Well, the first month of 2010 has come and gone. It went pretty fast. I'm 29 now and it feels no different. Had a great birthday at the Ashburner. But since then, i've been held hostage by a cold. Sinuses bothering me, sore throat, coughing and so forth. I'm about 95% back to full health. I still have a little clogage in my right ear, but other than that i'm good. I'm actually really excited about this weekend's Penn State trip. It will be the first time i've been out socially since my birthday. Between the cold and the 12 inches of snow we got, I haven't really gone out other than grocery shopping.
In other news:
I still haven't heard back about that job I applied for. It's been 3 1/2 weeks. I'm really hoping to hear back from them because i'm actually qualified to do the job. Its not like there are a lot of computer operator jobs out there.
I'll be at Penn State from Friday until Monday. Its one of two places I make a point to go to every year. (the Poconos is the other)
The Saints making the Super Bowl means only 4 teams and never played in the Super Bowl
(Lions, Browns, Texans, Jaguars)
Happy President's Day everyone
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Flawed System
I was one of the many millions of people to watch the NFC Championship game on Sunday. It was the highest rated game since 1982's "the catch" featuring San Francisco vs Dallas. We all know Brett Favre threw a pick in the final seconds which prevented the Vikings from a potential FG for the win. The Saints drove for the game winning FG in overtime. But I feel this system is flawed.
In baseball, basketball and hockey, each team will get at least one possession. Each team gets an equal shot at winning the game. Why is the NFL the only league that does not allow a team a chance to win. Their overtime format is a joke. Basically, the team that wins the coin toss has the ultimate advantage because they can drive downfield and score and shut the other team out by not allowing them a chance. The NFL needs to change the format of overtime to allow each team 1 possession in OT. Not from the 25 like in college, but a full field drive. If you get first ball and score, you have to stop the other team from scoring. Its more fair and it would make for a better game. But you know Roger Goodell won't change the rules. For the same reasons Bug Selig refuses to change around baseball. Because they believe their sports are fine and do not need to be fixed. Um, you guys are wrong. Is it fair the Vikings lose the NFC Championship without a fair chance to tie or win the game?
Some will say that the D should have stepped up. They did. The refs made two horrible calls in OT. First, Pierre Thomas' first down rush. The ball never crossed the first down marker, so how can you call it a first down? Secondly, the absolutely awful pass interference call on a clearly uncatchable ball. I think that is pretty self-explanitory. Now the Vikings could have avoided all this by not having 12 guys in the huddle on 3rd and 10 with 19 seconds left. It forced Favre to throw, and you just knew that something like that would happen. I would have run the ball in the hopes that even if you don't get in FG range, it runs the clock down and you try a hail mary pass. Worst case, OT. Best case, pass interference or a TD catch.
So I guess we are in for another summer of will he or won't he. I hope whatever he decides, he does it quickly and doesn't Mariotti it. Cause I can't take another summer of this. If he returns, the Vikings are the NFC favorites, if he retires, he is going out after one of the best years of his career.
In baseball, basketball and hockey, each team will get at least one possession. Each team gets an equal shot at winning the game. Why is the NFL the only league that does not allow a team a chance to win. Their overtime format is a joke. Basically, the team that wins the coin toss has the ultimate advantage because they can drive downfield and score and shut the other team out by not allowing them a chance. The NFL needs to change the format of overtime to allow each team 1 possession in OT. Not from the 25 like in college, but a full field drive. If you get first ball and score, you have to stop the other team from scoring. Its more fair and it would make for a better game. But you know Roger Goodell won't change the rules. For the same reasons Bug Selig refuses to change around baseball. Because they believe their sports are fine and do not need to be fixed. Um, you guys are wrong. Is it fair the Vikings lose the NFC Championship without a fair chance to tie or win the game?
Some will say that the D should have stepped up. They did. The refs made two horrible calls in OT. First, Pierre Thomas' first down rush. The ball never crossed the first down marker, so how can you call it a first down? Secondly, the absolutely awful pass interference call on a clearly uncatchable ball. I think that is pretty self-explanitory. Now the Vikings could have avoided all this by not having 12 guys in the huddle on 3rd and 10 with 19 seconds left. It forced Favre to throw, and you just knew that something like that would happen. I would have run the ball in the hopes that even if you don't get in FG range, it runs the clock down and you try a hail mary pass. Worst case, OT. Best case, pass interference or a TD catch.
So I guess we are in for another summer of will he or won't he. I hope whatever he decides, he does it quickly and doesn't Mariotti it. Cause I can't take another summer of this. If he returns, the Vikings are the NFC favorites, if he retires, he is going out after one of the best years of his career.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Update
What's going on with me? Well i'll be happy to tell you.
I'm spending the week at my parent's house. I'll be back in Philly on Friday night.
I applied for a job in Moorestown, NJ. I heard from Tom its a competitor of his in merchant services industry. Wish me luck.
I turn 29 on Saturday. Looking forward to going out and having a good time.
As of tonight, all of my bills are paid until February.
Ed has booked the rooms in State College. The trip is 3 weeks from Friday.
I didn't do too well with my picks for the first weekend (0-4)
The Chargers, my pick to win the Super Bowl, lost thanks to the kicker who helped me win my championship.
I decided that there will be a Cash 11 this summer, regardless of my financial situation.
I have been to Press at least one night each of the last two weeks. I don't think i've done that since 2008.
I guess that is all. Having re-disposed of the monster, exit our hero stage left.
I'm spending the week at my parent's house. I'll be back in Philly on Friday night.
I applied for a job in Moorestown, NJ. I heard from Tom its a competitor of his in merchant services industry. Wish me luck.
I turn 29 on Saturday. Looking forward to going out and having a good time.
As of tonight, all of my bills are paid until February.
Ed has booked the rooms in State College. The trip is 3 weeks from Friday.
I didn't do too well with my picks for the first weekend (0-4)
The Chargers, my pick to win the Super Bowl, lost thanks to the kicker who helped me win my championship.
I decided that there will be a Cash 11 this summer, regardless of my financial situation.
I have been to Press at least one night each of the last two weeks. I don't think i've done that since 2008.
I guess that is all. Having re-disposed of the monster, exit our hero stage left.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
NFL Playoff Predictions
Earlier this season, I made my NFL picks. Let's just say I hit on some and missed on a few more. Although my Super Bowl pick is still alive(San Diego), my NFC team, Atlanta, did not make the playoffs. Of the 12 playoff teams, I had 7 right(4 AFC, 3 NFC). But thats the past, lets talk about the present. This is how I see the playoffs going down.
AFC
Cincinnati over NY Jets
New England over Baltimore
Indianapolis over Cincinnati
San Diego over New England
San Diego over Indianapolis
NFC
Philadelphia over Dallas
Green Bay over Arizona
Philadelphia over New Orleans
Minnesota over Green Bay
Minnesota over Philadelphia
Super Bowl XLIV
San Diego over Minnesota
AFC
Cincinnati over NY Jets
New England over Baltimore
Indianapolis over Cincinnati
San Diego over New England
San Diego over Indianapolis
NFC
Philadelphia over Dallas
Green Bay over Arizona
Philadelphia over New Orleans
Minnesota over Green Bay
Minnesota over Philadelphia
Super Bowl XLIV
San Diego over Minnesota
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Decade's Eve
"We all have our time machines, don't we. Those that take us back are memories... And those that carry us forward, are dreams." - Jeremy Irons from The Time Machine
Well, it Decemeber 31, 2009. The final day of this year and decade. I can't believe 10 years again, it was 2000. A lot has changed. 10 years ago I, was a freshman at CCP, worked at Bisirri's, weight about 100 lbs less than I do now, lived with my parents and I had a lot more hair. Since then, i've cut my hair shorter, live on my own (mainly because my parents wanted to move to NJ), had a drink every now and then, decided to work rather than finish school and then lost my job, and finally became an uncle and godfather. Sure its been an eventful 10 years. At the end of 1999, I was 18 years old. I remember that New Year's Eve. Played Clue with Duke(who was known as Jim at the time) at my parent's house. It was the last time I was home for the clock striking midnight on a new year. Since then i've spent the last 8 new years in varying locations
2001 - Tim's House
2002-04 Spicer's Shore House
2005 - Asher's Place
2006 - Jay's House
2007-08 Work
Nothing worse then spending New Year's night working night shift. At least in 2007, Baron let me go early so I could still go to Jay's house. In 2008, I spent the first hours of 2009 working and watching The Presidents. This year, i'm going to do something I haven't done in 10 years. I'm going to spend New Year's with my parents, Duke and Bandit. It will be our first New Year's in my parents new house. I will be watching the Three Stooges marathon on AMC. Ed's Blog asked about how do we say 2010? Twenty ten or two thousand ten? I guess thats something i'll have think about. As for new years resolutions, maybe to get back to work and get back to my playing weight. That will do for now. Happy New Decade. Ha, threw you a curveball there.
Well, it Decemeber 31, 2009. The final day of this year and decade. I can't believe 10 years again, it was 2000. A lot has changed. 10 years ago I, was a freshman at CCP, worked at Bisirri's, weight about 100 lbs less than I do now, lived with my parents and I had a lot more hair. Since then, i've cut my hair shorter, live on my own (mainly because my parents wanted to move to NJ), had a drink every now and then, decided to work rather than finish school and then lost my job, and finally became an uncle and godfather. Sure its been an eventful 10 years. At the end of 1999, I was 18 years old. I remember that New Year's Eve. Played Clue with Duke(who was known as Jim at the time) at my parent's house. It was the last time I was home for the clock striking midnight on a new year. Since then i've spent the last 8 new years in varying locations
2001 - Tim's House
2002-04 Spicer's Shore House
2005 - Asher's Place
2006 - Jay's House
2007-08 Work
Nothing worse then spending New Year's night working night shift. At least in 2007, Baron let me go early so I could still go to Jay's house. In 2008, I spent the first hours of 2009 working and watching The Presidents. This year, i'm going to do something I haven't done in 10 years. I'm going to spend New Year's with my parents, Duke and Bandit. It will be our first New Year's in my parents new house. I will be watching the Three Stooges marathon on AMC. Ed's Blog asked about how do we say 2010? Twenty ten or two thousand ten? I guess thats something i'll have think about. As for new years resolutions, maybe to get back to work and get back to my playing weight. That will do for now. Happy New Decade. Ha, threw you a curveball there.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
It's the Halladay season
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now the Phillies have traded for Roy Halladay. You know they traded Cliff Lee to Seattle. You're wondering, why couldn't they keep both and go into 2010 with the ultimate 1-2 punch to dominate the National League and win the pennant for the 3rd straight year? Its a good question. I'll try to address that for you.
Let's start with why this deal happened. Its no secret Ruben Amaro always coveted Halladay. He wanted him last July. Toronto's asking price was a little too rich for the Phils. Amaro opted for the next best thing. Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for 4 prospects. Each team got something they needed. Cleveland got prospects for rebuilding and the Phils got the ace they needed and a right handed bat off the bench. But after coming up short in the World Series, the Phils needed to send a message to the National League that they are still the 2-time league champs. By acquiring Halladay, they essentially kept him from their biggest challenger, the Dodgers. Toronto fired J.P. Riccardi in September, opening the doors for the Phils to try again to see what it would take to acquire the '03 Cy Young winner. But why go after Halladay when you already have Lee at $9 million next season?
Cliff Lee's salary seems a bargain for the 2010 season. But the Phils wanted him to sign a long term deal, which Lee didn't seem interested in. He wants to test the market after next season in the hopes of netting a CC Sabathia type deal. Amaro had a tough decision to make. Lose Lee after next season or acquire baseball's best pitcher, who is willing to sign a contract extension. I don't blame Amaro for doing what was in the best interest of the Phillies. He gets a workhorse pitcher in Halladay, who is equipped to battle the Yanks or Red Sox if they meet in the World Series. It cost him 3 decent prospects, including top prospect Kyle Drabek. By trading Lee to Seattle, Amaro was able to replenish the minor with Seattle's top 3 prospects. The Phillies may have actually set themselves to be a competitive team for the next 5 years. First, Halladay agreed to a 3 year $60 million extension. Second, the 3 prospects from Seattle are actually projected to be better then the three they gave Toronto. Third, the made this trade and did not have to give up J.A. Happ or Dominic Brown.
I know Cliff Lee became a hero in Philadelphia during the World Series. Its tough to part with a player of Lee's talent. But Lee would have walked after 2010, and the Phils would have certainly been outbid for him by the likes of Boston or New York. With these deals, we now have arguably the best pitcher in baseball signed for 4 years (possibly 5 with a 2014 option)and a bright future with very good prospects who in 2-3 years will be ready to prove it was worth it to trade Lee. Lee gives Seattle an amazing 1-2 punch along with Felix Hernandez and makes them the favorite in the AL West. We wish Cliff the best in Seattle and will never forget perhaps the greatest pitching performance in Phillies history. The Phillies are once again the NL favorites. There is no moves the Dodgers, Mets or Cardinals can make that can make them look better then the Phils look now. If Cole Hamels returns to '08 postseason from, J.A. Happ pitches like he did in 09, and Brad Lidge can regain his "lights out" form, the Phillies will, for the 3rd straight year, be champions of the National League. Not bad for the losingest team in all professional sports.
Let's start with why this deal happened. Its no secret Ruben Amaro always coveted Halladay. He wanted him last July. Toronto's asking price was a little too rich for the Phils. Amaro opted for the next best thing. Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for 4 prospects. Each team got something they needed. Cleveland got prospects for rebuilding and the Phils got the ace they needed and a right handed bat off the bench. But after coming up short in the World Series, the Phils needed to send a message to the National League that they are still the 2-time league champs. By acquiring Halladay, they essentially kept him from their biggest challenger, the Dodgers. Toronto fired J.P. Riccardi in September, opening the doors for the Phils to try again to see what it would take to acquire the '03 Cy Young winner. But why go after Halladay when you already have Lee at $9 million next season?
Cliff Lee's salary seems a bargain for the 2010 season. But the Phils wanted him to sign a long term deal, which Lee didn't seem interested in. He wants to test the market after next season in the hopes of netting a CC Sabathia type deal. Amaro had a tough decision to make. Lose Lee after next season or acquire baseball's best pitcher, who is willing to sign a contract extension. I don't blame Amaro for doing what was in the best interest of the Phillies. He gets a workhorse pitcher in Halladay, who is equipped to battle the Yanks or Red Sox if they meet in the World Series. It cost him 3 decent prospects, including top prospect Kyle Drabek. By trading Lee to Seattle, Amaro was able to replenish the minor with Seattle's top 3 prospects. The Phillies may have actually set themselves to be a competitive team for the next 5 years. First, Halladay agreed to a 3 year $60 million extension. Second, the 3 prospects from Seattle are actually projected to be better then the three they gave Toronto. Third, the made this trade and did not have to give up J.A. Happ or Dominic Brown.
I know Cliff Lee became a hero in Philadelphia during the World Series. Its tough to part with a player of Lee's talent. But Lee would have walked after 2010, and the Phils would have certainly been outbid for him by the likes of Boston or New York. With these deals, we now have arguably the best pitcher in baseball signed for 4 years (possibly 5 with a 2014 option)and a bright future with very good prospects who in 2-3 years will be ready to prove it was worth it to trade Lee. Lee gives Seattle an amazing 1-2 punch along with Felix Hernandez and makes them the favorite in the AL West. We wish Cliff the best in Seattle and will never forget perhaps the greatest pitching performance in Phillies history. The Phillies are once again the NL favorites. There is no moves the Dodgers, Mets or Cardinals can make that can make them look better then the Phils look now. If Cole Hamels returns to '08 postseason from, J.A. Happ pitches like he did in 09, and Brad Lidge can regain his "lights out" form, the Phillies will, for the 3rd straight year, be champions of the National League. Not bad for the losingest team in all professional sports.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lists, glorious lists
I'm sorry, Ed. I know the end of the year lists were your idea. But its too good to pass up. Here are some more lists of 2009 and this decade
Top 10 shows I watched in 2009 (based on episodes watched)
1. Days of Our Lives
2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
3. That 70's Show
4. Family Guy
5. King of the Hill
6. The Office
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Simpsons
9. My Boys
10. American Dad
Top 5 Worst Moments of 2009
1. Being laid-off
2. Yankees beat Phillies in World Series
3. Pittsburgh's Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wins
4. My parents moving to New Jersey
5. Citizen's Bank closing the Holmesburg branch
Best Purchases this Decade
1. Chevrolet Trialblazer (2008)
2. Ipod (2006)
3. WWE Championship Belt (2007)
4. Vizio 32" HDTV (2008)
5. 2 Laptop Computers (Dell - 2003, HP - 2009)
6. Moto 9 Cell Phone, Verizon Wireless (2008)
7. Nintendo Wii (2009)
8. Golf Clubs (2009)
9. Video Camera (2000, 2004)
Jersey's Purchased this Decade
MLB (Custom - Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia. Players - Cubs (Sandberg #23), Knights (Hobbs #9)
NFL (Eagles Owens #81, Bears Grossman #8, Bengals Johnson #85, Steelers Miller #83)
NBA (Hornets Paul #3, Nuggets Anthony #15, Wizards Arenas #0, Kings Webber #4, Suns Nash #13)
NHL (Custom - Team USA, Ottawa)
Top 10 shows I watched in 2009 (based on episodes watched)
1. Days of Our Lives
2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
3. That 70's Show
4. Family Guy
5. King of the Hill
6. The Office
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Simpsons
9. My Boys
10. American Dad
Top 5 Worst Moments of 2009
1. Being laid-off
2. Yankees beat Phillies in World Series
3. Pittsburgh's Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wins
4. My parents moving to New Jersey
5. Citizen's Bank closing the Holmesburg branch
Best Purchases this Decade
1. Chevrolet Trialblazer (2008)
2. Ipod (2006)
3. WWE Championship Belt (2007)
4. Vizio 32" HDTV (2008)
5. 2 Laptop Computers (Dell - 2003, HP - 2009)
6. Moto 9 Cell Phone, Verizon Wireless (2008)
7. Nintendo Wii (2009)
8. Golf Clubs (2009)
9. Video Camera (2000, 2004)
Jersey's Purchased this Decade
MLB (Custom - Arizona, Washington, Philadelphia. Players - Cubs (Sandberg #23), Knights (Hobbs #9)
NFL (Eagles Owens #81, Bears Grossman #8, Bengals Johnson #85, Steelers Miller #83)
NBA (Hornets Paul #3, Nuggets Anthony #15, Wizards Arenas #0, Kings Webber #4, Suns Nash #13)
NHL (Custom - Team USA, Ottawa)
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