Things Are Happening

that is all

The Mount Rushmore of Barbecue

The 4 best barbecue joints in the world...are the 4 best barbecue places in Kansas City. Okay, I haven't done my Texas tour yet, so I have plenty of years to revise this stance, but whatever.

Brit asked me a hard-hitting question..."If you're driving through KC and you have time to stop at one place for lunch what would it be?"

My first conclusion was that there is a solid top 4, and you can't go wrong at any of them. But let's dig deeper and count them down.

#4 Oklahoma Joe's

I've been there twice and neither time came away thinking I NEED to come back here. The wait is atrocious at the city location, and the atmosphere is chainy in the suburbs. And both times I felt like the meat portions were skimpy. Still, it's pretty good. It's just not as good as the others.

Specialty: Z-Man sandwich: brisket with provolone and onion rings.

#3 Jack Stack

I've only had carry-out here (twice) and it does have a premium sense to it. I'm not in love with the idea of a white tablecloth atmosphere, but the end result is what's important. I think it really just depends what mood you're in.

Specialty: Pork burnt ends

#2 Gates

I think this really warrants years of research, with extensive menu testing to see what's really the best between these top three. For now, I'm going with AB as just a hair better than Gates, but that might just be recency.

Specialty: Burnt Ends on bun / Beef on bun

#1 Arthur Bryant's

It's funny because I grew up on Gates, and truth be told I would usually gravitate towards a pulled pork sandwich or ribs as my first choice, but these places are amazing, and they do beef right. Right now, if I had to choose one place, it would be AB's. But why limit yourself? I can't wait to go back and hit AB's, Gates, and Jack Stack, and maybe next year I'll have a different ranking.

Specialty: Beef Brisket

- - -

And since I love maps and barbecue, here's an interactive Google map featuring the Mount Rushmore of BBQ. We usually stay in Overland Park since it's cheap and convenient to Arrowhead (really anywhere is convenient in KC) so it's nice that there are locations out there for 3 of the 4.

View KC BBQ in a larger map

Kansas City BBQ Recap: Part Three

If you go to yelp.com, the consensus top 5 in Kansas City barbecue is, in some order:

Arthur Bryant's
Gates
LC's
Oklahoma Joe's
Fiorella's Jack Stack

Well, I had been to 3 of the 5 before, this trip would complete the list.

Wednesday, 3pm: Arthur Bryant's


I had meant to go to Arthur Bryant's last time, but it didn't work out. It's the most famous name for Kansas City, but I was somewhat doubtful because I had heard they used a vinegar-based sauce.

The reviews for AB's mentioned that you had to get the brisket. Okay. It's a cafeteria style line and I ordered the 2-meat combo: brisket and burnt ends. I didn't get any sides but Brit ordered the potato salad. Here's the plate:



There were three sauces on the table: original, rich & spicy, and sweet heat. The original and rich ones were quite similar. Both were serious sauces, not much sweetness, a lot of solid flavor and heat. My favorite was the original. Despite being "vinegar-based" it wasn't thin or sour or anything. This was not a Carolina runny sauce by any imagination. In fact it didn't taste that far away from Gates, and it's just delicious.

And how good do those burnt ends look in the picture above? Well, they didn't disappoint. But, as advertised, the beef brisket is AMAZING. The picture doesn't do it justice. Combined with the original sauce, this was SERIOUS beef. They didn't mess around. This is for people that like barbecue.

Beef Brisket: A+
Burnt Ends: A-

Overall: A+

Friday, 8pm: Oklahoma Joe's on 47th

I had been to the suburban Oklahoma Joe's before and had a pulled pork sandwich. It was perfectly fine. But I heard two things about Oklahoma Joe's: I needed to try the Z-man sandwich, and it's in a gas station.

Now what I pictured when I heard that, is that they took over a building that used to be a gas station. Not exactly. It is in fact, inside a working gas station. The dining room borders a rack of chips and candy bars and magazines and a gas station clerk.


I arrived there at 7:50 on a Friday night. Again it's cafeteria style, but the line is out the door. People in front of me said the line would only take 15 minutes. I finally got to order about 8:35 and sat down to eat 50 minutes after I entered. This had better be good. I ordered the specialty, the Z-Man sandwich and a bag of fries.

Here's what it looked like:


The Z-Man is brisket, topped with melted provolone and two onion rings. At this point I was starving. I bit into it and it tasted good. The cheese and the barbecue sauce, paired with the crunch of the onion ring, it was definitely a good sandwich. But here's the thing...it didn't really scream barbecue. While I enjoyed it, I later realized that this was the sandwich for people who don't like barbecue. This is the anti-Arthur Bryant's.

Also, it wasn't that big. The sandwich was 6.50, and there weren't any options for adding a side of ribs or anything like that. So after waiting in line for so long, I wasn't really full.

The fries were well seasoned and that portion was more than generous. Still, I can't knock the place too much. The sandwich WAS good. And I saw others with the $20 full slab of ribs that looked mighty fine.

Z-Man: A
Fries: A+
The wait and meat portion: C

Overall: A-


Saturday, 1pm: LC's


I don't mind if a place is a little divey. In fact, that's usually a good sign. However, it did make me wonder when I saw that one of the 5 or 6 tables in the dining area was being used as an office by LC's.

I heard that everything was good here, especially the burnt ends and beef. But the only way to try more than 1 meat, was to order the 16.99 mixed plate. So I opted for the 8.99 order of burnt ends, with a side of beans and thick-cut fries. I also got a large soda. The clerk didn't say anything or hand me a cup for the soda. Eventually I went up and grabbed one off the pile.


It tasted blurry too. Continuing the theme of shoddy service, the burnt ends were brought to me and they were chewy and somewhat bland. And get this: there was no barbecue sauce available! I looked at the menu, and it said a cup of sauce was 55 cents. Fuck you.

What kind of 'cue place has ketchup on the table and no barbecue sauce? Way to stand behind your product.

Aside from the lame burnt ends, the beans were probably the best I've ever had. Full of meat and goodness, I could have eaten those all day. The fries were pretty good, though not as seasoned as Joe's.

Burnt Ends: C+
Beans: A+
Fries: A-

Overall: B-


For The Record:
Arthur Bryant's, eat-in, Kansas City (4/21/10): A+

Gates, eat-in, Overland Park (2/13/09): A+

Jack Stack, carryout, Overland Park (10/6/07): A
Gates, stadium, Arrowhead (10/7/07): A
Oklahoma Joe's, eat-in, Overland Park (10/6/07): A-
Oklahoma Joe's, eat-in, Kansas City (4/23/10): A-
Corky's, eat-in, Memphis (5/24/08): A-
Carsons, eat-in, Chicago (2/7/09): A-
Jack Stack, carryout, Overland Park (2/13/09): A-
Smokehouse BBQ, eat-in, Overland Park (2/14/09): A-
Smoke Daddy, eat-in, Chicago (5/23/09): B+
Rum Boogie Cafe, eat-in, Memphis (5/25/08): B+
Neely's, eat-in, Memphis (5/25/08): B
LC's, eat-in, Kansas City (4/24/10): B-
Blues City Cafe, eat-in, Memphis (5/24/08): C

everything i wanted Hoop City to be

On Saturday, I visited one of the best attractions I've ever been to. It's the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, attached to the new Sprint Center arena. It includes the College Basketball Hall of Fame, but what drew me in was the sign on the outside: "This is not a musuem. You will sweat."

Twelve dollars later, I'm riding up an elevator hearing my pep talk. "Play every game like it's a big game, now go out there and show us some heart, etc." It opens up on the second floor, and I'm a kid in a candy store.

First up, the traditional free throw contest. 60 seconds to shoot as many as you can. The high score was 24, and I made 16. I was pretty pleased.

This is not me.

Then I moved on to the Buzzer Beater drill. There are 6 lighted spots on the court, you have 5 seconds to get the lit spot and sink the shot before the buzzer. I played this over and over. Good times.

Then there was the dunking zone. 10, 9, 8, and 7 foot rims were there for the dunking! I was an inch or two short for the 9 foot rim. But that just meant that I was living above the rim on the 8 foot one. Reverse jams, two handed sideline slams, off the back board, it was awesome.

Then there was the 3-point contest. The object of this drill was to start at the top of the arc and make three shots, then move to the left wing and make three, and then move to the left baseline and make three more. 9 3-pointers in 40 seconds. This was super fun but super hard. Making 3-pointers consistently is a lot harder than free throws. My best attempt was completing the first two stations, getting 6 in 40 seconds.

Also on the second floor, was a full length court, and a seperate court for 3-on-3.

I went downstairs and there were two more drills. Make a chest pass, bounce pass, and overhand pass to hit 3 targets in 30 seconds. This one was easy and not that much fun.

There was also a lay-up drill where you got to bounce and roll of off blockers. Good idea, but it wasn't set up that well. Still fun though.

Also downstairs was a kid's area, a broadcasting setup, XBox, measure your wingspan (6') and Vertical (9') and the actual Hall of Fame (which wasn't very impressive).

I went back upstairs to the 3-on-3 area and found 5 white guys from Minnesota. I offered to play 3-on-3 and they said sure. We ended up playing two games of lightning and two games of 21. I won both games of 21. That was fun.

One thing that made the experience so fun, was that it was so un-crowded that I could do whatever I wanted. For example, the dunking zone is setup to allow 40 seconds for each player, so that a line could move through it. But there was no one in line, so I dunked for 10 minutes and then would move on to whatever I wanted to do next.

Basically if I lived in Kansas City, I would investigate how to get a season pass and go every week. It would be fun to go with a couple of guys, to compete for high scores and do alley-oops and all that as well.

chiefs draft recap

Love the Berry pick in the first round.
Like the McCluster pick as I think he can be a versatile playmaker, but worry about if that's the position that we needed.
How many years have the Chiefs drafted someone that will allegedly be a great returner? Now we add a CB, Arenas, and again fail to help our front seven.
Hey look, an Illini got drafted by the Chiefs! And it's O-line which will help, at least down the road.
Now we trade up, to get a TE? We already had 3 decent tight ends. So why add another decent one into the mix, when you have to trade up to get him? This one makes no sense.
Great another safety.
And finally we add one player to our front seven, a LB in the 5th round.

Last year we had no rush on the passer, we were getting run on at will. And while Berry is a great first round pick, I don't see anything here that shows we won't have a bottom-5 defense. Boo.

quick thoughts on chiefs first round pick

I'd be happy with Suh, Berry or McClain.
I'd be disappointed with Baluga or any O-line in the first round.

Ideally by the weekend, we get a NT, S, maybe a RT, and some more help on defense.

Chiefs on MNF

The last time the Chiefs played on Monday Night?

2005.

And this time, we're at home.
We're hosting last year's division champs (Chargers).
This is debuting the New Arrowhead (significant remodeling efforts have been completed and will be on display.)
This is the first Monday Night opener in Chiefs history.
This will be the first MNF game for the Pioli-Haley-Cassel era.
And it could be Jamaal Charles break out game.

I'm excited.

The last time the Chiefs opened in primetime was 2004. It was a Sunday night game against the Broncos. You might remember it as the game Plummer threw a left handed interception in his own red zone.

- - -

Aside from a lot of potentially winnable games, here are the highlights of the Chiefs schedule:

Nov. 14 at Broncos, Dec. 5 hosting Broncos. Very likely that I will be living in the Denver-area by that time. Should be able to watch those on the big screen. Based on proximity, I'm guessing the Broncos will overtake the Raiders as the biggest rivalry games.

Any December or later home games are always good ones. This year in week 16 the Chiefs host the Titans in a Charles-Cop Speed run-off, and for good measure, in week 17 the Chiefs can finish strong by hosting the Raiders.

- - -

Honestly, if coordinators can make an impact like they're supposed to, a 9-7 finish seems possible.

in defense of the double down

I have not eaten a KFC double down. I don't plan on it.

The media has gotten lots of miles blasting the Double Down as a health horror.

But is it really that bad?

A quick check of the nutrition facts reveals that it has only 540 calories. As your lunch, that would fit comfortably into a 2,000 calorie day.

- - -

Furthermore, the Happy Meal with nuggets and chocolate milk is 580 calories and the cheesburger Happy Meal is 700 calories.

And you don't even have to go all the way to the Big Mac...getting a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and a Medium Fry is 890 calories.

Even McDonald's Grilled Chicken Club or Southwest Crispy Chicken salad with dressing is 530 calories.

So there you go...a Double Down has less calories than a salad and a few fries.

car brands

I've always thought the breakdown of car companies and who owns what brands was confusing. I guess part of it, was that it seemed like Chevy and Ford were major brands. And then I would hear about GM. But then what's GMC?

And most people know that Toyota owns Lexus, but does everyone know that Honda owns Acura?

One thing that stands out from my limited research, is that GM is the only name of a group that is not also a specific brand.

Also, Volvo has always felt very European. I had no idea that it's been owned by Ford for 11 years, and soon to be Chinese-owned.

A incomplete list of some auto groups:

GM
Chevy
Buick
Pontiac
GMC
Saturn
Hummer
Cadillac

Ford
Ford
Lincoln
Mercury
Volvo

Toyota
Toyota
Lexus
Scion

Honda
Honda
Acura

Chrysler
Chrysler
Dodge
Jeep

Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen
Audi
Lamborghini
Bugatti
Bentley

BMW
BMW
Rolls-Royce

bizarre dream fragment

Man with his wife ordering from a food counter.

Man (to cashier): The veal piccata's not very good... [trails off]

[Continues to gesture with his wife. She shakes her head.]

Man (to cashier): Alright, I guess that's it.

[pause]

Cashier: So...one veal piccata?

Man: Yep.

on fandom

Under the assumption that we move to Colorado at some point, I've been thinking about what it means to be a sports fan.

First off, my only true loyalties are to the Chiefs, and the Illini for both college basketball and football.

- - -

In the NBA, the only team that I slightly care about is Deron William's team, which is currently the Utah Jazz.

In MLB, it would be the Royals.

And in the NHL, I guess it would be the Blackhawks.

I've at least been to both Royals and Blackhawks games, although I went more for the experience. I ended up rooting harder for the Big Mac minute than the Blackhawks.

And for all three of those teams, would I actually care if those teams won anything? No. Perhaps a decent litmus test is, would I buy a t-shirt or commemorative DVD? An obvious yes for the Chiefs or Illini, and a solid no for any of the other three.

To sum up, I have a vacancy for a solid rooting interest in hockey, baseball and basketball. There are two ways to look at this.

The first is that this is perfectly fine. It allows me to watch the playoffs just interested in good games. I can enjoy watching LeBron and Durant and Deron and not worry about what teams they're on. Also, since I don't really care about any of those sports anyways, why do I need a team?

On the other hand, Denver has the Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche. And none of them are particularly obnoxious. One would assume I will be taking my kids to games occasionally, and why not follow the local team if I don't have a team in those leagues.

- - -

As for what I'll do, I'll just do what comes naturally. I don't think I'll ever care enough to follow a team religiously in any of those sports, but if they make a playoff run, I'll gladly become a bandwagon fan. Who cares?

- - -

On a related subject, I've always thought that it would be great to raise my kids to root for the Chiefs. Take them to games, get some Gates, and show them how great it is to be at Arrowhead. But just today, thinking about that seems false. If my kids want to be Bronco fans, I'm okay with that. I mean, that's what they're going to be surrounded by and if that's what they want, so be it.

I won't promise to not buy a kid's size Chiefs t-shirt. And at the very least we can always root against the Raiders.

- - -

Even though my favorite team is the Chiefs, the truest fandom, the most pure, has to be the Illini. I say that because really, why am I a Chiefs fan? I was born in Kansas City. I went to some games there. And sure it helped that they had a great run in 2003, just when we moved into those apartments and really got into fantasy and weekly football traditions.

But the Illini. I applied there, I chose there. And they accepted me. I went there and I became an Illini myself. That's being a fan.

And if you think about the Chiefs-Broncos through that lens, I wouldn't expect my children to root for the Illini. I'd want them to root for whatever school they end up going. And yes, I'll tell them to go some place warm.

my favorite cocktail recipes

Year-Round

Bourbon & Ginger
Buffalo Trace bourbon
canada dry diet ginger ale
on the rocks

Whiskey Sour
sour mix (can be made with simple syrup and fresh lemon/lime juice)
Maker's Mark
on the rocks

Purple Hooter
1 shot vodka
1 shot Razzamatazz
4 ounces sour mix
4 ounces Sprite zero
on the rocks

Limoncello
fresh limeade
limoncello
on the rocks

Black Cherry Cola*
Cherry coke zero
Black Cherry Effen vodka
grenadine
on the rocks

Dark 'n Stormy 
dark rum
ginger beer (or ginger ale)
fresh lime juice

(substitute Grand Mariner for dark rum in the Dark 'n Stormy to create The Perfect Storm, according to Grand Mariner)

Summer

Paloma
Diet Squirt
100% agave silver tequila
fresh lime juice
on the rocks

Frozen Margarita
can of frozen limeade
100% agave silver tequila
splash of margarita mix
fresh lime juice and a little ice
in a blender

Hurricane
Pat O' Brien's mix (or passion fruit juice, lime juice, orange juice)
Myer's dark rum
grenadine
with ice in a blender


Honey Whiskey 
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey
lemonade (or limeade) [this is what I had at our Oak Park going away party, a special memory for me]

Winter

Irish Hot Chocolate
hot chocolate
shot of Bailey's



*okay so I've never had this one, but it sounds good

At a Bar

Long Island Iced Tea
One of my favorites since college, but won't make at home because it has too many ingredients.

CALCUTTA

Now that the final four is over, here's the auction history with final four teams in bold. I love how Matt wasted two minutes at the very beginning. Also, I was really close to getting West Virginia.

[9:35:18 PM] *** Dave Fymbo added Mark Pearlman, Kirat Doshi, Matt Horan, Niraj ***
[10:01:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: EVERYONE READY?
[10:01:33 PM] Niraj: yep
[10:01:36 PM] Matt Horan: I farted bad
[10:01:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: i'm ready
[10:01:59 PM] Kirat Doshi: ready
[10:02:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: *** 2010 CALCUTTA IS OPEN. MARK IS ON THE CLOCK. EVERYONE HAS 20 DOLLARS. ***
[10:02:12 PM] Mark Pearlman: wake forest .05
[10:02:27 PM] Matt Horan: .10
[10:02:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: .25
[10:02:39 PM] Kirat Doshi: .30
[10:02:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: 35
[10:03:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:03:09 PM] Kirat Doshi: 40
[10:03:15 PM] Dave Fymbo: close call
[10:03:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:03:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:03:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT IS ON THE CLOCK
[10:04:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: AHEM
[10:04:01 PM] Matt Horan: Did Fym have a stroke?
[10:04:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: haha
[10:04:35 PM] Mark Pearlman: i think his fart cleared out the room
[10:04:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: REALLY?
[10:04:55 PM] Matt Horan: What just happened?
[10:04:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: hahaha
[10:04:59 PM] Niraj: you're up!!
[10:05:16 PM] Mark Pearlman: matt, did you miss the wake forest action?
[10:05:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT, PLEASE NOMINATE A TEAM
[10:05:32 PM] Matt Horan: I was waiting for Dave to award WF to you
[10:05:40 PM] Niraj: gone is awarding
[10:05:41 PM] Matt Horan: At any rate, I'd like Tennessee for 10
[10:06:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: 20
[10:06:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: .20
[10:06:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: .30
[10:06:05 PM] Niraj: 30
[10:06:08 PM] Matt Horan: 40
[10:06:09 PM] Kirat Doshi: 50
[10:06:16 PM] Matt Horan: 60
[10:06:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: 70
[10:06:24 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1
[10:06:34 PM] Mark Pearlman: 110
[10:06:39 PM] Matt Horan: 140
[10:06:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:07:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:07:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ ON THE CLOCK
[10:07:22 PM] Niraj: Murray St. .05
[10:07:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15
[10:07:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: 20
[10:07:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: .25
[10:07:47 PM] Niraj: .30
[10:07:54 PM] Mark Pearlman: 35
[10:07:59 PM] Niraj: 40
[10:08:13 PM] Mark Pearlman: 45
[10:08:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:08:26 PM] Niraj: 50
[10:08:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:08:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:08:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT ON CLOCK
[10:08:54 PM] Kirat Doshi: ohio st. 1.50
[10:09:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.5
[10:09:07 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:09:15 PM] Matt Horan: 3.50
[10:09:16 PM] Niraj: 4
[10:09:29 PM] Matt Horan: 4.5
[10:09:32 PM] Niraj: 5
[10:09:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: 7
[10:09:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: whoa
[10:09:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:10:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:10:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: Villanova for .5
[10:10:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1
[10:10:27 PM] Niraj: 1.5
[10:10:47 PM] Matt Horan: 2
[10:11:02 PM] Mark Pearlman: 25
[10:11:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:11:25 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:11:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: 35
[10:11:47 PM] Niraj: 4
[10:12:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:12:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:12:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK ON CLOCK
[10:12:40 PM] Mark Pearlman: marquette 10
[10:12:48 PM] Kirat Doshi: 50
[10:12:58 PM] Matt Horan: 60
[10:13:08 PM] Mark Pearlman: 75
[10:13:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:13:24 PM] Matt Horan: 85
[10:13:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:13:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:13:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT ON CLOCK
[10:14:21 PM] Matt Horan: Duke 50
[10:14:28 PM] Kirat Doshi: 4
[10:14:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4.5
[10:14:33 PM] Niraj: 5
[10:14:39 PM] Matt Horan: 6
[10:15:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: 6.5
[10:15:06 PM] Matt Horan: 7
[10:15:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: everyone bid on duke
[10:15:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:15:25 PM] Niraj: 7.5
[10:15:27 PM] Matt Horan: 8
[10:15:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:15:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:15:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ ON CLOCK
[10:16:02 PM] Niraj: Purdue .25
[10:16:15 PM] Kirat Doshi: 75
[10:16:25 PM] Niraj: 1
[10:16:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:16:44 PM] Mark Pearlman: 125
[10:17:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:17:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:17:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT ON CLOCK
[10:17:32 PM] Kirat Doshi: Texas 25
[10:17:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[10:18:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: 50
[10:18:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:18:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:18:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: Syracuse 2
[10:18:53 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:19:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4
[10:19:09 PM] Niraj: 5
[10:19:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:19:35 PM] Kirat Doshi: 5.5
[10:19:35 PM] Mark Pearlman: 550
[10:19:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[10:20:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT HAS IT FOR 5.50, GOING
[10:20:06 PM] Mark Pearlman: 6
[10:20:11 PM] Kirat Doshi: bitch
[10:20:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: fuck you first
[10:20:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:20:33 PM] Mark Pearlman: i didn't want to pay 6
[10:20:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:20:36 PM] Kirat Doshi: :)
[10:20:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK ON CLOCK
[10:20:54 PM] Matt Horan: Are you sure that Mark isn't on Cock?
[10:20:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: BOTH
[10:21:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: burnsy's cock, you mean
[10:21:06 PM] Mark Pearlman: northern iowa
[10:21:08 PM] Mark Pearlman: 5
[10:21:10 PM] Niraj: lame
[10:21:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: .2
[10:21:40 PM] Mark Pearlman: 25
[10:21:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 30
[10:21:47 PM] Mark Pearlman: 35
[10:21:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:21:57 PM] Kirat Doshi: 40
[10:22:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:22:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:22:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT ON CLOCK
[10:22:44 PM] Matt Horan: Gonzaga .1
[10:22:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: .3
[10:22:58 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[10:23:06 PM] Niraj: .5
[10:23:14 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[10:23:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:23:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:23:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[10:23:57 PM] Niraj: UNLV .1
[10:24:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: .3
[10:24:17 PM] Niraj: .4
[10:24:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:24:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:24:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[10:25:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: IS ON THE CLOCK
[10:25:25 PM] Kirat Doshi: xavier 25
[10:25:39 PM] Niraj: .35
[10:25:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: 45
[10:25:50 PM] Matt Horan: 55
[10:25:53 PM] Niraj: 65
[10:26:00 PM] Kirat Doshi: 75
[10:26:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:26:20 PM] Niraj: 85
[10:26:37 PM] Kirat Doshi: risky business burnsy
[10:26:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:26:45 PM] Niraj: that's how I roll
[10:26:48 PM] Kirat Doshi: lame
[10:26:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:26:50 PM] Kirat Doshi: laim
[10:27:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: Georgetown for 1
[10:27:18 PM] Niraj: 1.25
[10:27:26 PM] Matt Horan: I busted a bunch of kids for collecting $$ on their pool during recess
[10:27:28 PM] Matt Horan: it killed me
[10:27:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.75
[10:27:42 PM] Niraj: 2
[10:27:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:27:59 PM] Mark Pearlman: 225
[10:28:02 PM] Niraj: 2.5
[10:28:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:28:23 PM] Mark Pearlman: 275
[10:28:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:28:44 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:29:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:29:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:29:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK ON CLOCK
[10:29:27 PM] Kirat Doshi: can we do a budget check
[10:29:27 PM] Kirat Doshi: ?
[10:29:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: STOP
[10:29:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: END OF 3RD ROUND
[10:29:44 PM] Matt Horan: I've got 9.15
[10:30:04 PM] Kirat Doshi: ive got 12.20 left
[10:30:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: I've got 20
[10:30:19 PM] Niraj: 11.25
[10:30:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: Mark has 12.25
[10:30:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: right mark?
[10:30:59 PM] Mark Pearlman: yeah
[10:31:02 PM] Niraj: confirmed
[10:31:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: all right
[10:31:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK IS ON CLOCK
[10:31:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: old dominion .05
[10:31:23 PM] Niraj: .1
[10:31:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15
[10:31:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:32:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:32:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT IS ON CLOCK
[10:32:12 PM] Niraj: hey, dave got something!
[10:32:16 PM] Mark Pearlman: dave's on the board!
[10:32:32 PM] Matt Horan: Maryland .25
[10:32:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: .5
[10:32:44 PM] Niraj: .75
[10:32:48 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1
[10:33:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:33:10 PM] Niraj: 1.25
[10:33:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:33:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1/5
[10:33:38 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.5
[10:33:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:34:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:34:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: I HAVE TO PEE
[10:34:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: GIVE ME 20 SECS
[10:34:28 PM] Kirat Doshi: pssssssssssssssssssssssssss
[10:34:29 PM] Mark Pearlman: 20 seconds? do you have an empty bottle next to you?
[10:34:39 PM] Niraj: lol
[10:34:46 PM] Kirat Doshi: who doesnt keep an empty bottle next to them!
[10:34:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: BACK
[10:34:51 PM] Kirat Doshi: its calcutta
[10:34:56 PM] Kirat Doshi: that was fast
[10:35:11 PM] Matt Horan: Fym didn'
[10:35:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ IS ON CLOCK
[10:35:14 PM] Matt Horan: t wash his hands
[10:35:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: dave auctions naked. didn't have to pull it out
[10:35:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: I DIDN'T USE SOAP
[10:35:23 PM] Matt Horan: Sports bladder?
[10:35:23 PM] Niraj: Wisconsin .25
[10:35:37 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[10:35:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: 75
[10:35:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[10:36:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: 125
[10:36:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: 150
[10:36:32 PM] Mark Pearlman: 175
[10:36:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:36:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:36:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[10:37:07 PM] Kirat Doshi: Kansas 2
[10:37:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3
[10:37:12 PM] Niraj: 4
[10:37:16 PM] Mark Pearlman: i was going to put them up
[10:37:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: 5
[10:37:23 PM] Mark Pearlman: 550
[10:37:23 PM] Matt Horan: 6
[10:37:27 PM] Dave Fymbo: 7
[10:37:28 PM] Kirat Doshi: great ... now i think like mark
[10:37:30 PM] Niraj: 6.50
[10:37:34 PM] Niraj: ignore that
[10:37:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: nice burnsy
[10:37:47 PM] Mark Pearlman: 750
[10:37:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: 8
[10:38:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: 850
[10:38:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: 9
[10:38:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: 950
[10:38:29 PM] Kirat Doshi: all in!
[10:38:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: not me
[10:38:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: mark
[10:38:41 PM] Niraj: no, he's not
[10:38:45 PM] Kirat Doshi: oh yea
[10:38:47 PM] Kirat Doshi: sorry
[10:38:50 PM] Mark Pearlman: no costa rica here
[10:38:50 PM] Kirat Doshi: he'll have 1 left
[10:39:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:39:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:39:30 PM] Kirat Doshi: nice mark
[10:39:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: i hate you
[10:39:49 PM] Mark Pearlman: didn't want to go that high, but they've been the best all year. i'm going for the big payday
[10:40:04 PM] Niraj: they're losing to UNLV
[10:40:05 PM] Matt Horan: Enough of the table talk
[10:40:07 PM] Matt Horan: let's get shit going
[10:40:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: west virginia
[10:40:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: .5
[10:40:17 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1
[10:40:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.5
[10:40:35 PM] Niraj: 2
[10:40:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.5
[10:41:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:41:16 PM] Kirat Doshi: 3
[10:41:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:41:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:42:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK IS UP
[10:42:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: notre dame
[10:42:31 PM] Mark Pearlman: .10
[10:42:39 PM] Niraj: .2
[10:42:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[10:43:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:43:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: 50
[10:43:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: .6
[10:43:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: 70
[10:43:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:44:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:44:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[10:44:05 PM] Matt Horan: Baylor .25
[10:44:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[10:44:17 PM] Niraj: 1.25
[10:44:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.5
[10:44:32 PM] Niraj: 1.75
[10:44:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2
[10:44:41 PM] Niraj: 2.5
[10:44:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.75
[10:44:56 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:45:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.25
[10:45:06 PM] Niraj: 3.5
[10:45:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4
[10:45:13 PM] Niraj: 4.5
[10:45:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:45:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:46:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[10:46:23 PM] Niraj: Pitt .25
[10:46:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[10:46:38 PM] Niraj: 1.25
[10:46:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.75
[10:47:01 PM] Niraj: 2
[10:47:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:47:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:47:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[10:48:02 PM] Kirat Doshi: Kentucky 3.00
[10:48:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.5
[10:48:11 PM] Matt Horan: 4
[10:48:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: 5
[10:48:18 PM] Matt Horan: 6
[10:48:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: 7
[10:48:28 PM] Matt Horan: 750
[10:48:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: 8.7
[10:48:55 PM] Niraj: lol
[10:49:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:49:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:49:34 PM] Kirat Doshi: old dom and kentucky
[10:49:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: it's not over
[10:49:45 PM] Kirat Doshi: talk about balance
[10:49:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: ARK PINE BLUFF .05
[10:50:07 PM] Niraj: .1
[10:50:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:50:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:50:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[10:50:39 PM] Kirat Doshi: budget check!
[10:50:46 PM] Matt Horan: 9.15
[10:50:48 PM] Mark Pearlman: .30
[10:50:55 PM] Niraj: 4.65
[10:50:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: 11.15
[10:51:04 PM] Kirat Doshi: 7.70
[10:51:24 PM] Mark Pearlman: kansas st. .30
[10:51:38 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1
[10:51:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.25
[10:51:45 PM] Niraj: minimum!
[10:51:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.50
[10:51:56 PM] Mark Pearlman: well played
[10:52:00 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.75
[10:52:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: sorry
[10:52:03 PM] Kirat Doshi: oh
[10:52:04 PM] Niraj: 2
[10:52:04 PM] Kirat Doshi: poop
[10:52:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.5
[10:52:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:52:36 PM] Niraj: 3
[10:52:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.5
[10:52:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:53:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:53:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[10:53:26 PM] Matt Horan: Butler 10
[10:53:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: .30
[10:53:40 PM] Matt Horan: 50
[10:53:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: 70
[10:53:49 PM] Matt Horan: 80
[10:53:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: 90
[10:53:56 PM] Matt Horan: 115
[10:54:05 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.60
[10:54:18 PM] Matt Horan: 170
[10:54:30 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.9
[10:54:41 PM] Matt Horan: 2
[10:54:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:55:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:55:15 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[10:55:35 PM] Niraj: New Mexico .25
[10:55:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[10:56:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:56:27 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:56:29 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[10:57:15 PM] Kirat Doshi: vandy .5
[10:57:30 PM] Niraj: .75
[10:57:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:57:59 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1
[10:58:09 PM] Niraj: 1.25
[10:58:19 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.75
[10:58:24 PM] Matt Horan: 2
[10:58:32 PM] Niraj: 2.25
[10:58:37 PM] Kirat Doshi: 2.5
[10:58:45 PM] Matt Horan: 275
[10:58:59 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:59:07 PM] Kirat Doshi: 3
[10:59:19 PM] Niraj: buzzer beater
[10:59:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[10:59:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[10:59:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: florida state .4
[10:59:59 PM] Niraj: .45
[11:00:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: .55
[11:00:10 PM] Niraj: .6
[11:00:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:00:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:00:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:01:01 PM] Mark Pearlman: michigan st. .30
[11:01:08 PM] Matt Horan: 1
[11:01:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.1
[11:01:30 PM] Matt Horan: 130
[11:01:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.5
[11:01:38 PM] Matt Horan: 2
[11:01:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.2
[11:01:46 PM] Matt Horan: 230
[11:01:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.5
[11:01:57 PM] Matt Horan: 185
[11:02:02 PM] Matt Horan: *285
[11:02:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.95
[11:02:22 PM] Matt Horan: 320
[11:02:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: i'm out on this one
[11:02:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:02:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:02:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[11:03:09 PM] Matt Horan: Louisville 20
[11:03:19 PM] Niraj: 30
[11:03:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:03:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[11:03:35 PM] Niraj: .5
[11:03:37 PM] Kirat Doshi: .6
[11:03:43 PM] Niraj: .7
[11:04:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:04:11 PM] Matt Horan: .8
[11:04:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:04:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:04:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:04:52 PM] Niraj: Texas A&M .1
[11:05:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[11:05:07 PM] Niraj: .5
[11:05:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: .6
[11:05:12 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1
[11:05:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.3
[11:05:32 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.5
[11:05:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.7
[11:05:41 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.95
[11:05:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.2
[11:06:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:06:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:06:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:06:45 PM] Kirat Doshi: California .1
[11:06:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[11:06:54 PM] Kirat Doshi: .7
[11:07:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:07:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:07:29 PM] Dave Fymbo: byu .2
[11:07:37 PM] Niraj: .3
[11:07:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[11:07:53 PM] Niraj: .5
[11:07:58 PM] Matt Horan: poop
[11:08:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: ?
[11:08:06 PM] Kirat Doshi: .7
[11:08:26 PM] Mark Pearlman: what is in matt's underwear for $100?
[11:08:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:08:33 PM] Kirat Doshi: nice
[11:08:46 PM] Matt Horan: His hand!
[11:08:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:08:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:09:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: temple .30
[11:09:13 PM] Niraj: .5
[11:09:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[11:09:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:09:39 PM] Niraj: 1.1
[11:09:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.2
[11:09:45 PM] Niraj: 1.3
[11:09:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.5
[11:09:55 PM] Niraj: 1.6
[11:10:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:10:15 PM] Kirat Doshi: 1.7
[11:10:17 PM] Niraj: 1.8
[11:10:42 PM] Kirat Doshi: yours
[11:10:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:10:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: AND GONE
[11:10:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[11:10:59 PM] Matt Horan: Cornell 10
[11:11:08 PM] Mark Pearlman: 15
[11:11:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: .3
[11:11:17 PM] Mark Pearlman: fuck
[11:11:21 PM] Matt Horan: 40
[11:11:26 PM] Niraj: lol
[11:11:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: 45
[11:11:39 PM] Matt Horan: 55
[11:11:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:11:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:11:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:12:04 PM] Niraj: UTEP 10
[11:12:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: 15
[11:12:39 PM] Niraj: 20
[11:12:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: 25
[11:12:48 PM] Niraj: 30
[11:12:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: 35
[11:13:00 PM] Niraj: 40
[11:13:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: 45
[11:13:13 PM] Niraj: yours
[11:13:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:13:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:13:27 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:13:52 PM] Kirat Doshi: is marquette available?
[11:13:59 PM] Matt Horan: no
[11:13:59 PM] Niraj: no
[11:14:01 PM] Kirat Doshi: no
[11:14:02 PM] Kirat Doshi: nm
[11:14:02 PM] Dave Fymbo: NO
[11:14:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: matt bought them for .85
[11:14:24 PM] Kirat Doshi: siena
[11:14:26 PM] Kirat Doshi: .1
[11:14:26 PM] Matt Horan: I'll sell them to you for your second pick and cash considerations
[11:14:32 PM] Matt Horan: .2
[11:14:32 PM] Mark Pearlman: 15
[11:14:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: 25
[11:14:38 PM] Matt Horan: 40
[11:14:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: 45
[11:14:44 PM] Niraj: .5
[11:14:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: 55
[11:14:47 PM] Matt Horan: 60
[11:14:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: 65
[11:14:59 PM] Matt Horan: 70
[11:15:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: 75
[11:15:05 PM] Matt Horan: 1
[11:15:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: i'm out
[11:15:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:15:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:15:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: oklahoma st .1
[11:15:44 PM] Kirat Doshi: .2
[11:15:47 PM] Niraj: .3
[11:15:50 PM] Kirat Doshi: .5
[11:15:58 PM] Niraj: .6
[11:16:08 PM] Kirat Doshi: .7
[11:16:15 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:16:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:16:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:16:30 PM] Kirat Doshi: budget
[11:16:30 PM] Kirat Doshi: !
[11:16:36 PM] Kirat Doshi: 2.60
[11:16:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4
[11:16:43 PM] Niraj: 2.35
[11:16:44 PM] Matt Horan: 1.60
[11:16:53 PM] Mark Pearlman: .30
[11:16:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ I HAVE AT 2.25
[11:17:02 PM] Kirat Doshi: me too
[11:17:08 PM] Niraj: ok, 2.25 it is
[11:17:16 PM] Mark Pearlman: who did i miss that dave took
[11:17:20 PM] Mark Pearlman: odu
[11:17:21 PM] Mark Pearlman: kentucky
[11:17:24 PM] Mark Pearlman: k-state
[11:17:26 PM] Mark Pearlman: NM
[11:17:28 PM] Mark Pearlman: a and m
[11:17:31 PM] Mark Pearlman: utep
[11:17:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: UTEP
[11:17:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: THAT'S IT
[11:17:52 PM] Mark Pearlman: nevermind
[11:17:56 PM] Mark Pearlman: misunderstood
[11:17:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: OK
[11:18:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK IS ON CLOCK
[11:18:21 PM] Mark Pearlman: clemson .10
[11:18:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: .2
[11:18:31 PM] Matt Horan: 40
[11:18:45 PM] Kirat Doshi: .6
[11:19:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:19:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:19:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[11:19:26 PM] Matt Horan: Richmond 10
[11:19:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: 15
[11:19:39 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:19:44 PM] Niraj: min?
[11:19:55 PM] Niraj: .4
[11:19:55 PM] Mark Pearlman: nope
[11:19:59 PM] Dave Fymbo: 50
[11:20:05 PM] Matt Horan: 60
[11:20:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: 90
[11:20:20 PM] Matt Horan: 1
[11:20:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.2
[11:20:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:20:44 PM] Matt Horan: 1.3
[11:20:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.4
[11:21:08 PM] Matt Horan: yours
[11:21:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:21:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:21:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:21:30 PM] Niraj: Georgia Tech .1
[11:21:48 PM] Kirat Doshi: wow
[11:21:53 PM] Matt Horan: .3
[11:22:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: 35
[11:22:04 PM] Niraj: .4
[11:22:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: 45
[11:22:08 PM] Matt Horan: .45
[11:22:12 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[11:22:13 PM] Niraj: .6
[11:22:19 PM] Matt Horan: .65
[11:22:23 PM] Niraj: .7
[11:22:27 PM] Matt Horan: .8
[11:22:35 PM] Niraj: .85
[11:22:38 PM] Matt Horan: .9
[11:22:53 PM] Niraj: .95
[11:23:11 PM] Matt Horan: yours
[11:23:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:23:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:23:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:23:38 PM] Kirat Doshi: florida .1
[11:23:49 PM] Mark Pearlman: 15
[11:23:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: 25
[11:23:58 PM] Matt Horan: .35
[11:24:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOIGN
[11:24:19 PM] Kirat Doshi: .4
[11:24:22 PM] Matt Horan: .45
[11:24:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:24:57 PM] Kirat Doshi: yours
[11:24:59 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:25:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: MIZZOU .2
[11:25:18 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:25:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: 35
[11:25:29 PM] Niraj: 40
[11:25:47 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[11:26:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:26:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:26:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:26:32 PM] Mark Pearlman: washington .05
[11:26:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: 25
[11:26:49 PM] Niraj: 35
[11:26:55 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[11:26:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: 50
[11:27:05 PM] Niraj: 55
[11:27:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: 60
[11:27:20 PM] Matt Horan: 65
[11:27:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: 70
[11:27:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:27:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:27:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[11:28:03 PM] Matt Horan: Wofford .1
[11:28:11 PM] Niraj: .2
[11:28:12 PM] Kirat Doshi: .3
[11:28:29 PM] Niraj: .4
[11:28:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:28:58 PM] Kirat Doshi: .5
[11:29:13 PM] Niraj: yours
[11:29:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:29:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:29:33 PM] Niraj: Minnesota .1
[11:29:42 PM] Matt Horan: .65
[11:29:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: 70
[11:30:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:30:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:30:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:30:40 PM] Kirat Doshi: utah st. .1
[11:30:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: 20
[11:30:50 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:30:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: 40
[11:31:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: eff me
[11:31:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:31:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:31:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: OHIO .5
[11:32:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: OOPS
[11:32:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: I MEANT .05
[11:32:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: SORRY
[11:32:21 PM] Matt Horan: A card laid is a card played
[11:32:29 PM] Matt Horan: .1
[11:32:42 PM] Kirat Doshi: .3
[11:33:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:33:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:33:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:33:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: st. mary's .30
[11:33:58 PM] Kirat Doshi: .4
[11:33:59 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[11:34:02 PM] Kirat Doshi: .7
[11:34:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:34:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:34:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: MATT
[11:34:48 PM] Matt Horan: New Mex St. .05
[11:34:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: 20
[11:34:59 PM] Niraj: 25
[11:35:02 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:35:04 PM] Niraj: 35
[11:35:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: 40
[11:35:08 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[11:35:10 PM] Niraj: 45
[11:35:16 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[11:35:20 PM] Niraj: 55
[11:35:25 PM] Matt Horan: 65
[11:35:28 PM] Niraj: 70
[11:35:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:35:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:35:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:35:55 PM] Kirat Doshi: budget!
[11:36:00 PM] Matt Horan: .65
[11:36:02 PM] Mark Pearlman: .30
[11:36:03 PM] Kirat Doshi: .5
[11:36:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: .8
[11:36:11 PM] Niraj: .60
[11:36:15 PM] Kirat Doshi: sounds good
[11:36:23 PM] Niraj: New Mexico St. .1
[11:36:34 PM] Mark Pearlman: hey genius, just bought them
[11:36:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: HOLD ON
[11:36:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: WHAT WAS MATT'S LAST BUY
[11:36:50 PM] Niraj: I bought san diego, not new mex
[11:36:58 PM] Matt Horan: I bought Mizzou
[11:37:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: yep
[11:37:07 PM] Niraj: ah, nevermind
[11:37:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: I HAVE MATT AT 1.10
[11:37:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: matt bought mizzo for .50
[11:37:27 PM] Kirat Doshi: missou for .5
[11:37:43 PM] Matt Horan: I bought Florida before that
[11:37:45 PM] Niraj: I think he has .65 left?
[11:37:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: florida for .45
[11:37:53 PM] Mark Pearlman: confirmed
[11:37:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: AH
[11:38:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: I HAD FLORIDA UNDER KIRAT
[11:38:15 PM] Matt Horan: It's all good
[11:38:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: AND CONFIRMED THAT NIRAJ BOUGHT NM ST
[11:38:38 PM] Niraj: ok, I'm going Houston .05
[11:38:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: 10
[11:38:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: 15
[11:38:50 PM] Mark Pearlman: 20
[11:39:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: 25
[11:39:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: 30
[11:39:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: yours
[11:39:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:39:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:39:33 PM] Mark Pearlman: yeah baby
[11:39:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:39:53 PM] Kirat Doshi: san diego st. .1
[11:39:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: 20
[11:40:00 PM] Niraj: 30
[11:40:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: 40
[11:40:08 PM] Niraj: 60
[11:40:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: 65
[11:40:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: GONE
[11:40:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: THAT'S MY LINE
[11:40:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:40:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:40:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: .05 FOR OAK
[11:41:00 PM] Matt Horan: .65
[11:41:07 PM] Mark Pearlman: haha
[11:41:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:41:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: MARK
[11:41:29 PM] Mark Pearlman: lehigh for .00
[11:41:29 PM] Kirat Doshi: niraj
[11:41:35 PM] Matt Horan: Good night fellas
[11:41:36 PM] Niraj: .05
[11:41:38 PM] Kirat Doshi: night
[11:41:42 PM] Mark Pearlman: 'night
[11:41:50 PM] Mark Pearlman: give eve a good pounding for me
[11:41:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj can't bid .05
[11:42:04 PM] Niraj: why not?
[11:42:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: it has to open at .05
[11:42:16 PM] Niraj: ah
[11:42:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: huh?
[11:42:24 PM] Niraj: so is mark skipped?
[11:42:26 PM] Niraj: he can't open
[11:42:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: i thought he had 70 cents
[11:42:44 PM] Mark Pearlman: yeah, i'm off the clock
[11:42:45 PM] Kirat Doshi: no he's out
[11:42:49 PM] Niraj: no, he had 30 and used it
[11:42:52 PM] Niraj: on houston
[11:42:57 PM] Kirat Doshi: notre dame .7
[11:43:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: did you miss notre dame
[11:43:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: ok
[11:43:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: sorry
[11:43:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark is skipped
[11:43:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: get the hell out of here
[11:43:25 PM] Niraj: am I the only one with money left?
[11:43:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: can't i watch?
[11:43:30 PM] Kirat Doshi: i have .5
[11:43:33 PM] Kirat Doshi: dave has .15
[11:43:33 PM] Mark Pearlman: dave has .15
[11:43:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15
[11:43:36 PM] Niraj: ok
[11:43:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:43:54 PM] Niraj: Lehigh .05
[11:44:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: i'm out
[11:44:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[11:44:06 PM] Kirat Doshi: out
[11:44:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:44:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:44:20 PM] Kirat Doshi: did someone take unlv?
[11:44:25 PM] Niraj: yeah, me
[11:44:35 PM] Niraj: for .40
[11:44:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2 #14s left
[11:44:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: montana, sam houston st
[11:44:57 PM] Niraj: and all #15s!
[11:44:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: all #15s
[11:45:07 PM] Kirat Doshi: burnsy how much do you have left?
[11:45:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: jesus
[11:45:13 PM] Niraj: 55
[11:45:16 PM] Kirat Doshi: ok
[11:45:23 PM] Mark Pearlman: bidding war
[11:45:26 PM] Kirat Doshi: sam houston .5
[11:45:38 PM] Niraj: do you mean .05?
[11:45:47 PM] Kirat Doshi: yea
[11:45:48 PM] Kirat Doshi: sorry
[11:45:51 PM] Kirat Doshi: 0.05
[11:45:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15
[11:45:56 PM] Kirat Doshi: .3
[11:45:58 PM] Niraj: I'm out
[11:46:02 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:46:03 PM] Kirat Doshi: shit
[11:46:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15 ON MONTANA
[11:46:28 PM] Niraj: .2
[11:46:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[11:46:43 PM] Mark Pearlman: gone
[11:46:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:46:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[11:47:04 PM] Niraj: UC Santa Barbara .1
[11:47:16 PM] Kirat Doshi: yours
[11:47:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: .15
[11:47:28 PM] Niraj: yours
[11:47:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
[11:47:36 PM] Niraj: lol
[11:47:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:47:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: KIRAT
[11:47:51 PM] Kirat Doshi: n. texas .2
[11:48:03 PM] Niraj: yours
[11:48:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[11:48:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ IS ONLY ONE WITH MONEY
[11:48:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: GETS ALL HE CAN AFFORD
[11:48:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: IT'S OVER
[11:48:25 PM] Niraj: 5 teams
[11:48:27 PM] Niraj: booyah
[11:48:37 PM] Niraj: *4 teams
[11:48:46 PM] Niraj: forgot to cross off N. Texas :)
[11:49:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ HAS .15 LEFT
[11:49:39 PM] Kirat Doshi: fym ... you'll send out the big board?
[11:49:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: YEP
[11:49:54 PM] Niraj: I'm going to Vegas!
[11:50:00 PM] Kirat Doshi: alright folks ... im out ...
[11:50:03 PM] Kirat Doshi: good work
[11:50:03 PM] Mark Pearlman: i kept track in the spreadsheet, too, but there shouldn't be any discrepancies
[11:50:04 PM] Kirat Doshi: same time tomorrow?
[11:50:10 PM] Niraj: nice work fym
[11:50:13 PM] Mark Pearlman: women's calcutta
[11:50:18 PM] Kirat Doshi: nit!
[11:50:24 PM] Kirat Doshi: illini ... $20
[11:50:48 PM] Kirat Doshi: good night folks
[11:50:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: STONYBROOK
[11:50:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: G'NIGHT
[11:50:56 PM] Mark Pearlman: night

site schedule

Starting last Thursday, I'm trying to stick to a schedule of a new post every day, appearing in the early hours in America. Hopefully that will make it easier to follow so regular readers will know what to expect. This one doesn't count.

walden panoramas

One of the highlights was visiting Walden Pond. Of course it looked like any other pond in the middle of the woods, but the literary nerd inside me couldn't help but be inspired by Thoreau. First words, then pictures.

- - -

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.

Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplify, simplify.

Rise free from care before the dawn, and seek adventures.

A model of the home that Thoreau lived in.

And now for the pieces de resistance...two panoramas taken from opposite sides of the pond (both stiched together with Hugin.) I've found that viewing them in a browser is preferable as you get to scroll left to right at maximum size and then click to take it all in.

Panorama #1

And my personal favorite, Panorama #2

(The second one was made of 4 pictures, compared with 3 on the first one, and yet it isn't as wide. Somehow Hugin must have stretched the first image more. Whatever.)

east coast recap

First words, then pictures.

- - -

I ate a lot.

I went to Chick-Fil-A four times. It is delicious and easily the best fast food chain out there.

Prior to eating at Crumbs on Broadway in Manhattan, I never understood the modern obsession with cupcakes. I do now.

Prior to have a cannoli at Vinny T's in Boston, I never understood the traditional obsession with cannoli. I do now.

The clam chowder I had in Boston didn't compare to the chowder I had at Pike Place. And having a bread bowl that's not sourdough...what's the point.

I also had a lobster roll, crab cake, veal parmiginia, Pepe's pizza in New Haven, amazing short ribs and mashed potatoes at Founding Farmers in D.C., a Frisco thickburger from Hardee's and the best fries anywhere are the curlys at Arby's.

When I wasn't eating, we saw stuff.

The American History, Native American, and Air & Space branches of the Smithsonian. The Holocaust Musuem in D.C. The Native The National Mall. Walden Pond. The Salem Witch Museum. The Freedom Trail and a Boston trolley tour. Oh yeah and a Hot Tub Time Machine.

- - -

I took more than these, but here are the highlights. As always, all are clickable for high-res versions.

Revere statue in front of Old North Church

Fenway Park


Crossing Harvard Bridge in Boston



The coal oven inside Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, CT


Walden Pond


Times Square

As close as we could get to the White House



Reflecting Pool looking at Lincoln Memorial


Inside Lincoln Memorial


View from Lincoln Memorial


Cherry Blossoms

Washington Monument




World War II Memorial


Isn't passover when you'd most need a kosher deli?

by request: classic letterman

1996


1998

the late show

I entered high school in the fall of 1997. Somewhere around there I started watching Letterman every night. Part of the allure was that it was late--10:35! I didn't usually stay up to watch the guests. But the monologue, comedy segment and top ten list were a routine. To 14-year old Dave this was a gold mine. I was a quiet, reserved teenager (still am quite a bit at times) and this show taught me what was funny.

Over 4 years of high school, estimating 4 nights a week...that's 832 episodes of the Late Show. I had two books of Top Ten Lists and a t-shirt and everything.

When I visited New York in 1999, I walked by the theater. I was still two years too young to see the show. So I went to the Hello Deli and got a picture with Rupert Jee. I got a slice of pizza from the place to the right of the Ed Sullivan theater. It was neat.

- - -

When I found out that I was going to New York in April 2010, I tried to get tickets. I filled out a form online weeks in advance and waited. About a week before the trip, I got a voicemail. It was from Jack, a Late Show audience coordinator. He said I could get tickets for the April 1st taping. All I had to do was call back and answer a trivia question.

I shouldn't have had too much to worry about. But still, I hadn't been watching much in the last 9 years. The prospect of being so close to seeing the show and then losing it was enough to make me nervous. I called Jack the next morning and after taking my name he gave me this question:

"Alan Kalter is on the show every night. What is his job?"

I answered "announcer" without hesitating. There's that split-second from when it leaves your lips until you hear a response where you panic. Did I say what I meant to say? Is it possible I was thinking of the wrong name?

But it was of course right. He told me that I had 2 tickets. When I showed up on the 1st, all I had to do was tell them I was on "Jack's Gold List."

- - -

Upon arriving in New York, the first thing I did was get an Italian sub at the Hello Deli.


It wasn't as good as my favorite Italian deli in Chicago, but the ingredients were good quality and I didn't feel ripped off. It was fun to sit there and watch people come up and interact with Rupert. He's really nice and took 5 pictures with tourists in the 10 minutes I sat there.

I went with my sister-in-law Bridget and after getting our tickets at 2, we were told to line up at 3:45. Despite just eating that sub, I felt like had to get a slice of sausage and pepperoni from the Ray's Pizza across the street from the theater.


We tried to line up at 3:25, but it wasn't time for our group. So we walked around the block again and we just happened to see Paul Shaffer walking south on Broadway. We didn't bother him but we heard him talking to someone else, and it was cool to hear his voice not on TV.

From 3:45 to 4:15 we got a pep-talk outside the theater. This was the worst part. Of course they have to run through all the rules, no photography at all even after the taping, no high-pitched woos, etc. But they went as far as having us practice laughing to a punchline without a joke "Donald Trump's hair" and told us that even if we don't think a joke is funny that we should laugh at it. That was a little disheartening and I can only assume that Colbert and Jon Stewart don't have to say that to their audiences.


They directed us inside and up to the balcony of the Ed Sullivan theater, the same place the Beatles played. Of course, it's smaller than it seems on TV. But it also seems so different. There is only 5 rows in the balcony. We were in the top row, center, right next to the spotlight guy. He literally stood there for an hour and only did anything when a guest walked across the stage.

From the balcony, you were looking straight down. You could barely see the desk and the front part of the band was obstructed from view. When Dave was doing the monologue, only his head was visible. The furniture looked fake. The floor looked dirty. And the colors showed up a lot darker on the monitors. And there were 50 lights hanging from the ceiling that blocked a lot of the view, as well. And the cameras were just feet in front of Dave and the desk. It was surreal to compare the live action with the live monitor.

Once we sat down they played a classic Late Show clip on the monitors. There was a big red digital clock visible. At 4:15 a terrible comic came out and made jokes about Times Square. How they replaced the hookers with Disney stores, and how they're even bigger whores.

At 4:20 the band came out and played 2 songs.

And then at 4:28:30 Dave SPRINTED out across the stage wearing his white dress shirt without a jacket. He welcomed us, thanked us, and at 4:29:07 he asked if anyone had a question:

Woman: Hi.
Dave: Where are you from?
Woman: Indianapolis.
Dave: You know I'm from there, born and raised there?
Woman: Originally I'm from Atlanta.
Dave: HOTLANTA! Is Atlanta the capital of Georgia?
Woman: Yes.
Dave: So that's something that both cities have in common. They're both capitals. Atlanta is of course, HOTLANTA, and Indianapolis is naptown.

At this point it was 4:29:52. The band started the theme song, Dave ran backstage to get his suit jacket. Alan started announcing and the woman never got to ask her question.

The actual show was interesting. I was fascinated by watching the red light on the active camera. It actually seemed funnier in person. I don't think the jokes or bits were that great but I was laughing the whole time (just like they told me to do!) The best part was when Dave licked the iPad.

Also Mike and Mike were announced as guests and then bumped due to time. And that was the only part where Dave screwed up and they had to do it again. It really is a once in a lifetime experience. So glad I went but I don't need to do it again.

- - -

One other note. It might seem like nostalgic bias, but I really think that the Late Show hasn't been as good as it was when I was watching in high school. Supporting my theory...the clip they played before every taping is a clip from 96 that I'd seen before. Dave at Taco Bell:

Now if only I could find video of him playing "Stop calling me chief."

2010 Bracket Recap

I wish that I had screenshot histories of every year that we've been doing the bracket. Better start now. Here's our group results for this year.

And even though I filled out 5 sheets, even my best bracket didn't beat Missy.


And for future reference, here is my woeful bracket:



Here is Matt's 2010 winning bracket, where he nailed Butler as a 5 seed in the final four.



And here's the ESPN bracket winner: (even though the screenshot cuts off the edges, all of the red misses are shown in this view)



And of course...Missy's bracket, which doesn't look nearly as ridiculous in retrospect. Not only did she get Northern Iowa over Kansas, she got 2 of the Final Four teams, as good as our league champion. And Xavier was a shot away from getting to the Elite Eight to face a 5-seed.