the time. The Nuggets are a very tough and dare I say Thugish? (I want to take this time to apologize to Kenyon Martin and his mother. What I said was wrong and I am sorry. Please don't come after me) The Lakers were just pushed to a game 7 by a physical but undermanned team in Houston and the Nuggets has been twice the team that Houston has been this post season. This will be the series to watch and I'm sure it will go 7 games. Lakers have the home court so they have the advantage. Lake show in 7.
Yeah baby! Playoff time! Get Excited!
TT: Yankee Stadium
Boy am I glad that the Twins do not play in the AL East. The Twins just got swept in a four game series in Yankee Stadium dropping their record at the house that Ruth built (now the house that Jeter built) to 3-23 since Gardy took over in 2002. 3 wins. 23 losses. Seriously? (ed note: Out of the three wins that the Twins have had since 2002, Johan has two of them. Where is Johan when you need him...)
I have no explanation for this phenomenon. Is it the lore of Yankee Stadium? Is it that the Twins always have young pitching which leads to them being scared of facing the likes of A-Rod and Jeeta? Is it because the Twins players hate big cities? Whatever it is it needs to be fixed.
The funny thing about this is that Gardy is 2-2 in New York in the playoffs. Both series (2003 and 2004) the Twins split in New York only to lose two straight in the homer dome. Talk about home field advantage. The Twins haven't won a playoff game in the dome since 2002...ouch.
Back to Yankee Stadium...burn it down and lets build another one. This time they should build one with a big baggie in right field. Maybe this will trick the Twins into thinking that they are in Minnesota and they will actually be able to play baseball. At least Monday's loss wasn't in walk off fashion. It was still another one run loss. But it was better then this. And this. Oh and also this. It takes strength to be a Twins fan. Stay strong my friends. Stay strong...
I have no explanation for this phenomenon. Is it the lore of Yankee Stadium? Is it that the Twins always have young pitching which leads to them being scared of facing the likes of A-Rod and Jeeta? Is it because the Twins players hate big cities? Whatever it is it needs to be fixed.
The funny thing about this is that Gardy is 2-2 in New York in the playoffs. Both series (2003 and 2004) the Twins split in New York only to lose two straight in the homer dome. Talk about home field advantage. The Twins haven't won a playoff game in the dome since 2002...ouch.
Back to Yankee Stadium...burn it down and lets build another one. This time they should build one with a big baggie in right field. Maybe this will trick the Twins into thinking that they are in Minnesota and they will actually be able to play baseball. At least Monday's loss wasn't in walk off fashion. It was still another one run loss. But it was better then this. And this. Oh and also this. It takes strength to be a Twins fan. Stay strong my friends. Stay strong...
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday Montage: The Boast Edition
What is with the Twins and having no chance winning in New York? 3-21? Seriously?
And it's not like the Twins are getting beat down. Three straight walk-off wins for the Bombers. That's just terrible.
Leave it to hockey to produce the only watchable game 7 thus far in the post season. Both wins yesterday (LA/Orlando) won by 19. Very riveting stuff...
Speaking of game 7's, who was the one that predicted the right picks. I'll give you a hint...
Why did Carolina have to beat the Bruins in the conference semi's? I was looking forward to watching Kessel and Wheeler not play for the Gophers. They both would have been seniors this year. Damnit.
Why does Adult Swim change their schedule so damn often. I just want to watch Aqua Teen at 11:30, not midnight. And what ever happened to Tom Goes to the Mayor?
How many home runs will Joey hit this year? He already has six bombs after hitting nine all of last year.
Speaking of home runs...I would like my fantasy team to hit some. Please?
What is James Harrison's problem?
Is anyone going to Rock the Garden on June 20th? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Have a good Monday peeps...
And it's not like the Twins are getting beat down. Three straight walk-off wins for the Bombers. That's just terrible.
Leave it to hockey to produce the only watchable game 7 thus far in the post season. Both wins yesterday (LA/Orlando) won by 19. Very riveting stuff...
Speaking of game 7's, who was the one that predicted the right picks. I'll give you a hint...
Why did Carolina have to beat the Bruins in the conference semi's? I was looking forward to watching Kessel and Wheeler not play for the Gophers. They both would have been seniors this year. Damnit.
Why does Adult Swim change their schedule so damn often. I just want to watch Aqua Teen at 11:30, not midnight. And what ever happened to Tom Goes to the Mayor?
How many home runs will Joey hit this year? He already has six bombs after hitting nine all of last year.
Speaking of home runs...I would like my fantasy team to hit some. Please?
What is James Harrison's problem?
Is anyone going to Rock the Garden on June 20th? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Have a good Monday peeps...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
(Insert sports cliche here)
It's game 7. Win or go home. The Lakers, Rockets, Magic and Celtics are all battling for their playoff's lives today and only two will move on. So who will win? Well lucky you, I am here to sort things out.
Lakers vs Rockets
I've touched on the Lakers lack of hustle in a post friday and nothing has changed. I did watch Kobe Doin' Work probably 3 times in a row last night and that team and the one playing the Rockets are two different teams. There are a few factors that will determine the outcome of this game for each team.
Lakers
- They have to pass the ball. Kobe has taken 70 more shots then anyone else on the team. Lamar Odom needs to step it up. Derek Fisher needs to hit shots (1-14 in 3 point attempts) and Andrew Bynum needs to score more then the 5 points per game he is averaging this series.
- The Zen Master needs to step up his game. Phil and Rick Adelman have had their battles when Adelman was in Sacramento and Phil always came out on top. Phil has to get his guys motivated to actually play basketball and we will see what tactics he uses.
- Kobe needs to have an efficient game. I say efficient because he cannot have a game like he did game one where he needed 30 shots to reach 30 points. If he can go 13-25, something in that range, the Lakers will win.
Rockets
- They need to cause havoc on both ends of the court. Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes must battle with the bigger Lakers and frustrate them to get them out of their game early (a 17-1 run would help).
- Aaron Brooks needs to have another big game (25+ points, 10+ assists). He basically needs to be Rajon Rondo with a jump shot for the Rockets to have a chance today. He has been great so far and Phil has not came up with a scheme to stop him...yet.
- Ron Artest needs to be crazy. He and Battier will be on Kobe all day and they must play lockdown D. Artest also needs to not take such dumb shots early in the shot clock.
Prediction: I'm going to go with the Lakers even though its more of a 55/45 split. The Rockets have a great shot of pulling the upset yet again and winning this series but the Lakers are too good and hopefully will play as a team today.
Celtics vs Magic
This is also a very confusing series. Both teams are shooting terrible with the Magic shooting 30% from the 3 point line (38% in the regular season) and Jesus Shuttlesworth has made only 5 three pointers in the series. So who comes out on top? Lets go to the matchups...
Celtics
- Ray Ray has to have a big game. Paul Pierce and Big Baby (?) can't do it all. Rondo hasn't had the production that he did in the first round series but that was ridiculous. Allen needs to come out shooting which I'm sure he will.
- Perkins and Big Baby need to stay out of foul trouble and keep Howard as far away from the basket as possible. Dwight Howard likes to think that he has a baby hook shot. Get back to me in three years when he has worked on it more.
- Boston's bench has to be better then the Magics bench. That means Eddie House, Brian (GG) Scalabrine and Starbury need to play well and give the C's good minutes. I'm waiting for Steph to really have a breakout game this post season. It's not like he is a bad player, in fact he was one of the better players in the leauge.
Magic
- They have to shoot the three with success. If the Magic can hit their 3's (they have gotten wide open looks all series) it will open up the court for Howard. Right now the Celtic guards can come down and help on Howard because the Magic have not shot well.
- Get the ball to Dwight. And Dwight, stop with the baby hook. You are the tallest and can jump the highest. Just dunk on people please.
- Stan Van Gundy needs his team to be behind him. He also needs to put the doughnuts behind him
Prediction: I'm going with my gut on this one. And my gut tells me that Boston...loses. Orlando's inexperience is balanced by the hunger and youthfulness that they have. They will be running out guys like Mickael Pietrus and J.J. Redick. (Wait, did I really just say that J.J. is a valuable player on a NBA team? Where is Adam Morison when you need him. Probably playing Halo. Thats where.) Boston is at home but I think you can only win series like this for so long. They had to do it twice last year (game 7's I'm talking) and then played to what most consider the best playoff series ever this year. They have to lose one of these times right?
Friday, May 15, 2009
The conundrum that is Kobe and the Lakers
Seriously what is going on with these guys? I've watched every Laker game so far this post season and they have no fire. There is no sense of urgincy with this team. How else can you explain how the Houston Rockets, sans T-Mac AND Yao Ming, pushed the defending Western Conference champs to a game 7? Does this team even want to win? They look uninterested to the point where they give Kobe the ball and stand around until he shoots it. Where is the drive from Pau Gasol? Hey Lamar Odem, this is the playoffs. You usually try harder during them. Don't even get me started on Andrew Bynum...
The only player that wants to win and is Kobe and it shows. While Kobe is the one taking all of the shots, it is still up to the surrounding players to play. They can't just stand around and know that Kobe's Doin Work. They still have to try.
It has gotten so painful to watch that I didn't even watch last nights game. Of course when you get off to a 17-1 start like the Rockets did there really isn't a reason to watch the game. That right there tells you all you need to know about this years Laker team. They had an opportunity to close out a series vs an undermaned team and they were outscored by 16 points to start the game...Are you kidding me?
If they think that they can turn it on and off in the playoffs they have a rude awakening. The Denver Nuggets are ready and hungry. Chauncy has made a world of difference with that teams chemistry and make up. Oh and this will be his seventh straight conference final appearance. What? Seven? Thats just stupid. In comparason, the great Michael Jordan has been to eight conference finals total. Is Chauncy as great of a player in the playoffs as Mike? That may be a debate for another time.
Back to the Lakers. Show some emotion. Show that you want to be there. You are running around looking like Phil Jackson made you play when you don't want to. This is the playoffs, show me something LA.
I know I just posted this commerical recently but that was before I had a problem with how the Lakers were playing. If you watch the commerical it shows you everything you need to know, Kobe is just bummin around while Lebron couldn't be more excited. I hope the Lakers start to want to play because I don't want to see Denver play the Cavs. C'mon Kobe. Do Work.
The only player that wants to win and is Kobe and it shows. While Kobe is the one taking all of the shots, it is still up to the surrounding players to play. They can't just stand around and know that Kobe's Doin Work. They still have to try.
It has gotten so painful to watch that I didn't even watch last nights game. Of course when you get off to a 17-1 start like the Rockets did there really isn't a reason to watch the game. That right there tells you all you need to know about this years Laker team. They had an opportunity to close out a series vs an undermaned team and they were outscored by 16 points to start the game...Are you kidding me?
If they think that they can turn it on and off in the playoffs they have a rude awakening. The Denver Nuggets are ready and hungry. Chauncy has made a world of difference with that teams chemistry and make up. Oh and this will be his seventh straight conference final appearance. What? Seven? Thats just stupid. In comparason, the great Michael Jordan has been to eight conference finals total. Is Chauncy as great of a player in the playoffs as Mike? That may be a debate for another time.
Back to the Lakers. Show some emotion. Show that you want to be there. You are running around looking like Phil Jackson made you play when you don't want to. This is the playoffs, show me something LA.
I know I just posted this commerical recently but that was before I had a problem with how the Lakers were playing. If you watch the commerical it shows you everything you need to know, Kobe is just bummin around while Lebron couldn't be more excited. I hope the Lakers start to want to play because I don't want to see Denver play the Cavs. C'mon Kobe. Do Work.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Most Hyped NHL Event In Years...
...turned out to be one of the biggest let downs of recent memory. The 6 - 2 beatdown that the Penguins put on the Caps was like the blowout in this years national championship game. If only that national championship game featured the two best players in recent memory (which it did not). This was the game that was going to save hockey. Ovie v Sid. Game 7. Loser goes home. The Caps may have lost the game but the real losers are us as fans.
So what does this mean for the NHL? Nothing really. While they could have gained greater ratings if game 7 lived up to the hype of the other six games but the fact that it did go seven games is good enough. This series boosted America's awareness of Canada's sport. It possibly even turned me into a NHL fan (for the post season anyway). Now that I think about it, I've watched more minutes of this years playoff then all other playoff seasons combined. It has been a good run for the NHL. After the Washington/Pittsburgh game 7 letdown, hockey rebounded with two great game 7's the next night.
What NHL needs to do, and everyone knows it, is to be on ESPN. Versus was smart in getting the TV contract for the NHL because what other programming to they have? Is bull riding really that much of a draw where as the CEO of Versus you can turn down the NHL?
This is how the conversation probably went...
NHL - "Hey Versus..."
Versus - (looking puzzled) "Are you talking to me?"
NHL - "Yeah. Heeeey man how is it goin?"
Versus - "I'm good..." (still puzzled)
NHL - "So I was thinking, we need a TV deal after our little lockout. It was no big deal just a little misunderstanding, that's all. But hey, about that TV deal...do you think you could help us out a bit?"
Versus - "Well I will have to check our programing but I think we have bull riding and Indy car time trials on a lot."
NHL - "C'mon. We go way back remember? Help me out?"
Versus - "You've never talked to me until today..."
NHL - "Please? We still are a professional sport."
Versus - "Alright, we will help you out. If you promise to be more exciting..."
NHL - "We can't promise that, but we will try. Thank you so much Versus. We owe you."
Once hockey returns to ESPN it will become a national sport again. Instead of having Poker:Europe on, how about you have a hockey playoff game? What do you think would have better ratings? ESPN needs to answer the call and save hockey while it still can be saved. We Want It!
So what does this mean for the NHL? Nothing really. While they could have gained greater ratings if game 7 lived up to the hype of the other six games but the fact that it did go seven games is good enough. This series boosted America's awareness of Canada's sport. It possibly even turned me into a NHL fan (for the post season anyway). Now that I think about it, I've watched more minutes of this years playoff then all other playoff seasons combined. It has been a good run for the NHL. After the Washington/Pittsburgh game 7 letdown, hockey rebounded with two great game 7's the next night.
What NHL needs to do, and everyone knows it, is to be on ESPN. Versus was smart in getting the TV contract for the NHL because what other programming to they have? Is bull riding really that much of a draw where as the CEO of Versus you can turn down the NHL?
This is how the conversation probably went...
NHL - "Hey Versus..."
Versus - (looking puzzled) "Are you talking to me?"
NHL - "Yeah. Heeeey man how is it goin?"
Versus - "I'm good..." (still puzzled)
NHL - "So I was thinking, we need a TV deal after our little lockout. It was no big deal just a little misunderstanding, that's all. But hey, about that TV deal...do you think you could help us out a bit?"
Versus - "Well I will have to check our programing but I think we have bull riding and Indy car time trials on a lot."
NHL - "C'mon. We go way back remember? Help me out?"
Versus - "You've never talked to me until today..."
NHL - "Please? We still are a professional sport."
Versus - "Alright, we will help you out. If you promise to be more exciting..."
NHL - "We can't promise that, but we will try. Thank you so much Versus. We owe you."
Once hockey returns to ESPN it will become a national sport again. Instead of having Poker:Europe on, how about you have a hockey playoff game? What do you think would have better ratings? ESPN needs to answer the call and save hockey while it still can be saved. We Want It!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Not the only one obsessed...
I like this commercial so much that I wanted to put it on here so I could watch it myself whenever I wanted to. I think Lebron himself has made me a NBA fanatic again. This hasn't happened since Jordan had the flu and hit a game winning shot...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Lebron James. The next Danny Ferry?
I'm not sure if you guys saw this or not but Lebron was asked to break down the matchup between his Cavs and potential conference finals opponents (Boston or Orlando). He didn't just say that both teams were great and would pose a tough match up. This guy went into full analyist mode. Take a look for yourself. It is at the 6:15 mark of the video...
Now, Lebron is only 24 and has a decade or more to still play this game...but then what? Lebron has been quoted as saying that he wants to be the first athlete billionaire. To do this Lebron would have to venture outside of the game to get his billion but what if he doesn't want to walk away. What if he gets the itch like Michael Jordan? Jordan has tried his had at being part owner or as his title says "Managing Member of Basketball Operations" (whatever that means) but has not had succesful results thus far. Is this something that Lebron will try in 15 years? Can you see Lebron prowling the court from his courtside seats chearing on the team he owns? The problem won't be money because Lebron could buy any team in the league right now but it will be Lebron's will to carry on with this sport.
While I do hope that Lebron does become a General Manager or a VP or player personel, something along those lines, after his career eventually comes to a close; I don't see it happening. I think that Lebron will get so frustrated with watching players that are less talented than he is screw up for his team that he will stay away from basketball after his retirement. Lebron knows basketball, possibly more then we give him credit for and, and he is still learning. Can you imagine Lebron, the coach? The T-Wolves should start talking to him right now about a job opening starting in 2025. The NBA, where Lebron happens.
Now, Lebron is only 24 and has a decade or more to still play this game...but then what? Lebron has been quoted as saying that he wants to be the first athlete billionaire. To do this Lebron would have to venture outside of the game to get his billion but what if he doesn't want to walk away. What if he gets the itch like Michael Jordan? Jordan has tried his had at being part owner or as his title says "Managing Member of Basketball Operations" (whatever that means) but has not had succesful results thus far. Is this something that Lebron will try in 15 years? Can you see Lebron prowling the court from his courtside seats chearing on the team he owns? The problem won't be money because Lebron could buy any team in the league right now but it will be Lebron's will to carry on with this sport.
While I do hope that Lebron does become a General Manager or a VP or player personel, something along those lines, after his career eventually comes to a close; I don't see it happening. I think that Lebron will get so frustrated with watching players that are less talented than he is screw up for his team that he will stay away from basketball after his retirement. Lebron knows basketball, possibly more then we give him credit for and, and he is still learning. Can you imagine Lebron, the coach? The T-Wolves should start talking to him right now about a job opening starting in 2025. The NBA, where Lebron happens.
TT: Finals
In honor of everyone's favorite time of the school semester, I'm going to hate on finals.
I understand the reasoning behind the concept of finals. You learn throughout the semester. You take tests to show how much you learn. Then when that semester comes to a close you take another test to show what you have learned (or how much you can cram into your head the night before) during that entire semester. Some teachers make their finals impossible while others make a joke out of them. Sometimes finals are cumulative (meaning information given throughout the semester has the potential to be on the test) while some finals are really not finals at all but just the final test of that semester.
Usually by this point I'm so tired of that class that it is hard to sit down and study for a particular final (I have my own reservations about how the schooling system works but that is for another column). Finals are dumb for three reasons:
I understand the reasoning behind the concept of finals. You learn throughout the semester. You take tests to show how much you learn. Then when that semester comes to a close you take another test to show what you have learned (or how much you can cram into your head the night before) during that entire semester. Some teachers make their finals impossible while others make a joke out of them. Sometimes finals are cumulative (meaning information given throughout the semester has the potential to be on the test) while some finals are really not finals at all but just the final test of that semester.
Usually by this point I'm so tired of that class that it is hard to sit down and study for a particular final (I have my own reservations about how the schooling system works but that is for another column). Finals are dumb for three reasons:
- They don't really acuratly show what/if you have learned that semester. Most of the time people just cram whatever info that they think will be on the test into their brains the night before (like I did)
- They are pointless and people that freak out about them need to relax. If you have tested well throughout the semester and have done a good job keeping up with the class and your grade then why are you freaking out about a final of that class? You know the material chill out.
- They take away from prime sport watching. Take last night for example, if I was a better student I would have missed out on Lebron and Ovie v Sid...C'mon finals, you should know better
Monday, May 11, 2009
Montage: Monday edition
Ovie v Sid...Lebron...Johan... What to watch tonight?
Are the Cav's going to be challenged in this post season?
Can we please make sure that the Caps face the Penguins every year in the playoffs?
What is going on with the Lakers? Do they really lose focus that easy? Lebron would never let that happen to his team. That is why he is MVP and Kobe isn't.
Although the current team is struggling, it is fun to watch former Gophers skate around in the NHL playoffs.
Will Bill Simmons become the next GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Is it lame that he already tried to do this last year with the Milwaukee Bucks? I feel used in some weird way.
Is there anything worse then finals in the Spring? How can you be expected to study with the weather being 70 degrees and sunny?
Word of advice...do not drink and get on a skateboard. Just trust me on this one.
I am in the market for a new basketball jersey. Anyone have any good ideas?
Are the Cav's going to be challenged in this post season?
Can we please make sure that the Caps face the Penguins every year in the playoffs?
What is going on with the Lakers? Do they really lose focus that easy? Lebron would never let that happen to his team. That is why he is MVP and Kobe isn't.
Although the current team is struggling, it is fun to watch former Gophers skate around in the NHL playoffs.
Will Bill Simmons become the next GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Is it lame that he already tried to do this last year with the Milwaukee Bucks? I feel used in some weird way.
Is there anything worse then finals in the Spring? How can you be expected to study with the weather being 70 degrees and sunny?
Word of advice...do not drink and get on a skateboard. Just trust me on this one.
I am in the market for a new basketball jersey. Anyone have any good ideas?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mothers Day
Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers out there but a special Happy Mothers Day goes out to my Mom. I wouldn't be where I am today without you. I can't put into words how much you have meant to me. Thank you and I love you mom.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Manny Being Manny
Manny Ramirez has been suspended 50 games for taking a banned substance by Major League Baseball. While many of you are not surprised that a major star got suspended for taking a banned substance, some of us (like me) simply do not care anymore.
It is a strange thing for me to say but...who cares? So what if A-Rod took some roids to hit more homeruns then normal? Who cares that Barry Bonds wanted the spotlight so badly that he decided to take steroids and hit 73 homeruns in one season (seriously? 73...c'mon)? In case you forgot, who were the two players that single handily saved Baseball as we know it? While Baseball was trying to recover from an ugly lockout that ended the 1994 season (and spelled doom for a franchise in Montreal), two men captivated America on their way to breaking the most romanticized record in sports, the homerun record. I remember where I was when McGwire hit number 62 (in my livingroom with my mom. Hit it off of Steve Trachsel. Something I will never forget.) and it was perfect that he hit it vs the Cubs and then got an imbrace with the man that he was battling (interesting point about Sammy Sosa...he was widely considered a steroid user even though he never failed a test and he was caught using a corked bat. What else is there? Is he going to make a comeback only to for us to know later that he was fixing games?).
I, like many others were captivated by the homerun and the obserd amout that players were hitting. Brady Anderson has a 50 homerun season while Hank Aaron never hit more then 47...doesn't add up does it? Barry Bonds hit 73 homeruns in one season. That is one every 2.2 games. If you were to take that average, Bonds would have hit a homerun in every series that he played in (that is if the MLB didn't play 2 game series like they do now...stupid). This is what Baseball had become. A jacked up league that valued a 10-7 games with 4 homeruns over a 2-1 pitching duel. And we loved it. So why should we punish our hero's for trying to live up to the expectations that we had for them?
I get that taking steroids is cheating. But what is the difference between Manny Ramirez taking a testosterone booster and Shawn Merriman taking actually steroids? Shawn Merriman finished 3rd in the defensive player of the year award that same year he was suspended for roids. Do you think Manny will finish in the top 5 of the MVP voting this year? Yeah, didn't think so.
So why is there a difference? Is it because football is a more physical sport suggesting that it is less of a penalty for taking a drug that can boost strength and physicality? Is it because (as Sam says) Baseball is Americas sport? Is it because we romanticize about the greats that played before the invention of steroids and thus creating an unrealistic picture of how our Baseball players should perform?
Whatever the reason I don't really care. Baseball is my favorite sport regardless if my favorite players are juicing or not. How can you turn on a sport just because some of the players that play are cheating? If anyone should take a look inside it should be us as fans. We are to blame for wanting 50 homerun seasons. We are to blame for wanting hitters to blast 500 foot bombs. We are the ones that turned the other cheek.
Can we blame Manny for being suspended? Yes and No. Yes because he knows the rules about what is ok and not ok to take. And no because we had expectations of him that were perhaps unrealistic. Manny being Manny. It may never have the same meaning again...
It is a strange thing for me to say but...who cares? So what if A-Rod took some roids to hit more homeruns then normal? Who cares that Barry Bonds wanted the spotlight so badly that he decided to take steroids and hit 73 homeruns in one season (seriously? 73...c'mon)? In case you forgot, who were the two players that single handily saved Baseball as we know it? While Baseball was trying to recover from an ugly lockout that ended the 1994 season (and spelled doom for a franchise in Montreal), two men captivated America on their way to breaking the most romanticized record in sports, the homerun record. I remember where I was when McGwire hit number 62 (in my livingroom with my mom. Hit it off of Steve Trachsel. Something I will never forget.) and it was perfect that he hit it vs the Cubs and then got an imbrace with the man that he was battling (interesting point about Sammy Sosa...he was widely considered a steroid user even though he never failed a test and he was caught using a corked bat. What else is there? Is he going to make a comeback only to for us to know later that he was fixing games?).
I, like many others were captivated by the homerun and the obserd amout that players were hitting. Brady Anderson has a 50 homerun season while Hank Aaron never hit more then 47...doesn't add up does it? Barry Bonds hit 73 homeruns in one season. That is one every 2.2 games. If you were to take that average, Bonds would have hit a homerun in every series that he played in (that is if the MLB didn't play 2 game series like they do now...stupid). This is what Baseball had become. A jacked up league that valued a 10-7 games with 4 homeruns over a 2-1 pitching duel. And we loved it. So why should we punish our hero's for trying to live up to the expectations that we had for them?
I get that taking steroids is cheating. But what is the difference between Manny Ramirez taking a testosterone booster and Shawn Merriman taking actually steroids? Shawn Merriman finished 3rd in the defensive player of the year award that same year he was suspended for roids. Do you think Manny will finish in the top 5 of the MVP voting this year? Yeah, didn't think so.
So why is there a difference? Is it because football is a more physical sport suggesting that it is less of a penalty for taking a drug that can boost strength and physicality? Is it because (as Sam says) Baseball is Americas sport? Is it because we romanticize about the greats that played before the invention of steroids and thus creating an unrealistic picture of how our Baseball players should perform?
Whatever the reason I don't really care. Baseball is my favorite sport regardless if my favorite players are juicing or not. How can you turn on a sport just because some of the players that play are cheating? If anyone should take a look inside it should be us as fans. We are to blame for wanting 50 homerun seasons. We are to blame for wanting hitters to blast 500 foot bombs. We are the ones that turned the other cheek.
Can we blame Manny for being suspended? Yes and No. Yes because he knows the rules about what is ok and not ok to take. And no because we had expectations of him that were perhaps unrealistic. Manny being Manny. It may never have the same meaning again...
Friday, May 08, 2009
ID4: Greatest Movie of All Time?
July 3rd 1996: a day that I will never forget. With our nation celebrating it's 220th Birthday on the following day, the film industry decided to give the nation a blockbuster. It was on this Friday that my father took me to ID4: Independence Day, the greatest movie of all time.
This movie has forever set the standard for Alien Attack movies and perhaps all movies, ever. This movie had action. It have love. It had crazy scientists. Will Smith deals with aliens...wait wrong movie. That's better. Jeff Goldblum plays some sort of scientist. Something that is a stretch for him since he is such a diverse actor. The world is ending, can the United States save us all? (ed note: Has there ever been a movie where the USA didn't have the answer to all of the questions? Is that just a United States type of thing?)
The Aliens in this movie were some bad ass extraterrestrials. These guys (did they have genders?) did not mess around. They blew up the damn White House! The White House! There is nothing more bad ass to do then blow up the White House. It trumps any terrorist attack ever. Try and think of a better way to show someone who is the boss then to blow up that nations most prestigious building. Score one for E.T.
I also know I wasn't the only one that was terrified during this scene. When that arm started moving you knew it was game over for everyone in that room. How terrifying would that be? Some alien that you think is dead so you open it up to see what is inside when suddenly it wakes up and mushes your brain through some special power. Shitty way to go if you ask me.
You have to remember that the special effects for this movie were unbelievable for 1996. I would argue it is still the most realistic alien movie that I have ever seen. It looks like they actually dissected an alien. It appears that the aliens actually blow up buildings with a single beam of light. It was as if the US Air Force was truely doing battle in the skies with alien pilots in tricked out alien fighter planes. Amazing that this movie was made 13 years ago.
ID4 also features perhaps the best President role in a movie, ever. Was there more likable character to play President of the most powerful nation then Bill Paxton, I mean Pullman? He rallied the nation together unlike any President we have seen.
The ending of this movie is a perfect one to wrap up this blockbuster hit. It ends with our hero's blowing up the mother ship, escaping the alien fighter craft before the gate closes, returning back to earth and smoking cigars. The only question I have is, where is the love for Russell Casse?
All of this adds up for a movie that can be watched over and over again. Whether you like the part where David Levinson (is Levinson a Jewish name?) said "oops" after backing the alien space craft into the wall or if you enjoyed Harry Connick Jr get lit up by some alien plasma gun; all in all this movie is Awesome with a capitol A baby!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Love I Lost...
As many of you may know, I have been doing something different for the past three weeks. I have embraced one of the more finer things in life...
Ever since the morning of Friday, April 3rd I have featured a mustache in some way or form on my upper lip. My mustache and I became very close over this last month. We both have faced adversity on behalf of each other and have fought through it all. All of the naysayers said it should be gone. Everyone said it looked terrible, but that just made us stronger. It formed a bond between us that cannot be explained in words. My mustache and I. Me and my mustache.
Soon my mustache transformed from a wispy, weakling into a noticeable force. The longer that I allowed it to live the more it grew on me (literally). Which brings me to some bad news. At 9:30 PM on Tuesday, May 5th, my mustache became no more.
It was not because I thought it looked bad. It's not because it itched (because it didn't. Now I know). It was honestly because we lost our softball championship and I thought that it was the right time. It was a sad time for me. When I looked at myself in the mirror today something was missing...and it will be missed. RIP friend.
Happy
Sad
Ever since the morning of Friday, April 3rd I have featured a mustache in some way or form on my upper lip. My mustache and I became very close over this last month. We both have faced adversity on behalf of each other and have fought through it all. All of the naysayers said it should be gone. Everyone said it looked terrible, but that just made us stronger. It formed a bond between us that cannot be explained in words. My mustache and I. Me and my mustache.
Soon my mustache transformed from a wispy, weakling into a noticeable force. The longer that I allowed it to live the more it grew on me (literally). Which brings me to some bad news. At 9:30 PM on Tuesday, May 5th, my mustache became no more.
It was not because I thought it looked bad. It's not because it itched (because it didn't. Now I know). It was honestly because we lost our softball championship and I thought that it was the right time. It was a sad time for me. When I looked at myself in the mirror today something was missing...and it will be missed. RIP friend.
Happy
Sad
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
TT: The other fro
Besides looking at the nose, how else can you tell if the person you are looking at is Jewish? Perhaps it is the Star of David patch that they wear on their coats? Oh they don't where that anymore? Really? Hmm...
Anyway the sure fire test to spot someone that is Jewish and wants everyone else to know it is... The Jewfro. The Jewfro is similar to the black afro, only for Jewish people. The Jewfro comes in an asortment of colors, sizes and shapes but mostly worn in a tight curl fashion. Quick name a man that has an afro and a Jewfro...give up?
How did this become the hair style of a religion? Or does this issue go deeper? Is there something in the water that the Jewish people drink that makes their hair curl into layers and layers of tiny curls?
As I am writing this, there are three such cases of the Jewfro in one of my classes and one of them decided that it would be a good idea to frost the tips of their Jewfro...Great idea Stein. I don't know who thinks this is a good look. He would.
Looks great guys, keep it up and I will continue to look like this. At least my hair isn't in curls and frosted. What.
Anyway the sure fire test to spot someone that is Jewish and wants everyone else to know it is... The Jewfro. The Jewfro is similar to the black afro, only for Jewish people. The Jewfro comes in an asortment of colors, sizes and shapes but mostly worn in a tight curl fashion. Quick name a man that has an afro and a Jewfro...give up?
How did this become the hair style of a religion? Or does this issue go deeper? Is there something in the water that the Jewish people drink that makes their hair curl into layers and layers of tiny curls?
As I am writing this, there are three such cases of the Jewfro in one of my classes and one of them decided that it would be a good idea to frost the tips of their Jewfro...Great idea Stein. I don't know who thinks this is a good look. He would.
Looks great guys, keep it up and I will continue to look like this. At least my hair isn't in curls and frosted. What.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Monday Montage: I plead the fif
Now that the first rounds of the NBA and NHL playoffs are complete and baseball is entering it's 2nd month, lets get this rollin'
Was game 7 of the Celtics v Bulls series a let down? Or were we just spoiled by the first 6 games?
What an odd series the Hawks v Heat had. Not one game decided by single digits. That just doesn't make sense.
Speaking of playoffs, how great of a start to a playoffs series then both super stars scoring in the Caps v Penguins series? For more on game one go here.
Lesson learned this weekend...do not rely solely on a phone for an alarm. Just some words of advice.
What happened to the Twins yesterday?
How amazing is Joe Mauer at hitting a baseball? 7-10 in his first 3 games. Welcome back Joey.
How much longer will Craig Breslow be on the Twins roster? My guess is 3 more weeks.
Does our intramural softball team have what it takes to go to the ship?
Who will pitch our first game since our ace Cheeto is playing real baseball?
Was I the only one that saw a show on TLC yesterday called Worlds Smallest People? Very interesting stuff.
Congrats LBJ on MVP. I'm sure it will not be your last.
Bruce if you are out there, come back...
Was game 7 of the Celtics v Bulls series a let down? Or were we just spoiled by the first 6 games?
What an odd series the Hawks v Heat had. Not one game decided by single digits. That just doesn't make sense.
Speaking of playoffs, how great of a start to a playoffs series then both super stars scoring in the Caps v Penguins series? For more on game one go here.
Lesson learned this weekend...do not rely solely on a phone for an alarm. Just some words of advice.
What happened to the Twins yesterday?
How amazing is Joe Mauer at hitting a baseball? 7-10 in his first 3 games. Welcome back Joey.
How much longer will Craig Breslow be on the Twins roster? My guess is 3 more weeks.
Does our intramural softball team have what it takes to go to the ship?
Who will pitch our first game since our ace Cheeto is playing real baseball?
Was I the only one that saw a show on TLC yesterday called Worlds Smallest People? Very interesting stuff.
Congrats LBJ on MVP. I'm sure it will not be your last.
Bruce if you are out there, come back...
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Ovie v Sid
The NHL has its dream matchup for ratings. The Caps vs the Pens. Ovie vs Sid. Lets run with this...
11:58 - Welcome welcome. Since I haven't sat down and watched an entire hockey game in a long time I thought that this game one would be the perfect game to wet my appitite again. And I may as well blog about it right?
12:03 - Ovie may be hurt for todays game, so I hear. We will see if this phantom injury effects his play.
12:06 - Even The Kid knows that this is good for hockey
12:12 - This game is crazy so far. Shot after shot after shot. Both teams are flying around the ice. Fun stuff.
12:13 - Ovie's first shot: Blocked by a Penguin defender.
12:13 - First big hit of the game goes to Mike Green with a nice hip check at center ice.
12:14 - Sid's first shot: GOAL! What a shot over the glove hand by Sid. Couldn't ask for a better start. 1 - 0 Pittsburgh
12:16 - How is Sergei Fedorov still playing in the NHL?
12:18 - Quick, name the Capitals goalie....
12:19 - If you said Olaf Kolzig then you are wrong.
12:21 - Almost nine minutes into the game and we just get our first commericals. Hockey can be so great some times. Only 4 stoppages so far as well in the game.
12:23 - Just flipped over to the Discovery Channel during the break and watched a guy slice things with a playing card (banana, carrott, hot dog, apple, etc.). Don't upset him at a poker game.
12:24 - Sid's 2nd shot: Weak. He was being defensed as he skated towards the goal and didn't get much on it. Good D.
12:25 - We got Ovie's 2nd shot (blocked) and out first penalty on Sergei. Shame on you.
12:29 - The thing I like most about Ovie is that he loves to hit people. You don't see many scoring kings checking.
12:31 - GOOOOOOOOAL!!!! Dave Steckel snuck the rebound off Fluery to tie the game. 1 - 1 Tie.
12:37 - Ovie just hit the pipe on a power play. And Pittsburgh just picked up another penalty. 5 on 3 now. Lets go Ovie.
12:39 - Called it? Ovie with a nice little goal from the right side of the goalie. Very nice set up by Mike Green who faked the shot and found a wide open Ovie for the easy put in. Still time left on the power play as well. 2 - 1 Caps.
12:43 - When will Ovie get to Sid in this game? My guess is in the 3rd in a blowout win for the Caps.
12:43 - There are Pittsburgh fans in the first row behind the Caps bench texting people. And they are girls. How did they get those seats? (Is there a worst seat in the house then those? Not only do you have to deal with players standing up and being in your way, you have to deal with a coach that is constantly standing and walking around. No thank you.)
12:48 - First intermission...time for a lunch break.
1:05 - And we are back. Ovie just missed another goal hitting another post. What a stud.
1:06 - And just missed another. Ovie came to play today.
1:09 - 3 passes, 3 interceptions. Good passing.
1:14 - Chris Clark just tripped someone. That is a no-no. Pittsburgh on the power play.
1:14 - Sid just missed the game tying goal...good stuff so far.
1:17 - What a save by the Caps goalie (still have not gotten his name, something foreign).
1:26 - Tie hockey game. Malkin made that goal happen. Fought for the puck along the boards and passed it back out to the point. Eaton blasted a shot and it ended up being a weak goal. 2 - 2 Tie
1:28 - The big Mo is in the Pens favor right now. Hockey is probably the only sport that the big Mo truely matters.
1:37 - Caps goalie made one of the best saves I've ever seen. Wide open net and he dove back to his right and just hit the puck with his stick before it crossed the goal line.
1:38 - The first english word that the Caps goalie learned was "Awesome". Can't make it up. Great reporting.
1:40 - 2nd Intermission time. Time Warp break.
1:40 - Caps goalies name is Simeon Varlamov. He has two shutouts thus far in the playoffs. Just an fyi.
1:52 - Shots on goal, Caps: 20 Penguins: 23. I just bring you the stats.
1:59 - GOOOOOAAALL! What a goofy goal that was. Nice pass by Nic Backstrom to flip it over Gonchar's stick and right to Tomas Fleischmann as he shelft it over Fluery. Nice goal. 3 - 2 Capitals
2:05 - Where has Malkin been all day? He hasn't done much of anything besides the one assist he has. I'd expect more.
2:05 - Pens back on the Power Play, this could be a big one as they are down one and it is in the 3rd.
2:06 - Damn, hockey is exciting. Well Playoff hockey I should say...
2:12 - You know what is underrated? Chicken Kiev.
2:13 - I'm not sure who is doing the announcing for this game but they are doing a fantastic job.
2:17 - Just had the hit of the game, not doubt. A de-cleater if they were to wear cleates.
2:18 - Guerin draws a penalty. Pens go back on the Power play with 7:30 left.
2:21 - Huge kill for the Caps. Dare I say they have the Mo?
2:21 - I hate the new Dos Equis commercial. So if we drink your beer, does that mean that I will become the coolest person on the planet? Well sign me up then. (Who even drinks Dos Equis? Anyone?)
2:24 - FIGHT! Oh almost....
2:25 - Another great save by Varlamov. He just turned 21...last week. Damn I'm old.
2:26 - Did the NHL get rid of icing? I don't think I've seen one icing call today...
2:29 - Pens just pulled Fluery with 1 minute to go. There is nothing more exciting in hockey then the last few moments of a game with an empty net. Love the extra attacker.
2:32 - Nothing too exciting as the Caps played well while having less players on the ice. Caps win game one 3 - 2. Ovie is lovin it as am I. Good game one. You have my attention hockey...
11:58 - Welcome welcome. Since I haven't sat down and watched an entire hockey game in a long time I thought that this game one would be the perfect game to wet my appitite again. And I may as well blog about it right?
12:03 - Ovie may be hurt for todays game, so I hear. We will see if this phantom injury effects his play.
12:06 - Even The Kid knows that this is good for hockey
12:12 - This game is crazy so far. Shot after shot after shot. Both teams are flying around the ice. Fun stuff.
12:13 - Ovie's first shot: Blocked by a Penguin defender.
12:13 - First big hit of the game goes to Mike Green with a nice hip check at center ice.
12:14 - Sid's first shot: GOAL! What a shot over the glove hand by Sid. Couldn't ask for a better start. 1 - 0 Pittsburgh
12:16 - How is Sergei Fedorov still playing in the NHL?
12:18 - Quick, name the Capitals goalie....
12:19 - If you said Olaf Kolzig then you are wrong.
12:21 - Almost nine minutes into the game and we just get our first commericals. Hockey can be so great some times. Only 4 stoppages so far as well in the game.
12:23 - Just flipped over to the Discovery Channel during the break and watched a guy slice things with a playing card (banana, carrott, hot dog, apple, etc.). Don't upset him at a poker game.
12:24 - Sid's 2nd shot: Weak. He was being defensed as he skated towards the goal and didn't get much on it. Good D.
12:25 - We got Ovie's 2nd shot (blocked) and out first penalty on Sergei. Shame on you.
12:29 - The thing I like most about Ovie is that he loves to hit people. You don't see many scoring kings checking.
12:31 - GOOOOOOOOAL!!!! Dave Steckel snuck the rebound off Fluery to tie the game. 1 - 1 Tie.
12:37 - Ovie just hit the pipe on a power play. And Pittsburgh just picked up another penalty. 5 on 3 now. Lets go Ovie.
12:39 - Called it? Ovie with a nice little goal from the right side of the goalie. Very nice set up by Mike Green who faked the shot and found a wide open Ovie for the easy put in. Still time left on the power play as well. 2 - 1 Caps.
12:43 - When will Ovie get to Sid in this game? My guess is in the 3rd in a blowout win for the Caps.
12:43 - There are Pittsburgh fans in the first row behind the Caps bench texting people. And they are girls. How did they get those seats? (Is there a worst seat in the house then those? Not only do you have to deal with players standing up and being in your way, you have to deal with a coach that is constantly standing and walking around. No thank you.)
12:48 - First intermission...time for a lunch break.
1:05 - And we are back. Ovie just missed another goal hitting another post. What a stud.
1:06 - And just missed another. Ovie came to play today.
1:09 - 3 passes, 3 interceptions. Good passing.
1:14 - Chris Clark just tripped someone. That is a no-no. Pittsburgh on the power play.
1:14 - Sid just missed the game tying goal...good stuff so far.
1:17 - What a save by the Caps goalie (still have not gotten his name, something foreign).
1:26 - Tie hockey game. Malkin made that goal happen. Fought for the puck along the boards and passed it back out to the point. Eaton blasted a shot and it ended up being a weak goal. 2 - 2 Tie
1:28 - The big Mo is in the Pens favor right now. Hockey is probably the only sport that the big Mo truely matters.
1:37 - Caps goalie made one of the best saves I've ever seen. Wide open net and he dove back to his right and just hit the puck with his stick before it crossed the goal line.
1:38 - The first english word that the Caps goalie learned was "Awesome". Can't make it up. Great reporting.
1:40 - 2nd Intermission time. Time Warp break.
1:40 - Caps goalies name is Simeon Varlamov. He has two shutouts thus far in the playoffs. Just an fyi.
1:52 - Shots on goal, Caps: 20 Penguins: 23. I just bring you the stats.
1:59 - GOOOOOAAALL! What a goofy goal that was. Nice pass by Nic Backstrom to flip it over Gonchar's stick and right to Tomas Fleischmann as he shelft it over Fluery. Nice goal. 3 - 2 Capitals
2:05 - Where has Malkin been all day? He hasn't done much of anything besides the one assist he has. I'd expect more.
2:05 - Pens back on the Power Play, this could be a big one as they are down one and it is in the 3rd.
2:06 - Damn, hockey is exciting. Well Playoff hockey I should say...
2:12 - You know what is underrated? Chicken Kiev.
2:13 - I'm not sure who is doing the announcing for this game but they are doing a fantastic job.
2:17 - Just had the hit of the game, not doubt. A de-cleater if they were to wear cleates.
2:18 - Guerin draws a penalty. Pens go back on the Power play with 7:30 left.
2:21 - Huge kill for the Caps. Dare I say they have the Mo?
2:21 - I hate the new Dos Equis commercial. So if we drink your beer, does that mean that I will become the coolest person on the planet? Well sign me up then. (Who even drinks Dos Equis? Anyone?)
2:24 - FIGHT! Oh almost....
2:25 - Another great save by Varlamov. He just turned 21...last week. Damn I'm old.
2:26 - Did the NHL get rid of icing? I don't think I've seen one icing call today...
2:29 - Pens just pulled Fluery with 1 minute to go. There is nothing more exciting in hockey then the last few moments of a game with an empty net. Love the extra attacker.
2:32 - Nothing too exciting as the Caps played well while having less players on the ice. Caps win game one 3 - 2. Ovie is lovin it as am I. Good game one. You have my attention hockey...
Friday, May 01, 2009
The best playoff series....ever
The title says it all. The first round playoff series that features the 2nd seeded Boston Celtics vs the 7th seeded Chicago Bulls is the greatest playoff series of all time. I don't care that it is a first round series and the winner moves on to the Semi-finals. I have never been so captivated by a NBA playoff series (well besides this one). This series has it all. It has overtime(s), 7 to be exact. It has drama. It has hard fouls and near brawls (both involving Rondo. Speaking of Rondo, he has become the new Isiah Thomas. He is scrappy and tough and doesn't take shit from anyone. I like). It has last second buzzer beaters. It has young point guards battling back and forth. Oh and there is another game to be played...Which brings me to my prediction...
If you read my NBA Playoffs preview column you would have read that I had the Celtics in five (my bad). That was before Derek Rose and Ben G(J)ordo(a)n decided that they wanted to play amazing in the playoffs. Hell, even Joakim Noah has stepped up his game and his a terror in the paint. The Celtics are still without their best player in Kevin Garnett but Ray Ray and Rondo have stepped up their respected games in this series. For example, Rondo is averaging a triple double. First, that is unheard of and 2nd why is no one talking about this? Ray Ray dropped 51 last night in a loss. 51 points. This is a guy that looked scared last post season and now he is cold blooded and hitting game winning 3 pointers at the buzzer.
Paul "The Truth" Pierce is the deciding factor in this game. If he can do what he did in game five (hitting 39872 shots from the same spot with minutes remaining) then the Celtics win this series. If Ben Gordon gets hot early and Derek Rose plays like he did in game one of the series then the Bulls win.
My money has to be on the experience and talent of Boston. There is no way that they can let the "Baby Bulls" steal a game seven in their own building. Even KG wouldn't let this happen and he is on the bench. This game seven hopefully will be a classic to remember for the ages as this series has already entered that zone. This is must watch TV folks. One game. Loser goes home (unless it is Boston, in that case they are already home).
Boston 103, Chicago 101 Big Baby with the game winning layup. You heard it here first.
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