So yeah, this is really weird and Twitterish in-my-own-head stuff but I'm putting it here anyway.
You know the the blonde bartender in the Budweiser commercials who's always extolling the virtues of Bud? (And what does she actually care which beer her patrons drink? She getting a kickback?) The ones that end with Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" playing in the background? Yeah. Well, I always called her "Christine" in my head just becuase I felt like she should have a name. I didn't think anything of it; I mean, she doesn't look more like a Christine than anything else or anything like that.
It turns out I was right.
Yeah, I'll just let that sit there, a nice bit of obscure knowledge you can take and pass on to others.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Top 15 Of 2008
MISSING THE CUT:
Muse - "Starlight"
Cut/Copy - "Lights and Music"
Lucinda Williams - "It's a Long Way to the Top"
Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love" (The distaff British Invasion Of 2008 started here)
Duffy - "Warwick Avenue"
Kardinal Offishal (feat. Akon) - "Dangerous"
N.E.R.D. - "Everyone Nose"
15. Flobots - "Handlebars"
My initial reaction to hearing this for the first time was "What the hell is this? Is it from 2002?" And it sure sounds like it. But there's a lot more going on here under the surface, as Jonny 5 (gotta love a Short Circuit reference) explains.
14. The Fashion - "Like Knives"
The obligatory Madden 09 soundtrack selection.
13. Airbourne - "Runnin' Wild"
There's something going on in Australia where every couple years a new band breaks out that rocks harder than the one that broke out before it. These guys aren't just the natural evolution from Jet and Wolfmother, they clearly worship at the altar of AC/DC more so than any band before them.
12. Duffy - "Mercy"
Aimee certainly isn't the first of the wave of big-voiced British soul singers. I doubt she'll be the last, and she might not even be the best. She just happens to be the latest and the cutest (unless Joss Stone's a blonde again and I missed it), and her heart isn't just on her sleeve on Rockferry, it's wrapped around it tighter than a blood pressure monitor. She could have made this year's list three times. Interestingly, with a different treatment, this becomes a country album. I'll leave the merits of that possibility to the reader.
11. Pacifika - "Sweet"
A light, breezy debut from this trio straight outta Vancouver (by way of Peru and Milwaukee). Latina magazine (Jessica Alba was on the cover. What of it?) described them as "a sexier Thievery Corporation" and I'm on board with that.
10. Staind - "Believe"
Well, they've officially crossed over to the other side. Another one of the sweeping four-minute epics that Aaron Lewis & Co. have done so well for years - and maybe the brightest in tone.
9. Coldplay - "Viva la Vida"
Speaking of sweeping epics...
8. Lupe Fiasco - "Superstar"
The hook can stand on its own. Lupe's ode to fame and... well, more fame makes sure it doesn't have to.
7. Snow Patrol - "Take Back the City"
What a find this was. This is lead singer Gary Lightbody's ode to the comeback of his home city of Belfast, Ireland. "The scars of conflict are still there, but Belfast is regenerating so rapidly."
6. R.E.M. - "Supernatural Superserious"
Man, Accelerate got overlooked. Seriously, check this out - it's their hardest-rocking effort in years.
5. Estelle (feat. Kanye West) - "American Boy"
And thus, the female British Invasion is complete. This was also the best thing Kanye did all year.
4. Gnarls Barkley - "Run"
They've done it again. It's part nursery rhyme, part cautionary tale (though what it's cautioning us against is unclear), all seizure-inducing. No, really. This was the song that MTV pulled the original video for because the visual effects might cause seizures in viewers.
3. Jay-Z - "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)"
A future New Year's Eve party anthem in high-end clubs everywhere.
2. Weezer - "Troublemaker"
It's your typical bouncy Weezer rocker (much in the tradition of the Blue and Green albums before it) with a theme of defiance based on youthful ignorance. You have to admire a video that gets made for almost the sole purpose of breaking a bunch of records, including "Most Ridiculous Porn Mustache." (Seriously, Rivers. Kill that thing before it bites your nose off.)
1. The Hold Steady - "Sequestered in Memphis"
A crowded bar. A lonely man. An incident of mysterious circumstances. Possible beer goggles. Enough sardonic wit to kill a bull elephant at 50 yards. All done by a bunch of guys who look like your high school's A/V club. Well, they've certainly got the "A" down pat.
----------------
Now playing: Feist - 1234 (last year's #15)
via FoxyTunes
Muse - "Starlight"
Cut/Copy - "Lights and Music"
Lucinda Williams - "It's a Long Way to the Top"
Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love" (The distaff British Invasion Of 2008 started here)
Duffy - "Warwick Avenue"
Kardinal Offishal (feat. Akon) - "Dangerous"
N.E.R.D. - "Everyone Nose"
15. Flobots - "Handlebars"
My initial reaction to hearing this for the first time was "What the hell is this? Is it from 2002?" And it sure sounds like it. But there's a lot more going on here under the surface, as Jonny 5 (gotta love a Short Circuit reference) explains.
14. The Fashion - "Like Knives"
The obligatory Madden 09 soundtrack selection.
13. Airbourne - "Runnin' Wild"
There's something going on in Australia where every couple years a new band breaks out that rocks harder than the one that broke out before it. These guys aren't just the natural evolution from Jet and Wolfmother, they clearly worship at the altar of AC/DC more so than any band before them.
12. Duffy - "Mercy"
Aimee certainly isn't the first of the wave of big-voiced British soul singers. I doubt she'll be the last, and she might not even be the best. She just happens to be the latest and the cutest (unless Joss Stone's a blonde again and I missed it), and her heart isn't just on her sleeve on Rockferry, it's wrapped around it tighter than a blood pressure monitor. She could have made this year's list three times. Interestingly, with a different treatment, this becomes a country album. I'll leave the merits of that possibility to the reader.
11. Pacifika - "Sweet"
A light, breezy debut from this trio straight outta Vancouver (by way of Peru and Milwaukee). Latina magazine (Jessica Alba was on the cover. What of it?) described them as "a sexier Thievery Corporation" and I'm on board with that.
10. Staind - "Believe"
Well, they've officially crossed over to the other side. Another one of the sweeping four-minute epics that Aaron Lewis & Co. have done so well for years - and maybe the brightest in tone.
9. Coldplay - "Viva la Vida"
Speaking of sweeping epics...
8. Lupe Fiasco - "Superstar"
The hook can stand on its own. Lupe's ode to fame and... well, more fame makes sure it doesn't have to.
7. Snow Patrol - "Take Back the City"
What a find this was. This is lead singer Gary Lightbody's ode to the comeback of his home city of Belfast, Ireland. "The scars of conflict are still there, but Belfast is regenerating so rapidly."
6. R.E.M. - "Supernatural Superserious"
Man, Accelerate got overlooked. Seriously, check this out - it's their hardest-rocking effort in years.
5. Estelle (feat. Kanye West) - "American Boy"
And thus, the female British Invasion is complete. This was also the best thing Kanye did all year.
4. Gnarls Barkley - "Run"
They've done it again. It's part nursery rhyme, part cautionary tale (though what it's cautioning us against is unclear), all seizure-inducing. No, really. This was the song that MTV pulled the original video for because the visual effects might cause seizures in viewers.
3. Jay-Z - "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)"
A future New Year's Eve party anthem in high-end clubs everywhere.
2. Weezer - "Troublemaker"
It's your typical bouncy Weezer rocker (much in the tradition of the Blue and Green albums before it) with a theme of defiance based on youthful ignorance. You have to admire a video that gets made for almost the sole purpose of breaking a bunch of records, including "Most Ridiculous Porn Mustache." (Seriously, Rivers. Kill that thing before it bites your nose off.)
1. The Hold Steady - "Sequestered in Memphis"
A crowded bar. A lonely man. An incident of mysterious circumstances. Possible beer goggles. Enough sardonic wit to kill a bull elephant at 50 yards. All done by a bunch of guys who look like your high school's A/V club. Well, they've certainly got the "A" down pat.
----------------
Now playing: Feist - 1234 (last year's #15)
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: Deja Vu All Over Again
I think I can safely say that when this is over, no matter the outcome, we'll all be saying to ourselves, "How the hell did that happen?" That was one ugly exchange all around. Donovan's making some bad throws and he's not getting a lot of help on his good throws. For example: Nice adjustment, Lewis, but you gotta catch it afterwards instead of letting it bounce off your hands. CHICANERY! Wow. Fitzgerald basically can't be stopped right now. Certainly not by a rookie safety who seems to be getting more playing time than he has all year up to this point. What's going on here is that in the first game, the Eagles were able to slow things down at the source by harassing and baiting Warner into a bunch of bad throws and picks. That hasn't happened so far today. It's not even that they're not getting to him; it's that they're not even getting close enough to mess up his timing. I haven't given Fitz the respect he deserves in this space over the years - if there's a better wide receiver out there than him right now, I want to know his name. I think the ball touches Abiamiri but after he's out of bounds, when it bounces up and hits his hip after he slides out of bounds. Oh, forget it then. Is Boldin even playing? Oh, there he is. Really? That's the first time Brown's been beaten for a touchdown all year?
Hey, a Kevin Curtis sighting! And in the meantime it's become the Brent Celek Show again. A 40-second drive? Do the Cardinals want to win this game? You know who else is having a really bad day is David Akers. Seriously, a missed field goal in a dome, a kickoff out of bounds, and now a missed PAT? The Eagles got lucky on the Jackson touchdown - that ball went right through Rodgers-Cromartie's hands. This would be such a Cardinals way to lose. Fitzgerald can't be covered with three guys. Is Whisenhunt going for it here? Wow. That almost didn't work. OK, the Cardinals aren't supposed to be able to grind their way down the field like this. Wait, how was that not pass interference? And yet... that was such a Cardinals way to beat the Eagles. From Charley Trippi to Boomer Esiason (yes, really) to Chris Jacke to MarTay Jenkins to Jake Plummer, and now to Warner and Fitzgerald. I'm not nearly as upset as I probably should be because: 1) the Cardinals have done this to us repeatedly over the years (seriously, six years after Pearl Harbor, the Cards scored 38 unanswered points in the second half against the Eagles) and 2) it was a game we probably shouldn't have been in in the first place. Still, the Cardinals? In the SUPER BOWL?! I'd recommend taking these next two weeks to get right with your Maker. Repent. REPENT! (Cardinals 32, Eagles 25)
Put the women and children to bed. In a way, I guess you could say they are in a steel cage. At least the snow's stopped. Oooh, Ward limping off is not a good sign for the Steelers. Get used to seeing a lot of Jeff Reed. The Ravens should probably think about trying to tackle Holmes or slow him down or something. McGahee just saved Flacco's ass with that block on Woodley. It's unfortunate timing for the Steelers that the Ravens started losing DBs by the truckload after Ward went out. So what are they reviewing here? Holmes caught it, but his knee hit before the ball crossed the plane. It's first and goal at the 1. Or at least it should be. Are you kidding me? Did they really just rule that incomplete? He caught it! Unbelievable. Wow, that roughing the kicker was awfully close. And upon further review, the guy didn't even touch him. Clearly a makeup from the botched Holmes call. And how do the Steelers not even get a field goal off?
It's interesting that the Ravens are still in this game given that the Steelers are basically making Flacco try to beat them. Limas Sweed is no Hines Ward, I'll tell you that. And now they're really back in it after the McGahee touchdown. Well, that was dumb. He just threw that guy to the ground. Polamalu! Well, that's that. You know, Quintin Demps' late hit on Warner was boneheaded. That unnecessary roughness penalty on the punt return (which isn't being talked about nearly as much) was catastrophically boneheaded. Congratulations, Darin Stone. You just cost your team a trip to the Super Bowl. If the Ravens are at the 40, the play-calling completely changes and they probably don't take the sack two plays later. The hit on McGahee is... borderline. It looks like Clark tries to turn at the last second to get his shoulder into the hit. That's not the first time he's hit somebody so hard that he needed a moment to recover. Yeah, this was basically what we expected. (Steelers 23, Ravens 14)
Hey, a Kevin Curtis sighting! And in the meantime it's become the Brent Celek Show again. A 40-second drive? Do the Cardinals want to win this game? You know who else is having a really bad day is David Akers. Seriously, a missed field goal in a dome, a kickoff out of bounds, and now a missed PAT? The Eagles got lucky on the Jackson touchdown - that ball went right through Rodgers-Cromartie's hands. This would be such a Cardinals way to lose. Fitzgerald can't be covered with three guys. Is Whisenhunt going for it here? Wow. That almost didn't work. OK, the Cardinals aren't supposed to be able to grind their way down the field like this. Wait, how was that not pass interference? And yet... that was such a Cardinals way to beat the Eagles. From Charley Trippi to Boomer Esiason (yes, really) to Chris Jacke to MarTay Jenkins to Jake Plummer, and now to Warner and Fitzgerald. I'm not nearly as upset as I probably should be because: 1) the Cardinals have done this to us repeatedly over the years (seriously, six years after Pearl Harbor, the Cards scored 38 unanswered points in the second half against the Eagles) and 2) it was a game we probably shouldn't have been in in the first place. Still, the Cardinals? In the SUPER BOWL?! I'd recommend taking these next two weeks to get right with your Maker. Repent. REPENT! (Cardinals 32, Eagles 25)
Put the women and children to bed. In a way, I guess you could say they are in a steel cage. At least the snow's stopped. Oooh, Ward limping off is not a good sign for the Steelers. Get used to seeing a lot of Jeff Reed. The Ravens should probably think about trying to tackle Holmes or slow him down or something. McGahee just saved Flacco's ass with that block on Woodley. It's unfortunate timing for the Steelers that the Ravens started losing DBs by the truckload after Ward went out. So what are they reviewing here? Holmes caught it, but his knee hit before the ball crossed the plane. It's first and goal at the 1. Or at least it should be. Are you kidding me? Did they really just rule that incomplete? He caught it! Unbelievable. Wow, that roughing the kicker was awfully close. And upon further review, the guy didn't even touch him. Clearly a makeup from the botched Holmes call. And how do the Steelers not even get a field goal off?
It's interesting that the Ravens are still in this game given that the Steelers are basically making Flacco try to beat them. Limas Sweed is no Hines Ward, I'll tell you that. And now they're really back in it after the McGahee touchdown. Well, that was dumb. He just threw that guy to the ground. Polamalu! Well, that's that. You know, Quintin Demps' late hit on Warner was boneheaded. That unnecessary roughness penalty on the punt return (which isn't being talked about nearly as much) was catastrophically boneheaded. Congratulations, Darin Stone. You just cost your team a trip to the Super Bowl. If the Ravens are at the 40, the play-calling completely changes and they probably don't take the sack two plays later. The hit on McGahee is... borderline. It looks like Clark tries to turn at the last second to get his shoulder into the hit. That's not the first time he's hit somebody so hard that he needed a moment to recover. Yeah, this was basically what we expected. (Steelers 23, Ravens 14)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Big In 2008
Best Read: "The Things That Carried Him", Esquire, May 2008
Favorite New Toy: My pizza stone
Most Unexpected Development: Super Bowl XLII/The discovery that my mother actually watched a live sporting event on the Internet
Rock Star Moment: Played my first hand of live poker. J-9 offsuit. I won. (It was all downhill from there.)
Worst Rap Name: Plies (defeated Kardinal Offishal in a runoff)
Welcome Back: R.E.M.
Blog Post of the Year: Grand Theft Cable
People I'm Glad I Wasn't: 1. Roger Clemens; 2. Associated with the Journal Register Company; 3. A Seattle sports fan
The 2008 Allison Stokke Award, International Edition: Leryn Franco
The 2008 Allison Stokke Award, Domestic Edition: Alicia Sacramone
Much Funnier Now Than When They Wrote It: "Your boyfriend is a very bad man."
Underrated Hottie: Natalie Coughlin (Yes. Still. Four years later.)
I've Seen Just About Enough Of: This Twilight business
I've Seen Entirely Too Much Of: Heidi and/or Spencer
Clearly, I Deserve To Be Taken Seriously:" Understand this: Mike Shanahan will never be fired."
Grandest Discovery (Or, This Year's Freshly Ground Pepper): Sea salt. You think I'm going back? I'm not going back.
Biggest Oversight: How 34 people comment on this and not one of them say anything about the headline
Michael Phelps Moment of the Year: The Borgata poker room stopping and giving a standing ovation after he won No. 8
A Thousand Words In a Moving Picture: Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR 2008 Detroit Lions!
Ambitions For 2009: Probably the same as for 2006, which says... something
And Last, But Certainly Not Least:
World. Fucking. Champions.
Favorite New Toy: My pizza stone
Most Unexpected Development: Super Bowl XLII/The discovery that my mother actually watched a live sporting event on the Internet
Rock Star Moment: Played my first hand of live poker. J-9 offsuit. I won. (It was all downhill from there.)
Worst Rap Name: Plies (defeated Kardinal Offishal in a runoff)
Welcome Back: R.E.M.
Blog Post of the Year: Grand Theft Cable
People I'm Glad I Wasn't: 1. Roger Clemens; 2. Associated with the Journal Register Company; 3. A Seattle sports fan
The 2008 Allison Stokke Award, International Edition: Leryn Franco
The 2008 Allison Stokke Award, Domestic Edition: Alicia Sacramone
Much Funnier Now Than When They Wrote It: "Your boyfriend is a very bad man."
Underrated Hottie: Natalie Coughlin (Yes. Still. Four years later.)
I've Seen Just About Enough Of: This Twilight business
I've Seen Entirely Too Much Of: Heidi and/or Spencer
Clearly, I Deserve To Be Taken Seriously:
Grandest Discovery (Or, This Year's Freshly Ground Pepper): Sea salt. You think I'm going back? I'm not going back.
Biggest Oversight: How 34 people comment on this and not one of them say anything about the headline
Michael Phelps Moment of the Year: The Borgata poker room stopping and giving a standing ovation after he won No. 8
A Thousand Words In a Moving Picture: Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR 2008 Detroit Lions!
Ambitions For 2009: Probably the same as for 2006, which says... something
And Last, But Certainly Not Least:
World. Fucking. Champions.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: Wings of Steel
That catch by Mason was amazing and not at all the type of play you'd expect to see from either one of these teams. This is getting ugly. Did the Titans really not score there? What a bad time to cough one up. Johnson going out is really handcuffing the Titans' offense - they can't change gears on the ground, and it's not like their receivers are even as good as the Ravens'. Crumpler got drilled. How many chances are the Titans gonna blow here? I feel like all of this plays out differently if Johnson's in the game. Wait, the play clock not only clearly reached zero, but it sat there for like another second afterwards. What's up with that? And where did Heap's helmet land? I think when Finnegan went down, his legs got caught up with the other guy. Stover usually makes these. It's GOOD. I saw somewhere that both top seeds haven't made the Super Bowl since one of the Cowboys-Bills matchups, possibly the first one. And the Titans will join the multitude of teams sitting at home kicking themselves. (Ravens 13, Titans 10)
And this is what the Panthers do. That swing pass to Arrington? Not the best play call there. The heck? Delhomme threw that one right to him. Lather, rinse, repeat. The Beason pick was just what the Panthers needed. And they give it right back. This game's over. Where did this defense come from? I know Delhomme's been brutal, but this was still a game until the Fitzgerald touchdown, and Carolina's running backs haven't done anything since that first drive. It's Delhomme's birthday? Who the hell booked this? (Cardinals 33, Panthers 13)
And you better believe both of these teams are happy about that. Eli is... off. That safety seemed pretty much inevitable. McNabb is also struggling. That decision to rewind the play at the two-minute warning was... strange. They're dropping like flies out there. It's been weird to watch the Eagles not respecting their opponents' wide receivers. Curtis saved a touchdown there by basically tripping up Robbins with his fingertips. And Carney misses another one. How many chances are the Giants gonna blow here? You know what this is reminding me of? The Eagles-Bengals game where Reid kept calling pass plays even though McNabb was clearly off his game against a defense that's only strength was its two corners. That 3rd and 20 to Avant was huge. You know who's been completely taken out of the game is Westbrook. Seriously, Buckhalter's been much more productive. The next touchdown's winning this game. Aaand there it is. Nice cross-up. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mannings don't make money with their feet. That was the worst quarterback sneak of all time. That was Toomer's first catch? Wow. And they haven't thrown to Boss at all in the second half. Jacobs didn't even get close. McNabb wasn't as great as the media will say he was (though he was much better in the second half), but Eli absolutely sucked. (Eagles 23, Giants 11)
The Chargers can't be happy to see this. By the way, Sproles getting 300-plus total yards? Not happening this week. Well, that was quick. Huh. I thought Holmes was closer to the sideline than he actually was when he jumped over the guy - I thought he'd gone out of bounds. We're watching a textbook two-minute drill here, folks. The Steelers are really grinding now. That's half the quarter gone. Did he get in? Uh-oh, there goes Sproles. OOPS. Wait, what happened? The punt hit him in the head? Have the Chargers had the ball since halftime? Oh, yeah, the pick. This is the most effective Parker's been in about six weeks. Kick it. KICK IT. See? Who in the blue hell is #11? I've never seen him before. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the band to leave. (Steelers 35, Chargers 24)
And this is what the Panthers do. That swing pass to Arrington? Not the best play call there. The heck? Delhomme threw that one right to him. Lather, rinse, repeat. The Beason pick was just what the Panthers needed. And they give it right back. This game's over. Where did this defense come from? I know Delhomme's been brutal, but this was still a game until the Fitzgerald touchdown, and Carolina's running backs haven't done anything since that first drive. It's Delhomme's birthday? Who the hell booked this? (Cardinals 33, Panthers 13)
And you better believe both of these teams are happy about that. Eli is... off. That safety seemed pretty much inevitable. McNabb is also struggling. That decision to rewind the play at the two-minute warning was... strange. They're dropping like flies out there. It's been weird to watch the Eagles not respecting their opponents' wide receivers. Curtis saved a touchdown there by basically tripping up Robbins with his fingertips. And Carney misses another one. How many chances are the Giants gonna blow here? You know what this is reminding me of? The Eagles-Bengals game where Reid kept calling pass plays even though McNabb was clearly off his game against a defense that's only strength was its two corners. That 3rd and 20 to Avant was huge. You know who's been completely taken out of the game is Westbrook. Seriously, Buckhalter's been much more productive. The next touchdown's winning this game. Aaand there it is. Nice cross-up. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mannings don't make money with their feet. That was the worst quarterback sneak of all time. That was Toomer's first catch? Wow. And they haven't thrown to Boss at all in the second half. Jacobs didn't even get close. McNabb wasn't as great as the media will say he was (though he was much better in the second half), but Eli absolutely sucked. (Eagles 23, Giants 11)
The Chargers can't be happy to see this. By the way, Sproles getting 300-plus total yards? Not happening this week. Well, that was quick. Huh. I thought Holmes was closer to the sideline than he actually was when he jumped over the guy - I thought he'd gone out of bounds. We're watching a textbook two-minute drill here, folks. The Steelers are really grinding now. That's half the quarter gone. Did he get in? Uh-oh, there goes Sproles. OOPS. Wait, what happened? The punt hit him in the head? Have the Chargers had the ball since halftime? Oh, yeah, the pick. This is the most effective Parker's been in about six weeks. Kick it. KICK IT. See? Who in the blue hell is #11? I've never seen him before. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the band to leave. (Steelers 35, Chargers 24)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: Heat Stroke
So we've got a rookie quarterback on the road against a team with no momentum that hasn't hosted a playoff game in over 60 years. I'm not sure how this works. Well that's not a good start for Matty Ice. Edgerrin James lives! Nice catch. Flea flicker! Playoff chicanery. FAN-tastic. Meanwhile, Turner hasn't been getting any traction for the Falcons. Seriously, it's like they've switched identities. Boldin's struggling with that hamstring - I don't know if we'll see much of him after this. Fumble! I'm not sure how Rolle didn't get caught. The Cardinals have moved twice since this happened last. Think about that. (Cardinals 30, Falcons 24)
I guess Tomlinson's groin didn't hold up. That's really none of my business. Michael Bennett lives? LOL at the Chargers signing him just to keep him away from the Broncos. Holy crap! That was brilliant and anyone who thinks otherwise really needs to lighten up, as anyone would have done the same thing given the opportunity. It's the same thing as using a hard count to try to draw the defense offside. Seriously, what's Peyton supposed to do? Stand there and wait? The Chargers punter is BALLIN' OUTTA CONTROL. That's a bad sack for Peyton to take there. Kaeding's been... shaky in these situations. Of course, it shouldn't matter now. GOOD! Were those back-to-back? Really? And there goes Sproles to the bank, both literally and figuratively. No doubt the Colts' defense will spend the offseason picking the shotgun shells out of their feet. SING THE SONG. (Chargers 23, Colts 17, OT)
Seriously, how did two rookie quarterbacks make it into this thing? Oh, that's how. This one's backed by a defense that can go anywhere and just hurt people. The Dolphins aren't getting any breaks in the field position game either. Ed Reed returning a turnover for a touchdown? That's never happened before. Let's not forget that the Dolphins tied for the fewest giveaways this season. These guys are relentless. Flacco running at you can't be a welcoming sight. (Ravens 27, Dolphins 9)
Ah, Vikings special teams. Well, you had to figure Peterson was gonna break one off at some point. Wait, where would he have stepped out? Oh. I mean, he didn't, but still. Wow, Samuel's hip looks fine to me. That's why he makes the big bucks. Better quarterback ownage during an interception return: this, or Terrell Suggs on Pennington? I'm shocked that Andy's still calling running plays - nothing's been there all day. Hypothetically, if the Eagles score again, does anyone get the sense that the Vikings are coming back? I don't. I mean, I'm still nervous, but not as much as I would be otherwise. That fumble happens to McNabb somewhat regularly, but this one's not his fault - Allen was in on him in about two seconds. Well, you had to figure Westbrook was gonna break one off at some point. He's like a pinball out there. The other thing about that play is that the Eagles haven't been running nearly as many screens as they normally do. PICK UP THE BALL. Looks like the Vikings still need a quarterback. The question is, who's available and better? (Eagles 26, Vikings 14)
I guess Tomlinson's groin didn't hold up. That's really none of my business. Michael Bennett lives? LOL at the Chargers signing him just to keep him away from the Broncos. Holy crap! That was brilliant and anyone who thinks otherwise really needs to lighten up, as anyone would have done the same thing given the opportunity. It's the same thing as using a hard count to try to draw the defense offside. Seriously, what's Peyton supposed to do? Stand there and wait? The Chargers punter is BALLIN' OUTTA CONTROL. That's a bad sack for Peyton to take there. Kaeding's been... shaky in these situations. Of course, it shouldn't matter now. GOOD! Were those back-to-back? Really? And there goes Sproles to the bank, both literally and figuratively. No doubt the Colts' defense will spend the offseason picking the shotgun shells out of their feet. SING THE SONG. (Chargers 23, Colts 17, OT)
Seriously, how did two rookie quarterbacks make it into this thing? Oh, that's how. This one's backed by a defense that can go anywhere and just hurt people. The Dolphins aren't getting any breaks in the field position game either. Ed Reed returning a turnover for a touchdown? That's never happened before. Let's not forget that the Dolphins tied for the fewest giveaways this season. These guys are relentless. Flacco running at you can't be a welcoming sight. (Ravens 27, Dolphins 9)
Ah, Vikings special teams. Well, you had to figure Peterson was gonna break one off at some point. Wait, where would he have stepped out? Oh. I mean, he didn't, but still. Wow, Samuel's hip looks fine to me. That's why he makes the big bucks. Better quarterback ownage during an interception return: this, or Terrell Suggs on Pennington? I'm shocked that Andy's still calling running plays - nothing's been there all day. Hypothetically, if the Eagles score again, does anyone get the sense that the Vikings are coming back? I don't. I mean, I'm still nervous, but not as much as I would be otherwise. That fumble happens to McNabb somewhat regularly, but this one's not his fault - Allen was in on him in about two seconds. Well, you had to figure Westbrook was gonna break one off at some point. He's like a pinball out there. The other thing about that play is that the Eagles haven't been running nearly as many screens as they normally do. PICK UP THE BALL. Looks like the Vikings still need a quarterback. The question is, who's available and better? (Eagles 26, Vikings 14)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Year-End Freeze Out
So the last day of 2008 was an... interesting one.
The last couple days I'd been noticing that my freezer was starting to warm up and the stuff in it was starting to thaw out. After turning it all the way up to compensate and try to hold it off for a couple days, I called my landlord and asked if he knew anyone who did good work and could come look at it.
Turns out he did. So the guy shows up, and it's actually the same guy who repaired my washing machine when this happened. We pull the refrigerator (it's one of those top/bottom deals) out of its space and he gets down to open up the back of it. After pulling the back compartment off, it doesn't take him much time to figure out the problem.
Freon leak.
Now this refrigerator came with the apartment, and I've been here since 2002, so who knows how long it's actually been here. The refrigerator seems to be working fine. I should have known something was up when he asked me exactly that. Then he told me what had happened.
"That sounds bad," I said.
"Yeah, you need a new refrigerator." Ths was followed by about two hours of back-and-forth phone calls among the repairman, me, and my landlord, who kept calling back to ask me to check the dimensions of the place, because it has to fit in the space and give you room to open the doors and what not.
After finally getting that handled, I went out to spend some of the cash my parents game me for Christmas. (Besides my few specifics, I should just say "Amazon gift cards" next year and be done with it.) Got some pants, Madden 09, and a new alarm clock to replace the one which had suddenly gone 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the world.
I got home at about 6:30 and pulled into a completely dark apartment complex. Thank God for this flashlight, even though I had to change the batteries by candlelight after getting them all lit. The power stayed out for about another 45 minutes.
No more than five minutes after the power came back on, my dad called. "I guess you were one of the 5,000 people who were without power," he said, obviously quoting the news report that had said as much.
Frequent Reader Note: The usual year-end festivities are almost complete. The Top 15 won't be in February like last year. :)
The last couple days I'd been noticing that my freezer was starting to warm up and the stuff in it was starting to thaw out. After turning it all the way up to compensate and try to hold it off for a couple days, I called my landlord and asked if he knew anyone who did good work and could come look at it.
Turns out he did. So the guy shows up, and it's actually the same guy who repaired my washing machine when this happened. We pull the refrigerator (it's one of those top/bottom deals) out of its space and he gets down to open up the back of it. After pulling the back compartment off, it doesn't take him much time to figure out the problem.
Freon leak.
Now this refrigerator came with the apartment, and I've been here since 2002, so who knows how long it's actually been here. The refrigerator seems to be working fine. I should have known something was up when he asked me exactly that. Then he told me what had happened.
"That sounds bad," I said.
"Yeah, you need a new refrigerator." Ths was followed by about two hours of back-and-forth phone calls among the repairman, me, and my landlord, who kept calling back to ask me to check the dimensions of the place, because it has to fit in the space and give you room to open the doors and what not.
After finally getting that handled, I went out to spend some of the cash my parents game me for Christmas. (Besides my few specifics, I should just say "Amazon gift cards" next year and be done with it.) Got some pants, Madden 09, and a new alarm clock to replace the one which had suddenly gone 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the world.
I got home at about 6:30 and pulled into a completely dark apartment complex. Thank God for this flashlight, even though I had to change the batteries by candlelight after getting them all lit. The power stayed out for about another 45 minutes.
No more than five minutes after the power came back on, my dad called. "I guess you were one of the 5,000 people who were without power," he said, obviously quoting the news report that had said as much.
Frequent Reader Note: The usual year-end festivities are almost complete. The Top 15 won't be in February like last year. :)
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