Birthday Bash - Baseball Edition

Now for a special edition of Birthday Bash - baseball.  For the sake of keeping order in the post, I will start with the oldest and work my way to the youngest.

A true pioneer in every sense of the word and a man who changed the game forever, Jackie Robinson would have turned 92 today.  If you don't know his story, you need to seriously reconsider your existence.

(courtesy of MLB)

Here's a few factoids for you less-educated baseball people out there, by the numbers style: 
1st:  Black player in MLB history (1947)
42:  His number, retired by the MLB for all players except Mariano Rivera
6: World Series appearances
1: World Series championship (1955)
6: Consecutive All-Star Game appearances (1949-1954)
.311: Career batting average in 10 MLB seasons

Happy Birthday Mr. Jackie Robinson, may you rest in peace.  You've a legend.

"Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks turns 80 today.  This 14-time All-Star has his #14 retired by the Chicago Cubs (on a flag flown at all games at Wrigley Field) and is a proud member of the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  You think Ernie Banks and you think of the Chicago Cubs.  He had himself a stellar playing career:  2x NL MVP (1958, 1959), 1960 Gold Glove Award winner, 512 career HR's, 2,583 career hits, and 1,636 career RBI's.  Happy Birthday Mr. Cub.

"The Ryan Express" turns 64 today.  And based on some of the first pitches he's thrown out in recent games, he can probably still get some guys out.  This guy has staggering numbers from his playing career, including one royal ass-kicking of a young, brash Robin Ventura back in August of 1993.  Straight headlock to punching bag.

He definitely deserves a by the numbers look:
8: All-Star Game selections
5,714: Strikeouts (leads Randy Johnson by almost 1,000 for the all-time mark)
3: # of teams who retired his number (Texas Rangers #34, Houston Astros #34, Los Angeles Angels #30)
7: Career No-Hitters - this number will never be broken (Sandy Koufax is 2nd with 4)
3.19: Career ERA in 5,386 innings
27: Seasons played

Happy Birthday Nolan Ryan.  You gave hitters the business.

Hope you learned a little more about baseball today.  Go to the bar tonight and flaunt your new found knowledge of America's PastTime. 

And here's a few other notable folks who share their birthday with baseball greatness:  Musician and actor who brought sexy back Justin Timberlake (30); The voice of Jane in Disney's Tarzan, actress Minnie Driver (40); Miss USA 1997 and former Barker's Beauty Brandi Sherwood (40); former Sex Pistols rocker Johnny "Rotten" Lydon (55); and rock guitarist Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music fame (60).

Good day to you and yours.

Trending Now

According to search engine BING.com, there are five things Bing users are really fiending to learn more about.  Here they are, along with a little information about all five.

1.  SAG Awards - Screen Actors Guild Awards.  It's basically another awards show to recognize outstanding performances by actors and actresses.  It seems the awards season rarely has any time off.  The award handed out is called "The Actor".  Just another opportunity to collect praise, booze, and free swag.  Entertaining nonetheless.

2.  Suez Canal - A waterway in Egypt.  According to Bloomberg.com, the canal operating at 100% capacity and is responsible for carrying 8% of global seaborne trade.  Pretty staggering numbers if you ask me, but I'm no water expert.

3.  Kim Kardashian - Celebutante/Socialite/TV Star.  She is always in the news and tabloids for basically anything she does.  If she farts, there's a story.  If she chooses to date half the NFL, there's a story.  She has her own television show and her Twitter account - @KimKardashian - has over 6 million followers.


4.  Henry Cavill - British actor.  The 27 year-old has been named the to the role of Superman for the upcoming film due in December of 2012.  He also auditioned for the role of Batman in 2005 but that role was given to Christian Bale (another Brit).

5.  Pro Bowl 2011 - NFL All-Star Game.  In the past, it has been played after the Super Bowl, but the league has changed the date to before the Super Bowl, meaning the best players on the two best teams in the league do not participate.  Not sure what kind of stunt that is, but it's working.  A near sellout crowd of 49,338 watched as the NFC jumped out to a 42-0 lead before holding on for a 55-41 victory.  Each player on the NFC side took home an additional $45,000.  Nice bonus.  (For the record, the losers get $22,500).

If you have the urge to trend the aforementioned topics, fret no more.  I just did the work for you.

Enjoy your Monday.

Syracuse Slump; UConn Crumbles; Duke is Doody

Two Big East powers suffered losses yesterday.  One mediocre Big East team is going to town on the behind of #3 Duke today.

Syracuse has hit some tough times of late, dropping their fourth straight game, at Marquette, 76-70.  Marquette broke the 2-3 zone and shot 6 of 13 from beyond the arc.  The difference was their inside game and ability to draw contact in the lane.  Syracuse shot 8-14 at the free throw line - Marquette was 24-33 from the stripe.  They really should have blown out the Orange but missed 9 free throws.  Still, a 6-point win over a Top 10 team (not for much longer).  My guess is that Syracuse will drop into the 20's in the rankings.  Most teams that suffer four game skids fall out of the Top 25, but their schedule will keep them there, namely their wins over Michigan St., Notre Dame, Cincinnati and St. John's.

UConn had a chance but I sounded off on that yesterday after a freshman thought he was the leader of that team.  Wrong.  Tough loss for the Huskies.  2 OT's.  I remember when me and Lindsay went to the Garden to see the Syracuse-UConn 7 overtime game a few years back - that was the best college basketball game I've ever seen.  UConn is still 17-3 and will probably fall to 10th or so.  Like Syracuse, their wins over Michigan St., Kentucky, Texas, Villanova, Tennessee and Marquette will help them maintain Top 10 status.

We'll see who's hungrier on Wednesday as UConn hosts Syracuse at 7:00pm at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.  It'll be a game worth watching, I can guarantee that.  I am guessing it'll be on ESPN.  I hope, for everyone else's sake, they put it on national TV.

And finally, before I pass out for a few hours, I get to the last story I want to touch on - St. John's kicking the snot out of #3 Duke.  I've come to grips with the reality that Duke is a pretender without Kyrie Irving.  They've been mediocre at best since he's gone down and have only held on to their Top 5 ranking because others have stumbled along the way.  They are not a Top 5 team.  No way.  Down 22 points at Madison Square Garden to a St. John's team that itself is a pretender.  11-8 overall.  4-5 and in 11th place in the Big East standings.  I guess this is why Duke is the only team from the mighty ACC in the Top 25.  One thing I'll say about the Johnnies is they're battle tested - this is the final game in an 8-game stretch against Top 25 teams.  They've lost five of them with their wins coming against Georgetown (overrated) and Cincinnati (pretender).  Their third will be against Duke (pretender).  It's a sad state of affairs and it's tough to watch.

All three teams we root for here in our Bronx apartment are struggling.  We're not the type to rest on the past either - sure Duke won the National Championship last season, but they've done nothing this year.  Sure Syracuse was a high pre-season Big East picks, but they've underachieved thus far - especially of late.  UConn is overachieving - they were not picked to make any noise in the Big East.  It'll all get sorted out once March Madness comes around.  One thing's almost for certain - all three teams will be in the Field of 68 (or whatever the number is).

Practice was good today - our defense looked a little better and the pitchers who were live today threw strikes.  Velocity was down once again, like the first day, but they located, which is a good sign.  It's still early and I know the velocity will come around.  I also know that it's easy to pitch well against the guys you are comfortable being around.  The true test comes on February 25th at 4:00 pm down in Cullowhee, NC against Western Carolina.  For now, I'll continue to keep you updated as to our progress leading up to the first game.

OK, I'm done (just like Duke).

Watch This Video; UConn Ballhog Problem; Syracuse Looks to Right the Ship

Here's a story from ESPN on Kevin Laue, a one-handed basketball player here at Manhattan.  Even though they're going through an awful season (3-17), it's still good to see a kid like Kevin get a chance at to play at the highest level of amateur basketball - Division I.  Seeing him almost every day and speaking to him from time to time, I can tell he's a great kid with his head on straight who knows that attitude is everything. 


UConn has a ballhog problem.  And his name is not Kemba Walker.  It's Shabazz Napier.  #23 Louisville escaped the northeast with a 79-78 win over #5 UConn.  Kemba Walker got the final shot - from 35' away.  Napier was hoisting up three-pointers like they were going out of style - 5 for 13 on the game.  Sure he had 23 points, Jeremy Lamb had 21 (1-9 on threes) and Kemba had 20 (on 7-28 shooting).

The game was lost because of their transition defense (or lack thereof) and the fact that the big shots was taken by Napier, a freshman, and not by Walker, the leader of this team.  Regardless of who's hot and who's not, the (arguably) best player in the country should have the shot to win the game from closer that 35'.  A tough loss in the Big East will only help the Huskies, but still, heartbreak is heartbreak.  They need to regroup when they host #9 Syracuse at home next Wednesday.

Syracuse has a tough road test today with Marquette at 3:00 pm - they're trying to avoid a four game losing streak.  They started the season 18-0 before losing to Pittsburgh, Villanova, and Seton Hall.  A loss today could drop them to ninth or tenth in the Big East standings.  Seeing how the Big East has seven teams in the Top-25, they still aren't out of it, but they could have made their road to March a little easier by simply beating a mediocre-at-best Seton Hall team at the Carrier Dome.

Exciting day of college hoops today.  My nap has been cancelled due to the fact that I can't keep my eyes closed with all these good games on.  Chocolate milk time.  Oh yeaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Too Much Wine...

I am utterly exhausted.  Not sure if it was the getting up at 4 am to get ready for practice yesterday morning or staying out until 12:15 am last night or helping Paul and Jenny polish off three bottles of wine, but part of me thinks it was a combination of all three.

Bottle number one was a bottle of white Pinot Noir - it wasn't my favorite but it grew on me a little bit.  Tasted like a white wine.  For those of you who are thinking "This guy's a real doofus, Pinot Noir is a red wine!" - take a listen.  The color of wine comes from the skin of the grapes.  Red wine is made from red grapes and the skins are left on during fermentation.  Therefore, in order to make a white wine out of red grapes, you must remove the skins prior to fermentation.  There's your fun fact of the day, for free.

Bottle number two was an awesome red Pinot Noir from the Kosta Browne Winery.  It was smooth and had hints of cherry and a dry finish.  I have never been wine tasting and have never considered myself a connoisseur by any means, but there are some things I can taste, and it was pretty evident - or so it seemed.

I like to read and research the wine I drink in order to try to educate myself as to what a wine is supposed to look, taste, and smell like.  I think it makes me feel as though I've learned something while throwing back glasses of wine.

On the agenda tonight is another trip to NYC to meet up with my mother at a Mediterranean restaurant - not sure what to expect but I hope they have baklava - that shit is bomb.

Practice went well today - the pitchers threw the ball pretty well.  Velocity was up for the guys who threw live and they located pretty well.  Not bad for their first time out this spring.  Tomorrow is another 8am practice, so I get to sleep in until 6:30 am.  Sweet.

Time to count some sheep for a few.

Pissed, Pleased, Pathetic

Pissed
So I get on the elevator on the eighth floor, heading down to the first.  A girl, who is speaking in some far eastern language into her blue tooth, gets in after me.  She proceeds to block the sensor for a good minute before choosing her final destination - 7th floor.  She couldn't walk down the twelve steps it takes to get there? 

I guarantee she waited longer for the elevator to arrive on the eighth floor than it would have taken to walk.  Guaranteed.

It happens more times that not.  If I am taking an elevator, I am taking it at least four floors.  I feel anything less than that and it's just quicker to head right to the stairs.

Sorry, but had she been more focused on where she was going and less focused on her conversation, she might have realized she was only travelling one flight down.

Pleased (kind of)
This morning marked the first day of practice for the baseball team here.  We started at 5:45am and by 8:30am, we had done more than most people on campus will do all day.  We had four pitchers go live, 35 pitches - some looked OK and some looked less than OK.  Velocity was down for all four, but they located pretty well.  The infielders had a rough go at it - taking ground balls on the basketball courts can be tricky - they get on you a little quicker because of the wood.  The hitters looked as expected - unable to really square up too many balls against the live arms.  Overall, for Day 1, it wasn't great, but it wasn't awful.  At least no one got hurt.  Day 2 tomorrow begins at 7:45am - lucky me, getting to sleep in tomorrow.

Pathetic
Duke.  Yes, I am a huge fan and they did beat Boston College by 16 at Cameron Indoor.  The thing that scares me is that only five of the nine players who saw the court scored - Singler and Ryan Kelly had 14 apiece, Seth Curry had 20, Nolan Smith 28 (and 8 assists), and Mason Plumlee chipped in 8 (and 12 rebounds).  And of the 200 minutes, they accounted for 164.  The bench got 36 minutes and was 0-4 with 4 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 steals (all from Miles Plumlee), and 4 personal fouls.  They better get their shit in order down there in Durham.

Dinner

Headed to dinner with Jesse and Julia. Centrico. Maybe we'll get lucky and Aaron Sanchez will be cooking.

Blizzard be damned.

Location:West Broadway, NYC

Digital Darcy Photography: Stylish Blogger Award

Digital Darcy Photography: Stylish Blogger Award: "This goes against the blog standards (one picture per day), but I want to thank C. Alvarez for casting a me 'Stylish Blogger Award' for DDP...."

Dear: Post Cereal

As I was eating a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats - Almond, Lindsay looked at me and said "cereal is awesome".  I couldn't agree with her more.

The selection of cereal Post puts out in mind blowingly excellent.  Below, I will list several of the cereals you allow me and my fellow civilians to consume. 

I am not your typical cereal enthusiast - I love cereal.  I get after cereal.  On average, I get four bowls of cereal per 16 oz. box.  I know that's not the serving size based on the daily recommended allowance or whatever the hell they call it.  I can care less.  And the people at Post should thank me for my gluttony towards the brand - the more I eat, the more I buy.  A big thanks to Costco for selling them in bulk for a great price - $7.70 for 48 ounces of goodness.

Here's a run-down of some of the cereals you make me crave:
1. Honey Bunches of Oats - Awesome!  Those clusters of oats and honey and those delicate little flakes that somehow hold up to the milk so well are a match made in heaven.
2. grape-nuts - My inner bird comes out when eating this pebble-like cereal.  Not sure how many people eat them - I eat them on occasion - but the texture makes it almost a challenge to eat without breaking my teeth.  Challenge accepted.  I love barley!  The only problem is the damn box is so small - either that or the cereal itself just takes up too little space.
3. Raisin Bran - Two scoops?  You can easily get away with three or four.  Only issue I have with you is the raisins sink to the bottom of the bowl, so it's a fruity fiesta at the bottom of the bowl.  The flakes are sweet enough but aren't overpowered by the sweetness of the raisins. 
4. Alpha Bits - Although I haven't bought a box of Alpha Bits for some time, I remember the simple letters coated in a light frost that were awesome to eat.  The milk gets a little sweeter and by the time comes to drink the milk, it's perfect.  And you can spell out words and things like that - I mean if you're like 8 or 9 years old.
5. Golden Crisp - That stunning gold box has a way of attracting kids and adults alike.  It's shiny and what's inside in pure gold(en).  And that damn Sugar Bear has a knack for making these things look so good.  And they really are.  Very sweet, but when eaten in moderation, they're delicious.  If you want to talk about longevity, this is the gold standard - they've been around for over 50 years.  Here's to another 50.
6.  Cocoa Pebbles -  If you are craving a chocolate fix, this is your box of cereal.  Chocolate milk awaits you after you've devoured all these perfect chocolate rice puffs?  I'm not even sure what the hell they actually are, but I don't care.  If they're good enough for Fred Flintstone, they're good enough for us.

In closing, I just want to thank you for putting out healthy and tasty cereal for the past 50+ years.  I hope you cut the crap with the Cupcake Pebbles, but I guess little kids need something too. 

Keep churning out the goodness, and on behalf of all the civilians eating your cereals every day, thanks!

Dear:

Behold the new weekly installment, Dear:, written every Wednesday on the Wednesday.  This is an idea that originally came from a novel written by Jason F. Wright called The Wednesday Letters.  I will let the website explain what the novel entails, but in short, it's a story of a husband who through the course of their marriage (39 years) wrote his wife a letter every Wednesday until the day he passed away.

I, in fact, do this very same thing with Lindsay, but we refer to it as the "Tuesday Letters" - she even has a wooden box with "Tuesday Letters" engraved on it for storage of said letters.  Every Tuesday (I try) to write her a little note - sometimes lengthy, sometimes just a few words - letting her know how I feel towards her.  Sometimes I just try to make her laugh, sometimes it's more serious, sometimes I pretend it's from Nathan.  Regardless, it makes her smile and it's just a little something I do for her (besides cook).

So later today, I will begin with the first installment of Dear:.  It isn't going to be a love letter - it'll be a letter to something totally random.  Plain and simple.  Just like me.  I hope you get a kick out of it, as I am sure I will have some fun writing these letters.  And maybe you don't read it, who am I to judge you.  Maybe you yourself will start your own version of my "Tuesday Letters".  Then again, maybe you won't.

Stay tuned!!

3 In a Row for Orange; New Weekly Feature Coming Soon!!

Syracuse, you are NOT as good as you think you are.  You just lost to Seton Hall, at home, by 22 points.  Three losses in a row.  One on the road to #5 Pitt and the next at home to #7 Villanova.  But Seton Hall?  At home?  I am totally mystified how teams refuse to show up because they think it's an easy W.  There are no easy W's in college athletics.  I can tell you that first hand.

As a college baseball coach, every game counts - conference games even more so.  If you need music or a pep-talk to get you geeked up for a game, you need to take a look in the mirror and remind yourself why you play the sport - to WIN.

Seton Hall was 8-12.  They did play Syracuse tough in the Carrier Dome a few weeks back (SYR 61 - SH 56).  So you'd think the Orange woulda came to play.  The best team Seton Hall has beaten this year was UMass.  Absolutely pathetic.  If I were Boeheim, I'd be livid.  And the problem is, sometimes the coach wants it more than the players.  There is no reason Syracuse should ever lose to Seton Hall by 22 points.

In lighter news, I have finally decided on a new weekly feature, which I hope you all find awesome.  I have been racking my brain for weeks trying to think of the perfect idea for a cool new installment.  Having finally decided on one that I think everyone will enjoy, I am extremely pleased with my perseverence.  As much as I'd like to keep this new feature as the lone post of that given day, I think we all know this is highly unlikely.

I am really feeling like shit right now, so I am going to sign off and head to bed.  Hope I feel up to a good workout in the morning.

Sleep well world.

Restaurant Week NYC, Part 2

Food Network star Aaron Sanchez' restaurant, Centrico, will be our destination for NYC's Restaurant Week.  Mexican food - always a crowd pleaser - Lindsay spotted it on the list.  Thanks babe, you the bomb.  We always like trying Food Network chefs' restaurants, but to be honest, they price gouge the shit out of you.  Good thing we're not big drinkers (anymore), it tends to save money on the dinner bill.

I mean for $35 per person - yes, menu's are limited - it's a steal.  And if you live in NY and choose to avoid the menu, you're an uptight jackass.  Enjoy food for cheaper than you normally would.

And if you love to cook at home instead of going out, Restaurant Week is definitely something to check out.  There's a ton of restaurants that participate in it, some for lunch and dinner, some only for dinner.  Saturday night is typically blacked out from this promotion, for good reason - it's the weekend and people go nuts.  I mean the restaurant needs to make full-fare at some point during these two weeks.

If you're close to NYC, take a look here to see the restaurants involved.  And to the restaurants not participating, a big boo to you.

Cutler Criticism Uncalled For

I was one of the people who bashed Bears QB Jay Cutler after he came out of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon.  And after reading articles about his sprained MCL and listening to Brian Urlacher speak on his toughness, I want to apologize if I offended any Jay Cutler fans, and apologize to Jay Cutler himself (not that he even knows of my existence).

It does take guts and toughness to be a professional athlete, and especially a QB in the NFL.  His NFL peers, however, created a shit-storm of comments via Twitter ripping his toughness and questioning his integrity.  To be fair, the facts weren't in until the game was over.  But similar to middle- and high-school, name-calling ensued.

Yes, he was seen standing on the sideline.  No, there was no sighting of training staff tending to his bum knee.  So why the hell was he out?  It looked like he was walking gingerly during the final play of his last series.  I never questioned why he wasn't playing - I assumed it was because he was hurt.  Not once did it cross my mind that he was pulling himself because he wasn't playing well.  As a former athlete, that should never happen.  EVER!

This was an injury that many athletes play through, but in the grand scheme of things, if it got worse, it could cost him a year.

Jay Cutler, you are a good man.  Sometimes, I think you're a weenie, but I'll be honest, when I listen to your press conferences, I understand how much you want to win and be successful.  Not as much as Derek Anderson, but pretty close.  (kidding)

Restaurant Week NYC

Just wanted to share with everyone that January 24th to February 6th is Restaurant Week in NYC.  One of the best times of the year, if we're able to take advantage of it.

$24.07 for lunch.
$35.00 for dinner.

Obviously menu selections are limited, but it's still very reasonable for an appetizer, entree, and dessert.

Totally awesome.

Thin Mints...

...I swear I can eat these things by the wheelbarrow full.  They are Awesome with a capital A.  They are the perfect cookie.  You bite into it and feel a cool mint feeling.  It looks like a chocolate cookie, and you get a little bit of chocolate, but the mint taste is the winner.

Honestly, if you've never had one, you're dumb.  Well not dumb, you just may not know any people who sell Girl Scout Cookies.  Throw them in the refrigerator for a day or two and forget about them.  It's a cool minty flavor, and it's worth the two day wait.  Think Andes Mints on steroids.  They're that good.

Word has it (according to a friend of mine I went to college with, James B.), there is an iPhone app for locating Girl Scout Cookies.  I haven't downloaded it since I don't have an iPhone.

Awesome-ness

Glove Typing

In an attempt to keep warm in my office, I am going to throw some gloves on and start typing away at a blog.  I am kind of anxious to see what comes of this.  The general topic will be the cold weather - it's literally 30 degrees in here.  A special thanks to the school for providing ideal working conditions here in the gym. 

I hope you can decipher a few lines at least.

This cold weather seems to be affecting none other than mysel;f, particularly because most everyone elosre has heat inm their offixce.  My  heat is coming from a 3"x6" vent inm the far cornmer of the room.  Not to m,ention there are fuir doors exactl;y 10' from  my offixce that are constantly being iopened by passerbyus.  ?I just shut my door in hopes that the copld air can't barge througfh and make me c older - qwhick miht be impossible seeing how I can see my bgreath.  I just puit onm m,y wool hat  but t he jacklet remains on the backl of the seat.  The jacklet will be going on soonm e nopigjh./  Thwere's amotjher basketball gamer today, a wom,enm's game, at 7pm./  At least this is the last game  until February 4rth, so  there's a few weekls at least top fopcus onm bnaseball.  Wre start Thyursday mornmiong at 6 am.  ooking forward to  baseball, weven though we are cooped up inside for a fweq weeks until the weatert gets better out therte.  OK, I've had enougjh - oph i zsee i switvched to italiczs som,ehow.  I am literally alm,ost frozen solid - this enviroment does not promopte work, not today anywaty, and nopt for this guy.  


'm d onme, I can't take this shit anmy longer.  Time to go food shopping - I';m serious, the frozen food szsrection may  be warmwer than this office.  It's inhumane.

Cutler Gets Tweet-blasted

WOW.  I said I thought it was a soft move to come out of the game but the league has spoken.

Jay Cutler is WEAK!

Take a look at this link from Yahoo!

Isn't Sunday A Day Off?

Sunday's are generally an off day, right?  Not so fast.

The men's basketball team had a game on MSG at noon, so this guy had to be in at around 7:45am.  Not too pleased with that, but I guess whatever pays the bills, right?  The camera guys and TV crews were there around 5:00am, so it could be worse.  Granted, they probably make somewhere north of what I earn.  Met one guy, Pete, a Packer Backer - a grizzled older guy with long white hair underneath his GB beanie.  Oh yeah, and he had on a Packers vest.  He mentioned how he's worked a bunch of Sunday Night Football games.  I feel like I missed an opportunity to make a connection.  Damn it.

They lost in case you were wondering, to St. Peter's, 62-53.

I got home around 4:15pm with a bag of food for Nathan and caught the end of the Packers/Bears game.  It looked almost like the Packers were trying to give it away there towards the end.  I then whipped together some turkey burgers and roasted potato fries for dinner and realized I hadn't posted today.  And here I am now.  Here's something I always punish myself with - red onions.  I can't resist putting them on top of burgers or in pasta salads, but they give me the worst indigestion ever.  It's hasn't stopped me from eating them and I don't think it ever will, just thought I'd share my dietary issues with you all.

Steelers just went ahead of the Jets 7-0.  Haven't watched any of the game yet, but I'll bear down after this post.  I wished all my friends who are Jets fans good luck (like they're part of the team or something) and that was all.  I support NY sports (Yankees, Giants, Islanders mainly) so the Jets header is for New York, not necessarily the Jets.  Seeing how they were the only football team to make the playoffs, I felt compelled to show my support.  If they lose, it comes down tomorrow.

The weather here is frigid - low 20's seem to be the high lately.  I wear my Under Armour mask under my wool hat, and I think sometimes it scares the older people living in the building.  They look at me like I am a nut job.  I'm not, and they realize that once they see Nathan.  I can give a shit what I look like, I'm trying to stay warm.

I've been tweeting a lot lately, not that anyone on there gives a shit what I have to say, but you never know.  I still feel privileged to have all you people (my Blog Army) following my blog.  I hope I don't piss you off with the amount of posts that I put out.

OK, I need to get something to settle my stomach.  Damn you, red onions!

Peanut Butter Pie

Had to post a pic of this decadent dessert. Sorry to those of you who don't live near one of the four New York locations. One piece is more than enough.

Location:Our Apartment via Dinosaur BBQ

UCF - Right or Wrong?

Refer back to my post on January 9th about the then-#23 UCF Knights basketball team.  I am not trying to toot my own horn, but I told you so.

They were 14-0.  After winning their conference opener against Marshall (which looks better since they just beat #21 West Virginia), they've rattled off three straight losses in C-USA (Jan. 8 @ Houston 76-71, Jan. 15 @ Southern Miss 86-69, Jan. 19 vs. East Carolina 74-62) and fallen to within one game of the cellar-dwelling Rice Owls. 

Rice is up next.  From there it's off to Memphis.  Then they host UAB.  UTEP on the road after that.  A tough stretch for the over rated UCF basketball team.

I just call it like I see it.  They've been outscored by 27 points in C-USA games.  Two of the losses were by 12+ points.  Just saying.

1-3 over the next four games.  Let's see.

Orange Crushed; Orange Crush-er; UConn hosts Orange Coat; Duke at Wake;

Syracuse's awful first half doomed them.  Down eleven at the half, at home, to #7 Villanova, the #3 Orange never were able to dig out of the early hole they dug themselves.  The presence of Kris Joseph in their lineup again (he suffered a head injury against Cincinnati and sat out at #5 Pitt) wasn't enough, even though he did pour in 23 points.  He managed only one rebound and shot 8-16 from the floor.  Rick Jackson, aka Double-Double Machine, added 16 points and 13 boards but the rest of the team (besides Brandon Triche, 14 points) struggled mightily.  The Orange shot 39% for the game while Nova shot 46% (including a +14 advantage from the stripe).  Villanova bounced back nicely after their last-second loss to #10 UKem...UConn in Storrs to improve to 16-2, 5-1 in the Big East.  The Orange dropped their second game in a row and fell to 19-2, 5-2 in the Big East.  Villanova travels to Providence Wednesday.  Syracuse host Seton Hall on Tuesday.

#1 Ohio State survived another tough test within the Big Ten, escaping the always hostile Alumni Hall with a 73-68 win over #23 Illinois.  After trailing at the half by a point, the Buckeyes did just enough in the 2nd half to hang on.  They're 7-0 in the Big Ten with their average  margin of victory a measly 7.8 points (they beat Iowa by 22 and Indiana by 18).  Their next one is a prime time match up versus thormoo's #14 Boilermakers on Wednesday at 9pm.  The Illini head to Hoosier Country on Thursday.

Ohio St. is good, but this 7-man rotation they have is going to come back to get them come tournament time.  A key factor in this one was the charity stripe - Ohio St. was 24-27 and the Illini were 8-10.  Tough to win when you get outscored by 16 at the stripe - ask Syracuse.  Jared Sullinger (27 points, 16 boards) is a beast though.  Had Kyrie Irving stayed healthy, it'd be a battle for best freshman in the country. 

#8 UConn hosts Bruce Pearl and his orange coat'ed Vols today.  Pearl is coaching this non-conference game because his suspension is only for SEC games.  Kemba Walker's knuckle-ball tear-drop gave them the win versus #7 Villanova the other night.  Tennessee has some group of athletes, but they don't always come to play.  So far, they're leading the Huskies 21-15 following the third media timeout.  UConn shooting 37% and Kemba has a goose egg.  U U U aaaah U, That's Who!  Let's go UConn, the Big East needs this one.

#4 Duke heads to Wake Forest as a 23 point favorite at 4:00pm.  I will be stuck here laying down floor decals for tomorrows men's game on MSG.  Wake has fallen on some tough times this season with some of their losses coming to Stetson, VCU, Winthrop, UNC-Wilmington, and Presbyterian.  I didn't even know Presbyterian was a Division I program.  I think Duke will struggle early, but pull away late, as they did the other night against Virginia.  They need to come out of the gate hard and put the game away by the first media timeout.  Wake, 0-4 in the ACC, only faces Duke this one time, so this may be their lone chance at a court storming.  Personally, it better not happen, but crazier things have happened. (see Presbyterian Blue Hose; yes, that is their nickname).  Let's Go Duke!

This women's game is almost at the half, therefore I have to sacrifice my office to the officials for 15 minutes.  38-21 Marist at the half.  Yikes!

Lacrosse - Really?

I am at the gym, setting up for an exciting women's basketball game and the men's lacrosse team is lifting.  All I hear it swearing (which I am OK with), screaming, grunting, and weights getting slammed on the ground.  They must be getting strong.

As far as I'm concerned, this is solely a sport for rich kids who a) couldn't hack it in baseball or b) think baseball is a low brow sport.  Either way, I am glad I never played lacrosse.

Sure, some of them can run.  Sure, they can catch a little white ball in the basket of their stick.  Sure, they can shoot it at a brainless goalie who wears a cup, shin pads and a helmet.

Or maybe it's just our lacrosse team giving them a bad rep.  "I'm a meat head" is the impression they give off (not like the Jersey Shore).

Yeah, it may go all the way back to the 5th century.  It also used to be played on a field that was miles long with 500 to 1000 people per side.  Again, the word brainless come in.

There are 61 men's college lacrosse teams, and this one in this gym right now, they think they're the best.  Which, I guess, is good for them.  If noise generated from lifting weights was how they ranked teams, we would most certainly be the preseason #1.

Walking around twirling a stick with a ball in it, tightening the laces, making the pocket in the lacing - how cool.  Cutting your sleeves off and walking around - even cooler.

I will say this, it is a very physically demanding sport.  It takes tough kids (just like every other sport).  It takes top-notch conditioning running up and down the field.  They obviously play it for the love of the game, because professional lacrosse hasn't exactly taken off in the US.

I have to get back to setting up for this game.  I big you all a better Saturday than I have in store.

Treacherous

Headed down to Battery Park City to meet up with Paul and Jenny and baby Isabella.

Gotta stop by Dinosaur BBQ to pick up dessert - you guessed it - Peanut Butter Pie.

Slow sledding out there.  Drive safe.

SNOW DAY!!; Wipeout

I awoke this morning to Nathan's paws tapping against the wood floor.

I saw the green light on my phone blinking - mail and/or text.  It was a text, from a five digit number - 79516 - the Manhattan College emergency number - informing us of the CLOSING of school.  Are you kidding me?  (Awesome)x5.

Hopped in the elevator, got downstairs, and proceeded to the dog park, which had a fresh coating of snow from last nights "storm" (5" of snow, maybe).  Nathan ran around for a while, did his business, and stopped moving.  He tends to do this when the snow starts accumulating on the hair underneath his belly - it turns into wee little snow balls.

After a plow tried like hell to douse us with snow, we made it across the street.

We headed back in and returned to the apartment where Nate got a bacon treat and I got back in bed.

Fast forward three hours.

Wake up #2.  Sun is shining and I am smirking at the school's  decision to close.  Not my decision, but the results isn't so bad.  The roads are clear and the grass is covered in snow.  No problems from the 10th floor.

Here's a a nice off day before a hectic weekend - three games (Sat. @2, Sun. @12, Mon. @7).  Not to mention classes start on Monday.

Baseball, well, we're gonna get it rocking and rolling on Friday.

One last thing - if you haven't seen Winter Wipeout (Thursday, 8pm, ABC), you're missing out on TV gold.  Just watch it, you'll thank me.

Font Crazy

It's the little things that make you keep going.

Blogger finally added some more fonts to choose from.  Awesome.  I was getting sick of the same five fonts.

Head to the 'Design' tab, click 'Template Designer', then 'Advanced'.  Fonts galore.

Hope this helps my Blog Army and my followers.  Nothing wrong with mixing it up a little bit.

Awesome Awesomeness

Today was a strictly cardio day for me in the gym.  I was feeling crazy, so I started off on the rowing machine.  Pretty intense.  We have a club crew team, so they have some pretty nice stuff they have stashed in the fitness center.

I started off with the "Fish Game", couldn't get the hang of it, so I put the squash on that.  Opted instead for a 2,000m row.  Don't ask what distance that is or what it even means (I assume 2,000 meters?) but it took me just over eight minutes and was very intense.  It was a solid cardio and back workout.

From there I headed to the stationary bike.  Rode around for a while on "Pike's Peak" and listened to some music. 

As per yesterday, here's a look into the music that started my day:

1. Every Time I Die - "Organ Grinder" - just a barrel of awesomeness to start off
2. I Am The Avalanche - "Always" - melodic yet hard enough to pump me up
3. The Gaslight Anthem - "American Slang" - NJ band with a sound eerily similar to that of Bruce Springsteen
4. Every Time I Die - "For The Record" - "I've had a good run but can't run anymore" - PLAY IT LOUD!
5. Kid Cudi - "Dat New 'New'" - if you don't know this guy (and are under 32), WAKE UP!!
6. Brad Paisley - "Water" - just a song I enjoy singing along to

7. Nine Inch Nails - "Where Is Everybody" - a going-away pump up song to cool down to

And you should definitely listen to these songs.  Because they're awesome.  And so are you!

Duke taking NC State to the Wood Shed; World's Wildest

I have a few minutes to sneak a post in before the second half starts and The Middle.


Duke (at the half)
The last loss Duke had in the state of North Carolina was last January 20 to NC State.  At the half in Raleigh, Duke leads 42-28.  Duke is clearly the  better team out there, but ACC games are ACC games - they're all hard-fought battles.  I've mentioned how Mason Plumlee has been a waste of time on the offensive end - I stand firm on that - but he's earning his scholarship based solely on defense.  Seven (7) blocks in the first half to go along with five rebounds.  Ryan Kelly - also badmouthed by me - hit his first shot of the game, a 3-pointer to put Duke up 3-0.  He has 4 points.

NC State hasn't helped themselves, hitting 8 of 37 shots.  Keep it up wolfpack.

World's Wildest
For some reason I am always drawn to TruTV when World's Wildest Police Chases are on.  Love that shit.  Tune in sometimes.  It all goes back to the posts referring to stupidity.  Some - errrr, all - of the people on those shows are idiots.

OK - gotta go.  The Middle is on.

A New Blog!?!

I've decided to make a new blog.  Out of the blue?  Not really.  As you may or may not know, photography is something I'm pretty enthusiastic about.  It's not quite on the level of my passion for sports, but I enjoy being behind the lens.

Whenever I can, I post pictures that I've personally taken, on WRT.  Sometimes, it's photos I've gathered online.

My new endeavor - Digital Darcy Photography - will be a photo-a-day blog.  Photos will be taken by me (or Lindsay).

Themes and ideas for these photos will be completely random (with maybe a little help from The Daily Shoot).  Weather, transportation, landscapes, sports, foliage - anything and everything is fair game. 

I hope you all have a spare minute in your day to check out the new site.  I know I can count on my Blog Army.

Thank you all.

Stupidity Still Abounds

Lindsay was down on the east side of Manhattan this morning.  She stopped in a Fivebucks Yuppiebucks Fourbucks Starbucks to get a tea.  And cue the stupidity:

Lindsay: "Do you have any teas that are decaf?"
Barista: "No, but we have some that are caffeine free"

Enjoy your 31 oz. trenta you idiot.

Feeding the Blue Bird of Twitter; Workout Playlist

TWITTER
I figured out how to link my blog to my Twitter account and I couldn't be happier.  It shortens the URL for me using the simple shortener bit.ly to provide a Twitter friendly tweet.

Those 140 characters really get on you quick.  I am used to this type of forum where I can write and write and write and throw in the occasional photo.  Twitter limits you in that regard, but overall, it's a pretty dynamite service.  Awesome even.

I've still have my issues from time to time.  For example:  I have no idea how to retweet and quote the tweet.  On my iPad, it gives you the option to simply retweet or retweet with comment - I have yet to find that feature on the Twitter website on the computer.  Kind of pisses me off.

MUSIC
As I've stated, my workouts are going well.  To give you some insight into what motivates me during my workout, I will kindly provide you with links, YouTube video, and/or lyrics of the songs that I listened to this morning.  Keep in mind that this is a totally random playlist left up to my iPod Touch.

1. Deftones - "Lhabia"

2. GlassJaw - "Mu Empire"

3. Billy Currington - "That's How Country Boys Roll"

4. Green Day - "Basket Case"

5. Deftones - "976-EVIL"

6. Muse - "Plug In Baby"

7. Brand New - "Sink"

8. Lil Wayne - "On Fire"

9. Nine Inch Nails - "The Collector"

10. innerpartysystem - "Don't Stop"

Overall, a great listening experience for me.

Lunch time.  Toot toot!

Stupidity Abounds; Clemson's Chapel Hill O'fer; Roll Tide

I was just down on Broadway getting a bite to eat following another stellar pre-work workout and I stopped in Dunkin' Donuts to get myself a large iced coffee with milk and a little sugar.  (they put too much sugar in today)

So I order my coffee and as I'm waiting - it only took 30 seconds mind you - a guy comes steps right in front of me and in the process steps right on my foot.  I still am not quite sure what the rush was seeing how the one guy working was the guy making my coffee.  Anyhow, he looked blankly at me after he stepped on my foot.  No "I'm sorry" or "My bad" - none of that;  so I responded with "Don't sweat it man, I got another foot."

His blank stare turned to utter confusion.  I got my coffee as we was placing his order - 2 munchkins.  Two.  I didn't even know they sold them individually.

This guy was not homeless nor was he struggling for cash - he had a Gucci wallet (even though it was probably a fake) and was wearing a brand new pair of Nike sneaks.  Maybe he just has the appetite of a baby bird.  Or maybe he'd rather spend money looking good that trying to survive.  Come to think of it, he was about 6' and weighed maybe 160 pounds.  It felt like I stubbed my toe when he stepped on me.

Two munchkins.  Hah!

In college basketball news, North Carolina improved to 55-0 all-time at home against Clemson.  Granted, UNC traditionally has been a basketball powerhouse, but at some point over the past several seasons, when they've been a middle-of-the-pack ACC team, Clemson should have found a way to beat them.  It was tied at 63 before the Heels closed the game with a 12-2 run.  I guess the sun doesn't shine on a dog's ass every once in a while, not for Clemson anyway, and certainly not in Chapel Hill.

Another game I watched was #12 Kentucky taking on Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  Alabama tried like hell to give this one away, but they held on thanks to seldom used guard Ben Eblen.  With the Tide up 1 with 2.3 seconds left, Eblen tallied his lone point (he averages 1.0 PPG) on his first free throw before missing the second one, allowing the Wildcats one last chance.  Alabama led by as many as 17 in the second half but Kentucky kept chipping away.  In the end, Alabama prevailed, 68-66.  No court storming.  They've done it before, just not since the 2006 season - when they beat #20 Kentucky 72-61.  Roll Tide.  For this night anyway.

Time for a conference call.  Be back.  Enjoy your munchkins.

Jeopardy Doofus of the Year

Carrie. 

You will never see her standing next to Ken Jennings. 

You know why?  Because we've been watching Jeopardy the tail end of Round 1 and this dimwit hasn't rung in once. 

She was at $0 heading into the second round.

Finally, with 2 clues left on the board, she rang in and got a $1,600 question right.

It isn't like she's getting a chance to answer - she's not even ringing in.

It'd be something if she won the thing because the other two guys have to outbid against one another.  It's highly doubtful.

Sorry for this completely random post, but I felt compelled to write about Carrie's lack of knowledge and/or timing.

Q: "There are the 2 U.S. states with only one consonant in their names"
A: Ohio and Iowa

All three contestants were incorrect.  The guy who won said "Hawaii and Alaska", the other guy said "Iowa and ?" and our girl Carrie went with the always amusing "?".

It must be harder when you're actually a contestant because I got it in 4 seconds.

Carry on.

Snow, Ice, and Rain

That's the precipitation spectrum we got going on here in the Bronx. It was fine last night when I went to bed.

I woke up and took Nathan out and there was a layer of ice coating the snow that had preceded it. The roads were covered in ice. And to top it all off, now it's raining. RAIN! The worst part is that it's freezing on impact so the ground remains a skating rink.

I haven't seen the sun in a while either - I assume this is what it feels like to be live in Seattle.

We worked out this morning - albeit a little later than our usual 8:00 am workouts - and I wore my sneakers in. Bad idea seeing how the tops are mesh-like. Now my feet are a little cold and a little damn.

Headed to lunch. Not sure what's on the menu but we'll have to improvise.

The one certainty today is that this weather sucks!

Syracuse/Pitt Bloodbath; UConn tops Nova; Jersey Shore

Following up on my earlier post about the Syracuse/Pitt game...

...Pitt opened up the game with a ridiculous 19-0 run.  Syracuse answered with a 17-0 run to make it a bit of a game, but I think the Orange spent too much energy coming back from the early hole they dig themselves.  It was a black and blue (using my dude thormoo's terminology here) game - #3 at #4.  What else would you expect from the Big East?  A 74-66 loss without their top scorer Kris Joseph (14.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG) isn't all bad and neither is their 18-1 record.  Losing to Pitt at Pitt, not terrible - they have won 51 of the past 52 at home.

#8 UConn - with a little help from their guy Kemba Walker - left the Gampel with a 61-59 win over #7 Villanova.  He hit a runner in the lane with 2.5 seconds left to seal the deal for the Huskies.  After a sluggish offensive first half for both sides (22-21 Villanova at the half), the offenses got in gear over the last twenty minutes.  And the difference was the best player in the country hitting a big shot.  How's it go, "Big players make big plays"?  And he sure did.

(You didn't read it wrong, I just spoke on four Big East teams who are ranked #3, #4, #7, and #8 in the country)

As much as I hate the troll party members on the Jersey Shore, I do find comedy in most of what @VINNYGUADAGNINO says.  I am not even sure it's what he says as much as it is how he says it.  Oh, and Snooki is getting arrested right now, telling cops to "get the f*** off!" - claiming she's a "good person".  Calling her a person is the loosest interpretation of the word.

JWow has the worst skin on the show.  Blotches abound on that whore'ish face.

A day off turned into a full day at the gym watching a basketball game that was torturous for all in attendance.  51-49 Manhattan over Niagara.

After the game, I headed to grab a bite with Phil Martelli Jr., a friend of mine from when he coached here at Manhattan for a season.  He's since moved on to the Great White North that is Lewiston, NY and is on the Niagara staff. 

Headed to get some Zzz's.  Later y'all.  (cue the New Yorker's southern drawl)

Hue Jackson Named Raiders Head Coach

Al Davis finally made a good decision. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has been named to lead the Silver & Black.

Congratulations Hue and let's roll in 2011.

Did Syracuse forget what sport they're playing?

19-0 run to start the game for Pittsburgh. This is the most out of sorts I've ever seen Syracuse.

Scoop Jardine for 3! Finally. Hope they can make it a game.

#3 Syracuse at #4 Pitt

19-7. Shooting one.

Back to Words With Friends with Lindsay.

Post Movie Clapping - Yes or No?; Congrats to the JETS

Just got back to the apartment after a nice little date night with the wifester.  I worked the clinic all day and we haven't really had a date night in a while, so I figured we'd catch a flick and grab some dessert somewhere.

We headed up to Central Avenue to take in The Dilemma - Vince Vaughn (the best actor ever) and Kevin James killed it.  I'm biased, because I am convinced that anything Vince Vaughn does is instant gold (and I probably have a man-crush on him).

p.s. - I just Google'd how to properly write a movie title.  turns out, you simply italicize it. 

It was a 7:15 showing, so it really started at around 7:30 once the ridiculous previews were complete.

The movie was great - lots of laughs, some soft and mushy parts, more laughs, and more laughs.

There is one thing I don't understand at the conclusion of a movie - clapping.

Let me put it to you like this - the people on that screen, they can't actually hear your clapping.  Sure, I enjoyed the work they put forth in making it all come together on the big screen, but they don't give a shit if you boo and throw Gobstoppers at the screen.  They can't hear you.  The producer - he/she can't see, hear, or feel you reaction either.  Honestly, do you think other moviegoers think your clapping means you appreciated the film more than them?  No.

After you finish with a DVD at home, do you get your ass up from off that couch and clap?  If you do, take a good hard look in the mirror and re-evaluate your actions.  It's one thing to turn to a complete stranger and say, "Man, that was awesome" but clapping? 

My verdict on post-movie clapping is simple:  it's totally unnecessary.

Also, as per my rant against Twitter several months ago (October 22 I believe) - I take it back.  I am back on Twitter and have a new found appreciation for that little blue bird.

Follow me @ryaninthebronx

Oh, and Braylon Edwards' athleticism is second to none after his backflip celebration following the Jets shocking win in New England.  Also congratulations to my friend on Twitter @BigAds41 - a teammate and friend of mine since our college days at Manhattan - a huge Jets fan.

Also, congrats to Bruce and sorry to G - a bet's a bet so keep me posted as to how the score was settled.  I kind of feel like the bookie to this bet.

Goodnight and safe travels!

Lazy Days

Today was not a relaxing day.  Winter clinic from 9-2.  I've been setting up for basketball since the clinic ended and am finally ready to go home and spend the rest of the day with my wife and dog.

I am very hungry and a headache is starting to set in.  I better get home and take some medicine to stop this monster before it starts.

I tend to get very bad, bad migraines from time to time.  Luckily, they aren't like my father's - he gets severely ill, bed-ridden, and vomit-prone.  I just get stuck on the couch.

Sorry for a slow weekend Blog Army.  It's been a long one and tomorrow (Martin Luther King Day) is supposed to be an off day (for the rest of campus) but there's a basketball game, so I'll be here at 9:45am. 

My friend (and Niagara assistant coach Phil Martelli Jr.) is headed back to the Bronx.  Gonna make a dinner out of it after the game before he takes a flights back to the B-Lo in the morning.

Headed home for a few hours before I have to return here, to my second home, Draddy Gymnasium.

Duke's Slow Start; BEast-ly Big East

Watching this game on ESPN3.com (instead of the Manhattan game that's in my own gym) and am scratching my head as to how a team as good as #1 (for now) Duke can struggle so mightily.

They've mustered only 11 points in the first 12 minutes to start this game against a Virginia team that has played eight straight at home - I expected the always hostile Cameron Indoor to have some effect, which it clearly hasn't. 

Duke's big men (Plumlee and Kelly) have been no-shows so far this season.  Sure, Mason Plumlee has 8 rebounds already (and averages eight a game on the year) but he hasn't scored yet, but Kelly's five points per game and 3 rebounds per game are atrocious numbers for a guy like him.

Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler have been steady all season.  Singler's shooting percentages are slightly better than last year as are Smith's.  The injury to freshman phenom Kyrie Irving has hurt them big time.  He was putting up 17 a game, dishing out 5 assists, and really made them go.  He was, essentially, the WD-40 of this Duke team.  With him still in there, they beat Florida State.

Right now, I'd rather watch paint dry.  Down 15-11, their offense is inept, they're playing sloppy, and they're getting out hustled.  Halftime can't come soon enough - Coach K needs to get into them a little bit.  Losing two ACC games in a row is a no-no in Durham.

This game here is 22-19 Manhattan in case anyone was wondering.

#4 Syracuse had a tough match up (on paper) today as they hosted #25 Cincinnati at the Carrier Dome.  The Bearcats came in with a gaudy 16-1 record and got manhandled by the Orange (18-0), 67-52.  Cincinnati has played a joke of a schedule with their only two tests coming in Big East play - they lost by 11 at #7 Villanova and now by 15 at #4 Syracuse.  Next up for them - at #9 Notre Dame.  It's not getting easier for Cuse either as they head to #5 Pittsburgh next. 

The Big East is the best conference in college basketball and you can't even make an argument against that.  Five teams in the Top 10 and three others ranked in the AP Top 25.  Marquette, West Virginia, and St. John's are all contenders too this year.  Half the teams in this 16-team beast of a conference are in the AP Top 25.  Are you kidding me?

33-22 Canisius has stormed back.  See what I'm missing because of this blog?  Hahaha.

Tuning out here.  Halftime is almost here.  Duke is down 2.  Referee's use my office as their halftime quarters.  Later!!

Fun Fact

On this day in 1967, the Green Bay Packers (NFL) defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL), 35-10, to win the first Super Bowl played. 

Maybe the history will be on the side of the Packers (+1.5) today as they face the Falcons tonight in ATL.  Aaron Rodgers can cement his name in Packers lore (yes, without even a Super Bowl appearance) with a win today over Matty Ice and the Dirty Birds.

Today's Awesome: Tidal Bore in the Cook Inlet, Alaska

Since I'm a fan of awesomeness, here's some for today.

I'm not a surfer and probably never will be, but this Tidal Bore is pretty freaking cool.  A 5-mile ride?  Once in a lifetime stuff right there.



Here's a link to the article in case you'd like to read a little about it.

Splatterday

there's a college basketball game here today

canisius (-5) vs. manhattan

i wouldn't touch this one

a 7-8 team vs. a 2-14 team

this one's shaping up to be a barn-burner

unmotivated today but i think i'll have some ammo for later on though, when i finally get home at 6 o'clock

Train Wreck

Lindsay is watching DVR'd episodes of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, and the sound of Kim's voice sucks the life out of me.  She is a terrible person who must be color-blind and tone deaf.

I despise this character and cringe when I hear her smoker's voice.  Grotesque.

I was tardy to the pardy.  And I'm a clown!

Tattoos

I have several tattoos on my arms, back, shoulder, finger - no problem.

There's some spots I'd never get ink - my neck and my face. These celebrities disagree with me on this decision.

Google "gucci mane ice cream cone tattoo". Go on, do it now.

MTV did an interview with Ron Bianco from Lone Wolf Tattoo in Bellmore, Long Island about face tattoos.  Ron actually did my last tattoo a few months ago.  Great shop, great people.  "Crusty kids" are getting more and more of these tattoos.  Crying for attention. 

(Sidenote: Never get a tattoo because other people will think it's cool.  Do it for yourself)

Not really feeling like cooking tonight - had cashew crusted tilapia with carrots and spinach on the menu but the fish didn't thaw (read: I took it out of the freezer too late).

Time to relax and figure out what's for dinner.

New Zodiac Sign?

What's this I hear of a new Zodiac sign?  Ophiuchus?  Come on.  I was just getting comfortable with being a Gemini.  Not sure what all this Zodiac mumbo-jumbo entails, but we now have 13 signs - and 12 months.  The math doesn't add up.  I was and forever will be a Gemini.

Oh wait, I just got a tweet from @GeminiFDH - Hey #Gemini your zodiac sign has not changed. You are still a proud #Gemini! Ophiuchus isn't the 13th sign. It's a constellation. 

Crisis averted. Whew! Therefore this chart below is crap.

NEW ZODIAC SIGN CHART

Capricorn
January 20- to February 16
Aquarius
February 16 to March 11
Pisces
March 11 to April 18.
Aries
April 18 to May 13
Taurus
May 13 to June 21.
Gemini
June 21 to July 20
Cancer
July 20 to August 10
Leo
August 10 to September 16
Virgo
September 16 to October 30
Libra
October 30 to November 23
Scorpio
November 23 to November 29
Ophiuchus
November 29 to December 17
Sagittarius
December 17 to January 20

Linux Sucks; Linus Rules!

I've never had a Mac so I can't comment on how they run.

My hard drive basically shut down on my Dell laptop (of about 2 years).  No problem.  I got a new hard drive for $45 at Newegg.com, installed it, went to the tech office here at the college and asked them to help.  They installed Ubuntu (a Linux o/s).  Got home, plugged in my iPod, and some wack ass program pops up. 

I Google'd "iTunes" and "Ubuntu" and come to find out iTunes does not run on Linux operating systems.  Awesome.

Next stop, picture folder.  I use Picasa, but with Ubuntu, they use PhotoStream or something.  Sweet. 

So here I am, with all my photos, songs, and documents (which work fine) backed up on an external hard drive.  I want to go uninstall Ubuntu and install this Windows XP disk Jesse gave me.  I put in the disk and this Ubuntu won't even let me autorun a disk.  Bullshit.

Problem is, now no one is answering the phone down there.  And because it's my personal computer, they may be hesitant to install anything that isn't theirs.  I literally spent all morning yesterday down there trying to get this thing figured out.  The computer they give me at work has OpenOffice Writer, which basically doesn't open naturally on any other computer.  (the fact that the computer is from 1990 is besides the point).

I hope I get this fixed, because I want iTunes, Picasa, and I want to install this wireless printer I got for Christmas.  I have a funny feeling that with this Ubuntu garbage, I won't be able to sync the two.

On a brighter note, Linus is super cool.

A New Setup Man in Town

The Yankees got some much needed help today when they added All-Star closer Rafael Soriano to act as setup man for Mariano.

The deal is for three seasons - Soriano is 31 years-old.  Might he be the closer-in-waiting for the Bombers?  If his 2010 season is any indication of what this guy's capable of, things look good in the 9th inning for the future.

Over the past two seasons (2009 in Atlanta, 2010 in Tampa), he's racked up 72 saves, 4 wins, 159 K (only 41 BB) in 138 innings (only 89 hits).  His ERA is low, as you could have guessed - 1.76 to be exact.

They didn't add the ace of the staff, but they have one of those in CC.  Burnett (if he can ever get his shit together) has the stuff to be an ace.  He's as streaky as he is inked up.

About to turn in for the night.  Later troops.

Jets vs. Patriots

The Jets are now making a big deal over Tom Brady rubbing it in after a TD pass to Deion Branch in the Patriots 45-3 win earlier this season.

Who. Gives. A. Shit.

They're enemies.  They compete for division titles.  Their coaches hate each other.  Their players despise one another. 

There is nothing but taunting in the NFL, so why the hell are the Jets throwing themselves a pity party?  Because Brady jawed at their sideline after a poor job of tackling by the Jets secondary?  Are the Jets better than that?  Don't they have strength coaches who stick out an inadvertent knee to trip up a Dolphins player?

Cromartie sounded off in an expletive filled tirade directed at Tom Brady.  Rex Ryan simply said, "In this country you're allowed to have opinions and all that kind of stuff" - but if the Patriots responded to that, there'd be a shitstorm in New York media.

Bottom line, who cares.  It's football.  It's a rivalry.  It's the end of the season on the line for one of these teams. 

As the chairman says on Iron Chef America, "Let the battle begin"!

Tragedy in AZ; Oh Duke!; Heat get Cooled Off & Karma's a Bitch

This Jared Loughner guy is some piece of shit.  This phenomenon is something that seems to happen all too often.  But who's at fault? 

Police?  Not really.  You can't expect them to keep an eye on every single person alive - scouring profiles, internet posts, articles; interviewing friends, classmates, acquaintances.  It's not realistic. 

The guy?  Probably.  His parents?  Unless they're legally blind in both eyes, then yes.  They're just as much a part of this mess as their son.

I am not waxing poetic about what it takes to be a parent (Lord knows I have no idea, but I'll let you know come April).  But this is your son, your flesh and blood.  You can't tell me they don't speak or communicate with him.  I  know it's wrong to judge a book by the cover, but this guy looks the part of a killer.  He's looks like a cold, deviant, psychopath. 

He kept articles on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in a safe.  What do you keep in a safe?  Money?  Jewelry?  Family heirlooms?  Chocolate even.  But the things you generally associate with being kept in a safe are things that hold some value to you.  I never had a safe.  If I had, I probably would have put my Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt) baseball card collection in there - instead, I stuffed them into shoe boxes.

Communicate.  I am 29 years-old and speak with my parents regularly.  He was what, twenty-two?  As parents, you have got to see something wrong, abnormal, off with your son.  All it takes it communication.  When I was twenty-two, I spoke with my parents regularly.  Maybe this guy's family was a pack of jackasses, or maybe they were just too dumb to see what a monster they had raised.  Were they embarrassed?  Afraid of him?  Ignorant?  Blind?  I'm going with all of the above. 

What happened was a tragedy.  Are there more people like this loser running around out there in the US?  Yes.  Are we gonna stop them all?  No.  Just make yourself aware of the people you surround yourself with.  If someone looks shady, chances are they are.  If you hear them talking about creepy shit, walk the other way and/or tell the police.  Be safe friends, family, co-workers, Blog Army!

On a lighter note (for some), sports.  As you already know, #1 Duke lost in Tallahassee last night to the unranked Seminoles.  There was no inside game for Duke, the shooting was horrid, and they made this Derwin Kitchens guy look like Michael Jordan.  Miles Plumlee is soft which directly related to their lack of an inside presence.  Five points and five rebounds a game?  You're 6'10" tall.  Act the part.  Thirty-one percent shooting?  35 three-point field goals attempts?  15 turnovers to 9 assists?  It seems like every time they play down there, they lose (it's actually only the third time in 9 years).  Derwin Kitchens?  10.2 PPG on the year and he goes off for 22 points?  Put a hand in his face, the guy was 9-13.  Anyway, it was a good run as #1, we'll see how far they fall from here.  Back to Cameron Indoor for a game against the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday.  (I'll be stuck at Draddy for a Manhattan game).

NBA basketball sucks.  Except when the Clippers (13-24) beat the Heat (30-10) and LeBron James gets hurt, all in one night.  I don't wish ill upon anyone, but this guy just runs his mouth left and right.  Blake Griffin is a BEAST (24 pts./14 rebs. - 30th double-double this season).  LeBron only sprained his ankle, so he probably won't be out for long, but he tweeted about karma the other day when the Lakers pumped the Cavs by 55.  Soon after, karma bit back.

Time to get busy!

Cuse Cuse Cuse

Let's go Orange! You can't let St. John's dominate.

7 points in 10:58? Really?

Slow and ugly this game.

Location:MSG

Fun Fact

There are currently 49 states with snow on the ground. 

The black sheep?

Florida.

WANTED: New Used Phone

Does anyone have or know someone who has a used Verizon smartphone? Unfortunately mine jumped out of my pocket a few weeks back and fell. I'm eligible for New Every Two in October, but I'm not sure I can wait that long. It's probably not up to me, it depends on how long this phone will last for me.

The touch screen still works somehow.

Free or cheap, let me know. Here's my piece as it looks now.





Again, let me know if you can offer help.

Location:Bronx NY

Nathan and the Snow

Here's Nathan and Henry goofing around.





Nate in an action shot nipping at Lindsay's leg. Bad dog!


Nathan cooling out after play time. Sneak attack photo.


Now he's sleeping on the couch. Nice day. Leftover chili on tap for later on.

Location:Dog Park

White Stuff Falls; Hard Ball

We got around 8" of snow here in the Bronx overnight and the sun is shining right now, at 11:13am.  The roads are clear (the corners are dirty snow) and traffic is moving.  Alternate side parking is suspended today and tomorrow, so luckily I won't have to move my car out of the Wednesday spot behind my building.  They say suspending alternate side facilitates snow removal, which I can't figure out.

Just a lazy day in the Bronx today.  Lindsay whipped up some pancakes for breakfast and is currently in a press conference delay, keeping her from watching The View. 

I'm sorry to all the NYC school teachers - Bloomberg didn't cancel classes.  The way they were talking about this storm, I figured it'd be snowing when I woke up.  Such was not the case.  It was a lot of snow, but it was light snow.  Powder I think is the correct term.  Nathan loved it.  He'll get another crack at it around noon, when we head out for his afternoon stroll and run in the dog park.

All this white snow makes me think of making snowballs, which, you guessed it, reminds me of baseball.

Yankees baseball.

Rumor has it the Yanks are in talks with super-agent Scott Boras about adding OF Andruw Jones for the 2011 season.  The same one who played at Yankee Stadium as a teenager playing in the World Series for the Braves.  Now 33 years-old, he hit .230 with 19 jacks for the White Sox last year.  They better not overpay for this guy, but he does have some tools.

Also rumblings out of the Bronx indicate the Bombers are looking to add former A's stud but recently injury-prone P Justin Duchscherer.  He's only been healthy for 28+ innings the past two seasons, but what got him noticed was back in 2004-2006 when he put up some gaudy numbers coming out of the pen.  In 2008, his last healthy season, he was 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA in 141 innings pitched (he started all 22 appearances).  Would be a nice addition to the Yankees, seeing how the pitching staff has been the downfall of late.  Bring in the DUKE!

Andy Pettitte, a fan favorite in the Bronx, is still unsure of his future.  I really hope he comes back for one more year.  It's not like he's hanging on for another paycheck, I honestly think he's still got something left in the tank.  Dude was 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA last year and threw two gems in the postseason.  Sure, he was on the shelf for all of August.  Sure, he's 38 years-old.  Bring it back for one more year Andy.

Time to take Nathan out.  Jerry Springer is on.  Can't believe he's still on TV.  Or that we're watching it.  It's comic relief and makes you realize how good you actually have it, compared to these honky-tonks.

Here we come snow!

A Blog for my Blog Friends

My wife brought up an interesting point the other day - meeting up with my blog friends and followers.  Sounds like a great idea, not very feasible for all parties involved, seeing how there's people from California to Arizona to Michigan to Massachusetts.  Maybe one day.

In the meantime, I am going to give a  little shout out to some of those who's blogs make me laugh, scratch my head, and even want to talk shit back.

G - CT, USA - Cedar's Mountain is just one of his four blogs, but it happens to be the one I generally tend to gravitate towards.  It covers tons of things ranging from Connecticut to book reviews to sports.  Plus, he always has a comment for me regarding weather.  Speaking of, this storm is gonna be a real doozy I think.  He's a real O-G.

C. Alvarez - USA - A Meloncholy State is the story of a woman scorned.  What I love about this is she's completely open about happenings in her life.  She's spoken of times when she had to puke and rally and always quite descriptive in her posts.  Even though I mistakenly called her Carlos (once) following her first comment, she stuck by as a loyal reader.  Stay strong.

Joe - Bronx, NY, USA - A co-worker of mine.  He's very opinionated on anything pertaining to sports and will fight for whatever side he may be taking.  His blog - Joe Brackets - I'd like to think him creating his blog was directly related to me.  Whether or not it was, who cares.  He writes about sports and let's face it, I'm a sports junkie.

Neil - United Kingdom - Neil was the first person to actually follow WRT.  From my inception into the blogosphere, I'd like to think I had a follower in Neil, author of Dogwood Tales.  Although I always don't get the lingo he's spitting from across the pond, I enjoy his musings, especially Haikusday.  Keep pumping out the 5-7-5's Neil.

Bruce - Grand Rapids, MI, USA - The man behind stupid stuff i see and hear, he's calling a spade a spade.  He's got an alter-ego, Evil  Bruce, yet he always  has an eye closed and a thumb up.  He's a man's man, drops a lot of F-bombs, but there's nothing wrong with expressing yourself.  And he always comments on my posts but when I go to return the comment, I'm always questioning which post I should comment on.  Arg!

Shelby - Chandler, AZ, USA - An avid Kansas Jayhawks fan (although I won't hold that against her), she's been at the helm of Falling Face Up for a few years.  She's recently picked up the pace (I mean 4 total posts in 2008, 2009; really?) and sticks to her guns.  Confession Wednesday is from her college days.  And who doesn't like a good pet peeve post?  Everyone has them, and she sounds off on them (minus the F-bombs) and always with one of these:  :-).  DUKE!!!

thormoo - Iyopawa Island, MI, USA - He's a sports fanatic and is opinionated as anyone.  shell shock serenade is his home field and he loves Chicago (sorry again for leaving it off my poll).  He's not afraid to give me some advice on cars (still undecided) and is my non-stop source for Raiders information.  Keep fighting brother for The Spirit of Radio.

Sue - Levittown, NY, USA - Growing up as neighbors in the first mass-produced suburb in the country, we've grown apart upon graduating HS, but once a neighbor always a neighbor.  She's penning (read: typing) on de Beauvoir to Diaper Bag which documents her journey from feminism to motherhood.  She's only two posts in, but I think I inspired her to write.  Rock on Sue!

MJ - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA - She loves seeing empty laundry baskets, and similar to myself, the little things in life seem to make her happy.  She from way out west, but from what I've read from a recent Rantics & Curiousities post is that she's heading to the east coast this summer for a wedding.  She's up on sports (especially UFC) and despises cougars copping feels on her man.  She lightens the mood and rarely has any editing mistakes in her posts.  Your west coast bias ends this summer.

All in all, I've made some "friends" because of WRT.  I thoroughly enjoy reading their views and perspectives on whatever it is that's interesting to them.  Sure there's plenty of other blogs that I read and follow, but the aforementioned throng of supporters comment the most thus garnering the most praise.  I must be an OK writer or have some interesting shit to talk about to keep them coming  back.

Keep reading and I'll reciprocate.  My Blog Army!!

Eagles need Auburn's K Wes Byrum

Wes Byrum needs to get drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, so long as there's an NFL Draft.  He won the Auburn Tigers a national championship - rare air for a college kicker.

The Eagles fans were watching last night thinking, "why couldn't our kicker do that?"  Sure, Akers is 82% on field goals throughout his career.  But this Eagles team was supposed to go to the Super Bowl.  Michael Vick was a hero all season.  MVP.  Comeback player of the year, sure, maybe.  Goat?  Nope - he personally accounted for 12 of their 16 points.  The goat?  Come on down David Akers - had he made the 34- or the 41-yard FG, they'd have been in a little better spot.  They could have attempted a FG late to win it.  Just saying. 

Sure, Akers has been great for the organization.  He's been an Eagle for a long time - 188 of his 189 career games are with the Eagles (1 as a Redskin in 1998).  Your time has come and gone.  Ask Jeff Reed out in Pittsburgh.

Wes Byrum needs to be in an Eagles uniform.  New blood!

DeSean isn't a total punk; More snow; Nat'l Championship Game

I thought, based solely on his on field antics and facial ice-grilling against the Giants, DeSean Jackson was just another smug, cocky NFL douche bag.  Turns out, the guy's got some class.  Take a look at this clip, right around the :18 second mark.  I know they both went to Cal, even though Rodgers left for the NFL the year Jackson stepped on campus.  Birds of a feather I guess.  Game respects game.  (Side Note:  Jackson threw Vick under the bus after the game, questioning his decision to throw it instead of spiking it - but he's not a bad guy)


Weather is headed back towards the northeast it seems, which I'm not all that upset about.  Sure driving in it sucks, but when I take Nathan out to the dog park, the mud created after the snowfall and after most of it melts is a real pain.  When there's snow, Nathan just gets wet.  Heavy snow is 100%, and winds are gonna be gusty.  We live right near the mighty Hudson River, so the winds coming off the river are brutal and frigid.  Here's the forecast:

Heavy Snow

National Championship is on, although I haven't yet tuned in.  Rules of Engagement is on until 9:00 and then I'll switch on over.  I think it's a repeat though, but I'm going to watch it anyway because Patrick Warburton is one funny mo-fo.  I hope Oregon punks these jack wagons from Auburn.  Auburn is giving 1.5 points (for you non-gamblers, if you put money on Auburn, they'd need to win by at least 2 points for you to win).  Let's Go Ducks!  I hope The Duck has to do 200 pushups.

Good night!