Saturday, July 25, 2009
Bruce Song of the Day
Bruce Springsteen is far and away my favorite musical artist. I tend to appreciate him for both subjective and objective reasons. Objective: Close to 40 years of pushing the envelope. Subjective: Jersey, baby. Stone Pony and Belmar, the shore I love through location alone. Only beach I've been to that ya gotta pay to get on. BSOTD: My City of Ruins. 'Come on rise, up. Come on rise, up.'
The Splendid Splinter (B/C as a rook he was real thin)
25 days since my last post, I have no illusions about this becoming a regular destination for readers of blogs or those who want consistent, insightful analysis of the 3 worlds in which my blog title portends to cover. However, it is a very therapeutic venue for me to occasionally talk a bit about three of my favorite subjects. Like maybe say, HBO.
HBO has recently premiered a fantastic documentary on Ted Williams, entitled, wait for it...'Ted Williams'. The network sticks to their consistent format w/ docs, adhering to the Liev Schreiber as narrator, expository type of storytelling. It works to tremendous effect. Williams is a man I've admired since I tried to imitate his batting stance at age 8. Age 22, I'm rambling about not only his greatness, but also how tterifically and objectively HBO captured it. It's obvious I'm sure, but. My imitation didn't work.
HBO has recently premiered a fantastic documentary on Ted Williams, entitled, wait for it...'Ted Williams'. The network sticks to their consistent format w/ docs, adhering to the Liev Schreiber as narrator, expository type of storytelling. It works to tremendous effect. Williams is a man I've admired since I tried to imitate his batting stance at age 8. Age 22, I'm rambling about not only his greatness, but also how tterifically and objectively HBO captured it. It's obvious I'm sure, but. My imitation didn't work.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
NBA Free Agency, DeRosa
We're approaching the end of the first 24 hours of NBA free agency and I love it. What a great job, where are the end of their deals guys can just wonder where they'll work next year. They all know they're getting amazing jobs: just a matter of where. First one to find a definite new home is Ben Gordon.
For the bargain basement price of $55 million over five years, Detroit gets to enjoy a really terrific shooting guard. Being a natural fan of the grass on the other side, my first thought is to wonder about how much closer the Pistons would be to 2004 had they created an A.I. & Ben Gordon back court. But A.I is on the way out, as is Rasheed Wallace. Whatever team lands Wallace will be better off than the one losing him. That makes me feel like we're going to see a similar Detroit team next year as we did this year.
Even with the rebuilding phase, Gordon's going to a good team in Detroit. Chicago's on the ball too, but it's always exciting for a player to join a competitive franchise. Mark DeRosa (right)
was given a gift from the baseball Gods by getting dealt from Cleveland to St. Lou. Not 76 hours after he arrives at Busch Stadium he's getting x-rays on his wrist. He says he hurt it swinging and missing - don't know how long he'll be sidelined as he's currently day-to-day. But the Cards are beak deep in a pennant race and DeRosa was brought in to fill the gap Troy Glaus has left by being on the DL. Getting hurt immediately after joining the team is frustrating for DeRosa, but the timing makes it that much worse for his teammates.
BSOTD: Jungleland
For the bargain basement price of $55 million over five years, Detroit gets to enjoy a really terrific shooting guard. Being a natural fan of the grass on the other side, my first thought is to wonder about how much closer the Pistons would be to 2004 had they created an A.I. & Ben Gordon back court. But A.I is on the way out, as is Rasheed Wallace. Whatever team lands Wallace will be better off than the one losing him. That makes me feel like we're going to see a similar Detroit team next year as we did this year.Even with the rebuilding phase, Gordon's going to a good team in Detroit. Chicago's on the ball too, but it's always exciting for a player to join a competitive franchise. Mark DeRosa (right)
was given a gift from the baseball Gods by getting dealt from Cleveland to St. Lou. Not 76 hours after he arrives at Busch Stadium he's getting x-rays on his wrist. He says he hurt it swinging and missing - don't know how long he'll be sidelined as he's currently day-to-day. But the Cards are beak deep in a pennant race and DeRosa was brought in to fill the gap Troy Glaus has left by being on the DL. Getting hurt immediately after joining the team is frustrating for DeRosa, but the timing makes it that much worse for his teammates.BSOTD: Jungleland
Monday, June 22, 2009
Iran Coverage
I've been glued to CNN Newsroom lately following coverage of the election protests in Tehran, Iran. Just a big picture comment -- the past 12 months or so have been so historically significant. For the first time in my 22 years I started to realize I was witnessing history, and I never really felt that way about much in my lifetime. Domestically we see an African-American President; abroad, we see protests in Iran that are comparable to the draft-card burning that happened during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Muslim women are in the streets voicing an opinion that's contrary to the official government stance. They're being beaten and abused, but they're still out there. I'm not entirely sure how this will end up, although I have my suspicions. Still, with the thorough coverage on Newsroom, it's been historic to see such expression in a conservative area.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cups, Sox on a Tear
Big news week, big sports week. Stanley Cup & Calder Cup decided on one night. The Hershey Bears have won their 10th Calder Cup title. How does ANY minor league team take home that many titles? 
Normally the turnover is so quick in the minors that no team can maintain that level of success. It's an impressive accomplishment.
It was obvious that the Penguins were going to win a Stanley Cup at some point - but this year!? I'm sorry, city of Detroit. Maybe Mayor Dave Bing can put on a one man show, b/c that city needs a shot in the arm and I thought the Wings would deliver.
Marian Hossa went to the Wings so he could have a better shot at winning the Cup. It was a one year contract but I hope he gets another deal in Detroit. They can win it next year - rubber match anyone?
With the Lakers well in control of Orlando, this was a welcome diversion that offered some real competition.
So these guys have been on an absolute tear lately. Eight wins against the Yankees this eyar, get the brooms. But this meek-looking millionaire
had better cool it with ripping Mark Texeira. He's 'Tweeted' about Tex. Since his start-up years with Texas Texeira has been a class act. No need going after him because you didn't want to offer him more $$ than another team. Besides, the number one reason why John Henry needs to ease off the trash talking is that it isn't like the Yankees ever had a verbose, obnoxious, overly opinionated owner who uses his mouth to get himself in hot water. I can't think of-a one. Look at the Yankees recent steward and take a lesson, Henry. When it comes to trash talking, less is more.
BSOTD: What else? John Henry
Normally the turnover is so quick in the minors that no team can maintain that level of success. It's an impressive accomplishment.It was obvious that the Penguins were going to win a Stanley Cup at some point - but this year!? I'm sorry, city of Detroit. Maybe Mayor Dave Bing can put on a one man show, b/c that city needs a shot in the arm and I thought the Wings would deliver.
Marian Hossa went to the Wings so he could have a better shot at winning the Cup. It was a one year contract but I hope he gets another deal in Detroit. They can win it next year - rubber match anyone?
With the Lakers well in control of Orlando, this was a welcome diversion that offered some real competition.
So these guys have been on an absolute tear lately. Eight wins against the Yankees this eyar, get the brooms. But this meek-looking millionaire
had better cool it with ripping Mark Texeira. He's 'Tweeted' about Tex. Since his start-up years with Texas Texeira has been a class act. No need going after him because you didn't want to offer him more $$ than another team. Besides, the number one reason why John Henry needs to ease off the trash talking is that it isn't like the Yankees ever had a verbose, obnoxious, overly opinionated owner who uses his mouth to get himself in hot water. I can't think of-a one. Look at the Yankees recent steward and take a lesson, Henry. When it comes to trash talking, less is more.BSOTD: What else? John Henry
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Cup
Well, welcome to June. Stanley Cup and NBA Finals on the same night. I'm sure the NBA smoked hockey tonight. They're on a network (ABC) for one, whereas hockey is on cable (Versus). That and the NBA is boasting Kobe and the sweet 'Amazing Happens' ad campaign. Hockey's got...Osgood and Octopi? The latter I can get at Legal Sea Foods and the former let up 4 goals tonight. As much as the Cup can't compete with the NBA for most American sports fans, there's still something about it I find really compelling.
<------- That guy right there? Still the coolest trophy in sports. And the match-up is great. Second year in a row that Pittsburgh takes on Detroit, it's become an almost historic match -- especially if the Pens even the series this year with a Stanley Cup win. But in the meanwhile it's fun to see the home team win each of the first two wins. It feels like a torch passing type of series this year if the Pens take it. Even if Zetterberg's only 28 and Marian Hossa 30, the energy feels like it's with the Pens. If Malkin and Crosby win it this year it most certainly won't be their last.
BSOTD: Lost in the Flood
<------- That guy right there? Still the coolest trophy in sports. And the match-up is great. Second year in a row that Pittsburgh takes on Detroit, it's become an almost historic match -- especially if the Pens even the series this year with a Stanley Cup win. But in the meanwhile it's fun to see the home team win each of the first two wins. It feels like a torch passing type of series this year if the Pens take it. Even if Zetterberg's only 28 and Marian Hossa 30, the energy feels like it's with the Pens. If Malkin and Crosby win it this year it most certainly won't be their last.BSOTD: Lost in the Flood
Friday, May 15, 2009
Beertrotting
I was tipped off by a friend that a package store in Ithaca sold individual beers that could be combined into one mixed six-pack. So instead of this: 
you can mix and match for something similar to this result: 
. What an amazing idea! It was a little pricey for me, coming to about $13.50 for the sixer. The novelty is worth it though, at least once. For a beer lover I'm not sure if there's anything better than bouncing from one kind 'n country to another. Because of a lengthy trip to China last summer I avoided the Tsingtao, but it was quite the globetrotting experience. Singha from Thailand, Marathon from Greece and Palma Louca of Brazil: it's no wonder I lost to a pregnant lady in the last 10k I ran.
you can mix and match for something similar to this result: . What an amazing idea! It was a little pricey for me, coming to about $13.50 for the sixer. The novelty is worth it though, at least once. For a beer lover I'm not sure if there's anything better than bouncing from one kind 'n country to another. Because of a lengthy trip to China last summer I avoided the Tsingtao, but it was quite the globetrotting experience. Singha from Thailand, Marathon from Greece and Palma Louca of Brazil: it's no wonder I lost to a pregnant lady in the last 10k I ran.
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