tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25872274545278073762024-02-20T10:27:39.639-08:00The Jig and TwigJighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457361591246673385noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-19067642270931110692009-10-01T10:57:00.000-07:002009-10-01T11:08:41.533-07:00Al Vidasein, GoodbyeAfter a few weeks of consideration, this is it, folks, the last post on JAT. Unless, of course, Jig comes out of hiding and restarts this thing. Frankly, I've been too busy to put much thought into posting, and when I do have the time, nothing very interesting or original comes to mind. <br /><br />It's been a fun almost two years. Hopefully the time you've spent reading my ramblings on football, basketball, weird pop culture, and sometimes baseball were worth it, and you got a laugh or two out of the whole deal. I know I had a good time with it. This whole thing makes me admire those are able to keep their blogs going with multi-week posts for many years even more, because, quite honestly, it isn't easy. That being said, thanks for your time, it's been real. Also, be sure to check out ABC's <span style="font-style: italic;">Flash Forward</span>, it's the next Lost. Good Stuff.<br /><br />So Long, Farewell,<br />Twiglancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-76059130613801901932009-09-24T14:11:00.000-07:002009-09-24T14:14:56.266-07:00My Alma Mater TrueTake a quick look at the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/09/24/impact/index.html?eref=sihpT1">top NFL rookie surprises</a> so far this year, according to si.com. Uh huh. Yep. That's right.<br /><br /><br />Welp, off to class. Again.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-19452806302805834472009-09-14T17:33:00.000-07:002009-09-14T17:48:44.825-07:00Let Me Be Myself<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYTqmsfkSyv9L4KI63v-8H95JltdUoq_mzJMXLd_Ci2wUR4x5qkdIcZ9S4G15dJaja4Nz95yiBVhSP9c3agxnbFPuVOGpOgaUJoMedfFA5aeEWlap3s4wxJBmioBmcWCgaicbRxHxR883/s1600-h/bills_boys_fp.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYTqmsfkSyv9L4KI63v-8H95JltdUoq_mzJMXLd_Ci2wUR4x5qkdIcZ9S4G15dJaja4Nz95yiBVhSP9c3agxnbFPuVOGpOgaUJoMedfFA5aeEWlap3s4wxJBmioBmcWCgaicbRxHxR883/s320/bills_boys_fp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381489611817711634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcPWXS3TET-Gmtktks6uZ06JUHHTHK0wozVuykOwoXzhU1iqFzYlnJ5x1jGtcXCg6a2erqkc_Agdp7RaUitm-wwE2xPDfRINGFCcc5WZtXMsoyYUjtLj5bYxQ_CMeSi2xvHW-iKRVvl9D/s1600-h/2519127294.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 91px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcPWXS3TET-Gmtktks6uZ06JUHHTHK0wozVuykOwoXzhU1iqFzYlnJ5x1jGtcXCg6a2erqkc_Agdp7RaUitm-wwE2xPDfRINGFCcc5WZtXMsoyYUjtLj5bYxQ_CMeSi2xvHW-iKRVvl9D/s320/2519127294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381489507688214674" border="0" /></a><br />Almost a year ago exactly, I <a href="http://thejigandtwig.blogspot.com/2008/09/heres-looking-at-you.html">wrote a post</a> about my favorite and least favorite team uniforms in the NFL. Two of my least favorite? The New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills. Especially the Bills. Tonight, I tune in to ESPN to watch Monday Night Football, and see...both teams wearing their awesome throw backs, both of which are obscene upgrades over what they currently rock. By the way, I suggested they each go back to these looks. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-64260728795192997392009-09-10T17:02:00.000-07:002009-09-10T22:34:55.680-07:00She's Just A Charmer, Oh NoWell, it's been a while and for that, I apologize. Instead of original, well thought out...thought, I'm gonna copy and paste an email conversation I had this afternoon with my Uncle Jim. As always, he's from Arkansas, and an SEC fan:<br /><br />From Jim To Lance on 9/10/09 @ 11:22 a.m.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Curious to know your thoughts on several fronts<br />1) <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627544_0">Sam Bradford</span>, are they really that much better with him? It seemed to me OU should be able to handle a team like BYU with their 3rd string QB.<br />2) How about all the ballyhood about BYU and Boise State? Ridiculous, we may finally see the explosion of the BCS!<br />3) Colt obviously had a good game, they look tough.<br />4) Have you seen the number 1 offense in the nation? Yes, it is my mighty Hogs...and yes I want to celebrate when I can even though it was against a D-2 school. Mallett was 17-22 passing and set some records. It is so unusual for us to have a true passing QB! It will be interesting at what point he decides to try the NFL. At 6'7" he should be the real deal. They say his footwork is his achilles (no pun intended) and Petrino is obviously the guy to teach him.<br />5) How bout them <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627544_1">ole miss rebels</span>? They sure looked like a HDN team to me. The qb struggled and the running game was run left, run right. This might just be fun to watch them implode. It couldn't happen to a better guy...we'll just have to see.<br />6) Back to my Hogs, they have a bye week this week and then we get them at home against Georgia. Even before OSU beat them, I felt like we would beat them. I CANNOT wait until we go to Oxford. <br />7) Speaking of OSU...they are good and very well may be very good. Depending on Bradford, they could win the South easily and the Texas game will be a classic no matter who wins.<br />8) Lastly, can the Rangers do it? I'm pulling for them more this year than I ever have.<br />9) ACU number 2 in the nation? Awesome, their coach has got to start getting some attention. It was interesting with the TV game, the coach of NW Missouri has been there for 30 some odd years. When you think about it, as a coach that would be a pretty nice gig, rather than take a chance of climbing up and down the proverbial ladder of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627544_2">college football coaching</span>.<br />10) What are your thoughts about Barkley? Pretty amazing kid and it seems it is not all hype. I wonder what Mustain is thinking? Mustain should have done what <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627544_3">Jevan Snead</span> did. Commited to Florida first, found out Tebow was signing, went to Texas and saw real clearly Colt had the job locked down and then found a school that could use him. I think SC will beat OSU pretty handily although Tressel is like 26-1 in the horseshoe.*<br /></span><br /><br />My response to Jim @ 12:57 p.m.<br />Glad to hear your thoughts, it's always fun to talk college football. I'll just number the points and comment accordingly.<br />1) It's always great to see 0u lose, but I have mixed feelings about the Bradford injury. He seems like a nice guy (did you see the gameday feature with him and Colt?) and Texas proved last year that they could beat them with him playing, but at the same time, it has to be good for UT if he misses extended time. I do feel bad for him though. The injury I'm most shocked about is the one to their tight end. I heard about it a month or so ago, and at the time it seemed like he would only be out for a few games, but he had surg and is done for the season! Even though I feel for 0u about the same way you feel for HDN, I do feel bad for both those guys. They could have left school last year and been high draft picks, but came back for one more shot, and sustained injuries before week two. As far as 0u as a team, everyone said their biggest question mark was their O-line, and apparently it came to fruition. Not saying that the guy who hit Bradford would not have with last years group, but it does make you wonder. Alright, enough about them, time to move on...<br />2) I love the fact that BSU and BYU are looking legit with early wins over BCS schools. I'll be rooting for them (and TCU, and Utah) to continue to do well, and hopefully at least one will finish undefeated so that the BCS takes another hit.<br />3) I only saw a few highlights of the Texas game, because it was on pyy-per-view,. but they did look good from what I witnessed. From what I've read/saw, it was a good thing that they gave up 20 points to ULM because you just know Muschamp will be all over the D for underperforming, so he'll keep the fire going hopefully. Also, Colt threw a pick so that should keep him from getting too comfortable after one game.<br />4) Congrats on the big win! I'm glad a quarterback from the Great State Of Texas can come in and give y'all something you haven't witnessed since...umm...when did you last have a throwing QB? Speaking of Texas QB's, another UT transfer is starting in D1 for Tulsa. GJ Kinne went to UT out of high school and left after a year, so that makes to D1 starters from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627680_0">Texas</span> who Colt has sent packing. Best of luck to both of them, though. Also, the best (from last year, statistically speaking) QB is from Abilene Wylie and currently plays for the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627680_1">Houston Cougars</span>, and was coached in HS by an ACU grad.<br />5) I don't really like or dislike ole miss, but i do hope Snead plays well, so I was a bit surprised that they took so long to get going against Memphis. I do have the sneaking suspision, though, that they maaayyy not live up to their preseason expectations, so we'll see.<br />6) I watched most of the OSU/UGA game, and yes, the Hogs have a great shot at beating the Dawgs.<br />7) Even before last weekend, the UT/OSU game was the one that had me most worried, with the exception of the RRS. Now, uummm, yeah. Lets say that I'm not exactly looking forward to Stillwater on Halloween.<br />8) Yeah, I'm glad the Rangers are giving me a reason to watch baseball in September. I tivo almost all the games, and they're a fun team to watch. They have great young talent in the field (Kinsler, Andrus, Borbon, Cruz, Davis) and FINALLY have some good young pitchers in the mix. I worry about the playoffs this year, but if they hold on to their team, they can contend for the next decade. Awesome.<br />9) Yeah, I'm excited about ACU. They started to improve during my time there, but in the years since, have really taken off. It's great to see them get a little exposure. I don't know if Thompsen, their HC is looking to leave for a bigger job, but he is an ACU grad, so those ties may keep him there a little while at least. The NWMOST coach is a little like the coach at UMHB in Belton. He hasn't been there for 30 years-UMHB only started football a decade ago or so, but he's been there since the start, and have turned down multiple offers from bigger schools because he has a nice thing going in a town he's been in for quite a while. I think there's something to be said for that, just being content where you are and not always following the money and fame. Certainly, it takes a special breed to be a D1, or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627680_2">NFL head coach</span>, but it's also special to be a DII or DIII coach who enjoys long-term success and doesn't leave at the first opportunity because he's happy with where he's at.<br />10) Barkley seems like the real deal. Say what you want about USC, but they put guys in the pros, and they know talent when they see it. I wonder what Mustain's thinking now? He probably would have been the starter at UA had he waited out the coaching change, as Mallett probably wouldn't have transfered if Mustain were still there, now he's behind a <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252627680_3">true freshman</span>. Bummer. Also, who was it that beat OSU in the Shoe? Dang, I can't remember. Hmmmm??<br /><br />Response @ 2:01 p.m.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1) No I didn't see the gameday feature, I wish I would have and ditto on your sentiments. Great insight on the O-line, I never thought of that one.<br />2) Ditto on the BCS<br />3) Nuff said<br />4) Texas, the vast breeding ground for quarterbacks and unless I'm missing it, none of them are starting in the NFL. That is strange isn't it?<br />5) I read one article about Ole Miss this year and it was specific to Nutt. It said Nutt's team's in the past underperforms when ranked high and overperforms when they are rated low. That is the most true statement about Nutt's record I've ever read. That is what frustrated me more than anything in his 10 year span. Payton and I both will relish the day Ole Miss figures that out and he'll have another coaching job lined up.<br />6) Ditto<br />7) It will be better than Tech/Texas last year. By the way I understand Graham Harrell's brother is a qb for ACU. I still cannot believe he didn't get drafted. I really thought he might be something to watch.<br />8) Since I've never, ever been much a baseball fan nor a Ranger fan, I'm please a Texas team is making a show of it. How long has it been since the Rangers or Astro's played the championship much less a division championship? Diotto<br />9) Go Wildcats! Good words.<br />10) Simply put, a good college game, great atmosphere and interesting to watch. Barkley's appearance is interesting, seems like the typical surfer California kid unlike the latino Sanchez and dark headed Leinart. How about Sanchez and Stafford. You have to either feel sorry for them and excited for them at the same time. Petey's reaction to Sanchez leaving is interesting looking back. Of course one could argue Petey's record in the pros was less than desirable. Kind of like another coach that spent less than a year in the NFL. No DOUBT about putting guys in the pro's! They should just call it Pro U.<br /><br />Lastly, have you caught any of the hard knocks re the Bengals on HBO? To say I'm a fan of the bengals would be like me saying I'm an Ole Miss fan, but it has been interesting. Tank Johnson and Roy Williams are both with the Bengals, weird in that they both were a star on their helmet last year. Marvin Lewis seems like a good coach and it is always fun to get a glimpse of head coaches. I told Jill not long ago, I would LOVE to be able to spend one week with an NFL team just to observe everything they do. It would be awesome as it would to do the same with a college team. What do you think Petey's practices are like as opposed to Petrino or Meyer's and then compare to a Stoops or Brown's? Fascninating. Don't forget to watch Auburn any chance you get. Talk to you later. </span><br /><br />Another Response from me @ 3:27 p.m.:<br />4) That's because they're still in college. Wait a few years.<br />7) He was second-string in their TV game a few weeks ago, but got a lot of playing time. I don't know if that's the plan for the season, or if they are still waiting/hoping for one of their two QB's to separate from the other. Fun fact-Harrell and Colt's younger bro, Chase, are roomies at ACU.<br />8) The Stros actually made it to the World Series in 2005, but got swept by the White Sox, though every game was close. The Rangers have not made the playoffs since 1999, and have won exactly ONE playoff game in franchise history-their first ever game against the Yankees in 1996.<br />10) I have watched Hard Knocks. Love it. For some crazy reason, Ochocinco has become, in my opinon, a more likeable person because of the show. He's weird and crazy, but at the same time a pretty funny dude. I also like it because the running back from ACU, Bernard Scott, is getting some face time, so that's fun.<br />I'd love to compare the practice habits of various NFL and college coaches. I think the most entertaining would have to be Carroll at USC. Every now and then I come across a video of him and his players singing or pulling practical jokes on one another. Just seems like a cool environment to be in as a player. <br /><br />Jim to Me @ 4:41 p.m.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">My sincere apologies for the bad spelling. On this particular email I use the spell check never works and the font is teeny tiny. If I say so myself, my spelling was actually my strong suit in school. I was just reading back over my messages and see where you must think I'm stupid Arkie that can't spell. Oh well, you already thought that, but anyway disregard the bad spelling.</span><br /> <br />My final response @ 6:39 p.m.<br />HA, shows you what I know, I didn't notice anything wrong!<br /><br />Me be in grajewit skool,<br />Lance<br /><br />I'll leave you with this video, which I can't stop laughing at, courtesy of si.com:<br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kUqVKNlAgM4&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kUqVKNlAgM4&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="349" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />*Comments copyright Jimbo Jimmy Agan, 2009, Jonesboro, Arkansaslancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-53380265129131530432009-08-29T17:00:00.000-07:002009-08-29T18:49:33.947-07:00What A Night For A Dance, You Know I'm A Dancing Machine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjREh5L5PpjYm07xxEsiASiOejMetq1nldFVfMoBkqbWy4IBpAooTFv-qxzMJ6ZmaZuiS_b8xtP7H3qJYSGwjUVnop2WDvNyQ4owCN-VSVlHM8aZUAxZg89ssktwJ-yx0JZBGFXWjjBAo/s1600-h/dca0466d004df278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 97px; display: block; height: 130px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375540445066931090" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjREh5L5PpjYm07xxEsiASiOejMetq1nldFVfMoBkqbWy4IBpAooTFv-qxzMJ6ZmaZuiS_b8xtP7H3qJYSGwjUVnop2WDvNyQ4owCN-VSVlHM8aZUAxZg89ssktwJ-yx0JZBGFXWjjBAo/s320/dca0466d004df278.jpg" border="0" /></a>I talked a little about the book 'Jesus For President' a month or so ago. I didn't actually start reading it then, as I went with 'Fields of Fire,' but I got into 'JFP' as soon as 'Fields' was complete. In any event, let me say that 'Jesus For President' is a must-read. It has made me think about my faith and what I've held to be true for my whole life in ways I've never considered. It points out in a very clear way how the Church and Christians in general have gone so far off course from what Jesus had in mind for us 2000 years ago. It is also particularly damning of this country, and the negative influence it has had on the world during it's near-empirical reign over the last half-century. While you may not agree with everything in JFP, it will, at the very least, make you think about your beliefs and why you feel that way. Highest of high recommendations.<br /><br />In a completely unrelated note, my blogging has (obviously) slowed down a lot recently. Unfortunately, school-which started, for the last time in my life, two days ago-is shaping up to be pretty hectic. It's my last semester of classes, so things will be coming down pretty hard in the next three months. All that said, I don't know how much I'll be updating JAT. As hard as that is for you to swallow, hang in there, it will get better.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-18921448258004014722009-08-11T07:42:00.000-07:002009-08-11T13:06:53.624-07:00Who Needs Avenues, Who Needs ReservoirsI’ve mentioned a few times how much I enjoy analyzing and ranking sports uniforms. It’s one of the small joys I get in being a sports fan, especially when I’m watching a contest involving two teams I don’t particularly care for one way or another. That being said, there was a time when it was very difficult to appreciate uniforms because there were so many bad ones. The time I speak of is the mid-to-late 1990’s. I don’t know how this thought hit me, but it did. There was an obscene abundance of terrible threads making the rounds, especially in the MLB and NBA. You want proof you say? I’ll give you proof. Here are a few examples of what some teams thought were good ideas.<br /><br />This is actually the better look for the Pistons in the 1990's. Their short-lived alternate was a weird maroonish-brown with the same logo. Not good times in Motown.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmWYFHfnsWfDcpCu9Sr4rB5g9W9-USaAcZztyvV2oeMboGiTi33w_M1pAvGYedWq_qvluCrqal77s_W2MWVvBvlDRLlsy5xM7tqhCsrbM5wx3-aiXmB7E5EZ_AwWm1NctGRguVQkU7a6G/s1600-h/t1_dele_all,jpg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 122px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368722390229694434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmWYFHfnsWfDcpCu9Sr4rB5g9W9-USaAcZztyvV2oeMboGiTi33w_M1pAvGYedWq_qvluCrqal77s_W2MWVvBvlDRLlsy5xM7tqhCsrbM5wx3-aiXmB7E5EZ_AwWm1NctGRguVQkU7a6G/s200/t1_dele_all,jpg.jpg" /></a> It's a little hard to see in this picture, but the Toronto Raptors had a cartoon dinosaur dribbling a basketball and wearing a jersey, shorts, and sneakers. There were also about five very spread apart pinstripes that served no purpose other than making the Raptors looks ridiculous. Mission accomplished.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvMrLZjgf1GW8S6WiuZRngR_ScDdBPewEo3g3gxLOjd5y-aitArzULZ74xE9YswH3j8MGmOOsTh-54KfYfaib4hlOwSVXsNCneCZ5-whSED7ObVGrZ3NcY7-tFv30OIraiMCAv0eRJvcD/s1600-h/t1_carter_all.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368722330641738066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvMrLZjgf1GW8S6WiuZRngR_ScDdBPewEo3g3gxLOjd5y-aitArzULZ74xE9YswH3j8MGmOOsTh-54KfYfaib4hlOwSVXsNCneCZ5-whSED7ObVGrZ3NcY7-tFv30OIraiMCAv0eRJvcD/s200/t1_carter_all.jpg" /></a><br />The Cavs waited for the LeBron era to unveil decent uniforms, and it was not a moment too soon.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1EaD7X3EoF_jaWhdSItXbLyCyozJc65hefpj9a-GjK4jjQ416DrdVTpGaR0Cq6RsTylp6Y_X3bTbB46XyK6FRe5Hg5i5DMm4rzYh6Xi621VEWga6RpNxCxlf7NFVLlZW1kTUpyRC4WI/s1600-h/509fc4252b3705ae.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 96px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368720114228576978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1EaD7X3EoF_jaWhdSItXbLyCyozJc65hefpj9a-GjK4jjQ416DrdVTpGaR0Cq6RsTylp6Y_X3bTbB46XyK6FRe5Hg5i5DMm4rzYh6Xi621VEWga6RpNxCxlf7NFVLlZW1kTUpyRC4WI/s200/509fc4252b3705ae.jpg" /></a> There was a disturbing trend in the late 90's for teams to go to teal. The Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies kick off the teal with...this. No wonder they didn't set Canada on fire for basketball.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVshksWekUPTesivQsJfWlcjHoVpfKTIaH5qXUXYhZAVGMq_T0asOSpR10UHU0t2mR5AfGse0wY6lpbWPVgURmiXEW2wmsbm47YRp0DKlz7KrJWQnZQnWCxL-w36dojjnDeqJ2uBr0IPD/s1600-h/griz95.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719750375343762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVshksWekUPTesivQsJfWlcjHoVpfKTIaH5qXUXYhZAVGMq_T0asOSpR10UHU0t2mR5AfGse0wY6lpbWPVgURmiXEW2wmsbm47YRp0DKlz7KrJWQnZQnWCxL-w36dojjnDeqJ2uBr0IPD/s200/griz95.png" /></a><br />Here the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets to their best to look like like an NBDL team. Teal? Check. Purple? Check. Wide-set pinstripes? Check.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKOP92qLPvrZ2lcks_Pn5cg3E6_KXk-SK6sCkN37gOwsi2TFDGkrmyVrQasrnY1yFHsZpfgU5wMhzQOk_dFJpt0qA6UCBHm20QtL8nK68nWu0LmVoZ0lugNEjRb934IZUGixFb9jZg5Io/s1600-h/orighornets.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719639740252018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKOP92qLPvrZ2lcks_Pn5cg3E6_KXk-SK6sCkN37gOwsi2TFDGkrmyVrQasrnY1yFHsZpfgU5wMhzQOk_dFJpt0qA6UCBHm20QtL8nK68nWu0LmVoZ0lugNEjRb934IZUGixFb9jZg5Io/s200/orighornets.png" /></a> Whats is this? Really. What?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Naq9b1ye_U7YXoMb7ohuZiFUrU0JmLMvUvspwF4spkOao7C2XzHsBm4r-lrA1_OSlqznaeeYAxIBQL0N5f6nxYZVNMHhgiBuPJJNKDIzAHTkGoEVVuXdsiluCk-9wFT5DlTRIXmbd7b/s1600-h/atl95.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 195px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719389005365442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Naq9b1ye_U7YXoMb7ohuZiFUrU0JmLMvUvspwF4spkOao7C2XzHsBm4r-lrA1_OSlqznaeeYAxIBQL0N5f6nxYZVNMHhgiBuPJJNKDIzAHTkGoEVVuXdsiluCk-9wFT5DlTRIXmbd7b/s200/atl95.png" /></a><br />The Rockets took a page out of the Raptors playbook (or was it the other way around?) and went with a cartoon logo, and stupid pinstripes. Not coincidentally, the Rockets have escaped the first round of the playoffs once since abandoning the <a href="http://assets.espn.go.com/i/editorial/2006/0426/photo/houstonrockets_hakeem_olajuwon2_157.jpg">classic uniforms </a>they won two championships in.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjHggCkboealrks_GdlxaIpM0IfccxyKB_l2dcF-wthlAoKA8hbdEzuqXrLWfc_fyP7TeLMpN5EAQpQs7A3p0Me9lLN_IudoEVccU4qxSefAY2IHYaKZtfEiaptnxDOpl0qMP_a74zhmv/s1600-h/95rockets.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719331683011186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjHggCkboealrks_GdlxaIpM0IfccxyKB_l2dcF-wthlAoKA8hbdEzuqXrLWfc_fyP7TeLMpN5EAQpQs7A3p0Me9lLN_IudoEVccU4qxSefAY2IHYaKZtfEiaptnxDOpl0qMP_a74zhmv/s200/95rockets.jpg" /></a>Don't worry, we'll see this color scheme pop up again later. Yep, THREE pro sports franchises thought it would be a good idea to use teal and purple in the 1990's. And what's the deal with the mountains? Really?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc5giiesCTLj6ZEAW0mVZsyr_RiBc0rU2btiDKqcNgfTZ1OFLqh5vphfDkQP6gkSGrvl6dVl9KebkaJMzyVl6dIJlee8EByScTpOVofE8YOhoWjl9dxjE4yneFxoilNZLZ6ayGt8TBvsB/s1600-h/uta96fix.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719275097529954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc5giiesCTLj6ZEAW0mVZsyr_RiBc0rU2btiDKqcNgfTZ1OFLqh5vphfDkQP6gkSGrvl6dVl9KebkaJMzyVl6dIJlee8EByScTpOVofE8YOhoWjl9dxjE4yneFxoilNZLZ6ayGt8TBvsB/s200/uta96fix.png" /></a> And there it is.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90gTVr2Hts3DbCQgd2hUUO_gGsnZSdirIU_S_4_eTKfVTC1swVDF3LvNcp3FBjmpPxtA95qPASGlv7KfJtu0RvCiDvKBc7ebXUzY4EZmWE3HImBYFsUFO_fLRqyFNvkY_wh4E68xPxsdn/s1600-h/nl_1998_arizona.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719166200785122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90gTVr2Hts3DbCQgd2hUUO_gGsnZSdirIU_S_4_eTKfVTC1swVDF3LvNcp3FBjmpPxtA95qPASGlv7KfJtu0RvCiDvKBc7ebXUzY4EZmWE3HImBYFsUFO_fLRqyFNvkY_wh4E68xPxsdn/s200/nl_1998_arizona.gif" /></a> So let's see...The Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Grizzlies were all expansion teams in the 90's and all incorporated some form of teal in their uniforms. I'll never understand it.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8rtu1wRX9sxwVJT609UZ3jQUupv7s0jlzZqs5bZYNlIQXBazuKiq7dK5FOJV_LPT8HrxBGocsAT-xAoECuX0-hK-7Ueo28ypKMBtiWkTC637f8QepePJZ0Wlpm080ERe-8xr5Kwce-Cj/s1600-h/nl_1994_florida.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368719081123753858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8rtu1wRX9sxwVJT609UZ3jQUupv7s0jlzZqs5bZYNlIQXBazuKiq7dK5FOJV_LPT8HrxBGocsAT-xAoECuX0-hK-7Ueo28ypKMBtiWkTC637f8QepePJZ0Wlpm080ERe-8xr5Kwce-Cj/s200/nl_1994_florida.gif" /></a> What an atrocity. Sleeveless jersey, pinstripes, and a made-for-Disney cartoon logo on top of a navy and red color scheme. Who do they think they are, the Rockets? Who's with me? Amirite?<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368717850200942690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9FVf0dHlelHm_JqCxPUOYZc1J4r683ytmByYanjDxq7sdIDx78pttSi8UkpU8szwLEbYjYewF2GzfwAgGTJh5pg_PbieDl2K2ipHfTWePix9dsIJ3PXnQ84CjqGGsH6aw6rHnCmmk_qy/s320/al_1998_anaheim.gif" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />Fortunately, that's all I've got. Let me know if there are any I missed. On the bright side, all of these teams have ditched their looks of ten years ago and have made definite upgrades, so not all is lost. Heck, the Jazz and Grizzlies now look exactly the same, so there's that going for them, I guess. Later days, folks, it's time to get to work.<br /><br />*UPDATE at 2:54 pm. Thanks to reader Austin Henley for bringing this one up. In one of the all-time awful uniform decisions-not only of the 1990's, but ever- the Tampa Bay 'Devil' Rays make their debut in this:<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368798167275579858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWz3J_6PFMtxc_2aXua4EYaPe6BQzsyKzvM3fu2YIfdUEi7kbXyN0agGwWKsjBhhzb41UGk5H7ORxSYPSsRhv7z22NnjwjOwC6rNGPzdzZGI8IT9_mQ8d9W_rcZ_sy_xYLfblmqDRtZ66/s200/canseco.jpg" /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">More bad D-Rays pictures </span></em><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=jose+canseco+tampa+bay&FORM=BIFD#"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">here</span></em></a>.<br />Second Follow Up: While looking for the picture of the clearly juiced-up Canseco (were we really that oblivious?) I came across this post from two years ago at <a href="http://www.joesportsfan.com/column.php?postid=531">Joe Sports Fan</a>. Seems like someone else picked up on the purple/teal trend.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-12611236621534244272009-08-03T07:03:00.001-07:002009-08-03T11:01:01.721-07:00Unless You Got The Zipper Fixed On My Shoe, I'll Be In The Lobby Drinking For TwoOne of my favorite running themes/ideas that Bill 'Sports Guy' Simmons has is his yearbook quotes. This is the premise: He searches for absurd quotes from athletes (and some entertainers) and <a href="http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/021011">passes them out </a>to his reading masses for them to use as their high school year book quote. Pretty funny stuff, and 99% of the time are a better bet than what the average 18 year old would choose to put as his/her yearbook quote. He's updated the YBQ on his Twitter page, so if you have one of them, check it out.<br /><br /><br />All that to say, I think there may be a new leader in the clubhouse for yearbook quote of the year. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thunder himself, LenDale White.<br /><br /><em>"I really got to be honest," White said. "It wasn't a lot of major diet changes. (It was) watching what I drink. I was a big Patron consumer. ... That's what it was. I was drinking a lot, drank a lot of alcohol. I cut that out of my diet all the way. I don't drink at all. I cut the drinking, I stopped drinking for six months... It started falling off."</em><br /><br /><br /><br />I've <a href="http://thejigandtwig.blogspot.com/2009/04/draft-follow-up.html">already written about </a>the talent that took the field in Pasadena on January 4, 2006, but consider the paths of the four biggest stars in the game: One quarterback had photos of him partying with college girls in a hot tub leaked to the internet and has since taken up MMA training in the offseason to improve his on-field performance, the other quarterback had photos of him partying shirtless with other dudes get leaked as well and has been on suicide watch for one night. The Heisman-winning running back has made more news for being injured and dating (until recently) OJ Simpson's lawyer's daughter. And now, to complete the circle, the other star running back is making news for losing<em> 30 pounds of tequila</em>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tonyblogs.net/2009/08/lendale-white-trimmed-down-by-cutting.html">Full Story Here</a>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-24887040336977581122009-07-22T16:35:00.001-07:002009-07-22T16:56:19.415-07:00I've Got A Notion To Say What Doesn't Feel RightI have a problem. On the top of my computer screen is a link to Amazon. I love going there and reading reviews of books I've heard about and inevitably coming across a new one that I haven't. This isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but every now and then, I compulsively buy 4-5 books at a time that I just 'have to have.' I always read them, but by the time I'm finished with one group, another is ready to be bought. Anyway, the last group of books I purchased included <em>Jesus Wants to Save Christians, Jesus for President, Dixieland Delight </em>(about a season following SEC football), and <em>Fields of Fire </em>(about Vietnam). That's right, two books about religion, one about war and one about football. I am officially a walking cliche of a Southern male. Thank you.<br /><br />I started <em>Jesus for President</em> this afternoon, and the first few pages hit me. Here's an excerpt:<br /><br />You grew up in a good family;<br />hardworking dad and a mom who<br />was there when you needed her.<br /><br />They taught you and your little<br />brother to share and showed you<br />how to pray every night before bed.<br /><br />In Sunday school, you learned about<br />Jesus and sang all the songs with<br />the rest of the kids.<br /><br />There was Noah and his ark, Moses<br />and the Ten Commandments, and little<br />baby Jesus asleep on the hay.<br /><br />You learned about the blessing<br />that was America and were grateful<br />to live in a country led by good<br />Christian leaders.<br /><br />With a hand over your heart or above<br />your brow, you pledged allegiance to<br /><br />God and Country,<br /><br />for the Lord was at work<br />in this holy nation.<br /><br />But lately you are beginning to wonder<br />if this is really how God intended things<br />to be.<br /><br />And you question if God is really working<br />though places of power.<br /><br />Maybe, you wonder, God had a totally<br />different idea in mind...<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361435694819147010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBBOC56aUdCzWPwUazfgMY2GO4roaugwH6VHokOfuwOubS3ICZJ6TKqxZ1nUQXKS7YNbyZvQDu5OfAGfTVtXQ2bFp1pbTCbvckOoEUCEsvhBVe3GrGIIgWdF66bBsHKUFf9DM2utFAODL/s400/Jesus-for-President.jpg" /><em>Jesus for President:Politics for Ordinary Radicals</em>, by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw</p><p>Hmmm...Agan, prepared to be stretched.<br /></p>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-23025178352299454012009-07-20T07:22:00.000-07:002009-07-20T07:38:57.635-07:00The Spirit Of A Hustler And The Swagger Of A College KidGreat minds have claimed that, "I can now rest easy knowing that we'll be spared at least one 'Feel-Good Movie of the Year' blurb in 2009." (Seriously, that should be on the movie poster) Other, slightly lesser minds have called it <a href="http://thejigandtwig.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html">dark and depressing</a>.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MwtaIe1P0Q4&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MwtaIe1P0Q4&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Good Golly. If you haven't read Cormac McCarthy's <em>The Road</em>, do so now. I may even re-read my copy before seeing the movie. This is big folks, because I <em>never*</em> read a book twice, usually I see that as a waste of time. Not now, not for something so great.<br /><br />*See how I did that? I italicized the word 'never,' implying that I really really don't read books twice. I'm screaming through the computer screen that it's something I'm adamantly against in most cases. I paid attention in Blog Writing 202 during summer school at Temple College in 2003. Have some.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-49331561785266951062009-07-16T07:16:00.001-07:002009-07-16T12:48:50.262-07:00Don't Make A Sound. I Know They're Watching, They're Watching.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hzuuz-e1dIzXER5TxwAfOWRIiTyrx6SYG2hG-tkOX1gKP8CDgCy9d1SZ0YiYFl8TXMToDtLVi-7Z-NL1LsvXAXX1h0pn6O0JqFnVu2SZ5xHHGYM-ZL1RnS0kAy4y5leoYgj2KwmOdnnV/s1600-h/504x_Picture_98.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359062011607635938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hzuuz-e1dIzXER5TxwAfOWRIiTyrx6SYG2hG-tkOX1gKP8CDgCy9d1SZ0YiYFl8TXMToDtLVi-7Z-NL1LsvXAXX1h0pn6O0JqFnVu2SZ5xHHGYM-ZL1RnS0kAy4y5leoYgj2KwmOdnnV/s400/504x_Picture_98.png" /></a> This is mostly for my dad, brother and uncle: It looks like Lake Loraine isn't the place to fish anymore.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199848/Now-huge-fish-Schoolgirl-angler-nets-record-catch-twice-size-thats-9ft-long-weighs-14stone.html">this story</a>, the giant catfish in the photo was caught recently by a 14 year old girl in Spain. However, by looking at some of the other 'stories' featured on the Daily Mail website, it may stand to reason that this is a hoax and this little gal didn't actually catch the monster fish. Until proven otherwise, however, I'm gonna believe it's true. In the meantime, if you need me, I'll be on Orbitz booking a flight to Spain.<br /><br />In other dirty water news, here's a link to the <a href="http://www.h2oafrica.org/">H2O Africa Foundation</a>. H2O was co-founded by Matt Damon (yes, THAT Matt Damon) and is an effort to bring clean drinking water to villages in Africa. If you have an extra buck or ten, send it their way. It's a great cause.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-76507164922691872372009-07-14T15:11:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:25:48.019-07:00Doctor, Doctor I Must Have Gotten This Sick Somehow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX49NdTAEjcsUotIQsNHVbnuFA_5rbAXp15RKZW_YpSW2q_xVOKp4Ys0gzM3jrxJ145wl0obKgmdH1f23kF7MiXeet0hTHWkGXcVgiTbFtjgUR9fMRNhZVDtNTwaNXYHT2QQD7BYzjMyXp/s1600-h/fosse_180x159.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358445281597347842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX49NdTAEjcsUotIQsNHVbnuFA_5rbAXp15RKZW_YpSW2q_xVOKp4Ys0gzM3jrxJ145wl0obKgmdH1f23kF7MiXeet0hTHWkGXcVgiTbFtjgUR9fMRNhZVDtNTwaNXYHT2QQD7BYzjMyXp/s320/fosse_180x159.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I got this text from Kayla today: <em>'Ur not going to believe what i just did! I had a dislocated shoulder blade and she put it back into socket!</em>' </div><br /><div>This, in response to me asking how her visit to a physical therapist went this morning. Dislocated shoulder. That explains the trouble she's had breathing and sleeping. Huh.</div><br /><div>In other mind-boggling news about separated shoulders, I read <a href="http://deadspin.com/5314473/why-pete-rose-didnt-ruin-ray-fosses-career#comments">this article </a>about Pete Rose's infamous takeout of Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game. Apparently, Fosse played for 7 years after the collision-even being named to the 1971 All-Star team-yet we're always reminded of how Rose ended his career with the play at the plate at Riverfront Stadium, even though his career ended in 1977 after he <em>broke his neck</em> while attempting to break up a locker room fight. Bizzare.</div>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-51157734861661914502009-07-09T09:15:00.000-07:002009-07-09T09:56:21.826-07:00Monumental ReturnA few things I've learned while living and working in Sugar Land this summer:<br /><br />Sanding the bottom side of a patio roof is fun, I really enjoy it. Actually, the opposite is true. Sanding is difficult, and not fun. It's a little, how should I say it...balmy? in South Texas and having paint chips fall, and subsequently stick to, your arms, face and hair, is not what I call a fun time. However, I can't complain too much because the past two days have consisted of a little work and a lot of Internet-surfing at the job, so I guess you can say that I'm getting mine today. (I'm on break as I type this. There is now a white powder covering the keyboard)<br /><br />I try not to be a very superstitious person, but I <em>HATE</em> the cover of this year's Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine. I won't put up a link, but if you've seen it, you'll know.<br /><br />Speaking of the Horns-and I was-I'm still bitter about game one of the CWS. 5 home runs for a total of 5 runs, a two run lead with two outs in the ninth...uggghhh. Coulda, shoulda, woulda, I know, but that's a game they <em>had</em>, but lost it.<br /><p>Stories like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4247723&sportCat=mlb">this</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4300383">this</a> have literally kept me up at night fuming about the state of our judicial system. They're a little long reads, especially the second one, but take a few minutes and knock them out-it's worth it. I know not everyone in the legal world is this backward, and a 'normal' court case would not be worth writing a story about, but it is still infuriating that things like these can happen in 2009. To the three new attorneys that check in on JAT once and a while-save us, please.</p>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-80237276030486386232009-07-08T20:10:00.000-07:002009-07-08T20:14:59.865-07:00<a href="http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=tex&media=130012">Hook 'Em</a>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-32128810175300305422009-06-27T06:04:00.000-07:002009-06-27T06:14:20.548-07:00Livin On A PrayerBack with some videos for your viewing pleasure:<br />A couple weeks ago, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YngyMco72QA">this video </a>surfaced about a minor league baseball player who could do a crazy trick with his bat.<br /><br />Well, he's back with more, and it's awesome.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ykIdSolHg8k&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ykIdSolHg8k&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />No telling how many aspiring ballplayers racked themselves trying to duplicate Womack's feat.<br /><br />Lastly, a classic Conan piece from his 'old' show. It sorta long, but worth it:<br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/xOMkXxi329IYNZkSbkCeYg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/xOMkXxi329IYNZkSbkCeYg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-57899779015196143932009-06-25T16:40:00.000-07:002009-06-25T17:02:54.557-07:00Not My GirlOpened up Internet Explorer to find <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obit_michael_jackson">this </a>on the front page. Not that I'm a Jacko fan, but dang, that sucks. (Although I'm hesitant to put it on the same scale as <a href="http://deadspin.com/5302689/michael-jackson-dies-chad-johnson-says-its-just-as-sad-as-911">Chad Johns...er, Ochocinco</a> does)<br /><br />On the same day that Michael Jackson dies, Ricky Rubio will become the first player born in the NINETEEN NINETIES to be drafted into the NBA. I'm officially old.<br /><br />In a completely unrelated story, I'm about to begin reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00256Z3AY/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text">The Narcissism Epidemic</a>. I think Bob should hustle on down to Barnes & Noble and pick himself up a copy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hx79B0nL0v31TNIjLZupK_2D77SJCqshoimDAU9JmoEkmdGaBuESVbDdd0n0b3OV7OpnQBB-bipLXofI1IYdlYcjwoA4DOKN2jSZW13XzC9cw-YGYtlCvH4HOqfeWNEnPjDdYmEZTwWS/s1600-h/awkward-family-photos-5-10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351417013568582738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hx79B0nL0v31TNIjLZupK_2D77SJCqshoimDAU9JmoEkmdGaBuESVbDdd0n0b3OV7OpnQBB-bipLXofI1IYdlYcjwoA4DOKN2jSZW13XzC9cw-YGYtlCvH4HOqfeWNEnPjDdYmEZTwWS/s320/awkward-family-photos-5-10.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Check out more awkward family photos at <a href="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/">awkwardfamilyphotos.com</a>. Really.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-42750306313760237472009-06-22T12:07:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:22:21.899-07:00Mark Wahlberg's Wearin A Hat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FImueXrTU3gsCA1degmo13NAq7JEEX_Y0s39jVRmRH41uzVX7r3IuozD0NiLMhtbDaYj56Ow-hylZ73FR6CY4HWWfDpA6MC6-ddyU0gb1SdrjEyqm5MAbtAHjDr-pucDRu9Sp6zu1dxa/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 169px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350234463793814946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FImueXrTU3gsCA1degmo13NAq7JEEX_Y0s39jVRmRH41uzVX7r3IuozD0NiLMhtbDaYj56Ow-hylZ73FR6CY4HWWfDpA6MC6-ddyU0gb1SdrjEyqm5MAbtAHjDr-pucDRu9Sp6zu1dxa/s320/image.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I've <a href="http://thejigandtwig.blogspot.com/2008/05/done-done-on-to-next-one.html">mentioned before </a>how much I loved Michael Lewis' <em>The Blind Side</em>. Apparently, I'm not the only one (duh, it was a national bestseller) because <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878804/">Sony pictures is in the process </a>of making a movie version of Michael Oher's life, since apparently the 22 year old hasn't already had enough rich white people documenting/profiting from his life. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's not that I won't see the movie, on the contrary, I hope it does the book justice and opens a lot of eyes to the public education system in America. However, I've got to admit to feeling a little queasy about all this, especially given the fact that <a href="http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=24494">EmpireOnline</a> described the movie as a <em>'comedy</em>-drama.' Ummm...comedy? Oh boy. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Maybe if they waited until Oher's NFL career was over, or at least he establishes himself apart from the Tuohy family. Right now, again, it just seems a little too much, too soon with too many people looking to make a buck off Oher's uniqe story. </div>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-23709200046740555892009-06-21T18:27:00.001-07:002009-06-21T18:28:39.599-07:00Happy Father's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R3rkbLCvjyOXKvDXTV-zPADW-IPey9JEAd9UlWiL2WXnKqvqVuMn4Z7RxG8_RNELvTm_BhpR4L21GcyrKLIJmUAGcr01O75Ez4BGoosOjo3S_N7z8DpsIlUEu0d9e1n9NBFUsHCprNhM/s1600-h/lance+wedding+slide+show+056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R3rkbLCvjyOXKvDXTV-zPADW-IPey9JEAd9UlWiL2WXnKqvqVuMn4Z7RxG8_RNELvTm_BhpR4L21GcyrKLIJmUAGcr01O75Ez4BGoosOjo3S_N7z8DpsIlUEu0d9e1n9NBFUsHCprNhM/s400/lance+wedding+slide+show+056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349957758118477794" /></a><br />That's all, Happy Father's Day!lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-84212746458372831782009-06-20T12:11:00.000-07:002009-06-20T12:14:19.257-07:00Taste The Rainbow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif52nTHXMHJJcqg4IoKTgHKwoVpFn0SR8Z8tubQoFK-Wt5TI2BPqfIUJIEzMDpKHaFT8lTqAuPVM6DnPK5X36z4EyvRlq_ExxxzcLm4ZoRSZTY8rh3LKAlbnN99cI1lIhqAixqp0PyOVnw/s1600-h/428.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif52nTHXMHJJcqg4IoKTgHKwoVpFn0SR8Z8tubQoFK-Wt5TI2BPqfIUJIEzMDpKHaFT8lTqAuPVM6DnPK5X36z4EyvRlq_ExxxzcLm4ZoRSZTY8rh3LKAlbnN99cI1lIhqAixqp0PyOVnw/s400/428.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349490192445333122" /></a><br />Heck yeah, boyyyeeeeeeee!!<br /><br />After a too long hiatus, Sour Skittles is bringing back grape.<br /><br />That's what's going on here, back to you, Bob.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-587764960046585512009-06-16T09:13:00.001-07:002009-06-16T09:19:10.840-07:00Bedtime Stories In The Year 2000Came across this video, and it is truly...something. It's pretty amazing to see this report from the early 1990's with William Gates and Thomas Brokaw discussing a newfangled device called the 'internet.'<br />Almost two decades later, and I'm still not sure exactly how the interwebs work, but it's hard to imagine life without it (them?) today.<br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/BV_Mi__S3HrepdyafmX1uA"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/BV_Mi__S3HrepdyafmX1uA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object><br /><br />For those of you who are wondering...yes, this will pretty much be the format for JAT for the next few weeks and probably months. A funny, weird, or semi-inspiring video with a little commentary. Every now and then I may chime in with a baseball thought, but we'll get going with more sports in the fall, when football starts. And who knows, there may even be a new blog site by then. Until then, go Rangers, Hook 'em Horns, and enjoy your summer.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-27164850896337181582009-06-12T15:24:00.000-07:002009-06-12T15:26:52.732-07:00Umm...Words cannot describe<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/crfGXmxJ1vM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/crfGXmxJ1vM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-61765181386810455792009-06-08T08:04:00.000-07:002009-06-08T13:46:25.025-07:00Just Kidding<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc13iV-8cC78vC0np2TZqQVUo_sOVX-MP3MTEltW_Dz8O0mGYkGvzZtJEKI2Gq6tmamyT82hSNRkdA5j2wz_9J_B7_rfGBwEWsHTqECWF3i-Ywc_SwPwemjlmYa3CwUT5chS0KttY7y2/s1600-h/r163104591.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345060870391615250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc13iV-8cC78vC0np2TZqQVUo_sOVX-MP3MTEltW_Dz8O0mGYkGvzZtJEKI2Gq6tmamyT82hSNRkdA5j2wz_9J_B7_rfGBwEWsHTqECWF3i-Ywc_SwPwemjlmYa3CwUT5chS0KttY7y2/s320/r163104591.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Got 'em!! Man, that was funny. Y'all thought I was leaving JAT to start a new blog! HAHA boy, if only you could have seen the look on y'alls faces!!<br /><br />Actually, the move will happen, I've just been a little preoccupied with school and haven't given a new blog much thought. Hold your horses, the move will happen eventually.<br /><br />In response to <a href="http://justinscott.blogspot.com/">RDAD</a>'s post about Honduras fans outnumbering the USA fans approximately 4 to 1 a few nights ago: Not surprised. That really is my only response. <a href="http://thejigandtwig.blogspot.com/2008/02/delightfully-delightful.html">In Houston last year</a>, the Jig and I witnessed this firsthand, but being outnumbered 4 to 1 then would have been a positively even-feeling crowd, as it seemed more like 7 to 1 that night in Mammoth Reliant.<br /><br />In any event, I thought ESPN did a great job of focusing on the contingent, however small, of US fans during the telecast. Watching it from home, I would have guessed that the Americans outnumbered the Honduras fans pretty comfortably, but I guess not. It's sorta how the Superdome has different colored seats, so that no matter how bad the Saints stink, it will always look like there's a sellout crowd on TV. True story.<br /><br />In other news:<br /><br />After the debacle in New York last Tuesday, I was too happy that the Rangers put Vicente Padilla on waivers. After his performance in Boston yesterday, I'm glad that no one claimed him.<br /><br />A great joke about Padilla, courtesy of Deadspin:<br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Hey Vicente, can you say your last name three times fast for me?"</span><br style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Padilla, Padilla, Padilla."</span><br style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"THAT'S ALL FOLKS!"</span><br />That absolutely kills me. </div></div>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-58405237633251041202009-06-03T16:19:00.000-07:002009-06-03T16:27:15.290-07:00This Is The Last SongWell, not really the last song, but the last post. I've finally decided to start a new blog, one that I can link other blogs and sites to, and one that will hopefully be a little more aesthetically pleasing to you, the reader. There won't be any other differences between the new one and JAT, so don't get too torn up about this transition, it really isn't that big a deal. <br /><br />Only problem is that I can't think of a good name for the new blog. That's where you come in. Leave suggestions in the comments area and I'll consider, and maybe even choose, one to be the name of the new site. <br /><br />Hopefully the new blog will be ready to go within a week. It's a slow time in sports, so it seems like a good time to make the transition, hopefully there will be minimal confusion among the five of you what's going on, and where you can find my infrequent thoughts on sports, literature, and pop culture.<br /><br />Jig and Twig, you've been good to me, but it's time to spread my wings and take on the internets by myself (Wipes tear from cheek). Goodbye, JAT.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-19975437020581882992009-05-31T13:35:00.000-07:002009-06-01T08:46:17.195-07:00Are We Finished Yet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEZtRoT3cSJF7Pxvo8AckbiiFemn7LjdLxoEDXXBTlWwhG03UFeZfNL5TnuAFr7j3Q0Kft7cdXImA5wMb5VfRkQ7BbZMeZnLooMGzbBVPRUdbJJPL6Q0F3sHfMJB8Js9A69kLkRW0tNyz/s1600-h/de51278f74ad6fb8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342093432725786146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 95px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEZtRoT3cSJF7Pxvo8AckbiiFemn7LjdLxoEDXXBTlWwhG03UFeZfNL5TnuAFr7j3Q0Kft7cdXImA5wMb5VfRkQ7BbZMeZnLooMGzbBVPRUdbJJPL6Q0F3sHfMJB8Js9A69kLkRW0tNyz/s400/de51278f74ad6fb8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If you haven't heard already, UT played the <a href="http://www.texassports.com/sports/m-basebl/tex-m-basebl-body.html">longest game in NCAA baseball history </a>last night/this morning, winning 3-2 in 25 innings.</div><br /><div>Among many contenders, the MVP for the Horns is pitcher Austin Wood. As a <em>reliever</em>, he pitched 14 scoreless innings, including 12.1 innings of no-hit baseball, logging almost 170 pitches total. While it would have been a historic game to be at, it may not have been too exciting until the end. BC went 8-80 at the plate, and the Horns were just 20-91. Be sure to check <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/">Burnt Orange Nation </a>for further analysis. </div><br /><div>Also, I came across this at a <a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com/2009/5/26/886565/the-perfect-storm-what-college#comments">Kansas Jayhawk </a>blog. It takes a look at how to fix the college football playoff mess by implementing a Premier League-type system. There are a few flaws to the hypothetical situation, but I'm mostly in favor of something like this. It seems relatively simple and clear. However, I'm sure that any Tennessee fan would not take to being put in the Bottom Tier League behind East Carolina and Troy. Take a look, it's a good way to kill 30 minutes or so. </div>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-77094259036003792672009-05-29T08:50:00.000-07:002009-05-29T09:31:43.207-07:00Do You Remember, Remember That Summer?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 86px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341284274380109218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KTmpBIXFLpKrkjHl7KqZHwxVMxhWwqLMiM8Q-wRKGy6MckaWTblz2fgPv_rgDyq82pkE4x4B0R5B6vRX-bEVZnkegnVjQHTKtRMEyBrGdHIagCeaX2qITtx6QR_MtWmdjciBhTS_tDpI/s400/s54600709_30684618_2788.jpg" />Yesterday, I hooked up my very old-school Nintendo to our guest room TV. This was exciting for me, because, while I'm not much of a gamer, I do love me some RBI Baseball and Tecmo Super Bowl, and because I spent many hours during my last two years of college playing against Brandon, Garrett, and Jake in these games. Good memories. <div><br /><div>Because the 'music,' for lack of a better term, on these games is so annoying, me and my friends would always mute the TV and put my iTunes on shuffle to use as the backdrop for our virtual competition. Of course, being the nostalgic person I am, it immediately brought me back to the Burgh, sitting in Garrett's old dirty blue recliner, wasting the day away. </div><br /><div>As I listened to the music in the background, it inevitably came across some songs by some bands that I hadn't listened to in a while. After my gaming session was over (I went 1-1 with the Cowboys in TSB, and 3-0 with the Tigers in RBI, thank you very much) I went to my computer to check out the websites for some of the bands I had sort of forgotten. </div><br /><div>Much to my surprise and dismay, I found that four of the five bands I listened to the most in college are no longer performing together. Out of Greatness in Tragedy, The Feds, Something Corporate*, Flickerstick, and Blue October, only Blue is still a band. This is not entirely surprising, since they've had the most commercial success, and members of some of the other bands have moved on to new groups, but still. The music I listened to not that long ago can now only be heard on the computer, ipod, or a CD, as there won't be any new songs or concerts to look forward to in the future. </div><br /><div>I can't tell you how much time and money I spent going to the shows of those five bands, especially the smaller-time GIT, and Feds, who played most of their concerts in north Texas. I'll never ever ever ever forget the rinky-dink concert those two played at, in all places, Coleman, Texas in some abandoned-looking junior high gym. The crowd was small, and the sound system was terrible, but both groups gave it their all, and put on an entertaining set. Afterwards, my friends and I went to eat at the lobby of the old hotel they were staying at. It's funny to look back on it now. Those guys, in our eyes, were absolute rock stars, no matter what their record sales or iTunes download number were, and to get to hang out with them after a concert that they must have absolutely hated playing, was a memory I'll never forget. </div><br /><div>Of course, the best show I saw them play was five years (whaaaatt?!?!!?) ago at the Curtain Club in Dallas, at the Feds CD release party. Much different than the Coleman show, there was a packed house of rowdy fans, the bands sounded great, and the Feds played for two hours. One of the most memorable weekends of my life. </div><br /><div>The Blue, Flickerstick, and SoCo concerts I witnessed were fantastic, but because they were more recognizable bands, it didn't seem quite as special to watch them, since they could sell out and put on a great show almost anywhere. Regardless, I literally got a pit in my stomach yesterday when I found out that Flickerstick had broken up a few months ago. I found out about the Feds plans to disband this past December and got the same feeling.<br /></div><div>I don't listen to new music much anymore, as my radio is set to basically talk radio of the political and sport kind, and Christian music for commercial breaks. Because of this, I feel a disconnect between the bands I enjoy, and what's popular out there today. As much as I'd love to be hip and all, I don't see myself buying a Laday GaGa CD any time soon (You're welcome, by the way, for having "Mymymymymymy poker face" stuck in your head for the rest of the day). I guess I'll have to stick to old YouTube clips of these bands, since seeing them in concert is out the door. At least I'll always have one good memory of Coleman, Texas.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">*I looked at SoCo's website, and it only said that the lead singer is now involved in another project, and there were no new tour dates, so maybe they're just taking a break, and haven't officially ended the band. If anyone knows for sure, leave a comment.</span> </div></div>lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2587227454527807376.post-69092766096680342562009-05-26T10:09:00.001-07:002009-05-28T11:04:32.974-07:00So AmazingAs promised, a semi-relevant post of thoughts and observations after a two-week whirlwind tour of Hawaii and Texas:<br /><br />I love watching college baseball. The College World Series is one of my favorite televised sporting events. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, the CWS is basically the only way a fan can watch college baseball. That being said, I was obviously happy to see the tape-delayed airing of UT's victory over Mizzou in the Championship game, and see them get the number one overall seed. Hope to see you in Omaha, Horns.<br /><br />After two mostly sub-standard rounds, the Conference Finals have been superb. The play everyone will remember-if Cleveland comes back to win the series, that is-is Bron's game winner in game two. I'll especially remember it, because I was watching the game in a, umm, restaurant that shows a lot of sports games on the eve of my 25th birthday. The TV me and my buddies were watching was a regular, non-HD television, while the rest of the patrons watched on fancy, HDTV's on the other side of the establishment. For those of you who don't know, HDTV has about a three-second delay over non-HD's. Anyway, this came in handy, as we were able to effectively spoil the outcome before everyone else, as we began yelling, screaming, and generally raising a muck before everyone else saw the result. That was fun.<br /><br />Update from the Scripps National Spelling Bee: A kid who thinks Denver will beat Cleveland in the Finals and admits that his sister is a better speller than him just spelled acmonital. Impressive.<br /><br />Next favorite part of game two: Talking about how The Shot will soon become one of those cool "Amazing" commercials, and about seven minutes later seeing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSCJoCD_5So">this</a>. Cue the chillbumps.<br /><br />If only the Rangers could get some pitching, they may be a decent team. Wait, what?<br /><br />My not-so-bold NBA Finals prediction: Lakers over Magic in 6. Kobe gets his, and LeBron gets out (In one more year, that is)<br /><br />Update number two from the Spelling Bee: Erin Andrews just interviewed the 13-year favorite. In the least surprising turn of events ever, he sounded like he had never talked to a girl. Ever.<br /><br />Wish list for future books, in case you feel generous and want to mail me something, you know, just because: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0307405850/sr=8-1/qid=1243528241/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1243528241&sr=8-1">No Angel</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Epic-Memoir-War/dp/1416596607/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243528348&sr=8-1">House To House</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/034551176X/sr=1-1/qid=1243528384/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1243528384&sr=1-1">The Book of Basketball</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Narcissism-Epidemic-Living-Age-Entitlement/dp/1416575987/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243528427&sr=1-1#">The Narcissism Epidemic</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blink-Power-Thinking-Without/dp/0316010669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243528525&sr=1-1">Blink</a>.<br /><br />Second To Lastly...just check this out:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5MeiwLLZjDo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5MeiwLLZjDo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Lastly, and this is just an observation. I don't want this to turn into a political blog or discussion, but I had to bring this up. I saw this video the other day on TV. It's of the Prez going to a small, mom and pop type burger joint in Virginia, apparently in an attempt to show everyone that he's just a regular guy, like you and me.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/84YUhrafQTg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/84YUhrafQTg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Not to get all Hannity on everyone, but a <em>basic cheddar cheeseburger</em>, medium well? A request for spicy Dijon mustard? For all the talk of how Obama is the nation's first 'cool' president, he sure can come across like a gigantic nerd. Yeah, I said it.lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747709986995837787noreply@blogger.com0