Full disclaimer: I have not watched an entire NBA game on TV in years. The sport generally bores me as the superior athletes have taken it from a "How'd he make that pass?" league to an isolation league with minimal passing (with a few notable exceptions). However, it is still the best sport to see live because of those same superior athletes. TV just doesn't capture the skills these people have.
Even to the sports haters (Ponce), if you get the chance to sit in the third row of an NBA game, take it. There are no fat slobs playing in the NBA (sorry golf and football), the action is quick (sorry baseball), it does not settle its champion by having everyone line up and make free throws (sorry soccer), and despite some dodgy officiating from the Fabulous Forum it is generally real (sorry wrestling). The only sport that can match its intensity live is (believe it or not) tennis, but until the ball girls start looking and dressing like the Laker Girls, I'll cast my vote for the NBA.*
Oh, and Kevin Durant? He's a man.
*I'm aware there is a sport played on the tundras north of the border, but it doesn't even allow girls in the arena to my knowledge. Get some puck girls and I'll reconsider.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Random Thoughts
Spent the weekend in Vegas:
When you are hot in a game, stay with it. Whenever I hit the Bacarat table I won, whenever I played anything else I lost. I finished the weekend up $900 (enough to cover my expenses, including airfare, plus a little extra), but would have been much better off if I had played only Bacarat. Up about $2K on that game alone...Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, slots and poker machines were not so kind.
When playing Bacarat, do not bet against a streak. Just roll with it. $500 dollars made at one point on a nine hand streak for the Bank. Woo-hoo!
Did win $300 on the Horns. Placed the bet when I got there with a line of 27 1/2, watched it go down to 26 and then had to sweat out a 31 point victory.
New York New York is a maze (a maze which is made worse by geometrical shapes in the carpet). Getting to the room after a bout of boozing is not a pleasant experience and I will not stay there again. Whenever I did get back to the room, I just wanted to vomit.
The hotel room did have a hot tub. I won't do that again -- it's not worth the extra money since you are never there.
Old downtown is still worth the trip over for a night, but stay away from the $8.99 prime rib dinners. Plenty tasty, but the next day is hell.
Wayne Newton still plays. Tom Jones, too. We opted for neither.
Other things:
Assuming Montana and Richmond win their opening round games, they will play each other in two weeks in a rematch of last year's title game. If it happens it will be in Missoula. Hopefully it will be cold and snowy, otherwise the Spiders' speed will get us. Dean, we shall have a bet on this game I presume. First two drinks next time we meet?
Driving to Durango, Colorado for Turkey day. A friend got tickets to the Jazz-Thunder matchup on Tuesday night (Salt Lake is on the way for the geographically impaired), third row behind the Thunder bench. If I do not get arrested for stalking Kevin Durant to sign my Sonics jersey it will be a small miracle.
Will commence studying for the bar exam in a couple of weeks. Ugh. Check in every now and then to ensure I am still kicking.
When you are hot in a game, stay with it. Whenever I hit the Bacarat table I won, whenever I played anything else I lost. I finished the weekend up $900 (enough to cover my expenses, including airfare, plus a little extra), but would have been much better off if I had played only Bacarat. Up about $2K on that game alone...Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, slots and poker machines were not so kind.
When playing Bacarat, do not bet against a streak. Just roll with it. $500 dollars made at one point on a nine hand streak for the Bank. Woo-hoo!
Did win $300 on the Horns. Placed the bet when I got there with a line of 27 1/2, watched it go down to 26 and then had to sweat out a 31 point victory.
New York New York is a maze (a maze which is made worse by geometrical shapes in the carpet). Getting to the room after a bout of boozing is not a pleasant experience and I will not stay there again. Whenever I did get back to the room, I just wanted to vomit.
The hotel room did have a hot tub. I won't do that again -- it's not worth the extra money since you are never there.
Old downtown is still worth the trip over for a night, but stay away from the $8.99 prime rib dinners. Plenty tasty, but the next day is hell.
Wayne Newton still plays. Tom Jones, too. We opted for neither.
Other things:
Assuming Montana and Richmond win their opening round games, they will play each other in two weeks in a rematch of last year's title game. If it happens it will be in Missoula. Hopefully it will be cold and snowy, otherwise the Spiders' speed will get us. Dean, we shall have a bet on this game I presume. First two drinks next time we meet?
Driving to Durango, Colorado for Turkey day. A friend got tickets to the Jazz-Thunder matchup on Tuesday night (Salt Lake is on the way for the geographically impaired), third row behind the Thunder bench. If I do not get arrested for stalking Kevin Durant to sign my Sonics jersey it will be a small miracle.
Will commence studying for the bar exam in a couple of weeks. Ugh. Check in every now and then to ensure I am still kicking.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Pollution in China - Pictorial
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Remembrance Day Undead
Grandmother to Burl: Those red flowers are called poppies. They're so we can remember the soldiers who fought in the war.
Burl: Oh?
G: Your great grandfather fought in the war.
B: Is he dead?
G: Yes, he's dead now.
B: Maybe he a zombie.
I-Pod Nano
My Ipod Nano went through the washing machine. The laundry place was quite sorry about that and returned it to me. I did not blame them - its really small and I missed it too.
Well, I powered it up - and it still worked! The files were even still there.
Either flash memory does not get fried when wet, or there is one hell of an o-ring inside the Ipod Nano.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Dylan Doesn't Disappoint
When I was young, I explored all types of music. By about grade ten, I owned just about every Neil Young album I could afford. A huge Rush fan, countless hours of Pink Floyd but I couldn't ever relate to my father's fav......Bob Dylan.
This past Saturday night I had a chance to go and see my father's idol, with my father. Standing behind his organ Dylan played the songs I have only recently learned to appreciate. A collection of songs off the new album Together Through Life , a few off of Modern Times and Time Out of Mind along with a few of his greats. Dylan has really changed his sound and if you are familiar with any of these albums, you know what I'm talking about. This was really evident with the revamped song Highway 61 Revisited which blew me away! If this song isn't evidence of times they are a changing I don't know what is.
I wasn't really going to see the Bob Dylan of old but rather the musician he has evolved to be today. In reality I walked away understanding why he is the legend he will always be. Two thumbs up and then some.
This past Saturday night I had a chance to go and see my father's idol, with my father. Standing behind his organ Dylan played the songs I have only recently learned to appreciate. A collection of songs off the new album Together Through Life , a few off of Modern Times and Time Out of Mind along with a few of his greats. Dylan has really changed his sound and if you are familiar with any of these albums, you know what I'm talking about. This was really evident with the revamped song Highway 61 Revisited which blew me away! If this song isn't evidence of times they are a changing I don't know what is.
I wasn't really going to see the Bob Dylan of old but rather the musician he has evolved to be today. In reality I walked away understanding why he is the legend he will always be. Two thumbs up and then some.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Poker Report
First, not worth the hangover. Then, Omaha or Spit. Next,the piles were forever being pulled around the table. Finally, it was a "friendly gentlman's game", it is not "ha ha fun " social. "Learn the rules, then learn to play".
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
L i R i v e r
Home of the artwork on the back of a 20 RMB note......
Can u name the locations pictured on the back of a 10, 50 & 100 rmb note?
Heroes
Monday, November 02, 2009
Christmas is around the Corner
Here are some suggestions for the person who has everything:
Confederate Flag Fabric Shower Curtain Rebel Dixie
ships FOB New York City.
or
a tasteful gift for your female friend that suggests the gift you would like in return.
U.S. Air Force Human Skull Money Bank Piggy USAF
"Now made with 10% real Taliban skulls!"
Cuba Flag Western Rodeo Belt Buckle Cuban
Just in case you know a Cuban communist cowboy who needs a rodeo belt buckle.
If you're married to a Taiwanese lady, show your solidarity to her country by getting one of these:
What? It shows that I like Taiwan and naked ladies in silhouette!