Friday, November 27, 2009
I'll Be You / Date to Church
It just sounds better spinning around 33 1/3 times a minute, even if its coming through one shitty speaker out of what looks like a suitcase. These are the days when the B sides sound better then the A Sides. You dig?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Dock Ellis
Everyone should learn about Dock Ellis, a major league pitcher known for his years spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During this time he was involved with several mishaps, including one game where he decided he was going to hit every single batter on the Cincinnati Reds and another time when he beaned Reggie Jackson after Reggie hit a homerun off him. Ellis was most famously known for a game on June 12th, 1970 when he pitched a no-hitter. In 1984 Dock Ellis revealed that he was on LSD when he pitched that game. On his Wikipedia page is a quote in which he says:
"I can only remember bits and pieces of the game. I was psyched. I had a feeling of euphoria. I was zeroed in on the (catcher's) glove, but I didn't hit the glove too much. I remember hitting a couple of batters and the bases were loaded two or three times. The ball was small sometimes, the ball was large sometimes, sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I tried to stare the hitter down and throw while I was looking at him. I chewed my gum until it turned to powder. I started having a crazy idea in the fourth inning that Richard Nixon was the home plate umpire, and once I thought I was pitching a baseball to Jimi Hendrix, who to me was holding a guitar and swinging it over the plate. They say I had about three to four fielding chances. I remember diving out of the way of a ball I thought was a line drive. I jumped, but the ball wasn't hit hard and never reached me."
While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon this animation about this event. It is definitely worth a watch or two:
"I can only remember bits and pieces of the game. I was psyched. I had a feeling of euphoria. I was zeroed in on the (catcher's) glove, but I didn't hit the glove too much. I remember hitting a couple of batters and the bases were loaded two or three times. The ball was small sometimes, the ball was large sometimes, sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I tried to stare the hitter down and throw while I was looking at him. I chewed my gum until it turned to powder. I started having a crazy idea in the fourth inning that Richard Nixon was the home plate umpire, and once I thought I was pitching a baseball to Jimi Hendrix, who to me was holding a guitar and swinging it over the plate. They say I had about three to four fielding chances. I remember diving out of the way of a ball I thought was a line drive. I jumped, but the ball wasn't hit hard and never reached me."
While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon this animation about this event. It is definitely worth a watch or two:
Sunday, November 15, 2009
When the lights go out
The Herald had me shoot the funeral of the poor kid who was shot and killed at Fort Hood recently. I wasn't shooting inside the funeral as much as I was just standing around outside with other media people and residents that wanted to pay their respects. It was a sad situation for all. I think I have mentioned it before but whatever, I have nothing but respect for those willing to serve for this country. Hearing about deaths overseas is not so shocking anymore, sadly. But when people are getting killed in our own country, that just seems so much more real for some terrible reason. I sent in some images, but they didn't run any in the paper today. The images did end on the website, but whatever. Illinois Governor Quinn was there, which was respectable. He came over to the TV cameras to release a statement - so I took that opportunity to try to get a nice portrait of him. If I am not mistaken this is the 2nd time I have put a picture of him up on my blog. Look out Nick, it appears as if you have competition...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Bear down, Chicago Bears
The goddamn Bears. After acquiring Cutler, there was much hope for this season. After all, we traded Orton, the 'game manager' for a young, franchise quarterback. With the neckbeard last year we managed a 9-7 (winning) record, so it didn't seem too far-fetched to think about a 11 or 12 win season. Things just haven't fallen into place. The hype about of a new star on our team hid the now obvious problems that this team suffers from. Injuries could be a factor in these struggles, but in reality every team deals with them and they seem to adapt.
As I see it the major problems are:
The whole Defense
O-Line
Coaching Staff
Receivers
Bears have always been known for their furious defense. Just a couple of years ago, The Bears made it to the Super Bowl mainly because of their Defense and Special teams generating points. Last year The Bears organization and it's fans saw a decline in D's performance, so they made coaching changes. The Bears put head coach Lovie in charge of making the defensive calls, and also brought in Former Lions head coach Rod to address the D-line. Well, if anything these coaching changes have made things worse. in the last two games against winning teams the D was lit up. In both games, the first 6 drives resulted in scores for the other team. The D-line hasn't generated enough pressure on the quarterback so they are always able to find a open receiver down the field. The rest of the D is just kind of there, it seems like somedays they show up and get 3 interceptions, and the next game they give up a huge amount of passing and rushing yards.
If you watch the highlights of a bears loss, such as last nights shit-fest against the 49ers, you will see clips of Cutler throwing interceptions. Although there are times when Cutler just makes wrong decisions (especially in the red zone), much of this blame needs to be placed on the Bear's offensive line. Cutler is always under pressure, thus he is forced to get rid of the ball quicker then desired and therefore these turnovers happen. The O-line also struggles with run blocking. The Bears have a damn good runningback in Matt Forte, yet he has yet to do anything this season simply because he often gets tackled in the backfield because the o-line loses their one on one battles against blitzers and thus Forte has no chance.
As I already mentioned, Lovie Smith has stepped in as the head defensive coach, yet no progress has been made. They look worse to be honest. He has one more year left on his contract and unless he turns things around this year and has a decent year next year he is not going to get a contract extension. The fans are sick of him and will want him to be canned asap. The main problem with the coaching staff has to be offensive coordinator Ron Turner. No joke, 90% of the time I can accurately call what offensive play is going to be run. If I, a twenty-something kid watching on TV can predict which play is going to be called, then imagine what the other team's coaches and players must know. Turner's play calling is very boring and predictable. 3rd-and-long will almost always be a screen pass to the running back... 3rd and short in the redzone will always be a play-action-pass to either one of the tight-ends or the full-back. 1st and 10 will either be a run up the middle, or a slant route to the receiver. If the first play was a run, then the 2nd will almost always also be a run. So predictable. When you are predictable then you will have less chance for success. Catching other teams D's off guard is when those big plays happen.
"Who is Cutler going to throw to?" was the main question that was asked once we made that win-win trade to Denver last spring. It is no secret that we do not have any big name receivers as our number 1 guy is Devin Hester - who just two years ago was just known as a special teams superstar. Our other guys are just young inexperienced wide-recievers. Johnny Knox has shown talent, but still obviously is a young guy who doesn't entirely know the system yet. Our biggest threat is TE Greg Olson, and other teams know this and they double team him. In a few years these young guys will establish themselves as threats downfield, but as of now they just are not all the way there yet. I just can't help but feel that this team would be doing much better if we had a Steve Smith or a Chad Ochocinco to throw the ball to. Players like those guys find ways to make great plays even in undesirable situations, such as when your QB just throws a jump ball in your direction because he is about to get sacked.
At the time of this writing, the Bears are 4-5 with 7 games left to play. The unwritten rule is that 10 wins will get you into the playoffs. If the Bears can either win out or take 6 of 7 they might have a chance to play in December. This seems very unlikely mainly due to the reasons that I have listed, but it is not entirely impossible. If they could somehow turn things around that would be grand, but otherwise one cannot call this successful season. If the Bears do not get a winning season this year then i expect some massive changes from Halas Hall.
As I see it the major problems are:
The whole Defense
O-Line
Coaching Staff
Receivers
Bears have always been known for their furious defense. Just a couple of years ago, The Bears made it to the Super Bowl mainly because of their Defense and Special teams generating points. Last year The Bears organization and it's fans saw a decline in D's performance, so they made coaching changes. The Bears put head coach Lovie in charge of making the defensive calls, and also brought in Former Lions head coach Rod to address the D-line. Well, if anything these coaching changes have made things worse. in the last two games against winning teams the D was lit up. In both games, the first 6 drives resulted in scores for the other team. The D-line hasn't generated enough pressure on the quarterback so they are always able to find a open receiver down the field. The rest of the D is just kind of there, it seems like somedays they show up and get 3 interceptions, and the next game they give up a huge amount of passing and rushing yards.
If you watch the highlights of a bears loss, such as last nights shit-fest against the 49ers, you will see clips of Cutler throwing interceptions. Although there are times when Cutler just makes wrong decisions (especially in the red zone), much of this blame needs to be placed on the Bear's offensive line. Cutler is always under pressure, thus he is forced to get rid of the ball quicker then desired and therefore these turnovers happen. The O-line also struggles with run blocking. The Bears have a damn good runningback in Matt Forte, yet he has yet to do anything this season simply because he often gets tackled in the backfield because the o-line loses their one on one battles against blitzers and thus Forte has no chance.
As I already mentioned, Lovie Smith has stepped in as the head defensive coach, yet no progress has been made. They look worse to be honest. He has one more year left on his contract and unless he turns things around this year and has a decent year next year he is not going to get a contract extension. The fans are sick of him and will want him to be canned asap. The main problem with the coaching staff has to be offensive coordinator Ron Turner. No joke, 90% of the time I can accurately call what offensive play is going to be run. If I, a twenty-something kid watching on TV can predict which play is going to be called, then imagine what the other team's coaches and players must know. Turner's play calling is very boring and predictable. 3rd-and-long will almost always be a screen pass to the running back... 3rd and short in the redzone will always be a play-action-pass to either one of the tight-ends or the full-back. 1st and 10 will either be a run up the middle, or a slant route to the receiver. If the first play was a run, then the 2nd will almost always also be a run. So predictable. When you are predictable then you will have less chance for success. Catching other teams D's off guard is when those big plays happen.
"Who is Cutler going to throw to?" was the main question that was asked once we made that win-win trade to Denver last spring. It is no secret that we do not have any big name receivers as our number 1 guy is Devin Hester - who just two years ago was just known as a special teams superstar. Our other guys are just young inexperienced wide-recievers. Johnny Knox has shown talent, but still obviously is a young guy who doesn't entirely know the system yet. Our biggest threat is TE Greg Olson, and other teams know this and they double team him. In a few years these young guys will establish themselves as threats downfield, but as of now they just are not all the way there yet. I just can't help but feel that this team would be doing much better if we had a Steve Smith or a Chad Ochocinco to throw the ball to. Players like those guys find ways to make great plays even in undesirable situations, such as when your QB just throws a jump ball in your direction because he is about to get sacked.
At the time of this writing, the Bears are 4-5 with 7 games left to play. The unwritten rule is that 10 wins will get you into the playoffs. If the Bears can either win out or take 6 of 7 they might have a chance to play in December. This seems very unlikely mainly due to the reasons that I have listed, but it is not entirely impossible. If they could somehow turn things around that would be grand, but otherwise one cannot call this successful season. If the Bears do not get a winning season this year then i expect some massive changes from Halas Hall.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Against me!'s album "New Wave" still sounds better being preformed by a Australian named Ben Lee
My advice to you:
When looking to build a digital music collection, go to Google and enter the album name in with 'mediafire' at the end. Such as: 'The Disco before the Breakdown mediafire'.
I find that most albums have been uploaded by someone already. This especially works well with newer albums that have just come out. This strategy also works with any other file-uploading website, just substitute 'mediafire' when the name of whatever site you prefer.
Love,
James
When looking to build a digital music collection, go to Google and enter the album name in with 'mediafire' at the end. Such as: 'The Disco before the Breakdown mediafire'.
I find that most albums have been uploaded by someone already. This especially works well with newer albums that have just come out. This strategy also works with any other file-uploading website, just substitute 'mediafire' when the name of whatever site you prefer.
Love,
James
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Worst post ever?
Nerd Moment:
Goddamnit. I used to laugh a people who read fan-fiction. But have since taken to something that is arguably nerdier. Fantasy sports. More specifically fantasy football and hockey. For whatever reason, I was compelled to join a fantasy football league. I missed the deadline to sign up for a league with a few of my friends, so I just found a random one to join. It was my first attempt at any fantasy league, so I didn't know what I was doing and it showed. I lost my first two games but after changing around some players (damnit Forte, get some 100+ yard games, will ya!?) I have won the last 5 games in a row. I was proud of that, and was looking forward to continuing that streak- until I realized that this week I was playing the one guy who is still undefeated (he has one tie, but still. that is still impressive).
Yes, my team name is Team Curtis Enis. Deal.
I didn't end up thinking I would stand much of a chance, but by Sunday night, I was in somewhat of a good position. I was up by about 10 points, with one New Orleans receiver to play for me, and my opponent had a New Orleans receiver and kicker left to play. So basically it all came down to this weeks Monday night football game. Of course he caught up, and it literally came down to the end of the game. The fantasy score was tied, and NO was in the redzone. Since he had the kicker, a field goal (3 fantasy points) or an extra point (1 fantasy point) would win it for him. I needed my receiver, Devery Henderson to score the touchdown to give me the lead. A touchdown catch would of given Henderson at least 6 more points (6 points plus 1 point for every 10 yards gained) which after the extra point would of given me the lead by 5 points, and the victory. I was going crazy. NO moved the ball closer and closer to the endzone, and finally Henderson received a pass near the sideline, but was tackled a yard or so short of the endzone. I was so pissed. The next play the ball ball was dumped to a runningback who dove into the endzone... thus the kicker came on and kicked the extra point giving my opponent the 1 point edge and thus the victory.
I was so pissed. I came so close to beating him. But what can you do. I will still be in first in my division and hopefully there will be a rematch... Watch yo' back Jimmy Lewis.
Fantasy hockey is going much smoother. There was a live draft and I didn't totally know who all I was drafting, as my knowledge of professional hockey is lacking. So I was rather concerned. During this draft I was talking to Denis via iChat - so he was giving me advice on who I should consider picking. Along with the solid advice I was very lucky as I seem to have drafted a fairly decent team. Especially with my goalies. Both of the goalies that I have drafted and the one I picked up through free agency have been very stellar so far. There is a player rater system with this fantasy hockey, and two of my goalies are in the number 1 and number 2 spots of players overall. That is impressive.
Continuing with the fantasy talk (a joke), the new Cubs owner(s) boldly stated that the Cubs will win a World Series under their ownership. I, along with most Cubs fans were / are excited to hear that. I personally believe that the Cubs will fare much better as a family owned team instead of the previous corporate ownership. As I imagine it, now instead of running every idea through a group of 'suits' at the Trib tower, the Ricketts family can just get shit done. I have read a few interviews with one of the Ricketts, and he seems like a good guy. He has some plans to fix up Wrigley and to get this team on the right track again. It will be interesting to watch what changes are made, and how much the Cubs will improve. Sometimes all it takes is a new coaching staff or owner to shake things up to get a team going. I expect good things to come. I will look back on this post and perhaps comment on it in a year or two. Hopefully I will only have positive things to say.
Wow, no one is going to read this. This might be my most boring post yet. This might be worst then my drunken rant about the Cubs from a few months ago. Props to anyone who gets through this beast. Next post will be more entertaining, hopefully!
love,
James
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Goal
Gibault Catholic High School Hawks forward Matt Reinholz (#9) reacts after the winning goal gets put in his teams net in the 4th overtime at the IHSA Class 1A Soccer Finals at North Central College in Naperville on Saturday, October 31st 2009.
So I shot for a paper just outside St Louis this weekend. They couldn't send one of their staffers up here, so they assigned me a couple of sporting events. In both games the teams that I shooting lost, which is rough since they traveled so far just to come away victory-less. At this soccer game, the team I was shooting gave up the game winning goal in the 4th overtime. It was an intense game.
After the game I headed to the Eagle's nest for his now annual Halloween bash. It was good times as expected. I was dressed as Kermit and the lady friend was Miss Piggy. It was pretty adorable. I'm sure there will be pictures on the facebook at some point in time.
I still have a slight cough, but I finally seem to be over this terrible sickness which affected me for a week or so. Everyone seems to be sick and with the swine flu. Its a dangerous world out there.
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