Outside of the top six picks, the two guys I heard the most about were DeCastro and Hightower. They go to the Steelers and Pats at 24 and 25. Seriously?
P.S. No Chiefs fans like the Poe pick.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
it's pretty sad when 8 out of 9 teams in a league make the playoffs
I suppose it's even sadder for the Washington Stealth.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
easy pizza
After making two pizzas this year by making dough from scratch, I was in the mood for a homemade pizza but without the work. Pillsbury dough, a smidge of Newman's garlic pasta sauce, a thin layer of colby jack on the bottom, pepperoni, mozz on top, and a mozz stick for a stuffed crust. Turned out great on the pizza stone. Quick and easy and delicious.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
it's all about the cup
My entire life I've wondered how they continually fit new teams and what would happen if they ran out of room.
a good walk spoiled: part seven
Here's a recap of my golf outings in the modern era:
August 14, 2005: +15 on a par 3
August 27, 2005: +9 on a par 3
July 3, 2009: +17 on a par 3
July 3, 2010: +22 on a par 3
July 5, 2010: +22 on a normal 9-hole course
October 3, 2010: +23 on a normal 9-hole course
October 16, 2011: +17 on a par 3
A few takeaways:
The weather's been great here for a while (it never really got too cold anyways) so golf had been on my mind for over a month. And now that I'm a dad (and curling is over) I really appreciate any time that I'm not working or taking care of H.
H woke up today at 6:30. Not only is that a good hour earlier, that means he's crabby because he didn't sleep enough. So I got up with him and tried to do some great parenting from the couch.
Anyways, by noon I was ready to hit the links.
I kept track of my swings and putts just for fun.
On the first hole I had a putt for par, after a decent chip. I missed my par putt by an inch but thought it was a good start. Of course it was only a 72-yard hole.
A good drive on the second hole. And it felt good on the third, but was a little strong and a little left, finding some deep grass. I opted to take a penalty drop, had a good chip and a one put to save bogey.
The fourth hole was my only disaster. Sliced my 7-iron tee shot and never found it. I was in the green in four, but it was a huge green and I was left with a super long putt. I left it short and that led to a four-putt. Yikes.
I hit a beauty on the fifth. 150-yards with my five iron, just shy of the green. It was a tough pin placement though, on the very near side. My chip came up a bit short on the fringe and it wasn't a realistic putt for par.
Another tee shot that felt good on the sixth, though it was a bit left.
My shot of the day came on hole 7. I hit a 7-iron perfectly. High, good distance, as soon as it left my club I knew it was going on the green. I left myself a 15-20 foot putt and I was only thinking two putt. Get my par and get out. It was slightly up hill and I left it shorter than I wanted. Still I think it was probably a four or five putt for par. Totally makeable. And I pushed it wide by an inch. And then in frustration, pushed it wide coming back down the hill. Wasted my best shot.
My shot on the 8th also found the green, but it was uglier, more of a line drive that rolled up there. After a decent first putt, I had a four footer for par. And I missed that one too.
My last chance for par came on the last hole. It was a 10-footer and I went for it. Of course wide and hard and I left myself a tough 6 or 7 footer coming back. I actually made that one, my best putt of the day.
I actually walked away feeling like I played really well. I think that tee shots affect your feelings more than putts, but putts affect your scores just as much. Only one bad tee shot all day. Another was ugly but landed on the green anyways.
I know I can't chip for shit, and today my putting was just as bad.
Still, good to get out. See some mountains, walk some fairways.
August 14, 2005: +15 on a par 3
August 27, 2005: +9 on a par 3
July 3, 2009: +17 on a par 3
July 3, 2010: +22 on a par 3
July 5, 2010: +22 on a normal 9-hole course
October 3, 2010: +23 on a normal 9-hole course
October 16, 2011: +17 on a par 3
A few takeaways:
- I've only played 9 holes at a time
- I'm not that much worse on a normal course vs a par 3 course
- My best rounds were the first two I had played since before college
- July 3 was the earliest I had ever golfed in a year
- I skipped three years entirely
- I only have golfed at least three times in a year in 2010
The weather's been great here for a while (it never really got too cold anyways) so golf had been on my mind for over a month. And now that I'm a dad (and curling is over) I really appreciate any time that I'm not working or taking care of H.
H woke up today at 6:30. Not only is that a good hour earlier, that means he's crabby because he didn't sleep enough. So I got up with him and tried to do some great parenting from the couch.
Anyways, by noon I was ready to hit the links.
I kept track of my swings and putts just for fun.
On the first hole I had a putt for par, after a decent chip. I missed my par putt by an inch but thought it was a good start. Of course it was only a 72-yard hole.
A good drive on the second hole. And it felt good on the third, but was a little strong and a little left, finding some deep grass. I opted to take a penalty drop, had a good chip and a one put to save bogey.
The fourth hole was my only disaster. Sliced my 7-iron tee shot and never found it. I was in the green in four, but it was a huge green and I was left with a super long putt. I left it short and that led to a four-putt. Yikes.
I hit a beauty on the fifth. 150-yards with my five iron, just shy of the green. It was a tough pin placement though, on the very near side. My chip came up a bit short on the fringe and it wasn't a realistic putt for par.
Another tee shot that felt good on the sixth, though it was a bit left.
My shot of the day came on hole 7. I hit a 7-iron perfectly. High, good distance, as soon as it left my club I knew it was going on the green. I left myself a 15-20 foot putt and I was only thinking two putt. Get my par and get out. It was slightly up hill and I left it shorter than I wanted. Still I think it was probably a four or five putt for par. Totally makeable. And I pushed it wide by an inch. And then in frustration, pushed it wide coming back down the hill. Wasted my best shot.
My shot on the 8th also found the green, but it was uglier, more of a line drive that rolled up there. After a decent first putt, I had a four footer for par. And I missed that one too.
My last chance for par came on the last hole. It was a 10-footer and I went for it. Of course wide and hard and I left myself a tough 6 or 7 footer coming back. I actually made that one, my best putt of the day.
I actually walked away feeling like I played really well. I think that tee shots affect your feelings more than putts, but putts affect your scores just as much. Only one bad tee shot all day. Another was ugly but landed on the green anyways.
I know I can't chip for shit, and today my putting was just as bad.
Still, good to get out. See some mountains, walk some fairways.
Rare Soda Reviews
Loyal listeners (and I know they're not listeners) may remember this post from July 2011.
So when I was dropping something off at the UPS Store and noticed right next door a shop called Rocket Fizz: Soda Pop and Candy Shop I had no choice.
They easily had over 100 soda varieties, all in single glass bottles ready to mix and match. Most of which I've never heard of.
So I made my own six pack for 10 bucks and brought them home with a smile on my face. Here's the breakdown.
(After being a MATES viewer for over a year, I've had time to ruminate on the rating system. And really for me, the simplest rating is would you buy it again. Faced with hundreds of options, would you add it to your cart once more?)
I'll go from best to worst.
Sprecher Cherry Cola
The Jewel in Oak Park carried Sprecher Root Beer and we had it a couple times. So I already knew that Sprecher meant business. And this cherry cola was right on. Full-bodied. Nice real cherry flavor. Would buy again.
Boylan's Black Cherry
Boylan's is fairly popular at restaurants out here. I even saw a Boylan's fountain soda dispenser at Biker Jim's Hot Dogs. Their root beer is outstanding, their cola isn't very good. Their black cherry is closer to the quality of their root beer. Would buy again.
Jackson Hole Soda Snake River Sarsaparilla
I don't know that I've ever really had a sarsaparilla before. Even though Burnsy and were googling it while in Meijer some 7 years ago. It's very similar to root beer but with an extra kick. I don't know if I can generalize to all sarsaparillas, but I didn't quite love it. It wasn't awful. But with so many good root beers out there, I don't see the need to seek out a sarsaparilla. Wouldn't buy again.
Americana Honey Cream
I love cream sodas. This one had an extra mystery flavor and it wasn't honey. We couldn't figure out what it was. We drank it all but it's not up to the cream soda par. Wouldn't buy again.
Moxie
The bottle proclaims a birth date of 1884, that it's the original elixir, and Distinctively Different. All of those are true. When I was in the store they were filming a commercial. And Moxie was the soda they were using as the feature pour. So I figured I'd give it a shot. After I purchased I read some youtube reviews and saw that mostly people hated it, citing a medicinal quality. I'd say it tastes like 40% cola, 35% root beer and 25% NyQuil. If I time traveled to 1884 and it was my only option, I'd drink it. But in 2012, I wouldn't buy again.
Simpson Spring Lemon Lime
I picked this one because the soda was bright green, like I'd never seen before. Turns out that's a terrible way to pick a soda. It tasted awful. Easily the worst of the group. Brittany only had one sip. I could only handle three. Poured the rest out. No one should ever buy this.
Conclusion
I'm a little surprised at the outcome based on my previous experience with smaller soda companies. Maybe I should do some homework before I venture into the rare soda game.
So when I was dropping something off at the UPS Store and noticed right next door a shop called Rocket Fizz: Soda Pop and Candy Shop I had no choice.
They easily had over 100 soda varieties, all in single glass bottles ready to mix and match. Most of which I've never heard of.
So I made my own six pack for 10 bucks and brought them home with a smile on my face. Here's the breakdown.
(After being a MATES viewer for over a year, I've had time to ruminate on the rating system. And really for me, the simplest rating is would you buy it again. Faced with hundreds of options, would you add it to your cart once more?)
I'll go from best to worst.
Sprecher Cherry Cola
The Jewel in Oak Park carried Sprecher Root Beer and we had it a couple times. So I already knew that Sprecher meant business. And this cherry cola was right on. Full-bodied. Nice real cherry flavor. Would buy again.
Boylan's Black Cherry
Boylan's is fairly popular at restaurants out here. I even saw a Boylan's fountain soda dispenser at Biker Jim's Hot Dogs. Their root beer is outstanding, their cola isn't very good. Their black cherry is closer to the quality of their root beer. Would buy again.
Jackson Hole Soda Snake River Sarsaparilla
I don't know that I've ever really had a sarsaparilla before. Even though Burnsy and were googling it while in Meijer some 7 years ago. It's very similar to root beer but with an extra kick. I don't know if I can generalize to all sarsaparillas, but I didn't quite love it. It wasn't awful. But with so many good root beers out there, I don't see the need to seek out a sarsaparilla. Wouldn't buy again.
Americana Honey Cream
I love cream sodas. This one had an extra mystery flavor and it wasn't honey. We couldn't figure out what it was. We drank it all but it's not up to the cream soda par. Wouldn't buy again.
Moxie
The bottle proclaims a birth date of 1884, that it's the original elixir, and Distinctively Different. All of those are true. When I was in the store they were filming a commercial. And Moxie was the soda they were using as the feature pour. So I figured I'd give it a shot. After I purchased I read some youtube reviews and saw that mostly people hated it, citing a medicinal quality. I'd say it tastes like 40% cola, 35% root beer and 25% NyQuil. If I time traveled to 1884 and it was my only option, I'd drink it. But in 2012, I wouldn't buy again.
Simpson Spring Lemon Lime
I picked this one because the soda was bright green, like I'd never seen before. Turns out that's a terrible way to pick a soda. It tasted awful. Easily the worst of the group. Brittany only had one sip. I could only handle three. Poured the rest out. No one should ever buy this.
Conclusion
I'm a little surprised at the outcome based on my previous experience with smaller soda companies. Maybe I should do some homework before I venture into the rare soda game.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
nbc's favorite teams
There are 8 hockey playoff games this weekend, representing all 7 active series.
3 of the 8 are on NBC, the only channel of the options that I get.
Here are the three games I have the opportunity to watch:
Penguins-Flyers
Bruins-Caps
Bruins-Caps
3 of the 8 are on NBC, the only channel of the options that I get.
Here are the three games I have the opportunity to watch:
Penguins-Flyers
Bruins-Caps
Bruins-Caps
Thursday, April 19, 2012
the most goals in a nhl playoff series
The record is from 1985. Edmonton vs Chicago. The Oilers had guys named Gretzky, Kurri and Coffey and ending up winning the cup.
But before that they beat the Blackhawks in 6. Scoring 69 goals between them. That's a pace of 11.5 a game.
So far, the Penguins and Flyers have combined for 45 goals in 4 games. For a pace of 11.25.
If the series goes 7, and they keep this pace they can destroy the total record.
Even if the Flyers win in 5, they could set a new record for goals per game in a series if they notch another 13 goal game.
But before that they beat the Blackhawks in 6. Scoring 69 goals between them. That's a pace of 11.5 a game.
So far, the Penguins and Flyers have combined for 45 goals in 4 games. For a pace of 11.25.
If the series goes 7, and they keep this pace they can destroy the total record.
Even if the Flyers win in 5, they could set a new record for goals per game in a series if they notch another 13 goal game.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
predicting my own death
To me the cause is really dependent on when I go. I figure...
28 - 40: car accident
40-70: heart attack
70+: random organ failure
Now of the three, obviously I'm hoping for 70+. But doesn't heart attack just seem too perfect. It's clearly a 1 seed in the bracket of my death. Car accident is maybe a pesky 5 seed that finds the way to win. Cancer is an overconfident 2 seed (see Duke 2012).
Only one way to find out.
28 - 40: car accident
40-70: heart attack
70+: random organ failure
Now of the three, obviously I'm hoping for 70+. But doesn't heart attack just seem too perfect. It's clearly a 1 seed in the bracket of my death. Car accident is maybe a pesky 5 seed that finds the way to win. Cancer is an overconfident 2 seed (see Duke 2012).
Only one way to find out.
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Friday, April 06, 2012
death of an avalanche
When the Avs needed a playoff push, they went 7-1-1. Officially they sat in 7th place in the West, even though other teams had games in hand. They were primed.
And then over their next six they go 1-4-1. Including losses to Phoenix and San Jose. Those teams are in the playoffs. Colorado is not.
- - -
As crazy as it sounds, this spring of Avalanche hockey has been one of the better sports experiences I've had. They couldn't have beaten the Canucks anyways. They were 0-6 against them this year.
It was a fun ride, and I'm already looking forward to next season--October doesn't even seem that far away. Which is more than I can really say for the Illini teams or the Chiefs. Though all three have new coaches, so you know what that means...Chiefs in the playoffs, a third consecutive bowl win and Illini in the tournament.
And then over their next six they go 1-4-1. Including losses to Phoenix and San Jose. Those teams are in the playoffs. Colorado is not.
- - -
As crazy as it sounds, this spring of Avalanche hockey has been one of the better sports experiences I've had. They couldn't have beaten the Canucks anyways. They were 0-6 against them this year.
It was a fun ride, and I'm already looking forward to next season--October doesn't even seem that far away. Which is more than I can really say for the Illini teams or the Chiefs. Though all three have new coaches, so you know what that means...Chiefs in the playoffs, a third consecutive bowl win and Illini in the tournament.
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