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Baseball predictions
March 29, 2007Even though the regular season of baseball doesn't excite me that much, I'm starting to get more and more enamored with fantasy baseball.
I only have two teams, but that's enough for me.
Here's my run down on the season, mainly division winners and playoff predictions.
AL East:
It's always about the Yankees and the Red Sox, and it's always going to be about the Yankees and the Red Sox. They have the best offenses, usually, in MLB and their pitching staff finds a way to take the teams to the playoffs.
The Yankees will finish first, especially after they severe ties with A-Rod, and the Red Sox will suprise everyone after landing A-Rod. I looks like the Dice-K move will work out for them handsomely.
AL Central:
The White Sox have the bats to make it all the way, but not the rotation. That's why I'm expecting big things from the Twins. They have the best pitcher in baseball, Santana, and an up and coming rest of the rotation. Their young leadership, Cuddyer, Mauer and Morneau are going to be the heart of their production and depending on how bad Hunter wants a contract extention, the Twins will go deep in the playoffs.
AL West:
Wouldn't you love to see the Rangers win it. Me too, but it's not going to happen. The Angels were better to begin with and they only got richer during the offseason. Depending how much time Matthews Jr. plays, the Angles will be the team to beat.
AL playoff teams: 1. Angels 2. Twins 3. Angels Wild Card - Red Sox
Pennant - Twins
NL predictions tomorrow.........
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fairy Tales Suck
March 23, 2007The combination of a Disney fairy tale and the potential of a little girl is downright dangerous.
Why do we have to live happily ever after?
Why is so much emphasis put on marriage for little girls?
Rich children go to college; poor kids go to the JP's office.
I'll never understand it.
I'm just glad I had a boy...I think.
Little girls dream of their wedding day from their fifth birthday on. I will never understand that, basically because I'm a guy, but I don't know if I want to know the truth.
The answer is probably embedded somewhere in the patriarchal society the U.S. have created, but why do little girls want to get married so soon.
I was having a conversation with a coworker recently when I asked her who she hated as a little girl. After sparking a tremendous amount of random thoughts, I asked another woman the same question. Both hated other girls.
Now I know girls hate girls and boys hate boys until probably college/late high school, but I'm guessing if I asked 10 girls who they hated growing up, the answer would be another girl for about 8. Girls are too competitive with each other.
And in high school the competition is geared towards grades, usually. It's competition for a stupid boy. You know the one I'm talking about, the ass quarterback (insert any popular sport position here) who gets everything.
And as soon as a girl graduates they transform from something to a Bridezilla, who has plans for 30 kids and a white-picket fence.
A guy wants to graduate, get a decent job, sow their oats and stay out of too much trouble. I grew up in the south, so the other main areas of America might be different, but I doubt it.
This is my Dear Abby. Help me out ladies.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
St. Patrick's Day Festival
March 20, 2007Thank you Danny Ahern.
You are an Irish Saint with a great bar and better ideas. Last weekend's St. Patrick's Day Festival was one for the ages.
The beer line was long, but no big deal.
The music was good, but it was the atmosphere that put the event over the top.
This space is for the memories, if you have any, of the night.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 09:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
R2-D2 at your service
March 15, 2007This will not be coming to a city near you.
The new R2-D2 mail box will be distributed to about 200 cities, according to an AP article.
What fun, what fun!
I just hope he doesn't shoot anybody with his laser.
I was also wondering if the actor that played inside the hunk of metal known as R2-D2 could actually fit inside that mailbox.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048652/
Posted by Clayton Hein at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Is My Baby Gay?
I ran across a lovely little article that was in today's newspaper about a Southern Baptist leader who suggests prenatal therapy to prevent homosexuality works.
I'll let that sentence sink in for a second....
You have got to be kidding me.
The article's lead paragraph states Rev. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary says "that prenatal treatment to reverse gay orientation would be biblically justified."
I don't remember reading in the Bible that mother's went to therapy while pregnant to insure their child did come out with a rainbow-y gust.
This guy has got to be crazy.
I look at my little one and ask that question, but in the end does it matter. I don't want the little guy to be a homosexual, but I'm not going to stop him.
It will probably dig deep in my skin. I have no idea how I would react, because most people don't start looking at for sexual acceptance until they're in junior high/high school.
So at least I have a couple of years.
The article states that "sexual orientation could be detected in unborn babies and raised the question of whether parents - even liberal who support gay rights - might be open to trying future prenatal techniques that would reverse homosexuality."
This guy must have been dropped on his head as a baby.
I don't really understand his point. It's not like the world is a bad place because of homosexuals.
They do their thing and the rest do theirs.
Maybe Mohler's mom should have endured through some "prenatal treatment."
Posted by Clayton Hein at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Diaper Genie Discomfort
March 14, 2007I love and hate my Diaper Genie.
It contains stink, but its killing my knuckles.
I know it’s hard to understand, but for the past couple of days when I've changed my son's diaper I've come out with less skin on my hands then when I first started the diaper changing experience.
Its a little skin at a time, but the diaper genie got me good two days ago.
I now have a reddening scab on my left pinkie because of it.
You're probably thinking, "Well watch where you're putting your hand."
Well, it's not that easy. I wish it was.
At 2/3/4 in the morning, its hard to tell what you're doing at all, especially when you have a one-month old crying his lungs out.
The invention looks like its going to swallow your hand whole anyways. Once you open the lid and put the diaper in the trash bag, you feel like you going to walk away without your index finger.
So thank you Diaper Genie — and dang you.
You have special powers of eliminating odor, yet you have nicked up my knuckles. My wife's banged her hands up changing diapers too.
Maybe you should invent a Diaper Genie that has smoother, less knife-like edges around the diaper deposit-thingy.
A guy can dream, can't he?
One more thing, why can't you use regular trash bags to contain all the poop. Depending which series Diaper Genie you buy, you have to buy specialized diaper genie trash bags.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Way to go MSU mustangs
The recent run by the men's basketball team was very impressive. I know this blog is a little late, but I've have seen a competitive time like this since I was a about 10-13 years old.
They won the LSC championship and made it to the NCAA Division II tournament.
Eric Dawson was a beast.
I still can't believe that out of all the NCAA basketball teams, he led the nation in double doubles.
Who would have thought MSU had their very own Tim Duncan.
I just have to extend some congratulations.
Congratulations to everyone. I don't know if I've been more excited listening to the radio then when Chad Rickett hit that regulation tying 3-pointer from what seemed like half court.
I thought for sure the game was over, but low and behold the other team missed about four free throws with a little less than 10 seconds remaining.
I figured I'd just turn the radio off and let MSU lose peacefully.
Man I'm glad I didn't.
I ran inside the house to tell my whole family, but in my blabbering excitement I could only get "three pointer, OT...WOW!" out of my mouth.
Now Dawson and Rickett have to say good bye. I wish they could some how explain a need for a medical red-shirt year to the NCAA, but I know that won't happen.
It was fun.
Hope to see you guys back next year.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
nutella
March 09, 2007I love me some chocolate spread.
According to fellow reporter Jessica Langdon, Nutella is "yummy, yummy, yummy."
It's one of the better spreads known to man.
Depending on my mood, it ranks somewhere between JIF crunchy peanut butter and All Fruit strawberry jam. And on a good day, it's better than peanut butter.
You can mix Nutella with anything.
It's a good spread on just about anything also. Want it on a cupcake, put it on a cupcake. Try a muffin, be dangerous.
I guess this blog's focus is to point out the years and years that Nutella has gone under appreciated.
I got my first taste of Nutella living in Comiso Air Force Base in Sicily. My mother, brother and I would go to the corner bakery get some fresh rolls and spread some Nutella on it.
I've been hooked since.
It's fattening, but who cares. Run an extra lap.
If you want a couple Nutella recipies, go to the Web site and see for your self. My favorite is Nutella fingers. It's basically just you, a jar of Nutella, no spoon and your finger, or fingers depending on your serving size.
You won't be disappointed.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
NFL draft predictions
March 08, 2007The draft is about one month away and free agency is as hot as ever. It seems like all the possible free agents have received big deals, thanks to the increase in the salary cap, and the NFL draft is shaking down as one of the most unpredictable drafts ever.
There only a few elite prospects, like most years, but it seems like there is a lot of depth at many positions.
Defensive end seems to be the deepest position to draft from, and wide receiver is far behind.
Here is my shake down on the top 10 picks, and of course the Cowboys selection.
1. Oakland Raiders. Al Davis is crazy, we all know that. Their defense started to enter elite territory last year, but their offense is the worst in the league.
You never know who they will draft, and after passing on all three quarterbacks last year, you gotta believe they're going to take JaMarcus Russell from LSU.
But then the Davis factor finds itself mingling into the overall equation. Calvin Johnson seems to be the best player available. He might rewrite the rookie receiver record books (say that three times fast), but who really knows. You still have to weigh the Marques Colston factor.
I think the Raiders will trade Randy Moss off, sign someone like Drew Bledsoe/Joey Harrington and draft Johnson. They're going to be awful again next year, so maybe they can draft Brian Brohm from Louisville, or Chad Henne from Michigan.
2. Detroit Lions. Matt Millen ran this franchise into the ground. It tells me he didn't trust his scouts enough. Three years, three first round wide receiver picks. Who would have known that Charles Rogers would have been a bust at the time, but oh well that's the way the NFL crumbles.
I'm picking offensive tackle Joe Thomas from Wisconsin. He looks to be safe, and he will be able to protect whatever junk quarterback they throw back there next year.
3. Cleveland Browns. It feels like this team is headed in the right direction. Romeo Crennel seems to be building the team from the inside out, starting with the offensive line. He did a smash up job last year with the linebacker selections, so it looks like he on a role. They need a running back, which would be a good landing spot for Adrian Peterson, but they just signed Jamal Lewis away from Baltimore. The two-back system is en vogue after both the Bears and Colts went to the Super Bowl playing that way, so who knows. They need defensive back help, and another wide receiver. Braylon Edwards shows promise, but it seems like every big name signing they get ends up on the trainer's table for a good part of the year.
I'm picking Brady Quinn for the Browns. He fits, his college coach used to be a co-worker with Crennel, so there should be an unspoken confidence there. Quinn seems to be the most NFL ready quarterback in a while, including Matt Leinart. Charlie Frye isn't going to get it done. Quinn's the pick.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since everyone has Johnson falling to them here, I'm going with a defensive pick. They addressed their offensive line last year, and their defense is getting older by the day. You name it, they need it on defense. I'm going with Alan Branch. He's big, and from a good program. They traded away Booger McFarland last year, so they need a run stuffer. They have Chris Simms, Jake Plummer and Jeff Garcia. Maybe they'll acquire another pick for Plummer. Wide receiver is deep, so they need to hold off.
5. Arizona Cardinals. They have a dynamite offense, with no offensive line. They have an OK defense, with only a couple of holes. Matt Leinart really helped them out last year, but it still cost Dennis Green the axe. The new coach is a Pittsburgh spin off, so they'll look to get bigger and more physical in the trenches. Joe Thomas is gone, and it’s too early to pick up Levi Brown from Penn State, so Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams is the pick.
6. Washington Redskins. Who really knows with Dan Snyder? I don't think he's had a draft pick this high since he took over the franchise. They usually trade down, but to keep this thing easy I'm giving him Jamaal Anderson, the defensive end from Alabama.
7. Minnesota Vikings. They invested in Tavarias Jackson with a second round pick last year, but they have JaMarcus Russell staring them down. He's big and will remind people of the good ol' days with Dante Culpepper under center. Too bad he doesn't have Randy Moss to throw to. They could go with a wide reciever, but I doubt it. Ted Ginn is too unproven for my liking. They could also go with a lineman in Levi Brown, but it’s still a little too high according to the experts. I guess well see.
8. Houston Texas. What to do, what to do. Houston is a sinking ship. They had a golden opportunity to draft Vince Young last year and resurrect they city and team and didn't. Mario Williams will probably be a stud, but Young was a diamond. This year they do the right think, even though they signed Ahman Green, and pick Adrian Peterson. He's big and fast, and can run with power. He's got durability concerns, but I still remember his freshman year, and the fear he struck in the heart of opposing teams. The Texans need an offensive playmaker, and Green is too old to be the one.
9. Miami Dolphins. They got Joey Porter, but their defense is still getting old. They need a defensive back, so they draft Leon Hall from Michigan. He got burnt by Dewayne Jarrett and Ted Ginn, but he's the best on the board. They need help at quarterback, but I have a feeling they are going to get an experienced vet to challenge Dante Culpepper. I hope they sign Trent Green, so we'll see.
10. Atlanta Falcons. They have made a couple of moves in free agency, but if they really want to win, they need to cut ties with Michael Vick. He did a lot better last year, but he's had his chance to prove himself in Atlanta and hasn't done it. This may be the easiest projection, because they need help in their defensive backfield. I'm picking LaRon Landry. He's a stud from LSU, and if I remember correctly, a four-year starter. They might also pull a bone-headed move and draft Ted Ginn, but hopefully new coach Bobby Petrino has better sense than that.
22. Dallas Cowboys. Who really knows what Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones are going to do. Jones seems to be the one making all the decisions anyway. Soon he'll be another Al Davis. I hope not, but it looks like that's what it’s coming to. They got lucky with Romo, and hopefully he'll work out, but they need a quarterback for their defense. Roy Williams is my boy, but he couldn't cover a textbook with a book cover. LaRon Landry is the best option, but he's already gone so after the Florida Gator's pro day, I'm giving the Boys Reggie Nelson. He seems to make sense.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Avoiding tickets
Who doesn't hate getting pulled over by a cop?
You knew you probably did something wrong, and you're worried about how much the ticket is going to cost you.
Speeding tickets suck. Seat belt tickets are even worse.
But according to an MSNBC article, there are a few tips to stick to when you see those flashing lights.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17470955/
Here are a couple of my tips to think about.
n Step One - don't have drugs or a gun, unless they're licensed to you by a doctor or the state, in the car.
n Step Two - don't be an arrogant jerk. Cops are people too, and besides the fact that they have a job to do; sometimes they have to write tickets.
n Step Three - know what you are going to say before they knock on your driver's side window. I don't know how many verbal warnings I've gotten just because I didn't blabber out loud. Keep it simple. I think of myself as a decent liar, so I'm good at getting off the hook.
I worked for me New Year's Eve and it can work for you too.
n Step Four - flash the guy/girl some skin. Depending on the sex of the officer, it might work. Or you can try to bribe the officer with a $20.
Just kidding. Don't pay attention to number four. You won't get a ticket, and you'll probably end up in the slammer for one night. Then it might be you getting the unwanted sexual advances.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
This year's George Mason
March 07, 2007March Madness is fun.
It wouldn't have the word madness in the phrase if it wasn't a ball of joy. Brakets are going to be busted, and some school who has no business in the elite eight is going to crash the party.
Maybe even make lucky people a lot of money.
Like last year, some mid-major team is going to come out of left field, beat a 3 seed and then take down a possible 1 seed.
It always happens.
Everyone knows its going to happen, but no one is really sure.
My pick for this year's George Mason is Southern Illinois.
That's right the Salukis. Even though they didn't win their conference championship, and assuming they get an invite to the dance, I'm picking them to slay a giant or two.
They were ranked through a good part of the remainder of the basketball season. They were upset by Creighton and come from the Missouri Valley Conference.
This is their record from the past year:
11/10 Wash MO W 59-28
11/19 Murray St W 62-46
11/23 Arkansas L 61-53
11/24 Minnesota W 69-53
11/26 Va Tech W 69-64
11/29 at La Tech W 50-36
12/02 Saint Louis W 65-56
12/09 at W Kentucky W 75-70
12/17 at Indiana L 57-47
12/20 C Michigan W 74-61
12/23 at St Mary's W 66-61
12/29 at Illinois St W 68-49
01/01 Wichita St W 73-68
01/04 at Drake W 59-54
01/06 at N Iowa L 66-61
01/10 at Bradley L 48-46
01/13 Missouri St W 76-56
01/15 Drake W 72-62
01/17 at Evansville L 75-68
01/20 at Creighton W 58-57
01/23 N Iowa W 56-54
01/27 Illinois St W 73-62
01/31 Indiana St W 61-48
02/03 at Wichita St W 54-46
02/07 Bradley W 60-50
02/10 Creighton W 72-68
02/13 at Missouri St W 51-47
02/17 at #12 Butler W 68-64
02/21 at Indiana St W 58-50
02/24 Evansville W 76-69
03/02 Drake W 71-59
03/03 Bradley W 53-51
03/04 Creighton L 67-61
They've had some good wins, and the MVC is getting better every year. Their number one scorer, Jamaal Tatum, is a good penetrator and a electrifying scorer when he gets hot.
That's my pick and I'm sticking to it, even if I do lose a ton of money in office pools.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
NFL offseason rumors
Since I hate not being able to know everything about everything NFL, I'm going to do you guys a favor.
I'm an espn insider, so I get all the good stuff from the top sports newtork. I love the rumors. So I'll try to post whats going on in the NFL daily.
Hopefully I don't get in too much trouble, I doubt anyone will be browsing this site that works for ESPN.
Trent Green, Chiefs quaterback
Greener pastures?
The Dolphins are one of a handful of teams interested in Green, writes ESPN.com's John Clayton.
Green is looking at trade options because Kansas City is going through a transition at quarterback. Damon Huard re-signed for three years. The plan is for Brodie Croyle to be ready to start by 2008, but for that to happen he needs to be the backup this year. What that means for Green is he can either start or be the No. 3. If Green can't find a trading partner, he can certainly return and compete against Huard for a starting job with a reduced salary. Expect him to be gone.
Joe Horn, Saints wide reciever
Horn wants Falcons
After passing a physical and meeting with team officials, Horn left Atlanta without a contract agreement, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 35-year-old was released by New Orleans on March 1, and his preference would be to play in Atlanta. The Falcons have more than $6 million under the cap, and are expected to create more by releasing veteran players.
Atlanta lost staring wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who signed a free-agent contract with the 49ers on Monday, and don't have much experience or depth at wide receiver.
Dominic Rhodes, Colts running back
Rhodes well traveled
I really hope Rhodes ends up somewhere and gets paid. He deserves it, especially after Peyton Manning stole his Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
