The Good - The Giants exposing the team from washington as the fraud they've been this year. Of the team from washington's 4 wins this year, 3 were by a total of 6 points and its other win was a blowout over a hapless 49er team. Not only did the Giants beat the team from washington, but to shut them out was icing on the cake.
The Bad - Here's a little life advice that you don't need to thank me for anytime soon...do not eat calamari from a Canton (Baltimore) bar. Believe it or not, something as delicate and dangerously digestable as seafood should be avoided when dealing with small bars around Baltimore. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I was finally able to keep water and a piece of toast down for good around 6:30 last night. Gotta love food poisoning!
Senin, 31 Oktober 2005
Jumat, 28 Oktober 2005
If you think my NHL 95 playing is pathetic now...
My NHL 95 (or NHL '95) season abruptly ended last week. I stopped playing for a while and when I did return to the faux Genesis console, I was tired of using my modified Tampa Bay Lightning (made of friends who were rated overall in the low 70's) and figured 49 games into the season with a record of 48-1 (the one loss came (as you'll recall) when I didn't see the Lightning on the schedule so they weren't checked as my next game to play when I selected to play the next day's games, so the game was simulated). My goals against average (0.32) and goals scored average (9.89) weren't changing anytime soon. I already had the top 5 goal scorers, and the top assists leader and 5 of the top 6 places. My goalie wasn't close to anyone else in goals against and save percentage. My shooting percentage was around 59% and I was getting bored. For the last 10 games, I tried to have the top 5 assist players, but it was too cumbersome having to pass backward just to let my defender touch the puck before a goal.
I immediately ended the regular season and tore through the playoffs by an average margin of 11-0.25 (my aggressive goalie passing caught up with me). I beat the Red Wings 14-0 in the finals, with my left winger scoring the fan-favorite quadruple hat trick (she was used for most of the final game's goals since I was playing her favorite team and thought it would be hilarious to have her beat her team...ok, so maybe only I thought it wasn't funny).
Though I've considered a new season with my favorite Buffalo Sabres to average about 16 goals/game, that too will quickly get old. So next season I will take one of the weaker teams like Ottawa, select its worst starting 5 and goalie and use that as my saved lineup for every game. It should provide a much needed challenge since their lack of speed, checking ability, and stick handling, and everything else will really hurt my style of play. I don't think I will be able to replicate the awards presentation success I had with my friends on the Lightning - all 3 MVP nominations, all 3 top forward nominations, best goals against goalie (though this would be a cool one to win with a crummy goalie rated below 50) (by the way, my goalie did not win goalie of the year!), 2 of 3 scoring defenseman nominations, and all 3 playoff MVP nominations.
I immediately ended the regular season and tore through the playoffs by an average margin of 11-0.25 (my aggressive goalie passing caught up with me). I beat the Red Wings 14-0 in the finals, with my left winger scoring the fan-favorite quadruple hat trick (she was used for most of the final game's goals since I was playing her favorite team and thought it would be hilarious to have her beat her team...ok, so maybe only I thought it wasn't funny).
Though I've considered a new season with my favorite Buffalo Sabres to average about 16 goals/game, that too will quickly get old. So next season I will take one of the weaker teams like Ottawa, select its worst starting 5 and goalie and use that as my saved lineup for every game. It should provide a much needed challenge since their lack of speed, checking ability, and stick handling, and everything else will really hurt my style of play. I don't think I will be able to replicate the awards presentation success I had with my friends on the Lightning - all 3 MVP nominations, all 3 top forward nominations, best goals against goalie (though this would be a cool one to win with a crummy goalie rated below 50) (by the way, my goalie did not win goalie of the year!), 2 of 3 scoring defenseman nominations, and all 3 playoff MVP nominations.
Rabu, 26 Oktober 2005
The Planet's Funniest Animals - Unfunny Writing, Big Shirts, Decent Clips
Perhaps it's because I don't have any of the premium movie channels or TIVO, but there are times when nothing on TV will keep my interest. After I go through my channel surfing hierarchy in order from most likely to find something interesting (ESPN Classic) to least likely (E!), I sometimes have to settle for other mind numbing TV. When times are tough like this, I give Animal Planet a chance and find myself watching "The Planet's Funniest Animals" (PFA). I have no qualms with "clip" shows, as I've seen a great resurgence in my watching of America's Funniest Home Videos (aka "AFV" for those in the know as the show brands itself). At least on AFV, there really is a "live (instead of a dead) studio audience" and the wardrobe department actually has money to spend.
I'm not going to compare AFV and PFA, but I am going to plea with the producers and distributors of PFA to buy clothes that fit the host. Whether it's the old host, Matt Gallant, or the new one, the clothes are at least one, if not two sizes too large (though the new guy seems to fit a little better). I'm not joking about this. Watch the show with Gallant (I keep thinking of Goofus and Gallant from "Highlights" magazine) as host and I guarantee you will see an inordinate amount of wrinkles in his shirt because the sleeves are too long. If you're lucky, you'll get to see a shirt that's also too long for his torso. I have zero fashion sense and even I see there's a shirt size situation..
My guess is the producers thought a taller male, about 6'3", was going to host so wardrobe bought lots of shirts for him. Then, after the taller guy was unable to say unfunny jokes with as much enthusiasm as Gallant, wardrobe had no more money to update the clothes to fit Gallant. They just said, "Here's all we got. If you want to host you must wear the clothes we have."
While I'm playing TV consultant, could the writers write any less funny? The intros Gallant and the new guy say bring me closer to tears than laughter. Maybe the host is dressed in funny clothes on purpose to deflect attention away from what he's saying. Also, the clip quality is hit or miss. Watching cats fight or other violent animal acts aren't funny. Watching a dog flush the toilet or a kitten crawling out from a bunch of stuffed animals are the crux of the show. I think you should mute the show to avoid the jokes, but still watch Gallant and the other guy struggle through unfunny writing and oversized clothes.
I'm not going to compare AFV and PFA, but I am going to plea with the producers and distributors of PFA to buy clothes that fit the host. Whether it's the old host, Matt Gallant, or the new one, the clothes are at least one, if not two sizes too large (though the new guy seems to fit a little better). I'm not joking about this. Watch the show with Gallant (I keep thinking of Goofus and Gallant from "Highlights" magazine) as host and I guarantee you will see an inordinate amount of wrinkles in his shirt because the sleeves are too long. If you're lucky, you'll get to see a shirt that's also too long for his torso. I have zero fashion sense and even I see there's a shirt size situation..
My guess is the producers thought a taller male, about 6'3", was going to host so wardrobe bought lots of shirts for him. Then, after the taller guy was unable to say unfunny jokes with as much enthusiasm as Gallant, wardrobe had no more money to update the clothes to fit Gallant. They just said, "Here's all we got. If you want to host you must wear the clothes we have."
While I'm playing TV consultant, could the writers write any less funny? The intros Gallant and the new guy say bring me closer to tears than laughter. Maybe the host is dressed in funny clothes on purpose to deflect attention away from what he's saying. Also, the clip quality is hit or miss. Watching cats fight or other violent animal acts aren't funny. Watching a dog flush the toilet or a kitten crawling out from a bunch of stuffed animals are the crux of the show. I think you should mute the show to avoid the jokes, but still watch Gallant and the other guy struggle through unfunny writing and oversized clothes.
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For the rest of my blog full of rants, raves, and attempts at humor, its current address is:
http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com
http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com
Selasa, 25 Oktober 2005
(Richie) Cunningham (lookalike) Falls
Sunday started off really well after I actually slept until 7 AM. Doing/playing/being this whole adult/grown-up thing has really changed my sleep patterns. I used to get up closer to 10 on the weekends and always wanted to stay in bed for a few hours, but not anymore. Even after a night of partying (which was not the case on Friday), I still wakup closer to 6 and my body gives me no inclination to just stay in bed since I'm wide awake. Anyway, I made my way to Cunningham Falls about an hour north of DC for some nice state park hiking. When I parked, I saw a wallet next to an SUV and figured it was the SUV's owner's wallet so I did the right thing, and took all of his money and maxed out all of his credit cards. Don't worry, I did the courteous thing and left the empty wallet, I mean, I couldn't leave him totally empty-handed.
The falls really were cool to see and listen to, but the hiking left a little to be desired. I'm not a fan of trails with large rocks to climb over since I have a habit of toppling over so I'm relegated to the "easy" trails. Unfortunately, the longest easy trail where we parked was 0.5 miles to the falls. It was okay since I was falling asleep while walking and really needed a nap, but it would have been good to get a lengthy walk. There's something about the forrest's calmness and quiet that really lends itself to naptime...oh yeah, it's calmness and quiet.
When you approach the falls, you may view the water from two decks that extend over a creek and some rocks. Of course, you could also sidestep the decks and climb up the rocky slope that runs along the waterfall. Somehow, I made it 1/3 of the way up the fall's rocks. I tend to fall over quite easily so I wasn't about to take any chances by climbing higher. Cunningham Falls also offers several other trails that are very difficult if that's your level. Oh yeah, about the wallet story...I did see a wallet, wrapped it in some paper, placed it under the SUV's windshield wiper, and wrote, "I found this underneath your car." Let's hope it was his and the whole pay it forward thing happens, though I never saw the movie so I'm just winging the reference.
The falls really were cool to see and listen to, but the hiking left a little to be desired. I'm not a fan of trails with large rocks to climb over since I have a habit of toppling over so I'm relegated to the "easy" trails. Unfortunately, the longest easy trail where we parked was 0.5 miles to the falls. It was okay since I was falling asleep while walking and really needed a nap, but it would have been good to get a lengthy walk. There's something about the forrest's calmness and quiet that really lends itself to naptime...oh yeah, it's calmness and quiet.
When you approach the falls, you may view the water from two decks that extend over a creek and some rocks. Of course, you could also sidestep the decks and climb up the rocky slope that runs along the waterfall. Somehow, I made it 1/3 of the way up the fall's rocks. I tend to fall over quite easily so I wasn't about to take any chances by climbing higher. Cunningham Falls also offers several other trails that are very difficult if that's your level. Oh yeah, about the wallet story...I did see a wallet, wrapped it in some paper, placed it under the SUV's windshield wiper, and wrote, "I found this underneath your car." Let's hope it was his and the whole pay it forward thing happens, though I never saw the movie so I'm just winging the reference.
Sabtu, 22 Oktober 2005
Apple-Picking Record
I apologize to my blog reading fans for the "lack" of updates over the last two days. I used to post about every other day, but I had some extra time on my hands so I could post everyday. I guess we all got spoiled the last month or so with the daily posts. Don't worry, this is not the post where I write that I won't update this blog anymore, etc. I just want you to know that I am here and will keep up the posting you've come to love and enjoy, but it might go back to my previous rate of every other day. I hope you can live with that...which you will since you don't really have a choice. I hope to eventually have enough guts to post some of the essays I will soon write and have written for my personal essay class, but that's only if you're nice to me with words of encouragement.
It's poo-poo weather here in the D.C. area, but that didn't stop the last apple-picking adventure of the season. Today's total....30 pounds of Granny Smiths from Homestead Farms in Poolesville once again. They're great b/c they're so tart. I've heard they make a good apple pie, but I'm too lazy to cook that so apples and honey will have to do.
It's poo-poo weather here in the D.C. area, but that didn't stop the last apple-picking adventure of the season. Today's total....30 pounds of Granny Smiths from Homestead Farms in Poolesville once again. They're great b/c they're so tart. I've heard they make a good apple pie, but I'm too lazy to cook that so apples and honey will have to do.
Rabu, 19 Oktober 2005
Get me a bookie!
Maybe this is why I'm not a gambling man, but doesn't the 10.5 points that odds makers are giving VT in tomorrow night's game vs. MD seem a little low? VT is a great team this year and always plays well on Thursday night games on ESPN. I'm not even sure VT plays any games on a Saturday anymore. An over/under of 48.5 also seems a little low, so if you know the right people/web sites, try putting at least a few dollars on this one, it seems like a steal.
Senin, 17 Oktober 2005
Tai Shan isn't a new Chinese dish...it's the panda's name
The National Zoo has a name for the baby panda...it's not Mike, Matthew, John, or Joe. The winning name is Tai Shan, meaning "Peaceful Mountain". I'd think you'd want to call him something that translates into bamboo eater or Cleveland Metro stop attraction. Over 200,000 votes were cast among a handful of name choices, and Tai Shan received 44%. You can watch the panda on the pandacam if you're really interested.
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