Buffalo Boy's Blog
Giving You More Than Just My Two Cents
April 2008 Archives
Come See The Police With Buffalo Boy
COME ON NOW, I CAN"T BELIEVE NO ONE HAS RESPONDED! COME ON PEOPLES IM GIVING IT 24 MORE HOURS:
I want a real fan of the Police at the show so, I am using the powers of this blog to help me find that one person who can A. Have the highest bid AND B. Give me the best reason why you should be at this show.
It won't necessarily be the highest monetary bid, though I will take that into consideration, you are going to have to come up with a pretty compelling story/reason as to why I should provide you with the chance to be at HSBC to see the Police and Elvis Costello.
I want to know why you are a fan who is deserving enough to be sitting in that arena. I could have taken anyone, but I want a true Police fan, so wow me with something and you could get yourself a ticket to see the Police.
I will make my choice Wednesday night so be paying attention. Leave your bids and reasons in the comments section with an email address so I can contact you........
More Chicks Wielding Guitars
I don't like a lot of true Metal, I like my rock and roll hard but not unlistenable. Kittie hits my limits where the innovative meets the unlistenable.
Don't get me wrong there are plenty of alternative acts I listen to that are abrasive but they are not so loud in a musical sense that you can't listen.
Kittie mixes the beautiful vocals with the abrasive that make it interesting and a bit of a turn on actually that four gals can play this hard and this loud.
I have never seen them live, nor do I think I would like to, but Im perfectly happy sharing them with all to see and hear on here and popping them into my IPOD from time to time for a listen.
Category: Music
What About Dunn?
Adam Dunn is an interesting prospect. Hes playing in for the Reds in a contract year. The Reds are rumored to have him on the trade blocks. He is a left handed bat that the Jays could desparately use as well.
He also comes with back to back 40 homer seasons and in Roger's Centre a park known to be a great park for power hitters, Dunn could smack 50 or more.
Here is my question, are you willing to give up say Adam Lind for Adam Dunn? I would be for the short term. True Dunn can't hit for average, he would be lucky to hit his weight (literally, he weighs 275lbs). Actually .275 would be awesome for him. But he will hit the long ball and who knows maybe his average would go up in the dome with the ground rule doubles he would pile up.
I don't know what kind of mood JP is in right now but if there is a deal to be had for this guy, pull the trigger man. Wells, Rios, Dunn, Rolen, Overbay? Lights out! Good luck going through that. Throw Aaron Hill in there and you have 6 guys pitchers would hate to see.
Hes still young too, 29 years old so if you wanted to throw a contract his way, with his batting average and strikeout potential you could probably get him at $6-8 Million per season. No bad for a guy with 40+ home run power.
Category: Sports
Primaries Go On Way To Long
Another issue that I posted on during the winter, these primaries go on way too long. Here is my solution:
Starting the second week of January, that way we are all free from the holidays, we have four consecutive weeks of voting primaries. All are determined in the respective states by the popular vote, both democrats and republicans.
Week one: The northeastern quarter of the country from Wisconsin to Maine and as far south as say Virginia/Tennessee. Those states do their primaries.
Week two: The southwestern states from California to Texas and include Colorado and Nevada in there as well.
Week three: The southeastern states from Texas/Oklahoma to the Carolinas and the entire Gulf Coast as well as Puerto Rico.
Week four: The northwestern states including Hawaii and Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and the Dakotas
Done in four weeks. That would do a few things:
1. Allow all candidates, even the underdogs to stay in the races for the long haul.
2. Focus everyones energy on what the issues are not on who such and such candidates priest is or who candidate X knows and how that relationship is going to affect them as president.
The popular vote wins the respective state period, there is no second place, you win the state and your name goes in that state for your party.
In four weeks we have two candidates chosen. If there is a tie in number of states won, then let the delegates decide or better yet, let the over all popular vote decide.
This systemt that we have all been witness to does nothing but take the focus off the real issues and gives the media time to stir useless shit up.
I was listening to Stephanie Miller today and they were playing the whole Reverend Wright Sound bytes not the 10 second damn America clip. If you hear it in the context of what the man was saying, you can respect what he was trying to say. The 10 second clip we all get and then this outrage we all get into over it shows how little we pay attention in this country to what is really trying to be communicated.
This country as a whole is full of people who just don't listen. The US is full of stupid people. Im using stupid in relation to the inability to actively listen to someone. If you actively listen to what is said and you read things like I do then you'll know that the Reverend Wright thing and all this media crap is just that crap.
The media has way too much time in these primaries to dig up shit and use it and for every move that is made that is the least bit shady or the least bit un-popular with all us "moral" do gooders, we force people to apologize or resign or to bow out of a race.
Well, I say that we and the media are all a bunch of hippocrits because there is not a person out there who hasn't known someone shady or hasn't said something wrong or shitty that we don't agree with so why do we get so critical of the candidates?
They are human and the media picks and picks until a scab bleeds and they have something to feast on. Its shameful and it can all be limited by shortening the primary season to four weeks. Thats about how long our attention spans are anyway in this ADHD mass media country of ours.
Category: Politics
What A Loser
What a shame and what an incredible loser. Its a joke, no its sad actually. Roger Clemens had everything going for him, a Hall of Fame career, World Series rings, Cy Young Awards, All Star appearances, now none of that means squat.
In the last year we have found out incase we didn' already know how big of an asshole and loser he really is. The steroid thing was embarassing for him, not for baseball but him. The whole thing in front of congress for him to be sitting there lying to the faces of congressmen and politicians, who by the way were wasting our tax payer dollars on the whole then but thats another story.
Baseball comissioner Selig needs to come out and just separate Major League Baseball from Roger Clemens indefinitely. Especially after this story with him and Mindy McCready. He had an affair with her while he was married and her only 15. So if he doesn't go to jail for lying about his steroid use to congress, he will go to jail for sleeping with an underage girl.
He is a dirtbag. And of course he is denying it. The best thing he could do is to come out and at the very least stop denying it, the longer he does, the bigger asshole he looks in everyones eye.
This story should be interesting to follow over the next few weeks and months. McCready has already come out saying that it was infact sexual between her and Roger. Its funny, a year ago, he was looking at the Hall of Fame, now he should be looking at bars in a jail cell.
Democrats Fault?
Yesterday I recieved this comment:
"with all the crappy things going on I hope everyone realizes this is
what you get with democrats controling things. It all started going
south when they took over congress."
When you make a blanket statement like that I have a couple of rules:
A. Make sure the statement you are making is accurate
B. Identify yourself other than Reality Hurts so that we can have a real conversation.
Now in regards to your comment, It is way off base and obviously you are someone who follows George and your Republican base no matter what is going wrong (which is almost everything under the eyes of this administration).
The Democrats have the slimest control in the congress and senate. Everything they have tried to put through gets Vetoed by our Idiot President. So no, everything that is going wrong can not be the Democrats fault because until George W. "Idiot" Bush is out of office they don't control Jack Shit.
My question to you is quite simply this, how can you, sit there and defend this president and his administration on anything? I can't. Whether its environmental issues, education, healthcare, the war, the economy, his administration has done absolutely nothing.
Why aren't we holding him accountable for the changes he promised to make to Social Security? He is supposed to be an ultra conservative president yet he spends like a liberal.
So go ahead and blindly support the Republicans and even vote for John McCain, because once you vote for McCain and if by some remote chance he does get in office, which in a weird sort of way I hope he does, because then there will be no doubt who has tore this country a new asshole and its not the Democrats.
Category: Politics
Songs I Want To Hear
Okay, lots of music this week, Im trying to keep it positive amid gas prices, oil prices, food shortages and this shitty rebate thing that our president thinks will solve everyones issues.
So, more Songs I Want To Hear this Saturday at the Police/Elvis Costello show:
From the Police, this one is a no brainer, Message in a Bottle:
From Elvis Costello, Its a more recent cut that really rocks, this is a cut from one of the late night shows, Doll Revolution:
Category: Music
Guitar Wielding Chicks
Nothing is more impressive than a chick that can play guitar. Today I was listening to this band in the car, Veruca Salt, where or where have they gone? Quality chick hard rock....hard to find these days....That got me thinking, who are the top chick bands or guitar playing women of all time?
Veruca Salt would rank up there on the list....This is Volcano Girls
Category: Music
Sunday Retro
I could easily skip this today and count the Police and Elvis Costello towards this but I won't. That would be cheating the music loving population of my readers out of some pretty cool stuff.
A song I keep hearing and love the deep vocals that lead vocalist Roland Orzabal provides. I actually learned Head Over Heels on the piano. A great song to play. Now I learned it years ago and couldn't play a lick of it now it still is one of my favorite songs when I hear it.
That however, is not the song. This is Tears for Fears with Shout:
Category: Music
Songs I Want To Hear This Saturday
The Police's first single was not Roxanne, it was not I Can't Stand Losing You, it was Fallout. If you have the boxset it is on there and to me it features them in their rawest and best punk rock form. It is also a song that I think they should play every night on their tour. I haven't seen a setlist yet from any of their shows, so I have no idea, but it is definitely a song I want to hear.
Here is a live cut from 1979 of their very first single, Fallout:
Oh and by the way, Elvis Costello is also going to be there, and I have hardly mentioned what I want to hear him play but this song definitely comes to mind, Clubland
Category: Music
Jesse Carlson
The former Texas Ranger, now Blue Jay bull pen left did something unusual a week and a half ago against his old team. He came in with the bases loaded on April 16th and struck out three straight batters.
Thats right, bases loaded, nobody out, Jesse struck out the side, no damage done.
When was the last time that has happened? Has to be pretty rare right? It is, 1960.
See what a lefty can do for ya?
Category: Sports
Okay, So It Wasn't a Great Start
It has by no means been a great start for the Jays but I say give it time. But not too much. The first month has brought lots of mixed results. A fast start has turned into a dissmal finish to the first month of the season. With Frank Thomas gone, Adam Lind will get his chance in Left Field full time.
I don't blame a lot of this on John Gibbons, I do however, blame a lot on JP Riccardi. Has he made some good moves? Yes, Has he made lots of questionable/risky moves YES and hes made more risky moves than he has the good ones.
AJ Burnett has yet to pay off, Frank Thomas for 3 years at that salary was ludicrous, BJ Ryan was a great move he had no idea Ryan's elbow would be injured but the way they dealt with that last season was attrocious. JP also failed to get the team the one player I have been calling for all off-season. A left hander in the starting rotation. They had one in Ted Lilly, and they figured that $4 Million a year was too much to have a lefty who could give them innings and win 12-15 games a year for them.
Now they have a rotation of right handers and they have spent April looking for left-handers to come out of the bullpen. Heres to hoping Gustavo Chacin can find himself before mid-season. Add to that the Reed Johnson thing and well, JP, I hate to say it but, its time my friend. Get this team busy livin, or get out of the hot seat and let someone else in.
Either way, I am getting a feeling that if things don't turn around my mid-late May it won't be one or the other, it will be both Gibbons and Riccardi out because the higher ups at Roger's Centre, don't want to lose anymore.
Ernie Whitt is sitting there waiting for his turn and I say, if the losing continues, give him the managerial job. If hes good enough to manage the Canadian team in the World tournament then hes good enough for the Jays. Everyone loves Ernie in Toronto too. The Jays could use some old time blood managing the team, a little tradition if you will.
When they let Riccardi go, I say bring back Paul Beeston as GM. If not him, I can't help looking at Rance Mulliniks during Jays broadcasts thinking that he would be a perfect GM. Hes sensible, honest and he bled the Blue Jay blue on the field.
Its not that this team is bad either, they have had a chance to win every single game. It has been bad pitching late or a failure to drive in runners on base, or a combination of both. Last night against KC they scored one run...thats it one god damn run. 10+ left on base, with a bases loaded situation in the 8th that saw Vernon Wells come to the plate. You can't leave 10+ men on base and expect to win. Maybe they are putting too much pressure on themselves. Just go out there and swing.
The way I see it, they have till May 15th to get this ship turned in the right direction. If its not at .500 or better by then, heads need to start rolling, Im not starting with Gibbons, Im starting with JP. Thats being generous considering they have been swept by Tampa Bay and are about to get swept by the lowly Kansas City Royals who haven't swept anyone since the Clinton years.
Category: Sports
I Remember Like It Was Yesterday
Like Freddie P I too will always remember the day MOJO came on the air. It was as I recall, April 23rd, 2001. Humble and Fred's first day on the new talk radio format in Toronto. I remember the day because it was just after Easter Break and I had just left my first full time Physical Therapy job for slightly more uncertain waters myself.
I like most of the fans of Humble and Fred thought it was a great move, instead of hearing them between songs at CFNY we got to hear them for basically 3+ hours non stop. It was great and why it ended I will never know.
I loved the format, it was fresh, funny and wasn't necessarily geared toward just guys. It also included some of the greatest personalities of all time in Toronto/WNY radio history. Scruff Connors, Derringer, Mike Stafford and others. I say Western New York because we have a large audience in Buffalo and Western New York who did and still does tune into Toronto radio.
And as Freddie notes on his site, with just a few tweaks, it could have been a great and lasting format, instead some idiot at the station didn't listen to a veteran of 22 years who may actually know a thing about what it takes for a station to succeed. Fred Patterson should know, and hes now using his talents to draw huge numbers his blog site.
I can say I don't listen as much though since H and F are not on the air, instead I have gravitated to the internet and their blogs and thus my blog began, still hoping they find their way back on the air at some wise radio outlet within ear shot of our dials.
Category: Humble and Fred
The Fish Pen
Yes, thats right, the Coleman Fish Pen......I shuddered when I saw it. Does anyone seriously have this thing? Yes someone does.
My Physical Therapy Assistant student does. Drunk one night watching TV he went and ordered it on an infomercial. I saw it today, it could catch a sunfish, minnow, shiner maybe? Maybe a goldfish, though that might break the thing.
It comes in a case that looks like day planner. Here is the Amazing Fish Pen video:
Category: Miscellaneous
Gas and Oil, Up Up and Away.......
Okay, I can't get that damn song out of my head that I posted on the other day, Damn you Fifth Dimension! I saw an article that I hope prompts a few things to start happening in this country and really, all over the world. But first this article about oil and gas.
This little beautifully written article presents some of the ugliest news thus far. Oil to $200 a barrel and gasoline to $7 a gallon with in four years? The way things are going there needs to be a few things that HAVE to happen....
1. There needs to be big time COLA's (Cost of Living Adjustments) Not just to certain people, to everyone, from those on social security and welfare (those who really need welfare who are permanently disabled), those making minimum wage and everyone basically. Think about it, $7 a gallon means you pay more for a gallon of gas than you make an hour if you are making minimum in this country. That my friends is pathetic.
Seriously, at $7 a gallon, it costs me well over $70 to fill my rice burning Toyota Corolla. It makes even a Prius expensive to drive. Yes raising minimum wage to say a livable one to start like say $12-$15 an hour, probably where it should be given inflation over the years and then adjusting everyones salaries accordingly.
Yes things will cost more because of it, but they already do so whats the difference. At least make us feel a little better by putting more money in our wallets.
2. Time to seriously explore hydrogen, solar power and drastically improving mileage standards in ALL VEHICLES, the technology is there somewhere and this is not something the free market capitalistic society that Mr. Bush believes will solve everything by itself will do in time to save us, so the Government needs to step in and get the technology out there faster, like now.
So these big coorporate energy companies with the help of our new democratic president need to address this ASAP. Not with in four years,with in the first 6 months of office. An energy secretary like say Bill Richardson or Al Gore should do the trick on that front.
Think about how the price of oil and gas would react if we did have a viable alternative right here and now. They would drop sharply is my bet. However, the biggest problem is, I don't see anyone in a hurry to start installing ethanol pumps, hydrogen pumps or anything other than gasoline......Where are the alternatives?
Songs I Want To Hear On May 3rd
On May 3rd, Im going to see the Police and Elvis Costello at HSBC Arena and between now and then Im going to continue to post songs I would like to hear in the set lists. This is one of the very first songs I ever listened to and loved by Elvis Costello and the Attractions...On May 3rd he will be playing with his new group, The Imposters but as this clip shows, they will still rock like they did back in the day, Costello really hasn't lost his touch.
This is The Mystery Dance:
Category: Music
Food Shortages Hitting Home
Sam's Club is calling for limits on how much rice customers can buy due to food shortages. This is rice, not corn, who people are expecting to be the culprit due to bio fuels. Rice, its a staple in most peoples diets around the world.
It is also Sam's Club here in the USA, the richest country in the world that is starting to see a little of what is plaguing the rest of the world.
I hate to keep sounding down when I write about world issues like this and global warming and other environmental issues, but has anyone seen this stuff and actually started to think that maybe, just maybe we have hit a tipping point in terms of world population and what the earth can sustain?
We are at 6 billion right now give or take a few million. Realistically, its more if you take into consideration all the animals in captivity, family pets and wild animals that need to feed themselves. You do have to take them all into consideration because like it or not, humans are apart of the global ecology and its balance.
From oil to food and other raw materials, we are starting to see that maybe, we are starting to outstrip what this planet can sustain.
Category: News | Science | environment
Back To The Rock and Roll
I hope the Police have this on the set list next Saturday, The King of Pain:
Category: Music
The Fifth Dimension
Working in the clinic all sorts of strange, useless facts get discuss. Today, we were perfoming a transfer with the mechanical standing lift and my patient quoted a line from a popular song "Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon". Immediately I wondered, who sings that and for some reason, the Age of Aquarius snuck into my head as well and I thought, I need to educate myself here, does the same group do both songs?
The answer is YES and to get my fill of them, here they are:
Okay, thats enough of that, Im satisfied......I promise I will never expose any of you to crappy late 60s/early 70s easy listening, that is, unless I need to educate myself again, because after all, its all about me. You do have to admit, they are kinda catchy.
Category: Music
Bloggage May Be Down
Bloggage may be down a bit the rest of the week through next Monday, end of semester and yesterday I had some stomach thing that left me in bed most of the day so that said, keep checking, I will do what I can and not do what I cannot. Happy Earth Day!Category: Blogging
The Isles of the 80s
The nice thing about the NHL Network is all the old playoff highlights we get to see. This channel rocks. If there is nothing at all on TV there is something on the NHL network. Its the fail safe station, you can always see highlights from the previous night, a classic game or a full length game they are picking up. Their announcers are awesome (much better than Versus) and they keep the action flowing.
I could literally sit in one spot with beer of course and watch hockey 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no problem on this channel. Today they were showing old Islander highlights when they were winning cups back in the late 70's/early 80's. It made me go and dig up this little highlight of their fearless leader of that era whose career was cut way short by injury. Mike Bossy:
Category: Sports
Sunday Retro
Check out the hair on these guys, this weeks Sunday Retro is A Flock Of Seagulls and I Ran...ENJOY!Category: Music
With Thomas Gone, Sign Bonds
The Jays have a choice to make, go with Matt Stairs and Rod Barajas as their DH for the rest of the year or sign the one guy who could potentially turn the AL East on its head.
As long as Barry doesn't have to play the field Ill take him because he can still crush the ball.And don't give me the steroid crap either, because what we have found out is that half the league is taking them anyway.
Bonds is still a threat at the plate and would provide a huge addition in the middle of the order and even if hes not hitting, will draw walks and get on base.
Yes the Jays are still on the line for $8 Million of the Big Hurts salary, but if they really want to show how serious they are, go and get him before Boston or NY takes a chance and wins with it. Besides, nobody else appears interested so go ahead and offer him a contract, maybe you get him for $3 or 4 million for a year and tack on some incentives.
Category: Sports
A Letter to Gibbons and JP
Dear John Gibbons and JP Riccardi,
I as a lifelong Blue Jay fan living in Buffalo have seen the headlines today. Its April 19th and you are pulling the plug on an integral part of your team. Frank Thomas deserves the full time DH role. Im basically asking you not to destroy the chemistry of this team now. Not when things can still go right.
Look, I know you like Matt Stairs, and we should, he is the poster boy Canadian on the team and I love him like any other Canadian Jays fan, but lets be sensible, he is not a full time player. He will get his playing time as it comes be it in left field, first base or the occasional spot duty at DH, but Frank Thomas is a full time caliber player has 500+ home runs and a .302 lifetime batting average. He got off to a slow start yes, but really what do you consider a start?
By the end of the Red Sox series, 6 games in Frank was leading the team in RBIs and home runs, so he has essentially gone on a 13 game slump since then. Despite the slump hes hitting the ball hard still. Give him time.
You both say the offense is struggling and while I might agree, maybe you haven't seen the stats. Your team is in the top ten in the majors in RBIs, runs, hits and batting average. Maybe you are disappointed in the power numbers, okay lets talk power. Rios up until this week had 0 home runs, why wasn't he benched?
Now that you got him pissed off, play him tomorrow and see how the Big Hurt responds. Just for the love of all that is good in this world, do not tear this teams chemistry up now, its only April and we haven't even seen Scott Rolen in the lineup. Don't flush this team down the toilet by pissing off players and creating cancers in the locker room yet.
Despite this move I still have confidence in you to make the right decision and play the hall of famer tomorrow and give him his full time playing time back.
Sincerely,
Buffalo Boy Mike
Category: Sports
Jays Looking Just "Okay"
I haven't posted much on the Jays because I have been wanting to get a feel for the team. It is pretty much what we all anticipated, great offense that can strike at any moment with the long ball but also scratch out runs thanks to David Eckstein. The starting rotation is going to be one of if not the best in the AL and have shown it with a ton of quality starts through the first 17-18 games or so.
What is up in the air is the bullpen. The long known fact that what your bullpen is one year, even with the same pitchers brought back, will not be the same the next year. That is oh so true so far for the Jays. They have been in or seemingly been in and had a chance to win just about every single game in this young season with the exception of maybe one or two.
The bullpen, has been inconsistent at best so far. What we are seeing is Casey Janssen not being there to help in long or middle relief. Jesse Litsch has filled in great in the five hole and thats fine, but if you have Janssen, you have the luxury of either him or Litsch coming out of the bullpen if you get in trouble early.
So far, the Jays are missing someone like that and have relied heavily on Scott Downs and Brian Tallet to do more than they probably should in middle innings. They have tried Brian Wolfe and now Shawn Camp and Jesse Carlson. I have lots of faith in pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and John Gibbons to get the pitching staff in order.
Today another issue has come up, Frank Thomas is off to his typical slow start, though he has a bunch of RBIs he is mired in a slump, but I agree with his argument. I have been watching the games and Thomas has been hitting the ball hard, right at people. The Jays have a lot of money invested in the "Big Hurt" and to me you have to play him. He actually got off to a fast start hitting home runs in the Boston series to get them a sweep in that series so the start hasn't been awful.
Gary Denbo the former Yankee hitting coach will have to work with Thomas because as far as Im concerned, Thomas is the best option at DH on the team. In the AL East you are not going to win if you don't have a good one. Boston as Ortiz, the Yankees have Giambi or Matsui. Thomas is like a Dave Winfield in the DH slot, hes big, lots of power but once he hits the basepath hes not going to go like lightning. What he will do it drive runs in and for that he needs to be in there.
The next month or so will say a lot of where this team is, BJ Ryan returning to full time form will be a huge help for a struggling pen and the return of Scott Rolen will make it very interesting as we head towards May and June.
Category: Sports
On To Greener Pastures
Last night was a first for me since I started at my current job. I have been there a year and a half so far and there have been times when a group would go out for drinks, but never a little of every aspect of the facility.
Last night we met up at Wild Wings on Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo to say good bye to one of our best colleagues. Our speech therapist Tony, who actually admits to reading my drivel on here from time to time is leaving our facility and moving on to greener pastures.
Whether its more money, better benefits or just a better work environment or what ever the reason, he is leaving us, last night showed how missed Tony would be as I heard someone say there were over 30 of us on hand to say good luck as he leaves us. We had 30+ people there, we need to do that more often and for no better reason than to relax a little.
So Tony as one of the few I could talk music with around our place of work, good luck and Im sure we will still see you around from time to time, its not like your moving to New Zealand or something, this one is for you as you prepare for your new digs:
Category: Miscellaneous
Sabres Go Green
I love the Sabres Go Green initiative. Its a great community project and its a great way for the NHL to do something unique for its own self. Paul Gaustad was the one who origially presented the Idea to the Sabres.
Category: Global Warming
Therapy?
Therapy? was a 90's band that I recently rediscovered going through my old cassettes. This song, Screamager was one of the best of their lot of tunes from back then.Category: Music
The Jetson's
A patient came in today wanting to know the name of George Jetson's wife. Its Jane, but then I wanted to know the names of the rest of the family, I remember watching it as a kid and I can say that it is one of the "lost" cartoons that I used to watch but never think about.
Category: Television
How Scary Is This
A 13 year old boy corrected NASA. NASA had the Apophis asteroid at a 450,000:1 shot at hitting earth on April 13th 2029. Those are not the odds
The boy actually figured that the odds are 450:1 and after double checking the boy, NASA confirmed his calculations. Apophis will pass within 35,000 KM of earth, sounds like a lot, however, there are 40,000 satellites orbiting earth.
If it hits one of the satellites, he calculated that it will through the asteroid off course and on its next driveby in 2036, it would hit earth.
I just hope I get to retire and travel a little before it hits.
Avery The Ass
Everyone already knows Sean Avery of the New York Rangers is a complete and utter asshole. But the shit he pulled against the Devils was just complete crap. If Im the GM of the RANGERS I send him to the Bush league with this crap, but don't do it in the NHL.
I saw this and hoped that Ken Daneyko or Scott Stevens was still playing. Either one of them had they seen this happening to Broduer would have deposited Avery's teeth into the 10th row.
Why didn't a referee call this high sticking? True he didn't touch anyone with his stick, but his stick was well above his shoulders and he certainly wasn't using it to capture a puck or keep track of the play.
Even Chris Drury couldn't stand the crap and he plays with him. Leave it to Drury to maintain some sense of class on a classless Rangers team. The organization allows Avery to play on the team and make a total mockery of the league whether its racist comments during games to other players, making threats to injure players on the other team or pulling shit like last night.
I have watched hockey for a long time but never watched anything quite as awful as this:
Category: Sports
Buffalo's Own WWE Diva
Beth Phoenix or as they call her in the WWE "The Glamazon" is not only from Buffalo, she is the WWE Women's Champion. She is built but not overly muscular. China was just sick when she was wrestling, the Glamazon is actually pretty attractive. As Im writing this now, the Glamazon just got beat by Micki James. Dumb Buffalo luck. Oh well, shes now just another WWE Diva, go win it back Beth.
Category: Buffalo | Celebrities
Our Health Insurance System Sucks
If this article doesn't tell you the crappy state of affairs amongst the health insurance industry, nothing does. I work in the healthcare field and I hate it. I hate the way we talk about it having to be profitable as opposed to doing what is right for the patient.
Healthcare shouldn't be about profit, it should be about caring for those who are ill no matter what they can or cannot afford. Insurers are now cutting back on what is called 4th tier drugs, ones that can treat and prolong the lives of those with multiple sclerosis, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Some of these drugs cost more than some individuals make in a year. One if the individuals in this article thought he had good insurance and realistically it should have paid for his medicine for his leukemia and found out that for a 90 day supply it would cost him $4000 out of pocket.
Another woman in the article with MS had a federal insurance plan through her husband that never gave them a hard time, when she went to refill her prescription a drug that normally was paid for with a $20 copay now costs her $325 a mont for a 30 day supply.
I have a question: Why does it cost so much for the drugs here vs. say Canada, Britain, France or even Cuba? I have an answer, no where in the world, do drug companies market and commercialize and spend more on advertising themselves as they do here in the capitalistic society we are than in the United States.
Capitalism is good, a free market is good, in most areas except healthcare. In this country, we make a profit off people getting sick. Thats the sick part. Not the person who is sick, but the industry that profits off those who are.
I hope I don't get one of those diseases. Where does the average American get that kind of money to pay for a drug. Thats outrageous. Yet if he can' fork over the money, he doesn't get the treatment that could infact prolong his life or make them functional.
What do the doctors think? They prescribe the drug that could get their patient better, yet their patient can't afford it because the health insurance company can't pay for a treatment they just prescribed, because the drug company who was just in the doctors office giving them a free lunch charges that ridiculous price. Its a fucked up system by any stretch of the imagination.
Even the most Republican/conservative of you out there have to agree that people shouldn't be expected to pay that kind of money for a drug that is going to if not prolong their life, potentially make them a functioning member of society. Nice system we have here. Im moving to Canada where they at least have health care that covers you.
Category: healthcare
I Don't Like Mondays
This could have very easily been a Retro Sunday tune but instead it is definitely a Monday kinda song so we will just call it I Don't Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats:
Category: Music
Sunday Retro
While I was surfing for old Canadian bands yesterday I also found the perfect retro video for today. They had quite a few hits, not so much here in the States but in Canada and we here in Buffalo are lucky enough to be exposed to some great music that otherwise would go unnoticed.
This is The Box with Closer Together
Category: Music
Bisons/Jays Connection?
How long have I waited to hear this could be a possibility. Today in the Buffalo News sports page, news columnist Mike Harrington suggests the two teams that would be bidding on Buffalo as an affiliate with the restructuring of the International League are going to be the Nationals and the Jays. Either team would be great for the Bisons.
I know who Im rooting for. How much sense does it make for the Jays to have a team here? I have never been to Syracuse for a game, its two hours away and every year I say Im going to and every year I pick a Bisons/Chiefs game in Buffalo to go to.
The Bisons would more than likely get an attendance spike from Jays fans from across the border and here in WNY. The one point that I don't get is Harrington's comment about the drunk fans coming from Canada. Please people drop that now, one routy Jays game does not make every Jays fan a drunk.
The move would be great for Buffalo and align two cities that are basically neighbors with one common summertime goal, bring a championship to Toronto. Who knows what will happen, but if it does, Im saving my $900 to get a couple season tickets for the Bisons next year.
Petition to Take Martin OFF 102.1?
There was actually a website that asked people who listen to 102.1 the edge to sign to have Martin Streek taken off the air on CFNY because as they say, he has been on too long. I really hope those who designed the page were kidding. Streek is one of the personalities that I, an old time listener of the CFNY dating back to the 80s, actually tune in for.
He is still great on the Thursday 30 and all the live to air broadcasts from the clubs. I am starting a petition right here on Buffalo Boy Mike to keep Martin Streek on the air until he decides its time to leave, your comments will show your support!
Category: cfny
Rediscovering Canadiana
I just happened to stumble upon an old favorite Canadian band that I used to listen to back in the day. Remembering old music is fun, once you rediscover it, it becomes that much more entrenched as a part of you and maybe it allows you to remember another band or artist.
Today I was searching through I-Tunes and found The Northern Pikes and this song, Girl With A Problem:
That song led me to rediscovering this, TPOH and She's So Young, TPOH were one of my favorite bands, never got to see them live but there was a time when I would listen to them over the Tragically Hip and we all know how much I like Das Hip:
Category: Music
Facts on Farts
Its been awhile since I have discussed the fart. All the talk recently around our house about taking the dog out to poop and pee got me checking out dog training sites and I just so happened to stumble upon The Facts on Farts Page. Yes thats right, facts on farts.
For instance one of the most interesting tidbits was where the word fart comes from.
The word Fart comes from the Old English Feortan, it was of echoic origin, which essentially means that the word was chosen to sound like the object it was named after......
Another tidbit which I invite both guys and girls to reply to this:
Do Men's Farts Smell Worse Than Women's?
According to the fart page: Scientific studies show that Women's farts have a higher concentration of odor causing gases than men. Men's farts are larger in volume however. The two factors cancel eachother out so the answer is essentially that they both smell about the same.
There is also a company called Fartypants that makes underwear designed to absorb the smell of a fart, now who would want to do such a thing?
Category: Farting
Carlin Still Doing His Thing
George Carlin is 71 years old and still doing stand up like nobody's business. I have always liked listening to Carlin because he takes an idea and critically thinks it to the point of laughter. Hes a deep thinking comedian that puts a lot of thought into what he does and he does it like no other.
We know him best for the 7 words you can't say on television but, this clip is really good too, its more recent and the guy is still as sharp as ever in wit and his ability to deliver his material. He has always been controversial and well thought out guy and he has never strayed from being politically incorrect, which to me is okay, especially if you are right.
This clip is about the Tyranny in America:
Category: comedy
Check Out The Reflection
Check out the reflection in Dick's sunglasses, is that a naked woman? What a bastard, he shouldn't be doing that, that should be against the moral agenda of the republican party! Shame on Dick Shooting a man in the face is one thing but this is just wrong.Category: Miscellaneous | News
Surgery For Molson
Well, the new boy may need surgery. He has cherry eye. It is basically when the third eyelid becomes infected and prolapses. It isn't quite as bad as the picture and right now he is on drops but if it doesn't get any better, he will need surgery to fix.
The good news is that so far, the cost is being billed to Steve's Pets because it was a pre-existing condition when we got him. He does the drops for now and then if the surgery is needed, they will do it when he gets neutered to save on cost of putting him under.
Category: Molson
Why Don't They Just Keep It Simple
I laugh at the financial analysts giving reasons as to why the cost of gasoline and oil are going up. They try to tie it into the US dollar and stocks and all this horse shit data that no real person could possibly begin to understand.
The real reason that the price of fuel is going up, has nothing to do with the US dollar or stocks or a rescession. It has everything to do with supply. The human pupulation is using more than can be taken out of the ground.
What makes it more obvious is that the easy oil is for all intensive purposes gone. Drilling for more is not going to get us any relief because the hard to find stuff will cost that much more to get.
This summer, Im prepared to pay $4+ a gallon. I blame much of that on our current president. He is an oil man who has watched as the price of oil and gas have skyrocketed all while making no push to increase research dollars for new renewable fuels.
He says the economy and the market will solve the problems, well its not solving them fast enough. Sometimes you need leadership to step in and promote new technologies.
So as gas and oil go up in price, Im kinda rooting for $4.00 plus a gallon. I drive a Toyota Corolla, drive no more than a mile to work and could potentially start walking if I really wanted to, which I may do just that. $4.00 a gallon will probably really hit home for those who have just thumbed their nose at the problem and maybe then, we will start seeing real progress in a change from an oil economy, to one that runs on something renewable.
Category: oil/gas
I Was In Favor of The Boycott
I was in favor of boycotting the Olympics to protest China's actions in recent world events until I heard the athlete's point of view the other day. Being a former athlete myself and coaching swimming, I can see the point of view of the athletes who have a chance to go.
There are athletes who are in favor of a boycott, thats fine, they can stay home and may never have that opportunity again; however, there are more who want to go and enjoy the experience. I think we can all get so passionate about the actions of our world political leaders and the tragic happenings of around the world but when it comes to the Olympics, we should not politicize them
The Olympics are a sporting event, one that puts amateur athletes (in most cases they are amateur) on the world stage at the highest level of their respective sports. The athletes who have no interest in a boycott have the point of view that they have worked their entire life for this moment and some president or world leader is going to tell them that they can not go?
If it were me, I would go, screw my country's decision what ever it may be. You want to punish China politically, go ahead, but as an athlete, they are going there to compete in a sport, not in the political arena.
Some of these individuals have put more hours in that you or I do at our full time jobs at their respective sports. They get up at unheard of hours of the morning to swim in a cold outdoor long course pool in the case of a swimmer, to swim thousands of yards a week to get ready for what will be the highlight of their life. No matter what they do later in life it will never come close to what they do at the Olympics, win or lose.
When you have worked your whole life at something, no one, not even the leader of your country should tell you that you can not go and perform on the grandest stage.
Happy Playoffs
Stompin Tom Connor's possibly wrote the best hockey song ever. What better way to ring in the playoffs than with The Hockey Song, and as much as I don't like the Canadians, Im actually in agreement with the song, I hope the Canadians win this year. Enough Anaheim, Carolina and these other non traditional hockey markets, send the cup to a respectable hockey market, Im rooting for Montreal, sorry Leaf fans but its better than rooting for Ottawa.
End Of Season Fantasy Hockey Awards
Congradulations to all who participated in the league! It was a fun year and hopefully we can assemble the same group this year. This would be my list of awards for this fantasy season:
Championship Winner: Road Apples (My team)
Second Place Winner: 50 Mission Cap
Third Place Winner: Firefox
Presidents Trophy Winner: Cougars
Rookie of the Year (New to Fantasy Hockey): Firefox was in second most of the season until the last two weeks when I over took him. Was in a battle for first for much of the first half.
Biggest Comeback: Roadapples- I have to give that to myself, midway through the season I could have gone either way, to the bottom or made the playoffs, well, I didn't lose over the last 10 weeks and went from 8th to 2nd and eventually won.
Biggest Disappointment: Go Mets! My brother in laws team, I expected so much more Dan.
Biggest Surprise: Firefox, first year and competes for first most of the year. The kids got talent!
If anyone knows how to set up a keeper league on Yahoo I would love to do one of those with Fantasy Hockey, is it possible?
Again good year and if anyone can think of end of season awards for the league let me know!
Category: Fantasy Sports
Sunday Retro
Jesus Jones, I can't exactly call him a one hit wonder, but he was definitely a one album wonder. Right Here Right Now was the most notable song but he also had International Bright Young Thing that was a bit of a stand out track. The rest of that record was pretty listenable too, so calling him a one hit wonder would be a little unfair.
Anyway, here is Jesus Jones, Right Here, Right Now:
Category: Music
Another Strong Start
Thats five strong starts in a row for Blue Jay starters. Jesse Litsch went 5 strong innings yesterday to continue and the bats got even hotter for the Jays. The last two games may prove important in this teams season.
Coming off a Yankee series that saw them lose 2 of three and give up leads in doing so, the Jays have come back against the other AL East powerhouse and proven that they are going to be a contender amongst this group.
Boston pitching the last two games has shown some holes in it which is a good thing as well. Today however, features the two big boys for Toronto and Boston, Halladay vs. Beckett. Ill tune in if its on the ticket if not ill scoreboard watch on here.
If the Jays sweep, it provides a ton of confidence, Frank Thomas has been looking like he is ready for a fast start for a change and David Eckstein is the sparkplug they were looking for. Still, one piece of the puzzle remains on the sidelines, Scott Rolen's return in a few weeks will only strengthen this team. GO JAYS GO!
Category: Sports
Final Fantasy Hockey Update
Barring a miracle comeback tonight, I am going to win my fantasy hockey league come sunrise tomorrow morning. I came a long way back and haven't lost in the final 10 weeks. My opponent 50 Mission Cap (also a Hip fan no doubt) was a worthy opponent for the championship, he was in the top three of the league all season long.
Today wraps up the championship final two weeks of the playoff and tomorrow I will declare the Road Apples MVP's of the 2008 Fantasy Hockey League Season.
Over the final two weeks leading my team down the stretch was Joe Thorton with 8 G and 3 A for 11 points and Antoine Vermette with 6 G 4 A for 10 points (where did he come from this year), Thomas Vanek had 3 power play goals over that stretch and Alex Burrows provided the rough and tumble with 33 penalty minutes.
In goal, Henrik Lundqvist picked up Vesa Toskala's mess and had 3 wins, a shutout and a 1.79 goals against.
It was great year and anyone who wants to sign up for next years send me your email and Ill contact you in August.
Category: Fantasy Sports
I Have a Question.....
The Rolling Stones have launched a new Youtube channel called Living Legends. I love the idea and my question for them would be simply, How are you still going strong after 40+ years. They are in their 60's and still prance around that stage like nobodys business and frankly they still sound great live. Don't believe me? check out the 40 Licks DVD. They sound fantastic on there.Over the years I have become a big Stones fan and I can honestly say that if I had to make my choice, Beatles vs. Stones, Id go Stones with all due respect to the Beatles and what they have done. I love the garage/bluesiness of the Stones. Longevity plays a huge factor in that vote for the Stones too.
Realistically, they could see a 50th Anniversery, it wouldn't be outrageous, Keith Richards is well preserved in drugs and Mic Jagger hasn't aged that badly. They would be 70 something if it happened, if anyone could pull it off, they could.
This is my favorite Stones tune, Get Off My Cloud:Category: Music
Why Does This Matter?
This ABC news video features the media once again hyping up something that does not matter in the overall presidential race. The Clinton's have made $109 million since Bill left office.Category:
Next Three Jays On the Wall
This is my list of the next three Jays that need to go on the wall:
1. Tom Henke- The Terminator probably should have gone up before Alomar, sorry Robbie, not that you don't deserve it but The Terminator and those glasses were imposing and he was one of the great closers of the day.
2. Jimmy Key- The best left handed pitcher the Jays have ever had. He was a corner stone of the rotation along with Dave Steib for years and even though they let him go too early and he went on to become a Yankee in the 90's Jimmy was and always will be a Jay in our hearts.
3. Devon White- The Catch in the World Series will always be what Devo will be remembered for and he should be. I dare anyone to find a slicker, better defensive center fielder than Devon White. He may have been the best defensive center fielder in the history of the game. I am not overstating that either. Go backand look at video of him playing in the field and it was like he was on ice skates out there. He was graceful even on the hardest of plays. He may not go into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but he can be on the Jays Wall of Excellence
Category: Sports
Almost Forgot The Best Part
This is the jersey I know and love. Bring these back full time!!!!!!!!!!!! The Jays sported the original 1977 jerseys last night and they looked awesome, so please JP, don't change them back!!!!!.
Category: Sports
Now For Some Negatives
Last night was great and Im not going to let this comment ruin all that happened that was good, but the behavior of some fans was enough to prompt not only myself but several callers to the post game show with Mike Wilner on the Fan 590.
There was a collection of fans in Rogers Centre last night that got out of hand and spoiled what would have been an outstanding night all around. I don't know what happened in the 500 level and I am kind of glad I couldn't see it from the 200 club level but what I could see was classless enough.
Of all my years of going to Jays games I have never, ever seen or heard of some of the things Jays fans pulled last night. From seeing the towels thrown onto the field to hearing of fights and severe hassling of Red Sox fans it was an unpleasant twist on what otherwise for me was a great night of baseball.
I want to see that place filled with 50,000 people again. However, it has to be like it was back in the World Series days. There was 50,000 in there every night with hardly a mention of craziness like what went on last night.
There is no reason with the population Toronto has, the Jays can not earn back and see those kinds of crowds. However, if what I saw last night continues, it is going to turn off a lot of people.
For those who were there, of all my years of going and the many games that I have been to, last night was the exception, not the rule.
Overall, Rogers Centre is a great place to see a game and its a fun and interactive place. Lets sell the place out again, give the team the support they deserve, and do it right.
Category: Sports
Special Night With Special Guests
The greatest thing about home openers is there is always something special. Last night two of the greatest members of the Blue Jay family were recognized on the Wall of Excellence. Roberto Alomar and Paul Beeston were enshrined last night for all to remember on the wall and rightfully so.
Leave it to picky fans to bring up one incident to try to ruin a career. Roberto Alomar made one mistake his entire career as a second baseman and it wasn't even with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Alomar spit in the face of the umpire, yes a disgusting act at the time but the fact that fans were bringing that up as their lasting memory of him when he was playing for Baltimore at the time is to me short sighted and very distasteful to bring up on a night when we should have been remembering the great times Alomar gave us.
The Fan 590 on the way up to Toronto pointed out that the Umpire wasn't innocent in the altercation either and that is not the first time I heard that.
So that comment aside, Alomar deserves to be on that Wall of Fame for every hit and play he made in Toronto and almost all of the hits and plays seemed to be of the clutch variety. I remember in 1992 in the ALCS how the Jays absolutely destroyed Dennis Eckersley who wasn't the same pitcher after that series and Alomar was a big part of that massacre.
Alomar should go into the Baseball Hall of Fame no questions asked. The guy looked like he could still get out there and show the kids a thing or two. I have to say, the memories of the presentation had tears welling up in my eyes.
Paul Beeston basically was the reason Baseball landed in Toronto and helped build the franchise into the two World Series Winning teams. For the playoff years of the 80's and 90's it was Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick at the helm and one of the best management teams in all of baseball.
In addition to that, Geddy Lee of Rush was sitting the action seats behind home plate for the game which was another great highlight of the night. I thought Rush was still on their extended tour but Geddy I know always has time for baseball.
Last Night At The Rogers Centre
Ill focus on the baseball and the positives first before I get to the other stuff I saw last night. Overall, I was thrilled to be at my first Jays game in two years. I could not have asked for a better night to be there and for all intensive purposes I left with my hopes up and a very good feeling about this season.
Shaun Marcum was lights out for the first 6 2/3 innings and the Canadian Matt Stairs gave a little firework display with a home run to help the Jays beat Boston 6-3. The Jays came ready to play and they were as exciting as I can remember them looking in years.
Frank Thomas doubled and Aaron Hill celebrated his new contract with a good, two hit night as well. Nevermind the game, perhaps it was the news before the game that trumped all the positives of the night, Aaron Hill and Alex Rios signed long term extensions showing this teams committment to keeping its young stars here and building a winner.
It was great to be back and Im hoping to be up for a few more this season possibly a big bus trip we are organizing for Uncle "Daddy" Don who passed away on Christmas Eve. We are organizing a Daddy's Crew to go up for the Jays/Yankees game July 11th.
Category: Sports
Toronto Here We Come
I leave for Toronto tomorrow at 3 and we will be at Skydome (Roger's Centre) by no later than 6. I can't wait. Blue Jays home opener and my first since 2004. Im watching the Jays and Yankees in the rubber match and Dustin McGowan threw 6 solid innings with his only trouble coming in the 6th.
Tomorrow the Jays get to try it out against the other AL East power house they want to compete against, the Red Sox come in for the opener.
These two series are key to the start of the season. Lose both series and you continue to question whether you can play with the big boys, win both series and all of a sudden maybe the team gets some confidence that they can play with them and you start building some momentum.
We will be sitting in sections 216 so if you are going to be there, swing by and say hi.
Category: Sports
Hip For The Hell of It
Like many Hip songs, they are great on the CD but live they take on a whole new meaning and life of their own, driven by Gord Downie's stage presence and the guitar melodies coming from the band. Gift Shop is a song that absolutely does that for me. Its a great song off the studio CD but seeing them do it live is taking it to another level.Category: Music
1 Down 161 To Go
One game down and all it proved was that the Toronto Blue Jays will not go undefeated. I would however like to see a little clutch hitting though. Vernon Wells strikes out against Joba Chamberlain late in the game with a man on.
The one thing I will say is that, when Halladay comes up and pitches like that, they had better take advantage of it and get him W's because the guy does that every night he pitches. You can't waste your aces best stuff like that and expect to compete with the Yankees and Redsox especially with the potent lineup the Jays have.
Category: Sports
Here We Go
This is it, opening night, Jays at Yankees, the first week or so of this season will be a good test as to where the Jays stand with the top dogs in the AL. Series one is against the NY Yankees and their first series at home is against the defending champion Boston Red Sox.
I have said this earlier during my assessment of them position by position but never mind the rest of the lineup and the new faces, this team will go as far as Vernon Wells and Roy Halladay take them. They are the two longest tenured Jays and they will be the ones to lead this team back to the post season.
The difference between this year and the past few is that with those additions, Vernon and the Doc have just that much more of a supporting cast to help them out. Yes they have to lead the way, but they can afford off nights as long as their depth guys pick up the slack.
Category: Sports
