Buffalo Boy's Blog
Giving You More Than Just My Two Cents
February 2008 Archives
Best Sabres Players
This my top three for best current Sabres players:
1. Derek Roy
2. Ryan Miller
3. Thomas Vanek
Derek Roy has come a long way since being a third line center behind Drury and Briere. He has a cockiness about him that I really like. He has toned it down with the yelling at the referee's and during this teams 10-15 game slide earlier in the season, Roy was out of the lineup frequently. It was when he came back that they started winning.
Category:
Detroit's Free Fall
On February 7th I wrote about how amazing Detriot was and how they had this choke hold on the west. Well, I am taking all that back just three weeks later. My how things have changed.
On February 7th, the Detroit Red Wings had 86 points, today, February 29th, they have 90. 4 points in three plus weeks for the mighty Detroit Red Wings. They were 17 points ahead of the Dallas Stars, a seemingly huge mountain to climb for Dallas.
Today, Dallas is just 3 points back with 87 points. If Dallas goes on to catch Detroit, I would have to believe it would be the biggest meltdown in NHL history. With how banged up Detroit is, Dallas may very well catch them too.
Category: Sports
Leap Day
This day sucks, there is no two ways about it. Its an extra day of winter, why couldn't we have an extra day of summer or spring? Instead we have to tack it onto the most depressing month of the year, February. Really, what good happens in February?
The weather is the shittiest out of all the months, its dark still for the most part, no sun, no real holidays other than Valentine's Day which if you celebrate it great, if you don't you are made to feel lonely.
The reason we have leap year is the year is really not 365 days. It actually takes the earth approximately 365 1/4 days to revolve around the sun, so the simple way to take care of that 1/4 of a day is to tack it on every four years.
This day, that happens every four years, proves once and for all that there is no God. If there was, he would have made it an even 365 days, no questions or at the very least we would have an extra day in June and make June 31 days.
Category: Miscellaneous
RJ is the Best
What makes watching last nights game the most fun is listening to RJ call the goals. We have had the best play by play guy here in Buffalo for 37 going on 38 years now, from Darling to RJ, no one in the NHL can dispute that.
Category: Sports
No Deal
I've tried a few times now to give Deal or No Deal a shot. Its not that its a bad game show, I actually like the idea, its simple, has some suspense and the girls are all very beautiful girls.
The reason I can't watch is because I can't get this image of Howie Mandel out of my head, this is the Howie I remember:
Category: Television
Was Just a Matter of Time
If you have seen pictures of Boy George lately, I am being kind by posting this one. Looking at his more recent photos the guy looks like a drug ridden, psycho.
Having said that, it was a matter of time before he went off the deep end and did something nuts like imprisoning a man against his will. Boy George is denying it but, reports are that he handcuffed a 28 year old man to a wall.
He originally went to Boy George's apartment as a photo model. Yeah right he did. Boy George was hoping to get a little and when the guy refused the Boy wonder handcuffed his rear end to the wall. We won't know until he goes to trial but right now he is free on bail.
Yet another freak show bites the dust. Boy George, George Michael, Michael Jackson......ever notice how the freak-a-zoids from the 80's all have names of either George or Michael somewhere in their name?
Category: Celebrities | News
Hip For The Hell Of It
The video isn't the best but it gives you an idea of how crazy a Hip show gets. This one features Gord acting like a complete maniac dancing with a bra over its head making the case that we should all be able to burn our bras. Of course what do the women in attendance do?
Watch and find out, this is the Tragically Hip with a live version of Fire In the Hole at Guelph Lake:
Category: Music
Fantasy Hockey Update
I didn't get to it earlier in the week so here it is. Last week I was perfect. The Road Apples went 10-0-2 and made a significant move up the standings. I am now sitting in third place just 6 points out of second.
Add to the fact that I am playing the first place team this week and the second place team next week and I have an excellent shot at getting a first round bye when the playoffs start.
So far this week? 10-1-1......
My leaders last week included:
Thomas Vanek with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists)
Henrik Lundqvist 2 wins, 1.50 GAA and 1 shut out.
I also had Eric Staal with 6 points and Brendan Morrow with 6 points.
Hopefully I can keep the momentum going and catch my good friend Firefox for second.
Category: Fantasy Sports
Campbell Who?
Steve Bernier fit right in last night with 2 goals and an 1 assist. But what impressed me most was his flare for the physical side of the game.
Late in the third period last night there was a scrum along the boards involving Derek Roy and Bernier wasted no time what so ever in coming over and destroying the guy messing with the smaller Roy. That is a good sign and an example of how you are supposed to stick up for your team.
If he brings half of what he did last night on a nightly basis, the playoffs should be no problem. He adds a big body that can bang and he can skate too. The goals he hooked up with Roy and Vanek on he was keeping up with them and Vanek and Roy are not turtles out there, they can move.
Time will tell if Bernier is all that but after last night he at the very least will provide fans with something to pay attention to as the season winds down into playoff time.
Category: Sports
The End Is Near!
Holy crap, the four horses of the apocalypse are riding into town tonight folks, Andrew Peters just scored, not via a deflection or chip in, but by a goal that was shot off his stick! His first goal in 56 regular season games. Which probably dates back to 2006.
Add to that, Ryan Miller got a puck in the mush and had to be pulled and the Sabres are about to choke up a 3 goal lead for the second game in a row and my final assessment is the world is about to end. We are all doomed, lock your doors and if you are religious, pray, this could be our final hours!
Category: Sports
Thaws,Freezes and Potholes
With all these thaws and quick freezes the last few weeks have begun revealing some nasty potholes around the city of Buffalo and Suburbs.
This year more than any other I can remember we have had four or five times where the temperatures have gone from 50's and 60's to 20's and teens in a few short hours. Its those flash freezes like that that open up a crack, into a major pothole with potential to do damage.
One such intersection that I utilize frequently is Military and Amherst street. City crews will be busy this spring with road work to say the least.
Category: Miscellaneous
Goodbye Soupy
This trade should be encouraging to all Sabres fans. A) The Sabres got something for Campbell before he left for nothing and B) They are going to have money to sign Miller and other free agents such as Pomenville in another year or so.
It is not a sign that they are giving up on the playoffs, if anything its a re-birth for Nathan Paetsch and an opening for other potential offensive defensemen in the system. Paetsch is certainly capable of taking some of Soupy's ice time.
As for what they got, how can you complain about the 1st round draft choice? Correct me if Im wrong but they have two this year and management has always drafted well. The player they got, Steve Bernier, is a former first rounder himself with a lot of upside, hes big at 6'2" and 225 lbs. He has 13 goals in 53 games this season. So the Sabres made out on this deal.
Im excited, for both Campbell and the Sabres. Soupy gets a shot at a cup with San Jose and the Sabres still have a shot at the playoffs and create a nice future with a former first rounder who is only 22 and 2 first round draft picks in this upcoming draft.
Category: Sports
More of This Crap
Can we please see some sign that spring is springing? Please? More white shit this week tomorrow into Wednesday and it may turn to that slushing shit that we have gotten on more than one occasion.
It wouldn't be so bad if it would be all rain or all snow, make up your mind and do it winter okay? Otherwise move over and give us spring. Id settle for 40's-50's right now. No sun required, just a little warmth.
Category: Miscellaneous
Im Not The Only One Going Meatless
Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder is giving it a shot as well after seeing those same images that struck me. Good to know Im not totally alone in being a little on the side of upset seeing those images.
Good luck Prince guess I have to be a little bit of a Brewers fan this season. Its okay they aren't in the same division/league as the Jays.
Category: Sports
Some Environmental/Health Facts About Eating Meat
I have been reading a few books about going meat free and a few facts I have come up with provide some evidence that its more than just for the health of myself and the cows:
1. The average American eats 260 pounds of beef per year or 5 pounds per week.
2. Livestock in the US consume 70% of all the wheat, corn and gran we grow and use 35% of our land.
3. A quarter pounder with cheese used 55 square feet of rainforest to raise the cattle to produce that QP.
4. For every pound of beef, 7 pounds of grain are fed to the cow, which is not the Cows natural diet. Cows are natural grazers and need to eat grass.
5. If Americans reduced the amount of meat we eat by 10% it would save enough grain to feed 60 million people. Thats the same number that die from starvation each year.
Category: Miscellaneous
Reed Johnson Issues
Well just what I was wondering about when I posted the Stewart post, the signing of Stewart could lead to hard feelings if things don't go Reed's way.
Reed stated today that he expects to play whether its for the Jays or for another team if he gets beat out by Stewart. Why can't we all just get along? This team has as much depth as they have had since Ed Sprague, Derek Bell, and Turner Ward were coming off the bench in 1993.
My honest opinion is, if Matt Stairs has to be a pinch hitter only, then so be it. The strongest platoon would be Stewart/Johnson in left. Stairs could come in as a late inning pinch hitter or in case of injury. I still like Johnson and would like to see him and Stewart rough it out in the interest of winning and beating those Damn Yankees and Red Sox.
As we saw last season there will be injuries and sooner or later, they will be glad to have Stewart. Johnson and Stairs hanging around in the system. If there is a way to carry 4 1/2 outfielders (I say 4 1/2 because Stairs can also play some infield) then do it and get Johnson on the same page because this could realistically be a very, very good year with that left field spot looking as solid as it has in a few years.
Category: Sports
Top Ten Police Songs
I have to list my top ten Police songs, they are probably not their most popular but to me they are their best songs, I also included honorable mentions and "not mentioned", so have at it peoples!
1. Walking In Your Footsteps
2. Bring On The Night
3. Fallout (Their first single that no one knows about unless they have the box set, the single is a high energy tune)
4. Message In A Bottle
5. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
6. Spirits in the Material World
7. Tea In the Sahara
8. Invisible Sun
9. Synchronicity II
10. Murder By Numbers
Honorable mentions:
1. Man In a Suitcase
2. Don't Stand So Close To Me
3. When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of Whats Still Around
Not Mentioned:
Every Breath You Take- Not only is it over played it is often misinterpreted by casual music fans. Its not a love song by any means. I like the song, just wouldn't be on my essential Police playlist.
Demolition Man- Not their greatest song and seemed out of place on Ghost in the Machine.
Mother- I know some hardcore fans like this song but lets face it, Andy's voice is awful, so don't count me as one of them. It reminds me of Captain Beefheart meets the Police, almost unlistenable. Thank goodness he sticks with playing the guitar and doesn't do backing vocals.
Category: Music
More Police
Im sorry if I have been flooding you all with Police/Elvis Costello but I am excited for May 3rd..is it March yet?
Anyway, I found this video of a recent Police show to give a little preview for those who are going to see them or haven't already.
This is one of my top ten favorite Police songs, Spirits in the Material World:
Category: Music
One Week
It has been one week since I have had anything with meat in it. That includes beef, chicken, pork and anyother meat related food. Dairy I have continued to consume because it doesn't kill the cow and Im only consuming organic, grass fed milk.
I think I can make it. I feel better, I lost 3 pounds and my energy level is up. Its only been a week but Im not missing beef. There are alternatives for everything meat from tofu to veggie burgers to smart dogs.
Thats not to say I won't ever eat meat again, I will, only free range beef if I do....but Im willing for now to just take a break. The images from a week ago were enough to do that. Just wanted to update that I am sticking to my guns. On Friday we went out to eat with the inlaws and I stayed away from meat, I had eggplant parm and a salad. That was probably my first real test of the week.
Category: Miscellaneous
Jays Add Depth and an Old Friend
The Jays made another free agent move yesterday by bringing back an old, familiar face. Maybe the last real lead off hitter the Jays have had comes back to Toronto.
Shannon Stewart will either be invaluable depth in left field or if Reed Johnson/Matt Stairs runs into trouble, Stewart will become an everyday player/platoon man in ;left field.
He may be 34 and have a lot of miles on him, but hes still speedy, can still hit and should provide the Jays with a legitimate bat to come off the bench and play some outfield, full time if needed.
What this really does is provide the Jays depth if not more than, at least equal to what the Red Sox and Yankees have on their respective benches. Stewart is a veteran who hit .290 last year. He has always hit for average and if needed could hit lead off and steal bases. He also has some pop in his swing too and can hit a few homers and drive the ball into the gaps.
I have a feeling that when the season is over, Stewart may get to know left field in Rogers Center very well again. Nice to have ya back Shannon!
Category: Sports
Rangers 4 Sabres 3
When I write about the Sabres for the rest of the season Im using the green logo. If you have been paying attention on their website and their broadcast, the team with the help of Paul Gaustad and other players on the Sabres and throughout the NHL are going green to help combat global warming and to help the environment.
I think its great for Buffalo that the initiative was started here and that a player as popular as Gaustad is in this community is the one promoting it. Its also huge that an organization as public and in the spot light as the Sabres are chose to take this on. Good for them. Its a huge need to have leadership on environmental issues and the Sabres definitely provide a lot of leadership and support in the community.
On last nights game, I was disappointed but not surprised that they fell to the Rangers. If any of you saw Sean Avery's goal you hated him even more. What a damn showboat. Pumping fist and pissing off the fans with each and every move he made while he celebrated that goal. After that I wanted Lindy to use Andrew Peters as the sacrificial lamb and go and ram Avery into the boards teeth first but that would be playing down to Avery's style.
The Sabres had played 6 games in 12 nights going into the game and the Rangers just 3 in 12, so the Rangers had more legs going into the third period. No worries here though because as tired as Buffalo looked, they still controled stretches of the game and had some piss and vinegar in their game last night.
So, this one, just a little stumbling block on our way to 5th place in the conference. Thats right, I am boldly predicting 5th place by regular seasons end.
.
Category: Sports
Sunday Retro
What better for Sunday Retro than The Sundays. Harriett Wheeler has one of, if not the most beautiful voice in the world. If you can name a better female vocalist than her go ahead but there are not many who sound as heavenly as her. This song is probably her best work. I use the word heavenly, and Im not even religious. Maybe Kate Bush, Dolores O'Roirdan, or Sarah Mclachlan could be her equals?
Category: Music
Ralph Nader is Not Who I Had In Mind
I have been sitting here hoping for a third party candidate to hop in the race but Ralph Nader wasn't who I was hoping for. Remember back in 2000 Nader cost Gore the Florida vote and probably a few other states.
Nader is probably better than McCain, a frozen bag of brocoli would probably be better than McCain, but why does the third party candidate in this thing have to be him? I wasn't impressed with him in 2000, what leads him to believe people are going to vote for him this time around?
He had minimal votes in the states he was on the ballot and those votes were what it took to beat Al Gore. So with Nader announcing his candidacy, Im hoping for a fourth party candidate.
Category: Politics
I Also Saw Our Accountant Today
Yes its that time of year again, the tax man cometh. I will definitely see the money I spent on Jays and concert tickets again. I had an appointment with our accountant today and the news should be the same as last year with a hefty lifetime learning credit and losing money on coaching for the first time. The taxman is usually good to me.
Got My Tickets
I got two tickets for the Police and Elvis Costello at HSBC. $442 big ones to get two of them. I figure either someone goes with me and pays for the other ticket or I sell it on Ebay for a little profit.
Either way I have great seats Section 105 which is stage left when looking at the stage. Now its waiting for Saturday May 3rd to get here.
In addition to those, I also got opening day tickets for the Jays/Redsox. So a few things to look forward to going into the spring/summer seasons. I haven't been to a Jays opening day in 3 years so Im looking forward to that as well.
Category: Miscellaneous | Music | Sports
Chickens Get Mistreated Too
Its not just the cattle, its poutry too that gets abused and mistreated. Look at this video and ask yourself if you really want to eat something that is treated like this, I know I wouldn't........The video is a little on the strange side but it gets the point across nicely.
Category: Miscellaneous
Elvis Costello Will Be There Too
Which also has me listening to a lot of him lately....this is one of his best and most popular songs, Oliver's Army at Glastonbury.
Category: Music
Man In A Suitcase
Tomorrow, one way or another I am getting a ticket to see the Police, as the hours have been passing I have been rehashing old Police tunes and this one, though not their most popular, nor off their best album came up on my IPOD. I hope they play this because it really is a catching tune with a nice Stewart Copeland beat in it...Man In a Suitcase:
Category: Music
Sabres 5 Leafs 1
I feel for all you Leaf fans who read this blog I really do. I hope things work out. I know the Leafs will always be number one in the great city of Toronto but after last night, I am inviting you to hop on the Sabres wagon for the rest of the year.
Can Thomas Vanek get any hotter? Every game lately is a two/three point game. All this season leading up to his hot streak you could see that he was working, you just doubted whether or not he lost the finish. Well I think we got our answer as he scored another game winner last night and added two helpers.
Again, Ryan Miller played outstanding only allowing one goal. The best part is, 7 points separate Buffalo from the top of the division after that win. They are a 4-5 game winning streak of being in the top four in the East.
Only thing that needs to happen is a long term contract for Brian Campbell.
Category: Sports
28 Years Ago Today
Miracle on Ice concluded with the gold medal game. The USA Olympic hockey team did what no one would have thought possible. With a collection of college players the US defeated the Soviets, one of the if not the most dominating hockey team in the history of the sport to go on and win Olympic gold.
I can't believe its been 28 years. I was only 7 at the time but I remember the feeling on that day and I do remember that game being on in our home. Its unfortunate in a way that they use professionals in the Olympics. It takes some of the mystique out of it.
Here is a video I found showing the final call from Al Michaels, the video isn't that good but it doesn't have to be:
Category: Sports
Saturday Im Getting Tickets
This Saturday I am going to try as I might to get my hands on tickets to the Police and Elvis Costello at HSBC Arena. When was the last time a double header like that came to Buffalo? Yes they are older musicians but who cares. They still sound great and whether you are there to see Elvis Costello or Sting and the Police you are going to get the ultimate musical experience from legends.
So Saturday Im going to shoot for one ticket, the top price is $200....its steep and if my wife or anyone else wants to go with me they are going to have to drop off the money up front because $200 is a lot to drop on a ticket for someone who either A) doesn't truly love both bands or B) doesn't have the $ up front.
So, Im making plans to go but it will be me myself and I unless someone has their $200 or my wife wants to go dutch and has her $ in hand and is willing to get to know both acts so she will enjoy herself other wise its a Me night.
Is that being selfish? I figure if Im going to go and see the Police, one of my favorite bands of all time for the first time and probably only time, Im going to go and sit as close as I can get. In honor of that here is the Police performing Message in a Bottle for the first time ever:
Here is Elvis Costello and the Imposters who will be opening for the Police:
Category: Music
Getting Rid of the Penny
I have no problem with the idea of getting rid of the penny. Thats all good and well as long as we don't get ripped off in the end. The US governement spends $100 million per year making $80 million worth of pennies. So that is a justified reason for not making them.
What I can see happening is retailers and others would say okay, if something normally costs $5.23, instead of rounding it to $5.20, they bump it up to $5.25 or worse $5.30. Yes Im penny pinching here, literally, but there are way too many hidden taxes and price gouges in this world we live in and that should not be one of them.
Things are already marked up two, three or four times their wholesale value just for retailers to make a buck so a few pennies in the down direction shouldn't hurt them. If they agree to mark things down to the nearest nickel, then shut down the penny, if we are going to get hurt by the disappearance of the penny then keep 'em coming.
Speaking of Oil
It should be no surprise that oil is getting more expensive. Its a limited resource. The price of oil is going to continue to rise because we have past what is called Peak Oil, the point in which the easy oil has been found and production peaks.
This video from Link TV discusses peak oil:
Billy Bragg
I have been listening to a lot of a guy by the name of Billy Bragg lately. Billy Bragg is a veteran British musician who started with various punk bands in the late 70's and has spent the better part of his career writing politically charged songs and rebel songs.
Hes a great lyricist and vocalist and he plays a mean guitar too. This song says it all about Billy, he has more popular songs which I will post some other time, but this one, after Oil went past $100 again says all it needs to say and means just as much now as it did when he wrote it.
I Am Becoming A Vegetarian
After seeing those disgusting videos of those cows at the Hallmark Slaughterhouse I was absolutely disgusted. How anyone wouldn't be sickened by them is beyond me. No matter what walk of life you come from, you had to see those videos for what they were, animal abuse.
It was absolutely pitiful how those animals were being treated just so that slaughter house could get them to pass inspection and make an extra buck. The sad part is, at most slaughterhouses that is probably more the rule than the exception.
Even if the animals don't get abused like that, they are still living in deplorable conditions packed into small yard and fed unnatural diets of grain and hormones/pesticide and herbicide ridden food that we end up ingesting when we eat the flesh of the cow/pig or chicken.
So I am done eating meat, unless I see free range, organic, grass fed beef, Im going veggie. Its not just a health choice, its a personal choice now, if me not eating beef/meat saves one animal from that kind of treatment, I will have done my job as an American.
In case you didn't see it, here is the footage of the horrid methods being utilized at this slaughterhouse that caused the beef recall:
Category: News
Big Yellow Taxi
Im not a huge Counting Crows fan, really, not even a casual fan, but for some reason, their cover of Big Yellow Taxi has been a sentimental favorite of mine. For some reason it reminds me of summers past and hearing it today, it got me thinking of summers future.
Is it too early to start thinking summer? Hell no! I have been posting about baseball for weeks now!
Here is a Counting Crows video for Big Yellow Taxi, for some reason, it stuck with me......
Category: Music
Buffalo Creek Casino
Also in the Cobblestone district of Buffalo is the new Buffalo Creek Casino which work has been started on. There is a temporary casino up right now and if you have been there, you know that it is about the same size as the sign in the picture above.
Its friggin small, I went Saturday after I got done at the swim meet at ECC just to check it out play a few machines and leave. Well, that was about all that was there, a few machines. It wasn't even worth driving three blocks out of my way to go see it. No bar, no restaurant yet, a little cafe, mostly nickel and penny slots though there were a few quarter machines.
I sat down and started playing and within my first 10 minutes I hit 5 full houses on video poker and a four of a kind. I kept playing and probably could have played the rest of the weekend on $60 with how loose the machines were but I wasn't impressed by the half assed attempt at a temporary casino. Casino Niagara, now there was a "temporary" casino. Its permanent now, this little shit thing should be put out of its misery and let the Seneca's get on with building the big boy.
Overall, not impressed, Ill wait for the big one to open downtown before I venture there again.
Category: Miscellaneous
WJ Morrissey's
Last Friday night after my swim meet at ECC I met my cousin Dan and friend Rich at this new Irish Pub in the Cobblestone District of Buffalo. Its not far from HSBC Arena.
Its a great place and I could definitely see myself hanging out there more, only one problem, until something goes up around this place, it is in the middle of nothing. The block that it is on, is essentially empty.
Don't get me wrong if you are down there in the city for a Sabres game or Bisons game, its worth a stop but to just go on a given night, I can't see myself going unless I was already in the city attending an event.
The bar is nice and if it were closer to the populated areas of Buffalo in the north towns, I could see it taking the place of a bar Rich and I used to frequent back in college, Shannon's Pub. We stopped going there because they refused to honor our Alien Green Cards, thats a story in and of itself.
So, that said, if you are in the Cobblestone District of Buffalo check the place out, WJ Morrissey's. its got a great atmosphere and maybe when the casino is finished a block or two away from there, Morrissey's will become a regular stop for me.
Category: Miscellaneous
Is It Water?
According to the definition of water, water is a tasteless, odorless liquid. So what gives?
There should be no debate, but recently I had a debate with people at work recently and it has come up in other venues as well. Vitamin Water and other "waters" that are on the market are very misleading. Propel made by Gatorade is another that is misleading with its claim to be a "water". The definition is clear and the stuff that is in the Vitamin Water bottles is not, I repeat, NOT water.
If these were water it would be not just tasteless and odorless but also colorless and free of calories. However, these vitamin waters have color, they certainly are not tasteless and they have calories and are not odorless so I say the word "water" shouldn't even be on the bottle.
It is misleading to people and they think that they can drink it like it is water, when in fact a bottle of this stuff has over 100 calories per bottle and the Propel actually has corn syrup in it which is code for sugar.
The argument came back that its made of water and had vitamins in it, yeah well beer is made of water too but I don't see anyone labeling it Alcohol Water do you? Coffee is made of water, yet no one is trying to insist that coffee is in fact water. Its coffee, the second you change the properties of water, it is something else.
So, the stuff isn't water, its a clever way to get those who think they are doing something right to buy the stuff. It may be better than getting a Pepsi or Coke, but reality is, nothing is better than a plain simple glass or bottle of colorless, odorless, calorieless and tasteless WATER.
Category: Miscellaneous | Science
Episode 1
Cheers was and always will be my favorite sitcom of all time, I don't include the Simpsons in the same category otherwise the Simpsons would take top spot.
Cheers was on for 11 years and last week I saw episode 1 for the first time. This is the opening scene from the pilot episode of Cheers:
Category: Television
Hip For The Hell of It
After Day For Night I thought where do the Hip go from here. Day For Night to this day is still their best work from start to finish and if you haven't heard it, buy it and it will instantly become a staple of your music collection.
When Trouble At the Henhouse came out Hip fans got their answer with another record full of great songs including this one, Put It Off is a hidden gem on this record with a reference to Eric's Trip, a Canadian indie rock band that had a cult following back in the early 90's.
Category: Music
Pond Hockey
I didn't go because I was at my swim meet coaching, but from all accounts this was a success. I like the idea of outdoor hockey any where and it doesn't have to be of the NHL variety.
If this is turning into an annual event I will make it a point to be there every year from now on. How great is it to be outdoors in mid-winter on a day as beautiful as Saturday playing a sport as great as hockey.
For those who attended, the NHL didn't matter. All that mattered was playing hockey on an outdoor rink for FUN. No millionaires, no pressure, no worries of winning or losing and playing on nature's ice.
What a great idea and I hope its an every year thing, especially since Labatts is not a part of the Buffalo family.
Fantasy Hockey Update
This week in my fantasy hockey league my team (the Road Apples) dominated the week against a team that was battling for 5th spot. I now find myself with some breathing room between 5th and 7th place. Not that I want a bad week but I could have a bad week and still have a chance to come out still in 5th. I have a 14 point lead on the 6th place team and I play the fourth place 50 Mission Cap this week who is only 2 points ahead of me.
If I can keep moving up and get into the top two I can secure a bye. It would be nice to get in the top 3 so I don't draw a top seed in the first round.
This past week I went 7-1-4 and now have 257 points, two out of 4th place and 23 out of 2nd. Its doable, but I have to keep winning.
Last weeks leaders:
Thomas Vanek finally started earning his keep with 5 goals and Henrik Lundqvist had 1 win, a 1.00 GAA and .967 Save %.
Category: Fantasy Sports
Cookie Monster Interview
This is the video I was looking for yesterday, someone finally posted it on Youtube. It is an interview of Cookie Monster on NPR. Pretty funny stuff.
Category: Television
Sunday Night Retro
Time for a little retro. Tonight I am featuring a song that is not their most popular but its my favorite one to listen to. It reminds me of early spring nights maybe because of the title and it is probably one of if not the best written song they have ever done lyrically, musically its a beautiful work and is an example of how 80's music wasn't all synth pop. The Cult was the second coming of Zeppelin. They had it all, great musicians and Ian Ashbury has a set of pipes that would rival Robert Plant.
This is The Cult with Rain off their Love CD. Ian and Billy Duffy even introduce it:
Category: Music
It Wasn't Just Cookies
It is basically anything Cookie can get his hands on including letters, napkins and salt and pepper shakers. Sesame Street always did a great job teaching kids how to sound out words, this is a great example. This is how kids should learn to sound out unfamilar words when reading, Cookie Monster makes it more memorable, as in this video:
Category: Television
Light on the Bloggage
Bloggage was light the last few days due to swimming. May be a little light this coming week as well because I am a) off from swimming and classes and b) have to start getting ready for my pre-student teaching practicum. So I will be around and will be posting but maybe not with the frequency I have been for the next week-two weeks.
Teaching takes an incredible amount of organization and I am going to spend this coming week getting myself as such.
Category:
A Sesame Street Classic
Cookie Monster was always my favorite on Sesame Street, this is the classic C is for Cookie song as done by the one, the only, Cookie Monster!
Category: Television
O'Reilly's Warped View of Healthcare
Bill O'Reilly decided to tie in Iraq/Iran and Al Qaeda to healthcare. I really want more of the drugs he is on. Who is he kidding by talking like this? If you are warped enough to buy the tie into Al Qaeda killing Americans with the immense healthcare problems we have in this country then you need to get off the dope hes on.
Listen to his little rant here, there is an interview with Mike Huckabee that follows, and Huckabee is sounding more and more like an extreme right winger as this thing goes deeper.
Al Qaeda killed thousands with their attack on 9/11. No one will dispute that. The fact that our healthcare system fails millions of this countries poor, elderly and children is a tragedy that far out weighs the thought of any future terrorist attack. thousands of Americans have died needless deaths because their health insurance either doesn't pay for what it should or because they are too poor to afford health insurance. That is a much bigger problem than keeping troops in Iraq.
I would rather pull our troops out of Iraq and fix our healthcare system than keep our troops in war that should never have started.
Category: Politics
Assume The Position
Robert Wuhl has done two of these now and I hope he does more. The star of Arliss does a great job presenting popular US and world history and exposing it for what a lot of it is, myth made up fact to conveniently create our present day views. This is the first of his HBO specials in full. Enjoy!
Category: Television
The Fans
This is it! Tomorrow, baseballs fly in Florida and the Jays pitchers and catchers report. So what will the fans of the Toronto Blue Jays do this year?
Can we fill the place again? Can we make it look like its the late 80's-early 90's again and get out there and support this club? I will be there for the home opener for the Jays-Red Sox.
I will be bringing my friend Bob who is a Sox fan so, Jays fans, show up in numbers and drown out the Sox fans that will most certainly be there. But most importantly, don't stop with opening day, get out to the ball park and lets sell out the Dome once again.
Category: Sports
Happy Valentine's Day!
Nothing says Valentine's Day like this clip from Charlie Brown. Bitter Sweet this day can be. Its sweet for those of us who have that significant other and bitter for those of us who don't. Before I met my beautiful wife, I was on the outside of this Hallmark holiday looking in.
Category: Miscellaneous
Another Shooting
Another campus shooting? Any Republicans rethinking gun control laws? This type of thing is getting really spooky, these are not city campuses that these shootings are happening at, they are rural campuses that ordinarily are thought to be very safe.
How does a nut job get out into a campus with a gun in the first place? The key is to make sure they never get the gun. If you have to make the laws tougher then thats what they have to do. It mean saving lives in the long term.
On this Valentine's Day, and as a graduate college student at Canisius College, my heart felt sympathy goes out to the victims of yet another horrific school masacre.
Category: News
The Starting Rotation
In the past the starting rotation has lived and died with Roy Halladay. This year that may all change. Yes the Blue Jays need their ace to be a Cy Young contender, especially if they want to win the AL East or contend for the wild card. However, they have help for Halladay which will hopefully allow the Doc to relax out there this year knowing the next guy is capable of winning.
The Jays had four guys win 10 or more games last year and had Jesse Litsch been up all year, he may very well have made it five. one through four, I love the Jays rotation, Im still not sold on Jesse Litsch. Thats not to say he isn't a good pitcher, thats to say that with him in the rotation, they have five right handers.
To me you need a left hander to sandwich in between those four righties. You need one lefty to throw a team off in a given series. Gustavo Chacin will hopefully be given every chance to earn the fifth spot back because I still think, healthy, he could be a great left hander for this team.
If Chacin doesn;t make the rotation, I would like to see the team go out and try to acquire one via trade to slot in that rotation. That to me is the only move left, the only big thing I want to see, is a lefty in the starting rotation could complete the rotation as one of the, if not they best rotation in the AL.
AJ Burnett if he proves he can stay healthy all year is a 15-20 win pitcher waiting to happen, especially with this offense. Marcum and McGowan should both continue to mature and improve and should both be 12-15 game winners. Litsch and Chacin which ever wins the fifth spot, are both potential 10-15 game winners as well. Chacin has won 12-15 games already so this rotation should be able to go out and win 55-65 games all by itself.
The rotation should be the strongest part of this team this year and with any luck the offense will come around. Only 1 more day left till pitchers and catchers report.
Category: Sports
1-0 Sabres
Ryan Miller was locked in tonight for Buffalo and they needed him to be. Every shot was saved by a goalie who for the last two months has been the best player on the ice for this team.
Forget about the rest of this team, the recent surge by Buffalo is because Miller has been red hot. When was the last time he gave up more than 3 goals in a game? He has been tough to beat.
Toronto played tough, Buffalo played tougher Plain and simple. Paul Gaustad seems to be at his best when these two teams meet as he had another game winner against Toronto for the second time this year.
With this win, Buffalo not only pulls up into 7th ahead of the Rangers but believe it or not, 8 points behind Ottawa with a game in hand. Who would have thunk?
Category: Sports
Getting Dumped Out of A Wheelchair
This whole story is sickening. Sickening to think that a police officer no matter what the crime or charge was, could be this insensitive to an individual with disabilities.
Category: Miscellaneous | News
Back In A Playoff Spot
Three goals from Thomas Vanek didn't hurt last night as the Sabres beat up the Ottawa Senators who looked, ordinary at best. With the win, Buffalo goes back into a playoff spot and is just a few points from moving up into 7th.
5-1 was the final and Ottawa looked frustrated and beaten last night as Buffalo racked up 3 goals in the third period. Ottawa never really looked interested.
Tonight, its the big Sabres Leafs rivalry! Can't wait for these games, they are always fun to watch!
Category: Sports
The Bullpen
The bullpen is probably the toughest thing to predict from year to year. One year it could be lights out, the next year it could be on the ropes. The Jays last year had every reason for the bullpen to pack it in and call it a season. Most teams live or die by their closer and setup man. Last year the Jays lost both, struggled and after struggling found a new temporary guy to close and a temporary set up man.
Jeremy Accardo filled in extremely well for BJ Ryan who suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery last May and saved 30 games, Casey Jansen stepped up big in the set up role for the guy who the team projected in that role in Brandon League.
BJ Ryan is supposed to be back according to management and will be ready for opening day. If he is great, if not, Jeremy Accardo is more than capable of continuing until BJ is 100%. I like the bullpen with or without BJ Ryan and when he gets back at 100% they will be even stronger for it.
The one remaining question mark is if Brandon League can come back and be effective or if Jeremy Accardo will be the set up man.
Jason Frasor and Scott Downs are both back as well. I like Scott Downs as a left hander coming out of the pen and would like to see another lefty around there if possible but Ill touch on that when I hit the final group, the starting rotation.
I expect the bullpen to do more of the same of what they did last year, pitch well and continue to grow as a unit. It will ultimately be the down fall or success of this team.
Category: Sports
Water a Scarcity in Southwest
Lake Mead is a lake in the southwest that is more than just a tourist attraction. It provides water to 8 million people in San Diego, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. If this lake dries, the people of this area of the country goes thirsty.
Lake Mead is currently at half capacity and has been drying up due to a strain on the increase demand for water in this area due to increasing population and increasingly dry years due to climate change.
This really should be no secret that there is a water shortage in the desert and that global warming is only making it drier. Moutain glaciers that should be feeding the lake are shrinking, less mountain snow and ice equals less water in Lake Mead.
This is not an area where the problem will be fixed easily either. The solution will have to be conservation and sacrifice. Its a problem that many should have seen coming, The Colorado river has been stressed for years now and doesn't even end in the Gulf of California any more, it ends about 100 miles short of where it did because the communites of the southwest have grown and put a strain on a scarce resource. That in combination with the increasing problems from global warming and climate change spells trouble in the coming years.
In the picture above you can see how far the lake has gone down on the sides. According to some reports I have read, the lake is losing 10 ft a year. That is staggering and shows just how much we can change our environment by abusing natures resources.
Category: Global Warming | Science
Humble Howard on Video
This is a video on the National Post featuring Humble Howard talking about love and sex, Happy Two Days before Valentines Day everyone!
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Category: Humble Howard
DH
Frank Thomas proved valuable in the DH spot, did the Jays over pay for him? This year will tell all. When they signed him to the deal that would pay him $11 million a season I thought that it was outrageous, but considering that for most of last year he led the team in offense it was money well spent.
This year, has to be more of the same. Hopefully with a rejuvenated Wells and Rolen hitting on either side of Thomas it will help him see some better pitches as well. Teams were not pitching to him because they knew that Wells, Glaus and Overbay were all swinging hurt.
Look for another 25-30 home runs and be happy with 90-100 RBIs out of the big guy again with Matt Stairs also getting some at-bats in the DH spot as well.
3 days, 19 hours left till pitchers and catchers report. Can you feel spring in the air through this -20 wind chill?
Category: Sports
How Has This Not Happened More Often?
After watching last nights incident with Richard Zednik you have to wonder how that doesn't happen more often. Players necks are basically exposed for anything from a skate, puck or stick to get them in the throat. Fortunately, the announcement was made at the game that Zednik was in stable condition. For about 10 minutes it was dead silent at HSBC. Shades of Clint Malarchuk.
The Malarchuk Inncident:
Category: Sports
Chief Brody Dead at 75
Roy Scheider who played Chief Brody in Jaws died today. Jaws has always been one of my favorite movies of all time. He is probably most remembered for the Jaws movies and this scene is still one of the greatest in movie history. We will always remember Roy Scheider thanks to the great Jaws movies and this scene:
This next scene was my personal favorite from the movie before the Shark returns for the final scenes.
Category: Celebrities | Movies | News
What I Won't Be Watching Tonight
The Grammys. Im not even putting a graphic up here because I don't even want to support it. Its a show that doesn't represents the artist as much as it does the money that an artist makes for the industry.
It is supposed to acknowledge best album and recordings that are representative of what is best in the industry and it fails on every level. Amy Winehouse will be called but not deserved tonight. Radiohead bucked the system the release of their CD through their website where people could pay what they felt was fair for the CD and then download it. They totally bypassed the recording industry.
They should still be acknowledged as one of the best records of the past year but it won't be. Arcade Fire should be amongst the best, but they are no where in the mix. So Im boycotting this event like I do every year in recent years and I will continue to do so because I don't think music awards shows are all that fair anyway
Music is subjective, what one person loves another hates, there is usually no middle ground. No two people will every agree on every bit of music they listen to. What matters is the individual and what they feel is the best, so Music award shows are a waste to me. They acknowledge the artist but you could do that by having a three or four hour concert instead and cut through all the crap and speeches.
Category: Music
6 Degrees
I will be tuned in tonight to The National Geographic for 6 Degrees Could Change the World, a documentary about what could happen if we allow global warming to continue unchecked. Some would say hog wash, why listen to scientists, the Earth warms all the time and cools and has its cycles,
I say if you pay attention to your doctor then you are listening to a scientist who knows about the human body, scientists who study this phenomenon while trying to predict what is happening on a global scale may not be right in terms of locations that will be greatly affected but they have a broad picture about what we are going to experience if this thing continues and we don't start thinking cleaner sources of fuel and decreasing how we treat the planet. They are diagnosing the Earth that is sick.
The signals are already there, last summer we saw that the rate of melt in the arctic is worse than expected, the ice on Greenland, the ice melt that is of real concern with increasing global sea levels is melting faster than expected and coral reefs and tropical rain forests are already showing signs of stress and in some areas the tropical rain forests are beyond the point of no return due to slash and burn methods and urbanization.
So, I will be watching this because A) it interests me and B) its another perspective on what is probably going to happen unless we change our consumption of resources and how we live. Even if we do change we are probably going to see some damage before it gets better. These are the trailers for tonights program:
This last one, talks about what we can do. Most of it, is common sense, things that my mother used to yell at me for, turn off the lights if you are not in your room, turn off the TV if no one is watching it. Simple stuff that many Americans take for granted....
Category: Global Warming
Stop Calling the Stimulus Package Robust
Stop calling this economic "stimulus" package you and congress passed "Robust". Its not robust, its $600 that we are going to get taxed on next year. $300 if im a senior citizen.
For me, its $600 thats going to go into my checking account, pay the last of the expensive heat bills from the winter and if I have enough left over Ill get my car washed in addition to filling it up.
$600 is not going to jump start an economy that is foreclosing on homes, in credit card debt to our eyeballs, and has healthcare costs weighing the rest of us down. Add to that inflation, fuel costs and an uncertain job and stock market and $600 might as well be $60. Its gone before its in our pockets.
It will go to the grocery store with us and will pay the heat and electric bills, its nothing. A real economic stimulus package would invest in our roads, bridges and infrastructure, invest in our schools, ease student loan burdens on kids coming out of college, fix this mortgage crisis that is looming and fix our healthcare system. Any other president with those issues would be out there beating the issues to death. Bush hasn't made a wimper. So, Bush can keep on talking up this "robust" package, but don't buy it, its all smoke and mirrors in an election year where they are looking to buy votes for the Republicans.
Category: Politics
Sunday Retro
Alphaville will probably live forever for this song, Forever Young was an absolute anthem and probably still is. It has always been a Sunday night staple on CFNY and it really is one of my favorites from the 80s synth pop retro era.
Here is Alphaville with Forever Young:
Category: Music
As Wells Goes, So Goes Jays Outfield
Center Field: Vernon Wells, on the left, had a subpar year last year. However, he is still the leader of this team. Regardless of Scott Rolen or Frank Thomas or any other veteran on the Jays team this year, if Vernon Wells has a good year, so will this team. Wells is the leader, hes been there the longest, besides maybe Roy Halladay and is the captain of this outfield group in center field.
So in order for the Jays to seriously compete they need Vernon to be on his game and healthy all year. A bad year for Vernon is like Jeter having a bad year for the Yankees. Hes that important. Vernon needs to get back to 30 HR, 100+ RBI and 200 hits/.300+ batting average type numbers this year. That would leave no doubt in anyones mind that he is the number three hitter in the batting order.
Right field: Alex Rios had an All Star year last year but for some reason I kept looking at him and saying, there is so much more that we haven't seen. Physically, he is the most gifted athlete on this team, hes big, strong and fast. He can hit, run and play defense. Im waiting to see an Alfonso Soriano type season, 40+ HR, 110-120 RBI and 110+ runs and 40 stolen bases. Hes got the tools to do it. We have all wondered where the power is, he seems to improve a little every year and last year he improved just enough to make the All Star team but theres more, and if the Jays really want to make the playoffs, we need to see it. We need to see Alex Rios take flight this year and put up all time great Jays numbers. The kid is dripping with talent, now lets see what hes got.
Left Field: Reed Johnson is coming off back surgery for a herniated disc. He came back mid season last year and never looked comfortable. This makes his position on this team less certain that it has been in the past. If he can come back solid and have a Reed Johnson type season (15 HR, .280 average, 170 hits, 80 RBI, 80 Runs) and play decent to good defense, I think the Jays would take that. Anything less than that and I think you need to look for a left fielder.
Backup Outfielders: Matt Stairs and Marcus Scutaro. If there is a rash of injuries look for Adam Lind again, however Jays brass is intent on letting him mature at triple A this season in Syracuse.
Overall, its a group that if healthy should be one of the top three units in the AL, the key there after last season is, IF HEALTHY. Lets hope they stay healthy for the sake of the Jays making a playoff push.
Category: Sports
The Issues
I did something novel yesterday, how many actually go to the candidates webistes and read up on the issues? If you do you will find substantially more than if you listen to them speak. Try it, I came away with a whole new outlook.
For instance on an issue that means a lot to me, the environment and energy, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have a much more substantial look at their ideas and solutions than does John McCain. Both have substantial solutions proposed and line by line items. Mccain has more on his site on gun control or lack there of on his site than he does about the environment.
On gun control, after the Virgina Tech inncident, McCain lists nothing in his 2nd amendment issue about doing mental health background checks on potential gun owners. And why does he feel that this is an issue on his site yet Hillary/Obama don't have it?
There is such a deep divide between the two parties after you go to their sites and read about the issues. For instance both Obama and Clinton have substantial solutions for education and McCain must feel that things are peachy with the education system because he has none. That should be encouraging to republican voters, is education just not important to any of you?
Barack proposes not throwing away No Child Left Behind but actually funding it the way it was meant to be funded so that it works and running it the way it was meant to be run. There is an interesting one that Bush obviously forgot about over the last 8 years. Funding his programs probably would have helped. Instead he has cut funding to education, I have seen it happen directly when the Bush cut funding to Head Start, a very important program if you are talking about seriously running a program called No Child Left Behind.
In addition, Bush slashed after school program funding which hit me directly. I used to coach swimming for an urban Outreach Program that created opportunities for inner city children to participate in after school activities including swimming. Our program applied for grants through the federal government. When I started we had 300 inner city kids swimming and over 50 of them competing through USA swimming, with in 3 years, our funding was dried up and thus we lost all hope of running our program. Thats 300 kids who are doing something other than walking the streets or getting into something else. Obama would restore that funding for after school programs.
Clinton on education proposes the following: to end UNFUNDED No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (again for you republicans, ending something that you all support that was never funded), she is going to also meet funding for IDEA (individuals with disabilities education act) to insure that students with disabilities get the attention and support they need, doubling after school funding, and fully funding universal preschool for all four year olds and headstart programs. It is not as lengthy as Obama's but I like the idea of junking NCLB, it was never funded so it was technically, never used.
So, not to get into all the issues, but read the web sites, I can see why the consevatives booed Mccain off the stage after reading his site as opposed to Clinton and Obama. Mike Huckabee's site is also worth a visit, he addresses much more than McCain and actually has some very liberal like ideas like energy independence by the end of his term. That said, these guys should be spilling their guts in their speeches not just providing some flashy verbage when they are up talking. Tell us what is in your website so we all know, because not everyone has the time to site down and read volumes about each and every candidate, I would much rather hear it.
Category: Politics
Adorable's Greatest Hits 92-94
One of my favorite bands from the 90's only released two CDs but they were packed with great music including their first CD Against Perfection released in 1993, which is next to impossible to find anymore.
Recently they released a greatest hits CD called Footnotes. If you see it check it out, if you were into Oasis, Blur or any of the British rock scene in the 90's it is well worth the pick up.
This is not their most well known single, but it is one of their best off Against Perfection, this is called "Homeboy"
Category: Music
Space Shuttle
The Challenger incident took place 22 years ago, January 28th, 1986. It seems like ever since, we pay less and less attention to the Space Shuttle missions until now, they are just a blip somewhere in the front page or on the science page of the news.
It barely gets a mention on CNN/Headline News or any other mainstream media. Why is that? Why don't we pay more attention to our space flights? To me the work they are doing up there, could very well be our future. Discovering ways to go further into space and discovering more and more about survival off this rock we call Earth.
I remember when I was in school we would watch every Space Shuttle mission take off until this tragedy:
This is the most recent lift off of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, its simply amazing watching it but its on NASA TV, not exactly big media, this should be big news and more should be reported to make everyone aware what they are working on up there, this mission, is delivering a 23'X15' laboratory called Columbus that will allow them to start allowing international partners to begin research in the space station, it will begin a phase where there will be a permanent presence in space, how is that not exciting?:
Third Base
Ive already posted on what I think of Scott Rolen coming to Toronto in exchange for Troy Glaus, so I will make this brief.
When compared to Glaus, Rolen will put up the same numbers, maybe a little higher batting average over the long term and fewer strikeouts at the plate. So if healthy, there is virtually no difference between the two at the plate.
Defensively, Rolen is an upgrade over Glaus and I would play him over Glaus had they both been on the team at the same time everyday of the week for that fact.
In the clubhouse, Rolen is a sparkplug, the closest comparison I would make is that to the likes of Chris Drury, the guy wants to win. Hopefully his attitude will rub off on some Jays who have been here for a while.
If Rolen stays healthy hes a 100% upgrade over Glaus in the leadership department alone and that says enough for me.
If there are health problems Marcus Scutaro and Russ Adams are available for third base duty which isn't bad backups if needed.
Oh and look at that, 6 days remaining till pitchers and catchers report for duty. Before next weekend, the pop of the ball into the mitt will be heard throughout Florida and the MLB spring training sites.
Category: Sports
In Response to Toronto Mike
With all due respect to Toronto Mike and his like to Hootie and the Blowfish, I am officially declaring today Ban Hootie and the Blowfish Day because they took a great song in this:
And turned it into a piece of junk in this:
Ever since the disgusting cover of a 5440 staple, I have lost all respect for Hootie. What kills me is there is a whole generation of fans in the states that loves the Hootie version for the only fact that they have not heard the 5440 original which is much more melodic and vocally pleasing to the ear.
Category: Music
Big Hit To The Boston Rotation
Maybe this year, its someone elses turn to have an injury plagued season like say the Red Sox or Yankees? It certainly got off to that kinda start today for the Sox as they have found out that Curt Schilling, even with successful surgery would be out until the All Star break at best.
Schilling despite being 41 is a huge chunk out of that rotation and would obviously have to be replaced. The Sox are deep but try finding someone with the guts of a Schilling. Good news for the rest of the AL East. One of Boston's guns is down and out long term to start the season.
Category: Sports
Time for an Independent Party
It is still 8-9 months away and for all intensive purposes we are down to three choices from two parties for president. What is wrong with that picture? The US is the poster country for democracy and we only have two choices for President?
Don't get me wrong, I am a democrat who most of the time votes his party but Im willing to listen and hear them out. The only problem is, the candidates seem to not speak about the issues and not bring up any real solutions to the problems facing the country.
John McCain is a lost cause for the Republican, he openly admits that the economy is not his forte, not his forte? Is that not one of the biggest issues facing this country? He also has no plan for Iraq otherwise he would have an exit strategy on the table instead of suggesting that we could be there another 100 years.
On the democratic end, even republicans have to admit that Clinton and Obama speak more about the issues, the only problem is their plans are both stikingly similar and offer no real differences between the two.
So we are basically left with McCain with no plans of any sort who admits to being clueless on the economy and other issues or two cut from the same piece of cloth.
If we are stuck with this I will vote Hillary or Obama because I am a democrat and I agree with some of what I have heard, however, we as people of this country deserve a third choice. About 8 weeks ago we had 10 or more choices in front of us, where did they go? Granted they were from two parties but at least there was some choice.
I keep waiting for Bloomberg, Gore, Nader, Kucinich, Ron Paul, Bill Richardson or hell, even a Jesse Ventura to get in. An independent canididate who will get in here with their own ideas, uninfluenced by coorporate America. I think that is the biggest problem with the candidates from the two big parties, they are influenced too easily by coorporate America. Anyone of the above mentioned individuals have enough piss and vinegar to buck the system and help spearhead the creation of a third party in Washington.
I was listening to AM 1520, unlike certain political stations that support their people no matter how bad their shit stinks, 1520's broadcasters are fair. Bill Press brought out an interesting stat today, the democrats take in more money from Wallstreet than the Republicans.....hmmmm interesting. Both parties are corrupt with private business putting money into their pockets for favors and laws.
Its a broken system. A third party will help in theory to keep them honest, to keep some integrity. Bring in an independent party that has its own ideas, unchanged by the big money thrown at politcians.
A third party would be a start. After that there needs to be a lot more reform in DC to keep coorporate greed and money from influencing our elected officials.
Category: Politics
Shortstop
Shortstop has been a position of concern over the last several years. I would argue that the Jays haven't had a good full time shortstop since Alex Gonzalez. Yes John Mcdonald provided some defense last year and played a lot of games but I never realistically considered him a full time option. It was ludicrous to think he could be a full time shortstop. He is excellent as a late inning defensive substitution.
In a day and time when shortstops need to have some offensive punch the Jays managed to fill that need with the signing of David Eckstein. Maybe he isn't what he was three or four years ago, but if he is half the offensive threat he was then and can still steal bases, he will be a better leadoff hitter than the Jays have had in quite some time.
I like having his bat at the top of the order and we can only hope that his bat and speed on the bases makes up for the drop off in defense. John Mcdonald will still be there for later innings and if Eckstein needs a day off and he will fill in admirably but David Eckstein is another much needed piece and if he pans out and plays well, he brings World Series and playoff experience to a team that needs it badly when and if they get to the post-season this year.
Category: Sports
The NHL Network
I just got home today and I have been watching the NHL Network more and more lately and I have to say, everything that the NFL Network screws up, the NHL Network does perfectly.
Hockey is a fast game with lots of highlights so the NHL on the Fly is a perfect way to showcase nightly games and give highlights without showing the full game. I can turn it on at midway through the nights games and catch highlights from all of them within an hour or so.
My favorite feature is the Vintage games. Im watching a game from the Vancouver/Philadelphia 1979 playoff series. Not the two best teams but when Bobby Clark is out there playing its worth watching. Not to mention Bob Cole is doing play by play from CBC.
They also have lots of behind the scenes stuff and player features that help to highlight the talent of the league.
It is one of my top three favorite stations to watch now. The announcers on The Fly are solid too. Unlike the announcers the NFL Network gives you. If you like getting a taste of all the games without having to watch them all in full, the NHL Network is the station for you.
Category: Sports
The PlusdeckEx
Okay, turn down the volume and read the captioning unless you want to hear a commercial for the PlusdeckEx in Korean or Japanese or what ever eastern language they are speaking in.
Im posting this because it is the first commercial and live showing of the PlusdeckEX I have seen and I know there are some interested candidates for this out there. It is going to be available through Thinkgeek by going to the Plusdeck home page and clicking on purchase and it will give you a list of companies by country that will be selling the plusdeckex.
Check it out, for those of you who have cassettes and want them stored in MP3 format for use CD's or other formats here it is
Category: Miscellaneous | Music
More Changes
Today, I learned about how to separate text into paragraphs using movable type. I changed the about me section again and added links for the sites I cited. A skill that Im learning to perfect. So check it out. Thanks again goes to Mike Boon for the helping hand and make sure ya check it out!Category: Blogging
Second Base
Second base is a strong point again for the Jays. Aaron Hill proved that last year. The best thing to me is, I think we still have yet to see the best of him at the plate. He is such a good hitter, I think we are going to see a guy who can and will hit .300 + and challenge for batting titles.
Defensively he is good, not overly flashy but reliable especially with a good shortstop who can cover ground playing next to him. If there are injuries, Aaron can also play short or 3rd but he has solidified himself as the starting second baseman.
Last years numbers should only improve from the .291 avg, 17 HR, 78 RBI and 87 runs. The best thing though is that they don't have to improve for this team to do well. If he has that year again and the rest of the team has their years, Aaron has no pressure what so ever, which should lead to a very relaxed and dangerous number 7 or 8 hitter in the batting order.
I think we could easily see .300-.330 batting average and 15-20 HR, 80-100 RBI and 100 + runs with a 200 hit season. Last year he had 177 hits and had a slow month in August/September. This time around with not so much pressure and healthy lineup around him he should improve again.
Back up to Hill at second, the newly acquired Marcus Scutaro and Russ Adams. Second base is definitely a strong position for the Jays, possibly equal to the Roberto Alomar days at least offensively.
Category: Sports
Sabres Must Continue to Win
Detroit is in a position that Buffalo was in last year. By having such a lead they can afford to lose one or two. In Buffalo's case this year, they are a must win every single game until they get back to the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Buffalo won again last night and currently sits two points back of Boston. Thats all good and well but look closer and Buffalo and Boston go head to head again Friday night and if Buffalo loses, the deficit goes back to four points and that looks bad this time of year.
Buffalo doesn't have too many more chances to play the Bruins 1:1 down the stretch so they have to take care of the chances they have now and win so they can catch them. Lose Friday and all they have been working for to catch Boston will be lost. Win, and you are even and can start from scratch.
Category: Sports
Detroit is Simply Amazing
I was going to post on the Sabres but as I was looking at the standings and saw the west, what a difference. Detroit is a mile ahead of everyone in the NHL let alone the Western Conference. The second place team Dallas Stars in the West are 17 points behind the Red Wings who have 86 points.
Add to the fact that despite that huge margin if you put Dallas in the East they would lead the East by a point. Detroit is once again the team to beat in the NHL going into the playoff run and just to make a bold prediction, they will fall in the first round like everyother year they have been top dog in the West.
What amazes me most is how old they are as a team, led by Chris Chelios who is 60 or something like that and Dominik Hasek who is like also 60, they truly are amazing but in the playoffs the younger faster teams will prevail in a 7 game series.
Category: Sports
Day 2 of the Infirmary
Here we are again. My wife is home with her bad back and I can't breath and basically feel run down and when I cough I feel like I can't stop.
I would still be sleeping but I can't breath through my nose and my lips are chapped and cracked from breathing through my mouth the last two days. So I took some liquid decongestant, some sudafed tablets and i have some throat coat tea and Im going to blow my nose for a while to free up a passage for air and then I will try to rest again.
My wifes back is not too good so she was told to take a few days to rest it as opposed to working and lifting 3 and 4 year olds.
Category: Miscellaneous
Changes, Changes, Changes
A few but subtle changes to the site today. I had some time while I am laying around wallowing in my sniffly runny nose, itchy throat, headache, constant coughy state so I did the About Me section so you can all stop by and read about me!
Second, you'll notice the google ads. I got myself to the point where google gave me a code but didn't know where to put it so the creator of this space, Toronto Mike helped me out with that addition. So its a bit of a different look but have fun and click away!
Category: Blogging
Welcome to Our Infirmary
I just got home from work, its 10:17 and I left early because I feel like crap. I woke up thinking I could make it but as soon as I went out into the damp, cold everything kicked back into high gear, the cough, the stuffiness, the headaches, the pain in my sides from coughing continuously, hell when I cough my head hurts from the increase in pressure from coughing.
My wife is also on the mend. Yesterday she had Xrays for her back that she had been complaining about for the last two weeks and finally I told her to go to the doctor. Yesterday, she actually listened to me and went and they sent her for Xrays.No heavy lifting for her, only problem is, she works in a preschool....good luck avoiding lifting anything.
So our household includes one sicky and one physically impaired individual. Updates as we improve or worsen.....
Category: healthcare
Lucky Louis
I will never understand why this show was not renewed on HBO. Lucky Louis was funny as hell and all of a sudden, nothing, gone. Louis CK is hilarious in this. This cut is a scene where Louis is trying get his daughter to pick up her toys.
I won't be able to go due to work but Louis CK is performing at the UB Center for Performing Arts on Valentine's Day.
Category: Television
OLP
I meant to post about this song and its meaning a few weeks ago, however, I forgot but something today got me thinking about it again. I initially heard it on CFNY for the first time in quite some time.
A few summers ago I worked as a physical therapist for the Niagara Orleans BOCES summer school program. I had a kiddo on my case load that loved OLP, he was only 6 but he sang this song all the time in PT and when ever I hear it, I think back to how fun that summer was and how great those kids were.
This goes out to the kids on my caseload that summer especially that boy that sang this song.
Category: Music
First Basemen
Lyle Overbay just came off his worst season as a professional. Bothered most of last season with a wrist injury that plagued him at the plate he came away from last season with a disappointing 10 homeruns, 49 RBI's and hit just .240. Previous to last year in 2006, he hit .312 with 22 homeruns and 92 RBI's.
It is imperative that Lyle Overbay be A)Healthy and B) Hit like he did in 2006. Hes on 30-31 years old so there is absolutely no reason to think that at firstbase he could not return to his 2006 form. If he was even average for the Jays last year, they win 3-5 more games with him healthy.
So, with Overbay in the lineup and healthy it will give the Jays a guy who is going to hit 6th or 7th in the order, though if need be he could hit 2nd or 3rd in the batting order with the power and average he can put up. He is a guaranteed 20-30 homeruns, 40-50 doubles, .285-.300 batting average and 90-110 RBI's if healthy. If they get just his average numbers this year it should provide a big boost to an offense that under performed last season.
If injury strikes, look for Matt Stairs to fill in again at first.
Category: Sports
Whacky Weather
The last month or so has featured some really strange weather for mid-winter. Keeping in mind that global warming is a GLOBAL thing not a local thing, I think we have witnessed some of what our weather patterns will bring. Sharp changes from one extreme to another which may give us more of what we got last night. Thunderstorms in the winter!
Western New York is known as one of the few places for thunder snow but when was the last time we had true full blown thunderstorms not once, not twice but three times in a given month. Lets review:
January 6th began a streak of abnormally warm conditions, 52 was the high on the 6th and we would go on to see a stretch of three consecutive days in which the high would exceed 60, 62 on the 7th, 65 on the 8th and 63 degrees on the 9th of January. Down right balmy, people out in shorts, playing golf and washing cars. One day is unusual around here like that, 4 days is a miracle. On the 9th we saw all hell break loose with thunderstorms and heavy rain changing to snow. That was thunderstorm event #1. Odd but probably not unheard of.
January 29th and January 30th again featured highs of 49 and 53 degrees respectively. extremely mild by any January standards and keep in mind, late January-early February is supposed to be the coldest time of the year. The night of the 30/morning of the 31st we were awoken to extremely high house shaking winds with a peak gust at Starpoint of 81 mph and again, thunderstorms with temperatures again changing from one extreme to another.
And then we have the last few days, Yesterday a high of 41 but when we went to bed, temperatures were climbing into the 40's at night and the first of another round of mid winter thunderstorms was beginning. Today, the high was well into the 40s and tonight, the threat of thunderstorms before temperatures take the swing again.
Agree or not with global warming the whackiness of mid-winter thunderstorms is mind boggling. This is stuff we would see in April or October not January and February. Locally this is exactly the kind of thing that they are predicting for our area, warmer than normal winters with extreme temperature swings.
Im willing to bet that we have never seen this many thunderstorm related events this deep into winter. Traditionally, its too damn cold but with temperatures being warmer than average and big swings to extremes we are seeing the results of what many scientists have predicted for not just Western New York and Southern Ontario but for the north-eastern US as a whole.
Add to that that the swings in temperature haven't allowed things to stay totally frozen and there are more walking runny noses and sick people out there than I have seen in recent years, including me. Congested, sinuses are going nuts and achy. I blame it on these extreme temperature swings and Fridays slushy crappy day was no help.
Category: Global Warming
The Catchers
Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas will be the catchers for the Blue Jays this year barring injuries to either of the two. I was pleasantly surprised with the signing of Barajas as last year the Jays tried to sign him and negotiations fell through, this year, Rod showed no ill will toward the organization and after a season in Philly where he was under utilized, decided he would try the other organization that offered him a contract last year.
Zaun, is getting up there in age, he will be 36-37 years old this year and last year admittedly wasn't his best, with an injury that sidelined him for a month or so. Combined both have 10-20 home run power and put in the right situations should be able to combine for 60-80 RBI or more given a healthy season.
Barajas defensively gives the Blue Jays a bit more arm strength behind the plate something that they sorely lacked last year especially after Zaun came back off a hand injury that severely limited his throwing runners out.
Overall, the catching position is much improved with the addition of Barajas, it takes pressure off Zaun, adds depth at a position they have struggled to be deep at and allows them the luxury of having a veteran like Fasano in Syracuse ready for call up without tapping into the Thigpen/Diaz youngsters that are not quite ready yet.
This should be a strength for this team this year so keep an eye out for how they start and how Gibbons chooses to utilize them.
Category: Sports
The Breeders
Kim Deal and The Breeders are touring this year and they are coming to Buffalo in March. I will try my best to be there for that show. I never saw them nore the Pixies so this may be my best chance to see a portion of the Pixies lineup in Deal and see one of my favorite 90's bands put on a show.
This is the Breeders with Cannonball:
Category: Music
Fantasy Hockey Update
Another winning week last week going 6-2-4 vaulted me into 6th place and playoff contention. My goal is to get into top 4 and fight it out for a bye week but that is going to take some doing with not too much longer left until the playoffs start in March, right now my team the Road Apples sits in 6th place, 2 points ahead of 5 For Fighting and 3 points out of third. So it is within striking distance.
This past weeks top performers:
Jason Pominville 2 G, 3 A for 5 points and Brendan Morrow 2 G, 2 A for 4 points.
Henrik Lunqvist continues to lead the way in goal with 2 wins and a 2.35 GAA
This week is huge, at some point I have to make a run for 3rd, hopefully my boys will keep the momentum rolling.
Category: Fantasy Sports
What a Super Bowl, I Won!
Not only did I win the final score in the squares pool for $125, I also won a bet that the Giants would beat the Pats straight up, no points.
In total, $165 is due me tomorrow morning!
Congradulations NY Giants and thanks for winning me some $$$$$$$.
Category: Sports
Sunday Night Retro
Time for some Sunday night retro. Super Bowl is about to start so to get everyone pumped here is Killing Joke with an essential CFNY retro tune 80's!
Category: Music
Super Bowl Sunday
I took the Giants today to beat the Pats, just a low wage friendly bet but I figured hey what the hell. I have no vested interest in either team so why not create a vested interest.
The Giants beating the Pats today is not far fetched to me and I think after winning 18 in a row, the Pats are due to lose. The pressure is squarely on their shoulders to do something that really has never been done before. The 72 dolphins didn't win this many in their undefeated season.
Im not saying that the Pats are not capable of playing under pressure because clearly they are, Im saying that they are due, in none of their previous Super Bowls were they in the position that they are in today. Lose and this season though memorable for them in many ways, will also be forgotten. The Giants will be known more for beating them than the Patriots will be known for winning the previous 18.
Add to that the fact that the Giants were the closest to beating the Patriots all season coming withing 3 points controlling most of the game in December. If Brandon Jacobs gets going in the running game and tires the Pats defense, it could get really interesting. Also keep in mind that the Giants have won all of their playoff games on the road, so they are tested with battle scars from the playoffs and should not feel inferior to this Patriots team.
In addtion to taking the Giants I also have 4 squares in our 25 square pool. My numbers are:
Patriots 2, Giants 2
Patriots 2, Giants 7
Patriots 4, Giants 7
Patriots 4, Giants 2
Patriots 2, Giants 6
Patriots 2, Giants 5
Patriots 4, Giants 6
Patriots 4, Giants 5
Patriots 2, Giants 4
Patriots 2, Giants 0
Patriots 4, Giants 4
Patriots 4, Giants 0
Patriots 3, Giants 0
Patriots 3, Giants 4
Patriots 8, Giants 0
Patriots 8, Giants 4
The quarters in the pool are $25
Half is $75
Final is $125
Given my choice Id rather win the final than my bet of the Giants over the Pats but Id love it if both happened.
Category: Sports
UFC Matchup
VS 
Brock Lesnar takes on Frank Mir tonight. At first glance, Lesnar is a giant and Mir is the experience UFC fighter. One would be tempted to dismiss Mir for Brocks size and strength. However, this could be more interesting than you think.
Im into this one for the fact that Brock is a former WWE wrestler and a friggin giant. If this were a test of strenght, Brock destroys Mir no questions asked. However, the more I watch UFC fights the more it becomes obvious that its endurance, holds, and fighting skills that go far beyond brute strenght. Mir is probably the better grappler despite Brock's wrestling background.
Mir also is a better martial artist something that my supervisor at work made apparent to me that unless Brock develops the martial arts and grappling skills, his strength may be useless. I can see Mir being very "slippery in the ring for Lesnar and being a little quicker with the martial arts may prove the difference.
If Lesnar can get Mir onto the mat into a bear hug or scissors or some sort of strength hold or something that involves his brute strength he could make things very interesting.
Here is a little youtube history on the two going into this fight:
Brocks incredible strength.....
Brock on the "reality" of the WWE
Category: Sports
The Manager
Yes he has had his fueds with players, Ted Lilly and Shea Hillenbrand both come to mind, but Hillenbrand was a hot head to begin with and Lilly was pitching like shit, though I think now we would all like to have that left handed pitcher in the rotation sandwiched between Burnett and Marcum.
John Gibbons despite those two incidences is a players manager. Given a healthy lineup and some improved depth at both catcher and the middle infield with the signings of Rod Barajas and David Eckstein respectively, he needs to show that he can get this team on a roll and keep them rolling through the season.
He has shown he can get them to win through injuries and after last year he has guys in Triple A Syracuse that can come up and fill in and this year with more experience from last year, fill in as adequate starters. Adam Lind and Curtis Thigpen should provide good insurance on the farm for Gibbons to plug holes.
The nicest thing for Gibbons is minus the Red Sox, the Jays have the best pitching in the AL and they have depth in the bullpen and starting rotation with more coming from the farm in the next few years. Its a luxury few managers have.
What JP did for Gibbons this year is provided him with a better offensive shortstop in Eckstein who will be a great upgrade at leadoff and hopefully a healthy Scott Rolen will provide not only the same numbers as a healthy Troy Glaus but a little fire in the clubhouse when this team does get down.
So for me, this year there are no excuses for Gibbons. The last few years this team could afford no injuries because the depth wasn't there, this year, they have room for an injury or two and they should have the personel to fill in adequately. Its going to boil down to how well Gibbons utilizes the talent he has.
If they don't get out to a fast start, which they are going to have to with Boston coming in for the home opener, Gibbons is on a short leash especially with fan favorite Ernie Whitt sitting in the dugout. With winning records the last two years despite injuries to key players Gibbons proved this is a winning team. Now they have to take the next step with him as manager and make the playoffs. It doesn't have to be a division title, the wild card would suffice. Anything less than 90-95 wins would be a failed season in my book this year and realistically with all the question marks the Yankees have, that should be doable.
Category: Sports
Sign of Spring?
Today is Groundhog Day! Is it a sign of spring this year? I believe last year it was, If Im not mistaking, the little rat didn't see his shadow lasy year thereby bringing up the prediction of an early spring. What did he do this year?
This year Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow again. 6 more weeks of hell. Just ask Bill Murray. He lived it every day!
Less Than 15 Days
Okay here we go! 14 days 20 hours left till the boys of summer are back on the field. This is my first segment on the state of the Blue Jays headed into the 2008 season.
Today I focus on the front office. Not an on field analysis but lets face it, JP Riccardi and Paul Goddfrey have put money and effort into rebuilding this franchise. No they haven't won as much as we expected, but in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox they have done reasonably well. Two winning seasons in a row (87-75 in 2006 and 83-79 last season) is something to be proud of in this division especially considering the extent of the injuries last year.
A winning record was a minor miracle considering they played without BJ Ryan from May on, went months without Burnett and Lyle Overbay, Vernon Wells played with a shoulder that needed surgical repair all season and Troy Glaus was playing on bad knees and plantar fascitis. Those are some big names to have not at their best. Have one or even two of those guys healthy with average seasons and you probably finish with 8-10 more wins potentially ahead of the Yankees for the wild card.
This year though may be a make or break year for this front office, especially JP Riccardi. No more excuses. The Jays are deep in pitching and have young guys at Syracuse like Lind and Thigpen who if called upon, should be able to provide that needed depth in case of injury.
I think that Riccardi has done well in a winter in which he said not much was going to happen. We got Scott Rolen in place of the flat footed and often flat affect of Troy Glaus and picked up a potential sparkplug for the offense in David Eckstein. Both add World Series experience and depth to this team.
The pitching is still young and a year older and I expect big things from Marcum and Mcgowan which whould help take some of the heat off Halladay and Burnett to be the only 2 big guns in the rotation.
The only thing I want to see the front office address whether it is by getting Gustavo Chacin healthy and contributing again or via trade, they need a lefty in the rotation. Other than that the pieces are in place. I won't hold it against them that Alex Rios isn't signed to a lifetime contract yet, Im willing to give them the benefit of the doubt until it gets done.
Remember too this team has former hitting coach from the Yankees in place as well in Gary Denbo who I think will provide huge dividends in the offense down the stretch. That may be the best acquisition of the off season even though hes not on the field. He came from the Yankees highly touted as a great hitting instructor.
If the team starts slow again, I look for Gibbons to be under a lot of heat and Ernie Whitt to get the nod if things go totally out of whack.
Category: Sports
My Dad Would Love This
Toronto Mike posted this yesterday but I had to post too. My dad would love this, hes always been a Chris Berman fan. Check out his meltdown on the set of Monday Night Football.
Category: Sports | Television
Bush Cutting Domestic Spending
To that end, Bush will propose nearly $178 billion in savings from Medicare over five years_ nearly triple what he proposed last year. Much of the savings would come from freezing reimbursement rates for most health care providers for three years. An additional $17 billion would come from the Medicaid program, the state-federal partnership that provides health coverage to the poor.
The above statement should really put the final nail into George W.'s coffin. He has fucked this country and the budget up so much that we will not see an increase in medicaid or medicare reimbursements for 3 years.
That should not go over well for healthcare providers/hospitals and facilities that are struggling to meet rising costs due to fuel and the price of buying needed items in general continues to increase.
For health care providers it will likely mean stagnant salaries especially for those of us working at facilities that are largely funded by medicare/medicaid. I guess George really has been good for the healthcare community so keep supporting him!
He has gotten us into prolonged war in Iraq that we should have never started and because we have spent our resources on that, we have had to trim back healthcare and other important domestic issues. Lets worry about overseas first before we worry about spending on your own citizens. This administration really knows how to go out on a good note. Take away healthcare funds for those who really need it. The poor and disabled. Its about 11 1/2 months until this administration is history and it can't come soon enough. If we could it should happen sooner. Check out the following sites:
http://www.impeachbush.org/site/PageServer
http://www.impeachbushcheney.net/
Category: Politics
