Caller ID - What Type Are You?

I am proud to announce a new topic for people to peeve about...

We've all heard of the debate on toilet paper rolls - should the roll of toilet paper go over the top or behind? Essentially a mindless debate on personal quirks...so I have unveiled a new one for all to discuss whenever they desire...

The caller id - do you delete the numbers after viewing them once or leave them on the device that is displaying them until they are purged automatically? You see, I am one that is of the latter mindset...and I don't think any number should be deleted from a caller id device...because why? My wife, on the other hand, can barely contain herself if (god-forbid) a number is left on the caller id display after being viewed upon...and I am now beginning to see that she (nor I) am alone in our caller id habit.

I just don't understand the 'I have to delete it right away' mentality. What's the harm of leaving the number there? I have 'my own' phone near my computer and I often taunt her with the fact that the caller id is completely full... it is like an addiction to her. She will then try and get the phone to delete all the previous calls as I try to prevent her from doing so. Caller id has made me lazy... I barely can remember a phone number anymore because I can merely punch it up on the caller id and hit dial. Odds of me calling anyone that hasn't called me in the last month (which is about 100 calls and my caller id storage limit) isn't likely...so if I need to find a number, either I have it, or I will be looking it up.

What is insane, is my wife and the other caller id-deleting types. Why do the numbers need to be deleted instantly? They certainly aren't affecting the performance of the device that is storing them? And why would you even consider buying a caller id device that can hold 100 numbers (or even more now-a-days) if you are going to delete them instantly? Plus, there is nothing more that drives me nuts when someone calls and I am to return their call and I (even today) stupidly ask 'What's the number?' I no-doubtedly will end up going to get my phone because I know it won't be on any of the other 'family' phones because my wife has already gotten to it and deleted it with glee.

Women Are Pigs

For some time I've been making this observation... and it really isn't good nor bad, but an observation that seems to contradict what is normally thought... and that is women are pigs...when it comes to food...

I began to notice this when I first started working as a television director when I was required to direct a live news cast then a live event and then another news cast all consecutively, essentially requiring me to be at work for 12 straight hours unable to leave, and then the company would buy the staff food. I didn't even think anything of it the first few times that the company would order 6 pizzas for the crew...which was normal. At first the pizza was always eaten...then on occassions there was some left over...but the same number of persons were still used during these occassions. I have no idea why it popped into my brain, but I began to notice that whenever there was pizza left over the entire crew was made up of men...and when the pizza was eaten entirely, there was at least one, usually 2, females that were working. They didn't appear to eat more then the men...but there was certainly not the food left over... but who cares, I wasn't paying for it and it was a free lunch...

Well now I work at a large venue/conference center. This morning I walk in to see that a large conference is in one of the meeting rooms we have and there is doughnuts, juice, bagels, etc... that was ordered...of course this puts a smile on my face because the left overs will end up in our break room where I then can have a tasty morning treat. But this morning, when I go to snatch up a doughnut or other treat, none is to be found. What? There is ALWAYS food left over...how can this be? Did some inconsiderate person just toss any uneaten food this morning? No. It was a conference that was for nurses...ah... my theory continues to hold. The same amount of food was put out for the size of conference that was taking place, but of course the percentage of men to women was greatly skewed... in fact, in an informal count by myself, I counted 3 men to about 200 women.

I don't mean to demean women, but am just offering this as an observation, that seems to go against conventional thought.

Charger 2005 Draft Review

Well, I wasn't too far off in what I would like to see the Chargers draft and who they actually did...

Their first pick (12th overall) was used to draft a pass rushing linebacker, Shawne Merriman. The pass rush, as I mentioned on April 10th, was an area that needed to be addressed...and address it they did. With their second pick (28th overall) they drafted a defensive end. Of course getting some bad press because the player (Luis Castillo) admitted to using steroids in the offseason...something no pro athletes would dare do...yeah, right.

The Chargers then drafted Vincent Jackson, who is a highly touted reciever with good speed and good hands. They then picked up runing back Darren Sproles who, like Jackson, both can play special teams...so could be put into action relatively quick with the release of previous punt and kick returner, Tim Dwight.

The Chargers then use their final 3 selections to pick offensive lineman (OT-Wesley Britt, G - Wes Sims and G/C-Scott Mruczkowski)...again, as I mentioned prior to the draft, an area that the Chargers could use improvement and depth to help Tomlinson and the run game.

Most 'experts' have given high marks to the Chargers for the draft... but I put no value on any player until they have proven themselves on the field...so it will most definately be a 'wait and see' attitude for me.

Besides the draft, the Chargers then went on to sign 19 more undrafted free agents. Barring injuries and the unknown, the Chargers look to be sitting pretty good going into the 2005-06 season. I really liked looking at the Broncos draft... they drafted 3 cornerbacks and then Maurice Clarrett...apparently they have no db's and need a runningback? Are they the same Denver Broncos that the media gushes over how the 'system' they run just churns out 1,000 yard rushers? Didn't they just get Champ Bailey a shut-down corner? To me, it would seem that picking the players they did, especially at the time they did, seemed like they may have bigger problems then it appears. But as long as Jake Plummer is on the team, no NFL team needs to feel threatened by the Denver Broncos.

So in an early preseason move of 'cockiness' my AFC West standings look like this: 1. Chargers (and you mayl recall I had nothing but despair and bleakness predicted last year for the Chargers) 2. Kansas City - They are making the moves to make the defense better, something that should have been done last year 3. Oakland - You got Randy Moss but no one to throw the ball to him. 4. Denver - Jake Plummer is the quarterback of this team and then the Broncos draft defense and another running back...Plummer hasn't won a game by himself yet, why do they think he is going to start now?

The 2005 NFL Draft and The San Diego Chargers

I'm the first to admit that I don't follow college football all that much and I really don't have a desire to 'track' talent. I'll occassionally look at one of the 7 billion mock drafts that are out there, but I just smirk and think about all the time whomever spent to put together a mock draft...a MOCK DRAFT. What value does a mock draft have? Really nothing except to occupy the time of those that have only one objective in life...to follow the NFL fanatically...which is fine...good for you.

Anyways, now to my point... I know nor do I care about the 'talent' of this year's draft pool because every year there are busts and sleepers...the rest of the players sift out to be your average to adequate NFL players. So I view all the draft hype as just that, hype. Since there is no NHL and the NBA hasn't started it's playoffs this year it has been a particularly slow time for the sports world, so ESPN might as well hype the draft...which they do anyways.

Here's what I think the Chargers are going to do, and because I know no names, will give none! (So there!).

I think the Chargers are going to use their 2 first round picks, 12th and 28th overall. I would like to see them get either a safety, wide reciever or defensive tackle/lineman. Since Rodney Harrison was let go - a move I didn't like - the Chargers haven't had consistent play at safety. Sammy Davis a converted CB playing safety, isn't big enough and got hurt often. He is a good cover guy and should be kept there. Signing McCardell is good and if Caldwell is back to 100% at the start of the season, the Chargers look to be solid at WR's but there isn't much depth. I like Parker and Osgood but both seemed to play better when Caldwell or McCardell were the primary threat. So it would be nice to get a young WR to work into the system and if either of the top 2 go down a reliable replacement is already in place and giving the Chargers a little more depth at that position. Defensive lineman/tackle is a no-brainer and I think will no-doubtedly be a position the Chargers fill with one of their first two picks. For the past two years the Chargers have lacked any sort of pass rush. The secondary is greatly improving and if the Chargers could get any sort of pass rush going the defense will be impregnable.

Other areas I think the Chargers could address is the offensive line. It is relatively young, but just beginning to gel. But again depth. Tomlinson last season was as effective as any other...down from 2003, but played injured for 6 weeks or so. If the Chargers could more effectively open up the middle of the field for Tomlinson, he could very well threaten some offensive records.

What is great about the Chargers situation more than many of the previous pre-draft moods, is that the Chargers look good. Their team overall is solid. It is relatively young and has proven players at the skills position. Having 2 first round picks and cap room the hope for all Charger fans that come fall of 2005 we see some new faces mixed with our proven players leading the San Diego Chargers to the AFC West Championship and on to the Super Bowl.

The Chargers On Prime Time

The 2005 NFL Schedule just came out and it appears as if the world is going to finally see the Chargers. The Bolts, who have had a total of one night time (either Sunday or Monday) game since 1999 will have three nationally televised prime-time games – Oct. 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Monday Night Football" and two Sunday night ESPN games, Sept. 25 against the New York Giants and Dec. 4 against the Oakland Raiders. Also, the season finale, a 1:30 p.m. game Dec. 31 at home against Denver, will be nationally televised.

Out of all these games the one I am most anticipating, should be the one that is Eli Manning's last...that's right, September 25th Eli and the Giants are coming to San Diego. I wouldn't be surprised if Eli was ill or injured and unable to play this game becuase an ass-whopping is what should be coming his way...or at least in every Charger fans dream.

Spring Has Sprung

You will often hear me complain about how I live in the 'barren wasteland'... which is true. Living in North Dakota is the barren wasteland. Very rarely is a week of 'nice' weather ever strung together in a calendar year. Every season in North Dakota can either be the worst case scenario or the best... this is an area of extremes. Our winter was relatively mild... I think we only had about 20 days of below zero temperatures and was broken up by some milder weather - milder meaning about 10 degrees above zero...and of course I'm talking Fahrenheit.

March and April are most certainly a crapshoot when it comes to the weather... we have had snow up until May some years. In 1997 the month of April was one the coldest, most miserable months in recent years... and the summer that followed was nothing but dreary. The summer of 1997, on the barren wasteland was pathetic... it was literally cloudy and cool every day for the entire summer.

So you will have to excuse my over-enthusiasm about the weather we have been having here recently... it has been nothing short of pleasant. The sun has been out for weeks now and most importantly, the temperature has been above 60 every day for the past 2 weeks...which is great. Living in the barren wasteland you need to savor these days because who knows, it may not get above 60 the entire month of May in these parts...

Hicksville, USA

Yes, I live in Hicksville, USA. Sure, there are people that appear normal and exhibit the traits of people that reside in the 21st century, but don't let the 'normal' folk fool you...you are in Hicksville. In the past few weeks I've begin to 'tune' my senses to begin to pick out examples of my region/town being that of Hicksville...and although one has already slipped my mine, I was able to retain such example and hope to continue to list examples as I collect them...

So my first example of why people in this town/region are hicks is here...

I'm out on a Saturday night with a few friends at a bar, enjoying another friend's band...so as you can imaging, the place has a fair number of folks that I would consider an acquaintance... so one of these 'acquaintances' - one that I particularly don't like and maybe is why this happened - begins to spout off on how he hates the internet and computers. Sure, we all have hated computers and/or the internet for one reason or another at sometime...but this guy was adament on how much of a waste the internet is. While this conversation is developing, me not saying anything because his primary purpose was to obviously provoke me, he searches out other people (in a very loud and obnoxious manner) to further elaborate his point that no one here uses, wants or needs the internet.

You see, this is why I live in Hicksville. People in this region are stupid, or maybe it's the people I hang around with...I haven't firgured out which yet...

I end the conversation with "If you don't have the internet, you don't know all the great porn you've been missing." Which gets a great response from my friends, the exchanging of porn sites - and I'm telling you right now, exchanging porn sites is a great 'ice-breaker' between men, next time you are with another guy for any length of time and have covered all the 'basic' topics, start swapping porn sites, you'll have a real fun time...trust me! Then finally the conversation then turns to something more interesting like after we get some off-sale, where are we going to go to drink?

MLB Sourness

I'm a sports fan... let's get that out into the open right now. I like virtually all real sports and by real, I mean a sport that does not involve a judge (or judges) determining how well (or poorly) you have done and thus determining the winner. I do enjoy boxing, but have come to the acceptance that it is a farce like all other entities that involve a judge.

And when I say I like all 'sports', I mean it... I watch every grand slam in tennis (and more), almost every PGA tournament (especially majors), NFL, NHL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, darts, poker, curling, lacrosse, etc... I even watched the World Cup for soccer the last two times but for some reason soccer just doesn't do it for me. Of course the reason I will watch virtually any sport is that I hate 'regular' television programming...it's all garbage, so I need to find something to watch that will interest me and sports does do that trick.

Now obviously there are some sports I follow and actually take an interest in, especially the NFL and NHL, with the other 'big' sports (NBA, NASCAR, PGA and MLB) with some less degree...and that is my point today, why I can't love the MLB anymore...or at least right now. With the regular season about to start and the sports show all a clamour about opening day, I thought it appropriate to voice my distaste for the MLB...

I was once like most other Americans... in love with baseball in my younger years. I had a card collection that was as good as anyone's my age when I was young. I would love watching baseball and keeping score. I had strat-o-matic baseball and as soon as available, roto-league games for the computer and would attend at least 6-8 games a year - driving 6 hours 1 way to get to a game.

Then 1994 came about and the strike. Because of that strike I became so disinterested in baseball, I didn't watch any games, go to any games or really care about baseball at all. Then 1998 and the McGwire-Sosa homerun derby was making headlines... and try as I might, I could not keep from following along and watching the chase for the homerun record. Even this excitement wasn't enough to fully lure me back to being an admitted 'baseball fan' again, but did seem to ease my hatred towards the league.

Well now we fast forward to 2005, now not only has the league been tainted with performance enhancing drugs, but that moment in time - when in 1998 - seemed so special and like history was being made has been turned into the joke that is the MLB.

I can't like the MLB today, in the state that it is in. Selig, at least at this time, appears to try and let things that happened in the past stay in the past. I think it is a complete disgrace and discredit to all the honost ball players out there that there records will be beaten by cheaters and the league is going to allow it. I think Selig needs to come out, as soon as possible, and say that all guilty parties of steroid use will have their careers nullified and/or asterisked and forever be banned from baseball.

There is absolutely no crediability in baseball right now, as it stands...and living in the hometown of Roger Maris, I can only imagine the betrayal he would be feeling from the MLB right now with the revelations that have come about since his record was beaten... I think it is a sad statement on our society when cheating, even when caught after the fact, could be totally ignored or go unpunished.

Cell Phone Usage Etiquette

I make no claims to being a social rule czar or etiquette guru, but I think it's time some basic cell phone usage rules finally be laid out and the enforcement of these rules need to take place immediately!

Rule 1:

Using your cell phone while driving. If you are unable or incapable of using your cell phone while you drive you must forfeit either the phone or your driver's license, your choice. If you are too dumb to realize that you are not driving properly while on the cell phone and that you should pull over to talk, then you are required to forfeit either your phone or your driver's license that very instant...no ifs, ands or buts.

Rule 2:

If your phone is ever heard making ANY noise during a movie, in a restaurant, at a meeting or essentially any place that is not your house or vehicle, it (the phone) should be destroyed, yes destroyed, immediately.

Rule 3:

Just because you are talking on a cell phone in public does not make you more important or oblivious to anyone that isn't talking on a cell phone at that time. I love the people that think they can maneuver through a line of people with a cell phone to their ear...oh yeah, that makes you so much more important and thus excuses you from all your discourtesy actions...moron. Breaking this rule will require you to either forfeit your phone or get beaten to the crowds delight, whichever you choose.

So there you have it... three basic rules I think we all can live with. So I encourage every person to begin immediate enforcement of these rules and I can guarantee society as a whole will see the benefits. Remember the last time you went out to eat and NOT heard a cell phone ring? I'm telling you we can have these times back again! Don't delay, act today!

Random Thoughts

Just to get something going, here's some random thoughts...

First, the national weather service... during the winter time, because the weather in the barren wasteland can often be brutal and unaccomodating to us humans it is beneficial to forecast when this inhospitable weather moves into our region...and usually is done accurately 12-24 hours in advance. But in the recent past, the last year or 2, because our winters haven't produced many 'blizzards' and/or winter storms to any severity. For some reason then, the national weather service has issued winter storm warnings days in advance, putting all the simpletons on high alert and advancing the entire region with an 'excuse' to be used as needed. But it never fails...after the news hypes the impending storm and plans are changed, church suppers cancelled and so on.... it turns out to be a pleasant, sunny day...and not just pleasant, I mean the exact opposite of what a winter storm would be... no clouds, no wind, all sunshine and warm... how can any entity keep their credibility after completely whiffing on a weather forecast, the very thing they are suppose to do. The real funny thing is that the next time the national weather service issues a winter storm warning days in advance the simpletons will again be on high alert and everyone must begin to fret...

Cards... I think if you are a red-blooded American male you should be required to at least know the basic rules to a couple of card games, namely poker and hearts. Of course I think everyone should be fluent at playing poker, hearts, pinochle, cribbage, spades and every drinking game. Why? If you ever have been confined to a 'group' that has had some free-time, the 'funnest' times have been when an impromptu card game breaks out. I just know it would suck to be the person who is in the group and doesn't know how (or want) to play cards. Time will surely drag for them. And why not learn some card games? Simple to play, a lifetime to master.

Worse drivers in the world, or at least in my town: Africans. Yes, people from Africa are the worst drivers in the world. I'm not sure why, all I know is that they are by far the worst drivers in my community. To make them worse, just add snow.

McDonald's - Is it just me, but when I was a young kid going to McDonald's was a 'special' treat. The food didn't seem too crappy and there was no playland. Now going to McDonald's seems like an ordinary occurrence and the food downright sucks. When's the last time you went to a 'fast food' joint that actually had a stove that they used to prepare food on? To further elaborate that thought, there is a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant right across the street from where I work and often co-workers and myself will go there to have a beer or two after work... last time there while walking to restroom I noticed their 'kitchen' and the appliances they had... it was 5 microwaves and about 8 deep fryers.... who would of thunk that you could open a 'restaurant' and the only skill your cook needs is to drop a basket into some oil and hit a timer.... Will I eat there again? Most certainly... I'm just observing my own complacency....

I've Been Busy....

Yes, it's the same excuse, but I'll always use it...

The past couple of weeks I've been working like a dog... got some new equipment installed at work, like a Synergy 100 switcher (a small video switcher), a Pinnacle Deko 1000 Character Generator, a third camera and a new replay system that utilizes 2 Sony DDR1000 machines (tapeless video recorders). For those that don't care...which is most everyone... it is all pretty cool stuff compared to what I was using before. After getting all that installed we had the combined North Dakota Class A Basktetball tournament here, which I used all the new equipment... everything seemed to go ok and other than working some long days, wasn't all that bad....

This is just my 'check in', I hope to get posting again....

Award Shows Suck

So I've been stuck at what next to blog about... So many topics, so little time... Ok, so I have a lot of time, just too lazy to write about anything... So with the joke of the Academy Awards over, I figured I might as well tell the world why they suck...And you see, what I am saying, or about too, has already been said by someone, somewhere else, but these points are so true that it is just another observation of idiots in American society, so I feel compelled to do so...

Well, let's start with the actual 'awards' themselves... The awards are given out by the very industry that the candidates are employed in... So you see, this is stupid point one. The entire show and production is just a big party for themselves. So basically it is just a bunch of 'co-workers' getting together to tell each other how great everyone is.

Then lets get down to the substance of the award shows themselves... At one time I actually couldn't wait to watch the Grammy's and the Academy Awards...when they were under 8 1/2 hours in length and much simpler. The Grammy's have by FAR become the biggest farce of an award ceremony. Not only does Jethro Tull beat a metal band (Metallica) for best heavy metal band when the award was first introduced...but the Grammy's continue to add awards to fit almost any album that comes out and does relatively successful (by Grammy standards, which isn't much). I would be embarrassed if I was in the music industry for any length of time and not have won a Grammy by now. The Academy Awards are just as much of a joke that feel the need to make sure everyone is a winner. The Academy Awards have become so 'sensitive' that they no longer can say "...and the winner is". Boy, I am sure all the losers of an award go home feeling much better that no one was called a 'winner' on stage.

And since there is an award show to award award shows, that just shows how many and how stupid the whole award show thing is... it is like reality tv. Since the Academy Awards pull in such big ratings lets have the Golden Globes, Grammy's, Emmy's, Daytime TV Awards, MTV Music Awards (and how can MTV even award music video awards since they don't even play music videos anymore?), Hip-Hop Awards, Country Music Awards and so on and so on... I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the Reality TV Award show... I sure hope American Idol does well!

And to prove that anyone can win an award... I have worked on 2 documentaries that have won an Emmy and 1 other that won a Peabody. Is it cool? Sure. What did I get out of it... a handshake...

"I don't know what cheating is."

I don't know what cheating is. This was the closest Barry Bonds came to admitting he did steroids... because if he didn't know using steroids was cheating, then he doesn't know what cheating is... that is his defense. He also said that "...sure, I lied, but everyone lies." Well, what are you lying about Barry? Of course he wouldn't elaborate as to what he was lying about.

There is very little doubt that Barry Bonds (and others) took performance enhancing drugs (steroids) to aid in their incredible numbers for the past 10 years. So begins the debate as what to do with the records these 'roid-boys' put up and how can anyone sort the non-roid records from the roid-enhanced records?

My solution is simple... asterisk every record set in the past 10 years. Sorry, the innocent will be unintential victims from my plan, but it is a necessity because to allow these astronomical numbers to stand unchallenged in the record books is absolutely an injustice to the entire history of the game itself. Here's some quick facts just to illustrate how steroids has skewed the game over the past 10 years...

Before 1995, about the time the Steroid Era began, there had been two 50-homer season in 25 years. Cincinnati's George Foster hit 52 in 1977 and the Tigers' Cecil Fielder belted 51 in 1990. Between 1995-2002, players hit 50 or more homers 18 times.

As a young player Rafeal Palmeiro was termed by scouts "an opposite-field singles hitters" who had eight, 14, 26 and 22 home runs early in his career. In 1993 (after Canseco became a teammate with the Texas Rangers) Palmeiro hit 37 home runs, followed by 23, 39, 39, 38, 43, 47, 39, 47, 43 and 38. Last year, when baseball began testing for steroids, the elder Palmeiro hit 23 home runs.

From 1997-2000 Bret Boone hit a total of 70 home runs.

The next four years he hit 120, with a high in 2001 of 37. Giambi hit 20, 20 and 27 home runs before blasting off to 33, 43, 38, 41 and 41.

Juan Gonzalez finished 1991 with a decent total of 27 home runs. He had 16 more the following season and 46 in 1993 before being hurt parts of the next two seasons. Then he came back with 47, 42, 45 and 39.

Bonds had 37 home runs in 1998 and 34 the next year. Then he hit 49, followed by 73, 46, 45 and 45.

Sosa had a four-year total of 137 before he broke out with 66, 63, 50 and 64.

MVPs Bonds (2001-04), Sosa (1998), Juan Gonzalez (1996, 1998), Giambi (2000), Pudge Rodriguez (1999) and Canseco (1988) all have the stigma.

I think the managers of the MLB areas much to blame the player's themselves for allowing this to happen. But the managers of the game have the daunting task of trying to give some credibility back to the sport.... If the game doesn't see another 50 homerun guy for another 10, 15 years, it will clearly show how tainted the last 10 years have been.

I will give no credit or validity to any record Bonds sets and if/when he breaks Aaron's homerun record, I would hope that it steroids is referenced and repeated numerous times before, during and after he rounds the bases because that is all the credit he deserves for breaking the record... because he took steroids, he was able to beat Hank Aaron's record... good for you Barry you lying pile of shit.

Chargers place franchise tag on QB Brees

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Last April, the San Diego Chargers were willing to give away Drew Brees for a fourth-round pick. Now they have named him their franchise player.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith announced Thursday that the team has designated Brees as a franchise player, giving the Pro Bowl quarterback a salary of $8.078 million in 2005 - the average of the top five players at his position.

Brees was tagged as a 'non-exclusive' franchise player, which means that he can still negotiate with the league's other 31 teams. Should Brees receive an offer from another team, the Chargers can either match the new club's offer, or receive two first-round choices from that team."

2004-05 NHL Season Cancelled - Who's To Blame?

I'll preface my remarks with this, I don't claim to be an expert on the negotiations or even the most hardcore fan...but I am a fan and did follow this lockout with some degree of interest...so who's to blame?

Well, there is no question that some blame can be put onto both parties for the cancellation of the season, but I think the majority of blame could be put onto the player's union. Only yesterday did they propose their own 'salary cap' idea after refusing a salary cap for the entire lockout. If they would have put forth their cap plan even a week ago the season could have been saved. The owners, from the beginning, said that there would be collective bargaining agreement (cba) without a salary cap - which again, the player's union rejected all forms of a salary cap until less than 24 hours until the cancellation.

Whether you believe the numbers the owners/Bettman put forth, the truth is the NHL was losing money and had several franchises that weren't financially solvent. The player's seemed to not care. They used the upper franchise's spending as a basis for their minimums, and these upper franchises consisted of just a handful of teams. Using any of their proposals the NHL would have resorted to what the MLB is today... teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and big spending teams will clearly horde the talent and be legitamate cup contenders before a season would even begin. Whereas the more frugal and smaller market teams struggle to survive with little hope of even contending.

Many a hockey analyst has implied that the owners intended to break the union...but the union merely had to sign the $42.5 million final proposal and there would still be a season this year and a union next year. Now the NHLPA is receiving no money this season and unless they come to some agreement prior to next season's start, that amount will remain at nothing. According to Bettman's remarks today that all efforts are towards starting the 2005-06 season on schedule, which would lead one to think that replacement players would be used if a CBA is still not reached with the NHLPA.

To further hurt the NHLPA, Bettman also said that the final $42.5 million cap plan offered late yesterday is no longer on the table...meaning that negotiations begin at square one. With the NHLPA already showing that they would agree to some form of cap plan has just weakened its own footing.

With both sides knowing that damage has been done to the league in regards to potential fan support, one would think the owners would lower their cap proposal - Bettman said the $42.5 million cap would mean losses sustained by the league for the next 2 years, and I would think that the owners would want to lessen that blow.

To add to the union's woes, their are reports swirling that several players are dissatisfied with Goodenow and the process that was taken. As well as rumours of several players that are willing to break ranks and cross the line if a season were to begin without an union approved cba.

The end result, though, is that the season has been cancelled. The NHL was losing money and fans prior to this and who knows how long it will take to recover. But it is clear that both sides had little interest in the fans of their sport and are taking them for granted.

We're Number 1!

North Dakota makes it as number one... in underage binge drinking!

In a national survey conducted in 2002-03 North Dakotans aged 12 and older, 31% responded that they had 5 or more drinks in one sitting. The national average is 21% - numbers courtesy the National Survery On Drug Use And Health.

Gee, North Dakota has had consistent out-migration of it's young people and leads the nation in binge drinking. How could that be? I mean the jobs in North Dakota are some of the lowest paying (on national averages) jobs around and in Fargo, our police chief makes sure no one is having any fun what-so-ever (ie: party patrols, sobriety checkpoints, etc...). I have no idea why kids would binge drink rather than do some of the other fun activities that grace the barren wasteland that is North Dakota like.... um... hmmm... there's ah.... wait, gimme a minute.......

Ok, maybe binge drinking is the only thing to do...so can you blame them?

Why American Idol Sucks

Ok, full rant mode has been achieved...

I will preface this, and all my other rants regarding television, that I use to work in television and as a result, I think everything on national TV sucks, with the exception of sports and The Simpsons.

American Idol sucks and panders to STUPID people...ie: 13 year-old girls. I have not watched 1 second of this show and know absolutely nothing about it...so you then say to yourself, how can I make such a definitive statement about a show that I have never watched...easy:

First, there is a promo for American Idol on Fox ever 4 seconds, so I probably have seen every episode without even knowing it...I may not know the names, but I certainly know the faces. Next, the show is such a phenominal success that a person can not avoid it's mention on any media. And finally, we all know (again because we've seen 1 trillion promos for the fucking show) how the show works... people perform and then are either lauded with praise or ripped apart.

So why does it suck? For starters, you have the people that watch the show because they secretly (or maybe not secretly) dream of being a singing sensation themselves. They think by watching this show they will learn some valuable 'tips' from the judges that will further their own singing career - which currently is singing karaoke at bars and feeling like a superstar. These very same people then get their own ego stroked when on American Idol they show the horrible performers and ridicule that they receive..."Well I know I'm better than him, I could try out for American Idol and then who knows what?" stupid person thinks...

What could possibly be worse than American Idol you ask? Well, how about people talking about American Idol... Oh, I liked Dave last night because he had a red coat on and danced...but Debbie last week was so on... gimme a break... isn't there a karaoke competition you need to be at?

To show you how dumb the people that watch AI really are, there is the bad singer who performed 'She Bangs' by Ricky Martin last year (or 2 years ago...or whenever...) and now is putting out records and people are actually buying it... if I need to explain how stupid a person is for buying someone's music just to hear how awful it is to you, you best stop reading this now because you probably like American Idol and thus are truly an idiot. You truly are a pawn in society if this is you... Fox owns - yes OWNS the people that win and perform on AI. These performers are probably lucky to be able to make rent money off their record contracts whereas Fox and their record label(s) easily garner the majority of those contracts... and why shouldn't they? They made the performer popular and who they are... there is no way any of these performers would even be known by the idiots that watch AI unless it was for AI itself...which adds to the stupidity of the show itself... don't you idiots see that the entire show is being fed to you? Probably not... you probably think the whole thing is on the up and up and that the winners of the show are truly "star-worthy".

Where are any of these 'stars' of AI today? And if you have an answer, it's only because Fox and their record label are keeping them around. Once the dumb-ass idiots lose their interest in this season's 'flavor' you will no longer hear about any of these AI folks... and god-forbid if the show were to go off the air... I'm just waiting for the headlines "Former American Idol Star Arrested..." because I know it's coming!

I will keep you posted!

Addendum...

Newer Posts:

Why American Idol Sucks Part. II
Why American Idol Still Sucks
American Idol Star Arrested: Who Would Have Guessed

Updated 3/17/08:
American Idol: Jumped The Shark

Why ESPN Sucks

I posted this on my favorite fantasy sports game, Jock$tocks... and I thought... why don't I have more of my rants on here? Well, here we go... from 7/28/04....

ESPN is celebrating it's 25th Anniversary this year and what better way to wish ESPN a happy birthday then to rip it down and stomp on it...and why today? Read to the end....


Ok, for anyone that has watched ESPN from it's inception, I think, will be able to at least see my observations....

First, I'll start with their NFL Coverage...

Remember when ESPN Game Day actually was an hour-long show that would go around the league and set up each game? Go through personel, match-ups, weather conditions, standings, playoff positioning and basically set up every game? Remember those days? Now I can not even stomach turning on Game Day...why? Here's why:

Chris Berman: Thanks for joining us on ESPN's Game Day where we will get you ready for all the day's match-ups.... Like the Giants-Eagles game, it looks like it will be another classic in the making and now we turn to person X who has this touching story about one of the players....

(4 minute player profile)

Chris Berman: Wow, such adversity for that young man and we hope it all works out for him and his family.

When we come back we have much more!

(3 minutes of commercials)

Chris Berman: Welcome back...the NFC Norris division has one of it's best rivals matching up this week, the Vikes and the Pack at the (deep voice for effect) frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. It will no-doubtedly be a clash for the division lead and person X has this story about an incredible player.

(4 minute player profile)

Chris Berman: Wow, such adversity for that young man and we hope it all works out for him and his family.

When we come back we have much more!

(3 minutes of commercials)

You get the picture...remember when they actually talked about the game??? Now they have even extended the duration of NFL Game-day and I think they actually talk LESS about every game...it has become an endless parade of player profiles...just like the Olympics...

And I do admit that their NFL Prime-Time is still what it was...highlights from every game...although at one time every game was given roughly equal coverage...now I'm lucky to see only 2 of the 6 Charger interceptions, whereas I will see damn-near every play from a Patriot-Dolphin game...but maybe that isn't a bad thing....

Now on to ESPN Original Programming....

With the exception of PTI there has not been ONE show that ESPN fully produces that is worth watching. They produce shows that pretty much make Stuart Scott the 'focus' and I have grown so TIRED of Stuart's 'ubran lingo' (for lack of a better adjective) that he feels he needs to make sure is spewed out at every opportunity. "Stump The Schwab"...the premise: know more about sports then the ESPN sports geek...simple enough, now how to ruin this premise, just add Stuart Scott and some lame game-play rules, ie: poker chips (that Stuart gets to hand out) and cards that have strike on it. Dream job...get non-professionals to try and become a sports caster but make sure you got Stuart on the set to add the 'flavor'. Gee, I almost vomit when I see/hear several of the ESPN sports anchors and the way they pitch stories, I'm sure the non-professionals would be just as 'fun' to watch...

I won't even comment on 'playmakers'....

And now I begin to see a trend in their programming...do you?

for the first 3 years (from 2000-03) we had Sportscentury and greatest moments of the first 100 years of sports. Players, teams, moments...etc... This year we have ESPN 25... hour-long specials recapping a variety of sporting events that have ocurred since ESPN's start date - essentially re-hashing many of the same items again. What is it going to be next year? The new millenium, a look at the first 5 years of the new century? I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what 'series' ESPN can possible dream up for next year but I no-doubtedly will be tired of seeing the endless promos for whatever it is, just as I am today with their current ESPN25 campaign.

And to keep this post relatively brief (yes, I know...too late...)

My big finale...ESPN Sportscenter itself... to illustrate how this entity has become almost a joke in itself....

Anchor Person: The Mets-Braves met today at Shea and in 1823 Sock-Less Slim pitched a 6 hitter but ended up losing that game because the Mets could only muster 3 hits and no runs. In 1856 it was Glover McBase that had a no-hitter going into the 5th inning when the Braves got rocked and lost 7-5. Let's now flashback to 1913 when the Mets won a thriller 7-4 off a grand-slam in the ninth. Turn the clock to 1925 and Jacob Young stole home to win in extra-innings. In 1954 the Braves had a 16 game win-streak snapped by the Mets in a 10-2 match-up that meant nothing. Now look to 1962 when Josh Cleats was the hero after making a fantastic catch at the wall to perserve a 6-4 lead. In 1965 another great mid-summer classic with the Mets throttling the Braves 15-3 in 100+ degree weather. 1968 had the Mets on an improbably win streak that the hapless Braves won due to 3 Mets' errors in the ninth inning. 1973 was a year that neither the Braves or the Mets want to remember but Todd Dugout for the Braves had 4 homeruns in 3 games against the Mets to help the Braves take the season-series. 1976 was the year the Mets were to be revitalized but the Braves soundly beat them with the help of Rafeal DeJesus' 4 stolen bases. Flashback to 1983 when the Mets won 4 games in a row and looking to take the drivers seat for the pennant soundly beat the Braves in 6 consecutive meetings, primarily due to Dave Jones' bat...batting an insane .560 against the Braves. Jump to 1986, the Mets lose 10 straight and then win 9 in a row, 6 of them against the Braves. Now turn to 1993, a series for the ages, the Mets and Braves split the season series with all the games decided by 3 runs or less. Flashback to 1996, who could forget the July 23rd game which saw 8 homeruns with the 8th homerun off the bat of Jason Killjoy to end the game in the 14th inning. And just 3 years ago, in 2001 there was the pitching duel that delighted all, with a 2-1 Brave's victory... so would today's game live up to all that history? Nope, Brave's win easily 8-2 off a Chipper Jones grand slam. Now back to you Stuart....

I purposely left out many of the adjectives and descriptive phrases they inlcude to make the intro brief...but I think you get the picture...but do you remember when ESPN would JUST give you highlights and scores? Remember the good ole' days?

So why the rant today? This is why...

I'm sitting here at work and have the opportunity to be watching some TV while I work...and those that know morning programming, know there isn't much on... so what do I do? I turn on some ESPN Sportscenter and what do I see ESPN Sportscenter doing, and promoting? Athletes and musicians. A whole segment on how successfull or unsuccessful some athletes have been in the music industry and then they conclude their show with some rap star performing.... and apparently this is a 'series' so there will be more of these fine segments in future ESPN Sportscenter shows... give me a break!!!! I can see it already...

The year, 2005: ESPN is proud to present a year-long, in-depth series on the best sports related songs/music videos, athlete performance, stadium songs and team anthems. So tune in every Tuesday night at 7 PM EST to see the countdown of the 100 best songs all year long....

BLEAH!!!!!!!

Don't Pull The Plug Quite Yet

The 2004-05 NHL season may still occur... with 11th hour talks ongoing.

According to recent articles, the players have agreed (in principle) to a salary cap. The amount of that cap is what is being debated now, players wanting a $52 million cap and the owners seeking a $40 million cap. With the major obstacle cleared, it looks as if a season could still be salvaged...but the season and champion will most certainly be accompanied with an asterisk....

I always thought that the players would have to cave for the season to begin...it's too bad that they held out for so long, but were probably doing it to prove a point. Now the entire NHL will probably feel the financial impact of this lockout.

2 AM Bar Closing Time - Closer to Reality

Follow-up to the 2 AM bar closing debate.

The 2 AM bar closing in ND is one step closer as it passed the State's House vote 63-28 with no debate. The governor (R - John Hoeven) has already said he supports the bill, so barring some unforeseen obstacles, it should breeze through the State's Senate and become law shortly.

The latest article in the (Fargo) Forum of course now has Moorhead bar owners/workers distraught and the ND owners/workers filled with glee. And as previously mentioned, Moorhead has passed a no-smoking ordinance in all workplaces (including bars and restaurants) whereas Fargo has a no-smoking ordinance in all workplaces that allow minors...

So Moorhead was winning the battle, but Fargo is soon to take over...it will be interesting to see if (or really when) the city of Moorhead caves and alters their smoking ordinance.... stay tuned...