There are two fan bases that need to shut up – the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Bruins.
The Giants fans are still pissed their catcher, and best player, Buster Posey is out for the year with a broken leg because of a collision at home.
They want suspensions, fines and rule changes after Scott Collins ran him, but to be quite honest, if you look at the tape again, it was bad positioning by Buster that led to his leg breaking.
I like Buster, I think he’s one of the best catchers in the National League, but his leg got caught in an awkward spot and he fell even more awkwardly – that’s the truth.
Even Johnny Bench, the greatest catcher of all time, said so.
Now I feel bad for Collins who has apologized several times, saying he was just making a baseball play. It was vicious, he left his feet to make the hit, but this kid has been getting DEATH THREATS since the boy check he delivered.
No kid should be punished that way and you’d think after the Brian Stow incident, Giants fans may realize they are taking it a bit far.
----------------------------
The Bruins fans meanwhile are still hollering about the Alex Burrows “biting” incident and thinking the Canucks forward should be strung up from the Pesky Pole in right field at Fenway.
It’s pretty obvious there was some intent, but it sure doesn’t look like he was going to even get to the skin the way he was clamping down and let’s be realistic, the facewash is one of the most overused, wimpy ways of doing some agitating after the whistle – either be a man and hit him or don’t do anything. The putting your hand in his face like you’re smashing a whipped cream pie on him is overdone.
Fans SHOULD be upset with the hit by Aaron Rome – but justice is served in that case with the four game suspension for the late hit. He will not be back this season. And that will be yet another topic for the blue ribbon panel to discuss about Rule 48.
This headshot/late hit conversation has gone on too long, either ban checking and physical contact completely, or Police it so you’d be a damn fool to even put your toes in the water of that rule.
That’s why those two fan bases need to zip it – and that’s MDS.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June 5
The Big Diesel is gone about 19 years and 15 all-star games. Shaquille O’Neal announced his retirement from the NBA and will go down, in my opinion as one of the most entertaining, witty and humourous athletes of all time. No one else is able to become a US Deputy Marshall, put out for rap albums, two horrible movies and give himself nicknames and make it cool. God love you Shaq, you’ll be missed.
------------------------------
The Heat are Enemy of the Basketball world and no one could be happier than NBA Commish, David Stern, this NBA Finals is on pace to be the most watched series in history. Sure people are watching to see Miami lose – but they’re watching. And in the end, that’s all that matters.
------------------------------
Vancouver is going to get a tough wakeup call in Boston. They win on a marker by 14 goal scorer Raffi Torres with less than 19 seconds left in Game 1 and on a fluke wraparound in Game 2…every shot Tim Thomas could have made in this series, he has. Remember, this is supposed to be a long series – and it will be. The Canucks will be lucky to go home with a split.
------------------------------
And on the first MDS, how about I do something I probably won’t do again – give the Toronto Maple Leafs a compliment. They found a way to trade a very overrated player and get quite the Pirate’s loot for him. Just like hundreds that have come before him, Tomas Kaberle was put on a pedestal higher than the rafters of the ACC themselves. Reality check: he’s not THAT good. He’s got 8 assists in the playoffs, in 20 games, and is only playing 16 minutes a night. That puts him 5th among Bruins defenseman. But the Leafs were able to parlay Tomas for a prospect and two high picks. Nice job Brian Burke. Unfortunately, once the draft comes they will end up picking my sister and a blind kid with those selections.
------------------------------
The Heat are Enemy of the Basketball world and no one could be happier than NBA Commish, David Stern, this NBA Finals is on pace to be the most watched series in history. Sure people are watching to see Miami lose – but they’re watching. And in the end, that’s all that matters.
------------------------------
Vancouver is going to get a tough wakeup call in Boston. They win on a marker by 14 goal scorer Raffi Torres with less than 19 seconds left in Game 1 and on a fluke wraparound in Game 2…every shot Tim Thomas could have made in this series, he has. Remember, this is supposed to be a long series – and it will be. The Canucks will be lucky to go home with a split.
------------------------------
And on the first MDS, how about I do something I probably won’t do again – give the Toronto Maple Leafs a compliment. They found a way to trade a very overrated player and get quite the Pirate’s loot for him. Just like hundreds that have come before him, Tomas Kaberle was put on a pedestal higher than the rafters of the ACC themselves. Reality check: he’s not THAT good. He’s got 8 assists in the playoffs, in 20 games, and is only playing 16 minutes a night. That puts him 5th among Bruins defenseman. But the Leafs were able to parlay Tomas for a prospect and two high picks. Nice job Brian Burke. Unfortunately, once the draft comes they will end up picking my sister and a blind kid with those selections.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I Hate - Jan 18
I hate the moment when you’re in a debate and you realize you’re completely wrong.
This isn’t because of any specific event that happened today, just something I recall being very annoying. You’ve got all your points lined up, you’re firing them back and forth at your opponent and then “click”…you know you’re wrong. Anything from actors that have starred in movies or ingredients in meals. That second when it hits you in the face that you’re way off – damn you.
This isn’t because of any specific event that happened today, just something I recall being very annoying. You’ve got all your points lined up, you’re firing them back and forth at your opponent and then “click”…you know you’re wrong. Anything from actors that have starred in movies or ingredients in meals. That second when it hits you in the face that you’re way off – damn you.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Blockbuster Bankruptcy
It seemed to fly under the radar, but since I have spent some time in this store recently, I thought I would bring it up again.
In case you didn’t hear, Blockbuster has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.
The Canadian operations are not affected by the move.
Blockbuster, which at one point was the #1 video rental retailer, is reportedly carrying 900 MILLION dollars in debt.
How did this happen, you ask?
Well in many ways, Blockbuster had an auto industry approach to business – specifically comparable to the Big 3.
There was an arrogance to Blockbuster – sure there was Jumbo Video in the past and Rogers Video as their only current retain competition - but they forgot something – the wonderful world wide web.
Netflix popped up, as did the ability to order movies off your satellite provider with a click of a button, and Blockbuster did not adjust until it was too late.
Then, when they did, their marketing ploy was vacuous (vak-you-ous) and negligent.
They offered no late fees – an excellent idea for families on the run who aren’t able to find two hours in a night to sit down and enjoy their flick.
But then realized late fees accounted for 16% of their revenue and brought them back.
In place, they have come up with the 2-night and 7-night rental…without changing the prices.
You can order a movie on pay-per-view for around 5 dollars, you can use Netflix for anywhere from $5-$25 dollars a month – and that’s for as many movies are you want.
Blockbuster is still $6+ dollars a rental, and even more for Blu-Rays.
Like GM, Ford and Chrysler – I think Blockbuster got it in their minds that they were irreplaceable.
But they aren’t.
Like Honda, Toyota and other foreign brands – alternatives like Netflix and Pay-Per-View have been stocking up their army and have unleashed a wrath of opportunities for the movie watcher.
As I mentioned earlier, Blockbuster Canada is not expected to be affected by bankruptcy protection – but that’s for now.
Netflix has just arrived in the Great White North, so how long can Blockbuster keep up the charade before they are left out in the cold?
Like the Big 3, Blockbuster needs to get with the times or they will be as extinct as a character in one of their high priced Science Fiction rentals.
In case you didn’t hear, Blockbuster has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.
The Canadian operations are not affected by the move.
Blockbuster, which at one point was the #1 video rental retailer, is reportedly carrying 900 MILLION dollars in debt.
How did this happen, you ask?
Well in many ways, Blockbuster had an auto industry approach to business – specifically comparable to the Big 3.
There was an arrogance to Blockbuster – sure there was Jumbo Video in the past and Rogers Video as their only current retain competition - but they forgot something – the wonderful world wide web.
Netflix popped up, as did the ability to order movies off your satellite provider with a click of a button, and Blockbuster did not adjust until it was too late.
Then, when they did, their marketing ploy was vacuous (vak-you-ous) and negligent.
They offered no late fees – an excellent idea for families on the run who aren’t able to find two hours in a night to sit down and enjoy their flick.
But then realized late fees accounted for 16% of their revenue and brought them back.
In place, they have come up with the 2-night and 7-night rental…without changing the prices.
You can order a movie on pay-per-view for around 5 dollars, you can use Netflix for anywhere from $5-$25 dollars a month – and that’s for as many movies are you want.
Blockbuster is still $6+ dollars a rental, and even more for Blu-Rays.
Like GM, Ford and Chrysler – I think Blockbuster got it in their minds that they were irreplaceable.
But they aren’t.
Like Honda, Toyota and other foreign brands – alternatives like Netflix and Pay-Per-View have been stocking up their army and have unleashed a wrath of opportunities for the movie watcher.
As I mentioned earlier, Blockbuster Canada is not expected to be affected by bankruptcy protection – but that’s for now.
Netflix has just arrived in the Great White North, so how long can Blockbuster keep up the charade before they are left out in the cold?
Like the Big 3, Blockbuster needs to get with the times or they will be as extinct as a character in one of their high priced Science Fiction rentals.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sept 3, 2010
Well there goes summer.
In the blink of an eye, I found myself at home, watching the start of the NCAA Football season, planning my tailgating party for tomorrow and turning off the air conditioner for the evening, wondering if I’ll ever even need it again this year.
Ok, that’s a little dramatic, but really – it’s September now.
We are expecting a nice, warm fall, leading into a reportedly mild winter – which I’m perfectly fine with, but did it seem like this summer went by faster than most?
Maybe it was because it was so nice, most people’s monthly plans were filled by the time the calendar flips.
It’s not officially fall, but this long weekend really does seem to be the final chapter in the thriller that was the summer of 2010…and it was a good one.
=========================
Hey, it’s been four months since the explosion that resulted in the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. I guess it’s time for another:
Luckily, a fire on an oil production facility 100 miles off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico appears to have ended without disaster.
Houston-based Mariner Energy Inc. reported that it was able to shut in the wells connected to the oil and gas production platform, averting leaks.
Do you think they have any pamphlets on how they did that? I know a company that could get good use out of reading that manual.
==========================
Have you heard about the 10 month old Chinese Michelin baby? At 10 months he weighs 44 pounds – the average weight of a 6-year old! That’s all.
=========================
You know when life is unfair to you when you are stuck in a mine in Chile – and could be there for another three MONTHS – have been denied some of the necessities of life.
The 33 men, who have each lost at least 22 pounds each, are being given something like tuna and water every day. They have been sent down cards, music and fresh clothes to help cope with the “discomfort” of being stuck 23-hundred feet under the ground.
But they have now been denied booze and cigarettes. Now, how unjust is that! Is there really a better way to pass three months than drinking yourself to sleep? Poor guys, I feel for ya.
So just for you tonight, I’m going to get completely annihilated on Cerveza Cristal and fill my lungs with Marboro’s just for you guys.
Cheers!
In the blink of an eye, I found myself at home, watching the start of the NCAA Football season, planning my tailgating party for tomorrow and turning off the air conditioner for the evening, wondering if I’ll ever even need it again this year.
Ok, that’s a little dramatic, but really – it’s September now.
We are expecting a nice, warm fall, leading into a reportedly mild winter – which I’m perfectly fine with, but did it seem like this summer went by faster than most?
Maybe it was because it was so nice, most people’s monthly plans were filled by the time the calendar flips.
It’s not officially fall, but this long weekend really does seem to be the final chapter in the thriller that was the summer of 2010…and it was a good one.
=========================
Hey, it’s been four months since the explosion that resulted in the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. I guess it’s time for another:
Luckily, a fire on an oil production facility 100 miles off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico appears to have ended without disaster.
Houston-based Mariner Energy Inc. reported that it was able to shut in the wells connected to the oil and gas production platform, averting leaks.
Do you think they have any pamphlets on how they did that? I know a company that could get good use out of reading that manual.
==========================
Have you heard about the 10 month old Chinese Michelin baby? At 10 months he weighs 44 pounds – the average weight of a 6-year old! That’s all.
=========================
You know when life is unfair to you when you are stuck in a mine in Chile – and could be there for another three MONTHS – have been denied some of the necessities of life.
The 33 men, who have each lost at least 22 pounds each, are being given something like tuna and water every day. They have been sent down cards, music and fresh clothes to help cope with the “discomfort” of being stuck 23-hundred feet under the ground.
But they have now been denied booze and cigarettes. Now, how unjust is that! Is there really a better way to pass three months than drinking yourself to sleep? Poor guys, I feel for ya.
So just for you tonight, I’m going to get completely annihilated on Cerveza Cristal and fill my lungs with Marboro’s just for you guys.
Cheers!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sleep Patterns
Sometimes – and only sometimes – I follow a chain of thoughts in my mind that connect to a fairly interesting topic.
Follow me through the 6-degrees of Matt’s mind to the point of my world according to today.
I was lying on my couch yesterday afternoon, drifting into my much-deserved dreamland, when I was startled by the fire alarm in the hallway.
I noticed it had only been about 15-20 since I saw the clock last and didn’t feel all that refreshed.
But my first thought was to go through the rolodex of Seinfeld episodes in my brain to find the one where Kramer goes on the DiVinci sleep pattern – sleeping 20 minutes every 3 hours.
I found it, through a little online research, on The Friars Club episode - #128 of the series.
So after my nap I had to throw it in and have a few laughs as Kramer explains how he’ll get an extra 2.5 days a week by using this sleep pattern.
It ends with Kramer being tossed into the Hudson River after falling asleep on top of a woman, who of course thought he was dead.
At the conclusion of the episode, I dug a little deeper on that DiVinci sleep pattern, and was quite intrigued.
Polyphasic (poly-fey-sic) sleep refers to the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period—usually more than two, in contrast to biphasic sleep.
An example of polyphasic sleep is found in patients with irregular sleep-wake pattern, a circadian rhythm sleep disorder which usually is caused by head injury or dementia.
There was a guy by the name of Dr. Claudio Stampi who tested systematic sleep as a result of his boat racing hobby.
He ended up writing a book in 1992 called Why We Nap: Evolution, Chronobiology, and Functions of Polyphasic and Ultrashort Sleep about his findings, concluding that polyphasic sleep can actually ”improve prolonged performance” in some situations.
The US Military has studied sleep patterns and in their Air Force reports it says “Each individual nap should be long enough to provide at least 45 continuous minutes of sleep, although longer naps (2 hours) are better. In general, the shorter each individual nap is, the more frequent the naps should be.
On the other side of things, biphasic sleep is sleeping through the night, getting up, napping mid-day and then repeating.
Before the advent of electric lighting in Europe, sleepers awoke from their "first" sleep for an hour or more during the night, before returning to their "second" sleep.
I found this topic fascinating, but I gotta tell you…all this talk about napping is making me a little…*yawn*…tired.
Follow me through the 6-degrees of Matt’s mind to the point of my world according to today.
I was lying on my couch yesterday afternoon, drifting into my much-deserved dreamland, when I was startled by the fire alarm in the hallway.
I noticed it had only been about 15-20 since I saw the clock last and didn’t feel all that refreshed.
But my first thought was to go through the rolodex of Seinfeld episodes in my brain to find the one where Kramer goes on the DiVinci sleep pattern – sleeping 20 minutes every 3 hours.
I found it, through a little online research, on The Friars Club episode - #128 of the series.
So after my nap I had to throw it in and have a few laughs as Kramer explains how he’ll get an extra 2.5 days a week by using this sleep pattern.
It ends with Kramer being tossed into the Hudson River after falling asleep on top of a woman, who of course thought he was dead.
At the conclusion of the episode, I dug a little deeper on that DiVinci sleep pattern, and was quite intrigued.
Polyphasic (poly-fey-sic) sleep refers to the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period—usually more than two, in contrast to biphasic sleep.
An example of polyphasic sleep is found in patients with irregular sleep-wake pattern, a circadian rhythm sleep disorder which usually is caused by head injury or dementia.
There was a guy by the name of Dr. Claudio Stampi who tested systematic sleep as a result of his boat racing hobby.
He ended up writing a book in 1992 called Why We Nap: Evolution, Chronobiology, and Functions of Polyphasic and Ultrashort Sleep about his findings, concluding that polyphasic sleep can actually ”improve prolonged performance” in some situations.
The US Military has studied sleep patterns and in their Air Force reports it says “Each individual nap should be long enough to provide at least 45 continuous minutes of sleep, although longer naps (2 hours) are better. In general, the shorter each individual nap is, the more frequent the naps should be.
On the other side of things, biphasic sleep is sleeping through the night, getting up, napping mid-day and then repeating.
Before the advent of electric lighting in Europe, sleepers awoke from their "first" sleep for an hour or more during the night, before returning to their "second" sleep.
I found this topic fascinating, but I gotta tell you…all this talk about napping is making me a little…*yawn*…tired.
These are words??
What has happened to the English language.
I’ve always been a bit of a word and grammar geek, even to the point that I signed up for the dictionary.com “Word of the Day” feature.
I read a fair amount, in a number of different genres, I’ve flipped through vocabulary books and thesauruses and even write in my spare time – some for local magazines and some just side projects.
And I cringe every time I see stories like this.
Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary adds new words that have entered pop culture and are supposed to pass as legitimate English phrases.
Over 2,000 new words were added this year, and there are a few that are prime examples of how the human race is getting DUMBER and DUMBER.
Here are a couple of the words, and their definitions, that have been added to the Dictionary.
--VUVUZELA. "Long horn blown by fans at soccer matches."
--BROMANCE. "A close but non-sexual relationship between two men."
--CHILLAX. "Calm down and relax."
--BUZZKILL. "A person or thing that has a depressing or dispiriting effect."
--CHILL PILL. "A notional pill taken to make someone calm down." (???)
--CHEESEBALL. "Lacking taste, style or originality."
--WARDROBE MALFUNCTION. "An instance of a person accidentally exposing an intimate part of their body as a result of an article of clothing slipping out of position."
--HATER. "Negative person."
--DEFRIEND. "Another term for unfriend (remove someone from a list of friends or contacts on a social networking site)."
I’ve always been a bit of a word and grammar geek, even to the point that I signed up for the dictionary.com “Word of the Day” feature.
I read a fair amount, in a number of different genres, I’ve flipped through vocabulary books and thesauruses and even write in my spare time – some for local magazines and some just side projects.
And I cringe every time I see stories like this.
Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary adds new words that have entered pop culture and are supposed to pass as legitimate English phrases.
Over 2,000 new words were added this year, and there are a few that are prime examples of how the human race is getting DUMBER and DUMBER.
Here are a couple of the words, and their definitions, that have been added to the Dictionary.
--VUVUZELA. "Long horn blown by fans at soccer matches."
--BROMANCE. "A close but non-sexual relationship between two men."
--CHILLAX. "Calm down and relax."
--BUZZKILL. "A person or thing that has a depressing or dispiriting effect."
--CHILL PILL. "A notional pill taken to make someone calm down." (???)
--CHEESEBALL. "Lacking taste, style or originality."
--WARDROBE MALFUNCTION. "An instance of a person accidentally exposing an intimate part of their body as a result of an article of clothing slipping out of position."
--HATER. "Negative person."
--DEFRIEND. "Another term for unfriend (remove someone from a list of friends or contacts on a social networking site)."
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Previously on 24...
Monday night at 10:01pm will be the end of an era.
On November 6, 2001, television changed and on May 24, 2010 it will come full circle.
“24” will wrap up on FOX with a two hour series finale starting at 8pm.
It was one of the first shows in primetime to experiment with the “real time” concept. Every minute in real life was a minute on the show, every show was an hour of Jack Bauer’s “day”, every season was one day in their main character’s life.
A quote by Kiefer Sutherland during interviews on the first season said “The time element is the main character of the show. That gives the writers a chance to do things with characters that other shows can’t do.”
But, it didn’t take long for people to become attached to Jack Bauer’s family and his daughter Kim and wife Teri.
And that’s why when the non-stop action of season 1 culminated in the death of Jack’s wife, people took notice that this show is unlike any other.
I saw a trailer for the show before it aired and thought the “real time” element was interesting, so I watched it…I have never missed an episode since.
In the Eight seasons to follow, Jack has stopped a Presidential candidate from being assassinated, stopped a bomb from detonating in Los Angeles, fought a heroine addiction to stop a Mexican drug cartel from acquiring a deadly virus, captured terrorists trying to steal nerve gas, been kidnapped by the Chinese, protect the United States from several nuclear devices and protected a peace treaty, until things went wrong.
In between his wife was killed, his girlfriend was killed, he was betrayed by friends, he had to kill friends, his daughter disowned him and he has seen more dead people than a funeral director.
I think you’re lying if you can say to me that in your life there has never been a character in TV or movies that you didn’t become attached to.
For me, Jack Bauer was the ultimate. He was vicious, hostile and deadly, while also being someone who would do anything to protect the people he cared about.
It is, of course, fiction…but it’s entertainment and no one has delivered a better week-by-week punch than Jack Bauer.
And the critics agreed: “24” has ironically won 24 major awards and nominated for over 65 more.
It’s always been one of those shows that if you haven’t watched it from the start of a season, you are probably out of the loop – and that may be it’s downfall.
I know many people who have never watched a second of the show, but I can honestly say have yet to meet someone who has started watching the show – and then stopped.
So Monday night I will be following a very familiar pattern of sitting on the couch, grabbing a snack and waiting for the ticking clock to begin.
But Monday will be different…it will be the last time.
It’ll be sad to see Jack Bauer go, because for me – he was the best.
On November 6, 2001, television changed and on May 24, 2010 it will come full circle.
“24” will wrap up on FOX with a two hour series finale starting at 8pm.
It was one of the first shows in primetime to experiment with the “real time” concept. Every minute in real life was a minute on the show, every show was an hour of Jack Bauer’s “day”, every season was one day in their main character’s life.
A quote by Kiefer Sutherland during interviews on the first season said “The time element is the main character of the show. That gives the writers a chance to do things with characters that other shows can’t do.”
But, it didn’t take long for people to become attached to Jack Bauer’s family and his daughter Kim and wife Teri.
And that’s why when the non-stop action of season 1 culminated in the death of Jack’s wife, people took notice that this show is unlike any other.
I saw a trailer for the show before it aired and thought the “real time” element was interesting, so I watched it…I have never missed an episode since.
In the Eight seasons to follow, Jack has stopped a Presidential candidate from being assassinated, stopped a bomb from detonating in Los Angeles, fought a heroine addiction to stop a Mexican drug cartel from acquiring a deadly virus, captured terrorists trying to steal nerve gas, been kidnapped by the Chinese, protect the United States from several nuclear devices and protected a peace treaty, until things went wrong.
In between his wife was killed, his girlfriend was killed, he was betrayed by friends, he had to kill friends, his daughter disowned him and he has seen more dead people than a funeral director.
I think you’re lying if you can say to me that in your life there has never been a character in TV or movies that you didn’t become attached to.
For me, Jack Bauer was the ultimate. He was vicious, hostile and deadly, while also being someone who would do anything to protect the people he cared about.
It is, of course, fiction…but it’s entertainment and no one has delivered a better week-by-week punch than Jack Bauer.
And the critics agreed: “24” has ironically won 24 major awards and nominated for over 65 more.
It’s always been one of those shows that if you haven’t watched it from the start of a season, you are probably out of the loop – and that may be it’s downfall.
I know many people who have never watched a second of the show, but I can honestly say have yet to meet someone who has started watching the show – and then stopped.
So Monday night I will be following a very familiar pattern of sitting on the couch, grabbing a snack and waiting for the ticking clock to begin.
But Monday will be different…it will be the last time.
It’ll be sad to see Jack Bauer go, because for me – he was the best.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Now We DON'T Want Jobs??
There’s a great article on the Windsor Star’s website by Chris Vander Doelen about the new solar panel plant being built at the Windsor Airport – creating around 150 jobs by the end of the year.
Apparently, there are some people in the city that believe this whole “green-energy” thing is a flash in the pan because a lot of the money is coming from the government.
Some worry about what will happen when the Ontario funding dries up, and aren’t convinced this industry will strive in the future.
Well guess what – it’s new jobs. Deal with it.
It’s funny how we can be in the middle of one of the worst recessions in our history and people still believe they can be picky with their careers – or the jobs that come into our region.
Thousands of people are out of a job, and a brand new industry is coming to Windsor and carries with it the potential for thousands of jobs – but we aren’t sure we want it here.
What happens when the government is done paying for these programs to start and the city has to front the money on it’s own?
Solar Source has a game plan where they want to become the first company able to produce made-in-Ontario panels.
And that will begin in Windsor.
In fact, Solar Source President, Ross Beatty has been quoted in the article saying “the largest market for energy in the world is right here, right below us” in reference to Windsor.
I don’t buy into the whole Al Gore/green lifestyle thing, but if it’s creating jobs and the new “auto” industry in terms of growth and potential – then welcome aboard.
I can imagine there are several cities in Canada and the U-S that would love to have any ray of hope for having a new business come to town.
I’d even go beyond calling it a new business – maybe a new industry.
U-S President, Barack Obama is in Buffalo right now, hosting a town hall meeting and was greeted by a billboard reading simply “I need a freaking job”.
It was put up by a man named Jeff Baker, who lost his job at a textile business.
It’s plain and simple these days – jobs are jobs, new business is new business and growth is growth.
So whether it’s solar panels or art or animal cracker manufacturers, we should be welcoming these enterprises - who are taking a chance on us - with open arms.
Apparently, there are some people in the city that believe this whole “green-energy” thing is a flash in the pan because a lot of the money is coming from the government.
Some worry about what will happen when the Ontario funding dries up, and aren’t convinced this industry will strive in the future.
Well guess what – it’s new jobs. Deal with it.
It’s funny how we can be in the middle of one of the worst recessions in our history and people still believe they can be picky with their careers – or the jobs that come into our region.
Thousands of people are out of a job, and a brand new industry is coming to Windsor and carries with it the potential for thousands of jobs – but we aren’t sure we want it here.
What happens when the government is done paying for these programs to start and the city has to front the money on it’s own?
Solar Source has a game plan where they want to become the first company able to produce made-in-Ontario panels.
And that will begin in Windsor.
In fact, Solar Source President, Ross Beatty has been quoted in the article saying “the largest market for energy in the world is right here, right below us” in reference to Windsor.
I don’t buy into the whole Al Gore/green lifestyle thing, but if it’s creating jobs and the new “auto” industry in terms of growth and potential – then welcome aboard.
I can imagine there are several cities in Canada and the U-S that would love to have any ray of hope for having a new business come to town.
I’d even go beyond calling it a new business – maybe a new industry.
U-S President, Barack Obama is in Buffalo right now, hosting a town hall meeting and was greeted by a billboard reading simply “I need a freaking job”.
It was put up by a man named Jeff Baker, who lost his job at a textile business.
It’s plain and simple these days – jobs are jobs, new business is new business and growth is growth.
So whether it’s solar panels or art or animal cracker manufacturers, we should be welcoming these enterprises - who are taking a chance on us - with open arms.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hit The Road, Jack - 24 Ends
For me, the best TV show that has ever hit the airwaves will be wrapping up after their 8th season.
Here are a few great articles about the show's finish and memories.
http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23740311
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wild/hit-the-road-jack-a-tortu_b_515785.html
Here are a few great articles about the show's finish and memories.
http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23740311
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wild/hit-the-road-jack-a-tortu_b_515785.html
Various Thoughts
Is there anything more disappointing than going to a movie you’ve been looking forward to seeing – and it sucks?
Now, I wasn’t expecting “She’s Out Of Your League” to be great, but I at least hoped for a laugh here and there…and I really only had one.
There’s no way of getting your money back, no way of getting those 2 hours back, really nothing.
At least Hot Tub Time Machine comes out tonight – that better be good.
----------------------
On the way home from the movies, Kim and I got talking about actors who we feel are overrated.
Kim’s selection was Will Ferrell. I disagreed.
My choice was Tom Hanks. She disagreed.
There was a survey done recently that Tom Hanks was the most liked actor in Hollywood. Am I the only one who doesn’t get him?
There’s no question he’s a very good actor, award winning and whatnot – I just think he’s a bit overrated. I can only come up with a few movies that he’s really stolen – of course Forrest Gump and Big are two of them.
But most movies I’ve seen him in, he’s not the strongest actor in the film. Some examples for my case:
Apollo 13 – Ed Harris
Toy Story – Tim Allen
Splash – Daryl Hannah
Road To Perdition – Paul Newman
The Green Mile – Michael Clark Duncan
Turner & Hooch – The Dog
Again, no doubt that Tommy is a heck of an thespian, but for the most part I find him to be a bit of an over-actor and a guy who really relies on his others for his performances.
----------------------
There was a recent survey done by Ipsos-Reid that said for the first time ever, more Canadians are going online than watching TV.
Do you agree? If you had to choose – which one would you pick?
For me, the choice isn’t much of a brain-tickler…I’d give up TV for the internet…for one simple reason that you can watch TV…on the internet.
----------------------
Oh, and one more thing – it’s 14 days till the Home Opener at Comerica Park…but who’s counting.
Now, I wasn’t expecting “She’s Out Of Your League” to be great, but I at least hoped for a laugh here and there…and I really only had one.
There’s no way of getting your money back, no way of getting those 2 hours back, really nothing.
At least Hot Tub Time Machine comes out tonight – that better be good.
----------------------
On the way home from the movies, Kim and I got talking about actors who we feel are overrated.
Kim’s selection was Will Ferrell. I disagreed.
My choice was Tom Hanks. She disagreed.
There was a survey done recently that Tom Hanks was the most liked actor in Hollywood. Am I the only one who doesn’t get him?
There’s no question he’s a very good actor, award winning and whatnot – I just think he’s a bit overrated. I can only come up with a few movies that he’s really stolen – of course Forrest Gump and Big are two of them.
But most movies I’ve seen him in, he’s not the strongest actor in the film. Some examples for my case:
Apollo 13 – Ed Harris
Toy Story – Tim Allen
Splash – Daryl Hannah
Road To Perdition – Paul Newman
The Green Mile – Michael Clark Duncan
Turner & Hooch – The Dog
Again, no doubt that Tommy is a heck of an thespian, but for the most part I find him to be a bit of an over-actor and a guy who really relies on his others for his performances.
----------------------
There was a recent survey done by Ipsos-Reid that said for the first time ever, more Canadians are going online than watching TV.
Do you agree? If you had to choose – which one would you pick?
For me, the choice isn’t much of a brain-tickler…I’d give up TV for the internet…for one simple reason that you can watch TV…on the internet.
----------------------
Oh, and one more thing – it’s 14 days till the Home Opener at Comerica Park…but who’s counting.
Oscar Picks
The Oscars are being handed out on Sunday and even though I won’t spend 5 minutes watching them, that doesn’t mean I can’t make predictions of my own.
Granted I have not seen most of the movies that are up for awards, so most of these picks will be on personal preference of by some bias.
Here we go:
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker…great movies…great story…great characters.
Best Actor: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker…I didn’t see any other nominated performance this year, but Renner’s was very impressive for an unknown.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side…she did a phenomenal job in this role and has grown up quite a bit from her Speed days.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds…maybe my favourite performance of any actor in any movie this year.
Best Supporting Actress: I didn’t see any of these nominees…but from what I hear Mo’Nique did a superb job in Precious.
But of course, most of the nominations are those of the Academy. The white-haired, no risk, crusty old boys club who wouldn’t take a risk on a movie for the every day man and woman.
That’s where I come in…
Now my winners and Best Picture nominees for The Matt-scars or Osc-mouchelles.
Best Picture: The nominees are Inglorious Basterds, The Blind Side, The Hangover, Saw 6 and Taken…I’d have to say the best movie I saw in 2009 was The Hangover.
Best Actor: Liam Nieson in Taken was a poor man’s Jack Bauer and he did a kick-ass job doing so…he gets the nod from me.
Best Actress: I actually have to go back to my actual Oscar pick and give the honour to Sandra Bullock. It’s just a great movie from start to finish.
Best Supporting Actor: In a stunning development, we have a tie. Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds is sharing the trophy with Zack Galafanakis from The Hangover. Oh, you’re going to tell me that Alan wasn’t the best character in the movies this year??
And finally Best Supporting Actress: I liked Helen Mirren in State of Play. She was tough, hostile and downright hot.
So enjoy the Oscars on Sunday everyone and remember…if you’re a man over 30 years old…you best not be hosting an Oscar Party…or as the Academy hands out their awards…you will have to hand in your man papers.
Granted I have not seen most of the movies that are up for awards, so most of these picks will be on personal preference of by some bias.
Here we go:
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker…great movies…great story…great characters.
Best Actor: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker…I didn’t see any other nominated performance this year, but Renner’s was very impressive for an unknown.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side…she did a phenomenal job in this role and has grown up quite a bit from her Speed days.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds…maybe my favourite performance of any actor in any movie this year.
Best Supporting Actress: I didn’t see any of these nominees…but from what I hear Mo’Nique did a superb job in Precious.
But of course, most of the nominations are those of the Academy. The white-haired, no risk, crusty old boys club who wouldn’t take a risk on a movie for the every day man and woman.
That’s where I come in…
Now my winners and Best Picture nominees for The Matt-scars or Osc-mouchelles.
Best Picture: The nominees are Inglorious Basterds, The Blind Side, The Hangover, Saw 6 and Taken…I’d have to say the best movie I saw in 2009 was The Hangover.
Best Actor: Liam Nieson in Taken was a poor man’s Jack Bauer and he did a kick-ass job doing so…he gets the nod from me.
Best Actress: I actually have to go back to my actual Oscar pick and give the honour to Sandra Bullock. It’s just a great movie from start to finish.
Best Supporting Actor: In a stunning development, we have a tie. Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds is sharing the trophy with Zack Galafanakis from The Hangover. Oh, you’re going to tell me that Alan wasn’t the best character in the movies this year??
And finally Best Supporting Actress: I liked Helen Mirren in State of Play. She was tough, hostile and downright hot.
So enjoy the Oscars on Sunday everyone and remember…if you’re a man over 30 years old…you best not be hosting an Oscar Party…or as the Academy hands out their awards…you will have to hand in your man papers.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
30 Medals For Canada
It’s time for Canada to announce their presence with authority in the Winter Olympics.
For decades Canadian athletes have just been another name in a long list of forgetful performances on the world’s biggest stage.
This time, the stage is in our own back yard – and we must be ready to answer the call.
If you look back at the history of Canada at the Winter Olympics, you’ll see unachieved goals, mediocre performances and a plethora of 6th and 7th place finishes.
It is time for that to stop.
Each year since the ’84 games in Sarajevo, our medal count has risen – slowly but surely – to its all time high at the last games in Turin with a total of 24.
It is time for us to take the next step.
There’s no reason Canada cannot reach 30 medals in the 2010 Vancouver Games.
We have stood by as Canadians, expecting every year to get better and better during the two wintery weeks of the Olympics, only to have our hopes dashed time and time again.
Whether it’s bad efforts on our part or unexpected finishes from unknown competitors, we have struggled to earn more than double-digit medal totals only four times.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Canada will never be a powerhouse during the Summer Games – even though we once won 44 medals in 1984 in Los Angeles – but you would just have to think that in the Great White North we’d be able to compete in most events during the Winter Games.
It hasn’t been the case until recently.
Not only did we finish in the Top 3 at the Turin Games (behind only Germany and the United States), we tied the 2002 Games for the most gold medals by Canadian athletes with 7.
It’s time to ride that momentum.
There are added pressures in 2010, no question. The Games are on our home turf and the entire world will be watching not only how the Games are operated, but how the host team rises to the occasion.
We don’t have another choice but to succeed.
There has always been the argument that Canada receives very little funding from the Federal Government to practice and train for the Olympic Games and that is the cause for their struggles.
But that funding has gone up recently, as has the request for every day residents to pitch in when they can to help the team.
I know for one that if I am paying 20 dollars for a pair of gloves or 5 dollars for a Canada mug at a gas station – I want a return on my investment.
If you want to show Canadians across the country that our athletes are worth sponsoring and funding, then we need to see some medals around their necks.
We need to take a different approach at these Games than others.
“With Glowing Hearts” shouldn’t be the motto for the 2010 Games, for that they should look no further than Notre Dame Head Coach Dan Devine’s classic line from the movie “Rudy” - “No one comes into our house and pushes us around”.
Sure, it may not as friendly in a spirit-of-the-Games type way, but it’s a message to other countries that if you plan to invade our country on skis, skates, bobsleighs or snowboards that we will not make it easy for you to go home victorious.
Canada has only once hosted the Winter Games – back in 1988 in Calgary – and because of their disappointing finish, has not won a Gold Medal on home turf.
That will change this year.
Predictions range anywhere from 20-28 medals for our country at these Games, I think we can do better.
Our hockey teams are, on paper, the best in either men’s or women’s competition.
We can expect speed skating to again be one of our best events, in fact, Canada has won more medals from speed skating than any other event (28) and with athletes like Christine Nesbitt, Kristina Groves and flag-bearer Clara Hughes among the favourites, we should be able to ensure some medals in this category once again.
Curling is a sport Canada has been consistent in since it secured a spot in the Olympic program, by picking up medals each year.
And you can’t count out a medal here and there in different skiing events and a figure skating medal or two.
206 athletes will represent Canada at the Olympic Games this year and many will set personal best times and experience a magic and excitement that will never be equalled.
Some will leave Vancouver with bruises, not only on their bodies but on their egos.
And others will bask in the glory of hearing the Canadian National Anthem pumped from the speakers of their respective venue for the world to hear.
It’s time for Canada to take the next step.
It’s time for Canada to be a force to be reckoned with.
And there is no better time to do it, than within our own borders.
For decades Canadian athletes have just been another name in a long list of forgetful performances on the world’s biggest stage.
This time, the stage is in our own back yard – and we must be ready to answer the call.
If you look back at the history of Canada at the Winter Olympics, you’ll see unachieved goals, mediocre performances and a plethora of 6th and 7th place finishes.
It is time for that to stop.
Each year since the ’84 games in Sarajevo, our medal count has risen – slowly but surely – to its all time high at the last games in Turin with a total of 24.
It is time for us to take the next step.
There’s no reason Canada cannot reach 30 medals in the 2010 Vancouver Games.
We have stood by as Canadians, expecting every year to get better and better during the two wintery weeks of the Olympics, only to have our hopes dashed time and time again.
Whether it’s bad efforts on our part or unexpected finishes from unknown competitors, we have struggled to earn more than double-digit medal totals only four times.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Canada will never be a powerhouse during the Summer Games – even though we once won 44 medals in 1984 in Los Angeles – but you would just have to think that in the Great White North we’d be able to compete in most events during the Winter Games.
It hasn’t been the case until recently.
Not only did we finish in the Top 3 at the Turin Games (behind only Germany and the United States), we tied the 2002 Games for the most gold medals by Canadian athletes with 7.
It’s time to ride that momentum.
There are added pressures in 2010, no question. The Games are on our home turf and the entire world will be watching not only how the Games are operated, but how the host team rises to the occasion.
We don’t have another choice but to succeed.
There has always been the argument that Canada receives very little funding from the Federal Government to practice and train for the Olympic Games and that is the cause for their struggles.
But that funding has gone up recently, as has the request for every day residents to pitch in when they can to help the team.
I know for one that if I am paying 20 dollars for a pair of gloves or 5 dollars for a Canada mug at a gas station – I want a return on my investment.
If you want to show Canadians across the country that our athletes are worth sponsoring and funding, then we need to see some medals around their necks.
We need to take a different approach at these Games than others.
“With Glowing Hearts” shouldn’t be the motto for the 2010 Games, for that they should look no further than Notre Dame Head Coach Dan Devine’s classic line from the movie “Rudy” - “No one comes into our house and pushes us around”.
Sure, it may not as friendly in a spirit-of-the-Games type way, but it’s a message to other countries that if you plan to invade our country on skis, skates, bobsleighs or snowboards that we will not make it easy for you to go home victorious.
Canada has only once hosted the Winter Games – back in 1988 in Calgary – and because of their disappointing finish, has not won a Gold Medal on home turf.
That will change this year.
Predictions range anywhere from 20-28 medals for our country at these Games, I think we can do better.
Our hockey teams are, on paper, the best in either men’s or women’s competition.
We can expect speed skating to again be one of our best events, in fact, Canada has won more medals from speed skating than any other event (28) and with athletes like Christine Nesbitt, Kristina Groves and flag-bearer Clara Hughes among the favourites, we should be able to ensure some medals in this category once again.
Curling is a sport Canada has been consistent in since it secured a spot in the Olympic program, by picking up medals each year.
And you can’t count out a medal here and there in different skiing events and a figure skating medal or two.
206 athletes will represent Canada at the Olympic Games this year and many will set personal best times and experience a magic and excitement that will never be equalled.
Some will leave Vancouver with bruises, not only on their bodies but on their egos.
And others will bask in the glory of hearing the Canadian National Anthem pumped from the speakers of their respective venue for the world to hear.
It’s time for Canada to take the next step.
It’s time for Canada to be a force to be reckoned with.
And there is no better time to do it, than within our own borders.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Jan 29 - Post Surgery
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
They say it and it’s true.
I went into surgery last Thursday expecting a minor bump in the road, and by the next week I’d be moving around like nothing happened.
Ya…not so much.
It’s Friday now and I’m able to put a sock on my right foot, put very little weight on it and hop up and down the stairs.
Earlier this week, I experienced life as I never want to again…without mobility.
I was not able to put pressure on my foot for 5 days and thus I was stricken to crutches for my regular movement.
It took me about 5 minutes to get up from the couch and hobble my way to the bathroom and back…or to move from the living room to the bedroom.
I could not climb stairs and I was not able to go outside for 4 days.
It’s pretty unreal how you have to adjust life when you have any kind of injury, your whole world changes.
After having surgery on this part of the anatomy, I would have to say there may be no more crippling injury than one done to the foot.
Try it, even for an hour or two…try not being able to walk on your right foot, hoping around and holding your foot off the ground or at a 90 degree angle at the knee.
I challenge you to be able to go about your regular routine with that deprivation.
I’m not looking for sympathy here, I’m just sharing my experience and offering my sincere worship for people that are stuck with these wooden assistants for a much longer time than I am – because I could not do it.
I got used to moving around slowly but surely and all the bandage changes and sporadic shooting pain became tolerable.
But, I’ve always been a person that does not like to ask for help, whether it’s the macho testosterone gene or a belief that other people couldn’t do it as well as me, it’s hard for me to put faith in other people’s assistance.
This past week though, I have depended on it.
Craig has given me rides into work every day this week, Kim has driven me to the mall, my Mom and Dad – God bless them – have done everything from making lunch for me to getting me glasses of water at my request to changing my bandages daily.
Some people would revel in this lifestyle – ask and you receive – but I not only felt guilty and embarrassed by having to ask for these things, I also felt useless and frustrated.
On Thursday morning when I was able to put a sock on my foot for the first time I was immediately thrilled to achieve such an accomplishment in my recovery – then became immediately frustrated, realizing I was celebrating PUTTING ON A SOCK!
I understand after any procedure, there is a period of recovery…and I’ll be the first to admit I am not as active as I should be…but I didn’t lose the ability to go for a morning jog – I lost the ability to walk from a bedroom into a living room without an aid.
And there may be no more abnormal feeling than when you put your foot on the ground for the first time in 4 or 5 days and have literally forgotten how to walk on it.
Not in the sense of one foot in front of the other, but in having enough faith and confidence that if you begin to step and land properly on that foot that it won’t buckle underneath you and send you falling without a net onto the ground.
So I need to thank all the men and women at Windsor Regional, Bayshore Home Health, my parents, Kim, Craig, Maureen, Dr. Adams and many others for there help…everything from surgery to bringing me another glass of milk or making sure I don’t do a faceplant while walking up the stairs.
It is an experience I will not forget, an experience that now doesn’t seem worth it, and one I would never want to go through again.
They say it and it’s true.
I went into surgery last Thursday expecting a minor bump in the road, and by the next week I’d be moving around like nothing happened.
Ya…not so much.
It’s Friday now and I’m able to put a sock on my right foot, put very little weight on it and hop up and down the stairs.
Earlier this week, I experienced life as I never want to again…without mobility.
I was not able to put pressure on my foot for 5 days and thus I was stricken to crutches for my regular movement.
It took me about 5 minutes to get up from the couch and hobble my way to the bathroom and back…or to move from the living room to the bedroom.
I could not climb stairs and I was not able to go outside for 4 days.
It’s pretty unreal how you have to adjust life when you have any kind of injury, your whole world changes.
After having surgery on this part of the anatomy, I would have to say there may be no more crippling injury than one done to the foot.
Try it, even for an hour or two…try not being able to walk on your right foot, hoping around and holding your foot off the ground or at a 90 degree angle at the knee.
I challenge you to be able to go about your regular routine with that deprivation.
I’m not looking for sympathy here, I’m just sharing my experience and offering my sincere worship for people that are stuck with these wooden assistants for a much longer time than I am – because I could not do it.
I got used to moving around slowly but surely and all the bandage changes and sporadic shooting pain became tolerable.
But, I’ve always been a person that does not like to ask for help, whether it’s the macho testosterone gene or a belief that other people couldn’t do it as well as me, it’s hard for me to put faith in other people’s assistance.
This past week though, I have depended on it.
Craig has given me rides into work every day this week, Kim has driven me to the mall, my Mom and Dad – God bless them – have done everything from making lunch for me to getting me glasses of water at my request to changing my bandages daily.
Some people would revel in this lifestyle – ask and you receive – but I not only felt guilty and embarrassed by having to ask for these things, I also felt useless and frustrated.
On Thursday morning when I was able to put a sock on my foot for the first time I was immediately thrilled to achieve such an accomplishment in my recovery – then became immediately frustrated, realizing I was celebrating PUTTING ON A SOCK!
I understand after any procedure, there is a period of recovery…and I’ll be the first to admit I am not as active as I should be…but I didn’t lose the ability to go for a morning jog – I lost the ability to walk from a bedroom into a living room without an aid.
And there may be no more abnormal feeling than when you put your foot on the ground for the first time in 4 or 5 days and have literally forgotten how to walk on it.
Not in the sense of one foot in front of the other, but in having enough faith and confidence that if you begin to step and land properly on that foot that it won’t buckle underneath you and send you falling without a net onto the ground.
So I need to thank all the men and women at Windsor Regional, Bayshore Home Health, my parents, Kim, Craig, Maureen, Dr. Adams and many others for there help…everything from surgery to bringing me another glass of milk or making sure I don’t do a faceplant while walking up the stairs.
It is an experience I will not forget, an experience that now doesn’t seem worth it, and one I would never want to go through again.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Jan 8
All my best wishes have been passed along to Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent for a promising 2010 and that we will soon blossom once again.
But there’s another city that I would hope to see recover just as much - the city of Detroit.
I have a special place in my heart for the Motor City because I’ve lived so close to it for the majority of my life.
It is where I go for, quite honestly, 90 percent of my entertainment – from concerts, sporting events, shopping and travel.
I also understand in large part, as Detroit goes – Windsor and Chatham go and as much as we’d like to deny it, their success will only help with our success.
Over the holiday break, when I heard the story about the attempted terrorist attack on the airplane from Amsterdam, I wasn’t as upset to hear about the attack as I was to hear that it would have happened in Detroit.
I was left thinking to myself “is there any other bad things that can happen to this city?”
I just read the murder rate has gone up and driving through the streets anywhere outside of Woodward Avenue and you see nothing but abandoned buildings, burned-out cars and people looking for shelter and their next meal.
It also doesn`t help their city council is as corrupt as their city is empty.
But, there is no doubt we will need help from our American friends if we want to see things turn around in our region…so as you continue to hope for good things for our city, don`t forget to look across the border and extend the same wishes…it can only benefit us.
But there’s another city that I would hope to see recover just as much - the city of Detroit.
I have a special place in my heart for the Motor City because I’ve lived so close to it for the majority of my life.
It is where I go for, quite honestly, 90 percent of my entertainment – from concerts, sporting events, shopping and travel.
I also understand in large part, as Detroit goes – Windsor and Chatham go and as much as we’d like to deny it, their success will only help with our success.
Over the holiday break, when I heard the story about the attempted terrorist attack on the airplane from Amsterdam, I wasn’t as upset to hear about the attack as I was to hear that it would have happened in Detroit.
I was left thinking to myself “is there any other bad things that can happen to this city?”
I just read the murder rate has gone up and driving through the streets anywhere outside of Woodward Avenue and you see nothing but abandoned buildings, burned-out cars and people looking for shelter and their next meal.
It also doesn`t help their city council is as corrupt as their city is empty.
But, there is no doubt we will need help from our American friends if we want to see things turn around in our region…so as you continue to hope for good things for our city, don`t forget to look across the border and extend the same wishes…it can only benefit us.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Chris Henry 1983-2009
The NFL has lost one of it’s more conflicted stars.
Cincinnati Bengals troubled wide-reciever, Chris Henry died yesterday, a day after falling out of the back of a pick-up truck and hitting his head.
He was 26.
Henry’s brief time in the NFL is the prime example of how things can go horribly wrong for someone with so much promise and praise.
He was one of the best players in the history of the West Virginia football program and was drafted by the Bengals in the third-round in 2005 and came to the team with much fanfare – and baggage.
In his rookie year he caught 31 passes for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns and the following year dodged the sophmore slump by making 36 catches for 605 yards and 9 touchdowns.
But as good as Henry was at escaping defenders – he could never run away from the law.
Henry’s wrap-sheet includes drunk-driving offense, gun charges, marijuana possession, assault and criminal damaging.
From 2006-2008, he was suspended for 14 games total for violating a number of NFL conduct policies and had been deemed, along with “Pacman” Jones, to be the biggest troublemaker in the league.
He was released by the Bengals in April of 2008 while serving 7 months house arrest for throwing a beer bottle through the window of a man’s car who he believed owed him money...but it was the wrong guy.
He was re-signed not long after that by Cincinnati because of a number of injuries to their wide reciever core, and because of a promise that Henry had cleaned up his act...and he had.
He was a father to three kids and wanted to get his life back on track and continue his life in football.
But it was short-lived.
In November of this year he was placed on injured reserve because of a broken forearm – and never played again.
In a weird twist of irony, it was nothing to do with his criminal record that got him killed, it was an injury he incurred on the football field, while trying to prove to doubters around the NFL that he was a changed man.
If he was not injured that day, he would have been in Cincinnati, practicing with his team and preparing for a game against San Diego – a game in which, if they won, they would be crowned division champs.
Instead he was in Charlotte, North Carolina where it appears he got into an argument with his fiancee who got into a pickup truck and drove away...Henry chased after her, jumped into the back of the truck, but fell and never recovered.
Was Chris Henry a bad guy? I don’t know. Was he someone I would want on my football team? Probably not. Am I mad when I see athletes with all the talent in the world, flush it all away for whatever reason? Definately. If I had half his talent, I’d have a pretty good NFL career under my belt when it was all said and done.
But watching the reaction of players around the Cincinnati locker room, you can’t help but feel bad for the guy.
Chris Henry was 26 and still had probably a half-decade left in the NFL before his death.
But instead it’s just a sad ending to a life that suffered more hits off the field than on it.
Cincinnati Bengals troubled wide-reciever, Chris Henry died yesterday, a day after falling out of the back of a pick-up truck and hitting his head.
He was 26.
Henry’s brief time in the NFL is the prime example of how things can go horribly wrong for someone with so much promise and praise.
He was one of the best players in the history of the West Virginia football program and was drafted by the Bengals in the third-round in 2005 and came to the team with much fanfare – and baggage.
In his rookie year he caught 31 passes for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns and the following year dodged the sophmore slump by making 36 catches for 605 yards and 9 touchdowns.
But as good as Henry was at escaping defenders – he could never run away from the law.
Henry’s wrap-sheet includes drunk-driving offense, gun charges, marijuana possession, assault and criminal damaging.
From 2006-2008, he was suspended for 14 games total for violating a number of NFL conduct policies and had been deemed, along with “Pacman” Jones, to be the biggest troublemaker in the league.
He was released by the Bengals in April of 2008 while serving 7 months house arrest for throwing a beer bottle through the window of a man’s car who he believed owed him money...but it was the wrong guy.
He was re-signed not long after that by Cincinnati because of a number of injuries to their wide reciever core, and because of a promise that Henry had cleaned up his act...and he had.
He was a father to three kids and wanted to get his life back on track and continue his life in football.
But it was short-lived.
In November of this year he was placed on injured reserve because of a broken forearm – and never played again.
In a weird twist of irony, it was nothing to do with his criminal record that got him killed, it was an injury he incurred on the football field, while trying to prove to doubters around the NFL that he was a changed man.
If he was not injured that day, he would have been in Cincinnati, practicing with his team and preparing for a game against San Diego – a game in which, if they won, they would be crowned division champs.
Instead he was in Charlotte, North Carolina where it appears he got into an argument with his fiancee who got into a pickup truck and drove away...Henry chased after her, jumped into the back of the truck, but fell and never recovered.
Was Chris Henry a bad guy? I don’t know. Was he someone I would want on my football team? Probably not. Am I mad when I see athletes with all the talent in the world, flush it all away for whatever reason? Definately. If I had half his talent, I’d have a pretty good NFL career under my belt when it was all said and done.
But watching the reaction of players around the Cincinnati locker room, you can’t help but feel bad for the guy.
Chris Henry was 26 and still had probably a half-decade left in the NFL before his death.
But instead it’s just a sad ending to a life that suffered more hits off the field than on it.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Dec 3
There are a lot of people who have won and lost in the Tiger Woods scandal…so for those of you scoring at home…here is how I see the fallout…and how everyone is affected.
Losers:
1 – Elin Woods…of course, finding out that her husband is an alleged cheater and for having the spotlight shone on her private life for nothing of her own doing. Ask 20 women if they found out their husband was cheating if they would chase him down with a golf club and 18 of them would say yes…the other two would use something with a sharper edge. She now has to either decide to be a forgiving wife or reach for the pockets of her famous husband and hold on tight. Either way her world has been rocked, she’s been embarrassed and her ego has been shot.
2 – Tiger Woods…and I don’t mean the 50 million dollars a year he will probably end up losing…I mean the fact that he will never be able to go to his sanctuary of golf to work or relax. The course is the only thing he has known in his life and from now on he will not be questioned about the 67 he shot at Pebble Beach…it’ll be about the cart-girls waiting in the clubhouse.
3 – Yapster Parnevik…excuse me Jesper…who the hell are you...you want to know the sad, pathetic thing about your live Jesper – the most famous thing you’ve ever done is introduce Tiger to Elin…and I don’t think ol’ Jesper tapping Tiger on the shoulder and saying “hey best buddy, I know a great girl you’ve got to meet”…more like him sheepishly wandering up to Tiger…correcting Woods when Tiger orders Jesper to get him another box of tees and saying “that girl over there likes you”…guess how many PGA Tour wins he has – 5…the best showing he’s had in a Major…tied for 2nd in 1994 and 1997…maybe you should keep your mouth shut spend more time in the driving range than looking for your 5 minutes of fame, reminding people that you still exist…you’ve chastised the most powerful man in your sport…smart move…don’t wait by the mailbox for all your Tour invitations…not to mention the obvious Man-Code violations…you can make an argument that out of this whole dilemma – HE looks the worst.
4 – General Public…we have hung on the edge of our seat for a week now, wondering what will happen next …and don’t lie…hoping it gets worse…again another sad example of how our lives are so dull and boring that we get a rise in our pants when someone we’ve never met…who could literally buy us…goes through drama…we sit back, laugh, pop a bag of popcorn and hope the carnage never ends…cause there’s nothing in our own lives to look forward to.
And now the winners:
1 – The PGA…you can’t buy this kind of press…yes it’s negative and yes it’s about your star player…but tell me there’s a person in the world who will stop playing golf because Tiger cheated on his wife…this is one of the few quiet times in the PGA Tour…but it’s been the biggest topic of conversation for a week…there’s drama in the PGA now…it’s not your grandfather’s league anymore…the biggest name in your league is no better than Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth…the squeaky clean/boring image of the PGA is gone…and it’s the best thing that could happen to the sport.
2 – Phil Mickelson…what does Phil have to do with this...well, arguably the most hated golfer on the Tour now looks like a saint…Phil has dropped out of tournaments recently to support his wife Amy who has been very sick…he’s been by her side and bypassed a few paychecks to do so…he was immediately punished with the rivalry tag when him and Tiger became 1 and 2…thus making him the bad guy…now the bad guy doesn’t look so bad…Phil has replaced Tiger by being the gentleman of a gentlemen’s game…by being everything Tiger hasn’t been at home.
3 – Tiger’s Girls… they get their 20 minutes of fame and they can always walk around their tables at the MGM Grand or in Times Square and say “I’m the girl that ruined Tiger Woods marriage”…and who knows…maybe they will get a cameo or Playboy spread here and there…and let’s be honest…these women weren’t looking for love anyways…they wanted money, attention and to be in the headlines…and they got their wish.
4 – Tiger Woods… I know, you’re thinking …how is Tiger Woods coming out of this…well…the one thing he’s now shaken from his persona is his image…he is no longer the Golden Boy who has returned to Earth 3 days after he was crucified…he’s a human…he makes mistakes…and not just misreading a putt…he will no longer be looked at as the person every male on the planet should emulate…he’s just another athlete who’s cheated on his wife…and Tiger is undoubtedly thrilled that label is a thing of the past.
The Tiger Woods saga will never end, if Tiger spoke up or not. But life will move on for Tiger…and when he’s 85…he will still be filthy rich and remembered as the greatest golfer of our time…even if he won’t be winning Husband of the Year anytime soon.
Losers:
1 – Elin Woods…of course, finding out that her husband is an alleged cheater and for having the spotlight shone on her private life for nothing of her own doing. Ask 20 women if they found out their husband was cheating if they would chase him down with a golf club and 18 of them would say yes…the other two would use something with a sharper edge. She now has to either decide to be a forgiving wife or reach for the pockets of her famous husband and hold on tight. Either way her world has been rocked, she’s been embarrassed and her ego has been shot.
2 – Tiger Woods…and I don’t mean the 50 million dollars a year he will probably end up losing…I mean the fact that he will never be able to go to his sanctuary of golf to work or relax. The course is the only thing he has known in his life and from now on he will not be questioned about the 67 he shot at Pebble Beach…it’ll be about the cart-girls waiting in the clubhouse.
3 – Yapster Parnevik…excuse me Jesper…who the hell are you...you want to know the sad, pathetic thing about your live Jesper – the most famous thing you’ve ever done is introduce Tiger to Elin…and I don’t think ol’ Jesper tapping Tiger on the shoulder and saying “hey best buddy, I know a great girl you’ve got to meet”…more like him sheepishly wandering up to Tiger…correcting Woods when Tiger orders Jesper to get him another box of tees and saying “that girl over there likes you”…guess how many PGA Tour wins he has – 5…the best showing he’s had in a Major…tied for 2nd in 1994 and 1997…maybe you should keep your mouth shut spend more time in the driving range than looking for your 5 minutes of fame, reminding people that you still exist…you’ve chastised the most powerful man in your sport…smart move…don’t wait by the mailbox for all your Tour invitations…not to mention the obvious Man-Code violations…you can make an argument that out of this whole dilemma – HE looks the worst.
4 – General Public…we have hung on the edge of our seat for a week now, wondering what will happen next …and don’t lie…hoping it gets worse…again another sad example of how our lives are so dull and boring that we get a rise in our pants when someone we’ve never met…who could literally buy us…goes through drama…we sit back, laugh, pop a bag of popcorn and hope the carnage never ends…cause there’s nothing in our own lives to look forward to.
And now the winners:
1 – The PGA…you can’t buy this kind of press…yes it’s negative and yes it’s about your star player…but tell me there’s a person in the world who will stop playing golf because Tiger cheated on his wife…this is one of the few quiet times in the PGA Tour…but it’s been the biggest topic of conversation for a week…there’s drama in the PGA now…it’s not your grandfather’s league anymore…the biggest name in your league is no better than Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth…the squeaky clean/boring image of the PGA is gone…and it’s the best thing that could happen to the sport.
2 – Phil Mickelson…what does Phil have to do with this...well, arguably the most hated golfer on the Tour now looks like a saint…Phil has dropped out of tournaments recently to support his wife Amy who has been very sick…he’s been by her side and bypassed a few paychecks to do so…he was immediately punished with the rivalry tag when him and Tiger became 1 and 2…thus making him the bad guy…now the bad guy doesn’t look so bad…Phil has replaced Tiger by being the gentleman of a gentlemen’s game…by being everything Tiger hasn’t been at home.
3 – Tiger’s Girls… they get their 20 minutes of fame and they can always walk around their tables at the MGM Grand or in Times Square and say “I’m the girl that ruined Tiger Woods marriage”…and who knows…maybe they will get a cameo or Playboy spread here and there…and let’s be honest…these women weren’t looking for love anyways…they wanted money, attention and to be in the headlines…and they got their wish.
4 – Tiger Woods… I know, you’re thinking …how is Tiger Woods coming out of this…well…the one thing he’s now shaken from his persona is his image…he is no longer the Golden Boy who has returned to Earth 3 days after he was crucified…he’s a human…he makes mistakes…and not just misreading a putt…he will no longer be looked at as the person every male on the planet should emulate…he’s just another athlete who’s cheated on his wife…and Tiger is undoubtedly thrilled that label is a thing of the past.
The Tiger Woods saga will never end, if Tiger spoke up or not. But life will move on for Tiger…and when he’s 85…he will still be filthy rich and remembered as the greatest golfer of our time…even if he won’t be winning Husband of the Year anytime soon.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Nov 26
Happy Turkey Day!
-3 games on the schedule today...my winners...
Green Bay
Dallas
New York Giants
Random Predictions
-Roy Halladay will be traded to the Boston Red Sox before December 15
-The Tigers will not trade Cabrera or Granderson
-The Detroit Pistons will not make the playoffs
-The Detroit Red Wings will finish 6th in the Western Conference and lose in Round 1
-The Lions will finish with 3 wins
-The Indianapolis Colts will stay perfect longer than New Orleans
-The Saints will not make the Super Bowl...neither will Indy
I will add on as they come to me
Enjoy your Thanksgiving my American friends!
-3 games on the schedule today...my winners...
Green Bay
Dallas
New York Giants
Random Predictions
-Roy Halladay will be traded to the Boston Red Sox before December 15
-The Tigers will not trade Cabrera or Granderson
-The Detroit Pistons will not make the playoffs
-The Detroit Red Wings will finish 6th in the Western Conference and lose in Round 1
-The Lions will finish with 3 wins
-The Indianapolis Colts will stay perfect longer than New Orleans
-The Saints will not make the Super Bowl...neither will Indy
I will add on as they come to me
Enjoy your Thanksgiving my American friends!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Nov 20
Only one more week of this moustache!
-I don't believe I've mentioned before that I can growing a 'stache for Mo-vember to raise money for men's health issues, especially prostate cancer. That's a scary thing to have to deal with and Craig and I are more than happy to take part in any fundraising efforts we can. But I gotta tell you...as Keith Hernandez says in the Just For Men commercials "This Stache is Trash"...it's been 19 days since I shaved and I'm happy to announce it is now fairly noticeable. While a few people in our office have had to trim theirs, or lost theirs completely, I have merely been fighting for a little colour and growth. You are always wondering if you should change your look or if you are looking a little too plain lately...but I know one thing I can cross off my list for good - the 'stache. I look like I should not be allowed near your children, or a park, or anywhere in public, really. I was hoping to look like Tom Selleck by the end of this, but I probably look more like his mom. Only 8 more days and it comes off...I probably won't even use a razor. I'll rip it off myself. Thankfully it's for charity. So donate a Abar's in Windsor or online at canadasrock.ca and help me raise some money for growing a stache...and looking like a jackass...
-I meant to write this a couple days ago and am just getting to it now...the busy life of naps that I lead. The Tigers have been coming up a lot recently in the news and for all the wrong reasons. A sudden rush to cut salary has forced the Tigers to dangle names like Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson and even Miguel Cabrera on the trade market. This is an absolute insult to Tigers fans and these players. It is not their fault that they have such large contracts - you offered them, they signed them. Now you want a mulligan on deals you gave only one or two years ago. Your payroll is not high because of Grandy and Cabby...your payroll is high because you stupidly have tossed money at Magglio Ordonez, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis, to name a few. The money you are spending on Cabby is a STEAL. On Granderson, well deserved. But you put those contracts next to Dontrelle or Maggs and it's laughable. Now you think the only way to rebound is to trade your stars so you can accommodate the payroll of your idiots.
-There is not a package I would agree to trade Cabrera for. The deal would have to be so obviously lopsided, it is criticized as the worst trade in baseball history. I'm talking about Beckett, Lowry, Ellsbury, Papelbon and a prospect. That's a deal I would trade Cabby for. Aside from that - go away. Cabby is a Top 3 player in the AL and the only offensive reason this team stood a chance last year...and how do you thank him? Put his name out there in trade offers. Brilliant. Granderson I would hate to trade, but would if the deal was right. But the deal MUST include a speedy, leadoff outfielder. Not the fake speed, .250 average leadoff outfielder that Granderson represents.
-The Tigers are getting 60 million dollars taken off the table after this season because of their horrible contract decisions. If they really can't hold out for one more season, then as Cabby and Grandy goes - Dave Dombrowski should follow. It is his fault we have had to cut salary and I put having to trade a man who will be one of the greatest Tigers ever when he's done on Dombrowski's shoulders. He has failed to produce a consistant winner in Detroit and I think it is time he takes a walk. Don't make your obstructed view of Nate Robertson's value cost Tiger fans a true superstar. Suck it up and keep those two, and spend your extra 60 million next year WISELY! Until then, good luck finding a cheap shortstop, second baseman, 3rd starter, three bullpen pitchers and a utility man or two.
-Red Wings/Panthers tonight...guarenteed win night??
-I don't believe I've mentioned before that I can growing a 'stache for Mo-vember to raise money for men's health issues, especially prostate cancer. That's a scary thing to have to deal with and Craig and I are more than happy to take part in any fundraising efforts we can. But I gotta tell you...as Keith Hernandez says in the Just For Men commercials "This Stache is Trash"...it's been 19 days since I shaved and I'm happy to announce it is now fairly noticeable. While a few people in our office have had to trim theirs, or lost theirs completely, I have merely been fighting for a little colour and growth. You are always wondering if you should change your look or if you are looking a little too plain lately...but I know one thing I can cross off my list for good - the 'stache. I look like I should not be allowed near your children, or a park, or anywhere in public, really. I was hoping to look like Tom Selleck by the end of this, but I probably look more like his mom. Only 8 more days and it comes off...I probably won't even use a razor. I'll rip it off myself. Thankfully it's for charity. So donate a Abar's in Windsor or online at canadasrock.ca and help me raise some money for growing a stache...and looking like a jackass...
-I meant to write this a couple days ago and am just getting to it now...the busy life of naps that I lead. The Tigers have been coming up a lot recently in the news and for all the wrong reasons. A sudden rush to cut salary has forced the Tigers to dangle names like Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson and even Miguel Cabrera on the trade market. This is an absolute insult to Tigers fans and these players. It is not their fault that they have such large contracts - you offered them, they signed them. Now you want a mulligan on deals you gave only one or two years ago. Your payroll is not high because of Grandy and Cabby...your payroll is high because you stupidly have tossed money at Magglio Ordonez, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis, to name a few. The money you are spending on Cabby is a STEAL. On Granderson, well deserved. But you put those contracts next to Dontrelle or Maggs and it's laughable. Now you think the only way to rebound is to trade your stars so you can accommodate the payroll of your idiots.
-There is not a package I would agree to trade Cabrera for. The deal would have to be so obviously lopsided, it is criticized as the worst trade in baseball history. I'm talking about Beckett, Lowry, Ellsbury, Papelbon and a prospect. That's a deal I would trade Cabby for. Aside from that - go away. Cabby is a Top 3 player in the AL and the only offensive reason this team stood a chance last year...and how do you thank him? Put his name out there in trade offers. Brilliant. Granderson I would hate to trade, but would if the deal was right. But the deal MUST include a speedy, leadoff outfielder. Not the fake speed, .250 average leadoff outfielder that Granderson represents.
-The Tigers are getting 60 million dollars taken off the table after this season because of their horrible contract decisions. If they really can't hold out for one more season, then as Cabby and Grandy goes - Dave Dombrowski should follow. It is his fault we have had to cut salary and I put having to trade a man who will be one of the greatest Tigers ever when he's done on Dombrowski's shoulders. He has failed to produce a consistant winner in Detroit and I think it is time he takes a walk. Don't make your obstructed view of Nate Robertson's value cost Tiger fans a true superstar. Suck it up and keep those two, and spend your extra 60 million next year WISELY! Until then, good luck finding a cheap shortstop, second baseman, 3rd starter, three bullpen pitchers and a utility man or two.
-Red Wings/Panthers tonight...guarenteed win night??
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Nov 18
-Back to normal
-Football picks are a funny thing...for hours and hours a man can delve into such a large pool of stats that he drowns. He knows that Kansas City's defensive line is struggling. He knows New England's passing game is as good as any. He knows Baltimore hasn't won in Chicago in 14 tries...but frankly...it's all bullshit. The perfect example of this was this past weekend with my girlfriend, Kim. I don't consider myself an NFL wiz-kid by any means...I know who's good, I know who's bad and I know who should win games...or so I think. I finished my picks this week 8-5...which is the best I've done in the three weeks I've kept track (moving my record to 22-17 after 3 wks)...my girlfriend also picked the games with me, for fun. She went 9-4...yes, I got beat. Now looking at the matchups this week, I knew Washington was as bad as teams come these days in the NFL, I know Dallas has been red-hot of late and I know the Eagles are in tough against San Diego. My girlfriend, the sports ificianto that she is, wasn't sure of some of the team names...yet in the game of "Who Will Win", I got schooled...another example of the old saying, "no matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"
-Another great example of this I've experienced was at my old radio station in Owen Sound...we had a football pool every year, very simple - pick the winner. The first year I was there, I found out quickly that the competition was stiff and I'd have to be on my game. Manny, JD, Jim and even my buddy John were impressive in their art of picks...but so was our friend Jamie (yes, female)...long story short...Jamie won the pool and when asked how she picked the teams...it wasn't because New Orleans rushing numbers in domes during 4:05pm starts is off the scale...it's because she picked which city she'd rather go to. "No matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"
-I do know the writers got it RIGHT by selecting Zach Grenkie as the AL Cy Young Award winner. Justin Verlander, the personal favourite, finished 3rd behing Felix Hernandez of Seattle. I disagree with that, thinking it should have been Grenkie, Verlander and Hernandez - but a small disgression. Grenkie was a killer this year. A 2.16 ERA is unheard of and 16 wins for a Royals starter is unheard of. He had such incredible stuff that if he got a 3 or 4 run lead and you knew the game was over. I dont think you got that feeling from another pitcher this year. Add in the personal issues he's gone through and the fact that he plays every day in the VERY small market/small results city of Kansas City, he deserved it more than anyone. It also gave me some satisfaction to see CC Sabathia not in the Top 3. Yes, he had 19 wins, but in comparison, he had a 3.30+ ERA and he played for a team that would consider scoring 6 runs a "slow day at the office". Good on ya Zack!
-Tomorrow I will explore what Dave Dombrowski is thinking about doing to the Tigers...and what the Tigers SHOULD end up doing with him.
Go see Paranormal Activity...and have a good sleep!
-Football picks are a funny thing...for hours and hours a man can delve into such a large pool of stats that he drowns. He knows that Kansas City's defensive line is struggling. He knows New England's passing game is as good as any. He knows Baltimore hasn't won in Chicago in 14 tries...but frankly...it's all bullshit. The perfect example of this was this past weekend with my girlfriend, Kim. I don't consider myself an NFL wiz-kid by any means...I know who's good, I know who's bad and I know who should win games...or so I think. I finished my picks this week 8-5...which is the best I've done in the three weeks I've kept track (moving my record to 22-17 after 3 wks)...my girlfriend also picked the games with me, for fun. She went 9-4...yes, I got beat. Now looking at the matchups this week, I knew Washington was as bad as teams come these days in the NFL, I know Dallas has been red-hot of late and I know the Eagles are in tough against San Diego. My girlfriend, the sports ificianto that she is, wasn't sure of some of the team names...yet in the game of "Who Will Win", I got schooled...another example of the old saying, "no matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"
-Another great example of this I've experienced was at my old radio station in Owen Sound...we had a football pool every year, very simple - pick the winner. The first year I was there, I found out quickly that the competition was stiff and I'd have to be on my game. Manny, JD, Jim and even my buddy John were impressive in their art of picks...but so was our friend Jamie (yes, female)...long story short...Jamie won the pool and when asked how she picked the teams...it wasn't because New Orleans rushing numbers in domes during 4:05pm starts is off the scale...it's because she picked which city she'd rather go to. "No matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"
-I do know the writers got it RIGHT by selecting Zach Grenkie as the AL Cy Young Award winner. Justin Verlander, the personal favourite, finished 3rd behing Felix Hernandez of Seattle. I disagree with that, thinking it should have been Grenkie, Verlander and Hernandez - but a small disgression. Grenkie was a killer this year. A 2.16 ERA is unheard of and 16 wins for a Royals starter is unheard of. He had such incredible stuff that if he got a 3 or 4 run lead and you knew the game was over. I dont think you got that feeling from another pitcher this year. Add in the personal issues he's gone through and the fact that he plays every day in the VERY small market/small results city of Kansas City, he deserved it more than anyone. It also gave me some satisfaction to see CC Sabathia not in the Top 3. Yes, he had 19 wins, but in comparison, he had a 3.30+ ERA and he played for a team that would consider scoring 6 runs a "slow day at the office". Good on ya Zack!
-Tomorrow I will explore what Dave Dombrowski is thinking about doing to the Tigers...and what the Tigers SHOULD end up doing with him.
Go see Paranormal Activity...and have a good sleep!
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