2023 Ironman Projections

Here's Mark's starters:

And his bench:

Note that Kamara starts the year on a 3-game suspension, but will likely join the starters once back. 

Here's my starters:

And my bench:

My starters are projected to outscore Mark's by 3 points a game. The whole Kamara suspension issue makes the projections a little cloudy. Also, it's not about points on paper, so it doesn't matter anyways. 

ps5 skateboarding: session

After revisiting the timeless Tony Hawk most recently on the ps4, I checked out a realistic skateboarding simulator called Session: Skate Sim on the ps5. Instead of pressing a button to grind, you actually have to line up your board up with the rail. Forget about pulling together combos of 10x+, just completing a successful grind or a specific flip trick feels like an accomplishment.

Ironman Draft Strategy + Thoughts

Now that Mark and I have completed our 2023 Ironman draft, I wanted to peel back the curtain and reveal my thoughts on certain players, get stuff on the record before the season started. 

This was the very first roster I put together for the year. 

I considered not taking Mahomes, but it seemed too risky. 

At RB1, I debated back and forth between Chubb and Bijan all week. Liked both, was going to handcuff either one. 

RB2 was Pollard all the way. 

Flex spot originally was going to be Dameon Pierce. At one point I was leaning towards him as my #1 overall pick because I thought as a lead back he was great value at only costing 23. But the more I read, the more it seemed like he was going to be in a committee and not a true lead back. So he went from #1 overall to off my board. 

AJ Brown and Amon Ra stayed on my boards throughout the process. 

I bought into Evan Engram hype and so I upgraded Frymouth to Engram, hopefully.

Goff was my go-to backup QB. 

Dalvin Cook seemed like great value, but I got worried about him getting older, and being injured, and being on a new team...he wasn't awesome on my team last year, so I ended up dumping him. 

And I considered MVS, and Toney and Skyy. Eventually landed on Skyy. 

Here's the team I ended up with:

Ended up going Ridley as Flex instead of a Pierce.

Swapped Goff for Lawrence at the last minute, in an effort to block a starter from Mark's team.

Other big change was my Bench RB was supposed to be James Cook on the Bills. But going for Lawrence, meant switching to Herbert.

Instead of Chubb/Ford, I wanted Bijan/Allgeier because I thought I could potentially start both in a crunch, which wouldn't be the case with Chubb/Ford.

Here's Mark's team.

I looked at Jefferson and Kelce, but while they're great, I couldn't justify the cost, especially for Kelce.

Chubb was on my almost final big board and Goff was on my final board, but I moved off both before Mark took them, so he didn't actually block any. 

I glanced at Lockett and Kamara but not a serious look.

I thought Toney was interesting but too injured to take seriously. 

Didn't look at Conklin or Wilson.

- - -

In the end, happy with my roster. If James Cook outperforms Khalil Herbert by a significant margin, that will be one I'll kick myself over. 

I wonder, if I had taken Goff as scheduled, who Mark would have pivoted to. He says maybe Tua. So that would be something to watch, Goff vs Tua.

Other players I considered but didn't end up taking: Etienne, Saquon, Waddle.

At one point I had Davante Adams + Dameon Pierce, but I just never was excited about Davante. 

NYT Connections: Archive + Custom Puzzles

Following on their acquisition of Wordle, The New York Times has a new word game called Connections.

It's fun. But the official site is missing the archive. To find that you need to go here: Connections Archive

In addition, this site allows users to make their own puzzles. So far, I've made four:

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

And Kirat has made one so far as well: 

Episode 1

Soundscapes

The OG "time to get classy recipe" (open all 3 tabs below)

    Crackling Fire: https://endlessvideo.com/watch?v=DIx3aMRDUL4

    Rainy Mood https://endlessvideo.com/watch?v=aDfZ6STAfqA&start=

    Godot - The Fragrance of Dark Coffee https://endlessvideo.com/watch?v=HMnrl0tmd3k

The nice thing about making soundscapes with multiple youtube tabs, is that youtube has an audio slider so you can season to taste. Something like 100% fire, 75% rain, 50% music is a good starting point.

Someone made this mix of the same song with just the rain if you're a one tab kind of person:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chhksy7wmWY&ab_channel=Chiyo-chichi

Or maybe you just want fire and rain in one tab:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWLUJHtlYyM&ab_channel=CaveSound

    

If you wanted to mix it up you could go:

    Charlie Parker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9IMBcZaEyY&ab_channel=SaxophoneMusic

    Cozy Fireplace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVgLKoPsK3c&ab_channel=FOBOSPLANET

    Light Rain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPNvMeP8mQI&ab_channel=Sleep%26Relaxation

Or maybe you want more of a true noir soundscape, so you pick one of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEI2zet48Uc&ab_channel=Dr.SaxLove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CudYgvGGcgY&ab_channel=NochesdeInsomnio

and for variety, instead of rain, you pair it with some ocean waves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btmjDyff6E8&ab_channel=NaturalezaViva-SonidosyPaisajesIncre%C3%ADbles

If you're into lo-fi, I recommend Tokyo Tones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CVUCO1g8I&ab_channel=TOKYOTONES

For a Coffee Shop vibe you can combine the music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwol3Y9ivns

with the ambiance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjiODnEYKzM&ab_channel=RainRiderAmbience

For chill + focus, here's a nice mix of beats:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx5N2TeDqNM&list=PLawU8_LLwsoaKjnv6dNUx4SOh1hCHH7uC&index=35&ab_channel=ChrisRamsay

For sleepy times, this one has some ambient music and rain mixed in one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8GrqUSdzi0&ab_channel=SoothingRelaxation

This is my 432 hz focus for work writing track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWLVBP3VrO4&ab_channel=MeditationandHealing

But if 432 hz isn't enough hertz, you can always go up to 528 hz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeMAzOqN7jY&list=PLawU8_LLwsoaKjnv6dNUx4SOh1hCHH7uC&index=25&ab_channel=SpiritTribeAwakening

This one's good for massages:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZbuj3RJcjI&list=PLawU8_LLwsoaKjnv6dNUx4SOh1hCHH7uC&index=37&ab_channel=MeditationRelaxMusic

Or perhaps, you're more into Native American flute music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST56ATKfgfs&list=PLawU8_LLwsoaKjnv6dNUx4SOh1hCHH7uC&index=27&ab_channel=NuMeditationMusic

Finally, if you're ready for some tropical tranquil waves, here you go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnGbwEO8ezY&ab_channel=MyTranquilitee

(this pairs nicely with the 432 hz track, for example)

thps vibes only

Tony Hawk Pro Skater videos normally look like this, with big combos and points and special bars and there's just generally a lot going on visually on the screen.

So I thought, what if I did a different kind of video. No points or trick names on the screen. Just go for stuff that feels fun. The original intent was trying to make an realistic skate video where jumping over one stairset is a cool trick, but then I started doing less realistic stuff too. But still this isn't about points. It's just skating. 

 

Chiefs Thoughts in the Year of our Lord 2023

So I found this a while back:

Lots of thoughts here.

First, 2019 was my personal favorite season of all time and it seems impossible to break as it was the first time seeing Chiefs in the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl. And as it turns out, it was the greatest Chiefs season of all time too.

So the Chiefs made the Super Bowl in 2020 and that team doesn't crack the top 8. But the 2018 team is #2. That was the 50-td, 5000-yard, Mahomes MVP in his first season as a starter year. Which means that in 2018, Mahomes comes into the league and in his first season, leads the team to the greatest year in their 60-year history. Then tops it the next year. 

It also confirms that 2018 team was Super Bowl caliber, but all it takes is not executing for one half of the AFC Championship to end your season. (Also, Dee Ford lining up one step backwards would have helped.)

But it's wild that the 2020 Chiefs made it to Super Bowl LV and weren't a top-8 season in franchise history. They were a 1-seed and rolled to the Super Bowl, beating Buffalo by 14 in the AFC title game.

Equally wild: There are 3 non-Mahomes seasons that were allegedly better than the 2022 winners of Super Bowl LVII. 

1997: Chiefs went 13-3 and earned the #1 seed but lost in the divisional round at home, with a Grbac/Gannon qb controversy. This team was better than the 2022 Chiefs???

2003: I've written a lot about this team, this team was very important to my life. Nice to see them represented, but still...

2015: This team won the first playoff game of my life, so I'm grateful for that...but this team started the year 1-5. They're better than a 14-3 Mahomes Super Bowl winning team? Um....no.

- - -

If you're a fan of the Bills or Bengals, you've gotta be so pissed watching Netflix's Quarterback reflecting on what happened last year. You see Mahomes have an ankle injury aggravated in all three playoff games and the Chiefs still win it all.

Mahomes doesn't get enough credit for that playoff run, playing through that injury. He turned in the best QB regular season of all time and then wins the Super Bowl despite being injured in all three games.

- - - 

We've seen 5 seasons of Mahomes and gotten 3 Super Bowl appearances, 2 rings. This will never not be insane.

quick chess update

After not playing competitively in a long time, I fired it up, got paired with a 935 and won. Raised my rating to 915, which is now better than 3 out of 4 players on chess.com. 

Chiefs Super Bowl LVII Ring

spooooky

In 2011, I wrote this post about funniest Finals matchups.

Eleven years later, they started coming true. 

2022: Lightning Avalanche

2023: Heat Nuggets

So good news for Browns-Lions fans, start betting on the 2024 Super Bowl. 

Work Trip: Shreveport Shoot

Went back to Shreveport to shoot a new commercial and we got a ton of great shots. Also, managed to win money at the casino and get some good food and drinks.

2023 Rare Soda Reviews

Took the boys to Mass St. Soda in Lawrence and we picked out some microbrew sodas. Here are my ratings for every one that I tasted.

Sprecher Honey Cream 10+

Sprecher Root Beer 10

Boylan Creme 9.9

IBC Black Cherry 9.7

Hank's Black Cherry 9.5

Frostie Vanilla Root Beer 9.5

Abita Vanilla Cream 9.4

Sprecher Cherry Cola 9.2

Boylan Black Cherry 9.1

Hank's Root Beer 9

Boylan Root Beer 8.9

Hank's Grape 8.6

Dublin Vanilla Cream 8.5

Sprecher Grape 8.0

Frostie Cherry Limeade 6

Big Red 2.5

Some takeaways. Sprecher is the best company. You can't go wrong with Boylan or Hank's either. Outside of those three brands, it can be hit or miss.

In the future, in addition to revisiting my high scores from this round, I'd like to try the Sprecher Black Cherry, Sprecher Grape, and Dr Sprecher.

Best Moments Leading to Super Bowl LVII: Playoffs

There were two playoff games for the Chiefs that led them to the Super Bowl. Here are the top ten plays from those two games. 

First a couple honorable mentions. 

Jaylen Watson one handed interception to seal the win vs Jaguars. 

Jaylen Watson another INT 2 mins 2q. This dude had three interceptions in his rookie season. Each one was so pivotal. Clutch.

MVS reaching back to make a big catch.

Top Ten Plays 

10. 4th and 1. Chiefs go for it in a 6-3 game. A field goal would have been the easy call. If the Chiefs go for it and don't get it, it's a disaster. 

9. When it's only 20-17, Mahomes attempts a jump pass on a busted ankle vs Jaguars.

8. Henne comes in for the injured Mahomes and takes over own his own two. Completes a 98-yard TD drive, earning that ring. But the best play on the drive was this run by Pacheco. 

7. In a 13-13 game vs Bengals, it's 3rd and 10. Settling for a field goal wouldn't get the job done. Mahome sticks it to MVS. I've never seen a receiver act like he didn't catch it as much as MVS does here. 

6. MVS s t r e t c h e s out to convert a 3rd and 7 he had no business converting.

5. Lost in all the excitement of the plays coming up on this list, this kick was no gimmee. A 45-yarder in 22-degree weather. When you see the side view, you see that it only clears the bar by 3 yards.

4. 7 minutes left in a tie game. Bengals driving with 3rd and 3. And Bryan Cook tips it to Joshua Williams for a spectacular interception.

3. 44 seconds left. Bengals on their own 35. Just a few plays away from field goal range. And Chris Jones comes up with the sack of his life.

2. "Andy Reid showing a lot of faith in the rookie." That's how Nantz starts the call. I'm freaking out at home. All I can picture is Skyy Moore muffing a punt that instantly puts the Bengals in field goal range. And then he not only catches it cleanly, but returns it from the 18 to the 47. 

1. It's 3rd and 4 from the CIN 47. Chiefs have no timeouts and only 17 seconds left. Need to get the first down but ultimately need 20 yards to get into field goal range in this weather. Not a lot of plays that will work here. In the pocket, nothing open, Mahomes has to take off a busted ankle and do it himself.

disc golf 5.6.23

Took the boys to a new course in Belton: Cleveland Lake Disc Golf. 

We had a good time, the course wasn't my favorite.

Best Moments Leading to Super Bowl LVII: Regular Season

Did you think that Hoagie Central was done with Super Bowl LVII coverage? Nope.

I fired up my championship Blu-Ray to make sure I didn't miss any of the best moments of the Chiefs 2022-23 season.

- - -

If Buffalo gets the #1 seed, I don't know that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Playing the Dolphins, then the Bengals, then going on the road to Buffalo, that's a lot tougher task. It's possible the Chiefs do it, but it's clearly more difficult. 

So getting that #1 seed was crucial. And every single W was necessary to get us there.

Here's a look back at the top ten plays of the regular season. 

10. Chiefs go Ring Around The Rosie vs the Raiders. It almost doesn't make the cut because there was a penalty on the play. But they scored on the next play anyways and more importantly, it made the Raiders and even the Broncos mad.

9. This one would have ranked a lot higher if it came in a win. But still, Mahomes dunked on these Bengals like Air Jordan.

8. In Week 11, Kelce scores two quarter TDs to beat the Chargers again.

7. Against the Raiders in Week 5, Kelce lit them up for 4 tds on MNF. But my favorite moment of the game was when the two Raiders collided on the final play.

6. Willie Gay Jr. not only intercepts Russell Wilson, but knocks him down and takes it to the house. You love to see it. 

5. Mahomes exacts a bit of revenge for Super Bowl LV, by escaping from a rusher, spinning by another, and then flipping it for a TD pass, en route to Fetty Wapping the Bucs. 

4. So many great plays in the Week 2 win over the Chargers. The scramble + sidearm TD to McKinnon. The deep shot TD to Justin Watson. And then this pick six by Jaylen Watson vs the Chargers flipped the entire game and set the tone for the divisional race once again. While some try to claim Herbert is on Mahomes level, at the end of this play Herbert was on the same level as the turf. 

3. A picture-perfect stretch for the pylon, completely horizontal. That's Mahomes vs the Seahawks. In slow-motion it's a thing of beauty. It would be impressive by any receiver or running back, but it's being done by the best passer in the game. 

2. Against the Broncos, Mahomes flips it to McKinnon. This pass could literally be the best highlight of many good QB's entire careers.

1. Mahomes put the team on his back, down 17-9 in the 4th vs the Titans. Converts a 3rd and 17 with his legs, then converts a 3rd and 9 with his legs for the score. Then on 3rd down in OT, converts with a highlight reel catch by Noah Gray.