- The C C trade doesn't bother me too much. What else were we going to do? We are in last place, and it's most likely we weren't going to sign him anyway. Let's just hope that we obtained the outfield bat we so desperately need for this lineup. Having light hitters like Francisco, Gutierrez and such isn't going to cut it for the future.
- The Indians season may be over, but....15 days until training camp!
- Had another good craps in Iowa this past week, based on pressing up one unit. The strategy:
a. point with double odds
b. 6 and 8 for $12 each
c. first hit on the 6/8: same bet
d. second hit on the number: press up one unit to $18
e. third hit on the number: press two units to $30
And then keep the same bet and hope for the $35 payouts.
I also finally had a "double horn"; when I start winning, I throw a $5 horn high ace-deuce on the come out. I won the first on a 2 - paying $26; I then pressed it to $10. The roll came 3.
What does a horn-high ace-deuce for $10 pay on a 3? I finally found out! $54.
- My golf game is in such shambles that:
a. I needed to birdie 18 (and have Layup bogey it) just to tie Layup;
b. Random strangers are now offering me golf tips - and they are working!
- I need to stop snacking late at night. The actual thought in my head at 11:20 pm on Monday night:
1. "Hey! there's some Swedish fish left in the bag!"
2. "Ooooo....Burger King Zesty Onion Ring Sauce...."
3. "I wonder how it would taste if I dipped the Swedish Fish candy in that sauce....."
Next trial: Oreo cookies in Open Pit.
- I see that a song called "I kissed a Girl" is #1 on the charts. Is this a remake of the early 90's song? Does anyone remember that? I remember watching Beavis and Butthead comment on this video during the B&B heydays. It was being in Steve's basement, playing gin for hours watching "Beavis and Butthead" marathons. I think the episode with the "I Kissed A Girl" video was the same episode as Henry Rollins' "Liar". Also may have been a forgotten video featuring a woman with a gardening tool:
Beavis: " Is that a hoe?"
Butthead: "Yeah, but what is she carrying with her?"
Ah, memories.
Jul 9, 2008
Why I should listen to Rush more....
Rush Limbaugh, yesterday:
This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category." Now, amidst all of this, with a 9% approval rating, an all-time low, the media template is still what? That the Democrats are going to pick up all these seats in the House and they're going to pick up all these seats in the Senate. It's a foregone conclusion. Now, if people are this upset with Congress, and the president's numbers are higher — you know, this is a risky thing to try to analyze. You have to ask how many Americans understand that Congress is now run by Democrats? How many of them think that Congress is just an extension of the White House and are blaming it on Republicans? Well, you don't know. But I think one of the keys here in every call I get, and every comment I get from people talking about this, whether it's here on the program or in my highly focused personal and private life, it's the gasoline price. The gasoline price is the root of everything because that affects the cost of food, the cost of leisure time activity, the cost of entertainment, and it's a gold mine. It is simply a golden opportunity for the Republican Party here to really make some big hay.
I wholehearedly agree with the idea here.
This is what frustrates me about the Republicans.
1) FACT: Democrats control Congress.
2) FACT: Approval of Congress is even lower than approval for Bush (9% this month).
3) MY OPINION: I think that if you poll a random person in the street and ask him/her who controls Congress, half of them would say the Republicans.
McCain is starting to put together an energy plan to help offset the gas price increase, and he's starting to call Obama "Dr. No" because Obama is against any of those proposals(increased drilling, nuclear options, incentives for battery development, gas tax holiday, etc.).
But it's not enough. Every single Republican out there should hammer these themes over the next 4 months:
1) Gas prices have skyrocketed - hurting everyone's pocketbook
2) The Democratic controlled congress has done NOTHING to help you
3) Here is our 4 point plan (mirroring McCain's plan)
4) Democrats - including Obama - have opposed every point of our plan
5) In fact, Democrats - including Obama - don't have a plan to decrease prices (as evidenced by ZERO action in Congress)
6) So who are you voting for? A party with new ideas on tackling skyrocketing prices, or the party who opposed any and all solutions?
That can be a winner. Why the Republican party - and Bush - doesn't embrace this chain of thought is beyond me.
I still have vivid memories of Bill Clinton HAMMERING Newt and the Republican Congress every single day from 1995-2000. Every Single Day. Clinton never stopped reminding people who was behind the congressional policies he opposed. For instance, the budget shutdown - Clinton successfully turned the tables and blamed Congress for the shutdown. Classic politics in action.
Why the Republicans aren't doing the same and placing a lot of the political blame of higher gas prices on Pelosi and company is beyond me.
This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category." Now, amidst all of this, with a 9% approval rating, an all-time low, the media template is still what? That the Democrats are going to pick up all these seats in the House and they're going to pick up all these seats in the Senate. It's a foregone conclusion. Now, if people are this upset with Congress, and the president's numbers are higher — you know, this is a risky thing to try to analyze. You have to ask how many Americans understand that Congress is now run by Democrats? How many of them think that Congress is just an extension of the White House and are blaming it on Republicans? Well, you don't know. But I think one of the keys here in every call I get, and every comment I get from people talking about this, whether it's here on the program or in my highly focused personal and private life, it's the gasoline price. The gasoline price is the root of everything because that affects the cost of food, the cost of leisure time activity, the cost of entertainment, and it's a gold mine. It is simply a golden opportunity for the Republican Party here to really make some big hay.
I wholehearedly agree with the idea here.
This is what frustrates me about the Republicans.
1) FACT: Democrats control Congress.
2) FACT: Approval of Congress is even lower than approval for Bush (9% this month).
3) MY OPINION: I think that if you poll a random person in the street and ask him/her who controls Congress, half of them would say the Republicans.
McCain is starting to put together an energy plan to help offset the gas price increase, and he's starting to call Obama "Dr. No" because Obama is against any of those proposals(increased drilling, nuclear options, incentives for battery development, gas tax holiday, etc.).
But it's not enough. Every single Republican out there should hammer these themes over the next 4 months:
1) Gas prices have skyrocketed - hurting everyone's pocketbook
2) The Democratic controlled congress has done NOTHING to help you
3) Here is our 4 point plan (mirroring McCain's plan)
4) Democrats - including Obama - have opposed every point of our plan
5) In fact, Democrats - including Obama - don't have a plan to decrease prices (as evidenced by ZERO action in Congress)
6) So who are you voting for? A party with new ideas on tackling skyrocketing prices, or the party who opposed any and all solutions?
That can be a winner. Why the Republican party - and Bush - doesn't embrace this chain of thought is beyond me.
I still have vivid memories of Bill Clinton HAMMERING Newt and the Republican Congress every single day from 1995-2000. Every Single Day. Clinton never stopped reminding people who was behind the congressional policies he opposed. For instance, the budget shutdown - Clinton successfully turned the tables and blamed Congress for the shutdown. Classic politics in action.
Why the Republicans aren't doing the same and placing a lot of the political blame of higher gas prices on Pelosi and company is beyond me.
Jul 3, 2008
The only article you need to read...
...about the 2008 election.
If this article doesn't propel you to vote for McCain, then nothing - and I mean nothing - will.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1819898-1,00.html
Dammit, I wish I was one of McCain's aides....
If this article doesn't propel you to vote for McCain, then nothing - and I mean nothing - will.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1819898-1,00.html
Dammit, I wish I was one of McCain's aides....
Jun 30, 2008
Breaking news from P&G
I can't wait to see the comments on this blog about this story:
Gillette adds Derek Jeter to Champions Program
I'll start: If Derek Jeter is added, then we should add C.C. Sabathia as well. They've won the same number of rings since Sabathia came into the league in 2001.
And I can't wait until Brady Quinn is added to the program!
Gillette adds Derek Jeter to Champions Program
I'll start: If Derek Jeter is added, then we should add C.C. Sabathia as well. They've won the same number of rings since Sabathia came into the league in 2001.
And I can't wait until Brady Quinn is added to the program!
Jun 22, 2008
Ah, college girlfriends...
So we got our "Case Alumni" magazine in the mail the other day. As I was browsing through it, there was a page in there for alumni to write about memories they have of their favrorite professor. One student wrote about a physics professor that I knew but never had, and I didn't give it much attention - until the end.
At the bottom, there was a request from the magazine for people to submit stories about specific professors. One of them was a Systems Engineering professor - my major - that I did not like and that Janice hated with a passion. The best way to describe him would be - hmmmm....... Mort Goldman from "Family Guy" crossed with the Comic Book Guy from "The Simpsons". Yes, that scary - and he actually wore spandex to class a few times.
Anyway, I thought it'd be fun to show Janice the article and ask her to submit a letter about this Systems professor. She reads the request, laughs, and then rads the original article about the physics professor.
"Why did you show this to me? You know who wrote this article, right?"
No, I didn't check to see who wrote it. I look at it again - it was my first girlfriend from the dorm - a two week fling that should not have happened. She was a band enthusiast - I know, I know - from Pittsburgh, of all places. Ugh. And all my friends (and most others in the dorm) gave her the name of "ButtCut" since her hair was parted in the middle and feathered high on both sides.
Wow - 1989 hair styles.
It was a rebound relationship, after my high school girlfriend didn't talk to me for the 2-3 weeks before I left Sacramento for Cleveland. And something that all the people who knew me freshman year still make fun of me for.
At the bottom, there was a request from the magazine for people to submit stories about specific professors. One of them was a Systems Engineering professor - my major - that I did not like and that Janice hated with a passion. The best way to describe him would be - hmmmm....... Mort Goldman from "Family Guy" crossed with the Comic Book Guy from "The Simpsons". Yes, that scary - and he actually wore spandex to class a few times.
Anyway, I thought it'd be fun to show Janice the article and ask her to submit a letter about this Systems professor. She reads the request, laughs, and then rads the original article about the physics professor.
"Why did you show this to me? You know who wrote this article, right?"
No, I didn't check to see who wrote it. I look at it again - it was my first girlfriend from the dorm - a two week fling that should not have happened. She was a band enthusiast - I know, I know - from Pittsburgh, of all places. Ugh. And all my friends (and most others in the dorm) gave her the name of "ButtCut" since her hair was parted in the middle and feathered high on both sides.
Wow - 1989 hair styles.
It was a rebound relationship, after my high school girlfriend didn't talk to me for the 2-3 weeks before I left Sacramento for Cleveland. And something that all the people who knew me freshman year still make fun of me for.
Here we go again
The Cincinnati Met is tomorrow - 200+ golfers playing 36 holes over Monday and Tuesaday to get down to a final 64, where they are then seeded for Match Play.For the first time this year, I think I actually have some clue where the ball may be going off the club. Three thoughts:
- stand closer to the ball
- compact backswing
- and swing through the ball
A tune from "Swing Out Sister" always helps me remember this swing thought - say, "Breakout":
Don't stop to ask
Now you've found a break to make at last
You've got to find a way
Say what you want to say
Breakout....
Anyway - the courses we are playing:
The Ridge Club - 6450 yds, par 70; Terrace Park, 6800 , par 72.
Don, myself and the Good Doctor (Dr. Todd) are all in the field as we start tomorrow. The early lines:
Don vs Eric:
Don -0.5
Eric
Over/under:
Eric: over/under 161.5
Don: over/under 161
Jun 17, 2008
Random notes and golf update
Well, tomorrow is the annual rite, the 36 hole US Publinx Qualifier. This year, Don and I are trying our luck in Middletown at the Weatherwax golf course. Don's tee time is 8:30; mine is at 9:00. Going with tradition, Don has secured a teenage boy for me to be my caddy. I wouldn't have it any other way!
I was reading some of the old posts and came across the summary of the 2006 qualifier here. Forgot about this post and the stories from Don/Kermit in the comments.
Lines for tomorrow:
36 hole total:
Eric
Don -2.5
Over/under
Eric:
over 161.5 -110
under 161.5 -110
Don:
over 158.5 -110
under 158.5 -110
Post your betting choices before we get back at 8 pm tomorrow.
Random notes:
- Why does Annika, Charles Howell, and Chi Chi get to drive a Lexus, but Raymond has someone to drive him?
- If someone filmed me running from the backside, I'm sure I'd look like Raymond in the commercial.
- Johnny Miller can not read greens. He misread the 18th green at least 4 separate times over the weekend during the telecast.
- How to make a craps table hot? Well, the hillbilly I played craps with on Friday night told me this simple rule. Place an $11 bet on the "Big 8" on the comeout! And sure enough, once he did that, the table got hot for 90 minutes. A couple of caveats:
First, the bet needs to be placed so that the chips are perfectly on the top circle of the "8". Also, if it is after midnight, then you move the Big 8 bet to the Big 6.
As Billy Dee Williams would say, "works every time!"
I was reading some of the old posts and came across the summary of the 2006 qualifier here. Forgot about this post and the stories from Don/Kermit in the comments.
Lines for tomorrow:
36 hole total:
Eric
Don -2.5
Over/under
Eric:
over 161.5 -110
under 161.5 -110
Don:
over 158.5 -110
under 158.5 -110
Post your betting choices before we get back at 8 pm tomorrow.
Random notes:
- Why does Annika, Charles Howell, and Chi Chi get to drive a Lexus, but Raymond has someone to drive him?
- If someone filmed me running from the backside, I'm sure I'd look like Raymond in the commercial.
- Johnny Miller can not read greens. He misread the 18th green at least 4 separate times over the weekend during the telecast.
- How to make a craps table hot? Well, the hillbilly I played craps with on Friday night told me this simple rule. Place an $11 bet on the "Big 8" on the comeout! And sure enough, once he did that, the table got hot for 90 minutes. A couple of caveats:
First, the bet needs to be placed so that the chips are perfectly on the top circle of the "8". Also, if it is after midnight, then you move the Big 8 bet to the Big 6.
As Billy Dee Williams would say, "works every time!"
A Public Service Announcement
Regular blogging will resume shortly, like how a hillbilly taught me how to make a craps table become hot (hint - it involves putting money on the best that is, by far, the least popular).
But first, some pictures from the flooding in Iowa City/Coralville. Many of you know that I worked in Iowa City and lived in Coralville from 2004 to early 2006. These pictures are kind of amazing - and are only about 3 miles from our old house.
The first picture above is an aerial shot of the main intersection in Coralville. You can see the tree lined strees intersecting right about in the middle of the picture. The circles you see just below and to the right of that intersection is the University of Iowa softball fields - the actual circles you see are the outfield fences. You can barely make out a water tower in the upper left part of the picture - our house was about 1 mile from that tower.
At the bottom left, you can also see the #13 green(s) of the University golf course. This is where I lost my 2005 Ryder Cup match, 6 and 5 - but the Iowa City team won the overall matches, 14 1/2 to 13 1/2. Those are not supposed to be island greens.
The second picture is a close up of the main intersection. Sorry, no Hardee's burgers for a while.
The last picture is one of the buildings affected - where I got my hair cut consistently for 2 years. Dave was a typical barber - 60 years old, and full of stories - and actually gave Freddie a pocket coin holder with a Hawkeye logo when he came in. He still has it.
The flooding, obviously, will take a while to recover from. If you see any appeals for donations for flood relief in the area, I ask that you consider donating to the relief effort.
Jun 11, 2008
US Open
Please....please Mr. Ogilvy. I beg you. Please don't let us down this weekend. After last Sunday with the evil fucking Tim Clark triple boging the first hole and then going on to shot a 76 and totalling screwing us I.....sorry, where was I. Oh, so we are in 8th place and need to move up and make sure that the mean ole Wiz doesn't catch us. He's an asshole that constantly tries to put the reverse gooch on my brother and I. If you can win or even come in second after Tiger, I would be forever grateful. Thank you.
Is that you corky?
So I was talking with Dick the other day and he was out in Vegas. He was staying at the Golden Nugget and after his afternoon meetings, he decided to go and play some BJ. He said that he found a $10 table with one lady sitting at third base. Dick sat down at 1st base, exchanged 200 and was immediately dealt Black Jack. As Dick collected his money, he noticed that the dealer was explaining to the lady on what to do. "OK, so you don't want to hit since you have 17 and I have a 4 showing." Dick didn't think anything was wrong with this until he looked up at the lady and realized that there was something different about her. The women had down- syndrome, or as Dick said, a mongoloid. Dick was in shock. He first asked the dealer if it was legal, and the dealer didn't understand what Dick's problem was. Then Dick asked to color up and left the table.
I have to agree with Dick. How is this legal? Basically the dealer is having to play the ladies hand for her since she has no idea what is going on? Any thoughts on this?
I have to agree with Dick. How is this legal? Basically the dealer is having to play the ladies hand for her since she has no idea what is going on? Any thoughts on this?
Jun 10, 2008
Finals
Seriously, would anyone like to wager against Bennet Salvatore or Joey Crawford or Leon Wood officiating tonights game 3 in LA???? Vegas wouldn't even offer a line on that.
I freely admit that the Celts got buckets of home cooking in the last game. Leon Powe turned into Karl Malone in his prime and was drawing fouls at an incredible rate. Meanwhile some guy named Kobe drove the lane multiple times and didn't get anything. There were also a couple of plays were Garnett could have been called for fouls contesting shots inside, but they let it go. Overall, I thought game 1 was the best officiated game I have seen in the playoffs. Unfortunately, game 2 was more what we come to expect in the NBA.
I bet three Celtic starters will be on the bench with two fouls by the 8:00 in the 2nd Quarter. Kobe will go to the line at least 16 times and the Lakers will win big. Still I say Celtics in 6.
I freely admit that the Celts got buckets of home cooking in the last game. Leon Powe turned into Karl Malone in his prime and was drawing fouls at an incredible rate. Meanwhile some guy named Kobe drove the lane multiple times and didn't get anything. There were also a couple of plays were Garnett could have been called for fouls contesting shots inside, but they let it go. Overall, I thought game 1 was the best officiated game I have seen in the playoffs. Unfortunately, game 2 was more what we come to expect in the NBA.
I bet three Celtic starters will be on the bench with two fouls by the 8:00 in the 2nd Quarter. Kobe will go to the line at least 16 times and the Lakers will win big. Still I say Celtics in 6.
Jun 7, 2008
Saturday Ramblings
Wow what a day.
- So this morning I recommend to Eric that we need to get involved in the opening rounds of the Euro Cup, and when I say "get involved" I mean wagering. So Eric and I take the Czech Republic against the Swiss and I end up watching the entire match. First off, I love the announcers. Nothing in particular other than their accents. Secondly, I could really get into wagering on these games. It was so intense for most of the game. When the Czechs scored late in the second half I ran around my living room and kitchen just yelling "GOOOOOOAAAL" with Carol watching in shock. Then I was in the fetal position on the couch till the end as there were two missed hand ball calls in the penalty box for the Swiss that was not called. The bad part of it all was the text I got just minutes ago from Eric "How about the over in the Austria-Croatia match and a draw in the Germany Poland match." Ladies and Gentleman, I think we have found the missing link in sports gambling to hold us over until the NFL.
- Second gambling comment- PGA Golf pools. Greatest...THING...EVER!!!! So Wiz got Eric and I involved in a PGA Golf pool where we have to pick a single golfer to win each event and you can't use the same guy twice. At the beginning I wasn't too into it, but it has been building week by week and now it has taken over my life. So on Monday-Wednesday, Eric and I discuss what golfer to take in detail and then Thursday-Sunday I'm watching as much golf as possible. I either watched or followed 100% Tim Clarks rounds this week.
- Who would of thought that the Dodgers-Czech Republic-Tim Clark-Da'Tara parlay would of been the lock. And oh yeah I would of done it if I could have.
- Speaking of Da'Tara, please call Eric to give him a hard time in talking me out of wagering on Da'Tara to win. We ended up wagering him to show so it wasn't a total loss, but it could of been better.
- And finally Tim Clark and Steven Ames. Thank you for your hardwork today. Let's hope it pays off. Oh, and F you Wiz. Nice try on the reverse gooch.
- It was a very nice gambling day today.
- Note to the readers- Eating a fish burrito at 9:0pm the night before and backing it up with two bowls of Fiber One (55% of your fiber intake per serving) the next morning is not recommended. I read most of my magazines and then had to dip into Carol's Us Weekly, an old People, and even a Women's Fitness to cover the amount of downtime I had to take in the bathroom this morning. And Women's Fitness was very interesting. They did a shampoo ranking and P&G shit didn't make the list. I'll post it if anyone wants to see what it said.
- Went and looked at houses in Long Beach today. Nothing like $700 per square foot for homes in shitty neighborhoods. The housing market is hitting California pretty bad but not near LA. We viewed a 1400 square foot home that was built in the 1930's that only had the kitchen redone and it was just reduced to $1 million. What a bargain.
- Just want to say that I'm a little sad that Greg on the Real World has been sent home. He is now on the level of Spencer for the biggest dick on TV that I actually like. And by the way, this Real World has been amazing. If any of you liked the Real World before and stopped watching it because you were getting too old, please watch this season. Just amazing.
Jun 5, 2008
Hubie Brown picks the VPs
Editor's note: Hubie Brown will be our guest columnist for tonight, as he gives advice to both parties on who the Vice Presidential choice should be.
OK, You're Barack Obama. You've got a rift with the Clintons, with women and with blue collar Democrats. You've got 3 choices that make sense for you.
Third on the list for you is a governor of a key state that was a key supporter of Clinton's frm way back. You can't win without this state. This guy has the blue collar persona that you need to win the Reagan Democrat vote. This guy probably was a Reagan Democrat before joining the Clinton team in 1992. Ed Rendell (Governor of PA) would be an excellent choice.
But you could do even one better. The 6th Congressional district in Ohio is true Appalachia. When this person represented the district, the 6th ran from the Eastern Cincinnati suburbs all the way up the Ohio river, past Chillicothe, Portsmouth, Athens and up to the west side of Wheeling. This district, 97% white and a very low income, was won by this person in 1992, lost in 1994 in the Gingrich revolution, but then won the district back in 1996 and continued for four more terms. This person has effectively won these white blue-collar voters, the voters that go for Hillary at an 80% rate and voters you have to carry to win Ohio and, in effect, win the Presidency.
Barack,where is this guy now? He's only the newly elected governor of Ohio. Ted Strickland, the former 6th district congressman, is now the governor and ran Hillary's campaign in Ohio. He could possibly swing Ohio for you.
But Barack, those two candidates don't have the foreign policy experience that you are lacking. The perfect candidate would have governmental experience - maybe be in Washington for 20 or so years - and share your anti-war values. You also have some ground to make up with women. You have GOT to get them back in your good graces after the divisive primary.
You may be asking - if I need a woman on my ticket with plenty of experience, and it's not Hillary, then who could it be? Well, there is such a woman. This woman could bring additional passion and fire to your campaign. Also, she's represented most of the readers on this blog over the last 20 years.
If you truly want to get the feminists back in your tent, and also add experience to your ticket, you should nominate Barbara Mikulski (Senator, MD) as your VP.
Now, you're John McCain. First thing you have to realize is that the current Republican brand is crap. You cannot pick someone that has associations to the current version of the Republican party. So people currently associated with Bush or are seen as establishment Republicans are off limits.
You also realize that diversity is key. You see the split in the Democrats and see an opening - is there a way to capture some of the female vote? There is a senator that can do just that - a Senator with a moderate, bipartisan voting record that shares your enviornmentalist concerns. Picking Olympia Snowe (Sen, ME) would show you are serious about your bipartisan plans.
One problem is that Olympia is currently in Congress, and can easily be tied to Bush. You realize that you also need to carry the conservatives, your base, in order to have any hope of winning. You need to realize that the most popular Republican out there right now among the base is not Bush, Cheney, or any one currently in office - but Newt Gingrich. He had the ideas and the vision in the 90s and epitomized what the conservative movement stood for. Now, you think that a McCain-Gingrich ticket may not work - and I think you are right. But you need to pick someone from that era that has not been sullied by the unpopulairty of the Bush administration.
One bold pick would be J.C. Watts (ex-Republican representative from Oklahoma). He was in a ledership position in Newt's congress before he retired from public office in 2002. He would instantly show that you are serious about your conservative principles while emphasizing diversity.
However, you wonder how that would translate to votes in the fall - you probably can't peel any African-American votes away from Obama. What you are looking for, bluntly, is a woman that is associated with the 90's Republican Revolution but does not have ties to the current brand of Republicanism, and hopefully has some moderate viewpoints to appease Democrats and (most importantly) the media. Does this person exist? You bet she does. Christie Todd Whitman (the ex-Governor of New Jersey) was Governor in a blue state throughout the 1990's, and shares a passion for environmental concerns. She was Bush's EPA director from 2001-2003, but resigned after "having several public conflicts with the Bush administration". Another plus!
There you go. Obama-Mikulski vs. McCain-Whitman. That would be wonderful to see.
Jun 2, 2008
Travelers and golf
Sorry to all the insurance people out there, but I do like the new Travelers ad...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3CXJZwGBw
How's the golf game, you ask? Well, I think I'm the short circus ringleader in the ad. So substitute "boat" for swing, have Layup be Mr. Travelers, and it sums up the state of my game right now.
Layup: "Where's your swing?"
Me: "There's no swing!"
Layup: "No swing?"
Me: "It will be back....(muttering)....es un disastro!"
Layup: "Well, maybe you can fade the ball again?"
Me: "Fade it?"
To salvage the 2008 season, I need that God damn Red Umbrella IMMEDIATELY.
I better step on the tee no later than June 15th, hit the ball, and exclaim (like Mr. Circus in the ad): "There it is!"
(PS - so who is the ugly, shirtless circus sidekick in the ad? Is that Don? Or Kermit?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3CXJZwGBw
How's the golf game, you ask? Well, I think I'm the short circus ringleader in the ad. So substitute "boat" for swing, have Layup be Mr. Travelers, and it sums up the state of my game right now.
Layup: "Where's your swing?"
Me: "There's no swing!"
Layup: "No swing?"
Me: "It will be back....(muttering)....es un disastro!"
Layup: "Well, maybe you can fade the ball again?"
Me: "Fade it?"
To salvage the 2008 season, I need that God damn Red Umbrella IMMEDIATELY.
I better step on the tee no later than June 15th, hit the ball, and exclaim (like Mr. Circus in the ad): "There it is!"
(PS - so who is the ugly, shirtless circus sidekick in the ad? Is that Don? Or Kermit?)
Jun 1, 2008
Hello there!
It's has been a long while since I blogged - so here we go with some ramblings:
1) Had a great time on vacation this month at Disney and then the gulf coast (near Tampa / St. Pete). I know I will offend somebody here, but anyone who goes to Disney World with a 2 year old child or less is insane. Why? Our kids are 7 and 4, and I think the minimum age for a family to enjoy Disney is 4 - or maybe 3. Any younger than that - why go? The kid won't remember it, the kid will complain 80% of the day, and it's too hot/boring/tiring for them. We were there at 9:30 one morning - and saw one family (with a 1 and a 2 year old) just break down. The mother was yelling at her kids: "if you don't behave better, we'll go back to the hotel..." At 9:30! Must have been a long day.
2) At a Pizzeria UNO in Orlando, saw a man at a bar wearing a Browns hat and a Courtney Brown jersey. I was proud.
3) When in Tampa/St. Pete, we had a chance to go to a Devil Rays game. On a Friday night. I gotta tell you, it was weird.
First of all, maybe 15,000 were in attendance. We bought outfield seats but pretty much had 3 rows in a lower section between 1st and the right field foul pole all to ourselves. We got free parking - it was $10 for cars but if you had 4 people in the car, it was free! The stadium is in a terrible neighborhood in St Pete. Nothing but some industry and lower middle-class housing around there. It's like putting a stadium in Fairfield, OH, Euclid, OH, or Essex, MD. (and for those of you wondering, it was somewhat similar, but much less romantic, than the old Memorial Staidum neighborhood in Baltimore.)
I've never seen so many single men (aged 40-60) at a baseball game. It felt - honestly - like a horse track. Tons of middle aged men - divorcees? widowers? - taking in the game by themselves. Half had their scorebook keeping score.
The inside of the dome had no chemistry - it was like watching a game inside a Sam's Club. However, it was $1 hot dog night (and the Zahn family had 11) and it was the closest I have been to a no hitter yet. James Shields let up a hit in the 4th - and that was it. It was 0-0 going to the 9th, when the Rays hit a walkoff 2 run HR.
Leaving the game, I was impressed with the knowledge of those male fans. They were talking about pitch counts, at-bat strategies of the hitters, etc. (this drove Janice crazy - "we just saw the game! Why do they have to talk about it again??" - but I appreciated it.
Just - a weird but oddly fulfilling experience. It took us 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot - I can't imagine how it would be if they actually sold out.
4) I didn't realize how far Tampa and St Pete were from each other. Maybe that explained the lack of attendance. The Bucs and the Lightning play in Tampa - which is a good 30 minutes away from St Pete, where the Rays play. St Pete - from what we saw - is a depressing town. Tampa seemed much more....busier and livelier. That may explain many of the attendance problems for the Rays.
5) We're starting to get prepared for the new arrival .... went into the new IKEA here in West Chester to look at bunk beds. IKEAs are just....overwhelming. Wow.
6) Last weekend Don, Craig, Mike and I went up to Purdue to play the Kampen Course (a Pete Dye design) right before the NCAA Div I championship. Wow. What an experience.
Well, the experience was "enhanced" by plenty of drinking the night before at a favroite college bar of Don and Mike's......hoo boy, Long island Ice Teas have a lot of alcohol.
The course itself was a brutal 7450 yards, with a heavy penalty of missing the fairway (5 inches of rough, forcing a 9 iron or worse). With my driver not cooperating, and my head spinning as I kneeled down to read putts (and spinning again as I rose out of my crouch), I shot a respectable (?) 95. But it was a 44 on the back nine!
A few more quick thoughts:
7) What would the 1995 Indians' record be if they had this pitching? 130-14? My God, we are wasting our starting five's performances.
8) I have yet to find a flavor of Vitamin Water than I like. It's gross.
9) Freddie's baseball is going well - he's hitting the machine pretty good, and got a clean one-bouncer to the outfield yesterday. On Tuesday, it was too muddy for the machines so the coaches had to pitch - and our coach got him right on the wrist. Hoo boy. Someone on theblog immediately gave him teh nickname of Don Baylor.
10) Layup and I are taking suggestions for who to pick for the US Open in our golf pool. Can we depend on Tiger - or save him for later? We already picked Phil for the Colonial (in a master stroke of genius). Any other ideas? Harrington? Cink?
11) Don has reserved a Ryder Cup ticket for Saturday, Sept 20 down in Louisville. That is 8 days after our baby is expected to arrive. What are the odds that I will be attending the Ryder Cup? Early line is 50-1 against....
1) Had a great time on vacation this month at Disney and then the gulf coast (near Tampa / St. Pete). I know I will offend somebody here, but anyone who goes to Disney World with a 2 year old child or less is insane. Why? Our kids are 7 and 4, and I think the minimum age for a family to enjoy Disney is 4 - or maybe 3. Any younger than that - why go? The kid won't remember it, the kid will complain 80% of the day, and it's too hot/boring/tiring for them. We were there at 9:30 one morning - and saw one family (with a 1 and a 2 year old) just break down. The mother was yelling at her kids: "if you don't behave better, we'll go back to the hotel..." At 9:30! Must have been a long day.
2) At a Pizzeria UNO in Orlando, saw a man at a bar wearing a Browns hat and a Courtney Brown jersey. I was proud.
3) When in Tampa/St. Pete, we had a chance to go to a Devil Rays game. On a Friday night. I gotta tell you, it was weird.
First of all, maybe 15,000 were in attendance. We bought outfield seats but pretty much had 3 rows in a lower section between 1st and the right field foul pole all to ourselves. We got free parking - it was $10 for cars but if you had 4 people in the car, it was free! The stadium is in a terrible neighborhood in St Pete. Nothing but some industry and lower middle-class housing around there. It's like putting a stadium in Fairfield, OH, Euclid, OH, or Essex, MD. (and for those of you wondering, it was somewhat similar, but much less romantic, than the old Memorial Staidum neighborhood in Baltimore.)
I've never seen so many single men (aged 40-60) at a baseball game. It felt - honestly - like a horse track. Tons of middle aged men - divorcees? widowers? - taking in the game by themselves. Half had their scorebook keeping score.
The inside of the dome had no chemistry - it was like watching a game inside a Sam's Club. However, it was $1 hot dog night (and the Zahn family had 11) and it was the closest I have been to a no hitter yet. James Shields let up a hit in the 4th - and that was it. It was 0-0 going to the 9th, when the Rays hit a walkoff 2 run HR.
Leaving the game, I was impressed with the knowledge of those male fans. They were talking about pitch counts, at-bat strategies of the hitters, etc. (this drove Janice crazy - "we just saw the game! Why do they have to talk about it again??" - but I appreciated it.
Just - a weird but oddly fulfilling experience. It took us 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot - I can't imagine how it would be if they actually sold out.
4) I didn't realize how far Tampa and St Pete were from each other. Maybe that explained the lack of attendance. The Bucs and the Lightning play in Tampa - which is a good 30 minutes away from St Pete, where the Rays play. St Pete - from what we saw - is a depressing town. Tampa seemed much more....busier and livelier. That may explain many of the attendance problems for the Rays.
5) We're starting to get prepared for the new arrival .... went into the new IKEA here in West Chester to look at bunk beds. IKEAs are just....overwhelming. Wow.
6) Last weekend Don, Craig, Mike and I went up to Purdue to play the Kampen Course (a Pete Dye design) right before the NCAA Div I championship. Wow. What an experience.
Well, the experience was "enhanced" by plenty of drinking the night before at a favroite college bar of Don and Mike's......hoo boy, Long island Ice Teas have a lot of alcohol.
The course itself was a brutal 7450 yards, with a heavy penalty of missing the fairway (5 inches of rough, forcing a 9 iron or worse). With my driver not cooperating, and my head spinning as I kneeled down to read putts (and spinning again as I rose out of my crouch), I shot a respectable (?) 95. But it was a 44 on the back nine!
A few more quick thoughts:
7) What would the 1995 Indians' record be if they had this pitching? 130-14? My God, we are wasting our starting five's performances.
8) I have yet to find a flavor of Vitamin Water than I like. It's gross.
9) Freddie's baseball is going well - he's hitting the machine pretty good, and got a clean one-bouncer to the outfield yesterday. On Tuesday, it was too muddy for the machines so the coaches had to pitch - and our coach got him right on the wrist. Hoo boy. Someone on theblog immediately gave him teh nickname of Don Baylor.
10) Layup and I are taking suggestions for who to pick for the US Open in our golf pool. Can we depend on Tiger - or save him for later? We already picked Phil for the Colonial (in a master stroke of genius). Any other ideas? Harrington? Cink?
11) Don has reserved a Ryder Cup ticket for Saturday, Sept 20 down in Louisville. That is 8 days after our baby is expected to arrive. What are the odds that I will be attending the Ryder Cup? Early line is 50-1 against....
May 27, 2008
Vegas
I asked Carol a couple of months ago what she wanted for her birthday, and she said a trip to Vegas. So this past weekend we headed to Vegas. We headed out early on Satuday to beat the traffic. I love heading out Saturday morning instead of Friday night. Friday night you have to battle weekend traffic to get out of LA, arrive late that evening after an exhausting 6 hour drive, and then have to battle the long check in line. Ugh. Instead I leave at 7:00am on Saturday morning and get there around 11:00am, energized and ready to go for the entire day.
Stayed at the Mirage. I had some coupons to cover the room that weekend so decided to go back and check out the newly renovated rooms. Huge flat screen TV but still very small. I guess you can't really change the size of the rooms. Perfect for Carol and I, but a little too small for 4 guys. I guess I'm spoiled now after staying at the Palazzo in March.
Highlights from Saturday:
1. Sportsbook: Went 4-0 on sports wagering. Too bad the wagers were pretty small. Figures.
2. Palazzo: Went over to the Palazzo to play some craps. Um...wow. That's all I can say. The place was packed and the table limits were crazy high. Remember that this was on a Saturday afternoon, and there was one $15 craps table and the rest were $25 and $50. We could only find one $25 BJ table, the rest were $50-$500. All roulette tables were $25. What the heck happened since March? I was crushed.
3. Palazzo continued: So we went back to the Mirage to gamble and then returned to the Palazzo to have dinner. While at dinner we were amazed at how many women were walking by that were dressed like grade A prostitues. So after dinner, we went down to the 40-40 club just to people watch. We were camped out in the little sportsbook just outside of the 40-40 entrance and saw a gaggle of asian sluts walking our way. To my delight they stopped and asked Carol if she would take a picture for them, and for the first time ever I saw Carol with a totally pissed off and disgusted look on her face state "No, but maybe he will" as she pointed my way. Now, the one girl was only wearing a leopard print teddy, while one of the other girls wore jeans that were so low that her ass was sticking out of the top of the jeans and you could almost see the goods from the front side. Oh and that one was wearing a bra as a top. Crazy! Beyond words!!!
4. Oakland A's: On Saturday, I wore an A's shirt for the entire day. Just your basic A's shirt. And for some reason I got heckled multiple times. This was a first. Usually the only comments are "Hey you an A's fan"? This time I had a fat old lady eye ball me and say "Oakland? ugh" by which I had no response. Carol had a great response, but just a second too late. Then while walking from the Mirage over to Cesears, I was bum rushed by 5 white trash twenty five year olds who were obviously drunk. I thought I was going to get knifed. No joke. I almost yelled at Carol to run, that's how scared I was for 5 seconds as they were all running towards us. When they approached they were happy I was an A's fan and wanted to take my picture. So the six of us take a picture together. I was so confused. Note to self, don't go outside.
5. Rain: I always thought the worst smell ever was the stream of water running down Borbon Street during Mardi Graw. Nope. By far the worse smell ever was the steady stream of raw sewage running down Las Vegas Blvd after it rained for about 2 hours. The smell made my eyes water. Note to self, don't ever go outside.
6. Ultimate World Series of Poker: Is it a pre-requsite that you have to be a blabber mouth if you want to be a dealer of this game? GOD, everyone just shut up and deal the cards. I don't care about what your neighbors' kids did to their bikes in front of you house the other day. I just want you to flip over you hold cards. PLEASE!!! I know that you are 75 years old and have no one to talk to, but please just deal. And no, this was not the same dealer that Eric and I had back in March. More on him in a second.
7. Crowds- It seemed very packed on Saturday, but talking to one of the BJ pit bosses, he said that it is very slow at the tables. It looks like a lot of people, but no one is gambling. So much so that the Mirage's table limits stayed in the $10-$15 range. Pai Gow was at $25 in the evening, but whenever Carol and I wanted to play blackjack, there was an open $15 table. And they weren't the shuffle machines.
8. Crowds continued: The pit boss continued to state that they are getting a very large influx of Europeans and Asians now that the dollar is weak. They are also seeing a constant flow of 20 year olds, which makes many of the dealers upset because they tend to be drunk, but the pit boss stated that if it was specifically for the California 20 year olds, then the casinos would be dead right now. Then we talked for a while about how do these kids have $1000 to spend in the clubs. Very interesting conversation.
9. Pete Rose was signing autographs at Caesars. Hmmm, is that really a good idea?
10. Carol is the cooler when it comes to the wheel. Poor girl didn't get one spin the entire weekend. I kept on putting in money in the machine after she would play I almost always got a spin right after. It was pretty classic.
Sunday highlights
1. Mirage Craps- Woke up early to play some craps by myself. As usually the dealers sucked ass and I lost. Other than craps and the fact that there really isn't any place to grab a quick bit to eat, I really warming up to the Mirage again. Great sportsbook, great dealers, and the Beatles event is great for people watching.
2. Meza Grill: Went to Meza Grill for Brunch. No too bad. I think we need to try it out next year. We then went for a nice walk up the strip. Below are some comments on the casinos that we stopped in.
3. Caesars: So they now have a new pit called the Pussy Cat Club pit. They have about 10 BJ tables and some other games. Each dealer is a hot girl wearing a bikini. There are two stripper cages in the pit that have girls dancing. Very interesting. Table limits were $25-$50 and not a seat or a women player to be found. Very smart move!
4. Monte Carlo: I really like playing $5 craps at the Monte. The dealers are solid and the lighting is great. Carol and I had a great roll there, but then got killed at BJ. We had King Gooch as our BJ dealer. I wanted to punch him. This asshole kept on saying "there is no way that there still a ten" and then he flips a ten to give himself 21. He did this almost every hand and he won. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. New York New York- Wiz, what the hell is happening there? Half the casino is under major construction. We ended up just leaving and going to the Mandalay.
6. Mandalay Bay- Got pooped on by a bird, so had to get a new shirt. Great. Fuck this place. No gambling.
7. Shark Reef: Carol and I ended up taking a break and checking this place out. Sucked. Couldn't of been more disappointed.
8. Luxor- This place has totally changed since I was last there. Too dark and blue. And not blue as in sad, but blue as in the color. Very strange. No gambling here.
9. Is there a scarier place in Vegas than the area between the MGM and Planet Hollywood? We saw a large M&M standing outside getting his picture taken with two security guards by his side. Really? Is it that dangerous that the poor yellow M&M needs security? After Smith and Wolenskys it felt like I was in East LA. Wow.
10. Planet Hollywood- They have this BJ pit called "The Pleasure Pit" with strippers dancing behind the tables and girls in bikinis dealing. Once again it was all men and it was packed. So the question becomes, how hard is it to get 20 hot girls that are willing to dress in bikinis and are smart enough to deal BJ? Do they get paid more than the other dealers? Some get HR on the line.
11. Saw Jaws from the Bond Movies. I can't remember his name, but he was signing autographs in the mall section of Planet Hollywood. Sort of felt bad for him.
12. Ended up going back to the Mirage, canceling dinner over at the Venetian and playing Ultimate Poker right outside of the Revolutions club. It was just Carol, a guy from Encino, and myself and we had an amazing time. Carol started to get drunk and we were all just watching the sluts coming and going to the club. At certain points it was us three, plus the dealer, plus the pit boss, and the floor supervisor just laughing and making comments on the women standing outside of the club. Then out of nowhere, Shaq shows up. Now this is the second time I've seen Shaq and he is always smiling and waving and giving high fives. This guy absolutely loves his life. He was just walking around with a bunch of security, a couple of groupies, and some of his entourage. I got a wave and a head nod out of him. Then he vanished. Just like that....
13. Pai Gow- So Carol and I played a lot of Pai Gow at the Mirage. Once again we had a great table. We were playing with a 40 year old Korean brother and sister combo who had lots of money. Once they realized that Carol was a newbie, the brother kept on doing side bets on her hand. Carol made us and them a lot of money.
14. Pai Gow continued- Carol finds it funny that I talk to the cards...one by one. "OK ten, find your match. Where are you....AHHHH there you are." I think I annoy everyone else at the table since I really do just look at one card at a time and I'm always the last person to put my cards down. But that's how I like it so everyone else can F off.
15. Sportsbook- 5-0 again and I hit a parlay. So for the trip I ended up 9-0.
16. All in all a great evening. We were down to our last $100 and worked all the way back up to even!!!
Monday Highlights
1. Ugh. While waiting for Carol to get out of the bathroom in the casino I lost a quick $200 at Ultimate Poker. And this is when the idiot dealer that Eric loves was there. He made so many mistakes that the pit boss just stood over his shoulder for the remainder of his session. He cleared cards three different times on the guy next to me when he should of paid. He paid me once when it should of been a loss. The guys upstairs must of been going crazy.
2. Ugh. Lost another $200 at Pai Gow.
3. Ugh. Lost another $400 at Ultimate Poker. Carol got destroyed. She lost two monster hands that took the wind out of our sails.
4. It took 6 hours to get home. Brutal. The traffic was so bad we stopped at Primm outlets and casino. The Primm casino is the home of the highest wheel payout ever at $10 million. Also they have a rule of
Overall, an excellent trip. We need to come up with an alternative place to stay next year since the Palazzo was crazy expensive.
Stayed at the Mirage. I had some coupons to cover the room that weekend so decided to go back and check out the newly renovated rooms. Huge flat screen TV but still very small. I guess you can't really change the size of the rooms. Perfect for Carol and I, but a little too small for 4 guys. I guess I'm spoiled now after staying at the Palazzo in March.
Highlights from Saturday:
1. Sportsbook: Went 4-0 on sports wagering. Too bad the wagers were pretty small. Figures.
2. Palazzo: Went over to the Palazzo to play some craps. Um...wow. That's all I can say. The place was packed and the table limits were crazy high. Remember that this was on a Saturday afternoon, and there was one $15 craps table and the rest were $25 and $50. We could only find one $25 BJ table, the rest were $50-$500. All roulette tables were $25. What the heck happened since March? I was crushed.
3. Palazzo continued: So we went back to the Mirage to gamble and then returned to the Palazzo to have dinner. While at dinner we were amazed at how many women were walking by that were dressed like grade A prostitues. So after dinner, we went down to the 40-40 club just to people watch. We were camped out in the little sportsbook just outside of the 40-40 entrance and saw a gaggle of asian sluts walking our way. To my delight they stopped and asked Carol if she would take a picture for them, and for the first time ever I saw Carol with a totally pissed off and disgusted look on her face state "No, but maybe he will" as she pointed my way. Now, the one girl was only wearing a leopard print teddy, while one of the other girls wore jeans that were so low that her ass was sticking out of the top of the jeans and you could almost see the goods from the front side. Oh and that one was wearing a bra as a top. Crazy! Beyond words!!!
4. Oakland A's: On Saturday, I wore an A's shirt for the entire day. Just your basic A's shirt. And for some reason I got heckled multiple times. This was a first. Usually the only comments are "Hey you an A's fan"? This time I had a fat old lady eye ball me and say "Oakland? ugh" by which I had no response. Carol had a great response, but just a second too late. Then while walking from the Mirage over to Cesears, I was bum rushed by 5 white trash twenty five year olds who were obviously drunk. I thought I was going to get knifed. No joke. I almost yelled at Carol to run, that's how scared I was for 5 seconds as they were all running towards us. When they approached they were happy I was an A's fan and wanted to take my picture. So the six of us take a picture together. I was so confused. Note to self, don't go outside.
5. Rain: I always thought the worst smell ever was the stream of water running down Borbon Street during Mardi Graw. Nope. By far the worse smell ever was the steady stream of raw sewage running down Las Vegas Blvd after it rained for about 2 hours. The smell made my eyes water. Note to self, don't ever go outside.
6. Ultimate World Series of Poker: Is it a pre-requsite that you have to be a blabber mouth if you want to be a dealer of this game? GOD, everyone just shut up and deal the cards. I don't care about what your neighbors' kids did to their bikes in front of you house the other day. I just want you to flip over you hold cards. PLEASE!!! I know that you are 75 years old and have no one to talk to, but please just deal. And no, this was not the same dealer that Eric and I had back in March. More on him in a second.
7. Crowds- It seemed very packed on Saturday, but talking to one of the BJ pit bosses, he said that it is very slow at the tables. It looks like a lot of people, but no one is gambling. So much so that the Mirage's table limits stayed in the $10-$15 range. Pai Gow was at $25 in the evening, but whenever Carol and I wanted to play blackjack, there was an open $15 table. And they weren't the shuffle machines.
8. Crowds continued: The pit boss continued to state that they are getting a very large influx of Europeans and Asians now that the dollar is weak. They are also seeing a constant flow of 20 year olds, which makes many of the dealers upset because they tend to be drunk, but the pit boss stated that if it was specifically for the California 20 year olds, then the casinos would be dead right now. Then we talked for a while about how do these kids have $1000 to spend in the clubs. Very interesting conversation.
9. Pete Rose was signing autographs at Caesars. Hmmm, is that really a good idea?
10. Carol is the cooler when it comes to the wheel. Poor girl didn't get one spin the entire weekend. I kept on putting in money in the machine after she would play I almost always got a spin right after. It was pretty classic.
Sunday highlights
1. Mirage Craps- Woke up early to play some craps by myself. As usually the dealers sucked ass and I lost. Other than craps and the fact that there really isn't any place to grab a quick bit to eat, I really warming up to the Mirage again. Great sportsbook, great dealers, and the Beatles event is great for people watching.
2. Meza Grill: Went to Meza Grill for Brunch. No too bad. I think we need to try it out next year. We then went for a nice walk up the strip. Below are some comments on the casinos that we stopped in.
3. Caesars: So they now have a new pit called the Pussy Cat Club pit. They have about 10 BJ tables and some other games. Each dealer is a hot girl wearing a bikini. There are two stripper cages in the pit that have girls dancing. Very interesting. Table limits were $25-$50 and not a seat or a women player to be found. Very smart move!
4. Monte Carlo: I really like playing $5 craps at the Monte. The dealers are solid and the lighting is great. Carol and I had a great roll there, but then got killed at BJ. We had King Gooch as our BJ dealer. I wanted to punch him. This asshole kept on saying "there is no way that there still a ten" and then he flips a ten to give himself 21. He did this almost every hand and he won. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. New York New York- Wiz, what the hell is happening there? Half the casino is under major construction. We ended up just leaving and going to the Mandalay.
6. Mandalay Bay- Got pooped on by a bird, so had to get a new shirt. Great. Fuck this place. No gambling.
7. Shark Reef: Carol and I ended up taking a break and checking this place out. Sucked. Couldn't of been more disappointed.
8. Luxor- This place has totally changed since I was last there. Too dark and blue. And not blue as in sad, but blue as in the color. Very strange. No gambling here.
9. Is there a scarier place in Vegas than the area between the MGM and Planet Hollywood? We saw a large M&M standing outside getting his picture taken with two security guards by his side. Really? Is it that dangerous that the poor yellow M&M needs security? After Smith and Wolenskys it felt like I was in East LA. Wow.
10. Planet Hollywood- They have this BJ pit called "The Pleasure Pit" with strippers dancing behind the tables and girls in bikinis dealing. Once again it was all men and it was packed. So the question becomes, how hard is it to get 20 hot girls that are willing to dress in bikinis and are smart enough to deal BJ? Do they get paid more than the other dealers? Some get HR on the line.
11. Saw Jaws from the Bond Movies. I can't remember his name, but he was signing autographs in the mall section of Planet Hollywood. Sort of felt bad for him.
12. Ended up going back to the Mirage, canceling dinner over at the Venetian and playing Ultimate Poker right outside of the Revolutions club. It was just Carol, a guy from Encino, and myself and we had an amazing time. Carol started to get drunk and we were all just watching the sluts coming and going to the club. At certain points it was us three, plus the dealer, plus the pit boss, and the floor supervisor just laughing and making comments on the women standing outside of the club. Then out of nowhere, Shaq shows up. Now this is the second time I've seen Shaq and he is always smiling and waving and giving high fives. This guy absolutely loves his life. He was just walking around with a bunch of security, a couple of groupies, and some of his entourage. I got a wave and a head nod out of him. Then he vanished. Just like that....
13. Pai Gow- So Carol and I played a lot of Pai Gow at the Mirage. Once again we had a great table. We were playing with a 40 year old Korean brother and sister combo who had lots of money. Once they realized that Carol was a newbie, the brother kept on doing side bets on her hand. Carol made us and them a lot of money.
14. Pai Gow continued- Carol finds it funny that I talk to the cards...one by one. "OK ten, find your match. Where are you....AHHHH there you are." I think I annoy everyone else at the table since I really do just look at one card at a time and I'm always the last person to put my cards down. But that's how I like it so everyone else can F off.
15. Sportsbook- 5-0 again and I hit a parlay. So for the trip I ended up 9-0.
16. All in all a great evening. We were down to our last $100 and worked all the way back up to even!!!
Monday Highlights
1. Ugh. While waiting for Carol to get out of the bathroom in the casino I lost a quick $200 at Ultimate Poker. And this is when the idiot dealer that Eric loves was there. He made so many mistakes that the pit boss just stood over his shoulder for the remainder of his session. He cleared cards three different times on the guy next to me when he should of paid. He paid me once when it should of been a loss. The guys upstairs must of been going crazy.
2. Ugh. Lost another $200 at Pai Gow.
3. Ugh. Lost another $400 at Ultimate Poker. Carol got destroyed. She lost two monster hands that took the wind out of our sails.
4. It took 6 hours to get home. Brutal. The traffic was so bad we stopped at Primm outlets and casino. The Primm casino is the home of the highest wheel payout ever at $10 million. Also they have a rule of
Overall, an excellent trip. We need to come up with an alternative place to stay next year since the Palazzo was crazy expensive.
May 21, 2008
It's Golf Update Time
Yes, it's time for boring posts on the blog updating all of you readers about the tournament season. We've got 8 tournaments planned this year, starting next Tuesday.
The quick rundown:
1. Ohio Amateur Qualifier (Tuesday): Incredibly, I am paired up again with everyone's favorite Cincinnati Red, Chris Sabo. Will Sabo and his goggles bring our hero luck and a spot in the 103rd Ohio Amateur?
2. US Publinx Qualifier (June 18): 36 holes in one day at a course I don't particularly like.
3. Cincinnati Met (June 23-24): Can I please play well for 2 days in this event for once?
4. Vineyard Classic (June 28-29): Defending Champion of the 1st Flight!
5. Crooked Tree Club Championship (Late July): Defending my title.
6. Ohio Public Golfers Champ (Aug 4-8): A fun tournament, but this year at an actual challenging course - Cook's Creek.
7. Cinci Mid-Am (late August)
8. EAGL Cup (October), team event pitting courses against each other.
I've got no expectations this year. None. I still feel fairly rusty even though it's almost late May. The fact that we have had miserable weather that has limited my practice/playing time, combined with my vacation in early May (where I didn't touch clubs for 15 days) and the fact that I haven't broken 80 yet this year....well, I won't be surprised if I shoot 89 on Tuesday.
I've got a good warm up coming this weekend, as Don, Mike, Craig and I are playing a course called Purgatory in Indianapolis (from the back: 7700 yards, including a 741 yard par 5) and then on to the Purdue campus course on Saturday. Why Purdue? Well, next week it will be hosting the NCAA Division I tournament, and they have a limited amount of tee times for the course this Saturday - the last day for public play before practice rounds begin.
So we will be playing two extremely difficult courses this weekend with my game nowhere near where it needs to be.
However, if one wants to be extremely optimistic, there may be some parallels. 5 years ago I had little confidence going into the tournament season. I played a round in Green Bay a week before my first tournament and shot 87 or something at a track called Brown Deer. I played with my boss and a guy from the plant who played on the OL for the Badgers in college - he actually played in a Rose Bowl. Anyway, this ex-football player beat me on a few holes.
I hit balls after that debacle twice; I played a round that weekend as a warmup and shot 75.
Two days later, on May 19, 2003, I went out and did the unthinkable - shot a 69 in the US Open Local Qualifier to advance to the second round of qualifiying.
I still remember that round vividly - especially the last 6-7 holes.
Par 434 544 543 - 36 443 455 443 - 36 - 72
EZ 324 545 442 - 33 443 545 443 - 36 - 69
I remember the goose bumps on the 14th, where I had a 20 foot eagle putt to go to 4 under. I read the putt as a downhiller that would break about 6 inches to the right. I saw a spot about 5 feet from the hole on that line - and it would be a good starting point for the ball.
Steve was my caddy - he read it, and then we talked:
"I got the line for you....see that spot about 5 feet from the hole? That's it. It's downhill - all you gotta do is to hit the line".
I got chills right there - we agree on the line; I've been putting well all day......I'm going to eagle and then shit my pants.
I hit the putt......right after it left my putter, I knew it was in.
It hit the spot we both picked out....
and the ball did not move. It missed the hole by a good 5-6 inches. (Moral: again, when Eric and someone wholeheartedly agree on something, it must be wrong).
Two holes later, on an easy 370 yard par 4, I topped my drive and hit a 7 wood to 80 feet - and somehow 2 putted.
On 17 - I got to the green in 2 and left myself a 30 foot birdie putt - and had to ask Steve (twice?) where I was at in relation to par, since I wasn't sure whether to charge or lag the putt. I left the putt 3 feet short but somehow made the next one.
And then 18. Having an uphill 60 footer for birdie is not the ideal way to end the round, but I somehow 2 putted that, too.
That was 5 years ago this week. It seems like 20....
The quick rundown:
1. Ohio Amateur Qualifier (Tuesday): Incredibly, I am paired up again with everyone's favorite Cincinnati Red, Chris Sabo. Will Sabo and his goggles bring our hero luck and a spot in the 103rd Ohio Amateur?
2. US Publinx Qualifier (June 18): 36 holes in one day at a course I don't particularly like.
3. Cincinnati Met (June 23-24): Can I please play well for 2 days in this event for once?
4. Vineyard Classic (June 28-29): Defending Champion of the 1st Flight!
5. Crooked Tree Club Championship (Late July): Defending my title.
6. Ohio Public Golfers Champ (Aug 4-8): A fun tournament, but this year at an actual challenging course - Cook's Creek.
7. Cinci Mid-Am (late August)
8. EAGL Cup (October), team event pitting courses against each other.
I've got no expectations this year. None. I still feel fairly rusty even though it's almost late May. The fact that we have had miserable weather that has limited my practice/playing time, combined with my vacation in early May (where I didn't touch clubs for 15 days) and the fact that I haven't broken 80 yet this year....well, I won't be surprised if I shoot 89 on Tuesday.
I've got a good warm up coming this weekend, as Don, Mike, Craig and I are playing a course called Purgatory in Indianapolis (from the back: 7700 yards, including a 741 yard par 5) and then on to the Purdue campus course on Saturday. Why Purdue? Well, next week it will be hosting the NCAA Division I tournament, and they have a limited amount of tee times for the course this Saturday - the last day for public play before practice rounds begin.
So we will be playing two extremely difficult courses this weekend with my game nowhere near where it needs to be.
However, if one wants to be extremely optimistic, there may be some parallels. 5 years ago I had little confidence going into the tournament season. I played a round in Green Bay a week before my first tournament and shot 87 or something at a track called Brown Deer. I played with my boss and a guy from the plant who played on the OL for the Badgers in college - he actually played in a Rose Bowl. Anyway, this ex-football player beat me on a few holes.
I hit balls after that debacle twice; I played a round that weekend as a warmup and shot 75.
Two days later, on May 19, 2003, I went out and did the unthinkable - shot a 69 in the US Open Local Qualifier to advance to the second round of qualifiying.
I still remember that round vividly - especially the last 6-7 holes.
Par 434 544 543 - 36 443 455 443 - 36 - 72
EZ 324 545 442 - 33 443 545 443 - 36 - 69
I remember the goose bumps on the 14th, where I had a 20 foot eagle putt to go to 4 under. I read the putt as a downhiller that would break about 6 inches to the right. I saw a spot about 5 feet from the hole on that line - and it would be a good starting point for the ball.
Steve was my caddy - he read it, and then we talked:
"I got the line for you....see that spot about 5 feet from the hole? That's it. It's downhill - all you gotta do is to hit the line".
I got chills right there - we agree on the line; I've been putting well all day......I'm going to eagle and then shit my pants.
I hit the putt......right after it left my putter, I knew it was in.
It hit the spot we both picked out....
and the ball did not move. It missed the hole by a good 5-6 inches. (Moral: again, when Eric and someone wholeheartedly agree on something, it must be wrong).
Two holes later, on an easy 370 yard par 4, I topped my drive and hit a 7 wood to 80 feet - and somehow 2 putted.
On 17 - I got to the green in 2 and left myself a 30 foot birdie putt - and had to ask Steve (twice?) where I was at in relation to par, since I wasn't sure whether to charge or lag the putt. I left the putt 3 feet short but somehow made the next one.
And then 18. Having an uphill 60 footer for birdie is not the ideal way to end the round, but I somehow 2 putted that, too.
That was 5 years ago this week. It seems like 20....
May 18, 2008
ESPN vs BSG
I know I'm a little late on this, but still an interesting article. And it looks as if he is starting up his own website. With that being said, his layout looks a little worse than the Hereford Nine site.
Now, I've become a huge fan of his podcasts so I hope he doesn't stop that, but I'm becoming less reliant on his articles on Page 2.
Now, I've become a huge fan of his podcasts so I hope he doesn't stop that, but I'm becoming less reliant on his articles on Page 2.
Easy Curves
While watching MTV this morning (Sunday at 10:00am) a commercial comes on advertising this wonderful product. First, what the F???? Secondly, what excellent ad placement.
May 14, 2008
Time-waster
For any of you out there mildly interested in politics, here is a link that will waste 10-15 minutes of your day.
Every presidential candidate's logo from 1960-2008.
Wow. I mean, who wasn't breathlessly anticipating the Bruce Babbitt-Pete DuPont showdown in 1988?
I still have my Perot '92 campaign button somewhere. I'll bring it to Vegas one of these years....
Every presidential candidate's logo from 1960-2008.
Wow. I mean, who wasn't breathlessly anticipating the Bruce Babbitt-Pete DuPont showdown in 1988?
I still have my Perot '92 campaign button somewhere. I'll bring it to Vegas one of these years....
Election Thoughts
Back from vacation, and I've got a lot to blog about....but two quick things about last night's election:
1) Forget West Virginia. In a special congressional election in Mississippi (MS-01), the Republicans lost a seat to the Democrats. The incumbent Republican was appointed to fill Trent Lott's seat.
This district voted 60% for Bush in 2004 and reelected the Republican incumbent with over 60% in the last 4 congressional elections. And the Democrats won it last night.
2) This shocking exit poll result from West Virginia:
Obama only wins 53% of WV DEM PRIMARY VOTERS in a matchup with McCain.
This indicates major problems in the key appalachian states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) that Obama must win.
It is not hard to imagine a scenario where:
- McCain is elected President on the strength of winning Florida, Ohio, PA, and the south (including TX), and
- McCain would have negative coattails - for instance, the Democrats gaining 40-50 seats in the House and 5-7 seats in the Senate.
These sort of special elections that occur 6-9 months before a Novmeber election usually do mean things. There were signs in 1994 (when the Republican revolution occurred) and 2006 (when the D's retook Congress). This loss in Mississippi does not bode well at all for the Republicans. The brand is shot - for many reasons. I will ponitificate on that in a future post.
1) Forget West Virginia. In a special congressional election in Mississippi (MS-01), the Republicans lost a seat to the Democrats. The incumbent Republican was appointed to fill Trent Lott's seat.
This district voted 60% for Bush in 2004 and reelected the Republican incumbent with over 60% in the last 4 congressional elections. And the Democrats won it last night.
2) This shocking exit poll result from West Virginia:
Obama only wins 53% of WV DEM PRIMARY VOTERS in a matchup with McCain.
This indicates major problems in the key appalachian states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) that Obama must win.
It is not hard to imagine a scenario where:
- McCain is elected President on the strength of winning Florida, Ohio, PA, and the south (including TX), and
- McCain would have negative coattails - for instance, the Democrats gaining 40-50 seats in the House and 5-7 seats in the Senate.
These sort of special elections that occur 6-9 months before a Novmeber election usually do mean things. There were signs in 1994 (when the Republican revolution occurred) and 2006 (when the D's retook Congress). This loss in Mississippi does not bode well at all for the Republicans. The brand is shot - for many reasons. I will ponitificate on that in a future post.
May 13, 2008
Decisions
Fitting that this is the first post in over a week.
The other day I headed off to work at around 6:00am. I stopped at Starbucks to pick up a cup of coffee and then it hits me...The four pound burrito from last night is knocking at the door to leave for the day. So I postpone the order of coffee and go straight to the restroom. Now I typically have very nice things to say about Starbucks, but their restroom setup sucks. Without fail, someone always knocks on the door right as I go in, since they only have one bathroom. This causes me to rush and either I pee over myself or I don't fully enjoy my private time. And yes, I do understand that it is a public restroom, but that is usually the time I can catch up on my text messages and internet. Man I sound like a twelve year old.
So I go into the restroom and prepare the toilet for my adventure. I sit down and realize that there is a newspaper sitting next to the toilet. I thought for a solid 15 seconds on if I should pick it up and read it or just let it be. Below are the thoughts that ran through my head:
The other day I headed off to work at around 6:00am. I stopped at Starbucks to pick up a cup of coffee and then it hits me...The four pound burrito from last night is knocking at the door to leave for the day. So I postpone the order of coffee and go straight to the restroom. Now I typically have very nice things to say about Starbucks, but their restroom setup sucks. Without fail, someone always knocks on the door right as I go in, since they only have one bathroom. This causes me to rush and either I pee over myself or I don't fully enjoy my private time. And yes, I do understand that it is a public restroom, but that is usually the time I can catch up on my text messages and internet. Man I sound like a twelve year old.
So I go into the restroom and prepare the toilet for my adventure. I sit down and realize that there is a newspaper sitting next to the toilet. I thought for a solid 15 seconds on if I should pick it up and read it or just let it be. Below are the thoughts that ran through my head:
- Well it is the Sports page and from what I can see they have an interesting article about one of my fantasy baseball guys, Billsingley
- How dirty could the newspaper be?
- Can I catch the HIV by touching that?
- Doesn't look like there is any pee on it.
So I end up picking it up and reading it. I felt so dirty afterwards, but I feel like I made the right decision.
Apr 29, 2008
Random Notes
Some random thoughts:
1. Freddie is in machine-pitch baseball this year (the "Orange Crush" is his team name) and unlike last year, I am not helping to coach. With the travel I have had and the baby, I deceided against it.
Well, I can't do it. I can't sit idly by while the coach dones't realize what he isn't teaching.
Case in point. The five practices that I have been to consist of:
- infield practice - having players field and throw to first
- taking some people into the outfield to catch
- and taking turns batting against the machine.
All good activities! But no pracitce of game situations. So what happens? First game on Saturday, the first batter for the other team hits a ball into the outfield.
Our players kind of stood there. The closest outfielder went out to get the ball ---- and then held it. No one covered second. Our coach was yelling at the players.
Uh - hello? You never practiced this! What do you really expect???
(And then he had the gall to "coach" one of ourplayers who was playing SS- man on 1st, 1 out; ground ball right to him. He correctly ran over and touched second for the out. The coach says - "hey! Next time, touch the bag and then throw to 1st!" . Wow. Don't worry about walking before we can run - let's teach them the 6-3 double play!)
2. Let's go Cavs! Let's go Cavs!
2a. Let's go Hawks? Let's go Hawks!
( I can dream, can't I?)
3. The Tribe - ugh. Where is the offense? The pitching - if you think the Sabathia and Lee switched bodies - has not been bad. All our bats are in a slump. The Minnesota series was terrible. And then we can't score runs off of Wang (understandable) and Mussina (huh?).
That said, if we can get out of April only 3 back - I'll take it. It's like hitting a ball in the water and escaping with a bogey.
4. I had a post all set in my mind where I would compare something to Lance Armstrong - and not in a good way. I do not consider Lance Armstrong a good role model. Strong people do not acquire fame, then divorce his wife and leave his kids for the celebrity life and start dating Sheryl Crow. So I call BS on all this Livestrong crap.
But then I forgot what the original subject was. Oh well, carry on. (And this is not a rip on divorce - I know I'm treading on very thin ice here, because there is at least one reader who is divorced. Of course divorce is acceptable and shoudl be enocuraged in some cases...... but the specifics of the Armstrong situation just does not sit well with me.)
5. I'm NOT feeling good about the GOP's chances in November. McCain may win - because of the Clinton-Obama drama - but downballot? They will get smoked! They are almost losing congressional races in the deep south! That's scary.
My lines right now:
Democratic nominee:
Obama -130
Clinton +115
Gore +800
Head-to-head:
Obama -110
McCain -110
Clinton 100
McCain -115
House over/under:
Net D pickup over 25.5 -110
Net D pickup under 25.5 -110
Senate over/under
Net D pickup over 4.5 -110
Net D pickup under 4.5 -110
6. It's not often - ok, never - that I post an article from a Democrat that I agree with.
Well, there's a first time for everything.
I didn't vote for you, Sen. Brown, in 2006, but that may change in 2012....
1. Freddie is in machine-pitch baseball this year (the "Orange Crush" is his team name) and unlike last year, I am not helping to coach. With the travel I have had and the baby, I deceided against it.
Well, I can't do it. I can't sit idly by while the coach dones't realize what he isn't teaching.
Case in point. The five practices that I have been to consist of:
- infield practice - having players field and throw to first
- taking some people into the outfield to catch
- and taking turns batting against the machine.
All good activities! But no pracitce of game situations. So what happens? First game on Saturday, the first batter for the other team hits a ball into the outfield.
Our players kind of stood there. The closest outfielder went out to get the ball ---- and then held it. No one covered second. Our coach was yelling at the players.
Uh - hello? You never practiced this! What do you really expect???
(And then he had the gall to "coach" one of ourplayers who was playing SS- man on 1st, 1 out; ground ball right to him. He correctly ran over and touched second for the out. The coach says - "hey! Next time, touch the bag and then throw to 1st!" . Wow. Don't worry about walking before we can run - let's teach them the 6-3 double play!)
2. Let's go Cavs! Let's go Cavs!
2a. Let's go Hawks? Let's go Hawks!
( I can dream, can't I?)
3. The Tribe - ugh. Where is the offense? The pitching - if you think the Sabathia and Lee switched bodies - has not been bad. All our bats are in a slump. The Minnesota series was terrible. And then we can't score runs off of Wang (understandable) and Mussina (huh?).
That said, if we can get out of April only 3 back - I'll take it. It's like hitting a ball in the water and escaping with a bogey.
4. I had a post all set in my mind where I would compare something to Lance Armstrong - and not in a good way. I do not consider Lance Armstrong a good role model. Strong people do not acquire fame, then divorce his wife and leave his kids for the celebrity life and start dating Sheryl Crow. So I call BS on all this Livestrong crap.
But then I forgot what the original subject was. Oh well, carry on. (And this is not a rip on divorce - I know I'm treading on very thin ice here, because there is at least one reader who is divorced. Of course divorce is acceptable and shoudl be enocuraged in some cases...... but the specifics of the Armstrong situation just does not sit well with me.)
5. I'm NOT feeling good about the GOP's chances in November. McCain may win - because of the Clinton-Obama drama - but downballot? They will get smoked! They are almost losing congressional races in the deep south! That's scary.
My lines right now:
Democratic nominee:
Obama -130
Clinton +115
Gore +800
Head-to-head:
Obama -110
McCain -110
Clinton 100
McCain -115
House over/under:
Net D pickup over 25.5 -110
Net D pickup under 25.5 -110
Senate over/under
Net D pickup over 4.5 -110
Net D pickup under 4.5 -110
6. It's not often - ok, never - that I post an article from a Democrat that I agree with.
Well, there's a first time for everything.
I didn't vote for you, Sen. Brown, in 2006, but that may change in 2012....
Apr 24, 2008
Laws of a Hot Roll
In Iowa this week, I was fortunate enough to be part of one of those "legendary" hot rolls that happen maybe once a year, if lucky. (I think this was comparable, if not better, than the Red Rock 07 craps run a few of us had.) What makes a hot roll?
1. Hot Rolls are born, not made. Try as we might (I'm looking at you, Layup), you can't force a hot roll. Loudly saying "c'mon shooter, warm em up" is not going to make 3 points in a row instantly happen. There is no reason why the shooter on the other side of the table is going to get hot. It just will be or it won't be. It's a divine hand making it happen.
2. The pace of hot rolls are moderately fast. The roll in Iowa this week was almost a tad too fast; I almost felt rushed to get a bet down. However, all hot rolls I have been a part of have a brisk pace. The dice are collected, bets are paid, the dice go to the shooter, and the shooter picks them up and rolls. No fooling around - no pauses to be found.
THink about it. We have all seen craps shooters that get the dice, take 15 seconds to rotate the dice so they show "6-6" or some such nonsense, then they tap the dice twice or thrice on the table, and then yell some Yiddish as they throw the dice.
Those shooters are annoying - and have you EVER seen ONE of them be a part of a hot roll?
3. Everyone is winning at the table. Come bets are winning. Numbers are being made all over the place. The main point is hit 7, 8, 9 times. Hard ways are thrown. Every conceivable betting mechanism of betting with the roller is winning.
4. There are three or four 7's thrown in the middle on a come out roll. So someone is rolling for 15 minutes, and he hit 3 points in a row. Bam! 7! Winner! 7! Another winner! 7! Another winner! Then off we go again - an 8, many numbers, and then another 8. The shooter truly did get all of his 7's out at the right time.
5. You lose track of time; there are no doubts, and no questions being asked. It's very similar to being "in the zone" athetically. This is the time to put triple odds - he's hitting it. Let's go $52 across. $5 hardways. There is no doubt - none - and there are no questions being asked when the money comes back to you. You expect it, and you've got to take advatage of it.
5a. Personal note: I've got to press more. I'm starting to finally learn this. The roller rolled six 5's in about 10 rolls. I didn't press until the 4th time, and then again the 6th time. And he kept hitting 5's consistently. $21, $28 at a time being slide my way. I've got to press sooner (but not at the beginning) when things are going well.
6. No one is counting money. I do this a lot. At the end of a roll - I usually do a quick check to see how much I made that roll/that point. Butin a truly hot roll, there is no time. You put the pass line bet down, something for the dealers - and before you know it, a point is established and off you go again. There's no time to catch your breath - which is essential.
7. If you approach a hot table in the middle of the roll, don't start up conversations with the players. Let's take this from the player's perspective. I am in the middle of a process that repeats every 20 seconds and has 2 distinct steps:
a. Waiting for a number to be called that is not "seven", and
b. Bending down and picking up the profit that is being slid to me.
In the various activities I could be doing in life, this is pretty high up there on the "favorites" list. So if you - someone who has not been involved at this table to begin with - want to stirke up a conversation with me - it better involve:
a. Sexual favors, or
b. Higher sums of money than what I am picking up every 20 seconds.
Idle chat like "so, how long has this guy been rolling" will get you an evil stare every time.
1. Hot Rolls are born, not made. Try as we might (I'm looking at you, Layup), you can't force a hot roll. Loudly saying "c'mon shooter, warm em up" is not going to make 3 points in a row instantly happen. There is no reason why the shooter on the other side of the table is going to get hot. It just will be or it won't be. It's a divine hand making it happen.
2. The pace of hot rolls are moderately fast. The roll in Iowa this week was almost a tad too fast; I almost felt rushed to get a bet down. However, all hot rolls I have been a part of have a brisk pace. The dice are collected, bets are paid, the dice go to the shooter, and the shooter picks them up and rolls. No fooling around - no pauses to be found.
THink about it. We have all seen craps shooters that get the dice, take 15 seconds to rotate the dice so they show "6-6" or some such nonsense, then they tap the dice twice or thrice on the table, and then yell some Yiddish as they throw the dice.
Those shooters are annoying - and have you EVER seen ONE of them be a part of a hot roll?
3. Everyone is winning at the table. Come bets are winning. Numbers are being made all over the place. The main point is hit 7, 8, 9 times. Hard ways are thrown. Every conceivable betting mechanism of betting with the roller is winning.
4. There are three or four 7's thrown in the middle on a come out roll. So someone is rolling for 15 minutes, and he hit 3 points in a row. Bam! 7! Winner! 7! Another winner! 7! Another winner! Then off we go again - an 8, many numbers, and then another 8. The shooter truly did get all of his 7's out at the right time.
5. You lose track of time; there are no doubts, and no questions being asked. It's very similar to being "in the zone" athetically. This is the time to put triple odds - he's hitting it. Let's go $52 across. $5 hardways. There is no doubt - none - and there are no questions being asked when the money comes back to you. You expect it, and you've got to take advatage of it.
5a. Personal note: I've got to press more. I'm starting to finally learn this. The roller rolled six 5's in about 10 rolls. I didn't press until the 4th time, and then again the 6th time. And he kept hitting 5's consistently. $21, $28 at a time being slide my way. I've got to press sooner (but not at the beginning) when things are going well.
6. No one is counting money. I do this a lot. At the end of a roll - I usually do a quick check to see how much I made that roll/that point. Butin a truly hot roll, there is no time. You put the pass line bet down, something for the dealers - and before you know it, a point is established and off you go again. There's no time to catch your breath - which is essential.
7. If you approach a hot table in the middle of the roll, don't start up conversations with the players. Let's take this from the player's perspective. I am in the middle of a process that repeats every 20 seconds and has 2 distinct steps:
a. Waiting for a number to be called that is not "seven", and
b. Bending down and picking up the profit that is being slid to me.
In the various activities I could be doing in life, this is pretty high up there on the "favorites" list. So if you - someone who has not been involved at this table to begin with - want to stirke up a conversation with me - it better involve:
a. Sexual favors, or
b. Higher sums of money than what I am picking up every 20 seconds.
Idle chat like "so, how long has this guy been rolling" will get you an evil stare every time.
Apr 23, 2008
Audience Participation
A question for the readers...
Say you are a Democrat....let's say, a 50-year old white married woman who has a blue collar husband. You live in Pennsylvania. You agonized over your vote between Obama and Hillary, and - for whatever reason - chose Hillary.
You go into the pools, vote for Hillary, and exit.
As you exit, a 20-year-old man, possibly with an Abercrombie & Fitch T-Shirt and cargo shorts and most probably a college student, with an i-Pod, approaches you with a clipboard. He asks you to participate in an exit poll.
What would you do?
Would you:
1) Decline?
2) Or would you agree to answer - and what would you tell the college pollster?
Say you are a Democrat....let's say, a 50-year old white married woman who has a blue collar husband. You live in Pennsylvania. You agonized over your vote between Obama and Hillary, and - for whatever reason - chose Hillary.
You go into the pools, vote for Hillary, and exit.
As you exit, a 20-year-old man, possibly with an Abercrombie & Fitch T-Shirt and cargo shorts and most probably a college student, with an i-Pod, approaches you with a clipboard. He asks you to participate in an exit poll.
What would you do?
Would you:
1) Decline?
2) Or would you agree to answer - and what would you tell the college pollster?
Apr 22, 2008
Houston
I find it pretty funny that the Rockets are all up in arms over the Flop Call last night, when they have the player that took it to another level in college. That's right, Shane Battier plays for the Rockets and he was the king of the flop back in his Duke days. So I really have a tough time feeling bad for the Rockets. Great game though.
Some additional quick thoughts on the NBA playoffs:
Some additional quick thoughts on the NBA playoffs:
- The NBA playoffs usually peek my interest and I start watching more games, but this year I'm just overwhelmed with the amount of good first round match ups. The Wiz-Cavs series is turning into the Heat-Knicks of the past. Lebron is just taking it to another level. This has been an outstanding series so far and one that I will make sure I watch from here on out.
- NO-Mavs- This is one that I wanted to put money down, but didn't and now I'm shooting myself. This is a case of going against public opinion. I have yet to hear one person take New Orleans in this series, which was a red flag. Watching that first game it was obvious that New Orleans will take this series in 5 games.
- Suns-Spurs- Easily the best 1st round match up ever.
- Lakers-Nugs- If the Nugs could just play one ounce of defense...but they can't which means that Luke Walton will go for 20 each night. How embarrassing. Luke freaking Walton is lighting up your team on a nightly basis.
- Philly-Detroit- I don't think I'm cheering for another team to lose more than Detroit. I hate the way that they play and I would just like to see them exit early. Despite losing game one, I still think that they will take the series.
- Will a Lakers Celtics matchup create more hype on ESPN than Colts-Pats?
- Why is it that I enjoy all the laughing and joking that goes on with the TNT crew, but hate it when it is the ESPN, Fox, or CBS football crews?
Apr 15, 2008
Happy Schedule Day!
Big day today! The 2008 NFL Schedule comes out at 2 pm Eastern!
This is the day when we can start preparing for the fall - what weekend to block out here in Cincinnati, perusing possible road trips back up to Cleveland, and to figure out if there is a good game to take the kids. Last year was perfect - a non-divisional, 1 pm start in early October (so no weather problems): I took Freddie to the Miami game and it went wonderfully. This year's home schedule, however, doesn't look to be kid friendly:
- I don't want to take him to a divisional game yet;
- Dallas and New York at home? Hmmm.......could be too ugly
- Indy? I'll go only if Layup wears a "I love Jim Sorgi" t-shirt
- Tennessee? Those frauds
- Denver? Maybe.
I expect the Browns to have at least 2 prime time games this year - whether on Sunday or Monday night, possibly on Thursday. Some early rumors:
- Week 1 is rumored to be at home vs. Dallas at 4 pm for the FOX national game; this would be the first time Joe Buck would be in Cleveland for a Browns game - in fact, I think it would be the first time in 30 years that the lead NFC crew would be in Cleveland. Pat Summerall/John Madden never made it to Cleveland.
- Rumors of a possible Thanksgiving night matchup at home vs. Pittsburgh. Now there's a game where you hide the kids....
This is the day when we can start preparing for the fall - what weekend to block out here in Cincinnati, perusing possible road trips back up to Cleveland, and to figure out if there is a good game to take the kids. Last year was perfect - a non-divisional, 1 pm start in early October (so no weather problems): I took Freddie to the Miami game and it went wonderfully. This year's home schedule, however, doesn't look to be kid friendly:
- I don't want to take him to a divisional game yet;
- Dallas and New York at home? Hmmm.......could be too ugly
- Indy? I'll go only if Layup wears a "I love Jim Sorgi" t-shirt
- Tennessee? Those frauds
- Denver? Maybe.
I expect the Browns to have at least 2 prime time games this year - whether on Sunday or Monday night, possibly on Thursday. Some early rumors:
- Week 1 is rumored to be at home vs. Dallas at 4 pm for the FOX national game; this would be the first time Joe Buck would be in Cleveland for a Browns game - in fact, I think it would be the first time in 30 years that the lead NFC crew would be in Cleveland. Pat Summerall/John Madden never made it to Cleveland.
- Rumors of a possible Thanksgiving night matchup at home vs. Pittsburgh. Now there's a game where you hide the kids....
Apr 14, 2008
That's it...no more
No more Joe Bo. That's it. I can't take it any more.
Betancourt.....Perez.....hell, even Lewis....anyone but Borowski.
Betancourt.....Perez.....hell, even Lewis....anyone but Borowski.
Apr 13, 2008
Hello Friends....Sunday ramblings
Happy Master's Sunday!!! Hope everyone is inside and lounging on the couch today watching the pros hack up the course.
- PGA Golf Pool- This by far is probably the best gambling pool I have ever been in. My interest in golf has increased ten fold. I'm starting to learn the announcers by name and voice, know all of the low end golfers, and watch more golf than usual, even if Tiger is not involved.
- On that note, fuck Justin Rose. YOU SUCK!!! Your performance on Friday puts you in the Rutgers realm. I will always root against you from here on out.
- Am I the only one who thinks that Jim Nance should only do golf? He is perfect as the host for golf. Its obvious he knows what he is talking about, and his soft voice is perfect. But this doesn't translate into football and college basketball. I absolutely hate him for these two sports, but love him for the Masters. I'm trying to think if there is anyone else that falls into this type of category?
- Did anyone notice Chad Campbell's "hat tan line" from the Houston Open? It was one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. His forehead, which was covered by his hat for pure white, while the rest of his face was all burnt from the sun. I thought something was wrong with my TV at the beginning, but then realized that it was an actual hat tan line. Ugh....
- Eric pointed out to me this morning that Vin Scully was the 18th hole announcer at the Masters back in the 70s. WOW!!! What a treat.
- Who can get Masters' tickets? Actually let me rephrase this. What normal person can get Masters' tickets? There is a guy that I used to work with who could get Masters' tickets, but the guy is such a tool, there is no way I would ever travel back East to go. And we all know about Eric's friend Kenny.
- And I think we can all agree that Immelman's wife has officially taken over Michelson's wife as the hottest wife in golf.
Apr 12, 2008
Hillary Clinton = Herm Edwards?
Most casual NFL fans remember the ending of a game back in 1977 between the Giants and the Eagles. The Giants were up 6 or so with 30 seconds on the clock; they had the ball at their own 20 and all they had to do was to run out the clock........
Barack Obama can see the finish line. All he has to do is run out the clock. Some even say that Hillary's only hope is to wish for a monumental error by Obama - lacking that, there's no way she wins.
Well...........
"You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them," Obama said. "And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
I have failed to appreciate how big of a deal this truly is until today. You have one last primary - Pennsylvania - that has a TON of rural, blue-collar, lower-middle class workers as voters. Those voters are pro-gun and mostly pro-religion. And you say that they hold those beliefs because they are bitter? They just turned to God in 1992 when the recession hit? Did Jesus die in 1987 - and before that Pennsylvania was not a religious state?
How could he willing say something so....snobbish? (Note the "they"s that he uses). Note the way he infers that guns or religion or anti-immigrant is wrong and something to be explained away.... "Now you really don't believe in that religion stuff,right Mr. Voter?" How out of touch can he be?
Do any Democrats study history from, oh, 1988? People do not elect politicans who they perceive to be out of touch. How many examples do people need?
1988: Dukakis in the tank.
1992: George HW Bush going to a grocery store and was amazed at the scanner.
2004: John Kerry windsurfing on his vacation
And now 2008: Barack Obama thinks the only reason those pro-gun, God-fearing people believe in that crap is because they are "frustrated". If only the economy was better, these poeple would see the light and would back us on gun control! And they'd see no need for Jesus!
And they'd be for free-trade just like us enlightened people! (Oh wait - we just had a primary in Ohio where Barack and Hillary tried to compete in the "I Hate NAFTA the most" contest". How again does Barack's statement above jive with the Ohio campaign.
So now this is the opening for Hillary. I should say, Hillary "I LOVE The NRA! Yes I Do!" Clinton:
She described herself as a pro-gun churchgoer, recalling that her father taught her how to shoot a gun when she was a young girl and said that her faith “is the faith of my parents and my grandparents.”
Oh my God. From 1999: Stepping up the Clinton Administration's campaign against gun violence, Hillary Rodham Clinton used an emotional White House ceremony today to call on Americans to press Congress to ''buck the gun lobby'' and pass several gun control measures.
But enough about Hillary. This is about Obama - he has dropped the ball big time. The statement above actually puts into words the concerns that some Democrats have about Obama - he can't win the needed swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan because of beliefs like this.
Basically - the concern is that Obama is a snob and can't win outside the "latte liberal" vote. He is George McGovern, 40 years later. The main problem: he can't hide it, Hillary knows this weekness and has the trump card that is the complete opposite of Obama - her husband.
Obama has dropped the ball late in the game. Will Hillary pick up the ball and run for a miracle win - just like Herm Edwards 30 years ago?
Apr 5, 2008
Ramblings
Its been a long time since the last Larry King type post. As I drink my morning cup of coffee and procrastinate my morning run, here are a few thoughts:
- Was woken up this morning at 7:15 by a call from Ben. He was just calling me to tell me that he was putting a Decepticon logo on his car. Um..excuse me? You called me on Saturday morning to tell me this? And my response to him? "Megatron is a whiny bitch." And then I hung up. Ugh.
- Then I get a text from Ben at 9:30am telling me he just pulled over a van with 7 transsexual illegal alien prostitutes seeking asylum in the US. Called him immediately and verify and it was true. He said that he will be stuck doing paperwork on this for days.
- Yesterday the supervisors in my Auto Physical Damage department had an interview with a potential candidate for an open position. Two of them come running into my office telling me that they had a candidate that they wanted to hire immediately. Their manager was on vacation that day, so they wanted me to talk to her to see if we could hire her. Well, she comes into my office and she is no older than 22 years old. On a normal scale of 1-10 she was about a 6.5, but in their department where their jobs are to work with Body Shops to get cars fixed, she was a 10 in their eyes. And not to be sexist, but young women rarely do well in this type of position. Well as I talk to her, I see why the guys were getting so excited. She was wearing a white button down shirt and she kept on scratching her chest. No not her boobs, but right above it, still requiring her to somewhat open up the button down shirt. And she only did this when I was making eye contact with her. Nice little trick girly. So I ended the interview after 10 minutes since there was no substance to her responses and walked her out. As I returned into my office, the supervisors were sitting there waiting for me like little puppies waiting for their food. "You guys are idiots. No way." This started a 15 minute argument on the subject with the supervisors, with them debating with me like it was for a presidential election. I agreed that we would bring her back in and have a second interview with the manager and have her go out on a ride a long with one of the more tenured employees. Its amazing that these guys would sacrifice their annual raise, just to bring in an average looking girl.
- We just missed Heidi and Spencer at the Palazzo. Apparently they were there on March 26th, and had a huge argument at Dos Caminos. How great would it of been if we were there for that!!!
- Note to Don and Mike: Italian wines under investigation!!! But more importantly to Eric, Jon, and I, they found the same type of health issues with their cheese. Noooooooo!
- Pleasantly surprised on how good I am Legend started out, but upset on how it ended. Not good at all.
- As I posted before, I'm up for a big promotion. Well I am one step closer. I was asked to step into the position in an acting role for the next three months. And the VP stated that once I hit all of my objectives, the promotion goes through. Well, I'm at 2 out of 4 right now, and I should hit the 3rd one later next week. This leaves me with one last one.
- Went out and golfed last weekend at sunrise. What a disaster!! My game has gone to shit. My drives and long irons were fine, but everything else was a disaster. 39 putts on top of only hitting 3 greens in regulation. Posted a 99 on a very easy course. Will be spending the next couple of weeks working on my chipping and putting.
- Hellboy II is coming out this summer. Loved the first one.
Why wait?
That's right, why wait until next year to go back out to Vegas. Anyone up for a long weekend (Arrive Friday night and leave Monday morning) during the football season?
Apr 4, 2008
I hate my state sometimes
So - you are on a committee to bring a casino to Ohio. Good!
You'd like to create an advertising campaign to get people in support of your proposal. Good again!
And you'd like to use a fictional TV character to help you get the word out in commercials. OK - sounds good, but you better make the right choice!
Who do you choose?
Do you choose Corporal Klinger (played by Jamie Farr, Ohio native)? No.
Do you choose Cliff Huxtable?
Do you choose Cliff Clavin? George Costanza?
No. You make this choice.
What the hell were these people thinking? Did the clock turn back to 1989 when I wasn't looking?
You'd like to create an advertising campaign to get people in support of your proposal. Good again!
And you'd like to use a fictional TV character to help you get the word out in commercials. OK - sounds good, but you better make the right choice!
Who do you choose?
Do you choose Corporal Klinger (played by Jamie Farr, Ohio native)? No.
Do you choose Cliff Huxtable?
Do you choose Cliff Clavin? George Costanza?
No. You make this choice.
What the hell were these people thinking? Did the clock turn back to 1989 when I wasn't looking?
Apr 2, 2008
Sunday: The few, the proud...
Sunday, 7:45 amWake up after about 3 hours of sleep. Don and Mike leave for the airport...leaving just Wiz, Leland, Layup, Micah and myself.
I head down to the casino to see who could possibly be there. I find Micah at a Pai Gow table. Micah looks depressed, beaten....yet somehow has a stack of $100 chips in front of him.
"Micah, how is it going?"
"Uhnhnh......"
"Have you been down here since I left?"
"Yes....."
OK then. I surmise it's going well and head over to the Mirage to place ladies' bets. Layup joins me. We find a craps table and do ok for a while - and then two magical things happen:
1) Leland comes by and joins us, and
2) Good, singable music comes on!
First there was an Erasure song (which I can't remember - and no, it wasn't "Chains of Love" or "A Little Respect"). Then Diana came on!
The point was 8 - Layup and Leland were on the hard 8 - and then I started singing:
If I've got to be strong
Don't you know I need to have tonight when you're gone?
till you go I need to......
hold you
until the time
Your hands reach out and
(the roll comes, and I hug Leland, next to me)
Touch me in the morning....
"8! Hard 8!" was the call! Winners all around!
Why no, I don't live in West Hollywood. Why do you ask?
Then Layup and I went over to the Ultimate Texas Hold Em Poker table game. Great game - I'll explain more about it later. It was just Layup and I and the dealer - a 60-ish year old man who could be compared to Wilford Brimley. (Layup likes Cliff Clavin, but I say no.)
We start talking basketball - he loved Western Kentucky - and we found out that he used to referree high school basketball in Michigan. Well, some of you know that I reffed JV ball in Ohio when I got out of school, so the dealer and I hit it off immediately. Layup, however, was not finding the conversation to his liking.
It got so bad that it got in the way of his dealing. He would be holding the cards, ready to give us our 2nd card - but get engrossed in his stories (one of them was his recollection of reffing Derek Jeter in a high school game.) He held the cards for a good 45-60 seconds while talking - and not dealing. Oh, this was driving Layup crazy. I enjoyed watching him get more and more irritated.
Anyway, we went back, I checked out. But we still had the rest of the day to gamble. At this time, it was me (on 3 hours of sleep), Wiz (on about 4), Leland (who "napped" from 11 pm - 2 am the night before and was still up), and Layup, feeling fine after his bout the night before.
Where was Micah? "Oh, he's passed out on the bed. No one is moving him."
Anything wrong? "Well, he lost his wedding ring."
Now, Pai Gow has got to be the most sedentary of all the casino game. NOTHING HAPPENS. The pace of the game is best suited for Estelle Getty. And yet, somehow, between 4-7 am at a Pai Gow table, Micah's ring went missing.
But at least he had the stacks of black chips to keep him company.
The four of us head back over to the Mirage and get something to eat. Leland disappears, and then the three of us head to the Pai Gow table. There was a table with 5 seats, 4 of them being open; I sat down at first base, Wiz was next to me and Layup was opposite me at 3rd base.
There was one seat open - so we were able to play the dragon hand! I forgot the joy of the dragon - the dealer gives someone the option of playing two different hands. Wiz took the dragon about 85% of the time, but still.
After about 30 minutes, a middle aged couple comes up. The man, weighing about 275 pounds, joins us in the empty seat next to Wiz. His wife hovers behind him. The wife is a svelte, petite woman of about 255 pounds or so.
She immediately asks Wiz: "Do you mind if I stand here? I always bring the table good luck." Sure enough, the next hand, Wiz was dealt J-10-8-6-5-3-2 pai gow.
She then compares the Mirage's version of Pai Gow to other Pai Gow tables she has seen - like at extravangant casinos such as the Luxor or Excalibur. "The other casinos have the Fortune bonus. They don't have it here! I am disappointed. I like to play that. It's only $1 and you can win up to $5000! Why don't more casinos offer that game..." and on and on and on.
Wiz is about to slug the lady, I am half cracking up and what's happening to him but half irritiated with her, too, since I can hear her - and Layup is flaling off his chair in laughter. At one point, Layup sees a hot 20 year old walking our way; he signals to Wiz that a hottie is coming - Wiz turns to look and is face to face with the fat lady's crotch standing right next to Wiz, blocking the view. Classic.
After about 10 minutes, Wiz gives up and goes to the Blackjack table right next to us to play $100 hands. Layup joins him. Now that means there is an empty seat between me and the man who sat down to begin this nightmare........... and the wife starts leaning in, covering the space between him and me with her arms and shoulders. She leans on the table in the 2nd position - effectively trapping me - and then starts to make conversation with me.
"Wow - your friend is playing $100 blackjack! I would be very nervous with those stakes. Are you supposed to hit 3 vs a 3? (I swear, that was an actual quote)"
I couldn't take it any more and left. I cashed out, Wiz and Layup had problems with their dealer at their BJ table, so we all went to the cashier - and found her, again, following us.
"How did you guys do? Did you make money?"
Go the fuck away.
We then find an open Ultimate Texas Hold Em table, and eventually decide to play a hand blind. The rules of the game:
1) you are trying to beat the dealer; and you have a $10 ante and a $10 blind;
2) You are dealt your two cards; you can decide to bet 3x or 4x your minimum bet now, or wait;
3) you see the flop; you can decide to bet 2x the minimum bet , or wait;
4) you see all 5 cards, and can decide to bet another $10 or fold.
Well, we decided to bet 4x the ante ($40) without looking at our hole card. So we've got $60 riding on a hand that we haven't looked at.
The board: A-J-8-6-3 , rainbow.
The dealer turns over his cards: Q-6. Damn. A pair.
Wiz's cards are turned: 7-A ! Winner!
My cards are turned: 9.......9! Winner!
Layup's cards are turned: K.....4. Sorry for your luck.
There was a final craps session that I'll blog later about. I can't do it justice right now. I was laughing so hard (while losing money) that the boxman had to tell me "No crying at the Craps table". And it is all Wiz's fault.
I don't understand people
I don't understand some "sports" fans. On the local news here in Cincinnati, they showed the pre-game tribute at the Reds game for a soldier (a Cincinnati native) in Iraq who has been missing for 4 years. Unfortunately, his dead body turned up on Sunday in Iraq. So, before opening day on Monday, they had a moment of silence for the solider.
They showed the Reds standing on top of their dugout during the moment of silence; behind them we could see the first few rows of fans in the stands.
In the front row- the row right behind the dugout - a fan was seen - with a Red Sox windbreaker on.
Mind you, the Reds were playing Arizona.
I'm not picking on Boston fans - well, not in this post, anyway - but what possesses anyone to go to a sporting event and wear team gear from a team that's not even participating? If you do this, you are telling the world one of two things:
1) You are so dumb that you have no idea who is playing in the game you are attending;
2) you actually think that "hey, I'm going to a ball game....so I can wear my baseball gear that my uncle got me for Christmas in 2005! I've never worn it before!" - which makes you sound like some blonde from The Hills.
What is wrong with people in the US nowadays?
They showed the Reds standing on top of their dugout during the moment of silence; behind them we could see the first few rows of fans in the stands.
In the front row- the row right behind the dugout - a fan was seen - with a Red Sox windbreaker on.
Mind you, the Reds were playing Arizona.
I'm not picking on Boston fans - well, not in this post, anyway - but what possesses anyone to go to a sporting event and wear team gear from a team that's not even participating? If you do this, you are telling the world one of two things:
1) You are so dumb that you have no idea who is playing in the game you are attending;
2) you actually think that "hey, I'm going to a ball game....so I can wear my baseball gear that my uncle got me for Christmas in 2005! I've never worn it before!" - which makes you sound like some blonde from The Hills.
What is wrong with people in the US nowadays?
Apr 1, 2008
I heart Spencer!!!
King Cheese is back in my favorite show the Hills and he is better than ever. Every Monday, when I'm beaten down with a case of the Mondays, this man brings a smile to my face at 10:00pm on MTV.And can some please explain to me the process of elimination on this dance show that MTV has. Bands I thought were eliminated are back with a vengeance. I'm just so confused.
Watching American Idol tonight and the remaining black girl sings Dolly Parton's "I will always love you" or better known at the Bodyguard song by Whitney Houston. First thought that comes to my mind when listening to this song was the drive thru girl that I hock up with back when I was 16. I drove over to her house before my shift began, made out with her for 30 minutes in my Toyota Tercel and then drove her and I to work. And guess who was sitting there waiting for me. Yup, General Zahn. My mom for some reason suspected that I wasn't going straight to work and wanted to know where I went before work. Pretty embarrassing. Really never talked to that girl again. Probably for the best. At 17 she was smoking about a pack a day are reds. Ugh.
And fuck this American Idol bullshit. They are doing covers of Dolly and nobody does 9-5. WTF? You mean I watched the entire thing and didn't get to see my favorite dolly song.
Mar 31, 2008
Happy Opening Day!!!
I usually get excited about baseball a month before the season starts, but not this year. Maybe because it is obvious that the A's are rebuilding this year to get ready for the opening of their new stadium in two years. Or maybe its because of the NBA and college basketball. Anyway, Opening Day is here and I'm excited again for baseball. Below are just a few predictions on the season.
AL East: I'm not buying into the Toronto and Rays uprising in this division. Rays will be improved, and Toronto will be a .500 ball club, but they won't compete against the Sox and Yanks. Looking at the Yanks, I'm worried about their starters. Who will be starting again? Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Kennedy, and Mussina? Even if Hughes and Kennedy pan out, can Pettitte and Mussina make it the entire way? But all they need to do is go 6 innings, then turn it over to their bullpen. And the Sox? Well Beckett and Schilling are injured, but Colon is pitching well which should lessen the impact. With Manny in a contract year I think he will put up crazy numbers, which will keep them afloat. Prediction: Red Sox
AL Central: Still kicking myself for not placing the Tigers under bet. No bullpen, Willis sucks, and Rogers is done. But that offense is very scary. I don't think that they have enough to compete with the Indians or the White Sox. Yes, the White Sox. They need some breaks with their starters, but their offense is solid and their bullpen is good enough to compete for the Central Title. With that being said, I'm still going to go with the Indians. Haffner has to bounce back right? Cabrera is very interesting, and we should continue to see improvements in both Siezmore and Garko. And then there are the Royals. Offense is improving. Starters are improving. But the bullpen is a mess. Good luck. Prediction: Baring any injuries, I'm going with the Indians.
AL West: For the first time in 9 years, I'm not even going to mention the A's as a title contender. What I am looking forward to with the A's though is a solid year from Street and Harden with the expectation that we unload them to the Yanks or Sox near the trading deadline. This is another good young team that should be spoilers during the stretch run. I'm expecting a .500 season, and anything less would be a huge disappointment. So its really down to the Angels and Mariners. With Sling Blade (Lackey) and Escobar injured, and Colon (Shrek) gone, their pitching is really thin. Almost to the point that it gives me some hope for the A's. They also overpaid for Hunter, which now makes them too deep in the outfield. Garrett Anderson, Rivera, Matthews Jr, Vlad, and Hunter all will need time. And one of their best top of the lineup guys Willits, is on the bench. Scioscia is so over-rated and will cost them too many games. This leaves the door open for the Mariners. If they can't win it this year, then I don't know when they will be able to do it. Even with the addition of Bedard their rotation is still shakey. Their offense is dependent on Ibanez and Beltre continued production and a bounce back from Sexton. Looking at all the holes on all the teams, it is very easy to see a four team race, with all teams right around .500. Prediction: Mariners by default.
Wild Card: White Sox. Don't sleep on this team. If they catch a break with Danks and Floyd, they will be a contender with a solid offense and a strong bullpen.
Red Sox over White Sox
Indians over Mariners
Indians over Red Sox for the AL Pennant.
NL East: If the Mets can't pull this thing out this year, then they should fire Randolph and company and start over. With Pedro, Santana, and company they should cruise to a division title. Marlins are terrible. The Nationals are right there as well. But an interesting fact about their old ballpark, RFK. There were only two opposite field homeruns last year for right handers. Isn't that crazy. What a terrible ballpark!! The new one looks really nice and should help them a little. And why was Gammons so amazed that locker rooms had IPod chargers and WiFi? Not a big deal. Calm down. Prediction: Mets
NL Central: This is what we call crap soup. All these teams have larger than normal holes. Picking the Cubs for me is like betting Black in Roulette. Always seems like a great idea but looking back after 6 reds in a row and $800 later, I always say "What the hell was I thinking!!!" So no Cubs. Astros look interesting, but they lack starting pitching depth. Brewers could have 5 guys blow double digit saves with Turnbow, Gagne, Soloman Torres, Riske, and Mota. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Pirates are just sad. So that leaves me with the Cardinals and Reds. Come on, I hate the Cardinals. Cardinals have no starters, but a decent pen. Am I really going to make a prediction based on the fact that I expect big things from Ankiel? Can't do it. So I'm going with the Reds. Look, they have a great 1-2 punch with a solid number 3. They have a solid pen now that they don't have to depend on David Weathers to close out games. They have great defense up the middle since they finally moved Griffey out of center. They win by default. Prediction: Reds
NL West: This is going to be exciting. Dodgers are loaded with young offensive talent and great pitching. Same could be said of the Diamondbacks. But remember that the Diamondbacks were a statistical anomaly last year, and I don't think that they win as many games, despite adding some strong pitching. Padres are always tough, but they just don't have enough to stick with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Rockies and San Fran will tail off and won't stay with the top two. Prediction: Dodgers
Wild Card: Braves
Dodgers over Braves
Mets over Reds
Mets over Dodgers for the NL Pennant
Mets over Indians for the Series
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