1) Why does this website exist?
2) Why did I spend approximately 6 minutes of my day looking through its archives?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Two Questions
I have two questions, and I am quite sure neither of them have an answer.
1) Why does this website exist?
2) Why did I spend approximately 6 minutes of my day looking through its archives?
1) Why does this website exist?
2) Why did I spend approximately 6 minutes of my day looking through its archives?
Prince at Coachella
He killed it. And he played Radiohead's "Creep."
My reaction: ohmygodhowfuckingcoolisthatprinceplayedatcoachellaandhecoveredfreakingradioheadohmygoditotallywishiwastherei'mgoingnextyeari'mtellingyourightnowidon'ticareiamfuckinggoing!"
I had a friend who went to Coachella last year and had a blast. If I wasn't a student, or so poor, or so old, I would love to go.
Photo Courtesy of Pitchfork (Please, don't sue me)
My reaction: ohmygodhowfuckingcoolisthatprinceplayedatcoachellaandhecoveredfreakingradioheadohmygoditotallywishiwastherei'mgoingnextyeari'mtellingyourightnowidon'ticareiamfuckinggoing!"
I had a friend who went to Coachella last year and had a blast. If I wasn't a student, or so poor, or so old, I would love to go.
Photo Courtesy of Pitchfork (Please, don't sue me)
Paul Krugman
His recent column really bugged me, let's break it down:
Mr. Obama was supposed to be a transformational figure, with an almost magical ability to transcend partisan differences and unify the nation. Once voters got to know him — and once he had eliminated Hillary Clinton’s initial financial and organizational advantage — he was supposed to sweep easily to the nomination, then march on to a huge victory in November.
I am so tired of this rhetoric portraying those support Barack Obama not as "supporters", but as "followers." The only way the Clinton camp can explain the enthusiasm that Obama has generated is by either implying, or explicitly saying, that we have all been duped by a charming and charismatic snake-oil salesman who is devoid of experience or solid policies. Bullshit. Just because the other candidate can't generate any enthusiasm doesn't mean there rest of us have joined a cult. There is nothing "magical" about him. Unless you count a candidate of intelligence, integrity, and optimism as "magical."
I am also quite sure that nobody suggested that Obama would "sweep easily" to anything or have a "huge victory." It's a long battle and every swing state is essential. This is WHY WE ARE SUPPORTING BARACK OBAMA.
Well, now he has an overwhelming money advantage and the support of much of the Democratic establishment — yet he still can’t seem to win over large blocs of Democratic voters, especially among the white working class.
A) I am not sure this is true. B) It's difficult to get your message out to the white working class when their attention is diverted to such important issues as Reverand Wright and comments about "bitterness"
As a result, he keeps losing big states. And general election polls suggest that he might well lose to John McCain.
I know, this is a big concern for the general election. Should he get the nomination, Obama is going to have a tough time winning big states like California and New York.
According to many Obama supporters, it’s all Hillary’s fault. If she hadn’t launched all those vile, negative attacks on their hero — if she had just gone away — his aura would be intact, and his mission of unifying America still on track.
But how negative has the Clinton campaign been, really? Yes, it ran an ad that included Osama bin Laden in a montage of crisis images that also included the Great Depression and Hurricane Katrina. To listen to some pundits, you’d think that ad was practically the same as the famous G.O.P. ad accusing Max Cleland of being weak on national security
Even if you buy into the sweeping generalization that Obama supporters lie any blame as "all Hillary's fault" I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that when Clinton says that she and John McCain "would be ready on day one" that that is hurting the democratic party.
And yes, there is a reason why many of us want Hillary to go away. It has to do with delegates toward the nomination and determining the nominee. I believe it's called "math."
As far as Krugman's comments on negative ads, I don't buy the "well yes Clinton has been negative but she isn't as negative as the Republicans have been" argument. You see, Mr. Krugman, this is precisely why Barack Obama has such an appeal. He represents a conscious decision to turn away from politics as usual. It's called "change." I think you called it "magic."
From the beginning, I wondered what Mr. Obama’s soaring rhetoric, his talk of a new politics and declarations that “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for” (waiting for to do what, exactly?)
Waiting for an opportunity to get people who think like you out of the way of American politics.
Mrs. Clinton has been able to stay in the race, against heavy odds, largely because her no-nonsense style, her obvious interest in the wonkish details of policy, resonate with many voters in a way that Mr. Obama’s eloquence does not.
She has also been able to stay in the race because of her extreme hubris and her inability to understand what happened along the way to her preordination as the monarch of the country.
Yes, I know that there are lots of policy proposals on the Obama campaign’s Web site. But addressing the real concerns of working Americans isn’t the campaign’s central theme.
Bullshit.
Tellingly, the Obama campaign has put far more energy into attacking Mrs. Clinton’s health care proposals than it has into promoting the idea of universal coverage.
More bullshit.
No wonder, then, that older Democrats continue to favor Mrs. Clinton.
Yep, like this guy.
Democrats can justly portray themselves as the party of economic security, the party that created Social Security and Medicare and defended those programs against Republican attacks — and the party that can bring assured health coverage to all Americans.
They can also portray themselves as the party of prosperity: the contrast between the Clinton economy and the Bush economy is the best free advertisement that Democrats have had since Herbert Hoover.
And Democrats can also portray themselves as being against the disastrous foray into Iraq and against the suppression of civil liberties at home with the Patriot Act. Oh...wait a minute.
But the message that Democrats are ready to continue and build on a grand tradition doesn’t mesh well with claims to be bringing a “new politics” and rhetoric that places blame for our current state equally on both parties.
Mr. Krugman, if this is all that you have taken to be as the message of Barack Obama, you just haven't been paying attention.
Mr. Obama was supposed to be a transformational figure, with an almost magical ability to transcend partisan differences and unify the nation. Once voters got to know him — and once he had eliminated Hillary Clinton’s initial financial and organizational advantage — he was supposed to sweep easily to the nomination, then march on to a huge victory in November.
I am so tired of this rhetoric portraying those support Barack Obama not as "supporters", but as "followers." The only way the Clinton camp can explain the enthusiasm that Obama has generated is by either implying, or explicitly saying, that we have all been duped by a charming and charismatic snake-oil salesman who is devoid of experience or solid policies. Bullshit. Just because the other candidate can't generate any enthusiasm doesn't mean there rest of us have joined a cult. There is nothing "magical" about him. Unless you count a candidate of intelligence, integrity, and optimism as "magical."
I am also quite sure that nobody suggested that Obama would "sweep easily" to anything or have a "huge victory." It's a long battle and every swing state is essential. This is WHY WE ARE SUPPORTING BARACK OBAMA.
Well, now he has an overwhelming money advantage and the support of much of the Democratic establishment — yet he still can’t seem to win over large blocs of Democratic voters, especially among the white working class.
A) I am not sure this is true. B) It's difficult to get your message out to the white working class when their attention is diverted to such important issues as Reverand Wright and comments about "bitterness"
As a result, he keeps losing big states. And general election polls suggest that he might well lose to John McCain.
I know, this is a big concern for the general election. Should he get the nomination, Obama is going to have a tough time winning big states like California and New York.
According to many Obama supporters, it’s all Hillary’s fault. If she hadn’t launched all those vile, negative attacks on their hero — if she had just gone away — his aura would be intact, and his mission of unifying America still on track.
But how negative has the Clinton campaign been, really? Yes, it ran an ad that included Osama bin Laden in a montage of crisis images that also included the Great Depression and Hurricane Katrina. To listen to some pundits, you’d think that ad was practically the same as the famous G.O.P. ad accusing Max Cleland of being weak on national security
Even if you buy into the sweeping generalization that Obama supporters lie any blame as "all Hillary's fault" I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that when Clinton says that she and John McCain "would be ready on day one" that that is hurting the democratic party.
And yes, there is a reason why many of us want Hillary to go away. It has to do with delegates toward the nomination and determining the nominee. I believe it's called "math."
As far as Krugman's comments on negative ads, I don't buy the "well yes Clinton has been negative but she isn't as negative as the Republicans have been" argument. You see, Mr. Krugman, this is precisely why Barack Obama has such an appeal. He represents a conscious decision to turn away from politics as usual. It's called "change." I think you called it "magic."
From the beginning, I wondered what Mr. Obama’s soaring rhetoric, his talk of a new politics and declarations that “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for” (waiting for to do what, exactly?)
Waiting for an opportunity to get people who think like you out of the way of American politics.
Mrs. Clinton has been able to stay in the race, against heavy odds, largely because her no-nonsense style, her obvious interest in the wonkish details of policy, resonate with many voters in a way that Mr. Obama’s eloquence does not.
She has also been able to stay in the race because of her extreme hubris and her inability to understand what happened along the way to her preordination as the monarch of the country.
Yes, I know that there are lots of policy proposals on the Obama campaign’s Web site. But addressing the real concerns of working Americans isn’t the campaign’s central theme.
Bullshit.
Tellingly, the Obama campaign has put far more energy into attacking Mrs. Clinton’s health care proposals than it has into promoting the idea of universal coverage.
More bullshit.
No wonder, then, that older Democrats continue to favor Mrs. Clinton.
Yep, like this guy.
Democrats can justly portray themselves as the party of economic security, the party that created Social Security and Medicare and defended those programs against Republican attacks — and the party that can bring assured health coverage to all Americans.
They can also portray themselves as the party of prosperity: the contrast between the Clinton economy and the Bush economy is the best free advertisement that Democrats have had since Herbert Hoover.
And Democrats can also portray themselves as being against the disastrous foray into Iraq and against the suppression of civil liberties at home with the Patriot Act. Oh...wait a minute.
But the message that Democrats are ready to continue and build on a grand tradition doesn’t mesh well with claims to be bringing a “new politics” and rhetoric that places blame for our current state equally on both parties.
Mr. Krugman, if this is all that you have taken to be as the message of Barack Obama, you just haven't been paying attention.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Herodotus
I think if you look over there ------------------------------------>
you will see in my "Amazon Wish List" a listing for "The Landmark Herodotus."
So I am linking to Jessa Crispin who is linking to Daniel Mendelsohn's review in The New Yorker.
"Herodotus, by contrast, always seemed a bit of a sucker. Whatever his desire, stated in his Preface, to pinpoint the “root cause” of the Persian Wars (the rather abstract word he uses, aitiē, savors of contemporary science and philosophy), what you take away from an initial encounter with the Histories is not, to put it mildly, a strong sense of methodical rigor. With his garrulous first-person intrusions (“I have now reached a point at which I am compelled to declare an opinion that will cause offense to many people”), his notorious tendency to digress for the sake of the most abstruse detail (“And so the Athenians were the first of the Hellenes to make statues of Hermes with an erect phallus”), his apparently infinite susceptibility to the imaginative flights of tour guides in locales as distant as Egypt (“Women urinate standing up, men sitting down”), reading him was like—well, like having an embarrassing parent along on a family vacation. All you wanted to do was put some distance between yourself and him, loaded down as he was with his guidebooks, the old Brownie camera, the gimcrack souvenirs—and, of course, that flowered polyester shirt."
you will see in my "Amazon Wish List" a listing for "The Landmark Herodotus."
So I am linking to Jessa Crispin who is linking to Daniel Mendelsohn's review in The New Yorker.
"Herodotus, by contrast, always seemed a bit of a sucker. Whatever his desire, stated in his Preface, to pinpoint the “root cause” of the Persian Wars (the rather abstract word he uses, aitiē, savors of contemporary science and philosophy), what you take away from an initial encounter with the Histories is not, to put it mildly, a strong sense of methodical rigor. With his garrulous first-person intrusions (“I have now reached a point at which I am compelled to declare an opinion that will cause offense to many people”), his notorious tendency to digress for the sake of the most abstruse detail (“And so the Athenians were the first of the Hellenes to make statues of Hermes with an erect phallus”), his apparently infinite susceptibility to the imaginative flights of tour guides in locales as distant as Egypt (“Women urinate standing up, men sitting down”), reading him was like—well, like having an embarrassing parent along on a family vacation. All you wanted to do was put some distance between yourself and him, loaded down as he was with his guidebooks, the old Brownie camera, the gimcrack souvenirs—and, of course, that flowered polyester shirt."
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Picture of the Day
In my view, this picture is exactly what progressive politics is not supposed to look like.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Pennsylvania
Here we go. I have been looking at various polls, for whatever those are worth. A victory would be ideal, a 5 point or less margain of defeat would be great, less than 10 would be acceptable.
Let's win this thing. Thanks to those in the trenches who have been working very hard.
FYI: The state bird of Pennsylvania is the Ruffed Grouse. Its state flower is the Mountain Laurel and the state motto is: "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence."
Though today, I think the motto should be: "Let's go out and vote for Barack Obama and then afterwards we in the Philly area can go to Pat's for some cheesesteaks and then we can go look for some ruffed grouse."
Let's win this thing. Thanks to those in the trenches who have been working very hard.
FYI: The state bird of Pennsylvania is the Ruffed Grouse. Its state flower is the Mountain Laurel and the state motto is: "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence."
Though today, I think the motto should be: "Let's go out and vote for Barack Obama and then afterwards we in the Philly area can go to Pat's for some cheesesteaks and then we can go look for some ruffed grouse."
Perhaps that's a bit long to put on a license plate.
Monday, April 21, 2008
More You Tube Fun
My own soccer career peaked when I was about the age of 9 when I played on the Country Cousin Kickers (sponsored by Country Cousin Realty).
I was a defenseman. I think.
All I recall is that I touched the ball about three times all season and my style of play was mostly of the "stay out of the way" philosophy.
Anyway, I thought I would post this video as I feel it is a fairly accurate representation of a typical Country Cousin Kickers practice session.
Enjoy.
The Worst Rap Battle Ever
I don't know why I am posting this, Sasha Frere-Jones posted this on his blog, and I felt like doing the same.
I feel confident in saying that you could wake me up at 4:00 am, out of a dead sleep, and say that I had to rap on a very narrow subject of your choosing, (say the current market price of kosher pickles) and I could rap better than Eli.
"Yo, we be talkin' about the price of pickles
This ain't Russia, I ain't talkin' no hammer and sickle
I'm talkin' Kosher,
Fo sure
I flow and joke like my man Don Rickles.
When I drop rhymes about these Kosher pickles"
You get the idea.
You get the idea.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Basketblogging
I suppose somewhere along the line I should do some blogging on the NBA playoffs, but I am pretty swamped. So my playoff analysis will have to be limited to the following querie:
Is Pau Gasol the only person in the world who can get away with the "neck beard" look?
Is Pau Gasol the only person in the world who can get away with the "neck beard" look?
Friday, April 18, 2008
ABC: The Suckage
Yglesias had this on his blog, it's an open letter from The Nation regarding ABC's handling of the debate.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fuck All
I am not a veternarian, but I do have 2/3 of a law degree and access to wikipedia.
I think my dog might have congenital heart disease. Appointment tomorrow, updates to follow.
I think my dog might have congenital heart disease. Appointment tomorrow, updates to follow.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Golf, race, and other musings
This past weekend was The Masters, along with the The British Open, the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, as well as perhaps the most prestigious sporting event in the world (though an argument can be made for the PBA's Lumber Liquidators Championship).
Given the nature of this year's presidential race we, as a nation, are having a dialogue about race in this country. Much of these issues came into the public discourse during the Reverend Wright "controversy" and Barack Obama's eloquent remarks following it.
This national dialogue on race is taking place as much internally as it is externally. Many of us, or at least the one's who take the time to ponder such things, are examining our thoughts on race, any prejudicies we may have, where we have been as a nation, and perhaps where we are set to go.
I am not sure who first raised this subject, though I think it was local radio host Henry Lake who brought it up on his radio show and got me to thinking, and hence writing, about this issue. It has to do with golf, race, and John Daly.
John Daly is probably the second most popular golfer in the world. (For the most popular, look under: Woods, Tiger). I am not now, nor have I ever been a fan of John Daly. Though his story is interesting and he seems to be an affable enough guy, he has just always rubbed me the wrong way. He is on a path of self-destruction, and people are cheering him on every step of the way. It's just not a party I am interested in attending.
Since bursting on the scene by winning the PGA Championship in 1991, John Daly became one of the most popular golfers on tour. His style, or lack thereof, his demeanor, his ability to hit the ball really, really far, and his reputation as a guy who likes to drink endeared him to the fans. Sadly, Daly's life has since spiraled out of control for all of us to see. He unsuccessfully tried to give up drinking, he appears to have a full blown gambling addiction, he has had numerous legal and personal problems, and his golf game has been atrocious. He now largely plays tournaments only because he is allowed to enter on a sponsor's exemeption. He gets these exemptions for no other reason than that the fans love him. He attracts large galleries and has a rabid following.
Which brings me to the point of my post, and the point that Lake mentioned on his show:
What if John Daly were African-American?
Everything else about him is the same, the style of play, the personality, the trials, the early success. The only thing that is changed is the color of his skin.
Would he still be beloved? Would he gather a following? Would he even be allowed to play? I think not. Nay, I know not.
Instead of singing his praises, golf fans would deride the African-American version of John Daly as "wasted talent." The would bemoan his lack of work ethic, his lack of respect, and he would be labled as just another "problem athlete."
The double standard in sports in regards to race is quite real. We still have a lot of work to do.
Addendum: New favorite website Fire Joe Morgan, has a post that tangentially touches on the topic of race and sports as well.
Given the nature of this year's presidential race we, as a nation, are having a dialogue about race in this country. Much of these issues came into the public discourse during the Reverend Wright "controversy" and Barack Obama's eloquent remarks following it.
This national dialogue on race is taking place as much internally as it is externally. Many of us, or at least the one's who take the time to ponder such things, are examining our thoughts on race, any prejudicies we may have, where we have been as a nation, and perhaps where we are set to go.
I am not sure who first raised this subject, though I think it was local radio host Henry Lake who brought it up on his radio show and got me to thinking, and hence writing, about this issue. It has to do with golf, race, and John Daly.
John Daly is probably the second most popular golfer in the world. (For the most popular, look under: Woods, Tiger). I am not now, nor have I ever been a fan of John Daly. Though his story is interesting and he seems to be an affable enough guy, he has just always rubbed me the wrong way. He is on a path of self-destruction, and people are cheering him on every step of the way. It's just not a party I am interested in attending.
Since bursting on the scene by winning the PGA Championship in 1991, John Daly became one of the most popular golfers on tour. His style, or lack thereof, his demeanor, his ability to hit the ball really, really far, and his reputation as a guy who likes to drink endeared him to the fans. Sadly, Daly's life has since spiraled out of control for all of us to see. He unsuccessfully tried to give up drinking, he appears to have a full blown gambling addiction, he has had numerous legal and personal problems, and his golf game has been atrocious. He now largely plays tournaments only because he is allowed to enter on a sponsor's exemeption. He gets these exemptions for no other reason than that the fans love him. He attracts large galleries and has a rabid following.
Which brings me to the point of my post, and the point that Lake mentioned on his show:
What if John Daly were African-American?
Everything else about him is the same, the style of play, the personality, the trials, the early success. The only thing that is changed is the color of his skin.
Would he still be beloved? Would he gather a following? Would he even be allowed to play? I think not. Nay, I know not.
Instead of singing his praises, golf fans would deride the African-American version of John Daly as "wasted talent." The would bemoan his lack of work ethic, his lack of respect, and he would be labled as just another "problem athlete."
The double standard in sports in regards to race is quite real. We still have a lot of work to do.
Addendum: New favorite website Fire Joe Morgan, has a post that tangentially touches on the topic of race and sports as well.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Discussion Topic
From ESPN: "Former Blue Jay Ed Sprague says he used andro, amphetamines."
This begs the question, what will this do to his Hall of Fame chances? Of course we all remember his magical 1996 season. But we also can't forget his run with that great Pirates team of 1999, where Sprague was an All-Star and hit .267 with 22 homers and drove in 81 runs.
"Say it ain't so, Ed Sprague."
This begs the question, what will this do to his Hall of Fame chances? Of course we all remember his magical 1996 season. But we also can't forget his run with that great Pirates team of 1999, where Sprague was an All-Star and hit .267 with 22 homers and drove in 81 runs.
"Say it ain't so, Ed Sprague."
"Where is My Mind" by The Pixies
Friday Music blogging--I had forgotten that this song was used in "Fight Club."
Enjoy
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Did you see this?
Pitchfork launched a new website, pitchfork.tv. It is quite possible this has been up and running for months but it is new to me, so I thought I would bring it to your attention. (Tomorrow: we'll have commentary on that big news story, the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby)
Anyway, there is some pretty cool stuff up there. Yesterday I watched "loudQuietloud: A Film About the Pixies" in it's entirety. It played here in town maybe a year or two ago and I missed it then. I put it in my Netflix queue but it was sitting at about 200 on the priority list. It was a treat to be able to watch it from the comfort of my own computer and without pants on.
Anyway, there is some pretty cool stuff up there. Yesterday I watched "loudQuietloud: A Film About the Pixies" in it's entirety. It played here in town maybe a year or two ago and I missed it then. I put it in my Netflix queue but it was sitting at about 200 on the priority list. It was a treat to be able to watch it from the comfort of my own computer and without pants on.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Dylan (Bob) wins Pulitzer.
In my view, Pulitzer Prizes are decided kind of like the way NASA selects its astronauts. I don't know who makes the decisions and I am not sure what the criteria are, but it's cool for the people who get selected.
It was recently announced that one of our favorites, Robert Zimmerman, has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize For Something Or Other.
Our sincerest congratulations to him.
It was recently announced that one of our favorites, Robert Zimmerman, has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize For Something Or Other.
Our sincerest congratulations to him.
Stomach Growling
Ok, it's not just because it is just after 1:00 P.M local time and I am starving and I am sending out frantic e-mails and text messages to people trying to find somebody (anybody!) to go down the street to the nearest bar and grill to go grab lunch. Ok, maybe it is because of that....but I really just wanted to say that I love lunch, not only as a meal, but as a concept. That is why I found this blog so entertaining. (H/T: Sullivan)
I like taking time in the middle of the day for a respite. I like sitting down either by myself, or with friends to enjoy some food around the noon hour. I like that "lunch" can be an opportunity to reconnect with people. The phrase "hey, let's get together for lunch sometime" is music to my unsatiated ears. I like that "lunch" can be both refreshing and productive, i.e. the "working lunch." I like that "lunch" can be an opportunity to network.
I like sandwiches.
I like taking time in the middle of the day for a respite. I like sitting down either by myself, or with friends to enjoy some food around the noon hour. I like that "lunch" can be an opportunity to reconnect with people. The phrase "hey, let's get together for lunch sometime" is music to my unsatiated ears. I like that "lunch" can be both refreshing and productive, i.e. the "working lunch." I like that "lunch" can be an opportunity to network.
I like sandwiches.
I like burgers. I like chips. I like fries. I even like salads and soup if I am doing the "light lunch."
Today, lunch, or perhaps more accurately my friends, has foresaken me. I am frickin' starving over here.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
John Coltrane "Alabama"
Here is a Friday music clip in honor of Dr. King. John Coltrane playing one of the most haunting and beautiful of his compositions. It was inspired by the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham that took the lives of 4 girls and by Dr. King's eulogy.
"Good night, sweet princesses."
Warning: Time Suck Ahead
I am a geek for museums. Even if I don't have the requisite knowledge to fully appreciate them to the highest level that I could otherwise, I still love going to them nonetheless.
Well, I was forwarded this website: The Museum of Online Museums. It's great. Smithsonian, Musee d'Orsay, MoMA, The Gallery of Sexy Pez Advertising....
Enjoy.
Well, I was forwarded this website: The Museum of Online Museums. It's great. Smithsonian, Musee d'Orsay, MoMA, The Gallery of Sexy Pez Advertising....
Enjoy.
Today....
Forty years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. I encourage you all to think, memoralize, remember, ponder, mourn, celebrate, and act as you see fit to mark this day in American history.
Also...it's the birthday of one McKinley Morganfield, a.k.a, Muddy Waters.
Have a great weekend.
Also...it's the birthday of one McKinley Morganfield, a.k.a, Muddy Waters.
Have a great weekend.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Because you care....
Here is what I have been up to lately when I am not studying, sleeping, in-class, or masturbating...
Reading: I finally got around to reading Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections" which had been sitting in the "To Be Read" stack for the better part of 4 years. One word: Merciless. Another: Brilliant. A third: Funny. You get the idea, I loved the book and I am glad that the Oprah controversy, dare I say the Oprah kerfuffle, surrounding the book has sufficiently passed. Next up: "This Republic of Suffering" by Drew Gilpin Faust. On Deck: "A Well Paid Slave" by Brad Snyder.
Watching: Season Four of Penn & Teller's Bullshit, MLB on the Satellite (I got to watch Dave Niehaus throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Seattle the other night), "A Man for All Seasons" (RIP Paul Scofield), Rock of Love II, Baseball Tonight (For the love of God, ESPN, please fire Eric Young), The First 48 (I actually got hooked on this show because we watched a few episodes in my Criminal Procedure class. See, school can be educational!)
Listening: Lately Nina Nastasia, Quest's "Low End Theory," and "In Rainbows" have been in heavy rotation in the car. I have been having Ipod troubles (as well as computer troubles which we won't get into) so I am relegated from mostly listening to music (my jams) in the car. And heads up people, the new Tapes 'n Tapes album, "Walk It Off" hits stores next week.
Internetting: Two blogs I have been reading religiously of late. Let me plug Sarah Jaffe's "Season of the Bitch" first because she has stopped by this very humble blog on a couple of occassions. I don't recall exactly how I found her blog but I think it was through Lawyers, Guns, and Money. Anyway, Sex. Politics. Rock & Roll. Film. Lipgloss. Yep, that's it. Except Sarah writes on these things and so much more with a tremendous amount of intelligence, wit, and heart. Recently she had some very personal and touching posts about the loss of a friend. Great stuff.
The other blog that has me in stiches, in a good way, is Christina at Blah Blah Blahler. Never has living in Duluth seemed so packed with adventure, comedy, and romance.
Eating: Jimmy Johns. Like everyday. Jesus Christ. Somehow they managed to place their franchise locations strategically so that I can easily access one of their Sandwiches of Mediocrity conveniently no matter where I am and what time I am there. (This includes my way home after the bar closes.....mmmmmm)
I also have been introduced to a sushi place downtown that a few of my friends frequent. And I mean they frequent this place. The entire staff knows them, including the guys in the kitchen, and they have recently told them that if they can come up with a new roll, they would try to make it and if it turned out alright, they would put it on the menu and name it after them. These are good friends to have.
Drinking: Actually not too much. But I think I am going out on Saturday. Buckle up.
Wondering: What I would do if I was at the zoo and a tiger escaped. Run? Stay still? Push other people out of the way? Push other people in the way?
Dreaming about: The other night I dreamed I put on a pair of pants and it was filled with snakes. They were all over, coming out my pant leg. Fucking freaked me out.
Working out: Nope
Reading: I finally got around to reading Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections" which had been sitting in the "To Be Read" stack for the better part of 4 years. One word: Merciless. Another: Brilliant. A third: Funny. You get the idea, I loved the book and I am glad that the Oprah controversy, dare I say the Oprah kerfuffle, surrounding the book has sufficiently passed. Next up: "This Republic of Suffering" by Drew Gilpin Faust. On Deck: "A Well Paid Slave" by Brad Snyder.
Watching: Season Four of Penn & Teller's Bullshit, MLB on the Satellite (I got to watch Dave Niehaus throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Seattle the other night), "A Man for All Seasons" (RIP Paul Scofield), Rock of Love II, Baseball Tonight (For the love of God, ESPN, please fire Eric Young), The First 48 (I actually got hooked on this show because we watched a few episodes in my Criminal Procedure class. See, school can be educational!)
Listening: Lately Nina Nastasia, Quest's "Low End Theory," and "In Rainbows" have been in heavy rotation in the car. I have been having Ipod troubles (as well as computer troubles which we won't get into) so I am relegated from mostly listening to music (my jams) in the car. And heads up people, the new Tapes 'n Tapes album, "Walk It Off" hits stores next week.
Internetting: Two blogs I have been reading religiously of late. Let me plug Sarah Jaffe's "Season of the Bitch" first because she has stopped by this very humble blog on a couple of occassions. I don't recall exactly how I found her blog but I think it was through Lawyers, Guns, and Money. Anyway, Sex. Politics. Rock & Roll. Film. Lipgloss. Yep, that's it. Except Sarah writes on these things and so much more with a tremendous amount of intelligence, wit, and heart. Recently she had some very personal and touching posts about the loss of a friend. Great stuff.
The other blog that has me in stiches, in a good way, is Christina at Blah Blah Blahler. Never has living in Duluth seemed so packed with adventure, comedy, and romance.
Eating: Jimmy Johns. Like everyday. Jesus Christ. Somehow they managed to place their franchise locations strategically so that I can easily access one of their Sandwiches of Mediocrity conveniently no matter where I am and what time I am there. (This includes my way home after the bar closes.....mmmmmm)
I also have been introduced to a sushi place downtown that a few of my friends frequent. And I mean they frequent this place. The entire staff knows them, including the guys in the kitchen, and they have recently told them that if they can come up with a new roll, they would try to make it and if it turned out alright, they would put it on the menu and name it after them. These are good friends to have.
Drinking: Actually not too much. But I think I am going out on Saturday. Buckle up.
Wondering: What I would do if I was at the zoo and a tiger escaped. Run? Stay still? Push other people out of the way? Push other people in the way?
Dreaming about: The other night I dreamed I put on a pair of pants and it was filled with snakes. They were all over, coming out my pant leg. Fucking freaked me out.
Working out: Nope
The Predictions
As promised, or threatened, here is my quick run down on how the 2008 MLB season will unfold. I am just a guy with a computer and some extra time on my hands, please do not jeopardize your family's financial future based on these predictions. Here we go:
AL East: (The Same as it ever was division)
1. Boston
2. New York (Wild Card)
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore
I was thinking earlier in the spring that the Yankees weren't even going to make the playoffs. I have softened on that some. Boston's pitching is deep even with injuries to Beckett and Schilling. I think Dice-K will have a monster year and Paplebon should get Cy Young consideration. Toronto is a nice club, Alexis Rios should establish himself as an elite player. Tampa is clearly going in the right direction and the Orioles are an embarassment to a fine baseball city like Baltimore.
AL Central: (The Four good teams and the Royals Division)
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Minnesota
4. Chicago
5. Kansas City
I have my local team too high, but I am excited about the young nucleus. It's a two horse race and Detroit Rock City is just too loaded. Cleveland and the Yankees fight for the wild card and they both better look to get to about 95 wins, that's what it might take. The White Sox are getting some notice as a team to be on the lookout for, but I just see them as older, fatter, and balder than they have been. Kansas City has Alex Gordon and some really great barbecue, so there is reason for optimism.
AL West: (The These games are on too late to really know what's going on division)
1. Seattle
2. Anaheim
3. Texas
4. Oakland
I am not calling them the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. You are lucky I'm not calling them the California Angels. Seattle is a trendy pick and I am a trendy guy. Their lack of power worries me a little and it all depends if King Felix can stay healthy. The Angels are that team I forget about every year. I still respect their lineup, but they have been too decimated in the pitching department. Texas and Oakland...I have no idea which of these teams will be better or worse, depending on how you phrase it. Let's face it, it doesn't really matter, it's a coinflip. Texas got heads.
NL East: (The 'Now with Santana!' Division)
1. New York
2. Philadelphia
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. Florida
I write this after the injury to Pedro which emphasizes the Mets biggest weakness, that is, they are too fucking old. Still, Santana wins the Cy Young, David Wright the MVP. How can they not win? The Phillies are good. So is Atlanta. The Nationals are bad. So are the Marlins.
NL Central: (The Milwaukee is beautiful in October and are there really six teams in this division?)
1. Milwaukee
2. Chicago (Wild Card)
3. Houston
4. Cincinnati
5. St. Louis
6. Pittsburgh
I might be a year early, but I am going with the Brewers. I don't trust the Cubs and this is a pretty mediocre division. I don't know much about the Reds and I think the Cardinals can consider it a successful season if they can make it all the way through without someone dying. I guess about all I can say about this division is that on a personal level, I think my favorite uniforms in baseball are those alternative red ones that the Astros wear. Those are cool. And speaking of uniforms and teams, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Pirates. I even own a Pirates hat. I may be the only person in the Twin Cities who has one. They have great uniforms, a great ballpark, a rich tradition, and a terrible baseball team.
NL West (The I love Vin Scully and I will be more sad when he dies than I was when either of my grandfathers died division)
1. Arizona
2. Los Angeles
3. San Diego
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
Jesus, the Diamondbacks are good. Was it really last year the Rockies were in the World Series? That's about all I have to say. I'm tired of typing.
NLCS: Mets over Diamondbacks
ALCS: Boston over Detroit
World Series: Mets over Boston
NL MVP: David Wright (Runner Up: Ryan Howard)
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez (Runner Up: Miguel Cabrera)
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana (Runner Up: Jake Peavy)
AL CY Young: Justin Verlander (Runner Up: Jonathan Paplebon)
AL East: (The Same as it ever was division)
1. Boston
2. New York (Wild Card)
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore
I was thinking earlier in the spring that the Yankees weren't even going to make the playoffs. I have softened on that some. Boston's pitching is deep even with injuries to Beckett and Schilling. I think Dice-K will have a monster year and Paplebon should get Cy Young consideration. Toronto is a nice club, Alexis Rios should establish himself as an elite player. Tampa is clearly going in the right direction and the Orioles are an embarassment to a fine baseball city like Baltimore.
AL Central: (The Four good teams and the Royals Division)
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Minnesota
4. Chicago
5. Kansas City
I have my local team too high, but I am excited about the young nucleus. It's a two horse race and Detroit Rock City is just too loaded. Cleveland and the Yankees fight for the wild card and they both better look to get to about 95 wins, that's what it might take. The White Sox are getting some notice as a team to be on the lookout for, but I just see them as older, fatter, and balder than they have been. Kansas City has Alex Gordon and some really great barbecue, so there is reason for optimism.
AL West: (The These games are on too late to really know what's going on division)
1. Seattle
2. Anaheim
3. Texas
4. Oakland
I am not calling them the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. You are lucky I'm not calling them the California Angels. Seattle is a trendy pick and I am a trendy guy. Their lack of power worries me a little and it all depends if King Felix can stay healthy. The Angels are that team I forget about every year. I still respect their lineup, but they have been too decimated in the pitching department. Texas and Oakland...I have no idea which of these teams will be better or worse, depending on how you phrase it. Let's face it, it doesn't really matter, it's a coinflip. Texas got heads.
NL East: (The 'Now with Santana!' Division)
1. New York
2. Philadelphia
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. Florida
I write this after the injury to Pedro which emphasizes the Mets biggest weakness, that is, they are too fucking old. Still, Santana wins the Cy Young, David Wright the MVP. How can they not win? The Phillies are good. So is Atlanta. The Nationals are bad. So are the Marlins.
NL Central: (The Milwaukee is beautiful in October and are there really six teams in this division?)
1. Milwaukee
2. Chicago (Wild Card)
3. Houston
4. Cincinnati
5. St. Louis
6. Pittsburgh
I might be a year early, but I am going with the Brewers. I don't trust the Cubs and this is a pretty mediocre division. I don't know much about the Reds and I think the Cardinals can consider it a successful season if they can make it all the way through without someone dying. I guess about all I can say about this division is that on a personal level, I think my favorite uniforms in baseball are those alternative red ones that the Astros wear. Those are cool. And speaking of uniforms and teams, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Pirates. I even own a Pirates hat. I may be the only person in the Twin Cities who has one. They have great uniforms, a great ballpark, a rich tradition, and a terrible baseball team.
NL West (The I love Vin Scully and I will be more sad when he dies than I was when either of my grandfathers died division)
1. Arizona
2. Los Angeles
3. San Diego
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
Jesus, the Diamondbacks are good. Was it really last year the Rockies were in the World Series? That's about all I have to say. I'm tired of typing.
NLCS: Mets over Diamondbacks
ALCS: Boston over Detroit
World Series: Mets over Boston
NL MVP: David Wright (Runner Up: Ryan Howard)
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez (Runner Up: Miguel Cabrera)
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana (Runner Up: Jake Peavy)
AL CY Young: Justin Verlander (Runner Up: Jonathan Paplebon)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Small Market Defined
I am going to do a full blown predictions post sometime this week and then I am going to get away from baseball blogging for a little while. I just wanted to make a few comments about last nights 3-2 opening night win.
Ok, great. Go-Go Gomez is exciting. Livan got the job done. Morneau looked terrible. We still have the best closer in baseball until we trade him this year and I like the fact that the Twins are 1-0 as opposed to 0-1.
But what I really wanted to make note of was this bit of information that was passed along in Reusse's column regarding Twins set-up man Pat Neshek.
As we blogged about yesterday, we got snow and we got plenty of it. Pat Neshek is a local kid (who is also featured in a pretty funny Twins commercial I will post later) and had a pretty good year last year.
Well, apparently Neshek drives some old Ford with rear wheel drive. He was concerned about the snow so yesterday so he had his mom drive him to the game, because she apparently has a Jeep Liberty.
Good lord. One wonders if Mrs. Neshek didn't coordinate with some of the other mothers and they can get a car pool going, with a stop at Dairy Queen on the way home if they win.
Ok, great. Go-Go Gomez is exciting. Livan got the job done. Morneau looked terrible. We still have the best closer in baseball until we trade him this year and I like the fact that the Twins are 1-0 as opposed to 0-1.
But what I really wanted to make note of was this bit of information that was passed along in Reusse's column regarding Twins set-up man Pat Neshek.
As we blogged about yesterday, we got snow and we got plenty of it. Pat Neshek is a local kid (who is also featured in a pretty funny Twins commercial I will post later) and had a pretty good year last year.
Well, apparently Neshek drives some old Ford with rear wheel drive. He was concerned about the snow so yesterday so he had his mom drive him to the game, because she apparently has a Jeep Liberty.
Good lord. One wonders if Mrs. Neshek didn't coordinate with some of the other mothers and they can get a car pool going, with a stop at Dairy Queen on the way home if they win.
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