Kelly Jennings is probably the perfect player for them. He might be one of the better cover corners all around, he's pretty much, to me, the safest of the corners, becasue he has all sorts of ability and showed he could be very productive. He'll be put in a situation without a great deal of pressure as well, even though he will be expected to play well.
Mathias Kiwanuka is in a good position here, because he has the time to wait behind Strahan and obviously, with Umenyiora there he'll have someone opposite him to keep the pressure off.
I'll be back later with an overall look at what happened today, but right now I need a bit of a break.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Pick #29 J-E-T-S, #30 Indianapolis Colts
I'm not in love with this pick, primarily because they could go with Trey Teague for the next few years and go with a superior runner or even Winston Justice.
The Colts had a very obvious need to try and replace James. Addai has a lot of great skills and will be a very good fit to go with the turf and the system they run.
the Seahawks have a need at Corner, and a lot of guys, like Jimmy Williams and Ashton Yobouty are still there for them. I really like Max Jean-Gilles as a replacement for Hutch. The best way to keep the running game going as it has been would be to try and approximate Hutchinson. With Joseph gone, Gilles might do that, but its also true that they really do need a corner, or perhaps a safety to replace Marquand Manuel, though Ken Hamlin is supposed to be back.
The Colts had a very obvious need to try and replace James. Addai has a lot of great skills and will be a very good fit to go with the turf and the system they run.
the Seahawks have a need at Corner, and a lot of guys, like Jimmy Williams and Ashton Yobouty are still there for them. I really like Max Jean-Gilles as a replacement for Hutch. The best way to keep the running game going as it has been would be to try and approximate Hutchinson. With Joseph gone, Gilles might do that, but its also true that they really do need a corner, or perhaps a safety to replace Marquand Manuel, though Ken Hamlin is supposed to be back.
Pick #28 Jacksonville Jaguars
I really love this pick, because it gives them an intermediate threat and has great hands. Between Matt Jones, Lewis, and Reggie Williams, they have a lot of very big, very nice targets for the future, and they are a team that could take advantage of the Colts losing James to take over the division, at leat this year.
The Jets are now up again. Part of me thinks they should give themselves the bookends with Justice, and basically go from poor to great along the line right now. However, with Curtis Martin getting older, its very possible they could go for Joseph Addai or Lendale White or a defensive player.
The Jets are now up again. Part of me thinks they should give themselves the bookends with Justice, and basically go from poor to great along the line right now. However, with Curtis Martin getting older, its very possible they could go for Joseph Addai or Lendale White or a defensive player.
Pick # 27 Carolina Panthers
This pick actually surprises me. I really don't understand, especially given that they took Eric Shelton high last year, and they really haven't given him much of a shot. Stephen Davis is gone, so when they do this, they can't be expressing a great deal of faith in Deshaun Foster. This seems like too much of a luxury, especially when they could bring in a good tight end who would help change the offense.
Jacksonville could take Justice here, or again tight end. Another potential player could be Demeco Ryans, the linebacker from Alabama, which might address the loss of Akin Ayodele.
Jacksonville could take Justice here, or again tight end. Another potential player could be Demeco Ryans, the linebacker from Alabama, which might address the loss of Akin Ayodele.
Pick # 26 Buffalo Bills
I'm not surprised the Bears traded out of the first round pick, their was some thought they would. This means that they didn't trade down when they could get more for Whitner and traded up to get John McCargo, someone they could have gotten later. I really do not understand what the Bills are doing, though perhaps this pick could fit well in their offense. I'm surprised they haven't moved to improve their offensive line or receivers.
Carolina now has the opportunity to grab a great tight end, or perhaps a defensive player. Someone they might not have gotten.
Carolina now has the opportunity to grab a great tight end, or perhaps a defensive player. Someone they might not have gotten.
Pick #25 Pittsburgh Steelers
They have their guy, someone wh can take over for Randle-El right now. I think he's more of a second receiver, rather than Sinorice Moss, who I thought of primarily as a slot-guy only. I really am not a big fan of Moss, because he never really did anything in college. Holmes is also someone who could grow along with Roethlisberger.
The Bears have to be happy that they have the opprtunity to pick a quality wide-out, someone who could legitmately go opposite Mushin Muhammad. They might also go tight end, and both Lewis and Pope are there. I could also see them taking either a corner or Winston Justice. Although, if they could get the opposing receivers to carry lap-tops onto the field, that'd probably be enough to draw the ire of Ricky Manning
The Bears have to be happy that they have the opprtunity to pick a quality wide-out, someone who could legitmately go opposite Mushin Muhammad. They might also go tight end, and both Lewis and Pope are there. I could also see them taking either a corner or Winston Justice. Although, if they could get the opposing receivers to carry lap-tops onto the field, that'd probably be enough to draw the ire of Ricky Manning
Pick #24 Cincinnati Bengals
Johnathon Joseph is someone who could well be the heir to Tory James in the secondary. They need someone who will cover, more though, because the two guys they have gamble a bit too much. They get a lot of picks, but they might also be burned more than anyone. If you saw the Colts game ast year, you definetly saw that.
The Giants could use a receiver, as Amani Toomer is getting older, and Plaxico Burress is a prototype big receiver, but they could use a faster wideout, if only to inject more youth. They could again go DB, they've lost a couple in free agency. The addressed their need at LB with LaVar Arrington.
The Giants could use a receiver, as Amani Toomer is getting older, and Plaxico Burress is a prototype big receiver, but they could use a faster wideout, if only to inject more youth. They could again go DB, they've lost a couple in free agency. The addressed their need at LB with LaVar Arrington.
Pick #23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Davin Joseph is the first guard selected, and played offensive tackle in college. So he's someone who provides depth. Frankly, if I'm Cadillac, I'll take anyone who blocked for A.D. and be happy. You've got some good interior players in the NFC South, guys like Kris Jenkins, Rod Coleman, and Maake Kemoeatu, so a quality guard is a must. I would have been happy for him, or another guard to fall to the Lions in the second round.
Cincinnati presumably needs defense, though because they signed Sam Adams they might not need to go inside. This could be a spot for Gabe Watson, to be the first Michigan player off of the board. There is also a huge need in the secondary. But it also wouldn't shock me to see them go with a tight end, either Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope, to open up the middle of the field.
Cincinnati presumably needs defense, though because they signed Sam Adams they might not need to go inside. This could be a spot for Gabe Watson, to be the first Michigan player off of the board. There is also a huge need in the secondary. But it also wouldn't shock me to see them go with a tight end, either Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope, to open up the middle of the field.
Pick # 22 San Fransisco 49ers
Manny Lawson finally goes, and unlike Julian Peterson, they have someone who naturally fits the 3-4 as an edge rusher. I think San Fransisco will get graded fairly high after the draft, because they got real playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Tampa is an interesting case. Again, I could see Justice going here, and there might be a need for a corner to eventually replace Ronde Barber, or a linebacker to take over for Derrick Brooks. They have a lot of younger players and not a great many needs. This is a good position to be in.
Tampa is an interesting case. Again, I could see Justice going here, and there might be a need for a corner to eventually replace Ronde Barber, or a linebacker to take over for Derrick Brooks. They have a lot of younger players and not a great many needs. This is a good position to be in.
Pick #21 New England Patriots
Laurence Maroney has home run potential every single time he touches the ball. Now they have someone who would be there for the next few years, and try to fill the other slots later on. I think we'll hear a lot of bitching about this pick, but frankly, they needed to address offense at some point.
The 49ers are up again. One would think they'd go defense, though potentially they could go wideout, or could go for Justice.
The 49ers are up again. One would think they'd go defense, though potentially they could go wideout, or could go for Justice.
Pick #20 Kansas City Chiefs
Tamba Hli is a good player. He is someone who can be very effective across from Jared Allen. He's a great person, and I remember how he was incredibly dominant against Florida State, and he seems like someone who could be very effective to go with Herman Edwards.
New England has an interesting problem. There is a need for the hybrid linebacker, Manny Lawson, to replace Willie McGinest. On ther other hand, they have an aging Corey Dillon who will need to be replaced soon. Also, with David Givens gone, there is a need for a wideout, and now both are available. Its funny, many of the national broadcasters seem to project an offensive player to them, but nearly every local beat writer sees them taking a linebacker or a corner. Let's see who wins out.
New England has an interesting problem. There is a need for the hybrid linebacker, Manny Lawson, to replace Willie McGinest. On ther other hand, they have an aging Corey Dillon who will need to be replaced soon. Also, with David Givens gone, there is a need for a wideout, and now both are available. Its funny, many of the national broadcasters seem to project an offensive player to them, but nearly every local beat writer sees them taking a linebacker or a corner. Let's see who wins out.
Pick #19 San Diego Chargers
Antonio Cromartie is the big gamble. He could be incredibly good, in terms of his physical tools, but he has' played and he was hurt last year. Watching the highlights of him, frankly is scary. Perhaps they could use him as a nickel guy for a year, to get some experience and to teach technique, or use him on the second receiver. Of those teams in the division, only the Raiders have an above average second receiver, so they might be able to afford the risk early on.
The Chiefs aren't going to go Justice , but they have to consider a wideout. Eddie Kennison isn't terribly good, but they need someone to be the second guy for many years to come. However, there is a big-time need for a corner as well.
The Chiefs aren't going to go Justice , but they have to consider a wideout. Eddie Kennison isn't terribly good, but they need someone to be the second guy for many years to come. However, there is a big-time need for a corner as well.
Pick # 18 Dallas Cowboys
This draft, actually, seems to be movingpretty quck, which means as we get to the playoff teams it will slow to a crawl.
I love Nick Saban's jacket.
Bobby Carpenter is a good fit, and as I said, he'll probably play inside, though he could be on the outside as well, as a kind of more conventional linebacker. I'm kind of surprised Justice has dropped like this.
San Diego has gotten lucky. They can go with a very real need, either by taking one of the receivers, or by taking Justice. They might try one of the corners, but those positions seem to be the biggest needs, either to protect Rivers or give him more weapons.
I love Nick Saban's jacket.
Bobby Carpenter is a good fit, and as I said, he'll probably play inside, though he could be on the outside as well, as a kind of more conventional linebacker. I'm kind of surprised Justice has dropped like this.
San Diego has gotten lucky. They can go with a very real need, either by taking one of the receivers, or by taking Justice. They might try one of the corners, but those positions seem to be the biggest needs, either to protect Rivers or give him more weapons.
Pick # 17 Minnesota Vikings
Greenway is a local kid, played at Iowa, from South Dakota. Greenway is a great playmakerwho will play well on the turf. They need som character guys, and while Greenway isn't the hitter Hawk is, he may be smarter, and might pick up the system better. Last year the Vikings had a lot of expectations. This year, with the number of moves they've made, not least of which is no longer having the unfrozen caveman coach, they could be a favorite
Dallas could go anywhere. Bill Parcells coached Bobby Carpenter's father, and might go for the kind of player he knows, though Carpenter would likely play inside. He could go with Winston Justice, to play the right side. He could also go for a corner, or someone who could play safety, such as Jimmy Williams.
Dallas could go anywhere. Bill Parcells coached Bobby Carpenter's father, and might go for the kind of player he knows, though Carpenter would likely play inside. He could go with Winston Justice, to play the right side. He could also go for a corner, or someone who could play safety, such as Jimmy Williams.
Pick # 16 Miami Dolphins
The team on the rise. Jason Allen was hurt, but in many ways is the prototype safety. I don't know, however, if this is the pick, combined with the other moves they've made, that gives them great value and also pushes them ahead of the Patriots I certainly do not think it will be this year.
I'm shocked no receiver has gone yet.
The Vikings have an interesting proposition here. Winston Justice would give them bookedn tackles to go along with Bryant McKinnie, and now with Hutch at guard and the return of Matt Birk, they could have an exceptional line. And you have to think that Andy Reid's draft mentality would have seeped into Brad Childress, at least somewhat. The Vikings could also go for one of the hybrid safety/corners who could eventually replace Darren Sharper. They could also go Greenway.
I'm shocked no receiver has gone yet.
The Vikings have an interesting proposition here. Winston Justice would give them bookedn tackles to go along with Bryant McKinnie, and now with Hutch at guard and the return of Matt Birk, they could have an exceptional line. And you have to think that Andy Reid's draft mentality would have seeped into Brad Childress, at least somewhat. The Vikings could also go for one of the hybrid safety/corners who could eventually replace Darren Sharper. They could also go Greenway.
Pick # 15 St. Louis Rams
Tye Hill is a good fit, I think, because they needed a cornerback. He is undersized, but with a lot of undersized receivers, and playing on artificial turf, they can take advantage of that speed.
Miami has an interesting choice here. Manny Lawson would be perfect for their conversion to a 3-4, becasue he's that perfect hybrid player. On the other hand, Winston Justice would look really good as an offensive lineman for the next ten years, although a man arrested for solicitation might have some issues on South Beach. There are also a lot of corners coming up, and Sam Madison was released.
Miami has an interesting choice here. Manny Lawson would be perfect for their conversion to a 3-4, becasue he's that perfect hybrid player. On the other hand, Winston Justice would look really good as an offensive lineman for the next ten years, although a man arrested for solicitation might have some issues on South Beach. There are also a lot of corners coming up, and Sam Madison was released.
Pick # E-A-G-L-E-S
Bunkley goes where he'll play, and probably play well. What I worry about is that he really only played for one year, and there is still a T.O. sized hole at wide receiver. The Eagles also show why you sometimes get lucky. Buffalo could have gotten Whitner later, yet they didn't have to give anyone up to get their guy.
The Rams will probably go with Greenway here, especially considering that the best tackle is gone. They don't need Winston Justice, because they took Alex Barron last year.
When exactly did Matt Leinart become the One?
The Rams will probably go with Greenway here, especially considering that the best tackle is gone. They don't need Winston Justice, because they took Alex Barron last year.
When exactly did Matt Leinart become the One?
Pick #13 Cleveland Browns
Kameiron Wimbley is perfect here, and the Patriots are broken hearted. He'll probably either start right away on one side with McGinest on the other, or play situationally. He's someone who seems to have been desired, unlike some past Browns picks. Now hopefully he won't hurt himself on the way the Cleveland, though he probably will be.
The Eagles get lucky, because they were talking about moving up to take Bunkley, and now he's fallen into their laps. Justice could be a pick, but they took Shawn Andrews to eventaully replace John Runyan, and Justice is really the type who could play right away. I would go defense, because that, more than anything, dropped off the face of the planet. They had real problems stopping the run, so a defensive tackle would fit in well.
The Eagles get lucky, because they were talking about moving up to take Bunkley, and now he's fallen into their laps. Justice could be a pick, but they took Shawn Andrews to eventaully replace John Runyan, and Justice is really the type who could play right away. I would go defense, because that, more than anything, dropped off the face of the planet. They had real problems stopping the run, so a defensive tackle would fit in well.
Pick #12 Baltimore Ravens
So I never thought that would happen. Ngata is the guy, certainly that Baltimore wanted, and if you're Cleveland you get anything, its worth it, especially if you aren't going to get that person anyway. Ngata is perfect for the Ravens, and now the Browns can get one of those DE-LB types who they can groom behind Willie McGinest, plus osmeone else late. They could also take Winston Justice here, as well.
Pick #11 Denver Broncos
The Broncos move up to take Cutler. What sort of puzzles me is that many of the same questions about Jake Plummer you can have about Cutler. He makes a lot of questionable throws. Still, he's got a year, at least, with Jake Plummer ahead of him so he'll have time to learn the system and get better. That being said, I don't think Cutler is the god that everyone is making him out to be.
The Browns need defensive help badly. They added a lot on offense, particularly on the line. The question now is, do they go with either Wimbley or Greenway, or go with Ngata as they prototype nose tackle. Now they have Ted Washington, who really is the prototype in that system. Either way, they will improve themselves.
The Browns need defensive help badly. They added a lot on offense, particularly on the line. The question now is, do they go with either Wimbley or Greenway, or go with Ngata as they prototype nose tackle. Now they have Ted Washington, who really is the prototype in that system. Either way, they will improve themselves.
Pick #10 Arizona Cardinals
Leinart is perfect here. Here they have the very good receivers, simiaalr to what they have at USC. Here's the great glamour QB of the past decade in the ultimate questionable environment, where they haven't hada quarterback, frankly ever. Here they have someone in their, rather than someone hanging on.
The Rams could well take the other quarteback, Jay Cutler here. They also could use defense. They lost Ryan Pickett, they lost several linebackers, so they could go Chad Greenway or they could go Bunkley or even Ngata. They could also use help on the corner.
The Rams could well take the other quarteback, Jay Cutler here. They also could use defense. They lost Ryan Pickett, they lost several linebackers, so they could go Chad Greenway or they could go Bunkley or even Ngata. They could also use help on the corner.
Pick #9 Detroit Lions
Ok. I can breathe. Sims could be Derrick Brooks, but he could well be a concussion case. There is a lot of speed though, and with Teddy Lehman likely to move to the middle, they will have an incredibly fast linebacking corps.
Matt Leinart actually is a perfect pick for the Cardinals. He's a glamour pick as they move into the new stadium that might well be perfect.
Matt Leinart actually is a perfect pick for the Cardinals. He's a glamour pick as they move into the new stadium that might well be perfect.
Pick #8 Buffalo Bills
Wow. Donte Whitner going way, way high. I know you need the John Lynch type, but this is a little high for this. The Bills had other, more pressing needs.
Holy God am I scared. I am begging Matt Millen to not take Matt Leinart. There are other needs on defense, and there are other needs on offense. I'd take Winston Justice here if they went offense. Otherwise, I think they take Bunkley, Sims or Jimmy Williams. Or I throw up all over myself, and they take Leinart. They could also trade down here, especially if they could get one of the guys they like later.
Holy God am I scared. I am begging Matt Millen to not take Matt Leinart. There are other needs on defense, and there are other needs on offense. I'd take Winston Justice here if they went offense. Otherwise, I think they take Bunkley, Sims or Jimmy Williams. Or I throw up all over myself, and they take Leinart. They could also trade down here, especially if they could get one of the guys they like later.
#7 Oakland Raiders
And I hate the Raiders. The Lions could really have used him. Now, well, I am very very scared that Matt Millen will let the opportunity get the best of him. People are talking Ernie Sims for the Lions. By the way, don't move Huff to CB. If you do, there's the possibility he won't be exceptional, for the safety position, he will be.
The Bills are up now. My guess says that tis will not be Ngata, though it could be. They signed Larry Triplett to be the quicker lineman in the Tampa-2. They could also go for someone like Bunkley, or maybe one of the corners. I doubt they would take QB, though they might also move down to take a wideout.
The Bills are up now. My guess says that tis will not be Ngata, though it could be. They signed Larry Triplett to be the quicker lineman in the Tampa-2. They could also go for someone like Bunkley, or maybe one of the corners. I doubt they would take QB, though they might also move down to take a wideout.
Pick #6 San Francisco 49ers
Many times this fall, some of the Boston stations showed a lot of ACC games. Many of those games featured the Turtle. Vernon Davis was the entire offense. The people who talk about the lack of blockng, frankly, if you're leaving him into block, especialy on the pass, you are an idiot.
The Raiders, my guess are weighing heavily what they want. Leinart would be great, if only because he'd be an incredible poster boy. On the other hand, you have Michael Huff, Bunkley, a lot of players they could use right now, and either work on Walter or pick someone later, like say Brady Quinn. Offense wasn't the problem there last year, defense was, they couldn't stop anyone.
The Raiders, my guess are weighing heavily what they want. Leinart would be great, if only because he'd be an incredible poster boy. On the other hand, you have Michael Huff, Bunkley, a lot of players they could use right now, and either work on Walter or pick someone later, like say Brady Quinn. Offense wasn't the problem there last year, defense was, they couldn't stop anyone.
Pick #5 Green Bay Packers
He is a bad, bad man. The guy this really helps, seriously, is Aaron Rodgers. I believe that this is Favre's last year. AJ Hawk can be the kind of player who becomes the face of the organization, taking the pressure off of Rodgers. He'll change the defensive culture there.
The Niners should be on the stage now, going to pick up the Duke. The offense was horrific last year, and while Eric Johnson was hurt, Vernon Davis provides the ability to stretch the field and be an intermediate threat, in short the perfect safety valve Alex Smith didn't have last year.
The Niners should be on the stage now, going to pick up the Duke. The offense was horrific last year, and while Eric Johnson was hurt, Vernon Davis provides the ability to stretch the field and be an intermediate threat, in short the perfect safety valve Alex Smith didn't have last year.
Pick #4- J-E-T-S
Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenaum have real onions. I'm also surprised by the number of people cheering this. I really believed they'd burn down Radio City if they didn't take Matt Leinart. The New York fans really ar smarter than people give them credit for. They can now go get a corner or linebacker later, or even someone like DeAngelo Williams to take over for Curtis Martin.
The Packers should have taken Hawk already. I hate him, but he's an incredible player. They need help at linebacker, who, by the way, tend to be the safest defensive picks. With him and Barnett, they'll have a great combo for years to come, as well as someone who I know will be great in Green Bay. He's the safest pick, by far here, even though I love the Duke.
The Packers should have taken Hawk already. I hate him, but he's an incredible player. They need help at linebacker, who, by the way, tend to be the safest defensive picks. With him and Barnett, they'll have a great combo for years to come, as well as someone who I know will be great in Green Bay. He's the safest pick, by far here, even though I love the Duke.
Pick #3 Tennessee Titans
It will take time. But despite all the flaws, the issues with the delivery and the need to learn to read defenses, Young is an incredible leader. And I still have nightmares about the Rose Bowl against Michigan. He's much more of a pocket guy then Michael Vick was coming out, and he has very good measurables as well as the intangibles.
The Jets are now up, and the very real debate has to be Matt Leinart, who is the ultimate New York pick. On the other hand, you have D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who besides having the greatest name ever, will be steady and solid, and horrifically booed. They are going to need a running back at some point. Don't discount Ramsey either, frankly he was destroyed under Spurrier and completely demoralized. Then Gibbs never really gave him a shot, benching him after five minutes.
The Jets are now up, and the very real debate has to be Matt Leinart, who is the ultimate New York pick. On the other hand, you have D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who besides having the greatest name ever, will be steady and solid, and horrifically booed. They are going to need a running back at some point. Don't discount Ramsey either, frankly he was destroyed under Spurrier and completely demoralized. Then Gibbs never really gave him a shot, benching him after five minutes.
The Jets aren't as far off as people might think, after all, some predicted him to be the AFC East champions. The two first round picks give them flexibility.
Pick #2- New Orleans Saints
I listened to Tony Kornheiser's last radio show yesterday. One of the folks he spoke to was James Carville, who was speaking at Loyola in New Orleans. One of the interesting things they both said is that he city is a long way away, and that while sports can help, it ultimately is a pretty small part. Really, more than anything else, you need homes being built, an infrastructure. If Reggie Bush comes in, it would help the Saints to be competitive, but there's still very real problems there.
Amazing reaction shots of the Jets fans, then the Saints fans. Any boos, obviously are for the Jets management team. I feel bad for whoever they pick, because it could get nasty.
The Titans are up now. One of the interesting sub-plots has been this debate between the coaches and management. Perhaps the stupidest thing I've seen all week is that the Titans would bring in Kerry Collins to groom Vince Young for two years, which is pretty much the dumbest idea ever. After all, he wasn't too keen on the idea two years ago. This ultimately is a pick that defines the franchise for the next decade. I don't buy the talk that Leinart is a product of the system, especially when one considers the man who designed that system is sitting as the offensive coordinator. Vince Young could be Jesus 2. Lets see.
Amazing reaction shots of the Jets fans, then the Saints fans. Any boos, obviously are for the Jets management team. I feel bad for whoever they pick, because it could get nasty.
The Titans are up now. One of the interesting sub-plots has been this debate between the coaches and management. Perhaps the stupidest thing I've seen all week is that the Titans would bring in Kerry Collins to groom Vince Young for two years, which is pretty much the dumbest idea ever. After all, he wasn't too keen on the idea two years ago. This ultimately is a pick that defines the franchise for the next decade. I don't buy the talk that Leinart is a product of the system, especially when one considers the man who designed that system is sitting as the offensive coordinator. Vince Young could be Jesus 2. Lets see.
Pick 1 - Houston Texans
What I find incredible is that everyone seems to be talking about the Texans taking a running back later today, either at the end of the first or early second. So anyone saying that they shouldn't take Reggie Bush because they already had Domanick Davis, well that seems right out. They still need an offensive lineman, unless they see something really good in Chester Pitts at left tackle. I don't know what sort of system they're going to run, whether it'll be a version of the Broncos system, because of Gary Kubiak, or something like what the Packers did, because of Mike Sherman. They brought in Mike Flanagan, which leads me to think it'll be the Packers.
The question now, is what the Saints do. I'm sure that there will be a lot of trade offers, many I'm sure that they will listen too closely. However, Bush could make their offense great, and more versatile. Of course the Jets fan will want him, meaning we're going to have great theater, either way. I love the shot of about 500 people at the Saints practice facility all chanting for bush.
The question now, is what the Saints do. I'm sure that there will be a lot of trade offers, many I'm sure that they will listen too closely. However, Bush could make their offense great, and more versatile. Of course the Jets fan will want him, meaning we're going to have great theater, either way. I love the shot of about 500 people at the Saints practice facility all chanting for bush.
The storm
So today's finally the day...the draft, one of my favorite days of the year. Funny though, that last night, the whole thing changed. I was watching Boogie Nights when Coughlin called. He told me that the Texans had signed Mario Williams, and then my jaw dropped, and my dag on top ten was messed up.
I could never have imagined anyone doing anything so unbelievably stupid. Bush is probably the best college player I've seen since Barry Sanders, Mario Williams is a guy who seems to come along every other year. The real loser of the pick though is not Bush, its Williams. Understand, to make the pick justifiable, assuming Bush is what I, and I think anyone with eyes believes he will be , Williams HAS to be Bruce Smith or Reggie White. He has to be a guy who'll be a first ballot hall of famer, otherwise the move will be Sam Bowie, the kind of thing that's on "Top five reasons you can't blame" in five or six years. Williams is a nice player with a lot of physical gifts, but I really don't believe you build a championship defense around a defensive end now. The Texans seem to be citing the Colts as the inspiration for the pick, saying they need someone to rush the passer. The problem with that, frankly, is that its idiotic. The three teams who have had success against the Colts in the last year and a half, the Patriots , Chargers and Steelers, all play the 3-4, they confuse Manning, the football robot, with bringing people from areas he doesn't expect. The 4-3 is more straight forward, more easy to plan for. I tend to believe that defensive ends are overrated in importance. A defense probably plays about 800 snaps a year, and probably 55% of those will be passes. If you have 15-20 sacks, a great year, then you've made that a difference in a play about 5 or 6% of those plays. championship defenses are built up the middle, or with great linebackers and secondary players. The Patriots have the best defensive line in the league, but its best player, Richard Seymour, isn't a great defensive end in the traditional sense. Dwight Freeney, Jevon Kearse, all of those great ends are wonderful, but none were taken #1 overall, and none were taken ahead of Michael Jordan in cleats.
The Saints actually don't need to take Bush now, at least if they deal it. They won't be remembered for doing that, at least not nationally. That being said, Deuce McAllister tore an ACL, usually an injury that takes more than a year to fully come back from. Bush will get the chance to be productive right away, and I'm sure Sean Payton and Drew Brees will figure a way to use him.
Still, the league office has to be salivating at the possibility of Bush, the most spectacular college player in a generation, playing in New York. So if you see some weird deal today that involves the Jets getting the 2nd pick for something a little less than they should, well we'll see about that. If they gave up their two first rounders, they could still take Eric Winston or Tamba Hali in the second. Eric Mangini, while he was Belichick's defensive coordinator, also is going to value versatility, which Bush gives you on offense
I could never have imagined anyone doing anything so unbelievably stupid. Bush is probably the best college player I've seen since Barry Sanders, Mario Williams is a guy who seems to come along every other year. The real loser of the pick though is not Bush, its Williams. Understand, to make the pick justifiable, assuming Bush is what I, and I think anyone with eyes believes he will be , Williams HAS to be Bruce Smith or Reggie White. He has to be a guy who'll be a first ballot hall of famer, otherwise the move will be Sam Bowie, the kind of thing that's on "Top five reasons you can't blame" in five or six years. Williams is a nice player with a lot of physical gifts, but I really don't believe you build a championship defense around a defensive end now. The Texans seem to be citing the Colts as the inspiration for the pick, saying they need someone to rush the passer. The problem with that, frankly, is that its idiotic. The three teams who have had success against the Colts in the last year and a half, the Patriots , Chargers and Steelers, all play the 3-4, they confuse Manning, the football robot, with bringing people from areas he doesn't expect. The 4-3 is more straight forward, more easy to plan for. I tend to believe that defensive ends are overrated in importance. A defense probably plays about 800 snaps a year, and probably 55% of those will be passes. If you have 15-20 sacks, a great year, then you've made that a difference in a play about 5 or 6% of those plays. championship defenses are built up the middle, or with great linebackers and secondary players. The Patriots have the best defensive line in the league, but its best player, Richard Seymour, isn't a great defensive end in the traditional sense. Dwight Freeney, Jevon Kearse, all of those great ends are wonderful, but none were taken #1 overall, and none were taken ahead of Michael Jordan in cleats.
The Saints actually don't need to take Bush now, at least if they deal it. They won't be remembered for doing that, at least not nationally. That being said, Deuce McAllister tore an ACL, usually an injury that takes more than a year to fully come back from. Bush will get the chance to be productive right away, and I'm sure Sean Payton and Drew Brees will figure a way to use him.
Still, the league office has to be salivating at the possibility of Bush, the most spectacular college player in a generation, playing in New York. So if you see some weird deal today that involves the Jets getting the 2nd pick for something a little less than they should, well we'll see about that. If they gave up their two first rounders, they could still take Eric Winston or Tamba Hali in the second. Eric Mangini, while he was Belichick's defensive coordinator, also is going to value versatility, which Bush gives you on offense
Friday, April 28, 2006
The calm....
Its been a long time. I felt I needed to post something before tomorrow, where I'll be blogging all day.
The last few months have been an experience. I got to see what ultimately was my last show at Albion, I spent a far too brief time in Los Angeles visiting with the Southards and Miss Colleen Kelly, had some very stressful weeks and some far less stressful ones, and bought myself new pants. That last one is out of place, I know, but its not something I've done a great deal of, as I hate clothes shopping.
The last few months have also given me time to think. One of my duties at the paper is that I put up the Granite's website, meaning that I enter every photo, caption and story into the system. When I do so it gives me the chance, not surprisingly, to look at pretty much everything in the paper. This includes, and I have a point here, I'm not just doing this to be morbid, the obituaries. One of the things you see a lot in newspapers, including the Granite, is that each obituary has a sub-head, one that gives a few words that might summarize someone's accomplishment or give small snippets of their interests (something like, "World War II veteran", "long time teacher", or even "avid golfer and hunter.") Thankfully, for me, I don't have the job of coming up with said snippet, and of course, when you see something like "avid golfer" you're a bit taken aback, after all, this person might have had children, grandchildren or held an important job, golf probably was .000004% of their life. I sometimes think about what mine would say, or perhaps less morbidly, what it might say in 60 or 70 years. This place is not, ultimately where I want to end up, or stay forever, certainly. Then I think about where I might want to go, and while I know I have a lot of options, its also something I'm anxious about. I'd like to try different areas of the country, especially out west, but I also want to try something familiar, perhaps the Washington area, or somewhere close to home.
I think the reason these feelings are stirring is that its been a year for me here. Honestly, things are in many ways very much the same, and in many ways totally different. I could never have pictured myself as the type of person to go to the gym six days a week, but I have. I never imagined I'd be they type who made it a point to eat vegetables everyday. I'd also never imagined myself getting into some of the issues I've reported on as much. I could go for half an hour on New Durham's school withdrawal or the political situation in Barnstead. That being said, I also feel like there's other things I'd like to experience, and issues I'd like to learn and write about.
The last few months have been an experience. I got to see what ultimately was my last show at Albion, I spent a far too brief time in Los Angeles visiting with the Southards and Miss Colleen Kelly, had some very stressful weeks and some far less stressful ones, and bought myself new pants. That last one is out of place, I know, but its not something I've done a great deal of, as I hate clothes shopping.
The last few months have also given me time to think. One of my duties at the paper is that I put up the Granite's website, meaning that I enter every photo, caption and story into the system. When I do so it gives me the chance, not surprisingly, to look at pretty much everything in the paper. This includes, and I have a point here, I'm not just doing this to be morbid, the obituaries. One of the things you see a lot in newspapers, including the Granite, is that each obituary has a sub-head, one that gives a few words that might summarize someone's accomplishment or give small snippets of their interests (something like, "World War II veteran", "long time teacher", or even "avid golfer and hunter.") Thankfully, for me, I don't have the job of coming up with said snippet, and of course, when you see something like "avid golfer" you're a bit taken aback, after all, this person might have had children, grandchildren or held an important job, golf probably was .000004% of their life. I sometimes think about what mine would say, or perhaps less morbidly, what it might say in 60 or 70 years. This place is not, ultimately where I want to end up, or stay forever, certainly. Then I think about where I might want to go, and while I know I have a lot of options, its also something I'm anxious about. I'd like to try different areas of the country, especially out west, but I also want to try something familiar, perhaps the Washington area, or somewhere close to home.
I think the reason these feelings are stirring is that its been a year for me here. Honestly, things are in many ways very much the same, and in many ways totally different. I could never have pictured myself as the type of person to go to the gym six days a week, but I have. I never imagined I'd be they type who made it a point to eat vegetables everyday. I'd also never imagined myself getting into some of the issues I've reported on as much. I could go for half an hour on New Durham's school withdrawal or the political situation in Barnstead. That being said, I also feel like there's other things I'd like to experience, and issues I'd like to learn and write about.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
At last...
So it’s been a while, though, its weird, but I had the same kind of lull I've been experiencing last year, in almost the exact same time frame. Maybe it’s just a winter thing, I don't know.
I want to concentrate on some of the personal events of the last few weeks, then I'll write about some of the sports and political developments later this week. Really, my short break from work and life in New Hampshire, and the following week was defined by three events. First, the time I spent with my family beginning on the 23rd. It was good to see everyone, though it was a bit odd because we did a number of things we wouldn't usually do, like going to Jen's parent’s house Christmas Eve and then having them for dinner Christmas Day. We also had to make nice adjustment on the fly Christmas Day, as our power went out as we were preparing dinner. Luckily, with the new grill, we were able to boil the water for the crab-legs and also grill the filets, so were were able to salvage the meal.
The next day, we headed down to Euclid, a day that brought another turkey dinner, as well as one of the single worst movie experiences of my life- King Kong, which was a good movie, but featured several jackasses talking on phones and yelling loudly at the screen, like total jerks.
The second major event took place the next day, after we got back from Euclid. At that point I collected some things, then headed out to Albion for the Fellowship gathering. I met Amy at around 3:30 (at Haven House, the site of one of the most uncomfortable 90 minutes of my life) and together, and by together I mean I helped a little bit, then watched a movie, prepared for people showing up around 7 p.m. As good as it was to see Amy and talk to her before anyone got there, I have to say that I was also a bit nervous as to how many would be there. Then around 7, and continuing for the next hour we saw cars drive up behind Haven House, and I saw all those faces and saw all those people I hadn't seen in months, or years in some cases, made everything, the trip, the time, the effort in helping to put it together, worth it. Seeing Susan and Adam, Colleen, Andy and everyone, it was just a wonderful experience, one that I'll remember for a long time.
The third, and to me the most important thing, came literally the day after I got back. Since Thursday's are usually easy days, I came back early, after a few minutes, I went on AIM. Soon, I saw something I hadn't seen in a while. I saw Alison's screen-name. After some initial shock I spoke with her, then spoke with her about everything that's gone on the past few months. I don't feel right writing it here, but suffice it to say, it’s been n incredible journey. Part of me had felt guilty about "losing" Alison for so long. After seeing her in May of 04, then calling her a few weeks later, I hadn't heard from her at all, and ended up losing track of her. When Amy and myself got ready to put together our invite list, neither of us knew where to find her. Know we do. In many ways, it was the best Christmas present I've gotten in a long time, both because of the good news, and for peace of mind.
I want to concentrate on some of the personal events of the last few weeks, then I'll write about some of the sports and political developments later this week. Really, my short break from work and life in New Hampshire, and the following week was defined by three events. First, the time I spent with my family beginning on the 23rd. It was good to see everyone, though it was a bit odd because we did a number of things we wouldn't usually do, like going to Jen's parent’s house Christmas Eve and then having them for dinner Christmas Day. We also had to make nice adjustment on the fly Christmas Day, as our power went out as we were preparing dinner. Luckily, with the new grill, we were able to boil the water for the crab-legs and also grill the filets, so were were able to salvage the meal.
The next day, we headed down to Euclid, a day that brought another turkey dinner, as well as one of the single worst movie experiences of my life- King Kong, which was a good movie, but featured several jackasses talking on phones and yelling loudly at the screen, like total jerks.
The second major event took place the next day, after we got back from Euclid. At that point I collected some things, then headed out to Albion for the Fellowship gathering. I met Amy at around 3:30 (at Haven House, the site of one of the most uncomfortable 90 minutes of my life) and together, and by together I mean I helped a little bit, then watched a movie, prepared for people showing up around 7 p.m. As good as it was to see Amy and talk to her before anyone got there, I have to say that I was also a bit nervous as to how many would be there. Then around 7, and continuing for the next hour we saw cars drive up behind Haven House, and I saw all those faces and saw all those people I hadn't seen in months, or years in some cases, made everything, the trip, the time, the effort in helping to put it together, worth it. Seeing Susan and Adam, Colleen, Andy and everyone, it was just a wonderful experience, one that I'll remember for a long time.
The third, and to me the most important thing, came literally the day after I got back. Since Thursday's are usually easy days, I came back early, after a few minutes, I went on AIM. Soon, I saw something I hadn't seen in a while. I saw Alison's screen-name. After some initial shock I spoke with her, then spoke with her about everything that's gone on the past few months. I don't feel right writing it here, but suffice it to say, it’s been n incredible journey. Part of me had felt guilty about "losing" Alison for so long. After seeing her in May of 04, then calling her a few weeks later, I hadn't heard from her at all, and ended up losing track of her. When Amy and myself got ready to put together our invite list, neither of us knew where to find her. Know we do. In many ways, it was the best Christmas present I've gotten in a long time, both because of the good news, and for peace of mind.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Let it snow, again, damn it
The last few weeks, and really, the last two Fridays, have been like a second introduction two New England. Today, and last Friday, well, I woke up and everything was white, and I don't mean just the people. Last week, we got about a foot of snow, and I had to dig my car out, twice- once getting it out of my space, the second, technically to dig myself a spot on the other side, which I suppose is technically digging myself in. Last week, though, it was just a lot of snow, this week, it was snow mixed with sleet, so while I cleaned my car of snow at several points during the day, all that resulted was me having to clear off ice from each of my windows later in the day, which really became weird when you consider I was really only doing that in order to move my car so the driveway could be plowed, ah the circular nature of life.
The other thing about last weekend, well, I locked myself out of my own apartment last Saturday. I was planning on heading to the gym, and had my water bottle and shoes with me, when I realized that my keys were still in the house. Unfortunately, I had also locked the door, and my second set of keys and my cell phone were in the apartment. Now this happened at two. My landlords weren't in, so I did what anyone would do. I went to the gym (realize, I'm wearing shorts, I was going to the gym and its been insanely cold here, I've left several meetings the last few weeks with negative temps on the car's thermometer), and so when I finished working out, I walked back, hoping the Eaton's had come back. Well, they hadn't. So I went to see if I could use someone's phone, and went to a small bookstore. Well, they let me call the locksmith, who wasn't in. Then I tried again, a couple of hours later, still nothing. I ended up staying at the bookstore for about four and a half hours waiting to see if the locksmith would call. Luckily I ended up staying at my friend Sarah's for the night, then calling the locksmith in the morning. Well, I connected, and it took him all of about three seconds to open the door. So, all in all, I felt like an ass.
I'll catch up on some sports and news stuff over the course, of the week, just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive.
The other thing about last weekend, well, I locked myself out of my own apartment last Saturday. I was planning on heading to the gym, and had my water bottle and shoes with me, when I realized that my keys were still in the house. Unfortunately, I had also locked the door, and my second set of keys and my cell phone were in the apartment. Now this happened at two. My landlords weren't in, so I did what anyone would do. I went to the gym (realize, I'm wearing shorts, I was going to the gym and its been insanely cold here, I've left several meetings the last few weeks with negative temps on the car's thermometer), and so when I finished working out, I walked back, hoping the Eaton's had come back. Well, they hadn't. So I went to see if I could use someone's phone, and went to a small bookstore. Well, they let me call the locksmith, who wasn't in. Then I tried again, a couple of hours later, still nothing. I ended up staying at the bookstore for about four and a half hours waiting to see if the locksmith would call. Luckily I ended up staying at my friend Sarah's for the night, then calling the locksmith in the morning. Well, I connected, and it took him all of about three seconds to open the door. So, all in all, I felt like an ass.
I'll catch up on some sports and news stuff over the course, of the week, just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Giving thanks, and a mea culpa
I realize that I have been severely deficient in the upkeep of this blog the last few weeks. Its been a situation it seems, most nights, that I'll come from work or the gym with the intention of writing something, then sitting down and having nothing flow out immediately, getting distracted, then finally not actually writing anything for whatever reason. I'm hoping that the Thanksgiving break might help recharge things, so here we go. As I've said, things have been busy and interesting up here the last few weeks. Two weeks ago, I had the kind of weird privilege of going down to Alton Central School and reading to kids as part of their "Celebrity reading day." Seriously. I was considered a celebrity. I think this probably says more about where I live than anything else. Anyway, I read through a couple of children's book's (I read to two third grade classes) as the two books I brought from my personal library, Moby Dick and Walden probably wouldn't have been too entertaining (though I did read part of Chapter one of Moby Dick to the first class, who kept asking me to keep going, though I assume that was because they didn't want to actually learn stuff in their other courses.
Thanksgiving as interesting, mainly because I had to make the long drive(s) myself. Even last year, I drove from Chicago to home, then to Euclid with the family (though I should say, the trip from Chicago, which usually took four and a half to five hours took eight because of snow and slow traffic). This year, I left Wednesday morning, then drove about 13 hours to Cleveland. The drive was actually quite simple, there were only about two or three turns the whole trip, as it was almost entirely on I-90, including the Mass. and New York thruways. The ride back took less time, but again, took the same route.
While I was down in Euclid, I saw two movies, about which I wanted to share some quick thoughts. First, Thanksgiving night, I saw Rent with Robert, Annie and Kenny and their kids, along with some of the drama students they know. I enjoyed it, though it wasn't as good as Chicago as an adaptation. I think more of my problems with it were related to the source material, the play itself. I've seen a lot of online reviews, especially from a lot of regular folks who hated, hated, the show, and pretty much hated the movie too. The thing I can see, even having never seen it onstage, is that Rent is, if anything, a product of two time periods- the AIDS epidemic years of the late 80's, where indeed, it cut a wide swath through whole communities, and then the mid-90's as a theatre piece. It is, more than anything, totally different from anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Les Mis, less biting and cynical than Sondheim, and more accessible for many because of the style of music. It will always have a home at colleges once it leaves Broadway, but I don't know if it will ultimately be remembered as one of those musicals that fundamentally changes things. It will probably be thought of, along with Hair, as it's own category.
The second one I saw was GoF, which I found, more than anything, to be incredibly dark. Having not read the books, I track the progress of the kids through the movies, and I was surprised just how dark and intense the movie was. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but I was just a little surprised. I have to say, too, that its great to see the development of each of the actors grow up before our eyes.
Thanksgiving as interesting, mainly because I had to make the long drive(s) myself. Even last year, I drove from Chicago to home, then to Euclid with the family (though I should say, the trip from Chicago, which usually took four and a half to five hours took eight because of snow and slow traffic). This year, I left Wednesday morning, then drove about 13 hours to Cleveland. The drive was actually quite simple, there were only about two or three turns the whole trip, as it was almost entirely on I-90, including the Mass. and New York thruways. The ride back took less time, but again, took the same route.
While I was down in Euclid, I saw two movies, about which I wanted to share some quick thoughts. First, Thanksgiving night, I saw Rent with Robert, Annie and Kenny and their kids, along with some of the drama students they know. I enjoyed it, though it wasn't as good as Chicago as an adaptation. I think more of my problems with it were related to the source material, the play itself. I've seen a lot of online reviews, especially from a lot of regular folks who hated, hated, the show, and pretty much hated the movie too. The thing I can see, even having never seen it onstage, is that Rent is, if anything, a product of two time periods- the AIDS epidemic years of the late 80's, where indeed, it cut a wide swath through whole communities, and then the mid-90's as a theatre piece. It is, more than anything, totally different from anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Les Mis, less biting and cynical than Sondheim, and more accessible for many because of the style of music. It will always have a home at colleges once it leaves Broadway, but I don't know if it will ultimately be remembered as one of those musicals that fundamentally changes things. It will probably be thought of, along with Hair, as it's own category.
The second one I saw was GoF, which I found, more than anything, to be incredibly dark. Having not read the books, I track the progress of the kids through the movies, and I was surprised just how dark and intense the movie was. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but I was just a little surprised. I have to say, too, that its great to see the development of each of the actors grow up before our eyes.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Viva La Raza, RIP
There are a lot of things that I like to talk about, other things not. One of those things is that I, a college educated male, who holds a post-graduate degree, watches professional wrestling.
The way I reconcile this is that I don't watch it the way most other people do. I watch to see certain guys who are incredibly good, the guys who are incredibly good at what they do, in all respects. I watch because I want to see how a 60-year old man can make people in a live crowd believe he can defeat a man a 20 or 30 years younger, to watch how brilliantly an Olympic champion amateur has become an all-time great in a totally different endeavor. The great ones are just as much performers as any great theatre practitioner, because anyone watching knows that everything is just as scripted but makes you want to watch anyway.
Eddie Guerrero was one of those who made you want to watch him perform, because of the joy he obviously brought to his profession. Its a profession he was born into, one he was raised in, one his brothers and his nephew, who's actually only three years younger, were born into. He wrestled in Mexico and in Japan, he wrestled in the Bingo Hall known as the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, and then the dysfunctional enterprise called WCW. He became the first luchadore to hold a major American world title.
But what made Eddie Guerrero a great story, and what makes his death all the more tragic, is the personal demons he overcame. Guerrero wasn't a big man; he was 5'8", 220, according to coroner’s reports. He wasn't a steroid user. He was a recovering alcoholic, and like many wrestlers he fought battles against painkillers. Its that addiction that's felled an increasing number of wrestlers, from Bobby Duncum Jr., Davey Boy Smith and Curt Hennig, along with many others in recent years. It’s also a reality that despite the fact that it isn't a sport, no athletes perform the same daily travel schedule as wrestlers. No athletes are on the road more, and there's no off-season for wrestlers. It’s that addiction that Eddie Guerrero fought, and survived. He'd been sober for years, but as any recovering addict will tell you, you fight four-year's worth of one-day battles to stay sober.
What makes King Lear so tragic, the reason the real version wasn't performed for 300 years and replaced by the Tate version, is that for all of the mistakes he makes, the wrongs he commits, there seems to be a future. Goneril and Regan are gone, Albany, Edgar and Kent are triumphant, and all seems right. What seems most unfair is that its then that the hammer falls, that Lear is stripped of first that which he values and loves most, and then his life. Its we as the audience, and through the remaining characters onstage, that are left with the hole in the world. That's ultimately what makes Eddie Guerrero's death so tragic: He conquered his demons, only to be taken in the prime of his life, leaving a wife and two children. Now it’s his friends and family, and his fans, that go on wondering why.
Eddie Guerrero triumphed in an industry stacked against him. In a business that favors big, hulking monsters that are great on the mic, he was short and average sized, and spoke with an accent. Champions, the men who carried the business were supposed to be white and clean cut. Eddie was proudly Mexican-American, growing up in El Paso and just across the border, had a thin moustache and wore a mullet for a large portion of his career. At one point he, and a few other wrestlers like him, would have been shunted to the side, either labeled "vanilla midgets" (Kevin Nash's phrase for him, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko) or given license to only play a stereotype, which he often had to do. Still, he rose to the top of his profession, he was as adaptable as anyone was, and he could play the good guy and the bad guy with equal brilliance. He made anyone who watched him appreciate that they were watching the consummate performer and professional. He was substance in a business almost all about style. What's sad is that people like him often have to leave so soon.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Wahoo Country
I wanted to briefly talk about the elections yesterday, especially in Virginia. Earlier this fall, I heard on Kornheiser about one of the ads run by the Republican nominee, Jerry Kilgore. It showed the father of a murder victim, who talked about how upset he was that Tim Kaine opposed the death penalty. Tony mentioned how powerful the ad was, and I'm sure it was. Personal testimony like that is always effective, and of course, we're talking about the South, where there is a history of support for the death penalty.
What really makes this interesting for me, though, is that Kaine is Catholic, and essentially makes the same argument that every Catholic politician has made since Roe, the "I'm personally opposed to abortion but I will uphold the law," argument. Kaine also extended that to the death penalty, saying that while he objected to it morally, he would still carry out the laws of Virginia. While I find the last part somewhat disturbing, because I also don't believe in the death penalty, but I understand the sentiment. In response to the Kilgore ad, Kaine made his position clear. What's amazing, here, and I say this as a Democratic voter who's seen such attempts derail a Cuomo presidential run and repeatedly fail at nearly every other attempt. I guess, that in Virginia, people are wising up. That and the fact that George Bush can't deliver a state quite literally in his own backyard (and if you consider the land that used to belong to the District and was ceded to Va. it quite literally is).
I wasn't surprised about Jon Corzine winning, though that race got really dirty. It was gratifying to see the Dover, PA school board voted out, though that was counterbalanced by Kansas changing the definition of science and taking reason out of science classes, replacing it with faith. Nice work. Rock, Chalk, You Stink.
What really makes this interesting for me, though, is that Kaine is Catholic, and essentially makes the same argument that every Catholic politician has made since Roe, the "I'm personally opposed to abortion but I will uphold the law," argument. Kaine also extended that to the death penalty, saying that while he objected to it morally, he would still carry out the laws of Virginia. While I find the last part somewhat disturbing, because I also don't believe in the death penalty, but I understand the sentiment. In response to the Kilgore ad, Kaine made his position clear. What's amazing, here, and I say this as a Democratic voter who's seen such attempts derail a Cuomo presidential run and repeatedly fail at nearly every other attempt. I guess, that in Virginia, people are wising up. That and the fact that George Bush can't deliver a state quite literally in his own backyard (and if you consider the land that used to belong to the District and was ceded to Va. it quite literally is).
I wasn't surprised about Jon Corzine winning, though that race got really dirty. It was gratifying to see the Dover, PA school board voted out, though that was counterbalanced by Kansas changing the definition of science and taking reason out of science classes, replacing it with faith. Nice work. Rock, Chalk, You Stink.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
New York State of Mind, or Currency of Love
So, as a treat to myself, and to see Beth perform her cabaret act that she does with Audra White, I visited New York this weekend. Really, the treat for me, ultimately is going to the city. The weird thing was, the last time I went to the city was the same afternoon that Mary called and offered me the job , so, leaving work from that job early to take the same route was interesting. The ride had gone very well, I'd called John Sellers the day before, part of a sort of quick and haphazard attempt to put together the trip during what had been a pretty busy week. When I got to the city, well, things slowed down, a lot. Consider , that it was still very light out by the time I got into New York and around 6:30, about two-and a-half hours later, that I got to John's apartment, suddenly worrying that I wouldn't arrive in time. Beth said to be at the theatre at 8:30, I needed to shower and change, and I had been figuring on about an hour for the trip from Park Slope to the Upper West Side.
Luckily, however, I walked up the subway steps on to Central Park West and 72nd at around 8:20, then looked around for the Triad. I asked several doormen, the doormen of the buildings who's average rent is about 50 times my yearly salary, for directions. I ended up just sorting feeling around for it, then, bang, before Amsterdam, I find the building. There was a show going on, so I still had a while, then I saw Beth and Audra before they went in and wished them luck, but it still was about a half-hour, as the show in the space before their show ran long and they needed to do sound check.
The show itself...well, its best to say that Beth and Audra were fabulous. The other acts...well, in place like New York, you get a lot of really talented people doing a lot of really good stuff, really innovative. Then you have some marginally or completely untalented people who have convinced themselves, or been convinced by other people, that they are in fact talented. There were some really talented people, aside from Beth and Audra, one guy who did a comedy/musical act playing the bass, an a couple of very funny comics, but there were some others, like the host (who was on Square Pegs, that's his claim to fame. A show that was on the air for about two years and then vanished is his claim to fame. He actually did a "So anyone here from out of town," reset for God's sake) and the ventriloquist (its one thing to move your lips slightly, after all how are you supposed to create a sound, but seriously, there has to be some sort of attempt at minimizing their movement. And try to spend more than five minutes on the dummy next time). Still the worst, the absolute worst was this woman who performed last. She was a singer, who performed what had to be the most amateurish (she didn't have live backup, it was on a tape) written songs ever (one was about how great life would be if love were how we measured wealth, the other I heard was written during a breakthrough in therapy, there was no way I was staying for the last song). Obviously, she had to have performed some sort of coital favor for someone to get on the bill, because, wow, she was awful. If they had brought up a homeless person from the street, at least the chances are 50/50 they might well be better.
After the show, I grabbed some food with Audra, Beth and some of their friends and talked, then I headed back to Park Slope. Unfortunately, I went to the wrong stop, and ended up having to go North to go South. I ended up getting back at 3, tired and ready for sleep.
My favorite thing about New York is the fact that even when alone, you feel a part of the city, because its that vibrant. I spent a good part of Saturday just walking around the city, which I always enjoy. Still, because it was Marathon weekend, I needed to get out on Saturday, as I'd still be in New York otherwise. Still, it was wonderful to talk to Sellers and Beth and just be in my favorite city, no matter how many untalented people there are there. After all, they're still living the dream.
Luckily, however, I walked up the subway steps on to Central Park West and 72nd at around 8:20, then looked around for the Triad. I asked several doormen, the doormen of the buildings who's average rent is about 50 times my yearly salary, for directions. I ended up just sorting feeling around for it, then, bang, before Amsterdam, I find the building. There was a show going on, so I still had a while, then I saw Beth and Audra before they went in and wished them luck, but it still was about a half-hour, as the show in the space before their show ran long and they needed to do sound check.
The show itself...well, its best to say that Beth and Audra were fabulous. The other acts...well, in place like New York, you get a lot of really talented people doing a lot of really good stuff, really innovative. Then you have some marginally or completely untalented people who have convinced themselves, or been convinced by other people, that they are in fact talented. There were some really talented people, aside from Beth and Audra, one guy who did a comedy/musical act playing the bass, an a couple of very funny comics, but there were some others, like the host (who was on Square Pegs, that's his claim to fame. A show that was on the air for about two years and then vanished is his claim to fame. He actually did a "So anyone here from out of town," reset for God's sake) and the ventriloquist (its one thing to move your lips slightly, after all how are you supposed to create a sound, but seriously, there has to be some sort of attempt at minimizing their movement. And try to spend more than five minutes on the dummy next time). Still the worst, the absolute worst was this woman who performed last. She was a singer, who performed what had to be the most amateurish (she didn't have live backup, it was on a tape) written songs ever (one was about how great life would be if love were how we measured wealth, the other I heard was written during a breakthrough in therapy, there was no way I was staying for the last song). Obviously, she had to have performed some sort of coital favor for someone to get on the bill, because, wow, she was awful. If they had brought up a homeless person from the street, at least the chances are 50/50 they might well be better.
After the show, I grabbed some food with Audra, Beth and some of their friends and talked, then I headed back to Park Slope. Unfortunately, I went to the wrong stop, and ended up having to go North to go South. I ended up getting back at 3, tired and ready for sleep.
My favorite thing about New York is the fact that even when alone, you feel a part of the city, because its that vibrant. I spent a good part of Saturday just walking around the city, which I always enjoy. Still, because it was Marathon weekend, I needed to get out on Saturday, as I'd still be in New York otherwise. Still, it was wonderful to talk to Sellers and Beth and just be in my favorite city, no matter how many untalented people there are there. After all, they're still living the dream.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Moving on
Finally, after several weeks and seemingly all sorts of twists and turns, the Miers nomination is officially dead. Obviously, given the increasing conservative disgust with the nomination, chances are that some sort of move was going to be made. Now will likely come the hardcore conservative, probably one rougher than Roberts, and one conservatives who want to jump Scalia and Thomas' bones will love. That's scary, because, until April or May, when the decisions from the court's term come out, we have no sense of the judicial philosophy of Roberts as chief, we don't know how the make-up of the court will change, especially with regards to social issues. Miers will forever be the one people think about when they think of disastrous nominations, as she never even got to the hearings, torpedoed not by her own insane ideas (as Robert Bork was) but by the base of her president's party and her own supreme underqualification.
Fitzgerald also came down with the first of his indictments. This time, it was Scooter Libby, Cheney's chief of staff, who resigned as soon as the indictment came down. Hopefully, more will be on the way soon, specifically, one for Karl Rove. While Libby wasn't indicted for outing Plame, there are so many issues here in the indictments, so many questions that need to be answered about what Dick Cheney's role was, and, ultimately, what kind of coverup there was. This isn't over.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the death of the midwife of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks. More than anyone else, Rosa Parks represented the beginning of the movement, with her one act of defiance. Its been said by many that she was simply tired when she refused to give up her seat. She said on many occasions, however that while it had been a long day of work, what she was actually tired of was her second class treatment by the government of Montgomery, Alabama and the United States. By standing up, by commiting even a small act of defiance, we saw the avalanche of history begin to run down the hill, and change the nation, for the better, forever.
Fitzgerald also came down with the first of his indictments. This time, it was Scooter Libby, Cheney's chief of staff, who resigned as soon as the indictment came down. Hopefully, more will be on the way soon, specifically, one for Karl Rove. While Libby wasn't indicted for outing Plame, there are so many issues here in the indictments, so many questions that need to be answered about what Dick Cheney's role was, and, ultimately, what kind of coverup there was. This isn't over.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the death of the midwife of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks. More than anyone else, Rosa Parks represented the beginning of the movement, with her one act of defiance. Its been said by many that she was simply tired when she refused to give up her seat. She said on many occasions, however that while it had been a long day of work, what she was actually tired of was her second class treatment by the government of Montgomery, Alabama and the United States. By standing up, by commiting even a small act of defiance, we saw the avalanche of history begin to run down the hill, and change the nation, for the better, forever.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Well then, Steve Perry's happy
Obviously I want to talk about the World Series. I was surprised, I guess, by how subdued the celebrations seemed to be, both by the White Sox and then the shots in Chicago. I guess, though it was to be expected. As many have said, White Sox fans, unlike their North-Side rivals, and well, New England Red Sox fans, tend to be very low-key about the fact that they've lost. You don't hear about the misery they've suffered the past 88 years. This is in part, I think, because very few Sox fans really buy into anything readily. What makes Cubs fans hurt so much about '69, '84 and '03, and Red Sox so very neurotic about Buckner, Boone and Bucky Dent, is that they bought into their team winning. Thus last year, when the Red Sox won, it was winning for an entire region, for generations of New Englanders and displaced New Englanders around the country. Its why Cubs fans walked around in a daze for weeks after the Bartman game. White Sox fans, I think, rather than being disappointed sort of just take this in and say "F--- you Cubs," it seems more of a pleasant surprise than anything.
Nationally, I think, because there isn't the romance tied to the White Sox and their futility, people have been underwhelmed. They only went to two World Series since 1917, and one, well, they threw. Maybe now Shoeless Joe, Buck Weaver and the rest of the Black Sox can rest easy, and Charlie Comiskey can continue to burn in miser hell. It should be said though, that this was one of the great runs ever, in terms of how they just rant through everyone, even though all of the World Series games were close.
Just a couple of observations about the series: Tim McCarver talked about how Brad Lidge had the taste of the Pujols homerun out of his mouth. The second he did, Scott Podsednik hits it out, someone who had exactly 0 home runs during the regular reason (though he had one in the playoffs) wow.
I stayed up, as long as I could Tuesday night, after all its my busy night. I stayed up to see the White Sox score, then I just sort of surrendered. Frankly, it was a very ugly game, even though it was close and long. The walks, the inability of either team to hit, especially the Astros, actually got embarrassing at one point. Still, it doesn't excuse Phil Garner throwing his team under the bus Terry Murray-style after the game.
The guy I'm happiest for is Jermaine Dye, the MVP. Besides now being a great bit of trivia (the highest World Series Batting Average), he's come full circle. In Oakland, he seemed to underachieve, dating back to the time he broke a leg via a foul ball in a division Series.
Well, I'll get back to other things later this week, see you then.
Nationally, I think, because there isn't the romance tied to the White Sox and their futility, people have been underwhelmed. They only went to two World Series since 1917, and one, well, they threw. Maybe now Shoeless Joe, Buck Weaver and the rest of the Black Sox can rest easy, and Charlie Comiskey can continue to burn in miser hell. It should be said though, that this was one of the great runs ever, in terms of how they just rant through everyone, even though all of the World Series games were close.
Just a couple of observations about the series: Tim McCarver talked about how Brad Lidge had the taste of the Pujols homerun out of his mouth. The second he did, Scott Podsednik hits it out, someone who had exactly 0 home runs during the regular reason (though he had one in the playoffs) wow.
I stayed up, as long as I could Tuesday night, after all its my busy night. I stayed up to see the White Sox score, then I just sort of surrendered. Frankly, it was a very ugly game, even though it was close and long. The walks, the inability of either team to hit, especially the Astros, actually got embarrassing at one point. Still, it doesn't excuse Phil Garner throwing his team under the bus Terry Murray-style after the game.
The guy I'm happiest for is Jermaine Dye, the MVP. Besides now being a great bit of trivia (the highest World Series Batting Average), he's come full circle. In Oakland, he seemed to underachieve, dating back to the time he broke a leg via a foul ball in a division Series.
Well, I'll get back to other things later this week, see you then.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Game 1
I haven't talked a lot about the baseball playoffs, suffice it to say that I think a lot of it speaks for itself. The fact that the White Sox are there, for me, is surprising. When I got to Chicago, the Cubs made their run. I thought, along with much of Chicago that if 2003 wasn't the Cubs year then they certainly would make it soon. The White Sox weren't even a factor. Even after the Cubs blew it in Game 6 and Game 7, the odds, because of Prior, Wood and Zambrano seemed to be in their favor. Last year, both teams faded late (the Cubs still have never, in their history been to the playoffs in consecutive years). I was still there when they sent Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for Podsednik, when everyone expressed some shock, because here you were essentially giving away a big RBI man, after they'd lost Magglio Ordonez, for a guy who stole a lot of bases but didn't have the best On Base percentage for a lead-off man. Obviously its worked out (it worked well for the Brewers too). Still, I'm interested in knowing how Chicago on the whole, is embracing this, given that it is essentially a Cubs town. That being said, here are some observations from Game 1:
The way the White Sox started was a great indication that they had a game plan against Clemens. The at-bat Jermaine Dye had, working Clemens until he got the ball he could drive to the opposite field, was a thing of beauty. The way they attacked in the second inning, even before Clemens was hurt, showed they weren't going to be intimidated, despite the fact that their coaches and GM had twice as many at bats against him as the roster does.
Every playoffs seems to produce an AJ Pierzynski, someone who just happens to get rolling and ends up in the middle of everything. (By the way, my take on the umpires missing the two calls, first the Josh Paul third strike, then the catchers interference is this: get over it. The umpire made the call, that's it. He should have been more decisive, as decisive is sometimes preferable to correct on a close play, but he made his call and stuck, and then his colleague did the same.) Personally, I felt bad for him the way he got pushed out of San Francisco, but you can see how he could grate on people. He's the type of guy, like Claude Lemieux, Bill Laimbeer or Bill Romanowski that you just want on your side, because otherwise, you hate their living guts.
More than any other player these last two rounds, including Paul Konerko, the White Sox have been carried by Joe Crede, who's becoming a star before our eyes. My only concerns- the fact that he has a large zit near his mouth, or at least, he did during the Angels series, and his weird facial hair. He looks like, well, the brother of William Ligue, or just like someone who took the drive in from Calumet City or Chesterton (sort of white trashy). Still his isn't as bad as Aaron Rowand, who's pencil thin goatee makes him look like he's in the adult entertainment industry.
If these two teams will do anything, they will put on a great display of how to best play the game. Take Carl Everett's baserunning. He made sure to see where Lamb was going before breaking for home, and then he went, a lot of other players might not have taken the base on a ball hit that weakly.
Cotts and Jenks were incredible. It shows you, really, that for all the talk of control, of beating the hitter with great stuff, the great equalizer always will be a fastball no one can catch up to. Jenks may have served notice to the American League during the Bagwell at-bat, and in the ninth, that he's not a man to be messed with in the coming years.
One other observation from Saturday- the opening sketch of SNL (which was good, but they used the fact that Catherine Zeta-Jones can sing just a bit too much) featured Darrell Hammond doing the most dead on Brit Hume I have ever seen. I was amazed. Just when I thought he couldn't top Matthews, but he did.
Oh yeah, one other thing. It's great to win two in a row, finally. This Michigan team, say what you will about it, has guts. To win the way they did last week, and then to go into the Jim Shilander House of Horrors known as Kinnick Stadium and beat a good Iowa team, that takes a lot of heart and determination. Hopefully the trip to Evanston this week will go well too.
And for you State fans, try and remove the purple tire tracks from your back, its kind of embarassing.
The way the White Sox started was a great indication that they had a game plan against Clemens. The at-bat Jermaine Dye had, working Clemens until he got the ball he could drive to the opposite field, was a thing of beauty. The way they attacked in the second inning, even before Clemens was hurt, showed they weren't going to be intimidated, despite the fact that their coaches and GM had twice as many at bats against him as the roster does.
Every playoffs seems to produce an AJ Pierzynski, someone who just happens to get rolling and ends up in the middle of everything. (By the way, my take on the umpires missing the two calls, first the Josh Paul third strike, then the catchers interference is this: get over it. The umpire made the call, that's it. He should have been more decisive, as decisive is sometimes preferable to correct on a close play, but he made his call and stuck, and then his colleague did the same.) Personally, I felt bad for him the way he got pushed out of San Francisco, but you can see how he could grate on people. He's the type of guy, like Claude Lemieux, Bill Laimbeer or Bill Romanowski that you just want on your side, because otherwise, you hate their living guts.
More than any other player these last two rounds, including Paul Konerko, the White Sox have been carried by Joe Crede, who's becoming a star before our eyes. My only concerns- the fact that he has a large zit near his mouth, or at least, he did during the Angels series, and his weird facial hair. He looks like, well, the brother of William Ligue, or just like someone who took the drive in from Calumet City or Chesterton (sort of white trashy). Still his isn't as bad as Aaron Rowand, who's pencil thin goatee makes him look like he's in the adult entertainment industry.
If these two teams will do anything, they will put on a great display of how to best play the game. Take Carl Everett's baserunning. He made sure to see where Lamb was going before breaking for home, and then he went, a lot of other players might not have taken the base on a ball hit that weakly.
Cotts and Jenks were incredible. It shows you, really, that for all the talk of control, of beating the hitter with great stuff, the great equalizer always will be a fastball no one can catch up to. Jenks may have served notice to the American League during the Bagwell at-bat, and in the ninth, that he's not a man to be messed with in the coming years.
One other observation from Saturday- the opening sketch of SNL (which was good, but they used the fact that Catherine Zeta-Jones can sing just a bit too much) featured Darrell Hammond doing the most dead on Brit Hume I have ever seen. I was amazed. Just when I thought he couldn't top Matthews, but he did.
Oh yeah, one other thing. It's great to win two in a row, finally. This Michigan team, say what you will about it, has guts. To win the way they did last week, and then to go into the Jim Shilander House of Horrors known as Kinnick Stadium and beat a good Iowa team, that takes a lot of heart and determination. Hopefully the trip to Evanston this week will go well too.
And for you State fans, try and remove the purple tire tracks from your back, its kind of embarassing.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Vikings...Definitely not purifying themselves in the waters of Lake Minnetonka
The big story in football the last two weeks has been the Vikings ill-fated trip on Al and Alma's cruises on Lake Minnetonka. To me, the issue isn't them having a sex cruise, its the trying to force the horrified waitstaff and barstaff of "the bad boat," into, well, some compromising situations. The Cowboys used to have "The White House" a kind of safe house where they could do any number of drugs or have any number of women, and be in a relatively controlled situation. Maybe the Vikings thought they had a a controlled situation, what with the strippers and prostitutes brought in from other states, which by the way, violates the Mann Act. Obviously they didn't, and now the whole Vikings organization has an issue. The year has been disappointing enough (the defense, which was supposed to come around, has not, and the offense's struggles without Randy Moss has truly been surprising), now this. Mike Tice had better be looking for a better price on his Super Bowl tickets this year, he'll likely need it. By the way, what does this say about Minnesota's strippers and prostitutes, that the Vikings would have to risk violating federal law to bring them in? For Shame.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
And I'm spent...
It's rare, frankly to have a day like today, where every game you see is great. Early today I was able to see most of both the Axe game and BC and Wake. Now for those of you who don't know, meaning, you don't go to BC, Wake had beaten BC the last two years, in dramatic fashion. This time, they got up big early, and BC clawed back, only to see Wake go up again. BC then came back to win late. Meanwhile, in the axe game, Laurence Maroney performed brilliantly, but so did Bryan Calhoun and Wisconsin, and they won on the blocked kick late. My only question about that play, for the punter, is this. Way not punt the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety? Minnesota would still lead, but it also puts the pressure on the Badger offense and kicker to make a late field goal.
The next batch of games...well, was some of the best football I've ever seen. Michigan/Penn State probably ended the way it should have. Penn State had been living dangerously all year (witness the last second win over Northwestern) and Michigan had lost late (Wisconsin, Minnesota). Mario Manningham, frankly, deserves the #1 jersey now, though I'm sure it won't be given til after the season. He's stepped into the role Breaston was supposed to fill, which also seems to be helping Steve Breaston play better, now that he's in a more familiar and comfortable role. Henne played better in the second half than he had in previous games, and it showed in the final drive, though he nearly killed me by not going into the end zone.
Notre Dame-USC? Well, its hard to say a lot about a game that basically speaks for itself. You had two great, and I do mean great, coaches matching wits, and their charges going at it in one of the great games I've ever seen. The cliche of the heavyweight fight is about the only thing I can come up with to describe it, with that final, desperate quarterback sneak, USC hit that last powerful jab for the knockout with 10 seconds left in the 12th. The two people made by this game, though, are Brady Quinn, who actually looked better than Matt Leinart until the final drive, and Reggie Bush, who, frankly, should by all rights have clinched the Heisman.
Like a dessert after a big main course, I watched a lot of Virginia-FSU. Now UVa was having what was essentially a big anniversary party of their win over FSU in Charlottesville 10 years ago, which gave the Noles their first ACC loss. Well, they hadn't beaten them since. Still the effort by their defense, and the effort of their pixie QB Marques Haggans, surprised me, and they led big at the half, only to see FSU rally, then finally to put the Noles down. All and all, one of the great sports days ever.
I'm tired, I'm footballed out, I'll blog more next week.
The next batch of games...well, was some of the best football I've ever seen. Michigan/Penn State probably ended the way it should have. Penn State had been living dangerously all year (witness the last second win over Northwestern) and Michigan had lost late (Wisconsin, Minnesota). Mario Manningham, frankly, deserves the #1 jersey now, though I'm sure it won't be given til after the season. He's stepped into the role Breaston was supposed to fill, which also seems to be helping Steve Breaston play better, now that he's in a more familiar and comfortable role. Henne played better in the second half than he had in previous games, and it showed in the final drive, though he nearly killed me by not going into the end zone.
Notre Dame-USC? Well, its hard to say a lot about a game that basically speaks for itself. You had two great, and I do mean great, coaches matching wits, and their charges going at it in one of the great games I've ever seen. The cliche of the heavyweight fight is about the only thing I can come up with to describe it, with that final, desperate quarterback sneak, USC hit that last powerful jab for the knockout with 10 seconds left in the 12th. The two people made by this game, though, are Brady Quinn, who actually looked better than Matt Leinart until the final drive, and Reggie Bush, who, frankly, should by all rights have clinched the Heisman.
Like a dessert after a big main course, I watched a lot of Virginia-FSU. Now UVa was having what was essentially a big anniversary party of their win over FSU in Charlottesville 10 years ago, which gave the Noles their first ACC loss. Well, they hadn't beaten them since. Still the effort by their defense, and the effort of their pixie QB Marques Haggans, surprised me, and they led big at the half, only to see FSU rally, then finally to put the Noles down. All and all, one of the great sports days ever.
I'm tired, I'm footballed out, I'll blog more next week.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Yeah, Yeah...
So I think I owe everyone an explanation as to why I haven't been blogging a lot lately. Mainly, its just been a matter of being busy, and point of fact, being out of the state for the last two weekends. Last week, I had another crazy plane adventure, to go home for my friend Keith's wedding. I woke up at 9, when my flight was at 10:30. My alarm, which had been set for 7 a.m. had not gone off. I literally raced out, stopping just to throw things in an overnight bag and grab an apple. I made it fairly quickly to the airport, but still late. I then made arrangements for another flight, to leave at five, but I'd have to be put on standby. I took a shuttle to a movie theatre, only to find that no movie was playing for another 4 or 5 hours, and then went to a nearby Barnes and Noble. After a few hours, I headed back to the airport, where I actually ended up with a ticket to Chicago at 5. After wasting a few hours, I was headed to Midway, not sure of how long I'd be there, as the flight back to Metro was oversold, not just full. Well, I got to Midway just as the White Sox were knocking Mike Timlin around, then about 15 minutes later, I heard cheers going around the airport from a bunch of crazy Southsiders. Anyway, I waited until 9, already with a contingency plan in hand (stay at John's and leave in the morning), but I guess that the offer of $200, a flight in the morning and lodging for the night tempted enough people that I got on.
Saturday was disappointing (not the wedding). Obviously the Michigan game sort of ruined my day. The wedding started really late, it turns out that the bridal party didn't get picked up until after the wedding was supposed to start, and so the reception was also late (we got dinner after 10) and we ended up leaving early, as my parents and myself needed to head out to New Hampshire in the morning. We did, and the trip was really quite long, and once we got closer to NH, kind of harrowing, driving in the dark in Vermont, when its raining, isn't something I'd recommend. But we had a lot of fun during the week, highlighted by a trip up Mount Washington Thursday. It was great to see my parents, but its also been a busy week, and so I am still tired, and feel the need to catchup on everything, not just blogging. With that, I leave you til tomorrow...
Saturday was disappointing (not the wedding). Obviously the Michigan game sort of ruined my day. The wedding started really late, it turns out that the bridal party didn't get picked up until after the wedding was supposed to start, and so the reception was also late (we got dinner after 10) and we ended up leaving early, as my parents and myself needed to head out to New Hampshire in the morning. We did, and the trip was really quite long, and once we got closer to NH, kind of harrowing, driving in the dark in Vermont, when its raining, isn't something I'd recommend. But we had a lot of fun during the week, highlighted by a trip up Mount Washington Thursday. It was great to see my parents, but its also been a busy week, and so I am still tired, and feel the need to catchup on everything, not just blogging. With that, I leave you til tomorrow...
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