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NOLA 2007 Pt. I

Went down to NOLA last weekend for a great friend's bachelor party. A quick recap:

Landed @ 9pm Thursday night, after a quick drop-off of the luggage at a mini-mansion in the Garden District, took cabs to Fat Harry's to watch the end of the USC v. Tennessee game. My hunch on Tennessee blew up in my face, so I was left to hedge with THC for a few cups of vodka, which helped loosen the edge from the loss. A quick run to F&Ms led to a quick departure to Harras. Overall I was down, but give the place a B-, as friends were able to hang at the table and BS while not playing (not hovering, not minded at all) and gave us an opportunity to teach a buddy the basics (he is getting a hit/stay card for his birthday).

Friday - Golf went out the window when our AM tee time ran into our prior night. Found po' boys and Abitas down the street and hung out later at the pool. Chips were replaced with Pinto beans, which worked well enough to kill time until dinner, at Felix's downtown.

Great dinner, multiple doz. oysters and Crawfish Vonnie for dinner. I think we sped up the depletion of seafood by 3 years. Post dinner finally hit the Quarter for a quick hurricane at Pat O's before the party split. Proceeded to drink like prohibition was coming back on Monday at hole in the wall place until going home. Drank with my bud's boys from NOLA. Great crew, were more than willing to throw down and ignore my shenanigans. Got good reviews on my JR Reynolds slow/low five. Thanks for the pity.

Saturday - Grab card from prior night's bar, hit up a crawfish boil at the Racetrack, went back and got to dinner at Antoine's @ 8. Food was decent, especially the potato poppers. Was pretty done after dinner so called it an early night.

Great trip, hopefully I'll have the cobwebs out before returning for the wedding in a few months!

The Tuna Melt

Take a second and check out some of knewjack's tunes at TTM. I hadn't been to the site in a while but can't get over Luchini, that was such a first year staple. Hard to believe it was over ten years ago. Good to know I had (semi-decent) taste in music while in college.

Got some good exercise on my knee yesterday, 20 minutes on the elliptical. It is good to be able to do something. Also took a few practice swings in the yard, and was able to make a manageable swing. I am giving thought to buying a polo with a collar to my nipples, six buttons, dark pants and white golf shoes to fully embrace the Arnold Palmer imitation this weekend.

Columbus, Ohio

Aside from Virginia getting their heart ripped out on Sunday, my trip to Columbus for Rounds 1 & 2 of the NCAA tournament was very enjoyable. I've never met a city with nicer inhabitants, proved by the two hour bar conversation, post UVA's win over Albany, with two locals (OSU and Cincinnati grad) started on the almost completely random ?, 'so what is a Hoo'? Actually, it was prefaced by the two hours they spent trying to ask a decent looking Virginia fan, to no avail. As noted in that particular conversation, and with other OSU interactions, OSU fans were everywhere (outnumbered all fans at the games), were excited about their team, but pessimistic in their chances to reach Atlanta. They were also bemoaning the bad draw in Columbus, considering they had Kentucky, Cincinnati, and the UAB upset in 2005, I am partial to full agreement. As much as I want to side with OSU v. UT, I have great respect for a dangerous UT team. They played great both games in Columbus, and have the offensive firepower to beat OSU. I am certain they will win. As much as I don't care for Bruce Pearl's mannerisms during games, he was all class regarding Leitao, JR, and SS, but it's easy to be magnanimous after a W.

Had some great meals in Columbus (Betsy's, Katzingers, and an all-out bender at Jimmy V's that included numerous St. Patty's day jello shots). Everyone was just extremely pleasant, helpful, and willing to go the extra miles, from printing out my boarding pass at the front-desk of the hotel, to walking us through a map of the German village and where to grab drinks. High Street is a trendy/nice area.

Why not...

Our inputs are being captured on the >Sabre. See the BWI input.

Oh, and ask my next week how my torn ACL is going (golf: see you in 2008!).

Guys in Vegas, jeaous. Next year, phoenix from the ashes.

KL

While the majority of my attention has recently been paid to the NCAA tournament, I wanted to take a second and shake my head in disbelief at the ridiculous success of Kenny Loggins. KL is responsible for the music underlying the followinng greats:

Top Gun
Caddyshack
Footloose (also screenplay credit)

Additionally contributed to:
Summer Rental (vastly underrated)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Today I was astounded to learn he also wrote and performed The Masters theme! Insane!

NCAAs

I must be drunk with the optimism of a (barely deserving) 4 seed, but I see good things in Virginia's future for the weekend. Not to overlook Albany (I am looking in your direction EZ, for a counterpoint) but Tennessee is a streaky team, and the last time we had a good tournament run, our first weekend games were in Dayton (Columbus this year). There is a slight chance I could be going to the games.

Big fan of the Blue Ribbon yearbook, although I don't understand why someone would pay an extra $40 for overnight delivery versus pdf. That is a really expensive glossy coaster.

I haven't gotten into the details of the brackets, but teams I like are A&M, Wisconsin (I'm the only one), UCLA, and UNC. I don't like Ohio State, Kansas, Florida (UF losing would be good for America), Texas.

Outstanding Sean Singletary Article

Impressive

7,8,9,10

UVA will most likely be seeded 7-10 in the NCAAs, the proberbial lamb being led to slaughter in the 2nd round, against (my guesses) Georgetown (2), Memphis (2) or Ohio State (1). An 8/9 UVA/Kentucky game in Rd. 1 is not out of the question.

I don't know what was the worst feeling, while watching UVA piss away a 14pt 2nd half lead to NCSU (handily), watching Sidney (the valet) Lowe outcoaching Leitao, or UVA's offense consisting of Reynolds (1/13 at one point) and SS running off piss-poor screens, and watching our big men huddled around the free-throw line. Completely uninspired offense. I put the loss on the team, not Leitao. If UVA gets shipped out West in the NCAAs, it is going to be a tough win, regardless of the opponent.

1200

Why I may never eat out again.

I enjoy going out for dinner, and probably eat at restaurants to a greater extent than I probably should. I've often patted myself on the back for ordering the chicken dish and brocolli, and turned a blind-eye to the dousing of butter and fat it most likely received. Glad to come across the attached article, as I will now approach dinners out with a raised brow of skepticism (unless I'm hungery, or have had a few beers, or it is 3am and the neon lights of Taco Bell are beckoning, in which case all bets are off).

Worst Buy

Next time you purchase an item from Best Buy based on internet pricing, be sure to print out a hardcopy and take it to the store for validation .

What a load of garbage. The negative publicity will exponentially outweigh the potential gains.

GM "Quality"

At the beginning of January, I contacted Chevrolet about a replacement part I needed for my vehicle. My radio dials were chipping (@35K miles) looked terrible, and needed to be replaced. The part was ordered, and I was contacted to schedule a time to replace the part. I informed the dealership I wouldn't be able to schedule at the current time, and to follow up in a week, which they never did. I called today to schedule the appointment, and was disappointed to learn the part had been returned to the factory, as it had not been installed. In summation, to get the part installed, the following steps occured.

1.)Part ordered
2.)Part packaged in factory for shipping
3.)Part shipped
4.)Part returned
5.)Part restocked in factory
6.)Part reordered
7.)Part repackaged
8.)Part reshipped
9.)Part installed

A "process" that could have ended at four steps if a simple follow-up phone call was made! Combined with poor customer service and a part failing at 35K, whereas my last Chevy had no problems (to 80K) and you wonder why Toyota is kicking your ass?

Golf in DC

Per the Washington Post it appears a partnership has been forged between Tiger Woods, DC, and the PGA Tour.

The possibility of a top-notch PGA event, headlined by Tiger Woods, has yet to sink in. Staging the event at Congressional would be a pinnacle event. With the throng of people who come to DC for the 4th of July (subsequently to be enticed with the opportunity to watch TW)...wow. Let's not touch upon the fact it will be 105', muggy, with afternoon thundestorms.

The 2007 ACC Tournament - Reseeding

Figures the 2007 ACC Tournament (where Virginia is guaranteed to make it until Friday) is being played in non-partisan Tampa. How boring. I greatly enjoy the Greensboro tournaments, and the tournament feels out-of-sorts when it is not played on the familiar Greensboro court.

With ACC expansion proving nothing is sacred, the ACC Tournament should reseed after each round. Granted, there would be some scrambling, as higher seeds wouldn't be able to "scout" the Thursday games as dilligently, but wouldn't the uncertainty add to the excitement? It could be argued the locked seeding provides a greater opportunity for upsets (12 beating 4 is more likely than a reseeded 12 v. 1), but teams with higher seeds shouldn't be screwed by the outcome of an earlier upset and have to play a higher seed.

Accenture Match Play - Sunday morning

Morning match between Stenson and Ogilvy (perfect final match) is an excellent match, which does not means they are playing good golf. Excellent match means a number of swings of holes and momentum. I look forward to the afternoon outcome. I am guessing a 2and 1 win for Stenson (current 2up through 15).

The course they are playing is underwhelming. I will remember 0 of the holes. I could easily walk you through 7-9 holes at La Costa. What I don't like about the course:

- I can't stand the change of color between fairway, rough, and garbage. Too jarring.
- Having garbage puts a player at a great disadvantage, with small chance of recovery. La Costa could put a player behind a tree/grove, providing an opportunity for recovery. Chances while straddling a cactus with a scorpion crawing on your Foot-Joy? 0%
- It is tough to create memorable holes without trees/lakes...sequential layering of elements. Think of the most memorable holes in golf. You would describe them in an order (tee shot cutting across the Pacific, avoid trees on the right, potential reach in two, etc...). Not here
- The course is probably going to jack up its rates 200% on Monday (my guess is $265) and advertise it hosted the 2007 Match Play.

Accenture Match Play - Saturday morning

Geoff Ogilvy v. Paul Casey didn't live up to the hype, but it was an enjoyable match to watch. Those two possess the 1A and 1B best swings in golf, and are completely different. Ogilvy's long and loping, controlled power swing and Casey's semi-crouched, compact, effortless pass are both enjoyable to watch. I believe Ogilvy has more winning success (in the US, at least) as his swing is more reliable under pressure. Casey's swing looks prone to a quick follow through and wristy-hook, where a quick swing by Ogilvy would only result in a pulled shot. Ogilvy also has better touch on quick, undulating greens.

What is in common with the best looking swings in the game (Ogilvy, Casey, Adam Scott, Baddeley, Luke Donald)? No Americans. The current American with what I consider the best swing is CH III. Ryan Moore's swing is a trainwreck. Why don't any young American golfers have swings of merit?

Randoms

Congratulations to the Browns for winning the 3rd pick in the draft. Actually, the Buccaneers lost, and the Browns happened to win. Pretty standard.

Is there anyone more overworked than Pacman Jones's attorney? I hope he can accumulate comp time.

Moving the Accenture Match Play from La Costa to Arizona was a mistake. La Costa was gorgeous, the current course looks like the runner-up in the race to host 'Battle of the Bridges' in 2001.

Why I like NASCAR

In response to EZ's qustion, a quick summary of why I like NASCAR:

Trying to explain my fondness for NASCAR is like trying to explain why I tried to reach a green in two with a 240 yard carry over water, or why I opted for my 11th beer of the night at 3AM, it just fits. My prioritized team allegiances are:

1.) UVA basketball
2.) UVA football
3.) Nationals
4.) Orioles
5.) Redskins
6.) Wizards

You could essentially lop the Wizards off the list, if they were to make a Finals run, I'd be more bandwagon than supporter.My top five teams haven't provided much to support over the last 5-7 years, so I intersperse support with events such as NASCAR or PGA, for which I have similar viewing habits. In each case, there are guys I like and guys I don't, typically avoiding guys who are blessed with huge sponsorship deals and act entitled (TW, Dale Jr.). It makes for good viewing and the NASCAR standings (albeit alticlimatic after Daytona) spark some interest in the outcome of the season.

If you've never been to a race, I suggest going, they are enjoyable.

2007 Daytona 500

I miss not being there. I've got a feeling it is the day for Kevin Harvick, followed by Tony Stewart. Thank me later.

Tiny Houses

In today's New York Times, and I am definitely interested. I can't put my finger on why this is an attractive idea. Maybe it is my disdain for all the overpriced stainless steel and housing excess, but something with the tiny houses seems pretty cool.

I've got friends who have lived in smaller places (older houses) that were tiny, and it seemed to be pretty cool. Opting to read, as opposed to television, is a nice break from standard living. If I were to purchase a weeHouse I wouldn't have a clue where I would place it. Out west? Is there a market for weeHouse timeshares?