I know I wasn't the only driver slowed in reaching my destination, by workers repainting the shamrock on the street in front of Kelly's Irish Pub.
Seriously? We're going to shut down a lane of traffic on 53RD STREET - at one o'clock in the afternoon - for a shamrock!
I want to point out, I have no problem with Kelly's. I've been there a few times and think it's an alright place. And, yes, I realize they are getting ready for their big St. Patrick's Day event this weekend. (including skydiving leprechauns, I'm told) I just want this touch-up job done at a time of day when 53rd Street is less congested.
And the real kicker is.. I could still see the shamrock from the last time they painted it.. plain as day! It's enough to make me want to start swingin' my shillelagh!!! (I don't actually have one, regretably)
Okay, I'm done now.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
DUDE FLICKS
I heard someone ask a trivia question on TV yesterday:
"What are the only three sports-themed movies to win the Oscar for Best Picture?"
I'm not going to tell you the answer, (look it up yourself!) but I will give you a blog entry inspired by the question:
Presenting...
My Top 10 Favorite Sport Movies:
1) Hoosiers - I was a real basketball junkie when I saw this one, so it stands out as a favorite in my mind. Probably one of my favorite films, period. It's soooo predictable and schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for a feel good movie. It makes me want to go back to college and walk onto the team every time I see it. I've got at least three years of eligibility left.
Favorite moment - When Jimmy looks at Coach Dale in the final timeout and calmly says, "I'll make it."
2) Rocky - What can you say. It's the ultimate underdog story. And even though Sylvester Stallone's descent into a caricature of himself may have tarnished the film for some, it remains a fantastic sports film. I still get goose bumps in the final scenes. By the way, the composer who wrote the film's famous insparational score is fellow LSU graduate, Bill Conti. Geaux Tigers!!!)
Favorite Moment - When Rocky loses. It would've been easy to have Rocky somehow win a decision or score an unpredictable knockout in the final round, but winning wasn't the point. Rocky just wanted to go the distance with Apollo Creed, something no fighter had ever done, and prove - to himself, his woman and the world - he wasn't "a bum".
3) Bull Durham - My wife doesn't understand why I love this movie. Well, I think you have to love baseball first. Tim Robbins gives us a wonderful character, even if he does throw like a girl.
Favorite Moment - When Crash refuses to call the ump a cocksucker, but repeatedly points out it was a cocksucking call. I'm laughing right now just thinking about it.
4) Major League - Not exactly top-notch cinema, but who cares. My brother and I must have watched this one about a million times and know far too many of the lines.
Favorite Moment - Too many to mention, but I'll go with, "Yo, bartender! Jobu needs a refill!!!"
5) Dodgeball - This one is more of a mock sports movie, but it does center on a sport, of sorts. And it just makes me laugh throughout.
Favorite Moments - Lance Armstrong stealing the scene when he shames Peter into going back for the final match, and also when the audience is first introduced to ESPN 8, The Ocho
6) The Sandlot - It's probably becoming obvious I prefer light-hearted movies. I think this one is underrated. I'm a sucker for sap.
Favorite Moment - When Smalls doesn't understand why a ball signed by Babe Ruth would be so valuable.
7) Requiem For a Heavyweight - See, I can enjoy something serious. This one is more than a downer. It's heart-breaking at times. But I also think it's a great character study.
Favorite Moment - When the lead clumsily tries to charm the girl on their date.
8) The Longest Yard - Not the crappy remake, but the Burt Reynolds original. I like Adam Sandler, but how could he match the often-but-not-in-this-movie mustachioed manlyness of Reynolds. And Eddie Albert, as the warden, proves he can be more than funny. He's down-right menacing in some scenes.
Favorite Moment - When Crew throws the ball into the D-lineman's groin... the SECOND time.
9) The Bad News Bears - Needs no explanation. Just great. And another one that didn't need to be remade.
Favorite Moment - Buttermaker chugging beers in the dugout during a Little League game. What a coach!
10) Miracle - I love movies based on true stories, and this one is well done. The on-ice scenes seemed authentic, because the actors could skate.. or maybe they just hired skaters who could act.
Favorite Moment - When we beat the Russians, of course!
*Honorable Mention) Tin Cup - Just missed the cut.
And finally, for my wife:
The Top 5 Chick Flick Sports Movies (not made for TV, like most)
1) The Cutting Edge - A favorite of women across the land... for some reason. Arguably D.B. Sweeney's finest performance, unfortunately for him.
2) Bring It On - A movie about something that requires athleticism and includes competitions, so it is a sports movie. And it is undoubtedly a chick flick.
3) Million Dollar Baby - The story of an old fart and a slow-witted girl from the sticks. I saw most of it and it's actually pretty good. It's also a big downer.
4) The Karate Kid 3 - Hillary Swank is the unquestioned queen of chick flick sports movies.
5) Heart Like a Wheel - I think seven people have seen this movie, which features a breakout (and by breakout, I mean so unmemorable all but seven people missed it) performance by Anthony Edwards.
"What are the only three sports-themed movies to win the Oscar for Best Picture?"
I'm not going to tell you the answer, (look it up yourself!) but I will give you a blog entry inspired by the question:
Presenting...
My Top 10 Favorite Sport Movies:
1) Hoosiers - I was a real basketball junkie when I saw this one, so it stands out as a favorite in my mind. Probably one of my favorite films, period. It's soooo predictable and schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for a feel good movie. It makes me want to go back to college and walk onto the team every time I see it. I've got at least three years of eligibility left.
Favorite moment - When Jimmy looks at Coach Dale in the final timeout and calmly says, "I'll make it."
2) Rocky - What can you say. It's the ultimate underdog story. And even though Sylvester Stallone's descent into a caricature of himself may have tarnished the film for some, it remains a fantastic sports film. I still get goose bumps in the final scenes. By the way, the composer who wrote the film's famous insparational score is fellow LSU graduate, Bill Conti. Geaux Tigers!!!)
Favorite Moment - When Rocky loses. It would've been easy to have Rocky somehow win a decision or score an unpredictable knockout in the final round, but winning wasn't the point. Rocky just wanted to go the distance with Apollo Creed, something no fighter had ever done, and prove - to himself, his woman and the world - he wasn't "a bum".
3) Bull Durham - My wife doesn't understand why I love this movie. Well, I think you have to love baseball first. Tim Robbins gives us a wonderful character, even if he does throw like a girl.
Favorite Moment - When Crash refuses to call the ump a cocksucker, but repeatedly points out it was a cocksucking call. I'm laughing right now just thinking about it.
4) Major League - Not exactly top-notch cinema, but who cares. My brother and I must have watched this one about a million times and know far too many of the lines.
Favorite Moment - Too many to mention, but I'll go with, "Yo, bartender! Jobu needs a refill!!!"
5) Dodgeball - This one is more of a mock sports movie, but it does center on a sport, of sorts. And it just makes me laugh throughout.
Favorite Moments - Lance Armstrong stealing the scene when he shames Peter into going back for the final match, and also when the audience is first introduced to ESPN 8, The Ocho
6) The Sandlot - It's probably becoming obvious I prefer light-hearted movies. I think this one is underrated. I'm a sucker for sap.
Favorite Moment - When Smalls doesn't understand why a ball signed by Babe Ruth would be so valuable.
7) Requiem For a Heavyweight - See, I can enjoy something serious. This one is more than a downer. It's heart-breaking at times. But I also think it's a great character study.
Favorite Moment - When the lead clumsily tries to charm the girl on their date.
8) The Longest Yard - Not the crappy remake, but the Burt Reynolds original. I like Adam Sandler, but how could he match the often-but-not-in-this-movie mustachioed manlyness of Reynolds. And Eddie Albert, as the warden, proves he can be more than funny. He's down-right menacing in some scenes.
Favorite Moment - When Crew throws the ball into the D-lineman's groin... the SECOND time.
9) The Bad News Bears - Needs no explanation. Just great. And another one that didn't need to be remade.
Favorite Moment - Buttermaker chugging beers in the dugout during a Little League game. What a coach!
10) Miracle - I love movies based on true stories, and this one is well done. The on-ice scenes seemed authentic, because the actors could skate.. or maybe they just hired skaters who could act.
Favorite Moment - When we beat the Russians, of course!
*Honorable Mention) Tin Cup - Just missed the cut.
And finally, for my wife:
The Top 5 Chick Flick Sports Movies (not made for TV, like most)
1) The Cutting Edge - A favorite of women across the land... for some reason. Arguably D.B. Sweeney's finest performance, unfortunately for him.
2) Bring It On - A movie about something that requires athleticism and includes competitions, so it is a sports movie. And it is undoubtedly a chick flick.
3) Million Dollar Baby - The story of an old fart and a slow-witted girl from the sticks. I saw most of it and it's actually pretty good. It's also a big downer.
4) The Karate Kid 3 - Hillary Swank is the unquestioned queen of chick flick sports movies.
5) Heart Like a Wheel - I think seven people have seen this movie, which features a breakout (and by breakout, I mean so unmemorable all but seven people missed it) performance by Anthony Edwards.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
NEW CO-PILOT
Sunya has been working with us for some time now, but is just now starting to co-anchor the Fox 18 Nine O'clock News. YAY!!! I've been reading every story for months.
But before we could officially welcome Sunya, I had to make sure the rest of the anchor team was cool with her.
Roland said, "Yeah, she's alright". But don't get the wrong idea. That's a ringing endorsement when coming from Roland.
When I asked Pat about Sunya joining us on the desk, he said "Woo Pig Soooeeeyyy!" He just says that from time to time. I'm not sure what it had to do with Sunya in this case, but it didn't sound negative so I assumed it was okay with him.
Seriously, here's what I can tell you about Sunya: She is a great co-worker, and not just because she's quiet. She is also conscientious and generally pleasant. She is a welcome addition, in my opinion, and I can't wait for the Quad Cities to get to know her a little better. Learn more about Sunya Walls in her bio, coming soon to www.kljb.com.
But before we could officially welcome Sunya, I had to make sure the rest of the anchor team was cool with her.
Roland said, "Yeah, she's alright". But don't get the wrong idea. That's a ringing endorsement when coming from Roland.
When I asked Pat about Sunya joining us on the desk, he said "Woo Pig Soooeeeyyy!" He just says that from time to time. I'm not sure what it had to do with Sunya in this case, but it didn't sound negative so I assumed it was okay with him.
Seriously, here's what I can tell you about Sunya: She is a great co-worker, and not just because she's quiet. She is also conscientious and generally pleasant. She is a welcome addition, in my opinion, and I can't wait for the Quad Cities to get to know her a little better. Learn more about Sunya Walls in her bio, coming soon to www.kljb.com.
Friday, January 22, 2010
VIKING FUNERAL
Your team had its chances, Viking fan!
Four trips to the Superbowl. Four!!! And you came up empty.
No shame in that. It's something just to make it to four Superbowls. And those were some fantastic teams. But you had your chance.
It's the Saints' turn.
Sure, it would be great to send Brett Favre out a winner. I wouldn't mind seeing that. He's a Mississippi Boy like me. He grew up just two counties away from my home. I almost always root for him. But I was rooting for the Saints before anyone had ever heard of Breet Favre. Besides, even if he did win another Superbowl, there's no guarantee he would go out a winner. There's a good possibility he won't leave the game until injury takes away his ability to play. He had his chance. Two Superbowls. Won one. Congrats.
It's the Saints' turn.
I've been cheering on the Saints since 1979, and the stars have never aligned for my team like they did this year. Sean Payton and Drew Brees spent four years molding the offense. Then we bring in Gregg Williams, Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer to help give the defense some teeth. The Saints, a team not built for outdoor football in January, gets to play inside with the Superbowl on the line, in front of their home fans. If they win, the party will roll from the French Quarter to South Beach, without ceasing, for the two weeks between the NFC Championship Game and the Superbowl.
It's the Saints' turn.
But should the Saints happen to lose, I will root for the Vikings in the big game.
Here's to a great one this Sunday.
Four trips to the Superbowl. Four!!! And you came up empty.
No shame in that. It's something just to make it to four Superbowls. And those were some fantastic teams. But you had your chance.
It's the Saints' turn.
Sure, it would be great to send Brett Favre out a winner. I wouldn't mind seeing that. He's a Mississippi Boy like me. He grew up just two counties away from my home. I almost always root for him. But I was rooting for the Saints before anyone had ever heard of Breet Favre. Besides, even if he did win another Superbowl, there's no guarantee he would go out a winner. There's a good possibility he won't leave the game until injury takes away his ability to play. He had his chance. Two Superbowls. Won one. Congrats.
It's the Saints' turn.
I've been cheering on the Saints since 1979, and the stars have never aligned for my team like they did this year. Sean Payton and Drew Brees spent four years molding the offense. Then we bring in Gregg Williams, Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer to help give the defense some teeth. The Saints, a team not built for outdoor football in January, gets to play inside with the Superbowl on the line, in front of their home fans. If they win, the party will roll from the French Quarter to South Beach, without ceasing, for the two weeks between the NFC Championship Game and the Superbowl.
It's the Saints' turn.
But should the Saints happen to lose, I will root for the Vikings in the big game.
Here's to a great one this Sunday.
Friday, January 8, 2010
OPINIONS
Sports talk radio is starting to drive me crazy.
I've always loved sports and still do. I used to work in TV sports. But I'm slowly starting to despise sports talk radio in particular, and shock journalism in general.
I turned on ESPN radio this morning, and Mel Kiper Jr. was talking. His voice is enough to make you want to turn the channel, no matter the subject. But before I could change it, I heard him call a 20-year-old kid an idiot. He didn't use those words, but he might as well have.
Jevan Sneed was the starting quarterback at the University of Mississippi this past season. Yesterday, he announced he would leave school early and enter the NFL draft, and Kiper was going on and on about how he couldn't understand why Sneed would enter the draft early.. he is at best a 3rd-4th round pick.. could be a first round pick after another year in college... just doesn't understand the thinking.
The thing is, it's not for Mel to understand. Maybe Jevan Sneed isn't a good student and hates college. Maybe he needs a paycheck. Maybe he doesn't like his coaches. Maybe he doesn't want to come back to an Ole Miss team that will likely go 6-6 next season. Or maybe he is tired of living in a sometimes backwards town like Oxford (I'm from Mississippi, so I can say that)
Sports talk radio hosts could have been talking about many things this morning. For instance: How did college coaching salaries get so out of hand? (Coaches in the Southeastern Conference average about three million a year. It's no wonder the SEC owns the BCS) Why a pro athlete would store four guns in his locker? Or maybe they could just talk about the NFL playoffs this weekend. Any number of subjects would be better than a self-proclaimed draft expert second-guessing the decisions of a college kid.
But this seems to be what journalism is becoming. I doesn't matter what you say, just say it loudly. Have an opinion and make it a controverial one, if possible. It's what all the so-called 24-hour news networks do these days. Their most popular prime-time shows consist of people making bold, often controversial statements.. making them loudly and repeatedly.. and then dismissing anyone who might disagree with them. It's not news. It's Howard Stern without the vulgar jokes. It's saying something radical to shock people and get attention.
I'm getting a little off base here. But what I want to say this morning is this: being opinionated is not the same as being knowledgable. It just took me while to get there.
I've always loved sports and still do. I used to work in TV sports. But I'm slowly starting to despise sports talk radio in particular, and shock journalism in general.
I turned on ESPN radio this morning, and Mel Kiper Jr. was talking. His voice is enough to make you want to turn the channel, no matter the subject. But before I could change it, I heard him call a 20-year-old kid an idiot. He didn't use those words, but he might as well have.
Jevan Sneed was the starting quarterback at the University of Mississippi this past season. Yesterday, he announced he would leave school early and enter the NFL draft, and Kiper was going on and on about how he couldn't understand why Sneed would enter the draft early.. he is at best a 3rd-4th round pick.. could be a first round pick after another year in college... just doesn't understand the thinking.
The thing is, it's not for Mel to understand. Maybe Jevan Sneed isn't a good student and hates college. Maybe he needs a paycheck. Maybe he doesn't like his coaches. Maybe he doesn't want to come back to an Ole Miss team that will likely go 6-6 next season. Or maybe he is tired of living in a sometimes backwards town like Oxford (I'm from Mississippi, so I can say that)
Sports talk radio hosts could have been talking about many things this morning. For instance: How did college coaching salaries get so out of hand? (Coaches in the Southeastern Conference average about three million a year. It's no wonder the SEC owns the BCS) Why a pro athlete would store four guns in his locker? Or maybe they could just talk about the NFL playoffs this weekend. Any number of subjects would be better than a self-proclaimed draft expert second-guessing the decisions of a college kid.
But this seems to be what journalism is becoming. I doesn't matter what you say, just say it loudly. Have an opinion and make it a controverial one, if possible. It's what all the so-called 24-hour news networks do these days. Their most popular prime-time shows consist of people making bold, often controversial statements.. making them loudly and repeatedly.. and then dismissing anyone who might disagree with them. It's not news. It's Howard Stern without the vulgar jokes. It's saying something radical to shock people and get attention.
I'm getting a little off base here. But what I want to say this morning is this: being opinionated is not the same as being knowledgable. It just took me while to get there.
Friday, October 9, 2009
GOOD SEASON... SO FAR
It has been a great football season. The two teams I support, the Fightin' Tigers of Louisiana State University and the New Orleans Saints(Who Dat!!!), are a combined 9-0 this season. But that perfect record will likely sport a blemish by Sunday morning. Sure, my Tigers COULD beat Florida. They're at home, they looked better last weeked and Tim Tebow may not play. But even without their leading passer and jort-sporter, the Gators have to be favored to win. You can learn more about Florida fans and jorts at http://www.tigerdroppings.com/. It's a great forum for college football fans. I recommend the "SEC Rant".
Anyway, despite Vegas giving the Gators 7-and-a-half, I'm picking my Tigers to win: 27-17.
I've always loved football. The Saints started breaking my heart when I was about five years old. And though I never really was a big LSU fan till I went to school there, I alwasy watched college games. In fact, football is probably my favorite sport to watch, which is a little strange since it is one of the few sports I never played. I played baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, etc. But I've never so much as put on a pair of shoulder pads, much less played in a game.
I prefer college games. I think it's because I like upsets, and you just see more of those David topples Goliath games in college ball. Good college teams are more likely to play down to their competition. And home field advantage seems to be more of an advantage than it is in the NFL.
My experience at LSU reinforced my preference for college football. Saturday nights in Death Valley can be electric(when the Tigers are playing well) I worked in student media during my time at LSU and got the chance to be on the field for many games. Just imagine sitting at the bottom of a hot, humid, sticky concrete bowl, surrounded by 90,000+ crazy, sauced cajuns, when the Tigers intercept what would have been the winning touchdown pass on fourth down, on the final play of the game. That was my first experience covering college football. Troy Twillie picked off the pass right in front of the student section, and LSU held on to upset Auburn in 1995. I'm lucky I don't have permanent hearing damage.
That ranks as one of my favorite football games I ever attended. LSU's win over top-ranked Florida in 1997 also ranks near the top. And THAT win gives me some hope my perfect football season will last past this weekend.
Please, share with me some of your favorite college football memories. I'd love to hear them.
Anyway, despite Vegas giving the Gators 7-and-a-half, I'm picking my Tigers to win: 27-17.
I've always loved football. The Saints started breaking my heart when I was about five years old. And though I never really was a big LSU fan till I went to school there, I alwasy watched college games. In fact, football is probably my favorite sport to watch, which is a little strange since it is one of the few sports I never played. I played baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, etc. But I've never so much as put on a pair of shoulder pads, much less played in a game.
I prefer college games. I think it's because I like upsets, and you just see more of those David topples Goliath games in college ball. Good college teams are more likely to play down to their competition. And home field advantage seems to be more of an advantage than it is in the NFL.
My experience at LSU reinforced my preference for college football. Saturday nights in Death Valley can be electric(when the Tigers are playing well) I worked in student media during my time at LSU and got the chance to be on the field for many games. Just imagine sitting at the bottom of a hot, humid, sticky concrete bowl, surrounded by 90,000+ crazy, sauced cajuns, when the Tigers intercept what would have been the winning touchdown pass on fourth down, on the final play of the game. That was my first experience covering college football. Troy Twillie picked off the pass right in front of the student section, and LSU held on to upset Auburn in 1995. I'm lucky I don't have permanent hearing damage.
That ranks as one of my favorite football games I ever attended. LSU's win over top-ranked Florida in 1997 also ranks near the top. And THAT win gives me some hope my perfect football season will last past this weekend.
Please, share with me some of your favorite college football memories. I'd love to hear them.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SWEET ANTICIPATION
One of the least painful, but most annoying aspects of radiation treatment, in my case, is loss of taste.
They radiated where my right tonsil used to be, and also the areas immediately around that. It messes with your salivary glands and taste buds. The dry-mouth is getting better, but a nurse told me it may take up to a month for my taste buds to start coming back. Then I read online it may take longer than that. Every case seems to be a bit different.
Anyway, I can taste a little salt in foods. I get even less of bitter and tart foods. And I taste no sweet at all. And love sweets!
So, I am making a list of sweet things I plan to devour once I can taste them again:
- M&Ms (peanut, not plain)
- Pancakes with real maple syrup
- The largest banana nut muffin I can find
- Smarties (Man, I hope I can taste sweets before Halloween)
- One bite from every kind of pie at Village Inn
- Caramel popcorn
- Coffee ice cream
And that's as far as I've gotten.
PLEASE, share any ideas you have. What are your favorite sweet treats??? And why should I add them to my list??? Convince me.
They radiated where my right tonsil used to be, and also the areas immediately around that. It messes with your salivary glands and taste buds. The dry-mouth is getting better, but a nurse told me it may take up to a month for my taste buds to start coming back. Then I read online it may take longer than that. Every case seems to be a bit different.
Anyway, I can taste a little salt in foods. I get even less of bitter and tart foods. And I taste no sweet at all. And love sweets!
So, I am making a list of sweet things I plan to devour once I can taste them again:
- M&Ms (peanut, not plain)
- Pancakes with real maple syrup
- The largest banana nut muffin I can find
- Smarties (Man, I hope I can taste sweets before Halloween)
- One bite from every kind of pie at Village Inn
- Caramel popcorn
- Coffee ice cream
And that's as far as I've gotten.
PLEASE, share any ideas you have. What are your favorite sweet treats??? And why should I add them to my list??? Convince me.
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