Rooting for Alex Rodriguez is a bit like rooting for Wal-Mart, or the Brazilian soccer team, or … well … the New York Yankees....or the Evil Empire. Nice work, Nate. Stick it to the man.
Friday, April 21, 2006
A-Rod = the Wal-Mart of MLB
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Gnarls in Charge
Then you probably don't live in Western Europe. Don't worry though, you'll definitely get a huge dose of the dynamic duo when they hit stateside.
A collaboration between Danger Mouse (produced Gorillaz Demon Days and Jay-Z/Beatles remix The Grey Album) and Cee-Lo (singer/rapper, daughter was on MTV's Super Sweet 16), their first album will be released in the UK in early May. Their first single, "Crazy", has been an absolute smash in the UK, landing at #1 on the charts based solely on downloads, the first single to ever do so.
The hit song (which is phenomenal), can be heard on the Official website for Gnarls Barkley. Matching the usually slick beats of Danger Mouse with the smooth soul vocals of Cee-Lo, the song will undoubtedly blow up when it hits the US.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Mo Goes Pro
Check out the press conference from earlier today, courtesy of youtube.com:
It's definitely in his best interest to enter the NBA Draft since he'll most likely be a top 5 pick. Despite this, it would have been fun to watch him and Gonzaga receive the "Duke treatment" from ESPN next season. They would have had countless games nationally televised and could have made another run at the Final Four. Oh well.
It's been rumored for a while, and with espn.com and Gonzaga's official Atletic site reporting that Mo will sign with an agent it is most definite. Mark Bartelstein will represent Mo, which is nice since he also represents Dan Dickau and Blake Stepp, both Gonzaga graduates. At least he's keeping it in the family.
The loss of both Mo and J.P. Batista next year will be huge. Gonzaga will need Derek Raivio to be more of a scorer and they'll need Josh Heytvelt to really step up his game if they want to be a top 20 team.
I've said before that Gonzaga's NCAA tournament losses have historically been more important than their wins. Losing to Wyoming in '01 (The Zags were upset!), Arizona in '02 (Double overtime thriller), and recently UCLA in '06 (Worked 'em for 35 minutes) have shown that Gonzaga is a legitimate national player. Likewise, by losing Morrison, the Gonzaga program could reap huge benefits. If he's a top 3 pick, makes an immediate impact or if he picks up Rookie of the Year, it would prove that a player can attend Gonzaga (or any mid-major for that matter) and become a NBA star.
Best of luck to Mo.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Breaking up is hard to do...
And not only do you have a girlfriend, she wants you to make something for her. Double whammy!
If you've ever had a girlfriend, then you've reached that point in your "relationship" where she wants you to burn a mix CD for her of your favorite songs. Since this is a fairly common occurrence, there are some rules that a guy should follow when making a mix CD for that special lady friend.
First and foremost, do not include any songs from your favorite artist(s). I cannot stress how important this is. Once the relationship is over, the songs will forever be tarnished because they'll remind you of her. The last thing you would ever want is for some dumb broad to spoil your love for Pearl Jam. Women will come and women will go, but "State of Love and Trust" is forever.
Also, do not put anything on the mix that she doesn't already love. Women hate new music more than they hate old boyfriends. Fill that sucker exclusively with songs she has heard 10,000 times each.
Another important thing to remember is that women have horrible taste in music. They are solely responsible for the careers of hundreds and hundreds of shitty musicians. It is essential that you don't make a good CD. In fact, the worse you make the CD the more she'll probably enjoy it.
Here is an example of a mix CD to make your special lady friend happy:
- Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me"
- Jackson Browne "Somebody's Baby"
- The Beatles "All You Need is Love"
- Eddie Money "Take Me Home Tonight"
- Ben E. King "Stand By Me"
- AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long"
- Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy"
- Anything by Billy Joel, Coldplay, or the Eagles (BARF!!!)
Once the two of you break off your romantic tryst, she'll be stuck with this awful CD. Even if she throws it out she'll still be stuck with bad memories since you've attached yourself to her favorite songs. Meanwhile, you can sit back and relax and still enjoy Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks just like the good old days.
There are just some things that should never go together. Toothpaste and orange juice, ugg boots and mini skirts, and spring weekends and rain all come to mind. At the very top of that list should be girlfriends and favorite songs.
Year of the Beard
Beards are incredible.
Not only do they sound like “beers” but they also contain the word “bear.” Does no one else think this is amazing?!
To see the impact of a beard, check out Johnny Damon when he was with the Boston Red Sox and compare him as he is now with the New York Yankees.
scratching laughing all the way to the bank.
All-Lark Team 2004-05
#2 Nate Robinson, PG, WASHINGTON Huskies, Junior
- 16.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.7 spg, 46.3% from field, 38.5% from 3-point, 78.2% from FT line
- Listed at 5'9"
- Probably only 5'7"
- Originally enrolled at UW on football scholarship
- Had 2 interceptions and 34 tackles freshman year
- 2005 Great Alaskan Shootout Most Outstanding Player
- Helped Huskies to 29-6 overall record
- Helped Huskies to 2005 Pac-10 Tournament Championship
- Led Huskies to #1 Seed in NCAA Tournament
- Led Huskies to Sweet 16
- Third-Team All-American
- 2004 & 2005 First-Team All-Pac-10
- Selected 21st overall by Phoenix Suns in 2005 NBA Draft
- 18.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 50.4% from field, 50.4% from beyond the arc, 91.0% from free-throw line
- Led nation in 3-point field goal percentage
- Scored 32 points and hit the game-winning, buzzer-beating, 3-pointer to beat UCLA
- Helped Wildcats to 30-7 overall record
- 2005 Pac-10 Regular Season Champions
- Helped Wildcats to the Elite Eight
- Second-Team All-American
- Selected 31st overall by Atlanta Hawks
- 19.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, shot 49.8% from field, 31.1% from downtown, 75.8 % from free throw line
- Type 1 Diabetic
- Favorite band is Rage Against the Machine
- Shot 11-18 and scored 24 points in win over #3 Georgia Tech at the Las Vegas Showdown
- Scored 19 points in win at #3 Oklahoma State
- Scored 28 points, including game-winner with .6 seconds left to defeat San Francisco and clinch at least share of WCC Championship
- Helped Zags to WCC Regular Season Championship
- Helped Zags to WCC Tournament Championship
- 2005 WCC Tournament MVP
- Helped Zags earn #2 Seed in NCAA Tournament
- All-WCC First-Team
- AP All-America, honorable mention
- 11.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 46.5% from field, 84.6% from free throw line, 42.6% from downtown
- 22 pts and 8 rebs to defeat Texas Tech and send Mountaineers to Elite Eight
- 25 points, 6 of 9 shooting from downtown in loss to Lousiville in Elite Eight
- NCAA Tournament All-Albuquerque Region Team
- Cultural phenom
- 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.5 bpg, shot 47.4% from field, 33.3% from three point range, 72.2% from free throw line
- Averaged 4.4 bpg for career
- Tied for sixth all-time in NCAA blocked shots (444)
- Led nation in blocked shots
- Registered 11 double-doubles
- Registered triple-double (19 pts, 11 rebounds, 10 blocks) in win over Loyola (Md.)
- Dropped 28 points in win over Niagara
- Led Fairfield to back-to-back 19 win seasons
- Best player to ever wear Stags uniform
- 2002, 2003 & 2005 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year
- All-MAAC First-Team
2004-2005 All-Lark NCAA Second-Team
#5 T.J. Thompson, PG, GEORGE WASHINGTON Colonials, Senior
#11 T.J. Sorrentine, SG, VERMONT Catamounts, Senior
#33 Pat Carrol, F, ST. JOSEPH'S Hawks, Senior
#21 Pops Mensah-Bonsu, PF, GEORGE WASHINGTON Colonials, Junior
#22 Taylor Coppenrath, PF, VERMONT Catamounts, Senior
2004-2005 All-Lark NCAA Preseason Team
#34 Travis Deiner, PG, MARQUETTE Golden Eagles, Senior
#3 Gerry McNamara, SG, SYRACUSE Orange, Junior
#22 Nik Caner-Medley, F, MARYLAND Terrapins, Senior
#1 Ronny Turiaf, PF, GONZAGA Bulldogs, Senior
#35 Deng Gai, C, FAIRFIELD Stags, Senior
All-Lark Team 2003-04
#14 Jameer Nelson, PG, ST. JOSEPH'S Hawks, Senior
- 20.6 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.7 rpg, 2.9 spg
- St. Joe's All-Time leader in points (2094), assists (714) and steals (256)
- Double-double (20 pts, 10 ast) in win over Gonzaga
- 24 points, 7 assists, 3 steals in win over Wake Forest in Sweet 16
- Led Hawks to undefeated regular season (27-0)
- Led team to Atlantic-10 Regular Season Championship
- Led Hawks to as high as #1 ranking in polls
- Led Hawks to 30-2 recored overall
- Led Hawks to the Elite Eight
- 2004 Wooden Award Winner
- 2004 Naismith Award Winner
- 2004 AP Player of the Year
- 2004 NABC Co-Player of the Year (with Emeka Okafor)
- Received Oscar Robertson Trophy from USBWA
- 2004 AP All-American, unanimous selection
- Selected 20th overall by Denver Nuggets in 2004 NBA Draft
- 24.0 ppg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 3.9 rpg, 44.2% from field, 86.3% from free throw line
- Dropped 44 points in win at Fairfield in 2003
- Led Jaspers to 25-6 overall record
- Led Jaspers to MAAC Championship
- Led Jaspers to MAAC Tournament Championship
- Led Jaspers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances
- Led Jaspers to NCAA Second Round in 2004
- 2-Time MAAC Player of the Year
- AP All-American, honorable mention
- Drafted 55th overall by Houston Rockets in 2004 NBA Draft
- 21.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.3 spg, 48.8% from field, 86.2% from free throw line, 44& from three-point
- All-Time top ten in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals at Oregon
- All-Pac-10, first team
- Drafted 10th overall by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004 NBA Draft
- 15.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.45 bpg, 52.5% from field
- Speaks four languages (English, French, Creole, and Spanish)
- Scored 29 points in win over George Washington in BB&T Final
- BB&T Tournament MVP
- All-WCC First-Team, two years in a row
- Led Zags to 28-3 overall record
- Led Zags to WCC Championship
- Led Zags to WCC Tournament Championship
- Selected 34th overall by Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 NBA Draft
- 17.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 4.1 bpg, shot 59.9% from the field
- Graduated in three years with a 3.8 GPA and a degree in Finance
- Led the nation in blocked shots
- 7th all-time in NCAA blocked shots (441)
- 2004 Big East Tournament Championship
- Won 2004 National Championship
- Double-double (24 points, 12 rebounds) in win over Georgia Tech in the National Championship game
- 2004 NCAA Tournament MVP
- 2004 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- 2004 Big East Player of the Year
- 2004 Big East Defensive Player of the Year
- 2004 NABC Co-Player of the Year (with Jameer Nelson)
- 2003 & 2004 NABC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2004 AP All-American, unanimous selection
- 2004 Academic All-American of the Year
- Drafted 2nd overall by Charlotte Bobcats in 2004 NBA Draft
#14 Jameer Nelson, PG, ST. JOSEPH'S Hawks, Senior
#3 Luis Flores, SG, MANHATTAN Jaspers, Senior
#1 Ronny Turiaf, F, GONZAGA Bulldogs, Junior
#2 Luol Deng, F, DUKE Blue Devils, Freshman
#35 Deng Gai, F, FAIRFIELD Stags, Junior
All-Lark Team 2002-03
#25 Steve Blake, PG, MARYLAND Terrapins, Senior
- 11.6 ppg, 7.1 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 spg.
- Four year starting point guard
- 81.9% Free Throw Shooter senior year, 77.1% for four-year career
- 1st Team All-Acc
- 5th All-Time assist leader in NCAA history
- Hit sick 3-pointer against UNC Wilmington in NCAA first round
- Led Terps to the Sweet 16
- Drafted 38th Overall by Washington Wizards in 2003 NBA Draft.
#03 Dwyane Wade, SG, MARQUETTE Golden Eagles, Junior
- 21.5 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.15 spg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg, shot 50.1% from the floor during junior year.
- 5-Time Conference USA Player of the Week
- C-USA Player of the Year
- Scored in double-figures in 31 of 33 games
- Dropped 35 points in win over Tulane
- Dropped 29 points in win at #9 Louisville
- Triple-fucking-double (29 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds) to win the Midwest Regional, snapping #1 seed Kentucky's 26-game winning streak. It was only the third triple-double in NCAA Tournament history.
- 2003 Midwest Regional Outstanding Player
- Led Marquette to the Final Four
- Led Marquette to 27-6 overall record
- AP 1st-Team All-American
- Wooden Award All-American
- Drafted 5th Overall by Miami Heat in 2003 NBA Draft
#15 Carmelo Anthony, F, SYRACUSE Orange, Freshman
- From Baltimore, Maryland
- 22.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.6 spg, shot 45.3% from the floor and 33.7% from beyond the arc during freshman year.
- 10-Time Big East Rookie of the Week
- Posted double-doubles in 22 of 35 games
- First-Team All Big East
- Big East Rookie of the Year
- Dropped 33 points in win over Texas in the Final Four
- Won 2003 National Championship
- NCAA East Regional MVP
- NCAA Final Four MVP
- AP Second-Team All-American
- Drafted 3rd Overall by Denver Nuggets in 2003 NBA Draft
#25 Kyle Korver, F, CREIGHTON Bluejays, Junior
- 17.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg, shot 46.8% from the floor and 48.0% from beyond the arc.
- Shot 90.8% from the free-throw line
- Led team to a 29-5 record overall
- Led team to MVC Tournament Championship
- Back-to-back MVC Tournament MVP
- Two time MVC Player of the Year
- 2nd Team All-American
- Drafted 51st Overall by New Jersey Nets in 2003 NBA Draft
#34 Michael Sweetney, PF, GEORGETOWN Hoyas, Junior
- 22.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.2 bpg, 1.5 spg, 1.9 apg. Shot 54.7% from the field.
- All-Big East 1st Team, unanimous selection
- Drafted 9th overall by New York Knicks in 2003 NBA Draft
All-Lark Team 2001-02
#21 Dan Dickau, PG, GONZAGA Bulldogs, Senior
- 3.40 GPA
- Dropped 29 points in win over #16 Fresno St.
- Dropped 39 points in win over Portland
- Double-double in win over New Mexico St (19 pts, 10 ast)
- Led Zags to WCC Championship
- Led Zags to WCC Tournament Championship
- Led Zags as high as #6 ranking in the nation
- Led Zags to a 29-4 overall record
- 2002 WCC Player of the Year
- 2002 WCC Male-Scholar Athlete of the Year
- Top Five Wooden All-American, 2002
- Notable quote: Interviewer asks, "Which nickname do you prefer, the official one (Bulldogs) or the unofficial one (Zags), and why?" Dickau responds with "Zags. There are a lot of different Bulldogs across the country. Zags relates more to the program. We call each other Zags."
- Drafted 28th Overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
#03 Juan Dixon, SG, MARYLAND Terrapins, Senior
- Maryland's All-Time leading scorer
- All-ACC First Team three years in a row
- Scored 33 points in win over Kansas in Final Four
- Double-doubles in wins over Florida St and at Georgia Tech
- Lead team to back-to-back Final Fours
- Led team to 2002 ACC Championship
- Won 2002 National Championship
- Led Terps to 33-4 overall record
- 2002 ACC Player of the Year
- 2002 NCAA Tournament MVP
- Top Five Wooden All-American, 2002
- Notable quote, "Basketball saved me."
- Drafted 17th Overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
#35 Lonny Baxter, F, MARYLAND Terrapins, Senior
- From Silver Spring, Maryland
- Scored 29 points against UConn in East Regional Final
- Won 2002 National Championship
- 2002 NCAA Tournament East Region MVP
- 2002 All-American
- Drafted 44th Overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.
#0 Drew Gooden, F, KANSAS Jayhawks, Junior
- Led Jayhawks to Final Four
- Averaged a double-double for the season (19.8 points, 11.4 rebounds)
- Top Five Wooden All-American, 2002
- Drafted 4th Overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
#1 Jared Jefferies, F, INDIANA Hoosiers, Sophomore
- Chicago Tribune's 2002 Silver Basketball Winner (Big 10 MVP)
- 2002 National Runner-Ups
- 2002 All-American
- Drafted 11th Overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Heineken: Premuim Light
Upon popping off the cap and pouring the Lager into a glass, it is immediately recognizable as a close relative to Heineken. The look and smell are very similar to its bigger brother and the overall "blandness" is reminiscint of other light beers. Unfortunately, it has the same skunked taste, only more wattered down.
Unfortunately, it will probably sell because of the Heinenken name and recognizable green bottle. The official website tells me to succumb to the smooth taste, but succumbing to the wattery taste would be more accurate.
Heineken Light is better than most American Light beers, but that's not saying much. Try it for yourself!
Samuel Adams: White Ale
The beer pours a very cloudy color that immediately signals a think and lasting froth on the glass. It even looks like a great beer.
The label on the bottle reads, "An intricate blend of unusual spices creates its distinctive and refreshing taste" and it really couldn't be said any better. The taste is very fruity and won me over after a few sips.
Another treat fromt he Boston Beer Compnay. Make sure to pick up some when it runs from January to March. Highly recommended.
Samuel Adams: Hefeweizen
The label reads, "This crisp, fruity wheat ale is cloudy because the yeast has not been filtered out. Bavarian Spalt hops give the ale a crisp elegance that is not bitter and leaves a clean aftertaste."
The beer tastes good, but doesn't exactly set the world on fire. I can taste a little lemon in there, ad it gives the beer an overall fruity taste.
Sam Adams Hefeweizen might not be the best offering from the Boston Beer Company, but it is a good tasting beer made in the style of true German Hefes. I would recommend it to anyone looking to try new and different beers, but for the average fan I would not.
Sam Adams has many more beers that are a better pick up than this.
New England Brewing Company: Atlantic Amber & Elm City Lager
The Atlantic Amber is a steam style brewed with lager yeasts at an ale temperature. This style originated in
The Elm City Lager is a German style pilsner that pays homage to the town of
Both of these beers are incredibly easy to drink and perfect for summer days on the docks or beach. Since they only come in can form and look remarkably like Coke and Sprite cans, they can be taken just about anywhere.
Highly recommended.