1200 views. Wow. Sure, I've used up quite a few trying to spot typos on these silly rants, but 1200 views? Of this drivel? I am just shocked.
Just a quick one here, anyone watching Project Runway? Anyone else really happy that Angela got kicked off the show? Her idea that rosettes look good on anything, and that linen really travels well, reiterate how fashion theory broadening this show is. I wouldn't know the difference between a seersucker and a grilled cheese if it hadn't been for Bravo's compelling reality show. Believe the hype, this is excellent television. A true meritocracy.
Who are you people? Now don't you feel cheated to have found this site and had to read this crap?
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
why
How often do you see this? 4 am, walking out of your place to take a break, when you step out of the front door, you see a blaze going in the gutter, next to a car's tire. A youth stalking away, a bundle of newspapers in his hands, turns to look at us, then after a pause, turns back to the burning papers, lifts it up, and carries it about 20 feet away, dropping it on the sidewalk as it blazes furiously. Friendly neighborhood pyromaniac roaming the streets, while a chain smoking asian watches in disbelief; guilty pyros move their burning effigies. In the middle of the street, another man, cracked out beyond belief, sways with the breeze. Seeing the flames, he stumbles a few steps toward us, then putters to a stop. Surely it isn't so out of the ordinary to have to bother with locomotion. He lifts his foot, narrowly missing a street rat scuttering across, busy night.
It is terribly hot at night in this old house. There are no windows that can open up to the night breezes, which around 4 in the morning are nice, with less humidity, and thus a crispness that's delightful on the skin. However, around 7, the air begins to warm up, ramping up until too bright sunshine 9, a terrible time while waiting for the imbecile in front of you to change lanes...on the exit lane...when punching your steering wheel makes you sweat just a little more. Thank god for air conditioning, that and the convenience of coffee car cups and commercial free radio beamed down from the heavens. Sure, you are trapped, confined, wrapped up inside a fiberglass shell, while that damned sun beats down on you, the only air unnaturally cold against your damp work shirt. It gets so that you can't breathe.
It is terribly hot at night in this old house. There are no windows that can open up to the night breezes, which around 4 in the morning are nice, with less humidity, and thus a crispness that's delightful on the skin. However, around 7, the air begins to warm up, ramping up until too bright sunshine 9, a terrible time while waiting for the imbecile in front of you to change lanes...on the exit lane...when punching your steering wheel makes you sweat just a little more. Thank god for air conditioning, that and the convenience of coffee car cups and commercial free radio beamed down from the heavens. Sure, you are trapped, confined, wrapped up inside a fiberglass shell, while that damned sun beats down on you, the only air unnaturally cold against your damp work shirt. It gets so that you can't breathe.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Fantasy Football Watch!
So, every year, there are certain players that really grabs a fantasy football player's imagination, captivating us with their reported prodigious talent and inviting us to dream about the league championship that these perceived studs will garner for us. A few years ago, I held onto Donte Stallworth, drafting him way too early in 2003 for a measly 485 yds and 3 TDs (who, incidentally, is going to have a great year if his trade to the Eagles doesn't get Suggs-ified). Last year, I got the bright idea to draft Ashley Lelie, expecting him to surpass his disappointing 2003, and sure enough, he pulls out 1000+ yards and a nice 7 TDs, which is not bad for a mid-round WR.
In a game of luck, where any given Sunday can result in two touchdowns for the freakin' fullback, the fun really lies in playing your hunches. Not only does it draw you into the game (who doesn't love cheering on their sleeper candidate. The Ron Dayne fans unite!), but also there can be huge value in playing your crazy breakout possibilities in the fantasy battle. For instance, if you predicted that Larry Johnson would be such a hoss for the last 8 games, or that Carson was going to blow up; or how about digging deeper, that Plaxico, Jurevicius, or T.J. Houshmanza-whatever would be in the top 75 in fantasy scoring, then you probably finished better than I did.
So, in light of the value of the mid to late round sleeper in fantasy, here is an unordered list of players that I'm really high on for an excellent 2006:
That's all for now. Happy drafting.
In a game of luck, where any given Sunday can result in two touchdowns for the freakin' fullback, the fun really lies in playing your hunches. Not only does it draw you into the game (who doesn't love cheering on their sleeper candidate. The Ron Dayne fans unite!), but also there can be huge value in playing your crazy breakout possibilities in the fantasy battle. For instance, if you predicted that Larry Johnson would be such a hoss for the last 8 games, or that Carson was going to blow up; or how about digging deeper, that Plaxico, Jurevicius, or T.J. Houshmanza-whatever would be in the top 75 in fantasy scoring, then you probably finished better than I did.
So, in light of the value of the mid to late round sleeper in fantasy, here is an unordered list of players that I'm really high on for an excellent 2006:
- Drew Bennett, WR (Titans): This receiver, in a contract year, loves getting the ball from Billy Volek. With average speed compensated with plus movement and great hands, he's going to have a career year. I'm expecting 1000+ yards and probably 8 TDs.
- Braylon Edwards, WR (Browns): Here's a guy who posted 512 yards, missing the last 4 games, and having 4 games with two or less catches. With those pathetic Browns QBs last year, he still had four solid games, including 2 TD in his last game of the season in week 13. This guy is going to be Charlie Frye's favorite weapon.
- Byron Leftwich, QB (Jaquars): If he can stay healthy, this guy is going to be in the top 5 QBs list. He's got mobility, accuracy, and throwing strength that is just scary good. However, if he goes down, look out for David Garrard.
- Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford, WR (Jaguars): These guys are going to be the recipients of the accession of Byron Leftwich.
- Julius Jones, RB (Cowboys): Why is this guy a sleeper? Because you can usually get him in the third round while lesser backs will be snatched up. This guy is in a Parcells offense, and even if T.O. gets his head out of his arse, Jones is going to snag a bunch of yards and probably 2-3 TD opportunities each game. In his third year, which is the year that most elite RB's make their presence known, he's going to be the main back who will enjoy the relaxed middle of the field due to the improved line and the presence of two top WRs in big D.
- Ashley Lelie, WR (Falcons): Why do I do it to myself every year? Lelie, who has plus skills in everything he does, seems to underachieve, even counting his decent 2005. Here's the reason he's on the list - he's going to be available in the late rounds, he's got a QB with something to prove passing (Vick, who I got in the 11th round!), and he's just too talented to be sub-1000 yards and 7 TD's. He's worth a fly in the late rounds. Really. He'll do something.
- Chester Taylor, RB (Vikings): Why is Peter King so into this guy? Here's the reasons: he comes from the Ravens, where previous draftees include Priest Holmes and Jamal Lewis; he's a career backup, so he's fresh; he's got a monster of a line in Minnesota; he's going to be the feature back in a lineup that is going to be run heavy. Look out for this guy, a sure 80+ yards a game, 1 TD each, a monster of guy who's ready to shine. A value in the mid-rounds.
- Randy McMichael, TE (Dolphins): He's going to be to Culpepper what any Vikings TE is, a sure thing.
- Alex Smith, TE (Bucs): Chris Simms is going to have a hard time there, and Smith is going to be his security blanket.
- Brandon Jacobs, RB (Giants): He's a definite draftee for anyone taking Tiki, but here's why he may be a valuable player...TIKI DOESN'T WANT THE CARRIES! Since Tiki has publicly lobbied for less carries, someone has gotta take it. However, here's the logic: Tiki is a team player who cares about the win-loss column of the Giants (a fierce loyalist to the team), he wouldn't do this without faith in his co-runners. Jacobs has shown guts in his few runs during his rookie campaign, averaging 2.6 yards per carry, but he picked up 7 TD's in only 38 carries. Not just a goal-line hawk, he's going to get plenty of more opportunities to shine in the Giants offense. I'm hoping he learns to catch so that he can become a Edge like tool for young Mr. Manning.
That's all for now. Happy drafting.
Friday, August 25, 2006
A few thoughts to remember
The urge to post on this blog has reached an all time low. I think its just the lack of desire to share anything that's going on. Now, this does not mean that things are horrible...rather, all things considered, not bad. Its just that there's been nothing to gel my ideas into a coherent post.
Quick hit thoughts and random ideas, instead:
Quick hit thoughts and random ideas, instead:
- Which race is the most racist?
- The natural ebb and flow of commerce in our modern market-based system
- The symbiotic relationship between restaurants and those who rely on the delivery of said restaurant's food
- I bought a fish tank (20 gallons) with the following fish: 4 rainbowfish, 5 bleeding heart tetras, and 2 gourami. Bubbles!
- What happens when you have too many gadgets? Gadget malaise.
- Sports: defining one's life by watching sports is sad.
- Sports thoughts: The Mets will win the NL, may even win the World Series.
- It will NOT be a subway series as long as the Yanks believe that their old arms will suddenly revive. Wang cannot carry a team through the playoffs on his own.
- Football draft this Sunday. Exciting. Two leagues, I have the first and fourth picks respectively. Having a douzy of a time trying to determine who should be number one: Johnson, LT, or Alexander. So many questions...
- ...none of which matter, as any RB on my team will undoubtedly be injured in Week Two.
- Fantasy update: Football begins, and baseball has not ended. This means baseball will wither on the vine, unviewed and unloved, as it should be.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
The Man Who Sold the World
"Who are you," asked Joseph to the man in the shabby coat. In an ancient, fluctuating timber, the man replied, "I sold the world for a few dollars and a hot bowl of soup." -From the edited works of Douglas E. Preeney
How often do you really read? Not the column on your favorite website, or the one-off blog posting by your cubicle mate, but rather a hefty tome, filled with intricate plots and symbolic dissections of the world around you? Was it a week, a month, or since college?
As we become more immediate content oriented, the media that surround us seems to become more bite-sized, less chewy, lacking the chewy fiber of description and development. Even the novels that release with fanfare seem to have become power packed lines collected into paragraph structures:
***
"Who's there," asked the cynical book critic, his palms paused in mid-critique, "if you know what's good for you, you'll let the cat out of that bag and unloosen your tongue."
"I'm death, and I'm here for you." That was all that the man in black uttered as darkness rushed in, palpable and smooth.
***
What's going to happen as the years progress, as we move from the ages of the narrative epic to the short story to the blog-turned-book phenomenon? Is the next evolutionary step "the collected lines from the celebrated columnist," or worse still, an anthology of the grimacing sentences of Simon Cowell?
Sure, this sounds like the moaning of a ludite, so you can write it off as such. However, there is a serious brain drain occurring in our world. Take, for instance, the celebrated writing of the young novelists. Johnaton Saffron Froer writes nuggets of pearly wisdom, yet he uses the annoying Murakami system of alternating chapters with alternating story lines. Unless you've got the whole multitaking system entrenched in your mind, then you'll be lost-er than Matthew Fox. How about Gary Shteyngart, author of "Absurdistan," whose name alone prevented me from reading the book. Shteyngart...if I had an attention span longer than a second, I might bother to learn to pronounce it. On Demand, Sirius, and text messaging have all conspired to make us slow-haters.
Thus, the brunt of this tirade. I sat down tonight, with aching back, to read Dicken's "Hard Times," a novel that I enjoyed in college. Couldn't do it. The first sentence that wasn't direct exposition, a langorious description of the surrounding, led me to wonder about people and sleep, with a healthy dose of perviness. Then, the television beckoned.
I guess what I'm saying is that we've, or maybe just I've, forgotten what its like to take some time to trudge through a book, that delicious tangle of words, to see what's all around. Just like walking with my buddy Vinnie Vici, we're just speeding through the streets, not bothering to notice the curios and cracks that line the sidewalk of the bustling city. I'm ready for another fix of modernity, leave that old fashioned thinking behind.
***
"All this I leave to you," the father coughed, "and yet you don't see the splendors beyond your own two feet." The boy, utterly bored, turned from his dying father, and stared at the blister slowly form on his rubbed, raw hand.
How often do you really read? Not the column on your favorite website, or the one-off blog posting by your cubicle mate, but rather a hefty tome, filled with intricate plots and symbolic dissections of the world around you? Was it a week, a month, or since college?
As we become more immediate content oriented, the media that surround us seems to become more bite-sized, less chewy, lacking the chewy fiber of description and development. Even the novels that release with fanfare seem to have become power packed lines collected into paragraph structures:
***
"Who's there," asked the cynical book critic, his palms paused in mid-critique, "if you know what's good for you, you'll let the cat out of that bag and unloosen your tongue."
"I'm death, and I'm here for you." That was all that the man in black uttered as darkness rushed in, palpable and smooth.
***
What's going to happen as the years progress, as we move from the ages of the narrative epic to the short story to the blog-turned-book phenomenon? Is the next evolutionary step "the collected lines from the celebrated columnist," or worse still, an anthology of the grimacing sentences of Simon Cowell?
Sure, this sounds like the moaning of a ludite, so you can write it off as such. However, there is a serious brain drain occurring in our world. Take, for instance, the celebrated writing of the young novelists. Johnaton Saffron Froer writes nuggets of pearly wisdom, yet he uses the annoying Murakami system of alternating chapters with alternating story lines. Unless you've got the whole multitaking system entrenched in your mind, then you'll be lost-er than Matthew Fox. How about Gary Shteyngart, author of "Absurdistan," whose name alone prevented me from reading the book. Shteyngart...if I had an attention span longer than a second, I might bother to learn to pronounce it. On Demand, Sirius, and text messaging have all conspired to make us slow-haters.
Thus, the brunt of this tirade. I sat down tonight, with aching back, to read Dicken's "Hard Times," a novel that I enjoyed in college. Couldn't do it. The first sentence that wasn't direct exposition, a langorious description of the surrounding, led me to wonder about people and sleep, with a healthy dose of perviness. Then, the television beckoned.
I guess what I'm saying is that we've, or maybe just I've, forgotten what its like to take some time to trudge through a book, that delicious tangle of words, to see what's all around. Just like walking with my buddy Vinnie Vici, we're just speeding through the streets, not bothering to notice the curios and cracks that line the sidewalk of the bustling city. I'm ready for another fix of modernity, leave that old fashioned thinking behind.
***
"All this I leave to you," the father coughed, "and yet you don't see the splendors beyond your own two feet." The boy, utterly bored, turned from his dying father, and stared at the blister slowly form on his rubbed, raw hand.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
an exerpt from an email
I wrote this my friend H, just a few minutes ago. it was the most writing i've done since coming back from Chicago (second city rulez...the z at the end doesn't look right. That freaks me out...ok, rules. There, now I feel a little better, though there's a part of me that wants to correct the intentional misspelling. That's how NOT punk rock I am. Sorry Wilco.) So, here's the words, explaining some bands in a mixCD i made for her. See if you agree or disagree.
By the way, D-dawg, my boy in Chicago, is a funny mofo. I don't think I spent a whole weekend laughing...and I don't think I ever want to do that again. I'm still beat.
+++++
The song covered by the french dudes is "the Girl From the North Country." great song, great cover, all around awesome.
I don't know which albums you have or do not have, but you have to search for the actual cover songs (most are not on an album), so here it goes:
1. The postal service...the track "against the odds" was from a single ep, so you don't have to bother. if you get a chance, go on itunes and download the song "mushaboom" by the band Feist, the postal service remix. Its like a song that would fit on the postal service album. Please, at least tell me you got postal service.
2. Gnarls Barkley. Gone daddy gone is on the album You should get the album "St. Elsewhere" since its all over the radio, and you should hear the other stuff before you get sick of "Crazy," which is the hit single that's burning up the charts. The album has three to four excellent tracks, including one of the best songs about suicide that i've ever heard.
3. The Magic Numbers: If you like hippy music, classic rock with a great indie twist, get the magic numbers, their self titled debut album. not really my cup of tea, but a great cover. they have a single called "lost forever." if you want to check out the video before plunking down the money for the cd (they were one of the highly touted brit bands that was supposed to solve all the problems of rock), then check it out on youtube. click here for a direct link.
4.Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs, they have a great covers album called Under the Covers, vol. 1. The album is a return to sugar sweet pop music. You know the kind, with crunchy bar chords and yummy pop melodies. Good stuff for sun sunny days.
5. Petra Haden. she did a cover album of "THE WHO SELL OUT," all a cappella. thats some undertaking. i haven't heard it, but it was critically acclaimed. I've been waiting to try to scoop it up on limewire, but unfortunately, like me, not many have it. too bad. she has a great pop sensibility and a nice voice. I agree with your hubby, no y-chromosomer should be allow to sing God only knows.
6. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They were my obsession two years ago. Jangly chords, a shriek of a voice. Awesome song construction, good vocals, neat indie pop rock music. I'd try out a few singles before plunking down a whole album commitment. Try the following songs "Timorous Me," "Where have all the rude boys gone?" or "the ballad of the sin eater." I really liked it, but then again, i don't perceive to know others musical tastes (why dont' more people like the divine comedy? #scratching head#)
7. If you haven't got the new Fiona Apple album, do it immediately. its absolutely fantastic. if you want the cover song, you have to buy the pleasantville soundtrack (or download it from illegal sites, like me)
8. For the frenchies, the two albums are good intros to French Pop/Rock: Jean Jacque Goldman "En Passant" and Francis Cabrel "Hors-Saison." For myself, i'd stick with Francis Cabrel...he's more dylan-esque
ALright, that's enough of this...there's alot of bands to share...i kind of kicked myself when i settled on the covers album, rather than just making a mix of everythign i was jonesing for.
you know, my musical tastes have shifted since the harvey/hales project days, eh?
By the way, D-dawg, my boy in Chicago, is a funny mofo. I don't think I spent a whole weekend laughing...and I don't think I ever want to do that again. I'm still beat.
+++++
The song covered by the french dudes is "the Girl From the North Country." great song, great cover, all around awesome.
I don't know which albums you have or do not have, but you have to search for the actual cover songs (most are not on an album), so here it goes:
1. The postal service...the track "against the odds" was from a single ep, so you don't have to bother. if you get a chance, go on itunes and download the song "mushaboom" by the band Feist, the postal service remix. Its like a song that would fit on the postal service album. Please, at least tell me you got postal service.
2. Gnarls Barkley. Gone daddy gone is on the album You should get the album "St. Elsewhere" since its all over the radio, and you should hear the other stuff before you get sick of "Crazy," which is the hit single that's burning up the charts. The album has three to four excellent tracks, including one of the best songs about suicide that i've ever heard.
3. The Magic Numbers: If you like hippy music, classic rock with a great indie twist, get the magic numbers, their self titled debut album. not really my cup of tea, but a great cover. they have a single called "lost forever." if you want to check out the video before plunking down the money for the cd (they were one of the highly touted brit bands that was supposed to solve all the problems of rock), then check it out on youtube. click here for a direct link.
4.Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs, they have a great covers album called Under the Covers, vol. 1. The album is a return to sugar sweet pop music. You know the kind, with crunchy bar chords and yummy pop melodies. Good stuff for sun sunny days.
5. Petra Haden. she did a cover album of "THE WHO SELL OUT," all a cappella. thats some undertaking. i haven't heard it, but it was critically acclaimed. I've been waiting to try to scoop it up on limewire, but unfortunately, like me, not many have it. too bad. she has a great pop sensibility and a nice voice. I agree with your hubby, no y-chromosomer should be allow to sing God only knows.
6. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They were my obsession two years ago. Jangly chords, a shriek of a voice. Awesome song construction, good vocals, neat indie pop rock music. I'd try out a few singles before plunking down a whole album commitment. Try the following songs "Timorous Me," "Where have all the rude boys gone?" or "the ballad of the sin eater." I really liked it, but then again, i don't perceive to know others musical tastes (why dont' more people like the divine comedy? #scratching head#)
7. If you haven't got the new Fiona Apple album, do it immediately. its absolutely fantastic. if you want the cover song, you have to buy the pleasantville soundtrack (or download it from illegal sites, like me)
8. For the frenchies, the two albums are good intros to French Pop/Rock: Jean Jacque Goldman "En Passant" and Francis Cabrel "Hors-Saison." For myself, i'd stick with Francis Cabrel...he's more dylan-esque
ALright, that's enough of this...there's alot of bands to share...i kind of kicked myself when i settled on the covers album, rather than just making a mix of everythign i was jonesing for.
you know, my musical tastes have shifted since the harvey/hales project days, eh?
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