O'Neil: Pittman provides Texas-sized inspiration
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Great story! Dexter Pittman has my full respect for his utter kindness towards a kid much like him. Kudos to the Texas Strength Conditioning Coach, Todd Wright, for reaching out to the Connollys to help them. Read this story, it puts a good light on the integrity of sports.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
This is War
In 2006, I came across a band (credit 93.3 for finding this music before any other CO radio station) named 30 Seconds to Mars. I remember sitting in Newspaper working on an article when I first heard "The Kill." It was unlike anything I had listened to before. It was dark, mysterious, cunning, and strangely uplifting. It was, by association, screamo music. At the time, I was definitely NOT into anything that involved screaming. But this was also during the time when my musical interests completely changed; in fact, "The Kill" probably had a lot to do with that change.
Later that year, another 30 Seconds to Mars single became an instant hit: "From Yesterday." This single became one of my most inspirational songs; it helped me prepare for races, basketball games, long runs, intervals, etc. It made such an impact on me that it rose all the way to No. 3 on my Rock 100, where it currently stands ("The Kill" sits at 29).
I've waited 3 very long years, but their new album, This is War, is finally here! And having listened to it constantly for a week, it trumps their last album, A Beautiful Lie, by a landslide. From start to finish, each and every song has the power to move mountains; it has the strength to defeat Goliath; it has the motivation needed for a courageous fight; most importantly, it has the voice to inspire dreams. In other words, it's pretty good:).
Not only is this my most anticipated album since Blink-182's self title six years ago this month, but it is also the best album, from beginning to end, since the All-American Rejects's self-titled album hit the shelves in the summer of 2003. It also got me thinking about the best albums I've purchased since my first modern rock album (Sugarcult: Start Static) was given to me on Halloween 2002. So, without further adieu, here are my Top 20 Albums of the Decade:
1) NINE DAYS: The Madding Crowd
2) ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS: The All-American Rejects
3) 30 SECONDS TO MARS: This is War
4) RISE AGAINST: Appeal to Reason
5) JIMMY EAT WORLD: Chase This Light
6) BLINK-182: Blink-182
7) THE FRAY: The Fray
8) RISE AGAINST: The Sufferer & the Witness
9) ANGELS & AIRWAVES: I-Empire
10) JIMMY EAT WORLD: Futures
11) LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION: Commitment
12) YELLOWCARD: Ocean Avenue
13) THE FRAY: How to Save a Life
14) ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS: Move Along
15) GOOD CHARLOTTE: The Young and the Hopeless
16) NEW FOUND GLORY: Sticks and Stones
17) SIMPLE PLAN: No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls
18) 30 SECONDS TO MARS: A Beautiful Lie
19) NEW FOUND GLORY: Catalyst
20) PARAMORE: Riot!
This is War officially puts 30 Seconds to Mars up with Rise Against, All-American Rejects, The Fray, and Jimmy Eat World as my favorite bands of all time.
So go listen to This is War. You'll be inspired!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Congratulations
At the end of each year, Sports Illustrated awards an athlete for its excellence in its sport. The Sportsman of the Year award, created in 1954 after Roger Banister's revolutionary sub-4 minute mile, has become the most prestigious individual sports award of our time. This'll come to no surprise to any of you, I'm sure, but I am a big fan of the Sportsman of the Year award, because I believe SI does its absolute best to pick the best athlete, both on and off the field.
This year is no different. Actually, it's one of the smartest picks SI has ever made. This year's Sportsman of the Year is Mr. November, the face of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter.
Since his rookie season in 1996, Jeter has been the captain of the Yankees, leading them to four titles in his first five seasons. It took another nine years for his fifth, but this season's World Series ring could be his greatest yet. Not only did Jeter lead his team with great hitting and solid defense at shortstop, but he also rallied the Yanks together at the start of the season amid the potentially devastating reports of Alex Rodriguez using steroids, which is practically a death sentence in today's baseball world.
SIDE NOTE: A-Rod used to be one of my favorite players when he played alongside Ken Griffey, Jr in Seattle. I had an incredibly hard time watching A-Rod admit he knowingly used steroids while playing for Texas. I did, however, gain respect for him with how he handled the situation and it was refreshing to see him overcome what is usually a ticket to early retirement and help the Yanks win the World Series.
After A-Rod's infamous interview with ESPN, Jeter was there for his teammate with open arms. They were able to get past this scandal and find a way to win it all.
Jeter's leadership has been the biggest intangible for the Yankees since Joe DiMaggio in the 50's. And to top off one of his best seasons, Jeter passed the immortal Lou Gehrig for the most hits in Yankee history (his hit total currently stands at 2,747). I don't think any athlete deserved this award more than Mr. November. Congratulations, Derek Jeter!
This year is no different. Actually, it's one of the smartest picks SI has ever made. This year's Sportsman of the Year is Mr. November, the face of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter.
Since his rookie season in 1996, Jeter has been the captain of the Yankees, leading them to four titles in his first five seasons. It took another nine years for his fifth, but this season's World Series ring could be his greatest yet. Not only did Jeter lead his team with great hitting and solid defense at shortstop, but he also rallied the Yanks together at the start of the season amid the potentially devastating reports of Alex Rodriguez using steroids, which is practically a death sentence in today's baseball world.
SIDE NOTE: A-Rod used to be one of my favorite players when he played alongside Ken Griffey, Jr in Seattle. I had an incredibly hard time watching A-Rod admit he knowingly used steroids while playing for Texas. I did, however, gain respect for him with how he handled the situation and it was refreshing to see him overcome what is usually a ticket to early retirement and help the Yanks win the World Series.
After A-Rod's infamous interview with ESPN, Jeter was there for his teammate with open arms. They were able to get past this scandal and find a way to win it all.
Jeter's leadership has been the biggest intangible for the Yankees since Joe DiMaggio in the 50's. And to top off one of his best seasons, Jeter passed the immortal Lou Gehrig for the most hits in Yankee history (his hit total currently stands at 2,747). I don't think any athlete deserved this award more than Mr. November. Congratulations, Derek Jeter!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Holidays=Stress? Not so fast
So I've finally figured out why I've been less than ecstatic about the Holiday Season the past few years; since Thanksgiving '06, I have had a job that requires all employees to work on important days, such as Turkey Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and (my version of Black Friday) the day after Christmas.
I worked Thanksgiving day in '06 and '07 at the Briarwood and The Keg, having to work 11 hours with no break at the Briarwood. Another Briarwood horror was having to work the same shift for Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day, not to mention being forced to listen to what Pat Williams wryly dubbed as the "Zelda Christmas" CD. I swear they played the same four songs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Eve. The music alone at the Briarwood could (and did) drive people insane!
Last year, I experienced what it's like to work in retail during the Holidays. Having to wake up at 3AM on Black Friday to start my shift at 4AM was definitely not one of my better memories. Although the mere thought of having to work 10 hours with 2 20-min breaks isn't exactly appealing, I would pick working Black Friday anyday over working Thanksgiving at a fancy restaurant. The worst part about working at Dick's during the Holidays was the nightmarish 6 hour shift on Christmas Eve. I seriously did not stop checking out people until 15 minutes before close. Then, two days later, I had the wonderful opportunity of dealing with ruthless, rabid return shoppers. I have never seen so many people pissed off about their gifts. A loving person GAVE you something at no cost to you and you're MAD? People are crazy. Above all, the fact that I had to listen to the Jackson 5 Christmas CD from Black Friday to Christmas Eve was enough to keep me away from shopping malls every December. Online shopping, I love you.
This year, I work at Wheat Ridge High School. That means I had the entire Thanksgiving Week off! I also get Winter Break off, but - even better - I'm helping out my former boss, Sonya, at Runner's Roost! So not only did I successfully avoid the terrors of Zelda and Jackson 5 Christmas Music for a month, I also get to work in a running store again, which should prepare me nicely for my (hopeful) future job at the running store in Orem: Runner's Corner.
Ok, my last Holiday jobs really weren't bad at all; in fact, I really enjoyed my time at Dick's last year. I just feel very fortunate to currently have a great job that doesn't involve angry customers, scary bad music, or wild shifts that keeps me away from properly celebrating the Holidays. That is the main reason why I am so excited for the arrival of December.
I worked Thanksgiving day in '06 and '07 at the Briarwood and The Keg, having to work 11 hours with no break at the Briarwood. Another Briarwood horror was having to work the same shift for Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day, not to mention being forced to listen to what Pat Williams wryly dubbed as the "Zelda Christmas" CD. I swear they played the same four songs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Eve. The music alone at the Briarwood could (and did) drive people insane!
Last year, I experienced what it's like to work in retail during the Holidays. Having to wake up at 3AM on Black Friday to start my shift at 4AM was definitely not one of my better memories. Although the mere thought of having to work 10 hours with 2 20-min breaks isn't exactly appealing, I would pick working Black Friday anyday over working Thanksgiving at a fancy restaurant. The worst part about working at Dick's during the Holidays was the nightmarish 6 hour shift on Christmas Eve. I seriously did not stop checking out people until 15 minutes before close. Then, two days later, I had the wonderful opportunity of dealing with ruthless, rabid return shoppers. I have never seen so many people pissed off about their gifts. A loving person GAVE you something at no cost to you and you're MAD? People are crazy. Above all, the fact that I had to listen to the Jackson 5 Christmas CD from Black Friday to Christmas Eve was enough to keep me away from shopping malls every December. Online shopping, I love you.
This year, I work at Wheat Ridge High School. That means I had the entire Thanksgiving Week off! I also get Winter Break off, but - even better - I'm helping out my former boss, Sonya, at Runner's Roost! So not only did I successfully avoid the terrors of Zelda and Jackson 5 Christmas Music for a month, I also get to work in a running store again, which should prepare me nicely for my (hopeful) future job at the running store in Orem: Runner's Corner.
Ok, my last Holiday jobs really weren't bad at all; in fact, I really enjoyed my time at Dick's last year. I just feel very fortunate to currently have a great job that doesn't involve angry customers, scary bad music, or wild shifts that keeps me away from properly celebrating the Holidays. That is the main reason why I am so excited for the arrival of December.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Preseason Bracketology
It's November. Usually most people get excited about November because it's apparently so close to Christmas (Charlotte, it's still too early to decorate!). I celebrate November because COLLEGE BASKETBALL begins in November:). This year is already looking to be one of my best years; North Carolina is out to defend their National Championship with a Preseason No. 4 Ranking; West Virginia (ranked 9th) is loaded with talent and has one of the best coaches in the game in Bob Huggins; Michigan mirrors West Virginia in virtually everything, as well as they should (John Beilein left Morgantown to take the reigns in Ann Arbor) and are ranked 15th, the highest since the Fab Five Freshmen won it all in 1989; BYU is once again the favorite to win the Mountain West and has the best team to get past the first round for the first time since 1993.
My four favorite teams are primed to have excellent seasons, and if it all pans out the way it should, it will indeed be the most wonderful time of the year, at least for me.
To kick off the 09-10 season, I made my own Preseason Bracketology (for those of you who don't understand this word, it means predicting the 65-team bracket that is unveiled in March). Call me an optimist, but I think this is a legit prediction. Apparently, you can't attach or post an Excel file on Blogger, so you won't be able to see my beautiful bracket (I know how all of you will be so disappointed that you can't see it;)). Anyway, long story short, I have Duke, Butler, Michigan, and North Carolina in the Final Four with my beloved Tar Heels beating our dreaded Tobacco Road rivals to repeat as National Champions!
It's looking like a wonderful season, not only for me, but for College Basketball Crazies around the Nation. Only 119 days till Selection Sunday and 123 days til MARCH MADNESS!!!! GO HEELS/COUGS/EERS/BLUE!
My four favorite teams are primed to have excellent seasons, and if it all pans out the way it should, it will indeed be the most wonderful time of the year, at least for me.
To kick off the 09-10 season, I made my own Preseason Bracketology (for those of you who don't understand this word, it means predicting the 65-team bracket that is unveiled in March). Call me an optimist, but I think this is a legit prediction. Apparently, you can't attach or post an Excel file on Blogger, so you won't be able to see my beautiful bracket (I know how all of you will be so disappointed that you can't see it;)). Anyway, long story short, I have Duke, Butler, Michigan, and North Carolina in the Final Four with my beloved Tar Heels beating our dreaded Tobacco Road rivals to repeat as National Champions!
It's looking like a wonderful season, not only for me, but for College Basketball Crazies around the Nation. Only 119 days till Selection Sunday and 123 days til MARCH MADNESS!!!! GO HEELS/COUGS/EERS/BLUE!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Halloween: Mullen XC Style
So for Halloween - and my birthday - Mullen was supposed to be racing at State, but, because of some 18 inches of snow, it was postponed till the following week (which, in turn, helped out our guys team; they took 5th in 4A when they were ranked 18th!). So, naturally, we had practice that morning. But since it was Halloween, we all decided to dress up. Here are the pictures of our kids cool enough to run in costume!
Oh and during our team breakfast at iHop, they decided to tell our waitress it was my birthday. So iHop, along with my team, sang to me. Crazy
Oh and during our team breakfast at iHop, they decided to tell our waitress it was my birthday. So iHop, along with my team, sang to me. Crazy
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
8 years
Technically, it is now September the 12th, but it was a busy day today and I didn't get a chance to make this post till now. Anyway, here goes.
8 years ago today, our Nation was suddenly and deliberately attacked by Al-Quaida. For this generation, it was the most devastating, and most significant, day that any of us have ever seen.
8 years later, we are still at war with Al-Quaida, much to the dismay of the majority of our citizens. It has obviously been a tough 8 years, from rebuilding from ground zero to fighting one of the worst stock-market crashes since that fateful October day in 1929. It was hard for me to see so many people bash on Bush and his administration because of the calls he made; he was one of my favorite Presidents because of the way he handled 9/11 and the events that took place after.
Now with Obama in office, I was worried he would pull our troops out as soon as he could, but to my great surprise, I read an article on MSNBC.com last night stating that Obama is still very much in the business of finishing this war, and wants to not only keep fighting in Afghanistan and end Bin Laden's reign over Al-Quaida, but to also find better ways to keep our Nation protected so this type of tragedy never happens again. Yes, never is a really, really long time, but I am actually impressed with how Obama is handling this situation - so far.
(Here is the link to that article on MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32783395/ns/us_news-911_eight_years_later/
The thing that caught me off-guard was the fact that he has had disagreements with his administration on the direction this war needs to go. It seems to me that his administration thinks it's unwise to stay in the Middle East because of what the general public has to say. Kudos to Obama for sticking to his guns on what I believe is the right decision.
Time heals all wounds, and evidently also makes people forget. Although, sometimes it's hard to forget the terror of such a day as 9/11. It's hard to forget the panic. It's hard to forget the pain. It's hard to forget the selflessness. It's hard to forget the goodness. It's hard to forget the patriotism. It's hard to forget the tears shed by grown men and women. It's hard to forget the heroes that gave up their lives to save another. It's hard to forget how the United States of America pulled together to defend their Nation. Our Nation. It's hard to forget the soldiers fighting to ensure our freedom. Above all, it's hard to forget the people waving the flag across the US, waving a flag that I love, a flag that I trust.
These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great Nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our World.
-President George W. Bush
8 years ago today, our Nation was suddenly and deliberately attacked by Al-Quaida. For this generation, it was the most devastating, and most significant, day that any of us have ever seen.
8 years later, we are still at war with Al-Quaida, much to the dismay of the majority of our citizens. It has obviously been a tough 8 years, from rebuilding from ground zero to fighting one of the worst stock-market crashes since that fateful October day in 1929. It was hard for me to see so many people bash on Bush and his administration because of the calls he made; he was one of my favorite Presidents because of the way he handled 9/11 and the events that took place after.
Now with Obama in office, I was worried he would pull our troops out as soon as he could, but to my great surprise, I read an article on MSNBC.com last night stating that Obama is still very much in the business of finishing this war, and wants to not only keep fighting in Afghanistan and end Bin Laden's reign over Al-Quaida, but to also find better ways to keep our Nation protected so this type of tragedy never happens again. Yes, never is a really, really long time, but I am actually impressed with how Obama is handling this situation - so far.
(Here is the link to that article on MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32783395/ns/us_news-911_eight_years_later/
The thing that caught me off-guard was the fact that he has had disagreements with his administration on the direction this war needs to go. It seems to me that his administration thinks it's unwise to stay in the Middle East because of what the general public has to say. Kudos to Obama for sticking to his guns on what I believe is the right decision.
Time heals all wounds, and evidently also makes people forget. Although, sometimes it's hard to forget the terror of such a day as 9/11. It's hard to forget the panic. It's hard to forget the pain. It's hard to forget the selflessness. It's hard to forget the goodness. It's hard to forget the patriotism. It's hard to forget the tears shed by grown men and women. It's hard to forget the heroes that gave up their lives to save another. It's hard to forget how the United States of America pulled together to defend their Nation. Our Nation. It's hard to forget the soldiers fighting to ensure our freedom. Above all, it's hard to forget the people waving the flag across the US, waving a flag that I love, a flag that I trust.
These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great Nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our World.
-President George W. Bush
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Mullen, Mullen!
In my last post, I mentioned that I am coaching cross-country at Mullen HS, but I haven't really talked about it - well, blogged about it, yet:). So, naturally, this post is dedicated to how I got the job, why I took it and what I think of it (so far).
Let's go way back. To February, to be a bit more specific. I decided then that I really wanted to go back to school, actually receive an education, be around people that have the same morals as me, and have a much-needed change of scenery. So I decided to move to Utah in August and attend Utah Valley University.
As July was fast approaching, I received a phone call from Dave Reese, the Head Coach at Mullen and a good running friend whom I would always talk to at every XC and track meet since my junior year. He had just recently became the head XC coach and was given full control of his coaching staff, so he cleaned out the old coaches and wanted to hire an entirely new, fresh staff. He thought I fit perfectly into that category.
It took me a good week or two to make a decision. I wanted - needed - to make sure that whichever choice I make, I need to be 100% committed to that choice. I decided that this was too big of an opportunity to pass, so I picked Mullen...for one semester, at least.
A month has now passed since I became a Mustang, and I am convinced I made the right decision. It took some time to get used to all of the kids/Mullen parents, but I feel comfortable running with everyone, working with the other new coaches, learning what I can from Reese, and teaching the kids everything I learned while running at Wheat Ridge. More importantly, the kids have gotten used to my presence and they seem to actually listen to me when I dish out advice. To gain the respect of the kids is a huge bonus!
My title is Assistant Head Coach, which is awesome, and Reese prefers me working with the Varsity guys and girls, which is also awesome. As much respect as I have for JV runners, I feel way more comfortable working with Varsity runners because, quite frankly, that's all I know from my experience.
The guys are a great bunch of kids. They're all laid back, easy to run with, and have a general passion for sports. They're not a State Championship team (might not even be a State Qualifying team), but they're all a blast to work with. Being able to play football and ultimate frisbee are also added bonuses!
The girls team is different. They are the most talented group of runners I have ever seen on one team. The problem is keeping all of them motivated every race for the whole season. Last year, they were considered the favorites to win 4A State heading into the race. Because of faulty training and lack of focus during the race, they dropped to 5th. I'm really hoping I find a way to keep them going through State, because I would love to see these girls win State, which is a very strong possibility this season.
Best of all, I'm feeling like a XC runner again! I'm still not exactly in shape, considering I stopped running for a full year before I took the job, but I am definitely getting there, and since I'm running the workouts with the Varsity guys, I'll be in racing shape soon! These workouts have once again lit the fire that was there for so long in high school. It makes me want to race again. My first test will be in a couple weeks: the Farmer 5000!
I am very grateful that I took this job because of everything I mentioned above. Before I made the decision, I prayed for direction, hoping I would receive my answer soon. I remember thinking that the best scenario would be to accept the job, see how it goes and then make a decision after the season. I'm realizing this is my answer to my prayer because if I had gone to Utah two weeks ago, I would have kept thinking what could have been, being a coach at Mullen. Now I know. Although it's been great, I don't see myself working with Reese after this season, and the desire to go to school is even stronger, mainly because I feel I'll be ready to run in college next August. So, come January, I'll be in Utah, traning to run for Coach Houle in 2010.
Let's go way back. To February, to be a bit more specific. I decided then that I really wanted to go back to school, actually receive an education, be around people that have the same morals as me, and have a much-needed change of scenery. So I decided to move to Utah in August and attend Utah Valley University.
As July was fast approaching, I received a phone call from Dave Reese, the Head Coach at Mullen and a good running friend whom I would always talk to at every XC and track meet since my junior year. He had just recently became the head XC coach and was given full control of his coaching staff, so he cleaned out the old coaches and wanted to hire an entirely new, fresh staff. He thought I fit perfectly into that category.
It took me a good week or two to make a decision. I wanted - needed - to make sure that whichever choice I make, I need to be 100% committed to that choice. I decided that this was too big of an opportunity to pass, so I picked Mullen...for one semester, at least.
A month has now passed since I became a Mustang, and I am convinced I made the right decision. It took some time to get used to all of the kids/Mullen parents, but I feel comfortable running with everyone, working with the other new coaches, learning what I can from Reese, and teaching the kids everything I learned while running at Wheat Ridge. More importantly, the kids have gotten used to my presence and they seem to actually listen to me when I dish out advice. To gain the respect of the kids is a huge bonus!
My title is Assistant Head Coach, which is awesome, and Reese prefers me working with the Varsity guys and girls, which is also awesome. As much respect as I have for JV runners, I feel way more comfortable working with Varsity runners because, quite frankly, that's all I know from my experience.
The guys are a great bunch of kids. They're all laid back, easy to run with, and have a general passion for sports. They're not a State Championship team (might not even be a State Qualifying team), but they're all a blast to work with. Being able to play football and ultimate frisbee are also added bonuses!
The girls team is different. They are the most talented group of runners I have ever seen on one team. The problem is keeping all of them motivated every race for the whole season. Last year, they were considered the favorites to win 4A State heading into the race. Because of faulty training and lack of focus during the race, they dropped to 5th. I'm really hoping I find a way to keep them going through State, because I would love to see these girls win State, which is a very strong possibility this season.
Best of all, I'm feeling like a XC runner again! I'm still not exactly in shape, considering I stopped running for a full year before I took the job, but I am definitely getting there, and since I'm running the workouts with the Varsity guys, I'll be in racing shape soon! These workouts have once again lit the fire that was there for so long in high school. It makes me want to race again. My first test will be in a couple weeks: the Farmer 5000!
I am very grateful that I took this job because of everything I mentioned above. Before I made the decision, I prayed for direction, hoping I would receive my answer soon. I remember thinking that the best scenario would be to accept the job, see how it goes and then make a decision after the season. I'm realizing this is my answer to my prayer because if I had gone to Utah two weeks ago, I would have kept thinking what could have been, being a coach at Mullen. Now I know. Although it's been great, I don't see myself working with Reese after this season, and the desire to go to school is even stronger, mainly because I feel I'll be ready to run in college next August. So, come January, I'll be in Utah, traning to run for Coach Houle in 2010.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Stupid Pigs
As most of you know, I am coaching cross country at Mullen HS this season. The first two weeks of practice went smoothly and our preseason meet at D'Evelyn did exactly what I needed it to do; it showed me how incredible our girls team can be and how much work our guys team needs.
In the midst of the third week, however, kids left and right were dropping out of workouts, claiming that they were getting "pretty sick." Of the kids who are suffering from illnesses this week, a few are important Varsity runners, including our #2 guy runner and our #4 girl runner.
I learned at practice today that "pretty sick" would be considered an understatement. Weston, the #2 VBoys runner, told me that his doctor confirmed him of a coach's worst nightmare: Swine Flu.
And now it's reportedly spreading throughout the team. I'm a bit concerned, not only because I've been feeling under the weather since Friday, but also because this could be a potentially devastating blow to the girls' chances at winning State. We need to get healthy fast, because although it is only the beginning of the season, we need this time to keep our workouts and our mileage at the same rigorous pace that we had the last two weeks. If we lose this time, our aerobic capacity will be too weak to support our anaerobic capacity, which is usually what runners work on in the middle-to-end of the season.
I never thought I'd have to deal with an epidemic as a cross country coach. Crazy
In the midst of the third week, however, kids left and right were dropping out of workouts, claiming that they were getting "pretty sick." Of the kids who are suffering from illnesses this week, a few are important Varsity runners, including our #2 guy runner and our #4 girl runner.
I learned at practice today that "pretty sick" would be considered an understatement. Weston, the #2 VBoys runner, told me that his doctor confirmed him of a coach's worst nightmare: Swine Flu.
And now it's reportedly spreading throughout the team. I'm a bit concerned, not only because I've been feeling under the weather since Friday, but also because this could be a potentially devastating blow to the girls' chances at winning State. We need to get healthy fast, because although it is only the beginning of the season, we need this time to keep our workouts and our mileage at the same rigorous pace that we had the last two weeks. If we lose this time, our aerobic capacity will be too weak to support our anaerobic capacity, which is usually what runners work on in the middle-to-end of the season.
I never thought I'd have to deal with an epidemic as a cross country coach. Crazy
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Bad Idea
As an avid sports fan, I am often prone to outlandish superstitions. For instance, during the Rocktober Run in 2007, I would have to watch every game in the same chair. If I wasn't in that chair from the first pitch to the last out, the Rox would lose. It was a proven fact.
With the Rockies on another magical ride that hopefully carries them to the postseason, I have found a new curse: blogging. Every time I've blogged about the Rox, they tailspin into a major slump. My previous blog of the Rockies' walkoffs was no different; in fact, they haven't won a game since that fateful blog.
So this blog is dedicated to my extreme indifference to blogging about the Rockies. You won't hear any more about this team until early November.
Go....Cougars, I guess.
With the Rockies on another magical ride that hopefully carries them to the postseason, I have found a new curse: blogging. Every time I've blogged about the Rox, they tailspin into a major slump. My previous blog of the Rockies' walkoffs was no different; in fact, they haven't won a game since that fateful blog.
So this blog is dedicated to my extreme indifference to blogging about the Rockies. You won't hear any more about this team until early November.
Go....Cougars, I guess.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wake me up when September ends
To say the Rockies are red-hot right now would be an understatement; in fact, there's really no word to summarize how great Colorado has played since June 4. Well, there's one word: ROCKTOBER. Yes, this word has been around longer than the Rox themselves, but it never held such a strong magic until 2007, when the Rox went on the greatest run in MLB history (21 wins in 22 games) to reach the World Series, where they would eventually fall to the Nation in 4 games. I still hate the Red Sox for ruining our party.
Fast forward to '09. As I've mentioned before, the Rox seemed dead in the water after the first two months of the season. But a managerial change - which I, at the time, was not happy about - lit a fire under the lackluster players. Three months later, that fire has turned into lava erupting from the World's biggest volcano: Yellowstone.
On June 4, the Rox were sitting at 20-32. The Dodgers, considered at the time the best team in baseball, were in cruise control at 37-18, 15.5 games ahead of Colorado. After last night's walkoff, the Rockies had closed the gap to TWO GAMES. No team in MLB's long, storied history has EVER overcome a 15.5 deficit to win the Division. The Rox have one more month to make history. Yes, they did lose tonight, which dropped them 3 behind LA, but the National Media has recognized the Rox as a very serious threat, and that Volcanic erupture even has Joe Torre shaking in his Armani boots. Since most of you are not obsessed baseball fans, scaring Joe Torre is like reviving the dead; basically impossible.
After the back-to-back dramatic walk-offs, the Rockies made big time headlines on almost every major sports website in the nation, and, most importantly, made the glorious ESPN.com SportsCenter Highlight of the Night, which is basically the highest honor you can get on ESPN. I even have pictures to prove it!:)
Friday, August 21: San Fransisco @ COLORADO. On the day of another big Red Sox-Yankees showdown at Fenway, ESPN.com decided to showcase the Rockies-Giants series, which made me giddy for the whole weekend series.
Monday, August 24: San Fransisco @ COLORADO. After giving up three runs in the top of the 14th, the Rox completed the most astonishing comeback in the team's history by doing something the franchise has never seen before: a walk-off Grand Slam!
Tuesday, August 25: Los Angeles @ COLORADO. The Rockies seem to have the flair for the dramatic, this time walking-off with a bases-loaded single in the 10th.
It has been one wild, crazy ride this season, and I'll most likely have a few gray hairs by the end of September. GO ROCKIES!
Fast forward to '09. As I've mentioned before, the Rox seemed dead in the water after the first two months of the season. But a managerial change - which I, at the time, was not happy about - lit a fire under the lackluster players. Three months later, that fire has turned into lava erupting from the World's biggest volcano: Yellowstone.
On June 4, the Rox were sitting at 20-32. The Dodgers, considered at the time the best team in baseball, were in cruise control at 37-18, 15.5 games ahead of Colorado. After last night's walkoff, the Rockies had closed the gap to TWO GAMES. No team in MLB's long, storied history has EVER overcome a 15.5 deficit to win the Division. The Rox have one more month to make history. Yes, they did lose tonight, which dropped them 3 behind LA, but the National Media has recognized the Rox as a very serious threat, and that Volcanic erupture even has Joe Torre shaking in his Armani boots. Since most of you are not obsessed baseball fans, scaring Joe Torre is like reviving the dead; basically impossible.
After the back-to-back dramatic walk-offs, the Rockies made big time headlines on almost every major sports website in the nation, and, most importantly, made the glorious ESPN.com SportsCenter Highlight of the Night, which is basically the highest honor you can get on ESPN. I even have pictures to prove it!:)
Friday, August 21: San Fransisco @ COLORADO. On the day of another big Red Sox-Yankees showdown at Fenway, ESPN.com decided to showcase the Rockies-Giants series, which made me giddy for the whole weekend series.
Monday, August 24: San Fransisco @ COLORADO. After giving up three runs in the top of the 14th, the Rox completed the most astonishing comeback in the team's history by doing something the franchise has never seen before: a walk-off Grand Slam!
Tuesday, August 25: Los Angeles @ COLORADO. The Rockies seem to have the flair for the dramatic, this time walking-off with a bases-loaded single in the 10th.
It has been one wild, crazy ride this season, and I'll most likely have a few gray hairs by the end of September. GO ROCKIES!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Hardest. Vacation. Ever.
Early this summer, the Heinys were having a difficult time deciding where to go for our Summer Trip. After much thought, I came up with the brilliant idea of golfing the Rockies. Knowing my dad, however, it would be very hard to convince him, seeing as he always has to be the one who comes up with the idea. But what's the worst that could happen? All he could do was say no, right? Surprisingly, he didn't object to the idea. In fact, he seemed to like it...a lot. Naturally, once all the tee-times were set up, he claims it was his idea all along.
As long as we were golfing, it didn't matter who the plan master was. The plan was to golf every other day from Friday, July 24th to Saturday, August 1st. Nine days, five courses, five cities. In the PGA, a Tournament consists of four rounds of golf in four days, so I decided this was my version of a PGA Tournament (I didn't count the last day, as we weren't exactly planning on golfing today). My goal was to shoot between 360 and 370, but I really just wanted to be sure I shot under 400 (under 100 each round).
Friday, July 24th: The Meadows Golf Course, Littleton, CO.
We have golfed The Meadows a few times last year and this year, and it has never been a course I've particularly liked. It's not a terribly long course, but it's set up - especially the back 9 - to severely punish you if you don't hit a clean, straight shot. Still considered an amateur golfer, I tend to overswing, causing my ball to slice. But today, I was able to overcome the narrow fairways and escape with a 95. Chalk up day 1 as a success.
Sunday, July 26th: Mariana Butte Golf Club, Loveland, CO.
While warming up on the putting green, we noticed that everyone golfing today was playing from the white tees. Not wanting to stand out like a sore thumb, we decided to follow the croud and play whites instead of playing what we were accustomed to, the blue tees. NOTE: Reeeaaallly good golfers play black tees, pretty good golfers play blue tees, and beginners play white tees. After Bryan, Dad and I all parred the first hole - a par 5, no less - we were content playing from the whites. 8 holes later, I had four pars and five bogeys. I was only 5 over par through 9! The back 9 played a little longer, and I was forced to make much tougher shots to keep my record day up. After battling my way to a 46 back 9, I had set my new 18-hole record with an 87. Halfway through my tourney, I was sitting pretty at 182.
Tuesday, Juy 28th: River Valley Ranch, Carbondale, CO.
A year ago this weekend, the Christensen Family Reunion celebrated Nan and Papa's 50th Wedding Anniversary at River Valley Ranch. I knew immediately after dinner that I just HAD to go back and golf that course! The sheer beauty of the course was breathtaking, and the scenery surrounding Carbondale was mesmerizing. Having golfed RVR last summer, Mom and Dad were glad to make the trip back. Of course, they had different reasons. Dad came back for the course, while Mom came back for the Hot Springs @ Glenwood:). Ok, we all wanted to go to Glenwood...River Valley Ranch was just icing on the cake. The drive on Hole 1 was enough to explain this was going to be a struggle to the very end. RVR cetainly played like The Meadows, but the rough was even less forgiving. That being said, I posted my second-best score of the week with a 93.
Thursday, July 30th: Colorado National Golf Club, Boulder, CO.
The final of my PGA Tourney was the home of the CU Buffaloes Golf Club and, fittingly, was the hardest round of golf I have ever played. Having rained without mercy the previous night, the course was soaked. Hoping the course would dry up as the day grew old was out of the question too, for it didn't stop raining until 10am. There's a reason why College Athletes play at CNGC; it plays like a PGA course would play: long, narrow, unforgiving, with rolling greens that are nearly impossible to read when wet or damp. Suffering from exhaustion, I couldn't shoot under 100. I had to settle for a painful 101 after a terrible 18th hole (72nd hole, if you count the while Tournament).
Even after the 101, I finished the four-course trek with a 376, 24 shots under 400 and just 6 shots off my goal. I am definitely satisfied with the way I played this week. So satisfied, in fact, that I was up for playing one more round today:
Saturday, August 1st: Fox Hollow Golf Club, Lakewood, CO.
I consider this my home course. I usually average a 90-95 at Fox Hollow and, despite spending more time at each tee box waiting for the unnaturally slow foursome in front of us and, despite the fact that I was sore from so much golf, I managed to shoot a 95.
And just like that, our vacation is over. I have to work in about 11 hours, actually. I am really not looking forward to it, either! This vacation was so exhausting that, like most vacations, I am in desperate need of another vacation! Starting Monday, I will be the Assistant Cross-Country Coach at Mullen High School, which means I will not be moving to Utah until January. The upside is the fact that I'll once again be fully involved with Cross-Country, and that makes me more excited than almost any vacation could. It is shaping up to be a very good fall, and hopefully things will get even better around Thanksgiving;).
As long as we were golfing, it didn't matter who the plan master was. The plan was to golf every other day from Friday, July 24th to Saturday, August 1st. Nine days, five courses, five cities. In the PGA, a Tournament consists of four rounds of golf in four days, so I decided this was my version of a PGA Tournament (I didn't count the last day, as we weren't exactly planning on golfing today). My goal was to shoot between 360 and 370, but I really just wanted to be sure I shot under 400 (under 100 each round).
Friday, July 24th: The Meadows Golf Course, Littleton, CO.
We have golfed The Meadows a few times last year and this year, and it has never been a course I've particularly liked. It's not a terribly long course, but it's set up - especially the back 9 - to severely punish you if you don't hit a clean, straight shot. Still considered an amateur golfer, I tend to overswing, causing my ball to slice. But today, I was able to overcome the narrow fairways and escape with a 95. Chalk up day 1 as a success.
Sunday, July 26th: Mariana Butte Golf Club, Loveland, CO.
While warming up on the putting green, we noticed that everyone golfing today was playing from the white tees. Not wanting to stand out like a sore thumb, we decided to follow the croud and play whites instead of playing what we were accustomed to, the blue tees. NOTE: Reeeaaallly good golfers play black tees, pretty good golfers play blue tees, and beginners play white tees. After Bryan, Dad and I all parred the first hole - a par 5, no less - we were content playing from the whites. 8 holes later, I had four pars and five bogeys. I was only 5 over par through 9! The back 9 played a little longer, and I was forced to make much tougher shots to keep my record day up. After battling my way to a 46 back 9, I had set my new 18-hole record with an 87. Halfway through my tourney, I was sitting pretty at 182.
Tuesday, Juy 28th: River Valley Ranch, Carbondale, CO.
A year ago this weekend, the Christensen Family Reunion celebrated Nan and Papa's 50th Wedding Anniversary at River Valley Ranch. I knew immediately after dinner that I just HAD to go back and golf that course! The sheer beauty of the course was breathtaking, and the scenery surrounding Carbondale was mesmerizing. Having golfed RVR last summer, Mom and Dad were glad to make the trip back. Of course, they had different reasons. Dad came back for the course, while Mom came back for the Hot Springs @ Glenwood:). Ok, we all wanted to go to Glenwood...River Valley Ranch was just icing on the cake. The drive on Hole 1 was enough to explain this was going to be a struggle to the very end. RVR cetainly played like The Meadows, but the rough was even less forgiving. That being said, I posted my second-best score of the week with a 93.
Thursday, July 30th: Colorado National Golf Club, Boulder, CO.
The final of my PGA Tourney was the home of the CU Buffaloes Golf Club and, fittingly, was the hardest round of golf I have ever played. Having rained without mercy the previous night, the course was soaked. Hoping the course would dry up as the day grew old was out of the question too, for it didn't stop raining until 10am. There's a reason why College Athletes play at CNGC; it plays like a PGA course would play: long, narrow, unforgiving, with rolling greens that are nearly impossible to read when wet or damp. Suffering from exhaustion, I couldn't shoot under 100. I had to settle for a painful 101 after a terrible 18th hole (72nd hole, if you count the while Tournament).
Even after the 101, I finished the four-course trek with a 376, 24 shots under 400 and just 6 shots off my goal. I am definitely satisfied with the way I played this week. So satisfied, in fact, that I was up for playing one more round today:
Saturday, August 1st: Fox Hollow Golf Club, Lakewood, CO.
I consider this my home course. I usually average a 90-95 at Fox Hollow and, despite spending more time at each tee box waiting for the unnaturally slow foursome in front of us and, despite the fact that I was sore from so much golf, I managed to shoot a 95.
And just like that, our vacation is over. I have to work in about 11 hours, actually. I am really not looking forward to it, either! This vacation was so exhausting that, like most vacations, I am in desperate need of another vacation! Starting Monday, I will be the Assistant Cross-Country Coach at Mullen High School, which means I will not be moving to Utah until January. The upside is the fact that I'll once again be fully involved with Cross-Country, and that makes me more excited than almost any vacation could. It is shaping up to be a very good fall, and hopefully things will get even better around Thanksgiving;).
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ROCKTOBER II: Revenge of the forgotten
So the title might be a bit cheesy, but it's fitting. In the summer of 2007, Transformers came out and wowed audiences around the US. In October of that very year, the Rockies went on a magical run to the World Series that captured the hearts of (almost) every baseball fan in the US.
In June 2009, they did it again. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen became the 10th most successful summer blockbuster with an opening weekend at $112 million. 3 weeks before the blockbuster hit the big screens, the Rockies hosted the World Premiere of Rocktober II: Revenge of the Forgotten. Only an estimated 100,000 attended the beginning of Rocktober II. Now, however, the Rockies are starting to become this summer's biggest blockbuster.
Flashback to May 28. The Reeling Rockies were 18-28, 10 games under .500, 14.5 games behind the Dodgers, 6 games under .500 at home, and suffered an embarrassing sweep at home to the hands of the vaunted Dodgers. A day later, GM Dan O'Dowd announced that manager Clint Hurdle was fired and bench coach Jim Tracy was to take the reins. In a press conference with O'Dowd, the GM stated, "I'm not expecting miracles here."
O'Dowd may not have expected one, but he sure got one. The Rockies won the next two games against the (at the time) red hot Padres to finally claim a series at home. The next four games gave absolutely no indication of what was to happen next; the Rox couldn't claim the sweep over the Friars and were rudely welcomed to Houston with three straight humiliating losses to the Astros.
Colorado salvaged a win on the four game series finale in Houston with a 10-3 win. After only taking one of four against the NL Central basement, it was nearly impossible to believe the Rox would have a prayer against the toast of the Central in the St. Louis Cardinals. They would have more than a prayer. Apparently riding the momentum of the blowout finish at Houston, the Rox reeled off consecutive blowouts to the Cards with an 11-4 opener and a 10-1 whopper the next day. They would hang on the next two games to finish the sweep, which is virtually unheard of in the Gateway City; it was the first sweep at St Louis in franchise history and (I think) the fifth time the Cards have been swept at home in their 117-year history.
Next up, Milwaukee, the new leaders of the NL Central.
The Rox rotation decided they wanted in on the fun, and dominated the series against the Brewers. Three games later, the Rox were headed home on a highly impressive 8 game winning streak, all on the road. They weren't finished. A hot Seattle team came into Coors with every intention of stopping the Rockies run. Their intentions were good, but their play on the field was not, as the Rockies chalked up another sweep and were owners of the longest winning streak in the Majors in '09 at 11.
The Tampa Bay Rays used to be the laughingstock of the AL until they had their own magical run to the World Series last season. The Rays were on a 5-game winning streak coming into Colorado, and were able to extend it to 6 with a 12-4 victory, finally ending the Rockies streak. At least that's what all the experts thought.
The Hot Rox came right back with two big wins over the Rays to claim another series. They later swept a competitive Pirates squad before heading back on the road.
All of a sudden, the Colorado Rockies were relevant once again. They had soared to the .500 mark on the 11-game winning streak and pulled to three games over .500 (36-33). It made the following road trip the most important trip this season and one of the more significant trips in Rockies history.
First up, the LA Angels, owners of a 7-game winning streak. That streak was snapped with the Rox burying the Halos, 11-1. LA was not about to surrender to the hottest team in baseball that easily, though, and battled the next day to claim a 4-3 nailbiter. The Angels then wrapped up the series with a pounding of their own, 11-3.
The Rockies rebounded nicely...again. The Hot Rox flew into Oakland Coliseum, a stadium they haven't won in since 1997, and swept the Athletics (who did not live up to their mascot name).
Which brings us to June 29 and another series with the Dodgers. LA was already 8-1 against the Rox, but hadn't faced the Hot Rox yet. The Rockies, on the other hand, had closed the gap in the NL West, surging from 14.5 back to only 7.5 behind. Game 1 felt more like Game 6 in the NLCS, with the Dodgers squeaking by the Rox in 13 innings, 4-2. Game 2 was the Jason Marquis Show. Marquis went the distance, shutting out LA's powerful offense, held them to two hits and picked up his 10th win with a 3-0 masterpiece.
A month after the firing of Hurdle, the Rockies have gone from a laughingstock to a powerhouse. There's no doubt teams are starting to take notice...again...what the Rockies are capable of doing. After the shutout tonight, Colorado's 7.5 games behind LA and only 1.5 games behind San Fransisco for the Wild Card. Do you believe in miracles? I know Dan O'Dowd does.
MIDSEASON STANDINGS (as of June 30)
AL East:
Boston: 47-30
New York: 44-32 (2.5)
Tampa Bay: 44-35 (4.0)
Toronto: 41-38 (7.0)
Baltimore: 35-42 (12.0)
AL Central:
Detroit: 43-34
Chicago: 39-38 (4.0)
Minnesota: 40-39 (4.0)
Kansas City: 33-43 (9.5)
Cleveland: 31-48 (12.0)
AL West:
Los Angeles: 42-33
Texas: 41-35 (1.5)
Seattle: 39-37 (3.5)
Oakland: 32-44 (10.5)
NL East:
Philadelphia: 39-35
Florida: 40-39 (1.5)
New York: 37-39 (3.0)
Atlanta: 36-40 (4.0)
Washington: 22-53 (17.5)
NL Central:
Milwaukee: 42-35
St Louis: 41-38 (2.0)
Cincinnati: 37-38 (4.0)
Chicago: 36-38 (4.5)
Houston: 36-39 (5.0)
Pittsburgh: 36-41 (5.0)
NL West:
Los Angeles: 49-29
San Fransisco: 42-34 (6.0)
COLORADO: 41-36 (7.5)
San Diego: 34-42 (14.0)
Arizona: 31-46 (17.5)
In June 2009, they did it again. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen became the 10th most successful summer blockbuster with an opening weekend at $112 million. 3 weeks before the blockbuster hit the big screens, the Rockies hosted the World Premiere of Rocktober II: Revenge of the Forgotten. Only an estimated 100,000 attended the beginning of Rocktober II. Now, however, the Rockies are starting to become this summer's biggest blockbuster.
Flashback to May 28. The Reeling Rockies were 18-28, 10 games under .500, 14.5 games behind the Dodgers, 6 games under .500 at home, and suffered an embarrassing sweep at home to the hands of the vaunted Dodgers. A day later, GM Dan O'Dowd announced that manager Clint Hurdle was fired and bench coach Jim Tracy was to take the reins. In a press conference with O'Dowd, the GM stated, "I'm not expecting miracles here."
O'Dowd may not have expected one, but he sure got one. The Rockies won the next two games against the (at the time) red hot Padres to finally claim a series at home. The next four games gave absolutely no indication of what was to happen next; the Rox couldn't claim the sweep over the Friars and were rudely welcomed to Houston with three straight humiliating losses to the Astros.
Colorado salvaged a win on the four game series finale in Houston with a 10-3 win. After only taking one of four against the NL Central basement, it was nearly impossible to believe the Rox would have a prayer against the toast of the Central in the St. Louis Cardinals. They would have more than a prayer. Apparently riding the momentum of the blowout finish at Houston, the Rox reeled off consecutive blowouts to the Cards with an 11-4 opener and a 10-1 whopper the next day. They would hang on the next two games to finish the sweep, which is virtually unheard of in the Gateway City; it was the first sweep at St Louis in franchise history and (I think) the fifth time the Cards have been swept at home in their 117-year history.
Next up, Milwaukee, the new leaders of the NL Central.
The Rox rotation decided they wanted in on the fun, and dominated the series against the Brewers. Three games later, the Rox were headed home on a highly impressive 8 game winning streak, all on the road. They weren't finished. A hot Seattle team came into Coors with every intention of stopping the Rockies run. Their intentions were good, but their play on the field was not, as the Rockies chalked up another sweep and were owners of the longest winning streak in the Majors in '09 at 11.
The Tampa Bay Rays used to be the laughingstock of the AL until they had their own magical run to the World Series last season. The Rays were on a 5-game winning streak coming into Colorado, and were able to extend it to 6 with a 12-4 victory, finally ending the Rockies streak. At least that's what all the experts thought.
The Hot Rox came right back with two big wins over the Rays to claim another series. They later swept a competitive Pirates squad before heading back on the road.
All of a sudden, the Colorado Rockies were relevant once again. They had soared to the .500 mark on the 11-game winning streak and pulled to three games over .500 (36-33). It made the following road trip the most important trip this season and one of the more significant trips in Rockies history.
First up, the LA Angels, owners of a 7-game winning streak. That streak was snapped with the Rox burying the Halos, 11-1. LA was not about to surrender to the hottest team in baseball that easily, though, and battled the next day to claim a 4-3 nailbiter. The Angels then wrapped up the series with a pounding of their own, 11-3.
The Rockies rebounded nicely...again. The Hot Rox flew into Oakland Coliseum, a stadium they haven't won in since 1997, and swept the Athletics (who did not live up to their mascot name).
Which brings us to June 29 and another series with the Dodgers. LA was already 8-1 against the Rox, but hadn't faced the Hot Rox yet. The Rockies, on the other hand, had closed the gap in the NL West, surging from 14.5 back to only 7.5 behind. Game 1 felt more like Game 6 in the NLCS, with the Dodgers squeaking by the Rox in 13 innings, 4-2. Game 2 was the Jason Marquis Show. Marquis went the distance, shutting out LA's powerful offense, held them to two hits and picked up his 10th win with a 3-0 masterpiece.
A month after the firing of Hurdle, the Rockies have gone from a laughingstock to a powerhouse. There's no doubt teams are starting to take notice...again...what the Rockies are capable of doing. After the shutout tonight, Colorado's 7.5 games behind LA and only 1.5 games behind San Fransisco for the Wild Card. Do you believe in miracles? I know Dan O'Dowd does.
MIDSEASON STANDINGS (as of June 30)
AL East:
Boston: 47-30
New York: 44-32 (2.5)
Tampa Bay: 44-35 (4.0)
Toronto: 41-38 (7.0)
Baltimore: 35-42 (12.0)
AL Central:
Detroit: 43-34
Chicago: 39-38 (4.0)
Minnesota: 40-39 (4.0)
Kansas City: 33-43 (9.5)
Cleveland: 31-48 (12.0)
AL West:
Los Angeles: 42-33
Texas: 41-35 (1.5)
Seattle: 39-37 (3.5)
Oakland: 32-44 (10.5)
NL East:
Philadelphia: 39-35
Florida: 40-39 (1.5)
New York: 37-39 (3.0)
Atlanta: 36-40 (4.0)
Washington: 22-53 (17.5)
NL Central:
Milwaukee: 42-35
St Louis: 41-38 (2.0)
Cincinnati: 37-38 (4.0)
Chicago: 36-38 (4.5)
Houston: 36-39 (5.0)
Pittsburgh: 36-41 (5.0)
NL West:
Los Angeles: 49-29
San Fransisco: 42-34 (6.0)
COLORADO: 41-36 (7.5)
San Diego: 34-42 (14.0)
Arizona: 31-46 (17.5)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Rock 100
Since the Rockies are now the laughingstock of the Majors, I think I'll stop talking about them for now...It's too painful:)
And since I have too much time on my hands, I created a playlist on my iPod, Shiny's Rock 100 (Top 100 modern rock songs). These aren't my all-time favorite songs, since I didn't include classic rock, country and techno. But I'm sure I'll have a list of my all-time 100 in the near future. Anyway, here's my...
ROCK 100:
1) Love and Memories by OAR
2) Lightning Crashes by Live
3) From Yesterday by 30 Seconds to Mars
4) Cable Car by The Fray
5) How to Save a Life by The Fray
6) Approach the Bench by The Audition
7) Always Be by Jimmy Eat World
8) Good Riddance by Green Day
9) Beautiful Day by U2
10) Seein' Red by Unwritten Law
11) The Last Song by All-American Rejects
12) If You Don't, Don't by Jimmy Eat World
13) Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World
14) Savior by Rise Against
15) We Believe by Good Charlotte
16) Swing Life Away by Rise Against
17) The World You Love by Jimmy Eat World
18) Beautiful Tragedy by In This Moment
19) Is It Any WOnder? by Keane
20) Still Around by 3OH!3
21) Can't Take It by All-American Rejects
22) A Modern Myth by 30 Seconds to Mars
23) Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park
24) Inside Out by Eve 6
25) Bruised by Jack's Mannequin
26) Heaven by Angels & Airwaves
27) Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event
28) Everything's Magic by Angels & Airwaves
29) The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars
30) Change by Dream State
31) 257 Weeks by Nine Days
32) Not My Time by 3 Doors Down
33) Message to the World by Story of the Year
34) Shimmer by Fuel
35) Too Far Gone by All-American Rejects
36) Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters
37) Firefight by Jimmy Eat World
38) Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
39) Hey Driver by Lucky Boys Confusion
40) Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms
41) Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback
42) I'd Do Anything by Simple Plan
43) My Friends Over You by New Found Glory
44) I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar
45) Paper Thin Hymn by Anberlin
46) Times Like These by Foo Fighters
47) Swing' Swing by All-American Rejects
48) Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
49) Major Tom (Coming Home) by I Hate Kate
50) Feeling This by Blink-182
51) The District Sleeps Alone by Postal Service
52) Nothingwrong by Jimmy Eat World
53) Mr. Brightside by The Killers
54) Wonderful by Everclear
55) I'm Lost Without You by Blink-182
56) All These Things That I've Done by The Killers
57) Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
58) Paper Wings by Rise Against
59) Beat It! by Fall Out Boy
60) If I Fall by Amber Pacific
61) Never Too Late by Three Days Grace
62) All Over You by The Spill Canvas
63) Last Train Home by Lostprophets
64) Better Days by Goo Goo Dolls
65) Syndicate by The Fray
66) Movin' On by Good Charlotte
67) From Heads Unworthy by Rise Against
68) The Strength to Go On by Rise Against
69) Meet You There by Simple Plan
70) Move Along by All-American Rejects
71) Here's to the Night by Eve 6
72) Gone So Young by Amber Pacific
73) The Boys of Summer by The Ataris
74) Survive by Rise Against
75) You Found Me by The Fray
76) The Anthem by Good Charlotte
77) Gives You Hell by All-American Rejcts
78) Everlong by Foo Fighters
79) Soul Meets Body by Deathcab for Cutie
80) The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
81) Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups
82) Mona Lisa by All-American Rejects
83) Another Heart Calls by All-American Rejects
84) Drones by Rise Against
85) End Up Alone by Nine Days
86) Gone Away by The Offspring
87) When I Come Around by Green Day
88) Say This Sooner by The Almost
89) Savior by 30 Seconds to Mars
90) Talk Shows on Mute by Incubus
91) Basket Case by Green Day
92) She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
93) Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous by Good Charlotte
94) Listen to Your Friends by New Found Glory
95) I Write Sins not Tragedies by Panic! at the Disco
96) Clocks by Coldplay
97) The Feel Good Drag by Anberlin
98) Zero by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
99) Atari by Lucky Boys Confusion
100) Middle of Nowhere by Hot Hot Heat
And since I have too much time on my hands, I created a playlist on my iPod, Shiny's Rock 100 (Top 100 modern rock songs). These aren't my all-time favorite songs, since I didn't include classic rock, country and techno. But I'm sure I'll have a list of my all-time 100 in the near future. Anyway, here's my...
ROCK 100:
1) Love and Memories by OAR
2) Lightning Crashes by Live
3) From Yesterday by 30 Seconds to Mars
4) Cable Car by The Fray
5) How to Save a Life by The Fray
6) Approach the Bench by The Audition
7) Always Be by Jimmy Eat World
8) Good Riddance by Green Day
9) Beautiful Day by U2
10) Seein' Red by Unwritten Law
11) The Last Song by All-American Rejects
12) If You Don't, Don't by Jimmy Eat World
13) Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World
14) Savior by Rise Against
15) We Believe by Good Charlotte
16) Swing Life Away by Rise Against
17) The World You Love by Jimmy Eat World
18) Beautiful Tragedy by In This Moment
19) Is It Any WOnder? by Keane
20) Still Around by 3OH!3
21) Can't Take It by All-American Rejects
22) A Modern Myth by 30 Seconds to Mars
23) Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park
24) Inside Out by Eve 6
25) Bruised by Jack's Mannequin
26) Heaven by Angels & Airwaves
27) Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event
28) Everything's Magic by Angels & Airwaves
29) The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars
30) Change by Dream State
31) 257 Weeks by Nine Days
32) Not My Time by 3 Doors Down
33) Message to the World by Story of the Year
34) Shimmer by Fuel
35) Too Far Gone by All-American Rejects
36) Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters
37) Firefight by Jimmy Eat World
38) Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
39) Hey Driver by Lucky Boys Confusion
40) Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms
41) Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback
42) I'd Do Anything by Simple Plan
43) My Friends Over You by New Found Glory
44) I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar
45) Paper Thin Hymn by Anberlin
46) Times Like These by Foo Fighters
47) Swing' Swing by All-American Rejects
48) Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
49) Major Tom (Coming Home) by I Hate Kate
50) Feeling This by Blink-182
51) The District Sleeps Alone by Postal Service
52) Nothingwrong by Jimmy Eat World
53) Mr. Brightside by The Killers
54) Wonderful by Everclear
55) I'm Lost Without You by Blink-182
56) All These Things That I've Done by The Killers
57) Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
58) Paper Wings by Rise Against
59) Beat It! by Fall Out Boy
60) If I Fall by Amber Pacific
61) Never Too Late by Three Days Grace
62) All Over You by The Spill Canvas
63) Last Train Home by Lostprophets
64) Better Days by Goo Goo Dolls
65) Syndicate by The Fray
66) Movin' On by Good Charlotte
67) From Heads Unworthy by Rise Against
68) The Strength to Go On by Rise Against
69) Meet You There by Simple Plan
70) Move Along by All-American Rejects
71) Here's to the Night by Eve 6
72) Gone So Young by Amber Pacific
73) The Boys of Summer by The Ataris
74) Survive by Rise Against
75) You Found Me by The Fray
76) The Anthem by Good Charlotte
77) Gives You Hell by All-American Rejcts
78) Everlong by Foo Fighters
79) Soul Meets Body by Deathcab for Cutie
80) The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
81) Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups
82) Mona Lisa by All-American Rejects
83) Another Heart Calls by All-American Rejects
84) Drones by Rise Against
85) End Up Alone by Nine Days
86) Gone Away by The Offspring
87) When I Come Around by Green Day
88) Say This Sooner by The Almost
89) Savior by 30 Seconds to Mars
90) Talk Shows on Mute by Incubus
91) Basket Case by Green Day
92) She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
93) Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous by Good Charlotte
94) Listen to Your Friends by New Found Glory
95) I Write Sins not Tragedies by Panic! at the Disco
96) Clocks by Coldplay
97) The Feel Good Drag by Anberlin
98) Zero by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
99) Atari by Lucky Boys Confusion
100) Middle of Nowhere by Hot Hot Heat
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Game Over
For the hardcore loyal Denver sports fan, today was not a good day.
I'll work from the night's main event on down to the change of the guard at Coors Field.
The Nuggets' incredible run finally ended tonight with a 119-92 beating at the Pepsi Center. The most sickening part about this loss is the thought of being forced to watch the vaunted LA Lakers play in the NBA Finals...for the second consecutive year. The officiating in this series should prove to fans that the NBA is all a show, and it's goal is to get the Lakers as far as possible. Then why don't they win it all every year? Their teams are too mediocre for the NBA to hand them the title year in and year out; it would be too suspicious for David Stern to handle. Apparently this Laker squad fits the bill for the Finals, even though the Nuggets were by and large the BETTER team! This is probably why the Heinys don't watch pro basketball. We'll stick with the college stuff:)
The saddest news of the day, however, comes from the office of Rockies' General Manager, Dan O'Dowd. The Rox officially fired Clint Hurdle. In some ways, it's obvious that change was inevitable: at the time of the firing, we were 18-28 (10 games under .500) after 2 months of baseball, we were 14 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers, our bullpen is in shambles after untimely injuries, and some of our best hitters simply forgot how to make contact (both Atkins and Stewart are hitting under .200, which is unacceptable, and Tulo is batting .083 with RISP...a blind retarded monkey could hit better than that).
I don't agree with Hurdle being ousted, especially since O'Dowd is still in office, but I agree that we needed to do something to light some sort of fire under our players. I seriously hope this will ignite this underacheiving squad. If it doesn't, expect a firesale at the end of the season.
From a selfish point of view, I'm going to really miss Hurdle. IMO, he was BY FAR the best manager in the Rockies' short history. The numbers are greatly deceiving; yes, he had a losing record in the 8+ years at the helm, but most of those years were dedicated to the youth movement. If we still had Don Baylor or Buddy Bell as our skipper, we would not have made the playoffs in '07, much less the World Series! It's pointless to argue that he "only had one winning season as manager." That's true, but that's just as good as Baylor and Bell, and a hell of a lot better than Jim Leyland! Hurdle even has the advantage over Baylor and Bell because Hurdle took the Rox further in the playoffs than Baylor and Bell never led the Rox into the playoffs.
This goes down as one of the hardest Rockie departures for me (watching his press conference was flat-out depressing); in fact, I would rank it right behind the Larry Walker trade in '04 and the Matt Holliday trade last offseason:(.
In other, more uplifting news, I found out that I will be able to pay my rent at Wolverine Crossing up front, so I don't have to worry about paying rent when I move to Orem! It makes looking for a job that less stressful...although I also learned that I might not have to look hard; my Grandpa's nephew works in the Corporate Offices for Dick's Sporting Goods and it sounds like he'll be able to transfer me to the store in SLC! This whole moving-away deal is starting to get easier and easier and look better and better:) Also, the Regionals for the College World Series began today, so, naturally, I was up all night last night filling out brackets:D.
Of the 32 games played today, I precited the outcome of 21 games. Not too bad for not watching any college baseball this season!
I'll work from the night's main event on down to the change of the guard at Coors Field.
The Nuggets' incredible run finally ended tonight with a 119-92 beating at the Pepsi Center. The most sickening part about this loss is the thought of being forced to watch the vaunted LA Lakers play in the NBA Finals...for the second consecutive year. The officiating in this series should prove to fans that the NBA is all a show, and it's goal is to get the Lakers as far as possible. Then why don't they win it all every year? Their teams are too mediocre for the NBA to hand them the title year in and year out; it would be too suspicious for David Stern to handle. Apparently this Laker squad fits the bill for the Finals, even though the Nuggets were by and large the BETTER team! This is probably why the Heinys don't watch pro basketball. We'll stick with the college stuff:)
The saddest news of the day, however, comes from the office of Rockies' General Manager, Dan O'Dowd. The Rox officially fired Clint Hurdle. In some ways, it's obvious that change was inevitable: at the time of the firing, we were 18-28 (10 games under .500) after 2 months of baseball, we were 14 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers, our bullpen is in shambles after untimely injuries, and some of our best hitters simply forgot how to make contact (both Atkins and Stewart are hitting under .200, which is unacceptable, and Tulo is batting .083 with RISP...a blind retarded monkey could hit better than that).
I don't agree with Hurdle being ousted, especially since O'Dowd is still in office, but I agree that we needed to do something to light some sort of fire under our players. I seriously hope this will ignite this underacheiving squad. If it doesn't, expect a firesale at the end of the season.
From a selfish point of view, I'm going to really miss Hurdle. IMO, he was BY FAR the best manager in the Rockies' short history. The numbers are greatly deceiving; yes, he had a losing record in the 8+ years at the helm, but most of those years were dedicated to the youth movement. If we still had Don Baylor or Buddy Bell as our skipper, we would not have made the playoffs in '07, much less the World Series! It's pointless to argue that he "only had one winning season as manager." That's true, but that's just as good as Baylor and Bell, and a hell of a lot better than Jim Leyland! Hurdle even has the advantage over Baylor and Bell because Hurdle took the Rox further in the playoffs than Baylor and Bell never led the Rox into the playoffs.
This goes down as one of the hardest Rockie departures for me (watching his press conference was flat-out depressing); in fact, I would rank it right behind the Larry Walker trade in '04 and the Matt Holliday trade last offseason:(.
In other, more uplifting news, I found out that I will be able to pay my rent at Wolverine Crossing up front, so I don't have to worry about paying rent when I move to Orem! It makes looking for a job that less stressful...although I also learned that I might not have to look hard; my Grandpa's nephew works in the Corporate Offices for Dick's Sporting Goods and it sounds like he'll be able to transfer me to the store in SLC! This whole moving-away deal is starting to get easier and easier and look better and better:) Also, the Regionals for the College World Series began today, so, naturally, I was up all night last night filling out brackets:D.
Of the 32 games played today, I precited the outcome of 21 games. Not too bad for not watching any college baseball this season!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
We GOT One!
On Sunday, the Rockies defeated the Marlins, 3-2, receiving their first one-run victory of the season.
Finally.
Before Sunday's win, the Rox had a heartwrenching 0-8 record in one-run games, by far the worst record in baseball this season. If the Rox had pulled out a few of those games, they could be sitting at a more comfortable record of 17-14 or even 15-16. But what's done is done, and the only way the Rockies can pull themselves out of the NL West basement is finding ways to win the close games.
One a positive note, Tulo is starting to find his bat, having hit his third consecutive multi-hit game Sunday. The minor leg injury is a bit of a concern for me, given the fact that the strain is in the exact same spot where he tore his tendon around the same time last season, which resulted in his 48-game stint on the DL. As long as they can avoid another major injury to his quad, then he'll be sitting pretty with a .300+ batting average by July.
Another plus is the fact that super-set-up man Taylor Buchholz is close to starting rehab in AAA, which means he should be back in a couple of weeks! The bullpen is in desperate need of an extra good arm, despite the fact that both Alan Embree and Huston Street have hit their stride and rookie Matt Daley has been lights-out since being called up.
I still believe the Rox will be in contention, and stay in contention, by the time the All-Start Break rolls around. We are very fortunate to have Manny Ramirez out for 50 games due to a positive PED drug test. Now we just need to go out and capitalize on the Dodger's huge mistake.
Now with the Rockies update out of the way, here's my updates:
I've been pretty busy since my last post, which was, sadly, about a month ago. Anyway, in late April, I made a visit out to Provo to visit my cousin, a few of my friends and look at some apartments with Michael. We did find a place! It's called Wolverine Crossing and it's on the west side of I-15, right next to UVU. I think it has a similar setup as the Belmar Towncenter in Lakewood, which is where Dick's Sporting Goods is. I'm extremely excited to live there! And to actually be around kids with the same morals and beliefs as I have. Since I've lived in the 3OH!3 my whole life, that is one thing that I am definitely not accustomed to:) It should be a bit of a culture shock for me at first, but I think it's gonna be a blast!
Finally.
Before Sunday's win, the Rox had a heartwrenching 0-8 record in one-run games, by far the worst record in baseball this season. If the Rox had pulled out a few of those games, they could be sitting at a more comfortable record of 17-14 or even 15-16. But what's done is done, and the only way the Rockies can pull themselves out of the NL West basement is finding ways to win the close games.
One a positive note, Tulo is starting to find his bat, having hit his third consecutive multi-hit game Sunday. The minor leg injury is a bit of a concern for me, given the fact that the strain is in the exact same spot where he tore his tendon around the same time last season, which resulted in his 48-game stint on the DL. As long as they can avoid another major injury to his quad, then he'll be sitting pretty with a .300+ batting average by July.
Another plus is the fact that super-set-up man Taylor Buchholz is close to starting rehab in AAA, which means he should be back in a couple of weeks! The bullpen is in desperate need of an extra good arm, despite the fact that both Alan Embree and Huston Street have hit their stride and rookie Matt Daley has been lights-out since being called up.
I still believe the Rox will be in contention, and stay in contention, by the time the All-Start Break rolls around. We are very fortunate to have Manny Ramirez out for 50 games due to a positive PED drug test. Now we just need to go out and capitalize on the Dodger's huge mistake.
Now with the Rockies update out of the way, here's my updates:
I've been pretty busy since my last post, which was, sadly, about a month ago. Anyway, in late April, I made a visit out to Provo to visit my cousin, a few of my friends and look at some apartments with Michael. We did find a place! It's called Wolverine Crossing and it's on the west side of I-15, right next to UVU. I think it has a similar setup as the Belmar Towncenter in Lakewood, which is where Dick's Sporting Goods is. I'm extremely excited to live there! And to actually be around kids with the same morals and beliefs as I have. Since I've lived in the 3OH!3 my whole life, that is one thing that I am definitely not accustomed to:) It should be a bit of a culture shock for me at first, but I think it's gonna be a blast!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Welcome to the...Clear Creek Ward?
Yesterday, Sunday, April 13, 2009, a date which would live in infamy...for the Applewood Ward, Golden Ward, Red Rocks Ward and Denver 2nd Ward. The Golden Stake has changed our boundaries, reducing the four Wards to three, essentially dissolving the Applewood Ward, the Ward I grew up in, the Ward I dubbed the Psyche Ward (we seemed to attract some crazy people), the Ward I called home for (almost) all 21 years of my life.
The new Ward boundaries are as follows:
CLEAR CREEK WARD: (Formerly known as Golden Ward)
-South Border: 6th Ave to I-70 to 27th/26th Ave.
-West Border: Lookout Mtn Park
-North Border: Same as before (Stake boundaries stayed in place)
-East Border: Wadsworth Blvd
FOOTHILLS WARD: (Formerly known as Red Rocks Ward)
-South Border: Same as before
-West Border: Same as before
-North Border: 6th Ave to I-70 to 27th/26th Ave.
-East Border: Wadsworth Blvd
MOUNTAIN VIEW WARD: (Formerly known as Denver 2nd Ward)
-South Border: Same as before
-West Border: Wadsworth Blvd
-North Border: Same as before
-East Border: Same as before
The strangest part about the boundary re-alignment was the fact that I'm not even in the same Ward as my Grandpa anymore. That has NEVER happened!
The meeting was more emotional than I expected it to be. I mean, I was a little sad to see the Psyche Ward be dissolved right in front of my eyes, but I didn't expect the effect it would have on everyone in the Chapel. After the boundaries were announced, the noise of sniffles steadily grew louder, until Bishop Spencer got up to bear his testimony.....that was the hardest part for me; the realization that not only will he not be my Bishop anymore, but he also is no longer in the same Ward as me! Staying on the Spencer track, the Heinys and the Spencers always sit next to eachother because the Spencer kids love to sit with my mom and me. So after the meeting, I saw James struggling through the crowd, head bent to the ground, wandering like a long forgotten son. Once he found me, he just collapsed into my arms and quietly sobbed for a solid five to ten minutes.
That did it for me. It brought back so many memories, both bad and good (but mainly good, of course!) of the good old Psyche Ward. It brought me back to the days when my childhood hero, Andrew Elldridge(sp?), left for his mission, and I thought he'd never be back. It brought me back to the days when we moved from the McIntyre Building to the new Stake Center, how sad I was to leave the only building I ever knew, but excited to be going to a refreshingly NEW building! It brought me back to the Mutual days, the Stake Dances, the Basketball Tournaments, the EFYs, and the Youth Conferences.
It reminded me of the friends I lost, especially when the Farias left and when the Archbolts left (Lance had been my best friend since the day I had been born), but it reminded me more of the friends I made. Back in my middle school/high school days, I never really thought I'd actually keep in contact with the people that I still talk to today.
Then I realized that, although all of this happened while I was in the Applewood Ward, these are typical memories that can be created at any other place and any other time. I felt strongly then that everything would work out, not for my sake, but for the sake of all the snifflers in the Chapel, especially James, the sobbing Spencer resembling me in so many ways so many years ago.
I'm saddened to see the termination of the Psyche Ward, but I'm looking forward to the new adventures my new Wards will have for me in the future. Bring on the Clear Creek Ward!
And the Ward that I'm a part of when I move out the Provo:D
The new Ward boundaries are as follows:
CLEAR CREEK WARD: (Formerly known as Golden Ward)
-South Border: 6th Ave to I-70 to 27th/26th Ave.
-West Border: Lookout Mtn Park
-North Border: Same as before (Stake boundaries stayed in place)
-East Border: Wadsworth Blvd
FOOTHILLS WARD: (Formerly known as Red Rocks Ward)
-South Border: Same as before
-West Border: Same as before
-North Border: 6th Ave to I-70 to 27th/26th Ave.
-East Border: Wadsworth Blvd
MOUNTAIN VIEW WARD: (Formerly known as Denver 2nd Ward)
-South Border: Same as before
-West Border: Wadsworth Blvd
-North Border: Same as before
-East Border: Same as before
The strangest part about the boundary re-alignment was the fact that I'm not even in the same Ward as my Grandpa anymore. That has NEVER happened!
The meeting was more emotional than I expected it to be. I mean, I was a little sad to see the Psyche Ward be dissolved right in front of my eyes, but I didn't expect the effect it would have on everyone in the Chapel. After the boundaries were announced, the noise of sniffles steadily grew louder, until Bishop Spencer got up to bear his testimony.....that was the hardest part for me; the realization that not only will he not be my Bishop anymore, but he also is no longer in the same Ward as me! Staying on the Spencer track, the Heinys and the Spencers always sit next to eachother because the Spencer kids love to sit with my mom and me. So after the meeting, I saw James struggling through the crowd, head bent to the ground, wandering like a long forgotten son. Once he found me, he just collapsed into my arms and quietly sobbed for a solid five to ten minutes.
That did it for me. It brought back so many memories, both bad and good (but mainly good, of course!) of the good old Psyche Ward. It brought me back to the days when my childhood hero, Andrew Elldridge(sp?), left for his mission, and I thought he'd never be back. It brought me back to the days when we moved from the McIntyre Building to the new Stake Center, how sad I was to leave the only building I ever knew, but excited to be going to a refreshingly NEW building! It brought me back to the Mutual days, the Stake Dances, the Basketball Tournaments, the EFYs, and the Youth Conferences.
It reminded me of the friends I lost, especially when the Farias left and when the Archbolts left (Lance had been my best friend since the day I had been born), but it reminded me more of the friends I made. Back in my middle school/high school days, I never really thought I'd actually keep in contact with the people that I still talk to today.
Then I realized that, although all of this happened while I was in the Applewood Ward, these are typical memories that can be created at any other place and any other time. I felt strongly then that everything would work out, not for my sake, but for the sake of all the snifflers in the Chapel, especially James, the sobbing Spencer resembling me in so many ways so many years ago.
I'm saddened to see the termination of the Psyche Ward, but I'm looking forward to the new adventures my new Wards will have for me in the future. Bring on the Clear Creek Ward!
And the Ward that I'm a part of when I move out the Provo:D
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
One Down, 89 to Go/The World You Love
It's only been two games, but the 09 Rockies look good.
Really good.
Today they shut out the D-Backs, 3-0, thanks in large part to the stellar pitching by our future ace, Ubaldo Jimenez (7.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 3BB, 8K). And even with the Rox falling short in the Opening Day slugfest, there's already one crucial difference between last year and this year. They can HIT.
In the 9-8 loss on Opening Day, C Chris Ianetta, LF Seth Smith and our beloved SS Troy Tulowitzki went yard. Today, against one of the best pitchers in baseball (Dan Haren), Tulo did it again, bringing his total to 2. Hey, right now he's on pace to hit 162 HRs in a season:). This is exactly what the Rox need to be in contention this season; a healthy Tulo, a smart Tulo, and a 2007 Rookie of the Year Tulo (07 ROY was really Ryan Braun of the Brewers, but he didn't deserve it). Last year, Tulo only hit 8 home runs the entire season. He's already a quarter of the way there and we've played just 2 games!
I know. Only two games. But if we can learn anything from two games (like we have the last few years), it's that our hitting is, and will be, 125% better than last season. Pitching doesn't look too bad, either, especially if Ubaldo can come out and pitch as well as he did. Our new closer, Huston Street, looked dominant. Who knows, maybe the losses of Matt Holliday (A's) and Brian Fuentes (Angels) will actually make us a better team.
If you're still reading this post, congratulations, you can withstand my barrage of Rockies info:). If not, then I should probably start putting life updates in front of Rockies updates. Anyway, here's my life update:
-I'm leaving for Provo in exactly two weeks, and it couldn't come at a better time. While I love my job at Dick's, I'm definitely ready for a vacation. It's not like the job is hard or anything, all I have to do is be nice to customers, make sure they have a Scorecard and avoid screwing up transactions. I'm just a lazy bum who's not the biggest fan of working 5 days a week. I'm excited to get out there, look for an apartment with Mike, job search a bit, golf a bit, and relax the rest of the time!
-Speaking of golf, I'm now a Cashier AND a Golf Associate! It's loads nicer being able to at least walk around while being at work, instead of just standing at the cash register for 6-8 hours. I also get a wicked good discount through the brand, Taylor Made, which basically the best brand in golf. So with that discount, I was able to buy a new set of Irons - the 09 Burners! I can't wait to get out and hit 'em!
-I just realized that the Seattle Mariners are coming into town for a 3-game set June 12-14. That means I'll be at Coors Field from June 12-14 because this will probably be the last time Ken Griffey, Jr., my all-time favorite athlete, ever plays at Coors. My life would be complete if I found a way to get an autograph!
-Little shift towards music...I've been a fan of Jimmy Eat World for awhile now, know most, if not all, of the songs, and have seen them live. But for some reason, I couldn't really call them my favorite band (probably because I just couldn't have the same favorite band as my brother!). I remember listening to Futures when it first came out and thinking there wasn't really anything special about the album. Not too long ago, Bryan had Futures blasting on our stereo, and it started to catch my attention. So, naturally, I started listening to it...again...and it's about as good as Chase This Light. The song that caught me by surprise was The World You Love. In the span of one lunch break at work, the song turned from an afterthought to a gem of a song. It ranks among the best of them, including Always Be, If You Don't, Don't, Hear You Me and Firefight. So if you haven't heard of this song, go listen to it. Right Now. It's as good as it gets.
I got a story it's almost finished,
now all I need is someone to tell it to,
Maybe that's you.
Really good.
Today they shut out the D-Backs, 3-0, thanks in large part to the stellar pitching by our future ace, Ubaldo Jimenez (7.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 3BB, 8K). And even with the Rox falling short in the Opening Day slugfest, there's already one crucial difference between last year and this year. They can HIT.
In the 9-8 loss on Opening Day, C Chris Ianetta, LF Seth Smith and our beloved SS Troy Tulowitzki went yard. Today, against one of the best pitchers in baseball (Dan Haren), Tulo did it again, bringing his total to 2. Hey, right now he's on pace to hit 162 HRs in a season:). This is exactly what the Rox need to be in contention this season; a healthy Tulo, a smart Tulo, and a 2007 Rookie of the Year Tulo (07 ROY was really Ryan Braun of the Brewers, but he didn't deserve it). Last year, Tulo only hit 8 home runs the entire season. He's already a quarter of the way there and we've played just 2 games!
I know. Only two games. But if we can learn anything from two games (like we have the last few years), it's that our hitting is, and will be, 125% better than last season. Pitching doesn't look too bad, either, especially if Ubaldo can come out and pitch as well as he did. Our new closer, Huston Street, looked dominant. Who knows, maybe the losses of Matt Holliday (A's) and Brian Fuentes (Angels) will actually make us a better team.
If you're still reading this post, congratulations, you can withstand my barrage of Rockies info:). If not, then I should probably start putting life updates in front of Rockies updates. Anyway, here's my life update:
-I'm leaving for Provo in exactly two weeks, and it couldn't come at a better time. While I love my job at Dick's, I'm definitely ready for a vacation. It's not like the job is hard or anything, all I have to do is be nice to customers, make sure they have a Scorecard and avoid screwing up transactions. I'm just a lazy bum who's not the biggest fan of working 5 days a week. I'm excited to get out there, look for an apartment with Mike, job search a bit, golf a bit, and relax the rest of the time!
-Speaking of golf, I'm now a Cashier AND a Golf Associate! It's loads nicer being able to at least walk around while being at work, instead of just standing at the cash register for 6-8 hours. I also get a wicked good discount through the brand, Taylor Made, which basically the best brand in golf. So with that discount, I was able to buy a new set of Irons - the 09 Burners! I can't wait to get out and hit 'em!
-I just realized that the Seattle Mariners are coming into town for a 3-game set June 12-14. That means I'll be at Coors Field from June 12-14 because this will probably be the last time Ken Griffey, Jr., my all-time favorite athlete, ever plays at Coors. My life would be complete if I found a way to get an autograph!
-Little shift towards music...I've been a fan of Jimmy Eat World for awhile now, know most, if not all, of the songs, and have seen them live. But for some reason, I couldn't really call them my favorite band (probably because I just couldn't have the same favorite band as my brother!). I remember listening to Futures when it first came out and thinking there wasn't really anything special about the album. Not too long ago, Bryan had Futures blasting on our stereo, and it started to catch my attention. So, naturally, I started listening to it...again...and it's about as good as Chase This Light. The song that caught me by surprise was The World You Love. In the span of one lunch break at work, the song turned from an afterthought to a gem of a song. It ranks among the best of them, including Always Be, If You Don't, Don't, Hear You Me and Firefight. So if you haven't heard of this song, go listen to it. Right Now. It's as good as it gets.
I got a story it's almost finished,
now all I need is someone to tell it to,
Maybe that's you.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Opening Day!
With the first game of the 2009 Major League Baseball season only hours away, it's time to get out my predictions!
NL WEST:
1- Colorado Rockies (90-72)
2- Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74)*
3- Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77)
4- San Fransisco Giants (83-79)
5- San Diego Padres (67-95)
NL CENTRAL:
1- St Louis Cardinals (87-75)
2- Cincinnati Reds (86-76)
3- Chicago Cubs (86-76)
4- Houston Astros (82-80)
5- Milwaukee Brewers (73-89)
6- Pittsburgh Pirates (68-94)
NL EAST:
1- Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)
2- New York Mets (87-75)
3- Atlanta Braves (84-78)
4- Florida Marlins (79-83)
5- Washington Nationals (74-88)
AL WEST:
1- Oakland Athletics (91-71)
2- Los Angeles Angels (90-72)
3- Texas Rangers (76-86)
4- Seattle Mariners (74-88)
AL CENTRAL:
1- Minnesota Twins (89-73)
2- Cleveland Indians (85-77)
3- Chicago White Sox (80-82)
4- Kansas City Royals (78-84)
5- Detroit Tigers (75-87)
AL EAST:
1- Tampa Bay Rays (94-68)
2- New York Yankees (90-72)
3- Boston Red Sox (89-73)
4- Baltimore Orioles (72-90)
5- Toronto Blue Jays (70-92)
PLAYOFFS:
NL DIVISION SERIES:
Dodgers over Phillies (3-1)
Rockies over Cardinals (3-2)
NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Rockies over Dodgers (4-3)
AL DIVISION SERIES:
Rays over Angels (3-2)
Twins over A's (3-2)
AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Twins over Rays (4-3)
WORLD SERIES:
ROCKIES over TWINS (4-3)
ROCKIES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Holliday seen crying in Oakland residence. Helton rides off in the sunset on his white horse with his WS ring. Took 13 years but it was worth the wait. I'm thinking these would be great headlines to see in Rocktober, as seen below:)
Ideally, this is exactly what I want to see; my two all-time favorite teams playing in the greatest World Series since '01 (D-Back's over dreaded Yankees in 7). Ok, this most likely won't happen, especially now that I've predicted it. I have a horrible curse of jinxing the teams I pick...just take a look at my March Madness bracket. Other teams that could walk away with a WS ring: (not including Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Phillies) LA Dodgers, LA Angels, Oakland A's, San Fransisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds.
NL WEST:
1- Colorado Rockies (90-72)
2- Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74)*
3- Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77)
4- San Fransisco Giants (83-79)
5- San Diego Padres (67-95)
NL CENTRAL:
1- St Louis Cardinals (87-75)
2- Cincinnati Reds (86-76)
3- Chicago Cubs (86-76)
4- Houston Astros (82-80)
5- Milwaukee Brewers (73-89)
6- Pittsburgh Pirates (68-94)
NL EAST:
1- Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)
2- New York Mets (87-75)
3- Atlanta Braves (84-78)
4- Florida Marlins (79-83)
5- Washington Nationals (74-88)
AL WEST:
1- Oakland Athletics (91-71)
2- Los Angeles Angels (90-72)
3- Texas Rangers (76-86)
4- Seattle Mariners (74-88)
AL CENTRAL:
1- Minnesota Twins (89-73)
2- Cleveland Indians (85-77)
3- Chicago White Sox (80-82)
4- Kansas City Royals (78-84)
5- Detroit Tigers (75-87)
AL EAST:
1- Tampa Bay Rays (94-68)
2- New York Yankees (90-72)
3- Boston Red Sox (89-73)
4- Baltimore Orioles (72-90)
5- Toronto Blue Jays (70-92)
PLAYOFFS:
NL DIVISION SERIES:
Dodgers over Phillies (3-1)
Rockies over Cardinals (3-2)
NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Rockies over Dodgers (4-3)
AL DIVISION SERIES:
Rays over Angels (3-2)
Twins over A's (3-2)
AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Twins over Rays (4-3)
WORLD SERIES:
ROCKIES over TWINS (4-3)
ROCKIES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Holliday seen crying in Oakland residence. Helton rides off in the sunset on his white horse with his WS ring. Took 13 years but it was worth the wait. I'm thinking these would be great headlines to see in Rocktober, as seen below:)
Ideally, this is exactly what I want to see; my two all-time favorite teams playing in the greatest World Series since '01 (D-Back's over dreaded Yankees in 7). Ok, this most likely won't happen, especially now that I've predicted it. I have a horrible curse of jinxing the teams I pick...just take a look at my March Madness bracket. Other teams that could walk away with a WS ring: (not including Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Phillies) LA Dodgers, LA Angels, Oakland A's, San Fransisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Link to my weekend work
Here's the link to the Chandler Rotary Invite page. It has all the stuff that my dad and I did in Phoenix. Go check it out and let me know how we did!
Chandler Rotary Invite
Chandler Rotary Invite
Monday, March 30, 2009
Crazy Weekend
Not many times does someone actually look forward to having the weekend over and done with, but such is the case when you work for Dyestat. Granted, I am truly grateful for the best job I've ever had (so far) and was more than willing to go down to Phoenix to cover a track meet this weekend. The meet was outstanding; I've never seen that many good high school athletes at one track meet. Arizona track and Colorado track are like night and day, with infinite darkness suffocating the Rocky Mountains. The best part about the meet, though, was the fact that the director had so much passion for the sport, and his passion infected everyone that was involved, which made the meet run incredibly smoothly. If you're insanely bored, or feel the sudden need to look up track stats, go to Dyestat.com and search Chandler Rotary Invite. You'll be able to see everything that my dad and I did down in the desert!
The worst part about the meet - and the weekend, for that matter - was the inconvenient timing of my getting sick. And instead of being smart by staying home, taking remedies and getting healthy, I decided to just go with the flow, ignore the warning signs and ultimately pay the price. The AZ heat was awesome, but try breathing in any air with your sinuses filled to the brim with phlegm. So, for the first time since I started making trips to AZ, I'm actually relieved to be home, instead of working non-stop in the desert.
And during all this time, there was still March Madness going on. The current family standings have me sitting at 3rd, but neither my parents nor my brother can earn any more points, as their Championship teams are out (Duke getting knocked out early is like Christmas coming early for us Heel fans). I have two Final Four teams left (UNC and Villanova) and I will win the family pool if the Heels, at the very least, make the National Championship game. Take Note: Millions of people signed up for ESPN Tournament Challenge (one mega bracket pool), including myself and Bryan. Of those millions, only 12.1% picked Villanova to make the Final Four. It feels pretty freakin AWESOME to be a part of that 12.1%. If only the rest of my bracket worked like that:/
Anyway, Sports Key will be up soon, I promise! I blame being sick for not getting it up sooner. Oh and ROCKIES BASEBALL starts in a week!!!
The worst part about the meet - and the weekend, for that matter - was the inconvenient timing of my getting sick. And instead of being smart by staying home, taking remedies and getting healthy, I decided to just go with the flow, ignore the warning signs and ultimately pay the price. The AZ heat was awesome, but try breathing in any air with your sinuses filled to the brim with phlegm. So, for the first time since I started making trips to AZ, I'm actually relieved to be home, instead of working non-stop in the desert.
And during all this time, there was still March Madness going on. The current family standings have me sitting at 3rd, but neither my parents nor my brother can earn any more points, as their Championship teams are out (Duke getting knocked out early is like Christmas coming early for us Heel fans). I have two Final Four teams left (UNC and Villanova) and I will win the family pool if the Heels, at the very least, make the National Championship game. Take Note: Millions of people signed up for ESPN Tournament Challenge (one mega bracket pool), including myself and Bryan. Of those millions, only 12.1% picked Villanova to make the Final Four. It feels pretty freakin AWESOME to be a part of that 12.1%. If only the rest of my bracket worked like that:/
Anyway, Sports Key will be up soon, I promise! I blame being sick for not getting it up sooner. Oh and ROCKIES BASEBALL starts in a week!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
I'm On It
So since most of the people who read my blog are family, and the rest don't know much about sports, I'm gonna make a little key for words that some people may not understand (Sarah, this is for you). This blog probably won't be all about sports, but since I'm a bit crazy about sports, alot of my blogging will be on...sports:). Anyway, let me know if the key helps at all, I'll try and have it up as soon as I can.
First Weekend Thoughts
Without warning, the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament are finished. It baffles me how it can end so ubruptly, and I'm not even affiliated with any of the teams! With that being said, however, I'm glad - in a way - that it's over; maybe I'll finally get some much-needed rest (although that might be unlikely, mainly since I'm writing this at 2:20 in the morning).
This year's opening weekend sure seemed to lack the cinderella stories that we're all so used to seeing. Yes, there were upsets. 13 Cleveland State became the '09 tourney Darlings by rocking 4 Wake Forest, 84-69, only to have their party crashed by 12 Arizona, 71-57. Yes, there is another 12 seed back in the Sweet 16, but can you really call the Arizona Wildcats an underdog? No dice. Yes, there were some memorable games: 9 Siena edging out 8 Ohio State, 74-72 in a 2OT thriller in which the Saints took their second lead of the game (first since leading 3-2) in the first OT. 12 Wisconsin hitting trey after trey to force OT against 5 Florida State, where they outlasted the Seminoles 61-59. Ironically enough, these two games, far and away the two best games of the tourney, happened at the exact same time. So much for spreading out the Madness.
It was all business for the second round, with the top 3 seeds in the entire tourney going 24-0 in the first two rounds, the first time all 3 seeds from each sub-bracket advanced since the tourney was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. However, since the upsets were non-existent in the second round, it brought my bracket back into discussion. Maybe not on ESPN, or even Facebook, for that matter, but at least I'm in the running for the family pool. The current standings after two rounds are as follows:
1) Dad - 500pts
2) Cheyne - 440pts
2) Bryan - 440pts
4) Mom - 400pts
It's going to take a minor miracle, in the form of a Lawson-Hansbrough Tar Heel, for me to actually rally and beat my dear old dad, but as long as Ty Lawson can keep that toe of his from swelling to a balloon, then I still have a chance.
This year's opening weekend sure seemed to lack the cinderella stories that we're all so used to seeing. Yes, there were upsets. 13 Cleveland State became the '09 tourney Darlings by rocking 4 Wake Forest, 84-69, only to have their party crashed by 12 Arizona, 71-57. Yes, there is another 12 seed back in the Sweet 16, but can you really call the Arizona Wildcats an underdog? No dice. Yes, there were some memorable games: 9 Siena edging out 8 Ohio State, 74-72 in a 2OT thriller in which the Saints took their second lead of the game (first since leading 3-2) in the first OT. 12 Wisconsin hitting trey after trey to force OT against 5 Florida State, where they outlasted the Seminoles 61-59. Ironically enough, these two games, far and away the two best games of the tourney, happened at the exact same time. So much for spreading out the Madness.
It was all business for the second round, with the top 3 seeds in the entire tourney going 24-0 in the first two rounds, the first time all 3 seeds from each sub-bracket advanced since the tourney was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. However, since the upsets were non-existent in the second round, it brought my bracket back into discussion. Maybe not on ESPN, or even Facebook, for that matter, but at least I'm in the running for the family pool. The current standings after two rounds are as follows:
1) Dad - 500pts
2) Cheyne - 440pts
2) Bryan - 440pts
4) Mom - 400pts
It's going to take a minor miracle, in the form of a Lawson-Hansbrough Tar Heel, for me to actually rally and beat my dear old dad, but as long as Ty Lawson can keep that toe of his from swelling to a balloon, then I still have a chance.
Friday, March 20, 2009
The 7-10/8-9 games are murder
For the first 15 games of Day 1, the tourney seemed to be missing the Madness everyone is so accustomed to seeing. It wasn't until the 16th game, the final game of the night, when the first upset was recorded. 12 seed Western Kentucky took down 5 seed Illinois, 76-72, to advance to the second round, where the Hilltoppers will face 4 seed Gonzaga.
Not only did the Hilltoppers repeat last year's feat of defeating a 5 seed in the tourney, (WKU defeated 5 Drake at the buzzer in OT) but they also kept the intensely appealing 5-12 upset trend going. Since the 64 team bracket was introduced in 1985, there have been only three years where a 12 seed has not upset a 5 seed (1988, 2000 and 2007). I chose WKU to KO the Fightin' Illini early. Tab one big RIGHT for Shiny.
And while we're keeping score, tab five big WRONGS for Shiny. Three 7-10 matchups were played today, with 10 Maryland, 7 Texas and 10 Michigan beating 7 Cal, 10 Minnesota and 7 Clemson, respectively. The significance of those three matchups? I decided to bet on 7 Cal, 10 Minnesota and 7 Clemson, having picked Clemson into the Sweet 16. Quick word of advice: Probabaly not a good idea to root for a certain team (Clemson) while wearing the opponent's hat (Michigan). This was the unusual situation I put myself in tonight; Michigan is, and always will be, one of my all-time favorite programs. Don't ask why I picked against them, especially a team I generally despise (Clemson). I guess that's what the Madness can do to you.
The other matchups that killed me were the 8-9, which, technically, isn't really a killer because the 8-9 games are always a crapshoot anyway. Of the two games played (8 BYU - 9 Texas A&M and 8 LSU - 9 Butler), I missed...both. The Butler loss might actually save me down the road because I really believe the Bulldogs could have seriously contested with a Ty Lawson-less Tar Heel squad (I picked the Heels to cut down the nets in April). The BYU game, on the other hand, was a little more painful. Bracket-wise, it wasn't a killer, either, because neither team had-or has-any kind of prayer against UCONN and the Giant (7'3" Hasheem Thabeet).
It was the simple fact that the Cougars bowed out in another first round in the NCAA Tournament. The loss to the Aggies was the second consecutive loss to A&M in the tournament (9 TAMU 67-8 BYU 62 in 2008) and extended the Cougars first round exits to seven in a row. The last time BYU actually won a game in the tournament was in 1993 when it defeated 10 SMU 80-71. Quick advice to coach Rose and the Cougs: Just WIN, baby!
That's about all I got for tonight. Tomorrow, I hope, the Madness will truly begin!
-Potential Upset Alert! 13 Portland State over 4 Xavier/ 12 Wisconsin over 5 Florida State/ 12 Arizona over 5 Utah/ 13 Cleveland State over 4 Wake Forest/ 11 Temple over 6 Arizona State/ 11 Utah State over 6 Marquette/ 14 North Dakota State over 3 Kansas.
Not only did the Hilltoppers repeat last year's feat of defeating a 5 seed in the tourney, (WKU defeated 5 Drake at the buzzer in OT) but they also kept the intensely appealing 5-12 upset trend going. Since the 64 team bracket was introduced in 1985, there have been only three years where a 12 seed has not upset a 5 seed (1988, 2000 and 2007). I chose WKU to KO the Fightin' Illini early. Tab one big RIGHT for Shiny.
And while we're keeping score, tab five big WRONGS for Shiny. Three 7-10 matchups were played today, with 10 Maryland, 7 Texas and 10 Michigan beating 7 Cal, 10 Minnesota and 7 Clemson, respectively. The significance of those three matchups? I decided to bet on 7 Cal, 10 Minnesota and 7 Clemson, having picked Clemson into the Sweet 16. Quick word of advice: Probabaly not a good idea to root for a certain team (Clemson) while wearing the opponent's hat (Michigan). This was the unusual situation I put myself in tonight; Michigan is, and always will be, one of my all-time favorite programs. Don't ask why I picked against them, especially a team I generally despise (Clemson). I guess that's what the Madness can do to you.
The other matchups that killed me were the 8-9, which, technically, isn't really a killer because the 8-9 games are always a crapshoot anyway. Of the two games played (8 BYU - 9 Texas A&M and 8 LSU - 9 Butler), I missed...both. The Butler loss might actually save me down the road because I really believe the Bulldogs could have seriously contested with a Ty Lawson-less Tar Heel squad (I picked the Heels to cut down the nets in April). The BYU game, on the other hand, was a little more painful. Bracket-wise, it wasn't a killer, either, because neither team had-or has-any kind of prayer against UCONN and the Giant (7'3" Hasheem Thabeet).
It was the simple fact that the Cougars bowed out in another first round in the NCAA Tournament. The loss to the Aggies was the second consecutive loss to A&M in the tournament (9 TAMU 67-8 BYU 62 in 2008) and extended the Cougars first round exits to seven in a row. The last time BYU actually won a game in the tournament was in 1993 when it defeated 10 SMU 80-71. Quick advice to coach Rose and the Cougs: Just WIN, baby!
That's about all I got for tonight. Tomorrow, I hope, the Madness will truly begin!
-Potential Upset Alert! 13 Portland State over 4 Xavier/ 12 Wisconsin over 5 Florida State/ 12 Arizona over 5 Utah/ 13 Cleveland State over 4 Wake Forest/ 11 Temple over 6 Arizona State/ 11 Utah State over 6 Marquette/ 14 North Dakota State over 3 Kansas.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Let the Madness Begin!
It was a long time coming, but I finally succumbed to peer pressure and created my own blog.
Ok, there wasn't really that much pressure for me to create one...actually, there wasn't any pressure at all. I actually just decided that I wanted to make a blog, so I did. Simple as that-honest.
Anyway, now that I can't really think of any amusing or interesting excuses as to why I created a blog, I'm just gonna drop the whole thing - like right now - before I start rambling...which I'm sure I'm doing...right....now.
It didn't take long for me to know the direction I wanted my blog to go. Anyone and everyone who has ever known me knows how much of a sports fan I am; in fact, you could go beyond the title of "sports fan" and use something more along the lines of "sports enthusiast," or better yet, "sports encyclopedia." Ok, that sounded extremely nerdy, but by now, when it comes to sports, I'm beyond used to being called a sports nerd.:)
I think the best way to kick off my sports blog would be to ramble on about the greatest 3 weeks in all of sports: March Madness. It's America's version of the FIFA World Cup. It's the time when one shot can change an entire athletic program, (see Bryce Drew/Valparaiso http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOkG7t7UfI), when David can slay Goliath, (Santa Clara over Arizona in '93) again (Hampton over Iowa State in '01) and again (Northwestern State over Iowa in '06) and again (Villanova over Georgetown in '85). It's when a song as terrible as One Shining Moment can become the National Anthem. It's when a state banishes you because of one play (Christian Laettner's Kentucky Dagger in '92 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-iq58_oz4).
March Madness is the main reason why March is my favorite month of the year. There is no better sporting event that takes place in the history of all sports. This year, however, my journey to the Madness began back in mid-December.
During the last few seasons, I've attempted to fully predict every NCAA Division 1 teams' schedule, respective conference tournament, at-large bids and the NCAA Tournament itself. Last season my laptop decided to conveniently die on me in the early days of February, basically around my conference tourney projectios.
With a much more reliable computer, I was able to complete my predictions, from non-conference games to the Big Dance, and I was generally satisfied with how my predictions turned out...so far, at least.
-Out of the 65 teams that were called to the Dance today, I projected 43 of them in January.
-I picked Louisville as the top overall seed; they became the top overall seed after the likes of Oklahoma, UNC, UCONN and Pitt lost early in their conference tourneys.
-Of the 31 automatic bids handed out (conference champions), I picked 13 in January. By comparison, a typical analyst in January games would pick about 35-40% of the auto-bids.
I'm riding on my success to lead me to greater heights for the Bracket. This will be the first year since I started obsessively following the Dance that I won't be filling out the bracket by Monday. I'm determined to research as much as I can to unearth the Madness Holy Grail: The Perfect Bracket.
Ok, there wasn't really that much pressure for me to create one...actually, there wasn't any pressure at all. I actually just decided that I wanted to make a blog, so I did. Simple as that-honest.
Anyway, now that I can't really think of any amusing or interesting excuses as to why I created a blog, I'm just gonna drop the whole thing - like right now - before I start rambling...which I'm sure I'm doing...right....now.
It didn't take long for me to know the direction I wanted my blog to go. Anyone and everyone who has ever known me knows how much of a sports fan I am; in fact, you could go beyond the title of "sports fan" and use something more along the lines of "sports enthusiast," or better yet, "sports encyclopedia." Ok, that sounded extremely nerdy, but by now, when it comes to sports, I'm beyond used to being called a sports nerd.:)
I think the best way to kick off my sports blog would be to ramble on about the greatest 3 weeks in all of sports: March Madness. It's America's version of the FIFA World Cup. It's the time when one shot can change an entire athletic program, (see Bryce Drew/Valparaiso http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOkG7t7UfI), when David can slay Goliath, (Santa Clara over Arizona in '93) again (Hampton over Iowa State in '01) and again (Northwestern State over Iowa in '06) and again (Villanova over Georgetown in '85). It's when a song as terrible as One Shining Moment can become the National Anthem. It's when a state banishes you because of one play (Christian Laettner's Kentucky Dagger in '92 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-iq58_oz4).
March Madness is the main reason why March is my favorite month of the year. There is no better sporting event that takes place in the history of all sports. This year, however, my journey to the Madness began back in mid-December.
During the last few seasons, I've attempted to fully predict every NCAA Division 1 teams' schedule, respective conference tournament, at-large bids and the NCAA Tournament itself. Last season my laptop decided to conveniently die on me in the early days of February, basically around my conference tourney projectios.
With a much more reliable computer, I was able to complete my predictions, from non-conference games to the Big Dance, and I was generally satisfied with how my predictions turned out...so far, at least.
-Out of the 65 teams that were called to the Dance today, I projected 43 of them in January.
-I picked Louisville as the top overall seed; they became the top overall seed after the likes of Oklahoma, UNC, UCONN and Pitt lost early in their conference tourneys.
-Of the 31 automatic bids handed out (conference champions), I picked 13 in January. By comparison, a typical analyst in January games would pick about 35-40% of the auto-bids.
I'm riding on my success to lead me to greater heights for the Bracket. This will be the first year since I started obsessively following the Dance that I won't be filling out the bracket by Monday. I'm determined to research as much as I can to unearth the Madness Holy Grail: The Perfect Bracket.
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