Saturday, March 29, 2008

Greetings from California!

Hey friends!

Well, I'm writing this on my phone, so please pardon any double letters. I'm currently in a car heading to Las Vegas (don't worry, I'm not driving!)

I just got yelled at by a homeless guy during lunch, which was pretty interesting. Other than that, not much to report.

I saw a pair of men's jeans at this store in Santa Monica--they had tassles on them. I kinda wanted to get them just to see how hard my friend Matt would punch me.

I'll post something about Las Vegas if anything interesting happens. Though I've heard what happens there stays there...but we'll test that hypothesis.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Basketball--change the rules!

I have been affected by the "March Madness."

I don't follow basketball very closely, but I do get caught up in the excitement surrounding the NCAA tournament. Try as I might, I just can't watch basketball for more than a few minutes before I start thinking they should change the rules.

This happened again this past weekend. So please allow me to offer, once again, my plan to make basketball more compelling.

So what changes would Commissioner Remy make? Funny you should ask:


* Change/Remove/Amend the 3-point line.


Why is it like 3 feet behind the free throw line? I don't see how it's any more difficult shooting a jumpshot from a few feet behind the foul line than dribbling past three dudes to get a layup.

I think they should either get rid of it, or add more lines. Why not have half-court be a five-point line? Yes, I know, that's ridiculous....but if you're going to have a three-point line, why stop there?

* Fewer time-outs

This should definitely be changed. It's annoying to know once the crowd starts getting loud at a basketball game, a timeout will be called. That's probably because each team has like 40 timeouts a game. I say give them one or two per half. People always say it would allow teams to use momentum to build a big lead but, by that same logic, it would also allow for teams trailing late in the games to mount comebacks if they start playing well.

I feel like the joke is on the fans. Anytime the crowd gets loud and into the game--timeout! How deflating.

* No backcourt violation

Who cares? It's a free country. Let them do what they want. Plus, from where else could you shoot a 5-pointer?

* Play to 100 (or some other arbitrary figure)

I'd rather watch eye surgery than the end of a basketball game. It's so boring. Foul, free throws, foul, free throws, foul, Ron Artest punches some drunk dude, free throws, etc.

If the first team to reach 100 points won the game, you wouldn't see the silly fouling towards the end of games. It seems to me the outcome of many basketball games would be reversed if the game were 15 seconds longer/shorter--so which is the better team? Plus, the game would be tremendously compelling, knowing each team would have to keep playing and not just rely on running out the clock.

* No fouling out

If someone wants to commit a bunch of fouls, why not? The other team will get free throws. Plus, it would create an incentive for teams to find players that can actually SHOOT the ball and make their free throws if fouled. It's silly to have a sport in which some of the professional players make 50%-60% of their free throws. How embarrassing.

By eliminating the "foul-out," there would no longer be a disincentive to foul a guy who can't shoot free throws. However, there wouldn't be an increase in fouls committed, since teams would probably adapt and start better shooters and not just big fat guys that can dunk.


* In sum, a better product!


But, then again, I'm a moron and really have no idea how to play basketball. I'm probably wrong, but I would certainly watch more basketball if these changes were implemented! Let me be commissioner, March Madness!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

60!!!

Alexander Ovechkin reached the coveted 60-goal mark last night, as the Capitals made a late comeback in Atlanta. How exciting!!!

I think there is no doubt in anybody's mind that he is the clear MVP this year...but that's a whole other blog...

Cool video of the game highlights:

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Oops...

Fortunately, my driver's test didn't go this bad.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

2007 YouTube Awards

The YouTube Video Awards are back again. Check out some of the years best videos, and vote for your favorites!

My personal favorites definitely include James Kotecki's (EmergencyCheese / PoliticoPlaybook) dorm room interview of Ron Paul, the instructional Rubik's Cube "how-to" video (not that I've ever solved one of those things...) and, of course...Chocolate Rain, by TayZonday!



Check them out and vote today!

Way to Play, Caps!

The Eastern Conference playoff race is crazy!

It's been great to see the Caps bounce back from last weekend's disappointing outcomes, playing great hockey all week and picking up six hard-earned points. Great perseverance!

This week's thoughts:

* I still don't know how Boston has won as many games as they have. I still think they won't make the playoffs, even though they're currently tied for 6th in the conference.

* Flying under the radar, Florida's got a real great chance at making the playoffs w/ an exceptional finish.

* Seriously, though, how is Boston doing so well??

* Quintin Laing is the Caps' nominee for the Masterson Trophy this year, and deservingly so. I'm pretty sure he'd block a shot with his face if presented with the opportunity.

Nine more games to go! Two points out of 8th! Five points out of 3rd! Let's go Caps!

China Blocks YouTube?

"The Great Firewall of China" is, apparently, a term well-applied.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Gov. Spitzer's lady friend...

...is on MySpace???

I'm totally requesting her.

No, not like that!!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Rate Your Cop?

I'm a fan of consumer feedback and customer reviews. One of my favorite websites is Yelp.com, which is home to a spectacular community of restaurant, business and other reviews.

It seems now there is a site where you can rate your...police officer? Check out this video about this new site. My favorite quote:

"Officers who are rated face unfair maligning without any opportunity to defend themselves." Law enforcement is a noble profession, but...welcome to the internet! The information revolution will leave no stone unturned. User ratings have evolved past a simple "star" rating. Now even REVIEWS are reviewed! People frown upon the useless. I think the "he gave me a speeding ticket, I hate him!" reviews will be rated accordingly.

Uneventful Race

I tuned in about an hour or so late, but caught most of the NASCAR race in Atlanta. It seemed as if every driver was fighting a loose-handling race car all afternoon. After the race, a number of drivers were critical of the tire compound provided for the race by Goodyear. Tony Stewart was tactful, as always:



Hopefully they get the compound figured out, and the quality of racing is better than what we saw today!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Disappointing Weekend...


Four possible points, and the Caps were awarded none. And in ways that could only happen to the Caps...

Just imagine how many penalties Erskine would have gotten had he actually tripped someone!

Pittsburgh is really good. I think they might be the only Eastern Conference team that could take 4 of 7 from the top teams out West.

I can't see how Boston will make the playoffs. They seem incapable of scoring a goal which, from my understanding, is the standard by which a game's winning team determined.

It'll be a shame if the Caps don't make the playoffs. Alas, it hardly seems their fate is in only their hands at this point.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Dumb Tax

Glad they got rid of it. My friend, who owns a service station, was telling me how the car repair business had witnessed a downturn since the new taxes went into effect. Sounds like a great idea.

And thanks to the legislature for looking out for us, by allowing some non-elected authority to levy taxes on us! You're doing great work.

Loved the driver fee idea, too.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Awesome Lunch


Saw this sandwich on the menu at lunch today, and I had to try it. I've posted a photo for your viewing pleasure.

Corned beef. Pastrami. Chopped liver spread. Coleslaw. Swiss cheese.

Amazing.

TEN!?!?

The Caps dropped 10 on the Bruins last night at the Verizon Center. What a fun game to watch! Here are some highlights. It was great to see them bounce back after a regulation loss to Toronto at VC on Saturday. Great effort by the Caps!

Three back from Carolina from first, with a game in hand! Hopefully they can keep it up!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Girl Scout Cookies


I was in Great Falls yesterday, and saw some Girl Scouts and moms had set up to sell cookies. WOO SAMOAS!

I asked the girl for a box. "$3.50," she said.

"$3.50?!" Well then I'll get two!" I said.

"How about three?" suggested the young lady.

"Three sounds great," I agreed.

Who am I to stunt an entrepreneurial young lady's sales growth? I love it.

Gotta Love Politics...

Who will Bill vote for???

Current Hillary Clinton ad:


Bill Clinton in 2004:


Who knows!