Whooter's Whouse of Whaberdashery

Encore!

2006-09-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

A present for AJ...

2006-09-23T00:52:00.000-05:00

Patrick Races to Andretti Green

2006-07-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

Awesome news, as I really didn't want her going to NASCAR right now. She still has work to do in the open wheel cars.

I Am Indy

2006-07-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

I'm going to the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 tomorrow. Any guesses as to who I might be rooting for?

Welcome to Omaha...

2006-06-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

...and AJ's most favoritest event EVAR, the College World Series!

My picks were lousy, but it's mostly because I picked who I wanted to see in the Series, rather than who I thought might actually win their Super Regionals.

Welcome to:

Clemson
Georgia
Georgia Tech
Rice
North Carolina
Miami (FL)
Cal State-Fullerton
Oregon State

Since they beat my Cardinal, and I love Beaver (who doesn't?), I'm pulling for OSU. Now I just gotta go find me a hat and a "Beaver Fever" t-shirt...

NCAA Men's Baseball Super Regionals

2006-06-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

My picks in BOLD

Oral Roberts (41-14) at No. 1 Clemson (50-14)

Col. of Charleston (46-15) at No. 8 Georgia Tech (48-16)

Missouri (35-26) at No. 5 Cal St. Fullerton (46-13)

North Carolina (48-13) at No. 4 Alabama (44-19)

Oklahoma (44-20) at No. 2 Rice (53-10)

South Carolina (40-23) at No. 7 Georgia (45-20)

Miami (Fla.) (39-21) at Mississippi (43-20)

Stanford (33-25) at Oregon St. (42-14)

Women's CWS - Day Five

2006-06-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know, days 2 through 4 are missing.

After winning on Day One by a score of 2-0, the Texas Longhorns lost by scores of 2-0 to Arizona and UCLA on days two and three to be eliminated. Senior pitcher Cat Osterman, the three-time USA Softball Player of the Year, finished her career as the NCAA’s career strikeout leader with 2,265 K’s. In her four-year career at Texas she owned a 0.506 ERA in 1,105.1 innings pitched. She was a four-time NFCA All-American, 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and four-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. She owns 10 UT career pitching records and 12 single-season marks.

Anyhow, fast forward to today, where Arizona and Northwestern are playing game one of the Championship series. Arizona wins the first game of the best-of-three series by a score of 6-0.

On the men's side of the NCAA tournament, number one seeds fell right and left with the biggest surprises being Nebraska and Texas eliminated in their regionals. With those two gone, coupled with LSU not making the tourney, it should be quite a tolerable College World Series in Omaha this year, with some of the most annoying fans in college baseball staying home this year.

When the Super Regional matchups are finalized. I'll make some miserable predictions about who makes the trip to Omaha.

Women's CWS - Day One

2006-06-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Cat Osterman struck out a WCWS-record 18 batters, and Desiree Williams homered to give Texas a 2-0 win over Arizona State University yesterday. In other games, Arizona beat Oregon State 3-2 in 9 innings, Northwestern beat Alabama 6-5 in 10 innings, and Tennessee upset #1 seeded UCLA 4-3. Next up for the Longhorns is Arizona at 6pm Friday.

The NCAA Women's Softball Championships

2006-05-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

Super Regionals are this weekend, and it's time to oggle Cat Osterman (pictured), Desiree Williams, and Megan Willis from Texas!

Texas takes on Washington today at 3pm on ESPN. Hook 'em Lady Horns! More screen time is a good thing...

Sony to Gamers: We want all your money. And your children.

2006-05-10T14:48:00.000-05:00

So.

Sony finally took the wraps off the details for the PS3. It's coming out November 17th, and the minimum it's going to cost you is $499.99.

Yes, you read that right, $499.99. Jesus, this thing better come with a blowjob for that kind of jack, but it's not listed on the systems features.

MSNBC article

The enormous pricetag seems to primarily because of the decision to include their Hight Definition Blu-Ray technology for DVD playback on the thing. I'm not sure that Blu-Ray isn't the 2006 name for "BetaMax". Sony also seems to be engaging in a lot of "me too", copying Microsoft's ill-thought out two SKU release that was a near disaster at X360 launch, and Nintendo's motion-sensitive controller scheme.

Right now I'm of the opinion that I ain't paying $600 for the non-gimped version of the PS3, but I'm weak, so we'll see what happens closer to release date.

Good lord!

2006-05-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Has it been over a month since I last blogged?

I suck.

In other news, E3 starts on Wednesday, so that should be fun for the video game geek in all of us. I'm expecting more concrete information about the PS3 and Nintendo Wii (Whee!) which should both be releasing this Fall. For the PS3, at least, expect the launch problems of the Xbox360 times about a billion. Hopefully I'll be smart enough to pre-order this time, and the stores will be smart enough not to oversell. Yeah right.

Also on Wednesday Veronica Mars wraps up it's second season with the solution of the bus crash mystery. All the clues point one way, so I'm sure it's someone completely different. I haven't heard any news about season three, but here's hoping Veronica and Co. are back solving mysteries at Hearst College next year...

In baseball news, the Red Sox and Yankees are already in a dogfight at the top of the AL East, after a slow Yankee start. The Royals still suck mightily. Time to fire everyone and replace them with trained chimps. They can't do any worse.

The Bengals open the 2006 NFL season here in KC. That'll be a fun ticket for me to get.

That's it for now. I'll try and keep the blog updated with stuff I find interesting from E3 next week. Whether you find it interesting or not, is up to you...

"fuck you whooter"

2006-04-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Boo hoo. Stumpy hates me.

Oh yeah...

2006-04-02T23:16:00.000-05:00

So anyway, SAM, Jon & Bridget, my dad, and I visited Fenway Park last Sunday. After a couple of wrong turns and getting on a cabbie's bad side, three of us (Jon & Bridget drove separately, and got just as lost) found ourselves on Boylston & Yawkey. A couple blocks walk up Yawkey brought us to the Red Sox team store, across from the park. After finally hooking up with J & B (they were on the opposite side of the park), we took the abbreviated Fenway tour. Because of the construction, stuff like going on the field and visiting someplace other than left field were unfortunately skipped. However, Kim, our tour guide gave us a great history of the park (most of which I already knew, but did hear a couple of things that were new to me). Then we went up onto the "Monstah". My goal is to see a game from those seats at least once in my lifetime. I've come up empty on the team-run lottery for seats the last two years, so I may have to resort to a ticket service or eBay. SAM and I vandalised the fair pole, joining countless others that have been fortunate enough to be up there. After Kim came up and made us leave, we took our complimentary calendars (which we picked up ON THE WAY OUT!) and visited "Game On!" a sports bar located on beneath the park on Landsdowne street. All in all, it was an awesome time, but I can't wait to get back there and see some actual baseball.

My Visit to Mecca

2006-03-27T11:45:00.000-06:00

More pix later...

Dear Everest...I take it back...

2006-03-16T11:44:00.000-06:00

I ripped my cable company a new one last month with the Olympics SNAFU, but I have to give Everest their props regarding the NCAA Basketball Tournament. This morning I've discovered two extra CBS channels in addition to my original CBS and CBS-HD. I'm currently flipping between three different games without having to have paid for any of that goofy pay-per-view. They also added UPN-HD, which pleases me, so I can have my Veronica Mars back in her glorious 1080i goodness...

Thanks, Everest. Now do something about your crappy DVR software.

Dear Everest Communications...you suck.

2006-02-11T11:32:00.000-06:00

Who knew watching the Olympics would be so much work?

This morning I turn on CNBC to watch women's hockey, and I'm looking at an infomercial. The onscreen guide says hockey. I look at NBC's website, which is useless because their listings are apparently broken. I check other listing sites (TVGuide, Zap2It, Time-Warner Cable (Everest's chief competitor)) and they all say women's hockey should be on.

So, I call my cable company and inquire as to why I'm looking at Jessica Simpson talking about her zits instead of Olympics. I'm told that the guide is incorrect and that no-one (they specifically mention Time-Warner) in the area is showing Olympic coverage at this time. I call bullshit under my breath, thank them, and hang up.

I then call my parents in Omaha, and inquire as to what's on CNBC. Surprise! It's hockey!

I call my cable company back. I tell them what transpired the first call, and tell them the folks in Omaha are watching hockey, and not Victoria Principal and her skin cream. They tell me that the coverage must be blacked-out in this area. Blacked-out? International ice hockey coverage blacked-out in Kansas Fucking City? They insist it's true, and again insist that Time-Warner isn't showing it, either. I tell them my girlfriend has Time-Warner, and that if I call her and she sees hockey on CNBC, my next call to them will be to cancel my service. "Okay". I hang up.

I call my girlfriend and have her turn on CNBC. Surprise! Hockey! While I'm railing to her about this, and how I'm gonna have to go thru the hassle of actually canceling my cable service and signing up with a new one, Jessica Simpson is magically replaced with this mystical, blacked-out, not-on-anywhere-else Russia/Sweden hockey game! What a bargain!

Everest Customer Service:

I got tagged by Lisa...

2006-01-31T20:47:00.000-06:00

Four Jobs You Have Had:
1.) Omaha World-Herald paper carrier
2.) Authorizations agent at First Data Resources
3.) Systems Support Analyst at Marriott Worldwide Reservations
4.) Application Support Analyst at Sprint

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1.) Twister
2.) Army of Darkness
3.) Run Lola Run
4.) The Matrix

Four Places You've Lived:
1.) Adak, AK
2.) San Francisco, CA
3.) Honolulu, HI
4.) Overland Park, KS

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch:
1.) Veronica Mars
2.) 24
3.) Battlestar Galactica
4.) NCIS

Four Places You've Been On Vacation:
1.) Colorado
2.) Utah
3.) Washington DC
4.) Las Vegas

Four Of Your Favorite Foods:
1.) Pizza
2.) Hot Dogs
3.) BBQ
4.) Mountain Dew

Four Places You'd Rather Be Right Now:
1.) The Moon
2.) Japan
3.) The Super Bowl
4.) Vegas, baby!

Four Sites I Visit On The Daily:
1.) espn.com
2.) lcvg.com
3.) mavpuck.com
4.) goatpr0n.com (just kidding!)

Four Bloggers You Are Tagging:
1.) SAM
2.) AJ
3.) Matty
4.) West O Mike

Return to Mars!

2006-01-25T14:25:00.000-06:00

Tune your TV to UPN tonight at 9ET/8CT for a new episode of "Veronica Mars"! Based on the opening minutes, available on UPN.com it looks like a good 'un!

This is starting to get irritating...

2006-01-23T12:32:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I'm down to just the Seahawks as my final hope to keep the Steelers from winning the Super Bowl, and becoming even more annoying than they already are.

---

Sounds like life at the Qwest Center Omaha gets worse by the game for the fans. If actually still had season tickets in my name, I'd cancel 'em, and let Herbster know that it's because I don't want to pay to be oppressed. There's plenty of room at Knights and Lancers games, and no one stands over your shoulder making sure you cheer quietly and appropriately.

---

I haven't been posting Maria pictures from the Australian Open, because quite frankly, the outfit she's wearing (that Nike provided) looks hideous. Here's an older picture to tide you over...

Damn Steelers

2006-01-20T08:27:00.000-06:00

You jackasses have me actually rooting for the Donkeys, now. How much does that suck? A lot.

Here's hoping Jake Plummer wins the battle of the ugly-beard QBs...

Ouch

2006-01-09T21:08:00.000-06:00

Well, the season's over. It ended, for all intents and purposes, on the second play of the game when Carson Palmer went down with an ACL & MCL tear on his left knee. Jon Kitna and the Bengals made a game of it for two quarters, but a botched field goal attempt ("Brad St. Louis, ladies and gentlemen!") seemed to put a dagger in Cincy's heart. As I told someone else, at least the Bengals' season ended in January, instead of September. See you next year, and enjoy your ass-whipping in Indy, Steelers.

Well...that sucked...

2006-01-01T19:40:00.000-06:00

It was a long afternoon for me and Brian at Arrowhead today. We got to see the Bengals play their starters for 15 minutes, then watch the backups get rolled by Kansas City. Of course, the Chiefs were riding a wave of emotion after learning that Cryin' Dick Vermeil would be retiring at the end of the season. As the scoreboard said: "Come on Arrowhead! Let's do it for Dick!" The Bengals were "helped" by Miami and will now face Pittsburgh next Sunday in one of the AFC Wild-Card games. It should be interesting, as each team won earlier on the other's home field. Hopefully the Bengals right the ship (after tanking it against the Bills last weekend, and today's sorry effort) and beat Pittsburgh to move on. Props to the courteous and friendly Chiefs fans we encountered today. A big Bite Me to ones that taunted. As I pointed out, at least we're playing next weekend...

AFC North Champs!

2005-12-19T09:18:00.000-06:00

Feel free to worship me again, AJ...

2005-12-10T16:02:00.000-06:00

I have one...

For my favourite Door Opener...

2005-12-07T10:03:00.000-06:00

Picture of the week.

2005-12-06T10:51:00.000-06:00

38-31

2005-12-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

How'd that taste, Pittsburgh? My only regret on the day was that CJ didn't make it into the endzone. It's okay, though, cuz Rudi did. Twice. And TJ did. Twice. Have fun watching the playoffs on TV, Squeelers

Bleah...

2005-12-01T08:50:00.000-06:00

Okay, so it's over a week later, and I still don't have a damned Xbox 360! That'll teach me to pre-order, I guess. Of course, there were plenty of folks out there that pre-ordered and got shafted, too, so I guess there are no guarantees. Microsoft says there are more "on the ground" and headed to retailers for this weekend. We'll see, I guess. In the meantime if anyone has an extra Premium system for sale at or near retail ($399) shoot me an e-mail. eBay-type price gougers need not apply.

Lisa, I'm still waiting to see your list.

Revenge of the Nerd

2005-11-21T20:40:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm gonna do it. Tonight at midnight I'm heading over to the Kansas City chapter of Nebraska Furniture Mart and see what the line situation for the release of Microsoft's Xbox 360 is. The store opens at 10am tomorrow, and they supposedly have 90 of them to sell. I'm actually hoping I get there and the place is deserted, so that I can come back home and return at a more reasonable hour, like 6am. If not, it may be a long, cold night for me and all the other weirdos. Wish me luck.

I'm here!

2005-11-13T22:22:00.000-06:00

After nearly a week of non-stop moving activities, I finally finished up this morning and turned in the keys to my old place. I'm now firmly ensconsed in my new digs, and I'm liking it. It'll take a few more days to get everything unpacked and arranged, but I'm certainly relieved to be done with it. Got a new cable company when I moved. Changed from Time-Warner to Everest, and I have to say that overall I like Everest better, but their DVR service sucks ass compared to TW's. You can't stop watching a recorded program, switch to live TV or another recording, and pick up the original where you left off. You have to start watching from the beginning again. The progress bar doesn't give you a timestamp to tell you where you are in the program you're watching. You can't start watching a recorded program while it's still recording. You can't search for a program by typing in it's name, you have to scan through the listings alphabetically, and then only one day at a time. These are all things you can do with TW's software, and it's pretty basic DVR stuff (these are things TiVo has been doing for YEARS, Everest!). I do like having ESPNU, ESPN2HD and NFL Network HD, though.

Gah...it's been another week.

2005-11-08T22:08:00.000-06:00

Well, I got back from Washington DC yesterday afternoon, and promptly threw myself into moving to my new apartment. I'll spend most of the week moving the small stuff myself and then rent a truck for the furniture on Saturday. Fun fun fun! The new apartment is nice, but it'll be an adjustment since I haven't lived in a one-bedroom place in 12 years. Hopefully I can pare down my collection of crap to fit it all in.

Happy Halloween!

2005-10-31T12:22:00.000-06:00

Be good to those trick-or-treaters! Lord knows I was a bad bad person to those that gave out bad treats! No "Nickers", "Butterthumbs", "Two Musketeers", or "Gravy Way" bars, please!

In response to Emily's request:
2 names you go by
1. Joel
2. Whooter

2 parts of your heritage
1. German
2. Dutch

2 things that scare you
1. Kansas City drivers
2. New York Yankees

2 of your everyday essentials
1. MavPuck
2. Cold cereal

2 things you are wearing right now
1. 2000 CWS Stanford baseball t-shirt
2. Glasses

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
1. Nine Inch Nails
2. Sarah Brightman

2 of your favorite songs (at the moment)
1. We Used To Be Friends (Dandy Warhols)
2. Only (Nine Inch Nails)

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
1. sense of humor
2. kick my ass at "Metal Slug 3"

2 truths
1. I have never been to Fenway Park
2. I intend to fix that next season

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex)
1. smile
2. booty (I'm an ass man. Or is it "I'm an ass, man"?)

2 of your favorite hobbies
1. videogames
2. reading

2 things you want really badly
1. to be independently wealthy
2. a pony

2 places you want to go on vacation
1. Japan
2. Russia

2 things you want to do before you die
1. Visit every baseball stadium in the Major Leagues
2. Sleep in the Lincoln bedroom

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude.
1. If I'm not looking at you, I'm not listening to you. Maybe not even then.
2. Won't ask for directions.

2 things you are thinking about now
1. I'm out of milk.
2. It's almost Wednesday, and my annual trek to D.C. to visit friends.

2 stores you shop at
1. Best Buy
2. Super Target

2 people i would like to see take this quiz
1. Lisa
2. AJ

Careful what you wish for...

2005-10-28T08:24:00.000-05:00

Jean Van de Velde wants to play in the Women's British Open. Van de Velde, you'll recall, is the no-name that blew a 3-shot lead on the final hole of the 1999 British Open and lost in a playoff. He's done absolutely nothing of note, since. Jean should be careful, if they accept his application and he's lucky enough to qualify, he'd likely get his ass kicked by most of the women on the LPGA tour. You know 16-year-old Michelle Wie can probably out-drive you, right, Frenchie?

Then again, maybe that would be some good TV...

Oops...I did it again...

2005-10-22T11:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've been extremely lax in updating my blog again.

Random Thoughts:

UNO played good for about 20 minutes last night: The first 10 and the last 10, the 40 minutes in between were not so hot. Mavs lose to Miami (OH) 5-3. Hopefully they get their feces consolidated and earn a split tonight.

Guess I underestimated the depths to which Omaha's apathy for professional sporting events ran. The Knights are doing miserably at the box office, and aren't much better on the ice. Calgary has deep pockets, though, so hopefully the team will be given time to find a niche, unlike the assholes that ran the Kansas City Outlaws last year without more than a one-year plan.

Huge game for the Bengals tomorrow. The first time in 15 years both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have met with both teams sporting winning records. The Bengals hold a game-and-a-half lead over Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead, and should be able to stretch it to 2.5.

Darn that POOGA for keeping me from going 3-0 in trivia at BW3's last night. Of course that New Zealand question sucked, too...

Huskers at Mizzou today. I'm not expecting them to win, but if they do, it'll be hysterical.

Snif. I didn't know you cared...

2005-10-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

Sorry about not updating sooner. It's been a busy week, despite what SAM says...

Random Thoughts:

After being impressed with the crowd at last Friday's Knights game, I was severely disappointed in Wednesday's turnout. I wasn't expecting a lot, but I was expecting more than a 1,000. WTG, Omaha.

I heard second- or third-hand that the Lancers fired their marketing team, and have elected not to re-hire anyone because "they don't want to put any more money into the team". Sounds like the U-Hauls may be warming up. This makes me sad.

UNO Hockey: Alex Nikiforuk for Hobey. The kid is seriously en fuego. 5 goals and an assist in two games. If there'd been a couple more seconds on the clock last night he'd have been Alex Niki4uk...

Thursday night a couple of stupid kids zooming up Q Street rolled their Camaro through the fence and into the backyard of the house across the street from my parents. Fortunately no one was hurt seriously, but it'll definitely surprise the people who own the place (they haven't moved in yet). It'd also give me pause as to whether I'd ever let my children play in the backyard.

TV Show notes: "Alias" is improving. I liked Rachel Nichols a lot on the short-lived "The Inside", so I'm glad to see her again here. "Invasion" still isn't capturing my interest. I'm two episodes behind, and keep coming up with excuses not to watch them...

The Red Sox lost the ALDS, but it's okay since the Yankees did, too. So there. Phblt.

The New TV Season

2005-10-03T14:02:00.000-05:00

New Shows
Winners
-------
* Threshold - Carla Gugino, Data, Roc, and crew fight alien invasion. The best of the "Aliens are coming to get us" theme that seems to have cropped up this season.
* Everybody Hates Chris - Chris Rock's life as a 13-year-old growing up in NY. Just side-splittingly funny.
* Supernatural - Brothers investigate all those myths (or are they?) you told each other around the campfire when you were kids. Spooky!
* My Name is Earl - Jason Lee discovers Karma (via Carson Daly) and sets out to make right with all those he's wronged.
* Prison Break - Requires a healthy suspension of disbelief, but totally engaging action-drama about a brother who gets himself sent to prison in order to break his wrongfully imprisoned-on-death-row brother out.
* How I Met Your Mother - Don't know how I originally forgot this one. Thanks to Jon and Adam for the reminder. Funny stuff. Neil Patrick Harris is stealing the show, but I loves me some Alyson Hannigan, too.

Losers
------
* E-Ring - People in a office in the Pentagon watch others do their dirty work. Dull.
* Surface - Why do people keep giving Lake Bell jobs?
* Ghost Whisperer - Jennifer Love Hewitt has nice boobs. Otherwise, this show wishes it was Medium.

So-So
-----
* Bones - Started out pretty bad, but has been improving.
* Commander in Chief - Interesting premise, this also has room for improvement.
* Invasion - currently the second-best "Aliens are coming to get us" show. Pilot was a major snooze, but the second episode was much better. Hopefully it'll continue that trend.

Returning Shows
Winners
-------
* Veronica Mars - With Battlestar Galactica on hiatus until January, this is the best show on television. Smart, funny, and unpredictable. Don't miss it.
* House - Hugh Laurie as snarky Dr. Gregory House is great fun to watch.
* Lost - Has managed to pick up right where it left off without missing a beat.
* NCIS - Survived loss of one major castmember. Remains to be seen if it survives addition of two new ones. So far I'm okay with Lauren Holly as the new director, but I'm so-so on the Mossad chick.
* CSI:NY - The newest CSI is now the best CSI. Gary Sinise was a major casting coup, and I could stare at Melina Kanakaredes all damn day.
* Las Vegas - I like the new Montecito. The old one looked like a bastardization of the Bellagio and Venetian. Ugly. Sorry to see Nessa gone; I wish it had been Delinda. I'm liking Lara Flynn Boyle as the new casino owner, though.
* Medium - The show surprised me because I didn't think it looked that great from the previews last season. Glad to be wrong, as this is pretty interesting stuff.
* Desperate Housewives - This is a show I was prepared to hate last year because it kept Alias off the air until January. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the show. It doesn't hurt that all these Housewives are fabulous babes, either. Eva, if you get tired of rich basketball players, call me.

Losers
------
Not sure. I didn't watch them last year, so this year won't be any different.

So-so
-----
* Joey - I like Drea DeMatteo, but otherwise the show isn't really holding my attention.
* Alias - Disappointing start to it's final season. Hopefully it improves with the addition of new cast members to cover for Jen Garner's pregnancy. Hard to say, though, since the show has been about Sydney since the beginning.

Don't be a Dick

2005-09-29T13:20:00.000-05:00

So apparently Chef's coach "Cryin'" Dick Vermeil is upset with what the Donkey's Champ Bailey had to say about Kansas City's level of effort during last Monday's 30-10 stomping in Denver. Newsflash, Dick: don't shoot the messenger. Anyone watching the game could see that the Chiefs were half-assing it. Instead of getting pissed off at Champ for saying it, maybe you should get pissed off at your team for playing like that. The Donkeys are completely beatable, and your boys went in and laid a gigantic egg. Maybe the reason nobody on your team questioned Champ's effort during last year's blowout in KC is because he played hard the entire game. Did ya think of that? Don't get me wrong, I like the Chiefs okay (and root for them when they don't play the Bengals), but this is just ridiculous.

Mars Attacks!

2005-09-28T09:05:00.000-05:00

Tonight's the night! Veronica Mars begins it's second season tonight on UPN at 9pm ET. If you haven't watched it, give it a shot. It's one of the better shows on TV right now.

As promised, the Countdown to Mars continues...

2005-09-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

T-7 Days and counting until the Veronica Mars season two premiere. The UPN site (see banner at bottom) has added a couple more video clips (again requiring the use of the Satanic RealPlayer, or a far more benign alternative). One is a 60 second preview of the premiere episode which appears to answer at least one question regarding Logan and Weevil's status as last season's finale came to a close. The other is an almost 8 minute pseudo-recap of last season, and contains a lot of the best lines. "Everybody Wang Chung, dammit! Or I'll kick your ass!"

It appears that the September Sox that I know and love so well are back, clinging to a half-game lead in the AL East, having a much larger one being frittered away the past fews weeks. I now have a case of beer riding on them holding on to win. I know I'm used to disappointment, and you are on the "we won the World Series last year" free pass, but c'mon don't tank to that overpriced collection of individuals. Be a team. Be a GOOD team.

Are you ready for some football?

2005-09-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

Is this it? Is this when "next year" becomes "this year"? My Bengals are 2-0 after impressive wins over Cleveland and Minnesota. Carson Palmer looks every bit the #1 overall pick with his league-leading 617 passing yards and 5 TD's vs. 1 INT. The defense, Marvin Lewis' specialty, had 7 takeaways against the hapless Viqueens on Sunday, and it would have been 9 if two fumble recoveries hadn't been wiped out on penalties. Fingers crossed.

Veronica Mars update tomorrow.

Sometime next week I'll probably recap what I think is the best of the new TV season as well.

Veronica Mars - T-14 Days and counting...

2005-09-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Here's this week's Kristen Bell picture. It's actually from a guest appearance she made on "Everwood". I just like cheerleader outfits, and I doubt it's something we'll ever see Veronica in. Tonight on UPN is the rerun of the first season finale, and if you haven't seen it, you may want to in preparation for the season two premiere in a couple of weeks. Go! Watch! Tell your friends! Check the banner at the bottom of the page for more VM info...

US Open - Women's Semis - Update

2005-09-10T09:23:00.000-05:00

Drat. Maria loses to Kim Clijsters, who will play big faker Mary Pierce in the Finals. Go Kim!

I feel the same way, Maria:

By Popular Request...

2005-09-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

Okay, just Emily, but hey I'm always looking for a reason to post pix of my girl, Kristen Bell. UPN has a sneak peek at what appears to be the opening teaser from the "Veronica Mars" second season premiere. If you have the evil RealPlayer (or a somewhat less evil alternative), you can watch it here. 21 Days and counting...

US Open - Day Nine - Update

2005-09-07T09:47:00.000-05:00

Maria wins again! She advances to the Semis to play Kim Clijsters who thankfully removed the remaining Williams sister from competition.

Pic O' the Day:

US Open - Day Seven - Update

2005-09-05T00:33:00.000-05:00

Maria wins again! Nadal loses, so no more capri pants jokes....dang.

Pic o' the day:

US Open - Day Five - Update

2005-09-02T22:04:00.000-05:00

Both Maria and the guy in the highwater pants win again!

Your pic o' the day:

US Open - Day Three - Update

2005-09-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I'm only covering the days Maria plays. You can get the rest of the updates from the usual sports news outlets. Maria won again today. Oh, I think that guy in the petal pushers did, too...

Pic o' the day:

Mmmmm....sweaty....

US Open - Day One - Update

2005-08-29T23:29:00.000-05:00

Maria won! I don't know any other results other than that guy that wears the capri pants won, too.

Here's your pic of the day:

Schilling gets the start. Sox v. Royals Game 3

2005-08-25T19:21:00.000-05:00

Yeah, my camera phone blows. Sue me. Well, games two and three were certainly entertaining, but definitely not the outcome I would have preferred. The Royals won 4-3 in 11 innings on Wednesday night, in a game that featured multiple instances of having the bases loaded with less than two outs and coming away empty. Last night featured the return to the starting rotation for Curt Schilling. He looked pretty good (especially in the first inning), but the Royals appear to be on a bit of a hot streak, and knocked him around for 6 runs over the next three innings. Every time the Sox scored a couple to close the gap, KC managed to get them back within an inning. Hopefully the Royals can keep up the pace and take at least a couple from the Yanks while Boston hopefully recovers against Detroit this weekend.

Red Sox vs. Royals - Game 1

2005-08-23T20:35:00.000-05:00

Sox take a 5-0 lead into the ninth inning, and Mike Timlin decides to make it a little more interesting (or just wanted to try and generate a save chance for himself) by giving up a couple of runs to a Royals team that hadn't had a hit since the 5th inning. Sox hold on to win 5-2, and David Wells gets his 10th win of the season, while poor Zach Greinke loses his 15th.

A big "no-prize" to the Blue Jays who choked away a lead at Yankee stadium and kept the Sox from gaining another game on the Evil Empire.

Christmas in August!

2005-08-22T09:54:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's the big day! I've been waiting for this week all Summer, and finally the Red Sox are coming to town. I've had my tickets since they went on sale in Mid-March and I'm excited I'll finally get to use them (they've been taunting me from on top of fridge.) As an added bonus, I'll get to see Curt Schilling's return to the starting rotation on Thursday. Let's go Sox! Time to stop that Royals winning streak at two...

Microsoft to Gamers: Bend Over

2005-08-17T12:22:00.000-05:00

Microsoft released it's pricing structure for the Xbox 360 at a game conference in Leipzig Germany today. $399 for the full-blown package that every self-respecting game geek will buy, or the crippled $299 "core" system that is only being put out there so Microsoft can say, "Hey, we released at $299! It's not our fault nobody bought it." It's disappointing to see the system they've been pushing for months priced $100 higher than I was planning on, but since the separate accessories' pricing is an abomination of it's own, I'll likely bite the bullet and get the more expensive X360. Damn you Bill Gates! Damn you all to hell! lol.

Secret Message Boards Can Suck

2005-08-13T23:44:00.000-05:00

When they're used for evil, instead of good.

You know who you are.

#10, indeed. I'm insulted.

I live amongst morons.

2005-08-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

Kansas moves to stem role of evolution in teaching.

I swear, if I had kids, I'd move. Now I'll just have to tell people "Yes, I'm from Kansas, but I'm not stupid." Thanks so much, "Kansas Bored of Edumication"...

Personally, I believe in The Flying Spaghetti Monster.

SPACE.com -- Touchdown! Discovery Lands Safely in California

2005-08-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

Whew!

Your tax dollars at work, part deux...

2005-08-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

It's like a sequel to my last entry. Yes, stupidity abounds on both sides in this issue, however. The 13-year-old should have known that humiliating a 15-year-old in front of a girl would result in reprisal. The 15-year-old's mom gets bonus Dumb Points for just ignoring the court date, regardless of the fact it was moronic for there to be a court date in the first place. I hope the 13-year-old enjoys what will surely be a now unending stream of abuse at school, thanks to his overzealous parents.

This makes me sick.

2005-08-03T12:33:00.000-05:00

When I was this age, my parents would have (rightly so) told me it was my own damn fault for throwing water balloons at girls. Whoever filed the charges is an idiot, and no doubt when the civil suit comes, the boy's parents will be idiots, too. The pussification of America continues...

I guess we can all breathe again...

2005-08-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

Today's spacewalk appears to have been a complete success, although I see we have something new to possibly wring our hands about. The thermal blanket issue doesn't appear to be as big a deal as the gap-fillers, which is good. Here's hoping they let Discovery come back to Earth one of these days...

ESPN.com - Palmeiro suspended for steroids, denies using them

2005-08-01T13:02:00.000-05:00

Maybe someone slipped a little flax-seed oil into his Viagra...

Hillary vs. the Xbox: Game over

2005-08-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

Excellent open-letter to Ms. Clinton. I'd write more, but this dude already covered it, plus I need to go home, drink a forty, smack my bitches around, and shoot whitey...

ESPN.com - Oreovicz: Don't diss Danica

2005-07-29T13:26:00.000-05:00

Someday, these guys on the IRL circuit will learn. Maybe. Why can't they get it that the reason people even care about the IRL right now is because of Danica? Gentlemen, just strap on your cars, run your races, and let everything else take care of itself. Either she'll start winning, and earn the attention she's received so far, or eventually the press will stop giving two craps. See: Anna Kournikova.

Nicole... call me.

2005-07-27T13:53:00.000-05:00

I'm in the book.

2005-06 NHL Schedule Released

2005-07-27T12:45:00.000-05:00

The 2005-06 schedule was released today. The Pens only have one game in St. Louis this year, so I guess everyone knows where I'll be on December 13th...

Discovery Prepares for Launch

2005-07-26T09:06:00.000-05:00

Things are looking good for liftoff of Shuttle Discovery at 10:39am EDT. The ECO sensor problems that forced the scrubbing of the last attempt at launch have not resurfaced. Good luck to the crew of STS-114. Godspeed.

Edit: We have a successful launch of STS-114. MECO occurred a few minutes ago and there was a good external tank separation. Discovery is currently preparing for an OMS burn to place it in the proper orbit to rendevous with the ISS later in the mission.

Edit: Finally found a picture showing the dramatic new camera angle I saw for the first time today. It's from a camera mounted between the orbiter and the external tank, facing backwards. During liftoff, it was spectacular to see how fast the Florida coastline came into view. The next most amazing shot was of ETSEP (External Tank Separation), which I've included here. Cool!

Let's Go Pens!

2005-07-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Suddenly, I'm very excited about hockey season. :)

Scotty Beams Up

2005-07-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I met James Doohan once at a nerd...er...Star Trek Convention, and he was easily one of the most personable and down-to-earth celebrity I've ever been in contact with, especially within the Star Trek community where so many of the actors get very jaded. I watched a lot of Star Trek as a kid, and loved his character. I still use Scotty's theory of under-promise and over-deliver in my job. :) Rest in Peace, Mr. Doohan.

Doesn't this guy learn?

2005-07-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

So I see Kenny Rogers had another, less physical run-in with a cameraman at his booking yesterday.

Kenny. You fucked up. You're in jail getting fingerprinted. Shut the hell up, get it over with, and get out of there. If you hadn't been a jackass in the first place, the dude wouldn't have had to get up early to videotape you at the county lockup. This will help your appeal to MLB immensely, no doubt. You're 40-fucking-years-old. Start acting like it.

Monday Musings

2005-07-18T09:09:00.000-05:00

So the normally hapless Royals showed a little life yesterday in completing a split with Detroit. The fight (if that's what you want to call it) wouldn't have even happened is Carlos Guillen wasn't such a giant pussy trying to work a free base out of a possibly hit toe. He won't admit it but, I'm sure Runelvys Hernandez said to himself "you want to be hit by a pitch? Here..." I don't agree with him going at his head, but Guillen did need to be drilled.

---

Watched the ESPYs last night. Overall it was pretty dull stuff. I did enjoy Matthew Perry's parodies of Hoosiers and Friday Night Lights. Schill and the Sox won a couple of awards. The USA women's softball team won an award, and we got to see Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman in some pretty stunning dresses. Aye carrumba! Cat also won "Best Female College Athlete." Normally I'd have been happy they saved Destiny's Child for the very end, so I could change the channel, but I wanted to see SportsCenter from Fenway so I was stuck. Bleah. Oh yeah, Danica looked great, too!

---

Interesting series between the Sox and Yanks over the weekend. Yanks showed a lot of testicular fortitude coming back from that severe ass-pounding they got on Friday night to win the last two games of the set. What exactly was in the water in Miami that made Al Leiter suck? He was outstanding last night. Still a lot of baseball left, though. Hopefully the Sox can get it turned around and hang onto the AL East lead.

---

In non-sports stuff, I got to see Charlie & The Cocolate Factory on Saturday morning. I was skeptical, since I grew up with and loved the Gene Wilder version, but hopeful since Tim Burton and Johnny Depp rarely let me down. Suffice it to say I was extremely impressed. I also love the IMAX theater at the AMC Studio 30 in Olathe. I'm going back there tonight to catch "Batman Begins" in IMAX before it goes away completely.

Grand Theft Auto: Senator Clinton Wants To Know About Sex

2005-07-14T16:06:00.000-05:00

A) She should check with Bill.
B) She should stop being a dumbass.
C) This is all she has to worry about? Lazy parents?

Update: Shuttle launch possible but unlikely Sunday

2005-07-14T08:36:00.000-05:00

Gah. Hopefully everything will shake out properly and they go on Sunday. I'd like to be able to watch it live. My five-year plan includes getting down to Kennedy and watching a liftoff in-person. I missed seeing Endeavour by about a week a few years ago, due to a hold.

GodSpeed, Discovery

2005-07-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just under 6 hours to scheduled liftoff of STS-114 from Pad 39B at Cape Kennedy. Fingers crossed for a safe and successful flight.

Edit: Launch scrubbed due to faulty fuel sensor, postponed at least a day.

Game on!

2005-07-13T12:09:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I didn't miss the NHL much during the regular season, but I did really feel it when playoff time came and went without the pucks.

Hopefully the lessons learned in this terrible lockout will stick with both sides and prevent it from ever happening again.

Wow. This guy is totally on the cutting edge...

2005-07-12T15:27:00.000-05:00

Video-game 'orgies' for devoted players - Technology - International Herald Tribune

[Geek]I've been organizing and attending LAN parties for about ten years now. [/Geek] Thanks for the breaking news...

Bobby Abreu: He hit the ball real hard.

2005-07-11T23:01:00.000-05:00

Dang, I wish all those dingers counted for my fantasy team. 41 home runs is a damn good season total...

Poor Big Papi, he peaked too early. I know the feeling...

Why can't the Home Run Derby be just about home runs, and not about crappy local bands that sound like bad knockoffs of Nickelback? Alter Bridge sucks, and that was before Johnny Damon got in there. Don't quit the day job, JD.

In other news, Jennie Finch made the Legends/Celebrity softball game after the HRD watchable... You go, Ernie!

Dear IOC Euros... Get bent.

2005-07-09T08:50:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - Play ball!? Not in 2012: Baseball, softball out

Just because you suck at it doesn't mean you should vote it out of the Olympics. I'm hoping that if this is the trend, that somehow the US and Canada can have everything in the Winter games dropped except for Hockey, Curling, and Figure Skating.

Shut up, Tony

2005-07-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - IRL - Danica fades as Kanaan wins Kansas shootout

Quit pickin' on my girl, Kanaan. She's the reason there's anyone around for you to say stupid shit to.

Wouldn't you know it?

2005-06-30T15:09:00.000-05:00

Oh sure, my other girlfriend, Danica Patrick comes to KC for the weekend, and where am I going to be? Omaha! Argh!

AJ's slacking...

2005-06-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'll post the daily Sharapova pic. Also, here's an interesting little flash movie: The Knack would be proud. As of this posting, Maria is down 1-0 (6-7) in sets to Venus Williams. Ugh. C'mon Maria!
Edit: Dammit. The Predator got her. Maria falls in straight sets 6-7 1-6. Boo!

Go Gators!

2005-06-26T15:10:00.000-05:00

Dammit, I hate Texas. Or more specifically, their assinine, arrogant fanbase. And Augie Garrido. A bigger tool in college baseball never existed. So many have their tongues planted firmly in his asshole that it makes me ill... One of their fans told me "everybody hates him, but if you knew him, you'd know he was a great guy". Yeahright. I've heard enough behind-the-scenes stuff to know that if you're in Augie's inner-circle, he might be okay. If you're not, you ain't worth shit. Fuck him and his gang-sign waving team and fans. The song is "I've been working on the railroad", you stupid asses. I wish we'd let Mexico have you.

Sun Dog

2005-06-23T14:51:00.000-05:00

Ariel lazes in Mom & Dad's kitchen...

Hmm...Texas and Florida, maybe?

2005-06-20T23:19:00.000-05:00

Florida certainly looks far better than I thought they were...

Guess we'll see what happens on Tuesday.

Although I like the Huskers, I may be rooting ASU (I have a longtime allegiance). HuskerFan has begun to wear on me.

CWS Championship Series Prediction

2005-06-13T23:13:00.000-05:00

Nebraska vs. Tulane for all the marbles.

Who wins? I'm not sure, yet...

ASU/Fullertion Regional pt. 2

2005-06-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the ASU Sun Devils! They showed an incredible amount of testicular fortitude by shaking off that abyssmal call on Friday night and handing the Titans their lunch on Saturday, and then coming back from a 7-2 deficit on Sunday to win 9-8 and punch their ticket for Omaha. I've been an ASU baseball fan for many years, and it's good to see them back again. Hopefully Ole Miss will finish off Texas & Augie Garrido and guarantee us a Costner-free College World Series.

ASU/Fullerton Super Regional

2005-06-11T00:27:00.000-05:00

Duplicated over at: http://www.whooterville.com

Here's a hearty "Fuck You" to third base umpire Jack Cox, who thought he should decide the game, rather than the kids on the field.

To make a bullshit balk call on an intential walk is outrageous and unfair to the players and fans who up to that point had been in a hell of an outstanding baseball game.

I'll be happy if this jackass never works another game in his life.

Jack Cox, this one's for you:

We're National Champs! In your face, losers!

2005-06-09T12:36:00.000-05:00

This is something that's bothered me for awhile, and it got brought back to the forefront last night as I watched the final game of the Women's College World Series. I don't have a problem with Michigan winning (It's hard for me to hate girls just because they chose the wrong school.) My rant doesn't even concern who won or lost.

My problem is this: sometime ago, someone at the NCAA (I'm assuming) thought it would be a magnificent idea to throw "National Champ" t-shirts and hats at the winning team, mere seconds after the final out/buzzer/whatever, while both teams are still on the field and prior to any postgame handshakes, etc.

I can't blame the kids for putting this stuff on (what else are they gonna do with it?), but would it be so bad to wait until after things like the handshake and trophy presentations, when teams have retired to their lockerrooms to hand these things out? The people in the stands and watching on TV, unless they're irretrievably stupid, know who just won the championship. Who do these things benefit at that particular moment?

The losing team already knows they lost. Do they really need to go through a handshake line with the winning team already wearing "We're #1" hats and t-shirts? It'd be nice if the winners didn't have to (intentionally or not) rub the losers' noses in it.

It'd be nice if a coach or team captain or somebody took a stand and said "If we win this thing, and they hand out hats & t-shirts, don't put them on until after handshakes, etc."

But then, I'm all about nice, aren't I?

One thing to like about IRL

2005-06-08T10:50:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Man's leg lands in yard

2005-06-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

Remind me to stop bitching the next time it rains...

Two things to like about Texas

2005-06-07T21:19:00.000-05:00

Cat Osterman & Desiree Williams

Yummy.

I love the College World Series...sorry AJ.

2005-06-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

Outside of opening day of the college hockey season, and Jennifer Garner's birthday, the CWS is my favorite time of year.

Is it perfect? No. But for me, the positives outweigh the negatives every time.

It probably means more to me now that I don't live in Omaha anymore, and have become one of those that roadtrip back for the series every year (granted it's not a long roadtrip, and I don't drive my house back with me). I like getting 12 days off from work to see the series (and who wouldn't like 12 days off?) I get to see my family, my friends, and this year, "George A. Romero's Land of the Dead" on opening day (June 24th) with my Manly Men's Movie Reviews group.

I don't like metal bats, and I don't like schedules that get screwed around for the sake of TV or getting more northern teams in the CWS (note: still doesn't work, either. A max of 2 northern teams can make the series this year.) I don't like morons that decide CWS week is the perfect time to take a trip to a zoo that's open 50 other weekends a year.

I like Zesto's and Hot Fudge Malts. I like tailgating in the parking lot and watching college girls in impossibly small clothing walk around.

Mostly I like watching guys play soley to win, and not multi-millionaires that don't run out fly balls or grounders.

I like hating Texas and LSU (not-so-sadly, there will definitely be no LSU this year.)

Anyhow, here's my predictions/wishes for this year's CWS field:

Super Regional Matchup
----------------------
Tulane vs. Rice - Tulane

Southern California vs. Oregon State - Oregon State

Ole Miss vs. Texas - Ole Miss

Clemson vs. Baylor - Baylor

Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee - Georgia Tech

Florida State vs. Florida - Florida

Cal State-Fullerton vs. Arizona State - Arizona State

Miami (FL) vs. Nebraska - Nebraska

CNN.com - Supreme Court allows prosecution of medical marijuana

2005-06-06T14:18:00.000-05:00

A hearty thank you to the Supreme Court for allowing sick and dying people the pain and suffering they so richly deserve.

I hope you fuckers can sleep at night.

Royals Sweep Yanks. Buddy Bell is 3-0. WTF?

2005-06-03T09:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm not quite ready to admit yet that I may have been hasty in my blasting of the hire of Buddy Bell as the new Royals manager, but I've certainly been impressed the last three nights. If they can play around .500 baseball in June, I may have to apologize. We'll see...

Queen of the hill

2005-06-01T14:34:00.000-05:00

I like taking pictures of the dog. Sue me.

ABC News: Paris Hilton to join fortunes with shipping scion

2005-06-01T09:10:00.000-05:00

The jokes will practically write themselves on this one. What's the over/under on how long this'll last? Nicky's marriage lasted three months, so if that's the line, I'll take the under...

Royals name Buddy Bell manager

2005-05-31T14:11:00.000-05:00

I can't even beging to express my disappointment in this selection. Am I really supposed to be excited about a guy with a lifetime managerial record of .428? Jesus Christ, if I failed more than half the time at my job, I'd never get work again. If the Royals are resigned to sucking (which they obviously are), I would think they could have gone with someone that hasn't been around the block and already proved they can't do the job. Apparently Allard Baird's committment to a youth movement in Kansas City only applies to the players, and not their leadership. Hopefully, when the season is over and the Royals have set the new major league record for losses, both Bell and Baird will get the heave-ho from David Glass. I predict that I will not be the only person in the area unhappy with this selection. Fuck. I guess I can at least be happy that the Royals are only my second favorite team. It'd be nice if the BoSox could whip up on Baltimore the way they did the Spankees over the weekend...

Okay, I guess I could begin to express my disappointment.

AJ goes nu-cu-lar on the NCAA and the CWS...

2005-05-31T09:10:00.000-05:00

Don't agree with some of it, but it's quality stuff!

A Gamers' Manifesto

2005-05-25T13:34:00.000-05:00

This guy is my fucking hero. Well said.

So much for "Shoot first and ask questions later", eh?

2005-05-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Around the world women are saying "Great. Now he'll never get off me."

Death penalty for stupidity, please.

2005-05-24T09:39:00.000-05:00

This is where being allowed to just shoot people on the side of the road would come in handy...

You'd think they'd be more concerned with the nutritional value...

2005-05-24T09:37:00.000-05:00

How about instead of complaining that the kids meals promote a film aimed at older moviegoers, they complain instead about the kids meals promoting fat kids?

Darth Vader really IS a bad guy...

2005-05-24T09:04:00.000-05:00

This seems kind of beneath him... Gotta pay for those spare air filters, somehow, I guess...