Pour me a drink.
I'll take a bourbon and ginger ale.
Put on these albums. In order.
The Strokes - Is This It
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
The White Stripes - Elephant
Weezer - Pinkerton
Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit
Sublime - 40 oz to Freedom
Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
It's going to be a good night.
(anybody is welcome to add their soundtrack or albums in the comments)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
My Best Bracket Pick Ever
In 2002, the South regional looked like this:
And for a reason that I'm not sure of, I picked #10 Kent State to advance to the Elite Eight.
And for a reason that I'm not sure of, I picked #10 Kent State to advance to the Elite Eight.
Friday, March 22, 2013
What Athletes Are Best During the Zombie Apocalypse?
Yesterday the Grantland Live staff debated which three athletes you would pick to surround yourself in a zombie apocalypse: http://youtu.be/aoxcckUvneE
Here's my three:
Adrian Peterson
Zdeno Chara
LeBron James
Here's the thing about a zombie apocalypse. You need tough, strong guys. But you also don't know what to expect. Maybe you'll come across a field of ice. Maybe you'll need something that requires jumping and climbing. So I want big, fast, tough guys that are versatile.
Here's my three:
Adrian Peterson
Zdeno Chara
LeBron James
Here's the thing about a zombie apocalypse. You need tough, strong guys. But you also don't know what to expect. Maybe you'll come across a field of ice. Maybe you'll need something that requires jumping and climbing. So I want big, fast, tough guys that are versatile.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
teams that i wanted but didn't get
Florida
Michigan State
to a lesser degree:
SLU, Michigan, Miami, it would have been fun to have 14-16 East too
Michigan State
to a lesser degree:
SLU, Michigan, Miami, it would have been fun to have 14-16 East too
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
calcutta transcript
[8:22:15 PM] *** Dave Fymbo added Mark Pearlman, Matt Horan, Niraj, Savan Vaghani ***
[8:22:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: Hello
[8:22:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: kid is asleep at the moment
[8:22:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: who's here?
[8:22:42 PM] Matt Horan: heyo
[8:23:06 PM] Niraj: I'm here but think I'm out
[8:23:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: i'm here
[8:23:33 PM] Niraj: this had to be the week I finally got stuff going on for work!
[8:23:43 PM] Mark Pearlman: it'll just take a little bit
[8:23:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: Niraj would have to stop at 10:15 central
[8:23:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: i say we jump in
[8:24:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: i flew all the way to the states to do this in a normal time zone this year
[8:24:01 PM] Dave Fymbo: and he can spend his money quickly
[8:24:02 PM] Savan Vaghani: yeah let's get going
[8:24:10 PM] Savan Vaghani: also, i'm here.
[8:24:25 PM] Savan Vaghani: i took a lifeboat with a tiger to get here, pearman.
[8:24:26 PM] Mark Pearlman: we can do this in 50 minutes
[8:24:38 PM] Matt Horan: are you in carbondale, mark/
[8:24:38 PM] Mark Pearlman: and survived to tell the tale
[8:24:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: yep
[8:24:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: passover is monday
[8:24:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AleDi4X7yzW_dEs2MFp1Slo3MU9kTzJPY1hEQjFQMEE#gid=0
[8:25:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1-2 seeds: $.50
3-4 seeds: $.25
5-8 seeds: $.10
9-16 seeds: $.05
[8:25:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: everyone ready?
[8:25:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: let's go
[8:25:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: Matt is on the clock
[8:25:35 PM] Matt Horan: illinois .10
[8:25:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: 60
[8:25:47 PM] Savan Vaghani: .80
[8:25:54 PM] Niraj: 1.00
[8:26:07 PM] Matt Horan: 1.1
[8:26:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: GOING
[8:26:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: GONE
[8:26:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: NIRAJ
[8:26:44 PM] Niraj: Michigan .25
[8:27:02 PM] Savan Vaghani: .50
[8:27:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1
[8:27:08 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1.50
[8:27:15 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.75
[8:27:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2
[8:27:22 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[8:27:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.25
[8:27:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.50
[8:27:35 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.75
[8:27:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:27:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:27:50 PM] Mark Pearlman: fuck kansas
[8:27:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[8:27:56 PM] Savan Vaghani: syracuse
[8:27:58 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:28:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.25
[8:28:16 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.50
[8:28:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: ging
[8:28:38 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1.75
[8:28:41 PM] Matt Horan: 2.00
[8:28:41 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2
[8:28:44 PM] Savan Vaghani: ugh out
[8:28:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt has it at 2, going
[8:28:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:29:02 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[8:29:15 PM] Mark Pearlman: too many windows open
[8:29:18 PM] Mark Pearlman: SLU 1
[8:29:24 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.25
[8:29:27 PM] Matt Horan: monica!!!
[8:29:29 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.5
[8:29:32 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.75
[8:29:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:29:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:29:54 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.25
[8:29:54 PM] Savan Vaghani: fuck you mark
[8:30:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: i've missed you
[8:30:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: ging
[8:30:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:30:19 PM] Savan Vaghani: ha yeah i've missed you too
[8:30:22 PM] Niraj: get a room
[8:30:28 PM] Mark Pearlman: with you, too
[8:30:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: new mexico .50
[8:30:51 PM] Niraj: 1
[8:31:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.25
[8:31:01 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1.5
[8:31:02 PM] Niraj: 1.5
[8:31:04 PM] Niraj: 1.75
[8:31:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:31:21 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:31:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:31:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:31:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[8:32:05 PM] Matt Horan: gtown
[8:32:09 PM] Matt Horan: .40
[8:32:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: wait
[8:32:17 PM] Matt Horan: .50*
[8:32:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: that's better
[8:32:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:32:27 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:32:34 PM] Niraj: 1.5
[8:32:38 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.25
[8:32:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: (also half of my keys don't work because of harrison playing with the computer)
[8:32:40 PM] Niraj: 2.5
[8:32:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3
[8:33:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:33:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:33:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj on clock
[8:33:29 PM] Dave Fymbo: *cock
[8:33:40 PM] Niraj: Florida .25
[8:33:43 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2
[8:33:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.25
[8:34:00 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.5
[8:34:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.75
[8:34:14 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3
[8:34:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.50
[8:34:22 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.75
[8:34:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4
[8:34:42 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4.25
[8:34:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:34:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:34:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[8:35:08 PM] Savan Vaghani: miami
[8:35:10 PM] Savan Vaghani: (fl)
[8:35:11 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:35:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.50
[8:35:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:35:28 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.25
[8:35:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: nope
[8:35:35 PM] Niraj: 2.5
[8:35:36 PM] Matt Horan: 2.50
[8:35:38 PM] Matt Horan: 4
[8:35:50 PM] Niraj: well then
[8:35:55 PM] Matt Horan: i meant to hit 3
[8:35:56 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4.25
[8:36:02 PM] Savan Vaghani: ha
[8:36:03 PM] Matt Horan: it's this fucking number pad, burnsy
[8:36:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: .50 increments
[8:36:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: (savan it's a 50
[8:36:06 PM] Matt Horan: the keys are so small
[8:36:08 PM] Niraj: haha
[8:36:09 PM] Savan Vaghani: oh
[8:36:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: or your sausage fingers are too big
[8:36:22 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4.5
[8:36:24 PM] Niraj: you need a typing wand
[8:36:25 PM] Matt Horan: 5
[8:36:41 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[8:36:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:36:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:36:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[8:36:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: louisville 2
[8:37:04 PM] Niraj: 4
[8:37:11 PM] Mark Pearlman: 4.5
[8:37:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: 5
[8:37:12 PM] Niraj: 6
[8:37:17 PM] Savan Vaghani: 6.5
[8:37:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:37:43 PM] Niraj: 7.5
[8:37:55 PM] Matt Horan: heyo
[8:38:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:38:04 PM] Savan Vaghani: i'm out
[8:38:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:38:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: gonzaga for a buck
[8:38:19 PM] Niraj: 4
[8:38:20 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:38:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4.50
[8:38:54 PM] Niraj: 5
[8:39:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:39:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:39:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[8:39:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: paging dr. horan
[8:40:01 PM] Matt Horan: minnesota .30
[8:40:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: .35
[8:40:16 PM] Savan Vaghani: .4
[8:40:17 PM] Mark Pearlman: .50
[8:40:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: .55
[8:40:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: .6
[8:40:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:40:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:40:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj
[8:41:14 PM] Niraj: VCU .1
[8:41:23 PM] Savan Vaghani: .2
[8:41:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: .4
[8:41:42 PM] Niraj: .5
[8:41:50 PM] Savan Vaghani: .6
[8:41:56 PM] Mark Pearlman: .7
[8:42:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:42:18 PM] Savan Vaghani: otu
[8:42:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[8:42:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: .8
[8:42:39 PM] Matt Horan: i was trying to figure out what school otu is
[8:42:42 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:42:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:42:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[8:43:10 PM] Savan Vaghani: k state
[8:43:14 PM] Matt Horan: savan, i ran a 25:35 in the st paddys race
[8:43:14 PM] Savan Vaghani: .2
[8:43:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: (.25 inc)
[8:43:30 PM] Savan Vaghani: nice!
[8:43:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: shit
[8:43:33 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[8:43:35 PM] Niraj: .75
[8:43:49 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:44:12 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:44:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:44:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[8:44:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: indiana 2
[8:44:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3
[8:44:45 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.5
[8:44:45 PM] Mark Pearlman: 4
[8:44:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: 5
[8:44:50 PM] Savan Vaghani: 6
[8:44:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: 6.5
[8:44:59 PM] Savan Vaghani: 7
[8:45:01 PM] Niraj: 7.5
[8:45:02 PM] Dave Fymbo: 7.5
[8:45:25 PM] Mark Pearlman: i see niraj first
[8:45:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: i know
[8:45:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: thinking
[8:45:54 PM] Dave Fymbo: 8
[8:45:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: niraj could have three #1's and that's it
[8:46:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: nevermind
[8:46:05 PM] Niraj: :)
[8:46:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: anybody else
[8:46:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:46:27 PM] Savan Vaghani: though, kind of a shit year to bank on number 1s, no?
[8:46:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:46:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: kansas
[8:46:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: seems like it
[8:46:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3
[8:46:55 PM] Savan Vaghani: going against the grain -- how norcal of him.
[8:46:56 PM] Niraj: well, I play a shitty game, so there you go
[8:47:02 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.5
[8:47:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: 4
[8:47:08 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4.5
[8:47:10 PM] Niraj: 5
[8:47:36 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:47:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:47:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt on cock
[8:47:55 PM] Mark Pearlman: eve's cock
[8:47:55 PM] Matt Horan: Mizzou .10
[8:48:06 PM] Savan Vaghani: .2
[8:48:14 PM] Matt Horan: hey, that's my wife
[8:48:15 PM] Matt Horan: .3
[8:48:19 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[8:48:24 PM] Niraj: eve's cock is your wife?
[8:48:32 PM] Matt Horan: yes, yes it is
[8:48:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: well if anybody is going to be on eve's cock, shouldn't it be matt?
[8:48:38 PM] Matt Horan: out
[8:48:46 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:48:55 PM] Savan Vaghani: i already forgot what i bought
[8:48:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:48:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj
[8:49:13 PM] Matt Horan: dave is updating the google doc in real time
[8:49:16 PM] Niraj: Creighton .1
[8:49:25 PM] Dave Fymbo: .3
[8:49:40 PM] Niraj: seriously? what's the link
[8:49:43 PM] Mark Pearlman: .4
[8:49:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: .5
[8:49:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AleDi4X7yzW_dEs2MFp1Slo3MU9kTzJPY1hEQjFQMEE#gid=0
[8:49:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: burnsy not up to date with technology?
[8:49:59 PM] Niraj: thx
[8:50:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:50:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:50:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[8:50:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: michigan state
[8:50:34 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:50:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2
[8:50:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: 2.25
[8:50:49 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.5
[8:50:51 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3
[8:51:01 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.25
[8:51:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.5
[8:51:09 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.75
[8:51:21 PM] Matt Horan: 4
[8:51:44 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:51:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: 4.25
[8:51:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: oooh
[8:51:57 PM] Savan Vaghani: classic pearman
[8:52:10 PM] Mark Pearlman: i'm just dimwitted, that's why i always do that
[8:52:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: going to mark
[8:52:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:52:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark on clock
[8:52:30 PM] Mark Pearlman: duke 2
[8:52:33 PM] Niraj: 2.5
[8:52:44 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3
[8:53:15 PM] Dave Fymbo: 3.5
[8:53:18 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4
[8:53:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:53:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:53:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: Butler .30
[8:54:10 PM] Niraj: .5
[8:54:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: .60
[8:54:18 PM] Savan Vaghani: .7
[8:54:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: .8
[8:54:36 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.0
[8:54:40 PM] Dave Fymbo: 1.1
[8:55:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:55:04 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[8:55:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:55:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[8:55:17 PM] Matt Horan: cincy /30
[8:55:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: .35
[8:55:32 PM] Savan Vaghani: 40
[8:55:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: too rich for my blood
[8:55:53 PM] Matt Horan: out
[8:55:56 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:55:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj
[8:56:37 PM] Niraj: notre dame .1
[8:56:40 PM] Matt Horan: (n) fuck you burnsy
[8:56:52 PM] Niraj: wow, that hand gesture looks appropriate
[8:57:07 PM] Matt Horan: like sad masturbation
[8:57:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: hahaha
[8:57:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: omg
[8:57:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: .2
[8:57:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: now that's all i can see
[8:57:51 PM] Niraj: is there some way to save it animated in the transcript? lol
[8:57:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:58:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:58:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[8:58:17 PM] Matt Horan: did notre dame just go for 20 fucking cents?
[8:58:18 PM] Savan Vaghani: ohio state
[8:58:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[8:58:32 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.5
[8:58:34 PM] Savan Vaghani: 4
[8:58:39 PM] Matt Horan: 4.5
[8:58:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: 5
[8:58:46 PM] Savan Vaghani: 5.5\\\
[8:58:47 PM] Matt Horan: 6
[8:58:52 PM] Mark Pearlman: 6.5
[8:58:53 PM] Savan Vaghani: 7
[8:58:56 PM] Matt Horan: 7.5
[8:59:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: 8
[8:59:12 PM] Matt Horan: 8.5
[8:59:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: 9
[8:59:31 PM] Matt Horan: out
[8:59:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[8:59:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[8:59:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[8:59:57 PM] Mark Pearlman: marquette 2
[9:00:19 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.5
[9:00:27 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:00:34 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.75
[9:00:45 PM] Savan Vaghani: take it
[9:00:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: (after this all teams are .10 or .5 inc)
[9:00:55 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:00:55 PM] Mark Pearlman: i didn't really want them
[9:00:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:01:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: .40 for colorado
[9:01:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: traitor
[9:01:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:01:47 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:01:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:02:01 PM] Matt Horan: unc .10
[9:02:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: (i'm out of money)
[9:02:10 PM] Niraj: .2
[9:02:17 PM] Matt Horan: .3
[9:02:21 PM] Niraj: .5
[9:02:23 PM] Mark Pearlman: .7
[9:02:25 PM] Matt Horan: .8
[9:02:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:02:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:02:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj
[9:03:05 PM] Niraj: Valpo .1
[9:03:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: That sounds like a dog food
[9:03:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: is valpo in the tournament?
[9:03:35 PM] Mark Pearlman: that's 14-16 midwest
[9:03:38 PM] Savan Vaghani: yeah 14 in the midwest
[9:03:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: ah
[9:03:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: 14-16 midwest is on the clock
[9:03:49 PM] Matt Horan: are we doing the 14-16 package?
[9:03:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: yep
[9:03:53 PM] Niraj: yep, sorry
[9:04:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:04:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone to the man in the banana suit
[9:04:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[9:04:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: wisco
[9:04:33 PM] Savan Vaghani: .3
[9:04:43 PM] Mark Pearlman: 1.9
[9:04:47 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2
[9:04:54 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.5
[9:05:07 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.6
[9:05:11 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.7
[9:05:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.8
[9:05:22 PM] Mark Pearlman: 2.9
[9:05:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: last good team on the board, really
[9:05:27 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.1
[9:05:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: shhhh
[9:05:30 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.2
[9:05:33 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.3
[9:05:37 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.4
[9:05:39 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.5
[9:05:43 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.6
[9:05:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: i'd shoot my wad for the badger
[9:05:53 PM] Savan Vaghani: 3.8
[9:05:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: [costa rica]
[9:05:58 PM] Niraj: (y)
[9:06:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: 3.9
[9:06:05 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[9:06:07 PM] Mark Pearlman: happy masturbation
[9:06:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:06:10 PM] Niraj: hahaha
[9:06:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:06:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: steal at this point
[9:06:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:06:37 PM] Mark Pearlman: UNLV .5
[9:06:45 PM] Savan Vaghani: .
[9:06:46 PM] Savan Vaghani: 6
[9:06:52 PM] Matt Horan: .7
[9:06:54 PM] Savan Vaghani: .8
[9:06:59 PM] Dave Fymbo: burnsy you better spend your money before your meeting
[9:07:07 PM] Niraj: yep
[9:07:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: or i can take over bidding for you
[9:07:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:07:20 PM] Niraj: I'll spend it
[9:07:26 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:07:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: back to matt
[9:07:36 PM] Matt Horan: ole miss .3
[9:07:39 PM] Savan Vaghani: .4
[9:07:44 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[9:08:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:08:12 PM] Savan Vaghani: .6
[9:08:14 PM] Savan Vaghani: sorry
[9:08:15 PM] Matt Horan: .7
[9:08:17 PM] Savan Vaghani: .8
[9:08:20 PM] Matt Horan: .9
[9:08:21 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:08:24 PM] Matt Horan: 1.1
[9:08:25 PM] Savan Vaghani: yours
[9:08:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: that escalated quickly
[9:08:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:08:32 PM] Mark Pearlman: UNLV i think could be a steal for savan
[9:08:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:08:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: niraj
[9:08:38 PM] Mark Pearlman: at least make him some money
[9:08:52 PM] Niraj: belmont .2
[9:09:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:09:08 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[9:09:11 PM] Niraj: .5
[9:09:11 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:09:12 PM] Savan Vaghani: .6
[9:09:13 PM] Matt Horan: .8
[9:09:16 PM] Niraj: .9
[9:09:17 PM] Matt Horan: 1
[9:09:20 PM] Niraj: 1.1
[9:09:31 PM] Matt Horan: 1.2
[9:09:36 PM] Niraj: 1.3
[9:09:44 PM] Matt Horan: 1.5
[9:10:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: um this is belmont right, and not syracuse or something?
[9:10:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:10:09 PM] Matt Horan: meh
[9:10:15 PM] Niraj: 2.4
[9:10:18 PM] Matt Horan: haha
[9:10:19 PM] Matt Horan: take it
[9:10:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: ha
[9:10:24 PM] Niraj: might as well
[9:10:24 PM] Matt Horan: enjoy your meeting, douche
[9:10:27 PM] Savan Vaghani: sucker
[9:10:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:10:39 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[9:10:42 PM] Savan Vaghani: pitt
[9:10:42 PM] Mark Pearlman: see ya burnsy
[9:10:43 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:10:47 PM] Niraj: Belmont, final four!!
[9:10:53 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[9:10:54 PM] Savan Vaghani: the stakes are high!
[9:10:57 PM] Niraj: lol
[9:11:00 PM] Mark Pearlman: .75
[9:11:03 PM] Savan Vaghani: .8
[9:11:05 PM] Matt Horan: .9
[9:11:06 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:11:18 PM] Matt Horan: 1.2
[9:11:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.3
[9:11:23 PM] Matt Horan: 1.5
[9:11:25 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.6
[9:11:29 PM] Matt Horan: 1.9
[9:11:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.1
[9:11:39 PM] Matt Horan: 2.2
[9:11:40 PM] Savan Vaghani: 2.5
[9:11:48 PM] Matt Horan: 2.6
[9:11:57 PM] Mark Pearlman: it's basically matt vs. savan for everything else
[9:12:02 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[9:12:07 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:12:17 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:12:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: okie st. .75
[9:12:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.25
[9:12:58 PM] Matt Horan: yours
[9:13:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:13:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:13:17 PM] Matt Horan: colorado state .1
[9:13:34 PM] Savan Vaghani: .3
[9:13:37 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[9:13:42 PM] Mark Pearlman: .5
[9:13:42 PM] Savan Vaghani: .75
[9:13:53 PM] Mark Pearlman: i can't beat that
[9:14:05 PM] Matt Horan: k
[9:14:07 PM] Matt Horan: out
[9:14:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:14:13 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[9:14:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: zona?
[9:14:25 PM] Savan Vaghani: is that still available?
[9:14:28 PM] Matt Horan: yeah
[9:14:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:14:42 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[9:14:49 PM] Savan Vaghani: .7
[9:15:06 PM] Mark Pearlman: can i go .75?
[9:15:11 PM] Savan Vaghani: .8
[9:15:14 PM] Matt Horan: ha
[9:15:15 PM] Matt Horan: out
[9:15:17 PM] Savan Vaghani: so no
[9:15:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:15:32 PM] Dave Fymbo: next
[9:15:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:15:44 PM] Mark Pearlman: UCLA .75
[9:16:00 PM] Matt Horan: .9
[9:16:01 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:16:04 PM] Matt Horan: 1.1
[9:16:14 PM] Savan Vaghani: take it
[9:16:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:16:23 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:16:32 PM] Matt Horan: nc state .2
[9:16:39 PM] Savan Vaghani: .4
[9:16:44 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[9:16:46 PM] Savan Vaghani: .6
[9:16:49 PM] Matt Horan: .7
[9:16:52 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:16:57 PM] Matt Horan: 1.1
[9:16:58 PM] Savan Vaghani: 12
[9:17:00 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.2*
[9:17:02 PM] Matt Horan: 1.3
[9:17:04 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.5
[9:17:10 PM] Matt Horan: 1.6
[9:17:13 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.8
[9:17:27 PM] Matt Horan: 1.9
[9:17:29 PM] Savan Vaghani: out
[9:17:31 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:17:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[9:17:37 PM] Savan Vaghani: memphis
[9:17:39 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:17:45 PM] Mark Pearlman: .75
[9:17:50 PM] Savan Vaghani: .1
[9:17:57 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:17:58 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark you're hilarious
[9:18:08 PM] Mark Pearlman: i'm trying
[9:18:10 PM] Dave Fymbo: i can just picture the faces you're making
[9:18:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:18:22 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:18:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:18:38 PM] Mark Pearlman: uh, who's left? i forgot to bring a printed bracket
[9:18:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: sdsu, then 9 and lower
[9:18:58 PM] Mark Pearlman: where are they?
[9:19:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: about 15-20 teams left
[9:19:06 PM] Savan Vaghani: san diego state
[9:19:11 PM] Savan Vaghani: whale's vagina state
[9:19:19 PM] Mark Pearlman: sure. SDSU for .1
[9:19:33 PM] Savan Vaghani: .3
[9:19:48 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:19:52 PM] Mark Pearlman: .4
[9:19:54 PM] Matt Horan: mark, you own their first round opponent
[9:19:55 PM] Savan Vaghani: .6
[9:20:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: i don't care
[9:20:08 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:20:20 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:20:21 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:20:30 PM] Matt Horan: oregon .2
[9:20:36 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:20:45 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[9:20:49 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:20:56 PM] Matt Horan: 1.1
[9:20:58 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.2
[9:20:59 PM] Matt Horan: 1
[9:21:04 PM] Matt Horan: 1.3
[9:21:05 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1.4
[9:21:12 PM] Matt Horan: out
[9:21:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:21:15 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:21:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: savan
[9:21:25 PM] Savan Vaghani: davidson
[9:21:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: .3
[9:21:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: .35
[9:21:40 PM] Savan Vaghani: .5
[9:21:45 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[9:21:50 PM] Dave Fymbo: is that a region
[9:21:56 PM] Savan Vaghani: oh yeah
[9:21:58 PM] Matt Horan: yes
[9:21:59 PM] Savan Vaghani: east
[9:22:02 PM] Dave Fymbo: k
[9:22:05 PM] Savan Vaghani: .8
[9:22:15 PM] Matt Horan: .9
[9:22:16 PM] Savan Vaghani: 1
[9:22:22 PM] Matt Horan: u
[9:22:27 PM] Savan Vaghani: thanks
[9:22:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:22:38 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:22:43 PM] Savan Vaghani: i think its just you two now
[9:22:54 PM] Matt Horan: yeah
[9:22:57 PM] Savan Vaghani: makes sense
[9:23:06 PM] Mark Pearlman: cal .1
[9:23:27 PM] Matt Horan: .8
[9:23:29 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:23:30 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:23:41 PM] Mark Pearlman: do you just want to pick who you want?
[9:23:53 PM] Dave Fymbo: no
[9:24:04 PM] Mark Pearlman: how many teams are left?
[9:24:04 PM] Dave Fymbo: he doesn't have enough money for everyone
[9:24:06 PM] Matt Horan: isu .3
[9:24:14 PM] Dave Fymbo: 15
[9:24:24 PM] Mark Pearlman: .35
[9:24:41 PM] Matt Horan: .5
[9:24:46 PM] Mark Pearlman: .55
[9:24:53 PM] Matt Horan: .6
[9:24:59 PM] Mark Pearlman: take it
[9:25:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:25:24 PM] Mark Pearlman: BSU/La Salle .1
[9:25:46 PM] Matt Horan: .2
[9:25:49 PM] Mark Pearlman: .25
[9:25:54 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[9:26:01 PM] Mark Pearlman: take it
[9:26:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt
[9:26:24 PM] Matt Horan: bucknell .2
[9:26:36 PM] Mark Pearlman: .4
[9:26:57 PM] Dave Fymbo: going
[9:27:03 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:27:05 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark
[9:27:05 PM] Mark Pearlman: hell yeah
[9:27:18 PM] Mark Pearlman: wichita state .3
[9:27:19 PM] Dave Fymbo: mark down to 35 cents
[9:27:31 PM] Matt Horan: .4
[9:27:37 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:27:49 PM] Dave Fymbo: matt just give him a team for 35 and take the rest
[9:27:58 PM] Matt Horan: what do you want, mark?
[9:28:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: i don't know who's left
[9:28:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: villanova, temple, ok, play in, akron, nmst, sdst, montana, south, west
[9:29:16 PM] Matt Horan: (handshake) let's wrap this up
[9:29:18 PM] Mark Pearlman: i'll take temple
[9:29:21 PM] Matt Horan: ok
[9:29:24 PM] Dave Fymbo: gone
[9:29:33 PM] Mark Pearlman: and can i have a sad masturbation?
[9:29:34 PM] Dave Fymbo: it's over
[9:29:44 PM] Matt Horan: (n)
[9:29:49 PM] Mark Pearlman: thanks buddy
[9:30:06 PM] Matt Horan: if temply makes the sweet 16 you owe me a sad masturbation
[9:30:11 PM] Mark Pearlman: deal
[9:30:14 PM] Savan Vaghani: ha
[9:30:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: on that note,
[9:30:23 PM] Matt Horan: so, i get the rest of the remaining teams?
[9:30:27 PM] Mark Pearlman: it's been fun
[9:30:37 PM] Savan Vaghani: indeed!
[9:30:42 PM] Savan Vaghani: pearman are you coming up to chicago at all?
[9:30:45 PM] Matt Horan: yeah, our most effecient calcutta to date
[9:30:59 PM] Mark Pearlman: not until late july
[9:31:14 PM] Mark Pearlman: my sister's pregnant and i've got camp work to do around here before passover
[9:31:28 PM] Dave Fymbo: Matt takes a record 22 teams
[9:31:37 PM] Matt Horan: haha
[9:31:45 PM] Dave Fymbo: 38 to the rest of us
[9:31:51 PM] Matt Horan: you bid me out of osu
[9:31:58 PM] Matt Horan: but miami is my champ
[9:32:04 PM] Matt Horan: barry larkin's kid, bro
[9:32:11 PM] Mark Pearlman: i heard
[9:32:27 PM] Matt Horan: he decommitted depaul to be closer to home at miami
[9:32:35 PM] Dave Fymbo: actually it's 21 vs 34
[9:32:52 PM] Dave Fymbo: hmmm
[9:33:09 PM] Dave Fymbo: fuzzy math right now
[9:33:11 PM] Dave Fymbo: not sure
[9:33:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: 21 vs 35?
[9:33:35 PM] Matt Horan: i heard you once came in second place in a mathcounts competition
[9:33:40 PM] Mark Pearlman: well, matt gets whoever
[9:33:43 PM] Dave Fymbo: first place bitch
[9:33:51 PM] Mark Pearlman: chump bitch
[9:33:53 PM] Savan Vaghani: ok guys
[9:34:00 PM] Dave Fymbo: 56 teams
[9:34:06 PM] Dave Fymbo: because we lose 8 to the regions
[9:34:15 PM] Savan Vaghani: much like undergrad, i'm going to be lame and duck out early
[9:34:16 PM] Dave Fymbo: got it
[9:34:22 PM] Matt Horan: i'm also out
[9:34:24 PM] Mark Pearlman: yeah, i gotta go, too
[9:34:26 PM] Savan Vaghani: only to poke my head out later on in the night to scold you for talking
[9:34:26 PM] Mark Pearlman: thanks dave
[9:34:31 PM] Savan Vaghani: later guys
[9:34:39 PM] Matt Horan: does that mean you're ordering a pizza to the library?
[9:34:55 PM] Matt Horan: later
[9:34:59 PM] Matt Horan: well done, fym
[9:35:04 PM] Niraj: thanks dave!
[9:35:20 PM] Savan Vaghani: yeah, thanks dave
[9:38:18 PM] Dave Fymbo: who was trying to add up the totals next to the bottom payout list?
[9:39:33 PM] Dave Fymbo: i can't believe i got butler
[9:39:41 PM] Dave Fymbo: they're going to the elite eight
Best Tournament Ever?
I used the tag besttournamentever to refer to the 2010 March Madness bracket.
2001: 6 upsets, 1 perfect region
2002: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2003: 7 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2004: 7 upsets, 1 perfect region
2005: 8 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2006: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2007: 5 upsets, 1 perfect region
2008: 5 upsets, 1 perfect region
2009: 2 upsets, 2 perfect regions
2010: 8 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2011: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2012: 5 upsets, 0 perfect regions
Just looking at this one measure, 2010 was pretty darn special. Especially coming after the chalk-heavy 2009.
Let's dig a little deeper.
First Round Upsets
2005: 8
2009: 10
2010: 10
2012: 10
That's a little surprising. 2009 had more upsets in the first round than 2005.
Let's go deeper. This a little ambitious. I'm going to add up all the values of the seeds for the entire bracket, excluding the round of 64. The higher the total, the more upsets. (All chalk in a region would be a 48)
Upset Values
2005
Chicago: 71
Alberquerque: 65
Syracuse: 80
Austin: 67
Final Four: 14
Total: 297
2009
Midwest: 82
West: 55
East: 57
South: 59
Final Four: 11
Total: 264
2010
Midwest: 84
West: 66
East: 81
South: 66
Final Four: 20
Total: 317
So there you go. Best Tournament Ever.
So I wanted to check in on the last two years to see if that truly holds up.
- - -
Let's start by looking at the Sweet 16.
Sweet 16 History2001: 6 upsets, 1 perfect region
2002: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2003: 7 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2004: 7 upsets, 1 perfect region
2005: 8 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2006: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2007: 5 upsets, 1 perfect region
2008: 5 upsets, 1 perfect region
2009: 2 upsets, 2 perfect regions
2010: 8 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2011: 6 upsets, 0 perfect regions
2012: 5 upsets, 0 perfect regions
Just looking at this one measure, 2010 was pretty darn special. Especially coming after the chalk-heavy 2009.
Let's dig a little deeper.
First Round Upsets
2005: 8
2009: 10
2010: 10
2012: 10
That's a little surprising. 2009 had more upsets in the first round than 2005.
Let's go deeper. This a little ambitious. I'm going to add up all the values of the seeds for the entire bracket, excluding the round of 64. The higher the total, the more upsets. (All chalk in a region would be a 48)
Upset Values
2005
Chicago: 71
Alberquerque: 65
Syracuse: 80
Austin: 67
Final Four: 14
Total: 297
2009
Midwest: 82
West: 55
East: 57
South: 59
Final Four: 11
Total: 264
2010
Midwest: 84
West: 66
East: 81
South: 66
Final Four: 20
Total: 317
So there you go. Best Tournament Ever.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Best Avs Games 2012-2013
This will be a work in progress, hopefully I'll be able to update it with a few more games at the end of the season. Just didn't want to forget about these.
- - -
January 22, 2013
Avs 3, Kings 1
Colorado takes the home opener against the defending champs and everyone is happy.
January 31, 2013
Avs 6, Flames 3
This was a back and forth game that was tied at 3 with 3 minutes to go. And then Stastny gets two goals and Paranteau adds an empty netter.
February 18, 2013
Avs 6, Predators 5
I was there. Crazy exciting game with non-stop scoring that I got to watch from the 2nd row.
February 28, 2013
Avs 5, Flames 4
The Ryan O'Reilly game. Calgary was up 3-0 after the first. And the Flames made an offer sheet to O'Reilly. The Avs announced they matched the offer and then mounted a comeback. Down 4-2 to start the third, Landeskog slips a one-handed shot five-hole. Stastny gets a rebound goal. And then Duchene gets the game winner.
March 8, 2013
Avs 6, Blackhawks 2
Chicago was riding a 24-game point streak and Colorado blows them out. People called it Duchene's best game ever. One goal and three assists for him and he was the best player on the ice.
March 10, 2013
Avs 3, Sharks 2 (OT)
This one is just about the ending. After blowing a 2-0 lead, the Avs found themselves in overtime. And then Duchene shoots the puck across the line with 0.3 seconds on the clock.
Edit: I was not able to add any more highlights. Sigh.
- - -
January 22, 2013
Avs 3, Kings 1
Colorado takes the home opener against the defending champs and everyone is happy.
January 31, 2013
Avs 6, Flames 3
This was a back and forth game that was tied at 3 with 3 minutes to go. And then Stastny gets two goals and Paranteau adds an empty netter.
February 18, 2013
Avs 6, Predators 5
I was there. Crazy exciting game with non-stop scoring that I got to watch from the 2nd row.
February 28, 2013
Avs 5, Flames 4
The Ryan O'Reilly game. Calgary was up 3-0 after the first. And the Flames made an offer sheet to O'Reilly. The Avs announced they matched the offer and then mounted a comeback. Down 4-2 to start the third, Landeskog slips a one-handed shot five-hole. Stastny gets a rebound goal. And then Duchene gets the game winner.
March 8, 2013
Avs 6, Blackhawks 2
Chicago was riding a 24-game point streak and Colorado blows them out. People called it Duchene's best game ever. One goal and three assists for him and he was the best player on the ice.
March 10, 2013
Avs 3, Sharks 2 (OT)
This one is just about the ending. After blowing a 2-0 lead, the Avs found themselves in overtime. And then Duchene shoots the puck across the line with 0.3 seconds on the clock.
Edit: I was not able to add any more highlights. Sigh.
Best Avs Games 2011-2012
After the recent Blackhawks win and the Duchene's OT winner I wanted to make a list of the best Avs games of the year, so I wouldn't forget. It's a long season and I want to be able to hold on to these games. But first, I figured I should backtrack and cover last year.
These are in chronological order, with no rankings.
- - -
December 2, 2011
Avs 3, Blues 2 (SO)
A back and forth game that Colorado appeared to win in OT but the goal was correctly waved off as it never crossed the line. But O'Reilly (after tying the game in the 3rd) is the only one to find twine in the shootout.
December 13, 2011
Avs 4, Sharks 3 (SO)
After giving up a goal in the final 30 seconds, Landeskog wins it with his first career shootout attempt.
December 23, 2011
Avs 2, Lightning 1 (OT)
I was watching this game in O'Fallon (our last Christmas there). And Duchene wins it in overtime.
February 25, 2012
Avs 4, Red Wings 3
Colorado goes on the road against the #1 team in the league and opens up a 3-0 lead, then holds on to win it.
March 12, 2012
Avs 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
This was my first Avalanche win in person and it's Landeskog with the OT winner. Awesome.
March 14, 2012
Avs 5, Sabres 4 (SO)
This was the best moment of the year. Trying to make the playoffs and down 3-4, Landeskog pushes the puck up the ice with tens seconds to go. McGinn ends up scoring with 1.7 left in the game to send it to overtime.
These are in chronological order, with no rankings.
- - -
December 2, 2011
Avs 3, Blues 2 (SO)
A back and forth game that Colorado appeared to win in OT but the goal was correctly waved off as it never crossed the line. But O'Reilly (after tying the game in the 3rd) is the only one to find twine in the shootout.
December 13, 2011
Avs 4, Sharks 3 (SO)
After giving up a goal in the final 30 seconds, Landeskog wins it with his first career shootout attempt.
December 23, 2011
Avs 2, Lightning 1 (OT)
I was watching this game in O'Fallon (our last Christmas there). And Duchene wins it in overtime.
February 25, 2012
Avs 4, Red Wings 3
Colorado goes on the road against the #1 team in the league and opens up a 3-0 lead, then holds on to win it.
March 12, 2012
Avs 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
This was my first Avalanche win in person and it's Landeskog with the OT winner. Awesome.
March 14, 2012
Avs 5, Sabres 4 (SO)
This was the best moment of the year. Trying to make the playoffs and down 3-4, Landeskog pushes the puck up the ice with tens seconds to go. McGinn ends up scoring with 1.7 left in the game to send it to overtime.
Fav Five: Illini Football
Yikes. This could get rough. I decided to list my favorite players of my modern era. Red Grange and Butkus might go 1 and 2 otherwise, but I can't really compare them.
Players that didn't make the cut: Kurt Kittner, J Leman.
5. Mikel Leshoure
He owns the single season record for touchdowns and rushing yards. But I'll remember his 330 rushing yards against Northwestern in Wrigley Field.
4. Arrelious Benn
He was super good and I was there to watch him catch a 56-yard touchdown in the Rose Bowl (though that game wasn't nearly as close as the Sugar Bowl, which wasn't all that close to begin with).
3. Brandon Lloyd
I distinctly remember being there in Block I and having him come over and celebrate with us after the win. I slapped him on the chest pads. Burnsy stole his towel. He also scored a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl.
2. Rashard Mendenhall
Him ripping off a 79-yard touchdown run in the Rose Bowl was pretty special. And he has had two years (so far) of being excellent pro back as well.
1. Juice Williams
Some people think he didn't live up to expectations and remember subbing him out for Eddie McGee. Here's what I know. With him, Illinois beat Michigan in back to back seasons. And Illinois beat #1 Ohio State on the road to secure a Rose Bowl berth. What more could you hope for?
Players that didn't make the cut: Kurt Kittner, J Leman.
5. Mikel Leshoure
He owns the single season record for touchdowns and rushing yards. But I'll remember his 330 rushing yards against Northwestern in Wrigley Field.
4. Arrelious Benn
He was super good and I was there to watch him catch a 56-yard touchdown in the Rose Bowl (though that game wasn't nearly as close as the Sugar Bowl, which wasn't all that close to begin with).
3. Brandon Lloyd
I distinctly remember being there in Block I and having him come over and celebrate with us after the win. I slapped him on the chest pads. Burnsy stole his towel. He also scored a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl.
2. Rashard Mendenhall
Him ripping off a 79-yard touchdown run in the Rose Bowl was pretty special. And he has had two years (so far) of being excellent pro back as well.
1. Juice Williams
Some people think he didn't live up to expectations and remember subbing him out for Eddie McGee. Here's what I know. With him, Illinois beat Michigan in back to back seasons. And Illinois beat #1 Ohio State on the road to secure a Rose Bowl berth. What more could you hope for?
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Fav Five: Illini Basketball
I'm going to switch things up for the Illini. Instead of picking my favorites on the current team, I'm going all-time.
My perspective isn't going to be as interesting as somebody else's. Because I am completely biased by my experience with the 2005 Illini. Of course it helps that they were the most accomplished team in the modern era.
So my list is going to favor that team and exclude players before my time...sorry Flying Illini. It sounds naive, but it's just true.
And I'm particularly going to favor the best game ever...Illinois vs Arizona in the Elite Eight. Let's count down.
5. Jack Ingram
Can you make the list for getting a finger tip on a ball? Yes. If that finger tip leads to a three-pointer that ties the game, capping the greatest comeback in tournament history,* and sends Illinois to the Final Four.
*may not be true, but close enough
4. Brandon Paul
After last year's Ohio State win and this year's Gonzaga win, I credit Brandon Paul with making Illinois basketball respectable again.
3. Luther Head
What can you say? Great player. Great shooter. Just wish he would have made one more shot.
2. Dee Brown
He was the face of the team. I will never get tired of hearing "Dee for Three."
1. Deron Williams
It's not that he is the best pro talent by a huge margin. It's not that he has the smoothest hands. He's #1 because he's clutch.
My perspective isn't going to be as interesting as somebody else's. Because I am completely biased by my experience with the 2005 Illini. Of course it helps that they were the most accomplished team in the modern era.
So my list is going to favor that team and exclude players before my time...sorry Flying Illini. It sounds naive, but it's just true.
And I'm particularly going to favor the best game ever...Illinois vs Arizona in the Elite Eight. Let's count down.
5. Jack Ingram
Can you make the list for getting a finger tip on a ball? Yes. If that finger tip leads to a three-pointer that ties the game, capping the greatest comeback in tournament history,* and sends Illinois to the Final Four.
*may not be true, but close enough
4. Brandon Paul
After last year's Ohio State win and this year's Gonzaga win, I credit Brandon Paul with making Illinois basketball respectable again.
3. Luther Head
What can you say? Great player. Great shooter. Just wish he would have made one more shot.
2. Dee Brown
He was the face of the team. I will never get tired of hearing "Dee for Three."
1. Deron Williams
It's not that he is the best pro talent by a huge margin. It's not that he has the smoothest hands. He's #1 because he's clutch.
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Blackhawks' Streak
I decided I wasn't going to comment on the streak until it was over.
- - -
Prior to last Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks had played 24 games.
14 of those games were decided in regulation. Chicago won all 14.
4 of those games were decided in the 5 minute overtime period. Chicago won all 4.
6 of those games were decided in a shootout. Chicago won 3 of those 6.
So it was a 24 game streak in which they earned a point in every game. Which is very impressive.
But it's even more impressive when you realize they didn't even lose a game in overtime, just shootouts.
- - -
To review, here are two ways of awarding standings points.
Current NHL 2-point plan
Reg Win/OT Win/SO Win = 2 points
OT Loss/SO Loss = 1 point
Reg Loss = 0 points
Hoagie Central's NHL 3-point plan
Reg Win/OT Win = 3 points
SO Win = 2 points
SO Loss = 1 point
Reg Loss/OT Loss = 0 points
I'm going to look at some top teams and see how they fair under both plans.
- - -
Currently, Montreal has earned 38 points in 26 games. That's a points percentage of .731
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 52 points in 26 games. That's a points percentage of .666
Currently, Anaheim has earned 39 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .813
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 53 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .736
Clearly, the NHL's current plan inflates records so that almost every team seems like they're above .500.
What about the Blackhawks through 24?
They had earned 45 in 24 games. For a crazy percentage of .938
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 63 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .875.
That's crazy good and doesn't have quite the same drop off as other top teams when you take away loser points.
- - -
Prior to last Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks had played 24 games.
14 of those games were decided in regulation. Chicago won all 14.
4 of those games were decided in the 5 minute overtime period. Chicago won all 4.
6 of those games were decided in a shootout. Chicago won 3 of those 6.
So it was a 24 game streak in which they earned a point in every game. Which is very impressive.
But it's even more impressive when you realize they didn't even lose a game in overtime, just shootouts.
- - -
To review, here are two ways of awarding standings points.
Current NHL 2-point plan
Reg Win/OT Win/SO Win = 2 points
OT Loss/SO Loss = 1 point
Reg Loss = 0 points
Hoagie Central's NHL 3-point plan
Reg Win/OT Win = 3 points
SO Win = 2 points
SO Loss = 1 point
Reg Loss/OT Loss = 0 points
I'm going to look at some top teams and see how they fair under both plans.
- - -
Currently, Montreal has earned 38 points in 26 games. That's a points percentage of .731
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 52 points in 26 games. That's a points percentage of .666
Currently, Anaheim has earned 39 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .813
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 53 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .736
Clearly, the NHL's current plan inflates records so that almost every team seems like they're above .500.
What about the Blackhawks through 24?
They had earned 45 in 24 games. For a crazy percentage of .938
Under the 3-point plan they would have earned 63 points in 24 games. That's a points percentage of .875.
That's crazy good and doesn't have quite the same drop off as other top teams when you take away loser points.
Fav Five: Avalanche
I've been doing this for the Chiefs for a while but never for any other teams. Here are my current favorite players of the Colorado Avalanche.
1. Matt Duchene
He is the inspiration for this post. He is playing an elite level. He's currently 12th in points per game. I know I'm biased but I think the season he's had so far puts him in the top ten players in the game.
Two of my favorite plays of his this year. Him knocking Shea Weber off the puck and passing it to McGinn for the goal. And him hustling to prevent an icing and passing it to McGinn for the goal.
He was a #3 overall pick in 2009. Last year he wasn't performing well and then had injuries. He signed a modest contract in the off-season so now a good number of Avs players are earning more than him. And he's outplaying all of them. And is humble about it too. Can't say enough good things about him.
2. Gabe Landeskog
Coming into the season, he would have been my favorite player. He's our captain in his second season. He hits hard. He drives to the net. It was his effort that resulted in the best moment of the 2011-2012 season.
3. P.A. Parenteau
All Dave Grohl does is make hits. All Parenteau does is produce points. He scored 67 points last year as an Islander. He's currently averaging more than a point a game, good for 18th in the league.
4. Erik Johnson
It should be Ryan O'Reilly, last year's leading point scorer. But his contract holdout was a mess. O'Reilly now needs to prove it. So I guess it's Johnson by default. He's our best defenseman but that's not saying much.
5. Seymon Varlamov, goalie
If the Avs are going to make a deep playoff run in the next four years, it will be because Varlamov goes on a run. He's got the talent. His save percentage is decidedly average (currently 14th) but he's young and the promise is there. (Meanwhile LA's Quick is 35th in save percentage. Go figure.) Since he holds the keys to our car, he makes the list.
1. Matt Duchene
He is the inspiration for this post. He is playing an elite level. He's currently 12th in points per game. I know I'm biased but I think the season he's had so far puts him in the top ten players in the game.
Two of my favorite plays of his this year. Him knocking Shea Weber off the puck and passing it to McGinn for the goal. And him hustling to prevent an icing and passing it to McGinn for the goal.
He was a #3 overall pick in 2009. Last year he wasn't performing well and then had injuries. He signed a modest contract in the off-season so now a good number of Avs players are earning more than him. And he's outplaying all of them. And is humble about it too. Can't say enough good things about him.
2. Gabe Landeskog
Coming into the season, he would have been my favorite player. He's our captain in his second season. He hits hard. He drives to the net. It was his effort that resulted in the best moment of the 2011-2012 season.
3. P.A. Parenteau
All Dave Grohl does is make hits. All Parenteau does is produce points. He scored 67 points last year as an Islander. He's currently averaging more than a point a game, good for 18th in the league.
4. Erik Johnson
It should be Ryan O'Reilly, last year's leading point scorer. But his contract holdout was a mess. O'Reilly now needs to prove it. So I guess it's Johnson by default. He's our best defenseman but that's not saying much.
5. Seymon Varlamov, goalie
If the Avs are going to make a deep playoff run in the next four years, it will be because Varlamov goes on a run. He's got the talent. His save percentage is decidedly average (currently 14th) but he's young and the promise is there. (Meanwhile LA's Quick is 35th in save percentage. Go figure.) Since he holds the keys to our car, he makes the list.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Q & A: Pie for Breakfast
An interview with author Dave Fymbo about his new book Pie for Breakfast [essays + confessions].
First of all, what is this book?
It's a collection of 30 essays that cover the first 30 years of my life. Previously, I've written a bunch of stories--many unpublished--, lots of poems and one novel. This is the first time that I've written non-fiction about my life.
What made you want to write this?
A lot of reasons. Many of my friends have said that my fiction was too dark or something that they didn't expect from me. And they encouraged me to write funny stories and even suggested that I write about my own life. I heard that and didn't do anything with it for a while. But then I gave it shot to see what the results would be.
Another factor is there were some stories that I wanted to preserve for my own memory and for my children. In case something ever happens to me, at least my kids will be able to hear about my life in my own voice.
And something that I only realized as I went along, writing this book was very cathartic. There are some essays that range from the embarrassing to the painful, some things that I haven't thought about in years, that I feel better about after getting them down on paper.
Why did you pick the topics that you did?
Mostly I was trying to be funny. Any chances to be self-deprecating I latched on to. So there's a bunch of failed romance stories and comical misunderstandings. But I also included things that wouldn't make people laugh because I wanted to include a full picture. Like "The Third Tuesday" that was something that I wanted to preserve for the future. And "Fandom" was one that I wanted my boys to have, particularly the rules section.
I tried to make them funny or interesting, knowing that some of them would only be fully appreciated by me.
So is this a complete story of your life to this point?
Nope. Some of my favorite people in this world barely get a mention. Even though there are a number of confessions listed, there were a few things that I wanted to keep to myself. And some things that were very special to me, I didn't think would be interesting to anyone else so they didn't make the cut.
When did you start writing this?
In October 2010, Brit and I went to Rio and Buenos Aires. And [spoiler alert] I was pickpocketed in Argentina, and it really bothered me. I couldn't get it out of my head. So I wrote about it. And I felt a lot better. So "Stupid Americans" was the first essay and that was late 2010. "Nine Days" was based on a blog post that I first wrote in 2006. About five essays were written by the end of 2011. So most of the book was written in 2012.
How did you land on Pie for Breakfast as the title?
The original title during the writing process was The Bidet Incident. And then I was super close to titling the book I Can't Swallow Pills. But it just never felt quite right. I was laying on the floor getting my son ready for bed when I thought of Pie for Breakfast. Which reminded me of the Thanksgiving tradition that wasn't in the book at the time. So I added that and moved forward with the title.
Do you have a least favorite essay?
There are some where I think I probably was too factual. "Midwest Pride", "Doughy", "Between Bread" come to mind.
What about your favorites?
I really like "Prom Night." But "Fathers and Sons" is by far the longest and heaviest. I think it's probably the best one. It's the true ending. "I Can't Swallow Pills" is almost like a hidden track.
What can we expect in the future?
Well, Autopilot was finished in May 2009 but I spent a good amount of time shopping it around instead of writing new stuff. I found out I could get on Amazon in February 2011 and it launched March 1, 2011. This book launched March 1, 2013. So It would be great if I could have something come out March 1, 2015.
Both previous books I set goals of finishing by a birthday. Autopilot was supposed to be finished by my 25th birthday, but I underestimated the editing process for a novel by six months. I wanted to finish Pie by my 30th birthday, but overestimated the process this time. I'd rather keep to an every two year schedule then an every five year, but my guess is that books come out when they're ready and it's hard to predict.
If there are any additional questions, post them in the comments and I can do a follow-up.
First of all, what is this book?
It's a collection of 30 essays that cover the first 30 years of my life. Previously, I've written a bunch of stories--many unpublished--, lots of poems and one novel. This is the first time that I've written non-fiction about my life.
What made you want to write this?
A lot of reasons. Many of my friends have said that my fiction was too dark or something that they didn't expect from me. And they encouraged me to write funny stories and even suggested that I write about my own life. I heard that and didn't do anything with it for a while. But then I gave it shot to see what the results would be.
Another factor is there were some stories that I wanted to preserve for my own memory and for my children. In case something ever happens to me, at least my kids will be able to hear about my life in my own voice.
And something that I only realized as I went along, writing this book was very cathartic. There are some essays that range from the embarrassing to the painful, some things that I haven't thought about in years, that I feel better about after getting them down on paper.
Why did you pick the topics that you did?
Mostly I was trying to be funny. Any chances to be self-deprecating I latched on to. So there's a bunch of failed romance stories and comical misunderstandings. But I also included things that wouldn't make people laugh because I wanted to include a full picture. Like "The Third Tuesday" that was something that I wanted to preserve for the future. And "Fandom" was one that I wanted my boys to have, particularly the rules section.
I tried to make them funny or interesting, knowing that some of them would only be fully appreciated by me.
So is this a complete story of your life to this point?
Nope. Some of my favorite people in this world barely get a mention. Even though there are a number of confessions listed, there were a few things that I wanted to keep to myself. And some things that were very special to me, I didn't think would be interesting to anyone else so they didn't make the cut.
When did you start writing this?
In October 2010, Brit and I went to Rio and Buenos Aires. And [spoiler alert] I was pickpocketed in Argentina, and it really bothered me. I couldn't get it out of my head. So I wrote about it. And I felt a lot better. So "Stupid Americans" was the first essay and that was late 2010. "Nine Days" was based on a blog post that I first wrote in 2006. About five essays were written by the end of 2011. So most of the book was written in 2012.
How did you land on Pie for Breakfast as the title?
The original title during the writing process was The Bidet Incident. And then I was super close to titling the book I Can't Swallow Pills. But it just never felt quite right. I was laying on the floor getting my son ready for bed when I thought of Pie for Breakfast. Which reminded me of the Thanksgiving tradition that wasn't in the book at the time. So I added that and moved forward with the title.
Do you have a least favorite essay?
There are some where I think I probably was too factual. "Midwest Pride", "Doughy", "Between Bread" come to mind.
What about your favorites?
I really like "Prom Night." But "Fathers and Sons" is by far the longest and heaviest. I think it's probably the best one. It's the true ending. "I Can't Swallow Pills" is almost like a hidden track.
What can we expect in the future?
Well, Autopilot was finished in May 2009 but I spent a good amount of time shopping it around instead of writing new stuff. I found out I could get on Amazon in February 2011 and it launched March 1, 2011. This book launched March 1, 2013. So It would be great if I could have something come out March 1, 2015.
Both previous books I set goals of finishing by a birthday. Autopilot was supposed to be finished by my 25th birthday, but I underestimated the editing process for a novel by six months. I wanted to finish Pie by my 30th birthday, but overestimated the process this time. I'd rather keep to an every two year schedule then an every five year, but my guess is that books come out when they're ready and it's hard to predict.
If there are any additional questions, post them in the comments and I can do a follow-up.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Friday, March 01, 2013
Actual NHL Standings - West
These standings are point percentage (of total points possible) which takes into account how many games teams have played.
Western Conference
Chicago .925
Anaheim .806
Vancouver .632
LA .612
STL .579
SJ .579
Minnesota .579
Detroit .548
- - -
Nashville .548
Edmonton .526
Phoenix .525
Dallas .524
Colorado .500
Calgary .474
Columbus .325
So with the season 40% over, Colorado is in 13th. But with a healthy captain and our leading point scorer from last season back on the roster, it's not impossible to think that Colorado could gain some ground.
We'll see if they can make a difference and earn a playoff spot. I'd love for them just to get in this year and gain some experience, so that maybe next year (which starts in about 7 months) they could make a more serious run.
Western Conference
Chicago .925
Anaheim .806
Vancouver .632
LA .612
STL .579
SJ .579
Minnesota .579
Detroit .548
- - -
Nashville .548
Edmonton .526
Phoenix .525
Dallas .524
Colorado .500
Calgary .474
Columbus .325
So with the season 40% over, Colorado is in 13th. But with a healthy captain and our leading point scorer from last season back on the roster, it's not impossible to think that Colorado could gain some ground.
We'll see if they can make a difference and earn a playoff spot. I'd love for them just to get in this year and gain some experience, so that maybe next year (which starts in about 7 months) they could make a more serious run.
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