I know I have very recently stated that I thought George Carlin had lost his fastball, but I should've said something a little bit better than that. While Ol' George from Rockaway Beach may not have brought the heat all the time, he could still hit the strike zone and blow one by you every once in awhile. Ever see Pedro with a busted shoulder a few years ago...say 2004? That's been George's last 2 specials. Not great, but that's only because of all the great things he's done. It pails in comparison to his other work. It also pails in my mind.
I started watching George when I was a kid, circa 1983 or 1984, at my Gram's house in the summer. She had cable, HBO in particular, and the only thing they'd show was Star Wars, Rocky III or if you were lucky, George Carlin, Bill Cosby or Red Skelton.
Pretty much, George was the first 'smart' comic I ever saw. Cosby's 'Himself' was genius and still stands up, but George made me think. He later cracked my friends and I up before we ever watched a movie. And we'd get in trouble for laughing at each other copying his lines.
George, I know you had your issues with religion, but Godspeed, sir. You had a career any of us could dream of, and I'm going to look for that dusty VHS tape of your special in 1990, it's probably got no tracking, but I will always cherish my friends and I sitting around the TV laughing hysterically at that special.
And KP, this one's for you......enjoy the cheer we begged for in high school.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
ah, the weekend
And here we are with the continuation.....
Sports
Gas Prices
'Fathers Day'
The Marines
Various
Sports
Chicago DT Tommie Harris just signed a 4 year, 40 million dollar deal, and then told everyone he, nor anyone in his business, deserves that kind of money. Tommie, thanks for admitting what every guy that's ever bought a jersey has known. Now stay healthy this year and stop the run.
Javon Walker got knocked out last week in Vegas, and his story is just a bit out there, and I'm not the only one who is crying 'Bull'. Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post states a pretty good case that Walker ought to know better, and I completely agree.
Jemele Hill, a writer for ESPN's Page 2, has been suspended. For what, you're thinking? How about comparing Celtics fans to the followers of Hitler? Is that grotesque enough for you? If not, how about Ms. Hill was a leading force calling for Don Imus' firing last year? I think the word you're looking for is hypocrite, but I may be wrong. The only thing more pathetic is Ms. Hill's attempt at an apology. No one will lose their job over this, but I guarantee you if Bill Simmons called her the 'C word' or God forbid the 'N word', he'd be looking for the unemployment forms. Oh, and for Ms. Hill, I'm going to let Jason Whitlock drop some knowledge on her about the Celtics team history. Take your racism claims about my squad and my home and go learn something in your time off.
Chad Johnson just needs to stop. He's literally playing both sides of the fence. He's trying to be coy with both the media and the Cincinnati Bengals, his employer. I've stated before I'm tired of Chad, but if I were his employer I'd seriously consider dinging him for breach of contract. All of a sudden, Chad has surgery to clear up bone spurs in both ankles. How long has this been a problem? Couldn't this have been taken care of before the offseason? (The answer you're looking for is 'Yes', in case you were curious). I'm just tired of his nonsense. Ocho Stinko, grow up already. Your act is tired, and I'm bored with you.
Gas Prices
Nothing better than listening to people who have no problem paying for gas, or telling you and I how to live our lives. Another group of people that are defined by me as hypocrites. Mike Gallagher calls out RFK Jr. and Al Gore, and I love it. Nothing better than those who are either in Washington or Hollyweird wantint to tell me how to spend my money and on what. Here's a thought...drill offshore!!! Drill in Alaska!!! I Guarantee that will bring down gas prices. How do I know? Because oil stocks and prices per barrel are nothing more than speculation, like pork barrels. Of course, there are those in Congress who want you to pay even more for gas, have someone in France tell you how you can set your AC, and tell you that you can only have a certain type of light bulb. Wake up, already. Stop giving up your freedom of choice. And then there's this genius-thanks for the help, buddy.
'Fathers Day'
I'm glad I got to call my Dad last week and tell him, "Thanks". That's all he needed as a present. But something came up over the evening...how is it fun for Dad to bring the kids to a baseball game? "Happy Fathers Day, now spend $200 on t-shirts, hats, programs, tickets, parking, ice cream, and sorry that you missed the big play in the 5th, I had to get the stickies off my hand from the ice cream." How is this a good thing for Dads out there? Seems to me like it helps get the kids out of the house so Mom can have the house to herself. Sorry, but can we get some love for the Dads out there. Interesting article, bringing in stuff I hadn't thought about in a long time. The other thing I'd like to know is why did Barack HusseinObama wait until Fathers Day to finally say what others have been saying regarding Black fathers? Larry Elder has been speaking of this issue for at least 10 years. I appreciate BHO's candor on the subject, and I'm glad he brought it up, but it just screams to me of too much politics. Had this been part of his campaign it would seem more genuine. It yells out like an opportunity for him to pound the pulpit and read from the teleprompter, again.
The Marines
I really do hope I get to read some public apologies regarding the Marines in Haditha. If not, maybe, just maybe this type of action will get some attention. If not, maybe this article by Michelle Malkin will keep getting printed over the country's newspapers...doubt it, but I can dream, right?
Various
So I was flipping thru my ESPN the mag the other day, and I came across an ad for Don King's Prizefighter, an new boxing video game. Lovely, a guy who's been charged with murder, tax evasion and is widely considered to be one of those that killed the 'sweet science' gets a video game promoting the same exact sport. To quote Don, "Only in America". I'm now a little ill.
I honestly agree with this article by John Stossel. We're all grownups, give me back my rights.
Read an article for Sports Illustrated, and while I have trashed them in the past, this article regarding the new Washington Nationals ballpark by Josh Levin kind of startled me. By going from RFK to this new ballpark, they've cut the cheap seats from approximately 5,000 to 3,000. Add to that the fact that the seats have been slimmed, a family of 4's cost just went from $148 to $196....how the hell do they justify this? It would be one thing if the product was good, but what if you just want to watch the game?
Interesting article about Lex Lugar, who was huge in the world of wrestling about 10 years ago. Wow, I can't say I'm shocked, but still something worth reading if you like wrestling.
Lastly, I'm not sure if anyone else has been following this NBA/referee issue and Commissioner David Stern's reactions to any and all questions. It's quite laughable. He has been calling Tim Donaghy an admitted felon, and dismissing his allegations of impropriety as just the desperate moves of a desperate man. Uh, Commish? I think not. Not when Donaghy alleges that one of the games in question was game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals...when the Lakers shot 27 FT's in the 4th quarter alone. Oh, and Donaghy states that there are other officials that may have fixed games. Mr. Stern, one official is rogue, more than one gets you into a whole different mess, in case you were curious. I know Stern wants this to go away, but did anyone else notice the boos he got when he handed the trophy out on Tuesday? Me, neither.
Enjoy your Sunday, and get some rest for the big week ahead, it's some company's fiscal end of year. Keep your wits about you!
Sports
Gas Prices
'Fathers Day'
The Marines
Various
Sports
Chicago DT Tommie Harris just signed a 4 year, 40 million dollar deal, and then told everyone he, nor anyone in his business, deserves that kind of money. Tommie, thanks for admitting what every guy that's ever bought a jersey has known. Now stay healthy this year and stop the run.
Javon Walker got knocked out last week in Vegas, and his story is just a bit out there, and I'm not the only one who is crying 'Bull'. Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post states a pretty good case that Walker ought to know better, and I completely agree.
Jemele Hill, a writer for ESPN's Page 2, has been suspended. For what, you're thinking? How about comparing Celtics fans to the followers of Hitler? Is that grotesque enough for you? If not, how about Ms. Hill was a leading force calling for Don Imus' firing last year? I think the word you're looking for is hypocrite, but I may be wrong. The only thing more pathetic is Ms. Hill's attempt at an apology. No one will lose their job over this, but I guarantee you if Bill Simmons called her the 'C word' or God forbid the 'N word', he'd be looking for the unemployment forms. Oh, and for Ms. Hill, I'm going to let Jason Whitlock drop some knowledge on her about the Celtics team history. Take your racism claims about my squad and my home and go learn something in your time off.
Chad Johnson just needs to stop. He's literally playing both sides of the fence. He's trying to be coy with both the media and the Cincinnati Bengals, his employer. I've stated before I'm tired of Chad, but if I were his employer I'd seriously consider dinging him for breach of contract. All of a sudden, Chad has surgery to clear up bone spurs in both ankles. How long has this been a problem? Couldn't this have been taken care of before the offseason? (The answer you're looking for is 'Yes', in case you were curious). I'm just tired of his nonsense. Ocho Stinko, grow up already. Your act is tired, and I'm bored with you.
Gas Prices
Nothing better than listening to people who have no problem paying for gas, or telling you and I how to live our lives. Another group of people that are defined by me as hypocrites. Mike Gallagher calls out RFK Jr. and Al Gore, and I love it. Nothing better than those who are either in Washington or Hollyweird wantint to tell me how to spend my money and on what. Here's a thought...drill offshore!!! Drill in Alaska!!! I Guarantee that will bring down gas prices. How do I know? Because oil stocks and prices per barrel are nothing more than speculation, like pork barrels. Of course, there are those in Congress who want you to pay even more for gas, have someone in France tell you how you can set your AC, and tell you that you can only have a certain type of light bulb. Wake up, already. Stop giving up your freedom of choice. And then there's this genius-thanks for the help, buddy.
'Fathers Day'
I'm glad I got to call my Dad last week and tell him, "Thanks". That's all he needed as a present. But something came up over the evening...how is it fun for Dad to bring the kids to a baseball game? "Happy Fathers Day, now spend $200 on t-shirts, hats, programs, tickets, parking, ice cream, and sorry that you missed the big play in the 5th, I had to get the stickies off my hand from the ice cream." How is this a good thing for Dads out there? Seems to me like it helps get the kids out of the house so Mom can have the house to herself. Sorry, but can we get some love for the Dads out there. Interesting article, bringing in stuff I hadn't thought about in a long time. The other thing I'd like to know is why did Barack HusseinObama wait until Fathers Day to finally say what others have been saying regarding Black fathers? Larry Elder has been speaking of this issue for at least 10 years. I appreciate BHO's candor on the subject, and I'm glad he brought it up, but it just screams to me of too much politics. Had this been part of his campaign it would seem more genuine. It yells out like an opportunity for him to pound the pulpit and read from the teleprompter, again.
The Marines
I really do hope I get to read some public apologies regarding the Marines in Haditha. If not, maybe, just maybe this type of action will get some attention. If not, maybe this article by Michelle Malkin will keep getting printed over the country's newspapers...doubt it, but I can dream, right?
Various
So I was flipping thru my ESPN the mag the other day, and I came across an ad for Don King's Prizefighter, an new boxing video game. Lovely, a guy who's been charged with murder, tax evasion and is widely considered to be one of those that killed the 'sweet science' gets a video game promoting the same exact sport. To quote Don, "Only in America". I'm now a little ill.
I honestly agree with this article by John Stossel. We're all grownups, give me back my rights.
Read an article for Sports Illustrated, and while I have trashed them in the past, this article regarding the new Washington Nationals ballpark by Josh Levin kind of startled me. By going from RFK to this new ballpark, they've cut the cheap seats from approximately 5,000 to 3,000. Add to that the fact that the seats have been slimmed, a family of 4's cost just went from $148 to $196....how the hell do they justify this? It would be one thing if the product was good, but what if you just want to watch the game?
Interesting article about Lex Lugar, who was huge in the world of wrestling about 10 years ago. Wow, I can't say I'm shocked, but still something worth reading if you like wrestling.
Lastly, I'm not sure if anyone else has been following this NBA/referee issue and Commissioner David Stern's reactions to any and all questions. It's quite laughable. He has been calling Tim Donaghy an admitted felon, and dismissing his allegations of impropriety as just the desperate moves of a desperate man. Uh, Commish? I think not. Not when Donaghy alleges that one of the games in question was game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals...when the Lakers shot 27 FT's in the 4th quarter alone. Oh, and Donaghy states that there are other officials that may have fixed games. Mr. Stern, one official is rogue, more than one gets you into a whole different mess, in case you were curious. I know Stern wants this to go away, but did anyone else notice the boos he got when he handed the trophy out on Tuesday? Me, neither.
Enjoy your Sunday, and get some rest for the big week ahead, it's some company's fiscal end of year. Keep your wits about you!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
It's like a stop in time....
Okay, this one's going to be a long one, I highly suggest printing it out or just hitting 'ctrl F' to find some things about:
The Celtics
Kobe Bryant
Tiger Woods
Ah, McPaper
News while in Florida
Missed that part of Journalism class
and now....on to the show under the Big Top:
The Celtics-Oh Happy Day!!!!! I have been silent since before this series even started, but now that it's all over, I can honestly sit here and state how happy I am and how much I'd like to laugh at most of the 'knowledgeable' sports reporters around this country. Most of them picked the Lakers, in either 5 or six games. The only person I can remember stating on TV that the C's would win in 6 is Jon Barry. Jon's a nice guy, I ran into him at a dive bar down the street from my house right after he retired a couple of years ago. Very weird to see a guy like him in a complete hole like that, but it was even cooler that he never put on any heirs, he was a beer drinking guy, just like the rest of us.
The series kind of went the way I expected it to, except that I really thought that Kobe Bryant would play a whole lot bigger and better than he did. More on him in a bit.
My favorite part of the series, other than the C's getting to win in front of the home crowd? And the crowd screaming 'Dee-Fense!!!' while Doc Rivers was being interviewed after receiving the Larry O'Brien trophy? I know it wreaks of pettiness and could be construed as borderline evil, I don't care--it was Sasha Vujacic throwing a temper tantrum during the 4th quarter of the Lakers Game 4 meltdown. Where's my MasterCard-Priceless ad campaign for that? I simply loved that after the game I got to hear some state that the Lakers lost that game, not that the Celtics had won it. Excuse me? Were we watching the same game? The Celtics played great defense all year, and as KG stated all season, it was their team backbone, what they hung their collective hat on. So it's not like it was something new. Besides, did everyone forget that KG was Defensive Player of the Year?
Some of my other thoughts about other games in the series:
Game 1-hey Bill Platschke of the LA Times and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, F_U! You both have a ton of nerve questioning Paul Pierce being hurt, insinuating he's a faker. Really? Guy got stabbed 11 times 8 years ago and was playing 3 weeks later, and you want to question if he was hurt. What would your reaction be if a 280-lb guy feel on your leg and you heard a pop? Add to it that you've never heard that noise on your own body. Jackson was the best, trying to bring his old teammate Willis Reed into the discussion. Funny Phil, didn't your stud Michael Jordan have a great game in Utah with the flu, and you called his game 'remarkable'? Zip it, you dirty old hippy. Jordan had the flu...and basketball was his job. I know people that go to work everyday with cancer playing games with their bodies. Just stop already. Phil, I'm pretty sure you're done with coaching, and I don't blame you. I don't like the players on that Lakers team much, either. Especially the scripted star.
Game 2-scared out of my mind after the Lakers came roaring back...but what everyone failed to mention was that the C's won...they didn't hold on, they won the game. Sure wasn't pretty, but there are no 'show' points for being up 2-0 in a 7 game series. The talk after the game was the free throw disparity, with the C's holding a 38-10 advantage. But did anyone look at the foul calls? 28-21 in favor of Boston. Maybe, just maybe, if the Lakers had gone to the hole instead of settling for jumpers they would've gotten to the FT line. Leon Powe certainly took advantage of it.
Game 3-who here was shocked that not only did the Lakers win, but Kobe had more FT attempts in the 1st quarter than the whole Lakers did after Game 2 and all the complaining? Yeah, me neither.
Game 4-Greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Oh, and at this point in time I'm wondering if Vujacic and Jordan Farmar shouldn't just start pummeling each other. Maybe work on that pick and roll D, huh fellas?
Game 5-The C's should've closed it out here, and wasted a fantastic performance from Paul Pierce, who finished with 38, and no one, not even 1st Team All-D Kobe Bryant could stop him...except for that 'Ole' steal he got to close the game out and try and give the AP a fantastic photo-op. On that 'steal', and yes-I'm definitely putting it in quotation marks-I talked to my brother the next day, and I think he made a great point. That 'steal' may work in prison hoops and pickup games, but anywhere there is an official, be it little kids to high school to college, that's a foul, every single time. Except when David Stern needs more TV money-don't worry, he's on the docket at the end of this whole blog. I also enjoyed KG stating after the game that he played like garbage, and even had some media folks calling him 'the little ticket'. Like he didn't know he stunk up the joint? Thanks for the ammo.
Game 6-And The Truth, shall set you free. Well, this game was over before it started. I could just feel it. Sometimes, you just know. KG came out huge in the first half, and ended with 26 pts and 14 boards. But what most people keep forgetting about this man is that he is all heart, all the time. He swears too much, talks to himself like a mad man, but he brought every tool in the shed to this game. I think having the Beast Kendrick Perkins by his side helped, too. This game was over halfway thru the 2nd quarter, after Eddie House and James Posey hit back to back 3's. It was done. The last of the Lakers will was spent, never to return. So much for heart, eh, Mr. Bryant? The final margin of victory was 39 points, but it was never in doubt or even that close. If you watched the game, you know that it was over before halftime, and that Phil Jackson was disgusted with this team and it's piss-poor defensive effort. I understand that sometimes you get lost running a shooter down of off screens...but Ray Allen, after coming back from a legit eye-scratch, had time to catch read, label, stamp and mail 4 3's home in the 4th quarter? And to those who may cry that it was running up the score....I have nothing but pity for you. If you don't like it, stop him then. My least favorite part of this game was Lamar Odom. Way to get tough and start talking crap in the 4th quarter when you're down by 30. I get this strange suspicion you won't be missed if you got traded over the summer.
I love that the MVP was Paul Pierce, and he didn't even shoot that great in this game...but he did have 9 assists at halftime.
Here's someone else's take, who was at the game, for how awesome this truly was.
And that's it, that's all, that's all there is-Beastie Boys (how fitting)
Kobe Bryant
I've never liked the man. There, now you know before you read the rest of it. I hold this man in contempt much like I do Alex Rodriguez and Roger Clemens. He's a phony and a fraud. It started with me a long time ago, but very recently it caught my ire again. Right before the MVP winning, honestly. I had a strange feeling it would happen, and then, at halftime of Game 3, it was shoved up my ass (pun intended) by ABC/ESPN. This has to rank as one of the most scripted fluff pieces on any athlete I've seen in a long time. Are you trying to just punch me in the face and then tell me a ghost did it? Kobe, stop it, please. You are a travesty of a husband, and of a father, and even of a teammate. How can I say this? Easy. You're a travesty and a joke of a husband because you were caught cheating on your wife here in Colorado not 4 years ago, yet you have the nerve to put her on TV like your whole family is fine? You're a travesty of a father because you pimp your daughter/s out much like you do to your wife, especially after games at press conferences. Teammate? You know what, I saw you give dirty looks to your teammates, only when the cameras allowed it. I'll let Curt Schilling, who was sitting next to the Lakers bench in Game 2, tell us all about it...unreal to me. Kobe may be a great scorer, but I'm tired of listening to the national media blow him, and of him letting it happen. When ABC told him that they wanted to do a piece on him as a family man, he should have declined. And then as a token, tell them he appreciates it but he is still working on his marriage, maybe they should do a feature on Lamar Odom, who lost a child last summer, or even Derek Fisher, who came back to LA for his daughter and her illness. Wouldn't that be better than a man who was charged with rape, gave a girl such a good time that she needed anal stitches, whose public apology included an 8-carat ring trying to tell me he's a good person and a great teammate? And to those that may try and give me a rebuttal on the whole rape thing-just because charges are dropped doesn't mean no crime was committed. To me, in my world, adultery is a crime. Maybe not of legality, but certainly of morality. I could care less that it happens every day, still doesn't make it right.
Tiger Woods
Alright, NBC, are you happy now??? Good grief. We get it, he's in pain. Know what else? No one is making him play in this tournament. Here's another little secret-dude is in fantastic shape, brought weight training into golf, and he's not the only one who's ever had a scope done on his knee. Me, I've blown mine out, how come no one is kissing my ass for walking up steps? Get over him already, please. What he's doing is not heroic, by any means. LaDanian Tomlinson sitting out most of the AFC Championship this year is more heroic than Tiger. Why? Because he knew he couldn't run on a sprained knee and that he could hurt his team. Tiger? He may have won a great tourney, but now he's going to have to have ACL surgery, because he has a stress fracture in that knee. Wish I could say I was shocked, but again, I'm tired of the media blowing him. How come no one chastised him when he was chucking his clubs around on Sunday? Tiger's not all bad, though. While I may not be a huge fan, I do love that he wants to win, and even crush, his opponents.
Ah, McPaper
That is the term that my Dad gave the USA Today many years ago, and it still seems to ring true. I'm only going to use June 5th to illustrate some stories, mostly of a 'WTF' variety..First is an article about wedding invites now being done over the internet, touching on being 'green' and all that crap. I call it cheap. But then there is a sidebar, talking about putting your friends in A,B,C and even D-lists...and if someone cancels you can invite them, even tell them that they are a B,C, or D squad invitee. Wow, tacky has taken a new turn, and it sure ain't pretty. If anyone invited me to a wedding that way, I'd send them a bag of poop with my decline. Next up was this gem of a letter to the editor..anyone know someone in Maryland to smack this dope around? If this isn't the Ricki Lake show defense of 'You don't know me', I don't know what to call it then. Apparently bojangling for your own people is okay, because they don't listen to the message. Right....because Italians never follow what the Pope says, hmmm?
News while in Florida
Well, the big news was Hulk Hogan's son Nick being thrown in jail and all the nonsense that went along with it. And then, this happened. Nick, at least you can get laid once you both get out of the pokey....provided you still look like you could be in high school, I'm sure.
Other news included police shot and killed a 17 year old who was firing a gun outside a high school graduation party. Now, I would find this sad....until you keep reading. Come to find out that the kid was also running away from the cops and shooting at them. And a gun was found next to his body. Now, this is all alleged, and of course the kid is black and the cop is white, so now Al Sharpton and the church and any other group that can get on TV is screaming racism. Well, not me, and here's why....the last line in the article states that this kid just finished his sophomore year of high school. Huh? He's 17!!!! I graduated high school at 17. Am I missing something here?
And the other big thing in Tampa while I was there was the story of a man who wants to raise a Confederate Flag on his property. Of course he wants to raise it high enough so that all can see it. His house just happens to sit between 2 major highways. Hence the big stink. Me, I think it's comical. The South lost. There, I said it. And I know it means a lot of things to a lot of different people down there in the South, but the man does have a right to his property. If he wants to raise a big flag and show his allegiance and ignorance, so be it. I sure wouldn't want to be his neighbor, that much is for certain.
Missed that part of Journalism class
So I was reading the Denver Post Monday morning, and as I'm flipping thru the business section, I see ads for massage parlors and erotic rub-downs. I must have missed the day or the paper or something. I thought I found that stuff in the Westword or online, not a major daily newspaper. Maybe I was out for that day in journalism day when they discussed advertising and where to place it.
Alright, I'm tired, so I'm going to wrap this up for now...but rest assured that more is coming tomorrow, including:
Sports
Gas Prices
'Fathers Day'
The Marines
Various
happy saturday
The Celtics
Kobe Bryant
Tiger Woods
Ah, McPaper
News while in Florida
Missed that part of Journalism class
and now....on to the show under the Big Top:
The Celtics-Oh Happy Day!!!!! I have been silent since before this series even started, but now that it's all over, I can honestly sit here and state how happy I am and how much I'd like to laugh at most of the 'knowledgeable' sports reporters around this country. Most of them picked the Lakers, in either 5 or six games. The only person I can remember stating on TV that the C's would win in 6 is Jon Barry. Jon's a nice guy, I ran into him at a dive bar down the street from my house right after he retired a couple of years ago. Very weird to see a guy like him in a complete hole like that, but it was even cooler that he never put on any heirs, he was a beer drinking guy, just like the rest of us.
The series kind of went the way I expected it to, except that I really thought that Kobe Bryant would play a whole lot bigger and better than he did. More on him in a bit.
My favorite part of the series, other than the C's getting to win in front of the home crowd? And the crowd screaming 'Dee-Fense!!!' while Doc Rivers was being interviewed after receiving the Larry O'Brien trophy? I know it wreaks of pettiness and could be construed as borderline evil, I don't care--it was Sasha Vujacic throwing a temper tantrum during the 4th quarter of the Lakers Game 4 meltdown. Where's my MasterCard-Priceless ad campaign for that? I simply loved that after the game I got to hear some state that the Lakers lost that game, not that the Celtics had won it. Excuse me? Were we watching the same game? The Celtics played great defense all year, and as KG stated all season, it was their team backbone, what they hung their collective hat on. So it's not like it was something new. Besides, did everyone forget that KG was Defensive Player of the Year?
Some of my other thoughts about other games in the series:
Game 1-hey Bill Platschke of the LA Times and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, F_U! You both have a ton of nerve questioning Paul Pierce being hurt, insinuating he's a faker. Really? Guy got stabbed 11 times 8 years ago and was playing 3 weeks later, and you want to question if he was hurt. What would your reaction be if a 280-lb guy feel on your leg and you heard a pop? Add to it that you've never heard that noise on your own body. Jackson was the best, trying to bring his old teammate Willis Reed into the discussion. Funny Phil, didn't your stud Michael Jordan have a great game in Utah with the flu, and you called his game 'remarkable'? Zip it, you dirty old hippy. Jordan had the flu...and basketball was his job. I know people that go to work everyday with cancer playing games with their bodies. Just stop already. Phil, I'm pretty sure you're done with coaching, and I don't blame you. I don't like the players on that Lakers team much, either. Especially the scripted star.
Game 2-scared out of my mind after the Lakers came roaring back...but what everyone failed to mention was that the C's won...they didn't hold on, they won the game. Sure wasn't pretty, but there are no 'show' points for being up 2-0 in a 7 game series. The talk after the game was the free throw disparity, with the C's holding a 38-10 advantage. But did anyone look at the foul calls? 28-21 in favor of Boston. Maybe, just maybe, if the Lakers had gone to the hole instead of settling for jumpers they would've gotten to the FT line. Leon Powe certainly took advantage of it.
Game 3-who here was shocked that not only did the Lakers win, but Kobe had more FT attempts in the 1st quarter than the whole Lakers did after Game 2 and all the complaining? Yeah, me neither.
Game 4-Greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Oh, and at this point in time I'm wondering if Vujacic and Jordan Farmar shouldn't just start pummeling each other. Maybe work on that pick and roll D, huh fellas?
Game 5-The C's should've closed it out here, and wasted a fantastic performance from Paul Pierce, who finished with 38, and no one, not even 1st Team All-D Kobe Bryant could stop him...except for that 'Ole' steal he got to close the game out and try and give the AP a fantastic photo-op. On that 'steal', and yes-I'm definitely putting it in quotation marks-I talked to my brother the next day, and I think he made a great point. That 'steal' may work in prison hoops and pickup games, but anywhere there is an official, be it little kids to high school to college, that's a foul, every single time. Except when David Stern needs more TV money-don't worry, he's on the docket at the end of this whole blog. I also enjoyed KG stating after the game that he played like garbage, and even had some media folks calling him 'the little ticket'. Like he didn't know he stunk up the joint? Thanks for the ammo.
Game 6-And The Truth, shall set you free. Well, this game was over before it started. I could just feel it. Sometimes, you just know. KG came out huge in the first half, and ended with 26 pts and 14 boards. But what most people keep forgetting about this man is that he is all heart, all the time. He swears too much, talks to himself like a mad man, but he brought every tool in the shed to this game. I think having the Beast Kendrick Perkins by his side helped, too. This game was over halfway thru the 2nd quarter, after Eddie House and James Posey hit back to back 3's. It was done. The last of the Lakers will was spent, never to return. So much for heart, eh, Mr. Bryant? The final margin of victory was 39 points, but it was never in doubt or even that close. If you watched the game, you know that it was over before halftime, and that Phil Jackson was disgusted with this team and it's piss-poor defensive effort. I understand that sometimes you get lost running a shooter down of off screens...but Ray Allen, after coming back from a legit eye-scratch, had time to catch read, label, stamp and mail 4 3's home in the 4th quarter? And to those who may cry that it was running up the score....I have nothing but pity for you. If you don't like it, stop him then. My least favorite part of this game was Lamar Odom. Way to get tough and start talking crap in the 4th quarter when you're down by 30. I get this strange suspicion you won't be missed if you got traded over the summer.
I love that the MVP was Paul Pierce, and he didn't even shoot that great in this game...but he did have 9 assists at halftime.
Here's someone else's take, who was at the game, for how awesome this truly was.
And that's it, that's all, that's all there is-Beastie Boys (how fitting)
Kobe Bryant
I've never liked the man. There, now you know before you read the rest of it. I hold this man in contempt much like I do Alex Rodriguez and Roger Clemens. He's a phony and a fraud. It started with me a long time ago, but very recently it caught my ire again. Right before the MVP winning, honestly. I had a strange feeling it would happen, and then, at halftime of Game 3, it was shoved up my ass (pun intended) by ABC/ESPN. This has to rank as one of the most scripted fluff pieces on any athlete I've seen in a long time. Are you trying to just punch me in the face and then tell me a ghost did it? Kobe, stop it, please. You are a travesty of a husband, and of a father, and even of a teammate. How can I say this? Easy. You're a travesty and a joke of a husband because you were caught cheating on your wife here in Colorado not 4 years ago, yet you have the nerve to put her on TV like your whole family is fine? You're a travesty of a father because you pimp your daughter/s out much like you do to your wife, especially after games at press conferences. Teammate? You know what, I saw you give dirty looks to your teammates, only when the cameras allowed it. I'll let Curt Schilling, who was sitting next to the Lakers bench in Game 2, tell us all about it...unreal to me. Kobe may be a great scorer, but I'm tired of listening to the national media blow him, and of him letting it happen. When ABC told him that they wanted to do a piece on him as a family man, he should have declined. And then as a token, tell them he appreciates it but he is still working on his marriage, maybe they should do a feature on Lamar Odom, who lost a child last summer, or even Derek Fisher, who came back to LA for his daughter and her illness. Wouldn't that be better than a man who was charged with rape, gave a girl such a good time that she needed anal stitches, whose public apology included an 8-carat ring trying to tell me he's a good person and a great teammate? And to those that may try and give me a rebuttal on the whole rape thing-just because charges are dropped doesn't mean no crime was committed. To me, in my world, adultery is a crime. Maybe not of legality, but certainly of morality. I could care less that it happens every day, still doesn't make it right.
Tiger Woods
Alright, NBC, are you happy now??? Good grief. We get it, he's in pain. Know what else? No one is making him play in this tournament. Here's another little secret-dude is in fantastic shape, brought weight training into golf, and he's not the only one who's ever had a scope done on his knee. Me, I've blown mine out, how come no one is kissing my ass for walking up steps? Get over him already, please. What he's doing is not heroic, by any means. LaDanian Tomlinson sitting out most of the AFC Championship this year is more heroic than Tiger. Why? Because he knew he couldn't run on a sprained knee and that he could hurt his team. Tiger? He may have won a great tourney, but now he's going to have to have ACL surgery, because he has a stress fracture in that knee. Wish I could say I was shocked, but again, I'm tired of the media blowing him. How come no one chastised him when he was chucking his clubs around on Sunday? Tiger's not all bad, though. While I may not be a huge fan, I do love that he wants to win, and even crush, his opponents.
Ah, McPaper
That is the term that my Dad gave the USA Today many years ago, and it still seems to ring true. I'm only going to use June 5th to illustrate some stories, mostly of a 'WTF' variety..First is an article about wedding invites now being done over the internet, touching on being 'green' and all that crap. I call it cheap. But then there is a sidebar, talking about putting your friends in A,B,C and even D-lists...and if someone cancels you can invite them, even tell them that they are a B,C, or D squad invitee. Wow, tacky has taken a new turn, and it sure ain't pretty. If anyone invited me to a wedding that way, I'd send them a bag of poop with my decline. Next up was this gem of a letter to the editor..anyone know someone in Maryland to smack this dope around? If this isn't the Ricki Lake show defense of 'You don't know me', I don't know what to call it then. Apparently bojangling for your own people is okay, because they don't listen to the message. Right....because Italians never follow what the Pope says, hmmm?
News while in Florida
Well, the big news was Hulk Hogan's son Nick being thrown in jail and all the nonsense that went along with it. And then, this happened. Nick, at least you can get laid once you both get out of the pokey....provided you still look like you could be in high school, I'm sure.
Other news included police shot and killed a 17 year old who was firing a gun outside a high school graduation party. Now, I would find this sad....until you keep reading. Come to find out that the kid was also running away from the cops and shooting at them. And a gun was found next to his body. Now, this is all alleged, and of course the kid is black and the cop is white, so now Al Sharpton and the church and any other group that can get on TV is screaming racism. Well, not me, and here's why....the last line in the article states that this kid just finished his sophomore year of high school. Huh? He's 17!!!! I graduated high school at 17. Am I missing something here?
And the other big thing in Tampa while I was there was the story of a man who wants to raise a Confederate Flag on his property. Of course he wants to raise it high enough so that all can see it. His house just happens to sit between 2 major highways. Hence the big stink. Me, I think it's comical. The South lost. There, I said it. And I know it means a lot of things to a lot of different people down there in the South, but the man does have a right to his property. If he wants to raise a big flag and show his allegiance and ignorance, so be it. I sure wouldn't want to be his neighbor, that much is for certain.
Missed that part of Journalism class
So I was reading the Denver Post Monday morning, and as I'm flipping thru the business section, I see ads for massage parlors and erotic rub-downs. I must have missed the day or the paper or something. I thought I found that stuff in the Westword or online, not a major daily newspaper. Maybe I was out for that day in journalism day when they discussed advertising and where to place it.
Alright, I'm tired, so I'm going to wrap this up for now...but rest assured that more is coming tomorrow, including:
Sports
Gas Prices
'Fathers Day'
The Marines
Various
happy saturday
Monday, June 16, 2008
So Sorry I'm late....did I miss anything
My apologies to both of my 'fans' that read this thing. It's been a long couple of weeks, I've done some traveling, and now I'm done with my first day in my new office. Kind of cool. But now we get down to business!
So I was in Tampa, FL for 2 weeks doing some training for the new job, and some things have really stuck out to me. First, I still need coffee in the morning to get going, be it East Coast or Mountain Time. Coffee is my drug of choice. It almost makes it enjoyable to wake up. Almost, I said. The office I was training in was very small, people-wise. The office was big enough to hold the occupants. Second, I kind of like knowing what I'm going to be doing that day ahead of time. I don't like surprises. Third-man, did these guys talk a lot about baseball. I love baseball, but these guys lo-hove it. Baseball is #3 for me, behind hoops and football. I still love my Sox, but I can still fall asleep to a baseball game on a Sunday. I can't do that with the other two. I know it for certain, I've tried, it just ain't hapnin'.
Oh, and Tampa is as muggy as anything I've ever been around. Worse than any day we ever had in New England during the summer. I got off the plane and thought someone punched me with a soggy sponge as soon as I cleared the plane door.
I got to spend the first 4 days in a hotel with a rental car. Not bad, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. I didn't feel any smarter, especially because of my neighbors....they apparently slept all day and at around 1 AM decided it would be a good ol' time to bust out Guitar Hero or play techno. Well, I solved that problem after Day 2 (Not after Day 1 because I was so tired I just rolled over and fell back asleep). Nope, after Day (or Night) 2 of listening to some Gawd-Awful noises coming from the only shared wall I had, I decided to bang on their door, ignoring the 'Privacy Please' placard hanging from their door handle, and went about my morning. Oh, that was at 7 AM. Yes, they got the hint. My other option was to bang on their door in my boxers, or not, at 2 AM when/if they woke me up. Believe me, with this body and it's eminent donation to science fiction, I don't think they'd be able to play Guitar Hero anymore...their fingers would be stuck to their foreheads trying to cover their eyes.
Here's something else that's fun about Tampa, and I think Florida in general....they have to have the absolute worst drivers I've ever seen!!! In my 15 minute ride to work from the hotel one morning, I saw not 1, not 2, but 3 four lane changes with no signal cut right in front of me. I could've cared less, I was in a rental! Oh, and the rental was a Corolla. Nice car, but I was petrified in it. Not as much as the other car I got to drive, but a lil' scared nonetheless.
After I got done with the Hotel and the rental car, I was given the keys to the corporate apartment. Not nearly as flashy as you might think. But it wasn't too shabby, and it was in a pretty nice, yuppified neighborhood. Think Wash. Park if you're around Denver, Alston/Brighton if you're around Boston. TV, PS3, fridge, bed, washer/dryer. What more could you want? I didn't take advantage of the PS3, but I did get to watch some of the Finals on an HD flat-screen, so I could be happy about that.
The car-a friggin' death-trap if there ever was one. We're talking Ford Focus people!!! I haven't been that frightened in a car since one of my ex-girlfriend's whipped me around town in her Honda Civic (to be fair, Honda Civic's are nice, she was a terrible driver-I closed my eyes at one point...okay, twice). The Focus was low on gas, needed a tune-up, and you had to damn near stand on the brakes to get the thing to stop. So it was fun and scary, all at once. Kind of like a roller coaster being operated by a mental patient.
My training wasn't that extensive the first week, at least not on the SW that I'll be selling. Decorum and Legality prevent me from posting it's a link on this blog (and even if it didn't, I just got this job, I think I may even want to keep it, so please, be kind). We spent most of the time talking about the philosophy of the company, where we've been, where we'd like to go, how some other people do things, etc. All in all, a relatively easy week, and I was happy on Friday to go see some of Tampa. Except....
No one in my Tampa office would hang out with me!!! Look, I'm not a charity case, and I like to think that I'm kind of fun to hang out with, so what the hell? You know what's worse than having no one even offer to hang out? The next Monday with the sheepish 'Dude, I was gonna call you to hang out and maybe show you around Tampa'....no you weren't, so please, don't give me that weak excuse.
Besides, thanks to my boy I got to hang out with friends of a friend of a friend, and they were very gracious and polite hosts. I had fun hanging out with them, they even showed me a couple of bars around Tampa and dropped me off quite buzzed from the evening of boozing it up. Those two could drink. Oh, and if you're ever in Tampa, the bars close at 3. Just a little note from me to you...I was not aware of this. I made some tactical errors my first night out on the town. Not every place is as lame as Denver, where bars close at 1. And that, my friends, sucks.
Anyone else think the bars closing at 1 might pose a problem for when the DNC comes here to Denver? Me, too.
My next week of training was the real meat and potatoes of the job. And if I'm honest with you, and myself, I had 2 great days, 1 'iffy' day, 1 'ick' day and I really won't count Friday, because it was more prep work for what I started doing today.
See, last Thursday, not only did I get training, I also got to go to a conference, with was on the other side of Tampa from where my office was located. By the time that was over and I got home, Game 3 of the NBA Finals was tipping off. Yes, I was happy and shocked about that outcome, but sports will come tomorrow or Wednesday this week, I haven't decided yet. This particular blog is about my trip to Tampa.
So, being exhausted from all this training and mental drain, I was just looking forward to going home. I missed my bed, my couch, my TV, my laptop, the dry Colorado air, and even my roommates dogs. Believe me, that last one shocked no one more than me. But after a delayed leg from Tampa to Chicago and then another weather-delayed leg from Chicago to Denver, I made it home. I'm glad to be back in Denver. I guess I really do like it here.
As for the job and the company, expect a more 'formal' announcement via email over the next week, with my role and what the company does. I think it's pretty cool stuff.
A belated Happy Fathers Day to my friends that are proud parents of children. Dogs don't count. Yes, they are important family members, but if your dog has cancer, you put the dog to sleep--Forever. If your kid has cancer, he's going to get the best possible care you can get for them. It may sound cruel, but think about it, and you know it to be true.
So for all the Dad's out there doing the damn thing, keep doing it! It's a thankless job, and you'll get golf balls, horrid ties or the joy of taking your kids to a ballgame (how does this celebrate Dad???).
Look for some more posts this week, talking 'bout Sports, politics, gas prices, news, edumacation and how stupid some people truly are.
I hope you have a great week!
So I was in Tampa, FL for 2 weeks doing some training for the new job, and some things have really stuck out to me. First, I still need coffee in the morning to get going, be it East Coast or Mountain Time. Coffee is my drug of choice. It almost makes it enjoyable to wake up. Almost, I said. The office I was training in was very small, people-wise. The office was big enough to hold the occupants. Second, I kind of like knowing what I'm going to be doing that day ahead of time. I don't like surprises. Third-man, did these guys talk a lot about baseball. I love baseball, but these guys lo-hove it. Baseball is #3 for me, behind hoops and football. I still love my Sox, but I can still fall asleep to a baseball game on a Sunday. I can't do that with the other two. I know it for certain, I've tried, it just ain't hapnin'.
Oh, and Tampa is as muggy as anything I've ever been around. Worse than any day we ever had in New England during the summer. I got off the plane and thought someone punched me with a soggy sponge as soon as I cleared the plane door.
I got to spend the first 4 days in a hotel with a rental car. Not bad, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. I didn't feel any smarter, especially because of my neighbors....they apparently slept all day and at around 1 AM decided it would be a good ol' time to bust out Guitar Hero or play techno. Well, I solved that problem after Day 2 (Not after Day 1 because I was so tired I just rolled over and fell back asleep). Nope, after Day (or Night) 2 of listening to some Gawd-Awful noises coming from the only shared wall I had, I decided to bang on their door, ignoring the 'Privacy Please' placard hanging from their door handle, and went about my morning. Oh, that was at 7 AM. Yes, they got the hint. My other option was to bang on their door in my boxers, or not, at 2 AM when/if they woke me up. Believe me, with this body and it's eminent donation to science fiction, I don't think they'd be able to play Guitar Hero anymore...their fingers would be stuck to their foreheads trying to cover their eyes.
Here's something else that's fun about Tampa, and I think Florida in general....they have to have the absolute worst drivers I've ever seen!!! In my 15 minute ride to work from the hotel one morning, I saw not 1, not 2, but 3 four lane changes with no signal cut right in front of me. I could've cared less, I was in a rental! Oh, and the rental was a Corolla. Nice car, but I was petrified in it. Not as much as the other car I got to drive, but a lil' scared nonetheless.
After I got done with the Hotel and the rental car, I was given the keys to the corporate apartment. Not nearly as flashy as you might think. But it wasn't too shabby, and it was in a pretty nice, yuppified neighborhood. Think Wash. Park if you're around Denver, Alston/Brighton if you're around Boston. TV, PS3, fridge, bed, washer/dryer. What more could you want? I didn't take advantage of the PS3, but I did get to watch some of the Finals on an HD flat-screen, so I could be happy about that.
The car-a friggin' death-trap if there ever was one. We're talking Ford Focus people!!! I haven't been that frightened in a car since one of my ex-girlfriend's whipped me around town in her Honda Civic (to be fair, Honda Civic's are nice, she was a terrible driver-I closed my eyes at one point...okay, twice). The Focus was low on gas, needed a tune-up, and you had to damn near stand on the brakes to get the thing to stop. So it was fun and scary, all at once. Kind of like a roller coaster being operated by a mental patient.
My training wasn't that extensive the first week, at least not on the SW that I'll be selling. Decorum and Legality prevent me from posting it's a link on this blog (and even if it didn't, I just got this job, I think I may even want to keep it, so please, be kind). We spent most of the time talking about the philosophy of the company, where we've been, where we'd like to go, how some other people do things, etc. All in all, a relatively easy week, and I was happy on Friday to go see some of Tampa. Except....
No one in my Tampa office would hang out with me!!! Look, I'm not a charity case, and I like to think that I'm kind of fun to hang out with, so what the hell? You know what's worse than having no one even offer to hang out? The next Monday with the sheepish 'Dude, I was gonna call you to hang out and maybe show you around Tampa'....no you weren't, so please, don't give me that weak excuse.
Besides, thanks to my boy I got to hang out with friends of a friend of a friend, and they were very gracious and polite hosts. I had fun hanging out with them, they even showed me a couple of bars around Tampa and dropped me off quite buzzed from the evening of boozing it up. Those two could drink. Oh, and if you're ever in Tampa, the bars close at 3. Just a little note from me to you...I was not aware of this. I made some tactical errors my first night out on the town. Not every place is as lame as Denver, where bars close at 1. And that, my friends, sucks.
Anyone else think the bars closing at 1 might pose a problem for when the DNC comes here to Denver? Me, too.
My next week of training was the real meat and potatoes of the job. And if I'm honest with you, and myself, I had 2 great days, 1 'iffy' day, 1 'ick' day and I really won't count Friday, because it was more prep work for what I started doing today.
See, last Thursday, not only did I get training, I also got to go to a conference, with was on the other side of Tampa from where my office was located. By the time that was over and I got home, Game 3 of the NBA Finals was tipping off. Yes, I was happy and shocked about that outcome, but sports will come tomorrow or Wednesday this week, I haven't decided yet. This particular blog is about my trip to Tampa.
So, being exhausted from all this training and mental drain, I was just looking forward to going home. I missed my bed, my couch, my TV, my laptop, the dry Colorado air, and even my roommates dogs. Believe me, that last one shocked no one more than me. But after a delayed leg from Tampa to Chicago and then another weather-delayed leg from Chicago to Denver, I made it home. I'm glad to be back in Denver. I guess I really do like it here.
As for the job and the company, expect a more 'formal' announcement via email over the next week, with my role and what the company does. I think it's pretty cool stuff.
A belated Happy Fathers Day to my friends that are proud parents of children. Dogs don't count. Yes, they are important family members, but if your dog has cancer, you put the dog to sleep--Forever. If your kid has cancer, he's going to get the best possible care you can get for them. It may sound cruel, but think about it, and you know it to be true.
So for all the Dad's out there doing the damn thing, keep doing it! It's a thankless job, and you'll get golf balls, horrid ties or the joy of taking your kids to a ballgame (how does this celebrate Dad???).
Look for some more posts this week, talking 'bout Sports, politics, gas prices, news, edumacation and how stupid some people truly are.
I hope you have a great week!
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