So the grand Thursday night hockey experiment is over, and the BU Icedogs went 2-2 thanks to their 5-0 pasting of Merrimack College last night. What was most remarkable wasn't the score, or the shutout. It was that a game that was televised and had a score like 5-0 was over by 9:30. I love the 15 second face-off rule, even if it does lead to truncated performances of the fight song. (I'd hoped for a sound clip, but only could find sheet music. Hope your tuba's handy).
The oddest thing about this game was the naming of the game's three stars. The game's third star was Merrimack's Joe Exter, who in just under 50 minutes made 28 saves but gave up four goals. I suppose having the home team get all three stars can be seen as gauche, but I'm not sure this is the sort of performance Exter would want notice for.
Second star went to John Sabo, while the number one star went to Ryan Whitney, he of the "Greatness" tag. Both tallied a goal and an assist, though we were uncertain that Whitney actually potted the goal he was credited with.
Sean Fields, who stopped 24 shots en route to his fifth career shutout, was left starless. He was gracious in post-game interviews, noting that the play in front of him made his job easier. I can attest that, for the last couple of minutes at least, this was not in evidence, as Merrimack did have some opportunities. Of his five shutouts, three have been against Merrimack. That may have something to do with it, too.
We're through with Fridays just in time for the Beanpot to mess the schedule up. No games this weekend as BU faces Harvard on Monday at 5 pm. I think we should win this one, even though Harvard's got a better record and is one place ahead in the US College Hockey Online poll. We did best the Crimson in our annual pre-Thanksgiving tilt (one of Fields' two non-Merrimack shutouts, stopping 36). I'm not thinking it's going to be a cake walk, but rather in the two-goal difference sort of thing. We do seem to have problems if we don't get to 3 goals, so if Harvard can play stern defense trouble would be in the offing.
NU-BC is kind of sad to contemplate, but I can hope for the best.
31 January 2003
29 January 2003
I really don't care for State of the Union addresses. The lack of flow, from the constant clapping to the smorgasboard of ideas, really bugs me. I'd rather see a competent presentation of vision instead of the bullet points. Hydrogen Cars! AIDS drugs for Africa! Tax refunds! Blowin' up Sadaam!
My one lingering thought from the night was where W was going to get the money to finance all his initiatives if he's cutting taxes so deeply. I can only assume he thinks that economic stimulus will lead to enough added revenue to fund this stuff. It's kind of like Supply Side II: Electric Boogaloo, but with the trickle coming to the government rather than the lower tax brackets.
There's also his idea that the best way to lower health care costs is to cap malpractice awards. I have no doubt that costs related to malpractice are a problem, but I don't see how capping will lead to cheaper prescription drugs, or cost containment for services (I know, lower malpractice insurance premiums are supposed to lead to lower costs because doctors don't have to charge patients as much, but who really thinks doctors are going to roll back prices when there's added profit to be had?).
I'm reasonably in favor of hydrogen-powered cars. I'd have liked to hear something about what we're doing in relation to emissions in the meantime. The new Dodge Tritium isn't rolling off the lines any time soon.
I won't even go into the war thing, other than to note that I hope Colin Powell's trip to the UN isn't just window dressing.
What I did enjoy was the crowd shots. Look at Hillary talk to Joe. Watch Joe roll his eyes. See the Joint Chiefs look bored. Marvel at the generational synergy of Teddy Kennedy sitting next to nephew Patrick. See ABC show some random dark-skinned person during the discussion of AIDS in Africa without noting that he's Uganda's mininster in charge of AIDS policy (they managed to note this the second time around). See John Kerry golf clap and play the "what if" game with the 2005 State of the Union. See Dick Gephardt sitting next to Charles Rangel, hoping he doesn't get blamed for Rangel's military draft bill.
Gary Locke's response was OK. Pretty much what you'd expect. Nice to see BU representin', though.
My one lingering thought from the night was where W was going to get the money to finance all his initiatives if he's cutting taxes so deeply. I can only assume he thinks that economic stimulus will lead to enough added revenue to fund this stuff. It's kind of like Supply Side II: Electric Boogaloo, but with the trickle coming to the government rather than the lower tax brackets.
There's also his idea that the best way to lower health care costs is to cap malpractice awards. I have no doubt that costs related to malpractice are a problem, but I don't see how capping will lead to cheaper prescription drugs, or cost containment for services (I know, lower malpractice insurance premiums are supposed to lead to lower costs because doctors don't have to charge patients as much, but who really thinks doctors are going to roll back prices when there's added profit to be had?).
I'm reasonably in favor of hydrogen-powered cars. I'd have liked to hear something about what we're doing in relation to emissions in the meantime. The new Dodge Tritium isn't rolling off the lines any time soon.
I won't even go into the war thing, other than to note that I hope Colin Powell's trip to the UN isn't just window dressing.
What I did enjoy was the crowd shots. Look at Hillary talk to Joe. Watch Joe roll his eyes. See the Joint Chiefs look bored. Marvel at the generational synergy of Teddy Kennedy sitting next to nephew Patrick. See ABC show some random dark-skinned person during the discussion of AIDS in Africa without noting that he's Uganda's mininster in charge of AIDS policy (they managed to note this the second time around). See John Kerry golf clap and play the "what if" game with the 2005 State of the Union. See Dick Gephardt sitting next to Charles Rangel, hoping he doesn't get blamed for Rangel's military draft bill.
Gary Locke's response was OK. Pretty much what you'd expect. Nice to see BU representin', though.
28 January 2003
My favorite local news quote of the day, from the Wellesley Townsman:
"Leading up to the vote, two camps have emerged - one in favor and one opposed to the project."
The context of the project isn't important here. It's the idea that, on a ballot question, you'd have two camps emerge that aren't on opposite sides of the question. Though it would be refreshing to see something like "Leading up to the vote, two camps emerged - one in favor and one really, really in favor of the project."
(For informational purposes, the project involved improvements to the Wellesley Middle School that would require about $38 million that would come from property taxes and state reimbursement accounts)
Local news can sometimes be breathtaking in its use of the language. The phrase "a good time was had by all" took on a life of its own after my local paper, the Manchester Cricket, used it frequently to describe civic events where it was unlikely that the reporter had the chance to interview every single person to make sure they had a good time. There was also the "floats were missing" subhead to an article on a Fourth of July parade some years back. They'd meant to convey a lack of floats, but it sounded more like they disappeared in the haze.
Which, quite honestly, would have resulted in a good time had by me.
"Leading up to the vote, two camps have emerged - one in favor and one opposed to the project."
The context of the project isn't important here. It's the idea that, on a ballot question, you'd have two camps emerge that aren't on opposite sides of the question. Though it would be refreshing to see something like "Leading up to the vote, two camps emerged - one in favor and one really, really in favor of the project."
(For informational purposes, the project involved improvements to the Wellesley Middle School that would require about $38 million that would come from property taxes and state reimbursement accounts)
Local news can sometimes be breathtaking in its use of the language. The phrase "a good time was had by all" took on a life of its own after my local paper, the Manchester Cricket, used it frequently to describe civic events where it was unlikely that the reporter had the chance to interview every single person to make sure they had a good time. There was also the "floats were missing" subhead to an article on a Fourth of July parade some years back. They'd meant to convey a lack of floats, but it sounded more like they disappeared in the haze.
Which, quite honestly, would have resulted in a good time had by me.
So I watched the last 10 minutes of Joe Millionaire last night, which was about all of that show I think I can handle. Ick.
The one saving grace is that the woman Joe booted from the chateau last night goes by Mojo. Which got me started: "Why have you not selected me? Why can not you see that I should be getting one of the necklaces rather than not getting one of the necklaces? I do not understand why you did not choose me for a necklace over these other women who you chose for a necklace" and so on, in my best Mojo Jojo voice.
Sarah, sad to say, was not amused.
The one saving grace is that the woman Joe booted from the chateau last night goes by Mojo. Which got me started: "Why have you not selected me? Why can not you see that I should be getting one of the necklaces rather than not getting one of the necklaces? I do not understand why you did not choose me for a necklace over these other women who you chose for a necklace" and so on, in my best Mojo Jojo voice.
Sarah, sad to say, was not amused.
So, the "official" AdMeter results from USA Today have most of the Bud ads in the top 5 (see the Bruce's blog for the link), with Terry Tate finishing behind such crap as the idiot guys trying to steal a half-ton of crappy light beer (with apologies for the redundancy).
On a better note, I've now added James Dinan to the links at left. James is the guy who keeps TRASH running, by and large. He's also keeping the world safe for propaganda as a staffer at the Voice of America. Both should provide interesting stories.
On a better note, I've now added James Dinan to the links at left. James is the guy who keeps TRASH running, by and large. He's also keeping the world safe for propaganda as a staffer at the Voice of America. Both should provide interesting stories.
27 January 2003
Most years, it seems like the Super Bowl ads that are most popular aren't the ones I like. Usually the most popular ones involve Pepsi, monkeys, and a supermodel (as opposed to this year, where we only got 2 out of 3).
In any event, the rankings on both MSN and USA Today indicate that the two most popular ads were the Budweiser ad with the replay zebra and the Reebok ad with Terry Tate, office linebacker. Which, for once, are my two favorite ads, too. USA Today also has the Levi's commercial with the bison as the least favorite ad, and I can go with that.
I've already asked the director of my office to change my title to office linebacker. I don't see it happening, but at least I got it on record.
In any event, the rankings on both MSN and USA Today indicate that the two most popular ads were the Budweiser ad with the replay zebra and the Reebok ad with Terry Tate, office linebacker. Which, for once, are my two favorite ads, too. USA Today also has the Levi's commercial with the bison as the least favorite ad, and I can go with that.
I've already asked the director of my office to change my title to office linebacker. I don't see it happening, but at least I got it on record.
26 January 2003
OK, Bucs win, Raiders lose, and I can't say I really care one way or another. This is probably the most disinterested I've been in a Super Bowl since, well, two years ago, when the Ravens and Giants failed to pique my interest (the whole Ray Lewis saga afterwards being much more interesting than the actual game). You'd have to go back to when I still was comprehending the magnitude of the Super Bowl to find another one that generated such disinterest.
The game didn't help, either. At the start of the game I mused on the hilarity of the game ending 3-0, only to have a 12-9 or similar finish seem quite possible as the first half moved on. About the only real interest in the game was the Raiders attempted comeback. I'll agree with the Bruce (though with less passion) that there was something brewing there, and that the crappy pass interference call was a back-breaker.
At one point Madden lauded the officials for being inobtrusive, but I tend to think they called kind of a poor game. Think about the non-fumble on the Raiders kickoff return early in the game. I know these guys move fast, but that was pretty clearly not a fumble, and they missed it. I don't think it was a horrible job, just not something the league would want to hang its hat on.
I would also wonder about the Raiders (or, more correctly, the coaching staff) comeback in terms of extra points and time-outs. I'm not sure why they kept going for two points, except that once you miss the first one you feel somewhat compelled to keep going for them to make up the points. As for the time outs, I suppose you want to stop the clock for the offense, but it may be better to do that when you know they're getting the ball back.
The challenge on the two point conversion where Porter looked to be pushed out of bounds was kind of odd, too, assuming that they knew (or were told) that the pushing was non-reviewable. Personally, I don't quite get all the rules about what you can and can't review. I suppose you need some guidelines, but in this case it seemed like something that you could review.
On top of it all, the ads were pretty lame. The Budweiser zebra ad and the Reebok "office linebacker" ones stand out, but that's about it.
I also should note that I am continuing to dislike the NFL-"live" music performance thing. Sting and No Doubt together makes a certain sense, given that No Doubt and The Police have similar reggae/ska roots. But Shania Twain? Especially when she didn't seem to be actually singing, based on the volume of her mike as opposed to Gwen and Sting's, and the lack of ad-libs on top of it. Just lots of waving and twirling in that Anne Robinson meets Harry Winston get-up.
And, to top it all of, I was ready to blow off Jimmy Kimmel's new show except that Coldplay is performing. Time to set the VCR.
The game didn't help, either. At the start of the game I mused on the hilarity of the game ending 3-0, only to have a 12-9 or similar finish seem quite possible as the first half moved on. About the only real interest in the game was the Raiders attempted comeback. I'll agree with the Bruce (though with less passion) that there was something brewing there, and that the crappy pass interference call was a back-breaker.
At one point Madden lauded the officials for being inobtrusive, but I tend to think they called kind of a poor game. Think about the non-fumble on the Raiders kickoff return early in the game. I know these guys move fast, but that was pretty clearly not a fumble, and they missed it. I don't think it was a horrible job, just not something the league would want to hang its hat on.
I would also wonder about the Raiders (or, more correctly, the coaching staff) comeback in terms of extra points and time-outs. I'm not sure why they kept going for two points, except that once you miss the first one you feel somewhat compelled to keep going for them to make up the points. As for the time outs, I suppose you want to stop the clock for the offense, but it may be better to do that when you know they're getting the ball back.
The challenge on the two point conversion where Porter looked to be pushed out of bounds was kind of odd, too, assuming that they knew (or were told) that the pushing was non-reviewable. Personally, I don't quite get all the rules about what you can and can't review. I suppose you need some guidelines, but in this case it seemed like something that you could review.
On top of it all, the ads were pretty lame. The Budweiser zebra ad and the Reebok "office linebacker" ones stand out, but that's about it.
I also should note that I am continuing to dislike the NFL-"live" music performance thing. Sting and No Doubt together makes a certain sense, given that No Doubt and The Police have similar reggae/ska roots. But Shania Twain? Especially when she didn't seem to be actually singing, based on the volume of her mike as opposed to Gwen and Sting's, and the lack of ad-libs on top of it. Just lots of waving and twirling in that Anne Robinson meets Harry Winston get-up.
And, to top it all of, I was ready to blow off Jimmy Kimmel's new show except that Coldplay is performing. Time to set the VCR.
Based on a past post, I should be rooting for Tampa Bay today, as I listed them third in my order of rooting interest. But I have to admit I have a strong pull for Oakland, too. That mostly comes from wanting Rich Gannon and Tim Brown to get rings. Especially Gannon, as you have the (a) former journeyman makes good angle, and (b) the chance for the Yankee Conference to represent. I know, it's A-10 football now, but it was the good 'ol YanCon back in Gannon's days with the Fightin' Blue Hens of Delaware.
I also find myself increasingly irritated with the notion that Keyshawn may get a ring. Irrationally so, I'm beginning to think. There are people on both sides whose loathsome qualities cause me to wish that any of the other six teams got in so I could make a clear choice. But given what we're stuck with, I am somehow finding Keyshawn more objectionable than Romanowski and Davis combined. That doesn't seem right.
Perhaps it's just that there's no one on the Bucs roster I really want to get a ring (or not get a ring, for that matter). I'm pretty ambivalent about the Bucs outside of their loudmouth wideout. I may not care for Sapp's chin-wagging, but I can respect his level of play so it all evens out.
Speaking of chin-wagging, that could be part of this, too. For whatever reason, the Bucs have been talking a lot of smack (or at least that's been reported; I've assiduously avoided reading most stories so I wouldn't OD on Gruden Bowl talk). Assuming that's true, it's another mild reason why I'd go with Oakland. I know, I should check on this point. But I won't.
I also find myself increasingly irritated with the notion that Keyshawn may get a ring. Irrationally so, I'm beginning to think. There are people on both sides whose loathsome qualities cause me to wish that any of the other six teams got in so I could make a clear choice. But given what we're stuck with, I am somehow finding Keyshawn more objectionable than Romanowski and Davis combined. That doesn't seem right.
Perhaps it's just that there's no one on the Bucs roster I really want to get a ring (or not get a ring, for that matter). I'm pretty ambivalent about the Bucs outside of their loudmouth wideout. I may not care for Sapp's chin-wagging, but I can respect his level of play so it all evens out.
Speaking of chin-wagging, that could be part of this, too. For whatever reason, the Bucs have been talking a lot of smack (or at least that's been reported; I've assiduously avoided reading most stories so I wouldn't OD on Gruden Bowl talk). Assuming that's true, it's another mild reason why I'd go with Oakland. I know, I should check on this point. But I won't.
24 January 2003
What does eBay and the NBC show Ed have in common? Not much, usually, but they do this week.
On this past week's episode of Ed, Carol got sued by a restaurant owner who said she purposefully wrote a bad review in revenge for something that happened in high school. Today, eBay got sued for refusing to remove negative feedback. The cases aren't exactly the same- eBay already warns feedback posters that they could be sued if they post in a libelous manner- but they have the same question at heart.
Both of these (though the lawsuit more than the TV show) serve to remind us of the power that words still have. In some ways the Internet devalued the written word, becoming less the information super-highway than the grafitti on that highway's restroom walls. The threshold for getting what you've written on to the Internet is so low- hello, blogging!- that the quality, not to mention the thoughfulness, can suffer. Not that anything here's ever been an example of such a process. Of course not.
And, truth be told, in some ways it's a good thing. The ability for an individual to create their own content, and not have to worry that an editor, moderator, or other outside influence will interfere with it, makes this medium dynamic, democratic, and open for the user to interpret. Assuming people can slog through even a fraction of what's out there.
But there has been, at least in my mind, a cheapening of words and effect. I don't know if its the immediacy of the medium or not having to look at a person face-to-face, but it seems much easier for anyone to take a vociferously extreme position on anything, be it politically charged or sales feedback.
It's not like this hasn't been said before, and by someone who wrote with more care and skill than I. It's just that the juxtaposition of the show and the story got me thinking.
And to close the circle (as I like to do), you'll soon get to watch eBay on TV. Which means we can look for the lawsuit related to feedback on the program at some point (OK, probably not, but it's a nice reference back to Ed).
On this past week's episode of Ed, Carol got sued by a restaurant owner who said she purposefully wrote a bad review in revenge for something that happened in high school. Today, eBay got sued for refusing to remove negative feedback. The cases aren't exactly the same- eBay already warns feedback posters that they could be sued if they post in a libelous manner- but they have the same question at heart.
Both of these (though the lawsuit more than the TV show) serve to remind us of the power that words still have. In some ways the Internet devalued the written word, becoming less the information super-highway than the grafitti on that highway's restroom walls. The threshold for getting what you've written on to the Internet is so low- hello, blogging!- that the quality, not to mention the thoughfulness, can suffer. Not that anything here's ever been an example of such a process. Of course not.
And, truth be told, in some ways it's a good thing. The ability for an individual to create their own content, and not have to worry that an editor, moderator, or other outside influence will interfere with it, makes this medium dynamic, democratic, and open for the user to interpret. Assuming people can slog through even a fraction of what's out there.
But there has been, at least in my mind, a cheapening of words and effect. I don't know if its the immediacy of the medium or not having to look at a person face-to-face, but it seems much easier for anyone to take a vociferously extreme position on anything, be it politically charged or sales feedback.
It's not like this hasn't been said before, and by someone who wrote with more care and skill than I. It's just that the juxtaposition of the show and the story got me thinking.
And to close the circle (as I like to do), you'll soon get to watch eBay on TV. Which means we can look for the lawsuit related to feedback on the program at some point (OK, probably not, but it's a nice reference back to Ed).
22 January 2003
Got a mailing from the Red Sox today for their 2003 Sox Pax, nine packages offering tickets for four games. They have names like "Rivalry Pack," "Red Bird Pack," etc. that suggest a theme for the teams being faced. For example, in the Rivalry Pack, you get tickets to a game against the Yankees. You also get tickets to see the Sox play the White Sox, Cards, and Devil Rays, none of whom are really what you'd call rivals to the Sox.
In fact, seven of the nine packs include a game with the D-Rays. I suppose it's the one way you can get rid of those seats. The Orioles and Royals also make multiple appearances, but not to that extent. The Cards also appear in a number of packs, odd in that those games should be pretty good.
All the packs include a game against the Yankees, which is the real draw. That and the opening day ducats against the Orioles.
Lowest price for a pack is $72 for the bleachers. I'll probably pass.
In fact, seven of the nine packs include a game with the D-Rays. I suppose it's the one way you can get rid of those seats. The Orioles and Royals also make multiple appearances, but not to that extent. The Cards also appear in a number of packs, odd in that those games should be pretty good.
All the packs include a game against the Yankees, which is the real draw. That and the opening day ducats against the Orioles.
Lowest price for a pack is $72 for the bleachers. I'll probably pass.
I've added another blog to the BU section, that of Matt Couture, younger brother of Jon Couture. He's a BU frosh now, but I've had the pleasure of knowing him since that day years ago when he sat in my apartment on Mountfort Street and tried to draft Jim Rice for his fantasy football team. And to think that this season he beat me out for third place.
His addition is also a naked grab for broader demographics, as he's the youngest BU-related blogger by 4 years (to his brother, naturally).
Speaking of naked ratings grabs involving teenagers, I, like so many out there, tuned in for the first episode of the second season of American Idol. It was pretty much more of the same, but blessedly Dunkleman-free. Ryan Seacrest retained his hosting duty, apparently with more direction and maturity than last season (or new/better writers, or the benefit of being out of studio, who knows). The show followed our intrepid band of judges as they scoured the nation looking for talent- and rarely finding it.
Boggie makes the point that the vast majority of tryout victims seem singularly unable to sing. I have to imagine there are hundreds of hours of tape that have on them nothing but thin, bland voices that fall in the middle- not horrible enough to evince the reactions that make it on air, but nowhere near good enough to move on. Meaning that for every person on the blunt end of crushing criticism, there are probably hundreds who will gamely cling to their dream of stardom. God help us.
Making a cameo appearance last night was Kristin Holt, one of last year's semi-finalists who has more teeth and attitude than brains or talent. She is apparently the show's ambassador to the Land of Broken Dreams, as she was shown offering aid and comfort to the enemies of song. Thankfully, her camera time was short, and her microphone time even shorter.
It's hard to pick anyone out of the onslaught so far. Early favorites are probably a pair of singing twins (who will have to go it alone from here on out), a girl from Miami who the judges are already setting up as the anti-Christina, a passel of New Yorkers who got some quality camera time, and a woman whose name escapes me but who sung the hell out of "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going" from Dreamgirls.
The last half hour of the show was a "where are they now" that caught up with last year's finalists. Not surprisingly, most are working on some sort of recorded music project. Others got precious little screen time (I don't even think they told us what EJay Day is up to, though I assume after the tour he went back to working at Six Flags). We got to see Christina work for the TV Guide channel, Nikki slogging away at her karaoke business, and Tamyra appear on Boston Public and mention her work with Babyface on an album that's out next month. Most frightening- the coverage of the upcoming From Justin to Kelly, starring the top two finishers from last season. The plot seems to involve two people who click, mostly because they spend their waking hours singing. Yes, it's a musical, or the 21st century analog.
It is sad that I'm spending this much time talking about this show. It is my one failing where the reality genre is concerned. I comfort myself with the notion that some of these people can actually sing, so I'm getting something (admittely a very little something) for doing this to myself. I know, it's an excuse. Please pray for me.
His addition is also a naked grab for broader demographics, as he's the youngest BU-related blogger by 4 years (to his brother, naturally).
Speaking of naked ratings grabs involving teenagers, I, like so many out there, tuned in for the first episode of the second season of American Idol. It was pretty much more of the same, but blessedly Dunkleman-free. Ryan Seacrest retained his hosting duty, apparently with more direction and maturity than last season (or new/better writers, or the benefit of being out of studio, who knows). The show followed our intrepid band of judges as they scoured the nation looking for talent- and rarely finding it.
Boggie makes the point that the vast majority of tryout victims seem singularly unable to sing. I have to imagine there are hundreds of hours of tape that have on them nothing but thin, bland voices that fall in the middle- not horrible enough to evince the reactions that make it on air, but nowhere near good enough to move on. Meaning that for every person on the blunt end of crushing criticism, there are probably hundreds who will gamely cling to their dream of stardom. God help us.
Making a cameo appearance last night was Kristin Holt, one of last year's semi-finalists who has more teeth and attitude than brains or talent. She is apparently the show's ambassador to the Land of Broken Dreams, as she was shown offering aid and comfort to the enemies of song. Thankfully, her camera time was short, and her microphone time even shorter.
It's hard to pick anyone out of the onslaught so far. Early favorites are probably a pair of singing twins (who will have to go it alone from here on out), a girl from Miami who the judges are already setting up as the anti-Christina, a passel of New Yorkers who got some quality camera time, and a woman whose name escapes me but who sung the hell out of "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going" from Dreamgirls.
The last half hour of the show was a "where are they now" that caught up with last year's finalists. Not surprisingly, most are working on some sort of recorded music project. Others got precious little screen time (I don't even think they told us what EJay Day is up to, though I assume after the tour he went back to working at Six Flags). We got to see Christina work for the TV Guide channel, Nikki slogging away at her karaoke business, and Tamyra appear on Boston Public and mention her work with Babyface on an album that's out next month. Most frightening- the coverage of the upcoming From Justin to Kelly, starring the top two finishers from last season. The plot seems to involve two people who click, mostly because they spend their waking hours singing. Yes, it's a musical, or the 21st century analog.
It is sad that I'm spending this much time talking about this show. It is my one failing where the reality genre is concerned. I comfort myself with the notion that some of these people can actually sing, so I'm getting something (admittely a very little something) for doing this to myself. I know, it's an excuse. Please pray for me.
21 January 2003
Was in Michigan over the weekend for a trash tournament. Team finished second thanks to one of the more impressive individual performances I've seen in a finals match from Craig Barker, who went (I believe) 2-7-0 to lead his team to a 12 point win. The tournament was well enjoyed, nothing to really complain about on my end other than a less than optimal afternoon of personal performance. Too much sitting on answers.
What makes the trip really notable was our Saturday night excursion to Toledo to see minor league hockey. We took in the Toledo Storm-Lexington Men 'o War East Coast Hockey League tilt. It was quite something. We got to the Toledo Sports Arena a little late, and thus parked in the marina behind the arena. Not in its parking lot, but in and among some of the boats brought in for the winter. We could have used an ice boat to get back to the arena, as there was an ice sheet 2 or 3 inches thick where we parked.
The game was 2-1 Toledo when we entered during the first intermission. The ticket-taker gave me a shake of the head as I entered, which I took as chastisement for showing up so late. In retrospect, he could have been shaking his head in disbelief that people would pay good money to attend the game. Either way I was thinking of calling him on it, but Toledo's the sort of place where you do that at your peril, given that you could get a blackjack to the side of the head for your trouble.
Lexington (who, as the Men 'o War, had unis that featured not horses or jellyfish, but an iron mask) evened the score with a softie that dribbled over the goal line. That ended the scoring for that period, the next period, and overtime. Toledo had Lexington on their heels (hooves? tentacles?), but couldn't put one in. Mostly due to their lack of shooting acumen.
This took the game into shootout. Both teams scored on their first shots. Lexington would go on to win the shootout 2 to 1- after each team sent EIGHT SHOOTERS to the net. Ugly.
Also ugly was the crowd, which was clearly the grittiest minor league hockey crowd I'd ever seen. This was not your youth hockey, soccer mom crowd. This was your Jim Anchower look-alike, let's-call-the-African-American-ref-"Buckwheat" crowd. And before you think I stereotype, I personally had both within 10 feet of my seat on Saturday. Maybe we were just in the miscreant section.
After the game we went to Tony Packo's, which should be known to any M*A*S*H fan as Max Klinger's hot dog emporium of choice. There was sufficient show memorabilia, including a life-size cut out of Klinger in his yellow chiffon. Sadly, there was no camera to record the moment. The hot dogs are very good, and I highly endorse a trip there should you find yourself in Toledo. It was also where I was introduced to the ways of the fried pickle, which was tasty (though I'm told they're better at state fairs, probably due to the more complex "bouquet" of the oil).
The other thing about the trip is that I confirmed that I'd be a lousy road tripper. Lack of license aside, I tend to fall asleep in cars when going a long distance. Perhaps it'd be different if I were actually driving. Let's hope so, anyway.
Example of my kind of luck #7266: on the flight home, I moved my seat assignment up a row into a space that was at least one seat from any other human being. As we prepared for takeoff, the closest people to me were a woman across the aisle who, having the row to herself was stretched out and sleeping, and a family of three (two adults plus small child) in front of her. Prior to takeoff, the husband in the group moves into the seat exactly in front of me and reclines noticably. The flight crew passes him at least 3 times before we head skyward, and never ask him to straighten up.
Thankfully, this being American Airlines, the added micron or two between rows left me with sufficient room (to paraphrase Phil Gramm, I had more space than I needed but less space than I wanted) to maneuver. Eventually he moved back to his original seat- but left the seat in front of me reclined. I put it back into its upright position. He then returned to the seat diagonally in front and did his thing, but that wasn't a problem.
I was also not able to use the new Mass Pike connector to get to Logan. It hadn't opened when we went to Logan on Saturday morning. And, on return, we learned that the westbound portion of this won't be ready until this time next year.
What makes the trip really notable was our Saturday night excursion to Toledo to see minor league hockey. We took in the Toledo Storm-Lexington Men 'o War East Coast Hockey League tilt. It was quite something. We got to the Toledo Sports Arena a little late, and thus parked in the marina behind the arena. Not in its parking lot, but in and among some of the boats brought in for the winter. We could have used an ice boat to get back to the arena, as there was an ice sheet 2 or 3 inches thick where we parked.
The game was 2-1 Toledo when we entered during the first intermission. The ticket-taker gave me a shake of the head as I entered, which I took as chastisement for showing up so late. In retrospect, he could have been shaking his head in disbelief that people would pay good money to attend the game. Either way I was thinking of calling him on it, but Toledo's the sort of place where you do that at your peril, given that you could get a blackjack to the side of the head for your trouble.
Lexington (who, as the Men 'o War, had unis that featured not horses or jellyfish, but an iron mask) evened the score with a softie that dribbled over the goal line. That ended the scoring for that period, the next period, and overtime. Toledo had Lexington on their heels (hooves? tentacles?), but couldn't put one in. Mostly due to their lack of shooting acumen.
This took the game into shootout. Both teams scored on their first shots. Lexington would go on to win the shootout 2 to 1- after each team sent EIGHT SHOOTERS to the net. Ugly.
Also ugly was the crowd, which was clearly the grittiest minor league hockey crowd I'd ever seen. This was not your youth hockey, soccer mom crowd. This was your Jim Anchower look-alike, let's-call-the-African-American-ref-"Buckwheat" crowd. And before you think I stereotype, I personally had both within 10 feet of my seat on Saturday. Maybe we were just in the miscreant section.
After the game we went to Tony Packo's, which should be known to any M*A*S*H fan as Max Klinger's hot dog emporium of choice. There was sufficient show memorabilia, including a life-size cut out of Klinger in his yellow chiffon. Sadly, there was no camera to record the moment. The hot dogs are very good, and I highly endorse a trip there should you find yourself in Toledo. It was also where I was introduced to the ways of the fried pickle, which was tasty (though I'm told they're better at state fairs, probably due to the more complex "bouquet" of the oil).
The other thing about the trip is that I confirmed that I'd be a lousy road tripper. Lack of license aside, I tend to fall asleep in cars when going a long distance. Perhaps it'd be different if I were actually driving. Let's hope so, anyway.
Example of my kind of luck #7266: on the flight home, I moved my seat assignment up a row into a space that was at least one seat from any other human being. As we prepared for takeoff, the closest people to me were a woman across the aisle who, having the row to herself was stretched out and sleeping, and a family of three (two adults plus small child) in front of her. Prior to takeoff, the husband in the group moves into the seat exactly in front of me and reclines noticably. The flight crew passes him at least 3 times before we head skyward, and never ask him to straighten up.
Thankfully, this being American Airlines, the added micron or two between rows left me with sufficient room (to paraphrase Phil Gramm, I had more space than I needed but less space than I wanted) to maneuver. Eventually he moved back to his original seat- but left the seat in front of me reclined. I put it back into its upright position. He then returned to the seat diagonally in front and did his thing, but that wasn't a problem.
I was also not able to use the new Mass Pike connector to get to Logan. It hadn't opened when we went to Logan on Saturday morning. And, on return, we learned that the westbound portion of this won't be ready until this time next year.
20 January 2003
I know people got all shirty in 2000 claiming that they would emigrate from the US if a certain person won the presidency (I'm lookin' at you, Baldwin), but I think there's a much better case to be made related to pop culture.
I don't know if I want to live in a land where the top three movies for the week, any week, are Kangaroo Jack, National Security, and Just Married. I'd be less chagrined if each of these movies didn't rake in over $12 million this week. I'd hoped that the first one wouldn't clear the $17.8 million it pulled in during its entire run.
Perhaps I underestimate the attraction to rapping computer-generated marsupials.
I don't know if I want to live in a land where the top three movies for the week, any week, are Kangaroo Jack, National Security, and Just Married. I'd be less chagrined if each of these movies didn't rake in over $12 million this week. I'd hoped that the first one wouldn't clear the $17.8 million it pulled in during its entire run.
Perhaps I underestimate the attraction to rapping computer-generated marsupials.
17 January 2003
Just as Brenda Spencer didn't like Mondays, I'm beginning to dread Thursdays. Why? As part of being on Fox Sports New England, BU is playing four straight home games on Thursday nights in January. That, in and of itself, isn't the problem.
The problem has been the results. Two Thursdays ago, the Terriers choked away a 2-0 lead to lose to Providence 3-2 in OT. Last night, after firing 17 shots in the first period, the team rolled over en route to a 3-1 loss to BC. Given the way things are going, next week's game to UNH will have a final of like 7-1 or 9-2.
In a related note, take a look at this stat line:
GP G A Pts Shots Pct +/-
16 1 2 3 36 .028 -8
Who does it belong to? None other than Ryan Whitney, the same Ryan Whitney that the Pittsburg Penguins took fifth overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft. This could be the most dramatic sophomore slump I've ever seen, given his ranking in the top 10 overall in scoring last year and his leadership in that area among both defensemen and freshmen. What's worse is that these numbers may not include last night, which (I think) saw him drop to -10 on the plus/minus.
USA College Hockey Magazine has Whitney on their cover, and had as the headline for the story in their print version "Next Stop: Greatness." This led to a situation similar to what Dwight faced with Tommy Maddox, though in this case our shouts of "Greatness!" usually come after he screws up, rather than during the play.
The problem has been the results. Two Thursdays ago, the Terriers choked away a 2-0 lead to lose to Providence 3-2 in OT. Last night, after firing 17 shots in the first period, the team rolled over en route to a 3-1 loss to BC. Given the way things are going, next week's game to UNH will have a final of like 7-1 or 9-2.
In a related note, take a look at this stat line:
GP G A Pts Shots Pct +/-
16 1 2 3 36 .028 -8
Who does it belong to? None other than Ryan Whitney, the same Ryan Whitney that the Pittsburg Penguins took fifth overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft. This could be the most dramatic sophomore slump I've ever seen, given his ranking in the top 10 overall in scoring last year and his leadership in that area among both defensemen and freshmen. What's worse is that these numbers may not include last night, which (I think) saw him drop to -10 on the plus/minus.
USA College Hockey Magazine has Whitney on their cover, and had as the headline for the story in their print version "Next Stop: Greatness." This led to a situation similar to what Dwight faced with Tommy Maddox, though in this case our shouts of "Greatness!" usually come after he screws up, rather than during the play.
If anyone ever tries to write a prequel to Planet of the Apes, I hope that this story is in some way crucial to the plot. Then again, it may be better suited for a Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp TV movie.
16 January 2003
One of the things that I meant to include in the recap but will mention here instead is the amount of cameras keeping an eye on the general populace. The Brits are very much into video surveilance. They are very up front about it, with signs posted that clearly indicate that cameras are in operation in the given area. They're also now using cameras on the roads quite a bit to document vehicular malfeasance.
Most Americans would chafe at this, and see it as further evidence that Big Brother is coming. I think given the clear notice I'm not so worried about it. I can see where abuses could occur, of course, but to my way of thinking (a) you don't have as much of an expectation to privacy when you're out in public, and (b) if there's clear notice that cameras are being used, how dumb do you have to be to do something that could get you in trouble in front of them?
There have been cases in Britain where cameras have helped to solve high-profile criminal cases (the Jamie Bulger case comes to mind). Even with this sort of benefit, I'm sure there are those of you out there who completely disagree with camera use. I'll admit I'm a lousy armchair civil libertarian, so I may very well have missed something in my limited analysis. Feel free to chime in.
Most Americans would chafe at this, and see it as further evidence that Big Brother is coming. I think given the clear notice I'm not so worried about it. I can see where abuses could occur, of course, but to my way of thinking (a) you don't have as much of an expectation to privacy when you're out in public, and (b) if there's clear notice that cameras are being used, how dumb do you have to be to do something that could get you in trouble in front of them?
There have been cases in Britain where cameras have helped to solve high-profile criminal cases (the Jamie Bulger case comes to mind). Even with this sort of benefit, I'm sure there are those of you out there who completely disagree with camera use. I'll admit I'm a lousy armchair civil libertarian, so I may very well have missed something in my limited analysis. Feel free to chime in.
15 January 2003
14 January 2003
For the second year in a row, I was gulled into watching the American Music Awards. Unlike last year, though, this year's edition was merely tedious, rather than out-and-out horrific.
Hosting this year was the Osborne family, proving that there is no such thing as media saturation anymore. Their hosting was about as you'd expect, not particularly sharp and full of expletives. Which injected some level of whimsy at the start, but then became as tedious as the rest of the program.
Considering that the winners are voted on by "listeners" after culling sales data, it wasn't a particularly difficult exercise to guess who would win in each event. It was much harder to guess if the winner was actually going to be present. Eminem, Creed, and the Dixie Chicks won something like 8 awards between them- and none were around to collect their booty. So it was like the People's Choice Awards in more ways than one.
Just as Britney Spears brought things to a screeching halt last year by trying to sing live, this year's telecast piled into the bridge abutment known as Kelly Osbourne. I was surprised that you couldn't hear the channels changing when she performed her song "Shut Up," and to be honest that sound would have been preferable. The one saving grace of the performance is that it sounded like Kelly's microphone was at half-volume, and that its output was being played through a vacuum cleaner.
Oh, and with the various crowd shots, I would like to note that, without having watched a single second of The Bachelorette, am officially sick of its "star," Trista Rehn. She strikes me as a somewhat luckier Darva Conger, able to turn her televised misfortune (being runner-up on the first installment of The Bachelor) into something other than a Playboy spread (though I suppose that could still happen). It seems like I can't pass a magazine rack or flip through channels without seeing her.
What I find interesting is comparing her picture from her original TV appearance with any photo related to her current show. I just hope she remembers that hair dye, makeup, and any related nipping and tucking could be tax deductable as a business expense.
Sticking with people I'm sick of, I've seen LeBron James play about 12 seconds of basketball (ESPN highlight) and am fully sick of him. I'm pretty well sickened with the creep of shamateurism in his case, from putting his games on pay per view to his mom "buying" him a Hummer. If there's any justice, he'll wind up with Cleveland or Milwaukee and never be heard from again.
Hosting this year was the Osborne family, proving that there is no such thing as media saturation anymore. Their hosting was about as you'd expect, not particularly sharp and full of expletives. Which injected some level of whimsy at the start, but then became as tedious as the rest of the program.
Considering that the winners are voted on by "listeners" after culling sales data, it wasn't a particularly difficult exercise to guess who would win in each event. It was much harder to guess if the winner was actually going to be present. Eminem, Creed, and the Dixie Chicks won something like 8 awards between them- and none were around to collect their booty. So it was like the People's Choice Awards in more ways than one.
Just as Britney Spears brought things to a screeching halt last year by trying to sing live, this year's telecast piled into the bridge abutment known as Kelly Osbourne. I was surprised that you couldn't hear the channels changing when she performed her song "Shut Up," and to be honest that sound would have been preferable. The one saving grace of the performance is that it sounded like Kelly's microphone was at half-volume, and that its output was being played through a vacuum cleaner.
Oh, and with the various crowd shots, I would like to note that, without having watched a single second of The Bachelorette, am officially sick of its "star," Trista Rehn. She strikes me as a somewhat luckier Darva Conger, able to turn her televised misfortune (being runner-up on the first installment of The Bachelor) into something other than a Playboy spread (though I suppose that could still happen). It seems like I can't pass a magazine rack or flip through channels without seeing her.
What I find interesting is comparing her picture from her original TV appearance with any photo related to her current show. I just hope she remembers that hair dye, makeup, and any related nipping and tucking could be tax deductable as a business expense.
Sticking with people I'm sick of, I've seen LeBron James play about 12 seconds of basketball (ESPN highlight) and am fully sick of him. I'm pretty well sickened with the creep of shamateurism in his case, from putting his games on pay per view to his mom "buying" him a Hummer. If there's any justice, he'll wind up with Cleveland or Milwaukee and never be heard from again.
12 January 2003
Oh, I also saw two trailers for mid-season TV shows, which was a first for me. Both are ABC programs.
First there's Miracles, which appears to be Mysterious Ways meets The X-Files. Man investigates events that may or may not be miracles in a world that has that vaguely creepy vibe that Mulder and Scully seemed to thrive in. I have no read on this show from the trailer, but am not impressed.
Then there's Dragnet, with Ed O'Neill as Joe Friday and Ethan Embry as Frank Smith. The trailer for this was actually pretty good, allowing anyone familiar with past versions to see where this one would be different. That being said, it's not going to be hugely different, at least not from Friday's perspective. He still seems like a square who's trying to get good to prevail over bad. Embry is younger and more dashing, of course. But he's no Pep Streebeck.
Dick Wolf of Law & Order fame is responsible for this, so for those of you on the west coast, expect to see all of you high-profile crimes from the last decade show up as plot points. I'll probably watch to start. Time slot helps (Sunday at 10), as I quit on The Practice some time ago (too much self-loathing for my taste).
First there's Miracles, which appears to be Mysterious Ways meets The X-Files. Man investigates events that may or may not be miracles in a world that has that vaguely creepy vibe that Mulder and Scully seemed to thrive in. I have no read on this show from the trailer, but am not impressed.
Then there's Dragnet, with Ed O'Neill as Joe Friday and Ethan Embry as Frank Smith. The trailer for this was actually pretty good, allowing anyone familiar with past versions to see where this one would be different. That being said, it's not going to be hugely different, at least not from Friday's perspective. He still seems like a square who's trying to get good to prevail over bad. Embry is younger and more dashing, of course. But he's no Pep Streebeck.
Dick Wolf of Law & Order fame is responsible for this, so for those of you on the west coast, expect to see all of you high-profile crimes from the last decade show up as plot points. I'll probably watch to start. Time slot helps (Sunday at 10), as I quit on The Practice some time ago (too much self-loathing for my taste).
Saw Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Friday, and liked it. Not sure if it was better than the first one, as many seem to hold, but I do think it measured up admirably. Liked that we got to hear from all the members of the Fellowship; I think Legolas said more in the first 15 minutes of this movie than he did in the entire first one. I don't remember Gimli being used as such comic relief the last time out, but it's possible.
Among the 400 or so trailers they showed, five stand out. And not necessarily for positive reasons:
Terminator 3 More time travel has Ahnud's Terminator fighting a new model (a female!) who was also sent back (or forward?) in time to take out John Connor and other machines protecting humans. For all the action in this trailer, it still wasn't as violent as the trailer for...
Bad Boys 2, which looks like it'll be a cross between Fastlane and Blow'd Up. Lots of fancy cars, gun fire, and explosions in the trailer. Some funny lines, too, but I fear that this'll be a case where all the funny stuff is in the trailer, leaving the bulk of the movie to just sit there, making booming noises. I'd rather see a making of documentary, given the fairly regular reports about issues with Martin Lawrence on the set.
When Harry Met Lloyd: Dumb and Dumberer A prequel to Dumb and Dumber, meaning that there's no Jim Carrey or Jeff Daniels. Instead we get Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson, who I've never heard of and had to look up, as there's no mention of them in the trailer (or visuals of them; the entire trailer is dedicated to defining dumb, dumber, and dumberer). Olsen may be best known for playing John Mason in the current season of 24, while Richardson's only IMDB credit is for this movie.
NOTE: These are sequels to movies made 11, 8, and 9 years ago. Nothing like striking while the iron is hot.
Bruce Almighty An ordinary Joe (well, Bruce) meets God and gets His powers for one week. Given that Bruce is played by Jim Carrey, you can guess that the film will not engage in a metaphysical inquiry into the meaning of mortality and power. This actually looked like the best film of the five trailers that I remember, which is a sad commentary indeed.
The Core This may be the stupidest one of the five, which is a breathtaking statement. A military weapon that sends targeted seismic waves has the side effect of stopping the Earth's core from spinning. This apparently leads to a variety of disruptions topside, with the bottom line that the planet will cook itself in about a year. The government funds a crash program to build a vehicle that will burrow down to the core, drop off 1000 megatons of nukes, and get the hell out of Dodge before they blow and jump start the core.
Aaron Eckhart headlines a cast full of people that should have known better (Delroy Lindo, Alfre Woodard, Stanley Tucci, and Hillary Swank, who seems to think that an Oscar excuses one when making crap like this).
If nothing else, seeing trailers like this reminds me that I can use the time that all these movies are in the theaters to stay home and catch up on better stuff that I missed on DVD.
Among the 400 or so trailers they showed, five stand out. And not necessarily for positive reasons:
Terminator 3 More time travel has Ahnud's Terminator fighting a new model (a female!) who was also sent back (or forward?) in time to take out John Connor and other machines protecting humans. For all the action in this trailer, it still wasn't as violent as the trailer for...
Bad Boys 2, which looks like it'll be a cross between Fastlane and Blow'd Up. Lots of fancy cars, gun fire, and explosions in the trailer. Some funny lines, too, but I fear that this'll be a case where all the funny stuff is in the trailer, leaving the bulk of the movie to just sit there, making booming noises. I'd rather see a making of documentary, given the fairly regular reports about issues with Martin Lawrence on the set.
When Harry Met Lloyd: Dumb and Dumberer A prequel to Dumb and Dumber, meaning that there's no Jim Carrey or Jeff Daniels. Instead we get Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson, who I've never heard of and had to look up, as there's no mention of them in the trailer (or visuals of them; the entire trailer is dedicated to defining dumb, dumber, and dumberer). Olsen may be best known for playing John Mason in the current season of 24, while Richardson's only IMDB credit is for this movie.
NOTE: These are sequels to movies made 11, 8, and 9 years ago. Nothing like striking while the iron is hot.
Bruce Almighty An ordinary Joe (well, Bruce) meets God and gets His powers for one week. Given that Bruce is played by Jim Carrey, you can guess that the film will not engage in a metaphysical inquiry into the meaning of mortality and power. This actually looked like the best film of the five trailers that I remember, which is a sad commentary indeed.
The Core This may be the stupidest one of the five, which is a breathtaking statement. A military weapon that sends targeted seismic waves has the side effect of stopping the Earth's core from spinning. This apparently leads to a variety of disruptions topside, with the bottom line that the planet will cook itself in about a year. The government funds a crash program to build a vehicle that will burrow down to the core, drop off 1000 megatons of nukes, and get the hell out of Dodge before they blow and jump start the core.
Aaron Eckhart headlines a cast full of people that should have known better (Delroy Lindo, Alfre Woodard, Stanley Tucci, and Hillary Swank, who seems to think that an Oscar excuses one when making crap like this).
If nothing else, seeing trailers like this reminds me that I can use the time that all these movies are in the theaters to stay home and catch up on better stuff that I missed on DVD.
10 January 2003
Looking at some of the non-playoff news in the NFL, I have a hard time believing that either Tom Coughlin or Marvin Lewis will wind up coaching the Cincinnati Bengals. Both are marquee names. Given the litany of witness protection program-types that have roamed the sidelines since Sam Wyche's departure (and I include Shula Jr. in that list), it's hard to see someone with actual gusto on the sidelines. It's even harded to see either Coughlin or Lewis having the leeway over personnel that is needed to turn the team around. In reality, Mike Brown should be locked in a room so he doesn't get near the draft board.
If nothing else, though, getting Coughlin or Lewis on the sideline would greatly increase the odds that the Bengals could draft and sign Carson Palmer. Left to his own devices, Brown would probably stick with Kitna and draft Charles Rogers, making him the next Darnay Scott (or Carl Pickens, your choice).
If nothing else, though, getting Coughlin or Lewis on the sideline would greatly increase the odds that the Bengals could draft and sign Carson Palmer. Left to his own devices, Brown would probably stick with Kitna and draft Charles Rogers, making him the next Darnay Scott (or Carl Pickens, your choice).
For those of you who've not seen it, Boston Globe columnist and NFL guru Will McDonough passed away last night. Fittingly, he died watching Sports Center, which if you're a sports journalist is probably the way to go.
Not many details at this point, but something cardiac is suspected given his troubles in that area over the past few years.
If you lived in New England for any significant stretch of time, McDonough was the voice for NFL coverage. He covered the league for almost four decades, including every Super Bowl. You didn't always agree with McDonough on opinion, but he was perhaps the most well-connected NFL reporter in the world. That parlayed itself into regular TV appearances on pre-game shows as well, adding a distinctive voice to coverage.
In recent years that voice was heard less, as McDonough didn't really fit into the new style pre-game show, with their mock jocularity, increasing X-Gen focus, and so on. The problem was the change in generations, almost literally so; his son Sean you probably know from any number of things that he covers as a play-by-play man, from the Red Sox to college sports, golf, tennis, hockey, the Olympics, soccer, and yes, even some NFL.
So there you have it. One more chink in the wall that, however thinly, separates substance from style in sports journalism.
Not many details at this point, but something cardiac is suspected given his troubles in that area over the past few years.
If you lived in New England for any significant stretch of time, McDonough was the voice for NFL coverage. He covered the league for almost four decades, including every Super Bowl. You didn't always agree with McDonough on opinion, but he was perhaps the most well-connected NFL reporter in the world. That parlayed itself into regular TV appearances on pre-game shows as well, adding a distinctive voice to coverage.
In recent years that voice was heard less, as McDonough didn't really fit into the new style pre-game show, with their mock jocularity, increasing X-Gen focus, and so on. The problem was the change in generations, almost literally so; his son Sean you probably know from any number of things that he covers as a play-by-play man, from the Red Sox to college sports, golf, tennis, hockey, the Olympics, soccer, and yes, even some NFL.
So there you have it. One more chink in the wall that, however thinly, separates substance from style in sports journalism.
09 January 2003
Update to yesterday's AIDS/flu story. Boggie noted something that I should have (if my MPH means anything), in that the number for AIDS deaths are the listed deaths. Since most people with AIDS die of something else (like pneumonia), the listing of the immediate cause of death may preclude/prevent AIDS being included in the listing.
Then again, it's not like the same thing wasn't happening in the '80s.
Then again, it's not like the same thing wasn't happening in the '80s.
08 January 2003
The other interesting headline from Yahoo! is that the flu is now a bigger killer in the US than AIDS. Influenza deaths have climbed from a little over 16,000 a year 25 years ago to almost 65,000 currently. AIDS, which killed 51,000 in 1995, was listed as the cause of death for 15,000 in 2001.
Drugs, of course, are crucial in both figures. A number of drugs have helped bring down the AIDS death toll, while the flu vaccine is apparently less effective the older the person is. Meaning that the most vulnerable group gets the least benefit. What a deal!
A favorite paragraph from the article:
"Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the news 'that influenza may be taking an even larger toll than we have realized' underscores the importance of flu shots, especially for older people."
How do we not realize how many people are dying from the flu? It's not like the number is classified. And while the shot does provide some protection, I wonder about the importance of getting a vaccine which apparently doesn't help that much. Perhaps someone should come up with a better vaccine for the elderly?
To be fair, there are other things at work here. The population now is older; for example, the story notes that the number of people 85 and over in the US has doubled since 1976. Also, current flu strains are more virulent, probably thanks to the number we did on weaker forms in the past. In a way we're the victims of our own success, I suppose.
I've gotten exactly one flu shot in my life. Against the collective wisdom of such things, I did not then get sick. Not sure what it is, but I've done pretty well in terms of not getting the flu. Bronchitis was my respiratory malady of choice when younger, as I'd get at least one case a year up into high school. Of late I've been pretty healthy, just some colds here and there. I suppose that'll turn itself around at some point. Just hope there's a better vaccine available when that happens.
Drugs, of course, are crucial in both figures. A number of drugs have helped bring down the AIDS death toll, while the flu vaccine is apparently less effective the older the person is. Meaning that the most vulnerable group gets the least benefit. What a deal!
A favorite paragraph from the article:
"Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the news 'that influenza may be taking an even larger toll than we have realized' underscores the importance of flu shots, especially for older people."
How do we not realize how many people are dying from the flu? It's not like the number is classified. And while the shot does provide some protection, I wonder about the importance of getting a vaccine which apparently doesn't help that much. Perhaps someone should come up with a better vaccine for the elderly?
To be fair, there are other things at work here. The population now is older; for example, the story notes that the number of people 85 and over in the US has doubled since 1976. Also, current flu strains are more virulent, probably thanks to the number we did on weaker forms in the past. In a way we're the victims of our own success, I suppose.
I've gotten exactly one flu shot in my life. Against the collective wisdom of such things, I did not then get sick. Not sure what it is, but I've done pretty well in terms of not getting the flu. Bronchitis was my respiratory malady of choice when younger, as I'd get at least one case a year up into high school. Of late I've been pretty healthy, just some colds here and there. I suppose that'll turn itself around at some point. Just hope there's a better vaccine available when that happens.
Sex and the City is apparently going to call it quits after its sixth season. Doesn't mean much to me, as I've never watched an episode of the show (not having HBO), though I do wonder how the Emmys will get along without it to nominate for things.
In any case, I was reading the Yahoo! story about this, and they linked to a number of similar stories on other sites. Let's just say that it's a pun-maker's holiday. To wit:
* "Sex" climaxing after 6 seasons
* HBO swears off "Sex"
* HBO prolongs final "Sex"
* "Sex and the City" reaches its climax
At least the article didn't talk about HBO going through "the change" or something like that.
I suppose I should prepare now for the onslaught of Mob-type references when The Sopranos gets its shallow grave.
In any case, I was reading the Yahoo! story about this, and they linked to a number of similar stories on other sites. Let's just say that it's a pun-maker's holiday. To wit:
* "Sex" climaxing after 6 seasons
* HBO swears off "Sex"
* HBO prolongs final "Sex"
* "Sex and the City" reaches its climax
At least the article didn't talk about HBO going through "the change" or something like that.
I suppose I should prepare now for the onslaught of Mob-type references when The Sopranos gets its shallow grave.
06 January 2003
Apropos of nothing, my rooting interest for the eight remaining teams in the NFL playoffs.
8. New York Jets I still can't even fathom that the Jets won the AFC East. Kudos to Herman Edwards there. But they're still a team I really don't care for (probably more for their fans than the actual players), so they get the bottom rung.
7. Tennessee Titans There is nothing about this team that elicits emotion in me, good or bad. So I'm not so much rooting against them as find that my level of indifference puts them here. I kind of like watching Steve McNair play, but he's now an older, less exciting version of Michael Vick. So meh.
6. Oakland Raiders I should really have more interest in a team that features Jerry Rice, a Yankee Conference product at the helm in Rich Gannon, and a Golden Domer in Tim Brown. But then I remember that the racist, drug-abusing Bill Romanowski plays there. And Al Davis is still the owner. I suppose I want them to beat the Jets, but after that they can feel free to mail it in.
5. Pittsburg Steelers The magic act against the Browns notwithstanding, I also find myself hard-pressed to find something to get interested in with the Steelers. I suppose the possibility of Tommy Maddox bringing his XFL Million Dollar Game MVP status to the Super Bowl is good for irony's sake. I don't dislike the Steelers, and would be fine if they won the whole thing. It's just that I find myself more interested in the NFC teams. Which is very strange, given that I'm enough of an AFC homer that I rooted for the Bills all four times they made the big game.
4.Atlanta Falcons Yes, this is very much Michael Vick-fueled. And while part of my interest here is good-natured, wanting to see this kid blow up the league, there's also the darker side, where I want to see if success can spoil him.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers I like Brad Johnson. I don't care for Keyshawn Johnson. I like Mike Alstott. I don't care for Warren Sapp. I do like Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, and John Lynch. I don't care so much for Jon Gruden. I wish that the team was back in their orange and white unis. I always had a soft spot for them.
Inasmuch as I don't really like Keyshawn or Sapp, I do respect their abilities and would like to see what they can do in the Super Bowl. I just won't be too upset if they don't.
2. San Francisco 49ers As a young Boy Scout, I went on a cross country skiing weekend during my second year with the troop. After spending a fair amount of time enjoying nature's beauty I returned to the lodge in time to see Joe Montana roll out, throw up a prayer, and have Dwight Clark materialize out of seemingly nowhere to make the grab and defeat the Cowboys. I've always liked the Niners since then.
Continued success can get old. The Atlanta Braves can lose the NL East any time now. I long for the day when the top five in major college football is Rutgers, SMU, Colorado State, Central Florida, and Rice. Michael Schumacher can forget how to shift gears ASAP. But I don't get tired of seeing the Niners up there and in the playoffs.
I should hold the Jerry Rice thing against them, too, but the emergence of Terrell Owens called for a move, as unpopular as it may be. Jeff Garcia has also been fun to watch and to have as a fantasy owner. Yeah, they had Romanowski for a while, too, and I had to grit my teeth, but those days are past.
Plus, the red and gold unis are sharp.
Even so, my top rooting interest for the playoffs are:
1. Philadelphia Eagles They really shouldn't be. I usually have no more than a mild interest in this team, but I think the way they got stronger while playing with their third string QB intrigued me. Their defense is fun to watch, too. The only problem with them doing well is that I'd lose a teammate for Ann B. Davis, as he may get hooked up with NFC title game tickets.
I will say that any of the top 5 or 6 teams could win it all and I'd be fine with it. The only team I really don't want to see win is the Jets, just for all the insufferable woofing from New York types who are up here. Bad enough we have to deal with them during baseball season.
In non-playoff football news, I still can't wrap my head around Bill Parcells as the head coach in Dallas. I'm thinking that some point around week 3 Parcells will have a sideline altercation with Jerry Jones during a game that sees the owner stuffed into a Gatorade cooler. I just don't think there's enough football team to go around with these two guys.
8. New York Jets I still can't even fathom that the Jets won the AFC East. Kudos to Herman Edwards there. But they're still a team I really don't care for (probably more for their fans than the actual players), so they get the bottom rung.
7. Tennessee Titans There is nothing about this team that elicits emotion in me, good or bad. So I'm not so much rooting against them as find that my level of indifference puts them here. I kind of like watching Steve McNair play, but he's now an older, less exciting version of Michael Vick. So meh.
6. Oakland Raiders I should really have more interest in a team that features Jerry Rice, a Yankee Conference product at the helm in Rich Gannon, and a Golden Domer in Tim Brown. But then I remember that the racist, drug-abusing Bill Romanowski plays there. And Al Davis is still the owner. I suppose I want them to beat the Jets, but after that they can feel free to mail it in.
5. Pittsburg Steelers The magic act against the Browns notwithstanding, I also find myself hard-pressed to find something to get interested in with the Steelers. I suppose the possibility of Tommy Maddox bringing his XFL Million Dollar Game MVP status to the Super Bowl is good for irony's sake. I don't dislike the Steelers, and would be fine if they won the whole thing. It's just that I find myself more interested in the NFC teams. Which is very strange, given that I'm enough of an AFC homer that I rooted for the Bills all four times they made the big game.
4.Atlanta Falcons Yes, this is very much Michael Vick-fueled. And while part of my interest here is good-natured, wanting to see this kid blow up the league, there's also the darker side, where I want to see if success can spoil him.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers I like Brad Johnson. I don't care for Keyshawn Johnson. I like Mike Alstott. I don't care for Warren Sapp. I do like Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, and John Lynch. I don't care so much for Jon Gruden. I wish that the team was back in their orange and white unis. I always had a soft spot for them.
Inasmuch as I don't really like Keyshawn or Sapp, I do respect their abilities and would like to see what they can do in the Super Bowl. I just won't be too upset if they don't.
2. San Francisco 49ers As a young Boy Scout, I went on a cross country skiing weekend during my second year with the troop. After spending a fair amount of time enjoying nature's beauty I returned to the lodge in time to see Joe Montana roll out, throw up a prayer, and have Dwight Clark materialize out of seemingly nowhere to make the grab and defeat the Cowboys. I've always liked the Niners since then.
Continued success can get old. The Atlanta Braves can lose the NL East any time now. I long for the day when the top five in major college football is Rutgers, SMU, Colorado State, Central Florida, and Rice. Michael Schumacher can forget how to shift gears ASAP. But I don't get tired of seeing the Niners up there and in the playoffs.
I should hold the Jerry Rice thing against them, too, but the emergence of Terrell Owens called for a move, as unpopular as it may be. Jeff Garcia has also been fun to watch and to have as a fantasy owner. Yeah, they had Romanowski for a while, too, and I had to grit my teeth, but those days are past.
Plus, the red and gold unis are sharp.
Even so, my top rooting interest for the playoffs are:
1. Philadelphia Eagles They really shouldn't be. I usually have no more than a mild interest in this team, but I think the way they got stronger while playing with their third string QB intrigued me. Their defense is fun to watch, too. The only problem with them doing well is that I'd lose a teammate for Ann B. Davis, as he may get hooked up with NFC title game tickets.
I will say that any of the top 5 or 6 teams could win it all and I'd be fine with it. The only team I really don't want to see win is the Jets, just for all the insufferable woofing from New York types who are up here. Bad enough we have to deal with them during baseball season.
In non-playoff football news, I still can't wrap my head around Bill Parcells as the head coach in Dallas. I'm thinking that some point around week 3 Parcells will have a sideline altercation with Jerry Jones during a game that sees the owner stuffed into a Gatorade cooler. I just don't think there's enough football team to go around with these two guys.
05 January 2003
A couple of interesting home notes.
1. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but the roof to the building I live in runs off right in front of my back door. Literally. This means you get soaked when it rains, or when snow melts. Like today. We also have the added bonus of melting snow and ice falling from the roof.
As you can imagine, in some cases this results in icing on our deck, making the use of the back door (which leads out to our parking space) difficult at best. Such as last night, when Sarah's dad was able to get the door open enough to leave, but then had to contend with the curling-quality ice sheet on our deck.
2. There's something very odd going on with the water here. I had hot water coming out the cold tap before going to England (kind of a pre-trip reminder about the taps being on the side opposite to what we have here), and emailed our Facilities department about it.
On return, I still have hot water coming out of the cold tap. Want a fun mental image? Consider a toilet bowl full of water hot enough to make coffee.
Today, though, the water seems to be doing whatever it wants. At one point this morning the taps had switched (hot out of cold and vice versa), then it went back to hot out of everything. Most lately it's been normal, but I'm expecting to see salt water and egg nog run from the taps this afternoon.
If nothing else, I was able to use one problem to fight another, as I used the extra hot water to melt the ice around the back door. Easy egress for now.
1. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but the roof to the building I live in runs off right in front of my back door. Literally. This means you get soaked when it rains, or when snow melts. Like today. We also have the added bonus of melting snow and ice falling from the roof.
As you can imagine, in some cases this results in icing on our deck, making the use of the back door (which leads out to our parking space) difficult at best. Such as last night, when Sarah's dad was able to get the door open enough to leave, but then had to contend with the curling-quality ice sheet on our deck.
2. There's something very odd going on with the water here. I had hot water coming out the cold tap before going to England (kind of a pre-trip reminder about the taps being on the side opposite to what we have here), and emailed our Facilities department about it.
On return, I still have hot water coming out of the cold tap. Want a fun mental image? Consider a toilet bowl full of water hot enough to make coffee.
Today, though, the water seems to be doing whatever it wants. At one point this morning the taps had switched (hot out of cold and vice versa), then it went back to hot out of everything. Most lately it's been normal, but I'm expecting to see salt water and egg nog run from the taps this afternoon.
If nothing else, I was able to use one problem to fight another, as I used the extra hot water to melt the ice around the back door. Easy egress for now.
Rather than start my trip recap, I've spent most of the last 14 or so hours sleeping and catching up. I've thus been able to see that Cooch is in a position of great danger to the community now that he has a digital camera, and that the Bruce should get some sort of job from the NFL scheduling office (perhaps as broadcast liason to the networks).
I'm also very happy to have missed the college football bowl season, as I mis-picked a high number of games. Taking Notre Dame and not taking BC are more or less personal ethical choices, but my picks elsewhere were ugly. Wake Forest beating Oregon pretty much tells me all I need to know.
We did get word of snow here, but damn. It's like all the snow from the past 3 years all fell during the time we were away. Even then, I don't know if we'd have as much as we do now.
And, to top things off, the cable's out. Hard pressed to think I'd be returning to a more station-deprived situation than British TV, but there you go.
I'm also very happy to have missed the college football bowl season, as I mis-picked a high number of games. Taking Notre Dame and not taking BC are more or less personal ethical choices, but my picks elsewhere were ugly. Wake Forest beating Oregon pretty much tells me all I need to know.
We did get word of snow here, but damn. It's like all the snow from the past 3 years all fell during the time we were away. Even then, I don't know if we'd have as much as we do now.
And, to top things off, the cable's out. Hard pressed to think I'd be returning to a more station-deprived situation than British TV, but there you go.
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