Game 1: #9 Northwestern vs. #8 Penn State
The old adage that it's tought to beat a team three times in one season holds true - NU shoots well, exploits the zone, and wins a relatively close one, 55-49. (Yes, I'm an unbelievable homer - just wait until my round 2 predictions)
Game 2: #7 Michigan vs #10 Minnesota
Michigan, out to prove that yes, just maybe, they belong in the NCAA tournament, step it up despite Tommy Amaker's adamant no-tie stance and knock off the Gophers, 70-62.
Game 3: #6 Michigan State vs #11 Purdue
Purdue has come on nicely at the end of the season, becoming a bit more competitive than the team who looked like they might not win a single Big Ten game all year at the beginning of the conference season. However, they won't have enough to hang with a Tom Izzo-led Michigan State team who, while certainly in the tournament, is probably out to prove even more than their in-state rivals. The pre-season Final Four projected Spartans win in a blow-out night cap, 83-61.
Round 2 Predictions to follow...
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Friday, October 21, 2005
Long Time, No Post
Thayer ripped on me for not having posted anything on here in a while. I just thought I'd let everyone know that there is a good reason for this - I've dedicated myself to a more financially fruitful pursuit: taking his money in fantasy sports. Whereas in the past, I may have spent some of my distracted time at work posting something stupid I came across or thought of on this website, I've spent it lately getting my teams in order so that I could absolutely hawk him in fantasy golf and build up a substantial lead in fantasy football so far this year. Now that both appear to be safely in hand, maybe I can dedicate a little more time to throwing the occasional post up on here - though, let's be honest, that's probably not going to happen all that often. Too many people do it better than I have time to do and I'm too busy reading their sites....
Thursday, June 23, 2005
More Politics
This whole NPR/PBS funding issue is really rubbing me the wrong way - in case you're among some of my more politically uninformed friends, read up on this and voice your (hopefully) displeasure in this funding cut - if for no other reason than the network was home to the post-Star Trek Lavar Burton vehicle, Reading Rainbow.
From thetripwire.com:
Editorial: Congress Plans Assassination Of Big Bird
In a country where 99% of our media outlets are dominated by multinational corporations that are bound only by the moral guidance of the almighty dollar, and who, in turn, hold a considerable amount of influence on Capitol Hill, recent actions taken by the House Appropriations Committee should come as no surprise. Last Thursday, the committee approved a spending bill that would slash funding for public television and radio by nearly 50%. More specifically, this measure would reduce the funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the organization that directs taxpayer dollars to public TV and radio stations, by $100 million dollars. Additional funding would be slashed in the following ways:
$39 million to help cover the stations' mandatory conversion to digital programming
$50 million for upgrading PBS's aging satellite technology
$25 million from the "Ready To Learn" program supervised by the Education Department (this includes funding for Sesame Street, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Reading Rainbow, etc.).
These cuts could potentially wipe out public broadcasting entirely in rural and disadvantaged areas of the country and force stations in more metropolitan areas to take on, ironically, more corporate sponsors.
Moveon.org has made it really simple to sign a petition asking congress to reconsider their position and they've already surpassed their goal of 1 MILLION signatures. You can sign up here. And please, pass this link around to everyone you know.
I find it hard to believe that in this great nation of ours we have no trouble at all spending BILLIONS of dollars to chase down imaginary weapons of mass destruction, build oil pipelines and train other countries' armies how to fight like we do (because that has worked so well in the past), but when it comes to providing free educational programming to people who don't have access to or can't afford cable, it's equally as easy to pull funding. (longest sentence ever?)
Really... make your voice heard. Take action. Do something. It takes two seconds to sign this petition.
-Reported by Matt DuFour on 06/23/2005
From thetripwire.com:
Editorial: Congress Plans Assassination Of Big Bird
In a country where 99% of our media outlets are dominated by multinational corporations that are bound only by the moral guidance of the almighty dollar, and who, in turn, hold a considerable amount of influence on Capitol Hill, recent actions taken by the House Appropriations Committee should come as no surprise. Last Thursday, the committee approved a spending bill that would slash funding for public television and radio by nearly 50%. More specifically, this measure would reduce the funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the organization that directs taxpayer dollars to public TV and radio stations, by $100 million dollars. Additional funding would be slashed in the following ways:
$39 million to help cover the stations' mandatory conversion to digital programming
$50 million for upgrading PBS's aging satellite technology
$25 million from the "Ready To Learn" program supervised by the Education Department (this includes funding for Sesame Street, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Reading Rainbow, etc.).
These cuts could potentially wipe out public broadcasting entirely in rural and disadvantaged areas of the country and force stations in more metropolitan areas to take on, ironically, more corporate sponsors.
Moveon.org has made it really simple to sign a petition asking congress to reconsider their position and they've already surpassed their goal of 1 MILLION signatures. You can sign up here. And please, pass this link around to everyone you know.
I find it hard to believe that in this great nation of ours we have no trouble at all spending BILLIONS of dollars to chase down imaginary weapons of mass destruction, build oil pipelines and train other countries' armies how to fight like we do (because that has worked so well in the past), but when it comes to providing free educational programming to people who don't have access to or can't afford cable, it's equally as easy to pull funding. (longest sentence ever?)
Really... make your voice heard. Take action. Do something. It takes two seconds to sign this petition.
-Reported by Matt DuFour on 06/23/2005
Insert Witty Title Here
A few weeks back I declared that I was going to rededicate myself to posting regularly on this thing now that the whole school thing is on hiatus for the summer. Well, today, that promise is coming true.
I was thinking of trying to institute some sort of daily theme or format to encourage my participation - while I reserve the right to change up the order and/or themes of any given day, for now let's go ahead and assume that Thursday will serve as a sort of set of weekend recommendations.
Here are today's:
1) If you haven't already, go see Batman Begins. I caught it earlier in the week and it is well worth even the astronomical prices they are charging at the theatres in Chicago (no student discounts - bastards) these days. Christian Bale is great, the rest of the cast is actually incredible (Liam Neeson, Gary Oldham, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman) - really hoping they can keep the crew together to make the next two that they supposedly have a deal for. The movie has what has got to be the creepiest bad guy you've ever seen in a PG-13 rated movie. Keep an eye out for a scene involving lots of Ninjas standing in rows - I think it was my favorite of the flick.
2) Get a copy of the new Billy Corgan album, have some friends over, turn the lights down a bit to give your hangout of choice a loungy feel, pour some drinks and enjoy. More electronic than a true "rock" album, the record has a cool sound to it as its base, and let's be honest - you really can't go wrong with Corgan's voice.
Also, while you're at it, hope that he wasn't blowing smoke up our asses with this full-page ad he took out in Tuesday's Tribune. Blatant attempt to increase records sales? Sure, but it'd be great to see the Pumpkins back together and give Wilco a little friendly competition on the Chicago rock scene national representation front. That, and though I saw Zwan twice, I've never seen SP in concert.
3) If you live in Chicago, buy an air conditioner. It's going to be 95 degrees. I'd be excited, except for the fact that I'm going home and it will likely be that hot in Evansville, plus infinitely more humid.
4) If you feel like burning a flag, do it while you still have the right to do so should you choose to profess your displeausre with the government in a cliche manner. Can't say I'm a fan of the practice, or really see myself doing it ever, but it doesn't put anyone in danger, so why outlaw it?
5) Take a nap when you get home from work tonight if you plan on watching the NBA Finals tonight - it's tough to stay up for the whole game if you don't as late as they start the damn thing. For god's sake, start the games at 7, David Stern and ABC.
6) If you're in Chicago, check out the Pride Parade. For the second summer in a row, it's going to pass about a block from my house and I'm unfortunately going to miss it. I hear its beyond hilarious, and you'll appear to be tolerant, even if your sense of humor often indicates (falsely) otherwise.
7) Don't be an idiot - stay in school.
I was thinking of trying to institute some sort of daily theme or format to encourage my participation - while I reserve the right to change up the order and/or themes of any given day, for now let's go ahead and assume that Thursday will serve as a sort of set of weekend recommendations.
Here are today's:
1) If you haven't already, go see Batman Begins. I caught it earlier in the week and it is well worth even the astronomical prices they are charging at the theatres in Chicago (no student discounts - bastards) these days. Christian Bale is great, the rest of the cast is actually incredible (Liam Neeson, Gary Oldham, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman) - really hoping they can keep the crew together to make the next two that they supposedly have a deal for. The movie has what has got to be the creepiest bad guy you've ever seen in a PG-13 rated movie. Keep an eye out for a scene involving lots of Ninjas standing in rows - I think it was my favorite of the flick.
2) Get a copy of the new Billy Corgan album, have some friends over, turn the lights down a bit to give your hangout of choice a loungy feel, pour some drinks and enjoy. More electronic than a true "rock" album, the record has a cool sound to it as its base, and let's be honest - you really can't go wrong with Corgan's voice.
Also, while you're at it, hope that he wasn't blowing smoke up our asses with this full-page ad he took out in Tuesday's Tribune. Blatant attempt to increase records sales? Sure, but it'd be great to see the Pumpkins back together and give Wilco a little friendly competition on the Chicago rock scene national representation front. That, and though I saw Zwan twice, I've never seen SP in concert.
3) If you live in Chicago, buy an air conditioner. It's going to be 95 degrees. I'd be excited, except for the fact that I'm going home and it will likely be that hot in Evansville, plus infinitely more humid.
4) If you feel like burning a flag, do it while you still have the right to do so should you choose to profess your displeausre with the government in a cliche manner. Can't say I'm a fan of the practice, or really see myself doing it ever, but it doesn't put anyone in danger, so why outlaw it?
5) Take a nap when you get home from work tonight if you plan on watching the NBA Finals tonight - it's tough to stay up for the whole game if you don't as late as they start the damn thing. For god's sake, start the games at 7, David Stern and ABC.
6) If you're in Chicago, check out the Pride Parade. For the second summer in a row, it's going to pass about a block from my house and I'm unfortunately going to miss it. I hear its beyond hilarious, and you'll appear to be tolerant, even if your sense of humor often indicates (falsely) otherwise.
7) Don't be an idiot - stay in school.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Blog Contests Are The New Radio Contests
Back in high school, I used to dominate the 103.1 WGBF contest line. By dominate, I mean I won three or four things in a year once - some free movie passes and food from some fast food joints in town, a Doors box set, tickets to a Blues Traveler show in Louisville and their new CD, etc.
I've tried calling into Chicago radio stations a few times, but found it to be a lost cause - probably has something to do with the fact that there are about twenty times as many people in Chicago as Evansville, but nonetheless I've been frustrated. Their internet contest have treated me well, however - yielding me numerous concert tickets, a trip to NYC, a snowboard, and a handful of CDs and DVDs.
Building on this trend, I've found my new niche - Blog contests. I've won four in the past couple months. Two from the Bluestate group in DC whose success I'd really like to emulate here in Chicago if I only had the time - some cd I've not even listened to yet and the new Dizee Rascal album and a t-shirt promoting it as well. Another yesterday from one of their crew - a Kasabian vinyl single. Then today, I won a Louis XIV prize pack from some chick up in Toronto.
I'd really like to share these wonderful websites with you guys, but like tots to Napoleon, these prizes are precious to me and I'd like to win a few more before I let you guys in to the fold. Maybe this summer, while I don't have school or any new television to worry about, I can get a little better about updating this thing and conduct a contest or two of my own. Stay tuned, maybe I will share a little of my luck with you after all....
I've tried calling into Chicago radio stations a few times, but found it to be a lost cause - probably has something to do with the fact that there are about twenty times as many people in Chicago as Evansville, but nonetheless I've been frustrated. Their internet contest have treated me well, however - yielding me numerous concert tickets, a trip to NYC, a snowboard, and a handful of CDs and DVDs.
Building on this trend, I've found my new niche - Blog contests. I've won four in the past couple months. Two from the Bluestate group in DC whose success I'd really like to emulate here in Chicago if I only had the time - some cd I've not even listened to yet and the new Dizee Rascal album and a t-shirt promoting it as well. Another yesterday from one of their crew - a Kasabian vinyl single. Then today, I won a Louis XIV prize pack from some chick up in Toronto.
I'd really like to share these wonderful websites with you guys, but like tots to Napoleon, these prizes are precious to me and I'd like to win a few more before I let you guys in to the fold. Maybe this summer, while I don't have school or any new television to worry about, I can get a little better about updating this thing and conduct a contest or two of my own. Stay tuned, maybe I will share a little of my luck with you after all....
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Here's Johnnnnnnyyyyyyyyy!!
Sentimental posting time...
A couple semi-important (but not in the grand scheme of things kind of way) events have occured over the past couple weeks which have caused me to reflect back a little bit to my childhood, something I find myself doing less and less of as of late. Usually, if I'm thinking back, its no more than to two weeks ago, and I suppose occasionally, maybe back to high school - rarely any longer than that. I'll hit one of them up tonight to tide over Mr. Rinaker, who has been literally begging and threatening me if I don't update this thing here pretty damn soon.
This will probably come as a huge shock to those of you who know me, but this interest (some say strong interest) that I have in media, or pop culture, has kind of been around for a long time. I blame this solely on my father. I remember what at the time seemed like stacks and stacks of records (the number would probably barely fill the most standard cd logic case these days, but as a 7 or 8 year old, the number was massive. They weren't anything I'd consider especially influential on my musical tastes today, but somehow this planted a seed in me, I think.
His influence when it came to late night tv, however, is much more apparent. I remember growing up in a family with a penchant for a few standard late evening activities. There was the ten o'clock news on Channel 5 (this was before my mom made the drastic, and perhaps developmentally saving, decision to eliminate cable television from our home), a bowl or two of air-popped popcorn, and if any number of the three of us didn't fall asleep first, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Usually, when driving home from class at night these days, I try and call somebody to pass the time on the way. I have a half hour drive or so, and its a good way to catch up while driving through Evanston and down Lake Shore Drive. A lot of times, I'll end up calling home and talking with one of the crew (or all of them, depending on how chatty they are). A couple of Mondays ago, as I walked into my apartment around 10:30, my dad asked me if I was watching the tribute to Mr. Carson on the Tonight Show. I hadn't really thought much about our family's old pasttime in a while, and to be honest, neither of my parents make it up late enough to watch the news most nights these days, let alone one of the late night talk shows. It was a pleasant surprise to get to be reminded of it though. I got off the phone with my dad to watch, and despite my high level of disdain for Jay Leno, enjoyed it tremendously - I hate to use terms like this at such a young age, but it really felt like a sort of walk down memory lane.
Much like my tastes in music have diverged from my dad's musical collection, my taste in late-night television programming has changed dramatically as well. I try and steer clear of the Tonight Show these days. I'm much more likely to check out the Daily Show at 10 and if I watch a network talk show, Letterman surely takes the cake. It still really makes me smile to think back to the times I wasn't in trouble and was able to stay up late with my parents and share in the humor that was Johnny Carson. It's kind of funny how sometimes a movie, song, or even tv show can serve as even more of a memory stimulator than a photograph - kind of funny, and pretty damn awesome if you ask me.
It's really a shame Mr. Carson passed away - not that I knew him at all, but I'm going to miss him. Here's hoping my little sisters are building some of their own similar memories with my parents. If I can help it they'll steer clear of the Leno and drift a little more towards the Stewart or the Letterman (or even better, if they can make it up, the Conan!), however.
Probably one more of these sentimental postings before I get back to the absurd, so if you don't like it, tough - you're just going to have to bare with me for a little while.
A couple semi-important (but not in the grand scheme of things kind of way) events have occured over the past couple weeks which have caused me to reflect back a little bit to my childhood, something I find myself doing less and less of as of late. Usually, if I'm thinking back, its no more than to two weeks ago, and I suppose occasionally, maybe back to high school - rarely any longer than that. I'll hit one of them up tonight to tide over Mr. Rinaker, who has been literally begging and threatening me if I don't update this thing here pretty damn soon.
This will probably come as a huge shock to those of you who know me, but this interest (some say strong interest) that I have in media, or pop culture, has kind of been around for a long time. I blame this solely on my father. I remember what at the time seemed like stacks and stacks of records (the number would probably barely fill the most standard cd logic case these days, but as a 7 or 8 year old, the number was massive. They weren't anything I'd consider especially influential on my musical tastes today, but somehow this planted a seed in me, I think.
His influence when it came to late night tv, however, is much more apparent. I remember growing up in a family with a penchant for a few standard late evening activities. There was the ten o'clock news on Channel 5 (this was before my mom made the drastic, and perhaps developmentally saving, decision to eliminate cable television from our home), a bowl or two of air-popped popcorn, and if any number of the three of us didn't fall asleep first, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Usually, when driving home from class at night these days, I try and call somebody to pass the time on the way. I have a half hour drive or so, and its a good way to catch up while driving through Evanston and down Lake Shore Drive. A lot of times, I'll end up calling home and talking with one of the crew (or all of them, depending on how chatty they are). A couple of Mondays ago, as I walked into my apartment around 10:30, my dad asked me if I was watching the tribute to Mr. Carson on the Tonight Show. I hadn't really thought much about our family's old pasttime in a while, and to be honest, neither of my parents make it up late enough to watch the news most nights these days, let alone one of the late night talk shows. It was a pleasant surprise to get to be reminded of it though. I got off the phone with my dad to watch, and despite my high level of disdain for Jay Leno, enjoyed it tremendously - I hate to use terms like this at such a young age, but it really felt like a sort of walk down memory lane.
Much like my tastes in music have diverged from my dad's musical collection, my taste in late-night television programming has changed dramatically as well. I try and steer clear of the Tonight Show these days. I'm much more likely to check out the Daily Show at 10 and if I watch a network talk show, Letterman surely takes the cake. It still really makes me smile to think back to the times I wasn't in trouble and was able to stay up late with my parents and share in the humor that was Johnny Carson. It's kind of funny how sometimes a movie, song, or even tv show can serve as even more of a memory stimulator than a photograph - kind of funny, and pretty damn awesome if you ask me.
It's really a shame Mr. Carson passed away - not that I knew him at all, but I'm going to miss him. Here's hoping my little sisters are building some of their own similar memories with my parents. If I can help it they'll steer clear of the Leno and drift a little more towards the Stewart or the Letterman (or even better, if they can make it up, the Conan!), however.
Probably one more of these sentimental postings before I get back to the absurd, so if you don't like it, tough - you're just going to have to bare with me for a little while.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Passion this...
Yet another reason I will refuse to ever see The Passion...
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/26/oscar.passion/index.html
I'll stick with my favorite version, South Park's The Passion of the Jew.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/26/oscar.passion/index.html
I'll stick with my favorite version, South Park's The Passion of the Jew.
Monday, January 17, 2005
The Inaugural Rizide
President Bush will evidently have a new limo fleet to ride in to the inauguration this Thursday.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/17/news/newsmakers/bush_cadillac.reut/index.htm
In related news, I would like to announce that I will be driving myself to and from work in a 2002 Chevy Impala beginning around early to mid-February. This car will serve as a slight upgrade from the 1996 Accord which I have been driving. It is slightly bigger with better performance, yet lacks some of the luxurious features which made the Accord so endearing. Honda was not shocked at the customer loss and Chevy reportedly could "give two shits" about the fact that I would be driving one of their products once again. No word yet on whether or not a parade will accompany the inaugural trip up to Evanston from the Lincoln Park area. Police are rumored to be nervous about the potential length of said parade and are considering the request.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/17/news/newsmakers/bush_cadillac.reut/index.htm
In related news, I would like to announce that I will be driving myself to and from work in a 2002 Chevy Impala beginning around early to mid-February. This car will serve as a slight upgrade from the 1996 Accord which I have been driving. It is slightly bigger with better performance, yet lacks some of the luxurious features which made the Accord so endearing. Honda was not shocked at the customer loss and Chevy reportedly could "give two shits" about the fact that I would be driving one of their products once again. No word yet on whether or not a parade will accompany the inaugural trip up to Evanston from the Lincoln Park area. Police are rumored to be nervous about the potential length of said parade and are considering the request.
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