USA! USA! USA!

Tough day 1 for the Good Guys at the Ryder Cup, with Tiger/Furyk going 1-1 (why has no one mentioned they are #1 & #2 in the world?), and the Mickelson face making another appearance. As much as I want the US to win, I don't know where the US is going to come up with 11.5 points for the win. But...

I've put kryptonite in Sergio Garcia's golf bag, by taking him in the morning match. If an RRD wager can't bring the shanks out in anyone's bag, I don't know what can.

I'm Back Bitches

Spent an extended weekend and the beach, for some much needed R&R. A few thoughts...

I get a kick out of how my phone automatically populates words based on my initial letters. At what point did 'can' become canoli, or 'but' become butthole?

If I ever complain about DC traffic again, may I be flashed back to being in a Myrtle Beach supermarket behind three people trying to use the self check-out aisle.

Myrtle Beach is the only area where the only sodas not sold out in the vending machine are diet.

Left my gas guzzling SUV at home, and borrowed my sister's car for the @ 1000 mile trip. Toyota Corolla = nice ride. Filling the tank twice, for @ $23 each time, brought a smile to my face. Easily saved me over $100. The disparity between mileage/ tank size was very eye-opening.

UVA, what can I say? Dark times. LOTS of room on the bandwagon. Truthfully, many true fans saw this coming. No serviceable QB, poor RBs = @10 points of offense per game, which isn't cutting it (especially at home). I've never been a total Groh supporter (I like it to GW, at times have approved of his decisions, but would characterize as 'inept' from 30,000 feet) as he has not developed a QB, ever (Shaub was all Bill Musgrave).

I don't know why VA fans expect more than 7 wins a year, we have no precedent for success. But unlike 95% of UVA fans, I have no problem stomaching a 4/5 win season. We've got talent signed for next year, and have a young team, sometimes you must take it on the chin. If we continue to spiral down, and our commitments (verbal) go elsewhere, I'll lose my $hit.

The Forgottens

Music that has fallen between the cracks through the passage of time:

- Old school Aerosmith. Unbelieveable rock. It is crazy to hear how Steven Tyler's voice has evolved from milk to asphalt over the years (for the better).

- Poison's Flesh & Bood. Great album from start to finish, unlike OUASA or NBAGT, which contain a few homeruns, but more garbage.

- The Black Crowes. Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. What started it all. A number of us find it promising Chris Robinson and Kate Hudson broke up, and band members have been fleeing to save their sobriety. Should lead to great music.

Weekend Wrap Up

I hate to launch into the week on a sore note, after a fantastic weekend that included multiple good dinners, the NFL, and Government Mule in Brooklyn, but the Week One NFL Wrap Up by Peter King is a joke.

In the past sports writers were writers, those who sought information, not human interest and angling their stories to attract readership. The current era of writers, primarily internet writers, hold connecting with the reader in a higher regard than reporting the event, to the detriment of the story and the profession. No one is worse than Peter King. His latest stream-of-consciousness works harder to portray him as a buddy to all NFL coaches/players than a provider of insight. Both Joey Porter/cigar and Sean Payton/Jerome Bettis are pandering bits of tripe I hear in my head uttered in the voice of Eddie Haskell. By focusing on his VIP status with NFL personnel, he strikes out on his players/goats of the week (Charlie Batch over Pennington or Vick?). His "reporting" has sunken to being a 3,000 word puff piece. I find it aggravating/offensive he rips on airline security, on the anniversary of 9/11. The fact any airline employee treats him with respect is hard to believe, if I was an airline attendant and his reservation appeared, I'd have no problem losing it in the shuffle, his suitcases would be stockpiling in Malaysia.

Again, fantastic weekend, made up for the congestion I have been experiencing for days. The summer is over!

Houses/Bobby Flay

Quick thoughts...

...watching House Hunters and other HGTV shows and driving around the massive amounts of growth in DC, the houses/condos/apartments that have all sprung up in the same style are going to appear extremely dated in 5-10 years. The oversized bathrooms/bathtubs, earth tone colors in the living and bedrooms. the siding & brick facades are going to be America's new Epcot in 2015. I'd like to buy stock in the home remodeling business, there are SO MANY of these pre-designed, pre-fabricated houses in DC, no one is going to want an outdated style in 5 years. The worst component is going to be the oversided brushed-steel appliances, which are going to scream 2005.

...I know there are many Bobby Flay fans who peruse the site, but have you ever watched 'Throwdown'? He is the biggest primadonna prick! Always sniping at his assistants, acting like a real ass at the events of his competitors. Miserable personality, I can't stand the guy.

Please Shoot Me

Yesterday played a round of golf (on a Wednesday) that took 6:10. The 2nd longest round of my life. The longest was 6:30, and the course had 19 holes. Add 1:30 of steady rain and couple the fact an unnamed playing partner drained a Shemp birdie from 30 feet on a par-3 (we pay out for 2s) we had to hang around for him to collect. I wanted to kick the ball out of the path of the hole when it was 8 foot away and apparent it was going in (I was putting for 4 from 15 feet).

Hit 13 greens, shot 78. Made nothing longer than three feet all day, and wasn't missing cross country putts for birdie. Missed 8 from inside 15 feet.

It was the most miserable golf round of my life.

It really is miserable how 18 holes in DC involves a whole day. Up at 6, on the road by 6:45, tee off at 8:30, finished at 2:30, reception 4:15, (tentatively) home 5:30. Full effing day.

On a different note, why does every bum in DC ask me for $0.85? Is that what bum studies/surveys have determined to be the acceptable amount for which to panhandle? Is that the amount that gives said bum the most amount of time to harass a person fishing for the change?

Am I the only one with faith in the US for the Ryder Cup? Nothing would make me happier than an 0-4 week for Sergio, he'd me more petulant than a Roddick post-match interview.

Labor Day

Good LDW, very relaxing. DC weather was soggy, but a nice break from the norm.

Enjoyed watching FSU/Miami last night, always a good game, with two teams that seem to be a step faster than the rest of college football at the beginning of September. Never been a fan of the 'Canes, so no complaints with two straight FSU wins.

Seeing the aggressiveness and youth of the FSU defense, they look like title contenders for 2007/8, possibly this year (although currently 10:1 is somewhat overrated, should be @ 20:1). The majority of the guys they had flying around the field are newcomers. Geno Hayes - RS F, Michael Ray Garvin - RS F, Myron Rolle, TF. On the offensive side, Antone Smith (RB) - RS F. Weatherford has a year at the helm under his belt, and the highly talented Lorenzo Booker can deliver six on most plays, with a decent blocking package. The FSU defense is nasty, I don't see them being overly challenged, and can get away with a ball-control offense.

A few questions to ponder...

1.) Is this really cool or pretty shitty? I am leaning in the direction of shitty.

2.) If you had to be a chick, would you choose to be a chick a.) with a busted grill and sick body or b.) a great face and marginal body, that could never be improved through exercise, etc.? I am truly stumped.

On Saturday I was channel surfing after a 6:20 round of golf (@ 1:00) and came across amazing television, which I have seen 5-6 times, but am always drawn in...Biography of Andre the Giant. I recommend Tivo'ing. The talk of his appetitte for food/drink (over 100 beers in a night without catching a buzz) is amazing. Add family interviews and stories of hyperbole in thick French accents, amazing television. No need to thank me.

FFB Draft #2

Office draft, had pick #2 (of 12).

Starting Players
Rank		Usage		Player						Fantasy Points
All	Pos	Own	Start	Pos	Player	Team	Opp	Inj	Bye	Avg	Total	Last
-	-	93%	36%	QB	Jake Plummer	DEN	@STL		4	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	99%	74%	RB	LaDainian Tomlinson	SD	@OAK		3	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	98%	54%	RB	Warrick Dunn	ATL	@CAR		5	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	44%	13%	RB	Reggie Bush(r)	NO	@CLE		7	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	99%	76%	WR	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	SF		9	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	99%	76%	WR	Torry Holt	STL	DEN		7	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	97%	51%	WR	Donald Driver	GB	CHI		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	85%	51%	TE	Jason Witten	DAL	@JAC		3	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	91%	52%	PK	Mike Vanderjagt	DAL	@JAC		3	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	50%	17%	Def	Dolphins, Team Defense	MIA	@PIT		8	0.0	0.0	0.0

Bench Players
Rank		Usage		Player						Fantasy Points
All	Pos	Own	Start	Pos	Player	Team	Opp	Inj	Bye	Avg	Total	Last
-	-	27%	1%	QB	Jon Kitna	DET	SEA		8	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	40%	1%	RB	Laurence Maroney(r)	NE	BUF		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	63%	11%	WR	Matt Jones	JAC	DAL		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	59%	5%	WR	Michael Clayton	TB	BAL		4	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	68%	29%	TE	Dallas Clark	IND	@NYG		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	40%	13%	Def	Bills, Team Defense	BUF	@NE		8	0.0	0.0	0.0

For your pleasure, Leland's team:

Rank		Usage		Player						Fantasy Points
All	Pos	Own	Start	Pos	Player	Team	Opp	Inj	Bye	Avg	Total	Last
-	-	81%	31%	QB	Kurt Warner	ARI	SF		9	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	43%	6%	QB	Chris Simms	TB	BAL		4	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	98%	63%	RB	Carnell Williams	TB	BAL		4	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	99%	67%	RB	Clinton Portis	WAS	MIN		8	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	92%	42%	RB	De'Shaun Foster	CAR	ATL		9	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	90%	25%	RB	Fred Taylor	JAC	DAL		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	76%	20%	WR	Terrell Owens	DAL	@JAC		3	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	98%	60%	WR	Reggie Wayne	IND	@NYG		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	73%	12%	WR	Nate Burleson	SEA	@DET		5	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	89%	28%	WR	Muhsin Muhammad	CHI	@GB		7	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	58%	11%	WR	Brandon Lloyd	WAS	MIN		8	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	46%	12%	TE	Ben Troupe	TEN	NYJ		7	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	65%	29%	PK	David Akers	PHI	@HOU		9	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	10%	2%	PK	Stephen Gostkowski(r)	NE	BUF		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	56%	25%	Def	Patriots, Team Defense	NE	BUF		6	0.0	0.0	0.0
-	-	21%	5%	Def	Jets, Team Defense	NYJ	@TEN		9	0.0	0.0	0.0

Open Kimono - 2006 Draft

Last night was my Fantasy Football draft. I'm in a great league, 13 outstanding guys (and one dickhead who goes by RRD), we've been doing it for three years, no one has left the league, which this year meant:

- 11 of the 14 in actual attendance
- two made the trip from NYC
- seven had today (Friday) off, after the draft
- two took of yesterday to prepare (serious much?)

The great thing about a 14 person league is every team has at least one obvious weakness, and the point of a fantasy draft is to talk shit and ridicule, which goes on non-stop from the 7th round until the end, as every pick thereafter essentially sucks. Last night's good rips included:

"Alge Crumpler is the 3rd option in Atlanta's offense, behind Roddy White and the ground."
"Jerramy Stevens has been downgraded from doubtful to dead"
...general laughing at the team named 'Baby's Arm' in the middle of the 11th round, which I blame on alcohol after the fact.
...ripping ever person who chose a kicker earlier than the 15th round, drafted two TEs, or two DEFs.

I am screwed, as I really like how my team shaped up. I think my weakness is obvious, but I can't complain about the outcome. I avoided a number of miserable potentyial platoon situations (Texas, Denver RB) and good decent quality in the late rounds (White/Givens)

I'm Balls Deep

Have at it.

Ryder Cup 2006

US Captain Tom Lehman has chosen Stewart Cink and Scott Verplank as the 11th and 12th additions to the US Ryder Cup squad.

Truthfully, the choices are solid, not great, and will be met with mixed emotions, but allow for numerous subplots.

The picks don't really drive at greater team chemistry (Pavin, Funk), and don't try to capture the best players (Love III, easily open for debate).

What comes to mind when viewing the picks? Consistency, putting, boring (in the sense of watching the Champion's Tour, not golf-ball trajectory)

I don't necessarily see boring golfers as being a terrible thing. The Love IIIs of the world could easily have their cages rattled at the K Club by a raucous crowd and exuberant opponents, which won't be the case with SC/SV. Additionally, the picks are your "normal guy" kind of pros (much in the same fashion as Lehman) and will go a long way to bridge the gap in the team between the superstars and the rookies. If I were Brett Wetterich, I would be at greater ease in the Ryder Cup if paired with Scott Verplank over Love/Couples.

European captain Woosnam has sworn to negate the supposed US length factor, which is balanced by the picks. I give CAPT Lehman a B+ for the choices.

Thursday

Been messing around with my Pandora profiles and have come across some good bands, in the mold of DBT, Slobberbone, Black Crowes that I recommend:

Lucero - Raspy vocals, upbeat, very pseudo-hillbilly
Magnolia Electric Co. - Melodic, pensive, thought-provoking sound

Billy Mayfair is -6 thru 12 at the PGA, how cool is that?

Impressive

This is the first I heard of Billy Mayfair having cancer. Seems pretty remarkable he would be back on the course so quickly. BM seems to be a great guy, always affable and good for a quote, so I am glad to see something as serious as testicular cancer doesn't sideline him for too long. I hope he has a good week at the PGA.

The story provides a bit too much information, however, in my opinion.

Not too Smart

Just keep this tucked in your back pocket for when George Allen stages another campaign, be it for Senator, or higher.

The guy is a loser, much like other the Virginia Republicans (Jerry Kilgore, I'm looking in your direction) and only makes me happy my latest votes have gone with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

The Next Tee

Looking forward to the PGA at Medinah next weekend (do you get the impression I am a fan of the majors?).

Watching old PGA highlights on The Golf Channel, I must pay homage to Raymond Floyd in his prime:

- His swing was unconventional, and successful
- Fantastic putting stroke, the absolute of normal
- Made the concept of chipping from the fringe popular

- The cap tip has become a part of my normal mannerisms

What I never picked up on is the Floyd 'hole out and walk to the next tee, leaving the ball in the hole for the caddie to retreive'. He would do it from both inside two feet (when he could have reached over and picked the ball out of the hole) and when others still had to putt!

What a fantastic move.

1,2,3,4

1.) I don't agree with RR's assessment that the Little League coach was self-absorbed. It was a split second decision, that really probably had no thought involved, that he now has to repeatedly justify in the face of criticism. How difficult would it be to have to explain why you picked the socks you wore to work in the morning, and the pat "I just did it because it is what I normally do." wouldn't cut it. If anything, he wasn't going through the mental adulation RR describes, although he may have been thinking about his kid, and the kids of his friends, on the team he selflessly volunteered to coach, when he could have been on the couch watching TV, with his kid whittling away at a Playstation. The extreme minority of egomaniac youth coaches has let us forget the overwhelming majority of outstanding youth coaches who volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts. Give this guy a break.

2.) As an FYI, in hot weather it is common practice for graphite shafts to strain and partially melt (I did not realize), so leaving your bag in the trunk isn't the best of ideas.

3.) I started listening to classical music on the morning drive to the office. It is extremely relaxing and I recommend. I am surprised by the number of pieces that I recognize (maybe 1 in 10). It proves how classical music floats on the borders of our everyday lives (in elevators, restaurants, etc.).

4.) There is a guy on our client site who is named Dusty Rhodes. I can't see his name on a Cc: list without snickering.

Time Flies

I remember I used to listen to '1999' and think how far off it is, and how things would be in the future. Crazy to think the song was written in the mid-1980s (85?), seemed so far away, but is now seven years past 1999.

Quality

For those who have neglected to buy a Drive By Truckers CD, their latest show at the 9:30 Club in DC is available on NPR .

Also giving me another chance to see if I can post links.

Gutsy

Jason Whitlock calls 'em as he sees 'em, which I respect. A LOT of predictions that take fortitude to put into print. I agree with 9, 8, 7, 6, 2.

Tagging

From the ages of 22 - now, I've rented a number of different residences, which has led to a number of drycleaners (often more than one per residence). Why do all drycleaners find it necessary to stamp/write/stencil/woodburn my name to the bottom of the inside? I could understand if you were tagging with some sort of low-rent RFID, but the fact my name is written multiple times on the same shirt is ridiculous. It really got out of hand when I found my name written in pen on a pocket in a pair of slacks. Isn't it the point to keep ink as far away from clothes as possible?

When I outgrow/wear out my shirts, do I really want to pass it to goodwill with my name inside?

I am really stoked for the British Open. I say winner is -14.