Notes
- Last Friday night I burned my tongue on some ramen. I don't think I've eaten any of that stuff since college, and the first time I give it another chance, it burns my tongue? That pissed me off so much. Anyone want 23 packs of original flavor Ichiban ramen? Cause I bought a whole box and now I don't know if I will be eating the rest. My tongue feels like sandpaper right now and it hurts like hell.
- A fact you may not know is that the typical human taste bud has a lifespan of 7-10 days. So I think instead of healing when they get burned or damaged or whatever, you just have to wait until the new ones take the place of the old. I guess that means that if my current taste buds happened to be "born" on Friday, I still might have another 3 or 4 days of sandpaper-tongue.
- One more sign that my body is getting older is that I can't handle as much second-hand smoke as I used to. I think in college, I breathed in enough smoke from the people I hung out with to account for about the equivalent of a pack of light cigarettes per day, and it never bothered me. But last night, I went to RAM to watch part of the Cubs game with some old friends, and in less than a couple hours of being exposed to their smoke I was sneezing, eyes sore, maybe even a little light headed.
- Speaking of the Cubs game, man, that is why playoff baseball is so awesome. Even though I'm kind of rooting for the Cubs, I'm still watching these games more as an overall "baseball fan", looking for exciting and well-played games. So even though they lost, I enjoyed watching a good battle. Some observations from that game:
1. That Sammy Sosa hop has gotten so ridiculous. I don't know if he does it because fans expect it, or if he just thinks it's fun or what, but it needs to stop.
2. Ugueth Urbina blows. I knew he was gonna give up that game-tying home run as soon as Sosa came up to bat with a man on base. Some pitchers have decent stuff, but they are just way too unclutch to be closers, and especially even more so in the playoffs. This list definitely includes Urbina, as well as people like Billy Koch, Byung-Hyun Kim, Armando Benitez, and Keith Foulke.
3. I don't think I've ever seen an outfield play worse defense than the Marlins in the early innings last night. And then, I saw Alex Gonzalez (of the Marlins) make two of the best defensive plays that might have saved the game in the late innings.
4. I don't think the Cubs have a lot to worry about, with Wood and Prior scheduled to pitch at least 4 games in this series.
5. Those 3 home runs in one inning, I couldn't believe it as it was happening.
- Red Sox vs. Yankees, I think I'm gonna root for the Yankees to win in 7. I kind of wanted to see a Cubs vs. Red Sox World Series, but when they kept showing those Boston fans in that bar during Game 5 of the Oakland series, I just started to really hate them for some reason. It's like a whole bunch of Ben Afflecks there, and I hate Ben Affleck.
- Although I must admit, Boston did produce my favorite Real World Paris character. Unfortunately, I missed last night's episode, but I'm looking forward to catching a rerun sometime soon so I can see drunk CT trying to fight everyone, and Adam looking scared.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Monday, October 06, 2003
Template Issues
I've been having issues with my blog entries not showing up. I think it's something wrong with my template. I'll try to fix it later, but in the meantime, just try to ignore the stripped down look of my blog.
Cubs Talk
Congrats to the Cubs and Cubs fans on moving on to the NLCS. Now that the Braves and Twins are both out, I don't know who to root for anymore. The Chicagoan in me wants to cheer for the Cubs, but something about it still doesn't feel right. But anyways, I think right now I'm somewhere between "indifferent" and "mildly supporting" the Cubs.
Something I wonder about is, what happens if the Cubs actually do win the World Series? I think the world would be turned upside down. I mean, part of the charm of the Cubs is their image as "lovable losers". That's a huge credit to the geniuses at the Tribune Company for successfully marketing this team in the past 20 years or so. Somehow, they packaged an old, aging stadium, an inept, senile announcer, and a team that loses year after year, to gain fans not only in Chicago but around the country and sell out 81 home games a year.
By now, Cubs fans have gotten accustomed to, and even learned to embrace their team's perennial failures. Wouldn't it be so weird if the team suddenly became champions after 90-some years of futility? I mean, one day you are the polar opposite of an organization like the Yankees, a team built on a image of high prestige and consistent success. Next thing you know, you are on the same level, and maybe even considered a superior team to those same vaunted Yankees. I don't know if "anticlimatic" would be the right word, but something would definitely seem really backwards if that happened.
Then, what if after winning the World Series, the team goes back to its losing ways the next year? Will the phrase "when the Cubs win the World Series" go back to being synonymous with phrases like "when hell freezes over" or "when pigs fly"? What about the fans in the bleachers at Wrigley? Will they now be expecting and demanding their team to be competitive every year? Or would they just go right back to the old ways of drinking their beer, not paying attention to the game, and checking out girls? These are questions that truly fascinate me.
Playa University
While I was writing that blog, they were showing the player intros for Monday Night Football, where every guy says their own name and the college they graduated from. When Simeon Rice (Illini product) came up, he said "Simeon Rice, Playa University". Man, he was always a cocky biatch. But I guess if he's right, then I too am an alumni of Playa University. Maybe I should update my resume to reflect this change.
I've been having issues with my blog entries not showing up. I think it's something wrong with my template. I'll try to fix it later, but in the meantime, just try to ignore the stripped down look of my blog.
Cubs Talk
Congrats to the Cubs and Cubs fans on moving on to the NLCS. Now that the Braves and Twins are both out, I don't know who to root for anymore. The Chicagoan in me wants to cheer for the Cubs, but something about it still doesn't feel right. But anyways, I think right now I'm somewhere between "indifferent" and "mildly supporting" the Cubs.
Something I wonder about is, what happens if the Cubs actually do win the World Series? I think the world would be turned upside down. I mean, part of the charm of the Cubs is their image as "lovable losers". That's a huge credit to the geniuses at the Tribune Company for successfully marketing this team in the past 20 years or so. Somehow, they packaged an old, aging stadium, an inept, senile announcer, and a team that loses year after year, to gain fans not only in Chicago but around the country and sell out 81 home games a year.
By now, Cubs fans have gotten accustomed to, and even learned to embrace their team's perennial failures. Wouldn't it be so weird if the team suddenly became champions after 90-some years of futility? I mean, one day you are the polar opposite of an organization like the Yankees, a team built on a image of high prestige and consistent success. Next thing you know, you are on the same level, and maybe even considered a superior team to those same vaunted Yankees. I don't know if "anticlimatic" would be the right word, but something would definitely seem really backwards if that happened.
Then, what if after winning the World Series, the team goes back to its losing ways the next year? Will the phrase "when the Cubs win the World Series" go back to being synonymous with phrases like "when hell freezes over" or "when pigs fly"? What about the fans in the bleachers at Wrigley? Will they now be expecting and demanding their team to be competitive every year? Or would they just go right back to the old ways of drinking their beer, not paying attention to the game, and checking out girls? These are questions that truly fascinate me.
Playa University
While I was writing that blog, they were showing the player intros for Monday Night Football, where every guy says their own name and the college they graduated from. When Simeon Rice (Illini product) came up, he said "Simeon Rice, Playa University". Man, he was always a cocky biatch. But I guess if he's right, then I too am an alumni of Playa University. Maybe I should update my resume to reflect this change.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
For it's root, root root for the...?
So the Cubs/Braves series is tied 1-1. Even though I've always been a Sox fan, I would really like to root for the Cubs to win the World Series, having grown up in Chicago and all. Unfortunately, I think my opinion of this series is somewhere in between "indifferent" and "mildly anti-Cubs". There are a number of reasons for this:
1. Don't like Sammy Sosa. I never have. I hate that little hop he does after hitting a home run, I hate how fake and full of crap he is in interviews, I believe he uses steroids, and knowingly used his corked bat in the game.
2. I like the Braves. Not saying I'm a die-hard fan or anything, but they are probably the only non-Chicago baseball team I have followed from the very beginning of when I first started watching the sport. It's amazing how this team has changed throughout the years, but always finishes on top of their division, season after season. The team really deserves to be in a city that appreciates them more. I would be so ecstatic if they were in Chicago instead of Atlanta. The players are so good too. I wish I could root for true stars like Greg Maddux, Andruw Jones, Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones, and more.
3. Cubs fans. The hardest part about rooting for the Cubs comes about because of the fans that like to talk trash when their team is finally doing well. In a way, I do understand that after years and years and years and years and years and years and years and years of losing and more losing, there is a lot of pent up frustration such that when the team actually wins, it is all let out in the form of unnecessary trash talking. I mean, I've been through a good number of bad experiences with the Sox, but when they start winning, you don't see me turning into a jackass all of a sudden and saying "Cubs suck" to everyone. Of course, not every Cubs fan is like that, and there are plenty of Sox fans who are not as mature as myself. But there's enough of the stupid Cubs fans out there to make me want to see their team lose so they will just shut up again.
Anyways, if the Cubs win, good for them. I'm not rooting heavily against them; more than anything else, I want to see good exciting playoff baseball games. Also, I think I might as well root for the Twins to go far, that way I won't feel so bad knowing that they owned the Sox in the last few weeks of the season.
So the Cubs/Braves series is tied 1-1. Even though I've always been a Sox fan, I would really like to root for the Cubs to win the World Series, having grown up in Chicago and all. Unfortunately, I think my opinion of this series is somewhere in between "indifferent" and "mildly anti-Cubs". There are a number of reasons for this:
1. Don't like Sammy Sosa. I never have. I hate that little hop he does after hitting a home run, I hate how fake and full of crap he is in interviews, I believe he uses steroids, and knowingly used his corked bat in the game.
2. I like the Braves. Not saying I'm a die-hard fan or anything, but they are probably the only non-Chicago baseball team I have followed from the very beginning of when I first started watching the sport. It's amazing how this team has changed throughout the years, but always finishes on top of their division, season after season. The team really deserves to be in a city that appreciates them more. I would be so ecstatic if they were in Chicago instead of Atlanta. The players are so good too. I wish I could root for true stars like Greg Maddux, Andruw Jones, Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones, and more.
3. Cubs fans. The hardest part about rooting for the Cubs comes about because of the fans that like to talk trash when their team is finally doing well. In a way, I do understand that after years and years and years and years and years and years and years and years of losing and more losing, there is a lot of pent up frustration such that when the team actually wins, it is all let out in the form of unnecessary trash talking. I mean, I've been through a good number of bad experiences with the Sox, but when they start winning, you don't see me turning into a jackass all of a sudden and saying "Cubs suck" to everyone. Of course, not every Cubs fan is like that, and there are plenty of Sox fans who are not as mature as myself. But there's enough of the stupid Cubs fans out there to make me want to see their team lose so they will just shut up again.
Anyways, if the Cubs win, good for them. I'm not rooting heavily against them; more than anything else, I want to see good exciting playoff baseball games. Also, I think I might as well root for the Twins to go far, that way I won't feel so bad knowing that they owned the Sox in the last few weeks of the season.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Pics
Again, congrats and props to Chras on the new job. Some pics from John Barleycorn illustrate the celebration last Friday night:
The night begins... all smiles and a little sleepiness on my part
Still lookin good.... as Dave attacks
((( lemon drops.... lemon drops....... )))
*****
A bonus picture, here's my sister with Dee Brown, taken at the Union earlier this year. (2 of her friends cut out of the sides to protect identities)
Again, congrats and props to Chras on the new job. Some pics from John Barleycorn illustrate the celebration last Friday night:
The night begins... all smiles and a little sleepiness on my part
Still lookin good.... as Dave attacks
((( lemon drops.... lemon drops....... )))
*****
A bonus picture, here's my sister with Dee Brown, taken at the Union earlier this year. (2 of her friends cut out of the sides to protect identities)
The Internet
The 2003 fantasy baseball season is now officially over, with me finally winning a season. I would like to say congratulations to me on my victory, and wish my sincere condolensces to Piya for his narrow loss.
With fantasy sports on my mind all throughout this past weekend, I got to thinking about this one time when I was in my junior high or early high school years, me and my friends were so fanatical about the Bulls and the NBA that we decided to start our own fantasy basketball league. Since this was years before the Internet came along and revolutionized the world (of fantasy sports), we had to do scoring by hand, using boxscores from the Tribune. Of course, this was a huge pain in the neck and thus I don't think our league really lasted for more than a few weeks. It's still a good memory though, mostly I just remember that Mitch Richmond was awesome, and one day Kevin Johnson had 10 steals.
Anyways, now that it's 2003, computers and the Internet are considered second nature to most of us, I thought I'd note some of the other little things that a lot of us (or maybe just me) have gotten used to in the past few years, numbered but in no particular order:
1. Online Movie Listings - If you're hip, you use Fandango. If you're exceptionally cool like me, you customize your personal Yahoo! page. Either way, it saves us from having to dig through a newspaper and end up with black fingertips.
2. Driving Directions - If you're hip, you use MapQuest. If you're exceptionally cool like me, you customize your personal Yahoo! page. Neither one is 100% perfect, but both get the job done most of the time. It's one of those things that seriously make me wonder how I ever got by without it, considering how often I use it these days. A highly underrated convenience, to say the least.
3. Google - As everyone knows, search engines are a very powerful tool that can be used to research important information and gain knowledge about a broad range of topics. But for me, my favorite use of searching the Internet is to settle bets about random arguments that come up between me and certain friends. Such as, "How old is Cindy Crawford?", "Is Zach from Saved By The Bell really half-Asian?", and many more. I mean, most of that "important information" you can find in your local library, but how else can you easily find the answers to those kinds of questions? If not for the power of Google, I'm sure I would have experienced many miserable days of not having my curiosity satisfied or my hypotheses proven.
4. MP3s - I'm not someone who stopped buying CDs when it became easy to download any song you wanted for free. Actually, I probably started buying more CDs because I was exposed to more music beyond the top 40 rotation on popular radio. Anyways, I continue to buy music regularly, partly because it's my way of supporting the artists that I feel are putting out good music and deserve their share of my $13, and also because CD sound is still noticeably better than mp3 quality (at least to me). My point is, if the system wasn't abused to the point where musicians and record companies actually have a right to be mad, mp3s could actually be a really good thing overall. I think I wrote more in depth about this in a earlier blog so I'll leave it at that for now.
So basically, let me sum up the point of this blog. While the Internet has been hailed as a revolution that brings the world closer and forever changes the way people communicate and share information, I see it mainly as a source of free music and useless trivia. And of all the grand uses and conveniences that the Internet might have to offer, the only ones that matter to me are getting quick driving directions and local movie listings. Oh yeah, fantasy sports too.
Either I'm an ignorant fool, or technology still has a ways to go before we can really consider the Internet "revolutionary".
The 2003 fantasy baseball season is now officially over, with me finally winning a season. I would like to say congratulations to me on my victory, and wish my sincere condolensces to Piya for his narrow loss.
With fantasy sports on my mind all throughout this past weekend, I got to thinking about this one time when I was in my junior high or early high school years, me and my friends were so fanatical about the Bulls and the NBA that we decided to start our own fantasy basketball league. Since this was years before the Internet came along and revolutionized the world (of fantasy sports), we had to do scoring by hand, using boxscores from the Tribune. Of course, this was a huge pain in the neck and thus I don't think our league really lasted for more than a few weeks. It's still a good memory though, mostly I just remember that Mitch Richmond was awesome, and one day Kevin Johnson had 10 steals.
Anyways, now that it's 2003, computers and the Internet are considered second nature to most of us, I thought I'd note some of the other little things that a lot of us (or maybe just me) have gotten used to in the past few years, numbered but in no particular order:
1. Online Movie Listings - If you're hip, you use Fandango. If you're exceptionally cool like me, you customize your personal Yahoo! page. Either way, it saves us from having to dig through a newspaper and end up with black fingertips.
2. Driving Directions - If you're hip, you use MapQuest. If you're exceptionally cool like me, you customize your personal Yahoo! page. Neither one is 100% perfect, but both get the job done most of the time. It's one of those things that seriously make me wonder how I ever got by without it, considering how often I use it these days. A highly underrated convenience, to say the least.
3. Google - As everyone knows, search engines are a very powerful tool that can be used to research important information and gain knowledge about a broad range of topics. But for me, my favorite use of searching the Internet is to settle bets about random arguments that come up between me and certain friends. Such as, "How old is Cindy Crawford?", "Is Zach from Saved By The Bell really half-Asian?", and many more. I mean, most of that "important information" you can find in your local library, but how else can you easily find the answers to those kinds of questions? If not for the power of Google, I'm sure I would have experienced many miserable days of not having my curiosity satisfied or my hypotheses proven.
4. MP3s - I'm not someone who stopped buying CDs when it became easy to download any song you wanted for free. Actually, I probably started buying more CDs because I was exposed to more music beyond the top 40 rotation on popular radio. Anyways, I continue to buy music regularly, partly because it's my way of supporting the artists that I feel are putting out good music and deserve their share of my $13, and also because CD sound is still noticeably better than mp3 quality (at least to me). My point is, if the system wasn't abused to the point where musicians and record companies actually have a right to be mad, mp3s could actually be a really good thing overall. I think I wrote more in depth about this in a earlier blog so I'll leave it at that for now.
So basically, let me sum up the point of this blog. While the Internet has been hailed as a revolution that brings the world closer and forever changes the way people communicate and share information, I see it mainly as a source of free music and useless trivia. And of all the grand uses and conveniences that the Internet might have to offer, the only ones that matter to me are getting quick driving directions and local movie listings. Oh yeah, fantasy sports too.
Either I'm an ignorant fool, or technology still has a ways to go before we can really consider the Internet "revolutionary".
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